DRAIN COVER STRUCTURES

Abstract

 A drain cover structure for use in a pre-moulded shower tray, the drain cover structure comprising an anchor structure, and a cover portion to hingedly connect to the anchor structure.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Aspects relate, generally, to shower trays and enclosures, and more particularly although not exclusively to drain cover structures for use in shower enclosures such as those with pre-moulded shower trays.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A shower enclosure can comprise a tray, base or deck upon which a person may stand or over which the user can pass in order to use or service the shower. In use, water from a shower will typically pass to a waste through a drain structure in the base. In order to present an aesthetically pleasing view to a user, and prevent injury or accident, such drain structures in the bases of shower enclosures can be provided with a cover that may sit flush to the base, or protrude therefrom, so as to occlude the inner working of the drain structure from sight and in order to prevent a user from getting a body part trapped therein.

SUMMARY

[0003] According to an example, there is provided a drain cover structure for use in a pre-moulded shower tray, the drain cover structure comprising an anchor structure, and a cover portion to hingedly connect to the anchor structure. The anchor structure can engage in the shower tray, whereby to secure the drain cover structure, in use, to the shower tray. The anchor structure can define a cavity or channel to receive a portion of a shower enclosure. The portion of the shower enclosure can be a horizontal extrusion. The anchor structure and the cover portion can lie flush with one another, or one of the anchor structure and the cover portion can lie at a different level to the other. The cover portion can move between a first position and second position. The cover portion can cover a drain portion of the pre-moulded shower tray in the first position. The cover portion can expose the drain portion in the second position. The drain cover structure can fit in a recess of the pre-moulded shower tray. The cover portion can comprise a plurality of openings to enable passage of water through the cover portion. The drain cover structure can lie flush with a base portion of the shower tray. The anchor portion can comprise at least one recess so profiled as to engage with a corresponding protuberance from the shower tray. The anchor portion can comprise at least one protuberance so profiled as to engage with a corresponding recess in the shower tray.

[0004] According to an example, there is provided a shower enclosure, comprising a pre-moulded shower tray, and a drain cover structure comprising an anchor structure to engage in the shower tray, and a cover portion to hingedly connect to the anchor structure. The shower tray can comprise an aperture to enable passage of water to a waste, wherein the cover portion can be configured to cover the aperture in a first configuration of the drain cover structure. The shower tray can comprise a recess configured to receive the drain cover structure. The anchor structure can engage in the shower tray, whereby to secure the drain cover structure, in use, to the shower tray. The anchor structure can define a cavity or channel to receive a portion of the shower enclosure. The anchor structure can engage with a portion of shower enclosure in order to secure the drain cover structure. For example, an arm protruding from a shower enclosure portion (such as a wall or door for example) can be so profiled as to fit within the cavity or channel of the anchor structure. The portion of the shower enclosure can be an extrusion.

[0005] According to an example, there is provided pre-moulded shower tray comprising a drain cover structure comprising an anchor structure to engage in the shower tray, and a cover portion to hingedly connect to the anchor structure. The pre-moulded shower tray can further comprise at least one recess so profiled as to engage with a corresponding protuberance from the anchor structure. The pre-moulded shower tray can further comprise at least one protuberance so profiled as to engage with a corresponding recess in the anchor structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1A shows a drain cover structure for a shower enclosure according to the present invention.

Figure 1B shows a second view of a section of a drain cover structure, according to the present invention.

Figure 1C shows a third view of a section of a drain cover structure, according to the present invention.

Figure 2A shows a view of a shower enclosure, according to the present invention.

Figure 2B shows a cross section of a drain cover structure, according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION

[0007] Example embodiments are described below in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

[0008] Accordingly, while embodiments can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate.

[0009] The terminology used herein to describe embodiments is not intended to limit the scope. The articles "a," "an," and "the" are singular in that they have a single referent, however the use of the singular form in the present document should not preclude the presence of more than one referent. In other words, elements referred to in the singular can number one or more, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and/or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, items, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, items, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0010] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0011] The methods and systems described herein relate to a drain cover structure for a showering enclosure. In an example, the methods and systems described herein relate to drain cover structures adapted to be fitted into a recess within the tray portion of the shower enclosures.

[0012] A showering enclosure can comprise a pre-moulded shower tray which defines the base of the enclosure and to which other parts may be presented and fixed (typically in situ) whereby to form the enclosure. In other examples, a shower enclosure can be pre-formed to include the base and sides and so on so as to define a complete, pre-configured and/or prefabricated enclosure that can form part of a modular structure.

[0013] Such shower enclosures can be pre-configured to fit into a particular space in a room. For example, a bathroom in a hotel room can include a region to accommodate a shower enclosure, modular or otherwise. In examples, a drain cover structure can be provided for use with a pre-moulded shower tray or modular shower enclosure structure.

