SHOWER SEAT FRAME AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

Abstract

A shower seat frame may comprise a seat, a center support member, a rear support leg, and a pair of opposing end support legs. The seat may include a center support recess, a rear support recess, and a pair of opposing end support recesses. The center support member may be adapted to engage the center support recess and may include a vertical support, support fastener passageways, support fasteners, a lateral brace, a notch, brace fastener passageways, and brace fasteners. The support fasteners may be passed through the respective support fastener passageways to attach the vertical support to the seat. The lateral brace may be affixed to the vertical support and may be oriented substantially perpendicular thereto. The brace fasteners may be passed through the respective brace fastener passageways to attach the lateral brace to an underside of the seat. The rear support leg may be affixed to a vertical surface of a shower enclosure. The pair of opposing end support legs may also be affixed to a vertical surface of the shower enclosure.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/346,077 titled SHOWER SEAT FRAME AND ASSOCIATED METHODS filed by the inventor of the present invention on May 19, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of shower seats and, more specifically, to the field of structural supports for built-in shower seats for use in new construction or in existing shower enclosures and associated methods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is commonly known that built-in shower seats can be constructed in custom shower enclosures. However, traditional built-in shower seats usually add significantly to the cost of constructing a custom shower enclosure because of the extensive labor and the high level of skill required to frame and support the built-in seat. Time delays are also a problem associated with the known built-in shower seats as a result of the time required to permit the mortar between blocks to cure prior to receiving a finished surface in the case where concrete block is used as the structural support for the built-in shower seat. Additionally, in the case where wood framing is used to frame the built-in shower seat, the natural expansion and contraction of the wood framing over time often leads to cracks in the tile or grout covering the built-in shower seat permitting water intrusion and requiring costly repairs.

[0004] There are some shower seat frames that have attempted to provide an inexpensive, easy to use, quick and yet structurally sound alternative to the traditional built-in shower seat frame. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,218 to Rompel, discloses a corrosion-resistant self-supported frame of a pre-formed shape, to which a mortar substrate and ceramic tile is applied, in order to produce corner seats and trays in shower enclosures. The Rompel '218 patent further discloses a base unit which connects to the vertical surfaces of a shower enclosure by fasteners through mounting holes. A mortar support flange provides bonding surfaces for ceramic tile as well as support for the applied substrate. The substrate is reinforced by mortar penetration holes allowing monolithic connection of all substrate materials. A drain hole allows for the elimination of any accumulated moisture from the base unit.

[0005] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2009/0025139 to Houpt discloses a preformed structural support for ceramic tile for use in constructing a horizontal support surface, such as a seat or a foot rest in a shower or the like. The preformed structural support includes a base of a corrosion-resistant material that can be trimmed to conform to the irregularities of the structural walls to which it is to be installed. The base includes tile receiving sides that are textured and are ready for the application of tile using a suitable adhesive. The preformed structural support is installed without the use of penetrating fasteners, thereby preserving the integrity of the waterproofing of the shower.

[0006] There exists a need to provide a shower seat frame for a built-in shower seat that is inexpensive, as compared to traditional shower seat framing, easy to use, quick to install and that is structurally stable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] With the foregoing in mind, the present invention provides a frame that advantageously allows for a structurally stable built-in shower seat. More specifically, the shower seat frame according to the present invention provides an inexpensive built-in shower seat, as compared to traditional shower seat framing, even in the context of a remodeled shower enclosure. The shower seat frame according to the present invention can also advantageously be easy to use and quick to install. The shower seat frame according to the present invention can further advantageously be selectively customized to adjust for irregularities in a shower enclosure floor. The shower seat frame according to the present invention still further advantageously allows for a built-in shower seat that can be pitched to permit water to drain off of the built-in shower seat. The shower seat frame according to the present invention also advantageously supports a wide array of shower seat shapes and shower seat sizes.

[0008] These and other objects, features and advantages according to the present invention are provided by a shower seat frame that may comprise a seat, a center support member, a rear support leg, and a pair of opposing end support legs. The seat may include a center support recess, a rear support recess, and a pair of opposing end support recesses. The center support member may be adapted to engage the center support recess and may include a vertical support, a support fastener passageway, a support fastener, a lateral brace, a notch, a brace fastener passageway, and a fastener. The support fastener may be passed through the respective support fastener passageway to attach the vertical support to the seat. The lateral brace may be affixed to the vertical support and may be oriented substantially perpendicular thereto. The brace fastener may be passed through the respective brace fastener passageway to attach the lateral brace to an underside of the seat.

[0009] The rear support leg may be adapted to engage the rear support recess and may include a rear fastener passageway and a rear leg fastener passageway. The rear fastener passageway may receive a fastener to affix the rear support leg to the seat. The rear leg fastener passageway may receive a respective rear leg fastener to affix the rear support leg to a vertical surface of a shower enclosure.

[0010] The pair of opposing end legs may be adapted to engage the respective pair of opposing end support recesses and may each include an end fastener passageway, an end leg fastener passageway, and a tool passageway. The end fastener passageway may receive a fastener to affix each of the end support legs to a respective end of the seat. The end leg fastener passageway may receive a respective end leg fastener to affix each end support leg to a vertical surface of the shower enclosure. The tool passageway may receive a respective tool to engage the end leg fastener.

[0011] In some embodiments of the shower seat frame according to the present invention, the lateral brace may be pitched slightly upward from level. The seat may include, on a top surface thereof, multiple openings spaced within a latticework comprising a plurality of component laths. The latticework may radiate from a substantially central point to a perimeter of the seat. Each component lath may include, on a top surface thereof oriented substantially perpendicular thereto, a lip. The lip provided on each component lath on the perimeter of the seat may extend medially. The lip provided on each component lath interior to the perimeter of the seat may extend both medially and distally. The notch may permit passage of a respective underside of each component lath. A groove may be provided on a bottom surface of a component lath extending from the center support recess to an opposite perimeter of the seat. An upper end portion of the lateral brace may be adapted to fit within the groove.

[0012] In some embodiments of the shower seat frame according to the present invention, an outer surface of the center support member may be substantially flush with an outer surface of the seat when the center support member is secured within the center support recess. An outer surface of the rear support leg may be substantially flush with the outer surface of the seat when the rear support leg is secured within the rear support recess. An outer surface of each of the pair of opposing end support legs may be substantially flush with the outer surface of the seat when each of the pair of opposing end support legs is secured within each of the pair of opposing end support recesses.

[0013] The present invention may also advantageously include a shower seat frame installation kit comprising a container, a set of instructions, a seat, a center support member, a lateral brace, a rear support leg, a pair of opposing end support legs, a fastener, and a tool. Each of the set of instructions, the seat, the center support member, the lateral brace, the rear support leg, the pair of opposing end support legs, the fastener and the tool may be removeably carried by the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shower seat frame according to the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the shower seat frame according to the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the shower seat frame according to the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of a shower seat frame according to the present invention taken through line 3A-3A in FIG. 3.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the shower seat frame according to the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a shower seat frame installation kit according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] The present invention will now be described fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following embodiments of the present invention are only illustrative and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Other embodiments of the present invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0021] A shower seat frame 10 according to the present invention can advantageously provide a frame for a built-in shower seat that is inexpensive, as compared to traditional shower seat framing, easy to use, quick to install and that is structurally stable. More specifically, in both new construction and in remodeling of existing shower enclosures, the shower seat frame 10 according to the present invention advantageously allows for a fully customizable and easy to install shower seat frame 10 upon which a water resistant substrate may be attached and over which a finished surface may be applied. This is accomplished by providing a shower seat frame 10 with the ability to have each of its supporting legs individually adjusted to adapt to the variations of a concrete shower floor or a preformed shower floor. The shower seat frame 10 according to the present invention also supports a wide array of seat shapes.

[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, general details of the shower seat frame 10 according to the present invention are now described. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the unique design of the shower seat frame 10 includes a seat 20, a center support member 30, a rear support leg 40 and a pair of opposing end support legs 50.

