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Title:
HOOK FOR FIXING WASH-BASINS OR THE LIKE TO BASE PLANES
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2016/097971
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
Hook (10) suitable for fixing a sink or other similar article to a base plane, said hook (10) comprising a first element (12) and a second element (14), said first element (12) being connectable to the base plane and movably fixable to the second element (14) to be coupled to the sink, at least one through opening (19) being obtained in a portion of the sink, the second element (14) comprising a plate (32) which comprises first coupling means (48) and to which a strap (44) with a free end (58) is united, which end is movable in respect to said plate (32), said strap (44) comprising second coupling means (46), said first coupling means (48) and said second coupling means (46) being connectable to each other so as to lock the free end (58) of the strap (44) to the first coupling means (48) and form a closed ring consisting of the plate (32) and the strap (44) so that the sink is locked to the second element (14) when the first coupling means (48) or the strap (44) pass through the through opening (19) and the strap (44) is locked to the first coupling means (48).

Inventors:
MARCOLINI ROBERTO (IT)
Application Number:
PCT/IB2015/059587
Publication Date:
June 23, 2016
Filing Date:
December 14, 2015
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
MARCOLINI GIUSEPPE S N C DI MARCOLINI FRANCO ROBERTO & C (IT)
International Classes:
E03C1/33; A47B77/02
Foreign References:
EP0029079A11981-05-27
DE20102455U12001-05-17
AU761464B22003-06-05
Other References:
None
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
BORTOLUZZI, Daniele (Verona, IT)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1 ) Hook (10) suitable for fixing a sink or other similar article to a base plane, said hook (10) comprising a first element (12) and a second element, said first element (12) being connectable to the base plane and movably fixable to the second element (14) to be coupled to the sink, at least one through opening (19) being obtained in a portion of the sink, said hook (10) being characterized by the fact that the second element (14) comprises a plate (32) which comprises first coupling means (48) and to which a strap (44) with a free end (58) is united, which end is movable in respect to said plate (32), said strap (44) comprising second coupling means (46), said first coupling means (48) and said second coupling means (46) being connectable to each other so as to lock the free end (58) of the strap (44) to the first coupling means (48) and form a closed ring consisting of the plate (32) and the strap (44) so that the sink is locked to the second element (14) when the first coupling means (48) and / or the strap (44) pass through the through opening ( 9) and the strap (44) is locked to the first coupling means (48).

2) Hook (10) according to claim 1 , wherein the first coupling means comprise a protruding body (48) and wherein the second coupling means comprise an opening (46) so as to lock the strap (44) to the protruding body (48) by inserting the protruding body (48) in the opening (46) and obtain a snap closure system. 3) Hook (10) according to claim 2, wherein the protruding body (48) comprises a tooth (50) adapted to lock the strap (44) to the protruding body (48) by means of a snap mechanism.

4) Hook (10) according to claim 3, wherein the tooth (50) protrudes from an end of the protruding body (48) opposite to the union portion (43) connecting the plate (32) to the strap (44) so as to lock the strap (44) on the protruding body (48). 5) Hook according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the protruding body (48) is inclined toward the union portion (48).

6) Hook according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the protruding body comprises an inclined plane adapted to abut on the sink portion defining, at least partially, the through opening.

7) Hook (10) according to one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the protruding body (48) comprises a step recess (53) adapted to receive the sink portion defining, at least partially, the through opening (19).

8) Hook (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the strap (44) comprises a free end (58) adapted to approach or abut on the sink portion adjacent to the through opening (19) when the strap (44) is locked to the first coupling means (48).

9) Hook (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the strap (44) comprises an abutment body (47) adapted to approach or abut on the sink portion adjacent to the through opening (19) when the strap (44) is locked to the first coupling means (48).

10) Hook (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a surface (49) is defined on the abutment body (47) and is adapted to be disposed adjacent to or to abut on the sink portion adjacent to the through opening (19) when the strap (44) is locked to the first coupling means (48).

11) Hook (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second element (14) is made of plastic or a composite material.

