Watertight deck plate

Abstract

A trim ring has an annular rim and a cylindrical body insertable into a hole in the deck of a water craft. A cap has a depending cylindrical body that fits within the body of the ring. A gasket carried by one of the components is compressed between the two automatically as the cap and ring are brought together, and relaxes slightly as the cap reaches a fully closed position without hindering the watertight fit between the two components.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/544,891, filed on Feb. 13, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a deck plate, particularly for water craft, having a cap or hatch cover that may be secured to a trim ring in watertight condition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Access holes commonly are provided through the deck of a water craft in areas where the access holes are exposed to the weather. It is desirable to be able to close such holes with a cap or cover that can be quickly and easily removed and replaced for a secure, watertight fit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a sturdy, inexpensive deck ring and cover construction. The cover can be quickly and easily removed and replaced, manually without the use of special tools. In one embodiment of the invention, a trim ring has an annular gasket engaged by a thin rib projecting downward a short distance from the underside of a peripheral lip of the cover or cap. Interfitting cam projections and cams slots on the cap and trim ring result in compressing the gasket against the rib as the cap is manually rotated to a closed position. In a second embodiment, the cap carries a resilient, peripheral gasket which is wedged against the trim ring as the cover is closed, and a lever mechanism for releasing the cap from the trim ring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective of a deck plate in accordance with the present invention, with parts shown in exploded relationship;

FIG. 2 is a corresponding top perspective thereof with the parts assembled;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the cap component;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section of the trim ring component; and

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic vertical section of the deck plate with the parts assembled.

FIG. 6 is a top perspective of another deck plate in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top plan thereof;

FIG. 8 is a section along line 8-8 of FIG. 7; FIG. 8A is a section corresponding to FIG. 8 but with parts in different positions; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of a portion of a component of the embodiment of FIGS. 6-8A.

FIG. 10 is a top perspective of another deck plate in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a top plan thereof;

FIG. 12 is a section along line 12-12 of FIG. 11; and

FIG. 12A is a section corresponding to FIG. 12 but with parts in different positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIG. 1, a first embodiment of a deck plate 10 in accordance with the present invention includes a cap-12 and a trim ring 14 having a gasket 16. The trim ring is mounted in a hole, such as in the deck of a water craft, and the cap may be secured to the trim ring to the condition shown in FIG. 2 in which there is a watertight fit between them.

With reference to FIG. 3, the cap 12 can be formed of a suitable essentially rigid plastic material such as n-polypropylene. The cap has a top portion 18 with a peripheral lip 20 that overhangs a downward projecting cylindrical body 22. A thin annular rib 24 projects downward a short distance from the underside of the lip 20. Short cylindrical locking cams 26 project outward from the lower portion of the cylindrical body 22, preferably at equiangularly spaced locations. In the preferred embodiment, four such locking cams are provided, spaced 90 degrees apart. Generally rectangular stop blocks 28 project outward from the upper portions of the body, directly above each locking cam. The angular extent of the stops 28 is greater than the angular extent of the locking cams 26, measured circumferentially, i.e., from the rightmost edge to the leftmost edge as viewed for the central cam 26 and block 28 shown in FIG. 3. As seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the upper surface of the cap has depressions 30 for grasping by a user to lift and lower the cap and rotate it clockwise or counterclockwise.

Referring to FIG. 4, the trim ring 4 also can be rigid or essentially rigid molded plastic, such as n-polypropylene. The trim ring has a depending cylindrical body 32 that fits closely within a hole in the deck of a water craft. During installation, downward insertion of the trim ring into the hole is limited by an outward projecting annular rim 34. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rim can have regularly spaced holes 36 for fasteners, and sealant can be used underneath the rim for a watertight mounting.

Trim ring 14 has a circular opening 38 of a diameter slightly greater than the maximum diameter of the cap 12 including its projecting lip 20. A shallow annular groove 40 is formed between opening 38 and the inner periphery 42 of the mounting ring body 32. The gasket 16, which preferably is of rectangular cross-section, fits tightly within the groove 40 with its upper surface exposed.

Circumferentially extending and regularly spaced cam ramps 44 project inward into the opening of the trim ring body 32. Once such ramp 44 is provided for each of the cam pins 26. For example, four such ramps are provided in the preferred embodiment, one for each of the cam pins, spaced 90 degrees apart. The geometry of the ramps 44 relative to the cap 12 and particularly its cam pins 26 is best described with reference to the interconnection of the cap and trim ring obtained when the two are fastened together. With reference to FIG. 5 (in which the depressions 30 are not shown, for ease of explanation), the cap 12 can be inserted downward into the trim ring 14 with the outer edge 46 of the lip of the cap close inside the opening 38 of the trim ring. If necessary, the cap is rotated to a position in which the cam pins 26 are not aligned with the ramps 44, enabling the cap to be fitted downward to a position in which the rib 24 is engaged against or close over the top of the gasket 16. In this position, each of the cam pins 26 is located between two of the ramps, and from this position the cap is rotated to a position in which the pins slide beneath the trailing portions of the ramps. The ramps are inclined downward at a very small acute angle from a position at their trailing ends in which the pins slide beneath the ramps without engaging them to a central position, the bold dash position of FIG. 5, in which the upper edges of the pins engage the undersides of the ramp just as the rib 46 engages the upper surface of the gasket 16. Further rotation of the cap wedges it downward, pressing the rib 24 into the gasket to achieve the desired watertight fit. At the leading end portion of each ramp, a shallow, upwardly curved depression 46 is formed which allows the pins to “snap” back upward a very short distance and provide tactile feedback that the desired, locked and watertight position has been reached, with the rib 24 still pressed against the gasket 16. Further rotation in the locking direction is prevented by a downward extending portion 48 at the leading end portion of the ramp.

