Title:
Hatchway
United States Patent 3896595
Abstract:
A roof access hatch has an upstanding curb defining the well or hatch opening and a cover pivoted to the curb to open and close the hatch. The cover is counterbalanced and includes an improved latching mechanism which presents no substantial obstruction to the well opening. The latching mechanism is self locking in response to closure of the cover and may be opened from the inside or the outside of the hatchway. Means also provided for padlocking the latching elements from within the hatch is desired.
US Patent References:
Latch
McCulloch - June 1924 - 1496551
Door fastener
Wild - March 1930 - 1752131
Hatchway closure
Ahnell - December 1953 - 2663268
Cam latch
Potter - August 1955 - 2715540
FIRE AND SMOKE RELIEF VENTILATOR SKY-LIGHT DOME
Jentoft et al. - June 1970 - 3516210
Latch
McCulloch - June 1924 - 1496551
Door fastener
Wild - March 1930 - 1752131
Hatchway closure
Ahnell - December 1953 - 2663268
Cam latch
Potter - August 1955 - 2715540
FIRE AND SMOKE RELIEF VENTILATOR SKY-LIGHT DOME
Jentoft et al. - June 1970 - 3516210
Inventors:
Anghinetti, Joseph R. (Kennebunkport, ME)
Couture, Paul A. (Emery Mills, ME)
Couture, Paul A. (Emery Mills, ME)
Application Number:
05/145779
Publication Date:
07/29/1975
Filing Date:
05/21/1971
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Wasco Products, Inc. (Sanford, ME)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
52/72, 49/386, 292/254, 49/379, 292/238
International Classes:
E05C3/12; E05F1/12; E05C3/00; E05F1/00; E04D13/035
Field of Search:
52/19,200,72 49/379,386,5 292/254,256.5,238,228,205,DIG.30,246,250 220/55G,55E,55B,55T
US Patent References:
| 3561162 | February 1971 | Goldman |
Primary Examiner:
Faw Jr., Price C.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Bookstein, Arthur Z.
Claims:
Having thus described the invention what I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent is
1. A roof access hatch comprising:
2. A roof access hatch comprising:
3. A roof access hatch comprising:
1. A roof access hatch comprising:
2. A roof access hatch comprising:
3. A roof access hatch comprising:
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to roof access hatchways and, in particular, to an improved latching device for a cover associated with an access hatch in which the latch is operated easily yet which presents substantially no obstruction to the hatchway.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In brief, the hatchway is defined by a rectangular curb mounted on top of the roof and surrounding the roof opening. A cover is hinged to the curb and is counterbalanced by a C-shaped torsion bar having a middle segment which extends externally and along the rear of the curb. The torsion bar includes end segments which extend forwardly from the middle segment, one of the end segments bearing downwardly against the curb and the other end segment bearing upwardly against the inside of the cover. When the cover is released the bar relaxes to assume a three dimensional Z-shaped configuration. The torsion bar is so sized as to provide just enough force to counterbalance the weight of the cover. The hatchway also includes a gravity operated latch handle which is pivoted freely at one end to the inside of the hatch cover. The latch handle hangs freely downwardly under the effect of gravity and includes a transverse bar at its lower end. As the hatch cover is urged downwardly toward the closed position, the bar of the latch handle slips over a catch secured to the inside of the curb to lock the latch handle to the catch. The latch handle and catch have holes formed therein which register when they are engaged to enable the parts to be padlocked. Another feature of the latching mechanism is that it may be operated both from the inside and from the outside of the hatchway by a plunger, the inner end of which engages the bar of the latch handle. The outer end of the plunger is exposed exteriorly to the curb to enable the plunger to be urged inwardly to separate the latch handle and catch. Although the outer end of the plunger is accessible, it is concealed by the rim of the hatch cover which overlies the outer end of the plunger.
It is among the primary objects of the invention to provide an improved hatchway including a hatch cover and latch therefor.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hatchway which is burglar proof.
A further object of the invention is to provide a hatchway with a self-locking cover which may be unlocked both from inside and outside the hatchway, yet which conceals the control for unlatching the hatchway from the outside.
Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved hatchway in which substantially no obstruction is presented through the hatchway opening.
