U.S. patent application number 14/727249 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-03 for adjustable support member for a spa cover lifting device.
The applicant listed for this patent is John Cunerty. Invention is credited to John Cunerty.
Application Number | 20150345163 14/727249 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54701117 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150345163 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cunerty; John |
December 3, 2015 |
Adjustable Support Member for a Spa Cover Lifting Device
Abstract
An adjustable support member for supporting a frame of a spa
cover lifting device is disclosed, the frame being movable between
a first frame position wherein the spa cover generally covers a spa
and a second frame position wherein the spa cover is lifted from
the spa. The adjustable support member includes a base and a stop
member. The base includes a bracket adapted to be fixed adjacent
the spa. The stop member has a connection portion adapted to be
displaceably coupled to the base, and an abutment portion adapted
to support the frame of a spa cover lifting device when the frame
is in the second frame position. The abutment portion extends from
the connection portion and is displaceable with the connection
portion for adjusting a distance between the abutment portion and
the bracket.
Inventors: |
Cunerty; John; (Toronto,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cunerty; John |
Toronto |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
54701117 |
Appl. No.: |
14/727249 |
Filed: |
June 1, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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62006571 |
Jun 2, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/498 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 4/084 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E04H 4/08 20060101
E04H004/08 |
Claims
1. An adjustable support member for supporting a frame of a spa
cover lifting device, the frame being movable between a first frame
position wherein the spa cover generally covers a spa and a second
frame position wherein the spa cover is lifted from the spa, the
adjustable support member comprising: a) a base, the base
comprising a bracket adapted to be fixed adjacent the spa; b) a
stop member having a connection portion adapted to be displaceably
coupled to the base, and an abutment portion adapted to support the
frame of a spa cover lifting device when the frame is in the second
frame position, the abutment portion extending from the connection
portion and displaceable with the connection portion for adjusting
a distance between the abutment portion and the bracket.
2. The adjustable support member of claim 1, wherein one of the
base and the stop member comprises an elongate shaft extending
along a shaft axis, and the other of the stop member and the base
comprises a collar configured to slidably receive the shaft.
3. The adjustable support member of claim 2, wherein the abutment
member has a first end adjacent the connection portion and a second
end spaced apart from the first end in a first direction that is
non-parallel to the shaft axis.
4. The adjustable support member of claim 3, wherein the first
direction is generally orthogonal to the shaft axis.
5. The adjustable support member of claim 1, wherein at least one
of the base and the stop member comprises a securement member
moveable between an engaged configuration, in which relative
displacement between the abutment portion and the bracket is
inhibited, and a disengaged configuration, in which the abutment
portion is displaceable relative to the bracket.
6. The adjustable support member of claim 5, wherein the securement
member comprises a set screw.
7. The adjustable support member of claim 1, wherein the bracket
comprises at least one flange for securing the bracket adjacent the
spa.
8. The adjustable support member of claim 1, wherein the abutment
the abutment portion comprises a body extending from the connection
portion and made from a body material, and further comprising at
least one cushioning member made from a different, cushioning
material and disposed on the body to contact the frame of a spa
cover lifting device when the frame is in the second frame
position.
9. The adjustable support member of claim 1, wherein the abutment
portion comprises a primary abutment surface configured to abut one
portion of the frame, and a secondary abutment surface spaced apart
from the primary abutment surface and configured to abut another
portion of the frame.
10. The adjustable support member of claim 9, wherein the secondary
abutment surface is generally orthogonal to the primary abutment
surface.
11. An adjustable lifting device for lifting a spa cover of a spa
having a spa housing, the adjustable lifting device comprising: a)
a frame positionable adjacent the spa housing and connectable to a
spa cover, the frame movable between a first frame position,
wherein the spa cover generally covers the spa housing, and a
second frame position wherein the spa cover is lifted from the spa
housing; b) a support member positionable adjacent the spa housing
to support the frame when the frame is in the second frame
position, the support member comprising: i. a base, the base
comprising a bracket adapted to be fixed adjacent the spa; and ii.
a stop member having a connection portion adapted to be
displaceably coupled to the base, and an abutment portion adapted
to support the frame when the frame is in the second frame
position, the abutment portion extending from the connection
portion and displaceable with the connection portion for adjusting
a distance between the abutment portion and the bracket.
12. The adjustable lifting device of claim 9, wherein the frame is
adapted to be connected to the spa housing at a frame elevation,
and the support member is adapted to be connected to the spa
housing at a support elevation that is higher than the frame
elevation.
