AU2011202379B1

AU2011202379B1 - Panel clamp assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2011202379B1
Application number: AU2011202379A
Authority: AU
Inventors: David Andrew Hills; Nigel Lapping
Original assignee: Ventora Group Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Ventora Group Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2011-05-23
Filing date: 2011-05-23
Publication date: 2011-09-15
Anticipated expiration: 2031-05-23

Abstract

PANEL CLAMP ASSEMBLY A panel clamp assembly (500, 600, 700) for clamping an edge portion of a panel (30, 40) includes a mounting block (510, 610, 710) having a mounting block body (611, 611, 711). The mounting block body (511, 611, 711) has a first body side and an opposing second body side. A first clamp element (520) has a proximal portion (521), mountable on a first body face (511 a, 611 a, 711 a) and a distal portion (522) extending, in use, beyond the first body side. A second clamp element (520, 630) has a proximal portion (521), mountable on or integrally formed with the second body side, and a distal portion (522) extending, in use, beyond the second body side. The second clamp element (520, 630) faces the first clamp element (520). A fastener (350) is mounted through and engages the first clamp element (520) and is mounted through the mounting block body (511, 611, 711) so as to draw the first clamp element (520) toward the second clamp element (520, 630) upon tightening of the fastener (350) to clamp an edge portion of a panel (30, 40) between the first and second clamp elements (520, 630). The first clamp element (520, 630) comprises a first leaf formed of a resilient metal. The first leaf is of a non-planar form configured such that the distal portion (522) of the first leaf extends towards the second clamp element (520) such that, when clamping the edge portion of the panel (30, 40), the distal portion (522) of the first leaf (520) is elastically deformed in a b direction away from the second clamp element (520, 620).

Description

S&F Ref: 998620 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name and Address JELD-WEN Australia Pty Ltd, of Truganini Cottage, 38 of Applicant: 46 South Street, Rydalmere, New South Wales, 2116, Australia Actual Inventor(s): Nigel Lapping David Andrew Hills Address for Service: Spruson & Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 35 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Invention Title: Panel clamp assembly The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 5845c(4904684_1) PANEL CLAMP ASSEMBLY Technical Field The present invention relates to a panel clamp assembly and in particular relates 5 to, but is not limited to, a panel clamp assembly for a glass panel of a shower screen system. Background of the Invention Various forms of panel bracket assemblies are known for securing glass panels, such as glass shower screen panels of shower screen systems. A common form of bracket 1o assembly utilises a pair of opposing bracket elements with a fastener that extends through apertures provided in each of the bracket elements and an aperture formed towards the edge of the glass panel. The need to form apertures in the glass panel limits flexibility in forming the shower screen system and the need to position the bracket elements at the exact location of the preformed apertures. 15 Various forms of panel clamp assembly have also previously been proposed which clamp opposing faces of a glass panel without the need for a preformed aperture extending through the glass panel. However, various previously proposed systems are believed to potentially provide an inadequate clamping force to securely mount the glass panel. 20 Various previously proposed panel bracket and clamp assemblies are also limited in flexibility in relation to mounting such assemblies on frames, such as header rails and sills to which the upper and lower edge portions of the shower screen panels are typically mounted. 25 Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate at least one or more of the above disadvantages. Summary of the Invention 30 In a first aspect, the present invention provides a panel clamp assembly for clamping an edge portion of a panel, said panel clamp assembly comprising: a mounting block having a mounting block body, said mounting block body having a first body side and an opposing second body side; 2 a first clamp element having a proximal portion, mountable on a first body face formed on said first body side, and a distal portion extending, in use, beyond said first body side; a second clamp element having a proximal portion, mountable on or integrally 5 formed with said second body side, and a distal portion extending, in use, beyond said second body side, said second clamp element facing said first clamp element; a fastener mounted through and engaging said first clamp element and mounted through said mounting block body so as to draw said first clamp element toward said second clamp element upon tightening of said fastener to clamp an edge portion of a io panel between said first and second clamp elements, in use; wherein said first clamp element comprises a first leaf formed of a resilient metal, said first leaf being of a non-planar form configured such that said distal portion of said first leaf extends towards said second clamp element such that, when clamping the edge portion of the panel, said distal portion of said first leaf is elastically deformed in a is direction away from said second clamp element. In at least one embodiment, said second clamp element comprises a second leaf formed of a resilient metal, said proximal portion of said second leaf being mountable on a second body face formed on said second body side, said second leaf being of a non planar form configured such that said distal portion of said second leaf extends towards 20 said first clamp element such that, when clamping the edge portion of the panel, said distal portion of said second leaf is elastically deformed in a direction away from said first clamp element. In one form, said resilient metal is spring steel. In an alternate form, said resilient metal is stainless steel. 25 Typically, said mounting block has a longitudinally extending mounting formation extending from said mounting block body and configured to slidingly engage a track. Preferably, an aperture is provided in said mounting formation for receipt of a fastener that is engageable with the track to fix said mounting block to the track. 30 In one form, said mounting formation comprises a mounting neck projecting from said face and a mounting head formed on said mounting neck. Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way 35 of an example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: 3 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fully assembled shower screen system; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a rail assembly of the shower screen system of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the primary rail element of the rail assembly s of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the secondary rail element of the rail assembly of the shower screen system of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a sill assembly of the shower screen system of Figure 1; 10 Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the primary sill element of the sill assembly of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the secondary rail element of the secondary rail assembly of Figure 5; Figure 8a is an exploded perspective view of the upper pivoting clamp assembly 15 of the shower screen system of Figure 1; Figure 8b is an exploded perspective view of the upper pivoting clamp assembly of Figure 8a in a partly assembled form; Figure 8c is a cross-sectional view of the upper pivoting clamp assembly of Figure 8a in an assembled and installed form; 20 Figure 9a is an exploded perspective view of the lower pivoting clamp assembly of the shower screen system of Figure 1; Figure 9b is an exploded perspective view of the lower pivoting clamp assembly of Figure 9a in a partly assembled form; Figure 9c is a cross-sectional view of the lower pivoting clamp assembly of 25 Figure 9a in an assembled and installed form; Figure 1 Oa is an exploded perspective view of the primary upper clamp assembly of the shower screen system of Figure 1; Figure lOb is a perspective view of the primary upper clamp assembly of Figure 1Oa in a partly assembled form; 30 Figure 1Oc is a perspective view of the primary upper clamp assembly of Figure 1Oa in an assembled and installed form; Figure 1Od is a cross-sectional view of the primary upper clamp assembly of Figure 1Oa in the assembled and installed form; Figure 11 a is an exploded perspective view of the secondary upper clamp 35 assembly of the shower screen system of Figure 1; 4 Figure 11 b is a perspective view of the secondary upper clamp assembly of Figure II a in a partly assembled form; Figure 11 c is a perspective view of the secondary upper clamp assembly of Figure 11 a in an assembled and installed form; 5 Figure IId is a cross-sectional view of the secondary upper clamp assembly of Figure 11a in an assembled form; Figure 11 e is a cross-sectional view of the secondary upper clamp assembly of Figure 11 a in an assembled and installed form; Figure 12a is an exploded perspective view of the lower fixed clamp assembly of 10 the shower screen system of Figure 1; Figure 12b is a perspective view of the lower fixed clamp assembly of Figure 12a in an assembled form installed on a primary sill element; Figure 12c is a cross-sectional view of the lower fixed clamp assembly of Figure 12a in the assembled form installed on the primary sill element; is Figure 13a is a perspective view of the lower fixed clamp assembly of Figure 12a in the assembled form installed on a secondary sill element; Figure 13b is a cross-sectional view of the lower fixed clamp assembly of Figure 12a in the assembled form installed on the secondary sill element. 20 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments A shower screen system, including several clamp assemblies according to preferred embodiments of the present invention, is depicted in an assembled state in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings. The shower screen system comprises a first shower screen wall 10, forming a door side of the shower screen system, and a second 25 shower screen wall 20, forming a return side of the shower screen system. The first and second shower screen walls 10, 20 are mutually inclined, here by 90*, so as to form a rectangular shower enclosure when installed against two perpendicular building walls meeting at a corner of the room in which the shower screen system is installed. It is also envisaged, however, that the shower screen system may 30 comprise only the first shower screen wall 10, extending between opposing walls of a shower enclosure having three fixed building walls. Each of the shower screen walls 10, 20 comprises a substantially rectangular primary panel 30 and a substantially rectangular secondary panel 40 that are each mounted between an longitudinally extending upper rail assembly 100 and a 35 longitudinally extending lower sill assembly 200. In the specific arrangement depicted, 5 each primary panel 30 has a width of 600 to 750 mm depending on the general size of the shower enclosure, and a height that is here 1830 mm. In the specific arrangement depicted, each secondary panel 40 has a width of 220 to 400 mm, depending on the general size of the shower enclosure, and a height of 1810 mm, being 20 mm shorter than 5 each of the primary panels 30, as a result of the different manner in which the secondary panels 40 are mounted as will be discussed below. The height and width of the primary and secondary panels 30, 40 may be adapted to suit as desired. The primary panel 30 of the first shower screen wall 10 is here in the form of a pivoting door, allowing entry to the shower enclosure. to Each of the primary and secondary panels 30, 40 will typically be formed of clear glass, however it is also envisaged that the primary and/or secondary panels 30, 40 might be translucent, patterned or formed of other materials such as clear or translucent plastics materials. Wall jambs 50 are secured to the building walls of the room into which the 15 shower screen system is to be formed, and are each provided with a vertically extending channel for receiving the side edge of one of the secondary panels 40 and upper and lower brackets defining recesses for receiving the ends of the rail assembly 100 and sill assembly 200 respectively, securing the same to the building wall. The channel is typically sealed to the wall with a silicone sealant and fasteners whilst the upper and 20 lower brackets are typically fixed to the wall with fasteners. Adjacent side edges of the two primary panels 30, defining adjacent edges of the first and second shower screen walls 10, 20 are each fitted with seal strips 60 that engage to seal the gap joint between the two primary panels 30 when the primary panel 30 of the first shower screen wall 10 (being in the form of a pivoting door as noted above) is closed. The seal strips 60 may 25 conveniently be provided with magnetic inserts to mutually attract the seal strips, thereby ensuring sealing engagement between the seal strips 60. An upper connector 70 connects the rail assembly 100 of the first shower screen wall 10 to the rail assembly 100 of the second shower screen wall 20 such that the rail assemblies 100 are mutually inclined, here by 90 degrees. Similarly, a lower connector 80 30 connects the sill assembly 200 of the first shower screen wall 10 to the sill assembly 200 of the second shower screen wall 20 such that the sill assemblies 200 are mutually inclined, again here by 90 degrees such that the first and second shower screen walls 10, 20 are mutually inclined by 90 degrees to define a rectangular shower enclosure with the building walls.

