Patent Publication Number: US-2011072577-A1

Title: Shower door enclosure systems

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Showers generally spray water, and thus are generally enclosed via an enclosure, such as via a shower curtain or rigid shower doors. Current shower door assemblies may be problematic to install and/or may produce a large amount of noise during movement. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Broadly, the present disclosure relates to shower door enclosure systems and related methods and apparatus. The configuration of the components of the system facilitates ease of installation by enabling accessibility to applicable components during various stages of the assembly process. 
     In one aspect, a system includes at least one side support. In one embodiment, a first side support is configured to mount to a first wall or other support structure. In one embodiment, a second side support is configured to mount to a second wall or other support structure. At least one side support includes at least one projection that extends forward of a face of that side support. In one approach, each side support includes at least one projection, such as at least two projections. The one or more side supports are used to support the end(s) (and sometimes the middle portions) of an elongated shower door support. 
     The system further includes an elongated shower door support. The elongated shower door support generally includes a body, sometimes called a center body or central body. In one embodiment, the body is of generally linear form. In one embodiment, the body may be of other geometrical forms (e.g., hollow rectangle, triangular, hexagonal, to name a few). In one embodiment, the body is in a generally vertical orientation. 
     At least one shower door track generally extends from the side of the body. The shower door track is configured to engage a tread of a shower door roll wheel in a manner that allows the roll wheel to readily move along at least a portion of the length of the shower door track. In one embodiment, the elongated shower door support includes at least two shower door tracks, one extending from each side of the body of the elongated shower door support. Each of the shower door tracks may be configured to engage a tread of a corresponding shower door roll wheel in a manner that allows the roll wheel to readily move along at least a portion of the length of that shower door track. In one embodiment, the roll wheels are located proximal the center body of the elongated shower door support as supported in their corresponding shower door tracks. 
     In one embodiment, a shower door track is tiered. An upper tier may be configured to support a shower door roll wheel. In this regard, the upper tier may comprise a width that is coincidental to the width of the roll wheel. A lower tier may be connected to and located below the upper tier. The lower tier may comprise a width that is smaller than that of the roll wheel. Therefore, the tread of the roll wheel may be maintained in the upper tier and apart from a trough of the shower door track. 
     The elongated shower door support generally includes a header located proximal a top portion of the body. In one embodiment, the header is of generally linear form. In one embodiment, the header may be of other geometrical forms. In one embodiment, the header is in a generally horizontal orientation. In one embodiment, the header and the body of the elongated shower door support form a generally T-shaped or I-shaped configuration, where the body is in a generally vertical orientation and where the header is in a generally horizontal orientation. 
     The header generally has an underside that is configured to engage the projection(s) of the side support(s). When the side support(s) are mounted to their respective supporting structure(s) (e.g., walls or ceiling), and when the header is engaged with the projection(s), the elongated shower door support is maintained in a generally horizontal orientation. The underside of the header generally includes two portions separated by the intersection of the body and the header. One or more portions of the underside(s) of the header may be configured to engage the projection(s) of the side support(s), such that, when the side support(s) are mounted to their supporting structures, and when the applicable underside portions are engaged with the projections, the elongated shower door support is maintained in a generally horizontal orientation. 
     The system may include a cover. The cover is a separate piece from the elongated shower door support. Since the cover is a separate piece, it may be absent during assembly of other portions of the system. The absence of the cover may partially assist in providing accessibility to the components of the system that are required (i) to hang the elongated shower door support in a generally horizontal orientation and/or (ii) hang the shower doors from the elongated shower door support. After the shower doors are hung, the cover may be placed over at least a portion of the elongated shower door support so as to hide at least a portion of the elongated shower door support and/or related internal components (e.g., mounts, roll wheels, coupling members) from view. In one embodiment, the cover hides substantially most or all of the top and/or side(s) of the elongated shower door support from view. In one embodiment, the cover hides substantially most or all of the top and/or side(s) of the shower door mount(s) and related components from view. 
