Hatch for vessel

Abstract

A hatch (12, Fig 1) configured to be fitted into a deck (14, Fig 1) of a marine craft (10, Fig 1). The hatch comprises a four-sided frame 24 configured to be attached in an opening in the deck and a f

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hatch for a vessel such as a marine craft. Hatches according to the invention are of particular interest for pleasure marine craft such as sailing boats, sailing yachts, motor boats, motor yachts, pontoon boats, etc. The present invention also relates to a method of operation of such a hatch. Background It is well known to provide hatches on vessels such as pleasure marine craft. Such hatches typically are provided through the deck of the vessel, e.g. through the foredeck or through the roof of the cabin. The hatch is typically capable of being opened and closed. When open, the hatch opening provides ventilation and light into the cabin space below. When closed, the hatch provide protection against water ingress, e.g. due to rain or spray. Although it is possible for the hatch to be formed completely of opaque materials, it is typical on modern boats for the hatch to be formed of light-transmissive material, in order to allow light to enter the cabin space through the hatch even when the hatch is closed. In this case, the moveable part of the hatch (the hatch cover) may be referred to as the lens. The lens is typically hingedly attached to a frame of the hatch, the frame being secured with respect to an opening in the deck and the lens being sealable against the frame when the hatch is closed. EP 0506329 A1 discloses a hatch for a watercraft and particularly proposes a hinge mechanism to allow the hatch to be opened in a rotatable manner relative to the deck. This is achieved using relatively bulky hinges that include means for counter-balancing the moment of the weight of the hatch cover so as to allow the cover to be left at any angle relative to the horizontal. The hatch of EP 0506329 A1 also has handles that are provided on the inner side of the hatch, accessible from the cabin of the vessel, the handles being pivotable to lock the hatch in the closed configuration. Lewmar product 399100303, sizes 10-60, is described as a low profile hatch with a stay. See https: / / www.lewmar.com / content / low-profile-hatch-stay [accessed 2 November 2023], This hatch has a frame that is configured to attach at an opening through the deck, a lens that is hingedly attached along one side of the lens to one side of the frame, handles for opening, closing and locking the hatch, and a pneumatic stay provided at one side of the hatch to maintain the position of the lens in a desired open position. Summary of the Invention The present inventors have realised that further improvements to hatches for marine craft are possible. In particular, it is considered that it would be advantageous to provide a hatch that has a low profile in terms of its fit with the deck and also a more advantageous range of opening movement to provide additional ventilation and access options through the hatch. The present invention has been devised in light of the above considerations. Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a hatch configured to be fitted into a deck of a marine craft, the hatch comprising: a four-sided frame configured to be attached in an opening in the deck; a four-sided lens moveable between a closed configuration in which the lens seals against the frame and an open configuration in which the lens is disposed in a position tilted upwardly away from the frame so that a major opening side of the lens and a minor opening side of the lens remain parallel with their corresponding parts of the frame and two tilting sides of the lens adjacent the opening side of the lens form an oblique angle with their corresponding parts of the frame; a first hinge arrangement and a second hinge arrangement disposed on opposing sides of the frame, so that, when opening the hatch from the closed configuration, the movement of the lens relative to the frame is constrained by first and second hinge arrangements so that both the major opening side of the lens and the minor opening side of the lens move upwards and away from the frame for at least part of the range of movement of the lens relative to the frame. In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for the operation of a hatch according to the first aspect, in which the hatch is opened from the closed configuration to the open configuration and the movement of the lens relative to the frame is constrained by first and second hinge arrangements so that both the major opening side of the lens and the minor opening side of the lens move upwards and away from the frame for at least part of the range of movement of the lens relative to the frame. In a third aspect, the present invention provides a marine draft with a hatch according to the first aspect fitted into a deck of the marine craft. Optional features of the invention are now set out, these being applicable single or in any combination with any aspect of the invention, unless the context demands otherwise. The first and second hinge arrangements may be scissor hinge arrangements. This is considered to be advantageous in view of the potential to occupy a small amount of space with such hinge arrangements while still providing security of the movement path of the lens during opening and security against