12) Hook suitable for fixing a sink or other similar article to a base plane, said hook comprising a first element and a second element, said first element being connectable to the base plane and movably fixable to the second element to be coupled to the sink, at least one through opening being obtained in a portion of the sink, said hook being characterized by the fact that at least one of the first element and the second element comprises fixing means shaped like an opened reclosable ring, said fixing means being adapted to be disposed according to a first opened configuration so as to pass through the through opening, and according to a second closed configuration in which said fixing means are closed so as to be shaped like a closed ring.

Description:
HOOK FOR FIXING WASH-BASINS OR THE LIKE TO BASE PLANES

DESCRIPTION

The present invention refers, in general, to a hook adapted to allow the coupling between two articles. More particularly, the present invention refers to a hook for the fixing of sinks, cooking hobs and other similar elements to a base plane.

As is known, hooks are generally used for the coupling of a sink or cooking hob to a base plane. Said hooks allow to fix peripheral edges of the sink or cooking hob to the ends of the base plane that define the corresponding seat where the sink or cooking hob is received.

The known hooks usually consists of three pieces: the first piece is fixed to the sink or cooking hob, the second piece allows the fixing to the base plane, the third piece, usually a screw, performs the function of joining and clamping the first two pieces.

The hooks of known typology are produced in steel. However, in the last years, in view of a reduction of the cost of the hooks, efforts have been made to produce at least one piece in a plastic material so as to reduce the utilization of steel since steel is an expensive material also owing to its necessary processing.

Consequently, hooks made, at least partially, of a plastic material are known; more precisely, the piece to be fixed to the sink or cooking hob is made of a plastic material such as nylon®.

Said piece is fixed to the sink or cooking hob thanks to the presence of a protruding body on the same. This protruding body comprises a rise at its free end so as to obtain a step recess; this protruding body is inserted in a suitable seat obtained in a lamella fixed to the sink or cooking hob, or obtained in the sink or cooking hob directly.

The step recess avoids that the protruding body can easily go out of the seat in order to prevent the sink or cooking hob from being disengaged from the hook.

However, said hooks have several problems. First of all, the piece in a plastic material, also because of its conformation, has obviously a strength lower than a corresponding component made of steel.

Furthermore, the step recess may be subject to breakages that cause the slipping of the protruding body from the seat of the lamella or from a seat formed in the sink or cooking hob. Consequently, because of said breakages, the sink or cooking hob can be easily released from the hook and decoupled from the base plane.

The hooks according to the prior art, provided with one piece in a plastic material of the three pieces, although said hooks are regularly mounted on the sink or cooking hob, are not coupled in a stable manner with the sink or cooking hob but with a clearance so that in the assembling phases of the hooks or once such hooks have been mounted, the hooks can rotate about themselves on causing, also in this case, the release of the protruding body of the first piece from the seat formed in the lamella fastening to the sink or base plane or from a seat formed directly in the sink or base plane.

Essentially, the rotation of the hook, caused by the tightening of the screw or caused by the fact that the upper part of the hook has a clearance with respect to the sink or cooking hob, can provoke a slight lifting of the hook from the lamella so that the protruding body is raised with respect to the same lamella so that the lamella is no more received in the step recess. Accordingly, the hook is likely to be released from the lamella of the sink. In order to increase the flexibility of utilization, the lamella fastening to the sink or cooking hob, or the same sink or cooking hob are provided with two seats, the protruding body being received in one of the two seats. Some types of hooks according to prior art, though provided with one piece in a plastic material in order to reduce the relevant costs, allow the protruding body to be fixed only to one of the two seats formed in the lamella or sink but in this way, the flexibility of utilization of the hooks according to prior art provided with a piece in a plastic material is reduced.

Aim and function of the present invention is to provide a hook for the fixing of a sink or cooking hob to a base plane, this hook being cheap but strong and at the same time, this hook ensures a stable union of sink or cooking hob with the base plane.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a fixing hook that, while having at least one of the components in a material different from steel, ensures a lasting union of sink or cooking hob with the base plane.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a hook that ensures a stable safe coupling of the hook with the sink or cooking hob in order to remove any problems as regards the fixing.

Another aim of the invention is to offer a fixing hook that, thanks to its conformation, reacts to possible thrusts or forces that would involve a release of sink or cooking hob from the base plane, the union of these articles being thus ensured.

