Device for aiding removal and replacement of a spa cover

• US 5,950,252 A
• Filed: 01/10/1997
• Issued: 09/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ian Fettes
• Original Assignee: Ian Fettes
• Inventors: Fettes, Ian
• Primary Examiner(s): Fetsuga, Robert M.
• Application Number:
  US08/781,804
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 4/246.1, 4/246.3, 4/246.4, 4/246.5, 4/498, 4/580, 49/386, 403/378, 403/379
• US Class Current: 4/498
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/084 with lifting mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7079 Transverse pin

Abstract

A device is provided for aiding in the removal and replacement of a spa cover atop a spa tub. A pair of lifting assemblies are located on opposite sides of the spa tub. Each of the lifting assemblies includes a spring having an anchored end secured relative to the spa tub and a moveable end. Each lifting assembly employs a lifting arm mounted for rotation relative to the spa tub and including a cover-engaging end attached to the spa cover, a spring-engaging end attached to the moveable end of the spring, and a fulcrum located between the lifting arm ends. The lifting arm is rotatable between extreme covering and uncovering positions in which the spring-engaging end of the lifting arm lies on opposite sides of a straight line extending between the lifting arm axis of rotation and the anchored end of the spring. The lifting arm is rotatable through an intermediate position in which the spring-engaging end of the lifting arm passes between the fulcrum and the anchored end of the spring. At this intermediate position the spring force is at a minimum. The lifting device thereby tends to balance the gravitational moment exerted by the cover on the lifting arms more closely than is achieved with conventional devices. In an alternative arrangement the fulcrum of the lifting arm is located at one end thereof and the moveable end of the spring is joined to the lifting arm at an intermediate spring coupling. A clamping mechanism is employed to lock the lifting arm to prevent accidental closure of the cover.

Claims

1. In combination, a spa having a tub with a pair of opposing transverse end walls and a pair of opposite side walls, each side wall having a top and a bottom, a folding spa cover divided longitudinally into two sections and including a cover hinge that extends transversely between said opposite side walls of said spa tub, wherein said spa cover sections are foldable together at said hinge, and a device for aiding removal and replacement of said spa cover relative to said spa tub comprising a pair of lifting assemblies each of which is secured relative to said spa tub on a separate one of said opposite side walls, each lifting assembly including:

a spring having an anchored end secured relative to said spa tub and a moveable end, wherein said anchored end is attached to one of said side walls of said tub near said bottom thereof,

a single lifting arm mounted for rotation relative to said spa tub and including a cover-engaging end attached to said spa cover proximate said spa cover hinge, a spring-engaging end attached to said moveable end of said spring, and a fulcrum located between said lifting arm ends and attached to said one of said side walls near said top thereof and defining a lifting arm axis of rotation, and said lifting arm is rotatable between extreme covering and uncovering positions in which said moveable end of said lifting arm lies on opposite sides of a straight line extending between said lifting arm axis of rotation and said anchored end of said spring and said lifting arm is rotatable through an intermediate position in which said moveable end of said lifting arm lies on said straight line whereby said spring exerts a spring biasing moment on said lifting arm urging said lifting arm toward said intermediate position and said cover exerts a gravitational moment on said lifting arm that opposes said spring biasing moment when said lifting arm is at said extreme positions, and said spring biasing moment is less than said gravitational moment.

2. A combination according to claim 1 wherein said spring is a coil spring biased in tension.

3. A combination according to claim 1 further comprising a link of adjustable effective length interposed between each spring-engaging end of each lifting arm and each moveable end of each spring to permit adjustment of tension on said coil springs.

4. A combination according to claim 1 further comprising lower transverse cover-engaging members extending from said cover-engaging ends of said lifting arms beneath said spa cover hinge, and an upper, transverse cover-engaging member extending between said cover-engaging ends of said lifting arms above one of said spa cover sections.

5. A combination according to claim 4 wherein said upper, transverse, cover-engaging member is comprised of a pair of outboard tubes secured to said cover-engaging ends of said lifting arms and having inboard ends of polygonal cross section directed toward each other, and an inboard connecting tube having opposing ends of corresponding polygonal cross section that telescopically engage said inboard ends of said outboard tubes.

6. If A device according to claim 5 further comprising a cradle at each of said cover-engaging ends of said lifting arms, each cradle defining a saddle for seating separate ones of said inboard ends of said outboard tubes therein.

7. A combination according to claim 1 wherein each lifting arm employs at least one set of telescoping members, each set including an outer telescoping member having a coupling end with an interior wall and an inner telescoping member partially disposed within said outer telescoping member and partially protruding longitudinally therefrom beyond said coupling end thereof, and further comprising an annular compression collar interposed between said inner and outer telescoping members in each of said sets, each of said annular collars having inner, radially projecting ribs and an outer, radially projecting flange wherein said radially projecting ribs contact said interior wall of said outer telescoping member and are radially compressed between said inner and outer telescoping members and said outer flanges reside in abutment against said coupling ends of said outer telescoping members, and wherein said inner telescoping member has an inner end extremity, and further comprising an annular cap having a plurality of ribs projecting radially therefrom on said inner end extremity of said inner telescoping member, and said ribs on said annular cap projecting radially outwardly to frictionally engage said outer telescoping member.

8. A combination according to claim 1 wherein each of said fulcrums is attached to said tub at least about eleven inches from the nearest of said transverse end walls.