BATHING UNIT ASSEMBLY WITH INTEGRATED WATER SEAL AND DISPERSION

Description

This non-provisional patent application is filed by applicants American Bath Group, LLC a Delaware company and The Swan Corporation of Centralia, Missouri, for the inventors Raymond Torres, a citizen of the United States, residing in California for the invention of an “Improved Bathing Unit Assembly with Integrated Water Seal and Dispersion”.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

All patents and publications described or discussed herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The current disclosure pertains to bathing unit assemblies—also referred to as shower surrounds or units—that feature either a bath base or a shower base. Specifically, the current disclosure focuses on designs that minimize installation time, enhance fluid sealing and dispersion, and effectively direct water from the showering process to a designated collection area.

Background Art

Bathing unit assemblies, commonly referred to as shower units or showers, are well-established in the industry. These units typically consist of pre-manufactured and assembled walls, along with a bath base or shower pan, and can be freestanding or attached to the walls of buildings such as homes, offices, or hospitals. They provide designated spaces, primarily in bathrooms, for personal hygiene.

Bathing assemblies generally come in two forms: fully integrated units manufactured as a single piece in a factory, and modular units made from separate components that are shipped and assembled on-site. The choice between these options depends on various factors, including the unit's style, size, available space, building construction, and access for installation. Assembling a unit on-site can be labor-intensive and time-consuming. Traditionally, sealants like caulk are applied by workers to seal seams and joints, aiming to prevent water from leaking out of the bathing area.

Improper sealing during installation can lead to significant water issues. If a unit isn't assembled correctly—often requiring generous application of sealant—water may escape through gaps and crevices, potentially getting trapped behind the unit. This moisture can create dampness in the walls and surrounding areas, leading to mold growth and damage to structural components such as drywall, insulation, and wooden supports. Furthermore, improper maintenance can causse failure of current sealing methods.

Modern bathing unit designs often include multiple water outlets, such as several shower heads and high-pressure systems, which can exacerbate water retention issues. These features increase the risk of water penetrating even small seams and joints. Additionally, high-pressure water jets can spray water above the shower walls, potentially allowing water to reach areas behind the unit and contribute to mold and structural damage.

The use of various cleaning products—such as soap, shampoo, and conditioner—during showers introduces additional challenges. Many of these products create suds that can spread throughout the bathing area, especially as water splashes off the person showering. These remnants can accumulate in seams and joints, compounding moisture issues and increasing the risk of mold growth and structural damage behind the walls.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides bathing units for placement proximate to one or more walls of a building. The bathing units have improved assembly characteristics and integrated water sealing and dispersion features that prevent fluids from reaching the walls of the structure to which the bathing unit is installed.

In a particular embodiment, an exemplary bathing unit for placement proximate to one or more walls of a building as disclosed herein may include a base, a first panel, and a second panel. The base may include a length, a width, a collection area, a first edge, a second edge, a first lip extending from the first edge, and a second lip extending from the second edge. The first panel may include a wall side, an exposed side, a first height, a first panel attaching side, a first base end, and a first panel primary flange extending from the wall side away from the exposed side proximate the first base end. The first panel primary flange may be shaped to engage at least the first edge of the base. The first panel attaching side may include a first interface flange extending from the wall side away from the exposed side. The second panel may include a wall side, an exposed side, a second height approximately equal the first height, a second panel attaching side, a second base end, and a second panel primary flange extending from the wall side away from the exposed side proximate the second base end. The second panel primary flange may be shaped to engage at least the second edge of the base. The second panel attaching side may include a second interface flange extending from the wall side away from the exposed side. The second panel attaching side may be configured to be positioned adjacent to the first panel attaching side.

In an exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the base further may further include a first ledge extending along and defined between the first edge and the first lip, and a second ledge extending along and defined between the second edge and the second lip. The first panel primary flange may be configured to abut the first ledge and the second panel primary flange may be configured to abut the second ledge when the first and second panels are positioned adjacent to each other and resting on the base.

