Tarpaulin Side Cover

The present invention relates to a tarpaulin system and, more particularly, to a tarpaulin system with a side entry cover.

In general, tarpaulins provide shelter and safety to the user for various weather scenarios. Usually, more than one person inhabits the tarpaulin at a time which can cause crowdedness when both walking around or sleeping in the tarpaulin. Therefore, there is a need for a system to provide additional space and covering to reduce crowdedness while in or around the tarpaulin. As the foregoing illustrates, the invention provides the tarpaulin side cover assembly.

As provided, the tarpaulin side cover assembly is a first panel and a second panel coupled at an upper ridge line. The first panel having a central opening extending along a central portion of the first panel. The tarpaulin side cover assembly further includes a plurality of support bars positioned between an inner surface and an outer surface of the first panel and the second panel. The tarpaulin side cover assembly further includes a pair of side panels positioned at each end of the first panel and the second panel. The tarpaulin side cover assembly further includes a cover panel having a rear edge coupled to the upper ridge line.

The present disclosure includes a tarpaulin side cover assemblyaccording to the invention. In the exemplary embodiment, the tarpaulin side cover assemblyincludes a tarpaulin assemblyand a cover assembly.

In the exemplary embodiment, the tarpaulin assemblyincludes the following major components: a first panel, a second panel, a structural assembly, a zipper assembly, a pair of side panels, a button assembly, and a tie down assembly.

As illustrated, the first panelis a rectangular piece of fabric. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. The first panelfurther includes an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. The first panelfurther includes a first lower edge.

As illustrated, the second panelis a rectangular piece of fabric. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. The second panelfurther includes an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. The second panelfurther includes a second lower edge.

Additionally, either the first panelor the second panelwill further include a central openingpositioned on the central portion of the first panelor the second panel. In the current embodiment, the central openingis positioned on the first panel. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. Specifically, the central openingextends from the first lower edgetowards the upper ridge line.

As illustrated in, the structural assemblyincludes a plurality of support bars. Each of the support barsof the plurality of support barsare positioned between the outer surface and inner surface of both the first paneland second panel. The plurality of support barsare curvature members. A pair of support barsfrom the plurality of support barsextend beyond the first panel and protrude out of the first lower edge.

As illustrated, the zipper assemblyis positioned on either the first panelor the second panel. In the current embodiment, the zipper assemblyis positioned on the first panelalong the central opening, however one skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

The zipper assemblyis a common slider, puller and tape zipper assembly. One skilled in the art would understand the inner workings of a zipper.

As illustrated, the pair of side panelsare positioned at each end of the first paneland the second panel. Specifically, the first paneland second panelare positioned between each of the side panels. Each side panelis a piece of fabric. Each side panelfurther includes a central openingpositioned in a central region of the side panel. Each side panelfurther includes a third lower edge. The central openingextends upwards from the third lower edge.

As illustrated, the button assemblyis provided and positioned along the central openingof each of the side panels. The button assemblyis a plurality of interlocking discs spaced and positioned along a length of the central opening.

In the exemplary embodiment, a tie down assemblyincludes a plurality of tie materials and hardware to suspend the first paneland the second panelfrom supports. The tie down assemblygenerally includes the following major components: a grommet, a metal ring, and a suspension rope. The grommetis a standard grommet. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand grommets can be different shapes and sizes and applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. The metal ringis a standard metal ring. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand metal rings can be different shapes and sizes and applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. The suspension ropeis a standard rope. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the suspension rope can be made of different lengths and materials and applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

As illustrated in, an alternate tarpaulin assembly′ is shown.

In the exemplary embodiment, the alternate tarpaulin assembly′ includes the following major components: a first panel, a second panel, a zipper assembly, a pair of side panels, a button assembly, and a tie down assembly.

As illustrated, the first panelis a rectangular piece of fabric. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. The first panelfurther includes an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. The first panelfurther includes a first lower edge.

As illustrated, the second panelis a rectangular piece of fabric. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. The second panelfurther includes an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. The second panelfurther includes a second lower edge.

Additionally, either the first panelor the second panelwill further include a central openingpositioned on a central portion of the first panelor the second panel. In the current embodiment, the central openingis positioned on the first panel. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. Specifically, the central openingextends from the first lower edgetowards the upper ridge line.

As illustrated, the zipper assemblyis positioned on either the first panelor the second panel. In the current embodiment, the zipper assemblyis positioned on the first panelalong the central opening, however one skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

The zipper assemblyis a common slider, puller and tape zipper assembly. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

As illustrated, the pair of side panelsare positioned at each end of the first paneland the second panel. Specifically, the first paneland the second panelare positioned between each of the side panels. Each side panelis a piece of fabric. Each side panelfurther includes a central openingpositioned in the central region of the side panel. Each side panelfurther includes a third lower edge. The central openingextends upwards from the third lower edge.

