Shower curb system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shower curbs are prone to cracking due to dimensional changes in wood framing, leading to leaks and aesthetic issues, and they are not compatible with glass installations, resulting in faulty and unattractive installations.
Innovation Solution
A shower curb system comprising an anchor member, curb member, and cap member that forms a waterproof barrier without framing, with an internal cavity for glass integration, and a locking mechanism for secure attachment, allowing for streamlined installation and improved durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional wood-framed shower curbs are used, then installation is simple and cost-effective, but the wood shrinks and expands with humidity changes causing cracks in grout and tiles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the wood framing component from the shower curb system entirely, extracting the problematic element that causes dimensional changes. The curb is constructed directly from moisture-resistant materials like cement board or tile-backer board, eliminating the source of shrinking and expanding that leads to cracks in grout and tiles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by combining moisture-resistant materials (cement board, tile-backer board) with waterproof membranes and sealants. This composite approach creates a curb system that maintains dimensional stability while providing waterproofing, resolving the contradiction between simple installation and crack resistance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If glass members are screwed into the wall and adhered to the top of the tiled shower curb, then glass installation is possible, but the installation is aesthetically unpleasing and prone to errors in centering and alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates glass installation features directly into the curb construction before tiling. The curb includes pre-formed recesses, channels, or attachment points that are built into the curb structure itself, allowing glass to be precisely positioned and secured during the curb installation phase rather than as a separate post-installation step, thereby ensuring accurate centering and alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the glass attachment function with the curb structure itself. Instead of treating glass installation as a separate operation requiring post-installation adherence to the top surface, the design integrates glass mounting features into the curb body, combining structural support and glass attachment into a single unified system that ensures precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If glass members are adhered to the top of the shower curb after tiling, then glass can be installed, but water can seep between the glass and curb causing leakage and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the glass member within a recess or channel formed in the curb structure. The glass is positioned inside a dedicated cavity or groove that is integrated into the curb body, creating a nested configuration where the glass is housed within the curb rather than merely attached to its surface. This nesting approach, combined with waterproof sealing, prevents water infiltration between the glass and curb.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces waterproof membranes, sealants, or gaskets as intermediary elements between the glass member and the curb structure. These intermediary components create a waterproof barrier that prevents water from seeping between the glass and the curb, eliminating the leakage pathway while still allowing for glass integration.
Data Source
AI summary
A shower curb system for installation in a shower area includes an anchor member and a curb member. The anchor member is arranged for attachment to a subfloor. The curb member is installable on the anchor member to selectively lock the curb member to the anchor member. The curb member forms a flow barrier between a wet floor area and a dry floor area of the shower area. The curb member defines an internal cavity including a top opening. The internal cavity is configured to receive one or more glass members via the top opening such that curb member at least in part locates and supports the one or more glass member in the shower area.