GB2533684A

GB2533684A - A shower enclosure frame

Info

Publication number: GB2533684A
Application number: GB1518865.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Murphy Christopher; Maguire Kevin
Original assignee: MERLYN IND Ltd
Current assignee: MERLYN IND Ltd
Priority date: 2014-10-24
Filing date: 2015-10-23
Publication date: 2016-06-29
Also published as: GB201518865D0; IE20150391A1; GB201418919D0

Abstract

A shower enclosure frame 1 comprises a wall profile 5 for mounting on a wall and an upright profile 3 for mounting on the wall profile. The wall profile 5 comprises an elongate transverse slot 6 formed therein, and in which there is provided a releasable locking mechanism, part of which passes through the slot, to releasably secure the upright profile and the wall profile in a fixed relationship with respect to each other. The locking mechanism comprises a first part 7 operable to engage the upright profile and a second part 9 operable to engage the wall profile and selectively interlock with the first part. The first part comprises a resiliently deformable toothed insert 10 to engage the upright profile. The second part 9 comprises a complementary toothed track 13 mounted on the wall profile. A locking arm 17 brings the toothed insert and the toothed track into locking engagement with each other, wherein the locking arm comprises a wedge 19, 21 operable to engage and deform the toothed insert.

Description

"A shower enclosure frame"

Introduction

This invention relates to a shower enclosure frame. More specifically, the present invention relates to a shower enclosure frame that is adjustable In order to install a shower enclosure, a wall profile must be mounted first on the wall and thereafter an upright profile is mounted on the wall profile. The upright profile is typically used to support at least one horizontal frame member and a pane of glass of the shower enclosure. It is vitally important that the upright profile is correctly aligned relative to the wall profile. If the upright profile is incorrectly aligned, the horizontal frame member(s) will also be out of alignment and the pane of glass will not fit correctly. Furthermore, there is typically a knock-on effect in that other components of the shower enclosure such as shower doors and seals will not fit correctly either. This often results in a shower enclosure that is distorted, with doors that do not run smoothly and that leaks.

Therefore, a considerable amount of time must be spent during installation correctly aligning the upright profile on the wall profile as the consequences of not doing so can be severe. The upright profile is carefully aligned before the pair of profiles are drilled and a fixing member such as a screw is inserted through the profiles to secure the profiles together. It is not uncommon for the frame profiles to slip prior to or during drilling and there is often a degree of trial and error involved when attempting to correctly align the upright profile on the wall profile. This not only leads to additional drilling and time spent installing the shower enclosure but can also lead to a weakened frame and unsightly superfluous drill holes which are undesirable.

One shower enclosure that attempts to address some of these problems is that described in German Patent application publication number DE4130549 in the name of Lido-Duschabtrennungen GmbH. DE4130549 discloses an upright profile that is adjustably mounted on a wall profile. A locking bolt is provided to fix the upright profile and the wall profile in fixed relationship with respect to each other. One difficulty with this design is that in order to adjust the position of the upright profile relative to the wall -2 -profile, it is necessary to unscrew the bolt, adjust the position of the upright and thereafter screw the bolt back in. This is quite time consuming to do. As the positioning of the upright is often a matter of trial and error, it may be necessary to unscrew and screw the bolt in numerous times until the correct alignment is achieved, thereby substantially increasing the amount of time required to construct the shower enclosure.

Furthermore, it is necessary to provide a tool to screw and unscrew the bolt which is inconvenient and can be unwieldy.

Another shower enclosure that attempts to address the aforementioned problems is that described in EP1764018 in the name of Kermi GmbH. EP1764018 discloses an upright profile that is adjustably mounted on a wall profile. A locking screw is provided to fix the upright profile and the wall profile in fixed relationship with respect to each other. Again, in order to adjust the upright profile on the wall profile, EP1764018 requires the locking screw to be unscrewed, the upright profile to be adjusted and then the locking screw to be screwed in once more. This can be time consuming, particularly if several iterations are required in order to correctly align the upright profile, and requires the use of a tool.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a shower enclosure frame that overcomes at least some of these problems, that is relatively quick and simple to install.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a shower enclosure that offers a useful choice to the consumer.

