Improvements in or relating to adjustable mounting mechanisms

Abstract

 An adjustable mounting mechanism is for mounting an elongate member 12 adjacent to a wall 14. A first adjustment arrangement 16 can move the elongate member 12 in a first direction 20 relative to the wall 14. A second adjustment arrangement 18 can move the elongate member 12 in a second direction 22 relative to the wall 14. The first arrangement 16 includes a rack 25 and a pinion 26 to move the elongate 12 across the face of the wall 14. The second arrangement 18 includes an externally threaded member 28 and an internally threaded member 30 which can move the elongate member 12 perpendicular to the wall 14.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to adjustable mounting mechanisms.

[0002] Adjustable mounting mechanisms are desirable when installing shower screens, shower enclosures, bath screens and other similar types of panels in a bathroom environment. The panels, which may be glazed, are desirably secured in a vertical position for aesthetic reasons and also to ensure that doors, sliding panels or other movable members can function properly. However, existing walls around the area in which the panels are to be installed may not be flat, or vertical, or either. Accordingly, when a panel is to be mounted against an existing wall, it is desirable to be able to accommodate some misalignment by means of an adjustable mounting mechanism.

[0003] Examples of the present invention provide an adjustable mounting mechanism for use in mounting an elongate member adjacent to a wall, the mechanism comprising:

a first adjustment arrangement operable, in use, to move the elongate member in a first direction relative to the wall; and

a second adjustment arrangement operable to move the elongate member in a second direction relative to the wall.

[0004] The two directions may be perpendicular. The first direction may move the elongate member across the face of the wall. The second direction may change the spacing of the elongate member from the wall.

[0005] The first adjustment arrangement may comprise a first member which, in use, is fixed to the wall, a second member which is carried by the elongate member and is movable relative to the first member to move the elongate member in the first direction, the first and second members provide incorporating formations which are cooperable to set the position of the first and second members and of the elongate member relative to the first member. The cooperating formations may comprise a rack and a cooperating pinion. The rack may be carried by the first member. The second member may comprise a pinion having an axial shaft rotatably mounted to the elongate member. The shaft may have a head accessible at a position which faces away from the wall, for controlling rotation of the pinion when the elongate member has been mounted on the wall.

[0006] The second adjustment arrangement may comprise a third member which, in use, is held against movement relative to the wall, and a fourth member which is carried by the elongate member, the third and fourth members providing cooperating formations which are cooperable to set the relative positions of the third and fourth members along the second direction, and of the elongate member relative to the wall. The cooperating formations may be threaded. The cooperating formations may comprise an internally threaded formation threaded around an externally threaded formation, the threaded formations being rotatable relative to each other to cause relative movement along the threads. The fourth member may be rotatably mounted to the elongate member.

[0007] The third member may comprise a hollow shaft, the second member being located in the hollow of the third member, the third member providing a bearing for rotatably locating the second member, and the fourth member being located around the threaded member to cooperate therewith. The third member may be carried by a fifth member which is held against the wall by the first member, the third member being movable in the first direction while held against the wall by the first member. The fifth member may have an aperture through which the surface of the wall is exposed, the first member being attached to the wall, through the aperture, and the first member having at least one retention portion which overlies the fifth member around the aperture to hold the fifth member against the wall, the aperture be oversized relative to the first member to allow the fifth member to move across the surface of the wall while retained against the wall.

[0008] The fifth member may be a channel member having a mouth in which the elongate member is received. The channel member may be sufficiently long to receive the whole length of the elongate member. The elongate member, in use, may carry a fixed panel or a hinged panel. The elongate member may be a frame member of a shower screen.

[0009] In another aspect, the invention provides a bathroom panel for installation against a wall, and comprising an elongate member and an adjustable mounting mechanism as defined above.

[0010] Examples of the present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an exploded diagram of a first example of an adjustable mounting mechanism;

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are respectively exploded, section and reverse views of some of the components of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a section through the elongate member of Fig. 1, showing part of the adjustment mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a section view through the complete mechanism of Fig. 1, in its installed condition; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an elongate member installed by means of the adjustable mounting mechanism of Fig. 1.

