Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Sink and method of installing same
Description
The present application relates to a sink, in particular a kitchen sink,
according
to claim 1.
io .. According to a further aspect, the application relates to a (kitchen)
workplace
according to claim 8 comprising a sink and a worktop, said worktop having a
cut-out therein, in which said sink is installed.
Furthermore, according to another aspect thereof, the application relates to a
method of installing a sink in a worktop cut-out according to claim 12.
Today, different installation methods are used for installing sinks, in
particular
kitchen sinks, in a built-in kitchen.
.. Using the undermount method, the sink has outwardly directed flanges along
its
side walls, which flanges are fixed to the lower surface of a worktop by means
of
brackets or the like. Accordingly, with the undermount method, the sink has to
be installed from below the worktop which may be cumbersome and difficult.
So-called inset or slimtop sinks present an edge portion around the sink bowl,
which edge portion is intended to be placed on top of the upper worktop
surface
when installing the sink. The sink in question further presents clamps which
are
¨ on one side ¨ attached to said edge portion, whereas the other extremity of
said clamps is brought into contact with the lower worktop surface. Then, by
.. means of screws comprised in said clamps, the sink is fixed to the worktop.
Again, the main installation work has to be done from below the worktop, which
can be cumbersome and difficult. Furthermore, said clamps can present a rather
intricate design.
.. So-called flushmount sinks differ from the above-mentioned inset or slim
top
sinks in that said edge portion of the sink is not located on top of the upper
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worktop surface, but is located in a shallow circumferential recess around a
worktop cut-out. In this way, the sink does not protrude from the upper
worktop
surface, which can be appreciated for reasons of design and hygiene. Flush-
mount sinks are fixed to the worktop by means of clamps, much like inset or
slim
top sinks.
While sinks can be made from various materials, metal (steel) and ceramic ma-
terials are widely used for this purpose. Recently, resin-compound materials,
such as Franke Fragranite, made from quartz sand and acrylic resin, are used
io as an alternative to the aforementioned materials, which presents
advantages
as far as wear-resistance and hygienic properties are concerned.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new sink and a
correspond-
ing installation method, which present a unique integration of the sink with
the
worktop, while facilitating the installation work while enhancing wear-
resistance
and hygienic properties. Furthermore, a cut-out section of the worktop shall
be
protected, which is not easily possible with the above-mentioned current
instal-
lation methods.
The object is achieved by means of a sink according to claim 1, in particular
kitchen sink, made at least partly from a resin-compound material, the sink
comprising: at least one bowl with a bottom wall and a circumferential side
wall;
at least one outlet opening located in said bottom wall; a circumferential rim
lo-
cated at an upper edge of said bowl around an outside thereof, said rim extend-
ing outwardly from said side wall by an extent; a number of resilient clamping
elements arranged on the outside of said bowl adjacent said rim, which clamp-
ing elements, in a free or uncompressed state thereof, extend outwardly beyond
the extent of said rim, and which clamping elements are devised for providing,
in
a loaded or compressed state thereof, a clamping force outwardly from said
side
wall, at least some of said clamping elements being attached to the sink in re-
spective recesses arranged in said side wall and/or in a transition region be-
tween said side wall and said rim.
