Patent Description:
Frame assemblies are commonly used in shower enclosures, where the frame assembly in general defines an access opening into the shower enclosure, which in turn is closed by a door. The door typically would be hingedly connected to one of a pair of upstanding members of the frame assembly, and would close against the other one of the pair of upstanding members of the frame assembly. In many cases, such frame assemblies are provided with one of the upstanding members intended to be secured to a wall of a room, a portion of which wall would form one of the walls of the shower enclosures. Other such frame assemblies may be provided for locating between two walls of an alcove provided in the room to form the shower enclosure. The frame assembly forms an access opening into the alcove which will form the shower enclosure. In many cases, walls of rooms are not plumb. This causes significant problems in securing such frame assemblies to walls of rooms, since it is important that the upstanding member to which the door is hingedly connected is plumb, and furthermore, that the upstanding member of the frame assembly against which the door closes is also plumb. Various arrangements of frame assemblies have been provided to facilitate mounting the frame assembly, so that the upstanding members are plumb. However, in general, known arrangements for facilitating plumbing of the upstanding members require relatively complex and expensive components, and in many cases some still require sealing of the upstanding member or members of the frame assembly, as the case may be, to a wall or walls of the room by a filler sealant.

<CIT> of Wei discloses an upstanding member of a frame assembly for securing a shower door to a structure. The upstanding member comprises a stationary upstanding member for securing to the structure, and a moveable upstanding member adjustable inwardly and outwardly transversely of the stationary upstanding member through a plurality of selectable states. An adjustable retention device is provided for retaining the moveable member in a selected one of the selectable states relative to the stationary member. The adjustable retention device comprises a fixed element secured to the stationary member and an adjusting element engageable in the moveable member. The fixed element comprises a pair of spaced apart side walls defining therebetween a cavity and having a plurality of parallel ridges and grooves formed thereon. The adjusting element comprises an adjusting block defining opposite side faces having a plurality of ridges and grooves formed thereon, which are incrementally and sequentially engageable with the ridges and grooves of the side walls of the fixed element as the adjusting block is urged into the cavity in the fixing element for adjusting the moveable member relative to the stationary member and for securing the moveable member in a selected state relative to the stationary member.

Other adjustable retention devices for retaining a pair of adjustable first and second elongated members in one of a plurality of selectable states relative to each other are disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>and <CIT>.

There is therefore a need for a frame assembly which addresses this problem. There is also a need for an adjustable retention device which facilitates retaining a pair of adjustable frame members in a plurality of selectable states. There is also a need for a shower enclosure which overcomes the problems of known shower enclosures.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a frame assembly and a shower enclosure, as well as an adjustable retention device.

According to the invention there is provided an adjustable retention device for retaining a pair of adjustable first and second elongated members in one of a plurality of selectable states relative to each other, the retention device comprising a first retention element configured for securing in or to the second member, and a second retention element engageable with the first retention element and with the first member, the first and second retention elements comprising respective first and second interengageable complementary formations configured for retaining the first and second members in a selected state, the first retention element comprising a pair of spaced apart side walls, each side wall defining a working face facing the working face of the other side wall, and at least one of the first interengageable complementary formations being provided on the working face of at least one of the side walls, the second retention element comprising a plug member and an engagement member, the plug member having a pair of opposite working faces and being engageable between the side walls of the first retention element with the working faces of the plug member engaging the corresponding working faces of the first retention element, at least one of the second interengageable complementary formations being provided on one of the working faces of the plug member, and the engagement member being engageable with the first member to prevent movement of the first and second members in the direction of the adjustable movement of the first and second members relative to each other, wherein the plug member is slideably engageable between the side walls of the first retention element, and the first and second interengageable complementary formations are configured for slideable interengagement in a direction transversely relative to the direction of adjustable movement of the first and second members relative to each other.

In one embodiment of the invention the first and second interengageable complementary formations are slideable relative to each other in a direction substantially perpendicularly to the direction of the adjustable movement of the first and second members relative to each other.