[0023] Individual portions of the shower seat frame 10 according to the present invention will now be discussed in greater detail. As depicted in FIGS. 1-3, the seat 20 may include, on a top surface thereof, multiple openings spaced within a latticework. The latticework may radiate from a central point to a perimeter of the seat 20. Each component lath of the latticework may include, on a top surface thereof oriented substantially perpendicular thereto, at least one lip 28. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3A, laths on the perimeter of the seat 20 may have the lip 28 extending medially, while laths interior to the perimeter of the seat 20 may have lips 28 extending both medially and distally. After having had the benefit of reading this disclosure, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the lip 28 may extend inwardly toward a medial portion of the seat 20, outwardly away from the medial portion of the seat 20 or may extend both inwardly and outwardly.

[0024] As perhaps best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the seat 20 of the shower seat frame 10 may include, on a perimeter surface thereof, a center support recess 22 adapted to receive a portion of the center support member 30, a rear support recess 24 adapted to receive a portion of the rear support leg 40 and a pair of opposing end support recesses 26 adapted to receive portions of the respective end support legs 50. The center support recess 22 may be of a sufficient depth so that when the center support member 30 is secured within the center support recess 22 by use of at least one support fastener 36 an outer surface of the center support member 30 will be substantially flush with an outer surface of the seat 20. The rear support recess 24 may be of a sufficient depth so that when the rear support leg 40 is secured within the rear support recess 24 by use of at least one fastener (not pictured), an outer surface of the rear support leg 40 will be substantially flush with an outer surface of the seat 20. Each end support recess 26 may be of a sufficient depth so that when the respective end support leg 50 is secured within the end support recess 26 by use of at least one fastener 58 an outer surface of each end support leg 50 will be substantially flush with an outer surface of the seat 20.

[0025] After having had the benefit of reading this disclosure, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the seat 20, while depicted in FIGS. 1-3 as triangular-shaped, may be square-shaped, radius-shaped, rectangular-shaped, trapezoidal-shaped or any other-shaped seat, while still accomplishing the goals, features and objectives according to the present invention. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the seat 20, center support member 30, rear support leg 40 and each end support leg 50 may be constructed of plastic, resin, fiberglass, metal, PVC or any other durable material having properties that withstand environmental effects, e.g., heat and moisture associated with a shower. Furthermore still, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain seat 20 shapes and seat sizes may require multiple center support members 30 and a like number of respective center support recesses 22 in order to provide stability to the shower seat frame 10, all of which are contemplated by the present invention.

[0026] The center support member 30 may include a vertical support 37, a lateral brace 31, at least one brace fastener passageway 32, at least one notch 33, at least one brace fastener 34, at least one support fastener passageway 35, and at least one support fastener 36. The lateral brace 31 may be affixed to the vertical support 37, oriented substantially perpendicular thereto. An upper end portion of the lateral brace 31 may be pitched slightly upward from level. The vertical support 37 may be affixed to the seat 20 at the center support recess 22 by passing the support fastener 36 through the support fastener passageway 35. The support fasteners 36 may be passed through the support fastener passageways 35 and engage a portion of the center support recess 22. Accordingly, the support fasteners 36 may be provided by screws, for example. Further, the support fastener passageways 35 may be threaded, and the center support recess 22 may include threaded recesses adapted to receive threaded fasteners to secure the center support member 30 to the seat 20. The lateral brace 31 may be affixed to the seat 20 by passing the brace fastener 34 through the brace fastener passageway 32. The notch 33 may permit passage of any component lath interior to the perimeter of the seat 20 which might otherwise impede attachment of the lateral brace 31 to the seat 20. Similar to the connection of the vertical support 37 of the center support member 30 to the seat 20, the connection between the lateral brace 31 and the seat may also be accomplished using screws for the brace fasteners 34 that may pass through the brace fastener passageways 32 and engage a portion of a medially positioned lath of the latticework of the seat. Further, the brace fastener passageways 32 may be threaded, and the medially positioned lath of the latticework of the seat 20 may include respective threaded recesses for receiving threaded brace fasteners to secure the lateral brace 31 to the seat.

