GB2402193A

GB2402193A - Locating apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2402193A
Application number: GB0407960A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael John Harris
Original assignee: Tray Tech
Current assignee: Tray Tech
Priority date: 2004-04-08
Filing date: 2004-04-08
Publication date: 2004-12-01
Anticipated expiration: 2024-04-08
Also published as: GB0407960D0; GB2402193B

Abstract

A locating apparatus (e.g. for mounting a shower screen on a wall) comprising first and second channel assemblies (1) and (2) respectively having between the limbs of each such assembly a component of an adjustment mechanism complementary with the component provided between the limbs of the other assembly. The limbs (16a) and (16b) are locatable between the limbs (5a) and (5b) of the second assembly (2) are locatable between the limbs 5(a) and 5(b) of the first assembly (1) to bring said components into engagement for effecting adjustment of one of the channel assemblies relative towards or away from each other. The component of the adjustment mechanism provided for the first channel assembly may be a pinion (7) and the component provided for the second assembly (2) may comprise a rack (23).

Description

1 24021 93

LOCATING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a locating apparatus intended for locating two channel members relative to each other. The invention relates particularly, but not exclusively to such a location apparatus for use in the assembly of a screen structure, e.g. for the erection of shower screens.

Many household showers comprise a cubicle defined partly by a tiled area of a wall in which the cubicle is provided and partly by a screen structure including one or more screen walls and a door to allow access to the cubicle. The walls of the screen structure typically comprise metal-edged strengthened glass panels. The screen walls are assemblied to form the cubicle structure by use of the so-called "slot-screw retaining method". More particularly, the metal edges of the panels are received in H- . section channels which have themselves been screwed or otherwise secured to a wall.

Once the metal edge of the panel has been located in the H-section channels, screws ' ' or the like are located through the side limbs of the H-section channels into A. engageinent wiii- the panels. .' : : It will be appreciated that the wall panels and doors of the shower cubicle have to fit exactly to ensure that the shower is waterproof in use. To achieve this aim, the panels must be manipulated into the correct position in the H-section charnels before the panel retaining screws are tightened. However one problem with ibe "slot-screw retaining method" is that it is difficult to regulate the retaining force provided by the screw so that the latter cannot be used to provide a retention force that prevents the wall panels from falling yet allow them to be removed freely relative to each other.

This problem is compounded as the panels are usually heavy. Thus fine adjustment oi the panels is difficult.

A further problem with the "slot-screw retaining method" is that for reliable engagement self-tapping screws are commonly used. This means that the screws cannot be removed and re-inserted after a small adjustment of the panel position.

Thus if a panel has to be replaced, as a result of breakage for example, the self tapping screw must be drilled out and a new hole drilled for the replacement screw.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the problems outlined above the above mentioned disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a locating apparatus comprising first and second channel assemblies having between the limbs of each such assembly a component of an adjustment mechanism complementary with the component provided between the limbs of the other assembly, the limbs of said second assembly being locatable between the limbs of the first assembly to bring said components into engagement for effecting adjustment of one of the channel assemblies relative towards or away from each other.

In the locating apparatus of the assembly, the first channel assembly may be for mounting on a wall and the second channel assembly may support the panel of a r screen. Alternatively the first and second channel assemblies may each support,,, screen panels for mounting adjacent each oilier. .. , ; The locating apparatus of the invention allows the channel assemblies (and thus screens carried by the assemblies) to be orientated easily relative to each other by means of the adjustment mechanism. More particularly, the adjustment mechanism allows the channel assemblies to be moved relatively towards or away from each other. Preferably the locating apparatus comprises two adjustment mechanisms which are actually spaced from each other along the lengths of the channel members. By differential operation of the two adjustment mechanisms it is possible to vary the inclination of one channel member relative to the other.

Preferably the adjustment mechanism incorporates a locking means for securely retaining the channel members in the desired location relative to each other.

It will be appreciated that since the position of the panels is effected by the adjustment mechanism, there is no need for fine adjustment of the panels within their respective channel assemblies, as is required in the "slot-screw retaining method".

Consequently the disadvantages of the latter method associated with the use of self- tapping screws are avoided.

Preferably one component of the adjustment mechanism is rotatable and effects linear movement of the complementary component to allow the channel assemblies to be moved relatively towards or away from each other.

The adjustment mechanism may, for example, comprise a pinion as one component and a rack as the other component. Most preferably the pinion (which is itself located between the limbs of one of the two channel assemblies) is associated with a head which locates on the outer side of one of the limbs of the channel À 7, assembly. This head may incorporate an arcuate slot in which locates a screw or the À like inserted into the limb of the channel assembly. Rotation of the pinion is ' ' permitted between limits defined by the ends of the acruate slot. The arcuate slot..