Overview

[0011] Turning first to Fig. 1, there is shown an adjustable mounting mechanism 10 for mounting an elongate member 12 adjacent to a wall (indicated schematically at 14). The mechanism 10 comprises a first adjustment arrangement (indicated generally at 16) operable to move the elongate member 12 in a first direction relative to the wall 14. A second adjustment arrangement (indicated generally at 18) is operable to move the elongate member 12 in a second direction relative to the wall 14.

[0012] In this example, the two directions are perpendicular. The first direction moves the elongate member 12 across the face of the wall 14, as indicated by the arrows 20. The second direction changes the spacing of the elongate member 12 from the wall 14, as indicated by the arrow 22.

First adjustment arrangement

[0013] The first adjustment arrangement 16 comprises a first member 24 which, in use, is fixed to the wall 14. The first member 24 has a rack 25. A second member 26 is carried by the elongate member 12 and includes a pinion 27 which is movable (rotatable) relative to the first member 24 to move the elongate member 12 in the first direction 20, as will be described. The rack 25 and pinion 27 of the first and second members 24, 26 provide cooperating formations which are cooperable to set the position of the first and second members 24, 26 and of the elongate member 12 relative to the wall 14.

Second adjustment arrangement

[0014] The second adjustment arrangement 18 comprises a third member 28 which, in use, is held against movement relative to the wall 14, and a fourth member 30 which is carried by the elongate member 12. The third and fourth members 28, 30 provide cooperating formations which are cooperable to set the relative positions of the third and fourth members 28, 30 along the second direction 22, and of the elongate member 12 relative to the wall 14 along the second direction 22. In this example, the cooperating formations are in the form of threaded portions and comprise an internally threaded formation (the fourth member 30) threaded around an externally threaded formation (the third member 28). The threaded formations 28, 30 are rotatable relative to each other to cause relative movement along the threads. The fourth member 30 is rotatably mounted to the elongate member.

Detailed description

[0015] The first member 24 (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) is a generally rectangular component formed by two blocks 32 joined by a neck 34. The neck 34 has a slot 36 running transverse to the length of the first member 24. The rack 25 is formed on one of the blocks 32, adjacent the neck 34 and running parallel with the slot 36. Each block 32 has a through aperture 38 for a mounting screw. The extremity of each block 32 has a lip 40 overhanging a rebate 42.

[0016] The second member 26 has a shaft 48 which carries the pinion 27. When the mechanism 10 is assembled, the pinion 27 is in mesh with the rack 25. A short extension 44 is then located in the slot 36 and is sufficiently long to pass through the slot 36 to be gripped by a fixing washer 46, retaining the pinion 27 in mesh with the rack 25. The main shaft 48 of the second member 26 is smooth and cylindrical and extends away from the first member 24. The remote end of the main shaft 48 has a head 50 formed to cooperate with a tool. For example, the head 50 may be a socket to receive an Allen key.

[0017] The third member 28 is in the form of a hollow shaft which is externally threaded. The main shaft 48 of the second member 26 is accommodated within the third member 28, so that the main shaft 48 and the third member 28 form a journal bearing allowing the second member 26 to rotate within the third member 28.

[0018] The third member 28 also has a base region 52 which defines a recess 54 (Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) for receiving the first member 24. It is to be noted (Fig. 4), that the width of the first member 24 (in the direction parallel with the length of the slot 36) is less than the internal dimension of the recess 54 in this direction. Consequently, the walls of the recess 54 do not restrain the first member 24 from movement relative to the base 52, in the direction parallel with the length of the slot 36. It is also to be noted (Fig. 3), that when the mechanism 10 is assembled, the head 50 (which is oversize relative to the hollow of the third member 28) bears against the end of the third member 28, and the fixing washer 46 bears against the first member 24, so that the first member 24 is securely retained in the recess 54. However, when the first member 24 is retained in this way, the second member 26 is free to turn in the journal bearing provided by the third member 28. This turns the pinion 27 relative to the rack 25, causing the pinion 27 to move along the rack 24. This results in the first member 24 being displaced parallel with the slot 26, relative to the base 52, in a direction which is determined by the sense of rotation of the second member 26.

