EP2028333B1 - Whirlpool cover - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a whirlpool cover of at least two collapsible cover elements with a transmission for pivoting the cover.

From the US6000072 already a cover of a hot tub is known. In the following, a whirlpool will be understood to mean any bathtub-like design of a water-absorbing element. This includes items such as spas, baths, Kneipp tubs and the like.

Well-known whirlpools use covers, such as in the US6000072 consist of two interconnected elements. These cover elements for empty or filled containers, especially for swimming pools, protect the medium present in the containers, as a rule water, from contamination.

Impurities are caused by the falling in of leaves, needles and / or insects. These impurities occur in particular when positioning the spa outdoors, ie outside of a building on. However, even in a building, such impurities occur, albeit to a lesser extent.

Furthermore, in the prior art, whirlpool covers serve to provide additional insulation of the medium to the outside when the whirlpool is not in use. This prevents the existing water from cooling down. Advantageously, the maintenance costs for such a whirlpool are then reduced because less energy is required for heating and / or keeping warm the heated medium. Whirlpools are often covered with foldable covers made of foil-covered foam and have one or more folding hinges. The purpose of these spa covers is also to protect against unauthorized use of the spa.

From the state of the art, about the US6000072 , A pivoting of the cover by means of a transmission is known. In the US patent, a three-bar linkage construction is used as the transmission. A cover is thereby folded onto the other, followed by a \ / swings of the folded elements via actuation of the linkage takes place.

Whirlpool covers, each consisting of two cover elements, are also off US Pat. No. 7,155,756 B1 and WO 2006/110468 A2 known.

document US Pat. No. 7,155,756 B1 describes a whirlpool cover with all features of the preamble of claim 1.

However, the known from the prior art whirlpool covers are relatively cumbersome manually foldable and pivotable and relatively heavy. Many of the known from the prior art Whirlpool covers are also not retrofitted by a motorized drive due to the lack of torsional stiffness of the linkage construction. Furthermore, they interfere even in the stored behind the pool state, the aesthetic sensation of the user, because these known Faltabdeckungen are visible during the bathing operation beyond the upper limit and the boom construction protrudes laterally from the pool wall. This disadvantage weighs especially with portable hot tubs particularly serious. During the pivoting of the collapsed cover it also leads to grinding between the cover and the upper edge of the spa. As a result, depending on the design of the spa, shavings may occur on a deep-drawn whirlpool top or foil that covers the inside of the spa and also extends over the top of the spa.

The well-known from the prior art solution of carrying away the spa cover is also accompanied by disadvantages, since the heavy spa cover is difficult to carry away, which is particularly difficult for older and / or infirm people.

It is the object of the invention to provide a whirlpool cover, which can be pivoted as possible without manual intervention and is not disturbing storable for a bather. The invention also has the object of avoiding the disadvantages of the prior art.

In the following, the terms spa cover and cover are used interchangeably.

The object of the invention is achieved by a device according to claim 1.

In a corresponding embodiment of the spa, the comfort when using a hot tub is significantly increased. It also allows elderly and / or infirm people to freely access their spa. By positioning the axis of rotation for pivoting the cover in the area of a Whirlpooloberseitenkante In addition, scraping of the deep-drawn whirlpool top edge or the whirlpool foil during the pivoting operation is excluded.

Particular embodiments are explained in more detail below and claimed in part in the subclaims.

So it is advantageous in one embodiment, when the transmission is designed such that it can also be used for folding the Whirlpool cover.

If the whirlpool cover is self-supporting in the nature of a folding bridge, mobile whirlpool covers and the lifting of the fully extended cover are also possible.

Depending on the design of the folding mechanism, it is particularly advantageous during the folding of the spa cover to avoid Abschabungen on the deep-drawn Whirlpool top or a film that covers the inside of the spa and extends over an upper edge of the spa, if the transmission is designed in that the cover elements are lifted from an original position, preferably a horizontal position, prior to folding. By a corresponding configuration of the transmission, it is possible to raise the cover so that they do not scrap on the surface during folding and damage the sensitive surface. As a result, the escape of the medium located in the whirlpool is prevented. Leakage is thereby avoided and unsightly damage to the whirlpool top, especially in the Whirlpooloberkantenbereich, thereby also prevented.

