Modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system

Abstract

A modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system and a multiunit system of interconnected units with common walls includes a floor base with raised flooring with drainage, four posts attached to the floor base, two side wall panels connected to the posts by panel assemblies and one back wall connected to the rear posts. A panel assembly includes upper and lower tracks and two sets of opposing track connectors to connect the tracks to the posts. The lower track and each of the lower track connectors have at least one weep opening for water drainage. A front top brace connects the left and right front posts. A door is hingedly connected to either the left or right front post and has a lock mechanism for locking the door.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/653,578 filed on 16 Dec. 2009 by the same inventor herein and entitled “MODULAR INTEGRATED OUTDOOR LOCKER WITH ENHANCED CAP, AND SYSTEM” which is itself a continuation-in-part of now abandoned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/587,689 filed on 9 Oct. 2009 by the same inventor herein and entitled “MODULAR INTEGRATED OUTDOOR LOCKER AND SYSTEM”.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

a. Field of Invention

The present invention generally relates to individual locker units and serial locker units that are useful as “dry” locking outdoor changing rooms, “wet” locking outdoor changing rooms, separate water/shower (as, e.g., with a garden hose or hand-held shower wand) locking outdoor changing rooms, plumbed (with permanent shower) locking outdoor changing rooms, or any combination thereof. Thus, the present invention devices are both outdoor lockers and shower stall systems, based on modular construction that provide for units with waterproof components and with infinitely expandable linking capabilities utilizing common wall panels between units. By “outdoor” is meant a locker that can withstand outdoor elements, and thus may be utilized indoors or outdoors. The present invention units also provide for upper and lower ventilation while preventing intrusion and provide for hidden weep holes to inhibit collection of rainwater, thus preventing stagnation, water damage, etc. The present invention units and systems may further include enhanced roof caps, also known as locker caps, with aerodynamically enhanced surfaces, particularly having sections in at least two different planes. For some preferred units, at least three different plane sections may be utilized for the caps.

b. Description of Related Art

The following patents are representative of the field pertaining to the present invention:

U.S. Pat. No. 6,499,817 B2 to Richard B. Jermain describes a locker comprised of a first side wall having an interlocking portion, a second side wall having a first interlocking portion engaging the interlocking portion of the first side wall and a second interlocking portion, and a third side wall having an interlocking portion engaging the second interlocking portion of the second side wall. A coin receptacle, coin receptacle locking mechanism, a shelf and a door for the locker are also disclosed. A method of manufacturing a locker is also provided. The method comprises cutting a first wall from a first material to a desired length, cutting a second wall from the first material to the desired length, cutting a third wall to the desired length, and slidingly engaging the first, second and third walls. A method for limiting access to a locking mechanism is also provided, which comprises positioning the locking mechanism adjacent an inward facing surface and fastening the locking mechanism to the locker.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,759 B2 to Mu-Chuan Hsu describes a detachable cabinet comprised of a bottom plate including four slots each on a corner, two spaced wells on the rear side, and a projection on the corner at the front side. A pair of side plates each includes two bottom pegs, a front longitudinal groove, an abutment member clung onto the front longitudinal groove, a rear longitudinal groove, and two spaced studs on the top. A rear plate includes two spaced studs on the bottom and on the top. A top plate includes six apertures on the bottom side and a slot on a front corner at the bottom side. A front door includes a projection on the top at the side opposite to a handle and a slot on the bottom on the same side as the projection of the door. A number of configurations are possible. Further, the cabinet is easy to assemble and is sturdy.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,660 to Thomas A. Tisbo et al. describes a cabinet which includes a pair of spaced apart opposingly oriented, molded side panels, a molded rear panel disposed between the side panels at first edges thereof and joined thereto, a molded top panel disposed at an uppermost edge of the side and rear panels, a molded base panel in spaced, opposing relation to the top panel, disposed at a bottommost edge of the side and rear panels and a pair of pivotal, molded front door panels disposed in opposing relation to the rear panel and between the side panels and pivotally joined thereto. The cabinet includes corner support posts positioned at at least two corners that extend between the base panel and the top panel. The posts that traverse through and join the respective side panels with the door panels define front corners forming pintles defining axes for pivoting the door panels relative to the side panels. The cabinet includes clamping members for securing the posts to the top and base panels, through the cabinet corners. The cabinet includes shelves and bins that are height adjustable that slide along rails formed in the cabinet side panels.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,931,553 to Roth Cohen describes an injected plastic cabinet comprising a top, a bottom, a back wall, and left and right side walls being connected together, forming a box having a front opening, and at least one door element being hingedly connected to at least one of the left and right side walls for covering the front opening, wherein each of the back wall, left and right side walls and each of the door elements is at least 160 centimeters in height and is a product of a single plastic injection.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,646 to James Hwang describes a movable storage cabinet which includes a base plate, two lateral side plates fixed to the base plate by hooks provided at the bottom of the side plates, a rear backing plate which is held in a groove in the base plate, and a top plate fixed to the side and rear backing plate by engagement components extending through holes in the top plate to engage engaging stubs on the side plates and rear backing plate. A pivotable door closes the front of the movable storage cabinet. The engaging components include each include an engaging stub in the shape of a hollow cylinder, the bottom of which is secured to the top plate, and a shank of which is inserted into the central hole of an engaging stub on one of the side or backing plates. A positioning rod is insertable through the central hole in the outer sleeve of the hollow cylinder to lock the engaging stub within the outer sleeve, thereby locking the top plate to the side or backing plates.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,806 to Alan P. Keisling et al. describes a locker which comprises plastic panels and connectors on the edges of the panels for a snap together assembly that can be knocked down for shipment. A swing open front door plastic panel is also provided which preferably has a plastic hinge and plastic latch mechanism.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,415 to Thomas A. Tisbo et al. describes a storage locker constructed of recyclable thermoplastic that utilizes insertion tabs and sockets molded into the sides, top, bottom, front and side panels for permanent interlocking without the need of conventional fasteners. The storage locker is assembled on site by inserting the tabs of the appropriate panel into the socket receptacles of an adjoining panel. Assembly of a basic locker requires snap attachment of the side walls to the top and bottom panel. A front frame, preassembly with a hinged door panel, is snap attached to the structure to complete the assembly wherein the structure is available for mounting directly to a wall. For a stand alone locker assembly, a perforated rear panel is available for attachment to the rear of the locker by use of locker pins. The rear panel provides aeration and allows various hook placement for hanging items. Shelves are available in either fixed or adjustable disposition. Sides, top, and bottom panels include provisions for attaching additional lockers in a stacked or gang configuration.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,489 A to Yigal Zadok describes an enclosure for a room, patio, or the like made of modular parts that hide from view all fasteners and other functional parts. The parts include upstanding regular posts, corner posts, open back posts, horizontal beams and chair rails, as well as door frames, door jambs, door sweeps, and other parts required for an enclosure construction. Aesthetic cover members are snap-fittingly engaged to the modular parts and confronting pairs of the cover members, in a first embodiment, are very closely spaced to one another to accommodate a screen between them. In second and third embodiments, the confronting cover members have larger spaces between them to accommodate opaque, translucent, or transparent panels of about one-half inch and three-quarter inches, respectively.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,974,608 A to Kenneth R. Grearson describes a panel wall construction using box-tee sheet metal shapes wherein the panels may be inserted in channels of the sheet metal shape or clips may be inserted in slots between the channels of the sheet metal shapes to hold the panels. These same shapes may be used for mullions, base sills and top caps thereby producing a panel wall system wherein no screw-type fasteners are required to hold the panels in place. The disclosed panel wall construction provides a very light weight construction which has great flexibility with respect to panel thickness and width as well as great flexibility of design to accommodate wind loadings.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,324 to Krusec et al describes a panel unit for roof drainage comprising plural panel sections with adjoining ones of the plural panel sections connected to be foldably collapsed on one another into a storage (e.g., transport) unit. In one embodiment, the panel sections are connected together for folding, e.g., by a hinge. Roofing saddles and roofing crickets of the present invention are formed using one or more sets of panel units. Sets of panel units are fabricated to have essentially the same footprint on the roof, although a lastly installed one of the sets of panel units is modified on site. A method of installing a roofing saddle comprised of the panel units is also provided.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,749,199 A to John B. O'Conner describes a locker comprising a front frame including opposed vertical front frame members, an upper cross member, a bottom cross member and legs, and a pair of side panels secured to the free sides of said front frame members, a rear panel secured to said side panels, a bottom secured to said side panels and to said rear panel, door means secured to one of the front frame members for closing the front of said locker, the upper cross member of said front frame being formed with an inwardly extending horizontal flange and an upwardly extending front flange, and a top tying in an inclined plane and slanting forwardly, the forward position of said top having a flange within the front flange of the upper cross member of the front frame with its bottom edge resting upon the horizontal flange of said cross member, said top having downwardly extending side flanges and inwardly extending rear flanges, and a pair of triangular side members having their upper and rear edged secured to the flanges of said top, the bottom horizontal edge of said triangular side members being slotted to provide outwardly extending tongues, the bottom edges of said triangular members lying inside of the upper edges of said side panels and the tongues lying outside of the upper edges of said side panels, and fastening means for securing the upper edges of said side panels to the lower edges of said triangular side members.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,698,860 B2 to Hockemeyer et al describes an Emergency Isolation and Treatment Shelter (EITS) deck system constructed from a multiple of deck unit modules. Each deck unit module includes four adjustable leg assemblies attachable together by a lower truss between each leg assembly so as to support a deck surface panel. The size of the deck unit module defines the modularity of the EITS. Each leg assembly includes a primary leg, an intermediate leg, and a screw foot each in telescopic relationship. Each leg assembly may be telescoped independently to provide a level deck surface irrespective of the underlying terrain.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,503,550 B2 to Normal William Liefke describes an enclosed fence railing set including a set of posts with tips and fixing components for an upper beam and lower beam on both sides thereof. The fence railing set also includes a set of beams including an upper beam and a lower beam wherein the upper beam and lower beam match the fixing components and wherein there are railings between the sets of beams. A set of stakes are provided for fixing the posts. Each of the stakes includes a tube extending upwardly from the stake and a plate separating the stake and tube with a number of holes in the plate.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,133,772 A to Arthur Brandes et al describes a locker comprising a front frame including a pair of spaced upright members and at least one horizontal cross member connected between said upright members, each cross member being of general channel form and including an outer web carrying a first flange and a second flange in spaced relation, said first flange having a bent portion displaced inwardly toward the web of the cross member and upwardly, said displaced being spaced from the second flange, side panel members connected to said front frame, and a horizontal partition member having a portion disposed between the flanges of the cross member and resting upon said displaced portion of said first flange, and means securing said horizontal partition member to the second flange and to at least one of said panel members whereby weight of the partition member is distributed between said flanges of the cross member.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,526,902 B2 to Green et al describes a framing system for mounting flexible sheets of material, such as screening in an opening in a wall or porch including U-shaped channels, or lineals, having at least one external built-in groove for receiving a spline strip for holding an edge of the sheet in place in the groove. Four lineals define a rectangular opening over which the sheet is stretched and then secured in place by jamming its edges into the external spline grooves of the surrounding four lineals with the spline strips to hold the sheet in place. Universal fasteners hold the lineals to the porch walls. The universal fasteners also have alignment grooves on their upper surface, lower surface or both of these surfaces that are useful for receiving an alignment string or wire to align a series of the fasteners across a surface so that they are in line to receive and accurately align a single lineal or multiple lineals arranged end to end.

