A SHOWER ENCLOSURE SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a shower enclosure system, particularly suitable for providing a shower enclosure where space is limited.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Where a shower enclosure is provided in the corner of a bathroom or other area to define, together with the existing corner walls of the room, the shower enclosure, the shower enclosure commonly comprises a hinged door and one or more fixed return panels. A preformed shower base may also be installed to provide a floor to the shower enclosure, or the existing floor may be for example tiled to provide an appropriate floor to the shower enclosure. The shower enclosure includes a waste in the base or floor of the enclosure towards which the floor of the enclosure falls.

Providing such a shower enclosure in a bathroom dedicates the space occupied by the shower enclosure to that purpose or use. Other space required in the badiroom must be provided in addition to that occupied by the shower enclosure.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved or at least alternative form of shower enclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention broadly consists in a shower enclosure comprising: first and second panels pivotally mounted at a substantially vertical edge of each panel, one panel

mounted at or to each of two walls on either side of an internal corner of a space, so as to enable the panels to be pivoted between a non-operative position in which each panel lays substantially adjacent its respective wall and an operative position in which each panel extends from their respective wall such that opposite edges of the panels can engage to thereby define the enclosure, the panels extending substantially to the floor of the space, and the enclosure also comprising a waste in the floor of the enclosure.

Preferably, each panel may be defined peripherally by inner and outer vertical edges that are joined by top and bottom horizontal edges, and wherein each panel is pivotally mounted at or to its respective wall by one or more pivot fittings operatively connected at or toward the inner vertical edge.

Preferably, each panel may be pivotally mounted at or to its respective wall by an upper pivot fitting located at or toward the top end of the inner vertical edge and a lower pivot fitting located at or toward the bottom end of the inner vertical edge, the upper and lower pivot fittings being substantially aligned to form a substantially vertical pivot axis about which the panel may pivot. In one form, the upper pivot fittings may be securely mounted to the walls and the lower pivot fittings are securely mounted to the floor substantially adjacent the walls. In another form, the upper and lower pivot fittings for each of the panels may be both securely mounted to the respective walls of the enclosure.

Preferably, the pivot fitting(s) of one panel may be arranged to allow pivotal movement of the panel through approximately 90°, while the pivot fittings of the other panel may be arranged to allow pivotal movement of the panel through approximately 180° to enable the panel to open out as a door to the enclosure.

Preferably, the or at least one of the pivot fittings of each panel may be arranged to bias the panel toward the operative and non-operative positions, the direction of bias being dependent on the position the panel is closest to.

Preferably, the bottom horizontal edges of the panels may be provided with seals that are arranged to engage with the floor to seal the bottom of the enclosure when the panels are in the operative position. More preferably, the seals of the panels may be compression seals that are arranged to engage with the floor by virtue of the weight of panel so as to form a secure seal with the floor.

Preferably, the or at least one of the pivot fittings of each panel may be a height-altering pivot fitting that is arranged to cause progressive vertical movement of the panel as it pivots between the non-operative and operative positions such that each panel lowers into sealing engagement with the floor at its bottom horizontal edge as it pivots toward and into the operative position and rises away from the floor to cause its bottom horizontal edge to be displaced from the floor as it pivots toward and into the non-operative position.

In one form, each panel may be pivotally mounted at or to its respective wall by an upper pivot fitting securely mounted to the wall and operatively connected at or toward the top end of the inner vertical edge of the panel and a lower height- altering pivot fitting mounted to the floor substantially adjacent the wall and operatively connected at or toward the bottom end of the inner vertical edge of the panel. Preferably, each height-altering pivot fitting may comprise a base and a pivot pin extending upwardly from the base for complementary engagement with a part of the panel, the pivot pin defining a pivot axis about which the panel may pivot, and the base having one or more sloped top surfaces upon which the bottom horizontal edge of the panel sits and rides when pivoting, the sloped surface(s) being profiled in height about the pivot pin so as to cause the panel to lower into sealing engagement with the floor at its bottom horizontal edge as it pivots toward and into the operative position and rise away from the floor to cause its bottom horizontal edge to be displaced from the floor as it pivots toward and into the non- operative position. Preferably, the sloped top surface(s) of the base of the pivot fitting may be profiled in height so as to bias the panel toward the operative and non-operative positions, the direction of bias being dependent on which position the panel is closest to.

In another form, each panel may be pivotally mounted at or to its respective wall by an upper pivot fitting securely mounted to the wall and operatively connected at or toward the top end of the inner vertical edge of the panel and a lower height-altering pivot fitting mounted to the wall and operatively connected at or toward the bottom end of the inner vertical edge of the panel.

