EXTRUDED CORNER MOLDING SET
A set of extruded interlocking moldings joins together panels of framed glass and/or framed glass doors. A first molding has a channel along an edge of one face and a groove in the opposite face. A second molding has a tongue extending along an edge of one face and a flange along an edge of the opposite face. The channel of the first molding is configured to receive and hold the tongue of the second molding to secure the moldings together as the panels are aligned. The flange of the first molding snaps into the groove of the second molding when the moldings are rotated to a predetermined angle with respect to each other.
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This Application is a CONTINUATION application claiming the benefit of priority of the co-pending U.S. Utility Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 12/038,176 with a filing date of 27 Feb. 2008, the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to extruded moldings and, more particularly, to a set of interlocking extrusions for use in attaching panels of a shower enclosure.
2. Background
Certain shower enclosures, such as are used in recreational vehicles and the like, are constructed of prefabricated glass panels and at least one door panel that includes a door and doorframe. During the installation of such a shower enclosure, it is required to join together multiple panels of glass and their respective frames that protect the edges of the glass. One example of such a shower enclosure is designed for a corner installation with three panels, two adjoining the walls and perpendicular thereto, and a third, often comprising the door and doorframe, diagonally between the other two at 135° angle with respect to each other. This is often referred to as a “Neo-Angle” shower design.
There are numerous connection systems for attaching adjoining panels of framed glass of shower enclosures. Most existing shower enclosures use some form of an interlocking design feature to engage multiple glass panels/doorframes within the installation process, however there remains additional room for improvement.
During the installation process it is required to quickly and safely bring together and stabilize multiple glass panels/doorframes prior to permanent engagement. During this initial assembly and adjustment process, there is usually one installer who must maneuver numerous panels/doorframes at the same time prior to fastening them together in a “permanent” engagement. Existing shower enclosures lack a feature that is effective in securing the panels prior to the permanent fastening stage. Disengagement of adjoining panels during installation is problematic as a result of delays in the installation process as well as the risk for damaged property and personal injury to the installer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a set of extruded interlocking moldings that provide a unique and superior method of joining together panels of framed glass and/or framed glass doors. A first molding has a channel along an edge of one face and a groove in the opposite face. A second molding has a tongue extending along an edge of one face and a flange along an edge of the opposite face. The channel of the first molding is configured to receive and hold the tongue of the second molding to secure the moldings together as the panels are aligned. The flange of the first molding snaps into the groove of the second molding when the moldings are rotated to a predetermined angle with respect to each other.
Some of the benefits of the present invention are:
- An easier, safer and quicker installation. A “leading-outside-engagement feature” of the extrusions engages in a manner so that when the extrusions are rotated toward the permanent engagement position, the connection does not allow separation in the installation process.
- A secure connection between the door and fixed panels. Following the leading-outside-engagement feature connection, an “inside-engagement feature” then engages in a “snapping” function that locks and holds the panels permanently in the proper alignment. Upon permanent engagement, the relationship of the leading-outside-engagement feature and the inside-engagement feature reduces lateral or twisting action. The resulting strength of the fully assembled joint (i.e. “permanent” engagement) precludes the need of using fasteners to secure the panels together.
- Saving in material cost. The strength and stability of the fully assembled joint inherent in the moldings of the present invention reduces the amount of frame material required. Conventional frame moldings are thicker to accommodate fasteners, typically 3-5 screws per post, and access thereto. Since no fasteners are needed to assemble the moldings of the present invention, they can be substantially thinner. As a result, it is feasible to reduce the width of the frame material by up to 50%.
In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known methods and devices are omitted so as to not obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail.
Prior art moldings 18 and 24 also incorporate an “inside-engagement feature” 34 comprising flange 22 on panel edge molding 18 and groove 28 in doorframe molding 24. After the leading-outside-engagement feature 32 has been engaged, panel 12 is rotated counter-clockwise to engage flange 22 in groove 28 as shown in
Many prior art shower enclosure joint designs use both outside and inside engagement features similar to those described above; however, such engagement features nevertheless allow separation of the adjoining panels. Even with the use of screws 30 to fasten moldings 18 and 24 together, the assembly is still prone to gaps along the joints 32 and 34 due to the flexibility of the aluminum moldings. Note, in particular, that the leading-outside-engagement feature 32 does not positively lock together and therefore allows the moldings to separate as indicated by the arrows in
Referring now to
The leading-outside-engagement feature 105 becomes engaged as tongue 126 is captured within channel 116. This first occurs when the door/doorframe panel 101 is at an angle of approximately 165° with respect to the fixed panel 102. Once feature 105 is initially engaged, the door/doorframe panel's angle of orientation can be rotated slightly counter-clockwise (as viewed in
With reference also to
Referring also to
As explained above, the strength and stability of the fully assembled joint inherent in the moldings of the present invention obviates the need for mechanical fasteners such as screws. This allows for substantially thinner moldings and reduces the amount of frame material required.
The present invention has been described with reference to a particular example of a shower enclosure; however, the invention may be applied in any application requiring the connection of adjoining panels. For example, while the invention has been described in the context of panels joined at an angle of 135°, suitably modified moldings substantially similar to those described above may be provided for joining panels at any desired angle. Furthermore, the invention has been described with reference to a tongue and channel engagement feature on the front faces of the interlocking extrusions and a flange and groove engagement feature on the rear faces. However, these engagement features could be reversed, yet still provide similar functionality and benefits.
