WO2011089444A1

WO2011089444A1 - Shower door

Info

Publication number: WO2011089444A1
Application number: PCT/GB2011/050109
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher Guy Howsam; George Sangeorzan
Original assignee: Lakes Bathrooms Limited
Priority date: 2010-01-25
Filing date: 2011-01-24
Publication date: 2011-07-28
Also published as: EP2528486A1; GB201001113D0

Abstract

A shower enclosure that includes a folding door (1) with first and second panels (3, 4) hinged together along respective first vertical edges (30, 40). The door (1) is movable between a closed condition in which the panels (3, 4) are substantially coplanar and an open condition in which the panels (3, 4) lie at an angle to one another. Each panel (3, 4) has a seal element (5, 6) extending along the first vertical edge (30, 40) such that the seal elements (5, 6) are in sealing abutment when the door (1) is in the closed condition. Each seal element (5, 6) is secured directly to a vertical edge surface (31, 41) of one of the panels (3, 4) by an adhesive and has a shape that compliments the other seal element (6, 10 5). The door (1) also includes hinges (7) that with magnets to urge the panels (3, 4) together in the closed condition.

Description

SHOWER DOOR

This invention relates generally to shower doors and more specifically, although not exclusively, to folding shower doors or bi-fold shower doors for shower enclosures.

In household shower enclosures, folding or bi-fold doors are often used to save space, for example in smaller bathrooms in which there is insufficient space for a standard shower door to be opened. Generally, the folding or bi-fold door includes a pair of transparent panels hinged together along respective first of their vertical edges. A first of the panels is pivotably mounted to the enclosure at or adjacent its second vertical edge while the second panel is slideably connected at or adjacent its second edge to upper and lower horizontal tracks which extend across the width of the opening of the enclosure.

Such folding or bi-fold doors usually fold inwardly and include some form of handle or gripping means to allow the user to pull the hinged edges toward the inside of the enclosure, which forces the door panels to pivot relative to one another and causes the second edge of the second panel to slide along the tracks thus exposing the opening of the enclosure.

The aforementioned shower enclosure design requires sealing assemblies which prevent leakage of spray from the shower when the door is in a closed condition. This requires sealing assemblies between each of the second edges of the first and second door panels and a further sealing assembly between the first edges of the first and second door panels.

Several attempts have been made to provide sealing assemblies for these areas and these attempts have had varying success. The Applicants have observed that the sealing arrangements for sealing between the opposed edges of the door panels proposed to date could be improved.

The most common approach to providing a seal between the opposed edges of the door panels involves the use of a mounting border secured about the periphery of each of the transparent panels which border straddles the edges and clamps the periphery of the major surfaces of the panel. However, one known problem with these borders is that moisture often accumulates between the clamping portion of the border and the panels, which results in a buildup of bacterial or fungal growth and/or moulds in these areas. The borders also interrupt the transparency in the panel which is less elegant than standard pivoting door arrangements and is often perceived as a low cost solution.

In an attempt to mitigate the latter issue, some folding or bi-fold door arrangements have been configured with substantially transparent extruded plastic borders that fit over the peripheral edges of the transparent door panel in much the same way. However, such solutions do not address the former issue of moisture build-up between the borders and the door panels.

It is therefore a general object of the invention to provide an improved shower door. It is a more specific non-exclusive object of the invention to provide a shower door which overcomes or at least mitigates the issues associated with known designs.

Accordingly, one aspect of the invention provides a folding or bi-fold door for a shower enclosure comprising first and second panels hinged together along respective first vertical edges, the door being movable between a closed condition in which the panels are substantially coplanar and an open condition in which the panels lie at an angle to one another, each panel having a seal element extending along the first vertical edge, the seal elements being in sealing abutment when the door is in the closed condition, wherein each seal element is secured directly to a vertical edge surface of one of the panels, e.g. by an adhesive.

By securing the seal element directly to the panel, the aforementioned issues with moisture build up is mitigated. For the avoidance of doubt, the term "secured directly" as used herein means without the need for other elements or securing means such as a the aforementioned extruded borders.

One or each panel may have a substantially constant thickness, wherein the width of the seal element of that or each panel may be substantially equal to or less than the thickness of the panel.

A second aspect of the invention provides a folding or bi-fold door for a shower enclosure comprising first and second panels hinged together along respective first vertical edges, the door being movable between a closed condition in which the panels are substantially coplanar and an open condition in which the panels lie at an angle to one another, each panel having a seal element extending along the first vertical edge, the seal elements being in sealing abutment when the door is in the closed condition, wherein each panel has a substantially constant thickness and the width of the seal element of the panel is substantially equal to or less than the thickness of the panel.