A further object of the invention is to provide a latching device for a hatchway and cover therefor which is quick acting.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be understood more fully from the following detailed description thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is an illustration of a hatchway in a fully open position;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the torsion bar arrangement for counterbalancing the hatchway cover;
FIG. 3 is a broken away side elevation of the torsion bar arrangement;
FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the latching mechanism; and
FIG. 5 is another illustration of the latching mechanism.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 shows the hatchway in an open position and includes a curb 10 which defines a generally rectangular opening. The curb member surrounds an opening in the roof 12 and is secured to and sealed to the roof by appropriate means 13 well known to those skilled in the art. The upper edge of the curb 10 is formed to define an outwardly extending, generally flat counter 14 which terminates in a downwardly extending skirt 16, both of which surround the upper edge of the curb 10. Appropriate thermal insulation 15 may be provided about the wall of the curb member 10 if desired.
The hatch cover 18 is of similar rectangular configuration and is larger than the dimensions of the curb member 10. The hatch cover includes a downwardly depending peripheral skirt 20 formed integrally therewith which, when the hatch cover is closed, is spaced from and surrounds the counter 14 and skirt 16 of the curb member 10. If desired, the hatch cover 18 may be provided with a sheet of insulative material along its internal surface. In order to provide an effective seal between the hatch cover 18 and the curb member 10 when the hatch cover is closed, the inner surface of the hatch cover is provided with a resilient gasket 22 which engages the counter 14 and is pressed thereagainst firmly when the hatch cover is closed.
The hatch cover 18 is pivoted to the curb and is counterbalanced by an arrangement better shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. This arrangement includes a pair of torsion bars 24, each torsion bar having an intermediate segment 26 and a pair of end segments 28, 30. When in a relaxed configuration each of the bars 24 defines a generally Z-shaped configuration. When the cover is closed and the bars are loaded, they are deformed to a substantially C-shaped configuration as shown in FIG. 2. One of the end segments 28 is adapted to bear downwardly against a retaining bracket 32 secured to the curb while the other end segment 30 bears upwardly against the inner surface of the cover at the opposite side and in spaced relation to the curb. The portion of each intermediate segment adjacent its associated end segment 28 is rotatably retained within a rearwardly extending hinge bracket 34. The cover 18 is pivoted to the intermediate segment adjacent the hinge bracket 34 by a hinge bracket 36 which receives the associated end of the associated torsion bar. Thus, the entire cover pivots about an axis which extends from one of the hinge brackets 34 to the other of the hinge brackets 34, to the pivot axis being spaced rearwardly of the rearward section of the counter and skirt 16 of the curb.
The cover may be supported firmly in an open position by a telescoping locking arm 35 pivoted at its ends to the cover and the curb. The arm 35 may be of any appropriate design as may be apparent to those skilled in the art.
FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 show the improved latching mechanism of the invention. The latching mechanism includes a latch handle 38 having a pair of parallel members 40 which are pivoted, at their upper ends, to the interior of the hatch cover by the bracket 42 and pin 44. The latch handle 38 also includes a transverse bar 46 which is secured at its ends to the members 40 and extends therebetween. The members 40 are freely pivotable about the pin 44 and, therefore, hang downwardly at all times under gravity. The latch handle 38 is engagable, when the cover is closed, with a catch 48 secured to the interior of the front portion of the curb which has a pair of lugs 50 extending slightly inwardly. The lugs 50 have a downwardly curved upper surface 52 and a flat lower surface 54 which is disposed in relation to the bar 46 of the latch handle and the curb member 10 and hatch cover 18 so that when the hatch cover is urged to a closed position the bar 46 will ride downwardly along the curved upper surface 52 of the lugs 50 and then will swing beneath the lower surface 54 of the lugs 50. The members 40 preferably embrace the lugs 50. When closing the cover the cover is urged firmly to compress slightly the resilient gasket 22 and enable the bar 46 to move below the level of the lugs 50 until they become engaged.
