ES1291354U - Enclosure system that incorporates a set of cartridges that houses an extendable and rolled extensible enclosure panel (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

An enclosure system to selectively close a shower or other space, the enclosure system includes: A frame, which comprises a set of upper lane and a lower lane set arranged in a spaced configuration and that extend horizontally along a space, including each of the upper and lower lane sets respective respective lane segments First and second linear and a respective corner area arranged between the respective first and second linear lane segments, also including the frame at least one cap in one or both corner areas; A set of cartridges supported by the frame, the set of cartridges that comprises a housing and a flexible panel that can be extended and retracted inside the housing to selectively enclose the space; A main post, fixed and extends along a front edge of the flexible panel located outside the housing, the main post is configured to move along the upper and lower lane sets; a support post, which can be disconnected from the main post and that is arranged on an inner side of the flexible panel that gives the space; characterized by The main post, the flexible panel and the support post -lined upst and post support in corner areas; and in which With the support post arrested by at least one plug in the corner areas, the main post is disconnectable from the support post by pulling the main post, allowing the progress of the main post and the flexible panel beyond the corner areas and to Along the second linear lane segments of the upper and lower lane sets, where the support post in the corner areas is arranged or next to the inner side of the flexible panel limiting the buckling inward a portion of the flexible panel located between the corner areas. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Enclosure system that incorporates a set of cartridges that houses an extensible retractable and roll-up enclosure panel

field of invention

[001] The present invention relates generally to retractable enclosure panels and, more particularly, to an enclosure system incorporating a replaceable cartridge containing a roll-up, retractable, extensible enclosure panel.

Background of the invention:

[002] Shower screens are generally placed in the bath and shower spaces, generally defined by the surrounding walls, in order to prevent water from splashing outside the bath or shower area delimited by the walls and the screen. Generally, these screens have a peripheral frame that is fixed to the walls, and on which closing elements (for example, screens or panels) are mounted to enclose the space of the bathtub or shower during use.

[003] In some cases, these closing elements consist of generally rigid sliding panels. The panels can be made of glass, and can be mounted on guides defined in the upper and lower uprights of the frame. A user can slide one or more of the panels to an open position where the panels define an opening through which the user can enter or exit the shower area. Alternatively, the user can slide one or more of the panels to a closed position where the panels enclose the shower area, such as for showering, or simply to hide the shower area.

[004] Existing shower screens or panels present different problems. For example, shower panels can be difficult to clean. The panels can be so heavy that proper operation of the panels between open and closed positions is cumbersome. In addition, the glass panels can break and cause damage to people around them or nearby objects.

[005] Alternative enclosures are known in which the closing element is formed by a flexible sheet or panel, which may be plastic, and which is rolled up and unrolled from a rotating drum. When the panel is wound on the drum, free access is provided to the inner area of the peripheral frame. Alternatively, the panel can be unrolled from the drum to provide the bath or shower space.

[006] In this type of screen, the flexible sheet is wound on the rotating drum due to the action of preloaded torsion springs, which act on the rotating drum and predispose the drum to rotate in the rolling direction of the sheet on the drum.

[007] In these known cartridge systems, the rotating drum, as well as the means that rotate it for winding and unwinding the sheet, are mounted on or form part of a vertical profile or upright included in the peripheral frame. The profile typically includes a slot through which the flexible panel extends and retracts.

[008] Documents WO02/065884, WO2004/054419, ES2020454, ES1033753, ES1034999 and ES1036044 describe examples of closing mechanisms in which the elements that cause the rotation of the winding device, as well as the flexible sheet, are contained within or they form part of one of the uprights or vertical profiles of the peripheral frame, which in turn is fixed to the side walls, partitions or walls of the building.

[009] To maintain or repair these known cartridge systems, it is often necessary to fully or partially disassemble the upright (which houses the rolling means), which in turn generally requires removal of the peripheral frame. These actions are relatively complex and should normally be performed by a qualified technician. In some cases, the qualified technician may not even be able to repair the unit, in which case the entire partition assembly must be completely removed and replaced with a new partition model. In other cases, in which some parts of the closing system can be repaired or replaced, these operations cannot be carried out easily or quickly, nor by the users themselves, but must be carried out by qualified professional personnel. Qualified personnel must first determine the specific problem and then repair the part. Qualified personnel often determine that the box must be replaced with a different box from the many on the market, at a high cost and after a long period of time.

[0010] Accordingly, there is a need for a solution to at least one of the aforementioned problems. For example, there is an established need for a shower stall system having an extendable and retractable panel, where the panel and other parts of the system can be easily replaced when damaged without the need for a qualified professional.

Summary of the invention

[0011] The present invention is directed to an enclosure system that has a set of cartridges with a reinforced, extensible and retractable flexible panel. The enclosure system generally includes a frame assembly having a bottom and top rail assembly and a guide post movably mounted to the bottom and top rail assembly. The cartridge assembly is mounted to the frame and includes an outer shell having a drum rotatably mounted within the outer shell to retain the flexible panel. The flexible panel may be spring-loaded to automatically retract into the cartridge and roll onto the drum. A support post is attached to the main post and is movably mounted on the flexible panel. The main post, support post and flexible panel are movable together along the top and bottom rail assemblies. The top and bottom rail assemblies may include at least one stopper configured to block movement of the support post in the corner areas such that further pulling on the main post disconnects the main post from the support post and allows the post to move. the main post and the flexible panel advance beyond the corner zones. The support post, in turn, can remain in the corner areas and limit the inward sag of the flexible panel towards the shower area or other space to be enclosed by the flexible panel.

[0012] In a first embodiment of the invention, an enclosure system for selectively enclosing a shower area or other space may include a frame. The frame may comprise a top rail assembly and a bottom rail assembly arranged in a configuration spaced apart from one another and extending horizontally across a space. Each of the upper and lower rail assemblies may include respective first and second linear rail segments and a respective corner area disposed between the respective first and second linear rail segments. The frame may further include at least one plug in one or both of the corner areas. The closure system may further comprise a separate cartridge supported by the frame, the cartridge it comprises a casing and a flexible panel extendable from the casing and retractable by rolling up within it to selectively enclose the space. A main post may be attached to and extend along a leading edge of the flexible panel located outside of the casing. The main post may be configured to travel along the top and bottom rail assemblies. A support post may be releasably coupled to the main post and disposed on an inner side of the flexible space-facing panel. The main post, the flexible panel and the support post attached to the main post may move together along the first linear rail segments of the upper and lower rail assemblies, and the at least one stopper may be configured to stop the displacement of the support post in the corner areas. With the support post stopped by the at least one stopper in the corner areas, the main post can be disconnected from the support post by pulling on the main post, allowing the main post and flexible panel to advance past the stop areas. the corners and along the second linear rail segments of the upper and lower rail assemblies. The support post in the corner areas may be disposed on or near the inner side of the flexible panel limiting inward buckling of a portion of the flexible panel located between the corner areas.

[0013] In a second aspect, each of the upper and lower rail assemblies may include a respective corner assembly detachably engageable from the first linear rail segment and also from the respective second linear rail segment, in the rail assemblies upper and lower. The respective corner set can provide the respective corner area.

[0014] In another aspect, said at least one plug may include a first plug at the corner assembly of the upper rail assembly and a second plug at the corner assembly of the lower rail assembly.

[0015] In another aspect, the support post may include an upper carriage, with at least one upper roller, and a lower carriage with at least one lower roller, disposed at opposite upper and lower ends of the carriages. At least one upper roller and at least one lower roller may protrude outwardly relative to an outer side of the flexible panel opposite the inner side and may be configured to roll along the upper and lower rail assemblies. The upper and lower rollers can rotate about their respective horizontal axes of rotation. The support post may further include at least one pair of panel rollers. Each pair of panel rollers may consist of one first panel roller and a second panel roller rotatable about a respective vertical axis and arranged on opposite sides of the support post on the inner side of the flexible panel. The flexible panel may extend between the at least one pair of upper and lower panel rollers. At least one pair of panel rollers may contact the inner side of the flexible panel.

[0016] In another aspect, with the main post and flexible panel advancing beyond the corner areas and the support post stopped by the at least one stopper, the first and second sections of the flexible panel extending from the corner areas The corner rollers may be held generally parallel to the first and second linear rail segments, respectively, by at least one pair of panel rollers.

[0017] In another aspect, the support post may include an upper pair of panel rollers disposed at the upper end of said support post and a pair of panel rollers disposed at the lower end of the support post.

[0018] In another aspect, the two upper panel rollers and the lower panel rollers may be arranged in vertical register with one another.

[0019] In another aspect, at least each upper roller includes and drives a pair of vertical panel rollers and each lower roller includes and drives a pair of vertical panel rollers.

[0020] In another aspect, the pair of upper panel rollers may be arranged more or less spaced apart from one another. The pair of lower panel rollers may be arranged more or less spaced apart from each other. Preferably, the upper pair of panel rollers are spaced further apart than the first and second rail rollers of each pair of rail rollers, and the lower pair of panel rollers are spaced further apart than the rail rollers. first and second of each pair of track rollers.

[0021] In another aspect, the support post may be disposed between the panel rollers having each one on each side, both at the upper end and at the lower end of the support post.

[0022] In another aspect, the support post may include a top carriage and a bottom carriage. The support post connects the upper carriage and the lower carriage. at least one upper roller may be rotatable carried by the upper carriage and at least one lower roller may be rotatable carried by the lower carriage and at least one pair of panel rollers may be rotatable carried by their respective carriages.

[0023] In another aspect, each of the upper and lower carriages may include an L-shaped horizontal section and a vertical section, respectively. At least one upper roller and at least one lower roller may extend out of the section. vertical of the upper and lower carriages. At least one pair of panel rollers may extend from and between the upper and lower carriage horizontal sections.

[0024] In another aspect, at least one pair of panel rollers may be in the horizontal section of the upper carriage and one pair of the panel rollers may be in the horizontal section of the lower carriage.

[0025] In yet another aspect, said at least one plug may include a first plug at the corner assembly of the upper rail assembly and a second plug at the corner assembly of the lower rail assembly, and the upper and lower carriages may include a respective stop bar protruding from the respective vertical portion. The first and second plugs may be configured to stop the support post from moving in the corner areas by contact between the stop bars and the first and second plugs.

[0026] In another aspect, the support post may be releasably coupled to the main post by an elastic clip connection.

[0027] In another aspect, the spring clip connection may connect a leading end of the support post with a trailing end of the main post.

[0028] In another aspect, an outer surface of the support post may be curved outwardly along at least one side of the support post facing the inner side of the flexible panel.

[0029] In another aspect, the cartridge assembly may be releasably coupled to the frame.

