Patent Application
20180187400
The present disclosure relates to sinks and, more particularly, sinks with aprons.
Sinks with aprons, which are also sometimes referred to as farmhouse sinks, are a popular type of sink used in residential and commercial applications. Such sinks can be constructed from various materials including fireclay, copper, steel, and the like, and also from composite materials such as engineered stone, which is a composite material made from crushed stone that is bound together by an adhesive such as a polymer resin.
Sinks of this style are typically formed or fabricated to a desired shape in which a sink basin includes an apron, which is visible from the front of the cabinet or stand into which the sink is installed. While various materials can be used to provide a desired aesthetic effect, when the surrounding cabinets or décor is updated, the sink and other fixtures often require replacement. Sinks in general, and especially apron sinks, are heavy and typically require modification of the base cabinet when a different sink is installed because of the modifications that are required to install the original sink and remove a front portion of the cabinet to accommodate the apron. Replacement of a base cabinet along with the sink will typically increase the cost and complexity of a remodeling project.
In one aspect, the disclosure describes a sink. The sink includes a basin body having a generally concave shape that forms at least one sink basin, a top flange integrally formed with the basin body, the top flange extending around the at least one sink basin, an apron connected to a front edge of the top flange, a replaceable panel removably connected onto the apron, and a fastening system disposed between the replaceable panel and the apron, the fastening system releasably connecting the replaceable panel to the apron.
In another aspect, the disclosure describes a method of using a sink having a replaceable panel connected to an apron. The method includes providing a basin body having a top flange integrally formed with the basin body, the top flange extending around the at least one sink basin. The method further includes providing an apron extending from a front edge of the top flange, and removably connecting a replaceable panel to the apron using a fastening system disposed between the replaceable panel and the apron.
In yet another aspect, the disclosure describes a method of assembling a sink having a replaceable panel connected to an apron. The method includes providing a sink having an apron, installing the sink into a cabinet section, and releasably securing a replaceable panel to the apron of the sink. In one embodiment, the method further includes removing the replaceable panel from the apron while the sink is installed into the cabinet section, and releasably securing a second replaceable panel to the apron of the sink while the sink is installed into the cabinet section.
The present disclosure is applicable for fixtures such as sinks that have aprons and, more particularly, to an apron sink having a removable or replaceable panel that is releasably connected to a front of the apron. A sink 100 installed in a cabinet section 102 is shown in
An outline view of the sink 100 installed into the base cabinet 104 with the surrounding structures removed for illustration is shown in
An outline view of the sink 100 is shown in
As can be seen from
The sink 100 advantageously includes a fastening system 300 to removably attach the replaceable panel 118 onto the apron 212 and/or shelf 214 so that the replaceable panel 118 can be replaced without removing the sink 100 or adjusting any of the plumbing or drain connections. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening system 300 includes cooperating fasteners with openings in the sink. More specifically, as shown in
When installing the replaceable panel 118, the fastener 310 and spring washer 316 are loosely secured to the back side of the replaceable panel 118 before inserting the head 318 of the fastener 310 and also the spring washer 316 through the central opening 306 of the apron 212. This can be done twice, once on either side of the apron 212. The replaceable panel 118 along with the two fasteners 310 inserted through their corresponding central openings 306 are then slid along the sink 100 such that the bodies of the respective fasteners travel along the corresponding slot 308. The thickness of the apron 212, which is now disposed between the head 318 and the rear face of the apron 212 causes the spring washer 316 to compress and maintain a clamping force between the replaceable panel 118 and the apron 212 of the sink 100. To secure the replaceable panel 118 and prevent sliding when the replaceable panel 118 is at its final position relative to the sink, two retaining screws 322 can be inserted into mating threaded openings 324 at the bottom face of the replaceable panel 118 through corresponding holes 326 formed in the shelf 214, as shown in
As can be appreciated, the process to remove the replaceable panel 118 from the sink 100 for replacement can be the reverse of the installation procedure. For removing the replaceable panel 118, the two screws 322 can be removed and the replaceable panel 118 slid along the slots 308 in the apron 212 such that the fasteners 310 move towards their respective central openings 306. When the spring washers 316 and corresponding heads 318 of the fasteners 310 are aligned in the central openings 306, the replaceable panel 118 can be removed and replaced with a different replaceable panel 118.
The fastening system 300, while described relative to fasteners and spring washers can be embodied in different configurations. For example, the fasteners can be replaced by hooks that engage slots formed in the apron, or with slots formed in the replaceable panel that engage rails protruding from the front surface of the apron 212. Moreover, while the sink 100 is made from stainless steel, in can be constructed with other metals or materials including composite materials such as engineered stone. The replaceable panel can be made from any desired material such as ceramic, plastic, composite, metal, or wood, which can be solid or veneered wood, and the like. Further, while the replaceable panel 118 is shown having a smooth finish, it can include any type of finish and/or include a relief design. The replaceable panel may also be made from two or more connected structures and may include components such as lights, electronic displays and the like.
All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and “at least one” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of the term “at least one” followed by a list of one or more items (for example, “at least one of A and B”) is to be construed to mean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
