VENT AND ESCAPE HATCH

Abstract: A vent and escape hatch for a vehicle, in particular a truck, having an opening (2) in the fixed roof (1), comprises a stationary frame (3) adapted to be placed around the opening (2) in the fixed roof (1) of the vehicle. A panel (9) is movably connected to the frame (3) and is movable between a closed position in which it closes the opening (2) in the fixed roof, and an open position. A hinge (11) is provided on the hatch, with which at least an upper part of the stationary frame (3) can be swung out together with the panel (9) to provide an emergency escape exit. According tot the invention the panel (9) is adapted to be displaced backwardly from the closed position to an open position, and on the front side of the hatch there being provided a wind deflector (12) secured to the swingable part of the frame (3).

Description: The invention relates to a vent and escape hatch for a vehicle, in particular a truck, having an opening in the fixed roof, comprising a stationary frame adapted to be placed around the opening in the fixed roof of the vehicle; a panel movably connected to the frame and movable between a closed position in which it closes the opening in the fixed roof, and an open position; a hinge provided on the hatch, with which at least an upper part of the stationary frame can be swung out together with the panel to provide an emergency escape exit. Such a vent and escape hatch is known, for instance from the European patent application No. 0 249 268. It is an object of the invention to further improve such a vent and escape hatch. For this purpose the vent and escape hatch according to the invention is characterized in that the panel is adapted to be displaced backwardly from the closed position to an open position, and on the front side of the hatch there being provided a wind deflector secured to the swingable part of the frame and projecting upwardly from this frame so as to prevent the wind from blowing into the opening as the vehicle is driven. In this way the applicability of the hatch is increased and the vent and escape hatch provides more comfort to the passengers since the roof opening can be opened fully or partially by displacing the panel backwardly. The wind deflector preventing the wind from blowing into the opening when the car is driven, is efficient on the one hand and has a simple and cheap structure on the other hand. As the wind deflector is secured to the swingable part of the frame no hinder to the swing out movement will be caused by the wind deflector, while the wind deflector can still be arranged close to the roof opening. In an embodiment of the vent and escape hatch wherein the panel projects above the plane of the fixed roof in its closed position, it is advantageously if the wind deflector comprises a stationary part inclining upwardly in backward direction from the front edge of the stationary frame and being adapted to the shape of the panel, the upper edge of the stationary part being flush with the upper surface of the panel in the closed position thereof. edge of the stationary part being flush with the upper surface of the panel in the closed position thereof. As a result hereof the wind deflector fits close to the panel in the closed position thereof, so that there is provided both a visual and an aerodynamic unity. The invention will hereafter be elucidated with reference to the drawing showing an embodiment of the vent and escape hatch according to the invention by way of example. Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the vent and escape hatch according to the invention, in a built-in and open position. Fig. 2-4 are very schematic longitudinal sectional views of the vent and escape hatch of fig. 1 in the closed position, in the open position and in the swung-out position, respectively. The drawing shows an embodiment of a vent and escape hatch for a vehicle, in particular a truck, of which the fixed roof 1 is provided with an opening 2. The hatch comprises a stationary frame 3 adapted to be placed around the opening in the fixed roof 1 of the vehicle and to be releaseably secured thereto, as will be elucidated more detailed hereinafter. The fixed roof 1 of the vehicle is adapted to the stationary frame 3 of the hatch around its opening 2, such that the stationary frame 3 may be secured to the fixed roof 1 in a simple way and fitting well on the fixed roof 1. Adjacent the opening 2 there is formed a circumferential depression 4 and about that an elevation 5 is made in the fixed roof 1 connecting to the surface of the fixed roof by a sloping edge 6. In the built-in condition of the hatch a bottom edge 7 of the stationary frame 3 rests on the depression 4, and a sloping side edge 8 of the stationary frame 3 connecting to the sloping edge 6 of the fixed roof 1. The hatch comprises a rigid panel 9 which may be made of transparent or opaque material. The panel 9 is movably connected to the stationary frame 3 by means of an adjusting mechanism that may be of conventional structure and does not form part of the invention. The adjusting mechanism may be constructed as is disclosed in the US patent 4.602.815. The panel 9 is movable by means of the adjusting mechanism between a closed position (cf. Fig. 2) in which it closes the roof opening 2, and fully or partially opened positions (fig. 3). In the open positions of the panel 9 it is lifted at its rear edge and is slid backwardly partially above the fixed roof 1, so that the panel partially releases the opening 2 at its front edge. The panel 9 is generally rectangular and has rounded edges, while the panel 9 has an outwardly and downwardly sloping circumferential edge 10 being aligned with the sloping edge of the stationary frame 3 in the closed position of the panel 9. The vent and escape hatch is adapted to be thrown out in case of emergencies for providing an emergency escape exit from the interior of the vehicle. For this purpose the stationary frame 3 is locked releaseably to the fixed roof 1 and the stationary frame 3 being hinged to the fixed roof 1 by means of a hinged connection 11 such that, when the entire stationary frame 3 together with the panel 9 is swung outwardly about an angle of more than 90° to the fixed roof 1, the stationary frame 3 releases from the fixed roof and can be separated therefrom (see fig. 4). In this case there is provided an emergency exit having an opening as large as possible. According to the invention the vent and escape hatch is provided with a wind deflector 12 secured on the stationary frame 3 on the front side of the hatch. The wind deflector 12 consists of a stationary part inclining upwardly in backward direction from the front edge of the stationary frame. The wind deflector 12 is adapted to the shape of the panel 9, the sloping front edge 10 of the panel 9 is lying behind and below the wind deflector 12 in its closed position, and the upper edge of the wind deflector 12 is flush with the upper surface of the panel 9 (see fig. 2). On both lateral ends the wind deflector is turned backwardly in a slightly rounded fashion around the rounded edges of the panel 9, again in the closed position thereof. Due to the provision of the wind deflector 12 on the front edge of the outwardly swingable stationary frame 3 it causes no hinder when the hatch is thrown out, and the wind deflector 12 further being of a simple structure and visually and aerodynamically forming a unity with the panel 9 in the closed position thereof. In the backwardly slid opened position of the panel 9 the wind deflector 12 effectively prevents the wind from being blown into the roof opening 2 when the vehicle is driving.

