GB2472993A - A raisable and reconfigurable armoured tower - Google Patents

A raisable and reconfigurable armoured tower Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2472993A
GB2472993A GB0914804A GB0914804A GB2472993A GB 2472993 A GB2472993 A GB 2472993A GB 0914804 A GB0914804 A GB 0914804A GB 0914804 A GB0914804 A GB 0914804A GB 2472993 A GB2472993 A GB 2472993A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
enclosure
armoured
configuration
tower
tower assembly
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0914804A
Other versions
GB0914804D0 (en
Inventor
Fergus Johnathan Ardern
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB0914804A priority Critical patent/GB2472993A/en
Publication of GB0914804D0 publication Critical patent/GB0914804D0/en
Publication of GB2472993A publication Critical patent/GB2472993A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/343—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport
    • E04B1/344—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport with hinged parts
    • E04B1/3445—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport with hinged parts foldable in a flat stack of parallel panels
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/34—Extraordinary structures, e.g. with suspended or cantilever parts supported by masts or tower-like structures enclosing elevators or stairs; Features relating to the elastic stability
    • E04B1/3404—Extraordinary structures, e.g. with suspended or cantilever parts supported by masts or tower-like structures enclosing elevators or stairs; Features relating to the elastic stability supported by masts or tower-like structures
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/34—Extraordinary structures, e.g. with suspended or cantilever parts supported by masts or tower-like structures enclosing elevators or stairs; Features relating to the elastic stability
    • E04B1/3408—Extraordinarily-supported small buildings
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/343—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport
    • E04B1/34305—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport telescopic
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/343—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport
    • E04B1/34363—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport with provisions to raise or lower the whole structure
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H12/00—Towers; Masts or poles; Chimney stacks; Water-towers; Methods of erecting such structures
    • E04H12/18—Towers; Masts or poles; Chimney stacks; Water-towers; Methods of erecting such structures movable or with movable sections, e.g. rotatable or telescopic
    • E04H12/187—Towers; Masts or poles; Chimney stacks; Water-towers; Methods of erecting such structures movable or with movable sections, e.g. rotatable or telescopic with hinged sections
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41H—ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL
    • F41H5/00—Armour; Armour plates
    • F41H5/20—Turrets
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41H—ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL
    • F41H7/00—Armoured or armed vehicles
    • F41H7/02—Land vehicles with enclosing armour, e.g. tanks
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41H—ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL
    • F41H7/00—Armoured or armed vehicles
    • F41H7/02—Land vehicles with enclosing armour, e.g. tanks
    • F41H7/04—Armour construction

Abstract

A tower assembly1has an armored enclosure2, sufficiently armoured to resist at least small arms fire and an enclosure raiser3, arranged to reversibly raise said enclosure2. The assembly may be mounted on a vehicle10and the enclosure 1 may be reconfigurable. The enclosure may be able to be expanded to different sizes by moving between a fist configuration having a first floor space and a second configuration having a larger floor space. The enclosure may have a roof9which is reversibly raisable to provide a gap between the roof and an adjacent wall, for observation or deployment of weapons.

