WO2024157219A1 - Shower enclosure frame, shower enclosure and method of adjusting the size of the shower enclosure frame - Google Patents

Shower enclosure frame, shower enclosure and method of adjusting the size of the shower enclosure frame Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024157219A1
WO2024157219A1 PCT/IB2024/050749 IB2024050749W WO2024157219A1 WO 2024157219 A1 WO2024157219 A1 WO 2024157219A1 IB 2024050749 W IB2024050749 W IB 2024050749W WO 2024157219 A1 WO2024157219 A1 WO 2024157219A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
frame
guide
panel
socket
guides
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2024/050749
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Adam GUZOWSKI
Original Assignee
Durasan Trading Sp. Z O.O.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Durasan Trading Sp. Z O.O. filed Critical Durasan Trading Sp. Z O.O.
Publication of WO2024157219A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024157219A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K3/00—Baths; Douches; Appurtenances therefor
    • A47K3/28—Showers or bathing douches
    • A47K3/30—Screens or collapsible cabinets for showers or baths
    • A47K3/34—Slidable screens
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K3/00—Baths; Douches; Appurtenances therefor
    • A47K3/28—Showers or bathing douches
    • A47K3/30—Screens or collapsible cabinets for showers or baths
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H1/00—Buildings or groups of buildings for dwelling or office purposes; General layout, e.g. modular co-ordination or staggered storeys
    • E04H1/12—Small buildings or other erections for limited occupation, erected in the open air or arranged in buildings, e.g. kiosks, waiting shelters for bus stops or for filling stations, roofs for railway platforms, watchmen's huts or dressing cubicles
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K3/00—Baths; Douches; Appurtenances therefor
    • A47K3/28—Showers or bathing douches
    • A47K3/30—Screens or collapsible cabinets for showers or baths
    • A47K2003/307—Adjustable connections to the wall

Definitions

  • An object of the invention is a shower enclosure frame, a shower enclosure comprising said frame and a method for adjusting the size of the shower enclosure frame.
  • the field of the invention relates to sanitary devices for separating a shower space from the rest of the room.
  • integrated shower enclosers comprising a shower faucets connectable from the outside of the shower enclosure and fixed therein, a shower tray and a shower enclosure frame fixed on the shower tray with panels installed in the frame thus separating the shower enclosure from the room while a door fixed in the frame pivotably or slidingly provides access to the interior of the shower enclosure.
  • Such an enclosure may be closed from above with a top panel.
  • a different concept for solving a shower enclosure separated from the rest of the room is provided by different frame structures, holding panels, generally made of glass, separating the shower from the rest of the room while embedded pivotably or slidingly in the frame single or multi-part doors provide access to the interior of the enclosure, such frames are fastened to walls and embedded directly on the floor surface provided with a linear drain or on a shower tray installed in or on the floor, providing a tight enclosure for the shower thus created.
  • a shower enclosure may be provided, for example, in the corner of a room and in such a case the frame is fixed to both walls forming the corner of the room, wherein said walls, panels and door fixed to the frame define space of enclosure.
  • the frame is fixed to only one wall of the room and the enclosure space is defined by said wall and the three planes defined by the panels and doors fixed in the frame.
  • a shower enclosure frame solution that allows the size of the unit to be adjustable, allowing it to be adapted to specific interior dimensions providing the desired size of the shower enclosure. Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a shower enclosure frame having an adjustable size and a method of adjusting the size of the shower enclosure frame. It is also an object of the invention to provide an adjustable size shower enclosure frame. This has been achieved by means of a shower enclosure frame having the features defined in the claim 1, a shower enclosure defined in the claim 4 and a method for adjusting the size of the shower enclosure frame defined in the claim 7. Advantageous variants of the solution are defined by the dependent claims.
  • An object of the invention is a shower enclosure frame, wherein the enclosure frame comprises two panel profiles connected at their two ends by two frame guides to form a shower enclosure frame wherein said frame guides being configured to receive the panel elements, at least one door panel installable slidably or pivotably, wherein according to the invention, the shower enclosure frame is characterized in that on each of said frame guides there is provided a guiding means extending along at least a portion of the length of said frame guides and provided for receiving at least two panel elements adjacent one to to another and capable of overlapping one on another and slidably positionable in the guide means, wherein a cavity is provided at both ends of each frame guide in which a socket is formed for accommodating a fastener fixing the end of the frame guide to the panel profile, wherein the depth of said socket formed in the cavity at the end of the frame guide is greater than the depth required to accommodate said frame fastener in said cavity.
  • said guiding means is provided in the form of a guiding groove positioned on the surface of the frame guide, advantageously at least two guiding grooves adjacent to each other run parallel to each other along the length of the frame guide.
  • said frame guide is provided in the form of a profile in which said cavity in which there ies formed is the socket for receiving a fastener for fastening the frame guide to the panel profile extends along the entire length of the frame guide, wherein a sliding rail for the sliding means of the door panel is provided on a lateral surface of said profile perpendicular to the surface on which the sliding means is provided.
  • An object of the invention is also a shower enclosure, wherein the shower enclosure comprises an enclosure frame formed by panel sections connected at their ends by frame guides, wherein said frame comprises panel elements and at least one door panel which together delimit the space of the shower enclosure, said door panel being fixed in the frame slidingly or pivotally providing an entrance to said shower enclosure, wherein according to the invention the enclosure is characterized in that each of said panel elements is provided in the form of an assembly comprising at least two panel elements arranged adjacent to another and capable of overlapping at least partially, said panel elements being slidably fixed in a sliding means provided on both guides of the frame and extending along and over at least part of their length, wherein a cavity is provided at both ends of each frame guide in which a socket is formed to receive the fastener fixing the end of the guide with the panel profile, the depth of the socket formed in the cavity at the end of the guide being greater than the depth required to receive said fastener in the said socket.
  • said guiding means is provided in the form of a guiding groove positioned on the surface of the guide, advantageously there are provided at least two guiding grooves adjacent to each other and running parallel to each other along the length of the guiding means.
  • said frame guides are provided in the form of a profile in which said cavity in which there is formed the socket to receive a fastener securing the guide to the panel profile extends along the entire length of the frame guide, wherein a sliding rail for the sliding means of the door panel is provided on a lateral surface of said profile perpendicular to the surface on which the guide means is provided.
  • an object of the invention is a method for adjusting the size of a shower enclosure frame, the method comprising the steps of: a/ providing frame guides, panel profiles, and frame connectors, together forming the shower enclosure frame, wherein the frame guides are configured to receive the side panels and at least one slidably or pivotably installable door panel and are provided with a guiding means extending along at least part of the length of the frame guide and provided for receiving at least two panel elements adjacent to each other, capable of overlapping one on another and slidably placed in the said means, the frame guides at both ends are provided with a cavity in which a socket is formed to receive the fastener fixing the end of the guide with the panel profile, the depth of said socket formed in the hollow at the end of the guide being greater than the depth required to receive the fastener in said socket; b/ cutting of the hollow ends of the guides to the length required for the desired size of the shower enclosure while maintaining the depth of the said socket formed in the cavity necessary to accommodate said connector in said socket; c/ connecting the guides cut at step
  • the shower enclosure frame comprises two panel profiles connected at their two ends by two respective frame guides. Both the panel profiles and the frame guides are provided with sockets at their ends to receive a frame connector, the function of which is to connect the frame guides to the panel profiles, to form the shower enclosure frame.
  • the frame connector may be provided as a connector having two ends, the first end of the connector being complementary in shape with the socket provided in the cavity at each end of the guides, and the second end of the connector being complementary in shape with the socket provided at the ends of the panel profiles.
  • the coupling of the two ends of the fastener in the sockets of the guide and panel profiles can be provided in a known manner, for example by providing a complementary tongue-and-groove arrangement on the surfaces of the ends of the fastener and the socket.
