GB2592329A

GB2592329A - Mounting method and apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2592329A
Application number: GB2106847.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Ritchie Semple Luke; Harry Tooley Jonathan
Original assignee: Norcros Group Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Norcros Group Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2016-09-19
Filing date: 2017-09-18
Publication date: 2021-08-25
Anticipated expiration: 2037-09-18
Also published as: WO2018051138A1; GB201714970D0; GB202106847D0; GB2556660A; GB2592329B; GB201615921D0; GB2556660B

Abstract

A shower screen apparatus including a base member 20 fixable to a wall, an attachment member 24 attachable to a screen 23 and engageable with the base member, and a clipping facility 52 engageable between locating points 50, 51 on the base and attachment members in a manner that allows the attachment member to move and be adjusted with respect to the base member whilst being supported by the base member. The locating points on the base member are preferably inverted T-shaped apertures and vertical slots on the attachment member. The invention allows for a single person to support and adjust a shower screen whilst installing, allowing the vertical alignment of the base member to be adjusted.

Description

MOUNTING METHOD AND APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a mounting method and apparatus and has been devised in particular, though not necessarily solely, as a method and apparatus for mounting a bathroom fitting such as a shower screen or shower enclosure

Background to the Invention

The task of fitting a shower screen or shower enclosure inevitably requires the installation of a vertical base member and this can be problematic, especially for the 'do-it-yourself or amateur fitter. Care must not only be taken to establish the correct vertical alignment of the screen or enclosure but often the screen or enclosure is being mounted as a replacement so it is desirable, if possible, to use existing holes to fix the vertical mount to the wall, thus avoiding the need to drill through tiles or other sealing surfaces. In many cases however, the existing holes are vertically mis-aligned and vary in spacing, and it may not be possible to avoid further drilling. Further, once the vertical mounting base member has been correctly positioned on the wall, it can be difficult and even dangerous for a single fitter to support the screen or shower enclosure member while simultaneously establishing the desired final fixed position of the same. Accordingly, the final fixing of the screen to the base member generally requires the input of two persons.

It is an object of the invention to provide a mounting method and apparatus that will go at least some way in addressing the drawbacks mentioned above, or which will at least provide a novel and useful alternative.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention provides a method of installing a shower screen or enclosure which includes a base member mountable on a wall; an attachment member fixed to a screen or enclosure member, said attachment member being engageable with said base member, said method including fixing said base member to a wall, using a clipping facility to temporarily engage said attachment member to said base member in a manner that allows some degree of movement there-between and so that said attachment member is supported by said base member; adjusting the position of said attachment member relative to said base member until a desired position has been achieved; and fixing said attachment member to said base member.

Preferably said base member and said attachment member have locating points thereon, said method comprising applying a clipping facility between said locating points to effect a temporary connection between said attachment member and said base member.

Preferably said method further includes adjusting the vertical alignment of said base member on said wall.

In a second aspect the invention provides a shower screen or enclosure apparatus including a base member fixable to a wall; an attachment member attachable to a screen or enclosure member and engageable with said base member, said apparatus being characterised in that said base member and said attachment member are provided with locating points, said apparatus further including a clipping facility engageable between said locating points in a manner such that said attachment member can be moved with respect to said base member while being supported by said base member.

Preferably said locating points comprise a plurality of apertures or cut-outs Preferably said base member includes an inverted substantially T-shaped aperture and said attachment member includes a substantially vertical slot.

Preferably said locating points are provided on sidewalls of said base member and said attachment member respectively.

Preferably said shower screen or enclosure apparatus further includes a screen mounted to said attachment member.

Preferably said shower screen or enclosure apparatus further includes a plurality of fixing units constructed and arranged to fix said base member to a wall.

Preferably at least one of said fixing units has a fixing axis, the position of which is adjustable within said fixing unit.

