U.S. patent application number 09/853248 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-22 for device for tensioning side tarpaulin having abutment element securing tightener independent of side tarpaulin tension.
Invention is credited to Than, Johannes.
Application Number | 20010042994 09/853248 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7642685 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010042994 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Than, Johannes |
November 22, 2001 |
Device for tensioning side tarpaulin having abutment element
securing tightener independent of side tarpaulin tension
Abstract
A device for tensioning a side tarpaulin on a mounting
structure, such as a vehicle superstructure, includes an abutment
element attachable to the mounting structure, at least one side
tarpaulin tightener separate from the abutment element being
attachable to the side tarpaulin and swivelable into the abutment
element to a closed position therein so as to apply a desired
tension to the side tarpaulin, and a latch mechanism pivotally
attached to the side tarpaulin tightener and engageable with the
abutment element upon swiveling of the side tarpaulin tightener to
the closed position for releasably securing the side tarpaulin
tightener to the abutment element at the closed position and for
retaining the side tarpaulin tightener at the closed position
independent of the tension exerted on the side tarpaulin.
Inventors: |
Than, Johannes;
(Sundern-Endorf, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
John R. Flanagan
FLANAGAN & FLANAGAN
P.O. Box 11300
Jackson Hole
WY
83002
US
|
Family ID: |
7642685 |
Appl. No.: |
09/853248 |
Filed: |
May 11, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/143 ;
296/100.15; 296/155 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60J 7/104 20130101;
Y10T 24/2196 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/143 ;
296/155; 296/100.15 |
International
Class: |
B60J 007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 18, 2000 |
DE |
100 24 623.0 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A device for tensioning a side tarpaulin on a mounting
structure, said device comprising: (a) an abutment element
attachable to the mounting structure; (b) at least one side
tarpaulin tightener separate from said abutment element, being
attachable to a side tarpaulin and swivelable into said abutment
element to a closed position therein so as to serve as a tension
lever to apply a desired tension to said side tarpaulin; and (c) a
latch mechanism pivotally attached to said side tarpaulin tightener
and engageable with said abutment element upon swiveling of said
side tarpaulin tightener to said closed position for releasably
securing said side tarpaulin tightener to said abutment element at
said closed position and for retaining said side tarpaulin
tightener at said closed position independent of the tension
exerted on the side tarpaulin.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said abutment element is
attachable stationarily on the mounting structure and has spaced
apart upper and lower portions, said upper portion defining a
slide-in pocket open in a downward direction, said lower portion
defining a latching edge, said abutment element between said
slide-in pocket of said upper portion and said latching edge of
said lower portion defining a stop which acts to prevent movement
of said side tarpaulin tightener in the downward direction once
said tightener is placed in said abutment element at said closed
position.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein said side tarpaulin tightener
includes a base element having spaced apart upper and lower
portions and therebetween being adapted for connection to a lower
end portion of the side tarpaulin, said upper portion of said base
element defining a slide-in section for sliding into said slide-in
pocket of said abutment element after which said base element can
be swiveled toward said abutment element so as to serve as a
tension lever that applies a desired tension to the side tarpaulin
and so as to removably place said lower portion of said base
element upon said stop of said abutment element such that said base
element of said tightener is removably received in said abutment
element between said slide-in pocket and said stop thereof.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein said upper portion of said base
element of said tightener also has an outwardly opening slot
defined therein adjacent to said slide-in section and into which is
extendable an edge of said upper portion of said abutment element
to enable the sliding of said slide-in section of said base element
into said slide-in pocket and the swiveling of said base element of
said tightener relative to said abutment element.
5. The device of claim 3 wherein said abutment element has a
vertically extending main shank attachable to the vehicle
superstructure and an upper shank attached to and extending
outwardly and downwardly from said main shank so as to form said
slide-in pocket therewith.
6. The device of claim 5 wherein said upper portion of said base
element of said tightener also has an outwardly opening slot
defined therein adjacent to said slide-in section and into which is
extendable an edge of said upper shank of said abutment element to
enable the sliding of said slide-in section of said base element
into said slide-in pocket and the swiveling of said base element of
said tightener relative to said abutment element.
7. The device of claim 5 wherein said lower portion of said
abutment element has a lower shank attached to and extending
outwardly and downwardly from said main shank so as to form said
stop and said latching edge spaced below said stop and defined by a
lower edge of said lower shank.