6 Referring to Figures 2 to 4, each rail assembly 100 comprises a longitudinally extending primary rail element 110 and a longitudinally extending secondary rail element 120. Each of the primary and secondary rail elements 110, 120 is formed with a constant cross-section, here being extruded from aluminium. The cross-sections of the primary 5 and secondary rail elements 110, 120 are such that, as depicted in Figure 2, the secondary rail element 120 may be mounted to the primary rail element 110 in a telescoping manner. Specifically, in the arrangement depicted, the cross-section of the primary rail element 110 fits wholly within the cross-section of the secondary rail element 120. As can again be best appreciated in Figure 2, the majority of the outer periphery of the cross-section of io the primary rail element 110 fits closely to the inner periphery of the cross-section of the secondary rail element 120 so as to provide a relatively snug fit, whilst maintaining sufficient clearance to enable a smooth telescoping action between the primary rail element 110 and secondary rail element 120 to adjust the overall length of the rail assembly 100. is A longitudinally extending primary rail track 112 is formed as a downwardly opening, undercut channel in the lower face 111 of the primary rail element 110. A pair of opposing flanges 113 extend partly across the opening of the primary rail track 112 at the lower face Ill so as to define internal shoulders 114 running along the length of the primary rail track 112. The upper face 115 of the primary rail element 110 is provided 20 with a longitudinally extending recess 116 running along its length. The primary rail element 110 has a plane of symmetry extending through the centre of the primary rail track 112 and recess 116. A longitudinally extending secondary rail track 122 is formed as a downwardly opening, undercut channel in the lower face 121 of the secondary rail element 120. A 25 pair of opposing flanges 123 extend partly across the opening of the secondary rail track 122 at the lower face 121 so as to define internal shoulders 124 running along the length of the secondary rail track 122. The upper face 125 of the secondary rail element is provided with a longitudinally extending recess 126 running along its length. The secondary rail element 120 has a plane of symmetry extending through the centre of the 30 secondary rail track 122 and recess 126. When assembling the rail assemblies 100, each primary rail element 110 is telescopingly received in the secondary rail element 120 in the manner depicted in Figure 2. The resulting rail assembly 100 is then lifted and the end of the secondary rail element 120 located in the upper bracket of the wall jamb 50 that is fixed to the wall. The primary 35 rail elements 110 are then slid through the respective secondary rail elements 120 so as to 7 adjust the length of each rail assembly 100 until the primary rail elements 110 are able to be accurately connected by way of the upper connector 70, which will generally be configured to have each of its two mutually inclined ends received within the ends of the primary rail elements 110, or otherwise fitted over the ends of the primary rail elements s 110. The primary and secondary rail elements 110, 120 are then typically fixed to each other by way of one or more grub screws (not depicted) that extend through an aperture (again not depicted) formed within the recess 126 of the secondary rail element 120 to engage the underlying surface of the recess 116 of the primary rail element 110. If more secure fixing is desired, a hole may be drilled through the bases of the recesses 126, 116 10 and a screw threaded through the hole to positively secure the primary and secondary rail elements 110, 120. As a result of the telescoping configuration of the rail assembly 100, standard prefabricated primary and secondary rail elements 110, 120 can be used to accurately fit a range of shower enclosure sizes. The fitted rail assemblies 100 will typically be propped up until they are fully supported by the primary and secondary is panels 30, 40. Next referring specifically to Figures 5 to 7, each sill assembly 200 comprises a longitudinally extending primary sill element 210 and a longitudinally extending secondary sill element 220. Each of the primary and secondary sill elements 210, 220 is formed with a constant cross-section, here being extruded from aluminium. The cross 20 sections of the primary and secondary sill elements 210, 220 are such that, as depicted in Figure 5, the secondary sill element 220 may be mounted to the primary sill element 210 in a telescoping manner. Specifically, in the arrangement depicted, the cross-section of the secondary sill element 220 fits over the cross-section of the primary sill element 210. As can again be appreciated in Figure 5, the majority of the upper periphery of the cross 25 section of the primary sill element 210 fits closely to the lower periphery of the cross section of the secondary sill element 220, so as to provide a relatively snug fit to enable a smooth telescoping action between the primary sill element 210 and secondary sill element 220 to adjust the overall length of the sill assembly 200. In the present specification, the terms "front" and "rear" will be utilised to 30 describe various features, for convenience, with "front" equating to the side of either shower screen wall 10, 20 that faces the exterior of the shower enclosure and the "rear" equating to the side of either shower screen wall 10, 20 that faces the interior of the shower enclosure. The cross-section of the primary sill element 210 comprises an upright front wall 35 211 that extends upwardly to a horizontal upper wall 212 that extends rearwardly over an 8 upright intermediate wall 213 from which rearwardly extends a horizontal mid wall 214 that in turn extends rearwardly to a downwardly depending rear wall 215. A pair of opposing flanges 216a, 216b extend vertically from the upper wall 212 and mid wall 214 respectively across the opening of a primary sill track 218 formed as a rearwardly 5 opening, undercut channel, facing rearwardly from the intermediate wall 213. The flanges 216a, 216b define internal shoulders 217a, 217b, running along the length of the primary sill track 218. The cross-section of the secondary sill element 220 comprises an upright front wall 221 that extends upwardly to a curved upper wall 222. A horizontal mid wall 224 to extends rearwardly from partway up the front wall 221 to the top of an upright intermediate wall 223 which extends downwardly to a horizontal lower wall 229 that in turn extends rearwardly to a downwardly depending rear wall 225. A pair of opposing flanges 226a, 226b extend vertically from the upper wall 222 and mid wall 224 respectively across the opening of a secondary sill track 228 formed as a rearwardly is opening undercut channel facing rearwardly from the front wall 221. The flanges 226a, 226b define internal shoulders 227a, 227b running along the length of the secondary sill track 228. As depicted in Figure 5, the cross-section of the primary sill element 210 fits entirely within the cross-section of the secondary sill element 220 with the front wall 211 20 of the primary sill element 210 fitting behind the front wall 221 of the secondary sill element 220, the upper wall 212 of the primary sill element 210 fitting directly beneath the mid wall 224 of the secondary sill element 220, the flanges 216a, 216b of the primary sill element 210 fitting immediately forward of the intermediate wall 223 of the secondary sill element 220, the mid wall 214 of the primary sill element 210 fitting immediately 25 beneath the lower wall 229 of the secondary sill element 220 and the rear wall 215 of the primary sill element 210 fitting immediately forward of the rear wall 225 of the secondary sill element 220. When assembling each sill assembly 200, the secondary sill element 220 is telescopingly mounted on top of the primary sill element 210 in the manner depicted in 30 Figure 5. The resulting sill assembly 200 is then laid on the floor of the shower enclosure with the end of the secondary sill element 220 located in the lower bracket of the wall jamb 50 that is fixed to the wall. The primary sill elements 210 are then slid along the respective secondary sill element 220 so as to adjust the length of each sill assembly 200 until the primary sill elements 210 are able to be accurately connected by way of the 35 lower connector 80, which will generally be configured to have each of its two mutually 9 inclined ends received within the ends of the primary sill elements 210, or otherwise fitted over the ends of the primary sill elements 210. The primary and secondary sill elements 210, 220 may then be fixed to each other if desired by way of grub screws or the like. However, this will generally not be required, given that the weight of the primary and 5 secondary panels 30, 40 and the typical bead of sealant that will be used to seal and bond the sill assemblies 200 to the floor, will generally be more than sufficient to hold the primary and secondary sill elements 210, 220 in a fixed relationship. As a result of the telescoping configuration of the sill assemblies 200, standard prefabricated primary and secondary sill elements 210, 220 can be used to accurately fit a range of shower enclosure 10 sizes. Out of plumb walls are even allowed for, as the sill assemblies 200 may be adjusted to a different length to that of the rail assemblies 100 if required. The primary and secondary panels 30, 40 are each mounted between the upper rail assembly 100 and lower sill assembly 200 of the respective shower screen wall 10, 20 by way of at least one upper clamp assembly engaging the adjacent rail assembly 100 and is the upper edge portion of the respective panel and at least one lower clamp assembly engaging the adjacent sill assembly 200 and the lower edge portion of the respective panel. In the arrangement depicted, the primary panel 30 of the first shower screen wall 10 is configured as a shower screen door and, accordingly, the primary panel 30 is 20 pivotably mounted between the rail assembly 100 and sill assembly 200 of the first shower screen wall 10. Specifically, the primary panel 30 of the first shower screen wall 10 is mounted by way of a primary upper clamp assembly that is in the form of an upper pivoting clamp assembly 300. The upper pivoting clamp assembly 300 clamps an upper edge portion 30a of the primary panel 30 and slidingly engages the primary rail track 112 25 of the rail assembly 100 of the first shower screen wall 10. The primary panel 30 of the first shower screen wall 10 is also mounted by way of a primary