An adjustable coupling apparatus and a method for coupling a screen or a panel to a structure

Abstract

Adjustable coupling apparatus (10) for securing a panel (7) to a masonry wall (3) of a shower enclosure comprises an elongated mounting member (12) having an elongated channel (18) for receiving the panel (7). A plurality of fastener accommodating elements (22) corresponding to elongated spaced apart longitudinally extending main slots (20) accommodate corresponding screws (14) into pre-drilled corresponding fastener receiving holes (25) in the wall (3). A secondary slot (24) extends transversely through each fastener accommodating element (22) for accommodating the screw (14). To secure the mounting member (12) to the wall (3), the secondary slots (24) of the fastener accommodating elements (22) are aligned with the respective fastener receiving holes (25). The mounting member (12) is then lightly secured to the wall (3) by the screws (14) just sufficiently to allow further final adjustment of the fastener accommodating elements (22) in the respective main slots (20), and to permit transverse movement of the mounting member (12) in order to align the mounting member (12) vertically. The screws (14) are then tightened in the respective fastener receiving holes (25) for in turn clamping the mounting member (12) between the fastener accommodating elements (22) and the wall (3).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an adjustable coupling apparatus and a method for coupling a screen or a panel to a structure, and in particular, though not limited to an adjustable coupling apparatus and a method for coupling a screen or a panel of a shower enclosure to a wall, or for coupling a screen or a panel to a wall above a bath for defining a shower enclosure with the bath.

[0002] There are many types of shower enclosures, the majority of which are formed by three walls surrounding a shower base, or a floor configured to drain water from the shower, and a door which essentially forms all or a part of a fourth wall of the enclosure, although in some shower enclosures, the area which would form the fourth wall is left open, particularly in the case of a shower in a wet room. In all such shower enclosures, it is not uncommon for at least one and in some cases two of the walls of the shower enclosure to be formed by structural walls of a building, which may be either masonry walls or studded partition walls which typically, are tiled, or are coated with other suitable water protective coatings. The third or the second and third walls of the shower enclosure are typically formed by a screen or a panel, typically, of a toughened glass. The glass panel or panels are secured to the structural wall or walls by an elongated mounting member which typically, is of channel shape for receiving the screen or panel, or a frame element of the screen or panel for in turn securing the screen or panel to the structural wall.

[0003] It is essential that the elongated mounting member should be vertically aligned in order that the screen or glass panel when secured to the structural wall by the mounting member is also vertically aligned. In many cases, particularly, in masonry walls, it is difficult to drill holes into the masonry wall with the degree of precision required in order that the mounting member will be vertically aligned when secured to the wall with fasteners, typically, screws engaged in plugged drilled holes. This is also a problem when securing a screen or panel to a wall above a side of a bath in order to define a shower enclosure above the bath.

[0004] A further problem arises where a screen or panel is being replaced in a shower enclosure or above the side of a bath, in that, the replacement screen or panel, in general, requires a specific dedicated mounting member be used for coupling the replacement screen or panel to the wall. In the majority of cases the screw accommodating openings in such mounting members do not accurately align with holes which had already been drilled for the mounting member of the screen or panel which is being replaced. This, thus, requires the drilling of new holes in the structural wall and thereby leaving the existing holes unused with the possibility of moisture leaking into the holes resulting in deterioration of the structural wall, particularly, in cases where the structural wall is a studded partition wall, or a masonry wall which has been studded.

[0005] There is therefore a need for an adjustable coupling apparatus and a method for coupling a screen or a panel to a structure which addresses this problem.

[0006] European Patent Specification No. 1,547,503 of Harrison discloses a mounting member for mounting a panel to a wall. The mounting member is of channel shape construction comprising an elongated end wall and a pair of spaced apart elongated side walls extending along and from the end wall and defining with the end wall an elongated channel for receiving the panel therein. One or more holes extend through the end wall for accommodating a fastener such as a screw for securing the mounting member to the wall. A protector for protecting the panel within the mounting member comprises a rear portion for abutting the end wall of the mounting member. A hole extending through the rear portion of the protector is alignable with one of the holes extending through the end wall of the mounting member for accommodating a fastener, such as a screw therethrough for securing the protector and the mounting member to the structure. Side springs extending from opposite sides of the rear portion of the protector are slideably engageable in longitudinally extending grooves extending along the side walls of the mounting member.

[0007] The present invention is directed towards providing an adjustable coupling apparatus and a method for coupling a screen or a panel to a structure. The invention is also directed towards a structure comprising the adjustable coupling apparatus, and the invention is further directed towards a shower enclosure.

