Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02686697 2009-11-30
Canadian Application
November 30, 2009
14086-3 LAB
ADJUSTABLE HOT TUB COVER LIFTER
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to generally to hot tubs and particularly
to a lifting device for a hot tub cover.
Background of the Invention
[0002] Hot tubs, also referred to as "spas", are typically covered by a
removable cover when not in use to prevent the loss of heat to the surrounding
environment, and also to maintain the cleanliness of the water contained
within by
preventing entry of unwanted foreign items such as dust, leaves, or other
debris. Hot
tub covers are typically formed of a rigid, insulating material, and are often
divided
into two halves connected by a seam of flexible material so as to form a
foldable
cover. This foldability allows a user to more easily maneuver the cover onto
and off
of the hot tub. However, as such covers can be heavy, and therefore lifter
devices
have been developed to facilitate the handling of the removable hot tub cover.
[0003] Several known hot tub cover lifters comprise a hinged crossbar that is
mounted to the outside walls of the hot tub, and which is secured to the hot
tub cover
over which it extends. The bar is usually pivotally connected to its point of
support of
the hot tub, which allows the user to swing the folding cover off of the hot
tub for
storage at the side or the back of the hot tub. Such hot tub cover lifters
have been
disclosed, for example, in U.S. 7,290,297, U.S. 6,742,196, and U.S. Patent
Application No. 2007/0079434.
[0004] U.S. Patent No. 7,290,297 to Cunerty discloses a hot tub cover lifter
that comprises a lifting frame pivotally connected to the sides of a hot tub
by an
extendible mount. This lifting frame is also secured to the hot tub cover. The
mount
is adjustable, and allows the position of the lifting frame to be extended
relative to its
mounting point on the sides of the hot tub.
[0005] Some notable drawbacks of these and other known hot tub cover lifters
are that they require the use of tools for their assembly and their
installation on the hot
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tub. Some hot tub cover lifters also require the lifter arm to be fastened to
at least the
cover itself and, in most cases, to the outer walls of the hot tub, and both
such
fastening operations typically require the use of tools. Additionally, some
hot tub
cover lifter designs are not adjustable, and therefore are limited to use with
hot tub of
only a single size and shape. Therefore, there exists a need for an adjustable
hot tub
cover lifter which can be readily assembled by a user without using tools,
which can
lift the hot tub cover without being secured to it, and which is adjustable
such that it
can be fitted to a hot tub of any size and shape.
Summary of the Invention
[00061 The hot tub cover lifter of the present invention comprises a lifter
arm
having a plurality of telescoping segments connected by compression fittings,
and is
assembled without the use of tools. The compression fittings are adjustable
and are
tightenable by hand, allowing the dimensions of the lifter arm to be adjusted
to fit a
hot tub of any size and shape. Additionally, the lifter arm is not required to
be
secured to the hot tub cover to be operable in removing the cover. The lifter
arm is
pivotally connected to bracket plates that slide under the hot tub and are
held there
under its weight, allowing the hot tub lifter to be fully assembled and
installed without
the need for tools.
[00071 Accordingly, in one aspect there is provided a hot tub cover lifter
comprising: a lifter arm for supporting a folded hot tub cover, the lifter arm
pivotally
connected to at least one bracket, the bracket configured for being anchored
to a hot
tub, the lifter arm comprising a plurality of telescoping segments, at least
two adjacent
segments being adjustably connected by a compression fitting.
[00081 In another aspect, there is provided a hot tub cover lifter arm
comprising: a lifter arm for supporting a folded hot tub cover, the lifter arm
configured for pivotally connecting to at least one bracket, the lifter arm
comprising a
plurality of telescoping segments, at least two adjacent segments being
adjustably
connected by a compression fitting.
[00091 In still another aspect, there is provided an assembly kit for a hot
tub
cover lifter comprising: a bracket configured for being anchored to a hot tub;
a
plurality of segments, at least one segment being configured to be pivotally
connected
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the bracket, at least two segments being adjacently and telescopically
connectable for
supporting a folded hot tub cover, the at least two segments being adjustably
connectable by a compression fitting; and at least one compression fitting.