     In one approach, the cover is physically affixed to the elongated shower door support. For example, the elongated shower door support may include at least one connector. This connector may be configured to mate with a corresponding mating connector of the cover so as to affix the cover to the elongated shower door support. In one embodiment, the connector is proximal to, located on, or integral with at least one of the body, the header, and a shower door track of the elongated shower door support. In one embodiment, the connector is proximal to, located on, or integral with the body of the elongated shower door support. In one embodiment, the connector is proximal to, located on, or integral with the header of the elongated shower door support. In one embodiment, the connector is proximal to, located on, or integral with a shower door track of the elongated shower door support. In one embodiment, the cover is configured to repeatedly connect to and disconnect from the at least one connector of the elongated shower door support. In one embodiment, the cover is permanently or semi-permanently affixed to the elongated shower door support, such as via adhesive, welds, permanent-style connectors (e.g., hidden snap-tabs, one-way screws) and the like. 
     In one embodiment, at least one connector of the elongated shower door support is coupled to the header of the elongated shower door support. In one embodiment, at least one connector of the elongated shower door support is integral with the header of the elongated shower door support. In one embodiment, at least one connector is in the form of an elongated slot. In one embodiment, the elongated slot is include in the top of the header of the elongated shower door support. In one embodiment, the elongated slot is located proximal the intersection of the body and the header of the elongated shower door support. The connector may be of other forms, as described below. 
     The cover may include a corresponding mating connector. In one embodiment, the mating connector of the cover is coupled to a surface of the cover (e.g., an inner surface of the cover). In one embodiment, the mating connector of the cover is integral with the cover. In one embodiment, the cover includes a tab adapted to repeatedly connect to and disconnect from an elongated slot of the elongated shower door support. The mating connector of the cover may be of other forms, as described below. 
     In one embodiment, the cover is a unitary body. In other embodiments, the cover is a multi-piece cover. The piece(s) of the multi-piece cover may be configured to repeatedly connect to and disconnect from the first connector of the elongated shower door support. In other embodiments, one or more pieces of the multi-piece cover are permanently or semi-permanently affixed to the elongated shower door support. 
     In one embodiment, a first piece of the cover includes a first mating connector for connecting with a first connector of the elongated shower door support. In one embodiment, a second piece of the cover includes a second mating connector for connecting with a second connector of the elongated shower door support. The first piece of the cover may hide a first portion of the elongated shower door support from view. The second piece of the cover may hide a second portion of the elongated shower door support from view. In one embodiment, when the first cover is connected to the first connector of the elongated shower door support, and when the second cover is connected to the second connector of the elongated shower door support, the first and second covers hide substantially most or all of the top and side portions of the elongated shower door support from view. In one embodiment, all or most of a bottom portion of the elongated shower door support is hidden from view. 
     Apparatus related to shower enclosures are also described. In one embodiment, an apparatus is an elongated shower door support. In one embodiment, the elongated shower door support is an extruded elongated shower door support (e.g., made from extruded aluminum). In one embodiment, the elongated shower door support includes a central body, a header proximal the top of the central body, and at least a first shower door track extending from a first side of the central body. The first shower door track is configured to engage a tread of a shower door roll wheel in a manner that allows the roll wheel to readily move along at least a portion of the length of the first shower door track. In one embodiment, the shower door track includes an upper tier configured to support the roll wheel. In one embodiment, the upper tier has a width that is coincidental to the width of the shower door roll wheel. In one embodiment, the shower door track includes a lower tier below the upper tier. In one embodiment, when a shower door roll wheel is located in the upper tier, a trough of the first shower door track is apart from the tread of the roll wheel. In one embodiment, the central body and the header form a generally T-shaped or I-shaped configuration. In one embodiment, the body is in a generally vertical orientation and the header is in a generally horizontal orientation. 
     Methods relating to shower enclosures are also described. In one embodiment, a method includes the steps of hanging an elongated shower door support, placing a shower door roll wheel in a shower door track of the elongated shower door support, and covering at least a portion of the elongated shower door support such that at least a portion of the elongated shower door support is hidden from view. In one embodiment, the covering includes affixing the cover to the elongated shower door support. 
     In one embodiment, a method includes coupling a shower door roll wheel assembly to a shower door mount and attaching a shower door to the shower door mount. In one embodiment, the shower door roll wheel assembly includes the shower door roll wheel. After the coupling and/or attaching steps, the shower door roll wheel may be placed in the shower door track and/or the elongated shower door support may be covered. 
