US3008151A

US3008151A - Sink retaining means

Info

Publication number: US3008151A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr George A Lyon; Harry J Eynon
Original assignee: Lyon Inc
Current assignee: Lyon Inc
Priority date: 1959-05-12
Filing date: 1959-05-12
Publication date: 1961-11-14
Anticipated expiration: 1978-11-14

Description

Nov. 14, 1961 G. A. LYON, JR., ETAL 3,008,151

SINK RETAINING MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 12, 1959 1371 22? T 02- 9 George /4 L 0/), Harry cf. E'Znon %W.; aft/14 4 F]? Nov. 14, 1961 G. A. LYON, JR., ETAL 3,008,151

SINK RETAINING MEANS Filed May 12, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 EVERY-GT5 Geo/"ye /].Ly0n, c/K Harry 0.591701) w M @Wzzny I!IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlIIIIlIIll/IIIIIIIIIIt!!! United States Patent 3,008,151 SINK RETAINING MEANS George A. Lyon, Jr., Birmingham, and Harry J. Eynon, Bloomfield Hills, Mich; said Eynon assignor to Lyon Incorporated, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Dela' Ware Filed May 12, 1959, Ser. No. 812,606 5 Claims. (Cl. 4-187) The present invention relates generally to a sink structure and more particularly to a new and improved technique for fastening a sink to a supporting structure such as a counter.

It is well known that there is a great deal or competition between sink manufacturers to provide an improved sink construction of a type which will afiord the manufacturer a competitive advantage over his competitors. Recently considerable emphasis has been placed upon providing means on the sink so that the sink may be more readily assembled with a counter structure. Formerly the installation of a sink required considerable skill since former technique were both tedious and extremely difficult to accomplish. The instant means for securing the sink in assembly with the counter structure is an improvement over previously developed similar types of retaining means, the instant retaining means being adapted to be manufactured at reduced cost in comparison with the previously developed similar types of retaining means.

According to the present invention, strip structures may be suitably preassembled by sink manufacturer on the underside of the sink so that when the sink leaves the factory it is ready for assembly with a counter structure in a home merely by assembling a fastener structure with the strip structure. To this end, the installer only need lower the sink through the opening defined by the counter structure, assemble the fastener structure with the strip structure, and then rotate the screws or bolts each comprising an element of the fastener structure to tightly, clamp the sink in assembly with the counter structure.

More particularly, the present invention concerns a new and highly improved fastener structure for clamping the outer margin of the sink to the counter. Each of the fastener structures is merely comprised of two elements including a swinga-ble arm, and a stove bolt. The swingable arm on each of the fastener structures may be turned into underlying position with respect to the sink structure by means of utilizing an arm guide which is removably attached to the strip structure disposed at the underside of the marginal flange structure or the sink, and which aim guide may be used in conjunction with the assembly of each of the fastener structures, thereby eliminating the requirement that an arm guide be provided for each of the fastener structures, as was the former practice.

Accordingly, an important object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved sink retaining means enabling speedy installation of a sink with a counter structure with a minimum of effort and expense.

Still another important object of the present invention relates to a sink retaining means which may be readily manufactured with a minimum of material, a minimum of parts, and which may be assembled with the sink with a minimum amount of labor.

A further object of the present invention relates to a new and improved sink retaining means for maintaining a silk structure in clamped assembly with a counter structure in a new and improved manner.

An important feature of the present invention relates to a sink retaining means having a swingable arm which is swingable into and out of underlying relation with respect to a counter by means of an arm guide and a bolt,

3,008,151 Patented Nov. I4, 1961 2 which swingable arm may be moved vertically to clamp the sink in assembly with the counter by the rotation of the bolt, and with the arm guide being in removable assembly with the sink retaining means so that it may be used for swinging other swingable arms into and out of underlying clamping engagement with a counter.

Still another important feature of the present invention relates to a novel strip structure which is adapted to be used in conjunction with a fastener structure to enable the sink to be clamped in assembly with a counter structure with a minimum expense.

Other objects and features of the present invention will more fully become apparent in view of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating therein a single embodimet, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a sink structure with strip and fastener structure being indicated in dotted lines;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary View showing the strip structure in assembly with the outer margin of the sink;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional View showing a sink in preliminary engagement with a counter structure and with the illustrated sink section being taken substantially on the line IIIIII, as appearing in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line IVIV, as appearing in FIGURE 2, with the bolt and swingable arm assembly appearing in full and dotted lines illustratin the manner in which it may be assembled with the strip structure;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary edge elevation of the underside area of the sink but showing a portion of the marginal sink flange in section;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to FIGURE 4 only illustrating the arm guide in assembly with the strip structure;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to FIGURE 3 only showing the fastener structure partially in elevation and partially in section, and with the swingable arm being in retaining engagement with the counter;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to FIGURE 6 only showing the manner in which the arm guide may be disengaged from the strip structure;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line IX--IX, as appearing in FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged isometric view of the arm guide.

