Abstract:
A temporary barrier for enclosing a bathing enclosure such as a bathtub-shower combination or simply a shower enclosure uses a frame that sits atop a front surface of the enclosure such as on the top of the bathtub and abuts each of the opposing outside walls of the enclosure. A pair of sliding shower doors is slidably disposed within the frame, or alternately, a pair of doors is pivotally attached within the frame, or one door pivotally attached with a fixed panel next to the pivoting door. A pair of tensioning mechanisms is attached, one each to each of the horizontal members of the frame, in order to securely wedge the frame between the outside walls.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a system that forms a frame about a bathing enclosure, either a bathtub-shower combination or simply a curtained shower enclosure, in order to provide a temporary (including long term temporary) and removable operable shower door system for the bathing enclosure. 
     2. Background of the Prior Art 
     Many bathrooms have a bathtub shower combination enclosure or even a shower enclosure wherein the enclosure is open, that is, lacks a door or other solid enclosure. In order to take a shower and keep the water from spraying all over the bathroom, a shower curtain is hung from a curtain rod installed above the outer edge of the tub and with the shower curtain acting as a soft barricade against the spraying water. 
     While effective, many users are not particularly fond of shower curtains. As the curtain must hang within the bathtub to be effective, the curtain intrudes on the showering space of the user—which is especially problematic is smaller sized bathtubs. Similarly, a shower curtain gives many users an uneasy enclosed, somewhat claustrophobic feeling, even if the shower curtain is transparent or translucent. A user often bumps the curtain during showering, sometimes to the point of pushing the bottom of the curtain out of the bathtub so as to have to stop and reposition the curtain back into proper place. Shower curtains often billow against the bather and cling to the bather as a natural result of air movement generated by the flowing water and the air conditioning system. Shower curtains are difficult to clean. Shower curtain rings tend to be fragile and often need replacement as does the shower curtain which leads to even more breakage problems with the shower curtain rings. Many users like to see into the main part of the bathroom, especially if another person is present, so that a comfortable conversation may occur. The same is true of shower only enclosures that use a curtain. 
     To combat the lack of satisfaction with shower curtains, fixed sliding or swinging doors can be installed above the outer edge of the bathtub. Such enclosures do not intrude into the interior space of the shower footprint and do not need to be adjusted if bumped, other than possibly to slightly reclose the door. As these enclosures tend to be transparent, they tend not to give users a feeling of claustrophobia and allow a relatively normal conversation to transpire between a shower user and another person within the bathroom. 
     While effective, such solid enclosures need to be installed in a fixed manner, typically requiring the drilling of holes into the walls above the bathtub and possibly into the bathtub itself and/or the use of adhesives. If the potential installer is a homeowner, such installation is not problematic from a permission point of view, although many homeowners do not want to use adhesives or permanent fasteners. The main problem with such enclosures is with renters. While a renter may ask a landlord to install such an enclosure into a rental unit, such requests tend to fall on deaf ears. The renter may desire to install the enclosure at his or her own expense, however, many landlords will not permit such installations, and even if a landlord so permits, such installations can be quite costly, often requiring the services of a skilled installer to accomplish. Once installed, such enclosures are considered an improvement to realty and remain with the property after the tenant vacates. As such, installation of such an enclosure by a renter can be quite cost prohibitive. 
     What is needed is a system that can provide a solid fixed enclosure above a bathtub in a bathtub-shower combination or a shower so as to eliminate the need to use a shower curtain while showering. Such a device must allow installation of the device without the need to make any permanent alterations to the bathtub or to the walls surrounding the bathtub or the use of strong adhesives so as to dispense with the need to seek landlord permission prior to installation. Such a device must be installable and removable quickly and easily without the need for a skilled installer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The temporary shower door system of the present invention addresses the aforementioned needs in the art. The temporary shower door system provides a fixed sliding door system or alternately a swinging door system for a bathtub-shower combination enclosure in order to act as a water barrier during showering so as to eliminate the need for a shower curtain. The temporary shower door system can use transparent doors so as to give the user a feeling of openness so as to reduce the potential for a feeling of claustrophobia, although translucent, opaque, etched, or other types of decorative doors can also be used. Installation of the temporary shower door system within the bathtub-shower combination enclosure does not require any alterations to the bathtub or to the walls of the enclosure so as to dispense with the need for permission prior to installation and many landlords may want to install the system without prompting as a relatively easy way to enhance the rental property. Installation of the temporary shower door system is quick and easy, requiring no special tools or skilled technician. The temporary shower door system is of relatively simple design and construction, being produced using standard manufacturing techniques, so as to make the device relatively inexpensive to produce so as to make the temporary shower door system economically attractive to potential consumers of the device. 
