Method and Apparatus for Forming a Shower Base

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a shower base. More specifically, the preferred embodiment relates to a device for retaining water in a shower.

Showers and the bases thereof have been previously configured in a variety of different manners. Generally, the bases of these structures include a floor having a drain formed in the center thereof and a low water retaining wall formed along at least a portion of the outer periphery of the floor. The water retaining wall is normally of sufficient height to prevent any standing water in the base of the shower from flowing to the immediately surrounding area, yet low enough to permit an individual to step over the same to enter the shower.

Retaining walls of this nature have been formed by stacking several wooden 2.times.4's one on top of the other and positioning the same on at least a portion of an outer periphery of the floor. A water resistant layer is disposed around the outer periphery of the drain and extends outwardly to cover the inner and uppermost surfaces of the 2.times.4's. Subsequently, the floor and the outer periphery of the water retaining wall are tiled. In this manner, the water retaining wall is formed with a rectangular cross-section. This configuration has several disadvantages, one being that water forming about the upper surface of the retaining wall is free to flow to the surrounding area. As is generally the case, the area immediately surrounding the shower is readily susceptible to water damage. With repeated use of the shower, this could lead to costly and time consuming repairs. It has not been previously possible to readily construct a water retaining wall of a shower base such that water forming about the upper surface thereof is directed to the shower base to be drained therefrom.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for forming a shower base free from the aforementioned disadvantages of previously known related devices.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for forming a shower base with a water retaining wall configured in such a manner as to direct water forming about the upper surface thereof to a drain operably associated therewith.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a water retaining wall with an insert for directing water forming about the upper surface of the retaining wall positioned on an interior supporting member having a configuration different therefrom, thereby obviating the need for machining of the interior supporting member or the use of specially configured tile.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an insert that can be used in shower bases having a variety of configurations.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a cost effective method and apparatus for forming a water retaining wall of a shower base for inhibiting water forming about the upper surface thereof from flowing to the surrounding area of the shower.

These and other objects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In summary, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a shower base including a floor, a drain formed in the center thereof and a low water retaining wall extending along at least a portion of the floor of the shower base. The water retaining wall includes an inclined insert formed of polyvinyl chloride. The inclined insert includes an inner wall adapted to be positioned adjacent the floor of the shower, an outer wall removed therefrom and an upper surface extending therebetween. The upper surface forms an angle of greater than 90.degree. with the inner wall and an angle of less than 90.degree. with the outer wall. Accordingly, the upper surface is inclined downwardly in the direction of the floor of the shower and, therefore, water forming about the upper surface of the water retaining wall is directed to the drain formed in the floor of the shower base.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shower base formed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating the inclined insert disposed above the interior supporting member.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the inclined insert of FIG. 1 taken along line 2--2.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a shower base formed in accordance with the present invention illustrating the inclined insert positioned on the interior supporting member.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the shower base illustrated in FIG. 3 taken along line 4--4 and further depicting several tile sections.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be described.

Referring to FIG. 1, a shower base A includes a floor B, a drain C formed in the center of floor B, a retaining wall D extending along a portion of the outer periphery of floor B and side walls E and F bounding the remaining portion of the outer periphery of floor B. The floor B includes a water resistant liner 2 which extends outwardly from the outer periphery of drain 0 to the water retaining wall D and side walls E and F.

The water retaining wall D includes first segment 4, second segment 6, and third segment 8. Segments 4, 6 and 8 are each comprised of an interior supporting member 10 and an inclined insert 12. Referring to FIG. 4, the supporting members 10 include three wooden 2.times.4's 14 stacked one on top of the other thereby forming an inner surface 16 positioned adjacent floor B, an outer surface 18 removed therefrom and an upper surface 20. Upper surface 20 extends perpendicular to surfaces 16 and 18. The water resistant liner 2 overlies the inner surfaces 16 as well as the upper surfaces 20 of supporting members 10.

The inclined inserts 12 each include an inner wall 22, an upper wall 24 and an outer wall 26, as seen in FIG. 2. A hollow cavity 28 extends between first end 30 and second end 32. First end 30 has an opening formed therein for receiving the interior supporting members 10. The upper wall 24 forms an angle of greater than 90.degree. with the inner wall 22. Further, the upper wall 24 forms an angle of less than 90.degree. with outer wall 26. Accordingly, the upper wall 24 is inclined downwardly toward the inner wall 22. In the preferred embodiment, the inner wall 22 extends 41/2 inches from the underside of upper wall 24 and outer wall 26 extends therefrom 43/4 inches. The upper surface 16 has a length of 41/4 inches, measured form the innermost portion of wall 22 to the outermost portion of wall 26. Walls 22, 24 and 26 have a uniform thickness of 1/4 inch. Preferably, inclined insert 12 is formed from polyvinyl chloride.

The preferred method for constructing a shower base formed in accordance with the present invention will hereinafter be described.

An appropriate location in a residence, office building or the like is selected for installing a shower. For example, a corner of a room may be selected for positioning the shower, as shown in FIG. 1. However, it will be readily appreciated that the shower may be located in other areas of the room and is not limited to corners thereof. A drain 0 is formed in the center of that area designated as the shower base. A conventional water resistant liner 2 is disposed such that it extends from the outer periphery of drain C and covers at least a portion of side walls E and F as well as the inner surfaces 16 and the upper surfaces 20 of the interior supporting members 10. The water resistant liner 2 prevents the floor of the foundation, side walls E and F, the inner surfaces 16 and upper surfaces 20 from experiencing water damage.

The inclined inserts 12 are cut to the dimensions of the corresponding segments 4, 6 and 8 and positioned thereon. As seen in FIG. 4, a space 27 is formed between the inclined insert 12 and first segment 4. Although not shown, similar spaces are provided between segments 6 and 8 and the corresponding inclined inserts 12. A conventional sealant is applied along the outer periphery of inclined inserts 12. The shower base A, in the preferred embodiment, is tiled with tile sections 34 along the outer periphery of the inclined inserts 12, the floor B, and at least a portion of side walls E and F. Accordingly, a tiled retaining wall D is formed with an inclined upper surface thereby directing any water forming thereabout through drain C.

It will be readily appreciated that a shower base formed in accordance with the present invention will prevent the immediately surrounding area from encountering water damage. Furthermore, this is accomplished without machining any of the segments 4, 6 and 8 or alternatively using specially configured tile. Accordingly, a shower base formed in accordance with the present invention can be readily and inexpensively constructed.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, uses and/or adaptations of the invention, following in general the principle of the invention, and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art in which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention of the limits of the appended claims.