AU1562702A - Method and means for forming a structure - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: METHOD AND MEANS FOR FORMING A STRUCTURE Applicant: DIAS ALUMINIUM PRODUCTS PTY LTD The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 2 METHOD AND MEANS FOR FORMING A STRUCTURE This invention relates to a method and means of forming a structure including at least one panel. The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with forming a wall-like structure including one or more panels of glass. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with particular reference to such a structure, but it is to be understood that the invention has broader application.

A glass panelled shower screen is an example of the type of structure to which the invention can be applied. Such shower screens typically include two or more glass panels that are secured in place to form part of the boundary of the shower space. A door enabling access to that space may be also formed of a glass panel. Because of the inherent flexibility of glass panels it is usual practice to connect the panels of a shower screen to a metal or other rigid frame that at least partially surrounds the glass panels. Such frames can detract from the appearance of the shower screen, and may add to the cost of forming the el shower screen.

S. It is an object of the present invention to provide relatively simple and effective means for forming a structure, such as a shower screen, that includes at least one panel. It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved method of forming a structure including at least one panel. Yet another object of the invention is to provide improved means for connecting a panel to a support such as a wall or another panel. Still another object of the invention is to provide a structure, such as a shower screen, that includes at least one panel, which is attractive to the eye and is relatively inexpensive to produce.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided panel connecting means that includes a two-part elongate member through which an edge of a panel can be connected to a wall or other support. One part of the member forms a mounting part adapted to be secured to the wall or other support. The other part of the member forms a main part that is adapted to cooperate with an edge portion of the panel, and is also adapted to be connected to the mounting part in a position selected to enable the panel to be retained in a predetermined disposition relative to the wall or other support.

In a preferred arrangement, both parts of the elongate member are formed of metal, but other materials could be used plastics materials). By W:\MaryO\BF\Specl\das aluminium products.doc 3 way of example, each may be an extruded section of aluminium or aluminium alloy. Other metals could be used. It is also preferred that the main part is slidably locatable on the mounting part so as to enable selection of a suitable disposition of the main part relative to the mounting part. By way of example, it may be desirable to secure the main part to the mounting part in a disposition such that the longitudinal direction of the main part is not parallel to the adjacent surface of the wall or other support.

The main part may include a longitudinally extending groove for receiving an edge portion of the panel. In many cases, that groove will be at a side of the 10 main part remote from the side adjacent the mounting part, but other .i arrangements are possible. According to one preferred arrangement, the crosssectional shape of the groove is such that a flowable sealant silicon gel) located in the groove is encouraged to flow lengthwise along the base of the oooo groove when the edge portion of a panel is inserted into the groove. In particular, the configuration of the groove inhibits movement of sealant towards and through the mouth of the groove.

A two-part member of the foregoing kind is particularly suited for connecting a side edge of a panel to a wall, but that is only one of several .i possible uses of the member.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided panel connecting means that includes a member for connecting a rigidifying strut to an edge of a panel. The connecting member may be formed integral with the strut, or separate from the strut. In either case, the connecting member has a panel engaging portion adapted to locate on each of two opposite sides of an edge portion of the panel. If the strut is formed separate from the connecting member, the connecting member may also include a strut engaging portion.

The panel engaging portion and the strut engaging portion are usually at opposite ends, or sides, of the member, but other arrangements may be adopted to suit particular circumstances.

The panel engaging portion may include a recess or groove adapted to receive part of an edge of a panel. That portion may also include adjustable clamping means able to intrude into the recess or groove so as to engage a surface of the panel and thereby secure the connecting means to the panel.

