GB2435288A

GB2435288A - Stairwell hatch having a handrail

Info

Publication number: GB2435288A
Application number: GB0601325A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Scott Lea
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-01-23
Filing date: 2006-01-23
Publication date: 2007-08-22
Also published as: GB0601325D0

Abstract

The present invention provides a hatch 10 for a stairwell opening, the hatch 10 being moveable in use between a closed position in which access to the stairwell opening is restricted and an open position in which access to the stairwell opening is permitted; wherein in the open position the hatch 10 upwardly extends to provide a handrail for a user. The hatch 10 may also have a smaller hatch 16 therein to allow access when the main hatch 10 is closed.

Description

The present invention relates to a hatch for a stairwell opening.

During building work, such as the construction of a new building or work to an existing building, a stairwell opening can pose a significant danger to workers.

For example, when a stairwell opening exists in a floor to accommodate a staircase which is not yet * installed or not yet completed, the opening poses a danger to nearby workers. A worker may fall through the opening, S thereby suffering injury as a result. .:.

S S...

Further, during work around or upon a partially S..' constructed stairwell, access through the stairwell opening may be required for workers. Further, a worker may wish to work above the stairwell opening.

It is desired to reduce the risk of injury to workers whilst selectively allowing access to a stairwell opening.

It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the risk of injury posed by a stairwell opening.

It is an aim of the present invention to allow workers to safely work above or around a stairwell opening.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a hatch for a stairwell opening moveable in use between a closed position in which access to the stairwell opening is restricted and an open position in which access to the stairwell opening is permitted; wherein in the open position the hatch upwardly extends to provide a handrail for a user.

Preferably, the hatch comprises a means to lock the hatch in the open position.

Preferably, the hatch provides a working platform for a user when in the closed position.

Preferably, the hatch comprises at least one hinge for mounting the hatch upon a structure.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a hatch for a stairwell opening comprising moving the hatch between a closed position and an open position; and using the hatch *. S as a handrail.

Preferably, the method comprises locking the hatch in an upwardly extending position.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a hatch for a stairwell opening moveable in use between a closed position in which access to the stairwell opening is restricted and an open position in which access to the stairwell opening is permitted; the hatch comprising a independently openable hatch portion to allow access through the stairwell opening.

Preferably, the hatch portion is connected to the hatch by at least one hinge.

Preferably, the hatch comprises an aperture and the hatch portion is moveable between a closed position in which access to the hatch aperture is restricted and an open position in which access to the hatch aperture is permitted.

Preferably, the hatch portion is arranged substantially across the hatch aperture in the closed position.

Preferably, the hatch portion is minor to the hatch.

Preferably, the hatch comprises a locking means for locking the hatch portion in the closed position. *.*.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a hatch for a stairwell opening comprising opening a hatch portion of the hatch and inserting a ladder through an aperture in the hatch.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in a closed position.

As shown in Figure 1, an embodiment of the present invention 1 comprises a hatch 10 arranged, in a closed position, to lie in a generally horizontal plane across a stairwell opening.

The hatch 10 is arranged to rest between a pair of spaced-apart horizontally oriented support members, such as a pair of beams or trusses. The stairwell opening is defined between the members.

The hatch 10 has opposed major sides 11,12 and opposed minor sides 13,14. The hatch 10 is mounted upon a pair of hinges 15 along a major side 11. Each hinge 15 is secured onto a structure alongside the stairwell opening, such as one of the members defining the stairwell opening or a floor adjacent to the stairwell opening.

The hatch 10 is moveable between the closed position and an open position in which the hatch 10 upwardly extends. The hatch 10 may rest in the open position in a generally vertical plane. :: The hatch 10 comprises a locking means to securely lock the hatch 10 in the open position. In the preferred embodiment, each hinge 15, is formed of two pivotally connected hinge portions, as is known in the art, each portion of which comprises an aperture running there-through. In the open position, the apertures in each hinge portion move into alignment. An elongate member may be inserted through the apertures such that the hatch 10 is locked in the open position to upwardly extend.

The major edge of the hatch 10 which is uppermost in the open position may be adapted to provide a comfortable grip for a worker.

Advantageously, in the open position, the hatch 10 acts as a temporary handrail for workers travelling through the stairwell opening. Workers are then able to use a partially constructed stairwell with a reduced risk of injury through falling or the like. Further, in the closed position the hatch 10 may be used as a platform across the stairwell opening. The hatch is suitably constructed from metal to support a working load above the stairwell opening.

The trap door 10 comprises a hatch portion 16 which is independently openable of the hatch 10 to allow access to the stairwell opening.

The hatch portion 16 is connected the hatch 10 along one side by at least one, or a pair, of hinges 18 and is moveable between a closed position and an open position. ....

In other words, whilst the hatch 10 rests in the closed position, the hatch portion 16 may be opened by pivotal movement to a generally vertical, open, position. The hatch portion 16 is arranged to open perpendicularly to the opening of the hatch. In other words, an edge of the hatch portion 16 connecting the hatch portion 16 and the hatch 10 is perpendicular to the edge of the hatch 10 hingedly connected to the support member. The hatch 10 comprises a hatch aperture 17 which the hatch portion 16 covers in the closed position. The hatch portion 16 represents a minor hatch of the hatch 10.

A ladder may then be inserted through the hatch aperture 17 opening to allow access between floors of a building having an incomplete stairwell.

With the hatch portion in the open position, when the hatch 10 is opened, the perpendicularly extending hatch portion 16 may support the hatch 10 in the upwardly extended position. The hatch may comprise means for locking the hatch portion 16 in the open position to prevent accidental closure.

The hatch 17 and the trap door 10 may be lockable in the closed positions to prevent unauthorised access to the stairwell opening.

The hatch portion 16 comprises a spring-loaded bolt which engages with a retainer on the hatch 10 to prevent accidental opening of the hatch portion 16. 15:

Although a few preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification

(including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the: foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features

disclosed in this specification (including any

accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

Claims 1. A hatch for a stairwell opening, the hatch being moveable in

use between a closed position in which access to the stairwell opening is restricted and an open position in which access to the stairwell opening is permitted; wherein in the open position the hatch upwardly extends to provide a handrail for a user.

2. The hatch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hatch comprises a means to lock the hatch in the open position.

3. The hatch as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the hatch provides a working platform for a user when in the closed position.

4. The hatch as claimed in any preceding claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the hatch comprises at least one hinge for mounting the hatch upon a structure.

5. The hatch as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hatch comprises an independently openable hatch portion to allow access through the stairwell opening.

6. The hatch as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the hatch portion is connected to the hatch by at least one hinge.

7. The hatch as claimed in any of Claims 5 or 6, wherein the hatch comprises an aperture and the hatch portion is moveable between a closed position, in which access to the hatch aperture is restricted, and an open position, in which access to the hatch aperture is permitted.

8. The hatch as claimed in claim 7, wherein the hatch portion is arranged substantially across the hatch aperture in the closed position.

9. The hatch as claimed in any of claims 5 to 8, wherein the hatch portion is minor to the hatch.

10. The hatch as claimed in any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the hatch comprises a locking means for locking the hatch portion in the closed position.

11. The method of using a hatch for a stairwell opening, comprising moving the hatch between a closed position and an open position; and using the hatch as a handrail.

12. The method as claimed in claim 5, comprising locking the hatch in an upwardly extending position.

13. The method as claimed in claims 11 or 12, comprising opening a hatch portion of the hatch and inserting a ladder through an aperture in the hatch.

14. A hatch for a stairwell opening substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. A method of using a hatch for a stairwell opening substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to the accompanying drawings.