System and Method to Convert Spa Cover Lifts to Electric

Abstract

The present invention is a system and method to convert any common over-the-counter spa cover lift to an electric operated spa cover lift. The present invention comprises a retrofit kit and method of applying said retrofit kit to common spa cover lifts. The retrofit kit further comprises a power supply, a plurality of mounting brackets, a control system, and a plurality of electric actuators. The control system of the present invention further comprises a switch and, in some embodiments, a wireless remote controller and wireless remote control module. In some embodiments of the present invention, the retrofit kit further comprises a backing which provides additional support and rigidity for the mounting brackets. The method of applying said retrofit kit to common spa cover lifts accounts for different brands, types, and styles of spa cover lift. A user can apply said method to any spa cover using the appropriately sized components.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A spa cover lift retrofit kit comprising:
 a plurality of mounting brackets;   a first upper actuator bracket;   a second upper actuator bracket;   a first lower actuator bracket;   a second lower actuator bracket;   a first actuator motor;   a second actuator motor;   a power supply;   a control system; and   a switch;   wherein said plurality of mounting brackets are selected to retrofit the brand, style, and model of spa cover lift being modified;   wherein said lower actuator brackets are used to mount the bottom pivot of said actuator motors to either the skirting wall of a spa or to an existing spa cover lift itself;   wherein said upper actuator brackets may be necessary to modify an existing spa cover lift to allow clearances for and attachment of said actuator motors and are used to attach the top pivot point of said actuator motors to an existing spa cover lift; and   wherein said switch manually or automatically controls the operation of the electric-assisted retrofit kit.   
     
     
         2 . The spa cover lift retrofit kit of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said switch is a momentary switch.   
     
     
         3 . The spa cover lift retrofit kit of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said switch is a latching switch.   
     
     
         4 . The spa cover lift retrofit kit of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a remote control module; and   a remote controller,   wherein said switch is found on said remote controller; and   wherein said control system is remotely controlled by said remote controller.   
     
     
         5 . The spa cover lift retrofit kit of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of mounting screws;   a plurality of bolts; and   a plurality of washers.   
     
     
         6 . The spa cover lift retrofit kit of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of screw head covers.   
     
     
         7 . The spa cover lift retrofit kit of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of bolt head covers.   
     
     
         8 . The spa cover lift retrofit kit of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a backing.   
     
     
         9 . A method of converting an existing spa cover lift using the retrofit kit of  claim 1  comprising the steps:
 matching mounting brackets of said retrofit kit with the existing spa cover lift; 
 connecting two lower actuator brackets to the bottom pivot of each actuator motor; 
 connecting said two lower actuator brackets to either the skirting wall of a spa or to an existing spa cover lift itself; 
 connecting two upper actuator brackets to the top pivot point of each actuator motor if necessary to allow clearance for and attachment of said actuator motors; 
 connecting said two upper actuator brackets to the existing spa cover lift if necessary to allow clearance for and attachment of said actuator motors; 
 installing a control module; and 
 establishing electrical power by connecting wiring from a power supply to said control module and to each said actuator motor. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of converting a spa cover lift of  claim 9 , further comprising the steps:
 installing a remote control module.   
     
     
         11 . The method of converting a spa cover lift of  claim 9 , further comprising the steps:
 installing a backing   
     
     
         12 . The method of converting a spa cover lift of  claim 9 , further comprising the steps:
 installing screw head covers; and   installing bolt head covers.