In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the first panel may include a first panel secondary flange extending from the wall side away from the exposed side above the first panel primary flange. The first panel secondary flange may be shaped to engage at least the first lip of the base. The second panel may include a second panel secondary flange extending from the wall side away from the exposed side above the first panel primary flange. The second panel secondary flange may be shaped to engage at least the second lip of the base.

In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, a length of the first panel secondary flange may be greater than a length of the first panel primary flange. A length of the second panel secondary flange may be greater than a length of the second panel primary flange.

In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the first panel

primary flange may be spaced apart from the first panel secondary flange by a distance greater than a length of the first panel primary flange. The second panel primary flange may be spaced apart from the second panel secondary flange by a distance greater than a length of the second panel primary flange.

In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the first panel

primary flange may be spaced apart from the first panel secondary flange by a distance greater than twice a length of the first panel primary flange. The second panel primary flange may be spaced apart from the second panel secondary flange by a distance greater than twice a length of the second panel primary flange.

In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, a height of the first lip may be greater than three times a length of the first panel primary flange. A height of the second lip may be greater than three times a length of the second panel primary flange.

In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the first edge may include a plurality of first indentations and the second edge includes a plurality of second indentations. The first panel primary flange may include a plurality of first protrusions configured to interact with the plurality of first indentations. The second panel primary flange may include a plurality of second protrusions configured to interact with the plurality of second indentations.

In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the first interface flange may include a first portion extending perpendicularly from the wall side at the first panel attaching side and a second portion extending from and angled relative to the first portion. The second interface flange may include a first portion extending perpendicularly from the wall side at the second panel attaching side and a second portion extending from and angled relative to the first portion. The first portion of the second interface flange may be configured to be positioned adjacent to the first portion of the first interface flange and the second portion of the second interface flange may be configured to be positioned adjacent to the second portion of the first interface flange when the first and second panels are positioned adjacent to each other and resting on the base.

In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the first interface flange may further include a third portion extending from and angled relative to the second portion. The second interface flange may further include a third portion extending from and angled relative to the second portion. The third portion of the second interface flange may be configured to be positioned adjacent to the third portion of the first interface flange when the first and second panels are positioned adjacent to each other and resting on the base.

In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the third portion of the first interface flange may be parallel to and offset from the first portion of the first interface flange. The third portion of the second interface flange may be parallel to and offset from the first portion of the second interface flange.

In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the first interface flange may further include a lip portion extending from and angled relative to the third portion. The lip portion may extend in a direction opposite of the second portion of the first interface flange.

In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the second portion of the first interface flange and the lip portion of the first interface flange may be oriented perpendicular to both the first portion and the third portion of the first interface flange. The second portion of the second interface flange may be oriented perpendicular to both the first portion and the third portion of the second interface flange.

In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the lip portion of the first interface flange may be configured to overlap one of the first lip or the second lip of the base when the first panel is resting on the base.

In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the third portion of the first interface flange may include an indentation configured to define a channel when the first and second panels are positioned adjacent to each other and resting on the base. The channel may be shaped to direct water toward the collection area.

In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the second panel may include a second panel secondary flange extending from the wall side away from the exposed side above the first panel primary flange. The second panel secondary flange may include a first flange portion shaped to engage at least the second lip of the base and a second flange portion shaped to engage the lip portion of the first interface flange.

In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the first panel may include an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion shaped to overlap the lower portion.

In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the first panel primary flange may be shaped to engage at least a portion of the second edge of the base.

In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the base may include a third edge and a third lip extending from the second edge. The bathing unit may further include a third panel including a wall side, an exposed side, a third height approximately equal to the first height, a third panel attaching side, a third base end, and a third panel primary flange. The third panel primary flange may extend from the wall side away from the exposed side proximate to the third base end. The third panel primary flange may be shaped to engage at least the third edge of the base. The third panel attaching side may include a third interface flange extending from the wall side away from the exposed side. The first panel may further include a mirror panel attaching side. The mirror panel attaching side may include a mirror interface flange extending from the wall side away from the exposed side. The mirror panel attaching side may be configured to be positioned adjacent to the third panel attaching side when the first and third panels are resting on the base.

