US3043257A - Flush deck hatch covers - Google Patents

Description

July 10, 1962 Filed Aug. 8, 1957 B. S. APPLETON ETAL FLUSH DECK HATCH COVERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 11v VENTO/PS BY BEE/VA RD 5/] PPLETON.

7 ATTORNEYS.

July 10, 1962 B. s. APPLETON ETAL 3,0 7

FLUSH DECK HATCH COVERS Filed Aug. 8, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS. BERN/I RD 5/! PPLETON, J4 MES J JEN/(1N3.

July 10,1962 B. s. APPLETON ETAL FLUSH DECK HATCH COVERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 8, 1957 INVENTORS. BE/PA/A R0 5: APPLETON. B g2: MES J JEN/(l NS.

A TTOE/VEYF.

July 10, 1962 B. s. APPLETON ETAL 3,043,257

FLUSH DECK HATCH COVERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 8, 1957 M. R05 2% NLK M2 3 5 E J 5 JQN y 1962 B. s. APPLETON ETAL 3,043,257

FLUSH DECK HATCH COVERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 8, 1957 INVENTORS.

BEE/VA RD jAPPL ETO V.

474 M55 JJENK/NS. afimmqm ATTORNEYS.

" v rates t This invention relates to the art of hatch covers, and more particularly to a hatch cover, that when closed will be flush with the level of the deck through which the hatchway extends.

As conducive to an understanding of the invention it is noted that where marine hatch covers comprise a plurality of substantially rectangular panels which are mounted on -a coaming extending above the deck level around the periphery of the hatchway, such arrangement would interfere with free movement of personnel as well as that of tractor or fork lifts required to shift cargo, which is especially undesirable where the hatch cover is on a deck below the top deck of a ship not readily accessible to the ships boom for movement of cargo.

Where the hatch cover when in closed, substantially horizontal position, is flush with the deck and there are spaces or gaps of excessive width between the periphery of the hatchway and the periphery of the hatch cover, the spaces or gaps may cause tripping of the crew members or jamming of the wheels of tractors or fork lifts required to move cargo.

Where, in order to retain the closed hatch cover in locked position with respect to the hatchway, latches are provided which are positioned exteriorly of the hatch cover and protrude above the top surface thereof, the difliculties of free movements of personnel, tractors and fork lifts are also present.

Where the hatch cover is provided with gaskets to effect a watertight seal and in movement of the hatch covers from closed to open position, the seal is subjected to abrasion, it may quickly wear out with resultant impairment of the watertight security of the hatchway.

It is accordingly among the objects of the invention to provide a hatch cover that is relatively simple to install and which, when in closed position, will have its top surface substantially flush with the deck of the ship with substantially no protruding portions and with no excessive clearance between the periphery of the cover and the periphery of the-hatchway in the deck, which might cause tripping of crew members or jamming of the wheels of a tractor or fork lift, which hatch cover may securely be locked in closed position without any latches or locks protruding above the deck or the hatch cover, and which, when in closed position will effect watertight security for such hatchway and with but a simple manipulation by even a relatively unskilled crew member and without 55 undue effort on his part, may readily and rapidly M moved from closed to open position and vice versa, without likelihood of injury to the seal providing such watertight security.

In the accompanying drawings in which are shown one or more of various possible embodiments of the several features of the invention,

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the hatch cover,

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a detail sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3, r

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3,

FIG. 6 is a detail transverse sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1,

.FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 on an enlarged scale to show the sealing gaskets,

FIG. 11 is a detail sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 12 is a view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 13 is a view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 12,

FIG. 14 is a view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 12,

FIG. 15 is a view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 16 is a view taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 15,

FIG. 17 is a view taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 15,

FIG. 18 is a view taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 16, and

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view showing the panels in open position.

Referring now to the drawings, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the reference numeral 21 refers to the deck of a ship which has a substantially rectangular hatchway 22 designed to be closed by two pairs of hatch cover panels A1, A-2 and B1, B-Z.

