Universal system to mechanize a cover lifter on a spa tub

A kit for modifying a spa tub cover system for use in association with a spa tub that has a) a spa tub cover including i) a first portion having a first lower surface that faces the water and an opposed first upper surface, ii) a second portion having a second lower surface that faces the water and an opposed second upper surface, wherein said first and second portions rotatable relative to each other on a hinge about a hinge axis between a flat configuration and a folded configuration, and when in said flat configuration, said first and second lower surfaces are co-planar, and b) a lifter system including i) a first bracket located relative to the spa tub, ii) a first mount rotatable on said first bracket and defining a first pivot axis, iii) at least one support element rotatable about said first pivot axis and adapted to support said spa tub cover, iv) a second mount on said first bracket and defining a second pivot axis, and v) a pneumatic cylinder, piston, or spring pivotally attached to said at least one support element and said second mount;

• said kit comprising:
• an angle arm configured to attach to the first bracket;
• a support element bracket configured to fixedly attach to said support element;
• an electrically powered linear actuator configured to extend and retract and configured to pivotally attach to said angle arm and said support element bracket;
• and
• an actuator controller configured to control extension and retraction of said linear actuator.

In a spa tub cover system for use in association with a spa tub having a spa tub cover including i) a first portion having a first lower surface that faces the water and an opposed first upper surface, ii) a second portion having a second lower surface that faces the water and an opposed second upper surface, wherein said first and second portions rotatable relative to each other on a hinge about a hinge axis between a flat configuration and a folded configuration, and when in said flat configuration, said first and second lower surfaces are co-planar, the improvement comprising:

• a lifter system including:
• i) a first bracket fixed relative to the spa tub,
• ii) a first mount rotatable on said first bracket and defining a first pivot axis,
• iii) at least one support element rotatable about said first pivot axis and attached to said first spa cover portion,
• iv) a second mount on said first bracket and defining a second pivot axis,
• v) an angle arm having a first portion and a second portion connected at a vertex, the first portion attached to the first mount and the second portion attached to the second mount,
• vi) a support element bracket fixedly attached to said support element,
• vii) an electrically powered linear actuator configured to extend and retract and pivotally attached to said vertex of said angle arm and said support element bracket, and
• viii) an actuator controller coupled to and configured to control extension and retraction of said linear actuator.