In another embodiment of the invention at least one first interengageable complementary formation is provided, and at least one second interengageable complementary formation is provided.

Advantageously, the number of first interengageable complementary formations is one of greater than or less than the number of second interengageable complementary formations.

Preferably, at least one of the first interengageable complementary formations is provided on the working face of each of the side walls of the first retention element.

In another aspect of the invention a plurality of the first interengageable complementary formations is provided on the working face of at least one of the side walls of the first retention element.

Preferably, a plurality of the first interengageable complementary formations is provided on the working face of each of the side walls of the first retention element.

In another embodiment of the invention the side walls of the first retention element are joined by a first cross-member, and preferably, the first cross-memberjoins the side walls adjacent one end thereof.

In another aspect of the invention the first cross-member is configured for securing the first retention element to the second member.

In one embodiment of the invention the first retention element is configured for engaging in a bore extending longitudinally into the second member.

Alternatively, the first retention element is configured for mounting adjacent an end of the second member.

Preferably, at least one of the second interengageable complementary formations is provided on each of the working faces of the plug member of the second retention element. Advantageously, a plurality of the second interengageable complementary formations is provided on at least one of the working faces of the plug member of the second retention element.

Preferably, a plurality of the second interengageable complementary formations are provided on each of the working faces of the plug member of the second retention element.

In one embodiment of the invention each first interengageable complementary formation comprises a retaining groove, and preferably, an elongated retaining groove.

Preferably, the retaining grooves extend in a direction transversely to the direction of the adjustable movement between the first and second members relative to each other.

Advantageously, the retaining grooves extend in a direction substantially perpendicularly to the direction of the adjustable movement between the first and second members relative to each other.

Preferably, the elongated retaining grooves extend parallel to each other.

Advantageously, each second interengageable complementary formation comprises a keying element, and preferably, each second interengageable complementary formation comprises an elongated keying element. Preferably, each keying element extends in a direction transversely to the direction of the adjustable movement between the first and second members relative to each other, and advantageously, in a direction substantially perpendicularly to the direction of the adjustable movement between the first and second members relative to each other.

Preferably, the keying elements extend substantially parallel to each other.

Advantageously, each keying element comprises a retaining ridge, and preferably, an elongated retaining ridge.

In one embodiment of the invention the engagement member extends from the second retention element in a direction transversely of the direction of the adjustable movement of the first and second members relative to each other, and preferably, the engagement member extends from the second retention element in a direction substantially perpendicularly to the direction of the adjustable movement of the first and second members relative to each other.

In one embodiment of the invention the plug member and the engagement member of the second retention element are spaced apart from each other, and preferably, the plug member and the engagement member of the second retention element extend parallel to each other.

In one embodiment of the invention the plug member and the engagement member are joined by a bridging member, and preferably, the plug member and the engagement member of the second retention element extend substantially perpendicularly from the bridging member.

The invention also provides a frame assembly comprising a first member and a second member, the second member being adjustably connected to the first member by an adjustable retention device according to the invention, and being secured to the first member in a selected one of a plurality of selectable states relative to the first member by the retention device.

In one embodiment of the invention the first retention element of the adjustable retention device is secured to the second member, and the second retention element of the adjustable retention device is engaged with the first retention element with the first and second interengageable complementary formations interengaged with each other, and the second retention element is engaged with the first member for preventing movement of the second member in the direction of the adjustable movement of the first and second members relative to each other.

In one embodiment of the invention the frame assembly comprises at least one of the first members configured as an upstanding member and the second member configured as an upstanding member adjacent the first member, the position of the second member being adjustable relative to the first member in a direction transversely of the first member, and preferably, the adjustable retention device secures the second member relative to the first member in a desired selected position transversely relative to the first member.

Preferably, one of the first and second members is located slideably within the other one of the first and second members, and is adjustably slideable inwardly and outwardly transversely relative to the said other one of the first and second members.

Advantageously, the second member is slideable within the first member.

In another embodiment of the invention the frame assembly comprises a cross-member extending transversely relative to the first and second members, the cross-member being connected to one of the first and second members, and preferably, is connected to the second member.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention the second member extends transversely relative to the first member.

In a further embodiment of the invention the first and second members comprise elongated members.

In another embodiment of the invention the second member is adjustably connected to the first member adjacent an upper end and a lower end thereof by respective ones of the adjustable retention devices.

In one embodiment of the invention the frame assembly comprises a pair of spaced apart upstanding elements joined by upper and lower spaced apart cross-members, at least one of the upstanding elements comprising one of the first member and the corresponding second member, and the cross-members being connected to the second member of the at least one of the upstanding elements.

Preferably, each first member of the frame assembly is configured for securing to a structure.

The invention further provides a shower enclosure comprising a frame assembly according to the invention.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred 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> for a shower enclosure <NUM> also according to the invention. In this embodiment of the invention the shower enclosure is of the type which is formed in a corner <NUM> of a room, with one wall <NUM> of the room adjacent the corner <NUM> forming one wall of the shower enclosure <NUM>, and another wall <NUM> of the room adjacent the corner <NUM> forming a second wall of the shower enclosure. However, the frame assembly <NUM> is also suitable for use in an alcove type shower enclosure, of the type in which three of the walls, namely, a rear wall, and a pair of spaced apart side walls extending forwardly from the rear wall of the shower enclosure are formed by masonry walls, and the frame assembly would form the front of the shower enclosure, and would extend from one of the side walls to the other side wall. In this present embodiment of the invention a third wall <NUM> of the shower enclosure <NUM> is formed by a glass panel <NUM> of toughened glass extending and supported between a pair of upstanding members <NUM> and <NUM>. The upstanding member <NUM> is secured to the wall <NUM> of the shower enclosure <NUM>. The upstanding member <NUM> forms one member of a frame <NUM> of the frame assembly <NUM>, within which a door <NUM> of the shower enclosure <NUM> is hingedly mounted. The frame <NUM> as well as comprising the upstanding member <NUM> also comprises a main upstanding element <NUM> spaced apart from the upstanding member <NUM>. An upper cross-member <NUM> and a lower cross-member <NUM> extend between and join the upstanding member <NUM> and the main upstanding element <NUM> and define an access opening <NUM> into the shower enclosure <NUM>. The main upstanding element <NUM> is secured to the wall <NUM> and the door <NUM> is hingedly connected to the main upstanding element <NUM> and closes against the upstanding member <NUM>.

The main upstanding element <NUM> comprises an elongated upstanding outer first member <NUM> and an elongated upstanding inner second member <NUM>. The first and second members <NUM> and <NUM> are of extruded aluminium. The outer first member <NUM> is secured to the wall <NUM> by masonry screws or bolts (not shown), and the upper and lower cross-members <NUM> and <NUM> are secured to the inner second member <NUM>, as will be described below. The door <NUM> is hingedly connected to the inner second member <NUM>, although it will be appreciated that the door <NUM> may be hingedly connected to any other suitable members of the frame assembly <NUM>, for example, the door <NUM> may be hingedly connected to the upstanding member <NUM>, and would close against the inner second member <NUM>. Additionally, the door <NUM> could be pivotally connected to the upper and lower cross-members <NUM> and <NUM>, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. The inner second member <NUM> is adjustably slideable transversely inwardly and outwardly of the outer first member <NUM> in the directions of the arrows A and B for adjusting the second member <NUM> relative to the first member <NUM> in order to facilitate setting the second member <NUM> plumb in the event of the wall <NUM> being out of plumb, and in turn the first member <NUM> being out of plumb when secured to the wall <NUM>. A pair of adjustable retention devices <NUM> according to the invention, which are described in detail below, are provided adjacent an upper end <NUM> and a lower end <NUM> of the main upstanding element <NUM>, for retaining and securing the second member <NUM> to the first member <NUM> once the second member <NUM> has been set plumb.