Claims: Vent and escape hatch for a vehicle, in particular a truck, having an opening (2) in the fixed roof (1), comprising a stationary frame (3) adapted to be placed around the opening (2) in the fixed roof (1) of the vehicle, a panel (9) movably connected to the frame (3) and movable between a closed position in which it closes the opening in the fixed roof, and an open position; a hinge (11) provided on the hatch, with which at least an upper part of the stationary frame (3) can be swung out together with the panel (9) to provide an emergency escape exit, characterized in that the panel (9) is adapted to be displaced backwardly from the closed position to an open position, and on the front side of the hatch there being provided a fixed wind deflector (12) secured to the swingable part of the frame (3) and projecting upwardly from this frame (3) so as to prevent the wind from blowing into the opening (2) as the vehicle is driven. Hatch according to claim 1, wherein the panel (9) projects above the plane of the fixed roof in its closed position, characterized in that the wind deflector (12) comprises a stationary part inclining upwardly in backward direction from the front edge of the stationary frame (3) and being adapted to the shape of the panel (9), the upper edge of the stationary part being flush with the upper surface of the panel (9) in the closed position thereof. Hatch according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the panel (9) is displaceable backwardly into positions above the fixed roof (1), and vice versa. Hatch according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the entire frame (3) together with the panel (9) can be swung out.

Inventors: HUYER, JOHANNES NICOLAAS
Applicants: VERMEULEN-HOLLANDIA OCTROOIEN II B.V.
Application year: 1989
Main classification: B60J9
IPC codes: B60J9, B60J7