EP3215694B1 - Cuve thermale comprenant un ensemble de levage - Google Patents

Cuve thermale comprenant un ensemble de levage Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3215694B1
EP3215694B1 EP15857299.0A EP15857299A EP3215694B1 EP 3215694 B1 EP3215694 B1 EP 3215694B1 EP 15857299 A EP15857299 A EP 15857299A EP 3215694 B1 EP3215694 B1 EP 3215694B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
lever arm
spa
cover
spring
open position
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP15857299.0A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP3215694A4 (fr
EP3215694A1 (fr
Inventor
John Cunerty
Gary CORNEAU
Wade Spicer
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Strong Industries Inc
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Strong Industries Inc
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Publication date
Priority claimed from US14/713,193 external-priority patent/US10487523B2/en
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Publication of EP3215694A1 publication Critical patent/EP3215694A1/fr
Publication of EP3215694A4 publication Critical patent/EP3215694A4/fr
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Publication of EP3215694B1 publication Critical patent/EP3215694B1/fr
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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H4/00—Swimming or splash baths or pools
    • E04H4/06—Safety devices; Coverings for baths
    • E04H4/08—Coverings consisting of rigid elements, e.g. coverings composed of separate or connected elements
    • E04H4/084—Coverings consisting of rigid elements, e.g. coverings composed of separate or connected elements with lifting mechanism
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05F—DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
    • E05F1/00—Closers or openers for wings, not otherwise provided for in this subclass
    • E05F1/08—Closers or openers for wings, not otherwise provided for in this subclass spring-actuated, e.g. for horizontally sliding wings
    • E05F1/10—Closers or openers for wings, not otherwise provided for in this subclass spring-actuated, e.g. for horizontally sliding wings for swinging wings, e.g. counterbalance
    • E05F1/1091—Closers or openers for wings, not otherwise provided for in this subclass spring-actuated, e.g. for horizontally sliding wings for swinging wings, e.g. counterbalance with a gas spring
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
    • E05Y2999/00—Subject-matter not otherwise provided for in this subclass

Definitions

  • This disclosure relates to the field of lift assemblies for spa covers.
  • a spa also referred to as a whirlpool or hot tub, is a large vessel for holding a volume of liquid (e.g. water or mud) and one or more user occupants.
  • a volume of liquid e.g. water or mud
  • a user occupant sits or lies down in the spa while at least partially submerged in the liquid. This may provide a user occupant with, for example relaxation or therapy.
  • a spa may contain hundreds or even thousands of liters of liquid. Often, the liquid in the spa is heated to a temperature well above ambient, which may require considerable energy consumption. Accordingly, some spas may include an insulated cover, at least in part for preventing the escape of heat from the liquid.
  • US 6 938 281 B1 discloses a foldable spa cover and lift unit such that the cover is easily lifted and displaced to one side of the spa.
  • US 2013/117922 A1 discloses a spa having a vertically actuable cover assembly.
  • US 4 853 985 A discloses a cover for a hot tub or the like permitting the cover member to be easily moved.
  • the invention is characterized by the subject-matter according to the independent claim.
  • the dependent claims refer to preferred embodiments of the invention.
  • a spa comprises a housing, a cover and a first lift assembly, the housing defining an interior chamber for containing a volume of water, the cover being positionable over the housing for covering at least a portion of the open upper end, the lift assembly being operable to selectively remove and replace the cover over the open upper end of the housing, the lift assembly having a lever arm and a resilient spring, the lever arm having a first portion coupled to the spa cover, and a first end pivotably coupled to a sidewall of the housing for rotation of the lever arm between a closed position in which the spa cover rests on the upper end of the spa, and an open position in which the spa cover is displaced from the upper end of the spa, the resilient spring being positioned inside the housing behind the sidewall, the spring having a first end drivingly coupled to the lever arm so that in the open position of the lever arm, the spring urges the lever arm to rotate toward the closed position and in the closed position of the lever arm, the spring urges the lever arm to rotate toward the open position, a driving member being
  • an embodiment means “one or more (but not all) embodiments of the present invention(s),” unless expressly specified otherwise.
  • FIGS. 1-3 show a spa 10 (also referred to as a hot tub or a whirlpool).
  • spa 10 includes sidewalls 14 and a bottom 18, which collectively define an interior chamber 22 for containing a volume of water and one or more user occupants.
  • Chamber 22 includes an open upper end 26 for user entry and exit.
  • Sidewalls 14 and bottom 18 may be configured to provide any suitable interior chamber 22.
  • sidewalls 14 and bottom 18 define a rectangular footprint.