According to another aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by means
of
a workplace according to claim 8, said workplace comprising a sink, in
particular
kitchen sink, said sink made at least partly from a resin-compound material
and
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comprising: at least one bowl with a bottom wall and a circumferential side
wall;
at least one outlet opening located in said bottom wall; a circumferential rim
lo-
cated at an upper edge of said bowl around an outside thereof, said rim extend-
ing outwardly from said side wall by an extent; a number of resilient clamping
elements arranged on the outside of said bowl adjacent said rim, which clamp-
ing elements, in a free or uncompressed state thereof, extend outwardly beyond
the extent of said rim, and which clamping elements are devised for providing,
in
a loaded or compressed state thereof, a clamping force outwardly from said
side
wall, at least some of said clamping elements being attached to the sink in re-
spective recesses arranged in said side wall and/or in a transition region be-
tween said side wall and said rim; and a worktop, said worktop having a cut-
out
therein, in which said sink is installed, said cut-out defining a cut-out side
wall
extending essentially at right angles with respect to an upper and lower
surface
of said worktop, wherein said cut-out side wall is located opposite said rim,
and
wherein said sink is centered within said cut-out by means of said clamping el-
ements, which are compressed between said cut-out side wall and said sink.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the object is also achieved by
means of a method of installing a sink in a worktop cut-out according to claim
.. 12, said method comprising a) providing a sink made at least partly from a
resin-
compound material with: at least one bowl with a bottom wall and a circumferen-
tial side wall; at least one outlet opening located in said bottom wall; a
circum-
ferential rim located at an upper edge of said bowl around an outside thereof,
said rim extending outwardly from said side wall by an extent; a number of
resil-
ient clamping elements arranged on the outside of said bowl adjacent said rim,
which clamping elements, in a free or uncompressed state thereof, extend out-
wardly beyond the extent of said rim, and which clamping elements are devised
for providing, in a loaded or compressed state thereof, a clamping force out-
wardly from said side wall, at least some of said clamping elements being at-
tached to the sink in respective recesses arranged in said side wall and/or in
a
transition region between said side wall and said rim; b) making said worktop
cut-out, it being larger in dimension than an area circumscribed by said rim
but
smaller than an envelope around said clamping elements in their uncompressed
state while defining a cut-out side wall extending essentially at right angles
with
respect to an upper and lower surface of said worktop; c) placing said sink in
said cut-out so that said cut-out side wall is located opposite said rim, said
sink
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being centered within said cut-out by means of said clamping elements, which
are compressed between said cut-out side wall and said sink.
Further disclosed is a device for installing a sink in a worktop cut-out, said
sink
made at least partly from a resin-compound material and comprising at least
one
bowl with a bottom wall and a circumferential side wall; at least one outlet
open-
ing located in said bottom wall; a circumferential rim located at an upper
edge of
said bowl around an outside thereof; said device comprising at least one in-
stalling jig for placing on an upper face of said rim and extending coplanar
with
io said upper face of said rim while extending, at least locally, beyond
said rim
outwardly from said sink, and a jig counterpart for removably fixing said in-
stalling jig to said sink.
Owing to its rim design, the sink according to the present invention is
capable of
breaking current installation rules. Preferably, the rim extends across the
work-
top cut-out section, thus potentially protecting the latter, and an upper edge
of
said rim is coplanar with the upper worktop surface, when installed.
In this way, a side wall of the worktop cut-out can be protected and does not
require to be polished or otherwise treated prior to installing the sink,
which can
greatly reduce installation costs.
Preferably, the sink rim is floating in the worktop cut-out, i.e. does not
come into
contact with a side wall of said cut-out. A corresponding gap can be sealed by
using any suitable sealant, e.g. a silicone sealant.
Installation of the sink according to the present invention can be executed by
pushing the sink in the worktop cut-out from above the worktop, preferable by
using a suitable installation device according to one aspect of the present
inven-
tion.
The sink can be kept in its final position within the worktop cut-out by means
of
the resilient clamping elements arranged on the outside of the sink bowl (so-
called fastfix clips) in combination with the adhesive action of said sealant
(e.g.
silicone).
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As a final result, the installed sink can present a flushmount-like rim in
terms of
alignment with the worktop upper surface, while greatly facilitating the
required
installation work.
Owing to the mentioned installation method, the rim of the sink according to
the
present invention can be much thinner than standard in the market, e.g. 4 mm
vs. 15 through 30 mm, which can be seen as advantageous in terms of esthet-
ics. Thus, in a preferred embodiment of the sink according to the present
inven-
tion, a value of the extent by which the sink rim extends outwardly from the
sink
io side wall is comprised between 2.5 mm and 6 mm, preferably between 2.5
mm
and 5 mm, and more preferably equals about 4 mm, as mentioned.
In another embodiment of the sink according to the present invention, said rim
can be configured in solid material or can be configured by outward and down-
ward bending of the side wall material used for production of the sink.