[0019] The fourth member 30 is an internally threaded cylinder which is flared at one end (56) to define an oversize head and an internal socket for receiving a tool, such as an Allen key. The fourth member 30 is rotatably mounted in the elongate member 12 and retained in position by the flared head 56 at one end, and a circlip 58 engaging the other end of the fourth member 30.

[0020] Fig. 1 also illustrates a fifth member 60 which is a channel member. The floor 61 of the channel member 60 has an aperture 62 which is sufficiently long (parallel to the length of the channel 60) to receive the first member 24 with the rebates 42 at the ends of the aperture 62, and with the lips 40 overlapping the material of the floor 61 of the channel member 60, adjacent the aperture 62. This arrangement can best be seen in Fig. 6. The aperture 62 is wider than the first member 24, so that the first member 24 can move from side to side in the channel member 60, while the lips 40 remain engaged over the ends of the aperture 62, as just described. The channel member 60 is secured to the base region 52 of the third member 28 by fixing screws 64 (Fig. 1). This traps the first member 24 between the base 52 and the floor of the channel member 50. However, as noted above, the first member 24 is free to move from side to side within the recess 54 of the base 52, and within the aperture 62. The significance of this will be described below.

[0021] When the mechanism 10 is fully assembled, the mouth of the channel member 60 receives the first member 24, the third member 28 and the elongate member 12 carrying the fourth member 30. The second member 26 will also be installed through the fourth member 30 and the third member 28, as can now be described with reference to Fig. 6.

[0022] When the mechanism 10 is to be installed, the channel member 60 has the base 52 attached to it and thus carries with it the mechanism of the third member 28, second member 26 and first member 24, as illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. The channel member 60 is fixed to the wall 14 by first turning the second member 26 to move the first member 24 until the apertures 38 are in line with corresponding apertures 66 in the base 52, allowing fixing screws to be driven through the first member 24 and into the wall 14. This secures the first member 24 at a fixed position on the wall 14. The edges of the aperture 62 are trapped under the lips 40, thus holding the channel member 60 against the wall 14.

[0023] The elongate member 12 is now offered to the channel member 60 by threading the fourth member 30 onto the third member 28. As this happens, the head 50 of the second member 26 is introduced into the fourth member 30. This results in the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 6. A similar mechanism 10 is provided and assembled at another position along the length of the channel member 60. Desirably, one mechanism 10 is near the upper end of the channel member 60, the other mechanism 10 is near the lower end of the channel member 60.

[0024] In a typical installation, the elongate member 12 carries a glazing sheet 70, illustrated in Fig. 6 but not in Fig. 1, and may also carry a cover strip 72 for aesthetic reasons. The result is a frame of neat appearance, illustrated in Fig. 7, bounding the glazing of the panel. In another example, the elongate member 12 may carry leaves of hinges for supporting a hinged panel such as a door.

[0025] When the elongate member 12 has been installed as described above, by assembling the mechanisms 10, the alignment of the elongate member 12 can be adjusted in two directions, as will now be described.

[0026] By introducing an Allen key or other tool through the fourth member 30, the head 50 of the second member 26 may be engaged, allowing the second member 26 to be turned. This turns the pinion 27 relative to the rack 25, causing the pinion to move along the rack 25. During this adjustment, the rack 25 is fixed in position relative to the wall 14, by the fixing screws 68. Thus, as the second member 26 moves along the rack 25, the fourth member 30 and the base 52 are carried with it, causing the channel member 60 to move across the face of the wall 14, under the lips 40. This causes the elongate member 12 to be moved across the face of the wall 14. Appropriate adjustment of the second members 26 at the top and bottom ends of the channel member 60 allows the elongate member 12 to be set vertically when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the wall 14. This allows any inaccuracy in mounting of the first members 24 to be accommodated, with the degree of available tolerance being set by the relative dimensions of the aperture 62 and the first member 24.

