WO2014167589A1

WO2014167589A1 - Security device for tanks, and associated assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2014167589A1
Application number: PCT/IT2013/000104
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dario Bartesaghi; Armando Poma
Original assignee: Dario Bartesaghi; Armando Poma
Priority date: 2013-04-11
Filing date: 2013-04-11
Publication date: 2014-10-16
Also published as: WO2014167589A8

Abstract

A security assembly for tanks, such as tanks for fuel and other liquids, which can be installed on vehicles such as trucks, lorries, articulated trucks, building site machines, work vehicles, earth- moving machines, excavators, agricultural machines, motor vehicles in general, and the like, comprising at least one base element (2), which can be associated stably with a mouth of the tank that can be coupled to a respective closure plug (3), and at least a locking element (4), which is coupled rotatably to the base element (2). The locking element (4) can move between at least a first configuration, in which it is arranged so as to interfere with the removal of the plug (3), when the plug (3) is coupled to the mouth, and at least a second configuration for free removal of the plug (3). Means (5) for detecting the configuration assumed by the locking element (4) are functionally associated with the locking element (4) and are connected to an electronic unit for control and management of the information transmitted by the detection means (5) and related to the configuration assumed by the locking element (4).

Description

SECURITY DEVICE FOR TANKS, AND ASSOCIATED ASSEMBLY

The present invention relates to a security device for tanks and to the associated assembly.

As is known, the tanks of parked vehicles often are subjected to interest of ill-intentioned individuals who seek to take the fuel contained therein: this problem is felt particularly by owners of vehicles such as trucks, lorries or articulated trucks, due to the large size of the tanks with which they are equipped and therefore due to the possibility to remove considerable amounts of diesel fuel (or other liquid) that has a considerable economic value.

The several types of machines for building sites, work vehicles, excavators, agricultural machines, earth-moving machines, etc., are frequently affected by this type of theft, due both to the reasons already cited above for trucks and articulated trucks and due to the fact that they are often abandoned, mostly unattended, in building sites or fields at night or in any case outside of working hours, thus becoming an easy target for ill- intentioned individuals.

Over time, manufacturers have developed and marketed several types of security device, aimed indeed at preventing or at least limiting fuel thefts.

First of all, it is in fact known extensively to resort to plugs that have a lock that can be operated by means of a key, which is entrusted to the driver and/or to the owner of the vehicle and are obviously used to prevent easy access to the contents of the tank to anyone who does not have such key.

Apparatuses, known in the field as anti- siphoning apparatuses, are further commercially widespread which are constituted by a sort of cylindrical sleeve that can be fixed coaxially and internally with respect to the mouth of the tank at one of its ends: the sleeve is open at said end in order to allow the insertion of the refueling nozzle, while the other end and the lateral surface (which lie within the tank) are constituted by a mesh that allows the passage of the fuel, and therefore the filling of the tank, but prevents the insertion of flexible hoses used typically by ill-intentioned individuals to aspirate the fuel.

However, this constructive solution is not devoid of drawbacks, which are due mainly to the fact that a considerable amount of fuel, if one wishes to fill the tank completely, invades the chamber inside the sleeve even in the presence of the anti-siphoning apparatuses and therefore remains accessible to ill-intentioned individuals. This requires, in order to avoid the danger of theft, providing an upper limit to the amount of liquid that can be introduced during refueling, which is significantly lower than the maximum capacity of the tank (indeed to prevent it from invading the internal chamber), with evident damage.

Moreover, it is appropriate to note that although typically the vehicle is delivered to the driver already equipped with the amount of fuel required for the assigned itinerary, for safety reasons a copy of the key of the plug of the tank is always delivered to the driver in order to allow him to refuel in case of emergencies or unexpected circumstances.

It is therefore evident that the security precautions described above are at least partially effective against strangers who seek to take the entire contents of the tank but are entirely useless when the above cited key (due to the safety reasons mentioned above) is entrusted to third parties, for example storekeepers tasked with loading/unloading the vehicle, personnel entrusted with maneuvering or parking the vehicle, mechanics or other workshop workers, etc., if they only take small quantities of fuel.