lower clamp assembly that is in the form of a lower pivoting clamp assembly 400. The lower pivoting clamp assembly 400 clamps a lower edge portion 30b of the primary panel 30 and slidingly engages the primary sill track 218 of the sill assembly 200 of the first shower screen wall 30 10. The primary panel 30 of the second shower screen wall 20 is configured as a fixed panel and, accordingly, the primary panel 30 is fixedly mounted between the rail assembly 100 and sill assembly 200 of the second shower screen wall 20. Specifically, the primary panel 30 of the second shower screen wall 20 is mounted by way of two 35 spaced primary upper clamp assemblies 500, each clamping an upper edge portion 30a of 10 the primary panel 30 and slidingly engaging the primary rail track 112 of the rail assembly 100 of the second shower screen wall 20. The fixed primary panel 30 is also mounted by way of two spaced primary lower clamp assemblies that are in the form of lower fixed clamp assemblies 600. The lower fixed clamp assemblies 600 clamp a lower s edge portion 30b of the primary panel 30 and slidingly engage the primary sill track 218 of the sill assembly 200 of the second shower screen wall 20. In the arrangement depicted, the secondary panel 40 of each of the first and second shower screen walls 10, 20 is configured as a fixed panel. Each of the fixed secondary panels 40 is fixedly mounted between the rail assembly 100 and sill assembly 10 200 of the respective shower screen wall 10, 20. Specifically, each secondary panel 40 is mounted by way of a secondary upper clamp assembly 700 clamping an upper edge portion 40a of the secondary panel 40 and slidingly engaging the secondary rail track 122 of the respective rail assembly 100. Each secondary panel 40 is also mounted by way of a secondary lower clamp assembly that is there again in the form of the lower fixed clamp 15 assembly 600 as is used with the fixed primary panel 30 of the second shower screen wall 20. The lower fixed clamp assembly 600 clamps a lower edge portion 40b of each secondary panel 40 and slidingly engages the secondary sill track 228 of the sill assembly 200 of the respective shower screen wall 10, 20. Detail of the upper pivoting clamp assembly 300 is depicted in Figures 8a 20 through 8c. The upper pivoting clamp assembly 300 comprises a mounting block 310, first clamp element 320, opposing second clamp element 330, two gaskets 340, two bolts 350, two sleeve nuts 355, a first cover 360 and an opposing second cover 370 (which here is identical to the first cover 360). These components are depicted in an exploded form in Figure 8a, partly assembled form in Figure 8b and fully assembled form engaging the 25 primary rail element 110 of the first shower screen wall 10 and clamping the upper edge portion 30a of the pivoting primary panel 30 of the first shower screen wall 10 in Figure 8c. The mounting block 310 is typically moulded from plastics material and comprises a mounting block body 311 on the top face 312 of which is formed a 30 longitudinally extending mounting formation 313 configured to slidingly engage, and interlock with, the primary rail track 112 as depicted in Figure 8c. The mounting formation 313 here comprises a longitudinally extending mounting neck 314 projecting from the top face 312 of the mounting block body 311 and a longitudinally extending mounting head 315 formed on top of the mounting neck 314. The mounting neck 314 and 35 mounting head 315 have a constant cross-section which, as is best appreciated in Figure 11 8c, matches the cross-section of the primary rail track 112 of the primary rail element 110. Specifically, the mounting neck 314 substantially fills the opening of the primary rail track 112 whilst the mounting head 315 substantially fills the interior of the channel defining the primary rail track 112. The opposing side edge portions of the mounting head 5 315 define shoulders 316 which engage the shoulders 113 of the primary rail track 112 so as to captively retain the mounting head 315 within the primary rail track 112, whilst still enabling the mounting head 315 to slide along the primary rail track 112. As is best seen in Figure 8c, the mounting head 315 is offset from the centre of the mounting block body 311, overhanging the front face 311 b of the mounting block body such that the primary 10 panel 30 extends along a primary panel plane P that is laterally offset rearwardly from the central axis of symmetry of the primary rail element 110. The mounting block body 311 is also provided with a downwardly facing cylindrical recess 317 (best depicted in Figure 8c). The first clamp element 320 is again typically moulded from plastics material is and comprises a generally planar body 321 from an inner face of which projects a boss 322 having two cylindrical apertures 323 extending therethrough. An upwardly facing cylindrical spigot 324 extends upwardly from the boss 322 and, as depicted in Figure 8c, is received in the recess 317 of the mounting block body 311. The second clamp element 330 is again typically moulded of plastics material 20 and comprises a generally planar body 331 from an inner face of which projects a boss 332 having two elongate cross-sectioned apertures 333 extending therethrough. Two elongate cross-sectioned counterbores 334 are formed in the outer face of the body 331 extending from the apertures 333. The gaskets 340 are generally U-shaped, having a cutout configured to extend 25 about the bosses 322, 332 of the first and second clamp element 320, 330. The gaskets 340 will typically be formed of rubber or a similar elastomeric material both to provide grip against, and protect, the surface of the primary panel 30. The sleeve nuts 355 (not depicted in Figure 8c) each have a non-circular cross sectioned, elongate body that matches the elongate cross-section of the apertures 333 of 30 the second clamp element 330 so as to prevent rotation of the sleeve nuts 355 and a head that is similarly non-circular and shaped to be received within the counterbores 334 of the second clamp element 330. The first cover 360 is configured to be clipped onto the first clamp element 320 by way of clips 361, so as to cover the first clamp element 320 and bolts 350. Similarly, 12 the identical second cover 370 is configured to be clipped over the second clamp element 330 by way of clips 371 so as to cover the second clamp element 330 and sleeve nuts 355. The upper pivoting clamp assembly is used to mount the pivoting primary panel 30 onto the primary rail element 110 of the first shower screen wall 10 by first slidingly 5 receiving the mounting head 315 within the primary rail track 112. This is carried out before fitting the rail assembly 100 in the shower enclosure as discussed above. Once the rail assembly 100 is fitted to the shower enclosure, the mounting head 315 is slid along the primary rail track 112 into the appropriate position for pivotally mounting the pivoting primary panel 30. An elongate cut-out is formed towards one side of the top edge portion 10 30a of the pivoting primary panel 30, in which is received the boss 322 of the first clamping element 320, with a gasket 340 positioned between the rear face of the pivoting primary panel 30 and the inner face of the body 321 of the first clamping element 320. The spigot 324 of the first primary clamp element 320 is received within the recess 317 of the mounting block 310. The second clamp element 330 is then mounted on the front is face of the pivoting primary panel 30, again with a gasket 340 located between the inner face of the body 331 of the second clamp element 330 and the pivoting primary panel 30 and with the boss 332 of the second clamp element received in the cut-out formed in the primary panel 30. The apertures 323, 333 of the first and second clamp elements 320, 330 are aligned and the bolts 350 inserted through the apertures 323 and threaded into the 20 sleeve nuts 355 that are located within the apertures 333. The bolts 350 are tensioned so as to clamp the upper edge portion 30a of the pivoting primary panel 30, fixing it in place. The first and second covers 360, 370 are then clipped onto the first and second clamp elements 320, 330 so as to complete the mounting. Detail of the lower pivoting clamp assembly 400 is depicted in Figures 9a 25 through 9c. The lower pivoting clamp assembly 400 is depicted in an exploded form in Figure 9a, partly assembled form in Figure 9b and fully assembled form engaging the primary sill element 210 of the first shower screen wall 10 and clamping the lower edge portion 30b of the pivoting primary panel 30 of the first shower screen wall 10 in Figure 9c. 30 The lower pivoting clamp assembly 400 is identical to the upper pivoting clamp assembly 300, apart from substitution of an alternate mounting block 410 in place of the mounting block 310 of the upper pivoting clamp assembly 300 and the addition of a mounting block cover 480. Accordingly, the lower pivoting clamp assembly 400 includes the same first clamp element 320, second clamp element 330, gaskets 340, fasteners 350, 35 sleeve nuts 355 and identical first and second covers 360, 370 described above in relation 13 to the upper pivoting clamp assembly 300, except that each of these components is merely inverted and clamped to the lower edge portion 30b of the pivoting primary panel 30. A cut-out is formed in the lower edge portion 30b of the pivoting primary panel 30 directly beneath the cut-out formed in the upper edge portion 30a, thereby providing a single pivot 5 axis for the pivoting primary panel 30. The mounting block 410 of the lower pivoting clamp assembly 400 comprises a mounting block body 411 on the front face 411 b of which is formed a longitudinally extending mounting formation 413 configured to slidingly engage, and interlock with, the primary sill track 218 as depicted in Figure 9c. The mounting formation 413 here io comprises a longitudinally extending mounting neck 414 laterally projecting from the front face 411 b of the mounting block body 411 and a longitudinally extending mounting head 415 formed on the front of the mounting neck 414. The mounting neck 414 and mounting head 415 have a constant cross-section which, as is best appreciated in Figure 9c, matches the cross-section of the lower part of the primary sill track 218 of the primary is sill element 210. Specifically, the mounting neck 414 substantially fills the opening of the primary sill track 218 whilst the mounting head 415 substantially fills the lower half of the interior of the channel defining the primary sill track 218. The lower edge of the mounting head 415 defines a shoulder 416 which engages the lower shoulder 216b of the primary sill track 218 as to captively retain the mounting head 415 within the primary sill 20 track 218, whilst still enabling the mounting head 415 to slide along the primary rail track 218. The front face 41 lb of the mounting block body 410 is also shaped to engage the internal shoulders 227a, 227b defined by the flanges 226a, 226b of the primary sill element 410 to assist in locking the mounting formation 413 with the primary sill track 218. As is best seen in Figure 9c, the mounting block 410 is configured such that the 25 primary panel 30 extends along the primary panel plane P, offset toward the rear of the primary sill track 210. The mounting block body 411 is also provided with an upwardly facing cylindrical recess 417 (best depicted in Figure 9c) for receipt of the spigot 324 of the first clamp element 320. The mounting block body 410 is further provided with a recess 418 in its rear face 411 a, with an aperture (not visible in the representations) 30 extending through the mounting block body 410 from the recess 418 in the rear face 411 a through to the front face 411 b, aligned with the upper flange 216a of the primary sill element 210. The mounting block cover 480 is configured to cover the recess 418. The lower pivoting clamp assembly 400 is used to mount the lower edge portion 30b of the pivoting primary panel 30 to the primary sill element 210 in the same general 35 way as the upper pivoting clamp assembly 300 is used to mount the upper edge portion 14 30a to the primary rail element 110. The mounting head 415 is first slidingly received within the primary sill track 218 before fitting the sill assembly 200 in the shower enclosure as discussed above. Once the sill assembly 200 is fitted to the shower enclosure, the mounting block 410, and particularly the mounting head 415, is slid along s the primary sill track 218 into the appropriate position for pivotally mounting the pivoting primary panel 30. The remaining components of the lower pivoting clamp assembly 400 apart from the mounting block cover 480, are clamped on the lower edge portion 30b of the pivoting primary panel 30 in the same manner as discussed above in relation to the upper pivoting clamp assembly 300. 10 Once the pivoting primary panel 30 and upper and lower pivoting clamp assemblies 300, 400 have been properly positioned relative to the primary rail element 110 and primary sill element 210, the mounting blocks 310, 410 are fixed to the primary rail element 110 and primary sill element 210 respectively. This fixing may alternatively take place as soon as the mounting blocks 310, 410 are in position, before mounting the is pivoting primary panel 30. Referring to Figure 8c, a screw (not depicted) is threaded through the mounting block 310 of the upper pivoting clamp assembly 300, generally at the intersection of the mounting block body 311 and mounting formation 312, up through the primary rail track 112 and through the wall of the primary rail element 110 defining the upper extremity of 20 the primary rail track 112. Referring next to Figure 9c, the mounting block 410 of the lower pivoting clamp assembly 400 is fixed to the primary sill element 210 by way of a screw (which is again not depicted) which is threaded through the aperture extending through the recess 418 in the rear face 411 a of the mounting block body 410, out the front face 41 lb and into the upper flange 216a of the primary sill element 210. This positive 25 fixing of the upper and lower pivoting clamp assemblies 30, 400 is desired given the load that is applied to the pivoting clamp assemblies 300, 400 when pivoting the pivoting primary panel 30. Detail of one of the primary upper clamp assemblies 500, forming a panel clamp assembly according to a first embodiment, is depicted in Figures 1 Oa through I Od. The 30 primary upper clamp assembly 500 comprises a mounting block 510, opposing first and second clamp elements 520, two gaskets 540, two bolts 350 (as used with the upper and lower pivoting clamp assemblies 300, 400 discussed above), two sleeve nuts 355 (again as used with the upper and lower pivoting clamp assemblies 300, 400) a first cover 560 and an opposing second cover 570. These components are depicted in an exploded form 35 in Figure 1Oa (with the covers 560, 570 omitted), partly assembled form in Figure 1Ob, 15 fully assembled form clamping the upper edge portion 30a of the fixed primary panel 30 of the second shower screen wall 20 in Figure 1 Oc (with the primary rail element 110 omitted) and fully assembled form engaging the primary rail element 110 of the second shower screen wall 20 and clamping the upper edge portion 30a of the fixed primary 5 panel 30 of the second shower screen wall 20 in Figure 10d. The mounting block 510 is typically moulded from plastics material and comprises a mounting block body 511 on the top face 512 of which is formed a longitudinally extending mounting formation 513 configured to slidingly engage, and interlock with, the primary rail track 112 as depicted in Figure 1Od. The mounting to formation 513 here comprises a longitudinally extending mounting neck 514 projecting from the top face 512 of the mounting block body 511 and a longitudinally extending mounting head 515 formed on top of the mounting neck 514. The mounting neck 514 and mounting head 515 have a constant cross-section which, as is best appreciated in Figure 1Od, matches the cross-section of the primary rail track 112 of the primary rail element is 110. Specifically, the mounting neck 514 substantially fills the opening of the primary rail track 112 whilst the mounting head 515 substantially fills the interior of the channel defining the primary rail track 112. The opposing side edge portions of the mounting head 515 define shoulders 516 which engage the shoulders 113 of the primary rail track 112 so as to captively retain the mounting head 515 within the primary rail track 112, whilst still 20 enabling the mounting head 515 to slide along the primary rail track 112. As is best seen in Figure 1 Od, the mounting formation 513 is offset from the centre of the mounting block body 511, overhanging the front face 511 b of the mounting block body 511, such that the primary panel 30 extends along a primary panel plane P that is laterally offset rearwardly from the central axis of symmetry of the primary rail element 110. A mounting aperture 25 517 extends through the mounting head 515 and an overhanging portion of the mounting neck 514 that overhangs the mounting block body 511. The mounting block body 511 has planar, vertically extending rear and front faces 511 a, 511 b, defined on opposing sides of the mounting block body 511 and from each of which project a pair of differing diameter lugs 518. An elongate cross-sectioned 30 aperture 519, configured to receive the elongate cross-sectioned body of the sleeve nut 355, extends through the thickness of the mounting block body 511 onto each of the rear and front faces 511 a, 511 b, between the lugs 518. In the depicted embodiment, the first and second clamp elements 520 are identical and are in the form of leaves formed of a resilient metal, typically either spring 35 steel or stainless steel. Whilst spring steel is preferred for its high elastic stiffness, spring 16 like qualities, its susceptibility to corrosion if untreated result in stainless steel being a preferred material choice where corrosion is of concern, albeit typically having slightly less desirable elastic stiffness qualities. A suitable stainless steel is 304 grade stainless steel whilst a suitable spring steel is ASTM A689 spring steel. Various other grades will, 5 however, be equally suitable. The clamp elements 520 each have a proximal portion 521 that mates with the respective rear or front face 511 a, 511 b of the mounting block body 511 and a distal portion 522 that extends beyond the mounting block 510 for clamping the primary panel 30. The proximal portion 521 has a pair of differing diameter lug receiving apertures 523 that are located and sized to received the lugs 518 of the mounting block io 510. The lugs 518 ensure that the clamp elements 520 are held in a fixed position on the mounting block body 511, whilst the differing sizes of the lugs 518 and apertures 523 ensure that the clamp elements 520 can only be mounted on the rear and front faces 511 a, 511 b of the mounting block body 511 in one orientation with the inner face of the clamp element 520 against the face 511 a, 511 b of the mounting block body 511. An elongate is cross-sectioned aperture 524, sized and located to receive the elongate cross-sectioned body of the sleeve nut 355, is provided between the lug receiving apertures 523. Two smaller apertures 525 are located on the distal portion 522 for receiving locating lugs (not depicted) formed on the gaskets 540. The clamp elements 520 are not planar, but rather are each configured such that 20 the distal portion 522 is either curved or bent such that, approaching the distal edge 526 of the clamp element 520, the distal portion 522 is inclined with respect to the proximal portion 521 in a direction such that, when the clamp elements 520 are mounted on the rear and front faces 511 a, 511 b of the mounting block body 511 (without a panel therebetween). The distal portions 522 of each clamp element 520 extend towards each 25 other. As a result, the distal edges 526 of the two opposing clamp elements 520 are spaced a distance less than the distance between the proximal portions 521 (that being equal to the distance between the front and rear faces 511 a, 511 b of the mounting block body 511, which in turn is substantially equal to the thickness of the fixed primary panel 30). The proximal portions 521 will, however, typically be planar. 30 In the particular arrangement depicted, the clamp elements 520 are each formed of 1 mm thick sheet stainless steel, although thicknesses in the range of about 0.5 mm would also be suitable. The planar clamp elements 520 depicted each have an overall height of 18.75 mm, with half of the height forming the proximal portion 521 and the remaining half forming the distal portion 522. The distal portion 522 is curved through a 35 radius of 68.5 mm about an axis extending parallel to the distal edge 526, such that the 17 distal edge 526 is laterally offset by about 0.64 mm. Lateral offsets in a range of about 0.3 mm to 1.5 mm would also be suitable. The mounting block body 510 here has a thickness of about 7 mm between the rear and front faces 51la, 51 lb. This thickness is selected for mounting glass panels 5 about 5 to 6 mm thick (allowing for the thickness of the gaskets 540). The gaskets 540 are each shaped to cover the distal portion 522 of one of the clamp elements 520. The gaskets 440 will typically be formed of rubber or a similar elastomeric material both to provide grip against, and protect, the surface of the primary panel 30. io The first cover 560 is configured to be clipped over the first clamp element 520 and the rear face 511 a of the mounting block body 511, whilst the second cover 570 is configured to be clipped over the second clamp element 520 and the front face 51 lb of the mounting block body 511. The covers 560, 570 thus cover the mounting block body 510, clamp elements 520, bolt 350 and sleeve nut 355. 