U.S. patent application number 12/654127 was filed with the patent office on 2010-06-24 for hot tub cover.
Invention is credited to Jean Clermont.
Application Number | 20100154110 12/654127 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42263971 |
Filed Date | 2010-06-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100154110 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Clermont; Jean |
June 24, 2010 |
Hot tub cover
Abstract
A hot tub cover for reversibly covering the top aperture of the
tub. The other tub cover includes a plurality of substantially
elongated cover elements disposed in a side by side relationship
relatively to each other. Each of the cover elements is pivotally
coupled to adjacent cover elements. The hot tub cove is retractable
from the top aperture by rolling the hot tub cover around itself.
Also, the hot tub cover is extendable over the top aperture by
unrolling the rolled hot tub cover.
Inventors: |
Clermont; Jean; (St-Lin des
Laurentides, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Louis Tessier
P.O. Box 54029
Town of Mount-Royal
QC
H3P 3H4
CA
|
Family ID: |
42263971 |
Appl. No.: |
12/654127 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61193748 |
Dec 22, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/498 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 4/082 20130101;
E04H 4/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/498 |
International
Class: |
E04H 4/10 20060101
E04H004/10 |
Claims
1. A hot tub cover for reversibly covering a top aperture of a hot
tub, said hot tub cover comprising a plurality of substantially
elongated cover elements disposed in a side-by-side relationship
relatively to each other, each of said cover elements being
pivotally coupled to adjacent cover elements, whereby said hot tub
cover is retractable from said top aperture by enrolling said hot
tub cover around itself.
2. A hot tub cover as defined in claim 1, wherein said cover
elements are provided with a seal for sealing said cover elements
against said hot tub.
3. A hot tub cover as defined in claim 1, further comprising a
bracket mountable to said hot tub substantially adjacent to said
top aperture for receiving said hot tub cover therein.
4. A hot tub cover as defined in claim 3, wherein said bracket
defines a substantially C-shaped cover receiving portion.
5. A hot tub cover as defined in claim 1, wherein said cover
elements have a substantially arcsegment shaped cross-sectional
configuration.
6. A hot tub cover as defined in claim 1, further comprising a
vapor-proof membrane extending above said cover elements.
7. A hot tub cover as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said
cover elements includes a substantially rigid outer shell and a
substantially thermally insulating material filling said outer
shell.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/193,748 filed Dec. 22, 2008.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the general field of hot
tubs, and spas, and is more specifically concerned with a hot tub
cover.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Hot tubs and spas typically lose relatively large amounts of
heat through their top apertures. This is especially the case when
these hot tubs have water that is kept at relatively warm
temperatures permanently and, this is even more the case when such
hot tubs are installed outside, which can result in very large heat
losses during the cold season. To reduce the energy costs of
operating these hot tubs, it is common to cover the hot tub with a
hot tub cover when they are not in use.
[0004] However, currently known and used hot tub covers are
typically relatively cumbersome to operate. Indeed, a hot tub cover
that is commonly used includes two relatively large substantially
rigid panels hinged to each other at the middle of the hot tub
cover. Because of the dimensions and weight of this hot tub cover,
manipulation of this hot tub cover is relatively difficult to
perform by a single person and can also cause injuries to soft
tissues of a relatively weak person trying to handle this hot tub
cover. In addition, this type of hot tub cover typically has a
hinge that is made out of only a substantially thin and flexible
piece of material, this piece of material being typically a
continuation of a piece of material covering the top surface of the
hot tub cover. Because of the relatively small thickness of this
piece of material, and because of the type of material used in
manufacturing these hot tub covers, there are typically relatively
large heat losses at this hinge. Also, typically used hot tub
covers have flaps that extend substantially downwardly therefrom at
the periphery of the hot tub to try to reduce heat losses at the
periphery. However, these flaps are typically only marginally
effective in achieving this goal and allow relatively large amounts
of heat to exit from the periphery of the hot tub cover.
