Patent Publication Number: US-9416538-B2

Title: Skirt panel

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/554,624, filed Nov. 2, 2011, entitled “Skirt Panel” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/595,711, filed Feb. 7, 2012, entitled “Skirt Panel”. The entire disclosure of these applications is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to attachable and reattachable panels, particularly for water enclosing units, which are used to protect, enclose and/or cover an area such as a bathroom, steam room, shower, shower stall, bathtub, whirlpool bath, spa or the like. The present invention also relates to removable skirt panels, particularly for water enclosing units, that are used to enclose and/or cover a contained area containing equipment, wherein the panels are easily removed for easy access to the equipment. The present invention relates to hinged doors which are secured to a doorframe for water enclosing units. Additionally, the present invention relates to wall panels for use with water enclosing units. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Skirt panels for bathing fixtures and whirlpools are commonly used to hide unattractive space that encloses the mechanical parts of the fixture and plumbing. The facade of a bathtub typically provides a very plain, clean appearance. In some instances, a more decorative look for the front of the bathing fixture may be desirable. As a result, tub skirts have been provided with accessible openings. Hinged doors for bathing fixtures and whirlpools are commonly used to ingress and egress the interior space of the bathing units. Such hinged doors are especially useful for users that have difficulty navigating steps. Kits for forming aesthetically pleasing water enclosing units including back wall portions for the unit are also available. These kits often include multiple components that can be difficult to install. 
     There have been proposed various joining structures and fixtures for attaching skirt panels to bathing units. U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,133 describes aprons for bathtubs that use a suction cup. The suction cup does not allow for secure alignment and has no easily accessible opening for access to any equipment located behind it. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,940,906 and 5,864,898 disclose a skirt frame with a detachable panel that is held in place with hook and loop tabs, also known as Velcro®. However, regular access to the opening eventually causes the hook and loop tabs to collect debris which interferes with the secured fastening and alignment of the panel. U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,924 discloses a skirt frame and mechanically attachable panel that employs screws with caps. However, this does not provide easy access and, eventually, due to the plastic composition of the panels and frames, the threading for the screws can become stripped. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/396,001, entitled “Removable Skirt Panel”, owned by the assignee of the present invention and which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, teaches a series of magnets for creating a magnetic attraction between the panel and the frame of the bathing unit and between the door and the frame of a walk-in type unit. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an improved, low-cost apron assembly which allows for easy access to the plumbing equipment contained within the water enclosing unit. There is a further need for a simple, low-cost adjustable latch system that adequately secures the door of a water containment unit during use of the unit while compensating for manufacturing tolerances of the various components. There is also a need for a kit for installing aesthetically pleasing water enclosing units which are formed from a minimum number of components and are easy to install. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to a first aspect, the invention is directed to a water enclosing unit that may include a basin for holding water, a skirt, at least one access opening extending through the skirt, a frame defining the access opening, a panel section configured to cooperate with the frame to cover the access opening, and at least one clip assembly affixed to at least one of the frame and the panel section. The clip assembly is adapted to removably secure the panel section to the frame and cover the access opening. The at least one clip assembly can include a series of clip assemblies. The clip assembly can include a male member associated with the panel section and a female member associated with the frame, wherein the female member is configured for receiving the male member to secure the panel section to the frame. The clip assembly can further include a base having a first face, a second face, and an aperture extending therethrough, and the female member can include a tubular receiving member extending through the aperture. The tubular receiving member can have a front portion positioned adjacent to a first surface of the base and a second portion extending through the aperture and adjacent the second surface of the base. The tubular receiving member can include a threaded inner portion and a threaded outer portion. This threaded outer portion is configured for receiving a mounting ring thereon at a location that is adjacent to the second surface of the base. The clip assembly can further include a resilient sleeve located in threaded engagement with the threaded inner portion of the tubular receiving member. The front portion of the tubular member can include a flat stop portion configured for cooperation with the panel section to prevent the panel section from rotating with respect to the clip assembly after mating of the male member with the female member. According to one embodiment, the panel section can have a predetermined thickness, and the frame can include a recessed portion configured to receive the predetermined thickness of the panel section, such that a front face of the panel section forms a flush surface with an outer surface of the skirt. According to a further design, the at least one edge portion of the panel section can include at least one recessed passageway configured to receive an opening member to allow for removal of the panel member from the frame. The unit can include plumbing and/or electrical equipment wherein the skirt covers at least a portion of the plumbing equipment, and the at least one access opening extends through the skirt to allow access to the plumbing and/or electrical equipment. 
