US4993201A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pre-cast stall shower panel assembly
Assignee: STARSHOWER LP
•
Filing: 1989-04-26
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Granted: 1991-02-19
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Expires: 2009-04-26
Abstract
Abstract Panels which are assembled to form a stall shower are prefabricated. Each panel has a facing of tile adhered to a plywood backing. On the rear of the backings are elongated vertical ribs. The lower edges of the ribs are notched to interfit with a shower base. The upper edges are notched to interfit with a shower ceiling. The outer edges of the ribs are either attached to studding or are covered with wallboard. The panels comprise four corners, a back, two sides and two door jambs. In addition to the shower base and ceiling, additional members include a shower door curb and a header.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Bunyard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:33
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47K; A47K3/00; A47K3/28; A47K3/283; A47K3/284
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
A shower assembly comprising a horizontal base having upstanding panel supports around the perimeter of said base, a vertical back backing panel, opposed vertical side backing panels perpendicular to opposed edges of said back backing panel, corners on the sides of said side backing panels, said corners having first and second corner backing panels perpendicular to each other, external vertical ribs on said back and side backing panels and on said corner backing panels, said ribs having upper and lower edges first means securing the lower edges of said external vertical ribs to said panel supports, said back, side and corner panels each having opposed vertical edges and upper and lower ends, second means engaging the adjacent vertical edges of said back, side and corner backing panels to each other, third means securing the upper edges of said vertical ribs, the adjacent edges of one pair of second corner backing panels being spaced apart to provide an entrance opening for the shower, curb means between said second corner backing panels on said base at the bottom of said entrance opening, header means between the upper ends of said second corner backing panels, and tiles lining the upper surface of said base and the interior surfaces of said back and side backing panels and said corner backing panels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
217 words
A shower assembly comprising a horizontal base having upstanding panel supports around the perimeter of said base, a vertical back backing panel, opposed vertical side backing panels perpendicular to opposed edges of said back backing panel, corners on the sides of said side backing panels, said corners having first and second corner backing panels perpendicular to each other, external vertical ribs on said back and side backing panels and on said corner backing panels, said ribs having upper and lower edges first means securing the lower edges of said external vertical ribs to said panel supports, said back, side and corner panels each having opposed vertical edges and upper and lower ends, second means engaging the adjacent vertical edges of said back, side and corner backing panels to each other, third means securing the upper edges of said vertical ribs, the adjacent edges of one pair of second corner backing panels being spaced apart to provide an entrance opening for the shower, curb means between said second corner backing panels on said base at the bottom of said entrance opening, header means between the upper ends of said second corner backing panels, and tiles lining the upper surface of said base and the interior surfaces of said back and side backing panels and said corner backing panels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A shower assembly according to claim 1 which further comprises jamb members on the inner edges of said second corner backing panels and fourth means connecting said jamb members to said curb means and to said one pair of second corner backing panels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A shower assembly according to claim 1 in which said first means comprises notches formed in the lower edges of said ribs, said panel supports having upper edges fitting in said notches.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A shower assembly according to claim 3 in which said notches are located on said rib adjacent said backing panels with an un-notched portion of the lower edge of said rib fitting outside said upper edge of said panel support.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A shower assembly according to claim 1 in which said second means comprises metal extensions seated in the vertical edges of said backing panels, said extensions overlapping, and sealing means between overlapped extensions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A shower assembly according to claim 5 in which said extensions are formed with interfitting vertical grooves.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A shower assembly according to claim 6 in which said grooves are V-shaped, said sealing means fitting into said V-shapes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
A shower assembly according to claim 1 in which the upper edges of said ribs are formed with notches and said third means comprises a locking collar fitting around the outsides of said back and side backing panels and inside said notches and also fitting around the outside faces of said first and second corner backing panels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A shower assembly according to claim 8 which further comprises interlocks fixed adjacent the upper ends of said back and side backing panels formed with downward openings, said locking collar being received in said openings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
A shower assembly according to claim 9 which further comprises a ceiling panel, and downward extending sides below said ceiling panel, said sides fitting outside said back, side and corner backing panels, the lower ends of said side backing panels resting on the tops of said interlocks.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
76 words
A shower assembly according to claim 2 in which said jamb members have outer edges and said fourth means comprises vertical locking panels on the outer edges of said jamb members attached to vertical ribs on said second corner backing panels of said one pair of second corner backing panels, said vertical locking panels having upper and lower ends, said curb means having inward facing channels to receive the lower ends of said vertical locking panels.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
A shower assembly according to claim 1 in which said header means has horizontal outward extensions, said outward extensions fitting over the upper edges of the vertical ribs on said one pair of second corner backings.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A shower assembly according to claim 12 in which said third means overlaps said outward extensions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
A shower assembly according to claim 1 which further comprises horizontal lugs extending outward from one vertical edge of each said first corner backing panel and receptors to receive said lugs adjacent the outer vertical edges of said back and side backing panels.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
A shower assembly according to claim 14 in which said receptors are downward opening, whereby said side and back backing panels may be slid down after said corner panels are in place relative to said base to secure said side and back backing panels relative to said corner panels.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A shower assembly according to claim 1 which further comprises framing around said shower assembly said framing having studs and anchor means attaching said assembly to said studs.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
58 words
A shower assembly according to claim 16 in which said anchor means comprises a first member comprising at least one cup containing adhesive, and a second member fitting into said adhesive, one of said first or second members being secured to said framing and the other of said first and second members being secured to said shower assembly.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
A shower assembly according to claim 16 which further comprises a first cup fixed relative to said studs, a second cup fixed to said shower assembly, adhesive in said cups and an inverted U-shaped rigid member fitting into both said cups.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
A shower assembly according to claim 18 in which said adhesive is cement-like.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-02-18 | 1994-08-20 | 1995-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-02-18 | 1998-08-20 | 1999-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-02-18 | 2002-08-20 | 2003-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |