SHOWER DOOR ENCLOSURE SYSTEMS

Abstract

Systems, methods and apparatus relating to shower door enclosures are described. The systems include an elongated shower door support and a separate corresponding cover. The elongated shower door support may include one or more tracks for engaging a tread of a shower door roll wheel. After the shower doors are hung from the elongated shower door support, the cover may be readily placed over at least a portion of the elongated shower door support, thereby hiding that portion of the elongated shower door support from view. The elongated shower door support may include one or more connectors for physically connecting the cover to the elongated shower door support. The cover may be repeatedly connect to and disconnect from the connector of the elongated shower door support, thereby facilitating ease of installation of the shower door enclosure.

Description

BACKGROUND

Showers generally spray water, and thus are generally enclosed via an enclosure, such as via a shower curtain or rigid shower doors. Current shower door assemblies may be problematic to install and/or may produce a large amount of noise during movement.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Broadly, the present disclosure relates to shower door enclosure systems and related methods and apparatus. The configuration of the components of the system facilitates ease of installation by enabling accessibility to applicable components during various stages of the assembly process.

In one aspect, a system includes at least one side support. In one embodiment, a first side support is configured to mount to a first wall or other support structure. In one embodiment, a second side support is configured to mount to a second wall or other support structure. At least one side support includes at least one projection that extends forward of a face of that side support. In one approach, each side support includes at least one projection, such as at least two projections. The one or more side supports are used to support the end(s) (and sometimes the middle portions) of an elongated shower door support.

The system further includes an elongated shower door support. The elongated shower door support generally includes a body, sometimes called a center body or central body. In one embodiment, the body is of generally linear form. In one embodiment, the body may be of other geometrical forms (e.g., hollow rectangle, triangular, hexagonal, to name a few). In one embodiment, the body is in a generally vertical orientation.

At least one shower door track generally extends from the side of the body. The shower door track is configured to engage a tread of a shower door roll wheel in a manner that allows the roll wheel to readily move along at least a portion of the length of the shower door track. In one embodiment, the elongated shower door support includes at least two shower door tracks, one extending from each side of the body of the elongated shower door support. Each of the shower door tracks may be configured to engage a tread of a corresponding shower door roll wheel in a manner that allows the roll wheel to readily move along at least a portion of the length of that shower door track. In one embodiment, the roll wheels are located proximal the center body of the elongated shower door support as supported in their corresponding shower door tracks.

In one embodiment, a shower door track is tiered. An upper tier may be configured to support a shower door roll wheel. In this regard, the upper tier may comprise a width that is coincidental to the width of the roll wheel. A lower tier may be connected to and located below the upper tier. The lower tier may comprise a width that is smaller than that of the roll wheel. Therefore, the tread of the roll wheel may be maintained in the upper tier and apart from a trough of the shower door track.

The elongated shower door support generally includes a header located proximal a top portion of the body. In one embodiment, the header is of generally linear form. In one embodiment, the header may be of other geometrical forms. In one embodiment, the header is in a generally horizontal orientation. In one embodiment, the header and the body of the elongated shower door support form a generally T-shaped or I-shaped configuration, where the body is in a generally vertical orientation and where the header is in a generally horizontal orientation.

The header generally has an underside that is configured to engage the projection(s) of the side support(s). When the side support(s) are mounted to their respective supporting structure(s) (e.g., walls or ceiling), and when the header is engaged with the projection(s), the elongated shower door support is maintained in a generally horizontal orientation. The underside of the header generally includes two portions separated by the intersection of the body and the header. One or more portions of the underside(s) of the header may be configured to engage the projection(s) of the side support(s), such that, when the side support(s) are mounted to their supporting structures, and when the applicable underside portions are engaged with the projections, the elongated shower door support is maintained in a generally horizontal orientation.

The system may include a cover. The cover is a separate piece from the elongated shower door support. Since the cover is a separate piece, it may be absent during assembly of other portions of the system. The absence of the cover may partially assist in providing accessibility to the components of the system that are required (i) to hang the elongated shower door support in a generally horizontal orientation and/or (ii) hang the shower doors from the elongated shower door support. After the shower doors are hung, the cover may be placed over at least a portion of the elongated shower door support so as to hide at least a portion of the elongated shower door support and/or related internal components (e.g., mounts, roll wheels, coupling members) from view. In one embodiment, the cover hides substantially most or all of the top and/or side(s) of the elongated shower door support from view. In one embodiment, the cover hides substantially most or all of the top and/or side(s) of the shower door mount(s) and related components from view.

