Hot tub cover assembly

A hot tub cover assembly includes a hot tub that includes a bottom wall and a peripheral wall. The peripheral wall includes a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall and a fourth side wall wherein the first and second side walls are positioned opposite of each other. The peripheral wall has an upper edge defining an opening into the hot tub. A panel has a size and shape substantially equal to the upper edge of the peripheral wall. A lifting assembly is attached to and extends between the peripheral wall and the canopy. The lifting assembly is configured to selectively lift the canopy into an open position lifted above and spaced from the hot tub or lower the canopy into a closed position abutting the upper edge and covering the opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to spa covering devices and more particularly pertains to a new spa covering device for selectively covering and sealing an opening of a hot tub.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The use of spa covering devices is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 6,716,566 describes a device that including a plurality of legs each selectively extendable upwardly or downwardly with respect to a spa. Another type of spa covering device in U.S. Pat. No. 5,745,932 having a structure adapted for selectively closing a spa. A spa enclosure is found in U.S. Patent Des. No. 299,959.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a device that can be retrofitted to existing spas by attaching legs to an outer surface of the spa. It is preferred that the device selectively lift a canopy upwardly over a spa to form a spaced covering while the spa is being used and which will lower a canopy to seal the spa when it is not being used. This will allow the canopy to perform a dual purpose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a hot tub that includes a bottom wall and a peripheral wall. The peripheral wall includes a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall and a fourth side wall wherein the first and second side walls are positioned opposite of each other. The peripheral wall has an upper edge defining an opening into the hot tub. A panel has a size and shape substantially equal to the upper edge of the peripheral wall. A lifting assembly is attached to and extends between the peripheral wall and the canopy. The lifting assembly is configured to selectively lift the canopy into an open position lifted above and spaced from the hot tub or lower the canopy into a closed position abutting the upper edge and covering the opening.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular toFIGS. 1 through 4thereof, a new spa covering device embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral10will be described.

As best illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 4, the hot tub cover assembly10generally comprises a conventional hot tub12that has a bottom wall14and a peripheral wall16. The peripheral wall16includes a first side wall18, a second side wall20, a third side wall22and a fourth side wall24wherein the first18and second20side walls are positioned opposite of each other. The peripheral wall16has an upper edge26defining an opening28into the hot tub12.

A panel30has a size and shape substantially equal to the upper edge26of the peripheral wall16. The panel30has a first lateral edge32, a second lateral edge34, a third lateral edge36and a fourth lateral edge38wherein the first32and second34lateral edges are positioned opposite of each other. The first lateral edge32has a first slot41and a second slot42therein. The first slot41extends from the third lateral edge36toward the fourth lateral edge38. The second slot42extends from the fourth lateral edge38toward the third lateral edge36. The second lateral edge34has a third slot43and a fourth slot44therein. The third slot43extends from third lateral edge36toward the fourth lateral edge38. The fourth slot38extends form the fourth lateral edge38toward the third lateral edge36.

A lifting assembly46is attached to and extends between the peripheral wall16and the canopy30. The lifting assembly46is configured to selectively lift the canopy30into an open position lifted above and spaced from the hot tub12or lower the canopy30into a closed position abutting the upper edge26and covering the opening28.

The lifting assembly46includes a first set of legs including a first leg51and a second leg52. Each of the first51and second52legs has an upper end60and a lower end61. Each of the lower ends61is pivotally coupled to the first side wall18. The lower end61of the first leg61is positioned adjacent to the third wall22and the lower end61of the second leg52is positioned adjacent to the fourth wall24.

A second set of legs includes a third leg53and a fourth leg54. Each of the third53and fourth54legs has an upper end60and a lower end61. Each of the lower ends61of the third53and fourth54legs is pivotally coupled to the second side wall20. The lower end61of the third leg53is positioned adjacent to the third wall22and the lower end61of the fourth leg54is positioned adjacent to the fourth wall24.

A plurality of couplers55is provided. Each of the couplers55is mounted in and is positionable along a length of one of the first41, second42, third43and fourth44slots. The coupler55in the first slot41is rotatably coupled to the upper end60of the first leg51and the coupler55in the second slot42is rotatably coupled to the upper end60of the second leg52. The coupler55in the third slot43is rotatably coupled to the top end60of the third leg53and the coupler55in the fourth slot44is rotatably coupled to the top end60of the fourth leg54. The couplers55comprise wheels which can rotate and thereby move along a length of the slots.

A plurality of bracing members70is attached to the hot tub12and is configured to brace the panel30is an open position. Each of the branching members70is attached to one of the legs51-55. The bracing members70each comprise pneumatic piston assembly.

A flexible perimeter screen75may be attached to and extended between canopy30and the hot tub12. An access point, closable by a zipper76, preferably extends through the perimeter screen75and generally extends between the canopy30and the hot tub12to allow selective access through the screen75and into the hot tub12. The screen75prevents insects form having access to persons in the hot tub12.

In use, the assembly10allows a person to use a hot tub12or spa in conventional manner by lifting the canopy30upwardly over the hot tub12. The canopy30forms a roof over the hot tub12in this orientation. When not being used, the canopy30is lowered to seal the hot tub12to retain the hot tub's heat and to prevent insects or debris from entering the hot tub12.