AU729845B2 - Waterproofing of wet areas - Google Patents

Description

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1 WATERPROOFING OF WET AREAS This invention relates to means for waterproofing of wet areas, especially shower areas in residential buildings and the like, and in particular relates to so-called hob-less showers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In conventional enclosed shower constructions, a compartment for ablutionary purposes consists of walls, a base or floor and a waste outlet contained in the base. The compartment may be enclosed by a curtain or screen door(s), either hinged or sliding, and if required one or more fixed screens.

Although a preformed shower base (eg a vessel of plastics, composite material, vitreous enamelled press steel, stainless steel or vitreous china) may be utilised in the construction of the shower as a finished floor, it is often preferred to use a covering of floor tiles to match the tiles applied as covering to other floor areas adjacent to the shower enclosure. If a tiled surface is thus desired for the shower base, it is necessary to provide additional waterproofing S" beneath that surface in the form of a shower tray, which is a waterproof liner installed in the shower compartment prior to the application of the floor and wall finishing systems (eg tiles) •.and from which the connection is made to an approved drainage system.

The tray may be either an internal tray or an external tray. Internal trays are generally formed in situ from liquid applied plastics (eg fibre glass), rubber or bituminous materials, either with or without reinforcement, or from thin flexible water impermeable sheet materials. In this 20 arrangement, the sides of the thus formed tray are affixed to the front face of the wall lining sheets. Alternatively, external trays may be prefabricated from copper, stainless steel or plastics or be of other suitable construction in which the sides of the tray pass up behind the wall lining (ie the perimeter of tray is outside the wall lining).

Traditionally, a hob, which is an upstand at the entrance to the shower, is utilised to prevent egress of water beyond the perimeter of the shower enclosure. The hob is generally constructed of bricks or other suitable building material, which is covered with a cement bed for receiving tiles. The hob also provides support for any fixed shower screens or other frame 2 members from which sliding or hinged doors are hung. The shower tray will be fitted relative to the hob structure in essentially the same way that it is fitted relative to the wall structure. In other words, where an external tray is utilised, the hob will generally be built inside the perimeter of the tray, with only the finishing system (ie cement bed and tiles) covering the outside upturned edge of the tray. On the other hand, if an internal tray is utilised, the tray will generally extend up and over the material of which the hob is constructed (ie usually bricks) and will be covered instead by the finishing system on its inside perimeter surface.

Of course, it should be appreciated that where waterproofing requirements demand, eg where the floor is made from particle board or compressed fibre cement sheeting, as opposed to being a suspended cement flooring, the whole area will need to be covered with a suitable waterproof membrane, which may be an integral extension of the shower tray or suitably sealed thereto.

In more recent times, it has become fashionable to employ a hob-less approach to shower designs. This design allows for the shower screen to be seated directly on the floor for an aesthetically improved appearance. Where a hob-less structure is employed, the waterproofing membrane should be turned up to a suitable height above the level of the finished floor/wall junction for the whole of its perimeter and fixed in usual manner along the •length of the wall(s) defining that portion of the shower perimeter. In the remainder of the perimeter of the shower, the upturn will then extend through the cement bed and floor tiles for a sufficient height and the shower screen frame is then affixed directly over the upturn giving the appearance that the shower screen is sitting directly on an otherwise continuous floor.

There are however inherent problems in working to this design. Firstly, the upturn of the tray may not be sufficiently high enough above the level of the floor after it is finished and in fact may be left below the floor level on the assumption that the sealant used to seal the shower screen frame to the floor will suffice as a waterproof barrier.

Furthermore, since the frame of the shower screen is essentially a rigid structure, for example generally of aluminium, having straight edges or sides along its lower periphery, it is essential that the tiles are uniformly laid on both sides of the upturned edge of the tray to provide a flat surface on which the shower screen frame may rest without wobbling, in order to obtain and maintain a reasonably good seal. However, it will be appreciated that there is in fact little or no control over the cement bed thickness when laying tiles, apart from a visual assessment based on the skill of the tradesman in laying the tiles. Thus, any variation in bed thickness on either side of such upturn, together with any unevenness along the length of the upturn, will lead to not only an unsatisfactory appearance but the possibility of leakage under the screen frame (especially if the height of the upturn is insufficient), even though the screen frame may otherwise appear to be effectively sealed with silicone or other suitable sealant to the floor tiles. The greater the degree of irregularity, the greater the degree of leakage and/or risk of subsequent breakdown of the sealant between the respective surfaces.

