GB2520195A

GB2520195A - Improvements in or relating to shower enclosures

Info

Publication number: GB2520195A
Application number: GB1500573.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rob Jarvis; Steven James Rogers; Matthew Caffrey
Original assignee: Coram Showers Ltd
Current assignee: Coram Showers Ltd
Priority date: 2011-12-20
Filing date: 2011-12-20
Publication date: 2015-05-13
Anticipated expiration: 2031-12-20
Also published as: GB201500573D0; GB201122098D0; GB2497801B; GB2497801A; GB2520195B

Abstract

A frame connector for a shower enclosure of the type having at least one panel supported along at least two adjacent edges by respective frame members, the connector having a body with means for form-engagement with one of the frame members, and being connectable directly to the other of the frame members.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO SHOWER ENCLOSURES

The present invention relates generally to shower enclosures, and in particular to an improved shower frame structure and, more particularly, to a connector which can be S made in modular form to facilitate assembly of shower frame structures.

The provision of a shower enclosure has become almost universal in modern bathrooms. Shower enclosures may comprise one, two, or three panels depending on the nature of the installation. In an alcove only a single panel is required; in a corner two panels may complete an enclosure whilst against a wall three panels are required.

The panels, generally of toughened glass, are usually surrounded by a frame by which, the edges of the glass are protected. Where relevant, the edge of the panel is sealed to an adjacent wall. The frame surrounding a panel generally comprises at least one generally upright lateral frame member and one generally horizontal frame member.

usually along its upper edge although both upper and lower edges, or only the lower edge, may have a frame member. One of the panels (or the only panel in the case of an alcove structure) is formed as a closable door which may be a swing door, a pivoted door, a bifold door or a sliding door depending on the nature of the installation. Whichever form of door is utilised, the frame defining the door opening needs to be sufficiently strong and rigid to take the forces exerted on the upright to which the door is hinged or from which the door (in the case of a sliding door) is suspended (in which case it is not the upright but the horizontal member).

Because of the wide variety of installation types and shower sizes and structures, it is necessary for the manufacturer to maintain a wide range of frame mouldings, connectors and fixings, which increases the cost of production. Typically frame members are made of extruded aluminium sections having an elongate channel in one edge to receive the edge region of a glass panel. The shower enclosure may be assembled in the factory and transported as a whole to be installed at the point of use.

This is often inconvenient, however, due to space constraints in transferring an assembled shower enclosure into a house, especially if the bathroom is upstairs and/or the doors are narrow. For this reason shower enclosures are often sold as a kit of parts to be assembled in situ in the bathroom. Although this solves the transport problems the S relatively large number of component parts, especially for fitting together all the frame members, can be a disadvantage.

The present invention seeks to provide a simplitied trame structure and a connector tor a frame structure for a shower enclosure which can be of modular form allowing it to be utilised in a wide range of different circumstances and with a wide range of ditterent installation conditions.

According to one aspect of the present invention, therefore, there is provided a frame connector for a shower enclosure of the type having at least one panel supported along at least two adjacent edges by respective frame members, the connector comprising a unitary body having a first limb to which each of the said two frame members is connectable, and a second limb for closing the end of one of the two frame members.

In one embodiment of the invention the frame connector is intended for a shower enclosure of the type having at least one panel supported along at least two adjacent edges by respective frame members, at least one of which frame members has an elongate channel along the length thereof for receiving an edge region of the panel, and the connector body has a protuberance shaped to be received in the said elongate channel of the said one of the said frame members.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a frame connector for a shower enclosure of the type having at least one panel supported along at least two adjacent edges by respective frame members, the connector having a body with means for form-engagement with one of the frame members, and being connectable directly to the other of the frame members.

A connector formed according to this aspect of the invention may have a body further S having a tongue for closing the end of the said one frame member.

A single frame connector formed as an embodiment of the invention can therefore quickly and easily interengage with two adjacent frame members, and provide a strong and firm interconnection between them. This considerably simplifies assembly of a frame, which is especially beneficial when the shower enclosure is assembled in situ.

In one embodiment the said body of the connector has a substantially flat major face for contacting an end of a said adjacent frame member. This body may be provided with one or more holes for receiving fixing elements for securing the frame connector to the said adjacent frame member. These fixing members may be of any known type such as pins, rivets or screws or bolts.

