U.S. patent application number 10/253299 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-25 for vertically adjustable spa cover assembly.
Invention is credited to Wilson, Jerry A..
Application Number | 20040055081 10/253299 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31993146 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040055081 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wilson, Jerry A. |
March 25, 2004 |
VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE SPA COVER ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A vertically adjustable spa cover assembly includes a cover
movable above a spa between a raised position and a lowered
position, the raised position being vertically above the lowered
position. Lifts are used to raise and lower the cover. The cover
assembly may also include a screen that surrounds the area between
the cover and the spa. The lifts are threaded sections including
rods and pipes which engage one another and move up and down as one
or more of these threaded sections are rotated by a power source
such as a motor or hand crank. The power source may engage the
threaded sections through gears or sprockets, or less directly via
a system of sprockets and a chain which drives the sprockets and
the threaded sections in turn. Alternately, the lifts may be
telescoping members pneumatically or hydraulically powered. The
cover assembly may be built into a spa unit or added as a retrofit
component.
Inventors: |
Wilson, Jerry A.; (Port
Washington, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Fred H. Zollinger, III
SAND & SEBOLT
Aegis Tower, Suite 1100
4940 Munson St. NW
Canton
OH
44718
US
|
Family ID: |
31993146 |
Appl. No.: |
10/253299 |
Filed: |
September 24, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/498 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 4/084 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
004/498 |
International
Class: |
E04H 004/00 |
Claims
1. A spa cover assembly comprising: a cover movable between a
raised position and a lowered position, the raised position being
vertically above the lowered position; and a means for moving the
cover between the raised and lowered positions.
2. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the cover includes
thermal insulation.
3. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the enclosure
includes at least one screen.
4. The assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein the screen is
removably attached to the cover.
5. A spa cover assembly comprising: a cover having a raised
position and a lowered position, the raised position being
vertically above the lowered position; at least one lift adapted to
move the cover between the raised and lowered positions.
6. The assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein there is one lift and
one of a guide and a screen, each adapted to prevent rotation of
the cover about the lift.
7. The assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein the at least one lift
includes a plurality of telescoping members adapted to be raised
and lowered by one of a hydraulic system and a pneumatic
system.
8. The assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein the at least one lift
includes a plurality of threaded sections each of which is adapted
to threadedly engage at least one of the other threaded
sections.
9. The assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein the plurality of
sections includes a lower section, a medial section and an upper
section; the lower section including a threaded rod; the medial
section including a hollow pipe having an upper end and a lower
end, the pipe adapted to include internally threaded portions
adjacent both ends, and the lower end adapted to threadedly engage
the threaded rod; and the upper section including an externally
threaded hollow tube adapted to threadedly engage the upper end of
the medial section.
10. The assembly as defined in claim 9 wherein the rod has ends and
a stop is connected to each end; and the tube has ends and a stop
is connected to each end.
11. The assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein a power source is
adapted to rotate at least one of the sections.
12. The assembly as defined in claim 11 wherein the power source is
adapted to engage a chain which in turn is adapted to rotate the at
least one section.
13. A spa cover assembly comprising: a screen having a raised
position and a lowered position, the raised position being
vertically above the lowered position; at least one lift adapted to
move the screen between the raised and lowered positions.
14. The assembly as defined in claim 13 wherein the at least one
lift includes a plurality of telescoping members adapted to be
raised and lowered by one of a hydraulic system and a pneumatic
system.
15. The assembly as defined in claim 13 wherein the at least one
lift includes a plurality of threaded sections each of which is
adapted to threadedly engage at least one of the other threaded
sections.
16. The assembly as defined in claim 15 wherein the plurality of
sections includes a lower section, a medial section and an upper
section; the lower section including a threaded rod; the medial
section including a hollow pipe having an upper end and a lower
end, the pipe adapted to include internally threaded portions
adjacent both ends, and the lower end adapted to threadedly engage
the threaded rod; and the upper section including an externally
threaded hollow tube adapted to threadedly engage the upper end of
the medial section.
17. The assembly as defined in claim 16 wherein the rod has ends
and a stop is connected to each end; and the tube has ends and a
stop is connected to each end.
18. The assembly as defined in claim 15 wherein a power source is
adapted to rotate at least one of the sections.
