REVERSIBLE VEHICLE CAMOUFLAGE METHOD

Abstract

A method for applying camouflage to a vehicle, the method comprising a first step of applying a first coat of paint in a first color to most of the vehicle, the method also comprising: - a second step of applying paint patterns in at least one second color, different from the first color; - a third step of applying at least one adhesive element in at least one third color, different from the first and second colors. (Fig. 1)

Description

Title of the invention: REVERSIBLE CAMOUFLAGE METHOD FOR VEHICLES

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of methods for applying camouflage to a vehicle, in particular camouflage methods used in the military field.

[0002] Currently, military vehicles mainly use camouflage made by creating patterns directly on the bodywork by painting.

[0003] Depending on the location where the vehicle is to be used, the vehicle's paint scheme is modified. For example, the vehicle may use a "Central Europe" type camouflage suitable for use in a European wooded area. If this vehicle were to be used in another context, for example a desert area, the existing camouflage would then be unsuitable;

[0004] It would then be necessary to modify the existing camouflage by going through a paint booth, the vehicle remaining unavailable during this step, or to accept use of the vehicle with unsuitable camouflage.

[0005] In the field of military camouflage, existing solutions are primarily fixed. However, some mobile camouflage solutions exist that rely on adding a kit to the vehicle to change the camouflage. These solutions are based on the use of a textile system attached to the vehicle using temporary fasteners.

[0006] The main disadvantages of this type of system are: - the need to install on each vehicle a permanent fixing kit using devices such as Velcro (registered trademark), fixing tabs, straps, etc.; - the impossibility of adapting the kit to the vehicle's irregularities to accommodate additional equipment not included in the vehicle's initial configuration, whether it be a simple nut, a radio antenna, or a tripod for a collective weapon mount, because cutting the kit is generally not possible - a rather tedious implementation, the kit being bulky and the time to install it not negligible.

[0007] There are also processes using temporary paints. This concept makes it possible to repaint a vehicle using a process similar to that of applying permanent paint, but also allows the original camouflage to be restored more quickly by using a cleaning agent with a specific solvent.

[0008] The main disadvantages of this system are: - an implementation as demanding as with permanent paint, which means the need for specific infrastructure or resources and a long completion time; - a return to the original camouflage simpler than with permanent paint but too restrictive in practice due to the necessary treatment of effluents from the operation of stripping the temporary layer using solvents.

[0009] The aim of the invention is to propose a vehicle camouflage method allowing rapid adaptation to a given context, the implementation of the camouflage being able to easily take into account the particularities of each vehicle, and this at a controlled cost.

[0010] According to the invention, a method for applying camouflage to a vehicle, the method comprising a first step of applying a first coat of paint of a first color to most of the vehicle, is characterized in that the method also comprises: - a second step of applying paint patterns of at least one second color, different from the first color; - a third step of applying at least one adhesive element of at least one third color different from the first and second colors.

[0011] Advantageously the first coat of paint is applied to more than 50% of the total surface of the vehicle, or even to the entire total surface of the vehicle in some cases, in particular for example where reversibility takes precedence over performance.

[0012] The first color is called the base color and is chosen based on its combination possibilities with other colors commonly used in camouflage, such as green and beige. This color is common to all environments. According to the invention, the shade of beige known as "French earth brown," under reference PIR / DEF-C30X4 in the National Defense color catalog (NORMDEF 001, edition 2 of September 2017), is particularly suitable, but the method according to the invention is not limited to using this color as the first color.

[0013] The paint patterns applied during the second step can be polygonal "spots". Geometric shapes are indeed preferred.

[0014] Advantageously, at least one adhesive element applied during the third step is polygonal in shape for the same reasons as the paint patterns.

[0015] Advantageously, the adhesive element is applied at reference points previously placed on the vehicle. In particular, the adhesive element can preferably be applied at a paint pattern created during the second step. The completed areas can serve as reference points and can thus be partially or completely covered. The operator is guided by means for positioning the adhesive elements. The color of the adhesive element corresponds to the environment in which the vehicle will operate, such as a desert environment.

