CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) from US provisional application 61/644,687, filed on May 9, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a fitting for shower partition parts made of a flat material such as, glass, plastic or similar. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flat shower partition assembly having a an innovative hinge mechanism, a stationary wall and a door pivotally, wherein the door panel is flush with the stationary portions of the partition and wherein the gap between the stationary wall and pivoting door is sealed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

Bathtubs and showers stalls often include a partition to prevent shower water from spraying onto the surrounds of the bathtub/stall. Typically, at least a portion of the partition includes a pivoting door. Often, the partition includes a stationary wall and a door pivotally attached thereto. There may be more than one stationary wall and more than one door. It would be advantageous for the door, when closed, to be situated such that the door panel is flush with the adjacent stationary portions of the partition. However, there exist a sealing problem between the stationary wall and pivoting door. There is a need for and it would be advantageous to have a shower partition assembly that includes a stationary wall and a door pivotally attached thereto, wherein the gap between the stationary wall and the pivoting door is sealed, and wherein the pivoting door may pivot in both directions, with respect to the stationary wall. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principal intentions of the present invention include providing a shower partition assembly that includes an innovative hinge mechanism, a stationary wall and a door pivotally attached thereto, wherein the door panel is flush with the stationary portions of the partition, and wherein the gap between the stationary wall and the pivoting door is sealed, and wherein the pivoting door may pivot in both directions, with respect to the stationary wall.

According to the teachings of the present invention, there is provided a shower partition assembly, having at least one stationary wall and at least one door, wherein the stationary wall and the door are pivotally interconnected by at least one hinge mechanism, wherein the at least one hinge mechanism includes a wall-section- mechanism having a shaft-hosting member, securely attached to the at least one stationary wall, and a door-section-mechanism that includes a pivoting-enabling- member. The pivoting-enabling-member includes a base section, securely attached to the at least one door, and a U-shaped arm-section. The U-shaped arm-section includes a base-arm, an open-end arm and a bridge, interconnecting the base-arm and the open- end arm, wherein an arm-section gap is formed between the base-arm and the open-end arm.

The shaft-hosting member and the pivoting-enabling-member are pivotally connected by a shaft to facilitate pivotal motion of the at least one door about the shaft, with respect to the at least one stationary wall, when the at least one door is pushed or pulled.

When the at least one hinge mechanisms is in a closed-state, a wall-vertical edge of the at least one stationary wall is disposed substantially parallel to a door- vertical edge of the at least one door, forming a substantially parallel wall-door-gap, having a preconfigured width.

When the at least one hinge mechanisms is in a opened-state, the base-arm extends away from the base-section, being securely attached thereto, towards and beyond the vertical open edge of the at least one stationary wall, and wherein the bridge is distally situated, with respect to the at least one stationary wall and the at least one door. The arm-section gap facilitates the opening and closing of the at least one door in both directions with respect to the at least one stationary wall. Preferably, the shower partition assembly further includes a sealer mounted over the vertical open edge of the at least one stationary wall, wherein the sealer is preconfigured to seal the wall-door-gap when the at least one hinge mechanisms is in a closed-state. Optionally, the sealer is mounted over the vertical open edge of the at least one door and still is preconfigured to seal the wall-door-gap when the at least one hinge mechanisms is in a closed-state. Optionally, the sealer is made of elastic materials, wherein the sealer portion extending away from the wall-vertical edge is larger than the width of the wall-door-gap, by a preconfigured amount.

According to the teachings of the present invention, the shower partition assembly further includes a pivoting- wall-section-mechanism, including a shaft-hosting member that is securely attached to the at least one stationary wall, wherein the open- end arm is pivotally connected by the shaft to the shaft-hosting member, to thereby facilitate the pivotal motion of the at least one door about the shaft.

According to the teachings of the present invention, when the at least one door is opened in the a direction (37, see Figs. 3 and 7) towards a first-open-state, the open- end arm pivots about the shaft and the bridge moves towards the wall-vertical edge, until the wall-vertical edge and the sealer mounted thereon, are accommodated inside the arm-section gap.

According to the teachings of the present invention, when the at least one door is opened in the direction (35, see Figs. 4 and 6) towards a second-open- state, the open- end arm pivots about the shaft and the bridge moves away from the wall-vertical edge and towards the shaft-hosting member that serves as a stopper to the pivoting motion.

