WO2011058372A1

WO2011058372A1 - Shower enclosure

Info

Publication number: WO2011058372A1
Application number: PCT/GB2010/051894
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher Guy Howsam; George Sangeorzan
Original assignee: Lakes Bathrooms Limited
Priority date: 2009-11-13
Filing date: 2010-11-12
Publication date: 2011-05-19
Also published as: EP2498656A1; GB0919912D0

Abstract

A shower enclosure that includes a frame (10) that defines an opening and a bi-fold door (2) with first and second panels (3, 4) hinged together along respective first vertical edges (30, 40). Each panel (3, 4) is slideably or rollably connected to the frame (10) such that the door (2) is movable between a closed condition in which the panels (3, 4) are substantially coplanar and the door (2) substantially covers the opening and an open condition in which the panels (3, 4) lie at an angle to one another and the opening is at least partially open or uncovered. Each of the first and second panels (3, 4) includes a connector (8, 9) for releasably attaching the respective panel (3, 4) to the frame (2) at or adjacent a respective side of the opening.

Description

SHOWER ENCLOSURE

This invention relates generally to shower doors and more specifically, although not exclusively, to folding shower doors or bi-fold shower doors for shower enclosures.

In household shower enclosures, folding or bi-fold doors are often used to save space, for example in smaller bathrooms in which there is insufficient space for a standard shower door to be opened. Generally, the folding or bi-fold door includes a pair of transparent panels hinged together along respective first of their vertical edges. A first of the panels is pivotably mounted to the enclosure at or adjacent its second vertical edge while the second panel is slideably connected at or adjacent its second edge to upper and lower horizontal tracks which extend across the width of the opening of the enclosure.

Such folding or bi-fold doors usually fold inwardly and include some form of handle or gripping means to allow the user to pull the hinged edges toward the inside of the enclosure, which forces the door panels to pivot relative to one another and causes the second edge of the second panel to slide along the tracks thus exposing the opening of the enclosure.

The folding or bi-fold door of some such shower enclosure designs are said to be 'reversible', wherein the enclosure frame includes a first pivotable connection on both of its sides, each of which is configured to be connected to a second pivotable connection on one of the door panels, i.e. the aforementioned first panel door. Thus, the door may be flipped so that the pivotable connection may be configured on either side of the opening of the shower enclosure, i.e. wherein the door may be configured to fold to the left side or the right side of the opening.

However, this reversibility is only possible during installation of the shower enclosure. It is possible to reverse the door after installation, but this requires part of the door to be dismantled and re-installed in the other orientation.

It is therefore a general object of the invention to provide an improved shower door and/or enclosure. It is a more specific non-exclusive object of the invention to provide a shower door and/or enclosure which overcomes or at least mitigates the issues associated with known designs. It is yet a further more specific non-exclusive object of the invention to provide a shower door and/or enclosure which is easily reversible, for example without the need to dismantle the door and/or enclosure. Accordingly, one aspect of the invention provides a shower enclosure comprising a frame which defines an opening and a folding or bi-fold door with first and second panels hinged together along respective first vertical edges, each panel being slideably or rollably connected to the frame such that the door is movable between a closed condition in which the panels are substantially coplanar and the door substantially covers the opening and an open condition in which the panels lie at an angle to one another and the opening is at least partially open or uncovered, wherein each of the first and second panels includes a connector for releasably attaching the respective panel to the frame at or adjacent a respective side of the opening.

By providing a connector on each of the first and second panels which is configured to releasably attach the respective panel to the frame at or adjacent a respective side of the opening, a truly reversible enclosure is provided. More specifically, the enclosure is reversible even after it has been installed.

Preferably, the connectors are panel connectors and/or are releasable connectors or quick release connectors and/or comprise attraction or influencing means such as one or more magnets, e.g. in or on one or both of the respective panel and the or an adjacent portion of the frame. The frame may comprise a pair of connectors which may be configured to cooperate, in use, with a respective one of the panel connectors, e.g. to releasably attach the respective panel to the frame. At least one of the frame connectors may be movable between a deployed position, e.g. in which it cooperates with the respective panel connector to releasably attach the respective panel to the frame, and/or a retracted position, e.g. in which the respective panel is able to move freely.