     Various ones of the inventive aspect, approaches, and embodiments described above may be combined to yield various shower door enclosures and related, systems, methods and apparatus. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1   a  is a perspective, exploded view of one embodiment of a portion of a shower door enclosure system. 
         FIG. 1   b  is a perspective view of a portion of the system of  FIG. 1   a , in partial assembled form. 
         FIG. 2   a  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the system of  FIG. 1   a.    
         FIG. 2   b  is a close-up, cross-sectional view of a portion of the system of  FIG. 1   a.    
         FIG. 3   a  is a side view of the elongated shower door support of  FIG. 1   a.    
         FIG. 3   b  is a perspective view of the elongated shower door support of  FIG. 1   a.    
         FIG. 4   a  is a side view of an embodiment of a shower door track. 
         FIG. 4   b  is a side view the shower door track of  FIG. 4   a  having a shower door roll wheel located in an upper tier of the track. 
         FIG. 5   a  is a first perspective view of another embodiment of a shower door enclosure system. 
         FIG. 5   b  is a second perspective view of the shower door enclosure system of  FIG. 5   a.    
         FIG. 5   c  is a side view of one embodiment of a multi-piece cover connecting to the elongated shower door support of  FIG. 5   a.    
         FIG. 6  is a side view of another embodiment of a multi-piece cover connecting to an elongated shower door support. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another embodiment of an elongated shower door support. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an assembled and installed shower door enclosure system, absent a cover. 
         FIG. 9   a  is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of method in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9   b  is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of the method of  FIG. 9   a.    
         FIG. 9   c  is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of the method of  FIG. 9   a.    
         FIG. 9   d  is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of the method of  FIG. 9   a.    
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the accompanying drawings, which at least assist in illustrating various pertinent embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 1   a ,  1   b ,  2   a ,  2   b ,  3   a  and  3   b  illustrate one embodiment of a shower door enclosure system in accordance with the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the system  1  includes a first side support  10 , an opposing second side support  15 , an elongated shower door support  20  and a cover  40 . In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated shower door support  20  is configured to hang in a generally horizontal orientation via the first  10  and second side supports  15 . For example, when the first side support  10  and the second side support  15  are mounted to first and second support structures, respectively, and when a header  28  of the elongated shower door support  20  is engaged with the projections  12 ,  14 ,  17 ,  19  of the side supports  10 ,  15 , the elongated shower door support is maintained in a generally horizontal orientation (see,  FIG. 8 ). 
     The elongated shower door support includes first and second tracks  24 ,  26  extending from a generally linear central body  22 . These shower door tracks  24 ,  26  are configured to engage a tread of a shower door roll wheel  51  in a manner that allows the roll wheel  51  to readily move along at least a portion of the length of the shower door track  24 ,  26 . Each roll wheel  51  is coupled to a corresponding shower door mount  50 , which generally holds a shower door (not illustrated) therein, such as via holder portion  54 . 