Any thefts of a few liters of fuel in fact are not prevented by the solutions described in the preceding paragraphs and are substantially impossible to detect after the fact, even by means of specific checks performed by the owner companies; however, they are in any case capable of causing them severe economic damage (if considered in view of the number of vehicles that they own and the number of refueling operations performed in the unit time considered).

The aim of the present invention is to solve the problems described above, by providing a security device for tanks that is effective against fuel thefts, even of small quantities.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a security assembly for tanks that is effective against thefts of fuel, even of small quantities, by resorting to a plug that is optionally without locks or key- operated devices and in any case can be type approved according to the applicable statutory provisions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a security device which, once installed, maintains the type approval of the tank.

A further object of the invention is to provide a security device that is versatile, can be installed easily on any type of tank and is adapted to plugs of any shape.

A further object of the invention is to provide a security device that ensures high reliability in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a security device that is easily obtainable starting from commonly commercially available elements and materials.

Another object of the invention is to provide a security device that has low costs and is safe in application.

This aim and these objects are achieved by a security device for tanks, such as tanks for fuel and other liquids, which can be installed on vehicles such as trucks, lorries, articulated trucks, building site machines, work vehicles, earth-moving machines, excavators, agricultural machines, motor vehicles in general, and the like, characterized in that it comprises at least one base element, which can be associated stably with a mouth of the tank, said mouth being associable with a respective closure plug, and at least one locking element, which is coupled rotatably to said base element and can move between at least a first configuration, in which it is arranged so as to interfere with the removal of the plug, when the plug is coupled to the mouth, and at least a second configuration for free removal of the plug, means for detecting the configuration assumed by said element being functionally associated with said locking element and being connected to an electronic control and management unit for the information that is transmitted by said detection means and is related to the configuration assumed by said element.

This aim and these objects are also achieved by a security assembly for tanks, such as tanks for fuel and other liquids, which can be installed on vehicles such as trucks, lorries, articulated trucks, building site machines, work vehicles, earth-moving machines, excavators, agricultural machines, motor vehicles in general, and the like, characterized in that it comprises: at least one closure plug, which can be coupled to a mouth of the tank; at least one base element, which can be associated stably with the mouth; at least one locking element, which is coupled rotatably to said base element and can move between at least a first configuration, in which it is arranged so as to interfere with the removal of said plug, when said plug is coupled to the mouth, and at least a second configuration for free removal of said plug; means for detecting the configuration assumed by said element, which are functionally associated with said locking element; and an electronic unit, which is connected to said detection means, for control and management of the information transmitted by said detection means and related to the configuration assumed by said element.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of three preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the security device and assembly according to the invention, illustrated by way of nonlimiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figures 1 to 17 are views of the device and the closure assembly according to the invention in the first embodiment, and more particularly: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the security device according to the invention, with the locking element in the first configuration;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the security device of Figure 1 , with the element in the second configuration;

Figure 3 is a side elevation view of the security device of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view from above of the security assembly, with the element in the first configuration;

Figure 5 is a perspective view from below of the security assembly of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a view from above of the security assembly of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a side elevation view of the security assembly of Figure 4; Figure 8 is a view from below of the security assembly of Figure 4; Figures 9 and 10 are sectional views of Figure 6, taken respectively along the axes IX-IX and X-X;

Figure 1 1 is a perspective view from above of the security assembly, with the element in the second configuration;

Figure 12 is a front side perspective view from below of the security assembly of Figure 1 1 ;

Figure 13 is a rear side perspective view from below of the security assembly of Figure 1 1;

Figure 14 is a view from above of the security assembly of Figure 1 1 ; Figure 15 is a side elevation view of the security assembly of Figure

11 ;

Figures 16 and 17 are sectional views of the security assembly of Figure 1 1, taken respectively along the axes XVI-XVI and XVII-XVII;

Figure 18 is a perspective view of the device and the closure assembly according to the invention, in the second embodiment;

Figures 19 to 22 are views of the closure device according to the invention, in the second embodiment, more particularly: Figure 19 is a perspective view of the security device with the element in the first configuration;

Figure 20 is a sectional view of the device of Figure 19, mounted on a plug, taken along a plane that is perpendicular to the base element;

Figure 21 is a perspective view from below of the security device of

Figure 19, with the element in the second configuration;

Figure 22 is a perspective view from above of the security device of Figure 19, with the element in the second configuration.

