U.S. patent application number 13/668092 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-08 for tie down for a spa cover lifter.
The applicant listed for this patent is John Cunerty. Invention is credited to John Cunerty.
Application Number | 20140123380 13/668092 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50605986 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140123380 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cunerty; John |
May 8, 2014 |
TIE DOWN FOR A SPA COVER LIFTER
Abstract
A tie-down for joining a pivot arm of a spa cover lifter and a
spa cover comprising a pivot arm restraint to retain at least a
portion of the pivot arm and a spa cover connector portion coupled
to the pivot arm restraint for coupling the tie-down to the spa
cover.
Inventors: |
Cunerty; John; (Toronto,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cunerty; John |
Toronto |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
50605986 |
Appl. No.: |
13/668092 |
Filed: |
November 2, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/503 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 4/084 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/503 |
International
Class: |
E04H 4/08 20060101
E04H004/08 |
Claims
1. A tie-down for joining a pivot arm of a spa cover lifter and a
spa cover comprising: a pivot arm restraint to retain at least a
portion of the pivot arm; and a spa cover connector portion coupled
to the pivot arm restraint for coupling the tie-down to the spa
cover.
2. The tie-down of claim 1 wherein the pivot arm restraint
comprises a strap.
3. The tie-down of claim 1 wherein the spa cover connector portion
comprises: an upper portion coupled to the pivot arm restraint; and
a lower portion comprising an upper side removably attachable to
the upper portion and a lower side couplable to the spa cover.
4. The tie-down of claim 3 further comprising a hook-and-loop
fastener having a hook member and a loop member, wherein the upper
portion comprises one of the hook member and the loop member, and
the upper side comprises the other of the hook member and the loop
member.
5. The tie-down of claim 4 wherein the lower side comprises
adhesive.
6. The tie-down of claim 2 wherein the strap extends from a first
end to a second end, and the strap defines a loop between the first
end and the second end.
7. The tie-down of claim 6 wherein the strap further comprises an
intermediate portion between the first end and the second end, the
first end and the second end are proximal to the spa cover
connector portion, and the intermediate portion is remote from the
spa cover connector portion.
8. The tie-down of claim 7 wherein at least one of the first end
and the second end are coupled to the spa cover connector
portion.
9. The tie-down of claim 2 wherein the material of the strap is
selected from the group comprising plastic, leather, metal and
fabric.
10. The tie-down of claim 1 wherein the pivot arm restraint and the
spa cover connector portion are integrally molded.
Description
FIELD
[0001] This application relates to the field of spa covers.
INTRODUCTION
[0002] Spas, especially those for outdoor use, are typically
covered by a spa cover. The spa cover serves to keep dirt, leaves
and other debris out of the spa. Insulated spa covers are also
useful for retaining the heat of the hot water inside the spa.
[0003] A spa cover is normally removed before a user will enter the
spa. Spa covers are often many inches thick and can have
considerable weight, especially when insulated. This can make it
difficult to remove the spa cover before use of the spa, but also
when moving the spa cover back to cover the spa. Conveniently, a
spa may be fitted with a spa cover lifter, which can assist the
user in lifting and storing the spa cover off of the spa, and in
moving the spa cover back to cover the spa.
[0004] To assist the movement of the spa cover, spa cover lifters
can include damping mechanisms, such as gas pistons, to help slow
the decent of the spa cover when moving it back onto the spa.
DRAWINGS
[0005] For a better understanding of the described embodiments and
to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference
will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings
in which:
[0006] FIG. 1 shows a spa with a spa cover in a closed
position;
[0007] FIG. 2 shows the spa of FIG. 1, with the spa cover in the
half-open position;
[0008] FIG. 3 shows the spa of FIG. 1, with the spa cover in the
open position;
[0009] FIG. 4 shows a tie down in accordance with one
embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 5 shows a tie down in accordance with another
embodiment; and
[0011] FIG. 6 shows a spa with the spa cover in the closed position
similar to FIG. 1, but without the tie downs.
[0012] The drawings, described below, are provided for purposes of
illustration, and not of limitation, of the aspects and features of
various examples of embodiments described herein. The drawings are
not intended to limit the scope of the teachings in any way. For
simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the
figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. The dimensions of
some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements
for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference
numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate
corresponding or analogous elements.
DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
[0013] It will be appreciated that numerous specific details are
set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the
exemplary embodiments described herein. However, it will be
understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the
embodiments described herein may be practiced without these
specific details. In other instances, well-known methods,
procedures and components have not been described in detail so as
not to obscure the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, this
description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the
embodiments described herein in any way, but rather as merely
describing implementation of the various embodiments described
herein.
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a spa 100 with a spa cover 102 in a closed
position. In the closed position, spa cover 102 prevents dirt and
debris from entering spa 100, and retains the heat of the hot water
inside spa 100. In the example shown, spa cover 102 comprises a
first half 110 and a second half 112 that are joined by fabric
covering 114.
[0015] Spa 100 also comprises a spa cover lifter 104. Spa cover
lifter 104 helps to lift spa cover 102 into the open position shown
in FIG. 3 and assists in the return of the spa cover to the closed
position shown in FIG. 1. In the example shown, spa cover lifter
104 includes a pivot arm 106 and a piston 108.
