Patent Description:
Frame assemblies in general comprise a pair of spaced apart upstanding members joined by spaced apart upper and lower cross-members. In general, the upstanding members and the upper and lower cross-members define an opening, which depending on the use to which the frame assembly is put, may be an access opening, which typically, would be closed by a door, for example, a hinged door, a sliding door or the like. Such frame assemblies are commonly used in shower enclosures, and the access opening defined by the frame assembly provides access into the shower enclosure. The access opening in general is closed by one or a pair of doors which in the case of a single door may be hingedly connected to one of the upstanding members and would close against the other one of the upstanding members. Alternatively, in the case of a single door, the single door may be pivotally connected to the upper and lower cross-members, and would pivot about a generally vertically extending pivot axis extending between the upper and lower cross-members. In the case of a pair of doors, the doors may be of the folding type, one of which would be pivotally coupled between the upper and lower cross-members, and the other of which would be slideable in the upper and lower cross-members. Alternatively, such frame assemblies for a shower enclosure may comprise a stationary panel which typically, would be a stationary transparent panel typically of toughened glass, which would close half of the access opening, and the remainder of the access opening would be closed by a sliding door. The sliding door would be slideable between a closed state closing the remainder of the access opening not closed by the stationary panel, and an open state with the sliding door and the stationary panel adjacent each other providing access through the access opening.

In general, such frame assemblies are require to marry-up with an existing wall or walls of a room in which the shower enclosure is located. In general, the walls of a room are not always plumb, or parallel to each other, and in the case of similar houses in a housing estate the dimensions between a pair of walls in which a shower enclosure is to be located may vary due to normal building tolerances. This presents considerable difficulty when a frame assembly is being installed in a location in which the walls of a room are not plumb or parallel to each other, or the dimensions vary from house to house. In general, frame assemblies being factory made are particularly accurately dimensioned, with the upstanding members being parallel to each other, and the upper and lower cross-members also being parallel to each other and perpendicular to the upstanding members and squared. Accordingly, a difficulty arises when such frame assemblies are being fitted into, for example, an alcove in which the opposite side walls of which are not parallel, or the dimension between the side walls varies from house to house, or where such a frame assembly is being fitted adjacent a side wall where the side wall does not extend perpendicularly upwardly from the floor, or base on which the lower cross-member of the frame assembly is to be located. Various arrangements have been provided to facilitate adjustment of the upstanding side members relative to the upper and lower cross-members. However, such adjustment arrangements tend to be relatively complex and not easy to use on site.

<CIT>discloses a frame assembly for a shower enclosure, which comprises an upstanding member joined to a cross-member extending transversely from the upstanding member by a connecting device. The connecting device comprises a connecting member having a side wall and an end wall engageable in a bore extending through the upstanding member. A guide member secured to the end wall of the connecting member extends from the end wall, and through a slot in the upstanding member. The guide member is slideably engageable with a channel extending longitudinally in the cross-member for adjustment thereof, and the cross-member is secured to the guide member by a grub screw.

There is therefore a need for a connecting device for connecting and securing a pair of first and second members together with one of the first and second members extending substantially transversely of the other one of the first and second members. There is also a need for a frame assembly which comprises at least one upstanding member and one cross-member extending substantially transversely from the upstanding member, whereby the cross-member is transversely adjustable relative to the upstanding member.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a frame assembly and a connecting device for the frame assembly.

According to the invention there is provided a frame assembly comprising a first member and a second member connected to the first member by a connecting device with one of the first and second members extending substantially transversely of the other one of the first and second members, the first member having a bore extending longitudinally therein, and the second member having one of a bore and a channel extending longitudinally therein, the connecting device comprising a body member defining a hollow interior region and an entry slot into the hollow interior region, the body member being configured to be engageable in the bore of the first member, a guide member located in the hollow interior region of the body member and extending therefrom through the entry slot and configured to slideably engage the one of the bore and the channel of the second member for adjustably guiding and retaining the second member transversely relative to the first member, an engagement means engageable with the first member for retaining the body member in the bore of the first member, a limit means co-operable with the guide member and the second member for limiting the amount of transverse adjustable movement of the second member relative to the first member, and a securing means co-operable with the guide member and the second member for securing the second member in a selectable position transversely relative to the first member.

