CA2006089A1 - Folding shower door - Google Patents
Folding shower doorInfo
- Publication number
- CA2006089A1 CA2006089A1 CA 2006089 CA2006089A CA2006089A1 CA 2006089 A1 CA2006089 A1 CA 2006089A1 CA 2006089 CA2006089 CA 2006089 CA 2006089 A CA2006089 A CA 2006089A CA 2006089 A1 CA2006089 A1 CA 2006089A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- panels
- enclosure assembly
- vertical
- door
- window
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Landscapes
- Specific Sealing Or Ventilating Devices For Doors And Windows (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
An enclosure of a shower stall or bathtub alcove which includes a frame and a door or doors. The frame is composed of upper and lower housings spaced by side jambs. The housings have single tracks. There is at least one door which is composed of double window panels connected by vertical hinges and handle panels at either end of each door, also connected by vertical hinges. The vertical hinges allow the door to fold. The door is supported within the frame and the panels are allowed to slide along the upper and lower tracks by trolleys at either extremity of the vertical hinges connecting double window panels and the vertical hinges connecting the handle panels to the double window panels.
An enclosure of a shower stall or bathtub alcove which includes a frame and a door or doors. The frame is composed of upper and lower housings spaced by side jambs. The housings have single tracks. There is at least one door which is composed of double window panels connected by vertical hinges and handle panels at either end of each door, also connected by vertical hinges. The vertical hinges allow the door to fold. The door is supported within the frame and the panels are allowed to slide along the upper and lower tracks by trolleys at either extremity of the vertical hinges connecting double window panels and the vertical hinges connecting the handle panels to the double window panels.
Description
FOLDING SHOWER DOOR AND ENCLOSURE
The present invention is directed to an enclosure of a shower stall or bathtub alcove which includes a door designed to slide and fold and which can be moved to an open position adjacent the jamb on either side of the enclosure. More specifically, the invention is directed to a frame composed of top and bottom track housings spaced by side jambs and a door structure composed of a plurality of hingedly interconnected window panels arranged for trolley support in the top and bottom tracks. The door when closed within the frame forms a complete enclosure to prevent water or spray from escaping from the shower stall or bathtub alcove.
Included among the known enclosures of shower stalls or bathtub alcoves are a system of two or more doors which are movable within vertically aligned upper tracks which allow the doors to slide independently of each other into the open and closed positions a system of one or more doors composed of separate panels mounted on one or more upper tracks which allow the doors to slide and pivot into open and closed positions; a system of one or more doors composed of hinged panels mounted on one or more upper tracks which allow the panels to slide and fold into open and closed positions; and systems which are combinations of these three methods of enclosure.
' '2~ 0~39 It has been found that these known enclosure systems have the disadvantage of requiring two or more persons to install them. The disclosed shower door is an improvement in that one person can install the door without assistance. The side jambs are attached to the bathroom walls by screws or the like; the upper track housing fits onto the side jambs and secured by screws or the like; the lower track housing is partially installed; the upper trolleys of the door are supported in the upper track housing of the frame by each trolley being engaged inside the installed upper track; the lower trolleys of the door are supported in the lower track housing of the frame by being engaged onto the lower track at a raised corner of the lower track housing; once the lower trolleys are engaged within the lower track of the lower track housing, the lower track housing is forced into a flush relationship with the top outside surface of the bathtub or shower stall; beads of silicone between the lower track housing and the top outside surface of the bathtub or shower stall are sufficient to maintain a water-tight bond between the surfaces.
Another disadvantage of known bathtub alcove or shower stall doors is that the door when in the folded back position renders use of the bathtub or shower stall awkward. In the known door systems, the door or doors fold~ pivot or slide to either or both jambs substantially restricting the enclosure.
Alternatively, if the enclosure is not greatly restricted, the doors fold or pivot against either or both jambs and :
~O~ i089 substantially intrude into the bathing space. In my invention, the door substantially folds back to only one of the door jambs without intruding excessively into the bathing space.
A further disadvantage of known bathtub alcove or shower stall doors is that the doors are heavy causing early deterioration of the upper track or tracks. In the present invention, although formed of metal and glass, the door contains sufficient plastic to weigh approximately 33% less than previously known doors. Moreover, in the present invention the wheels or bearings of the trolley mechanisms are protected from friction with the metaltrack by the interposition of a plastic liner. Moreover, in the present invention, all metal used is protected against friction with other parts of the system, walls, porcelain and tile by a plastic buffer.