Preferably, each seal element is secured directly to a respective vertical edge surface of the panel, for example by an adhesive.

At least one of the sealing elements, preferably both, comprises an anti-stretch element, for example a cord or cable or rod, e.g. configured to be resistant to tensile stretching. The element may comprise a fabric and/or metallic material.

The seal elements preferably comprise cooperating or mating or matching surfaces, which may have a complementary shape and/or configuration. For example, the cooperating or mating or matching surfaces may comprise complementary portions or cross sections, e.g. with a cooperating wave or corrugated pattern and/or wherein one of the seal elements comprises a projecting portion such as a ridge or crest along its length and/or the other seal element comprises a recessed portion such as a depression or trough along its length. Preferably, one of the seal elements comprises a projection along its length that sealingly cooperates, in use, with a recess along the length of the other seal element. The seal elements preferably comprise a flexible and/or elastomeric material.

The door is preferably foldable between an open or folded condition or position in which the seal elements are separate and/or a closed or substantially coplanar condition or position in which the seals are in contact, e.g. abut one another to provide a seal. The seal elements are preferably separate or individual or independent elements or members, for example with no direct connection to one another when the door is in the open condition or position.

The door may further comprise one or more hinges, wherein each hinge may include first and second parts or leaves which may be connected, for example pivotably or hingedly connected, together by or about a hinge element, for example a pin which may be received in an aperture or by a grasping means or member of each of the parts or leaves. Alternatively, the hinge element may comprise a flexible element or member or strip.

The enclosure and/or door and/or at least one of the hinges, preferably each hinge, may include a biasing means, e.g. for biasing or urging or influencing or forcing the door or hinge toward the or a closed condition or position, e.g. wherein the panels or seals or parts or leaves abut one another or are substantially coplanar, or toward an open condition or position, e.g. wherein the panels or seals or parts or leaves are apart or folded. The biasing means is preferably adjacent the seals, e.g. for compressing or pressing the seals together. The advantages of this arrangement, particularly in conjunction with the aforementioned seals, will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

The biasing means preferably comprises one or more magnets which are preferably located on or in or received in one or both of the parts or leaves, for example in a recess thereof. Preferably, the biasing means is configured to bias or urge or influence or force, in use, the door toward the or a closed condition or position. More preferably, the one or more magnets comprise one magnet in or on each of the parts or leaves, e.g. wherein the magnets are configured with opposing poles such that they are attracted, in use, to one another to bias or urge or influence or force, in use, the hinge and/or door toward the or a closed condition or position.

A further aspect of the invention provides a shower enclosure which incorporates a door according to the first aspect of the invention. The enclosure may comprise a frame to which the door may be mounted or connected. The first panel may be pivotably mounted, for example at or adjacent a second vertical edge thereof, to the enclosure or frame. The second panel may be slideably or rollably connected, for example at or adjacent a second vertical edge thereof, to the enclosure or frame, e.g. to upper and lower horizontal tracks which may extend across at least a portion of the width of an opening of the enclosure or frame. The frame may define an opening and/or the door may be movable between the closed condition in which the panels are substantially coplanar, e.g. and the door substantially covers the opening, and the open condition in which the panels lie at an angle to one another, e.g. and the opening is at least partially open or uncovered.

Preferably, the second panel is slideably or rollably connected to the enclosure or frame or tracks via one or more carriages, for example one upper and/or one lower carriage, wherein the or each carriage may comprise one or more rollers. More preferably, the second panel is pivotably connected to the carriage. The door and/or the enclosure or frame may comprise biasing means or a further biasing means for biasing or urging or influencing or forcing the door toward the or a closed condition. The or the further biasing means preferably comprises one or more magnets which may be located on or in or received in one or both of the second panel or carriage and/or the or an adjacent or opposed portion of the enclosure or frame, for example in a recess thereof. The one or more magnets preferably comprise one magnet in or on each of the second panel or carriage and the or an adjacent or opposed portion of the enclosure or frame and more preferably the magnets are configured with opposing poles such that they are attracted, in use, to one another to bias or urge or influence or force, in use, the door toward the or a closed condition or position. The magnet in or on the enclosure or frame is preferably received within a magnet carrier which is more preferably connected or secured to or in a recess or aperture of the enclosure or frame, for example releasably secured and/or secured by a snap fit or connection means.