The outer first member <NUM> comprises a front side web <NUM> and a spaced apart rear side web <NUM> which are joined by a rear end web <NUM>. The front and rear side webs <NUM> and <NUM> and the rear end web <NUM> define an elongated hollow interior region <NUM> extending longitudinally through the first member <NUM>. The front and rear side webs <NUM> and <NUM> define a longitudinally extending opening <NUM> through which the inner second member <NUM> slideably extends.

The inner second member <NUM> comprises a front side web <NUM> and a rear side web <NUM> spaced apart from the front side web <NUM> and joined by a front end web <NUM> and a rear end web <NUM> spaced apart from the front end web <NUM>. The front and rear side webs <NUM> and <NUM> and the front and rear end webs <NUM> and <NUM> define a longitudinally extending bore <NUM>, which extends through the inner second member <NUM> from one end to the other and is open at the respective opposite ends of the second members <NUM>. The front end web <NUM> defines a face <NUM> to which hinges (not shown) which hingedly connect the door <NUM> to the second member <NUM> are secured.

The upper cross-member <NUM> comprises a front web <NUM> and a rear web <NUM> spaced apart from the front web <NUM>. A pair of spaced apart upper and lower webs <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, join the front and rear webs <NUM> and <NUM> and define with the front and rear webs <NUM> and <NUM> an elongated hollow interior region <NUM> extending longitudinally through the upper cross-member <NUM>. A pair of elongated members <NUM> extend longitudinally through the upper cross-member <NUM> and are joined by supporting webs <NUM> to the upper and lower webs <NUM> and <NUM> for a purpose to be described below.

The lower cross-member <NUM> is of similar construction to that of the upper cross-member <NUM>, and webs and components of the lower cross-member <NUM>, which are similar to those of the upper cross-member <NUM> are identified by the same reference numerals.

Turning now to the adjustable retention devices <NUM>, each adjustable retention device <NUM> comprises a first retention element <NUM> and a second retention element <NUM>, both of plastics material. The first retention element <NUM> comprises a pair of spaced apart side walls <NUM> which are joined by a first cross-member, namely, a first end wall <NUM> at a first end <NUM> thereof, and a second cross-member, namely, a second end wall <NUM> at a second end <NUM> thereof. Each first retention element <NUM> is dimensioned to have an outer transverse cross-sectional area, which when viewed in plan is similar to the transverse cross-sectional area of the bore <NUM> extending through the inner second member <NUM>, so that each first retention element <NUM> is a snug fit in the bore <NUM> of the inner second member <NUM>. The first retention elements <NUM> are located in the bore <NUM> of the inner second member <NUM> adjacent upper and lower ends <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, of the inner second member <NUM>.

Since the mounting of the adjustable retention devices <NUM> in the upper and lower ends <NUM> and <NUM> of the main upstanding element <NUM> is similar, only the mounting of the adjustable retention device <NUM> adjacent the upper end <NUM> of the main upstanding element <NUM> will be described.

A pair of spaced apart bores <NUM> extend through the first end wall <NUM> of the first retention element <NUM> for accommodating screws <NUM> therethrough, which also extend through a corresponding pair of bores <NUM> in the front end web <NUM> of the inner second member <NUM>. Threaded bores <NUM> in the elongated members <NUM> extending through the hollow interior region <NUM> of the upper cross-member <NUM> are provided for receiving the screws <NUM>, for in turn securing the inner second member <NUM> to the upper cross-member <NUM>, and in turn for securing the first retention element <NUM> in the bore <NUM> of the inner second member <NUM> adjacent the upper end <NUM> thereof. A pair of slots <NUM> extending downwardly and upwardly, respectively, in the second end wall <NUM> of the first retention element <NUM> accommodate entry and alignment of the screws <NUM> with the bores <NUM> and <NUM> of the first retention element <NUM> and the inner second member <NUM>, and also for accommodating a screwdriver or other tool for driving the screws <NUM> into the threaded bores <NUM> of the elongated members <NUM> of the upper cross-member <NUM>. Corresponding slots <NUM> are formed in the rear end web <NUM> of the inner second member <NUM> aligned with the slots <NUM> in the first retention element <NUM> for similarly accommodating alignment of the screws <NUM> with the bores <NUM> and <NUM>, and also for accommodating a screwdriver or other tool for driving the screws <NUM> into the threaded bores <NUM> of the elongated members <NUM> of the upper cross-member <NUM>. The bores <NUM> through the first end wall <NUM> of the first retention element <NUM> are counter-sunk at <NUM> to accommodate heads <NUM> of the screws <NUM>.