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment installed in its operative position as an enclosure of a bathtub alcove, Figure 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the parts of the enclosure frame, Figure 3 is a front plan view of the door separate from the enclosure frame, , 2~
Figure 4 is a top plan view of the door shown in Figure 3, Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 3, Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view on the line 6-6 of Figure 3, Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view on the line 7-7 of Figure 3, Figure 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Figure 3 showing one suitable type of door hinge system, Figure 9 is a section on the line 8-8 of Figure 3 showing a second suitable type of door hinge system, Figure 10 is a side view of the door engaged in the upper and lower tracks of the frame.
Figure 1 shows a standard bathtub alcove 101 containing a conventional type of bathtub 102 resting on a bathroom floor 103. The bathtub 102 is provided with a smooth rounded front edge 104. Positioned in the forward open portion of the alcove 101 and mounted between the side bathroom walls 105 of the alcove 101 and the top outside surface 106 of the smooth rounded `
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: ; , X 1)~ 39 front edge 104 of the bathtub 102 is an enclosure assembly generally designated by numeral 107. The enclosure assembly 107 is formed from an upper track housing 108, a lower track housing 109, two laterally spaced side jambs 110 and a door 111. The lower track housing 109 is mounted on the flat outside edge 106 of rounded front edge 104 of the bathtub 102, the side jambs 110 are mounted on the side bathroom walls 105 of the alcove 101 near the outer edge thereof and the upper track housing 108 extends across the top portion of the alcove 101 in resting engagement with the side jambs 110. The enclosure frame 112, formed from the upper and lower track housings 108 and 109 and the side jambs 110, carries therebetween a door 111. Door 111 is composed of window panels 113 connected by hinge panels 114 and 115 and handle panels 116. The handle panels 116 and the central hinge panels 115 are provided at their upper and lower extremities with trolley mechanisms for engagement in tracks in the upper and lower track housings 108 and 109. The upper and lower extremities of hinge panels 114 are provided with end cap mechanisms 117. The glass panes 118 of the window panels 113 are framed in side framing 119 and upper and lower framing 120.
In Figure 2 details of the enclosure frame 112 are illustrated. Lower track housing 109 is a generally C-shaped structure which may be fabricated of extruded or otherwise formed aluminum or like materials with a lower arm 201, an upper arm 202 and a web 203. Arm 201 rests upon the top outside surface 106 of the bathtub 102 and is bonded thereto by two :
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beads of silicone 204. Arm 202 has formed therein a forward U-shaped channel 205 which acts as a track within which the trolley mechanisms provided at the lower e~tremeties of the handle panels 116 and central hinge panel 115 are engaged.
The outside surface of web 203 forms the outside frame of the lower track housing 109.
Upper track housing 108 is a generally E-shaped structure which may be fabricated of extruded or otherwise formed aluminum or like materials with an upper web 207, a lower 10 web 208, upper arm 209, central arm 210 and lower arm 211. Lower arm 211 has formed therein two U-shaped channels 212 and 213.
Forward U-shaped channel 212 acts as a track within which the trolley mechanisms provided at the upper extremeties of handle panels 116 and central hinge panel 115 are engaged. Wedged between arm 210 and 211 in rearward channel 213 at both ends of the upper track housing 108 are door stops 215. The door stop 215 is composed of a block 216 which is engaged in the rearward channel 213 of the upper track housing 108. Wedge 217 when rotated acts as a stay maintaining the stop 215 at the desired 20 distance from the s~de jamb 110. A leaf spring 218 maintains the door in the closed position. A towel rack assembly 219 is composed of a channel member 220 and a rod member 221. The channel member 220, which may be fabricated of vinyl or like material, is engaged within a U-shaped channel 222 formed between web 207, the upper arm 209 and central arm 210 of the upper track housing 108. Said channel member 220 allows :
26)~ S9 rotation of the rod member 221 of 180 degrees. The rod member 221, which may be manufactured of aluminum or like material, can be fully enclosed within the U-shaped channel 222 or rotated into an extended position. The outside surface of webs 207 and 208 form the outside frame of the upper track housing 108.
Each side jamb 110 is composed of a U-shaped wall post 223 and a cover plate 224 fabricated of extruded or otherwise formed aluminum or like materials. Web 225 of wall post 223 is secured to the wall 105 by screws or the like and two beads of silicone 226 maintain a water-tight bond between the surface of the wall 105 and the outside surface of web 225. Legs 227 of wall post 223 have indented extremeties 228. Upper track housing 108 is secured to side jambs 110 by screws 229. Flange 230 on upper arm 209 of the upper track housing 108 overlaps the upper extremity of the side posts 223 of the side jambs 110.
Cover plate 224 is provided with an edge 231 which is indented to mate with indented extremeties 228 of legs 227 of the wall post 223. Cover plate 224 snap fits onto the wall post 223 between the outside surface of lower arm 211 of the upper track housing 108 and the outside surface of lower arm 202 of lower track housing 109.
