Tarping assembly and methods of tarping a load transporter

1 . A tarping assembly for applying a tarp to a load transporter, said assembly comprising:

a stationary frame structure defining at least one overhead rail extending laterally across a tarping area defining a tarp preparation area portion and a tarp application area portion;

the tarp preparation area portion and the tarp application area portion being parallel to one another such that the load transporter may be moved into the tarp application area portion so as to be laterally adjacent to the tarp preparation area portion;

a carriage assembly mounted to the at least one overhead rail for movement between a first lateral position axially aligned with the tarp preparation area portion and a second lateral position axially aligned with the tarp application area portion;

a pair of parallel spreader assemblies connected to the carriage assembly via a linkage arrangement, the linkage arrangement allowing the pair of spreader assemblies to be raised and lowered; and

a drive arrangement operative to raise and lower the spreader assemblies and move the carriage assembly between the first and second lateral positions.

2 . A tarping assembly as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising an elongate tarp preparation support structure situated in the tarp preparation area portion.

3 . A tarping assembly as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the elongate tarp preparation support structure comprises an elongated elevated support table.

4 . A tarping assembly as set forth in claim 3 , wherein:

the elevated support table has a width less than a spacing between the pair of spreader assemblies; and

the drive arrangement is operative to lower the pair of spreader assemblies to be on respective sides of the elevated support table.

5 . A tarping assembly as set forth in claim 4 , wherein each one of the pair of spreader assemblies defines a respective outboard trough that receives a respective side panel of the tarp to be applied to the load transporter.

6 . A tarping assembly as set forth in claim 5 , wherein each of the spreader assemblies includes an elongate spreader bar located inside of and above a bottom portion of an associated one of the outboard troughs.

7 . A tarping assembly as set forth in claim 6 , wherein each of the spreader bars comprises a sacrificial wear cover.

8 . A tarping assembly as set forth in claim 6 , wherein each of the pair of spreader assemblies includes a plurality of clamps operative to releasably maintain the tarp to be applied to the pair of spreader assemblies.

9 . A tarping assembly as set forth in claim 8 , wherein the plurality of clamps are configured to maintain the tarp to be applied on the spreader bar utilizing gravitational force.

10 . A tarping assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the spreader assemblies each have at least one vertical track that receives a guidepost as the spreader assembly is lowered.

11 . A tarping assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the linkage arrangement has at least one cross strut to maintain a spacing between the pair of parallel spreader assemblies.

12 . A tarping assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the at least one overhead rail comprises multiple parallel overhead rails.