Configurable hatch railing system

Abstract

A hatch railing system has at least one railing assembly having at least one base beam rigidly mountable onto a hatchway of a hatch and a first railing rotatably connected to the at least one base beam. The first railing assembly has (i) a locked configuration in which the first railing extends vertically from the hatchway with the first railing prevented from 5 rotating relative to the at least one base beam and (ii) an unlocked configuration in which the first railing is free to rotate relative to the at least one base beam to stow the first railing horizontally into the hatchway. A railing system may have two or more railing assemblies mountable at different sides of the hatchway with corresponding railings that may be stowed on top of one another within the hatchway.

Description

CONFIGURABLE HATCH RAILING SYSTEMCross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional application no. 63 / 517,468, filed on 08 / 03 / 23, and U.S. provisional application no. 63 / 592,871 , filed on 10 / 24 / 23, the teachings of both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUNDField of the Disclosure

[0002] The present disclosure relates to access hatches that provide access, for example, to lower levels of commercial or industrial chambers, vaults, or other rooms or quarters.Description of the Related Art

[0003] This section introduces aspects that may help facilitate a better understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, the statements of this section are to be read in this light and are not to be understood as admissions about what is prior art or what is not prior art.

[0004] Access hatches are used either inside or outside to gain access to chambers, vaults, pumps, electrical equipment, and other below-surface apparatus. When the hatch lid is open, the opening becomes a hazard according to OSHA Standards 1910.29 and must be protected to keep people from falling into the opening. Approximately 900 accidents occur each year due to this hazard and approximately 90% result in fatality.

[0005] The traditional method for protection is to install temporary railings around the opening or to provide a portable tie-off system at the opening. There are issues with these traditional methods of fall protection. First, the fall-protection devices must be on the job site. Then, workers must install and use them properly. Additionally, these devices must be inspected and properly maintained, and ongoing training is required when using these devices.SUMMARY

[0006] Problems in the prior art are addressed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure by a configurable hatch railing system that eliminates relevant hazards. The system is designed for new and retrofit applications. The railing system can be usedindependently on virtually any opening (e.g., a hatchway) in a (e.g., walking / driving) surface. The railing system has one or more railing assemblies that mount to a hatchway and can remain permanently in place, yet is designed to be easily detached. In its deployed and locked configuration, the railing of each railing assembly extends substantially vertically from the hatchway to provide a barrier to entry into the hatchway. In its unlocked and stowed configuration, the railing of each railing assembly is rotated to lie substantially horizontal within the hatchway enabling the hatch door(s) to cover the hatchway with the entire railing system stowed below.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Embodiments of the disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective, top-down view of a configurable hatch railing system, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the railing system of FIG. 1 showing first and second hatch doors;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one of the four base beams of FIG. 1;

[0011] FIGs. 4A and 4B are side and hybrid views of an alternative technique for mounting the base beams of FIG. 1 onto a hatchway;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a front view of one of the two kickplate assemblies of FIG. 1; and

[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bottom portion of the second railing assembly of FIG. 1 mounted onto the inner wall of a hatchway.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Detailed illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein. However, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments of the present disclosure. The present disclosure may be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein. Further, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments of the disclosure.

[0015] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the," are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It further will be understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "contains," "containing," "includes," and / or "including," specify the presence of stated features, steps, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, or components. It also should be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions / acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functions / acts involved.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective, top-down view of a configurable hatch railing system 100 in its deployed and locked configuration for a rectangular hatch (not shown), according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the railing system 100 of FIG. 1 showing the first and second hatch doors 202 and 204 of the hatch.

[0017] The railing system 100 has the following four railing assemblies:• A first railing assembly 110 having (i) a first pair of base beams 102 that get mounted onto a first side of the hatch’s hatchway, (ii) a first railing 112, and (iii) a first kickplate assembly 116;• A second railing assembly 120 having (i) a second pair of base beams 102 that get mounted onto a second (e.g., opposing) side of the hatchway, (ii) a second railing 122, (iii) a gate 130 that is rotatably connected to the second railing 122, and (iv) a second kickplate assembly 126;• A third railing assembly 140 having a base portion 142 that gets rigidly mounted to the inner surface of the first hatch door 202 (as shown in FIG. 2) and a telescoping railing 144 that can be extended vertically from the base portion 142; and• A fourth railing assembly 150 having a base portion 152 that gets rigidly mounted to the inner surface of the second hatch door 204 (as shown in FIG. 2) and a telescoping railing 154 that can be extended vertically from the base portion 152.Those skilled in the art will understand that some hatches have a single, rotatable hatch door that covers the entire hatchway. For those hatches, a railing system of the disclosure can have a third railing assembly analogous to the first railing assembly 110 to be mounted onto the exposed, third side of the hatchway. Similarly, some hatches have one or two fully removable hatch doors. For those hatches, a railing system of the disclosure can have third and fourth railing assemblies analogous to the first railing assembly 110 to be mounted onto the exposed, third and fourth sides of the hatchway.

