AU2013100018A4 - Shower door mounting structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A shower door mounting structure is provided which comprises a stationary frame having a guiding groove, and a movable frame having a first engaging element with a slot, wherein the shower door mounting structure further comprises at least one adjusting slider slidably mounted in the guiding groove, the at least one adjusting slider has a second engaging element with a hole for engagement with the first engaging element when the movable frame is moved towards the stationary frame, and the shower door mounting structure further comprises a first fastener passed through the slot and the hole when a relative position between both frames is determined.

Description

1 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 IDEAL SANITARY WARE CO., LTD COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title: Shower door mounting structure The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us: 2 SHOWER DOOR MOUNTING STRUCTURE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a shower door and, in particular, to a fast mounting 5 structure used for shower doors. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional shower doors comprise a stationary frame for fixing to a wall and a movable frame that is capable of adjusting its position in relative to the stationary frame 10 such that both frames are properly engagement with each other. In order to engage both frames, the frames have to be aligned and drilled and fasteners are used to pass through the drilled holes and fasten the frames together. The assembly method of this kind is inconvenient to operation and quite time consuming. In addition, the drilling operation can possibly make damage to the materials made of the frames, for example aluminum 15 materials. This may affect the appearance and service life of the shower door, or even cause the shower door unusable. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide a shower door mounting structure which has 20 relatively simple structure and is convenient for assembly, and in particular does not need to be drilled. Another object of the present invention is to provide a fast assembly method for a shower door which has simplified steps and takes less time. To achieve the above objects, a shower door mounting structure is provided which 25 comprises a stationary frame having a guiding groove, and a movable frame having a first engaging element with a slot, wherein the shower door mounting structure further comprises at least one adjusting slider slidably mounted in the guiding groove, the at least one adjusting slider has a second engaging element with a hole for engagement with the first engaging element when the movable frame is moved towards the stationary 30 frame, and the shower door mounting structure further comprises a first fastener for passing through the slot and the hole when a relative position between both frames is determined. When the shower door is to be assembled, the adjusting slider is placed into the guiding groove and the movable frame is moved towards the stationary frame. When the relative 35 position between the stationary frame and the movable frame is determined, the first and second engaging elements are engaged with each other. The first fastener is then 3 provided to pass through the slot and the hole to press against the two frames such that the first and second engaging elements are in close and immovable contact. In one embodiment, a through hole is provided on the stationary frame for fixing to a wall or other surfaces by using a second fastener. Preferably, the second fastener is a 5 screw. In another embodiment, a recess is provided on each of the at least one adjusting slider and the second engaging element is arranged in the recess. The first engaging element is inserted into the recess for engagement with the second engaging element when the movable frame is moved towards the stationary frame. As the first engaging element is 10 inserted into the recess, the movement of the movable frame is limited by the recess so that it is convenient for assembly. In another embodiment, the shower door mounting structure comprises two adjusting sliders each disposed at each end of the stationary frame in order to enhance the stability of the shower door. Of course, the number of adjusting slider can be more than 2, for 15 example 3. However, two adjusting sliders are preferable in view of manufacturing costs and stability. In another embodiment, the first and second engaging elements have inverse teeth to enhance the engagement relationship there between. In another embodiment, the first fastener is a screw and a nut which can be connected 20 with each other to make sure that the first and second engaging elements are in close and immovable contact when a relative position between both frames is determined. In another embodiment, the slot is a U-shaped opening which is easily passed through by the screw and convenient for assembly. That is, the slot is open at a lengthwise edge of the movable frame. Of course, in other embodiments, the slot can be designed to be a 25 circular opening with a diameter larger than that of the screw such that the screw can have more space as needed when engaging the two frames. In another embodiment, a frame cover is provided to the movable frame for covering the at least one adjusting slider and the screw when the screw and the nut are connected with each other, in order to obtain a decorative and beautiful appearance. The frame cover can 30 be separated from the movable frame so that it can be removed when it is necessary to access the screw and the nut. In another embodiment, a hook is formed on the frame cover and can be inserted into a notch that is provided on the movable frame for fixing the frame cover to the movable frame. 35 In operation, the stationary frame is firstly fastened to a wall or other surface by using the second fastener and then at least one adjusting slider is placed in the guiding groove. To 4 engage the two frames, the movable frame is moved towards the stationary frame and when a relative position between both frames is determined, the first and second engaging elements are engaged with each other. The first fastener is then passed through the slot and the hole to press against the two frames and enhance the engagement 5 relationship between the engaging elements. The present invention has relatively simple structure and is convenient for assembly. In particular, it does not need to be drilled such that the risk of damage is minimized. In addition, a fast assembling method can thus be obtained that has simplified steps and takes less time. 10 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further advantages and details of the present invention emerge from the example embodiments described below, which do not limit the invention in any way, and from the drawings, in which 15 Figure 1 is an exploded view of part of a shower door according to one example of the present invention; Figure 2 is a partial view of the stationary frame shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a partial view of the movable frame shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic view of the adjusting slider shown in Figure 1; 20 Figure 5 is a partial view of the frame cover shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 is an assembly view of the Figure 1; Figure 7 is a partial view of the Figure 6; Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the Figure 6; and Figure 9 is an exploded view of Figure 8. 25 Elements that are irrelevant to the spirit of the present invention are omitted for clarity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments of the invention. As used 30 herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the," are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the terms "and/or" include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" "comprising" "includes" and/or "including" when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, 35 operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of 5 one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof Referring to figures 1 to 5, a shower door mounting structure is shown in part which comprises a stationary frame 100 having a guiding groove 101 and a movable frame 200 5 having a first engaging element 201 with a slot 202. The stationary frame 100 has a through hole 102 through which the stationary frame 100 is fixed to a surface of a wall by using a second fastener. In this embodiment, the second fastener is a nail 103 for fastening connection. In the guiding groove 101, at least one adjusting slider 300 is placed which is able to slide along the groove 101. Each of the adjusting slider 300 has a 10 second engaging element 301 with a hole 302. When the movable frame 200 is moved towards the stationary frame 100 and the relative position between the movable frame 200 and the stationary frame 100 is determined, the first engaging element 201 and the second engaging element 301 are engaged with each other. In the present example, two adjusting sliders 300 are provided. The shower door mounting structure further 15 comprises a first fastener passed through the slot 202 and the hole 302 when a relative position between both frames is determined. Preferably, the first fastener is a screw 401 and a nut 402 which can be connected with each other to make sure that the first and second engaging elements 201, 301 are in close and immovable contact when a relative position between both frames is determined, 20 As shown in figure 3, the slot 202 is a U-shaped opening so as to be easily passed through by the screw 401 and convenient for assembly. As shown in figure 4, a recess 303 is provided on the adjusting slider 300 and the second engaging element 301 is provided in the recess 303.The first engaging element 201 is inserted into the recess 303 for engagement with the second engaging element 301 when 25 the movable frame 200 is moved towards the stationary frame 100. As the first engaging element 201 is inserted into the recess 303, the movement of the movable frame 200 is limited by the recess 303 so that it is convenient for assembly. As shown in figures 3 to 4, the first and second engaging elements 201, 301 have inverse teeth to enhance the engagement relationship there between. Of course, the first and 30 second engaging elements 201, 301 can also be in other forms as along as the stationary and movable frames 100, 200 do not displace in relative to each other when the engaging elements are engaged. As shown in figure 3 and 5, a frame cover 203 is arranged on the movable frame 200 used for covering the adjusting slider 300 and the screw 401 when the screw 401 and the nut 35 402 are connected with each other, in order to obtain a decorative and beautiful appearance. The frame cover 203 can be separated from the movable frame 200 so that it 6 can be removed such that the screw 401 and the nut 402 are accessible. In particular, in order to fix the frame cover 203 to the movable frame 200, a hook 205 is provided on the frame cover 203 and inserted into a notch 204 that is provided on the movable frame 200. In another example, two frame covers can also be provided at each side of the movable 5 frame. As shown in figures 1 and 9, during use, the stationary frame 100 is firstly fastened to the wall or other surface by using a nail 103 and then the adjusting slider 300 is placed in the guiding groove 101. To engage the two frames, with the movable frame 200 moved towards the stationary frame 100, the first engaging element 201 is inserted into the 10 recess 303. When a relative position between both frames is determined, the first and second engaging elements 201, 301 are engaged with each other. The screw 401 is then provided to be passed through the slot 202 and the hole 302 and connect with the nut 402 for pressing against the two frames such that the first and second engaging elements 201, 301 are in close and immovable contact. Preferably, the nut 402 is placed into the hole 15 302 which is hexagonal to make sure that it won't rotate when connected with the screw 401. The hook 205 provided on the frame cover 203 is finally inserted into the notch 204 provided on the movable frame 200, covering the adjusting slider 300 and the screw 401. It should be understood that various example embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which only some example embodiments are 20 shown. The present invention, however, may be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the example embodiments set forth herein.

