EP2774517A1

EP2774517A1 - Shower door assembly

Info

Publication number: EP2774517A1
Application number: EP13162168.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Wuxiang Wei
Original assignee: Foshan Ideal Co Ltd
Current assignee: Foshan Ideal Co Ltd
Priority date: 2013-03-05
Filing date: 2013-04-03
Publication date: 2014-09-10
Also published as: CA2812173A1; AU2013203239A1; CN203175267U; US20140250584A1; CA2812173C

Abstract

A shower door assembly is provided comprising a stationary frame, a movable frame having at least one through hole, and at least one adjusting assembly, wherein each of the at least one adjusting assembly comprises a fixing block located between the stationary frame and the movable frame, and receivable in the stationary frame, the fixing block having a channel, a deformable element receivable in the channel of the fixing block, and a fastening element passing through the through hole of the movable frame to connect with the deformable element..

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENT

This application claims priority benefit from Chinese utility model application No. 201320099211.6 filed on March 05, 2013 in the name of Foshan Ideal Co. Ltd., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its integrity.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a shower door assembly, in particular, to the mounting of the shower door assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional shower doors are normally mounted to a wall surface by drilling on the stationary and movable frames and then connecting both frames using fasteners. This procedure is very inconvenient and time-consuming. Furthermore, the drilling operation may cause damages or scores to the frames, usually made of aluminum or its alloys, which is not acceptable for users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a shower door assembly that is able to be easily assembled without the need of drilling or any other tools.
To achieve the object, a shower door assembly is provided which comprises a stationary frame, a movable frame having at least one through hole, and at least one adjusting assembly, wherein each of the at least one adjusting assembly comprises a fixing block located between the stationary frame and the movable frame, and receivable in the stationary frame, the fixing block having a channel, a deformable element receivable in the channel of the fixing block, and a fastening element passing through the through hole of the movable frame to connect with the deformable element.
In the present invention, the fastening element controls the deformation of the deformable element. The deformed deformable element compresses the inner surface of the channel of the fixing block to firmly engage with it. As the other end of the deformable element is connected with the fastening element which passes through the through hole of the movable frame, the above engagement can fix the relative position of the movable frame and the stationary frame, so as to attach the movable frame to the wall surface.
The fastening element can control the deformation of the deformable element in many ways. In one embodiment of the present invention, the deformable element has a slot, and the fastening element comprises a pulling rod received in the slot. The deformable element is deformed by the movement of the pulling rod along the slot.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the deformable element has a front edge with a cross-section larger than a cross-section of the through hole of the movable frame. The front edge locates at one end of the deformable element and engages with one side of the movable frame, preventing the deformable element from passing through the through hole of the movable frame. A force would be applied to the deformable element by the movement of the pulling rod in the slot, which would deform one end of the deformable element, due to the engagement of the other end of the deformable element and the movable frame.
The fastening element can control the movement of the pulling rod in the slot in many ways. In one embodiment of the present invention, the fastening element further comprises an eccentric block rotatablely connected with the pulling rod, the eccentric block and the pulling rod being respectively disposed at one side of the movable frame. When the eccentric block is rotated, the pulling rod would be pulled by it and move in the slot.
The rotation of the eccentric block can be various forms of rotation, such as a rotation in parallel with the contacting surface with the movable frame, or a rotation perpendicular to the contacting surface with the movable frame, provided that it can push or pull the pulling rod. In one embodiment of the present invention, the eccentric block connects with the movable frame at an opening surface and a fastening surface of the eccentric block, respectively at an opening position and a fastening position, and the eccentric block is rotatablely connected with the pulling rod by a shaft, the distance between the shaft and the opening surface being larger or smaller than the distance between the shaft and the fastening surface. As the distance between the shaft and the opening position and the distance between the shaft and the fastening position are different, the shaft can push the pulling rod.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the deformable element has a first hook end, the pulling rod has a second hook end, and the second hook end engages with the first hook end at an outer side of the first hook end. The movement of the pulling rod would make the second hook end pull the first hook end to deform the first hook end, so as to compress the inner surface of the channel of the fixing block. To maximize the compressing of the first hook end, in one embodiment of the present invention, the first hook end has a cross-section of the same size as a cross-section of the channel of the fixing block.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the deformable element has a tubular end, the pulling rod has a columnar end, and an outer diameter of the columnar end is larger than an inner diameter of the tubular end. The movement of the pulling rod would insert the columnar end into the tubular end to deform the tubular end, so as to compress the inner surface of the channel of the fixing block. To maximize the compressing of the tubular end, in one embodiment of the present invention, the tubular end has a cross-section of the same size as a cross-section of the channel of the fixing block.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the tubular end has a plurality of openings. Preferably, the openings are linear openings parallel to each other.
By using the present invention, when the shower door is assembled, there is no need for drilling or any other particular tools. The shower door can be assembled or disassembled by using only one or two fasteners, especially screws. Therefore, the assembly of the shower door is very convenient and less time-consuming.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages and details of the present invention emerge from the example embodiments described below, which do not limit the invention in any way, and from the drawings, in which

