Mounting device for securing a sink to a countertop and method of using same

A sink mounting device includes a weld bracket, a movable clip member and a hanger assembly used to movably couple the clip member to the weld bracket. The weld bracket is secured to a side portion of a sink bowl and the movable clip is used to engage an overhanging portion of the underside of the countertop. The clip includes a base having an axially positioned through-opening, an elongated arm member which extends longitudinally in a direction axially from the base, a projecting finger, which extends laterally from the end of the arm remote from the base, and includes a locating flange which, when the sink mounting device is operated, engages the hanger assembly, weld bracket and/or sink bowl at a limit position to prevent further rotation of the movable arm about the axis.

SCOPE OF THE INVENTION
 The present invention relates to a mounting device which is used to secure
 sinks to countertops, and more particularly to a mounting device which is
 adapted for one hand clamping operation when operated to secure a sink in
 position.
 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 Conventional kitchen and bathroom sinks include a peripherally extending
 upper rim which, when installed, rests upon the top surface of the
 adjacent portion of the countertop. The sink is secured in place by a
 clamp construction which engages the underlying surface of the countertop
 to prevent the sink from being raised or moved sideways. Various types of
 mounting or clamping devices are known for securing sinks to countertops.
 Conventional sink clamp constructions, such as that shown in Canadian
 Patent No. 1,246,805 to Cappella which issued Dec. 20, 1988, typically
 consist of a weld bracket welded to the side of the sink and a movable
 clip arm member. The movable clip arm is in turn mechanically coupled to
 the bracket by a bolt mechanism which is threaded through an internally
 threaded aperture formed in the clip arm and which has a grooved end
 rotatably secured to the weld bracket. On rotation of the bolt, the bolt
 position remains constant relative to the sink. As a result, the clip arm
 moves axially as the bolt is turned by the threaded engagement between the
 bolt threads and internally threaded opening of the clip arm. Accordingly,
 the clip arm is moved vertically by rotating the bolt until the clip is
 brought into engagement with the underside of the countertop under
 compression to wedge the sink in place.
 A disadvantage of the device disclosed in Canadian Patent No. 1,246,805
 exists in that it requires the use of a customized bolt to movably couple
 the arm member to the weld bracket. The use of customized bolts increases
 the overall cost of the mounting device and hinders the simple
 substitution of longer or shorter bolts required to customize the mounting
 device for use with thicker or thinner countertops.
 In addition to the increased costs associated with the manufacture of
 customized bolts, a further disadvantage with the Cappella mounting device
 exists in that as the bolt is tightened, the arm frequently turns together
 with the rotating bolt. This necessitates that two hands be used to
 operate the device when installing a sink. One hand is required to hold
 the clip arm in the correct orientation under the overhanging portion of
 the countertop and prevent its rotation out of alignment therewith, while
 the other hand turns the bolt. The necessity of using two hands to operate
 the mounting device may prevent an installer from securely holding the
 sink in the correct position during initial clamping. In addition, often
 the spacing between the rear edge of the sink bowl and the adjacent wall
 is insufficient to permit two-hand operation of the mounting device, with
 the result that as the clamp is tightened the clip arm member may rotate
 away from a position under the adjacent countertop overhang.
 A further disadvantage of the Cappella sink mounting device exists in that
 as the clip arm is tightened and engages the underside of the countertop,
 the reaction forces at the end of the clip arm and the periphery of the
 screw head are concentrated on a very small area of contact with the side
 of the bowl. These reaction forces deform the side of the bowl, leaving an
 unsightly appearance.
 As well, another disadvantage with the Cappella mounting device exists in
 that it may be used with only a limited number of sink designs. Because
 the weld brackets which are secured to the sides of the sink bowl often
 project radially therefrom up to 1 cm or more, they may interfere with the
 insertion of the sink bowl through the countertop hole. As such to ensure
 that the sink rim extends beyond the countertop hole, the Cappella
 mounting device may typically only be used on sinks which have a radially
 extending rim which extends at least 1.5 cm or more, and also the
 tolerance on the countertop hole must be tight to make it work.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 Accordingly, the present invention overcomes at least some of the
 disadvantages of the prior art by providing a sink mounting device for use
 in securing a sink to countertops of various thicknesses, which includes a
 movable clip arm member used to engage the underside of the countertop.