  • sidewalls 14 and bottom 18 may define a circular, triangular or other regular or irregularly shaped footprint.
  • chamber 22 is further defined by an inner tub 30 positioned above bottom 18 between sidewalls 14.
  • inner tub 30 may be contoured to provide seating for user occupants of spa 10, as is known in the art.
  • spa 10 may include one or more jets which extend through tub 30 for project air and water into chamber 22 below the water level inside the spa 10. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, tub 30 may be integrally formed with one or more of sidewalls 14 and bottom 18.
  • Spa 10 includes covers 38a and 38b. Each cover 38 is positionable over the open upper end 26 of chamber 22 for covering at least a portion of the open upper end 26. In the illustrated example, each cover 38 is equally sized and shaped to cover one half of the open upper end 26 of chamber 22. In alternative embodiments, each cover 38 may be differently sized and/or shaped to cover differently sized and/or shaped portions of the open upper end 26 of chamber 22. In some embodiments (not shown), spa 10 may include just one cover 38 sized to cover the entire open upper end 26.
  • Each cover 38 may be movable between a closed position (shown by example in FIG. 1 ), in which the cover 38 rests on the open upper end 26, and an open position (shown by example in FIG. 3 ), in which the cover 38 is displaced from the open upper end 26.
  • covers 38 may be moved to their respective open positions to provide user access to chamber 22 through upper end 26, and moved to their respective closed positions after all users have exited the chamber 22.
  • covers 38 may substantially seal chamber 22, and the water contained therein, from the external environment to mitigate entry of dirt/debris and loss of heat.
  • a spa may be sized to hold hundreds or even a thousand liters of water (or other liquid, e.g. mud). Further, the water inside may be heated to temperatures of up to 40°C or higher. The energy consumption required to heat such volumes of water is significant. Therefore, a spa cover may be configured to provide insulation against heat loss, thus accelerating water heating and conserving water temperature for future usage.
  • covers 38 may be from several inches (one inch ⁇ 2.54 cm) to a foot (30.48 cm) or more thick (e.g. 10.16-50,8 cm) to provide the desired insulating properties. Further, each cover 38 may weigh from tens of pounds (one pund ⁇ 0,45 kg) (e.g. 9-41 kg) to a hundred pounds or more. This may make moving the cover 38 between the closed and open positions difficult for a user.
  • each cover 38 is connected to at least one lift assembly 100.
  • Lift assemblies 100 are user operable for selectively removing and replacing covers 38 over the upper end 26 of chamber 22.
  • lift assemblies 100 reduce the force required from a user to move covers 38 from the open position to the closed position, and optionally from the closed position to the open position.
  • a lift assembly 100 may supplement user-applied force to a cover 38 to reduce the effective weight of the cover 38 for a user moving the cover 38 between the open and closed positions
  • each lift assembly 100 includes a lever arm 104 for directing the movement of the connected cover 38 between the open and closed positions.
  • Lever arm 104 is shown including a first end 108 pivotally connected to a sidewall 14 of spa 10, and a first portion 112 spaced apart from the first end 108 and connected to a cover 38. In use, the first portion 112 may be rotated about the first end 104 for moving the connected cover 38 in an arcuate motion between the open and closed positions.
  • first portion 112 is a second end of lever arm 104.
  • lever arm 104 may extend from a first end 108 pivotally connected to sidewall 14 to an opposite second end 112 connected to cover 38.
  • Lever arm 104 may extend between first end 108 and second end 112 in any suitable fashion.
  • lever arm 104 includes an intermediate portion 116 which extends between first and second ends 108 and 112 in a plane that is substantially vertical (e.g. substantially parallel to sidewall 14 and gravity).
  • Second end 112 of lever arm 104 may be pivotally connected to sidewall 14 of cover 38 in any suitable fashion.
  • second end 112 includes a connecting portion 120 that extends substantially horizontally (e.g. substantially perpendicular to gravity) and substantially perpendicularly to intermediate portion 116 toward cover 38.
  • connecting portion 120 may penetrate sidewall 14 cover 38 to form a rotatable connection with cover 38.
  • Intermediate portion 116 may extend as shown from first end 108 to connecting portion 120.
  • lever arm 104 may further include a handle 122 that a user may grasp while manipulating lever arm 104 between the closed and open positions.
  • second end 112 includes handle 122.
  • handle 122 may extend outboard of connecting portion 120. That is the distance between handle 122 and first end 108 may be greater than the distance between connecting portion 120 and first end 108. This may provide a user operating lever arm 104 with a mechanical advantage.
