Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Modular Panel Assembly
Described is a modular panel assembly, in particular, a modular assembly for a
shower
or bath.
Background
Bathtub and shower enclosures to be installed over a tub or shower base
generally
require significant work and tools including clamps, bolts, screws, and the
like. The enclosures
are also large and are not easily displayed on store shelves or transported.
This is not optimal,
especially for increasingly important do-it-yourself installation.
Universal bathtub and shower enclosures that are easily stored, transported,
and
installed are highly desired.
Summary
Accordingly, disclosed is a modular bath or shower panel assembly, comprising
a left
panel; a center panel; and a right panel, wherein the left panel comprises a
side section and a
center section having a functional end, the center panel comprises a left
functional end and a
right functional end, the right panel comprises a side section and a center
section having a
functional end, and wherein, upon installation of the assembly, the left panel
functional end and
the right panel functional end are configured to couple to the center panel
left functional end and
center panel right functional end, respectively.
Also disclosed is a modular bath or shower panel assembly, comprising a first
panel
having a functional end; and a second panel having a functional end, wherein
the first panel
functional end comprises a male connector and the second panel functional end
comprises a
female connector, or the first panel functional end comprises a female
connector and the
second panel functional end comprises a male connector, and wherein the male
connector is
configured to couple to the female connector.
Also disclosed is a panel for an assembly, the panel comprising an L-shape and
having
a functional end, or an l-shape and having a left functional end and/or a
right functional end,
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wherein the functional ends comprise a male connector configured to couple to
a female
connector or, a female connector configured to couple to a male connector.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The disclosure described herein is illustrated by way of example and not by
way of
limitation in the accompanying figures. For simplicity and clarity of
illustration, features
illustrated in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example,
the dimensions of
some features may be exaggerated relative to other features for clarity.
Further, where
considered appropriate, reference labels have been repeated among the figures
to indicate
corresponding or analogous elements.
Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B, and Fig. 1C show a shower panel assembly in various stages
of assembly,
according to an embodiment.
Fig. 2A shows a cross-section view of a shower panel, according to an
embodiment.
Fig. 2B shows a shower panel assembly portion in cross-section, according to
an embodiment.
Fig. 2C depicts an installed shower panel assembly in cross-section, according
to an
embodiment.
Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B, Fig. 3C, and Fig. 30 illustrate female connectors positioned
on a flange,
according to some embodiments.
Fig. 4 shows a top view of a tub panel assembly, according to an embodiment.
Fig. 5 shows a view of corner shower panel assembly, according to an
embodiment.
Detailed Description
Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B, and Fig. 1C show shower panel assembly 100 in various stages
of
assembly, according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1A, reinforcement
panels 101 are
fastened directly to studs. Opening 102 is cut for a shower valve. Shower base
103 is installed.
As shown in Fig. 1B, left panel 104 and right panel 105 are installed over
shower base 103. In
some embodiments, left panel 104, right panel 105, and center panel 106 are
"dry fitted" to
determine a proper fit and alignment and to determine where to cut opening 107
for a shower
valve. Left panel 104 and right panel 105 are L-shaped panels. Visible are
right panel 105 side
section 105s and right panel center section 105c. Left panel 104 and right
panel 105 have
substantially perpendicular planar outward-facing surfaces. Visible also is
functional end 108 of
right panel 105. Functional end 108 contains female connector 109 positioned
on flange 115
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extending substantially parallel planar from end 108. Left panel 104 likewise
contains a female
connector. Female connector 109 essentially runs an entire length of end 108.
After dry-fitting, left panel 104 and right panel 105 are removed, and
adhesive is applied
to side reinforcement panels 101. Left panel 104 and right panel 105 are then
fixed to
reinforcement panels 101 and may be further fixed via one or more screws
through upper flange
110 and side flange 111. Adhesive then may be applied to center reinforcement
wall 101, and
center panel 106 is coupled to left panel 104 and right panel 105. Center
panel 106 is an !-
shaped panel having a left functional end and a right functional end
comprising male connectors
(not visible) to couple to female connectors 109 on both left panel 104 and
right panel 105.
