WO2020087118A1

WO2020087118A1 - An expandable enclosure

Info

Publication number: WO2020087118A1
Application number: PCT/AU2019/051191
Authority: WO
Inventors: Don WINDUS
Original assignee: Aussie Duck Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2018-10-29
Filing date: 2019-10-29
Publication date: 2020-05-07

Abstract

An expandable enclosure for a shower, the expandable enclosure having a housing including a first floor member, the first floor member movably attached relative to the housing and movable between a raised position and a lowered position, and an expansion assembly movably attached to the housing, the expansion assembly movable between a retracted position and an expanded position, the expansion assembly having a second floor member, wherein movement of the expansion assembly from the expanded position to the retracted position causes the first floor member to move from the lowered position to the raised position.

Description

AN EXPANDABLE ENCLOSURE

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an expandable enclosure. The present invention has particular but not exclusive application for an expandable enclosure for a shower. The patent specification describes this use but it is by way of example only and the invention is not limited to this use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In small spaces such as small homes and small apartments, as well as on boats and in motorhomes, space is valuable. Enclosures such as shower enclosures can occupy considerable floor space which could be better utilised for other purposes. Additionally, shower enclosures outside of bathrooms can detract from the visual appearance of a space.

There are a number of known expandable shower enclosures. A problem with known expandable shower enclosures is that they have complex expanding arrangements. Such complex arrangements may be difficult to use without detailed instructions.

Some known expandable shower enclosures such as the one disclosed in WOOO/27266 have a movable floor and or a movable door that have to be lifted so that the floor and or door can be moved into the retracted position, either manually or using a lifting mechanism. A lifting floor or a lifting door may make it difficult for a user to expand or retract a shower enclosure. A problem with using a lifting mechanism on the expanding part of the enclosure is that this can increase the cost of an expandable shower enclosure, require further maintenance or provide further points of failure.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least alleviate one or more of the above mentioned problems with shower enclosures and/or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention broadly resides in an expandable enclosure for a shower, the expandable enclosure having

a housing including a first floor member, the first floor member movably attached relative to the housing and movable between a raised position and a lowered position; and

an expansion assembly movably attached to the housing, the expansion assembly movable between a retracted position and an expanded position, the expansion assembly having a second floor member,

wherein movement of the expansion assembly from the expanded position to the retracted position causes the first floor member to move from the lowered position to the raised position.

Preferably, the expandable enclosure is an expandable shower enclosure. In one embodiment, the expandable enclosure is for use in a motorhome. In another embodiment, the expandable enclosure is for use in a caravan. In a further embodiment the expandable enclosure is for use on a boat. In another embodiment, the expandable enclosure is for use in a house or apartment. In a further embodiment, the expandable enclosure is for use in a restroom.

Preferably the housing has a rear wall. Preferably the rear wall extends upwardly relative to the first floor member. Preferably the housing includes at least one side wall. Preferably the housing includes two opposed side walls. Preferably the housing includes a roof member. Preferably the roof member is attached to the two opposed side walls and the rear wall. Preferably the roof member includes one or more apertures for ventilation and/or lighting. Preferably the housing is substantially rectangular in shape. In one embodiment, the housing is made substantially of injection moulded plastic material. Preferably the housing includes a frame to provide additional support to the housing. Preferably the frame is made of metal. In one embodiment, the frame is made of aluminium. In another embodiment, the housing is made predominantly of composite material.

Preferably the expansion assembly is pivotably attached to the housing. Preferably the expansion assembly pivots between the retracted position and the expanded position. Preferably in use the expansion assembly pivots about a substantially vertical axis. Preferably the expansion assembly is located at least partially within the housing in the retracted position. Preferably the expansion assembly includes a wall portion. Preferably the wall portion extends upwardly from the second floor member. Preferably the wall portion is fixedly attached relative to the second floor member. In one embodiment, the expansion assembly is made substantially of injection moulded plastic material. Preferably the expansion assembly includes a frame to provide additional support to the expansion assembly. Preferably the frame is made of metal. In one embodiment, the frame is made of aluminium. In another embodiment, the expansion assembly is made predominantly of composite material.

Preferably the expansion assembly includes a handle attached to or incorporated into the wall portion. Preferably the handle enables a user to pull the expansion assembly from the retracted position to the extended position.

Preferably the expansion assembly includes a roof portion. Preferably the roof portion extends from the wall portion. Preferably the roof portion is fixedly attached relative to the wall portion. Preferably in the expanded position, the roof member and the roof portion define a substantially continuous roof of the expandable enclosure. Preferably in use the roof portion is located below the roof member to enable the expansion assembly to be at least partially located within the housing in the retracted position. In one embodiment, the roof portion includes one or more apertures for ventilation and/or lighting.

