Spa cover lift

Abstract

An apparatus for lifting a spa cover from a spa. The apparatus has a first bearing and a second bearing. The apparatus includes a first axis extending generally vertically through the first bearing, the first axis extending not more than about the thickness of the spa cover from an exterior edge of the spa. The second bearing may be positioned generally above the spa cover and positioned generally inwardly from an exterior edge of the spa by at least about the thickness of the spa cover.

1 . An apparatus for lifting a spa cover from a spa comprising: 
 a first bearing and a second bearing;    a first axis extending generally vertically through the first bearing, the first axis extending not more than about the thickness of the spa cover from an exterior edge of the spa; and    the second bearing being positioned generally above the spa cover and positioned generally inwardly from an exterior edge of the spa by at least about the thickness of the spa cover.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the second bearing is positioned above the spa by at least about one half the length of the spa cover.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first bearing is a pulley.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the second bearing is a pulley.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a suspension line slidably connected to a first end of the spa cover and secured to a second end of the spa cover.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a support wherein the first bearing and the second bearing are secured to the support.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the second bearing is spaced apart from the first bearing by a distance of at least about a thickness of the spa cover.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the second bearing is positioned above the spa by at least about one half the length of the spa cover.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising a suspension line slidably connected to a first end of the spa cover and secured to a second end of the spa cover.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the first bearing and the second bearing are pulleys.  
     
     
         11 . A method of removing a spa cover from a spa comprising: 
 providing a second bearing positioned generally above the spa cover and generally inwardly from an exterior edge of the spa by at least about the thickness of the spa cover; and    lifting the spa cover; and    placing the spa cover generally between the exterior edge of the spa and a vertical support.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising providing a first bearing operatively connected to the second bearing.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the second bearing is spaced apart from the first bearing by a distance of at least about a thickness of the spa cover.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising providing a suspension line slidably connected to a first end of the spa cover and secured to a second end of the spa cover.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for lifting a spa cover from a spa comprising: 
 a first bearing;    a second bearing spaced apart from the first bearing by a distance of at least about a thickness of the spa cover wherein a generally vertical axis through the second bearing is generally closer to a vertical support that supports the second bearing than to a generally vertical axis through the first bearing.    
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the second bearing is a pulley.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the second bearing is a motor.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the second bearing is a pulling means.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15  further comprising a vertical support separated from the exterior edge of the spa by a distance of at least about the thickness of the cover.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the vertical support is a wall.