[0030] These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.

Brief description of the drawings

[0031] Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter in conjunction with the accompanying drawings provided to illustrate and not limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which:

[0032] Figure 1 presents a top and front isometric view of an enclosure system according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the enclosure system comprising a frame, a replaceable cartridge attached to the frame, and a flexible extensible panel. from the cartridge, the closure system shown in a first or open position in which the flexible panel is fully retracted within the cartridge;

[0033] Figure 2 presents a top and front isometric view of the enclosure system of Figure 1 shown in a second position, in which the flexible panel is partially extended along the frame of the enclosure system;

[0034] Figure 3 presents a top and front isometric view of the enclosure system of Figure 1 shown in a third position, in which the flexible panel is partially extended along the frame of the enclosure system and a support post of the enclosure system deployed in a corner of the frame;

[0035] Figure 4 presents a top and front isometric view of the enclosure system of Figure 1 shown in a fourth fully closed position, in which the shower panel is fully extended and secured to the frame of the shower cabin and encloses a shower area;

[0036] Figure 5 presents a front isometric view of a first post of the closing system of Figure 1, which includes a double latch assembly and a pair of rollers of a roller system of the closing system;

[0037] Figure 6 presents an enlarged and exploded isometric view of the right front part of the double latch assembly of Figure 5;

[0038] Figure 7 presents an enlarged, top and front isometric view of the left side of the first post and double latch assembly of Figure 5 prior to engagement with a frame-mounted double latch assembly clip;

[0039] Figure 8 presents a front, top, enlarged isometric view of the right side of the first post and double-lock assembly of Figure 5 prior to engaging the frame-mounted double-lock assembly clip;

[0040] Figure 9 presents a front elevation view of the first post and the double latch assembly of Figure 5, during the engagement of a pair of latches of the double latch assembly with the clip of the double latch assembly to secure the first post to frame;

[0041] Figure 10 presents a front elevation view of the first post and the double-bolt assembly of Figure 5, during the disengagement of the pair of latches of the double-bolt assembly from the clip of the double-bolt assembly to release the first post. of the frame;

[0042] Figure 11 presents a top and front isometric view of a second post or support post of the enclosure system illustrated in Figure 1, including additional pairs of rollers of a system of rollers of the enclosure system and stop members for limit the displacement of the second post along the frame;

[0043] Figure 12 presents a top and rear isometric view of a lower rail assembly of the frame of the enclosure system of Figure 1, the lower rail assembly includes a corner stop;

[0044] Figure 13 presents a front isometric view of the bottom rail assembly of Figure 12;

[0045] Figure 14 presents a plan view of the upper section of the assembly of the lower rail of the frame and the first and second posts of the enclosure system of Figure 1, illustrating the combined guide and support posts advancing towards the stop bottom rail assembly corner;

[0046] Figure 15 presents a cross-sectional top plan view, similar to Figure 14, illustrating the main post passing the corner stop of the rail assembly bottom rail and support post movement being stopped by the corner stop of the bottom rail assembly;

[0047] Figure 16 presents a cross-sectional view of a portion of the assembly of the lower rail of the frame of the closing system;

[0048] Figure 17 presents a cross-sectional view of the lower rail assembly with internal and external rollers, the roller system of the second post positioned in the lower rail assembly;

[0049] Figure 18 presents an exploded top front isometric view of the set of replaceable cartridges of the box system of Figure 1;

[0050] Figure 19 presents an enlarged top front isometric view of a panel tensioning mechanism of the replaceable cartridge assembly of Figure 18;

[0051] Figure 20 presents an enlarged top front isometric view of an upper area of the spring tension mechanism of Figure 19, with a spring tension mechanism shown in a lowered or locked condition;

[0052] Figure 21 presents an enlarged top front isometric view, similar to Figure 20, with the spring tension mechanism shown in a raised or unlocked condition for adjusting panel pre-tension;

[0053] Figure 22 presents a cross-sectional side elevational view of the upper and lower areas of the replaceable cartridge assembly of Figure 18, with the spring tension mechanism in the unlocked condition;

[0054] Figure 23 presents a cross-sectional side elevational view of a lower portion of the spring tension mechanism, illustrating a lower spring connector of the spring tension mechanism positioned within a drum of the replaceable cartridge assembly;

[0055] Figure 24 presents a top plan view of the replaceable cartridge assembly of Figure 18, with the tension mechanism in the locked condition;

[0056] Figure 25 presents a top plan view, similar to Figure 24, of the replaceable cartridge assembly of Figure 18, with the tension mechanism in the unlocked condition during pre-tensioning of the drum of the replaceable cartridge assembly;

[0057] Figure 26 presents a top cross section, front isometric view of the replaceable cartridge assembly of Figure 18, the cartridge assembly shown in an initial condition corresponding to the open position of the closure system shown in Figure 1;

[0058] Figure 27 presents a cross-sectional side elevational view of the replaceable cartridge assembly of Figure 18 in the initial condition of Figure 26;

[0059] Figure 28 presents a cross-sectional side elevation view, similar to Figure 27, of the assembled replaceable cartridge assembly of Figure 18, where the replaceable cartridge is arranged in a final condition corresponding to the closed position of the system enclosure shown in Figure 4;

[0060] Figure 29 presents a cross-sectional side elevation view of the replaceable cartridge assembly assembled according to another embodiment of the invention, the cartridge assembly includes upper and lower tension mechanisms, each of which includes a mechanism respective damping;

[0061] Figure 30 presents a top plan view of an inner end of the shower panel of the partition system coupled with the drum of the partition system of Figure 18;

[0062] Figure 31 presents a top and front isometric view of a collapsible ramp system for use with the bottom rail of the disclosed enclosure system, the collapsible ramp system is shown in a fully folded condition on the bottom rail;

[0063] Figure 32 presents a front isometric view, similar to Figure 31, of the collapsible ramp system in an unfolded condition;

[0064] Figure 33 presents a cross-sectional side elevation view, taken along the sectional plane 33-33 indicated in Figure 31; Y

[0065] Figure 34 presents a cross-sectional side elevation view, taken along the section plane 34-34 indicated in Figure 32.

[0066] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Detailed description

[0067] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the disclosed embodiments or the application and uses thereof. As used herein, the word "exemplary" or "illustrative" means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any implementation described herein as "exemplary" or "illustrative" should not necessarily be construed as being preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable those skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms "top", "bottom", "left", "rear", "right", "front", "vertical", "horizontal" and their derivatives refer to the invention as oriented in Fig. 1. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any express or implied theory presented in the foregoing technical field, background, brief summary, or detailed description that follows. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and described in the following specification, are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Therefore, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0068] The present invention is directed to an enclosure system incorporating a replaceable cartridge assembly, including a cartridge that houses an extendable and retractable enclosure panel. The enclosure system may be used, for example and without limitation, to enclose a shower or bath area within a home or other facility such that the shower or bath area can be used with privacy.

[0069] The illustrations of Figures 1-4 present an enclosure system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention for use, for example and without limitation, in a shower stall or area 1000. With reference initially to 1, the enclosure system 100 includes a replaceable cartridge and panel assembly 110, comprising a cartridge assembly 112 mounted in a frame 114 of the enclosure system 100. The replaceable cartridge and panel assembly 110 further includes a sheet o flexible enclosure panel 116 that is initially housed within cartridge assembly 112 and is extendable and retractable therefrom along frame 114 to form an enclosure within shower area 1000 to contain shower water (not shown) and prevent water from spraying out of the enclosed area, and to provide privacy for a person showering within the shower area 1000.

[0070] The panel and replaceable cartridge assembly 110 further includes a first main post 118 and a second support post 120. The main post 118 is attached to the flexible panel 116 and is operable by a user to extend and retract the flexible panel 116. into and out of cartridge assembly 112. Support post 120 supports flexible panel 116 during movement or positioning of flexible panel 116 along frame 114 as discussed in more detail below. Flexible panel 116, along with main post 118 and support post 120, are movable along a bottom rail assembly 122 of frame 114 and an opposing and spaced top rail assembly 124 of frame 114.

[0071] To support the lower and upper rail assemblies 122 and 124, respectively, in a position spaced apart from one another, the frame 114 of the enclosure system 100 may include a first upright support 126 and a second upright support 128. The assembly of lower rail 122 and upper rail assembly 124 may be attached or mounted to first and second uprights 126 and 128, respectively, to form a generally rigid frame 114.

[0072] The main post 118 of the replaceable cartridge and panel assembly 110 is movable along and guided by the lower and upper rail assemblies 122 and 124 to draw the flexible panel 116 along the lower and upper rail assemblies. top 122 and 124, as shown in Figures 1-4. A sufficient pull on the post 118, and consequently on the flexible panel 116 affixed thereto, causes the flexible panel 116 to eventually reach a closed position in which the flexible panel 116 encloses the shower area 1000, as shown in Fig. Figure 4. To prevent the flexible panel 116 in the closed position of Figure 4 is inadvertently opened, the main post 118 includes a latch assembly 130 releasably engageable with an interior surface of the second upright 128 to releasably secure the main post 118 to the second upright 128 and so securing the flexible panel 116 in an extended condition with respect to the frame 114, or closed position of the flexible panel 116. As further shown in Figures 1-4, a handle 134 is provided on the main post 118 to facilitate movement. guide the main post 118, and thus the flexible panel 116, along the lower and upper rail assemblies 122 and 124, respectively.

[0073] As noted above, the enclosure system 100 may be provided for use in enclosing a shower stall or area 1000 of the type typically found in homes, office buildings, and stores and the like. In addition, the enclosure system 100 can be used in outdoor shower areas, such as those at public pools or beach areas, or in private outdoor locations adjacent to the pool or owner's home. In other applications, the enclosure system 100 can be used to enclose any type of area, whether for showering, bathing, or other uses. For simplicity, this detailed description will primarily refer to shower, bath, or other wet areas; however, unless otherwise stated, the terms "shower" or "bath" should be understood as not being limiting and encompassing any area capable of being enclosed by the invention.

[0074] Referring to Figure 1, the shower area 1000 may include a floor 1100 and one or more walls, such as, but not limited to, a first wall 1120 and a second wall 1130. The frame 114 of the shower system The disclosed partition 100 is mounted in the shower area 1000 and the cartridge and replaceable panel assembly 110 is removably mounted in the frame 114, such that the cartridge and replaceable panel assembly 110 can be removed from the frame 114 for disposal. replacement in the event of damage or excessive wear to the flexible panel 116 and/or other components of the replaceable panel and cartridge assembly 110.