Preferably the expansion assembly further includes a door. Preferably the door is movably attached relative to the wall portion. More preferably the door is pivotably attached relative to the wall portion. Preferably in use the door pivots about a substantially vertical axis. Preferably in the expanded position the door is movable between a closed position in which the door substantially seals a space between the wall portion and the housing, and an open position in which the door extends away from the second floor member. Preferably the door is also movable to a storage position in which the door is pivoted towards the wall portion. In one embodiment, in the storage position, the door is substantially parallel to the wall portion. Preferably when the door is in the storage position the expansion assembly can move to the retracted position.

In one embodiment, the expansion assembly further includes a support member. Preferably in the expanded position, the support member is adapted to support the expansion assembly on a surface. Preferably this inhibits the expansion assembly experiencing excess bending moments during use. In one embodiment, the support member is a slide adapted to slide on a ground surface. In another embodiment, the support member is a wheel adapted to roll on a ground surface between the expanded position and retracted position.

Preferably the second floor member includes a lip portion. Preferably in the expanded position, the lip portion is located beneath a portion of the first floor member. Preferably in the expanded position, a top surface of the second floor member is at substantially the same level as a top surface of the second floor member. Preferably movement of the second floor member from the expanded position to the retracted position causes the first floor member to move from the lowered position to the raised position. Preferably a portion of the second floor member pushes the first floor member up as the second floor member moves from the expanded position to the retracted position. Preferably the second floor member includes a ramp portion between the lip portion and an upper surface of the second floor. Preferably the ramp portion assists in moving the first floor member from the lowered position to the raised position as the expansion assembly moves from the expanded position to the retracted position. Preferably the lip portion assists in draining water from the second floor member to beneath the first floor member. Preferably the second floor portion includes a ridge portion. Preferably the ridge portion is located to inhibit water from exiting the expansion assembly between the door and the second floor member when the door is in the closed position.

Preferably the first floor member is pivotably attached to the housing. More preferably, the first floor member is pivotably attached relative to the rear wall of the housing. Preferably in use the first floor member pivots about a substantially horizontal axis. Preferably the first floor member includes a ramp portion. Preferably the ramp portion enables the first floor member to be pushed upwardly by the second floor member as the expansion assembly moves from the expanded position to the retracted position. Preferably the ramp portion is located towards a periphery of the first floor member. In one embodiment, the first floor portion includes one or more rollers, wheels or contoured portions to enable the first floor member to be pushed upwardly by the second floor member as the expansion assembly moves from the expanded position to the retracted position. In one embodiment, although not preferred, the expansion assembly includes a lifting mechanism to move the first floor member between the raised position and the lowered position. Preferably the lifting mechanism is activated manually or via a sensor which detects movement of the expansion assembly between the retracted position and the expanded position.

Preferably the first floor member includes a ridge portion on a periphery of the first floor member that boarders the rear wall of the housing to inhibit water from flowing between the rear wall and the first floor member. Preferably the first floor member includes a ridge portion on a periphery of the first floor member that boarders a first one of the side walls of the housing to inhibit water from flowing between the first one of the side walls and the first floor member. Preferably the first floor member includes a ridge portion on a periphery of the first floor member that boarders a second one of the side walls of the housing to inhibit water from flowing between the second one of the side walls and the first floor member.

In one embodiment, the first floor member includes one or more drainage apertures to drain water from the first floor member to underneath the first floor member. In another embodiment, water from the first floor member drains towards the second floor member, and via the second floor member to underneath the first floor member.

Preferably the expandable enclosure further includes a drainage pan located at least partially beneath the first floor member. More preferably the drainage pan is located at least partially beneath the first floor member and the second floor member. Preferably the drainage pan is connected to drainage so that the water can be drained from the expandable enclosure. In one embodiment, the expandable enclosure includes a pump so that water can be pumped from the drainage pan to outside of the expandable enclosure.

Preferably the expandable enclosure includes a shower head. Preferably the shower head is connected to a source of water. Preferably the expandable enclosure includes one or more controllers to control the supply of water to the shower head. Preferably the shower head is located in or attached to one of the rear wall, side walls or roof member. In another embodiment, the shower head is located in or attached to one of the roof portion or wall portion of the expansion assembly.

In another aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a motorhome having an expandable enclosure for a shower, the expandable enclosure having a housing including a first floor member, the first floor member movably attached relative to the housing and movable between a raised position and a lowered position; and an expansion assembly movably attached to the housing, the expansion assembly movable between a retracted position and an expanded position, the expansion assembly having a second floor member,

Preferably the expandable enclosure is an expandable enclosure as described in this specification.