Depending from the deck 21 along the side edges 23 (FIG. 6) and end edges 24, 24' (FIGS. 2 and 3) fspectively of the hatchway 22 are supporting girders 25, 26 and 26'. Extending laterally inward from each of the side girders 2'5, as shown in FIG. 6, adjacent the lower edges thereof, are elongated rigid members 29 which define supports for the hatch cover panels. Each of the members 29 has a guide rail or track 31 mounted thereon adjacent its inner edge and extending the length thereof. In addition, the end girder 26 (FIG. 2) also mounts an elongated rigid supporting member 32 which extends transversely across the hatchway 22. v

To support the hatch cover panels so that in closed horizontal position they will lie in side by side relation transversely across the hatchway, each of the end portions 33 of the panels has a depending skirt plate 34 (FIG. 6) positioned inwardly thereof and the side portion35 (FIG. 2) of the panel A-I, has a depending skirt plate 36 positioned inwardly thereof.

Each of the skirt plates 34, 36, at its lower edge mounts an angle member 37 which extends outwardly therefrom. The angle members 37 on skirt plates 34 and 36 are designed to rest on track 31 as shown in FIG. 6, and member 32, as shown in FIG. 2. The angle members 37 are so mounted that when supporting the panels in horizontal position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the top surface 38 of the panels, which desirably are covered with suitable planking 39 as is the deck 21, willbe in the same horizontal plane as the deck,

As shown in FIG. 3, the side portion 41 of the panel B2 also has a depending skirt plate 42 positioned inwardly thereof which mounts a pair of substantially L- shaped hinge members 43 equidistantly spaced from the ends 33 of panel B-2 as shown in FIG. 1.

To this end the end 44 of the 'leg 45 of each hinge member 43 is afiixed to plate 42 and extends laterally outward therefrom beyond the side portion 41 of panel 13-2 so that it will extend inwardly of the associated end edge 24" of the hatchway. The leg 46 of each hinge member 43 extends at substantially right angles to leg 45 and the free end of each of the legs 46 is pivotally 7 connected as at 47 to an associated bracket 48 afiixed to transverse girder 26'.

Patented July 10, 1 962 V 83 with resultant injury to the gaskets.

panels are in closed horizontal position, as shown in 7 FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, the end portion 33v of the panels will be closely adjacent the side edges 23 of the hatchway, and the side portions 35, 41 of the panels A-l, 3-2 will be closely adjacent the ends 24, 24 of the hatchway so that there will be no wide gap that might cause tripping of a crew member or jamming of the Wheels of a tractor or fork lift.

The adjacent side edges 51, 52 (FIG. 1)' of panels A-2, B4 are connected as by hinges 53 on their top sur-' faces. To accommodate the hinges, as shown in FIG. 11,

a the portions of panels A-2, B1 adjacent their edges 51, 52 have substantially rectangular recesses 54 in each of V which is secured one of the plates 55 of the hinge 53.

The adjacent edges 61, 62 and 63, 64 of panels A-l, A-2 and B-1, B-2 respectively arehinged together on their undersurface in the manner shown in Reissue Patent Pivotally connected as at 71 to each of the opposed corners of the member 66 is one end of'a suitable hydraulic jack 72, the other end of which is pivotally connected as at 73 to a transverse girder 74 of panels A-l, A-2, to move the panels between the closed position shown in FIG. 2

. to the open position shown in FIG. 19 in the manner described in said reissue patent, upon actuation of the jacks 72. r V

v Means are provided to atlorda watertight seal between the hatch cover panels and the hatchway.

To'this end, a gasket extends around the periphery of each ofthe panels below the top surface 38 thereof. The portion 81 of the gasket along each of the ends 33 of .thepanels' (FIG. 6) is held between retaining strips 82 depending from said ends 33 and is designed to seat on a sealing rail 83 afiixedto side girders 25 above member 29 and extending laterally inward from said girder.

The portions 81' of the gasket along the edge 41 (FIG.

3) of panel B-2 and the edge 35 of panel A 1 (FIG. 12) 'is also held'between retaining strips 82. depending from said edges 41 and 35. I V

The gasket portion 81' on edge 41 seats on a sealing rail 84 extending laterally inward from a skirt 85 depending from said edge 41 over hinge member 43. The

gasket portion 81' on edge 35 seats on a sealing rail 84' extending laterally inward from girder 26 (FIG. 12).

: therein. As a result, the head of water pressure against the gasket will be minimized to prevent leakage past such gaskets.

The portions 81" of the gasket between panels A-2, B-l

(:FIGJII) andA-l, A-z; B-l, B-2 (FIGS. 9 and To this end, as shown in FIGSJl, 7 and 19, aflixed to each of'the ends 33 of panel A-2 adjacent its side edge 51 is an arm 87, which, when the panels are in closed horizontal position shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, will extend beyond'the side edge '52 of panel B1, the free end of each arm 87 mounting a roller 88 adapted to ride on the side tracks 31.