Joints 112 are formed at the connection point of left panel 104, right panel
105, and center
panel 106. Joints 112 may be water-tight and may further be filled with a
caulking adhesive to
ensure they are water-tight. Screws may be driven into studs through flanges
110, 111, 113,
114, and a side flange on left panel 104 (not visible) corresponding to flange
111. Left panel
104 and right panel 105 are essentially mirror images of each other.
Fig. 2A shows a cross-section view of right panel 205 positioned on a shower
base and
reinforcement panel 201. Side section 205s and center section 205c have
substantially planar
outward-facing surfaces which are substantially perpendicular. Female
connector 209 is
coupled to flange 215 which is coupled to functional end 208. Functional end
208 is itself
essentially a flange like 110 and 111, extending from panel 205, and
substantially parallel planar
with center section 205c. Panel 205 comprises an L-shape.
Fig. 2B and Fig. 2C depict a portion of shower panel assembly 200 in cross-
section,
according to an embodiment. Male connector 216 of center panel 206 is coupled
to female
connector 209, thereby coupling center panel 206 to right panel 205, and
forming joint 212.
Center panel 206 is an l-shaped panel having left and right functional ends;
right functional end
218 is visible. Male connector 216 extends substantially perpendicularly from
center panel
functional end 218. Male connector 216 and female connector 209 run
essentially an entire
vertical length of functional ends 218 and 208, respectively. Female connector
209 is
positioned on flange 215 and comprises barbed gripping feature 217. Flange 215
and female
connector 209 may comprise a coextruded thermoplastic. In some embodiments,
female
connector 209 may comprise a more flexible thermoplastic and flange 215 may
comprise a
more rigid thermoplastic. In some embodiments, barbed gripping feature 217 may
comprise a
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flexible polymer while flange 215 and remainder of female connector 209
comprise a more rigid
thermoplastic. Void 219 formed at the end of male connector 216 may be filled
with for example
silicone or other caulking substance or sealant to ensure a water-tight
connection. Likewise
joint 212 may be filled with a caulking substance or sealant.
Fig. 3A depicts flange 325 comprising barbed female connector 326, according
to an
embodiment. An assembly containing flange 325 and barbed female connector 326
may
comprise an extruded thermoplastic.
Fig. 3B shows female connector 309 coupled to flange 315, according to an
embodiment. Barbed gripping feature 317 is coupled to female connector 309.
The
flange/female connector assembly comprises a coextruded thermoplastic, wherein
flange 315
comprises a rigid thermoplastic, such as a polystyrene (PS), a polyamide (PA),
or a
polyvinylchloride (PVC), and gripping feature 317 comprises a flexible
thermoplastic, such as an
elastomer like EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) rubber.
Fig. 3C shows barbed female connector 329 extending from flange 327, according
to an
embodiment. Female connector 329 contains sets of opposing barbs. The assembly
may
comprise an extruded thermoplastic.
Fig. 3D depicts flange 328 comprising female connector 330. Female connector
330 is
coupled to barbed gripping feature 331. The assembly may comprise a coextruded
thermoplastic like the assembly of Fig. 3B.
Fig. 4 provides a top view of bathtub panel assembly 400, according to an
embodiment.
Right L-shaped panel 405, having side section 405s and substantially
perpendicular center
section 405c, is coupled to center l-shaped panel 406, which is coupled to
left L-shaped panel
404, having center section 404c and substantially perpendicular side section
404s. Panels 404,
405 and 406 are coupled at joints 412, and are supported by reinforcement
panels 401 which
are positioned on studs. Left panel 404 and right panel 405 have a side width
Ws of about 30
inches and a center width Wc of about 8 inches. Center panel 406 has a width
Wcp of about 44
inches.
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Fig. 5 provides a view of panel assembly 500 for a corner shower. Assembly 400
comprises L-shaped panel 505 having side section 505s and center section 505c.
