Corner protector, corner protector assembly and pane assembly including the same

Abstract

A corner protector is provided with a body with a recess formed in the body. The recess defines a first surface to receive and contact a pane surface of a pane in the recess. The recess defines a second surface angled relative to the first surface and intersecting the first surface to receive and contact a first edge surface of the pane. The recess defines a third surface angled relative to the first surface and the second surface and intersecting the first surface to receive and contact a second edge surface of the pane. The body defines an aperture formed in the first surface and oriented at a convergence of the first surface, the second surface, and the third surface such that the second surface and the third surface do not intersect. The aperture is formed to a blind depth in the body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A corner protector comprising a body with a recess formed in the body, the recess defining a first surface to receive and contact a pane surface of a pane in the recess, the recess defining a second surface angled relative to the first surface and intersecting the first surface to receive and contact a first edge surface of the pane, the recess defining a third surface angled relative to the first surface and the second surface and intersecting the first surface to receive and contact a second edge surface of the pane, and the body defining an aperture formed in the first surface and oriented at a convergence of the first surface, the second surface, and the third surface such that the second surface and the third surface do not intersect, wherein the aperture is formed to a blind depth in the body. 
     
     
         2 . The corner protector of  claim 1 , wherein the recess defines a fourth surface spaced apart and opposed from the first surface to contact another pane surface of the pane; and
 wherein a second aperture is formed in the fourth surface and is oriented at a convergence of the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface such that the second surface and the third surface do not intersect.   
     
     
         3 . The corner protector of  claim 1 , wherein the body defines a first exterior surface spaced apart from the first recess surface;
 wherein the body defines a second exterior surface spaced apart from the second recess surface;   wherein the body defines a third exterior surface spaced apart from the third recess surface; and   wherein the aperture is formed through the first exterior surface.   
     
     
         4 . The corner protector of  claim 3 , wherein a second aperture is formed through the first surface and the first exterior surface; and
 wherein the second aperture is spaced apart from the first aperture.   
     
     
         5 . The corner protector of  claim 1 , wherein the recess defines a fourth surface spaced apart and opposed from the first surface to contact another pane surface of the pane;
 wherein the body defines a first exterior surface spaced apart from the first recess surface;   wherein the body defines a second exterior surface spaced apart from the second recess surface;   wherein the body defines a third exterior surface spaced apart from the third recess surface;   wherein the body defines a fourth exterior surface spaced apart from the fourth recess surface; and   wherein the aperture is formed through the first exterior surface.   
     
     
         6 . The corner protector of  claim 5 , wherein the aperture is not formed through the fourth exterior surface. 
     
     
         7 . The corner protector of  claim 5 , wherein a second aperture is formed through the fourth recess surface to a blind depth. 
     
     
         8 . The corner protector of  claim 5 , wherein a second aperture is formed through the fourth recess surface, and not through the fourth exterior surface. 
     
     
         9 . The corner protector of  claim 1 , wherein the body is formed from a polypropylene material. 
     
     
         10 . A pane assembly comprising:
 the corner protector of  claim 1 ; and   a pane received in the recess of the corner protector, the pane defining a first pane surface in contact with the first recess surface, the pane defining a first edge surface in contact with the second recess surface, and the pane defining a second edge surface in contact with the third recess surface, wherein the first pane surface, the first edge surface, and the second edge surface converge at a corner of the pane, such that the aperture defines a gap provided between the first pane surface and the first recess surface adjacent the corner of the pane.   
     
     
         11 . The pane assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising a retainer attached to the corner protector and the pane to retain the corner protector on the pane. 
     
     
         12 . A pane assembly comprising:
 a pane defining a first pane surface and a second pane surface spaced apart from the first pane surface, and a plurality of edge surfaces intersecting the first pane surface and the second pane surface, wherein each intersection of a pair of adjacent edge surfaces defines a corner of the pane; and   a plurality of corner protectors each according to  claim 1 , and each receiving one of the corners of the pane.   
     
     
         13 . The pane assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the pane further comprises a glass shower door. 
     
     
         14 . A packaged pane assembly comprising:
 a box; and   the pane assembly of  claim 12  received within the box.   
     
     
         15 . The corner protector of  claim 1 , wherein the recess defines a fourth surface spaced apart and opposed from the first surface to contact another pane surface of the pane; and
 wherein the aperture is formed in the fourth surface and is oriented at a convergence of the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface such that the second surface and the third surface do not intersect.   
     
     
         16 . A pane assembly comprising:
 the corner protector of claim  15 ; and   a pane received in the recess of the corner protector, the pane defining a first pane surface in contact with the first recess surface, the pane defining a second pane surface in contact with the fourth recess surface, the pane defining a first edge surface in contact with the second recess surface, and the pane defining a second edge surface in contact with the third recess surface, wherein the first pane surface, the first edge surface, and the second edge surface converge at a corner of the pane, such that the aperture defines a gap between the first pane surface and the first recess surface adjacent the corner of the pane, and the aperture defines a gap between the second pane surface and the fourth recess surface.   
     
     
         17 . A packaged pane assembly comprising:
 a box; and   a pane assembly received within the box, the pane assembly comprising:
 a pane defining a first pane surface and a second pane surface spaced apart from the first pane surface, and a plurality of edge surfaces intersecting the first pane surface and the second pane surface, wherein each intersection of a pair of adjacent edge surfaces defines a corner of the pane, and 
 a plurality of corner protectors each receiving one of the corners of the pane, wherein each corner protector comprises a body with a recess formed in the body, the recess defining a first surface to receive and contact the first pane surface of the pane in the recess, the recess defining a second surface angled relative to the first surface and intersecting the first surface to receive and contact a first edge surface of the pane, the recess defining a third surface angled relative to the first surface and the second surface and intersecting the first surface to receive and contact a second edge surface of the pane, and the body defining an aperture formed in the first surface and oriented at a convergence of the first surface, the second surface, and the third surface such that the second surface and the third surface do not intersect. 
   
     
     
         18 . The packaged pane assembly of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a plurality of foam members oriented within the box about the pane assembly.   
     
     
         19 . A corner protector assembly comprising:
 a corner protector sized to receive a corner of a pane; and   a retainer attached to the corner protector to attach the corner protector to the pane.   
     
     
         20 . The corner protector of  claim 19 , wherein the retainer comprises an adhesive label.