AU2007313549B2

AU2007313549B2 - A shower enclosure system

Info

Publication number: AU2007313549B2
Application number: AU2007313549A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Murphy
Original assignee: Kohler New Zealand Ltd
Current assignee: Kohler New Zealand Ltd
Priority date: 2006-10-17
Filing date: 2007-10-17
Publication date: 2013-12-05
Anticipated expiration: 2027-10-17
Also published as: TW200833285A; CN101557745A; EP2073675A1; CN101557745B; AU2007313549A1; WO2008048118A1; NZ550594A

Abstract

A shower enclosure system for installation in a room to define with one or more walls of the room a shower enclosure, comprises a door (or doors) (1) and at least one return panel (2), and a longitudinally extending overhead support arm (3) having a complex shape in at least one plane. In use the support arm (3) is fixed to a wall of the room at one or both ends of the support arm. The support arm (3) has a shape and dimensions relative to the door (1) and return panel(s) (2) such that the support arm is non-contiguous with the upper edge of at least one return panel and preferably also the door, but intersects the plane of the return panel and the plane of the door panel above it's upper edge. The shower enclosure system also comprises at least one connector (9) for connecting the support arm to the return and door panels.

Description

WO 2008/048118 PCT/NZ2007/000308 "A SHOWER ENCLOSURE SYSTEM" FIELD OF INVENTION The invention relates to a shower enclosure system. 5 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A shower enclosure system comprises a door and one or more return panels which are fitted typically in the corner of a bathroom or other area to form, together with the existing corner walls of the room (which are lined with an appropriate waterproof lining), the shower enclosure. 10 Alternatively an enclosure system may be fitted against a single wall. A pre-formed shower base may also be installed to provide a floor to the shower enclosure, or the pre-existing floor may be for example tiled to provide an appropriate floor to the shower enclosure. Shower enclosure systems are sold which consist of a. glass door and one or more return and/or infill panels (herein referred to as return panel(s) for convenience), and optionally a shower 15 base. Commonly a frame formed of extruded aluminium components is provided around each of the return panel(s) and the door. When the shower enclosure system is installed other extruded aluminium components also define a door frame, within which the door is pivotally mounted. Enclosure systems are also known which consist of one or more largely unframed glass return panels and a glass door. The return panel(s) is/are supported from the room walls by 20 channel(s) and/or brackets. The door is mounted to a wall, or to a vertical edge of a return panel, by hinges at one edge of the door. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides an improved or at least alternative shower enclosure system. 25 In broad terms in one aspect the invention comprises a shower enclosure system comprising a door (or doors) and at least one return panel, for installation in a room to define with one or more walls of the room a shower enclosure, 30 a longitudinally extending overhead support arm having a complex shape in at least one plane and fixable to a wall of the room at an end of the support arm and being of a shape and dimensions relative to the door and return panel(s) that the support arm is non-contiguous with the upper edge of at least one return panel but intersects the plane of the return panel and the plane of the door panel above it's upper edge, WO 2008/048118 PCT/NZ2007/000308 -2 at least one connector for connecting the support arm to the upper edge of the return panel at at least one point along the upper edge of the return panel, and a connector for connecting the support arm to the upper edge of the door panel at one point along the upper edge of the door panel. 5 Preferably the overhead support arm has a complex shape and dimensions relative to one or more return panel(s) and also relative to the door that the support arm is non-contiguous with the upper edges of one or more return panel(s) and non-contiguous with the upper edge of the door, but intersects the plane(s) of one or more return panels and the door above their upper edges, and the enclosure system includes connectors for connecting the support arm to the upper 10 edges of the return panel(s) and the door at multiple intersection points. In some embodiments the longitudinally extending overhead support arm has a shape which includes at least two curves of different radii, in at least one plane, while in other embodiments the support arm may comprise a single curve. Typically the support arm is of a constant cross-section over its length such as a 15 cylindrical cross-section. The support arm may be formed by being bent to a complex curved shape from rod or tube for example. In some embodiments, at installation the support arm is fixed to a wall at one end only of the support arm, and the other end of the support arm is free i.e. not also fixed to a wall. In other embodiments the support arm may be fixed to walls at two ends. 20 The support arm is non-contiguous with the upper edges of one or more return panels and preferably also the door. That is, the support arm does not follow and align with the whole upper edge(s) of the return panel(s) and door, whether these return panel(s) are flat with a straight upper edge shape, or curved, with a curved upper edge shape. Instead the support arm intersects the plane of the return panel(s) and door above the upper edges of the return panels and door, 25 when the shower enclosure is installed. At one or more such intersections a connector fixed between the support arm and upper edge of the return panel and/or door couples the return panel and/or door to the support arm, to hold the top of the return panel and door in position. In a preferred embodiment at least some or all of the connectors are slidably mounted lengthwise on the support arm, so that during installation of the shower enclosure the position of the 30 connector(s) on the support arm may be adjusted lengthwise on the support arm. This enables fine adjustment of the position and/or angle of the return panel and/or door during installation. Preferably one of the connectors which connects between the support arm and the door and comprises a pivot so that this connector also acts as the top pivot for the door.

