TUB OR SHOWER SURROUND KIT SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

A tub or shower surround kit, system, and method are disclosed. An example system for constructing a tub surround, shower surround, and wall covering includes a plurality of components including at least one panel, at least one edge component, and at least one interconnecting component. The example system also includes a tongue or lip of a first of the plurality of components configured to fit into a groove of a second of the plurality of components. The example system also includes a tongue or lip of the second of the plurality of components to fit into a groove of the first of the plurality of components. Any number of the plurality of components are connected adjacent to a desired wall geometry to provide an assembled version of the tub surround, shower surround, and wall covering.

Claims

1. A method for constructing a tub surround, shower surround, or wall covering, comprising: providing a plurality of components to form a kit including at least edge components, panels, corner-side components, corner components, and at least one interconnection component, the plurality of components selected to fit a desired wall geometry; and wherein the at least one interconnection component has two lips, two grooves, and two back curves to interlock at least one of the edge components such that lips of the edge components fit into the grooves of the interconnection component while the lips of the interconnection component fit into the grooves of the edge components to join the selected components together; and wherein erecting the assembly over a wall adjacent the tub or shower forms the tub surround, shower surround, or wall covering.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein another of the at least one interconnection component is connected to at least one of corner-side components, corner components, and panels in various combinations to provide different shapes of the tub surround, shower surround, or wall covering.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one interconnection component is configured as an interlocking panel, wherein the lip of a first panel fits into the groove of a second panel, and the lip of the second panel fits into the groove of the first panel.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the components are attached to one another and to the wall by any one or more of adhesives, fasteners, sealants, welds, and solder.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the components are at least one of standard dimensions and custom dimensions.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the components are made from any combination of materials selected from metals, plastics, ceramics, composites, laminates, and stone.

7. A system for constructing a tub surround, shower surround, and wall covering, comprising: a plurality of components including at least one panel, at least one edge component, and at least one interconnection component; a tongue or lip of a first of the plurality of components configured to fit into a groove of a second of the plurality of components; and a tongue or lip of the second of the plurality of components to fit into a groove of the first of the plurality of components; wherein the at least one interconnection component has two lips, two grooves, and two back curves to interlock at least one of the edge components such that lips of the edge components fit into the grooves of the interconnection component while the lips of the interconnection component fit into the grooves of the edge components to join the selected components together; and wherein any number of the plurality of components are connected adjacent a desired wall geometry to provide an assembled version of the tub surround, shower surround, and wall covering.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein another of the at least one interconnection component is connected to at least one of corner-side components, corner components, and panels in various combinations to provide different shapes of the tub surround, shower surround, or wall covering.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the at least one interconnection component is configured as an interlocking panel, wherein the lip of a first panel fits into the groove of a second panel, and the lip of the second panel fits into the groove of the first panel.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of components are attached to one another and/or to the wall by any of adhesives, fasteners, sealants, welds, or solder.

11. A kit for constructing tub surrounds, shower surrounds, and wall coverings, comprising: two or more components selected from panels, edges, corner sides, corners; at least one interconnection component having two lips, two grooves, and two back curves to interlock at least one of the edge components such that lips of the edge components fit into the grooves of the interconnection component while the lips of the interconnection component fit into the grooves of the edge components to join the selected components together; wherein each of the two or more components has at least one lip or tongue and at least one groove; wherein the lip or tongue of a first of the two or more components fits into the groove of a second of the two or more components, while the lip or tongue of the second of the two or more components fits into the groove of the first of the two or more components, causing the two components to interlock, and, wherein any number of the two or more components are connected by lips, tongues, and grooves to fit a desired wall geometry.

12. The kit of claim 11, wherein another of the at least one interconnection component is connected to at least one of corner-side components, corner components, and panels in various combinations to provide different shapes of the tub surround, shower surround, or wall covering.

13. The kit of claim 11, wherein the at least one interconnection component is configured as an interlocking panel, wherein the lip of a first panel fits into the groove of a second panel, and the lip of the second panel fits into the groove of the first panel.

14. The kit of claim 11, wherein some of the two or more components are of standard sizes and some of the two or more components are custom sizes.

15. The kit of claim 11, wherein the components are made from any combination of materials selected from metals, plastics, ceramics, composites, laminates, and stone.

16. The kit of claim 11, further comprising: a first tongue; a first groove; a second tongue; a second groove; wherein the first tongue fits into the second groove, and the second tongue fits into the first groove, to join two components.

17. The kit of claim 11, further comprising: additional components, each of which provides either at least one tongue that connects to a groove of another component, or at least one groove that connects to the lip of another component.

