Faucet quick install nut
The mounting nut includes a first segment and a second segment attached by a hinge portion. The hinge portion provides for expansion of the mounting nut to bend onto itself in a clamshell like manner. The hinged mounting nut is slidable over a water connection fitting such that the mounting nut can be slid over the water connection fitting and up against the bottom-mounting surface to secure a faucet assembly to a sink deck.
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This invention is generally related to a mounting nut for securing a faucet to a mounting surface. More particularly, this invention is directed towards a flexible mounting nut that simplifies installation of a faucet assembly.
Typically, a faucet assembly includes at least one threaded pipe for connection to a water source. The threaded pipe is connected to a water hose with a water connection fitting. The faucet is then secured to a mounting surface by a mounting nut. The mounting nut typically includes a flange that is larger in diameter than the opening through which the threaded pipe is installed. Because the mounting nut has a flange that is greater than the outer diameter of the opening through the mounting surface, the water connection along with any other connections must be performed under the sink.
The under sink environment is typically a confined space that complicates assembly of the required connections. Typically the order of installation includes inserting the faucet assembly and threaded pipe through an opening then securing the faucet within the opening with a mounting nut. After the mounting nut has been assembled to the threaded pipe can the water fitting connected. The water fitting is an important connection and often must be leak tested prior to completion of the assembly task. The faucet is installed behind the sink and is therefore in a very difficult location in which to manipulate a wrench and make the desired water connection. The confined space complicates and adds difficulty to the job.
Some devices have been developed to aid in the mounting of a faucet assembly. Several of these devices allow mounting of the faucet assembly with much of the assembly conducted above the mounting surface. One such device includes a collapsible nut that can be fitted through the opening in the mounting surface and then is tightened to expand flanges to a diameter greater than the opening. However this device requires a special rotatable threaded member that is rotatable from above the mounting surface. Conventional faucet assemblies typically do not include such a feature. Therefore, to include such a mounting aid, the faucet assembly itself must be entirely redesigned.
Another device that addresses this problem includes the use of a threaded mounting nut without a flange. The threaded mounting nut is installed to the water tube and left there during installation of the water fitting. The mounting nut portion is of a diameter that allows the nut to be inserted through an opening in the mounting deck. Once the water connections have been and the faucet assembly has been inserted into the openings within the mounting deck a c-shaped washer is inserted between the mounting nut and the bottom of the mouthing surface. The mounting nut is then tightened upwards against the c-shaped washer through the faucet assembly to the mounting surface. This device has the disadvantage of requiring manipulation of not only the nut, but of the washer within the cramped under sink environment.
Accordingly, there is a need for a simplified mounting device that is adaptable for use on current faucet assemblies and that aids mounting of a faucet assembly to a mounting surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThis invention is a mounting nut with an expandable opening providing for sliding of the mounting nut over a water connection fitting and onto a threaded water pipe for securing a faucet assembly to a mounting surface.
A faucet assembly includes a threaded water pipe that is connected to a water supply by a water connection fitting. The water connection fitting includes an outer diameter smaller than an opening in a mounting deck such that the water connection fitting may slide through the mounting deck. Prior to installation or attachment of the water fitting to the threaded water tube, the mounting nut is dropped or fed over the water tube. The hinged nut is of such a diameter that it may not extend through the opening within the mounting surface.
During installation the water connection fitting is fed through the opening and attached to the threaded water tube of the faucet assembly. The connection to the faucet assembly can then be tested to ensure watertight integrity. This step is conducted above the mounting surface to ease installation of the faucet assembly and limit the installation steps required under the mounting surface. Once the integrity of the water connection has been verified, the faucet assembly, along with the water connection fitting is inserted through the opening. The hinged nut is then slid over the water connection fitting onto the threaded water pipe.
Once the mounting nut approaches the bottom surface of the mounting deck the sides that have been extended from each other due to the hinge of the nut are compressed against each other. Further engagement with the bottom surface of the mounting deck compresses the sides of the mounting nut to provide positive engagement against the threaded water pipe. The mounting nut includes features providing for hand tightening or for tightening with a tool. The now collapsed and tightened mounting nut secures the faucet to the mounting surface.
Accordingly, the mounting nut of this invention provides for quick mounting of a faucet that can be accomplished quickly and easily in the under sink environment.
These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to
The water connection fitting 24 provides a secure and watertight seal to the threaded water pipe 20. A mounting nut 26 secures the faucet 12 to the sink deck 11. The mounting nut 26 includes a hinge 32. The hinge 32 provides for expansion of the mounting nut 26 to provide for sliding over the water connection fitting 24. In this way the water connection fitting 24 can be installed to the faucet 12 at a location above the top-mounting surface 14. Installation of the water connection fitting 24 above the top mounting surface 14 eases and simplifies installation. As is appreciated, manipulation of tools required to tighten the water connection fitting 24 to the threaded inlet pipe 20 is difficult in the confined under sink environment typical of such installations. The mounting nut 26 of this invention allows the water connection to be accomplished entirely above the top-mounting surface 14.