Center
section 505c comprises a male or female functional end. Panel 506 has a male
or female right
functional end to couple to the female or male functional end of panel 505.
Panel 505 is joined
with l-shaped panel 506 at joint 512. Joint 512 is formed with male/female
connecters as
described herein. A functional end on panel 506 and panel 505 may have a
complimentary
male or female connector. In another embodiment, a left side wall may have an
L-shape and a
right side wall may have an l-shape.
In general, assemblies for installation for a corner shower over a shower base
may
comprise 2 panels. In general, assemblies for installation over a bathtub may
comprise 3
panels, left, right, and center.
In some embodiments, a panel of a modular panel assembly may be an L-shaped
side
panel or an l-shaped center panel. Such an arrangement provides for an
assembly wherein a
center panel is not so large that it is difficult to store and transport. In
general, an L-shaped
panel will comprise one functional end and an l-shaped panel will comprise two
functional ends.
A functional end may mean an end containing one or more connectors configured
to couple to
one or more connectors of another panel.
In some embodiments, L-shaped and l-shaped panels may have a height (length)
of
from any of about 65 inches, about 66 inches, about 67 inches, or about 68
inches, to any of
about 69 inches, about 70 inches, about 71 inches, about 72 inches, about 73
inches, about 74
inches, about 75 inches, or more.
In some embodiments panels may comprise a thickness of from any of about 1.7
mm,
about 1.9 mm, about 2.0 mm, about 2.1 mm, about 2.3 mm, about 2.4 mm, or about
2.5 mm, to
any of about 2.6 mm, about 2.7 mm, about 2.8 mm, about 2.9 mm, about 3.0 mm,
about 3.1
mm, about 3.2 mm, about 3.3 mm, about 3.4 mm, about 3.5 mm, or more.
Panels may comprise a single layer or, alternatively, may comprise multiple
layers, for
instance 2 or more thermoplastic layers. Multiple layers may be employed for
instance to apply
a layer having a certain texture, design, or pattern. In some embodiments,
multiple layers may
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be employed to add functional features, for example shelves and the like. In
some
embodiments, functional features may be obtained in a single sheet layer.
In some embodiments, panels may comprise a thermoset material, for instance
one or
more of sheet molding compound (SMC), fiberglass laminates (gelcoat
fiberglass), epoxy, vinyl
esters, unsaturated polyesters, etc.
In some embodiments, thermoplastics or thermosets may comprise a filler, for
example
glass fibers, clays, silicates, calcium carbonate, talc, kaolin, mica, metal
oxides and/or
hydroxides, carbon black, graphite, wood flour or fibers, synthetic fibers,
and the like.
In some embodiments, panels may comprise a composite comprising a
thermoplastic
and a thermoset. For instance, panels may comprise an outer acrylic layer and
glass filled
unsaturated polyester/vinyl ester inner layer.
In some embodiments, an L-shaped side panel may have a side (long) width of
from any
of about 25 inches, about 27 inches, about 29 inches, about 31 inches, or
about 33 inches, to
any of about 35 inches, about 37 inches, about 39 inches, or more.
In some embodiments, an L-shaped side panel may have a center (short) width of
from
any of about 5.5 inches, about 5.8 inches, about 6.1 inches, about 6.4 inches,
or about 6.7
inches, to any of about 7.0 inches, about 7.3 inches, about 7.7 inches, about
8.0 inches, about
8.3 inches, or more.
In some embodiments, an I-shaped center panel may have a width of from any of
about
38 inches, about 39 inches, about 40 inches, or about 41 inches, to any of
about 42 inches,
about 43 inches, about 44 inches, about 45 inches, about 46 inches, or more.
In some embodiments, connectors include "male" and "female" connectors
configured to
couple with each other. In some embodiments, a male connector may simply
extend from a
functional end of a panel (an extension of a panel). In some embodiments, a
female connector
may be positioned on a flange (flange/female connector assembly). A female
connector may
extend from a flange and provide for and define an opening to receive a male
connector.
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In some embodiments, a panel may comprise a flange at a left side and/or right
side
and/or top and/or bottom thereof. In some embodiments, a flange may surround
and entire
panel. Thus, a flange/female connector assembly may itself be positioned on a
panel flange. A
flange/female connector assembly may be positioned at or on a panel functional
end.
In some embodiments, a female connector may comprise a feature configured to
aid in
coupling it to a male connector (a gripping feature). In some embodiments, a
gripping feature
may be or comprise a set of barbs, in some embodiments, sets of opposing
barbs. In other
embodiments, a gripping feature may simply comprise a flexible polymer, for
example an
elastomer.
In some embodiments, a panel may comprise a thermoplastic, for example a
vacuum
formed (thermo-formed) thermoplastic. Suitable thermoplastics may include
polyvinylchloride
(PVC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), a poly(meth)acrylate,
a polystyrene
(PS), a polyolefin, a polyamide, or a polyester. Polyolefins include
polypropylene (PP),
polyethylene (PE), blends thereof and copolymers thereof. In some embodiments,
a
flange/female connector assembly may also comprise such a thermoplastic or
extruded
thermoplastic. In some embodiments, a flange/female connector assembly may
comprise
coextruded thermoplastics, in some cases wherein a flange comprises a rigid
thermoplastic
such as PVC, a polystyrene such as high impact polystyrene (HIPS), or a
polyamide; and
wherein a gripping portion comprises a flexible elastomer. Having a rigid
flange and a flexible
portion may allow for necessary strength while allowing for sufficient
coupling of connectors.
Flexible elastomers include EPDM, silicones, polybutadiene, chloroprene,
isoprene
rubber, butyl rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, nitrile rubber, ethylene
propylene rubber,
polyacrylic rubber, silicone rubber, ethylene-vinyl acetate, and the like.
In some embodiments, a flange/female connector assembly may comprise an
injection
molded thermoplastic. In some embodiments, a flange/female connector assembly
may
comprise a thermoplastic and a thermoset. In some embodiments, a flange may
comprise a
thermoset and a female connector may comprise a thermoplastic. In some
embodiments, a
flange may comprise a metal, for instance aluminum. Thermoplastics and/or
thermosets may
comprise fillers as discussed above.
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In some embodiments, a flange and female connector may be prepared in an
extrusion
or coextrusion method. In other embodiments, a flange and female connector may
be prepared
as separate parts, and coupled via mechanical fastening and/or adhesive
bonding.
In some embodiments, a flange of a flange/female connector assembly may have a
greater thickness than the female connector, allowing for a rigid flange and a
flexible or partly
flexible female connector.
In some embodiments, a panel functional end may comprise a single male or a
single
female connector. In some embodiments, a male or a female connector may have a
length of
greater than about 50% of the length of the functional end, for example
greater than about 60%,
greater than about 70%, greater than about 80%, greater than about 90%, or
greater than about
95% of the length of the functional end. In some embodiments, a male or a
female connector
may essentially run an entire length of the functional end.
In other embodiments, a panel functional end may comprise a plurality of
connectors, for
instance a plurality of male and/or female connectors.
In general, an L-shaped side panel comprises a side section and a center
section, which
may be substantially perpendicular to each other. A side section and center
section may each
have substantially planar outward-facing surfaces, that is, facing a shower or
bath.
In some embodiments, a panel assembly may comprise one or more water-tight
joints
formed at connection points, which may be visible in an outward-facing panel
assembly surface.
A formed joint may be filled with a caulking substance, such as silicone to
ensure the joint is
water-tight. In some embodiments, a void may be formed within a connection
point, not visible
in an outward-facing surface. Such void may be filled with a caulking
substance/sealant to
ensure a water-tight connection.
In some embodiments, a left panel and a right panel may be substantially
mirror images
of each other.