Statements of Invention

According to the invention there is provided a shower enclosure frame comprising a wall profile for mounting on a wall and an upright profile for mounting on the wall profile, the wall profile comprising an elongate transverse slot formed therein, and in which there is provided a releasable locking mechanism, part of which passes through the slot, actuable to releasably secure the upright profile and the wall profile in a fixed relationship with respect to each other, the locking mechanism comprising a first part operable to engage the upright profile and a second part operable to engage the wall profile and selectively interlock with the first part, and in which the first part comprises a resiliently deformable toothed insert engaging the upright profile, and the second part comprises a complementary toothed track mounted on the wall profile and a locking arm -3 -for bringing the toothed insert and the toothed track into locking engagement with each other, the locking arm comprising a wedge operable to engage and deform the toothed insert.

By having such a shower enclosure frame, the shower enclosure frame will be adjustable in a very quick and simple manner. It will be possible to correctly align the upright profile with the wall profile without difficulty and in a fraction of the time previously needed to align the upright profile with the wall profile. The arrangement of locking arm with a wedge will allow the upright profile to be locked in position relative to the wall profile or released practically instantaneously meaning that even if several iterations are required to correctly align the upright profile with the wall profile, the frame can still be constructed in a fraction of the time that was previously required. Advantageously, it is not necessary to use a tool in order to secure or release the components thereby speeding up and simplifying the process. Furthermore, this configuration is seen as a particularly simple construction of shower enclosure frame to use as the toothed insert and the toothed track will provide a secure connection between the upright profile and the wall profile, will be intuitive to use and will be inexpensive to produce due to the simplicity of the construction. The locking arm with a wedge is seen as a particularly simple way to ensure that the toothed insert engages the toothed track in a reliable manner with little complexity.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a shower enclosure frame in which the first part is mounted on the upright profile. By mounting the first part on the upright profile, the first part will be anchored to the upright profile and will not have a tendency to shift during installation.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a shower enclosure frame in which the second part is mounted on the wall profile. By having the second part mounted on the wall profile, it will be securely located on the wall profile and will be readily accessible to provide adjustment to the locking mechanism.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a shower enclosure frame in which the locking arm is mounted on the resiliently deformable toothed insert. This is seen as a particularly useful embodiment of the present invention. By having the locking arm -4 -mounted on the resiliently deformable toothed insert, the locking arm will be readily available and will always be connected to the toothed insert, thereby ensuring that it is not inadvertently mislaid.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a shower enclosure frame in which the locking arm is hingedly mounted on the resiliently deformable toothed insert. Ideally, the locking arm will be formed integrally from one molded piece with the remainder of the toothed insert.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a shower enclosure frame in which the locking arm comprises a lever having the wedge formed thereon.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a shower enclosure frame in which the locking arm comprises a hook for releasable engagement of the second part to releasably secure the locking arm in a locking configuration.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a shower enclosure frame in which the locking arm is mounted on the toothed track. By mounting the locking arm on the toothed track, the locking arm will readily be in position for engagement of the toothed insert and will not be dislodged or lost from the remainder of the locking mechanism.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a shower enclosure frame in which the locking arm is hingedly mounted on the toothed track.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a shower enclosure frame in which the locking arm comprises a cover cap having the wedge formed thereon. This is seen as a useful alternative to the locking arm being formed integrally with either the toothed track or the toothed insert. A cover cap provided with this feature which will be relatively inexpensive to produce.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a shower enclosure in which the first part is slidable relative the second part when the first and second parts are not interlocked. This is seen as useful and will facilitate quick adjustment of the upright -5 -profile relative to the wall profile without requiring complete disengagement of the upright and wall profiles.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a shower enclosure in which at least one of the first part and the second part are provided with a rail and the other of the first part and the second part is provided with a complementary groove to guide the sliding of the first part relative to the second part.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a shower enclosure in which one of the first part and the second part are provided with a retaining lip to maintain the teeth of the toothed insert in alignment with the teeth of the toothed track.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a shower enclosure in which toothed track comprises a pair of opposing toothed tracks spaced apart from each other and the resiliently deformable toothed insert comprises a C-shaped toothed insert having a spine and two outwardly extending arms, each of the outwardly extending arms having teeth on the outer surface thereof for engagement of one of the opposing toothed tracks.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a shower enclosure in which the 20 wedge is operable to force both of the two outwardly extending arms away from each other when engaging the C-shaped toothed insert.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a shower enclosure frame in which the locking arm comprises a captive thumb lock passing through both the toothed insert and the complementary toothed track. The captive thumb lock is seen as a simple and inexpensive alternative way of causing the toothed insert to positively engage the complementary toothed track.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a shower enclosure frame in which there is provided a cover cap mounted on the toothed track.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a shower enclosure frame in which the first part is mounted in an aperture on the upright profile. -6 -