These and other aims are achieved through a hook suitable for fixing a sink or other similar article to a base plane, said hook comprising a first element connectable to the base plane and mbvably fixable to a second element to be coupled to the sink or to a lamella fixed to the sink itself, at least one through opening being formed in the portion of sink or in the lamella.

The hook is characterized by the fact that the second element comprises a plate which comprises first coupling means and to which a strap with a free end is united, which end is movable in respect to said plate.

The strap comprises second coupling means, said first coupling means and said second coupling means being connectable to each other so as to lock the free end of the strap to the first coupling means so that the strap and the plate form a closed ring.

Through this conformation of the second element and through the possibility of fixing the strap, at its movable free end, to the first coupling means and therefore, to the plate, when the first coupling means or the strap itself pass through the through opening obtained in the portion of the sink and the strap is locked to the first coupling means, the sink is locked to the second element safely and stably.

Advantageously, the first coupling means may comprise a protruding body and the second coupling means may comprise an opening, that is a blind or through opening, so as to lock the strap to the protruding body by inserting the protruding body in the opening in order to obtain a snap closure system between strap and protruding body.

In other words, once the protruding body has been inserted in the through opening of the sink it is possible to fix the strap to the same protruding body so as to form a sort of closed ring passing through the through opening formed in the sink or in the lamella united to the sink itself.

In this way, the hook can not disengage from the sink and vice versa.

In particular, in order to better fix the strap to the protruding body, the protruding body itself can be provided with a tooth that rises from the same protruding body.

The tooth may protrude from an end of the protruding body, opposite to a portion of plate to which the strap is united so as to lock the strap on the protruding body.

Advantageously, in order to prevent the hook from disengaging from the sink, to contrast the opposing force that would cause the removal of the hook from the sink and at the same time, to ensure that the protruding body moves toward the strap, the same protruding body may have an inclined conformation toward the union portion connecting the plate to the strap, or toward the sink portion which defines, at least partially, the through opening and on which said protruding body abuts.

Besides, the protruding body may comprise an inclined plane adapted to abut on the sink portion defining, at least partially, the through opening.

The inclination of the inclined plane forces the sink portion, or the lamella fixed to the sink, adjacent to the through opening, to remain adherent to the outer surface of the plate and prevents the hook, with its protruding body, from disengaging from the same through opening.

Advantageously, the protruding body may be defined peripherally by a flat segment which connects the inclined plane to the plate. The sink portion or the lamella fixed to the sink may rest and abut on said flat segment

Furthermore, the protruding body may comprise a step recess suitable to accommodate the sink portion that defines, at least partially, the through opening so as to lock the sink or the platelet united to the sink in the step recess.

Moreover, the strap may comprise a free end or one or more protrusions adapted to approach or even abut on the sink portion adjacent to the through opening when the strap is locked to the protruding body. Thus, the strap with the relative free end or with the one or more protrusions forms a further element that keeps the sink, or the lamella fixed to the same sink, adjacent to the plate of the second element of the hook so that possible rotations and/or translations of the hook are avoided which could provoke a release of the hook from the elements with which the hook is coupled.

At least one element between the first element and second element of the hook may be made of plastic or a composite material so as to reduce the costs in comparison with the use of a metal material.

Besides, a flat surface may be defined on the one or more protrusions and is arranged adjacent to or in abutment on a sink portion adjacent to the through opening when the strap is locked to the first coupling means.

Advantageously, the hook according to the invention may comprise at least an elastic tongue which can abut on the first element so as to maintain the first element in a determined position with respect to the second element.

Moreover, at least one seat may be formed in the second element and the first element may comprise sliding means which may slide in the seat formed in the second element. Through this conformation, the first element and the second element may approach to each other or move away from each other.

