BASE SURFACES

Specification

The present invention relates, in general, to a hook capable of permitting coupling between two articles. More particularly, it is a hook for attaching sinks, hobs and other similar items to a base surface.

As is well known, hooks are generally used for coupling a sink or hob to a base surface. These hooks allow the perimeter edges of the sink or hob to be attached to the ends of the base surface which define the corresponding seat in which to accommodate the sink or hob.

Known hooks usually comprise three pieces:

- an attachment element, fixed to the sink or hob;

- an attachment element, designed to engage the base surface and place it under pressure with the sink or hob;

- a screw, or other means of connection, suitable for connecting and tightening the first two pieces.

The assembly of a sink or hob to a base surface first involves joining the fixing element to a bracket attached to the sink or hob or, in the case of composite sinks or hobs, to a hook support forming part of the sink or hob itself.

During assembly, the coupling element is rotated about 90° with respect to the fixing element, so that the coupling element itself is not in the way when placing the sink or hob on the base plate at the opening in the base plate itself.

Then, once the coupling element has been rotated by approx. 90° so that it is positioned at the edge of the base plate, proceed to tighten the screw.

By means of this screwing, the coupling element shifts with respect to the fastening element, approaching it and the base plane.

When the free ends of the hook element come into contact with the edge of the base plate, the coupling of the sink or hob to the base plate is made stable.

One problem with fixing hooks according to the known technique is their lack of flexibility of use in the case of base plates of reduced thickness.

Indeed, fixing hooks of the known type have always been used for base plates with thicknesses between 30 mm and 40 mm.

In recent years, the thickness of base tops has become increasingly reduced, even down to 12 mm.

In order to be able to fasten sinks or hobs to base plates of reduced thickness using the known fastening hooks, it has been customary to place a shim underneath the base plate, at the edge on which the fastening element would stop.

In essence, this shim is placed between the fastening hook and the base plate, as if the overall thickness of the base plate at the fastening edge of the hook were increased to between 30 and 40 mm.

This is an additional operation for the fitter to perform, which also causes additional problems.

To date, therefore, there is no universal fastening system that can secure the sink or hob tops to 12 to 40 mm thicknesses. In fact, it is necessary to use different fixing systems that cover this range together, using, therefore, a first system for 12 mm to 25 mm thick tops, a second system for 20 mm to 30 mm thick tops, and a third system for 30 mm to 40 mm thick tops.

In addition, the fixing hook, after being fixed, can protrude downwards, creating additional problems in the case of certain applications, such as, for example, if an appliance has to be placed under the sink drip pan that comes flush with the sink itself.

Another issue relates to the large size of the hook towards the sink bowl, which does not allow the application of sinks with bulky bowls at the sides.

In the case of sinks or hobs made of a composite material, e.g. resin, they include a specially created hook support for joining the hooks.

The currently known methods for attaching the fixing hooks to the hook supports in this type of sinks and hobs are not so convenient and practical.

The purpose and function of the present invention is to provide a hook for attaching a sink or hob to a base surface which solves at least in part the problems of fixing hooks according to the known technique.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide a fixing hook that can be used flexibly and practically.

A further scope of the invention is to provide a fixing hook which allows a sink or hob to be fixed to a base plate, regardless of the thickness of the base plate itself.

A further scope of the invention is to provide a fixing hook which, due to its conformation, reacts to any thrusts or forces which would result in the sink or hob and the base surface becoming disengaged, so as to ensure instead that they are joined together.

A further purpose of the invention is to provide a fixing hook which is easy to couple to the respective sink or hob, even if they are made of a composite material and include a specially designed hook support for joining the fixing hooks.

These and other purposes are achieved by a fixing hook capable of attaching a sink L or other similar article to a base surface P, a fixing body C being present in the sink L, said hook comprising - a fixing element, capable of being fixed to the sink L by means of coupling means;

- a coupling element coupled to the fixing element and suitable to hook the base plate P and to put it under pressure with the sink L;

- means of connection suitable for connecting and clamping the fixing element and the coupling element together.

The coupling element comprises

- a base coupled to the fastener; and

- a clevis comprising a free end suitable for engaging the base-plate P and pivoted to the base-plate with a pivot axis, so as to be able to rotate with respect to the base-plate by a chosen angle.

In particular, the hook according to the invention is characterised by the fact that the fastener comprises at least one pin capable of being accommodated in at least one corresponding hole cut in the fastening body C. Furthermore, a hole is formed in the one or more pins, so that a screw or other means for enlarging said pin can be inserted therein.

Further features of the invention are also defined in the dependent claims.

Further features and particulars of the invention may be better understood from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example, as well as from the accompanying drawing plates in which: figure 1 is an axonometric schematic view of a hook according to the invention, the elements of which are arranged according to a first configuration;

Figure 2 is an axonometric schematic view of the hook according to claim 1 , wherein the elements of which it is composed are arranged according to a second configuration; figure 3 is an axonometric view of an element of the hook of figure 1 ; figure 4 is an axonometric view of the element of figure 3, together with a further element of the hook; figure 5 is a rear sectional view of the hook element of figure 1 ;

Figure 6 is a side view of the hook element of figure 1 , before assembly operations are carried out; figure 7 is an axonometric view of the hook of figure 1 , when the screw has been tightened; figure 8 is an axonometric view of the hook of figure 1 , arranged in accordance with the second configuration, mounted on a sink and coupled to a base plate having a first thickness figure 9 is a side view of a hook according to the invention, mounted on a sink and being hooked to a base plate having a second thickness; figure 10 is a side view of the hook of figure 4, hooked to the base plate having a second thickness.

