Receptacles – Closures – Pivotable
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-05
2001-02-13
Shoap, Allan N. (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Closures
Pivotable,
C016S355000, C220S664000, C220S849000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186357
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an improved hatch assembly with a removable hatch cover and more particularly to a hatch cover and hinge which permits the cover to be removed after rotation beyond a preselected angle.
BACKGROUND FOR THE INVENTION
Cast aluminum and plastic hatch assemblies are well known. For example, such hatches are commercially available from Pompanette, Inc. of Charlestown, N.H., the assignee of the present invention. They are described in the U.S. Patent of A. Anderson entitled “Mechanism for Latching and Unlatching a Hatch Assembly”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,992 which is assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. That application is included herein in its entirety by reference. Such assemblies typically include a cast aluminum alloy frame, an elastomeric gasket and a clear plastic cover. The hatch covers are typically made of a clear or tinted LEXAN sheet, a product of General Electric. These cast aluminum frames and clear plastic covers are however, susceptible to scratches during assembly, installation and removal of the assembly and when the cover is being removed or replaced by the owner of a vessel.
The prior art discloses a number of hinge assemblies which facilitate disassembly, as for example, the hinge disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,671,998 of Ruiz. The Ruiz patent discloses a hinge comprising first and second parts which move around an axis. The first part comprises two retractable pivots which can be inserted into a corresponding housing. The pivots are separated by a compression spring and are joined to a pin which slides along or within an oblong hole within a cylindrical body of the first part. This oblong hole has a slot to block the pin on each pivot in a locking position for taking the hinge to pieces.
Another hinge mechanism is disclosed by Persson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,274,882 entitled, “Hinge Mechanism”. In the Persson device, a first hinge portion and a second hinge portion are urged toward predetermined angular relationships relative to one another, A force is applied by an axle which pivotally connects the first and second hinge portions to urge a V-shaped tip into a V-shaped groove in the second hinge portion. The first and second hinge portions are kept in a predetermined angular relationship until a torsional force overcomes the force which is keeping the V-shaped tip in the V-shaped groove.
The aforementioned hinge mechanisms may be useful for a number of applications, but apparently have not been accepted for marine hatch assemblies. It is believed that the aforementioned mechanisms have not been utilized for marine hatch assemblies be cause they have a number of drawbacks and do not provide a number of advantages which are inherent in the novel hatch assemblies disclosed herein. For example, the prior art devices are not completely suitable for a low profile installation of relatively simple construction.
It is also believed that there is a significant commercial demand for an improved marine hatch assembly in accordance with the present invention. Such assemblies have a relatively low profile, are of relatively simple construction and have a pleasing appearance. The hatch assemblies disclosed herein can be manufactured and sold at a competitive price, are durable and relatively free from maintenance. In addition, the hatch assemblies in accordance with the present invention facilitate the removal and replacement of a transparent or translucent hatch cover. The assemblies also minimize the likelihood of scratching or scaring the frame or lens during installation or removal from the vessel.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In essence, a marine hatch assembly in accordance with the present invention includes a frame member defining a central opening. The frame member which may be of any suitable shape as for example a generally rectangular frame member with a matching or mating cover ie a cover which engages the frame in a superimposed position when closed. The assembly also includes suitable gasket means for sealing the cover and frame when in a fully closed position. A key element in the present invention resides in a two piece hinge construction or hinge. In that construction, a first hinge member is fastened to either the frame member or hatch cover, preferably to the frame member, and includes a longitudinally extending generally J-shaped portion which extends above and outwardly from the frame member. A second hinge element is fixed to the other of the frame member or cover, preferably to the cover and includes a longitudinally extending generally cylindrical portion with a longitudinally extending open slot along one side thereof. The cylindrical portion preferably has a length which is about equal to and parallel to the generally J-shaped portion of the other element. The cylindrical portion is also sized so that the J-shaped element fits within the cylindrical portion. The J-shaped portion is also constructed and arranged so that the slot in the cylindrical portion can slip over an outwardly extending part of the J-shaped portion when the cover is rotated to a preselected position for removal or installation of the hatch cover. Then as the cover is rotated about the J-shaped portion the J-shaped portion is fully encased within the cylindrical portion.
The invention will now be described in connection with the accompanied drawings wherein like reference numerals have been used to indicate like parts.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2117228 (1938-05-01), Stuchbery
patent: 2195161 (1940-03-01), Baker
patent: 2233326 (1941-02-01), Rooney
patent: 2302661 (1942-11-01), Benson
patent: 2559009 (1951-07-01), Coyle et al.
patent: 2785823 (1957-03-01), Zarges
patent: 3671998 (1972-06-01), Ruiz
patent: 4099648 (1978-07-01), Kirkton
patent: 4852213 (1989-08-01), Shewchuk
patent: 4854475 (1989-08-01), Riihimaki et al.
patent: 5274882 (1994-01-01), Persson
patent: 5329667 (1994-07-01), Erskine
patent: 5566992 (1996-10-01), anderson et al.
Dougherty & Troxell
Eloshway Niki M.
Pompanette, Inc.
Shoap Allan N.
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