Field trimmable receptor

A shower system for use in a shower environment includes a receptor. The receptor includes a fluid collection area and a rim. The fluid collection area includes a base forming a bottom surface of the fluid collection area and an opening extending through the base to allow water to drain from the fluid collection area via the opening. The rim extends outward from the fluid collection area along at least a portion of a perimeter of the fluid collection area. The rim includes a resizing feature configured to facilitate removing a portion of the rim to change a size of the receptor in one or more dimensions.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to plumbing receptors. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a field trimmable shower or bathing receptor.

Generally speaking, most shower or bathing receptors must be installed into an opening that is the same size as the receptor. Shower or bathing receptors are often required to be custom made to fit the dimensions of a specific opening, which is expensive and time consuming. If the custom made shower or bathing receptor is incorrectly sized (e.g. the shower receptor is too large for the opening), a new shower or bathing receptor must be manufactured.

Shower or bathing receptors are often required by plumbing codes to have a flange located on the sides of the shower or bathing receptor that are adjacent to a wall of the opening in which the shower or bathing receptor is installed. Most conventional shower or bathing receptors have integrally molded flanges on the shower or bathing receptor on the sides that are adjacent to a wall. With an integrally molded flange, the shower or bathing receptor must be custom made for the opening in which the shower or bathing receptor is installed.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a shower system for use in a shower environment. The shower system includes a receptor. The receptor includes a fluid collection area and a rim. The fluid collection area includes a base forming a bottom surface of the fluid collection area and an opening extending through the base to allow water to drain from the fluid collection area via the opening. The rim extends outward from the fluid collection area along at least a portion of a perimeter of the fluid collection area. The rim includes a resizing feature configured to facilitate removing a portion of the rim to change a size of the receptor in one or more dimensions.

In some embodiments, the rim may include a first rim and a second rim. The first rim can be coupled to a first side of the fluid collection area and extends outward from the first side in a first direction. The second rim can be coupled to a second side of the fluid collection area and extends outward from the second side in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. In some embodiments, the resizing feature may include a first resizing feature and a second resizing feature. The first resizing feature may be located along the first rim and can be configured to facilitate removing a portion of the first rim to change the size of the receptor in a first dimension aligned with the first direction. The second resizing feature may be located along the second rim and can be configured to facilitate removing a portion of the second rim to change the size of the receptor in a second dimension aligned with the second direction.

In some embodiments, the rim may include a top surface that can extend outward from the fluid collection area and a side wall that may be substantially perpendicular to the top surface and can be coupled to the top surface along a shared edge. The top surface and the side wall may at least partially define a concave region within the rim. The shower system may further include a beam within the concave region within the rim.

In some embodiments, the shower system further includes a flange that may be coupled to the rim and can form a watertight seal between the rim and a wall of the shower environment. In some embodiments, the flange can include one or more sections of aluminum positioned along an edge of the rim. In some embodiments, the flange may be a unitary component that can include two or more linear sections and one or more corners that may join the two or more linear sections.

In some embodiments, the base forming the bottom surface of the fluid collection area may be substantially conical sloping downward toward the opening to bias the water toward the opening.

In some embodiments, the shower system can include the rim and the bias forming the bottom surface of the fluid collection area. The rim can include a first rim that may extend outward from a first edge of the fluid collection area and a second rim that may extend outward from a second edge of the fluid collection area. The bias forming the fluid collection area may be sloped toward the opening such that a first distance between the first edge and the base may be greater than a second distance between the second edge and the base.

In some embodiments, the resizing feature can include one or more markings indicating where to cut the rim to remove the portion of the rim to change the size of the receptor.

Another example embodiment relates to a receptor for use in a shower environment. The receptor includes a fluid collection area and a rim. The fluid collection area includes a base forming a bottom surface of the fluid collection area and an opening extending through the base to allow water to drain from the fluid collection area via the opening. The rim extends outward form the fluid collection area along at least a portion of a perimeter of the fluid collection area. The rim includes a resizing feature configured to facilitate removing a portion of the rim to change a size of the receptor in one or more dimensions.