[0018] The gate 130 has (i) a first gate element 132 that is rotatably connected to the second railing 122 and (ii) a second gate element 134 that is slidably connected to the first gate element 132. In the deployed and locked configuration of FIG. 1 , the gate 130 can be opened to allow access past the second railing assembly 120 into the hatchway by (i) sliding the second gate element 134 onto the first gate element 132 and / or (ii) rotating the first gate element 132 with respect to the second railing 122. As described further below, for the unlocked and stowed configuration, the first gate element 132 is rotated (counterclockwise in FIG. 1) onto the second railing 122.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one of the four base beams 102 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the base beam 102 has (i) a mounting plate 302 with one or more pairs of bolt holes 304 to secure the base beam 102 onto the inner wall of a hatchway (as in FIG. 6) and (ii) two post-positioning plates 306, welded to and extending perpendicularly from the mounting plate 302, each post-positioning plate 306 having a notch 308 and a number of pairs of attachment holes 310 for rotatably connecting to the end of a vertical post (e.g., post 114 or 124 of FIG. 1) at different pivot points (for different configurations of the railing system 100 of FIG. 1).

[0020] FIGs. 4A and 4B are side and hybrid views of an alternative technique for mounting the base beams 102 of FIG. 1 onto a hatchway. As represented, a base beam 102 is connected (e.g., bolted) to an L-shaped bracket 402, which is secured (e.g., screwed) onto a horizontal surface just outside the hatchway.

[0021] In alternative embodiments, a base beam 102 can be secured using only one bolt.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a front view of the second kickplate assembly 126 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 5, kickplate assembly 126 has (i) a kickplate 510 having an opening 512 that functions as a grab handle and (ii) two relatively thin, shaped retention plates 520, e.g., bolted onto the kickplate 510, each retention plate 520 having a tongue 522 that extends below the kickplate 510. Because the retention plates 520 are separate from the kickplate 510, the retention plates 520 can be mounted onto the kickplate 510 at different locations. In some implementations, the retention plates 520 (and the tongues 512) are made of material that is stronger than the material used to make the kickplate 510. In other embodiments, the retention plates 520 (and the tongues 512) are part of the kickplate 510.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bottom portion of the second railing assembly 120 of FIG. 1 mounted onto the inner wall 602 of a hatchway. As shown in FIG. 6, the two base beams 102 of the second railing assembly 120 are bolted onto the inner wall 602. The bottom end of each of the two vertical (in FIG. 6) posts 124 of the assembly’s secondrailing 122 is pivotally connected to one of the base beams 102 at a pivot point 604. Kickplate assembly 126 is slidably connected to the two vertical posts 124 via brackets 606. Each retention plate 520 has a tongue 522 that slides into the two notches 308 of FIG. 3 of one of the base beams 102 when the kickplate assembly 126 is lowered towards the base beams 102. In this locked configuration, the vertical posts 124 (and therefore the entire second railing 122) cannot rotate about their pivot points 604 relative to the base beams 102.

[0024] To stow the second railing assembly 120 into the hatchway, the kickplate assembly 126 is slid up the vertical posts 124 to remove the tongues 522 from the base beam notches 308, thereby freeing the vertical posts 124 (and therefore the entire second railing 122) to rotate in this unlocked configuration about their pivot points 604 relative to the base beams 102 to stow the second railing assembly 120 substantially horizontal within the hatchway.

[0025] The first railing assembly 110 has a configuration of elements, similar to the elements shown in FIG. 6 for the first railing assembly 120, that enables the first kickplate assembly 116 to (i) lock the first railing assembly 110 into its deployed and locked configuration by sliding the first kickplate assembly’s tongues into the corresponding notches 308 of the first railing assembly’s two base beams 102 and (ii) unlock the first railing assembly 110 by sliding the first kickplate assembly’s tongues out of those base beam notches 308, thereby freeing the first railing 112 to rotate relative to the base beams 102 into a horizontal position within the hatchway.

