GB2460873A

GB2460873A - Connecting assembly for overlapping bath screens

Info

Publication number: GB2460873A
Application number: GB0810871A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven James Rogers
Original assignee: Coram Showers Ltd
Current assignee: Coram Showers Ltd
Priority date: 2008-06-13
Filing date: 2008-06-13
Publication date: 2009-12-16
Anticipated expiration: 2028-06-13
Also published as: GB2460873B; GB0810871D0

Abstract

A connecting assembly 24 comprising a first track 14, a second track 15, first and second guide members 32 holding the tracks 14,15 relative to one another for lengthwise movement relative to one another; the first guide member being held by the first track and engaging the second track for movement along the latter, and the second guide member being held by the second track and engaging the first track for movement along the latter and restraining means, in the form of a catch 34, operable to restrain the first and second guide members in pre-determined position relative to one another. The invention also provides a bath screen having such a connecting assembly connecting two relatively-slideable and overlapping panels to one another (fig. 1).

Description

Title: Connecting assembly, and bath screen comprising same

Description of Invention

This invention relates to a connecting assembly, for connecting two elements together for movement relative to one another. The invention also relates to a bath screen including such a connecting assembly.

The invention has been devised for use in a bath screen, for connecting two panels of the screen for sliding movement relative to one another between contracted and extended relative positions, in which they overlap one another to a greater or lesser extent. Bath screens with two or more relatively moveable panels are well known, for use with a bath (particularly when a shower head is provided over the bath), for limiting the splashing of water from the confines of the bath. A typical bath screen incorporates a fixed panel which is mounted to a wall or other upright surface adjacent the bath, and a sliding panel which can be extended relative to the fixed panel, when the bath is in use, to provide a screen of sufficient size to be effective in limiting splashing from the bath, and be retracted to overlap the fixed panel completely or near-completely when not in use, to be relatively unobtrusive.

Typically the panels of such a bath screen are made of glass, having *::::* 25 peripheral frames formed from extruded elements of aluminium or other * ** material. Frame elements extending along the top and bottom edges of the panels are connected together to provide for the relative sliding movement.

One problem with such a bath screen results from the fact that glass panels : *. are relatively heavy, so substantial forces due to the weight of the moveable *..s panel have to be carried by the connection between the panels. This leads to the possibility that the moveable panel can sag or droop out of alignment with the fixed panel, which is unsightly and can cause additional wear at the contact points. To deal with this, a support member or "skid" carried by the moveable panel and which rests on the rim of the bath has been provided, but this can lead to damage to the rim of the bath, whilst still allowing the panel to droop if the skid itself wears. A further problem is that if the screen is fixed to a wall surface which is not perfectly vertical, the moveable panel might not remain in its intended position, i.e. might extend when the bath screen is not in use or retract from its fully extended position when the bath and screen are being used.

It is broadly the object of the present invention to provide a connecting assembly, and a bath screen, enabling these disadvantages of known bath screen constructions to be overcome or reduced. In addressing these requirements, it will be appreciated that a connecting assembly in accordance with the invention may be usable in devices other than bath screens, for example where similar or analogous requirements arise.

According to one aspect of the invention, we provide a connecting assembly corn prising: a first track; a second track; first and second guide members holding the tracks relative to one another for * lengthwise movement relative to one another; the first guide member being held by the first track and engaging the second track for movement along the latter, and the second guide member being held : *.. 25 by the second track and engaging the first track for movement along the latter; and restraining means operable to restrain the first and second guide : members in a predetermined position relative to one another. S...

In a connecting assembly in accordance with the invention, the provision of restraining means which is operable to restrain the first and second guide members in a predetermined position relative to one another means that the first and second tracks are correspondingly restrained in a predetermined position relative to one another, so that when one or more such connecting assemblies are utilised in a bath screen, for connecting the panels thereof, the above-described problems can be addressed in the manner to be described hereafter.

The restraining means may comprise catch means, operable to hold the first and second guide members in a position in which they are adjacent to one another, corresponding to a relatively-extended position of the first and second tracks.

