Roll-up tarp for trailers

Abstract

A canvas tarpaulin having dimensions sufficient to cover the top of an open truck box has one edge affixed to one longitudinal edge of the truck box top. The opposite edge of the tarpaulin is affixed to a tube which extends for the length of the box. The rear of the tube contains an extension attached to a universal joint. A crank handle is also attached to the joint so that the tube can be rolled transversely across the top to roll up the tarpaulin thereon. A downward cantilevered lip is attached to the opposite longitudinal edge of the box top. When the tarp is unrolled, the tube rolls over a free edge of the lip and can be wound in the opposite direction rolling up a small portion of the tarpaulin under the free edge. The crank handle is then moved against the rear of the truck body thus locking the universal joint thereby holding the tarp tightly upon the box top. The crank handle is then secured against the rear of the box.

What is claimed as new is as follows: 
     
       1. A cover assembly for an elongated body having an elongated opening, comprising: a flexible covering material having a longitudinal dimension approximately equal to the longitudinal dimension of said opening and having a lateral dimension slightly greater than the lateral dimension of said opening, said covering material having one longitudinal edge adapted for attachment to one longitudinal edge of said opening;   a bar member attached to the other longitudinal edge of said covering material;   crank means attached to said bar member for rolling said bar member transversely of said body for rolling or unrolling said covering material; and   an extension plate adapted for engagement to an opposite longitudinal edge of said opening, said plate having a surface extending away from said opening for holding said bar against said body when said bar is rolled between said surface and said body.   
     
     
       2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said crank means includes a universal joint operatively connected on one side to said .[.far.]. .Iadd.bar .Iaddend.member and operatively connected to a crank handle on the opposite side thereof. 
     
     
       3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said universal joint is adapted to extend rearwardly of said body. 
     
     
       4. The invention as defined in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.2 .Iaddend.and further including crank retainer assembly means adapted to be removably fixed to a portion of said body for holding said crank handle in a position substantially perpendicular to said bar thereby locking said universal joint. 
     
     
       5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said crank retainer assembly means includes a U-shaped clip attachable to said crank handle and slide means attached to said U-shaped clip for slidably connecting said clip to said body. 
     
     
       6. The invention as defined in claim 2 and further including .[.far.]. .Iadd.bar .Iaddend.movement means connected to said bar for urging said bar toward said extension plate. 
     
     
       7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said bar movement means includes a resilient cord having one end attached to said bar. 
     
     
       8. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said bar is a hollow tube and said cord end attached to said bar extends through one end of said bar and through a smaller tube disposed in said bar and is secured to a distal end of said smaller tube. 
     
     
       9. The invention as defined in claim 1 and further including a plurality of bow elements adapted for connection laterally of said opening for supporting said covering material. 
     
     
       10. The invention as defined in claim 9 and further including a ridgepole connecting the centers of said bow members for holding said covering material against longitudinal displacement along said opening. 
     
     
       11. In combination, a covering apparatus for opened top bodies including a covering material connected to said body along one longitudinal side thereof; roll means for rolling said covering material laterally across said open top; and a latch plate attached along a second longitudinal .[.edge.]. .Iadd.side .Iaddend.of said body, said latch plate being canted outwardly and downwardly from said second longitudinal edge of said body for providing an area for wedging said roll means. 
     
     
       12. The invention as defined in claim 11 wherein said roll means includes .Iadd.a .Iaddend.bar fixedly attached to a second longitudinal end of said covering material; a universal joint disposed at the rear end of said bar; and a crank handle attached to said universal joint. 
     
     
       13. The invention as defined in claim 12 and further including crank handle retainer assembly means attached to the rear of said body for holding said crank handle in a disposition approximately perpendicular to said bar. .Iadd. 
     