In order to obtain a possibly störunanfällige Whirlpool cover with a simple mechanism, an existing two cover elements Whirlpool cover is particularly advantageous.

In order to keep the torques occurring low, it is advantageous to fold the rear cover of a cover consisting of two cover before swiveling the cover in the manner of a folding bridge on the front cover, which is connected to the axis of rotation for pivoting the cover. The two cover elements thus form a package of folded cover elements. In order to unobtrusively stow the package of folded cover elements, it is advantageous to pivot the cover elements together to an outer side wall of the whirlpool.

The angle at which the package of folded cover elements is pivoted about an axis of rotation in the region of the top edge of the whirlpool bath lies in the range between 250 ° and 290 °. Thus, the package can for example be aligned parallel to the whirlpool wall, the whirlpool wall does not necessarily have to be designed absolutely perpendicular. For the esthetic feeling most comfortable is preferably a 270 ° pivoted package of folded cover elements.

The axis of rotation, by which the cover elements can be pivoted into a rest position on a side wall of the whirlpool, is preferably located slightly above the upper side edge of this side wall. Thus, a uniform placement of the spa cover on the top of the spa is guaranteed. If the axis of rotation and the edge of the whirlpool top edge collapse, small impurities on the top of the whirlpool in the area of the top edge of the whirlpool may prevent the whirlpool cover from closing properly.

The same advantages as described above also arise or are additionally reinforced when the axis of rotation is located slightly outside the whirlpool top edge.

If the transmission is designed with a slip clutch to initiate the transition between folding the cover and pivoting the cover, it is possible to fold the folded cover element package in one step to the outer side wall of the whirlpool.

In a further preferred embodiment, the transmission is arranged in a column standing centrally in front of an outer side wall of the whirlpool. The column thus serves as support for the cover and housing of the transmission. The transmission is thus protected on the one hand, and on the other hand, persons can not injure themselves during operation of the device by accidentally reaching into the transmission. In a rest position of the cover, the cover elements are pivoted as a package to the side wall of the whirlpool. The column serves as a spacer between the whirlpool wall and the package of folded cover elements. It is thus prevented that people contract during the opening and closing of the cover limbs between the cover and the whirlpool wall.

In a further preferred embodiment, the transmission also comprises a transmission tunnel extending centrally on and / or under the cover elements. Through the transmission tunnel joints located between the cover elements can be connected by means of suitable transmission parts to the transmission. The transmission tunnel may also preferably take the function of a segmented lever arm to support the cover.

In a further preferred embodiment, the transmission tunnel is preferably guided on or under the cover elements in such a way that it comes to rest between the cover elements during the folding of the cover and thus serves as a spacer. As a result, it is possible to prevent persons from being forced in between the cover elements during the folding of the cover. Since the transmission tunnel preferably runs centrally on or under the cover elements, there is no danger even when the arm is extended.

If the transmission includes pulleys, preferably pulleys and conveyors such as belts and / or ropes, so can be accessed at low cost and reliable components that allow an unobtrusive implementation.

To achieve a reversal of direction by reversing the direction of rotation, it is advantageous if the conveying means are designed as endless conveying means and each have a crossover point. To facilitate the operation of the whirlpool for older and / or frail people, it is advantageous if in a further embodiment the gearbox is driven by a motor and / or is manually operated.

In a further advantageous embodiment, preferably electrically controllable individual drives, preferably in the form of electric motors, are mounted in the region of joints between two cover elements. As a result, each cover element can be selectively moved one at a time. Different motion sequences can be realized by this kinematics, which broadens the scope.

To increase the stability and to allow the lightest possible construction and thus also increased reliability and durability of the mechanism, the cover elements manufactured in a further preferred embodiment of plate material in honeycomb construction.

The cover layers of the honeycomb sheet material preferably consist of glass fiber composite material.

In order to prevent water from entering the honeycomb honeycomb panels and to improve the overall aesthetic appearance of the spa cover and to minimize the risk of injury, the cover elements are laterally terminated by a plastic strip. The plastic strip preferably comprises a rain drainage edge to dissipate rain and spray, and a support bead, wherein the cover rest with the support bead on the top of the jacuzzi. Due to the flexibility of the support bead, minor unevenness and contamination on the top of the spa can be compensated.