Additionally or alternatively, the connectors or releasable connectors or quick release connectors may comprise a projection, which projection may be resilient, e.g. formed at least in part from a flexible material, or resiliency biased, e.g. a resiliency biased ball such as a spring loaded ball, which projection may be configured to cooperate with a depression or recess or detent in or on the frame. Alternatively, the connector may comprise the depression or recess or detent and/or the frame may comprise the projection. The connectors may comprise release means such as a clip or latch mechanism. More preferably, at least one of the connectors is configured to prevent sliding or rolling movement of the respective panel relative to the frame and/or to allow the respective panel to pivot relative to the frame. The enclosure or door or one or each of the panels may further comprise one or more carriages each of which may include or incorporate one or more of the connectors. The first panel may be connected or mounted or attached, for example pivotably connected or mounted or attached, to a first carriage, which carriage may comprise one of, e.g. a first of, the connectors and/or one or more, for example two, rollers, e.g. for cooperation with the or a track, e.g. the or a horizontal track, in or on the enclosure or frame. Similarly, the second panel may be connected or mounted or attached, for example pivotably connected or mounted or attached, to the first carriage or to a second carriage, which first or second carriage may comprise a second of the connectors and/or one or more, for example two, rollers, e.g. for cooperation with the or a or a further track, e.g. the or a or a further horizontal track, in or on the enclosure or frame.

The enclosure or frame may comprise first and/or second frame connectors, e.g. for cooperation or to connect or attach to or with a respective one of the connectors of the first and/or second panels. The or each frame connector may comprise a releasable connector or quick release connector, for example attraction or influencing means such as one or more magnets. Preferably, the or each of the frame connectors includes a magnet or ferrous element configured or configurable to attract the or a magnet or ferrous element in or on or of a respective one of the connectors or panel connectors. For example, the frame connector magnet or ferrous element may be positioned or orientated or positionable or orientatable to or at a first or deployed position, e.g. in which the ferrous element or a first magnetic pole thereof is exposed or adjacent, in use, the ferrous element or a second, e.g. opposite, magnetic pole of the magnet of the respective connector or panel connector, e.g. such that the frame connector attaches and/or is attracted to the respective connector or panel connector.

The or each frame connector may further comprise a carrier for the magnet or ferrous element, for example which carrier may receive or hold the frame connector magnet or ferrous element and/or which may be configured to attach or connect, e.g. movably or rotatably attach or connect, the frame connector magnet or ferrous element to the frame connector or frame. The or each carrier may be movable or rotatable to selectively position or orientate the frame connector magnet or ferrous element, for example to or at the first or deployed position and/or between the first or deployed position and a second or retracted position, e.g. in which second or retracted position a second magnetic pole of the frame connector magnet is exposed or adjacent, in use, the second magnetic pole of the magnet of the respective connector or panel connector e.g. such that the frame connector is repelled from the respective connector or panel connector and/or the first magnetic pole is insulated or isolated from the second magnetic pole of the magnet of the respective connector or panel connector. Alternatively, the second or a third position may correspond to the carrier or frame connector magnet or ferrous element being positioned or orientated such that the magnet or ferrous element is insulated or isolated or spaced, in use, from the magnet of the respective connector or panel connector e.g. such that the frame connector and the respective connector or panel connector are uninfluenced by the magnet or magnets. The or each carrier may be movable or rotatable to selectively position or orientate the frame connector ferrous element or magnet between the first position, the second or retracted position and the third position. Additionally or alternatively, the or each frame connector may comprise the projection or depression or recess or detent.

