The present disclosure is directed to a shower door assembly and, in particular, a sliding shower door assembly having a bumper.
A sliding shower door assembly may include a bumper that is configured to prevent impact between a shower door and a stationary, structural object, such as a wall or other structural member of a bathroom or shower enclosure. Conventional bumpers are typically mounted either to a vertical surface that the shower door might otherwise engage, or are coupled to a vertical edge of the door itself. Such a bumper may, for example, be coupled using threaded or specialized fasteners and/or adhesive, which creates complexity to assembly and installation of the shower door assembly by requiring additional labor, tools, time, and knowledge, and also adds difficulty to replacing the bumper. Furthermore, bumpers are typically mounted within plain sight of a bather and can contribute to undesirable aesthetics.
According to an exemplary embodiment, a shower door assembly generally includes a frame, a door, and a bumper. The frame includes an upper frame member that is elongated and has a generally constant cross-section defining a channel therein. The door is configured to slide in a direction parallel with the channel. The bumper member is positioned generally within the channel of the upper frame member and is configured to limit movement of the door. The bumper member is coupled directly to the upper frame member by the upper frame member compressing at least a portion of the bumper member, or the bumper member compressing at least a portion of the upper frame member, or both.
According to another exemplary embodiment, a shower door assembly generally includes a frame, a door, and a bumper member. The frame includes an upper frame member that is elongated. The door is configured to slide along a path defined by the upper frame member. The bumper member includes a first surface and a second surface facing away from the first surface. The bumper is directly coupled to the upper frame member. The second surface of the bumper member is positioned adjacent to a stationary surface of a structure that is separate from and that is coupled to the upper frame member. The door is configured to slide into engagement with the first surface of the bumper member to compress the bumper member against the stationary surface.
According to yet another exemplary embodiment, a shower door assembly generally includes a frame, one or more doors, and a bumper. The frame includes a header. The one or more doors are supported by and slide parallel with the header. The bumper is coupled to the header. The bumper is press-fit into the header and is compressed by the header in a direction that is horizontal and transverse to movement of the door. The bumper is not compressed in a vertical direction by the header.
Referring generally to the FIGURES, disclosed herein is an exemplary embodiment for a sliding shower door assembly having a frame, one or more sliding doors, and a bumper member. The bumper member is coupled to an upper member of the frame with a press-fit relationship to overcome the aforementioned complexities associated with installation and/or replacement of conventional shower door bumpers. Furthermore, the bumper member may be positioned generally within the upper member to be at least partially hidden from view of a bather, so as to improve visual aesthetics as compared to previous shower door assemblies.
Referring to
As shown in
According to an exemplary embodiment, the frame 30 provides structural support for the doors 20a, 20b. The frame 30 also guides the doors 20a, 20b as they are moved by a bather to open and close the bathing enclosure 1. The frame 30 may be coupled to a structure of a building (e.g., floor, wall, ceiling, joists, etc.) and/or other stationary portions of the bathing enclosure 1 (e.g., shower receptor, tray pan, bathtub, wall panels, etc.). The frame 30 may also provide for water management of the enclosure 1 (e.g., to prevent water from escaping the shower enclosure).
Referring to
According to an exemplary embodiment, one of the upright frame members 50 is positioned on each side of the entry and extends upward from a portion of the shower receptor (e.g., threshold, curb, etc.) or bathtub (e.g., front wall, rim, etc.). The upright frame members 50 may each be coupled at a lower end thereof to the receptor or bathtub and/or to a structure of the building (e.g., in an alcove installation) or enclosure 1 (e.g., with fasteners, adhesive, and/or sealant materials).
According to an exemplary embodiment, the upper frame member 40 extends across the entry into the shower enclosure and is positioned, for example, above the threshold of the receptor or the front wall of the bathtub. The upper frame member 40 is coupled to upper ends of the upright frame members 50 to be supported above the entry.
According to other exemplary embodiments, the frame 30 may be configured in other manners. For example, the upright frame members 50 may instead or additionally be coupled at intermediate portions to the structure of the building or the enclosure 1, the upper frame member 40 may be instead or additionally be coupled to a structure of a home or building (with or without being supported by the upright frame members 50), the frame 30 may further include a lower, elongate frame member coupled to the upright frame members 50 and/or the shower receptor or bathtub (e.g., along the curb of the receptor or rim of the bathtub), and/or the frame 30 may not include the upright members 50 (i.e., the upper frame member 40 being coupled to and supported by structures of the building or enclosure 1).
