Cabling arrangement for tarping systems

摘要

A tarp cover for a cargo compartment is wound up on a rotating drum translatably spanning the compartment. The tarp is unfurled from the drum by a motor-driven cable and spool assembly pulling the leading edge of the tarp. The tarp retracting mechanism comprises a coil spring coaxially mounted on an axle held within the drum. A single cable running through a series of pulleys and through the scroll's leading edge pull-rod automatically equalizes tension on both ends of the pull-rod. A central vaulted region of the tarp engages the drum allowing free edges to closely bear against lateral edges of the compartment. Tarp tautness is enhance by an over-the-edge lever action imparted by the oblong pull-rod sliders. Each pull-rod pulley has two degrees of rotation freedom.