The side walls <NUM> of the first retention element <NUM> extend in respective planes which extend parallel to the transverse plane of adjustment of the inner second member <NUM> inwardly and outwardly of the outer first member <NUM> in the direction of the arrows A and B. The side walls <NUM> of the first retention element <NUM> define respective inner working faces <NUM>, which face each other, for a purpose to be described below.

The second retention element <NUM> of each adjustable retention device <NUM> comprises an upper bridging member <NUM>. A plug member <NUM> extends downwardly from the upper bridging member <NUM> of the second retention element <NUM> and is configured to engage the first retention element <NUM> between the inner working faces <NUM> of the first retention element <NUM>. An engagement member <NUM> extends downwardly from the upper bridging member <NUM> spaced apart from and parallel to the plug member <NUM> for engaging a recess <NUM> formed in the rear end web <NUM> of the outer first member <NUM>. When the outer first member <NUM> is secured to the wall <NUM>, the recess <NUM> formed in the rear end web <NUM> defines a retaining slot <NUM> with the wall <NUM> for engaging the engagement member <NUM>, see <FIG>. The engagement member <NUM> is dimensioned to be a relatively tight sliding fit in the retaining slot <NUM>.

Returning now to the plug member <NUM> of the second retention element <NUM>, the plug member <NUM> defines a pair of opposite outer working faces <NUM>, which engage and cooperate with the inner working faces <NUM> of the first retention element <NUM> when the plug member <NUM> is engaged in the first retention element <NUM>.

Pairs of first and second interengageable complementary formations are formed on the inner working faces <NUM> of the first retention element <NUM> and on the working faces <NUM> of the second retention element <NUM>, respectively, for securely locating the plug member <NUM> in the first retention element <NUM>, and for preventing movement of the inner second member <NUM>, and in turn the upper cross-member <NUM> relative to the outer first member <NUM> in the direction of the arrows A and B. The first interengageable complementary formations are formed by a plurality of spaced apart parallel retaining grooves <NUM> extending along the inner working faces <NUM> of the first retention element <NUM> in a direction perpendicularly to the direction of adjustable movement of the inner second member <NUM> relative to the outer first member <NUM> in the directions of the arrows A and B.

The second interengageable complementary formations are formed on the working faces <NUM> of the plug member <NUM> and comprise a plurality of spaced apart parallel keying elements provided by retaining ridges <NUM> formed on the working faces <NUM> of the second retention element <NUM>. The retaining ridges <NUM> extend in a direction perpendicularly to the direction of adjustable movement of the inner second member <NUM> relative to the outer first member <NUM> in the direction of the arrows A and B. The retaining ridges <NUM> are spaced apart from each other and are sized for slideable engagement in the retaining grooves <NUM> in the direction substantially perpendicularly to the direction of adjustable movement of the inner second member <NUM> relative to the outer first member <NUM>. Accordingly, the plug member <NUM> is selectively positionable between the inner working faces <NUM> of the first retention element <NUM> in a plurality of selectable positions between the first and second end walls <NUM> and <NUM> of the first retention element <NUM> for in turn retaining and securing the inner second member <NUM> in a desired selectable state relative to the outer first member <NUM> when the second member <NUM> has been set plumb. When the plug member <NUM> of the second retention element <NUM> is engaged in the first retention element <NUM> and the engagement member <NUM> of the second retention element <NUM> in the retaining slot <NUM> of the outer first member <NUM>, the second retention element <NUM> secures the second member <NUM> in the outer first member <NUM>, and prevents movement of the second member <NUM> relative to the first member <NUM> in the plane of adjustment of the second member <NUM> relative to the first member, namely, in the direction of the arrows A and B.