In some embodiments, the rim may include a first rim and a second rim. The first rim can be coupled to a first side of the fluid collection area and may extend outward from the first side in a first direction. The second rim may be coupled to a second side of the fluid collection area and may extend outward from the second side in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. In some embodiments, the resizing feature may include a first resizing feature and a second resizing feature. The first resizing feature may be located along the first rim and can be configured to facilitate removing a portion of the first rim to change the size of the receptor in a first dimension aligned with the first direction. The second resizing feature may be located along the second rim and can be configured to facilitate removing a portion of the second rim to change the size of the receptor in a second dimension aligned with the second direction.

In some embodiments, the rim may include a top surface that can extend outward from the fluid collection area and a side wall that may be substantially perpendicular to the top surface and can be coupled to the top surface along a shared edge. The top surface and the side wall may at least partially define a concave region within the rim. The shower system may further include a beam within the concave region within the rim.

In some embodiments, the receptor may further include a flange coupled to the rim. The flange may form a watertight seal between the rim and a wall of the shower environment.

In some embodiments, the base forming the bottom surface of the fluid collection area may be substantially conical sloping downward toward the opening to bias the water toward the opening.

In some embodiments, the receptor may include the rim and the bias forming the bottom surface of the fluid collection area. The rim may include a first rim that can extend outward form a first edge of the fluid collection area and a second rim that can extend outward from a second edge of the fluid collection area. The bias forming the bottom surface of the fluid collection area may be sloped toward the opening such that a first distance between the edge and the base may be greater than a second distance between the second edge and the base.

In some embodiments, the resizing feature may include one or more markings indicating where to cut the rim to remove the portion of the rim to change the size of the receptor.

Another example embodiment relates to a method for installing a receptor in a shower environment. The method includes measuring a distance between a drain of the shower environment and a wall of the shower environment. The method further includes identifying a marking on the receptor that corresponds to the distance. The marking indicates where to cut the receptor to remove a portion of a rim of the receptor such that an opening in the receptor aligns with the drain when the receptor is installed in the shower environment. The marking is identified from a plurality of different markings on the receptor, each of the plurality of different markings corresponding to a different distance. The method further includes cutting the receptor at a location indicated by the marking. The method further includes installing the receptor in the shower environment after cutting the receptor at the location indicated by the marking.

In some embodiments, the method may further include coupling a flange to the rim of the receptor. The flange may provide a watertight seal between the rim and the wall of the shower environment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally speaking, most conventional shower or bath receptors are custom manufactured to the dimensions of a specific opening. Furthermore, if the receptors are sized improperly (e.g. the receptor is too large to fit into the opening), a new receptor has to be manufactured. Plumbing codes often require a flange on the edges of shower or bath receptors that are adjacent to a wall of the opening in which the shower or bathing receptor is installed. Most conventional shower or bath receptors have an integrally molded flange on the edges of the shower or bathing receptor that are adjacent to the wall of an opening in which the shower or bathing receptor is installed.

Referring generally to the FIGURES, disclosed herein are various embodiments of shower receptors that are trimmable to a variety of dimensions to allow the shower receptor to fit into multiple different sized openings. This eliminates the need to manufacture custom sized receptors, along with the cost and time associated According to an exemplary embodiment, the shower receptor has a plurality of sidewalls, each sidewall coupled to a rim with a width. At least one sidewall is coupled to a first rim with a first width. At least one sidewall is coupled to a second rim with a second width, the second width being larger than the first width. The sidewall with the second width (i.e. the wider rim) can be trimmed down such that the sidewall has a new width (e.g., a third width), which is less than the second width. Notably, the width of multiple rims can be trimmed. According to various exemplary embodiments, the shower receptor may be trimmed using conventional hand tools (e.g. a circular saw, a jigsaw, an angle grinder, a handsaw, etc.). In one embodiment, the receptor100is made of a material that includes a thermoformed acrylic. In other embodiments, the material of the receptor100includes a thermoformed acrylic strengthened with wood and/or fiberglass, which was shown to advantageously balance ease of cutting with strength. Notably, the other receptors of this application may include other materials. Each of the trimmable edges are configured to be coupled to a flange. The flange is coupled to the shower receptor by a fastener, which can include a nail, a screw, silicone, an adhesive, etc., or any combination thereof.