In Figure 3 the door 111 is shown separate from the enclosure frame 112 and viewed from the back. Window panels 113 are composed of window panes 118, which may be manufactured of glass or similar materials, within side framing 119 and upper .
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, 6C)~9 and lower framing 120 which may be fabricated of extruded or otherwise formed aluminum or other similar materials. Interposed between the glass panes 118 and the framing 119 and 120 is a vinyl or other resilient gasket 301 which peripherally fills the socket between the glass pane 118 and the framing 119 and 120 in a conventional manner to securely hold the glass pane 118 in a water-tight bond within the framing 119 and 120. Handle panels 116 fabricated of extruded or otherwise formed plastic or like materials are provided at both ends of the door 111. Integral with handle panels 116 are vertical grips 302 at the outside edge of the inside of the handle panel 116 and the inside edge of the outside of the handle panel 116. The window panels 113, shown in a set of four, are connected by vertical hinge panels 114 and 115 and handle panels 116 which are fabricated of extruded or otherwise formed plastic or like materials. Trolley mechanisms 303 are provided at the upper and lower extremeties of the hinge panels 115 and the inside edge of the handle panels 116. End caps 304 are affixed by screws 305 to the upper and lower extremeties of hinge panels 114.
Figure 4 shows the door 111 separate from the enclosure frame 112 and viewed from above. Screws 401 join side framing 119 to upper framing 120 at the top side edges of the window panels. Similar screws join side framing 119 to lower framing 120 at the lower side edges of the window panels. Integrally formed with hinge panels 114 are vertical grips 402 generally triangular in shape.
20~ 0~39 Figure 5 shows a window pane 118 secured in a water-tight bond within the framing 119 and 120 by the interposition of gasket 301. Also shown is the C-shaped channel 501 through which the screw 401 is threaded to join the side framing 119 to the upper and lower framing 120 at the four corners of the framing. Gasket 301 is provided with a lip 502 wider in diameter than the framing 119 and 120 so that lip 502 acts as a buffer protecting the framing 119 and 1~0 and the pane 118 from friction with upper and lower track housings 108 and 109.
In Figure 6 the hinge panel 114 is shown in detail.
Integral with the hinge panel 114 is a vertical grip 402 which is disposed on the inside of the door. Aluminum insert tube 601 provides support to the hinge panel 114. An aluminum plate 602 rests inside a plastic end cap 304 and is joined to the hinge panel 114 by screw 305 threaded into insert tube 601. Screw 305 is provided with a washer 606. The above-described end cap mechanisms are provided at either extremity of the hinge panels 114.
Figure 7 illustrates details of the central hinge panel 115. An insert tube 601 provides support to the hinge panel 115. A plastic or vinyl liner 701 is interposed between bearing 702 and L-shaped cover plate 703. Screw 704 links liner 701 ,~ .
.
;
iO~39 and cover plate 703 with bearing 702. Screw 705 with washer 706 joins the cover plate 703 and liner 701 to hinge panel 115 by being screwed into insert tube ~01. The above-described trolley mechanism 303 is provided at either extremity of hinge panel 115. As can be seen from Figures 3 and 4, trolley mechanisms 303 are affixed to the inside upper and lower extremities of the handle panels 116 in a similar manner as trolley mechanisms 303 is affixed to the hinge panel 115.
Figure 8 illustrates one suitable type of door hinge system. Side framing 119 of the window panels 113 has a U-shaped channel 801 within which the gasket 301 and the window panes 118 are fixed. Side framing 119 of the window panels 113 has vertical hinge arms 802 which extend from the front surface of the side framing 119 and 803 which extend from the rear surface of the side framing 119. Each window panel 113 has a forward hinge arm 802 and a rearward hinge arm 803. Vertical sockets 804, are sized to closely overfit the hinge arms 802 and ~03 and allow for the hinge arms 802 and 803 to fold and open to substantially ninety degrees. The window panels 113 are held in relative planar alignment in the closed position by the gasket 301 which is interposed between the glass pane 118 and the framing 119 and 120 of the window panels 113 resting against the outer surface of the upper arm 202 of the lower track housing 109 and the outer surface of the lower arm 211 of the upper track housing 108. In Figure 8, the hinge arms 802 and 803 are . ~ , , .
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)60~9 J-shaped and the socket 804 is generally G-shaped. A single vertical socket 804 is provided on the inside edge of handle panels 116 and two vertical sockets 804 are provided within hinge panels 114 and 115.
In Figure 9 a second type of door hinge is illustrated.
Vertical hinge arms 901 which extend from the front surface of the side framing 119 and 902 which extends from the rear surface of the side framing 119 are C-shaped and vertical sockets 903 are rounded channels which closely overfit the hinge arms 901 and 902 and allow the hinge arms 901 and 902 and thus the window panels 113 to fold substantialy ninety degrees relative to the planar alignment of the window panels 113.