In one approach, the cover is physically affixed to the elongated shower door support. For example, the elongated shower door support may include at least one connector. This connector may be configured to mate with a corresponding mating connector of the cover so as to affix the cover to the elongated shower door support. In one embodiment, the connector is proximal to, located on, or integral with at least one of the body, the header, and a shower door track of the elongated shower door support. In one embodiment, the connector is proximal to, located on, or integral with the body of the elongated shower door support. In one embodiment, the connector is proximal to, located on, or integral with the header of the elongated shower door support. In one embodiment, the connector is proximal to, located on, or integral with a shower door track of the elongated shower door support. In one embodiment, the cover is configured to repeatedly connect to and disconnect from the at least one connector of the elongated shower door support. In one embodiment, the cover is permanently or semi-permanently affixed to the elongated shower door support, such as via adhesive, welds, permanent-style connectors (e.g., hidden snap-tabs, one-way screws) and the like.

In one embodiment, at least one connector of the elongated shower door support is coupled to the header of the elongated shower door support. In one embodiment, at least one connector of the elongated shower door support is integral with the header of the elongated shower door support. In one embodiment, at least one connector is in the form of an elongated slot. In one embodiment, the elongated slot is include in the top of the header of the elongated shower door support. In one embodiment, the elongated slot is located proximal the intersection of the body and the header of the elongated shower door support. The connector may be of other forms, as described below.

The cover may include a corresponding mating connector. In one embodiment, the mating connector of the cover is coupled to a surface of the cover (e.g., an inner surface of the cover). In one embodiment, the mating connector of the cover is integral with the cover. In one embodiment, the cover includes a tab adapted to repeatedly connect to and disconnect from an elongated slot of the elongated shower door support. The mating connector of the cover may be of other forms, as described below.

In one embodiment, the cover is a unitary body. In other embodiments, the cover is a multi-piece cover. The piece(s) of the multi-piece cover may be configured to repeatedly connect to and disconnect from the first connector of the elongated shower door support. In other embodiments, one or more pieces of the multi-piece cover are permanently or semi-permanently affixed to the elongated shower door support.

In one embodiment, a first piece of the cover includes a first mating connector for connecting with a first connector of the elongated shower door support. In one embodiment, a second piece of the cover includes a second mating connector for connecting with a second connector of the elongated shower door support. The first piece of the cover may hide a first portion of the elongated shower door support from view. The second piece of the cover may hide a second portion of the elongated shower door support from view. In one embodiment, when the first cover is connected to the first connector of the elongated shower door support, and when the second cover is connected to the second connector of the elongated shower door support, the first and second covers hide substantially most or all of the top and side portions of the elongated shower door support from view. In one embodiment, all or most of a bottom portion of the elongated shower door support is hidden from view.

Apparatus related to shower enclosures are also described. In one embodiment, an apparatus is an elongated shower door support. In one embodiment, the elongated shower door support is an extruded elongated shower door support (e.g., made from extruded aluminum). In one embodiment, the elongated shower door support includes a central body, a header proximal the top of the central body, and at least a first shower door track extending from a first side of the central body. The first shower door track is configured to engage a tread of a shower door roll wheel in a manner that allows the roll wheel to readily move along at least a portion of the length of the first shower door track. In one embodiment, the shower door track includes an upper tier configured to support the roll wheel. In one embodiment, the upper tier has a width that is coincidental to the width of the shower door roll wheel. In one embodiment, the shower door track includes a lower tier below the upper tier. In one embodiment, when a shower door roll wheel is located in the upper tier, a trough of the first shower door track is apart from the tread of the roll wheel. In one embodiment, the central body and the header form a generally T-shaped or I-shaped configuration. In one embodiment, the body is in a generally vertical orientation and the header is in a generally horizontal orientation.

Methods relating to shower enclosures are also described. In one embodiment, a method includes the steps of hanging an elongated shower door support, placing a shower door roll wheel in a shower door track of the elongated shower door support, and covering at least a portion of the elongated shower door support such that at least a portion of the elongated shower door support is hidden from view. In one embodiment, the covering includes affixing the cover to the elongated shower door support.

In one embodiment, a method includes coupling a shower door roll wheel assembly to a shower door mount and attaching a shower door to the shower door mount. In one embodiment, the shower door roll wheel assembly includes the shower door roll wheel. After the coupling and/or attaching steps, the shower door roll wheel may be placed in the shower door track and/or the elongated shower door support may be covered.

Various ones of the inventive aspect, approaches, and embodiments described above may be combined to yield various shower door enclosures and related, systems, methods and apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1a is a perspective, exploded view of one embodiment of a portion of a shower door enclosure system.

FIG. 1b is a perspective view of a portion of the system of FIG. 1a, in partial assembled form.

FIG. 2a is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the system of FIG. 1a.

FIG. 2b is a close-up, cross-sectional view of a portion of the system of FIG. 1a.

FIG. 3a is a side view of the elongated shower door support of FIG. 1a.