 The clip arm member includes a projecting finger portion which may be
 selectively moved against an overhanging part of the underside of a
 countertop to secure the sink in place; and a locating projection, web or
 finger to maintain the clip arm in an optimum clamping position aligned
 beneath the overhanging part while the clip arm member is moved
 theretowards.
 Another object of the invention is to provide a mounting device used to
 secure a sink to a countertop which includes a clip arm having a finger
 portion which engages a countertop to clamp the sink in place, and which
 is adapted to rotate through approximately 90.degree. from a nested
 position wherein one side of the finger portion substantially in abutting
 juxtaposition with the sink bowl, to an extended position rotated away
 therefrom, where the finger portion may optimally engage the underside of
 the countertop.
 Another object of the invention is to provide a mounting device which is
 used to secure a sink to a countertop which may be fabricated easily and
 inexpensively.
 A further object of the invention is to provide a bolt actuated clip arm
 used in a sink mounting device which is engaged by the bolt so as to
 minimize the deflection of the clip arm during sink installation.
 Another object of the invention is to provide a mounting device used for
 clamping a sink in a hole formed in a countertop, which includes a bolt
 actuated movable clip arm which automatically orients itself in an optimum
 clamping position as the bolt is initially turned during tightening.
 Still another object of the invention is to provide a mounting device where
 the projecting finger portion of the clip in contact with the underside of
 the countertop is intentionally allowed to bend at its weakest point when
 a predetermined torque on the screw is reached, as for example, where a
 weakening slot or necked down portion connects the longitudinal arm and
 the finger of the clip. This method prevents permanent deformation of the
 sink rim and/or the side of the bowl in case the screw is over torqued.
 A further object of the invention is to provide the installer a user
 friendly mounting device where a movable clip cannot freely rotate from
 its nested position, during the process of dropping the sink into the
 countertop hole.
 A further object of the invention is to provide a mounting device used to
 secure a sink to a countertop and which may be used to mount sinks having
 either narrow or wide sink rim designs.
 The present invention provides a sink mounting device which includes a weld
 bracket, a movable clip member and a hanger assembly used to movably
 couple the clip member to the weld bracket. The weld bracket is adapted to
 be secured to a side portion of a sink bowl by crimping, welding or the
 like. The movable clip is used to engage an overhanging portion of the
 underside of the countertop. The clip arm includes a base portion having
 an axially positioned through-opening therethrough, an elongated arm
 member which extends longitudinally in a direction generally axially from
 the base, and a projecting finger, pawl or such toothed end which extends
 laterally from the end of the arm remote from the base. Most preferably
 the clip arm includes a weakening slot where the projecting finger
 connects to the longitudinal arm. The movable clip further includes a
 locating flange, finger web or the like which, when the sink mounting
 device is operated, is configured to engage at least one of the hanger
 assembly, weld bracket and/or sink bowl at a limit position and prevent
 further rotation of the movable arm about the axis. The movable clip may
 preferably also include in its base portion a shorter longitudinal member
 located opposite and parallel to the longitudinal arm which has a fairly
 large area made to establish contact and slide with the side of the bowl
 when the screw is tightened. In a most preferred embodiment, the limit
 position is selected at a position whereby the projecting finger or pawl
 assumes an optimal clamping orientation under the overhanging portion of
 the countertop.
 In one simplified embodiment, the hanger assembly includes a bolt which
 couples the movable clip to the weld bracket in essentially the same
 configuration as disclosed in Canadian Patent No. 1,246,805 to Cappella.
 More preferably, however, the hanger assembly consists of a conventional
 bolt having an externally threaded portion and an enlarged bolt head, and
 a hanger bracket adapted for securement to the weld bracket. Preferably,
 the weld bracket is formed as an upwardly extending hook which is received
 in a complementary aperture or slot formed in the hanger bracket, although
 other complementary weld brackets and hanger bracket configurations may
 also be used. The hanger bracket is provided with a laterally extending
 projecting portion which has an internally threaded bore formed
 therethrough. The threaded bore is sized to threadedly receive the
 threaded portion of the bolt therein. The threaded bore is positioned so
 that in assembly of the mounting device, the threaded bore may be axially
 aligned with the through-opening in the base of the movable clip.