The or each frame connector may further comprise biasing means, for example resilient biasing means, e.g. a biasing or resilient element or member which may be curved and/or comprise a flexible or plastic or elastomeric material or a spring or a spring element or member. The biasing means may be configured to hold or bias or urge the ferrous element or magnet or carrier in the first, second or third position, for example wherein a biasing force exerted by the biasing means must be overcome, in use, such as by a force, e.g. a pushing force preferably exerted on or to the ferrous element or magnet or carrier, for example in order to move or rotate the ferrous element or magnet or carrier between the first, second and/or third positions. Additionally or alternatively, the biasing means may be configured to absorb a moving force, for example a closing force, when the respective connector or panel connector is connected or attached or abuts the frame connector or carrier.

It will be appreciated that the provision of a biasing means also provides a smooth transition into the closed condition as the panels move into a substantially coplanar position. This biasing means may also be provided by seal elements on vertical sides of the frame, e.g. which seals may run along the vertical sides of the opening and/or may cooperate with second vertical edges of the panels for example.

The door may further comprise one or more hinges, wherein each hinge may include first and second parts or leaves which may be connected, for example pivotably connected or hinged, together by or about a hinge element, for example a pin which may be received in an aperture or by a grasping means or member of each of the parts or leaves. Alternatively, the hinge element may comprise a flexible element or member or strip. The enclosure and/or door and/or at least one of the hinges, preferably each hinge, may include a biasing means, e.g. for biasing or urging or influencing or forcing the door or hinge toward the or a closed condition or position, e.g. wherein the panels or parts or leaves abut one another or are substantially coplanar, or toward an open condition or position, e.g. wherein the panels or parts or leaves are apart or folded or at an angle to one another.

The biasing means preferably comprises one or more magnets and/or ferrous elements which are preferably located on or in or received in one or both of the parts or leaves, for example in a recess thereof. Preferably, the biasing means is configured to bias or urge or influence or force, in use, the door toward the or a closed condition or position. More preferably, the one or more magnets and/or ferrous elements comprise a magnet in or on one of the parts or leaves and a further magnet or ferrous element in or on the other of the parts or leaves, e.g. wherein the magnets may be configured with opposing poles, such that they are attracted, in use, to one another to bias or urge or influence or force, in use, the hinge and/or door toward the or a closed condition or position. Additionally or alternatively, the biasing means may comprise a magnetic or ferrous seal along a lower edge of the first and/or second panels, which seal may be configured to cooperate with a ferrous or magnetic element of the or a shower enclosure.

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

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lower portion of a folding or bi-fold shower door according to one embodiment of the invention shown in a nearly closed condition between vertical portions of an enclosure;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a lower portion of one side of the enclosure of Figure 1 shown in a partially open condition;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a lower portion of the other side of the enclosure of Figure 1 shown in a partially open condition;

Figure 4 is a similar view to that of Figure 2 from a different angle showing the panel connector; Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the frame connectors of the enclosure of Figures 1 to 4; and

Figures 6 and 7 are exploded perspective views of the frame connector of Figure 5.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown a shower enclosure 1 which includes a folding or bi-fold shower door 2 having first and second door panels 3, 4 and first and second seal elements 5, 6, extending along the opposed vertical edge 30, 40 of panels 3, 4. The enclosure 1 includes a frame 10 with first and second side supports 1 1 , 12 and upper (not shown) and lower cross-members 13 which together define an opening which the door selectively closes.

The panels 3, 4 are hinged together along the opposed vertical edges 30, 40 by an upper hinge (not shown) and a lower hinge 7 and each panel 3, 4 is slideably or rollably connected to the frame 10 by respective upper carriages (not shown) and lower carriages 8, 9 connected at or adjacent their respective outer corners. The panels 3, 4 are in the form of a sheet of glass having a substantially constant thickness in this embodiment and each panel 3, 4 includes a magnetic seal 31 , 41 along its lower edge which cooperates with a facing ferrous surface 13a of the lower cross-member 13 to seal against water leakage while allowing the panels 3, 4 to move relatively freely.

