CA2537640A1 - Hot tub cover transfer device - Google Patents

Hot tub cover transfer device Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2537640A1
CA2537640A1 CA 2537640 CA2537640A CA2537640A1 CA 2537640 A1 CA2537640 A1 CA 2537640A1 CA 2537640 CA2537640 CA 2537640 CA 2537640 A CA2537640 A CA 2537640A CA 2537640 A1 CA2537640 A1 CA 2537640A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
cover
hot tub
arm portion
central arm
portions
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2537640
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Carl W. Schnurr
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA 2537640 priority Critical patent/CA2537640A1/en
Publication of CA2537640A1 publication Critical patent/CA2537640A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04HBUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H4/00Swimming or splash baths or pools
    • E04H4/06Safety devices; Coverings for baths
    • E04H4/08Coverings consisting of rigid elements, e.g. coverings composed of separate or connected elements
    • E04H4/084Coverings consisting of rigid elements, e.g. coverings composed of separate or connected elements with lifting mechanism

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Casings For Electric Apparatus (AREA)

Abstract

A hot tub cover transfer device, comprising a carrier to engage the cover and a drive unit for displace the cover from a first installed position on the hot tub to a second uninstalled position adjacent the hot tub, the carrier including a pair of opposed frame portions extending along opposite sides of the hot tub cover and an anchor portion securable relative to a ground surface adjacent the hot tub and a central arm portion joined to the opposed frame portions and pivotally connected to the anchor portions.

Description

HOT TUB COVER TRANSFER DEVICE
BACKGROUND OF THE iNVENTION
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relatea to hot tubs and more particularly to devices for removing hot tub covers . . _.~_ ...._.._._-...., therefrom.
2. DFSCRIPTION OF THE RBLATED ART

It would be desirable to provide a novel approach to removing a hot tub cover from a hot tub.
SUMMARY OF THE IlVVENTION

In one of its aspects, the present invention provides a hot tub cover transfer device, comprising a catrier to engage the cover and a drive unit for displace the cover from a fyrst installed position on the hot tub to a second uninstalled position adjacent the hot tub, the carrier including a pair of opposed frame portions eabending along opposite sides of the hot tub cover and an anchor portion seourable relative to a ground .

20' surface adjacent the hot tub and a central arm portion joined to the opposed frame portions and pivotally connected to the ancbor portions.

In an alternative embodiment, the opposed $ame portions includes a corresponding pair of remote end portions and a first coupling for coupling each of the remote end portions to a side wall of the cover.

. In an altemative embodiment, the first coupling irieludes a pivot coupling formed on each remote end and a braclect for mounting on the cover portion, the bracket jointed to the pivot coupling.
SCH-HT App Final 1 Last pr'rated 2J2412006 8:34:00 AM

In an alternative embodiment, the bracket further comprises a cross bar joined to the pivot coupling, and a counterweight unit for maintaining the cross bar at a predetermined operative orientation, thereby to maintain the cover at a substantially horizontal orientation during travel between the fint and second positions.

An alternative embodiment fucther-comprises a support frame formounting on a lower surface of the cover, the support frame being jointed to the cross bar.

In an altemtive embodiment, the cross bar is rectangular in cross seation with a thiclcness sufficient to fit between adjacent hinged sections oftbie cover.

In an altetnative embodiment, the central arm portion extends along a rear end of the hot tub and extends betvveon the anchor portions. .

An alternative embodiment fn-ther comprises a support member for supporting the central arm portion in a mid region thereof. In an alter,native embodiment, the support member includes a passage through which the central arm portion extends.

An alternative embodiment further comprises at least one spring ekment for biasing aentral arm portion toward the uninstalled position.

In an alternative embodiment, the at least one spring element includes at least one= torsion spring acting =
between the support member and the central arm portion.

In an alternative embodiment, the at least one spsing element'includes a pair of toraion springs acting between the support member and the central arm portion.

SCH-HT App Final 2 last prierta12/24/Z006 8:34:00 AM

In an alternative embodiment, one or both ofthe frame portions is length adjustable.

In an alternative embodiment, each frame portion is formed of two telescoping frame members..

