Patent Publication Number: US-2005132486-A1

Title: Spa cover lifter

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/437,968 filed May 15, 2003. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Field of the Invention  
      The invention relates to a lifting mechanism for removing and replacing the cover of a spa The use of spas has become widespread, and most spas are equipped with covers which when closed prevents debris, rain and the like from contaminating the tub water. The cover further serves to retain heat within the tub. As a consequence, spa covers tend to be relatively heavy and difficult to remove and replace.  
      Lifting devices have been developed to aid in the removal and replacement of these relatively heavy spa covers which can be operated with varying amounts of difficulty. Some problems exist with past lifting mechanism designs. A unit with one bar can produce excessive wear on the edge of spa and the bottom of the spa cover when the cover is slid and pushed to the “off” position.  
      With only one lift bar rigidity suffers and spa covers tends to become angularity offset when the operator pulls or pushes on one side only.  
      Many lifters require the user to fold the cover at the half-way seam. If the wind is blowing at a stiff breeze this can be a difficult struggle for a young athletic person, an impossible task for the elderly or disabled person. However, many spa owners do not have adequate space to rotate a large cover. Thus owners could request a folding cover on a rotating lifter, this choice is illustrated in these embodiments.  
     DESCRTIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention is designed to lift a spa cover ( 22 - 23 ) and allow the cover to be rotated to clear the spa tub ( 21 ). Method for raising and lowering is accomplished by using one of the several power devices, namely a pivoted lever ( 28 ), an over center linkage ( 35 ), a scissor jack ( 43 ), a screw and nut assembly ( 52 ), a spool and cable ( 59 ).  
      A selected device applies an upward force on push tube ( 26 ). Crane arm ( 27 ) is attached to the push tube ( 26 ). Various attachments may be used to hold the cover to the crane arm. Upper ported mount blocks ( 24 ) and lower ported mount blocks ( 25 ) maintain alignment for push tube ( 26 ) operation. A post ( 50 ) may be installed near the spa ( 21 ) to provide lifting without attachment to the spa ( 21 ). When using the post the mount blocks ( 62 ) and ( 64 ) are attached directly to the post. Emplacement ( 51 ) keeps post ( 50 ) in place.  
      The hand lever ( 28 ) is held in place by the support ( 30 ) which is attached to the lower ported mount block ( 64 ) by bolts ( 31 ). The lever rotates about pin ( 29 ).  
      The over center link ( 40 ) is elbow shaped to fit under push tube ( 26 ) and extend upward to attach to crank ( 35 ) utilizing pivot pin ( 39 ). Crank ( 35 ) is held in place by outer support ( 36 ) and inner support ( 38 ). Inner support ( 38 ) is joined to upper ported mount block ( 24 ) with bolt ( 37 ). When using the separate post ( 50 ) the crank ( 35 ) is held in place by inner bearing block ( 44 ) attached to the post. Outer bearing block ( 44 ) sets atop support ( 36 ) which in turn is attached to post ( 50 ).  
      The scissor screw lift ( 43 ) is mounted directly under the push tube ( 26 ). The crank ( 41 ) is attached to the scissor screw ( 43 ). Bearing ( 42 ) holds the crank ( 41 ) in the operating position. When using the separate post ( 50 ) the crank ( 41 ) is held in place by bearing ( 42 ).  
      The screw and cable crank ( 52 ) is mounted utilizing bearing block ( 53 ). Nut ( 54 ) travels along the threaded crank ( 52 ), pulling cable ( 56 ) over scheve ( 45 ) thus raising or lowering cup ( 55 ) which is meshed with the bottom of push tube ( 26 ). When using the separate post ( 50 ) a bearing block ( 57 ) is mounted on the post, another bearing block ( 67 ) is mounted on post ( 50 ) to guide crank ( 52 ). A mount ( 53 ) attached to the post ( 50 ) is provided to mount scheve ( 45 ).  
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The foregoing objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily apparent as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following drawings. The crane arm with cover attached is common to all drawings.  
      FIG. ( 1 ) is a front view of the spa with mount blocks attached, push tube is aligned through the blocks, and the hand lever provides the lifting power.  
      FIG. ( 2 ) is a front view of the spa with mount blocks attached to a post near the spa, push tube is aligned through the blocks, and the hand lever provides the lifting power. The post is set in its emplacement.  
      FIG. ( 3 ) is a front view of the spa with mount blocks attached, push tube is aligned through the blocks, and the over center linkage provides the lifting power.  
      FIG. ( 4 ) is a front view of the spa with mount blocks attached to a post near the spa, push tube is aligned through the blocks, and the over center linkage provides the lifting power. The post is set in its emplacement.  
      FIG. ( 5 ) is a front view of the spa with mount blocks attached, push tube is aligned through the blocks, and the scissor screw provides the lifting power.  
      FIG. ( 6 ) is a front view of the spa with mount blocks attached to a post near the spa, push tube is aligned through the blocks, and the scissor screw provides the lifting power. The post is set in its emplacement.  
      FIG. ( 7 ) is a front view of the spa with mount blocks attached, push tube is aligned through the blocks, and the screw and cable provides the lifting power.  
      FIG. ( 8 ) is a front view of the spa with mount blocks attached to a post near the spa, push tube is aligned through the blocks, and the screw and cable provides the lifting power. The post is set in its emplacement.  
      FIG. ( 9 ) is a front view of the spa with mount blocks attached, push tube is aligned through the blocks, and the spool and cable provides the lifting power.  
      FIG. ( 10 ) is a front view of the spa with mount blocks attached to a post near the spa, push tube is aligned through the blocks, and the spool and cable provides the lifting power. The post is set in its emplacement.