The upper hinge (not shown) is of a similar configuration to the lower hinge 7, which includes first and second parts or leaves 70, 71 hinged together by a hinge pin (not shown). Each of the first and second hinge parts 70, 71 includes a respective magnet 72 received within a respective recess in facing portions of the hinge parts 70, 71 , which magnets have opposed poles thereby to attract the first and second hinge parts 70, 71 toward one another to a closed or substantially coplanar condition or position. Each of the first and second hinge parts 70, 71 of the lower hinge 7 fixedly receives a respective lower portion of one of the panels 3, 4 using screws (not shown) which extend through holes (not shown) in the panels 3, 4. Similarly, each of the hinge parts (not shown) of the upper hinge (not shown) fixedly receives a respective upper portion of one of the panels 3, 4 using screws (not shown) which extend through holes (not shown) in the panels 3, 4. The hinge pin (not shown) is received and axially retained within corresponding apertures of each of the first and second hinge parts 70, 71 to allow them to pivot relative to one another between the closed condition and an open condition in which the hinge parts 70, 71 are substantially parallel and stacked. Each of the carriages 8, 9 includes first and second parts 80, 90 and 81 , 91 hinged together. Each of the first carriage parts 80, 90 fixedly receives a respective lower outer corner of one of the panels 3, 4 using screws (not shown) which extend through holes (not shown) in the panels 3, 4. Each of the second carriage parts 81 , 91 includes a pair of rotatable rollers 82, 92 and incorporates a panel connector, e.g. a quick release panel connector, in the form of a cylindrical magnet holder 83, 93 with a magnet 84, 94 retained therein. The rollers 82, 92 are received within a horizontal track 14 of the cross-members 13 of the frame 10 for rolling movement therealong. Each magnet holder 83, 93 extends outwardly and receives and retains a cylindrical magnet 84, 94 with a magnetic pole thereof exposed.

Each of the first and second side supports 1 1 , 12 includes a respective upper (not shown) and lower frame connector 85, 95 for cooperation with a respective panel connector 83, 84, 93, 94. Referring now to Figures 5 to 7, each frame connector 85, 95 includes a cuboidal magnet carrier 86 which securedly receives and retains a magnet 87, 97 that extends from one side of the carrier to the other such that each of the magnetic poles 87a, 87b, 97b thereof is exposed on a respective one of the sides of the carrier 86. The carrier 86 also includes a circular projection 86a, 86b extending from each of two other sides of the carrier 86 such that together they provide an axis 86a, 86b extending perpendicular to the magnet 87 about which axis 86a, 86b the carrier 86 is able to rotate.

The frame connector 85, 95 also includes a housing 88 which receives the carrier 86 and a biasing element 89 for resiliency biasing and retaining the carrier 86 against and within the housing 88. The housing 88 is in the form of a box 88 with an open end 88a and a pair of guides 88b extending along the centre of opposed sides 88c from the open end 88a. The front 88d of the housing 88, opposite the open end 88a, includes an aperture 88e and a peripheral flange 88f with a snap tab 88g on its rear surface and a removal tab 88h extending upwardly therefrom. The biasing element 89 includes a cross member 89a with a pair of opposed retaining arms 89b extending perpendicularly therefrom on a first side thereof and a curved resilient member 89c extending from a second side thereof opposite the first side. The retaining arms 89b include curved or arcuate ends 89d which match substantially the outer surface of the circular projections 86a, 86b. The resilient member 89c includes a pair of opposed feet 89d extending inwardly from the free ends thereof.

The carrier 86 is received within the housing 88 such that the projections 86a, 86b are received in the guides 88b to allow the carrier 86 to slide therealong and to rotate about the axis 86a, 86b. The biasing element 89 is then inserted into the housing 88 such that the ends 89d of the retaining arms 89b contact and retain the projections 86a, 86b against the end of the guides 88b and one of the faces of the carrier 86 against the front 88d of the housing 88 with the base of the feet 89d exposed. Each frame connector 85, 95 is received within a recess of a respective side support 1 1 , 12 such that the feet 89d abut the base of the recess.

