Patent ID: 9523229
Filing Date: 2016-12-20
CPC Classification: E04H,E05F,E05Y,E06B,E06C,F03D,Y02E

Claim Text:
1. A hatch system, comprising: a ladder; a hatch adapted to be disposed between two vertically adjacent inner volumes of a tower structure, the hatch being pivotably supported between an open position, in which a passageway between the two inner volumes is not obstructed by the hatch, and a closed position, in which the passageway between the two inner volumes is obstructed by the hatch and wherein the ladder extends in the passageway above and below the hatch when the hatch is in the open and closed positions, a hatch actuator for actuating the hatch with the hatch actuator being movably supported relative to the hatch, wherein a downward force upon the hatch actuator and a weight of the hatch actuator urges the hatch to rotate toward the open position; wherein the hatch actuator is connected to the ladder and positioned proximate a side of the ladder above the hatch so that a user may open the hatch while upon the ladder above the hatch and wherein the hatch actuator moves linearly in a direction which is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the ladder as the hatch moves between the open and closed positions.