     Notably, the elongated shower door support  20  and cover  40  are separate pieces. The use of separate pieces enables shower doors (not illustrated) of the shower door mount  50 , to be readily hung from the elongated shower door support  20 , as described in further detail below. After the shower doors are hung via mount  50 , the cover  40  may be placed over at least a portion of the elongated shower door support  20 , mount  50  and/or related internal features so as to hide at least a portion of those components from view. Thus, ready installation of shower doors may be achieved, and with a visually appealing end product. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1   a ,  1   b  and  2   a , the system may include first  10  and second  15  side supports. Side supports are structures configured to bear the weight of and/or strengthen, and which are configured to connect to support structures, such as a ceiling and/or wall, and the like. For example, a side support may be a wall jamb or bracket used to bear the weight of an elongated shower door support. In one embodiment, the first side support  10  is configured to mount to a first wall (not illustrated) and the second side support  15  is configured to mount to an opposing second wall (not illustrated), such as via screws, nails, and/or adhesive and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, two side supports  10 ,  15  are provided. In other embodiments, more or less side supports could be used to support the elongated shower door support  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, the side supports  10 ,  15  are designed to engage the ends of the elongated shower door support  20 . In other embodiments, a side support is configured to support the elongated shower door support at other locations, such as in the middle portions of the elongated shower door support. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the first side support  10  includes first and second projections  12 ,  14  extending from a face of the first side support  10 , and the second side support  15  includes third and fourth projections  17 ,  19  extending from a face of the second side support  15 . Projections are structures that branch out from a support. For example, a geometric projection may branch out from a face of a side support. In the illustrated embodiment, the projections are linear-style projections. In other embodiments, other geometric style projections may be used (e.g., star, triangle, hexagonal, to name a few). In the illustrated embodiment, the projections  12 ,  14 ,  17 ,  19  of the side supports  10 ,  15  are configured to support the weight of at least a portion of the elongated shower door support  20 . The projections  12 ,  14 ,  17 ,  19  also facilitate maintenance of the elongated shower door support  20  in a generally horizontal orientation. While four projections are illustrated, in some instances, a single projection could be utilized to support the elongated shower door support  20 . In other instances, two, three or more than four projections may be used to support the elongated shower door support  20 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1   a ,  2   b ,  3   a , and  3   b , the elongated shower door support  20  is an elongated structure that is configured to support one or more shower doors. In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated shower door support  20  includes a generally linear central body  22  and a header  28  proximal the top of the body  22 . In one embodiment, the elongated shower door support  20  is in the form of a beam. In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated shower door support  20  is in the form of a T-beam, with the body  22  being in a generally vertical orientation and the header  28  being in a generally horizontal orientation. As used herein, “generally vertical orientation” means an orientation that is no more than +/−10° from vertical. In one embodiment, a generally vertical orientation is no more than 5° from vertical. In other embodiments, a generally vertical orientation is no more than 4° from vertical, or no more than 3° from vertical, or no more than 2° from vertical, or even no more than 1° from vertical. A generally horizontal orientation is an orientation that is no more than +/−10° from horizontal. In one embodiment, a generally horizontal orientation is no more than 5° from horizontal. In other embodiments, a generally horizontal orientation is no more than 4° from horizontal, or no more than 3° from horizontal, or no more than 2° from horizontal, or even no more than 1° from horizontal. 
     The elongated shower door support  20  may be shaped in other configurations, such as in the form of an I-beam, a 1-beam, or other suitable alpha-numeric character. The elongated shower door support  20  may be made of a metal, such as steel, aluminum, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated shower door support  20  is a unitary body. In other embodiments, the elongated shower door support  20  may be multiple pieces. In one embodiment, the elongated shower door support  20  is an extrusion. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated shower door support  20  includes a first track  24  and a second track  26  that extend from opposing sides of the body  22  of the elongated shower door support  20 . The tracks  24 ,  26  are adapted to engage a tread of the shower door roll wheel  51 , and with the purpose of allowing the shower door roll wheel  51  to readily move along at least a portion of the length of the track. Shower door roll wheels are devices adapted to facilitate rotational movement. In one embodiment, a shower door roll wheel is produced from a polymeric material, as described in commonly-owned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/568,482, entitled “SHOWER DOOR ROLL WHEEL ASSEMBLY”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Other shower door roll wheels may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, both roll wheels  51  are located proximal the body  22  of the elongated shower door support  20 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the tracks  24 ,  26  are U-shaped members that extend from the body  22  via extensions  25 ,  27 , respectively. The groove of these U-shaped members facilitates retention of the roll wheel  51  within the track while also facilitating rotational movement of the roll wheel  51  by engaging appropriate portions of the roll wheel. In other embodiments, the tracks may be V-shaped, Y-shaped, or in the shape of another suitable alpha-numeric character. 
     In one embodiment, a track is tiered to facilitate smooth movement of a roll wheel  51 . For example, and with reference now to  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b , a track  326  extends from the body  22  of an elongated shower door support  20  via extension  27 . The track  326  includes a first tier  327  having lateral edges separated by a first distance D 1 . The track  326  includes a second tier  328  having lateral sides separated by a second distance D 2 . The first distance D 1  is coincidental to the width of a roll wheel  51 . The second distance D 2  is shorter than the first distance D 1  and is generally shorter than the width of the roll wheel  51 . 