In a further aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a boat having an expandable enclosure for a shower, the expandable enclosure having

In another aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a dwelling having an expandable enclosure for a shower, the expandable enclosure having

Preferably the expandable enclosure is an expandable enclosure as described in this specification. In a further aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a method of using an expandable enclosure as described in this specification, the method including the steps of

moving the expansion assembly from the retracted position to the expanded position;

moving the expansion assembly from the expanded position to the retracted position; and

causing the first floor member to move from the lowered position to the raised position as the expansion assembly is moved from the expanded position to the retracted position.

Preferably the method further includes the step of moving the door of the expansion assembly from the storage position to the closed or the open position after the expansion assembly has moved from the retracted position to the expanded position.

Preferably the method further includes the step of moving the door of the expansion assembly from the closed or the open position to the storage position prior to moving the expansion assembly from the expanded position to the retracted position.

Preferably the step of causing the first floor member to move from the lowered position to the raised position as the expansion assembly is moved from the expanded position to the retracted position includes pushing the first floor member from the lowered position to the raised position using the second floor member.

Preferably the step of causing the first floor member to move from the lowered position to the raised position as the expansion assembly is moved from the expanded position to the retracted position includes causing the first floor member to pivot from the lowered position to the raised position.

In another aspect, the present invention broadly resides in an expandable shower enclosure having

an expansion assembly movably attached to the housing, the expansion assembly movable between a retracted position and an expanded position, the expansion assembly having a second floor member, wherein movement of the expansion assembly from the expanded position to the retracted position causes the first floor member to move from the lowered position to the raised position.

The features described with respect to one aspect also apply where applicable to all other aspects of the invention. Furthermore, different combinations of described features are herein described and claimed even when not expressly stated. For example, features associated with the expandable enclosure may also be applicable to the expandable shower enclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2A is a perspective view of the enclosure of Figure 1 in a retracted position;

Figure 2B is a perspective view of the enclosure of Figure 1 in an expanded position;

Figure 2C is a perspective view of the enclosure of Figure 1 in an expanded position;

Figure 3 is an exploded view of the enclosure of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4A is a sectioned view of the enclosure of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4B is a detailed view of Figure 4A;

Figure 5 is a perspective exploded view of an enclosure according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6A is a top sectioned view of the enclosure of Figure 5 in an expanded position;

Figure 6B is a top sectioned view of the enclosure of Figure 5 in an expanded position;

Figure 6C is a top sectioned view of the enclosure of Figure 5 in an expanded position; and

Figure 6D is a top sectioned view of the enclosure of Figure 5 in a retracted position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to Figures 1 to 4B there is shown an expandable enclosure in the form of an expandable shower enclosure 10. The expandable enclosure 10 has a housing 12 and an expansion assembly 14. The expansion assembly 14 is movable between a retracted position (as seen in Figure 2A) in which it is located substantially within the housing 12, and an expanded position (as seen in Figure 1) in which it extends from the housing 12. The expansion assembly 14 is hingedly attached to the housing 12.

The expandable shower enclosure 10 includes a first floor member 16. The first floor member 16 is pivotably attached relative to the housing 12. The first floor member 16 is movable between a raised position (as seen in Figure 2A) in which it substantially overlays a second floor member 18 of the expansion assembly 14 and a lowered position (as seen in Figure 1).

The expansion assembly 14 includes a wall portion 20. The second floor member 18 is fixedly attached to the wall portion 20.

The expansion assembly 14 further includes a door 22. The door 22 is hingedly attached to the wall portion 20. The door 22 is movable between a storage position (as seen in Figures 2A and 2B), a closed position (as seen in Figures 1 and 2C) and an open position (as seen in dotted line format in Figure 1).

The housing 12 has a rear wall 24, two opposed side walls 26,28 and a roof member 30. The housing 12 also includes a frame 32 tp provide additional support to the housing 12. The first floor member 16 is pivotably attached to the rear wall 24 of the housing 12.

The second floor member 18 includes a lip portion 34 which is located underneath the first floor member 16 when the expansion assembly 14 is in the expanded position. The second floor member 18 also has a ramp portion 36. The first floor member 16 has a ramp portion 38. The ramp portions 36,38 assist in pushing the first floor member 16 from the lowered position to the raised position as the expansion assembly 14 moves from the expanded position to the retracted position.

Prior to moving the expansion assembly 14 from the expanded position to the retracted position, the door 22 is moved to the storage position to minimise undesired contact between the door 22 and the first floor member 16. The expandable shower enclosure 10 includes lighting in the form of led lighting 40. The expandable shower enclosure 10 includes ventilation in the form of a fan 42. The expandable shower enclosure 10 also has a shower head 44attached to the roof member 30.

With reference to Figures 5 to 6D there is shown an expandable enclosure in the form of an expandable shower enclosure 110 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 shows the expandable shower enclosure 110 in a partially exploded view for clarity.