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a shower enclosure frame in which the upright comprises a pane of glass that forms a wall of the shower enclosure.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a shower enclosure frame in which the second part is formed integrally with the wall profile.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a shower enclosure frame in which the first part comprises a resilient spacer mounted on the side of the upright profile remote from the wall profile; and the second part comprises a compressor extending through the elongate slot in the wall profile and an aperture in the upright profile to engage the resilient spacer, and a locking arm to actuate the compressor. This is seen as a useful alternative. By having a resilient spacer, the upright profile can be coupled through the frictional force of the resilient spacer acting on the upright profile.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a shower enclosure frame in which the locking arm is mounted on the compressor.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a shower enclosure frame in which the locking arm is hingedly mounted on the compressor.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a shower enclosure frame in which the locking arm is provided with a track so that the locking arm is slidably mounted on the compressor. This is seen as a compact construction of shower enclosure.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a shower enclosure frame in which the locking arm comprises a cover cap.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a shower enclosure frame in which the first part comprises a toothed insert mounted on the upright profile and extending through the elongate slot, and the second part comprises a complementary adjustable worm screw mounted on the wall profile and engaging the toothed insert. This is seen as a particularly useful way in which small adjustments can be made to the upright profile in a highly controlled manner using the worm screw. -7 -

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a shower enclosure frame in which the worm screw is provided with a cover cap.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a shower enclosure frame in which the first part comprises a frame interconnector for connecting the upright profile with a horizontal profile and holding the upright profile and the horizontal profile in a fixed relationship substantially orthogonal to each other, the first part further comprising a thumb-lock receiving aperture formed in the interconnector and mounted on the side of the upright profile remote from the wall profile, and in which the second part comprises a captive thumb lock passing through both the elongate slot in the wall profile and an aperture in the upright profile for location in the thumb-lock receiving aperture. This is seen as a particularly useful embodiment in that there will be provided less components in the assembly of the shower enclosure. The interconnector will perform two roles, as an interconnector of the upright and a horizontal profile and as part of the locking mechanism.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a shower enclosure frame in which there is provided a cover cap and in which there is provided means to secure the cover cap in position encapsulating the thumb-lock on the wall profile.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention will now be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is an exploded view of a shower enclosure frame according to the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the locking mechanism of the shower enclosure frame of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a perspective view of the shower enclosure frame of Figure 1 prior to the upright profile being locked into position; -8 -Figure 4 is a perspective view of the shower enclosure frame of Figure 1 after the upright profile has been locked into position; Figure 5 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of shower enclosure frame according to the invention; Figure 6 is an exploded view of the locking mechanism of the shower enclosure frame of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the shower enclosure frame of Figure 5 prior to the upright profile being locked into position; Figure 8 is an exploded view of a third embodiment of shower enclosure frame according to the invention; Figure 9 is an exploded view of the locking mechanism of the shower enclosure frame of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the shower enclosure frame of Figure 8 prior to the upright profile being locked into position; Figure 11 is an exploded view of a fourth embodiment of shower enclosure frame according to the invention; Figure 12 is an exploded view of the locking mechanism of the shower enclosure frame of Figure 11, Figure 13 is a perspective view of the shower enclosure frame of Figure 11 after the upright profile has been locked into position; Figure 14 is an exploded view of a fifth embodiment of shower enclosure frame according to the invention; -9 -Figure 15 is an exploded view of the locking mechanism of the shower enclosure frame of Figure 14; Figure 16 is a perspective view of the shower enclosure frame of Figure 14 after the upright profile has been locked into position; Figure 17 is an exploded view of a sixth embodiment of shower enclosure frame according to the invention; Figure 18 is a perspective view of the locking mechanism of the shower enclosure frame of Figure 17 just prior to the upright profile being locked into position; Figure 19 is an exploded view of the locking mechanism of the shower enclosure of Figure 17 taken from the left side; Figure 20 is an exploded view of the locking mechanism of the shower enclosure of Figure 17 taken from the right side; Figure 21 is a front perspective view of the locking mechanism of the shower enclosure of Figure 17 prior to locking; Figure 22 is a rear perspective view of the locking mechanism of the shower enclosure of Figure 17 prior to locking; Figure 23 is a front perspective view of the locking mechanism of the shower enclosure of Figure 17 after locking; Figure 24 is a rear perspective view of the locking mechanism of the shower enclosure of Figure 17 after locking; Figure 25 is an exploded view of a seventh embodiment of shower enclosure frame according to the invention; -10 -Figure 26 is a perspective view of the shower enclosure frame of Figure 25 after the upright profile has been put into position; Figure 27 is an exploded view of a eighth embodiment of shower enclosure frame according to the invention; and Figure 28 is a perspective view of the shower enclosure frame of Figure 27 after the upright profile has been put into position.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown a shower enclosure frame, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, comprising an upright profile 3 and a wall profile 5. The wall profile 5 has an elongate transverse slot 6 formed therein. The shower enclosure frame further comprises a locking mechanism having a first part 7 for mounting on the upright profile 3 and a second part indicated generally by the reference numeral 9 for mounting on the wall profile 5.