     According to another aspect, the invention is directed to a removable panel for closing an open portion extending through an enclosure skirt wherein the open portion is defined by a frame. The panel includes a planar member having a front face defined by front edge portions and a back face defined by back edge portions. At least one clip assembly is associated with the frame and the planar member. The at least one clip assembly is configured for removably securing the planar member to the frame to cover the open portion. According to one embodiment, the at least one clip assembly can include a series of clip assemblies. The clip assembly includes a male member associated with the planar member and a female member associated with the frame. The female member is configured for receiving the male member to secure the planar member to the frame. The at least one clip assembly can include a flat stop portion configured for cooperation with the planar member to prevent the planar member from rotating with respect to the clip assembly after attachment of the planar member to the frame. 
     According to yet another aspect, the invention is directed to a readily accessible bathing fixture enclosure, including plumbing equipment contained therein, and a skirt for covering the plumbing equipment. The enclosure includes a frame member defining an open section extending through the skirt, a panel section configured for cooperating with the frame member and covering the open section, and at least one clip assembly associated with the panel section and the frame member, to removably secure the panel section to the frame member. 
     According to another aspect, the invention is directed to a method for removably closing an access opening of a water enclosing unit. The method includes the step of providing a frame member defining the access opening, providing a panel section configured for cooperating with the frame member for closing the access opening, and associating at least one clip assembly to the frame member and the panel section. The clip assembly is configured for mating together to removably secure the panel section to the frame and cover the access opening. The clip assembly can include a male member and a female member, and wherein the method includes securing the male member to the panel section and securing the female member with the frame. The female member is configured for receiving the male member to secure the panel section to the frame. The method can further include providing the at least one clip assembly with a flat stop portion configured for cooperation with the panel section to prevent the panel section from rotating with respect to the clip assembly after attachment of the panel section to the frame. 
     According to still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a water enclosing unit having a door securing system wherein the water enclosing unit includes at least one opening allowing for ingress into and egress from an interior portion of the water enclosing unit. A frame defines the at least one opening, and at least one door is hingedly attached to the frame for closing the opening. The securing system includes at least one clip assembly associated with the frame and the door. This clip assembly is configured for mating engagement to removably secure the door in a closed position. 
     According to yet another aspect, the invention is directed to a water enclosing unit including a basin for holding water, a back panel, at least one side panel configured to cooperate with said back panel, and at least one clip assembly affixed to at least one of the back panel and the side panel, the at least one clip assembly adapted to removably secure the side panel to the back panel to form an aesthetically pleasing unit. The at least one clip assembly can include a series of clip assemblies. The clip assembly can include a male member associated with the side panel and a female member associated with the back panel, wherein the female member is configured for receiving the male member to secure the side panel to the back panel. The clip assembly can further include a base having a first face, a second face, and an aperture extending therethrough and the female member can include a tubular receiving member extending through the aperture. The tubular receiving member can have a front portion positioned adjacent to a first surface of the base and a second portion extending through the aperture and adjacent the second surface of the base. The tubular receiving member can include a threaded inner portion and a threaded outer portion, and, the threaded outer portion can be configured for receiving a mounting ring thereon at a location that is adjacent the second surface of the base. The clip assembly further includes a resilient sleeve located in threaded engagement with the threaded inner portion of the tubular receiving member. According to one design, the front portion of the tubular member can include a flat stop portion configured for cooperation with the back panel to prevent the back panel section from rotating with respect to the clip assembly after mating of the male member with the female member. The side panel section can have a predetermined thickness and the back panel can include a recessed portion configured to receive the predetermined thickness of the side panel such that a front face of the side panel section forms a flush surface with an outer surface of the water enclosing unit. Preferably, at least one edge portion of the side panel can include at least one recessed passageway configured to receive an opening member to allow for removal of the side panel from the back panel. The invention may further include at least one access opening extending through a portion of the unit to allow for access to any plumbing and/or electrical equipment contained therein and wherein the unit includes at least one skirt to cover at least a portion of the plumbing equipment and the at least one access opening. The skirt may include at least one clip assembly. 