In an altemative embodiment, the anchor portions inchide a pair of post members, each positioned at a corresponding coiner of the hot tub.

In an alternative embodiment, the drive unit includes a transmission portion mounted on one of the anchor portions.

In an altemative embodiment, the transnvssion includea a pair of mating transmission elementa, a first of the transmiasion elements being mounted for rotation with the central arm portion and a second of die transmiasion elements being mounbed for rotation with the drive unit.

An altemative embodiment further compriaes a control unit for controlling the drive u.nit, the control unit communicating with the drive unit over a wired andJor a wireless datalink thetebetween.

BRIEF DESCRTPTION OF TIM DRAWINGS

Several preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with refennce to the appanded drawings in which:

Figures 1, 2 and 3 are peispective views of the hot tub transfer device in different operative orientations;
and Figures 4, 5 and 6 are perspective views of the hot tub transfer device in different operative orientationas.
DESCRIPTTON OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

SCH-HT App Final 3 iast printed 2/74l1006 8:34:00 AM

Referring to the figures, there is provided a hot tttb 10 and a hot tub cover 12. Also provided is a transfer device 14 for transfer the cover 12 between a ficst instilled position on the hot tub as shown in figure 1 and a second uninstalled position adjacent the hot tub as shown in figure 3. The transfer device 14 has a carrier 20'to engage the cover 12 and a drive wut 22 for displacing the cover. 12 betvveen the first and second positions..

The earrier 20 includes a pair of opposed frame porti.ons 24 eatending along opposite sides of the hot tub cover and a pair of anchor portions 26, 28 seeurable relative to a ground surface adjacent the hot tub 10. A
central arm portion 30 is joined to the opposed frame portions and pivotally conneeted to the anchor portions.

The opposed frame portions 24 include a corresponding pair, of temote end portions 24a and a 5ret coupling 32 for coupling each of the remote end portions to a side wa1112a of the cover 12.
' , .
The first coupling 32 includes a pivot coupling 34 formed on each remote end and a bracket 36 for motmting on the cover portion, the braclaet jointed to the pivot coupling.
The:bracket ineludes a otnss bdkr 38 joined to the pivot coupling 34, and a connterweight unit 40 for maintainmg the cross bar at a predebermined operative orientation, theroby to maintain the cover at a substantialiy horizontal orientation during travel between the first and second positions. In this case, the counter weight includea a right angled frame member 42 haviqg a veatieal portion and a fiosizontal portion the latter canying a position adjustable weight 44. l7ie weight may be adjusted in position along the horizontal portioa to A support fratne 46 is also provided for mounting on a lower surface of the cover. The support frame is jointed to the cross bar.

The cross bar 38 is rectangalar in cross section with a thiclmess sufficient to fit between adjacent hinged sections of the cover 12.

5CH-Hf App Final .. 4 Last printed 2l141'2006 8:34:00 AM .

The centrai arm portion 30 extends along a rear end of the hot tub 10 and extends between the anchor portions 26, 28. A support member 48 supports the central arm portion 30 in a mid region thereo~ The support member 48 inchides a passage 48a through which the central arm portion 30 extends.

At least one spring element 50 is provided for biasing central arm portion toward the uninstallled position.
The at least one spring element includes at least one tontion spring acting between the support member and the central arm portion. In this case, the atleast one spring element includes a pair of torsion sprimgs 52 acting between the support member 48 and the ceatral ann portion 30.

One or both of the frame portions 24 is length adjustable to aocommodate hot tubs of varying sizes. In this ease, each fisme portion is formed of two telescoping frame iilembers 54,36 and held in position by way of fastenecs 58.

"rhe anchor portions inchide a pair of post members 60, 62, each positioned at a corresponding oorner of the bot tub. The drive unit 22 inoludes a transmission portion 64 mounted on one of the anchor portions.

The transmisaion inchides a pair of mating transmission elements 66, 68, a Srst of the tranamission elements 66 being mountpd for rotation with the centrai arm portion and a second of the nansmission elementa 68 beiag mounted for rotation with the drive unit, which may inchtde a motor drive, such as a mechanical actuator drive available from MCMASTER CARR.

A control unit 70 is provided.~or controlling the drive unit, the control unit communicating with the drive unit over a wired andlor a wireless datalink 72 therebetween.