[0027] After having had the benefit of reading this disclosure, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the at least one support fastener passageway 35, at least one support fastener 36, at least one brace fastener passageway 32 and at least one brace fastener 34, although depicted in FIG. 2 as being provided by two support fastener passageways, two support fasteners, two brace fastener passageways and two brace fasteners, respectively, may be provided by any number of fasteners and fastener passageways while still accomplishing the goals, features and objectives according to the present invention. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the number of support fastener passageways 35 preferably corresponds to the number of support fasteners 36; and the number of brace fastener passageways 32 preferably corresponds to the number of brace fasteners 34. Likewise, after having had the benefit of reading this disclosure, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the at least one notch 33, although depicted in FIGS. 2 & 4 as being provided by one notch, may be provided by any number of notches while still accomplishing the goals, features and objectives according to the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the number of notches 33 preferably corresponds to the number of component laths interior to the perimeter of the seat 20 which might otherwise impede attachment of the lateral brace 31 to the seat 20

[0028] In another embodiment of the shower seat frame 10, the seat 20 may have a groove (not pictured) on a bottom surface thereof substantially along the entire length of a component lath extending from the center support recess 22 of the seat to the opposite perimeter of the seat. The upper end portion of the lateral brace 31 may be adapted to fit within the groove. The lateral brace 31 may be affixed to the component lath extending from the center support recess 22 of the seat 20 to the opposite perimeter of the seat 20 by passing the brace fastener 34 through component lath and through the brace fastener passageway 32.

[0029] The rear support leg 40 may be affixed to the seat 20 by passing a fastener (not pictured) through a rear fastener passageway 41. As perhaps best illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, the rear support leg 40 may be affixed to a vertical surface of a shower enclosure (not pictured) by passing at least one rear leg fastener 44 through at least one rear leg fastener passageway 42. The end support leg 50 may be affixed to the seat 20 by passing a fastener (not pictured) through an end fastener passageway 56. As perhaps best illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, the end support leg 50 may be affixed to the vertical surface of a shower enclosure (not pictured) by passing at least one end leg fastener 54 through at least one end leg fastener passageway (not pictured). The end support leg 50 may include at least one tool passageway 52 to permit a tool, such as a screwdriver, to be used to engage the end leg fastener 54.

[0030] After having had the benefit of reading this disclosure, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the at least one rear leg fastener 44, at least one rear leg fastener passageway 42, at least one end leg fastener 54, at least one end leg fastener passageway (not pictured) and at least one tool passageway 52, although depicted in FIGS. 1-4 as being provided by four rear leg fasteners, four rear leg fastener passageways, four end leg fasteners, four end leg fastener passageways and four tool passageways, respectively, may be provided by any number of fasteners, fastener passageways and tool passageways while still accomplishing the goals, features and objectives according to the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the number of rear leg fasteners 44 preferably corresponds to the number of rear leg fastener passageways 42; and the number of end leg fasteners 54 preferably corresponds to the number of end leg fastener passageways (not pictured) and tool passageways 52.

[0031] A non-limiting example of a method of using the shower seat frame 10, according to the present invention, is now described. A user desiring to install a shower seat in a shower enclosure selects a seat-shape suitable for their tastes. The selected seat 20 is placed in the shower enclosure at the approximate final height. The distance between the seat 20 and the floor of the shower enclosure is measured. The center support, member 30 is cut to the measurement at a bottom end thereof. The customized center support member 30 is affixed to the seat 20. The seat 20 with attached center support member 30 is placed in the shower enclosure and is made level across the front of the seat and is made plumb. The seat 20 with attached center support member should be pitched slightly downward to permit any liquid to drain from the top thereof. A mark is placed on the shower enclosure walls where the top of the seat 20 meets the shower enclosure walls. The distance between the shower enclosure floor and the mark on the shower enclosure wall at the rear of the seat 20 is measured. The rear support leg 40 is cut to the measurement. The customized rear support leg 40 is thereafter affixed to the seat 20.

[0032] The distance between the shower enclosure floor and the mark on the shower enclosure wall at each end of the seat 20 is measured. Each end support leg 50 is cut to the respective measurement. The customized end support legs 50 are affixed to the respective ends of the seat 20. The shower seat frame 10 is then affixed to the shower enclosure walls at points above the waterline, or curb, of the shower enclosure. A bead of polyurethane, or other suitable waterproofing substance, may be applied at all points where the shower seat frame touches the shower enclosure walls, prior to affixing the shower seat frame 10 to the shower enclosure walls. Cement board, or other suitable substrate, may then be attached to the shower seat frame 10. A bead of polyurethane, or other suitable waterproofing substance, may be applied where the bottom of the substrate meets the floor of the shower enclosure. A weep hole may be left in the bead of waterproofing substance to permit drainage. Mastic and fiberglass tape, or other suitable sealant, may thereafter be applied to the seams between the pieces of the substrate and between the substrate and the shower enclosure walls. Tile or other finish material may then be applied.