     The first tier  327  is used to support the roll wheel  51  within the track  326  and restrict the roll wheel  51  from moving side-to-side within the track  326 . The first tier  327  may also facilitate rotation movement of the roll wheel  51 , and, in some embodiments, may facilitate rotational movement of the roll wheel  51  even when the roll wheel  51  is not oriented in a perfectly vertical orientation. For example, the first tier  327  may facilitate rotational movement of the roll wheel  51  when the roll wheel  51  is in a generally vertical orientation (e.g., +/−10° from perfectly vertical), as opposed to only in nearly perfectly vertical orientation (e.g., +/−1° from perfectly vertical). 
     During use of the shower door enclosure, debris may accumulate on the tread of the roll wheel  51  and/or in a lower trough  329  of the track  326 . The second tier  328  separates the tread of the roll wheel  51  from the lower trough  329  of the track  326 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4   b , when a roll wheel  51  is located in the first tier  327  of the track  326  (e.g., in upper channel  330 ) a gap  75  may be formed. Since the roll wheel  51  is located in the first tier  327  and does not contact trough  329 , the roll wheel  51  may readily and smoothly rotate along the track  326  with minimal non-rotational disruptions. In other words, the roll wheel may realize less bumps during rotational movement due to the gap  75  between the tread of the roll wheel  51  and the trough  329  of the track  326 . That is, since any accumulated debris may not simultaneously physically contact both (i) the tread of the roll wheel  51  and (ii) the lower trough  329  of the track  326 , the roll wheel  51  may smoothly rotate along the track  326 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , the elongated shower door support  20  generally includes a header  28  located proximal the top of the body  22 . The header  28  is a portion of the elongated shower door support that is configured to engage another support member (e.g., a wall jamb) so as to transfer the weight of the elongated shower door support  20  to the another support member. In the illustrated embodiment, the header  28  includes underside portions  30 ,  32 , which are configured to engage at least one projection of the another support member. For example, the underside portions  30 ,  32  may engage the first  12 ,  17  and second  14 ,  19  projections, respectively, of the side supports  10 ,  15 . The projections  12 ,  14 ,  17 ,  19  of the side supports  14 ,  19  and the undersides  30 ,  32  of the header are configured such that, when the header  28  is engaged with the side supports  10 ,  15 , the elongated shower door support  20  is maintained in a generally horizontal orientation. In the illustrated embodiment, the underside portions  30 ,  32  of the header  28  are generally flat and are adapted to engaged the generally flat top surfaces of the projections  12 ,  14 ,  17 ,  19  of the side supports  10 ,  15 . Other suitable configurations may be used so long as the elongated shower door support  20  is maintained in a generally horizontal orientation when engaged with one or more side supports. 
     The header  28  may include one or more outer flanges  34 ,  36 . These flanges  34 ,  36 , may restrict side-to-side movement of the elongated shower door support  20 . For example, the flanges  34 ,  36  may be spaced such that they are proximal the outer sides of the projections  12 ,  14 ,  17 ,  19  of the side supports  10 ,  15 . In other words, the underside portions  30 ,  32  and corresponding outer flanges  34 ,  36  may restrict the elongated shower door support  20  from moving in the lateral and downward directions. 
     As noted above, after the elongated shower door support  20  is hung, the one or more shower doors may be hung from the elongated shower door support  20  via one or more shower door mounts  50 . For example, a shower door may be coupled to holding portion of a mount  50 . One or more roll wheels  51  may be coupled to one or more windows  52  of the mount  50 . The roll wheels  51  may be set within a track  24  of the elongated shower door support  20 . A similar procedure may occur for a second, and subsequent, shower door(s). Since the tracks  24 ,  26  are readily accessible and visible, due to the cover  40  being a separate piece from the elongated shower door support  20 , and absent from the system at this point of the assembling process, the shower doors may be readily hung from the elongated shower door support  20 . Furthermore, in some embodiments, and with reference now to  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , since the coupling members  53  of the mount  50  are readily visible, the height of the shower doors may be readily adjusted via adjustment of the height of the roll wheel  51  relative to the slanted window  52  of the mount  50 . 