[0008] According to the invention there is provided an adjustable coupling apparatus for coupling a screen or a panel to a structure, the coupling apparatus comprising an elongated mounting member for mounting on the structure, the mounting member being of channel shape construction and comprising an elongated end wall, and a pair of spaced apart elongated side walls extending along and from the end wall and defining with the end wall an elongated channel configured to receive the screen or panel therein between the side walls, at least one main aperture extending through the end wall, a fastener accommodating element having a secondary aperture extending therethrough located in the channel, and a retaining means for retaining the fastener accommodating element in the channel with the secondary aperture located relative to the main aperture for accommodating a fastener through the secondary aperture and the main aperture to the structure, wherein the retaining means is configured to permit the fastener accommodating element to be slideable longitudinally in the channel, the at least one main aperture comprises an elongated main slot extending longitudinally along the end wall of the mounting member, the main slot being of length in a longitudinal direction relative to the mounting member greater than the width thereof in the transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction of the mounting member, the secondary aperture comprises a secondary slot extending transversely of the main slot, and the main slot is of width in the transverse direction sufficient to accommodate adjustment of a fastener in the secondary slot along substantially the length of the secondary slot.

[0009] Advantageously, the main slot is of width in the transverse direction to allow adjustment of a fastener transversely in the main slot.

[0010] Preferably, the main slot is of width in the transverse direction sufficient to accommodate adjustment of a fastener in the secondary slot along the entire length of the secondary slot.

[0011] Preferably, the secondary slot is of width just greater than the maximum dimension of a shank of a fastener.

[0012] Preferably, the secondary slot comprises a countersunk secondary slot.

[0013] In one embodiment of the invention the retaining means comprises at least one pair of interengageable complementary formations, one of the interengageable complementary formations being located on the mounting member, and the other one of the interengageable complementary formations being located on the fastener accommodating element.

[0014] Preferably, one of the interengageable complementary formations extends from the mounting member, and preferably, extends from the mounting member into the channel.

[0015] In another embodiment of the invention the interengageable complementary formation located on the mounting member comprises an elongated retaining track extending longitudinally in the channel, and advantageously, the elongated retaining track extends from the end wall of the mounting member.

[0016] In another embodiment of the invention the interengageable complementary formation on the fastener accommodating element comprises a retaining recess extending into the fastener accommodating element, and preferably, the retaining recess is engageable with the interengageable complementary formation extending from the mounting member, and advantageously, the retaining recess is slideably engageable with the interengageable complementary formation extending from the mounting member.

[0017] In another embodiment of the invention the interengageable complementary formations are configured to engage each other with a snap-fit action.

[0018] Preferably, a pair of the retaining tracks are provided, the retaining tracks being spaced apart from each other and extending parallel to each other. Advantageously, a pair of the retaining recesses are provided, and preferably, the retaining recesses are spaced apart from each other and extend parallel to each other. Preferably, the retaining recesses of the fastener accommodating element are configured to slideably engage the corresponding ones of the retaining tracks.

[0019] Preferably, each retaining track terminates along a distal edge thereof in an engagement element extending longitudinally along the retaining track and transversely from the retaining track. Preferably, the engagement elements extend transversely from the respective retaining tracks one of towards each other and away from each other. Advantageously, the engagement elements extend transversely from the respective retaining tracks towards each other.

[0020] In another embodiment of the invention each retaining recess terminates in the fastener accommodating element in an engagement recess for engaging the engagement element of the corresponding retaining track. Preferably, the engagement recess of each retaining recess extends in a generally longitudinal direction relative to the retaining recess and transversely thereof.

[0021] Preferably, the engagement recesses extend transversely from the respective retaining recesses one of towards each other and away from each other, and advantageously, the engagement recesses extend transversely from the respective retaining recesses away from each other.

[0022] In one embodiment of the invention the mounting member defines a structure abutment face for abutting the structure. Preferably, the structure abutment face is located adjacent the end wall, and advantageously, the structure abutment face is located adjacent an outer face of the end wall.

[0023] In another embodiment of the invention the fastener accommodating element defines a first abutment face for abutting an inner face of the end wall of the mounting member. Preferably, an abutment portion of the fastener accommodating element extends through the main slot, and preferably, the abutment portion of the fastener accommodating element terminates in a second abutment face for abutting the structure. Advantageously, the spacing between the first abutment face of the fastener accommodating element and the second abutment face of the fastener accommodating element is substantially similar to the spacing between the inner face of the end wall of the mounting member and the structure abutment face of the mounting member, and preferably, the spacing between the first abutment face of the fastener accommodating element and the second abutment face of the fastener accommodating element is just less than the spacing between the inner face of the end wall of the mounting member and the structure abutment face of the mounting member.