damage of the hatch while in the open configuration. In some embodiments, the first and second hinge arrangement may each comprise a frame scissoring bar and a lens scissoring bar. The lens scissoring bar may be pivotably fixed at one end to the frame. The lens scissoring bar may have a lens carriage pivotably fixed at an opposing end of the lens scissoring bar. The lens carriage may be constrained to move along a lens track attached at or close to a tilting side of the lens. The frame scissoring bar may be pivotably fixed at one end at or close to a tilting side of the lens. The frame scissoring bar may have a frame carriage pivotably fixed at an opposing end of the frame scissoring bar. The frame carriage may be constrained to move along a frame track attached to the frame. The frame scissoring bar and the lens scissoring bar may be pivotably fixed to each other at a scissor pivot at a position intermediate their respective ends. When opening the hatch from the closed configuration, the frame scissoring bar and the lens scissoring bar may rotate relative to each other about their scissor pivot. The movement of the lens relative to the frame may be constrained by the movement of the lens carriage along the lens track. Furthermore, the movement of the lens relative to the frame may also be constrained by the movement of the frame carriage along the frame track. This cooperative movement may ensure that both the major opening side of the lens and the minor opening side of the lens move upwards and away from the frame for at least part of the range of movement of the lens relative to the frame. At least one handle may be pivotably mounted in the lens to allow the lens to the secured relative to the frame in the closed configuration. Two such handles may be provided. The at least one handle may be provided on the underside of the lens, thereby accessible from a cabin of the vessel. A resistive hinge may join the frame to the minor opening side of the lens. The resistive hinge may permits separation of the minor opening side of the lens from the corresponding side of the frame for at least part of the range of movement of the lens relative to the frame. The resistive hinge may be positioned substantially mid-way along the minor opening side of the lens, between the pivoting sides of the lens. Although in some embodiments the resistive hinge may be relatively bulky compared with other components of the hatch, it is possible with this approach to use only one resistive hinge, thereby improving the profile of the hatch compared with prior hatches which use two relatively bulky hinges. The hatch may be configured so that, when in the closed configuration, the height of the top surface of the lens with respect to the surrounding top surface of the deck is not more than 20mm. More preferably, this height may be not more than 19mm, not more than 18mm, not more than 17mm, not more than 16mm, not more than 15mm, not more than 14mm, not more than 13mm, not more than 12mm, or not more than 11 mm. The lateral extent of each of the first and second hinge arrangement may be not more than 10% of the width of the lens, measured in a direction extending between the tilting sides of the lens, this direction being parallel to the major and minor opening sides of the lens, when the hatch is in the closed configuration. In terms of the projection of the hinge arrangements into the space enclosed by the frame, the lateral extent of the hinge arrangements measured in the same direction as above may be not more than 10% of the width of the space enclosed by the frame. This lateral extent may be not more than 9%, not more than 8%, not more than 7%, not more than 6%, or not more than 5% of the width of the space enclosed by the frame. The invention includes any combination of the aspects and optional features described except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided. Summary of the Figures Embodiments and experiments illustrating the principles of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 shows a highly schematic plan view of a vessel from above, the vessel including a hatch according to an embodiment of the present invention in a closed configuration. Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of part of the deck of a vessel from the front with a hatch according to an embodiment of the present invention fitted into the deck. Figure 3 shows a view of the arrangement of Figure 2 but from the side. Figure 4 shows a plan view from above of a hatch according to embodiment of the present invention in the closed configuration. Figure 5 shows the hatch of Figure 4 from below. Figure 6 shows the hatch of Figure 4 from a front elevational view. Figure 7 shows the hatch of Figure 4 from a side elevational view. Figure 8 shows an orthogonal view from above of the hatch of Figure 4 in a part open configuration. Figure 9 shows the hatch of Figure 8 but from below. Figure 10 shows an orthogonal view from above of the hatch of Figure 4 in a fully open configuration. Figure 11 shows the hatch of Figure 10 from below. Figure 12 shows a view similar to Figure 7 but with the hatch in a minimally open configuration. Figure 13 shows the hatch of Figure 12 in a part open configuration. Figure 14 shows the hatch of Figure 12 in a fully open configuration. Figure 15 shows a view similar to Figure 6 but with the hatch in a minimally open configuration. Figure 16 shows the hatch of Figure 15 