United States Patent Application No. 2006/007569 to Amy E. Yates describes a playground roofing system, for use in protecting sections of a playground system, having a support structure and a molded frame structure. The frame structure is molded to appear as the soffits, fascia and gutters of a real roof, and includes an interior perimeter that has means to connect the frame structure to a molded roof section. The molded roof section is designed to provide a theme to the roof and is interchangeable such that different themes can be quickly effected by releasing and removing the first roof section and replacing it with a second, differently themed, roof section. The roofing system is designed to permit the attachment and removal of the roof section from within the interior perimeter of the frame so that an installer need not have to climb above the roof section to install the roof section.

United States Patent Application No. 2007/005670 to Brooker et al describes composite panels and pulp, and paper products of the pulp, produced from Arundo donax. In the fabrication of the composite panels, Arundo donax is comminuted to a suitable size, combined with a binder, and consolidated into panels that meet standards for construction and/or furniture grade panels. The Arundo donax particulates may be combined with wood particulates to produce a mixed furnish that can be used in the preparation of composite panels. Comminuted Arundo donax is treated, in conventional pulping processes, to produce a high tensile strength pulp that can be used in the production of paper. The pulp has a lighter color than wood pulp, and thereby uses less bleaching chemicals to achieve a desired whiteness. The pulp can be combined with wood pulp to produce a variety of products.

Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is neither taught nor rendered obvious thereby.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention is a modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system. The present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system includes: a) a floor base, the floor base including a frame, raised flooring positioned atop the frame, and a plurality of post attachment means, each post attachment means positioned on the frame and having at least one fastener attachment hole and at least one weep hole, the varied flooring having a plurality of drainage articles thereon, b) four posts, each of the four posts being corner posts and being attached to the floor base, one of each of the posts being a front left post, a front right post, a rear left post and a rear right post; c) two opposing side wall panels, each of the side wall panels having a top, a bottom and sides; each of the side wall panels being connected to the posts to create locker sides and the one back wall being connected to the rear posts to create a locker back, each of the side wall panels being connected to the posts by panel assemblies, the back wall being selected from the group consisting of a wall panel with panel assemblies and of a preexisting wall to which the system is attached; d) two panel assemblies connected to the posts and the back wall, one for each of the opposing side walls, each of the panel assemblies including an upper track for encompassing and positioning a top of a panel, a lower track for encompassing a bottom of a panel, the lower track having at least one weep opening for water drainage therefrom, and each of the panel assemblies having two opposing upper track connectors and two opposing lower track connectors for connecting the upper tracks and lower tracks, respectively, to the posts, wherein the upper track connectors and the lower track connectors are opposing U-shaped connectors, and the upper track connectors and the lower-track connectors are identical and include at least one screw hole for attachment to one of the posts and at least one screw hole for attachment to one of the panels; e) a front top brace connecting a top area of the left front post to a top area of the right front post; and, f) a door hingedly connected to one of the left front post and the right front post and having a lock mechanism for locking the door.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system, the side wall panels are plastic panels selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic, cellular polyvinyl chloride, cellular urethane and wood-plastic composite, and wherein the floor base frame is a hollow frame.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system, the raised flooring is a plurality of floorboards and the drainage orifices are drainage openings between the adjacent floorboards.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system, the raised flooring is a single floor member having a plurality of draining orifices therein.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system, the one back wall is a back panel and a third panel assembly connecting the back panel to the rear posts.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system, the posts have a rectangular footprint and have vertical recesses and are tubular hollow posts wherein the posts are extruded posts and the aluminum extruded posts are powder coated aluminum extruded posts.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system, at least one of the panels includes at least one plumbing fixture orifice.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system, the U-shaped connectors each have one central screw hole for attachment to one of the posts and have one screw hole for attachments to one of the panels.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system, the lock is selected from the group consisting of a handle set lock, a cam lock, a tee lock, a paddle lock and a thumb turning lock.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system, the system further includes a cap member atop the posts and connected to the posts, the cap member having at least three sections, each of the three sections being in a separate plane from the others, one section being downwardly tapered forwardly from back to front, two sections being downwardly tapered outwardly to a side wall panel, and the cap member having a back nape.

The present invention is a modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system. The present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system includes: a) a floor base, the floor base including a frame, raised flooring positioned atop the frame, and a plurality of post attachment means, each post attachment means positioned on the frame and having at least one fastener attachment hole and at least one weep hole, the varied flooring having a plurality of drainage articles thereon; b) at least six posts, four of the at least six posts being corner posts, one of each corner post being a front left post, a front right post, a rear left post and a rear right post, at least one of the at least six posts being a front center post and at least one of the at least six posts being a rear center post; c) two opposing side wall panels and one back wall, each of the two side wall panels having a top, a bottom and sides; each the two opposing side wall panels being connected to the corner posts to create locker sides and the back wall being connected to the rear posts to create a locker system back, each of the panels being connected to the posts by panel assemblies; d) a plurality of panel assemblies connected to the posts and the back wall, one for each of the two opposing side wall panels, each of the panel assemblies including an upper track for encompassing and positioning a top of a panel, a lower track for encompassing a bottom of a panel, the lower track having at least one weep opening for water drainage therefrom, and each of the panel assemblies having two opposing upper track connectors and two opposing lower track connectors for connecting the upper tracks and lower tracks, respectively, to the posts, wherein the upper track connectors and the lower track connectors are opposing U-shaped connectors and wherein the upper track connectors and lower track connectors are identical and include at least one screw hole for attachment to one of the posts and at least one screw hole for attachment to at least one of the panels; e) at least two front top braces connecting a top area of the left front post a top area of a center post and connecting to a top area of the right front post; and, f) at least two doors hingedly connected to one of the left front post, the right front post and the center post and below a front top brace, and having a lock mechanism for locking each of the at least two doors.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system, the side wall panels are plastic panels selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic, cellular polyvinyl chloride, cellular urethane and wood-plastic composite, and wherein the floor base frame is a hollow frame.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system, the raised flooring is a plurality of floorboards and the drainage orifices are drainage openings between the adjacent floorboards.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system, the raised flooring is a single floor member having a plurality of draining orifices therein.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system, the one back wall is at least two back panels and at least two panel assemblies connecting the at least two back panels to the rear posts.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system, the posts have a rectangular footprint and have vertical recesses on four sides adapted to receive and position upper track connectors and lower track connectors, and wherein the posts are extruded aluminum posts and the aluminum extruded posts are powder coated aluminum extruded posts.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system, at least one of the panels includes at least one plumbing fixture orifice.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system, the U-shaped connectors each have one central screw hole for attachment to one of the posts and have one screw hole for attachments to one of the panels.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system, the system further includes at least a cap member atop the posts and connected to the posts, the cap member having at least three sections, each of the three sections being in a separate plane from the others, one section being downwardly tapered forwardly from back to front, two sections being downwardly tapered outwardly to a side wall panel, and the cap member having a back nape.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system, the floor base has a rectangular footprint, and the posts are arranged in a configuration selected from the group consisting of (i) a rectangular configuration with side-by-side locker units; (ii) a rectangular configuration with the posts arranged in a two row rectangular configuration, creating two rows of back-to-back units; (iii) a U-shaped configuration, creating two parallel rows of separated units connected by a row of units at right angles to the two parallel rows; (iv) an L-shaped configuration, creating two rows of units at right angles to one another; and (v) combinations thereof.

Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is an oblique view of an embodiment of a present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system to the present invention with a four section cap member and an open door;

FIG. 1B is an oblique view of an embodiment of a present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system according to the present invention with a three section cap member and an open door;

FIG. 1C is an oblique view of an embodiment of a present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system without a cap member;

FIG. 1D is an oblique view of an embodiment of a present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system with a louvered roof member;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the floor base of FIG. 1 with flooring removed;

FIG. 3 is a side cut view of the floor base of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a post with base mount for connection to the post mounts of the floor base;

FIG. 5 is an oblique view of a panel used in the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top view of U-shaped track connector employed in a present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system;

FIG. 7A is a front view of a lock mechanism spacer used in some embodiments of the present invention and FIG. 7B is a top view thereof;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a panel, panel assembly and posts illustrating how the components are connected;

FIG. 9 is a front view of a modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system with the door removed;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system of FIG. 9 with the door attached;

FIG. 11 is a front view of a modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system with shelving, hooks and towel racks mounted inside the locker;

FIG. 12 is an oblique view of a four plane cap member of the modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the footprint of a modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system comprised of two lockers connected by a common frame member to form a row of lockers;

FIG. 14 is a top view of the foot print of a modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system comprised of four lockers connected by four common frame members to form back to back rows of lockers;

FIG. 15 is a top view of the footprint of a modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system comprised of four lockers connected by three common frame members to form an “L” shaped row of lockers;

FIG. 16 is a top view of the footprint of a modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system comprised of seven lockers connected by six common frame members to form a “Z” shaped row of lockers;

FIG. 17 provides an oblique view of another embodiment of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system which uses an existing wall structure in place of a back panel;

FIG. 18 provides a top view of the footprint of a modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system comprised of four lockers connected by two common wall panels and a common fixed back wall;

FIG. 19 provides an oblique view of another embodiment of the present invention outdoor locker and shower stall system which has a Spanish style cap and split interior;

FIG. 20 provides a top view of the footprint of a modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system comprised of nine lockers in three rows with a common fixed back wall;

FIG. 21 provides a top view of a modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system and a common fixed back wall;