FIG. 3b is a perspective view of the elongated shower door support of FIG. 1a.

FIG. 4a is a side view of an embodiment of a shower door track.

FIG. 4b is a side view the shower door track of FIG. 4a having a shower door roll wheel located in an upper tier of the track.

FIG. 5a is a first perspective view of another embodiment of a shower door enclosure system.

FIG. 5b is a second perspective view of the shower door enclosure system of FIG. 5a.

FIG. 5c is a side view of one embodiment of a multi-piece cover connecting to the elongated shower door support of FIG. 5a.

FIG. 6 is a side view of another embodiment of a multi-piece cover connecting to an elongated shower door support.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an elongated shower door support.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an assembled and installed shower door enclosure system, absent a cover.

FIG. 9a is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of method in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 9b is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of the method of FIG. 9a.

FIG. 9c is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of the method of FIG. 9a.

FIG. 9d is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of the method of FIG. 9a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the accompanying drawings, which at least assist in illustrating various pertinent embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a and 3b illustrate one embodiment of a shower door enclosure system in accordance with the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the system 1 includes a first side support 10, an opposing second side support 15, an elongated shower door support 20 and a cover 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated shower door support 20 is configured to hang in a generally horizontal orientation via the first 10 and second side supports 15. For example, when the first side support 10 and the second side support 15 are mounted to first and second support structures, respectively, and when a header 28 of the elongated shower door support 20 is engaged with the projections 12, 14, 17, 19 of the side supports 10, 15, the elongated shower door support is maintained in a generally horizontal orientation (see, FIG. 8).

The elongated shower door support includes first and second tracks 24, 26 extending from a generally linear central body 22. These shower door tracks 24, 26 are configured to engage a tread of a shower door roll wheel 51 in a manner that allows the roll wheel 51 to readily move along at least a portion of the length of the shower door track 24, 26. Each roll wheel 51 is coupled to a corresponding shower door mount 50, which generally holds a shower door (not illustrated) therein, such as via holder portion 54.

Notably, the elongated shower door support 20 and cover 40 are separate pieces. The use of separate pieces enables shower doors (not illustrated) of the shower door mount 50, to be readily hung from the elongated shower door support 20, as described in further detail below. After the shower doors are hung via mount 50, the cover 40 may be placed over at least a portion of the elongated shower door support 20, mount 50 and/or related internal features so as to hide at least a portion of those components from view. Thus, ready installation of shower doors may be achieved, and with a visually appealing end product.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1a, 1b and 2a, the system may include first 10 and second 15 side supports. Side supports are structures configured to bear the weight of and/or strengthen, and which are configured to connect to support structures, such as a ceiling and/or wall, and the like. For example, a side support may be a wall jamb or bracket used to bear the weight of an elongated shower door support. In one embodiment, the first side support 10 is configured to mount to a first wall (not illustrated) and the second side support 15 is configured to mount to an opposing second wall (not illustrated), such as via screws, nails, and/or adhesive and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, two side supports 10, 15 are provided. In other embodiments, more or less side supports could be used to support the elongated shower door support 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the side supports 10, 15 are designed to engage the ends of the elongated shower door support 20. In other embodiments, a side support is configured to support the elongated shower door support at other locations, such as in the middle portions of the elongated shower door support.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first side support 10 includes first and second projections 12, 14 extending from a face of the first side support 10, and the second side support 15 includes third and fourth projections 17, 19 extending from a face of the second side support 15. Projections are structures that branch out from a support. For example, a geometric projection may branch out from a face of a side support. In the illustrated embodiment, the projections are linear-style projections. In other embodiments, other geometric style projections may be used (e.g., star, triangle, hexagonal, to name a few). In the illustrated embodiment, the projections 12, 14, 17, 19 of the side supports 10, 15 are configured to support the weight of at least a portion of the elongated shower door support 20. The projections 12, 14, 17, 19 also facilitate maintenance of the elongated shower door support 20 in a generally horizontal orientation. While four projections are illustrated, in some instances, a single projection could be utilized to support the elongated shower door support 20. In other instances, two, three or more than four projections may be used to support the elongated shower door support 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 1a, 2b, 3a, and 3b, the elongated shower door support 20 is an elongated structure that is configured to support one or more shower doors. In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated shower door support 20 includes a generally linear central body 22 and a header 28 proximal the top of the body 22. In one embodiment, the elongated shower door support 20 is in the form of a beam. In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated shower door support 20 is in the form of a T-beam, with the body 22 being in a generally vertical orientation and the header 28 being in a generally horizontal orientation. As used herein, “generally vertical orientation” means an orientation that is no more than +/−10° from vertical. In one embodiment, a generally vertical orientation is no more than 5° from vertical. In other embodiments, a generally vertical orientation is no more than 4° from vertical, or no more than 3° from vertical, or no more than 2° from vertical, or even no more than 1° from vertical. A generally horizontal orientation is an orientation that is no more than +/−10° from horizontal. In one embodiment, a generally horizontal orientation is no more than 5° from horizontal. In other embodiments, a generally horizontal orientation is no more than 4° from horizontal, or no more than 3° from horizontal, or no more than 2° from horizontal, or even no more than 1° from horizontal.