18. The kit of claim 11, further comprising: a plurality of wall panels; a plurality of edges, corner sides, corners, and interconnections; wherein each of the panels, edges, corner sides, corners, and interconnects are attachable to another of the panels, edges, corner sides, corners, or interconnects by a lip-and-groove joint.

19. The kit of claim 18, further comprising fasteners that fit through holes in the panels, edges, corner sides, corners, and interconnects to secure the lip-and-groove joints.

20. The kit of claim 11, wherein the components include panels, edges, corner sides, corners, and interconnects that are hooked to one another by fitting lips in each component into corresponding grooves in a neighboring component.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example shower or tub surround kit.

[0004] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view corresponding to FIG. 1, with the components separated for completeness of illustration.

[0005] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an edging component of the example shower or tub surround shown removed from the kit corresponding to FIG. 1 for clarity of disclosure.

[0006] FIG. 4 is a top view of an example edging component.

[0007] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the example edging component.

[0008] FIG. 6 is a right side view of the example edging component.

[0009] FIG. 7 is a left side view of the example edging component.

[0010] FIG. 8 is a front view of the example edging component.

[0011] FIG. 9 is a back view of the example edging component.

[0012] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an example corner-side component of the example shower or tub surround, shown removed from the kit corresponding to FIG. 1 for clarity of disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 11 is a top view of an example corner-side component.

[0014] FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the example corner-side component.

[0015] FIG. 13 is a right side view of the example corner-side component.

[0016] FIG. 14 is a left side view of the example corner-side component.

[0017] FIG. 15 is a front view of the example corner-side component.

[0018] FIG. 16 is a back view of the example corner-side component.

[0019] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another example corner component of the shower or tub surround shown removed from the kit corresponding to FIG. 1 for clarity of disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 18 is a top view of the example corner component.

[0021] FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the example corner component.

[0022] FIG. 20 is a right side view of the example corner component.

[0023] FIG. 21 is a left side view of the example corner component.

[0024] FIG. 22 is a front view of the example corner component.

[0025] FIG. 23 is a back view of the example corner component.

[0026] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of an example wall panel component of the example shower or tub surround shown removed from the kit corresponding to FIG. 1 for clarity of disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 25 is a top view of the example wall panel component.

[0028] FIG. 26 is a bottom view of the example wall panel component.

[0029] FIG. 27 is a right side view of the example wall panel component.

[0030] FIG. 28 is a left side view of the example wall panel component.

[0031] FIG. 29 is a front view of the example wall panel component.

[0032] FIG. 30 is a back view of the example wall panel component.

[0033] FIG. 31 is a perspective view of an example corner-side component shown in FIG. 10 as it may be assembled to the example corner component shown in FIG. 17, shown removed from the kit corresponding to FIG. 1 for clarity of disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 32 is an exploded perspective view of the example corner-side component assembled to the example corner component as shown in FIG. 31, with the components separated for completeness of illustration.

[0035] FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the example shower or tub surround kit shown as it may be installed by way of illustration on a bathtub.

[0036] FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the example shower or tub surround kit shown as it may be installed by way of illustration on a shower.

[0037] FIG. 35 illustrates assembly of an example of an inside corner.

[0038] FIG. 36 illustrates assembly of an example of an outside corner.

[0039] FIG. 37 illustrates assembly of an example edge component as it may be installed onto a side or top of a panel.

[0040] FIGS. 38-49 illustrate assembly of an example interconnection with two edge components (FIG. 38), followed by assembly of example multiple panels adjacent one another (FIG. 39).

[0041] FIG. 40 illustrates an example assembly of two example outside corners and a panel to surround a wall.

[0042] FIG. 41 illustrates an example three-sided shower surround.

[0043] FIG. 42 illustrates a partial view of an example shower surround that includes a soap dish shelf.

[0044] FIG. 43 illustrates an example four-sided shower surround, wherein an outer wall is made from different materials than the inner walls.

[0045] FIG. 44 illustrates an example curved shower surround.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] A surround is disclosed as it may be provided as a kit (e.g., components for assembly) for a tub or shower or other wall covering. An example kit may include custom designed trim pieces and large panels, made out of many different kinds of materials.

[0047] Examples materials include, but are not limited to metals such as copper, sheet metal, galvanized sheet metal, stainless steel sheet, brass sheet, aluminum sheet. The metal is cut and bent in many different shapes and sizes to accommodate many different sizes and configurations of bathtub/shower and/or shower enclosures.

[0048] In another example, the components and panels may be made of plastics, ceramics, laminates, or composites such as concrete or particle boards, and may be formed, sintered, or molded into the appropriate shapes, or may be made of materials such as stone and wood that are milled or etched into the appropriate shapes.