19. The assembly as defined in claim 18 wherein the power source is
adapted to engage a chain which in turn is adapted to rotate the at
least one section.
20. The assembly as defined in claim 18 wherein the power source is
one of a motor and a hand crank.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The invention relates generally to spa cover assemblies.
More particularly, the invention relates to moveable spa cover
assemblies. Specifically, the invention relates to a vertically
adjustable spa cover assemblies.
[0003] 2. Background Information
[0004] Cover assemblies for spas, also known as hot tubs, and for
swimming pools have been known for quite some time. There are a
variety of configurations, some of which move in various ways.
However, there is a need for a spa cover assembly which is
vertically adjustable and which can be either built into a spa or
added as a retrofit cover assembly. Such movable cover assemblies
allow the user to selectively use the cover assembly based on
weather conditions.
[0005] The prior art includes a dome-shaped cover having a
semi-dome-shaped portion that rotates about a central point above
the spa to open and close the cover (U.S. Pat. No. 4,246,663
granted to Aragona et al.). U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,646 granted to
Lutostanski discloses a convertible enclosure for hot tubs and the
like, which includes a tubular frame with sliding cross pieces to
which a cover is attached to encompass one side and the top of the
space over the hot tub with one side remaining open. U.S. Pat. No.
5,680,893 granted to Neer discloses a retractable decorative screen
to provide privacy around swimming pools and the like which slides
back and forth horizontally on an overhead track, or on a cable or
rope. U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,059 granted to Girerd discloses a movable
covering device or roof which moves on hinged structural members
from a position above a swimming pool to a position above an
adjacent terrace. U.S. Pat. No. 6,212,702 granted to Sitzmann
discloses a rectangular spa cover wherein two poles are hingedly
connected to adjacent corners of the cover and hingedly connected
to the spa deck to facilitate lifting the cover from a position on
the ground beside the spa to a position over the spa, with two
other poles then being respectively connected to the other two
corners of the cover and the deck. U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,433 granted
to Gray discloses a rigid house-like hot tub cover which moves
horizontally along a deck on rollers or the like from a position
over the hot tub to a position adjacent the hot tub.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention provides one embodiment wherein a vertically
adjustable spa cover assembly has lifts that move a cover, a screen
or a combination thereof between a raised position and a lowered
position.
[0007] In one embodiment, corner lifts are used to raise and lower
the insulated cover of the spa. A screen may be connected to the
cover.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the
spa cover assembly of the present invention in the raised
position;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the
spa cover assembly in the lowered position;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the first embodiment of the
spa cover assembly showing the motor, sprockets and chain.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of the
present invention;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the spa cover
assembly in the lowered position showing one lift in its lowered
position;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the spa cover
assembly in an intermediate position of being raised;
[0014] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG.
6.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of the spa cover
assembly in a further stage of being raised showing the medial
section in a fully extended position;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of the spa cover
assembly in a further stage of being raised;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of the spa cover
assembly in the raised position;
[0018] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the upper encircled portion
of FIG. 10.
[0019] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the lower encircled portion
of FIG. 10.
[0020] FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a third embodiment of the
present invention;
[0021] FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view of the third
embodiment of the present invention in the lowered position;
[0022] FIG. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view of the third
embodiment of the present invention in the raised position;
[0023] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the
present invention in the raised position;
[0024] FIG. 17 is a fragmentary perspective view of a fifth
embodiment of the present invention in the raised position showing
a rotated position of the cover in phantom;
[0025] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the
present invention in the raised position; and
[0026] FIG. 19 is a fragmentary sectional view of the spa cover
assembly shown in FIG. 18.
[0027] Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the
drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] The first embodiment of the spa cover assembly of the
present invention is indicated generally at 10 in FIGS. 1-3 and
5-12. Cover assembly 10 includes cover 12 and lifts 14. Lifts 14
are configured to move cover 12 vertically between a raised
position (FIG. 1) and a lowered position (FIG. 2) above a spa 16
having an upper surface 18.
[0029] Cover 12 sits atop four lifts 14 and may be attached
thereto, if desired, by any suitable means. For example, cover 12
may be attached to lifts 14 with bolts, pins, screws, snap fits,
etc. Preferably, any attachment used is removable both for safety
and convenience. Cover 12 may also be attached to, for example, two
lifts 14 by hinges (not shown) as a safety feature. Cover 12 may
include thermal insulation (not shown) and may be made of a wide
variety of materials, such as netting, or materials which are
wind-proof, water-proof, transparent, translucent, opaque, and so
forth. When cover 12 includes insulation, cover 12 is used to keep
the water in spa 16 warm when spa 16 is not in use.
