1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a retractable cover for use with a spa or tub. More specifically, the invention relates to an automatically extendable/retractable cover for easy manipulation and storage thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
The use of covers for covering outdoor water containment vessels such as spas, tubs, and whirlpools has been known as a means for preventing the introduction of unwanted airborne debris into the vessels. Also, covers are often used as a safety measure to prevent access into the vessels and prevent accidental drowning/injury to children or small animals.
These covers are typically designed to be manually manipulated into place and manually removed by the user. This manual manipulation of the cover can be awkward and cumbersome. Moreover, providing suitable storage of the cover can also present a problem. Automatic and/or semi-automatic systems for removable covers for spas and pools have been developed. Representative examples of these covers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,271,542; 5,303,527; 6,718,566; and 7,412,733. These systems often employ complex linkages and equipment including hydraulic lifts and jacks, are expensive to manufacture, require a large amount of space to store the removed cover, and fail to provide little, if any, heat insulation to the contents of the spa/pool.
The present invention is directed to a retractable cover assembly which effectively insulates and retains the heat of the vessel contents while preventing the introduction of airborne debris inside the vessel. The present invention further provides a safety feature against accidental drowning by preventing access into the vessel. Still yet, the present invention allows for the automatic manipulation of the cover such that it can be retracted, rolled upon itself, and stored in an unobtrusive location.
According to one embodiment, the invention is directed to an articulating cover member for covering an opening, such as an opening for a spa or tub. The cover member may include a plurality of pivotally connected door panels. Each of the door panels may have at least one longitudinally-extending tubular member and at least one longitudinally-extending attachment member associated with a longitudinal edge portion of the at least one tubular member. The at least one longitudinally-extending attachment member may be configured for cooperation with an attachment member extending along a longitudinal edge portion of the tubular member of an adjacent door panel for pivotally connecting the door panels. A track assembly may be provided for guiding the movement of the cover member with respect to a frame of an opening. According to one embodiment, each of the door panels may include a pair of tubular members and an interposed support member extending between and parallel with the pair of tubular members, and the at least one attachment member may include a male member extending along a first longitudinal edge of one of the pair of tubular members and a female member extending along a second longitudinal edge of the other of the pair of tubular members. The male member may be configured for cooperation with an adjacent door panel female member and the female member may be configured for cooperation with an adjacent door panel male member. Desirably, each of the door panels may be a single extruded piece. An insulating material can be located within the tubular members. If desired, a motor assembly may be provided for automatic actuation of the cover member.
According to another embodiment, the invention is directed to an automated retractable cover assembly for a water containment vessel, such as a spa. The cover assembly may include a plurality of pivotally connected door panels, each of the door panels including at least one longitudinally-extending tubular member and at least one longitudinally-extending attachment member associated with a longitudinal edge portion of the at least one tubular member. The at least one longitudinally-extending attachment member may be configured for cooperation with an attachment member extending along a longitudinal edge portion of the tubular member of an adjacent door panel for pivotally connecting the door panels. A track and motor assembly may be provided for controlling movement of the plurality of door panels to extend or retract the cover with respect to an opening of the spa. According to one embodiment, the at least one tubular member may include a pair of tubular members and an interposed support member extending between, and parallel with the pair of tubular members. The at least one attachment member may include a male member extending along a first longitudinal edge of the at least one tubular member and a female member extending along a second longitudinal edge of the at least one tubular member, wherein the male member may be configured for cooperation with an adjacent door panel female member and the female member may be configured for cooperation with an adjacent door panel male member. An insulating material, such as polyurethane foam, may be placed within the at least one tubular member. According to one desirable manufacturing technique, each of the door panels may be a single extruded piece and the foam material may be injected into the tubular members and formed in situ. The door panels may be formed from any well known, extrudable material such as metal, plastic, composite material, and the like. Preferably, the extrudable material may include an aluminum material. The cover may extend and retract through an opening in the sidewall of the spa and may be rolled upon itself for storage in a location beneath the spa.
According to another embodiment, the invention is directed to a spa including a water containment shell having a bottom closed portion, an open top portion, and a sidewall portion extending between the open top portion and the bottom closed portion to define a containment area. A top ledge portion may be provided adjacent the sidewall portion defining a user access into the water containment shell. A side opening may extend through the top ledge portion. A retractable cover may be provided for extension and retraction through a side opening. The retractable cover may include a plurality of pivotally connected door panels. Each of the door panels may have at least one longitudinally-extending tubular member and at least one longitudinally-extending attachment member associated with a longitudinal edge portion of the at least one tubular member. The at least one longitudinally-extending attachment member may be configured for cooperation with an attachment member extending along a longitudinal edge portion of a tubular member of an adjacent door panel for pivotally connecting the door panels. The spa further may include a storage space located adjacent the water containment shell for receiving the retractable cover in a retracted/stored position. According to one embodiment, a shroud may be provided adjacent this storage space for covering the retracted/stored cover. The spa can also include a track for guiding movement of the plurality of door panels to extend or retract the cover with respect to an opening of the spa. A motor may be provided for automatically controlling movement of the cover along the track. According to a further embodiment, a railing may be provided that extends around the water containment shell. The railing may be configured for folding in a downward direction to facilitate debris removal, such as snow or leaves from a top surface of the cover.
These and other features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structures and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures.
For purposes of the description hereinafter, spatial or directional terms shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific components illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.
Reference is now made to
With reference to
Spa 10 further includes a storage space, generally indicated as 46 in
Reference is now made to
One desirable manufacturing process for forming cover 12 is to extrude each door panel 14 as a single extruded piece. The material used for forming door panel 14 can be any well-known, extrudable material including metals, plastics/polymers, composites, and the like. Preferably, each door panel 14 is formed from an aluminum material. An insulating material 29 can be located within tubular members 16, 18. This insulating material can be any well-known type of material, but preferably a foam material, such as polyurethane foam, that can be injected into tubular members 16, 18 of each door panel 14 and formed in situ.
Referring back to
Referring now to
According to a further embodiment shown in
Reference is now made to
Retractable cover 12 described herein provides for an efficient and easy-to-use cover system that effectively insulates and retains the heat of spa 10 contents while preventing the introduction of airborne debris inside spa 10. Retractable cover 12 is also inexpensive to produce, can be easily customized to fit any size containment shell 36, and can be automatically retracted, rolled upon itself, and stored in an unobtrusive location.
The present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obvious modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/355,636, filed Jun. 17, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61355636 | Jun 2010 | US |