Figure 1 shows an exploded view of main parts of a shower door assembly according to one example of the present invention;
Figure 2 shows another exploded view in a different direction of the shower door assembly in Figure 1;
Figure 3 shows an assembled view of the shower door assembly in Figure 1;
Figure 4 shows a working view of the shower door assembly in Figure 1;
Figure 5 shows an exploded view of main parts of a shower door assembly according to another example of the present invention;
Figure 6 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the shower door assembly in Figure 5.

Elements that are irrelevant to the spirit of the present invention are omitted for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the," are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the terms "and/or" include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" "comprising" "includes" and/or "including" when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
With reference to Figures 1 and 2 which show main parts of an exemplified shower door assembly, the shower door assembly comprises a stationary frame 10 and a movable frame 20 having a through hole 21. The stationary frame 10 has a U shape and a slot for mounting of glass. The shower door assembly further comprises an adjusting assembly which mainly comprises a fixing block 30, a deformable element 40 and a fastening element, the fastening element passing through the through hole 21 to connect with the deformable element 40.
The stationary frame 10 is used to secure to a wall surface. The stationary frame 10 can be attached to a wall through many ways. The stationary frame 10 in Figure 1 comprises a screw hole 11, such that fasteners (such as a crew) can pass through it to fix the stationary frame 10 to the wall. Of course, the person skilled in the art knows other methods applicable to achieve said secure, for example, by adhesives.
The fixing block 30 is partially received within the stationary frame 10. As shown in Figure 1, the fixing block 30 comprises a through hole 32, and the stationary frame 10 comprises a screw hole 12. A fastener can pass through the through hole 32 and the screw hole 12 to connect the fixing block 30 with the stationary frame 10. The size of the fixing block 30 should be smaller than the inner space of the stationary frame 10, assuring the fixing block receivable within the stationary frame.
The fixing block 30 has a channel 31, and the deformable element 40 is receivable in the channel 31. As shown in Figure 2, the channel 31 is a cuboid channel, the deformable element 40 has a first hook end 42, and the cross-section of the first hook end 42 has the same size as the cross-section of the channel 31. One end of the deformable element 40 that is contacting with the movable frame has a front edge 43, making the end of the deformable element engagable with one side of the movable frame.
The fastening element 50 comprises a pulling rod 51 and an eccentric block 52 respectively located at one side of the movable frame and rotatably connected with each other through a shaft. A slot 41 is disposed within the deformable element 40 and the pulling rod 51 is receivable in the slot 41. The pulling rod 51 has a second hook end 512, and the second hook end 512 engages with the first hook end 42 at an outer side of the first hook end 42.
The pulling rod 51 and an eccentric block 52 can be rotatably connected with each other in many ways. As shown in Figure 1, the eccentric block 52 has a pin hole 521 and a groove 522, one end of the pulling rod 51 comprises a hole 511. The pulling rod passes through the slot 41 and inserts into the groove 522, such that the pulling rod 51 and an eccentric block 52 can be connected by a fastener (such as a pin) passing through the pin hole 521 and the hole 511.
With reference to Figures 3 which shows an assembled view of the shower door assembly in figure 1, the fixing block 30 is fixed in the stationary frame, the pulling rod (not shown) passes through the slot of the deformable element and the through hole of the movable frame to connect with the eccentric block 52. The deformable element 40 is fixed in the movable frame by the engagement of the first hook end and the second hook end. When the movable frame moves towards the stationary frame, the deformable element 40 would insert into the channel of the fixing block 30.
With reference to Figures 4 which shows a working view of the shower door assembly in figure 1, (a) refers to an opening position and (b) refers to a fastening position. The eccentric block 52 has an L shape with two arms, one arm as a handle and the other arm as a supporter when rotated. At the opening position (a), the eccentric block 52 connects with the movable frame (in dashed lines) at its opening surface, and at the fastening position (b), the eccentric block 52 connects with the movable frame at its fastening surface.
Because the distance between the shaft and the opening surface is smaller than the distance between the shaft and the fastening surface, when rotating the eccentric block, the pulling rod 51 would be pulled and move towards the movable frame, which makes the first hook end 42 be pulled by the second hook end 512 and move towards the movable frame. As one end of the deformable element 40 is engaging with the movable frame, the first hook end 42 would be deformed. Since the first hook end 42 has a cross-section of the same size as a cross-section of the channel, the deformed first hook end 42 would compress the inner surface of the channel so as to fix the deformable block inside the channel, such that the movable frame would be fixed to the stationary frame.
Figure 5 shows an exploded view of another exemplified shower door assembly, and Figure 6 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the shower door assembly in Figure 5. The shower door assembly shown in Figure 5 is basically the same as the shower door assembly shown in Figure 1, except that the channel 31' of the fixing block has a cylinder shape, and the deformable element has a tubular end 42', the pulling rod has a columnar end 512', the outer diameter of the columnar end 512' is larger than the inner diameter of the tubular end 42'. The tubular end 42' has a cross-section of the same size as a cross-section of the channel 31' of the fixing block
Similarly to Figure 4, when rotating the eccentric block, the pulling rod 51' would be pulled and move towards the movable frame. As the deformable element 40' has a front edge 43' engagable with the movable frame, the columnar end 512' of the pulling rod 51' would insert into the tubular end 42' of the deformable element 40' to deform the tubular end 42'. Since the tubular end 42' has a cross-section of the same size as the cross-section of the channel of the fixing block, the deformed tubular end 42' would compress the inner surface of the channel so as to fix the deformable block inside the channel, such that the movable frame would be fixed to the stationary frame.
To facilitate the deformation, the tubular end 42' can be made of elastic materials. To further facilitate the deformation, as shown in Figure 6, the tubular end has a plurality of linear openings 44' parallel to each other.
The shower door assembly in the above examples can further comprise a top frame and a bottom frame, and the eccentric block can be received in the top frame and a bottom frame. The top frame and the bottom frame are respectively disposed on two ends of the movable frame and perpendicular to the movable frame. The top and bottom frames can be detachably connected with the movable frame in appropriate ways. A glass door can be arranged between the top and bottom frames. The top and bottom frame can guide the sliding of the glass door, protect the eccentric block and enhance its appearance.
It should be understood that various example embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which only some example embodiments are shown. Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments. The present invention, however, may be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the example embodiments set forth herein.

