GB2556346A

GB2556346A - Panel mount

Info

Publication number: GB2556346A
Application number: GB1618729.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Davis Scott
Original assignee: Kohler Mira Ltd
Current assignee: Kohler Mira Ltd
Priority date: 2016-11-07
Filing date: 2016-11-07
Publication date: 2018-05-30
Anticipated expiration: 2036-11-07
Also published as: GB2556346B

Abstract

A panel mount 1 for securing a panel 3 to a wall includes a channel member 7 5 having a pair of spaced sidewalls 11, 13 defining a channel 9 for receiving a planar panel 3. The channel member 7 is arranged to be secured to a wall 5, with the channel 9 running parallel to the wall 5. The panel mount 1 further includes a fixing member 17 arranged to secure the panel 3 to the channel member 7, the fixing member 17 arranged to engage the channel member 7 and the panel 3, and to be received wholly in the channel 9.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Kohler Mira Limited (56) Documents Cited:

EP 3009580 A1 EP 1243212 A2 DE 202007000574 U1

EP 1780367 A2 DE 019633225 A1 DE 102011013938 A1 (Incorporated in the United Kingdom)

Cromwell Road, CHELTENHAM, Gloucestershire, GL52 5EP, United Kingdom (58) Field of Search:

INT CLA47K, E04B Other: Online: WPI, EPODOC (72) Inventor(s):

Scott Anthony Davis (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Barker Brettell LLP

100 Hagley Road, Edgbaston, BIRMINGHAM, B16 8QQ, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Panel mount Abstract Title: Panel mount (57) A panel mount 1 for securing a panel 3 to a wall includes a channel member 7 5 having a pair of spaced sidewalls 11,13 defining a channel 9 for receiving a planar panel 3. The channel member 7 is arranged to be secured to a wall 5, with the channel 9 running parallel to the wall 5. The panel mount 1 further includes a fixing member 17 arranged to secure the panel 3 to the channel member 7, the fixing member 17 arranged to engage the channel member 7 and the panel 3, and to be received wholly in the channel 9.

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

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12 17

FIG. 1

2/4

12 17

FIG. 2A

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12 17

FIG.2B

FIG. 3B

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12 17

FIG. 3A

PANEL MOUNT

The present invention relates to a panel mount for fixing a panel to a wall. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a panel mount for a panel of a shower enclosure.

A typical shower enclosure is formed by fixing one or more glass panels to the walls of a bathroom.

In one example, a channel is fixed to the wall. A jamb is then secured along the edge of a glass panel, and the jamb is then fixed to the channel. Since the channel must accommodate at least part of the jamb, and the jamb must accommodate the glass panel, this construction can be bulky.

In another example, a channel is fixed to the wall. A glass panel is received in the channel, and then secured into place by a brace at the top of the panel. The separate brace may not be desirable.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a panel mount for securing a panel to a wall, the panel mount including: a channel member having a pair of spaced sidewalls defining a channel for receiving a planar panel, the channel member arranged to be secured to a wall, with the channel running parallel to the wall; a fixing member arranged to secure the panel to the channel member, the fixing member arranged to engage the channel member and the panel, and to be received wholly in the channel.

The use of the fixing member provides a simple to construct panel mount, without requiring a separate brace or wall jamb.

The fixing member may be arranged to be received within a plane defined by the panel.

The fixing member may be arranged to be received at least partially within the width of the panel.

The fixing member may be arranged to be received in an indent or opening in the surface of the panel, such that lateral movement of the fixing member causes the fixing member to engage with the panel.

The indent or opening in the surface of the panel may include a first region spaced from an edge of the panel, and a neck region extending between the first region and the edge, the neck region being narrower than the first region in a distance parallel to the edge.

The fixing member may be arranged to engage with a first face of one of the pair of spaced sidewalls, the first face on the inside of the channel.

A first surface of the fixing member may be arranged to engage with the first face.

The first surface may be arranged such that, in use, it extends parallel to the panel and perpendicular to the wall.