[0075] The frame 114 of the disclosed enclosure system 100 may be attached to the shower area 1000 by securing the bottom rail assembly 122 of the frame 114 to a top surface 1140 of the floor 1100, to a top edge of a bathtub (not shown). ), or other applicable frame support structure. In addition, the first vertical support 126 of the frame 114 may be attached to an outer surface 1150 of the first wall 1120 and the second upright support 128 of frame 114 is attached to an outer surface 1160 of second wall 1130. Top rail assembly 124 may be supported between first and second upright supports 126 and 128, respectively, as shown. Alternatively or additionally, the head rail assembly 124 may be secured to a shower area ceiling 1000.

[0076] Returning to Figure 2, the lower and upper rail assemblies 122 and 124, respectively, can be straight, curved, angled, or combinations thereof, depending on the type of installation and the shape of the shower area. 1000 (figure 1). In some embodiments, the lower rail assembly 122 and/or the upper rail assembly 124 may be adjustable in length, to facilitate installation of the partition system 100 in different shower areas 1000 or other areas. In other embodiments, the lower rail assembly 122 and/or the upper rail assembly 124 may have a predetermined length.

[0077] For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the lower and upper rail assemblies 122 and 124 are angular, and both the lower rail assembly 122 and the upper rail assembly 124 are adjustable in length. The lower rail assembly 122 of the present embodiment includes a first linear rail segment or assembly 136, a second linear rail segment or assembly 138, and a corner piece or assembly 140 intermediate the first and second extendable linear rail assemblies. 136 and 138, respectively. Likewise, the upper rail assembly 124 includes a first linear rail segment or assembly 142, a second linear rail segment or assembly 144, and a corner piece or assembly 146 intermediate between the first and second extendable linear rail assemblies. 142 and 144, respectively. The first and second linear rail assemblies 136 and 138 of the lower rail assembly 122 and the first and second linear rail assemblies 142 and 144 of the upper rail assembly 124 of the present embodiment are adjustable in length such that they can be extended and be compressed to allow frame 114 to adjust to fit a specific sized shower area 1000, as discussed in more detail below.

[0078] As noted above, the replaceable cartridge and panel assembly 110 includes two movable posts, namely main post 118 and support post 120. Initially, support post 120 is attached to main post 118. and is withdrawn forward together with the main post 118 and the flexible panel 120 (FIGS. 1 and 2). As support post 120 reaches the corner area (i.e., the area of corner assemblies 140 and 146), support post 120 stops such that the support post 120 remains in that area as main post 118 while flexible panel 116 continues to be pulled toward the closed position (as shown in Figures 3 and 4). To stop the movement of the support post 120 along the lower and upper rail assemblies 122 and 124 at the respective corner assemblies 140 and 146, one or both of the lower corner assemblies 140 and the upper corner assembly 146 include a protruding plug or retaining pin 148 configured to engage with, and block forward movement of, a corresponding protruding stop bar 150 comprised in support post 120, all of which are described in greater detail below. Once the support post 120 stops at the corner assemblies 140 and 146 of the lower and upper rail assemblies 122 and 124, the support post 120 provides back support to the flexible panel 116 at the corner assemblies 140 and 146 to prevent the flexible panel 116 from sagging or bowing as the flexible panel 116 is drawn around the corners formed in the lower and upper rail assemblies 122 and 124, respectively, as shown in Figure 3, and once the flexible panel 116 is arranged in the closed position of figure 4.

[0079] Referring now to Figures 1-4, and initially with respect to Figure 1, in basic use, cartridge assembly 112 is releasably mounted to first upright 126 and flexible panel 116 is initially retained. substantially within cartridge assembly 112. Main post and support posts 118 and 120, respectively, are positioned adjacent to cartridge assembly 112, with support post 120 securely connected to main post 118, as shown. explains below. Flexible panel 116 is attached to main post 118 in a known manner.

[0080] Shower area 1000 is accessible by entering shower area 1000 through open frame 114. Once a person has positioned themselves within shower area 1000, flexible panel 116 is removed from cartridge assembly 112. (eg, by said person pulling handle 134) to enclose the shower area. By pulling handle 134, main post 118 is pulled along first linear rail assembly 136 of lower rail assembly 122 and first linear rail assembly 142 of upper rail assembly 124 to move flexible panel 116 in the direction of arrow "A" shown in Figures 1 and 2. This advancement of the flexible panel 116 is facilitated by the use of the handle 134 on the main post 118.

[0081] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, continuously pulling handle 134 causes support post 118 and flexible panel 116 to be pulled together around the corner assemblies 140 and 146 in the direction of arrow "B" toward the second upright support 128. As support post 120 reaches corner assemblies 140 and 146 of bottom and top rail assemblies 122 and 124 , respectively, stop bar 150 of support post 120 engages retaining pin 148 of lower corner assembly 140 and is prevented from moving further along lower and upper rail assemblies 122 and 124. It fits Note that, as will be described in more detail below, a similar retaining pin 148 may alternatively or additionally be provided in the upper corner assembly 146 and a similar stop bar may be provided in the upper end of the support post 120. When support post 120 is stopped by retaining pin 148, continuing to pull handle 134 on main post 118 releases main post 118 from its releasable engagement with support post. support post 120, leaving support post 120 in position at corner assemblies 140 and 146, as shown in Figure 3. Support post 120, now positioned at the bend or corner in frame 114, provides vertical support so that the flexible panel 116 turns the corner and does not sag or flex inward as it passes the corner in the frame 114.

[0082] As shown in Figure 4, continuously pulling handle 134 causes main post 118 to continue to move along second linear rail assembly 138, lower rail assembly 122, and second linear rail assembly 144. of the top rail assembly 124 until the main post 118 engages the second upright support 128. The latch assembly 130, positioned on the main post 118, can engage with the inner edge 132 of the second upright support 128 to lock the main post 118 to the second vertical post 128 in a manner described in more detail below.

[0083] Once the user has completed their shower, the latch assembly 130 can be disengaged from the second upright support 128 and the handle 134 grasped to reverse the process by pulling on the handle 134 and moving the main post 118 back in the direction of the arrow "C". Main post 118 can be moved back along bottom and top rail assemblies 122 and 124 until it re-engages support post 120, such that main post 118 and support post 120 reconnect. and move in conjunction with flexible panel 116 along upper and lower rail assemblies 122 and 124. Further movement of main post 118 moves main post 118 and support post 120 toward cartridge assembly 112. flexible panel 116 biases inwardly relative to cartridge assembly 112 to attract flexible panel 116 toward cartridge assembly 112 and prevent flexible panel 116 from bunching as guide and support posts 118 and 120, respectively, move back to their original positions adjacent cartridge assembly 112 .

[0084] The components of the enclosure system 100, including the cartridge assembly 112, the frame 114, the flexible panel 116, the main post 118, and the support post 120, can be formed from a variety of materials. For example, flexible panel 116 can be formed from a variety of polymers and synthetic plastics and can be opaque or transparent. In some embodiments, such as for bath and shower applications, the flexible panel 116 is waterproof and provides a water barrier. Frame 114, along with main post 118 and support post 120, may be formed of polymers and/or plastics or may be formed of metallic materials, such as aluminum, stainless steel, etc. Cartridge assembly 112, as discussed in more detail below, includes a large number of subcomponents that may also be formed of polymeric and/or metallic materials. In addition, frame 114 may be assembled by various known methods, such as bolting, welding, gluing, etc., lower and upper rail assemblies 122 and 124 to first and second uprights 126 and 128 in known manner.

[0085] Turning now to Figures 5-29, and initially with respect to Figures 5-10, different components of the enclosure system 100 according to certain embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail. As best shown in FIG. 5, main post 118 may include an elongated, optionally flat, main body 160 extending generally from and between lower and upper rail assemblies 122 and 124. Main body 160 may have an edge inlet 162, a trailing edge 164, an upper end 166, and a lower end 168. In order to securely connect the main post 118 to the second upright support 128 when the flexible panel 116 is in the closed position (FIG. 4 ), leading edge 162 of main body 160 may be formed with or include at least one connecting tube 170 that extends along all or part of the length of leading edge 162, and preferably along substantially the entire length. length of leading edge 162 extending between upper and lower rail assemblies 124 and 122. In some embodiments, connecting tube(s) 170 may have a cylindrical shape, which may be truncated gives laterally on the side of the cylinder on which the cylindrical connecting tube 170 is secured or extends from the leading edge 162 of the main body 160. Similarly, to securely connect the main post 118 to the support post 120 (as shown, for example, in FIG. 2), the trailing edge 164 of the body main body 160 may be provided with a generally cylindrical flexible clip 172 that extends along all or part of the length of trailing edge 164 of main body 160. Flexible clip 172 on main body 160 is configured to connect releasably to a corresponding structure on support post 120 as described in more detail below.

[0086] Continuing to refer to Figure 5, in order to smoothly move main post 118 along bottom and top rail assemblies 122 and 124, respectively, main post 118 may include at least one top roller. 174 rotatably mounted to main body 160 adjacent upper end 166 of main body 160 and at least one lower roller 176 rotatably mounted to main body 160 adjacent lower end 168 of main body 160. Upper roller 174 is mounts to upper rail assembly 124 of frame 114 and lower roller 176 mounts to lower rail assembly 122 of frame 114 in a manner described in more detail below.

[0087] The latch assembly 130 and handle 134 of the main post 118 are positioned in a middle portion 178 of the elongated main body 160 of the main post 118. The latch assembly 130 of the present embodiment generally includes a first or top latch member. latch 180 running along and slidingly mounted on the leading edge 162 of main body 160 of main post 118 and a second or lower latch member 182 running along and slidingly mounted on the leading edge 162 of the main body 160. The upper and lower latch members 180 and 182, respectively, are movable toward each other to lock and unlock the main post 118 of the second upright 128 as described below. The double-latching nature of the latch assembly 130 may reduce the risk of the latch assembly 130 becoming disengaged from the second upright 128 in the event that a person inadvertently strikes or disengages one of the upper or lower latch members 180 or 182, respectively, which could result in the biased flex panel 116 unexpectedly retracting into the cartridge assembly 112. Therefore, the dual latch assembly 130 may provide greater security for the showerer by can enhance the ability of the closed flexible panel 116 to remain in the closed position and support the person, in the event that the person loses stability while showering and accidentally leans or falls on the flexible panel 116.

[0088] Returning to Figure 6, the upper and lower members 180 and 182 of the latch assembly are engageable with a clip 184 mounted on the second upright 128. The frame clip 184 includes a top pin 186 that engages with upper latch member 180 and a lower pin 188 that engages with lower latch member 182. Frame clip 184 further includes or defines a flexible clip 190. Flexible clip 190 is provided to resiliently and releasably engage the connecting tube 170 provided on the leading edge 162 of main body 160 for releasably connecting main post 118 to second upright 128. Frame clip 184 is secured to second upright 128 by screw 192 or other similar fastener.

