[0001] The present invention relates generally to a panel and particularly to a panel which
requires attachment to another panel or surface at an angle.
[0002] in situations where a panel forms part of a corner it is usual to provide a mitre
edge for abutting against an oppositely inclined mitre edge on an adjacent panel.
This means that panels with mitre edges con form part of either a left-or-right handed
corner and the handedness of the panel is pre-set and fixed.
[0003] The present invention provides an unhanded shower panel having an edge suitable for
joining to a further panel to form a corner, in which the edge comprises a movable
mitre member for adjusting the handedness of the panel.
[0004] By providing a moveable mitre member which defines the edge of the panel, the mitring,
and thus the handedness of the panel can be changed.
[0005] According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a shower
panel edge member comprising a movable mitre member for adjusting the mitre angle
of the edge, and being attached or attachable to a shower panel.
[0006] The front face of the member may define the edge of the shower panel. The front face
may be arranged to form an edge-to-edge (butt) joint with a further panel.
[0007] The edge member may be formed so that it could be retrofitted to an existing panel.
[0008] The flexibility and selectable handedness of a panel means that the present invention
lends itself to shower screens, panels, doors, and the like, although it should be
understood that the present invention is not limited to such applications.
[0009] The mitre member may be moveable between a number of fixed positions or may be infinitely
adjustable between two end points. Whilst typically a corner will include two panels
at right angles to each other, the present invention is not limited to mitre angles
of 45 degrees and the principle of a moveable mitre member could be applied to position
the edge at any angle for a required situation.
[0010] The member may be adjustable by rotation.
[0011] The mitre member may include a non-mitred position for situations where a linear
connection to another panel or surface is required. This increases the flexibility
of the panel.
[0012] The mitre member may comprise a magnet for connection to a corresponding magnet on
another panel. The mitre member may include means for determining the polarity of
the magnet; in other words the mitre member may include a way of ensuring that the
magnet is presented with the correct polarity. For example, the magnet and/or mitre
member may be shaped so that the magnet con only be positioned in one orientation.
The magnet may be a flexible magnetic strip, for example formed from a rubberised
material. Magnetic connection allows for a non-permanent connection.
[0013] According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a panel
having an edge with a face suitable for joining to a further panel or a surface in
a butt joint, in which the edge comprises a movable joint section for adjusting the
angle of inclination of the edge.
[0014] The present invention also provides for a shower screen assembly comprising one or
more panels and/or edge members as described herein.
[0015] The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example,
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a side view of a panel assembly including on unbanded panel formed in
accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the unhanded panel of figure 1;
Figure 3 is a section of the edge region of the panel of figure 2;
Figure 4 is a section of the panel of figure 2 shown with a mitre member in an un-mitred
position for linear connection to a further panel;
Figure 5 is a section of the panel of figure 2 shown in a left-handed configuration:
and
Figure 6 is a section of the panel of figure 3 shown in a right-handed configuration.
[0016] Referring first to figure 1 there is shown a panel assembly generally indicated 10
comprising a first panel 12 which is fixed to a wall (not shown) and a second panel
14 which is hingedly connected to the panel 12. The intention is for a further panel
(not shown) to be connected to the edge 16 of the panel 14 opposite the panel 12.
The most common form of attachments to the edge 16 would ploce a further panel either
in line with the panel 14 or in a left-or-right handed configuration at ninety degrees
to the panel 14; however, panel connections at angles other than these are not beyond
the scope of the present invention.
[0017] In this embodiment the panel assembly is provided as a shower screen arrangement.
[0018] Referring now also to figure 2 the panel 14 comprises a moveable mitre member 18
the front face 20 of which defines the edge of the panel.
[0019] Referring now also to figure 3 the mitre member 18 comprises a gently convexly curved
front face 20 and a generally orch-shape rear section 22 with a sidewall 23a, 23b
extending from the ends of the face and connected by a semi-circular, convex rear
face 23c. The member 18 is generally elongate and is received in a concave recess
24 formed in the panel 14. The member 18 is rotatably secured into the panel 14.
[0020] The panel recess 24 is provided with three angularly spaced elongate grooves 26,
28, 30 and the rear face 23c is provided with a single elongate rib 32 positioned
roughly in the centre.
[0021] Rotation of the member 18 is possible to position the rib 32 within any of the grooves
26, 28,30 to change the inclination of the front face 20.
[0022] In order to prevent rotation of the member 18 beyond the outer grooves 26, 30, the
panel is provided with a fixed arcuate insert 34.
[0023] The insert 34 comprises a front face 35a which is parallel to the inside of the rear
face 23c, and two inclined arms 35b, 35c. The insert 34 is shaped to fit within the
semi-circular rear face 23c and the member 18 can rotate around it.
[0024] The sides 23a, 23b include respective arms 36, 38 which project inwardly and are
inclined upwardly towards the semi-circular rear face 23c.
[0025] In use, the member 18 can be positioned with the rib 32 in the groove 28 as shown
in figure 4. In this position the front face 20 lies in a non-inclined state so that
the panel 14 can be connected to a further panel 15a in a linear array.
[0026] By rotating the member 18 until the rib 32 fits into the groove 26, it will be noted
that the inclination of the front face 20 is changed by approximately 45 degrees and
allows the panel 14 to be connected to a panel 15b in a left-handed configuration.
The member 18 cannot be rotated beyond this position because the arcuate insert arm
35b abuts against the arm 36.
[0027] Similarly, the member 18 can be rotated so that the rib 32 is positioned in the groove
30 as shown in figure 6 to achieve a right-handed configuration with a panel 15c.
Again, rotation beyond this point is prevented by abutment of the arcuate insert 35c,
this time against the arm 38.
[0028] The front face 20 and the arms 36, 38 define a channel for receiving a magnet 50.
It will be noted that the arm 36 includes an extension leg 40 which depends from the
end of the arm towards the front face 20: correspondingly the magnet includes a groove
52. This means that the magnet can only be inserted in the orientation shown and thus
the polarity can be fixed to be compatible with the polarity of a corresponding magnet
on an adjacent panel.
1. A panel having an edge with a face suitable for joining to a further panel or a surface
in a butt joint, in which the edge comprises a movable joint section for adjusting
the angle of inclination of the edge.
2. An unhanded shower panel having an edge suitable for joining to a further panel to
form a corner, in which the edge comprises a movable mitre member for adjusting the
handedness of the panel.
3. A shower panel edge member comprising a movable mitre member for adjusting the mitre
angle of the edge, and being attached or attachable to a shower panel.
4. A panel or edge member as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, in which the front face
of the member defines the edge of the shower panel.
5. A panel or edge member as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the front face
of the member is arranged to form an edge-to-edge joint with a further panel.
6. A panel or edge member as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the mitre member
is movable between a number of fixed positions.
7. A panel or edge member as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5, in which the mitre member
is infinitely adjustable between two end points.
8. A panel or edge member as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the mitre member
is adjustable by rotation.
9. A panel or edge member as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the mitre member
includes a non-mitred position for substantially linear connection to another panel.
10. A panel or edge member as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the mitre member
comprises a magnet for connection to a corresponding magnet on another panel.
11. A panel or edge member as claimed in Claim 10, in which the magnet can only be received
in the member in one orientation.
12. A shower screen assembly comprising one or more panels or edge members as claimed
in any preceding claim,