Tarp hold down device

Abstract

A hold down device used to hold down a tarp placed over an object or placed over a sloped surface. The device comprises a flexible elongated body capable of being rolled into a compact roll during storage and then unrolled for use. The body includes a bladder designed to be filled with fluid material, such as water or sand. Formed on the bladder is at least one port opening and a removable cap that allows the user to selectively fill the bladder with fluid material to provide weight used to hold-down the edge of the tarp. Located along the top edge of the body is a plurality of grommets. Extending through the grommets are adjustable clips that enable the body to be selectively attached to the lower edge of a tarp or stakes that allow the device to hold down a tarp placed over a sloped surface.

1 . A tarp hold down device, comprising: 
 a. a flexible elongated body, said body including two parallel upper and lower edges and two parallel side edges, said elongated body being made of material sufficiently flexible to allow said body to be folded over to reduce the overall length of said body;    b. a large, longitudinally aligned bladder formed inside said body, said bladder capable of being filled with fluid material having a sufficient weight to apply weight to with an opening and a removable valve used to fill heavy fluid material or sand;    c. a port opening formed on said bladder enabling said bladder to be filled with a fluid material;    d. a closure means attached to said port opening enabling said port opening to be selectively opened or closed;    e. a plurality of grommets formed along said upper edge or said lower edge;    f. a means for engaging said grommets and attaching said body to a tarp; and,    g. a fluid material located inside said bladder.    
   
   
       2 . The tarp hold down device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said means for engaging said grommets is an adjustable clip.  
   
   
       3 . The tarp hold down device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said means for engaging said grommets is a stake.  
   
   
       4 . The tarp hold down device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said fluid material is water.  
   
   
       5 . The tarp hold down device as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said fluid material is sand.  
   
   
       6 . The tarp hold down device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said fluid material is water.  
   
   
       7 . The tarp hold down device as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said fluid material is sand.  
   
   
       8 . The tarp hold down device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said bladder is cylindrical in cross-section and has a sufficient diameter to hold approximately 1 gallon of fluid material per 24 inches of length.  
   
   
       9 . The tarp hold down device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said bladder includes a second port opening formed on said body opposite said first port opening enabling said fluid material to be filled or drained from said bladder.  
   
   
       10 . A method for holding down a tarp, comprising the following steps: 
 a. unfolding a tarp over an object or surface;    b. selecting a tarp hold down device comprising a flexible elongated body, said body including two parallel upper and lower edges and two parallel side edges, said elongated body being made of material sufficiently flexible to allow said body to be folded over to reduce the overall length of said body, a large, longitudinally aligned bladder formed inside said body, said bladder capable of being filled with fluid material having a sufficient weight to apply weight, a port opening formed on said bladder enabling said bladder to be filled with a fluid material, a closure means attached to said port opening enabling said port opening to be selectively opened or closed, a plurality of grommets formed on along said upper edge or said lower edge, means for engaging said grommets and attaching said body to a tarp; and, a fluid material located inside said bladder; and,    c. a using said means for engaging said grommets and attaching said body to a tarp to attach said device to the loose edge of tarp to hold said tarp in place.