[0049] In an example, components may be provided as a kit and assembled by the consumer or a professional, to enclose a bathtub or shower and/or shower area as the surround. The components may also be provided for other wall coverings, or to form surfaces for indoor and/or outdoor water features.

[0050] Before continuing, it is noted that as used herein, the terms includes and including mean, but is not limited to, includes or including and includes at least or including at least. The term based on means based on and based at least in part on.

[0051] It is also noted that components shown with broken lines indicate that these components may be any length and width.

[0052] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example assembled shower or tub surround kit 100. The kit 100 may include edge components or edge trim pieces 200, corner-side components 300, corner components 400, and panels 500. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an example shower or tub surround kit 100 corresponding to FIG. 1, with the components shown separated for completeness of illustration. The edging components or edge trim pieces 200, corner brackets or corner-side components 300, corner components 400, and panels 600, and their relationships to one another, are more clearly visible in this picture.

[0053] In an example, panels 500 are attached to the edging components 200 and corner-side components 300 by a friction-based lip-and-groove architecture that may not require adhesives, fasteners, sealants, welds, or solder, although these may be employed as a design choice.

[0054] In an example, trim pieces (e.g., edge components 200, corner-side components 300, and corner components 400) provide a finished appearance after installation.

[0055] In an example, the components enable a simple and fast installation that properly provides a water-resistant or waterproof wall covering.

[0056] In an example, the components can be removed and reinstalled easily and quickly to perform any necessary maintenance behind the panels without damage to the components.

[0057] In an example, the components also enable custom features, such as rounded or curved walls (e.g., by bending and/or shaping the panels).

[0058] In an example, the surround can be installed over existing shower enclosures, minimizing or eliminating demolition. The installed surround may also be anticorrosive and antimicrobial (e.g., when made of copper). In addition, the surround kit 100 may require substantially less cleaning than other types of surround (e.g., by incorporating stainless steel components, or metals such as copper that form a natural patina with exposure to air, moisture, and contaminants).

[0059] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an edging component 200 of the shower or tub surround which, for clarity of disclosure, is shown removed from the kit corresponding to FIG. 1. In an example, the edging component 200 has a rolled or folded shape that yields a tongue 201, a lip 202, a groove 203, and a back curve 204.

[0060] FIG. 4 is a top view of the edging component 200, in which the tongue 201, lip 202, and back curve 204 are visible, but the groove 203 is hidden. FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the edging component 200, in which the tongue 201 and back curve 204 are visible, but the lip 201 and groove 203 are hidden. FIG. 6 is a right side view of the edging component 200, in which only the back curve 204 is visible. FIG. 7 is a left side view of the edging component 200, in which the tongue 201, lip 202, and groove 203 are visible. FIG. 8 is a front view of the edging component 200, in which the tongue 201, lip 202, groove 203, and back curve 204 are visible. FIG. 9 is a back view of the edging component 200, in which the tongue 201, lip 202, groove 203, and back curve 204 are visible.

[0061] In an example, the edging may be provided around an outer side and/or top edge of the surround. The panels can be inserted into the edging to provide a clean look and finish, and eliminate sharp edges.

[0062] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an example corner edge component or corner-side component 300 of the shower or tub surround which, for clarity of disclosure, is shown removed from the kit corresponding to FIG. 1. Similar to the edge component 200, the corner-side component 300 has a tongue 301, lip 302, groove 303, and back curve 304.

[0063] FIG. 11 is a top view of the corner-side component 300 in which the tongue 301, lip 302, and back curve 304 are visible. FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the corner-side component 300 in which the tongue 301 and back curve 304 are visible. FIG. 13 is a right side view of the corner-side component 300 in which only the back curve 304 is visible. FIG. 14 is a left side view of the corner-side component 300 in which the tongue 301, lip 302, and groove 303 are visible. FIG. 15 is a front view of the corner-side component 300 in which the tongue 301, lip 302, groove 303, and back curve 204 are visible. FIG. 16 is a back view of the corner-side component 300 in which the tongue 301, lip 302, groove 303, and back curve 204 are visible. The corner-side component 300 may be combined with a corner component (e.g., as shown in FIG. 17) to complete an inside corner as shown in FIGS. 31 and 32.

[0064] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another example of a corner component 400 of the shower or tub surround which, for clarity of disclosure, is shown removed from the kit corresponding to FIG. 1. The corner component has two lips 402, two grooves 403, two back curves 404, and a corner 405.