The first part 7 of the locking mechanism comprises a resiliently deformable toothed insert 10 having a plurality of teeth 11 along its upper and lower surfaces (as illustrated in Figure 2). The second part 9 comprises a complementary toothed track 13 having a plurality of teeth 15 along its length, and a locking arm 17 for bringing the two parts of the locking mechanism into engagement. The locking arm, in this case provided by way of an end cap, has a pair of abutment walls 19, 21. A pair of screws 23, 25 are provided for mounting the complementary toothed track in position on the wall profile. There is further shown a horizontal profile 27 and a pane of glass 29 attached to the upright profile.

In use, the toothed track 13 is mounted on the wall profile 5 with the screws. The toothed insert 10 is inserted into an aperture 12 in the upright profile 3. The upright profile 3 and the wall profile 5 are brought into engagement with the toothed insert 10 protruding through the elongate transverse slot 6. In this configuration, as shown in Figure 3, the upright profile 3 is free to move inwards and outwards in the direction of the arrow A, relative to the wall profile 5 within the confines of the elongate transverse slot 6. The upright profile is adjusted to the correct position. Once the upright profile 3 is in the correct position, the upright profile and the wall profile are locked into position by closing over the locking arm 17 to the position shown in Figure 4. As the locking arm 17 is closed in this manner, the abutment walls 19, 21 will come into contact with the inner surfaces of the toothed insert 10, pushing the arms of the toothed insert outwardly so that the teeth 11 of the toothed insert 10 come into engagement with the teeth 15 of the toothed track 13. When the teeth 11, 15 are engaged in this manner, the upright profile will be prevented from moving inwards or outwards relative to the wall profile. The locking arm 17 will remain in this position, covering the remainder of the locking mechanism until the locking arm is manually and purposefully opened once more to the configuration shown in Figure 3.

Referring to Figures 5 to 7 inclusive, there is shown a second embodiment of shower enclosure frame according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 40, where like parts have been given the same reference numeral as before. In this embodiment, the locking mechanism first part comprises a toothed insert 41 with teeth 43 arranged on a front surface thereof and an aperture 44 extending through the insert.