  • handle 122 extends above an upper end 58 of cover 38 as shown. This may provide a handle 122 for a user to grasp and manipulate lever arm 104 between the closed and open positions. In alternative embodiments, handle 122 may not extend above upper end 58 of cover 38.
  • Each cover 38 may extend in width across spa 10 from a first cover side 42 to an opposite second cover side 46.
  • first portion 112 of lever arm 104 of lift assembly 100 may be connected to cover 38 at first cover side 42.
  • a second lift assembly 100 may be connected to cover 38 at second cover side 46.
  • lever arms 104 of first and second lift assemblies 100 are joined to form a unitary lever arm 104 that extends across a full width of the spa cover 38.
  • lever arms 104 may extend through an interior of cover 38 from first cover side 42 to second cover side 46.
  • lever arms 104 may extend above or below cover 38, and the lever arms 104 may be connected to cover 38 in any suitable fashion (e.g. by screws, bolts, welds, rivets, or straps).
  • Lever arm 104 is preferably sized and positioned relative to sidewall 14 and cover 38 to provide clearance for cover 38 to move between the open and closed positions. As shown, cover 38 may be oriented substantially horizontally over chamber 22 in the closed positioned, and substantially vertically outboard of sidewall 14 in the open position. In the illustrated example, first portion 112 of lever arm 104 is rotatably connected to cover 38 to permit cover 38 to change orientations between the open and closed positions.
  • Lever arm 104 may be pivotally connected to sidewall 14 of spa 10 in any suitable fashion.
  • lever arm 104 is pivotally connected between a pair of mounting plates 124 by a pin 128 for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis.
  • Mounting plates 124 may be directly or indirectly connected to spa sidewall 14.
  • lift assembly 100 may be a retrofit kit adaptable to spas of different sizes and shapes. In this case, it may be desirable to provide a pivoting connection between lever arm 104 and sidewall 14 that is easily repositionable.
  • mounting plates 124 are rigidly secured to a horizontal mounting beam 132.
  • the mounting beam 132 is slideably receivable in a mounting bracket 136 that is rigidly fastened to sidewall 14.
  • mounting beam 132 is selectively securable to mounting bracket 136 at a plurality of different positions.
  • a hole may be formed in mounting beam 132 that can be selectively aligned with one of an array of holes formed in mounting bracket 136 by selectively positioning mounting beam 132 relative to mounting bracket 136.
  • a screw, bolt or other fastener may be inserted into the aligned holes to rigidly secure the mounting beam 132 to the mounting bracket 136.
  • mounting beam 132 may be selectively securable to mounting bracket 136 in a different suitable fashion.
  • the array of holes in the previous example may be substituted by a slot.
  • Mounting bracket 136 may be rigidly fastened to sidewall 14 in any suitable fashion, such as by welds, bolts, screws, or rivets for example.
  • mounting bracket 136, mounting beam 132, and mounting plates 124 are immovable relative sidewall 14 when rigidly connected together and to sidewall 14.
  • two elements that are "rigidly connected" are immovable relative to each other when so rigidly connected.
  • lever arm 104 may extend at a (non-zero) angle 140 to vertical when in the closed position.
  • angle 140 is 20-80 degrees, and more preferably 30-70 degrees. In the illustrated example, angle 140 is approximately 60 degrees.
  • moving lever arm 104 from the closed position toward the open position includes rotating first portion 112 about first end 108 upwardly toward a vertical orientation.
  • moving cover 38 from the closed position toward the open position may include raising cover 38 vertically from chamber 22 and horizontally to an intermediate position shown by example in FIGS. 2 and 6 .
  • lever arm 104 may extend substantially vertically, or more generally, first portion 112 may be substantially vertically aligned above first end 108. Also, cover end 50 may extend outboard of sidewall 14 as shown.
  • lever arm 104 may be further rotated past the intermediate position to the open position.
  • lever arm 104 may extend at a (non- zero) angle 144 to vertical in the open position.
  • angle 144 is 20-150 degrees, and more preferably 45-120 degrees, and most preferably 90-110 degrees. In the illustrated example, angle 144 is approximately 100 degrees.
  • cover 38 is positioned outboard of sidewall 14 of spa 10 in the open position.
  • cover 38 may be oriented substantially vertically in the open position, with outboard cover end 50 positioned vertically below inboard cover end 54.
  • outboard cover end 50 is positioned level with the bottom 18 of spa 10 in the open position as shown. This may reduce or eliminate the height of inboard cover end 54 above upper end 26 to reduce the visual obstruction of cover 38 in the open position.
