GB2078625A - Improvements in or relating to hatch closures for boats - Google Patents

Abstract

A locking assembly for alternately locking the sliding hatch cover 2 and washboard 1 in a boat comprises a rotatable member 5 connected by links 8, 9 to bolt 10, 11 adapted to lockingly engage respectively the cover 2 and hatch wall 3. In one angular position of the member 5 the sliding hatch cover 2 is locked, whereas the washboard 1 is locked in the other angular position when the hatch cover is released. This automatically prevents loss of the washboard when the cover is removed. A key operated lock 13 has a shaft 14 which engages flat 15 formed on the rotatable member to lock the member in its angular position wherein the cover 2 is locked. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to hatch closures for boats This invention relates to hatch closures for boats. It is particularly applicable to small to medium sized crafts having a sliding hatch.

As is known, when it is desired to close up a boat having a sliding hatch cover, one or more washboards are inserted in suitable runners provided at either side of the entrance, and sliding shut and locking of the hatch cover serves to prevent their removal. However when the hatch is opened, the or each washboard is not restrained in the vertical direction, and if the boat overturns, the washboard(s) can fall out. If this happens, the boat can fill more quickly with water, which increases the danger of sinking.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved locking arrangement which can obviate this difficulty.

According to the invention, there is provided a locking assembly for alternatively locking the sliding hatch cover and washboard in a boat, comprising a rotatable member mounted on the or the top washboard first and second sliding bolts adapted to lockingly engage the hatch cover and washboard(s) respectively, and first and second actuating arms connected respectively between the bolts and the rotatable member, whereby in a first angular position of the rotatable member the first bolt is closed and the second is opened and in a second said angular position the first bolt is opened and the second is closed.

In this way, unbolting of the hatch cover by rotation of the rotatable member automatically causes the washboard to be bolted in, and this, in a simple but effective way, removes the danger of losing the washboard.

In a preferred embodiment, means are provided for locking the rotatable member in its first position, i.e. with the hatch cover closed. Such locking means may take the form of a flat provided on the rotatable member and a key operated bolt adapted to blockingly engage the flat.

Preferably the points of connection of the arms to the rotatable member are diametrically opposed. The rotatable member may be arranged to be actuated from either inside or outside the boat. Dome-shaped operating handles may be provided to prevent the encatchment of ropes.

In order that the invention may be readily understood, an embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings which show a locking assembly in accordance with the invention in its two operative positions.

Referring to Fig. 1 there is shown the hatch of a boat having a hatch wall 3, sliding hatch over 2 and a washboard 1. The hatch cover 2 is adapted to be opened by sliding to the rear as seen in the figure and the washboard 1 is removable by lifting out, this being prevented by hatch cover 2 in the closed position.

On the washboard 1 is mounted a base plate 4 having a rotatable disc 5 mounted thereon. The disc 5 has a squared aperture 1 2 extending therethrough for engagement by a squared rod (not shown) fixedly connected to inside and outside operating handles.

Connected to the member 5 at diametrically opposed pivot points 6, 7 are first and second actuating arms 8, 9. The opposite ends of these arms are pivotably connected to first and second bolts 10, 11 adapted respectively to lockingly engage the hatch cover 2 and washboard 1. Metal reinforcing apertured plates (not shown) are provided for receiving the bolts.

It will be seen that in the angular position of the rotatable member 5 shown in Fig. 1 the first bolt 10 is closed and the second is opened. This corresponds to the locked and closed position of the hatch cover 2. However, when the member 5 is rotated to open bolt 10 and release the hatch cover, bolt 11 is automatically closed, as shown in Fig. 2 so as to retain the washboard 1 fixed in position. This engagement prevents loss of the washboard should the boat capsize.

A key operated lock 1 3 is provided adjacent the rotatable member 5. The shaft 14 of lock 13 is adapted to blockingly engage a flat 1 5 formed on the rotatable member 20 as to lock the hatch closed. Release of the lock 1 3 however permits rotation of member 5 to the Fig. 2 position so as to open the hatch.

1. A locking assembly for alternately locking the sliding hatch cover and washboard in a boat, comprising a rotatable member mounted on the or the top washboard first and second sliding bolts adapted to lockingly engage the hatch cover and washboard(s) respectively, and first and second actuating arms connected respectively between the bolts and the rotatable member, whereby in a first angular position of the rotatable member the first bolt is closed and the second is opened and in a second said angular position the first bolt is opened and the second is closed.

2. A locking assembly according to claim 1 including means for locking the rotatable member in the angular position in which the hatch cover is lockingly engaged.