[00010] In another aspect, there is provided an assembly kit for a hot tub
cover
lifter arm comprising: a plurality of segments, at least one segment being
configured
for being pivotally connected to a bracket, at least two segments being
adjacently and
telescopically connectable for forming a lifter arm supporting a folded hot
tub cover,
the at least two segments being adjustably connectable by a compression
fitting; and
at least one compression fitting.
[00011] In still another aspect, there is provided a hot tub cover lifter
comprising: a lifter arm for supporting a folded hot tub cover, the lifter arm
being
pivotally connected to at least one bracket, the bracket configured for being
anchored
to a hot tub, the lifter arm comprising a plurality of telescoping segments,
at least two
adjacent segments being adjustably connected by an adjustable connector.
[00012] In another aspect, there is provided a hot tub cover lifter arm
comprising: a lifter arm for supporting a folded hot tub cover, the lifter arm
configured for being pivotally connected to at least one bracket, the lifter
arm
comprising a plurality of telescoping segments, at least two adjacent segments
being
adjustably connected by an adjustable connector.
[00013] In still another aspect, there is provided an assembly kit for a hot
tub
cover lifter comprising: a bracket configured for being anchored to a hot tub;
a
plurality of segments, at least one segment being configured to be pivotally
connected
the bracket, at least two segments being adjacently and telescopically
connectable for
supporting a folded hot tub cover, the at least two segments being adjustably
connectable by an adjustable connector; and at least one adjustable connector.
[00014] In another aspect, there is provided an assembly kit for a hot tub
cover
lifter arm comprising: a plurality of segments, at least one segment being
configured
for being pivotally connected to a bracket, at least two segments being
adjacently and
telescopically connectable for supporting a folded hot tub cover, the at least
two
segments being adjustably connectable an adjustable connector; and at least
one
adjustable connector.
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[00015] According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a
hot
tub cover lifter comprising: a lifter arm for supporting a folded hot tub
cover, the lifter
arm being pivotally connected to at least one bracket, the bracket configured
for being
anchored to a hot tub, the lifter arm comprising a plurality of telescoping
segments, at
least two adjacent segments being adjustably connected by an adjustable
connector.
[00016] According to a further aspect of the present invention there is
provided
a hot tub cover lifter arm comprising: a lifter arm for supporting a folded
hot tub
cover, the lifter arm configured for being pivotally connected to at least one
bracket,
the lifter arm comprising a plurality of telescoping segments, at least two
adjacent
segments being adjustably connected by an adjustable connector.
[00017] According to a further aspect of the present invention there is
provided
an assembly kit for a hot tub cover lifter arm comprising: a plurality of
segments, at
least one segment being configured for being pivotally connected to a bracket,
at least
two segments being adjacently and telescopically connectable for supporting a
folded
hot tub cover, the at least two segments being adjustably connectable an
adjustable
connector; and at least one adjustable connector.
[00018] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood,
however,
that the detailed description and the specific examples while indicating
embodiments
of the invention are given by way of illustration only, since various changes
and
modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become
apparent to
those skilled in the art from said detailed description.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[00019] Embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
[00020] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hot tub cover lifter of the
present
invention;
[00021] Figure 2 is perspective view of the hot tub cover lifter of Figure 1
showing a hot tub cover removed by the hot tub cover lifter;
[00022] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a compression fitting for use with
the
hot tub cover lifter of Figure 1;
i
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[00023] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the compression fitting
for
use with the hot tub cover lifter of Figure 1;
[00024] Figure 5 is cross-sectional side-elevation view of the compression
fitting for use with the hot tub cover lifter of Figure 1;
[00025] Figure 6 is a perspective view of brackets for use with the hot tub
cover lifter of Figure 1;
[00026] Figure 7 is a side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a
hot tub cover lifter of the present invention;
[00027] Figure 8 is a side elevation view of brackets for use with the hot tub
cover lifter of Figure 7;
[00028] Figure 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a hot tub
cover lifter of the present invention;
[00029] Figure 10 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a hot
tub cover lifter of the present invention; and
[00030] Figure 11 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a hot tub
cover lifter of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Embodiments
[00031] The present invention is a hot tub cover lifter that is quickly and
easily
assembled onto a variety of hot tubs. Tools for assembly and sizes and types
of
installation are not required.