It should be noted that the wall-section-mechanism may be securely attached to the door, while a door-section-mechanism is securely attached to the stationary wall. It should be further noted that the at least one hinge mechanisms may be securely attached to either side of a stationary wall paired with a door.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration and example only and thus not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: Fig. 1 is top perspective view of a shower partition assembly having innovative hinge mechanisms, a stationary wall and a door pivotally attached thereto, wherein the door panel is flush with the stationary portions of the partition, and wherein the gap between the stationary wall and pivoting door is sealed, according to embodiments of the present invention, as typically viewed from the outside of the shower stall, wherein the door is in a closed-state.

Fig. 2 is top perspective view of the shower partition assembly shown in Fig. 1, as typically viewed from the inside of the shower stall.

Fig. 3 is top perspective view of the shower partition assembly shown in Fig. 1, as typically viewed from the outside of the shower stall, wherein the door is in a first- open-state, opened typically, with no limitation, inwardly.

Fig. 4 is top perspective view of the shower partition assembly shown in Fig. 1, as typically viewed from the outside of the shower stall, wherein the door is in a second- open-state, opened typically, with no limitation, outwardly. Fig. 5a is top perspective view of a hinge mechanism of the shower partition assembly shown in Fig. 1, as typically viewed from the outside of the shower stall, wherein the door is in a closed-state.

Fig. 5b is top perspective view of a hinge mechanism of the shower partition assembly shown in Fig. 5a, wherein the sealer has been removed for illustrative purposes only. Fig. 6 is top perspective view of the hinge mechanism of the shower partition assembly shown in Fig. 1, as typically viewed from the outside of the shower stall, wherein the door is in a second-open-state.

Fig. 7 is top perspective view of the hinge mechanism of the shower partition assembly shown in Fig. 1, as typically viewed from the outside of the shower stall, wherein the door is in a first-open-state.

Fig. 8 is a perspective exploded view of the hinge mechanism of the shower partition assembly shown in Fig. 1, as typically viewed from the outside of the shower stall.

Fig. 9 is a perspective exploded view of the hinge mechanism of the shower partition assembly shown in Fig. 1, as typically viewed from the inside of the shower stall. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before explaining embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the host description or illustrated in the drawings.

An embodiment is an example or implementation of the inventions. The various appearances of "one embodiment," "an embodiment" or "some embodiments" do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiments. Although various features of the invention may be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the invention may be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, the invention may also be implemented in a single embodiment.

Reference in the specification to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "some embodiments" or "other embodiments" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least one embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the inventions. It is understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is not to be construed as limiting and are for descriptive purpose only.

Meanings of technical and scientific terms used herein are to be commonly understood as to which the invention belongs, unless otherwise defined. The present invention can be implemented in the testing or practice with methods and materials equivalent or similar to those described herein.

Reference is now made to the drawings. Fig. 1 is top perspective view of a shower partition assembly 101 having innovative hinge mechanisms 100, a stationary wall 20 and a door 30 pivotally attached thereto, wherein when door 30 is in a closed- state and is flush with stationary wall 20, and wherein the gap between stationary wall 20 and pivoting door 30 is sealed, according to embodiments of the present invention. The top perspective view of shower partition assembly 101, as shown in Fig. 1, is as typically, with no limitation, viewed from the outside of the shower stall. The walls are typically, with no limitations, are typically individual flat sheets, made of materials such as, glass, plastic or similar. Fig. 2 is top perspective view of shower partition assembly 101 shown in Fig. 1, as typically viewed from the inside of the shower stall. Fig. 3 is top perspective view of shower partition assembly 101, as typically viewed from the outside of the shower stall, wherein door 30 is in a first-open-state, opened typically, with no limitation, inwardly. Fig. 4 is top perspective view of shower partition assembly 101, as typically viewed from the outside of the shower stall, wherein door 30 is in a second-open-state, opened typically, with no limitation, outwardly.

Reference is also made to Figs. 5a and 5b, a top perspective view of hinge mechanism 100 of shower partition assembly 101, as typically viewed from the outside of the shower stall, wherein door 30 is in a closed-state; to Fig. 6, a top perspective view of hinge mechanism of 100, as typically viewed from the outside of the shower stall, wherein door 30 is in a second-open-state; to Fig. 7, a top perspective view of the hinge mechanism 100, as typically viewed from the outside of the shower stall, wherein door 30 is in a first-open-state; to Fig. 8, a perspective exploded view of hinge mechanism 100, as typically viewed from the outside of the shower stall; and to Fig. 9, a perspective exploded view of hinge mechanism 100, as typically viewed from the inside of the shower stall.