Further features and details of the invention can be better understood from the following specification which is supplied by way of a non-limiting example, as well as from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic side view in section of a hook according to the invention, firmly fixed to a sink; Figure 2 is a schematic side view in section of the hook in Figure 1 , during the fixing to the sink;

Figure 3 is a schematic axonometric view of the hook in Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a schematic front view of the hook in Figure 1 ;

Figures 5, 6 are schematic axonometric views of one of the pieces that form the hook according to the invention, according to two configurations;

Figures 7, 8 are side views in section of the piece illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, respectively;

Figure 9 is an axonometric view of a part of the piece illustrated in Figures 5 and 6.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, in particular to Figures 1 and 2, number 10 denotes, on the whole, a hook to fix a sink or a cooking hob or another similar article, indicated with the letter L, to a base plane, indicated with the letter P.

In the following description, reference is made to a sink L but it is to be intended that the hook may be utilized also to fix a sink or a cooking hob or another element to be coupled to a base plane.

The hook 10 comprises a first element 12 which is movably coupled with a second element 14 by means of a self-tapping screw 16 so that by screwing the screw 16, the first element 12 and the second element 14 approach to each other.

The second element 14 is fixable to a platelet 18, which is suitably joined to the sink L, while the first element 12 is adapted to abut, with a free end, on the lower surface of the base plane P, namely on the opposite surface with respect to the surface on which the sink L is disposed.

In the platelet 18, one or more openings 19 are formed in which a protruding body 48 provided in the second element 14 is received. By screwing the screw 16, which consists of a threaded stem 20 and a head 30, the first element 12 is sent into abutment on the base plane P and the sink L is secured to the base plane P.

It is to be intended that the second element 14 can be fastened directly to the sink if the platelet 18 as well as the one or more openings 19 are obtained in the sink L itself.

The first element 12, made of a metal material and in particular of steel, comprises an abutment portion 22 and a connecting portion 26 which are connected to each other and form a single body.

The abutment portion 22 develops in an undulated way because during the assembly, the abutment portion 22 is disposed at first obliquely as it appears from Figure 2 and then, the abutment portion 22 is disposed substantially horizontally as it appears from Figure 1 , when the hook 0 is mounted on the sink L. The abutment portion 22 ends with two tips 23 abutting on the base plane P.

Besides, in the abutment portion 22, an oblong hole 24 is formed to allow the stem 20 of the screw 16 to pass through except the head 30.

The connecting portion 26 extends substantially in a direction orthogonal to the abutment portion 22 to which the connecting portion is joined continuously so that the connecting portion 26 is disposed at first obliquely and then vertically when the hook 10 is mounted on the sink L.

The connecting portion 26 is provided, at its free end, with two lamellae 28 which can slide in suitable seats 40 formed in the second element 14.

The second element 14, illustrated individually in the Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8, consists of a single body and comprises a plate 32 to which a longitudinal body 34 is joined centrally, in which a hole 36 is formed. The stem 20 of the self-tapping screw 16 can be screwed into the hole 36.

Two wings 38 protrude from the longitudinal body 34 and extend parallel to the plate 32 so as to form two seats 40 in which the two lamellae 28 of the first element 12 are received and slide.

From an end of the longitudinal body 34 and wings 38, two tongues 42 extend which are used to keep the first element 12 in the correct position in respect to the second element 14. In particular, the tongues 42 have an elastic behavior and, therefore, are used to keep the first element 12 toward the inner part of the sink L when the same sink L has to be inserted in the seat formed in the base plane P; in addition, the tongues 42 are used to keep the first element 12 in the locking position once the hook 10 is brought in the fixing position.

A movable strap 44 is joined to the plate 32, at an end, by means of a union portion 43. An opening 46 is formed in the strap 44 close to the free end 58 of the same strap 44.

As clearly visible in Figure 9, an abutment body 47 protrudes from the movable strap 44 and is crossed by the opening 46 and delimited on one side by a flat surface 49. The abutment body 47 has a greater thickness than that of the remaining part of the strap 44 so that the portion of the same strap 44 used to engage the plate 32 is stronger.

From the opposite end of the plate 32, a particularly shaped protruding body

48 protrudes and is apt to be received in the opening 46 so as to fix also the free end of the strap 44 to the plate 32.

In particular, the protruding body 48, as illustrated in the Figures 7 and 8, extends from the plate 32 in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the same plate 32 showing below a step recess 53 followed by a flat surface 52. The protruding body comprises, at the free end, a tooth 50 that extends upwards and is inclined toward the plate 32.