As illustrated, the button assemblyis provided and positioned along the central openingof each of the side panels. The button assemblyis a plurality of interlocking discs spaced and positioned along the length of the central opening.

In the exemplary embodiment, a tie down assemblyincludes a plurality of tie materials and hardware to suspend the first paneland second panelfrom supports. The tie down assemblygenerally includes the following major components: a grommet, a metal ring, and a suspension rope. The grommetis a standard grommet. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand grommets can be different shapes and sizes and applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. The metal ringis a standard metal ring. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand metal rings can be different shapes and sizes and applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. The suspension ropeis a standard rope. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the suspension rope can be made of different lengths and materials and applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment, the cover assemblyincludes a cover panel, a plurality of couplersand a plurality of stabilizers.

As illustrated, the cover assemblyincludes a cover panel. The cover panelis a rectangular member. The cover panelfurther includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. The cover panelfurther includes a front edge, a rear edge, and a pair of side edges. The cover panelfurther extends the length of the first panel,.

As illustrated, each coupleris a semicircular member positioned at the front edgeof the cover panel. Specifically, each coupleris positioned at a corner along the front edge. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. The couplerfurther includes a receiving passageway.

As illustrated, each stabilizeris a pole like structure. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

The fabric of the first panel,and the second panel,of both the tarpaulin assemblyand the alternate tarpaulin assembly′ is xenon and is between 20 denier and 30 deniers of polyester or nylon. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. Further, the first panel,and the second panel,are coated with at least eighty percent (80%) silicone. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

Additionally, the plurality of side panels,are composed of xenon and is between 20 denier and 30 deniers of polyester or nylon. Further, the side panels,are coated with at least eighty percent (80%) silicone.

In both the tarpaulin assemblyand the alternate tarpaulin assembly′, the first panel,and the second panel,are coupled together at an upper ridge line. Additionally, in the tarpaulin assembly, each support baris threaded through and between the outer surface and inner surface of the first paneland the second panelforming a continuing curvature along the length of the first paneland the second panelas illustrated in.

The zipper assembly,is fastened along the central opening,of the first panel,.

As illustrated in, the rear edgeof the cover panelis coupled to the upper ridge line. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

As illustrated each side panel,, is coupled to an edge of both the first panel,and the second panel,. The button assembly,is positioned along the central opening,of each of the side panels,.

The plurality of stabilizer'sare positioned within a ground surface at one end thereof. At an opposite end, each stabilizeris threaded through the receiving passagewayof the coupler.

When an operator uses the tarpaulin side cover assemblyas illustrated in, a plurality of configurations may be utilized. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiments. The tarpaulin assemblyis shown. However, utilizations of the alternate tarpaulin assembly′ would mirror the tarpaulin assemblyunless otherwise specified.

As illustrated in, the operator may close the zipper assemblyand drape the cover panelover the outer surface of the first panel. To secure the cover panelto the first panel, the operator can thread the pair of support barsthrough the receiving passagewayto prevent movement. Additionally, the operator may choose to open or close each button assemblythat is positioned on each of the side panels. In the alternate tarpaulin assembly′, the cover panelis draped over the outer surface of the first paneland permitted to freely move.

As illustrated in, the operator may choose to extend the cover paneloutwards and away from the first panelwhile threading stabilizersthrough each of the receiving passageways. Additionally, the operator may choose to close the zipper assemblywhile either opening or closing the button assembliesof each of the side panels.

As illustrated in, the operator may drape the cover panelover the second paneland expose the zipper assembly. Additionally, the operator can open the zipper assemblywhile either opening or closing each button assemblypositioned on each of the side panels.

As illustrated in, the operator may choose to extend the cover paneloutwards and away from the first panelwhile threading the stabilizerthrough each of the receiving passageways. The operator may choose to open the zipper assemblywhile opening or closing the button assemblieson each of the side panels.

As illustrated in, the operator may choose to position a hammockwithin the tarpaulin side cover assembly. A hammock bodyis positioned within either the tarpaulin assemblyor the alternate tarpaulin assembly′. In the embodiments shown, the hammock bodyis fully positioned within either the tarpaulin assemblyor the alternate tarpaulin assembly′. A hammock lineis positioned at each end of the hammock bodyand is threaded through each central opening,of each of the side panels,.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. For example, various embodiments of the systems and methods may be provided based on various combinations of the features and functions from the subject matter provided herein.