[0016] The adhesive element can then partially or completely cover paint patterns applied during the second step. This makes it possible to adapt the camouflage of a vehicle to the environment in which it will operate easily and very quickly.

[0017] The adhesive element added during the third step can naturally be easily removed, due to its adhesive nature, so as to obtain a modification of the camouflage made without the need for a new painting operation.

[0018] The advantage of the method according to the invention is therefore clearly apparent here. The painting steps are carried out only once; the addition and / or removal of adhesive elements then allows the camouflage to be adapted according to the environment in which the vehicle will operate.

[0019] The paint patterns applied in the second step may feature two colors. Each pattern then comprises several areas of geometric shapes, each area being either of the colors chosen for the second step. Generally, two similar shades are chosen, for example, two shades of green for camouflage suitable for wooded areas or two shades of beige for camouflage suitable for desert areas.

[0020] Similarly, the at least one adhesive element applied during the third step may have two colors.

[0021] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, but which is not limiting in any way.

[0022] [Fig. 1] shows a vehicle after implementation of step two of the process according to the invention, and

[0023] [Fig.2] shows the vehicle of [Fig.1], after implementation of step three of the process according to the invention.

[0024] We will now describe in more particular an example of an embodiment of the process according to the invention.

[0025] We can see [Fig.1], a vehicle in profile on which steps 1 and 2 of the method according to the invention have been implemented.

[0026] Initially, a first coat of paint in Frange earth brown color was applied to the entire body of the vehicle.

[0027] In a second step, matte finishes, also called patches, were applied in the form of two-colored polygons to create a relief effect. Two shades of green were used to achieve camouflage of the Central European type or suitable for a wooded area.

[0028] [Fig.2], the vehicle is illustrated from another angle, after implementation of the third step of the process using a matte-looking sticker-type solution.

[0029] Adhesive or self-adhesive elements in the form of geometric spots were added to the patterns created during the second stage. Two shades of the same color are used here, namely two shades of beige, a color suitable for desert environments. Alternatively, other combinations could be used, for example, two shades of gray for camouflage suitable for urban areas or two lighter shades of gray for camouflage suitable for snowy areas.

[0030] It is evident that a person skilled in the art will be able to implement numerous variations based on the elements described here by way of example. In particular, a person skilled in the art will be able to use their experience in the field of camouflage to choose the colors and their shades, depending on the environment in which the vehicle is to operate.

[0031] The method according to the invention has many advantages. In particular, the combination of two technical effects resulting from the application of paint layers and the use of adhesive elements makes it possible to obtain a reversible camouflage solution that allows the vehicle's camouflage to evolve without further painting while ensuring good camouflage adhesion.

Claims

Demands

1. Method of carrying out camouflage on a vehicle, the method comprising a first step of applying a first coat of paint of a first color over the major part of the vehicle, and a second step of applying paint patterns of at least a second color, different from the first color, a third step of applying at least one adhesive element of at least a third color, different from the first and second colors, method characterized in that the adhesive element is applied at the level of markers previously placed on the vehicle.

2. A method for carrying out camouflage according to claim 1, characterized in that the first layer of paint is applied to more than 50% of the total surface of the vehicle.

3. Method of carrying out camouflage according to claim 1, characterized in that the first layer of paint is applied over the entire total surface of the vehicle.

4. A method for carrying out camouflage according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the paint patterns applied during the second step are polygonal in shape.

5. A method for producing camouflage according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one adhesive element applied during the third step is polygonal in shape.

6. A method for producing camouflage according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adhesive element is applied to a paint pattern produced during the second step.

7. A method for carrying out camouflage according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the paint patterns applied during the second step have two colors.

8. A method for producing camouflage according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one adhesive element applied during the third step has two colors.

9. A method for producing camouflage according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an adhesive element

10. added during the third step is removed, so as to obtain a modification of the camouflage carried out without a painting operation. Method of carrying out a camouflage according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first colour is defined by under the reference brown earth of France PIR / DEF-C 30X4 in the catalogue of colours of the National Defence (NORMDEF 001, edition 2 September 2017).

Images