Tarping assembly and methods of tarping a load transporter

Abstract

A tarping assembly for applying a tarp to a load transporter. The assembly comprises a stationary frame structure defining at least one overhead rail extending laterally across a tarping area defining a tarp preparation area portion and a tarp application area portion. The tarp preparation area portion and the tarp application area portion are parallel to one another such that the load transporter may be moved into the tarp application area portion so as to be laterally adjacent to the tarp preparation area portion. A carriage assembly is mounted to the at least one overhead rail for movement between a first lateral position axially aligned with the tarp preparation area portion and a second lateral position axially aligned with the tarp application area portion. A pair of parallel spreader assemblies are connected to the carriage assembly via a linkage arrangement, the linkage arrangement allowing the pair of spreader assemblies to be raised and lowered. A drive arrangement is operative to raise and lower the spreader assemblies and move the carriage assembly between the first and second lateral positions.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.