EP3976458B1

EP3976458B1 - Unlocking device of a hatch or shutter or door for closing and sealing openings on marine vessels or ships

Info

Publication number: EP3976458B1
Application number: EP19742462.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Paolo PRATO; Paolo BERGAMINO
Original assignee: Fincantieri SpA
Current assignee: Fincantieri SpA
Priority date: 2019-05-29
Filing date: 2019-05-29
Publication date: 2023-07-05
Anticipated expiration: 2039-05-29
Also published as: WO2020240255A1; ES2957414T3; EP3976458A1; EP3976458C0; PL3976458T3

Description

. Field of the invention

. The present invention relates to an unlocking device of a hatch or shutter or door for closing and sealing openings in marine vessels or ships, in particular but not necessarily military ships.
. The present invention further relates to a control device of a hatch or shutter or door for closing and sealing openings in marine vessels or ships.

. Background art

. Closing devices of shutters of ships adapted to fluid-tightly close, i.e. seal, the openings present in ship decks, are known.
. For example, documents US2460961 , US6123370 , US5333920 , WO2010033026 , US6675536 , US5333920 , NL8303636 , DE630669 , FR375410 , FR866063 , on757676 , US2009033103 , US6446393 disclose how to make sealed doors or shutters with multiple closing mechanisms with controls which are in some cases even very complex.
. All these documents have solved many drawbacks over the years but are increasingly more complex; the safer the closures and the better the sealing, the more such closures are unsuitable for emergency opening.
. Indeed, the need is strongly felt to be able to open these doors or shutters, at least from below to above, i.e. from the inside to the outside, when the closing mechanism is faulty or locked.
. For example, it is possible to envisage the need to open a shutter in an emergency following an accident or collision of the vessel with damage to the structures which prevent the normal operation of the closing and opening mechanism of the shutter. In this unfortunate event, the only possibility given by the known solutions is to open the structure of the shutter, providing that this is still possible and it is not deformed to the extent of being impossible to dissemble, and to access the mechanism, and in particular, the closing rods, either forcing them open or cutting them.
. The huge amount of work required and the impossibility for operators to be able to predict whether this operation is actually feasible can be easily imagined.
. As is easy to imagine, often the only solution is to cut the sheet metal of the shutter.
. Therefore, the need remains strongly felt to open a shutter from the inside also if the closing rods are faulty, e.g. if the mechanism is deformed or damaged throughout.
. One may consider, for example, also ships for defense or military use in which strikes may deform the structure of the shutter and/or the mechanism, not allowing a sufficient opening movement thereof.
. In particular, the need remains strongly felt to be able to open a shutter the opening mechanism of which is damaged avoiding the use of particular tools which are not already part of the shutter assembly.
. Furthermore, opening and closing mechanisms of doors or shutters of ship decks are known.
. For example, documents US4620733 , GB191023663 , GB127912 , ES2192910 disclose some of these mechanisms.
. These solutions, although satisfactory from many points of view, do not allow the avoidance of accidental damage to the closing rods. In particular, the structure of the frame and perhaps also the rods themselves would be damaged if the closing rods are maneuvered and accidentally extracted with the shutter open, in case of sudden closure with the rods extracted, i.e. protruding from the box-like structure of the shutter.
. Therefore, the need remains strongly felt for a particular actuating accuracy of the shutter closing mechanism which allows limiting the operator's effort and at the same time for a solution capable of preventing the rods from passing into the extended or closing position when the shutter is open, the rods being dangerous and prone to be damaged by the accidental closing of the shutter which would make them knock into the frame.
. Therefore, the need is felt to adopt an automatic locking system of the rods in retracted position with the shutter open, to prevent the shutter from being erroneously closed with the rods in extended position with consequent damage thereto.

. Solution

. These and other objects are achieved by a device according to claim 1 and by a method according to claim 9.
. Some advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.
. From the analysis of this solution, it has emerged that the suggested solution allows opening a shutter the opening mechanism of which is damaged avoiding the use of particular tools which are not already part of the shutter assembly.
. By virtue of the suggested solutions, it is possible to further open a shutter from the inside thereof also if the closing rods are faulty, e.g. if the mechanism is deformed or damaged throughout.
. Still further, by virtue of the suggested solutions, it is possible to have an actuating mechanism of the shutter closing mechanism which allows limiting the effort for the operator and at the same time a solution capable of preventing the rods from passing into extended or closing position when the shutter is open, the rods being dangerous and prone to be damaged by the accidental closing of the shutter that would make them strike into the frame.
. Further still, by virtue of the suggested solutions, it is possible to adopt an automatic locking system of the rods in retracted position with the shutter open, to prevent the shutter from being erroneously closed with the rods in extended position with consequent damage thereto.

