Patent ID: 7412733

Claim:
A system for automatically providing covering and uncovering of a first recessed area, said system comprising: a hot tub or spa received in said first recessed area, a cover assembly comprising a movable cover section movable with respect to a stationary cover member disposed adjacent to the first recessed area and defining a plane; and means for moving the movable cover section between (i) a retracted, stowed position, out of the plane of the stationary cover member and in vertical registration with and beneath the stationary cover member, wherein the first recessed area is uncovered, and (ii) an operative, extended position, in the plane of and flush with the stationary cover member and in end-to-end registration with the stationary cover member, wherein the first recessed area is covered, a second recessed area disposed adjacent to the first recessed area and defining a support surface, wherein said cover assembly disposed on top of said support surface and substantially above the water line of the hot tub or spa, said stationary cover member of said cover assembly being disposed so as to cover the second recessed area, and the movable cover section being supported on the support surface of the second recessed area, beneath said stationary cover member, in the retracted, stowed position of the movable cover section, said means for moving comprising a mechanical drive assembly providing slidingly longitudinal movement of the movable cover section between said retracted, stowed position and an intermediate end position out of vertical registration with the stationary cover member and on top of said first recessed area, said mechanical drive assembly further providing raising and lowering movement of the movable cover section between said intermediate end position and said operative, extended position, said mechanical drive assembly comprising a motorized drive means for providing said slidingly longitudinal movement, and jack means for providing said raising and lowering movement, said jack means includes a plurality of electrically controlled jack devices positioned at spaced locations in the first recessed area, said jack devices each including a movable piston including a coupling member of a non-flat shape located on the distal end thereof, and said movable cover section includes a plurality of reciprocally shaped coupling elements, located on an underside portion thereof, for releasably coupling with respective coupling members of the pistons of the jack devices.