[0026] FIGs. 7A and 7B show plan and exploded views of one of the brackets 606 of FIG. 6. As shown in FIGs. 7A and 7B, each bracket 606 comprises a II bolt 702, two sleeve bearings 704 that receive the threaded arms of the II bolt 702, and two pairs of nuts that connect the bracket 606 to the kickplate assembly (e.g., 116 / 126 of FIG. 1) with a post (e.g., 114 / 124 of FIG. 1) located between the bracket 606 and the kickplate assembly, as illustrated in FIG. 6 for kickplate assembly 126 and posts 124. The sleeve bearings 704 are free to rotate about the ll-bolt arms, thereby enabling the kickplate assembly to slide up and down along the posts without seizing.

[0027] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the first railing 112 of FIG. 1 showing kickplate assembly 116 slidably connected to posts 114, where the kickplate assembly is prevented from sliding further down the posts by two tethered keys 802 inserted into corresponding vertical slots in the posts 114. As shown in FIG. 8A, the two tongues 522 of the kickplate assembly are supported on the keys 802.

[0028] FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of a key 802 of FIG. 8A inserted into the slot 804 in a hollow post 114. As shown in FIG. 8B, the key 802 has a rectangular recess 806 that has a width that is slightly larger than the thickness of the wall of the post 114. To engage the key 802 with the post 114, the key 802 is first inserted into the slot 804 in a first direction (from left to right in FIG. 8B) up to the recess 806 and then the key 802 moved in a perpendicular direction (down in FIG. 8B) such that the recess 806 receives the corresponding section of the post wall. As shown in FIG. 8B, the rectangular end of the key 802 extends almost to the far wall of the post, which limits the rotation of the engaged key, thereby preventing the engaged key from accidentally falling inside the post and / or inadvertently disengaging from the post. Removing the engaged key from the post involves a reversal of the two orthogonal motions used to engage the key (i.e. , first moving the key up and then to the left in FIG. 8).

[0029] Although not explicitly represented in FIG. 8A, the slots 804 in the posts 114 are located such that, when the keys 802 are engaged to support the kickplate assembly 116 (as shown in FIG. 8A), the kickplate assembly is located above the notches 308 of the corresponding base beams 102 of FIG. 1, thereby enabling the railing (112 / 114 of FIG. 1) to rotate with respect to the base beams 102 without interference from the kickplate assembly when the railing assembly (110 / 120 of FIG. 1) is in its unlocked configuration. To configure the railing assembly in its locked configuration, the kickplate assembly is slid up the posts far enough to disengage both keys from the posts, thereby enabling the kickplate assembly to slid down the posts to engage the kickplate assembly’s tongues 522 with the base beam’s notches 308, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0030] FIG. 8C is a zoomed-in, perspective view showing the kickplate assembly 116 positioned below the slot 804 in the post 114 after the key 802 has been disengaged from the slot 804 to allow the kickplate assembly to slide down the post. Note that, in the view of FIG. 8C, the key has then been re-engaged within the slot.

[0031] As shown in FIGs. 8B-8C, the key 802 has a hole 810 to which a lanyard 808 is connected and used to secure the key to the kickplate assembly 116.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1 , also mounted to suitable attachment holes 310 (FIG. 3) of the two base beams 102 of the first railing assembly 110 are two (removable) support brackets 118 that receive the two posts 114 of the first railing 112 when the first railing 112 is rotated into its unlocked and stowed configuration within the hatchway. In a preferred unlocked and stowed configuration, the first railing 112 is first rotated into the hatchway and onto the support brackets 118. The second railing 122 (with the gate 130 rotated onto the outer side of the second railing 122) is then rotated into the hatchway and onto the first railing 112. The hatch doors 202 and 204 (with their telescoping railings 144 and 154 intheir retracted configurations) can then be rotated to cover the hatchway with the entire railing system 100 stowed below.

[0033] The railing system 100 is designed to be mounted within the hatchway such that the one- or two-door (depending on the situation) hatch cover can be placed over the hatchway without physical interference from any elements of the railing system 100. The railing system 100 is preferably designed to be strong enough to support the weight of a person who falls onto the stowed system before the hatch doors are closed.

[0034] In the embodiments of FIG. 1 , the first and second railings 112 and 122 have fixed heights. In other embodiments, one or both railings 112 and 122 may be telescoping railings that can be extended to greater heights when the railing system is in its deployed and locked configuration. Note that, instead of being fixed or telescoping, any of the railings may be pivoting railings.

[0035] With the exception of resilient (e.g., rubber) rollers at the end of the support brackets 118, all of the elements of the railing system 100 are made of suitable metals such as steel and / or aluminum.

[0036] Although the railing system 100 of FIG. 1 has two base beams 102 for each of the first and second railing assemblies 110 and 120, it is possible to support the railing of a railing assembly using a single base beam 102.

