GB2265308A

GB2265308A - Mounted shower screen kit

Info

Publication number: GB2265308A
Application number: GB9306267A
Authority: GB
Inventors: S Bennett
Original assignee: Home Doors Ltd
Current assignee: Home Doors Ltd
Priority date: 1992-03-26
Filing date: 1993-03-25
Publication date: 1993-09-29
Also published as: GB9206547D0; GB9306267D0

Abstract

A kit 10 of parts for a shower screen comprises a screen member (12) and, separately, mounting means (preferably elongate and especially a post (14) in combination with hinge members (16)). The mounting means are attachable to the screen member and to a fixed structure such as a wall. The kit may include a plurality of screen members of different design, and a plurality of post members of different design to allow various combinations of post design and screen design to be used together. Also disclosed is a display apparatus for receiving the parts of the kit (30, see Figure 3). <IMAGE>

Description

Screen Arrangement The present invention relates to screen arrangements and in particular to shower screen arrangements.

One form of shower screen arrangement is conventionally installed above the edge of a bath over which a shower head is located. This type of screen, known as a bath shower screen, is intended to deflect into the bath any water which would otherwise be sprayed into the rest of the room by the shower head. A similar, generally taller screen arrangement can be used as a door to a shower area.

The present invention provides a kit of parts for a shower screen, comprising a screen member and, separately, a mounting means, the mounting means being attachable to the screen member and to a fixed structure to support the shower screen relative to the fixed structure.

The mounting means is preferably attachable to a wall adjacent the shower area. The mounting means may comprise an elongate member attachable vertically to the fixed structure to provide a post on which the screen member may be supported. The screen member is preferably hingedly attachable to the mounting means.

The apparatus may further comprise sealing means locatable between the screen member and the mounting means. The sealing means may be an elongate sealing strip, which may be permanently fixed to the screen member or to the mounting means.

Preferably the kit comprises a plurality of screen members of different appearance or size. The kit may comprise a plurality of mounting means of different appearance or size Preferably each of the screen members is attachable as aforesaid to each of the mounting means, whereby a plurality of alternative shower screens may be constructed by selecting one of the plurality of screen members to be supported relative to the fixed structure by a selected one of the mounting means.

The invention also provides retail display apparatus comprising a first region which provides a plurality of locations for receiving screen members of respective designs, and a second region providing a plurality of locations for receiving mounting means of respective designs, whereby, in use, a mounting means of selected design can be removed from the corresponding location for attachment to a fixed structure, and a screen member of selected design can be removed from the corresponding location for attachment to the mounting means to form a shower screen supported relative to the fixed structure.

The locations of the first region may be adjacent.

The locations of the first region are preferably horizontally arrayed. There are preferably at least four locations in the first region.

The locations of the second region may be adjacent.

The locations of the second region are preferably horizontally arrayed. There are preferably at least three locations in the second region.

The first and second regions are preferably adjacent. The first region is preferably above the second region.

The apparatus preferably consists of a unitary structure in which the said locations are provided.

Preferably each location of the first region contains screen members of respective design, and each location of the second region contains mounting means of respective design.

The invention further provides a method of displaying goods for retail sale, wherein a screen member is displayed in conjunction with mounting means, the mounting means being attachable to the screen member and to a fixed structure to support the shower screen relative to the fixed structure.

Preferably a plurality of screen members of respective appearance or size are displayed in conjunction with a plurality of mounting means of respective appearance or size, whereby a selection can be made from the screen members and mounting means to allow a plurality of alternative shower screens to be constructed.

Preferably the screen members are displayed in adjacent locations of a first region. The locations may be horizontally arrayed and there are preferably at least four locations.

The mounting means may be displayed in adjacent locations of a second region. The locations may be horizontally arrayed and there may be at least three locations.

The first and second regions may be adjacent and the first region may be above the second region.

The screen members and mounting means are preferably displayed in retail display apparatus as defined above.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: rig. 1 is a schematic partial perspective view of a kit of parts for a shower screen; Fig. 2 is a corresponding view of a screen assembled from the kit; and Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of retail display apparatus according to the invention.