in a part open configuration. Figure 17 shows the hatch of Figure 15 in a fully open configuration. Figure 18 shows a view similar to Figure 7 but indicating exemplary dimensions (in mm) of different parts of the hatch. Detailed Description of the Invention Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this text are incorporated herein by reference. Reference numbers are included in the drawings. Similar features in different drawings are provided with similar reference numbers. Some features are described only in respect of one or more drawings and may not be provided with a reference number in all drawings. Figure 1 shows a highly schematic plan view of a vessel 10 from above, the vessel 10 including a hatch 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention in a closed configuration, the hatch being fixed into the deck 14 of the vessel. As will be understood, in reality the vessel 10 will include various other features beyond a hull and a deck, but for the purposes of the present disclosure it is not necessary to describe them in detail here. Below the deck, the vessel has a cabin (not shown) and the hatch is openable in order to provide an opening into the cabin, for example to allow fresh air to enter the cabin. Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of part of the deck 14 of the vessel from the front with the hatch 12 fitted into the deck 14. Figure 3 shows a view of the arrangement of Figure 2 but from the side. As can be seen from these drawings, from above, the hatch has an extremely low profile. This contributes to the neatness of the overall deck of the vessel and also reduces the risk of the hatch providing a trip hazard to users of the vessel walking on the deck. Figure 4 shows a plan view from above of the hatch 12 in the closed configuration. Figures 5-7 show the same hatch from different viewpoints. The hatch has a lens 20 formed from a light-transmissive material. The material may be transparent, with or without tinting. If tinting is provided, this reduces the brightness of light passing through the lens and provides a degree of privacy for the interior of the cabin. The lens 20 has a generally rectangular shape, or generally square shape, with rounded corners to avoid presenting sharp corners. The upper surface of the lens 20 has a chamfered shape 22 towards the outer periphery of the lens. This helps to present a low profile for the hatch and also avoid presenting sharp edges. The hatch has a frame 24 (best seen in Fig. 5) which has a generally similar shape to the lens but a slightly small width so that when the hatch is in the closed configuration, the lens overlies and overlaps the frame and seals against the frame. The frame is typically formed from metal such as stainless steel or aluminium. The frame is fitted into a corresponding aperture formed in the deck (the aperture being formed by cutting or moulding, for example) and may be screwed into place to be firmly fixed with respect to the deck. The frame includes two catches 26, 28 for engagement with dogs 30, 32 respectively which are attached to handles 34, 36 respectively. Handles 34, 36 are attached to the lens 20 by attachment bosses 38, 40, permitting rotation of the handles 34, 36 with respect to the lens 20. The handles are provided on the underside of the lens 20. In this way, the handles can be turned by the user in the cabin in order to disengage the dogs 30, 32 from the catches 26, 28, thereby permitting opening of the hatch. As can be seen in Fig. 6, the dogs 30, 32 have a chamfered engagement surface 30a, 32a in order to provide a cam engagement with the catches 26, 28 so that as the hatch is closed, the rotation of the handles progressively draws the lens into a tight sealing engagement with the frame. At the opposite side of the hatch from the handles 34, 26 is provided a resistive hinge such as a friction hinge 42. This is described in more detail below. At the other sides of the hatch are provided scissor hinges that are described in more detail below. Figure 8 shows an orthogonal view from above of the hatch in a part open configuration and Figure 9 shows the hatch from below. Figure 10 shows an orthogonal view from above of the hatch when in a fully open configuration and Figure 11 shows the hatch from below. Figures 12 and 15 show views similar to Figures 7 and 6 respectively, but with the hatch in a minimally open configuration. Figures 13 and 16 show the hatch in a part open configuration. Figures 14 and 18 show the hatch in a fully open configuration. As can be seen from the drawings, the embodiment of the hatch has a four-sided frame 24 configured to be attached in an opening in the deck. A corresponding four-sided lens 20 is moveable between a closed configuration in which the lens 20 seals against the frame 24 and an open configuration in which the lens 20 is disposed in a position tilted upwardly away from the frame 20. Referring to Figure 13, a major opening side 20a of the lens is the side of the lens that remains parallel to a corresponding side 24a of the frame and travels the greatest distance with respect to the frame. A minor opening side 24b of the lens also remains parallel to a corresponding part 24b of the frame but travels a shorted distance than the major opening side 20a of the lens. Referring to Figure 16, one tilting side 20c of the lens forms an oblique angle with a corresponding part 24c of the frame. Another tilting side 