# US 6,292,987 B1 · Tie down device and method of use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,292,987 B1 - Document ID: US6292987B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/595,297 - Filed: 2000-06-15 - Granted: 2001-09-25 - Earliest claimed: 1999-06-22 - Inventors: Brian H. Combes - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6292987B1 ## CPC - B60J 7/104: {Fastening means for tarpaulins} - E04H 15/646: {the fixing members being locked by an additional locking member} - Y10T 24/44043: Channel and inserted bar - 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) - E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A tie down device for sheet material such as tarpaulin and the like is disclosed. The device includes a bar and a sleeve. The sleeve has a slit extending from end to end thereof for receiving the bar as well as sheet material which extends around the bar and outwardly through the slit of the sleeve on opposite sides of the bar. In addition, a rope is secured to the bar which extends through the slit when the bar is received in the sleeve. The rope enables the device to be placed under tension so that the bar binds the sheet material extending around the bar against the sleeve. This binding action firmly secures the sheet material to the device and thereby prevents the sheet material from slipping out of the device between the bar and the sleeve. The device also includes means for preventing the bar from sliding out of the sleeve when the device is placed under tension. A tent pole having a tie down device attached at one end of the pole is also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tie down device for sheet material such as a tarp and the like, said tie down device comprising: a bar; a sleeve having a slit extending from end to end thereof, said ends being open for receiving said bar and a sheet of material positioned around said bar, said slit enabling the sheet material to project outwardly through said slit on opposite sides of said bar, said bar having a cross section which is sized and configured so that both said bar and the sheet material are capable of being received in said sleeve; rope means secured to said bar and extending through the slit for enabling the device to be placed under tension so that said bar binds the sheet material positioned around said bar against said sleeve to firmly secure the sheet material to the device, thereby preventing the sheet material from slipping out of the device between the bar and the sleeve; and means for preventing said bar from sliding out through said ends of said sleeve when said device is placed under tension. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A tie down device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for preventing said bar from sliding out of said sleeve includes a notch defined by said sleeve which opens into said main slit of said sleeve for receiving said rope means, said notch preventing said bar from sliding out of said sleeve when said rope means is received in said notch. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A tie down device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said rope means includes an eye bolt attached to said bar for being received in said notch to prevent said bar from sliding out of said sleeve. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A tie down device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rope means includes a member selected from the group consisting of rope, cord and cable. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A tie down device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said cord includes elastic cord. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A tie down device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for preventing said bar from sliding out of said sleeve includes a raised portion defined by said bar which is sized and configured for engaging receipt with said sleeve. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A tie down device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for preventing said bar from sliding out of said sleeve includes a raised portion defined by said bar which is sized and configured for engaging receipt with said main slit and said ends of said sleeve to prevent said bar from sliding out of said sleeve. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A tie down device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for preventing said bar from sliding out of said sleeve includes a raised portion defined by said bar which is sized and configured for engaging receipt with said main slit and said ends of said sleeve when the sheet material is located between said raised portion of said bar and said main slit and said ends of said sleeve. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A tie down device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for preventing said bar from sliding out of said sleeve includes a pair of said rope means attached to said bar at opposite ends thereof, said pair of rope means preventing said bar from sliding out of said sleeve when they are tied off at angles with respect to each other so that they pull on said bar from opposite directions. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A tie down device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a pole for attachment to said sleeve. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A tie down device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said pole has a tee mounted on an end thereof with a cross portion for receiving said sleeve to attach said pole to said sleeve. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A tie down device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising strengthening ribs on said sleeve. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A tie down device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rope means includes elastic cord. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A tie down device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for preventing said bar from sliding out of said sleeve includes nibs provided on the inside surface of said sleeve adjacent said slit defined by said sleeve and said sleeve's ends, said nibs serving as stops to catch the ends of said bar to prevent the bar from sliding out of the sleeve. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A tie down device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for preventing said bar from sliding out of said sleeve further prevents said bar from rotating within said sleeve when said device is placed under tension. ### Claim 16 A support device for sheet material such as a tarpaulin comprising: a bar; a sleeve having a slit extending from end to end thereof, said ends being open for receiving said bar and a sheet of material positioned around said bar, said slit enabling the sheet material to project outwardly through said slit on opposite sides of said bar, said bar having a cross section which is sized and configured so that both said bar and the sheet material are capable of being received in said sleeve; rope means secured to said bar and extending through the slit for enabling the device to be placed under tension so that said bar binds the sheet material positioned around said bar against said sleeve to firmly secure the sheet material to the device, thereby preventing the sheet material from slipping out of the device between the bar and the sleeve; and a pole for attachment to said sleeve. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A support device as claimed in claim 16 further comprising a tee for attaching said pole to said sleeve, said tee having an end for receiving an end of said pole, said tee also having a cross portion for receiving said sleeve. ### Claim 18 A method of securely tying down sheet material such as a tarp over an object be covered by the sheet material, said method comprising the steps of: providing a tie down devices including: a bar; a sleeve having a slit extending from end to end thereof, said ends being open for receiving said bar and a sheet of material positioned around said bar, said slit enabling the sheet material to project outwardly through said slit on opposite sides of said bar, said bar having a cross section which is sized and configured so that both said bar and the sheet material are capable of being received in said sleeve; rope means secured to said bar and extending through the slit for enabling the device to be placed under tension so that said bar binds the sheet material positioned around said bar against said sleeve to firmly secure the sheet material to the device, thereby preventing the sheet material from slipping out of the device between the bar and the sleeve; and means for preventing said bar from sliding out of said sleeve when said device is placed under tension; covering an object with sheet material; tying down said sheet material at a first location on said sheet material; attaching said tie down device to the sheet material at a different location on said sheet material; and tying off said rope means of said tie down device to place said device under tension to securely tie down the sheet material covering the object. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A method as claimed in claim 18 wherein said sheet material at the first location is tied down with a said tie down device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) A method as claimed in claim 18 further comprising tying down said sheet material at a plurality of other locations with a plurality of said tie down devices. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) A method as claimed in claim 18 wherein said rope means includes an elastic cord which is placed under tension when said device is tied off. ### Claim 22 A device for attachment to sheet material such as a tarp and the like, said device comprising: an elongated bar having a raised portion and a sleeve having a slit extending from end to end thereof, said ends being open for receiving said bar and a sheet of material positioned around said bar, said slit enabling the sheet material to project outwardly therethrough on opposite sides of said bar, said bar having a cross section which is sized and configured so that both said bar and the sheet material are capable of being received in said sleeve, said raised portion of said bar being sized and configured to engage said sleeve so that said bar is prevented from rotating within said sleeve and sliding out of said sleeve when the sheet material is tensioned, said bar and raised portion also binding the sheet material positioned around said bar against said sleeve when the sheet material is tensioned. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) A device as claimed in claim 22 wherein said raised portion is sized and configured for engaging receipt with said ends of said sleeve to prevent said bar from rotating within said sleeve and sliding out of said sleeve when the sheet material is tensioned. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) A device as claimed in claim 22 wherein said raised portion is sized and configured for engaging receipt with said slit and said ends of said sleeve to prevent said bar from rotating within said sleeve and sliding out of said sleeve when the sheet material is tensioned. ### Claim 25 A device for attachment to sheet material such as a tarp and the like, said device comprising: an elongated bar having a raised portion and a sleeve having a slit extending from end to end thereof, said ends being open for receiving said bar and a sheet of material positioned around said bar, said bar having a cross section which is sized and configured so that both said bar and the sheet material are capable of being received in said sleeve, said raised portion of said bar being sized and configured to engage said ends of said sleeve so that said bar is prevented from sliding out of said sleeve when the sheet material is tensioned.