Alternatively, the body may be so shaped as to be a push-fit into one end of a said adjacent frame member. Secure interconnection may be ensured by a snap-fit configuration, such as a tooth and detent on co-operating parts.

Preferably, a tongue projects transversely from the said connector body, the said tongue covering the end of the said one frame member when the protuberance is introduced into the elongate channel thereof.

The present invention also comprehends a frame structure when formed of frame elements connected by a frame connector as defined herein above.

As well as! or as an alternative to, the use of fixing elements to secure the connector body to one end of a said adjacent frame member, the interconnection may be achieved at least partly by adhesive or bonding agent, and a sealing gasket may be provided to ensure a watertight connection.

S

In a frame structure formed in accordance with the present invention the said major face of the connector body preferably has an outline substantially matching the profile of a said adjacent frame member.

In some frame structures the elongate channel in the said one frame member may have at least one inwardly facing elongate rib extending therealong, in which case the protuberance in the said connector body may have at least one elongate groove for receiving the said rib upon insertion of the protuberance of the connector body into the end of the elongate channel in the said one frame member.

A frame structure formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention may also utilise frame members in which the elongate channel in the said one frame member has two oppositely facing inwardly projecting elongate ribs therein, and the said protuberance on the frame connector body may consequently have two outwardly facing elongate grooves positioned to receive respective ribs when the said protuberance is introduced into the elongate channel in the said one frame member.

It is particularly convenient if the said major face of the said connector body has an outline which substantially matches the profile of the said adjacent frame member.

Likewise, it may be that the said tongue is generally flat and has an outline which substantially matches the profile of the said one frame member.

The present invention also comprehends a frame structure defined hereinabove in which the said tongue lies substantially orthogonally with respect to the said major face of the connector body. The said tongue may be secured to the said one frame member by a fixing element passing therethrough. Such fixing element may be a pin, S rivet, screw or bolt as appropriate.

The groove or grooves in the said protuberance may taper towards one end thereof whereby to improve frictional contact between the elongate rib or ribs in the channel in the said one frame member. This also serves to provide or improve the sealing of the frame member against the ingress of water from above.

The present invention also comprehends a method of assembling a shower enclosure by assembling a frame connector as herein defined to one end of an adjacent frame member (typically a horizontal frame member) introducing the protuberance of the frame connector into an elongate channel of a said one frame member (typically a vertical frame member) and then introducing the panel in to the elongate channel of the said one frame member.

In a further aspect the invention comprises a unitary end cap and connector body for connecting together two adjacent frame members of a shower enclosure and closing the end of one of the frame members.

Naturally, waterproofing of the enclosure may be enhanced by suitable application of sealant materials at appropriate interfaces between frame members, frame member and connector, and/or frame members and panel edge regions.

One embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded partial perspective view of a corner of a frame enclosure utilising a frame connector according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of a frame member to which the frame connector of the invention has been secured, seen from the opposite side from that visible in Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a connector generally indicafed 11 suitable for joining frame elements 12, 13 of a shower enclosure to form a rigid right-angled connection at a corner (in this case an upper corner) of a composite panel of a shower enclosure.

The upright frame member 12, which forms the side of the composite panel of the shower enclosure comprises an extruded aluminium section having front and rear walls 14, 15 respectively spanned by a transverse web 16 with a central boss 17, and a generally c-shape channel-forming web 18 open along an inner edge 19 of the frame member 12. Adjacent the mouth of the channel 22 defined by the c-shape web 18 are two inwardly projecting ribs 20, 21 which face one another across the mouth of the channel 22. A glass panel 23 is received in the elongate channel 22 when the frame member 12 is assembled thereto.

The top or horizontal frame member 13 comprises, as can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, a generally planar wall surface 24, an upper transverse flange 25 with two parallel elongate reinforcing ribs 27 extending parallel to one another and to the length of the wall 24 on the rear face thereof.

The corner moulding 11 comprises a generally planar body 26 the outline of which generally matches the profile of the horizontal limb 13 of the frame, and from the rear face of which extends an elongate protuberance 28 which extends fhe full height of the body 26 and has two elongate grooves 29. 30 on each side thereof (the groove 29 being visible in Figure 2 and the groove 30 being visible in Figure 1). Two holes 31, 32 pass through the body 26 and the protuberance 28 and are aligned with respective upper and lower ribs 27 on the rear face of the main wall 24 of the frame member 13.