In the one aspect of the invention the body member defines a first end face, and the entry slot extends in the first end face.

in one embodiment of the invention the engagement means comprises an engagement member resiliently connected to the body member for engaging a corresponding engagement opening in the first member.

Preferably, the engagement member is resiliently urgeable into the body member.

Preferably, the body member is slideable into the bore of the first member for positioning therein, and advantageously, the engagement member is engageable with the engagement opening as the body member is being urged into the bore for locating, positioning and retaining the body member therein. Preferably, the engagement member comprises a tapered lead-in for facilitating entry of the body member into the bore of the first member.

in another embodiment of the invention the limit means comprises one of a limit member extending from the guide member and an elongated limit slot formed in the guide member for slideably engaging in the other one of a limit slot and a limit member located in the second member.

Preferably, the limit means comprises a limit member, and advantageously, the limit means extends from the guide member in a direction substantially parallel to the side entry slot of the body member.

in one embodiment of the invention the guide member is configured in the hollow interior region of the body member to accommodate and guide the second member into and out of the hollow interior region of the body member with a portion of the second member located between the guide member and the body member.

in one aspect of the invention the body member comprises a U-shaped element comprising a pair of spaced apart side walls and an end wall joining the side walls at one end thereof, the side and end walls defining the hollow interior region, and the side walls adjacent an end thereof opposite the end wall defining the entry slot, and preferably, the side walls of the body member adjacent the end thereof opposite the end wall define the first end face.

In one embodiment of the invention the guide member extends from the end wall through the hollow interior region between the side walls.

In another aspect of the invention the guide member is spaced apart from the side walls for accommodating respective portions of the second member between the guide member and the side walls.

In one embodiment of the invention the engagement means is resiliently connected to the end wall of the body member and extends therefrom.

In a further embodiment of the invention the body member comprises a base wall extending from the end wall and between the side walls.

In a further aspect of the invention a base slot extends through the base wall for accommodating a panel therein.

In one aspect of the invention the base slot extends from the entry slot, and preferably, the base slot extends substantially perpendicularly from the entry slot.

In another aspect of the invention the body member defines a base face, and the base slot extends in the base face. Advantageously, the base face extends substantially perpendicularly to the first end face.

Ideally, the body member defines the transverse cross-section of the bore of the first member.

In a further aspect of the invention the body member comprises at least one side ridge located on each of opposite external front and rear faces defined by the body member. Preferably, a pair of spaced apart side ridges are provided on each of the external front and rear faces of the body member.

In one embodiment of the invention the side walls of the body member define respective ones of the external front and rear faces thereof.

In a further aspect of the invention the guide member defines the transverse cross-section of the one of the bore and the channel of the second member.

Preferably, the securing means comprises a grub screw located in a threaded bore formed in the guide member, the grub screw being configured to engage the second member.

Preferably, the first member comprises an engagement opening extending into the bore thereof, and the engagement means of the body member of the connecting device is engaged in the engagement opening.

Advantageously, the first member is provided with a side opening extending into the bore thereof.

Preferably, the engagement opening in the first member is formed in the first member opposite the side opening.

Preferably, the body member of the connecting device is located in the bore of the first member with the entry slot of the body member aligned with and communicating with the side opening of the first member, and advantageously, the body member is located in the bore of the first member with the guide member extending through the side opening of the first member.

in one embodiment of the invention the second member is slideably mounted on the guide member into and out of the hollow interior region of the body member through the side opening of the first member.

in another embodiment of the invention the second member is provided with an elongated limit slot, and the limit means of the guide member is slideably engaged in the limit slot. Preferably, the limit slot extends longitudinally in the second member.

in one embodiment of the invention the securing means in the guide member is engageable with the second member for securing the second member to the guide member.