FIG.1illustrates a shower receptor100according to an exemplary embodiment. The shower receptor100includes a base101, which has an opening102(e.g., a cutout), and a plurality of sidewalls201-204extending substantially perpendicular from the base101. The base101is substantially a single piece. As shown, the base101has a rectangular profile, and the plurality of sidewalls201-204surrounds the base101. In other exemplary embodiments, the profile of the base101may be any geometric shape (e.g. a circle, a square, a triangle, etc.). The opening102is configured to be a circular cutout that may allow liquid (e.g., water, etc.) to pass through. In some embodiments, the opening102may resemble any geometric shape. By way of example, the opening102may include a grate, where the grate is configured to catch large objects and prevent them from passing through the opening102.

The illustrated plurality of sidewalls201-204are shown to include a first sidewall201, a second sidewall202, a third sidewall203, and a fourth sidewall204, each coupled to a different edge of a rim104. The plurality of sidewalls201-204may be further defined to be the outmost walls positioned along the outer perimeter of the shower receptor100. In some embodiments, the plurality of sidewalls201-204(e.g., first sidewall201, second sidewall202, third sidewall203, and fourth sidewall204) may be configured along at least one of the edges of the rim104. The rim104may be configured to define a boundary of a fluid collection area103, where the fluid collection area103can be configured to receive a fluid. The base101is sloped such that when the fluid collection area103receives the fluid, the fluid flows towards the opening102, and exits the fluid collection area103through the opening102. By way of example, the slope in the fluid collection area103is configured to be conical such that the fluid collection area does not contain seams. In some embodiments, the fluid collection area103includes sloping panels, where the panels include seams that extend between the opening102and the rim104such to form a pyramidical structure (e.g., trapezoidal planar panels that slope downward toward the opening102). The fluid collection area103defines a smooth surface for a user to stand on while bathing. In some embodiments, the fluid collection area103may define a textured surface such to provide the user with grip when using the shower environment.

The rim104is configured to extend along at least a portion of the entire perimeter of the fluid collection area103. In some embodiments, the rim104may extend along the entire perimeter of the fluid collection area103. In still some embodiments, the shower receptor100includes a plurality of the rims104positioned along the edge of the fluid collection area103. The rim104is coupled to at least one of the plurality of sidewalls201-204, and the rim104extends a first width outward and away from the base101, such that the rim104is coupled to at least one of the top edges of the plurality of sidewalls201-204after extending away from the base101. In some embodiments, the rim104extends outward and upward at an upward angle relative to a top edge of the sidewall, such that fluid will flow down the rim104and onto the base101. By way of example, the fluid collection area103may be positioned proximal to the rim104along at least one of the plurality of sidewalls201-204. In some embodiments, the rim104is substantially perpendicular to the sidewall.

The rim104is configured such that it may be trimmed to a second width, the second width being less than the first width. The rim104may be trimmed from the first width to the second width by cutting material away from the rim104using a conventional hand tool (e.g., a circular saw, a jigsaw, an angle grinder, a handsaw, etc.). In some embodiments, the rim104is further configured to flex such that the rim104can be bent after trimming. The flex allows for the rim104to bend downward and fasten the rim104to a floor below the shower receptor100. The rim104may flex at an angle (e.g., 2 degrees), while still maintaining a rigid structure. As shown, the shower receptor100includes a first rim301associated with the first sidewall201, a second rim302associated with the second sidewall202, a third rim303associated with the third sidewall203, and a fourth rim304associated with the fourth sidewall204. The first rim301is coupled to the first sidewall201, the second rim302is coupled to the second sidewall202, the third rim303is coupled to the third sidewall203, and the fourth rim304is coupled to the fourth sidewall204.