By way of example, the lower height-altering pivot fitting may comprise opposed upper and lower parts that are rotatably coupled together, the lower part being mounted to the wall and the upper part being securely fixed at or toward the lower end of the inner vertical edge of the panel, the upper and lower parts having opposed complementary contoured end surfaces that abut each other and which cooperate to cause vertical displacement between the upper and lower parts as the upper part rotates relative to the lower part when the panel pivots such that maximum

displacement occurs to raise the panel from the floor when the contoured end surfaces are maximally non-aligned with the panel in the non-operative position and minimum or no displacement occurs to lower the panel substantially into the floor when the contoured end surfaces are aligned with the panel in the operative position. Preferably, the upper and lower parts may comprise substantially cylindrical components that are rotatably coupled by a central connecting shaft extending between the components, the abutting opposed contoured end surfaces of die cylindrical components being formed about the periphery of the end of the cylindrical components.

By way of another example, the lower height-altering pivot fitting may comprise opposed upper and lower parts that are rotatably coupled together, the lower part being mounted to the wall and the upper part being securely fixed at or toward the lower end of the inner vertical edge of the panel, the lower part comprising one or more ramps in a helix arrangement and the upper part comprising one or more complementary protrusions that are arranged to sit on a respective ramp and which ride up and down the ramp(s) to cause vertical displacement between the upper and lower parts as the upper part rotates relative to die lower part when the panel pivots such that maximum displacement occurs to raise the panel from the floor when the protrusion(s) are at the top of the ramp(s) with the panel in the non-operative position and minimum or no displacement occurs to lower the panel substantially into engagement with the floor when the protrusion(s) are at the bottom of the ramp(s) with the panel in the operative position. Preferably, the upper and lower parts may comprise substantially cylindrical components that are rotatably coupled by a central connecting shaft extending between the components, the end of the lower cylindrical component comprising three ramps arranged in a helix about its center and the end of the upper cylindrical component comprising three complementary protrusions located about its center and which are shaped to ride up and down the ramps of the lower cylindrical component.

In one form, the floor of the enclosure may be pre-formed to slope towards the waste, and may for example be a tiled floor. Additionally or alternatively, the floor of the enclosure may be continuous and substantially flush with the balance of die floor of the space surrounding die enclosure (exterior to the shower enclosure). Additionally or alternatively, the floor of the enclosure may be at the same level as the balance of the floor of the space surrounding the enclosure. For example, the space may be a bathroom in an apartment, and the floor of the shower enclosure may comprise part of the greater floor of the bathroom, so that the bathroom comprises a single integral floor which extends into the enclosure area to also comprise the enclosure floor.

In another form, the floor of the enclosure may be a separate shower base installed in the floor of the space, for example a bathroom.

Preferably, one or both of the panels may comprise flat glass panels. Alternatively, one or both of the panels may be flat and formed from a non-glass material.

Preferably, all or at least a part of one or both of the surfaces of the panels which face outwardly of the enclosure into the space may be mirrored surfaces.

Preferably, the outer vertical edges of the panels may be provided with edge cappings that are arranged to magnetically bond to each other when the panels are in the operative position forming the enclosure.

In a second aspect, the present invention broadly consists in a kit for forming a shower enclosure, comprising first and second panels pivotally mountable at a vertical edge of each panel, one panel mounted at or to each of two walls on either side of an internal corner of a space, so as to enable the panels to be pivoted between a position in which each panel lays substantially adjacent the wall to which it is mounted and a position in which each panel extends from the wall and opposite vertical edges of the panels can engage and thereby define the enclosure.

Preferably, each panel may be defined peripherally by inner and outer vertical edges diat are joined by top and bottom horizontal edges, and wherein the kit further comprises one or more pivot fittings for pivotally mounting each panel at or to its respective wall.

In one form, the kit may comprise upper and lower pivot fittings for each panel, the upper pivot fittings being arranged to be mounted to respective walls and operatively connected at or toward the top end of the inner vertical edges of the respective panels and the lower pivot fittings being arranged to be mounted to the floor substantially adjacent the respective walls and operatively connected at or toward the bottom end of the inner vertical edges of the respective panels.

In another form, the kit may comprise upper and lower wall-mountable pivot fittings for each panel, the upper pivot fittings being arranged to be mounted to respective walls and operatively connected at or toward the top end of the inner vertical edges of the respective panels and the

lower pivot fittings being arranged to be mounted to respective walls and operatively connected at or toward the bottom end of the inner vertical edges of the respective panels.