[0033] The shower seat frame 10 according to the present invention is now described in greater detail. As depicted in FIGS. 1-4, the shower seat frame 10 may comprise a seat 20, a center support member 30, a rear support leg 40, and a pair of opposing end support legs 50. The seat 20 may include a center support recess 22, a rear support recess 24, and a pair of opposing end support recesses 26. The center support member 30 may be adapted to engage the center support recess 22 and may include a vertical support 37, at least one support fastener passageway 35, at least one support fastener 36, a lateral brace 31, at least one notch 33, at least one brace fastener passageway 32, and at least one brace fastener 34. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that although the shower seat frame 10 according to the present invention is described as including at least one support fastener 36, at least one notch 33, at least one brace fastener passageway 32 and at least one brace fastener, any number of support fasteners, notches, brace fastener passageways and brace fasteners may be provided to accomplish the goals, features and objectives according to the present invention.

[0034] The support fasteners 36 may be passed through the respective support fastener passageways 35 to attach the vertical support 37 to the seat 20. The lateral brace 31 may be affixed to the vertical support 37 and may be oriented substantially perpendicular thereto. The brace fasteners 34 may be passed through the respective brace fastener passageways 32 to attach the lateral brace 31 to an underside of the seat 20.

[0035] The rear support leg 40 may be adapted to engage the rear support recess 24 and may include a rear fastener passageway 41 and at least one rear leg fastener passageway 42. Again, although the shower seat frame 10 according to the present invention is described as including at least one rear leg fastener passageway 42, those skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of rear leg fastener passageways may be provided to carry out the goals, features and objectives according to the present invention. The rear fastener passageways 41 may receive the fasteners to affix the rear support leg 40 to the seat 20. The rear leg fastener passageways 42 may receive respective rear leg fasteners 44 to affix the rear support leg 40 to a vertical surface of a shower enclosure.

[0036] The pair of opposing end legs 50 may be adapted to engage the respective pair of opposing end support recesses 26 and may each include an end fastener passageway 56, at least one end leg fastener passageway, and at least one tool passageway 52. Similar to the above, although the shower seat frame 10 according to the present invention is described as including at least one end leg fastener passageway and at least one tool passageway 52, those skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of end leg fastener passageways and tool passageways may be provided while still accomplishing the goals, features and objectives according to the present invention. The end fastener passageway 56 may receive a fastener to affix each of the end support legs to a respective end of the seat 20. The end leg fastener passageways may receive respective end leg fasteners 54 to affix each end support leg 50 to a vertical surface of the shower enclosure. The tool passageways 52 may receive a tool to engage the end leg fastener 54.

[0037] In some embodiments of the shower seat frame 10 according to the present invention, the lateral brace 31 may be pitched slightly upward from level. As depicted in FIGS. 1-3, the seat 20 may include, on a top surface thereof, multiple openings spaced within a latticework comprising a plurality of component laths. The latticework may radiate from a substantially central point to a perimeter of the seat 20. Each component lath may include, on a top surface thereof oriented substantially perpendicular thereto, at least one lip 28. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that although the shower seat frame 10 according to the present invention is described as having at least one lip 28, any number of lips may be provided while carrying out the objects, features and advantages according to the present invention. As depicted in FIG. 3A, the lip 28 provided on each component lath on the perimeter of the seat 20 may extend medially. The lip 28 provided on each component lath interior to the perimeter of the seat 20 may extend both medially and distally. The notch 33 may permit passage of a respective underside of each component lath. A groove may be provided on a bottom surface of a component lath extending from the center support recess 22 to an opposite perimeter of the seat 20. An upper end portion of the lateral brace 31 may be adapted to fit within the groove.