Description

A TOWER ASSEMBLY
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to defensive towers for protecting military enclosures.
Background
The use of defensive towers in military enclosures has a long history. Elevated positions from where the approach of an enemy may be observed and from where counter-attacks may be launched have been known since the earliest days of conflict and warfare.
In the context of modem warfare, operations are likely to take place in hostile and unknown territory occupied by local militia forces and in which speed of setup and flexibility is of paramount importance for the defence of military personnel. This is particularly the case in the context of forward operating bases (FOBs) that need to be secured to support tactical operations within a conflict zone. As well as housing troops, such FOBs often contain facilities such as field hospitals and airfields. One problem encountered with the protection of such FOBs is that the towers take substantial time to erect, and may become a focus for enemy attack. It is among the objects of the present invention to provide improved defensive towers.
Summary of the Invention
Accordingly, the invention provides a tower assembly comprising: an armoured enclosure, sufficiently armoured to resist at least small arms fire; and an enclosure raiser, arranged to reversibly raise said enclosure. The enclosure raiser is preferably configured to raise the enclosure by at least im, and preferably 2m or 3m, to allow it to be moved from a lowered position where it is not visible behind an enclosure wall or defensive bastion of a military camp to an elevated position where at least part of the enclosure is above the level of such a wall or bastion. In especially preferred embodiments, the raiser is configured to raise the enclosure by up to 8m, to allow e.g. for long-range observations.
Preferably, the tower assembly further comprises a vehicle on which said raiser is mountable. In some embodiments, illustrated and discussed below, the vehicle is powered, and suitable for transporting the assembly relatively large distances e.g. across a war zone, and might comprise an armoured truck. In alternative embodiments, the vehicle might comprise a more lightweight unit, designed for moving the assembly around the relatively shorter distances of a military camp, and might comprise merely a wheeled platform that may be towed by another vehicle, or be powered with a relatively low-power motor such as an electric motor.
In either aspect, it is preferable that said enclosure is arranged to be reversibly transformable between a first and second configuration wherein the floor space of the enclosure is greater in the second configuration than in the first. In this way, in the smaller "storage configuration", the enclosure can fit within the boundaries of a standard-sized truck, but then can be expanded for use into the wider "in-use" configuration.
Also in any aspect of the invention, it is preferred that said enclosure has a roof portion that may be moved from a first position wherein said roof portion abuts adjacent wall portions to a second position wherein said roof portion is spaced apart from adjacent wall portions, thereby creating an opening suitable for observation or deployment of weapons.
In this way, the enclosure can be moved into a defensive mode, where the openings are sealed by the roof-structure, preventing ingress of munitions such as grenades.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tower assembly of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a tower assembly further comprising a vehicle; Figures 3-4 are cross-sectional illustrations of an enclosure for a tower assembly; Figures 5-7 are cross-sectional illustrations of a further embodiment of an enclosure for a tower assembly; and Figures 8-9 are perspective views of a yet further embodiment of an enclosure for a tower assembly.
Description of Preferred Embodiments
Figure 1 illustrates, in perspective view, a tower assembly of the present invention, generally indicated by 1. The assembly comprises an armoured enclosure 2, and an enclosure raiser in the form of a scissor lift 3. The scissor lift 3 is illustrated partially schematically for sake of clarity, omitting elements required to raise and lower the lift, as the operation of scissor lifts in general will be all too evident to the skilled addressee from other fields. Alternative enclosure raisers may be provided, such as telescopic hydraulic rams or a chain-driven mast and rail assembly such as employed on forklift trucks.
