DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to storage and transportation of large tarpaulin covers. In particular, the present invention relates to a light-weight structure for storage and deployment of such tarpaulin covers on an automotive vehicle, such as cargo vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a foldable and slidable storage structure for storing and transporting a large tarpaulin for cargo vehicle without compromising the load-carrying capacity thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The goods carrying vehicles such as cargo vehicles, tipper and tractors frequently require a tarpaulin cover for protecting the produce transported therein. However, due to the heavy weight of such large tarpaulins, the load carrying capacity of these vehicles is substantially compromised to accommodate these covers. Moreover, these covers are not always required and storing the same continuously in the vehicles uses up a good portion of the loading volume of the vehicle. Further, storing and handling these covers is not very easy and deploying the same as and when required, needs good amount of time and human effort.

DISADVANTAGES WITH THE PRIOR ART

At present, there are no specially designed structures available for storage, transportation and quick deployment of the large tarpaulin covers in load capacity vehicles, such as trucks, cargo vehicles, tippers, tractors etc. The available structures use up a substantial volume of the storage capacity of loading volume of these vehicles. These structures require capable manpower to be deployed, because these covers often weigh in excess of 40 kg, whenever these are required for protecting the goods stored and carried in these vehicles.

In particular, in high aero roof tilt-able cabin with the roof storage, the challenges are the safety of the covers. Further, additional mass penalties are imposed on permanently reinforcing the roof for foot-loading.
Therefore, there is a need for developing a cost-effective solution for storage and transportation of heavy tarpaulin covers often required in large capacity / high volume cargo vehicles and the like.

There is also a need to design a foldable structure for storing and deploying such heavy-weight and large-volume tarpaulin cover on the cargo vehicle, such that this requires minimum manpower to launch it on the vehicle. Another requirement is to optimize the configuration of such structure for storage and transportation of heavy tarpaulin covers, which is foldable and adaptable to any large-capacity cargo vehicle.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Some of the objects of the present invention - satisfied by at least one embodiment of the present invention - are as follows:

An object of the present invention is to provide a simple structure for storage and transport of heavy tarpaulin covers in large capacity vehicles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a foldable structure for storage and transport of heavy tarpaulin covers in large capacity vehicles.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a modular structure for storage and transport of heavy tarpaulin covers in large capacity vehicles.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a structure for storage and transport of heavy tarpaulin covers cargo vehicles, without reducing the load-carrying height or volumetric capacity of large capacity vehicles.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a cost-effective structure for storage and transport of heavy tarpaulin covers in large capacity vehicles.

Still further object of the present invention is to provide a structure mounted for storage and transport of heavy tarpaulin covers in large capacity vehicles.
Yet further object of the present invention is to provide a heavy tarpaulin cover storage and transport structure in cargo vehicles within stipulated load height.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when read with the accompanying figures of drawing, which are, however, not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a foldable and slidable tarpaulin carrier having a light-weight structure for storing and transporting a large tarpaulin in vehicles; the structure comprising a mechanism for the deployment thereof on the vehicle’s load body and for the release from the deployed position thereof for safe storage of the tarpaulin carrier behind the cabin, when not required.

Typically, the structure is a hollow tubular structure, preferably a tubular metallic and/or plastic structure.

Typically, the structure comprises:

(a) a tray-like structure carrying a tarpaulin and made of tubular members, having a front extended pivoting arm and a rear extended latching arm; said extended arms transversely disposed on top of the load body and forming a part of the base of the tarpaulin carrier;

(b) a respective cam guide provided at the top front end of the load body at either side thereof for pivoting the moveable structure for the deployment or release thereof on or from the top of the load body;

(c) a respective latching hook provided on top of the vehicle’s load body at either side thereof and disposed away from the cabin and the cam guides;

wherein the extended latching arm is secured in the latching hooks provided at either transverse end of the load body for deploying the tarpaulin over the load body in the horizontal deployment of the tarpaulin carrier.
Typically, the structure comprises hooks for securing the tarpaulin therein when folded for storage.

Typically, the tray-like structure is moveable rearwards by a predefined distance for releasing the extended latching arms from the respective latching hooks for releasing the carrier for storage thereof behind the cabin.

Typically, the cam guide comprises an ‘L’ shaped plate, with the shorter arm thereof fixed on the front top end of the load body and the longer arm thereof fixed on the front face of the load body and disposed behind the cabin.

Typically, a ‘U’ bracket opened upwards is fixed on the front end of the shorter arm of the respective ‘L’ shaped cam guide plate fitted on either side of the load body.

Typically, the length of the longer arm of the ‘L’ shaped cam guide plate fitted on either side of the load body is made at least equal to the distance between the front and rear extended arms of the tray-like structure.