The elongated shower door support 20 may be shaped in other configurations, such as in the form of an I-beam, a 1-beam, or other suitable alpha-numeric character. The elongated shower door support 20 may be made of a metal, such as steel, aluminum, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated shower door support 20 is a unitary body. In other embodiments, the elongated shower door support 20 may be multiple pieces. In one embodiment, the elongated shower door support 20 is an extrusion.

In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated shower door support 20 includes a first track 24 and a second track 26 that extend from opposing sides of the body 22 of the elongated shower door support 20. The tracks 24, 26 are adapted to engage a tread of the shower door roll wheel 51, and with the purpose of allowing the shower door roll wheel 51 to readily move along at least a portion of the length of the track. Shower door roll wheels are devices adapted to facilitate rotational movement. In one embodiment, a shower door roll wheel is produced from a polymeric material, as described in commonly-owned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/568,482, entitled “SHOWER DOOR ROLL WHEEL ASSEMBLY”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Other shower door roll wheels may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, both roll wheels 51 are located proximal the body 22 of the elongated shower door support 20.

In the illustrated embodiment, the tracks 24, 26 are U-shaped members that extend from the body 22 via extensions 25, 27, respectively. The groove of these U-shaped members facilitates retention of the roll wheel 51 within the track while also facilitating rotational movement of the roll wheel 51 by engaging appropriate portions of the roll wheel. In other embodiments, the tracks may be V-shaped, Y-shaped, or in the shape of another suitable alpha-numeric character.

In one embodiment, a track is tiered to facilitate smooth movement of a roll wheel 51. For example, and with reference now to FIGS. 4a and 4b, a track 326 extends from the body 22 of an elongated shower door support 20 via extension 27. The track 326 includes a first tier 327 having lateral edges separated by a first distance D1. The track 326 includes a second tier 328 having lateral sides separated by a second distance D2. The first distance D1 is coincidental to the width of a roll wheel 51. The second distance D2 is shorter than the first distance D1 and is generally shorter than the width of the roll wheel 51.

The first tier 327 is used to support the roll wheel 51 within the track 326 and restrict the roll wheel 51 from moving side-to-side within the track 326. The first tier 327 may also facilitate rotation movement of the roll wheel 51, and, in some embodiments, may facilitate rotational movement of the roll wheel 51 even when the roll wheel 51 is not oriented in a perfectly vertical orientation. For example, the first tier 327 may facilitate rotational movement of the roll wheel 51 when the roll wheel 51 is in a generally vertical orientation (e.g., +/−10° from perfectly vertical), as opposed to only in nearly perfectly vertical orientation (e.g., +/−1° from perfectly vertical).

During use of the shower door enclosure, debris may accumulate on the tread of the roll wheel 51 and/or in a lower trough 329 of the track 326. The second tier 328 separates the tread of the roll wheel 51 from the lower trough 329 of the track 326. As illustrated in FIG. 4b, when a roll wheel 51 is located in the first tier 327 of the track 326 (e.g., in upper channel 330) a gap 75 may be formed. Since the roll wheel 51 is located in the first tier 327 and does not contact trough 329, the roll wheel 51 may readily and smoothly rotate along the track 326 with minimal non-rotational disruptions. In other words, the roll wheel may realize less bumps during rotational movement due to the gap 75 between the tread of the roll wheel 51 and the trough 329 of the track 326. That is, since any accumulated debris may not simultaneously physically contact both (i) the tread of the roll wheel 51 and (ii) the lower trough 329 of the track 326, the roll wheel 51 may smoothly rotate along the track 326.

Referring back to FIGS. 3a and 3b, the elongated shower door support 20 generally includes a header 28 located proximal the top of the body 22. The header 28 is a portion of the elongated shower door support that is configured to engage another support member (e.g., a wall jamb) so as to transfer the weight of the elongated shower door support 20 to the another support member. In the illustrated embodiment, the header 28 includes underside portions 30, 32, which are configured to engage at least one projection of the another support member. For example, the underside portions 30, 32 may engage the first 12, 17 and second 14, 19 projections, respectively, of the side supports 10, 15. The projections 12, 14, 17, 19 of the side supports 14, 19 and the undersides 30, 32 of the header are configured such that, when the header 28 is engaged with the side supports 10, 15, the elongated shower door support 20 is maintained in a generally horizontal orientation. In the illustrated embodiment, the underside portions 30, 32 of the header 28 are generally flat and are adapted to engaged the generally flat top surfaces of the projections 12, 14, 17, 19 of the side supports 10, 15. Other suitable configurations may be used so long as the elongated shower door support 20 is maintained in a generally horizontal orientation when engaged with one or more side supports.