Preferably, the guide member is slideable in the channel extending longitudinally in the second member.

in one embodiment of the invention the channel of the second member is defined by a longitudinally extending side wall, and a pair of spaced apart first and second walls extending longitudinally along and from the side wall. Preferably, a longitudinally extending first return extends from the first wall, and a longitudinally extending second return extends from the second wall, the first and second returns being spaced apart from the longitudinally extending side wall and extending from the first and second walls in respective opposite directions towards each other and defining an elongated longitudinally extending opening to the channel.

In another aspect of the invention the first member is configured to receive a pair of body members of a pair of the connecting devices at respective opposite ends of the first member.

In another embodiment of the invention the first member comprises an elongated member, and preferably, the frame assembly comprises a pair of the first members spaced apart from each other, and configured as a pair of upstanding members.

In one embodiment of the invention the second member comprises an elongated member, and preferably, the frame assembly comprises a pair of the second members spaced apart from each other, and configured as upper and lower cross-members extending between the upstanding members formed by the first members.

In another aspect of the invention an elongated guide rail extends sidewardly from at least one of the second members for slideably carrying a carriage for supporting a door slideable along the at least one of the second members.

Advantageously, the second members are secured to at least one of the first members adjacent the top and bottom thereof, respectively, by the respective connecting devices.

The advantages of the invention are many. A particularly important advantage of the invention is that it provides a relatively inexpensive, easy to manufacture and easy to use connecting member which permits ready and easy adjustment of a first member relative to a second member, and in particular, adjustment of the second member transversely relative to the first member of the frame assembly. This adjustment can be carried out after the connecting device has been engaged in the first and second members of the frame assembly. This is a particularly important advantage in that it allows the first members, namely, upstanding members of the frame assembly to be secured to respective walls of an existing structure, and any out of plumb of the existing walls or dimensional inaccuracies between the walls of an existing structure can then be taken account of by adjusting the second members, which typically would be upper and lower cross-members of the frame assembly relative to the upstanding members.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof which is given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a frame assembly according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral <NUM>. In this embodiment of the invention the frame assembly is particularly suitable for a shower enclosure (not shown) and is configured to slideably carry a sliding door <NUM> for providing access to the shower enclosure. The frame assembly comprises a pair of first members, namely, an elongated upstanding left-hand first member <NUM> and an elongated upstanding right-hand first member <NUM>. The first members <NUM> and <NUM> are joined by second members, namely, elongated upper and lower cross-members <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, extending transversely between and perpendicularly to the first members <NUM> and <NUM>. Connecting devices also according to the invention and indicated generally by the reference numeral <NUM> adjustably connect and secure the upper and lower cross-members <NUM> and <NUM> to the upstanding left-hand and right-hand first members <NUM> and <NUM>. The connecting devices <NUM> permit adjustment of the upper and lower cross-members <NUM> and <NUM> in a transverse direction, namely, in the direction of the arrows A and B substantially perpendicularly to the upstanding first members <NUM> and <NUM> for permitting adjustment of the spacing between the upstanding first members <NUM> and <NUM> outwardly from each other in the direction of the arrows A and inwardly towards each other in the direction of the arrows B.

A stationary panel <NUM>, for example, a glass panel extends from the first member <NUM> between the upper and lower cross-members <NUM> and <NUM>. Clips <NUM>, one of which is illustrated in the lower cross-member <NUM> are provided in both the upper and lower cross-members <NUM> and <NUM> for securing the stationary panel <NUM> in position in the cross-members <NUM> and <NUM>. Upper and lower rails <NUM> extending longitudinally along and sidewardly from the upper and lower cross-members <NUM> and <NUM> slideably engage carriages <NUM>, two of which are secured to the sliding door <NUM> adjacent an upper edge <NUM> thereof, and two of which are secured to a lower edge <NUM> of the sliding door <NUM>. Stop members <NUM>, see <FIG> and <FIG>, are located in the upper and lower cross-members <NUM> and <NUM> for simultaneously engaging the corresponding leading ones of the carriages <NUM>, in order to bring the sliding door <NUM> to a stop when the sliding door <NUM> reaches its normal closed position. Such cross-members as the upper and lower cross-members <NUM> and <NUM> and rails for slideably carrying carriages for supporting a sliding door of a frame assembly of a shower enclosure similar to the frame assembly <NUM> will be well known to those skilled in the art, and it is not intended to describe these aspects of the frame assembly in further detail.