8. The device of claim 7 wherein said lower shank has an upper face
directed upwardly toward said slide-in pocket and forming said stop
and a lower face directed outwardly and downwardly in an inclined
orientation relative to the main shank such that said latching edge
is defined by said lower edge of said lower shank that terminates
said lower face.
9. The device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said slide-in pocket of
said abutment element and said slide-in section of said base
element of said tightener have respective widths which correspond
to one another such that said slide-in section of said base element
of said tightener when received in said slide-in pocket of said
abutment element substantially occupies the width of said slide-in
pocket of said abutment element.
10. The device of claim 3 wherein said latch mechanism includes: a
closure lever pivotally articulated to said lower portion of said
base element; a closure hook attached to said closure lever for
undergoing movement therewith; and means for biasing said closure
lever and thus said closure hook to move from an unlatched position
located away from said latching edge of said lower portion of said
base element to a latched position located behind said latching
edge so as to secure said base element of said tightener to said
abutment element independent of the tension applied on the side
tarpaulin.
11. The device of claim 10 wherein said base element of said
tightener has a back wall defining a plane and extending between
and interconnecting said upper and lower portions and said closure
hook of said latch mechanism is disposed along said plane defined
by said back wall of said base element such that both said base
element and said closure hook are disposed exteriorly of said
abutment element when said base element is removed from said
abutment element.
12. The device of claim 3 wherein said side tarpaulin tightener
further includes an adjustment member supported on said base
element of said tightener and engaged with the side tarpaulin and
being adjustable to allow change of the tension applied to the side
tarpaulin by said tightener when said base element, serving as a
tension lever that applies tension to the side tarpaulin, is
swiveled toward said abutment element.
13. The device of claim 12 wherein said side tarpaulin tightener
includes an fastening angle element connecting said adjustment
member to the side tarpaulin and guided in a recess formed in said
base element between said upper and lower portions thereof.
14. The device of claim 1 wherein said side tarpaulin tightener is
adapted to be fastened on an interior side of the side tarpaulin.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a device for tensioning a
side tarpaulin on a mounting structure, such as a vehicle
superstructure, and, more particularly, is concerned with a side
tarpaulin tensioning device having a tightener that will stay
secured to an abutment element independent of the tension exerted
on the side tarpaulin.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] It is known to place and hold a side tarpaulin under tension
on a vehicle superstructure by securing to an abutment element on
the vehicle superstructure at least one side tarpaulin tightener
being attached on a lower end of the side tarpaulin. One prior art
device providing side tarpaulin tensioning in this way is disclosed
in German patent document No. DE 44 15 042 C1. In the device of
this German patent document, a lower edge of an outer frame of the
vehicle superstructure serves as the abutment element for the
tightener. The tightener itself is connected with the side
tarpaulin via a belt which can be adjusted in length and is
disposed on the outside of the side tarpaulin. The tightener
includes a base element on which a hook is formed which, for
tensioning the side tarpaulin, can be secured in position, for
example, on the lower edge of the outer frame of the vehicle
superstructure. The tightener also includes a tension lever
pivotally articulated to the base element. By pivoting the tension
lever from an open position to a closed position relative to the
base element, the belt on the side tarpaulin and thus the side
tarpaulin itself are placed under tension. The tightener further
includes a latch pivotally mounted on the tension lever which is
moved to a latched position behind a projection on the base element
to retain the tension lever in its closed position. Other,
overcenter type, tensioners are known in the prior art in which it
is not necessary to provide additional latching in order to retain
the tension lever in the closed position.
[0005] By extending the hook formed on the base element of the
tightener behind the stationary abutment element on the vehicle
superstructure and by applying tensile stress onto the side
tarpaulin using the tension lever, the tightener is secured in the
proper position on the stationary abutment element of the vehicle
superstructure. Also, through the action of the applied tensile
stress, the hook is retained in the proper position in which it
extends behind the stationary abutment element.
