US3745733A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Panel construction for modular bathrooms
Assignee: MARINO L
•
Filing: 1972-04-13
•
Granted: 1973-07-17
•
Expires: 1992-04-13
Abstract
Abstract A construction for modular bathrooms and powder rooms which includes a peripheral, panel-positioning floor track and at least four rectangularly-shaped wall panels, two of which are end wall panels and at least two of which are side wall panels. Each panel includes a unitary frame having top and bottom plate members and a plurality of parallel channel-like frame members joined at their ends to the top and bottom plate members. In one embodiment a premolded sheet-like fiber-glass/polyester member may be secured to the frame to provide a finished decorative face for the room, and a layer of polyurethane foam is applied to the back of said sheet-like member and to portions of said unitary frame for reducing sound transmission through said panel and aiding in securing said face to said frame. Turnbuckle means are provided for engagement with rib-like projection means provided integral with the top and bottom plates for drawing and securing adjacent panels into close relation. Ceiling panel means may also be provided which are hung from the top edges of the wall panels by unique hanger means and gasket means are provided for sealing the joint between the ceiling and the wall panel and for providing an attractive appearance along said junction.
Inventors
- 👤 R Litvin
- 👤 G Spadaro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 02:12
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47K; A47K4/00; E; E04; E04B; E04B2/00; E04B2/74; E04B2/76
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
An improved modular bathroom construction comprising, in combination, two rectangularly-shaped end wall panels and at least two rectangularly shaped side wall panels, each of which is pre-shaped and includes a molded portion that provides a surface that forms a finished front face for the panel, means for holding the panels in substantially aligned relation along adjacent edges integral with each of said panels, floor track means cooperating with said panels to define an enclosed room in which plumbing fixtures, decorative and utilitarian accessories, and the like, may be installed to complete the construction of the bathroom, and each of said panels including top and bottom metal plate members and a plurality of elongated framing members, each joined at one end to said top plate and at the other end to said bottom plate, and embedded in the molded portion of the panel rearwardly of the finished face.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
An improved modular bathroom construction comprising, in combination, two rectangularly-shaped end wall panels and at least two rectangularly shaped side wall panels, each of which is pre-shaped and includes a molded portion that provides a surface that forms a finished front face for the panel, means for holding the panels in substantially aligned relation along adjacent edges integral with each of said panels, floor track means cooperating with said panels to define an enclosed room in which plumbing fixtures, decorative and utilitarian accessories, and the like, may be installed to complete the construction of the bathroom, and each of said panels including top and bottom metal plate members and a plurality of elongated framing members, each joined at one end to said top plate and at the other end to said bottom plate, and embedded in the molded portion of the panel rearwardly of the finished face.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A construction as in claim 1 wherein said bottom plate member includes a rib-like projection which extends along the bottom of said panel and is adapted to be received by mating means associated with said track means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A construction as in claim 1 wherein said top plate member includes a rib-like projection which extends along the top edge of said panel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A construction as in claim 3 wherein there is further provided a U-shaped clip member adapted to matingly engage and overlie the rib-like projections of adjacent panels for maintaining said panels in planar alignment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A construction as in claim 4 wherein there is also provided double acting turnbuckle means which are adapted to engage means associated with the top rib-like projections of adjacent panels and draw and maintain said panels into closely spaced relation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
A construction as in claim 5 wherein said turnbuckle means include a pair of turnbuckle arms and said engagement means include arm-receiving apertures each of which are adapted to receive one of said turnbuckle arms, said arms adapted to be drawn together and therby draw and hold said panels in closely spaced relation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
A construction as in claim 2 wherein the means associated with said track is a channel which defines front, back and bottom wall sections and said back wall slopes rearwardly from top to bottom so as to define a re-entrant surface and an acute angle between the back and bottom walls of said channel, and wherein the rib-like projection for each bottom plate member includes a sloping back surface arranged to matingly abut the back wall of said channel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A construction as in claim 7 wherein there is further provided adjustable lock means in association with said channel for locking the back surface of said rib-like projections in abutting relation with the sloping re-entrant wall of said channel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
89 words
A construction as in claim 1 wherein there is further provided ceiling panel means and hanger bracket means for supporting said ceiling means from said panels, said hanger means being securable at one end to the top plate member of each of said wall panel means and at the other end to said ceiling means, shaped, resilient gasket means also are provided which are arranged to fit between the periphery of said ceiling and said panel to seal the room and hide said hanger from sight within the room.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A construction as in claim 1 wherein said top and bottom plate members are welded to said channel-shaped metal members so as to form said unitary frame.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |