Patent Application
20250160580
The present disclosure relates generally to a shower door. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a shower door assembly that may be installed to allow users to access a shower space from the right or left side, and may be installed to pivot about the center of the shower door assembly or a wall.
Different shower door configurations are needed to adapt to different bathroom layouts to provide access to the shower space. Typically, different shower door configurations are sold as separate, individual shower door assemblies, and may require different components.
One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a shower door system including a wall assembly. The wall assembly is configured to fixedly couple the shower door system to walls of a showering enclosure. The shower door system includes a fixed panel coupled to the wall assembly and a door panel pivotably coupled to the wall assembly by a pivot assembly defining a pivot axis. The door panel is configured to pivot about the pivot axis between an open position and a closed position. An overlap jamb is coupled to the wall assembly adjacent a pivoting end of the door panel, the overlap jamb defining a coupling surface couplable to the walls of the shower enclosure, in a first configuration, and couplable to the fixed panel, in a second configuration.
Another embodiment relates to a shower system including a showering enclosure and a wall assembly. The wall assembly is configured to be coupled to support walls of the showering enclosure, and includes a header, a threshold, and at least one wall jamb. The shower system includes a fixed panel coupled to the wall assembly and a door panel pivotably coupled to the wall assembly by a pivot assembly defining a pivot axis. The door panel is configured to pivot about the pivot axis between an open position and a closed position. The shower system further includes an overlap jamb coupled to the wall assembly adjacent a pivoting end of the door panel, the overlap jamb defining a coupling surface couplable to the at least one wall jamb, in a first configuration, and couplable to the fixed panel, in a second configuration.
Another embodiment relates to a shower door system including a wall assembly configured to support and couple a pivot door assembly to a showering enclosure defining an opening. The wall assembly is configured to secure to walls of the shower enclosure and includes an overlap jamb movable between a first configuration and a second configuration. The overlap jamb includes a member having a substantially flat front surface and a coupling surface opposite the front surface, the coupling surface being coupled to the walls of the shower enclosure in the first configuration. The overlap jamb also includes an attachment member extending away from the front surface and forms a channel. A fixed panel is coupled to the wall assembly, wherein the attachment member is configured to receive the fixed panel in the channel in the second configuration. A door panel is pivotably coupled to the wall assembly by a pivot assembly defining a pivot axis, the pivot axis being parallel to and adjacent to a length of the overlap jamb. The door panel is configured to pivot about the pivot axis between an open position and a closed position.
The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. For purposes of clarity, not every component can be labeled in every drawing. Understanding that these drawings depict only several implementations in accordance with the disclosure and therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings.
The various concepts introduced above and discussed in greater detail below may be implemented in any of numerous ways, as the described concepts are not limited to any particular manner of implementation. Examples of specific implementations and applications are provided primarily for illustrative purposes.
Referring generally to the Figures, the present disclosure relates to shower door systems for shower enclosures (e.g., bathing enclosures, shower space, showers, baths, etc. The shower door systems are configured to allow users to access the shower enclosure and to prevent undesired leaking of water from the shower enclosure. The shower door systems include a shower door that pivots (e.g., a pivot shower door, a pivoting shower door, a swinging shower door, etc.) out to an angle relative to a closed position when opened and a fixed panel adjacent to the pivot door. The shower door can be pivotably coupled (e.g., via a pivot hinge to a fixed member (e.g., a wall, a support, a frame, etc.). Pivot shower doors require adequate space for operation, and are typically provided in different configurations to accommodate various bathroom layouts. Bathroom layouts may be limited by room size, placement of bathroom fixtures (e.g., toilets, sinks, mirrors, accessories, faucets, bathtubs, lighting fixtures, vanities, etc.), walls, existing plumbing, accessibility, and/or aesthetic preferences. For example, in one bathroom layout, the arrangement of other bathroom fixtures may make it desirable for a shower door to be installed in a left entry orientation pivoting from the wall, while in another bathroom layout, space constraints may make it desirable for a shower door to be installed in a right entry orientation pivoting from the center of the shower door system. Generally, such configurations are available as separate products (e.g., stock keeping units (SKUs)) and/or include components that are specific, or unique, to a certain configuration. Thus, it would be advantageous to provide a shower door system that may be installed in a number of configurations to accommodate a wide range of bathroom layouts, and includes common components, thereby simplifying production and improving cost efficiency and/or reducing waste in manufacturing.