13. A spa apparatus comprising: a) a spa housing; b) a spa cover
for covering the spa housing; c) a cover lifting frame supporting
the spa cover, the cover lifting frame movable between a first
frame position, wherein the spa cover generally covers the spa
housing, and a second frame position wherein the spa cover is
lifted from the spa housing; d) a support member comprising a base
and a stop member, the base comprising a bracket adapted to be
fixed adjacent the spa, and the stop member having a connection
portion displaceably coupled to the base and an abutment portion
adapted to support the cover lifting frame when the frame is in the
second frame position, the abutment portion extending from the
connection portion and displaceable with the connection portion for
adjusting a distance between the abutment portion and the
bracket.
14. The spa apparatus of claim 11, wherein the frame is connected
to the spa by a frame mount comprising a pivot axis about which the
frame can pivot to move between the first and second frame
positions, and wherein the pivot axis is at a first elevation and
the stop member is disposed at a second, higher elevation.
15. The spa apparatus of claim 12, wherein the spa housing
comprises an open upper end spaced vertically above a lower end,
and wherein the frame mount is connected to the spa housing
adjacent the lower end and the support member is connected to the
spa housing adjacent upper end.
16. The spa apparatus of claim 12, wherein the spa housing
comprises an open upper end spaced vertically above a lower end by
a spa height and wherein the support member is spaced above the
frame mount by an offset distance that is between about 40% and
about 80% of the spa height.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The teachings described herein relates generally to a
support member for a spa cover lifting device. More particularly,
the teachings described herein generally relate to a support member
that is adjustable.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Canadian Patent No. 2,432,833 relates to an adjustable
lifting device for a spa cover has a frame for securing to the spa
cover and at least one extendible mount for adjustably extending a
distance between the frame of the lifting device and a mounting
point on the housing of a spa. The extendible mount has an
extendible member attached to the frame of the lifting device, and
a mounting bracket adapted to be fixed at a mounting location on
the housing of a spa. The extendible member is adjustably coupled
to the mounting bracket.
SUMMARY
[0003] This summary is intended to introduce the reader to the more
detailed description that follows and not to limit or define any
claimed or as yet unclaimed invention. One or more inventions may
reside in any combination or sub-combination of the elements or
process steps disclosed in any part of this document including its
claims and figures.
[0004] In accordance with one broad aspect of the teachings
described herein, An adjustable support member for supporting a
frame of a spa cover lifting device, the frame being movable
between a first frame position wherein the spa cover generally
covers a spa and a second frame position wherein the spa cover is
lifted from the spa, may include a base. The base may include a
bracket adapted to be fixed adjacent the spa. The support member
may also include a stop member having a connection portion adapted
to be displaceably coupled to the base, and an abutment portion
adapted to support the frame of a spa cover lifting device when the
frame is in the second frame position. The abutment portion may
extend from the connection portion and may be displaceable with the
connection portion for adjusting a distance between the abutment
portion and the bracket.
[0005] One of the base and the stop member may inlcude an elongate
shaft extending along a shaft axis, and the other of the stop
member and the base comprises a collar configured to slidably
receive the shaft.
[0006] The abutment member may have a first end adjacent the
connection portion and a second end spaced apart from the first end
in a first direction that is non-parallel to the shaft axis.
Optionally, the first direction may be generally orthogonal to the
shaft axis.
[0007] At least one of the base and the stop member may include a
securement member moveable between an engaged configuration, in
which relative displacement between the abutment portion and the
bracket is inhibited, and a disengaged configuration, in which the
abutment portion is displaceable relative to the bracket. The
securement member may include a set screw.
[0008] The bracket may include at least one flange for securing the
bracket adjacent the spa.
[0009] The abutment portion may include a body extending from the
connection portion and made from a body material, and further
comprising at least one cushioning member made from a different,
cushioning material and disposed on the body to contact the frame
of a spa cover lifting device when the frame is in the second frame
position.
[0010] The abutment portion may include a primary abutment surface
configured to abut one portion of the frame, and a secondary
abutment surface spaced apart from the primary abutment surface and
configured to abut another portion of the frame.
[0011] The secondary abutment surface may be generally orthogonal
to the primary abutment surface.
[0012] In accordance with another broad aspect of the teachings
describe herein (which may be used in combination with any other
aspects), an adjustable lifting device for lifting a spa cover of a
spa having a spa housing, may include a frame positionable adjacent
the spa housing and connectable to a spa cover. The frame may be
movable between a first frame position, wherein the spa cover
generally covers the spa housing, and a second frame position
wherein the spa cover is lifted from the spa housing. The device
may include a support member positionable adjacent the spa housing
to support the frame when the frame is in the second frame
position. The support member may include a base. The base may
include a bracket adapted to be fixed adjacent the spa. The support
member may also include a stop member having a connection portion
adapted to be displaceably coupled to the base, and an abutment
portion adapted to support the frame when the frame is in the
second frame position. The abutment portion may extend from the
connection portion and displaceable with the connection portion for
adjusting a distance between the abutment portion and the
bracket.