The shower receptor100is configured to be manufactured using thermoformed acrylic. In some embodiments, alternate methods of manufacturing (e.g., plastic extrusion, plastic bending, injection molding, etc.) may be used to create the shower receptor100. In some embodiments, alternate materials (e.g., metal, ceramics, glass, etc.) may be used to manufacture the shower receptor100.

Referring toFIGS.2A and3, a top view and a bottom view of the shower receptor100ofFIG.1is shown. The rim104may be configured along the entire perimeter of the base101. The plurality of rims104(e.g., first rim301, second rim302, third rim303, and fourth rim304) are coupled together by rim seams250. The rim seams250may be configured to be positioned between at least a set of rims104(e.g., first rim301and second rim302, etc.). By way of example, the rims104may be a single piece coupled to the base101, where the rim seam250may be configured as a transition. In some embodiments, the plurality of rims104may be coupled together at the rim seams250, where the rims104may include locking mechanisms (e.g., joint, latch, tongue and groove, etc.).

The shower receptor100further includes a horizontal axis260disposed along the base101. The horizontal axis260is disposed along the midpoint of the shower receptor100such that the horizontal axis260may be equidistant to both the second sidewall202and the fourth sidewall204. In some embodiments, the horizontal axis260may be equidistant to any configuration of the plurality of sidewalls201-204. In still some embodiments, the horizontal axis260may not be disposed along the midpoint of the shower receptor100such that the horizontal axis260may be positioned proximal to at least one of the plurality of sidewalls201-204. The opening102is positioned along the horizontal axis260such that the midpoint of the opening102is disposed along the horizontal axis260. In some embodiments, the opening102may be positioned offset the horizontal axis260.

The opening102is configured to be positioned proximal to the first sidewall201along the horizontal axis260. By way of example, the opening102may be placed in the center of the shower receptor100such that the opening102is equidistant to the first sidewall201and the third sidewall203and equidistant to the second sidewall202and the fourth sidewall204. In some embodiments, the opening102may be positioned proximal to at least one of the plurality of sidewalls201-204(e.g., first sidewall201, second sidewall202, third sidewall203, and fourth sidewall204). In such an embodiment, the fluid collection area103remains biased towards the opening102such that water may continuously flow towards it. In still some embodiments, the shower receptor100may include a plurality of openings102positioned within the fluid collection area103. Referring now toFIG.4, a detailed, side view of the shower receptor100ofFIG.1is shown. The rim104includes a concave region, shown as rim interface270. The rim interface270is configured to be a portion of the rim104disposed underneath the rim104and positioned between the fluid collection area103and the plurality of sidewalls201-204. The rim interface270is disposed along the entirety of the rim104. In some embodiments, the rim interface270may only be positioned within a portion of the rim104. By way of example, the rim104may be cut such that only a portion of the rim104may include a rim interface270. The rim104may include the rim interface270to minimize weight of the receptor100by eliminating excess material.

Referring still toFIG.4, the fluid collection area103is configured to slope substantially towards the opening102. The opening102is configured to be positioned at the lowest location of the slope such that liquid (e.g., water) may flow towards the opening102. In some embodiments, the opening102may not be positioned at the lowest location of the slope. The fluid collection area103is sloped such that the distance between the rim104and the fluid collection area103may vary along different positions in the shower receptor100. By way of example, the distance between the first rim301and the fluid collection area103is greater than the distance between the third rim303and the fluid collection area103. In some embodiments, any configuration of rim104to fluid collection area103distances may more or less than another. In still some embodiments, the distance between the rim104and the fluid collection area103may be the same around the entire length of the shower receptor100.