With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a security device for tanks, such as tanks for fuel and other liquids, which can be installed on vehicles such as trucks, lorries, articulated trucks, building site machines, work vehicles, earth-moving machines, excavators, agricultural machines, motor vehicles in general, and the like.

It is specified therefore from the outset that according to the preferred application, the device 1 is intended to be used in association with tanks of fuel, or other substances, for vehicles such as the ones listed above by way of example, and this application shall be referenced constantly in the continuation of the present description.

However, it is appropriate to note that the use of the device 1 according to the invention for different types of tanks, intended to contain other types of liquid, and/or installed even on the difference types of vehicles (for road use or not), is not excluded, without thereby abandoning the protective scope claimed herein.

According to the invention, the security device 1 comprises at least one base element 2, which can be associated stably with a mouth of the tank, which in turn can be coupled to a respective closure plug 3 (even in known manners).

It is noted that in the preferred application the mouth is the one (provided in any tank) that is intended to allow refueling with fuel, by means of a respective filler A, and the plug 3 is therefore the one typically intended to be removed in order to allow the insertion of the dispensing nozzle. In any case, the protective scope claimed herein also includes the use of the device 1 according to the invention for different mouths: for example, the base element 2 can be associated with the mouth (also present in any fuel tank) designed for the insertion of floaters, which is closed by substantially fixed plugs 3 (but in any case potentially may be the subject of the attention of ill-intentioned individuals).

In any case, the security device 1 comprises at least a locking element 4, which is coupled rotatably to the base element 2 and can move between at least a first configuration, in which the element 4 is shown in Figures 1 , 4 to 10, 18, 19 and 20, and in which it is arranged so as to interfere with the removal of the plug 3, when said plug 3 is coupled to the mouth, and at least a second configuration, in which the element 4 allows the free removal of the plug 3 (as in Figures 2, 11 to 17, 21 and 22).

Means 5 (of the electronic and satellite-based type) for detecting the assumed configuration are further associated with the locking element 4 and are in turn connected to an electronic unit for the control and management of the information transmitted by the detection means 5 (of the electronic and satellite-based type) and related to the configuration assumed by the element 4.

The electronic unit is thus capable of receiving, and optionally retransmitting to third parties and/or to a control center (as will become better apparent hereinafter), the information related to the occurrence of a condition that is favorable for the removal of the plug 3 and therefore for the tank (the movement of the locking element 4, indeed), since only after arranging the element 4 in the second configuration is it possible to remove the plug 3.

According to a constructive solution of considerable practical interest, which is cited by way of nonlimiting example of the application of the invention, the base element 2 comprises a collar 6, which can be associated stably and coaxially with the mouth of the tank; in turn, the locking element 4 comprises a lever 7, which is articulated substantially by means of a first end 7a to the collar 6 and can move between at least the first configuration, in which it is arranged so as to interfere with the rotation (and therefore removal) of the plug 3 (in the manners that will be described in the paragraphs that follow), and at least the second configuration, in which it is at least partially rotated with respect to the first configuration, in order to allow the free rotation and removal of the plug 3.

In particular, the lever 7 has a U-shaped lateral profile whose shape is complementary to at least one respective protrusion of the plug 3, so as to define a mechanical obstacle for the rotation and removal of said plug 3 when the latter is coupled to the mouth (and when, obviously, the lever 7 is arranged in the first configuration).

