FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cover means for hatches and in particular to a cover means for a boat hatch or similar opening. BACKGROUND ART

Many boats are provided with hatch assemblies on the fore deck to provide a means to access the deck for such tasks as cleaning, setting and retrieving the anchor for the boat. The typical hatch includes a hatch cover hinged along one edge to a coaming extending around a rectangular opening in the deck. Adjustable means are usually provided for holding the hatch cover open at a desired angle. Such a hatch on a small boat is typically mounted with the hatch cover hinged along the aft edge of the hatch opening so that the wind will be directed below deck when the boat rides at anchor.

The hatch also provides for ventilation of small enclosed spaces such as sailboat and powerboat cabins, recreational vehicles such as camper shells, trailers, and motor homes, and other similar confined areas. This is desired for the comfort of the occupants. The need is magnified in warm humid weather where the reduction in evaporative cooling caused by high humidity can be offset by increased airflow.

Another concern in areas of high humidity is the frequency of passing rain showers, particularly at night on or near large bodies of water. A restful night's sleep in the cabin of a sailboat or motor cruiser can be interrupted by the need to first close ventilating hatches when a rain shower begins and then reopen them again after the shower passes.

Therefore, there are generally two competing interests in regard to a boat hatch or similar, namely an owner's desire to have the hatch open to allow for ventilation and the circulation of airflow and the need to prevent ingress of water either from inclement weather or from spray.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a cover means for a hatch or similar which may at least partially overcome the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in a ventilating cover device for a hatch, the cover device including a cover member, at least two support members for

supporting the cover member and at least one ventilation means to allow circulation of air through the cover means while preventing access to inclement weather.

The cover device of the present invention will typically allow the hatch to be open for ventilation and the circulation of airflow and minimize or prevent ingress of water either from inclement weather or from spray. The cover device will preferably extend over the hatch in all directions and be spaced from the hatch (even when open) so as not to be damaged or to prevent the hatch being opened.

Particularly when applied to boats and marine vessels, the prevailing wind will cause the vessel to be oriented in a "bow to the wind" direction when the boat rides at anchor. For the purposes of this specification, "forward" or "windward" is the direction from which the prevailing wind is blowing and "rearward" is the leeward side.

The cover device includes a cover member for substantially enclosing the hatch for the prevention of ingress of water or spray. The cover member may be formed from one or more portions which are attached together to form the member or it may be provided as a unitary member. The unitary member is preferred for the purposes of the present invention as the joins provided in the multipart member may be more prone to leaks.

The cover member may be manufactured from any material suitable to act as a barrier to water or spray. The cover member is therefore substantially water resistant or waterproof. A typical material of construction will be a plastic material.

Preferably, the plastic may be a flexible type to allow for the cover device to be collapsible for storage and the like.

The plastic material may be transparent, opaque, coloured, have a pattern applied thereto or have a logo or trade mark applied thereto according to the user's discretion. Particularly preferred plastics for use according to the present invention include low density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE).

Any substantially water resistant or waterproof material may be used and the cover member need not be limited to manufacture from plastic. For example, the cover member may be manufactured from a treated fabric instead of a plastic material.

The cover member is large enough to preferably cover the hatch in a

substantially U-shaped configuration when viewed from an end. The cover member will typically have a cover portion oriented substantially parallel to the deck or other support surface into which the hatch is fitted and extend over the top of the hatch and a pair of spaced apart depending side skirt portions located on the lateral sides of the cover portion to cover the sides of the hatch. The cover member will generally be attached or mounted to the support members in order to fix the cover member relative to the hatch and to maintain the shape of the cover device.

The cover member may be attached to the support members using any suitable method. Some examples of method which may be used are stitching, sonic welding, heat sealing, adhesives or particularly preferred is the method of providing sleeve portions on or in the cover member such that the support members may be inserted into the sleeve portions.

The cover device includes at least two support members for supporting the cover member. Preferably, there will be a plurality of support members provided of different types and together the support members typically form a support frame assembly. Each of the support members provided will typically be manufactured of a material which is resistant to corrosion given the application of the present invention.

A particularly preferred material for manufacture of the support members may be a light but strong metal such as stainless steel and preferably of Type 316. Another preferred alternative material is fiberglass. Each of the support members will typically be rod members and may be of any cross-sectional shape.

There will generally be at least two side members provided. The side members will typically be provided to rest or be secured to the deck or other support surface surrounding the hatch. Each side member will typically be elongate and preferably substantially straight members. The side members may preferably be length adjustable to allow for the device to be adapted to suit the size of various hatches which may be fitted.

Each of the side members may be attachable or securable relative to the deck or other support surface of the hatch or the like. This attachment may be accomplished using any suitable method.

There may also be at least two substantially U-shaped members, and preferably three, provided according to the present invention. These U-shaped members may extend generally upwardly away from the deck or support surface into

which the hatch is fitted to space the cover portion and side skirt portions from the hatch itself.

