U.S. patent application number 10/694073 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-28 for cover for hot tub, spa, or the like.
Invention is credited to Scott, William D..
Application Number | 20050086731 10/694073 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34522512 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050086731 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Scott, William D. |
April 28, 2005 |
Cover for hot tub, spa, or the like
Abstract
A hot tub cover having a structural, non-water absorbing,
plastic core and a jacket enclosing said core. The core includes
two identical core halves hinged to one another. Each core half
includes an upper wall, a lower wall, and a plurality of ribs
extending therebetween. The upper wall of each half slopes
downwardly from the center to the peripheral edge.
Inventors: |
Scott, William D.;
(Sevierville, TN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Warner Norcross & Judd LLP
900 Fifth Third Center
111 Lyon Street, N.W.
Grand Rapids
MI
49503-2487
US
|
Family ID: |
34522512 |
Appl. No.: |
10/694073 |
Filed: |
October 27, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/498 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 4/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
004/498 |
International
Class: |
E04H 004/00 |
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A cover for a hot tub or spa, comprising: a structural,
non-water absorbing, plastic core, said core including upper and
lower walls spaced from one another and a plurality of spaced ribs
extending between said upper and lower walls, said spaced ribs
defining a plurality of openings therebetween; and a water
resistant jacket enclosing said core.
2. The cover of claim 1 wherein said core includes: two core
halves, each half being a single unitary piece; and a hinge
hingedly interconnecting said halves, whereby said cover can be
folded in half for removal and installation.
3. (canceled)
4. The cover of claim 1 further comprising an insulated foam within
said openings.
5. The cover of claim 2 wherein each half includes a hinged edge
and a peripheral edge, said upper wall sloping downwardly from said
hinged edge to said peripheral edge.
6. A cover for a hot tub or a spa, comprising: a polymeric core
including an upper wall and a lower wall, said upper wall having a
central portion and an outer edge, said upper wall sloping
downwardly from said central portion to said outer edge, said core
further including a plurality of ribs extending between said upper
and lower walls; and a water resistant jacket enclosing said
core.
7. The cover of claim 6 wherein said cover is hinged in said
central portion, whereby said cover can be folded approximately in
half.
8. The cover of claim 7 further comprising an insulating material
between said ribs.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a cover for spas, hot tubs,
and the like and more particularly to an improved core for such
covers.
[0002] In order to provide insulation, limit pollution, and prevent
the risk of accidents, it is desirable to cover the open top of a
spa or hot tub. A conventional cover typically includes a foam
material that is covered with fabric. These conventional covers are
generally designed to cover the entire open surface of a hot tub,
often having two separate halves capable of folding together to aid
in removal of the cover.
[0003] Conventional hot tub covers have several disadvantages.
First, the cover can become filled with water by a leak or other
means, causing the cover to be excessively heavy. When this
happens, the weight of the cover is greatly increased and removal
becomes extremely burdensome. Second, in extreme cases, the foam
core can become waterlogged, leading to interior bacterial growth
and or weakening of the foam. Third, conventional covers support
limited weight, especially if the core has become weakened.
Children playing on the cover can break the cover and fall into the
water. This risk is elevated if the children are relatively large
or if they jump on the cover. Fourth, conventional covers tend to
sag over time, especially if waterlogged, allowing standing water
on the upper surface of the cover permitting undesirable bacterial
growth.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The aforementioned problems are overcome by the present
invention wherein a cover for a hot tub or spa includes a
structural, non-water absorbing plastic core.
[0005] In a preferred embodiment, the upper surface of the core
slopes from the center of the cover to the perimeter of the cover
to provide water run off.
[0006] In another preferred embodiment, the plastic core is ribbed
to provide increased load bearing capabilities. The ribs improve
the static load capabilities of the cover, and resist sagging. A
foam or similar material may be injected between the ribs to
enhance the thermal properties of the cover.
[0007] The present invention provides several advantages. First,
the cover resists filling with water, avoiding the growth and
weight problems associated with such water. Second, the core cannot
become waterlogged. Third, the cover supports significantly
increased weight, and therefore reduces the likelihood that a child
with break the cover. Fourth, the cover provides water run off from
its sloped upper surface; and the cover does not sag.