More precisely, if the plug 3 has such a protrusion as to define a plurality of lobes 3a that protrude radially and are equally distributed, as in the solutions of Figures 1 to 17, when the lever 7 (which has a substantially U-shaped lateral profile, so as to allow the accommodation of the plug 3 in a recess 7c) is moved into the first configuration, respective mutually opposite end portions of the lever 7 are inserted between two mutually opposite gaps 3b defined by adjacent lobes 3a, preventing any rotation of the plug 3 (and therefore again its removal).

Likewise, if the plug 3 has a single protrusion, constituted by a diametrical expansion 3c, as in the constructive solution of Figure 18, the lever 7 again has, at least in its central portion, a U-shaped lateral profile whose dimensions are complementary to those of said expansion: when the lever 7 is moved to the first configuration, the expansion (and the plug 3 proper) is accommodated in the recess 7c defined by said profile, but any attempt to turn the plug 3 causes the abutment of said expansion against the inner lateral surface of the lever 7 and of the recess 7c, which indeed prevents rotation, indeed due to the selection of the shape and dimensions of the components involved.

It is specified that the possibility is not excluded, and is in any case within the protective scope claimed herein, to adopt different configurations of the lever 7 and of its lateral profile as a function of the specific shape of the plug 3 that it is intended to block, if the latter has a shape that is different from the ones proposed in the preceding paragraphs and in the accompanying figures, by way of non-limiting example of the application of the invention.

In the preferred but not exclusive constructive solution of the security device 1 according to the invention, the detection means 5 comprise a detection sensor 8, which is provided with a button 8a that can move elastically between a first limiting position, in which it is pressed by the lever 7 (arranged in the first limiting configuration), so as to be accommodated with forcing in a respective receptacle provided on the collar 6 (and with the optional interposition of a lamina 8b, which ensures its optimum operation over time, preventing direct contact of the button 8a with the lever 7), and a second limiting position.

In such second limiting position (as can be seen in Figure 17), the button 8a is partially extracted from the receptacle and spaced from the lever 7, which is rotated with respect to the first limiting configuration.

It is therefore evident that the detection sensor 8, preferably selected among a microswitch, a proximity sensor and the like, can acquire automatically the information related to the limiting position assumed by the button 8a, which corresponds to the configuration in which the lever 7 is arranged, and transfer it instantaneously to the control and management unit for the uses that will be described in the continuation of the present description.

It is useful to note that the protective scope claimed herein includes the use of any type of proximity sensor (inductive, capacitive, magnetic, ultrasound-based, optical, etc.) or of another type of detection sensor 8, capable of detecting the position and movements of the lever 7, without thereby abandoning the protective scope claimed herein.

Conveniently, the security device 1 according to the invention comprises a plate 9 that supports the detection sensor 8: the plate 9 is coupled stably to an external protrusion 10 of the collar 6 (however, the possibility is not excluded to accommodate the detection sensor 8 directly in the protrusion 10 or in another portion of the collar 6 or in another component).

The protrusion 10 in turn defines an accommodation seat 11 for an articulation pivot 11a of the first end 7a of the lever 7 to the collar 6 (to allow indeed the rotary coupling of the locking element 4 to the base element 2).

The pivot 11a (as well as the seat 1 1) can be oriented along an axis that is selected between an axis that is parallel to the plane of arrangement of the collar 6 (as in the constructive solutions proposed in the accompanying figures) and an axis that is perpendicular to the plan of arrangement of the collar 6, or also along an axis that is inclined with respect to said plane of arrangement, without thereby abandoning the scope of the protection claimed herein.

Conveniently, the security device 1 according to the invention comprises means 12 for the removal anchoring of a second end 7b of the lever 7, which is opposite the first end 7a, to the collar 6, when the lever 7 is arranged in the first configuration, so as to prevent, or at least discourage, accidental or unwanted movements of the lever 7, which in any case would cause obviously the sending of the corresponding information to the control and management unit on the part of the detection sensor 8.