[0005] Against this background, there exists a need in the industry
to provide an improved hot tub cover. An object of the present
invention is therefore to provide such a hot tub cover.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In a broad aspect, the invention provides a hot tub cover
for reversibly covering the top aperture of the hot tub. The hot
tub cover includes a plurality of substantially elongated cover
elements disposed in a side by side relationship relatively to each
other. Each of the cover elements is pivotally coupled to adjacent
cover elements. The hot tub cover is retractable from the top
aperture by rolling the hot tub cover around itself. Also, the hot
tub cover is extendable over the top aperture by unrolling the
rolled hot tub cover.
[0007] Advantageously, the proposed hot tub cover is relatively
easily retracted from the top aperture and deployed across the top
aperture by a single user using a relatively small amount of force
and without the requirement of fine motor control.
[0008] The proposed hot tub cover is also relatively easily
manufacturable using known components and techniques at relatively
low costs.
[0009] In some embodiments of the invention, brackets are provided
substantially adjacent to the top aperture of the hot tub for
receiving the hot tub cover in a retracted configuration in which
the hot tub cover is retracted from the top aperture.
[0010] In some embodiments of the invention, the cover elements are
sandwiched between two substantially thermally insulating materials
so as to further reduce heat losses through the hot tub cover.
[0011] Other objects, advantages and features of the present
invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following
non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given
by way of example only with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] In the appended drawing:
[0013] FIG. 1, in a perspective view, illustrates a hot tub cover
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the hot
tub cover being shown covering a hot tub;
[0014] FIG. 2, in a side elevation view, illustrates the hot tub
cover and hot tub shown in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3, in a perspective view, illustrates a bracket usable
for storing the proposed hot tub cover in a retracted
configuration;
[0016] FIG. 4, in a top elevation view with portions removed,
illustrates the hot tub cover shown in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 5, in a side cross-sectional view, illustrates the hot
tub cover shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4; and
[0018] FIG. 6, in an exploded view with portions removed,
illustrates the hot tub cover shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a hot tub cover 10 for
covering a hot tub 12 in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. The hot tub 12 defines a hot tub bottom wall 14,
a hot tub peripheral wall 16 extending substantially upwardly from
the hot tub bottom wall 14 and a hot tub flange 18 (seen in FIG. 2)
extending substantially outwardly from the hot tub peripheral wall
16 substantially opposed to the hot tub bottom wall 14. The hot tub
flange 18 typically delimitates a top aperture 20. The hot tub
cover 10 is usable for reversibly covering the top aperture 20 of
the hot tub 12.
[0020] In some embodiments of the invention, brackets 22 are
attached to the hot tub peripheral wall 16 so as to be able to
receive the hot tub cover 10. More specifically, the hot tub cover
10 is movable between an extended configuration, wherein the hot
tub cover 10 extends across the top aperture 20, and a retracted
configuration, wherein the hot tub cover 10 is substantially
retracted from the top aperture 20. In the retracted configuration,
the hot tub cover 10 is rolled unto itself and received by the
brackets 22.
[0021] With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the hot tub cover 10
includes a plurality of substantially elongated cover elements 24
disposed in a side by side relationship relatively to each other.
The cover elements 24 are pivotally coupled to adjacent cover
elements 24, which allows for rolling the hot tub cover 10 around
itself to achieve the retracted configuration or to unroll the hot
tub cover 10 to achieve the extended configuration. In some
embodiments of the invention, the cover element 24 that is located
substantially adjacent to the brackets 22 is attached to the
brackets 22 using a fastener, such as, for example, a screw,
inserted in a suitably located aperture (not shown in the
drawings).
[0022] As seen in FIG. 6, in some embodiments of the invention, a
seal 26 is provided on the side of the cover elements 24 that faces
the top aperture 20 when the hot tub cover 10 is in the extended
configuration. Also, an exterior layer 28 is provided substantially
opposed to the seal 26 and covers the cover elements 24 on the
other side of the cover elements 24. The exterior layer 28 defines
an exterior layer peripheral edge 30.