[00032] Figure 1 shows a hot tub cover lifter 20 of the present invention. Hot
tub cover lifter 20 serves to lift hot tub cover 24 off of hot tub 22 prior to
use, and to
lift hot tub cover 24 back onto hot tub 22 following use. Cover lifter 20
comprises a
lifter arm 26 that has a generally "U-shaped" profile, and which has two ends
that are
each pivotally connected to a bracket 28 positioned along sides of the base of
hot tub
22. Cover lifter 20 enables a user to remove hot tub cover 24 from hot tub 22
by
folding cover 24 over lifter arm 26, and then swinging both lifter arm 26 and
hot tub
cover 24 in a folded state together off of hot tub 22, for storage at its
side, as shown in
Figure 2.
[00033] Cover lifter 20 comprises a lifter arm 26 that has a generally "U-
shaped profile" and comprises a number of segments. In the embodiment shown,
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lifter arm 26 comprises a horizontal segment 30, two corner segments 32, and
two
bracket segments 34. Segments 30, 32, and 34 are adjustably connected to each
other
by compression fittings 40, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 5. Each compression
fitting
40 can be readily loosened and tightened as needed, allowing segments 30, 32,
and 34
to be telescopically adjusted relative to each other. This telescoping
adjustability
allows the dimensions of lifter arm 26 to be varied, permitting hot tub cover
lifter 20
to be fitted to a hot tub 22 of any size and shape. Additionally, as each
compression
fitting 40 can be easily loosened and tightened by hand, as is further
described below,
the use of compression fittings 40 allows hot tub cover lifter 20 to be
manually
assembled, and also allows the dimensions of lifter arm 26 to be manually
adjusted, as
needed, without the use of tools.
[00034] The components of compression fitting 40 are shown in greater detail
in Figures 4 and 5. Compression fitting 40 is used to adjustably connect two
adjacent
segments of lifter arm 26 and, in Figures 4 and 5, compression fitting 40 is
shown
connecting segments 30 and 32. Compression fitting 40 comprises a compression
nut
42 and a compression ring 44 seated within. Compression nut 42 has a hollow
and
cylindrical structure, and has a flanged aperture 46 at one end and internal
threads 48
extending towards its other end. Internal threads 48 engage matching outer
threads 50
on an outer surface at one end of segment 30, and thereby enable compression
nut 42
to be screwed onto an end of segment 30. Seated inside compression nut 42 is a
compression ring 44. Compression ring 44 has a hollow structure and is made of
a
durable and resilient material, such as a polymer. Compression ring 44 has a
longitudinal gap 52 cut along its length, which enables compression ring 44 to
flex in
a circumferential direction when compressed. As may be appreciated, the width
of
longitudinal gap 52 defines the range of circumferential motion over which
compression ring 44 is compressed. In turn, the width of longitudinal gap 52
also
defines a corresponding reduction in inner diameter when compression ring 44
can be
compressed. This compressive force is experienced by compression ring 44 when
surrounding compression nut 42 is screwed onto segment 30, as will be further
described below.
[00035] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of compression fitting 40
connecting segments 30 and 32, and showing compression fitting 40 in a
tightened
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state. An end of segment 32 has been inserted through flanged aperture 46 of
compression nut 42 and through compression ring 44 (while it was in an
uncompressed state) and into the interior of segment 30. Compression fitting
40 has
then been manually tightened by screwing compression nut 42 onto segment 30,
so as
to engage internal threads 48 with outer threads 50 of segment 30. Near the
end of
travel of compression nut 42 over segment 30, angled surface 54 on the
interior
surface of flanged aperture 46 of compression nut 42 comes into flush contact
with
the surface of taper 56 of compression ring 44, pressing compression ring 44
against
beveled opening 58 of segment 30. This compressive force applied to
compression
ring 44 forces longitudinal gap 52 to close, thereby causing compression ring
44 to
tighten around segment 32 and securely grip it in this position. This secure
grip is
achieved through manual pressure alone, and in the absence of any tools.
