Abstract: A roof scuttle is provided which is adapted to be easily installed on any curb on a roof which curb may be existing, pre-formed or formed on the roof at the time of installation. The roof scuttle has a rectangular frame with an outwardly extending drip flange and the bottom of the frame is placed flat on the curb and the inside wall of the frame of the roof scuttle secured to the curb. This eliminates any external fastening of the roof scuttle to the roof which can cause leakage problems and also provides a more secure and safe installation. One embodiment of the roof scuttle uses a wood frame supplied with the roof scuttle which frame is useful for transportation of the roof scuttle and also for installations requiring a wood frame curb. The roof scuttle may be installed over irregular shaped openings, existing roof scuttles, and wide or narrow concrete, wood or metal curbs.

Abstract: A universal hatch assembly for accessing an enclosure includes a door. The frame has an opening defined therein that is dimensioned and configured for mounting the door. A hinge apparatus allows pivotal movement of the door about a first axis between a first position in which the door covers the opening and a second open position. The interior side of the door has an elongated channel extending in substantially perpendicular relationship to the first axis. An operating lever for positioning the door, has first and second axial extremities. A first axial part of the operating lever is spaced apart from the second axial extremity which is pivotally connected to the frame. The second axial extremity is dimensioned and configured for sliding meshing engagement with the elongated channel. The hatch assembly includes a lift assembly to provide a favorable counterbalance for the door. The frame may include a peripheral groove extending around substantially the entire frame.

Abstract: An emergency release latch mechanism for a hinged cover of a hatchway construction, wherein the cover is heavily spring biased to open position but is normally restrained in closed position by the latch mechanism. The mechanism includes an emergency-actuated release member such as a low-temperature fusible metal link which, through a release mechanism which reduces the tensile load on the link, retains a latching dog in engagement with a shackle pin on the cover but assures positive disengagement therefrom to release the cover to open position in the event of actuation of the emergency-actuated release member. The latch mechanism is typically positioned at the center of the hatch but the release member and emergency-actuated release members are disposed near a wall of the hatch so that the latch mechanism may easily be set or reset by a person at the periphery of the hatch by securing a cable connecting the latch mechanism and release mechanism.