The header 28 may include one or more outer flanges 34, 36. These flanges 34, 36, may restrict side-to-side movement of the elongated shower door support 20. For example, the flanges 34, 36 may be spaced such that they are proximal the outer sides of the projections 12, 14, 17, 19 of the side supports 10, 15. In other words, the underside portions 30, 32 and corresponding outer flanges 34, 36 may restrict the elongated shower door support 20 from moving in the lateral and downward directions.

As noted above, after the elongated shower door support 20 is hung, the one or more shower doors may be hung from the elongated shower door support 20 via one or more shower door mounts 50. For example, a shower door may be coupled to holding portion of a mount 50. One or more roll wheels 51 may be coupled to one or more windows 52 of the mount 50. The roll wheels 51 may be set within a track 24 of the elongated shower door support 20. A similar procedure may occur for a second, and subsequent, shower door(s). Since the tracks 24, 26 are readily accessible and visible, due to the cover 40 being a separate piece from the elongated shower door support 20, and absent from the system at this point of the assembling process, the shower doors may be readily hung from the elongated shower door support 20. Furthermore, in some embodiments, and with reference now to FIGS. 5a and 5b, since the coupling members 53 of the mount 50 are readily visible, the height of the shower doors may be readily adjusted via adjustment of the height of the roll wheel 51 relative to the slanted window 52 of the mount 50.

One example of a fully assembled enclosure, absent a cover, is illustrated in FIG. 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated shower door support 20 is hung from side supports 10, 15, in this case wall jambs, that are mounted to opposing walls. In other embodiments, the side supports 10, 15 may be brackets or other suitable support. A first shower door 94 is hung from a first track 24 of the elongated shower door support 20 via first and second mounts 50, 50′. A second shower door 96 is hung from a second track (not visible) of the elongated shower door support 20 via third and fourth mounts (not visible). In this example, as a next step, a cover 40 could be placed over the elongated shower door support 20 to hide at least a portion of the elongated shower door support 20, mounts 50, 50′ and/or corresponding internal features from view.

Referring back to FIGS. 1a, 1b, 2a and 2b, after the shower doors are hung, the cover 40 may be placed over at least a portion of the elongated shower door support 20 so as to at least partially hide the elongated shower door support 20, mount 50 and/or related internal features from view. In some embodiments, the cover 40 hides substantially most or all of the top and sides of the elongated shower door support 20 from view. The cover 40 may include a inner surface 162 (e.g., configured to face the elongated shower door support 20 when connected to the connector of the elongated shower door support) and an outer surface 164. The outer surface 164 may be generally viewed, and thus may have one or more decorative patterns/features included thereon.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 40 is a unitary body that is partially flexible so as to allow the cover 40 to be at least partially opened as it is placed over the elongated shower door support 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 40 is held in place over the elongated shower door support via gravity and/or its elasticity, and is not physically affixed to the elongated shower door support 20. In other embodiments, and with reference now to FIGS. 5a, 5b, and 5c, an elongated shower door support 420 may include one or more connectors (sometimes called a mating feature) for physically affixing a cover to the system. In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated shower door support 420 is similar to as described above, including first and second tracks 324, 326, extending from the body 22, a header 428 proximal the top portion of the body 22, and with the header 428 including undersides 30, 32 and outer flanges 34, 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated shower door support 420 also includes connectors 462, 464 for facilitating physical connection of a two-piece cover 42, 44 to the elongated shower door support 420. Each piece 42, 44 of the two-piece cover may including corresponding connectors (e.g., tabs 43, 45 in this instance) for connecting with the connectors 462, 464 of the elongated shower door support 420.

In the illustrated embodiment, the connectors 462, 464 are in the form of elongated slots. In other embodiments, a connector may in the form of one or more of a snap, zipper, button, velcro, tabs, clips, and the like. The connectors may be configured to allow a cover to repeatedly connect to and disconnect from the elongated shower door support 420, which may facilitate the assembly and disassembly of a shower enclosure. In some embodiments, the cover includes a corresponding mating connector to facilitate the affixing between the cover and the elongated shower door support 420.