[00036] Figure 6 shows a detailed view of brackets 28. Each bracket 28
comprises a bracket housing 62 having an open top in which an end of segment
34
can be received. Bracket housing 62 comprises apertures that receive a hinge
pin 64
which passes through a pair of suitably-sized apertures (not shown) near the
end of
segment 34. Segment 34 freely rotates around hinge pin 64, and hinge pin 64
defines
an axis of pivot of segment 34 and therefore of lifter arm 26. Hinge pin 64
has a
flanged head 65 at one end, and is secured within bracket housing 62 at its
other end
by clip 66 and, in the embodiment shown, clip 66 is a hairpin style clip.
Bracket 28
also comprises a footplate 68 extending from a base of bracket housing 62.
Footplate
68 has a large flat area, and is inserted under the base of hot tub 22 so as
to enable
bracket 28 to be held in place under the weight of hot tub 22, and to be
thereby
anchored to hot tub 22. In this manner, once lifter arm 26 has been pivotally
secured
to brackets 28 that have been anchored to hot tub 22, lifter arm 26 is thereby
anchored
to hot tub 22. Importantly, it may be appreciated that both the relative
positioning and
the anchoring of brackets 28 to hot tub 22, and the securing of segments 34
(and
therefore lifter arm 26) to brackets 28, are manual operations that again do
not require
the use of any tools.
[00037] In use, hot tub cover lifter 20 is used with a hot tub 22 fitted with
a hot
tub cover 24 by manually assembling hot tub cover lifter 20 to adjustable
dimensions
selected to be commensurate with hot tub 22. Hot tub cover lifter 20 can be
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assembled from a dissembled state, such as from a kit of constituent parts, or
a from
kit of partially-assembled parts. First, two brackets 28 are secured to hot
tub 22 by
manually sliding footplates 68 underneath hot tub 22, such that brackets 28
are
secured under the weight of hot tub 22, and are thereby anchored to hot tub
22. Two
segments 34 are then pivotally fastened to brackets 28 by passing hinge pin 64
through corresponding apertures at the end of each segment 34, and then
securing
hinge pin 64 to bracket 28 using clip 66. A segment 32 is then secured to each
of the
two segments 34 using compression fitting 40. More specifically, an end of
segment
32 is passed through both flanged aperture 46 of compression nut 42 and
through
compression ring 44 (while in an uncompressed state) into the interior of
segment 34.
The depth to which segment 32 is inserted into segment 34 is variable and is
selected
by the user, and will establish the height of lifting arm 26 relative to the
top of both
hot tub 22 and hot tub cover 24. With segment 32 positioned within segment 30
as
desired, compression fitting 40 is then manually tightened by screwing
compression
nut 42 onto segment 34, engaging internal threads 48 of compression nut 42
with
outer threads 50 of segment 34. Near the end of travel of compression nut 42
on
segment 34, angled surface 54 of compression nut 42 will come into contact
with the
surface of taper 56 and apply a compressive force to compression ring 44
against
beveled surface 58 of segment 34, forcing compression ring 44 to close around
segment 32 and grip it securely. This compression results in the closing of
longitudinal gap 52 of compression ring 44, involving a reduction in its
internal
diameter. Segment 30 is then connected to each of the two segments 32 in a
similar
way using two compression fittings 40, with one compression fitting 40 being
used at
each end of segment 30. Once the segments 30, 32, and 34 have been connected
together so as to form lifter arm 26 pivotally connected to brackets 28, hot
tub cover
lifter 20 has been assembled. At this point, the dimensions of the assembled
hot tub
cover lifter 20 can be adjusted to better fit the size of hot tub 22, as
desired. This
adjustment could involve a) varying the dimensions of lifter arm 26, by
loosening one
or more compression fittings 40, extending or retracting segments 30, 32, and
34
telescopically relative to each other, and then re-tightening fittings so as
to ensure that
segments 30, 32, and 34 are secure, and/or b) the repositioning of brackets 28
relative
to hot tub 22, which would involve shifting the positions of brackets 28 along
either
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of base sides 70 of hot tub 22, in order to better position lifter arm 26
relative to cover
24. For example, for a given position of brackets 28, the height of lifter arm
26 may
be adjusted in order to position segment 30 closer to seam 74 of hot tub cover
24 in
order to facilitate the operation of hot tub cover lifter 20, which is
described below.