[0089] As noted above, upper and lower closure members 180 and 182 are provided to lock into frame clip 184 to prevent flexible panel 116 from accidentally or undesirably retracting. Upper closure member 180 may generally include a body portion 194 having separate rearwardly extending closure arms 196 and 198 . Body portion 194 of upper and lower latch members 180 and 182 may be slidably coupled to elongated bar 160 to movably mount upper latch member 180 to main body 160 and allow the upper latch member to move. 180 slides up and down relative to frame clip 184 mounted on second support member 128. Body portion 194 may define a first cavity 200 which may be formed as a through cavity configured to slidably receive tube body portion 170 of main body 160. In some embodiments, body portion 194 may be resiliently attached to main body 160 by an elastic clip provided between connecting tube 170 and first cavity 200. Closure arms 196 and 198 may be provided with respective tabs 202 and 204 to allow a user to easily slide the upper closure member 180 along Leading edge 162 of main body 160 of main post 118. Tabs 202 and 204 may extend generally opposite one another from elongate bar 160. In some embodiments, tabs 202 and 204 may be horizontal. Alternatively or additionally, finger tabs 202 and 204 may be generally flat (as shown) or alternatively include an ergonomic outer contour configured to fit one or more fingers.

[0090] Upper closure member 180 may further include or define a second cavity 206, which may extend into body portion 194 from an underside of body portion 194 and may be formed as a through cavity (as shown). sample) or a blind cavity. Second cavity 206 is provided to receive upper pin 186 of frame clip 184, to engage upper slide latch member 180 to frame clip 184 and thereby securely lock main post 118 to second upright 128. In addition, closure arms 196 and 198 define a third cavity or gap 208 therebetween to fit around main body 160 and handle 134, as explained below. The handle 134 is provided with an upper stop 210 to limit the upper travel of the upper latch member 180 relative to the handle 134. A lower stop 212 is also provided on the handle 134 to similarly limit the lower travel of the latch member. lower latch 182 relative to handle 134.

[0091] Similarly, lower latch member 182 may include a body portion 214 having separate latch arms 216 and 218 extending rearwardly and defining a first cavity 220 for slidingly engaging the connecting tube. 170 into main body 160 of conduit tube 118. Latch arms 216 and 218 also include respective tabs 222 and 224 to facilitate movement of second latch member 182 along main body 160. Lower latch member 182 includes o defines a second cavity 226 to receive the lower pin 188 of the frame clip 184. The latch arms 216 and 218 define a third cavity 228 between them to fit around the main body 160 and the handle 134. The detailed description provided so far of each element comprised in the upper latch member 180 is applicable to the same corresponding element comprised in the lower latch member 182.

[0092] Continuing to refer to Figure 6, the handle 134 may include a raised handle grip 230 configured to facilitate gripping the handle 134 and moving the main post 118 along the lower and upper rail assemblies 122. and 124. For example, the raised handle 230 may extend outwardly from an L-shaped body portion 232 of the handle 134. Although not specifically shown, a mirror image raised handle grip may alternatively or additionally be provided in the body portion 232 of the handle 134 on the side of the body portion 232 opposite the raised handle grip 230.

[0093] Latch assembly 130 may be assembled to main post 118 by positioning latch arms 196 and 198 of upper latch member 180 on leading edge 162 of main body 160 and on L-shaped body portion 232 of post. handle 134. Closure arms 196 and 198 are positioned between upper and lower stops 210 and 212 of handle 134. Upper closure member 180 can then be pressed onto connecting tube 170 of main post 118 until the spring clip in the first cavity 200 of the upper closure member 180 fits over the connecting tube 170. The lower latch member 182 can be similarly mounted to the main post 118 by placing the lower latch member 182 between the upper and lower stops 210 and 212 of handle 134 and snapping the spring clip into first cavity 220 of lower latch member 182 over connecting tube 170 of main post 118. The latch members su The upper and lower latch members 180 and 182, respectively, of latch assembly 130 are thus retained and slidably mounted on the main post 118. It should be noted that the upper and lower latch members 180 and 182 frictionally engage the body portion. 232 of the handle 134 to allow the upper and lower latch members 180 and 182 to remain in a raised or disengaged condition along the handle 134, and that such friction can be relatively easily manually overcome to manually slide the latch members. upper and lower latch 180 towards each other during the operation of the handle 134.

[0094] Turning now to Figures 7-10, and initially with respect to Figures 7 and 8, the use of connecting tube 170 of main pole 118 to securely connect main pole 118 to the second upright will now be described. 128 and the use of latch assembly 130 to subsequently lock main post 118 to second upright 128. Initially, the upper and lower latch members 180 and 182 of latch assembly 130 are moved into a spaced apart condition adjacent to the respective ones. upper and lower stops 210 and 212 on the body portion 214 of the handle 134. The user initially advances the main post 118 along the lower and upper rail assemblies 222 and 224, respectively, to remove the flexible panel 116 from the assembly. cartridge 112 (FIG. 1) toward second upright support 128 to enclose shower area 1000. Removal of flexible panel 116 is facilitated by grasping raised handle 230 d the handle 134 and pulling the main post 118 towards the second upright support 128. The main post 118 is moved towards the second upright support 128 to move the connecting tube 170 of the main post 118 into a position to securely engage the flexible clip 190 on frame clip 184 mounted on second bracket portrait 128.

[0095] Turning now to Figures 9 and 10, once the connecting tube 170 of the main post 118 snaps into and snaps into the flexible clip 190 of the frame clip 184, the main post 118 is releasably connected to the second vertical support 128 thus closing the shower area 1000 (FIG. 1). The user can then take a shower and, when finished, pull back on the handle 134 to disengage the connecting tube 170 from the frame clip 184. The bias on the flexible panel 116 can automatically attract, or help to attract (with the help of user pulling handle 134), main post 118 away from second upright support 128 to open enclosure system 100. As main post 118 moves rearward along bottom and top rail assemblies 122 and 124, the main post 118 catches and disengages the support post 120 from the corner retaining pin 148 in the lower corner assembly 140, thus allowing the support post 120 to return to the original position along with the main post 118 (Fig. 1). As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the user may use the handle 134 to assist and control the movement of the main post 118 and thus the support post 120 and flexible panel 116 back to the original open position, with aided by internal bias that tends to roll flexible panel 116 back into cartridge assembly 112.

[0096] If the user wishes to lock the main post 118 to the second upright support 128 to prevent any inadvertent removal of the flexible panel 116, the user presses down on the finger tab(s) 202 on the upper latch member 180. (FIG. 9) to move upper latch member 180 down over upper pin 186 in frame clip 184 (FIG. 10) to a locked condition. More specifically, top latch member 180 moves down on top pin 186 until top pin 186 enters second cavity 206 in top latch member 180 to securely lock main post 118 to the second upright. 128. Similarly, the user can gain additional security by lifting lower latch member 182 until lower pin 188 enters hole 226 in second latch member 182 to further lock the main post to the second upright 128. and thus securely lock the flexible panel 116 around the shower area 1000.

[0097] As best shown in Figure 10, to unlock the main post 118 from the second upright 128, the process is reversed by raising and lowering the upper and lower latch members 180 and 182, respectively, to release the latch members. upper and lower 180 and 182 of the respective upper and lower pins 186 and 188 of the frame clip 184 to the initial unlocked condition (FIG. 9). Main post 118 can then be pulled free of frame clip 184 in the manner described above to remove or open flexible panel 116.

[0098] Turning to Figure 11, support post 120 generally includes an elongated main body 240 having an upper end 242 and a lower end 244. The elongated main body 240 may be in the form of a bar, tube, or profile, which can be solid or hollow. In some embodiments, main body 240 may have a convex or outwardly curved outer contour along at least one side of main body 240 that faces flexible panel 116; the outwardly curved contour may allow the flexible panel 116 to move smoothly over and along the elongated main body 240 with minimal friction and preventing damage to the flexible panel 116. For example, in some preferred embodiments, such as the present , the main body 240 may be generally cylindrical, as shown. The cylindrical nature of the elongated main body 240 may allow the flexible panel 116 to move smoothly around and along the elongated main body 240 with minimal friction and increasing the durability of the flexible panel 116. An upper carriage member 246 may be mounted on upper end 242 of main body 240 and a lower carriage member 248 may be mounted to lower end 244 of main body 240. In some embodiments, elongate main body 240 is rotatably connected to upper and lower carriage members. 246 and 248 such that main body 240 is rotatable relative to said carriage members about a central longitudinal axis of main body 240, allowing flexible panel 116 to roll over cylindrical main body 240 as the flexible panel 116 moves toward or away from the second upright support 128, which can further increase the durability of the flexible panel 116. In some embodiments, the upper and lower carriage members 246 and 248 may each have an elongated L-shaped profile configuration. The lower stop bar 150, described above, may be mounted to and extend from , the lower carriage member 248. Similarly, the upper carriage member 246 may include an upper stop bar 250 mounted on, and extending from, the upper carriage member 246 to engage a similar retaining pin 148 at top corner assembly 146 (FIG. 2). In order to freely move support post 120 along top rail assembly 124, support post 120 includes a pair of top rail rollers 252 and 254 rotatably mounted on top carriage member 246.

[0099] As indicated above, the travel of the support post 120 along the bottom and top rail assemblies 122 and 124 is stopped at the corner assemblies 140 and 146 by engaging the stop bars. bottom and top 150 and 250 with bottom and top stop pins 148 in bottom and top corner assemblies 140 and 146, respectively. As described so far, when support post 120 stops at corner assemblies 140 and 146, flexible panel 116 can be pulled past support post 120 and around the corner while main post 118 is pulled apart. support post 120 and is pulled towards the second vertical support post 128.

[00100] Continuing to refer to Figure 11, support post 120 includes a pair of top panel or vertical side rollers 256 and 258 rotatably mounted to top carriage member 246. Top panel rollers 256 and 258 are rotatable. about respective axes of rotation 257 and 259 that are perpendicular to the direction of travel of the flexible panel 116; for example, in the present embodiment, flexible panel 116 moves horizontally, while top panel rollers 256 and 258 are rotatable about the respective vertical rotational axes 257 and 259 of top panel rollers 256 and 258. The Top panel rollers 256 and 258 are free to rotate relative to top carriage member 246 and against flexible panel 116 as flexible panel 116 is pulled past stationary support post 120 and rolls on top panel rollers 256 and 258, for purposes that will be described later.