Allay, For example, be semi circular thus pe-n,littiilg rotation of the pillion inrougn.' :': 180 . Once the first and second channel assemblies have been correctly orientated I's, 1 relative to each other, the screw may be tightened to dock the retaining means in the required position. À.

The rack may be provided on a plastics inset. located in the respective chaririel member, e.g. in a mouth fonned therein. 'Ihe insert may comprise two spaced arms having opposed major surfaces, at least one of said surfaces being provided with rack teeth. The anus may be fonned with elongate apertures are slots for receiving a fixing screw or the like to locate the pinion in position relative to the rack.

The amls may be in the fonm of blocks.

In a preferred embodiment, a single one of the amls is provided with rack teeth and there are two such inserts provided along the length of the respective channel member and orientated so that the rack teeth of one insert are opposed to the rack teeth of the other insert.

Preferably the pinion has an axial threaded bore extending remote from the head. A screw is preferably inserted though the limb of one of the two channel assemblies (opposite the limb with which the pinion head is associated) and screwed into the threaded bore. In this way the pinion is retained between the limbs of one of the two channel assemblies. Generally the screw has a head which locates on the outer side of the limb of the channel assembly. It is preferred that during orientation the screw is tightened sufficiently to permit rotation of the pinion. Once the first and second channel assemblies have been correctly orientated, the screw may be tightened to lock the pinion in the required position. :

Conveniently the head of the pinion incorporates a hexagonal recess into À which an Allen key maybe inserted for effecting rotation of the pinion. :'

Once the pinion has been located at the correct rotation position a cover may A: be provided over the head. This cover prevents tampering and reduces damage caused by exposure to the aperture. The cover may for example have a projection À which engages the hexagonal recess in the head of the pinion. . The adjustment mechanism employed in the apparatus of the present invention may be foraged of a plastics material which relay optionally contain reinforccrieilt, e.g. glass fibres. A preferred plastics material is nylon GL (where "(IF'' signifies glass fibre reinforced).

An embodinet of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures I and 2 are exploded perspective views of a first channel assembly and a second channel assembly respectively which co-operate to forth a locating apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 is a crosssectional view in a vertical plane through the adjustment mechanism of the locating apparatus (when assemblied) as seen also on the liner A-A of Figure 4; and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view on the line B-B of the adjustment mechanism shown in Figure 3.

The illustrated embodiment comprises a first channel assembly 1 (see Fig 1) for fixing to a wall and a second channel assembly 2 (see Fig 2) for adjustably locating a shower screen 3 on the wall mounted channel assembly 1.

Referring now to Fig I, the illustrated channel assembly I comprises a channel member 4 having side limbs 5a and 5b connected by a web 6. An arrangement of U- À . shaped profile members 101 and 102 serves to mount channel assembly 1 on a wall (not shown). More particularly, profile member 101 is fixed by screws or the like..

(not shown) extending through its basal web lOlb into the wall. Profile member 102 A: is fixed to r..erllber 101 by screws or the like knot shown' passing though their respective side webs 102a and I Ola. Finally, channel member 4 is mounted on profile À member 102 by means of screws or the like (not shown) passing through web 6 (of channel member 4) and the basal web 102b of profile member 102.

The clarinet assembly 1 is provided with two plastics rotary adjustment devices 6 each of WiliCh comprises a pinion 7 Donned at one end Title a head 8 (of greater diameter then the pinion 7) and at the other end with a threaded axial bore (not shown in Fig 1). For the purposes of locating the rotary adjustment devices 6 in position, the limbs 5a arid 5b (of channel member 4) are fondled wills two pairs of aligned apertures 9a and 9b. To locate a rotary adjustment device 6 in position, pinion 7 is inserted through aperture 9a, headed screw 10 is inserted into the axial bores of the pinion (but initially not fully tightened) so as to retain the adjustment device 6 in position. The screw 10 is formed with a shoulder lOa which is disposed within aperture 9b.

The heads 8 of each adjusting device 6 have an arcuate slot 11 extending approximately 180 around the head 8 adjacent the circumference thereof. A self- tapping screw 12 is for insertion through the slot 11 and is received in a threaded aperture 13 provided in web Sa adjacent aperture 9a. Head 8 is also formed with a centrally located hexagonal recess 14 for receiving an Allen Key or the like for effecting rotary adjustment of the device 6.

