SHOWER RECEPTORS
A shower receptor includes a generally planar base surface, a deck surface, and a threshold surface. The generally planar base surface includes a drain opening. The deck surface extends upward from the generally planar base surface and along an outer side periphery thereof. The threshold surface extends upward from the generally planar base surface and along a front periphery of the base surface. The deck surface is spaced apart from the threshold surface to define a gap. The deck surface is substantially coplanar with the threshold surface.
This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/092,393, filed Dec. 16, 2014, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUNDThe present application relates generally to showers, and in particular, to receptors for use in shower or bathing areas.
Generally speaking, a shower or bathing area can include a receptor for directing water within the area toward a drain pipe or sewer system. The receptor can include a drain opening and a drain cover. The receptor can also include surface features that help to contain water within the receptor. For example, the receptor can include one or more raised surfaces or features located at or near an entry way of the shower (e.g., a threshold surface, etc.) that can act to prevent water from leaking outside of the receptor. The distance between the top of the drain on the receptor and the top of a threshold or entry way surface must be at least two inches to comply with most building code requirements. Thus, most receptors include a threshold or entry way surface that is offset from a surrounding deck surface to meet the two inch height requirement.
However, the offset distance between the deck surface and the threshold or entry way surface can create an unsightly gap sometimes referred to as a “weep hole” or “mouse hole” between the receptor and an adjacent wall of the bathing area, because the adjacent wall typically extends to the deck surface extending along a perimeter of the receptor. The large weep hole can also result in the accumulation of dirt and bacteria over time. Typically, an installer conceals the large weep hole by modifying the adjacent wall, such as by extending the tile or wall surface down to meet the offset threshold surface. This can result in substantial modifications and effort to conceal the weep hole and to improve the aesthetics of the shower area.
Thus, there is a need for an improved receptor having features that address one or more of the above-identified deficiencies associated with conventional receptors. These and other advantageous features will become apparent to those reviewing the present disclosure.
SUMMARYOne embodiment relates to a shower receptor including a generally planar base surface, a deck surface, and a threshold surface. The generally planar base surface includes a drain opening. The deck surface extends upward from the generally planar base surface and along an outer side periphery thereof. The threshold surface extends upward from the generally planar base surface and along a front periphery of the base surface. The deck surface is spaced apart from the threshold surface to define a gap. The deck surface is substantially coplanar with the threshold surface.
Another embodiment relates to a shower receptor including a base surface, a first perimeter surface, a second perimeter surface, and a protrusion. The base surface includes a drain opening. The first perimeter surface is disposed above the base surface and extends along an outer periphery thereof. The second perimeter surface is disposed above the base surface and extends along a front portion of the receptor. The protrusion extends upward from the second perimeter surface along a front edge thereof. The first perimeter surface is spaced apart from the second perimeter surface to define a gap. The first perimeter surface is substantially coplanar with the second perimeter surface.
Yet another embodiment relates to a shower receptor including a base surface, a first perimeter surface, a second perimeter surface, and a protrusion. The base surface includes a drain opening. The first perimeter surface is disposed above the base surface and extends along an outer periphery thereof. The first perimeter surface is generally flat. The second perimeter surface is disposed above the base surface and extends along a front portion of the receptor. The second perimeter surface is generally flat. The protrusion extends upward from the second perimeter surface along a front edge thereof. The first perimeter surface is spaced apart from the second perimeter surface to define a gap. The first perimeter surface is substantially coplanar with the second perimeter surface.
Referring generally to the FIGURES, disclosed herein are shower receptors that provide for improved water containment, improved aesthetics, and improved entryways within a shower or bathing area. According to an exemplary embodiment, the shower receptor has a coplanar deck surface and threshold surface that minimizes the weep hole size in, for example, a shower enclosure installation. According to another exemplary embodiment, the shower receptor has a threshold protrusion (e.g., a threshold bead, etc.) that provides for improved water containment within a shower area. According to other exemplary embodiments, the shower receptor includes a drain cover that allows for a reduced threshold height (i.e., step-over height) to allow a user to easily enter into and exit the shower area, while still meeting various building code requirements and providing for effective water containment.
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According to the exemplary embodiment shown, the base surface 115/515 is generally planar and tapers inwardly toward a drain opening 118/518 (see
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According to an exemplary embodiment, the threshold surface 111/511 is spaced apart from the deck surface 112/512 at each side or end of the receptor 110/510 to define two separate gaps or spaces. These gaps are sometimes referred to as weep holes or mouse holes that can help direct water that may overflow from the base surface 115/515 toward the flange 114/514. For example, water that may overflow from the base surface 115/515 can flow toward a side periphery of the receptor 110/510. The water will be directed to the weep holes defined between the deck surface 112/512 and the threshold surface 111/511, because these are the lowest areas or portions on the receptor besides the drain openings. Thus, water that may overflow within the receptor will flow through the weep holes to an interior (e.g., channel, etc.) of the flange 114/514 to thereby prevent water from flowing outside of the receptor 110/510.