In this embodiment, the scissor lift 3 is itself mounted on a base unit 4, which is itself mounted on four legs 5, each having ground-engaging pads 6. The legs 5 are configured to be adjustable, and preferably independently adjustable, e.g. by the use of hydraulic actuators, to enable the unit to be levelled on uneven ground.
The enclosure 2 is of an armoured construction, sufficiently armoured to resist at least small arms fire, such as projectiles with diameter of no more than 15mm in diameter. In more preferred embodiments, the enclosure 2 is armoured to resist more aggressive artillery such as rocket propelled grenades. The roof 9 of the enclosure 2 is also suitably armoured, as required.
The enclosure 2 in this embodiment is provided with openings 7 through which military personnel within the enclosure may e.g. observe enemy movements, or shoot at potential aggressors. The walls on opposite sides of the enclosure 2 are also constructed as a series of panels 8, enabling the enclosure 2 to be expanded from a storage configuration to a wider in-use configuration. This allows the enclosure to be readily transported on a vehicle. In the storage configuration, the enclosure might typically have a width of approximately 2.4m, expanding to a width of approximately 3.6m in its in-use configuration.
Figure 2 illustrates in partially schematic perspective view, a gun tower 1 comprising an enclosure 2, mounted on a raiser, again in the form of a scissor lift 3. The enclosure 2 and scissor lift assembly is mounted on the body of a vehicle 10 to enable the whole unit to be transported within the field and, more importantly, to be readily moved to different locations within e.g. a Forward Operating Base, thereby allowing the location of the tower to be hidden from view behind an enclosure wall of the FOB, providing an element of surprise when the enclosure is raised into its elevated operating position. This manoeuvrability affords a degree of protection to the unit against coordinated and pre-planned attacks by enemy forces.
The vehicle 10 in this instances is provided with ground-engaging stabilising arms 11 that are adjustable, and preferably independently adjustable, to allow the complete assembly to be levelled on uneven ground, and to provide a wide base to add stability to the tower.
Figures 3 and 4 show schematic horizontal cross-sections through an enclosure 2 of the invention in respectively a storage configuration and an in-use configuration. The enclosure comprises two interlocking enclosure sections 12, each with its own floor and roof members (not illustrated). In the storage configuration of Figure 3, one section fits within the other, providing a relatively narrow width for ease of transport. In the in-use configuration of Figure 4, the two enclosure sections 12 are slid apart to increase the overall floor area of the enclosure. Suitable mechanical means to effect the transition between the two configurations will be apparent to the skilled addressee, such as the use of rack and pinion mechanisms located between the two sections.
Figures 5 -7 illustrate schematic horizontal cross-sections through an alternative embodiment of an enclosure in various configurations. In the embodiment, two opposite walls of the enclosure 2 are formed with full-height hingedly-mounted panels 8. The other two opposite walls 13 being formed as C-Section panels. In use, the opposing C-section panels are urged apart from the storage configuration illustrated in Figure 5, causing the hinged wall sections to open up (Figure 6), finally assuming the in-use configuration of Figure 7. In this embodiment, sliding floor and roof sections are also provided, to allow the roof and floor members to expand in width as the enclosure is expanded from its storage configuration to its in-use configuration.
Figures 8 and 9 illustrate, in schematic perspective view, a further embodiment of an enclosure 2 of the invention. In this embodiment, the enclosure 2 comprises a wall and floor section 14 and a wall and roof section 15. In a first closed configuration, illustrated in Figure 8, the wall and floor section 14 abuts the wall and roof section 15. The two sections 14, 15 are connected by movable connectors 16, illustrated in Figure 9. These connectors 16 are arranged to be able to move the wall and roof section 15 apart from the wall and floor section 14, thereby creating an opening 7 between the two sections 14, 15 for the purpose of observation or the deployment of armaments. Again, the sections of the enclosure are suitably armoured, as described above.

