AU664659B2

AU664659B2 - Shower screen assembly

Info

Publication number: AU664659B2
Application number: AU52184/93A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Helmut Musatics
Original assignee: Dowell Australia Ltd
Current assignee: Aluminium Extrusion and Distribution Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1992-12-09
Filing date: 1993-12-07
Publication date: 1995-11-23
Anticipated expiration: 2013-12-07
Also published as: AU5218493A

Description

664659

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDRD PATENT 9 9 9@ *9t*99 *9 9 99 *9 Applicant(s): DOWELL AUSTRALIA LIMITED A.C.N. 004 437 898 Invention Title: SHOWER SCREEN ASSEMBLY *9*999 0 The following statement~ is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 4 2 SHOWER SCREEN ASSEMBLY Field of the Invention This invention relates to shower screen assemblies and relates particularly, but not exclusively to shower screen assemblies which can be used for corner shower screen installations where there is a pillarless free corner in the installation. Installations of this type permit easy access to the shower cubicle if there are sliding panels which meet at the free corner of the installation as a person can enter the cubicle through the pillarless corner.

Description of Prior Art Hitherto, it has been known to provide corner shower screen installations with sliding panels which meet at a free corner of the installation. A typical example of a shower screen installation of this type is shown in German Patent Specification Nos. 3237291 and 3022271. A similar shower screen installation is shown in Australian Patent Specification No. 603864.

S 20 Generally, shower screen installations of the S" above type have not been entirely satisfactory or economiu l to produce because of the relatively large number of components required and because of the unpleasing physical arrangement of various flanges and the like on the 25 extrusion members which form the assembly.

Object and Statement of Invention The present invention has been devised to attempt Sto provide an improved shower screen assembly which can be used in a multitude of different environments and, particularly, in a corner shower screen environment where there are sliding panels which meet at a free corner of the installation. Particular embodiments of the invention have application to other types of shower screen installations.

3 According to a first broad aspect of the present invention there e faa=e/provided a sliding shower screen assembly comprising at least: 1. A fixed panel; 2. A sliding panel; 3. A head track extrusion; 4. A sill extrusion; and A wall frame extrusion; said head track extrusion having a track supporting said sliding panel at a top of said sliding panel so said sliding panel can move backwards and forwards along said track, said head track extrusion also having a surface to which a top of said fixed panel is attached whereby both said sliding panel and said fixed panel are held relative to said head track extrusion with the planes of each being generally parallel to each other and in line with the longitudinal extent of said head track and generally vertical, said head track extrusion being connected with said wall frame extrusion, said wall frame extrusion being connected with said sill extrusion and so said sill extrusion extends generally parallel to said head track extrusion at the bottom of said fixed panel and said sliding panel, said o. 25 fixed panel being held at the bottom to said sill extrusion; said sill extrusion having an upstanding inverted generally "J"-shaped lip extending therealong, said lip being open on the side of said assembly which is inside of 30 said shower screen assembly, said lip positioned inwardly relative to the outside edge of said sill, said sliding panel having a hook extending from a lower edge which locates under said inverted generally shaped lip and guides the bottom of said sliding panel along said sill extrusion as said sliding panel is moved backwards and forwards along said head track extrusion, said head track extrusion, said wall frame I I 1 4 extrusion, and said sill extrusion being all of generally the same widths and wherein, in use, a wetted surface of the sill on the inside of said assembly is minimised by said generally inverted "J"-shaped lip being positioned inwards relative to the outside edges of the sill.

Most preferably, the assembly is such that the sliding panel and fixed panel are both received within the outer edge extremes of the head track extrusion, the wall frame extrusion, and the sill extrusion.

Most preferably, the head track extrusion and the wall frame extrusion are prior art extrusions.

Most preferably, the fixed panel has a sash at 6666 the bottom thereof which has a leg extending therefrom 6 o which is generally transverse to the plane of the fixed 15 panel and directed outwardly of the assembly, said leg positioned on that portion of the top of the sill between said inverted generally "J"-shaped lip and the outer edge of said sill, so said fixed panel uniformly compression loads said sill with the weight of said fixed panel.