As shown on the drawings:

The reference numeral 8 in FIGURE 1 indicates generally a sink structure which sink structure includes a counter 9 and a sink 10. The sink It) is illustrated as a double-bowl type sink including bowls ll and 12 which bowls are separated by a partition rib 113. The bowls ll and 12 are provided with discharge outlets 11a and 12a.

The counter or supporting structure may be of any suitable type and as shown is of a laminated construction having a wood layer 9a and a heat-resistant synthetic plastic layer 91). In accordance with present day practices the counter 9 is provided with a central opening through which the sink 10 is adapted to be telescoped.

When the bowl of the sink 1% is telescoped into the opening 90 the sink it) rests upon the counter by means of its marginal flange structure 14. The marginal flange structure 14 includes an annular angular flange portion 14a, a terminal curved or arched flange portion 14b, and a counter-engaging edge 14c.

spears-1 According to the present invention, the sink 101 is provided with retaining means indicated generally at 15. The retaining means comprises strip structure 1d and fastener structure comprising a series of fasteners indicated generally at 17.

The fasteners 17 each include a swingable arm 13, detachable or removable guide 19 (the guide being reusable with each of the fasteners) and a threaded bolt 2%, the threads being indicated at 2%. Suflice it to say at this time that the swingable arm is mountable on the bolt and is guided in its upward movement by the arm guide 1%.

The strip structure 16 comprises a metal strip or strips which are annularly arranged on the underside of the margin 14 of the sink. As is apparent in FIGURE 2, the strip structure 16 is embossed along its len th providing embossed portions or

offset portions

16a and 16b. The offset portions or peripherally spaced areas 16a are separated from one another by spacer portions 160 which spacer portions lids are suitably secured to the underside of the curved or arched flange portion such as by means of spot welds indicated generally at Md. The offset portion 16b extends substantially the full length of the strip structure and is suitably secured along its length to the underside of the annular angular flange portion 14a such as by means of spot welds 15b.

Each of the offset portions loci are provided with which is adapted to cooperate with the bolt 29 and the arm guide 1? to assist in the assembly of these elements with the strip structure 16. To this end, the oflset portions or peripherally spaced areas 16a are each provided with a key-shaped edge 16a which defines a slot through which the head of the bolt may be inserted and secured in assembly with the offset portion 16a. in addition, the offset portion 16:: is provided with shoulders 16f-16f which are disposed on opposite sides of th key-shaped edge 16c and which shoulders are adapted to cooperate with the arm guide 19 in securing the arm guide in assembly with the offset portion 15a.

The swingable arm 13 has a central opening and the threaded shank of the bolt is adapted to be threadingly engaged with the opening provided on the swingable arm so that the swingable arm may move vertically relative to the shank of the bolt depending on which direction the bolt and the swingable arm are moved with re spect to one another.

In order to assemble the sink 19 on the counter structure 9, the swingable arm and bolt assembly may be assembled with the strip structure 16 either before or after the sink it? is mounted on the counter 9. The swingable arm 18 and the bolt may be assembled with the strip structure by cocking the bolt Ztl at an angle relative to the key-shaped strip edge 16@ so that a bolt head 20b may be guided through the slot defined by the key-shaped edge. A strip edge or seat 16g is disposed above and at right angles to the key-shaped edge 162 providing an area on which the bolt head 2% may rest. The method of assembly of the bolt with the strip structure 16 is shown in FIGURE 4.

After the bolt and the swingable arm have been assembled with the strip structure 16, the arm guide 19 may be assembled with the strip structure 16. In order to attain this end, means is provided between the strip structure and the arm guide to enable the arm guide 19 to be assembled with the strip structure 16. The arm guide 19 is generally of a tubular construction and has re siliently defiectable arm guide extensions 1% which may be resiliently spread radially apart in order that arm guide seats 1% may be retainingly engaged with the strip shoulders 16 in snap-on, pull-ofi assembly with the strip structure 16.

To assemble the arm guide 19 with the strip structure 16, the arm guide 19 may be coaxially aligned with the bolt 20 and moved veitically relative to the bolt until the extensions 19a engage against cam strip surfaces 16/1,

1671 (FIGURE 8). As the arm guide 19 is forceably urged against the cam strip surface 1671 the tabs or extensions 1% on the arm guide are resiliently deflected along the cam surfaces so that the extensions 19a are extended through the slots and so the arm guide seats 1%, 1% are engaged with the strip shsoulders 16 16] to thereby mount the arm guide in assembly with the strip structure.