[0027] Once the elongate member 12 has been set vertically by using the cooperation between the first member 24 and the second member 26, another, larger Allen key can be used to turn the fourth member 30. This turns the fourth member 30 on the third member 28, causing the fourth member 30 to move along the thread of the third member 28, carrying the elongate member 12 with it. Accordingly, rotation of the fourth member 30 causes the elongate member 12 to be drawn closer to the wall 14, or pushed further away from the wall 14, thereby changing the spacing of the elongate member 12 from the wall 14. Appropriate adjustment of the fourth members 30 at the top and bottom ends of the channel member 60 allows the elongate member 12 to be set vertically when viewed in a direction parallel with the plane of the wall 14. This accommodates variation from the vertical which may be exhibited by the wall 14 with the degree of available tolerance being set by the thread lengths of the third and fourth members 28, 30.

[0028] In the example described and shown, the first and second adjustment arrangements are independently adjustable.

[0029] If desired, additional locking screws 74 can be installed into the wall 14, through the elongate member 12, to secure the elongate member 12 in position, once the adjustment is complete.

[0030] Many variations and modifications can be made to the apparatus described above, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Many different shapes, sizes and relative shapes and sizes could be used. Various materials could be used for the different components. In one example, the elongate member and the channel member may be aluminium extrusions, and the first, second and fourth members may be plastic mouldings.

[0031] Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. An adjustable mounting mechanism for use in mounting an elongate member adjacent to a wall, the mechanism comprising:

a first adjustment arrangement operable, in use, to move the elongate member in a first direction relative to the wall; and

a second adjustment arrangement operable to move the elongate member in a second direction relative to the wall.

2. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the two directions are perpendicular.

3. A mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first direction moves the elongate member across the face of the wall.

4. A mechanism according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the second direction changes the spacing of the elongate member from the wall.

5. A mechanism according to any preceding claim, wherein the first adjustment arrangement comprises a first member which, in use, is fixed to the wall, and a second member which is carried by the elongate member and is movable relative to the first member to move the elongate member in the first direction, the first and second members providing cooperating formations which are cooperable to set the position of the first and second members and of the elongate member relative to the first member.

6. A mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the cooperating formations comprise a rack and a cooperating pinion.

7. A mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the rack is carried by the first member.

8. A mechanism according to claims 5, 6 or 7, wherein the second member comprises a pinion having an axial shaft rotatably mounted to the elongate member.

9. A mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the shaft has a head accessible at a position which faces away from the wall, for controlling rotation of the pinion when the elongate member has been mounted on the wall.

10. A mechanism according to any preceding claim, wherein the second adjustment arrangement comprises a third member which, in use, is held against movement relative to the wall, and a fourth member which is carried by the elongate member, the third and fourth members providing cooperating formations which are cooperable to set the relative positions of the third and fourth members along the second direction, and of the elongate member relative to the wall.

11. A mechanism according to claim 10, wherein the cooperating formations are threaded.

12. A mechanism according to claim 11, wherein the cooperating formations comprise an internally threaded formation threaded around an externally threaded formation, the threaded formations being rotatable relative to each other to cause relative movement along the threads.

13. A mechanism according to claims 10, 11 or 12, wherein the fourth member is rotatably mounted to the elongate member.

14. A mechanism according to any of claim 10 to 13 and any of claim 5 to 9, wherein the third member comprises a hollow shaft, the second member being located in the hollow of the third member, the third member providing a bearing for rotatably locating the second member, and the fourth member being located around the third member to cooperate therewith.

15. A mechanism according to claim 14, wherein the third member is carried by a fifth member which is held against the wall by the first member, the third member being movable in the first direction while held against the wall by the first member.

16. A mechanism according to claim 15, wherein the fifth member has an aperture through which the surface of the wall is exposed, the first member being attached to the wall, through the aperture, and the first member having at least one retention portion which overlies the fifth member around the aperture to hold the fifth member against the wall, the aperture being oversized relative to the first member to allow the fifth member to move across the surface of the wall while retained against the wall.

17. A mechanism according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the fifth member is a channel member having a mouth in which the elongate member is received.

18. A mechanism according to claim 17, wherein the channel member is sufficiently long to receive the whole length of the elongate member.

19. A mechanism according to any preceding claim, wherein the elongate member, in use, carries a fixed panel or a hinged panel.

20. A mechanism according to claim 19, wherein the elongate member is a frame member of a shower screen.

21. A bathroom panel for installation against a wall, and comprising an elongate member and an adjustable mounting mechanism as defined in any of claims 1 to 20.

Drawing