[0013] The frame is adapted to be connected to the spa housing at a
frame elevation, and the support member is adapted to be connected
to the spa housing at a support elevation that is higher than the
frame elevation.
[0014] In accordance with another broad aspect of the teachings
describe herein (which may be used in combination with any other
aspects), a spa apparatus may include a spa housing, a spa cover
for covering the spa housing and a cover lifting frame supporting
the spa cover. The cover lifting frame may be movable between a
first frame position, wherein the spa cover generally covers the
spa housing, and a second frame position wherein the spa cover is
lifted from the spa housing. The spa apparatus may also include a
support member comprising a base and a stop member. The base may
include a bracket adapted to be fixed adjacent the spa. The stop
member may have a connection portion displaceably coupled to the
base and an abutment portion adapted to support the cover lifting
frame when the frame is in the second frame position. The abutment
portion may extend from the connection portion and may be
displaceable with the connection portion for adjusting a distance
between the abutment portion and the bracket.
[0015] The frame may be connected to the spa by a frame mount
comprising a pivot axis about which the frame can pivot to move
between the first and second frame positions. The pivot axis may be
at a first elevation and the stop member may be disposed at a
second, higher elevation.
[0016] The spa housing may include an open upper end spaced
vertically above a lower end. The frame mount may be connected to
the spa housing adjacent the lower end and the support member is
connected to the spa housing adjacent upper end.
[0017] The spa housing may have an open upper end spaced vertically
above a lower end by a spa height and wherein the support member is
spaced above the frame mount by an offset distance that is between
about 40% and about 80% of the spa height.
DRAWINGS
[0018] The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various
examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the teaching of
the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope
of what is taught in any way.
[0019] In the drawings:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a spa cover lifting device
installed on a spa and with the cover in a closed position;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the spa of FIG. 1 with one
portion of the spa cover folded onto another portion of the spa
cover, and including a support member;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2, but showing
the spa cover is lifted from the spa and a frame of the cover
lifting device is contacting the support member;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a spa cover
lifting device;
[0024] FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of another portion of
a spa cover lifting device;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a schematic top plan view of an example of a spa
showing use of the extensible members of a cover lifting device
with a spa having a housing with at least two opposing side
different shapes;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a schematic top plan view of an example of a spa
showing use of the support members of a cover lifting device with a
spa having a housing with at least two opposing side different
shapes;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an example of a support
member for a spa cover lifting device;
[0028] FIG. 9 is a perspective exploded view of the support member
of FIG. 8;
[0029] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of support members and portions
of the spa of FIG. 1; and
[0030] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of one end of a support member
useable with the spa of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] Various apparatuses or processes will be described below to
provide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. No
embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any
claimed invention may cover processes or apparatuses that differ
from those described below. The claimed inventions are not limited
to apparatuses or processes having all of the features of any one
apparatus or process described below or to features common to
multiple or all of the apparatuses described below. It is possible
that an apparatus or process described below is not an embodiment
of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus
or process described below that is not claimed in this document may
be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for
example, a continuing patent application, and the applicants,
inventors or owners do not intend to abandon, disclaim or dedicate
to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this
document.
[0032] Spas (including, for example hot tubs and swim spas)
particularly those located outdoors, can be provided with a cover
to enclose the spa when not in use. Enclosing the spa may help
prevent unwanted access to the spa, and may help make the spa safer
when unattended. Optionally, the spa cover may be lockable or
otherwise securable in its closed position. For example, a locked
spa cover may prevent people from accessing the spa without
supervision or permission.
[0033] Optionally, the spa cover can be insulated, or include at
least some insulating material, to help insulate the water within
the spa from the temperature of the surrounding air. For example,
if the spa is operated as a hot tub containing relatively hot
water, an insulated spa cover may help reduce the amount of heat
loss while the spa is not in use. Reducing heat loss may help
reduce the costs to heat the water in the spa and/or to keep the
water at the desired temperature. Optionally, the spa cover may be
formed from a thick, substantially rigid insulating material, which
may be covered in a fabric shell. The fabric shell may help protect
the insulating material from damage, may have a desired visual
appearance and optionally may be generally water proof.