[0006] A disadvantage of such type of side tarpaulin tightener is
that upon a weakening of the tension force acting upon the side
tarpaulin tightener in its closed position, due, for example, to
the stretching of the side tarpaulin through temperature increase
or also due to degradation, it cannot be ensured that the side
tarpaulin tightener will remain in its proper position in which the
hook on its base element extends behind the stationary abutment
element. Analogous conditions can occur also if, for example, an
upper stringer on which the side tarpaulin is retained at the top
of the vehicle superstructure becomes deflected downwardly due to
loading which can occur in particular when driving through tunnels.
If the tension force acting upon such type of side tarpaulin
tightener via the side tarpaulin weakens, the tightener can swivel
out of its proper position such that its hook no longer extends
behind the stationary abutment element and thus the tightener is no
longer secured to the vehicle superstructure via the abutment
element. The tightener at the lower end of the side tarpaulin then
being unsecured may flap about and represent a considerable danger
potential.
[0007] Another disadvantage of such type of side tarpaulin
tightener is that in the open position of the tightener the hook
formed on the base element of the tightener is disposed in
alignment with the lower end of the outer frame of the vehicle
superstructure serving as the stationary abutment element. In order
for a side tarpaulin equipped with such side tarpaulin tighteners
to be rolled upwardly, it is necessary to ensure that the
tighteners are spaced apart from the stationary abutment element to
the extent that the hooks are located outside of alignment with the
stationary abutment element. Therefore, as a rule, for rolling up a
side tarpaulin having such type of tighteners two persons are
necessary, with one person actuating the roll-up device and the
other person simultaneously pulling the side tarpaulin and the
tighteners therewith away from the vehicle superstructure.
[0008] Consequently, there is a need for further development of a
device of the above type for tensioning a side tarpaulin such that
the aforementioned disadvantages are avoided.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention overcomes the aforementioned problems
of the prior art by providing a side tarpaulin tensioning device
which avoids undesirable detaching of a tightener of the device
from a stationary abutment element of the device mounted on the
vehicle superstructure and further avoids unintentional catching of
the tightener on the stationary abutment element during roll-up of
the side tarpaulin.
[0010] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a device
for tensioning a side tarpaulin on a mounting structure, such as a
vehicle superstructure, which comprises an abutment element
attachable to the mounting structure, at least one side tarpaulin
tightener separate from the abutment element being attachable to
the side tarpaulin and swivelable into the abutment element to a
closed position therein so as to serve as a tension lever to apply
a desired tension to the side tarpaulin, and a latch mechanism
pivotally attached to the side tarpaulin tightener and engageable
with the abutment element upon swiveling of the side tarpaulin
tightener to the closed position for releasably securing the
tightener to the abutment element at the closed position and
retaining the tightener at the closed position independent of the
tension exerted on the side tarpaulin.
[0011] The abutment element of the device is attachable
stationarily on the mounting structure and has spaced apart upper
and lower portions. The upper portion of the abutment element
defines a slide-in pocket open in a downward direction. The lower
portion of the abutment element defines a latching edge. The
abutment element between the slide-in pocket of the upper portion
and the latching edge of the lower portion defines a stop which
acts to prevent movement of the side tarpaulin tightener in the
downward direction once the tightener is placed in the abutment
element at the closed position.
[0012] The side tarpaulin tightener of the device includes a base
element having spaced apart upper and lower portions and
therebetween being adapted for connection to a lower end portion of
the side tarpaulin. The upper portion of the base element defines a
slide-in section for sliding into the slide-in pocket of the
abutment element after which the base element can be swiveled
toward the abutment element so as to serve as a tension lever that
applies the desired tension to the side tarpaulin and so as to
removably place the lower portion of the base element upon the stop
of the abutment element such that the base element of the tightener
is removably received into the abutment element between the
slide-in pocket and the stop thereof.
[0013] The latch mechanism of the device includes a closure lever
pivotally articulated to the lower portion of the base element and
a closure hook attached to the closure lever for undergoing
movement therewith. The latch mechanism also includes means for
biasing the closure lever and thus the closure hook to move from an
unlatched position located away from the latching edge of the lower
portion of the base element to a latched position located behind
the latching edge so as to secure the base element of the tightener
to the abutment element irrespective or independent of the tension
applied on the side tarpaulin.
[0014] These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a
reading of the following detailed description when taken in
conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described
an illustrative embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] In the following detailed description, reference will be
made to the attached drawings in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a side
tarpaulin tensioning device of the present invention showing a side
tarpaulin tightener of the device secured in a stationary abutment
element of the device.