S The connector member 11 can then be positioned against the end face of the member 13 with the holes 31, 32 in alignment with the ribs 27, which have respective hollow channels (not shown) therein for receiving respective pins 34, 35 as can be seen in Figure 1. The pins 34, 35 may be plain nails, expanding rivets (pop rivets) or may be provided with a screw thread, and the interconnection of the connector member 11 with the frame member 13 may be reinforced by adhesive between the end face of the member 13 and the cooperating tace ot the connector body 26.

Likewise a sealing gasket (not shown) may be positioned between the end of the frame member 13 and the co-operating face of the body 26. In another embodiment (not illustrated) the face of the body 26 may have a push-fit projection to be received into a co-operating cavity in the frame member 13. In addition, oras an alternative, the body 26 may be secured to the frame member 13 by adhesive or a bonding agent.

Once the connector has been fitted to the frame member 13 the protuberance 28 can be introduced to the channel 22, with the elongate ribs 20, 21 entering into the elongate grooves 29, 30 respectively.

Extending transversely of the general pane of the end face of the body 26, at the upper end of the protuberance 28, is a transverse tongue 36 the outline of which matches the profile of the frame section 12. A central hole 37 in the tongue 36 is positioned to match the hole 17 in the central boss of the transverse web 16.

Once the protuberance 28 has been fully introduced into the channel 22 the tongue 36 covers the end face of the frame member 12. The interconnection of the elongate grooves 29, 30 in the protuberance and receiving the elongate ribs 20, 21 of the channel 22 forms a firm interconnection between the connector member 1 1 and the frame element 12. To ensure a secure interconnection the grooves, 30 may be tapered along their length by a shallow angle (in the region of 10) so that, upon fully introducing S the protuberance 28 of the element 11 into the channel 22 there is a firm frictional engagement between the ribs 20, 21 and the grooves 29,30. This also forms a watertight seal. This may be reinforced by the use of adhesive and/or by the provision of a fixing element, such as a screw 38 passing through the hole 37 in to the central core of the boss 17 in the transverse web 16.

With the two frame members thus secured together the glass panel 23 may be introduced in to the channel 22 in the frame member 12. The lower edge of the front wall 24 of the horizontal frame member 13 overlies the upper edge of the glass panel 23 and a further bead of sealant may be provided to ensure watertight connection thereof.

Although only one corner is illustrated in the drawings. it will be appreciated that the connector element 11 of the invention may be utilised at each of four corners of a rectangular frame surrounding a glass panel such as panel 23 illustrated in Figure 1. A secure frame structure can thereby be formed regardless of the individual lengths of the frame elements, enabling an installer to build the shower enclosure up from the bottom upwards, piece by piece. Of course, if the final sizes are known in advance the enclosure may be pre-assembled as a complete unit in the conventional way.

It is a particular advantage of this structure that a rigid corner joint is formed, when assembled, which does not require tightening of any fixings to form a rigid corner. This thus enables a shower enclosure to be installed in a modular way where space is restricted.

The embodiment described herein illustrates a fixed panel although, without substantial modification, this construction may be used on a frame intended to receive the fixings for a pivoted or sliding door as appropriate.