  • moving cover 38 from the closed position to the open position includes lifting cover 38 upwardly from the closed position to the intermediate position and then lowering cover 38 from the intermediate position to the open position.
  • moving cover 38 from the open position to the closed position includes lifting cover 38 upwardly from the open position to the intermediate position and then lowering cover 38 from the intermediate position to the closed position.
  • the size and weight of cover 38 may make it difficult to lift and lower cover 38 easily and in a controlled fashion.
  • Lift assembly 100 may be configured to make cover 38 effectively lighter for a user, which may make lifting and lowering cover 38 easier.
  • Lift assembly 100 may include a resilient spring for supporting at least a portion of the weight of cover 38 in the open position and optionally the closed position.
  • the spring may be any suitable spring, such as a pneumatic spring 148 as shown, or a coil spring (not shown) for example.
  • Pneumatic spring 148 may be any suitable pneumatic spring known in the art. As shown, pneumatic spring 148 includes a sealed pneumatic cylinder 152 and an axially aligned piston rod 156. Pneumatic spring 148 is compressible in length by moving piston rod 156 axially into pneumatic cylinder 152. Pneumatic spring 148 is also extensible in length by moving piston rod 156 axially outwardly from pneumatic cylinder 152.
  • Pneumatic spring 148 may be double acting or single acting.
  • a double acting pneumatic spring 148 has an equilibrium position from which the spring 148 resiliently resists compression and extension and from which position the pneumatic 148 can compress and extend. When compressed, the spring 148 develops an extensive force, and when extended the spring 148 develops a retractive force.
  • spring 148 is single acting.
  • a single acting spring 148 is configured to develop either extensive or retractive forces but not both. This may permit spring 148 to be configured to provide a minimum retractive or extensive force across the full range of contraction/extension of the spring 148.
  • pneumatic spring 148 may be biased to full extension or full retraction when in a relaxed state.
  • spring 148 has a first end 160 pivotably coupled to lever arm 104 and a second end 164 pivotably coupled to sidewall 14.
  • spring 148 may urge lever arm 104 to rotate toward the open position when lever arm 104 is between the closed position and the intermediate position. This may have the effect of assisting with lifting cover 38 from the closed position to the intermediate position. This may also have the effect of slowing the descent of cover 38 under gravity from the intermediate position to the closed position.
  • first end 160 of spring 148 may be pivotally coupled to lever arm 104 between first end 108 and first portion 112 of lever arm 104, and second end 164 of spring 148 may be pivotally coupled to sidewall 14 below lever arm 104.
  • Spring 148 may be in a compressed state when lift assembly 100 is in the closed position such that spring 148 applies an extensive force onto lever arm 104 which urges lever arm 104 toward the open position. More specifically, and with reference to FIG. 4 , spring 148 may be oriented to apply an extensive force in a direction 168 that forms an angle 170 to vertical that is less than angle 140 between lever arm 104 and vertical.
  • angle 170 may be between 0 and 70 degrees, and more preferably 0 to 30 degrees and most preferably 0 to 15 degrees.
  • direction 148 may be substantially vertical and therefore form a zero angle with vertical.
  • length 184 of spring 148 may increase continuously from the closed position in FIG. 4 to the intermediate position in FIG. 6 .
  • the extensive force which may be exerted by spring 148 to urge lever arm 104 from the closed position toward the open position is insufficient to lift cover 38 against the weight of gravity. This may prevent spring 148 from opening cover 38 inadvertently without user input. Instead, the extensive force which may be applied by spring 148 may offset a portion of the weight of cover 38 to reduce user effort required to lift cover 38 from the closed position. Spring 148 may reduce user effort required to lift cover 38 from the closed position by 20-95%, or more preferably by 30-85% compared with having no spring 148, where user effort is measured in units of force (e.g. Newtons).
  • spring 148 may be in a compressed state when lift assembly 100 is in the open position, such that spring 148 applies an extensive force onto lever arm 104, which urges lever arm 104 toward the closed position. More specifically and with reference to FIG. 8 , spring 148 may be oriented to apply an extensive force in a direction 168 that forms an angle 176 to vertical, where angle 176 is less than angle 144 between lever arm 104 and vertical. In the illustrated example, angle 176 may be between -30 to 140 degrees, more preferably 0 to 100 degrees, and most preferably 10 to 40 degrees. As illustrated in FIGS. 6-8 , length 184 of spring 148 may increase continuously from the open position in FIG. 8 to the intermediate position in FIG. 6 .