     According to another aspect, the invention is directed to a removable panel for attaching to a support member. The panel includes a planar member having a front face, a back face, and at least one side edge portion. At least one clip assembly is associated with the support member and the planar member. The at least one clip assembly is configured for removably securing the planar member to the support member. The at least one clip assembly can include a series of clip assemblies. The clip assembly can include a male member associated with the planar member and a female member associated with the support member and wherein the female member is configured for receiving the male member to secure the planar member to the support member. The support member can include at least one support side edge portion. The male member can be associated with the at least one side edge portion of the panel and the female member can be associated with the at least one side edge portion of the support member. Alternatively, the male member can be associated with the at least one side edge portion of the support member and the female member can be associated with the at least one side edge portion of the panel. According to one design, the at least one clip assembly can include a flat stop portion configured for cooperation with the panel section to prevent the panel section from rotating with respect to the clip assembly after attachment of the panel section to the support member. 
     According to yet another aspect, the invention is directed to a method for removably attaching a panel to a support member including providing a support member; providing a panel section configured for attachment to the support member and associating at least one clip assembly to the support member and the panel section, wherein the at least one clip assembly is configured for removably securing the panel section to the support member. The clip assembly can include a male member and a female member, and wherein the method includes securing the male member to the panel section and securing the female member to the support member wherein the female member is configured for receiving the male member to secure the panel section to the support member. Alternatively, the male member can be secured to the support member and the female member can be secured to the panel section. The method may provide the at least one clip assembly with a flat stop portion configured for cooperation with the panel section to prevent the panel section from rotating with respect to the clip assembly after attachment of the panel section to the support member. 
     According to another aspect, the invention is directed to a kit for attaching at least one panel section to at least one portion of a water enclosing unit. The kit can include at least one panel section configured to cooperate with at least one portion of the water enclosing unit and at least one clip assembly affixed to at least one of the at least one portion of the water enclosing unit and the panel section. The at least one clip assembly can be adapted to removably secure the panel section to the at least one portion of the water enclosing unit. The clip assembly may include a male member associated with the panel section and a female member associated with the at least one portion of the water enclosing unit. According to an alternative design, the male member can be associated with the at least one portion of the water enclosing unit and the female member can be associated with the panel section. The female member is configured for receiving the male member to secure the panel section to the at least one portion of the water enclosing unit. The at least one panel can include a back wall panel and at least one side wall panel, each configured to cooperate with the at least one portion of the enclosing unit. The at least one portion of the enclosing unit can include a back wall portion and a side wall portion, and wherein the back wall panel is attachable to the at least one side wall panel by means of the clip assembly. According to a further design, the at least one panel may include a back wall panel, a first side wall panel, and a second side wall panel each configured to cooperate with the at least one portion of the enclosing unit, wherein the at least one portion of the enclosing unit include a back wall portion, a first side wall portion, and a second side wall portion and wherein the back wall panel is attachable to the first side wall panel and the second side wall panel by means of the at least one clip assembly. The kit may further include a basin associated with the water enclosing unit. The basin may include a bathtub, a shower, and the like. 
