The field of the invention is opening/closing systems and locking/unlocking systems for hatches, doors, windows, and other hinge-based openings.
The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided in this application is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
Boats, buildings, ships, watercraft, cars, cruise ships, RVs, mobile homes, buses, aircraft, vans, structures, animal enclosures and all other manner of vehicles and vessels that have an interior space often incorporate hatches or doors that can open an interior space out to the exterior. For example, a boat's cabin can include one or more hatches to, among other things, facilitate airflow and to allow for ingress and egress. Until now, these components have gone largely unchanged, despite many advancements in technology that have brought about smaller, more powerful actuators that require less energy to use, as well as better electronics to facilitate control systems and to allow for wireless communication and control.
One example of an effort to improve on existing boat hatches is U.S. Pat. No. 8,688,329 to Cathcart. This patent is directed to a hatch having a linear actuator that can be used to open and close the hatch. But the Cathcart patent fails to contemplate many different improvements that can be implemented using newer technologies described in this application.
Examples of improved watercraft hatches are few and far between, but even innovations in other fields, such as car doors, indicate there is ample room for improvement. European Patent Application No. 1087080 is directed to car door systems as opposed to marine door systems. But even this application fails to consider new mechanisms and systems described in this application that can be implemented to cause a door to swing open, and it similarly fails to consider using a variety of different sensors to automate opening and closing of the door.
Thus, there still exists a need in the art for improved hatches for various uses e.g., in watercraft, vehicles, structures, and other applications.
These and all other extrinsic materials discussed in this application are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided in this application, the definition of that term provided in this application applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
The present invention provides apparatuses, systems, and methods directed to locking/unlocking and opening/closing systems that can be implemented with hinged opening covers (e.g., lids, hatches on boats, doors in doorways, windows on buildings, etc.).
In one aspect of the inventive subject matter, a locking, unlocking, opening, and closing system for hinged opening covers is contemplated, the system comprising: a linear actuator; a linear actuator arm coupled to the linear actuator; an anchor configured to couple to a lid; a lever rotatably coupled with the anchor; and where the linear actuator arm is rotatably coupled with an end of the lever.
In some embodiments, the linear actuator is coupled with a linear actuator pivot that is configured to couple with a base. The anchor is configured to couple with the lid on a side of the lid opposite the linear actuator pivot. In some embodiments, the cam action coupling comprises a pin joint, and in some embodiments the lever is rotatably coupled with the anchor by a pin joint.
In some embodiments, the system additionally includes: a second linear actuator; a second linear actuator arm coupled to the second linear actuator; a second anchor configured to couple to the lid; a second lever rotatably coupled with the second anchor; and the second linear actuator arm rotatably coupled with an end of the lever by a pin joint. In some embodiments, the lever comprises a bend and the pin joint coupling is positioned between the end of the lever and a second end of the lever. The lid can couple with the base by a hinge, and the linear actuator pivot point is offset from the hinge. In some embodiments, the linear actuator pivot point is offset from the hinge on an interior side of the lid.
In some embodiments, extending the linear actuator unlocks the lid and retracting the linear actuator locks the lid. In some embodiments, extending the linear actuator past unlocking the lid can cause the lid to open. In some embodiments, the linear actuator arm is coupled with an end of the lever by a cam action coupling.
A locking and unlocking system for hinged opening covers is contemplated in another aspect of the inventive subject matter. The system comprises: an anchor configured to couple to a lid; a linear actuator rotatably coupled with the anchor where the linear actuator is rotatably coupled with an end of the lever by a pin joint coupling, and where the lever is rotatably coupled with the anchor such that it can rotate upon actuating the linear actuator.
In some embodiments, retracting the linear actuator unlocks the lid and extending the linear actuator locks the lid. In some embodiments, the lever comprises a complementary shape to the base.
Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.
The following discussion provides example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus, if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.
As used in the description in this application and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description in this application, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Also, as used in this application, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are used synonymously.
In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Moreover, and unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth in this application should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include only commercially practical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary.
The inventive subject matter described in this application is directed to hatches and doors for use with all manner of buildings, structures, equipment, mining facilities, aircraft, vessels, and vehicles, including in marine and seafaring settings. Embodiments of the inventive subject matter can be implemented with hatches and doors of any size. Motors having more or less power can be implemented depending on the size of the hatch to be manipulated, and other components can be made larger or smaller or using different materials depending on material strength requirements.