Figure 10 illustrates the trolley mechanism 303 affixed to a handle panel 116 engaged within the upper and lower track housings 108 and 109. Vertical grip 302 on the inside of the handle panel 116 is cut away at each extremety to accommodate the trolley mechanisms 303. Liners 701 interposed betweeen the bearings 702 and L-shaped cover plates 703 protect the U-shaped channel 211 in the upper track housing 108 and the U-shaped channel 205 in the lower track housing 109 from friction with the cover plates 703 of the trolley mechanisms 303. In like manner, liner 701 in trolley mechanisms 303 on hinge panels 115 fulfills the same function.
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2C)~ 089 To install the enclosure assembly 107, two beads of silicone 226 are applied to each outside surface of web 225 of the wall posts 223 of the U-shaped side jambs llOî the webs 225 of the wall posts 223 of the side jambs 110 are attached to the bathroom walls 105 by screws or the like; a substantial portion of each extremety of the upper track housing 108 fits into each wall post 223 of the side jambs 110 and secured by screws 229 or the like; two beads of silicone 204 are applied to surface 201 of lower track housing 109; one corner of the lower track housing 109 is installed inside the corresponding corner of the wall post 223 of the side jamb 110 and the other corner of the lower track housing 109 is partly installed inside the wall post 223, approximately two inches above the bathtub surface 104; the trolley mechanisms 303 on the upper extremities of handle panels 116 and central hinge panel 115 are engaged inside the U-shaped channel 212 of the upper track housing 108; the trolley mechanisms 303 on the lower extremities of handle panels 116 and central hinge panel 115 are engaged onto the U-shaped channel 205 of the lower track housing 109 at the uninstalled corner of the lower track housing 109; once the trolley mechanisms 302 on the lower extremities of panels 116 and 115 are engaged inside the U-shaped channel 205 on the lower track housing 109, the lower track housing 109 is forced into a flush relationship with the top outside surface 106 of the bathtub 102 and the second corner of the lower track housing 109 is fully installed inside the corresponding corner of the wall post 223 of the side jamb . : ' - '~
:
20060~39 110. Edges 231 of each cover plate 224, of sufficient length to enclose the wall posts 223 from the outside surface of lower arm 211 of the upper track housing 108 to the upper arm 202 of the lower track housing 109, snap fit onto the indented extremities 228 of the legs 227 of the wall posts 223.
The present invention is directed to an enclosure of a shower stall or bathtub alcove which includes a door designed to slide and fold and which can be moved to an open position adjacent the jamb on either side of the enclosure. More specifically, the invention is directed to a frame composed of top and bottom track housings spaced by side jambs and a door structure composed of a plurality of hingedly interconnected window panels arranged for trolley support in the top and bottom tracks. The door when closed within the frame forms a complete enclosure to prevent water or spray from escaping from the shower stall or bathtub alcove.
Included among the known enclosures of shower stalls or bathtub alcoves are a system of two or more doors which are movable within vertically aligned upper tracks which allow the doors to slide independently of each other into the open and closed positions a system of one or more doors composed of separate panels mounted on one or more upper tracks which allow the doors to slide and pivot into open and closed positions; a system of one or more doors composed of hinged panels mounted on one or more upper tracks which allow the panels to slide and fold into open and closed positions; and systems which are combinations of these three methods of enclosure.
' '2~ 0~39 It has been found that these known enclosure systems have the disadvantage of requiring two or more persons to install them. The disclosed shower door is an improvement in that one person can install the door without assistance. The side jambs are attached to the bathroom walls by screws or the like; the upper track housing fits onto the side jambs and secured by screws or the like; the lower track housing is partially installed; the upper trolleys of the door are supported in the upper track housing of the frame by each trolley being engaged inside the installed upper track; the lower trolleys of the door are supported in the lower track housing of the frame by being engaged onto the lower track at a raised corner of the lower track housing; once the lower trolleys are engaged within the lower track of the lower track housing, the lower track housing is forced into a flush relationship with the top outside surface of the bathtub or shower stall; beads of silicone between the lower track housing and the top outside surface of the bathtub or shower stall are sufficient to maintain a water-tight bond between the surfaces.
Another disadvantage of known bathtub alcove or shower stall doors is that the door when in the folded back position renders use of the bathtub or shower stall awkward. In the known door systems, the door or doors fold~ pivot or slide to either or both jambs substantially restricting the enclosure.
Alternatively, if the enclosure is not greatly restricted, the doors fold or pivot against either or both jambs and :
~O~ i089 substantially intrude into the bathing space. In my invention, the door substantially folds back to only one of the door jambs without intruding excessively into the bathing space.