WO 2008/048118 PCT/NZ2007/000308 -3 In broad terms in another aspect the invention comprises a shower enclosure system comprising at least one door and at least one return panel, for installation in a room to define with one or more walls of the room a shower enclosure, 5 a longitudinally extending overhead support arm having a curved shape and fixable to a wall of the room at an end of the support arm so as to extend adjacent the upper edge of the door and at least one return panel, at least one connector for connecting the support arm to the upper edge of the return panel at at least one point along the upper edge of the return panel and which is slidably mounted 10 on the support arm, and at least one other connector for connecting between the support arm and the upper edge of the door and which provides a top pivot mount for the door. The term 'comprising' as used in this specification and claims means 'consisting at least in 15 part of, that is to say when interpreting independent claims including that term, the features prefaced by that term in each claim will need to be present but other features can also be present. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings which 20 show preferred embodiments of the shower enclosure system by way of example. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view slightly from above of a shower enclosure system of the invention comprising a door and a single return panel, providing a square corner shower cubicle, Figure 2 is a view from above of the shower enclosure of Figure 1, 25 Figure 3 is an enlarged view from above of the shower enclosure of Figure 1, Figure 4 shows a preferred form of support arm-panel edge connection device, Figure 5 schematically shows adjustment of the bottom pivot of the door of the shower enclosure system of Figure 1 and Figure 5a shows the bottom pivot connector shown in Figure 5 in more detail, 30 Figure 6 is a perspective view slightly from above of a rectangular shower enclosure formed with a shower enclosure system of the invention, Figure 7 is a view from above of the shower enclosure of Figure 6, Figure 8 is a perspective view slightly from above of a quadrant shower enclosure formed with a shower enclosure system of the invention, 35 Figure 9 is a view from above of the shower enclosure of Figure 8, WO 2008/048118 PCT/NZ2007/000308 -4 Figure 10 is a perspective view slightly from above of a curve front shower enclosure formed with a shower enclosure system of the invention, Figure 11 is a view from above of the shower enclosure of Figure 10, Figure 12 is a front view of a shower enclosure formed by providing a door and return panel across 5 one side of a cubicle otherwise defined by a rear and side inbuilt walls, Figure 13 is a view from above of the shower enclosure of Figure 12, Figure 14 is a view from above of a shower enclosure similar to that of Figures 1 to 4 also showing a shower rose integrated with the overhead support arm, Figures 15 and 16 show one form of a device for both mounting the end of the support arm to the 10 room wall and providing water supply to the integrated shower rose of the shower enclosure of Figure 14, Figure 17 shows another form of mount for fixing the end of the support arm to a room wall and providing water supply to the integrated shower rose of a shower enclosure, Figure 18 is an exploded view of the mount of Figure 17, 15 Figure 19 is a cross-section view of the mount device of Figures 17 and 18 along a line I-I of Figure 17, Figures 20 and 21 are exploded views of the integrated shower rose of Figure 14, Figure 22 is a perspective view of a shower enclosure similar to that of Figures 1 to 3 also showing a detachable shower or wash rose. 20 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED FORMS Figures 1 to 4 show a shower enclosure formed with a shower enclosure system of the invention, the shower enclosure system in this embodiment comprising a glass door 1 and a single fixed glass return panel 2, which when fixed in-place in the corner of a room define a square 25 shower enclosure. A curved overhead support arm 3 is fixed to a wall by bracket 4 (see in particular Figure 3). In this embodiment the other end 5 of the support arm 3 is free i.e. is not also fixed to a wall. The support arm has a complex curved shape as shown and is installed so that after installation it is curved in a horizontal plane. The shape and dimensions of the support arm 3 are such that it is 30 then non-contiguous with the upper edge of the return panel 2, and also with the upper edge of the door 1 (when the door is closed as shown in Figure 3). The support arm 3 and the upper edge of the return panel 2 are connected at each of two points 6 and 7 by a connector 9. A preferred form of such a connector is shown in Figure 4. In this preferred form the connector has a bifurcated lower part 10 which engages over the upper 35 edge of the glass return panel 2, and an upper part 11 comprising a transverse bore by which the WO 2008/048118 PCT/NZ2007/000308 -5 connector is slidably mounted on the support arm 3. A