In yet another embodiment of the sink according to the present invention, said
clamping elements are compressible inwardly towards said side wall to an ex-
tent that they do not extend outwardly beyond said extent of the rim. In this
way,
an easy installation of the sink in a worktop cut-out from above the worktop
is
made possible.
According to yet another embodiment of the sink according to the present inven-
tion, a clamping force per unit length of the side wall, as caused by said
clamp-
ing elements in said loaded or compressed state thereof, is essentially evenly
distributed around the sink, preferably by adapting a number of the clamping
elements and/or by adapting a mutual spacing between individual clamping ele-
ments and/or by adapting the clamping force of individual clamping elements.
In
this way, it can be easily made possible to self-center the sink during
insertion
in the worktop cut-out by means of said clamping elements. This can help to
achieve a uniform gap around the sink, which is advantageous in terms of seal-
ing said gap as well as in terms of esthetics.
According to a further embodiment of the sink according to the present inven-
tion, individual clamping elements comprise at least one spring element, which
is hook-shaped in cross- section, with a first leg extending essentially
parallel to
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said side wall and preferably downwardly from said rim, a second leg extending
outwardly from said first leg and from said side wall, and a third leg
extending
outwardly from said second leg and from said side wall as well as parallel to
said first leg, in said free or uncompressed state of the clamping elements,
said
third leg at least partially overlapping with said first leg. This can further
help to
facilitate installing the sink from above the worktop, while ensuring a
reliable
clamping action for holding the sink within the worktop cut-out during
installation
and prior to effectiveness of an additional adhesive material used for fixing
the
sink in the worktop cut-out.
In order to further enhance the clamping effect, according to a preferred
further
embodiment of the sink according to the present invention, a free end portion
of
said third leg is further angled outwardly from said side wall.
For easy installation and for achieving an esthetical effect, the sidewall of
the
sink can have an essentially flat configuration. Furthermore, the sink as such
can have an overall rectangular shape, when seen from above, preferably with
rounded corners.
In a preferred further embodiment of the workplace according to the present in-
vention, a distance between said rim and said worktop cut-out side wall can be
essentially uniform around said sink for achieving a superior esthetical
effect.
This has already been mentioned above and can be achieved by means of
adapting the clamping force per unit length of the sink side wall, as detailed
above.
In yet another embodiment of the workplace according to the present invention,
an adhesive sealing joint is located around said rim between said sink and
said
cut-out side wall, preferably a silicone joint or the like. While filling the
gap be-
tween the floating rim and the cut-out side wall, said joint can be devised to
du-
rably hold the sink in place within the worktop cut-out, in combination with a
clamping action of the clamping elements. Accordingly, a main effect of the
clamping elements can be to center the sink during installation thereof and to
hold it in place until the adhesive sealant has set (or cured).
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According to yet another embodiment of the workplace according to the present
invention, an upper face or upper edge of said rim can be essentially coplanar
with the upper worktop surface, thus achieving a superior esthetical and
hygien-
ical effect.
As already mentioned before, an embodiment of the inventive method can com-
prise placing the sink in the worktop cut-out from above the worktop,
beginning
with a bottom part of the sink, which bottom part is located opposite said
rim.
This may greatly facilitate installation of the sink, in particular in
comparison
io with current undermount methods.
In yet another embodiment of the method according to the invention, said meth-
od may comprise placing the sink in the worktop cut-out and lowering it
therein
until an upper face of said rim is essentially coplanar with the upper surface
of
the work top.
Prior to method step c), in yet another further embodiment of the inventive
method, a bead of an adhesive sealing material can be placed around the rim,
preferably a silicone material or the like, so that, during method step c), an
ad-
hesive sealing joint is formed around the rim between the sink and the cut-out
side wall, preferably a silicone joint or the like. The joint can be effective
to
close the gap between the sink rim and the cut-out side wall, while protecting
the latter from moisture or the like. Furthermore, the adhesive sealing
material
will hold the sink in place after curing or setting.