Referring toFIG.5, the shower receptor100further includes at least one flange400, according to an exemplary embodiment. The flange400may be coupled to the rim by a fastener (e.g. nails, screws, silicone, adhesives, etc.). The fastener may further couple the rim104to a floor below the shower receptor100. In some embodiments, a beam (e.g., a wooden beam) may be placed under the rim104, and the fasteners couple the rim104to the beam. The flange400is configured to seal the edge of the rim and a wall401of an opening containing the shower receptor100such that fluid cannot flow between the rim104and the wall401. The flange400may be fastened to the rim104, after the rim104is trimmed from the first width (e.g., original width) to the second width (e.g., trimmed width), with the edge of the flange400lining up with the second width. The flange400may also be fastened to the rim104, without the rim104being trimmed, with the flange400lining up with the first width. In some exemplary embodiments, at least one flange400is molded into the rim104. The rim104may be trimmed at an angle, such that the second width may be configured to have a varying length along the length of the rim104. As such, the shower receptor100, may be trimmed to fit in openings that are not square (i.e., 90 degree corners). By way of example, the shower receptor100may be trimmed such to create a customizable shower receptor100. The customizable shower receptor is configured to be installed into a plurality of different shower designs and dimensions.

The overall size of the shower receptor100without the flange400defines a length of approximately 59⅞ inches and a width of approximately 32½ inches. In some embodiments, the shower receptor100may be configured to have dimensions greater or less than those in the disclosed embodiment. The shower receptor100may be trimmed such that the overall size of the shower receptor100with the flange400may define a length range of approximately between 55 3/16 inches and 60 inches and a width range of approximately between 30 inches and 32 9/16 inches. The flange400is configured to be cut to appropriate lengths of the sidewalls and may further be positioned on sidewalls that contain a corresponding wall401.

As shown inFIG.2B, the rim104may further contain a resizing feature. The resizing feature may be defined as being any feature that facilitates trimming the rim104(e.g., increment markings indicating where to cut, material coupled to the rim interface270that enable to rim104to be trimmed at any location or angle within the rim104while still providing support, etc.). The resizing feature is further defined to be increment markings350. The increment markings350are further configured to be measurements that allow an installer to make accurate flange400cuts. In some embodiments, the increment markings350indicate distances relative to the center of the opening102. By way of example, the increment markings350may indicate distances from the horizontal axis260and a vertical axis261. The horizontal axis260and the vertical axis261may be configured to be disposed through the midpoint of the opening102. In such an embodiment, this allows the installer to measure the distance from a floor drain to the walls401and then make the cuts along the corresponding markings in the rim104to ensure that the rim104is cut to the appropriate size for the opening102to be positioned directly above the floor drain. By way of example, the flange400is trimmed to the length that is shown from the increment markings350on the rim104. To be more precise, the increment markings350along rims302and304(i.e., markings352and354) may indicate the distance between the markings352,354and the horizontal axis260. Similarly, the increment markings350along rims301and303(i.e., markings351and353) may indicate the distance between the markings351,353and the vertical axis261, where the vertical axis261is perpendicular to the horizontal axis260. In some embodiments, the installer may make several cuts if the wall401is not perfectly square, such to align the shower receptor100perfectly in the shower environment. For example, if the shower environment is non-rectangular (i.e., the walls meet at non-right angles), the installer need not cut the rim104along a line parallel to axis260or axis261, but rather may cut the rim104along a diagonal line that connects a first distance marking350(e.g., 4 inches) in one corner of the rim104with a second distance marking (e.g., 4.5 inches) in an adjacent corner of the rim104to align the edge of the rim104with the wall401when the wall401is not square with an adjacent wall.

The increment markings350may include a plurality of increment markings351-354. The first rim301includes a first increment marking351. The first increment marking351is defined to be a plurality of markings disposed along the entire length of the first rim301and positioned substantially parallel to the vertical axis261. The second rim302includes a second increment marking352. The second increment marking352is defined to be a plurality of markings disposed along the entire length of the second rim302and positioned substantially parallel to the horizontal axis260. The third rim303includes a third increment marking353. The third increment marking353is defined to be a plurality of markings disposed along the entire length of the third rim303. The third increment marking353is positioned adjacent to the first increment marking351and positioned parallel to the vertical axis261. The fourth rim304includes a fourth increment marking354. The fourth increment marking354is defined to be a plurality of markings disposed along the entire length of the fourth rim304. The fourth increment marking354is positioned adjacent to the second increment marking352and positioned parallel to the horizontal axis261.

