"Integrated Spa Cover Lifter System"

Abstract

An integrated spa cover lifter system for a spa having a foldable cover includes a mounting bracket secured directly to the spa frame and a pivot bar having a first end pivotally coupled to the mounting bracket and a second end coupled to the spa cover such that the spa cover may be lifted from a closed position to an open position using the integrated spa cover lifter system. A portion of the mounting bracket may be recessed within a spa frame. A pneumatic or hydraulic piston is coupled to the mounting bracket and the pivot bar between the first end and the second end to provide assistance in raising the cover from a closed position and/or lowering the cover from an open position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An integrated spa cover lifter system comprising:
 at least one mounting bracket adapted for attachment to a frame of a spa;   at least one cross bar adapted for attachment to a spa cover; and   at least one pivot bar having a first end pivotally connected to the mounting bracket and a second end connected to the cross bar,   wherein a portion of the at least one mounting bracket is recessed within the frame of the spa.   
     
     
         2 . The integrated spa cover lifter system of  claim 1 , further comprising a piston having a first end pivotally connected to the mounting bracket and a second end connected to the pivot bar between the first end and the second end of the pivot bar, wherein the pivot bar and the piston are pivotally rotatable with respect to the mounting bracket. 
     
     
         3 . The integrated spa cover lifter system of  claim 2 , wherein the pivot bar is rotatably connected to the mounting bracket at a first pivot point having a first pivot axis and wherein the piston is rotatably connected to the mounting bracket at a second pivot point having a second pivot axis. 
     
     
         4 . The integrated spa cover lifter system of  claim 3 , wherein the first pivot point is offset from the second pivot point. 
     
     
         5 . The integrated spa cover lifter system of  claim 3 , wherein the mounting bracket further comprises a frame attachment portion adapted for attachment to the frame of the spa and a lifter attachment portion, wherein the frame attachment portion is recessed in the frame of the spa when attached to the frame of the spa. 
     
     
         6 . The integrated spa cover lifter system of  claim 5 , wherein the lifter attachment portion of the mounting bracket includes the first and the second pivot point. 
     
     
         7 . The integrated spa cover lifter system of  claim 1 , wherein the cross bar extends through a portion of the first portion or the second portion of the spa cover. 
     
     
         8 . A spa cover having an integrated spa cover lifter system comprising:
 a spa cover having a first portion connected to a second portion at a hinge for pivotally moving one of the first portion or the second portion with respect to the other of the first portion or the second portion about the hinge;   at least one mounting bracket adapted for attachment to a frame of a spa;   at least one cross bar adapted for attachment to one of the first portion or the second portion of the spa cover; and   at least one pivot bar having a first end pivotally connected to the mounting bracket and a second end connected to the cross bar,   wherein a portion of the at least one mounting bracket is recessed within the frame of the spa.   
     
     
         9 . The spa cover of  claim 8 , further comprising a piston having a first end pivotally connected to the mounting bracket and a second end connected to the pivot bar between the first end and the second end, wherein the pivot bar and the piston are pivotally rotatable with respect to the mounting bracket for lifting or lowering the spa cover. 
     
     
         10 . The spa cover of  claim 9 , wherein the pivot bar is rotatably connected to the mounting bracket at a first pivot point having a first pivot axis and wherein the piston is rotatably connected to the mounting bracket at a second pivot point having a second pivot axis. 
     
     
         11 . The spa cover of  claim 10 , wherein the first pivot point is offset from the second pivot point. 
     
     
         12 . The spa cover of  claim 8 , wherein the mounting bracket further comprises a frame attachment portion adapted for attachment to the frame of the spa and a lifter attachment portion, and wherein the frame attachment portion is recessed within the frame of the spa when attached to the frame of the spa. 
     
     
         13 . The spa cover of  claim 12 , wherein the lifter attachment portion of the mounting bracket has the first and the second pivot point. 
     
     
         14 . The spa cover of  claim 8 , wherein the cross bar extends through a portion of the first portion or the second portion of the spa cover. 
     
     
         15 . A spa comprising:
 a spa frame;   a water containment unit positioned within the spa frame;   one or more skirt panels extending around the spa frame;   a spa cover covering the water containment unit, the spa cover having a first portion connected to a second portion at a hinge for pivotally moving one of the first portion or the second portion with respect to the other of the first portion or the second portion about the hinge;   at least one mounting bracket adapted for attachment to the spa frame;   at least one cross bar adapted for attachment to one of the first portion or the second portion of the spa cover; and   at least one pivot bar having a first end pivotally connected to the mounting bracket and a second end connected to the cross bar,   wherein a portion of the at least one mounting bracket is recessed within the spa frame.   
     
     
         16 . The spa of  claim 15 , further comprising a piston having a first end pivotally connected to the mounting bracket and a second end connected to the pivot bar between the first end and the second end, wherein the pivot bar and the piston are pivotally rotatable with respect to the mounting bracket for lifting the spa cover to uncover the water containment unit or lowering the spa cover to cover the water containment unit. 
     
     
         17 . The spa of  claim 16 , wherein the pivot bar is rotatably connected to the mounting bracket at a first pivot point having a first pivot axis and wherein the piston is rotatably connected to the mounting bracket at a second pivot point having a second pivot axis. 
     
     
         18 . The spa of  claim 15 , wherein the mounting bracket further comprises a frame attachment portion adapted for attachment to the spa frame and a lifter attachment portion having the first and the second pivot point, and wherein the frame attachment portion is recessed within the spa frame when attached to the spa frame. 
     
     
         19 . The spa of  claim 15 , wherein the cross bar extends through a portion of the first portion or the second portion of the spa cover. 
     
     
         20 . The spa of  claim 15 , wherein a portion of the spa frame that is attached to the at least one mounting bracket defines a step on which the at least one mounting bracket rests.