A more subtle problem also arises in that the shower screen itself bridges the line of the upturn, making it more likely that leaks should occur, especially from water draining down the screen itself. This may be compared to conventional applications involving the use of a hob, where practice dictates that the screen be aligned along the inner edge of the hob, therefore resulting in it being located on the inner side with respect to the perimeter of the tray, even for :i "15 internal tray arrangements, thereby reducing the likelihood of leakage from water draining down the screen, since any leaking water is still within the overall perimeter of the tray.

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OBJECT OF THE INVENTION oeo° S-It would therefore be advantageous to provide an improved means for achieving a waterproof system for hob-less showers and the like, which overcomes or at least ameliorates against some of the foregoing deficiencies in present construction methods. The present invention has therefore been conceived out of such a need, by providing an improved means for achieving a waterproof system for hob-less showers and the like which utilises a preformed shower screen frame support system which is itself sealed to the shower tray and/or floor substrate (rather than the finished floor) along the line defining that portion of the perimeter of the shower base away from the walls and which is therefore partially embedded in the finished floor.

At the very least, the invention provides an alternative to known methods of providing a waterproof barrier about the periphery of the shower base.

4 Although the following description refers generally to the use of the invention in relation to hob-less shower enclosures, no such limitation is intended, as any analogous requirement for waterproofing wet-areas etc, where by suitable adaptation of the invention it may be so employed, is also meant to be encompassed.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a preformed shower screen frame support system for a hob-less shower enclosure, comprising one or more frame support members capable of being sealed to the shower tray and/or floor substrate upon which the shower enclosure is constructed, and also capable of being sealed in end to end arrangement *eo.

10 to provide a continuous waterproof barrier along the perimeter of that portion of the shower enclosure devoid of walls, each frame support member having a cross sectional profile which is of sufficient height to allow it to extend above the finished floor, and having sufficient width at its uppermost surface to provide support and sealable fixture for a o* o shower screen frame which may be located thereabove; wherein a ridge or flange is 15 provided along one edge of the uppermost surface of the frame support member, to be ooooo located in use on the exterior side of that portion of the shower screen frame supported by that member, in order to provide an additional barrier to water which might otherwise penetrate between the frame support member and the frame of the screen, or between elements of the screen itself such as between any glass panels and their respective flame. Preferably, the frame support members are aligned along, and therefore span, in cross sectional view, the upturned edge of a shower tray as conventionally used in shower construction, the edge of such tray therefore generally defining the perimeter of the shower base. In this arrangement, it will be apparent that the inner side of the frame support member is therefore sealed to the floor of the tray, whilst the outer side of the frame support member is sealed directly to the floor substrate or where a further membrane covers the whole floor substrate, to that further membrane beyond the perimeter of the shower.

A P referably, a sufficient portion of the uppermost surface of each frame support member is Ssubstantially horizontal (ie flat in use) to allow the respective frame member(s) of the shower screen which are to be supported in that vicinity, to simply rest thereon, prior to be being affixed and sealed thereto in suitable manner. The widths of various sections may therefore vary as required. For example, for a member which supports only a fixed screen, eg along the side of a typical shower enclosure, the width of that member may be relatively narrow, compared to say a member located along the entrance to the shower, which may support a much wider section of frame, particularly where that frame in turn supports for example sliding doors, the combined width of which is substantially more than the width of a fixed frame section.

Alternatively to the foregoing arrangement, the frame support member may itself be capped by a lower frame member ofthe screen (eg such lower frame member having an inverted U-shaped cross section) which fits relatively snugly over the frame support member rather o• than as described above, ie merely being supported by the frame support member on its uppermost surface. This lower frame member may be sealed with silicone sealant etc to support member in the usual fashion.

15 It is also preferred that one or both of the lower edges of the frame support member are ooo• provided with flanges extending laterally (ie horizontally) therefrom along its length, in order to provide sufficient surface to adequately seal the frame support member to the floor substrate, shower tray and/or other membrane extending over the floor substrate. This is particularly relevant where the frame support member is of relatively hollow construction, corresponding for example to a generally inverted U-shaped configuration, the ends of the downturned legs of the U-shape themselves having insufficient surface contact with the floor substrate to be readily and effectively sealed thereto. On the other hand, where the frame support member is of relatively solid construction, such flanges may not be required, although their presence will provide an enhanced contact area for sealing.