[0016] To remove spa cover 102, starting from the closed position
shown in FIG. 1, a user can fold first half 110 of the spa cover
102 in the direction of arrow 116 over second half 112 and over
pivot arm 106, thus setting the spa cover 102 in the half-open
position shown in FIG. 2. Afterwards, the user can pivot spa cover
102 and pivot arm 106 in the direction of arrow 118, thus setting
spa cover 102 in the open position shown in FIG. 3.
[0017] Spa cover lifter 104 may retain spa cover 102 in the open
position until a user is ready to close spa cover 102. A user may
close spa cover 102 by doing the opposite of that described above
to open spa cover 102. Starting from the open position shown in
FIG. 3, spa cover 102 and pivot arm 106 can be rotated in the
direction of arrow 120 until spa cover 102 is in the half-closed
position shown in FIG. 2.
[0018] In the example shown, piston 108 can provide resistance to
the rotation of spa cover 102 and pivot arm 106 as they rotate in
the direction of arrow 120. This can allow spa cover 102 to descend
slowly by its own weight, instead of crashing down onto spa
100.
[0019] Piston 108 compresses as pivot arm 106 rotates to have the
spa cover 102 descend onto spa 100. After spa cover 102 and pivot
arm 106 have descended and the first half 110 has been unfolded (as
shown in FIG. 1), piston 108 can have a tendency to extend and
thereby lift pivot arm 106 away from spa cover 102. FIG. 6 shows a
spa with a spa cover 102 where the lift arm 106 is raised above the
spa cover surface because of the action of the pistons 108. In
addition to being unattractive (having the lift arm 106 sticking up
from and extending over the top of the spa cover 102 surface), the
raised lift arm 106 can make it difficult to subsequently fold
first half 110 over pivot arm 106 should the user desire to move
the spa cover 102 to the storage position as shown in FIG. 3.
[0020] In the example shown, spa cover 102 is provided with tie
downs 122 that couple pivot arm 106 to the spa cover 102. But for
tie-downs 122, piston 108 could lift pivot arm 106 away from spa
cover 102 when the two halves 110, 112 of the spa cover 102 are
unfolded as shown in FIG. 6. It is convenient for pivot arm 106 to
be close to spa cover 102 when folding first half 110 over second
half 112 to set the spa cover 102 into the half open position shown
in FIG. 2.
[0021] FIG. 4 shows a tie down 200 in accordance with one
embodiment. In the example shown, tie-down 200 comprises a pivot
arm restraint 202 and a spa cover connector 204.
[0022] Generally, pivot arm restraint 202 is capable of connecting
to pivot arm 106. In some embodiments, pivot arm restraint 202 may
be configured to encircle about at least a portion of pivot arm
106. In the example shown, pivot arm restraint 202 forms a loop,
which may be slid onto pivot arm 106, for example. In variant
embodiments, pivot arm restraint 202 may comprise a hook or a clip
for example.
[0023] In the example shown, pivot arm restraint 202 comprises a
strap. It will be understood that a strap may comprise flexible
fabrics and leathers, as well as cast, molded or otherwise formed
metals, plastics, ceramics and combinations thereof, both flexible
and rigid.
[0024] Generally, spa cover connector 204 is coupled to pivot arm
restraint 202 and capable of coupling the tie down 200 to spa cover
102. In the example shown, spa cover connector 204 comprises an
upper side 206 coupled to pivot arm restraint 202 and a lower side
208 coupled to spa cover 102. Upper side 206 may be coupled
directly or indirectly to pivot arm restraint 202. For example,
upper side 206 may be coupled to pivot arm restraint 202 using, for
example, but not limited to, adhesive, stitching or rivets. In some
cases, spa cover connector 204 and pivot arm restraint 202 may be
integrally formed, from plastic, metal or fabric, for example.
[0025] Lower side 208 may be coupled to spa cover 102 by, for
example, but not limited to, adhesive or screws. In some
embodiments, lower side 208 may comprise hooks for mating with
loops provided on spa cover 102, or vice versa, to provide a
removable coupling.
[0026] FIG. 5 shows a tie down 300 in accordance with another
embodiment. Tie down 300 may be substantially similar to tie down
200 except for spa cover connector 304. In the example shown, spa
cover connector 304 comprises an upper portion 310 and a lower
portion 312. Upper portion 310 can be permanently coupled to pivot
arm restraint 202 using adhesives, stitching, rivets or by
integrally molding the upper portion 310 with pivot arm restraint
202. In the example shown, upper portion 310 comprises one of a
hook member and a loop member, and upper side 314 of lower portion
312 comprises the other of the hook member and the loop member. The
hook and loop members can permit the upper portion 310 and the
lower portion 312 to be removably connectable.
[0027] In the example shown, lower side 316 of lower portion 312 is
coupled to spa cover 102. For example, lower side 316 may comprise
an adhesive or screws, or may comprise hooks for mating with loops
provided on spa cover 102 or vice versa.
[0028] Pivot arm restraint 202 may comprise a strap formed in a
loop as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. As shown in FIG. 4, pivot arm
restraint 202 may comprise a first end 218, a second 220, and an
intermediate portion 222 between the first end 218 and the second
end 220. One or more of the first and second ends 218, 220 may be
connected to a spa cover connector 204, 304. For example, one or
both of ends 218, 220 may be connected to spa cover connector 204,
304 by adhesive, rivets, or stitching. In some embodiments, one or
both ends 218, 220 may be integrally molded with spa cover
connector 204.
[0029] A number of embodiments have been described herein. However,
it will be understood by persons skilled in the art that other
variants and modifications may be made without departing from the
scope of the embodiments as defined in the claims appended
hereto.
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