[0024] Preferably, the spacing between the first abutment face of the fastener accommodating element and the second abutment face of the fastener accommodating element is less than 2mm less than the spacing between the inner face of the end wall of the mounting member and the structure abutment face of the mounting member, and advantageously, is less than 1 mm, and ideally, less than 0.5mm less than the spacing between the inner face of the end wall of the mounting member and the structure abutment face of the mounting member.

[0025] Preferably, each retaining track extends at least the length of the main slot, and advantageously, each retaining track extends the length of the mounting member.

[0026] In another embodiment of the invention a plurality of longitudinally extending main slots extend through the end wall, the main slots being longitudinally spaced apart along the end wall. Preferably, at least one fastener accommodating element is provided corresponding to each main slot.

[0027] The invention also provides a structure comprising the adjustable coupling apparatus according to the invention secured to the structure by a fastener extending through the secondary slot in the fastener accommodating element.

[0028] In one embodiment of the invention a plurality of fasteners are provided through the secondary slots in respective ones of the fastener accommodating elements and one or more corresponding main slots through the end wall for securing the mounting member to the structure.

[0029] In another embodiment of the invention one of a panel and a screen is secured to the structure by the adjustable coupling apparatus with the one of the panel and the screen engaged in the channel of the mounting member.

[0030] In another embodiment of the invention the structure comprises a wall, and in another embodiment of the invention the wall comprises one of a masonry wall and a studded wall, and in a further embodiment of the invention the structure comprises a wall of a shower enclosure.

[0031] The invention further provides a shower enclosure comprising a panel defining a wall of the shower enclosure, and the adjustable coupling apparatus according to the invention securing the panel to a structure defining an adjacent wall of the shower enclosure.

[0032] Additionally, the invention provides the adjustable coupling apparatus according to the invention and a panel or a screen located in the channel defined by the mounting member.

[0033] The invention also provides a method for securing one of a screen and a panel to a structure, the method comprising providing an elongated mounting member of channel shape construction comprising an elongated end wall, and a pair of spaced apart elongated side walls extending along and from the end wall and defining with the end wall an elongated channel configured to receive the screen or panel therein between the side walls, and having at least one main aperture extending through the end wall, locating a fastener accommodating element having a secondary aperture extending therethrough in the channel of the mounting member, and retaining the fastener accommodating element in the channel by a retaining means with the secondary aperture located relative to the main aperture for accommodating a fastener through the secondary aperture and the main aperture, wherein the retaining means is configured to permit the fastener accommodating element to be slideable longitudinally in the channel, the at least one main aperture is provided as an elongated main slot extending longitudinally along the end wall and being of length in a longitudinal direction relative to the mounting member greater than the width thereof in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction of the mounting member, the secondary aperture is provided as a secondary slot extending transversely of the main slot, the main slot is configured to be of width in the transverse direction sufficient to accommodate adjustment of a fastener in the secondary slot along substantially the length of the secondary slot, and the method further comprises offering the mounting member to the structure with the main slot roughly aligned with a fastener receiving hole in the structure for receiving the fastener, aligning the fastener accommodating element in the channel with the secondary slot aligned with the fastener receiving hole in the structure by adjusting the fastener accommodating element longitudinally in the mounting member, inserting the fastener through the secondary slot through the fastener accommodating element and through the main slot into the fastener receiving hole in the structure, lightly tightening the fastener in the fastener receiving hole, adjusting the position of the mounting member relative to the structure until the mounting member is in the desired location relative to the structure both longitudinally and transversely, and tightening the fastener in the fastener receiving hole for securing the mounting member tightly to the structure.

[0034] The main slot is configured to be of width in the transverse direction to allow adjustment of a fastener transversely in the main slot.

[0035] Preferably, the main slot is configured to be of width in the transverse direction sufficient to accommodate adjustment of a fastener in the secondary slot along the entire length of the secondary slot.

[0036] Preferably, the secondary slot is configured to be of width just greater than the maximum dimension of a shank of a fastener. Advantageously, the secondary slot is configured to comprise a countersunk secondary slot.

[0037] In another embodiment of the invention the retaining means is configured to comprise at least one pair of interengageable complementary formations, and one of the interengageable complementary formations is located on the mounting member, and the other one of the interengageable complementary formations is located on the fastener accommodating element. Preferably, the interengageable complementary formations are configured to engage each other with a snap-fit action.

[0038] In one embodiment of the invention one of the interengageable complementary formations is configured to extend from the mounting member.