     The temporary shower door system of the present invention is comprised of a bottom rail that has a first end and a second end as well as a first channel and a parallel second channel. A lower tensioning mechanism is disposed within the bottom rail proximate the first end. A top rail has a third end and a fourth end as well as a first roller track and a parallel second roller track. An upper tensioning mechanism is disposed within the top rail proximate the third end. A left side rail and a right side rail are provided. A first shower door has a first roller extending upwardly from a first top edge of the first shower door. The first shower door also has a first bottom edge. A second shower door has a second roller extending upwardly from a second top edge of the second shower door. The second shower door also has a second bottom edge. The bottom rail is positioned atop the front wall of the bathing enclosure between the first outside wall and the second outside wall of the enclosure so as to abut the first outside wall. The lower tensioning mechanism abuts the second outside wall, in tension, so as to wedge the bottom rail between the first outside wall and the second outside wall. The left rail is positioned against the second outside wall and is secured to the bottom rail at the first end. The right rail is positioned against the first outside wall and is secured to the bottom rail at the second end. The top rail is positioned between the first outside wall and the second outside wall so as to abut the first outside wall. The upper tensioning abuts the second outside wall, in tension, so as to wedge the top rail between the first outside wall and the second outside wall. The left rail is secured to the top rail at the third end and the right rail is secured to the top rail at the fourth end. The first roller is rollably disposed within the first roller track and the first bottom edge is disposed within the first channel while the second roller is rollably disposed within the second roller track and the second bottom edge is disposed within the second channel. A first resilient bumper may be located on a lower surface of the bottom rail while a second resilient bumper may be located along a first outer surface of the left rail and a third resilient bumper may be located along a second outer surface of the right rail. The lower tensioning mechanism comprises a first ram advanced and retarded by a first ratcheting mechanism gearably mated to the lower ram via a first rack and pinion system while the upper tensioning mechanism comprises a second ram advanced and retarded by a second ratcheting mechanism gearably mated to the upper ram via a second rack and pinion system. The lower tensioning mechanism is disposed between the bathtub (or floor of the shower) and the first channel and second channel. The first roller track and second roller track are each disposed between the left rail and right rail and the upper tensioning mechanism. 
     Stated another way, the temporary shower door system of the present invention is comprised a frame that has a pair of horizontal legs joined by a pair of vertical legs such that a one or a pair of shower doors is either slidably or pivotally attached to one of the horizontal legs (both in the case of pivotal attachment) with the other horizontal leg sitting atop the bathing enclosure and each of the vertical legs abutting a respective one of the outer side walls and such that a pair of tensioning mechanisms is each attached to a respective one of the horizontal legs in order for each tensioning mechanism to engage one of the outside walls in order to wedge the frame between the pair of outside walls. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the temporary shower door system of the present invention installed within a bathing enclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the temporary shower door system illustrating installation of the frame. 
         FIG. 3  is an elevation view of temporary shower door system. 
         FIG. 4  is a close-up view of the tensioning mechanism used with the temporary shower door system. 
         FIG. 5  is an end view of the top rail of the frame of the temporary shower door system. 
         FIG. 6  is an end view of the bottom rail of the frame of the temporary shower door system; 
         FIG. 7  is a close-up view of the tensioning mechanism and the lower lever including a ratcheting mechanism. 
     
    
    
     Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, it is seen that the temporary shower door system of the present invention, generally denoted by reference numeral  10 , is comprised of a frame  12  that has a bottom rail  14 , a top rail  16 , a left rail  18  and a right rail  20 . As seen, the bottom rail  14  has a first mechanical compartment  22  that has base  24  and a pair of outer lower side walls  26  with a guide surface  28  forming the top of the mechanical compartment  22 , the guide surface  28  having a lever opening  30  on one end thereof. Extending upwardly from the guide surface  28  is an outside upright  32 , an inside upright  34 , and a center upright  36  disposed between the outside upright  32  and the inside upright  34  so that a pair of channels  38  is formed. The outside upright  32  and the inside upright  34  may each be an extension of a respective one of the outer lower side walls  26 . As seen a series of drain openings  40  are located along the length of the inside upright  32  and center upright  34 . Corresponding opening pairs  42  are located proximate either end of the bottom rail  14  on the outside upright  32  and the inside upright  34 , with a possible third corresponding opening located on the center upright  36  depending on whether the opening pairs  42  on the outside upright  32  and the inside upright  34  are above the top of the center upright  34  or not. 