In this particular example, this adjustment would involve manually loosening
compression fittings 40 between segments 32 and 34, telescopically extending
segments 32 from segments 34 to a desired position, and then manually re-
tightening
compression fittings 40 that were previously loosened to thereby secure
segments 32
in their new positions relative to segments 34. Once the dimensions of lifter
arm 26
and the positions of brackets 28 have been adjusted accordingly and as
required, the
end of the "assembly" phase of hot tub cover lifter 20 has been reached. It
may be
appreciated that this assembly is done entirely manually, and does not rely on
the use
of any tools. It may also be appreciated that, once in this assembled state,
the
dimensions of hot tub cover lifter 20 can be later adjusted, as desired,
manually and
without the use of tools, to improve or "fine tune" the range of movement of
hot tub
cover lifter 20 as needed. Similarly, hot tub cover lifter can be readily
disassembled
at a later time, as needed, manually and without the use of tools,.
[00038] In use, once hot tub cover lifter 20 has been assembled, a user
removes
cover 24 from hot tub 22 by first folding first half-cover 80 over lifter arm
26. First
half cover 80 is connected to second half-cover 82 by a strip of connecting
material
81 (not shown) positioned along the underside of seam 74 of cover 24. Lifter
arm 26,
together with cover 24 folded around it, is then swung in a direction towards
rear wall
78 of hot tub 22. This swinging motion involves lifter arm 26 pivoting around
hinge
pin 64 in each of brackets 28, resulting in folded cover 24 being lifted off
of hot tub
22 for storage in this folded state and in a vertical configuration alongside
rear wall
78, where it is stowed while hot tub 22 is in use. This stowed configuration
is
depicted in Figure 2. To place cover 24 on hot tub 22 after use, a user raises
lifter arm
26, lifting cover 24 in its folded state onto hot tub 22 so as to cover only
half of hot
tub 24 by half-cover 82. Half-cover 80 is then unfolded around and over lifter
arm 26
so as to fully cover hot tub 22.
[00039] Figure 7 shows another embodiment of a hot tub cover lifter, generally
indicated by reference numeral 120. Cover lifter 120 is secured to a hot tub
122, and
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serves to lift hot tub cover 124 from the top of hot tub 122 before use, and
to lift hot
tub cover 124 back onto hot tub 122 after use. Cover lifter 120 comprises a
lifter arm
126 that has a generally "U-shaped" profile, and which has two ends that are
each
pivotally connected to a side bracket 128 secured to either side of hot tub
122. Cover
lifter 120 enables a user to remove hot tub cover 124 from hot tub 122 by
folding
cover 124 over lifter arm 126, and then swinging lifter arm 126 and hot tub
cover 124
in a folded state off of hot tub 122, for storage at its side.
[000401 Cover lifter 120 comprises a lifter arm 126 having a generally "U-
shaped profile" and comprising a number of segments. In the embodiment shown,
lifter arm 126 comprises a horizontal segment 130, two corner segments 132,
and two
bracket segments 134. Segments 130, 132, and 134 are adjustably connected to
each
other by compression fittings 140. Each compression fitting 140 can be readily
loosened and tightened by hand to enable segments 130, 132, and 134 to be
telescopically adjusted relative to each other as required. This telescoping
adjustability allows the dimensions of lifter arm 126 to be varied so as to
enable cover
lifter 120 to be fitted to a hot tub 122 of any size. Additionally, as each
compression
fitting 140 can be easily loosened and tightened by hand, use of compression
fittings
140 allows both hot tub cover lifter 120 to be manually assembled, and the
dimensions of lifter arm 126 to be adjusted as needed, manually and without
the use
of tools.
1000411 Figure 8 shows a detailed view of bracket 128. Bracket 128
comprises a bracket plate 184 that is configured to be mounted to a wall of
hot tub
122. Bracket plate 184 comprises a channel 186 that is sized and shaped to
receive
one end of bracket arm 188. In the embodiment shown, bracket arm 188 has a
square-
shaped cross section, and is received within similarly square-shaped channel
186.