  • at the complementary end having a socket in the panel profile and in the panel profile itself there are provided through-holes for receiving screws which, when screwed-in, pass through said through-holes in the panel profile and the first end of the fastener and are further received in the through channels provided at the end of the connector complementary to the socket in the guide cavity and are then further received in the rails provided in the aforementioned socket, ensuring a stable connection of both ends of the connector in the sockets of the guide and the panel profile, thus forming a stable shower enclosure frame.
  • the fastener at its first end has two through holes which pass into through channels at the second end, whereby two rails are provided in a socket in the guide, complementary to the two through channels in the fastener, which, when the other end of the fastener is inserted into the socket in the frame guide, on one hand stabilize the position of the fastener in the guide and, on the other hand, by allowing receiveing screws which are screwed in through the holes and through channels at the first and second ends of the fastener respectively, provide additional reinforcement of the connection.
  • the fastener is first fixed in the socket in the guide by screwing a screw inserted into one of the holes, after which the already assembled system is inserted into the socket in the panel profile, after which the connection is stabilized by screwing in a second screw, wherein the second screw is then inserted into the recess in the panel profile, where it passes through the appropriately provided through-hole in the panel profile and by entering the through-hole in the other end of the fastener it passes through the channel in the first end to further stabilize the connection of the channel to the profile by entering the rail in the guide socket.
  • connection of guides with panel profiles involves inserting both ends of the fastener into suitably provided sockets in the cavity at the end of the guide and the ends of the panel profiles.
  • the socket in the cavity at the ends of the guide must be of sufficient depth to allow complete insertion and, advantageously, stabilisation by screws of the end of the fastener which is complementary to the socket.
  • the depth required to be accommodate the fastener in the socket actually corresponds to the length of the fastener end inserted into the socket in the fixed position of the assembled frame.
  • the depth of the socket provided in the cavities in the ends of the guides is greater than the depth required to accommodate the fastener in the socket.
  • This arrangement makes it possible, in the method according to the invention, to cut the guide without losing the ability to connect the guide to the panel profile.
  • the extent to which the depth of the socket provided in the hollow end of the guide exceeds the depth required to accommodate the fastener in the socket determines the range of permissible adjustment of the length of the guide.
  • the more the depth of the socket exceeds the minimum depth required for the fastener end to be fully inserted into the socket the greater the portion of the guide that can be cut off without losing the ability to firmly connect the frame guide fastener to the panel profile, and consequently the greater the range of frame size adjustment.
  • the frame guides can, in an advantageous example of the invention, be provided in the form of a profile with the same cross-section throughout the entire length of the guide.
  • the cavity including the socket formed in the cavity actually extends along the entire length of the guide, which means that there is no restriction on where to cut the guide to obtain the desired size.
  • connection of the frame guide to the panel profile can be provided by at least one frame connector in the form of a screw that is screwed into a socket formed in the guide.
  • at least one frame connector in the form of a screw that is screwed into a socket formed in the guide.
  • two or more fasteners in the form of screws are used.
  • Changing the length of the frame guides by cutting them as known in the state-of-the- art solutions would also mean that the size of the wall panels fixed in the guides would have to be adjusted accordingly.
  • this objective has been achieved by placing a guide means on the opposing surfaces of the opposing guides lying opposite each other (as in the assembled state of the frame).
  • Said guiding means extends from the end of the frame guide along at least part of the length of the frame guide and is provided for receiving at least two panel elements adjacent to each other, being able to overlap one on another and slidably positionable in said means.
  • At least two panel elements may be simultaneously positioned adjacent to each other in the said guiding means, and the guiding means provides for sliding of the said elements relative to each other so that they may at least partially overlap. Moving the panel elements in relation to each other in such a way that they overlap provides compensation for the loss of length of the guide after it has been cut to achieve the desired size of the shower enclosure. After cutting the guide, it is sufficient to move the panel elements relative to each other so that they continue to overlap to provide a tight separation of the shower enclosure from the rest of the room.
  • said guide means is provided in the form of a guide groove positioned on the surface of the guide, and in a more advantageous variant at least two adjacent to each other and separated guide grooves are provided running parallel to each other along the length of the guide, providing paths for sliding of the panel elements so that the panel elements can be appropriately moved relative to each other and overlap to adjust their extension to the desired dimension of the shower enclosure .
  • the guide grooves extend from the end of the guide only for part of its length, and the ends of the grooves delimit sliding of the panel elements.
  • the voids of the guide grooves that are not filled with the panel element are filled with a cut-to-size gasket, which further stabilises the position of the panel elements in the guide means.
  • a cut-to-size gasket which further stabilises the position of the panel elements in the guide means.
  • Such a seal can also be provided along the length of the panel elements, which can prevent water from entering between the panel elements when the enclosure is in use.
  • a sliding rail compatible in shape with the sliding means with which the door panel is equipped is provided on the lateral surface of the profile, perpendicular to the surface on which the sliding means is provided (i.e. on the interior side of the shower enclosure).
  • the frame guides can be envisaged in a variety of shapes, thus providing different shapes for the shower enclosure formed by the wall panels and the door panel installed in the frame. It is clear to the expert in the field that the shape of the frame forces the shape of the panels to be adapted accordingly.
  • the guide is formed by two rectilinear sections connected by an arc-shaped guide section.
  • a frame shaped in this way it is possible to provide for flat wall panels and semi-circular single or two-part door panels, fixed in the guides in a sliding or pivoting manner.
  • Such a shape of the frame will essentially provide a semi-circular shower enclosure.
  • the guides can be provided in the form of two straight sections joined at right angles.
  • the frame formed from the guides formed in this way allows the installation of flat wall panels and a flat, either single or two-part door panel, fixed slidingly or pivotally in the guides.
  • a classic rectangular or square shape of the shower enclosure is provided.
  • the guides are curved and the panel elements and the pivoting or sliding , one or two-part, door panel are also curved accordingly.
  • the frame provided and the panels fixed therein provide a semi-circular shower enclosure.
  • a pentagonal shaped shower enclosure can be provided, whereby in such an embodiment the frame is fixed to the walls constituting the corner of the room, the guides are provided in the form of straight sections, which are also connected by a straight profile, which generally corresponds in length to the width of the door panel, which in such an embodiment is fixed in the enclosure frame pivotally, in a manner known to the expert in the field.
  • the frame structure of the shower enclosure described above in the embodiments makes it possible to implement a method of adjusting the size thereof, wherein such method comprises the steps of: a/ providing frame guides, panel profiles, and frame connectors, wherein the frame guides are configured to receive side panels and at least one door panel slidably or pivotably installable, and being provided with a guide means extending along at least a portion of the length of the frame guide and provided for receiving at least two panel elements adjacent one another, capable of overlapping one on another and being able to be slidably placed in the said guide means, wherein the frame guides at both ends are provided with a cavity in which a socket is formed to receive the fastener fixing the end of the guide with the panel profile, the depth of said socket formed in the hollow at the end of the guide being greater than the depth required to receive the fastener in said socket; b/ cutting of the hollow ends of the guides to the length required for the desired size of the shower enclosure while maintaining the depth of the said socket formed in the cavity necessary to accomdate said connector in said socket
  • the length of the guides is shortened in such a way that, when combined with the panel profiles fixed to the wall, it provides the target internal dimensions of the shower enclosure.
  • Fig. 1 shows in an embodiment of the invention an assembled shower enclosure frame.
  • Fig. 2 shows, in an embodiment of the invention, a shower enclosure with frame elements according to Fig.l in an exploded view.
  • Fig. 3 shows the shower enclosure in an assembled state in the embodiment according to Fig.1-2.
  • Fig. 4 shows in exploded view a shower enclosure in a further embodiment of the invention in an exploded view
  • Fig. 5 shows in an assembled state the shower enclosure in an embodiment according to Fig.4.
  • Fig. 6 shows in an embodiment a guide and a frame connector in one embodiment.
  • Fig. 7 shows the guide with assembled frame connector in an embodiment according to Fig.6.
  • Fig. 8 shows schematically in an embodiment of the invention the method of connection of connector of the frame guide with the panel profile.
