Spa Tub Cover Lifter
A spa tub cover lifter includes a first mount which is attached to a spa tub, and a second mount rotatable about a pivot axis on the first mount. A first support is connected to the second mount and is coupled to a first location on a first portion of the spa cover. A connector has a first assembly state in which the connector is movably displaceable relative to a portion of the first support and a second assembly state in which the connector is fixed relative to the portion of the first support. A second support is provided between the connector and a second location of the first spa cover portion. When the first support is rotated about the pivot axis, a lifting force is applied to the first cover portion to lift the first cover portion relative to an upper rim of the spa tub.
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This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional No. 61/928,829, filed Jan. 17, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
This application is related to U.S. Ser. No. 13/920,242, filed Jun. 18, 2013, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 13/300,774, filed Nov. 21, 2011, and now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,468,774, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. Nos. 12/958,455 and 12/958,554, which were both filed on Dec. 2, 2010, and now issued as U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,516,626 and 8,516,625, respectively, and all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field Of The Invention
This invention relates broadly to spa tubs. More particularly, this invention relates to covers for spa tubs and systems for lifting and replacing a spa tub cover relative to a portable spa tub.
2. State Of The Art
Spa tubs are frequently used for relaxation, physical therapy, personal enjoyment, and for social occasions. One of the appealing attributes of a spa tub is that the tub includes jets that direct warm pressurized water toward an interior portion of the tub. Water that exits the jets and contacts the user's skin can create a massaging effect that is pleasurable, and even rehabilitative.
Spa tubs come in two forms: permanent in-ground installations and ‘portable’ above-ground installations. Portable spa tubs include a frame that supports a molded tub shell, and a cabinet surrounding the frame. The tub shell has an upper boundary rim, a plurality of seating locations defined by seat bottoms and backs and reclining lounges, and a lower floor. At one or more of the seating locations hydrotherapy jets are installed and a suction fitting is provided near the floor. Between the spa shell and the cabinet a space is defined in which plumbing and manifolds are provided to connect the jets, as well as one or more water pumps that circulate the water and a heater that heats the water circulated by the water pumps.
Referring to prior art
To remove the spa cover 12, the second portion 16 is folded back onto the first portion 14. The first and second portions are then together lifted off the spa 10. Often a cover lifter 34 (
Once the spa cover 12 is lifted, it is appreciated that the upper surfaces 36, 38 of the first and second cover portions 14, 16, as designated in the flat (or closed) configuration of the cover, are now located in the middle and in contact, whereas the lower surfaces (underside water facing surfaces) 40, 42 are facing outwardly from each other. It is not uncommon for the lower surfaces 40, 42 to become discolored by fading or staining due to long-term placement over the spa tub water. As a result, when the folded cover 12 is raised for use of the spa (prior art
Co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 8,468,617 describes a spa tub cover and lifter system that, among providing other advantages, overcomes this issue. The first and second cover portions are coupled together with a lower hinge that seats flush with the rim of the tub when the cover is in a flat (or closed) configuration so that it forms a seal about the rim. When the cover is moved into a folded (or open) configuration, the lower surfaces which face the water when in the closed configuration and can be unsightly, are moved into a position in which they face each other, whereas the upper surface of the second portion faces the users in the tub.
In an embodiment of this lifter, the lifter for the cover includes first and second U-shaped members that couple to at least one mount rotatable on a pivot axis. Where the rotatable mount is attached to the spa, it is positioned just below the spa rim. The first U-shaped member extends through a sleeve at the outer side of the first cover portion which is located adjacent the mount. The second U-shaped member extends from the rotatable mount below the lower surface of the first cover portion, along a lateral side of the cover, and to a top surface of the first cover portion. A handle for applying a lifting force to the lifter is coupled to the second U-shaped member. When the lifting force is applied, both the first and second cover portions lift upward, folding inward about the hinge in the manner discussed.