According to an exemplary embodiment, the one or more doors 20a, 20b are each configured move translationally (e.g., slide, roll, etc.) within a generally horizontal path defined by the frame 30 and, in particular, by the upper frame member 40. The one or more doors 20a, 20b and upper frame member 40 may be further cooperatively configured, such that the doors 20a, 20b are suspended by the upper frame member 40, for example, with one or more slide assemblies or mechanisms 70.
According to an exemplary embodiment, each slide assembly 70 includes a slider 71 (e.g., wheel, roller, or low friction material) and an arm 72 (e.g., extension, member, etc.). The slider 71 movably engages (e.g., by rolling or sliding across), and may also be received within, the upper frame member 40. The arm 72 extends downward from the slider 71 and is coupled to one of the doors 20a, 20b.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the upper frame member 40 provides lateral support for the one or more doors 20a, 20b by preventing the upper ends of the doors 20a, 20b from being pushed rearward into the shower enclosure and/or forward away from the shower enclosure (i.e., forward being defined as the direction facing a bather prior to entry into the shower enclosure, and rearward being defined as the direction facing a bather positioned in the enclosure). For example, the arm 72 of the slider assembly 70 and/or an upper end of the doors 20a, 20b may be received and slide within a portion of the upper frame member 40. According to other exemplary embodiments, the doors 20a, 20b may not be suspended by the upper frame member 40, while the upper frame member 40 still provides lateral support.
According to one exemplary embodiment, the upper frame member 40 has a generally constant cross-sectional shape extending between a first end and a second end. The upper frame member 40 defines a generally U-shaped, downwardly open channel 41 in which the slide mechanism 70 of the one or more doors 20a, 20b is received, such that the doors 20a, 20b slides generally parallel with the channel 41. The upper frame member 40 includes an upper segment 42 (e.g., intermediate), a first or forward flange 43 (e.g., segment, extension, etc.) extending downward from the upper segment 42, and a second or rearward flange 44 (e.g., segment, extension, etc.) extending downward from the upper segment 42 that is spaced apart from the forward flange 43. The channel 41 is thus defined generally between the upper segment 42, forward flange 43, and rearward flange 44.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the forward flange 43 and rearward flange 44 are spaced apart so as to receive therebetween (i.e., within the channel 41) a portion of the slide assembly 70 and/or upper ends of the doors 20a, 20b. For example, the forward flange 43 may extend downward with a curvature bowing into the channel 41 (i.e., the channel 41 is slightly concave when viewed in cross-section) and the rearward flange 44 may extend straight downward from the upper segment 42 (e.g., at approximately a 90 degree angle). Configured in this manner, the forward flange 43 and rearward flange 44 have varying spacing therebetween at different elevations. According to another exemplary embodiment, the forward flange 43 and rearward flange 44 may, for example, extend generally vertical downward, so as to have generally constant spacing therebetween at different elevations. According to other exemplary embodiments, the forward flange 43 and rearward flange 44 may each be configured in other manners, including, for example by extending downward in a non-vertical direction, by not having generally constant spacing therebetween, and/or by being provided by separate upper frame members 40.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the upper frame member 40 is configured to suspend the one or more doors 20a, 20b (e.g., by way of the slider mechanisms 70) from within the channel 41. For example, the upper frame member 40 may include one or more inner tracks 43a, 44a configured to slidably receive thereon the slider 71 of the slide assembly 70. More particularly, a first or forward track 43a is an intermediately-positioned, inwardly-extending flange 43a (e.g., track, ledge, segment, etc.) that is coupled to and extends rearward from an intermediately-positioned portion (i.e., intermediate elevation) of the forward flange 43. A second or rearward track 44a is an intermediately-positioned, inwardly extending flange 44a (e.g., track, ledge, segment, etc.) that is coupled to and extends forward from an intermediately-positioned portion (i.e., intermediate elevation) of the rearward flange 44. The forward track 43a and rearward track 44a are spaced-apart and positioned across from each other, so as to allow the arms 71 of the sliding mechanisms 70 pass each other as the doors 20a, 20b are moved. The forward track 43a and rearward track 44a may further include a groove or recess 43b, 44b, respectively, in which the slider 71 is received, so as to prevent forward and/or rearward movement of the slide assemblies 70 and/or doors 20a, 20b relative to the upper frame member 40. According to other exemplary embodiments, the upper frame member 40 is configured to slidably receive and suspend only one door (or multiple doors that do not bypass each other) and includes only one track 43a or 43b.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the upper frame member 40 and upright members 50 are each a unitary (i.e., integrally formed as a single, continuous member), extruded aluminum member. According to other exemplary embodiments, the upper frame member 40 and/or upright members 50 are formed from multiple subcomponents (e.g., the forward track 43a and rearward track 44a are separately formed and are coupled to a U-shaped channel), other manufacturing processes (e.g., stamping, casting, rolling, etc. alone or in combination with extruding and/or each other), and/or other materials (e.g., other metals, such as stainless steel, polymers, composites, etc.), and the like.