Turning to Fig. 1, there is shown a kit 10 of parts for a shower screen, comprising a screen member 12 and, separately, mounting means consisting of a post 14 and hinge members 16. The mounting means are attachable to the screen member as will be described, and to a fixed structure such as a wall, to support the screen relative to the wall. The kit illustrated in Fig. 1 shows only one screen member and only one post, but could include a plurality of each, to allow various combinations of post design and screen design to be used together, as will be described.

In more detail, the or each screen member 12 is a sheet of glass, plastics material or other transparent or semi-transparent material, and may be textured or patterned for decorative effect. The hinges 16 include rectangular opposed plates 16A,16B and a spine 16C which allows the plates 16A,16B to be hingedly mounted on the post 14. Each plate 16A,16B incorporates a central aperture 18. Two further apertures 20 are pre-formed near the edge of the screen 12.

The kit of parts described above can be assembled in the following manner to form the shower screen shown in Fig. 2.

Firstly, the post 14 (or a post of selected design) is attached to a fixed structure such as a wall (not shown). Typically, the post 14 will have its lower end adjacent the edge of a bath, and will extend up the wall adjacent a shower head, generally vertically.

The hinges 16 may then be attached to the post 14 or alternatively, the hinges may be permanently attached on or formed with the post 14.

The edge of the screen 12 (or a screen of selected design) can then be inserted between the plates 16A,16B of the hinges 16. Bolts, screws or other fixings can then be inserted through the apertures 18,20 to attach the screen 12 firmly to the hinges 16, thereby mounting the screen on the post 14 and thus on the fixed structure or wall. This locates the screen 12 above the edge of the bath, in the plane of the side of the bath, but the hinges 16 allow the panel to be swung out of the way for convenience when a user wishes to step under or away from the shower head.

In order to prevent leakages between the screen 12 and the post 14, an elongate sealing strip or strips 22 of appropriate profile may be located between the edge of the screen 12 and the post 14. The strip 22 may be permanently attached to the screen 12 or post 14 or may be located against the edge of the screen 12 before the hinges 16 are attached to the screen 12, the strip 22 being held in position thereafter by the hinges 16.

Fig. 3 shows retail display apparatus intended to display the components of the shower screen described above in relation to Fig. 2, and the kit described in relation to Fig. 1. The display apparatus 30 has a first, upper region 32 of locations 34 each of which may receive screen members of the type described above. Each location 34 is intended to hold screen members of a different design, so that, in the apparatus shown in the drawing, a total of four different designs of screen member can be accommodated in the display apparatus 30.

The phrase "differences of designer is intended to encompass differences of appearance and size, and may also encompass differences of material, texture etc.

The four locations 34 of the upper region 32 are adjacent and horizontally arrayed.

Below them, there are three further locations 36 forming a second region 38. The lower locations 36 are also horizontally arrayed. Each of the lower locations is intended to receive mounting means of the type described above in relation to Figs. 1 and 2, but of respective designs, i.e. a first design will be housed in one of the locations 36, a different design in the second location 36, and a third design in the third location 36.

It can be seen from Fig. 3 that the display apparatus is a unitary structure in which the locations are provided.

In use, the apparatus of Fig. 3 will be stocked to ensure that each location 34 of the first region 32 contains screen members 12 of respective designs, and each location 36 of the lower region 38 contains mounting means 14 of respective design. A customer is therefore presented with a choice of screen member design, and a choice of post design and can choose whichever screen member design is preferred, and whichever post design is preferred. Once this choice has been made, a screen member of the preferred design can be taken out of the corresponding location 34, and a post of appropriate design can be removed from the corresponding location 36.

These two members can then be taken away and purchased for assembly at home in the manner described above. If the hinges 16 and/or the sealing strip 22 are not permanently attached to the post 14 or the screen 12, they will be purchased separately, but a bin or display rack may be provided close to the apparatus 30 or as part of the apparatus 30. It is expected that in most cases, only one design of strip 22 and hinge 16 will be required in view of the relatively minor effect of these elements on the visual appearance of the finished article.