20d of the lens forms an oblique angle with a corresponding part 24d of the frame. First hinge arrangement 52 and second hinge arrangement 54 are disposed on opposing sides of the frame 24. As shown throughout the drawings and in particular from Figure 12, 13 and 14, when opening the hatch from the closed configuration, the movement of the lens 20 relative to the frame 24 is constrained by the first and second hinge arrangements so that both the major opening side 20a of the lens and the minor opening side 20b of the lens move upwards and away from the frame for at least part of the range of movement of the lens relative to the frame. The first and second hinge arrangements are mirror symmetrical to each other and therefore it is only necessary to describe in detail the operation of one of them. Each hinge arrangement comprises a frame scissoring bar and a lens scissoring bar. The lens scissoring bar 62 is pivotably fixed at one end 62a to the frame 24 and has a lens carriage 64 pivotably fixed at an opposing end 62b. The lens carriage is constrained to move along a lens track 66 attached at or close to a tilting side 20c of the lens. The frame scissoring bar 72 is pivotably fixed at one end 72a at or close to a tilting side 20c of the lens and has a frame carriage 74 pivotably fixed at an opposing end 72b. The frame carriage 74 is constrained to move along a frame track 76 attached to the frame 24. The frame scissoring bar 72 and the lens scissoring bar 62 are pivotably fixed to each other at a scissor pivot 70 at a position intermediate their respective ends 72a, 72b, 62a, 62b. When opening the hatch from the closed configuration, the frame scissoring bar 72 and the lens scissoring bar 62 rotate relative to each other about their scissor pivot 70. The movement of the lens 20 relative to the frame 24 is constrained by the movement of the lens carriage 64 along the lens track 66 and the frame carriage 74 along the frame track 76. The effect of this as shown in the drawings is that both the major opening side 20a of the lens and the minor opening side 20b of the lens move upwards and away from the frame 24 for the initial part of the range of movement of the lens relative to the frame, this initial range of movement being shown in Figures 12 and 13 for example. The friction hinge 42 joins the frame to the lens. It will be understood that a friction hinge is an example of a resistive hinge, that is, a hinge which is resistant to movement or which urges against movement. Such properties can be provided by suitable interaction of frictional surfaces, or by resilient members such as springs, or combinations of these features. The friction hinge 42 is disposed at the minor opening side 20b of the lens and the corresponding side 24b of the frame. As shown in the drawings, the friction hinge permits the lifting of the lens from the frame to provide clearance in at least part of the range of movement of the lens in the open configuration. The friction hinge has a frame arm 42a pivotably connected to the frame and a lens arm 42b pivotably connected to the lens. An intermediate pivot connection 42c is provided between the frame arm 42a and the lens arm 42b. The intermediate pivot connection 42c is provided with a resistance mechanism which resists relative movement of the lens arm 42a and the lens arm 42b. The degree of resistance provided by the resistance mechanism is calibrated to be capable of supporting the lens in the open configuration in any position of the lens relative to the frame permitted by the hinge arrangements 50, 52. As indicated by Figure 18, the preferred height of the top surface of the lens with respect to the surrounding top surface of the deck is about 15mm, more preferably about 10mm. An additional protrusion from the lens top surface may be permitted to allow the friction hinge to be secured to the lens, but other means of securing the friction hinge to the lens may be used without such a protrusion. Considering Figure 5, a particular advantage of the hatch is considered to be the additional low profile format of the hinge arrangements 50, 52. The hinge arrangements provide a secure constraint of the path of movement of the lens during opening but occupy only a small proportion of the total space occupied by the hatch. For example, the lateral extent of each of the first and second hinge arrangement may be not more than 10% of the width of the lens, measured parallel to the direction from side 20c to side 20d of the lens in a direction parallel to sides 20a and 20b of the lens when the hatch is in the closed configuration. The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof. While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations. Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described. Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” and “include”, and variations such as “comprises”, “comprising”, and “including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and / or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and / or to the other particular 5 value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term “about” in relation to a numerical value is optional and means for example + / -10%. A number of publications are cited above in order to more fully describe and disclose the invention and 10 the state of the art to which the invention pertains. The entirety of each of these references is incorporated herein.

