Gullwing-type deck hatch assembly

Claim 1

A deck hatch assembly for marine craft having a hull, a bulkhead, a deck and an upper deck surface, said deck hatch assembly comprising a submerged surface integrally formed in said upper deck surface and merging therewith by means of a pair of upper deck surface side walls and an upper deck surface rear wall, said submerged surface extending at one side through said bulkhead, a hatch opening formed in said submerged surface communicating with an area below said deck, a raised peripheral ridge surrounding said hatch opening and being formed integral with said upper deck surface, said raised peripheral ridge being defined by a planar top surface and first and second generally vertical walls, a seal secured to said top surface of said ridge, a drainage channel defined between said ridge, said submerged surface and said upper deck surface side and rear walls, a hatch cover pivotably associate with said hatch opening, said hatch cover having a rear edge, a pair of pivot mechanisms securing said rear edge with respect to said hatch opening for pivotable movement of said hatch cover from a closed position wherein said hatch cover is supported by said top surface of said ridge so as to close off said hatch opening, to an open position wherein said hatch cover is raised upwardly from said bulkhead toward said marine craft whereby said hatch opening is uncovered and unobstructed, a pair of gas spring assemblies pivotably mounted between said hatch cover and proximate said ridge for retaining said hatch cover in said open position, said gas spring assemblies and said pivot mechanisms being located so as not to obstruct said hatch opening, said hatch cover being flush with said upper deck surface and said bulkhead in said closed position, said top surface of said ridge being adapted to uniformly support said hatch cover in said closed position, said submerged surface, said top surface of said ridge and said hatch cover all being parallel to each other, said ridge, said submerged surface, and said upper deck surface together being formed of an integral molding, said deck hatch assembly being adapted to include styling lines of said deck, said deck hatch assembly being provided in said upper deck surface on the port and starboard sides of said marine craft such that the hatch cover of each of said deck hatch assemblies assumes, in said open position, a gullwing-type configuration, whereby said area below said deck is ventilated and access through said hatch opening is provided.