Patent ID: 6640495
Filing Date: 2003-11-04
Classification: E02D

Abstract:
An access hatch, comprising:a frame containing an access opening therethrough; a grate having a near side and a far side; a hinge non-removably coupling the near side of said grate to said frame for pivotal movement of said grate between a closed and an open position, in the closed position said grate lies substantially in the access opening of said frame and blocks at least a portion of the opening, and in the open position said grate is oriented away from the opening of said frame to allow access through the opening, said hinge including a link member having a slotted section which allows said grate to drop to a lock position when said grate is in the open position, said grate being prevented from moving to the closed position when said grate is in the lock position; and a pull member having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being pivotally coupled to said grate near the far side of said grate, the proximal end extending substantially to the near side of said grate when said pull member is in a rest position, said pull member being normally in the rest position when said grate is in the closed position, whereby a worker, intending to open said grate, is prompted to stand at the near side of said grate and grasp the proximal end of said pull member to pull said grate to the open position.