The first members <NUM> and <NUM> of the frame assembly <NUM> are identical to each other, and each first member <NUM> and <NUM> comprises an elongated member of extruded aluminium of hollow box section of rectangular transverse cross-section having a hollow interior region <NUM> also of rectangular transverse cross-section extending therethrough. Top and bottom ends <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, of the first members <NUM> and <NUM> are open into the hollow interior region <NUM>. Side openings <NUM> extend into inner webs <NUM> from the top and bottom ends <NUM> and <NUM> of the first members <NUM> and <NUM> for accommodating the upper and lower cross-members <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, into the hollow interior regions <NUM> of the first members <NUM> and <NUM>.

The upper and lower cross-members <NUM> and <NUM> are identical to each other, and each upper and lower cross-member <NUM> and <NUM> is also of extruded aluminium and defines an elongated bore <NUM> extending therethrough and an elongated channel <NUM> also extending longitudinally along the corresponding cross-members <NUM> and <NUM>. The channel <NUM> of each cross-member <NUM> and <NUM> is defined by a side wall <NUM> of the cross-member <NUM> or <NUM>, and elongated spaced apart first and second walls <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, extending longitudinally along and outwardly from the side wall <NUM> of the corresponding cross-member <NUM> or <NUM>. Elongated first and second returns <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, extend from the first and second walls <NUM> and <NUM> towards each other and define with the side wall <NUM> and the first and second walls <NUM> and <NUM> the corresponding channel <NUM>. The first and second returns <NUM> and <NUM> define a longitudinally extending opening <NUM> into the channel <NUM>. The second return <NUM> of each cross-member <NUM> and <NUM> forms the rail <NUM> of the corresponding cross-members <NUM> and <NUM> on which the carriages <NUM> are slideable.

Turning now to the connecting devices <NUM>, each connecting device <NUM> comprises a body member <NUM>, typically of a plastics material, for engaging in the hollow interior region <NUM> adjacent a corresponding end <NUM> or <NUM> of a corresponding one of the first members <NUM> or <NUM>. Each body member <NUM> comprises a pair of spaced apart side walls <NUM> joined by an end wall <NUM> at one of their ends <NUM>. A base wall <NUM> extends from the end wall <NUM> and between the side walls <NUM>. A base slot <NUM> is formed in the base wall <NUM> for aligning with a corresponding panel engaging slot <NUM> of the corresponding one of the first members <NUM> or <NUM> for accommodating the stationary glass panel <NUM> therein. The side walls <NUM>, the end wall <NUM> and the base wall <NUM> define a hollow interior region <NUM> of the body member <NUM>. The body member <NUM> defines a first end face <NUM> and a second end face <NUM> opposite the first end face <NUM>, an upper end face <NUM> and a lower end face <NUM>, and opposite external front and rear faces <NUM> and <NUM>. The side walls <NUM> and the base wall <NUM> define a side entry slot <NUM> extending through the first end face <NUM> and communicating with the hollow interior region <NUM> of the body member <NUM>. The side walls <NUM> and the end wall <NUM> define an upper end slot <NUM> extending through the upper end face <NUM> and communicating with the hollow interior region <NUM> of the body member <NUM>. Each body member <NUM> defines a cross-section which is substantially similar to the transverse cross-section of the hollow interior region <NUM> extending through the first members <NUM> and <NUM>, so that the body members <NUM> are a relatively tight sliding fit in the hollow interior regions <NUM> of the respective first members <NUM> and <NUM>.

The body members <NUM> are configured for locating in the hollow interior regions <NUM> of the first members <NUM> and <NUM> at the corresponding end <NUM> or <NUM>, thereof, with the entry slots <NUM> of the body members <NUM> aligned with the corresponding side openings <NUM> in the corresponding end of the corresponding one of the first members <NUM> and <NUM>, so that the corresponding upper and lower ones of the cross-members <NUM> and <NUM> are slideable into the hollow interior region <NUM> of the corresponding body members <NUM> through the side openings <NUM> of the corresponding ones of the first members <NUM> and <NUM> and the entry slot <NUM> of the corresponding body member <NUM>.