[0038] As depicted in FIG. 3, in some embodiments of the shower seat frame 10 according to the present invention, an outer surface of the center support member 30 may be substantially flush with an outer surface of the seat 20 when the center support member 30 is secured within the center support recess 22. An outer surface of the rear support leg 40 may be substantially flush with the outer surface of the seat 20 when the rear support leg 40 is secured within the rear support recess 24. An outer surface of each of the pair of opposing end support legs 50 may be substantially flush with the outer surface of the seat 20 when each of the pair of opposing end support legs 50 is secured within each of the pair of opposing end support recesses 26.

[0039] The invention may further include a shower seat frame installation kit comprising a container 60, a set of instructions 62, a seat 20, a center support member 30, a lateral brace 31, a rear support leg 40, a pair of opposing end support legs 50, at least one fastener 64, and a tool 66. Each of the set of instructions 62, the seat 20, the center support member 30, the lateral brace 31, the rear support leg 40, the pair of opposing end support legs 50, the at least one fastener 64 and the tool 66 may be removeably carried by the container 60. The components of the shower seat frame 10 that are carried by the container 60 advantageously allow a user to purchase a kit and self install the shower seat frame 10 according to the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the shower seat frame installation kit includes the components mentioned above that are used to form the shower seat frame 10 according to the present invention.

[0040] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed.

Claims

1. A shower seat frame comprising: a seat including a center support recess, a rear support recess, and a pair of opposing end support recesses; a center support member that is adapted to engage the center support recess; a rear support leg that is adapted to engage the rear support recess; and a pair of opposing end support legs adapted to engage the respective end support recesses; wherein the center support member includes a vertical support, at least one support fastener passageway, at least one support fastener that is passed through the respective at least one support fastener passageway to attach the vertical support to the seat, a lateral brace that is affixed to the vertical support and oriented substantially perpendicular thereto, at least one notch, at least one brace fastener passageway, and at least one brace fastener that is passed through the respective at least one brace fastener passageway to attach the lateral brace to an underside of the seat; wherein the rear support leg includes a rear fastener passageway to receive a fastener to affix the rear support leg to the seat, and at least one rear leg fastener passageway to receive a respective at least one rear leg fastener to affix the rear support leg to a vertical surface of a shower enclosure; and wherein the pair of opposing end support legs each includes an end fastener passageway to receive a fastener to affix each of the end support legs to a respective end of the seat, at least one end leg fastener passageway to receive a respective at least one end leg fastener to affix each end support leg to a vertical surface of the shower enclosure, and at least one tool passageway to receive a respective at least one tool to engage the end leg fastener.

2. A shower seat frame according to claim 1 wherein an upper end of the lateral brace is pitched slightly upward from level.

3. A shower seat frame according to claim 1 wherein the seat includes, on a top surface thereof, multiple openings spaced within a latticework comprising a plurality of component laths; and wherein the latticework radiates from a substantially central point to a perimeter of the seat; and wherein each component lath includes, on a top surface thereof oriented substantially perpendicular thereto, at least one lip.

4. A shower seat frame according to claim 3 wherein the at least one notch permits passage of a respective underside of each component lath.

5. A shower seat frame according to claim 3 wherein the at least one lip provided on each component lath on the perimeter of the seat extends medially; and wherein the at least one lip provided on each component lath interior to the perimeter of the seat extends both medially and distally.

6. A shower seat frame according to claim 5 further comprising a groove on a bottom surface of a component lath extending from the center support recess to an opposite perimeter of the seat; and wherein an upper end portion of the lateral brace is adapted to fit within the groove.

7. A shower seat frame comprising: a seat including a center support recess, a rear support recess, and a pair of opposing end support recesses; a center support member that is adapted to engage the center support recess; a rear support leg that is adapted to engage the rear support recess; and a pair of opposing end support legs adapted to engage the respective end support recesses; wherein the seat includes, on a top surface thereof, multiple openings spaced within a latticework comprising a plurality of component laths; wherein the latticework radiates from a substantially central point to a perimeter of the seat; wherein each component lath includes, on a top surface thereof oriented substantially perpendicular thereto, at least one lip.

8. A shower seat frame according to claim 7 wherein the pair of opposing end support legs each includes at least one tool passageway to receive a respective at least one tool to engage the end leg fastener.