 More preferably, the through-opening in the base is elongated in the axial
 direction and has a radial diameter which is marginally larger than the
 threaded end of the bolt, but smaller than the bolt head. In one
 simplified construction, the base is formed from a bent ribbon of metal
 having an open interior structure and upper and lower surfaces formed from
 parallel spaced webs. Aligned apertures through the webs define the upper
 and lower axial extent of the through-opening. It is to be appreciated
 that the engagement of the bolt by axially spaced webs which define the
 apertures maintains the clip member and its projecting portion in a fixed
 orientation relative to the axis as the bolt is turned.
 The construction of the mounting device enables its one handed operation to
 facilitate the installation and securement of a sink. As the bolt is
 initially rotated, its threaded engagement with the threaded bore in the
 hanger bracket draws the bolt axially towards the countertop. On initial
 rotation of the bolt, the clip member also rotates about the
 through-opening axis until the clip member assumes the limit position
 where the locating web or finger engages one or more of the bolt, hanger
 bracket, the weld bracket or sink, to prevent further rotation of the clip
 member. As the bolt moves axially through the threaded bore, the
 engagement of the bolt head with the clip base urges the clip towards the
 countertop to bring the projecting portion of the clip member against the
 underside of the countertop.
 The hooked configuration of the weld bracket advantageously permits the
 invention to be used with either thin rim or wide rim sinks. When
 installing thin rim sinks, such as those having a rim dimension of less
 than 1.5 cm, a hole may be formed in the countertop having a size only
 marginally greater than the sink bowl. A sink bowl shipped without the
 hanger brackets, bolts and clips is dropped into place in a suitable hole
 with the sink rim overlying the adjacent countertop. Hanger brackets
 already assembled with clips and bolts are then hooked up to each weld
 bracket. The sink is then secured to the countertop by tightening the
 bolts.
 Where wide rim sinks are used, which have a peripherally extending rim
 extending 1.5 cm or more, the hanger assembly and movable clip member may
 be mounted to the weld bracket at the factory and shipped as a fully
 assembled unit. In factory assembly, the hanger bracket is slid onto the
 hook of the weld bracket. The bolt is inserted upwardly through the
 through-opening in the bottom of the clip base and into threaded
 engagement with the hanger bracket bore. The movable clip member is then
 rotated relative to the bolt axis to a nested position so that an edge of
 the projecting finger or pawl portion of the clip member is adjacent to
 and more preferably abuts a side of the sink bowl. In this configuration,
 the mounting device is positioned so as to assume a minimal profile and
 the sink may be dropped into position in the countertop hole, without
 requiring disassembly of the sink mounting mechanism.
 Once the sink is positioned in the hole, the bolt is then rotated,
 initially rotating the clip member therewith about the axis to the limit
 position. Once the clip arm assumes the limit position, the threaded
 engagement of the bolt within the hanger bracket bore moves the bolt
 axially towards the countertop, with the engagement of the bolt head with
 the clip base in turn urging the clip member in axial movement. While the
 bolt is tightened, its engagement with the base at axially spaced
 locations prevents the clip member from deflecting out of an optimum
 clamping position as the projecting pawl of the clip is brought into
 contact with the underside of the countertop.
 Accordingly, in one aspect the present invention resides in combination, a
 sink and a mounting device for securing the sink to a countertop, the
 mounting device comprising a bracket secured to a side portion of the
 sink, a movable clip, and a hanger assembly for coupling the movable clip
 to the bracket, the movable clip including a base having an axially
 extending through-opening therethrough, an arm member extending generally
 in the axial direction longitudinally from the base, a shorter
 longitudinal member opposite and parallel with the arm member adapted to
 slide and bear against the side of the bowl in a fairly large area, and a
 projecting portion extending laterally from an end portion of said arm
 member remote from the base and adapted to engage an underside of the
 countertop,
 the hanger assembly including a bolt having a threaded portion aligned with
 the axis and a bolt head, the threaded portion having a diameter selected
 to permit its relative axial movement in the through-opening, and the bolt
 head having enlarged diameter portion selected larger than the
 through-opening to prevent movement of the bolt head therepast, wherein
 rotation of the bolt about the axis in a first direction moves the movable
 clip axially relative to the bracket to selectively urge the projecting
 portion into engagement with the underside of the countertop, and wherein
 the movable clip includes a projecting flange configured to engage at
 least one of said hanger assembly, said bracket and said sink at a limit
 position to prevent further rotation of said movable clip member in the
 first direction as the bolt is rotated.