It will be readily appreciated that unlike the presently known arrangements for affixing the shower screen directly to the finished floor in hob-less shower enclosures, which methods require accuracy in having a level finished floor, the present arrangement allows for the R Azy independent finishing of the floor on either side of the frame support member so that any accidental variations in the thickness of the cement bed, together with any special 6 requirements for drainage on either side of the support member become of no consequence.

In other words the tiles may be laid at any height on either side of the frame support member.

With advantage however, the profile of the support member may be such that a groove, recess, step or other suitable ledge or lip etc is provided along the length of the support member on either one or both sides thereof to act as a guide and/or edging to facilitate accurate and neat laying of tiles adjacent the frame support member.

The frame members may be relatively long lengths which are cut to size upon installation.

Alternatively, the frame members may be discrete shorter elements from which a much longer perimeter length may be constructed, again cut as necessary at its ultimate end(s). In either case, it will be necessary to join and seal the individual lengths end to end (where more than one member is employed) and of course join the ultimate ends of the perimeter section to the respective walls they abut. Although individual sections or elements may be simply abutted and sealed with suitable sealant, improved waterproofing will be achieved where the respective ends of adjacent elements are provided with a tongue and groove type engagement 15 or other overlap to provide more contact surface and structural integrity. Alternatively, a separate joining element may be utilised, which spans across the joint on the underside to provide sufficient contact and strength, whilst remaining essentially invisible as far as the finished exposed side is concerned.

Where the final support member at each end abuts the wall, there will of course be advantages in ensuring that its end adjacent the wall is in effect sealed to that wall substrate prior to tiling rather than being merely affixed to the finished wall tiles. This method of fixing and sealing is somewhat analogous manner to that described above in relation to fixing the support S-member to the floor substrate rather than merely fixing it to the finished tiled floor as in conventional applications.

With advantage, preformed sections of support members having a bend of for example of 900, 450 or 600 will allow construction of a typical range of shower enclosure shapes. In general, the majority of enclosures will be rectangular in shape, with the enclosure located at the juncture of two walls which are perpendicular to each other. The two remaining sides will then be generally formed from a fixed (side) panel and a (front) door panel, whether sliding or hinged. In this arrangement it will be a simple matter of utilising appropriate straight sections of frame support members for the respective sides and front up to the vicinity of the comer and an angled corner element of 900 to provide the corner itself. It will be readily appreciated that any geometric shape, including conceivably curved shapes may thus be accommodated by simple adaptation of these principles.

It will be understood that any suitable material may be utilised in the construction of the frame support members. The chief requirements will be that the material is water impervious, sufficiently resistant and durable to withstand the chemicals used in mortar, cleaning agents, personal hygiene products and body excretions (analogous to any other requirement for materials in a wet area), and of course of sufficient strength to support the expected loads placed upon it by virtue of the shower screen and especially where a section may be left free of shower screen frame members, eg at the entrance to the enclosure, the weight of a human being stepping on it.

Therefore, the material from which the frame support members are made, and the means of construction thereof will be many and varied, depending to a large extent only on aesthetics and related costs, once the aforementioned criteria are satisfied.

Thus for example, the frame support members may be cast in suitable material and be of essentially solid construction. The support member in this embodiment cannot be totally solid if it is to span the upturn of a tray. Thus a groove, at least the width of the upturn in cross-section must be provided along the length of the respective frame support members.

Suitable materials for this type of construction would include vitreous china, or other ceramics having waterproof tile like surfaces, or water impervious composites/congomerates designed .to simulate granite and marble etc. Furthermore, naturally occurring materials, including granite or marble which can be machined to the necessary profile may also be used. The frame support members may be made in various lengths as required to simulate for example the dimensions of other ceramic components utilised in the particular application such as the tiles etc.

Alternatively, the frame support members may be relatively hollow in cross-section, made for example by vacuum moulding techniques or other suitable plastics manufacturing processes including fibre glass moulding techniques, to produce suitable lengths of plastics or other 8 composite materials. Such materials could include, but are not necessarily limited to ABS plastics, acrylics, fibre glass etc. An especially preferred material is known as SensonTM 1000.