In some embodiments, a left panel and right panel may each comprise a
functional end
having a male connector, and a center panel may comprise left and right
functional ends having
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female connectors. In other embodiments, a left panel and right panel may each
comprise a
functional end having a female connector, and a center panel may comprise left
and right
functional ends having male connectors. In still other embodiments, a center
panel may
comprise a functional end having a male connector and a functional end having
a female
connector; and a left panel and a right panel would comprise a corresponding
female or male
connector.
In some embodiments, a method of assembly may comprise installing left and
right side
panels first, followed by a center panel. In other embodiments, a method of
assembly may
comprise installing a center panel first followed by left and right side
panels.
In some embodiments, connectors are configured such that strong connection
points are
formed upon panel coupling, and also such that panels may be de-coupled for
adjustment and
re-connected prior to final installation.
In some embodiments, a flange/female connector assembly may be coupled to a
panel
at a production site or at an installation side. Coupling may be via one or
more of adhesive
bonding, screws, staples, and the like.
A panel assembly as described herein comprises a minimum number of joints and
potential leak paths upon installation. In some embodiments, coextruded parts
forms a water-
tight bond of rigid and flexible materials.
In some embodiments, textures, designs, and/or patterns may be formed in a
panel, for
example over an entire panel or over a specific portion of a panel. In some
embodiments,
thermoplastic panels are UV stable. Accordingly, a thermoplastic may have
incorporated
therein an ultraviolet light (UV) stabilizer, for example one or more of a
hindered amine light
stabilizer (HALS) and/or one or more of a hydroxyphenyltriazine-based (HPT) or
hydroxyphenylbenzotriazole-based (BZT) UV absorber.
Following are a non-limiting set of certain embodiments of the disclosure.
In a first embodiment, disclosed is a modular bath or shower panel assembly,
comprising a left panel; a center panel; and a right panel, wherein the left
panel comprises a
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side section and a center section having a functional end, the center panel
comprises a left
functional end and a right functional end, the right panel comprises a side
section and a center
section having a functional end, and wherein, upon installation of the
assembly, the left panel
functional end and the right panel functional end are configured to couple to
the center panel left
functional end and center panel right functional end, respectively.
In a second embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according to the
first
embodiment, wherein the left panel, the right panel, and the center panel
comprise substantially
planar outward-facing surfaces. In a third embodiment, disclosed is a modular
panel assembly
according to the first or second embodiments, wherein the left panel and the
right panel each
comprise substantially perpendicular planar outward-facing surfaces.
In a fourth embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according to any
of the
preceding embodiments, wherein the left panel functional end and/or the right
panel functional
end and/or the center panel left functional end and/or the center panel right
functional end
comprise a male connector configured to couple to a female connector.
In a fifth embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according to any
of the
preceding embodiments, wherein the left panel functional end and/or the right
panel functional
end and/or the center panel left functional end and/or the center panel right
functional end
comprise a female connector configured to couple to a male connector.
In a sixth embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according to
embodiment
5, wherein the female connector is positioned on a flange (flange/female
connector assembly),
and the flange is positioned on the left panel functional end and/or on the
right panel functional
end and/or on the center panel left functional end and/or on the center panel
right functional
end. In a seventh embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according
to any of
embodiments 4 to 6, wherein the male connector extends substantially
perpendicularly from the
functional end.
In an eighth embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according to
any of
embodiments 4 to 7, wherein the center panel left and right ends each comprise
a flange
comprising a female connector, and the left panel functional end and the right
panel functional
end each comprise a male connector, wherein the male connectors are configured
to couple to
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the female connectors. In a ninth embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel
assembly
according to any of embodiments 4 to 7, wherein the center panel left and
right ends each
comprise a male connector, and the left panel functional end and the right
panel functional end
each comprise a flange comprising a female connector, wherein the male
connectors are
configured to couple to the female connectors.
In a tenth embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according to any
of
embodiments 4 to 9, wherein the female connector comprises one or more
gripping features. In
an eleventh embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according to
embodiment 10,
wherein the gripping features comprise barbs. In a twelfth embodiment,
disclosed is a modular
panel assembly according to embodiments 10 or 11, wherein the gripping
features comprise
opposing barbs.