In yet a further embodiment of the inventive method, prior to step c), the
sink
can be provided with a removable installation device, said installation device
comprising at least one installing jig placed on an upper face of the sink rim
and
extending essentially coplanar with said upper face of said rim while
extending,
at least locally, beyond said rim outwardly from the sink. Then method step c)
can be performed until said installing jig comes into contact with said upper
worktop surface. Afterwards, the installation device can be removed. In this
way,
the above-described embodiment of the inventive method enables flushmount-
like installation of the sink in an easy and reliable fashion.
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For protecting the worktop surface, in particular from said sealing material,
prior
to method step c), in a further embodiment of the inventive method, the
worktop
can be provided on its upper surface, adjacent a contour of the cut-out, with
a
removable protective cover, in particular a tape, which protective cover can
be
removed after completion of step c).
In yet a further embodiment of the inventive method, prior to step a), a
number
of recesses can be made in said side wall or in a transition region between
said
side wall and said rim, in particular by drilling, grinding, milling, boring,
ablating
io or cutting, and at least some of said clamping elements can be attached
to the
sink in respective recesses, preferably by glueing or adhesive bonding. In
this
way, and sink as well as already existing resin-compound sinks can be easily
(retro)fitted with the new fixation technology.
A further embodiment of the installation device comprises that the counterpart
of
said installing jig is to be located at the sink outlet opening on an outside
of the
sink bowl. Therefore, said counterpart can be devised accordingly.
Preferably, said counterpart, in a further embodiment of the installation
device,
can be devised as a plate-like element, a planar dimension of which is bigger
than a clear opening of said outlet opening. In this way, said counterpart can
be
placed over said outlet opening without passing therethrough.
In a further embodiment of the installation device, the device comprises a con-
necting means for detachably connecting the installing jig and the
counterpart.
Preferably, said connecting means are devised as a screw means, so that de-
tachably connecting said installing jig and said counterpart can be readily
achieved without the use of any specialized tools or the like.
For detachably connecting said installing jig and said counterpart, according
to
a further embodiment thereof, the installation device may comprise correspond-
ing openings in said installation jig and in said counterpart for passing
through
said connecting means.
If said connecting means are devised as a screw means, in yet another embod-
iment of the installation device, at least said opening in said counterpart
can be
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devised as a threaded bore. This further facilitates detachably connecting
said
installation jig and said counterpart.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the installation device, said
connecting means may comprise an abutment means, which defines a maximum
distance of said installation jig and said counterpart, so that fixing the
device on
a sink can be achieved in a secure and reliable fashion.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will now be described
io in connection with exemplary embodiments thereof with relation to the
drawings.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sink according to the
present
invention, further illustrating the optional method step of
placing a bead of an adhesive sealing material around the
sink rim;
Figures 2a-2c show different steps during installation of the sink
of
Fig. 1 in a worktop;
Figures 3a-3c show the installation steps of Fig. 2 from a perspective
view;
Figure 4 shows a tool for making the recesses for locating the
clamping elements;
Figure 5 shows a clamping element located in a recess made ac-
cording to Fig. 4;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a sink according to the
present
invention installed in a worktop;
Figure 7 shows a detail from Fig. 6;
Figures 8a-8d show a sink together with an installation device;
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Figure 9 shows a worktop with a cut-out, prior to installing a
sink
according to the present invention;
Figure 10 shows the worktop of Fig. 9 after applying a removable
protective cover according to a preferred method step;
Figure 11 shows an intermediate state during installation of the
sink
according to Fig. 1 or Figs. 2a through 2c or Figs. 8a
through 8d according to the inventive method;
Figure 12 shows a detail from Fig. 11; and
Figures 13a-13d show successive method steps for completing the sink
installation process.