A further disadvantage of known bathtub alcove or shower stall doors is that the doors are heavy causing early deterioration of the upper track or tracks. In the present invention, although formed of metal and glass, the door contains sufficient plastic to weigh approximately 33% less than previously known doors. Moreover, in the present invention the wheels or bearings of the trolley mechanisms are protected from friction with the metaltrack by the interposition of a plastic liner. Moreover, in the present invention, all metal used is protected against friction with other parts of the system, walls, porcelain and tile by a plastic buffer.
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment installed in its operative position as an enclosure of a bathtub alcove, Figure 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the parts of the enclosure frame, Figure 3 is a front plan view of the door separate from the enclosure frame, , 2~
Figure 4 is a top plan view of the door shown in Figure 3, Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 3, Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view on the line 6-6 of Figure 3, Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view on the line 7-7 of Figure 3, Figure 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Figure 3 showing one suitable type of door hinge system, Figure 9 is a section on the line 8-8 of Figure 3 showing a second suitable type of door hinge system, Figure 10 is a side view of the door engaged in the upper and lower tracks of the frame.
Figure 1 shows a standard bathtub alcove 101 containing a conventional type of bathtub 102 resting on a bathroom floor 103. The bathtub 102 is provided with a smooth rounded front edge 104. Positioned in the forward open portion of the alcove 101 and mounted between the side bathroom walls 105 of the alcove 101 and the top outside surface 106 of the smooth rounded `
. .
: ' ' ;' ~ ' .- . : . .
:: ~ - : : ... :
: ; , X 1)~ 39 front edge 104 of the bathtub 102 is an enclosure assembly generally designated by numeral 107. The enclosure assembly 107 is formed from an upper track housing 108, a lower track housing 109, two laterally spaced side jambs 110 and a door 111. The lower track housing 109 is mounted on the flat outside edge 106 of rounded front edge 104 of the bathtub 102, the side jambs 110 are mounted on the side bathroom walls 105 of the alcove 101 near the outer edge thereof and the upper track housing 108 extends across the top portion of the alcove 101 in resting engagement with the side jambs 110. The enclosure frame 112, formed from the upper and lower track housings 108 and 109 and the side jambs 110, carries therebetween a door 111. Door 111 is composed of window panels 113 connected by hinge panels 114 and 115 and handle panels 116. The handle panels 116 and the central hinge panels 115 are provided at their upper and lower extremities with trolley mechanisms for engagement in tracks in the upper and lower track housings 108 and 109. The upper and lower extremities of hinge panels 114 are provided with end cap mechanisms 117. The glass panes 118 of the window panels 113 are framed in side framing 119 and upper and lower framing 120.
In Figure 2 details of the enclosure frame 112 are illustrated. Lower track housing 109 is a generally C-shaped structure which may be fabricated of extruded or otherwise formed aluminum or like materials with a lower arm 201, an upper arm 202 and a web 203. Arm 201 rests upon the top outside surface 106 of the bathtub 102 and is bonded thereto by two :
.
, . .
., ' ' , 2~ 0~
beads of silicone 204. Arm 202 has formed therein a forward U-shaped channel 205 which acts as a track within which the trolley mechanisms provided at the lower e~tremeties of the handle panels 116 and central hinge panel 115 are engaged.
The outside surface of web 203 forms the outside frame of the lower track housing 109.
Upper track housing 108 is a generally E-shaped structure which may be fabricated of extruded or otherwise formed aluminum or like materials with an upper web 207, a lower 10 web 208, upper arm 209, central arm 210 and lower arm 211. Lower arm 211 has formed therein two U-shaped channels 212 and 213.
Forward U-shaped channel 212 acts as a track within which the trolley mechanisms provided at the upper extremeties of handle panels 116 and central hinge panel 115 are engaged. Wedged between arm 210 and 211 in rearward channel 213 at both ends of the upper track housing 108 are door stops 215. The door stop 215 is composed of a block 216 which is engaged in the rearward channel 213 of the upper track housing 108. Wedge 217 when rotated acts as a stay maintaining the stop 215 at the desired 20 distance from the s~de jamb 110. A leaf spring 218 maintains the door in the closed position. A towel rack assembly 219 is composed of a channel member 220 and a rod member 221. The channel member 220, which may be fabricated of vinyl or like material, is engaged within a U-shaped channel 222 formed between web 207, the upper arm 209 and central arm 210 of the upper track housing 108. Said channel member 220 allows :
26)~ S9 rotation of the rod member 221 of 180 degrees. The rod member 221, which may be manufactured of aluminum or like material, can be fully enclosed within the U-shaped channel 222 or rotated into an extended position. The outside surface of webs 207 and 208 form the outside frame of the upper track housing 108.