Again, the construction techniques may also include extrusion processes for both plastics and metal. In this regard, aluminium extruded sections would be particularly advantageous as they would match, with suitable surface treatment such as powder-coating, the finishes utilised in the frame of the shower screen itself.

To further improve the appearance of the joints between respective sections, whether straight sections or those having bends etc, it has been found advantageous to provide a rounding of the surface of the member along the outside edge of the end thereof (whether or not ends are simply abutted or overlapped). Where in fact overlapping is employed, the rounding may be conveniently accomplished for the member which is to be overlapped, at a point somewhat remote from the end, thereby leaving a flange extending therefrom towards its end over which the next adjacent support member may be lapped and sealed. Such rounding, together with sealant located between the respective ends of adjacent members, is thus capable of simulating 15 the effect of tiles and grout as found throughout adjacent tiled areas. This rounding may be readily achieved in construction methods relying on casting, direct physical shaping or S"moulding as described above. Although not as easily achieved in methods employing extrusion techniques, it will be understood that with the right tools and or jig, certain shaping of the ends of even aluminium sections will be possible in situ to achieve this effect.

In a variation to the embodiment described above, there is provided a preformed shower screen frame support system for a hob-less shower enclosure as defined herein, comprising one or more frame support members capable of being sealed to the floor substrate upon which the shower enclosure is constructed, and also capable of being sealed in end to end arrangement to provide a continuous waterproof barrier along the perimeter of that portion of the shower enclosure devoid of walls. However, in this embodiment at least one further frame support member is utilised in conjunction with either none, one or more frame support members as generally described above, the further member having a cross sectional profile, the uppermost surface of which is sloped inwardly and downwardly in use towards the interior of the shower enclosure, the slope having sufficient height to allow water to drain back into the shower enclosure thereby providing a reasonably sufficient barrier against egress of water (especially when used in conjunction with a conventional shower curtain or sliding or hinged door suspended thereabove), the finished floor height adjacent each side of the member being made level with the respective top sides thereof, to allow for example wheel chair access across the further member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view of a frame support member used as a waterproofing barrier in a hob-less shower according to a first aspect of the invention in which the member is provided with a flange for protecting against egress of water across the juncture of the support member and frame, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a typical straight length of frame support member performing essentially as that depicted in Fig. 1, with slight modification only to the cross-sectional """profile, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a 900 corner element for use with the frame support element as •illustrated in Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment, wherein the frame support member is capped with a cover of aluminium or other suitable material which functions as a base for the frame of the shower screen, and Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment, wherein the frame support member is of generally more solid cross-section as opposed to the embodiments of Fig. 1 to 4, which are of relatively hollow cross-section.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring generally to Figures 1, 2 and 4 there is illustrated a preformed frame support member, generally referenced 11, for use in providing a waterproof barrier about the periphery of the floor or base of a shower enclosure (not illustrated). The support member 11, comprises a length of suitable extruded or moulded plastics material (eg acrylic, ABS or fibre glass) or extruded metal or pressed metal sheeting of substantially inverted U-shaped cross-section having sides 12 and an upper surface 13 which is substantially flat over a large percentage thereof. In the case of the embodiments shown in Fig 1 and 2, a lip 14 is arranged along one edge of the upper surface 13. Extending laterally from the bottom of edge of each side 12 are flanges 14. In Fig. 2, the side portions 12 are profiled to provide a relatively narrow ledge 15, running along the length of the member 11.

Although the support member 11 according to the embodiment as illustrated in Fig. 2 appears to be of specific length, it will be appreciated that this and the other illustrated embodiments will have any length as required to form the waterproof barrier, for example being cut, cast or 15 moulded into discrete lengths during the preforming operation or otherwise cut etc during construction of the shower enclosure.

The embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, is a corner connecting piece 21 for use in conjunction °with a length of support member 11 as shown specifically in Fig. 2. Like components to that illustrated in Fig 1, 2 and 4 are again referenced using the same reference numerals as utilised *oo°* in those figures. In addition, a bend 22 of 900 is provided in the piece 21 to facilitate construction of a right angled barrier about a typical shower base periphery in which there is a single fixed side panel and a front entrance comprising a wider frame section which supports one or more doors (whether hinged or sliding).