     These and other features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structures and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of the water enclosing unit including a removable panel according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of the water enclosing unit of  FIG. 1  wherein the removable panel is attached to the water enclosing unit; 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the water enclosing unit of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the removable panel which can be secured to a water enclosing unit; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the clip assembly for securing the removable panel according to  FIG. 1  and taken along line V-V in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a back elevation view portion of the removable panel including the male connection member of the clip assembly; 
         FIG. 5B  is a front elevation view of the female connection member of the clip assembly that is configured for mating engagement with the male connection member of  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side perspective exploded view of the clip assembly of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of the clip assembly of  FIG. 5  in a partially assembled state; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a water enclosing unit having a walk-in entrance including the clip assembly of the invention for securing the door; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a water enclosing unit with a back panel installed and a side panel being installed according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 9A  is an exploded perspective view of the clip assembly of  FIG. 9  for securing the back and side panels; 
         FIG. 9B  is an expanded side perspective view of  FIG. 9  illustrating the fit between a portion of the water enclosing unit and a panel; and 
         FIG. 9C  is an expanded side perspective view of  FIG. 9  illustrating a side panel moving along a track for engagement with a back panel of the water enclosing unit. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     For purposes of the description hereinafter, spatial or directional terms shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific components illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 1-3  which show a water enclosing unit, generally indicated as  10 , including a removable panel or panel section  12  as shown in  FIG. 4 , according to the invention. The water enclosing unit  10  includes a basin  14  for holding water, such as a bathtub, a skirt  16 , at least one access opening  18  extending through the skirt, and a frame  20  defining the access opening  18 . The removable panel or panel section  12  is configured to cooperate with the frame  20  to cover the access opening  18 . It can be appreciated that multiple access openings  18  can exist and multiple panel sections  12  can be provided for covering these access openings  18 . For example, the frame  20  may include access openings  18  on the side and back portions of the water enclosing unit  10 . A panel section  12  may be provided to cover each of such access openings  18 . In some embodiments, the unit can include plumbing and/or electrical equipment (not shown) and the skirt  16  can be provided to cover at least a portion of the plumbing equipment, and the at least one access opening  18  can extend through the skirt  16  to allow access to the plumbing and/or electrical equipment. The removable panel  12  covers this access opening  18  in order to provide an aesthetically pleasing unit. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 5, 5A, 5B and 6-7  which show the at least one clip assembly, generally indicated as  30 , which can be affixed to at least one of the frame  20  and the panel section  12 . The clip assembly  30  is adapted to removably secure the panel section  12  to the frame  20  and cover the access opening  18 . It can be appreciated that the at least one clip assembly  30  can include a series of clip assemblies  30 , the number of which depends upon the size of the access opening  18  and the size and shape of the panel section  12  to be secured to the frame  20 . It can also be appreciated that the clip assembly  30  illustrated in  FIGS. 5, 5A, 5B, and 6-7  may be used with any of the embodiments discussed in the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the clip assembly  30  includes a male member  32  associated with the panel section  12  and a female member  34  associated with the frame  20  wherein the female member  34  is configured for receiving the male member  32  to secure the panel section  12  to the frame  20 . The male member  32  includes a first portion with groves  39  for receiving an adhesive or any other type of joining member that secures the male member  32  within an opening  15  in the panel section  12 . The male member  32  also includes a second portion for being received within the female member  34 . The second portion of the male member  32  may be generally cylindrical with a rounded terminal portion. In one embodiment, the male member  32  includes a depression  33  extending around an outside perimeter of the male member  32 . The depression  33  is adapted for cooperating with a resilient sleeve  48  of the female member  34  in a manner described hereafter. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the male member  32  may be associated with frame  20  and the female member  34  may be associated with the panel section  12 . 