The cover may be unlatched simply from inside the hatch by pivoting the lower free end of the handle to release the bar 46 from the lugs 50. Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of an externally operable latch release as shown in the drawings. This arrangement includes a plunger 56 which is supported for forward and rearward movement within holes formed in the front wall of the curb and its associated skirt. The outer end of the plunger 56 includes a compression spring 57 which biases the plunger in an outward position. The inner end of the plunger includes a downwardly extending finger 58 which is disposed between the members 40 of the latch handle and which is engagable with the bar 46 when the bar is in the latched position. When the outer end of the plunger 56 is depressed, the finger 58 engages the bar 46 and urges it, together with the latch handle 38, out of engagement with the lugs 50. The outer end of the plunger 56 is disposed beneath the overhanging skirt portion 20 of the cover 18 and between the skirt of the cover and the skirt 16 of the curb member 10 so that the cover skirt effectively conceals the externally operative end of the plunger.
The latching mechanism also includes an arrangement by which the latch may be padlocked from within to preclude any possibility of unauthorized opening when necessary. This arrangement includes the provision of holes 60 in one or both of the lugs 50 and co-operative holes 62 in the members 40 which, when the bar 46 is engaged with the lower surface 54 of the lugs 50, the holes 60,62 will be in registry to enable a padlock 64 to be placed therethrough.
Thus, I have described an improved roof hatchway with a simple, effective lock operable both from the inside and the outside of the hatchway. It should be understood, however, that the foregoing description of the invention is intended merely to be illustrative thereof and that other embodiments and modifications may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from its spirit.
This invention relates to roof access hatchways and, in particular, to an improved latching device for a cover associated with an access hatch in which the latch is operated easily yet which presents substantially no obstruction to the hatchway.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In brief, the hatchway is defined by a rectangular curb mounted on top of the roof and surrounding the roof opening. A cover is hinged to the curb and is counterbalanced by a C-shaped torsion bar having a middle segment which extends externally and along the rear of the curb. The torsion bar includes end segments which extend forwardly from the middle segment, one of the end segments bearing downwardly against the curb and the other end segment bearing upwardly against the inside of the cover. When the cover is released the bar relaxes to assume a three dimensional Z-shaped configuration. The torsion bar is so sized as to provide just enough force to counterbalance the weight of the cover. The hatchway also includes a gravity operated latch handle which is pivoted freely at one end to the inside of the hatch cover. The latch handle hangs freely downwardly under the effect of gravity and includes a transverse bar at its lower end. As the hatch cover is urged downwardly toward the closed position, the bar of the latch handle slips over a catch secured to the inside of the curb to lock the latch handle to the catch. The latch handle and catch have holes formed therein which register when they are engaged to enable the parts to be padlocked. Another feature of the latching mechanism is that it may be operated both from the inside and from the outside of the hatchway by a plunger, the inner end of which engages the bar of the latch handle. The outer end of the plunger is exposed exteriorly to the curb to enable the plunger to be urged inwardly to separate the latch handle and catch. Although the outer end of the plunger is accessible, it is concealed by the rim of the hatch cover which overlies the outer end of the plunger.
It is among the primary objects of the invention to provide an improved hatchway including a hatch cover and latch therefor.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hatchway which is burglar proof.
A further object of the invention is to provide a hatchway with a self-locking cover which may be unlocked both from inside and outside the hatchway, yet which conceals the control for unlatching the hatchway from the outside.
Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved hatchway in which substantially no obstruction is presented through the hatchway opening.
A further object of the invention is to provide a latching device for a hatchway and cover therefor which is quick acting.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be understood more fully from the following detailed description thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is an illustration of a hatchway in a fully open position;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the torsion bar arrangement for counterbalancing the hatchway cover;
FIG. 3 is a broken away side elevation of the torsion bar arrangement;
FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the latching mechanism; and
FIG. 5 is another illustration of the latching mechanism.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 shows the hatchway in an open position and includes a curb 10 which defines a generally rectangular opening. The curb member surrounds an opening in the roof 12 and is secured to and sealed to the roof by appropriate means 13 well known to those skilled in the art. The upper edge of the curb 10 is formed to define an outwardly extending, generally flat counter 14 which terminates in a downwardly extending skirt 16, both of which surround the upper edge of the curb 10. Appropriate thermal insulation 15 may be provided about the wall of the curb member 10 if desired.
The hatch cover 18 is of similar rectangular configuration and is larger than the dimensions of the curb member 10. The hatch cover includes a downwardly depending peripheral skirt 20 formed integrally therewith which, when the hatch cover is closed, is spaced from and surrounds the counter 14 and skirt 16 of the curb member 10. If desired, the hatch cover 18 may be provided with a sheet of insulative material along its internal surface. In order to provide an effective seal between the hatch cover 18 and the curb member 10 when the hatch cover is closed, the inner surface of the hatch cover is provided with a resilient gasket 22 which engages the counter 14 and is pressed thereagainst firmly when the hatch cover is closed.