In the illustrated embodiment, the connectors 462, 464 are included in the header of the elongated shower door support 420. In other embodiments, one or more connectors may be included in, or on, the body 22 of the elongated shower door support 420. In the illustrated embodiment, the connectors 462, 464 are integral with the elongated shower door support 420, and are included in a surface of the elongated shower door support 420. In other embodiments, one or more connectors may be non-integral with the elongated shower door support 420, and may be merely coupled to a surface of the elongated shower door support 420. In the illustrated embodiment, multiple connectors are used in the elongated shower door support 420. In other embodiments, only a single connector may be used in the elongated shower door support 420.

As noted above, the cover may be a unitary body or may be multiple pieces. The unitary body or the plurality of pieces of the cover may include one or more mating connectors for connecting with corresponding connectors of the elongated shower door support 420. For example, and with reference to FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c, a first piece 42 of a cover 40 may include a tab 43 for restrictively engaging the first slot 462 of the elongated shower door support 420. A second piece 44 of a cover 40 may include a tab 45 for restrictively engaging the second slot 464 of the elongated shower door support 420. The first piece 42 may have a first visual design on its outer surface 47. The second piece 44 may have a second visual design on its outer surface 49, which may be the same as or different from the first visual design of the first piece 42. The different pieces of the cover may be of differing colors, materials, and/or visual patterns/designs, thereby facilitating tailored aesthetic design of the shower door enclosure.

In one embodiment, the first piece 42 of the cover may hide substantially most or all of a first portion (e.g., a first side) of the elongated shower door support 420 from view. In one embodiment, the second piece 44 of the cover may hide substantially most or all of a second portion (e.g., a second side) of the elongated shower door support 420 from view. In one embodiment, the first or second piece may hide at least a portion of the top of the elongated shower door support 420 from view. In one embodiment, together, the multiple pieces (in this case two pieces 42, 44) of the cover may hide substantially most or all of the sides and top of the elongated shower door support 420 from view. In one embodiment, together, the multiple pieces of the cover may hide substantially most or all of the sides and top of the mount(s) 50 and/or related internal features from view.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c, the roll wheel 51 is included in a shower door roll wheel assembly. The shower door roll wheel assembly may be any of those described in commonly-owned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/568,482, entitled “SHOWER DOOR ROLL WHEEL ASSEMBLY”, or other known suitable shower door roll wheel assemblies. In the illustrated embodiment a coupling member 53 is configured to couple the shower door roll wheel assembly to the shower door mount 50. The slanted window 52 facilitates interconnection of the coupling member 53 to the shower door roll wheel assembly. Since the coupling members 53 of the mount 50 are readily visible, the height of the shower doors may be readily adjusted via adjustment of the height of the roll wheel 51 relative to the slanted window 52 of the mount 50.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5a, 5b, and 5c, the distal ends of the coupling members 53 point towards the body 22 of the elongated shower door support 420. The proximal ends of the coupling members 53 are visible and readily accessible, thereby at least partially facilitating installation of shower doors and/or shower door mounts 50. Like the coupling members, the distal portions of the shower door roll wheel assemblies also point towards the body 22 of the elongated shower door support 420.

In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated shower door support 420 includes two tracks 324, 326, one on each side of the body 22, and with a single mount 50 hanging from each track 324, 326 via roll wheels 51. Each mount 50 has a single window 52. However, a mount 50 may have multiple windows, each window 52 having a roll wheel 51 coupled thereto via coupling member 53. For example, a mount 50 may be sized to be coincidental to the size of a shower door. In this embodiment, the mount 50 may have at least two windows 52, with one window 52 and roll wheel 51 located proximal each end of the mount 50. The mount may also have one or more additional windows 52 and roll wheels 51 located in the middle portions of the mount 50. These multiple roll wheels 51 may be used in a shower door track of the elongated shower door support 420 to facilitate movement of a shower door. The use of multiple windows 52 and roll wheels 51 within a single mount 50 may assist in the movement of and/or the support of the shower door, which may be relatively heavy in some circumstances. In other embodiments, multiple mounts 50 may also be used for a single enclosure for mounting one or more shower doors (see, FIG. 8).

In some embodiments, a cover, or a piece thereof may include a mounting feature for securing the cover to other portions of the system. For example, and with reference now to FIG. 6, a two-piece cover 42, 44 similar to FIG. 5c is illustrated. One piece 44 of the cover includes a mounting feature 48, in this instance a clip, for securing the piece 44 to the projection 14 of the side support 10. Other arrangements may be used.

The elongated shower door support may include other features. For example, and with reference now to FIG. 7, one embodiment of an elongated shower door support 520 may include one or more arms 580, 582. These arms 580, 582, may be used for several purposes, including restricting the side-to-side movement and/or up-down movement of the elongated shower door support 520. In the illustrated embodiment, the arms 580, 582, are spaced such that each is proximal an inner side portion of a corresponding projection 12, 14, 17, 19 of the side supports 10, 15, which restricts the side-to-side movement of the elongated shower door support 520. In some embodiments, one or more ledges may be included on one or more of the projections so as to restrict the up-down movement of the elongated shower door support 520. In some embodiments, the projections 12, 14, 17, 19 may also include mating features for restrictively engaging a corresponding mating feature of the arms 580, 582. In the illustrated embodiment, the arms 580, 582 are located above the tracks 324, 326. In other embodiments, the arms 580, 582, may be located below the tracks 324, 326.