[0030] Lifts 14 may be made of a plastic material with appropriate
strength which can withstand a wide range of temperature changes
suitable to various weather conditions. They may be manufactured of
nylon or reinforced nylon. Other materials that may be injection
molded may be used. Various polymers and thermoplastics, or other
suitable materials may also be used.
[0031] Each lift 14 (FIGS. 5-12) is housed at least partially in a
sleeve 20 having a top 21 as each lift 14 moves between the lowered
position (FIG. 5) and the raised position (FIG. 10). In the lowered
position, lifts 14 are flush with or below upper surface 18 of spa
16.
[0032] Each lift 14 (shown in FIG. 10) includes a plurality of
threaded sections each of which threadedly engages one of the other
threaded sections. All threads used in lifts 14 have the same
pitch. Ball screws may also be used, wherein there is a
ball-bearing-to-thread engagement instead of a thread-to-thread
engagement between the various sections of each lift 14.
Specifically, lift 14 includes a lower section which is a threaded
rod 22 sitting atop support member 23 and having a lower end 24 and
an upper end 26. A lower stop 28 is connected to lower end 24, an
upper stop 30 is connected to upper end 26, and a sprocket 32 (FIG.
3) is connected to lower stop 28. A tapered tip 33 is connected to
upper stop 30. Each threaded rod 22 extends upwardly at slightly
varying heights, as explained below.
[0033] Lift 14 also includes a medial section which is a hollow
pipe 34 having a lower end 36 and an upper end 38, each end being
internally threaded. Lower end 36 threadedly engages threaded rod
22. Lift 14 further includes an upper section which is an
externally threaded hollow tube 40 having a bottom end 42 and a top
end 44. A bottom stop 46 is connected to bottom end 42 and a top
stop 48 is connected to top end 44. Hollow tube 40 threadedly
engages upper end 38 of hollow pipe 34. Cover 12 sits atop stop
48.
[0034] In the lowered position (FIG. 5), rod 22 is situated
substantially within pipe 34, which is in turn situated
substantially within tube 40, and all three sections are partially
housed within sleeve 20. In the raised position (FIG. 10), rod 22
is situated as in the lowered position with tapered tip 33, with
upper stop pipe 30 and a upper end 26 being within pipe 34. In the
raised position, bottom stop 46 and bottom end 42 of tube 40 are
within pipe 34.
[0035] In the first embodiment of the invention, sprockets 32 (FIG.
3) engage a chain 50, which extends around the four sprockets 32
and engages a sprocket 52 attached to an electric motor 54. Chain
50 further engages tensioners 56. Motor 54 is wired to control
buttons 58, which in turn is wired to attach to a source of
electricity (not shown). Instead of a chain 50, a cable (not shown)
held in tension may be used to engage rods 22 via reinforced
channels (not shown) therein or pulleys (not shown) thereabout or
the like instead of sprockets 32. In addition, a plurality of
individual motors (not shown) may be used to raise and lower each
respective lift 14, directly or indirectly, each motor being timed
together to work simultaneously.
[0036] Cover assembly 10 is configured to move between a raised
position (FIG. 1) and a lowered position (FIG. 2). To raise
assembly 10, a user pushes one of buttons 58 (FIG. 3) to supply
electric power to operate motor 54 to rotate sprocket 52, which
engages and drives chain 50, which in turn engages and rotates
sprockets 32 and consequently threaded rod 22. Alternately, a cable
(not shown) may be used to engage and rotate rod 22 as described
above. The rotation of rod 22 causes it to unthread from threaded
lower end 36 of hollow pipe 34, which causes pipe 34 and tube 40 to
move vertically upward and begin raising assembly 10 (FIG. 6). Rod
22 unthreads from pipe 34 until upper stop 30 engages lower end 36
of pipe 34, thus preventing further unthreading and upward movement
of pipe 34 (FIG. 8). Stop 30 also prevents the disengagement of
pipe 34 from rod 22. As stop 30 engages lower end 36 of pipe 34,
pipe 34 also begins to rotate along with rod 22. Because each rod
22 is a slightly different height, the engagement of each stop 30
with each respective lower end 36 is staggered a short time apart
to ease torque on motor 54 that would occur if all rods 22 were the
same height and all stops 30 thus engaged respective lower ends 36
simultaneously. The rotation of each pipe 34 along with rod 22
causes tube 40 to unthread from upper end 38 of pipe 34, which
causes tube 40 to move vertically upward and continue the raising
of assembly 10 (FIG. 9). Tube 40 unthreads from pipe 34 until
bottom stop 46 engages upper end 38 of pipe 34, thus preventing
further unthreading and upward movement of tube 40 (FIG. 10).
