MASKING DEVICE FOR TANK TRUCKS

Abstract

A masking device for tank trucks, trucks of the type on whose structure (3) a tank (4) linked to a supply unit (8) is mounted, characterized in that it consists of an outer enclosure structure for the assembly formed by the vehicle structure and the tank (4), comprising a front crossmember for supporting and anchoring a front panel (9), a rear end panel (10) for supporting the hinged tailgate or rear door (11), and two longitudinal members (12), where: - Pillars (17) are mounted on the longitudinal members (12) and are removable by means of a manual locking mechanism. - Hinged enclosure panels (18) are mounted on the longitudinal members (12). - Arches (19) are mounted on the pillars (17), and braces (20) are mounted on these. - The pillars (17) include arch support tubes (22) into which the ends of the arches fit. - A canvas awning (23) is mounted on the structure formed by the arches (19) and the braces (20), secured by a rope attached to tie-down brackets evenly distributed on the sides, front, and rear.

Description

Masking device for tanker trucks TECHNICAL SECTOR The present invention relates to a "kit" or masking device for tanker trucks for the transport and supply of hydrocarbons and water. The object of the invention is therefore that the unit goes unnoticed on the battlefield and cannot be distinguished at first glance from a conventional cargo box with sides, bows and awning. The invention is therefore situated in the field of military supply vehicles. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the practical application of the invention, that of military vehicles, the use of tanker vehicles for fuel supply is common, which are a priority target in the event of an enemy attack, due to the multiple effects that their destruction can entail, both in terms of human and material casualties and from a logistical point of view. EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION The masking device for tanker truck structures that is advocated fully and satisfactorily solves the aforementioned problem, based on a simple but effective solution, making the vehicle look the same as a conventional military cargo vehicle with sides, bows and awning. To this end, starting from the conventional structuring of this type of vehicle, it has been planned that the device of the invention constitutes a kit that can be easily installed on the vehicle itself as an enclosure. More specifically, the invention consists of a structure comprising a front crossmember for supporting and anchoring a front panel, a rear end panel for supporting the hatch or folding rear door, and two longitudinal members, such that pillars with a removable character are mounted on the longitudinal members by means of a manual locking mechanism. Simultaneously, folding / fixed side panels are mounted on the side rails. For their part, a series of small arches are mounted on the pillars, and on these braces that will support the covering canvas. The pillars include arch-support tubes into which the ends of the arches fit. The canvas awning is secured by a rope tied to tie-down supports evenly distributed on the sides, front and back. As for the rear door, it is equipped with two folding steps made of non-slip perforated sheet metal, including a non-slip rear railing. At the rear of the structure, corresponding to the rear pillars, are two folding handles to facilitate getting into the car. Returning to the arches, these are provided with metal supports with a rubber base and a groove into which the braces fit by pressure, so that their assembly is extremely quick and easy, without the need for any type of tool. Finally, it should be noted that, according to another feature of the invention, the front panel will include means for securing the arches and braces that participate in the structure when not in operation, minimizing the space occupied by the kit when disassembled. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To complement the description that follows and to aid a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is included as an integral part of said description, in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a vehicle equipped with a tanker truck masking device made in accordance with the object of the present invention. Figure 2 shows a rear perspective view of the vehicle provided and without the device of the invention. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the device independent of the vehicle. Figure 4 shows a rear perspective view of the vehicle in an intermediate masking phase. Figure 5 shows a perspective detail of the means of fixing and dismantling the arches on one of the struts that participate in the structure. Figure 6 shows, finally, a perspective detail of the storage form on the front of the structure of the arches and the braces that participate in the support structure of the canvas. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION In view of the figures shown, it can be observed how the device of the invention is based on the conventional structure of a military or civilian tanker truck (1), preferably with all-wheel drive (2), and on whose structure (3) a tank (4) is mounted, Well, based on this conventional structure, the device of the invention consists of an outer envelope that resembles a military cargo box, so that the truck goes unnoticed. More specifically, the device includes a perimeter structure consisting of a base structure supporting the kit elements, in which its components are joined by bolted connections. These elements are a front crossbar for supporting and anchoring the front (9), a rear end (10) for supporting the tailgate or rear door (11), and two stringers (12) that support the sides and pillars. The rear door (11), when folded down, allows access to the supply equipment located in the rear cabinet (14). To facilitate personnel access, the rear door is fitted with two folding steps (13) made of perforated, non-slip sheet metal, as well as a non-slip base on the rear railing (15). The longitudinal members (12) are mounted on pillars (17) that are removable by means of a manual locking mechanism. In this regard, there are two grab handles (16) on the rear pillars to facilitate getting into the vehicle. These handles are foldable. Parallel to these longitudinal beams, hinged enclosure panels (18) are mounted. The enclosure panels (18) and the rear door (11) are released by operating the locks located on the pillars (17) to which they are fixed, so that they fold down, rotating on their hinges and with the help of two operators they can be easily released from the hinges to be removed and subsequently stored. Three small arches (19) are mounted on the six pillars (17), and ten braces (20) are mounted on these. The arches (19) are provided with metal supports (21) with a rubber base and a groove into which the ends of the braces fit by pressure, supports like the one shown in figure 5. To remove a brace, simply give it an upward tap. Figure 6 shows how the three arches (19) and the ten braces (20) can be stored in an inoperative state on the supports intended for this purpose at the front of the front panel. For its part, and returning to figure 5, the pillars (17) will include arch-support tubes (22) into which the ends of said arches fit. Finally, the assembly is complemented by a canvas awning (23) which is fixed by means of a rope tied to tie-down supports distributed evenly on the sides, front and back. To remove or retract the awning on the structure, simply loosen the rope and separate it from the tie-down supports. Finally, it only remains to point out that the device described in the present invention, although specially designed to be installed in tanker trucks in order to protect said trucks from possible attacks, the system can be installed in any truck that does not have an enclosure.

Claims

1. A masking device for tank trucks, trucks of the type on whose structure (3) a tank (4) linked to a supply unit (8) is mounted, characterized in that it consists of an outer enclosure structure for the assembly formed by the vehicle structure and the tank (4), comprising a front crossmember for supporting and anchoring a front panel (9), a rear end panel (10) for supporting the hinged tailgate or rear door (11), and two longitudinal members (12), where: - Pillars (17) are mounted on the longitudinal members (12) and are removable by means of a manual locking mechanism. - Hinged enclosure panels (18) are mounted on the longitudinal members (12). - Arches (19) are mounted on the pillars (17), and braces (20) are mounted on these. - The pillars (17) include arch-carrying tubes (22) into which the ends of the arches fit.- A canvas awning (23) is mounted on the structure formed by the arches (19) and the braces (20), secured by a rope attached to tie-down brackets evenly distributed on the sides, front, and rear.

2. A camouflage device for tank trucks, according to claim 1, characterized in that the rear door (11) is provided with two folding steps (13) made of perforated, non-slip sheet metal, including a non-slip rear rail (15).

3. A camouflage device for tank trucks, according to claim 1, characterized in that two folding handles (16) are included on the rear of the structure, corresponding to the rear pillars (17), to facilitate access to the body. 4.A masking device for tank trucks, according to claim 1, characterized in that the arches (19) are provided with metal supports (21) with a rubber base and a groove into which the braces (20) fit by pressure.

5. A masking device for tank trucks, according to claim 1, characterized in that the front (9) includes means for securing the arches (19) and the braces (20) that form part of the structure in an inoperative position.