The upper portion of the spa tub defining the rim can have different heights on different spas. As such, for different spas, the cover which is seated in the closed position on the rim, and the rotatable mount which is located below the rim can be offset at various distances from each other. This then may require a custom installation for a spa cover and lifter that is being installed as an after-market accessory. Such installation may involve cutting the first U-shaped member to a size and shape adapted for the specific tub of the install. A custom installation requires additional labor. In addition, if the customization is performed improperly and needs to be re-done, it can lead to waste, added cost, and customer frustration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA spa tub cover lifter for use with a portable spa tub and an insulative spa tub cover are provided. The spa tub includes a frame that supports a molded tub shell, and a cabinet surrounding the frame. The tub shell has a plurality of seating locations defined by seat bottoms and backs and reclining lounges, a lower floor. The spa is provided with the heating and plumbing systems required to heat and circulate water through hydrotherapy jet installed in the tub shell. One embodiment of the spa cover for use with the lifter has first and second cover portions that are coupled together with a lower living hinge, each of the cover portions having an upper surface, a lower surface, first and second lateral sides, an inner hinge side, and an opposite outer side. When the cover is in a flat (or closed) configuration, both the lower surface and hinge seat flush with the rim of the tub, preferably so that a seal is formed about the rim. The cover is adapted to be moved into a folded (or open) configuration in which the lower surfaces of the first and second spa cover portions that face the water when in the closed configuration are moved into a position in which they face each other, whereas the upper surface of the second portion faces the users in the tub.
The lifter includes a fixed mount which is locatable relative to the spa tub, and a rotatable mount rotatable on a pivot axis about the fixed mount. The lifter includes first and second supports. The first support extends from the rotatable mount to a first location on the first cover portion, preferably including the upper surface of the first cover portion. The second support extends from the first support to a second location on the first cover portion, preferably including the outer side of the first cover portion; i.e., opposite the inner hinge side. A connector is provided that is movably disposed relative to the first support during an assembly state. The connector includes a tubular portion and a bracket fixed to the tubular portion. The tubular portion is sized to extend over and move relative to the first support during assembly. This allows the first and second supports to be fixed in a custom relationship depending on a variable distance that may occur between the rotatable mount and outer surface of the first cover portion. In addition, the second support can be fixedly secured to the bracket, and the tubular portion can be fixedly secured to first support, and the structure is intended to operate in this fixed relation during use. This assembly allows a common set of lifter elements to be adapted without the standard costly, time consuming and potentially wasteful customization required for lifters for spa tubs of different dimensions. In addition, the assembly can be adjusted for other spa tubs after install, for example, if the lifter and cover are moved to a different spa tub.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the detailed description taken in conjunction with the provided figures.
Prior art
Prior art
Prior art
Turning now to
The spa cover 102 includes first and second rectangular portions 130, 132 which together are sized to seat on and cover the upper rim 112 of the spa tub shell 108. The first and second portions 130, 132 are coupled together at a hinge 134, as described in more detail below. Each of the first and second portions 130, 132 is constructed of an insulative slab (e.g., a foam slab that has low transmission of heat energy, especially with respect to water heated to a temperature of between 75° and 110°) provided within an at least water-resistant, and more preferably waterproof, casing material such as vinyl.
The first portion 130 of the spa cover has a first lower surface 136 that faces the water in the spa tub 100 and an opposed first upper surface 138. Lateral sides 140, 142 extend between the first lower and first upper surfaces 136, 138. The lateral sides 140, 142 also extend transverse to the first lower surface 136 in a lengthwise dimension. The first portion 130 also includes an inner side 144 extending transverse to both the first lower surface 136 and the lateral sides 140, 142, as well as an outer side 146 extending parallel to and facing opposite the inner side 144. The inner side 144 extends in a widthwise dimension between the lateral sides 140, 142. A first length L1 is defined as the distance between the inner side 144 and the outer side 146. A first width W1 is defined as the distance between lateral sides 140, 142 along the inner side 144.