[0034] Spa covers can be relatively heavy, bulky or otherwise
awkward for a user to handle directly. The weight, size and bulk of
a spa cover may vary with the size of the corresponding spa, such
that larger spas may tend to have larger, heavier and bulkier spa
covers. For example spa covers can have dimensions of about
4'.times.4', 6'.times.6', 8'.times.8', 10'.times.10' or larger,
such as 7'.times.12', 10'.times.16' and 10'.times.24' for covers of
larger swim spa type spas. Spa covers may be larger than the
examples listed and need not be square or rectangular. A given spa
cover may conform to the shape of the spa. Depending its
configuration and materials, spa covers may weigh between about 30
pounds and about 200 pounds or more. Optionally, a spa cover
lifting device may be used to help lift the cover off the spa.
[0035] The spa cover lifting device may help lift a spa cover off
the top of the underlying spa, and optionally may be configured to
move the spa cover laterally so as to allow users to access the
spa. The spa cover lifting device may be configured to deposit the
spa cover on the ground when not in use. Alternatively, the spa
cover lifting device may be configured to suspend or otherwise
support the spa cover above the ground when the cover is in the
open position. For example, the spa cover lifting device may
suspend the spa cover adjacent one side of the spa, thereby allow
access to the spa from the remaining sides. Supporting the cover
above the ground may help prevent the cover from being soiled or
damaged by contact with the ground. It may also help facilitate
re-placement of the spa cover onto the top of the spa, as the cover
need not be lifted from ground level.
[0036] A spa cover lifting device that supports the cover in the
open position may be configured to support some or all of the
weight of the spa cover. This can put stress on portions of the spa
cover lifting device, such as joints and movable couplings. The
stresses on the spa cover lifting device may also be affected by
external factors, such as wind loading on the suspended spa cover,
snow accumulation on the cover, additional objects placed on the
suspended spa cover and/or users leaning or resting on the
suspended spa cover. Providing a separate support member may help
reduce the stress applied to the joints or other portions of the
spa cover lifting device.
[0037] Optionally, the spa cover lifting device can include a
support member that is configured to help support at least a
portion of the weight of the spa cover when it is in the open
position. Optionally, the support member may be spaced apart from
other load bearing regions of the spa cover lifting device, such as
the joints or attachment points. This may help distribute the
weight of the spa cover amongst the various supporting
components.
[0038] Optionally, the support member may be adjustable. Providing
an adjustable support member may allow a given support member to be
adapted for use on a variety of spas having different shapes and
sizes, and/or to be used with a variety of differently configured
lifting devices. For example, the support member may be sold as a
separate apparatus that can be mounted to existing spas having
different shapes and different lifting devices. The support member
can then be adjusted to help support the spa cover in a desired
manner by each user. Alternatively, or in addition, a support
member may be installed on a spa by its manufacturer or retailer
and may form part of the original equipment of the spa as delivered
to the user. Providing an adjustable support member may also allow
a user to modify the resting or storage position of the spa cover
on a given spa if desired. For example, a user may wish to alter
the storage position of the spa cover based on weather conditions,
such as wind and/or snow accumulation.
[0039] Optionally, an adjustable support member may include a
securement member to retain the support member in its desired
position/ configuration. The securement member may be configured to
fix the support member in one position. Alternatively, the
securement member may allow the support member to move between two
or more positions. For example, at least a portion of the support
member may be movable with other components of the cover lifting
device. This may allow the support member to be stowed when not in
use (for example when the cover is seated on and covering the spa),
and to move with the cover to a deployed position when the cover is
lifted off the spa. This may help reduce the overall size of the
spa cover lifting device when the cover is on the spa.
[0040] To support the weight of a spa cover, the spa cover lifting
device may be made from any suitable material, such as metal,
composite materials and/or plastic. The spa cover lifting device,
and the associated support member, may be configured to be fitted
to spas having a variety of different shapes and sizes. Optionally,
the spa cover lifting device and/or support member may affixed to a
portion of the spa, such as the outer spa housing. In this
configuration, the spa cover lifting device may be at least
partially supported by the spa housing. Alternatively, the spa
cover lifting device and/or support member may be positionable
adjacent the spa, but may be secured to another object, such as the
ground, decking surrounding the spa or other structure. In this
configuration the spa cover lifting device may be at least
partially self-supporting and/or free-standing. Optionally, the spa
cover lifting device and/or support member may be connected to
different objects/ surfaces. For example, portions of the spa cover
lifting device may be connected to or supported by the ground
adjacent the spa and the support member may be connected to the spa
housing.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 1, an example of a spa 100 is illustrated.
The spa 100 includes a generally octagonal housing 102 having eight
sidewall panels 104a-h and a bottom wall 106. Together, the
sidewalls 104a-h and bottom wall 106 co-operate to surround the spa
interior 108 (FIG. 2), which can be filled with water. The spa has
an upper rim 110 (FIG. 3) that surrounds an open upper end 112, to
allow users to access the spa interior 108. Referring to FIG. 3,
the distance between the bottom wall 106 and the upper rim 110
defines a spa height 114.