In a thirteenth embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according to
any of
the preceding embodiments, wherein the panels comprise a vacuum formed
thermoplastic. In a
fourteenth embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according to
embodiment 13,
wherein the thermoplastic is one or more of polyvinylchloride, acrylonitrile-
butadiene-styrene
copolymer, a poly(meth)acrylate, a polystyrene, a polyolefin, a polyamide, or
a polyester.
In a fifteenth embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according to
any of
embodiments 4 to 14, wherein the female connector comprises an elastomer. In a
sixteenth
embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according to embodiment 15,
wherein the
female connector is positioned on a flange, and wherein the female connector
is more flexible
than the flange. In a seventeenth embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel
assembly
according to any of embodiments 6 to 16, wherein the flange/female connector
assembly
comprises an extruded or coextruded thermoplastic.
In an eighteenth embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according
to any
of the preceding embodiments, wherein upon coupling the left panel functional
end and the right
panel functional end to the center panel left end and right end, respectively,
one or more voids
are formed, the one or more voids configured to receive a sealant.
In a nineteenth embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according to
any of
the preceding embodiments, wherein upon coupling the left panel functional end
and the right
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panel functional end to the center panel left end and right end, respectively,
water-tight joints
are formed.
In a twentieth embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according to
any of
embodiments 4 to 19, wherein coupling of the male connector to the female
connector provides
a substantially flush outward-facing surface.
In a twenty-first embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according
to any of
embodiments 4 to 20, wherein the functional ends comprise a length, and
wherein the male
connector and the female connector have a length of greater than about 50% of
the functional
end length.
In a twenty-second embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according
to
any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the left panel and the right panel
comprise an L-
shape and the center panel comprises an l-shape.
In a twenty-third embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according
to any
of the preceding embodiments, wherein the assembly is configured to be
installed on a shower
base or on a bathtub.
In a twenty-fourth embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according
to any
of the preceding embodiments, wherein the left panel and the right panel are
substantially mirror
images of each other.
Following is another set of non-limiting embodiments of the disclosure.
In a first embodiment, disclosed is a modular bath or shower panel assembly,
comprising a first panel having a functional end; and a second panel having a
functional end,
wherein the first panel functional end comprises a male connector and the
second panel
functional end comprises a female connector, or the first panel functional end
comprises a
female connector and the second panel functional end comprises a male
connector, and
wherein the male connector is configured to couple to the female connector.
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In a second embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according to the
first
embodiment, wherein the first panel comprises an L-shape having one functional
end and the
second panel comprises an l-shape having a left functional end and/or a right
functional end. In
some embodiments, the second panel may comprise an l-shape having one
functional end; in
this embodiment, a corner shower wall assembly may be prepared.
In a third embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according to
embodiment
1, wherein the first and second panels comprise substantially planar outward-
facing surfaces.
In a fourth embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according to
embodiments 2 or
3, wherein the first panel comprises substantially perpendicular planar
outward-facing surfaces.
In a fifth embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according to any
of the
preceding embodiments, wherein the female connector is positioned on a flange,
and the flange
is positioned on the first panel functional end or on the second panel
functional end.
In a sixth embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according to any
of the
preceding embodiments, wherein the male connector extends substantially
perpendicularly from
the functional end.
In a seventh embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according to
any of
the preceding embodiments, wherein the female connector comprises one or more
gripping
features. In an eighth embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly
according to
embodiment 7, wherein the gripping features comprise barbs. In a ninth
embodiment, disclosed
is a modular panel assembly according to embodiments 7 or 8, wherein the
gripping features
comprise opposing barbs.
In a tenth embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according to any
of the
preceding embodiments, wherein the panels comprise a vacuum formed
thermoplastic. In an
eleventh embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according to
embodiment 10,
wherein the thermoplastic is one or more of polyvinylchloride, acrylonitrile-
butadiene-styrene
copolymer, a poly(meth)acrylate, a polystyrene, a polyolefin, a polyamide, or
a polyester.