[0023] With reference to FIG. 5, each of the cover elements 24
includes a shell 32 having a substantially elongated configuration
with a substantially longitudinally constant cross-sectional
configuration, which is, for example, substantially arcsegment
shaped. The shell 32 contains a filler 34. Typically, the shell 32
is made out of a polymer or a metal, and the filler 34 is made out
of a relatively thermally insulating material such as, for example,
a foam. The shell 32 is terminated at each end thereof by an end
cap 36 (seen in FIG. 4) engaging the shell 32 so as to
substantially hermetically close each of the cover elements 24, as
seen in FIG. 4.
[0024] Each of the shells 32 is provided by substantially laterally
opposed first and second hooks 38 and 40, the first and second
hooks 38 and 40 being provided between the seal 26 and the exterior
layer 28. The first hook 38 of one of the cover elements 24 engages
the second hook 40 of an adjacent cover element 24. Typically, the
first hooks 38 have a substantially longitudinally constant
cross-sectional configuration, this cross-sectional configuration
being substantially J-shaped, and protrude outwardly from the shell
32. Also, the second hooks 40 have a substantially longitudinally
constant substantially L-shaped cross-sectional configuration and
the shells 32 define a recess 42 substantially adjacent the hooks
second 40 for receiving a substantially arc-segment shaped portion
of the first hooks 38. The first and second hooks 38 and 40 create
a hinge between adjacent cover elements 24 and the shape of each of
the shells 32 of adjacent cover elements 24 prevents excess pivotal
movement between the adjacent cover elements 24, which causes the
first and second hooks 38 and 40 to be permanently engaged to each
other under pivotal movement between the cover elements 24. In
other words, the first and second hooks 38 and 40, along with the
recess 42, are configured and sized such that only longitudinal
movements of two adjacent cover elements 24 relatively to each
other allow for detachment of these two cover elements 24 from each
other. Such attachment of adjacent elongated elements is known in
the art and will not be described in further details.
[0025] In some embodiments of the invention, one side of each cover
element 24 is provided with a seal 26. The seal 26 is provided on
the surface of the cover elements 24 that faces the top aperture 20
when hot tub cover 10 is in the extended configuration. Typically,
the seal 26 is provided for sealing the hot tub cover 10 against
the hot tub flange 18 so as to substantially prevent heat losses
through conduction or convection through the interface between the
hot tub cover 10 and the hot tub flange 18. The seal 26 is
typically made of a relatively thermally insulating material that
is substantially resilient and compressible so as to facilitate
sealing of the seal 26 against the hot tub flange 18. For example,
the seal 26 is made out of a foam made out of polymeric material
defining air-filled bubbles thereinto. However, other suitable
materials are also usable to provide the seal 26. Furthermore, in
some embodiments of the invention not shown in the drawings, the
seal 26 is provided only on the portion of the hot tub cover 10
that is substantially facing the hot tub flange 18 when the hot tub
cover 10 is in the extended configuration. In other words, in these
embodiments, the seal 26 is provided only at the periphery of the
hot tub cover 10.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 6, the exterior layer 28 includes a
membrane 44, which is typically substantially water- and
vapour-proof, abutting against the surface of the cover elements 24
located further away from the top aperture 20 when the hot tub
cover 10 is in the extended configuration. For example, the
membrane 44 is made out of polyethylene and is glued to the cover
elements 24 for preventing substantially longitudinal movements of
the cover elements 24 between each other. Use of polyethylene is
also advantageous as this material is substantially water- and
vapour-proof which, therefore, substantially prevents hot air and
moisture from escaping from the hot tub 12 through the spacing
between the cover elements 24.
[0027] An insulator 46 covers the membrane 44. In some embodiments
of the invention, the insulator 46 includes a pair of aluminized
polymer sheets sandwich a material defining air bubbles, such as
the material being commonly known under the name of "bubble wrap".
However, other types of insulator are also usable to provide the
same functionality.
[0028] The exterior layer 28 is typically provided with fours flaps
48 extending from the exterior layer peripheral edge 30. Each of
the flaps 48 defines a flap proximal end 50 and an opposed flap
distal end 52, the flap proximal end 50 extending from the exterior
layer peripheral edge 30 and the flap distal end 52 being
substantially spaced apart from the exterior layer peripheral edge
30. The flap distal end 52 is typically folded over itself to
create a passageway 54 extending along the entire flap distal end
52.
[0029] In some embodiments of the invention, a string 56 is
inserted through the passageways 54 of all four flaps 48 to allow
securing of the flaps 48 to the hot tub peripheral wall 16 by tying
the ends of the string 56 to each other. In other embodiments of
the invention, the string 56 is replaced by a band of a
substantially elastic material extending through all the
passageways 54 of the four flaps 48, which therefore allows the hot
tub cover 10 to be operated between the extended and the retracted
configurations while also allowing biasing the flap distal ends 52
toward the hot tub peripheral wall 16 in the extended
configuration. In some embodiments of the invention, the flaps 48
are sewn to the exterior layer 28 and attached thereto using
rivets. However, any other method of attaching the flaps 48 to the
exterior layer 28 is within the scope of the invention.
[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates one of the brackets 22. The brackets 22
each include a cover receiving section 60, for example having a
substantially C-shaped configuration, and an attachment section 62
extending from the cover receiving section 60. The attachment
section 62 is provided for attaching the bracket 22 to the hot tub
peripheral wall 16 so that the cover receiving section 60 is
provided substantially adjacent to the hot tub flange 18.
Typically, two or three brackets 22 are provided for receiving the
hot tub cover 10 in the retracted configuration, but any other
number of brackets is usable, the number of brackets depending on
the material used to manufacture the brackets 22 and on the
dimensions and the rigidity of these brackets 22.
[0031] The attachment section 22 defines attachment sections first,
second and third segments 64, 66 and 68, along with a reinforcing
segment 72 for reinforcing the attachment section, first, second
and third segments 64, 66 and 68. More specifically, the attachment
section first segment 64 extends from the cover receiving section
60. The attachment section second segment 66 extends substantially
perpendicularly to the attachment section first segment 64
substantially opposed to the cover receiving section 60. The
attachment section third segment 68 extends substantially parallel
to the attachment section first segment 64 from the attachment
section second segment 66 substantially opposed to the attachment
section first segment 64. Therefore, the attachment section first,
second and third segments 64, 66 and 68 have together a
substantially flattened Z-shaped configuration. The attachment
section second segment 66 spaces apart the attachment section first
and third segments 64 and 68 from each other for allowing the
attachment section 62 to clear the hot tub flange 18. Typically,
the attachment section third segment 68 is attached to the hot tub
peripheral wall 16 using fasteners 70 such as, for example, screws,
inserted in apertures 71 that extend through the attachment section
third segment.
[0032] The reinforcing segment 72 extends from the cover receiving
section 60 toward the attachment section third segment 68 and
intersects the junction of the attachment section first and second
segments 64 and 66. The reinforcing segment 72 is therefore
provided for adding rigidity to the bracket 22.
[0033] In some embodiments of the invention, an attachment hook 74
is provided substantially opposed to the attachment section 62 on
the cover receiving section 60 and a substantially resilient piece
of material 76 extends from the cover receiving section 60
substantially opposed to the attachment hook 74, the resilient
piece of material 76 is attached to a hook 78 for removable
attachment to the hook 74. Therefore, the hot tub cover 10 is
securable in the retracted configuration relatively easily by
extending the resilient piece of material 76 across the gap in
which the hot tub cover 10 is received and attaching the hook 78 to
the hook 74.
[0034] Although the present invention has been described
hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it can be
modified, without departing from the spirit and nature of the
subject invention as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *