Multi-Piece Shower Enclosure Assembly Using Pin-Based Panel Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional multi-piece shower enclosures require assembly outside the framing pocket, are labor-intensive and costly to install, and lack ADA-compliant grab bar systems that can be easily installed without accessing the back side of the tub or shower unit.

Innovation Solution

A multi-piece shower enclosure design featuring a base section with a flange and vertically extending sidewalls, a removably attachable back wall section with a ledge, and pins for secure attachment of panels without drilling, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, and an ADA-compliant grab bar system that can be installed from the front side.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional multi-piece shower enclosures are assembled outside the framing pocket, then the assembly process is simplified, but the installation becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly processVSAvoidinstallation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The shower enclosure is divided into multiple separable panels (back wall panel, side wall panels, tub tray) that can be individually handled and installed. Each panel has integrated attachment mechanisms that allow them to be connected without external fittings, enabling both easy assembly and efficient installation through the framing pocket

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces specialized attachment mechanisms (friction-fit fasteners with reinforcement ribs, pins with washers and nuts) that serve as intermediaries between panels and between panels and the framing pocket. These intermediaries enable both simple assembly operations and efficient installation through the framing pocket without requiring pre-assembly outside the framing pocket

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If standard nut and bolt fasteners are used, then strength and versatility are improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanisms have non-uniform structural properties with reinforcement ribs and thicker material sections located precisely at stress concentration points. This local quality enhancement provides ADA-compliant strength where needed while keeping the rest of the panels cost-effective to manufacture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment mechanisms combine multiple materials and structural features (plastic friction-fit fasteners with reinforcement ribs, metal pins with washers and nuts) to achieve ADA-compliant strength requirements while maintaining cost-effectiveness through selective use of materials only where structurally necessary

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If fittings and couplings are used to secure components, then connection strength is improved, but the enclosure cannot be easily disassembled for repair or replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoiddisassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanisms are designed to be dynamically adjustable - the friction-fit fasteners can be inserted and removed multiple times, and the pins with washers and nuts can be easily assembled and disassembled. This dynamic capability allows the enclosure to be strongly connected during use but easily disassembled for repair, replacement, or reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The modular panel design with standardized attachment mechanisms allows individual panels to be easily removed and replaced without affecting other panels. Panels can be discarded if damaged and new ones installed using the same attachment mechanisms, facilitating maintenance and repair while maintaining connection strength during normal use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

4Reliability

If drilling is performed to secure panels, then attachment reliability is improved, but water-tight sealing becomes difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidwater-tight sealing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces drilling-based mechanical attachment with friction-fit fasteners and pin-based mechanisms that create attachment reliability through controlled mechanical interference and friction. These methods avoid creating holes that could compromise water-tight sealing while still providing reliable ADA-compliant attachment strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9642500B2Shower enclosure

Publication Date: 2017.05.09 CLARION BATHWARE

AI summary

A multi-piece shower enclosure includes a base section, a plurality of vertically extending sidewalls and a flange extending horizontally outward along a top portion of sidewalls. A back wall section is removably attachable to the base section, the back wall section having a ledge provided on the bottom portion of the back wall section. One or more side wall panels are removably attachable to the back wall section. A plurality of pins is used for securing the back wall section to the base section and the side wall panels to the back wall section. Each of the pins has a lower rivet portion and an upper threaded portion separated by a central portion. Each of the pins is insertable into a corresponding opening provided on the ledge of the back wall section or a side of the back wall portion adjoining each of the side wall panels.