GB2357034A - Shower tray - Google Patents

Abstract

A shower tray has an outer slip resistant area <B>1</B> for disabled shower use, an intermediate rim <B>2</B> for fixing shower doors and an inner area <B>5</B> for able-bodied use. The shower tray floor slopes towards the drain <B>4</B>. Around the edge of the tray wide flanges <B>6</B> are provided and the sheet flooring <B>8</B> is fixed over them to give a flush edge. Vertical ribs <B>7</B> bear on floor screed to support the shower tray. In order to provide for water tightness at a junction with tiled walls, upstands <B>3</B> are provided on two sides.

Description

J_ 2357034 SHOWER TRAY FOR ABLE-BODIED AND DISABLED USE This invention

relates to the design of a shower tray for able-bodied and disabled use.

Shower trays for disabled use must be sufficiently large to take a wheelchair, and must allow the user to enter and leave the shower in the wheelchair without assistance. There are two main types available: large raised trays with a hinged front flap for access, and trays which are formed in the floor itself often with a drainage grid over them.

Both these types of tray present problems particularly in shower rooms designed primarily for able-bodied users:

The designs are readily identifiable as being intended for the disabled and may as such be unpalatable to other users.

The raised trays take up a lot of floor space.

The inset trays leave the floor space available for circulation but cannot be used with the types of standard shower door which meet current market expectations for general use.

Both types of tray are expensive when compared to standard trays for the able-bodied.

The present invention provides as a unique feature a tray divided into two areas: the central area is intended for use by the able-bodied and is surrounded by a low rim which provides a fixing location for a variety of standard shower doors; the outer area has a slight fall to allow for drainage and can be protected by a curtain or special door to provide shower space for the disabled but it can also be used as part of the general circulation space of the shower room.

The edge of the tray is designed to give a flush junction with sheet flooring while the slopes in the two different parts of the tray and the height of the intermediate rim are all adjusted to allow for unassisted wheelchair use. The surfaces are slip resistant for able-bodied use. The tray is manufactured in resin-stone, acrylic and grp being insufficiently robust for a tray of such large size.

A specific application of the invention is shown in the drawings.

Fig. 1 shows the tray in plan and in this case the intermediate rim is designed for use with quadrant shower doors of which there are a variety on the market.

Fig. 2 shows the tray in section with falls on both areas.

Fig. 3 shows details of the intermediate rim and of the outer edge.

Fig. 4 shows an isometric view of the whole tray.

Referring to the drawings, the shower tray comprises of an outer slip resistant area 1 for disabled shower use, an intermediate rim 2 for fixing shower doors and an inner area 5 for able-bodied use. The shower tray floor slopes towards the drain 4. Around the edge of the tray, wide flanges 6 are provided and the sheet flooring 8 is fixed over them to give a flush edge as shown in figure 3. Vertical ribs 7 bear on floor screed to support the shower tray.

In order to provide for water-tightness to junctions with tiled walls, upstands 3 are provided on two sides.

Claims (2)

1. A shower tray large enough for wheelchair use subdivided by a rim onto which shower doors can be mounted to form a shower compartment of standard size.

2. A shower tray with perimeter flange to provide a flush transition to surrounding floor.

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