' Aflixed to each of the ends 33 of panel A-l adjacent its side edge 35 is an arm 91 which extends toward said edge 35 and mounts a roller 92 at its free end.

As shown in FIG. 12, each of the tracks 31 terminates near the edge 24 of the hatchway and a lever 93 which forms an extension of said track 31 is pivoted at one end as at 94 adjacent the end 95 of track 31. The free end 96 of the lever has connected thereto one end of a hydraulic jack 97 which, when actuated, will pivotthe lever from the inclined position shown in full. lines to horizontal position shown in broken lines so as to lie in the same plane as track 31. The roller 92 is designed torest i are aflixed to the associated edges 51, 52 and 61, 62; 63, v

. 64 so that they may engage laterally asshown when the 7 portions.

Means are; provided to move the portions 81 of the gaskets adjacent the edges of panel.A1 and the edges '51, 52 of panels A-2, B-1 away from the associated sealing rail 83 p'rior'tomovement of the panels to open positionso that said portions 81 will not rub against the on lever 93 when the panels are in closed position and with the levers in retracted or inclined position, the portions 81 of the gasket at the end 35 of panelA-l will rest'on the associated sealing rail 83.

Means are provided 'releasably to retain the hatch cover panels in closed position with the gaskets in engagement with the scaling rails. To this end, a plurality of locking means are provided positioned along the ends of the panels A1, A-2 and B-1, B2 and along the side edges 35, 41 of the panels A-l', B2.'

In the embodiment herein shown, eachof the locking means comprises a sleeve or housing 101 (FIG. 15) depending from the top surface 38 of the panels and aflixed thereto as by welding at 102. The bore 103 of the housing 101 is of enlarged diameter at its upper end defining an internal annular shoulder 104 on which is seated the flange 105 of a bushing 106 which extends to the lower end of the housing 101.

Extending through the bushing 106 is a rod 107 which has a head 108 that seats on huge 105. The head 108 has a peripheral groove 109 in which. an O'ring' 111 is positioned to provide a seal to prevent leakage therepast. The head 108 which is flush with the top surface 38 of the panel has a' recess 112 to receive a suitable tool 113 to rotate the rod 107 to eifect locking and unlocking in the manner hereinafter described.

The lower end of rod 107 extends through an opening 116 in one end of locking arm 117, the latter'being secured to rod 107 as by set screw 118. Theouter end 119 of arm 117 has an axial bore 121 in which is po-' sitioned a stud shaft 122 which mounts a roller 123 at its outer end, the shaft being retained in the bore as by set screw 124.

Extending inwardly from the outer end of the rod 107 is an axial bore 125 which is in communication through transverse bore 126 with the periphery of said rod. In addition, the shaft 122 has an axial bore 127 which extends from the roller 123 to a bore 128 in arm 117 in communication with a transverse bore 129 leading into the axial bore 125. Thus, when grease is forced into the axial bore 125, it will lubricate the rod 107 and the roller 123.

The roller 123 on each of the-rods 107 is designed to coact with an associated locking conformation mounted on the sealing 83 as shown in FIG. 15. Each locking conformation comprises a wedge-shaped member 131 located along the rail 83st: that it will be aligned with the associated roller when the-panels are in closed position; As is clearly shown in FIG. 17, the wedge 131 is aflixed to the undersurface of the rail 83 and has a doWn-' wardly inclined portion 132 along which the roller 123 will ride when the rod 107 is rotated, to draw the hatch cOver panel downwardly so that the'gasket will engage the sealing rail to effect a watertight seal.

The'wedge 131 also has -an upwardly inclined portion 133 over which the'roller will ride near the end of its locking movement so that the arm 117 and hence rod 107 will be restrained from movement to retain the panels securely yet releasably locked.

To retain the arm 117 in open position, a spring arm 134 is provided which will engage the roller 123 when the arm 117 is rotated so that it extends substantially parallel to girder 25 as shown in broken lines in FIG. 16.

In the operation of the unit with the panels in closed horizontal position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and with the latches in locked position having their rollers 123 cugaging the portion 133 of the wedges 131, each of the rods 107 is rotated by a suitable tool 113 inserted into the recess 112 in the upper end thereof.