Referring to
While the first and second surfaces 65, 66 of the bumper member 60 are depicted as being planar and parallel, according to other exemplary embodiments, the first and second surfaces 65, 66 of the bumper member 60 may have different configurations (e.g., non-planar contours, non-parallel relationships, etc.), for example, to accommodate differently-shaped structural surfaces (e.g., if the upright frame member 50 has a curved cross-sectional profile), differently-shaped door edge surfaces that impact the receiving surface of the bumper member 60, and/or for different dynamic characteristics (e.g., varying thickness to provide a varying spring constant with greater compression of the bumper member 60).
According to an exemplary embodiment, each bumper member 60 is configured to be coupled to the upper frame member 40, such that the second surface 66 of the bumper member 60 is held adjacent to, or bears against, the structural surface 50a (i.e., a surface of the upright frame member 50, or structure of the building or enclosure 1) without being attached to, or connected directly to, the structural surface.
According to an exemplary embodiment, each bumper member 60 is configured to be coupled to the upper frame member 40 with a press-fit relationship with at least a portion of the bumper member 60 being compressed by the upper frame member 40, or at least a portion of the upper frame member 40 being compressed by the bumper member 60, or both. According to another exemplary embodiment, portions of the bumper member 60 may be forced in tension when the bumper member 60 is coupled to the frame member 40. As used herein, the terms “compress,” “compressed,” “compressing,” “tension” and similar refer to applying compressive forces and tensional forces to a member or object with or without the object or member being deformed due to the compressive/tensional forces applied thereto. Configured in this manner, the bumper member 60 may be installed (i.e., coupled to the frame 30) without the use of separate fasteners, adhesives, or related tools and may further be easily removed for easy replacement (i.e., is releasably coupled).
According to various exemplary embodiments, the friction between the bumper member 60 and the upper frame member 40 (i.e., based on the coefficient of friction, interface area, and compressive/tensional forces in a direction transverse to movement of the door) would be insufficient, by itself, to prevent movement of the doors 20a, 20b. That is, the doors 20a, 20b would be able to move the bumper 60 relative to the upper frame member 40 if the bumper member 60 was not supported horizontally by an upright structural surface positioned on a side of the bumper member 60 opposite the doors 20a, 20b. For example, as shown in the figures, the peripheral surfaces of the bumper member 60 (i.e., thickness of the bumper member 60 as measured between the first and second surfaces 65, 66) are relatively narrow compared to the width of the first surface 65 (as measured, e.g., between first and second peripheral surfaces 61, 62 shown in
According to an exemplary embodiment, as shown in
Referring to
According to an exemplary embodiment, the forward slot 63 of the bumper member 60 is configured to receive the forward track 43a of the upper frame member 40, and the rearward slot 64 of the bumper member 60 is configured to receive the rearward track 44a of the upper frame member 40. Configured in this manner, the upper portion 60a and the lower portion 60c of the bumper member are configured to engage the forward track 43a and rearward track 44a, so as to limit vertical movement of the bumper member 60 relative to the upper frame member 40, and the intermediate portion 60b of the bumper member is configured to engage the forward and rearward tracks 43a, 44a, so as to limit horizontal movement of the bumper member 60 relative to the upper frame 40. According to other exemplary embodiments in which the upper frame member 40 includes only one of the tracks 43a, 44a, the bumper member 60 may include only one of the slots 63, 64, or may still include both slots 63, 64.