[0037] Although the railing system 100 of FIG. 1 has first and second railing assemblies 110 and 120, it is possible to provide a railing system of the disclosure with only one railing assembly. For example, if the hatch is adjacent to a wall, then only one railing assembly (having a gate similar to gate 130 of FIG. 1) may be needed. That single railing assembly would still have support brackets (similar to support brackets 118 of FIG. 1) to receive and support the railing of that railing assembly in its unlocked and stowed configuration.

[0038] In certain embodiments, the present disclosure is a hatch railing system comprising a first railing assembly comprising (i) at least one base beam rigidly mountable at a first side of a hatchway of a hatch and (ii) a first railing rotatably connected to the at least one base beam. The first railing assembly has a locked configuration in which the first railing extends vertically from the hatchway with the first railing prevented from rotating relative to the at least one base beam, and the first railing assembly has an unlocked configuration in which the first railing is free to rotate relative to the at least one base beam to stow the first railing horizontally into the hatchway.

[0039] In at least some of the above embodiments, the first railing assembly further comprises a kickplate slidably connected to the first railing. In the locked configuration, thekickplate engages with the at least one base beam to prevent the first railing from rotating relative to the at least one base beam. In the unlocked configuration, the kickplate is disengaged from the at least one base beam to enable the first railing to rotate relative to the at least one base beam.

[0040] In at least some of the above embodiments, the kickplate is slidably connected to the first railing using (i) a II bolt having two ll-bolt arms and (ii) at least one sleeve bearing on at least one of the ll-bolt arms.

[0041] In at least some of the above embodiments, a post of the first railing has a slot that receives a removable key that prevents the kickplate from sliding down the post when the key is inserted in the slot.

[0042] In at least some of the above embodiments, the kickplate has at least one tongue that extends from the kickplate; and the at least one base beam has a notch that receives a corresponding tongue of the kickplate in the locked configuration.

[0043] In at least some of the above embodiments, the system further comprises at least one support bracket connectable to the at least one base beam and configured to support the first railing horizontally within the hatchway.

[0044] In at least some of the above embodiments, the system further comprises (i) a second railing assembly comprising at least one other base beam rigidly mountable at a second side of the hatchway and (ii) a second railing (e.g., 122) rotatably connected to the at least one other base beam. The second railing assembly has a locked configuration in which the second railing extends vertically from hatchway with the second railing prevented from rotating relative to the at least one other base beam. The second railing assembly has an unlocked configuration in which the second railing is free to rotate relative to the at least one other base beam to stow the second railing horizontally into the hatchway on top of the stowed first railing.

[0045] In at least some of the above embodiments, the second railing assembly further comprises a gate (e.g., 130) rotatably connected to the second railing to (i) allow access to the hatchway and to (ii) stow the gate on top of the second railing within the hatchway.

[0046] In at least some of the above embodiments, the gate is a telescoping gate comprising a first portion rotatably connected to the second railing and a second portion slidably connected to the first portion to provide a telescoping function to the gate.

[0047] In at least some of the above embodiments, the system further comprises at least one hatch-door railing assembly mountable to an inner surface of a hatch door of the hatch.

[0048] In at least some of the above embodiments, the at least one hatch-door railing assembly is a telescoping assembly comprising a base portion rigidly mountable to the inner surface of the hatch door and a telescoping railing slidably coupled to the base portion to provide a telescoping function to the hatch-door railing assembly.

[0049] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, each numerical value and range should be interpreted as being approximate as if the word “about” or “approximately” preceded the value or range.

[0050] The use of figure numbers and / or figure reference labels in the claims is intended to identify one or more possible embodiments of the claimed subject matter in order to facilitate the interpretation of the claims. Such use is not to be construed as necessarily limiting the scope of those claims to the embodiments shown in the corresponding figures.

[0051] Reference herein to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments necessarily mutually exclusive of other embodiments. The same applies to the term “implementation.”

[0052] Unless otherwise specified herein, the use of the ordinal adjectives “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., to refer to an object of a plurality of like objects merely indicates that different instances of such like objects are being referred to, and is not intended to imply that the like objects so referred-to have to be in a corresponding order or sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

[0053] Also for purposes of this description, the terms “couple,” “coupling,” “coupled,” “connect,” “connecting,” or “connected” refer to any manner known in the art or later developed in which energy is allowed to be transferred between two or more elements, and the interposition of one or more additional elements is contemplated, although not required. Conversely, the terms “directly coupled,” “directly connected,” etc., imply the absence of such additional elements. The same type of distinction applies to the use of terms “attached” and “directly attached,” as applied to a description of a physical structure. For example, a relatively thin layer of adhesive or other suitable binder can be used to implement such “direct attachment” of the two corresponding components in such physical structure.

