Compensator Device

Abstract

A rigid compensator device is provided for a shower screen ( 10 ) comprising a plurality of edge support elements ( 12 ) having channels ( 116 ) and a panel element ( 14 ) 5 having edges ( 26, 28 ) receivable in the channels ( 116 ) of the edge support elements ( 12 ). The compensator device ( 34 ) is folly positionable or positioned within the channel ( 116 ) of one or each said edge support element ( 12 ) of the shower screen ( 10 ) and comprises a narrow support portion ( 20 ) for receiving and directly or indirectly supporting a portion of the panel element ( 14 ) at or adjacent to the edge ( 26, 28 ) of the 0 panel element ( 14 ), a body portion ( 40 ) which is wider than the support portion ( 20 ) and which includes a panel stop element ( 22 ) at or adjacent to a rear edge or edges ( 50 ) of the compensator device ( 34 ) and spaced from the narrow support portion ( 20 ). A panel element guide path (X) is also present which is defined at least in part by the narrow support portion ( 20 ) and the body portion ( 40 ) and which extends from the narrow support portion ( 20 ) to the panel stop element ( 22 ). The panel element ( 14 ) is thus selectively positionable in and supported by the compensator device ( 34 ) up to the panel stop element ( 22 ). A shower screen and method are also provided.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
   
   
       22 . A rigid compensator device for a shower screen which comprises a plurality of edge support elements having channels and a panel element having edges receivable in the channels of the edge support elements, wherein the compensator device is fully positionable or positioned within the channel of one or each said edge support element of the shower screen and comprises a narrow support portion which receives and directly or indirectly supports a portion of the panel element at or adjacent to the edge of the panel element, a body portion which is wider than the support portion and which includes a panel stop element at or adjacent to a rear edge or edges of the compensator device and spaced from the narrow support portion, and a panel element guide path which is defined at least in part by the narrow support portion and the body portion and which extends from the narrow support portion to the panel stop element, so that the panel element is selectively positionable in and supported by the compensator device up to the panel stop element. 
   
   
       23 . A compensator device as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the support portion is adapted to directly support a portion of the panel element. 
   
   
       24 . A compensator device as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the compensator device is a unitarily formed device and is independent of the edge support element of the shower screen. 
   
   
       25 . A compensator device as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the compensator device is integrally formed as part of the edge support element of the shower screen. 
   
   
       26 . A compensator device as claimed in  claim 22 , further comprising one or more clamping seal elements which clamp the panel element of the shower screen in the channel of the edge support element. 
   
   
       27 . A compensator device as claimed in  claim 22 , further comprising one or more clamping seal elements which clamp the compensator device in the channel of the edge support element. 
   
   
       28 . A compensator device as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the or each seal element is a liquid tight seal element which form a liquid tight seal between the panel element of the shower screen and the associated edge support element. 
   
   
       29 . A compensator device as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein two independent said seal elements are provided which locate on opposite sides of the panel element. 
   
   
       30 . A shower screen comprising a plurality of edge support elements, and a panel element supported by the edge support elements, at least one of the edge support elements including a compensator device as claimed in  claim 22  and entirely received within the edge support element for supporting the associated edge of the panel element. 
   
   
       31 . A shower screen as claimed in  claim 30 , in the form of a kit of parts. 
   
   
       32 . A shower cubicle comprising at least one shower screen as claimed in  claim 30 . 
   
   
       33 . A method of assembling a shower screen having a plurality of edge support elements and a panel element, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) determining a required dimension of the panel element, and sizing the panel element substantially to the required dimension,   b) positioning the edge support elements along respective edges of the panel element;   c) locating at least one edge of the panel element in a compensator device as claimed in  claim 22 ; and   d) interengaging adjacent edge support elements to rigidly support the panel element.   
   
   
       34 . A method as claimed in  claim 33 , further comprising a step (e), subsequent to step (d), of inserting seal elements of the compensator device between the panel element and the respective edge support element to provide a liquid tight seal and to hold the panel element stationary in the compensator device. 
   
   
       35 . A method as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein the shower screen is assembled and the panel element is sized at or in the vicinity of the location of intended installation of the shower screen. 
   
   
       36 . A method as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein step (c) is performed before step (b). 
   
   
       37 . A method of clamping a panel element of a shower screen to an edge support element having a channel, the method comprising the steps of:
 e) inserting an edge of the panel element into the channel of the edge support element;   f) inserting a first seal element or a first portion of a seal Clement between a first side of the panel element and a first side of the channel of the edge support element; and   g) urging a second seal element or a second portion of the seal element between a second side of the panel element and a second side of the channel of the edge support element, so that the panel element is clamped in the channel of the edge support element by the or each seal element.   
   
   
       38 . A method as claimed in  claim 37 , further comprising a step (d), prior to step (a), of locating the said edge of the panel element in a compensator device which holds the panel element in position when in the channel of the edge support element, the or each seal element in step (c) clamping the compensator device in the channel of the edge support element. 
   
   
       39 . A method as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein screw-threaded fastening devices are not utilised to retain the panel element and/or compensator device in the channel of the edge support element. 
   
   
       40 . A method as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein the or each seal element is the sole means by which the panel element and/or the compensator device is/are retained in the channel of the edge support element. 
   
   
       41 . A method as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein steps (b) and (e) are performed simultaneously or substantially simultaneously.