     Located at one end of the bottom rail  14  is a lower tensioning mechanism  44 , disposed within the first mechanical compartment  22 . As seen, the lower tensioning mechanism  44  comprises a lower ram  46  that extends out of and retracts into the end of the bottom rail  14 . As seen, located along a length of the lower ram  46  is a lower rail gear  48  having a first series of lower teeth  50  thereon. A lower rotary gear  52  is rotatably mounted within the first mechanical compartment  22  (such as to the outer lower side walls  26  of the first mechanical compartment  22  via a lower axle pin  54 ), the lower rotary gear  52  having a second series of lower teeth  56  thereon that gearably mesh with the first series of lower teeth  50  to form a basic rack and pinion gear system. A lower lever  58  controls rotation of the lower rotary gear  52  via a simple ratcheting mechanism  110  similar to the ratcheting mechanism found in a standard socket wrench, so that when the ratcheting mechanism is set for a first direction, pumping of the lower lever  58  causes the lower rotary gear  52  to turn in a first direction which causes the lower ram  46  to advance and when the ratcheting mechanism is set for a second direction, pumping of the lower lever  58  causes the lower rotary gear  52  to turn in an opposite second direction which causes the lower ram  46  to retard, the switching of the ratcheting mechanism between the first direction and the second direction via an appropriate switch (not illustrated). 
     A relatively soft bumper  60  may be located along the bottom of the bottom rail  14 . The bumper  60  may be made from rubber, neoprene, closed cell foam, etc. 
     As seen, the left rail  18  is a generally elongate tubular member that has a pair of corresponding openings  62  located on the side surfaces  64  of the left rail  18 , proximate either end thereof. A pair of notch pairs  66  is located on the inner surface  68  and outer surface  70  of the left rail  18 , each notch  66  extending upwardly from a respective end of the left rail  16 . A relatively soft bumper  72  may be located along the outer surface  70  of the left rail  18 . The bumper  72  may be made from rubber, neoprene, closed cell foam, etc. 
     The right rail  20  is substantially similar to the left rail  18  and is generally elongate tubular member that has a pair of corresponding openings  74  located on the side surfaces  76 , proximate either end thereof. The right rail  20  need not have the notches which the left rail  18  has, although for ease of manufacture and simplicity of installation, such notches can be present thereon, without loss of functionality. Another relatively soft bumper  72  may be located along the outer face of the left rail  20 . 
     As seen, the top rail  16  has a second mechanical compartment  78  that has bottom wall  80 , a pair of outer upper side walls  82 , and a top wall  84 . Extending downwardly from the bottom wall is a roller housing that has a pair of down walls  86  such that each down wall  86  is an extension of a respective one of the outer upper side walls  82 , a roller floor  88  inwardly directed from each down wall  86  and an upwardly directed lip  90  located on the end of each roller floor  88  such that a pair of roller tracks  92  is formed. Corresponding opening pairs  94  are located proximate either end of the top rail  16  on each down wall  86 . 
     Located at one end of the top rail  16  is an upper tensioning mechanism  96 , disposed within the second mechanical compartment  78 . The upper tensioning mechanism  96 , which is substantially similar to the lower tensioning mechanism  44 —so that the internal details are not separately illustrated—comprises an upper ram  98  that extends out of and retracts into the end of the top rail  16 . Located along a length of the upper ram  98  is an upper rail gear having a first series of upper teeth thereon. An upper rotary gear is rotatably mounted within the second mechanical compartment  78  (such as to the outer upper side walls  82  of the second mechanical compartment  78  via an upper axle pin  100 ), the upper rotary gear having a second series of upper teeth thereon that gearably mesh with the first series of upper teeth to form a basic rack and pinion gear system. An upper lever  102  controls rotation of the upper rotary gear via a simple ratcheting mechanism  110  similar to the ratcheting mechanism found in a standard socket wrench, so that when the ratcheting mechanism is set for a first direction, pumping of the upper lever  102  which causes the upper rotary gear to rotate in one direction so as to cause the upper ram  98  to advance and when the ratcheting mechanism is set for a second direction, pumping of the upper lever  102  causes the upper rotary gear to turn in an opposite second direction which causes the upper ram  98  to retard, the switching of the ratcheting mechanism between the first direction and the second direction via an appropriate switch (not illustrated). 