The expandable enclosure 110 is similar to the expandable enclosure 10 as shown in Figures 1 to 4B. The expandable enclosure 110 has a housing 112 and an expansion assembly 114. The expansion assembly 114 is movable between a retracted position (as seen in Figure 6D) in which it is located substantially within the housing 112, and an expanded position (as seen in Figure 6A) in which it extends from the housing 112. The expansion assembly 114 is hingedly attached to the housing 112.

The expandable shower enclosure 110 includes a first floor member 116. The first floor member 116 is pivotably attached relative to the housing 112. The first floor member 116 is movable between a raised position in the retracted position, in which it substantially overlays a second floor member 118 of the expansion assembly 114 and a lowered position (as seen in Figure 5).

The expansion assembly 114 includes a wall portion 120. The second floor member 118 is fixedly attached to the wall portion 120. The expansion assembly 114 further includes a door 122. The door 122 is hingedly attached to the wall portion 120. The door 122 is movable between a storage position (as seen in Figures 6B), a closed position (as seen in Figure 6C) and an open position (as seen in dotted line format on the right in Figure 6A).

The expansion assembly 114 includes a roof portion 124. In the retracted position, the roof portion 124 is partially located within the housing 112.

The second floor member 118 pushes the first floor member 116 from the lowered position to the raised position as the expansion assembly 114 moves from the expanded position to the retracted position.

Prior to moving the expansion assembly 114 from the expanded position to the retracted position, the door 122 is moved to the storage position to minimise undesired contact between the door 122 and the first floor member 116. ADVANTAGES

An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the expandable enclosure includes minimising the amount of space required when the expandable enclosure is not in use. Another advantage of the preferred embodiment of the expandable enclosure includes a simplified mechanism to avoid undue lifting of the expandable portion of the enclosure. A further advantage of the preferred embodiment of the expandable enclosure includes that the first floor member and the second floor member are substantially level in the expanded position. VARIATIONS

While the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word

“comprise” and variations of that word such as“comprises” and“comprising”, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims

1. An expandable enclosure for a shower, the expandable enclosure having

2. An expandable enclosure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the expansion assembly includes a wall portion extending upwardly from the second floor member.

3. An expandable enclosure as claimed in claim 2 wherein the expansion assembly further includes a door movably attached relative to the wall portion.

4. An expandable enclosure as claimed in claim 3 wherein in the expanded position the door is movable between a closed position in which the door substantially seals a space between the wall portion and the housing, an open position in which the door extends away from the second floor member, and a storage position in which the door is pivoted towards the wall portion.

5. An expandable enclosure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first floor member is pivotably attached to the housing

6. An expandable enclosure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein movement of the second floor member from the expanded position to the retracted position causes the first floor member to move from the lowered position to the raised position.

7. An expandable enclosure as claimed in claim 6, wherein a portion of the second floor member pushes the first floor member up as the second floor member moves from the expanded position to the retracted position.

8. An expandable enclosure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second floor member includes a lip portion, and wherein in the expanded position, the lip portion is located beneath a portion of the first floor member.

9. An expandable enclosure as claimed in claim 8, wherein in the expanded position, the lip portion assists in draining water from the second floor member to beneath the first floor member.

10. An expandable enclosure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the expanded position, a top surface of the second floor member is at substantially the same level as a top surface of the second floor member.

11. An expandable enclosure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first floor member includes a ramp portion to enable the first floor member to be pushed upwardly by the second floor member as the expansion assembly moves from the expanded position to the retracted position.

12. A motorhome having an expandable enclosure for a shower, the expandable enclosure having

a housing including a first floor member, the first floor member movably attached relative to the housing and movable between a raised position and a lowered position;

13. A boat having an expandable enclosure for a shower, the expandable enclosure having

14. A dwelling having an expandable enclosure for a shower, the expandable enclosure having

15. A method of using an expandable enclosure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 , the method including the steps of

16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the step of causing the first floor member to move from the lowered position to the raised position as the expansion assembly is moved from the expanded position to the retracted position includes pushing the first floor member from the lowered position to the raised position using the second floor member.

17. A method as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the step of causing the first floor member to move from the lowered position to the raised position as the expansion assembly is moved from the expanded position to the retracted position includes causing the first floor member to pivot from the lowered position to the raised position.

18. A method as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17 when dependent on claim 4, further including the step of moving the door of the expansion assembly from the storage position to the closed or the open position after the expansion assembly has moved from the retracted position to the expanded position.

19. A method as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 18 when dependent on claim 4, further including the step of moving the door of the expansion assembly from the closed or the open position to the storage position prior to moving the expansion assembly from the expanded position to the retracted position.

20. An expandable shower enclosure having