Referring to figures 4, 5 and 6, another transfer device 80 is shown for use with a hot tub 82 and a hot tub cover 84. In this case, a drive unit includes a gear box and motor which are located within one or both of the anchor portions 86. The drive unit may include, in this oase, a gear box reducer with a ration of, for instance, 5:1 and which is operable to tuin the shaft in a circular motion which raises the cover from the SCH-ECf App Final [ast printed 2l2412006 8:34:00 AM

tub. The gear box may be powered using a number of different motors, for instance a 12V DC motor.
The gearbox and motor may be purchased froin Avery Machine Co. Brampton ON
CANADA.

While the device is provided with a counterweight unit, it is by no means essential. There may be other . 5 means of maintaining.the hot tub cover in: a generally horizontal orientation, such as one or more elongate bars as shown at 90 in figure 4, extending between the coupling and a mounting point on the anchor portion or some other fixed location In this case, as the cover lifls, the elongate bar may be oriented in relation to the support atm to keep the cover at a level position as the rotation progresses.

The traasmissiom elements may be provided in number of forms such as interloaking gears, sprockets for a, chain or drive wheels for a dtive belt or the lt7oe. The sin of the t[ansmission elements will depend on the size of the drive unit and the range of motion afforded the frame members. If desired, the asnamission eletaents may include a rack and pinion atrangement, which the pinion is displaced upward causing the pimon to ton, while doing so, the causing the central arm portion to tarn aad hence the fiame members.

If desired, ttansmission elements may be located within the corresponding anchor portion; thereby eliminating the need for external extra guarding that may be needed around the transmission elements and providod improved weather protaction for the transmission elements. In this case, the corresponding anchor portiem will have larger lateral dimamons to accommodate the transmission elements. In this case, the anchor portion housing the trangnrission elements may be, for instance, few inahes taIler and bigger in size tban the opposite anchor porti on. The anchor portion housing the transmission elements may also be provided with an aceess plate for drive unit installation and service The torsion springs may not be necessary on all cases. For instance the torsion springs may be replaced, if desired, by a gas shock or similar device located at an appropriate location relative to the frame members, to support mnual operation. In this case, one end of the shock may be attached to the support aim, the other end attached to a cotresponding anchor portion. The shock may be desirably located at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the anchor portion. Full extension of the shock may be reached when the cover is at top SCH-Iil'. App Finml 6 Last printed 2/242006 8:34:00 AM
......... ..... ......... ...... ..... .

= ...
position and at this point, the shock will be in the vertical position. This will give the manual operation lift assist while opening or closing, for example in the event of a drive unit failure or power failure.
While the present invention has been described'for what are presently considered the preferred embodiments, the invention is not so limited. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
The scope of tha following.clauns is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

. . ' =

. .
. .
..

f '.
SCH-HT App FinaF 7 Isst Wpted 2/24R006 8:34M AM.

Claims (18)