     In order to use the temporary shower door system  10  of the present invention, the bottom rail  14  is positioned atop the front wall F of a bath tub B (this includes the floor in a shower only bathing enclosure) and is secured in place by tensioning the bottom rail  14  between the two side walls W of the tub enclosure E the non-lower-tensioning-mechanism end of the bottom rail abutting its side wall W. Such tensioning is accomplished via the lower tensioning mechanism  44  so that the ratcheting system of the lower tensioning mechanism  44  is set for lower ram outward advancement. The lower lever  58  is pumped so as to advance the lower ram  46  until the lower ram  46  engages its respective side wall W so as to securely wedge the bottom rail  14  in place between the two side walls W. The lower lever  58  is placed into its lower most position wherein its upper surface acts as a portion of the bottom of one of the channels  38 . Thereafter, the left rail  18  is placed against the side wall W with which the lower ram  46  is engaged. The left rail  18  is fitted into the end of the bottom rail  14  so that the openings  62  of the left rail  18  align with the openings  42  on that end of the bottom rail  14 . The notch pairs  66  located at the lower end of the left rail  18  straddle the lower ram  46 . The bottom rail  14  and the left rail  18  are secured to each other by passing an appropriate pin or bolt  104  through the aligned opening sets  42  and  62 . Thereafter, the right rail  20  is placed against the opposing side wall W. The right rail  20  is fitted into the end of the bottom rail  14  so that the openings  74  of the right rail  18  align with the openings  42  on that end of the bottom rail  14 . The bottom rail  14  and the right rail  20  are secured to each other by passing an appropriate pin or bolt  104  through the aligned opening sets  42  and  74 . Thereafter, doors  106  are secured to the top rail  16  by having the rollers  108  of each door  106  positioned within one of the roller tracks  92 . The top rail  16  is then placed onto the ends of the left rail  18  and the right rail  20  so that the left rail  18  and the right rail  20  are each fitted into the top rail  16  and such that the non-upper-tensioning-mechanism end of the top rail  16  abuts one of the side walls W. During such placement, the bottoms of each door  106  are each positioned into one of the channels  38  of the bottom rail  14 . Once so fitted, the top rail  16  and the left rail  18  are secured to each other by aligning the openings  62  of the left rail  18  and the openings  94  of the top rail  16  and passing an appropriate pin or bolt  104  through the aligned opening sets  62  and  94 . The top rail  16  and the right rail  20  are secured to each other by aligning the openings  74  of the right rail  20  and the openings  94  of the top rail  16  and passing an appropriate pin or bolt  104  through the aligned opening sets  74  and  94 . Finally, the top rail  16  is secured in place by tensioning the top rail  16  between the two side walls W of the tub enclosure E. Such tensioning is accomplished via the upper tensioning mechanism  96  so that the ratcheting system of the upper tensioning mechanism  96  is set for upper ram advancement. The upper lever  102  is pumped so as to advance the upper ram  98  until the upper ram  98  engages its respective side wall W so as to securely wedge the top rail  16  in place. The top rail  16  and the left rail are secured to each other. The temporary shower door system  10  is now ready for use so that each door  106  is slidable back and forth. 
     Removal of the temporary shower door system  10  is accomplished by reversing the process by untensioning the bottom rail  14  and the top rail  16 , unbolting the various rails from each other, removing the doors  106  from the channels  38  and roller tracks  92 , and unbolting the various rails  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20  from each other and removing the various components. Of course, the temporary shower door system  10  can remain installed indefinitely in place, the temporary description of the system signifying the fact that no permanent alterations to the tub enclosure are needed, nor is the use of strong adhesives. 
     Of course, swinging doors can also be attached to the top rail and the bottom rail instead of sliding doors. As such, the doors are pivotally attached to the top rail and bottom rail proximate the ends thereof and the doors pivot thereabout. In such a configuration, a single door can be pivotally attached to the top rail and the bottom rail and a fixed panel attached to the top rail and the bottom rail on the other half of the frame or both panels can be pivotally attached. 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to an embodiment thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.