In various embodiments, the increment markings351-354may extend along the entire length of the corresponding rim301-304as shown inFIG.2Band described above, or may be limited to only the corner regions of rims301-304. In some embodiments, the increment markings351-354are visual indicators (e.g., black or colored lines or marks on a white background) that indicate where to cut using a cutting tool. In some embodiments, the increment markings351-354are notches or grooves in the surface of rims301-304that help the installer place the cutting tool or keep the cutting tool along the desired line throughout the length of the cut. In some embodiments, the increment markings351-354are configured to facilitate removing a desired portion of rims301-304without the use of a cutting tool. For example, the increment markings351-354may include perforated lines, notches, or grooves, configured to enable an installer to break away a portion of rims301-304manually without needing a cutting tool.

Referring now toFIG.6, a detailed, perspective view of the shower receptor100ofFIG.1is shown, according to an example embodiment. The shower receptor100includes a flange450positioned around the perimeter of the shower receptor100. The flange450is configured to be a singular module positioned along the perimeter of the shower receptor100. In some embodiments, the flange450is configured to be assembled in sections, such that sections of the flange450may be assembled such to create the flange450. The flange450is further configured to be an aluminum flange that is bent at appropriate lengths such to fit around the edge of the shower receptor100. The flange450is configured to be positioned along any portion of the perimeter of the shower receptor100. By way of example, the flange450may be positioned along any portion of the shower receptor100that abuts the wall401. The shower receptor100includes the beam, shown as wood460. The wood460is positioned under the rim104and abuts at least one of the plurality of sidewalls201-204. The wood460may be coupled to the shower receptor100by an adhesive positioned between the wood460and the rim104. In some embodiments, the wood460may be coupled to the shower receptor100by an alternate method such as fasteners. The wood460may be configured to provide an interface for the flange450. The flange450is coupled to the wood460with construction screws. In some embodiments, the flange450may be coupled to the wood460with an alternate method (e.g., adhesive, pegs, fasteners, staples, etc.).

By way of example, the construction screws used to couple the flange450to the wood460may further penetrate at least one of the sidewalls. The shower receptor100may not include a trimmed sidewall such that the sidewall may be disposed between the flange450and the wood460. In some embodiments, the sidewalls may be trimmed such to expose the wood460. In such an embodiment, the flange450interfaces directly with the wood460. Upon assembly of the flange450, a silicon seal is disposed along the entire seaming edge of the shower receptor100. The seaming edge is configured to be the edge between the rim104and the flange450. By way of example, the seaming edge is only configured to be along sidewalls of the shower receptor100that may include a flange450. The silicon seal completely seals the seaming edge to prevent water from leaking through. If water is able to leak through, the wood460may begin to rot or form mold such that the life of the shower receptor100may be substantially decreased. In some embodiments, alternate sealing methods may be utilized such to seal the seaming edge (e.g., rubber seals, gaskets, etc.).

Referring now toFIG.7, a perspective view of the shower receptor100ofFIG.6is shown. The flange450is coupled to shower receptor100by the fasteners. As shown, when the flange450is coupled to the shower receptor100, the flange450may define a lip. The lip is configured to be at least a portion of the flange450positioned above the rim104. The lip may vary in dimension based upon the installation of the shower receptor100. In some embodiments, the lip may be configured to be the same length around the shower receptor100. The lip is further defined to be at least 1 inch in length, where the length is defined between the rim104and the top of the flange450.

The shower receptor100is configured to be a customizable shower receptor where at least one of the rims104(e.g., first rim301, second rim302, third rim303, and fourth rim304) may be trimmed such to alter the dimensions of the shower receptor100. By way of example, the all of the rims104may be trimmed such to decrease both the length and the width of the shower receptor100. The shower receptor100is configured such that the fluid collection area103may not be trimmed. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of sidewalls201-204(e.g., first sidewall201, second sidewall202, third sidewall203, and fourth sidewall204) may be trimmed such to decrease the height of the shower receptor100. In such an embodiment, the sidewalls may not be trimmed such that the height of the sidewalls is less than the vertical distance of the opening102to the rim104.