In some embodiments, the shower door system 100 includes a wall assembly 110, pivot members 120, a pivot door assembly 130, an overlap jamb 140, a strike jamb 118, and a fixed panel 150. The wall assembly 110 can be configured to mount the shower door system 100 to a shower enclosure. The wall assembly 110 is installed in a similar manner in each shower door system 100 configuration (ex. WL, CL, WR, CR, etc.). For example, the wall assembly 110 in the right center pivot configuration CR is the same as the wall assembly 110 in the left wall pivot configuration WL, the wall assembly 110 in the left center pivot configuration CL, and the wall assembly 110 in the right wall pivot configuration WR. The wall assembly 110 includes a header 112 extending across the top of the shower enclosure, a threshold 114 across the bottom of the shower enclosure, and wall jambs 116 connecting the header 112 and threshold 114 at opposite ends (ex. left, right), forming a substantially rectangular frame for the shower door system 100. The header 112 and the threshold 114 can stabilize, or support, the pivot door assembly 130, as well as ensure proper alignment. In some embodiments, the wall assembly 110 may be integrally formed. In some embodiments, the header 112, threshold 114, and wall jambs 116 are separate pieces coupled (e.g., fastened, threaded, welded, etc.) together. In some embodiments, the wall assembly 110 may omit one or more of the header 112, threshold 114, and wall jambs 116.
The pivot door assembly 130 includes a door panel 132. The pivot door assembly 130 may include a plurality of frame members 136 coupled to the outer edges, or outer perimeter, of the door panel 132, as well as an integrated handle 138 on a long edge (e.g., an edge running vertically along a height of the door panel) of the door panel. In some embodiments, the door panel 132 may be frameless, or the plurality of frame members 136 may be coupled to only a portion of the outer edges of the door panel 132. The pivot door assembly 130 and overlap jamb 140 may be installed in different locations within the wall assembly 110 to provide a desired configuration (ex. WL, CL, WR, CR). The fixed panel 150 is coupled to the wall assembly 110 at an end opposite the pivot door assembly 130. In some embodiments, the fixed panel 150 may be omitted. When the fixed panel 150 is omitted, the pivot door assembly 130 may still be installed in the left wall pivot configuration WL and the right wall pivot configuration WR.
The pivot door assembly 130 is coupled to the wall assembly 110 via the pivot members 120 and rotates about a vertical pivot axis defined by the pivot members 120 between a closed position and an open position. The end of the pivot door assembly 130 that is proximate the pivot axis defines a fixed end of the pivot door assembly, and the opposite end distal to the pivot axis defines the free end of the pivot door assembly 130. The free end of the pivot door assembly 130 opens outwards for a user to access the shower enclosure. The strike jamb 118 is installed such that in a closed position, a free end of the pivot door assembly 130 distal to the pivot axis contacts the strike jamb 118. In some embodiments, the angle measured between a plane defined by the fixed panel 150 and a plane defined by the pivot door assembly 130 is approximately zero in a closed position. As the pivot door assembly 130 opens, the angle between the plane defined by the pivot door assembly 130 and the fixed panel 150 increases. In some embodiments, when the pivot door assembly 130 is in a maximum open position, the pivot door assembly 130 may open to an angle of about 90 degrees. In some embodiments, the pivot door assembly 130 may open to an angle of greater than 90 degrees. In some embodiments, the wall assembly 110 may include one or more dampers or damping mechanisms to control the pivoting movement of the pivot door assembly 130. In some embodiments, the pivot door assembly 130 may be coupled to the shower enclosure without the wall assembly 110, for example, by coupling directly to walls of the shower enclosure.