[0042] Referring also to FIG. 1, a spa cover 116 is configured to
cover the upper end 112 of the spa 100. In the illustrated example,
the spa cover 116 is generally octagonal in shape and is configured
to fit over, and rest on, the upper rim 110 of the spa 100 when the
cover 116 is in is deployed position (FIG. 1). To access the
interior 108 of the spa, the cover 116 can be configured in a
partially opened configuration (FIG. 2) or in a fully opened
configuration in which the cover 116 is moved to a storage or
stowed position (such as shown in FIG. 3).
[0043] Also referring to FIG. 1, an example of a spa cover lifting
device 120 that is usable in with the spa 100 is shown. The spa
cover lifting device 120 is attached to the spa and can be used to
help move the cover 116 from a deployed position, in which it
covers the top of the spa (FIG. 1) and a storage position, in which
the cover 116 is lifted off of, and away from, the top of the spa
(FIG. 3). In the illustrated example, the cover 116 is a rigid
insulating cover and is formed from a rigid insulating material
surrounded by a fabric cover, but may be formed from any suitable
material (insulating or non-insulating).
[0044] Optionally, the cover 116 may be provided as a unitary
member, or alternatively, the cover may include two or more cover
portions. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the cover 116 is divided
into two cover portions 116a and 116b that are pivotally coupled to
each other using hinges 122 (FIG. 3). In this configuration, one
portion of the spa cover, such as portion 116b, can be folded onto
the other portion 116a to help facilitate movement of the cover 116
to the storage position.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 1, in the illustrated example, the spa
cover lifting device 120 includes a generally U-shaped frame 126
that has a cross-member 128 and support arms 130. The cross-member
128 is securable to the spa cover 116.
[0046] In the illustrated example, the cross-member 128 is secured
to the spa cover 116 near the fold line between the portions 116a
and 116b and of the spa cover 116. The cross-member 128 can be
secured to the spa cover 116b by any suitable fastener, such as,
for example, but not limited to, bolts and screws and adhesives, or
by fabric extending from the spa cover and looped over the
cross-member. Optionally, the frame can be detachably secured to
the cover to allow the cover to be detached from the frame if
desired.
[0047] Referring also to FIG. 4, in the embodiment illustrated, the
U-shaped frame 126 comprises two corner elements 132. Each corner
element 132 is formed from support arm 130 and a respective portion
128a and 128b of the cross-member 128. The corner elements 132 may
be constructed of tubular material having a generally circular
cross-section, with the material of one of the cross-member
portions 128a having a slightly smaller diameter than the other
cross-member portion 128b. This permits one of the corner elements
132 to fit within the other in a snug telescoping arrangement as
at. The telescoping arrangement of the two corner elements allows
the cross member 128 to be sized to fit generally across the width
of the spa cover 116.
[0048] To mount the U-shaped frame 126 of the spa cover lifting
device to the spa an adjustable mount is provided. Referring to
FIG. 2, for the embodiment illustrated, the adjustable mount
comprises a bracket 134 adapted to fit to the spa, and an
extendible member 136 that is adjustably coupled to the
bracket.
[0049] Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, each bracket 134 comprises a
body portion 138, adapted to slideably receive the extendible
member 136, and an attachment element, in the form of an extended
flange 140, extending from the body 138, for securely fastening the
bracket 134 adjacent the housing 102 of the spa 100. Referring also
to FIG. 1, in the illustrated embodiment the bracket 134 can rest
on a surface that the spa sits or rests on so the bracket 134 can
be held in place by the weight of the spa on the extended flange
140. Optionally, if desired, the extended flange could be secured
with suitable fasteners, such as, for example, but not limited to,
screws, bolts, etc., to the bottom wall of the spa or to the
underlying surface, or both.
[0050] Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B the body portion 138 of the
bracket 134 generally includes a hollow channel 142 of a slightly
larger cross-section than the extendible member 136 so that the
extendible member 136 can be slideably received within the hollow
channel 142. For the embodiment shown, the extendible member 136
also has a square cross section, though of a slightly smaller
dimension than the cross section of the hollow channel 142 of the
body portion 138 of the mounting bracket 134. It can be appreciated
that other configurations of the extendible member and the body
portion can be used. For example, but not to be considered
limiting, the extendible member could be a sleeve that is slideably
disposed over the body portion, or an externally threaded rod
adapted to engage an internally threaded bore in body portion.