Claims

1. A hatch configured to be fitted into a deck of a marine craft, the hatch comprising:a four-sided frame configured to be attached in an opening in the deck;a four-sided lens moveable between a closed configuration in which the lens seals against the frame and an open configuration in which the lens is disposed in a position tilted upwardly away from the frame so that a major opening side of the lens and a minor opening side of the lens remain parallel with their corresponding parts of the frame and two tilting sides of the lens adjacent the opening side of the lens form an oblique angle with their corresponding parts of the frame;a first hinge arrangement and a second hinge arrangement disposed on opposing sides of the frame,so that, when opening the hatch from the closed configuration, the movement of the lens relative to the frame is constrained by first and second hinge arrangements so that both the major opening side of the lens and the minor opening side of the lens move upwards and away from the frame for at least part of the range of movement of the lens relative to the frame.

2. A hatch according to claim 1 wherein the first and second hinge arrangements are scissor hinge arrangements.

3. A hatch according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the first and second hinge arrangement each comprises a frame scissoring bar and a lens scissoring bar, wherein:the lens scissoring bar is pivotably fixed at one end to the frame and has a lens carriage pivotably fixed at an opposing end, the lens carriage being constrained to move along a lens track attached at or close to a tilting side of the lens;the frame scissoring bar is pivotably fixed at one end at or close to a tilting side of the lens and has a frame carriage pivotably fixed at an opposing end, the frame carriage being constrained to move along a frame track attached to the frame;the frame scissoring bar and the lens scissoring bar are pivotably fixed to each other at a scissor pivot at a position intermediate their respective ends,so that, when opening the hatch from the closed configuration, the frame scissoring bar and the lens scissoring bar rotate relative to each other about their scissor pivot and the movement of the lens relative to the frame is constrained by the movement of the lens carriage along the lens track and the frame carriage along the frame track so that both the major opening side of the lens and the minor opening side of the lens move upwards and away from the frame for at least part of the range of movement of the lens relative to the frame.

4. A hatch according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein at least one handle is pivotably mounted in the lens to allow the lens to the secured relative to the frame in the closed configuration.

5. A hatch according to claim 4 wherein the at least one handle is provided on the underside of the lens, thereby accessible from a cabin of the vessel.

6. A hatch according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein a resistive hinge joins the frame to the minor opening side of the lens.

7. A hatch according to claim 6 wherein the resistive hinge permits separation of the minor opening side of the lens from the corresponding side of the frame for at least part of the range of movement of the lens relative to the frame.

8. A hatch according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the resistive hinge is positioned substantially midway along the minor opening side of the lens, between the pivoting sides of the lens.

9. A hatch according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the hatch is configured so that, when in the closed configuration, the height of the top surface of the lens with respect to the surrounding top surface of the deck is not more than 20mm.

10. A hatch according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the lateral extent of each of the first and second hinge arrangement is not more than 10% of the width of the lens, measured in a direction extending between the tilting sides of the lens, this direction being parallel to the major and minor opening sides of the lens, when the hatch is in the closed configuration.

11. A method for the operation of a hatch according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in which the hatch is opened from the closed configuration to the open configuration and the movement of the lens relative to the frame is constrained by first and second hinge arrangements so that both the major opening side of the lens and the minor opening side of the lens move upwards and away from the frame for at least part of the range of movement of the lens relative to the frame.

12. A marine draft with a hatch according to any one of claims 1 to 11 fitted into a deck of the marine craft.12

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