A receiving seat 55 is defined between tooth 50 and plate 32.

The protruding body 48 is inserted, in the assembly phase, in one of the openings 19 formed in the platelet 18 and, at the same time, acts as a support for the platelet 18 itself, as illustrated in the Figures 1 , 2.

The tooth 50 enables to stably fix the free end of the strap 44 to the protruding body 48 and, consequently, to the plate 32.

Hence, the strap 44 prevents the platelet 8 from disengaging from the hook 10.

More particularly, as it appears from Figures 1 and 7, once the strap 44 has been fixed also with its free end to the plate 32, the strap 44 along with the same plate 32 creates a kind of closed ring from which the platelet 18 can not disengage.

Besides, the platelet 18 does not force a small tip as in the hooks according to prior art but goes in traction on the protruding body 48 which has, in its portion of union to the plate 32, a thickness having such an important dimension to resist the force imparted thereon.

Such protruding body 48 is very strong because it forms a kind of closed ring with the plate 32 and the strap 44 so that any possibility of breakage or yielding of the same protruding body 48 is eliminated.

The platelet 18 and more precisely the edge of the same platelet 18 resting on the protruding body 48 is arranged in the step recess 53 formed in the protruding body 48.

The step recess 53 maintains the platelet 18 in the desired position to tighten the screw 16 and, consequently, the hook 10 on the whole. Besides, the same step recess 53 creates, with the platelet 18, a kind of joint which opposes the rotation of the hook 10 itself in the tightening phase of the screw 16.

Moreover, in the phase of closing and hooking of the strap 44 to the plate 32, the abutment body 47 forces the platelet 18 to move as close as possible to the step recess 53. At the same time, the abutment body 47 is a further obstacle to the release of the same platelet 18 from the step recess 53 because the flat surface 49 is close to the plate 32.

In addition, the abutment body 47 avoids movements and rotations of the same hook 10 with respect to the platelet 18 when the hook 10 is fixed to the sink and keeps the hook 0 as still as possible with respect to the platelet 18.

Furthermore, also in the case that the hook 10 tends to rotate, for example if the screw 16 has been tightened too much, the platelet 18 with its more remote portion 54 would tend, in any case, to abut on a portion 57 of the flat surface 49 or on a corresponding portion 56 of the strap 44. However, this contact causes a further traction upwards of the protruding body 48 by means of the strap 44 so that the ring closure formed by the protruding body 48 and strap 44 is further strengthened.

Through this particular conformation, the protruding body 48 supports in a safer and more stable way the platelet 18 which is received in the step recess 53. In case of release from the same step recess 53 it is useful the action of the abutment body 47 on the platelet 18.

Besides, once the same strap 44 has been fixed to the protruding body 48, also the abutment body 47 keeps the platelet 18 adjacent to the vertical surface of the plate 32 of the second element 14, as it appears from Figure 1.

The hook 10 according to the invention enables, therefore, to stably and permanently connect a sink to a base plane: once the platelet 18 has been disposed adjacent to plate 32, with the protruding body 48 inserted in the opening 19 of the same platelet 18, the strap 44 is fixed to the same protruding body 48 which is inserted in the opening 46 of the same strap 44 so as to lock the strap in position by means of the tooth 50. Thus, the platelet 18 is locked to the hook 10 by means of the second element 14 through a kind of closed ring formed by the plate 32, the strap 44 and the protruding body 48.

Variants are possible which are to be considered as included in the scope of protection; for example, the protruding body 48 may be provided with a flat segment instead of the step recess 53, and unlike the flat surface 52, the protruding body 48 may have an inclined plane so as to keep, in any case, the platelet 18 in position.

Besides, a hook according to the invention may provide a first element shaped differently from the first element 12 previously described, and/or may provide a second element without tongues as those previously illustrated and denoted with reference number 42.

Furthermore, it is to be considered as included in the scope of the invention also a hook comprising a second element in which the position of the protruding body and the position of the strap are inverted so that the platelet abuts on the strap which is coupled with the protruding body or another coupling element in order to obtain, in any case, a ring closed with the plate.