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US4432106A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Clamp assembly for self-rimming sinks or basins

Assignee: ARRO-MAC MANUFACTURING Inc
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Filing: 1982-09-20
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Granted: 1984-02-21
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Expires: 2002-09-20
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Abstract

Abstract A clamp assembly is provided for self-rimming sinks or basins which mount through an opening in a supporting counter structure, where the sink or basin has a plurality of brackets secured at least intermittently around its periphery at positions that are intermediate the height of the bowl. A clamp structure has a generally L-shaped configuration, with a first horizontal arm and a second vertical leg, and a bolt threadably received in and passed through the horizontal arm. Means are provided at the upper end of the bolt for engaging the under surface of the counter. The lower portion of the leg is offset in a direction away from the arm so as to contact the outer surface of the bowl of the basin or sink at a position below the bracket, whereby the bolt is kept in a substantially vertical orientation, and a force couple may be created between the bowl of the basin or sink and the lower end of the leg of the clamp. The clamp structure is conveniently stamped and formed from sheet steel or other suitable material, but may be made of extruded aluminum or injection-moulded plastic.

Inventors

  • 👤 Ronald A. Smith

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 07:54
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03C; E03C1/00; E03C1/12; E03C1/32; E03C1/33; E03C1/335

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim 284 words
A clamp assembly for use with a self-rimming sink or basin intended for mounting through an opening in a supporting counter structure which has an upper surface over which the rim of said sink or basin will fit, and having an under surface, where said sink or basin has a bowl and a plurality of brackets secured at least intermittently around the outer surface of said bowl at positions intermediate the height of said bowl, and where each of said brackets has a downwardly facing opening from the top thereof adjacent the outer surface of said bowl at said bracket, comprising: a generally L-shaped clamp structure having a first, generally horizontally disposed arm, and a second, generally vertically disposed leg depending downwardly from said arm; a bolt threadably received in and passed substantially perpendicularly through said arm, and having engageable means at the lower end of said bolt by which said bolt may be turned, and means at the upper end of said bolt for engaging the under surface of said supporting structure; and a clamp arm spaced from the side of said leg opposite said arm, and depending downwardly from a clamping shoulder upstanding from said leg, said clamp arm being substantially parallel to the contiguous portions of said leg and being spaced therefrom a sufficient distance to accommodate one of said brackets; where the lower portion of said leg is offset from the upper portion thereof in a direction away from said arm and to an extent that it will contact the outer surface of said bowl at a place below the bracket with which said clamp arm is engaged, and so as to keep said bolt substantially in a vertical orientation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 284 words
A clamp assembly for use with a self-rimming sink or basin intended for mounting through an opening in a supporting counter structure which has an upper surface over which the rim of said sink or basin will fit, and having an under surface, where said sink or basin has a bowl and a plurality of brackets secured at least intermittently around the outer surface of said bowl at positions intermediate the height of said bowl, and where each of said brackets has a downwardly facing opening from the top thereof adjacent the outer surface of said bowl at said bracket, comprising: a generally L-shaped clamp structure having a first, generally horizontally disposed arm, and a second, generally vertically disposed leg depending downwardly from said arm; a bolt threadably received in and passed substantially perpendicularly through said arm, and having engageable means at the lower end of said bolt by which said bolt may be turned, and means at the upper end of said bolt for engaging the under surface of said supporting structure; and a clamp arm spaced from the side of said leg opposite said arm, and depending downwardly from a clamping shoulder upstanding from said leg, said clamp arm being substantially parallel to the contiguous portions of said leg and being spaced therefrom a sufficient distance to accommodate one of said brackets; where the lower portion of said leg is offset from the upper portion thereof in a direction away from said arm and to an extent that it will contact the outer surface of said bowl at a place below the bracket with which said clamp arm is engaged, and so as to keep said bolt substantially in a vertical orientation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 23 words
The clamp assembly of claim 1, where each of said arm and said leg have a generally U-shaped cross-section, with substantially straight sides.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 19 words
The clamp assembly of claim 2, when formed from a single piece of sheet steel or other suitable material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 28 words
The clamp assembly of claim 1, where said clamp structure is formed of extruded aluminum by which the side profile of said clamp structure is determined by extrusion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 30 words
The clamp assembly of claim 3, where the sides of said leg overlie the sides of said arm in the vicinity of the junction between said leg and said arm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 34 words
The clamp assembly of claim 5, where the edges of said sides of said leg which overlie the sides of said arm are abutted against dimples formed in the respective sides of said arms.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 33 words
The clamp assembly of claim 6, where the ends of the sides of the arm which underlie the sides of the leg at the junction thereof abut the inside surface of said leg.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 33 words
The clamp assembly of claim 2 or 4, where said means at the upper end of said bolt is rotatably captured thereat, and is an upwardly facing cup washer having a serrated periphery.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 37 words
The clamp assembly of claim 2 or 4, where said means at the upper end of said bolt is rotatably captured thereat, and is a moulded plastic plug-like member having an upper surface with protrusions formed therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 24 words
The clamp assembly of claim 3, where said bolt is threadably received in said arm by means of a helix thread collar formed therein.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 37 words
The clamp assembly of 3, 6 or 7, where at least one stiffening rib is formed at the junction of said arm and said leg, and at least one stiffening rib is formed in said clamping shoulder.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 37 words
The clamp assembly of 3, 6 or 7, where at least one stiffening rib is formed at the junction of said arm and said leg, and at least one stiffening rib is formed in said clamping shoulder.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2846695A Cited
US3014476A Cited
US2925609A Cited
US3029445A Cited
US3365732A Cited
US3613128A Cited
US3813707A Cited
US4175292A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1987-02-20 1987-08-22 1988-02-21 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1991-02-20 1991-08-22 1992-02-21 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1995-02-20 1995-08-22 1996-02-21 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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