The strut engaging portion may include a cavity or bore for slidably receiving an W:%MaryO%FSSpec1%dias aluminium products.doc 4 end portion of a strut. It may also include strut retaining means associated with that cavity or bore.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a structure including at least one panel, and connecting means including a two-part column member as described above, and/or including a strut connecting member as described above. In the event that a strut connecting member is included, the structure will also include a rigidifying strut connected to or formed integral with that member.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method 10 of forming a structure including at least one panel, the method including the .i steps of securing a column mounting part to a wall or other support, attaching a column main part to a side edge portion of the panel, locating the main part on the mounting part, and securing the main part to the mounting part.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a structure including at least one panel, the method including the steps of attaching a connecting member to an upper edge portion of the panel, and connecting the member to a support located in spaced relationship to the panel to which the member is attached. The support may be a wall or another panel, by way of example, and connection of the member to the support may be effected through an elongate strut. The strut may be formed integral with or separate from the connecting member. In the latter event, opposite ends of the strut are connected to the support and the connecting member respectively.

The two methods described above could be used in conjunction with one another to form a structure having both the two-part column member described above, and the strut connecting member described above.

It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in greater detail by reference to example embodiments of the invention as shown by the accompanying drawings. The particularity of the drawings and the related description is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the broad definition of the invention as given in the accompanying claims.

Figures 1 to 3 illustrate an isometric view of three different shower screen arrangements incorporating a first aspect of this invention.

W:\MaryOBFSpecidias aluminium products.doc Figure 4 illustrates a plan view of an exploded view of the elongate mounting part, elongate main part and panel incorporating a first aspect of this invention.

Figure 5 illustrates in plan view the elongate mounting part, the elongate main part and panel when connected.

Figure 6 illustrates a plan view of a glazing section receiving the panel from figure Figure 7 illustrates a side elevation of the elongate mounting part and elongate main part prior to fixing the mounting part to the wall.

i' 10 Figures 8a and 8b illustrate a pad providing an interface between the .ii .mounting part, main part and the floor.

Figures 9 to 12 illustrate in diagrammatic plan view a shower screen assembly incorporating a second aspect of this invention.

Figures 13 to 20 illustrate various connecting members being suitable to achieve the configuration of the shower screens illustrated in figures 9 to 12.

As a matter of convenience, the invention will be hereinafter described in relation to glass panelled shower screens. It is to be understood however, that the invention has broader application.

Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawing show three different shower screen arrangements. Other arrangements are clearly possible, including arrangements in which the shower screen is not located in a corner of a room, which is a situation common to each of the Figures 1 to 3 arrangements.

Consequently, it is to be understood that the invention will be described in relation to Figures 1 to 3 for illustrative purposes only.

In the Figure 1 arrangement, the screen 1 is made up of two sections 2 and 3, one of which extends at right angles to a wall 4, and the other extends at an angle of approximately 450 to another wall 5. The section 2 includes a hinged door 6, but other types of doors, such as slidable doors, could be used.

The section 2 also includes a fixed panel 7 connected to the wall 4 through a column member 8. A similar column member may be used to connect the section 3 to the wall The screen assembly of Figure 2 includes two end sections 9 and and an intermediate section 11. Each of the end sections 9 and 10 extends at right-angles to a respective one of the walls 4 and 5, and is connected to the W:%MaryOBFSpecikdas aluminium produCtS.dOC 6 respective wall through a column member 8. The intermediate section 11 includes a door 6 and a fixed panel 12, and extends at approximately 450 to each of the other two sections 9 and Figure 3 illustrates a more traditional screen arrangement composed of two sections 13 and 14, each of which extends at right-angles to a respective one of the walls 4 and 5. Each section 13 and 14 is connected to the respective one of the walls 4 and 5 through a column member 8. The section 13 includes a door 6 and a fixed panel The column member 8 is preferably formed of two elongate parts, a 10 mounting part 16 and a main part 17 (Figures 4, 5 and Each of the parts 16 and 17 can be made of any suitable material, and a different material may be adopted in each case. By way of example, each of the parts 16 and 17 may be *I formed of an extruded aluminium section.

In the example arrangement shown by Figures 4, 5 and 6, the mounting part 16 is of substantially U-shape in transverse cross-section, but other cross- S2•. sectional shapes could be adopted. The part 16 is fixed to a wall 4 at a selected location so as to provide a means for securing one end of a section of the screen assembly 1. Any suitable means, such as fastening screws 18, can be employed to secure the mounting part 16 to the wall 4.