In particular, the anchoring means 12 comprise a lug 13 that protrudes from the second end 7b of the lever 7: when the lever 7 reaches the first configuration, the lug 13 can enter stably and detachably, for example by simple elastic forcing, a slot 14 provided in a lip 15 that protrudes externally from the collar 6, substantially on the opposite side with respect to the protrusion 10.

The coupling thus ensures that the lever 7 maintains the first configuration even following accidental impacts.

Moreover, the anchoring means 12 comprise a key-operated device

16, in order to reinforce the coupling between the lug 13 and the slot 14 and thus ensure the removable locking of said lug 13 in said slot 14 and of the lever 7 in the first configuration, hindering the rotation of the plug 3.

For example, the use of the key-operated device 16, when the lug 13 is inserted in the slot 14, might cause the movement of a sort of bolt 16a (associated with a spring 16b), in order to move it so as to interfere with the free movement of the lug 13 (as in the configuration of Figure 9).

In addition to giving greater assurances against accidental releases caused by violent impacts, thanks to the device 16 only the owner of the key can turn the lever 7 when it is arranged in the first configuration, thus ensuring that it cannot be moved by third parties who might be in the vicinity of the tank and of the vehicle, for example when the vehicle is parked.

In a second possible embodiment of the security device 1 , shown in Figures 19 to 22, the base element 2 comprises a cylindrical frame 17, which is extended coaxially from the collar 6 and can constitute a separate component, to be anchored stably to said collar 6 (for example by means of screws 18), or can be part of a single body together with said collar.

The frame 17 is provided externally with first means 19 for coupling to the inner surface of the filler A, which is arranged, optionally in known manners, at the mouth of the tank; moreover, inside at least one between the collar 6 and the frame 17 there are second means 20 for coupling to the plug 3 of the tank, each one of the first coupling means 19 and of the second coupling means 20 is preferably selected between a thread, a bayonet coupling (as for the first coupling means 19 shown in Figure 20), and the like.

In practice, therefore, thanks to the frame 17 and the first coupling means 19, it is possible to first of all couple the device 1 to the filler A (in practice, in the same known manners in which it is possible to associate plugs 3 with fillers A) and then the plug 3 can be coupled to the device 1 , thanks to the second coupling means 20. Moreover, to prevent actions of ill- intentioned individuals aimed at taking or in any case disassembling both the plug 3 and the device 1 , the collar 6 and/or the frame 17 can be rendered integral with the filler A for example by means of the screws 18, such indeed as to prevent the subsequent removal of the base element 2.

The selection of the specific type of the first coupling means 19 to be adopted can be made freely, without abandoning the protective scope claimed herein, and can be made as a function of the specific filler A to which the device 1 is intended to be coupled.

Likewise, the selection of the second coupling means 20, which also can be performed freely, can be made for example as a function of the type and shape of the plug 3, provided to close the filler A, or that in any case one intends to use.

For example, the second coupling means 20 can comprise teeth that protrude internally from the frame 17, such to allow, according to methods which are known and together with the recesses comprised between them, a bayonet coupling of the plug 3.

In a different embodiment of the security device 1 , shown in Figures 1 to 14 without thereby exhausting the methods of embodiment of the device 1, the protrusion 10 and the collar 6, indeed at the protrusion 10, have a radial notch 21, which can thus increase the elastic deformability of the base element 2.

The protrusion 10 is then affected by a unit for the mutual fastening of the end flaps 6a of the collar 6, which are indeed defined by the notch 21 : therefore, during installation it is possible to wrap a filler A (arranged at the mouth of the tank and selected optionally of a known type) with the collar 6, to then ensure the stable anchoring of the latter to the outer surface of the filler A, acting on the fastening unit (for example, constituted by a threaded element 22 that can be inserted in respective female threads provided on the flaps 6a and usable also to fix the plate 9 to the protrusion 10).

In practice, therefore, by means of selectively one among the two embodiments described above by way of non-limiting example it is possible to associate the base element 2 (and therefore the device 1) respectively with the inside or with the outside of the filler A arranged at the mouth of the tank, ensuring maximum versatility and possibility of adaptation to any constructive or dimensional requirement.