[00101] Upper carriage member 246 may further include a boss or connector 260 that is provided to securely engage support post 120 with main post 118. Connector 260 may be in the form of a laterally truncated circle or cylinder. , as shown, by example and without limitation. In an initial condition of the main post 118 and the support post 120 relative to each other (FIGS. 1 and 2), the connector 260 of the support post 120 is releasably secured within the flexible clip 172 (FIG. 5) formed on the trailing edge 164 of main post 118. This connection between connector 260 and flexible clip 172 provides a snap-fit, elastic connection that secures support post 120 to main post 118 until movement of support post 120 along bottom and top rail assemblies 122 and 124 it is stopped by bottom and top retaining pins 148 at bottom and top corner assemblies 140 and 146, respectively. Once the post support bracket 120 is stopped from moving forward, continuing to pull main post 118 causes flex clip 172 to disengage from connector 260 and thereby allowing main post 118 and flex panel 116 to progress forward into the closed condition. , as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[00102] Similarly, as shown in Figure 11, bottom carriage member 248 may include a pair of bottom rail rollers 262 and 264 and a pair of bottom panel or vertical side rollers 266 and 268 that can rotate , and function, in a manner analogous to head rail rollers 252 and 254 and top panel rollers 256 and 258 described above. Lower carriage member 248 may further include a boss or connector 270 for releasable engagement with flexible clip 172 on main post 118. The provision of connectors 260 and 270 on upper and lower support plates 246 and 248, respectively , may help prevent tilting of support post 120 as support post 120 disengages from main post 118.

[00103] With continued reference to Figure 11, the upper carriage member 246 may include a vertical plate or portion 272 and a horizontal plate or portion 274 forming an L-shaped arrangement with respect to each other, with the vertical portion 272 disposed in a outer side of elongated main body 240 configured to face flexible panel 116, and horizontal portion 274 disposed beyond the upper end of elongated main body 240. Similarly, lower carriage member 248 may include a vertical plate or portion 276 and a horizontal plate or portion 278 forming an L-shaped arrangement with respect to each other, with the vertical portion 276 disposed on the same side of the elongated main body 240 as the vertical portion 272 of the upper carriage member 246, and the horizontal portion 278 disposed beyond the lower end of the elongated main body 240. The pair of upper rail rollers 252 and 254 are rotatably mounted on the portion v vertical portion 272 of the upper carriage member 246, projecting from an outer side of the vertical portion 272. The pair of upper panel rollers 256 and 258 are rotatably mounted on the horizontal portion 274 of the upper carriage member 246, projecting downwardly. from an inner or lower side of the horizontal portion 274. Likewise, the pair of lower rail rollers 262 and 264 are rotatably mounted on the vertical portion 276 of the lower carriage member 248, protruding from an outer side of the carriage. vertical portion 276. The pair of lower panel rollers 266 and 268 are rotatably mounted on the horizontal portion 278 of the lower carriage member 248, projecting upwardly from an inner or upper side of the horizontal portion 278.

[00104] Turning to Figures 12 and 13, the details of the lower rail assembly 122 will now be described. It should be noted that, as mentioned above, the upper rail assembly 124 may be substantially identical and may differ only in that the pin latch 148 on corner assembly 146 of upper rail assembly 124 faces downward to engage stop bar 250 on upper carriage member 246 of support post 120. As noted above, the lower rail assembly 122 may generally include first linear rail assembly 136, second linear rail assembly 138, and corner assembly 140, which interconnects first and second linear rail assemblies 136 and 138 at an angle such as 90 degrees relative to each other. The retaining pin 148 protrudes upwardly from an upper side of the corner assembly 140.

[00105] Corner assembly 140 includes a corner body portion 280, defining a curved channel 282, and a pair of connectors 284 and 286. Connectors 284 and 286 extend outwardly from opposite ends of the corner portion. corner body 280 in different directions (eg, perpendicularly) relative to each other. The first linear rail assembly 136 comprises a channel 288, and the second linear rail assembly 138 comprises a channel 290. The corner assembly 140 is connected to the first linear rail assembly 136 by inserting the connector 284 of the corner assembly 140 into the channel 282 of corner assembly 140 and into channel 288 of first linear rail assembly 136. Similarly, corner assembly 140 is connected to second linear rail assembly 138 by inserting connector 286 into channel 282 of corner assembly 140 and in channel 290 of the second linear rail assembly. In some embodiments, connector 284 and/or 286 may come pre-assembled or integrally formed with corner assembly 140 or first or second linear rail assembly 136 and 138, respectively. The connection of connectors 284 and 286 causes the channel 282 of the corner assembly 140 to align with the channels 288 and 290 defined in the first and second linear rail assemblies 136 and 138 in continuity with each other to allow the lower roller 176 of the main post 118 passes from the first linear rail assembly 136, through and around the corner assembly 140, and into the second linear rail assembly 138 as described below.

[00106] As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the lower rail assembly 122 and/or the upper rail assembly 124 may be adjustable in length. For example, lower rail assembly 122 and/or upper rail assembly 124 may be comprised of two or more rail segments that are telescopically adjustable relative to one another to vary the overall length of lower rail assembly 122 and/or set 124. With specific reference, for example, to Figure 12, in some embodiments, the first linear rail assembly 136 and/or the second linear rail assembly 138 may be comprised of two or more linear rail segments that they are telescopically connected and adjustable relative to one another to vary the overall length of the first and/or second linear rail assemblies 136, 138 to allow the frame 114 (FIG. 1) to adjust to accommodate different sized shower areas 1000 .

[00107] As further shown in Figures 12 and 13, bottom rail assembly 122 may include an end piece 292 defining a channel 294 for receiving first linear rail assembly 136. End piece 292 may be connected in a manner fixed to or may be slidably mounted to the first linear track assembly 136 to allow adjustment of the length of the combined first linear track assembly 136 and end piece 292 to further accommodate shower areas of various sizes 1000 In some embodiments, end piece 292 may include a pair of spring clips 296 and 298 for releasable connection to mating projections on first upright 126 for easily, quickly, and releasably connecting bottom rail assembly 122 to first upright support 126. Similarly, bottom rail assembly 122 may include an additional end piece 300 that defines a channel 302 for receiving the second set of c linear rail 138 and/or a pair of spring clips 304 and 306 to quickly, easily and releasably connect the lower rail assembly 122 to the second upright support 128.

[00108] In some embodiments, such as the present embodiment, the first and second linear rail assemblies 136 and 138 may be compatible for mounting to both connectors 284 and 286 of bottom corner assembly 140 and to both end pieces 292, 300 on either side of bottom corner assembly 140. In some embodiments, connectors 284, 286 may be generally the same. Alternatively or additionally, the end pieces 292, 300 may be generally the same.

[00109] Turning to Figures 14 and 15, the movement of main post 118, support post 120, and flexible panel 116 along bottom rail assembly 122 will now be described. Movement along top rail assembly 124 is substantially identical and will not be described further. Initially, as shown in Figure 14, support post 120 is connected to main post 118 by the detachable connection between connector 270 and flexible clip 172, in the manner described above. The lower roller 176 of the main post 118 and the lower rollers 262 and 264 of the support post 120 are located within the channel 288 in the first linear rail assembly 136 of the lower rail assembly 122. The flexible panel 116 is attached to the main post 118 and is positioned against the lower panel rollers 266 and 268 of the support post 120 and against a outer surface 241 of the main body 240 of the support post 120. Sufficient pulling on the main post 118 eventually causes the main post 118 to be moved toward the corner such that the lower roller 176 of the main post 118 passes into the channel 282 in the corner assembly 140 (figure 12).

[00110] With specific reference to Figure 15, the continued pull of main post 118 pulls on flexible panel 116 and support post 120 and eventually causes lower carriage member 248 of support post 120 to reach corner assembly 140. , and lower rail rollers 262 and 264 move from channel 288 in first linear rail assembly 136 and into channel 282 in corner assembly 140. Eventually, as shown in the figure, the stop bar 150 on support post 120 engages retaining pin 148 on corner assembly 140, blocking further forward movement of support post 120 along corner assembly 140 and toward second upright support 128 (Fig. 3). In some embodiments, stop bar 150 may include a recess or space 152 (shown in ghost lines in FIG. 15) configured to receive, and optionally resiliently hold, retaining pin 148 when stop bar 150 abuts against the stop bar 150 . retaining pin 148, further helping to stabilize support post 120 in this stopped condition at corner assembly 140. Once support post 120 stops, continued pull of post 118 along corner assembly 140 and second linear rail assembly 138 disengages connectors 260, 270 (FIG. 11) of support post 120 from flexible clips 172 (FIG. 5) on support post 118, causing support post 118 to separate from support post 120. Pulling further on the main post 118 then slides the main post 118 along the second linear rail assembly 138, causing the main post 118 to draw the flexible panel 116 around r of support post 120.

[00111] As best shown in Figure 15, as the flexible panel 116 moves forward with the main post 118, the flexible panel 116 may advance between and relative to the bottom panel rollers 266, 268 and the bottom panel. vertical portion 276 of the lower carriage member 248, and may roll smoothly against and on the lower panel rollers 266 and 268 of the support post 120. In some embodiments, the flexible panel 116 may roll along the outer surface 241 of the 240 elongated main body support post 120 along most or substantially the entire length of main body 240. Thus, the provision of support post 120, whose movement stops at corner assembly 140, serves to guide the panel flex panel 116 around the corner while supporting flex panel 116 in the corner to prevent flex panel 116 from collapsing inward at corner assembly 140. Once flex panel 116 reaches the closed condition (FIG. 4 ), flexible panel 116, which may or may not be perfectly taut in the area of support post 120 and corner assembly 140, is prevented from collapsing inwardly by adjacent support post 120 extending vertically along the flexible panel 116.

[00112] In particular, the bottom rail rollers 262 and 264 of the support post 120 are spaced apart from each other a relatively small distance that allows the bottom rail rollers 262 and 264 to roll smoothly toward and along the inner curved rail. 282 of corner assembly 140. In turn, bottom panel rollers 266 and 268 are spaced farther apart than bottom rail rollers 262 and 264, and positioned such that bottom panel rollers 266 and 268 maintain the first and second areas or portions 116a and 116b of the flexible panel 116, located on opposite sides of the corner area, parallel to the first and second linear rail assemblies 136 and 138, respectively, to maintain an aesthetically pleasing orientation of the flexible panel 118 on each side of corner assembly 140, as best shown in Figures 3, 4 and 15.