Typically, the outer ends of the extended arms are provided with a respective flared end for restraining the extended arms within the latching hooks and ‘U’ brackets fixed on the respective cam guide.

Typically, on releasing rear extended arm from the latching hooks, the structure moves towards the cabin and the structure is positioned vertically suspended by means of the respective flared ends of the rear extended arms duly engaged in the respective ‘U’ brackets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The present invention will be briefly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which include:

Figure 1a to 1c show the detailed view of a foldable and slidable structure for storage and transportation of the large and heavy tarpaulin covers for cargo vehicles configured in accordance with the present invention in the deployed condition thereof.

Figure 2a to 2c show the detailed view the foldable and slidable structure of Figure 1 in the non-deployed condition disposed between the vehicle cabin and load-body thereof.

Figure 3a through 3f show the detailed side view the tarpaulin carrier 100, respectively from the deployed condition, i.e. disposed above the load body (Fig.1a) to the non-deployed condition, i.e. disposed between the vehicle cabin and load-body (Fig. 2a) thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

In the following, different embodiments of the present invention will be described in more details with reference to the accompanying drawings without limiting the scope and ambit of the present invention in any way.

Figure 1a shows a foldable and slidable structure configured in accordance with the present invention for storage and transportation of the large and heavy tarpaulin covers for cargo vehicles and depicted in the deployed condition thereof. The structure is configured as a tubular light-weight structure, which can be un-folded and deployed above the cargo vehicle 10 as the tarpaulin cover rack 100 disposed above the load body 20 within a stipulated load height ‘H’ from the ground ‘Grd’. The rack 100 consists of a pair of handles 112 on the load-side and a tarpaulin holder 114 disposed next to the top of the vehicle cabin 10 in deployed condition thereof. It also includes at least one pair of latching mechanism 116 for latching the pivoting arm 118 of the rack 100 disposed over the load body 20 by means of a cam guide 120 in the deployed condition thereof, as shown in this figure. The encircled portion A is described further in respect of the latching mechanism 116 fitted on the load body 20 and with reference to Figures 1b and 1c.

Figure 1b shows an enlarged view B of the encircled portion A of Figure 1a depicting the latch mechanism 116 fitted on the load body 20.
Figure 1c shows a further enlarged partial view B of the latch mechanism 116 fitted on the load body 20.

Figure 2a shows the foldable and slidable structure of the rack 100 depicted in Figure 1 in the non-deployed condition, in which the rack 100 is released from the latches 116 and is disposed suspended from the cam guide 120 by means of the pivoting arm 118 and securely stored above the top of the vehicle cabin 10 and forward of the load-body 20 thereof. In this non-deployed condition, it does not use any load carrying capacity or volume of the load body 20 of the cargo vehicle. The encircled portion C is described further in respect of the cam guide 120 fitted on the load body 20 and behind the cabin 10 and with reference to Figures 2b and 2c.

Figure 2b shows an enlarged view D of the encircled portion C of Figure 2a depicting the cam guide 120 fitted on the load body 20.

Figure 2c shows a further enlarged partial view D of the latch mechanism 120 fitted on the load body 20.

Figure 3a shows a detailed side view of the tarpaulin carrier 100 in its deployed condition and being disposed horizontally above the load body (Fig.1a). The tarpaulin carrier 100 includes a rear extended latching arm 115 and a front latching cam and pivoting arm 117 for deployment/non-deployment of the tarpaulin carrier 100.

Figure 3b shows a detailed side view of the tarpaulin carrier 100 moved from its deployed condition horizontally above the load body (Fig.1a) to a rearward direction R1 to unlatch its latching arm 115 from the latch mechanism 116.

Figure 3c shows a detailed side view of the tarpaulin carrier 100, in which the unlatched tarpaulin carrier 100 is rotated from its horizontal position in upward direction R2 and about the pivot point of the cam guide 120 for moving it towards the cabin 10.

Figure 3d shows a detailed side view of the now raised tarpaulin carrier 100 being moved in rearward direction R3 towards the cabin 10. Here, the cam profile of the cam guide 120 guides the transverse member or pivot arm 117 of the tarpaulin carrier to move it back towards the cabin 10.

Figure 3e shows a detailed side view of the tarpaulin carrier 100 with its pivoting arm at its rearmost position and is rotated in an anticlockwise direction R4 to help it move down in the cam guide 120 in direction R5 for non-deployment from the load body 20.

Figure 3f shows a detailed side view of the tarpaulin carrier 100 on reaching the non-deployed condition thereof. In this condition, the tarpaulin carrier 100 is locked in the U-section 122 on top of the cam guide 120. In this non-deployed condition, the tarpaulin carrier 100 is disposed vertically between the vehicle cabin and load-body (Fig. 2a) thereof.