The locking mechanism second part comprises a complementary toothed track 45 but with the teeth arranged on the rear surface thereof (as illustrated in Figure 6). The locking arm in this case comprises a thumb lock key 47 having a substantially T-shaped head 49. There are provided a pair of additional screws 51, 53 for connection of the toothed insert 41 to the upright profile 3 and an end cap 55 mounted on the toothed track 45.

In use, the toothed track 45 is connected to the wall profile and the toothed insert is connected to the upright profile 3. Preferably, the toothed insert 41 will be located substantially behind the upright profile with only the toothed portion of the toothed insert protruding through the aperture 12 in the upright profile 3. The upright profile and the wall profile are brought together so that the toothed portion of the toothed insert 41 is free to move in the elongate transverse slot 6 in the wall profile 5. The head 49 of the thumb lock key 47 is inserted into the aperture 44 of the toothed insert. The toothed insert 41 is still able to move in a reciprocal fashion along the elongate slot 6. In this position, the upright profile is still able to move relative the wall profile, in the direction of the arrow A, along the length of the elongate slot.

-12 -The upright profile is aligned relative to the wall profile and once in the desired position, the upright profile 3 and the wall profile 5 are locked in position relative to each other by twisting the thumb lock key. The walls of the aperture 44 are such that when the thumb lock key is rotated through 90 degrees, the toothed insert 41 is drawn along the thumb lock key and by extension the teeth 43 on the toothed insert 41 are drawn towards the teeth 48 on the toothed track 45. When the teeth 43 of the toothed insert 41 interlock with the teeth 48 on the toothed track 45, the upright profile 3 will be prevented from further movement relative to the wall profile 5. The end cap 55 is then pivoted about a hinge joint on the toothed track 45 to cover the mechanism underneath. If desired, the position of the upright profile relative to the wall profile can be adjusted by opening the end cap once more and twisting the thumb lock key through 90 degrees in the opposite orientation, thereby releasing the teeth 48 from the teeth 43 and allowing the upright profile to be moved relative to the wall profile once more.

Referring to Figures 8 to 10 inclusive, there is shown a third embodiment of shower enclosure frame according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 60, where like parts have been given the same reference numeral as before. In this embodiment, the locking mechanism first part comprises a resiliently deformable spacer 61 and the second part comprises a compressor 63 and an actuating arm 65 for the compressor. The compressor 63 is hingedly mounted on the actuating arm 65 with a portion 67 of the compressor 63 mounted in a track 69 on the actuating arm 65. The compressor 63 has a pair of arms 71, 73 with outwardly depending hands 75, 77 for retention of the resiliently deformable spacer 61.

In use, the compressor 63 is inserted through the aperture 12 in the upright profile 3 and thereafter is inserted into the resiliently deformable spacer 61. The resiliently deformable spacer 61 sits on the pair of arms 71, 73 intermediate the hands 75, 77 and the rear face of the upright profile 3. The actuating arm 65 is positioned as shown in Figure 10, protruding outwardly from the upright profile. In this position, the upright profile is still able to move relative the wall profile, in the direction of the arrow A, along the length of the elongate slot 6. Once the upright profile is in the desired position relative to the wall profile, the actuating arm 65 is pivoted through 90 degrees. This pivoting motion of the actuating arm will have the effect of drawing the compressor 63 outwardly through the aperture 12 in the direction away from the upright profile 3.

-13 -As the compressor 63 is drawn outwardly, the resiliently deformable spacer 61, in this case a rubber spacer, will compress and will press up against the inner face of the upright profile and the upright profile will be brought into close engagement with the wall profile. With the upright profile 3 and the wall profile 5 in close engagement, the upright profile and the wall profile will be effectively locked together. Once the actuating arm 65, which doubles as an end cap, has been pivoted in this manner, the end cap 65 can be slid sideways with the compressor 63 moving along the track 69 until the end cap 65 abuts against the end flange 79 of the wall upright, thereby concealing the other components of the locking mechanism below and ensuring that there is no gap between the end cap and the end flange 79. In order to adjust the position of the upright profile relative to the wall profile, the actuating arm/end cap 65 is slid in the direction away from the end flange until it reaches the end of the track 69 at which point the actuating arm is pivoted back to the position shown in Figure 10. In this position, the compressor will move inwards under the force of the resiliently deformable spacer 61, the upright profile 3 will move away from the wall profile 5 and the upright profile 3 will be able to move relative to the wall profile.