It will be recognized that the above-described invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the disclosure. Thus, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather is to be defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A set of extruded moldings comprising:
- a first molding includes a first connection base that is perpendicular to opposing front and rear faces,
- the front face of the first molding includes:
- a free distal end that bifurcates to form a channel along an edge of the front face of the first molding, with a channel opening facing away from and opposite the first connection base of the first molding;
- the bifurcated free distal end forming the channel is comprised of:
- a first branch and a second branch that diverge from a vertex of the bifurcated free distal end;
- the first branch is protruded from the edge of the front face of the first molding and forming an arc that includes an interior curved side of the channel and;
- a second branch that is primarily a straight-line continuation of the edge of the front face of the first molding that faces an interior concaved side of the channel;
- the rear face of the first molding includes:
- a first distal portion, distal from the first connection base of the first molding, forming a free end that is straight and extends toward a second molding;
- a second proximal portion near the first connection base of the first molding that has a groove, with a first wall of the groove comprised of a portion of the first connection base of the first molding, the groove is oriented away from the front face of the first molding;
- the second molding includes a second connection base that is perpendicular to opposing first and second faces;
- the first face of the second molding includes:
- a first distal end having a protuberance extending along a first edge of the first face of the second molding, having a commensurately formed silhouette along a continuous periphery edge of the protuberance with curved and straight sections that complement and interlock into the curved and straight channel sections of the channel of the front face of the first molding;
- the second face of the second molding includes:
- a first integral part that is substantially straight and a second integral part distal from the second connection base of the second molding that has a flange extended toward the first face of the second molding;
- with the flange commensurately formed to complement and interlock into the groove; and
- wherein the channel of the first molding is configured to receive and hold the protuberance of the second molding and subsequently, the flange of the second molding couples into the groove of the first molding when, with the protuberance engaged in the channel, the first and second moldings are rotated to a predetermined angle with respect to each other.
2. A set of extruded moldings comprising:
- a first molding having a first outside engagement feature and a first inside engagement feature; and
- a second molding having a second outside engagement feature and a second inside engagement feature;
- the first outside engagement feature of the first molding is configured to receive and hold the second outside engagement feature of the second molding when the first and second moldings are oriented at a first predetermined angle with respect to each other; and
- the second inside engagement feature of the second molding positively engages the first inside engagement feature of the first molding when the first and second moldings are rotated to a second predetermined angle with respect to each other;
- the first outside engagement feature of the first molding includes a channel facing away from and opposite a first connection base of the first molding, the channel includes a generally curved section and a generally straight section, with the generally curved section protruded at an angle from an edge of the first molding, with an interior concaved side of the generally curved section facing the generally straight section of the channel, and a convex section facing the first and second inside engagement features;
- the second outside engagement feature of the second molding includes a protuberance, having a commensurately formed silhouette along a continuous periphery edge of the protuberance that complements and interlocks into the channel of the first outside engagement feature of the first molding;
- the first inside engagement feature of the first molding includes a first distal portion, distal from the first connection base of the first molding, which extends toward a second molding and a second proximal portion near the first connection base of the first molding that has a groove, with a first wall of the groove comprised of a section of the first connection base of the first molding, with the groove facing away from the first and second outside engagement features;
- the second inside engagement feature of the second molding includes a first integral part that is substantially straight and a second integral part distal from a second connection base of the second molding that has a flange that extends towards the first and second outside engagement features;
- the flange is commensurately formed to complement and interlock into the groove of the first inside engagement feature of the first molding, while the first and second outside engagement features remain held together.
3. A set of panels for a shower enclosure comprising:
- a first panel having a first molding along an edge of the first panel;
- the first molding having a first connection base perpendicular to opposing front and rear faces,
- the front face of the first molding includes:
- a free distal end that bifurcates to form a channel along an edge of the front face of the first molding, with a channel opening facing away from and opposite the first connection base of the first molding;
- the bifurcated free distal end forming the channel is comprised of:
- a first branch and a second branch that diverge from a vertex of the bifurcated free distal end;
- the first branch is protruded from the edge of the front face of the first molding and forming an arc that includes an interior curved side of the channel, and
- a second branch that is primarily a straight-line continuation of the edge of the front face of the first molding that faces an interior concaved side of the channel;
- the rear face of the first molding includes:
- a first distal portion, distal from the first connection base of the first molding, forming a free end that is straight and extends toward a second molding; and
- a second proximal portion near the first connection base of the first molding that has a groove, with a first wall of the groove comprised of a portion of the first connection base of the first molding;
- a second panel having the second molding along an edge of the second panel;
- the second molding includes a second connection base that is perpendicular to opposing first and second faces, the groove is oriented away from the front face of the first molding;
- the first face of the second molding includes:
- a first distal end having a protuberance extending along a first edge of the first face of the second molding, having a commensurately formed silhouette along a continuous periphery edge of the protuberance with curved and straight sections that complement and interlock into the curved and straight channel sections of the channel of the front face of the first molding;
- the second face of the second molding includes:
- a first integral part that is substantially straight and a second integral part distal from the second connection base of the second molding that has a flange extended toward the first face of the second molding;
- with the flange commensurately formed to complement and interlock into the groove; and
- wherein the channel of the first molding is configured to receive and hold the protuberance of the second molding, when the first and second panels are oriented at a first predetermined angle with respect to each other, and wherein the flange of the second molding couples into the groove of the first molding when, with the protuberance engaged in the channel, the first and second panels are rotated to a second predetermined angle with respect to each other.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 15, 2010
Publication Date: Apr 14, 2011
Applicant: SHOWER ENCLOSURES AMERICA, INC. (Ontario, CA)
Inventors: MICHAEL GUIDOS (Lake Arrowhead, CA), MICHAEL H. CLARK (ALTA LOMA, CA)
Application Number: 12/969,512
International Classification: E04B 2/74 (20060101); E04B 2/78 (20060101);