clamp screw 12 is provided through the lower part 10 of the connector which can be tightened to clamp the connector 9 to the return panel, and a clamp screw 13 is provided through the upper part 11 of the connector which can be tightened to fix the position of the connector on the support arm 3. Preferably the upper and 5 lower parts of the connector 9 are pivotally coupled so that they may pivot relative to one another about an axis longitudinally through the connector (a vertical axis on installation). The form of connector shown is simply one form and the connector may be in any other suitable form. In the shower enclosure system of Figures 1 to 4 the support arm 3 is shaped such that it intersects the return panel 2 at two points 6 and 7 (see Figure 3), at each of which a connector 9 is 10 mounted to the support arm 3 and connects to the upper edge of the glass return panel 2. In an alternative form the support arm may intersect and be connected to a return panel at a single point only. The support arm 3 also intersects the door at point 8, at which a similar connector 9 is provided between the support arm 3 and the upper edge of the door. The connector 9 at this 15 point 8 thus also acts as the top pivot which mounts the door. At the opposite point at the bottom edge of the door a pivot fitting 10 shown in detail in Figure 5a is provided, which is fixed to the lower edge of the door and preferably is slidably mounted in a short track 11 to allow for adjustment of the position of the bottom door pivot in the direction of arrows A. Such a track may be moulded into or fixed to a pre-formed shower base 12 where a separate shower base is 20 provided, or may comprise a separate track component fixed to a tiled floor for example. At installation first the return panel is fitted in position. The vertical edge of the return panel 2 adjacent the wall is secured to the wall and the bottom edge of the return panel is secured to the floor or to the shower base. For example this vertical edge of the return panel may fit in a longitudinally extending channel 15 which is fixed to the wall, with a longitudinally extending 25 compression element being pushed between the glass edge and the interior of the channel 15 to hold the glass edge in the channel as is known. A similar channel may be provided at the bottom edge of the return panel 2, fixed to the shower base or the floor. Alternatively these vertical and horizontal edges of the return panel may be fixed to the wall and/or floor at spaced locations by discrete brackets or mounting components, leaving a small air space between the glass edge and the 30 adjacent surface. The support arm 3 is fixed in position at the appropriate height, by screwing bracket 4 to the wall. Typically the connectors 9 will be pre-mounted to the support arm 3 at approximately the right points along the support arm. The bifurcated lower ends of each of the connectors are fitted onto the edge of the return panel 9 at points 6 and 7, but without tightening the clamp screws 12 WO 2008/048118 PCT/NZ2007/000308 -6 and 13 so that the connectors are still free to slide both along the top edge of the return panel and along the support arm. The return panel 2 may then be adjusted until the installer is satisfied it is in the best position. Adjustment of the position of the return panel is facilitated by the ability of the 5 connectors 9 at points 6 and 7 to move lengthwise along both the top edge of the return panel and on the support arm 3, which intersects the return panel at an angle, enabling fine adjustment of the position of the return panel 2 in two dimensions or directions, as indicated by arrows B in Figure 3. The installer may then next mount the door. The installer slides the connector 9 at point 8 along the support arm 3 until it is positioned directly above the previously fitted lower pivot 10 point of the door. If for example a fixed pivot is provided on the shower base the installer moves the-connector 9 along until it is positioned immediately above this pivot. The installer may for example use a plumb bob on a string to ensure that the upper and lower pivot points for the door are correctly aligned. The installer then fits the door panel in place, so that the top edge of the door is held by the connector 9 and the bottom edge is held by the pivot 10, in the preferred form 15 shown. Before finally tightening the clamp screws 12 and 13 in each of the connectors 9 the installer may make fine adjustments to the position of the door and return panels relative to the walls and to one another, to ensure that they align as squarely as possible to the walls and that the door closes cleanly against the return panel. In the preferred form a compression seal is provided 20 along the vertical edge of the door which abuts and seals against the side of the return panel adjacent one vertical edge of the return panel when the door is closed. Deflector seals may be provided along one or both of the opposite vertical edge of the return panel to seal against the wall and the lower edge of the door to seal against