[00113] Referring now to Figures 16 and 17, at least one of the first and second lower linear rail assemblies 136 and 138, and also the first and second upper rail assemblies 142 and 144, may be formed of two or more parts telescopically interconnected and/or may be telescopically formed with end pieces 292 and 300. Details of these telescopic arrangements are shown in Figure 16, with reference, for example, to first linear rail assembly 136 and channel 294. end piece 292, where such details are equally applicable to any additional or alternative telescoping connections within each linear rail assembly 136, 138, 140, 144 or between each linear rail assembly and the end piece (e.g., end pieces). ends 292, 300) at the top or bottom of the frame 114. As shown, the telescopically connected parts may be nested within each other; for example, the first linear rail assembly 136 may be nested within the channel 294 of the end piece 292. The sliding of the telescopically connected portions together, i.e., the end piece 292 relative to the first linear rail assembly 136, allows the user to adjust the length of the bottom rail assembly 122 (FIG. 1) to fit the shower area 1000.

Furthermore, in cross section, the various disclosed channels may have two sections or parts. For example, with respect to channel 288 of first linear rail assembly 136, channel 288 may have a first or outer channel area 314 to accommodate the disclosed rollers and a second or inner channel area 316 to allow for connectors 284 and/or or 286 of corner assembly 140. First and second channel areas 314 and 316 may be disposed generally parallel to each other. The second channel area 316 may extend along all or part of the length of the first linear rail assembly 136; for example, in the present embodiment, both the first and second channel areas 314 and 316 extend the entire length of the first linear rail assembly 136.

[00114] With respect to Figure 17, in the case of the first nested linear rail assembly 136 and end piece 292, the lower roller 176 of the main post 118, and the lower rail rollers 262 and 264 of the support post 120 (which are in alignment with the lower roller 176 of the main post 118) are mounted on the first combined linear rail assembly 136 and the end piece 292. For example, with respect to the lower roller 176 of the main post 118, the lower roller 176 travels within and along the first channel area 314 of the first linear rail assembly 136, contacting the inner walls 315 defining the first channel area 314; furthermore, a necked shaft portion 318 of the lower roller 176 rolls on a lip or edge 312 of the end piece 292. This arrangement of the lower roller 176 in contact with the inner telescoping portion (e.g., the first linear rail assembly 136 ) and the outer telescopic part (for example, the end piece 292) ensures that the lower roller 176 travels smoothly along the lower rail assembly 122.

[00115] Turning now to Figures 18-29, and initially with respect to Figure 18, the details of cartridge assembly 112 will now be described. As noted above, cartridge assembly 112 is provided to be securely attached. releasably to frame 114 and retain flexible panel 116 under tension such that flexible panel 116 is retracted within cartridge assembly 112 when not in use. Cartridge assembly 112 may include an outer shell 330 having an interior space 332, which may extend the entire length of outer shell 330. Outer shell 330 may have an open top end 334 and an open bottom end 334. 336 in spatial communication with interior space 332. Outer shell 330 may include a longitudinally extending panel slot 338 for passage of flexible panel 116 into and out of cartridge assembly 112.

[00116] Cartridge assembly 112 may further include a drum 340 positioned within outer casing 330 and around which flexible panel 116 is wrapped. Drum 340 may include an interior space 342, which may extend the entire length of the cartridge. the length of the drum 340, and open upper and lower ends 344 and 346 in spatial communication with the interior space 342. The interior space 342 may have a non-circular cross section at least in the region of the upper and lower ends 344 and 346, and more preferably along the entire length of the drum 340. For example, in the disclosed embodiment, the non-circular interior space 342 of the drum has a generally D-shaped cross-section. While the disclosed interior space 342 is D, Other non-circular shapes are contemplated, such as, but not limited to, rectangular, oval, lobed, etc. Drum 340 may be positioned within outer casing 330 as described in more detail below.

[0117] In order to roll flexible panel 116 within cartridge assembly 112, cartridge assembly may include a tensioning mechanism 350 connected to drum 340 and positioned within interior space 342 of drum 340. It should be noted that, although the Illustrations of Figures 18-28 show one embodiment of cartridge assembly 112 that includes a single tensioning mechanism 350 at the top of cartridge assembly 112, other embodiments are contemplated in which cartridge assembly 112 may alternatively or additionally include a similar tensioning mechanism 350 at the bottom of the cartridge assembly 112. For example, in a particularly advantageous embodiment, shown in Figure 29, a cartridge assembly 112' is shown including two tensioning mechanisms 350, respectively arranged at the upper ends and lower cartridge assembly 112. It should be noted that, unless otherwise noted, details of the tensioning mechanism supere 350 described with reference to the embodiment of Figures 18-28 may be provided symmetrically on the lower tensioning mechanism 350.

[00118] Continuing to refer to Figure 18, a top cover 352 may close the upper open end 334 of the outer shell 330 and a lower cover 354 may close the lower open end 336 of the outer shell 330 to retain the flexible panel. 116, drum 340, and tensioning mechanism 350 within interior space 332 of outer casing 330.

[00119] As further shown in Figure 18, the tension mechanism 350 may include a torsion spring 360, which provides a torsion spring function. configured to bias flexible panel 116 into cartridge assembly 112 by tensioning or loading drum 340 for rotation within, and relative to, outer casing 330, and about a central longitudinal axis 342 of drum 340. The biasing spring torsion 360 can also function indirectly as an extension (or traction) spring for purposes to be described later. Torsion spring 360 is located within and extends the length of an inner tube 362 of tensioning mechanism 350 . Inner tube 362 is freely movable within the barrel and slides freely up and down within barrel 340 as torsion spring 360 is tensioned and relaxed, as will be described in greater detail below. The tensioning mechanism 350 may further include a lower spring connector 364 attached to a lower end 373 of the torsion spring 360 at a lower end of the inner tube 362, wherein the lower spring connector 364 (and thus the lower end of the torsion spring 360) is slidable within drum 340 and non-rotating. An upper cap 366 may close the upper open end 344 of the drum 340 and a lower cap 368 may close the lower open end 346 of the drum 340. The upper cap 366 and the lower cap 368 are non-rotatably connected to the drum 340 and rotate together with drum 340 within outer casing 330. Referring to Figure 29, it should be noted that, in embodiments including upper and lower tension mechanisms 350, the upper and lower torsion springs 360 may be symmetrical to each other, such that that springs 360 provide a spring-loading effect in the same angular direction and therefore cooperate in spring-loading cartridge assembly 112.

[0120] Referring again to Figure 18, the tensioning mechanism 350 may further include a spring tension adjustment rod 370, which allows an operator to preset the tension of the torsion spring 360, or change the tension of the spring. of torque 360 during or after installation of cartridge assembly 112 in case system 100. Adjustment rod 370 may extend through top cover 352 of outer casing 330 and top cover 366 of drum 340 and engaging an upper end 372 of the torsion spring 360 such that the adjustment rod 370 and the upper end 372 of the torsion spring 360 are rotatable together. Rotation of adjustment rod 370 relative to barrel 340 tensions torsion spring 360 within barrel 340 as discussed below.

[00121] Referring now to Figures 19 and 26, torsion spring 360 is received within a cavity or interior space 374 of inner tube 362. Lower spring connector 364 includes a non-circular base 376 and a threaded shaft 378 which extends towards up from the base 376. In this embodiment, the non-circular base 376 is in the shape of a laterally truncated cylinder (i.e., has a D-shaped cross section) having one flat side 380. The shape of the non-circular base 376 conforms to the shape of the non-circular interior space 342 (FIG. 18) of the drum 340, such that the base 376 rotates together with the drum 340 and is free to slide up and down within the interior space 342 of the drum 340. as the torsion spring 360 expands and contracts. Threaded shaft 378 of lower spring connector 364 threads into lower end 373 of torsion spring 360 to secure lower spring connector 364 to torsion spring 360.

[00122] As noted above, the upper end 372 of the torsion spring 360 is connected to the tension adjustment rod 370. The tension adjustment rod 370 generally includes an elongated adjustment shaft 384 having a threaded lower end 386 Threaded lower end 386 of adjustment shaft 384 threads into upper end 372 of torsion spring 360 to secure tension adjustment rod 370 to torsion spring 360. Rotation of tension adjustment rod 370 rotates the torsion spring 360 within the barrel 340. An upper end 388 of the adjustment shaft 384 is connected to a circular locking adjustment flange 390 having one or more (and preferably a plurality of) radially extending locking arms 400 outwardly from the adjusting flange 390. A torque applying connector 402 (for example, a male and/or female hex socket), is fixed or provided on the adjusting flange 390 to facilitate rotation. tension adjustment rod 370 as described below.

[00123] As stated above, the tension adjustment rod 370 passes through the top cover 352 and the top cap 366 of the drum 340. Specifically, the adjustment shaft 384 of the tension adjustment rod 370 passes through from a hole or hole 404 in the top cover 352 and a hole or hole 406 in the top cover 366 of the drum 340. The tension adjustment rod 370 can be pulled vertically upward relative to the top casing cover 352 to allow rotation of the tension adjustment rod 370, in order to rotate the upper end 372 of the torsion spring 360 relative to the lower end 373 of the torsion spring 360. To ensure the position of the tension adjustment rod 370 and thus the upper end 372 of the torsion spring 360 after rotational adjustment, an upper surface 357 of a transverse cover wall 356 of the upper casing cover 352 is provided of a plurality of stops 410. The stops 410 may include recesses 412 for receiving the arm or arms of the tension adjustment rod lock 400 370.

[00124] With continued reference to Figures 19 and 26, the top cover 366 of the drum 340 may be configured to frictionally engage an underside 414 of the top housing cover 352 (Figure 26) when the flexible panel 116 is being retracted. within the cartridge assembly 112, smoothing retraction and preventing the flexible panel 116 from bumping or snapping back into the cartridge assembly 112. Specifically, the top cap 366 may include a circular rim 416 and a non-circular shaft (for example, D-shaped 418 extending from circular flange 416. An external braking surface 417 of circular flange 416 may engage top cap 352 while non-circular shaft 418 is secured within top end 344 of drum 340 and non-circular shaft 418 rotate with drum 340 due to corresponding engagement with the non-circular interior space 342 of drum 340 (FIG. 18). Likewise, the bottom cap 368 of the drum 340 also includes a circular rim 420 and a non-circular shaft 422. The circular flange 420 is free to rotate relative to the bottom cap 354 (eg, within a recess 424 in the bottom cap 354). ), while the non-circular shaft 422 is received without rotation within the interior space 342 of the drum 340. In some embodiments, the lower housing cover 354 may be provided with a plurality of drainage slots 426 to allow any moisture in flex panel 116 drains out of cartridge assembly 112. In addition, lower housing cover 354 may include a pair of lugs 430 and 432 that engage spring clips 296 and 298 on end piece 292 to removably secure the cartridge. lower end of cartridge assembly 112 to frame 114. Similarly, top cover 352 may include a pair of lugs 434 and 436 that engage similar spring clips in one thin piece. l top of frame 114, to removably secure an upper end of cartridge assembly 112 to frame 114.