The shower receptor100may be installed into various types of shower environments. By way of example, the installer may measure a distance from the center of the floor drain to the edge of at least one of the walls401. In some embodiments, the installer may only measure a distance from the center of the floor drain to the edge of one of the walls401. The installer may identify the appropriate increment marking on the shower receptor100, where the increment marking corresponds to the distance measured from the center of the floor drain to the edge of the walls401. In some embodiments, the installer may identify multiple increment markings on the rim104such to make a trim line. Using the increment markings, the installer may then trim the shower receptor along the trim line, such to create a customizable shower receptor100. The shower receptor100is now defined to be unique to a particular shower environment and may be placed into the shower environment. Once the shower receptor100has been placed into the shower environment, the flange400(e.g., flange450) may be coupled to the shower receptor100and positioned between the shower receptor100and the wall401. In some embodiments, the flange400(e.g., flange450) may be coupled to the shower receptor100before the shower receptor100is installed into the shower environment.

Referring now toFIGS.8-16, a plurality of shower configurations of the shower receptor100from a top view, according to exemplary embodiments. Each of the plurality of shower configurations are rectangular shaped and include a side A, a side B, a side C, and a side D. At least one rim of the shower receptor100can be trimmed from the first width to the second width, allowing the shower receptor100to be configured for installation in different sized and shaped openings. Depending on the configuration of the opening (e.g., shape, size, etc.) in which the shower receptor100is installed, an apron600may be installed on one or more sides of the shower receptor100.

For example, referring to a first configuration501shown inFIG.8and a second configuration502shown inFIG.9, the shower receptor100may be installed into an opening with walls bordering three sides of the shower receptor100, and the apron600on the side of the shower receptor100that is not bordering a wall. The first configuration501illustrates a configuration in which the shower receptor100is installed in an opening where walls are adjacent to side A1, side B1, and side C1, with side D1configured to receive the apron600. The second configuration502illustrates a configuration in which the shower receptor100is installed in an opening where walls are adjacent to side A2, side C2, and side D2, with side B2configured to receive the apron600.

Referring to a third configuration503shown inFIG.10, a fourth configuration504shown inFIG.11, a fifth configuration505shown inFIG.12, and a sixth configuration506shown inFIG.13, the shower receptor100may be installed in an opening with walls bordering two sides of the shower receptor100(e.g. a corner). The third configuration503illustrates a configuration in which the shower receptor100is installed in an opening where walls are adjacent to side B3and side C3, with side A3and side B3each configured to receive an apron600. The fourth configuration504illustrates a configuration in which the shower receptor100is installed in an opening where walls are adjacent to side A4and side D4, with side B4and side C4each configured to receive an apron600. The fifth configuration505illustrates a configuration in which the shower receptor100is installed in an opening where walls are adjacent to side A5and side B5, with side C5and side D5each configured to receive an apron600. The sixth configuration506illustrates a configuration in which the shower receptor100is installed in an opening where walls are adjacent to side C6and side D6, with side A6and side B6each configured to receive an apron600.

Referring to a seventh configuration507shown inFIG.14and an eighth configuration508shown inFIG.15, the shower receptor100may be installed in an opening with walls bordering one side of the shower receptor100. The seventh configuration507illustrates a configuration in which the shower receptor100is installed in an opening where a wall is adjacent to side B7, with side A7, side C7, and side D7each configured to receive an apron600. The eighth configuration508illustrates a configuration in which the shower receptor100is installed in an opening where a wall is adjacent to side D8, with side A8, side B8, and side C8each configured to receive an apron600.

Referring to a ninth configuration509shown inFIG.16, the shower receptor100may be installed in an opening with no walls bordering the shower receptor100. The ninth configuration509illustrates a configuration in which side A9, side B9, side C9, and side D9are each configured to receive an apron600. Note that the shower receptors described herein (e.g., shower receptor100) can be installed without any aprons, although each apron increases the structural integrity of the system employing the receptor(s). The shower receptor100may also be configured to be installed into any opening (e.g., any geometry, size, number of surrounding walls, etc.).