With reference to the enclosed figures, in particular figures 1 and 2, 10 indicates, as a whole, a hook for attaching a sink L, a hob or other similar element, to a base surface, indicated by P.

In the following description, reference will be made to a sink L, but it is understood that the hook may also be used to attach a hob or other element to a base surface.

The fixing hook 10 comprises

- an attachment element 12, suitable for attachment to the sink L;

- a coupling element 14, suitable for coupling the base plate P and putting it under pressure with the sink L; - a screw 16, or other means of connection, suitable for connecting and tightening the fixing element 12 and the coupling element 14, and formed by a threaded stem 18 and a head 20.

The fastener 12, made of plastic material and in a single body, comprises:

- a parallelepiped body 22 with a hole into which the screw 16 can be screwed;

- an elongated base 24 attached to one end of the parallelepiped body 22;

- two pins 26 projecting downwards, i.e. in a direction opposite to the parallelepiped body 22, a hole 28 being drilled in each of said pins 26;

- a dent 30 projecting from the upper face 33 of the parallelepiped body 22;

- a first semi-annular element 35 and a second semi-annular element 37 facing each other so as to form an annular body, being however separated by a slot

- an invitation hole 39 arranged in the centre of the annular body formed by the two semi-annular elements 35, 37.

Furthermore, the parallelepiped body 22 also includes an upper protrusion 23, clearly visible in figure 3.

As can be seen in figure 8, the fastening element 12 is fixable to a sink L in which a fastening body C is positioned.

Two holes are provided in the fixing body C into which the pins 26 of the fixing element 12 can be inserted. By screwing screws or inserting cylindrical pins into the holes 28, the ends of the pins 26 are enlarged, so that the same pins 26 are locked inside the holes cut in the fixing body C.

In this way, the fastening element 12 is locked to the sink L.

The fixing element 14 comprises: - a base 32 made of plastic or nylon material,

- a bracket 34 pivoted to the base 32.

The base 32 comprises a planar body 36 having a substantially rectangular layout from which, at one end, a rear panel 38 protrudes, in which an opening 41 is provided.

From the planar body 36 also rise two flexible side notches 40 and an attachment tooth 42, all three arranged adjacent to the wall 38.

The hooking tooth 42 comprises a protrusion facing towards the wall 38 and suitable for locking the U-bolt 34 to the base 32.

In addition, in the base 32, in particular in the planar body 36, a hole is centrally formed for being passed through by the screw 16.

As shown in Figure 4, when coupling the fastening element 12 to the coupling element 14, the first semi-annular element 35 and the second semiannular element 37 pass through the hole obtained in the planar body 36.

The U-bolt 34 turns out to be a "C"-shaped body in which a slotted hole 46 is obtained, suitable to be passed through by the screw 16.

The width of the slotted hole 46 is larger than the stem 18 and smaller than the head diameter 20 of the same screw 16.

A first end 48 of the u-bolt 34 is abutting the planar body 36, accommodated between the rear wall 38 and the two side notches 40.

In addition, the central portion of the end 48 is clamped by the coupling tooth 42.

The U-bolt 34 can thus rotate with respect to the base 32 to which it is rotatably constrained by the engagement tooth 42, between the rear wall 38 and the two side notches 40. Furthermore, the central portion of the end 48 of the clevis 34 comprises a protrusion 49 which is disposed in the opening 41 of the rear wall 38.

The attachment member 14 can rotate relative to the attachment member 12 around the screw 16.

As can be seen in figure 5, the mounting plate 32 is crossed by the screw 16, arranged between the first semi-annular element 35 and the second semiannular element 37, and in the invitation hole 39.

When screwed, the screw 16 tends to spread the first semi-annular element 35 and the second semi-annular element 37 apart, thus making the annular body formed by the two semi-annular elements 35, 37 conical.

In this way, the headstock 32, specifically with the planar body 36, is constrained to the fastening element 12 and is prevented from translating vertically.

The clevis 34 has a free end 50, opposite to the first end 48, and comprising two coupling tips 52.

The coupling element 14 has a free end 50, and in particular the two coupling tips 52, which is capable of rebating on the lower surface of the base surface P, i.e. on the surface opposite to the surface on which the sink L is arranged to rest, as illustrated in figures 3 and 5.

The fixing element 12, the coupling element 14 and the screw 16 are assembled together so as to obtain the fixing hook 10.

In particular, as illustrated above, the pins 26 of the fixing element 12 are inserted into the two holes drilled in the fixing body C joined to the sink L.

By screwing screws or inserting cylindrical pins (expanders) into the holes 28, the ends of the pins 26 are enlarged, so that the same pins 26 are locked inside the holes cut in the fixing body C.