Thus, the carrier 86 is resiliency biased against the front 88d of the housing by virtue of the biasing element 89 with one of its faces exposed through the aperture 88e. The carrier 86 is rotatable to selectively position or orientate the frame connector magnet 87 to or between first, second and/or third positions. More specifically, a first magnetic pole 87a is exposed through the aperture 88e in the first position. A second magnetic pole 87b, 97b is exposed through the aperture 88e in the second position and one of the faces which does not result in one of the magnetic poles 87a, 87b being exposed in the third position, i.e. wherein the magnet 87 is spaced from the aperture 88e.

It will be appreciated that, in order to rotate the carrier 86 between the first, second and third positions it is necessary to push on the exposed surface of the carrier 86 to overcome the biasing force exerted on the carrier 86 by the biasing element 89 and urge the carrier in the desired direction of rotation.

The door 2 is movable by virtue of the carriages 8, 9 between a closed condition or position and an open condition or position. The panels 3, 4 also include a handle (not shown) approximately mid-way along their height for pulling the door 2 inwardly from the closed condition or position to the open condition or position. In the closed condition, the panels 3, 4 are substantially coplanar, the door 2 substantially covers the opening and the panel connectors 83, 84 and 93, 94 are in contact with a respective one of the frame connectors 85, 95. In the open condition, the panels 3, 4 lie at an angle to one another and the opening is at least partially open or uncovered.

The exposed magnetic pole of the magnet 84, 94 of each panel connector 83, 84, 93, 94 corresponds to the second magnetic pole 87b, 97b of the magnet 87, 97 of the frame connector 85, 95. Thus, each panel 3, 4 or panel connector magnet 84, 94 is attracted to the frame support 1 1 , 12 or frame connector magnet 87, 97 when the carrier 86 is in the first position, thereby releasably connecting them together. It therefore follows that each panel 3, 4 or panel connector magnet 84, 94 is repelled from the frame support 1 1 , 12 or frame connector magnet 87, 97 when the carrier 86 is in the second position and they remain uninfluenced when the carrier 86 is in the third position.

Accordingly, a user is able to select which side of the door 2 is pivotably attached to the frame 10 by ensuring that the carrier 86 of the relevant side support 1 1 , 12 is in the first position and the carrier 86 of the opposite side support 12, 1 1 is in the second or third position. Moving the carrier 86 of the opposite side support 12, 1 1 to the second position provides an assisted opening function, wherein the repelling force of the magnets 84, 94, 87, 97 must be overcome when closing the door 2, while the third position provides no influence or biasing force. It will be appreciated that the biasing element 89 provides two functions. Firstly, it precludes the need for exact or near exact matching of the distance between the panel connectors 83, 84, 93, 94 with the distance between the frame connectors 85, 95 when the door 2 is in the closed condition. Secondly, where the door 2 is provided as an over-centre arrangement, the biasing element 89 acts as a form of shock absorber.

In use, if a user chooses to change which side of the door 2 is pivotably attached to the frame 10 he or she simply moves the door 2 to an open position and forcibly pulls the currently fixed panel 3, 4 to release the connected magnets 84 and 87 or 94 and 97. The user then moves the carrier 86 of the frame connector 85, 95 of the selected side support 1 1 , 12 to the second or third position, moves the carrier 86 of the frame connector 85, 95 of the opposite side support 12, 1 1 to the first position and moves the door 2 along the track 14 until the other set of magnets 84 and 87 or 94 and 97 engage one another.

Thus, each of the panels 3, 4 is releasably attachable to the frame 10 at or adjacent the respective side of the opening. It will be appreciated that providing a connector 83, 84, 93 94 on each of the panels 3, 4 configured to releasably attach the respective panel 3, 4 to the frame 10 to a respective side of the opening, a truly reversible enclosure 1 is provided.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that that several variations are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the magnets 72, 84, 87, 94 may be omitted or replaced with any suitable means configured to bias or urge or influence or force, in use, the door 1 toward the or a closed condition or position.

