SPA COVER LIFTER SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20170284114A1
• Filed: 03/31/2017
• Published: 10/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carl Gavin
• Original Assignee: Carl Gavin
• Inventors: Gavin, Carl
• Granted Patent: US 10,370,864 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/084 with lifting mechanism

Abstract

A spa cover lifting system is provided for selectively removing and replacing the cover of a spa. The spa cover lifter system has a frame configured to hold a cover of the spa and an actuator coupled to the frame. Selective actuation of the actuator by a user causes at least a portion of the frame and the cover to rotate about and between a first, closed position, in which access to the water of the spa is restricted, and a second, open position, in which access to the water of the spa is not restricted. The actuator and at least a portion of the frame are positioned below a deck that is around the outside of the spa so that the actuator and at least a portion of the frame are inaccessible to a user of the spa during normal usage.

Claims

1. A spa cover lifting system for selectively removing and replacing the cover of a spa positioned on a support surface, the system comprising:

a frame configured to hold the cover of the spa; and

an actuator coupled to a portion of the frame and configured to selectively rotate at least a portion of the frame and the cover,

wherein the frame and cover are rotatable about and between a first, closed position, in which access to the water of the spa is restricted by the cover, and a second, open position, in which access to the water of the spa is not restricted by the cover.

2. The spa cover lifting system of claim 1, wherein in the first, closed position, the cover is substantially horizontal relative to the support surface and wherein in the second, open position, the cover is substantially vertical relative to the support surface.

3. The spa cover lifting system of claim 2, wherein the system further comprises a deck positioned around at least a portion of a perimeter wall of the spa, and wherein the deck is spaced from the support surface a predetermined distance.

4. The spa cover lifting system of claim 3, wherein the actuator is positioned between the deck and the support surface.

5. The spa cover lifting system of claim 4, wherein the frame comprises a carriage sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the cover, and wherein the carriage comprises at least one carriage portion coupled together that cooperate to define a carriage opening sized and shaped to hold the cover.

6. The spa cover lifting system of claim 5, wherein the frame further comprises at least one support member having a proximal end and an opposed distal end, wherein the proximal end is coupled to a back carriage portion of the frame that is positioned on a back side of the spa.

7. The spa cover lifting system of claim 6, wherein in the second, open position, the back carriage portion is positioned substantially on the deck.

8. The spa cover lifting system of claim 6, wherein a distal end of the at least one support member extends away from the carriage at substantially a right angle.

9. The spa cover lifting system of claim 8, wherein the frame further comprises at least one attachment arm having a proximal end and an opposed distal end, wherein the proximal end of the at least one attachment arm is coupled to a portion of the distal end of the at least one support member and wherein the distal end of the at least one attachment arm extends away from the support member at an acute angle relative to the support member.

10. The spa cover lifting system of claim 9, wherein the distal end of the at least one attachment arm is positioned below the deck.

11. The spa cover lifting system of claim 9, wherein the frame further comprises at least one mount configured to support at least a portion of the frame and the cover, wherein the mount has a proximal end and an opposed distal end configured to be positioned on the support surface.

12. The spa cover lifting system of claim 11, wherein at least one of the proximal end of the at least one attachment arm and the distal end of the at least one support member are rotatably coupled to the proximal end of the at least one mount.

13. The spa cover lifting system of claim 11, wherein the proximal end of the mount is positioned below the level of the deck.

14. The spa cover lifting system of claim 11, wherein the proximal end of the mount is positioned adjacent to the level of the deck.

15. The spa cover lifting system of claim 11, wherein the system further comprises at least one sensor configured to stop rotation beyond a predetermined point, and a controller to actuate the actuator.

16. The spa cover lifting system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a deck positioned around at least a portion of a perimeter wall of the spa, wherein the deck is spaced from the support surface a predetermined distance and wherein the actuator is positioned below the deck.

17. The spa cover lifting system of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the frame is positioned below the deck.

18. The spa cover lifting system of claim 16, wherein, in the second, open position, a portion of the frame is positioned substantially on the deck.

19. A method of automatically, selectively covering a spa positioned on a support surface, the method comprising:

providing a spa cover lifting system for selectively removing and replacing the cover of the spa, the system comprising;

a frame configured to hold the cover of the spa; and

an actuator coupled to a portion of the frame and configured to selectively rotate at least a portion of the frame and the cover,

wherein the frame and cover are rotatable about and between a first, closed position, in which access to the water of the spa is restricted by the cover, and a second, open position, in which access to the water of the spa is not restricted by the cover; and

actuating the actuator to rotate the cover to the first, closed position.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein in the first, closed position, the cover is substantially horizontal relative to the support surface and wherein in the second, open position, the cover is substantially vertical relative to the support surface.