with the cross member 24 of the frame apparatus 22 enabling the spa cover to be folded over the cross member 24 for removal the spa cover lifting mechanism 18 is shown in fig2 with the component elements exploded to show the kit form of the lifting device 10 as shown in fig2 the cross member 24 includes a spreader bar 31 that is connected to each of two corner elements 32 that when interconnected form part of the cross member 24 and side members 26 the corner elements 32 are slightly smaller in diameter than the spreader bar 31 and a pair of bent pivotal elements 33 that form the major part of the side members 26 this allows the corner elements 32 to insert into the ends of the spreader bar 31 and pivotal elements 33 the spreader bar 31 includes a series of spaced holes 34 to receive self tapping screws 36 that fixedly connect the spreader bar 31 to the corner elements 32 during installation and adjustment similarly the pivotal elements 33 include holes 38 for a fixed connection of the pivotal elements 33 to the corner elements 32 using self threaded screws 40 during installation and adjustment the pivotal elements 33 include a bend 42 and an end 44 that is press fit into a nipple and elbow assembly 46 the elbow assembly 46 threadably and pivotally.