Spa pool cover lifter, and a spa pool including a spa pool cover lifter

Abstract

A spa pool cover lifter and a spa pool assembly comprising a spa pool and a spa pool cover lifter are disclosed. The spa pool cover lifter may include a first arm pivotally attached to a first section of an articulated spa pool cover and a second arm pivotally attached to a second section of the articulated spa pool cover. The first and second arms may be configured such that rotation of the first arm causes the first and second sections of the spa pool cover to fold together. An actuator and controller is disclosed. A mechanical linkage between the actuator and first arm is disclosed. The mechanical linkage may be an over-rotation linkage.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 .- 41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . A cover lifter assembly for a spa, the cover lifter assembly comprising:
 a spa cover comprising a first section and a second section; and   a cover lifter configured such that, when the cover lifter assembly is installed on the spa, actuation of the cover lifter causes the first and second sections of the spa cover to fold together and rise from a top of the spa to move from a closed position covering the top of the spa to an open position in which the spa is accessible;   wherein, when the cover lifter assembly is installed on the spa and the first and second sections of the spa cover are in the open position, a lower surface of the second section is configured to face a rear side of the spa; and   wherein, when the cover lifter assembly is installed on the spa and the first and second sections of the spa cover are in the closed position, the lower surface of the second section is configured to face an interior of the spa.   
     
     
         43 . The cover lifter assembly of  claim 42 , wherein the cover lifter comprises:
 a first arm rotatable about a first pivotal connection to a side of the spa and pivotally connected to the first section of the spa cover; and   a second arm rotatable about a second pivotal connection to a side of the spa and pivotally connected to the second section of the spa cover.   
     
     
         44 . The cover lifter assembly of  claim 42 , wherein, when the cover lifter assembly is installed on the spa and the first and second sections of the spa cover are in the open position, the first and second sections of the spa cover are substantially parallel to the rear side of the spa. 
     
     
         45 . The cover lifter assembly of  claim 42 , wherein the cover lifter comprises at least one actuator configured to automatically transition the first and second sections of the spa cover from the closed position to the open position and vice versa. 
     
     
         46 . The cover lifter assembly of  claim 45 , wherein a mechanical linkage is provided between the at least one actuator and a side of the spa. 
     
     
         47 . The cover lifter assembly of  claim 45 , wherein the at least one actuator comprises a linear actuator. 
     
     
         48 . The cover lifter assembly of  claim 45 , wherein the at least one actuator comprises a hydraulic piston. 
     
     
         49 . The cover lifter assembly of  claim 42 , further comprising a controller configured to operate and control the cover lifter. 
     
     
         50 . The cover lifter assembly of  claim 49 , wherein the controller is configured to prevent operation of the cover lifter unless a user interface is actively engaged. 
     
     
         51 . The cover lifter assembly of  claim 50 , wherein the user interface comprises a button. 
     
     
         52 . The cover lifter assembly of  claim 51 , wherein the user interface is configured to receive a key to rotate the first and second sections of the spa cover from the closed position to the open position. 
     
     
         53 . The cover lifter assembly of  claim 52 , wherein the key is configured to cause the first and second sections of the spa cover to transition from the open position to the closed position. 
     
     
         54 . A cover lifter assembly for a spa, the cover lifter assembly comprising:
 a spa cover comprising a first section and a second section; and   a cover lifter comprising at least one actuator mechanically connected to the first section of the spa cover;   wherein the cover lifter is configured such that, when the cover lifter assembly is installed on the spa, activation of the at least one actuator causes:
 the first section of the spa cover to fold onto the second section of the spa cover, and 
 the first and second sections of the spa cover to rise from a top of the spa to move from a first position in which the top of the spa is covered by the second section of the spa cover to a second position in which the top of the spa is clear; 
   wherein, when the cover lifter assembly is installed on the spa and the first and second sections of the spa cover are in the second position, an upper surface of the first section and a lower surface of the second section are configured to face a rear side of the spa.   
     
     
         55 . The cover lifter assembly of  claim 54 , wherein the cover lifter further comprises:
 a first arm rotatable about a first pivotal connection to a side of the spa and pivotally connected to the first section of the spa cover; and   a second arm rotatable about a second pivotal connection to a side of the spa and pivotally connected to the second section of the spa cover.   
     
     
         56 . The cover lifter assembly of  claim 54 , further comprising a controller configured to operate and control the at least one actuator. 
     
     
         57 . The cover lifter assembly of  claim 56 , wherein the controller is configured to prevent operation of the at least one actuator unless a user interface is actively engaged. 
     
     
         58 . The cover lifter assembly of  claim 57 , wherein the user interface comprises a button. 
     
     
         59 . The cover lifter assembly of  claim 57 , wherein the user interface is configured to receive a key to cause the first and second sections of the spa cover to transition from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         60 . The cover lifter assembly of  claim 59 , wherein turning the key is configured to cause the first and second sections of the spa cover to transition from the second position to the first position. 
     
     
         61 . The cover lifter assembly of  claim 54 , wherein, when the cover lifter assembly is installed on the spa and the first and second sections of the spa cover are in the second position, the first and second sections of the spa cover are substantially parallel to the rear side of the spa.