A guide member <NUM>, typically of a plastics material is secured to the end wall <NUM> of each body member <NUM> by a pair of screws <NUM>, and extends through the hollow interior region <NUM> of the body member <NUM> and through the entry slot <NUM> thereof, and in turn through the side opening <NUM> of the corresponding one of the first members <NUM> and <NUM>. The screws <NUM> extend through bores <NUM> in the end wall <NUM> of the corresponding body member <NUM> and engage corresponding threaded bores <NUM> extending into the guide member <NUM>. The guide member <NUM> extends through the hollow interior region <NUM> spaced apart from the side walls <NUM> for accommodating portions of the corresponding one of the cross-members <NUM> and <NUM> between the guide member <NUM> and the side walls <NUM> of the body member <NUM>. The guide member <NUM> of each body member <NUM> is configured to slideably engage the channel <NUM> adjacent a corresponding end thereof of the corresponding one of the cross-members <NUM> and <NUM> for facilitating slideable adjustment of the corresponding one of the cross-members <NUM> and <NUM> transversely of and relative to the corresponding first member <NUM> or <NUM> in the directions of the arrows A and B. The transverse cross-section of each guide member <NUM> is substantially similar to the cross-section defined by the channel <NUM> of each of the upper and lower cross-members <NUM> and <NUM> for facilitating relatively tight sliding movement of the upper and lower cross-member <NUM> and <NUM> on the respective guide member <NUM>.

A limit means, in this embodiment of the invention a limit member <NUM> extending from the guide member <NUM> of each body member <NUM> is slideably engageable in a corresponding limit slot <NUM> extending longitudinally through the first wall <NUM>, defining the channel <NUM> of the corresponding one of the cross-members <NUM> and <NUM> for retaining the guide element <NUM> engaged in the corresponding end of the corresponding one of the upper and lower cross-members <NUM> and <NUM>, and also for limiting the transverse movement of the corresponding one of the cross-members <NUM> and <NUM> relative to the corresponding first member <NUM> and <NUM>. Ends <NUM> and <NUM> of the limit slot <NUM> are engageable with the limit member <NUM> of the guide member <NUM> for limiting the extent of the slideable movement in the directions of the arrows A and B of the corresponding one of the cross-members <NUM> and <NUM> relative to the guide member <NUM>. In particular, the end <NUM> of each limit slot <NUM> engages the corresponding limit member <NUM> in order to prevent the free end <NUM> of the corresponding one of the cross-members <NUM> and <NUM> being urged outwardly in the direction of the arrow B from the hollow interior region <NUM> of the corresponding body member <NUM> through the entry slot <NUM> thereof. The limit member <NUM> is positioned on the corresponding guide member <NUM>, so that when the limit member <NUM> is located in the limit slot <NUM> and abutting the end <NUM> of the limit slot <NUM> in the corresponding one of the cross-members <NUM> and <NUM>, the end <NUM> of the corresponding cross-members <NUM> and <NUM> is located within the hollow interior region <NUM> of the body member <NUM> and the corresponding connecting device <NUM> so that the ends <NUM> of the upper and lower cross-members <NUM> and <NUM> will always be concealed within the corresponding one of the first members <NUM> and <NUM>. A tapered lead-in <NUM> is provided on the limit member <NUM> of the guide member <NUM> of each connecting device <NUM> for facilitating entry of the guide member <NUM> into the channel <NUM> of the corresponding one of the upper and lower cross-members <NUM> and <NUM>, and also for facilitating entry of the limit member <NUM> into the corresponding limit slot <NUM>.

A securing means for securing the corresponding one of the cross-members <NUM> and <NUM> to the guide member <NUM> of the corresponding connecting device <NUM> when adjustment of the cross-member <NUM> or <NUM> relative to the corresponding one of the first members <NUM> and <NUM> has been completed, in this embodiment of the invention comprises a grub screw <NUM> engageable in a threaded bore <NUM> of the guide member <NUM> of each connecting device <NUM>. The grub screw <NUM> is engageable with the side wall <NUM> of the corresponding one of the cross-members <NUM> and <NUM>, for in turn rigidly securing the corresponding one of the cross-members <NUM> and <NUM> to the guide member <NUM> of the corresponding connecting device <NUM>.