In Fig. 1, the sink according to the present invention is denoted by means of
reference numeral 1. Said sink 1 can ¨ without limitation ¨ be devised as a
kitchen sink and is at least partially made of a resin-compound material, such
as
Fragranite (quartz + acrylic resin). It comprises a bowl 2 with a bottom wall
3
and a circumferential side wall 4. At least one outlet opening, which cannot
be
seen in Fig. 1, is located in said bottom wall 3 (cf. Fig. 6). A
circumferential rim
5 is located at an upper edge of said bowl 2 around an outside thereof, as can
be readily seen from Fig. 1. Said rim 5 extends outwardly from said side wall
4
by an extent E. Preferably, side wall 4 and rim 5 are formed integrally from
said
resin-compound material, as shown. Furthermore, the sink 1 comprises a num-
ber of resilient clamping elements 6 arranged on the outside of said bowl 2 ad-
jacent said rim 5. In Fig. 1, one clamping element 6 is shown in a free or un-
compressed state, in which it extends outwardly beyond the extent E of said
rim
5. The clamping elements 6 are devised for providing, in a loaded or com-
pressed state thereof, a clamping force directed outwardly from said side wall
4,
for holding the sink in a corresponding worktop cut-out, as will be explained
in
more detail below.
Referring again to Fig. 1 and to Fig. 12, it can be easily gathered that the
clamp-
ing element 6, in its unloaded state, does extend outwardly beyond the extent
E
of said rim 5. In a preferred embodiment, a value of said extent E can be com-
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prised between 2.5 mm and 6 mm, preferably between 2.5 mm and 5 mm, and
more preferably equals about 4 mm.
As can further be gathered from Fig. 1 and Fig. 12, the clamping elements 6
can
comprise at least one spring element which is hook-shaped in cross section,
with a first leg 6a extending essentially parallel to said side wall 4 and
prefera-
bly downwardly from said rim 5, a second leg 6b extending outwardly from said
first leg 6a and from said side wall 4, and a third leg 6c extending outwardly
from second leg 6b and from said side wall 4 as well as parallel to said first
leg
lo 6a, in said free or uncompressed state of the clamping elements 6, as
shown in
Fig. 12. Furthermore, said third leg 6c at least partly overlaps with said
first leg
6a. A free end portion of said third leg 6c is angled outwardly from said side
wall
4, as shown at reference numeral 6d.
As can further be gathered from Fig. 1 and Fig. 12, the rim 5 is configured in
solid resin-compound material for increased mechanical strength.
Furthermore, from Fig. 1 and Fig. 12 it can be gathered that the clamping ele-
ments 6 are compressible inwardly toward the side wall 4 to an extent that
they
.. do no longer extend outwardly beyond said extent E of the rim 5. This
enables
easy installation of the sink 1 from above a worktop, as will be explained in
de-
tail below.
Referring now to Fig. 3a, it can be seen that a clamping force per unit length
of
the side wall 4, as caused by said clamping elements 6 in their loaded or com-
pressed state, is essentially evenly distributed around the sink, by adapting
the
number of the clamping elements 6. According to a preferred embodiment, all of
the clamping elements 6 are essentially identical; however, more clamping ele-
ments can be placed along the longer side walls of the rectangular sink 1,
thus
enabling centering of the sink 1 within a worktop cut-out. In this context,
the
number of clamping elements 6 at opposing side walls 4 of the sink 1 should be
identical, which cannot be seen in Fig. 3a.
Further according to Fig. 1, by means of a suitable device 7, a bead 8 of an
ad-
hesive sealing material is placed around the rim 5, which adhesive sealing ma-
terial can be ¨ without limitation ¨ a silicone material. The effect of said
bead 8
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will be explained below. Preferably, said bead 8 is placed around the entire
pe-
riphery of the rim 5 around the sink 1, more preferably with a bead width or
di-
ameter of approx. 7 mm.
Fig. 1 further shows a worktop 11 having an essentially rectangular cut-out
11a,
which cut-out 11a is intended to be fitted with a sink 1 as described above in
connection with Figs. 1 and 12. To this end, the cut-out 11a is made larger in
dimension than an area circumscribed by the sink rim 5 but smaller than an en-
velope around said clamping elements 6 in their uncompressed state while de-
io fining a cut-out side wall llb extending essentially at right angles
with respect
to an upper and lower surface of said worktop. Reference numeral 11d denotes
an upper surface 11d of worktop 11. Worktop 11 can be made of wood, metal,
stone or any other suitable (composite) material. It should be noted that the
side
wall llb of cut-out 11a needs not to be polished or otherwise treated when in-
stalling sink 1 as described above by using an installation method according
to
the present invention.
