EP1874168A2

EP1874168A2 - Improvements to showers and baths

Info

Publication number: EP1874168A2
Application number: EP06726870A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Peter Lenighan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-04-22
Filing date: 2006-04-21
Publication date: 2008-01-09
Also published as: GB0508094D0; WO2006111772A2; WO2006111772A3

Abstract

Shower tray or bath provided with one or more pivoting panels, screens (122) and/or doors to allow entry thereto, the shower tray or bath having a top surface with a channel (118) therein to hold the pivoting panels, screens and/or doors in the closed position when in use, and said panels, screens and/or doors are fitted with a seal (124) along the bottom edge to engage the channel.

Description

Improvements to Showers and Baths

The invention to which this application relates is a screen for a bath and/or shower.

Although the following description refers almost exclusively to use of a screen with a shower, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention can be used with a bath and the like.

It is common for showers to have hinged or folding screens, panels or doors to allow access to the shower cubicle when in an open position, and prevent water from splashing outside the cubicle when the screens are in a closed position. Similarly, baths may be fitted with showers, and a hinged or folding screen is provided to allow the user to prevent water from splashing outside of the bath.

Typically, the screens, panels or doors may be pivotally or hingedly mounted to or adjacent shower areas, shower trays or baths such that they can be moved between an open position to allow entry to the showering area or bath, and a closed position where the screen, panel or door seals the bath or showering area by moving to a position adjacent the outer edge of the bath or shower tray.

A problem with such screens is that if the seal between the screen and the shower or bath is not effective, leakage occurs. Manufacturers of shower enclosures and bath screens often rely on one or more side seals, magnetic strips, or mechanical means to hold the door panels laterally edge to edge in a closed position. If the lateral edges are not correctly aligned, gaps between the adjacent panels allow leakage. The door panels may also include a seal on the bottom edge which frictionally seals with the top edge of the bath or shower tray. Some baths also have a shoulder which offers additional resistance against pushing the panels outwardly. Typically a small amount of pressure on the panel allows the panel to be moved either inwardly or outwardly with respect to the edge of the bath depending on how the screen is configured, which may also result in leakage if moved accidentally.

A further problem occurs where a vertical metal channel is typically mounted on a wall adjacent the shower tray or bath to provide a mounting point for the panel, door or screen. The panel, door or screen sections can be vertically adjusted or be spatially separated from the wall and positioned along the top edge of the bath or shower tray. Sealant is used around the edges of the channel and/or edges of the sections to prevent the escape of water between the channel and the wall and/or the sections and the bath or shower tray. The channel and/or sections can therefore not be removed easily if adjustment or maintenance is required, as the sealant has to be removed or damaged to allow such action. As the sections are not typically manufactured to allow for angular adjustment if the sections are not aligned to the wall and/or the top edge of the bath or shower tray, leaks can occur.

In addition, there is a further issues in that conditions on builders of new homes call for upstands to be provided on the sides of shower trays fitted to walls. Upstands are raised edges of the bath or shower tray that normally reside behind tiles or a wall covering. If wooden joists supporting the bath or shower tray shrink, such that the bath or shower tray drops, the upstands provide a contiguous surface and thus help prevent water running down the back of the bath or shower tray. However, during the manufacturing process the corners of the upstand are formed by bending the same into shape, such that the corners are typically rounded, rather than square, and thus do not fit perfectly into a typically square-cornered room. Thus, if the tray is pushed into a corner, a recess is formed between the upstand and the corner of the wall, through which water can undesirably escape. To overcome this problem, the wall can be cut away to receive the tray, such that the wall covering fits over the corner, or the wall covering can be increased in thickness or stood off from the wall to achieve the same effect. However, this is time consuming and can, for example, result in the shower enclosure hanging over the outer edge of the shower tray, leading to a less satisfactory job and potential leaks. In new dwellings or extensions joint shrinkage is more likely, causing a gap to form between the walls and the edge of the shower tray or bath, leading to leaks.

An aim of this invention to provide one or more panels, screens or doors for a shower tray and/or bath which can easily be fitted, sealed and maintained.

A further aim of the present invention is to provide one or more panels, screens or doors for a shower tray and/or bath which can be easily aligned to a wall and the top edge of the shower and/or bath.

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a shower tray or bath with one or more panels, screens and/or doors which can be located in a closed position, said shower tray or bath at least partially bounded by a raised portion having a top surface, characterised in that at least part of the top surface includes a formation to act as a means to retain one or more of said panels, screens and/or doors in said closed position. In one embodiment the formation is a channel dividing the top surface into one or more shoulders. Typically the shoulders are the same height. Alternatively the shoulders are different heights.