If hose 22 is connected to the water supply source first, then nut 26 must be slide over hose 22 before fitting 24 is fed through the opening 18. If the hose 22 not connected to the water supply source, the nut 6 can be slide over the hose 22 from the water supply source end.
Installation of the faucet assembly 10 according to this invention proceeds by first feeding the water connection fitting 24 through the opening 18 in the sink deck 11. The distal end of the inlet hose 22 is already connected to the water supply source. The water connection fitting 24 disposed above the top-mounting surface 14 is threaded onto the threaded water pipe 20. When this connection is complete water can be turned on to provide for testing of the water connection. Testing is desirable to assure a proper watertight seal and faucet functionality.
Once the water connection has been established and tested, the faucet 12 is mounted to the top mounting surface 14. This is accomplished by inserting the water connection fitting 24 and threaded pipe 20 through the opening 18 in the sink deck 11.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Installation of the mounting nut 26 is aided by a plurality of tabs 34 disposed about the mounting nut 26. The tabs 34 provide for hand tightening of the mounting nut 26 to the mounting surface 16. In some applications, the mounting nut 26 may be sufficiently tightened against the bottom-mounting surface 16 by hand. However, the mounting nut 26 is also configured to receive a fastening tool to tighten the mounting nut 26 beyond that possible by hand.
Referring to
Referring to
Typically, the water connection fitting 24 is a standard known size compatible with most faucet assemblies 12. The water connection fitting 24 is an industry standard size. However, the mounting nut 26 can be modified to provide the beneficial and advantageous features of this invention to other applications. Further, although this invention is being shown and described for installation of a faucet, other applications that require the mounting of a water control fixture to a surface along with attachment of a water source connection will also benefit form the inventive mounting nut 26 of this invention.
Referring to
The mounting nut 26 of this invention is preferably fabricated from a plastic material and provides a clamshell configuration that is flexible enough to vary the inner opening 36, 38 and squeeze or slide over a water connection fitting and then threaded onto the threaded water pipe 20. This provides for above the sink deck 11 assembly and testing of the water connection to the faucet assembly 12. This reduces the time required and actions needed within the confined under sink environment. The reduction of time in the confined under sink environment eases installation and produces greater efficiencies for professional installers.
Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.
Claims
1. A faucet assembly comprising:
- a threaded water inlet; and
- a mounting nut comprising a flexible portion providing for sliding over a water connection fitting, wherein said mounting nut engages threads on said threaded water inlet for securing the faucet assembly.
2. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said flexible portion comprises a hinge connecting a first segment to a second segment, wherein said first and second segments are movable relative to each other to adjust an area defined between said first segment and said second segment.
3. The assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein said first and second segments include inner threads corresponding to threads of said threaded water inlet.
4. The assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein abutment of said mounting nut against a surface causes contraction of said first segment relative to said second segment to engaged said threads of said threaded water inlet.
5. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said mounting nut includes a flange for abutting an underside of a mounting surface.
6. The assembly as recited claim 2, wherein said hinge comprises a first hinge disposed 180 degrees from a second hinge.
7. The assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein said first segment is a substantially identical to said second segment.
8. The assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein said hinge provides for said mounting nut to fold.
9. A mounting nut for a faucet assembly including a threaded water inlet tube, said mounting nut comprising:
- a first segment and a second segment defining an internal bore therebetween; and
- a hinge portion connecting said first segment to said second segment, wherein said first segment is movable relative to said second segment.
10. The mounting nut as recited in claim 9, wherein said first and second segments are movable relative to each other to adjust an area defined between said first segment and said second segment.
11. The mounting nut as recited in claim 10, wherein said first and second segments include inner threads corresponding to threads of a water inlet pipe.
12. The mounting nut as recited in claim 9, wherein said mounting nut includes a flange for abutting an underside of a mounting surface.
13. The mounting nut as recited in claim 12, wherein abutment of said mounting nut against a surface causes contraction of said first segment relative to said second segment to engage the threads of the threaded water inlet.
14. The mounting nut as recited claim 9, wherein said hinge comprises a first hinge disposed 180 degrees from a second hinge.
15. A method of installing a faucet assembly comprising the steps of:
- (a) connecting a water connection fitting to a water inlet tube of the faucet assembly above a mounting surface;
- (b) inserting the water connection fitting and the water inlet tube of the faucet assembly through an opening in the mounting surface;
- (c) sliding a mounting nut over the water connection fitting onto the water inlet tube; and
- (d) securing the faucet assembly to the mounting surface.
16. The method of claim 15, including the step of threading the mounting nut onto a water supply hose attached to the water connection fitting.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein step (c) includes bending the mounting nut to an open position to slide over the water connection fitting.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein step (d) includes abutting a flange of the mounting nut against an under side of the mounting surface and compressing a first segment of the mounting surface against a second segment to engage threads of the water inlet tube.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 18, 2004
Publication Date: May 18, 2006
Applicant:
Inventor: Stephen Rhodes (Mustang, OK)
Application Number: 10/992,423
International Classification: E03C 1/042 (20060101);