The catch means may comprise respective catch parts of or associated with the respective guide members, which catch parts hold to one another when the guide members reach a position adjacent to one another, but which can be released from one another when a sufficient force is applied between the guide members to move them away from one another. The catch parts may comprise catch formations which enter into mechanical retentive engagement with one another when the guide members approach one another, but which can be released on application of a suitable force to move the guide members away from one another. However, it would be possible for other types of catch parts to be utilised, for example parts which are magnetically held to one * another when they are close to one another, but which can be moved away from one another on application of sufficient force therebetween. S... * S S...

: .. 25 Alternatively or in addition, there may be restraining means operable to S...

restrain the guide members in a position in which they are spaced from one * another. Such restraining means may hold the guide members relative to the tracks in positions in which the guide members are furthest away from one another, i.e. the tracks are in a fully-retracted position relative to one another.

Such restraining means may comprise co-operating catch parts on or associated with one or both of the tracks and one or both of the guide members. In the embodiment described hereafter, both tracks are provided with end caps which mechanically co-operate with the respective guide members, frictionally to hold the guide members in end positions of the possible movement of the first guide member along the second track, and the second guide member along the first track.

Respective ones of the end caps may also hold the first guide member stationary relative to the first track and the second guide member stationary relative to the second track.

Each of the guide members may comprise a plurality of formations which engage with complementary parts of the tracks at positions spaced lengthwise thereof, to provide for effective guiding of movement of the tracks relative to one another while remaining with their lengthwise axes substantially parallel to one another.

The tracks may each be generally of C' shape in cross-section, having respective inturned lips which face one another and engage recesses in the guide members, so that the first guide member can be positioned in relation to * the first track and moveable along the second track, and the second guide member positioned in relation to the second track and moveable along the first * S track.

* . 25 * * . S. The guide members may be moulded components of a plastics material, including the recesses engaging the tracks and the above-described catch ::: parts.

S.....

S

According to another aspect of the invention, we provide a bath screen comprising first and second panels connected to one another for movement relative to one another by at least one connecting assembly according to the first aspect of the invention, the tracks being connected to the respective panels.

Preferably the bath screen comprises two connecting assemblies according to the first aspect of the invention. The connecting assemblies preferably are disposed at upper and lower regions of the panels, respectively spaced below an upper edge and above a lower edge of each of the panels.

These and other features of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a side view of two panels attached by two connecting assemblies, Figure 2 is a plan view of the arrangement shown in figure 1, Figure 3 is a perspective view of a connecting assembly, in a contracted condition, with one track and one end cap removed, Figure 4 is a perspective view of an end cap of a connecting assembly, Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a connecting assembly, Figure 6 is a perspective view of a guide member of a connecting assembly, Figure 7 is a side view of the guide member shown in figure 6, Figure 8 is an end view of the guide member shown in figure 6 and figure 7, * * Figure 9 is a side view of a guide member on a section of track, with an end cap shown, **** Figure lOis a side view of two guide members with engaged catch means. * 25 * . . **.

Referring firstly to figure 1, there is shown an arrangement of two panels 12, which are intended to form, and as illustrate are incorporated in, a bath screen.

The two panels are connected to one another by two connecting assemblies indicated generally at 24. The connecting assemblies extend parallel to one another and there is one connecting assembly secured near to, and lying parallel with, the top of the panel, the other being secured near to the bottom of the panels, allowing panel movement relative to one another in direction lengthwise of the connecting assemblies. One of the panels 12 has at its upright end a fixing member 20 enabling it to be fixed in any suitable manner to any upright surface (a wall for example), which, when the panels are used as a bath screen, will normally be at one end of a bath.