As mentioned above, embodiments of the inventive subject matter can be incorporated into hatches on boats and other watercraft. Although the examples below can be interpreted as pertaining specifically to boats and other watercraft, the inventors specifically contemplate implementing embodiments into any manner of buildings, structures, equipment, mining facilities, aircraft, vessels, and vehicles that have opening doors or windows that could benefit from automated and electronic control. For example, in the context of a building, skylights in many homes are difficult to reach and would benefit from a system that allows for both remote control and for automated control based on, e.g., environmental conditions and user preferences. As such, in this application, the term “lid” without a modifier preceding it (e.g., “hatch lid”) should be interpreted to refer to a hinged cover of an opening, where that opening can be a door, a window, a hatch, etc.
Embodiments include a motorized opening mechanism, a motorized locking mechanism, and can include a manual override (e.g., for the locking mechanism, the opening/closing mechanism, or both). In some embodiments, a solar and battery backup can be included in case of electrical failure, as well as inputs such as buttons, switches, touch screen(s), or even a wireless module to receive remote signals, e.g., from a phone app or from a set of controls in a location other than where the automation system is implemented. Accordingly, some embodiments include helm controls or other remote inputs. It is contemplated that, e.g., helm controls can be incorporated into existing controls at the helm of a vessel (e.g., via a wired, WiFi, Bluetooth or other type of connection) to tie into an existing control systems (e.g., NMEA 2000 or those made by Raymarine, Foruno, etc.). In some embodiments, separate controls can be added to a helm (e.g., a separate touch screen display can be mounted at the helm). It is also contemplated that controls can be mounted in a location other than the helm, or, in some embodiments, remote controls can be placed in multiple locations around a vessel. In contexts outside of watercraft, “helm controls” should be interpreted as being equivalent to remote controls or control panels.
Linear actuator 102 is coupled to a linear actuator arm 112, which connects linear actuator 102 with lever 104 at a coupling point 114 above lever pivot joint 116. When linear actuator 102 extends (e.g., the actuator elongates, pressing outward), it pushes linear actuator arm 112, which in turn presses against lever 104.
Lever 104 can be formed into a variety of different shapes. As shown in
Because
Thus, as shown in
In some embodiments, coupling 216 can be coupled with lever 210 and second lever 214 such that all three components are fixed relative to one another (e.g., coupling 216 is welded to lever 210 and second lever 214). In such embodiments, linear actuator arm 204 can be rotatably coupled with coupling 216. In some embodiments, linear actuator arm 204 is fixedly coupled with linkage 216, which is in turn rotatably coupled with lever 210 and second lever 214. In still further embodiments, any couplings between linear actuator arm 204, coupling 216, lever 210, and second lever 214 are all rotatable.
Although linear actuator 202 is shown on the left side of hatch lid 218 in
In a configuration where linear actuator 202 is positioned in the center of hatch lid 218, forces (and/or moments, depending on configuration) applied to lever 210 and lever 214 by coupling 216 are approximately equal. As with embodiments described above, when linear actuator 202 is actuated, it pulls lever 210 and second lever 214 back to first unlock hatch lid 218 and then to open hatch lid 218.
A difference between system 300 and systems 100 and 200 is that system 300 additionally includes a spring-loaded mounting bracket 320, a slot 322 within the spring-loaded mounting bracket 320, and a spring 324 also disposed within the spring-loaded mounting bracket 320. Spring 324 and associated components are configured to assist lifting hatch lid 314. Linear actuator pivot 318 is configured to move up and down (as drawn in
In embodiments described in this application, actuators can be disengaged from hatch lids by, e.g., disassembling the pivot points those actuators attach to. For example, in
In embodiments of the inventive subject matter, a mechanical advantage that facilitates opening and closing hatch lids can be achieved by, e.g., cam action couplings. Cam action couplings can create an additional locking force in their associated levers and act as self-locking mechanisms to prevent hatch lids from being lifted via external force. Lever of the inventive subject matter can take on a variety of shapes depending on specific applications depending on relative distances between anchors, pivot points, and hatch bases.
Thus, specific systems and methods directed to hatch opening, closing, and locking have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts in this application. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the disclosure. Moreover, in interpreting the disclosure all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to the elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps can be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/030,294 filed May 26, 2020; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/026,715 filed May 18, 2020; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/979,124 filed Feb. 20, 2020. All extrinsic materials identified in this application are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63030294 | May 2020 | US | |
63026715 | May 2020 | US | |
62979124 | Feb 2020 | US |