15 Two primary upper clamp assemblies 500 are used to fixedly mount the fixed primary panel 30 onto the primary rail element 110 of the second shower screen wall 20 by first slidingly receiving the mounting head 515 of each of the primary upper clamp assemblies 500 within the primary rail track 112. This is carried out before fitting the rail assembly 100 in the shower enclosure as discussed above. Once the rail assembly 100 is 20 fitted to the shower enclosure, the mounting heads 515 are slid along the primary rail track 112 into appropriate and aesthetically desirable positions toward each opposing edge of the fixed primary panel 30. No cut-outs or holes need be provided in the top edge portion 30a of the fixed primary panel 30. Once each mounting block 510 is in the desired position, it is secured to the primary rail element 110 by way of a grub screw (not 25 depicted) threaded through the mounting aperture 517 in the mounting formation 513 into engagement with the upper wall of the primary rail track 112. For each primary upper clamp assembly 500, the first clamp element 520 is mounted on the rear face 511 a of the mounting block body 511, with the lugs 518 received in the lug receiving apertures 523. One of the gaskets 540 is mounted on the 30 distal portion 522 of the first clamp element 520. The bolt 350 is then extended through the apertures 524 and 519 from the rear to hold the first clamp element 520 on the rear face 511 a. The rear face of the upper edge portion 30a of the fixed primary panel 30 is located against the gasket 520, and the second clamp element 520 and associated gasket 540 are then assembled such that the second clamp element 520 is mounted on the front 35 face 511 b of the mounting block body 511 and the gasket 540 is located against the front 18 face of the upper edge portion 30a of the fixed primary pane 30. The bolt 350 is then threaded into the sleeve nut 355, that is mounted through the aperture 524 of the second clamp element 520 and aperture 519 of the mounting block body body 511. The bolt 350 is then tightened, clamping the proximal portion 521 of each of the clamp elements 520 5 onto the mounting block body 521 and clamping the distal portion 522 of each of the clamp elements 520 onto the upper edge portion 30a of the fixed primary panel 30 (via the gaskets 540). The configuration of the clamp elements 520, particularly the non planar configuration with the distal edges 526 separated by less than the thickness of the primary panel 30 when in an unstressed state, results in the clamp elements 520 being io elastically deformed in a direction away from each other as the bolt 350 is tightened and the clamp elements 520 act to clamp the fixed primary panel 30. The high elastic stiffness of the steel material from which the clamp elements are formed provides a large clamping load as the clamp elements 520 are deformed during the clamping process, securely fixing the fixed primary panel 30. 15 After the bolt 350 has been adequately tightened, the covers 560, 570 are clipped over the clamp elements 520. Detail of one of the secondary upper clamp assemblies 700, forming a panel clamp assembly according to a second embodiment, is depicted in Figures 11 a through lI d. The secondary upper clamp assembly 700 comprises a mounting block 710, 20 opposing first and second clamp elements 520 (as used with the primary upper clamp assembly 500 discussed above), two gaskets 540 (again as used with the primary upper clamp assembly 500), two bolts 350 (as discussed above), two sleeve nuts 355 (again as discussed above), a first cover 760 and an opposing second cover 770. These components are depicted in an exploded form in Figure 1 Ia, partly assembled form in Figure 1 lb, 25 fully assembled form clamping the upper edge portion 40a of a fixed secondary panel 40 in Figure l Ic (with the secondary rail element 120 omitted), an assembled form without the fixed secondary panel 40 in Figure 1 d and a fully assembled form engaging the secondary rail element 120 and clamping the upper edge portion 40a of a fixed secondary panel 40 in Figure IIe. 30 The mounting block 710 is typically moulded from plastics material and is of a similar form to the mounting block 510 of the primary clamp assembly 500 discussed above. The mounting block 710 specifically comprises a mounting block body 711 on the top face 712 of which is formed a longitudinally extending mounting formation 713 configured to slidingly engage, and interlock with, the secondary rail track 122 as 35 depicted in Figure 1 e. The mounting formation 713 comprises a longitudinally 19 extending mounting neck 714 projecting from the top face 712 of the mounting block body 711 and a longitudinally extending mounting head 715 formed on top of the mounting neck 714. The mounting neck 714 and mounting head 715 have a constant cross-section, which as is best depicted in Figure I1e, matches the cross-section of the 5 secondary rail track as is best seen in Figure 11 e. The mounting formation 713 is offset from the centre of the mounting block body 711, overhanging the rear face 711 a of the mounting block body 711. The mounting formation 713 is offset rearwardly, as compared to the mounting formation 513 of the primary upper clamp assembly 500 which is offset forwardly. Accordingly, upon installation, the secondary panel 40 extends along 10 a secondary panel plane S that is laterally offset forwardly from the central axis of symmetry of the secondary rail element 120 and which is further offset from the primary panel plane P, which is itself offset rearwardly from the central axis of symmetry. This offset of the primary and secondary planes P, S, allows the primary panel 30 and secondary panel 40 of the second screen wall 20 to overlap, as shown in Figure 1. is A mounting aperture 717 extends through the mounting head 715 and an overhanging portion of the mounting neck 714 that overhangs the mounting block body 711. Similar to the mounting block body 511, the mounting block body 711 has planar, vertically extending rear and front faces 711 a, 711 b, from each of which project a 20 pair of differing diameter lugs 718 configured to mate with the lug-receiving apertures 523 of the clamp elements 520. Rather than being formed as a generally solid body as per the mounting block body 511, the mounting block body 711 is formed as an open frame type of body as best depicted in Figure 11 a. An elongate cross-sectioned aperture 719, configured to receive the elongate cross-sectioned body of the sleeve nut 355, extends 25 through the thickness of the mounting block body 711 onto each of the rear and front faces 711 a, 711 b between the lugs 718. As noted above, the clamp elements 520 are identical to those utilised with the primary upper clamp assembly 500 and mate with the respective front and rear faces 71 1a, 711 b of the mounting block body 711 in the same manner as discussed above in 30 relation to the primary upper clamp assembly 500. The non-planar nature of the clamp elements 520 discussed above is best depicted in Figure 11d which depicts the secondary upper clamp assembly 700 in an assembled form without a secondary panel 40 clamped between the clamp elements 520. As can be seen, when the bolt 350 and sleeve nut 355 secure the proximal portion 521 of each clamp element 520 against planar rear and front 35 faces 71 Ia, 711 b of the mounting block body 711, the distal portion 522 of each clamp 20 element 520 is inclined with respect to the proximal portion 521 as it approaches the distal edge 526 of the clamp element 520, as a result of a slight bend or curve formed in each of the clamp elements 520. As can be seen in Figure lId, the distal edges 526 of the two opposing clamp elements 520 are spaced a distance less than the distance between the 5 proximal portions 521 and, accordingly, are spaced a distance less than the thickness of the mounting block body 711 measured between the rear and front faces 711 a, 711 b. Accordingly, for the upper edge portion 40a of the secondary panel 40 to fit between the distal portions 522 of the clamp elements 520 when in a clamped state as depicted in Figure lI e, the distal portions 522 of the clamp elements 520 must be elastically 10 deformed, with such elastic deformation being associated with an increased clamping force. The first and second covers 760, 770 are again configured to cover the mounting block body 710, clamp elements 520, bolt 350 and sleeve nut 355. However, in this configuration, the covers 760, 770 are secured to each other by way of elongate clips 761, is 771 extending from each side of the body of each cover 760, 770. A secondary upper clamp assembly 700 is used to fixedly mount each of the fixed secondary panels 40 onto the secondary rail element 120 of the first and second shower screen walls 10, 20 in the same general way as described above in relation to fixedly mounting a fixed primary panel 30 onto the primary rail element 110 using the 20 primary upper clamp assemblies 500. In the arrangement depicted where the secondary panels 40 are relatively narrow, and in particular narrower than the primary panels 30, it will generally be sufficient to use a single secondary upper clamp assembly 700 for each secondary panel 40 although if desired more than one secondary upper clamp assembly 700 may be utilised. 25 The mounting head 715 of the secondary upper clamp assembly 700 is first slidingly received within the secondary rail track 122, before fitting the rail assembly 100 in the shower enclosure as discussed above. Once the rail assembly 100 is fitted into the shower enclosure, the mounting head 715 is slid along the secondary rail track 212 into an appropriate and aesthetically desirable position, typically towards the centre of the fixed 30 secondary panel 40. Again, no cut-outs or holes need be provided in the upper edge portion 40a of the fixed secondary panel 40. Once each mounting block 710 is in the desired position, it is secured to the secondary rail element 120 by way of a grub screw 790 threaded through the mounting aperture 717 in the mounting formation 713, into engagement with the upper wall of the secondary rail track 122.