. Figures

. Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description provided below of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows an axonometric view of a shutter and frame assembly for closing a rectangular deck opening, in an open position;
figure 2 is an axonometric view of a shutter and frame assembly for closing a square deck opening, in open position with the frame flush with the ship deck and welded thereto;
figure 3 is an axonometric view of a shutter and frame assembly for closing a square deck opening, in open position with the frame flush with the ship deck and bolted thereto;
figure 4 is an axonometric view of a shutter and frame assembly for closing a square deck opening, in open position with connection coaming to a ship deck and welded thereto;
figure 5 is an axonometric view of a shutter and frame assembly for closing a square deck opening, in open position with connection coaming to a ship deck and bolted thereto;
figure 6 is a partially transparent axonometric view of an unlocking device of a hatch or shutter or door;
figure 7 shows a section view of the device in figure 6 taken along the extension direction of a closing rod;
figure 8 is a partially transparent axonometric view of an unlocking device of a hatch or shutter or door, according to a further embodiment;
figure 9 is an axonometric view of a detail of a frame with a housing of the frame housing adapted to receive a closing block of an unlocking device;
figure 10 shows an axonometric view of a detail of the box-like structure associated with a frame forming a frame housing adapted to receive a closing block of an unlocking device according to a further embodiment;
figure 11 is an axonometric view of a spacer which can be associated with a closing block of an unlocking device;
figure 12 is an axonometric view of a spacer which can be associated with a closing block of an unlocking device according to a further embodiment;
figure 13 shows an axonometric view of a closing block of an unlocking device;
figure 14 is a section view along a plane containing the advancement direction of a closing rod of the rear part of the closing block of figure 13;
figure 15 is a section view along a plane containing the advancement direction of a closing rod of the front part of the closing block of figure 13;
figure 16 shows a view of a locking pin of a spacer to the frame;
figure 17 is an axonometric view of a ratchet wrench used as a tool and spacer means and spacer block according to a further embodiment;
figure 18 is an axonometric view of a first step of disassembling of the unlocking device for opening a shutter without moving the closing rod, in which the pin separates from the spacer thereby separating the spacer from the frame;
figure 19 is an axonometric view of a second step of disassembling the unlocking device for opening a shutter without moving the closing rod, in which the spacer is removed from the frame thereby creating an empty chamber in the frame;
figure 20 is an axonometric view of a second step of disassembling the unlocking device for opening a shutter without moving the closing rod, in which the pin screwed to the spacer is used to remove the spacer and is used as gripping means;
figure 21 is an axonometric view of a third step of disassembling the unlocking device for opening a shutter without moving the closing rod, in which the closing block is moved away by taking it into the empty chamber and freeing the end of the rod, if required with the aid of the tapered end of the pin used as a separation wedge of the block from its position in the frame housing;
figure 22 is an axonometric view of a fourth step of disassembling of the unlocking device for opening a shutter without moving the closing rod, in which the shutter is opened by making the closing rod stopped in extended position escape from the first frame housing opening;
figure 23 shows a front view of a rectangular plan shutter with closing cover removed in which the details of the closing mechanism can be seen;
figure 24 shows a front view of a square plan shutter with closing cover removed in which the details of the closing mechanism can be seen;
figure 25 shows an axonometric view of a detail of a toothed pinion with which four racks mesh, the racks being operatively connected to four closing rods;
figure 26 is a detail view of a square plan shutter which shows a safety or locking mechanism of the rods in the retracted position with the shutter open, i.e. raised or separated from the frame;
figure 27 is a view of a locking element of a safety or locking mechanism of the rods;
figure 28 is a view of a closing rod having a groove locking housing;
figure 29 shows a local section on the plane of the plate of the locking element of a safety or locking mechanism of the rods when in locking position of a rod, engaging the first locking housing portion or narrow portion thereof with the locking housing provided in the closing rod and four guiding slots engaged with four supporting and guiding pins;
figure 30 shows a detail view of the safety or locking mechanism of the rods in retracted position with the shutter open, i.e. raised or separated from the frame, constantly biased into the locking position by a spring and maneuvering rod wheel;
figure 31 shows a local section taken along the plane of the plate of the locking element of a safety or locking mechanism of the rods when in unlocked position of a rod, engaging the second blocking housing portion or widened portion thereof with the free section of the closing rod and four guiding slots engaged with four supporting and guiding pins;
figure 32 shows an axonometric view of a shutter and frame assembly for closing a rectangular deck opening, in an open position, in which the guiding bushings of the closing rod ends are shown;
figure 33 shows a detail section of a guiding bushing of a closing rod end;
figure 34 is a section view taken along the extension direction of a closing rod of the unlocking device in a different adjustment with respect to figure 7, in which the shutter seal is pressed further.

. Description of some preferred embodiments

. According to a general embodiment, a locking device of a hatch or shutter or door 1 for closing and sealing openings in marine vessels or ships comprises a hatch or shutter or door 2 having a shutter edge 3 and a frame 4 which can be associated with an opening edge 5 which delimits a deck or floor opening 6 of a vessel or ship deck or floor 7.
. Said unlocking device 1 further comprises a closing and opening mechanism 8 for closing or opening said hatch or shutter or door 2 to said frame 4.
. Said closing and opening mechanism 8 comprises, associated with said shutter 2 or with said frame 4, at least one closing rod 9 which passes, in operating conditions and when said hatch or shutter or door 2 closes said opening 6, from an extended position to connect or lock said hatch or shutter or door 2 to said frame 4, to a retracted position to free or unlock said hatch or shutter or door 2 from said frame 4, and vice versa.
. Said closing and opening mechanism 8 comprises, associated with said frame 4 or with said shutter 2, at least one closing block 10 which delimits a closing rod housing or narrowing 11 adapted to receive said closing rod 9 when in the extended position to connect or lock said shutter 2 to said frame 4.
. Advantageously, at least said one closing block 10 is selectively unlocked from said frame 4 or from said shutter 2 and either retracted or moved thereby freeing said closing rod 9, but preventing said closing rod 9 from needing to move from its extended position, and thereby freeing said closing rod 9 and allowing the opening of said hatch or shutter or door 2 with closing rod 9 extended.
. According to an embodiment, said at least one closing block 10 in operating conditions is associated with said frame 4.
. According to an embodiment, said at least one closing rod 9 is associated with said hatch or shutter or door 2 in operative conditions.
. According to an embodiment, said at least one closing block 10 is a plurality of closing blocks 10 distributed along said opening edge 5.
. According to an embodiment, said at least one closing rod 9 comprises a closing rod end 12.
. According to an embodiment, said at least one closing rod 9 is a corresponding plurality of closing rods 9, the corresponding closing rod ends 12 of which are distributed along said shutter edge 3.
. According to an embodiment, said frame 4 or said shutter 2 comprise a frame or shutter housing 13 which accommodates said closing block 10.
. According to an embodiment, said frame or shutter housing 13 comprises a first frame or shutter housing opening 14 which allows, with the closing block 10 removed with rod extended, a free movement of the shutter 2 with closing rod 9 in extended position in order to open the shutter by such an extent as to allow it to exit from the frame or shutter housing 13 with rod extended, in extended or closing position.
. According to an embodiment, said frame or shutter housing 13 is delimited by frame or shutter housing walls 15.
. According to an embodiment, in operating conditions, said frame or shutter housing 13 accommodates said closing block 10 and a spacer 16, and in which said spacer is constrained to said frame or hatch housing walls 15.
. According to an embodiment, said closing block 10 rests on said spacer 16 and sandwiches, in operating conditions, said closing block 10 between the frame or hatch housing walls 15 and said spacer 16.
. According to an embodiment, each closing block 10 is arranged in frame or shutter housing 13 so that closing rod housing or narrowing 11 is arranged in direction adapted to receive the closing rod 9 in the extension movement of the closing rod 9 closing the shutter 2 onto the frame 4.
. According to an embodiment, each closing block 10 arranged at the first frame or shutter housing opening 14 so that when the block rests against spacer 16 and against frame 4 or shutter 2 it covers said frame or shutter opening frame 14 and accommodates closing rod 9 in closing rod housing or narrowing 11, thereby forcing closing rod 9 to close shutter 2 sealingly against frame 4.
. According to an embodiment, said frame or shutter housing 13 comprises a second frame or shutter housing opening 17 which allows said spacer 16, when unlocked from said frame 4 or shutter 2, to be removed or extracted without moving said closing block 10 thereby creating an empty chamber 22 in said frame or shutter housing 13 adapted to make the closing block 10 slide in moving direction of the closing rod 9 and completely free the closing rod 9 so that it can freely open shutter 2.
. According to an embodiment, said spacer 16 is connected to said frame 4 or shutter 2 by means of a pin 18 or spacer lock pin.
. According to an embodiment, said pin 18 is shaped as a tool to act on said spacer 16 and facilitate its removal or extraction.
. According to an embodiment, said pin 18 comprises a threaded end 19 adapted to connect by screwing into a threaded spacer housing 20 provided in the spacer in its portion facing to its extraction path from the frame or shutter housing 13.
. According to an embodiment, said pin 18 comprises a tapered end 21 adapted to be wedged between said closing block 10 and said frame 4 or said shutter 2 to make said closing block 10 slide along the extension direction of said closing rod 9 in said frame or shutter housing 13 towards said empty chamber 22 to free said closing rod 9 without the closing rod 9 being moved.
. According to an embodiment, said spacer lock pin 18 is a ratchet tool arranged, in operating conditions between said frame 4 or shutter 2 and said spacer and inserted with one of an end thereof in a spacer housing 23 provided in said spacer 16 so as to prevent any movement of the spacer 16 as long as the ratchet tool is not removed.
. According to an embodiment, said shutter 2 comprises a shutter inner chamber 24 sealingly closed by a shutter cover 25.
. According to an embodiment, said shutter inner chamber 24 comprises a shutter inner chamber edge 25.
. According to an embodiment, said shutter inner chamber edge 25 comprises at least one shutter edge opening 26 in which said at least one closing rod 9 passes.
. According to an embodiment, said at least one shutter edge opening 26 is associated with a closing rod guiding bushing 27 which guides a rod end portion or rod end 12 of said closing rod 9.
. According to an embodiment, said closing rod guiding bushing 27 comprises a bushing housing 28 and wherein said bushing housing 28 accommodates a bushing seal 29 which creates a seal between said bushing 27 and said closing rod 9.
. According to an embodiment, said bushing seal 29 allows a sealed sliding of closing rod 9.
. According to an embodiment, said bushing seal 29 is an O-Ring which works as a seal between said bushing housing 28 and the outer jacket of said closing rod 9 thereby allowing a sliding in extension or retraction of said closing rod 9 while maintaining a watertight seal in said shutter inner chamber 24.
. According to an embodiment, one bushing 27 with seal 29 is provided for each closing rod 9 comprised in said shutter 2.
. According to an embodiment, said closing rod 9 comprises a closing rod end 12.
. According to an embodiment, said closing rod end 12 comprises at least one tapered end portion 30.
. According to an embodiment, said tapered end 30 enters into said closing rod housing or narrowing 11 so that as said tapered end 30 gradually enters into the narrowing 11, the tapered rod section which engages with the narrowing forces, by widening itself, said shutter 2 against said frame 4.
. According to an embodiment, said shutter 2 in its peripheral portion adapted to face said frame comprises a shutter seal 31.
. According to an embodiment, said frame 4 comprises a seal resting surface or abutment 32.
. According to an embodiment, in closing condition of the shutter gradually as said shutter 2 approaches resting against frame 4 and gradually as shutter seal 31 is pressed against the seal support surface or abutment 32, thereby sealing said shutter 2 against said frame 4.
. According to an embodiment, said closing block 10 comprises at least two mutually adjustable parts 33, 34 in relative position transversely to the moving direction of said closing rod 9 so as to adjust the position of said closing rod housing or narrowing 11.
. According to an embodiment, said closing block 10 comprises a closing block rear portion or adjustment plate 33 resting in operating conditions to said spacer is at least partially surrounded by said frame 4 or shutter 2 and a closing block front part or rod stop 34 comprising a closing rod housing or narrowing 11.
. According to an embodiment, between said block rear part 33 and said block front part 34 there is a toothed coupling or knurled block 35 which allows defining a plurality of stable coupling positions between said block rear part 33 and said block front part 34 and to adjust relative position transverse to the moving direction of said closing rod 9 so as to adjust the position of said closing rod housing or narrowing 11.
. According to an embodiment, said closing block 10 further comprises block fixing means 36 which lock the relative position of said block rear part 33 and said block front part 34.
. According to an embodiment, said block fixing means 36 comprise a screw connecting block front part 34 to block rear part 33.
. According to an embodiment, the adjustment of the relative position of the block front part 34 with respect to the block rear part 33 occurs by transversely moving the block front part 34 with respect to the moving direction of closing rod 9 and thus modifying the position of the closing rod housing or narrowing 11 transversely to the extension direction of closing rod 9.
. According to an embodiment, the adjustment of the relative position of the block front part 34 with respect to the block rear part 33 allows shutter 2 to be moved closer or farther to or from frame 4 by modifying the deformation of a shutter seal 31 arranged between said shutter 2 and said frame 4.
. A safe opening method of a shutter will be described below.
. A method for safely opening a hatch or shutter or door 2 includes the steps of:

