Attachment system for bathing enclosure segments
AssigneeKohler Canada Co./Compagnie Kohler Canada
InventorIain M. Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Bathing enclosures, and methods for assembling them, are disclosed. They are provided with connectors in the form of first and second supports, a clip, and a fastener. The supports are mounted on the upper and lower portions of the enclosure respectively and have through bores and an outer projection. The clips attach on the exterior of the projections to align the supports. The fastener such as a bolt passes through the through bores to clamp the supports together. The clips permit one set of supports to be aligned and loosely bolted together while another set of supports are held apart by a washer in order to provide a defined gap for caulking with silicone or other sealant.
Claims10
In a bathing enclosure of the type having a multi-piece plumbing fixture wall structure having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion having walls with edges which can be essentially aligned with opposed edges of walls of the second portion so as to define a seam there between, the improvement comprising:
- a first support having a base mounted on the first portion of the wall structure, the first support having an internal channel extending there through and an outward projection;
- a second support having a base mounted on the second portion of the wall structure, the second support also having an internal channel extending there through and an outward projection;
- a clip positionable over both the outward projection of the first support and the outward projection of the second support at the same time when the internal channel of the first support and the internal channel of the second support are essentially aligned;
- and
- a fastener capable of being positioned in both the internal channel of the first support and the internal channel of the second support at the same time when the channels are so essentially aligned to facilitate the clamping of the wall structure portions together.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.