21 The clamp elements 520 are then mounted on the mounting block body 710 and clamp the upper edge portion 40a of the fixed secondary panel 40 in an identical manner to the manner in which the first clamp elements 520 are mounted on the mounting block body 510 of the primary upper clamp assembly 500, to clamp the fixed primary panel 30 5 as discussed above. The covers 760, 770 are then clipped to each other over the assembled remaining components of the secondary upper clamp assembly 700. Detail of one of the lower fixed clamp assemblies 600, forming a panel clamp assembly according to a third embodiment, is depicted in Figures 12a through 12c. The lower fixed clamp assembly 600 comprises a mounting block 610, a first clamp element 10 520 (as used with the primary upper clamp assembly 500 and secondary upper clamp assembly 700 described above), an opposing second clamp element 630 (that is here integrally formed with the mounting block body 610), two gaskets 540 (as discussed above), a bolt 350 (as also discussed above), a sleeve nut 355 (again as discussed above), and a first cover 660. These components are depicted in an exploded form in Figure 12a, 15 and fully assembled forms in Figures 12b and 12c, clamping the lower edge portion 30b of the fixed primary panel 30 of the second shower screen wall 20 and engaging the primary sill element 210 of the second shower screen wall 20. As will immediately be appreciated, the lower fixed clamp assembly 600 has a similar form to the primary upper clamp assembly 500 and secondary clamp assembly 20 700, except that the second clamp element 630 is integrally formed with the mounting block 610 rather than being formed as a separate steel leaf form of clamp element 520, and with omission of a second cover. The use of the integrally formed second clamp element 630, which is typically moulded from plastics material integrally with the mounting block 610, is used for the lower fixed clamp assembly 600 in place of the 25 separate steel clamp element 520 as less clamping force will generally be required on the lower edge portion of any panel, with the weight of the panel itself generally assisting in avoiding any movement. Further, as depicted in Figure 12c, the primary sill element 210 itself assists in clamping the panel, as will be further discussed below. The mounting block 610 comprises a mounting block body 611 on the front face 30 61 lb of which is formed a longitudinally extending mounting formation 613 configured to slidingly engage, and interlock with, the primary sill track 218 as depicted in Figure 12c. The mounting formation 613 here comprises a longitudinally extending mounting neck 614 forwardly projecting from the front face 61 lb of the mounting block body 611 and a longitudinally extending mounting head 615 formed on the front of the mounting 35 neck 614. The mounting neck 614 and mounting head 615 have a constant cross-section 22 which matches the cross-section of the lower part of the primary sill track 218 of the primary sill element 210. Specifically, the mounting neck 614 substantially fills the opening of the primary sill track 218 (in a similar manner to the mounting formation 413 of the lower pivoting clamp assembly), whilst the mounting head 615 substantially fills 5 the lower half of the interior of the channel defining the primary sill track 218 although this detail is largely obscured by the sleeve nut 355 in Figure 12c. The lower edge of the mounting head 615 defines a shoulder which engages the lower shoulder 217b defined by the lower flange 216b of the primary sill track 218 so as to captively retain the mounting head 615 within the primary sill track 218, whilst still enabling the mounting head 615 to io slide along the primary sill track 218. The front face 61 lb of the mounting block body 610, is also shaped to engage the rear face of the flanges 216a, 216b of the primary sill element 610, both to assist in locking the mounting formation 613 with the primary sill track 218 and to assist in clamping the primary panel 30 as will be further discussed below. is The rear face 611 a of the mounting block body 611 is generally planar and vertically extending to mate with the proximal portion 521 of the second clamp element 520. The rear face 611 a is also provided with a pair of differing diameter lugs 618 projecting therefrom in a manner consistent with the mounting block bodies 511 and 711 discussed above. An aperture 719 extends through the thickness of the mounting block 20 body 710 and the mounting formation 713 to receive the bolt 350 and body of the sleeve nut 355 such that, in use as will be discussed below, the head of the sleeve nut 355 is captively retained within the primary sill track 218. As best seen in Figure 12c, the mounting block 610 is configured such that the primary panel 30 extends along the primary panel plane P offset towards the rear of the 25 primary sill element 210. As noted above, the second clamp element 630 is integrally formed with the mounting block 600, and in particular projects upwardly from the top face 612 of the mounting block body 611, adjacent the mounting neck 614 of the mounting formation 613. As best appreciated from Figure 12c, a proximal portion of the front face 631 of the 30 second clamp element is formed to engage the upper flange 216a of the primary sill element 210. The rear face 632 of the second clamp element 630 is generally planar and vertically extending to receive a gasket 540. In this regard, the rear face 632 of the second clamp element 630 is provided with apertures 635 for receiving the corresponding lugs provided on the gaskets 540.