providing a device according to any one of the embodiments described above;
unlocking the at least one closing block 10 from frame 4 or from shutter 2;
retracting or moving away said closing block 10 thereby freeing said closing rod 9,
but preventing said closing rod 9 from needing to move from its extended position, and
releasing said closing rod 9 thereby allowing the opening of said hatch or shutter or door 2 with closing rod 9 extended.

. According to a different manner of performing the method, the following steps are provided:

providing a device according to claim 2;
unlocking said spacer 16;
extracting said spacer 16 from said frame or shutter housing 13 and creating an empty chamber 22 in said frame or shutter housing 13;
making the closing block 10 slide in the moving direction of the closing rod 9;
completely freeing the closing rod 9 so that it can freely open shutter 2.

providing a device according to claim 7;
adjusting the relative position of the block front part 34 with respect to the block rear part 33 by transversely moving the block front part 34 with respect to the moving direction of closing rod 9 and thus modifying the position of the closing rod housing or narrowing 11 transversely to the extension direction of closing rod 9;
. and/or comprising the step of
adjusting the relative position of the block front part 34 with respect to the block rear part 33 and allows shutter 2 to be moved closer or farther to or from the frame 4 when the closing rod 9 enters into said narrowing 11 and to change the deformation of a shutter seal 31 arranged between said shutter 2 and said frame 4.