Figs. 2a through 2c show the sink 1 of Fig. 1 (with bead 8) and its
interaction
with worktop 11 (cut-out 11a) during installation of the sink 1. Fig. 2a shows
a
clamping element 6 in its free state prior to interaction. When sink 1 is
lowered
according to arrows Al, it gradually enters cut-out 11a while the clamping ele-
ments 6 make contact with the cut-out side wall 11b (Fig. 2b) which has a cen-
tering effect on the entire sink (arrow A2). Fig. 2c shows the final
installation
state, wherein the clamping elements 6 hold the sink 1 in the cut-out 11a. The
sink 1 is mounted flush with the worktop upper surface 11d, e.g. by using an
appropriate alignment device 20 and pushing according to arrow A3. The mate-
rial of bead 8 fills a gap between rim 5 of sink 1 and cut-out side wall 11b.
Figs. 3a through 3c show the same sequence of events as Fig. 2a through 2c
from a perspective view.
The clamping elements 6 (cf. Fig. 1) are located in respective recesses R in
said
side wall 4 of the sink 1 or in a transition region T between said side wall 4
and
said rim 5, as shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. Fig. 4 further shows a tool 30 for
mak-
ing said recesses R in the resin-compound material of sink 1, in particular by
drilling, grinding, milling, boring, ablating or cutting. In Fig. 4, tool 30
is devised
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as a rotational cutting tool with cutting head 31 and driving shaft 32. At
least
some of said clamping elements 6 can then be attached to the sink in
respective
recesses R by glueing or adhesive bonding (cf. Fig. 5). The clamping element 6
shown in Fig. 6 has multiple legs 6b, 6c of slightly differing shape, which is
an
optional feature of the present invention.
Fig. 6 shows another perspective view of sink 1 installed in worktop 11. In
Fig. 6, the outlet opening 3a, which cannot be seen in Fig. 1, is clearly
visible
and located in bottom wall 3 (cf. Fig. 6).
Fig. 7 is a detailed view of the gap between sink 1 and worktop 11 as already
mentioned in connection with Fig. 2c. Said gap is filled with the material of
bead
8 (silicone). Preferably, rim 5 and gap together are only 6.5 mm wide.
Figs. 8a through 8d show a sink 1 different from that of Figs. 1 through 7 and
its
interaction with a special installation device denoted by reference numeral 9.
The sink shown in Figs. 8a-d as well as in the following figures is not made
of a
resin-compound material, but of metal. However, it could easily be replaced by
a
sink according the present invention, i.e., made of resin-compound material
and
having clamping elements installed in recesses, as detailed above.
The installation device 9 comprises and installing jig 9a and a so-called jig
counterpart or counterpart 9b. The installing jig 9a can be best seen in Figs.
8a
and 8c, whereas the counterpart 9b can be best seen in Figs. 8b and 8d. The
installing jig 9a and its counterpart 9b can be made ¨ for instance ¨ in
plastic or
wood-composite material, without limitation. The installing jig 9a has a flat,
sheet-like configuration of overall rectangular shape with circumferentially
pro-
truding flaps 9c and grip openings 9d, which are located in vicinity of an
edge
portion of the installing jig 9a. Further comprised are two connecting
openings
9e which are located near a center of the installing jig 9a. As can be seen
from
Fig. 8c, the installing jig 9a can be placed on top of the sink 1, so that it
rests on
an upper edge or upper face of the rim, while said flaps 9c protrude outwardly
from the sink 1 with respect to the rim. Preferably, the location of each flap
9c
corresponds to the location of a clamping element 6.
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As can be gathered from Fig. 8b, the square-shaped counterpart 9b is placed
over an outlet opening 3a of sink bottom wall 3. In this context, the overall
di-
mensions of counterpart 9b are devised such that it completely covers said out-
let opening 3a, without passing therethrough. Preferably, sink 1 has an edge
contour 3b around said opening 3b, which contour 3b corresponds to a shape of
the counterpart 9b in form fitting manner.
As can further be seen from Fig. 8b, said counterpart 9b has a central opening
9f which can be devised as a threaded bore.