     
       14.  A cover assembly for an elongated body defining an elongated opening, comprising: a flexible covering material having a longitudinal dimension approximately corresponding to the longitudinal dimension of said opening and having a lateral dimension greater than the lateral dimension of said opening;   means attaching one longitudinal edge of said covering material adjacent one longitudinal edge of said opening;   a bar member connected to the covering material adjacent the other longitudinal edge of the covering material;   crank means operatively connected to one side of said bar member for rolling said bar member transversely of said body for rolling or unrolling said covering material;   resilient means, one end of said resilient means being attached to said bar member on the opposite side of said bar member, the other end of said resilient means being attached to said body, said resilient means extending over said body when said covering material is in a rolled condition to expose said opening, and said resilient means applying tension to said bar member during unrolling of the covering material as said opening is being covered, and;   latching means supported on said body on the side of said body opposite the side defining said one longitudinal edge of said opening, said latching means serving to secure said covering material in place when said opening is covered;   and wherein said crank means and said resilient means cooperate to secure said covering material relative to said latching means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       15.  The invention as defined in claim 14 including engaging means attached to said other longitudinal edge of said covering material, said crank means and resilient means operating to urge said engaging means into securing engagement with said latching means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.16. The invention as defined in claim 15 wherein said engaging means comprises said bar member. .Iaddend. .Iadd.17. The invention as defined in claim 14 wherein said crank means includes a universal joint operatively connected on one side to said bar member and operatively connected to a crank handle on the opposite side thereof. .Iaddend. .Iadd.18. The invention as defined in claim 17 wherein said universal joint is adapted to extend rearwardly of said body. .Iaddend. .Iadd.19. The invention as defined in claim 17 and further including crank retainer assembly means adapted to be removably fixed to a portion of said body for holding said crank handle in a position substantially perpendicular to said bar thereby locking said universal joint. .Iaddend. .Iadd.20. The invention as defined in claim 14 wherein said resilient means comprises a resilient cord, said cord extending outwardly relative to said opposite side of said bar during 
     
     
        rolling of said covering material. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21.  A cover assembly for an elongated body defining an elongated opening, comprising: a flexible covering material having a longitudinal dimension approximately corresponding to the longitudinal dimension of said opening and having a lateral dimension greater than the lateral dimension of said opening;   means attaching one longitudinal edge of said covering material adjacent one longitudinal edge of said opening;   a bar member connected to the covering material adjacent the other longitudinal edge of the covering material;   crank means operatively connected to one side of said bar member for rolling said bar member transversely of said body for rolling or unrolling said covering material;   said crank means including an elongated operating shaft, said shaft extending downwardly from said bar member,   retainer means for said shaft mounted on said body for holding said shaft in position;   latching means supported on said body on the side of said body opposite the side defining said one longitudinal edge of said opening, said crank means operating to secure said covering material relative to said latching means to secure said covering material in place when said opening is covered,   and wherein subsequent movement of said shaft into holding relationship with said retainer means operates to apply tension to said bar member to tighten the bar member relative to said latching means and to thereby   
     
     
        apply tension to said covering material. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22.  The invention as defined in claim 21 wherein said retainer means is supported on the back wall of said body inwardly from said side of the body supporting said latching means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. The invention as defined in claim 21 wherein said crank means includes a universal joint operatively connected on one side to said bar member and operatively connected to said shaft on the opposite side thereof. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. The invention as defined in claim 23 wherein said universal joint is adapted to extend rearwardly of said body. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25. The invention as defined in claim 23 wherein said shaft is moved to a position substantially perpendicular to said bar thereby locking said universal joint prior to movement of the shaft into holding relationship with said retainer means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. The invention as defined in claim 25 including adjustment means associated with said retainer means for varying the angle relative to the perpendicular at which said shaft is disposed across said back wall, variations of said angle serving to vary the 
     
     
        tension applied to said covering material. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27.  The invention as defined in claim 14 including retainer means for said crank means maintained on said body for holding said crank means in position. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28. The invention as defined in claim 27 wherein said retainer means is supported on the back wall of said body inwardly from said side of the body supporting said latching means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. The invention as defined in claim 27 wherein said crank means includes a universal joint operatively connected on one side to said bar member and operatively connected to said shaft on the opposite side thereof. .Iadd.30. The invention as defined in claim 29 wherein said universal joint is adapted to extend rearwardly of said body. .Iaddend. .Iadd.31. The invention as defined in claim 29 wherein said shaft is moved to a position substantially perpendicular to said bar thereby locking said universal joint prior to movement of the shaft into holding relationship 
     
     
        with said retainer means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.32.  The invention as defined in claim 31 including adjustment means associated with said retainer means for varying the angle relative to the perpendicular at which said shaft is disposed across said back wall, variations of said angle serving to vary the tension applied to said covering material. .Iaddend.