Each of the panels 12 comprises a pane 26 of toughened glass or other material (a plastics material for example). Each of the connecting assemblies 24, which will be described in greater detail hereafter, comprises a first track 14 and a second track 15, each of which is secured to a pane, the two tracks being secured to one another for relative movement lengthwise of one another by two guide members 32. A first guide member is fixed relative to the first of the tracks 14, and is moveable lengthwise of the other track 15, and a second guide member is fixed in relation to the second track 15, and is moveable lengthwise in relation to the first track 14. The panels can be contracted from the extended position shown in figures 1 and 2, to wholly or substantially overlap one another, in which position parts of a connecting assembly are shown in figure 3.

The tracks 14 and 15 are secured to the respective panes 26 by suitable fasteners 18 which pass through apertures 16 in the tracks. The tracks are * each generally of C' shape in cross-section comprising a rear part 44 and forwardly extending parts ending in lips 42 which are in-turned towards one another. The tracks typically will be extrusions of an aluminium alloy or other : ** 25 suitable material. At each end of each track there is provided an end cap ** ** shown in figure 4, which will be described in more detail below.

The configuration of a guide member can be seen in detail in figure 6. The guide member has a body 60 between two walls 36 and 37 extending transversely from the body at respective ends. Each wall has four recesses 46, 48, two of which 46 engage with the in-turned lips 42 of one track and the other two of which 48 engage with the in-turned lips of the other track. On each of the walls, the recesses 46 lie opposite one another, extending from the top and bottom edge of the wall, while the other pair 48 of the recesses lie horizontally adjacent to them. The bases of the recesses have anticlastic curvature, such a curvature meaning that when in cooperation with the in-turned lips 42 of a track, there is single point or small-area contact between the lip and the recess. At one end of the guide member the wall 36 has an arcuate recess 58 which extends laterally into the region generally between the recesses 48, and has a flange 50 protruding from the opposite side of the body, for attachment to the end of the track. An arcuate recess 62 extends into the flange 50 and wall 36, opposite the recess 58. The configuration of the end wall including the flange 50, pairs of recesses 46, 48, and arcuate recesses 58, 62 is clearly shown in figure 8. Each guide member further comprises a catch part 34 extending from the other end wall 37, which is operable in combination with a complementary catch part on the other guide member, to hold the first and second guide members to one another when they are in a position adjacent one another. The guide member may be a moulding of a plastics material.

Each of the tracks 14, 15 is provided at each of its ends with an end cap 22.

Each end cap, most clearly seen in figures 3 and 4, comprises a body 23 from * which there extends a back part 25 and, spaced from the back part, a portion 38 of segmental cross-section. When the end cap is filled to the track, the 1' back part 25 fits closely to the rear part 44 of the track whilst the portion 38 lies : *, 25 inside the generally C' shaped cross-section of the track. The end cap is **** secured to the track by a self-tapping screw (not shown), inserted through an aperture 30 in the end cap in a direction lengthwise of the track, to enter a longitudinal recess 31 in the track. The screw bites into the material of the track and to some extent the portion 38 of the end cap, which it also displaces slightly away from the back part of the end cap. A covering cap would be provided to cover the head of the screw.

One of the guide members is held in position adjacent the end of the first track, held captive by securement of the flange 50 of the guide member against the end of the track, the end cap being secured by the insertion of the screw to the track through aperture 30, the portion 38 of the end cap lying within recess 62 in end wall 36 of the guide member. The other guide member is similarly held at the end of the second track which is remote from the end of the first track having the first guide member.

When the panels are in retracted positions the tracks face one another, and the guide members fixed at their respective positions on the tracks lie remote from one another. When the panels are extended, the guide members approach one another. As the guide members approach one another, the catch parts 34 thereof come into engagement. Each catch part 34 comprises a wall which extends at an inclination to the wall 37 of the guide member, the wall having a transversely extending protuberance 56 followed by a recess 54 across its width. One of the guide members of the connecting assembly has a catch part whose wall inclines downwardly from the end wall 37 of the guide member, while the other guide member has a catch part inclined upwardly. As the guide members approach one another the catch members are able to deform slightly due to the resilience of the material from which they are made, until they snap into engagement with one another as shown in Figure 10, the two protuberances engaging with the respective recesses in the other catch :.:: parts.