The mounting part 16 and the main part 17 can cooperate in any suitable manner so as to create the column member 8. According to the example shown by Figures 4, 5 and 6, such cooperation is achieved by providing a channel recess 19 in the back edge 20 of the main part 17. It is preferred that the recess 19 is dimensioned to receive the mounting part 16 as a sliding fit.

Other forms of cooperation between the two parts 16 and 17 could be adopted, but location of the mounting part 16 within the main part 17 provides an advantage as hereinafter explained.

The example main part 17 as shown by Figures 4, 5 and 6, includes a mounting section 21 and a glazing section 22 located at respective opposite sides of the main part 17. Other arrangements could be adopted. As shown, the mounting section 21 includes the recess 19 for receiving the mounting part 16. The glazing section 22 is provided with a longitudinally extending groove 23 for receiving a side edge portion 24 of a panel 25 (Figures 5 and which may be a panel of glass.

W:1MaryOF8FSpeci~dias aluminium products.doc 7 were not lodged with this application 8 necessary to clean away excess sealant. Overall, the configuration of the groove 23 facilitates the creation of an effective and neat seal between the column member 8 and the panel A pad 30 (Figure 8) of a suitable material, such as a plastics material, may be attached to the lower end of the main part 17 of the column member 8.

The pad 30 provides a relatively soft interface between the column member 8 and the floor 31 (Figure and thereby reduces the possibility of damage to the floor 31. The pad 30 also minimises the possibility of damage being caused to the glass panel 25. Any suitable means may be used to attach the pad 30 to 10 the part 17. In the arrangement shown, that means includes a projection 32 at .i the upper surface of the pad 30 that is a tight fit between the side walls of the part 17, and also between the groove base 28 and an internal wall 33 of the part 17. It is preferred that the pad 30 is sufficiently compressible to function as a compression seal at the lower end of the column member 8. If desired, the pad 30, or a similar element, may be provided at the upper end of the column member 8 to seal that end against ingress of dirt and other foreign material.

The main part 17 of the column member 8 is moved into assembly with the mounting part 16 after the connection between the panel 25 and the main l part 17 has been completed. The two parts 16 and 17 cooperate as shown by Figure 5, and any suitable fastening means, such as rivets 34, can be used to secure the parts 16 and 17 together.

~It is preferred that the mounting part 16 is a neat sliding fit within the recess 19 of the main part 17. That enables the two parts 16 and 17 to be disposed relative to one another in a manner such as to compensate for any lack of trueness between the floor 31 and the wall 4 (Figure Lack of trueness of the relevant kind is illustrated in exaggerated form by Figure 7. The angle between the wall 4 and the floor 31 should be 900, but in the arrangement shown is greater than 900. On the other hand, the angle between the edge 20 of the part 17 and the lower edge of the panel 25, is 90 0 That difference in angles is accommodated by the ability to secure the part 17 to the part 16 in a relative disposition such that the edge 20 of the part 17 is not parallel to the wall 4.

Another advantage of the cooperative arrangement between the parts 16 and 17 is that a groove 35 can be formed between the wall 4 and the edge 20 of W:\MaryOBFSpecidias aluminium products.doc 9 the part 17. The groove 35 provides a suitable space for receiving a sealant, such as silicon gel.

Each of Figures 9 to 12 is a diagrammatic plan view of part only of a shower screen assembly.

In the Figure 9 arrangement, two panels 36 and 37 are arranged at rightangles to one another, and an elongate rigidifying strut 38 extends between the wall 4 and the panel 37. One end of the strut 38 is connected to the wall 4 through a member 39, and the other end of the strut is connected to the panel 37 through a member 40. The strut 38 could be formed integral with at least 10 one of the members 39 and 40, but in the particular arrangement shown the strut 38 is formed separate from both members 39 and 40. Also in the arrangement shown, the strut 38 is formed of circular metal tubing, but other cross-sectional shapes could be used, and materials other than metal could be used.