A yet further aspect of the invention provides a shower comprising a shower enclosure as described above and/or a folding or bi-fold door as described above.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lower portion of a folding or bi-fold shower door according to one embodiment of the invention shown in a nearly closed condition between vertical portions of an enclosure;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a lower portion of the opposed vertical edges of the panels of the door of Figure 1 from below showing a portion of the seal elements and the hinge parts or leaves;

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the door portion of Figure 2 showing the door in a closed condition;

Figure 4 is a similar view to that of Figure 3 showing the door in an open condition; and

Figures 5 and 6 show respectively a partial perspective view and a partial section perspective view of the enclosure of Figure 1 showing the interaction between the enclosure and carriage closing magnets.

Referring to Figures 1 to 5, there is shown a folding or bi-fold shower door 1 for a shower enclosure 2 which door 1 includes first and second door panels 3, 4 and first and second seal elements 5, 6, one of which extends along a first vertical edge 30, 40 of each of the first and second panels 3, 4. The enclosure 2 includes a frame 20 with a pair of side supports 21 and upper and lower (not shown) cross-members 22 which together define an opening which the door selectively closes. The panels 3, 4 are hinged together along the first vertical edges 30, 40 by an upper hinge (not shown) and a lower hinge 7. The first panel 3 is pivotably connected to the enclosure 2 by a further upper hinge (not shown) and a further lower hinge 8 and the second panel 4 is slideably connected to the upper and lower (not shown) cross-members 22 of the enclosure 2 by respective upper and lower carriages 9.

The door panels 3, 4 in this embodiment are in the form of a sheet of glass having a substantially constant thickness with squared edge surfaces 31 , 41 extending substantially perpendicular to their major surfaces. The seal elements 5, 6 are secured directly to the vertical edge surfaces 31 , 41 by an adhesive, which is a very high bond adhesive with an anti-stretch cord (not shown) in this embodiment. The anti-stretch cord (not shown) is used to prevent overstretching during application of the seal elements. The width of the seal elements 5, 6 is substantially the same as the thickness of the panels 3, 4. This arrangement reduces the areas in which moisture is able to build up, thereby mitigating the buildup of bacterial or fungal growth and/or moulds.

The seal elements 5, 6 are formed of a soft flexible elastomeric material, a thermoplastic elastomer in this embodiment. As shown more clearly in Figures 3 and 4, the seal elements 5, 6 have complementarily shaped mating surfaces 50, 60 along their length. More specifically, the cross-section of the first seal element 5 includes a projection 51 having a peak with a smooth transition into the surrounding surface, substantially in the shape of a wave 51 . The cross-section of the second seal element 6 includes a depression shaped to match or cooperate with the projection 51 of the first seal element 5. The complementary shape of the mating surfaces 50, 60 provides greater seal performance and prevents the user from misaligning the panels 3, 4 if they are pressed against one or the other panels 3, 4.

The upper hinge (not shown) is of a similar configuration to the lower hinge 7, which includes first and second parts or leaves 70, 71 hingedly connected together by a hinge pin 72. Each of the first and second hinge parts 70, 71 includes a respective magnet 73, 74 received within a respective recess in facing portions of the hinge parts 70, 71 , which magnets have opposed poles thereby to attract the first and second hinge parts 70, 71 toward one another to a closed or substantially coplanar condition or position. Each of the first and second hinge parts 70, 71 of the lower hinge 7 fixedly receives a respective lower portion of one of the panels 3, 4 using screws (not shown) which extend through holes (not shown) in the panels 3, 4. Similarly, each of the hinge parts (not shown) of the upper hinge (not shown) fixedly receives a respective upper portion of one of the panels 3, 4 using screws (not shown) which extend through holes (not shown) in the panels 3, 4. The hinge pin 72 is received and axially retained within corresponding apertures of each of the first and second hinge parts 70, 71 to allow them to pivot relative to one another between the closed condition and an open condition in which the hinge parts 70, 71 are substantially parallel and stacked.

Referring now to Figure 5, only the upper carriage 9 is shown but the lower carriage (not shown) is of a similar construction and so it will not be described herein. The carriage 9 includes a pair of rollers 90 which run along a horizontal track in the cross-member 22 extending across the entire length thereof, i.e. the entire width of the opening. The second panel 4 is pivotably connected to the carriage 9 by a pivot pin 91 to allow the second panel 4 to pivot thereabout as the carriage 9 runs down the track of the cross- member 22.

