Coupler for landfill tarp weight system

Abstract

A weight system for a landfill tarpaulin. A pair of parallel chains are retained within a pair of sleeves in the tarp. A plurality of parallel wire lines traverse the tarpaulin. A plurality of elongated coupler bodies are provided with each coupler body having a first end terminating in an eyelet, a second, opposed end terminating in a hollow recess, and an attached threaded protrusion to the underside of the body. A chain fastener passes through one eyelet, passes through one of the links of the chain, and passes through the sleeve of the tarp. A tarp fastener passes through a washer, passes through the tarp, passes through an optional washer, and is threadably connected to the elongated coupler body. Each end of the wire lines is received and held in place by the hollow recess.

Claims

1. A weight system for a landfill tarp, which comprises: a pair of parallel chains retained within a pair of sleeves in said tarp; a plurality of parallel wire lines traversing said tarp; a plurality of elongated coupler bodies, each elongated coupler body having a first end terminating in an eyelet and a second, opposed end terminating in a hollow recess; a fastener passing through said eyelet in said first end and connecting to said tarp, wherein said fastener passing through said eyelet connects directly or indirectly to one of said sleeves in said tarp for said chains; and a tarp fastener securing said elongated coupler bodies to said tarp at a point along said coupler bodies other than at said eyelet; wherein a portion of said parallel wire lines are received by said hollow recess.

2. The weight system for a landfill tarp as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tarp fastener includes a threaded protrusion on the underside of the elongated coupler body.

3. The weight system for a landfill tarp as set forth in claim 2 wherein said tarp fastener includes a threaded bolt passing through a washer, passing through the tarp, and being received by the threaded protrusion.

4. The weight system for a landfill tarp as set forth in claim 2 wherein said tarp fastener includes a threaded bolt passing through a washer, passing through the tarp, passing through a second washer, and being received by the threaded protrusion.

5. The weight system for a landfill tarp as set forth in claim 1 wherein each said coupler body first end is flattened.

6. The weight system for a landfill tarp as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of parallel wire lines are in a sleeve of said tarp.

7. A coupler for a landfill tarp weight system, which coupler comprises: an elongated coupler body having a first end terminating in an eyelet and a second, opposed end terminating in a hollow recess; a chain fastener passing through said eyelet, passing through a chain with a plurality of links, where said chain fastener passes through one of said links, and passes through a tarp securing said coupler to said chain and said tarp; and a tarp fastener securing said coupler to said tarp at a point along said coupler other than at said eyelet; wherein hollow recess receives a wireline.

8. A coupler for a landfill tarp weight system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said tarp fastener includes a threaded protrusion on the underside of the elongated coupler body.

9. A coupler for a landfill tarp weight system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said tarp fastener includes a threaded bolt passing through a washer, passing through the tarp, and being received by the threaded protrusion.

10. A coupler for a landfill tarp weight system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said tarp fastener includes a threaded bolt passing through a washer, passing through the tarp, passing through a second washer, and being received by the threaded protrusion.

11. A coupler for a landfill tarp weight system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said coupler body first end is flattened.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the weight system for a landfill tarpaulin constructed in accordance with the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a first preferred embodiment of a coupler of the weight system for a landfill tarpaulin as shown in FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a second preferred embodiment of a coupler of the weight system for a landfill tarpaulin.

(4) FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the weight system of FIG. 1 with the tarp removed for ease of viewing.

(5) FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the coupler of the weight system of FIG. 1.

(6) FIG. 6 is an end view of the coupler shown in FIG. 5.

(7) FIG. 7 is a side view of the coupler shown in FIG. 5.

(8) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the coupler shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) The embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific manners in which to make and use the invention and are not to be interpreted as limiting the scope.

(10) While the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be noted that many modifications may be made in the details of the invention's construction and the arrangement of its components without departing from the scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for purposes of exemplification.

(11) FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an interconnected weight system 10 for a landfill tarp 12. The tarpaulin may be constructed of any flexible material, such as polypropylene. The tarpaulin may be any dimension, although 40 feet by 100 feet is typical. In the embodiment shown, the tarp 12 is connected at one end to a spool or reel 14 which is mounted for rotation on a framework 16. The spool is wound and unwound by hydraulic power and uses motive force from machinery 9, such as a bulldozer, backhoe, or other heavy equipment.

(12) The weight system 10 includes a pair of parallel chains (to be described in detail), each having a plurality of links, which are retained within a pair of sleeves 20 and 22 which run along the edge of the tarpaulin 12. The sleeves 20 and 22 form pockets for receipt of the chains. The chains provide weight to prevent the tarp 12 from being blown or otherwise moved from the desired location.

(13) As will be described in detail, a plurality of parallel wire lines (to be described in detail) periodically traverse the tarp between the chains within the sleeves 20 and 22. The wire lines are likewise retained in sleeves 26 forming pockets for receipt of the wire lines.

(14) When the tarpaulin 12 is wound on the spool or reel 14, the parallel chains and traverse wire lines are also wound on the spool or reel.

(15) FIG. 2 illustrates a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Wire lines 36 are secured to the chains by a plurality of elongated couplers 18, one of which is shown in FIG. 2. One of the chains 28 shown in FIG. 2 is retained within the sleeve 20 of the tarp. The wire line 36 is retained within the sleeve 26 of the tarp 12 (depicted in FIG. 1). Each of the wire lines 36 are substantially perpendicular to the chains 28.

(16) An elongated coupler body 18 has a first end terminating in an eyelet 33. The elongated coupler body 18 also has a second, opposed end terminating in a hollow recess 37. A chain fastener passes through the eyelet 33, passes through one of the links of the chain 28, and also passes through the sleeve 20 of the tarp 12.

(17) In the present embodiment, the chain fastener is composed of a threaded bolt 21, a washer 43, and a threaded nut 23, although other fasteners are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention.

(18) Each end of wire line 36 is received and held in place by a hollow recess 37 of the elongated coupler bodies 18. The end of each wire line 36 is rotationally free to move within the recess of the body.

(19) Additionally, the underside of the elongated coupler body 18 has the capability of being fastened directly to the tarp 12 via a tarp fastener. In the present embodiment, the tarp fastener is composed of a threaded bolt 42, a washer 25, an opening in the tarp 29, and a threaded protrusion affixed to the underside of the elongated coupler body 18. The combination of the chain fastener and the tarp fastener allow for the elongated coupler body to be held substantially perpendicular to the chains such that the elongated coupler body does not rotate about the chain fastener.

(20) FIG. 3 illustrates a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The second preferred embodiment of the invention places an optional washer 35 between the opening in the tarp 29 and the threaded protrusion 24 of the tarp fastener.

(21) FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of how the wire lines 36 are received by the hollow recesses 37 of the coupler bodies 18 which are fastened to the chains 28.

(22) FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the elongated coupler body 18 illustrating the relative positions of the eyelet 33 to the threaded protrusion 24 of the tarp fastener to the hollow recess 37.

(23) FIG. 6 is an end view of the eyelet end of the elongated coupler body 18 showing the threaded protrusion 24 of the tarp fastener.

(24) FIG. 7 is a side view of the elongated coupler body 18 apart from the other components of the weight system.

(25) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the elongated coupler body 18 apart from the other components of the weight system.

(26) Whereas, the invention has been described in relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the scope of this invention.