In one embodiment the one or more shoulders are recessed on the top surface. The shoulders are thus set back from the edge of the top surface.

In one embodiment the top surface slopes downwardly towards the inside of the shower tray or bath. In a further embodiment the lower surface of the channel slopes downwardly towards the inside of the shower or bath.

Typically the one or more shoulders include one or more recesses to allow the escape of water from the channel. Preferably the water escapes from the channel via the recess into the bath or shower tray.

In one embodiment the shower tray or bath is provided with one or more panels, screens and/or doors.

Typically the panels, screens and/or doors are pivotally or hingedly moveable between an open position to allow access to the bath or shower tray, and a closed position to substantially prevent water escaping from the bath or shower tray.

In one embodiment one or more panels, screens and/or doors are able to move over at least one shoulder. Typically the panels, screens and/or doors are retained in a position aligned with the channel or other portion of the top edge of the bath or shower tray. In an alternative embodiment one or more panels, screens and/or doors are fixed.

In one embodiment at least a portion of the panels, screens and/or doors are capable of overlapping each other, typically when moved to the closed position. Typically the panels, screens and/or doors are curved.

As the panels, screens and/or doors overlap the size of the enclosure formed is adjustable depending on the amount of overlap. Thus only a small number of components are required to create a large range of enclosures.

In one embodiment the panels, screens and/or doors are provided with retention means to retain the same in a predetermined position.

In one embodiment the retention means are provided along the lower edge of the panels, screens and/or doors to engage the channel and retain the panels, screens and/or doors in a position in line with the channel. In a further embodiment the retention means engages the top surface of the bath and/or shower tray.

Typically the doors are provided with retention means along the lateral edges or opposing sides such that the doors engage each other via respective retention means when in the closed position.

Typically the retention means are any or any combination of catches, grips, magnets, seals, protrusions, and/or the like.

Thus the doors are held in position and sealed when in the closed position by the retention means, and no water escapes from the enclosure as the doors overlap. If water reaches the seal between the overlap, the seal prevents water from escaping from the enclosure and instead the water falls into the channel therebelow and into the bath or shower tray thereafter. In the event that water escapes through the seal, it still falls into the channel as the sideways direction that the water is travelling in to reach the seal between the overlap and escape therefrom causes it to flow onto the outside of the door and into the channel thereunder thereafter.

Typically the corners of the panels, screens and/or doors are square, rounded or angled. Rounded corners for example are more aesthetically pleasing and because the doors overlap, no gap is formed between the doors at the corners as would otherwise occur if the doors were positioned edge to edge.

The panels, screens or doors can therefore be fitted to a range of baths and showers and/or wet areas in a room, and the overlap may be varied as required so that the panels, screens and/or doors can be adjusted to fit different widths of shower trays and/or baths and/or to define shapes of shower areas. This also allows a greater latitude for adjustment to compensate for differences if a shower tray is set deeper into a wall.

In one embodiment the panel, screen and/or door is detachably mounted on mounting means fixed to a wall or other supporting surface and/or is selectively positionable with respect to the same.

Typically the mounting means is a u-shaped channel.

Typically the mounting means are provided with adjustment means to adjust the position of the panels, screens and/or doors in the mounting means . Typically the adjustment means allows the angle and/or orientation and/or spacing of the panels, screens and/or doors to be adjusted with respect to the wall. The panels, screens and/or doors can thus be aligned horizontally and/or vertically with the wall.

Thus where the panels, screens and/or doors are connected by retention means as hereinbefore described, the retention means can be correctly aligned by alignment of the panels, screens and/or doors, to prevent leaks.

In one embodiment the adjustment means is provided in the pivoting or hinge mechanism to allow the panels, screens and/or doors to be radially adjusted.

In a further embodiment the mounting means are provided with biasing means to bias the panels, screens and/or doors into a particular position or angular orientation. Typically the mounting means in this embodiment includes an elongate member such as a tube, one or more locking plates, and a cap rotationally mounted on the tube onto which the panels, screens and/or doors is mounted.

Typically the biasing means includes any or any combination of ball catches, springs, magnets, and/or the like.

Typically the cap includes one or more recesses and/or magnets for engaging the biasing means.

