Patent Description:
The present invention relates to mounting structures and frame portions for use in shower enclosures. Specifically, the mounting structures are adapted to be fitted to a surface such as a wall. Frame portions are attached to the mounting structures. The frame portions are arranged to receive the panels of the shower enclosure. The mounting structures allow the frame portions and panels to be fitted from outside of the shower enclosure. In particular, the frame portions can be fitted without standing within the showering area of the shower enclosure.

<CIT> discloses a frame connector for a shower enclosure.

<CIT> discloses a connecting device for connecting two hollow section rails together at an angle to each other.

<CIT> discloses apparatus for fixing a first shower frame member to a second member comprising a body portion and an engagement member.

Document <CIT> discloses a device for releasably holding a panel element. This document is regarded as useful to understand the invention.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, as defined by claim <NUM>, there is provided a mounting structure for use in a shower enclosure. The mounting structure comprising, inter alia: a first portion comprising a back plate; an arm depending from the back plate, the arm comprising a channel on an inner face thereof to receive a fixing for attaching a frame portion of the enclosure to the mounting structure. The mounting structure comprises a seal at the distal end of the arm such that the channel is disposed between the seal and the back plate.

In some embodiments the seal is maintained, by way of interference fit, in a cavity defined in the distal end of the arm.

In some embodiments a portion of the seal protrudes from the mounting structure, whereby, in use, to engage with the frame portion so as to prevent ingress of water past the seal.

The mounting structure may further comprise a recess on an outer face of the back plate to receive a seal.

In some embodiments the channel is so profiled as to define a screw thread on an inner surface thereof.

In some embodiments the channel is so profiled as to define a rough portion on an inner surface thereof.

In some embodiments the channel is so profiled as to define a receptacle for a locking mechanism.

The mounting structure may further comprise a receiving portion defined by the back plate and the arm to receive the frame portion.

The mounting structure may further comprise a protuberance depending from the back plate to receive a cover strip.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, as defined by claim <NUM>, a kit of parts is provided, comprising, inter alia: a mounting structure as provided according to the first aspect, and a frame portion comprising a generally rectangular cross-section elongate body portion defining a channel along a first wall thereof and provided within the body to receive, in use, a panel for a shower enclosure, and a first opening within a second wall, adjacent to the first wall, to receive as fixing to secure the frame portion to the mounting structure.

The kit of parts may further comprise a cover strip for fixing to a protuberance depending from the back plate of the mounting structure.

Example embodiments are described below in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described.

Accordingly, while embodiments can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate.

The methods and systems described herein relate to a mounting structure for a showering enclosure.

In the context of the present disclosure a showering enclosure may comprise one or more shower panels and frame portions to which the panels are attached. A showering enclosure is constructed by mounting the panels in the frame portions to form the shower enclosure. Such panels may, for example, be made of glass, plastic or any other suitable material. The frame portions are attached to mounting structures. The mounting structures may be fixed to a wall, for example.

In certain shower enclosures, frame portions for receiving the shower panels of the enclosure are attached to the mounting structure using fixings such as screws. The fixings are inserted from within the showering area of the enclosure during the assembly of the shower enclosure. Unfortunately, during the assembly stage, it may be necessary to stand in the shower tray to attach the frame portions to the mounting structures. In these shower enclosures the sockets for receiving fixings to attach the frame portion are facing outward with respect to the enclosure. The purpose of the enclosure is to restrict the ingress of water during operation of the shower and often, fixings are attached from the inside of the enclosure since this reduces water ingress when the shower is being operated.

According to methods and systems described herein, a mounting structure is provided for the frame portions such that the shower enclosure may be assembled from outside of the enclosure without the need for standing in the showering area during installation. In particular the methods and systems described herein are such that the shower enclosure can be assembled without causing damage to the shower tray.

The mounting structures described herein comprise a channel to receive a fixing from outside the enclosure to mount a frame portion. The mounting structures described herein are such that no water can pass through the frame portions and mounting structures. In particular, during the construction process the shower enclosure is sealed at critical points to prevent ingress of water when the shower is in operation. For example, a seal may be provided as necessary between the gap around the mounting structures and the wall to which the mounting structure is fixed. The mounting structure described herein may comprise a recess to receive the seal at the point at which the structure is attached to the wall.

