An apparatus for raising and closing a hinged spa cover. A frame assembly extends over the rear panel of a bifold spa cover, and further is pivotally connected to a base assembly. In order to raise the spa cover from the spa tub, the front panel of the spa cover is folded over the rear panel and frame. The frame assembly pivots on the base assembly lifting the folded spa cover to an opened position. A stop connected to the frame assembly contacts the ground as the frame assembly pivots on the base, once the cover reaches a predetermined open position. The reverse steps will lower and close the spa cover onto the spa tub.

A spa cover removal apparatus. The removal apparatus includes a pair of elongate spaced apart side arms. One end of each side arm is pivotally connected to the bottom side portion of a spa side, and the opposing end rotatingly engages a side edge of the spa cover. In this way, the spa cover can rotate in relation to the side arms such that a horizontal cover rotation axis is defined by the axis of rotation of the spa cover relative to the side arms. A back rack is pivotally coupled to the rear edge of the spa cover to enable the spa cover to pivot, relative to the back rack, about a horizontal cover pivot axis. In addition, a base bracket assembly is provided for pivotally connecting the back rack to the back surface of the spa. This enables the back rack to pivot, relative to the base bracket assembly, about a substantially horizontal back rack pivot axis. With this arrangement, a rearwardly directed force can be increasingly applied to the spa cover causing the same to lift and move rearward, above the spa, wherein the side arms pivot relative to the spa, and the back rack pivots relative to the base bracket assembly, responsive to rearward movement of the spa cover. As a result, the spa cover shifts from a first horizontal covering position over the spa, to a second stowed position adjacent the back surface of the spa.

A spa cover lifting device for lifting a folding spa cover seated on a spa from a seated position to a vertical storage position, the spa cover lifting device having a frame apparatus with a horizontal cross member and a pair of side members with ends having pivot means connectable with the spa, the horizontal cross member engaging the folding spa cover at the fold and transporting the cover when folded over the cross member from the seated position to the storage position when the frame apparatus is pivoted.

A spa cover removal apparatus includes a pivot frame assembly having a pair of elongate side arms spaced apart to receive opposing cover side surfaces between the same for rotatably supporting the spa cover. Fixed to the spa is a stationary base, for pivotally supporting the pivot frame assembly. For this purpose, the stationary base is disposed under the pivot frame assembly. This arrangement, enables the spa cover to shift from a first horizontal covering position over the spa, to a second stowed position adjacent the back side of the spa as a rearwardly directed force is applied to the spa cover. Accordingly, the spa cover moves rearward and pivots relative to the side arms while the pivot frame assembly simultaneously pivots relative to the stationary base, about a substantially horizontal base pivot axis. In addition, a slide lock bar extends from the pivot frame assembly for sliding attachment to the spa side to restrict the spa cover against further movement once the same reaches the second stowed position. In another aspect, a portion of the pivot frame assembly extends in a downward direction from the base pivot axis so that the pivot frame assembly can engage the stationary base for restricting further pivotal movement of the pivot frame assembly when the same moves to the second stowed position.

A spa cover is assembled from two or more molded foam sections. The sections may be molded from polystyrene, polyethylene, or a mixture of polystyrene and polyethylene. Panels are molded into the sections along mating edges, which panels cooperate to align the sections. The sections further include latches for holding the sections in alignment. The sections taper from a peak at the center of the cover to facilitate the run-off of rain, water sprays, or spills. Tie downs or inserts may be molded into the foam to facilitate the use of child safety straps to secure the cover to a spa. The cover may be sized to match known spa sizes, and may include a molded in decorative pattern and/or color.