23 The first cover 660 is configured to cover the mounting block 610, first clamp element 520 and bolt 350 and in particular is configured to be clipped onto each opposing end of the mounting block body 610 by way of clips 661. In the arrangement depicted, two lower fixed clamp assemblies 600 are used to 5 fixedly mount the fixed primary panel 30 onto the primary sill element 220 of the second shower screen wall 20 by first slidingly receiving the mounting head 615 of each of the lower fixed clamp assemblies 600 within the primary sill track 218. The mounting head 615 is received in the primary sill track 218 with the sleeve nut 355 already located in the aperture 619 extending through the mounting formation 613 such that, as shown in Figure io 12c the head of the sleeve nut 355 is captively retained within the primary sill track 218 with the body of the sleeved nut 355 extending through the opening in the primary sill track 218. This procedure is again carried out before fitting the sill assembly 200 to the shower enclosure. Once the sill assembly 200 is fitted to the shower enclosure, the mounting heads 615 are slid along the primary sill track 218 into appropriate and 15 aesthetically desirable positions towards each opposing edge of the fixed primary panel 30. Again, no cut-outs or holes need be provided in the lower edge portion 30b of the fixed primary panel 30. Once each mounting block is in position (or at any prior time) one of the gaskets 540 is mounted on the rear face 632 of the second clamp element 630 and the lower edge portion 30b of the primary panel 30 placed against the gasket 540 and 20 resting on the top face 612 of the mounting block body 611. The first clamp element 520 is then located, with the other gasket 540 attached, with the proximal portion 521 engaging the rear face 611 a of the mounting block body 611 and the distal portion 522 engaging the face of the lower portion 30b of the primary panel 30, via the gasket 540. The bolt 350 is then extended through the aperture 524 in the first clamp element 520, 25 through the aperture 619 in the mounting block 610 and threadingly engages the sleeve nut 355. The bolt 350 is then tensioned. Tensioning of the bolt 350 draws the sleeve nut 355 against the internal shoulders 217a, 217b of the primary sill track 218, clamping the upper flange 216a against the second clamp element 630 and in turn clamping the lower portion 30b of the primary panel 30 between the second clamp element 630 and the distal 30 portion 522 of the first clamp element 520. Again the clamping force results in elastic deformation of the distal portion 522 of the non-planar first clamp element 520 so as to provide an effective increase in clamping force in a similar manner to that discussed above with the clamp assemblies utilising two clamp elements 520. It will be appreciated that the extra stiffness provided by the primary sill element 210, particularly the upper 35 flange 216a and upper wall 212, directly engaging the second clamp 630 provides a 24 significantly increased clamping force than would otherwise be achieved by an unsupported cantilevered plastic clamp element. Once adequate clamping force has been achieved by tensioning of the bolt 350, the first cover 660 is clipped onto the mounting block body 611. 5 As noted above, each fixed secondary panel 40 may be mounted to a secondary sill element 220 by way of a secondary lower clamp assembly that is again in the form of the lower fixed clamp assembly 600 described above. Figures 13a and 13b depict such a mounting with a lower fixed clamp assembly 600 engaging a secondary sill element 220 and clamping the lower edge portion 40a of a fixed secondary panel 40. As best seen in 10 Figure 13b, the mounting head 615 is received in the secondary sill track 228 with the head of the sleeve nut 355 captively retained within the secondary sill track 228. Particularly when comparing Figures 12c and 13b, it becomes immediately apparent that the relationship of the lower fixed clamp assembly 600 with the secondary sill track 228 is effectively identical to the relationship of the lower fixed clamping assemblies 600 and is the primary sill track 218 as depicted in Figure 12c. In particular, the configuration of the lower portion of the secondary sill track 228 and primary sill track 218 are effectively identical, as are the upper and lower flanges 216a, 216b, 226a, 226b of the primary and secondary sill elements 210, 220. The horizontal mid walls 214, 224 of the primary and secondary sill elements 210, 220 are also of the same form and each support the lower 20 face of the mounting block body 611. Mounting of the lower portion 40b of each fixed secondary panel 40 is thus effectively the same as described above in relation to mounting of the lower portion 30b of the fixed primary panel 30. As again best appreciated with a comparison of Figures 12c and 13b, the form of the primary and secondary sill elements 210, 220 and particularly the configuration of 25 having the secondary sill track 228 located above and forward of the primary sill track 218, when the sill assembly 200 is assembled, provides the desired offset between the primary and secondary panel planes P, S, allowing the primary and secondary panels 30, 40 to be laterally offset and overlapping. The higher location of the secondary sill track 228 also results in the secondary panels 40 being shorter than the primary panels 30, as 30 indicated above. The shower screen system described enables standard sized components forming the shower screen system, or even a single wall thereof, to be provided in a standard kit form that will provide for forming a shower screen wall and shower screen system of varying size to suit the particular shower enclosure being formed. Whilst forming the 35 shower screen walls 10, 20 as described above, the rail and sill assemblies 100, 200 may 25 be telescopically adjusted in length as required to fit the particular configuration of the shower screen enclosure, and the various clamp assemblies may be slid along their respective tracks into the desired position in view of the adjusting length of the rail and sill assemblies 100, 200 and the position of the primary and secondary panels 30, 40 5 which again may be adjusted in position, given their overlapping configuration, to properly fit the shower screen enclosure without the need for any reworking of any of the components. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and alterations may be made to the various panel clamp assemblies and associated io components of the shower screen system described above. Whilst the panel clamp assemblies have been described above in terms of mounting glass panels of a shower screen, they are also applicable to clamping other forms of panel.

