A covering and a method of forming a covering for a hatch door or lid, e.g., the hatch door of a marine vehicle, such a boat or the like, is provided. The covering includes a central portion having a configuration corresponding to a configuration of the hatch door and a thickness. A flange projects from the central portion and has a thickness less than the thickness of the central portion. The flange movable between a first position wherein the flange lies in a first plane generally parallel to a first surface of the central portion and a second position wherein the flange is generally perpendicular to the first plane and defines a cavity in the covering for receiving the hatch door therein.

A covering and a method of forming a covering for a hatch door or lid, e.g., the hatch door of a marine vehicle, such a boat or the like, is provided. The covering includes a central portion having a configuration corresponding to a configuration of the hatch door and a thickness. A flange projects from the central portion and has a thickness less than the thickness of the central portion. The flange movable between a first position wherein the flange lies in a first plane generally parallel to a first surface of the central portion and a second position wherein the flange is generally perpendicular to the first plane and defines a cavity in the covering for receiving the hatch door therein.

A storage-container includes a hollow compartment with a storage-cover sealing a watertight interior space. The storage-container is able to be coupled to a stern of a kayak to provide an auxiliary storage compartment for the kayak. The compartment is a unitary, rigid component having a right-fin and a left-fin which extend forwardly on either side of the kayak stern, and a peaked-terminus at the back end where the right-fin and the left-fin recede to. Between the right-fin and the left-fin at the front side adjacent to the stern of the kayak is a concavity to accommodate the stern. The interior compartment inhabits both the right-fin and the left-fin, being centered between. The storage-port opens into this interior compartment. A fastener aperture is vertically oriented near the concavity to enable a fastener to connect the container to the kayak stern.

A storage-container includes a hollow compartment with a storage-cover sealing a watertight interior space. The storage-container is able to be coupled to a stern of a kayak to provide an auxiliary storage compartment for the kayak. The compartment is a unitary, rigid component having a right-fin and a left-fin which extend forwardly on either side of the kayak stern, and a peaked-terminus at the back end where the right-fin and the left-fin recede to. Between the right-fin and the left-fin at the front side adjacent to the stern of the kayak is a concavity to accommodate the stern. The interior compartment inhabits both the right-fin and the left-fin, being centered between. The storage-port opens into this interior compartment. A fastener aperture is vertically oriented near the concavity to enable a fastener to connect the container to the kayak stern.

An apparatus is disclosed for opening and closing a grain or access door on a barge lid or cover, the grain door having a latch connecting the grain door to the barge lid, the apparatus supportable by an overhead lifting system. The apparatus can include a base which is supportable by the overhead lifting system and a mechanical arm assembly connected to the base, the mechanical arm assembly including a first arm rotatably connected to the base, a second arm connected to the first arm, a latch engagement member connected to the second arm; and an actuator connected between the first arm and the second arm, the actuator operable to move the second arm relative to the first arm to disengage the latch on the grain door from the barge lid via the latch engagement member and swing the grain door from a closed position to an open position.

A lift assist mechanism is provided for positioning a hatch cover in relation to a corresponding opening in a hatch frame. The assist mechanism includes a torsion bar and a lifting mechanism. The torsion bar has first and second opposite ends. The first end secures to the hatch frame. The second end connects to a bar spur gear. The lifting assembly includes a lift spur gear and a hinge gear. The lift spur gear engages the bar spur gear. The gears convert an acute angle twist of the bar to substantially perpendicular pivot the hatch cover from the hatch frame.

A lift assist mechanism is provided for positioning a hatch cover in relation to a corresponding opening in a hatch frame. The assist mechanism includes a torsion bar and a lifting mechanism. The torsion bar has first and second opposite ends. The first end secures to the hatch frame. The second end connects to a bar spur gear. The lifting assembly includes a lift spur gear and a hinge gear. The lift spur gear engages the bar spur gear. The gears convert an acute angle twist of the bar to substantially perpendicular pivot the hatch cover from the hatch frame.

Systems and methods described in this application are directed to hatch lid actuation systems. Actuation systems of the inventive subject matter are configured to effect the opening and closing of lids that are hingedly coupled with an opening. An embodiment featuring a rotational actuator, e.g., a motor, as well as an embodiment featuring a linear actuator are described. Embodiments having rotational actuators can additionally feature a gearbox. Embodiments of the inventive subject matter can also include sensor packages that can determine various hatch lid conditions (e.g., whether a lid is open, closed, wet, etc.).

Systems and methods described in this application are directed to hatch lid actuation systems. Actuation systems of the inventive subject matter are configured to effect the opening and closing of lids that are hingedly coupled with an opening. An embodiment featuring a rotational actuator, e.g., a motor, as well as an embodiment featuring a linear actuator are described. Embodiments having rotational actuators can additionally feature a gearbox. Embodiments of the inventive subject matter can also include sensor packages that can determine various hatch lid conditions (e.g., whether a lid is open, closed, wet, etc.).

A temporary hatch insert facilitating void space servicing wherein the hatch insert is sized to be received in a given hatch opening and will support a person walking across the insert in the hatch opening, and wherein the hatch insert includes a plurality of openings for venting or ventilation of the void space during servicing of the same. A fan or blower mount may be secured below the hatch insert to facilitate venting of the void space.