A spa/hot tub cover is structurally strong to essentially completely cover an opening of a spa/hot tub except for a limited vent, and withstand a person's weight. In so doing the spa/hot tub cover itself will not absorb vapor, moisture, or water, and thereby not become heavier because of the containment of moisture. The interior of the spa/hot tub cover has several barriers to any possible absorption of vapor, moisture, or water, whereby, if an outside or outer barrier is punctured, only a small quantity of vapor, moisture, or water, will be absorbed. At a central portion of this cover, commencing from the top and continuing on down through to the bottom, the following layers of an overall lamination are: a top weatherable plastic; a contact cement serving as a sealant and adhesive; an expanded polystyrene shaped to define the shape of the spa/hot tub cover; a contact cement serving as a sealant and adhesive; a polypropylene scrim foil; a contact cement; a closed cell foam of polyethylene; and then a bottom polyester fabric reinforced polyvinylchloride. The laminations of this central portion continue on to the periphery of each spa/hot tub cover. Where subsequent fasteners may be received, aluminum angles are selectively positioned about this periphery. The polypropylene scrim foil continues up and over the periphery of these laminations. The bottom polyester fabric reinforced polyvinylchloride also continues up alongside the periphery of these laminations. A vinyl angle is adhered about the top corner of the periphery of these laminations having a leg horizontally overlapping the periphery edge of the weatherable plastic and having a leg vertically overlapping the upturned portions of the polyester fabric reinforced polyvinylchloride. A sealing bead is located where the horizontal overlapping leg of the angle is positioned on the top weatherable plastic and where the vertical overlapping leg of the angle is positioned on the polyester fabric reinforced polyvinylchloride, thereby completing the assembly of this structurally strong, non vapor, non moisture absorbing, spa/hot tub cover. This cover in various embodiments has a sloping water draining top surface, has multiple sections, has hinges, has handles, and/or has gas spring actuators used during removal and replacement.
A spa cover lift is provided that includes a movable frame adapted for pivotable attachment to the side of a spa, one or more struts for positioning the movable frame between extended and retracted positions with respect to the side of the spa, and apparatus for receiving a spa cover from the spa and retaining the cover adjacent the movable frame. The struts are operable to displace the movable frame to an extended position that is substantially coplanar with respect to the top surface of the spa to provide a surface onto which a spa user can slide a spa cover. The struts are further operable to displace the movable frame to a retracted position against the side of the spa for optimally storing the device along with the spa cover in a compact configuration when the spa is in use against the side of the spa.
A method and apparatus for laminating a polyester film having a heat activated adhesive on one surface onto a porous polystyrene base to form the core of a spa cover or the like. The apparatus includes a table onto which a base is placed and a clamping structure for holding the film, the table communicating with a source of sub-atmospheric pressure. The clamping structure includes a pair of frames, one of which is pivotable relative to the other to open and receive the film therebetween to close upon and clamp the film. A lifting mechanism may lift both frames with the film clamp between the frames. The table is moveable into an oven having heating elements positioned at a location above the table and the clamping frames are lifted to bring the film in close proximity to the heating elements. When the film is heated to the point that the film is readily formable and the adhesive is activated, the frames are brought down so that the film seals with a gasket about the table and also engages the upper surface of the base. The source of sub-atmospheric pressure is then actuated to pull the air in the space between the film and the base through the porous base and through the table and thereby draws the film against the exposed surfaces of the base to laminate the film to such surfaces. After excess film is removed, at least one slit is made in the upper surface of the base and the base is inverted on the table, and the process is repeated.
A cover for spas, hot tubs and the like has a pair of cover portions hinged together along a common top edge. Each cover portion internally has an inflatable air bladder including a series of spaced apart brace members separating each bladder into a number of chambers, each brace member lying in a plane transverse to the axis of the hinge. An elongated pocket is formed in each cover portion adjacent to the hinge and extending in the direction of the hinge. Cross bracing is positionable within each pocket. The cross bracing includes a pair of hollow braces connected together by a stiffening member positioned within the hollow of each brace where the braces are joined together. The cover may be deflated and disassembled for transportation as a small package.
A process is disclosed for preparing a wall surface and objects so that the objects may be applied to the wall surface without the need for damaging the surfaces. Ferrous sheet metal is adhered to the surface and hidden by paint or wall covering so that the objects, provided with magnets, may be located or relocated at any desired position on the surface.
An improved insulated cover is provided for removable mounting onto a spa or hot tub or the like to minimize thermal and evaporative losses, while additionally safeguarding against foreign objects and/or persons falling into the tub. In the preferred form, the insulated cover comprises a frame ring in combination with a structural membrane stretched across the frame ring with a peripheral margin of the membrane wrapped over the outer rim and radially constricted for retention thereon by a drawstring or the like. The constricted drawstring additionally secures an insulation plate or disk relative to the structural membrane and frame ring. The insulation plate fits with close clearance into the spa tub, when the frame ring is supported on the top of the tub wall. An outer insulation skirt may also be provided to project downwardly about the tub wall.
