Cover plate having adjustable latch means

A cover plate for closing an opening through a deck or the like, said cover plate comprising:

• a plate element slightly larger than said opening to be closed;
• a seal means on the underside of said plate element for cooperating with said deck or the like around said opening to prevent leakage around said cover plate when said cover plate is in an operable position;
• and
• a plurality of adjustable latch means spaced around and near the outer periphery of said plate element, each of said latch means comprising:
• a shaft extending through and journaled to said plate element and having a threaded portion extending from the underside of said plate element;
• a lock member threaded onto said threaded portion of said shaft, the periphery of said lock means having a substantially circular portion and a flattened side;
• a lug attached to said lock member;
• stop means extending from the underside of said plate element adjacent said threaded portion of said shaft whereby said lug will contact said stop means when rotated in one direction to hold said lock member in an open position and to allow said lock member to move downward on said shaft and whereby said lug will contact said stop means when rotated in an opposite direction to hold said lock means in an closed position and to allow said lock member to move upward on said shaft.