Each side jamb 110 is composed of a U-shaped wall post 223 and a cover plate 224 fabricated of extruded or otherwise formed aluminum or like materials. Web 225 of wall post 223 is secured to the wall 105 by screws or the like and two beads of silicone 226 maintain a water-tight bond between the surface of the wall 105 and the outside surface of web 225. Legs 227 of wall post 223 have indented extremeties 228. Upper track housing 108 is secured to side jambs 110 by screws 229. Flange 230 on upper arm 209 of the upper track housing 108 overlaps the upper extremity of the side posts 223 of the side jambs 110.
Cover plate 224 is provided with an edge 231 which is indented to mate with indented extremeties 228 of legs 227 of the wall post 223. Cover plate 224 snap fits onto the wall post 223 between the outside surface of lower arm 211 of the upper track housing 108 and the outside surface of lower arm 202 of lower track housing 109.
In Figure 3 the door 111 is shown separate from the enclosure frame 112 and viewed from the back. Window panels 113 are composed of window panes 118, which may be manufactured of glass or similar materials, within side framing 119 and upper .
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, 6C)~9 and lower framing 120 which may be fabricated of extruded or otherwise formed aluminum or other similar materials. Interposed between the glass panes 118 and the framing 119 and 120 is a vinyl or other resilient gasket 301 which peripherally fills the socket between the glass pane 118 and the framing 119 and 120 in a conventional manner to securely hold the glass pane 118 in a water-tight bond within the framing 119 and 120. Handle panels 116 fabricated of extruded or otherwise formed plastic or like materials are provided at both ends of the door 111. Integral with handle panels 116 are vertical grips 302 at the outside edge of the inside of the handle panel 116 and the inside edge of the outside of the handle panel 116. The window panels 113, shown in a set of four, are connected by vertical hinge panels 114 and 115 and handle panels 116 which are fabricated of extruded or otherwise formed plastic or like materials. Trolley mechanisms 303 are provided at the upper and lower extremeties of the hinge panels 115 and the inside edge of the handle panels 116. End caps 304 are affixed by screws 305 to the upper and lower extremeties of hinge panels 114.
Figure 4 shows the door 111 separate from the enclosure frame 112 and viewed from above. Screws 401 join side framing 119 to upper framing 120 at the top side edges of the window panels. Similar screws join side framing 119 to lower framing 120 at the lower side edges of the window panels. Integrally formed with hinge panels 114 are vertical grips 402 generally triangular in shape.
20~ 0~39 Figure 5 shows a window pane 118 secured in a water-tight bond within the framing 119 and 120 by the interposition of gasket 301. Also shown is the C-shaped channel 501 through which the screw 401 is threaded to join the side framing 119 to the upper and lower framing 120 at the four corners of the framing. Gasket 301 is provided with a lip 502 wider in diameter than the framing 119 and 120 so that lip 502 acts as a buffer protecting the framing 119 and 1~0 and the pane 118 from friction with upper and lower track housings 108 and 109.
In Figure 6 the hinge panel 114 is shown in detail.
Integral with the hinge panel 114 is a vertical grip 402 which is disposed on the inside of the door. Aluminum insert tube 601 provides support to the hinge panel 114. An aluminum plate 602 rests inside a plastic end cap 304 and is joined to the hinge panel 114 by screw 305 threaded into insert tube 601. Screw 305 is provided with a washer 606. The above-described end cap mechanisms are provided at either extremity of the hinge panels 114.
Figure 7 illustrates details of the central hinge panel 115. An insert tube 601 provides support to the hinge panel 115. A plastic or vinyl liner 701 is interposed between bearing 702 and L-shaped cover plate 703. Screw 704 links liner 701 ,~ .
.
;
iO~39 and cover plate 703 with bearing 702. Screw 705 with washer 706 joins the cover plate 703 and liner 701 to hinge panel 115 by being screwed into insert tube ~01. The above-described trolley mechanism 303 is provided at either extremity of hinge panel 115. As can be seen from Figures 3 and 4, trolley mechanisms 303 are affixed to the inside upper and lower extremities of the handle panels 116 in a similar manner as trolley mechanisms 303 is affixed to the hinge panel 115.
Figure 8 illustrates one suitable type of door hinge system. Side framing 119 of the window panels 113 has a U-shaped channel 801 within which the gasket 301 and the window panes 118 are fixed. Side framing 119 of the window panels 113 has vertical hinge arms 802 which extend from the front surface of the side framing 119 and 803 which extend from the rear surface of the side framing 119. Each window panel 113 has a forward hinge arm 802 and a rearward hinge arm 803. Vertical sockets 804, are sized to closely overfit the hinge arms 802 and ~03 and allow for the hinge arms 802 and 803 to fold and open to substantially ninety degrees. The window panels 113 are held in relative planar alignment in the closed position by the gasket 301 which is interposed between the glass pane 118 and the framing 119 and 120 of the window panels 113 resting against the outer surface of the upper arm 202 of the lower track housing 109 and the outer surface of the lower arm 211 of the upper track housing 108. In Figure 8, the hinge arms 802 and 803 are . ~ , , .