. A control device of a hatch or shutter or door for closing and sealing openings on marine vessels or ships will be described hereinafter.
. According to a general embodiment, a control device of a hatch or shutter or door 101 for closing and sealing openings 6 in marine vessels or ships comprises a hatch or shutter or door 2 having a shutter edge 3 and a frame 4 which can be associated with an opening edge 5 which delimits a deck or floor opening 6 of a vessel or ship deck or floor 7, as well as a closing and opening mechanism 8 for closing or opening said hatch or shutter or door 2 to said frame 4.
. Said closing and opening mechanism 8 comprising, associated with said shutter 2, at least one closing rod 9 which passes, in operating conditions and when said hatch or shutter or door 2 closes said opening 6, from an extended position to connect or lock said hatch or shutter or door 2 to said frame 4, to a retracted position to free or unlock said hatch or shutter or door 2 from said frame 4, and vice versa.
. Said closing and opening mechanism 8 comprising, associated with said frame 4, at least one closing block 10 which delimits a closing rod housing or narrowing 11 adapted to receive said closing rod 9 when in the extended position to connect or lock said shutter 2 to said frame 4.
. Said closing and opening mechanism 8 comprising an opening lever 102 operatively connected to a toothed pinion 103 adapted to rotate about a pinion axis.
. Said closing and opening mechanism 8 comprising at least one rack 104 connected to at least one closing rod 9; said rack 104 meshing with said toothed pinion 103; said rack comprising at least one rack slotted housing 105 which constrains in sliding manner said rack 104 to said shutter 2 thereby transforming said rotary motion into said extension or retraction movement of the closing rod 9.
. Advantageously said closing rod 9 comprises a rod housing 106 and said closing and opening mechanism 8 comprises a safety or locking mechanism 107, wherein when said closing rod 9 is in retracted position and said shutter is open, i.e. with its shutter edge 3 away from said frame 4, said safety or locking mechanism 107 selectively engages said rod housing 106 thereby locking said closing rod 9 in retracted position.
. According to an embodiment, said rack 004 is operatively connected to another rack 104 which meshes with a second toothed pinion 103 which meshes further racks 104 to control the extension or retraction of further closing rods 9.
. According to an embodiment, said toothed pinion 103 meshes with two opposite racks 104 operatively each connected to a respective closing rod 9.
. According to an embodiment, said toothed pinion 103, or central pinion, meshes with two opposite racks 104 each operatively connected to a transmission rod operatively connected to a rack 104 connected to another toothed pinion 103, or side pinion, wherein said central pinion 103 meshes with two other racks 104 respectively associated with two closing rods 9 and said two side pinions 103 each mesh with three other racks 104 which are operatively connected to three closing rods 9 for a total of eight closing rods 9.
. According to an embodiment, said at least one rack 104 is operatively connected to the structure of said shutter 2 in the form of a slider mechanism.
. According to an embodiment, said safety or locking mechanism 107 is constantly biased into a position for locking said at least one closing rod 9.
. According to an embodiment, said safety or locking mechanism 107 is elastically biased into locking position of said at least one closing rod 9.
. According to an embodiment, said safety or locking mechanism 107, when the shutter 2 is arranged with the shutter edge 3 near said frame 4 is deactivated in a free movement position of at least one closing rod 9.
. According to an embodiment, said safety or locking mechanism 107 when the shutter 2 is arranged with the shutter edge 3 away from said frame 4 is activated in a movement locking position of at least one closing rod 9 in a retracted position thereof.
. According to an embodiment, at least one closing rod 9 displays said rod housing 106 which comprises at least one rod groove 108.
. According to an embodiment, said rod groove 108 is selectively engaged with a locking element 109.
. According to an embodiment, said block element 109 comprises at least one locking housing 110.
. According to an embodiment, said locking housing 110 comprises a first locking housing portion or narrow portion 111 which selectively engages in said rod groove 108 thereby creating a bilateral constraint to said closing rod 9 and locking the sliding extension thereof.
. According to an embodiment, said locking housing 110 comprises a second locking housing portion or widened portion 112 which disengages from said rod groove 108 thereby releasing said closing rod 9 and allowing the sliding extension thereof.
. According to an embodiment, said locking element 109 is operatively connected to a maneuvering rod or locking rod 113 which when resting on said frame 4 constrains and constantly biases the safety or locking mechanism 107 and allows the sliding of said locking element 109 by moving the locking housing 110 from said first locking housing portion or narrowed portion 111 to said second locking housing portion or widened portion 112.
. According to an embodiment, said locking element 109 comprises at least one plate with shaped slots 114.
. According to an embodiment said plate with shaped slots 114 comprises a first slot which forms with a first portion thereof said first portion of said locking housing or narrowed portion 111 and with a second portion of said second locking housing portion or widened portion 112.
. According to an embodiment, said plate with shaped slots 114 comprises at least one second slot or guiding slot 115 which forms a guide for a supporting pin 116 connected to the structure of said shutter 2 and which allows the movement stability of the plate with shaped slots 114.
. According to an embodiment, said at least one second slot or guiding slot 115 are four guiding slots 115.
. According to an embodiment, said safety or locking mechanism 107 comprises at least one maneuvering rod or locking rod 113.
. According to an embodiment, said maneuvering rod or locking rod 113 comprises a maneuvering rod free end 117.
. According to an embodiment, said maneuvering rod free end 117 supports a maneuvering rod wheel 118 in freely rotatable manner; said maneuvering rod wheel 118 allows contact and sliding on the frame 4 during the pressing of the maneuvering rod or locking rod 113 from the extended locking position of the closing rod 9 to the free movement retracted position of the maneuvering rod 9.
. According to an embodiment, said shutter 2 is biased away from said frame 4 by at least one shutter opening spring 119.
. According to an embodiment, said at least one shutter opening spring 119 is a spring piston 120 adapted to reduce the weight of the shutter 2 perceived by an operator which raises it;
. According to an embodiment, said at least one shutter opening spring 119 is at least one spring jacketed in a telescopic protection structure 121.
. According to an embodiment, a telescopic stop device 122 is provided arranged between said shutter 2 and said frame 4 adapted to lock said shutter 2 in the open position.
. According to an embodiment, said telescopic stop device 122 comprises a stop pin 123 adapted to lock said telescopic stop device 122 in opening position.
. According to an embodiment, said stop pin 123 comprises a locking split pin 124 adapted to lock said stop pin 123 in the locking position thereof of said telescopic stop device 122.
. According to an embodiment, said at least one shutter opening spring 119 or said at least one spring piston 120 is rotatably supported by shutter attachment flanges 124, 125 which allow a free pivoting of said at least one shutter opening spring 119 or at least said one spring piston 120.
. In an embodiment, at least one shutter attachment flange 124 is "C"-shaped and comprises two prongs which embrace the end of said at least one shutter opening spring 119 or at least said one spring piston 120.
. According to an embodiment, at least one shutter attachment flange 125 is "L"-shaped and comprises two prongs which embrace the end of said at least one shutter opening spring 119 or at least said one spring piston 120.
. According to an embodiment, said frame 4 comprises a frame upper edge 126 from which an attachment edge 127 protrudes.
. According to an embodiment, said attachment edge 127 is welded to the vessel or ship deck or floor 7.
. According to an embodiment, said attachment edge 127 is welded flush to the vessel or ship deck or floor 7 thereby not to form a step between deck 7 and frame 4.
. According to an embodiment, said frame 4 is connected in watertight manner to a coaming or raised edge 128.
. According to an embodiment, said coaming or raised edge 128 comprises a coaming base edge 129.
. According to an embodiment, an attachment edge 127 protrudes from said coaming base edge 129.
. According to an embodiment, said attachment edge 127 is welded to the vessel or ship deck or floor 7.
. According to an embodiment, said frame 4 comprises a frame upper edge 126 from which an attachment edge 127 protrudes.
. According to an embodiment, said attachment edge 127 is bolted to the vessel or ship deck or floor 7.
. According to an embodiment, said attachment edge 127 is bolted to the vessel or ship deck or floor 7 with sealed bolts.
. According to an embodiment, said attachment edge 127 is bolted flush to the vessel or ship deck or floor 7 thereby not to form a step between deck 7 and frame 4.
. According to an embodiment, said frame 4 is connected in watertight manner to a coaming or raised edge 128.
. According to an embodiment, said coaming or raised edge 128 comprises a coaming base edge 129.
. According to an embodiment, an attachment edge 127 protrudes from said coaming base edge 129.
. According to an embodiment, said attachment edge 127 is bolted to the vessel or ship deck or floor 7.
. According to an embodiment, said attachment edge 127 is bolted to the vessel or ship deck or floor 7 with sealed bolts.
. A method for locking the closing rods with the shutter raised are described below.
. A method for locking closing rods 9 of a shutter 2 in retracted position comprises the steps of:

