Abstract: A cover system for a substantially flat support surface on a vehicle includes plural removable panels configured to be disposed at opposite lateral sides of the support surface, lower supports which support lower surfaces of the panels and upper rails which retains upper surfaces of the panels at the opposite lateral sides of the support surface. Edge portions of the panels are shaped to overlap with the edge portions of adjacent side panels such that outermost surfaces of the panels extend substantially continuously when the panels are operatively disposed at the opposite lateral sides of the support surface. Each of the panels includes retaining device selectively fixing a lower portion of the panel on the vehicle.

Abstract: A cover system for a substantially flat support surface on a vehicle includes plural removable panels configured to be disposed at opposite lateral sides of the support surface, lower supports which support lower surfaces of the panels and upper rails which retains upper surfaces of the panels at the opposite lateral sides of the support surface. Edge portions of the panels are shaped to overlap with the edge portions of adjacent side panels such that outermost surfaces of the panels extend substantially continuously when the panels are operatively disposed at the opposite lateral sides of the support surface. Each of the panels includes retaining device selectively fixing a lower portion of the panel on the vehicle.

Abstract: A cover system for a substantially flat support surface on a vehicle includes multiple stakes having channels defined along longitudinal sides thereof and which are disposed at a lateral side of the vehicle adjacent the support surface such that the stakes extend substantially perpendicular and upwardly relative to the support surface, removable panels which are removably fitted to the channels of the of the stakes and extend substantially perpendicularly at the lateral side of the vehicle adjacent the support surface and such that open gaps are defined between lower portions of the panels and the support surface, a tarp cover disposed between upper ends of the panels to cover an opening above the support surface, and a sealing device which seals the opens gaps.

Abstract: A retractable tarpaulin cover system includes a tarp cover, plural spaced substantially U-shaped bows supporting and connected to the tarp cover, movable carriages operably connected to lower ends of each bow, and a tensioning mechanism which moves an end one of said bows toward an endmost position thereof to tension the tarp cover in an expanded position of the cover. The tensioning mechanism includes an elongate brace arm having an upper end which operatively engages an upper or intermediate portion of a vertically extending leg of the end bow, a transmission device which operatively supports a lower end of the brace arm and rotates the arm in a longitudinal direction of the cover system to thereby also move the end bow in the longitudinal direction of the cover system, and a coupling which detachably connects the lower end of the brace arm to the transmission device.

Abstract: A retractable tarpaulin cover system includes a tarp cover, plural spaced substantially U-shaped bows supporting and connected to the tarp cover, movable carriages operably connected to lower ends of each bow, and a tensioning mechanism which moves an end one of said bows toward an endmost position thereof to tension the tarp cover in an expanded position of the cover. The tensioning mechanism includes an elongate brace arm having an upper end which operatively engages an upper or intermediate portion of a vertically extending leg of the end bow, a transmission device which operatively supports a lower end of the brace arm and rotates the arm in a longitudinal direction of the cover system to thereby also move the end bow in the longitudinal direction of the cover system, and a coupling which detachably connects the lower end of the brace arm to the transmission device.

Abstract: A retractable tarpaulin cover system includes a tarp cover, plural spaced substantially U-shaped bows supporting and connected to the tarp cover, movable carriages operably connected to lower ends of each bow, a tensioning mechanism which moves an end one of said bows toward an endmost position thereof to tension the tarp cover in an expanded position of the cover, and a tension distributing mechanism which distributes the tension of the tarp cover between the end bow and another of said bows adjacent to said end bow. The tension distributing mechanism includes a collapsible brace interconnected between the end and adjacent bows.

Abstract: A cover system, for protectively covering a trailer, includes a plurality of stakes, stake-supported panels and stake-retaining pockets. Each pocket includes a base section, adapted to be fixed to the vehicle, and a movable section which moves between open and closed positions of the pocket. The stake-retaining pocket is formed when the movable section is in the closed position. Each stake includes an inner section and an outer section selectively connectable to the inner section to define a pair of panel-receiving recesses therebetween. The inner stake section is thicker than the outer section, and the outer section includes an intermediate portion for separating the panel-receiving recesses when the stake sections are connected together. Rails may be used above the stakes to hold the panels in place, and a plurality of bows may adjustably or non-adjustably support a tarp above the rails. A trailer incorporating the cover system is also described.

Abstract: A cover system for a support surface on a vehicle includes multiple retaining pockets disposed at a lateral side of the vehicle adjacent the support surface, multiple stakes having lower ends which are removably received in said retaining pockets, respectively, such that the stakes extend substantially perpendicular to the support surface, multiple panels retained by said stakes at the lateral side of the vehicle, a rail supported on upper surfaces of said stakes such that the rail extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a locking mechanism which selectively locks the rail to at least one of said stakes and at least one of said pockets.

Abstract: A retractable tarpaulin cover system includes a tarp cover, plural spaced substantially U-shaped bows supporting and connected to the tarp cover, movable carriages operably connected to lower ends of each bow, a tensioning mechanism which moves an end one of said bows toward an endmost position thereof to tension the tarp cover in an expanded position of the cover, and a tension distributing mechanism which distributes the tension of the tarp cover between the end bow and another of said bows adjacent to said end bow. The tension distributing mechanism includes a collapsible brace interconnected between vertically extending legs of the end and adjacent bows, and does not project laterally of the vertically extending legs of the end and adjacent bows.

Abstract: A cover system for a support surface on a vehicle includes multiple retaining pockets disposed at a lateral side of the vehicle adjacent the support surface, multiple stakes having lower ends which are removably received in said retaining pockets, respectively, such that the stakes extend substantially perpendicular to the support surface, multiple panels retained by said stakes at the lateral side of the vehicle, a rail supported on upper surfaces of said stakes such that the rail extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a locking mechanism which selectively locks the rail to at least one of said stakes and at least one of said pockets.

Abstract: A cover system, for protectively covering a trailer, includes a plurality of stakes, stake-supported panels and stake-retaining pockets. Each pocket includes a base section, adapted to be fixed to the vehicle, and a movable section which moves between open and closed positions of the pocket. The stake-retaining pocket is formed when the movable section is in the closed position. Each stake includes an inner section, and an outer section selectively connectable to the inner section to define a pair of panel-receiving recesses therebetween. The inner stake section is thicker than the outer section, and the outer section includes an intermediate portion for separating the panel-receiving recesses when the stake sections are connected together. Rails may be used above the stakes to hold the panels in place, and a plurality of bows may adjustably or non-adjustably support a tarp above the rails. A trailer incorporating the cover system is also described.