[0065] FIG. 18 is a top view of the corner component, in which both back curved 404 and the corner 405 are visible. FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the corner component, in which both tongues 401, both lips 402, both grooves 403, and the corner 405 are visible. FIG. 20 is a right side view of the corner component, in which one tongue 401, one lip 402, one groove 403, and the corner 405 are visible. FIG. 21 is a left side view of the corner component, in which one tongue 401, one lip 402, one groove 403, and the corner 405 are visible. FIG. 22 is a front view of the corner component, in which both tongues 401, both lips 402, both grooves 403, both back curved 404, and the corner 405 are visible. FIG. 23 is a back view of the corner component, in which both tongues 401, both lips 402, both grooves 403, both back curved 404, and the corner 405 are visible.

[0066] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of an example wall panel component or panel 500 of the shower or tub surround which, for clarity of disclosure, is shown removed from the kit corresponding to FIG. 1. The panel 500 has a tongue 501, lip 502, groove 503, back curve 504, front face 505, and back face 506. In an example assembled state, the front face 505 of the panel 500 faces inward to the shower or tub, or away from the wall on which the panel 500 hangs. The front face 505 may be decorated or plain. Although the back face 506 may be decorated or plain, in an example of an assembled state the back face 506 generally faces away from the shower or tub and/or toward the wall on which the panel 500 hangs, and thus may not be directly visible.

[0067] FIG. 25 is a top view of the wall panel component 500, in which the tongue 501, back curve 504, and front face 505 are visible. FIG. 26 is a bottom view of the wall panel component 500, in which the lip 502, back curve 504, and back face 506 are visible. FIG. 27 is a right side view of the wall panel component 500, in which only the back curve 504 is visible. FIG. 28 is a left side view of the wall panel component 500, in which the tongue 501, lip 502, and groove 503 are visible. FIG. 29 is a front view of the wall panel component 500, in which the tongue 501, lip 502, groove 503, and back curve 504 are visible. FIG. 30 is a back view of the wall panel component 500, in which the tongue 501, lip 502, groove 503, and back curve 504 are visible.

[0068] The panels 500 may be any length and/or width. Multiple panels 500 may be connected from top to bottom, and from side to side, to provide any size surround. In an example, although the panels 500 have the same lip-and-groove structure as the edge trim pieces 200, corner edge components 300, and corner components 400, the panels do not interlock with one another. Rather, the shape of the panels 500 provides a U-shaped edge on one side to provide a clean and finished appearance, to reduce sharp exposed edges, and to provide a water-resistant overlap, similar to roofing shingles. However, the panels do interlock with the edge components 200 and corner edge components 300. In another example, panels that additionally interlock with one another may be provided. The panels may be straight or curved (e.g., to produce the example shower design shown in FIG. 44).

[0069] It is also noted that depending on the orientation of the panel 500 when it is inserted into other components, any edge of the panel 500 may serve as a tongue 501.

[0070] FIG. 31 is a perspective view of an example corner-side component 300 (e.g., shown in FIGS. 10-16) as it may be assembled to the corner component 400 (e.g., shown in FIGS. 17-23). For clarify of disclosure, these components are shown removed from the kit 100 corresponding to FIG. 1. However, these components may also form a part of the kit.

[0071] In an example, the corner component 400 and two corner-side components 300 have been interlocked such that the lips 302 of the two corner-side components 300 fit into the grooves 403 of the corner component 400, and the two lips 402 of the corner component fit into the grooves 303 of the corner-side components.

[0072] It is noted that the components described herein may be assembled into a flat panel, an inside corner, or an outside corner. In an example, component 800 (see FIG. 38) can be used in it's flat configuration as a panel interconnect. The component 800 can also be folded in a first direction (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 35-36) to form an inside corner. Likewise, the component 800 can be folded inside out or in the opposite direction (not shown) to form an outside corner.

[0073] FIG. 32 is an exploded perspective view of the corner-side component assembled to the corner component as shown in FIG. 31, with the components separated for completeness of illustration. In an example, the corner component 400 and two corner-side components 300 are about to be interlocked such that the lips 301 of the two corner-side components 300 fit into the grooves 402 of the corner component 400, and the two lips 401 of the corner component fit into the grooves 302 of the two corner-side components.

[0074] Before continuing, it should be noted that the examples described above are provided for purposes of illustration, and are not intended to be limiting. Other devices and/or device configurations may be utilized to carry out the operations described herein.

[0075] FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the assembled shower or tub surround shown as it may be installed on a bathtub 600. FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the assembled shower or tub surround shown as it may be installed on a shower 700.