Many variations in the way the invention may be performed will present themselves to those skilled in the art, upon reading the following description. The description should not be regarded as limiting but rather as an illustration, only, of one manner of performing the invention. Subject to the scope of the appended claims, where appropriate any element or component should be taken as including any or all equivalents thereof whether or not specifically mentioned

Brief Description of the Drawings

One example illustrating the various aspects of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1: shows a diagrammatic elevation of a typical shower screen installation to which the invention may be applied; Figure 2: shows a horizontal cross-sectional view through two components that combine to form part of a mounting apparatus according to the invention; Figure 3: shows an exploded isometric view of a fixing unit incorporated in mounting apparatus according to the invention; Figure 4: shows the unit of Figure 3 in the assembled state; Figure 5: shows from a reverse angle one of the components of Figure 2 being engaged with the fixing unit of Figures 3 & 4.

Figures GA: show a sequence of views of a mounting component being to GC engaged with fixing units and the vertical alignment of the mounting component then being established, Figure 7: shows an isomeric view of a clip used as part of a mounting method according to the invention; Figure 8: shows a rear elevation of the clip of Figure 7; and Figures 9A: show a sequence of views of mounting a shower screen to a to 9C base component fixed to a wall in accordance with the invention.

Detailed Description of Working Embodiment

The invention provides a mounting method and apparatus that has been developed to facilitate the mounting of a bathroom fitting and, in particular, a shower screen or shower enclosure. Thus, as shown in Figure 1, a base member 20 is fixed to a wall 21 adjacent to which a bath 22 is mounted A substantially planar screen 23, which is typically formed from glass or plastics, is provided with an attachment member 24 along a vertical edge thereof, the member 24 being engaged with and fixed to base member 20 to complete the shower screen installation. It will be appreciated that a similar scenario would apply to the mounting of a plate member forming part of a shower enclosure So far the above is entirely conventional. One important aspect of this invention is the manner in which the base member 20 is mounted to the wall so that the vertical alignment of the member 20 can be established with ease and accuracy. Another important aspect of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus to physically support the screen while the attachment member is positioned in relation to, and fixed to, the base member 20.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the base member 20 and attachment member 24 comprise extrusions that, upon assembly and in use, nest together. The base member 20 has a first curved side wall 25 that is typically arranged to face outwards from the bath installation, and a second inner side wall 26. Defined between the inner surfaces of side walls 25 and 26 is a cavity 27 which is sized to receive the attachment member 24.

The side walls are interconnected by a cross-member 28, against which fixing units 29 bear in order to fix the member 20 to the wall 21 It will be noted that the cross-member 28 is positioned in relation to the side walls 25 and 26 50 that, when the base member 20 is positioned against wall 21, a cavity 30 is defined between the cross-member 28 and the wall 21. Located on the opposite side of the cross-member 28 to the cavity 30 is a channel 31 which locates against the fixing units 29 in a manner that will be described in greater detail below.

In the form shown the attachment member 24 comprises two spaced side walls 32 and 33 that are spaced to form a sliding fit in cavity 27. The attachment member also includes a channel 34 into which a vertical edge of the screen 23 can be located and fixed.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, an important aspect of the invention is that the configurations of fixing units 29 can be manipulated, once fixed to the wall 21, to establish the desired vertical alignment of the base member 20 on the wall 2L To this end at least some, and preferably all of the fixing units include an adjustment facility whereby the position of a base member 20 mounted on a plurality of fixing units can be adjusted laterally with respect to a vertical axis on the wall 21. Vertical adjustment may also be provided in the fixing units 29 although, as will become apparent from the following description, vertical adjustment of the base member 20 relative to the fixing units 29 is more preferably accommodated by the base member being slidable, along its longitudinal axis, over the fixing units 29. This means that any vertical spacing between fixing units 29 can be accommodated and dedicat apertures for the fixing units need not be formed in the base member 20.