Bracket plate has a plurality of apertures 190 that can each accommodate a
fastener,
such as a screw, allowing bracket plate 184 to be secured to a wall of hot tub
122.
Bracket arm 188 is in turn connected to an "L-shaped" bracket member 192,
which
supports bracket segment 134 by hinge pin 164. It may be appreciated that
hinge pin
164 defines an axis of pivot, around which bracket segment 134, and therefore
lifter
arm 126, is free to pivot. Bracket member 192 has a plurality of apertures 190
that
enable it to be fastened to bracket arm 188 by fasteners, such as screws. As
bracket
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arm 188 and bracket member 192 are fastened, they can be moved in unison
horizontally within receptacle 186 of bracket plate 184, allowing the position
of
bracket arm 126 to be adjusted laterally relative to hot tub 122. In the
embodiment
shown, bracket arm 188 is not fastened to bracket plate 184, and is therefore
able to
move freely as required for the purposes of this adjustment. The dimensions of
bracket arm 126 can also be adjusted manually using compression fittings 140,
and in
a similar fashion to the description provided above for the adjustment of the
dimensions of lifter arm 26 of hot tub cover lifter 20, using compression
fittings 40 as
depicted in Figures 1 to 6.
[00042] Figure 9 shows another embodiment of a hot tub cover lifter, generally
indicated by reference numeral 220. Cover lifter 220 is anchored to a hot tub
222, and
serves to lift hot tub cover 224 from the top of hot tub 222 before use, and
to lift hot
tub cover 224 back onto hot tub 222 after use. Cover lifter 220 comprises a
lifter arm
226 that has a generally "L-shaped" profile, and which has only one end that
is
pivotally connected to a bracket 228 anchored hot tub 222 underneath its side
270.
Cover lifter 220 enables a user to remove hot tub cover 224 from hot tub 222
by
folding cover 224 over lifter arm 226, and then swinging lifter arm 226 and
hot tub
cover 224 in a folded state off of hot tub 222, for storage at its side.
[00043] Figure 10 shows another embodiment of a hot tub cover lifter,
generally indicated by reference numeral 320. Cover lifter 320 is anchored
under a
hot tub 322, and serves to lift hot tub cover 324 from the top of hot tub 322
before
use, and to lift hot tub cover 324 back onto hot tub 322 after use. Cover
lifter 320
comprises a lifter arm 326 that has a generally "U-shaped" profile, and which
has two
ends that are each pivotally connected to brackets 328 anchored under opposite
sides
of hot tub 322. Lifter arm 326 comprises a loop-shaped handle 394 fastened
thereto.
Handle 394 allows lifter arm 326 to be more easily grasped by a user, and
thereby
facilitates operation of cover lifter 320, for example, under wet conditions,
such as
when the hands of a user are wet immediately after use of hot tub 322, or in
the rain.
Cover lifter 320 enables a user to remove hot tub cover 324 from hot tub 322
by
folding cover 324 over lifter arm 326, and then gripping handle 394 to swing
lifter
arm 326 and hot tub cover 324 in a folded state off of hot tub 322, for
storage at its
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side. While handle 394 is shown fastened to segment 332 in the present
embodiment,
handle 332 may be fastened to any portion of lifter arm 326.
[00044] Figure 11 shows another embodiment of a hot tub cover lifter,
generally indicated by reference numeral 420. Cover lifter 420 is anchored
under a
hot tub 422, and serves to lift hot tub cover 424 from the top of hot tub 422
before
use, and to lift hot tub cover 424 back onto hot tub 422 after use. Cover
lifter 420
comprises a lifter arm 426 that has a generally "U-shaped" profile, and which
has two
ends that are each pivotally connected to brackets 428 anchored under opposite
sides
of hot tub 422. Lifter arm 426 comprises a gripping sleeve 496 fabricated of a
non-
slip material, such as compressible foam, fastened thereto. Gripping sleeve
496
allows lifter arm .426 to be more easily grasped by a user, and thereby
facilitates
operation of cover lifter 420, for example, under wet conditions, such as when
the
hands of a user are wet immediately after use of hot tub 422, or in the rain.