providing a control device for a hatch or shutter or door 101 according to any one of the preceding claims;
when said closing rod 9 is in retracted position and said shutter is open, i.e. with its shutter edge 3 away from said frame 4;
selectively engaging said safety or locking mechanism 107 in said rod housing 106;
locking said closing rod 9 in retracted position.

. Those skilled in the art may make many changes and adaptations to the embodiments described above or may replace elements with others which are functionally equivalent in order to meet contingent needs. The invention is only limited by features of the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCES

1: unlocking device of a hatch or shutter or door
2: hatch or shutter or door
3: shutter edge
4: frame
5: opening edge
6: deck or floor opening
7: vessel or ship deck or floor
8: closing and opening mechanism
9: closing rod
10: closing block
11: closing rod housing or narrowing
12: closing rod end
13: frame or hatch housing
14: first frame or shutter housing opening for extended rod escape in case of emergency
15: frame or shutter housing walls
16: spacer
17: second frame or shutter opening
18: pin
19: pin threaded end
20: spacer threaded housing
21: pin tapered end
22: empty chamber
23: spacer housing
24: shutter inner chamber
25: shutter inner chamber edge
26: shutter edge opening
27: closing rod guide bushing
28: bushing housing
29: bushing seal
30: tapered rod end portion
31: shutter seal
32: seal surface or abutment
33: closing block rear part or adjustment plate
34: closing block front part or rod stop
35: toothed or knurled block coupling
101: control device of a hatch or shutter or door
102: opening lever
103: toothed pinion
104: rack
105: slotted rack housing
106: rod housing
107: safety or locking mechanism
108: rod groove
109: lock element
110: block housing
111: first locking housing portion or narrow portion
112: second locking housing portion or widened portion
113: maneuvering rod or locking rod
114: plate with contoured slots
115: second slot or guiding slot
116: supporting pin
117: maneuvering rod free end
118: maneuvering rod wheel
119: shutter opening spring
120: spring piston
121: telescopic protection structure
122: telescopic stop device
123: stop pin
124: C-shaped shutter attachment flanges
125: L-Shaped shutter attachment flanges
126: upper frame edge
127: attachment edge to vessel or ship deck or floor
128: coaming or raised edge
129: coaming base edge