[0039] The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof which is given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a partly cut-away side elevational view of a portion of a shower enclosure according to the invention comprising an adjustable coupling apparatus also according to the invention securing a panel of the shower enclosure to a structure, Fig. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional top plan view of a portion of the shower enclosure of Fig. 1 illustrating the adjustable coupling apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a front end elevational view of the adjustable coupling apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a rear end elevational view of the adjustable coupling apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is an enlarged front elevation view of a portion of the coupling apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is an enlarged rear end elevational view of a portion of the coupling apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 7 is an enlarged front elevational view of a portion of the adjustable coupling apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view from the top and one side of the portion of Fig. 7 of the adjustable coupling apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 9 is a transverse cross-sectional top plan view of the adjustable coupling apparatus of Fig. 1. Fig. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of a part of the adjustable coupling apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 11 is a perspective view of another part of the coupling apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 12 is a further perspective view of the part of Fig. 11 of the adjustable coupling apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 13 is a front elevational view of the part of Fig. 11 of the adjustable coupling apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 14 is a rear elevational view of the part of Fig. 11 of the adjustable coupling apparatus of Fig. 1, and Fig. 15 is a top plan view of the part of Fig. 11 of the adjustable coupling apparatus of Fig. 1.

[0040] Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figs. 1 and 2 there is illustrated a portion of a shower enclosure according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The shower enclosure 1 in this embodiment of the invention is of the type which is defined by two masonry walls of a structure extending at a right angle to each other, namely, a rear masonry wall 3 and a side masonry wall 5. A third side wall of the shower enclosure 1 comprises a panel 7 of toughened glass, which is spaced apart from the side masonry wall 5 and extends parallel thereto, and is secured to the rear masonry wall 3 by an adjustable coupling apparatus also according to the invention and indicated generally by the reference numeral 10. A fourth or front wall which is not illustrated of the shower enclosure 1 is formed by a door assembly, which may comprise a hingedly mounted door, a folding door, or a sliding door. Such shower enclosures as the shower enclosure 1 will be well known to those skilled in the art and further description of the shower enclosure should not be required.

[0041] Turning now to the adjustable coupling apparatus 10 which secures the panel 7 to the rear masonry wall 3, the adjustable coupling apparatus 10 comprises an elongated mounting member 12 of channel shape construction for mounting on the rear masonry wall 3 by fasteners, for example, screws 14 as will be described below. The mounting member 12 comprises an elongated end wall 15, and a pair of spaced apart elongated side walls 16 extending along and from the end wall 15 and defining with the end wall 15 an elongated channel 18 configured to receive the panel 7 therein between the side walls 16. Portions 17 of the side walls 16 extend beyond the end wall 15 and terminate in structure abutment faces 19 for abutting the rear masonry wall 3 when the mounting member 12 is secured thereto.

[0042] At least one, and in this embodiment of the invention three longitudinally spaced apart elongated main slots 20 extend through and longitudinally along the end wall 15 for accommodating the screws 14 therethrough for securing the mounting member 12 to the rear masonry wall 3 as will be described below.

[0043] At least one, and in this embodiment of the invention three fastener accommodating elements 22 are located in the channel 18, one fastener accommodating element 22 being provided corresponding to each main slot 20. Each fastener accommodating element 22 comprises a secondary slot 24 extending therethrough for accommodating a corresponding one of the screws 14 therethrough. Each fastener accommodating element 22 is retained by a retaining means in the channel 18 with the secondary slot 24 thereof extending transversely relative to the corresponding main slot 20. The retaining means as will be described below also permits each fastener accommodating element 22 to be slideable longitudinally relative to the corresponding main slot 20 in the channel 18 for facilitating longitudinal alignment of the mounting member with a pre-drilled or pre-formed fastener receiving hole 25 in the rear masonry wall 3, while the secondary slot 24 accommodates transverse adjustment of the mounting member 12 relative to the fastener receiving hole 25. This, thus, permits locating the mounting member 12 on the rear masonry wall 3 in a desired position while at the same time securing the mounting member 12 by screws 14 in the pre-drilled fastener receiving holes 25 which may be slightly off-centre transversely relative to the end wall 15 of the mounting member 12, and may also not be accurately aligned vertically.

[0044] The retaining means for retaining the fastener accommodating element 22 in the channel 18 with the secondary slot 24 extending transversely of the main slot 20, in this embodiment of the invention comprises two pairs of interengageable complementary formations one of the formations of each of the pairs of interengageable complementary formations being formed on the mounting member 12, and the other one of each of the pair of interengageable complementary formations being formed on the fastener accommodating element 22. In this embodiment of the invention one of the interengageable complementary formations of each of the pairs of the interengageable complementary formations comprises an elongated retaining track 27 extending from the mounting member 12 into the channel 18, and the other one of each pair of the interengageable complementary formations comprising a retaining recess 29 formed in each one of the fastener accommodating elements 22. In this embodiment of the invention the retaining tracks 27 of the two pairs of interengageable complementary formations extend from the end wall 15 of the mounting member 12 into the channel 18 for engaging the corresponding retaining recesses 29 in each of the fastener accommodating elements 22.