Preferably, the kit may further comprise a wall-mountable panel comprising a pivotally mounted shower rose that is connected to an operable mixer control handle.

In a third aspect, die present invention broadly consists in a shower enclosure comprising first and second panels pivotally mounted at a substantially vertical edge of each panel one to each of two walls on either side of an internal corner in the space, so as to enable the panels to be pivoted between a non-operative position in which each panel lies substantially adjacent the wall to which it is mounted and an operative position in which each panel extends from the wall and opposite edges of the panels can engage to thereby define the enclosure, the panels extending substantially to the floor of the space, and the enclosure also comprising a waste in the floor of the enclosure.

The phrase "pivot fitting" as used in diis specification and claims, unless the context suggests otherwise, is intended to cover any type of pivot or hinge, including any pivotal or hinging mechanism diat enables pivotal or hinging movement of a moveable component relative to a fixed component, structure or surface to which it is mounted or supported by.

The term "comprising" as used in this specification and claims means "consisting at least in part of. When interpreting each statement in this specification and claims that includes the term "comprising", features other dian that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprises" are to be interpreted in the same manner.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred forms of the shower enclosure of the invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, and without intending to be limiting. In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows the interior of a small bathroom in which is installed a shower enclosure of the invention, with the two hinged panels thereof pivoted outwardly of the walls for use of the shower enclosure, ⁿ Figure 2 is a view of the interior of the bathroom with the enclosure panels pivoted back to lie adjacent the walls to make the floor space of the enclosure available for other purposes, Figure 3 is a plan view of the corner of the bathroom comprising the enclosure with the enclosure panels in the position shown in Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a plan view of the corner of the bathroom comprising the enclosure with the enclosure panels in the position shown in Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a plan view showing corner detail of the preferred form enclosure, at the outer vertical edges of the two enclosure panels,

Figures 6a to 6d show detail of hinges and seals at the lower edges of the panels of the preferred form enclosure,

Figures 7a and 7b show alternative forms of the bottom pivots of Figures 6a and 6c, Figure 8a is a view similar to Figure 2 of the interior of a bathroom, of the bathroom floor only and with the enclosure panels removed, of an alternative embodiment, and Figure 8b is a schematic cross-section view of a part of the bathroom floor of Figure 8a, Figure 9 is an enlarged partly exploded view of detail at an upper corner of the outer vertical edge of one of the enclosure panels,

Figure 10 is an enlarged partly exploded view of detail at an upper corner of the outer vertical edge of the other enclosure panels,

Figure 11 shows a shower head of the preferred form shower system,

Figures 12a and 12b show side views another alternative form of bottom pivot fitting for the shower enclosure panels, in aligned and fully rotated positions respectively, and Figures 13a to 13c show another alternative form of bottom pivot fitting for the shower enclosure panels, with Figures 13a and 13c showing front and plan views of a lower part of the pivot fitting, and Figure 13b showing a front view of the upper and lower parts of the pivot fitting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED FORMS

Referring particularly to Figures 1 to 4, the preferred form enclosure comprises panels 1 and 2 (hereinafter often referred to as doors for convenience) which are pivotally mounted to or at each of two walls 3 and 4 on either side of an internal corner 5 within a small bathroom.

In the preferred form shown the doors 1 and 2 are pivotally mounted to the bathroom walls 3 and 4 via upper pivot fittings 6 and 7 and lower pivot fittings 8 and 9 respectively. The respective upper 6,7 and lower 8,9 pivot fittings are preferably aligned such that the form a substantially vertical pivot axis about which the panels 1 ,2 may pivot. Alternatively however each panel 1 and 2 may be mounted to its respective wall via one or more pivot fittings or hinges which extend along the vertical panel edge for example. It will be appreciated that the pivot fittings may be mounted to the floor, wall and/or ceiling in various configurations as desired. For example, the lower pivot fittings may be mounted to the floor substantially adjacent the respective walls or toward the bottom of die walls, and the upper pivot fittings may be mounted to die ceiling substantially adjacent the respective walls or toward the top of the walls. Alternatively, the lower and upper pivot fittings may both be mounted to the respective walls or there may be a single pivot fitting for each panel that is mounted to the wall and which is arranged to support the respective panel.