[00125] Referring to Figure 20, in some embodiments, outer shell 330 may be provided with a pair of wipers 428 on opposite sides of slot 338 and along slot 338 through which flexible panel 116 enters and exits cartridge assembly 112. Wipers 428 serve to wipe excess water from flexible panel 116 as flexible panel 116 retracts within cartridge assembly 112 after use. Wipers 428 may be elastic and made of, for example and without limitation, rubber or silicone.

[00126] Returning to figures 20-25, the operation of the tension mechanism 150 for pre tensioning the flexible panel 116 within the drum 340 will now be described. As best shown in FIGS. 24 and 26, in the initial condition prior to tension adjustment of the tension spring 360, the plurality of locking arms 400 extending from the adjustment flange 390 of the tension adjustment rod 370 are locked or secured to the upper housing cover 352. Specifically, the plurality of locking arms 400 are positioned within the recesses 412 (FIG. 21) of the stops 410 on the upper cover 352. It should be noted that, in the In embodiments that include upper and lower tension mechanisms 350 (eg, the embodiment of Figure 29), the respective recesses 412 may be symmetrically formed such that the respective locking arms 400 engage the recesses 412 in the same angular direction. .

[00127] As best shown in Figures 20 and 25, in order to unlock the tension adjustment rod 370 from the upper housing cover 352, an operator engages the torque application connector 402 with an application tool. such as, but not limited to, a wrench, pliers, or a screwdriver, and applies torque to torque connector 402 to cause tension adjustment rod 370 to rotate. The operator then proceeds to rotate the tension adjustment rod 370 such that the plurality of locking arms 400 move out of the recesses 412 in the stops 410.

[00128] Referring now to Figures 21 and 22, once the tension adjustment rod 370 has been unlocked from the top cover 352, the tension adjustment rod 370 is free to move axially relative to the top cover 352. , and can be raised by the operator to position the plurality of locking arms 400 out of alignment with stops 410 on top cover 352. Thus, tension adjustment rod 370 is now in a raised and unlocked position in the that tension adjustment rod 370 can rotate without interference from stops 410 on housing top cover 352.

[00129] Continuing to refer to Figures 21 and 22, to preset or adjust the tension on the torsion spring 360, and thus preset or adjust the retraction bias on the flexible panel 116, the user rotates the tension adjustment 370 relative to top cover 352. To further load torsion spring 360, the operator rotates tension adjustment rod 370 away from recesses 412 (clockwise in the example shown). ); if, instead, the user wishes to reduce the spring tension (unload the spring), the user turns the tension adjustment rod 370 towards the recesses 412 (counterclockwise in the example). represented). Since the lower spring connector 364 cannot rotate within the drum 340 due to the non-rotational engagement between the lower spring connector 364 and the interior space 342 of the drum 340 as described above, but is free to slide longitudinally within the interior space 342 of drum 340, rotation of the upper end of torsion spring 360 causes the spring tension to change. It should be noted that, when the torsion spring 360 is unloaded, the torsion spring 360 compresses axially, drawing the lower spring connector 364 up into the barrel 340, the lower spring connector 364 in turn pushing and carrying the tube. inside 362 up; conversely, when torsion spring 360 is loaded, torsion spring 360 extends axially, pushing lower spring connector 364 down into barrel 340, and allowing inner tube 362 to descend due to gravity.

[00130] Referring to Figure 26, it should be noted that two separate rotating "groups" are formed within the cartridge assembly 112. The first group includes the drum 340 and the upper and lower caps 366, 368, which rotate together within the assembled outer casing 330 (shown in ghost lines) and the upper and lower casing caps 352 and 354. The second group includes the lower end 373 of the torsion spring 360 and the lower spring connector 364, both of which rotate together by drum 340 as flexible panel 116 extends and retracts within cartridge assembly 112. In some embodiments, inner tube 362 may also be part of this second group and rotate together with lower end 373 of torsion spring 360 and the lower spring connector 364. The upper end 372 of the torsion spring 360 and the tension adjustment rod 370, fixed to the upper casing cover 352, do not rotate with the drum 3 40 as flexible panel 116 extends and retracts within cartridge assembly 112.

[00131] The illustrations in Figures 27 and 28 show the sequence of operation of the cartridge assembly 112 as the flexible panel 116 extends out of the cartridge assembly 112. As shown in Figure 27, when the flexible panel 116 is disposed within the outer casing 330 and has not yet been removed therefrom, the torsion spring 360 is in an initial condition within the barrel 340 and the outer casing 330. In this condition, the torsion spring 360, the tube Inner 362 and lower spring connector 364 are in an initial position within barrel 340. Also, in this initial condition, torsion spring 360 is slightly extended such that torsion spring 360 (functioning as a spring) extension) pulls the lower spring connector 364, which in turn exerts an upward force on a lower end 440 of the inner tube 362, in turn causing an upper end 442 of the inner tube to exert an upward force on a bottom 444 of the top cap 366 of the drum 340. The upward force on the bottom face 444 of the top cap 366 causes the braking surface 417 of the circular rim 416 of the upper cover 366 presses against a lower face 358 of the cover wall 356 of the upper cover 352 (said lower face 358 arranged opposite to the upper surface 357 of the cover wall 356 ). Thus, in this initial position, while the first rotating "cluster" (drum 340 and upper and lower caps 366, 368) is rotatable with respect to the outer casing 330, there is, however, a relatively high friction between this first "cluster". " swivel and the upper casing cover 352 through the braking surface 417 of the circular flange 416 pressing against the lower face 358 of the upper casing cover 352.

[00132] From this initial position of FIG. 27, a user wishing to take a shower, for example, can begin to extend the flexible panel 116 out of the cartridge assembly 112 (FIG. 1) by pulling on the handle 134 as described above. now to form an enclosure. Pulling on the flexible panel 116 causes the drum 340, to which the flexible panel 116 is attached and wound, to begin rotating within the outer casing 330. Rotation of the drum 340 is facilitated by the rotating connection of the top cover 366. of the drum 340 to the upper cover 352 of the outer casing 330 and the rotating connection of the lower cover 368 of the drum 340 to the lower cover 354 of the outer casing 330.

[00133] As drum 340 rotates during extension of flexible panel 116 out of the cartridge assembly, drum 340 rotates lower spring connector 364, and thus lower end 373 of torsion spring 360, while that the upper end 372 of the torsion spring 360 remains non-rotating by its engagement with the locked tension adjustment rod 370. Rotation of the lower end 373 relative to the upper end 372 of the torsion spring 360 causes the torsion spring 360 is loaded or torsionally stressed. As the drum 340 rotates, the torsion spring 360 is further stressed within the drum 340. Due to the increased torsional load, the torsion spring 360 (which was initially slightly extended) extends or elongates further within of drum 340, and thus progressively reduces its pulling force on lower spring connector 364. As torsion spring 360 is torsionally loaded and extends axially, lower spring connector 364, along with the inner tube 362, slide down inside the drum 340, thus progressively reducing the friction between the braking surface 417 of the circular flange 416 and the upper shell cover 352, gradually facilitating the rotation of the drum 340 and the pulling the flexible panel 116 outwards. As flexible panel 116 extends out of cartridge assembly 112 and rotates barrel 340, torsion spring 360 becomes torsionally stressed and also extends more axially relative to the initial condition of Figure 27.

[00134] In the final closed position of the flexible panel 116 (figure 4), the inner tube 362 can separate from the upper cover 366 due to gravity and can rest on the lower spring connector 364, which in turn is arranged in a low condition by the axial expansion of the torsion spring 360. In this final position, friction (if any) between the braking surface 417 of the circular rim 416 of the top cover 366 and the bottom 358 of the top cover 352 is substantially less than the friction in the initial condition of Fig. 27. As described so far, the user can secure the flexible panel 116 in the closed condition by operating the latch assembly 130 (Fig. 5) to the closed condition (Fig. 10).

[00135] When the user has finished showering and wishes to exit the shower area 1000, the user can operate latch assembly 130 to the open condition (FIG. 9) and pull/push handle 134 to initiate travel of the shower. flexible panel 116 to the open position (FIG. 1). As the flexible panel 116 is withdrawn, a reverse sequence of steps takes place within the cartridge assembly 112. The tension mechanism 150, and more specifically, the torsion spring 360 rotates the drum 340 in an opposite direction and pulls the flex panel 116 toward cartridge assembly 112. In particular, as torsion spring 360 rotates barrel 340 in the winding direction to help retract flex panel 116 back into cartridge assembly 112, the torsion spring 360 contracts within barrel 340 and pulls lower spring connector 364 upward, causing lower spring connector 364 to slide upward within barrel 340 with lower end 373 of torsion spring 360. As the connector lower spring jack 364 rises, the lower spring jack 364 eventually drives the inner tube 362 back up into engagement with the top cap 366 of drum 340, forz I move the inner tube 362 back into engagement with the bottom 444 of the top cap 366 and thus to once again push up on the top cap 366. above the inner tube 362 on the top cap 366 gradually increases, which in turn produces a gradually increasing friction between the braking surface 417 of the circular flange 416 of the top cap 366 and the top cap 352. This gradually increasing friction produces an effect of damping in the rotation of drum 340, thus controlling the speed and acceleration of drum 340 and flexible panel 116 as tensioning mechanism 150 retracts flexible panel 116 back into cartridge assembly 112. This friction-assisted retraction prevents the flexible panel 116 retracts into the cartridge assembly 112, thus providing a more satisfying user experience for the user, as well as increasing the durability of the box system 100.

[00136] Returning to Figure 30, as noted above, the flexible panel 112 of the disclosed box system 100 is secured to the drum 340 of the cartridge assembly 112. In some embodiments, an inner end 450 of the flexible panel 116 may be received within a longitudinal cut or slot 452 formed in drum 340. Flexible panel 116 may be secured within slot 452 by crimping or otherwise forcing a crimping arm 454 of drum 340, formed by the formation of slot 452, against flex panel 116 to capture or bite flex panel 116 between crimp arm 454 and rest of drum 340.

[00137] The illustrations of Figures 31-34 show a portable and collapsible ramp 500 according to another aspect of the invention. The portable and collapsible ramp 500 can facilitate the sliding of a wheelchair (not shown) or other wheeled device onto the bottom rail assembly 122 (FIGS. 1 and 31) of the frame 114 of the disclosed enclosure system 100 to access the ramp. shower area 1000. The collapsible ramp 500 may include a first ramp 510, a second ramp 512, and a pivot or hinge 514 that pivotally connects the first ramp 510 with the second ramp 512. The ramp 500 may be collapsible between an unfolded condition ( 31 and 33) encompassing bottom rail assembly 122, and a storage condition (FIG. 32 and 34) in which first ramp 510 folds over second ramp 512 for removal and storage.

