Shower screen

Abstract

The invention relates to a bath screen comprising side profiles (1, 2) that are fixed to the walls (10) of the enclosure defining the shower tray (11), these side profiles (1, 2) having a prismatic shape with a groove at the top and housing a sealing gasket and each having, at the end of same, pieces that close the aforementioned profiles (1, 2) by press-fitting means in order to provide an improved seal; and both side profiles (1, 2) incorporate a horizontal profile (4) at the top, a first glass panel (3) or fixed panel being inserted into the first (1), and being securely fixed to the horizontal profile (4) by inserting a sealing gasket; and said horizontal profile (4) has a recess through which the second glass panel (5) or movable panel passes.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] SHOWER SCREEN

[0003] Object of the invention

[0004] The purpose of this document is to achieve a shower screen that has the special utility for its installation of not requiring any tools (drill), nor precise knowledge for its installation, practically dispensing with any screw element for its installation in the profiles that go on the wall, being able to carry out its installation by a slight application of force to join its elements.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] Currently, shower screens are understood to be panels or sets of panels, usually made of glass or plastic, installed around the shower to prevent water from splashing into the rest of the bathroom. Their main purpose is to keep water from spilling outside the shower area, thus keeping the rest of the bathroom dry and clean.

[0007] Shower screens can be fixed, sliding or hinged, and as already mentioned, they are designed to provide an effective barrier against water splashes while taking a shower.

[0008] There are countless designs of shower screens known in the state of the art, implemented in aluminum, plastic or similar materials, and which have differences in their structure even though they serve to solve the same technical problem.

[0009] Thus, the applicant (among others) may cite the one set forth in the Spanish utility model ES 1 271 855, which describes a shower screen, characterized in that it is made from a rectangular prismatic sheet of porcelain material, complemented by an aluminum frame that affects at least the lower edge and one of the side edges of the sheet, in the areas of fixing to the wall and to the shower tray or bathroom floor, a frame that is materialized in a "II" profile. Similarly, the European patent translated and validated in Spain with publication number ES 2 894 349 describes a shower door assembly, comprising a first door panel, a first connecting piece and a second connecting piece, wherein the first door panel is connected to the first connecting piece, or the first door panel is connected to the second connecting piece;The shower door assembly further comprises a cam mechanism, wherein the second connecting piece is provided with a first sliding cavity, the first connecting piece is mounted in the first sliding cavity, and the cam mechanism is rotatably mounted on the second connecting piece and bears against the first connecting piece; the shower door assembly further comprises a third connecting piece, and either the first connecting piece or the second connecting piece is connected to the first door panel via the third connecting piece; the first door panel is a movable door panel, a fourth connecting piece is fixed to the first door panel, and the third connecting piece is rotatably connected to the fourth connecting piece;The third connecting piece is provided with a first axial end face, the fourth connecting piece is provided with a second axial end face, and the second axial end face is supported on the first axial end face; and a first projection is provided on the first axial end face, and a first groove matching the first projection is provided on the second axial end face; or a second groove is provided on the first axial end face, and a second projection matching the second groove is provided on the second axial end face; characterized in that the shower door assembly further comprises a positioning plate, and the third connecting piece and the fourth connecting piece are fixed with the positioning plate; the third connecting piece is provided with a connection hole, and the fourth connecting piece is provided with a connecting shaft;or the third connecting piece is provided with a connecting shaft, and the fourth connecting piece is provided with a connecting hole; and the axis of the connecting shaft coincides with the axis of the connecting hole, the connecting shaft is arranged in the connecting hole, one end of the positioning sheet is fixed with a wall of the hole of the connecting hole, and the other end of the positioning sheet is fixed with the connecting shaft.;

[0010] Utility model ES 1 287 274 describes an improved shower enclosure for showers, bathtubs, and the like, characterized by solid vertical aluminum profiles supporting solid horizontal profiles along which the wheels supporting the glass doors run. The European patent, translated and validated in Spain under publication number ES 2 902 157, describes a bathroom enclosure comprising at least: a fixed panel provided with means for fixing it to a supporting wall (P); a movable panel, displaceable between an open and a closed position, parallel to the fixed panel; fixed upper and lower supports for guiding the movable panel without the possibility of lateral swing; wherein the means for fixing the fixed panel comprise a U-shaped anchor profile corresponding to a vertical end of said fixed panel, intended for fixing to the supporting wall.characterized in that the means for fixing the fixed leaf comprise a finishing profile fixed by gluing to said vertical end of the fixed leaf and attachable frontally to the anchoring profile; and means for adjusting the position of the finishing profile with respect to the anchoring profile; wherein the movable leaf is provided with at least one upper support and one lower support carrying at least one sliding wheel on horizontal guides, wherein one horizontal guide is mounted on the upper end of the fixed panel and one horizontal guide is mounted on the floor; and wherein the upper and lower supports, carrying sliding wheels, comprise waterproof protective covers that cover said sliding wheels superiorly and laterally.