Claims (10)

1. A shower door mounting structure, comprising a stationary frame having a guiding groove, and 5 a movable frame having a first engaging element with a slot, wherein the shower door mounting structure further comprises at least one adjusting slider slidably mounted in the guiding groove, wherein the at least one adjusting slider has a second engaging element with a hole for engagement with the first engaging element when the movable frame is moved 10 towards the stationary frame, and wherein the shower door mounting structure further comprises a first fastener passed through the slot and the hole when a relative position between both frames is determined.

2. The shower door mounting structure of claim 1, wherein the stationary frame 15 has a through hole for fixing to a wall through a second fastener.

3. The shower door mounting structure of claim 2, wherein the second fastener is a screw.

4. The shower door mounting structure of claim 1, wherein a recess is provided on the at least one adjusting slider and the second engaging element is provided in the 20 recess.

5. The shower door mounting structure of claim 1, comprising two adjusting sliders disposed at each end of the stationary frame.

6. The shower door mounting structure of claim 1, wherein the first and second engaging elements have inverse teeth. 25

7. The shower door mounting structure of claim 1, wherein the first fastener is a screw and a nut which can be connected with each other.

8. The shower door mounting structure of claim 1, wherein the slot is a U-shaped opening.

9. The shower door mounting structure of claim 1, wherein a frame cover is 30 arranged on the movable frame and can be parted from the movable frame.

10. The shower door mounting structure of claim 9, wherein a hook is provided on the frame cover and inserted into a notch witch is provided on the movable frame for fixing the frame cover to the movable frame.