Each U-shaped member preferably includes a pair of spaced apart upright arms with a cross-member linking the upright arms. There will typically be a U-shaped member located at either longitudinal end of the cover device and a third U- shaped member provided approximately midway along the length of the device.

Preferably the end members may be attached to the cover member using the sleeve portions described above, but the centrally located U-shaped member is typically not attached to the cover member but is provided to maintain the shape of the cover member above the hatch.

Each of the end U-shaped members will typically be angled away from a central point of the hatch in a longitudinal direction to create a forward and an rearward extending "hood" portion. Typically, an upper portion of the upright arms of the U-shaped members is preferably located further from the central point of the hatch than a lower portion of the upright arms.

Each of the spaced apart upright arms and the cross-member of each U- shaped member may preferably be length adjustable to allow for the device to be adapted to suit the size of various hatches which may be fitted. hi order to facilitate the attachment of the device relative to the deck or other support surface in which the hatch is fitted, a plurality of boss members may be provided in the deck or support surface, surrounding the hatch. Preferably, a lower portion of the upright arm members of the U-shaped members may be received in the bosses to locate the cover device and fix it, at least temporarily relative to the hatch.

Suitably, the bosses may be provided such that their uppermost portion is flush with the deck or support surface.

The lower portion of the upright arms may also be associated with the side members and the side members may be provided with portions to be received in the bosses.

The cover device also includes at least one ventilation means to allow circulation of air through the cover means while preventing access to inclement weather, and insects such as mosquitoes and the like. Preferably, there will be a ventilation means provided at either longitudinal end of the apparatus to encourage airflow therethrough. Each of the ventilation means will typically be or include a

mesh member. The ventilation means may be located on or relative to the end U- shaped members of the device and typically the mesh will extend between the upright arms and the cross member and extend downwardly to adjacent the deck or support surface in which the hatch is located. Each of the ventilation means will preferably be located under the forward and a rearward extending "hood" portion.

The windward end of the device may be provided with a baffle arrangement to force the airflow incident thereon to follow a circuitous path to decrease the chance that windborne moisture can enter the cover device and in turn, enter the hatch. The baffle arrangement will typically include at least two transverse baffle members, and preferably three baffle members. The baffle members may be manufactured of any suitable material but will preferably be a plastic material.

A first baffle member may be provided adjacent to the windward end ventilation member. The first baffle will typically depend from the cross member of the end U-shaped member and extend substantially parallel to the angled ventilation member. The first baffle member is preferably substantially planar with an arcuate upper edge and a substantially straight lower edge.

A second baffle member may be provided further inwardly of the first baffle member. The second baffle member will typically extend upwardly from a location adjacent the deck or other support surface. The second baffle member will generally be mounted relative to one, preferably both of the side members in order to maintain its position. The second baffle member may be angled outwardly away from the hatch.

A third baffle member may be provided even further inwardly of the second baffle member but still forward of the hatch opening. The third baffle member may be shaped similarly to the first baffle member. The third baffle member may depend from the cover member but preferably a U-shaped member may be provided to mount the third baffle member therefrom. Alternatively, the third baffle member may be mounted relative to the side members. The provision and location of the baffle members may force the airflow entering the cover device to follow a wave pattern. This airflow pattern typically increases the chances that airborne moisture will strike at least one of the baffle members and decreases the likelihood that rain or similar can strike the deck or

support surface adjacent the ventilation means of the device and be carried or splatter inwardly into the hatch. The location of the baffle members can be adjusted to suit prevailing conditions and there may be a baffle assembly provided adjacent the rearward end of the device. One or more mounting straps or similar may be provided to secure the cover device directly to the hatch itself.

The device according to the invention may be of any suitable size relative to the hatch size. Typically however, for a conventional hatch size, the device may be approximately 1 metre in length, approximately 700mm in width and the height may vary.

According to an alternative embodiment, the frame assembly provided may be constructed heavily enough to also act as a security system preventing access to the interior space once secured in place.

In another form, the invention may reside in a ventilating cover device for directing airflow into an opening of an enclosed space while sheltering the opening from the intrusion of inclement weather or spray, the device including a frame assembly, securing means for securing and positioning said collapsible frame in an erect position over said opening, at least one cover member mounted to said collapsible frame, said cover having a forward extending portion, a central enclosing portion and a rearward extending portion, and at least one ventilating means associated with the forward extending portion to allow airflow to enter the cover means whilst minimising entry to inclement weather or spray.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a conventional boat hatch in the open condition.

Figure 2 is a side perspective view of a conventional boat hatch in the open condition. Figure 3 is a side perspective view of the boat hatch illustrated in

Figure 2 with a cover means according to a preferred form of the present invention. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the structures illustrated in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a perspective view from a windward side of the boat hatch

with a cover means according to a preferred form of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a side view of the boat hatch illustrated in Figure 2 with a cover means according to a preferred form of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT hi a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a ventilating cover means for a hatch 11 or similar, particularly a hatch on a marine craft.

The cover device 10 illustrated in Figures 3 to 6 includes a cover member 12, a support frame for supporting the cover member and mesh ventilation members 13 to allow circulation of air through the cover device 10 while preventing access to inclement weather.