Typically two or more locking plates are provided in the tube and are provided with engagement means, such that the plates are moveable between an unlocked position where the plates are spaced apart, and a locked position where the engagement means of the plates inter-engage, thereby frictionally locking the locking plates together. Typically the plates are engaged by rotating a rod connected thereto, via a screw provided in the cap .

Typically the biasing means is connected to at least one of the locking plates. Typically a first locking plate is rotationally adjustable with respect to at least a second locking plate when the plates are in an unlocked position.

Typically one of the plates is fixed in position. Typically the fixed plate is positioned in a recess, and is provided with protrusions, said protrusions being complementary to indentations in the recess to prevent rotational movement of the plate.

Thus the biasing means can be radially adjusted to an appropriate position by locking the plates together at a particular orientation. Typically the biasing means is radially adjusted such that the panels, screens and/or doors line up with the edge of the shower tray or bath.

Thus the panels, screens and/or doors can be mounted on a wall via mounting means such that the position of the same is adjustable and/or can be biased or retained in a specific position, yet the panels, screens and/or doors can be easily removed from the mounting means to allow cleaning and/or maintenance.

In one embodiment the mounting means are provided with sealing means for providing one or more detachable seals between the mounting means and the wall or other supporting surface. In a further embodiment the panels, screens and/or doors are provided with sealing means for providing one or more detachable seals between the panels, screens and/or doors and the mounting means.

Typically the sealing means are in the form of deformable and/or flexible protrusions.

Typically the sealing means are any or any combination of brushes, rubber strips, foam, sponge, plastic, and/or the like.

In one embodiment the mounting means are mounted on a wall or supporting surface and adjustably compress the sealing means therebetween to form a seal.

A dry seal is thus formed which allows panels, screens and/or doors to be easily attached and detached for fitting or maintenance, with increased tolerance to misalignment.

In one embodiment the top surface includes one or more upstand portions for locating against a wall and behind one or more tiles or other wall covering fitted to the wall. Typically the upstand bulges or projects outwardly at one or more corners of the shower tray or bath.

In one embodiment the upstand is provided around at least a part of the outer edge of the top surface of the bath or shower tray.

Typically the bulge is recessed into the wall such that the rest of the upstand does not have to be recessed into the wall more than the width of the upstand to form a surface at substantially the same level as that of the wall. In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a shower or bath apparatus, provided with a shower tray or bath bounded by a raised portion having a top surface, and one or more panels, screens and/or doors, at least one of the panels, screens and/or doors are pivotally or hingedly moveable between an open position to allow access to the bath or shower tray, and a closed position to substantially prevent water escaping from the bath or shower tray, characterised in that at least a portion of one of the panels, screens and/or doors overlaps one of the other panels, screens and/or doors when moved to the closed position.

In one embodiment the top surface is flat. Alternatively the top surface includes one or more shoulders of the same or different heights.

In one embodiment the top surface slopes downwardly towards the inside of the shower tray or bath.

Typically the one or more of the panels, screens and/or doors are provided with retention means to engage the top surface and/or channel when moved to the closed position.

Typically the moveable panels, screens and/or doors are provided with retention means along the lateral edges or opposing sides such that the doors engage each other via respective retention means when moved to the closed position.

In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a shower tray or bath at least partially bounded by a raised portion having a top surface, characterised in that the raised portion includes first and second parallel, spaced, shoulders extending along at least a portion of said top surface. Typically one or more panels or doors are provided which are pivotally or liingedly moveable between an open position to allow access to the bath or shower tray, and a closed position in which the panels or doors are retained between the shoulders to substantially prevent water escaping from the bath or shower tray.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a shower tray or bath at least partially bounded by a raised portion having a top surface, characterised in that at least part of the top surface includes at least one channel therein

Typically the top surface and/or the lower surface of the channel slopes downwardly towards the inside of the shower tray or bath.

Typically the channel divides the top surface into one or more shoulders

Typically one or more of the shoulders include one or more recesses to allow the escape of water from the channel into the bath or shower tray

In a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided mounting apparatus for detachably mounting a shower panel door or screen thereto, said mounting apparatus fixed to a wall or other supporting surface, characterised in that adjustment means are provided to allow selective adjustment of the position of the panels, screens and/or doors in the mounting apparatus.

Typically the adjustment means allows the angle and/or orientation and/or spacing of the panels, screens and/or doors to be adjusted with respect to the wall or other supporting surface. Typically the mounting apparatus includes a u-shaped channel for mounting the panel door or screen therein.