In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the third panel may include a third panel secondary flange extending from the wall side away from the exposed side above the third panel primary flange. The third panel secondary flange may be shaped to engage at least the third lip of the base.

Numerous other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a bathing unit in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a partial assembly view of a first panel in relation to the base of the bathing unit of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a partial assembly view of a lower portion of the first panel in relation to the base of the bathing unit of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the lower portion of the first panel and base of the shower unit of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view the lower portion and an upper portion of the first panel of the shower unit of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a Y-Z cross-sectional view of the shower unit of FIG. 1 taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the shower unit of FIG. 6 taken of area 7 of FIG. 6 in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the shower unit of FIG. 6 taken of area 8 of FIG. 6 in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged X-Z cross-sectional view of the shower unit of FIG. 1 taken of area 9 of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged X-Y cross-sectional view of the shower unit of FIG. 1 taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged X-Y cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the shower unit of FIG. 10 in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a enlarged X-Z cross-sectional view of the shower unit of FIG. 1 taken of area 9 of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged X-Y cross-sectional view of the shower unit of FIG. 1 taken of area 9 of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a X-Z cross-sectional side view of a first panel showing the movement of fluid through the retention cavity system and to the base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more drawings of which are set forth herein. Each drawing is provided by way of explanation of the present disclosure and is not a limitation. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment.

Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features, and aspects of the present disclosure are disclosed in, or are obvious from, the following detailed description. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present disclosure.

The words “connected”, “attached”, “joined”, “mounted”, “fastened”, and the like should be interpreted to mean any manner of joining two objects including, but not limited to, the use of any fasteners such as screws, nuts and bolts, bolts, pin and clevis, and the like allowing for a stationary, translatable, or pivotable relationship; welding of any kind such as traditional MIG welding, TIG welding, friction welding, brazing, soldering, ultrasonic welding, torch welding, inductive welding, and the like; using any resin, glue, epoxy, and the like; being integrally formed as a single part together; any mechanical fit such as a friction fit, interference fit, slidable fit, rotatable fit, pivotable fit, and the like; any combination thereof; and the like.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, any part of the apparatus of the present disclosure may be made of any appropriate or suitable material including, but not limited to, metal, alloy, polymer, polymer mixture, wood, composite, or any combination thereof.

Referring generally now to FIGS. 1-14, one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a bathing unit 100. It is understood that, for the sake of clarity, not all reference numbers are included in each drawing. In addition, positional terms such as a “upper,” “lower,” “side,” “top,” “bottom,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” etc. refer to the apparatus when in the orientation shown in the drawing. The skilled artisan will recognize that objects in accordance with the present disclosure can assume different orientations when in use.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the bathing unit 100, which can also be described as a shower assembly, shower surround, shower, bath assembly, bath surround, or bath, is preferably manufactured, assembled and attached to walls (not shown) of a building (not shown). The building can be any building known in the art, such as a dwelling, home, office, hospital, and the like, that has a location, such as in a bathroom, for someone to clean himself or herself. Typically, the walls to which the bathing unit 100 is attached will include a surface, such as sheet rock or dry walls, insulation, and supports, such as the wooden studs. The bathing unit 100 will also typically be supported by flooring of the building, such as additional supports and subflooring, as is known in the art.

Referring to FIG. 1-4, the bathing unit 100 may include a base 120, a first panel 140, a second panel 160, and a third panel 180. The base 120 may include a collection area 122, a first edge 124, a second edge 126, and a third edge 128. The first, second, and third edges may be described as horizontal edges. The base 120 may further include a first lip 130 extending from the first edge 124, a second lip 132 extending from the second edge 126, and a third lip 134 extending from the third edge 128. Each of the first, second, and third lips 130, 132, 134 may be positioned distal the collection area 122. The length and width of the base 120 can vary according designer preference and to conform to the space where the bathing unit 100 is to be installed. The collection area 122 can include a drain (not shown) as known in the art. The collection area 122 is designed to collect the fluids from the showering process and direct them to the drain and ultimate removal from the shower area. The base 120 may further include a trough area configured to direct water collected during the showing process towards a center cavity area and to the drain.

