Device and method for manipulating a tarpaulin

Abstract

A method for manipulating and securing a tarpaulin across an aperture defining opposed aperture first and second ends, the tarpaulin being secured at one end thereof adjacent the aperture first end and secured to a rod at the other end thereof. With the tarpaulin at least partially rolled around a rod, the tarpaulin is unrolled from the rod and substantially simultaneously the rod is moved across the aperture toward the aperture second end so that the tarpaulin is extended across the aperture as the tarpaulin in unrolled from the rod. After the rod has been moved substantially adjacent to the aperture second end, the rod is inserted in the recess of a hook provided adjacent the aperture second end so as to prevent movements of the rod toward the aperture first end beyond a predetermined location. After inserting the rod in the recess, the tarpaulin is rolled around the rod to move the rod to the predetermined location and create a tension in the tarpaulin to secure the tarpaulin to the hook.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to tarpaulins. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a device and a method for manipulating a tarpaulin.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Many systems exist for covering apertures in cargo containers of vehicles. However, there is a specific type of container for which covering is still typically made manually. Indeed, in the live animal transportation industry, it is common to build a frame above a conventional platform truck or platform trailer. Cages are then piled inside this frame. In relatively warm weather, there is typically no need to cover the cages, and, in hot weather, it would be even dangerous to do so for the animals transported in the cages.[0003]However, in cold weather, it is a common to extend tarpaulins around the sidewalls and / or top wall of the frame so that the cages can be enclosed. This process is performed manually and is therefore relatively time-consuming. Also, this p...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]In a first broad aspect, the invention provides a method for securing a tarpaulin across an aperture using a hook defining a recess, the aperture being defined in a cargo container of a vehicle, the aperture defining an aperture first end and a substantially opposed aperture second end, the hook being provided substantially adjacent to the aperture second end, the tarpaulin defining a tarpaulin first end and a substantially opposed tarpaulin second end, the tarpaulin being secured to the container substantially adjacent the tarpaulin first end with the tarpaulin and aperture first ends substantially adjacent to each other, the tarpaulin being secured to a rod substantially adjacent the tarpaulin second end to allow rolling of the tarpaulin around the rod and unrolling of the tarpaulin from the rod. The method includes: with the tarpaulin at least partially rolled around the rod, unrolling the tarpaulin from the rod and substantially simultaneously moving the rod across the aperture toward the aperture second end so that the tarpaulin is extended across the aperture as the tarpaulin in unrolled from the rod; after the rod has been moved substantially adjacent to the aperture second end, inserting the rod in the recess of the hook so as to prevent movements of the rod toward the aperture first end beyond a predetermined location; after inserting the rod in the recess, rolling the tarpaulin around the rod to move the rod to the predetermined location and create a tension in the tarpaulin to secure the tarpaulin to the hook.

[0008]Advantageously, the proposed device is relatively simple to operate using a series of relatively simple and quick steps. The proposed device is also inexpensive to manufacture. The proposed device can, in some embodiments of the invention, be retrofitted to conventional platform trucks or trailers without requiring extensive modifications and without interfering with the conventional equipment of such trucks and trailers.

Problems solved by technology

In relatively warm weather, there is typically no need to cover the cages, and, in hot weather, it would be even dangerous to do so for the animals transported in the cages.

This process is performed manually and is therefore relatively time-consuming.

Also, this process often requires that personnel climbs on the trailer to handle the tarpaulins, which can be relatively dangerous.

Conventional systems for covering apertures in cargo containers are typically not usable as they would be hindered by the conventional equipment present on the platform.

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