It will be apparent from the above description that the display apparatus described above can allow a customer to choose, in effect, from a total of twelve different finished designs of shower screen, because each of the four screen member designs can be used in conjunction with any one of the three post designs.

Thus, while the retailer stocks only seven different items, the customer is provided with a choice, in effect, between twelve different finished items. This represents a significant improvement in the use of space in the retail premises.

It will be apparent that many variations and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In particular, the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are highly schematic and many other designs could be adopted for aesthetic or functional purposes. The number of locations provided by the display apparatus could be increased or decreased according to the number of different screen member designs and post designs which are to be presented to the customer.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A kit of parts for a shower screen, comprising a screen member and, separately, a mounting means, the mounting means being attachable to the screen member and to a fixed structure to support the shower screen relative to the fixed structure.

2. A kit according to claim 1, wherein the mounting means is attachable to a wall adjacent the shower area.

3. A kit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mounting means comprises an elongate member attachable vertically to the fixed structure to provide a post on which the screen member may be supported

4 A kit according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the screen member is hingedly attachable to the mounting means

5. A kit according to any preceding claim, further comprising sealing means locatable between the screen member and the mounting means.

6. A kit according to claim 5, wherein the sealing means is an elongate sealing strip.

7. A kit according to claim 6, wherein the strip is permanently fixed to the screen member or to the mounting means.

8. A kit according to any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of screen members of different appearance or size.

9. A kit according to any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of mounting means of different appearance or size.

10. A kit according to claim 8 and 9, wherein each of the screen members is attachable as aforesaid to each of the mounting means, whereby a plurality of alternative shower screens may be constructed by selecting one of the plurality of screen members to be supported relative to the fixed structure by a selected one of the mounting means.

11. Retail display apparatus comprising a first region which provides a plurality of locations for receiving screen members of respective designs, and a second region providing a plurality of locations for receiving mounting means of respective designs, whereby, in use, a mounting means of selected design can be removed from the corresponding location for attachment to a fixed structure, and a screen member of selected design can be removed from the corresponding location for attachment to the mounting means to form a shower screen supported relative to the fixed structure.

12 Apparatus according to claim 11" wherein the locations of the first region are adjacent

13. Apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the locations of the first region are horizontally arrayed.

14. Apparatus according to claim 11, 12 or 13, comprising at least four locations in the first region.

15. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 14, wherein the locations of the second region are adjacent.

16. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 15, wherein the locations of the second region are horizontally arrayed.

17. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 16, comprising at least three locations in the second region.

18. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 17, wherein the first and second regions are adjacent.

19. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 18, wherein the first region is above the second region.

20. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 19 and consisting of a unitary structure in which the said locations are provided.

21. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 20, in which each location of the first region contains screen members of respective design, and each location of the second region contains mounting means of respective design.

22. A method of displaying goods for retail sale, wherein a screen member is displayed in conjunction with mounting means, the mounting means being attachable to the screen member and to a fixed structure to support the shower screen relative to the fixed structure.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein a plurality of screen members of respective appearance or size are displayed in conjunction with a plurality of mounting means of respective appearance or size, whereby a selection can be made from the screen members and mounting means to allow a plurality of alternative shower screens to be constructed.

24. A method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the screen members are displayed in adjacent locations of a first region.

25. A method according to claim 22, 23 or 24, wherein the locations are horizontally arrayed.

26. A method according to any of claims 22 to 25, wherein there are at least four locations.

27. A method according to any of claims 22 to 26, wherein the mounting means are displayed in adjacent locations of a second region.

28. A method according to any of claims 22 to 27, wherein the locations are horizontally arrayed.

29. A method according to any of claims 22 to 28, wherein there are at least three locations.

30. A method according to any of claims 22 to 29, wherein the first and second regions are adjacent.

31. A method according to any of claims 22 to 30, wherein the first region is above the second region.

32. A method according to any of claims 22 to 31, wherein the screen members and mounting means are displayed in retail display apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 21.

33. A kit of parts for a shower screen, substantially as described above with reference to the accompanying drawings.

34. Retail display apparatus substantially as described above with reference to the accompanying drawings.

35. A method of displaying goods for retail sale, substantially as described above.

36. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.