[0051] When the extendible member 136 is adjusted in relation to
the body portion 138 of the bracket 134, as will hereinafter be
described, a suitable securement member, such as, for example, but
not limited to, bolts, screws, pins, and stop collars, can be used
to secure the position of the extendible member relative to the
body portion of the bracket.
[0052] In the illustrated example, screws 144 (FIG. 3) are used to
secure the extendible member 136 in place by either passing through
matching screw holes on extendible member 136 or by bearing on
surface of the extendible member 136 to grip the extendible member
136 against further displacement within hollow channel 142.
[0053] In the illustrated example, the lower ends of the support
arms 130 are pivotally connected to respective extendible members
136 using pivotal connections 146 (FIG. 1). The pivotal connection
146 allows the spa cover 116 to be removed from the spa 100 by
swinging the frame 126, with the attached spa cover 116, upward and
away from the spa 100 (e.g. between first and second positions),
about the pivotal connection 146.
[0054] To configure the spa cover lifting device 100, the
adjustable brackets 134 can be put in place and the extendible
members 136 can then be fitted into the hollow channel 142
presented by the body portions 138 of the brackets 134. The
extendible members 136 are adjusted so that their respective
pivotal connections 146 with support arms 130 are directly opposite
to one another so that both pivotal connections can pivot about
axis 148 (FIG. 6). Moreover, the extendible members 136 are
adjusted so that the pivotal connections 146 are located
sufficiently away from the sides 104a-h of the housing 102 of the
spa 100, so that the spa cover 116 is free to swing about the
pivotal connections 146 away from the spa. A user can then grasp
one of both of the support arms 130 and swing the cover 116 about
the pivotal connections 146 to the position illustrated in FIG.
3.
[0055] In use, brackets 134 can be secured to opposed regions of
the spa 100. In general, this would be on opposed sidewall portions
of the housing of the spa, such as sides 104a and 104e of the spa
100 illustrated in FIG. 1. Securing the brackets 134 on opposed,
parallel sidewalls provides for generally parallel adjustable
mounts. However, it can be appreciated that the brackets do not
need to be directly opposite from one another. For example, with
reference to a schematic representation of a spa 1100 (which is
generally analogous to spa 100 and like features are identified
using like characters indexed by 1000) if side 1104e of the spa was
longer than the opposing parallel side 1104a the bracket 134 on
side 1104a would be further away from side 1104g than the bracket
134 on side 1104e. Such an arrangement is contemplated by this spa
cover lifting device 120. Appropriate adjustment of the
corresponding extending members 136 can be made so that the
respective pivotal connections 146 of the spa cover lifting device
120 are opposed to each other, as illustrated in FIG. 6, for
example.
[0056] For certain shapes of housing of spa it might be desirable
to provide a spacing block. For example, if side were not parallel
to side for the spa illustrated in FIG. 6, then a spacer block 150
can be secured to one side (eg. side 204a) so that the mounting
brackets 134 can be secured to the spa 1100 in a manner that
ensures that the extendible members 136 are parallel. Other types
of spacer blocks could be used if the sidewalls of the spa housing
were, for example, curvilinear, or combinations of curved and
rectilinear shapes.
[0057] Referring to FIG. 3, when the frame 126 is pivoted to move
the cover 116 away from the spa 100, cover 116 is moved laterally
outboard of the pivotal connections (i.e. to the left as
illustrated) such that the weight of the cover exerts a moment load
on the frame 126 and tends to urge the frame 126 to continue to
pivot away from the spa, as indicated by arrow 152 (i.e. to
continue pivoting counter-clockwise in the illustrated example).
This moment load can exert stress on the frame 126 and the pivotal
connections 146. Reducing the magnitude of the moment load 152
acting on the pivotal connections 146 may help reduce stress and/or
wear of the pivotal connections 146. Optionally, one or more
support members may be provided to help support some or all of the
weight of the cover when it is suspended from the frame. In some
configurations, the pivotal connections 146 may be adapted to
resist pivoting of the frame 126 past a given point and may support
some of the moment load. In such instances, the separate support
members may supplement the support via the pivotal connections.
Alternatively, the pivotal connections 146 may provide little or no
resistance to the moment forces, and the separate support members
may resist substantially all of the moment forces acting on the
frame, while the pivotal connections 146 may continue to support
some or all of the vertical load exerted on the frame. The support
members can be configured to work with a variety of cover lifting
devices, including, for example, cover lifting devices disclosed in
Canadian Patent 2,432,833, which is incorporated herein by
reference.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 1, in the illustrated example the spa
cover lifting device includes a pair of support members 160 that
are configured to engage the frame 126 and help resist at least a
portion of moment forces 152 acting on the frame 126 and/or the
weight of the cover 116 when it is lifted off the spa 100 (see also
FIG. 3).
