CA2298306A1 - Spa cover mounting method and apparatus - Google Patents

Spa cover mounting method and apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2298306A1
CA2298306A1 CA002298306A CA2298306A CA2298306A1 CA 2298306 A1 CA2298306 A1 CA 2298306A1 CA 002298306 A CA002298306 A CA 002298306A CA 2298306 A CA2298306 A CA 2298306A CA 2298306 A1 CA2298306 A1 CA 2298306A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
cover
spa cover
spa
vertical plate
cover member
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
CA002298306A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Zeljko Dragovic
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.)
Watkins Manufacturing Corp
Original Assignee
Watkins Manufacturing Corp
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 Watkins Manufacturing Corp filed Critical Watkins Manufacturing Corp
Publication of CA2298306A1 publication Critical patent/CA2298306A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

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

Abstract

A foam spa cover member is attached to a cover lifter apparatus using a plurality of brackets, each having a horizontal lip inserted into a respective slit in a side surface of the cover and a vertical plate engaging the side surface.

Description

SPA COVER MOUNTING
METHOD AND APPARATUS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTTON
1. Field of the Invention The subject invention relates to spas, whirlpools and the like and more particularly to methods and apparatus facilitating attachment of spa cover lifters to foam spa covers or cover sections.
2. Description of Related Art Conventional spa covers employ a foam core to reduce weight and to provide insulation. The foam is typically 1 1/2 to 2 pound density foam. A typical portable spa cover includes two or more foam sections hinged together to permit folding along the hinge line.
The foam core is typically encased in a plastic or fabric cover. A typical cover material is marine grade vinyl, which may be treated for U.V., mildew and low temperature stability. A polyethylene vapor barrier may also be heat sealed to the foam 1 S core to inhibit water saturation.
Cover lifter apparatus is also known which is designed to be attached to a spa to assist the user in lifting and storing the spa cover. Examples of such devices are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,991,278 and 4,853,985.
Direct attachment of a cover lifter to foam cover components poses problems because of the weakness of the foam and the considerable forces involved in lifting the cover. Such problems become particularly acute when the spa cover has been subjected to rain or snow, which considerably increases its weight.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, attachment devices are provided which provide a secure and stable interface and mechanical connection between a spa cover lifter and a spa cover. The invention finds application with numerous types of cover lifters and cover designs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWIrI'GS
The just summarized invention will now be described in detail in conjunction with the drawings of which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a spa cover and cover lifter attachment apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a preferred cover lifter attachment apparatus;
Figure 3 is a front view of the apparatus of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a top view of the apparatus of Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a side view of the apparatus of Figure 3;
Figure 6 is a sectional view taken at Section: A-A, at 6-6 of Figure 3;
Figure 7 is a partial perspective view of a portion of a spa cover illustrating a method of attachment of the apparatus illustrated in Figures 2, and 3 - 6;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of an illustrative cover lifter apparatus;
Figure 9 is a side view of a portion of a spa cover; and Figures 10, 11 and 12 are perspective views illustrating alternate embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications within the scope of the invention will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art.
Figure 1 illustrates a foam spa cover section 11 and cover lifter mounting apparatus according to the prefened~ embodiment. The particular foam cover section 11 is to be attached to anus or other componentry of a cover lifter device at foam attachment areas 1 S on the side of the cover section 11. At each of these areas 15, cover lifter attachment devices 17 are positioned. Each attachment device 17 facilitates secure attachment of associated cover lifter componentry to the cover section 11.
A particularly preferred attachment device 17 comprises interface bracket 19 illustrated in Figures 2-6. The bracket 19 includes a horizontal serrated lip 21 integrally formed with a vertical plate 23. Lip 21 can be unserrated, if desired.
The vertical plate 23 has first and second protrusions or dimples 25, 27 formed adjacent its top edge 29. As seen in Figures 5 and 6, each of these dimples 25, 27 may have a conically shaped segment 31 leading to a flat circular portion 33 with a central hole 35 therein. The central holes 35 serve as pre-drilled pilot holes for subsequent attachment operations.