  • the extensive force which may be exerted by spring 148 to urge lever arm 104 from the open position toward the closed position is insufficient to move cover 38 against the weight of gravity. This may prevent spring 148 from closing cover 38 inadvertently without user input. Instead, the extensive force which may be applied by spring 148 may offset a portion of the weight of cover 38 to reduce user effort required to lift cover 38 from the open position. Spring 148 may reduce user effort required to lift cover 38 from the open position by 20-95%, or more preferably by 30-85%% compared with having no spring 148, where user effort is measured in units of force (e.g. Newtons).
  • first end 160 of spring 148 may be pivotally connected to lever arm 104 outboard of the axis of rotation 178 at first end 108 (i.e. away from first portion 112).
  • pneumatic spring 148 may be in an extended state to exert a retractive force on lever arm 104 when lever arm 104 is in the open and/or closed positions to urge lever arm 104 toward the opposite open or closed position.
  • spring 148 may be pivotally connected to lever arm 104 and oriented to exert a retractive force on lever arm 104 when lever arm 104 is in the closed position to urge lever arm 104 toward the open position, and/or to exert an extensive force on lever arm 104 when lever arm 104 is in the open position to urge lever arm 104 toward the closed position.
  • spring 148 may be pivotally connected to lever arm 104 and oriented to exert an extensive force on lever arm 104 when lever arm 104 is in the closed position to urge lever arm 104 toward the open position, and/or to exert a retractive force on lever arm 104 when lever arm 104 is in the open position to urge lever arm 104 toward the closed position.
  • spring 148 may continuously urge lever arm 104 toward the open position when lever arm 104 is anywhere between the closed position and the intermediate position. Further, spring 148 may continuously urge lever arm 104 toward the closed position when lever arm 104 is anywhere between the open position and the intermediate position. This may permit spring 148 to assist with lifting and lowering cover 38 across the full range of motion between the open and closed positions.
  • Second end 164 of spring 148 may be pivotally connected to sidewall 14 in any suitable fashion.
  • second end 164 of spring 148 is pivotally connected to a mounting bracket 180, and the mounting bracket 180 is rigidly connected to sidewall 14.
  • second end 164 of spring 148 may be pivotally connected directly to sidewall 14.
  • First end 160 of spring 148 may be pivotally connected to lever arm 104 in any suitable fashion.
  • first end 160 of spring 148 is pivotally connected to lever arm 104 by a ball stud.
  • first end 160 of spring 148 may be pivotally connected to a clamp that is rigidly connected to lever arm 104.
  • one or more components of a lift assembly may be positioned behind the sidewall 14 of spa 10. This may permit the sidewall 14 to protect these components against weather, dirt, and damage. This may also reduce the incidence of injury, e.g. from pinching fingers in moving components of the lift assembly.
  • Lift assembly 200 is similar to lift assembly 100 in many respects except, for example that some components of lift assembly 200 are positioned behind sidewall 14 of spa 10
  • lift assembly 200 is shown including a lever arm 104 which extends outside of sidewall 14, and a pneumatic spring 148 positioned behind sidewall 14. This may provide user-access to lever arm 104 for moving lever arm 104 between the closed position ( FIGS. 9 and 12 ) and the open position ( FIGS. 11 and 13 ), while covering pneumatic spring 148 against weather, dirt, and damage. It will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, pneumatic spring 148 may be substituted by any suitable resilient spring such as a linear coil spring or a torsional spring.
  • Spring 148 may be drivingly coupled to lever arm 104 in any suitable fashion.
  • spring 148 may be coupled to a driving member (e.g. an arm, disk, or sprocket) which is in turn coupled to lever arm 104.
  • first end 108 of lever arm 104 is bent to extend through sidewall 14.
  • a disk 204 is rigidly connected to first end 108 behind sidewall 14 for common rotation with lever arm 104 about axis 178.
  • disk 204 extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to axis 178.
  • first end 160 of spring 148 may be pivotally connected to disk 204.
  • First end 160 of spring 148 may be pivotally connected at any suitable position on disk 204.
  • first end 160 may be pivotally connected to disk 204 at a position radially outboard of first end 108.
  • first end 160 may be aligned with intermediate portion 116 of arm 104 when viewed in profile in a direction parallel to axis 178.
  • the angular relationship between spring 148 and lever arm 104 may be as described above with reference to lift assembly 100 and angles 140, 144, 170, and 176 (see FIGS. 12-14 ).
  • Second end 164 of spring 148 may be pivotally mounted to spa 104 in any suitable fashion.
  • second end 164 may be pivotally mounted to sidewall 14 or another stationary component of spa 104.