FIG. 22 provides a top view of a modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system in a rectangular configuration with side-by-side doors and using an existing wall structure in place of a back panel;

FIG. 23A provides a top view of a modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system configured in two rows of back-to-back units with a four piece composite cap and a common back panel;

FIG. 23B provides an exploded top view of the four piece composite cap of FIG. 23A better illustrating the four individual pieces that form the cap;

FIG. 24 provides a top view of a modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system with an enhanced cap in a U-shaped configuration;

FIG. 25 provides a top view of a modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system in a L-shaped configuration; and,

FIG. 26 provides a top view of a modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system formed from a combination of the U-shaped and L-shaped configurations of FIG. 24 and FIG. 25.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system has numerous features that offer improved functionality over prior art. The present invention is developed for outdoor use, such as for outdoor swimming pools, athletic fields, marinas, yacht clubs, beach clubs and other generally physically active environments. As such, it must be able to withstand the elements, especially rain, winter elements and high winds. The present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall systems are modular and may be easily and efficiently assembled and may be used as dry” locking outdoor changing rooms, “wet” locking outdoor changing rooms, separate water/shower (as, e.g., with a garden hose or hand-held shower wand) locking outdoor changing rooms, plumbed (with permanent shower) locking outdoor changing rooms, or any combination thereof. Thus, the present invention devices are both outdoor lockers and shower stall systems, based on modular construction that provide for units with waterproof, high durability interchangeable components and with infinitely expandable linking capabilities utilizing common wall panels.

Further, inferior bathhouse changing rooms, outdoor lockers and other structures have a single plane roof or cap may be exposed to strong side winds that get under the caps and/or cap eaves to create strong upward forces that can pull the caps away from the main structures. The present invention outdoor locker and shower stall systems have optional, but preferred multi-planar caps that deflect side winds upwardly to create downward forces, there by maintaining structural integrity in strong winds.

FIG. 1A through FIG. 12 provide multiple views of modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall systems which comprise the present invention. It is adapted to be quickly and easily built where it will be placed, while being strong enough to endure the effects of outdoor use or outdoor exposure, such as high wind and rain.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C.

FIG. 1A presents an oblique view of outdoor locker and shower stall system 10 with an enhanced cap 90 and door 17 open to provide an interior view. Outdoor locker 10 includes a floor base 20, front right post 1, rear right post 3, rear left post 5 and front left post 7, two opposing side wall panels 9 and 13, back panel 11, panel assemblies 30, 40, 50 and 70, front top brace 15, door 17 and cap 90.

Opposing side wall panels 9 and 13 and back wall panel 11 are located above floor base 20 to create air gap 23 and allow air to flow under the panels. Door 17 is connected to the front left post 7 by hinge 19, although door 17 may be connected to front right post 1 depending on the application. Hinge 19 should be constructed out of a rust proof material such as stainless steel. The internal locking mechanism 21 is visible with door 17 open and should be constructed out of rust proof materials such as stainless steel. The floor base 20 is described in more detail below, but has some critical features: the floor base has a frame that elevates flooring and the flooring allows for drainage. Thus, the flooring may be a plurality of floorboard sections arranged in any desired pattern, but with drainage orifices, in this case drainage cracks or spaces between one or more of the floorboards. Alternatively, the flooring could be other materials, such as synthetic or natural flooring, but with drainage capabilities, e.g., composite flooring with a plurality of pieces, or a single piece with drainage orifices formed or drilled therein.

Some of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall systems have roofs (“caps”) while some do not. In this FIG. 1A, optional but preferred cap 90 has four planar surfaces to direct incoming wind upwardly over cap 90. This creates downward forces to maintain the structural integrity of outdoor locker 10 in strong winds. More detail for cap 90 is provided in FIG. 12 below.

FIG. 1B presents an oblique view of an embodiment of outdoor locker 12 with an enhanced cap 80 and door 17 open to provide an interior view. Outdoor locker 12 includes a floor base 20, front right post 1, rear right post 3, rear left post 5 and front left post 7, two opposing side wall panels 9 and 13, back panel 11, panel assemblies 30, 40, 50 and 70, front top brace 15, door 17 and cap 80.

Opposing side wall panels 9 and 13 and back wall panel 11 are located above floor base 20 to allow create air gap 23 and allow air to flow under the panels. Door 17 is connected to the front left post 7 by hinge 19, although door 17 may be connected to front right post 1 depending on the application. Hinge 19 should be constructed out of a rust proof material such as stainless steel. The internal locking mechanism 21 is visible with door 17 open and should be constructed out of rust proof materials such as stainless steel.

Cap 80 is a three planar pyramid to direct incoming wind upwardly over cap 80. The two side planes of cap 80 are symmetrical and at identical pitches, while the front plane may be at an identical pitch or have a unique pitch. More details for the individual parts of outdoor locker 10 are provided below.

FIG. 1C presents an oblique view of a present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system 14, with like components of FIGS. 1A and 1B identically numbered. In this embodiment, there is no cap, as an open top 94 may be used, as desired.

FIG. 1D presents an oblique view of a present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system 16, with like components of FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C identically numbered. In this embodiment, there is no cap, but instead a louvered top 96. This may be opened for sunlight and/or enhanced drying, or closed to eliminate sunlight and reduce exposure to the elements, as desired.

In the above embodiments, the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall systems are shown here to be stand alone units with four walls. However, the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system could have two walls and a front, and utilize an existing structure as its back wall or one side wall. In these arrangements, the back posts or a back post and a side post could be connected to the existing structure, for example. Alternatively, cross braces or short brackets could be connected to the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall systems and attached to the existing structures. Any available attachment method may be used without exceeding the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 2 provides a top view of floor base 20. The footprint of floor base 20 is defined by frame 25. In the current embodiment, frame 25 is a hollow tube. By “tube” is meant an elongated hollow member with a closed loop end view footprint. This footprint (and therefore the tube) could have any cross sectional shape—circular, oval, rectangular, square, polygonal, irregular or otherwise, but tubes with flat surfaces are preferred to ease the assemblage of the components. Thus, in this embodiment, the floor base frame 25 is a rectangular tube, i.e., a rectangle formed out of hollow box material, such as box steel or extruded aluminum, although other footprints and materials may be selected according to the application. Frame 25 is braced in the corners by support members 27, 29, 31 and 33 to improve the strength of the frame 25. Support members 27, 29, 31 and 33 each have holes 92, 94, 96 and 98 drilled centrally along them. Post attachment means 41, 35, 37 and 39 are located at the corners of frame 25 and include threaded bolt hole sets 130, 100, 110 and 120. Weep holes 82, 84, 86 and 88 are centrally located on post attachment means 41, 35, 37 and 39 to allow adequate water drainage. Individual post members, as described below, can be attached to the post attachment means 41, 35, 37 and 39 using threaded bolt hole sets 130, 100, 110 and 120 respectively. The post attachment means 41, 35, 37 and 39 and threaded bolt hole sets 130, 100, 110 and 120 are designed to reflect the base of the individual post members, which are further described below. Frame 25 has elevated lips 43, 45, 47 and 49 around the perimeter to aid in positioning flooring 51, as described below in FIG. 3, atop the frame 25.

