Tile-Ready Corner Seat Structure for Same-Day Shower Tiling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing corner seat or shelf installations in showers require an overnight wait for concrete to cure, necessitating a second visit to tile, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A tile-ready base with a triangular design, including structural support ribs and a waffle pattern top wall, allowing immediate tiling without concrete curing, secured to a shower corner with screws, eliminating the need for overnight curing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a concrete base is used for corner seat installation, then structural strength is improved, but installation time increases due to overnight curing requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the concrete material from the base construction, extracting the curing step from the installation process. The base is made entirely from metal components (angle iron frame, support legs, reinforcing bars) that require no curing time, thereby eliminating the overnight wait while maintaining structural strength through the metal framework and grout integration.
2Ease of operation
If a wooden frame is used for corner seat, then ease of installation is improved, but structural strength deteriorates compared to metal frames
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure combining metal angle iron for the frame, metal support legs, grout for bonding, and tile for the finished surface. This composite approach leverages the strength of metal components while using grout to bond everything together, achieving both high structural strength and ease of installation without requiring woodworking skills.
3Reliability
If traditional corner seat construction is used, then structural integrity is maintained, but project duration extends to two days requiring second visit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary action by pre-attaching the seat cushion to the metal frame before installation, and by designing the base structure with all components (frame, legs, reinforcing bars) ready for immediate assembly. The grout is applied and allowed to set quickly while the installer can proceed directly to tiling the same day, eliminating the need for a second visit and extending productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A tile-ready base includes a triangular top wall disposed in a horizontal plane when the base is secured to a corner. A first side wall depends from a first edge of the top wall and abuts a first vertical wall of a building. A second side wall depends from a second edge of the top wall and abuts a second vertical wall of the building. A front wall depends from a front edge of the triangular top wall and interconnects respective forward ends of the first and second side walls. Structural support ribs underlie the top wall and enhance the structural integrity of the base. Concavities are formed in the top wall in close proximity to the first and second side walls. Each concavity receives a screw and facilitates attachment of the base to the corner. The base is installed and tiled with no delay between installation and tiling.