Although only one strut 38 is shown in Figure 9, it is to be understood that the screen assembly may include two or more rigidifying struts. By way of example, a second strut could extend along the inside of the panel 38. The same comment applies to Figures 10, 11 and 12. Each of those Figures shows one strut only, whereas the relevant screen assembly could include two or more struts positioned as considered appropriate to rigidify the panel assembly.

A connecting member 39 according to one embodiment of the invention is shown by Figures 13 and 14. The member 39 may be formed of metal or other suitable material, and in the example shown is of circular cross-sectional shape. A cylindrical bore 41 extends through one end of the member 39, and terminates at an end wall 42. It is preferred that a passage 43 extends through the wall 42, generally in the axial direction of the member 39, for a purpose hereinafter explained. An opening 44 may be also formed through the side wall of the member 39 that surrounds the bore 41.

The member 39 may be secured to the wall 4 by any suitable means and in any suitable manner. In the example arrangement shown, the member 39 is secured to the wall 4 by means of a fastening screw (not shown) extending through the passage 43. An end portion of the strut 38 is preferably a sliding fit within the bore 41, and can be secured against movement relative to the W:\MaryO\BFSpeci\dlas aluminium produCts.doc member 39 by means of a screw or other releasable clamping means extending through the opening 44. Other forms of attachment could be adopted.

The construction of the member 40 may be similar to that of the member 39, but as is shown by Figures 15 and 16, there are two major differences. The first difference is that a transverse slot 46 separates the end wall 42 into two parts 42a and 42b. The second difference is that the passage 43 extends through part only of the wall 42, which is the part 42a separating the bore 41 from the slot 46. The slot 46 has a flat base 47, and has a width such as to receive an edge portion of the panel 37.

10 A clamping element, such as a screw (not shown), can be adjustably i mounted within the passage 43 of the member 40 so as to be operative to clamp the member 40 in position on the panel 37. An end portion of the strut 38 can be connected to the member 40 in the same manner as adopted to connect the strut 38 to the member 39.

In the Figure 10 arrangement, the panel 37 extends at approximately 450 to the wall 4. As a result, the member 39 is not suitable for connecting the strut 38 to the wall 4. A member 48 suitable for that purpose is shown by Figures 17 and 18. As shown, the member 48 may be substantially the same as the member 39, except that the end face 49 is arranged at an angle of approximately 450 so as to conform with the angular relationship between the wall 4 and the panel 37.

~Figure 11 shows an arrangement similar to that shown by Figure 9, except that the panel 37 extends at an angle of approximately 1350 relative to the panel 36. Because of that angular relationship, the connecting member cannot be used to connect the strut 38 to the panel 37. Figures 19 and 20 show a connecting member 50 that is suitable for that purpose.

The connecting member 50 is similar to the member 40 in that it includes a slot 46 for receiving an edge portion of the panel 37, but the slot 46 of the member 50 extends at approximately 450 to the longitudinal axis of the member 50 rather than at right-angles thereto. As shown by Figure 20, it is also preferred that the end face 51 of the member 50 extends substantially parallel to the slot 45. Connection of the member 49 to the panel 37 and the strut 38 can be achieved in substantially the same manner as described above in connection with the member W:\Mary0%BF\Speci\daS aluminium products.doc 11 Figure 12 indicates how a strut 38 can be connected to each of two panels 52 and 53, each of which extends at approximately 450 to an intervening panel 54. A connecting member 50 is employed at one end of the strut 38, and a similar member 55 is used at the other end. The only difference between the members 50 and 55 is that the slot 46 of one extends at approximately 900 to the slot 46 of the other. In each case, the end face 51 is preferably arranged substantially parallel to the slot 46.

The angles 450 and 900 referred to above are simply examples of angles that might be encountered in assembling a panel-type structure. The 10 connecting means of the present invention can be applied, with suitable .adjustment, to situations in which there is a different angular relationship.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the present invention enables construction of a sturdy panel-type structure that has a neat and pleasant appearance. It is a particular advantage that relatively simple and convenient to use means is adopted to rigidify the structure.

:Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the S"invention.