Referring to Figures 11 to 13 inclusive, there is shown a fourth embodiment of shower enclosure frame according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 80, where like parts have been given the same reference numeral as before. In this embodiment, the locking mechanism first part comprises a toothed insert 81, similar in construction to the toothed insert shown in Figures 5 to 7 inclusive with teeth 82 on a front surface thereof but without an aperture extending through the insert 81. The second part of the locking mechanism comprises a worm screw 83, a worm screw support frame 85 and an end cap 87.

In use, the toothed insert 81 is mounted onto the upright profile 3 using screws 51, 53 with the toothed portion of the toothed insert protruding outwardly through the aperture 12, and the worm screw support frame 85 is mounted on the wall profile adjacent the elongate channel 6. The upright profile 3 is brought into agreement with the wall profile with the teeth 82 protruding through the elongate slot 6 and through the worm screw support frame. The upright profile is placed in approximately the correct position and then the worm screw 83 and the end cap 87 are placed over the worm screw support -14 -frame 85. The threads 89 on the worm screw will engage the teeth 82 on the toothed insert 81 so that rotation of the worm screw will cause the toothed insert 81, and by extension the upright profile to move along the elongate slot 6. Rotation of the worm screw in one direction will cause the toothed insert to move along the elongate slot towards the end flange 79 whereas rotation of the worm screw in the other direction will cause the toothed insert to move along the elongate slot away from the end flange 79.

Once the upright profile is in the desired position relative to the wall profile, the worm screw is rotated no more. The frictional force will prevent the worm screw and the toothed insert 81 from moving and hence will prevent the upright profile 3 from moving relative to the wall profile 5. If it is necessary to adjust the position of the upright profile 3 relative to the wall profile 5, this can be done simply by adjusting the worm screw 83 once more. The worm screw 83 shown has a hex-key socket 91 at one end to allow rotation of the worm screw 83 using a suitably dimensioned hex key (not shown).

Referring now to Figures 14 to 16 inclusive, there is shown a fifth embodiment of shower enclosure frame according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 100, where like parts have been given the same reference numeral as before. In this embodiment, the locking mechanism first part 101 itself forms part of an interconnector 103 used for maintaining the upright profile in contact with the horizontal profile 27. The interconnector comprises a plug 105 for insertion into a corresponding socket 107 of the horizontal profile and a second plug 109 for insertion in a second socket 111 of the upright profile 3. The first plug 105 is snap-fit into the first socket 107. The second plug may likewise be snap-fit into the second socket if desired however the manner in which the plugs are retained in the sockets may be varied.

The locking mechanism first part comprises an aperture 113 in the interconnector which is coincident with an aperture 12 in the upright profile 3. The second part of the locking mechanism comprises a thumb lock key 115 with a T-shaped head 117 and there is provided a protective end cap 119 to conceal the locking mechanism once the frame is assembled.

In use, the first plug 105 of the interconnector is placed in the first socket 107 and the second plug 109 of the interconnector is placed in the second socket 111 thereby -15 -holding the horizontal profile in fixed relation to the upright profile. In this position, the aperture 113 in the interconnector corresponds to the aperture 12 in the upright profile. The upright profile and the wall profile are then brought together. The T-shaped head of the thumb lock key 115 is inserted through the elongate slot 6, through the aperture 12 and into the aperture 113. In this position, the upright profile is still able to move relative the wall profile, in the direction of the arrow A, along the length of the elongate slot. The upright profile is aligned with the wall profile and when the installer is satisfied that the upright profile 3 is in the correct position, the upright profile is locked in position relative to the wall profile 5 by twisting the thumb lock key 115 through (typically) 90 degrees.

This will cause the wall profile to be drawn towards the upright profile and the interconnector. The upright profile will be sandwiched between the interconnector 103 and the wall profile, thereby holding the upright profile and the wall profile in a fixed relationship.

