GB2458924A

GB2458924A - Shower screen comprising plastic welded frame and panel fitting in to a recessed aperture

Info

Publication number: GB2458924A
Application number: GB0805945A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert William Stimpson
Original assignee: DLP Ltd
Current assignee: DLP Ltd
Priority date: 2008-04-02
Filing date: 2008-04-02
Publication date: 2009-10-07
Anticipated expiration: 2028-04-02
Also published as: GB2458924B; GB0805945D0

Abstract

A shower screen 10 has a plastic frame 12 and a panel 14 provided in the frame 12. The frame 12 comprises two spaced stile members 16, a head member 18 and a sill member 20 which interconnect the stile members 16, the stile members 16 being welded to the head and sill members. The stile, head and sill members 16, 18, 20 form a frame having a recessed aperture 30 in which the panel 14 is received. Preferably, the stile, head and sill members are interconnected using mitered corner joints. Also preferably, the outer surface 32 of the panel 14, at the perimeter edge 38 of the panel 14, is coplanar or substantially coplanar with an outer surface 32 of the frame 12 to form a shower screen in which the panel is mounted flush with the surrounding frame.

Description

SHOWER SCREEN

The present invention relates to a shower screen, and in particular a shower screen having a plastics frame.

Framed shower screens are manufactured using aluminium extrusions around the periphery of the glazing area. The extrusions are typically assembled and held together using metal screws or cleats engaged in specially formed screw-or cleat-ports within the extrusions. The glazing panel, transparent or partially opaque glass or plastics material, are typically placed within sealing gaskets laid within the extrusions during assembly. l'his traps the panel permanently within the frame structure.

The above described standard construction is labour intensive and complex. To help simplify construction, plastic moulded component parts have been placed between the aluminium sections to act as corner joints. This enables simple cutting techniques to he employed on the aluminium sections.

however, the increase in parts increases the number of mating faces to be sealed. This results in precision machined extrusions for the frame being critical to ensure the screen frame does not distort or leak when in use.

The glazing gasket must also he a precision extruded elastomer, and is typically made from a dark coloured material to minimise the appearance of any mould or mildew which may develop on it.

ftc present invention therefore seeks to provide a solution to these problems, and in particular seeks to provide a shower screen which is robust and cost-effective, with a minimum number of assembly parts, and which allows location of the panel following assembly of the frame.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a shower screen having a plastics frame and a panel provided in the frame, the frame comprising two spaced stile members, and a head member and a sill member which interconnect the stile members, the stile members being welded to the head and sill members, the stile, head and sill members forming a recessed aperture in which the panel is received or receivable.

Preferable and/or optional features of the Iirst aspect of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 11, inclusive.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of forming a shower screen in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, comprising the steps of: a) forming two stile members, a head member and a sill member from plastics; b) welding the stile members, head member and sill member together to form a rigid plastics frame defining a recessed aperture; and c) locating the panel in the recessed aperture.

IS Preferable andlor optional features of the second aspect of the invention are set forth in claims 14 to 16, inclusive.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a shower screen having a plastics frame and a panel provided in the frame, the frame comprising two spaced stile members, and a head member and a sill member which interconnect the stile members, an outer surface of the panel, at the perimeter edge of the panel, being coplanar or substantially coplanar with an outer surface of the frame, so as to minimise run-off water retention.

The present invention will now he more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic front view of part of a first embodiment of a shower screen, in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the shower screen shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a diagrammatic front view of a glazing panel of a second embodiment of a shower screen, in accordance with the invention; and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a shower screen, in accordance with the invention.

Referring Iirstly to 1igures 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a shower screen 10 having a plastics frame 12 and a panel 14 which is held by the frame 12. Preferably, the frame 12 is formed entirely of plastics material, and may conveniently he formed of extruded uPVC. however, the frame 12 may he plastics moulded, or have a non-plastics reinforcing core, such as wood or aluminium, encased with a plastics outer skin.

l'he frame J2 is typically rectangular and comprises two spaced stile members 16 which form the two uprights of the shower screen 10, and an upper head member 18 and a lower sill member 20 which interconnect the stile members 16. J'he stile, head and sill members 16, 18, 20 are preferably one-piece extrusions. however, more multiple pieces can he used, for example, corner connecting blocks can he attached to each member.

The frame may also he formed with one or more vertical and/or horizontal muntins, and preferably these are manufactured in the sanie manner as the stile, head and sill members. In this invention, a muntin is defined as a rigid elongate element which holds and separates two adjacent panes, which maybe light-transmissible or opaque, within the frame. In this invention, a muntin is not fixed to the stile, head or sill members along its longitudinal extent in order to hold a panel between itself and the associated member.

If this function is necessary, then this is performed by a specific glazing or panel head.