The hatch cover 18 is pivoted to the curb and is counterbalanced by an arrangement better shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. This arrangement includes a pair of torsion bars 24, each torsion bar having an intermediate segment 26 and a pair of end segments 28, 30. When in a relaxed configuration each of the bars 24 defines a generally Z-shaped configuration. When the cover is closed and the bars are loaded, they are deformed to a substantially C-shaped configuration as shown in FIG. 2. One of the end segments 28 is adapted to bear downwardly against a retaining bracket 32 secured to the curb while the other end segment 30 bears upwardly against the inner surface of the cover at the opposite side and in spaced relation to the curb. The portion of each intermediate segment adjacent its associated end segment 28 is rotatably retained within a rearwardly extending hinge bracket 34. The cover 18 is pivoted to the intermediate segment adjacent the hinge bracket 34 by a hinge bracket 36 which receives the associated end of the associated torsion bar. Thus, the entire cover pivots about an axis which extends from one of the hinge brackets 34 to the other of the hinge brackets 34, to the pivot axis being spaced rearwardly of the rearward section of the counter and skirt 16 of the curb.
The cover may be supported firmly in an open position by a telescoping locking arm 35 pivoted at its ends to the cover and the curb. The arm 35 may be of any appropriate design as may be apparent to those skilled in the art.
FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 show the improved latching mechanism of the invention. The latching mechanism includes a latch handle 38 having a pair of parallel members 40 which are pivoted, at their upper ends, to the interior of the hatch cover by the bracket 42 and pin 44. The latch handle 38 also includes a transverse bar 46 which is secured at its ends to the members 40 and extends therebetween. The members 40 are freely pivotable about the pin 44 and, therefore, hang downwardly at all times under gravity. The latch handle 38 is engagable, when the cover is closed, with a catch 48 secured to the interior of the front portion of the curb which has a pair of lugs 50 extending slightly inwardly. The lugs 50 have a downwardly curved upper surface 52 and a flat lower surface 54 which is disposed in relation to the bar 46 of the latch handle and the curb member 10 and hatch cover 18 so that when the hatch cover is urged to a closed position the bar 46 will ride downwardly along the curved upper surface 52 of the lugs 50 and then will swing beneath the lower surface 54 of the lugs 50. The members 40 preferably embrace the lugs 50. When closing the cover the cover is urged firmly to compress slightly the resilient gasket 22 and enable the bar 46 to move below the level of the lugs 50 until they become engaged.
The cover may be unlatched simply from inside the hatch by pivoting the lower free end of the handle to release the bar 46 from the lugs 50. Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of an externally operable latch release as shown in the drawings. This arrangement includes a plunger 56 which is supported for forward and rearward movement within holes formed in the front wall of the curb and its associated skirt. The outer end of the plunger 56 includes a compression spring 57 which biases the plunger in an outward position. The inner end of the plunger includes a downwardly extending finger 58 which is disposed between the members 40 of the latch handle and which is engagable with the bar 46 when the bar is in the latched position. When the outer end of the plunger 56 is depressed, the finger 58 engages the bar 46 and urges it, together with the latch handle 38, out of engagement with the lugs 50. The outer end of the plunger 56 is disposed beneath the overhanging skirt portion 20 of the cover 18 and between the skirt of the cover and the skirt 16 of the curb member 10 so that the cover skirt effectively conceals the externally operative end of the plunger.
The latching mechanism also includes an arrangement by which the latch may be padlocked from within to preclude any possibility of unauthorized opening when necessary. This arrangement includes the provision of holes 60 in one or both of the lugs 50 and co-operative holes 62 in the members 40 which, when the bar 46 is engaged with the lower surface 54 of the lugs 50, the holes 60,62 will be in registry to enable a padlock 64 to be placed therethrough.
Thus, I have described an improved roof hatchway with a simple, effective lock operable both from the inside and the outside of the hatchway. It should be understood, however, that the foregoing description of the invention is intended merely to be illustrative thereof and that other embodiments and modifications may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from its spirit.