[0076] FIG. 35 illustrates assembly of an example of an inside corner. FIG. 36 illustrates assembly of an example of an outside corner. Two corner-side components 300 are inserted into a corner component 400 such that the lips 302 of the corner-side components 300 fit into the grooves 403 of the corner component 400. In an example, the lips 303 of the corner-side components 300 fit into the grooves 403 of the corner component 400.

[0077] The resulting corner assembly (inside view 405 and outside view 406) has the corner component 400 on the inside, as a matter of design choice. In an example the assembly may be largely held together by friction such that it does not require fasteners, adhesives, sealants, welds, or solder, although these may optionally be employed to hold the parts together more securely. It is noted that an outside corner may be formed in a similar manner, but corner component 400 would be folded in the opposite direction from that of the inside corner.

[0078] FIG. 37 illustrates assembly of an edge component 200 as it may be installed onto a side or top of a panel 500. Any edge of a panel 500 is inserted into the groove 203 of an edge component 200.

[0079] FIGS. 38-39 illustrate assembly of an example interconnection with two edge components (FIG. 38), followed by assembly of example multiple panels adjacent one another (FIG. 39). An interconnection 800 provides two lips 802, two grooves 803, and two back curves 804, which interlock with the edge components 200 such that the lips 202 of the edge components 200 fit into the grooves 803 of the interconnection 800, while the lips 802 of the interconnection 800 fit into the grooves 203 of the edge components. As will be readily appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art after becoming familiar with the teachings herein, the interconnection 800 may be used to connect other components including but not limited to corner-side components 300, corner components 400, and panels 500 in various combinations, thus enabling a large plurality of possible shapes and forms.

[0080] It will also be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that if the interconnection 800 is made wider, such that its two lips 802 are farther apart, the interconnection 800 may serve as an interlocking panel, where the tongue 501 of the panel has been replaced by a second lip 502, groove 503, and back curve 504. In this manner, interconnecting panels, as described above, may be fashioned, wherein the lip 502 of a first panel fits into the groove 503 of a second panel, while the lip 502 of the second panel fits into the groove 503 of the first panel.

[0081] In FIG. 39, multiple panels 500 are assembled adjacent to one another. The interconnect 800 is shown as it has already been assembled with two edge components 200, and the two panels 500 are inserted such that any edge of the panels 500 fit into the grooves 203 of the two edge components 200.

[0082] FIG. 40 illustrates an example assembly of two outside corners (as depicted in FIG. 35) and a panel 500 made to surround a wall. Other sizes and arrangements are also contemplated, but this example illustrates the versatility of the tub or shower surround kit system 100 to accommodate different geometries.

[0083] FIG. 41 illustrates an example three-sided shower surround that has been constructed from the tub or shower surround kit system 100. The panels 500 have been attached to the inside and outside of a shower wall as described above, in a system that incorporates both outside corners 405 as shown in FIG. 35, and inside corners 406 as shown in FIG. 36.

[0084] FIG. 42 illustrates a partial view of an example shower surround that includes a soap dish shelf 701. The interlocking component shapes and sizes of the tub or shower surround kit system 100 have been adapted to create a soap dish shelf 701. Notches, apertures, and custom-shaped components may also be used to accommodate other features such as faucets, taps, shower heads, drains, air vents, doors, windows, and handles.

[0085] FIG. 43 illustrates an example wherein the tub or shower surround kit system 100 has been implemented to provide a 4-sided shower surround, wherein an outer wall is made from different materials than the inner walls, although it is made from the same or substantially similar component sizes and shapes.

[0086] FIG. 44 illustrates an example wherein the tub or shower surround kit system 100 has been implemented to provide a curved shower surround that fits onto a curved shower wall for a shower 700. As can be seen, this implements a combination of both straight and curved components, which may be either standardized or custom-built for a particular project.

[0087] Of course, other implementations are also contemplated and are virtually unlimited, based only on the components provided as a part of the kit 100, as well as their standardized or customized shapes and materials. Components may be straight or curved, and may have other relative or absolute dimensions than shown in the Figures. Notches and apertures may be fashioned into components. The tongue of any component may be replaced with a lip, groove, and back curve, or vice-versa. One or more lips, grooves, and back curves of a component may be reoriented to allow for different connection geometries than shown in the Figures.

[0088] It is further noted that the term back curve is used for naming purposes only, and the elements so named may be rectangular rather than curved in cross section, or have some other shape as a matter of design choice, while preserving the overall geometry and function of the tub or shower surround kit system.

[0089] All of these implementations of the tub or shower surround kit system, and other example implementations, will be readily understood by those having ordinary skill in the art after becoming familiar with the teachings herein.

[0090] It is noted that the examples shown and described are provided for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. Still other examples are also contemplated.