FIG. 3 provides a side cut view of floor base 20 as described above in FIG. 2 with the addition of flooring 51 positioned atop frame 25. Cross sectional areas 55 and 53 clearly illustrate the use of hollow box steel in frame 25. FIG. 3 also serves to illustrate the height of lips 43, 45 and 47. Flooring 51 is shown partially atop frame 25 to illustrate the use of the lips 43 and 47 to position flooring 51. In use, flooring 51 would span between elevated lips 45 and completely cover frame 25. It can be seen here that flooring 51 utilizes a plurality of floorboards, such as cedar, ipe or other wood, or composite boards, such as polymer/wood chip blend extrusions. These floorboards are intentionally spaced apart to create drainage cracks or orifices therebetween. Spacers or wedges may be used to align and evenly space these floorboards during installation.

FIG. 4 provides an oblique view of front right post 1. Front right post 1 is an extruded aluminum post, which may be powder coated to provide a desired finish. The top opening 59 created during extrusion on front right post 1 can clearly be seen in FIG. 4. At the bottom of front right post 1 is the post base 57, adapted to attach to floor base 20 described above. Threaded bolt hole set 140 will line up with the matching threaded bolt hole set 100, 110, 120 or 130 on the post attachment means 35, 37, 39 or 41 shown above to allow front right post 1 to securely be attached to the floor base 20. Because this post is a hollow box tube-type member, it has four identical sides 61, 63, 65 and 67, as shown. These sides 61, 63, 65 and 67 are adapted and positioned at right angles to receive the U-shaped connectors for attaching tracks and wall panels, described below. All posts 3, 5 and 7 used in the construction of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker in the above Figures are identical to front right post 1.

FIG. 5 provides an oblique view of opposing side wall panel 9. Opposing side wall panel 9 is constructed out of thermoplastic, cellular polyvinyl chloride, cellular urethane, or a wood-plastic composite to provide adequate strength and durability to the outdoor locker. Opposing side panel 9 is defined as having a top 73, bottom 75, and sides 77 and 79. Top 73 and bottom 79 are sized to next into panel assemblies 30 and 40 as described below. The above description also applies to opposing side wall panel 13 and back panel 11.

FIG. 6 provides a top view of a U-shaped track connector 91. It includes connector sides 147 and 161 and connector back 131. This is a top view with the inside of the unit shown generally as space 145 and the outside of the unit as outdoors 143. The U-shaped connector has its side 161 drilled with screw orifice 151 and its back 131 drilled with screw orifice 153. Post 139 is shown in a partial cut view and has four sides, with sides 133, 135 and 137 shown. U-shaped connector 91 is attached thereto at side 133 via screw orifice 153 with screw 141, or other fastener. Lower track 155 for receiving and supporting a wall panel is attached to connector side 157 via screw orifice with screw 149, which may be extended and also affix a wall panel, not shown. Note that screw 149 is positioned above inside space and is thus hidden from the outside view of the system. In this embodiment, minimum fasteners are used with minimum exposure.

FIG. 7A is a front view of a lock mechanism spacer 169 used in some embodiments of the present invention and FIG. 7B is a top view thereof. The spacer has a C-shape with a specific contour to essentially trace the supporting frame of a lock and handle. It has a bottom section 163, a vertical side 165 and a top section 167. FIG. 7B establishes top 171 of top section 167 as having a predetermined thickness. When using thin structural door panels, the spacer 169 enables construction of the system with heavier duty lock/handle mechanisms that require the extra thickness to function properly.

FIG. 8 provides an exploded view of an upper panel assembly 40, lower panel assembly 30, side wall panel 9, rear right post 1 and front right post 3, illustrating the connections between all members. Lower panel assembly 30 is formed by lower track 87, U-shaped connectors 91 and 93 and screws (or other fasteners) not shown. Lower track 87 has a plurality of weep holes 89 along it to aid in draining moisture from panel 9. The plurality of weep holes 89 are shown in dotted outline due to the fact that they are not normally visible from the perspective provided by FIG. 8. Similar to lower panel assembly 30, upper panel assembly 40 is formed by upper track 81, U-shaped connectors 83 and 85 and fasteners (screws) not shown.

To assemble the above described components, reference is first made to the above discussion for and the details shown in FIG. 6 above. The various U-shaped connectors 83, 85, 91 and 93 are fastened to their respective posts as shown. The posts may have strategically positioned predrilled starter holes to position and start the fasteners. Lower track 87 can then be nested into the U-shaped connectors 91 and 93 to form a lower panel assembly 30 connected to front right post 1 and rear right post 3 with the side screw holes of the U-shaped connectors and screws. Side wall panel 9 can then be inserted into the lower track 87 of lower panel assembly 30. Upper track 81 fits over the free end of panel 9 as shown and nests into the U-shaped connectors 83 and 85 and these may then be screwed together at the U-shaped connector side holes. This same method can be applied to opposing side wall panel 13 and back panel 11 as described above.

FIG. 9 through FIG. 10 provide multiple front views of a modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system. FIG. 9 shows outdoor locker 10 with door 17 removed to provide an unobstructed view of the back panel 11. Front right post 1 and front left post 7 are connected to floor base 20 as described above. Front top brace 15 is located between front right post 1 and front left post 7 to provide support to outdoor locker 10. Back panel 11 is attached to lower panel assembly 50 as described above, creating an air gap 23 for ventilation. The cap 90 is atop front right post 1 and front left post 6 and connected thereto. From the front view, the pitch of side planes of cap 90 is well illustrated.

FIG. 10 depicts outdoor locker 10 with the door 17 hingedly connected to front left post 7 and secured shut by locking mechanism 105 which should be constructed out of rust proof materials such as stainless steel. Outdoor locker 10 is formed as described above for FIG. 9. Door 17 runs from the floor base 20 nearly to the front top brace 15, and is adapted to rotate about the connected post, in the current embodiment from left post 7, although door 17 can similarly be connected to front right post 1. Door 17 is located above floor base 20 to create an air gap 23 to permit ventilation of outdoor locker 10. Door 17 has a locking mechanism 105, which may be a handle lock set, a cam lock, a tee lock, a paddle lock, a thumb turning lock, or a flush locking latch and should be constructed out of rust proof materials such as stainless steel. As shown, locking mechanism 105 is a cam lock that locks when rotated.

FIG. 11 adds a number of accessories to the interior of outdoor locker 810. Front right post 801 and front left post 807 are connected to floor base 820 as described above. Front top brace 815 is located between front right post 801 and front left post 807 to provide support to outdoor locker 810. Bottom rear brace 850 supports back panel 11. Shelf 823 is shown as a horizontal flat rectangle running along back panel 811 between front right post 801 and front left post 807. Shelf 823 serves as additional storage space and effectively divides outdoor locker 810 into two interior sections. Hanger hooks 825 and 803 and towel racks 897 and 899 are mounted in paired sets inside outdoor locker 810 to increase the functionality thereof. Other accessories, such as benches or seats, may be placed inside outdoor locker 810 depending on the application. Cap 890 is attached atop front right post 801 and front left post 807 and formed from four planar surfaces, although only one is visible. The pitch of the two side planar surfaces of cap 890 is well illustrated in the front perspective view.