The bracket 19 may be formed from a single piece of metal, preferably, aluminum according to conventional metal forming procedures. Plastic of suffcient strength could also be used. An adhesive double sided release tape 37 is also applied to the inside surface 39 of the vertical plate 23. When the tape 37 is peeled off, the adhesive remains on the inside surface 39 to assist in attaching the bracket 19 to the side 20 of the foam cover section 11.
The interface brackets 19 can be readily applied to the side surface 20 by formixig conforming depressions 26 to receive the respective dimples 25, 27 and a horizontal slit or groove 22 to receive the horizontal lip 21, as illustrated in Figure 7.
Such slits and depressions are relatively easily cut and punched into the relatively soft foam side surface 20. Once the slits or depressions are formed, the release tape 37 is peeled off, the horizontal lip 21. is inserted into a receiving slit 22, and the adhesive bearing surface is pressed against the foam side 20. The dimples 25, 27 and lip 21 serve to maintain the bracket 19 in position with respect to the side surface 20. Once each bracket 19 is installed, vertically running strips 4.1 of adhesive tape may be further applied from the top surface of the cover section, down the side 20, over the outside surface 38 of the brackets 19 and against the bottom surface of the cover 11 to further secure retention of the brackets 19.
Once the brackets 19 are in place, a spa cover lifter device can be attached to the cover section 11. Such attachment may be achieved, for example, by insertion of screws or other mechanical fasteners through a lifter plate 66 (Figure 8), through the skin covering the foam core, and into and through the metal surface of the vertical plate 23.
Very stable mounting of cover lifter apparatus to a foam core cover is thereby facilitated.
In Figure 8, a typical cover lifter device 61 is illustrated attached to a spa 63 and spa cover 65. The particular lifter 61 employs a pair of pivoting side arms, e.g., 65 and a pivoting back rack 67. The back rack 67 employs gas struts or springs 69 to provide a controlled smooth rotating action. It will be understood that cover lift 61 is but one of many cover lifter devices which can be attached to a cover according to the invention, and the particular cover lifter forms no part of the subject invention.
In Figure 8, hinge plates 66 at the ends of the rack 67 and the arms 65 of the cover lifter are attached to cover 65 using attachment apparatus according to the invention. In the embodiment of Figure 8, the attachment plate apparatus comprises brackets 19, which cooperate to facilitate assembly of the spa, cover and cover lifter according to a novel and useful procedure.
In particular, the assembler may locate the metal plates or channels 23 which are concealed by the underlying vinyl 73, by feeling around the edge of the cover (see Figure 9). The locations 36 of the underlying pilot holes 35 may then be located by further feeling around the plate 23. If desired, holes, aligned with the pilot holes, may be punched through the vinyl, using for example, a suitable metal punch tool. The hinge 1 S plates 66 may then be attached by inserting fasteners through the plate 66 , 73 vinyl and pilot holes 35 and into the foam core. Additional fasteners may then be inserted through the hinge plates 66 and vertical plate 23. Suitable spacers may be used between the hinged plates 66 the vinyl and cover surface 73. As one example, four screws can be screwed through each hinge plate 66 and into a respective mounting bracket 19.
A
similar approach can be used to attach brackets, arms and similar components of various cover lifter apparatus to a foam spa cover member.
Alternative embodiments of the invention are illustrated in Figures 10-12.
Figure 10 illustrates a cover lifter attachment device 75 which forms a "C"-channel 77 sandwiching a spa cover 78. The "C"-channel in the embodiment of Figure 10 is formed by vertical surface or plate 79, and respective upper and lower horizontal plates or surfaces 81, 83. As with various other embodiments, such a C-channel 77 may be affixed to the cover 77 by tape, adhesives, mechanical fasteners or a friction or "press-fit" clamping action. The C-channel 75 is preferably, but not necessarily a unitary metal or molded plastic piece.
Figure 11 illustrates an L-shaped attachment device 85, formed of a vertical surface or plate portion 87 and a horizontal base or plate portion 89, which engages the undersurface of a spa cover 91. Figure 12 illustrates a side plate cover attachment device 93. Such a device 93 may be attached by one or more mechanical fastening elements or may have spikes formed on an inner surface thereof which penetrate a foam core 101.
Again, adhesives or tape may also be used in securing attachment devices such as illustrated in Figures 11 and 12.
From the above description, those skilled in the art will appreciate that vaiious adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
Therefore, it is to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Claims (22)