Most preferably, the top of the fixed panel has a i sash at the top thereof which has a leg extending therefrom which is generally transverse to the plane of the fixed S* panel and directed outwardly of the assembly and positioned 666 underneath a longitudinally extending fixed panel mounting S 25 flange of the head track extrusion, which flange extends generally horizontally and inwardly of the outer edge of said head track extrusion, whereby fastening means can be 666666 6 used to fasten said leg to said fixed panel mounting flange to suspend said fixed panel relative to said head track extrusion and so said fastening means will be subjected to either compressive or tension loadings, but not any substantial shear loadings resulting from said suspension.

Most preferably, the sashes for the top and bottom of the fixed panel are of identical transverse cross-section.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a sliding shower screen 4A assembly comprising at least: 1. A fixed panel; 2. A sliding panel; 3. A head track extrusion; 4. A sill extrusion; and A sash for the fixed panel, said sash having a panel receiving pair of flanges, and a leg extending therealong, said leg extending generally transversely to the plane of a panel received by said panel receiving pair of flanges, said leg being located to rest on said sill or underneath said head track extrusion with 0:00 fastening means passing through said leg into either the sill or into the head track extrusion so the fastti-ing means will be subjected to either compressive or tension 15 loadings but not shear loadings resulting from the weight of said panel.

0* In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a sill for a sliding shower screen assembly, said sill comprising an upstanding inverted generally shaped lip extending therealong, said lip being open on the side thereof which is to be inside of the assembly, said lip being positiorned inwardly relative to the outerside edge of the sill and between the inside and outside edges of the sill, said lip being for locating a lower edge of a sliding panel of said assembly so that, in use, a wetted surface of the sill on the inside of the assembly is minimised by being positioned inwardly relative to the outer side edges of the sill.

In accordance with an even further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of supporting a fixed panel of a sliding shower screen assembly, said shower screen assembly comprising at least: 1. said fixed panel; 2. A sliding panel; 3. A head track extrusion; 4. A sill extrusion; and A sash for said fixed panel; I 4B said sash having a panel receiving pair of flanges, and a leg extending therealong, said leg extending generally transversely to the plane of a panel received by said panel receiving pair of flanges, said method comprising fitting said panel between said panel receiving pair of flanges and locating said leg so that it will rest on said sill or underneath the head track extrusion and then fastening said leg to either said sill or said head track extrusion by fastening means so that said fastening means will be subjected to either compressive or tension loadings but not shear loadings resulting from the weight of said panel.

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S S S *0 *o e *o I II I I I 5 Brief Description of Drawings In order that the invention can be more clearly ascertained examples of preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is an isometric view of a corne: shower screen installation which has sliding panels which meet at a pillarless free corner of the installation; Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the screen installation in Figure 1 showing a corner connector at the sill; Figure 3 is a top perspective view showing a corner connector of the head track; Figures 4 and 5 are, respectively, a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a sill; Figures 6 and 7 are, respectively, a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a nash; Figures 8 and 9 are, respectively, a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a vertical frame part of the sliding parel; Figure 10 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the installation shown in Figure 1; Figure 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the installation shown in Figure 1; 25 Figures 12 through 19 are views showing various possibilities for use of shower screen assemblies incorporating features of the present invention; Figures 20, 21 and 22 are views taken of a shower screen assembly shown in Australian Patent Specification No. 43161/72 in the name of Cyclone Company of Australia Limited.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments Referring firstly to Figures 20, 21 and 22 there is shown a shower screen assembly which comprises a fixed panel 10, a sliding panel 21 and a further sliding panel 21'. The assembly has a head track extrusion 20 and a sill extrusion 17. The head track extrusion 20 has a track 6 on the inside edge of the assembly. It also has a further track 25 on the outer side edge. Each of the tracks and 25 are used for supporting the sliding panels 21 and 21' so they are suspended from the head track extrusion Each of the sliding panels 21 and 21' are held relative to the sill 17 by hook means 31 which extend from the bottom of the sliding panels 21 and 21'. By observing Figure 21 it can be seen that the sill 17 has an upstanding inverted generally "J"-shaped lip 36 which is positioned on the outer side edge of the sill extrusion 17. The lip is open from the inside of the assembly. Thus, the sliding panel 21' is arranged with its hook 31 located within lip 36. This retains sliding panel 21' in a generally vertical position so that it can slide backwards and forwards along the head track extrusion 20. Hook 31 which extends from the bottom of sliding panel 21, in turn, locates within a track (not clearly shown) in the bottom of the sash of sliding panel 21. Thus, sliding panel 21 is held relative to sliding panel 21' so that both are generally parallel and extend along the longitudinal extent of the head track and the sill 17. Sliding panel 21' can slide relative to sliding panel 21 if desired. The fixed panel 10 is positioned on the inside of the assembly so that it extends i off the outside face of the innermost leg of the head track extrusion 20 and off the inside face of the sill 17. Thus, fixed panel 10 is mounted internally of the installation on the inside faces of the assembly.