     With continuing reference to  FIGS. 5, 5A, 5B and 6-7 , one embodiment of the clip assembly  30  further includes a base  36  having a first face  36   a , a second face  36   b , and an aperture  36   c  extending therethrough. The female member  34  has a tubular receiving member  38  extending through the aperture  36   c . The tubular receiving member  38  has a front portion  38   a  positioned adjacent to a first surface  36   a  of the base  36  and a second portion  38   b  extending through the aperture and adjacent the second surface  36   b  of the base  36 . The tubular receiving member  38  includes a threaded inner portion  40  and a threaded outer portion  44 . The threaded outer portion  44  is configured for receiving a mounting ring  46  thereon at a location that is adjacent the second surface  36   b  of the base  36 . In this configuration, the base  36  is disposed between the first portion  38   a  of the tubular receiving member  38  of the female member  34  and the mounting ring  46 . The clip assembly  30  further includes the resilient sleeve  48 , a portion of which is located in threaded engagement with the threaded inner portion  40  of the tubular receiving member  38 . The threaded engagement of the resilient sleeve  48  with the threaded inner portion  40  of the tubular receiving member  38  allows for an adjustment of the position of the resilient sleeve  48  with respect to the threaded inner portion  40 . A cap or slot  50  may optionally be provided proximate to the portion of the resilient sleeve  48  that is threadably engaged with the threaded inner portion  40  of the tubular receiving member  38 . The cap or slot  50  can be a separate member or can be integrally formed with the resilient sleeve  48 . The cap or slot  50  allows for adjusting the position of the resilient sleeve with respect to the threaded inner portion  40  of the tubular receiving member  38 . Adjusting the position of the resilient sleeve with respect to the threaded inner portion  40  of the tubular receiving member  38  allows for an adjustment of the panel  12  with respect to the skirt  16 , thereby resulting in either a tighter or looser fit of the panel  12  against the water enclosing unit  10  and/or skirt  16 . 
     The resilient sleeve  48  is adapted for receiving the male member  32 . The resilient sleeve  48  has a substantially tubular structure with an annular projection  49  extending radially inward at a location proximate to an end of the resilient sleeve  48  that is first engaged by the male member  32 . The annular projection  49  is adapted to deflect slightly as the male member  32  first enters the resilient sleeve  48 . Further movement of the male member  32  into the resilient sleeve  48  causes the annular projection  49  to engage the depression  33  on the male member  32  to create a secure connection between the male member  32  and the female member  34 . In order to disengage the male member  32  from the female member  34 , and thereby remove the panel  12  from the skirt  16 , the male member  32  is retracted with respect to the female member such that the depression  33  is driven outside the annular projection  49 . The resilient sleeve  48  is made from a flexible material that is designed to compensate for manufacturing tolerances and/or deviations in the size of the male member  32  with respect to the hollow interior of the resilient sleeve  48 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 5 and 5B , the front portion  38   a  of the tubular receiving member  38  includes a flat stop portion  52  configured for cooperation with the panel section  12  to prevent the panel section  12  from rotating with respect to the clip assembly  30  after mating of the male member  32  with the female member  34 . 
     According to one embodiment, the panel section  12  has a predetermined thickness and the frame  20  includes a recessed portion  21 , best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6 , configured to receive the predetermined thickness of the panel section  12  such that a front face of the panel section forms a flush surface, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , with an outer surface of the skirt  16 . According to a further design, the at least one edge portion of the panel section includes at least one recessed passageway  22  configured to receive an opening member, such as a tool or a user&#39;s hand, to allow for removal of the panel section  12  from the frame  20 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 8  which shows an embodiment of a water enclosing unit, generally indicated as  60 . The water enclosing unit  60  shown in  FIG. 8  is a left-handed entry walk-in bathtub; however, it is recognized that the present invention is not limited to the design of this particular water enclosing unit  60 , but encompasses other types of water enclosing units including whirlpools, hot tubs, treatment spas, and a variety of bathtub designs. A door  62 , which can have an aluminum frame, is hingedly secured to a doorframe  64 . The door  62  is swingably secured to the doorframe  64  with a hinge (not shown) to allow for either a left or right-handed entry design of the water enclosing unit  60 . The door  62  can be secured or closed using the at least one clip assembly of the invention and shown in  FIGS. 5, 5A, and 6-7 . The clip assembly  30  is associated with the doorframe  64  and the door  62 . The clip assembly  30  is configured for mating engagement to removably secure the door  62  in a closed position. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that once the water enclosing unit  60  is filled with water, the force of the water held in the water enclosing unit  60  assists in maintaining the door  62  in a closed position. 