Claims

1. A panel clamp assembly for clamping an edge portion of a panel, said panel clamp assembly comprising: 5 a mounting block having a mounting block body, said mounting block body having a first body side and an opposing second body side; a first clamp element having a proximal portion, mountable on a first body face formed on said first body side, and a distal portion extending, in use, beyond said first body side; 10 a second clamp element having a proximal portion, mountable on or integrally formed with said second body side, and a distal portion extending, in use, beyond said second body side, said second clamp element facing said first clamp element; a fastener mounted through and engaging said first clamp element and mounted through said mounting block body so as to draw said first clamp element toward said is second clamp element upon tightening of said fastener to clamp an edge portion of a panel between said first and second clamp elements, in use; wherein said first clamp element comprises a first leaf formed of a resilient metal, said first leaf being of a non-planar form configured such that said distal portion of said first leaf extends towards said second clamp element such that, when clamping the 20 edge portion of the panel, said distal portion of said first leaf is elastically deformed in a direction away from said second clamp element.

2. The panel clamp assembly of claim I wherein said second clamp element comprises a second leaf formed of a resilient metal, said proximal portion of said 25 second leaf being mountable on a second body face formed on said second body side, said second leaf being of a non-planar form configured such that said distal portion of said second leaf extends towards said first clamp element such that, when clamping the edge portion of the panel, said distal portion of said second leaf is elastically deformed in a direction away from said first clamp element. 30

3. The panel clamp assembly of either one of claims I and 2 wherein said resilient metal is spring steel.

4. The panel clamp assembly of either one of claims I and 2 wherein said resilient 35 metal is stainless steel. 27

5. The panel clamp assembly of any one of claims I to 4, wherein said mounting block has a longitudinally extending mounting formation extending from said mounting block body and configured to slidingly engage a track. 5

6. The panel clamp assembly of claim 5, wherein an aperture is provided in said mounting formation for receipt of a fastener that is engageable with the track to fix said mounting block to the track.

7. The panel clamp assembly of either one of claims 5 and 6, wherein said to mounting formation comprises a mounting neck projecting from said face and a mounting head formed on said mounting neck.

8. A panel clamp assembly clamping at each portion of a panel, said panel clamp assembly being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to 1 Oa to is 1Od, 1 l a to I1e or 12a to 12c of the accompanying drawings. Dated 23 May, 2011 JELD-WEN Australia Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON