US2973524A - Rim structure and means for attachment thereof - Google Patents

Description

March 7, 1961 A. A. DANIELS RIM STRUCTURE AND MEANS FOR ATTACHMENT THEREOF Filed Nov. 21, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 7, 1961 E s 2,973,524-

RIM STRUCTURE AND MEANS FOR ATTACHMENT THEREOF 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 21, 195"! March 1961 A. A. DANIELS 2,973,524

I RIM STRUCTURE AND MEANS FOR ATTACHMENT THEREOF Filed Nov. 21, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 A? 2 2/ a ir I I I R m- 2,973,524 1 Patented. -Mar.

RIIH STRUCTURE AND MEANS FOR ATTACHMENT THEREOF Albert A. Daniels, 1145 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, Ill.

Filed Nov. 21, 1957, Ser. No. 697,890

9 Claims. (Cl. 4-487) This invention relates generally to a rim structure, and more specifically to a means for attaching a self-rimming fixture and a separate fixture rim to a counter.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my application entitled Sink Structure and Method of Assembly, Serial No. 653,317, filed April 17, 1957, and now abandoned.

Various fixtures installed in counter tops, such as sinks and ranges, have been provided with a rim assembly around the fixture to close the joint between the counter top and the fixture. These rims are both decorative and functional; typically these rims provide a sanitary seal between the fixture and the counter, and certain of these rims also support or clamp the fixture in position.

A disadvantage present in both the self-rimming fixtures and the separate rim assemblies is that the labor and material costs due to installation errors are quite expensive. Furthermore, the labor of installation is quite substantial, and frequently complex. A typical counter-top is covered with material which is quite costly and brittle. when an opening is cut in the counter to receive the service portion of the fixture, such as the bowl portion of a sink,'it has not been uncommon to leave a rather thin and weak section of counter-top material at the front and at the back edge of the fixture. The material being brittle, the likelihood of cracking the counter material is substantial, particularly when an inexperienced workman, such as a do-it-yourself householder, is installing a fixture in such a counter.

Furthermore the opening for the service portion of counter fixtures must be positioned with accuracy since the service portion of the fixture, such as the bowl portion of the sink, or its edges must align closely with respect to the edge of the opening, and of course also accurately with respect to plumbing or other devices with which the fixture is to be associated. Normally the position of the plumbing is fixed with respect to the counter, and determines the exact location of the fixture with respect to the counter. Accordingly, considerable skill and experience is necessary to properly position the opening for the service portion of the fixture with the requisite accuracy. An error in locating this opening necessitates scraping the counter-top and the provision of a new counter-top. Therefore, to avoid such an error, timeconsuming accuracy, is required even of the highly skilled workmen employed in the task.

As a solution for these problems. I have provided a self-rimming sink which may be installed even though the bowl opening in the counter is inaccurately located. This sink has been shown and claimed in the aboveidentified application for Letters Patent. I have found that the more basic principles of this invention may be applied not only to self-rimming sinks, but may also be applied to the separate rims or rim assemblies for nonself-rimming sinks, as well as to other self-rimming fixtures and other non-self-rimming fixtures.

Further, I'have found that the provision of a hook means, such as broadly disclosed in my earlier application, is particularly advantageous when combined with the various types of fixture and types of fastening means. I have further found that the use of the fastening means described herein makes practical the construction of certain types or" fixtures which have heretofore been considered commercially impracticable, particularly in that sealing of the edges with respect to the counter has been impossible. Thus it has been impractical previously to provide rims for non-self-rimming fixtures where the contour of the fixture is irregular. My invention makes irregularly contoured rims exceedingly practicable. Further, when exceedingly long or elongated fixtures have been provided, either of the slef-rimming or of the nonself-rimming type, the inherent weight of the fixture coupled with the weakening of the counter produced by a substantial opening, has produced a counter sag at the center which has precluded effective sealing. The instant invention also makes such a fixture practicable by making such a seal tight.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a means for attaching a fixture to a counter.

A further object of this invention is to provide a de tachable means for drawing and holding a fixture against a counter or wall.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of a fastening means which makes practicable both counter fixtures which are somewhat more elongated than have heretofore been practicable, and which also makes practicable counter fixtures having an irregular contour.

Still another object is the provision of a pre-assembled fastening means which may be hooked to a fixture for adjustably drawing and holding the fixture with respect to a supporting surface such as a counter or wall.

Yet another object is the provision of a fixture which may be installed in an opening in a counter, wherein substantial variations in the location of the edge of the opening do not affect the installation of the fixture.

Yet another object is the provision of a fixture and means for attaching same whereby the fixture may be installed in a counter top where the opening of the counter top may be so located as not to leave any rela tively weak sections immediately adjacent to the fixture.

A still further object is the provision of a fixture which may be used with relatively weakened or interrupted counter sections immediately adjacent to the fixture.

Still another object is the provision of means for holding a fixture securely against a counter.

Many other advantages, features and the additional objects of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the details of description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which several embodiments incorporating the principles of the present invention are shown by way of illustrative example.

Onthe drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of a self-rimming sink constructed in accordance with my invention, with a portion of the fastening means omitted;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view taken along line III of Figure 1 and including the omitted parts and a counter-top;

Figure 3 is a view along line III-III of Figure II;

Figures 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 each show various additional embodiments of the fastening means of my invention;

Figure 7 is a fragmental bottom view of the ledge and rim of a fixture such as is shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6;

Figure 10 is a fragmental bottom view of a rim such as is shown in Figure 9;

Figure 11 illustrates how the fastening means of one 'posed side of the rim 37.

comprises resilient material for conforming to the counter variations with which a seal is to be effected. The lower or concave surface of the rim 55 is spaced from the ledge and from the upper surface 18 of the "counter 20 by a pair of marginal flange portions 57 and 58, each of which has an edge which defines a rim slot 60 which extends along the rim 55 and which is spaced from the concave surface of the rim. The inwardly extending marginal flange portions 57, 58 have an upper surface which is included within the term prospectively unexposed side as used herein. Except for the fact that the rim 55 is a separate rim, it will be noted that the embodiment of Figure 9 is substantially otherwise identical to that of Figure 4. Accordingly, the operation of this embodiment is readily apparent.

Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown a fixture having a ledge 36 and a rim 37 with a marginal portion 39 all as shown and described in connection with Figure 4. To secure the rim 37 to the counter 20 at the surface 18, this embodiment includes a subassembly generally indicated by the numeral 64. The subassembly 64 includes a flange portion 62 having a hook 63 at one end thereof for engaging the marginal portion 39. The flange 62 is apertured at the end remote from thehook 63, and rotatably receives and journals a shaft 65 therein. On the shaft 65', there is provided a pair of cams 66 and 67 which are corotatably drivingly mounted on the shaft 65. Except for the relative difference in the length of the flange 62, the subassembly 64 is substantially identical in structure to the subassembly 26.

The rim 37 is disposed in registration with the slot 22 as before, while the hooked end 63 is inserted from the lower side 33 of the counter, through the slot 22 and arranged to interlock or book on the marginal flange portion 39 of the rim 37. As before, at least one of the " cams 66 and 67 is preferably adjustable axially on the shaft 65, whereby the cams may span the slot 22 in the counter 20. Thus the flange 62 is secured to the unex- In view of the foregoing description, the operation of this embodiment will now be apparent.

Referring now to Figure 6, there is shown a still further modification of the hook means for adjustably drawing and holding the fixture against the counter. The self-rimming fixture fragmentally illustrated in Figure 6 is identical to that shown in Figures 4 and 5, and similar reference numerals have been applied thereto. However, a means 70 for securing the rim 37 to the counter 21) is here shown to comprise a threaded member 71 which is hook shaped at one end 72 whereby it may also engage with the prospectively unexposed side of the rim 37. A nut 73 and a resilient spring washer 74 are received on the member 71 either before or after it has been inserted. Where the slot 22 is made sufliciently wide, the member 71 may be inserted from the lower side 33 of the counter 26. However, where a narrower slot is used, which precludes the turning of the hook end 72 therein, the hook end 72 is engaged with the rim 37 as described and then the threaded portion is directed through the opening 22 from above, after which the threaded means, which engage the other end and the other side of the counter for drawing and holding the threaded member, are attached.

