Abstract:
A shower door assembly is disclosed comprising a stationary frame, a movable frame having a window, an upper frame, and an adjusting assembly. The adjusting assembly further comprises an adjusting block and a fixing block. The adjusting block is disposed between the stationary frame and the movable frame and at least partially received in the stationary frame, and the adjusting block further includes an extension portion on a surface of which a first engaging element is disposed. The fixing block is received in the upper frame and includes an eccentric rotary block having a second engaging element and a base portion having a passage for receiving the extension portion. The eccentric rotary block is rotatable about the base portion.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present invention claims priority benefits from Chinese utility model application No. 201320099173.4 filed on Mar. 5, 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a shower door assembly and, in particular to a structure for installing and adjusting a stationary frame and a movable frame of the shower door. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventionally, shower doors are always installed by drilling on the stationary frame and movable frames and then using screws to fix them to a wall surface. However, the installation process is very inconvenient to operators and time-consuming. Moreover, the drilling may cause damages or scares to surfaces of the frames made of, for example, aluminum or its alloys, and in extreme cases, the drilling may cause the shower doors destroyed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One object of the present invention is to provide a shower door assembly with simple structure which is convenient and quick to install without drilling holes in the installation process. 
     To achieve the object, a shower door assembly is provided which comprises a stationary frame, a movable frame having a window, an upper frame, and an adjusting assembly. The adjusting assembly further comprises an adjusting block and a fixing block. The adjusting block is disposed between the stationary frame and the movable frame and at least partially received in the stationary frame, and the adjusting block further includes an extension portion on a surface of which a first engaging element is disposed. The fixing block is received in the upper frame and includes an eccentric rotary block having a second engaging element and a base portion having a passage for receiving the extension portion. The eccentric rotary block is rotatable about the base portion. 
     In one embodiment, the upper frame has an opening in which the fixing block is at least partially embedded. Preferably, the upper frame has a sliding groove and correspondingly the fixing block has a sliding rail such that the fixing block can slide into the upper frame along the sliding groove and is received in the upper frame. 
     In one embodiment, the movable frame has a through hole and the upper frame has at least one corresponding screw hole such that the upper frame, the fixing block and the movable frame is installed together by a fastener through the screw hole and the through hole. 
     In one embodiment, the eccentric rotary block comprises a push portion and a handle perpendicular to the push portion, and the second engaging element is disposed on an outer surface of the push portion. Preferably, the second engaging element is disposed on a surface of the push portion adjacent to the handle. In one embodiment, a gap is formed at an end of the handle remote from the push portion. 
     In one embodiment, the base portion includes a concave for receiving the eccentric rotary block. In one embodiment, a first pinhole is disposed on a wall of the concave and correspondingly a second pinhole is disposed on the push portion of the eccentric rotary block, the eccentric rotary block being rotatable about the base portion by a pin. 
     In one embodiment, the stationary frame has a guiding groove and the adjusting block has a flange such that the adjusting block can be received in the stationary frame. In a further embodiment, the adjusting block comprises an adjusting portion having the extension portion and a baffle, and a fixing portion having a base, a lateral wall projecting vertically from the base and an elastic member connected to the lateral wall, and an open chamber is formed between the elastic member and the base, wherein the baffle can be inserted into the chamber as the elastic member is pressed by the baffle such that the fixing portion and the adjusting portion are coupled with each other. 
     The shower door assembly according to the present invention has simple structures and is convenient and quick to install without drilling holes in the installation process. Meanwhile, the present invention can assure a satisfying appearance and quality of the products because there is no need to drill holes on the surface of the frames made of, for example, aluminum. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further advantages and details of the present invention emerge from the example embodiments described below, which do not limit the invention in any way, and from the drawings, in which 
         FIG. 1  shows the primary components of an exemplary shower door according the present invention and the spatial relationships of the same; 
         FIG. 2  is a partially detailed view of an exemplary stationary frame; 
         FIG. 3  is a partially detailed view of an exemplary movable frame; 
         FIG. 4  is a structural view of an exemplary adjusting block of the adjusting assembly; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  respectively show different perspective views of a base portion of an exemplary fixing block; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  respectively show different perspective views of an eccentric rotary block of an exemplary fixing block; 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  respectively show different perspective views of an exemplary upper frame; 
         FIG. 8  shows a partially sectional view of the adjusting assembly as being locked; 
         FIG. 9  shows a partially sectional view of the adjusting assembly as being opened; 
         FIG. 10  shows a view of an adjusting portion of another exemplary adjusting block; 
         FIG. 11  shows a view of a fixing portion of the adjusting block shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  shows a top view of the fixing portion shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  shows a top view of the adjusting portion of another exemplary adjusting block as being coupled with the fixing portion. 