[0017] FIG. 2 is an enlarged front elevational view of the side
tarpaulin tightener of the device as seen along line 2-2 of FIG.
1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, there
is illustrated a device of the present invention, generally
designated 1, for tensioning a side tarpaulin 5 on a mounting
structure 2, such as a vehicle superstructure. Basically, the side
tarpaulin tensioning device 1 includes a profile or abutment
element 3 attachable to the mounting structure 2, at least one side
tarpaulin tightener 4 separate from the abutment element 3, being
attachable to the side tarpaulin and swivelable into the abutment
element 3 to a closed position therein, as seen in FIG. 1, so as to
serve as a tension lever to apply a desired tension to the side
tarpaulin 5, and a latch mechanism 6 pivotally attached to the side
tarpaulin tightener 4 and engageable with the abutment element 3
upon swiveling of the side tarpaulin tightener 4 to the closed
position for releasably securing the side tarpaulin tightener 4 at
the closed position relative to the abutment element 3 and for
retaining the side tarpaulin tightener 4 at the closed position
independent of the tension exerted on the side tarpaulin 5. In
FIGS. 1 and 2 only one side tarpaulin tightener 4 is shown,
although normally a plurality thereof would be employed.
[0019] The abutment element 3 of the device 1 is stationarily
attachable in any suitable manner on an exterior vertically
extending portion of the mounting structure 2, which, for example,
may be an outer frame of the vehicle superstructure (otherwise not
depicted in detail in FIG. 1). The abutment element 3 serves for
housing the side tarpaulin tightener 4, being associated with the
vehicle side shown in FIG. 1, when the side tarpaulin tightener 4
is at the closed position. The side tarpaulin tightener 4 of the
device 1 is disposed in the proximity of the lower end of the side
tarpaulin 5, at whose upper end are disposed several rollers 5a.
The rollers 5a are guided in a guide rail (not shown) on the
vehicle superstructure for topside retention of the side tarpaulin
5. To open this side of the vehicle superstructure, the side
tarpaulin 5 can be slid to one side in the manner of a draping.
[0020] The profile or abutment element 3, being disposed on the
exterior vertically extending portion of the outer frame or
mounting structure 2, includes a contact or main shank 7 in contact
on and attachable in any suitable manner to the vertically
extending portion of the mounting structure 2, and an upper shank
structure comprised of an upper horizontal shank 8 which extends
substantially horizontally outward from the contact shank 7,
adjoining the contact shank 7 at an upper end thereof, and an upper
outer limit shank 9, delimiting the upper horizontal shank 8 at the
outer end thereof and projecting vertically downward relative
thereto. An upper portion of the abutment element 3 defined by an
upper section of the contact shank 7, the upper horizontal shank 8
and the upper outer limit shank 9, forms a slide-in pocket 10 which
opens in the downward direction.
[0021] The profile or abutment element 3 also includes a lower
shank structure 11 having an asymmetric V-shaped configuration
which delimits the lower end of the contact shank 7. The lower
shank structure 11 is comprised of a lower horizontal shank 12
which extends substantially horizontally outward from the contact
shank 7, adjoining the contact shank 7 at the lower end thereof,
and a lower outer shank 13, delimiting the lower horizontal shank
12 at an outer end thereof and projecting downwardly and inwardly,
obliquely toward the mounting structure 2 and under the lower
horizontal shank 12 so as to form a ramp-like face. An lower
portion of the abutment element 3 defined by the lower horizontal
shank 12 and the lower outer shank 13 spaced therebelow
respectively having an upper face 12a directed upwardly toward the
slide-in pocket 10 and forming a stop and a lower face 13a directed
outwardly and downwardly in an oblique orientation relative to the
main or contact shank 7 such that a latching edge 14 defined by a
lower edge of the lower outer shank 13 terminates the lower face
13a. The upwardly facing upper face 12a of the lower horizontal
shank 12 forming the stop acts to prevent movement of the side
tarpaulin tightener 4 in the downward direction once the tightener
4 is swiveled to the closed position into the abutment element
3.