As a result, each of the rollers 123 will ride down the inclined portion 132 of the wedge 131 and be moved clear thereof and then will snap beneath the associated resilient retaining arms 134 (FIG. 16).

To open the hatch cover, the jacks 97 (FIG. 12) adjacent the edge 35 of panel A-l are operated. As a reult, the levers 93 will be lifted thereby reacting against therollers 92 to raise the edge 35 of panel A-1 so that the transverse gasket portion 81 on rail 84' (FIG. 12) and the portion of gasket 81 adjacent edge 35 will be moved clear of rails 84' and 83 (FIG. 14).

The hydraulic jacks 72 associated with panels A-1, A-2 are then actuated. As the edge 51 of panel A-2 is held by panel B-l, restraining the panel A-2 from horizontal movement, in the manner described in said Reissue Patent No. 24,238, an upward component of force will be created which will cause the panels A-1, A-2 to fold together about the pivot 67. This will cause the edge 35 of panel A-1 to move to the right from the position shown in FIG. 2 and as the portions of the gasket adjacent said edge 35 have been lifted from the associated sealing rail as previously described, no rubbing action will occur to the gaskets and the rollers 92 will ride along levers 93 and thence along tracks 31.

As a result of the folding movement of panels A-l, A-2, the panel A-2 will pivot in a clockwise direction about the hinge 53 from the position shown in FIG. 7. This will create a downward component of force on the roller bearing ends of arms 87 and as the rollers 88 ride on track 31 and cannot move downwardly, the edges 51,

52 of panels A-2 and B-1 will be lifted to move the portions 81 of the gaskets adjacent said edges 51, 52 away from the sealing rail 83.

Thereupon, the hydraulic jacks 72 associated with panels B1, B-2 are actuated and these panels will also fold together about their pivot 67. As the panel B-2 is restrained from horizontal movement by its hinge connection 47 (FIG. 3), the panel B1 will move to the right dragging the folded panels A-l, A-2 in this direction until all the panels are in substantially vertical position as shown in FIG. 19.

'As the portions of the gasket adjacent edges 51, 52 of panels A-2, B-l have been lifted from the associated sealing rails as previously described, no rubbing action Will occur to the gaskets and the rollers 88 will ride along tracks 31.

In the movement of the covers to closed position, the hydraulic jacks are actuated in reverse order to that previously described. Thus, the jacks 72 associated with panels B-l, B-2 are first actuated to move these panels to the left until the panels B-l, B2 are in closed substantially horizontal position at which time the panels A-l, A2 will be in vertical position and moved to the left. Since the arms 87 will be in vertical position at this time, the edges 51, 52 of panels A-2, B-l will still be lifted so that the closing movement of panels B-l, B-2 will not cause rubbing of the gaskets.

Thereupon, the jacks 72 associated with panels A-1, A-2 are actuated to move said panels to closed horizontal position. This movement will cause an upward component of force to be applied to the roller bearing ends of arms 87 so that the edges 51, 52 of the panels A-2,

B-l will be lowered until the associated portions of the gaskets rest on the sealing rail without any rubbing action having been imparted thereto.

When the panels A-l, A-2 have moved to closed horizontal position such as shown in FIG. 12, the rollers 92 will be resting on the upwardly pivoted levers 93 so'that the portion 81, 81 of the gaskets adjacent edge 35 of panel A-1 will be clear of the associated sealing rails. Hence, no rubbing action will have been imparted to such gaskets.

At this time, the jacks 97 are actuated to pivot the levers 93 downwardly to the position shown in full lines in FIG. 12 so that the gaskets adjacent edge 35 of panel A-l will rest against the associated sealing rail to provide a dependable seal.

The rods 107 of the latches are then rotated so that the roller 123 thereon will ride down the inclined portion 132 of wedge 131 (FIG. 17) drawing the panels downwardly and then the rollers 123 will ride into portion 133 of the wedge releasably to retain the rollers and hence the latches in locked position.

With the construction above described, a hatch cover is provided that will, when in closed position, he substantially flush with the deck of the ship. As the edges 35 and 51, 52 of the panels are lifted prior to folding movement of the panels to open position and are retained in such lifted position until the panels have been moved back to closed position, no rubbing action to the gaskets with resultant failure thereof will occur.

As the main hinge for panel B-2, the hydraulic actuators 72 and 97 and associated mechanism are below the gaskets, they will be protected from the effects of the Water and sea air when the hatch cover is closed.