The end cap 119 is then placed over the thumb lock key to hide the locking mechanism components underneath. If desired, the position of the upright profile 3 relative to the wall profile Scan be adjusted by removing the end cap 119 once more and twisting the thumb lock key through 90 degrees in the opposite orientation, thereby releasing the clamping force of the wall profile and the interconnector on the upright profile therebetween and allowing the upright profile to be moved relative to the wall profile once more.

It will be seen in the embodiment shown in Figures 14 to 16, that the thumb lock key 115 and aperture 113 obviate the need for any other fixing means to secure the second plug 109 of the interconnector 103 in position in the second socket 111 of the upright profile.

Furthermore, it will be understood that in the embodiments shown in Figures 14 to 16 and Figures 5 to 7, it has been proposed that the thumb lock key is rotated through 90 degrees in order to lock and unlock the components concerned. It will be understood that this is not limiting and the angle could be 180 degrees, 270 degrees or other angle.

indeed, instead of having a T-shaped head and complementary aperture, the head of the thumb lock key and the aperture could both be provided with a threaded surface thereby providing a screw thread connection to secure the components together. Throughout the specification, the first or upright profile is shown mounted inside the wall profile. However, this is not deemed to be limiting and it is envisaged that the wall profile and the -16 -upright profile could be so dimensioned that the wall profile could be inserted into the upright profile.

Referring to Figures 17 and 18, there is shown a sixth embodiment of shower enclosure frame according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 120, where like parts have been given the same reference numeral as before. The shower enclosure frame 120 is similar in many ways to the shower enclosure frame 1 illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 above with the exception that the locking arm 121 is connected to the first part 7 of the locking mechanism, namely the toothed insert 123, as opposed to the second part 9 of the locking mechanism, namely the toothed track 125.

In use, the second part 9 of the locking mechanism is placed in alignment with the elongate transverse slot 6 (as illustrated in Figure 18). There are provided appropriate detents in the wall profile 5 and protrusions (not shown) on the second part 9 of the locking mechanism to hold the second part 9 of the locking mechanism in position. The upright frame profile 3 is inserted into the wall frame profile 5 and then the first part 7, namely the toothed insert 123, of the locking mechanism is partially inserted through the toothed track 125 and into the aperture 12 in the upright profile (as illustrated in Figure 18). Part of the toothed insert 123 will be housed in the aperture 12 and the remainder of the toothed insert 123 will be located on the outside of the wall profile 5. It is envisaged that the toothed insert will be able to slide back and forth along the toothed track when not locked (as shown). Once the upright profile has been correctly aligned, the locking arm 121 is pressed downwardly and inwardly thereby locking the toothed insert 123 in position relative to the toothed track, as will explained in greater detail below with reference to Figures 19 to 14 inclusive. Once locked in position, the upright profile 3 will not move relative to the wall profile 5. If it is desired to adjust the position of the upright profile 3 relative to the wall profile, the locking arm 121 can be raised, thereby releasing the upright profile from the wall profile. A cover (not shown), can be placed over the side of the wall profile 5 thereby obscuring the locking mechanism from view.

Referring now to Figures 19 to 24 inclusive, there are shown a number of views of the locking mechanism having a first part 7 and a second part 9. Referring initially to Figures 19 and 20, the second part 9 comprises a frame having a toothed track 125. In fact, there are two toothed tracks on the frame directed opposing each other. The first part 7 -17 -comprises a toothed insert 123 and a locking arm 121 formed integrally therewith. The toothed insert comprises a substantially C-shaped body having a spine 127 and a pair of arms 129, 131 extending outwardly therefrom. Each of the arms 129, 131 has on its outer surface a plurality of teeth 133 for engagement of the toothed track 125. The toothed insert further comprises a rail 139 and a pair of retaining lips 141, 143 to ensure smooth movement of the toothed insert relative the toothed track and also to maintain the relationship of the teeth of the toothed insert with the teeth of the toothed track. The locking arm 121 effectively comprises a lever arm formed integrally with the toothed insert 123. The lever arm has a wedge 135 and a hook 137 formed integrally therewith.