Because all threads in lift 14 have the same pitch, assembly 10 is
raised at a constant rate throughout the raising process. Lifts 14
may, however, include a tube 40 and an upper end 38 each having
threads with a different pitch than those of rod 22 and lower end
36, so that the rate of raising would change when tube 40 began to
unthread from upper end 38.
[0037] To lower cover assembly 10, the user pushes the other of
buttons 58, which causes the motor to rotate in a direction
opposite that for raising assembly 10. Thus, all moving parts move
or rotate in opposite directions and the process is essentially
reversed. As assembly 10 is lowered, tapered tip 33 serves a
self-centering function to ensure that rod 22 will be smoothly
inserted into tube 40. In lowering assembly 10, top stop 48 engages
upper end 38 of pipe 34 to prevent further threading and downward
movement of tube 40. Likewise, lower stop 28 of rod 22 engages
lower end 36 of pipe 34 to prevent further threading and downward
movement of rod 22.
[0038] As noted above, lifts 14 in the lowered position are flush
with or below upper surface 18 of spa 16. Thus, cover 12 may be
removed and lifts 14 lowered to eliminate unsafe protrusions
extending upwardly from spa 16. Sleeve 16 may be covered or sealed
against the entrance of water if desired.
[0039] A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in
FIG. 4 and includes modified cover assembly 110. Assembly 110 is
similar to assembly 10 except that sprocket 152 engages a hand
crank 154 (FIG. 4) as an alternate power source instead of motor 54
of assembly 10.
[0040] A third embodiment of the present invention is shown in
FIGS. 13-15 and includes modified cover assembly 210. Assembly 210
is similar to assembly 10 except that lifts 214 are different and
that lifts 214 are operated by system 216, which is a pneumatic or
hydraulic system. System 216 may include a source of power 218, a
valve 220, a divider 222, and a plurality of lines 224, all
respectively connected to one another. Lines 224 are connected to
lifts 214. Source of power 218 is either pneumatic or hydraulic.
Each lift 214 may include three telescoping members 226. Each lift
214 may also include a safety latch (not shown) to prevent assembly
from falling in case system 216 fails. The safety latch may be, for
example, a ratchet system attached to lift 214 or a solenoid valve
located near lift 214.
[0041] Source of power 218 pressurizes air in the pneumatic system
or hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system. The source of power for
the pneumatic system may be the compressor that is built in to many
spas or a separate source. Valve 220 allows air or hydraulic fluid
to flow in alternating directions to respectively raise and lower
lifts 214. Divider 222 allows the air or fluid to branch so as to
flow through lines 224 and vice versa. Lines 224 deliver the air or
fluid to lifts 214 to raise and lower them. Telescoping members 226
are thus raised and lowered by a typical pneumatic or hydraulic
system.
[0042] A fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in
FIG. 16 and includes modified cover assembly 310. Assembly 310 is
similar to assembly 10 except that assembly 310 includes screen 31
1, which is removably attached to cover 312 by a plurality of snaps
320, velcro or other suitable fasteners, and may be attached to
itself as well with fasteners. Screen 311 may also be attached to
lifts 14 instead of cover 312, and thus screen 311 may be used
without cover 12 if desired. Screen 311 includes a door 322, which
may utilize a zipper or other suitable means for opening and
closing. Screen 31 1 is a single piece of material surrounding the
perimeter defined by lifts 14 in the raised position and surrounds
spa 16 in the lowered position. Screen 311 may be provided in
sections. Screen 311 may be netting, such as mosquito netting, or
may be wind-proof, water-proof, insulated, transparent,
translucent, opaque, or any variety of combinations thereof, or any
other appropriate material.