In the form shown, the fixing unit 29 is configured to be accommodated entirely within the width of the base member 20 and comprises a body 35 having a central bore 36 in which is located a peg 37, the peg being rotatable about axis 36a of the bore 36, also referred to herein as the peg axis. In the form shown the peg 37 has a mounting hole 38 there-through which is offset from the geometric centre of the peg and thus also offset from the peg axis 36a. In use, a fixing screw 40 is passed through the mounting hole 38 to fix the unit 29 to the wail 21 along a fixing axis 40a. Also provided in the end face of the peg 37 is a slot 39 to allow a tool such as a screw driver to be engaged with the peg in order to rotate the peg 37 relative to the body 35.

It will be appreciated that, because of the offset between the peg axis 36a and the fixing axis 40a, rotation of the peg 37 in the body 35 causes lateral displacement of the base member 20 with which the body 35 is engaged i.e displacement in the width direction of base member 20. By mounting the base member 20 on a plurality of fixing units 29, the configurations of the fixing units can be manipulated in the manner described to achieve the desired vertical alignment of the base member 20.

The body 35 is preferably substantially T-shaped in cross-section with head section 41 and central spigot 42. The width WI of the head 41 is sufficient to span the width of channel 31 in the base member 20, while the width W2 of the spigot 42 is set to ensure that the spigot is a close sliding fit in the channel 31. Thus, as the peg 37 is rotated within body 35, the spigot 42 bears against the walls defining channel 31 and displaces the member 20 laterally. Accordingly, when the base member 20 is mounted over a fixing unit, the same can be displaced left-to-right and right-to-left while still allowing, or if desired avoiding, the introduction of any vertical displacement.

As can be seen in Figure 5, a slot 43 is formed substantially along the length of the cross-member 28 of base member 20 between the ribs defining the channel 31 so that the fixing units can be engaged with the base member at any points along the length thereof This is particularly useful if existing mounting holes on the wall are to be used in a retro-fit. At a position along the length of the slot 43, preferably at one end thereof, the slot 43 is preferably expanded to define a loading aperture 44, the width of aperture 44 being a little greater than width WI off the head of the fixing unit. This allows the base member 20 to be passed over the head 41 of a fixing unit already screwed to wall 21 and subsequent displacement of the member 20 in the direction of the slot 43 retains the member 20 beneath the head 41 of the fixing unit as shown in Figure 6A.

The performance of the invention requires the existence of at least two and preferably at least three mounting holes in the wall 21, the holes conventionally being vertically spaced and being arranged on a common vertical line. If the screen is a retro-fit to replace an existing installation, suitable mounting holes may already be present. If not, they must first be drilled. Whatever the case, mounting holes are rarely positioned exactly on a common vertical line and this can lead to problems. The invention provides a ready solution.

Whether the holes exist or are to be drilled, all holes to be used should be visible through slot 42 when the base member 20 is offered up against the wall 21 in the desired vertical alignment.

Referring now to Figures 6A through 6C, as a first step a fixing unit 29 is lightly fixed into one of the mounting holes to be used, preferably the uppermost mounting hole. The base member 20 is then fitted over the fixing member by aligning loading aperture 44 with the head 41 of the fixing member, displacing the base member over the fixing member, and then sliding the base member 20 downwards until the lower edge thereof is resting against the upper edge of the bath 22. As a next step two remaining fixing units are lightly secured into two other holes so that the base member 20 is now supported on three fixing units as shown in Figure 6B. As shown in Figure 6C, a screwdriver can then be used to manipulate the positions of the pegs 37 until the base member 20 is in the desired vertical alignment. The screws 40 can then be tightened to fix the member 20 firmly against the wall 21 Having mounted the base member 20 on the wall 21, the next step is to correctly position the attachment member 24, with screen fixed thereto, to the base member and, once positioned, to fix the attachment member to the base member. This is normally a two-man job -one man to provide support while the other man positions and fixes. In another aspect, the invention provides a method and apparatus which allows the task to be effected safely and accurately by a single person.