The cover device 10 allows the hatch 11 to be open for ventilation and the circulation of airflow and minimize or prevent ingress of water either from inclement weather or from spray.

The cover device 10 includes a cover member 12 for substantially enclosing the hatch 11 for the prevention of ingress of water or spray. The cover member 12 according to the illustrated embodiment is provided as a unitary member and is manufactured of a transparent flexible plastic material. This flexible cover member 12 and the support frame assembly allows the cover device 10 to be collapsible for storage and the like. The cover member 12 covers the hatch 11 in a substantially U-shaped configuration when viewed from an end having a main cover portion 15 oriented substantially parallel to the deck 14 extending over the top of the hatch 11 and a pair of spaced apart depending side skirt portions 16 located on the lateral sides of the cover portion 15 to cover the sides of the hatch 11. The cover member 12 is attached or mounted to the support frame assembly in order to fix the cover member 12 relative to the hatch 11 and to maintain the shape of the cover member 12.

The cover device 10 includes a plurality of support members of different types and together the support members form the support frame assembly. Each of the support members provided is manufactured of a material which is resistant to corrosion given the application of the present invention. A particularly preferred material for manufacture of the support members is Type 316 stainless steel. Another preferred alternative material is fiberglass. Each of the support members will

typically be rod members and may be of any cross-sectional shape.

The cover member 12 illustrated is attached to the support frame members by stitching but normally this will be accomplished by providing sleeve portions on or in the cover member 12 such that the support members may be inserted into the sleeve portions.

There are two side members 17 provided. The side members 17 rest or are secured to the deck 14 surrounding the hatch 11. Each side member 17 is elongate and straight.

There are also three substantially U-shaped members provided according to the preferred embodiment. There is a U-shaped end member 18 located at either longitudinal end of the cover device 10 and a third U-shaped member 19 provided approximately midway along the length of the device 10. The U-shaped members 18, 19 extend generally upwardly away from the deck 14 into which the hatch 11 is fitted, to space the main cover portion 15 and side skirt portions 16 from the hatch 11 itself.

Each U-shaped member 18, 19 includes a pair of spaced apart upright arms 20 with a cross-member 21 linking the upright arms 20. The centrally located U-shaped member 19 is not attached to the cover member 12 but is provided to maintain the shape of the cover member 12 above the hatch 11. Each of the end U-shaped members 18 is angled away from a central point of the hatch 11 in a longitudinal direction to create a forward and a rearward extending "hood" portion, best illustrated in Figure 3 or 6.

In order to facilitate the attachment of the device relative to the deck 11, a plurality of boss members (not shown) are provided in the deck 14 surrounding the hatch 11. A lower portion of the upright arm members 20 of the U-shaped members is received in the bosses to locate the cover device 10 and fix it, at least temporarily relative to the hatch 11. Suitably, the bosses are provided such that their uppermost portion is flush with the deck 14.

The cover device also includes mesh ventilation members 13 to allow circulation of air through the cover device 10 while preventing access to inclement weather. The mesh member sl3 are provided at either longitudinal end of the device to encourage airflow therethrough. The mesh members 13 are located so that the mesh extends between the upright arms 20 and the cross member 21 of the end

members 18 and extends downwardly to adjacent the deck 14. Each of the mesh members 13 is located under the forward and a rearward extending "hood" portion.

The windward end of the device 10 is provided with a baffle arrangement to force the airflow incident thereon to follow a circuitous path to decrease the chance that windborne moisture can enter the cover device and in turn enter the hatch.

The baffle arrangement includes three transverse baffle members manufactured of any suitable material, preferably a plastic material.

A first baffle member 22 is provided adjacent to the windward end mesh member 13. The first baffle 22 depends from the cross member 21 of the end

U-shaped member 18 on the windward end and extends substantially parallel to the angled mesh member 13. The first baffle member 22 is substantially planar with an arcuate upper edge and a substantially straight lower edge.

A second baffle member 23 is provided further inwardly of the first baffle member 22. The second baffle member 23 extends upwardly from a location adjacent the deck 11. The second baffle member 23 is mounted relative to the side members 17 in order to maintain its position. The second baffle member 23 is angled outwardly away from the hatch 11.

A third baffle member 24 is provided even further inwardly of the second baffle member 23 but still forward of the hatch 11 opening. The third baffle member 24 is shaped similarly to the first baffle member 22. The third baffle member

24 as illustrated, depends from the cover member 12 but preferably, a U-shaped member is provided to mount the third baffle member 24 therefrom.

The provision and location of the baffle members forces the airflow entering the cover device 10 to follow a wave pattern increasing the chances that airborne moisture will strike at least one of the baffle members and decreasing the likelihood that rain or similar can strike the deck 14 adjacent the mesh members 13 of the device and be carried or splatter inwardly into the hatch 11.

The device according to the preferred embodiment illustrated is approximately 1 metre in length, approximately 700mm in width and a height of approximately 200mm.

In the present specification and claims, the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers

but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.