[0045] The retaining tracks 27 extend longitudinally along the length of the end wall 15 along the respective side edges of the main slots 20, and define the side edges of the main slots 20. Each retaining track 27 terminates at its distal edge 30 in an engagement element 32, which extends longitudinally along the distal edge 30 of the corresponding retaining track 27 and transversely therefrom. The engagement elements 32 of each of the retaining tracks 27 extend transversely towards each other. However, in some embodiments of the invention it is envisaged that the engagement elements 32 may extend from the retaining tracks 27 transversely away from each other.

[0046] Each retaining recess 29 extends longitudinally through the fastener accommodating element 22 in a longitudinal direction relative to the mounting member 12. The retaining recesses 29 extend into the corresponding fastener accommodating elements 22 and terminate therein in engagement recesses 34 which extend longitudinally relative to the retaining recesses 29, and transversely from the retaining recesses 29. In this embodiment of the invention the engagement recesses 34 extend transversely from the receiving recesses 29 in a direction away from each other. However, it will be appreciated that the engagement recesses 34 may extend transversely from the retaining recesses 29 towards each other. The direction from which the engagement recesses 34 extend transversely from the retaining recesses 29 will be determined by the direction from which the engagement elements 32 extend transversely from the retaining tracks 27.

[0047] Side members 35 extending from each fastener accommodating element 22 define with the fastener accommodating element 22 the retaining and engagement recesses 29 and 34. The side members 35 terminate in first abutment faces 37 for abutting an inner abutment surface 38 of the end wall 15 when the retaining tracks 27 are engaged in the retaining recesses 29. A tapered lead-in 40 is provided on each side member 35 extending inwardly into the corresponding retaining recess 29 from the first abutment face 37 of the side member 35 for accommodating engagement of the retaining tracks 27 in the receiving recesses 29 as each fastener accommodating element 22 is being urged into engagement with the retaining tracks 27. Portions 42 of the side members 35 of each fastener accommodating element 22, which partly define the engagement recesses 34 of the retaining recesses 29 are of sufficient resilience to facilitate urging the fastener accommodating elements 22 into engagement with the retaining tracks 27 so that the fastener accommodating element 22 engages the retaining tracks 27 with a snap-fit action.

[0048] An abutment portion 44 extends from each fastener accommodating element 22 between the side members 35 and defines with the side members 35 the retaining recesses 29. The abutment portion 44 of each fastener accommodating element 22 is configured to extend through the corresponding main slot 20, and terminates in a second abutment face, namely, a structure abutment face 45, which is configured to abut the rear masonry wall 3 when the fastener accommodating element 22 is tightly secured to the rear masonry wall 3 with the screw 14.

[0049] In this embodiment of the invention the spacing S 1 between the structure abutment face 45 of each fastener accommodating element 22 and the first abutment face 37 thereof, is just less than the spacing S 2 between the structure abutment faces 19 of the mounting member 12 and the inner face 38 of the end wall 15 of the mounting member 12, so that when each fastener accommodating element 22 is secured by the corresponding screw 14 in the fastener receiving hole 25 with the structure abutment face 45 of the fastener accommodating element 22 tightly abutting the rear masonry wall 3, the first abutment faces 37 of the fastener accommodating element 22 tightly abut the inner face 38 of the end wall 15, to in turn urge the structure abutment faces 19 of the mounting member 12 into tight abutting engagement with the rear masonry wall 3, so that the mounting member 12 is tightly clamped between the fastener accommodating elements 22 and the rear masonry wall 3. However, the spacing S 1 is just sufficiently less than the spacing S 2 , so that the mounting member 12 is tightly clamped between the fastener accommodating elements 22 and the rear masonry wall 3, without distortion of the mounting member 12. In this embodiment of the invention the spacing S 1 is between 0.5mm and 1mm less than the spacing S 2 .

[0050] In this embodiment of the invention the fastener accommodating elements 22 are of injection moulded plastics material, and the plastics material is of sufficient resilience to provide the necessary resilience in the portions 42 of the side members 35 in order to facilitate a snap-fit engagement of the fastener accommodating elements 22 with the retaining tracks 27. Material reducing recesses 48 extend into the fastener accommodating elements 22 from the structure abutment face 45 thereof. In this embodiment of the invention the secondary slot 24 in each fastener accommodating element 22 is countersunk at 49 for accommodating a head 50 of a corresponding screw 14. The mounting member 12 is of a plastics material and is formed by extrusion, although it will be appreciated that the mounting member may be of a metal material, for example, aluminium or an aluminium alloy, and typically would be formed by extrusion.

[0051] Additionally, the retaining tracks 27 and the receiving recesses 29 are sized to provide light frictional sliding movement of the fastener accommodating elements 22 along the retaining tracks 27.