A reinforcing member <NUM> extending downwardly from the upper bridging member <NUM> of the second retention element <NUM> extends between and is secured to the plug member <NUM> and the engagement member <NUM> for reinforcing the plug member <NUM> and the engagement member <NUM> with the upper bridging member <NUM> for retaining the parallel relationship between the plug member <NUM> and the engagement member <NUM>. The slots <NUM> in the second end wall <NUM> of the first retention element <NUM> and the slots <NUM> in the rear end web <NUM> of the inner second member <NUM>, as well as a corresponding slot <NUM> in the rear end web <NUM> of the outer first member <NUM> accommodates the reinforcing member <NUM> of the second retention element <NUM> when the retention element <NUM> is engaged with the first retention element <NUM> and in the retaining slot <NUM> formed by the outer first member <NUM> with the wall <NUM>.

In this embodiment of the invention the retaining grooves <NUM> are provided over the working faces <NUM> of the side walls <NUM> of the first retention element <NUM>, and the retaining ridges <NUM> are provided over the working faces <NUM> of the plug member <NUM> of the second retention element <NUM>. In this embodiment of the invention each working face <NUM> of the side walls <NUM> of the first retention element <NUM> is provided with twenty-two retaining grooves <NUM>, and each working face <NUM> of the plug member <NUM> of the second retention element <NUM> is provided with four retaining ridges <NUM>. Accordingly, the second member <NUM> is adjustable transversely relative to the first member <NUM> in the directions of the arrows A and B through eighteen selectable positions. However, the number of selectable positions will be dependent on the number of retaining ridges <NUM> relative to the number of retaining grooves <NUM>, and may be greater or less than eighteen selectable positions.

As well as providing for adjustment of the inner second member <NUM> relative to the outer first member <NUM> of the main upstanding element <NUM> in the direction of the arrows A and B to facilitate plumbing of the second member <NUM> relative to the first member <NUM>, the adjustable retention devices <NUM> also allow for adjustment of the width of the access opening <NUM> between the upstanding member <NUM> and the face <NUM> of the second member <NUM>, so that the access opening <NUM> is of the desired width.

A rim <NUM> extends partly around and downwardly from the upper bridging member <NUM> to embrace the upper portions of the front and rear side webs <NUM> and <NUM> of the outer first member <NUM>.

In use, initially the first retention elements <NUM> are inserted into the bore <NUM> of the inner second member <NUM> adjacent the upper and lower ends <NUM> and <NUM> thereof. The first retention elements <NUM> may be factory fitted in the inner second member <NUM>. The upper and lower cross-members <NUM> and <NUM> are then secured to the inner second member <NUM> by the screws <NUM> through the bores <NUM> and <NUM> in the first retention element <NUM> and in the inner second member <NUM>, and in turn into the threaded bores <NUM> in the elongated member <NUM> of the upper and lower cross-members <NUM> and <NUM>. The second member <NUM> is slid into the first member <NUM>. The corresponding second retention element <NUM> is then engaged in the first retention element <NUM> at the lower end <NUM> of the second member <NUM> and in the lower end of the first member <NUM>, so that when the first member is secured to the wall <NUM>, the spacing between the face <NUM> of the second member <NUM> and the upstanding member <NUM> will define the lower end of the access opening <NUM> to be of the desired dimension The outer first member <NUM> is then secured to the wall <NUM>. During securing of the first member <NUM> to the wall <NUM>, the first member <NUM> is secured to the wall <NUM> so that it is plumb in the direction of the arrows C and D, see <FIG>. If not already positioned the upstanding member <NUM> is positioned and secured in position.

