Abstract: A transportable personal elevation device is attachable to a substrate which is a vehicle or trailer bed. The elevation device includes a platform assembly including a platform and a platform support member. The elevation device also includes a connector assembly including a pivot pin and a mounting structure. The connector assembly is configured and arranged such that when attached to the substrate, the elevation device can be pivotally moved about the pivot pin between a storage position and an outwardly extending position. The elevation device may also include a latch assembly for temporarily fixing a position of the device, and may further include a post which is attached to a side of the platform assembly to permit grasping thereof by a user. The elevation device may take the form of a pivotable stair assembly which can be folded into a storage configuration and stored beneath a truck trailer.

Abstract: A transportable personal elevation device is attachable to a substrate which is a vehicle or trailer bed. The elevation device includes a platform assembly including a platform and a platform support member. The elevation device also includes a connector assembly including a pivot pin and a mounting structure. The connector assembly is configured and arranged such that when attached to the substrate, the elevation device can be pivotally moved about the pivot pin between a storage position and an outwardly extending position. The elevation device may also include a latch assembly for temporarily fixing a position of the device, and may further include a post which is attached to a side of the platform assembly to permit grasping thereof by a user. The elevation device may take the form of a pivotable stair assembly, or alternatively, may include a power-assisted platform which can be selectively raised and lowered.

Abstract: A transportable personal elevation device is attachable to a substrate which is a vehicle or trailer bed. The elevation device includes a platform assembly including a platform and a platform support member. The elevation device also includes a connector assembly including a pivot pin and a mounting structure. The connector assembly is configured and arranged such that when attached to the substrate, the elevation device can be pivotally moved about the pivot pin between a storage position and an outwardly extending position. The elevation device may also include a latch assembly for temporarily fixing a position of the device, and may further include a post which is attached to a side of the platform assembly to permit grasping thereof by a user. The elevation device may take the form of a pivotable stair assembly which can be folded into a storage configuration and stored beneath a truck trailer.

Abstract: A movable, tarp enclosure system includes a movable carriage having a main body and plural primary support wheels connected to the main body, at least one of the wheels being disposed at a first vertical level and at least one of the wheels being disposed at a being vertical level. The system also includes a support rail having a first and second support walls, the upper surfaces of which are respectively engaged by the carriage wheel(s) disposed at the first vertical level and at the second vertical level for movably supporting the movable carriage on the support rail.

Abstract: A weldless connection for connecting two components together, including first and second components having respective first faces which are disposed in flush engagement with each other, and having respective second faces which are planar and are substantially aligned with each other along a same plane, and a plate which is disposed so as overlap portions of the aligned second faces of the components. One edge of the plate is curved into a hook shape, a recess is formed into the second face of the first component and receives the curved edge of the plate therein for connecting the plate to the first component while permitting some relative movement between the plate and first component, and a portion of the plate which overlaps the second face of the second component is fixed thereto.

Abstract: A movable, tarp enclosure system includes a movable carriage having a main body and plural primary support wheels connected to the main body, at least one of the wheels being disposed at a first vertical level and at least one of the wheels being disposed at a being vertical level. The system also includes a support rail having a first and second support walls, the upper surfaces of which are respectively engaged by the carriage wheel(s) disposed at the first vertical level and at the second vertical level for movably supporting the movable carriage on the support rail.

Abstract: A weldless connection for connecting two components together, including first and second components having respective first faces which are disposed in flush engagement with each other, and having respective second faces which are planar and are substantially aligned with each other along a same plane, and a plate which is disposed so as overlap portions of the aligned second faces of the components. One edge of the plate is curved into a hook shape, a recess is formed into the second face of the first component and receives the curved edge of the plate therein for connecting the plate to the first component while permitting some relative movement between the plate and first component, and a portion of the plate which overlaps the second face of the second component is fixed thereto.

Abstract: A movable tarp enclosure system includes a tarp cover, support rails, a plurality of support bows connected to and supporting the tarp cover, and movable carriages connected to lower ends of said bows and which move along the support rails. Each of the support bows includes first and second main sections formed of rigid material and having hollow ends, and a corner member formed of rigid material which connects the first and second main sections together such that the main sections extend substantially perpendicular to each other. The corner member has end portions fitted into the hollow ends of the main sections, and the end portions each have an outer circumference with a size and shape that substantially corresponds to those of an inner circumference of the hollow ends of the main sections such that the end portions are stably connected within the hollow end portions by frictional engagement.

Abstract: A movable tarp enclosure system includes a tarp cover, support rails, a plurality of support bows connected to and supporting the tarp cover, and movable carriages connected to lower ends of said bows and which move along the support rails. Each of the support bows includes first and second main sections formed of rigid material and having hollow ends, and a corner member formed of rigid material which connects the first and second main sections together such that the main sections extend substantially perpendicular to each other. The corner member has end portions fitted into the hollow ends of the main sections, and the end portions each have an outer circumference with a size and shape that substantially corresponds to those of an inner circumference of the hollow ends of the main sections such that the end portions are stably connected within the hollow end portions by frictional engagement.

Abstract: A support rail for a movable, flatbed trailer-mounted tarp enclosure system having a tarp cover, a plurality of substantially U-shaped bows connected to and supporting the tarp cover, and rolling carriages connected to lower ends of said bows and which roll along the support rail, the support rail including a first elongate rail section which is fixed to the trailer and extends substantially parallel to a cargo support surface of the trailer, a second elongate rail section which is movably connected to the trailer, and a support mechanism which connects the second elongate rail section to the trailer such that the second elongate rail section may be moved between a first position extending continuously to the first elongate rail section along a common axis and a second position parallel to but at a different level from the first elongate rail section.

Abstract: A tensioning mechanism for a movable, tarp enclosure system including first, second, and third arms, and first and second support brackets which are all connected together in a substantially triangular, adjustable configuration in which the first arm is rotatable relative to support brackets and when the first arm is rotated, the first bracket moves linearly along the first arm toward and away from the second bracket. The second arm has one end thereof pivotally connected to the first bracket such that the first end of the second arm moves together with the first bracket, the third arm has an engagement member provided on one end thereof which is configured to operatively engage a vertically intermediate portion of an end one of the bows, and the third arm has a length adjusting mechanism for adjusting a length thereof.

Abstract: A movable carriage for a movable, tarp enclosure system includes a main body, plural primary support wheels connected to the main body and configured to engage and roll along support rails while supporting the movable carriage, at least one smaller stabilizing wheel connected to the main body and configured to engage the support rails for stabilizing and/or aligning movement of the movable carriage as it moves along the support rail supported by the primary support wheels, and a housing to which the at least one stabilizing wheel is rotatably secured. The housing is provided with one of a guide track and a channel which securely and sliding receives the guide track therein, the main body is provided with the other of the guide track and the channel, and the housing is secured to main body by engaging the guide track within the channel.