Each body member <NUM> comprises an engagement means for positioning and locking the body member <NUM> in the hollow interior region <NUM> of the corresponding one of the first members <NUM> and <NUM>. In this embodiment of the invention the engagement means comprises an engagement member <NUM> resiliently mounted on the end wall <NUM> of the body member <NUM> by a resilient carrier shaft <NUM> and engageable with a corresponding engagement opening <NUM> in the outer web <NUM> of the corresponding first member <NUM> or <NUM>. The carrier shaft <NUM> is configured to be resiliently urgeable inwardly into the body member <NUM> with the engagement member <NUM> as the body member <NUM> is being urged into the hollow interior region <NUM> adjacent the corresponding one of the ends <NUM> and <NUM> of the corresponding one of the first members <NUM> and <NUM>, and when the engagement member <NUM> is aligned with the engagement opening <NUM>, the resilience in the carrier shaft <NUM> urges the engagement member <NUM> outwardly of the body member <NUM> and into locking engagement with the engagement opening <NUM>, for in turn securing and locking the body member <NUM> in the hollow interior region <NUM> of the corresponding one of the first members <NUM> and <NUM>. The engagement member <NUM> terminates in a tapered lead-in <NUM> for facilitating entry of the body member <NUM> into the hollow interior region <NUM> of the corresponding one of the ends <NUM> and <NUM> of the corresponding one of the first members <NUM> and <NUM>.

Pairs of spaced apart ridge members <NUM> are provided on the respective front and rear faces <NUM> and <NUM> of the body member <NUM> and terminate in tapered lead-ins <NUM> for facilitating entry of the body member <NUM> into the hollow interior region <NUM> of the corresponding one of the first members <NUM> and <NUM>.

The body member <NUM> with the ridges <NUM> on the front and rear faces <NUM> and <NUM> thereof, define the transverse cross-section of the hollow interior region <NUM> of the first members <NUM> and <NUM>, so that as discussed above the body member <NUM> is a relatively tight sliding fit in the hollow interior region <NUM> of the first members <NUM> and <NUM>.

Inwardly directed grooves <NUM> extend inwardly into the front and rear faces <NUM> and <NUM> of the side walls <NUM> of the body member <NUM> adjacent the first end face <NUM> thereof for engaging edges <NUM> of the inner web <NUM> defining the side openings <NUM> adjacent the top and bottom ends <NUM> and <NUM> of the corresponding one of the first members <NUM> and <NUM>. Returns <NUM> on the side walls <NUM> adjacent the first end face <NUM> of each body member <NUM> are provided to conceal the edges <NUM> of the inner web <NUM> defining the side openings <NUM>.

In use, with the guide member <NUM> secured by the screws <NUM> in the body member <NUM> of each connecting device <NUM>, the connecting devices <NUM> are ready for use. Initially, the connecting devices <NUM> are slideably engaged with the cross-members <NUM> and <NUM>, by urging the guide members <NUM> of the connecting members <NUM> into engagement with the channels <NUM> of the cross-members <NUM> until the limit member <NUM> of each guide member <NUM> is slideably engaged in the limit slot <NUM> in the corresponding end of the corresponding one of the cross-members <NUM> and <NUM>, see <FIG>. However, at this stage the grub screws are not yet tightened, so that the cross-members <NUM> and <NUM> are slideable within the hollow interior regions <NUM> of the body members <NUM> of the connecting members <NUM>.

The lower cross-member <NUM> with the connecting devices <NUM> slideably connected to the opposite ends thereof is placed in position on the ground or on the shower tray of the shower enclosure, and the first members <NUM> and <NUM> are urged downwardly onto the connecting members <NUM> for engaging the body members <NUM> of the connecting devices <NUM> in the hollow interior regions <NUM> at the bottom ends <NUM> of the first members <NUM> and <NUM>. The first members <NUM> and <NUM> are urged downwardly onto the body members <NUM> until the engagement members <NUM> of the body members <NUM> engage the corresponding engagement openings <NUM> in the first members <NUM> and <NUM> adjacent the lower end <NUM> thereof. The first members <NUM> and <NUM> are then secured to the opposite walls defining the shower enclosure.