[0059] Referring to Figured 8 and 9, in the illustrated embodiment,
each support member 160 includes a base 162 having a bracket 164
adapted to be fixed to, or adjacent to, the spa 100. In the
illustrated example, the bracket 164 includes a pair of flanges 166
which having apertures 168 for receiving fasters 170, which can be
used to secure the bracket 164 to the housing 102 of the spa 100.
While shown with two flanges 166, the bracket 164 may include no
flanges (i.e. apertures 168 can be provided in the tube member),
only a single flange and/or more than two flanges.
[0060] Each support member 160 also includes a stop member 172 for
engaging and supporting the frame 126. In the illustrated example,
the stop member 172 includes a connection portion 174 adapted to be
displaceably coupled to the base 162, and an abutment portion 176
adapted to support the frame when the cover is lifted off the spa.
In the illustrated example, the base includes an elongate shaft 178
(in the form of a hollow, square tube) that extends along a shaft
axis 180. To provide a displaceable connection, the connection
portion 174 is provided in the form a hollow collar 182, having a
complimentary shape to the shaft 178, which is sized to slidingly
fit over the shaft 178.
[0061] Optionally, to help secure the collar 182 in a given
position along the shaft 178, the support member 160 may include at
least one securement member that can be engaged to inhibit relative
movement between the base 162 and the connection portion 174. In
the illustrated example, the securement member is provided in the
form of a set screw 184 that is received in an aperture in the
collar 182. The set screw 184 can be advanced to engage the shaft
178 (either a corresponding aperture in the shaft or to abut an
outer surface of the shaft) and secure the collar 182, and
retracted to allow the collar 182 to slide on the shaft 178.
[0062] In the illustrated example, the collar 182 is configured to
translate along the shaft axis 180 but, is adapted so that it does
not rotate about the shaft axis 180. This may help maintain the
abutment portion 176 in a desired rotational position relative to
the shaft 178. Alternatively, the collar 182 may be rotatable about
the shaft axis 180.
[0063] In the illustrated example, the abutment portion 176 is
provided in the form of a protrusion 186 having a generally hollow,
square shaped cross-sectional shaped body, that extends laterally
outwardly from the collar 182. The protrusion 186 is supported by,
and can translate with, the collar 182 along the shaft axis 180.
Configuring the protrusion 186 and collar 182 to be displaceable
relative to the shaft 180 may help facilitate adjusting an axial
distance 188 between the abutment portion 176 and the bracket 164.
For example, if the shape of the alternative embodiment of a spa
housing 1102 requires the pair of support members 160 are attached
to the housing 1102 at offset locations (i.e. non-opposed regions
see FIG. 7) the adjustability of the support members 160 can allow
the protrusions 186 1 to be aligned with each other, while being
spaced different distances 188 from their respective brackets 164.
This may be analogous to the configuration of the frame and
brackets as discussed herein with reference to FIG. 6. For example,
if desired an analogous spacing block may be used to support the
base or bracket on a support member that is connected to a curved
panel.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 8, in the illustrated example the
protrusion 186 extends along an abutment axis 190 between an inner
end 192 adjacent the collar 182 and a free, outer end 194.
Optionally, the abutment axis 190 may non-parallel to the shaft
axis 180, and may be generally orthogonal to the shaft axis 180 as
illustrated (i.e. with about 10 degrees of orthogonal). Referring
also to FIGS. 9 and 10, a primary abutment surface 196 extends at
least partially between the inner and outer ends 192 and 194 is
configured to abut one side of the support arms 130 when the cover
116 is lifted off the spa 100. Contact between the support arms 130
and the primary abutment surfaces 196 may limit movement of the
frame in a first direction. For example, in the illustrated
embodiment the primary abutment surface inhibits further rotation
of the frame 126 about the pivotal connections 146, and may help
resist the moment force 152.
[0065] Optionally, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the primary abutment
surface 196 may be configured to have a width 198 that is equal to
or greater than the width 200 of the support arm 130 it engages.
This may help distribute the forces across the entire width of the
support arm 130. Alternatively, the width 198 of the abutment
surface 196 may be less than the width 200 of the support arm 130,
such that the abutment surface 196 only engages a portion of the
width of the support arm 130. This may help reduce the overall size
of the support member 160.
[0066] Optionally, the support member 160 may also include a
secondary abutment surface that is configured to contact another
side of the support arm and to inhibit movement of the frame in a
second direction. Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, in the illustrated
example, a secondary abutment surface 202 is provided by a portion
of the outer surface of the collar 182 and is positioned to abut a
lateral side of the support arm 130. IN this embodiment, primary
abutment surface 196 is generally orthogonal to secondary abutment
surface 202.