3. A locking assembly according to claim 2 in which the locking means comprises a key operated bolt adapted to blockingly engage a flat provided on the rotatable member.

4. A locking assembly according to claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the arms are connected to the rotatable member at substantially diametrically opposed locations.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to hatch closures for boats This invention relates to hatch closures for boats. It is particularly applicable to small to medium sized crafts having a sliding hatch. As is known, when it is desired to close up a boat having a sliding hatch cover, one or more washboards are inserted in suitable runners provided at either side of the entrance, and sliding shut and locking of the hatch cover serves to prevent their removal. However when the hatch is opened, the or each washboard is not restrained in the vertical direction, and if the boat overturns, the washboard(s) can fall out. If this happens, the boat can fill more quickly with water, which increases the danger of sinking. It is an object of this invention to provide an improved locking arrangement which can obviate this difficulty. According to the invention, there is provided a locking assembly for alternatively locking the sliding hatch cover and washboard in a boat, comprising a rotatable member mounted on the or the top washboard first and second sliding bolts adapted to lockingly engage the hatch cover and washboard(s) respectively, and first and second actuating arms connected respectively between the bolts and the rotatable member, whereby in a first angular position of the rotatable member the first bolt is closed and the second is opened and in a second said angular position the first bolt is opened and the second is closed. In this way, unbolting of the hatch cover by rotation of the rotatable member automatically causes the washboard to be bolted in, and this, in a simple but effective way, removes the danger of losing the washboard. In a preferred embodiment, means are provided for locking the rotatable member in its first position, i.e. with the hatch cover closed. Such locking means may take the form of a flat provided on the rotatable member and a key operated bolt adapted to blockingly engage the flat. Preferably the points of connection of the arms to the rotatable member are diametrically opposed. The rotatable member may be arranged to be actuated from either inside or outside the boat. Dome-shaped operating handles may be provided to prevent the encatchment of ropes. In order that the invention may be readily understood, an embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings which show a locking assembly in accordance with the invention in its two operative positions. Referring to Fig. 1 there is shown the hatch of a boat having a hatch wall 3, sliding hatch over 2 and a washboard 1. The hatch cover 2 is adapted to be opened by sliding to the rear as seen in the figure and the washboard 1 is removable by lifting out, this being prevented by hatch cover 2 in the closed position. On the washboard 1 is mounted a base plate 4 having a rotatable disc 5 mounted thereon. The disc 5 has a squared aperture 1 2 extending therethrough for engagement by a squared rod (not shown) fixedly connected to inside and outside operating handles. Connected to the member 5 at diametrically opposed pivot points 6, 7 are first and second actuating arms 8, 9. The opposite ends of these arms are pivotably connected to first and second bolts 10, 11 adapted respectively to lockingly engage the hatch cover 2 and washboard 1. Metal reinforcing apertured plates (not shown) are provided for receiving the bolts. It will be seen that in the angular position of the rotatable member 5 shown in Fig. 1 the first bolt 10 is closed and the second is opened. This corresponds to the locked and closed position of the hatch cover 2. However, when the member 5 is rotated to open bolt 10 and release the hatch cover, bolt 11 is automatically closed, as shown in Fig. 2 so as to retain the washboard 1 fixed in position. This engagement prevents loss of the washboard should the boat capsize. A key operated lock 1 3 is provided adjacent the rotatable member 5. The shaft 14 of lock 13 is adapted to blockingly engage a flat 1 5 formed on the rotatable member 20 as to lock the hatch closed. Release of the lock 1 3 however permits rotation of member 5 to the Fig. 2 position so as to open the hatch. CLAIMS

1. A locking assembly for alternately locking the sliding hatch cover and washboard in a boat, comprising a rotatable member mounted on the or the top washboard first and second sliding bolts adapted to lockingly engage the hatch cover and washboard(s) respectively, and first and second actuating arms connected respectively between the bolts and the rotatable member, whereby in a first angular position of the rotatable member the first bolt is closed and the second is opened and in a second said angular position the first bolt is opened and the second is closed.

2. A locking assembly according to claim 1 including means for locking the rotatable member in the angular position in which the hatch cover is lockingly engaged.

3. A locking assembly according to claim 2 in which the locking means comprises a key operated bolt adapted to blockingly engage a flat provided on the rotatable member.

4. A locking assembly according to claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the arms are connected to the rotatable member at substantially diametrically opposed locations.

5. A locking assembly according to any of the preceding claims in which the rotatable member is associated with a dome shaped operating handle.

6. A locking assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.