This invention generally relates to tub and shower enclosure. More particularly, this invention relates to a tub and shower enclosure including swappable accessory items.
A shower or tub will typically include accessory items such as soap dishes, towel racks and shampoo container holders for example. Conventional accessory items are permanently affixed to the tub or shower and are not changeable without potential damage to the tub and shower walls. Further, different permanently attached accessories typically require different mounting configurations that are adapted to the specific size and shape of that particular accessory. The many different shapes result in the inability to swap out or easily change accessory items.
Further, consumers often are hesitant to drill holes into the shower and tub stalls. Adhesives are not a desirable alternative as clean up and removal is most often difficult. Some after market alternatives utilize suction cups that do not harm the shower walls, but that do not provide a permanent steady look or feel. Currently available shower caddies and organizers are designed to mount in a number of ways including hanging over shower heads, hanging over glass walls, suction cups, glue on hooks, mechanically mounted hooks, poles that telescope between the tub floor and ceiling, or stand on the tub floor. Such after market accessory items have a generic look and feel that is not designed or built to provide a pleasing aesthetic appearance.
Accordingly, it is desirable to design and develop features for a shower and tub surround that provide for changing of various accessory items in a simplified manner.
An example shower assembly includes mounts for removable securing and supporting accessory items to a shower wall.
The example accessory item, such as for example a soap dish, is removeably fastened to a shower wall. The mounts are permanently attached to the shower wall and are spaced apart a set desired distance. Slots on the accessory item receive the mounts to support the accessory item firmly and substantially rigidly to the shower wall. Removal of the accessory item is accomplished by lifting the accessory item free of the mounts to allow installation of another accessory item as desired. Each of the accessory items include slots or other mating features corresponding to the mounts for removeably securing the accessory item to the shower wall.
Accordingly, many different accessory items can be selected and mounted within a shower assembly to provide a desired look and permanent feel, while still allowing removal and reinstallation of other desired accessory items.
These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.
The features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.
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The bracket 78 further includes a lip 82 that receives an edge of the wall board attached to the wall studs 76. The mounting bracket 78 includes a flange that is covered by drywall 84 in the final assembly. The drywall 84 overlaps the flange of the mounting bracket 78 along with flanges of the shower walls 88 to provide the desired look and mounting. The direct mounting of the mounting bracket 78 to the studs 76 provides for the support of accessories of substantial weight and size. Further, any load of the shower accessory is supported on the studs 76 and not supported by the shower walls 88.
Installation includes the step of securing the bracket 78 to the studs 76 such that a portion of the bracket 78 overlaps a portion of the shower wall 88. This is accomplished during a rough-in building phase after the shower wall 88 is installed, but before the final portion of wall board 84 is installed. Dry wall or other wall board 84 is then installed and fits over a portion of the bracket 78. The bracket 78 thereby extends from the studs 76 through a seam between adjacent the shower wall 88 and the wall board 84. The shower wall 88 is then assembled and attached over the wall board 84 and the bracket 78. The bracket 78 is thereby substantially permanently mounted to support the accessory 86.
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The second accessory 98 includes a mirror 102, several openings 104 for shampoo and other bottles, smaller openings 106 for shavers and other smaller objects, a covered compartment 108 for housing shower gels and the like that are dispensed at the push of a button. The second accessory 98 is supported by the arms 95 and fits within the slots 97. Further the accessory includes a clock radio 112 and additional openings 114 for still more objects for use in the shower. The recessed space 94 encourages a consumer to obtain more elaborate and larger shower accessories to fill the available space 94.
As should be appreciated, the shower accessory can include many different features to support various shower products and consumer desires. Each shower accessory is fit tightly and snugly against the shower wall to provide the look and feel of a permanent shower accessory, while providing for the swapping of new and updated shower accessories as needs and desires change.
Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.
The application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/792,863 that was filed on Apr. 18, 2006.
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International Search Report and Written Opinion mailed Aug. 21, 2007. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability mailed on Oct. 30, 2008. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20070240259 A1 | Oct 2007 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60792863 | Apr 2006 | US |