Although in the illustrative embodiment shown, two pairs of panels are provided, it is of course to be understood that it is within the scope of the invention to use one or. more pairs of panels arranged as described.

As the latches depend from the top surface 38 of the hatch cover panels and there are substantially no elements protruding above the panels or the deck, there is no obstruction to tree movement of personnel or equipment.

By-reason of the hinge arrangement for the edge 41 of panel B-Z, when the panel is in closed position, the edge 41 of the panel and the end 24 of the hatchway will be in juxtaposition so there is no wide gap which might cause tripping of a crew member or jamming of the wheels of movable equipment.

By reason of the sealing and latching arrangement as well as the drainage of water collected in gutters G, above described, there is no need for a raised coaming above the deck of the ship which permits the flush type arrangement of the presentinvention.

The efiectiveness of the sealing and latching arrangement above described, permits the hatch cover to serve as a watertight partition whether'on the top deck or between decks. Hence, if water should flood one hold of a ship, the hatch cover will prevent flow of water into another hold on another deck to maintain the overall watertight security of the ship. The, effective sealing action will also serve to isolate fire and fumes.

As many changes could be made in the above coni struction, and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope of the claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A hatch cover installation for a hatchway in the deck of a ship, comprising a pair of panels adapted to extend over such hatchway, said panels lying in side by side relation in substantially a horizontal planewhen in closed position, a pivotal mount for one of said panels a,oas,257

located beneath the deck of the ship at one end of the hatchway and positioned inwardly of the associated edge of said hatchway, a pivot arm aifixed at one end to one of the panels inwardly of its outer edge and below the 1 top surface, thereof and pivotally connected at its free end to said pivotal mount formovement of said panel through an arc of substantially 90 degrees, means pivotally connecting the adjacent edges of said panels for upward folding movement thereof between open and 'support beneath the upper edge thereof, means carried by said panels below the top surface thereof inwardly of their peripheries adapted to seat on said ledge to retain the panels when in closed position with thelllOP surfaces substantially flush with the deck, a sealing rail rigidly mounted with respect to the deck positioned at each side and-at each end of the hatchway between said ledge and the upper edge of said support, a gasket mounted on said panels adjacent the peripheries thereof and below the top surface thereof adapted to seat on said sealing rails when the panels are closed and means to effect movement of the guided edge of said panel away from said sealing rail. a V

2. The combination set forth in claim-1 in which said pivotarm has two portions, one of which isafiixed tois pivotally'connected at its freeend so as to depend from the pivotal mount when the panels are in closed position. a

3. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which a second pair of panels is provided adapted toextend over such hatchway, all of said panels lying in side by side reposition, means pivotally connecting adjacent edges of said second pair of panels for upward folding movement thereof between open andclosed position, meansrpivotally connecting adjacent edges of said two pairs of panels, means to guide the'free edge of the outermost panel of the second pair of panels in substantially a horizontal plane and means to eifect movement of the guided edge of said outermost panel-away from the sealing rail.

4. The combination set forth in claim 3 in which the means to guide the panels in substantially a horizontal plane comprises atrack on each side of the hatchway positioned in a horizontal plane below that of the sealing rail, the means to eifect movement of the guided edge of lation in substantially a horizontal plane when in closed I the other of said panels of the first pair of panels comprises a pair of arms afiixedatone end to each of the ends of the first panel of the second; pair of panels and extending outwardly therefrom aligned with the track, said arms extending beyond the edge of the adjacent panel of said first pair and a roller at each of the, free ends of said arms adapted to ride on each of said tracks.

References Cited in thetile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,045,083 ,Illig June 23, 1936 2,205,845 Cochran June 25, 1940 2,394,784 Kelly Feb. 12, 1946 2,595,248 Greer et al; May 6, 1952 2,655,889 Jernstrom Oct.'20, 1953 2,674,967 Bich et a1. Apr. 13, 1954 2,707,928 Farrell May 10, 1955 2,726,623 Jernstrom Dec. '13, 1955 2,739,343 Mar. 27, 1956 2,791,095 Mercier et al. May' 7, 1957 2,831,449 Suderow, Apr. 22, 1958 2,857,874 McBride 'Oct.,28, 1958 2,869,501 Stransky Ian. 20, 1 959 Stransky Dec. 15 1959

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