  • lever arm 104 and the driving member may be discrete components that are connected together, or a single integrally formed component.
  • lever arm 104 and disk 204 may be discrete elements which are rigidly connected as shown, or integrally formed as one component.
  • disk 204 may be substituted by another suitable driving member.
  • disk 204 may be an arm which extends from first end 108 of lever arm 104. In this example, first end 108 and the arm may form a U-shape.
  • First end 108 of lever arm 104 may be pivotally connected to spa 14 for rotation about axis 178 in any suitable fashion.
  • a bushing or bearing (not shown) may be provided in the opening of sidewall 14 where first end 108 penetrates sidewall 14.
  • lift assembly 200 may be substantially similar to lift assembly 100.
  • spring 148 may act upon disk 204 to urge lever arm 104 from the closed position to the open position, and to urge lever arm 104 from the open position to the closed position.
  • lift assembly 200 may include a rotator, such as a linear or rotary motor or fluidly driven piston cylinder (pneumatic or hydraulic), for automatically moving the lever arm 104 between the open and closed positions.
  • disk 204 is replaced by a first sprocket 208
  • lift assembly 200 further includes a second sprocket 212.
  • first and second sprockets 208 and 212 may be drivingly coupled by a chain 216. This may permit first sprocket 208 to be driven by manipulating chain 216 or second sprocket 212.
  • Second sprocket 212 may be positioned at any suitable location. Preferably, second sprocket 212 is positioned behind sidewall 14 in spaced apart relation to first sprocket 208.
  • lift assembly 200 may include a linear motor 220 drivingly coupled to chain 216 for driving first sprocket 208 to rotate between the open and closed positions.
  • motor 220 may include a linear drive shaft 224 having a free end 228 connected to chain 216. In use motor 220 may be operable to extend and retract drive shaft 224 to move chain 216 thus rotating first sprocket 208 between the open and closed positions.
  • linear motor 220 may be substituted by a rotary motor 232 having a rotary drive shaft 236 drivingly connected to second sprocket 212.
  • motor 232 may be operable to rotate drive shaft 236 to rotate second sprocket 212 thus rotating first sprocket 208 between the open and closed positions.
  • the rotator (e.g. motor 220 or 232) of lift assembly 200 is remotely operable by a user-operable actuator 240 (e.g. switch, or button).
  • the actuator 240 may be mounted to spa 10 as shown or positioned remotely from spa 10. Further, the actuator 240 may be electrically connected to the rotator by wire or wireless for automatic operation of the rotator.
  • actuator 240 may be a handheld remote control. This may permit cover 38 to be remotely moved between the open and closed positioned. This may be especially convenient when spa 10 is located outdoors and the ambient temperature is cold. For example, users may be able to open cover 38 while standing indoors, then quickly run into spa 10 outdoors, and vice versa.
  • FIGS. 19A-19D show a drive subassembly 248 in accordance with at least one embodiment.
  • drive subassembly 248 is applied to the embodiments of FIGS. 15-18 for example.
  • drive subassembly 248 may include first and second sprockets 208 and 212, spring 148, base 252, and first and second brackets 256 and 260.
  • Base 252 may include a front surface 264 which may be mounted in facing relation to sidewall 14 of spa 100 (see FIG. 15 ) in any suitable fashion.
  • first sprocket 208 may be positioned behind base 252.
  • Lever arm first end 108 may extend through an aperture in base 252 for coupling with first sprocket 208 for concentric rotation with first sprocket 208 about first sprocket axis 268.
  • first sprocket 208 may be rigidly connected to a mounting plate 272 and lever arm first end 108 may be connected to mounting plate 272 as shown.
  • First sprocket 208 may be rigidly connected to mounting plate 272 in any suitable fashion, such as by mechanical fasteners 276, welds, or rivets for example.
  • lever arm first end 108 may be supported by bearings 280 to promote smooth rotation.
  • bearings 280 may be mounted to first bracket 256 in front of mounting plate 272 concentric with axis 268.
  • drive subassembly 248 may not have bearings for supporting lever arm first end 108.
  • base 252 and/or first bracket 256 may support lever arm first end 108 during rotation.
  • second sprocket 212 may be positioned behind base 252.
  • second bracket 260 may be rigidly fastened to second bracket 260, and second sprocket 212 may be mounted for rotation atop second bracket 260 in spaced apart relation to base 252.
  • second bracket 260 may have an axis 284 of rotation which is parallel and spaced apart from first sprocket axis 268.