The fixing member and the first face may be arranged such that lateral movement of the fixing member causes the fixing member to engage with the first face, preventing lateral movement of the panel.

At least a portion of the first face and the first surface may be formed with interengaging projections, arranged to form the engagement between the channel member and the fixing member.

The panel mount may include engagement means for bringing the fixing member into engagement with the first face and the panel.

The engagement means may be arranged to cause lateral movement of the fixing member in a first direction.

The engagement means may be received in an aperture in the fixing means.

The first sidewall may include an opening arranged to allow access to the engagement means.

The panel mount may include a detachable cover arranged to cover the opening, in use.

The engagement means may also be arranged to disengage the fixing member and the first face.

The panel mount may include a plurality of fixing means, arranged to engage the panel along the length of the edge of the panel.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit for a shower enclosure including a glass panel; and a panel mount according to the first aspect, the panel mount for securing the panel to a wall.

The panel may include an indent or opening for receiving the fixing member.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view of a panel mount according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2A illustrates a schematic cut-through plan view of the panel mount shown in Figure 1, when assembled, through the opening in the sidewall;

Figure 2B illustrates a cut-through plan view of the panel mount shown in Figure 1, when assembled, above the opening in the sidewall;

Figure 3A illustrates a semi-transparent perspective view of the panel mount shown in Figure 1, when assembled; and

Figure 3B illustrates a perspective view of the panel mount shown in Figure 1, when assembled.

The figures show a panel mount 1 for fixing a glass panel 3 to a wall 5 to form a part of a shower enclosure (not shown).

Figure 1 shows the panel mount 1 in exploded view to illustrate the separate components. The panel mount 1 includes a body 7 that has a channel 9 defined by a pair of parallel sidewalls 11,13, and a rear wall 37 joining the sidewalls 11,13. The channel 9 is open at the front, opposite the rear wall 37.

As shown in Figure 3A, the first side wall 11 has a serrated region 15 formed on its inner surface (the surface facing into the channel 9). The serrated surface 15 is formed of a number of ridges 41 extending vertically along a portion of the height of the sidewall 11.

An elongate opening 39 is formed through the first sidewall 11, in the serrated region

15. The elongate opening 39 extends in a direction perpendicular to the ridges 41. The serrated region 15 extends further than the elongate opening 39 at both ends of the opening 39, and above and below the opening 39.

The panel mount 1 also includes a fixing member 17. The fixing member has a circular head region 25, and a rectangular neck region 27, extending from the head 25. An opening 35 is formed through the head region 25, such that the head region 25 is annular.

One face of the fixing member 17 includes a serrated region 29. The serrations are formed over the whole circular surface of the head region 25, and a portion of the neck region 27 adjacent the head 25. Again, the serrations are formed by a plurality of ridges 47. The ridges extend perpendicular to the neck 27.

A cylindrical sheath 33 is provided that can be received within the opening 35 in the fixing member 17. The sheath 33 has formations 43 on its exterior surface that interact with the inside of the opening 35 in the fixing member to form a push fit. The interior of the sheath 33 is formed to receive a screw 31.

The panel 3 includes an opening 19 along a vertical edge 45 of the panel 3. The opening has a narrow neck region 23 in the form of a slot extending inward into the panel 3 from the edge 45, and a larger circular region 21 extending from the neck region 23. The opening 19 in the panel 3 is sized to be able to receive the fixing member 17. The neck 23 allows the circular region 21 to be positioned closer to the edge 45 of the panel 3. Without the neck 23, the circular region 21 of the opening would have to be spaced further from the edge 45 to prevent the panel from breaking or to reduce the chance of such breaking.

Figures 2A and 2B show cut-through views of the assembled panel mount 1, in plan view. The cut-through in Figure 2A is taken through the elongate opening 39 in the sidewall 11. The cut-through view in Figure 2B is taken above the opening. Figures 3A and Figure 3B show perspective views of the assembled panel mount 1. Figure 3 A is facing the second side wall 13, but is semi-transparent, to show serrated region 15 of the first sidewall 11. Figure 3B is facing the first sidewall 11.