In one embodiment one or more of the panels, doors or screen are provided with a hinge or pivot mechanism to allow movement thereof, and the adjustment means is provided in the mechanism to allow the panels, screens and/or doors to be radially adjusted.

In a further embodiment the mounting apparatus is re provided with biasing means to bias the panels, screens and/or doors into a particular position or angular orientation. Typically the mounting apparatus in this embodiment includes a tube, one or more locking plates, and a cap rotationally mounted on the tube onto which the panels, screens and/or doors is mounted.

Typically two locking plates are provided in the tube and are provided with engagement means, such that the plates are moveable between an unlocked position where the plates are spaced apart, and a locked position where the engagement means of the plates engage, thereby frictionally locking the locking plates together.

Typically the plates are engaged by rotating a rod connected thereto, via a screw provided in the cap. Typically the biasing means is connected to at least one of the locking plates. Typically a first locking plate is rotationally adjustable with respect to at least a second locking plate when the plates are in an unlocked position.

In one embodiment the mounting means are provided with sealing means to form one or more detachable seals between the mounting means and the wall or other supporting surface.

In a further embodiment the panels, screens and/or doors are provided with sealing means to form one or more detachable seals between the panels, screens and/or doors and the mounting means.

In a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a shower tray or bath for positioning against a wall in at least one corner, said shower tray or bath bounded by a raised portion having at least two intersecting edges to define a corner of the shower tray or bath, characterised in that a protrusion is provided at said corner.

In one embodiment the protrusion extends outwardly from the shower tray or bath.

Typically the protrusion directs water into the shower tray or bath.

Typically the protrusion is recessed into the wall such that the adjacent edges are substantially flush with the wall when positioned thereagainst.

Specific embodiments of the invention are now described wherein:-

Figures l a-c illustrates a shower tray in accordance with typical prior art; (a) in perspective; (b) part schematic plan view; (c) part schematic side view.

Figures 2a-j illustrates a shower tray in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; (a) in perspective; (b) part schematic plan view; (c) part schematic side view; (d) part perspective view; and (e-j) further embodiments of the top surface of the shower tray in schematic side view.

Figures 3a-g illustrates schematically a screen mounted to a wall; (a) with a fixed seal according to typical prior art; (b) with a dry seal according to one embodiment of the invention; (c) with two dry seals comprising fingers; (d) with two rubber seals; (e) indicating the mounting mechanism in more detail; (f) a cross- section of F-F' from (e); (g) a cross-section of G-G' from (e) . Figures 4a-d illustrates a shower in the corner of a room with overlapping doors; (a) with both doors closed; (b) with one door open; (c) with both doors open; (d) a cross-sectional view of a portion of the overlap .

Figures 5a-b illustrates a further example of a shower in the corner of a room with overlapping doors; (a) with both doors closed; (b) with both doors open.

Figures 6a-c illustrate further examples of showers in the corner of a room with overlapping doors with rounded corners; (a) a rounded enclosure with both doors closed; (b) a squarer enclosure with both doors closed; a squarer enclosure with both doors open.

With reference to Figures l a-c, there is illustrated a conventional shower tray 2 with a top surface 4, and a raised portion around part of the edge of the top surface 4 forming an upstand 5. The corners 12 of the upstand 5 tend to be curved, as they are formed by bending the material during manufacturing. The tray 2 is designed to be placed in the corner of a room, adjacent to walls 6. However, because of the rounded corners 12, the tray does not fit perfectly against the wall 6 due to a recess 8 which may allow water to escape. It is possible to seal this recess, but in new houses, where the tray may drop over time due to settling of the house, the sealing can crack, thus allowing water to escape. A solution to this problem is illustrated in Figure I c, where the wall 6 is cut away to provide a recess 10 to allow the tray to be sunk into the wall 6 such that the tiles 1 1 or other wall covering can be attached to cover the upstand 5. However the shower tray 2 must be sunk a considerable distance to enable the tiles 11 to cover the upstand corners 12, and it is time consuming to cut away large sections of wall to allow this, and often does not provide a satisfactory finish to the job.

Referring to Figures 2a-d a shower tray 102 with a top surface 104 and an upstand 105 is provided in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, which includes an extension portion in the form of a bulge 114 in the upstand 105. The extension portion is indicated in an exaggerated form to facilitate understanding. The extension portion 1 14 extends beyond the axes 116, 116' of the linear portions of the upstand

105. In contrast to the prior art, only a small portion of wall

106, adjacent the extension portion 114, is required to be cut away to receive the extension portion 114, to allow the tray 102 to be fitted against the wall 106 such that the tiles or wall covering can be fitted over the upstand 105.