[0011] Finally, utility model ES 1 299 128 describes a bath or shower screen comprising at least one fixed or movable panel, characterized by comprising in said panel, at least, a horizontal grooved profile with, on at least one of its faces, a longitudinal groove that covers totally or partially the length of said profile being open at least at one end thereof, in such a way as to allow the insertion through said opening of at least one accessory.

[0012] All these solutions, as can be seen, address the described technical problem (water escaping from the bathing area during use) in different ways than the present invention, but all of them require qualified personnel for installation, including the use of screws, adhesives, or similar fasteners that complicate installation and, consequently, use. The present invention allows for quick and easy installation by any user, even without precise knowledge of masonry or similar skills.

[0013] Description of the invention

[0014] The technical problem that the present invention solves is to obtain a shower screen that is effective and simple to assemble, minimizing the use of tools for its installation, allowing any future user to install the screen by following simple instructions without having any prior knowledge that enables them to do so.

[0015] Thanks to its design, the partition that is the subject of this invention can be manufactured and marketed completely disassembled, minimizing its transport and / or sales costs; so that any user can subsequently install it in their home.

[0016] To achieve this, you will only need almost no knowledge to obtain a professional result.

[0017] Thus, once the side profiles are fixed, it will be enough to adjust the fixed leaf to one of them and subsequently use the upper profile with its side pieces that give it extension, to be able to fix the second glass leaf (or movable leaf) thanks to the presence of bearings that are inserted into the edge of the movable leaf, to subsequently be associated with the upper profile; subsequently, the sealing gaskets will be inserted and the handles will be installed, to finish the assembly, leaving it ready for use.

[0018] The fact that the sealing gaskets are magnetized allows for greater sealing than other similar solutions present in the state of the art.

[0019] All the described elements can be installed by manually inserting them, without the need for any additional tools, allowing any user to install the shower screen in their bathroom without any complications. This differs from other state-of-the-art solutions, where the installation of the screen must be carried out by qualified personnel with specific tools, increasing the final cost of the installation and, consequently, the product.

[0020] Throughout the description and claims, the word "comprises" and its variations are not intended to exclude other technical features, additives, components, or steps. For those skilled in the art, other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent partly from the description and partly from the practice of the invention. The following examples and drawings are provided for illustrative purposes and are not intended to restrict the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention covers all possible combinations of the particular and preferred embodiments indicated herein.

[0021] Brief description of the figures

[0022] The following section briefly describes a drawing that helps to better understand the invention and that is expressly related to an embodiment of said invention, which is presented as a non-limiting example thereof.

[0023] FIG 1. Shows a perspective view of the fully installed shower screen.

[0024] FIG 2. Shows a plan view of one of the side profiles (1, 2), the object of the present invention, in which the grooving and the sealing gasket can be seen in detail.

[0025] FIG 3. Shows an elevation view of one of the side profiles (1, 2), the object of the present invention, in which the grooving and the upper closing piece can be seen in detail.

[0026] Exposition of a detailed method of carrying out the invention

[0027] The accompanying figure shows a preferred embodiment of the invention. More specifically, the shower enclosure, which is the subject of the present invention, comprises side profiles (1, 2) that are fixed to the walls (10) of the enclosure that defines the shower tray (11), this fixing being sufficient to support the assembly.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the side profiles (1, 2) are essentially prismatic in shape with a groove along their upper portion. Each of these side profiles (1, 2) houses a sealing gasket inserted into the groove. Furthermore, these profiles (1, 2) have, at their upper and lower ends, snap-fit ​​pieces that close them to provide a tighter seal. Connecting the two side profiles (1, 2) at their upper ends is a horizontal profile (4). Two end pieces are inserted into this horizontal profile to provide the necessary extension according to the installation dimensions and to align the horizontal profile (4) with the walls (10) of the enclosure that defines the shower tray (11).