The arm guide 19 is provided with a. pair of confronting helical arm guide edges 19c, 190 which provide means for turning the swingable arm guide 18 into and out of underlying relation with respect to the counter 9 and which cooperate with the bolt 20 in moving the swingable arm guide 18 vertically relative to the bolt 20 so that the swingable arm 18 may be brought into biting engagement with the underside of the counter 9 as is shown in FIGURE 7.

In order to enable the bolt to be turned from underneath the sink structure, a slot Ztlc is provided on the bottom end of the bolt shank which slot is of a size capable of readily receiving a tip end of a screwdriver.

in order for the swingable arm 13 to bite into the underside of the counter 9, the swingable arm is provided within a main body portion 18a, an angular portion 18b, and a biting edge 13c disposed at the tip end of the angular portion 18b (FiGURE 7).

in summary, the swingable arm 13 and the bolt 20 are preferably initially assembled together. The assembled swingable arm and bolt may be assembled with the strip structure in the manner previously described either before or after the bowl of the sink 1% has been telescoped into the counter opening in a manner whereby the sink 10 is carried on the counter 9 as a consequence of the outer marginal edge of the sink 19 being in abutting engagement with the upper surface of the counter layer 9b. By

the use of the arm guide 19, the swingable arms 18 may be turned into underlying relation with respect to the counter structure. The

helical edges

19c, 19c on the arm guide 19 cooperate with the bolt 20 as the bolt is turned in such a manner that the swingable arm is rotated circumferentially relative to the shank of the bolt and is moved vertically relative to the underside of the counter structure into and out of biting engagement therewith. When the swingable arm is in biting engagement with the under side of the counter 9, the outer marginal counter edge 14c operates in such a manner as to prevent moisture from seeping between the countertop and the marginal sink edge 140.

After the swingable arm has been snugly engaged against the bottom side of the counter, the arm guide 19 may be suitably grasped and pulled away from the strip structure so that the arm guide may be used again to aid in the swinging movement of other swingable arms 18. The cost of the fastener structure 17 may be reduced since only one arm guide 19 is needed to assist in the engagement of all of the swingable arms 18 with the underside of the counter. Similarly, if it is desired that the sink be disengaged from the counter 9, only one arm guide 19 is required to complete the operation. In other words, the arm guide 19 may be reassembled with the strip structure so that when the bolt 20 is turned, the swingable arm may be allowed to drop away from the underside of the counter structure and may be allowed to pivot out of underlying relation with respect to the underside of the counter.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. Means for securing a sink to a counter including strip structure and a series of fastener structures removably secured to said strip structure at spaced intervals, said fastener structure including a bolt extending from one side of said strip structure and a swingable arm threadably mounted on said bolt with a biting edge at an outer end of the arm, the improvement comprising a single guide structure having means for detachably mounting with the strip structure coaxially with said bolt and providing a guide slot through which said arm passes, said guide slot having a curvature so that the arm in moving toward the strip structure rotates relative to the strip structure.

2. The means for securing a sink to a counter of claim 1 further characterized by the strip structure having a series of peripherally spaced areas with which the means on the arm guide is adapted to be selectively secured in removable assembly.

3. The means for securing a sink to a counter of claim 2 further characterized by the peripherally spaced areas on the strip structure each including a pair of strip retaining shoulders, and the guide structure having a pair of complementary resiliently deflectable extensions removably engageable under tension with the strip retaining shoulders.

4. The means for securing a sink to a counter of claim 2 further characterized by the peripherally spaced areas each having a key shaped edge in which a head of said bolt may be inserted through enabling the bolt to be suspended from the strip structure to assist in the clamping of the sink to the counter.

5. Means for securing a sink to a counter including strip structure and a series of fastener structures removably secured to said strip structure at spaced intervals, said fastener structure including a bolt extending from one side of said strip structure and a swingable arm threadably mounted on said bolt with a biting edge at an outer end of the arm, the improvement comprising a single guide structure having means for detachably mounting with the strip structure coaxially with said bolt and providing a guide slot through which said arm passes, said guide slot having a curvature so that the arm in moving toward the strip structure rotates relative to the strip structure, the biting edge being disposed outwardly of the guide structure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 258,997 Crandal June 6, 1882 1,287,000 Greaves Dec. 10, 1918 2,096,319 Churchill Oct. 19, 1937 2,705,784 Murphy Apr. 5, 1955 2,843,855 Hammer July 22, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 607,465 Great Britain Aug. 31, 1948