the shower base or floor. The seals may be formed as extruded soft plastic components which fit over the vertical side and bottom edges of a glass 25 door panel for example. Optionally the door hinges may incorporate integral torsion springs or rise and fall mechanisms to bias the door towards the closed position. It is not necessary that the installer carry out the installation procedure exactly in the order outlined above. Figures 6 and 7 show a rectangular shower enclosure formed in a corner with a shower 30 enclosure system comprising a door 1 and two return panels 2a and 2b. Generally in Figures 6 to 14 similar reference numerals indicate similar components as in Figures 1 to 5. Curved support arm 3 is fixed to walls at its either end by brackets 4. It is curved with curves of multiple radii. Return panel 2a is connected to the support arm 3 by connectors 9 at points 6 and 7. Return panel 2b is connected to the support arm 3 by a connector 9 at point 16. The upper edge of the door 1 is 35 pivotally connected to the support arm 3 by connector 9 at point 7, and the lower edge of the door WO 2008/048118 PCT/NZ2007/000308 -7 is pivotally connected to the shower base or floor, for example by a system as described with reference to Figures 5 and 5a including a pivot 10. Figures 8 and 9 show a quadrant shaped shower enclosure, formed with a shower enclosure system of the invention comprising door 1 and return panels 2a and 2b. Figures 10 and 5 11 show a similar shower enclosure but with a curved door 1, and return panels 2a and 2b. In both cases the return panels are fixed to the wall along one vertical edge and to the shower base or floor along a bottom edge, as described in relation to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4. In both cases support arm 3 and return panels 2a and 2b are connected by connectors 9 at points 6 and 16 respectively, and the upper pivot for the door 1 is provided by a similar connector 9 at point 7. 10 The support arm is fixed to a wall by a bracket 4 and has an opposite free end. The support arm is curved with curves of multiple radii. Figures 12 and 13 show a shower enclosure formed by providing a door 1 and infill or return panel 2 across one open side of an alcove which is otherwise defined by built rear and side walls. A curved support arm 3 extends across the alcove opening and is fixed to walls at both ends 15 by brackets 4. Each of the door 1 and return panel 2 are connected to the arm 3 by connectors 9 as described previously. The door is pivotally mounted to the shower or floor at the opposite point on its bottom edge by a pivot 10. One vertical edge and the bottom edge of the return panels 2 are fixed to a side wall and to the shower base/floor respectively. Figure 14 shows a shower enclosure similar to that of Figures 1 to 4 but which also 20 incorporates a shower rose 20 integrated with the overhead support arm 3. In this embodiment. the support arm 3 has a hollow interior through which water passes from a pipe within the wall, from a mixer to the shower.rose. Figures 15 and 16 show a bracket 4a for both mounting the end of the support arm 3 to the wall and providing water supply through the arm 3 to the integrated shower rose. A flange 21 is in use screw fixed to the wall. A hollow curved component 22 is 25 pivotally mounted to the flange 21 at pivot 23, and connects to the end of the support arm 3. The pivot 23 allows the support arm to be pivoted somewhat during installation, in the direction of - arrow C in Figure 15. A pipe in the wall from the shower mixer (not shown) connects within the wall to the end 22b of the component 22. Figure 16 shows the bracket after fitting a cover 24 which aesthetically finishes the bracket. 30 Figures 17 to 19 show another form of mount device for both mounting the end of the support arm 3 to the wall and providing water supply through the arm 3 to an integrated shower rose. The mount comprises a bracket 30 which is fixed to the wall typically by screws into the wall through apertures 31 in the bracket. The bracket 30 has outwardly extending upper and lower parts 32 which include apertures 34 and 35. The mount also includes pivot block 36 which in the 35 preferred form is cylindrical as shown, and is mounted for pivotal movement about a vertical axis WO 2008/048118 PCT/NZ2007/000308 -8 through the apertures 34 and 35 in the parts 32 and 33 of the bracket 30. In the preferred form shown a short pin 37 on one end of the pivot block 36 enters into the aperture 35 in the bracket part 33, and a screw 37 passes through the aperture 34 in the bracket part 32 and threads into a threaded bore 37a in the other end of the pivot block 36. The pivot block 36 has a transverse bore 5 36a through it which is of a diameter which matches the outer diameter of the support arm 3 so that the end of the support arm may be entered into and pass through the pivot block 36 and through a larger aperture in the bracket 30 and into the wall, to connect to a pipe in the wall from the shower mixer as before. The design of the mount enables both some transverse pivotal movement of the support arm 3 to adjust the support arm to the right angle during installation, and 10 also adjustment of the support arm through the mount itself. Once the support arm has been adjusted to the optimum position through the mount, screw 38 is tightened through bore 38a to clamp. the pipe in position in the mount. The mount also includes a cover 39 which aesthetically' finishes it. Figures 20 and 21 are exploded views of the integrated shower rose 20. In the form 15 shown the rose comprises two parts 20a and 20b which fix together on either side of an aperture 25 through the arm 3. Water passes through the arm 3, through aperture 25 (see in particular Figure 18) and into the interior of the shower rose 20. Seal rings 26 seal around the arm 3 to the shower rose on either side of the aperture 25. Figure 22 shows a shower enclosure similar to that of Figures 1 to 3 in which a detachable 20 shower or wash rose 40 is coupled to the end of the support arm 3 not fixed to a wall, by a flexible pipe 41. Water is supplied through the support arm 3 and pipe 41 to the rose 40. A hook or bracket may be provided for mounting the rose 40 to the return wall 2 of the enclosure or the room wall, so that the rose 41 can be used for showering when in lace or detached and hand held for washing. 25 Advantages of the invention include: - The single curved overhead support arm which in at least some embodiments is non contiguous with at least the return panel and preferably one or more return panels and the 30 door, provides a distinctive appearance to the shower enclosure. - The shower enclosure system can be produced at low cost relative to systems which comprise fully framed return and door components. m The shower enclosure is relatively easy to install correctly since the curved support arm which in at least some embodiments is non-contiguous with but intersects the return WO 2008/048118 PCT/NZ2007/000308 -9 panel(s) and preferably door enables fine adjustment of the position of the return panel(s) and door relative to one another and to adjacent walls, in two dimensions because the connectors 9 or equivalent may move both on the upper edges of the return panel(s) and door and along the non-contiguous support arm. In particularly preferred forms the 5 position of the return panel may also be adjusted in side channel members or equivalent which mount the return panel to the adjacent wall and floor of the room. In the preferred forms of the invention described above and shown in the drawings the support arm 3 is smoothly curved over its length, with a complex or alternatively a simple curve. 10 In an alternative form however the support arm may be formed of straight segments, by bending rod material from which the support arm is formed, to change direction over its length at a number of shallow angle corners. Alternatively such a segmented support arm may be formed by for example welding a number of straight segments together, to form a support arm having a complex although not smoothly curved shape. 15 While in all the embodiments shown in the drawings the support arm is non-contiguous with the return panel(s) and door and only intersects the plane of the return panels and door at specific points, in an alternative embodiment the support arm may be contiguous with the upper edge of the return panel(s) and/or door so that the length of the support arm follows the upper edge(s) of the return panel(s) and door. The connectors 9 or equivalent may be slidably coupled to 20 the support arm which will allow for at least some fine adjustment of the connectors on the arm, and orientation of the return panel(s) and/or door at installation. Such embodiments are less preferred. The shower enclosures shown in the drawings have a single door but in alternative forms a shower enclosure of the invention may comprise double doors (both mounted to the curved 25 support at their top pivots). The forgoing describes the invention including preferred forms thereof. Alterations and modifications as would be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be incorporated in the. scope hereof as defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A shower enclosure system comprising 5 a door (or doors) and at least one return panel, for installation in a room to define with one or more walls of the room a shower enclosure, a longitudinally extending overhead support arm having a complex shape in at least one plane and fixable to a wall of the room at an end of the support arm and being of a shape and dimensions relative to the door and return panel(s) that the support arm is non-contiguous with the 10 upper edge of at least one return panel but intersects the plane of the return panel and the plane of the door panel above it's upper edge, at least one connector for connecting the support arm to the upper edge of the return panel at at least one point along the upper edge of the return panel, and a connector for connecting the support arm to the upper edge of the door panel at one 15 point along the upper edge of the door panel.