     With continuing reference to  FIG. 8 , the water enclosing unit  60  in one embodiment includes plumbing equipment and/or electrical equipment (not shown in  FIG. 8 ) which is covered by the skirt  16  and removable panel sections  12 . The water enclosing unit shown in  FIG. 8  also includes a seat  68 , whirlpool jets  69  which provide comfort/treatment to the user, and a head rest  70 . Water is supplied by a well-known source, such as a faucet  72 . In operation, the door  62  is closed and a person can sit on the seat  68 . The water enclosing unit  60  is filled with water which is contained within an interior space or basin  14  defined by the walls of the unit  60 . The plumbing equipment can include any type of equipment commonly used in bathtubs or spas, and the removable panel or panel section  12  can be attached by the clip assembly  30 , shown in  FIGS. 5, 5A, 5B and 6-7 . 
     Hence, the present invention provides for easy removal and replacement of panel sections for accessing plumbing and/or electrical equipment of a water enclosing unit  10 , as well as a fluid-tight sealing mechanism for ensuring fluid-tight sealing of the door  62  during use of the unit  60 . 
     It can be appreciated that the clip assembly  30  in the present invention is not limited to the attachment of removable panels for closing of access openings in water enclosing units, but can be used for the attachment of a removable panel for closing any type of open portion extending through an enclosure skirt or wall portion wherein the open portion is defined by a frame. 
     The present invention is also directed to a method for removably closing an access opening of a water enclosing unit and/or to a method for removably closing any type of opening extending through a skirt or wall wherein access through this opening is desired. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 9-9C  which show an embodiment of a water enclosing unit, generally indicated as  80 . In various embodiments, the water enclosing unit  80  can be any known unit, including tubs, showers, whirlpools, and the like. The water enclosing unit  80  includes a basin  14 , such as a tub, for holding water and a skirt  16 . The basin  14  includes an upper back portion  82 , a first upper side portion  84 , and a second upper side portion  86 . The portions  82 ,  84 , and  86  are configured to accommodate the back wall panel  88 , the first side wall panel  90  or the second side wall panel (not shown), respectively. It will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art that the back wall panel  88  may be configured to accept the first side wall panel  90  and/or the second side wall panel (not shown). The panels are attachable to each other or to the portions of the water enclosing unit  80  by the clip assembly  30 , in a manner shown in  FIGS. 5, 5A, 5B and 6-7 , located along side edges  98  of the panels. In one embodiment, side edges  98  include indentations  100  to hold clip assemblies so that when assembled, a smooth, finished and aesthetically pleasing enclosure unit is produced. The upper back portion  82 , the first upper side portion  84 , and the second upper side portion  86  of the water enclosing unit  80  may have tracks, guides, indentations, protrusions, or the like generally illustrated as  92  to aid in aligning the panels on the water enclosing unit  80  and in ultimately aligning male member  32  with the female member  34  of the clip assembly  30 . In one embodiment, the male member  32  is associated with the at least one side edge portion  98  of the panel  90  and the female member  34  is associated with the at least one side edge portion  98  of the support member. Alternatively, the male member  32  can be associated with the at least one side edge portion  98  of the support member  94  and the female member  34  can be associated with the at least one side edge portion  98  of the panel  90 . 
     As described previously with reference to  FIGS. 5-5B , the clip assembly  30  includes a male member  32  and a female member  34 . The method of assembling the panels includes the steps of securing the male member  32  to the panel section  90  and securing the female member  34  to the support member  94  wherein the female member  34  is configured for receiving the male member  32  to secure the panel section  90  to the support member  94 . Alternatively, the male member  32  can be secured to the support member  94  and the female member  34  can be secured to the panel section  90 . 