The planar body 36, and therefore the entire coupling element 14, has the ability to rotate with respect to the parallelepiped body 22 and therefore the fastening element 12, as can be seen in figures 1 and 2.

In particular, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, when rotated, the planar body 36 is supported by the upper protrusion 23, above which are carried the small wall 38, the two flexible side notches 40, the coupling tooth 42 and, above all, the first end 48 of the U-bolt 34.

Furthermore, the screw 16 provides that its shank 18 passes through the slotted hole 46, the through-hole formed in the planar body 36, and is screwed into the corresponding hole formed in the parallelepiped body 22.

By screwing in the screw 16, the head 20 of the same screw 16, not being able to pass through the slotted hole 46, forces the U-bolt 34 to rotate with respect to the planar body 36, thereby lowering the free end 50 and the corresponding coupling tips 52.

Moreover, since the protrusion 49 is arranged in the opening 41 , the jumper 34 is prevented from lifting with its end 48 from the rear wall 38 and thus from the base plate 32, as visible in figure 7.

The assembly operations of a sink L (or similarly of a hob or of another similar element) to a base-plate P, foresee first of all the connection of the fixing hook 10 to the sink L.

In particular, the fixing element 12 is attached to the fixing body C, suitably joined to the sink L, as shown in figures 3, 4 and 5.

Before arranging the sink L on the base surface P, the fastening element 14 is rotated by 90° with respect to the fastening element 12, according to the position illustrated in figure 1 , so as not to be in the way for the passage of the same fastening hook 10 and of the sink L in the opening obtained in the base surface P.

In particular, this characteristic is rendered by the substantially flat conformation of the hook 10. In fact, the hook develops in width, but little in depth. In other words, the fastener 12 is tightened in a direction transverse to the parallelepiped body 22. Similarly, the jumper 34 is also narrow and when arranged as shown in figure 1 , makes the whole hook narrow.

Once the sink L has been placed on the base surface P, the coupling element 14 is rotated with respect to the fixing element 12 by an angle 90° in the opposite direction to the rotation carried out previously.

The coupling element 10 is thus returned to the configuration illustrated in figure 2.

The rotation of the coupling element 14 is, however, blocked by the fact that the planar body 36 comprises a protrusion which engages the notch 30. In this way, the coupling element 14 can be easily arranged in the appropriate position for locking, without the operator having to pay particular attention.

Next, proceed by tightening the screw 16, so that the head 20 of the same screw 16, not being able to pass through the slotted hole 46, forces the U-bolt 34 to rotate with respect to the planar body 36, thus lowering the free end 50, until the relative coupling tips 52 go into contact with the lower surface of the base plate P, as illustrated in figures 3 and 5.

As can be seen from the same figure 3, the fixing hook 10 according to the invention is used for fixing a sink L to a base surface P' having a substantial thickness.

Similarly, the fixing hook 10 according to the invention, can also be used for fixing a sink L to a base plate P' having a reduced thickness.

The fixing operations are the same, with the exception of certain operational steps.

Initially, in fact, the fixing element 12 is fixed to the fixing body C, appropriately joined to the sink L.

The fastening operations involve the screw 16 being tightened more, so that the U-bolt 34 is forced to rotate further in relation to the planar body 36.

Also in this case, the free end 50 of the U-bolt 34 is brought adjacent to the base plane P", until the relative coupling tips 52 are in contact with the lower surface of the same base plane P", as illustrated in figure 5.

The attachment hook 10 according to the invention can, therefore, be used to attach sinks L both to base plates P' having a traditional thickness, and to base plates P" having a reduced thickness, even up to 12 mm.

This avoids the use of shims associated with base plates of reduced thickness, thus avoiding additional operations for the fitters.

It also avoids the use of different attachment systems depending on the thickness range of the base plates.

In addition, it is also avoided that the fastening hook protrudes too far downwards, allowing the installation of appliances below the drip edge and sinks with bulky side bowls.

The fixing hook according to the invention can, therefore, be used in a flexible and practical manner.

Furthermore, the fixing hook, due to its conformation, reacts to any thrusts or forces which would result in the sink or hob and base surface becoming disjointed, so as to ensure instead a greater union between them. More particularly, it is important to note that the clevis 34 is hinged to the base plate 32 on an axis which is arranged on a plane opposite to the fixing plane with respect to the axis of the screw 16.

This configuration makes it possible to use the fastening hook according to the invention both for high base plates, i.e. of thicknesses of, for example, 40 mm, and for lower base plates, with thicknesses of up to 12 mm and more.

In the first case, it is sufficient to tighten the screw 16 by slightly rotating the U-bolt 34, as shown in figure 3.

In the second case, it is necessary to tighten screw 16 more, so as to further rotate U-bolt 34, as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

In addition, the design of the fixing element 12 with the two pins 26 allows the fixing of the fixing hook 10 to the sinks or hobs in a new, more convenient and faster way.

Variations are possible which are to be considered within the scope of protection; for example, the materials from which the fixing element, the coupling element and the screw are made may be different from each other and different from those described above.

The design of the clevis of the latching element may also vary depending on the application requirements, as may the shape of the fastener.