Cover
lifter 420 enables a user to remove hot tub cover 424 from hot tub 422 by
folding
cover 424 over lifter arm 426, and then grasping the gripping sleeve 496 to
swing
lifter arm 426 and hot tub cover 424 in a folded state off of hot tub 422, for
storage at
its side. While gripping sleeve 496 is shown fastened to segment 432 in the
present
embodiment, gripping sleeve 496 may be fastened to any portion of lifter arm
426.
[00045] The hot tub cover lifter of the embodiments described above, and its
constituent parts, may be made from any materials known in the art such as,
for
example, but not limited to, metals and metal alloys, polymeric materials,
plastics,
and natural structural materials, such as, for example, but not limited to,
wood and
bamboo.
[00046] While the above embodiments are directed to a lifter arm for a hot tub
cover lifter having telescoping segments adjustably connected by compression
fittings, the telescoping segments may be adjustably connected by any
adjustable
connector such as, but not limited to, compression fittings, ratchet straps,
connectors
made of hook and loop material, manually-tightenable screws, butterfly nuts,
wing-
headed fasteners, and/or any conventional fastener such as screws, bolts,
nuts, and/or
any other adjustable connector known in the art.
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[00047] While the embodiments described above are directed to bracket
segments and horizontal segments having outer threads for engaging a
compression
nut, any of the segments may have outer threads for engaging a compression
nut.
[00048] While the embodiments described above are directed to corner
segments having smaller diameters than the non-corner segments for enabling
telescoping movement relative to adjacent segments, any of the segments may be
smaller so as to enable telescoping movement relative to its adjacent
segments.
[00049] While the embodiments described above are directed to a lifter for the
cover of a hot tub, it may be appreciated that the lifter may be used to lift
the cover of
any form of vessel or structure containing water, such as, but not limited to,
hot tubs,
spas, whirlpools, Jacuzzis, bath tubs, swimming pools, bathing pools, "kiddie"
or
baby pools, ponds, aquariums, and the like.
[00050] While the embodiments described above are directed to a compression
fitting having a compression ring made of a polymeric material, in one
embodiment,
the compression ring is made of a metal or a metal alloy.
[00051] While the embodiments described above are directed towards a lifter
arm that is "U-shaped" and is pivotally connected at both ends to brackets, in
one
embodiment, the lifter arm may be "L-shaped" and pivotally connected at only
one
end to a bracket.
[00052] While the embodiments described above are directed towards a lifter
arm comprising 5 segments, namely a horizontal segment, two corner segments,
and
two bracket segments, in one embodiment, the lifter arm may comprise any
number of
segments.
[00053] While the embodiments described above are directed towards a lifter
arm comprising five telescoping segments connected by four compression
fittings, in
one embodiment, the lifter arm may comprise five segments connected by fewer
than
four compression fittings. Similarly, while the embodiments described above
are
generally directed towards a lifter arm comprising (n) segments connected by
(n -1)
compression fittings, in one embodiment, the lifter arm may comprise (n)
segments
connected by (m) compression fittings, where (n) and (m) are any positive
integers,
and (n - m) > 1.
CA 02686697 2009-11-30
-14-
[00054] While the embodiments described above are directed to hot tub cover
lifter, the product may be sold or manufactured in any form, including as a
hot tub
cover lifter assembly, as a hot tub cover lifter arm, as a bracket for a hot
tub cover
lifter arm, as an assembly kit for a hot tub cover lifter, or as an assembly
kit for a hot
tub cover lifter arm.
[00055] While the embodiments described above are directed to a hot tub cover
lifter having gripper, namely a handle or a gripping sleeve, in one
embodiment, the
gripper may be any grippable feature known in the art such as, but not limited
to: a
length of cord, chain, rope, fabric or other material; a loop of cord, chain,
rope, fabric
or other material; a ring of cord, chain, rope, fabric, metal, or other
material; or any
combination of these.
[00056] While the embodiments described above are directed to a hot tub cover
lifter that is lifts a hot tub cover onto and off of a hot tub by manual power
alone, in
one embodiment the hot tub cover lifter may be motorized.
[00057] Although embodiments have been described above with reference to
the accompanying drawings, those of skill in the art will appreciate that
variations and
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof
as
defined by the appended claims.