The overlap jamb 140 is adjacent to, and parallel to, the pivot axis. The overlap jamb 140 may be configured to couple to a wall jamb 116, as shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The header 112 has a substantially linear shape and is fixedly coupled between horizontally parallel points of the shower enclosure via a mounting assembly. The header 112 extends across the top of a width of the opening of the shower enclosure and defines an upper perimeter and width of the wall assembly 110. In some embodiments, the header 112 may be made of separate pieces coupled (e.g., threaded, welded, brazed, etc.) together. The header 112 is coupled to wall jambs 116 on opposite ends (ex. left, right) of the header 112. The wall jambs 116 define the side perimeters and height of the wall assembly 110. The wall jambs 116 are substantially linear and disposed in the same plane as the header 112, perpendicular to the header 112, and are configured to couple to the walls of the shower enclosure. In some embodiments, the wall jambs 116 may be made of separate pieces coupled (e.g., threaded, welded, brazed, etc.) together. In some embodiments, as illustrated in
The shower door system 100 includes a pivot door assembly 130 placed within the wall assembly 110 and coupled to the wall assembly 110 by pivot members 120 including a header pivot assembly 122 and a threshold pivot assembly 124. In some embodiments, the header pivot assembly 122 or the threshold pivot assembly 124 may be omitted. The installation placement and orientation of the pivot door assembly 130 provide different configurations of the shower door system 100 (ex. WL, CL, WR, CR, etc.). For example, in
The pivot door assembly 130 includes a door panel 132. The door panel 132 may be formed of glass, such as tempered glass or laminated glass, or other rigid material (e.g., acrylic, wood, metal, plastic, etc.), or combination of materials. The door panel 132 may be provided in a number of thicknesses (e.g., 1/16 in., ⅛ in., 3/16 in., ¼ in., ⅜ in., ½ in., etc.) In some embodiments, the door panel 132 made of a transparent or translucent material. As illustrated in the Figures, the door panel 132 may be substantially rectangular. However, in other embodiments, the door panel 132 may be another shape. In some embodiments, the pivot door assembly 130 includes an integrated handle 138 coupled to the door panel 132 to provide a surface for a user to grasp to open and close the pivot door assembly 130 as they enter and exit the shower enclosure.
The door panel 132 may include a plurality of frame members (e.g., rails, supports, etc.) 136 coupled to the sides (e.g., top, bottom, right, left, etc.) of the door panel 132. The plurality of frame members 136 may surround the perimeter of the door panel 132 or surround only a portion of the door panel 132. In some embodiments, the door panel 132 and the plurality of frame members 136 may be provided pre-assembled. The plurality of frame members 136 may include channels or grooves to receive the door panel 132. The plurality of frame members 136 may be coupled to the door panel 132 by one or more fasteners (e.g., bolts, nuts, rivets, adhesive, etc.). The plurality of frame members 136 are made of a substantially rigid material or combination of rigid materials to support the door panel 132 and pivot door assembly 130. For example, the plurality of frame members 136 may be formed from a rigid such as metal (e.g., aluminum, brass, steel, etc.) or plastic. In some embodiments, the door panel 132 may be frameless. In some embodiments, a gasket, or seal may be provided between an interface of the shower door system 100 and the door panel 132, such as on the bottom edge of the door panel 132. A seal may be coupled (e.g., glued, bonded, press-fit, etc.) to a frame member 136 disposed on the bottom edge of the door panel 132 to prevent water or other fluids from leaking from the within the shower enclosure between the door panel 132 and threshold 114.
The pivot door assembly 130 contacts a strike jamb 118 in a closed position. More specifically, the free end of the pivot door assembly 130 contacts the strike jamb 118, when the door panel 132 is in a closed position. The strike jamb 118 is installed dependent on the desired configuration of pivot door assembly 130 such that strike jamb 118 is co-located with the free end of the door panel 132 in a closed position. For example, as seen in
The pivot door assembly 130 is coupled to the header 112 via a header pivot assembly 122. A portion of the header pivot assembly 122 is received within the header 112 and couples to the header 112 and the pivot door assembly 130. In some embodiments, as shown in
The pivot door assembly 130 is coupled to the threshold 114 via a threshold pivot assembly 124. A portion of the threshold pivot assembly 124 is received within the threshold 114 and couples to the pivot door assembly 130. The threshold pivot assembly 124 defines a pivot axis aligned with the pivot axis defined by the header pivot assembly. Similar to the header pivot assembly 122, the threshold pivot assembly 124 is configured to rotate the pivot door assembly 130 relative to the wall assembly 110.