The top surface 104 also includes a groove or channel 118 running along the top, dividing the top of the upstand into two shoulders 120, 126. The inner shoulder 126 with respect to the shower tray may include a recess 128 such that water flowing into the channel 118 can drain into the shower tray, without flowing over the outer shoulder 120 and into the room. A screen 122 may be provided on the shower which includes a panel which is mounted such that the lower edge of the panel 122 is higher than and able to move over at least one of the shoulders 120, 126, to move between open and closed positions. The screen further includes a flexible rubber seal 124 on its lower edge, which extends into the channel 118 and thus below the upper level of at least one of the shoulders 120, 126. The screen 122 can thus be retained in position when the seal 124 is in the channel 118, but can be moved by applying enough sideways force to flex the seal 124 over at least one of shoulders 120, 126. With reference to Figure 2ά, the shoulders 120, 126 are about the same height such that the screen 122 can move over the same in either direction as indicated by arrows 130. Alternatively, if the shoulders are different heights as indicated by Figure 2c, the screen may be prevented from moving over the higher portion and/or the recess 128 may not be required to drain water as water would simply flow over the lower portion into the tray.

Further configurations of the top surface 104 are shown in Figures 2e-j . Figures 2e and f illustrate a top surface 104 with two shoulders 120, 126, where at least one is set back from the edge of the top surface 104. Figure 2g illustrates a top surface which is sloped with two shoulders dividing the slope 119. Figure 2h shows an alternative embodiment, where the top surface is in the form of a slope 1 19 and is not provided with shoulders as the panel can be held in position thereover by friction of the seal 124 with the slope 119 and/or other means as described below. Figures 2i and j illustrate further embodiments of the top surface with a slope 119 and either an inner shoulder 126 or an outer shoulder 120.

With reference to Figure 3a, a conventional screen mounting is indicated for mounting a screen 222 to a wall 206, including an aluminium channel 232 with a pivot 234 mounted thereto, the door or screen 222 being fixed to the pivot 234 such that it can swing between open and closed positions as indicated by arrows 230. The aluminium channel 232 is fixed to the wall 206 with a watertight seal 236, formed by sealing any gaps between the aluminium channel 232 and wall 206 with sealant such as silicone and/or the like. However, it is clear that to remove the panel 222 and/aluminium channel 232 for maintenance, the seal 236 has to be broken. The seal 236 may also deteriorate over time, particularly in new builds where there tends to be an initial settling period.

Referring to Figure 3b, a screen mounting is illustrated in accordance with the present invention, wherein the aluminium channel 232 includes a recess 242 including a plurality of deformable flexible rubber fingers 238. As the aluminium channel 232 is mounted on the wall 206, as indicated by arrow 240, the fingers 238 are compressed, thereby forming a seal between the aluminium channel 232 and wall 206. If maintenance is required, the aluminium channel 232 holding the screen 222 can be removed easily without damaging any seals, as the fingers 238 simply resume their original shape and the aluminium channel 232 can be repositioned afterwards as required.

With reference to Figures 3c-d, a further screen mounting is illustrated in accordance with the present invention, wherein the aluminium channel 232 includes two recesses 242', 242", each including a plurality of deformable flexible rubber fingers 238', 238" as hereinbefore described. Alternatively the recesses 242', 242" each include a rubber seal 239', 239" which form watertight seals when the aluminium channel 232 is mounted on the wall 206 via screw 237. The recesses 242', 242" are either side of the screw 237 to prevent water from reaching the screw 237 and potentially causing corrosion, which could make removal of the same difficult for maintenance.

Referring to figures 3e-g, a mechanism for holding the screen in a particular position is shown in greater detail. The pivot as illustrated in figures 3a-d comprises a vertically extruded portion 244, within which a barrel or tube 246, the screen 222 being rotationally mounted on the tube 246 via a cap 270 fitted over the end of the tube 246. A pair of locking plates 248, 250 are provided within the lower end of the tube 246. One of the locking plates 250 is provided with protrusions 252, and is positioned in a recess 254 with indents 256 complementary to the protrusions to prevent rotation of the locking plate 250. The other plate 248 can be rotated via a screw 258 and rod 260 to adjust the gap between the plates 248, 250. The plates 248, 250 are provided with fine grooves or teeth 262 such that as the plates 248, 250 are brought together they engage and lock together by friction.

