US 6,981,734 B2
Tarpaulin system for an open-top cargo hold
William P. Martin, Hoffman Estates, Ill. (US)
Assigned to Mountain Tarp and Awning, Inc., Middlesboro, Ky. (US)
Filed on Jan. 27, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/766,794.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/443094, filed on Jan. 28, 2003.
Prior Publication US 2004/0195858 A1, Oct. 07, 2004
Int. Cl. B60P 7/02 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 296—100.12 25 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A tarpaulin system for covering an open-top cargo hold on a vehicle, the system comprising:
a tarpaulin having first and second ends, the first end of the tarpaulin being fixedly connected proximate one end of the cargo hold;
a plurality of bows for supporting said tarpaulin and moving said tarpaulin over the cargo hold, each of said bows having an interior section with opposing ends extending outwardly away therefrom;
a plurality of fasteners for detachably securing said bows to said tarpaulin;
a cable detachably secured for reciprocal movement adjacent the cargo hold;
a plurality of connectors for releasably attaching said bows to said cable; wherein each connector is configured to be individually securable to and releasable from the cable when the cable is secured for movement.