The panels 1 and 2 can be moved as indicated by arrows A between an operative position shown in Figures 1 and 3 in which each panel extends substantially perpendicularly from its respective wall and opposite vertical edges of the panels engage to thereby define a closed shower enclosure within the corner of die badiroom and over a corner portion of the bathroom floor 13, and a non-operative position shown in Figures 2 and 4 in which the panels are folded back against the walls 3 and 4. When die panels 1 and 2 are pivoted back to lie adjacent the walls 3 and 4 when the enclosure is not in use, this "frees up" the floor space otherwise occupied by the shower enclosure.

To enter the enclosure either of the panels may be opened and then closed. In particular, the pivot fittings are arranged to allow pivotal movement of each panel through approximately 90°. In die preferred form shown, it is intended that the panel 1 will act as die door and it can also be opened in the direction of arrow B enabling entry to and exit from the enclosure, and therefore its pivot fittings are arranged to allow pivotal movement through approximately 180°. The panel 1 is provided with a handle 12.

A waste oudet 14 for the shower enclosure is provided in the floor of the bathroom, which is sloped so that in the corner of the bathroom the floor falls slighdy towards die waste. In die preferred form, the floor of the enclosure is continuous and substantially flush with the balance of the floor of the space surrounding the enclosure. For example, the floor within and outside the enclosure may be formed from tiles or the like. In an alternative form, the floor of the

enclosure may be a separate shower base installed in the internal corner of the space for the enclosure.

The panels 1 and 2 are "full height" panels, extending from the floor 13 typically to a height in the range 1.5 to 2 meters for example. In the preferred form, the panels 1 ,2 are flat panels that are defined peripherally by inner la,2a and outer lb,2b vertical edges that are joined by top 1 c,2c and bottom 1 d,2d horizontal edges. For example, the preferred form panels are substantially rectangular but other shapes could be used if desired depending on the shape and style of the bathroom. Typically, the pivot fitting(s) are operatively connected at or toward the inner vertical edges 1 a,2a of the panels 1 ,2. The panels 1 and 2 are typically formed from glass, which may be clear or translucent. Alternatively one or both panels may be formed from a non- glass and/or opaque material. In the preferred form at least the panel 2 is mirrored so diat when the panel 2 is folded back against its wall 4 as shown in Figure 2, the panel 2 will also act as a full length badiroom mirror. The panel 1 may also be similarly mirrored. It will be appreciated that all or at least part of the surfaces of one or both panels 1 ,2 which face outwardly of the enclosure into the space may be mirrored surfaces as desired.

Along their outer vertical edges 1 b,2b the panels 1 and 2 are provided with edge cappings 10 and 11, which may comprise aluminium or plastic extrusions for example, screwed or bonded for example to the panel edge. One or both of the edge cappings may incorporate a magnetic strip so that the panel edges will bind together when the door panel 1 is closed against the panel 2. Edge cappings or extrusions may be provided in any other form however and while it is preferred that a magnetic strip or similar is provided at one or both panel edges to bias the panels into position when they are folded outwardly such that the outer vertical edges of the panels will couple, alternatively for example design of the hinges or pivots 6/7/8/9 may provide such bias as will be referred to further.

In the preferred form the panel 2 is also provided at it's outer edge with an inwardly facing protrusion 16 which will magnetically bind to edge capping 10 of the other panel 1 as shown in Figure 5 when the panels 1 and 2 are in their outwardly folded position and the door panel 1 is closed against the panel 2. The protrusion 16 will also abut die surface of die wall 2 when the panel 2 is in it's folded back position, to slighdy space the panel from die wall surface (see Figure 4 in particular). The panel 2 is also provided with an outwardly facing protrusion 17 which will act to also slighdy space the edge of the panel 1 from wall 3, as shown. Also, when

the panels are in this folded back position, the edge capping 10 will magnetically bind to this edge protrusion 17 to also hold the panels together in this position.

This detail of the preferred form is shown more closely in Figure 10: edge capping 11 on panel 2 is formed by an extruded component which includes the protrusion 16 along it's vertical length. Right angle component 18 slides by a T-shaped formation 18a into a slot 11a formed in the upper end of the extrusion 11. An end cap 19 is provided to finish the door. Referring to Figure 9 a similar end cap 20 is also provided to close the hollow extrusion edge capping 10.