Thus in this embodiment, the ledge 36 has been provided with a rim or bead 37 which has a lip or sealing edge 38, and an inwardly directed marginal flange portion 39. The holding means includes the downwardly directed portion or threaded means 71, here shown to have external threads, and which extends through the hole or slot 22 in the counter 24 the slot 22 being remote from the opening 21. The downwardly directed portion 71 typically includes the nut 73 and the compression type :spring 74. The other end of the member 71 includes the "hook portion 72 which removably engages the marginal flange 39. Thus the threaded member 71 is removably Referring now to Figure 7, there is shown a bottom view of a portion of a fixture having the ledge 36 and the rim generally indicated at 37 as also shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6. Preferably that the hooked end 43, 63, or 72, which respectively engages with the marginal flange portion 3?, has a width which is greater than the width of the rim slot 41, shown as W in Figure 7. Further, it is preferable that the hook portions 43, 63 and 72 or the flange portion 39 defining the edge 40, or both, be made of resilient material, whereby the hooked portion may be directed upwardly into the marginal slot in such a manner that the slot edges compress the hook portion and allow it to pass by, thereby allowing it to snap into place to thereafter resist falling out. The fastening structures shown in Figures 5 and 6 may be combined with the separate rim of Figure 9, and the slot width 60 of Figure 9 may be dimensioned so that it is slightly narrower than the width of the hook portion 43. Of course, the snap-in feature has particular utility with the structures shown in Figures 4, 6 and 9, in that easy removal is still present.

Referring now to Figure 10, there is shown a bottom view of the separate rim 55, such as shown in Figure 9, wherein the edges of the marginal flanges 57 and 53 jointly define the marginal slot 66. If desired, particularly when it is preferable to keep the rim 55 and the hook end 43 of the flange 52 relatively rigid, the edge of one or both of the marginal portions 57 may be recessed as at 89 and 81 to define an area or region within the rim slot 6%) of greater width. The width at the recesses or 81 preferably is larger than that of the hook width, whereby the hooks may be inserted at a wide portion in the slot and then displaced along the length of the rim 55 for engagement with the non-recessed part of the marginal flange portions 57 or 53. Thus the hook is larger than the slot width is, except at a portion therealong having greater width, the greater width being provided for the reception or release of the hooked ends. Of course this feature shown in Figure 10 may be incorporated along the edge at of Figure 7 if desired.

Referring now to Figure 11, there is diagrammatically illustrated a condition which makes the instant invention particularly useful and advantageous. By comparing this figure with Figure 2, it will be noted that a substantially similar structure has been provided, but one wherein the ledge 12a is made som'what shorter or narrower, and wherein somewhat less clearance has been provided at the opening 21a. Further, an obstruction generally indicated at 85, which may comprise a counter frame member, a wall, or the like, has also been included to somewhat restrict the space in which the fastening means 26 maybe disposed. Under this set of circumstances, the fixture may be positioned with the rim 13a in line with the counter slot 22a. With the fixture rim thus in position, the means 26a may be grasped by a driving tool and the pair of hooks interengaged. The tool thus holds the means 26a by the portion 30:: and supports it during the engagement of the hooks 24a and 28a. Once these hooks are engaged, by a twist of the tool which is already engaged with the fastening means, the cams 31a and 32a are brought into secure engagement with the lower surface 33a of the counter 29a. Thus the preassembled or unitary subassembly 26a is engaged and tightened in what is practically a single operation, and which may be performed with one hand, whereby the ledge 12:: is drawn against the upper surface 18a of the counter 20a and held thereagainst.

Referring now to Figure 12, there is shown a fixture generally indicated at 86 which has an irregular contour 87. It will be noted that the contour 87 extends a variable distance from the various openings 88, which cornprise service portions of the fixture 86. In this embodiment, burner elements (not shown) are received in the apertures 88, whereby the entire fixture may be used as a drop-in fixture or appliance for a counter top. Any one of the various embodiments of the fastening means as shown herein may be utilized with the instant structure to draw it against the counter and to hold it securely in position. Thus a fixture having an irregular contour may be provided either as a self-rimming fixture, or may be provided with a separate rim for use therewith.

