SAFETY HATCH SYSTEM

• US 20170321452A1
• Filed: 07/24/2017
• Published: 11/09/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rooftop Anchor, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Safepro
• Inventors: Whiting, Richard J., Rainey, Timothy Edward
• Granted Patent: US 10,676,966 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 29/122 Steps or handrails for shafts
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 29/127 with devices for impeding fall or injuries of persons
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 29/1463 Hinged connection of cover to frame
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 7/16 Roof structures with movable roof parts buildings for special purposes E04H
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/0335 Skylight guards, security devices protecting skylights or preventing objects or persons from falling through skylight openings
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0058 by batteries
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0064 by solar cells
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/02 Movement of the bolt by electromagnetic means; Adaptation of locks, latches, or parts thereof, for movement of the bolt by electromagnetic means by means in the striker E05B63/248
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 1/14 the handle or member moving essentially towards or away from the plane of the wing or frame
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/622 using screw-and-nut mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/71 responsive to temperature changes, rain, wind or noise
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/72 responsive to emergency conditions, e.g. fire
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/22 Locks
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/614 charging thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/42 against smoke or gas
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/40 for gates
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2999/00 Subject-matter not otherwise provided for in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 5/00 Doors, windows, or like closures for special purposes insulated compound frames specially adapted for sliding doors or windows E06B3/26347; Border constructions therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 7/003 Indicating devices, e.g. user warnings or inclinators
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 7/006 Devices for preventing access
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 7/182 : situated at the top of the ladder
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/202 : Hatch fastener

Abstract

In one embodiment, an electronically controlled hatch system for safe ingress, egress, hazard detection, and methods thereof are provided to reduce or eliminate hazards to personnel, including protection of people above and below a scuttle hatch, access port, skylight or elevated deck. Said hatch system reduces the risk of falls while ascending or descending a ladder through an access port. In certain embodiments, severe weather, hazard, security, and other safety information are detected and transmitted to a central control unit for processing and regulating the opening and closing of a hatch covering the access port and/or raising and lowering a safety railing system based on said information and/or user input. Said hatch system may include an actuator and guides for automatically locking/unlocking and opening/closing a hatch, an actuator and guides for automatically raising/lowering a railing system, safety monitoring detectors/apparatuses, and a centralized controller.

Claims

1. An electronically controlled hatch system for use with a hatch to limit ingress or egress through an access port, said hatch system comprising:

an actuator cooperable with the hatch and having an actuator arm, the actuator arm operable to effectuate locking or unlocking the hatch and moving the hatch to at least an open position or a closed position; and

a latching system, wherein the latching system is cooperable with the actuator arm to lock or unlock the hatch, the latching system comprising;

a lock mechanism including a locking bolt, wherein the locking bolt is operable to be actuated to perform one of locking the lock mechanism to secure the hatch in the closed position or unlocking the lock mechanism to permit moving the hatch from the closed position to the open position;

a clevis bracket operable to be coupled to the hatch;

a pivot plate coupled to the clevis bracket and operable to interface with the actuator arm to effectuate locking or unlocking the lock mechanism; and

a pivot rod having a first end coupled to the pivot plate and a second end coupled to the lock mechanism, the pivot rod operable to actuate the locking bolt to lock or unlock the lock mechanism;

wherein movement of the actuator arm in a first direction causes limited, responsive movement of the pivot plate to effectuate movement of the pivot rod in a second direction such that the pivot rod actuates the locking bolt to unlock the lock mechanism without moving the hatch to the open position, and continued movement of the actuator arm in the first direction moves the hatch from the closed position to the open position after the lock mechanism is unlocked.