The body 7 is fixed to the wall 5 using one or more fixing means 49, such as screws, through the rear wall 37. The fixing member 17 is provided in the opening 19 in the panel 3, with the sheath 33 and screw 31 provided in the opening 35 in the fixing member 17.

The panel 3 is fitted into the channel 9, with the edge 45 of the panel 3 running adjacent to and along the rear wall 37, and the faces of the panel 3 running parallel the sidewalls 11, 13. As can be seen, the channel 9 runs substantially the whole height of the panel 3, but only a small portion of the width.

A vinyl beading strip 51 is provided between the edge of the first sidewall 11, and the face of the panel 3. The beading strip 51 extends the full height of the channel 9.

The panel 3 is installed so that the opening 35 in the fixing member 17 aligns with the elongate opening 39 in the sidewall 11. The fixing member 17 is installed so that the ridges 47 on the fixing member 17 face the ridges 41 on the first sidewall 11 of the body 7, with the ridges 41, 47 running parallel. The head of the screw 31 is in the elongate opening 39. As can be seen, the height of the opening 39 is sufficient to access the screw head, and allow the screw to be tightened, but smaller than the fixing member 17.

When the screw 31 is turned, the sheath 33 engages with the inside of the opening 35 in the fixing member 17, which causes movement of the fixing member 17 in a direction perpendicular to the ridges 41, 47, so that the ridges 41 on the sidewall 11 engage the ridges 47 on the fixing member 17.

When the ridges 41, 47 are engaged, the fixing member 17 is unable to move laterally (i.e. towards or away from the wall 5). Since the fixing member 17 is provided in the opening 39 in the panel 3, the panel is also prevented from moving laterally, as the fixing member engages with the sides of the opening 19.

By turning the screw 31 in the opposite direction, the ridges 41, 47 can also be disengaged, allowing the panel 3 to be adjusted.

Lips 53, 55 are formed on the edges of the first sidewall 11, extending away from the channel 9.The lips extend away from the sidewall 11, and then have a portion extending parallel to the sidewall 11, so that they define a space on the front wall 11, with a partially open front.

A vinyl infill 57 is provided in the space. The vinyl infill 57 has a sheet extending the full height and width of the sidewall 11, and lips 61, 63 extending outward from the sidewall 11. The lips include projections 65 extending towards each other. The lips 61, 63 on the infill 57 engage with the lips 53, 55 on the sidewall to retain the infill 57.

A cover 59 is provided over the infill 57. The cover 59 also extends the full height and width of the sidewall 11, and has projections 67 arranged to engage with the projections 65 on the infill to retain the cover 59. The edges of the cover 59 sit flush with the lips 53, 55 from the first sidewall 11, to provide a substantially unbroken face on the body 7.

The panel mount 1 provides a means for mounting a panel 3 that does not require a separate wall jamb, brace or other fixing means. It uses only the channel 9, and a fixing member 17 for securing the panel 3 to the channel 9. The channel 9 is substantially the same width as the panel 3, and the fixing member 17 is hidden within the channel 9, and received in a plane defined by the panel 3. Therefore, the fixing member 17 is also substantially the same width as the panel 3, although it must engage with the serrated surface 15. Furthermore, there is no requirement for a separate wall jamb.

The wall mount 1 is slimline, with a pleasing and simple appearance. This is because the channel 9 is able to be substantially the same width as the panel 3.

In the example discussed above, the panel mount 1 is used to fit a glass panel 3 for a shower enclosure to a wall 5. However, it will be appreciated that panel mount 1 can be used in a wide variety of different shower enclosures. The panel mount 1 may also be used to secure any suitable planar panel (a panel having surface area several order of magnitude larger than its thickness) to any surface.

Furthermore, the structure given above is by way of example only. The panel mount 1 may use any suitable form of channel member 7 to provide the channel 9. The body 7 is just one example of a suitable channel member 7 that may be used.

