Hatch cover assembly

Abstract

A hatch assembly that includes a hatch cover adapted to seal a hatch opening defined by a raised combing of a deck. A locking arm having a hinge end and a latch and extends across and beyond the hatch, and has a hatch clip adjacent each end to floatingly connected the locking arm to the hatch cover. A latch is mounted to pivot arms to engage latch engagement structure on the locking arm with a force dependent on the height of the pivot arms from the deck. An adjustment member includes tool bearing surfaces to enhance the rotation of the adjustment member and thereby adjust the force. A latch handle includes a stiffening member to strengthen the handle against forces tending to rotate the latch handle about the pivot arms. A pair of hinge bracket walls are mounted to the deck and define a hinge bracket space between them. A stop is affixed to the bracket walls to prevent the hatch cover from contacting the horizontal deck surface. The hatch clip at the hinge end of the locking bar includes a flat clip base joined to two clip side walls by respective clip arcuate portions. The clip side walls fit outwardly of a hinge member within the bracket space. Shims are located between the clip side walls and the hinge member to bias the hinge member inwardly of the clip side walls and into abutment with the flat clip base.