Apparatus for connecting and anchoring tarpaulins

Abstract

An apparatus for connecting and anchoring tarpaulins, includes a polymer plastic elongate body having a first side, a second side, and a longitudinal axis. An integrally formed first connector and second connector extend parallel to the longitudinal axis for the entire length of the elongate body. The first connector has an opening facing the first side. The second connector has an opening facing the second side. Integrally formed anchoring wings underlie the elongate body, with a first side of each anchoring wing protruding past the sides of the elongate body. The second side of each of the anchoring wings merge into a vertical plane positioned along the longitudinal axis of the elongate body.

1 . An apparatus for connecting and anchoring tarpaulins, comprising: 
 a polymer plastic elongate body having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, and a longitudinal axis;    an integrally formed first connector extending parallel to the longitudinal axis for the entire length of the elongate body from the first end to the second end, the first connector having an opening facing the first side, the first connector being adapted to receive and retain a first bulbous edge of a first tarpaulin;    an integrally formed second connector extending parallel to the longitudinal axis for the entire length of the elongate body from the first end to the second end, the second connector having an opening facing the second side, the second connector being adapted to receive and retain a second bulbous edge of a second tarpaulin;    an integrally formed first anchoring wing underlying the elongate body and extending from the first end to the second end, the first anchoring wing have a first side and a second side, the first side of the first anchoring wing protruding past the first side of the elongate body, the second side of the first anchoring wing merging into a vertical plane positioned along the longitudinal axis of the elongate body; and    an integrally formed second anchoring wing underlying the elongate body and extending from the first end to the second end, the second anchoring wing have a first side and a second side, the first side of the second anchoring wing protruding past the second side of the elongate body, the second side of the second anchoring wing merging into the vertical plane.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first anchoring wing and the second anchoring wing are angled outwardly and downwardly from the elongate body to define a concave underlying engagement surface.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first anchoring wing and the second anchoring wing are made of a thicker polymer plastic than the first connector and the second connector.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first connector is in the form of a “C” channel and the second connector is in the form of a “C” channel.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a reinforcing ridge is positioned along a longitudinal edge of both the first anchoring wing and the second anchoring wing.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the “C” channel of the first connector and the second connector both have a chamfer at their remote ends.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus for connecting and anchoring tarpaulins, comprising: 
 a polymer plastic elongate body having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, and a longitudinal axis;    an integrally formed first “C” channel connector extending parallel to the longitudinal axis for the entire length of the elongate body from the first end to the second end, the first “C” channel connector having a slotted opening facing the first side, the first “C” channel being adapted to receive and retain a first bulbous edge of a first tarpaulin;    an integrally formed second “C” channel connector extending parallel to the longitudinal axis for the entire length of the elongate body from the first end to the second end, the second “C” channel connector having a slotted opening facing the second side, the second “C” channel being adapted to receive and retain a second bulbous edge of a second tarpaulin;    an integrally formed first anchoring wing underlying the elongate body and extending from the first end to the second end, the first anchoring wing have a first side and a second side, the first side of the first anchoring wing protruding past the first side of the elongate body, the second side of the first anchoring wing merging into a vertical plane positioned along the longitudinal axis of the elongate body;    an integrally formed second anchoring wing underlying the elongate body and extending from the first end to the second end, the second anchoring wing have a first side and a second side, the first side of the second anchoring wing protruding past the second side of the elongate body, the second side of the second anchoring wing merging into the vertical plane;    the first anchoring wing and the second anchoring wing being angled outwardly and downwardly from the elongate body to define a concave engagement surface;    a reinforcing ridge along a longitudinal edge of both the first anchoring wing and the second anchoring wing.