The tube 246 includes a ball catch 264 which is biased into a recess 268 provided in the cap 270, by a spring 266 connected to one of the plates 248. The ball catch 264 is rotated, as indicated by arrows 272 as the plate 248 is rotated, and is thus fixed at a particular rotational position when the plates 248, 250 locked together as hereinbefore described. The screen 222 is connected to the cap 270, such that as the screen is moved, the ball catch 248 allows the screen to be held in a particular position, while allowing the screen 222 to be moved from said position by overcoming the biasing force of the spring 266. Radial movement of the ball catch 264 allows the screen 222 to be lined up in a required orientation in a wet room to define the shower area or to be aligned correctly with the edge of the bath, shower tray, or groove thereunder as illustrated in figures 2c-d.

It will be appreciated that more than one ball catch can be used to define a number of positions, and they can be placed at different locations in the assembly. For example, a first ball catch can be placed at the top of the tube as illustrated, in line with the screen in an open position, and a further ball catch can be placed at the bottom of the tube (not shown) , in line with the screen in a closed position. In such an example, the screen can be held in position simply with the ball catches, without the need to retain the same in a groove or channel provided in the top surface of a bath or shower tray.

With reference to Figures 4a-c there is illustrated a shower placed against a wall 306 with doors 322, 322' that can open individually and independently, and overlap when in a closed position. Different sized shower trays can use the same doors, with the amount of overlap varying accordingly.

Referring to Figure 4d, the overlap between the doors 322, 322' is illustrated. The doors include seals 124, 124' on their lower edges which are aligned such that their lower points are close together to both fit easily into the same channel 118. The upper portions 125, 125' of the seals 124, 124' physically prevent the glass of the doors 322, 322' from contacting each other and becoming damaged, by forming a gap 327 between the doors 322, 322'. Further material can be provided at different positions to achieve a similar result, for example in the form of a badge at the top of one of the doors, such that it is situated between the doors 322, 322' when the doors are in the closed position to prevent contact between the doors 322, 322', or as shown, as strips 323, 323' along the vertical edges of the doors to prevent contact between the doors.

Figures 5a-b indicate a similar, squarer, shower positioned against a wall 406, wherein the doors 422, 422' overlap to a slightly lesser extent.

Figures 6a-c indicate a shower enclosures positioned against a wall 506, wherein the doors 522, 522' overlap in a similar fashion to those shown in Figures 4 & 5. However, the corners 574, 574' of the doors 522, 522' are rounded such that they are less damaging to a user bumping into the corner, and are thus safer. The overlap prevents water from escaping the shower in the gap that would be otherwise created between the closed doors if the doors were aligned substantially edge to edge when closed.

It is clear that the abovementioned improvements aid a user if fitting and maintaining a screen on a shower and/or bath, and improves the flexibility of use of the same. A small number of screens, panels or doors of different sizes can be used to generate a range of different sized enclosures, the improvements allowing play or a greater tolerance for misalignment when fitting the same.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention also includes further additional modifications made to the device which does not effect the overall functioning of the device, such as the provision of decoration, a fabric or plastic covering to provide improved aesthetic appearance, and/or the like.

Claims

1. A shower tray or bath with one or more panels, screens and/or doors which can be located in a closed position, said shower tray or bath at least partially bounded by a raised portion having a top surface, characterised in that at least part of the top surface includes a formation to act as a means to retain one or more of said panels, screens and/or doors in said closed position.

2. A shower tray or bath according to claim 1 characterised in that the formation is a channel which divides the top surface into one or more shoulders.

3. A shower tray or bath according to claim 2 characterised in that one or more of the shoulders include one or more recesses to allow the escape of water from the channel into the bath or shower tray.

4. A shower tray or bath according to claim 2 characterised in that one or more of the shoulders are recessed from the edge of the top surface.

5. A shower tray or bath according to claim 1 characterised in that the top surface and/or the lower surface of the formation slopes downwardly towards the inside of the shower tray or bath.

6. A shower tray or bath according to claim 1 characterised in that the shower tray or bath is provided with one or more panels, screens and/or doors which are pivotally or hingedly moveable between an open position to allow access to the bath or shower tray, and a closed position to substantially prevent water escaping from the bath or shower tray.

7. A shower tray or bath according to claim 1 characterised in that one or more of the panels, screens and/or doors are curved and/or have rounded or angled corners .

8. A shower tray or bath according to claim 1 characterised in that at least a portion of the panels, screens and/or doors are capable of overlapping each other when moved to the closed position.