  • Fig. 9 shows schematically in an embodiment of the invention the guiding means provided in the guide connected to the panel profile.
  • Fig. 10 shows schematically in an embodiment of the invention, the method of placing the profile elements in the guiding means.
  • Fig. 11 shows in the embodiment of the invention an advantageous sealing of the free spaces in the guiding means.
  • Fig. 12 shows schematically in the embodiment of the invention the profile elements provided in the sliding means of the frame guides and additionally sealed with an optional gasket.
  • Fig. 13 shows an example of sliding means provided on a door panel.
  • Fig. 14 shows schematically the sliding means provided in the rails provided on the lateral surface of the guides.
  • Fig. 15 shows a schematic method of length adjustment of the guides
  • Fig. 16 shows a method of mounting panel profiles in the U-shaped mounting panel.
  • Fig. 17 shows an example of a connector connecting the guides at a right angle
  • Fig.1 shows, in an embodiment, a shower enclosure frame 1, which is formed by two panel profiles 2, which at both ends are connected to two frame guides 3.
  • the frame guides 3 at both ends comprise two rectilinear sections connected to each other by an arch-shaped part of the guide. This formation of the frame guides 3 allows the installation of flat panel elements in the rectilinear sections of the guides and the installation of a rounded door panel of single piece or two pieces (as shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing).
  • Fig. 2 shows, in an exploded view, a shower enclosure comprising the frame shown in Fig. 1 in its disassembled state and the other elements of the enclosure in a preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 2 shows panel profiles 2 which are provided to be connected at both ends by frame guides 3 to form the shower enclosure frame, as shown in Fig. 1.
  • the frame guides 3 are configured to receive the panel elements 4 and a two-piece door panel 5 slidably installable in the frame guides 3, with a guide means 6 extending along a rectilinear section of the frame guides 3 on surfaces of the opposite frame guides 3 and provided to receive the panel elements 4, so that they can be positioned in the guide means slidably and so as to overlap, as shown in further figures of the drawing.
  • sockets 7 adapted to receive a connector 8 which connects the frame guides 3 to the panel profiles 2, said connection being advantageously stabilized by screws 9, as shown more closely in Fig.6.
  • the sealing of the door panels 5 is provided by two magnetic seals 10 and two gaskets 10'.
  • the door panels are also provided with sliding means 11 provided to engage with the sliding rail 12 provided on the side surface of the guides 3 (as better shown in Fig.14).
  • the panel elements 4 are sealed at the sliding means by pairs of gaskets 13 and 13', while along the length of the panels there are provided pairs of gaskets 14.
  • the panel profiles 2 are fastened inside the U-shaped fastening profiles 15, which are used to fasten the entire enclosure to the walls of the room.
  • the fastening of the panel profile 2 to the U-shaped fastening profile 15 is shown in more detail in Fig.16.
  • Fig. 3 shows the schematically assembled shower enclosure which was shown in the exploded view in Fig. 2, wherein in this embodiment the enclosure is seated on the shower tray 16. It is clear, however, that the shower enclosure can also be seated in a known method directly on the floor of the room with the provided linear drain (not shown).
  • Fig. 4 shows, in exploded view, a shower enclosure in another embodiment, where the guides 3 are designed in the form of straight profiles connected to each other at an angle of 90 degrees.
  • Fig. 4 shows the panel profiles 2 that are designed to connect at both ends by the guides 3 to form the shower enclosure frame.
  • the frame guides 3 are configured to receive panel elements 4 and a two-piece door panel 5 slidably installable in the guides 3, wherein on the opposite surfaces of the guides 3 there is provuded is a guide means 6 extending along the frame guides 3 and adapted to receive panel elements 4, so that they can be slidably placed in the guide means and so that they can overlap each other, as follows from the figures in the drawing.
  • sockets 7 adapted to receive the connector 8, which connects the frame guide 3 with panel profiles 2, wherein the connection being stabilized with screws 9, as shown in more detail in Fig. 6.
  • the sealing of the door panels 5 is provided by two magnetic seals 10 and two seals 10'.
  • the door panels are also equipped with sliding means 11 designed to cooperate with a sliding rail 12 provided on the side surface of the guides 3 (as shown in greater detail in Fig. 14).
  • the panel elements are sealed in the guiding means by pairs of gaskets 13 and 13', and pairs of gaskets 14 are provided along the length of the panels.
  • the panel profiles 2 are mounted inside the U-shaped fastening profiles 15, which are used to fasten the entire enclosure to the walls of the room (shown schematically in Fig. 16).
  • Fig. 17 also shows further an example of a method for connecting the guides 3 at right angles using a guide connector 17, designed and form-fitted in a known way in the sockets provided at the ends of the guides.
  • Fig. 5 shows a schematic diagram of an assembled shower enclosure shown in the exploded view in Fig. 4, and in this embodiment the enclosure is placed on a shower tray 16.
  • the shower enclosure can also be placed directly in a known manner on the room’s floor with a linear drain provided (not shown in the drawing).
  • Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the guide profile 3 and the frame connector 8 in one embodiment.
  • the frame guide 3 is equipped with a socket 7 allowing to accommodate the frame connector 8, the task of which is to connect the frame guide 3 with the panel profile 2 (as shown in greater detail in Fig. 8).
  • the frame connector 8 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 6 is designed as a connector having two ends 8' and 8", wherein the end of the connector 8" is complementary in shape to the socket 7, and the end 8' of the connector is complementary in shape to the socket 18 provided at the ends of panel profiles (as shown in Fig. 8).
  • the 8" end is equipped with two through channels 19, which when inserting the end 8" of the connector 8 into the socket 7 in the guide 3, receive two rails 20, which allows the connector 8 to be stabilized in the socket 7.
  • the through holes 21 provided at the end 8' of the connector 8 enable inserting of a screw 9, which when screwed in, passes through one of the mentioned through holes, and is then received in the through channel 19, entering further into the rail 20, ensuring a stable connection of the end 8" of the connector in the socket 7 of the guide 3, as shown in Fig. 7. It is clear to the person skilled in the art that a similar assembly can be carried out at either end of both guides 3.
  • Fig. 8 schematically shows the installation of the connector 8 previously installed in the guide 3 in the panel profile 2 (as discussed above with reference to Fig. 6).
  • the end 8' is inserted in the direction shown by the arrow into the socket 18 complementary in shape with the end 8’ and provided at the end of the panel profile 2.
  • a system of grooves 22 is provided, complementary to the system of splines 23 provided in the socket 18.
  • connection of the connector with the panel profile is stabilized by inserting a screw 9 into the through hole in the panel profile 2 (not shown in the drawing) and further into the through hole 21.
  • Fig. 9 shows the connection of the end of the guide 3 with the panel profile.
  • Fig. 10 shows the guide means 6 in the form of two guide grooves 6' into which the panel elements 4 are inserted, as shown in Fig. 10.
  • arrows shown in Fig. 10 show the direction of insertion of the panel elements 4, which should be inserted into the guide grooves 6' and moved to the ends of the guide grooves 6'.
  • Guide grooves 6' enable sliding of panel elements placed adjacent to each other, and as shown in the drawing, these elements partially overlap one on the other.
  • both guide grooves in the part not filled with the panel element remain empty.
  • these hollows, with lengths marked U1 and U2 in Fig. 11 are filled with a U-shaped seal 13, which is cut to the lengths U1 and U2 and inserted into the hollows of guide groove 6'.
  • the seal 13 additionally stabilizes and locks the position of the panel elements in the guide grooves 6' of the guide means 6.
  • Fig. 12 also illustrates a cross-section of the profile constituting the guide in a preferred embodiment and shows the shape of the socket 7 provided in the cavity of the guide profile 3, as well as shows a sliding rail 10 provided in the plane of the guide 3 perpendicular to the plane of the guide means 6.
  • Said sliding rail 10 is provided for engaging the known sliding means 11 provided on the door panels 5 and shown in the embodiment in Fig. 13.