Claims

A shower door assembly, comprising
a stationary frame,
a movable frame having at least one through hole, and
at least one adjusting assembly, wherein each of the at least one adjusting assembly comprises
a fixing block located between the stationary frame and the movable frame, and receivable in the stationary frame, the fixing block having a channel,
a deformable element receivable in the channel of the fixing block, and
a fastening element passing through the through hole of the movable frame to connect with the deformable element.
The shower door assembly of claim 1, wherein the deformable element has a slot, and the fastening element comprises a pulling rod received in the slot.
The shower door assembly of claim 2, wherein the deformable element has a front edge with a cross-section larger than that of the through hole of the movable frame.
The shower door assembly of claim 3, wherein the fastening element further comprises an eccentric block rotatablely connected with the pulling rod, the eccentric block and the pulling rod being respectively disposed at one side of the movable frame.
The shower door assembly of claim 4, wherein the eccentric block connects with the movable frame at an opening surface and a fastening surface of the eccentric block, respectively at an opening position and a fastening position, and
the eccentric block is rotatablely connected with the pulling rod by a shaft, a distance between the shaft and the opening surface being larger or smaller than a distance between the shaft and the fastening surface.
The shower door assembly of claim 5, wherein the deformable element has a first hook end, the pulling rod has a second hook end, and the second hook end engages with the first hook end at an outer side of the first hook end.
The shower door assembly of claim 6, wherein the first hook end has a cross-section of the same size as that of the channel of the fixing block.
The shower door assembly of claim 5, wherein the deformable element has a tubular end, the pulling rod has a columnar end, and an outer diameter of the columnar end is larger than an inner diameter of the tubular end.
The shower door assembly of claim 8, wherein the tubular end has a cross-section of the same size as that of the channel of the fixing block.
The shower door assembly of claim 8, wherein the tubular end has a plurality of openings.