Positively, the management and control unit can also comprise a memory unit (for example a hard disk), which can also be removable (such as a USB drive or other portable mass storage unit), in which the information transmitted by the detection means 5 and related to the configurations assumed by said locking elements 4 can be stored.

This allows to rely on a sort of log of the movements of the lever 7, to be referenced even at a later time in order to ascertain the occurrence of conditions that are favorable for the unjustified removal of the plug 3.

Advantageously, and with further reference to the preferred constructive embodiment, the control and management unit comprises means for the remote transmission of the information sent by the detection means 5 and related to the configurations assumed by the locking element 4.

More particularly, the control and management unit is a controller, which can be installed on board the vehicle and is provided with means for remote transmission of the information: the control unit can thus also gather many other data, related for example to the operation and/or path of the vehicle, to then retransmit said data to a predefined recipient, by way of the remote transmission means.

In this embodiment, the controller is connected by means of respective wires 8c to the detection sensor 8 (although the possibility is not excluded that the device 1 might comprise control and management units arranged directly at the detection sensor 8 and therefore in the plate 9 or in any case in its direct vicinity, and might be intended only to detect the movements of the lever 7).

For example, said remote transmission means can be constituted by a transceiver (or even simply a transmitter) capable of sending the information to a predefined recipient, such as for example a control center (which in turn is controlled by the owner of the vehicle), intended to monitor at each instant that it is actually impossible to remove the plug 3, in order to check how many times the lever 7 has been moved (and being optionally able to also receive information related to the time when each one of these events occurred).

It is useful to specify that the remote transmission means (even of another type with respect to what has been described above merely by way of example) might be used to provide the information related to the configurations assumed by the locking element 4 even to different recipients (a cellular telephone, for example, by sending an SMS message), as a function of the specific requirements, without thereby abandoning the protective scope claimed herein.

The security assembly for tanks, designated by the reference numeral 100 in the accompanying figures, can be preferably (but not exclusively, as shown) be used for tanks for fuel and other liquids that can be installed in vehicles such as trucks, lorries, articulated trucks, building site machines, work vehicles, earth-moving machines, excavators, agricultural machines, motor vehicles in general, and the like.

The assembly 100 comprises first of all at least one closure plug 3 that can be coupled to a mouth of the tank. Moreover, the assembly 100 comprises at least one base element 2, which is associable stably with the mouth and at least one locking element 4, which can be coupled rotatably to the base element 2 and can move between at least one first configuration, in which it is arranged so as to interfere with the removal of the plug 3, when the latter is coupled to the mouth, and at least one second configuration for the free removal of the plug 3.

Moreover, the assembly 100 comprises means 5 for detecting the configuration assumed by the element 4, which are functionally associated with the latter, and an electronic unit, which is connected to the detection means 5, for the control and management of the information transmitted by the detection means 5 and related to the configuration assumed by the element 4.

Operation of the security device and assembly according to the invention is therefore as follows.

When the lever 7 (or other locking element 4) is arranged in the first configuration, it prevents any attempt to rotate (and remove) the plug 3, thus making it impossible to access the tank closed by said plug 3 in order to perform refueling or to take the fuel without permission.

Only by turning the lever 7 to move it into the second configuration is it possible, as shown, to remove the plug 3: this rotation, as well as the rotation in the opposite direction, to restore the first configuration, determines automatically the pressing or release of the button 8a, which are monitored by the detection sensor 8 already described, and therefore the sending of the related information to the control and management unit, which can retransmit it remotely.

In fact, so long as the lever 7 remains in the first configuration, it pushes the button 8a into the receptacle; as soon as the lever 7 is rotated, the button 8a can in fact protrude partially and elastically from the receptacle, with the sensor 8 that detects indeed this movement (for example because the movement described above of the button 8a causes the opening or closing of a circuit).