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE

The foldable and slidable structure for storing and transporting a large tarpaulin for cargo vehicle configured in accordance with the present invention has the following advantages:

• Does not affect the loading volume of the load body.

• Offers ease handling without any need for lifting heavy tarpaulin cover.

• Optimized to prevent any limitation of the load height.

• Offers adoptability to existing cargo vehicles.

• Can carry heavy weight tarpaulin covers of over 40Kg above the truck cabin.

• Requires no foot loading for reinforcing the roof as in high aero-roof tilt-able cabins

• Offers user safety as user need not climb on cabin to utilize the tarpaulin storing structure mounted on load body

• The shape of tarpaulin storing structure along with tarpaulin will help to improve the coefficient of drag of the vehicle.

• Provides simple and cost-effective solution for storage and transportation of heavy tarpaulin covers.

• Modular tubular structure which is foldable and can be slid easily above truck cabin without using load height in un-deployed condition.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept.

Therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. The descriptions of well-known components and manufacturing and processing techniques are consciously omitted in this specification, so as not to unnecessarily obscure the specification.

The numerical values given of various physical parameters, dimensions and quantities are only approximate values and it is envisaged that the values higher or lower than the numerical value assigned to the physical parameters, dimensions and quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure unless there is a statement in the specification to the contrary.

Throughout this specification, the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, shall be understood to implies including a described element, integer or method step, or group of elements, integers or method steps, however, does not imply excluding any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or method steps.

The use of the expression “a”, “at least” or “at least one” shall imply using one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as used in the embodiment of the disclosure in order to achieve one or more of the intended objects or results of the present invention.

It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation. The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the above description.

The description provided herein is purely by way of example and illustration. The various features and advantageous details are explained with reference to this non-limiting embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

The embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments and the skilled person will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments described herein.

Therefore, the skilled person can easily make innumerable changes, variations, modifications, alterations and/or integrations in terms of materials and method used to configure, manufacture and assemble various constituents, components, subassemblies, assemblies and in terms of the size, shapes, orientations and interrelationships without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. ,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:

1. A foldable and slidable tarpaulin carrier having a light-weight structure for storing and transporting a large tarpaulin in vehicles; the structure comprising a mechanism for the deployment thereof on the vehicle’s load body and for the release from the deployed position thereof for safe storage of the tarpaulin carrier behind the cabin, when not required.

2. Tarpaulin carrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the structure is a hollow tubular structure, preferably a tubular metallic and/or plastic structure.

3. Tarpaulin carrier structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the structure comprises:

(a) a tray-like structure carrying a tarpaulin and made of tubular members, having a front extended pivoting arm and a rear extended latching arm; said extended arms transversely disposed on top of the load body and forming a part of the base of the tarpaulin carrier;

(b) a respective cam guide provided at the top front end of the load body at either side thereof for pivoting the structure for the deployment or release thereof on or from the top of the load body;

(c) a respective latching hook provided on top of the vehicle’s load body at either side thereof and disposed away from the cabin and the cam guides;

wherein the extended latching arm is secured in the latching hooks provided at either transverse end of the load body for deploying the tarpaulin over the load body in the horizontal deployment of the tarpaulin carrier.

4. Tarpaulin carrier structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the structure comprises hooks for securing the tarpaulin therein when folded for storage.

5. Tarpaulin carrier structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tray-like structure is moveable rearwards by a predefined distance for releasing the extended latching arms from the respective latching hooks for releasing the carrier for storage thereof behind the cabin.
6. Tarpaulin carrier structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cam guide comprises an ‘L’ shaped plate, with the shorter arm thereof fixed on the front top end of the load body and the longer arm thereof fixed on the front face of the load body and disposed behind the cabin.

7. Tarpaulin carrier structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein a ‘U’ bracket opened upwards is fixed on the front end of the shorter arm of the respective ‘L’ shaped cam guide plate fitted on either side of the load body.

8. Tarpaulin carrier structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein the length of the longer arm of the ‘L’ shaped cam guide plate fitted on either side of the load body is made at least equal to the distance between the front and rear extended arms of the tray-like structure.

9. Tarpaulin carrier structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the outer ends of the extended arms are provided with a respective flared end for restraining the extended arms within the latching hooks and ‘U’ brackets fixed on the respective cam guide.

10. Tarpaulin carrier structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein on releasing rear extended arm from the latching hooks, the structure moves towards the cabin and the structure is positioned vertically suspended by means of the respective flared ends of the rear extended arms duly engaged in the respective ‘U’ brackets.

Dated: this 04th day of April, 2016. SANJAY KESHARWANI
APPLICANT’S PATENT AGENT