With the first members <NUM> and <NUM> secured to the walls defining the shower enclosure, the upper cross-member <NUM> with the connecting devices <NUM> slideably connected to the opposite ends thereof is then assembled to the first members <NUM> and <NUM> by engaging the body members <NUM> of the connecting members <NUM> at the opposite ends of the upper cross-member <NUM> in the hollow interior regions <NUM> of the first members <NUM> and <NUM> adjacent the top ends <NUM> thereof. The upper cross-member <NUM> is urged downwardly for in turn urging the body members <NUM> into the hollow interior regions <NUM> of the first members <NUM> and <NUM> adjacent the top ends <NUM> thereof until the engagement members <NUM> of the body members <NUM> engage the corresponding engagement openings <NUM> in the first members <NUM> and <NUM> adjacent the upper ends <NUM> thereof.

At this stage the position of the upper and lower cross-members <NUM> and <NUM> relative to the first members <NUM> and <NUM> is adjusted in the appropriate direction of the arrows A and B transversely of the first members <NUM> and <NUM>, so that the stop members <NUM> on the upper and lower cross-members <NUM> and <NUM> are aligned plumb one above the other, and also that the clips <NUM> on the upper and lower cross-members <NUM> and <NUM> are also aligned plumb one above the other. Once the positions of the upper and lower cross-members <NUM> and <NUM> have been transversely adjusted relative to the first members <NUM> and <NUM> with the stop members <NUM> and the clips <NUM>, respectively, plumbed relative to each other, the grub screws <NUM> are then tightened in the threaded bores <NUM> of the guide members <NUM> to engage the side wall <NUM> of the corresponding one of the upper and lower cross-members <NUM> and <NUM>, for in turn tightly and rigidly securing the guide members <NUM> to the upper and lower cross-members <NUM> and <NUM>, for in turn rigidly securing the upper and lower cross-members <NUM> and <NUM> to the first members <NUM> and <NUM>.

The stationary glass panel <NUM> is then located in the frame assembly <NUM> with the stationary glass panel <NUM> engaged in the panel engaging slot <NUM> of the corresponding one of the first members <NUM> and <NUM>, which in this embodiment of the invention is the first member <NUM>, and also engaged in the base slot <NUM> of the corresponding ones of the body members <NUM> located in upper and lower ends <NUM> and <NUM> of the first member <NUM>. The sliding door <NUM> is then located in the frame assembly <NUM>, with the carriages <NUM> of the sliding door <NUM> engaging the upper and lower rails <NUM> of the upper and lower cross-members <NUM> and <NUM>.

While the body member <NUM> of each connecting device <NUM> has been described as comprising ridge members <NUM> on the respective front and rear faces <NUM> and <NUM>, thereof, while this is desirable, it is not essential.

It will also be appreciated that in some embodiments of the invention the base wall <NUM> may be omitted from the body member of each connecting device. Indeed, in some embodiments of the invention it is envisaged that where the base wall is provided a base slot may be omitted.

While the first members have been described and illustrated as being of specific shapes and constructions, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that any suitable shape and construction of first members may be provided. Similarly, it is envisaged that the cross-members may be of any other suitable shape or construction. Indeed, it is envisaged in some embodiments of the invention that the guide members <NUM> of the connecting devices may be configured to engage the bore <NUM> in the corresponding cross-member <NUM> or <NUM>, and in which case, it is envisaged that a grub screw for securing the cross-member <NUM> or <NUM> to the guide member <NUM> could be provided in the cross-member, or alternatively, an access opening or slot could be provided in one of the walls defining the bore <NUM> to provide access to the grub screw in the threaded bore of the guide member <NUM> for operating the grub screw to engage the other one of the side walls defining the bore <NUM> of the cross-members <NUM> and <NUM>. Such an opening, typically, would be formed by an elongated slot which would be of sufficient length to provide access to the grub screw between the extreme relative positions of the cross-member relative to the guide member.