     According to an alternative design, the male member  32  can be associated with the at least one portion of the water enclosing unit  80  and the female member  34  can be associated with the panel section  90 . The female member  34  is configured for receiving the male member  32  to secure the panel section  90  to the at least one portion of the water enclosing unit  80 . 
     The clip assembly  30  includes a male member  32  associated with the side panel and a female  34  member associated with the back panel  88 , wherein the female member  34  is configured for receiving the male member  32  to secure a side panel  90  to the back panel  88 . Additionally, the clip assembly  30  includes a male member  32  associated with a planar member  88  and a female member  34  associated with the support member  94  and wherein the female member  34  is configured for receiving the male member  32  to secure the planar member  88  to the support member  94 . Alternatively, the clip assembly  30  may include a male member  32  associated with the at least one panel section  88  and a female member  34  associated with the at least one portion of the water enclosing unit  80 , wherein the female member  34  is configured for receiving the male member  32  to secure the at least one panel section  88  to the at least one portion of the water enclosing unit  80 . It can be appreciated that the female and male members can be “switched” or alternated. It can also be appreciated that the complementing indentations and protrusions could also be “switched” or alternated. 
     In one embodiment, the described clip assemblies and panels are set up to form a kit for installing a water enclosing unit with panels. The panels  88 ,  90  are secured to a frame or studs  94  of a structure and the basin  14  is secured to floor  96  of the structure, such as a home or office, by any suitable technique known in the art. The kit includes at least one panel section  88 ,  90  configured to cooperate with at least one portion  82 ,  84 ,  86  of the water enclosing unit  80  and at least one clip assembly  30  affixed to at least one of the at least one portion  82 ,  84 ,  86  of the water enclosing unit  80  and the at least one panel section  88 ,  90 . The at least one clip assembly  30  is adapted to removably secure the at least one panel section  88 ,  90  to the at least one portion  82 ,  84 ,  86  of the water enclosing unit  80 . Additionally, the clip assembly  30  includes a male member  32  associated with the at least one panel section  88 ,  90  and a female member  34  associated with the at least one portion  82 ,  84 ,  86  of the water enclosing unit  80 . The female member  34  is configured for receiving the male member  32  to secure the at least one panel section  88 ,  90  to the at least one portion  82 ,  84 ,  86  of the water enclosing unit  80 . The at least one panel  88 ,  90  includes a back wall panel  88  and at least one side wall panel  90 , each configured to cooperate with the at least one portion  82 ,  84 ,  86  of the enclosing unit  80 , wherein the at least one portion  82 ,  84 ,  86  of the enclosing unit  80  includes a back wall portion  82  and a side wall portion  84 , and wherein the back wall panel  88  is attachable to the at least one side wall panel  90  by the clip assembly  30 . Additionally, the at least one panel  88 ,  90  includes a back wall panel  88 , a first side wall panel  90 , and a second side wall panel (not shown) each configured to cooperate with the at least one portion  82 ,  84 ,  86  of the enclosing unit  80 , wherein the at least one portion  82 ,  84 ,  86  of the enclosing unit  80  includes a back wall portion  82 , a first side wall portion  84 , and a second side wall portion  86  and wherein the back wall panel  88  is attachable to the first side wall panel  90  and the second side wall panel (not shown) by the at least one clip assembly  30 . The kit further includes a basin  14  associated with the water enclosing unit  80 , wherein the basin  14  can be a shower, bathtub and the like. It can be appreciated that the kit can be modified or used to install a shower, bathtub unit, whirlpool bath, spa and the like and the enclosure unit can be used to protect, enclose and/or cover an area such as a bathroom, locker room, steam room, spa, or anywhere that moisture or water enclosing is desired. 
     The present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Modifications, combinations and alterations will occur to others upon reading the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications, combinations and alterations.