Spa cover lift

• US 5,517,703 A
• Filed: 12/14/1994
• Issued: 05/21/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ND1, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Roger J. Ouelette
• Inventors: Ouelette, Roger J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phillips, Charles E.
• Application Number:
  US08/356,451
• Time in Patent Office: 524 Days
• Field of Search: 4/494, 4/498
• US Class Current: 4/498
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/084 with lifting mechanism

Abstract

A lifting mechanism for removing and restoring a hinged spa cover from the spa tub. Two tubular brackets are cojoined so that base members on the brackets are parallelly aligned adjacent to one end of the spa and arms on the brackets extend along opposite sides of the spa. The cojoined base members are pivotally mounted so that the lifting arms are rotatable between a first lowered position and a second raised position. Support beams are connected to the lifting arms over which the hinged sections of the cover are foldable when the arms are in the first position allowing the cover to be lifted clear of the spa when the arms are moved to the second raised position.

Claims

1. Apparatus for lifting a spa cover having two sections that are connected by a hinge so that the sections are foldable one over the other, said apparatus including

a first U-shaped bracket and a second U-shaped bracket, each bracket having a base member, an upraised lifting arm joined to one end of the base member and an opposed upraised torque resisting arm also secured to the other end of the base member

connecting means for joining the two brackets in parallel alignment with the lifting arm of one bracket adjacent to the torque resisting arm of the other bracket,

pivot means for rotatably supporting the base of each of the aligned brackets adjacent to an end wall of a spa and the arms of said aligned brackets being positioned adjacent to opposed side walls of said spa wherein the joined brackets are rotatable in unison between a first lowered position and a second raised position,

cover supporting means connected to the upper end of each lifting arm, said supporting means passing over a hinge of a spa cover mounted upon said spa adjacent to and parallel with the cover hinge when the cojoined brackets are in the first, lowered position, whereby the cover is foldable over the supporting means and is lifted clear of the spa when the cojoined brackets are rotated into the second raised position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each cover support means further includes an L-shaped member having a vertical leg adjustably contained within one of the lifting arms and a horizontal beam that passes over the spa cover adjacent to and parallel with the cover hinge.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said support means further includes a locating pin joined to said vertical leg that is arranged to pass under the hinge of the spa cover.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 that further includes a foot operated lever means joined to one of the base members for assisting in rotating the torque tubes within the pivot means.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said foot lever means is a U-shaped tubular member having two opposed connecting arms that are joined to the base members.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each bracket is formed of two L-shaped members wherein one member is slidably received within said other member.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said cover supporting means are adjustably contained within the lifting arm of each bracket.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base members are cojoined by a pair of spaced apart rotors and further including a bearing block for rotatably housing each of said rotors adjacent to said end wall of said spa.

9. Apparatus for lifting a spa cover having two sections that are connected by a hinge so that the sections are foldable one over the other, said apparatus including:

a lifting frame that includes a pair of U-shaped tubular brackets each having a base member and opposed extended arms that includes a lifting arm and a torque arm,

means for cojoining the two tubular brackets in adjacent parallel alignment so that the lifting arms are positioned on either side of the frame,

pivot means for rotatably supporting the cojoined base members adjacent to an end wall of a spa and the extended arms adjacent to opposite side walls of the spa whereby the extended arms can be rotated between a first lowered position and a second upraised position,

cover support means connected to a first extended arm of one bracket on one side of the frame and to a second extended arm of the other bracket on the other side of the frame, and

each support means including a leg slidably contained within one of said lifting arms and a beam that at least partially extends from said arm over a hinged spa cover adjacent to and parallel with said spa cover hinge when the frame is in said first lowered position whereby the cover is foldable over said beams and is lifted clear of said spa when the frame is pivoted to the second raised position.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said support means are adjustably contained in said arms.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 that further includes a locking collar for compressing the lifting arms into holding contact against the support means.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said pivot means further includes spaced apart rotor means mounted upon the base members of the brackets and bearing blocks for journalling said rotor means adjacent to said end wall of said spa.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 that further includes a foot actuated lever means connected to one of said base members of the frame between the rotor means for assisting in the rotation of the units between the first and second positions.