Patent Application
20140123380
This application relates to the field of spa covers.
Spas, especially those for outdoor use, are typically covered by a spa cover. The spa cover serves to keep dirt, leaves and other debris out of the spa. Insulated spa covers are also useful for retaining the heat of the hot water inside the spa.
A spa cover is normally removed before a user will enter the spa. Spa covers are often many inches thick and can have considerable weight, especially when insulated. This can make it difficult to remove the spa cover before use of the spa, but also when moving the spa cover back to cover the spa. Conveniently, a spa may be fitted with a spa cover lifter, which can assist the user in lifting and storing the spa cover off of the spa, and in moving the spa cover back to cover the spa.
To assist the movement of the spa cover, spa cover lifters can include damping mechanisms, such as gas pistons, to help slow the decent of the spa cover when moving it back onto the spa.
For a better understanding of the described embodiments and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:
The drawings, described below, are provided for purposes of illustration, and not of limitation, of the aspects and features of various examples of embodiments described herein. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the teachings in any way. For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. The dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.
It will be appreciated that numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, this description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein in any way, but rather as merely describing implementation of the various embodiments described herein.
Spa 100 also comprises a spa cover lifter 104. Spa cover lifter 104 helps to lift spa cover 102 into the open position shown in
To remove spa cover 102, starting from the closed position shown in
Spa cover lifter 104 may retain spa cover 102 in the open position until a user is ready to close spa cover 102. A user may close spa cover 102 by doing the opposite of that described above to open spa cover 102. Starting from the open position shown in
In the example shown, piston 108 can provide resistance to the rotation of spa cover 102 and pivot arm 106 as they rotate in the direction of arrow 120. This can allow spa cover 102 to descend slowly by its own weight, instead of crashing down onto spa 100.
Piston 108 compresses as pivot arm 106 rotates to have the spa cover 102 descend onto spa 100. After spa cover 102 and pivot arm 106 have descended and the first half 110 has been unfolded (as shown in
In the example shown, spa cover 102 is provided with tie downs 122 that couple pivot arm 106 to the spa cover 102. But for tie-downs 122, piston 108 could lift pivot arm 106 away from spa cover 102 when the two halves 110, 112 of the spa cover 102 are unfolded as shown in
Generally, pivot arm restraint 202 is capable of connecting to pivot arm 106. In some embodiments, pivot arm restraint 202 may be configured to encircle about at least a portion of pivot arm 106. In the example shown, pivot arm restraint 202 forms a loop, which may be slid onto pivot arm 106, for example. In variant embodiments, pivot arm restraint 202 may comprise a hook or a clip for example.
In the example shown, pivot arm restraint 202 comprises a strap. It will be understood that a strap may comprise flexible fabrics and leathers, as well as cast, molded or otherwise formed metals, plastics, ceramics and combinations thereof, both flexible and rigid.
Generally, spa cover connector 204 is coupled to pivot arm restraint 202 and capable of coupling the tie down 200 to spa cover 102. In the example shown, spa cover connector 204 comprises an upper side 206 coupled to pivot arm restraint 202 and a lower side 208 coupled to spa cover 102. Upper side 206 may be coupled directly or indirectly to pivot arm restraint 202. For example, upper side 206 may be coupled to pivot arm restraint 202 using, for example, but not limited to, adhesive, stitching or rivets. In some cases, spa cover connector 204 and pivot arm restraint 202 may be integrally formed, from plastic, metal or fabric, for example.
Lower side 208 may be coupled to spa cover 102 by, for example, but not limited to, adhesive or screws. In some embodiments, lower side 208 may comprise hooks for mating with loops provided on spa cover 102, or vice versa, to provide a removable coupling.
In the example shown, lower side 316 of lower portion 312 is coupled to spa cover 102. For example, lower side 316 may comprise an adhesive or screws, or may comprise hooks for mating with loops provided on spa cover 102 or vice versa.
Pivot arm restraint 202 may comprise a strap formed in a loop as shown in
A number of embodiments have been described herein. However, it will be understood by persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments as defined in the claims appended hereto.
