# US 2008/0184476 A1 · Tub Cover Lifting and Stowing Device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0184476 A1 - Document ID: US20080184476A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/027,395 - Filed: 2008-02-07 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2007-02-07 - Inventors: Eric Albert; Lynda Livingston - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080184476A1 ## CPC - A47K 3/001: {Accessories for baths, not provided for in other subgroups of group A47K3/00; Insertions, e.g. for babies; Tubs suspended or inserted in baths; Security or alarm devices; Protecting linings or coverings; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting baths; Bath insulation} - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - A47K: SANITARY EQUIPMENT; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, e.g. TOILET ACCESSORIES - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract The present invention relates to a novel lifting and stowing device for a cover [1100] for a spa or tub [20]. Cover [1100] has a near piece [1110] a central piece [1130] and a far piece [1150] which fold and are stored in a compact position out of the way against the side of tub [20]. The invention [1000] employs a multi-link frame [1300] supporting the cover [1100] designed to lift and fold the cover pieces out of the way. Multi-link frame [1300] employs a main lift [1330] and a secondary lift [1350] of either side of a top edge [23] of tub [20]. Lifts [1330, 1350] retract in a scissor-like fashion to fold cover near piece [1110], central piece [1130] and far piece [1150] against each other. The cover lifting and stowing device [1000] lifts and folds cover [1100] inward toward the pivot point to move the cover weight closer to the pivot point reducing the required lifting torque. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cover lifting device for removing a cover from a tub, comprising: a frame attached to said tub, the frame comprising: i. a near section pivotally attached to said tub, the near section also having a second pivot attachment point; ii. a central section for supporting the cover, having a third pivot attachment for pivotally connecting to the second pivot attachment point of the near section, allowing the cover and frame to pivot off of the tub and to be stored out of the way. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cover lifting device of claim 1 wherein: a) the central section further comprises a third pivot attachment point, and b) further comprises a far section for supporting said cover having a fourth pivot attachment for pivotally connecting to the third pivot attachment point of the central section. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The cover lifting device of claim 2 wherein: the far section is adapted to automatically fold toward the near section to move its weight closer to the pivot point and minimize torque required to lift said cover. ### Claim 4 A cover lifting device for removing a cover from a tub comprising: a frame attached to said tub, the frame comprising: i. a near section pivotally attached to said tub at a pivot point; ii. a central section for supporting the cover retractably connected to the near section, such that the central portion may retract moving its weight closer to the pivot point reducing torque required to rotate the frame and cover off of the tub. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The cover lifting and stowing device of claim 4 wherein the central section is slidingly connected to the near section such that it may slide relative to the near section so as to move its weight closer to the pivot point. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The cover lifting and stowing device of claim 5 further comprising: a far section for carrying said cover retractably attached to the central portion, such that it may slide relative to the central section so as to move its weight closer to the pivot point, thereby reducing torque required to pivot the cover and frame off of the tub. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The cover lifting and stowing device of claim 6 wherein the tub cover is a single piece. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The cover lifting and stowing device of claim 6 wherein the cover is made of several pieces. ### Claim 9 A method of creating a device for lifting off and stowing a cover of a tub, comprising the steps of: a) pivotally attaching a near section having a cover portion to said tub; b) connecting a central section having a cover to the near section; c) connecting an end section having a cover to the central section; d) providing a device which sequentially folds the far section onto the central section, then both of these sections onto the base section; and e) providing a device which pivots the folded sections off of the tub. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein the step of providing a device comprises the steps of: providing a frame having multiple sections extending distally from the attachment point to its furthest section, which is designed to fold sections onto each other starting with the section furthest from the attachment point and moving toward the attachment point. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of: pivoting the folded sections off of the tub and storing them alongside of the tub. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 wherein the step of connecting a central section having a cover to the near section comprises: connecting a central section having a cover to the near section and employing a single piece cover. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 wherein the step of connecting an end section having a cover to the central section comprises: connecting a central section having a cover to the near section such that a multiple piece cover is employed and thermal insulation is employed between the pieces. ### Claim 14 A cover lifting device for removing a cover from a tub having a frame comprising: a) a main actuator being an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the first end rotatably connected to a fixed base; b) a main support being an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the second end of the main actuator; c) a secondary actuator being an elongated member being shorter than the main actuator, having a first end and a second end, the first end rotatably coupled to the fixed base; d) a secondary support being an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the second end of the secondary actuator; e) an end support rotatably connected to the second end of the main support and the second end of the secondary support; and f) main-secondary pivot rotatably connecting the main actuator to the main support such that rotating the main actuator away from the base causes the first support to move toward its first end to a greater extent than the main support, thereby causing lifting and folding of the attached end support and said cover.