Claims

An unlocking device of a hatch or shutter or door (1) for closing and sealing openings on vessels or ships, comprising
- a hatch or shutter or door (2) having a shutter edge (3);

- a frame (4) which can be associated with an opening edge (5) which delimits a deck or floor opening (6) of a vessel or ship deck or floor (7);

- a closing and opening mechanism (8) for closing or opening said hatch or shutter or door (2) to said frame (4);

- said closing and opening mechanism (8) comprising, associated with said shutter (2) or with said frame (4), at least one closing rod (9) which passes, in operating conditions and when said hatch or shutter or door (2) closes said opening (6), from an extended position to connect or lock said hatch or shutter or door (2) to said frame (4), to a retracted position to free or unlock said hatch or shutter or door (2) from said frame (4), and vice versa;

- said closing and opening mechanism (8) comprising, associated with said frame (4) or with said shutter (2), at least one closing block (10) which delimits a closing rod housing or narrowing (11) adapted to receive said closing rod (9) when in the extended position to connect or lock said shutter (2) to said frame (4);
characterized in that
- at least said one closing block (10) is selectively unlockable from said frame (4) or from said shutter (2) and can either be retracted or moved thus freeing said closing rod (9), but preventing said closing rod (9) from needing to move from the extended position thereof, and thus freeing said closing rod (9) and allowing said hatch or shutter or door (2) to be opened with the closing rod (9) being extended.
A device (1) according to claim 1, wherein
- said at least one closing block (10) in operating conditions is associated with said frame (4); and wherein

- said at least one closing rod (9) in operating conditions is associated with said hatch or shutter or door (2);
and/or wherein

- said at least one closing block (10) is a plurality of closing blocks (10) distributed along said opening edge (5); and

- said at least one closing rod (9) comprises a closing rod end (12); and

- said at least one closing rod (9) is a corresponding plurality of closing rods (9), the corresponding closing rod ends (12) of which are distributed along said shutter edge (3).
A device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
- said frame (4) or said shutter (2) comprises a frame or shutter housing (13 which accommodates said closing block (10); and wherein

- said frame or shutter housing (13) comprises a first frame or shutter housing opening (14) which allows, with the closing block (10) removed with the rod being extended, a free movement of the shutter (2) with the closing rod (9) in extended position, in order to open the shutter by an extent such as to allow it to exit from the frame or shutter housing (13) with the rod being extended in extended or closing position;
and/or wherein

- said frame or shutter housing (13) is delimited by frame or shutter housing walls (15); and wherein

- in operating conditions, said frame or shutter housing (13) accommodates said closing block (10) and a spacer (16), and wherein

- said spacer is constrained to said frame or hatch housing walls (15); and wherein

- said closing block (10) rests on said spacer (16) and sandwiches, in operating conditions, said closing block (10) between the frame or hatch housing walls (15) and said spacer (16);
and/or wherein

- each closing block (10) is arranged in a frame or shutter housing (13) so that the closing rod housing or narrowing (11) is arranged in a direction adapted to receive the closing rod (9) in the extension movement of the closing rod (9) closing the shutter (2) onto the frame (4);
and/or wherein

- each closing block (10) arranged at the frame or shutter housing opening (14) so that when the block rests against the spacer (16) and against the frame (4) or shutter (2), it covers said frame or shutter opening frame (14) and accommodates the closing rod (9) in the closing rod housing or narrowing (11), thus forcing the closing rod (9) to seal shutter (2) against frame (4);
and/or wherein

- said frame or shutter housing (13) comprises a second frame or shutter housing opening (17) which allows said spacer (16), when unlocked from said frame (4) or shutter (2), to be removed or extracted without moving said closing block (10), thus creating an empty chamber (22) in said frame or shutter housing (13) adapted to make the closing block (10) slide in the moving direction of the closing rod (9) and completely freeing the closing rod (9) so that it can freely open the shutter (2).
A device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:
- said spacer (16) is connected to said frame (4) or shutter (2) by means of a pin (18) or spacer lock pin;
and/or wherein

- said pin (18) is shaped as a tool to act on said spacer (16) and facilitate the removal or extraction thereof;
and/or wherein

- said pin (18) comprises a threaded end (19) adapted to connect by screwing into a threaded spacer housing (20) provided in the spacer in the portion thereof facing the path for extracting it from the frame or shutter housing (13);
and/or wherein

- said pin (18) comprises a tapered end (21) adapted to be wedged between said closing block (10) and said frame (4) or said shutter (2) to make said closing block (10) slide along the extension direction of said closing rod (9) in said frame or shutter housing (13) towards said empty chamber (22) to free said closing rod (9) without the closing rod (9) being moved;
and/or wherein
said spacer lock pin (18) is a ratchet tool arranged, in operating conditions, between said frame (4) or shutter (2) and said spacer and inserted with one end thereof into a spacer housing (23) provided in said spacer (16) so as to prevent any movement of the spacer (16) as long as the ratchet tool is not removed.
A device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:
- said shutter (2) comprises a shutter inner chamber (24) sealed by a shutter cover (25); and wherein

- said shutter inner chamber (24) comprises a shutter inner chamber edge (25); and wherein

- said shutter inner chamber edge (25) comprises at least one shutter edge opening (26) in which said at least one closing rod (9) passes; and wherein

- said at least one shutter edge opening (26) is associated with a closing rod guiding bushing (27) which guides a rod end portion or rod end (12) of said closing rod (9);
and/or wherein

- said closing rod guiding bushing (27) comprises a bushing housing (28) and wherein said bushing housing (28) accommodates a bushing seal (29) which creates a seal between said bushing (27) and said closing rod (9);
and/or wherein

- said bushing seal (29) allows a sealed sliding of closing rod (9); and/or wherein

- said bushing seal (29) is an O-Ring which works as a seal between said bushing housing (28) and the outer jacket of the said closing rod (9) thus allowing an extension or retraction sliding of said closing rod (9) while maintaining a watertight seal in said shutter inner chamber (24);
and/or wherein

- one bushing (27) with seal (29) is provided for each closing rod (9) included in said shutter (2).
A device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:
- said closing rod (9) comprises a closing rod end (12); and wherein

- said closing rod end (12) comprises a tapered end portion (30); and wherein

- said tapered end (30) enters into said closing rod housing or narrowing (11) so that, as said tapered end (30) gradually enters into the narrowing (11) and widens, the tapered rod section which engages the narrowing forces said shutter (2) against said frame (4) ;
and/or wherein

- said shutter (2) comprises a shutter seal (31) in the peripheral portion thereof adapted to face said frame; and/or wherein

- said frame (4) comprises a seal resting surface or abutment (32); and wherein

- under the closing condition of the shutter, as said shutter (2) approaches and rests against frame (4) and as the shutter seal (31) is pressed against the seal support surface or abutment (32), thus sealing said shutter (2) against said frame (4).
A device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:
- said closing block (10) comprises at least two mutually adjustable parts (33, 34) in relative position transversely to the moving direction of said closing rod (9) so as to adjust the position of said closing rod housing or narrowing (11);
and/or wherein

- said closing block (10) comprises:

- a closing block rear part or adjustment plate (33) resting in operating conditions on said spacer and at least partially surrounded by said frame (4) or shutter (2); and

- a closing block front part or rod stop (34) comprising a closing rod housing or narrowing (11);

- wherein between said block rear part (33) and said block front part (34) there is a toothed or knurled block coupling (35) which allows defining a plurality of stable coupling positions between said block rear part (33) and said block front part (34) and adjusting the relative position transversely to the moving direction of said closing rod (9) so as to adjust the position of said closing rod housing or narrowing (11);
and/or wherein

- said closing block (10) further comprises block fixing means (36) which lock the relative position between said block rear part (33) and said block front part (34);
and/or wherein

- said block fixing means (36) comprise a screw which connects the block front part (34) and the block rear part (33);
and/or wherein

- the relative position of the block front part (34) with respect to the block rear part (33) is adjusted by transversely moving the block front part (34) with respect to the moving direction of the closing rod (9) and thus modifying the position of the closing rod housing or narrowing (11) transversely to the extension direction of the closing rod (9);
and/or wherein

- the adjustment of the relative position of the block front part (34) with respect to the block rear part (33) allows moving shutter (2) closer or farther to/from frame (4) by modifying the deformation of a shutter seal (31) placed between said shutter (2) and said frame (4).
A method for safely opening a hatch or shutter or door (2), wherein there are provided the steps of:
- providing a device according to any one of the claims from 1 to 7;

- unlocking the at least one closing block (10) from the frame (4) or from the shutter (2);

- retracting or moving away said closing block (10) thus freeing said closing rod (9),

- but preventing said closing rod (9) from needing to move from the extended position thereof, and

- freeing said closing rod (9) thus allowing said hatch or shutter or door (2) to open with the closing rod (9) being extended.
A method according to claim 8, wherein there are provided the further steps of:
- providing a device according to claim 2;

- unlocking said spacer (16);

- extracting said spacer (16) from said frame or shutter housing (13) and creating an empty chamber (22) in said frame or shutter housing (13);

- making the closing block (10) slide in the moving direction of the closing rod (9);

- completely freeing the closing rod (9) so that it can freely open the shutter (2).
A method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein there are provided further steps of:
- providing a device according to claim 7;

- adjusting the relative position of the block front part (34) with respect to the block rear part (33) by transversely moving the block front part (34) with respect to the moving direction of the closing rod (9) and thus modifying the position of the closing rod housing or narrowing (11) transversely to the extension direction of the closing rod (9);
and/or there is provided the further step of
- adjusting the relative position of the block front part (34) with respect to the block rear part (33) and allowing the shutter (2) to be moved closer or farther to/from the frame (4) when the closing rod (9) enters into said narrowing (11), and changing the deformation of a shutter seal (31) placed between said shutter (2) and said frame (4).