<FIG> shows a simplified schematic diagram of a mounting structure <NUM> for use in a shower enclosure according to an example. <FIG>shows a cross-sectional top view of the mounting structure <NUM>. The mounting structure <NUM> shown in <FIG>may be fixed to a wall. The mounting structure <NUM> can be made of any suitable material which is durable and able to support fixings such as screws. For example, the mounting structure <NUM> may be metal. Preferably the material is also resistant to water damage.

The mounting structure <NUM> comprises a first portion <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> comprises a back plate <NUM>. In some examples, the first portion <NUM> and the back plate <NUM> can be separate elements that are connected together. The back plate <NUM> allows the mounting structure <NUM> to be attached to a wall. The mounting structure also comprise an arm <NUM>. The arm <NUM> depends from the back plate <NUM>. In some examples, the arm <NUM> depending from the back plate <NUM> means that the arm is attached to the back plate <NUM> to form a single entity. In other cases, the arm <NUM> is attached to the back plate <NUM> as a separate entity. In <FIG>the back plate <NUM> and arm <NUM> are joined in such a way that the mounting structure <NUM> approximately forms an "L" shape.

According to examples described herein, the arm <NUM> comprises a channel <NUM> on an inner face of the arm <NUM>. The channel <NUM> is arranged to receive a fixing for attaching a frame portion of the shower enclosure to the mounting structure <NUM>. In the example of a mounting structure <NUM> shown in <FIG>the channel comprises a thread to receive a screw-type fitting, where the thread runs through the arm <NUM>.

In the example shown in in <FIG>, the mounting structure <NUM> is shown adjoined to a frame portion <NUM>. The frame portion <NUM> in <FIG>slots or locates into a portion of the mounting structure <NUM>. In examples described herein the frame portion comprises an elongate body portion. In examples, the frame portion <NUM> has a generally rectangular cross section.

The frame portion <NUM> further comprises a channel <NUM> along a first wall. The channel <NUM> may be arranged to receive a panel such as a glass panel which forms the shower enclosure. In some cases the channel <NUM> is arranged to receive a further component on to which a panel may be fitted. In some cases the channel further comprises a fixing structure running parallel to the channel to receive a fixing for an end cap.

In some cases the frame portion <NUM> also comprises an opening in one or more walls, adjacent to the first wall, to receive a fixing to secure the frame portion <NUM> to the mounting structure <NUM>. According to examples, the frame portion <NUM> may have slots to allow size and so-called "out of true" adjustments.

According to examples described herein, the mounting structure <NUM> comprises a seal <NUM> at the distal end of the arm <NUM> such that the channel <NUM> is disposed between the seal <NUM> and the back plate <NUM>. The seal <NUM> is arranged to prevent water ingress from the shower enclosure when the shower is in operation. The seal <NUM> may be made of butyl plastic or similar.

According to examples, the seal <NUM> is maintained, by way of interference fit, in a cavity defined in the distal end of the arm <NUM>. In some examples, the seal is mounted using an adhesive or other attaching means. In certain cases, a portion of the seal <NUM> protrudes from the mounting structure, such that in use, the portion engages with the frame portion <NUM> so as to prevent ingress of water past the seal <NUM>. The portion of the seal <NUM> may protrude from the cavity defined at the distal end of the arm <NUM> when the seal <NUM> is maintained by way of an interface fit in a cavity. When the frame portion <NUM> is secured to the mounting structure <NUM> the seal <NUM> is compressed. This removes the need to apply silicon sealant between the frame portion <NUM> and mounting structure <NUM>.

In some cases, the back plate <NUM> comprises a recess on an outer face of the first portion I <NUM>. This recess allows the back plate <NUM> to receive a seal. Once fitted with a seal this reduces the amount of water ingress between the back plate <NUM> and the wall to which the back plate <NUM> may be attached.

As described herein the mounting structure <NUM> comprises a channel <NUM>. In some cases the channel <NUM> comprises a screw thread on an inner surface of the mounting channel <NUM>. In other cases other examples of fittings may be used in the mounting structure <NUM>. For example, in some cases, a locking mechanism such as of a cam-lock type may be used to fit a panel to the frame portion <NUM>.