Moreover, one of the magnets 72, 84, 87, 94 of each pair of magnets 72, 84 and 87, 94 may be replaced by a ferrous element. The connectors 83, 84, 87, 93, 94, which may be described as quick release connectors, need not include magnets 84, 87, 94 and/or they may, for example, include a projection, which projection may be resilient, e.g. formed at least in part from a flexible material, or resiliency biased, e.g. a resiliency biased ball such as a spring loaded ball. The projection may be configured to cooperate with a depression or recess or detent in or on the frame. Alternatively, the connector may include the depression or recess or detent and/or the frame may comprise the projection. The connectors may advantageously include or incorporate release means such as a clip or latch mechanism.

The panels need not be formed of glass, but are preferably at least partially transparent or translucent, e.g. they may be formed of a clear plastics material such as an polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The edge surfaces 31 , 41 of the panel 3, 4 need not be squared and/or extend perpendicular to the major surface thereof.

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of combinations of the aforementioned features and/or those shown in the appended drawings provide clear advantages over the prior art and are therefore within the scope of the invention described herein.

Claims

1 . A shower enclosure comprising a frame which defines an opening and a folding or bi-fold door with first and second panels hinged together along respective first vertical edges, each panel being slideably or rollably connected to the frame such that the door is movable between a closed condition in which the panels are substantially coplanar and the door substantially covers the opening and an open condition in which the panels lie at an angle to one another and the opening is at least partially open or uncovered, wherein each of the first and second panels includes a connector for releasably attaching the respective panel to the frame at or adjacent a respective side of the opening.

2. Enclosure according to claim 1 , wherein one or both of the connectors comprises biasing or attraction or influencing means.

3. Enclosure according claim 1 or claim 2, wherein one or both of the connectors comprises a magnet.

4. Enclosure according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame comprises a pair of connectors, each frame connector being configured to cooperate, in use, with a respective one of the panel connectors to releasably attach the respective panel to the frame.

5. Enclosure according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the frame connectors is movable between a deployed position or orientation in which it cooperates with the respective panel connector to releasably attach the respective panel to the frame and a retracted position or orientation in which the respective panel is unattached.

6. Enclosure according to claim 5, wherein the at least one frame connector comprises a magnet, the magnet having a first magnetic pole exposed when the frame connector is in the deployed position or orientation, which first magnetic pole cooperates, in use, with a second, opposite magnetic pole of the or a panel connector magnet.

7. Enclosure according to claim 6, wherein the first magnetic pole is insulated or isolated from the panel connector magnet when the frame connector is in the retracted position or orientation.

8. Enclosure according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the magnet has a second magnetic pole, opposite the first magnetic pole, the second magnetic pole being exposed when the frame connector is in the retracted position or orientation.

9. Enclosure according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the frame connector comprises a carrier which holds the frame connector magnet, the carrier being rotatable between the deployed position or orientation and the retracted position or orientation.

10. Enclosure according to claim 9, wherein the frame connector further comprises a biasing element configured to hold the carrier in the deployed or retracted position or orientation.

1 1 . Enclosure according to any preceding claim, wherein the panel connectors are configured to prevent sliding or rolling movement of the respective panel relative to the frame but allow the respective panel to pivot relative to the frame when the respective panel is releasably attached to the frame.

12. Enclosure according to claim 1 1 , wherein the door comprises two or more carriages which rollably or slideably engage one or more tracks of the frame, each panel connector being connected to or incorporated in a respective carriage.

13. Enclosure according to claim 12, wherein each panel is pivotably connected to a respective one of the carriages.

14. Enclosure according to claim 13, wherein each carriage comprises one or more rollers.

15. Enclosure according to any preceding claim, wherein the panels are hinged together by one or more hinges, each hinge including first and second parts hinged together and biasing means for biasing the hinge toward a closed condition or position.

16. Enclosure according to claim 15, wherein the biasing means comprises one or more magnets.