[0067] Contact between the support arm 130 and the secondary
support surface 202 may help resist lateral movement of the frame
126 relative to the support member 160. As shown in FIG. 10, the
support members 160 on opposed sides of the spa 100 may be arranged
in opposite orientations, such that contact between the frame 126
and the support member 160 illustrated toward the bottom of FIG. 10
inhibits lateral movement of the frame 126 in one direction
(upwards as illustrated), and engagement between the frame 126 and
the support member 160 illustrated toward the top of FIG. 13
inhibits lateral movement of the frame 126 in an opposed second
direction (downwards as illustrated).
[0068] Together, the two support members 160 illustrated in FIG. 10
may inhibit lateral shifting of the frame 126 relative to the spa
100. This may help keep the cover 116 laterally aligned with the
spa 100 while the cover 116 is lifted off the spa 100.
[0069] Optionally, one or both of the primary and secondary
abutment surfaces 196 and 202 may be provided with a cushioning
member. The cushioning member may be made from a different,
optionally softer, material than the abutment surfaces. Providing a
relatively softer cushioning member may help absorb some of the
impact when the frame contacts the abutment surfaces, protect the
paint or other surface finishings of the support arms and abutment
surfaces and may reduce the amount of noise generated when the
support arms contact the abutment surfaces). A cushioning member
may be made from any suitable material, such as, for example,
plastic, rubber, foam and wood. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, in the
illustrated example the support member 160 includes a cushioning
member in the form of a rubber pad 204 that is affixed to the
primary abutment surface 196. Optionally, the secondary abutment
surface 202 may also be provided with a cushioning member.
[0070] In the illustrated example, the frame 126 of the spa cover
lifting device is connected to the spa housing 102 by brackets 134
that are positioned at the bottom of the spa, while the support
members 160 are connected to the spa housing 102 at a higher
elevation. In this configuration, the support members 160 are
disposed above the brackets 134, by an offset distance 206, and are
at a higher elevation that the pivotal connections 146 and pivot
axis 148. The offset distance 206 may be any suitable distance, and
may be, for example between about 25% and about 100% of the spa
height 114. Optionally, the offset distance 206 may be between
about 40% and about 80%, or between about 50% and 75% of the height
114.
[0071] In the illustrated example, the stop members 172 are located
axially outboard of the associated pivotal connection 146, and axis
148 when the support arms 130 are abutting the primary abutment
surfaces 196. That is, the pivotal connection 146 is disposed
between the stop member 172 and the bracket 134 along the shaft
axis 180 in this position. In this configuration, when the support
arms 130 are resting on the primary abutment surfaces the centre of
gravity 208 (FIG. 3) of the cover 116 is axially outboard of the
pivotal connections 146 (to the left of axis 148 as illustrated in
FIG. 3), and the forces exerted on the frame 126 by the cover 116
may tend to urge the support arms 130 against the primary abutment
surfaces 196. This may help the frame 126 to remain stable when the
cover 126 is lifted off the spa 100.
[0072] Optionally, the support members 160 may include one or more
fasteners that are adapted to secure the frame to the support
member. For example, the stop members may be provided with a strap
that can be wrapped around the support arms of the frame when the
cover is lifted off the spa. The straps may help secure the support
arms adjacent the stop members and may help prevent the cover from
unintentionally falling back toward the spa, such as, for example,
if subjected to a strong gust of wind. Instead of a strap, a latch,
locking mechanism, clip, detent or other suitable releasable
fastener may be used.
[0073] While in the illustrated example the base 162 includes the
elongate shaft 178 and the connection portion 174 includes a
slidable collar 182, in other embodiments this configuration may be
reversed such that the connection portion includes the elongate
shaft that is slidably receivable within a collar or tube portion
on the base. For example, the bracket portion of the base may
include a body portion with a hollow channel, analogous to the
brackets 134 used to support the frame 126, and the connection
portion may include an elongate tube like the extendible members
136. In such a configuration, the distance between the bracket
portion and the stop member may be adjusted by sliding the elongate
tube through the hollow channel on the body portion.
[0074] Alternatively, instead of being generally octagonal as
illustrated herein, other embodiments of a spa housing may be a
different shape including, for example, round/circular, square,
hexagonal, hexagonal, semi-circular, a combination of rectilinear
and curved sidewall panels and other suitable shapes. The cover for
such a spa may have a corresponding shape.
[0075] What has been described above has been intended to be
illustrative of the invention and non-limiting and 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
invention as defined in the claims appended hereto. The scope of
the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments and
examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation
consistent with the description as a whole.
* * * * *