MOBILE RETRACTABLE WATCHTOWER

Abstract

 Mobile retractable watchtower which comprises a container (2) having a detachable top cover (7) and provided inside with a lifting device (24), the platform of which also creates a floor (4) of the retractable watchtower (1), whereas on the floor (4) of the lifting device (24) a telescopic superstructure (3) is provided, which comprises armored sheets (5) arranged in a rectangular structure, under the armored sheets (5) there are hinged sheets (6) which are pivotally mounted in hinges (16) on the lateral sides of the floor (4), whereas after the lifting of retractable superstructure (3) the top cover (7) is arranged above the armored sheets (5) and a manual jack (15) is arranged between the floor (4) and the top cover (7), wherein a lower end of the jack (15) is arranged on the floor (4) and the upper end on the upper cover (7).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a mobile telescopic structure for use as e.g. a watchtower for military camp.

Background art

[0002] By military missions, it is often necessary to guard, e.g., a military camp, usually in clear terrain, and to defend such space-limited military area in case of threats. For this purpose, several guards should be placed in suitable places, with the use of so-called watchtowers. These watchtowers serve as observation points for observing the area and observing the surroundings, and using these watchtowers the necessary defence can be efficiently coordinated and realized.

[0003] In practice, watchtowers are assembled from common structural elements such as bars, profiles, sheets, floors made of conventional materials. The erecting of the tower is expensive and quite complicated, and then it is complicated to dismantle and to relocate to a new pace or checkpoint and assemble the tower again.

[0004] In US2016/0017626 A1A a watchtower for at least one observer is presented. The cylindrical tower contains a base which can be placed on the ground, the body being made of hollow elements, e.g., concrete cylindrical segments stacked on each other, with a cabin for the observatory on the top. The tower is actually composed of several sections that are interconnected using connecting means so that the tower can be disassembled into these sections. The sections contain parts of an internal helical staircase with a platform serving as the floor of each segment. At the top there is a section consisting of a window frame and a railing on the upper surface. The tower can be assembled and disassembled, but the structure is not in a disassembled state compact and occupies quite a lot of space.

[0005] In FR 2854917 B1 a pre-fabricated watchtower is presented, comprising a self-supporting structure provided by ladder, whereas the structure consists of two modules connected by connecting elements. These modules are separated during transportation. Supporting structure with ladder can be disassembled, as well as the cabin, to individual modular box parts. The tower allows observation of the terrain in only one direction and does not allow space observation for 360°. It is also relatively non-resistant and unstable.

[0006] In WO144/054982 A2 a watchtower with a polyhedron-shaped armored observation cabin is introduced. The entire tower consists of sheets which are interconnected at their edges. The dismountable cabin is created by laser-cut sheets with ribs and grooves interlocking with each other, the joints being realized with screws. The tower is quite complicated and difficult to build-up.

[0007] The aim of present invention is to provide a compact mobile construction of the watchtower, which can be used to monitor the military space in particular, which allows easy transport, operative erection and assembly, dismantling and relocating at low costs.

Summary of the invention

[0008] The above mentioned deficiencies are eliminated by the mobile retractable watchtower according the characterized part of the claim 1. Preferred embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.

Brief description of drawings

[0009] The invention will be further described using drawings, where Fig. 1 is a perspective view of container with a mobile retractable watchtower in a folded state, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the container of Fig. 1 from the rear, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an erected and completed mobile retractable watchtower, and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a lifting device for lifting a telescopic superstructure of the watchtower.

Preferred embodiments of the invention

[0010] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a container 2 which is a part of the mobile retractable watchtower 1. In the container 2 a telescopic superstructure 3 is provided in a folded state. The container is a standard ISO container. The container 2 has a detachable one-piece top cover 7, which is versatile and has a further function as a roof of the watchtower 1, which will be discussed later. The container 2 is provided on the front wall with the entrance 22.

[0011] Fig. 2 is a rear view of the container 2 with the mobile retractable watchtower 1 in a folded state where a ladder 17 can be seen, among others.

[0012] Fig. 3 shows the mobile retractable watchtower 1 in its unfolded and erected state with its telescopic superstructure 3 above the container 2. The container 2 is provided with a lifting device 24 which, in the presented embodiment, is a hydraulic scissor jack 9 which is indicated only schematically in the raised up position. The raising platform of the scissor jack 9 creates in the unfolded state, when lifted upwards, a floor 4 of the retractable watchtower 1.

[0013] By means of the hydraulic scissor jack 9, the floor 4 of the watchtower 1 and the telescopic superstructure 3 are lifted from the container 2. Inside of the container 2, armored sheets 5 in the folded state, are provided. These sheets form already in the container a rectangular structure, the same as it will be after lifting. In the upper corners of the rectangular structure of the armored sheets 5, telescopic supports 10 are fixed with their lower ends, connected at their upper ends to the top cover 7. It has here the aforementioned second function as the roof of the watchtower 1.