Figures 6a to 6d show in detail the bottom pivots 8 and 9 of the panels of the preferred form enclosure. In the preferred form, the bottom pivots 8,9 are arranged to bias the panels 1 ,2 into their respective operative positions but additionally may also have a dual bias to urge them toward their non-operative positions also, the direction of bias depending on the position die panel is closest to. In the preferred form, the bottom pivots 8,9 may also be height-altering pivots that are arranged to cause progressive vertical movement of the panels 1 ,2 as they pivot between the non-operative and operative positions. In particular, the bottom pivots 8,9 are arranged to lower the panels 1 ,2 into sealing engagement with the floor they pivot toward and into the operative position and raise the panels to disengage and displace from the floor as they pivot toward and into die non-operative position.

Figure 6a shows the bottom pivot 8 of the door 1. The pivot has a base with an integral pivot pin 38 and sloping top surfaces 23 and 24, which are on either side of the door panel 1 when the door is in it's folded out position, and which act to bias the door towards this position. A compression seal 25 is provided along the bottom edge 1 d of the door, which may be an extruded synthetic or rubber component for example, and which seals against the floor 13 under the weight of the door when it is in the folded out position shown in Figure 1. When the door 1 is opened further outwardly of this position to enable a person to enter or exit the enclosure, the door rides up on surface 23 of the pivot 8, to lift the door slighdy and diereby lift the compression seal 25 from contact with the floor surface. Similarly when the door 1 is moved from the position shown in Figure 1 towards it's folded back position shown in Figure 2, sloping surface 24 lifts the door and again disengages the seal 25 from the floor, to enable the door to move freely back to this position. Similarly the bottom pivot 9- of the panel 2 comprises a sloping surface 26 on one side and a compression seal 25 along it's bottom edge 2d, which co-operate in the same way.

Figures 7 a and 7b show alternative forms of the bottom pivots 8 and 9, in which the base of bottom pivot 8 is semi-circular and the base of bottom pivot 9 approximately quarter-circular in shape in plan view, while still comprising the same sloping top surfaces which are indicated by the same reference numerals as in Figures 6a to 6d, which are profiled in height about the pivot pin 38 to cause the doors to lift slightly to lift the compression seal 25 from contact with the floor surface when either the door 1 is opened outwardly to enable a person to enter or exit the enclosure, or when both panels move towards the folded back position. In this and the embodiment of Figure 6, each bottom pivot 8 and 9 also comprises an integral upstanding pivot pin 38 which engages into an aperture at the lower edge of it's respective panel.

It is desirable that when the panels 1 and 2 are in their folded back position the bottom seals 25 are not compressed against the bathroom floor. This may be achieved, by for example shaping the surfaces of the bottom pivots 8 and 9 to maintain the panels 1 and 2 slightly raised when the doors are folded fully back, as described above. Alternatively and referring to Figures 8a and 8b, the height of the bathroom floor may be reduced slightly at the margin of the bathroom floor in the corner. In Figures 8a and 8b reference numeral 37 indicates a right angle corner margin section in which the bathroom floor height is so reduced, so that when the panels 1 and 2 are folded back, the seal 25 along the bottom edge of each of the panels will not be held in compression. In Figure 8b the broken line indicates the normal height of the bathroom floor 13 elsewhere.

Figure 11 shows a shower head fitting. The fitting comprises a rose 27 which is pivotally mounted by a pivot 28 so that the rose may move between a folded away position indicated at 27a and an operative position indicated at 27b. The rose is connected via a flexible hose 29 to an outlet fitting 30 in the shower wall as shown. The control handle of a shower mixer is indicated at 31. The rose 27 and mixer control handle 31 etc are mounted in a purpose- formed panel 32 which is recessed at least partly into the wall 4 of the bathroom, so as not to obstruct the panel 2 from folding flush against the wall when the shower enclosure is folded back. A shower enclosure kit as purchased by a customer may include as well as panels 1 and 2 the purpose formed panel 32 which may be thermo-formed from a thermo-formable material such as an acrylic material for example, and may also include a shelf-recess 33 for shampoo bottles etc.

In the preferred form the panels 1 and 2 are the same size and thereby form an enclosure which is substantially square and plan. In an alternative form however the panels 1 and

2 may be of different widths, so as to form an enclosure which in plan has a rectangular or other shape.

Figures 12a and 12b show an alternative form of height-altering pivot fitting for the panels that is also arranged to provide a rising and falling vertical movement of the panels during pivotal movement. The pivot fitting is in the form of a hinge that has a lower part 40 and an upper part 41. The opposed lower 40 and upper 41 parts are rotatably coupled by a central connecting or locating shaft 42 that extends from the upper part 41 and which is located within a complementary recess of the lower part 40 to constrain the upper part 41 to the lower part 40. The locating shaft 42 may constrain the upper part 41 to the lower part 40 while still allowing the upper part 41 to be rotatable with respect to the fixed lower part 40.

