Threshold assembly for barrier free shower units

Abstract

A threshold assembly for mounting to a barrier free access shower, the threshold assembly having a primary barrier having a top face and opposing side faces and a secondary barrier having a flat portion and a vertical portion. The secondary barrier is mounted to a barrier free side of a barrier free access shower pan and the primary barrier being engaged with the barrier free side of the barrier free access shower pan so that the primary barrier substantially encloses the secondary barrier when the primary barrier is fully engaging the barrier free side, and, at least a portion of the primary barrier may be moved to expose the secondary barrier and the barrier free side of the barrier free access shower pan.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A threshold assembly for mounting to a barrier free access shower, the threshold assembly comprising:
 a primary barrier having a top face and opposing side faces;   a secondary barrier having a flat portion and a vertical portion;   wherein the secondary barrier is mounted to a barrier free side of a barrier free access shower pan and the primary barrier being engaged with the barrier free side of the barrier free access shower pan so that
 the primary barrier substantially encloses the secondary barrier when the primary barrier is fully engaging the barrier free side, and, 
 at least a portion of the primary barrier may be moved to expose the secondary barrier and the barrier free side of the barrier free access shower pan. 
   
     
     
         2 . The threshold assembly of  claim 1  wherein the primary barrier is at least partially hollow. 
     
     
         3 . The threshold assembly of  claim 1  wherein the primary barrier includes at least one pivot point, the at least one pivot point allowing at least a portion of the primary barrier to be pivoted to expose the secondary barrier and the barrier free side. 
     
     
         4 . The threshold assembly of  claim 3  wherein the at least one pivot point may allow the at least a portion of the primary barrier which is movable to be lifted to expose the secondary barrier and the barrier free side. 
     
     
         5 . The threshold assembly of  claim 4  wherein the at least a portion of the primary barrier which is movable includes a fastener on the top face. 
     
     
         6 . The threshold assembly of  claim 5  wherein the fastener is a magnet. 
     
     
         7 . The threshold assembly of  claim 5  wherein the fastener is a hook. 
     
     
         8 . The threshold assembly of  claim 3  wherein the primary barrier includes at least two pivot points, the at least two pivot points allowing at least two portions of the primary barrier to be moved to expose the secondary barrier and barrier free edge. 
     
     
         9 . The threshold assembly of  claim 8  wherein each of the at least two portions of the primary barrier which may be moved to expose the secondary barrier and barrier free edge may be moved independent of any other movable portion. 
     
     
         10 . The threshold assembly of  claim 1  wherein a portion of the primary threshold is fixedly engaged with a portion of the barrier free side of the barrier free access shower. 
     
     
         11 . The threshold assembly of  claim 10  wherein the top face of the fixed portion of the primary barrier includes apertures for attaching one or more of a shower door and a shower panel. 
     
     
         12 . The threshold assembly of  claim 10  wherein the fixed portion of the primary barrier is connected to the movable portion of the primary barrier using a hinge. 
     
     
         13 . The threshold assembly of  claim 10  wherein the movable portion of the primary barrier and the fixed portion of the primary barrier are formed as distinct bodies. 
     
     
         14 . A shower pan for a barrier free shower assembly comprising:
 at least one fixed threshold for preventing water from escaping the shower pan;   at least one movable threshold having at least a portion capable of engaging and disengaging a base of the shower pan to selectively provide a barrier and allow barrier free access to the shower pan.   
     
     
         15 . The shower pan of  claim 14  wherein the movable threshold attaches to the shower pan using matching geometry. 
     
     
         16 . The shower pan of  claim 15  wherein the movable threshold can be completely removed from the shower pan. 
     
     
         17 . The shower pan of  claim 14  wherein the movable threshold is anchored and movable about at least one pivot point. 
     
     
         18 . The shower pan of  claim 17  wherein the at least one pivot point is a hinge. 
     
     
         19 . The shower pan of  claim 17  wherein at least a portion of the movable threshold is movable in a vertical direction. 
     
     
         20 . The shower pan of  claim 19  wherein an attachment member is located proximate an end of the movable threshold. 
     
     
         21 . The shower pan of  claim 20  wherein a cooperating structure is provided on one of the shower and a wall proximate the shower for attaching to the attachment member. 
     
     
         22 . The shower pan of  claim 17  wherein the movable threshold is movable in a horizontal direction. 
     
     
         23 . The shower pan of  claim 17  wherein the movable threshold is anchored and movable about at least two pivot points. 
     
     
         24 . The shower pan of  claim 23  wherein the anchor and pivot points are located proximate opposite ends of the movable threshold. 
     
     
         25 . The shower pan of  claim 14  wherein the at least one movable threshold is attached to a shower door, the shower door including at least one slot or guide to guide the movement of the threshold. 
     
     
         26 . The shower pan of  claim 25  wherein at least one handle or extension is provided, the at least one handle or extension being attached at one end to the threshold and at the other end extending through the at least one slot or guide to allow a user to engage the handle or extension to move the threshold while the user is located in the shower. 
     
     
         27 . The shower pan of  claim 14  wherein a portion of the movable threshold is fixed to the shower pan. 
     
     
         28 . The shower pan of  claim 14  further comprising a dam strip, the dam strip being fixedly engaged with the base shower pan and being substantially surrounded by the movable threshold when the movable threshold is engaged with the shower pan.