[0043] Screen 311 adds the convenience of creating a wide variety
of settings, to include netting to keep bugs out, or material to
block wind and rain or provide shade in varying degrees. Amongst
other things, it may also be used to add thermal insulation,
privacy and for decorative purposes.
[0044] A fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.
17 and includes modified cover assembly 410. Assembly 410 is
similar to assembly 10 except that assembly 410 includes a modified
cover 412, only one lift 414 and a telescoping guide 416. Guide 416
extends from cover 412 downward into spa 16 parallel to lift 414.
Guide 416 is fixedly attached to spa 16 and is removably attached
to cover 412. Cover 412 includes an attachment housing 418 attached
to lift 414 and support arms 420 extending from housing 418. The
power source (not shown) to rotate lift 414 may be as described
above in relation to assemblies 10 and 110, with modifications as
desired for a single lift 414, or as described below in relation to
assembly 510. Cover 412 may also be hingedly attached to lift 414
as a safety precaution to allow the user to lift cover 412 in case
of emergency, for example, where lift 414 became stuck in the
lowered position due to loss of power to lift 414.
[0045] Cover assembly 410 is configured to allow cover 412 to
rotate about lift 414 when in the raised position, allowing the
user to alter shading on or adjacent the spa or alter the view from
the spa without removing the cover. Guide 416 Telescopes out and in
to prevent said rotation while cover 412 is being raised or
lowered, respectively. Guide 416 does not aid in lifting. When
assembly 410 is in the raised position, guide 416 may detached from
cover 412 to allow cover 412 to rotate as noted above. Housing 418
provides a structure for mounting cover 412 on lift 414, such as
with a bracket (not shown). Arms 420 provide support for cover 412
to allow assembly 410 to function with only a single lift 414.
[0046] A sixth embodiment of the present invention is shown in
FIGS. 18-19 and includes modified cover assembly 510. Assembly 510
is similar to assembly 410 (fifth embodiment) except that assembly
510 includes a modified lift 514, a lift housing 516, a modified
attachment housing 518 connected to a bracket 519, a modified motor
520 and a screen 522, but does not include a guide (416), although
a guide could be included. Lift 514 includes threaded rod 524
having a lower end 526 and a beveled gear 528 connected to rod 524
adjacent lower end 526. Motor 520 is connected to beveled gear 530
which engages gear 528. Spa 16 defines a hole 532 adjacent motor
520.
[0047] Assembly 510 is configured as a retrofit assembly which can
be attached to spa 16. Motor 520 is inserted into hole 532 cut in
spa 16 to protect motor 520 from weather. Lift housing 516 is
attached to spa 16 to provide support for lift 514. Housing 516
also functions to guard motor 520 and lift 514 from weather and
shields the user from moving parts. Housing 518 provides a
structure for externally mounting cover 512 on lift 514 with
bracket 519. Screen 522 surrounds spa 16 in the lowered position
and as assembly 510 is being raised, and thus prevents the rotation
of assembly 510 about lift 514 until screen 522 is above spa 16.
While screen 522 prevents this rotation, a guide such as guide 416
(FIG. 17) may be included for this purpose, especially if the user
wishes to use assembly 510 without screen 522. Motor 520 is adapted
to bevel gear 530, which engages gear 528 to rotate lift 514 to
raise and lower assembly 510. Other power sources may be used and
the means of engaging and rotating rod 522 may vary.
[0048] In any of the embodiments involving lifts with threaded
sections, the means of engaging the lower section of the lift could
be a gear, a sprocket, a smooth or textured surface or other
suitable configuration. One alternate example is a motor adapted
with an elastomeric wheel which could engage and rotate the rod.
Further, a variety of other means of lifting assembly 10 may be
used. For example, assembly 10 may be lifted with levers in various
arrangements, such as a scissors-type lift or a lift using levers
and cables.
[0049] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used
for brevity, clearness and understanding, but no unnecessary
limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of
the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes
and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the description
and illustration of the invention is by way of example, and the
scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or
described.
[0050] Having now described the features, discoveries and
principles of the invention, the manner in which the vertically
adjustable spa cover assembly is constructed and used, the
characteristics of the construction, and the advantageous, new and
useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices,
elements, arrangements, parts and combinations are set forth in the
appended claims.
* * * * *