The inner second member <NUM> is then plumbed by adjusting the upper end <NUM> of the inner second member <NUM> inwardly and outwardly of the outer first member <NUM> in the direction of the arrows A and B until the face <NUM> of the inner second member <NUM> on which the door <NUM> is to be hingedly connected is plumb. When the face <NUM> of the inner second member <NUM> is plumb, the inner second member <NUM> is secured relative to the outer first member <NUM> by engaging the second retention element <NUM> simultaneously with the first retention element <NUM> and the first member <NUM> at the upper end <NUM> of the main upstanding element <NUM>, whereby the engagement member <NUM> is engaged in the retaining slot <NUM> formed by the recess <NUM> of the outer first member <NUM> and the wall <NUM> and the plug member <NUM> is engaged in the first retention element <NUM> with the retaining ridges <NUM> of the plug member <NUM> engaging the appropriate ones of the retaining grooves <NUM> in the side walls <NUM> of the first retention element <NUM>. With the second retention element <NUM> fully engaged in the first retention element <NUM> and in the retaining slot <NUM>, the inner second member <NUM> and the upper cross-member <NUM> are rigidly secured in the selected desired location relative to the outer second member <NUM> with the face <NUM> of the inner second member <NUM> plumb.

The upper cross-member <NUM> may then be secured to the upstanding member <NUM>. The door <NUM> is then hingedly coupled to the inner second member <NUM>.

The advantages of the invention are many. A particularly important advantage of the invention is that the inner second member <NUM> may be plumbed relative to the outer first member <NUM> and secured in the plumbed state relative to the outer first member <NUM>, without the need for any fixings, such as screws, bolts, nails or the like. An additional advantage of the invention is that the adjustable retention devices also permit adjustment of the spacing between the upstanding member <NUM> and the face <NUM> of the second member <NUM> of the main upstanding element <NUM>. This allows the width of the access opening <NUM> into the shower enclosure <NUM> to be adjusted to a desired width.

While in the embodiment of the invention described, the inner second member <NUM> has been described as being secured to the outer first member <NUM> adjacent both the upper end and the lower end of the main upstanding element <NUM> by the adjustable retention device <NUM>, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments of the invention the inner second member <NUM> may only be secured to the outer first member <NUM> by one of the retention devices <NUM>, at either the upper end or the lower end of the main upstanding element <NUM>, or intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof. However, when the inner second member <NUM> is secured to the outer first member <NUM> of the main upstanding element <NUM>, it is envisaged that the second member <NUM> will be secured to the first member <NUM> by the adjustable retention device <NUM> at the upper end of the main upstanding element <NUM>. In cases where the second member <NUM> is adjustably secured to the first member <NUM> at one end only, it is envisaged that the other end of the second element <NUM> would be secured to the corresponding end of the first member <NUM> by any other suitable securing means, and typically, the second member <NUM> would be pivotally secured to the first member <NUM> at that end, so that the second member <NUM> would be adjustable relative to the first member <NUM> by the adjustable retention device <NUM> at the other end of the upstanding elements <NUM>.

It will also be appreciated that in some embodiments of the invention the frame assembly may comprise a pair of spaced apart main upstanding elements <NUM>, in other words, as well as the main upstanding elements <NUM> secured to the wall <NUM>, the other upstanding member which forms the frame assembly <NUM> and which is identified by the reference numeral <NUM> may be replaced by a main upstanding element similar to the main upstanding element <NUM>, which would comprise an outer first member <NUM> and an inner second member <NUM> slideable inwardly and outwardly relative to the outer first member <NUM>. This would be particularly so in a case where the frame assembly is used in an alcove type shower enclosure, although, such a frame assembly could be used in any type of shower enclosure. In cases where the upstanding members of the frame assembly are both provided by main upstanding elements similar to the main upstanding element <NUM>, the inner second member <NUM> of each main upstanding element may be secured to the corresponding outer first member <NUM> at both the upper and lower ends thereof or at either one of the upper and lower ends thereof.

