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 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 retractable enclosure system for covering a bed of a truck, trailer or the like is provided, which includes a number of generally U-shaped bows for supporting a flexible cover, and elongate rails provided along each side of the bed. The rails each have a flat uppermost surface along which the bows move to extend or collapse the flexible cover. The bows span the bed having two vertical legs connected at an upper end by a central bight, and a guide assembly provided at the lower end of each leg. The guide assembly includes one or more supporting wheels which rotatably engage the upper surface of the rails and a guide wheel which rotatably engages the side of the bed and/or a portion of the rail to limit lateral movement of the supporting wheels.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing in a cargo transport of irregular shape, such as vehicles. The cargo transport comprises an elongate hollow highway truck semi-trailer having a pair of longitudinally extending spaced apart upright-side walls defining an interior cargo space therebetween. The trailer has a rearward openable end through which vehicles may be conveyed, and longitudinally extending internal crane runway rails supported by the side walls. A rear portion of the runway is longitudinally extendable rearward of the open rear end of the trailer. A plurality of standardized, stackable vehicle supporting pallets are provided upon which vehicles are individually loaded at a trailer-exterior loading position.

Abstract: A manual tarp enclosing system is disclosed for enclosing flat bed trailers which has an elongate track on each side and a plurality of U-shaped bows bridging the bed with one of the legs of the bow received in the track on each side of the bed for movement longitudinally in the track means. A cable positioning system for moving and positioning the bow is provided which comprises a closed loop of cable which extends along one side, across the width and down the other side of the bed as parallel double strands. A first bow is secured to one of the cable strands running parallel each of the tracks whereby on manually pulling on the loop of the cable, the first bow is moved towards the front or rear of the bed. A cover is secured to the first bow and at successive intervals to successive of the bows. On drawing the first bow, the cover extends or collapses in an accordion-like manner.

Abstract: A manual tarp enclosing system is disclosed for enclosing flat bed trailers which has an elongate track on each side and a plurality of U-shaped bows bridging the bed with one of the legs of the bow received in the track on each side of the bed for movement longitudinally in the track means. A cable positioning system for moving and positioning the bow is provided which comprises a closed loop of cable which extends along one side, across the width and down the other side of the bed as parallel double strands. A first bow is secured to one of the cable strands running parallel each of the tracks whereby on manually pulling on the loop of the cable, the first bow is moved towards the front or rear of the bed. A cover is secured to the first bow and at successive intervals to successive of the bows. On drawing the first bow, the cover extends or collapses in an accordian-like manner.