[0022] The side tarpaulin tightener 4 includes a base element 15
having spaced apart upper and lower portions and therebetween being
adapted for connection to a lower end portion 5b of the side
tarpaulin 5. The upper portion of the base element 15 defines a
slide-in section 16 for sliding into the slide-in pocket 10 of the
abutment element 3. After the slide-in section 16 of its upper
portion is inserted into the slide-in pocket 10 of the upper end of
the abutment element 3, the base element 15 projects outwardly from
the abutment element 3. With the upper portion of the base element
15 retained in the upper portion of the abutment element 3, then by
swiveling the base element 15 along an arcuate path from the
outward position toward the abutment element 3, the base element 15
serves as a tension lever that applies a desired tension to the
side tarpaulin 5. Such swiveling also removably places the base
element 15 at the lower portion thereof upon the upper stop face
12a of the abutment element 3 such that the base element 15 of the
side tarpaulin tightener 4 is removably received between the
slide-in pocket 10 and the stop surface 12a of the abutment element
3. The upper portion of the base element 15 of the side tarpaulin
tightener 4 also has an outwardly opening slot 17 defined therein
adjacent to the slide-in section 16 into which is extendable the
upper outer limit shank 9 of the abutment element 3 to enable the
sliding of the slide-in section 16 of the base element 15 into the
slide-in pocket 10 followed by the swiveling of the base element 15
relative to the abutment element 3. The slide-in pocket 10 of the
abutment element 3 has a width only slightly larger than the width
of the slide-in section 16 of the base element 15 of side tarpaulin
tightener 4 such that the slide-in section 16, when received in the
slide-in pocket 10, substantially occupies the width of the
slide-in pocket 10 and the base element 15 of the side tarpaulin
tightener 4 thereby is contained in the abutment element 3 in the
closed tensioned position largely free of play between the slide-in
pocket 10 of the upper portion and the stop of the lower portion of
the abutment element 3. The lower portion of the base element 15
has a step 18 which serves as a counterstop and cooperates with the
stop face 12a of the abutment element 3 to limit or prevent the
vertical movement of the side tarpaulin tightener 4 relative to the
abutment element 3. Furthermore, the lower portion of the base
element 15 has a handle 19 which can be readily gripped by an
operator to use the base element 15 as the tension lever. More
specifically, the handle 19 is formed by a pair of opposite end
jaws 20, 21 on the base element 15 which at the outer sides thereof
are interconnected by a cover plate 22.
[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the latch mechanism 6 of the
device 1 includes a closure hook 24 and a closure lever 25. The
closure lever 25 is pivotally articulated to the lower portion of
the base element 15 and the closure hook 24 is attached to the
closure lever 25 for undergoing movement therewith. The latch
mechanism 6 also includes means in the form of spring 26 for
biasing the closure lever 25 and thus the closure hook 24 to move
from an unlatched position away from the latching edge 14 of the
lower portion of the base element 15 to a latched position, as seen
in FIG. 1, where an outer end portion of the closure hook 24 is
located behind the latching edge 14 of the abutment element 3. The
jaws 20, 21 of the handle 19 serve for supporting a pivot axle 23
by which the closure lever 25, acted upon by the spring 26, is
connected to and pivotally articulated with respect to the lower
portion of the base element 15 of the side tarpaulin tightener 4.
The closure lever 25 may be employed by the operator to actuate
(latch and unlatch) the closure hook 24. Also, the closure hook 24,
due to contact with the obliquely-oriented ramp-like lower face 13b
of the lower outer shank 13, is capable of automatically being
moved and snapped into the latched position with the latching edge
14 of the abutment element 3 solely by the operator gripping the
handle 19 and swiveling the base element 4 into the closed
tensioned position in the alignment element 3. The closure hook 24
is held by the biasing spring 26 in the latched position shown in
FIG. 1. In such position an inner portion of the closure hook 24
adjacent to the closure lever 25 is adjacent to a stop surface on
the lower portion of the base element 15 such that even in the open
condition of the side tarpaulin tightener 4 the closure hook 24 is
disposed in the position shown in FIG. 4 with respect to the base
element 15. The swivel movement of the closure hook and lever 24,
25 is indicated by an arrow A. It can be readily seen that the side
tarpaulin tightener 4 is secured and retained in its tensioned or
closed position in the abutment element 3, irrespective or
independent of the tension applied on the side tarpaulin 5, due to
lack of play between the base element 15 and the upper and lower
portions of the abutment element 3 and further due to the closure
hook 24 of the latch mechanism 6 being in its latched position
extending behind the latching edge 14 of the stationary abutment
element 3.