To form the frame 12, the ends of the stile members I 6 are, typically hot-plate, welded to the respective ends of the head and sill members 18, 20 using mitred corner joints 22, thus dispensing with the need for separate intermediate corner components. The number of mating faces is thus significantly reduced.

Welding is preferred, since this forms a permanent and rigid structure. however, other types of' corner connection can be considered.

An inner edge 24 of the stile, head and sill members 16, 18, 20 may he stepped to form an inwardly projecting lip 26 oF reduced thickness. An inner edge 28 of the lip 26 defines a recessed aperture 30 through the frame 12.

In this embodiment, the inner edge 24 of the stile, head and sill members 16, 18, 20 is stepped from both sides, such that the lip 26 is intermediate the outer surfaces 32 of each member. This can best he seen in Figure 2. The steps may he identical. however, in this embodiment, an in use inwardly facing step 34 is recessed to a depth which equals or substantially equals the perimeter thickness of the panel 14. The in use outwardly facing step 36 is ramped to the lip edge 24, and is recessed to a depth which is greater than the perimeter thickness of the panel 14. I5

The panel 14 is dimensioned to fit closely within the inwardly facing step 34 and to abut the lip 26. The panel 14 is permanently held in place by bonding to the recess 34 adjacent to the lip 26. Bonding is preferable, since it improves the rigidity of the screen.

This bonding process may also preferably seal any gaps between the outer edges of the panel 14 and the adjacent edges of the cooperating recess 34.

The panel 14 may, alternatively, or additionally, he bonded to the lip 26.

The panel 14 is of typically uniform thickness, hut may have a varying thickness, for example in the case of' integrated patterns. I lowever, by providing the perimeter edge 38 of the panel 14 with a thickness that is equal or substantially equal to the depth of the inwardly facing step 34, the panel 14 is coplanar or substantially coplanar with the inwardly facing surface 40 of the stile, head and sill members 16, 18, 20. This allows shower water to run directly from the panel 14 onto the frame 12 without or substantially without any obstruction. This reduces water retention and accumulation within cracks, joints and adjacent edges, and thus reduces the opportunity of mould and fungal growth.

Preferably, the inwardly facing surface 40 of the frame 12 is entirely coplanar or substantially coplanar with the perimeter edge 38 of the panel 14, thereby allowing run-off water to drain straight down the inwardly facing surface 40 of the shower screen 10 and onto the shower 1.ray or floor thereheneath.

Referring to Jigure 3, a second embodiment of a shower screen is now described. l'his embodiment only differs from the first embodiment in regards to a modified panel I I 4.

Like references refer to like parts, and further description is omitted.

the panel of this invention can he a glazing panel, formed of light-transmissible material, such as transparent or translucent glass or plastics, or can he an opaque panel, again typically being formed of plastics. In the case of a light-transmissible material, an opaque portion 142 is provided at and adjacent to the perimeter edge 138. Printing or any other suitable treatment, such as silk-screen printing or bead-blasting or decals, may be utilised to provide the opaque portion 142. The opaque portion 142 disguises the glued edging and preferably extends sufficiently from the perimeter edge 138 to also obstruct the lip 26 from view. One, two or more regions of partially opaque surface coating or treatment may also he added within the region bounded by 142 to create a transitional appearance from the opaque to the transparent central region of the glazing panel 114. These are indicated stylistically by 138, 144.

Referring to Figure 4, a third embodiment of the shower screen 10 is shown. Again, like references relér to like parts, and further detailed description is omitted.

In this embodiment, the reduced thickness edge or lip 26 is again provided, of extended length, thus defining the recessed aperture 30, hut the inwardly facing step 34 is dispensed with. As such, the aperture is only recessed from the outwardly facing surface 244 of the frame 12. In this regard, therefore, the lip 26 is coplanar or substantially coplanar with the inwardly facing surface 40 of the frame 12, hut the outwardly facing step 36 is still provided. This again provides the drainage advantages of the first embodiment.

Although dispensed with in this embodiment, the inwardly facing step can he utilised.

As above, the lip 26 of the frame 12 has a reduced thickness, being equal or substantially equal to the perimeter thickness of the panel 14. A supporting bead 246 is engaged with the lip 26 along one of its sides, and is engaged with the perimeter edge 3 of the panel 14 along its other side. The head 246, therefbre, has two opposing channels for receiving the lip 26 and the edge of the panel 14. As such, the head 246 has a generally li-shaped lateral cross-section. Ihe panel 14 is held by the head 246 so as to he spaced inwards from the lip 26. The lip 26 and the panel 14 are thus coplanar or substantially coplanar.

The supporting head 246 may he fonned of any suitable material, such as plastics.

However, preferably, the head 246 is a flexible elastomer. The head 246 may he considered as a gasket, and is preferably one-piece continuous.

The lip 26 is preferably continuous and unbroken once the frame 12 is assembled.