Claims (4)

  1. CLAIMS1. A tower assembly comprising: an armoured enclosure, sufficiently armoured to resist at least small arms fire; and an enclosure raiser, arranged to reversibly raise said enclosure.
  2. 2. A tower assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a vehicle on which saidraiser is mountable.
  3. 3. A tower assembly according to either Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein said enclosure is arranged to be reversibly transformable between a first and second configuration wherein the floor space of the enclosure is greater in the second configuration than in the first.
  4. 4. A tower assembly according to any preceding claim wherein said enclosure has a roof portion that may be moved from a first position wherein said roof portion abuts adjacent wall portions to a second position wherein said roof portion is spaced apart from adjacent wall portions, thereby creating an opening suitable for observation or deployment of weapons.
GB0914804A 2009-08-25 2009-08-25 A raisable and reconfigurable armoured tower Withdrawn GB2472993A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0914804A GB2472993A (en) 2009-08-25 2009-08-25 A raisable and reconfigurable armoured tower

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0914804A GB2472993A (en) 2009-08-25 2009-08-25 A raisable and reconfigurable armoured tower

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0914804D0 GB0914804D0 (en) 2009-09-30
GB2472993A true GB2472993A (en) 2011-03-02

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GB0914804A Withdrawn GB2472993A (en) 2009-08-25 2009-08-25 A raisable and reconfigurable armoured tower

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GB (1) GB2472993A (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR3013824A1 (en) * 2013-11-26 2015-05-29 Renault Trucks Defense ASSAULT DEVICE FOR INTERVENTION IN CIVIL AIRCRAFT OR BUILDINGS, AND CORRESPONDING LIFTING ASSEMBLY
CN104964609A (en) * 2015-06-29 2015-10-07 张博 Rising and falling armored car
WO2016127863A1 (en) * 2015-02-14 2016-08-18 龙岩市海德馨汽车有限公司 Riot police vehicle having sound-light synergic dispersing device
RU201906U1 (en) * 2020-09-15 2021-01-21 Федеральное государственное казенное военное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Военный университет" Министерства обороны Российской Федерации TACTICAL PROTECTED VEHICLE FOR DELIVERY OF PERSONAL EQUIPMENT AND CARGO INTO THE COMBAT ZONE

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2622995A1 (en) * 1976-05-22 1977-12-01 Systemtechnik Gmbh Elevating chamber for low profile armoured vehicle - has hydraulic extending arm for raising to wide observation and firing position
DE3029294A1 (en) * 1980-08-01 1982-02-25 Pietzsch, Ludwig, Dr.-Ing., 7500 Karlsruhe Vehicle with extensible firing platform - allows movement of personnel into separate position clear of platform
US4534141A (en) * 1982-06-18 1985-08-13 Giovanna Maria Fagnoni Transportable pre-fabricated building structure
US20060145499A1 (en) * 2004-10-20 2006-07-06 K-Line Trailers Ltd. Expandible trailer
GB2428701A (en) * 2005-07-23 2007-02-07 Sterling Holdings Corp Vertically-moving cover assembly for a structure
US20070283633A1 (en) * 2006-06-12 2007-12-13 Amos Klein Deployable watchtower

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2622995A1 (en) * 1976-05-22 1977-12-01 Systemtechnik Gmbh Elevating chamber for low profile armoured vehicle - has hydraulic extending arm for raising to wide observation and firing position
DE3029294A1 (en) * 1980-08-01 1982-02-25 Pietzsch, Ludwig, Dr.-Ing., 7500 Karlsruhe Vehicle with extensible firing platform - allows movement of personnel into separate position clear of platform
US4534141A (en) * 1982-06-18 1985-08-13 Giovanna Maria Fagnoni Transportable pre-fabricated building structure
US20060145499A1 (en) * 2004-10-20 2006-07-06 K-Line Trailers Ltd. Expandible trailer
GB2428701A (en) * 2005-07-23 2007-02-07 Sterling Holdings Corp Vertically-moving cover assembly for a structure
US20070283633A1 (en) * 2006-06-12 2007-12-13 Amos Klein Deployable watchtower

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR3013824A1 (en) * 2013-11-26 2015-05-29 Renault Trucks Defense ASSAULT DEVICE FOR INTERVENTION IN CIVIL AIRCRAFT OR BUILDINGS, AND CORRESPONDING LIFTING ASSEMBLY
WO2016127863A1 (en) * 2015-02-14 2016-08-18 龙岩市海德馨汽车有限公司 Riot police vehicle having sound-light synergic dispersing device
CN104964609A (en) * 2015-06-29 2015-10-07 张博 Rising and falling armored car
RU201906U1 (en) * 2020-09-15 2021-01-21 Федеральное государственное казенное военное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Военный университет" Министерства обороны Российской Федерации TACTICAL PROTECTED VEHICLE FOR DELIVERY OF PERSONAL EQUIPMENT AND CARGO INTO THE COMBAT ZONE

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0914804D0 (en) 2009-09-30

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