The second portion 132 of the cover includes corresponding surfaces to the first portion 130, with a second lower surface 148 that faces the tub water and an opposed second upper surface 150. Lateral sides 152, 154 extend between the second lower and upper surfaces 148, 150 in a lengthwise dimension. An inner side 156 extends transverse to the second lower surface 148 in a widthwise dimension between the lateral sides 152, 154. The inner side 156 of the second portion faces the inner side 144 of the first portion. The second portion 132 also includes an outer side 158 extending between the first and second lateral sides 152, 154 and facing opposite the inner side 144 of the first portion. A second length L2 is defined as the distance between the inner side 156 and the outer side 158. A second width W2 is defined as the distance between lateral sides along the inner side 156. In accord with one aspect of the invention, the first and second widths W1, W2 are the same, and the first length L1 is greater than the second length L2. The reasons that length L1 is greater than length L2 is described below.
The hinge 134 that couples the first and second portions 130, 132 has a pivot axis A1 that extends along the first and second portions in a direction parallel to the widthwise dimension defining W1 and W2. The hinge 134 is preferably a living hinge connected to the lower surfaces 136, 148 of the first and second portions. The hinge 134 is preferably comprised of a flexible nylon webbing. When the cover 102 is in a flat ‘closed’ configuration, the first and second lower surfaces 136, 148 are co-planar and seat adjacent one another on the upper rim 112 of the spa tub. Because the hinge is preferably provided as a living hinge of the same vinyl material of the first and second portions and because the hinge is provided at the lower surface, an unbroken, gapless seal (preferably air tight) is provided about the entirety of the rim, without the space for heat loss that results from prior art covers. Preferably, a flexible skirt 159 also extends about the perimeters of the first and second lower surfaces to further reduce the opportunity for heat loss and to protect the molded spa tub from the sun when not in use. For purposes of clarity, the skirt 159 is not shown in several of the figures; nevertheless it is preferably present in all embodiments. However, given that the hinge is at the lower surface, the methods of opening and removing a spa cover which are used in the prior art cannot be used with the cover of the invention, and another method is provided as described hereinafter. Referring to
The lifter 104 facilitates lifting the cover 102 from the closed configuration (
In one embodiment, a lifter frame 162 is coupled to each fixed mount 160 at a rotatable mount 164 integrated with each fixed mount 160 and rotatable about a common pivot axis A2. Preferably, a mirror image form of the following frame is provide on the opposite lateral sides of the cover where two fixed mounts are provided. However, it is within the scope that one lifter frame of suitable structural strength can be utilized.
The lifter frame 162 includes a first support (main swing arm) 168 extending from the rotatable mount 164 to a first location on the first cover portion 130. The first location preferably includes an aspect of the upper surface 138 of the first cover portion. In one embodiment, the first support 168 extends along one of the lateral sides 140 of the first portion 130 at an oblique angle relative to the lower surface 136 and then extends across the upper surface 138 of the first portion in proximity to the inner side 144 (
As described in detail below, the slidable relationship of the connector 165 to the first support 168 during assembly allows a common set of lifter components to be adapted without special parts or cutting to customize the install to a spa tub regardless of the offset between the rotatable mount 164 and the outer side 146 of the first portion 130 of the spa cover. More particularly, the slidable connector 165 is slidably mounted between the ends of the first support 168, and is preferably provided in this slidably mounted position as provided by the manufacturer for use by an installer. In assembly, the first support 168 is coupled between the rotatable mount 164 and the first location on the first cover portion, discussed below. The second support 166 is preferably L-shaped, with a first portion 166a and a second portion 166b which are preferably bent or otherwise configured in an orthogonal arrangement relative to each other. The first portion 166a of the second support is coupled at the outer side 146 of the first portion 130 of the cover, preferably through insertion of a sleeve provide in the cover. The second portion 166b of the second support is brought adjacent the first support 168. The connector 165 is displaced along the first support 168 until it meets up with the end 166c of the second portion 166b, and the end of the second portion and the bracket 169 are fixed together, preferably with fasteners 171. The end 166c and bracket 169 may both be in a flattened plate form to facilitate side-by-side connection. Other structures for assembly of the end portion 166c and the bracket 169 are within the scope of the invention. In addition, the tubular portion 167 is fixedly fastened to the first support 168 with fasteners 173 to prevent any further longitudinal displacement of the connector 165 relative to the first support 168. This assembly provides a rigid and stable supporting configuration for the lifter supports 166, 168 relative to the rotatable mount 164 without requiring any cutting or waste of such supports to provide a fit regardless of the offset of the spa tub rim 112 relative to the fixed and rotatable mounts 160, 164, and the particular height-wise location along the outer side 146 at which the first portion 166a of the second support 166 is attached. Further, the assembly can be adjusted for other spa tubs after install, for example, if the lifter and cover are moved to a different spa tub.