Referring now to Figures 1 through 19, and in particular to Figure 1, there is shown a corner shower screen installation having a corner entry through a free corner of the assembly. Thus, the installation can be mounted to a floor 101 by mounting sill extrusions 103 to the floor, wall frame extrusions 105 to corner walls 107 and by mounting head track extrusion 109 above a pair of fixed panels 111 and a pair of sliding panils 113. The sill extrusions 103 are interconnected at a free corner of the installation 115 by a sill connector 117. The head 7 track extrusions 109 are interconnected by a head track connector 119. The sill connector 117 and head track connector 119 are shown in isometric views ii Figures 2 and 3, respectively. These views show the connectors looking from the inside of the installation outwardly. In each case, they are top isometric views of the connectors.

Accordingly, it can be seen that a person wishing to gain access to the installation moves one and preferably both of the sliding panels 113 to open the installation to gain access into the cubicle. The sliding panels 113 can then be moved to close the installation at the free corner 115. Shower screen installations of this type are generally known as, for example, in the two German Patent Specification Nos. 3237291 and 3022271 mentioned previously and the Australian Patent Specification No. 603864, also mentioned previously.

Shower screen installations of this type have not been favoured because of many factors, such as the cost of the installation which is consequent on the large number of components required, the effective sealing uf the two sliding panels 113 at the free corner 115, and also the large number of components which must be stocked by an installer for a dedicated installation of this type and by the unpleasing arrangement of various flanges and the like 25 on an extrusion member which forms part of the assembly.

With xamples of the preferred embodiment, substantial improvements in relation to the above have been achieved and, in particular, the head track extrusion and *wall frame extrusion of a prior art shower screen, such as that Phown in the Australian Patent Specification No.

43161/72 shown in Figures 20, 21 and 22 herein can be utilised. Accordingly, in the examples shown herein t~here is provided the known prior art head track extrusion 109 and w.ll frame extrusion 105. Certain other frame 35 extrui-ons from the prior art can also be utilised as well.

In the example, there is provided a new sill extrusion 103 and this is shown in detail in Figures 4 and 8 The sill extrusion 103 has an inside edge 121 and an outside edge 123. An upstanding inverted generally shaped lip 125 is provided on the upper surface of the sill extruLion 103 and is open on the side of the assembly which is inside of the shower screen assembly. Thus, there is a wetted surface 127 on the top of the sill extrusion 103 which is slightly downr.Tardly inclined to assist easy runoff of water. The lip 125 is positioned inwards relative to the outside edge 123 of the sill 103. Thus, it can be contrasted quite markedly to the prior art sill shown in Australian Patent Specification No. 43161/72 where the lip 36 is on the outside edge 123 of the sill extrusion. Thus, there is a portion 129 on the top of the sill 103 between the lip 125 and the outer edge 123 of the sill 103. The portion 129 is used to position and hold the fixed panel 111 as will now be explained.