Where practical manufacturing constraints make this impossible, the joint between the ends of the gasket may be beneficially placed at the top edge of the glazing panel 14 to minimise or eliminate any detrimental effects.

Although not ideal, the stile, head and sill members may he tomed of more than one-piece, and may not necessarily be extruded.

Other means tbr interengaging the stile, head and sill members can also he considered.

For example, separate corner blocks could he utilised.

If muntins are utilised, then these are incorporated by welding or bonding to the surrounding frame. Ehey may also he false or fake and provided on the panel separate of the frame to create the effect of muntins.

Door furniture can he either attached to the frame, or can he integrally formed as part of the stile, head and/or sill members to facilitate installation of sliding assemblies and/or pivoting panels.

Although hot-plate welding is suggested, any type of welding can he utilised, for

example, ultrasonic.

The shower screen can he provided independently of a shower unit or enclosure, such as for replacement parts, hut typically will he provided as part of a shower enclosure assembly, and thus may he lonned as or form part of a shower screen panel or door.

Regarding the first and second aspects of the invention, the essential feature of the above-described shower screen is that the frame is plastics and welded to form a rigid structure. All other described elements are prelèrahle or optional.

Regarding the third aspect of the invention, the essential feature of the atx)ve-descrihed shower screen is that the frame and panel are coplanar or substantially coplanar where they meet at the outer facing surface. All other described elements are preferable or optional.

Although a glazing head is not utilised in the above-described embodiments, it is possible to use a glazing head to hold the panel to the frame.

It is thus possible to provide a rigid and robust shower screen having a plastics frame which is assembled independently and separately of the panel. It is also possible to provide a shower screen frame which is coplanar or substantially coplanar with at least one outer surface of the frame, thus reducing run-off water accumulation and promoting drainage. Furthermore, manufacture is vastly simplified by fully assembling the frame before providing the panel therein or thereon. Ihe panel is not encased or clamped in the frame members. As such, the panel can he seated in or on the frame following complete assembly of the frame. l'he panel is held to the frame either by bonding or by the flexible elongate support element.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will he apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A shower screen having a plastics frame and a panel provided in the frame, the frame comprising two spaced stile members, and a head member and a sill member which interconnect the stile members, the stile members being welded to the head and sill members, the stile, head and sill inenthers Rrming a recessed aperture in which the panel is received or receivable.
2. A shower screen as claimed in claim I, wherein the stile members are welded to the head and sill members using inured corner joints.
3. A shower screen as claimed in claim I or claim 2, wherein an outer surface of the panel, at the perimeter edge of the panel, is coplanar or substantially coplanar with an outer surface of the frame.
4. A shower screen as claimed in any one of claims I to 3, wherein the aperture is recessed to a depth which equals or substantially equals the perimeter thickness of the panel, so that, at the perimeter of the panel, the panel is coplanar or substantially coplanar with the frame to minimise run-off water retention.
5. A shower screen as claimed in claim 4, wherein the panel is bonded in the recess of the franie.
6. A shower screen as claimed in claim 5, wherein the said bonding is the sole means of retention of the panel in the frame.
7. A shower screen as claimed in any OflC of claims 2 to 6, wherein the panel is formed from a light-transmissible material, and includes a continuous opaque portion around the perimeter.
8. A shower screen as claimed in any one of claims I to 3, wherein the aperture is defined by an edge of the frame having a reduced thickness, a supporting bead engaging the said edge along one of its sides, and engaging the panel along its other side.
9. A shower screen as claimed in claim 8, wherein the said edge of the frame has a thickness which equals or substantially equals the perimeter thickness of the panel, so that, at the perimeter of the panel, the panel is coplanar or substantially coplanar with the frame to minimise run-off water retention.
10. A shower screen as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the supporting bead is a flexible gasket.
II. A shower screen as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the members define a projecting lip of reduced thickness on which the panel abuts or is supported.
12. A shower screen substantially as hereinhefore described with reference to Figures I and 2, Figure 3, or Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.
13. A method of forming a shower screen as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: a) forming two stile members, a head member and a sill member from plastics; b) welding the stile members, head member and sill member together to form a rigid plastics frame defining a recessed aperture; and c) locating the panel in the recessed aperture.
14. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein, in step c), an edge of the panel is not clamped in the stile, head and sill members.
15. A method as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, wherein, in step c), the panel is held to the frame by bonding or by a supporting element which supports the panel in spaced relationship with the frame.
16. A method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein, in step h), the stile members, head members and sill members are interconnected using mitered corner joints.
17. A shower screen assembly having a shower screen as claimed in any one of claims 11.0 12.
I 8. A shower screen having a plastics frame and a panel provided in the franie, the frame comprising two spaced stile members, and a head member and a sill member which interconnect the stile nîemhers, an outer surface of the panel, at the perinieter edge of the panel, being coplanar or substantially coplanar with an outer surface of the frame, SO as to minimise run-off water retention.