2. A shower enclosure system according to claim 1 wherein the overhead support arm has a shape and dimensions relative to one or more return panel(s) and also relative to the door that the support arm is non-contiguous with both the upper edges of one or more return panel(s) and the 20 door, but intersects the plane(s) of one or more return panels and the door above their upper edges, and the enclosure system includes connectors for connecting the support arm to the upper edges of the return panel(s) and the door at multiple intersection points.

3. A shower enclosure system according to either claim 1 or claim 2 comprising a single flat 25 return panel and a single flat door panel.

4. A shower enclosure system according to either claim I or claim 2 comprising a two flat return panels and a single flat door panel. 30 5. A shower enclosure system according to either claim I or claim 2 comprising a single return panel and a single curved door panel.

6. A shower enclosure system according to either claim 1 or claim 2 comprising a two return panels and a single curved door panel. 35 WO 2008/048118 PCT/NZ2007/000308 - 11 7. A shower enclosure system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the support arm is of a constant cross-section over its length.

8. A shower enclosure system according to any claim 7 wherein the support arm has a 5 cylindrical cross-section.

9. A shower enclosure system according claim 8 wherein the support arm has been formed by being bent to a complex curved shape from rod or tube. 10 10. A shower enclosure system according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the support arm is adapted to be fixed to a wall at one end only of the support arm.

11. A shower enclosure system according claim 10 including a bracket for pivotally fixing the end of the support arm to a wall. 15

12. A shower enclosure system according to any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein said connector(s) for connecting the support arm to the upper edge of the return panel is/are slidably mounted lengthwise on the support arm. 20 13. A shower enclosure system according to any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein said connector(s) for connecting the support arm to the upper edge of the return panel is/are adjustably positioned along the upper edge of the return panel(s).