[0029] In the first of the side profiles (1), a first sheet of glass (3) or fixed sheet is inserted, being fixed to the horizontal profile (4) by means of the insertion of a sealing gasket; said horizontal profile (4) has a recess through which the second sheet of glass (5) or movable sheet will pass, thanks to the presence of bearings; and whose movement is limited by the presence of a specific stop for these bearings.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the second glass panel (5) incorporates two handles or grips (6), one on the outside of the second glass panel (5), and another on its inside; enabling its movement, both from inside the shower enclosure and from outside.

[0031] In a particular embodiment, these handles (6) will be made of an alloy of zinc, aluminum, magnesium and copper, which will give it special properties in terms of hardness and resistance to the action of water or other corrosive elements.

[0032] At the bottom of the screen, the glass sheets (3, 5) will have a connecting element, which allows them to be joined and a sealing gasket to be inserted into the first glass sheet (3); while the second glass sheet (5) will have its own sealing gasket.

[0033] In a particular embodiment, the horizontal profile (4) will incorporate a magnetized body that will allow the magnetic closure of the assembly, by being close to a second magnetized body, located on the second sheet of glass (5).

[0034] The sealing gaskets used may be magnetized to provide greater sealing to the product.

[0035] The horizontal profile (4) incorporates at its ends two telescopic sliding bodies, configured to move longitudinally with respect to said horizontal profile (4), in order to adapt the total length of the assembly to the distance between the walls (10) of the enclosure, allowing a safe horizontal adjustment.

[0036] These sliding bodies are preferably made of aluminum or plastic and sized to fit snugly into the inner channel of the horizontal profile (4), with sufficient friction to maintain the selected position once adjusted. The snap closures on the side profiles (1, 2) consist of plastic end caps with flexible tabs or small protrusions that deform elastically when inserted into the open ends of the profiles (1, 2), thus achieving a secure and watertight seal without the need for additional fixings. The connecting element joining the lower part of the glass panels (3, 5) is preferably a flexible, "II"-shaped plastic profile that surrounds the lower edge of both panels, allowing the insertion of their respective sealing gaskets and contributing to the overall stability.

[0037] As for the magnetic locking system, the magnetized body integrated into the horizontal profile (4) is preferably a neodymium magnetic strip embedded in the inner face of said profile, positioned so as to face a second corresponding magnetic strip fixed to the upper edge of the movable panel (5), so that, when the movable panel (5) reaches its closed position, the magnets attract each other, guaranteeing a secure and airtight closure without the need for mechanical latches.

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- A bathroom partition comprising side profiles (1, 2) that are fixed to the walls (10) of the enclosure that defines the shower tray (11), said fixing being sufficient to support the assembly; and where these side profiles (1, 2) have an essentially prismatic shape with a groove on their upper part, and where each of them (1, 2) houses a sealing gasket inserted in said groove; and where, in addition, they have at their ends two pieces that close said profiles (1, 2) by means of a pressure fit to provide them with greater watertightness; and which is characterized in that connecting both side profiles (1, 2) at their upper part, there is a horizontal profile (4) where two bodies are housed at their ends, responsible for giving the extension and horizontal adjustment of said horizontal profile (4);where in the first of the side profiles (1), a first glass sheet (3) or fixed sheet is inserted, being rigidly fixed to the horizontal profile (4) by means of the insertion of a sealing gasket; and where said horizontal profile (4) has a recess through which the second glass sheet (5) or movable sheet passes, thanks to the presence of bearings whose movement is limited by the presence of a stop; and where in their lower part, the glass sheets (3, 5) have a connecting element, which allows their joining and the insertion of a sealing gasket that is located in the first glass sheet (3); while the second glass sheet (5) has its own sealing gasket.; 2.- Bathroom screen according to claim 1 wherein the horizontal profile (4) incorporates a magnetic body that allows the magnetic closure of the assembly, by being close to a second magnetic body, located in the second glass sheet (5) or movable sheet. 3.- Bathroom screen according to any of claims 1 and 2 wherein the second glass panel (5) incorporates two handles or grips (6). 4.- Bathroom screen according to claim 3 wherein the handles (6) are made of an alloy of zinc, aluminum, magnesium and copper. 5.- Bathroom screen according to any of the above claims wherein the sealing gaskets are magnetized.

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