[0024] The side tarpaulin 5 is connected to the side tarpaulin
tightener 4 via any suitable means, for example, a fastening angle
element 27. The fastening angle element 27 has one shank portion
27a facing toward and in contact with an interior surface of the
side tarpaulin 5. The one shank portion 27a is suitably fastened
onto the tarpaulin such as by a rivet connection 27b employing a
counter plate 27c. Another shank portion 27d rigidly connected to
and extending transversely from the one shank portion 27a extends
away from the side tarpaulin 5 and defines a threaded bore 27e
which is engaged by an adjustment member 28 in the form of a bolt
29 having a shaft 29a provided with outer threads 29b at one end.
The bolt 29 is rotatably supported in a web 30 of the base element
15 and has a head 31 fixed on the other end of the shaft of the
bolt 29. A guide recess 32 is formed in the base element 15 and the
one shank portion 27a of the fastening angle element 27 is guided
therein in the directions of arrow B through the turning and thus
actuation of the adjustment member 28. The fastening angle element
27 can be moved within the guide recess 32 in one or the other
direction such that in this way the adjustment of the side
tarpaulin tightener 4 is possible in the vertical direction with
respect to the side tarpaulin 5. In such manner the amount of
tension that will be applied on the side tarpaulin 5 by the
swiveling of the tightener 4 can be initially preselected.
[0025] It is useful to dispose the side tarpaulin tightener 4 on
the inside or interiorly of the side tarpaulin 5 such that, not
only is the loading area of the vehicle expanded by the particular
depth of the tightener 4 but also the full height of the outside of
the side tarpaulin 5 is now available for imprinting. Also, by
fastening the side tarpaulin tightener 4 on the inside, the
development of folds as occur in the prior art in the lower end
region of the tarpaulin during the tensioning of the same is
avoided. The side tarpaulin tightener 4 is also covered by the side
tarpaulin 5 such that, due to the smooth outer termination of the
vehicle superstructure, not only the visual appearance is improved,
but also the danger potential is reduced which otherwise arises
where the side tarpaulin tightener is disposed on the outside of
the side tarpaulin 5. The lower end location of the handle 19 and
the latch mechanism 6 on the side tarpaulin tightener 4 allows for
easy actuation of the tightener 4 even though most of its length is
covered by the side tarpaulin 5, as readily seen in FIG. 1.
[0026] Further, with respect to the latch mechanism 6, the side of
its closure hook 24 facing toward the mounting structure 2, such as
the vehicle superstructure, is advantageously disposed in
approximately the same plane as defined by the rear side of the
base element 15 which makes contact with the contact shank 7 of the
abutment element 3. This generally coplanar relationship ensures
that, after the side tarpaulin tightener 4 has been detached and
its base element 15 removed away from the abutment element 3, the
base element 15 can be moved upward past the upper outer limit
shank 9 without danger than the closure hook 24 will become hooked
on the underside of the limit shank 9 when the side tarpaulin 5 is
being rolled up and thus would hinder the rolling movement.
[0027] It can be readily understood that the employment of the
device 1 of the present invention, as described above and depicted
in FIGS. 1 and 2, facilitates a side tarpaulin tensioning system in
which the side tarpaulin tightener 4, independently of the tensile
stress exerted onto and existing within the side tarpaulin 5, is
held securely on the abutment element 3 attached to the mounting
structure 2 of the vehicle such that the system is suitable, in
particular, for application with such vehicle superstructures which
are exposed to high loading, since the danger of undesirable
detaching of the side tarpaulin tightener 4 from the vehicle
superstructure 2 is eliminated. Such system also will meet the
especially high requirements that are imposed on such systems where
the vehicle superstructures are used as containers or in piggyback
transport on railroads in tunnel traffic.
[0028] Further, the base element 15 of the side tarpaulin tightener
4 may be produced of a solid material, usefully of a synthetic
material block, such that the side tarpaulin tightener 4 when
disposed on the side of the vehicle superstructure can additionally
serve as a protection against ramming.
[0029] It is thought that the present invention and its advantages
will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be
apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of
its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being
merely preferred or exemplary embodiment thereof.
* * * * *