The carriage 9 and the cross-member 22 also include respective magnets 92, 24 with opposing poles facing one another such that they are attracted, in use, to one another to influence the carriage 9 toward the end of its travel, which corresponds to the closed condition of the door 1 . The carriage 9 includes a recess 92a that receives the magnet 92. The cross-member 22 includes an aperture that receives a magnet carrier 25. The magnet carrier is in the shape of a hollow cylinder; it receives the magnet 24 and includes a pair of spring portions 26 with projections 27 that cooperate with the aperture of the cross-member 22 to provide a snap fit connection.

The door 1 is foldable between a closed condition (shown in Figures 1 and 3), in which the panels are substantially coplanar and the seal elements 5, 6 are in sealing contact, and an open or folded condition (shown partially open in Figures 2 and 4), in which the panels lie at an angle to one another, or parallel and adjacent or against one another in a fully open or folded condition, and the seal elements 5, 6 are separated. The panels 3, 4 also include a handle (not shown) approximately mid-way along their height for pulling the door 1 inwardly from the closed condition or position to the open condition or position. The magnets 73, 74, 92, 24 cooperate to provide a biasing means for influencing the door 1 toward the closed condition or position, which biasing means must be overcome by the force exerted on the handle. The strength of the magnets 73, 74, 92, 24 is selected to provide a balance to assist with closing without undue force being required to open the door 1 . It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that that several variations are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the width of the seal elements 5, 6 need not be substantially the same as the thickness of the panels 3, 4. They may be wider, but they are preferably the same width or narrower than the thickness of the panels 3, 4 in order to facilitated cleaning. The magnets 73, 74 may be omitted or replaced with any suitable means configured to bias or urge or influence or force, in use, the door 1 toward the or a closed condition or position. For example the biasing means may comprise a resilient biasing means such as a spring or even an over-centre arrangement. The panels need not be formed of glass, but are preferably at least partially transparent or translucent, e.g. they may be formed of a clear plastics material such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The edge surfaces 31 , 41 of the panel 3, 4 need not be squared and/or extend perpendicular to the major surface thereof.

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of combinations of the aforementioned features and/or those shown in the appended drawings provide clear advantages over the prior art and are therefore within the scope of the invention described herein.

Claims

A shower enclosure comprising a folding door with first and second panels hinged together along respective first vertical edges, the door being movable between a closed condition in which the panels are substantially coplanar and an open condition in which the panels lie at an angle to one another, each panel having a seal element extending along the first vertical edge, the seal elements being in sealing abutment when the door is in the closed condition, wherein each seal element is secured directly to a vertical edge surface of one of the panels by an adhesive.

Enclosure according to claim 1 , wherein each panel has a substantially constant thickness and the width of the seal element of the panel is substantially equal to or less than the thickness of the panel.

Enclosure according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least one of the sealing elements comprises an anti-stretch element.

Enclosure according to claim 3, wherein the anti-stretch element comprises a cord.

Enclosure according to any preceding claim, wherein the seal elements comprise cooperating abutment surfaces which are complementarily shaped.

Enclosure according to claim 5, wherein one of the seal elements comprises a projection along its length that sealingly cooperates, in use, with a recess along the length of the other seal element.

Enclosure according to any preceding claim further comprising biasing means for influencing the door toward the closed condition.

Enclosure according to claim 7, wherein the door further comprises one or more hinges, wherein the one or more hinges include or incorporate the biasing means.

Enclosure according to claim 8, wherein the or each hinge includes first and second parts hingedly connected together, the biasing means being provided by one or more magnets located in or on one or both of the parts.

10. Enclosure according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the second panel is slideably or rollably connected to the enclosure via one or more carriages, the biasing means comprising or further comprising one or more magnets located in or on one or both of the carriage and/or an adjacent portion of the enclosure.

1 1 . A folding or bi-fold door for use in the shower enclosure of any preceding claim, the door comprising first and second panels hinged together along respective first vertical edges, the door being movable between a closed condition in which the panels are substantially coplanar and an open condition in which the panels lie at an angle to one another, each panel having a seal element extending along the first vertical edge, the seal elements being in sealing abutment when the door is in the closed condition, wherein each seal element is secured directly to a vertical edge surface of one of the panels by an adhesive.

12. An adhesive backed seal element for use in a shower enclosure according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or in a folding or bi-fold door according to claim 1 1 .

13. A pair of seal elements according to claim 12, wherein the seal elements comprise cooperating abutment surfaces which are complementarily shaped.

14. A pair of seal elements according to claim 13, wherein one of the seal elements comprises a projection along its length that sealingly cooperates, in use, with a recess along the length of the other seal element.

15. A shower comprising a shower enclosure according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or a folding or bi-fold door according to claim 1 1 .