     One example of a fully assembled enclosure, absent a cover, is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated shower door support  20  is hung from side supports  10 ,  15 , in this case wall jambs, that are mounted to opposing walls. In other embodiments, the side supports  10 ,  15  may be brackets or other suitable support. A first shower door  94  is hung from a first track  24  of the elongated shower door support  20  via first and second mounts  50 ,  50 ′. A second shower door  96  is hung from a second track (not visible) of the elongated shower door support  20  via third and fourth mounts (not visible). In this example, as a next step, a cover  40  could be placed over the elongated shower door support  20  to hide at least a portion of the elongated shower door support  20 , mounts  50 ,  50 ′ and/or corresponding internal features from view. 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 1   a ,  1   b ,  2   a  and  2   b , after the shower doors are hung, the cover  40  may be placed over at least a portion of the elongated shower door support  20  so as to at least partially hide the elongated shower door support  20 , mount  50  and/or related internal features from view. In some embodiments, the cover  40  hides substantially most or all of the top and sides of the elongated shower door support  20  from view. The cover  40  may include a inner surface  162  (e.g., configured to face the elongated shower door support  20  when connected to the connector of the elongated shower door support) and an outer surface  164 . The outer surface  164  may be generally viewed, and thus may have one or more decorative patterns/features included thereon. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the cover  40  is a unitary body that is partially flexible so as to allow the cover  40  to be at least partially opened as it is placed over the elongated shower door support  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, the cover  40  is held in place over the elongated shower door support via gravity and/or its elasticity, and is not physically affixed to the elongated shower door support  20 . In other embodiments, and with reference now to  FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b , and  5   c , an elongated shower door support  420  may include one or more connectors (sometimes called a mating feature) for physically affixing a cover to the system. In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated shower door support  420  is similar to as described above, including first and second tracks  324 ,  326 , extending from the body  22 , a header  428  proximal the top portion of the body  22 , and with the header  428  including undersides  30 ,  32  and outer flanges  34 ,  36 . In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated shower door support  420  also includes connectors  462 ,  464  for facilitating physical connection of a two-piece cover  42 ,  44  to the elongated shower door support  420 . Each piece  42 ,  44  of the two-piece cover may including corresponding connectors (e.g., tabs  43 ,  45  in this instance) for connecting with the connectors  462 ,  464  of the elongated shower door support  420 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the connectors  462 ,  464  are in the form of elongated slots. In other embodiments, a connector may in the form of one or more of a snap, zipper, button, velcro, tabs, clips, and the like. The connectors may be configured to allow a cover to repeatedly connect to and disconnect from the elongated shower door support  420 , which may facilitate the assembly and disassembly of a shower enclosure. In some embodiments, the cover includes a corresponding mating connector to facilitate the affixing between the cover and the elongated shower door support  420 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the connectors  462 ,  464  are included in the header of the elongated shower door support  420 . In other embodiments, one or more connectors may be included in, or on, the body  22  of the elongated shower door support  420 . In the illustrated embodiment, the connectors  462 ,  464  are integral with the elongated shower door support  420 , and are included in a surface of the elongated shower door support  420 . In other embodiments, one or more connectors may be non-integral with the elongated shower door support  420 , and may be merely coupled to a surface of the elongated shower door support  420 . In the illustrated embodiment, multiple connectors are used in the elongated shower door support  420 . In other embodiments, only a single connector may be used in the elongated shower door support  420 . 
     As noted above, the cover may be a unitary body or may be multiple pieces. The unitary body or the plurality of pieces of the cover may include one or more mating connectors for connecting with corresponding connectors of the elongated shower door support  420 . For example, and with reference to  FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b  and  5   c , a first piece  42  of a cover  40  may include a tab  43  for restrictively engaging the first slot  462  of the elongated shower door support  420 . A second piece  44  of a cover  40  may include a tab  45  for restrictively engaging the second slot  464  of the elongated shower door support  420 . The first piece  42  may have a first visual design on its outer surface  47 . The second piece  44  may have a second visual design on its outer surface  49 , which may be the same as or different from the first visual design of the first piece  42 . The different pieces of the cover may be of differing colors, materials, and/or visual patterns/designs, thereby facilitating tailored aesthetic design of the shower door enclosure. 
