Safety hatch system

• US 8,915,023 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2013
• Issued: 12/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rooftop Anchor, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Safepro
• Inventors: Whiting, Richard J., Rainey, Timothy Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Wendell, Mark
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, Matthew J
• Application Number:
  US14/013,223
• Publication Number:
  US 20130340353A1
• Time in Patent Office: 481 Days
• Field of Search: 52 19- 21, 52/72, 522/00, 49/13, 49/26, 49/28, 49/31, 493/94
• US Class Current: 52/19
• 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 2900/612 for manhole covers
• 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 entry and exit through an access port for ingress or egress, said hatch system comprising:

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

a central control unit operable to communicate with the actuator to position the hatch; and

a mechanical latching system, wherein the mechanical latching system is cooperable with said actuator arm to lock or unlock the hatch, the mechanical 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 and having a bracket opening therethrough;

a pivot plate positioned adjacent the clevis bracket and having a pivot opening therethrough, the pivot plate operable to interface with the actuator arm to effectuate locking or unlocking the lock mechanism;

a pivot pin passing through the bracket opening and the pivot opening and operable to allow the pivot plate to movably pivot thereupon; 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, and

wherein movement of the actuator arm in the second direction moves the hatch from the open position to the closed position.

2. The electronically controlled hatch system of claim 1, wherein movement of the actuator arm in the second direction also causes limited, responsive movement of the pivot plate to effectuate movement of the pivot rod in the first direction such that the pivot rod actuates the locking bolt to lock said lock mechanism.

3. The electronically controlled hatch system of claim 1, further comprising an electronic latching system operable for interfacing said hatch with said access port.

4. The electronically controlled hatch system of claim 1, further comprising a control unit operable to electronically communicate with the central control unit to control the actuator.

5. The electronically controlled hatch system according to claim 4, wherein said control unit is wireless.

6. The electronically controlled hatch system of claim 1, further comprising an egress light positioned adjacent to the access port, wherein said egress light automatically operates to illuminate the access port when said hatch is not in the closed position.

7. The electronically controlled hatch system of claim 1, further comprising an emergency switching station for operating said electronically controlled hatch system in an emergency situation.

8. The electronically controlled hatch system of claim 1, further comprising a power source capable of at least partially powering said electronically controlled hatch system, wherein said power source is selected from the group consisting of a photovoltaic solar panel, a battery, and a fuel cell.

9. The electronically controlled hatch system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor for acquiring information and communicating the information to said central control unit, wherein said sensor is selected from the group consisting of a gas detector, anemometer, lightning detector, thermometer, thermostat, rebound sensor, high water detection sensor, motion sensor, smoke detector, excess snow load detector, hygrometer, snow detector, rain detector, and ice detector.

10. The electronically controlled hatch system according to claim 9, wherein said sensor is positioned adjacent to said access port.

11. The electronically controlled hatch system according to claim 9, wherein said sensor communicates directly with an alarm system.

12. The electronically controlled hatch system of claim 1, further comprising an alarm capable of triggering in response to a preset condition.

13. The electronically controlled hatch system according to claim 12, wherein said alarm electronically interfaces with a communications network in response to a preset condition.

14. The electronically controlled hatch system of claim 1, wherein said central control unit interfaces with an Internet Protocol communications network.

15. The electronically controlled hatch system of claim 14, wherein the Internet Protocol communications network includes at least one of an Internet or an intranet network.

16. The electronically controlled hatch system of claim 1, wherein said central control unit includes two discrete processing units.

17. The electronically controlled hatch system of claim 1, further comprising a surveillance camera for monitoring conditions adjacent to said access port.

18. The electronically controlled hatch system according to claim 17, wherein said surveillance camera interfaces with said central control unit.

19. The electronically controlled hatch system according to claim 17, wherein said surveillance camera interfaces with an alarm system.

20. The electronically controlled hatch system of claim 1, further comprising a generally vertical tower rail positioned adjacent to said access port for mounting equipment.

21. The electronically controlled hatch system of claim 1, further comprising at least one safety rail mounted adjacent the access port, wherein said safety rail includes a gate for limiting ingress and egress through said hatch system.

22. The electronically controlled hatch system of claim 21, wherein said gate is self-closing.

23. The electronically controlled hatch system of claim 21, wherein said safety rail includes a grab hold projection extending at an angle offset from vertical.

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

an actuator cooperable with said hatch and capable of raising or lowering said hatch to at least one of an open position or a closed position;

a central control unit operable to communicate with the actuator to position the hatch;

a hatch position sensor operable to detect at least the open position and the closed position of the hatch, wherein the hatch position sensor is operable to communicate with the central control unit; and

a mechanical latching system cooperable with said actuator for interfacing said hatch with said access port, wherein said mechanical latching system comprises;

a lock mechanism operable to be coupled to the hatch and including a locking bolt, wherein the locking bolt is operable to be actuated to perform one of locking the lock mechanism or unlocking the lock mechanism;

a clevis bracket operable to be coupled to the hatch and having a bracket opening therethrough;

a pivot plate, having a pivot opening therethrough, positioned adjacent the clevis bracket;

a pivot pin passing through the clevis bracket opening and the pivot opening and operable to allow the pivot plate to movably pivot thereupon;

an actuator arm, wherein the actuator arm interfaces with said actuator and said pivot plate; 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, which causes the pivot rod to move 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; and

wherein movement of the actuator arm in the second direction moves the hatch from the open position to the closed position.

25. The electronically controlled hatch system of claim 24, wherein movement of the actuator arm in the second direction also causes limited, responsive movement of the pivot plate to effectuate movement of the pivot rod in the first direction such that the pivot rod actuates the locking bolt to lock said lock mechanism.

26. The electronically controlled hatch system of claim 24, wherein the central control unit interfaces with an Internet Protocol communications network.

27. The electronically controlled hatch system of claim 26, wherein the Internet Protocol communications network includes at least one of an Internet or an intranet network.

28. The electronically controlled hatch system of claim 24, further comprising at least one safety rail mounted adjacent to said access port.