The fixed panel 111 see Figures 6 and 7 is provided with a bottom sash 131. The sash 131 is of generally prior art shape, except that it has a leg 133 which extends therefrom in a direction generally transverse to the plane of the fixed panel 111 to which the sash 131 is mounted. The width of the leg 133 corresponds approximately to the width of the portion 129.

Accordingly, when the fixed panel 111 is mounted between 25 the pairs of arms 135 of the sash 131 then the leg 133 can be arranged to be directed outwardly of the assembly and arranged to rest directly on the portion 129. Thus, the fixed panel 111 will provide a uniform compression load to the s4.ll rather than point loads which is achieved in the 30 prior art by reason of the connection of the fixed panel to the sill by pop-rivets or screws 16 (see Figure 22) which are in shear loading. Thus, with compression loads on the sill extrusion 103 there is enhanced structural stability to the installation. Pop-rivets or screws can pass through the leg 133 into the portion 129 to hold the fixed panel relative to the sill 103.

The top Of the fixed panel 111 is provided with a Bb 9top sash 131 of the same transverse cross-sectional shape as that of the sash 131 at the bottom of the fixed panel 111. The connection of the top sash 131 to the head track extrusion 109 will be explained in due course.

The head track extrusion 109 is shown in transverse cross-section in Figure 11 and is of a prior art type shown in the aforementioned Australian Patent Specification No. 43161/72. Here it can be seen that it is of generally inverted "U"-shape in transverse crosssection. It has a track 137 which extends along the length of the head track extrusion 109 and is used for supporting the sliding panel 113. Thus, track 137 is in the inside edge of the installation on the inside face of the head track extrusion 109. The head track extrusion 109 has a longitudinally extending fixed panel mounting flange 139 extending longitudinally along the inside face of the outer edge of the head track extrusion 109, In the prior art, the mounting flange 139 served as a second track, but in this installation it serves solely as a mounting flange 139. Thus, the fixed panel 111 is attached with the head track extrusion 109 by means of the sash 131 and its leg 133 locating underneath the undersurface of the mounting flange 139. It should be noted that the mounting flange 139 extends generally horizontally and inwardly of the 25 outer edge of the head track extrusion 109. Pop-rivets ~(not shown) can be used or screws (not shown) can be used to fasten the leg 133 to the mounting flange 139. Such fasteners will be subjected to either compressive or tension loadings but not to any substantial sheer loadings 30 which occurred in the prior art. In particular, if Figure 21 is inspected it can be seen that the fixed panel 10 is held relative to the head track 20 by screws or pop-rivets 19 which are in sheer loadings.

It can be seen from Figure 1 that the fixed panel 35 111 is located between the arms of the generally "U"-shaped wall frame extrusions 105. This is also shown in Figure 10 The vertical framing parts of the sash of the fixed panel 111 can be made from known extrusions for prior art shower screen installations. Similarly, the vertical frame part of the sashas of the sliding panel 113 on the trailing, or innermost edge, 141 of the sliding panel 113 can also be of known extrusion. The leading, or outermost, edge 143 of the sliding panel 113 can be a new extruded section, compared to the prior art, and this is shown in detail in Figures 8 and 9. Here, it has a body portion 145 of generally known transverse cross-sectional shape.

Extending from the body portion 145 is an arcuate flange 147 with an enlarged head or bead 149 at the free end. In use, the outermost or leading edge of the frame of the sash of the sliding panel 113 is arranged as clearly shown in Figure 10 so that the flanges 147 overlap at the free corner 115 of the installation. The enlarged head or bead 149 is used to provide partial interlocking or interference engagement of the two flanges 147 to hold the two sliding panels 113 in a closed condition at the free corner 115 of the installation. Manual forces can be applied to the sliding panels 113 to overcome this interference engagement to enable the panels to be easily opened.