W:\MaryOBFSpecI\dias aluminium products.doc

Claims (19)

1. A connector for connecting an edge of a panel to a support, said connector including an elongate mounting part and an elongate main part, said mounting part being securable to said support, said main part being connectable to an edge portion of said panel so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of said edge portion and being cooperable with said mounting part so that the two said parts extend longitudinally in side by side relationship, said cooperation permitting relative movement between the two said parts such that said edge portion can be disposed parallel to or angularly relative to the 10 longitudinal axis of said mounting part, and said main part can be secured eagainst said relative movement when a particular said disposition has been selected.

2. A connector according to claim 1, wherein said relative movement is movement towards or away from a rear longitudinal side of said mounting part. 15

3. A connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a longitudinally extending a. channel recess is formed in a rear longitudinal edge of said main part, and at least a portion of said mounting part is slidably receivable in said channel recess to provide said cooperation between the two said parts.

4. A connector according to any preceding claim, wherein a longitudinally extending groove is formed in a front longitudinal edge of said main part for receiving said panel edge portion.

A connector according to claim 4, wherein said groove has a relatively narrow mouth dimensioned to neatly receive said panel edge portion with little or no interference, and the transverse width of said groove is enlarged behind said mouth.

6. .A connector according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said groove has a neck portion of reduced width located between said front edge of the main part and a base of said groove.

7. A connector according to claim 6, wherein said neck portion is formed by two ribs, each of which extends in the longitudinal direction of said main part, and each said rib is located on a respective one of two opposite sides of the groove.

8. A connector according to claim 7, wherein said ribs are separated by a space selected to provide a neat sliding fit over said panel edge portion. W:\MaryO\BF\Speci\dias aluminium productsdoc I 13

9. A connector according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the transverse width of said groove progressively decreases from adjacent said neck in a direction towards said groove base.

A connector for connecting an edge of a panel to a support, said connector including an edge engaging part that is connectable to an edge portion of said panel, and a rigidifying strut, one end of said strut is connected to or is connectable with said edge engaging part, and another end of said strut is connectable to said support.

11. A connector according to claim 10, wherein said edge engaging part has 10 a longitudinal axis, a slot for receiving said panel edge portion is formed in said .i edge engaging part and extends transverse to or angularly relative to said longitudinal axis.

12. A connector according to claim 11, wherein said edge engaging part includes an adjustable clamping element that is operable to project through one side of said slot to engage said panel edge portion and clamp that edge portion against a side of said slot opposite said one side thereof.

13. A connector according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein said support is another panel, said strut is connectable to said other panel through .i another said edge engaging part, and said other edge engaging part is connected to or is connectable with said strut.

14. A connector according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein said strut is ,i connectable with said support through a connecting member that is connected to or is connectable with said strut.

A connector according to claim 14, wherein said connector member has a longitudinal axis, an axial bore is formed through one end of said member for receiving an end portion of said strut, an end wall is provided at the other end of said member, and a passage is formed through said end wall to receive means for fastening said member to said support.

16. A structure including at least one panel providing a substantially vertical wall of a space located on one side of the panel, and a connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9 connecting an upright edge of said panel to a substantially upright surface of said support.

17. A structure including at least one panel providing a substantially vertical wall of a space located on one side of the panel, and a connector according to W:%MaryOBF\SpecIdiaS aluminium products.doc I 16 14 any one of claims 10 to 15 connecting an upper edge of said panel to a support located in spaced relationship to said panel.

18. A method of forming a structure according to claim 16, including the steps of securing said mounting part to a surface of a wall or other support so as to be substantially upright, connecting said main part to an upright edge of said panel, placing said main part in cooperation with said mounting part, and securing said main part to said mounting part so that the two said parts are retained against relative movement.

19. A method of forming a structure according to claim 17, including the i o 10 steps of connecting said edge engaging part to an upper edge of said panel, connecting one end of said strut to said edge connecting part if not already connected thereto, and connecting the other end of said strut to said support. OS DATED: 14 February 2002 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: OR DIAS ALUMINIUM PRODUCTS PTY. LTD. OOAI W:%MaryOBF Specdias aluminium product.doc