# US 10,245,927 B1 · Method and apparatus for a tarpaulin fastening system

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- Number: US 10,245,927 B1
- Document ID: US10245927B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 16/183,706
- Filed: 2018-11-07
- Granted: 2019-04-02
- Earliest claimed: 2018-07-20
- Assignees: Royer Ent., LLC
- Applicants: Royer Ent., LLC
- Inventors: Rad Allen Royer
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10245927B1

## CPC

- B60J 7/064: {using folding arms sliding in longitudinal tracks for supporting the soft roof}
- B60P 7/04: by tarpaulins or like flexible members
- B60J 7/065: {for utility vehicles}
- F16H 19/06: comprising {flexible members, e.g. an} endless flexible member
- B60J: WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES (fastening, suspending, closing, or opening of such devices E05)
- B60P: VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS (vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances A61G3/00)
- F16H: GEARING

## Abstract

A tarpaulin fastening device includes a support frame for support of one or more winch/spool assemblies and associated interconnecting line cord. The interconnecting line cord is extracted/retracted from/to its respective winch/spool assembly through actuation of a gear assembly. The interconnecting line cord is woven through eyelets of one or more connection pins and terminated with an anchoring mechanism. Once extracted from the winch/spool assembly, the interconnecting line cord is anchored to a flatbed trailer using the anchor mechanism and each connection pin is alternatingly connected to connection points along a length of tarp covering a payload supported by the flatbed and to connection points along a length of the flatbed trailer. Once the interconnecting line cord is anchored and connected to the tarp and flatbed, the tarp is secured onto the payload by actuation of the gear assembly.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A tarp fastening system, comprising:
a flatbed trailer, including
at least one mechanical support structure;
a rubrail;
a payload; and
a tarp arranged to cover the payload; and
one or more tarp fastening devices removably coupled to the at least one mechanical support structure, each of the one or more tarp fastening devices including,
a support frame;
a spool coupled to the support frame;
an interconnecting line cord coupled to the spool;
a plurality of connection pins coupled to the interconnecting line cord; and
a gear assembly coupled to the spool, wherein the plurality of connection pins are removably coupled to the tarp and the rubrail and the gear assembly is configured to retract the interconnecting line cord into the spool to secure the tarp to the payload.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The tarp fastening system of claim 1, wherein the at least one mechanical support structure includes a stake pocket.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The tarp fastening system of claim 2, wherein the support frame includes a latching mechanism configured to maintain a position of the support frame within the stake pocket.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The tarp fastening system of claim 3, wherein the latching mechanism includes a locking mechanism and a spring.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The tarp fastening system of claim 2, wherein the support frame includes a locking pin configured to maintain a position of the support frame within the stake pocket.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The tarp fastening system of claim 1, wherein the connection pins are configured to exert a force onto the rubrail to maintain a position of the connection pins on the rubrail.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The tarp fastening system of claim 1, further comprising an anchor mechanism coupled to an end point of the interconnecting line cord.