     In one embodiment, the first piece  42  of the cover may hide substantially most or all of a first portion (e.g., a first side) of the elongated shower door support  420  from view. In one embodiment, the second piece  44  of the cover may hide substantially most or all of a second portion (e.g., a second side) of the elongated shower door support  420  from view. In one embodiment, the first or second piece may hide at least a portion of the top of the elongated shower door support  420  from view. In one embodiment, together, the multiple pieces (in this case two pieces  42 ,  44 ) of the cover may hide substantially most or all of the sides and top of the elongated shower door support  420  from view. In one embodiment, together, the multiple pieces of the cover may hide substantially most or all of the sides and top of the mount(s)  50  and/or related internal features from view. 
     In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b  and  5   c , the roll wheel  51  is included in a shower door roll wheel assembly. The shower door roll wheel assembly may be any of those described in commonly-owned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/568,482, entitled “SHOWER DOOR ROLL WHEEL ASSEMBLY”, or other known suitable shower door roll wheel assemblies. In the illustrated embodiment a coupling member  53  is configured to couple the shower door roll wheel assembly to the shower door mount  50 . The slanted window  52  facilitates interconnection of the coupling member  53  to the shower door roll wheel assembly. Since the coupling members  53  of the mount  50  are readily visible, the height of the shower doors may be readily adjusted via adjustment of the height of the roll wheel  51  relative to the slanted window  52  of the mount  50 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b , and  5   c , the distal ends of the coupling members  53  point towards the body  22  of the elongated shower door support  420 . The proximal ends of the coupling members  53  are visible and readily accessible, thereby at least partially facilitating installation of shower doors and/or shower door mounts  50 . Like the coupling members, the distal portions of the shower door roll wheel assemblies also point towards the body  22  of the elongated shower door support  420 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated shower door support  420  includes two tracks  324 ,  326 , one on each side of the body  22 , and with a single mount  50  hanging from each track  324 ,  326  via roll wheels  51 . Each mount  50  has a single window  52 . However, a mount  50  may have multiple windows, each window  52  having a roll wheel  51  coupled thereto via coupling member  53 . For example, a mount  50  may be sized to be coincidental to the size of a shower door. In this embodiment, the mount  50  may have at least two windows  52 , with one window  52  and roll wheel  51  located proximal each end of the mount  50 . The mount may also have one or more additional windows  52  and roll wheels  51  located in the middle portions of the mount  50 . These multiple roll wheels  51  may be used in a shower door track of the elongated shower door support  420  to facilitate movement of a shower door. The use of multiple windows  52  and roll wheels  51  within a single mount  50  may assist in the movement of and/or the support of the shower door, which may be relatively heavy in some circumstances. In other embodiments, multiple mounts  50  may also be used for a single enclosure for mounting one or more shower doors (see,  FIG. 8 ). 
     In some embodiments, a cover, or a piece thereof may include a mounting feature for securing the cover to other portions of the system. For example, and with reference now to  FIG. 6 , a two-piece cover  42 ,  44  similar to  FIG. 5   c  is illustrated. One piece  44  of the cover includes a mounting feature  48 , in this instance a clip, for securing the piece  44  to the projection  14  of the side support  10 . Other arrangements may be used. 
     The elongated shower door support may include other features. For example, and with reference now to  FIG. 7 , one embodiment of an elongated shower door support  520  may include one or more arms  580 ,  582 . These arms  580 ,  582 , may be used for several purposes, including restricting the side-to-side movement and/or up-down movement of the elongated shower door support  520 . In the illustrated embodiment, the arms  580 ,  582 , are spaced such that each is proximal an inner side portion of a corresponding projection  12 ,  14 ,  17 ,  19  of the side supports  10 ,  15 , which restricts the side-to-side movement of the elongated shower door support  520 . In some embodiments, one or more ledges may be included on one or more of the projections so as to restrict the up-down movement of the elongated shower door support  520 . In some embodiments, the projections  12 ,  14 ,  17 ,  19  may also include mating features for restrictively engaging a corresponding mating feature of the arms  580 ,  582 . In the illustrated embodiment, the arms  580 ,  582  are located above the tracks  324 ,  326 . In other embodiments, the arms  580 ,  582 , may be located below the tracks  324 ,  326 . 