[0008] These and other objects, advantages, and features of the
invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by
reference to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment
and the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hot tub cover of the
present invention installed on a hot tub.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a central portion of the cover
taken along line 2 in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 of an
alternative embodiment of the cover.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a side view of the cover with portions of the
vinyl jacket removed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0013] A hot tub in accordance with the preferred embodiment is
shown in FIG. 1 and generally designated 10. It should be
understood that the hot tub 10 may be rectangular (as shown) or any
other desired shape. The cover 12 fits over the entire opening 11
of the hot tub 10. The cover 12 generally includes a vinyl jacket
14 and a plastic core insert 16. The vinyl jacket 14 encloses the
core 16 and is conventionally sealed around the core 16. The core
insert 16 includes a hinge 22 that allows the cover 12 to fold onto
itself. The core insert 16 tapers from the hinge towards the
periphery and includes a plurality of strengthening ribs 18.
[0014] The jacket 14 is well known and generally made of a marine
grade vinyl, or another high-strength waterproof fabric. The jacket
14 is large enough to fit over a rigid core 16, and includes a
front edge 24, rear edge 26, and an outer edge 28. In a preferred
embodiment, the jacket 14 is capable of being sealed to completely
enclose the core 16 by conventional means such as a zipper, sewing,
or similar method (not shown) after the core 16 is inserted. The
jacket 14 includes a section of extra material 15 approximately in
the center capable of fitting within the hinge portion 22 of the
core insert 16. The extra material 15 allows the cover 12 to fold
in half. The jacket 14 may also include attachments (not shown)
such as snaps that attach the cover 12 to the hot tub 10 when the
cover 12 is installed.
[0015] The core 16 is preferably made from a thermoformable polymer
such as ABS. The core is shaped to fit inside a corresponding vinyl
jacket 12, such that the combination of jacket 14 and core 16 fit
over the opening 11 of a hot tub 10. The core 16 is a single piece
of plastic, including opposing lateral portions 34 and 35 joined by
a central hinge portion 22. Each lateral portion 34, 35 extends
from an inner edge 20 to an outer edge 21 (shown in FIG. 4 on
lateral portion 35 only). The outer edge 21 is in communication
with the outer edge 28 of the jacket 14 when inserted in the jacket
14. The hinge 22 extends parallel to edges 20 and 21 from a front
edge 36 to a rear edge 37 (not shown), so that the core 16 is
foldable approximately in half. The front edge 36 and rear edge 37
are in communication with the front 24 and rear 26 edges of the
jacket 14 respectively when the core 16 is inserted in the jacket
14.
[0016] In another preferred embodiment, the core 16 includes an
upper surface 30, a lower surface 32, and a plurality of ribs 18
extending therebetween. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the ribs 18
generally run parallel to the hinge 22 and extend from the front
edge 36 to the rear edge 37 of the core 16. In a preferred
embodiment, the ribs 18 are evenly distributed between the hinge 22
and outer edges 34 and 36. In another preferred embodiment, each
rib 18 has a height 38 that is uniform from the front edge 36 to
the rear edge 37. However, the height 38 of each sequential rib 18
decreases from the hinge 22 toward the outer edge 20, such that the
upper surface 30 and lower surface 32 converge approaching the
outer edge 20 of the lateral portions 34 and 35.
[0017] In the preferred embodiment, the open spaces 40 between
individual ribs are filled with air so the cover 12 retains heat in
the hot tub 10 when installed. However, as shown in FIG. 3 the
spaces 40 may alternatively be filled with an insulating foam 42 or
other insulating material to further enhance the thermal properties
of the cover 12.
[0018] In operation, the core 16 is inserted into the jacket 14.
The core 16 may be a replacement for a used core insert, such that
it is inserted into an existing used jacket, or the core 16 may be
inserted into a brand new jacket 14 of the desired dimensions. The
jacket 14 is sealed about the insert 16 and placed over the opening
of a hot tub 10. Removal of the cover 12 consists of folding the
cover 12 back about the hinge 22 and pulling the cover off the hot
tub 10.
[0019] The above description is that of a preferred embodiment of
the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without
departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as
defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in
accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine
of equivalents. Any reference to claim elements in the singular,
for example, using the articles "a," "an," "the" or "said," is not
to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.
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