Referring now to Figures 21 and 22, the toothed insert 123 has been inserted into the toothed track 125 however the teeth of the toothed insert are not yet engaged with the teeth of the toothed track 125. It can be seen that the locking arm has not been pivoted downwardly and inwardly and therefore the wedge 135 is not yet engaged with the toothed insert. Referring specifically to Figure 21, it can be seen that the pair of retaining lips 141, 143 control the position of the teeth of the toothed insert 123 and keep them in alignment with the teeth of the toothed track 125. These retaining lips 141, 143 are assisted by similar backstops corresponding to the retailing lips on the far side of the toothed track 125. Furthermore, the pair of retaining lips 141, 143 prevent inadvertent withdrawal of the toothed insert 123 from the toothed track 125. Referring specifically to Figure 22, it can be seen that the rail 139 on the toothed insert 123 sits in a complementary groove 145 on the toothed track 125. The rail 139 and groove 145 cooperate to ensure smooth movement of the toothed insert along the toothed track when they are not locked together.

Referring now to Figures 23 and 24, the locking mechanism is shown in a locked configuration in which the upright profile (not shown) would be held in a fixed relationship with the wall profile (not shown). The locking arrn 121 has been pivoted downwardly and inwardly about a hinge joint 147. By pivoting the locking arm 121 downwardly and inwardly in this manner, the wedge 135 of the locking arm will be inserted between the two arms 129, 131 of the C-shaped insert thereby forcing the two arms 129, 131 apart. As the arms 129, 131 are forced apart, the teeth 133 on the outside surface of the arms 129, 131 will engage with the teeth of the toothed track 125. The toothed insert is formed to hold one the ends of the wedge in position in a small channel 149 on the toothed -18 -insert thereby preventing inadvertent dislodgement of the wedge from the toothed insert. Furthermore, the hook 137 will engage underneath the toothed track 125 thereby holding the lever arm in the locked position as shown in Figures 23 and 24. In order to release the toothed insert from the toothed track, the locking arm 121 is pivoted upwardly and outwardly in the opposite direction to the locking motion and the wedge 135 will disengage from the channel 149 and the hook 137 will disengage from the toothed track 125.

In the embodiments shown in Figures 19 to 24, the toothed insert 123 is ready for insertion into the toothed track 125. It will be understood that the toothed track would be mounted in the wall profile and the toothed insert would be configured to partially pass through the toothed track 125 into an aperture in the upright profile however the wall profile and the upright profile have been removed for clarity.

Referring to Figures 25 and 26, there is shown a seventh embodiment of shower enclosure frame according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 150, where like parts have been given the same reference numeral as before. The shower enclosure 150 differs from the embodiments described in relation to Figures 17 and 18 in that there is provided an aperture 151 in the pane of glass 153. In this way, the pane of glass is effectively the upright profile in that it is connected and adjusted relative to the wall profile 5. In other words, the toothed insert 123 extends into and is retained in the aperture 151 in the pane of glass 153. This removes the need for a separate upright profile and may assist in construction and reduction of manufacturing costs and shipping costs.

Referring to Figures 27 and 28, there is shown an eighth embodiment of shower enclosure frame according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 160, where like parts have been given the same reference numeral as before. The shower enclosure 150 differs from the embodiments described in relation to Figures 17 and 18 in that the second part of the locking mechanism, namely the toothed track 125 is formed integrally with the wall profile 5. For example, the toothed track may be cut or stamped out of the wall profile 5 rather than providing a separate piece that is then connected to the wall profile 5. The upright profile 3 is the same as that shown in Figures 17 and 18 however it would be possible to provide the upright profile 0.e. the pane of -19 -glass 153 with the aperture 151 cut out of the pain of glass) as shown in Figures 25 and 26 instead if desired.

In this specification the terms "comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising" and the terms "include, includes, included and including" are all deemed totally interchangeable and should be afforded the widest possible interpretation.

The invention is in no way limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described but may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the appended claims.