The gasket 16 is formed of a stiff but compressible and resilient material which is highly impregnated with a low friction additive. This prevents the rib 24 from “grabbing” the gasket during tightening, and also prevents undue wear of the gasket during repeated opening and closing of the hatch cover. The blocks 28 limit downward movement of the cap 12 on the trim ring 14 by engagement against the flat top surfaces of the cam ramps 44.

From the locked position, the cap 12 can be rotated in the opposite direction, the depression 36 being contoured to wedge the corresponding cam pin 26 downward a short distance during a short angular travel, followed by loosening of the grip of the rib 46 on the gasket 16 as the top of the cam pins slide along the now upwardly inclined undersides of the ramps 44. If the loosening rotation is continued, ultimately the pins are offset from the ramps, permitting the cap to be pulled upward. The maximum loosening travel of the pins results in the pins engaging against the leading ends 50 of the ramps, such that the maximum rotational movement is limited to slightly less than 90 degrees.

The second embodiment of a deck plate 52 in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIGS. 6-9. This embodiment also includes a generally cylindrical cap 54 that fits within an annular trim ring 56. The trim ring is mounted in a hole, such as in the deck of a water craft, and the cap may be secured to the trim ring to the condition shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 in which there is a watertight fit between the cap and ring.

Referring to FIG. 9, the trim ring 56 can be rigid or essentially rigid molded plastic, such as in—polypropylene. The trim ring has a depending cylindrical body 58 that fits closely within the hole in the deck of the water craft. During installation, downward insertion of the trim ring into the hole is limited by an outward projecting annular rim 60. The rim has regularly spaced holes 62 for fasteners to secure the rim to the deck. Sealant can be used underneath the rim for a watertight mounting.

Still referring to FIG. 9, the trim ring 56 has a circular opening 64 at the top of a diameter slightly greater than the maximum diameter of the cap 54. The depth of the large opening 64 is approximately equal to the height of the peripheral lip 66 (FIG. 8 and FIG. 8A) of the cap 54. Returning to FIG. 9, a narrow shoulder 68 limits the extent to which the cap 54 may be inserted downward into the trim ring opening 64, by engagement of the underside of the lip 66 against the shoulder 68.

From the shoulder 68, the trim ring is tapered gradually inward along consecutive upright segments 70, 72, and 74. Segment 74 is essentially vertical. The inside surface 76 of the lower portion of the trim ring flares outward at a very small acute angle, such that there is a gradually increasing diameter from segment 74 downward.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 8A for the additional details of the cap construction, the cap is formed of a suitable, essentially rigid plastic material such as n-polypropylene. A cylindrical body 78 projects downward from the top portion of the cap. This downward projecting cylindrical portion has an outward opening peripheral groove 80 which receives a resilient O-ring or gasket 82. Although the cylindrical portion 78 of the cap is sized to fit closely within the trim ring, the outer portion of the gasket 82 projects beyond the outer face of the cylindrical portion 78.

The groove 80 of the cap is positioned to align with the lower portion 76 of the trim ring when the cap is fully inserted downward into the ring and has the underside of its lip 66 fitted against the shoulder 68. As the cap is inserted, the gasket first engages the ring along the tapered segments 70, 72, 74 and is compressed for the desired watertight fit, followed by a slight expansion of the gasket outward into the flared section 76 as the cap is fully closed.

As seen in FIGS. 7, 8, and 8A, the cap 54 is formed with a top recess 84 for an actuating lever 86. The lever is pivotally mounted in the recess by a horizontal pin 88. An outer portion 90 of the lever is approximately aligned with the lip 66 of the cap when the cap is inserted onto its trim ring. In this position (FIG. 8), the upper surface of the lever is approximately flush with the upper surface of the cap, and recess 84 provides a small finger notch which can be used to access the inner portion of the lever 92, at the opposite side of its pivot 88. Removal of the cap from the trim ring can be accomplished easily by swinging the lever upward to the position of FIG. 8A, which wedges the cap from the trim ring. Regardless of the position of the lever 86, the lever is automatically returned to the position of FIG. 8 when the cap is reinserted into the trim ring and pushed downward.

The embodiment 52′ of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 10-12 is identical to the embodiment of FIGS. 7-9, except that the cap 54′ has an extended lip 56′ which fits over the rim 60 of the trim ring. Rather than acting against a shoulder or notch of the ring, the lever 86 acts against the upper side of the rim 60. The watertight fit of the cap in the trim ring is identical to that previously described, achieved by the gasket 82 being compressed as it is inserted downward into the central opening of the trim ring, and relaxing slightly, but not so much as to detract from the watertight fit, as the cap reaches the fully closed or inserted position of FIG. 12. The projected rim 56′ overlies the fastener holes 62. Preferably the rim is tapered or faired into the deck so that it does not form an abrupt projection.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

Claims

1. A deck plate comprising a ring component having a generally cylindrical body with a central opening, a cap component having a generally cylindrical body that can be fitted into the opening of the ring component between a position in which the cap component is removed from the ring component and a fully closed position in which the cap component is fully fitted into the ring component, and an annular resilient gasket carried by one of the components and positioned to the engaged and compressed against the other of the components automatically as the cap body is inserted into the ring body, the cap component and ring component being constructed and arranged relatively such that the gasket relaxes slightly as the cap reaches the fully closed position but remains compressed for a watertight fit between the cap component and the ring component.