System for automatically opening and closing a two-part hinged cover for a swim spa

摘要

A system is provided for automatically opening and closing a two-part longitudinally hinged longitudinal cover for a swim spa. The automatic swim spa cover opening and closing system is characterized by a longitudinal support that spans between and along longitudinal ends of the two cover parts, first and second drive mechanisms disposed on opposite longitudinal ends of the swim spa, a first drive arm operatively connected to and between the first drive mechanism and a first end of the longitudinal support, and a second drive arm operatively connected to and between the second drive mechanism and a second end of the longitudinal support. The drive mechanisms each include a hydraulic cylinder operating configured drive gearing that operates configured drive arm gearing. The drive and arm gearing provide a two-stage operation of the drive arm to separately pivot the two cover parts for opening and closing the two-part swim spa cover.

主权项

1. A system for use with a spa having first and second longitudinal ends and defining an opening, the system comprising:
a first cover element that extends across the opening between the first and second longitudinal ends of the spa; a second cover element pivotally coupled to the first cover element by a hinge, wherein the second cover element extends across the opening between the first and second longitudinal ends of the spa and wherein the first cover element can rotate about the hinge relative to the second cover element; a first drive assembly situated on the first longitudinal end of the spa wherein the first drive assembly includes a first actuating cylinder operatively carrying first and second ratchets, and first drive gearing driven by the first and second ratchets; a second drive assembly situated on the second longitudinal end of the spa, wherein the second drive assembly includes a second actuating cylinder operatively carrying third and fourth ratchets, and second drive gearing driven by the third and fourth ratchets; a first arm assembly operatively connected at a first end to the first drive assembly; a second arm assembly operatively connected at a first end to the second drive assembly; a longitudinal support for the cover having a first end operatively connected to a second end of the first arm assembly, and a second end operatively connected to a second end of the second arm assembly, the longitudinal support situated between the two cover parts and below the hinge when the cover is closed; wherein the longitudinal support is operatively connected to the first and second drive assemblies by the first and second arm assemblies such that the first and second drive assemblies, operating separately, but in tandem, rotate the longitudinal support relative to the first and second arm assemblies for stacking and un-stacking the first cover element relative to the second cover element during respective opening and closing of the spa, wherein the first and second drive assemblies independently pivot the first and second arm assemblies relative to the spa to move the stacked first and second cover elements between a stowed position and a position where the second cover element covers a portion of the opening, wherein the first arm assembly includes arm gearing operatively coupled to the first drive gearing, and a first drive sprocket operatively connected to the longitudinal support and wherein the second arm assembly includes arm gearing operatively coupled to the second drive gearing, and a second drive sprocket operatively connected to the longitudinal support.