AU785173B2 - 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 Ocauntn 6. SEP.2006 15:51 PHILLIPS ORMOND 0. 493 P. 7 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 shower screen.

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 25 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.

.e 30 According to the present invention, there is provided 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 having a longitudinal axis, a slot for receiving said panel edge portion is formed in one end of said edge engaging part and extends transverse to or angularly relative W;\sharon\b)radSpec,15627.02 Amennded 6 Sept 06.doc COMS ID No: SBMI-04680935 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:50 Date 20069-906 6. SEP.2006 15:51 PHILLIPS ORMOND O. 493 P. 8 to said longitudinal axis, 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 an axial bore is formed in an opening end of said edge engaging part which extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis which receives said one end of said strut.

The panel engaging 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.

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.

W:%Sh3ronbra0%8peci1182702 Amenaet 6 Sept O8.Ogc COMS ID No: SBMI-04680935 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:50 Date 2006-09-06 Figure 4 illustrates a plan view of an exploded view of the elongate mounting part, elongate main part and panel.

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.

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

Figures 9 to 12 illustrate in diagrammatic plan view a shower screen assembly incorporating embodiments 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, Swhich is a situation common to each of the Figures 1 to 3 arrangements.

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.

W:%Sharon~bradSpecI 5827.02 Sjun06.doc 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 *o W:%sharon~bradSpeci%15827-02 OjunOS.Ooc 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 i" 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 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 crosssectional 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:%MaryOBFkSpeCidi3S aluminium products.doc 17 Page(s). were not lodged with this application 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 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 el 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' 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:\MaryO\BF\Specl\d2sO alumlnium 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 S. 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 .i 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:%MaryOBFSpecidas aluminium prOduCtSdOC 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:\MaryO\BF\Specl~dasO aluminlum product.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 l invention.

W:%MaryO%8FkSpeCIdi2S aluminium products.doc

Claims (2)

1. 6. SEP. 200 15:51 PHILLIPS ORMOND NO. 493 P. 9 12 THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. 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 having a longitudinal axis, a slot for receiving said panel edge portion is formed in one end of said edge engaging part and extends transverse to or angularly relative to said longitudinal axis, 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 an axial bore is formed in an opening end of said edge engaging part which extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis which receives said one end of said strut. 2. A connector according to claim 1 wherein said edge engaging part has an opening extending to the axial bore to receive a releasable clamping means to secure the strut against axial movement relative to the edge engaging part. 3. A connector according to claim 2, 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 Ve against a side of said slot opposite said one side thereof. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said support is another panel, said strut is connectable to said other panel through another said edge engaging part, and said other edge engaging part is connected to or is connectable with said strut. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said strut is connectable with said support through a connecting member that is connected to or is connectable with said strut. 6. A connector according to claim 5, wherein said connector member has a longitudinal axis, an axial bore is formed through one end of said member for receiving an opposing end portion of said strut, an end wall is provided at the W:\sharon\brad\S0tci\15827.02 Amended B Sept 06.dc COMS ID No: SBMI-04880935 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:50 Date 2006-09-06 20C6 15:51 PHILLIPS ORMOND C0.493 P. other end of said member, and a passage is formed through said end wall to receive means for fastening said member to said support.
2. 7. 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 I to 6 connecting an upper edge of said panel to a support located in spaced relationship to said panel. B. A method of forming a structure according to claim 7, including the 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. W;%;h~rqn%1;rad\6pq;j\i5627-02 Amended 6 Gap% 06.avc€ COMS ID No: SBMI-04680935 Received by 113 Australia: Time 15:50 Date 2006-09-06