Patent Application
20090139066
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
The present invention relates to straps and more particularly to straps for holding sinks in place during and after the installation of a sink.
The present invention relates to straps and more particularly to straps used to hold sinks in place during and after the installation of a sink. When installing sinks, there is a need to provide support to the sink as the sink is being installed and after the sink has been installed.
Currently various mechanisms and devices are used to support sinks during the installation process and afterwards. Commonly used is a wood framing under the counter in the area where the sink is to be installed. Wood members are cut to fit the installation area.
Other methods used includes insetting the sink to a sheet of plywood that has been attached securely to the cabinet or a metal sink frame that is manufactured to fit a particular hole size in the countertop. The metal shame is normally in the shape of a rectangular ring. The metal frame has a top which rests on the counter and provision for the sinks to be held by lugs attached to the frame.
Alternatively, inventions like U.S. Pat. No. 5,538,206 to Sather discloses sink supports which consists of a cross member with a mounting bracket on each end. The brackets are designed to rest on the top edge of the vertical element supporting the countertop. Adjustment screws are provided in the cross member for aligning the sink with the countertop.
The present invention provides a simple, sturdy, and easy means for installing sinks. Multiple straps of the present invention, along with the locking device, provide the ability to add tension to the strap for easy installation and removal. Additionally, because of it's simplicity one person can use the present invention to install a sink.
The present invention relates to straps and more particularly to straps used to hold sinks in place during and after the installation of a sink. The invention comprises a strap with attachment devices and a locking device that allows for the adjustment of the strap when the attachment devices are attached to hooks located along the edges of the opening cut for the sink. When the sink is installed in the opening, an end of the strap is pulled and locked into the locking device when proper adjustment is made.
We now discuss the invention in detail with reference to
Strap 100 on a first end further comprises an attaching mean 120. The attaching mean 120 may be incorporated in one end of the strap 100 by cutting an opening into strap piece 110 on that end of strap 100. The opening may be strengthened by including a metal piece such as a grommet or by sewing around the opening.
Alternatively, the first end of strap 100 may be attached to an attaching mean 120 such as a loop, D-ring, or similar devices. The attaching mean 120 is made of a material, such as metal, with sufficient strength to hold a sink in place when the sink is installed.
Strap 100 has a second end further comprising an attaching mean 130. Attaching mean 130, similar to attaching mean 120, may be incorporated by cutting a series of opening through strap piece 110. The opening may be strengthened by including a metal piece such as a grommet or by sewing around the opening.
Alternatively, attaching mean 130 may be a loop, D-ring, or similar devices. Attaching mean 130 is made of a material, such as metal, with sufficient strength to hold a sink in place when the sink is installed. The second end of strap 100 may be threaded through the opening of attaching mean 130 such that attaching mean 130 is adjustable along strap piece 110 or securely attached to strap piece 110.
Strap 100 further includes a locking device 140. Locking device 140 allows for the adjustment of strap 100 when a sink is installed. Locking device 140 may be designed as part of strap piece 110 or is a separate part in which strap piece 110 is threaded through. Locking device 140 may be a tooth lock mechanism, clasp, or buckle device similar to those used on a belt. Locking device 140 may also have an attaching mean 130 incorporated into it and is slidable along the body of strap piece 110.
In a first embodiment as shown in
In a second embodiment as shown in
In another embodiment of strap 100 of the present invention, the first end of the strap piece 110 has attaching mean 120. The second end of strap piece 110 is threaded through the non-locking part of locking device 140, then through attaching mean 130, and then through the locking part or ratchet part of locking device 140.
In another embodiment of strap 100 of the present invention, the first end of strap piece 110 has attaching mean 120. Strap 100 further contains a locking device 140 incorporated onto strap piece 110 along the length of strap piece 110. The second end of strap piece 110 has multiple attaching means 130.
In
A sink is then lowered into the opening which has been prepared for receiving the sink. When the sink is in place, the side of strap 100 with locking device 140 is adjusted through the locking device 140 until the desired support is achieved. The process is repeated for the remaining straps 100 until all straps 100 are adjusted and locked into the desired position. If desired, the extra ends of the straps 100 that were threaded through locking device 140 may be cut.
In an alternative embodiment, strap 100 may be configured as shown in
Alternatively, instead of being attached securely to parallel straps 100, the two extra strap materials 700 may be attached such that it loops around the parallel straps 100 such that the extra strap materials 700 may slide along the length of the parallel straps 100. The additional strap materials 710 may be attached in the same manner as the extra strap materials 700, such that the additional strap materials 710 may slide along the length of the extra strap materials 700.
The strap 100 configured in this alternative manner may be used for holding round sink basins so that the straps 100 does not slip as shown in
A kit comprising multiples of strap 100 and hook devices 200 may be made. The kit may further comprise devices for attaching hook device 200 to a counter such as screws, nails or adhesives.
All the features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
While specific systems and methods have been disclosed in the preceding description, it should be understood that these specifics have been given for the purpose of disclosing the principles of the present invention and that many variations thereof will become apparent to those who are versed in the art.