The pivot axis defined by the pivot members 120 lies adjacent to, and substantially parallel to, an edge of the overlap jamb 140. In some embodiments, the pivot axis is an axis connecting the header pivot assembly 122 and the threshold pivot assembly 124. The overlap jamb 140 may be coupled to a wall jamb 116 or coupled to the fixed panel 150. The overlap jamb 140 is disposed proximate the fixed end of the pivot door assembly 130, opposite the strike jamb 118. As the overlap jamb 140 is shaped to couple to a wall jamb 116 or attach to the fixed panel 150, the shower door system 100 may be easily installed in different configurations (ex. WL, CL, WR, CR, etc.).
The overlap jamb 140 may be installed near the center of the wall assembly 110 and coupled to a frame member 136 of the pivot door assembly 130 in the right center pivot configuration CR of the shower door system 100. The strike jamb 118 is coupled to the wall jamb 116 proximate the free end of the pivot door assembly 130. In some embodiments, the strike jamb 118 is coupled to the threshold 114 by one or more mounting assemblies. A front surface 140a of the overlap jamb 140 is installed to face outwards from the shower enclosure, and the coupling surface 140b of the overlap jamb 140 faces the shower enclosure.
The shower door system 100 includes a fixed panel 150 adjacent to the pivot door assembly 130. The fixed panel 150 may be used to fully enclose the shower enclosure. In some embodiments, the fixed panel 150 may be omitted. The fixed panel 150 is disposed on a side of the overlap jamb 140 opposite the pivot door assembly 130. The fixed panel 150 is coupled to the header 112 on a top edge, one of the wall jambs 116 on a side edge, and the threshold 114 on a bottom edge. The remaining edge may be coupled to the strike jamb 118 or the overlap jamb 140, depending on the desired configuration. In some embodiments, the fixed panel may be coupled to the shower enclosure without one or more of the header 112, threshold 114, or wall jamb 116. The fixed panel 150 remains static in use. The fixed panel 150 may be formed of similar material to the door panel 132, and may have an appearance that is similar to, or, complementary to the door panel 132. The fixed panel 150 may be formed of glass (e.g., tempered glass, laminated glass, etc.), or other rigid material (e.g., acrylic, wood, metal, plastic, etc.), or combination of materials. In some embodiments, the fixed panel 150 is made of a transparent or translucent material. As illustrated in the Figures, the fixed panel 150 may be substantially rectangular. However, in other embodiments, the fixed panel 150 may be another shape.
As shown in
Referring to
The overlap jamb 140 includes a pivot end 141 and a fixed end 143 on the opposite end. The attachment member 144 and channel 147 are disposed at the fixed end 143 to receive the fixed panel 150 or couple to the wall jamb 116. The coupling surface 140b defines a distance L between the inner edge of the attachment member 145 and the pivot end 141 that allows for adjustment of spacing between the overlap jamb 140 and the pivot door assembly 130, or the spacing between the overlap jamb 140 and the wall jamb 116.
It should be noted that the term “example” as used herein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments.
Various numerical values herein are provided for reference purposes only. Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of properties, parameters, conditions, and so forth, used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” or “approximately.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification are approximations. Any numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. The term “about” or “approximately” when used before a numerical designation, e.g., a quantity and/or an amount including range, indicates approximations which may vary by (+) or (−) 10%, 5%, or 1%.
As will be understood by one of skill in the art, for any and all purposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” and the like include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member.
As utilized herein, the term “substantially” and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims.
The terms “coupled,” “connected,” and the like as used herein mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another.
It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, assembly and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the embodiments described herein.
While this specification contains implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any embodiment or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular implementations of particular embodiments. Certain features described in this specification in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
The present application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/599,713, filed Nov. 16, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63599713 | Nov 2023 | US |