While the frame assembly has been described for use in a shower enclosure, the frame assembly could be provided for use in any other application.

It will also be appreciated that in some embodiments of the invention it may be only necessary to provide connecting devices according to the invention for joining the upper and lower cross-members to one of the first and second members <NUM> and <NUM>. Indeed, in other embodiments of the invention it is envisaged that depending on the frame assembly and its application, a single connecting device for connecting one of the upper and lower cross-members to one of the first members may be all that would be required.

While the first members <NUM> and <NUM> and the second members <NUM> and <NUM> have been described as being of aluminium material, the first and second members <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> may be of any other suitable material, and furthermore, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the first members <NUM> and <NUM> and the second members <NUM> and <NUM> may be formed by any other suitable means besides extrusion. In fact, it is envisaged that when the first and second members <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> are formed by means other than extrusion, it is envisaged that suitable bores or channels would be machined or formed into the bores at the respective opposite ends for engaging the body member and the guide member of the connecting device.

It will also be appreciated that while the connecting device has been described as comprising a body member and a guide member of a particular shape and construction, the body member and the guide member may be of any other suitable shape or construction. It is also envisaged that the connecting device may be of any other suitable material besides a plastics material.

While the limit means has been described as comprising a limit member extending from the guide member of each body member which is slideably engageable in a corresponding limit slot extending longitudinally through the first wall defining the channel of the corresponding one of the cross-members, any other suitable limit means may be provided. It is also envisaged that the limit member may extend from the corresponding cross-member at a suitable location, in a suitable direction for engaging a corresponding slot, recess or groove in the guide member.

While the securing means has been described as comprising a grub screw engageable in a threaded bore in the guide member for engaging the side wall of the corresponding one of the cross-members, it is envisaged that any other suitable securing means may be provided. For example, any other suitable fastening device may be provided, and such a fastening device, be it a grub screw or other suitable fastening device instead of being engageable in a threaded bore in the guide member may be engageable in a suitable corresponding threaded bore appropriately located in the corresponding cross-member for engaging the guide member.

Claim 1:
A frame assembly comprising a first member (<NUM>,<NUM>) and a second member (<NUM>,<NUM>) connected to the first member (<NUM>,<NUM>) by a connecting device (<NUM>) with one of the first and second members extending substantially transversely of the other one of the first and second members, the first member (<NUM>,<NUM>) having a bore (<NUM>) extending longitudinally therein, and the second member (<NUM>,<NUM>) having one of a bore and a channel (<NUM>) extending longitudinally therein, the connecting device (<NUM>) comprising a body member (<NUM>) engageable in the bore (<NUM>) of the first member (<NUM>,<NUM>), a guide member (<NUM>) extending from the body member (<NUM>) and slideably engaging the one of the bore and the channel (<NUM>) of the second member (<NUM>,<NUM>) for adjustably guiding and retaining the second member (<NUM>,<NUM>) transversely relative to the first member (<NUM>,<NUM>), an engagement means (<NUM>) engageable with the first member (<NUM>,<NUM>) for retaining the body member (<NUM>) in the bore (<NUM>) of the first member (<NUM>,<NUM>), a limit means (<NUM>) co-operable with the guide member (<NUM>) and the second member (<NUM>,<NUM>) limiting the amount of transverse adjustable movement of the second member (<NUM>,<NUM>) relative to the first member (<NUM>,<NUM>), and a securing means (<NUM>) co-operable with the guide member (<NUM>) and the second member (<NUM>,<NUM>) securing the second member (<NUM>,<NUM>) in a selectable position transversely relative to the first member (<NUM>,<NUM>), characterised in that the body member (<NUM>) defines a hollow interior region (<NUM>) and an entry slot (<NUM>) into the hollow interior region (<NUM>), and the guide member (<NUM>) is located in the hollow interior region (<NUM>) of the body member (<NUM>) and extends therefrom through the entry slot (<NUM>).