[0052] In this embodiment of the invention since the abutment portion 44 of each fastener accommodating element 22 extends through the corresponding main slot 20, the main slot 20 is wider than the length of the secondary slot 24 in the corresponding fastener accommodating element 22 in order to accommodate transverse adjustment of the mounting member 12 relative to the fastener receiving hole 25. As discussed above longitudinal adjustment of the mounting member 12 relative to the fastener receiving hole 25 is obtained by sliding the corresponding fastener accommodating element 22 longitudinally along the retaining tracks 27.

[0053] In use, it is envisaged that the mounting member 12 will be supplied with the fastener accommodating elements 22 retained in the channel 18 with the retaining tracks 27 engaged in the retaining recesses 29, and in general, one fastener accommodating element 22 will be provided corresponding to each main slot 20, although two or more fastener accommodating elements 22 may be provided for each main slot 20. Addtionally, it is envisaged that in some embodiments of the invention the fastener accommodating elements 22 may be provided separately from the mounting members 12, and in which case, the fastener accommodating elements 22 would be assembled to the mounting members 12 on site by urging the fastener accommodating elements 22 into engagement with the retaining tracks 27, so that the retaining tracks 27 fully engage the retaining recesses 29.

[0054] To mount the mounting member 12 on a structure, for example, the rear masonry wall 3 for securing the panel 7 thereto, where the rear masonry wall 3 has been provided with pre-drilled fastener receiving holes 25, the mounting member 12 is offered up to the rear masonry wall 3 and is positioned in the desired position on the rear masonry wall 3. If the fastener accommodating elements 22 are not aligned with the pre-drilled fastener receiving holes 25, the fastener accommodating elements 22 are urged along the retaining tracks 27 until the secondary slots 24 in the fastener accommodating elements 22 are aligned with the corresponding pre-drilled fastener receiving holes 25.

[0055] Once the secondary slots 24 of the fastener accommodating elements 22 are aligned with the pre-drilled fastener receiving holes 25, the screws 14 are engaged through the secondary slots 24 into the corresponding pre-drilled fastener receiving holes 25. The screws 14 are lightly tightened to lightly tighten the mounting member 12 to the rear masonry wall 3, while still allowing adjustment of the mounting member 12 relative to the rear masonry wall 3. Any final adjustment of the mounting member 12 can then be carried out by urging the main mounting member 12 into the desired position both longitudinally and transversely. Transverse adjustment of the mounting member 12 is accommodated by the secondary slots 24 in the fastener accommodating elements 22, and longitudinal adjustment of the mounting member 12 is accommodated by sliding of the fastener accommodating elements 22 in the retaining tracks 27. When the mounting member 12 has been adjusted into the desired position on the rear masonry wall 3, the screws 14 are fully tightened into the pre-drilled fastener receiving holes 25 to thereby secure the fastener accommodating elements 22 with the structure abutment faces 45 tightly abutting the rear masonry wall 3 with the mounting member 12 tightly clamped between the fastener accommodating elements 22 and the rear masonry wall 3.

[0056] Because of the two degrees of adjustment, namely, longitudinal and transverse adjustment, provided by the adjustable coupling apparatus 10 for adjusting the position of the mounting member 12 relative to the pre-drilled fastener receiving holes 25 in the rear masonry wall 3, the pre-drilled fastener receiving holes 25 do not have to be accurately drilled in the rear masonry wall 3, since the mounting member 12 is adjustable longitudinally and transversely relative to the pre-drilled fastener receiving holes 25.

[0057] The advantages of the invention are many. The fastener accommodating elements with the secondary slots being configured to extend transversely relative to the longitudinally extending main slots permits two degrees of orthogonal adjustment of the mounting member relative to the structure to which the mounting member is to be secured. This, thus, accommodates and compensates for any inaccuracy in the positions in which the pre-drilled fastener receiving holes have been drilled into the masonry wall or other structure. Additionally, the adjustable coupling apparatus according to the invention provides a relatively simple and inexpensive construction which provides such two degrees of orthogonal adjustment of the mounting member relative to the structure to which it is secured. Additionally, the arrangement of the fastener accommodating elements in the channel of the mounting member facilitates each of both longitudinal and transverse adjustment of the mounting member.

[0058] While the adjustable coupling apparatus according to the invention has been described for securing a panel of toughened glass of a shower enclosure to a masonry wall, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the adjustable coupling apparatus may be used for coupling any type of screen or panel to any type of structure, be it a wall, floor, ceiling or other structure, and furthermore, the structure may be any type of structure, be it a masonry structure, a timber, steel or other structure.