     
    
    
     Elements that are irrelevant to the spirit of the present invention are omitted for clarity. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the,” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the terms “and/or” include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” “comprising” “includes” and/or “including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     Example 1 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary shower door assembly primarily comprises a stationary frame  10 , a movable frame  20 , an upper frame  30 , a glass door (not shown) and an adjusting assembly. The assembly primarily includes an adjusting block  40  and a fixing block  50  having a base portion  502  and an eccentric rotary block  504 . 
     Specifically, referring to  FIG. 2 , the stationary frame  10  includes two transverse plates and a lateral plate  103  which form a space together for receiving the adjusting block  40 . Baffles  104   a ,  104   b  which are opposite to one another extend respectively from the two transverse plates toward the space to form a guiding groove with the lateral plate  103  together. The stationary frame  10  can be fixing to a wall in a suitable manner. In this example, the stationary frame  10  is fixed to the wall by a fastener through a screw hole (not shown) disposed in the stationary frame  10 . It is possible to fix the stationary frame to the wall in other manners, for example, using adhesive agents. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the adjusting block  40  comprises a main body  401  and an extension portion  403 . The main body  401  has a flange  402  for inserting into the guiding groove of the stationary frame  10  to connect the adjusting block  40  with the stationary frame  10  detachably. The extension portion  403  is substantially perpendicular to the main body  401  and has teeth  404  disposed on an upper surface of the extension portion  403 . Preferably, teeth  405  are also disposed on a lower surface of the extension portion  403  for improving the locking effect, while it is enough for achieving the object of the present invention to dispose the teeth  404  only on the upper surface. In this example, a chamfering edge  406  is provided at an end of the extension portion  403  remote from the main body  401  to facilitate insertion of the extension portion  403  into a passage  63  of the fixing block  50  which will be described in detail below. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3  which is a partially detailed view of the movable frame  20 , the movable frame  20  is consisted of two transverse plates  201 ,  202  and a lateral plate  203  having a window  204 . The extension portion  403  of the adjusting block  40  goes through the window  204 . In this example, the lateral plate  203  has only one window  204 . The lateral plate  203  may have more windows as more adjusting blocks are needed for use, for example, two adjusting blocks respectively disposed on the top and bottom of the stationary frame. A portion of the lateral wall  203  projects inwards to form a space  205  for receiving the transverse plate  101  of the stationary frame and the extension portion  403 , and a space  206  for receiving the transverse plate  102  of the stationary frame. In a further embodiment, two transverse plates of the stationary frame may be disposed at the outsides of the transverse plates of the movable frame, i.e., two transverse plates of the movable frame are surrounded by the transverse plates of the stationary frame. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6  showing different perspective views of the eccentric rotary block  504  of the fixing block  50 , the eccentric rotary block  504  includes a handle  71  and a push portion  72 . The push portion  72  is substantially in a shape of cylinder and the handle  71  is arranged in the tangential direction of the push portion. Teeth  73  which are coupled with teeth  404  in close state are disposed on a surface of the push portion  72 . In this example, the surface on which the teeth  73  are disposed is not curved but flat, which will facilitate a tight engagement of the teeth  404  with the teeth  73 . Preferably, the teeth  73  are disposed on a surface of the push portion  72  adjacent to the handle  71 . 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  respectively show different perspective views of the base portion  502  of the fixing block  50 . The base portion  502  includes concaves  62  and  64 , the passage  63  and a sliding rail  65 . The concave  64  is arranged to receive the push portion  72  of the eccentric rotary block  504 , whereas the concave  62  is arranged to receive the handle  71 . Pinholes  61  are provided in two walls of the concave  64  opposite to one another, and a pinhole  75  is provided in the push portion  72 . The base portion  502  and the eccentric rotary block  504  are connected together by a pin (not shown) through the pinholes  61 ,  75  such that the eccentric rotary block  504  can be rotated about the pin in a space of the concave  62 ,  64 . The passage  63  for receiving the extension portion  403  goes through the base portion  502  in the direction of the extension portion  403 . In this example, the passage  63  has a length of about 5 cm to 20 cm. It is possible for a skilled person to adjust the inner diameter and length of the passage. The passage preferably has a cross-section matching to that of the extension portion. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the upper frame  30  has a sliding groove  303  and an opening  304 . The sliding groove  303  is arranged to couple with the sliding rail  65  of the base portion  502  such that the fixing block  50  can be connected to the upper frame  30 . The opening  304  is arranged to receive a portion of the base portion  502  and prevent the fixing block  50  from free sliding in the upper frame. In this example, the upper frame  30  further has two screw holes  301  and  302  such that the movable frame  20 , the fixing block  50  and the upper frame  30  can be connected together by fasteners (for example, screws) through the screw holes  301  and  302 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the eccentric rotary block  504  is in close state when the handle  71  is in a position as shown in  FIG. 6(B) , i.e., the handle is perpendicular to a plane where the teeth  404  reside. Referring to  FIG. 9 , the eccentric rotary block  504  is in open state when the handle  71  is in a position as shown in  FIG. 6(A) , i.e., the handle is parallel to a plane where the teeth  404  reside. 