Referring now to Figure 13, there is shown a fixture which comprises a sink, generally indicated by the numeral 9d. The sink includes a pair or bowl or service portions 91, 91 having a ledge 92 integral therewith. The

ledge 2 and the service portions 91 may be provided with a plurality of appropriate conventional plumbing openings 93. in addition, there has been provided a third Service portion comprising a gradually sloping drain board 94 which communicates with the right hand bowl portion 91. If desired, a second drain board portion 94 may be provided at the opposite end of this sink for draining into the left hand bowl 911. It will be noted that this sink provides for a relatively large or wide amount of counter to be left beneath the ledge of the sink 96 for support thereof. In spite of the fact that such a fixture has considerable weight and might cause the counter to sag at the center of the sink, the use of the novel fastening means disclosed herein with a sink of this type rigidly draws the counter and the sink into sealing engagement along the respective edges thereof or at the rim, whereby a tight and sanitary seal is formed. It will be noted that the overall length of this sink is somewhat in excess of the length of one of the service portions or bowls 91 thereof. Accordingly, the instant fastening means, when combined with elongated or contoured appliances or fix tures as shown herein, make it possible for such fixtures to be properly supported and sealed with respect to the supporting counter.

Although various modifications may be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon, all such embodiments as reasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution of the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination with a rim for attaching a fixture directly supported by a counter to such counter, the improvement comprising: a flange member secured to the side of the rim adjacent to the counter and having a hooked end remote from said rim for extending through the counter; means having a hooked end for interlocking with said hooked end of said fiange member; and cam means rotatably journaled in said hooked-end means and adjustably engaging the lower side of the counter for drawing and holding the fixture against the counter.

2. In combination with a fixture having an integral ledge at least partially overlapping and being directly supported by one side of a counter, the improvement comprising: a rim secured to the edge of the ledge, said rim having a portion with a generally concave section directed toward the counter, said rim having a marginal flange portion engaging said counter in spaced relation to said counter-supported integral ledge, said marginal flange portion being disposed in downwardly spaced relationship to said concave portion with the edge of said flange portion defining one edge of a slot extending along said rim in downwardly spaced relation to said concave portion; and fastening means including a cam-like hook slightly larger than the width of said slot; one of said hook and said flange portion being slightly resilient for yieldably permitting snap engagement therebetween and for pre eluding disengagement; and said fastening means extending from said hook through a hole in the counter, said means being adapted to adjustabiy engage the other side rim for extending through the counter; a plate having a hooked end directed away from said rim for removably interlocking with said hooked end of said flange member; and cam means rotatably journaled in said plate and adjustably engaging the lower side of the counter for drawing and holding the fixture against the counter.

4. In combination with a resilient rim for attaching a fixture directly supported by a counter to such counter, the improvement comprising: a flange member having a pair of generally parallel oppositely directed hooked ends, one of said hooked ends being directed toward the counter and being secured by a weld to the side of the rim adjacent to the counter, and the other of said hooked ends being spaced therefrom for extending through a slot in the counter; a plate having a hooked end for detachably interlocking with said other hooked end of said flange member; and cam means rotatably journaled in said plate and adjustably engageable with the lower side of the counter for drawing and holding the fixture against the counter; said one of said hooked ends of said flange member having an edge directed toward the counter and normally spaced therefrom, whereby when said cam means has drawn said edge against the counter, further tension will be opposed by said edge and the counter so that further force cannot be applied to said weld.

5. In combination with a fixture having a ledge integral therewith and for at least partially overlapping and for being directly supported by a counter, the improvement comprising: a rim secured to the edge of the ledge; a first member having hooks at opposite ends thereof directed toward each other, one of said hooks removably tensionably engaging a portion of said rim and slidblc thereon in the principal direction in which said rim extends, said first member being downwardly directed and extending through the counter; a second member having a hook at one end removably tensionably engaging the other hook of said first member and slidably thereon in said principal direction; and means carried by the other end of said second member for adjustably engaging the lower side of the counter for holding said ledge against the counter.