[0059] It is also envisaged that the adjustable coupling apparatus according to the invention may be used for coupling a screen which may also be of toughened glass or other suitable panel material to a wall or other structure above a side wall of a bath for partly defining a shower enclosure above and within the bath. Needless to say the adjustable coupling apparatus may be used for coupling any type of screen or panel to any type of structure for any purpose.

[0060] While the mounting member has been described as comprising three elongated longitudinally extending and longitudinally spaced apart main slots, any number of main slots may be provided in the mounting member, and indeed, in some embodiments of the invention it is envisaged that a single elongated mounting slot may be provided extending substantially the length of the mounting member, although, for strength purposes, it is preferably that a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart main slots be provided rather than one continuous elongated slot. It will also be appreciated that more than one fastener accommodating element may be provided for each main slot.

[0061] It will be appreciated that while a specific relationship between the spacings S 1 and S 2 has been described, the relationship between the spacings S 1 and S 2 may be of any suitable relationship.

[0062] While a pair of retaining tracks have been described, it is envisaged in some embodiments of the invention that a single retaining track may be sufficient, and in which case a single retaining recess would be provided in each fastener accommodating element.

[0063] While the mounting member is illustrated as comprising one side wall of curved shape, the side walls of the mounting member may be of any suitable or any desired shape.

[0064] It will also be appreciated that while it is advantageous, it is not essential that portions of side walls should extend beyond the end wall and terminate in structure abutting faces. In some embodiments of the invention it is envisaged that the end wall of the mounting member may directly abut the masonry wall or other structure. In which case, it is envisaged that it may not be necessary for the abutment portion of each fastener accommodating element to extend through the corresponding main slot, since there would be little or no danger of distortion of the mounting member during tightening of the fastener accommodating element 22 for clamping the mounting member 12 between the fastener accommodating element 22 and the rear masonry wall, since the end wall of the mounting member would tightly abut both the fastener accommodating element and the rear masonry wall 3.

[0065] While the retaining tracks and the retaining recesses have been described as being of particular shape and cross-section, the retaining tracks and the retaining recesses may be of any suitable desired shape and cross-section.

Claims

1. An adjustable coupling apparatus for coupling a screen or a panel to a structure, the coupling apparatus comprising an elongated mounting member (12) for mounting on the structure (3), the mounting member (12) being of channel shape construction and comprising an elongated end wall (15), and a pair of spaced apart elongated side walls (16) extending along and from the end wall (15) and defining with the end wall an elongated channel (18) configured to receive the screen or panel (7) therein between the side walls (16), at least one main aperture (20) extending through the end wall (15), a fastener accommodating element (22) having a secondary aperture (24) extending therethrough located in the channel (18), and a retaining means (27, 29) for retaining the fastener accommodating element (22) in the channel (18) with the secondary aperture (24) located relative to the main aperture (20) for accommodating a fastener (14) through the secondary aperture (24) and the main aperture (20) to the structure (3), characterised in that the retaining means (27, 29) is configured to permit the fastener accommodating element (22) to be slideable longitudinally in the channel (18), the at least one main aperture (20) comprises an elongated main slot (20) extending longitudinally along the end wall (15) of the mounting member (12), the main slot (20) being of length in a longitudinal direction relative to the mounting member (12) greater than the width thereof in the transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction of the mounting member (12), the secondary aperture (24) comprises a secondary slot (24) extending transversely of the main slot (20), and the main slot (20) is of width in the transverse direction sufficient to accommodate adjustment of a fastener (14) in the secondary slot (24) along substantially the length of the secondary slot (24).

2. An adjustable coupling apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 characterised in that the main slot (20) is of width in the transverse direction sufficient to accommodate adjustment of a fastener (14) in the secondary slot (24) along the entire length of the secondary slot (24).

3. An adjustable coupling apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the secondary slot (24) is of width just greater than the maximum dimension of a shank of a fastener (14).

4. An adjustable coupling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the retaining means (27, 29) comprises at least one pair of interengageable complementary formations (27, 29), one of the interengageable complementary formations (27) being located on the mounting member (12), and the other one of the interengageable complementary formations (29) being located on the fastener accommodating element (22).

5. An adjustable coupling apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 characterised in that one (27) of the interengageable complementary formations (27, 29) extends from the mounting member (12) into the channel, and the other one (29) of the interengageable complementary formations (27, 29) comprises a retaining recess (29) extending into the fastener accommodating element (22) and being slideably engageable with the interengageable complementary formation (27) extending from the mounting member (12).

6. An adjustable coupling apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 or 5 characterised in that the interengageable complementary formation (27) located on the mounting member (12) comprises an elongated retaining track (27) extending longitudinally in the channel (18).