     In this example, a gap  74  is formed at an end of the handle  71  remote from the push portion  72 . When the eccentric rotary block  504  is in the close state, a force can be applied to the handle  71  by a tool (a flat screwdriver, for example) which is inserted into the gap  74  to make the handle  71  move upwards, and ultimately make it rotate to an open position. 
     During the installation process, the adjusting block  40  is installed to the stationary frame  10  after the stationary frame  10  is fixed to the wall, and subsequently, the movable frame  20 , the fixing block  50  and the upper frame  30  are connected together. The relative positions of the stationary frame  10  and the movable frame  20  are adjusted to allow the extension portion  403  go through the window  204  of the movable frame  20  to insert into the passage  63 . When all components are in desired positions, the handle  71  is rotated downwards and a force is applied to the extension portion by the push portion  72  such that the teeth  73  are engaged with the teeth  404  and thus the extension portion  403  is restricted in the passage  63  without relative motion between the movable frame  20  and the stationary frame  10 . The handle  71  can be rotated upwards to allow the extension portion  403  exit from the passage  63  as required. 
     Example 2 
     The shower door assembly described in example 1 is substantially similar to the shower door assembly described in example 2 except the connection of the adjusting block  40  with the stationary frame  10 . In this example, referring to  FIGS. 10 to 12 , the adjusting block  40  includes two dependent components, an adjusting portion  42  and a fixing portion  44 . The adjusting portion  44  has an extension portion  423  and a baffle  425 , and the fixing portion  44  has a base  443  and a lateral wall  441  projecting vertically from the base  443 . Two elastic members, for example two elastic plates, are provided at upper and lower ends of one side of the lateral wall  441  remote from the base  443 . Between the elastic member  445  and the base  443  is formed an open chamber  446  having an opening  447 . When the elastic members  445  are pressed by the baffle  425  of the adjusting block  40 , the elastic members  445  will be deformed such that the baffle  425  continuously approaches to the base  443  and consequently is squeezed into the chamber  446  through the opening  447 . Subsequently the elastic members  445  come back to the original positions to act on the baffle  425  such that the fixing portion  44  and the adjusting portion  42  are coupled with each other (referring to  FIG. 13 ). 
     In this example, referring to  FIG. 11 , a flange  422  is provided on the base  443  of the fixing portion  44 . The base  443  can be slidingly connected to the baffles  104   a  and  104   b  of the stationary frame  10  and the lateral wall  103  such that the fixing portion  44  is connected to the stationary frame  10 . 
     During the installation process, the stationary frame  10  is fixed to the wall after the fixing portion  44  of the adjusting block  40  is installed to the stationary frame  10 , and subsequently the movable frame  20 , the fixing block  50  and the upper frame  30  are connected together and thus the extension portion  423  of the adjusting portion  44  of the adjusting block  40  is inserted into the passage  63  such that the handle  71  can be rotated to achieve a tight coupling of the adjusting portion  42  with the movable frame  20 . The movable frame  20  is moved toward the stationary frame  10  to change the relative positions of the stationary frame  10  and the movable frame  20 . The elastic members are pressed by the baffle  425  of the adjusting block  40  to make the elastic member deform such that the baffle  425  continuously approaches to the base  443  and consequently is squeezed into the chamber  446  through the opening  447 . The elastic members  445  subsequently come back to the original positions to act on the baffle  425  such that the fixing portion  44  and the adjusting portion  42  are coupled with each other. The handle  71  can be rotated again to release the close state as required to adjust the relative positions of the stationary frame  10  and the movable frame  20 . When the desired relative positions are acquired, the handle  71  is rotated downwards to achieve the close state. 
     It should be understood that various example embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which only some example embodiments are shown. The present invention, however, may be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the example embodiments set forth herein.