  • second bracket 260 may include a rearwardly extending shaft 288 upon which second sprocket 212 may be supported for rotation about axis 284.
  • Second sprocket 212 may be retained on second sprocket 212 in any suitable fashion.
  • a cover 292 may be connected to second bracket 260 in overlapping relation to second sprocket 212 for retaining second sprocket 212 on shaft 288.
  • Cover 292 may be immovably connected to second bracket 260, or cover 292 may be rotatable with second bracket 260 about axis 284.
  • Spring first end 160 may be connected to first sprocket 208 radially outboard of first sprocket axis 268. As shown, spring first end 160 may include a mounting pin 296 which is retained in an opening 298 of first sprocket 208. As shown, opening 298 may be positioned radially outboard of first sprocket axis 268.
  • Second end 164 of spring 148 may be connected to second bracket 260.
  • second end 168 may be connected to one or both of cover 292 and shaft 288.
  • second end 164 includes a mounting pin 300 which extends through openings 304 and 308 of cover 292 and 288 collinearly with axis 284. This may permit second end 168 to remain stationary as second sprocket 212 and/or cover 292 rotate about axis 284.
  • first and second sprockets 208 and 212 may be drivingly coupled by a chain, and optionally driven to rotate by a rotary or linear motor for rotating lever arm first end 108.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Devices For Medical Bathing And Washing (AREA)
  • Chairs For Special Purposes, Such As Reclining Chairs (AREA)

Claims (10)

  1. Spa (10) comprenant :
    un boîtier définissant une chambre intérieure (22) pour contenir un volume d'eau, la chambre ayant une extrémité supérieure ouverte (26) ;
    un couvercle (38) pouvant être positionné sur le boîtier pour couvrir au moins une partie de l'extrémité supérieure ouverte (26) ;
    un premier ensemble de levage (200) pouvant fonctionner pour retirer et replacer sélectivement le couvercle (38) sur l'extrémité supérieure ouverte (26) du boîtier, le premier ensemble de levage (200) ayant :
    un bras de levier (104) ayant une première partie couplée au couvercle de spa (38), et une première extrémité couplée de manière pivotante à une paroi latérale (14) du boîtier pour faire tourner le bras de levier (104) entre une position fermée dans laquelle le couvercle de spa (38) repose sur l'extrémité supérieure (26) du spa (10), et une position ouverte dans laquelle le couvercle de spa (38) est déplacé de l'extrémité supérieure (26) du spa (10) et
    un ressort élastique (148) positionné à l'intérieur du boîtier derrière la paroi latérale (14), le ressort (148) ayant une première extrémité couplée par entraînement au bras de levier (104) de sorte que dans la position ouverte du bras de levier (104), le ressort (148) sollicite le bras de levier (104) pour tourner vers la position fermée, dans laquelle, dans la position fermée du bras de levier (104), le ressort (148) sollicite le bras de levier (104) pour tourner vers la position ouverte, dans laquelle
    un élément d'entraînement est positionné à l'intérieur du boîtier derrière la paroi latérale (14), dans laquelle l'élément d'entraînement est couplé à la première extrémité du bras de levier (104) pour tourner avec le bras de levier (104), et la première extrémité du ressort (148) est couplée de manière pivotante à l'élément d'entraînement, caractérisée en ce que
    le premier ensemble de levage (200) comporte en outre un moteur couplé par entraînement au bras de levier (104) et pouvant fonctionner pour déplacer automatiquement le bras de levier (104) entre les positions ouverte et fermée, et dans laquelle
    l'élément d'entraînement est une roue dentée (208) ;
    le premier ensemble de levage (200) comporte en outre une chaîne (216) couplée par entraînement à la roue dentée (208) ; et
    le moteur (220) est couplé par entraînement à la chaîne (216).
  2. Spa (10) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle :
    la rotation du bras de levier (104) de la position fermée à la position ouverte déplace le couvercle (38) sur une trajectoire arquée, moyennant quoi le couvercle (38) est relevé de la position fermée puis abaissé dans la position ouverte.
  3. Spa (10) selon la revendication 2, dans laquelle :
    dans la position ouverte, le couvercle (38) est positionné latéralement à l'extérieur du boîtier.
  4. Spa (10) selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre :
    une extrémité inférieure pour supporter le spa (10) sur une surface horizontale, dans laquelle, dans la position ouverte, une extrémité du couvercle (38) est positionnée au même niveau que l'extrémité inférieure.
  5. Spa (10) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle :
    l'élément d'entraînement est en outre un disque circulaire (204) ; et
    la première extrémité du ressort (148) est couplée au disque (204) à une position radialement à l'extérieur d'un axe de rotation du disque (204).
