Tub-Shower Backwall and Sidewall Panel Interlock

This invention relates generally to molded glass fiber reinforced plastic panels which are assembled to line the walls above a bathtub in a bathtub recess and thus form a shower enclosure, and more particularly to an improved method of securing sidewall panels to a backwall panel in such construction.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,827,086 discloses a tub-shower. FIG. 6 shows a joint between the backwall panel and a sidewall panel. The joint is described at Col. 5, lines 12--31. There is a channel 54 for caulking and there are holes 55 for screw fasteners. Many times the screw fasteners did not hold and leakage could occur through the joint.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,180,874 refers at Col. 8, lines 44-47, to "metal clips or latches" for securing the panels together. These latches were similar to those on metal toolboxes. The provision for the securing of the two latch parts of each latch respectively to the two panels was expensive, involving thickened molded portions on the panels for the reception of threaded metal inserts. Many times an installer did not attach the latch parts by threading screws into the metal inserts, and leakage through the joint could occur.

In accordance with the invention, mating interlocking portions are molded on the panels as integral parts respectively thereof. As a result, no screws or fastening latches are required to secure the molded panels together. In addition, drainage means is provided at the joints and no caulking is required.

The invention is described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view showing a portion of a backwall panel and a portion of a sidewall panel, both constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing one of the female interlock portions of the backwall panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing one of the male interlock portions of the sidewall panel of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view showing one of the interlock portions respectively on the backwall and sidewall panels of FIG. 1 in assembled relationship.

With respect to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a portion of a molded glass fiber reinforced plastic backwall panel 10 and a portion of a molded glass fiber reinforced plastic sidewall panel 12. The backwall panel 10 is contoured to include a pair of corner portions 10a disposed respectively at opposite ends, only one being shown. The corner portion 10a presents a face 10b adapted to abut an edge face 12a of the sidewall panel 12 when the two panels are assembled. The face 10b is provided with a vertical groove 10c. A tongue portion 12b projects from the face 12a and extends vertically for reception in the groove 10c.

The backwall panel 10 is provided with a pair of female interlock or pocket portions 10d in vertically spaced relationship on the face 10b, and the sidewall panel 12 is provided with a pair of male interlock or outwardly extending dowel portions 12c. The female interlock or pocket portions 10d are in the form of pockets open at the top and along an inner side. Once the backwall panel 10 is in place, the sidewall panel 12 is assembled therewith by raising it so that the dowel portions 12c are above the respective pocket portions 10d, inserting the tongue portion 12b in the groove 10c, and pushing the sidewall panel 12 downwardly to engage the dowel portions 12c in the pocket portions 10d as shown in FIG. 4 and thereby firmly engage the face 12a against the face 10b due to jamming action by the pocket portions 10d on the dowel portions 12c.

The groove 10c is deeper than the projection length of the tongue portion 12b. The bottom of the groove 10c thus forms a drainage channel for any water which seeps through the joint by wicking action, and any such water is directed into a soap dish recess (not shown) for eventual drainage into the tub.

An outer side surface 12d of the tongue portion 12b is provided with a plurality of vertically spaced inclined ridges 12e, one of which is best shown in FIG. 3. The ridges 12e along with the tongue portion 12b have an interference fit with the groove 10c to effect firm engagement between the other side of the tongue portion 12b opposite the ridges 12e and the corresponding side of the groove 10c. A tight fit between the panels 10 and 12 is thus provided in an L-shaped configuration. The ridges 12e are inclined downwardly toward the bottom of the groove 10c whereby any moisture collecting on them is also drained harmlessly away. The joint requires no caulking.

A similar but inversely formed sidewall panel (not shown) is similarly joined to the other end portion of the backwall panel 10.

Various modifications may be made in the structure shown and described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.