1. An apparatus comprising:

a spa cover member; and a plurality of cover lifter attachment devices, each disposed against a side surface of said cover member.
2. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said spa cover member comprises foam.
3. The apparatus of Claim 2 wherein each of said attachment plates includes a plate portion disposed against said side surface.
4. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said cover member has a plurality of slits in a side thereof and wherein each attachment device comprises a bracket having a horizontal lip inserted into each said slit and a vertical plate attached to said horizontal lip.
5. The apparatus of Claim 4 wherein each of said brackets further includes a protrusion in said vertical plate extending into a depression in said side surface.
6. The apparatus of Claim 4 wherein each said vertical plate is adhesively adhered to said side surface.
7. The apparatus of Claim 3 further including a plurality of spa cover lifter components, each fastened to a respective one of said plate portions.
8. The apparatus of Claim 4 further including a plurality of spa cover lifter components, each fastened to one of said brackets.
9. The apparatus of Claim 8 wherein each said vertical plate is adhesively adhered to said side surface.
10. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein each of said attachment devices comprises a C-channel sandwiching said spa cover member.
11. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said attachment devices each comprise an L-shaped bracket having a vertical surface and a horizontal portion extending from said vertical portion and underlying said spa cover member.
12. The apparatus comprising:

a foam spa cover member; and means engaging said cover member for providing secure attachment of a spa cover lifter device to said cover member.
13. The apparatus of Claim 12 wherein said cover member has a plurality of slits in a side thereof and wherein said engaging means comprises a bracket having a horizontal lip inserted into each said slit and a vertical plate attached to said horizontal lip.
14. The apparatus of Claim 13 wherein each of said brackets further includes a protrusion in said vertical plate extending into a depression in said side surface.
15. The apparatus of Claim 14 wherein each said vertical plate is adhesively adhered to said side surface.
16. The apparatus of Claim 12 further including a spa cover lifter component fastened to said engaging means.
17. The apparatus of Claim 13 further including a spa cover lifter component fastened to said bracket.
18. The apparatus of Claim 17 wherein each said vertical plate is adhesively adhered to said side surface.
19. The apparatus of Claim 12 wherein said engaging means comprises a C-channel sandwiching said spa cover member.
20. The apparatus of Claim 12 wherein said engaging means comprises an L-shaped bracket having a vertical surface and a horizontal portion extending from said vertical portion and underlying said spa cover member.
21. A method of attaching a spa cover lifter to a spa cover comprising the steps of:

providing a vertical plate having a horizontal lip formed thereon;

forming a horizontal slit in a side of said cover, inserting said horizontal lip into said horizontal slit; and attaching a part of said cover lifter to said vertical plate.
22. A method of attaching a spa cover lifter to a spa cover comprising the steps of:

providing a vertical plate;

attaching said plate to said spa cover; and attaching a part of said cover lifter to said plate.
CA002298306A 1999-07-14 2000-02-04 Spa cover mounting method and apparatus Abandoned CA2298306A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/353,531 US6195811B1 (en) 1999-07-14 1999-07-14 Spa cover mounting method and apparatus
US09/353,531 1999-07-14

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2298306A1 true CA2298306A1 (en) 2001-01-14

Family

ID=23389520

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002298306A Abandoned CA2298306A1 (en) 1999-07-14 2000-02-04 Spa cover mounting method and apparatus

Country Status (2)

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US (1) US6195811B1 (en)
CA (1) CA2298306A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7290297B2 (en) 2002-06-20 2007-11-06 John Cunerty Adjustable mount for a spa cover lifting device
US10533334B2 (en) 2016-03-11 2020-01-14 Wade Spicer Cover for a spa and method of manufacturing a cover
US11391054B2 (en) 2018-10-26 2022-07-19 John Joseph Cunerty Spa accessory mounting assembly
US11795716B1 (en) 2023-04-26 2023-10-24 1140398 Ontario Ltd. Lift assembly for a spa cover

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA2432833C (en) * 2002-06-20 2006-06-06 John Cunerty An adjustable mount for a spa cover lifting device
US7146656B2 (en) * 2003-04-30 2006-12-12 Fred Hagan Apparatus for tipping a spa cover
US20070256229A1 (en) * 2003-07-18 2007-11-08 Carlos Duarte Upright hinge for spa cover
US7073213B2 (en) * 2003-07-18 2006-07-11 Carlos Duarte Upright hinge for spa cover
US7010833B2 (en) * 2003-07-18 2006-03-14 Carlos Duarte Slide hinge for spa cover
US20050023421A1 (en) * 2003-07-31 2005-02-03 Wood Jeffrey H. Utility bracket
US7490368B2 (en) * 2004-03-08 2009-02-17 Procida Carl J Spa cover
US7600272B2 (en) * 2005-01-21 2009-10-13 Merlin Technologies, Inc. Spa cover lifter and method
ES2823773T3 (en) 2010-12-02 2021-05-10 Hot Tub Products Com Llc Hot tub cover system

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4154362A (en) * 1978-05-12 1979-05-15 Curtiscorp, Inc. Self-attaching hinge for polystyrene containers and latch means integral therewith
US4853985A (en) 1988-03-31 1989-08-08 Perry Cliff R Cover for a hot tub or the like
US4857374A (en) * 1988-11-15 1989-08-15 Perry Gary L Structurally strong, non vapor, non moisture absorbing, spa/hot tub cover
US5048153A (en) * 1990-02-14 1991-09-17 Starlite Leisure Products, Inc. Spa cover lift mechanism
US4991238A (en) 1990-02-27 1991-02-12 Stephen Forrest Spa cover lift
US5566403A (en) 1994-09-06 1996-10-22 Black; Marc S. Spa cover lift apparatus
US5819332A (en) * 1996-10-17 1998-10-13 Perry; Gary L. Spa/hot tub cover removal apparatus and method

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7290297B2 (en) 2002-06-20 2007-11-06 John Cunerty Adjustable mount for a spa cover lifting device
US10533334B2 (en) 2016-03-11 2020-01-14 Wade Spicer Cover for a spa and method of manufacturing a cover
US11911938B2 (en) 2016-03-11 2024-02-27 Strong Industries, Inc. Method of manufacturing a cover for a spa
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
US11795716B1 (en) 2023-04-26 2023-10-24 1140398 Ontario Ltd. Lift assembly for a spa cover

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US6195811B1 (en) 2001-03-06

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
EEER Examination request
FZDE Discontinued