9. A shower seat frame according to claim 7 wherein an outer surface of the center support member is substantially flush with an outer surface of the seat when the center support member is secured within the center support recess; and wherein an outer surface of the rear support leg is substantially flush with the outer surface of the seat when the rear support leg is secured within the rear support recess; and wherein an outer surface of each of the pair of opposing end support legs is substantially flush with the outer surface of the seat when each of the pair of opposing end support legs is secured within each of the pair of opposing end support recesses.

10. A shower seat frame according to claim 7 wherein the center support member includes a vertical support, at least one support fastener passageway, at least one support fastener that is passed through the respective at least one support fastener passageway to attach the vertical support to the seat, a lateral brace that is affixed to the vertical support and oriented substantially perpendicular thereto, at least one notch, at least one brace fastener passageway, and at least one brace fastener that is passed through the respective at least one brace fastener passageway to attach the lateral brace to an underside of the seat; wherein the rear support leg includes a rear fastener passageway to receive a fastener to affix the rear support leg to the seat, and at least one rear leg fastener passageway to receive a respective at least one rear leg fastener to affix the rear support leg to a vertical surface of a shower enclosure; and wherein the pair of opposing end support legs each includes an end fastener passageway to receive a fastener to affix each of the end support legs to a respective end of the seat, and at least one end leg fastener passageway to receive a respective at least one end leg fastener to affix each end support leg to a vertical surface of the shower enclosure.

11. A shower seat frame according to claim 10 wherein an upper end of the lateral brace is pitched slightly upward from level.

12. A shower seat frame according to claim 10 wherein the at least one notch permits passage of a respective underside of each component lath.

13. A shower seat frame according to claim 12 wherein the at least one lip provided on each component lath on a perimeter of the seat extends medially; and wherein the at least one lip provided on each component lath interior to the perimeter of the seat extends both medially and distally.

14. A shower seat frame according to claim 13 further comprising a groove on a bottom surface of a component lath extending from the center support recess to the opposite, perimeter of the seat; and wherein an upper end portion of the lateral brace is adapted to fit within the groove.

15. A shower seat frame installation kit comprising: a container; a set of instructions; a seat; a center support member; a lateral brace; a rear support leg; a pair of opposing end support legs; at least one fastener; and a tool; wherein each of the set of instructions, the seat, the center support member, the lateral brace, the rear support leg, the pair of opposing end support legs, the at least one fastener and the tool is removeably carried by the container.

16. A shower seat frame installation kit according to claim 15 wherein the center support member includes a vertical support, at least one support fastener passageway, at least one support fastener that is passed through the respective at least one support fastener passageway to attach the vertical support to the seat, at least one notch, at least one brace fastener passageway, and at least one brace fastener that is passed through the respective at least one brace fastener passageway to attach the lateral brace to an underside of the seat; and wherein the lateral brace is affixed to the vertical support and oriented substantially perpendicular thereto.

17. A shower seat frame installation kit according to claim 15 wherein the rear support leg includes a rear fastener passageway to receive the at least one fastener to affix the rear support leg to the seat, and at least one rear leg fastener passageway to receive the at least one fastener to affix the rear support leg to a vertical surface of a shower enclosure.

18. A shower seat frame installation kit according to claim 15 wherein the pair of opposing end support legs each includes an end fastener passageway to receive the at least one fastener to affix each of the end support legs to a respective end of the seat, and at least one end leg fastener passageway to receive the at least one fastener to affix each end support leg to a vertical surface of the shower enclosure.

19. A shower seat frame installation kit according to claim 15 wherein the seat includes, on a top surface thereof, multiple openings spaced within a latticework comprising a plurality of component laths; and wherein the latticework radiates from a substantially central point to a perimeter of the seat; and wherein each component lath includes, on a top surface thereof oriented substantially perpendicular thereto, at least one lip.

20. A shower seat frame installation kit according to claim 19 wherein a groove is provided on a bottom surface of a component lath extending from a point substantially centered on a front portion of the perimeter of the seat to an opposite perimeter of the seat; and wherein an upper end portion of the lateral brace is adapted to fit within the groove.

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