While the first retention element <NUM> has been described as comprising first interengageable complementary formations which are provided by retaining grooves on the respective working faces <NUM> of the first retention element <NUM>, any other suitable first interengageable complementary formations may be provided instead of retaining grooves. Furthermore, where the first retaining formations are provided as grooves, the grooves may be of any other suitable shape or construction. It will also be appreciated that while the first retaining grooves have been provided on both working faces of the first retention element, the first retaining grooves may be provided on one working face only of the first retention element. It will also be appreciated that other second formations may be provided on the plug member besides retaining ridges, and where retaining ridges are provided, the retaining ridges may be of any other suitable shape or construction, and typically, would be provided to match the retaining groove of the first retention element. Needless to say, while four retaining ridges have been described as being provided on each working face of the plug member of the second retention element, a single retaining ridge would be sufficient. Needless to say, the retaining ridges may be provided on the first retention element and the retaining groove or grooves could be provided on the second retaining element, and any suitable numbers of retaining grooves and ridges may be provided.

Needless to say, any other suitable shape or construction of first and second retaining elements may be used.

While the shower enclosure has been described as comprising two walls secured to the walls of a room in a corner thereof, the shower enclosure may be of the type which would comprise only a single frame assembly with a hinge door. Needless to say, it is envisaged that the frame assembly of the shower enclosure may be provided for accommodating a sliding door, one or more folding doors or any other suitable door or doors instead of a hinge door.

It will of course be appreciated that the frame assembly according to the invention may be provided for use with any other door, besides a door of a shower enclosure.

While the members of the frame assembly have been described as comprising aluminium extrusions, the members of the frame assembly may be of any other suitable material, and may be formed in any other manner.

Claim 1:
An adjustable retention device for retaining a pair of adjustable first and second elongated members (<NUM>,<NUM>) in one of a plurality of selectable states relative to each other, the retention device comprising a first retention element (<NUM>) configured for securing in or to the second member (<NUM>), and a second retention element (<NUM>) engageable with the first retention element (<NUM>) and with the first member (<NUM>), the first and second retention elements (<NUM>,<NUM>) comprising respective first and second interengageable complementary formations (<NUM>,<NUM>) configured for retaining the first and second members (<NUM>,<NUM>) in a selected state, the first retention element (<NUM>) comprising a pair of spaced apart side walls (<NUM>), each side wall (<NUM>) defining a working face (<NUM>) facing the working face (<NUM>) of the other side wall (<NUM>), and at least one of the first interengageable complementary formations (<NUM>) being provided on the working face (<NUM>) of at least one of the side walls (<NUM>), the second retention element (<NUM>) comprising a plug member (<NUM>) and an engagement member (<NUM>), the plug member (<NUM>) having a pair of opposite working faces (<NUM>) and being engageable between the side walls (<NUM>) of the first retention element (<NUM>) with the working faces (<NUM>) of the plug member (<NUM>) engaging the corresponding working faces (<NUM>) of the first retention element (<NUM>), at least one of the second interengageable complementary formations (<NUM>) being provided on one of the working faces (<NUM>) of the plug member (<NUM>), and the engagement member (<NUM>) being engageable with the first member (<NUM>) to prevent movement of the first and second members (<NUM>,<NUM>) in the direction of the adjustable movement of the first and second members (<NUM>,<NUM>) relative to each other, characterised in that the plug member (<NUM>) is slideably engageable between the side walls (<NUM>) of the first retention element (<NUM>), and the first and second interengageable complementary formations (<NUM>,<NUM>) are configured for slideable interengagement in a direction transversely relative to the direction of adjustable movement of the first and second members (<NUM>,<NUM>) relative to each other.