As shown, the use of the removable anchoring means 12 avoids the risk of unwanted movements of the lever 7 due to more or less violent impacts (thanks to the insertion by elastic forcing of the lug 13 in the slot 14) and/or of any third parties who might be in the vicinity, thus ensuring that any movement of the button 8a (and therefore any detection of a movement of the locking element 4) is actually due to a rotation of the lever 7 imparted by the single owner of the key adapted to operate the device 16, thus avoiding the sending of false signals.

A control center or other designated recipient can thus at any time be made aware that a condition that is favorable for removal of the plug 3 (indeed the movement of the lever 7 into the second configuration) has occurred, so as to be able to ask the user to explain if this condition appears to be unjustified, not compliant with the occurrence of an emergency situation, of another unexpected circumstance or in any case the need to refuel (and which might therefore confirm attempts to steal fuel).

More generally, by means of the device 1 it is possible to deliver in any case to the driver and to third parties a security key of the plug 3 (and/or of the device 16) in order to allow emergency refueling even if the vehicle is entrusted to them already provided with the quantity of fuel required for the entire planned trip. In fact if the driver entrusts to third parties the vehicle and the key, the intention to steal small amounts of fuel, taking advantage of the possibility to access the tank, is obviously discouraged by the awareness that the movement of the locking element 4 that is needed to remove the plug 3 is detected immediately by the detection sensor 8 and the corresponding information is sent to the control center by way of the control and management unit and the remote transmission means (in the absence of the latter, as shown, the movement can in any case be logged in the memory unit and rendered obviously inaccessible to the users).

The security device 1 for tanks (as well as the assembly 100) therefore proves itself to be an effective deterrent against theft of fuel, even in small quantities, that otherwise could be performed by users of the vehicle (mechanics, storekeepers, assigned workers, or any other).

Moreover, as has been seen, the device 1 does not alter in any way the shape and the dimensions of the plug 3 or those of the tank in association with which it is used, thus maintaining the type approval of the latter.

The several methods of embodiment shown in the preceding pages, which allow use for any shape of the plug 3 and coupling both on outside and on the inside of the filler A, further highlight the maximum versatility of the device 1 , which proves itself easy to install on any type of tank and adapted to plugs 3 of any shape, even optionally without locks or key- operated devices 16 and in any case type approvable according to the applicable standards.

In practice it has been found that the security device according to the invention achieves fully the intended aim, since the use of a locking element that is capable, in a first configuration, of preventing the removal of the plug of the tank, and the use of means for detecting the configuration assumed by the element, connected to an electronic control and management unit, allow to provide a security device for tanks that is effective against thefts of fuel, even of small quantities.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

In the examplary of embodiments shown, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, might be actually interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other examplary embodiments.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A security assembly for tanks, such as tanks for fuel and other liquids, which can be installed on vehicles such as trucks, lorries, articulated trucks, building site machines, work vehicles, earth-moving machines, excavators, agricultural machines, motor vehicles in general, and the like, characterized in that it comprises at least one base element (2), which can be associated stably with a mouth of the tank that can be coupled to a respective closure plug (3), and at least one locking element (4), which is coupled rotatably to said base element (2) and can move between at least a first configuration, in which it is arranged so as to interfere with the removal of the plug (3), when said plug (3) is coupled to the mouth, and at least a second configuration for free removal of said plug (3), means (5) for detecting the configuration assumed by said element (4) being functionally associated with said locking element (4) and being connected to an electronic unit for control and management of the information transmitted by said detection means (5) and related to the configuration assumed by said element (4).

2. The security device according to claim 1, characterized in that said base element (2) comprises a collar (6) that can be associated stably and coaxially with the mouth of the tank, said locking element (4) comprising a lever (7), which is articulated substantially by means of a first end (7a) to said collar (6) and can move between at least said first configuration, in which it is arranged so as to interfere with the rotation of the plug (3), and at least said second configuration, in which said lever (7) is rotated at least partially with respect to said first configuration, in order to allow the free rotation and removal of the plug (3).