Reference is now made to the channel assembly 2 illustrated in Fig 2. The channel assembly 2 comprises a channel member 15 having limbs 16a and]6b interconnected by a web 17. Shower screen 3 is supported by a jaw arrangement 103 provided on one side of the web 17. At the other side of web 17, the limbs 16a and 16b are cut-away as shown so as to define two axially spaced mouths 18, the axial spacing between which corresponds with the axial spacing of the two pinions 7 in channel assembly 1. Received and located within each mouth 18 is a moulded plastics insert 19 comprised of a base plate 20 and two spaced blocks 21 and 22 projecting generally perpendicularly from the plate 20. For convenience in the following descriptioii, block 21 is referred to as having side faces 21a and an outermost major surface 21b. Similarly block 22 is referrer! to as including surfaces 22a and 22b.

In any one insert 19, the distance between surfaces 21b and 22b corresponds to the axial length of a mouth 18.

As shown in Fig 2, block 21 is formed (on it surface opposed to block 22) with a set of rack teeth 23, the spacing between blocks 21 and 22 of act insert being such as lo pennit location there between of a pinion 7 meshing with the rack 23.

Each block 21 and 22 is traversed by a respective aperture 24 which extends between the side faces 21a or 22b of a block 21 or 22 respectively and which is elongate in cross section.

Additionally each block 21 and 22 is formed on each of its side faces 21a and 22a (respectively) with shoulders 25 which extend along the length of the side face and which are flush with the outermost major surfaces 21b and 22b of the blocks 21 and 22.

Finally, base plate 20 is formed with fixing apertures 26.

As shown in Fig 2, an insert 19 is located in each mouth 18 (of the channel member 15) but the inserts 19 are positioned in "opposite orientation" whereby the upper insert 19 (as viewed in Fig 2) has block 21 uppermost whereas the lower insert 19 has block 21 lowermost.

In use of the illustrated embodiment, channel member assembly 1 is initially fixed to a wall not shown. The second channel assembly 2 (with attached screen 3) is then positioned such that its limbs 16a 16b are received between the limbs 5a and 5b of the (wall-mounted) channel member 4 with the pinions 7 being located one in each of the inserts in engagement with the rack teeth 23. In this respect see also the more detailed sectional view of Figs 3 am 4. Screw 12 is now inserted through slot i i and a slot 24 of insert 19. Until fully tightened, the screw 12 pennits rotation of the head 8 through 180 .

By rotation of the pinions 7 (e.g. by means of an Allen Key located in the hexagonal recess 14) tlie pinions 7 may be individually rotated so that the racks 23 are advanced or retracted to move channel members 4 and 15 relatively towards or away from each other. Limbs 16a and 16b include an aperture 22 which allows the movement of channel member 15 to be without impedance from screw 12. It will be appreciated that the pinions 7 may be rotated by different degrees thus varying the inclination of channel member 15 relative to that of channel member 4. Once the channel members 4 and 15 (and thus the screen 3) are in the required position, the screws 12 (which extend through slot 11 and one of the apertures 24 of the associated insert 19) are tightened so as to lock the pinion 7 (and thus the racks 23) in position.

Screws 10 are also tightened to provide an additional locking of the pinions 7.

Finally, a cover 27 may be positioned over the head 8 of the pinions 7. This case may have a projection (not shown for locatin in recess 14.

À.,. :. e. : :', e:'

Claims

1. A locating apparatus comprising first and second channel assemblies having between the limbs of each such assembly a component of an adjustment mechanism complementary.with the component provided between the limbs of the other assembly, the limbs of said second assembly being locatable between the limbs of the first assembly to bring said components into engagement for effecting adjustment of one of the channel assemblies relative towards or away from each other.

2. A locating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first channel assembly is for mounting on a wall and the second channel assembly supports the panel of a screen. . .

3. A locating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second channel assemblies each support screen panels for mounting adjacent each other. " e:'

4. A locating apparatus according to claim i, 2 or 3, which comprises two, adjustment mechanisms which are spaced from each other along the lengths of the channel members.

5. A locating apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adjustment rllec'nanism1 incorporates a locking metals for securely retaining the channel members in the desired location relative to each other.

6. A locating apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one component of the adjustment mechanism is rotatable and effects linear movement of the complementary component to allow the channel assemblies to be moved relatively towards or away from each other.

7. A locating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a pinion as one component and a rack as the other component.

8. A locating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the pinion is associated with a head which locates on the outer side of one of the limbs of the channel assembly. I

9. A locating apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the head incorporates an arcuate slot in which locates a screw or the like inserted into the limb of the channel assembly.