`~ : , ' ~
.
)60~9 J-shaped and the socket 804 is generally G-shaped. A single vertical socket 804 is provided on the inside edge of handle panels 116 and two vertical sockets 804 are provided within hinge panels 114 and 115.
In Figure 9 a second type of door hinge is illustrated.
Vertical hinge arms 901 which extend from the front surface of the side framing 119 and 902 which extends from the rear surface of the side framing 119 are C-shaped and vertical sockets 903 are rounded channels which closely overfit the hinge arms 901 and 902 and allow the hinge arms 901 and 902 and thus the window panels 113 to fold substantialy ninety degrees relative to the planar alignment of the window panels 113.
Figure 10 illustrates the trolley mechanism 303 affixed to a handle panel 116 engaged within the upper and lower track housings 108 and 109. Vertical grip 302 on the inside of the handle panel 116 is cut away at each extremety to accommodate the trolley mechanisms 303. Liners 701 interposed betweeen the bearings 702 and L-shaped cover plates 703 protect the U-shaped channel 211 in the upper track housing 108 and the U-shaped channel 205 in the lower track housing 109 from friction with the cover plates 703 of the trolley mechanisms 303. In like manner, liner 701 in trolley mechanisms 303 on hinge panels 115 fulfills the same function.
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2C)~ 089 To install the enclosure assembly 107, two beads of silicone 226 are applied to each outside surface of web 225 of the wall posts 223 of the U-shaped side jambs llOî the webs 225 of the wall posts 223 of the side jambs 110 are attached to the bathroom walls 105 by screws or the like; a substantial portion of each extremety of the upper track housing 108 fits into each wall post 223 of the side jambs 110 and secured by screws 229 or the like; two beads of silicone 204 are applied to surface 201 of lower track housing 109; one corner of the lower track housing 109 is installed inside the corresponding corner of the wall post 223 of the side jamb 110 and the other corner of the lower track housing 109 is partly installed inside the wall post 223, approximately two inches above the bathtub surface 104; the trolley mechanisms 303 on the upper extremities of handle panels 116 and central hinge panel 115 are engaged inside the U-shaped channel 212 of the upper track housing 108; the trolley mechanisms 303 on the lower extremities of handle panels 116 and central hinge panel 115 are engaged onto the U-shaped channel 205 of the lower track housing 109 at the uninstalled corner of the lower track housing 109; once the trolley mechanisms 302 on the lower extremities of panels 116 and 115 are engaged inside the U-shaped channel 205 on the lower track housing 109, the lower track housing 109 is forced into a flush relationship with the top outside surface 106 of the bathtub 102 and the second corner of the lower track housing 109 is fully installed inside the corresponding corner of the wall post 223 of the side jamb . : ' - '~
:
20060~39 110. Edges 231 of each cover plate 224, of sufficient length to enclose the wall posts 223 from the outside surface of lower arm 211 of the upper track housing 108 to the upper arm 202 of the lower track housing 109, snap fit onto the indented extremities 228 of the legs 227 of the wall posts 223.
Claims (20)
1. An enclosure assembly comprising:
a frame composed of upper and lower housings having single tracks and spaced by side jambs;
a door with a vertical handle panel at each side and at least one set of double window panels connected by vertical hinges;
said door being foldable within said frame by said hinges allowing said window panels to fold against each other and said window panels slidable within said frame by trolley members provided at upper and lower extremeties of said vertical hinges connecting said handle panels to said window panels and each vertical hinge connecting sets of double window panels being engaged within said single tracks of the upper and lower housings.
a frame composed of upper and lower housings having single tracks and spaced by side jambs;
a door with a vertical handle panel at each side and at least one set of double window panels connected by vertical hinges;
said door being foldable within said frame by said hinges allowing said window panels to fold against each other and said window panels slidable within said frame by trolley members provided at upper and lower extremeties of said vertical hinges connecting said handle panels to said window panels and each vertical hinge connecting sets of double window panels being engaged within said single tracks of the upper and lower housings.