Furthermore, each of the slots 63, 64 may be offset or biased toward an upper end of the bumper member 60, such that the lower portion 60c of the bumper has a greater height than a distance between the forward track 43a and/or rearward track 44a and the upper segment 42. In this manner, the bumper member 60 can be installed in the frame member 40 with only one vertical orientation (i.e., about a horizontal plane extending through the bumper member 60). According to other exemplary embodiments, the slots 63, 64 may be approximately centered along the height of the bumper member 60, or offset toward a lower end of the bumper member 60.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the upper portion 60a of the bumper member 60 is configured to be press-fit into the upper frame member 40. More particularly, the upper portion 60a of the bumper member 60 has an uncompressed width (i.e., the spacing between the upper, upright portion 61a of the forward peripheral surface 61 of the bumper member 60 and the upper, upright portion 62a of the rearward peripheral surface 62) that is greater than the spacing between the first flange 43 and second flange 44 of the upper frame member 40 at corresponding elevations (e.g., those above the first and second tracks 43a, 43b). Configured in this manner, the upper portion 60a of the bumper member 60 is compressed in a direction that is transverse (e.g., generally normal, or perpendicular) to the direction of travel of the doors 20a, 20b (e.g., compressed in a generally horizontal forward/rearward direction). For example, as shown in
According to an exemplary embodiment, the lower portion 60c of the bumper member 60 is configured to be press-fit into the upper frame member 40. More particularly, the lower portion 60c of the bumper member 60 has an uncompressed width (i.e., the spacing between the lower, upright portion 61e of the forward peripheral surface 61 of the bumper member 60 and the lower, upright portion 62e of the rearward peripheral surface 62) that is greater than the spacing between the first flange 43 and second flange 44 of the upper frame member 40 at corresponding elevations (e.g., those below the first and second tracks 43a, 44a). Configured in this manner, lower upper portion 60c of the bumper member 60 is compressed in a direction that is transverse (e.g., generally normal, or perpendicular) to the direction of travel of the doors 20a, 20b (e.g., compressed in a generally horizontal forward/rearward direction). For example, the lower portion 60c of the bumper member 60 may have a generally constant width (e.g., extending parallel upward from a lower portion of the peripheral surface of the bumper member 60) at different heights or elevations thereof regardless of whether the first and second flanges 43, 44 of the upper frame member 40 have constant spacing therebetween at corresponding heights or elevations. According to other exemplary embodiments, the lower portion 60c of the bumper member 60 may have a varying width at different heights or elevations thereof, for example, being tapered or contoured in manners corresponding to the profile of corresponding portions of the first and second flanges 43, 44.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the width of the lower portion 60c of the bumper 60 is less than the width of the upper portion 60a. Differing widths may, for example, accommodate different spacing between corresponding portions of the first and second flanges 43, 44 and/or may provide for different compressive forces applied to the upper and lower portions 60a, 60c of the bumper 60 by the upper frame member 40. Furthermore, the respective widths of either or both the upper and lower portions 60a, 60c may be less than the spacing between the first and second flanges 43, 44 at corresponding elevations, such that either or both the upper and lower portions 60a, 60c do not engage and/or are not compressed by the flanges 43, 44. According to other exemplary embodiments, the upper and lower portions 60a, 60c have the same widths.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the bumper member 60 is configured to compress at least a portion of the forward track 43a and/or the rearward track 44a between the upper portion 60a and lower portion 60c of the bumper member 60 in the slot 63 and/or slot 64, respectively. The forward slot 63 has a height or spacing (i.e., between the upper, lateral portion 61b of the forward peripheral surface 61 and the lower, lateral portion 61d) over at least a portion thereof that is nominally, or in a non-deflected state, less than the thickness or height of a corresponding portion of the forward track 43a, such that the forward track 43a is compressed between the upper portion 60a and the lower portion 60c of the bumper member 60. Instead, or additionally, the rearward slot 64 has a height or spacing (i.e., between the upper, lateral portion 62b of the forward peripheral surface 62 and the lower, lateral portion 62d) over at least a portion there of that is in nominally, or in an non-deflected state, less than the thickness of a corresponding portion of the rearward track 44a, such that the rearward track 44a is compressed between the upper portion 60a and the lower portion 60c of the bumper member 60 in a generally vertical direction.