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According to various exemplary embodiments, the shower receptors 110/510 can be made (e.g., formed, molded, etc.) from a rigid or a semi-rigid material suitable for use in showers and baths, such as a sheet molded compounded (SMC) commercially available under the trade name Vikrell. The receptors disclosed herein can include a variety of different surface textures (e.g., knurls, grooves, undulations, etc.) or surface treatments (e.g., anti-slip coatings, etc.) to provide comfort and/or anti-slip protection for a user. According to an exemplary embodiment, the various receptors can have a material thickness of about 0.165″ (inches). According to other exemplary embodiments, the material thickness may be larger or smaller depending on the particular application in the shower enclosure. According to other exemplary embodiments, the shower receptors disclosed herein can be made from another rigid or semi-rigid material or combinations of materials suitable for use in shower and bathing environments.
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Additional details including different drain covers for use in the various shower receptor embodiments disclosed herein are available in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/613,272 (now granted U.S. Pat. No. 7,739,757) filed on Dec. 20, 2006 and entitled “SHOWER BASE WITH FLOW ENHANCING COVERED DRAIN,” the complete subject matter of which is incorporated by reference herein.
As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”, and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the application as recited in the appended claims.
It should be noted that the term “exemplary” as used herein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).
The terms “coupled,” “connected,” and the like as used herein mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another.
References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.
It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present application.
Claims
1. A shower receptor comprising:
- a generally planar base surface including a drain opening;
- a deck surface extending upward from the generally planar base surface and along an outer side periphery thereof; and
- a threshold surface extending upward from the generally planar base surface and along a front periphery of the base surface;
- wherein the deck surface is spaced apart from the threshold surface to define a gap; and
- wherein the deck surface is substantially coplanar with the threshold surface.
2. The shower receptor of claim 1, further comprising a flange extending outwardly away from an outer periphery of the deck surface and surrounding at least a portion of the generally planar deck surface.
3. The shower receptor of claim 1, wherein the drain opening is at least partially defined by a first flange recessed below the deck surface and extending radially inward toward a center of the drain opening.
4. The shower receptor of claim 3, wherein the drain opening is at least partially defined by a second flange recessed below the first flange and extending radially inward toward the center of the drain opening further than the first flange, and wherein the second flange is configured to receive a drain.
5. The shower receptor of claim 4, further comprising a drain cover removably coupled to the first flange, wherein the drain cover is at least partially disposed below the deck surface.
6. The shower receptor of claim 5, further comprising a protrusion extending upward along a front peripheral edge of the threshold surface.
7. The shower receptor of claim 6, wherein the protrusion extends a distance of about 0.3125 inches above the threshold surface.
8. The shower receptor of claim 6, wherein a vertical distance between an upper portion of the protrusion and a surface of the first flange is about two inches.
9. The shower receptor of claim 1, wherein the deck surface and the threshold surface are each generally flat.
10. The shower receptor of claim 1, wherein the gap is about one inch wide by about 0.375 inches deep.
11. A shower receptor comprising:
- a base surface including a drain opening;
- a first perimeter surface disposed above the base surface and extending along an outer periphery thereof;
- a second perimeter surface disposed above the base surface and extending along a front portion of the receptor;
- a protrusion extending upward from the second perimeter surface along a front edge thereof;
- wherein the first perimeter surface is spaced apart from the second perimeter surface to define a gap; and
- wherein the first perimeter surface is substantially coplanar with the second perimeter surface.
12. The shower receptor of claim 11, further comprising a flange extending outwardly from an outer periphery of the second perimeter surface and surrounding at least a portion of the base surface.
13. The shower receptor of claim 11, wherein the drain opening is at least partially defined by a first flange recessed below the base surface and extending radially inward toward a center of the drain opening.
14. The shower receptor of claim 13, wherein the drain opening is at least partially defined by a second flange recessed below the first flange and extending radially inward toward the center of the drain opening further than the first flange, and wherein the second flange is configured to receive a drain.
15. The shower receptor of claim 14, further comprising a drain cover removably coupled to the first flange, wherein the drain cover is at least partially disposed below the base surface.
16. The shower receptor of claim 11, wherein the protrusion extends a distance of about 0.3125 inches above the second perimeter surface.
17. The shower receptor of claim 16, wherein a vertical distance between an upper portion of the protrusion and a surface of the first flange is about two inches.
18. The shower receptor of claim 1, wherein the gap is about one inch wide by about 0.375 inches deep.
19. A shower receptor comprising:
- a base surface including a drain opening;
- a first perimeter surface disposed above the base surface and extending along an outer periphery thereof, wherein the first perimeter surface is generally flat;
- a second perimeter surface disposed above the base surface and extending along a front portion of the receptor, wherein the second perimeter surface is generally flat;
- a protrusion extending upward from the second perimeter surface along a front edge thereof;
- wherein the first perimeter surface is spaced apart from the second perimeter surface to define a gap; and
- wherein the first perimeter surface is substantially coplanar with the second perimeter surface.
20. The shower receptor of claim 19, wherein the drain opening is defined by:
- a first flange disposed below the base surface and extending radially inward toward a center of the drain opening, and
- a second flange disposed below the first flange and extending radially inward toward the center of the drain opening further than the first flange.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 15, 2015
Publication Date: Jun 16, 2016
Inventors: Luke B. Zimbric (Sheboygan Falls, WI), Sarah K. O'Brien (Sheboygan, WI), Stephanie Szemetylo (Sheboygan, WI), Gurusiddeshwar Gudimani (Sheboygan, WI)
Application Number: 14/969,433