The present disclosure also relates to methods of producing/installing shower enclosures. In one embodiment, and with reference now to FIG. 9a, a method includes the steps of hanging an elongated shower door support from at least one side support (900), placing a shower door roll wheel in a track of the elongated shower door support (910), and covering at least a portion of the elongated shower door support, mount(s), or related internal features (920). During the hanging (900) and placing (910) steps, an outer cover may be absent (905) from the system, thereby facilitating installation of the shower doors. The covering step (920) covers at least a portion of the elongated shower door support, mount(s), or related internal features from view, thereby providing a visually appealing end product.

Referring now to FIG. 9b, the step of hanging the elongated shower door support (900) may include mounting one or more side supports (e.g., wall jamb(s), bracket(s)) to a support structure (902) (e.g., a wall, ceiling, bath fixture, and the like). The hanging step (900) may also include engaging a header of the elongated shower door support with one or more projection(s) of at least one side support (904). After the hanging step 900, the elongated shower door support may be maintained in a generally horizontal orientation (906).

Referring now to FIG. 9c, in one embodiment, a shower door mount assembly is assembled (930) prior to the placing step (910). For example a shower door roll wheel may be coupled to a shower door mount (932), such as via a coupling member. Before, after, or concomitant to the coupling step (932), a shower door may be attached to the shower door mount (934). Before, after, or concomitant to the placing step (910), the height of the shower door mount may be adjusted, thereby adjusting the height of the shower door (936). The adjustment of the height of the shower door (936) may including the steps of positioning the roll wheel (and sometimes a coupling member) at a selected vertical position within a slanted window of the shower door mount (937), and/or affixing the roll wheel at the selected vertical position (938), e.g., due to a tightening arrangement between the roll wheel and a coupling member. This height adjusting step (936) may be facilitated due to, for example, (i) the visibility and accessibility of the roll wheel and/or coupling member due to the absence of the outer cover and/or (ii) the distal ends of the coupling members pointing towards the body of the elongated shower door support/the proximal ends of the coupling members being visible and readily accessible, as described above.

Referring now to FIG. 9d, after or concomitant to the placing step (910), the covering step (920) may be completed. In one embodiment, the covering step (920) includes holding the cover in place via gravity and/or the elasticity of the cover (922). In another embodiment, the covering step (920) includes affixing the cover to the elongated shower door support via one or more connectors(s) (924). The cover may be a unitary body or a multi-piece cover (926). After the placing cover step (920), the cover may hide substantially most or all of the top and/or side(s) of the elongated shower door support, mount(s) and/or related internal features (928).

A shower is a system having a sprayer for spraying a liquid (e.g., water), and an enclosure adapted to facilitate containment of the sprayed liquid. A shower enclosure may include a shower door assembly.

A shower door assembly is an assembly of material configured to facilitate movement of at least one shower door from a generally open position to a generally closed position. A shower door assembly may include a shower door, a shower door mount, and a shower door track (e.g., extending from an elongated shower door support).

A shower door is any material that is suitable for use as a door in a shower. In one embodiment, a shower door is a generally solid piece of material, such as glass (e.g., glass that is translucent, transparent, colored, or otherwise).

A shower door mount is an apparatus adapted to both (i) restrictively engage at least a portion of a shower door, and (ii) place at least one shower door roll wheel in contact with a shower door track. In this manner, as the roll wheel moves from a first position to a second position along the shower door track, the shower door may be positioned from a first position to a second position due to, at least in part, its restrictive engagement with the shower door mount. A shower door mount may be considered a bracket, in some instances.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and adaptations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

(a) a first side support configured for mounting to a first wall;

(b) a second side support configured for mounting to a second wall; wherein at least one of the first and second side supports includes at least a first projection extending forward of a face of the side support;

(c) an elongated shower door support, the elongated shower door support having: (i) a body; (ii) at least a first shower door track extending from the body; wherein the first shower door track is configured to engage a tread of a shower door roll wheel in a manner that allows the roll wheel to readily move along at least a portion of the length of the first shower door track; (iii) a header proximal a top portion of the body, the header having: (A) an underside, wherein the underside is configured to engage the at least first projection; wherein, when the first and second side supports are mounted to the first and second walls, respectively, and when the header is engaged with the at least first projection, the elongated shower door support is maintained in a generally horizontal orientation; (iv) at least one connector, wherein the at least one connector is proximal at least one of the body and the header;

(d) a cover; (i) wherein the cover is configured to repeatedly connect to and disconnect from the at least one connector of the elongated shower door support; (ii) wherein, when connected to the connector of the elongated shower door support, the cover hides at least a portion of the elongated shower door support from view.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first side support includes first and second projections, wherein the second side support includes third and fourth projections;

wherein the underside of the header is configured to engage the first, second, third and forth projections;

wherein the second wall is opposite the first wall; and

wherein, when the first and second side supports are mounted to the first and second walls, respectively, and when the header is engaged with the first, second, third and fourth projections, the elongated shower door support is maintained in a generally horizontal orientation.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the underside includes a first underside portion and a second underside portion, wherein the first underside portion is configured to engage the first and third projections, and wherein the second underside portion is configured to engage the second and fourth projections.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first shower door track extends from a first side of the body of the elongated shower door support;

wherein the elongated shower door support includes a second shower door track extending from a second side of the body of the elongated shower door support; and

wherein the second shower door track is configured to engage a tread of a second shower door roll wheel in a manner that allows the second roll wheel to readily move along at least a portion of the length of the second shower door track.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the body and the header of the elongated shower door support faun a generally T-shaped or I-shaped configuration, wherein the body is in a generally vertical orientation and wherein the header is in a generally horizontal orientation.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein, when the first and second roll wheels are engaged with the first and second shower door tracks, respectively, both the first and second roll wheels are proximal the body of the elongated shower door support.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first shower door track includes:

a first tier configured to support the roll wheel, and

a second tier below the first tier, wherein, when a roll wheel is located in the first tier, a trough of the first shower door track is apart from the tread of the roll wheel.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein a least one connector is coupled to the header of the elongated shower door support.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one connector is integral with the header of the elongated shower door support.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein at least one connector is in the form of an elongated slot.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the cover includes a tab adapted to repeatedly connect to and disconnect from the elongated slot.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the elongated slot is located in the top of the header.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the elongated slot is located proximal the intersection of the body and the header of the elongated shower door support.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein, when connected to the connector of the elongated shower door support, the cover hides substantially all of a first side of the elongated shower door support from view.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one connector comprises at least a first connector and a second connector, wherein the cover is a first cover, wherein the first cover is configured to repeatedly connect to and disconnect from the first connector of the elongated shower door support; and

wherein the system further comprises:

a second cover, wherein the second cover is configured to repeatedly connect to and disconnect from the second connector of the elongated shower door support, and wherein, when connected to the second connector of the elongated shower door support, the second cover hides at least a portion of the elongated shower door support from view.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein, when the first cover is connected to the first connector of the elongated shower door support, and when the second cover is connected to the second connector of the elongated shower door support, and the first and second covers hide at least the top and side portions of the elongated shower door support from view.

17. A method comprising:

(a) hanging an elongated shower door support; wherein, after the hanging step, the elongated shower door support is supported by at least one side support;

(b) placing a shower door roll wheel into a first shower door track of the elongated shower door support; and

(c) after the placing step, affixing a cover to the elongated shower door support, wherein, after the affixing step, the cover hides at least a portion of the elongated shower door support from view.

18. The method of claim 17, comprising:

(d) coupling a shower door roll wheel assembly to a shower door mount, the shower door roll wheel assembly comprising the shower door roll wheel;

(e) attaching a shower door to the shower door mount; and

after at least one of the coupling (d) and attaching (e) steps, completing the placing (b) and affixing (c) steps.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the cover is a first cover;

wherein, the connecting step (c) is a first connecting step; and

wherein, after the first connecting step, the first cover hides at least a first portion of the elongated shower door support from view; the method further comprising: (d) second connecting a second cover to the elongated shower door support, wherein, after the second connecting step, the second cover hides at least a second portion of the elongated shower door support from view.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein after the first (c) and second (d) connecting steps, the first and second covers hide at least the top and side portions of the elongated shower door support from view.

21. An extruded elongated shower door support comprising:

a central body;

a header proximal the top of the central body;

at least a first shower door track extending from a first side of the central body, wherein the first shower door track is configured to engage a tread of a shower door roll wheel in a manner that allows the roll wheel to readily move along at least a portion of the length of the first shower door track.

22. The extruded elongated shower door support of claim 22 wherein the shower door track includes:

an upper tier configured to support the roll wheel, wherein the upper tier has a width that is coincidental to the width of the shower door roll wheel; and

a lower tier below the upper tier, wherein, when a shower door roll wheel is located in the upper tier, a trough of the first shower door track is apart from the tread of the roll wheel.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the central body and the header form a generally T-shaped or I-shaped configuration, wherein the body is in a generally vertical orientation and wherein the header is in a generally horizontal orientation.