Hinge mechanism 100 includes a wall-section-mechanism 102 and a door- section-mechanism 104 (see Fig. 9). Wall-section-mechanism 102 includes a shaft- hosting member 110, and door-section-mechanism 104 includes a pivoting-enabling- member 130, wherein shaft-hosting member 110 and pivoting-enabling-member 130 are pivotally connected by a shaft 150. Thereby, when door 30 is pushed or pulled, pivoting-enabling-member 130 pivots about shaft 150.

Boreholes 22 are formed in preconfigured locations of stationary wall 20, proximal to vertical edge 28 of stationary wall 20. Hinge mechanism 100 further includes a wall clamping member 120, having boreholes 122 formed in preconfigured locations of clamping member 120, spaced apart to respectively overlap with boreholes 22 of stationary wall 20. Boreholes 112 are also formed in preconfigured locations of shaft-hosting member 110, spaced apart to also respectively overlap with boreholes 22 of stationary wall 20.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the wall attaching mechanism are screws (170, 180) having threads that match threads that are formed inside boreholes 112 of shaft-hosting member 110. When assembling, shaft-hosting member 110 is placed on one side of wall 20 (typically, with no limitation, adjacent to the external surface of wall 20, with respect to the location of the shower stall), such that boreholes 112 of shaft-hosting member 110 overlap with boreholes 22 of stationary wall 20. Symmetrically, clamping member 120 is placed on the other of wall 20 (typically, with no limitation, adjacent to the internal surface of wall 20, with respect to the location of the shower stall), such that boreholes 122 of clamping member 120 overlap with boreholes 22 of stationary wall 20. Then, screws 170 are inserted into respective boreholes 122 and boreholes 22, and screwed into threaded boreholes 112 of shaft- hosting member 110 to secure wall-section-mechanism 102 onto wall 20.

Similarly, when assembling, pivoting-enab ling-member 130 is placed on one side of door 30 (typically, with no limitation, adjacent to the external surface of door 30, with respect to the location of the shower stall), opposing the side of clamping member 120, such that boreholes 132 of pivoting-enabling-member 130 overlap with boreholes 32 of stationary door 30. Symmetrically, clamping member 140 is placed on the other side of door 20 (typically, with no limitation, adjacent to the internal surface of door 30, with respect to the location of the shower stall), such that boreholes 142 of clamping member 140 overlap with boreholes 32 of stationary door 30. Then, screws 180 are inserted into respective boreholes 142 and boreholes 32, and screwed into threaded boreholes 132 of pivoting-enabling-member 130 to secure door-section- mechanism 104 onto door 30.

Shaft-hosting member 110 has a generally elongated U-shape, wherein the flat external surface 111 of the U-shape base is the surface that, when assembled, is secured to wall 20. Arms 118 of the U-shaped body of shaft-hosting member 110 extend away from external surface 111, wherein a gap 116 (see Figs. 8 and 9) is formed between arms 118 and wherein gap 116 facilitates fittingly accommodating pivoting-enabling- member 130. Boreholes 114 are formed in arms 118 at preconfigured locations of shaft-hosting member 110, proximal to the edge of the side of shaft-hosting member 110 that is proximal to vertical edge 28 of wall 20.

Pivoting-enabling-member 130 includes a base section 138 (see Figs. 8 and 9) and a U-shaped arm-section 139. Base-section 138 includes a flat external surface 131 (see Fig. 9) that, when assembled, is secured to door 30. Arm-section 139 (see Figs. 8 and 9) extends away from base-section 138, towards and beyond vertical edge 28 of wall 20 (when assembled), wherein the base of the U-shaped arm-section 139 is distally situated, with respect to door 30 and wall 20, when door 30 is in a closed state, as shown in Fig. 5a, having a sealer 160 mounted over vertical edge 28 of wall 20. In Fig. 5b, sealer 160 has been removed for illustrative purposes only. Without a sealer 160, a wall-door-gap 165 must be formed between vertical edge 28 of wall 20 and vertical edge 38 of door 30, which edges are disposed substantially parallel.