The lifter frame 162 also includes a handle member 170 that extends or is extendable laterally outward from the spa tub 100 to facilitate movement thereof and may be integrated with or distinct from the first support 168. The handle 170 may be connected to or integrated with the first support 168, fixed in position relative to the first support 168, or may movable relative to the upper member so that the handle does not protrude relative to the sides of the spa tub 100 when not in use. By way of example, the handle 170 may be coupled to a hinge 172 that permits it to fold relative to the frame (
Referring to
Turning now to
Referring to
Further, the cover 102 may be closed on the spa tub from either outside or inside the spa. From outside the spa, the user grabs the handle 170 and pulls the 102 cover toward the closed position. Once the cover 102 is partially closed, the handle 170 can be released, the fixed location of the pivot axis A2 to which the first portion 130 of the cover 102 is fixed, and cylinder 180 ensure that the cover smoothly closes in the same position each and every time. From inside the spa, the user grabs the outer side 158 of the second portion 132 (a handle may be provided for this purpose) and starts pulling and walks the cover closed as the user steps through the tub, away from the lift assist, and out of the spa. The cover will automatically close on its own after a certain amount of angular displacement toward the closed configuration.
Once the spa is in a closed configuration as shown back in
Turning to
Referring to
Traditional spa covers may be inadvertently closed on a user, particularly on windy days. In order to prevent this occurrence, a stop 184, either integrated with the support 160 or distinct therefrom, limits the range of rotation of the lifter and assists in supporting the weight of the lifted cover. Stop 184, which is contacted by the first portion 166a of the second support 166, supports the back-shifted weight of the cover and lifter system to prevent inadvertent closure of the cover. Turning now to
In accord with a preferred aspect of the invention, when in the open configuration the first portion 130 is situated with its outer side 146 below the surface of the rim 112 of the tub and is situated vertically below the pivot axis A2, while the second portion 132 is preferably situated with its outer side 158 vertically even with or above the rim. As stated above, in this open configuration, the lower surfaces 136, 148 face one another, and the upper surfaces 138, 150 face opposite one another. The upper surface 150 of the second portion is oriented in a substantially vertical plane and faces toward the spa tub 100.
There have been described and illustrated herein several embodiments of a spa cover, a lifter in association of the spa cover, and a spa provided with the cover and lifter. In addition, methods of folding the spa cover are also provided. While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto, as it is intended that the invention be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art that yet other modifications could be made to the provided invention without deviating from its spirit and scope as claimed.
Claims
1. A spa tub cover lifter system for use in association with a spa tub and spa cover,
- the spa tub having a tub shell defining an interior for holding water and an exterior, the tub shell having a plurality of seating locations and an upper rim having a perimeter, the perimeter having a first dimension and a transverse second dimension, and
- the spa tub cover having a first spa cover portion having a first upper surface and a first lower surface, first and second opposite lateral sides, a first inner side, and a first outer side opposite the first inner side, a second spa cover portion having a second upper surface and a second lower surface, a second inner side facing the first inner side, and a second outer side opposite the first outer side, and a hinge extending between the first and second spa cover portions, the first and second spa cover portions rotatable relative to each other on the hinge about a hinge axis between a flat configuration and a folded configuration, the lifter system comprising:
- a) a first mount stably locatable relative to the spa tub;
- b) a second mount rotatably mounted to the first mount and defining a pivot axis;
- c) a first support connected to the second mount and adapted to be coupled to a first location on the first spa cover portion;
- d) a connector having a first assembly state in which the connector is movably displaceable relative to a portion of the first support and a second assembly state in which the connector is fixed relative to the portion of the first support; and
- e) a second support connected between the connector and a second location of the first spa cover portion,
- wherein when the first support is rotated about the pivot axis, a lifting force is applied to the first spa cover portion to lift the first and second spa cover portions relative to the upper rim of the spa tub.