According to an exemplary embodiment, portions of the upper and lower portions 60a, 60c are resilient and configured to be compressed as one or more of the slots 63, 64 are pressed around the forward and/or rearward track(s) 43a, 44a. For example, the slot(s) 63, 64 may have a height or spacing that is less than the thickness of a corresponding portion of the forward and/or rearward track(s) 43a, 44a, and as the track(s) 43a, 44a are pressed into the slot(s) 63, 64, portions of the upper and lower portions 60a, 60c may be compressed. Thus, the height of the slot(s) 63, 64 is increased or expanded in order to accommodate the track(s) 43a, 44a.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the intermediate or middle portion 60b of the bumper member 60 is configured to be compressed between the forward track 43a and the rearward track 44a of the upper frame member 40. The forward slot 63 and the rearward slot 64 have a spacing therebetween (i.e., between the intermediate, upright portion 61c of the forward peripheral surface 61 of the bumper member 60 and the intermediate, upright portion 62c of the rearward peripheral surface 62) over at least portions thereof that is nominally, or in an uncompressed state, greater than a distance between inner ends of the forward track 43a and the rearward tack 44a, such that the intermediate portion 60b of the bumper member 60 is compressed between the forward track 43a and the rearward track 44a in a generally horizontal direction. That is, the intermediate portion 60b of the bumper member 60 is compressed in a direction that is generally normal or perpendicular to the direction of travel of the doors 20a, 20b (e.g., horizontally in the forward/rearward direction) between the forward track 43a and the rearward track 44a of the upper frame member 40.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the slots 63, 64 of the bumper member 60 are configured similarly relative to their corresponding peripheral surfaces 61, 62 (i.e., in shape, height, width, positioning and orientation relative to upper and lower edges of the bumper member 60, etc.). Configured in this manner, the bumper member 60 (e.g., the first and/or second surface 65, 66) is generally symmetric about a vertical plane and may be installed into the upper frame member 40, such that either the first or second surface acts as the receiving surface to the doors 20a, 20b. Advantageously, this allows for bumper members 60 of a single design to be installed on either end of the upper frame member 40 while maintaining proper orientation of the receiving surfaces relative to the doors 20a, 20b. According to other exemplary embodiments, the slots 63, 64 may have different configurations, which correspond to features of the upper frame member 40 (e.g., profile, tracks 43a, 44a, etc.), such that the bumper member 60 may be installed within the channel 41 of the upper frame member 40 in only a single orientation. According to still further exemplary embodiments, the bumper 60 may be reversible (e.g., such that the bumper 60 may be installed in the upper frame member 40 for either the first or second surface 65, 66 to receive and engage the edge or corner of one of the doors 20a, 20b) and/or symmetric about two planes (e.g., two vertical, perpendicular planes when installed) or three perpendicular planes.
As shown in
According to various exemplary embodiments, the bumper member 60 includes additional features that are configured to engage the upper frame member 40. For example, as shown in
Referring now to
While the first surface 65a of the bumper member 90 is depicted as being planar, according to other exemplary embodiments, the first surface 65a of the bumper member 90 may have a different configuration (e.g., non-planar contours, etc.), for example, to accommodate differently-shaped structural surfaces (e.g., if the upright frame member 50 has a curved cross-sectional profile), differently-shaped door edge surfaces that impact the receiving surface of the bumper member 90, and/or for different dynamic characteristics (e.g., varying thickness to provide a varying spring constant with greater compression of the bumper member 90).
Referring now to
According to an exemplary embodiment, the first and second surfaces 65a, 66a of the bumper member 90 are generally parallel with each other, such that the bumper member 90 has a generally constant thickness. While the first and second surfaces 65a, 66a of the bumper member 90 are depicted as being generally parallel, according to other exemplary embodiments, the first and second surfaces 65a, 66a of the bumper member 90 may have different configurations (e.g., non-parallel relationships, etc.).