     The present disclosure also relates to methods of producing/installing shower enclosures. In one embodiment, and with reference now to  FIG. 9   a , a method includes the steps of hanging an elongated shower door support from at least one side support ( 900 ), placing a shower door roll wheel in a track of the elongated shower door support ( 910 ), and covering at least a portion of the elongated shower door support, mount(s), or related internal features ( 920 ). During the hanging ( 900 ) and placing ( 910 ) steps, an outer cover may be absent ( 905 ) from the system, thereby facilitating installation of the shower doors. The covering step ( 920 ) covers at least a portion of the elongated shower door support, mount(s), or related internal features from view, thereby providing a visually appealing end product. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9   b , the step of hanging the elongated shower door support ( 900 ) may include mounting one or more side supports (e.g., wall jamb(s), bracket(s)) to a support structure ( 902 ) (e.g., a wall, ceiling, bath fixture, and the like). The hanging step ( 900 ) may also include engaging a header of the elongated shower door support with one or more projection(s) of at least one side support ( 904 ). After the hanging step  900 , the elongated shower door support may be maintained in a generally horizontal orientation ( 906 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9   c , in one embodiment, a shower door mount assembly is assembled ( 930 ) prior to the placing step ( 910 ). For example a shower door roll wheel may be coupled to a shower door mount ( 932 ), such as via a coupling member. Before, after, or concomitant to the coupling step ( 932 ), a shower door may be attached to the shower door mount ( 934 ). Before, after, or concomitant to the placing step ( 910 ), the height of the shower door mount may be adjusted, thereby adjusting the height of the shower door ( 936 ). The adjustment of the height of the shower door ( 936 ) may including the steps of positioning the roll wheel (and sometimes a coupling member) at a selected vertical position within a slanted window of the shower door mount ( 937 ), and/or affixing the roll wheel at the selected vertical position ( 938 ), e.g., due to a tightening arrangement between the roll wheel and a coupling member. This height adjusting step ( 936 ) may be facilitated due to, for example, (i) the visibility and accessibility of the roll wheel and/or coupling member due to the absence of the outer cover and/or (ii) the distal ends of the coupling members pointing towards the body of the elongated shower door support/the proximal ends of the coupling members being visible and readily accessible, as described above. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9   d , after or concomitant to the placing step ( 910 ), the covering step ( 920 ) may be completed. In one embodiment, the covering step ( 920 ) includes holding the cover in place via gravity and/or the elasticity of the cover ( 922 ). In another embodiment, the covering step ( 920 ) includes affixing the cover to the elongated shower door support via one or more connectors(s) ( 924 ). The cover may be a unitary body or a multi-piece cover ( 926 ). After the placing cover step ( 920 ), the cover may hide substantially most or all of the top and/or side(s) of the elongated shower door support, mount(s) and/or related internal features ( 928 ). 
     A shower is a system having a sprayer for spraying a liquid (e.g., water), and an enclosure adapted to facilitate containment of the sprayed liquid. A shower enclosure may include a shower door assembly. 
     A shower door assembly is an assembly of material configured to facilitate movement of at least one shower door from a generally open position to a generally closed position. A shower door assembly may include a shower door, a shower door mount, and a shower door track (e.g., extending from an elongated shower door support). 
     A shower door is any material that is suitable for use as a door in a shower. In one embodiment, a shower door is a generally solid piece of material, such as glass (e.g., glass that is translucent, transparent, colored, or otherwise). 
     A shower door mount is an apparatus adapted to both (i) restrictively engage at least a portion of a shower door, and (ii) place at least one shower door roll wheel in contact with a shower door track. In this manner, as the roll wheel moves from a first position to a second position along the shower door track, the shower door may be positioned from a first position to a second position due to, at least in part, its restrictive engagement with the shower door mount. A shower door mount may be considered a bracket, in some instances. 
     While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and adaptations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.