  • Sliding means within the meaning of the invention should be understood as means attached to the door profile, which, when placed in the sliding rail, move therein, allowing the door panel to move along the guide.
  • Fig. 14 schematically shows the sliding means 11 placed in the sliding rails 10.
  • the guide is designed as a profile in which a socket 7 is provided in the profile cavity extending from both ends of the guide along the entire length of the guide means 6 provided in the guide 3, enabling a large range of adjustment of the guide length.
  • the above-described implementation of the socket 7 in the cavities at the ends of the guide provide many times of the depth required to completely insert and stabilize with screws 9 complementary in shape of the socket 7 the end 8" of the connector 8.
  • the described embodiments therefore implement the concept according to the invention, according to which the depth of the socket provided in the cavity at the end of the guides is greater than the depth required to accomodate the end 8" of the connector 8 in the socket.
  • This concept can also be implemented in a simple way by providing for a connector in form of screws placed in a socket shaped to accept screws to stabilize the connection of the guide with the panel profile.
  • the presented solution allows the guide to be cut without losing the ability to connect the guide to the panel profile.
  • the extent to which the depth of the socket provided in the cavity at the end of the guide exceeds the depth required to accommodate the connector in the socket determines the range of allowable adjustment of the guide length.
  • the more the depth of the socket exceeds the minimum depth necessary to fully accommodate the end of the connector the more of the guide can be cut off without losing the possibility of a stable connection to the panel profile, and consequently the greater the scope for adjusting the size of the frame.
  • the shorter the guide becomes the more the panel elements 4 slidably placed in the guide means 6 will overlap one on another, which in the preferred embodiment includes two guide grooves 6'.
  • a shower enclosure including an enclosure frame according to the invention enable use of the method for adjusting the size of the shower enclosure frame according to the invention, which according to the invention includes the step of providing frame guides 3, panel profiles 2, and frame connectors 8, wherein, as explained above, the frame guides 3 are configured to receive the panel elements 4 and the slidably or pivotally installable at least one door panel 5 and are provided with the guide means 6 extending along at least part of the length of the frame guide 3 and arranged to receive at least two panel elements 4 adjacent to each other, that can overlap one on another and be slidably placed in the said means.
  • a socket 7 is formed for receiving a connector 8 fastening the end of the guide 3 with the panel profile 2, and the depth of the said socket 7 that is formed in the cavity at the end of the guide 3 is greater than the depth required to accomodate said connector 8 in said socket.
  • the described method step may be implemented by providing a frame as shown in the embodiments described above.
  • the second stage of the method according to the invention is illustrated in Fig. 15, which schematically shows method for cutting the hollow ends of the guides to the length required for the desired size of the shower enclosure.
  • the desired length of the guide is determined in its part including the guide means and the ends of the guide are cut off accordingly, shortening it to the desired size.
  • the panel profile 2 may be embedded in the U-shaped wall panel 15, wherein such installation being accomplished by providing, as shown in the drawing, a through hole in the profile in the U-shaped wall panel 15 and the panel profile 2 and appropriate fixing of their mutual position with a stabilizing screw.
  • the use of a U-shaped wall panel 15 to support the frame according to the invention allows additional adjustment, for example in the range of 0-20 mm, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 16. It is clear to the person skilled in the art that by selecting the dimensions of the wall panel 15 and the panel profile 2, the adjustment range can be varied accordingly. It is clear to one skilled in the art that implementation of the essence of the invention may involve modifications not disclosed herein, which will still fall within the scope of the invention, the features of which are described in the following claims.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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  • Residential Or Office Buildings (AREA)

Abstract

The subject of the invention is a frame for a shower enclosure, wherein the enclosure frame includes panel profiles connected at both ends by frame guides, said frame guides being configured to receive panel elements and at least one slidably or rotatably installable door panel. According to the invention, on each of the said guides (3) of the frame, a guide means (6) is provided extending along at least part of the length of said guides (3) into which panel elements (4) are slidably and overlappingly placed. At both ends of the frame guides (3), a cavity is provided in which a socket (7) is formed for receiving the frame connector (8) that fastens the end of the guide (3) with the panel profile (2), wherein the depth of said socket (7) formed in the cavity at the end of the guide is greater than the depth required to accommodate said frame connector in said socket. The invention also relates to a shower enclosure comprising described frame and a method for adjusting the size of the shower enclosure frame.

Description

SHOWER ENCLOSURE FRAME, SHOWER ENCLOSURE AND METHOD OF ADJUSTING THE SIZE OF THE SHOWER ENCLOSURE FRAME
An object of the invention is a shower enclosure frame, a shower enclosure comprising said frame and a method for adjusting the size of the shower enclosure frame.
The field of the invention relates to sanitary devices for separating a shower space from the rest of the room.
In the state of the art, there are known integrated shower enclosers comprising a shower faucets connectable from the outside of the shower enclosure and fixed therein, a shower tray and a shower enclosure frame fixed on the shower tray with panels installed in the frame thus separating the shower enclosure from the room while a door fixed in the frame pivotably or slidingly provides access to the interior of the shower enclosure. Such an enclosure may be closed from above with a top panel.
A different concept for solving a shower enclosure separated from the rest of the room is provided by different frame structures, holding panels, generally made of glass, separating the shower from the rest of the room while embedded pivotably or slidingly in the frame single or multi-part doors provide access to the interior of the enclosure, such frames are fastened to walls and embedded directly on the floor surface provided with a linear drain or on a shower tray installed in or on the floor, providing a tight enclosure for the shower thus created. Such a shower enclosure may be provided, for example, in the corner of a room and in such a case the frame is fixed to both walls forming the corner of the room, wherein said walls, panels and door fixed to the frame define space of enclosure. Alternatively, it may be provided that the frame is fixed to only one wall of the room and the enclosure space is defined by said wall and the three planes defined by the panels and doors fixed in the frame.
In the design of contemporary bathroom interiors, it is important to be able to adapt the design of the shower enclosure to the specific dimensions of the target location of the shower enclosure. To this end, it is desirable to have a wide range of available dimensions for the equipment that separates the shower from the rest of the room, so that a specific dimension can be adapted to the specific premises. In this respect, it one can see an increasing demand from customers who expect the enclosures to fit specific dimensions and even to match the location of the bathroom tile layout. It is also becoming increasingly common to find non-standard builds for which the range of enclosures available on the market is not suitable, often necessitating the need for made-to-measure enclosures. At the same time, the market sees an increase in the variety of types and sizes of shower enclosure solutions available while sanitary hardware manufacturers and distributors wishing to ensure the availability of solutions in a variety of sizes are faced with increasing storage space requirements. The need to stock sets of frames, panels and doors in many different sizes clearly increases the cost of both manufacturing and distributing such goods. The alternative is to manufacture units to a specific order specifying the desired dimensions of the enclosure, but this obviously limits the off the shelf availability of the goods and increases its price.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a shower enclosure frame solution that allows the size of the unit to be adjustable, allowing it to be adapted to specific interior dimensions providing the desired size of the shower enclosure. Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a shower enclosure frame having an adjustable size and a method of adjusting the size of the shower enclosure frame. It is also an object of the invention to provide an adjustable size shower enclosure frame. This has been achieved by means of a shower enclosure frame having the features defined in the claim 1, a shower enclosure defined in the claim 4 and a method for adjusting the size of the shower enclosure frame defined in the claim 7. Advantageous variants of the solution are defined by the dependent claims.
An object of the invention is a shower enclosure frame, wherein the enclosure frame comprises two panel profiles connected at their two ends by two frame guides to form a shower enclosure frame wherein said frame guides being configured to receive the panel elements, at least one door panel installable slidably or pivotably, wherein according to the invention, the shower enclosure frame is characterized in that on each of said frame guides there is provided a guiding means extending along at least a portion of the length of said frame guides and provided for receiving at least two panel elements adjacent one to to another and capable of overlapping one on another and slidably positionable in the guide means, wherein a cavity is provided at both ends of each frame guide in which a socket is formed for accommodating a fastener fixing the end of the frame guide to the panel profile, wherein the depth of said socket formed in the cavity at the end of the frame guide is greater than the depth required to accommodate said frame fastener in said cavity.