FIG. 12 provides an oblique view of an enhanced cap 90. The cap 90 is formed by four planar surfaces; front plane 108, back plane 107, right side plane 114 and left side plane 112. Front plane 108 and back plane 107 have the same dimensions are both at the same pitch. The side planes 112 and 114 do not necessarily have the same dimensions or pitch as front and back planes 107 and 108, although it is possible for all planes to have the same pitch and dimensions. The pitch of each plane 107, 108, 112 and 114 of cap 90 force incoming wind upwardly over the cap 90 to create down forces in strong wind.

Cap 90 is connected to front post connectors 109 and 111 and rear post connectors 113, of which only one is visible in the current view. The post connectors 109, 111 and 113 are adapted to securely mount cap 90 atop the corner posts 1, 3, 5 and 7 of outdoor locker 10.

The present invention also provides for a modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system comprised of multiple outdoor lockers. FIG. 13 through FIG. 16 provide top views of various outdoor locker and shower stall system configurations with the caps, panels, assemblies and flooring removed. The weep holes (not shown) in the post attachment means are the same as described in FIG. 2.

FIG. 13 depicts a top view footprint of an outdoor locker and shower stall system 200. Outdoor locker system 200 is formed by two side to side locker frames 201A and 201B, which are formed as described above with one notable exception. Locker frames 201A and 201B are connected in a single row and share a common frame member 203. This common frame member 203 allows the resulting locker system 200 to use a single wall panel (not shown) as a shared central wall. While outdoor locker system 200 is shown with two locker frames 201A and 201B, the principle can be extended indefinitely to create a single row locker system of any length.

FIG. 14 depicts a top view footprint of outdoor locker and shower stall system 210. Outdoor locker and shower stall system 210 is formed by four locker frames 205A, 205B, 205C and 205D which are formed as described above with one exception. Locker frames 205A, 205B, 205C and 205D are connected in two rows with shared central frame members 207A, 207B, 207C and 207D. A first row is formed by locker frames 205A and 205B with common frame member 207A as described above in FIG. 13. A second row is similarly formed by locker frames 205C and 205D with common frame member 207D. Locker frames 205B and 205D share a common frame member 207B and locker frames 205A and 205C share a common frame member 207C. The above described outdoor locker system 210 can be extended to create a two rowed outdoor locker system of any length.

FIG. 15 depicts a top view footprint of an outdoor locker and shower stall system 220. Outdoor locker system 220 is formed by four locker frames 209A, 209B, 209C and 209D which are formed as described above. Locker frames 209A, 209B, 209C and 209D are connected in a single L-shaped row with shared central frame members 211A, 211B and 211C. Such a formation could be useful for wrapping an outdoor locker system 220 around a corner.

FIG. 16 depicts a top view footprint of an outdoor locker and shower stall system 230. Outdoor locker system 230 is formed by seven locker frames 213A, 213B, 213C, 213D, 213E, 213F and 213G which are formed as described above. Locker frames 213A, 213B, 213C, 213D, 213E, 213F and 213G are connected in a single row with two bends, forming a “Z” shaped row with shared central frame members 215A, 215B, 215C, 215D, 215E and 215F. Shared central frame members 215A, 215B, 215C, 215D, 215E and 215F allow for a reduction in the number of required frame members and wall panels used in constructing outdoor locker and shower stall system 230.

In addition to the outdoor locker and shower stall system footprints described above, additional configurations can be achieved using combinations of the same principles to fit individual application needs.

FIG. 17 provides an oblique view of another embodiment of the present invention outdoor locker 310 with an enhanced cap 390 using a fixed wall 323. The outdoor locker 310 is comprised of floor base 320, front right post 301, rear right post 303, rear left post 305 and front left post 307, two opposing side wall panels 309 and 313, panel assemblies 330, 340 and 370, front top brace 315, door 317 and cap 390. Cap 390 is formed from three planar surfaces since a cap similar to cap 90 from FIG. 12 could cause water to collect by fixed wall 323 because the pitch of back plane 107. A three plane cap such as cap 390 prevents water from collecting between cap 390 and fixed wall 323. Door 317 is connected to the front left post 307 by hinge 319. The door 317 may be connected to front right post 301 depending on the application. The internal locking mechanism 321 is visible on door 317 with door 317 open as shown. Outdoor locker 310 also includes a bench 324 to improve the functionality. A half shelf 325 is located between opposing side wall panels 309 and 313 to provide additional storage space, and welded hooks 327 are attached to fixed wall 323 below half shelf 325 to allow users to hang items.

Unlike previous embodiments described in above, no back panel is used in the present outdoor locker 310. In the present embodiment, outdoor locker 310 is placed along a fixed wall 323, which connects to rear left post 305 and rear right post 303 to function as the back wall of outdoor locker 310. This reduces the build materials required by the outdoor locker 310 and allows for the surface of the fixed wall 323 to be seen from inside outdoor locker 310.

FIG. 18 provides a top view of a modular integrated outdoor locker 410 comprised of a first row of outdoor lockers 420 and a second row of outdoor lockers 430 which share a common fixed back wall 401. The cap has been removed from the outdoor locker system 410 in order to provide an improved view of the locker system's 410 shared components. The first row of outdoor lockers 420 is defined by opposing side wall panels 403 and 409, shared wall panels 405 and 407, doors 419, 421 and 423 and fixed back wall 401. Similarly, the second row of outdoor lockers 430 is defined by opposing side walls 411 and 413 and door 425. Opposing wall panels 403, 405, 407, 409, 411 and 413 and doors 419, 421, 423 and 425 are located atop flooring 415 and 417 with sufficient spacing to allow air to flow through the outdoor locker system 410. Wall panels 405 and 407 are common panels shared in the first row of outdoor lockers 420. Fixed back wall 401 is shared by the first row of outdoor lockers 420 and second row of outdoor lockers 430. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the number of individual outdoor lockers described in FIG. 18, but the principles can be applied to create individual rows of outdoor lockers of any desired length.

FIG. 19 presents an oblique view of an alternate embodiment of outdoor locker 510 with two doors 517 and 521 open to provide an interior view and a Spanish style cap 590. Outdoor locker 510 includes a floor base 520, front right post 501, rear right post 503, rear left post 505 and front left post 507, two opposing side wall panels 509 and 513, back panel 511, panel assemblies 530, 540, 550 and 570, front top brace 515 and Spanish style cap 590.

Opposing side wall panels 509 and 513 and back wall panel 511 are located above floor base 520 to create an air gap 523. Doors 517 and 521 are connected to the front left post 507 by stainless steel hinge 519, although doors 517 and 521 may be connected to front right post 501 depending on the application. Doors 517 and 521 are capable of opening independently of each other and can both be locked by locking mechanisms 525 and 527. By allowing doors 517 and 521 to operate independently of each other, it allows access to both interior sections of locker 510, as divided by shelving 529. The internal locking mechanisms 525 and 527 are visible with doors 517 and 521 open. Spanish style cap 590 has four tiled planar systems that are pitched to direct incoming wind over Spanish style cap 590 to create downward forces which aid in maintaining the structural integrity of outdoor locker 510 in strong winds.