9. A shower tray or bath according to claim 1 characterised in that one or more of the panels, screens and/or doors are able to move over at least one edge of the formation.

10. A shower tray or bath according to claim 1 characterised in that one or more of the panels, screens and/or doors are provided with retention means to retain the same in a closed position.

1 1. A shower tray or bath according to claim 10 characterised in that the retention means are provided along the lower edge of the panels, screens and/or doors to engage the formation and/or top surface of the bath or shower tray.

12. A shower tray or bath according to claim 10 characterised in that the retention means are provided along the lateral edges or opposing sides of the panels, screens and/or doors such that the panels, screens and/or doors engage each other via respective retention means when in the closed position.

13. A shower tray or bath according to claim 10 characterised in that the retention means are any or any combination of catches, grips, magnets, seals, and protrusions.

14. A shower tray or bath according to claim 1 characterised in that one or more of the panels, screens and/or doors is detachably mounted on mounting means fixed to a wall or other supporting surface and/or is selectively positionable with respect to the same.

15. A shower tray or bath according to claim 14 characterised in that the mounting means is a u-shaped channel.

16. A shower tray or bath according to claim 14 characterised in that the mounting means are provided with adjustment means to adjust the position of the panels, screens and/or doors in the mounting means to allow the angle and/or orientation and/or spacing of the panels, screens and/or doors to be adjusted with respect to the wall or other supporting surface.

17. A shower tray or bath according to claim 16 characterised in that the mounting means are provided with biasing means to bias the panels, screens and/or doors into a particular position or angular orientation.

18. A shower tray or bath according to claim 17 characterised in that the biasing means are connected to the adjustment means to allow the radial adjustment of the position of the biasing means.

19. A shower tray or bath according to claim 17 characterised in that the biasing means includes any or any combination of ball catches, recesses, springs, and magnets .

20. A shower tray or bath according to claim 16 characterised in that the adjustment means are provided with locking means to allow the angle of the panels, screens and/or doors to be locked in a particular position.

21. A shower tray or bath according to claim 20 characterised in that the adjustment means includes an elongate tubular member, and the locking means includes a rod associated with one or more locking plates, said rod disposed substantially within the tubular member and rotatable such that the plates are moveable between an unlocked position where the plates are spaced apart and allow movement of the adjustment means, and a locked position where the plates engage thereby frictionally locking the locking plates together and locking the adjustment means in a particular position.

22. A shower tray or bath according to claim 21 characterised in that the rod is rotatably mounted on a cap provided on the end of the tubular member distal to the locking means.

23. A shower tray or bath according to claim 21 characterised in that a first locking plate is rotationally adjustable with respect to at least a second locking plate when the plates are in an unlocked position.

24. A shower tray or bath according to claim 21 characterised in that one of the plates is positioned in a recess, and is provided with protrusions, said protrusions being complementary to indentations in the recess to prevent rotational movement of the plate.

25. A shower tray or bath according to claim 14 characterised in that sealing means are provided to form one or more detachable seals between the mounting means and wall or other supporting surface.

26. A shower tray or bath according to claim 25 characterised in that the sealing means are in the form of deformable and/or flexible protrusions.

27. A shower tray or bath according to claim 25 characterised in that the mounting means are mounted on a wall or supporting surface and adjustably compress the sealing means therebetween to form a seal.

28. A shower tray or bath according to claim 1 characterised in that the top surface includes one or more upstand portions around at least a part of the outer edge of the top surface of the shower tray or bath for locating against a wall and behind one or more tiles or other wall covering fitted to the wall, and which bulge or project outwardly at one or more corners of the shower tray or bath.

29. A shower tray or bath according to claim 28 characterised in that the bulge is recessed into the wall such that the rest of the upstand does not have to be recessed into the wall more than the width of the upstand to form a surface at substantially the same level as that of the wall.

30. A shower or bath apparatus, provided with a shower tray or bath bounded by a raised portion having a top surface, and one or more panels, screens and/or doors, at least one of the panels, screens and/or doors are pivotally or hingedly moveable between an open position to allow access to the bath or shower tray, and a closed position to substantially prevent water escaping from the bath or shower tray, characterised in that at least a portion of one of the panels, screens and/or doors overlaps one of the other panels, screens and/or doors when moved to the closed position.

31. A shower or bath apparatus according to claim 30 characterised in that the top surface includes one or more shoulders.

32. A shower or bath apparatus according to claim 30 characterised in that the top surface slopes downwardly towards the inside of the shower tray or bath.