Furthermore, in the above example, the panel 3 is fixed by only a single fixing member 17. However, it will be appreciated that any number of fixing members 17 may be used. In such cases, the entire interior surface of the first sidewall 11 may be serrated, or there may be several different serrated regions 15. Furthermore, an elongate opening 35 will be provided in the serrated regions 15 for each fixing member 17, and separate opening 39 will be provided in the panel 3 for each fixing member 17.

The shape and structure of the fixing member 17 is also given by way of example only. The fixing member 17 may have any suitable shape, with the panel 3 having an opening of corresponding shape, such that lateral movement of the panel 3 is restricted.

In the example given above, the opening 19 in the panel 3 extends the full width of the panel 3. It will be appreciated that this may not be the case, and the fixing member 1 may engage in an indent formed in the surface of the panel 3 instead.

The use of ridges 41, 47 is just one example of engaging formations that may be used to lock the fixing member 17 to the body 7. Any suitable interengaging formations or surfaces may be used. Furthermore, in some example, the interengaging formations or surfaces may be used to secure the fixing member 17 to the panel, with the fixing member 17 engaged in a corresponding opening in the sidewall 11.

In one example, only one edge of the panel 3 may be secured by a panel mount 1. The other edge may be free standing, or secured and or located by another means. Alternatively, both edges may be secured by panel mount 1 as described above.

Claims

1. A panel mount for securing a panel to a wall, the panel mount including:

a channel member having a pair of spaced sidewalls defining a channel 5 for receiving a planar panel, the channel member arranged to be secured to a wall, with the channel running parallel to the wall; and a fixing member arranged to secure the panel to the channel member, the fixing member arranged to engage the channel member and the panel, and to be received wholly in the channel.

2. The panel mount of claim 1, wherein the fixing member is arranged to be received within a plane defined by the panel.

3. The panel mount of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the fixing member is arranged

15 to be received at least partially within the width of the panel.

4. The panel mount of any preceding claim, wherein the fixing member is arranged to be received in an indent or opening in the surface of the panel, such that lateral movement of the fixing member causes the fixing member to

20 engage with the panel.

5. The panel mount of claim 4, wherein the indent or opening in the surface of the panel includes a first region spaced from an edge of the panel, and a neck region extending between the first region and the edge, the neck region being

25 narrower than the first region in a distance parallel to the edge.

6. The panel mount of any preceding claim, wherein the fixing member is arranged to engage with a first face of one of the pair of spaced sidewalls, the first face on the inside of the channel.

7. The panel mount of claim 6, wherein a first surface of the fixing member is arranged to engage with the first face.

8. The panel mount of claim 7, wherein the first surface is arranged such that, in

35 use, it extends parallel to the panel and perpendicular to the wall.

9. The panel mount of any of claim 7 or claim 87, wherein the fixing member and the first face are arranged such that lateral movement of the fixing member causes the fixing member to engage with the first face, preventing lateral

5 movement of the panel.

10. The panel mount of any of claims 7 to 9, wherein at least a portion of the first face and the first surface is formed with interengaging projections, arranged to form the engagement between the channel member and the fixing member.

11. The panel mount of any preceding claim, wherein the panel mount includes engagement means for bringing the fixing member into engagement with the first face and the panel.

15

12. The panel mount of claim 11, wherein the engagement means is arranged to cause lateral movement of the fixing member in a first direction.

13. The panel mount of claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the engagement means is received in an aperture in the fixing means.

14. The panel mount of any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the first sidewall includes an opening arranged to allow access to the engagement means.

15. The panel mount of claim 14, including a detachable cover arranged to cover

25 the opening, in use.

16. The panel mount of any of claims 11 to 15, wherein the engagement means is also arranged to disengage the fixing member and the first face.

30

17. The panel mount of any preceding claim, including a plurality of fixing means, arranged to engage the panel along the length of an edge of the panel.

18. A kit for a shower enclosure including: a glass panel; and a panel mount according to any preceding claim, the panel mount for securing the panel to a wall.

19. The kit of claim 18, wherein the panel includes an indent or opening for

5 receiving the fixing member.

20. A panel mount substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

GB1618729.6

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