In a twelfth embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according to
any of the
preceding embodiments, wherein the female connector comprises an elastomer. In
a thirteenth
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embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according to embodiment 12,
wherein the
female connector is positioned on a flange, and wherein the female connector
is more flexible
than the flange. In a fourteenth embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel
assembly according
to any of embodiments 5 to 13, wherein the flange and the female connector
comprise an
extruded or a coextruded thermoplastic.
In a fifteenth embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according to
any of
the preceding embodiments, wherein upon coupling the first panel to the second
panel, one or
more voids are formed, the one or more voids configured to receive a sealant.
In a sixteenth
embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according to any of the
preceding
embodiments, wherein upon coupling the first panel to the second panel, a
water-tight joint is
formed.
In a seventeenth embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according
to any
of the preceding embodiments, wherein coupling of the male connector to the
female connector
provides a substantially flush outward-facing surface.
In an eighteenth embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according
to any
of the preceding embodiments, wherein the functional ends comprise a length,
and wherein the
male connector and the female connector have a length of greater than about
50% of the
functional end length.
In a nineteenth embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according to
any of
the preceding embodiments, wherein the assembly is configured to be installed
on a shower
base or on a bathtub.
In a twentieth embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according to
any of
the preceding embodiments, comprising a third panel, wherein the first panel
is a left panel
comprising a side section and a center section having a functional end, the
second panel is a
center panel comprising a left functional end and a right functional end, the
third panel is a right
panel comprising a side section and a center section having a functional end,
and wherein,
upon installation of the assembly, the left panel functional end and the right
panel functional end
are configured to couple to the center panel left functional end and center
panel right functional
end, respectively.
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In a twenty-first embodiment, disclosed is a modular panel assembly according
to
embodiment 20, wherein the first panel and the third panel are substantially
mirror images of
each other.
Following is another set of non-limiting embodiments of the disclosure.
In a first embodiment, disclosed is a panel for an assembly, the panel
comprising an L-
shape and having a functional end, or an l-shape and having a left functional
end and/or a right
functional end, wherein the functional ends comprise a male connector
configured to couple to a
female connector or, a female connector configured to couple to a male
connector. In another
embodiment, disclosed is a panel having an l-shape having a left functional
end or a right
functional end, the panel configured to couple to a L-shaped panel having a
functional end,
wherein the functional ends comprise a male connector configured to couple to
a female
connector or, a female connector configured to couple to a male connector.
In a second embodiment, disclosed is a panel according to the first
embodiment,
wherein the L-shaped panel and the l-shaped panels comprise substantially
planar outward-
facing surfaces. In a third embodiment, disclosed is a panel according to
embodiments 1 or 2,
wherein the L-shaped panel comprises substantially perpendicular planar
outward-facing
surfaces.
In a fourth embodiment, disclosed is a panel according to any of the preceding
embodiments, wherein the female connector is positioned on a flange, the
flange is positioned
on the functional end.
In a fifth embodiment, disclosed is a panel according to any of the preceding
embodiments, wherein the male connector extends substantially perpendicularly
from the
functional end. In a sixth embodiment, disclosed is a panel according to any
of the preceding
embodiments, wherein the female connector comprises one or more gripping
features. In a
seventh embodiment, disclosed is a panel according to embodiment 6, wherein
the gripping
features comprise barbs. In an eighth embodiment, disclosed is a panel
according to
embodiments 6 or 7, wherein the gripping features comprise opposing barbs.
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In a ninth embodiment, disclosed is a panel according to any of the preceding
embodiments, wherein the panel comprises a vacuum formed thermoplastic. In a
tenth
embodiment, disclosed is a panel according to embodiment 9, wherein the
thermoplastic is one
or more of polyvinylchloride, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, a
poly(meth)acrylate, a
polystyrene, a polyolefin, a polyamide, or a polyester.