In an preferred embodiment of the invention, said guiding means is provided in the form of a guiding groove positioned on the surface of the frame guide, advantageously at least two guiding grooves adjacent to each other run parallel to each other along the length of the frame guide.
Advantageously, said frame guide is provided in the form of a profile in which said cavity in which there ies formed is the socket for receiving a fastener for fastening the frame guide to the panel profile extends along the entire length of the frame guide, wherein a sliding rail for the sliding means of the door panel is provided on a lateral surface of said profile perpendicular to the surface on which the sliding means is provided.
An object of the invention is also a shower enclosure, wherein the shower enclosure comprises an enclosure frame formed by panel sections connected at their ends by frame guides, wherein said frame comprises panel elements and at least one door panel which together delimit the space of the shower enclosure, said door panel being fixed in the frame slidingly or pivotally providing an entrance to said shower enclosure, wherein according to the invention the enclosure is characterized in that each of said panel elements is provided in the form of an assembly comprising at least two panel elements arranged adjacent to another and capable of overlapping at least partially, said panel elements being slidably fixed in a sliding means provided on both guides of the frame and extending along and over at least part of their length, wherein a cavity is provided at both ends of each frame guide in which a socket is formed to receive the fastener fixing the end of the guide with the panel profile, the depth of the socket formed in the cavity at the end of the guide being greater than the depth required to receive said fastener in the said socket.
In an preferred embodiment of the invention, said guiding means is provided in the form of a guiding groove positioned on the surface of the guide, advantageously there are provided at least two guiding grooves adjacent to each other and running parallel to each other along the length of the guiding means.
Advantageously, said frame guides are provided in the form of a profile in which said cavity in which there is formed the socket to receive a fastener securing the guide to the panel profile extends along the entire length of the frame guide, wherein a sliding rail for the sliding means of the door panel is provided on a lateral surface of said profile perpendicular to the surface on which the guide means is provided.
Also an object of the invention is a method for adjusting the size of a shower enclosure frame, the method comprising the steps of: a/ providing frame guides, panel profiles, and frame connectors, together forming the shower enclosure frame, wherein the frame guides are configured to receive the side panels and at least one slidably or pivotably installable door panel and are provided with a guiding means extending along at least part of the length of the frame guide and provided for receiving at least two panel elements adjacent to each other, capable of overlapping one on another and slidably placed in the said means, the frame guides at both ends are provided with a cavity in which a socket is formed to receive the fastener fixing the end of the guide with the panel profile, the depth of said socket formed in the hollow at the end of the guide being greater than the depth required to receive the fastener in said socket; b/ cutting of the hollow ends of the guides to the length required for the desired size of the shower enclosure while maintaining the depth of the said socket formed in the cavity necessary to accommodate said connector in said socket; c/ connecting the guides cut at step b/ with frame connectors to form the frame of the shower enclosure in the target size.
In the sense of the invention, the shower enclosure frame comprises two panel profiles connected at their two ends by two respective frame guides. Both the panel profiles and the frame guides are provided with sockets at their ends to receive a frame connector, the function of which is to connect the frame guides to the panel profiles, to form the shower enclosure frame. The frame connector may be provided as a connector having two ends, the first end of the connector being complementary in shape with the socket provided in the cavity at each end of the guides, and the second end of the connector being complementary in shape with the socket provided at the ends of the panel profiles. The coupling of the two ends of the fastener in the sockets of the guide and panel profiles can be provided in a known manner, for example by providing a complementary tongue-and-groove arrangement on the surfaces of the ends of the fastener and the socket. In an preferred embodiment of the invention, at the complementary end having a socket in the panel profile and in the panel profile itself, there are provided through-holes for receiving screws which, when screwed-in, pass through said through-holes in the panel profile and the first end of the fastener and are further received in the through channels provided at the end of the connector complementary to the socket in the guide cavity and are then further received in the rails provided in the aforementioned socket, ensuring a stable connection of both ends of the connector in the sockets of the guide and the panel profile, thus forming a stable shower enclosure frame. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fastener at its first end has two through holes which pass into through channels at the second end, whereby two rails are provided in a socket in the guide, complementary to the two through channels in the fastener, which, when the other end of the fastener is inserted into the socket in the frame guide, on one hand stabilize the position of the fastener in the guide and, on the other hand, by allowing receiveing screws which are screwed in through the holes and through channels at the first and second ends of the fastener respectively, provide additional reinforcement of the connection. It can be envisaged here that the fastener is first fixed in the socket in the guide by screwing a screw inserted into one of the holes, after which the already assembled system is inserted into the socket in the panel profile, after which the connection is stabilized by screwing in a second screw, wherein the second screw is then inserted into the recess in the panel profile, where it passes through the appropriately provided through-hole in the panel profile and by entering the through-hole in the other end of the fastener it passes through the channel in the first end to further stabilize the connection of the channel to the profile by entering the rail in the guide socket.
The above-described connection of guides with panel profiles involves inserting both ends of the fastener into suitably provided sockets in the cavity at the end of the guide and the ends of the panel profiles. It is clear to the skilled person that the socket in the cavity at the ends of the guide must be of sufficient depth to allow complete insertion and, advantageously, stabilisation by screws of the end of the fastener which is complementary to the socket. Thus, the depth required to be accommodate the fastener in the socket actually corresponds to the length of the fastener end inserted into the socket in the fixed position of the assembled frame. According to the invention, however, the depth of the socket provided in the cavities in the ends of the guides is greater than the depth required to accommodate the fastener in the socket. This arrangement makes it possible, in the method according to the invention, to cut the guide without losing the ability to connect the guide to the panel profile. The extent to which the depth of the socket provided in the hollow end of the guide exceeds the depth required to accommodate the fastener in the socket (i.e. de facto the length of the fastener end entering the socket) determines the range of permissible adjustment of the length of the guide. In other words, the more the depth of the socket exceeds the minimum depth required for the fastener end to be fully inserted into the socket, the greater the portion of the guide that can be cut off without losing the ability to firmly connect the frame guide fastener to the panel profile, and consequently the greater the range of frame size adjustment.
The frame guides can, in an advantageous example of the invention, be provided in the form of a profile with the same cross-section throughout the entire length of the guide. In such an advantageous example of the solution, the cavity including the socket formed in the cavity actually extends along the entire length of the guide, which means that there is no restriction on where to cut the guide to obtain the desired size.
In an preferred embodiment, the connection of the frame guide to the panel profile can be provided by at least one frame connector in the form of a screw that is screwed into a socket formed in the guide. Advantageously, in such embodiment, two or more fasteners in the form of screws are used.
Changing the length of the frame guides by cutting them as known in the state-of-the- art solutions would also mean that the size of the wall panels fixed in the guides would have to be adjusted accordingly. In the shower enclosure frame solution according to the invention, this objective has been achieved by placing a guide means on the opposing surfaces of the opposing guides lying opposite each other (as in the assembled state of the frame). Said guiding means extends from the end of the frame guide along at least part of the length of the frame guide and is provided for receiving at least two panel elements adjacent to each other, being able to overlap one on another and slidably positionable in said means. In other words, at least two panel elements may be simultaneously positioned adjacent to each other in the said guiding means, and the guiding means provides for sliding of the said elements relative to each other so that they may at least partially overlap. Moving the panel elements in relation to each other in such a way that they overlap provides compensation for the loss of length of the guide after it has been cut to achieve the desired size of the shower enclosure. After cutting the guide, it is sufficient to move the panel elements relative to each other so that they continue to overlap to provide a tight separation of the shower enclosure from the rest of the room. In an advantageous variant of the solution according to the invention, said guide means is provided in the form of a guide groove positioned on the surface of the guide, and in a more advantageous variant at least two adjacent to each other and separated guide grooves are provided running parallel to each other along the length of the guide, providing paths for sliding of the panel elements so that the panel elements can be appropriately moved relative to each other and overlap to adjust their extension to the desired dimension of the shower enclosure . In an advantageous example of the solution according to invention, the guide grooves extend from the end of the guide only for part of its length, and the ends of the grooves delimit sliding of the panel elements. In an advantageous variant, the voids of the guide grooves that are not filled with the panel element are filled with a cut-to-size gasket, which further stabilises the position of the panel elements in the guide means. In addition, it is advantageous to provide additional sealing of the panel element placed in the guide groove. Such a seal can also be provided along the length of the panel elements, which can prevent water from entering between the panel elements when the enclosure is in use.