S

Claims

CLAIMS1. A frame connector for a shower enclosure of the type having at least one panel supported along at least two adjacent edges by respective frame members, the S connector having a body with means for form-engagement with one of the frame members, and being connectable directly to the other of the frame members.
2. A frame connector as claimed in claim 1, in which the body is provided with one or more holes for receiving fixing elements for securing the frame connector to a frame member.
3. A frame connector as claimed in claim 2, in which the fixing elements are selected from pins, rivets or screws or bolts.
4. A frame connector as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the connector has a substantially flat major face for contacting an end of an adjacent frame member, in which the major face of the connector body has an outUne substantially matching the profile of the adjacent frame member.
5. A frame connector as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least one of the frame members has at least one elongate channel along the length thereof for receiving an edge region of the panel, and the connector body has at least one protuberance shaped to be received in the corresponding elongate channel of the at least one frame member.
6. A frame connector as claimed in claim 5, in which the elongate channel in the at least one frame member comprises at least one inwardly facing elongate rib extending therealong, and in which the protuberance in the connector body has at least one elongate groove for receiving the rib upon insertion of the protuberance of the connector body into the end of the elongate channel in the at east one frame member.
7. A frame connector as claimed in claim 6, in which the groove or grooves of the said protuberance taper towards one end thereof whereby to improve frictional contact between the elongate rib or ribs in the channel in the at least one frame member.S
8. A frame connector as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the said body further has a tongue for closing the end of the said one frame member.
9. A frame connector as claimed in Claim 8, in which the tongue is made of a material which forms a watertight seal with the end of the frame member(s) when fitted thereon.
10. A frame connector substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.
11. A corner moulding for joining adjacent frame elements of a shower enclosure, whereby to form a rigid right-angled connection at a corner of a panel of a shower enclosure, the corner moulding comprising a body with means for form-engagement with one of the frame members, and being connectable directly to the other of the frame members.
12. A corner moulding as claimed in claim 11, wherein the body includes a push-fit projection to be received into a co-operating cavity in the said other of the frame members.
13. A corner moulding as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the means for form-engagement includes one or more grooves, channels or recesses to receive respective elongate ribs of the said one of the frame members.
14. A corner moulding as claimed in claim 13, wherein one groove, channel or recess is provided on either side of the body of the moulding, whereby to receive respective elongate ribs which project from a channel of the said one of the frame members.
15. A corner moulding as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the or each groove.channel or recess tapers along at least a portion of its length.
16. A corner moulding substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
1 7. A frame structure for a shower enclosure having a frame connector as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 10 or a corner moulding as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 16, in which the body of the frame connector or corner moulding is secured to one end of an adjacent frame member by fixing elements.
18. A frame structure for a shower enclosure having a frame connector as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 10 or a corner moulding as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 16, in which the body of the frame connector or corner moulding is secured to one end of an adjacent frame member at least partly by adhesive.
19. A frame structure as claimed in either of Claims 17 and 18, Having a frame connector as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 10 or a corner moulding as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 16. in which the elongate channel in the frame member or the said protuberance of the body of the frame connector or corner moulding has at least one elongate rib extending therealong, and the protuberance in the body or the channel in the frame member has at least one elongate groove for receiving the rib upon insertion of the protuberance of the body into the end of the elongate channel in the frame member.
20. A frame structure as claimed in Claim 19, in which the elongate channel in the frame member has two oppositely facing inwardly projecting elongate ribs therein, and the protuberance on the body of the frame connector or corner moulding has two outwardly facing elongate grooves positioned to receive respective ribs when the S protuberance is introduced into the elongate channel in the frame member.
21. A frame structure as claimed in any of Claims 17 to 20, in which the major face of the body of the frame connector or corner moulding has an outline which substantially matches the profile of the adjacent frame member.
22. A frame strucfure as claimed in any ot Claims 17 to 20, in which the tongue has a major face lying substantially orthogonally with respect to the major face of the body of the frame connector or corner moulding.
23. A frame structure as claimed in any of Claims 17 to 20, in which the tongue is generally flat and has an outline which substantially matches the profile of the frame member.
24. A frame structure as claimed in any of Claims 17 to 20, in which the tongue forms a watertighf seal over the end of the frame member.
25. A frame structure as claimed in Claim 17, in which the tongue is secured to the frame member by a fixing element passing therethrough.
26. A frame structure as claimed in any of Claims 17 to 25, in which the groove or grooves in the protuberance tapers or taper towards one end thereof whereby frictionally to engage the elongate rib or ribs in the channel in the frame member.
27. A frame structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.
28. A method of assembling a shower enclosure by connecting a frame connector as S claimed in any of claims 1 to 10 or a corner moulding as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 16 to one end of an adjacent frame member, and engaging the means for form-engagement of the body of the frame connector or corner moulding with the other frame member.
29. A method as claimed in claim 28, in which at least one of the frame members has at least one elongate channel along the length thereot for receiving an edge region of the panel, and the body of the frame connector or corner moulding has at least one protuberance shaped to be received in the corresponding elongate channel of the at least one frame member, and in which the method comprises introducing the protuberance of the body into the elongate channel of a frame member, and then introducing a panel into the elongate channel of the frame member(s).