Modular Panel Assembly

Abstract

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.

1 . 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, and   the left panel, the right panel, and the center panel comprise substantially planar outward-facing surfaces.   
     
     
         2 . The modular panel assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the left panel and the right panel each comprise substantially perpendicular planar outward-facing surfaces. 
     
     
         3 . The modular panel assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the left panel functional end and the right panel functional end each comprise a female connector configured to couple to a male connector. 
     
     
         4 . The modular panel assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the center panel functional ends each comprise a male connector configured to couple to a female connector. 
     
     
         5 . The modular panel assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the female connector is positioned on a flange. 
     
     
         6 . The modular panel assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the male connectors extend substantially perpendicularly from the center panel functional ends. 
     
     
         7 . The modular panel assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the female connector comprises one or more gripping features. 
     
     
         8 . The modular panel assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the gripping features comprise one or more barbs. 
     
     
         9 . The modular panel assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the gripping features comprise opposing barbs. 
     
     
         10 . The modular panel assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the panels comprise a vacuum formed thermoplastic. 
     
     
         11 . The modular panel assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the female connector comprises an elastomer. 
     
     
         12 . The modular panel assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the female connector is positioned on a flange, and wherein the female connector is more flexible than the flange. 
     
     
         13 . The modular panel assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the flange and female connector comprise an extruded or coextruded thermoplastic. 
     
     
         14 . The modular panel assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein upon coupling the left panel functional end and the right panel functional end to the center panel left end and right functional end, respectively, one or more voids are formed, the one or more voids configured to receive a sealant. 
     
     
         15 . The modular panel assembly according to  claim 1 , 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. 
     
     
         16 . 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.   
     
     
         17 . The modular panel assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the first panel comprises an L-shape having one functional end and the second panel comprises an I-shape having a left functional end and/or a right functional end. 
     
     
         18 . A panel for a modular assembly, the panel comprising
 an L-shape and having a functional end, or   an I-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, and   wherein the L-shaped panel and the I-shaped panels comprise substantially planar outward-facing surfaces.   
     
     
         19 . The panel according to  claim 18 , 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 section and a center section having a functional end, or   the panel is an I-shaped center panel having a left functional end and/or a right functional end, and
 wherein, the panel is configured to be part of a modular panel assembly. 
   
     
     
         20 . A modular panel assembly or panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the assembly or panel is configured to be installed on a shower base or on a bathtub.