Patent ID: 7047576

Claim:
A variable angle load-bearing connector profile for connecting a plurality of shower enclosure assembly panels, said profile comprising: a first end segment having a first open channel sized for receiving a first flat-surfaced enclosure panel, said open channel being defined by an inner surface of each of a pair of substantially coextensive first end segment sidewalls; a flexible middle segment attached to said first end segment; and a second end segment attached to said middle segment and having a second open channel sized for receiving a second flat-surfaced enclosure panel, said second open channel being defined by an inner surface of each of a pair of substantially coextensive second end segment sidewalls; said middle segment including a flexible plastic material and said end segments including at least a semi-rigid material, all three segments being co-extruded as a single integral linear unit and wherein each of said first and second end segments includes surfaces adapted to abut each other and to delimit the extent of movement of said end segments towards each other in a first sense of swivel from a linear alignment of 180° to a substantially perpendicular alignment of about 90°, wherein said flexible middle segment allows said first and second segments to repeatedly move in the first sense of swivel from the linear alignment of 180° to the substantially perpendicular alignment of about 90° and to move in a second, opposite sense of swivel away from said 180° linear alignment and away from said surfaces to form a reflex angle therebetween for accordion-like folding, storage and transport of a plurality of panels interconnected therewith, wherein said middle segment has an operating life in excess of 10,000 bend cycles, a tensile strength of about 2750 lbs/sq. in., and an elongation of about 350%, and wherein at least one of said open channels includes a plurality of flexible projections extending into said at least one of said open channels from each of the inner surfaces of the sidewalls defining said at least one of said open channels for firmly gripping a flat-surfaced panel when positioned within said at least one of said open channels.