FIG. 20 provides a top view of the footprint of a modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system 610 comprised of three rows of lockers 601, 603 and 605 with common fixed back wall 607 and 609. First row of outdoor lockers 601 is defined by side wall panels 611, 613, 615 and 617, doors 635, 637 and 639 and fixed back wall 607. Side walls 613 and 615 are shared common walls as described above. Second row of outdoor lockers 603 is formed in the same manner as described above, with side wall panels 619 and 625, shared side walls 621 and 623, doors 641, 643 and 645 and fixed back wall 609. Third row of outdoor lockers 605 is formed in the same manner as described above, with side wall panels 627 and 633, shared side walls 629 and 631, doors 647, 649 and 651 and fixed back wall 609, which is shared with second row of outdoor lockers 603. This configuration allowed for a single outdoor locker system 610 to share multiple fixed walls 607 and 609 and wall panels 613, 615, 621, 623, 629 and 631.

FIG. 21 provides a top view of the outdoor locker and shower stall system 610 from FIG. 20 with caps 681, 683 and 685 in place. The location of shared wall panels 613, 615, 621, 623, 629 and 631 are indicated by dotted lines to show the individual locker units of outdoor locker system 610. Cap 681 has three planar surfaces 667, 661 and 671. Side planar surfaces 667 and 671 have identical dimensions and are at the same pitch, while front planar surface 661 is at a pitch that is not necessarily the same as the pitch of side planar surfaces 667 and 671. Cap 601 uses fixed back wall 607 as a back section.

Cap 683 has two planar surfaces, side planar surface 663 and bottom planar surface 673. Cap 683 makes use of fixed back walls 607 and 609 as part of the locker structure. Similarly, cap 685 has side planar surface 665 and bottom planar surface 669 and makes use of fixed back walls 607 and 609 as part of the locker structure. All three caps 681, 683 and 685 are designed to force incoming wind upward, creating down forces that maintain structural integrity of the outdoor locker system 610 in strong winds.

FIG. 22 provides a top view of an outdoor locker and shower stall system 710 with a cap 701 attached. Outdoor locker system 710 is oriented in a side-by-side configuration so that the doors (not shown) all open outwardly on the same side of outdoor locker system 710. Fixed back wall 707 is used as a structural member of outdoor locker system 710. The location of shared wall panels is indicated by dotted lines 713 and 715 to illustrate the individual locker units of outdoor locker system 710. Cap 701 has three planar surfaces; side planar surfaces 761 and 765 and front planar surface 763. Side planar surfaces 761 and 765 have identical dimensions and are at the same pitch, while front planar surface 763 has its own dimensions and pitch, although these may be identical to the dimension and pitch of side planar surfaces 761 and 765.

FIG. 23A provides a top view of an outdoor locker and shower stall system 860 and FIG. 24B provides an exploded top view of outdoor locker and shower stall system 860 to better illustrate the four cap pieces 851, 853, 855 and 857 that come together to form one composite cap of outdoor locker and shower stall system 860. The location of shared wall panels are indicated by dotted lines 859, 861, 863, 865, 867, 869, 871 and 873 to illustrate how outdoor locker and shower stall system 860 is partitioned. Outdoor locker and shower stall system 860 is configured in two back-to-back rows of individual units as defined by the shared side panels. When the four component cap pieces 851, 853, 855 and 857 are connected as shown in FIG. 23A, the resulting composite cap has four planar surfaces similar to the cap described in FIG. 12 above.

FIG. 24 provides a top view of an outdoor locker and shower stall system 910 with an enhanced cap 901. Outdoor locker and shower stall system 910 is a U-shaped configuration as illustrated in FIG. 24, with the location of shared wall panels being indicated by dotted lines 903, 905, 907, 909, 911, 913, 915 and 917. Cap 901 has five planar surfaces; front planar surface 902, side planar surfaces 904 and 906 and back planer surfaces 908 and 912. The side planar surfaces 904 and 906 have the same dimensions and pitch. Front planar surface 902 has its own dimensions and pitch, although this pitch may be the same as the pitch of side planar surfaces 904 and 906. Back planar surfaces 908 and 912 have identical dimensions and pitch, with the pitch being the same as the pitch of front planar surface 902. Cap 901 is designed such that incoming wind is directed upward and the resulting downward forces maintain the structural integrity of outdoor locker system 910 in strong winds.

FIG. 25 provides a top view of an outdoor locker and shower stall system 920 with an enhanced cap 919. Outdoor locker and shower stall system 920 is in an L-shaped configuration as illustrated in FIG. 25, with the location of shared wall panels being indicated by dotted lines 921, 923, 925, 927 and 929. Cap 919 has four planar surfaces, front planar surface 924, back planar surface 928, right side planar surface 926 and left side planar surface 922. In this embodiment, front planar surface 924 has a pitch that is equivalent to the pitch of back planar surface 928. Left side planar surface 922 has the same dimensions as back planar surface 928 and is pitched the same as right side planar surface 926. The pitches of the planar surfaces 922, 924, 926 and 928 of cap 919 force incoming wind upward to create downward forces to aid in maintaining the structural integrity of outdoor locker and shower stall system 920 in strong winds.

FIG. 26 provides a top view of an outdoor locker and shower stall system 930 with an enhanced cap 931. The outdoor locker and shower stall system 930 is oriented in an H-shape formed from a combination of the U-shape and L-shape configurations described above in FIG. 24 and FIG. 25. The location of shared wall panels is indicated by dotted lines 933, 935, 937, 939, 941, 943, 945, 946, 949 and 951. These shared wall panels divide the outdoor locker and shower stall system 930 into individual locker units. Cap 930 is formed from six planar surfaces; front left planar surface 932 and front right planar surface 936, back right planar surface 940 and back left planar surface 942 and left side planar surface 934 and right side planar surface 938. The front left planar surface 932, front right planar surface 936, back right planar surface 940 and back left planar surface 942 are all at the same pitch. The dimensions of front left planar surface 932, back right planar surface 940 and back left planar surface 942 are all identical in the present embodiment although it is not required that they be identical. Left side planar surface 934 and right side planar surface 938 both have the same pitch, which may be the same as the pitch of the other surfaces or unique to the left side planar surface 934 and right side planar surface 938. Cap 931 is designed so that incoming wind is directed upward to create downward forces that aid in maintaining the structural integrity of outdoor locker and shower stall system 930 in strong winds.

To summarize, the present invention thus provides a modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system consisting of at least two outdoor lockers. The modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system of the present invention consists of a floor base, posts, panels, a panel assembly for each panel, a back wall, a front top brace, a door hingedly connected to one of the posts, a lock mechanism on the door and a cap member atop the posts. The outdoor locker and shower stall system is adapted to provide air to flow over and under the panels and the cap is designed to direct incoming wind upwardly, creating downward forces which aid in maintaining the structural integrity of the outdoor locker and shower stall system in strong winds.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those particular embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. While developed for outdoor use or outdoor exposure, it should be understood that the present invention can be used in any environment, such as a school, sports club or any other environment where lockers are employed.