In an eleventh embodiment, disclosed is a panel according to any of the
preceding
embodiments, wherein the female connector comprises an elastomer. In a twelfth
embodiment,
disclosed is a panel according to embodiment 11, wherein the female connector
is positioned on
a flange, and wherein the female connector is more flexible than the flange.
In a thirteenth
embodiment, disclosed is a panel according to any of embodiments 4 to 12,
wherein the flange
and the female connector comprise an extruded or coextruded thermoplastic.
In a fourteenth embodiment, disclosed is a panel according to any of the
preceding
embodiments, wherein upon coupling a male connector to a female connector, a
panel
assembly having one or more voids is formed, the one or more voids configured
to receive a
sealant. In a fifteenth embodiment, disclosed is a panel according to any of
the preceding
embodiments, wherein upon coupling a male connector to a female connector, a
panel
assembly having a water-tight joint is formed.
In a sixteenth embodiment, disclosed is a panel according to any of the
preceding
embodiments, wherein coupling of a male connector to a female connector
provides a panel
assembly having a substantially flush outward-facing surface.
In a seventeenth embodiment, disclosed is a panel according to any of the
preceding
embodiments, wherein the functional ends comprise a length, and wherein the
male connector
and the female connector have a length of greater than about 50% of the
functional end length.
In an eighteenth embodiment, disclosed is a panel according to any of the
preceding
embodiments, configured to be installed on a shower base or on a bathtub.
In a nineteenth embodiment, disclosed is a panel according to any of the
preceding
embodiments, wherein the panel is an L-shaped left panel comprising a side
section and a
center section having a functional end, or the panel is an L-shaped right
panel comprising a side
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section and a center section having a functional end, or the panel is an l-
shaped center panel
having a left functional end and/or a right functional end, and wherein, the
panel is part of a
modular panel assembly.
In a twentieth embodiment, disclosed is a panel according to any of
embodiments 1 to
18, wherein the panel is an l-shaped side panel for a corner shower modular
panel assembly,
wherein the l-shaped panel comprises a left functional end or a right
functional end.
The term "adjacent" may mean "near" or "close-by" or "next to".
The term "coupled" means that an element is "attached to" or "associated with"
another
element. Coupled may mean directly coupled or coupled through one or more
other elements.
An element may be coupled to an element through two or more other elements in
a sequential
manner or a non-sequential manner. The term "via" in reference to "via an
element" may mean
"through" or "by" an element. Coupled or "associated with" may also mean
elements not directly
or indirectly attached, but that they "go together" in that one may function
together with the
other. The term "positioned on" may mean "coupled to".
The term "towards" in reference to a of point of attachment, may mean at
exactly that
location or point or, alternatively, may mean closer to that point than to
another distinct point, for
example "towards a center" means closer to a center than to an edge.
The term "like" means similar and not necessarily exactly like. For instance
"ring-like"
means generally shaped like a ring, but not necessarily perfectly circular.
The articles "a" and "an" herein refer to one or to more than one (e.g. at
least one) of the
grammatical object. Any ranges cited herein are inclusive. The term "about"
used throughout is
used to describe and account for small fluctuations. For instance, "about" may
mean the
numeric value may be modified by 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, 0.5%,
1%, 2%,
3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10% or more. All numeric values are
modified by the
term "about" whether or not explicitly indicated. Numeric values modified by
the term "about"
include the specific identified value. For example "about 5.0" includes 5Ø
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The term "substantially" is similar to "about" in that the defined term may
vary from for
example by 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%,
6%,
7%, 8%, 9%, 10% or more of the definition; for example the term
"substantially
perpendicular" may mean the 900 perpendicular angle may mean "about 900. The
term
"generally" may be equivalent to "substantially".
Features described in connection with one embodiment of the disclosure may be
used
in conjunction with other embodiments, even if not explicitly stated.
Embodiments of the disclosure include any and all parts and/or portions of the
embodiments, claims, description and figures. Embodiments of the disclosure
also include any
and all combinations and/or sub-combinations of embodiments.
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