[0014] According to an example, a drain cover structure covers or conceals the drain structure that leads to a waste for the disposal of water from a shower in such a way that the drain structure can easily be accessed for cleaning purposes. The drain cover can, in an example, comprise one or more apertures to enable a flow of waste water to the waste system. In an example, the drain cover structure is not removable from a pre-moulded shower tray or modular shower enclosure structure. That is, the drain cover structure may be so configured as to prevent its removal once in situ.

[0015] In an example, the drain cover structure can comprise a first (cover) portion that is hingedly connected to a second portion by way of a hinge mechanism. The operation of the hinge mechanism that links the first and second portions is not, in an example, compromised by the non-removability of the drain cover structure when it is installed in a shower base. That is, movement of the first portion relative to the second portion by virtue of the hinge mechanism is not compromised by the non-removability of the drain cover structure when it is installed in a shower base.

[0016] Figure 1A is a simplified schematic diagram showing a drain cover structure 100 according to an example. In Figure 1A the drain cover structure 100 is shown in a recess of a pre-moulded shower tray 110. According to examples, the drain cover structure 100 can be manufactured out of any suitable water-resistant material. Preferably, a high strength material such as aluminium or stainless steel is used for the drain cover structure 100. The drain cover structure 100 comprises a leaf 130. The leaf 130 is attached to an anchor structure 120. The anchor structure 120 is arranged to engage in the shower tray 110 whereby to secure the drain cover structure 100, in use, to the shower tray 110.

[0017] In an example, the leaf 130, forming a first (cover) portion of the drain cover structure 100, is hingedly connected to the anchor structure 120, which comprises the second portion, using a hinge mechanism. In some examples, as described herein, the cover portion 120 is connected to the anchor structure 120 at a knuckle. According to some examples, the knuckle, forming the hinge mechanism, may be a barrel, spring or pivot hinge. In an example, the leaf 130 and anchor structure 120 are configured to lie flush with one another. That is, as shown in figure 1A for example, the leaf 130 and anchor structure 120 can lie flush in the shower tray 110 when the leaf 130 is in a closed configuration.

[0018] According to examples described herein the cover portion 130 of the drain cover structure 100 is arranged to move between a first position or configuration and a second position or configuration. As shown in Figure 1A, the cover portion 130 is in a first position in which the cover portion 130 covers a drain portion of a pre-moulded shower tray 110. That is, in a closed or first configuration, the leaf 130 covers a drain structure (or hole in the shower tray I 10 that defines an opening for the egress of water to a drain structure). In this first position, when the shower is in use, water can drain through multiple openings 140 in the cover portion 130.

[0019] Figure 1B shows the same drain cover structure 100 as shown in Figure 1A. In Figure 1B the cover portion 130 of the drain cover structure 100 is in a second position or open configuration. In the second position the cover portion 130 exposes a drain structure 145 and recess or channel 150 in the tray 110 through which water flows to the drain structure 145. In some examples, the channel may be omitted from the base 110. The base 100 may be so profiled as to provoke or direct a flow of waste water towards the drain structure 145. Accordingly, drain cover structure 100 may be smaller than that depicted since there is no channel 150 to cover, only the drain structure 145.

[0020] In this (second, open) position the recess 150 and/or drain portion 145 can readily be cleaned or a blockage may be removed without removal of the drain cover structure. Once cleaned or serviced and so on, the cover portion 130 can be returned to the first position. It is therefore possible to clean, service etc. whilst maintaining the drain cover structure securely fixed to the base 110.

[0021] In an example, the drain cover structure 100 lies in a recess 160 of the shower tray 110. In the example shown in Figure 1B the drain cover structure 100 and recess 160 are similarly shaped to one another. That is, in an example the drain cover structure is so profiled as to match the shape/profile of a recess and/or drain structure of a base 110. In an example, the channel 150 can form part of the recess.

[0022] Figure 1C shows a portion of the same drain cover structure 100 shown in Figures 1A and 1B, according to an example, in a closeup view. According to examples described herein the cover portion 130 may be moved (e.g. from a first position to a second position) by means of a cavity or recess 160 provided in the shower tray to allow a person to reach underneath the cover portion 130 and lift it up.

[0023] According to an example, the anchor portion 120 can be fixed to the tray 110. As such, the drain cover structure 100 cannot be removed from the tray 110 because the anchor portion 120 is fixed thereto, and the leaf 130 is fixed to the anchor portion 120. In an example, the anchor portion 120 can be fixed to the tray 110 using one or more of: fixings, adhesive, interference/press/friction fit, or any combination thereof. For example, tray 110 can be pre-formed with (female) recesses or (male) protuberances configured to receive corresponding male or female portions on the anchor portion 120. The male/female parts can be so configured as to, when engaged with one another, prevent removal of the anchor portion 120. In a similar vein, fixings, such as screws for example, may be used to affix the anchor portion 120 to the tray 110 (in isolation or in addition to any of the mechanisms described above). Subsequent waterproofing of any possible point of leakage with a suitable material (e.g. silicone) may be used.

[0024] Figure 2A shows a drain cover structure 200 according to an example. In Figure 2A the anchor structure or portion (120) is located beneath a door or wall 210 of a shower enclosure. In examples, the anchor portion can thus form or define the (or part of the) bottom horizontal of the wall 210 of the shower enclosure. That is, the anchor portion can form the bottom of a door or wall 210 of a shower enclosure. In the example shown in figure 2A, a glass panel, or other similar wall panel 210 for the shower enclosure, can rest on or be attached to the anchor portion. Waterproofing between the wall panel 210 and the anchor portion 230 can be provided by way of sealant and/or gasket and so on.

[0025] Figure 2B is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of the drain cover structure 200 shown in Figure 2A, according to an example. In the example of Figure 2B a lower horizontal part 220 of the shower enclosure can slot into a cavity in the anchor portion 230, thereby fixing the anchor structure 230 and hence the drain cover structure 200 in place so that it cannot be removed once the enclosure is installed. For example, the bottom horizontal part 220 of the shower enclosure can include an arm that is so profiled as to slide into the cavity defined by the anchor portion, as shown in figure 2B. Thus, in an example, the anchor structure 230 defines a cavity to receive a portion of a shower enclosure. The portion referred to can be an extrusion, for example, that forms part of a frame 260 for the shower enclosure. The portion can be slid into the cavity and then the combination of the drain cover structure 200 and frame can be placed into position on the shower tray.

[0026] In an example, a cavity in the anchor structure can be in the form of a channel, such as a 'U', 'C' or 'L' section for example. For example, as shown in figure 2B, the cavity is in the form of a broadly U-or C-shaped channel.

[0027] In an example, a raised portion may be provided in a shower tray in order to enable the anchor portion to be correctly located or positioned. For example, a raised portion with a profile corresponding to all or a portion of an opening in the channel of the anchor structure can be provided.

[0028] Since the hinge 250 is disposed to the side of the anchor structure, leaf 240 can be flipped up unimpeded to enable cleaning and so on. Although the example of figure 2B shows a part of a shower enclosure slotted into the anchor structure, it is also possible for the anchor structure to form a base upon which the bottom of part of the shower enclosure is fixed to, or sits or rests on (that is, with no interengaging portions).

[0029] The present inventions can be embodied in other specific apparatus and/or methods. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. In particular, the scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the description and figures herein. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A drain cover structure for use in a pre-moulded shower tray, the drain cover structure comprising:

an anchor structure; and

a cover portion to hingedly connect to the anchor structure.

2. The drain cover structure of claim 1, wherein the anchor structure is configured to engage in the shower tray, whereby to secure the drain cover structure, in use, to the shower tray.

3. The drain cover structure of claim 1 or 2, wherein the anchor structure defines a cavity to receive a portion of a shower enclosure.

4. The drain cover structure of claim 3, wherein the portion of the shower enclosure is a horizontal extrusion.

5. The drain cover structure of any preceding claim, wherein the anchor structure and the cover portion are so configured as to lie flush with one another, or wherein one of the anchor structure and the cover portion lies at a different level to the other.

6. The drain cover structure of any preceding claim, wherein the cover portion is arranged to cover a drain portion of the pre-moulded shower tray in a first position thereof.

7. The drain cover structure of any preceding claim, wherein the cover portion is arranged to expose a drain portion of the pre-moulded shower tray in a second position thereof.

8. The drain cover structure of any preceding claim, wherein the anchor portion comprises at least one recess so profiled as to engage with a corresponding protuberance from the shower tray.

9. The drain cover structure of any preceding claim, wherein the anchor portion comprises at least one protuberance so profiled as to engage with a corresponding recess in the shower tray.

10. A shower enclosure, comprising:

a pre-moulded shower tray; and

a drain cover structure comprising:

an anchor structure to engage in the shower tray; and

a cover portion to hingedly connect to the anchor structure.

11. The shower enclosure of claim 10, wherein the shower tray comprises an aperture to enable passage of water to a waste, wherein the cover portion is configured to cover the aperture in a first configuration of the drain cover structure.

12. The shower enclosure of claim 10 or 11, wherein the shower tray comprises a recess configured to receive the drain cover structure.

13. A pre-moulded shower tray comprising a drain cover structure comprising:

an anchor structure to engage in the shower tray; and

a cover portion to hingedly connect to the anchor structure.

14. The pre-moulded shower tray of claim 13, further comprising at least one recess so profiled as to engage with a corresponding protuberance from the anchor structure.

15. The pre-moulded shower tray of claim 13 or 14 further comprising at least one protuberance so profiled as to engage with a corresponding recess in the anchor structure.

Drawing