[0014] The sidewall shell of the watchtower 1 further comprises hinged sheets 6 which are pivotally mounted in the hinges 16 on the sides of the floor 4. When transported in a folded state in the container 2, these hinged sheets 6 are facing the armored sheets 5.

[0015] Upon erecting of the retractable watchtower 1 the hinged sheets 6 are pivoted downwards and positioned in such a position that they are supported by their lower edges against stops 12 located at the upper edges 11. The floor 4 is, in its extended position, secured to the upper edges 11 of the container 2 by means of adjustable locking rods 8. The lower ends of these locking rods 8 are fastened to lower anchorages 13 which are arranged at the upper edges 11 of the container 2. Further, the locking rods 8 are fastened with their upper ends to the upper anchorages 14 at the lateral edges of the cabin's floor 4 . By a suitable mechanism, the locking rods 8 are strengthen. In the folded state of the observer, these locking rods 8 are housed in the container 2.

[0016] In order to join the hinged sheets 6 into a compact protective shell, corner elements 23 are placed in the corners of the structure, by use of them adjacent hinged sheets 6 are joined.

[0017] Subsequently, the telescopic superstructure 3 is raised by a manual jack 15 to a sufficient clearance height, i.e., the top cover 7 is further lifted by this jack and position of the top cover 7 is locked by means of corner telescopic supports 10. The lower part of the manual jack 15 is arranged on the floor 4, the upper part at the bottom of the top cover 7.

[0018] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an preferred embodiment of the lifting device 24, which is the mentioned scissor jack 9. As mentioned above, its raising platform forms in the unfolded state in its upper position the cabin floor 4. The jack 9 comprises essentially a scissor mechanism 19 located on a jack frame 20. The jack 9 provides lifting of the floor 4 with the superstructure 3, whereas controlling of the scissor mechanism 19 is provided by two piston rods 21 disposed with one end together with a hydraulic drive on the frame 20 of the jack 9 and with the other end on the scissor mechanism 19.

[0019] Access to the cabin of the watchtower 1 is provided by means of the ladder 17, which is leaned from inside against the wall of the container 2, and the operator enters through the opening 18 in the floor 4. This is preferably provided with a cover for the floor to be integral.

Industrial applicability

[0020] The mobile retractable watchtower allows easy transport, either by a vehicle or a helicopter, erecting and then folding, dismantling and relocating in a very operative manner at low costs.

Claims

1. Mobile retractable watchtower characterized in that it comprises a container (2) having a detachable top cover (7) and provided inside with a lifting device (24), the platform of which also creates a floor (4) of the retractable watchtower (1), whereas on the floor (4) of the lifting device (24) a telescopic superstructure (3) is provided, which comprises armored sheets (5) arranged in a rectangular structure, under the armored sheets (5) there are hinged sheets (6) which are pivotally mounted in hinges (16) on the lateral sides of the floor (4), whereas after the lifting of retractable superstructure (3) the top cover (7) is arranged above the armored sheets (5) and a manual jack (15) is arranged between the floor (4) and the top cover (7), wherein a lower end of the jack (15) is arranged on the floor (4) and the upper end on the upper cover (7).

2. Mobile retractable watchtower according to claim 1, characterized in that at the lateral edges of the floor (4) upper anchorages (14) are provided and at the upper edges (11) of the container (2) lower anchorages (13) are provided for fastening the lower and upper ends of the locking rods (8).

3. Mobile retractable watchtower according to claim 1, characterized in that at the upper corners of the rectangular structure of the armored sheets (5) telescopic supports (10) are arranged connected at their upper ends to the top cover (7).

4. Mobile retractable watchtower according to claim 1, characterized in that at the upper edges (11) of the container (2) stops (12) are provided for supporting the lower edges of the hinged sheets (6).

5. Mobile retractable watchtower according to claim 1, characterized in that between the adjacent hinged sheets (6) corner elements (23) are arranged for connecting the adjacent hinged sheets (6) into a single compact protective shell.

6. Mobile retractable watchtower according to claim 1, characterized in that the lifting device (24) is provided as a scissor jack (9) comprising a scissor mechanism (19) located on the jack frame (20), whereas the jack is provided with at least one piston rod (21) for actuating the jack, wherein the piston rod (21) is with a hydraulic drive fixed with one end on the jack frame (20) and with the other end on the scissor mechanism (19).

7. Mobile retractable watchtower according to claim 1, characterized in that the floor (4) of the lifting device (24) is provided with a through opening (18).

8. Mobile retractable watchtower according to claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is provided with a ladder (17).

Drawing