Doorless Shower Enclosure System

Abstract

A Doorless Shower Enclosure System is a water handling system for human showering which is configured in such a way as to fit into an alcove in a bathroom of approximate size as that of a bathtub, and effectively contain and discharge water from a shower head, without the use of a physical door. The system is composed of a prefabricated base with a drain, a glass partition, and a metal crossbar support. The glass partition rests upon the base and is supported at the top by the metal cross bar, which is mounted to the side walls of the alcove. Access to the shower compartment is through a walk-in opening, as opposed to an operable door.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61511143 filed Jul. 25, 2011, the contents of which of which are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in their entirety.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SUPPORTED RESEARCH[0002]Not Applicable.REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM[0003]Not Applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]1. Field of the Invention[0005]The present invention relates to prefabricated shower bases, shower stalls and / or shower enclosures.[0006]2. Description of Related Art[0007]There are numerous examples of square or rectangular shaped prefabricated shower bases such as that described in U.S.P.T.O. Application No. 20040034922 filed Feb. 26, 2004. These examples describe prefabricated shower bases which are configured differently and are manufactured by differing methods using differing materials. They are intended to be installed on the floor of a bathr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This invention is a shower that can be installed without needing a door or curtain. It uses a premade shower base and a fixed glass partition to keep water spray from showering out of the room. This invention can be used in a bathroom or shower stall and solves problems associated with traditional showers.

Problems solved by technology

When installed as intended in a three sided alcove, they do not contain a means to prevent water spray from shower use, from traveling beyond the base to the outside of the alcove, or shower enclosure.

These products are vertical partitions which are independent of, and do not contain a shower base, and thus, do not represent a complete water handling system for the showering process.

They do not represent a complete water handling system for the showering process.

There are numerous problems associated with shower stalls that utilize prefabricated shower bases and independently installed shower curtains such as those noted in , including but not limited to, leakage of water spray, difficult drying conditions, maintenance of shower curtains, light blockage, and poor air circulation during shower use.

There are numerous problems associated with shower stalls such those noted in , that utilize prefabricated shower bases and independently installed shower stall partitions with doors including but not limited to, complex fabrication and installation process; difficult to execute a positive, long term water seal between the base and partition; leaking partition assemblies; leakage at sliding or hinged type doors; poor air circulation while showering; and difficulty in the drying of the shower stall after use.

The common problem associated with the glass panel shower wall systems referred to in is that they rely on the independent installation of a shower base and do not represent a complete water handling system for the showering process.

They rely on the selection of an appropriate base and do not make accommodations to adapt to any particular base.

Since the base is not designed to accommodate a specific door product, leakage often occurs at the door after such a product is installed.

The problem common to most of the prefabricated shower compartments referred to in is the lack of a shower door, requiring the installation of an independent shower door or curtain.

They do not make accommodations for these independent elements and there is no assurance that those installed will result in a leak free final installation.

The problems associated with it are its large size, lack of air circulation, and that its configuration blocks light from the adjacent room, requiring separate lighting inside the shower compartment.

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