It will thus be noted that the widthwise dimension of the corner connecting piece 21 varies, in that a first arm 23 has the same cross section as that shown for the embodiment 11 illustrated in Fig 2, whilst the second arm 24 has a much narrower cross section. These dimensions follow from the width of the frame (not illustrated) which is to be supported by the respective arms 23, 24 (and of course any extension in the form of members 11 of appropriate widthwise dimension affixed thereto). Thus, the narrower section 24 is only required to support a 11 relatively narrow single fixed frame as used in the side of the shower enclosure, whereas the arm section 23 corresponds for example to the entrance portion and is required to support a much wider cross section of frame, which might in turn support two or more sliding doors, the combined width of which will naturally be wider than the single fixed side frame.

Although of different widthwise dimensions, each arm 23, 24 is terminated in an otherwise similarly profiled extension section 25 and 26, each of which are designed to fit relatively easily into the end of an adjacent support member 11 as illustrated in Fig. 2, of appropriate width, as required. The extension pieces 25 and 26 are designed to form a platform over which the respective ends of the adjacent members 11 may be supported, fixed and most importantly sealed, for example by means of suitable sealant such as silicone sealant. To provide improved rigidity each extension portion is provided with an end face 27 and 28 respectively.

Providing a bridge between the extension pieces 25 and 26 and their respective arms 23, 24 to which they are attached, are recessed portions 29 and 30. Because of the curvature at "edges" 1. 15 31 and 32, the recessed portions 29 and 30 cooperate with corresponding curved finishes *-*which may be readily formed in the ends of the respective support members 11 to which they are attached (not illustrated) to provide a neat appearance at the surface of the join as well as a •significant volume of sealant bead at the juncture to ensure water tightness.

Turning specifically to Figs. 1 and 4, it will be observed in cross sectional view how the embodiments of the invention are utilised in constructing the waterproof barrier. A floor substrate 31 is covered with a water impermeable membrane generally referenced 32 of suitable material, eg fibre glass. The membrane 32 may be preformed or formed in situ as required. As illustrated, the membrane 32 consists of an L-shaped section forming an upturn 33 located about the periphery of the shower base (not specifically shown) and together with a floor section 34 sealed thereto, forms the shower tray 35. A further membrane portion 36 extends away from the tray 35 and is sealed not only to the floor substrate 31 but also against the outside edge 37 of the upturn 33.

Before the floor is finished, the frame support member 11 is located over the upturn 33 and sealed on respective sides to the shower tray 35 and floor covering membrane 36, by means of 12 beads of suitable waterproof sealant 38 such as silicone sealant. Preferably a bead of silicone is also applied along the top edge of the upturn 33 in order to seal against the upper inside surface of member 14, thereby providing an additional barrier to water egress. A bed of cement 39 is then laid to receive the tiles 40 for finishing the floor.

Although the height of the finished floor is not particularly crucial, the use of a ledge etc as shown in Fig. 2 and 3 (narrow ledge 15) allows for a relatively neat finish by providing both a level guide as well as a defined edge against which the tiles may be advantageously aligned.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the upper surface 13 directly supports a frame element 41, in this case being a typical cross section for a door step, over which a door, whether sliding or hinged, is hung. On the other hand, as illustrated in Fig. 4, the frame support member 11 is itself capped with an aluminium extrusion 42 which spans the support member 11. The extrusion 42 is sealed to the member 11 by means of suitably located beads of silicone 45. The shower o screen frame member 43 is then attached directly to extrusion 42. Frame 43 is a typical fixed oframe having for example a pane of glass 44 situated therein.

It will be readily appreciated from the foregoing embodiments that the likelihood of leakage is reduced by means of the frame support members being sealed directly to the floor substrate and/or any membrane including tray affixed thereto. The finishing system, eg laying of tiles thus becomes a less crucial step in the process allowing a greater degree of flexibility in final finished floor heights.

.ooo As an alternate to the foregoing, Fig 5 illustrates an arrangement wherein the frame support member is of relatively solid construction being formed of for example moulded plastics as opposed to the earlier embodiments of Fig 1 to 4, which are more conveniently manufactured by extrusion processes (whether of suitable plastics or metals such as aluminium).

Components and features of Fig 5 which correspond with those as found in Fig 1 to 4 are again described utilising the same reference numerals.

