AU666629B2

AU666629B2 - Splay screen assembly

Info

Publication number: AU666629B2
Application number: AU74302/94A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Scott Andrew Harlow Ballis; Gerard Mussett
Original assignee: Dowell Australia Ltd; Stegbar Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Dowell Australia Ltd; Stegbar Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1990-12-21
Filing date: 1994-09-29
Publication date: 1996-02-15
Anticipated expiration: 2012-07-10
Also published as: AU7430294A

Description

666629 COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA I Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title

APPLICANT:

SPLAY SCREEN ASSEMBLY STEGBAR PTY LTD DOWELL AUSTRALIA LTD The invention is described in the following statement: JM/STEGBAR.iii.COMPLETE/28 SEPTEMBER 1994 2 TITLE: Splay Screen Assembly FIELD OF THE INVENTION: The invention of the present application relates to a splay screen assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION: There is a need for improved means of constructing shower screens, in particular, improved means for constructing splayed screens.

Means for constructing splayed screens are known but are somewhat inconvenient to use and the resultant assembly does not have a neat and well-designed appearance. The range of adjustment is also less than 90, which can be inconvenient.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: This invention provides a splay screen assembly which comprises an elongated post element having a longitudinal, convex, curved face, the elongated post element adapted to be arranged in use substantially vertically, in combination with an elongated socket element having a corresponding longitudinal, concave, curved face adapted to engage in slideable, close fit around the S convex, curved face of the elongated post element, whereby in use either the elongated post element or the elongated socket element may be altered in position S one with respect to the other.

This invention further provides a splay screen assembly which comprises an S elongated post element having a longitudinal, convex, curved face, the elongated post element adapted to be arranged in use substantially vertically, in combination with an elongated socket element having a corresponding longitudinal, concave, curved face adapted to be engageable in slidable, close fit around the convex, curved face of the elongated post element, and to be moveable directly into and out of engagement with the elongated post element without the need for longitudinal interfitting, the elongated socket element being further adapted to interlock with JM/STEGBAR.iii.COMPLETE/28 SEPTEMBER 1994 L 11101 3 panel element in such a manner that the panel element may be rotated off-centre with regard to the elongated post element whereby in use either the elongated post element or the elongated socket element may be altered in position one with respect to the other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: Figure 1A is a cross-sectional, plan view of a splay screen assembly according to the invention; and Figure 1B is a cross-sectional plan view of a modified version of one element of the splay screen assembly of Figure 1A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION: The basic concept of the splay S screen assembly according to the invention, is the provision of off-centre relative rotation of the construction elements by means of a sliding fit between a curved (that is, a regular curve), for example, a hemicylindrical element, and a socket means.

S Such a curved element may form a corner post, or part of a corner post, for the construction of a splay screen assembly. The curved element may be suitably an extrusion, for example, of metal. A skirt may be added to the splay screen assembly S to improve stability, add strength and also improve cleanability of the assembly.

This skirt is adapted to attach to the assembly and slide over the curved surface.

S The elongated post element may be constructed in two parts, for example, an elongated portion having a convex, curved face and a snap-fit base. On the other hand the curved portion and base may be integral. Selection of which version to S choose depends upon relative ease of manufacture. Yet again the rear, as viewed in use, of the elongated post element having a convex, curved face may be so shaped as to incorporate, for example, a socket for another screen or door element or simply to have an open portion to which or through which a screen, door element or other splay screen assembly may be interfitted. Alternatively, the open portion may be closed in use by use of, for example, a snap fit means made from a flexible plastics material.

JM/STEGBAR.iii.COMPLETE/28 SEPTEMBER 1994 i 4 In the specification and claims, the term "panel element" is intended to include a screen or door element.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an example only according to the invention, the invention not being limited to the particular example: A splay screen assenmbly for use in relation to sliding doors is indicated generally in Figure 1A by nurmeral 20. A hemicylindrical element 21, formed from an extrusion, is supplied with a snap-fit base 22. A socket 23 is formed with a corresponding female, part cylindrical surface 24. Numeral 25 indicates an extended skirt to improve strength and also stability between hemicylindrical element 21 and socket 23. The extended skirt also improves ease of cleaning of socket 23. A screen 26 is shown as fitting into socket 23. Numeral 21A refers to a small indicator protrusion on hemicylindrical element 21 to assist in relative location of hemicylindrical element 21 and socket 23. Note that a pip may be added to the skirt, between the skirt and the sliding surface, to make the fit between the skirt and sliding surface more flexible and/or to aid attachment of the assembly to other integers of the shower screen assembly.

Regarding Figure 1B, numeral 20 indicates an extrusion which integrates hemicylindrical element 21 and base 22 of Figure 1A.

As may be seen from Figure 1A, a panel element such as screen 26 may form a substantially flush assembly with socket 23 and the elongated post element comprising hemicylindrical element 21 and snap-fit base 22.

JM/STEGBAR.iii.COMPLETE/28 SEPTEMBER 1994

Claims

1. A splay screen assembly which comprises an elongated post element having a longitudinal, convex, curved face, the elongated post element adapted to be arranged in use substantially vertically, in combination with an elongated socket element having a corresponding longitudinal, concave, curved face adapted to engage in slideable, close fit around the convex, curved face of the elongated post element, whereby in use either the elongated post element or the elongated socket element may be altered in position one with respect to the other.

2. A splay screen assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the longitudinal, convex, curved face is hemicylindrical and the corresponding longitudinal, concave, curved face is also hemicylindrical.

3. A splay screen assembly which comprises an elongated post element having a longitudinal, convex, curved face, the elongated post element adapted to be arranged in use substantially vertically, in combination with an elongated socket element having a corresponding longitudinal, concave, curved face adapted to be engageable in slidable, close fit around the convex, curved face of the elongated post element, and to be moveable directly into and out of engagement with the elongated post element without the need for longitudinal interfitting, the elongated socket element being further adapted to interlock with a panel element in such a manner that the panel element may be rotated off-centre with regard to the elongated post element whereby in use either the elongated post element or the elongated socket element may be altered in position one with respect to the other.

4. A splay screen assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the longitudinal, convex, curved face is hemicylindrical and the corresponding longitudinal, concave, curved face is also hemicylindrical. JM/STEGBAR.iii.COMPLETE/28 SEPTEMBER 1994 11 6 splay screen assembly as claimed in claim 1 substantially as described with reference to Figures 1A and 1B. DATED this 28th day of September, 1994. STEGBAR PTY LIMITED and DOWELL AUSTRALIA LIMITED By Their Patent Attorneys JAMES MURRAY CO. JM/STEGBAR.iii.COMPLETE/28 SEPTEMBER 1994 U 7 ABSTRACT A splay screen assembly (20) which comprises an elongated post element (21) having a longitudinal, convex, curved face, the elongated post element adapted to be arranged in use substantially vertically, in combination with an elongated socket i: element (23) having a corresponding longitudinal, concave, curved face (24) adapted to engage in slidable, close fit around the convex, curved face of the elongated post :I element, whereby in use either the elongated post element or the elongated socket element may be altered in position one with respect to the other. i JM/STEGBAR.iii.COMPLETE/28 SEPTEMBER 1994