6. in combination with a fixture having a ledge integral therewith and at least partially overlapping and directly supported by one side of a counter, the improvement comprising: a rim secured to the edge of the ledge, said rim having a portion of generally concave section directed toward and fully underlaid by the coun ter, and said rim having a marginal flange portion integral with said concave portion and disposed in downwardly spaced relationship to said concave portion, the edge of said flange portion defining one edge of a slot extending along said rim in spaced relationship to said concave portion; a detachable flange member having a pair of generally parallel hooked ends directed toward each other, one of said hooked ends extending through said slot of said rim and tcnsionably engaging with said marginal fiange portion thereof, and the other of said hooked ends being spaced therefrom for extending through a slot in the counter aligned with said rim slot; a plate having a hooked end for disengageably tensionably interlocking with said other hooked end of said said plate and adjustably engaging the lower side of the counter in spanning relation to said counter slot for drawing and holding the fixture against the counter.

7. In combination with a rim for attaching a fixture supported by a counter to such counter, the improvement comprising: a sheet-like flange member secured to that side of the rim which is to be disposed adjacent to the counter, said member having a distal end for extending completely through the counter, said distal end comprising a hooked end, said end opening toward said rim; a sheet-like plate member having a hooked end opening away from said rim, said hooked ends being interlocked for transmitting a tension force between said members; and cam means including structure rotatably journalled in said plate member about an axis extending in a direction transverse thereto for adjustably engaging the lower side of the counter to transmit said tension force through said hooked ends to draw and to hold the fixture against the counter; said cam means including a pair of axially spaced cams receiving said interlocked ends closely therebetween for engaging said interlocked ends generally in said direction to limit yielding of said hooked ends in said direction.

8. In combination with a rim for attaching a fixture supported by a counter to such counter, the improvement comprising: a sheet-like flange member secured to that side of the rim which is to be disposed adjacent to the counter, said member having a distal end for extending completely through the counter, said distal end comprising a hooked end, said end opening toward said rim; a sheet-like plate member having a hooked end opening away from said rim, said hooked ends being interlocked for transmitting a tension force between said members; and cam means rotatably journalled in said plate member about an axis extending in a direction transverse thereto for adjustably engaging the lower side of the counter to transmit said tension force through said hooked ends to draw and to hold the fixture against the counter; said cam means comprising a rotatable shaft, and a pair of axially spaced cams carried by said shaft, said cams receiving said interlocked hooked ends closely therebetween when in the counter-engaging position for eccentric engagement with said interlocked ends generally in said direction, at least one of said cams being axially movable along said shaft, said eccentric engagement with said movable cam effecting tilting thereof to effect locking said movable cam axially on said shaft.

9. A device for holding a fixture rim against a counter, said device comprising in combination: a member secured to the rim and having a distal portion for extending completely through the counter, said portion including a hook, said hook opening toward the lower side of the counter; a sheet-like apertured plate having an edge directed to define a hooked end for removably tensionably interlocking with said hook; a shaft rotatably journalled in said apertured plate; and a pair of axially spaced cams on said shaft and corotatable therewith, one of said cams being disposed on each side of said plate respectively for adjustably engaging the lower side of the counter.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 630,230 Hubbell Aug. 1, 1899 1,562,126 Hallar et a1. Dec. 6, 1927 2,157,786 Coordes May 9, 1939 2,420,112 Utzler May 6, 1947 2,440,741 Drain May 4, 1948 2,503,910 Kerby Apr. 11, 1950 2,505,828 Fox May 2, 1950 2,584,581 Harris Feb. 5, 1952 2,657,775 Dunham Nov. 3, 1953 2,665,430 Ross et al. Jan. 12, 1954 2,702,732 McCarran Feb. 22, 1955 2,788,100 Landell Apr. 9, 1957 2,790,181 McCarthy Apr. 30, 1957 2,817,097 Henley Dec. 24, 1957 2,820,229 Opstad Jan. 21, 1958 2,870,458 Bowden Jan. 27, 1959 2,913,733 Daniels Nov. 24, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 671,313 Great Britain Apr. 30, 1952

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