Thus, referring to Fig 5 there is illustrated a preformed frame support member, generally referenced 11, for use in providing a waterproof barrier about the periphery of the floor or 13 base of a shower enclosure (not illustrated). The support member 11, comprises a length of suitable moulded plastics material of substantially solid cross section having a generally U-shaped groove 51 formed along its base, producing sides 12 and an upper surface 13 which is substantially flat over a sufficient portion thereof to support a shower screen frame member 41. A lip 14 is arranged along one edge of the upper surface 13. Unlike the embodiments illustrated in Fig 1 to 4, there is no flange extending laterally from the bottom of edge of each side 12. The side portions 12 are profiled to provide a relatively narrow ledge 15, running along the length of the member 11.

In this embodiment a floor substrate 31 is covered with a continuous water impermeable membrane generally referenced 52 of suitable material, eg fibre glass. The membrane 52 may be preformed or formed in situ as required. As illustrated, the membrane 52 in co-operation with a suitably profiled support member 53 forms a ridge or upturn 54 of generally inverted V-shape, rising from the floor substrate 31. Thus the membrane 52 and support member 53 form the upturn 54 located about the periphery of the shower base (not specifically shown).

The membrane 52 extends away from the ridge or upturn in both directions to form both the :I sealed base of the shower and the sealed floor outside the shower base.

SBefore the floor is finished, the frame support member 11 is located over the upturn 54 and sealed thereto as illustrated, by means of beads of suitable waterproof sealant 38 such as silicone sealant. A bed of cement 39 is then laid to receive the tiles 40 for finishing the floor.

e 20 The upper surface 13 directly supports a frame element 41, in this case being a typical cross section for the frame of a glass panel. The frame element 41 is sealed to the frame support member, for example, with a bead of silicone 55 as shown.

The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the present invention, and modifications obvious to those skilled in the art can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (17)

1. A preformed shower screen frame support system for a hob-less shower enclosure, comprising one or more frame support members capable of being sealed to the shower tray and/or floor substrate upon which the shower enclosure is constructed, and also capable of being sealed in end to end arrangement to provide a continuous waterproof barrier along the perimeter of that portion of the shower enclosure devoid ofwalls, each frame support member having a cross sectional profile which is of sufficient height to allow it to extend above the finished floor, and having sufficient width at its uppermost surface to provide support and sealable fixture for a shower screen frame which may be located thereabove; wherein a ridge or flange is provided along one edge of the uppermost surface of the frame support member, to be located in use on the exterior side of that portion of the shower screen frame supported by that member, in order to provide an additional barrier to water which might otherwise penetrate between the frame support member and the frame of the oio screen, or between elements of the screen itself such as between any glass panels and their 15 respective frame.

2. A preformed shower screen frame support system for a hob-less shower enclosure a according to claim 1, wherein each of the one or more frame support members are aligned along, and therefore span, in cross sectional view, the upturned edge of a shower tray as conventionally used in shower construction, the edge of such tray generally defining the perimeter of the shower base.

3. A preformed shower screen frame support system for a hob-less shower enclosure according to any one of the preceding claims, in which a sufficient portion of the uppermost surface of each frame support member is substantially horizontal (ie flat in use) to allow the respective frame member(s) of a shower screen which are to be supported in that vicinity, to simply rest thereon, prior to be being affixed and sealed thereto in suitable manner.

4. A preformed shower screen frame support system for a hob-less shower enclosure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more frame support members are capped along their cumulative length by one or more lower frame members of the screen to be supported thereabove, for example such lower frame member(s) having an inverted U-shaped cross section, the lower frame member(s) fitting relatively snugly over the frame support member(s). A preformed shower screen frame support system for a hob-less shower enclosure according to claim 4, in which the one or more lower frame members are suitably sealed along their cumulative length to the frame support member(s).

6. A preformed shower screen frame support system for a hob-less shower enclosure according to any one of the preceding claims in which one or both of the lower edges of each frame support member are provided with flanges extending laterally (ie horizontally) "therefrom along its length, in order to provide sufficient surface to adequately seal each 10 frame support member to the floor substrate, shower tray and/or other membrane extending over the floor substrate. g

7. A preformed shower screen frame support system for a hob-less shower enclosure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the profile of each support member is such that a groove, recess, step or other suitable ledge or lip etc is provided along the 15 length of the support member on either one or both sides thereof to act as a guide and/or .ooo#i S•edging to facilitate accurate and neat laying of tiles adjacent the frame support member.

8. A preformed shower screen frame support system for a hob-less shower enclosure according to any one of the preceding claims, in which one or more of the frame members is of relatively long length, cut to size upon installation and suitably sealed in end to end abutment to form the perimeter of the shower enclosure.

9. A preformed shower screen frame support system for a hob-less shower enclosure according to any one of the preceding claims, in which one or more of the frame members are discrete shorter elements from which a much longer length may be constructed to form the perimeter of the shower enclosure.

10. A preformed shower screen frame support system for a hob-less shower enclosure RZ/ according to either claim 8 or claim 9, wherein either respective ends of the individual 1 elements of the frame support system are provided with a tongue and groove type engagement or other overlap to provide more contact surface and structural integrity when joined and sealed, or in those cases where such individual elements are cut from longer lengths, a separate joining element is employed, which spans across the joint on the underside to provide sufficient contact and strength, whilst remaining essentially invisible as far as the finished exposed side is concerned.

11. A preformed shower screen fi7ame support system for a hob-less shower enclosure according to any one of the preceding claims, in which there is provided one or more preformed sections of frame support member having a bend of 90', 45' or 60' to allow construction of a typical range of shower enclosure shapes.

12. A preformed shower screen frame support system for a hob-less shower enclosure according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the frame support members are cast or moulded from suitable plastics material, fibre glass, vitreous china, waterproof ceramics, or other water impervious composites/congomerates, extruded from suitable plastics or metal, manufactured from pressed metal, or otherwise shaped by known means from suitable man-made or naturally occurring materials, including granite or marble.

13. A preformed shower screen frame support system for a hob-less shower enclosure 0 according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the one or more frame support 000. members are either substantially hollow or of essentially solid construction having a groove along length and the underside thereof to span an upturn provided along the length of the perimeter of the base of the shower enclosure.

14. A preformed shower screen frame support system for a hob-less shower enclosure according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the appearance of the joints between respective sections, is improved by means of rounding of the surface of the member along the outside edge of the end thereof, whether or not ends are simply abutted or overlapped.

15. A preformed shower screen frame support system for a hob-less shower enclosure, comprising one or more frame support members capable of being sealed to the floor s bstrate upon which the shower enclosure is constructed, and also capable of being sealed u in end to end arrangement to provide a continuous waterproof barrier along the perimeter 17 of that portion of the shower enclosure devoid of walls, wherein at least one further frame support member is utilised in conjunction with either none, one or more frame support members having a cross sectional profile which is of sufficient height to allow it to extend above the finished floor, and having sufficient width at its uppermost surface to provide support and sealable fixture for a shower screen frame which may be located thereabove, the further frame member having a cross sectional profile, the uppermost surface of which is sloped inwardly and downwardly in use towards the interior of the shower enclosure, the slope having sufficient height to allow water to drain back into the shower enclosure thereby providing a reasonably sufficient barrier against egress of water (especially when used in conjunction with a conventional shower curtain or sliding or hinged door suspended thereabove), the finished floor height adjacent each side of the member being made level with the respective top sides thereof, to allow for example wheel chair access across the further member.

16. A method of constructing a hob-less waterproof shower enclosure utilising a preformed shower screen frame support system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of a. Preparing the floor substrate by covered it with a water impermeable o membrane of suitable material such as fibre glass to form a shower tray, the membrane comprising an upturn located about the periphery of the shower tray, a 20 further membrane portion extending away from the tray thus formed and being sealed not only to the floor substrate but also against the outside edge of the upturn, b. Locating the frame support member over the upturn and sealing it on respective sides to the shower tray and water impermeable membrane by means of beads of suitable waterproof sealant such as silicone sealant, 25 c. Laying a bed of cement to receive floor tiles to finish the floor, and d. Affixing such shower screen frame members as required directly to the relevant portions of the frame support member to form a shower screen. 18

17. A preformed shower screen frame support system for a hob-less shower enclosure, substantially as described herein in conjunction with the drawings.

18. A method of constructing a hob-less waterproof shower enclosure substantially as described herein in conjunction with the drawings. DATED this Ninth day of November 2000 PYNMAST PTY LIMITED Patent Attorneys for the Applicant WILSON YOUNG *oo oo*o o*ooo **o •g* ooo**