1. A hot tub cover transfer device, comprising a carrier to engage the cover and a drive unit for displace the cover from a first installed position on the hot tub to a second uninstalled position adjacent the hot tub, the carrier including a pair of opposed frame portions extending along opposite sides of the hot tub cover and an anchor portion securable relative to a ground surface adjacent the hot tub and a central arm portion joined to the opposed frame portions and pivotally connected to the anchor portions.
2. A device as defined in claim 1, the opposed frame portions including a corresponding pair of remote end portions and a first coupling for coupling each of the remote end portions to a side wall of the cover.
3. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein the first coupling includes a pivot coupling formed on each remote end and a bracket for mounting on the cover portion, the bracket jointed to the pivot coupling.
4. A device as defined in claim 3, the bracket further comprising a cross bar joined to the pivot coupling, and a counterweight unit for maintaining the cross bar at a predetermined operative orientation, thereby to maintain the cover at a substantially horizontal orientation during travel between the first and second positions.
5. A device as defined in claim 4, further comprising a support frame for mounting on a lower surface of the cover, the support frame being jointed to the cross bar.
6. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein the cross bar is rectangular in cross section with a thickness sufficient to fit between adjacent hinged sections of the cover.
7. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the central arm portion extends along a rear end of the hot tub and extends between the anchor portions..
8. A device as defined in claim 7, further comprising a support member for supporting the central arm portion in a mid region thereof.
9. A device as defined in calm 8, the support member including a passage through which the central arm portion extends.
10. A device as defined in claim 9, further comprising at least one spring element for biasing central arm portion toward the uninstalled position
11. A device as defined in claim 10, the at least one spring element including at least one torsion spring acting between the support member and the central arm portion
12. A device as defined in claim 10, the at least one spring element including a pair of torsion springs acting between the support member and the central arm portion.
13. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein one or both of the frame portions is length adjustable.
14. A device as defined in claim 13, wherein each flame portion is formed of two telescoping frame members.
15. A device as defined in claim 14, wherein the anchor portions include a pair of post members, each positioned at a corresponding corner of the hot tub.
16. A device as defined in claim 14, the drive unit including a transmission portion mounted on one of the anchor portions.
17. A device as defined in claim 16, wherein the transmission includes a pair of mating transmission elements, a first of the transmission elements being mounted for rotation with the central arm portion and a second of the transmission elements being mounted for rotation with the drive unit.
18. A device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a control unit for controlling the drive unit, the control unit communicating with the drive unit over a wired and/or a wireless datalink therebetween.
CA 2537640 2006-02-24 2006-02-24 Hot tub cover transfer device Abandoned CA2537640A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2537640 CA2537640A1 (en) 2006-02-24 2006-02-24 Hot tub cover transfer device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2537640 CA2537640A1 (en) 2006-02-24 2006-02-24 Hot tub cover transfer device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2537640A1 true CA2537640A1 (en) 2007-08-24

Family

ID=38433807

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2537640 Abandoned CA2537640A1 (en) 2006-02-24 2006-02-24 Hot tub cover transfer device

Country Status (1)

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CA (1) CA2537640A1 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016070269A1 (en) * 2014-11-03 2016-05-12 Cunerty John Joseph Lift assembly and spa including the same
US10273702B1 (en) 2018-10-26 2019-04-30 John Joseph Cunerty Lift assembly for a spa cover
WO2020084597A1 (en) 2018-10-26 2020-04-30 Mark Evans A lid for a hot tub
US11359396B2 (en) 2019-01-28 2022-06-14 Strong Industries, Inc. Lift system for a spa cover
US11795716B1 (en) 2023-04-26 2023-10-24 1140398 Ontario Ltd. Lift assembly for a spa cover

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016070269A1 (en) * 2014-11-03 2016-05-12 Cunerty John Joseph Lift assembly and spa including the same
US9708823B2 (en) 2014-11-03 2017-07-18 Specialty Metal Products Inc. Lift assembly and spa including the same
US11078680B2 (en) 2014-11-03 2021-08-03 1140398 Ontario Ltd. Lift assembly and spa including the same
US10487523B2 (en) 2014-11-03 2019-11-26 Strong Industries, Inc. Lift assembly and spa including the same
US10662665B2 (en) 2018-10-26 2020-05-26 John Joseph Cunerty Lift assembly for a spa cover
GB2578442A (en) * 2018-10-26 2020-05-13 Evans Mark A spa apparatus
WO2020084597A1 (en) 2018-10-26 2020-04-30 Mark Evans A lid for a hot tub
US10273702B1 (en) 2018-10-26 2019-04-30 John Joseph Cunerty Lift assembly for a spa cover
US11391054B2 (en) 2018-10-26 2022-07-19 John Joseph Cunerty Spa accessory mounting assembly
US11891836B2 (en) 2018-10-26 2024-02-06 1140398 Ontario Ltd. Spa accessory mounting assembly
US11359396B2 (en) 2019-01-28 2022-06-14 Strong Industries, Inc. Lift system for a spa cover
US11808050B2 (en) 2019-01-28 2023-11-07 Strong Industries, Inc Lift system for a spa cover
US11795716B1 (en) 2023-04-26 2023-10-24 1140398 Ontario Ltd. Lift assembly for a spa cover
US12084883B1 (en) 2023-04-26 2024-09-10 1140298 Ontario Ltd. Lift assembly for a spa cover

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