The first panel 140 may include a wall side 142, an exposed side 144, or exposed surface 144. Similarly, the second panel 160 may include a wall side 162, an exposed side 164, or exposed surface 164. Likewise, the third panel 180 may include a wall side 182, an exposed side 184, or exposed surface 184. The wall sides 142, 162, 182 are designed to set against and attach to walls of the dwelling where the bathing unit 100 is positioned. The exposed sides 144, 164, 184 are designed to direct water down to the collection area 122 of the base 120 and can have any aesthetically pleasing appearance as desired and known in the art. A height of each of the first, second, and third panels 140, 160, 180 may be approximately equal.

The first panel 140 may further include a first base end 146 and a first panel primary flange 148 extending from wall side 142 away from the exposed side 144 proximate to the first base end 146. The first panel primary flange 148 may be shaped to engage at least the first edge 124 of the base 120. The second panel 160 may further include a second base end 166 and a second panel primary flange 168 extending from wall side 162 away from the exposed side 164 proximate to the second base end 166. The second panel primary flange 168 may be shaped to engage at least the second edge 126 of the base 120. The third panel 180 may further include a third base end 186 and a third panel primary flange extending from wall side 182 away from the exposed side 184 proximate to the third base end 186. The third panel primary flange may be shaped to engage at least the third edge 128 of the base 120. This engagement positions the exposed sides 144, 164, 184 within the footprint of the base 120 to facilitate fluid movement down to the collection area 122 during the showering process.

The first panel 140 may further include a first panel attaching side 150 with a first interface flange 152 extending from the wall side 142 away from the exposed side 144. The second panel 160 may further include a second panel attaching side 170 with a second interface flange 172 extending from the wall side 162 away from the exposed side 164. The second panel attaching side 170 may be configured to be positioned adjacent to the first panel attaching side 150.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 13, the first interface flange 152 may include a first portion 152A extending perpendicularly from the wall side 142 away from the exposed side 144 at the first panel attaching side 150 and a second portion 152B extending from and angled relative to the first portion 152A. The second interface flange 172 may include a first portion 172A extending perpendicularly from the wall side 162 away from the exposed side 164 at the second panel attaching side 170 and a second portion 172B extending from and angled relative to the first portion 172A. The first portion 172A of the second interface flange 172 may be configured to be positioned adjacent to the first portion 152A of the first interface flange 152 when the first and second panels 140, 160 are positioned adjacent to each other and resting on the base 120. The second portion 172B of the second interface flange 172 may be configured to be positioned adjacent to the second portion 152B of the first interface flange 152 when the first and second panels 140, 160 are positioned adjacent to each other and resting on the base 120. In certain optional embodiments, the third panel 180 may be a mirror of the second panel 160. The third panel 180 may include a third panel attaching side 190 configured to be positioned adjacent to and interact with a mirror panel attaching side 156 of the first panel 140 when it is desired to have three walls as part of the bathing unit 100. This can be accomplished by the third panel 180 having a third interface flange, similar to the second interface flange 172, and the third panel 180 having a mirror interface flange, similar to the first interface flange 152.

The first interface flange 152 may further include a third portion 152C extending from and angled relative to the second portion 152B. The second interface flange 172 may further include a third portion 172C extending from and angled relative to the second portion 172B. The third portion 172C of the second interface flange 172 may be configured to be adjacent to the third portion 152C of the first interface flange 152 when the first and second panels 140, 160 are positioned adjacent to each other and resting on the base 120. In certain optional embodiments, the third portion 152C of the first interface flange 152 may be parallel to and offset from the first portion 152A of the first interface flange 152. Likewise, the third portion 172C of the second interface flange 172 may be parallel to and offset from the first portion 172A of the second interface flange 172.