3. The security device according to claim 2, characterized in that said lever (7) has a U-shaped lateral profile that is shaped complementarily to at least one respective protrusion of the plug (3), for hindering mechanically the rotation and removal of said plug (3) when the plug (3) is coupled to the mouth.

4. The security device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said detection means (5) comprise a detection sensor (8), which is provided with a button (8a) that can move elastically between a first limiting position, in which it is pressed by said lever (7), arranged in said first limiting configuration, in forced accommodation in a respective receptacle provided on said collar (6), and a second limiting position, in which said button (8a) is partially extracted from said receptacle and is spaced from said lever (7), which is rotated with respect to said first limiting configuration.

5. The security device according to claim 4, characterized in that said detection sensor (8) is selected preferably between a microswitch, a proximity sensor, and the like.

6. The security device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a plate (9) that supports said detection sensor (8) and is coupled stably to an external protrusion (10) of said collar (6), which defines an accommodation seat (11) for a pivot (11a) for the articulation of said first end (7a) of said lever (7) to said collar (6), said pivot (1 1a) being oriented along an axis that is selected between an axis that is parallel to the plane of arrangement of said collar (6) and an axis that is perpendicular to the plane of arrangement of said collar (6).

7. The security device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means (12) for the removable anchoring of a second end (7b) of said lever (7), which is opposite said first end (7a), to said collar (6), when said lever (7) is arranged in said first configuration.

8. The security device according to claim 7, characterized in that said removable anchoring means (12) comprise a lug (13) that protrudes from said second end (7b) of said lever (7) when said lever (7) reaches said first configuration, said lug (13) being insertable stably and removably in a slot (14) provided in a lip (15) that protrudes externally from said collar (6), substantially at the opposite end with respect to said protrusion (10).

9. The security device according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that said removable anchoring means (12) comprise a key-operated device (16) for the removable locking of said lug (13) in said slot (14).

10. The security device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said base element (2) comprises a cylindrical frame (17), which extends coaxially from said collar (6), said frame (17) being provided externally with first means (19) for coupling to the inner surface of a filler (A) arranged at the mouth of the tank, inside at least one between said collar (6) and said frame (17) there being second means (20) for coupling to the plug (3), each one of said first coupling means (19) and said second coupling means (20) being preferably selected between a thread, a bayonet coupling, and the like.

1 1. The security device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said protrusion (10) and said collar (6), at said protrusion (10), have a radial notch (21) to increase the elastic deformability of said base element (2), said protrusion (10), at said notch (21), being affected by a unit for the mutual fastening of the end flaps (6a) of said collar (6), defined by said notch (21), for the stable anchoring of said collar (6) to the outer surface of a filler (A), arranged at the mouth of the tank.

12. The security device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said management and control unit comprises at least one memory unit, optionally removable, for the information transmitted by said detection means (5) and related to the configurations assumed by said locking element (4).

13. The security device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control and management unit comprises means for the remote transmission of the information transmitted by said detection means (5) and related to the configurations assumed by said locking element (4).

14. The security device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control and management unit is a controller that can be installed on board the vehicle and is connected by means of respective wires (8c) to said detection sensor (8), said controller being provided with said means for remote transmission of information.

15. A security assembly for tanks, such as tanks for fuel and other liquids, which can be installed on vehicles such as trucks, lorries, articulated trucks, building site machines, work vehicles, earth-moving machines, excavators, agricultural machines, motor vehicles in general, and the like, characterized in that it comprises:

- at least one closure plug (3), which can be coupled to a mouth of the tank;

- at least one base element (2), which can be associated stably with the mouth;

- at least one locking element (4), which is coupled rotatably to said base element (2) and can move between at least a first configuration, in which it is arranged so as to interfere with the removal of said plug (3), when said plug (3) is coupled to the mouth, and at least a second configuration for free removal of said plug (3);

- means (5) for detecting the configuration assumed by said element (4), which are functionally associated with said locking element (4);

- an electronic unit, which is connected to said detection means (5), for the control and management of the information transmitted by said detection means (5) and related to the configuration assumed by said element (4).