10. A locating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein rotation of the pinion is permitted between limits defined by the ends of the arcuate slot.

11. A locating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the arcuate slot is semi....

circular. . , 12. A locating apparatus according to claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein tightening of the *' screw provides a locking means for the pinion. À . 13. A locating apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the pinion comprises a threaded bore extending remote from the head.

14. A locating apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the bore locates a screw for retaining the pinion between the limbs of one of tlic two cl. a,,nel assemblies.

15. A locating apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the screw has a head which locates on the outer side of one of the limbs of the channel assembly remote from the pinion head.

16. A locating apparatus according to claim 14 or 15 wherein tightening of the screw provides a locking means for the pinion.

17. A locating apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 16, wherein the head of the pinion incorporates a hexagonal recess into which an Allen key is inserted for effecting rotation of the pinion.

18. A locating apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 17, wherein a cover is provided for the head of the pinion 19. A locating apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the cover has a projection which engages the hexagonal recess in the head of the pinion.

20. A locating apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 19 wherein the rack is provided on a plastics insert located in the respective channel member, e.g. in a mouth thereof. . 21. A locating apparatus as claimed in claim 20 wherein the insert comprises two spaced arms having opposed major surfaces and at least one of said surfaces is " provided with rack teeth. . 22. A locating apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein the arms are mounted on a base plate and project perpendicularly therefrom.

23. A locating apparatus as claimed in claim 21 or 22 wherein the arias are in the follll of blocks.

24. A locating apparatus as claimed in claim 23 wherein a single one of said arms is provided with rack teeth.

25. A locating apparatus as claimed in claim 24 wherein the respective channel assembly is provided with two of said inserts spaced along the channel member and the rack teeth of one insert are opposed to the rack teeth of the other insert.

26. A locating apparatus according to any one of claims l to 25, wherein the adjustment mechanism is formed of a plastics material.

27. A locating apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the plastics material contains reinforcement, e.g. glass fibres.

28. A locating apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the plastics material is nylon GF. À :' I.

VS

Amendments to the claims have been filed as Allows: 1. A locating apparatus comprising first and second channel assemblies formed with limbs and having between the limbs of each such assembly a component of an adjustment mechanism complementary with the component provided between the limbs of the other assembly, the limbs of said second assembly being locatable between the limbs of the first assembly to bring said components into engagement for effecting adjustment of one of the channel assemblies relative towards or away from each other.

2. A locating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first channel assembly is for mounting on a wall and the second channel assembly supports the panel of a screen.

3. A locating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second channel assemblies each support screen panels for mounting adjacent each other.

4. A locating apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, which comprises two adjustment mechanisms which are spaced from each other along the lengths of the channel members.

5. A locating apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adjustment mechanism incorporates a locking means for securely retaining the channel members in the desired location relative to each other.

7. A locating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a pinion as one component and a rack as the other component. l!

8. A locating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the pinion is associated with a head which locates on the outer side of one of the limbs of the channel assembly.

A locating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the arcuate slot is semi circular.

12. A locating apparatus according to claim 9, 10 or 1 l, wherein tightening of the screw provides a locking means for the pinion.

13. A locating apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the pinion comprises a threaded bore extending remote from the head.

14. A locating apparatus according to clain1 13, wherein the bore locates a screw for retaining the pinion between the limbs of one of the Two chancier assemblies.

15. A locating apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the screw has a head which locates on the outer side of one of the limbs of the channel assembly remote fro-r the pinion head.

16. A locating apparatus according to claim 14 or 1S wherein tightening of the screw provides a locking means for the pinion. \s

17. A locating apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 16, wherein the head of the pinion incorporates a hexagonal recess.

18. A locating apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 17, wherein a cover is provided for the head of the pinion

19. A locating apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the cover has a projection which engages the hexagonal recess in the head of the pinion.

20. A locating apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 19 wherein the rack is provided on a plastics insert located in the respective channel member, e.g. in a mouth thereof.

21. A locating apparatus as claimed in claim 20 wherein the insert comprises two spaced arms having opposed major surfaces and at least one of said surfaces is provided with rack teeth.

22. A locating apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein the arms are mounted on a base plate and project perpendicularly therefrom.

23. A locating apparatus as claimed in claim 21 or 22 wherein the arms are in the form of blocks.

26. A locating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the adjustment mechanism is formed of a plastics material. fib

27. A locating apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the plastics material contains reinforcement.

28. A locating apparatus according to claim 27 wherein the reinforcement comprises glass fibres.

29. A locating apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the plastics material is nylon GF.