7. An adjustable coupling apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 characterised in that a pair of the retaining tracks (27) are provided, the retaining tracks (27) being spaced apart from each other and extending parallel to each other, and being engageable with a corresponding pair of the retaining recesses (29) extending into the fastener accommodating element (22) and spaced apart from each other.

8. An adjustable coupling apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 or 7 characterised in that each retaining track (27) extends at least the length of the main slot (20).

9. An adjustable coupling apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 8 characterised in that the interengageable complementary formations (28, 29) are configured to engage each other with a snap-fit action.

10. An adjustable coupling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the mounting member (12) defines a structure abutment face (19) for abutting the structure (3), and the fastener accommodating element (22) defines a first abutment face (37) for abutting an inner face (38) of the end wall (15) of the mounting member (12) and comprises an abutment portion (44) extending therefrom through the main slot (20) and terminating in a second abutment face (45) for abutting the structure (3), the spacing (S1) between the first abutment face (37) of the fastener accommodating element (22) and the second abutment face (45) of the abutment portion (44) of the fastener accommodating element (22) is just less than the spacing (S2) between the inner face (38) of the end wall (15) of the mounting member (12) and the structure abutment face (19) of the mounting member (12).

11. An adjustable coupling apparatus as claimed in Claim 10 characterised in that the spacing (S1) between the first abutment face (37) of the fastener accommodating element (22) and the second abutment face (45) of the abutment portion (44) of the fastener accommodating element (22) is less than 2mm less than the spacing (S2) between the inner face (38) of the end wall (15) of the mounting member (12) and the structure abutment face (19) of the mounting member (12), and preferably, is less than 1mm less than the spacing (S2) between the inner face (38) of the end wall (15) of the mounting member (12) and the structure abutment face (19) of the mounting member (12), and ideally is less than 0.5mm less than the spacing (S2) between the inner face (38) of the end wall (15) of the mounting member (12) and the structure abutment face (19) of the mounting member (12).

12. An adjustable coupling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that a plurality of longitudinally extending main slots (20) extend through the end wall (15), the main slots (20) being longitudinally spaced apart along the end wall (15).

13. A structure comprising the adjustable coupling apparatus (10) as claimed in any preceding claim secured to the structure (3) by a fastener (14) extending through the secondary slot (24) in the fastener accommodating element (22) and the main slot (20) in the mounting member (12).

14. A shower enclosure comprising a panel (7) defining a wall of the shower enclosure, and the adjustable coupling apparatus (10) as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 12 securing the panel (7) to a structure (3) defining an adjacent wall of the shower enclosure.

15. A method for securing one of a screen and a panel (7) to a structure (3), the method comprising providing an elongated mounting member (12) of channel shape construction comprising an elongated end wall (15), and a pair of spaced apart elongated side walls (16) extending along and from the end wall (15) and defining with the end wall (15) an elongated channel (18) configured to receive the screen or panel (7) therein between the side walls (16), and having at least one main aperture (20) extending through the end wall (15), locating a fastener accommodating element (22) having a secondary aperture (24) extending therethrough in the channel (18) of the mounting member (12), and retaining the fastener accommodating element (22) in the channel (18) by a retaining means (27, 29) with the secondary aperture (24) located relative to the main aperture (20) for accommodating a fastener (14) through the secondary aperture (24) and the main aperture (20), characterised in that the retaining means (27, 29) is configured to permit the fastener accommodating element (22) to be slideable longitudinally in the channel (18), the at least one main aperture (20) is provided as an elongated main slot (20) extending longitudinally along the end wall (15) and being of length in a longitudinal direction relative to the mounting member (12) greater than the width thereof in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction of the mounting member (12), the secondary aperture (24) is provided as a secondary slot (24) extending transversely of the main slot (20), the main slot (20) is configured to be of width in the transverse direction sufficient to accommodate adjustment of a fastener (14) in the secondary slot (24) along substantially the length of the secondary slot (24), and the method further comprises offering the mounting member (12) to the structure (3) with the main slot (20) roughly aligned with a fastener receiving hole (25) in the structure (3) for receiving the fastener (14), aligning the fastener accommodating element (22) in the channel (18) with the secondary slot (24) aligned with the fastener receiving hole (25) in the structure (3) by adjusting the fastener accommodating element (22) longitudinally in the mounting member (12), inserting the fastener (14) through the secondary slot (24) through the fastener accommodating element (22) and through the main slot (20) into the fastener receiving hole (25) in the structure (3), lightly tightening the fastener (14) in the fastener receiving hole (25), adjusting the position of the mounting member (12) relative to the structure (3) until the mounting member (12) is in the desired location relative to the structure (3) both longitudinally and transversely, and tightening the fastener (14) in the fastener receiving hole (25) for securing the mounting member (12) tightly to the structure (3).

Images