In essence this aspect of the invention involves the use of a physical clipping facility to support the attachment member on the base member while the final or working position of the attachment member is established, thus avoiding the need for separate or additional manual support. To this end locating points are provided on each of the base member 20 and attachment member 24, the locating points being configured so that a degree of, but not necessarily exact, alignment can be established to allow the introduction of a clip to link the components 20 and 24 together yet still permit a degree of movement of the attachment member 24 relative to the base member 20 The desired final position of the attachment member 24 can then be established while the clipping facility provides the necessary support, upon which event a permanent connection between the components 20 and 24 can be effected The locating points preferably comprise apertures or cut-outs in the respective components, the apertures or cut-outs being configured so that, when a clip is inserted between them, the position of the attachment member 24 relative to the base member 20 can be varied to some degree.

Referring now to Figures 9A through 9C, three relative positions of base member 20 and attachment member are shown, above each of which is shown, in enlarged scale, relative positions of locating points and clip. In these examples, an inverted T-shaped aperture 50 is provided as a locating point on the inner sidewall 26 of base member 20, a vertical slot 51 (shown in dotted outline) is provided as a locating point in the juxtaposed sidewall 33 of attachment member 24, and the clip 52 is indicated in cross-hatch. The clip is depicted in greater detail in Figures 7 & 8 and comprises a tab 55 and a hooked fixing part 56. The locating points 50 & 51 are positioned on their respective members a similar distance up from the respective lower edges of the members 20 & 24 so that they overlap at least partially when the attachment member and screen are offered up to the base member for final attachment. Once some overlap has been established between the vertical part of aperture 50, and the slot 51, the hooked part 56 of the clip can be inserted, first through the aperture 50, through the slot 51, and then rotated to establish a connection. This then allows manual support to be removed from the screen while final alignment and fixing is being effected.

In the example shown in Figure 9A. the clip sliding horizontally in aperture 50 allows the bottom edge of the screen to be displaced away from the base member 20. In Figure 9B the base and attachment components are substantially aligned while, in Figure 9C, the upper edge of the screen is displaced away from the base member 20.

When the desired alignment of the screen relative to the base member has been established, then one or more fixing screws (not shown) may be inserted through the sidewall 24, and into sidewall 33 of the attachment member 24 to effect a permanent connection. If desired, a cover moulding 54 can then be inserted in recess 55 of the base member 20 to overlie and hide both the clip 52 and the fixing screws.

It will thus be appreciated that the present invention provides methods and apparatus which allow a shower screen to be mounted by a single person with both safety and accuracy. This is so even when pre-existing mounting holes are to be used.

Claims

Clanns A method of installing a shower screen or enclosure which includes a base member mountable on a wall; an attachment member fixed to a screen or enclosure member, said attachment member being engageable with said base member, said method including fixing said base member to a wall, using a clipping facility to temporarily engage said attachment member to said base member in a manner that allows some degree of movement there-between and so that said attachment member is supported by said base member; adjusting the position of said attachment member relative to said base member until a desired position has been achieved; and fixing said attachment member to said base member.
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base member and said attachment member have locating points thereon, said method comprising applying a clipping facility between said locating points to effect a temporary connection between said attachment member and said base member.
A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 further including adjusting the vertical alignment of said base member on said wall.
Shower screen or enclosure apparatus including a base member fixable to a wall; an attachment member attachable to a screen or enclosure member and engageable with said base member, said apparatus being characterised in that said base member and said attachment member are provided with locating points, said apparatus further including a clipping facility engageable between said locating points in a manner such that said attachment member can be moved with respect to said base member while being supported by said base member.
Shower screen or enclosure apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said locating points comprise a plurality of apertures or cut-outs.
Shower screen or enclosure apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 wherein said base member includes an inverted substantially T-shaped aperture and said attachment member includes a substantially vertical slot.
Shower screen or enclosure apparatus as claimed in any one of claims Ito 6 wherein said locating points are provided on sidewalls of said base member and said attachment member respectively.
Shower screen or enclosure apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 further including a screen mounted to said attachment member.
Shower screen or enclosure apparatus as claimed in any one of claims Ito 8 further including a plurality of fixing units constmcted and arranged to fix said base member to a wall.
10. Shower screen or enclosure apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein at least one of said fixing units has a fixing axis, the position of which is adjustable within said fixing unit.