By observing Figure 11 it can be seen how the sliding panel 113 is carried relative to the head track 25 extrusion 109 on the track 137. The sliding panel 113 has a top sash 151 which has one side thereof the outside edge of the installation provided with an extended leg 153. The leg 153 carries a roller wheel 155 in known manner for prior art shower screen assemblies. Thus, the 30 roller wheel 155 engages in the track 137 and permits the sliding panel 113 to be suspended from the track 137 and also from the head track extrusion 109 so it can be moved backwards and forwardr along the length of the head track extrusion 109. The sliding panel 113 is held relative to 35 the sill extrusion 103 by means of a hook means 157 which extends from the sash 159 at the bottom of the sliding panel 113. The hook means 157 can be provided on a 11 plastics moulded member 161 fastened to the sash 159. The sash 159 can comprise a known prior art sash. The hook means 157 therefore locates under the lip 125 and retains the sliding panel 113 in co-planar aligned arrangement with the fixed panel 111 and within the confines of the inside and outer side edges 121 and 123 of the sill extrusion 103.

It should be noted that this is also within the confines of the inside and outside edges of the head track extrusion 109. Thus, the both the sliding panel 113 and fixed panel 111 are also within the inside and outerside edge extremes of the wall frame extrusion 105.

By referring to Figure 11 it can be seen that the head track extrusion 109, the wall frame extrusion 105 and the sill extrusion 103 are all of generally the same widths and that the wetted surface 127 of the sill 103 has been minimised by the lip 125 being positioned inwards relative to the outside edge 123 of the sill 103. Thus, a considerably enhanced assembly has been produced which is compact in width and utilises certain known extruded sections. Thus, an enhanced assembly is provided with minimum number of new extruded components.

Figures 12 through 19 show possible installations for the shower screen assembly referred to above. Thus, in certain embodiments, it can be seen that the assembly is 25 not solely applicable to corner shower screen installations nor those where there is no frame member at the free corner 115.

Modifications may be made to the present invention as would be apparent to persons skilled in the 30 aluminium extrusion and/or shower screen production arts.

These and other modifications may be made without departing from the ambit of the invention, the nature of i which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

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Claims

1. A sliding shower screen assembly comprising at least: 1. A fixed panel;

2. A sliding panel;

3. A head track extrusion;

4. A sill extrusion; and A wall frame extrusion; said head track extrusion having a track supporting said sliding panel at a top of said sliding panel so said sliding panel can move backwards and forwards along said track, said head track extrusion also having a surface to which a top of said fixed panel is attached whereby both said sliding panel and said fixed panel are held relative to said head track extrusion with the planes of each being generally parallel to each other and in line with the longitudinal extent of said head track and generally vertical, said head track extrusion being connected with said wall frame extrusion, said wall frame extrusion being connected with said sill extrusion and so said sill extrusion extends generally parallel to said head track extrusion at the bottom of said fixed panel and said sliding panel, said S. fixed panel being held at the bottom to said sill extrusion, said sill extrusion having an upstanding inverted generally "J"-shaped lip extending therealong, said lip being open on the side of said assembly which is inside of said shower screen assembly, said lip positioned inwardly relative to the outside edge of said sill and between the inside and outside edges of the sill, said sliding panel having a hook extending from a lower edge which locates under said inverted generally shaped lip and guides the bottom of said sliding panel along said sill extrusion as said sliding panel is moved backwards and forwards along said head track extrusion, 13 said head track extrusion, said wall frame extrusion, and said sill extrusion being all of generally the same widths and wherein, in use, a wetted surface of the sill on the inside of said assembly is minimised by said generally inverted "J"-shaped lip being positioned inwards relative to the outside edges of the sill. 2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sliding panel and fixed panel are both received within the outer edge extremes of the head track extrusion, the wall frame extrusion, and the sill extrusion. 3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said fixed panel has a sash at the bottom thereof which has a leg extending therefrom which is generally transverse to the plane of the fixed panel and directed outwardly of the assembly, said leg positioned on that g o portion of the top of the sill between said inverted generally "J"-shaped lip and the outer edge of said sill, so said fixed panel uniformly compression loads said sill with the weight of said fixed panel. 4. An assembly as claimed in any one of the o: *preceding claims wherein the top of the fixed panel has a sash at the top thereof which has a leg extending therefrom which is generally transverse to the plane of the fixed panel and directed outwardly of the assembly and positioned underneath a longitudinally extending fixed panel mounting flange of the head track extrusion, which flange extends oo generally horizontally and inwardly of the outer edge of said head track extrusion, whereby fastening means can be used to fasten said leg to said fixed panel mounting flange to suspend said fixed panel relative to said head track extrusion and so said fastening means will be subjected to either compressive or tension loadings, but not any substantial shear loadings resulting from the weight of said fixed panel.