The sliding or pivoting fixing of the door panel in the frame guides can be solved in a manner known in the state of the art. In particular, in an advantageous example of the invention, a sliding rail compatible in shape with the sliding means with which the door panel is equipped is provided on the lateral surface of the profile, perpendicular to the surface on which the sliding means is provided (i.e. on the interior side of the shower enclosure).
The frame guides can be envisaged in a variety of shapes, thus providing different shapes for the shower enclosure formed by the wall panels and the door panel installed in the frame. It is clear to the expert in the field that the shape of the frame forces the shape of the panels to be adapted accordingly. Thus, it can be envisaged that the guide is formed by two rectilinear sections connected by an arc-shaped guide section. In a frame shaped in this way, it is possible to provide for flat wall panels and semi-circular single or two-part door panels, fixed in the guides in a sliding or pivoting manner. Such a shape of the frame will essentially provide a semi-circular shower enclosure.
In another example of a frame according to the invention, the guides can be provided in the form of two straight sections joined at right angles. The frame formed from the guides formed in this way allows the installation of flat wall panels and a flat, either single or two-part door panel, fixed slidingly or pivotally in the guides. In such embodiment of the frame according to the invention, a classic rectangular or square shape of the shower enclosure is provided.
In yet another embodiment, it can be anticipated that the guides are curved and the panel elements and the pivoting or sliding , one or two-part, door panel are also curved accordingly. In this way, the frame provided and the panels fixed therein provide a semi-circular shower enclosure.
In a further preferred embodiment, a pentagonal shaped shower enclosure can be provided, whereby in such an embodiment the frame is fixed to the walls constituting the corner of the room, the guides are provided in the form of straight sections, which are also connected by a straight profile, which generally corresponds in length to the width of the door panel, which in such an embodiment is fixed in the enclosure frame pivotally, in a manner known to the expert in the field. The frame structure of the shower enclosure described above in the embodiments makes it possible to implement a method of adjusting the size thereof, wherein such method comprises the steps of: a/ providing frame guides, panel profiles, and frame connectors, wherein the frame guides are configured to receive side panels and at least one door panel slidably or pivotably installable, and being provided with a guide means extending along at least a portion of the length of the frame guide and provided for receiving at least two panel elements adjacent one another, capable of overlapping one on another and being able to be slidably placed in the said guide means, wherein the frame guides at both ends are provided with a cavity in which a socket is formed to receive the fastener fixing the end of the guide with the panel profile, the depth of said socket formed in the hollow at the end of the guide being greater than the depth required to receive the fastener in said socket; b/ cutting of the hollow ends of the guides to the length required for the desired size of the shower enclosure while maintaining the depth of the said socket formed in the cavity necessary to accomdate said connector in said socket; c/ connecting the guides cut in step b/ with frame connectors to form the shower enclosure frame in the target size.
By cutting the hollow ends of the guides to the length required for the desired size of the shower enclosure, it is meant here that the length of the guides is shortened in such a way that, when combined with the panel profiles fixed to the wall, it provides the target internal dimensions of the shower enclosure.
Further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, which are shown for illustrative purposes only and in no way limit the scope of protection as defined by the attached patent claims.
The invention is illustrated in the embodiments shown on the drawing in which:
Fig. 1 shows in an embodiment of the invention an assembled shower enclosure frame.
Fig. 2 shows, in an embodiment of the invention, a shower enclosure with frame elements according to Fig.l in an exploded view.
Fig. 3 shows the shower enclosure in an assembled state in the embodiment according to Fig.1-2. Fig. 4 shows in exploded view a shower enclosure in a further embodiment of the invention in an exploded view
Fig. 5 shows in an assembled state the shower enclosure in an embodiment according to Fig.4.
Fig. 6 shows in an embodiment a guide and a frame connector in one embodiment.
Fig. 7 shows the guide with assembled frame connector in an embodiment according to Fig.6.
Fig. 8 shows schematically in an embodiment of the invention the method of connection of connector of the frame guide with the panel profile.
Fig. 9 shows schematically in an embodiment of the invention the guiding means provided in the guide connected to the panel profile.
Fig. 10 shows schematically in an embodiment of the invention, the method of placing the profile elements in the guiding means.
Fig. 11 shows in the embodiment of the invention an advantageous sealing of the free spaces in the guiding means.
Fig. 12 shows schematically in the embodiment of the invention the profile elements provided in the sliding means of the frame guides and additionally sealed with an optional gasket.
Fig. 13 shows an example of sliding means provided on a door panel.
Fig. 14 shows schematically the sliding means provided in the rails provided on the lateral surface of the guides.
Fig. 15 shows a schematic method of length adjustment of the guides
Fig. 16 shows a method of mounting panel profiles in the U-shaped mounting panel.
Fig. 17 shows an example of a connector connecting the guides at a right angle
Fig.1 shows, in an embodiment, a shower enclosure frame 1, which is formed by two panel profiles 2, which at both ends are connected to two frame guides 3. As shown in Fig.2 in this embodiment, the frame guides 3 at both ends comprise two rectilinear sections connected to each other by an arch-shaped part of the guide. This formation of the frame guides 3 allows the installation of flat panel elements in the rectilinear sections of the guides and the installation of a rounded door panel of single piece or two pieces (as shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing).
Fig. 2 shows, in an exploded view, a shower enclosure comprising the frame shown in Fig. 1 in its disassembled state and the other elements of the enclosure in a preferred embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 shows panel profiles 2 which are provided to be connected at both ends by frame guides 3 to form the shower enclosure frame, as shown in Fig. 1. The frame guides 3 are configured to receive the panel elements 4 and a two-piece door panel 5 slidably installable in the frame guides 3, with a guide means 6 extending along a rectilinear section of the frame guides 3 on surfaces of the opposite frame guides 3 and provided to receive the panel elements 4, so that they can be positioned in the guide means slidably and so as to overlap, as shown in further figures of the drawing. At the ends of the guides 3, there are provided sockets 7 adapted to receive a connector 8 which connects the frame guides 3 to the panel profiles 2, said connection being advantageously stabilized by screws 9, as shown more closely in Fig.6. The sealing of the door panels 5 is provided by two magnetic seals 10 and two gaskets 10'. The door panels are also provided with sliding means 11 provided to engage with the sliding rail 12 provided on the side surface of the guides 3 (as better shown in Fig.14). The panel elements 4 are sealed at the sliding means by pairs of gaskets 13 and 13', while along the length of the panels there are provided pairs of gaskets 14. In this advantageous embodiment, the panel profiles 2 are fastened inside the U-shaped fastening profiles 15, which are used to fasten the entire enclosure to the walls of the room. The fastening of the panel profile 2 to the U-shaped fastening profile 15 is shown in more detail in Fig.16.
Fig. 3 shows the schematically assembled shower enclosure which was shown in the exploded view in Fig. 2, wherein in this embodiment the enclosure is seated on the shower tray 16. It is clear, however, that the shower enclosure can also be seated in a known method directly on the floor of the room with the provided linear drain (not shown).