In examples described herein, the mounting structure <NUM> comprises a receiving portion to receive the frame portion <NUM>. According to examples, the back plate <NUM> and arm <NUM> define the receiving portion. In other cases, an additional receiving portion is joined to the back plate <NUM> or the arm <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the mounting structure <NUM> is further coupled to a cover <NUM>. According to examples described herein the cover <NUM> is attached to the mounting structure <NUM> and a protuberance <NUM> depending from the back plate <NUM>. The cover <NUM> acts to conceals all the fixings that make up the frame for the shower enclosure.

<FIG> shows a simplified schematic diagram of a section of the frame of a shower enclosure according to an example. The showering enclosure includes a mounting structure <NUM> similar to the mounting structure <NUM> shown in <FIG>. In particular, similar to the mounting structure <NUM>, the mounting structure <NUM> shown in <FIG> comprises a first portion <NUM> including a back plate to attach the mounting structure <NUM> to a wall and an arm <NUM> depending from the back plate <NUM>. The arm <NUM> includes a channel <NUM> on an inner face thereof to receive a fixing for attaching a frame portion.

In <FIG> there is shown a frame portion <NUM> which is already attached to a panel <NUM> of the shower enclosure. The frame portion <NUM> is attached to the mounting structure <NUM> in the manner described previously in relation to <FIG>. The section of the shower enclosure shown in <FIG> further comprises a cover strip <NUM> which is adapted to be fitted to the frame portion <NUM> and mounting structure <NUM> in the manner previously indicated. In particular, the cover strip <NUM> may be fitted to a protuberance depending from the back plate <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a simplified schematic diagram of the same section of the frame of a shower enclosure in a fully assembled state, according to an example. In particular <FIG> shows the assembled mounting structure <NUM>, with the frame portion <NUM>, panel <NUM> and cover <NUM> assembled as they would be on a fully assembled shower enclosure.

<FIG> is a simplified schematic diagram showing a section of an assembled shower enclosure according to an example. <FIG> shows a clip <NUM> which is inserted between a mounting screw <NUM> and the mounting structure in to which the mounting screw <NUM> is inserted. According to examples described herein, the clip <NUM> is a moulded plastic clip. The clip <NUM> is arranged to from part of a mechanism which holds the cover <NUM> shown in <FIG>in place.

<FIG> is a simplified schematic diagram showing a further section of an assembled shower enclosure according to an example. <FIG> shows a mounting structure <NUM> similar to mounting structures <NUM> and <NUM> shown in <FIG>. In the example shown in <FIG>, the mounting structure <NUM> comprises a slot <NUM>. The slot <NUM> acts to allow side-to-side adjustment during the assembly of the shower enclosure.

<FIG> is a simplified schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional top view of a mounting structure <NUM> according to an example. In <FIG>, a first highlighted portion shows a clip <NUM>, similar to the clip <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The clip <NUM> is inserted between a mounting screw <NUM> and mounting structure <NUM>. In <FIG> there is shown a cover strip <NUM>. The cover strip <NUM> interacts with the mounting structure <NUM> and clip <NUM> to lock the cover strip <NUM> into place.

The apparatus described herein facilitate the installation of a shower enclosure in a manner which protects the shower tray during the assembly phase of the enclosure. The methods described herein are simple and allow easy installation from outside of the enclosure. This is achieved by providing a channel on an inner face of the arm of a mounting structure to receive a fixing for attaching a frame portion of the enclosure to the mounting structure. Moreover, the methods and apparatus described herein seal the shower enclosure against water ingress when the shower is in operation.

Claim 1:
A mounting structure (<NUM>) for use in a shower enclosure, the mounting structure comprising:
a first portion (I <NUM>) comprising a back plate (<NUM>) to attach the mounting structure, in use, to a wall;
an arm (<NUM>) depending from the back plate, the arm (<NUM>) comprising a channel (<NUM>) on an inner face thereof, the channel comprising an opening at its first end to receive a fixing for attaching a frame portion (<NUM>) of the shower enclosure to the mounting structure from the outside of the shower enclosure, wherein the channel is closed off by the arm at its second end, characterised by the mounting structure further comprising a seal (<NUM>) at the distal end of the arm such that the channel is disposed between the seal and the back plate.