[00138] As best shown in Figures 33 and 34, in the unfolded condition, a lower surface 516 of the first ramp 510 may rest on the upper surface 1140 of the floor 1100 of the shower area 1000 and a lower surface 518 of the The second ramp 512 may rest on the upper surface 1140 of the floor 1100 outside the shower area 1000. A gap 524 may be formed between an inner surface 520 of the first ramp 510 and an inner surface 522 of the second ramp 512, the gap 524 is shaped and sized to receive the bottom rail assembly 122 and, if present, a bottom wall or other structure 1170 that carries the bottom rail assembly 122 and is disposed between the top surface 1140 of the floor 1100 of the shower area 1000 and the upper surface 1140 of floor 1100 outside of shower area 1000. In some embodiments, inner surface 520 of first ramp 510 may rest on bottom rail assembly 122 and/or frame 1170. Alternatively or additionally, the surface interior 512 of second ramp 512 may bear against bottom rail assembly 122 and/or frame 1170. In certain preferred embodiments, both interior surfaces 510 and 512 bear against frame 1170 to further immobilize ramp 500. The ramp disclosed portable foldable 500 is movable between the unfolded condition and the collapsed condition. In the deployed condition, shown in Fig. 33, the upper sloped ramp surfaces 511 and 513 of the first and second ramps 510 and 512, respectively, form an inverted V-shaped configuration that facilitates a wheelchair or other caster apparatus clears bottom rail assembly 122 and frame 1170 (either) when entering or exiting shower area 1000. In the collapsed condition, shown in Figure 34, ramp surfaces 511 and 513 may rest stably and flat against each other to stabilize the folding ramp 500.

[00139] Both the first and second ramps 510 and 512, respectively, may be formed in a skeleton shape for strength and light weight. The first and second ramps 510 and 512 can be formed from a variety of materials, such as, but not limited to, lightweight aluminum, plastic or polymers, wood, combinations thereof, etc. In a non-limiting example, hinge 514 may include one or more piano hinges and may be formed of stainless steel.

[00140] Since many modifications, variations, and changes in the details may be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be construed as illustrative and not in an limiting sense. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims (20)

1. An enclosure system for selectively enclosing a shower area or other space, the enclosure system comprising: a frame, comprising an upper rail assembly and a lower rail assembly arranged in a configuration spaced apart from each other and extending horizontally along a space, each of the upper and lower rail assemblies comprising respective rail segments first and second linear rail and a respective corner area disposed between the respective first and second linear rail segments, the frame further comprising at least one plug in one or both of the corner areas; a cartridge assembly supported by the frame, the cartridge assembly comprising a casing and a flexible panel that can be extended and retracted within the casing to selectively enclose the space; a main post, attached to and extending along a leading edge of the flexible panel located outside the casing, the main post being configured to travel along the top and bottom rail assemblies; a support post, which can be disconnected from the main post and is arranged on an inner side of the flexible panel facing the space; characterized by, the main post, the flexible panel and the support post attached to the main post are jointly movable along the first linear segments of the upper and lower rail assemblies, and the at least one stopper is configured to stop movement of the post support in the corner areas; and in which With the support post stopped by the at least one stopper in the corner areas, the main post is disengageable from the support post by pulling on the main post, allowing the main post and flexible panel to advance past the corner areas and to along the second linear rail segments of the upper and lower rail assemblies, where the support post in the corner areas is disposed on or near the inner side of the flexible panel limiting inward buckling of a portion of the flexible panel located between the corner areas. The enclosure system of claim 1, wherein each of the top and bottom rail assemblies comprises a respective corner assembly releasably engageable to a respective first linear rail segment and a respective second linear rail segment. said each of the upper and lower rail assemblies, the respective corner assembly providing the respective corner zone. The closure system of claim 2, wherein the at least one plug comprises a first plug in the corner assembly of the upper rail assembly and a second plug in the corner assembly of the lower rail assembly. 4. The fencing system of claim 1, wherein the support post comprises an elongated main body and at least one upper roller and at least one lower roller disposed at opposite upper and lower ends of the elongated main body, the al least one top roller and the at least one bottom roller projecting outwardly relative to an outer side of the flexible panel opposite the inner side and configured to roll along the top and bottom rail assemblies, the top and bottom rollers bottom rotate about respective horizontal axes of rotation, the support post further comprises at least one pair of panel rollers, each pair of panel rollers consisting of a first panel roller and a second panel roller rotatable about vertical axes respective and arranged on opposite sides of the support post on the inner side of the flexible panel, the flexible panel extending between the al least one pair of panel rollers and the upper and lower rollers, the at least one pair of panel rollers being in contact with the inner side of the flexible panel. 5. The enclosure system of claim 4, wherein, with the main post and flexible panel advancing past the corner areas and the support post stopped by the at least one stopper, the first and second portions of the flexible panel extending from the corner areas are held generally parallel to the first and second linear rail segments, respectively, by the at least one pair of panel rollers. 6. The fencing system of claim 4, wherein the at least one pair of panel rollers comprises an upper pair of panel rollers disposed at the upper end of the support post and a lower pair of panel rollers disposed at the lower end of the support post. 7. The closure system of claim 6, wherein the upper and lower pairs of panel rollers are arranged in vertical register with one another. 8. The closure system of claim 4, wherein the at least one upper roller comprises a pair of upper rollers, and at least one lower roller comprises a pair of lower rollers. 9. The closure system of claim 8, wherein the upper pair of panel rollers are disposed further apart from each other than the first and second track rollers of each pair of track rollers, and the pair of panel rollers bottom ones are disposed further apart from each other than the first and second track rollers of each pair of track rollers. 10. The enclosure system of claim 9, wherein the support post is arranged between the panel rollers having each of them on each side, both at the upper end and at the lower end of the support post . 11. The enclosure system of claim 4, wherein the support post comprises an upper carriage member and a lower carriage member, wherein the elongate main body extends between the upper carriage member and the lower carriage member. lower carriage, wherein the at least one upper roller is rotatably carried by the upper carriage member and the at least one lower roller is rotatably carried by the lower carriage member, and further wherein the at least one a pair of panel rollers is rotatably carried by the carriage members. 12. The enclosure system of claim 11, wherein each of the upper and lower carriage members comprises a respective horizontal portion and a respective vertical portion forming an L-shaped arrangement, wherein the at least one upper roller and the at least one lower roller extend outwardly from the respective vertical portion of the upper and lower carriage members, and further wherein the at least one pair of panel rollers extend from and between the horizontal portions of the upper and lower carriage members. 13. The closure system of claim 12, wherein the at least one pair of panel rollers comprises an upper pair of panel rollers carried by the horizontal portion of the upper carriage member and a lower pair of panel rollers carried by the horizontal portion of the upper carriage member. by the horizontal portion of the lower carriage member. 14. The closure system of claim 12, wherein the at least one plug comprises a first plug in the corner assembly of the upper rail assembly and a second plug in the corner assembly of the lower rail assembly, and the members of upper and lower carriage comprise a respective stop bar protruding from the respective vertical portion, in which the first and second stoppers are configured to stop the movement of the support post in the corner areas by contact between the stop bars and the first and second plugs. 15. The fencing system of claim 1, wherein the support post is releasably coupled to the main post by a resilient clip connection. 16. The fencing system of claim 15, wherein the resilient clip connection connects a forward end of the support post with a trailing end of the main post. 17. The enclosure system of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the support post is curved outwardly along at least one side of the support post facing the inner side of the flexible panel. 18. The closure system of claim 1, wherein the cartridge assembly is releasably attached to the frame. 19. An enclosure system for selectively enclosing a shower area or other space, the enclosure system comprising: a frame, comprising an upper rail assembly and a lower rail assembly arranged in a configuration spaced apart from one another and extending horizontally across a space, the upper and lower rail assemblies each comprising respective rail segments first and second linear rail and a respective corner area disposed between the respective first and second linear rail segments, the frame further comprising a plug in one or both of the corner areas; a cartridge assembly releasably supported by the frame, the cartridge assembly comprising a casing and a flexible spring-loaded panel extendable from and retractable into the casing to selectively enclose the space; a main post, attached to and extending along a leading edge of the flexible panel located outside the casing, the main post being configured to travel along the top and bottom rail assemblies; a support post, detachably engageable to the main post by elastic clip connection, the support post is arranged on an inner side of the panel flexible that gives to the space; characterized by, the main post, the flexible panel and the support post attached to the main post are jointly movable along the first linear rail segments of the upper and lower rail assemblies, and the at least one stopper is configured to stop movement of the support post in the corner areas; and in which With the support post stopped by the at least one stopper in the corner areas, the main post is disengageable from the support post by pulling on the main post, allowing the main post and flexible panel to advance past the corner areas and to along the second linear rail segments of the upper and lower rail assemblies, where the support post in the corner areas is disposed on or near the inner side of the flexible panel limiting inward buckling of a portion of the flexible panel located between the corner areas. 20. An enclosure system for selectively enclosing a shower area or other space, the enclosure system comprising: a frame, comprising an upper rail assembly and a lower rail assembly arranged in a configuration spaced apart from one another and extending horizontally across a space, the upper and lower rail assemblies each comprising respective rail segments first and second linear rail and a respective corner area disposed between the respective first and second linear rail segments, the frame further comprising a plug in one or both of the corner areas; a cartridge assembly releasably supported by the frame, the cartridge assembly comprising a casing and a flexible spring-loaded panel extendable from and retractable into the casing to selectively enclose the space; a main post, attached to and extending along a leading edge of the flexible panel located outside the casing, the main post being configured to travel along the top and bottom rail assemblies; a support post, releasably engageable with the main post by means of an elastic clip connection between a main end of the support post and a final end of the main post, the support post disposed on an inner side of the flexible panel facing the space ; characterized by, the main post, the flexible panel, and the support post attached to the main post are jointly movable along the first linear rail segments of the upper and lower rail assemblies, and the at least one stopper is configured to stop the displacement of the support post in the corner zones; and where With the support post stopped by the at least one stopper in the corner areas, the main post is disengageable from the support post by pulling on the main post, allowing the main post and flexible panel to advance past the corner areas and to along the second linear rail segments of the upper and lower rail assemblies, where the support post in the corner areas is disposed on or near the inner side of the flexible panel limiting inward buckling of a portion of the flexible panel located between the corner areas.