An arm-section gap 136, formed between the arms (133 and 137) of the generally U-shape arm-section 139, facilitates opening and closing of door 30 in both directions with respect to wall 20 (see Figs. 6 and 7), while sealing the substantially parallel wall-door-gap (165) between vertical edge 28 of wall 20 and vertical edge 38 of door 30, in a closed state.

Boreholes 114 are formed in arms 118 at preconfigured locations of shaft- hosting member 110, proximal to the edge of the side of shaft-hosting member 110 that is proximal to vertical edge 28 of wall 20. Preferably, bearing-cylinders 152 are inserted in each borehole 114 in the respective arm 118. A hollow cylinder 134 is formed through arm-section 139, proximal to the typically round tip of open-end arm 137 of arm-section 139.

To complete the assembly of hinge mechanism 100, a fitted shaft 150 is inserted through bearing-cylinders 152 and through hollow cylinder 134, facilitating pivotal motion of door-section-mechanism 104 with respect to wall-section-mechanism 102. Shaft 150 may be a one-part or two parts shaft. Shaft 150 may be secured to open-end arm 137 of arm-section 139 by various means. For example, by forcefully inserting shaft 150 into hollow cylinder 134, or by an securing screw (not shown) screwed through the wall of the tip of en-end arm 137 of arm-section 139, wherein the tip of the securing screw is forced into a slit 154 form generally at the center of 150. Another option is to have a shaft 150 with a wider top end (top - with respect to the operative orientation of shaft 150.

To facilitate sealing wall-door-gap 165 between vertical edge 28 (see Figs. 3 and 4) of wall 20 and vertical edge 38 of door 30, a sealer 160 is mounted over vertical edge 28 of wall 20. Typically, with no limitation, sealer 160 is removably mounted over vertical edge 28 of wall 20. U-shape arm-section 139 facilitates opening and closing of door 30 in both directions with respect to wall 20 (see Figs. 6 and 7), while sealer 160 remains unharmed on vertical edge 28 of wall 20. When door 30 is in a closed state, as shown in Fig. 5a, vertical edge 38 of door 30 presses against sealer 160, to thereby seal wall-door-gap 165 between vertical edge 28 of wall 20 and vertical edge 38 of door 30.

When door 30 is opened in direction 35 towards a second-open-state (typically, with no limitation, outwardly, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6), open-end arm 137 of arm- section 139 pivots about shaft 150 inside gap 116 of shaft-hosting member 110, wherein vertical edge 38 of door 30 moves away from edge 28 of wall 20.

When door 30 is opened in direction 37 towards a first-open-state (typically, with no limitation, inwardly), as shown in Figs. 3 and 7, open-end arm 137 of arm- section 139 pivots about shaft 150 away from gap 116 of shaft-hosting member 110, wherein vertical edge 38 of door 30 moves away from edge 28 of wall 20 towards a wall clamping member 120, and wherein vertical edge 28 of wall 20, including sealer 160, are accommodated inside arm-section gap 136 of the U-shape arm-section 139.

It should be noted that the aforementioned shower partition assembly 101 was described as including at least one innovative hinge mechanisms 100, a stationary wall 20 and a door 30, wherein stationary wall 20 and door 30 are pivotally attached by the at least one hinge mechanisms 100. It was further described that hinge mechanism 100 includes a wall-section-mechanism 102 and a door-section-mechanism 104, wherein wall-section-mechanism 102 is securely attached to stationary wall 20, and a door- section-mechanism 104 is securely attached to door 30. For the sake of clarity, it should be noted that wall-section-mechanism 102 may be securely attached to door 30, while a door-section-mechanism 104 is securely attached to stationary wall 20. It should be further clarify that the at least one hinge mechanisms 100 may be securely attached to either side of a set of stationary wall 20 and door 30. Typically, with no limitation two or three hinge mechanisms 100 are pivotally attaching door-section-mechanism 104 to wall-section-mechanism 102.

In variations of the present invention sealer 160 is attached to vertical edge 38 of door 30, rather than to vertical edge 28 of wall 20.

In variations of the present invention door-section-mechanism 104 is attached to door 30 by other conventional attaching means, and not by screws 180. Similarly, wall- section-mechanism 102 is attached to wall 20 by other conventional attaching means, and not by screws 170. Optionally, a gasket is placed between clamping member 120 and stationary wall 20; between clamping member 140 and door 30; shaft-hosting member 110 and stationary wall 20; and/or between pivoting-enabling-member 130 and door 30. The invention being thus described in terms of embodiments and examples, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.