: .. 25 When the screen is to be retracted from its extended position, sufficient force S...

must be provided so as to release the catch parts from one another. The force * required to release the catch parts must be sufficient that the parts do not disengage under the force generated by the weight of the panels.

S.....

On retraction, the waIl 36, with arcuate recess 58, of the guide member connected to track 15 comes into contact with an end cap 22 connected to track 14. Recess 58 is entered by part 38 of the end cap, and this is sufficient firstly to retard movement of the moveable panel as it approaches the end of its range of retracting movement and, secondly frictionally to retain the moveable panel in its retracted position, as the wall 36 rests in contact with the abutment surface 27 of the end cap.

It will therefore be appreciated that the invention enables at least one of the disadvantages of known bath screens, as first described herein, to be overcome or reduced.

Although, in a particular installation of a bath screen, it might be sufficient for only the lower connecting assembly to have a catch means in order to prevent the screen sagging whilst in its extended position, it is preferable that both connecting assemblies have a catch means. Then, it is possible for a bath screen to be inverted in its orientation, according to whether it is to be installed at the left or right hand side of a bath.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components. * **

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a : .. 25 means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for *,* attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse ::::: forms thereof.

*S.*.* * *

Claims

Claims 1. A connecting assembly comprising: a first track; a second track; first and second guide members holding the tracks relative to one another for lengthwise movement relative to one another; the first guide member being held by the first track and engaging the second track for movement along the latter, and the second guide member being held by the second track and engaging the first track for movement along the latter; and restraining means operable to restrain the first and second guide members in a pre-determined position relative to one another.
2. A connecting assembly according to claim 1 wherein the restraining means comprises catch means, operable to hold the first and second guide members in a position in which they are adjacent to one another, corresponding to a relatively-extended position of the first and second tracks.
3. A connecting assembly according to claim 2 wherein the catch means comprises respective catch parts of or associated with the respective guide members, which catch parts hold to one another when the guide members :.:: reach a position adjacent to one another, but which can be released from one *.s.another to allow the guide members to move away from one another when a : .. 25 sufficient force is applied between them. *.S.

*
4. A connecting assembly according to claim 3 wherein the catch parts comprise catch formations which enter into mechanical retentive engagement *s.*.. . . . . * * with one another when the guide members reach a position adjacent to one another.
5. A connecting assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the restraining means includes means operable to restrain the guide members in a position in which they are spaced from one another.
6. A connecting assembly according to claim 5 wherein said restraining means restrains the guide members relative to the tracks in positions in which the guide members are farthest away from one another.
7. A connecting assembly according to claim 6 wherein said restraining means comprises co-operating catch parts on or associated with one or both of the tracks and one or both of the guide members.
8. A connecting assembly according to claim 7 wherein the tracks are provided with end caps which mechanically co-operate with respective guide members, frictionally to hold the latter in end positions of the possible movement of the first guide member along the second track and of the second guide member along the first track.
9. A connecting assembly according to claim 8 wherein respective ones of the end caps hold the first guide member stationary relative to the first track and the second guide member stationary relative to the second track. * **
10. A connecting assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the guide members each comprise a plurality of formations which : *. 25 engage with complementary parts of the tracks at positions spaced lengthwise thereof.
11. A connecting assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the tracks are each generally of C' shape in cross-section, having respective inturned lips which face one another and engage recesses in the guide members.
12. A connecting assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the guide members are respective components of a plastics material.
13. A connecting assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
14. A bath screen comprising first and second panels connected to one another by at least one connecting assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, the first and second tracks of the connecting assembly being held to the first and second panels, respectively.
15. A bath screen according to claim 14 comprising two said connecting assemblies.
16. A bath screen according to claim 15 wherein said connecting assemblies are disposed at upper and lower regions of the panels, respectively spaced below an upper edge and above a lower edge of the panels.
17. A bath screen substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings. * .1 ****
18. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein ::. 25 and/or in the accompanying drawings. * * ** * * I I..I * I