Fig. 4 shows, in exploded view, a shower enclosure in another embodiment, where the guides 3 are designed in the form of straight profiles connected to each other at an angle of 90 degrees. Fig. 4 shows the panel profiles 2 that are designed to connect at both ends by the guides 3 to form the shower enclosure frame. The frame guides 3 are configured to receive panel elements 4 and a two-piece door panel 5 slidably installable in the guides 3, wherein on the opposite surfaces of the guides 3 there is provuded is a guide means 6 extending along the frame guides 3 and adapted to receive panel elements 4, so that they can be slidably placed in the guide means and so that they can overlap each other, as follows from the figures in the drawing. At the ends of the frame guides 3 there are sockets 7 adapted to receive the connector 8, which connects the frame guide 3 with panel profiles 2, wherein the connection being stabilized with screws 9, as shown in more detail in Fig. 6. The sealing of the door panels 5 is provided by two magnetic seals 10 and two seals 10'. The door panels are also equipped with sliding means 11 designed to cooperate with a sliding rail 12 provided on the side surface of the guides 3 (as shown in greater detail in Fig. 14). The panel elements are sealed in the guiding means by pairs of gaskets 13 and 13', and pairs of gaskets 14 are provided along the length of the panels. In this preferred embodiment, the panel profiles 2 are mounted inside the U-shaped fastening profiles 15, which are used to fasten the entire enclosure to the walls of the room (shown schematically in Fig. 16). Fig. 17 also shows further an example of a method for connecting the guides 3 at right angles using a guide connector 17, designed and form-fitted in a known way in the sockets provided at the ends of the guides.
Fig. 5 shows a schematic diagram of an assembled shower enclosure shown in the exploded view in Fig. 4, and in this embodiment the enclosure is placed on a shower tray 16. However, it is clear that the shower enclosure can also be placed directly in a known manner on the room’s floor with a linear drain provided (not shown in the drawing).
Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the guide profile 3 and the frame connector 8 in one embodiment. As shown in the drawing, the frame guide 3 is equipped with a socket 7 allowing to accommodate the frame connector 8, the task of which is to connect the frame guide 3 with the panel profile 2 (as shown in greater detail in Fig. 8). The frame connector 8 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 6 is designed as a connector having two ends 8' and 8", wherein the end of the connector 8" is complementary in shape to the socket 7, and the end 8' of the connector is complementary in shape to the socket 18 provided at the ends of panel profiles (as shown in Fig. 8).
As shown in Fig. 6, the 8" end is equipped with two through channels 19, which when inserting the end 8" of the connector 8 into the socket 7 in the guide 3, receive two rails 20, which allows the connector 8 to be stabilized in the socket 7. Additionally, the through holes 21 provided at the end 8' of the connector 8 enable inserting of a screw 9, which when screwed in, passes through one of the mentioned through holes, and is then received in the through channel 19, entering further into the rail 20, ensuring a stable connection of the end 8" of the connector in the socket 7 of the guide 3, as shown in Fig. 7. It is clear to the person skilled in the art that a similar assembly can be carried out at either end of both guides 3.
Fig. 8 schematically shows the installation of the connector 8 previously installed in the guide 3 in the panel profile 2 (as discussed above with reference to Fig. 6). As shown in the drawing, in order to connect the guide 3 with the panel profile 2, the end 8' is inserted in the direction shown by the arrow into the socket 18 complementary in shape with the end 8’ and provided at the end of the panel profile 2. In the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 8 on the surface of the end 8' of the connector, a system of grooves 22 is provided, complementary to the system of splines 23 provided in the socket 18. When the end 8' is inserted into the socket 18 in the panel profile 2, the grooves 22 engage with the splines 23, stabilizing the position of the connector with the panel profile 2. Additionally, the connection of the connector with the panel profile is stabilized by inserting a screw 9 into the through hole in the panel profile 2 (not shown in the drawing) and further into the through hole 21. The screw, passing through the channel 19, enters the rail 20 (shown in Fig. 6) and stabilizes connection of connector 7 of the guide 2 with the panel profile. It is clear to the person skilled in the art that an analogous assembly can be carried out at either end of both guides 3 to form a frame in an embodiment of the invention.
The connection of the end of the guide 3 with the panel profile is shown in Fig. 9, which also shows the guide means 6 in the form of two guide grooves 6' into which the panel elements 4 are inserted, as shown in Fig. 10.
The arrows shown in Fig. 10 show the direction of insertion of the panel elements 4, which should be inserted into the guide grooves 6' and moved to the ends of the guide grooves 6'. Guide grooves 6' enable sliding of panel elements placed adjacent to each other, and as shown in the drawing, these elements partially overlap one on the other.
As can be seen from Fig. 10, both guide grooves in the part not filled with the panel element remain empty. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown schematically in Fig. 11, these hollows, with lengths marked U1 and U2 in Fig. 11, are filled with a U-shaped seal 13, which is cut to the lengths U1 and U2 and inserted into the hollows of guide groove 6'. The seal 13 additionally stabilizes and locks the position of the panel elements in the guide grooves 6' of the guide means 6.
As shown in Fig. 12, in a preferred embodiment the panel elements 4 placed in the guide grooves 6' can be additionally sealed with gaskets 13'. Fig. 12 also illustrates a cross-section of the profile constituting the guide in a preferred embodiment and shows the shape of the socket 7 provided in the cavity of the guide profile 3, as well as shows a sliding rail 10 provided in the plane of the guide 3 perpendicular to the plane of the guide means 6. Said sliding rail 10 is provided for engaging the known sliding means 11 provided on the door panels 5 and shown in the embodiment in Fig. 13. Sliding means within the meaning of the invention should be understood as means attached to the door profile, which, when placed in the sliding rail, move therein, allowing the door panel to move along the guide. When the sliding means comprise rotating wheels, the movement of the sliding means in the sliding rail is effected by the rotation of said wheels. Fig. 14 schematically shows the sliding means 11 placed in the sliding rails 10. Such sliding means and their operation are known to those skilled in the art and are presented herein for completeness of disclosure only.
In the embodiments presented above, the guide is designed as a profile in which a socket 7 is provided in the profile cavity extending from both ends of the guide along the entire length of the guide means 6 provided in the guide 3, enabling a large range of adjustment of the guide length. The above-described implementation of the socket 7 in the cavities at the ends of the guide provide many times of the depth required to completely insert and stabilize with screws 9 complementary in shape of the socket 7 the end 8" of the connector 8. The described embodiments therefore implement the concept according to the invention, according to which the depth of the socket provided in the cavity at the end of the guides is greater than the depth required to accomodate the end 8" of the connector 8 in the socket. This concept can also be implemented in a simple way by providing for a connector in form of screws placed in a socket shaped to accept screws to stabilize the connection of the guide with the panel profile.
It is clear to the person skilled in the art that the presented solution allows the guide to be cut without losing the ability to connect the guide to the panel profile. The extent to which the depth of the socket provided in the cavity at the end of the guide exceeds the depth required to accommodate the connector in the socket determines the range of allowable adjustment of the guide length. In other words, the more the depth of the socket exceeds the minimum depth necessary to fully accommodate the end of the connector, the more of the guide can be cut off without losing the possibility of a stable connection to the panel profile, and consequently the greater the scope for adjusting the size of the frame. Of course, the shorter the guide becomes, the more the panel elements 4 slidably placed in the guide means 6 will overlap one on another, which in the preferred embodiment includes two guide grooves 6'. The above-described embodiments of a shower enclosure including an enclosure frame according to the invention enable use of the method for adjusting the size of the shower enclosure frame according to the invention, which according to the invention includes the step of providing frame guides 3, panel profiles 2, and frame connectors 8, wherein, as explained above, the frame guides 3 are configured to receive the panel elements 4 and the slidably or pivotally installable at least one door panel 5 and are provided with the guide means 6 extending along at least part of the length of the frame guide 3 and arranged to receive at least two panel elements 4 adjacent to each other, that can overlap one on another and be slidably placed in the said means. At both ends of the frame guide 3 there is a cavity in which a socket 7 is formed for receiving a connector 8 fastening the end of the guide 3 with the panel profile 2, and the depth of the said socket 7 that is formed in the cavity at the end of the guide 3 is greater than the depth required to accomodate said connector 8 in said socket. The described method step may be implemented by providing a frame as shown in the embodiments described above. The second stage of the method according to the invention is illustrated in Fig. 15, which schematically shows method for cutting the hollow ends of the guides to the length required for the desired size of the shower enclosure. In order to adjust the frame to the desired size, the desired length of the guide is determined in its part including the guide means and the ends of the guide are cut off accordingly, shortening it to the desired size. As shown in the drawing, exactly the same socket profile is maintained at the cut-off point (shown in cross-section), and as this profile is maintained along the entire length of the guide part equipped with the guide means, it is possible to implement the next stage of the method according to the invention, i.e. connecting the guides cut in the previous stage with frame connectors to create a shower enclosure frame in its final size. The panel elements and the door panel are then embedded in such a frame, as described above, to form a shower enclosure sized to suit the desired dimensions using the method of the invention.