33. A shower or bath apparatus according to claim 30 characterised in that the one or more of the panels, screens and/or doors are provided with retention means to engage the top surface, or a channel defined in the top surface, when moved to the closed position.

34. A shower or bath apparatus according to claim 30 characterised in that the moveable panels, screens and/or doors are provided with retention means along the lateral edges or opposing sides such that the panels, screens and/or doors engage each other via respective retention means when moved to the closed position.

35. A shower tray or bath at least partially bounded by a raised portion having a top surface, characterised in that the raised portion includes first and second parallel, spaced, shoulders extending along at least a portion of said top surface.

36. A shower or bath apparatus according to claim 35 characterised in that one or more panels or doors are provided which are pivotally or hingedly moveable between an open position to allow access to the bath or shower tray, and a closed position in which the panels or doors are retained between the shoulders to substantially prevent water escaping from the bath or shower tray.

37. A shower tray or bath at least partially bounded by a raised portion having a top surface, characterised in that at least part of the top surface includes at least one channel therein.

38. A shower tray or bath according to claim 37 characterised in that the top surface and/ or the lower surface of the channel slopes downwardly towards the inside of the shower tray or bath.

39. A shower tray or bath according to claim 37 characterised in that the channel divides the top surface into one or more shoulders.

40. A shower tray or bath according to claim 39 characterised in that one or more of the shoulders include one or more recesses to allow the escape of water from the channel into the bath or shower tray.

41. Mounting apparatus for detachably mounting a shower panel door or screen thereto, said mounting apparatus fixed to a wall or other supporting surface, characterised in that adjustment means are provided to allow selective adjustment of the position of the panels, screens and/or doors in the mounting apparatus.

42. Mounting apparatus according to claim 41 characterised in that the adjustment means allows the angle and/or orientation and/or spacing of one or more of the panels, screens and/or doors to be adjusted with respect to the wall or other supporting surface.

43. Mounting apparatus according to claim 41 characterised in that one or more of the panels, screens and/or doors are provided with a hinge or pivot mechanism to allow movement thereof between an open position and a closed position, and the adjustment means is provided in the mechanism.

44. Mounting apparatus according to claim 41 characterised in , that biasing means are provided to bias the panels, screens and/or doors into a particular position or angular orientation.

45. Mounting apparatus according to claim 44 characterised in that the biasing means is connected to the adjustment means to allow radial adjustment of the position of the biasing means.

46. Mounting apparatus according to claim 41 characterised in that the adjustment means includes an elongate tubular member and a rod associated with one or more locking plates, said rod disposed substantially within the tubular member and rotatable such that the plates are moveable between an unlocked position where the plates are spaced apart and allow movement of the adjustment means, and a locked position where the plates engage thereby frictionally locking the locking plates together and locking the adjustment means in a particular position.

47. Mounting apparatus according to claim 46 characterised in that the rod is rotatably mounted on a cap provided on the end of the tubular member distal to the locking plates.

48. Mounting apparatus according to claim 46 characterised in that a first locking plate is rotationally adjustable with respect to at least a second locking plate when the plates are in an unlocked position.

49. Mounting apparatus according to claim 46 characterised in that one of the plates is positioned in a recess, and is provided with protrusions, said protrusions being complementary to indentations in the recess to prevent rotational movement of the plate.

50. Mounting apparatus according to claim 41 characterised in that sealing means are provided to form one or more detachable seals between the panels, screens and/or doors and the mounting means, and/or the mounting means and the wall.

51. Mounting apparatus according to claim 50 characterised in that the sealing means are in the form of deformable and/or flexible protrusions.

52. Mounting apparatus according to claim 50 characterised in that the mounting means are mounted on a wall or supporting surface and adjustably compress the sealing means therebetween to form a seal.

53. Mounting apparatus according to claim 50 characterised in that the sealing means are any or any combination of brushes, rubber strips, foam, sponge and plastic.

54. A shower tray or bath for positioning against a wall in at least one corner, said shower tray or bath bounded by a raised portion having at least two intersecting edges to define a corner of the shower tray or bath, characterised in that a protrusion is provided at said corner.

55. A shower tray or bath according to claim 54 characterised in that the protrusion extends outwardly from the shower tray or bath.

56. A shower tray or bath according to claim 54 characterised in that the protrusion directs water into the shower tray or bath.

57. A shower tray or bath according to claim 54 characterised in that the protrusion is recessed into the wall such that the adjacent edges are substantially flush with the wall when positioned thereagainst.