2. A spa tub cover lifter according to 1, wherein:
- the connector is slidably displaceable relative to the portion of the first support in the first assembly state.
3. A spa tub cover lifter according to 2, wherein:
- the connector includes a tubular portion which is slidably disposable over the portion of the first support in the first assembly state.
4. A spa tub cover lifter according to 3, wherein:
- the connector includes a bracket at which the second support is connected to the connector.
5. A spa tub cover lifter according to 1, wherein:
- in the second assembly state, fasteners fixedly couple the first and second supports to the connector.
6. A spa tub cover lifter according to 1, wherein:
- the first support includes an adjustable clamp by which the first support is adapted to be coupled to the first location on the first spa cover portion.
7. A spa tub cover lifter according to 1, wherein:
- the first support and the second support are adapted to be coupled to orthogonal surfaces on the first spa cover portion.
8. A spa tub cover lifter system according to 7, wherein:
- the first support is adapted to couple to the upper surface of the first spa cover portion, and the second support is adapted to couple to the outer surface of the first spa cover portion.
9. A spa tub cover lifter system according to 1, wherein:
- the second support is not connected to the rotatable mount.
10. A spa tub cove lifter system according to 1, in combination with a spa tub, the spa tub having,
- i) a tub shell defining an interior for holding water and an exterior, the tub shell having a plurality of seating locations and an upper rim having a perimeter, the perimeter having a first dimension and a transverse second dimension,
- ii) a cabinet about the shell,
- ii) hydrotherapy jets installed at one or more seating locations,
- iii) a plumbing system to circulate water from the interior of the tub shell through the jets, and
- iv) a heating system for heating the circulated water.
11. A spa tub cover and lifter system for use in association with a spa tub, the spa tub having a tub shell defining an interior for holding water and an exterior, the tub shell having a plurality of seating locations and an upper rim having a perimeter, the perimeter having a first dimension and a transverse second dimension, the cover and lifter system comprising:
- a) a cover, including, i) a first spa cover portion having a first upper surface and a first lower surface, first and second opposite lateral sides, a first inner side, and a first outer side opposite the first inner side, ii) a second spa cover portion having a second upper surface and a second lower surface, a second inner side facing the first inner side, and a second outer side opposite the first outer side, and iii) a hinge extending between the first and second spa cover portions, the first and second spa cover portions rotatable relative to each other on the hinge about a hinge axis between a flat configuration and a folded configuration, wherein in the flat configuration the cover seats on the rim of the spa tub; and
- b) a lifter system for lifting the cover from the rim of the spa tub, including, i) a first mount stably locatable relative to the spa tub, ii) a second mount rotatably mounted to the first mount and defining a pivot axis; iii) a first support connected to the second mount and adapted to be coupled to a first location on the first spa cover portion, iv) a connector having a first assembly state in which the connector is movably displaceable relative to a portion of the first support and a second assembly state in which the connector is fixed relative to the portion of the first support, and v) a second support connected between the connector and a second location of the first spa cover portion, wherein when the first support is rotated about the pivot axis, a lifting force is applied to the first spa cover portion to lift the first and second spa cover portions relative to the upper rim of the spa tub.
12. A spa tub cover lifter system according to 11, wherein:
- the connector is slidably displaceable relative to the portion of the first support in the first assembly state.
13. A spa tub cover lifter system according to 12, wherein:
- the connector includes a tubular portion which is slidably disposable over the portion of the first support in the first assembly state.
14. A spa tub cover lifter system according to 13, wherein:
- the connector includes a bracket at which the second support is connected to the connector.
15. A spa tub cover lifter system according to 11, wherein:
- in the second assembly state, fasteners fixedly couple the first and second supports to the connector.
16. A spa tub cover lifter system according to 11, wherein:
- the first support includes an adjustable clamp by which the first support is adapted to be coupled to the first location on the first spa cover portion.
17. A spa tub cover lifter system according to 11, wherein:
- the first support and the second support are adapted to be coupled to orthogonal surfaces on the first spa cover portion.
18. A spa tub cover lifter system according to 17, wherein:
- the first support is adapted to couple to the upper surface of the first spa cover portion, and the second support is adapted to couple to the outer surface of the first spa cover portion.
19. A spa tub cover lifter system according to 11, wherein:
- the second support is not connected to the rotatable mount.
20. A spa tub cover lifter system for use in association with a spa tub, the spa tub having a tub shell defining an interior for holding water and an exterior, the tub shell having a plurality of seating locations and an upper rim having a perimeter, the perimeter having a first dimension and a transverse second dimension, the cover and lifter system comprising:
- a) a cover, including, i) a first spa cover portion having a first upper surface and a first lower surface, first and second opposite lateral sides, a first inner side, and a first outer side opposite the first inner side, ii) a second spa cover portion having a second upper surface and a second lower surface, a second inner side facing the first inner side, and a second outer side opposite the first outer side, and iii) a hinge extending between the first and second spa cover portions, the first and second spa cover portions rotatable relative to each other on the hinge about a hinge axis between a flat, closed configuration and a folded, open configuration, wherein in the closed configuration the cover is configured to seat on the rim of the spa tub; and
- b) a lifter system for lifting the cover from the rim of the spa tub, including, i) a first mount stably locatable relative to the spa tub, a stop defined on the first mount, ii) a second mount rotatably mounted to the first mount and defining a pivot axis; iii) a first support connected to the second mount and adapted to be coupled to the upper surface on the first spa cover portion, and v) a second support connected between the connector and the first outer side of the first spa cover portion, wherein when the lifter system is rotated on the pivot axis, a lifting force is applied to the first spa cover portion to lift the first and second spa cover portions relative to the upper rim of the spa tub, and said stop is positioned relative to the first support so that during the rotation toward the open configuration the stop limits movement of the first support to a maximum permissible angle.
21. A spa tub cover lifter system for use in association with a spa tub, the spa tub having a tub shell defining an interior for holding water and an exterior, the tub shell having a plurality of seating locations and an upper rim having a perimeter, the perimeter having a first dimension and a transverse second dimension, the cover and lifter system comprising:
- a) a cover, including, i) a first spa cover portion having a first upper surface and a first lower surface, first and second opposite lateral sides, a first inner side, and a first outer side opposite the first inner side, ii) a second spa cover portion having a second upper surface and a second lower surface, a second inner side facing the first inner side, and a second outer side opposite the first outer side, and iii) a hinge extending between the first and second spa cover portions, the first and second spa cover portions rotatable relative to each other on the hinge about a hinge axis between a flat, closed configuration and a folded, open configuration, wherein in the closed configuration the cover is configured to seat on the rim of the spa tub;
- b) a lifter system for lifting the cover from the rim of the spa tub, including, i) a first mount stably locatable relative to the spa tub, a stop defined on the first mount, ii) a second mount rotatably mounted to the first mount and defining a pivot axis; iii) a first support connected to the second mount and adapted to be coupled to the upper surface on the first spa cover portion, and v) a second support connected between the connector and the first outer side of the first spa cover portion, wherein when the lifter system is rotated on the pivot axis, a lifting force is applied to the first spa cover portion to lift the first and second spa cover portions relative to the upper rim of the spa tub; and
- c) a locking system for locking the cover in the closed configuration relative to the spa tub, the locking system consisting essentially of, i) a first locking mechanism for securing spa tub cover in the closed configuration, the first locking mechanism extending over the lateral side of the second portion of the spa tub cover, and ii) a second locking mechanism for securing spa tub cover in the closed configuration, the second locking mechanism extending over the outer side of the second portion of the spa tub cover.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 16, 2015
Publication Date: Jul 23, 2015
Applicant: HOT TUB PRODUCTS, LLC (Bethany, CT)
Inventors: Andrew Tournas (Bethany, CT), W. John Gardenier (Port Saint Lucie, FL)
Application Number: 14/598,577