2. An enclosure assembly comprising a frame composed of upper and lower single track housings spaced by side jambs;
two doors each with vertical handle panels at either side and at least one set of double window panels connected by vertical hinges;
said doors being foldable within said frame by said hinges allowing said window panels to fold against each other and said window panels slidable within said frame by trolley members provided at upper and lower extremeties of said vertical hinges connecting said handle panels to said window panels and each vefrtical hinge connecting sets of double window panels being engaged within the single tracks of the upper and lower housings.
two doors each with vertical handle panels at either side and at least one set of double window panels connected by vertical hinges;
said doors being foldable within said frame by said hinges allowing said window panels to fold against each other and said window panels slidable within said frame by trolley members provided at upper and lower extremeties of said vertical hinges connecting said handle panels to said window panels and each vefrtical hinge connecting sets of double window panels being engaged within the single tracks of the upper and lower housings.
3. An enclosure assembly as in Claims 1 or 2 wherein said upper housing is provided with door stops which maintain the door or doors in the closed position.
4. An enclosure assembly as in Claim 3 wherein said door stops are formed of blocks wedged in a channel in the upper housing and extending from said blocks are leaf springs which restrict movement of said trolley members.
5. An enclosure assembly as in Claims 1 or 2 wherein said upper housing is provided with a towel rack.
6. An enclosure assembly as in Claim 5 wherein said towel rack is formed of a connector slidable within a channel in the upper housing and a rod extending from said connector which rotates.
7. An enclosure assembly as in Claims 1 or 2 wherein said side jambs are provided with cover plates.
8. An enclosure assembly as in Claim 7 wherein said cover plates snap fit onto the side jambs.
9. An enclosure assembly as in Claim 7 wherein said lower housing is retained in position merely by the use of silicone sealant on its lower surface and the installation of the cover plates onto the side jambs.
10. An enclosure assembly as in Claims 1 or 2 wherein said window panels are composed of glass panes held in upper, lower and side framing.
11. An enclosure assembly as in Claim 10 wherein interposed between said glass panes and said framing is a resilient gasket which has a lip wider in diameter than said framing so as to buffer said framing and said glass panes from friction with said upper and lowe housings.
12. An enclosure assembly as in Claims 1 and 2 wherein said vertical hinges comprise connecting panels linking said window panels having double vertical hinge sockets;
said handle panels having a single vertical hinge socket on the edges adjacent connecting window panels;
said window panels having vertical hinge arms extending therefrom;
said sockets closely overfiting vertical hinge arms extending from said window panels;
means for containing said vertical hinge arms within said vertical hinge sockets.
said handle panels having a single vertical hinge socket on the edges adjacent connecting window panels;
said window panels having vertical hinge arms extending therefrom;
said sockets closely overfiting vertical hinge arms extending from said window panels;
means for containing said vertical hinge arms within said vertical hinge sockets.
13. An enclosure assembly as in Claim 12 wherein said means for containing said vertical hinge arms within said vertical hinge sockets are end caps affixed to upper and lower extremeties of connecting panels linking each set of double doors;
trolley members affixed to upper and lower extremeties of connecting panels linking sets of double doors and handle panels on the edges adjacent its connecting window panel.
trolley members affixed to upper and lower extremeties of connecting panels linking sets of double doors and handle panels on the edges adjacent its connecting window panel.
14. An enclosure assembly as in Claim 13 wherein said end caps are provided with metal plates.
15. An enclosure assembly as in Claim 14 wherein said metal plates are retained inside a depressions in said end caps.
16. An enclosure assembly as in Claim 12 wherein said connecting panels are reinforced by rods extending throughout the length of the connecting panels between said vertical hinge sockets.
17. An enclosure assembly as in Claim 12 wherein said handle panels are reinforced by rods extending throughout the length of said handle panels adjacent said vertical hinge sockets.
18. An enclosure assembly as in Claims 1 and 2 wherein said trolley members have interposed between the bearings and said trolley members liners which buffer the bearings from friction with said single tracks in said upper and lower housings.
19. An enclosure assembly as in Claims 1 and 2 wherein said handle panels have vertical grips.
20. An enclosure assembly as in Claims 1 and 2 wherein said connecting panels connection a set of double doors have grips extending therefrom.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2006089 CA2006089A1 (en) | 1989-12-20 | 1989-12-20 | Folding shower door |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2006089 CA2006089A1 (en) | 1989-12-20 | 1989-12-20 | Folding shower door |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2006089A1 true CA2006089A1 (en) | 1991-06-20 |
Family
ID=4143836
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2006089 Abandoned CA2006089A1 (en) | 1989-12-20 | 1989-12-20 | Folding shower door |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2006089A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN104116447A (en) * | 2014-07-21 | 2014-10-29 | 广东尚高科技有限公司 | Null space occupation shower room |
-
1989
- 1989-12-20 CA CA 2006089 patent/CA2006089A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN104116447A (en) * | 2014-07-21 | 2014-10-29 | 广东尚高科技有限公司 | Null space occupation shower room |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |