초록 ▼

An improved access lid assembly is provided for a subsurface chamber used to service aircraft. A lift assembly is provided for elevating the lid upwardly from an opening in a surrounding mounting frame disposed atop the subsurface chamber while maintaining the lid in a horizontal disposition. A hing

An improved access lid assembly is provided for a subsurface chamber used to service aircraft. A lift assembly is provided for elevating the lid upwardly from an opening in a surrounding mounting frame disposed atop the subsurface chamber while maintaining the lid in a horizontal disposition. A hinge assembly connects the lift assembly to the lid at a peripheral location thereon on the underside of the lid, without any connection to the peripheral edge of the lid. The hinge assembly allows the lid to rotate about a horizontal axis to an open position through an arc of at least ninety degrees. By avoiding any connection to the peripheral edges of the lid, an elastomeric, annular seal can be mounted to completely encircle the lid and provide a water-tight barrier about the access opening. The seal is mounted between the upper and lower surfaces of the lid within a groove, preferably with a dovetail connection, to securely grip and hold the seal upon the edge of the lid. Nevertheless, the use of an adhesive is avoided so that the seal can be easily removed and replaced when necessary. Also, the lift assembly is provided with a damper mechanism so as to protect the lift assembly from impacts and shocks that would otherwise result when the lid falls under the weight of gravity from an opened position to a horizontal disposition atop the access opening.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] In a rigid access lid for a subsurface chamber used to service aircraft and having an annular mounting frame defining an access opening therein and located atop said subsurface chamber wherein said lid has a peripheral edge defined about its circumference and comprising an annular s

[ I claim:] [1.] In a rigid access lid for a subsurface chamber used to service aircraft and having an annular mounting frame defining an access opening therein and located atop said subsurface chamber wherein said lid has a peripheral edge defined about its circumference and comprising an annular seal formed as a band of a liquid-impervious, resilient, elastomeric material removably engaged with said peripheral edge of said lid and forming a seal with said annular mounting frame when said lid is disposed in said access opening therein, the improvement wherein said band is elastically distended and releasably engaged to said peripheral edge by means of an interlocking connection therebetween that extends about the entire perimeter of said peripheral edge and employing an annular groove in the peripheral edge having a floor that is exposed radially throughout the circumference of said peripheral edge and having lateral retaining walls extending outwardly from said floor and which are shaped to provide shoulders overhanging said floor, and said band including a bead having a radially interior portion that has the same configuration as said shoulders of said groove and which is compressible so as to pass between said shoulders to allow said bead to be removably seated in said groove and said lateral retaining walls constrain relative lateral movement between said bead and said groove.