An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the sashes of the top and bottom Sof the fixed panel are of identical transverse cross- 14 section.

6. A sliding shower screen assembly comprising at least: 1. A fixed panel; 2. A sliding panel; 3. A head track extrusion; 4. A sill extrusion; and A sash for the fixed panel, said sash having a panel receiving pair of flanges, and a leg extending therealong, said leg extending generally transversely to the plane of a panel received by said panel receiving pair of flanges, said leg being located to rest on said sill or underneath said head track extrusion with fastening means passing through said leg into either the sill or into the head track extrusion so the fastening S* ,means will be subjected to either compressive or tension 0loadings but not shear loadings resulting from the weight S of said panel.

7. Z sill for a sliding shower screen assembly, said sill comprising an upstanding inverted generally shaped lip extending therealong, said lip being open on the side thereof which is to be inside of the assembly, said lip being positioned inwardly relative to the outerside edge of the sill and between the inside and outside edges of the sill, said lip being for locating a lower edge of a sliding panel of said assembly so that, in use, a wetted surface of the sill on the inside of the assembly is minimised by being positioned inwardly relative to the outer side edges of the sill.

8. An assembly substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the examples in figures 1 to 19 of the accompanying drawings.

9. A method of supporting a fixed panel of a sliding shower screen assembly, said shower screen assembly comprising at least: 1. said fixed panel; 2. A sliding panel; 15 3. A head track extrusion; 4. A sill extrusion; and A sash for said fixed panel; said sash having a panel receiving pair of flanges, and a leg extending therealong, said leg extending generally transversely to the plane of a panel received by said panel receiving pair of flanges, said method comprising fitting said panel between said panel receiving pair of flanges and locating said leg so that it will rest on said sill or underneath the head track extrusion and then fastening said leg to either said sill or said head track extrusion by fastening means so that said fastening means will be subjected to either compressive or tension loadings but not shear loadings resulting from the weight of said panel. .o

10. A sill substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the examples in Figures 1 to 19 of the accompanying drawings.

11. A method of supporting a fixed panel of a sliding shower screen assembly, substantially as herein described with reference to any one of Figures 1 to 19 of uJo the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS 21ST DAY OF AUGUST 1995 DOWELL AUSTRALIA LIMITED By Its Patent Attorneys: GRIFFITH HACK CO., Fellows Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia SS. ABSTRACT A sliding shower screen assembly is provided which has a fixed panel (111), a sliding panal (113), a head track (109), a sill (103) and a wall extrusion (105). The fixed panel (111) and the sliding panel (113) are carried by the head track (109) and the sill (103). The sill (103) has an upstanding inverted shaped lip (125) extending therealong which is open on the inside of the assembly and positioned inwardly relative to the outer side edge and between the inner and outer side edges. The sliding panel (113) has a hook (157) which locates in the lip (125) and guides the sliding pa.nel (113). The wetted surface (127) of the sill (103) is minimised on the inside of the assembly by the lip (125) being between the inside and outside edges of the sill. A sill and a sash for the assembly are disclosed. The sill has the advantage set out above. The sash has a leg (133) extending therefrom in a direction generally transverse to the plane of a panel for which the sash is associated. This leg permits the panel to rest on the sill (103) or be suspended from the head track (109) by fastening means such as screws or pop-rivets which will be subjected to either compressive or tension loadings but not shear loadings resulting from the weight of the panel. o 0oo* oo