In the preferred form, the lower 40 and upper 41 parts are cylindrical components. The lower part 40 may have a contoured profile or end surface 43 that extends from its top end about the periphery. The upper part 41 may also have a contoured profile or end surface 44 that extends from its bottom end about the periphery. It is preferred that the contoured profiles 43 and 44 are complementary.

A shower panel 1 or 2 may be rigidly fixed to the upper part 41 by any suitable attachment means. In use, rotation of the panel 1 or 2 will cause the upper part 41 to rotate with respect to the fixed lower part 40. As the upper part 41 rotates the contoured profiles 43 and 44 may "ride" over each other to cause the upper part 41 to displace vertically upwards to a position, for example shown in Figure 12b. Further rotation of the upper part 41 from a position as shown in Figure 12b will cause it to, displace vertically downwards again. The vertical displacement of the upper part 41 is dependent on the amplitude of the contoured profiles 43 and 44, and maximum displacement is arranged to occur when the opposed abutting contoured surfaces are maximally non-aligned with the panels in the non-operative position and minimum or no displacement is arranged to occur when the contoured surfaces are aligned with the panels in the operative position.

Any suitable configuration of the contoured profiles 43 and 44 may be employed in order to allow the panel 1 or 2 to rise and fall as required. "Rise and fall functionality" may be required to ensure the compressive seal 25 located on the bottom edge of a shower panel 1 or 2 creates a sufficient seal with the bathroom floor when the panels 1 or 2 are in the operative position

substantially perpendicular to their respective walls. In the preferred form, the lower part 40 is held rigidly by a bracket 45. The bracket 45 may be fixed to a wall of the bathroom.

Figures 13a-13c shows a further alternative form of height-altering pivot fitting for the panels that also provides rise ^" and fall functionality. The pivot fitting comprises opposed lower 40 and upper 41 parts that are rotatably coupled and operate in a similar manner to the pivot fittings of Figures 12a and 12b. In the form shown in Figures 13a-13c at least one ramp portions 46 may extend from the top surface of the lower part 40 in a helix arrangement. Preferably there are three helix or ramp portions 46, however any number of helix or ramp portions 46 may be used.

Figure 13b shows the upper part 41 in relationship with the lower part 40. The upper part 41 may have downwardly projecting bearings or protrusions 47 located thereon that are arranged to ride up and down a respective ramp 46 of the lower part 40. Preferably there is a bearing 47 corresponding to each helix portion 46.

A shower panel 1 or 2 may be rigidly fixed to the upper part 41 by any suitable attachment means. In use, rotation of the panel 1 or 2 will cause the upper part 41 to rotate with respect to the fixed lower part 40. As the upper part 41 rotates the bearings 47 may "ride" over the helix portions 46 to cause the upper part 41 to displace vertically. The vertical displacement of the upper part 41 is dependent on the height of the helix portions 46, and maximum displacement is arranged to occur when the protrusions 47 of the upper part 41 are located at or toward the top of the ramps 46 with the panels in the non-operative position and minimum or no displacement is arranged to occur when the protrusions are at or toward the bottom of the ramps when the panels are in the operative position.

Any suitable configuration of the helix portions 46 and bearings 47 may be employed in order to allow the panel 1 or 2 to rise and fall as required. Rise and fall functionality may be required to ensure die compressive seal 25 located on die bottom edge of a shower panel 1 or 2 creates a sufficient seal widi the bathroom floor when the panels 1 or 2 are in the operative position substantially perpendicular to their respective walls. In the preferred form, the lower part 40 is held rigidly by a bracket 45. The bracket 45 may be fixed to a wall of a bathroom.

The invention provides a shower enclosure which does not require dedicated floor space within the badiroom or other space in which the enclosure is provided. When the enclosure is not in use, the two hinged enclosure panels which are pivotally mounted to opposite walls on eidier side

of an internal corner within the bathroom can be pivoted towards the walls to lie adjacent or against their respective walls. This then effectively enlarges die available bathroom space, enabling a person to move around widiin all of die space of the bathroom including that otherwise occupied by the shower enclosure. This is particularly useful where space may be limited such as in apartment bathrooms, or bathrooms in cruise liner cabins for example. It will be appreciated that the shower enclosure may be provided in a kit form for assembly in the bathroom.

The foregoing describes the invention including preferred forms thereof. Alterations and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.