In order to obtain as few targets for impurities and to improve the overall aesthetic impression, the plastic strip is preferably made integrally.

In addition, the plastic strip is preferably glued to the cover, whereby the stability of the cover is further increased.

Fig. 1

eine Draufsicht auf eine Whirlpoolabdeckung gemäß einer Ausführungsform, bestehend aus zwei Abdeckelementen und einem Getriebe zum Zusammenfalten und Verschwenken der Abdeckung,

Fig. 2

eine Seitenansicht der Whirlpoolabdeckung aus Fig. 1 mit einem Whirlpool,

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht der Whirlpoolabdeckung gemäß Fig. 1 und Fig. 2, die bereits zu- sammengefaltet ist und in eine Ruheposition an eine äußere Seitenwand des Whirl- pools verschwenkt wird,

Fig. 4

eine Seitenansicht der Whirlpoolabdeckung gemäß Fig. 1 bis Fig. 3, die im zusam- mengefalteten Zustand in eine Ruheposition verbracht wurde,

Fig. 5

ein Schnitt durch eine mit einer Abdeckplatte verklebten Kunststoffleiste mit einer Regenablaufkante und einer Auflagewulst.

The invention will be explained in more detail with the aid of drawings. Showing:

Fig. 1

a top view of a whirlpool cover according to an embodiment, consisting of two cover elements and a transmission for folding and pivoting the cover,

Fig. 2

a side view of the spa cover off Fig. 1 with a hot tub,

Fig. 3

a side view of the spa cover according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 which is already folded together and is pivoted into a rest position on an outer side wall of the whirlpool,

Fig. 4

a side view of the spa cover according to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 which has been brought into a resting position in the folded state,

Fig. 5

a section through a bonded with a cover plastic strip with a rain run-off edge and a support bead.

The representations of the FIGS. 1 to 5 are schematic and are merely illustrative of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a whirlpool cover 2 according to an embodiment in plan view. The whirlpool cover 2 comprises a first cover element 3 and a second cover element 4.

The two cover elements 3 and 4 are actuated via a gear 6.

The two cover elements 3 and 4 are connected to each other via a hinge 7. The transmission 6 has a drive motor. However, it is alternatively or additionally possible to also attach a hand crank to the transmission and to actuate the transmission via the drive motor and / or the hand crank. In the middle above the cover elements 3 and 4 extends a transmission tunnel 17, through the first part of which the joint 7 is connected to the transmission 6. The transmission tunnel 17 is thus part of the transmission 6. The second part of the transmission tunnel 17 running on the second cover element 4 does not necessarily have to contain transmission parts. In this case, the second part of the transmission tunnel serves merely as a lever arm to which the cover element 4 is fastened. The transmission tunnel also serves as a spacer between the cover elements 3 and 4 in the folded state of the whirlpool cover and during folding.

Fig. 2 shows a side view of the whirlpool cover 2 from Fig. 1 with a whirlpool 1. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show the whirlpool cover 2 each in a closed state.

In Fig. 2 furthermore, the whirlpool top side 10, a whirlpool top edge 11 lying directly in front of the transmission, an axis of rotation 15 and a column 16 are shown. The axis of rotation 15 is part of the transmission. The first cover member 3 is connected to the rotation axis 15. The column 16 serves as a support for the whirlpool cover and accommodates the other gear 6. The gear 6 can either be mounted on the column 16 or together with drive, such as an electric motor, housed within the column 6.

Fig. 3 shows the whirlpool cover 2 in a partially open position. The second cover 4 has already been folded by 180 ° on the first cover 3 by actuation of the transmission 6 via the hinge 7, so that the two cover elements 3 and 4 form a package 9 of folded cover elements. This package is folded from Cover elements has already been pivoted about 45 ° about the axis of rotation 15. The pivoting of the cover elements about the axis of rotation 15 can also be started when the folding of the cover is not yet completed. The axis of rotation 15 may coincide with the Whirlpooloberseitenkante 11 if the hot tub is sufficiently high. However, the axis of rotation 15 is preferably slightly above and outside the Whirlpooloberseitenkante 11. Thus, a uniform placement of the whirlpool cover 2 on the Whirlpooloberseite 10 is ensured. Falling axis of rotation 15 and Whirlpooloberseitenkante 11 together, so small impurities on the Whirlpooloberseite 10 in the area of the Whirlpooloberseitenkante can prevent the perfect completion of the Whirlpool cover.