As further shown in Fig. 16, the panel profile 2 may be embedded in the U-shaped wall panel 15, wherein such installation being accomplished by providing, as shown in the drawing, a through hole in the profile in the U-shaped wall panel 15 and the panel profile 2 and appropriate fixing of their mutual position with a stabilizing screw. The use of a U-shaped wall panel 15 to support the frame according to the invention allows additional adjustment, for example in the range of 0-20 mm, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 16. It is clear to the person skilled in the art that by selecting the dimensions of the wall panel 15 and the panel profile 2, the adjustment range can be varied accordingly. It is clear to one skilled in the art that implementation of the essence of the invention may involve modifications not disclosed herein, which will still fall within the scope of the invention, the features of which are described in the following claims.
Reference list:
1 - frame
2 - panel profile
3 - guide
4 - panel elements
5 - door panel
6 - guide means
6' - guide groove
7 - socket (in the hollow at the end of the guide)
8 - frame connector
8’, 8” - ends of the frame connector
9 - screw
10 - magnetic seal of the door panel
10' - door panel seal
11 - sliding means
12 - sliding rail
13, 13' - guide means seal
14 - panel seals
15 - U-shaped wall panel
16 - shower tray
17 - guide connector
18 - socket in the profile panel - through channel - rail - through holes - grooves - splines

Claims

Claims
1. A shower enclosure frame, comprising panel profiles connected at their both ends by frame guides, said frame guides being configured to accommodate panel elements and at least one slidingly or pivotally installable door panel, characterized in that on each said frame guides (3), there is provided a guide means (6) extending along at least part of the length of said frame guides (3) and arranged to receive at least two panel elements (4) adjacent to each other, overlapping on each other and slidably positionable in the guide means (6), and wherein at both ends of the frame guide (3) there is a cavity in which there is formed a socket (7) to receive the frame connector (8) fastening the end of the guide (3) to the panel profile (2), wherein the depth of said socket (7) formed in the cavity at the end of the guide is greater than the depth required to accommodate said frame connector in said socket.
2. The frame according to claim 1, characterized in that said guide means (6) is provided in the form of a guide groove (6') placed on the surface of the guide, preferably at least two guide grooves (6') adjacent to each other and running parallel to each other along the length of the guide.
3. The frame according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said frame guides (3) are provided in the form of a profile in which said cavity, in which a socket (7) is formed for receiving a connector (8) which fastens the guide (3) to the panel profile (2), extends along the entire length of the frame guide (3), and a sliding rail (10) for the sliding means (11) of the door panel (5) is placed on the side surface of said profile which is perpendicular to the surface on which the guide means (6) is provided.
4. A shower enclosure of an adjustable size, the shower enclosure comprising an enclosure frame formed by panel profiles connected at their ends by frame guides, said frame having therein mounted panel elements and at least one door panel which together define the space of the shower enclosure, wherein said door panel is slidably or rotatably mounted in the frame, providing an entrance to said shower enclosure, characterized in that each of said panel elements (4) is provided in the form of a set including at least two panel elements (4) placed in the frame (1) adjacent to each other and able to overlap at least partially one on the other and wherein said panel elements (4) being slidably mounted in a guide means (6) provided on both frame guides (3) and extending along at least part of their length, wherein on both ends of the guide, there is a cavity in which a socket (7) is formed for receiving a connector (8) that fastens the end of the guide (3) with the panel profile (2), and the depth of the socket (7) formed in the cavity at the ends of the frame guide (2) is greater than the depth required to receive said connector (8) in said socket (7).
5. The shower enclosure according to claim 4, characterized in that said guide means (6) is provided in the form of a guide groove (6') placed on the surface of the guide (3), preferably at least two guide grooves (6') adjacent to each other and running parallel to each other along the length of the guide (3) frame.
6. The shower enclosure according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the frame guides (3) are provided in the form of a profile in which said cavity, in which a socket (7) is formed for receiving the connector (8) fastening the frame guide (3) to the panel profile (2), extends along the entire length of the frame guide (3), and a sliding rail (10) for the sliding means (11) of the door panel (5) is placed on the side surface of said profile which is perpendicular to the surface on which the guide means (6) is provided.
7. A method for adjusting the size of the shower enclosure frame, wherein the method includes the steps of: a/ providing frame guides (3), panel profiles (2), and frame connectors (8) which together form the shower enclosure frame (1), wherein the frame guides (3) are configured to receive the panel elements (4) and at least one slidably or pivotally installable door panel (5) and are provided with a guide means (6) extending along at least part of the length of the frame guide (3) and arranged to receive at least two panel elements (4) adjacent to each other, being able to overlap one on another and slidably positionable in the said means, wherein at both ends of the guide (3) a cavity is provided in which a socket (7) is formed to receive a connector (8) fastening the end of the guide (3) to the panel profile (2), wherein the depth of said socket (7) formed in the cavity at the end of the guide (3) is greater than the depth required to accommodate said connector (8) in said socket; b/ cutting the hollow ends of the guides to the length required for the desired size of the shower enclosure while maintaining the depth of the socket (7) necessary to accommodate the connector (8); c/ connecting the guides cut in stage b/ with frame connectors (7) to create a shower enclosure frame in the final size.
PCT/IB2024/050749 2023-01-27 2024-01-26 Shower enclosure frame, shower enclosure and method of adjusting the size of the shower enclosure frame WO2024157219A1 (en)

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PL443617A PL443617A1 (en) 2023-01-27 2023-01-27 Shower enclosure frame, shower enclosure and method of adjusting the size of shower enclosure frame
PLPL443617 2023-01-27

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Citations (2)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3430959A1 (en) * 2017-05-24 2019-01-23 Ideal Sanitary Ware Co., Ltd. Shower door frame, and shower door
AU2021106855A4 (en) * 2020-10-16 2021-12-02 Aluminium Industries Of Australia Pty. Ltd. A screen, a screen system, and a screen installation method

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ES1023640Y (en) * 1993-01-20 1994-03-01 Mamparas Del Sur S L SLIDING SHEET FOR BATHROOM SCREENS.
ES1030467Y (en) * 1995-03-22 1996-02-16 Del Castillo Amancio Revuelta SLIDING LEAF SCREEN FOR BATHTUBS.
DE20216029U1 (en) * 2002-10-18 2003-01-16 KL-Beschläge Karl Loggen GmbH, 53783 Eitorf Guide for movable shower door has longitudinally extending guide with longitudinal and angular adjustment to position door
ES1058300Y (en) * 2004-07-15 2005-03-16 Mamparas Cartagena S L DOORS WITH SLIDING GUIDES FOR BATH AND SHOWER ACCESS

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3430959A1 (en) * 2017-05-24 2019-01-23 Ideal Sanitary Ware Co., Ltd. Shower door frame, and shower door
AU2021106855A4 (en) * 2020-10-16 2021-12-02 Aluminium Industries Of Australia Pty. Ltd. A screen, a screen system, and a screen installation method

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