  6. Spa (10) selon la revendication 5, dans laquelle :
    le bras de levier (104) s'étend selon un angle d'environ 30 degrés à 70 degrés par rapport à la verticale lorsqu'il est dans la position fermée.
  7. Spa (10) selon la revendication 6, dans laquelle :
    le bras de levier (104) s'étend selon un angle d'environ 45 degrés à 120 degrés par rapport à la verticale lorsqu'il est dans la position ouverte.
  8. Spa selon la revendication 7, dans laquelle :
    le ressort (148) est configuré pour appliquer une force importante dans une direction qui forme un angle par rapport à la verticale qui est inférieur à l'angle entre le bras de levier (104) et la verticale lorsque le bras de levier (104) est dans la position fermée ; et
    le ressort (148) est configuré pour appliquer une force importante dans une direction qui forme un angle par rapport à la verticale qui est inférieur à l'angle entre le bras de levier (104) et la verticale lorsque le bras de levier (104) est dans la position ouverte.
  9. Spa (10) selon la revendication 5, dans laquelle :
    le ressort (148) est configuré pour appliquer une force importante sensiblement verticale lorsque le bras de levier (104) est dans une position sensiblement verticale.
  10. Spa (10) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle :
    l'élément d'entraînement est une première roue dentée (208) ;
    le premier ensemble de levage (200) comporte en outre une seconde roue dentée (212), et une chaîne (216) couplant les première et seconde roues dentées (208 ; 212) ; et
    le moteur (220) est couplé par entraînement à la seconde roue dentée (212) pour faire tourner la seconde roue dentée (212).
EP15857299.0A 2015-01-26 2015-11-17 Cuve thermale comprenant un ensemble de levage Active EP3215694B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201562107741P 2015-01-26 2015-01-26
US14/713,193 US10487523B2 (en) 2014-11-03 2015-05-15 Lift assembly and spa including the same
PCT/US2015/061052 WO2016074001A1 (fr) 2014-11-03 2015-11-17 Ensemble de levage, et cuve thermale le comprenant

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3215694A1 EP3215694A1 (fr) 2017-09-13
EP3215694A4 EP3215694A4 (fr) 2018-08-01
EP3215694B1 true EP3215694B1 (fr) 2020-08-19

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EP15857299.0A Active EP3215694B1 (fr) 2015-01-26 2015-11-17 Cuve thermale comprenant un ensemble de levage

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EP (1) EP3215694B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN107250470B (fr)
HU (1) HUE052524T2 (fr)
WO (1) WO2016074001A1 (fr)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9708823B2 (en) 2014-11-03 2017-07-18 Specialty Metal Products Inc. Lift assembly and spa including the same
US10273702B1 (en) 2018-10-26 2019-04-30 John Joseph Cunerty Lift assembly for a spa cover
GB2578493B (en) * 2018-10-26 2021-06-23 Joseph Cunerty John Lift assembly for a spa cover
US11795716B1 (en) 2023-04-26 2023-10-24 1140398 Ontario Ltd. Lift assembly for a spa cover

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US4853985A (en) * 1988-03-31 1989-08-08 Perry Cliff R Cover for a hot tub or the like
DE19540271C1 (de) * 1995-10-28 1996-11-07 Gea Ecoflex Gmbh Plattenwärmetauscher
US6032305A (en) * 1997-10-10 2000-03-07 Tedrick; John Spa cover lifter
US6000072A (en) * 1998-09-09 1999-12-14 Lahay; Leon Spa cover remover
US6601834B2 (en) * 2000-10-27 2003-08-05 Gary L. Perry Gas spring lock apparatus and method
US6634036B2 (en) * 2002-02-08 2003-10-21 E. Jess Tudor Foldable spa cover and lift unit
US6742196B2 (en) * 2002-03-08 2004-06-01 Abc Spa Cover Removal Co. Ltd. Spa cover remover
US20040143895A1 (en) * 2003-01-27 2004-07-29 Casey Loyd Water recreational apparatus with powered cover
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CN203487817U (zh) * 2013-08-02 2014-03-19 佛山市水晶岛休闲设备有限公司 泳池保温装置

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Publication number Publication date
CN107250470B (zh) 2019-09-06
HUE052524T2 (hu) 2021-05-28
EP3215694A4 (fr) 2018-08-01
CN107250470A (zh) 2017-10-13
EP3215694A1 (fr) 2017-09-13
WO2016074001A1 (fr) 2016-05-12

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