Referring still to
According to an exemplary embodiment, one or more fasteners (e.g., a screw, bolt, rivet, etc.) are coupled to the structural surface 50a of the frame member 50. In particular, the fasteners are coupled to a portion of the structural surface 50a which is adjacent to (e.g., bordered with) the open channel 41. According to an exemplary embodiment, each fastener includes a head which extends intend the open channel 41. According to an exemplary embodiment, one or more divots 69 are coupled to the frame member 50 via one or more fasteners. For example, the divots 69 are configured to be received by a head of each fastener. For example, the fasteners and the divots 69 may be cooperatively configured such that the fasteners may be press-fit within the divots 69. Advantageously, the engagement (e.g., interaction) between the divots 69 and the fasteners maintains the bumper member 90 in a fixed (e.g., stationary) relationship relative to the frame member 50.
Referring further to
Referring now to
Referring now to
It should be noted that the previously described press-fit configurations between the bumper member 60 and frame member 40 may be used independently or in combination with each other. For example, the upper portion 60a, intermediate portion 60b, and/or lower portion 60c may each be configured to have a press-fit relationship with corresponding portions of the upper frame member 40, and the forward track 43a and/or rearward track 44a may each be configured to have a press-fit relationship with corresponding portions of the bumper member 60 (e.g., in slots 63, 64), either singularly or in combination with each other.
Also, it should be noted that the geometries and dimensions of the bumper member designs disclosed herein are not limited to what is shown in the FIGURES. For example, a bumper member could include a perimeter that is generally circular (e.g., cylindrical), and one or more flanges, projections, or protrusions may extend outwardly from such a bumper member in order to couple to (e.g., engage, interact, etc.) features of a frame member of a shower enclosure.
Further, it should be noted that although the bumper members disclosed herein may couple to the frame of a shower enclosure (e.g., the frame member 40), it should be understood that the bumper member designs disclosed herein may be coupled to features of a side frame (e.g., the upright frame members 50, or a wall jam). For example, the frame members 50 may include one or more flanges (e.g., members, projections, protrusions, etc.) which extend outwardly from the structural surface 50a, and are configured to engage the slots 17, 18, 63, 64.
Also, although the bumper members disclosed herein are generally positioned proximate an upper corner of the shower enclosure frame (e.g., proximately where the upper frame 40 is coupled with the upright frame members 50), it should be understood that one or more bumper members may be coupled to the shower frame at any height in order to engage the shower doors 20a, 20b at a particular location/height. For example, according to an exemplary embodiment, a bumper member may be coupled to a lower, elongate frame member. According to another exemplary embodiment, a bumper member may be coupled to a middle portion of an upright frame member 50, between the top frame member 40 and a lower frame member. According to another exemplary embodiment, a bumper member may be coupled to a lower portion of an upright frame member 50, proximate a lower frame member.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the bumper member 60 is a unitary, injection molded, homogeneous thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material. According to other exemplary embodiments, the bumper member 60 may comprise separately formed pieces or a combination of materials that are coupled together (e.g., a rigid plastic, metal, or composite structure element that is overmolded with, coextruded with, or otherwise coupled to a more compliant and/or resilient polymeric material, layered members, etc.), may be made according to other manufacturing methods (e.g., stamping, extruding, cutting, etc., alone or in combination with injection molding), may be made from a non-homogenous material (e.g., fiber reinforced material), other materials (e.g., ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), other rubber or polymer materials), and the like.
As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “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 to the precise numerical ranges provided. 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.
It should be noted that the term “exemplary” as used herein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).
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.
References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.
It is important to note that the construction and arrangement as shown for the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, 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. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the bumper member designs disclosed herein may provide a minimalist design, such that fasteners are concealed from the view of a bather, and the number of surfaces of the bumper member which are exposed to the view of a bather are kept to a minimum. Advantageously, this design may improve the aesthetics of the enclosure 1. Further, the bumper member designs disclosed herein provide a generally planar surface that a shower door 20a, 20b may engage. Advantageously, because the first surfaces 65, 65a are generally planar, the force of a shower door 20a, 20b is distributed across a greater area of the bumper members 60, 90. As a result, the durability and longevity of the bumper members 60, 90 and the shower doors 20a, 20b may be increased.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/874,785, filed Sep. 6, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61874785 | Sep 2013 | US |