Fig. 8c illustrates how a screw means (connecting means) 10 can be inserted
through opening 9e for connecting the installing jig 9a and its counterpart 9b
mutually and in connection with the sink 1 (cf. Fig. 8d). To this end, the
screw
means 10 is screwed into threaded bore 9f of counterpart 9b. In this way, the
installing jig 9a and its counterpart 9b are securely and removably attached
to
sink 1, as shown in Fig. 8d. Sink 1 can then be manipulated by simply engaging
grip openings 9d.
Fig. 9 shows a worktop 11 having an essentially rectangular cut-out 11a, which
Clit-Olit l 1 a is intended to be fitted with a sink 1 as described earlier.
To this
end, the cut-out 11a is made larger in dimension than an area circumscribed by
said rim but smaller than an envelope around said clamping elements in their
uncompressed state while defining a cut-out side wall llb extending
essentially
at right angles with respect to an upper and lower surface of said worktop.
Worktop 11 can be made of wood, metal, stone or any other suitable (compo-
site) material. It should be noted that the side wall 11b of cut-out 11a needs
not
to be polished or otherwise treated when installing sink 1 as described above
by
using an installation method according to the present invention.
According to Fig. 10, worktop 11 has been provided, adjacent a contour of cut-
out 11a, with a removable protective cover 11c made from strips of a suitable
tape material.
Referring now to Fig. 11, sink 1 with installation device 9 and bead 8 (not
__ shown; cf. Fig. 1) is inserted downwardly (arrow D) in the cut-out (cf.
Fig. 9, 10)
of worktop 11. In this way, as shown in Fig. 12, the clamping elements 6 are
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compressed by interaction with the cut-out side wall 11b, thus generating a
force for holding sink 1 within the cut-out 11a. Methodwise, sink 1 is pushed
downwardly D until the flaps 9c of installing jig 9a make contact with an
upper
surface 11d of worktop 11. Then, edge 5 of sink 1 is located within cut-out
11a
opposite side wall 11b, and sealing material of bead 8 is located between said
side wall 11b and said rim 5 for sealing a gap therebetween and for durably
holding the sink after setting or curing of the adhesive sealing material,
while
further protecting side wall 11b.
lo Fig. 13a shows the state of the installation after said contact between
installing
jig 9a and worktop 11. An upper face or upper edge (not shown) of the sink rim
is now coplanar with worktop upper surface 11d.
Then, according to Fig. 13b, connecting means or screw 10 is removed from
installation device 9, thus separating installing jig 9a and its counterpart
9b. As
can be easily gathered from Fig. 13b (cf. also Fig. 11 and Fig. 8c),
connecting
means 10 has an abutment 10a which comes into contact with installing jig 9a
(cf. Fig 13a) for defining a maximum distance between connected installing jig
9a and counterpart 9b.
Then, according to Fig. 13c, the installation device 9 is completely removed
from sink 1 on worktop 11.
Finally, in the method step illustrated in Fig. 13d, the protective cover 11
is re-
moved, thus achieving a complete workplace according to an aspect of the pre-
sent invention. In this context, it should be checked whether or not the gap
be-
tween the sink bowl and the worktop is filled properly with the sealing
material.
If not, some adjustment could be made. The clamping elements will hold the
sink in position until the sealing material has dried (set or cured).
With reference to Fig. 1 or Fig. 12, the sealing material (silicone) could be
ap-
plied with a bead diameter of approximately 7 mm all around the sink rim.
With respect to Figs. 8a through 8d, said screw means 10 can be devised with
an M8 thread. The same holds for the threaded bore 9f of counterpart 9b.
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Preferably, the dimensions of cut-out 10a according to Figs. 9 and 10 should
correspond to a sink bowl length +2 mm and to a sink bowl width +2 mm, re-
spectively. However, any concrete dimensions will also depend on the respec-
tive dimensions of clamping elements 6 and rim 5 (extent E) according to Fig.
1
and Fig. 12.
Accordingly, protective cover 11c according to Fig. 10 could be applied with a
respective width of 20 through 30 mm, without limitation.
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