Plastic profile

Abstract

The invention provides a variable angle connector profile for connecting a plurality of enclosure panels, the profile comprising: a first end segment having a first open channel sized for receiving a first enclosure panel; a flexible middle segment attached to the first end segment; and a second end segment attached to the middle segment and having a second open channel sized for receiving a second enclosure panel; the middle segment including a flexible plastic material and the end segments including at least a semi-rigid material, all three segments being co-extruded as a single integral linear unit and wherein each of the first and second end segments includes surfaces adapted to abut each other and to delimit the extent of movement of the end segments towards each other in a first sense of swivel from a linear alignment of 180° to a substantially perpendicular alignment of about 90°, while the segments are free to move in a second sense of swivel away from the surfaces to form a reflex angle therebetween, for accordian-like folding, storage and transport of a plurality of panels interconnected therewith.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A variable angle connector profile for connecting a plurality of enclosure panels, said profile comprising: 
 a first end segment having a first open channel sized for receiving a first enclosure panel;    a flexible middle segment attached to said first end segment; and    a second end segment attached to said middle segment and having a second open channel sized for receiving a second enclosure panel;    said middle segment including a flexible plastic material and said end segments including at least a semi-rigid material, all three segments being co-extruded as a single integral linear unit and wherein each of said first and second end segments includes surfaces adapted to abut each other and to delimit the extent of movement of said end segments towards each other in a first sense of swivel from a linear alignment of 180° to a substantially perpendicular alignment of about 90°, while said segments are free to move in a second sense of swivel away from said surfaces to form a reflex angle therebetween, for accordian-like folding, storage and transport of a plurality of panels interconnected therewith.    
     
     
         2 . The variable angle connector profile according to  claim 1 , wherein said middle segment is made of flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and said end segments are made of at least semi-rigid PVC.  
     
     
         3 . A variable angle connector profile according to  claim 1 , wherein said middle segment is made of flexible polypropylene and said end segments are made of at least semi-rigid polypropylene.  
     
     
         4 . A variable angle connector profile according to  claim 1 , whenever used in a shower enclosure assembly.  
     
     
         5 . A variable angle connector profile according to  claim 1 , whenever used in a multi-window assembly.  
     
     
         6 . A variable angle connector profile according to  claim 1 , wherein said middle segment has a operating life in excess of 10,000 bend cycles.  
     
     
         7 . A variable angle connector profile according to  claim 1 , wherein said profile forms a part of a door assembly, including its hinge.  
     
     
         8 . A variable angle connector profile according to  claim 1 , further comprising retention means for releasably holding said profile at a desired angle.  
     
     
         9 . A variable angle connector profile according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said open channels is provided with a plurality of flexible projections for firmly gripping a panel in said channel.