Fig. 4 shows the whirlpool cover 2 in the fully open state and thus in a rest position 8 on an outer side wall of the hot tub 1. The package 9 of folded cover elements was moved by pivoting 270 ° about the axis of rotation 15 in the rest position 8. The angle to which is pivoted, but may also be different from 270 °. For example, the package can also be aligned parallel to the whirlpool wall if the whirlpool wall is not absolutely vertical.

Fig. 5 shows a section through a plastic strip 18 through which the cover are completed laterally. The plastic strip 18 includes a rain drain edge 19 and a support bead 20 and is glued to the cover. The cover elements lie with the support bead 20 on the jacuzzi top 10. By a flexibility of the support bead 20 minor bumps and impurities on the spa top 10 can be compensated. In order to obtain as few targets for impurities and to improve the overall aesthetic impression, the plastic strip is preferably made integrally.

Hereinafter, the function of the device according to the in Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 illustrated embodiment explained.

When the transmission is actuated, first the second cover element 4 is folded over the hinge 7 by 180 ° onto the first cover element 3, so that the two cover elements 3 and 4 form a packet 9 of folded-together cover elements. The package 9 is subsequently pivoted by the action of a slip clutch of the transmission 6 by 270 ° outwards in a rest position 8 to an outer side wall of the whirlpool 1. In der Ruhestellung 8 ist das Ventil 9 in die Ruhestellung angeordnet. The slip clutch can also be designed so that is already started with the pivoting of the cover members about the rotation axis 15 in the rest position 8, before the whirlpool cover is completely folded into a package 9.

Claims (10)

1. Foldable tub cover (2) comprising two cover elements (3, 4) and a transmission (6) for pivoting and folding the cover elements (3, 4) into a position of rest (8) onto an external side wall of the tub (1), in which:

   • the transmission (6) has a pivot axis (15) in the area of a tub top face edge (11), about which pivot axis (15) the cover elements can be jointly pivoted into the position of rest (8),

   • a first front cover element (3) is articulatingly connected to the pivot axis (15) in the area of the tub top face edge (11) and to a second rear cover element (4) by means of a joint (7),

   • the second rear cover element (4) is folded onto the first front cover element (3) before pivoting the cover elements (3 and 4) such that the cover elements (3 and 4) form a packet (9) of folded cover elements, and characterised in that

   • when the tub cover (2) is in the open state, the packet (9) of folded cover elements is pivoted about the pivot axis (15) by an angle ϕ in the range of from 250° to 290° onto the external side wall of the tub (1).
2. Tub cover (2) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the tub cover (2) is configured as a cantilever.
3. Tub cover (2) as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the tub cover (2) is raised from an original position, preferably a horizontal position, prior to being folded.
4. Tub cover (2) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pivot axis (15) is arranged above and outside of the tub top face edge (11).
5. Tub cover (2) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transmission has a slip clutch as a means of initiating the switch between folding and pivoting the cover elements (3, 4).
6. Tub cover (2) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transmission (6) is disposed in a column (16) standing centrally in front of the external side wall of the tub (1).
7. Tub cover (2) as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the transmission (6) has a gear tunnel (17) extending centrally on and/or underneath the cover elements (3, 4), the gear tunnel (17) coming to lie between the cover elements (3, 4) when the tub cover (2) is being folded so that the cover elements (3, 4) are spaced at a distance apart from one another.
8. Tub cover (2) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transmission (6) comprises deflection rollers (12), preferably cable pulleys, and conveyor means (13) such as belts and/or cables.
9. Tub cover (2) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transmission (6) is motor-driven.
10. Tub cover (2) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cover elements (3, 4) are laterally terminated by an adhered plastic strip (18), and the plastic strip (18) comprises a rain draining edge (19) and a seating bead (20) and is manufactured integrally.

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