[0054] The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as only illustrative and not restrictive. In particular, the scope of the disclosure is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the description and figures herein. All changes that comewithin the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

[0055] In this specification including any claims, the term "each" may be used to refer to one or more specified characteristics of a plurality of previously recited elements or steps. When used with the open-ended term "comprising," the recitation of the term "each" does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or steps. Thus, it will be understood that an apparatus may have additional, unrecited elements and a method may have additional, unrecited steps, where the additional, unrecited elements or steps do not have the one or more specified characteristics.

[0056] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements. For example, the phrases “at least one of A and B” and “at least one of A or B” are both to be interpreted to have the same meaning, encompassing the following three possibilities: 1- only A; 2- only B; 3- both A and B.

[0057] All documents mentioned herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety or alternatively to provide the disclosure for which they were specifically relied upon.

[0058] The embodiments covered by the claims in this application are limited to embodiments that (1) are enabled by this specification and (2) correspond to statutory subject matter. Non-enabled embodiments and embodiments that correspond to non- statutory subject matter are explicitly disclaimed even if they fall within the scope of the claims.

[0059] As used herein and in the claims, the term “provide” with respect to an apparatus or with respect to a system, device, or component encompasses designing or fabricating the apparatus, system, device, or component; causing the apparatus, system, device, or component to be designed or fabricated; and / or obtaining the apparatus, system, device, or component by purchase, lease, rental, or other contractual arrangement.

[0060] While preferred embodiments of the disclosure have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the disclosure. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the disclosure described herein may be employed in practicing the technology of the disclosure. It is intended that the followingclaims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A hatch railing system (e.g., 100) comprising a first railing assembly (e.g., 110) comprising: at least one base beam (e.g., 102) rigidly mountable at a first side of a hatchway of a hatch; and a first railing (e.g., 112) rotatably connected to the at least one base beam, wherein: the first railing assembly has a locked configuration in which the first railing extends vertically from the hatchway with the first railing prevented from rotating relative to the at least one base beam; and the first railing assembly has an unlocked configuration in which the first railing is free to rotate relative to the at least one base beam to stow the first railing horizontally into the hatchway.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first railing assembly further comprises a kickplate (e.g., 116 / 126) slidably connected to the first railing, wherein: in the locked configuration, the kickplate engages with the at least one base beam to prevent the first railing from rotating relative to the at least one base beam; and in the unlocked configuration, the kickplate is disengaged from the at least one base beam to enable the first railing to rotate relative to the at least one base beam.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the kickplate is slidably connected to the first railing using (i) a II bolt having two ll-bolt arms and (ii) at least one sleeve bearing on at least one of the ll-bolt arms.

4. The system of any of claims 2-3, wherein a post of the first railing has a slot that receives a removable key that supports the kickplate above the slot and prevents the kickplate from sliding down the post when the key is engaged within the slot.

5. The system of any of claims 2-4, wherein: the kickplate has at least one tongue that extends from the kickplate; and the at least one base beam has a notch that receives a corresponding tongue of the kickplate in the locked configuration.

6. The system of any of claims 1-5, further comprising at least one support bracket (e.g., 118) connectable to the at least one base beam and configured to support the first railing horizontally within the hatchway.

7. The system of any of claims 1-6, further comprising a second railing assembly (e.g., 120) comprising: at least one other base beam (e.g., 102) rigidly mountable at a second side of the hatchway; and a second railing (e.g., 122) rotatably connected to the at least one other base beam, wherein: the second railing assembly has a locked configuration in which the second railing extends vertically from hatchway with the second railing prevented from rotating relative to the at least one other base beam; and the second railing assembly has an unlocked configuration in which the second railing is free to rotate relative to the at least one other base beam to stow the second railing horizontally into the hatchway on top of the stowed first railing.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the second railing assembly further comprises a gate (e.g., 130) rotatably connected to the second railing to (i) allow access to the hatchway and to (ii) stow the gate on top of the second railing within the hatchway.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the gate is a telescoping gate comprising: a first portion rotatably connected to the second railing; and a second portion slidably connected to the first portion to provide a telescoping function to the gate.

10. The system of any of claims 1-9, further comprising at least one hatch-door railing assembly mountable to an inner surface of a hatch door of the hatch.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one hatch-door railing assembly is a telescoping assembly comprising: a base portion rigidly mountable to the inner surface of the hatch door; and a telescoping railing slidably coupled to the base portion to provide a telescoping function to the hatch-door railing assembly.

Images