The first interface flange 152 may further include a lip portion 152D extending from and angled relative to the third portion 152C. The lip portion 152D may extend in a direction opposite to that of the second portion 152B of the first interface flange 152. The second portion 152B of the first interface flange 152 and the lip portion 152D of the first interface flange 152 may be oriented perpendicular to both the first portion 152A and the third portion 152C of the first interface flange 152. In other optional embodiments, the second portion 152B of the first interface flange 152 and the lip portion 152D of the first interface flange 152 may be oriented at some angle other than perpendicular to both the first portion 152A and the third portion 152C of the first interface flange 152. The second portion 172B of the second interface flange 172 may be oriented perpendicular to both the first portion 172A and the third portion 172C of the second interface flange 172. In other optional embodiments, the second portion 172B of the second interface flange 172 may be oriented at some angle other than perpendicular to both the first portion 172A and the third portion 172C of the second interface flange 172.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the third portion 152C of the first interface flange 152 may include an indentation 154 configured to define a channel when the first and second panels 140, 160 are positioned adjacent to each other and resting on the base 120. The channel may be shaped to direct water toward the collection area 122 of the base 120.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12-13, the lip portion 152D of the first interface flange 152 may be configured to overlap one of the first lip 130 or the second lip 132 of the base 120 when the first panel 140 is resting on the base 120. In certain optional embodiments, the first panel primary flange 148 may be shaped to engage at least a portion of the second edge 126 of the base 120.

The base 120 may further include a first ledge 136 extending along and defined between the first edge 124 and the first lip 130. The base 120 may further include a second ledge 138 extending along and defined between the second edge 126 and the second lip 132. The base 120 may further include a third ledge extending along and defined between the third edge 128 and the third lip 134. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the first panel primary flange 148 may be shaped to engage at least the first ledge 136 of the base 120 when the first and second panels 140, 160 are positioned adjacent to each other and resting on the base 120. The second panel primary flange 168 may be shaped to engage at least the second edge 126 of the base 120 when the first and second panels 140, 160 are positioned adjacent to each other and resting on the base 120.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7, the first panel 140 may further include a first panel secondary flange 158 extending from the wall side 142 away from the exposed side 144 and positioned above the first panel primary flange 148. The first panel secondary flange 158 may be shaped to engage at least the first lip 130 of the base 120. The first panel primary flange 148 and the first panel secondary flange 158 may work in conjunction to provide two layers of protection for creating a watertight seal. As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 12, the second panel 160 includes a second panel secondary flange 178 extending from the wall side 162 away from the exposed side 164 and positioned above the first panel primary flange 168. The second panel secondary flange 178 may be shaped to engage at least the second lip 132 of the base 120. The second panel primary flange 168 and the second panel secondary flange 178 may work in conjunction to provide two layers of protection for creating a watertight seal.

In certain optional embodiments, a length of the first panel secondary flange 158 may be greater than a length of the first panel primary flange 148. In other optional embodiments, the length of the first panel secondary flange 158 may be less than or equal to the length of the first panel primary flange 148. In certain optional embodiments, a length of the second panel secondary flange 178 may be greater than a length of the second panel primary flange 168. In other optional embodiments, the length of the second panel secondary flange 178 may be less than or equal to the length of the second panel primary flange 168.

In certain optional embodiments, the first panel primary flange 148 may be spaced apart from the first panel secondary flange 158 by a distance greater than a length of the first panel primary flange 148. In other optional embodiments, the first panel primary flange 148 may be spaced apart from the first panel secondary flange 158 by a distance greater than twice the length of the first panel primary flange 148. In further optional embodiments, the first panel primary flange 148 may be spaced apart from the first panel secondary flange 158 by a distance less than or equal to the length of the first panel primary flange 148. In certain optional embodiments, the second panel primary flange 168 may be spaced apart from the second panel secondary flange 178 by a distance greater than a length of the second panel primary flange 168. In other optional embodiments, the second panel primary flange 168 may be spaced apart from the second panel secondary flange 178 by a distance greater than twice the length of the second panel primary flange 168. In further optional embodiments, the second panel primary flange 168 may be spaced apart from the second panel secondary flange 178 by a distance less than or equal to the length of the second panel primary flange 168.

In certain optional embodiments, a height of the first lip 130 may be greater than three times a length of the first panel primary flange 148. In other optional embodiments, the height of the first lip 130 may be greater than two times the length of the first panel primary flange 148. In further optional embodiments, the height of the first lip 130 may be greater than four times the length of the first panel primary flange 148. In certain optional embodiments, a height of the second lip 132 may be greater than three times a length of the second panel primary flange 168. In other optional embodiments, the height of the second lip 132 may be greater than two times the length of the second panel primary flange 168. In further optional embodiments, height of the second lip 132 may be greater than four times the length of the second panel primary flange 168. The height of the first and second lips in conjunction with the primary and secondary flanges of the first and second panels helps create a watertight seal.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, first edge 124 may include a plurality of first indentations 125. As illustrated in FIGS. 6-7, the first panel primary flange 148 may include a plurality of first protrusions 149 configured to interact with the plurality of first indentations 125. The interaction between the plurality of first protrusions 149 and the plurality of first indentations 125 ensures a tight fit between the first panel 140 and the base 120 such that a watertight seal between the first panel primary and secondary flanges 148, 158 is created with the first lip 130.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2-3, the second edge 126 may include a plurality of second indentations 127. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the second panel primary flange 168 may include a plurality of second protrusions 169 configured to interact with the plurality of second indentations 127. The interaction between the plurality of second protrusions 169 and the plurality of second indentations 127 ensures a tight fit between the second panel 160 and the base 120 such that a watertight seal between the second panel primary and secondary flanges 168, 178 is created with the second lip 132.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12-13, the second panel secondary flange 178 may include a first flange portion 178A and a second flange portion 178B. The first flange portion 178A may be shaped to engage at least the second lip 132 of the base 120. The second flange portion 178B may be shaped to engage the lip portion 152D of the first interface flange 152. As such, the second flange portion 178B may have a length less than that of the first flange portion 178A.

The third panel 180, when included, may be a mirror of the second panel 160 and include features similar to those of the second panel even though not directly discussed or numbered. Likewise, the third edge 128 of the base 120 may be a mirror of the second edge 126 of the base 120 and include features similar to those of the second edge 126.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2-3 and 5-6, the first panel 140 may include an upper portion 140A and a lower portion 140B. Each of the upper portion 140A and the lower portion 140B may be configured to define the first panel attaching side 150 and the mirror panel attaching side 156 when mated together. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the upper portion 140A may overlap the lower portion 140B and may define a shelf. The first panel 140 may be divided into the upper portion 140A and the lower portion 140B in order to reduce packaging size and shipping costs. Each of the upper portion 140A and the lower portion 140B may be similar in size to the second panel 160.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, the base 120 may be utilized without the first, second, or third panels 140, 160, 180 when tile is preferred in leu of the first, second, and/or third panels 140, 160, 180. In such an embodiment, the ledges 136, 138 may support the backer board 196 (e.g., sheet rock, drywall, or the like) to which the tile 198 is attached. The ledge may have a thickness similar to that of the backer board 196.

Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take at least the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context dictates otherwise. The meanings identified below do not necessarily limit the terms, but merely provide illustrative examples for the terms. The meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” may include plural references, and the meaning of “in” may include “in” and “on.” The phrase “in one embodiment,” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

It will be understood that the particular embodiments described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. The principal features of this invention may be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.

All of the compositions and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein may be made and/or executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of the embodiments included herein, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope, and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

The previous detailed description has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of a new and useful invention, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this disclosure except as set forth in the following claims.