14. A shower enclosure system according to any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein said connector 25 for connecting the support arm to the upper edge of the door panel comprises a pivot and acts as a top pivot for the door.

15. A shower enclosure system according to any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein said connector for connecting the support arm to the upper edge of the door panel is-adjustably positioned along 30 the upper edge of the door panel.

16. A shower enclosure system according to any one of claims I to 15 comprising a shower rose mountable to the support arm. WO 2008/048118 PCT/NZ2007/000308 - 12

17. A shower enclosure system according to claim 16 wherein the shower rose comprises two parts which are couplable to one another around a part of the support arm to mount the shower rose to the support arm. 5 18. A shower enclosure system according to either claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the support arm has a hollow interior for supplying water to the shower rose.

19. A shower enclosure system comprising at least one door and at least one return panel, for installation in a room to define with 10 one or more walls of the room a shower enclosure, a longitudinally extending overhead support arm having a curved shape which includes at least two curves of different radii in at least one plane, and which support arm is fixable to a wall of the room at an end of the support arm so as to extend adjacent .the upper edge of the door and at least one return panel, 15 at least one connector for connecting the support arm to the upper edge of the return panel at at least one point along the upper edge of the return panel and which is slidably mounted on the support arm, and at least one other connector for connecting between the support arm and the upper edge of the door and which provides a top pivot mount for the door. 20

20. A shower enclosure system according to claim 17 wherein the overhead support arm has a shape and dimensions relative to one or more return panel(s) and also relative to the door that the support arm is non-contiguous with both the upper edges of one or more return panel(s) and the door, but intersects the plane(s) of one or more return panels and the door above their upper 25 edges, and the enclosure system includes connectors for connecting the support arm to the upper edges of the return panel(s) and the door at multiple intersection points.

21. A shower enclosure system according to either claim 19 or claim 20 comprising a single flat return panel and a single flat door panel. 30

99. A shower enclosure system according to either claim 19 or claim 20 comprising a two flat return panels and a single flat door panel. 23. A shower enclosure system according to either claim 19 or claim 20 comprising a single 35 return panel and a single curved door panel. WO 2008/048118 PCT/NZ2007/000308 -13 24. A shower enclosure system according to either claim 19 or claim 20 comprising a two return panels and a single curved door panel. 5 25. A shower enclosure system according to any one of claims 19 to 24 wherein the support arm is of a constant cross-section over its length. 26. A shower enclosure system according to any one of claims 17 to 23 wherein the support arm is adapted to be fixed to a wall at one end only of the support arm. 10 27. A shower enclosure system according claim 24 wherein including a bracket for pivotally fixing the end of the support arm to a wall. 28. A shower enclosure system according to any one of claims 17 to 25 wherein said 15 connector(s) for connecting the support arm to the upper edge of the return panel is/are slidably mounted lengthwise on the support arm. 29. A shower enclosure system according to any one of claims 19 to 28 wherein said connector(s) for connecting the support arm to the upper edge of the return panel is/are adjustable 20 positioned along the upper edge of the return panel(s). 30. A shower enclosure system according to any one of claims 17 to 26 wherein said connector for connecting the support arm to the upper edge of the door panel comprises a pivot and acts as a top pivot for the door. 25 31. A shower enclosure system according to any one of claims 19 to 30 wherein said connector for connecting the support arm to the upper edge of the door panel is adjustably positioned along the upper edge of the door panel. 30 32. A shower enclosure system according to any one of claims 1 to 31 installed in a room and defining with one ore more walls of the room a shower enclosure, the support arm being fixed to a wall of the room so that the support arm is non-contiguous with the upper edge of at least one return panel but intersects the plane of the return panel and the plane of the door panel above their upper edges. 35 WO 2008/048118 PCT/NZ2007/000308 -14 33. A shower enclosure system according to claim 32 wherein the support arm is fixed to a wall of the room so that the support arm is non-contiguous with both the upper edges of one or more return panel(s) and the door, but intersects the plane(s) of one or more return panels and the door above their upper edges. 5