# US 2014/0197659 A1 · Sliding tarpaulin tensioning and locking system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0197659 A1 - Document ID: US20140197659A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/154,935 - Filed: 2014-01-14 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-14 - Assignees: Petelka Investments Inc. - Applicants: Petelka Investments Inc. - Inventors: Brian W. Petelka; Rob Henry - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197659A1 ## CPC - B60J 7/065: {for utility vehicles} - B60J 5/065: {with non-rigid elements, e.g. side curtains (B60J7/062, B60J7/068 take precedence)} - 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) ## Abstract An improved tensioning and locking apparatus for tensioning and locking a sliding tarpaulin that selectively covers and uncovers a trailer, such as a flat bed trailer or an enclosed trailer with an opening in a side thereof. Rotational motion about an axis perpendicular (or substantially perpendicular) to the length of the trailer can be used to operate the apparatus to either increase or decrease tension in the tarpaulin covering the trailer. Such rotational motion can be provided from outside the covered trailer, which is advantageous for operators of said trailers. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sliding tarpaulin tensioning and locking apparatus, comprising: an elongate rod housing for mounting on a sliding tarpaulin system, the rod housing comprising an elongate slot formed therein and a transverse slot formed therein at one end of the elongate slot, the elongate slot and the transverse slot in communication with each other and with a rod space formed within the rod housing; a threaded rod provided in the rod space; a threaded tensioning nut circumscribing the rod within the rod space, the tensioning nut having an arm extending therefrom through one of the elongate slot and the transverse slot to an exterior of the rod housing; and rotational motion transmission means having an input for receiving rotational motion about an axis perpendicular to the rod, and an output in rotational engagement with the rod; wherein rotation of the input about an axis perpendicular to the rod causes the rod to rotate about its elongate axis; and wherein rotation of the rod about its elongate axis causes the tensioning nut to rotate about said axis, causing the tensioning nut arm to move along one of the elongate slot and the transverse slot. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sliding tarpaulin tensioning and locking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the input of the rotational motion transmission means comprises an input gear, and the output of the rotational motion transmission means comprises an output gear, said input and output gear being substantially perpendicular to and in rotational engagement with one another. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The sliding tarpaulin tensioning and locking apparatus of claim 2, wherein the rotational motion transmission means further comprises an adapter in rotational engagement with the input gear, the adapter being adapted to engage with a tool for rotating the adapter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The sliding tarpaulin tensioning and locking apparatus of claim 3, wherein the adapter comprises a socket for matingly engaging with a socket wrench. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The sliding tarpaulin tensioning and locking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rotational motion transmission means comprises a gear in rotational engagement with the threaded rod, the gear being adapted to receive rotational motion about an axis substantially perpendicular to the threaded rod and rotate in response to rotation of the threaded rod. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A flat bed trailer comprising a flat bed, a plurality of arch-shaped members slidably mounted to the flat bed such that the arch-shaped members may slide along the length of the flat bed, a tarpaulin extending over each of the plurality of arch-shaped members, a sliding tarpaulin tensioning and locking apparatus of claim 1 mounted on one of the plurality of arch-shaped members, and a stopping flange mounted to the flat bed for engaging the tensioning nut arm of the sliding tarpaulin tensioning and locking apparatus and preventing the arch-shaped member to which the sliding tarpaulin tensioning and locking apparatus is mounted from sliding past the stopping flange. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The flat bed trailer of claim 6, wherein the input of the rotational motion transmission means of the sliding tarpaulin tensioning and locking apparatus comprises an input gear, and the output of the rotational motion transmission means of the sliding tarpaulin tensioning and locking apparatus comprises an output gear, said input and output gear being substantially perpendicular to and in rotational engagement with one another. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The flat bed trailer of claim 7, wherein the rotational motion transmission means of the sliding tarpaulin tensioning and locking apparatus further comprises an adapter in rotational engagement with the input gear, the adapter being adapted to engage with a tool for rotating the adapter. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The flat bed trailer of claim 8, wherein the adapter comprises a socket for matingly engaging with a socket wrench. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The flat bed trailer of claim 6, wherein the rotational motion transmission means of the sliding tarpaulin tensioning and locking apparatus comprises a gear in rotational engagement with the threaded rod, the gear being adapted to receive rotational motion about an axis substantially perpendicular to the threaded rod and rotate in response to rotation of the threaded rod. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) An enclosed trailer having a selectively openable side, comprising at least one opening in at least one side of the trailer, a plurality of elongate support members extending from a first end of the at least one opening to a second end of the at least one opening, the plurality of elongate support members being slidably attached to the trailer such that each of the elongate support members can slide along the length of the opening, a tarpaulin extending over each of the plurality of elongate support members, a sliding tarpaulin tensioning and locking apparatus of claim 1 mounted on one of the plurality of elongate support members, and a stopping flange mounted to the enclosed trailer for engaging the tensioning nut arm of the sliding tarpaulin tensioning and locking apparatus and preventing the elongate support member to which the sliding tarpaulin tensioning and locking apparatus is mounted from sliding past the stopping flange. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The enclosed trailer of claim 11, wherein the input of the rotational motion transmission means of the sliding tarpaulin tensioning and locking apparatus comprises an input gear, and the output of the rotational motion transmission means of the sliding tarpaulin tensioning and locking apparatus comprises an output gear, said input and output gear being substantially perpendicular to and in rotational engagement with one another. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The enclosed trailer of claim 12, wherein the rotational motion transmission means of the sliding tarpaulin tensioning and locking apparatus further comprises an adapter in rotational engagement with the input gear, the adapter being adapted to engage with a tool for rotating the adapter. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The enclosed trailer of claim 13, wherein the adapter comprises a socket for matingly engaging with a socket wrench. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The enclosed trailer of claim 11, wherein the rotational motion transmission means of the sliding tarpaulin tensioning and locking apparatus comprises a gear in rotational engagement with the threaded rod, the gear being adapted to receive rotational motion about an axis substantially perpendicular to the threaded rod and rotate in response to rotation of the threaded rod.