Claims

1. A modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system, which comprises:

a) a floor base, said floor base including a frame, raised flooring positioned atop said frame, and a plurality of post attachment means, each post attachment means positioned on said frame and having at least one fastener attachment hole and at least one weep hole, said varied flooring having a plurality of drainage orifices thereon;

b) four posts, each of said four posts being corner posts and being attached to said floor base, one each of said posts being a front left post, a front right post, a rear left post and a rear right post;

c) two opposing side wall panels, each of said side wall panels having a top, a bottom and sides; each of said side wall panels being connected to said posts to create locker sides and said one back wall being connected to said rear posts to create a locker back, each of said side wall panels being connected to said posts by panel assemblies, said back wall being selected from the group consisting of a wall panel with panel assemblies and of a preexisting wall to which said system is attached;

d) two panel assemblies connected to said posts and said back wall, one for each of said opposing side wall panels, each of said panel assemblies including an upper track for encompassing and positioning a top of a panel, a lower track for encompassing a bottom of a panel, said lower track having at least one weep opening for water drainage therefrom, and each of said panel assemblies having two opposing upper track connectors and two opposing lower track connectors for connecting said upper tracks and lower tracks, respectively, to said posts, wherein said upper track connectors and said lower track connectors are opposing U-shaped connectors, and said upper track connectors and said lower-track connectors are identical and include at least one screw hole for attachment to one of said posts and at least one screw hole for attachment to one of said panels;

e) a front top brace connecting a top area of said left front post to a top area of said right front post; and,

f) a door hingedly connected to one of said left front post and said right front post and having a lock mechanism for locking said door.

2. The modular integrated locker and shower stall system of claim 1 wherein said side wall panels are plastic panels selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic, cellular polyvinyl chloride, cellular urethane and wood-plastic composite, and wherein said floor base frame is a hollow frame.

3. The modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system of claim 1 wherein said raised flooring is a plurality of floorboards and said drainage orifices are drainage openings between said adjacent floorboards.

4. The modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system of claim 1 wherein said raised flooring is a single floor member having a plurality of draining orifices therein.

5. The modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system of claim 1 wherein said one back wall is a back panel and a third panel assembly connecting said back panel to said rear posts.

6. The modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system of claim 1 wherein said posts have a rectangular footprint and have vertical recesses and are tubular hollow posts wherein said posts are extruded aluminum posts and said aluminum extruded posts are powder-coated aluminum extruded posts.

7. The modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said panels includes at least one plumbing fixture orifice.

8. The modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system of claim 1 wherein said U-shaped connectors each have one central screw hole for attachment to one of said posts and have one screw hole for attachments to one of said panels.

9. The modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system of claim 1 wherein said lock is selected from the group consisting of a handle set lock, a cam lock, a tee lock, a paddle lock and a thumb turning lock

10. The modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system of claim 1 further including a cap member atop said posts and connected to said posts, said cap member having at least three sections, each of said three sections being in a separate plane from the others, one section being downwardly tapered forwardly from back to front, two sections being downwardly tapered outwardly to a side wall panel, and said cap member having a back nape.

11. A modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system having at least two connected units, which comprises:

a) a floor base, said floor base including a frame, raised flooring positioned atop said frame, and a plurality of post attachment means, each post attachment means positioned on said frame and having at least one fastener attachment hole and at least one weep hole, said varied flooring having a plurality of drainage articles thereon;

b) at least six posts, four of said at least six posts being corner posts, one of each corner post being a front left post, a front right post, a rear left post and a rear right post, at least one of said at least six posts being a front center post and at least one of said at least six posts being a rear center post;

c) two opposing side wall panels and one back wall, each of said two side wall panels having a top, a bottom and sides; each said two opposing side wall panels being connected to said corner posts to create locker sides and said back wall being connected to said rear posts to create a locker system back, each of said panels being connected to said posts by panel assemblies;

d) a plurality of panel assemblies connected to said posts and said back wall, one for each of said two opposing side wall panels, each of said panel assemblies including an upper track for encompassing and positioning a top of a panel, a lower track for encompassing a bottom of a panel, said lower track having at least one weep opening for water drainage therefrom, and each of said panel assemblies having two opposing upper track connectors and two opposing lower track connectors for connecting said upper tracks and lower tracks, respectively, to said posts, wherein said upper track connectors and said lower track connectors are opposing U-shaped connectors and wherein said upper track connectors and lower track connectors are identical and include at least one screw hole for attachment to one of said posts and at least one screw hole for attachment to at least one of said panels; and,

e) at least two front top braces connecting a top area of said left front post a top area of a center post and connecting to a top area of said right front post;

f) at least two doors hingedly connected to one of said left front post, said right front post and said center post and below a front top brace, and having a lock mechanism for locking each of said at least two doors.

12. The modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system of claim 11 wherein said side wall panels are plastic panels selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic, cellular polyvinyl chloride, cellular urethane and wood-plastic composite, and wherein said floor base frame is a hollow frame.

13. The modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system of claim 11 wherein said raised flooring is a plurality of floorboards and said drainage orifices are drainage openings between said adjacent floorboards.

14. The modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system of claim 11 wherein said raised flooring is a single floor member having a plurality of draining orifices therein.

15. The modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system of claim 11 wherein said one back wall is at least two back panels and at least two panel assemblies connecting said at least two back panels to said rear posts.

16. The modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system of claim 11 wherein said posts have a rectangular footprint and have vertical recesses on four sides adapted to receive and position upper track connectors and lower track connectors, and wherein said posts are extruded aluminum posts and said aluminum extruded posts are powder coated aluminum extruded posts.

17. The modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system of claim 11 wherein at least one of said panels includes at least one plumbing fixture orifice.

18. The modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system of claim 11 wherein said U-shaped connectors each have one central screw hole for attachment to one of said posts and have one screw hole for attachments to one of said panels.

19. The modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system of claim 11 wherein said system further includes at least a cap member atop said posts and connected to said posts, said cap member having at least three sections, each of said three sections being in a separate plane from the others, one section being downwardly tapered forwardly from back to front, two sections being downwardly tapered outwardly to a side wall panel, and said cap member having a back nape.

20. The modular integrated outdoor locker and shower stall system of claim 11 wherein said floor base has a rectangular footprint, and said posts are arranged in a configuration selected from the group consisting of (i) a rectangular configuration with side-by-side locker units; (ii) a rectangular configuration with said posts arranged in a two row rectangular configuration, creating two rows of back-to-back units; (iii) a U-shaped configuration, creating two parallel rows of separated units connected by a row of units at right angles to said two parallel rows; (iv) an L-shaped configuration, creating two rows of units at right angles to one another; and (v) combinations thereof.