 In another aspect, the present invention resides in a method of using a
 clamp assembly to secure a sink to a countertop,
 the sink including a bowl having a peripherally extending rim adapted to
 engage an upper surface of the countertop and a bracket mounted to a side
 of said bowl at a location below said rim, the clamp assembly including,
 a bolt having a bolt head and a threaded portion,
 a hanger member configured to engage said bracket and couple the hanger
 member thereto and having a threaded bore sized to threadedly receive the
 threaded portion of the bolt therein, whereby when the keeper member is
 secured to the bracket the rotation of the bolt in a first direction moves
 the threaded portion through the threaded bore towards the sink rim,
 a movable clip member adapted to engage an underside of the countertop, the
 movable clip member including a base having an axially positioned opening
 therethrough sized to permit substantially free sliding movement of the
 threaded portion of the bolt therein while preventing movement of the head
 therethrough, an arm member extending longitudinally generally in the
 axial direction from the base and including a projecting flange configured
 to engage at least one of said hanger member, said bracket, said bowl and
 said bolt at a limit position to prevent further rotation of the clip in
 the first direction, a shorter longitudinal member opposite and parallel
 to the arm member adapted to slide and bear against the side of the bowl
 distributing the reaction force of the clip in a fairly large area to the
 side of the bowl,
 said sink being secured to the countertop by the steps of:
 (a) forming a hole in said countertop sized to receive the bowl therein in
 a complementary fit manner;
 (b) inserting the bowl into the hole to position the rim in engagement with
 the upper surface; and
 (c) with the hanger member secured to the bracket and the threaded portion
 of the bolt inserted through the opening and into threaded engagement with
 the threaded bore, rotating the bolt in the first direction to move the
 bolt axially toward the sink rim to axially move the clip into engagement
 with the underside of the countertop, wherein the rotation of the clip
 about the axis moves the projecting flange into engagement with said at
 least one of said hanger member, said bracket, said bowl and said bolt to
 maintain said clip at said limit position as said clip is moved axially.
 In a further aspect, the present invention resides in combination, a sink
 and a mounting device for securing the sink to a countertop, the mounting
 device comprising a bracket secured to a side portion of the sink, a
 movable clip and a hanger assembly for coupling the movable clip to the
 bracket,
 the movable clip being adapted to engage an underside of the countertop and
 including a base having an axially positioned through-opening therethrough
 and an arm member extending generally in the axial direction
 longitudinally from the base,
 the hanger assembly including a hanger member having an axially aligned
 internally threaded bore therethrough, and a bolt having a threaded
 portion and a bolt head, the threaded portion having a diameter selected
 to permit its sliding axial movement in the through-opening and its
 threaded engagement with the threaded bore, the bolt head having enlarged
 diameter portion selected larger than the through-opening, wherein with
 the threaded portion of the bolt slid axially through the through-opening
 and into threaded engagement with the threaded bore the engagement of the
 bolt head with the base as the bolt is rotated in a first direction about
 the axis urges the clip axially towards the countertop, and
 at least one of the movable clip, bracket and hanger member including a
 projecting flange configured to prevent further rotation of said movable
 clip member in the first direction beyond a limit position as the bolt is
 rotated.
 More preferably, included in the base is a shorter longitudinal member
 located opposite and parallel to the arm member. It is adapted to slide on
 the side of the bowl when the screw is rotated to distribute the reaction
 force of the clip over a sufficiently large area so as not to create an
 unsightly deformed portion on the side of the bowl. The shorter
 longitudinal member also provides added clearance space between the side
 of the bowl and a socket wrench or similar devices used to drive the bolt
 in installing or removing the sink.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
 Reference is first made to FIGS. 1 and 2 which show a mounting assembly 10
 used to secure a sink 12 in a hole 14 formed in a countertop 16. In the
 embodiment shown, the sink 12 is of a wide rim type having an upper
 peripherally extending rim 18 which extends radially outwardly a distance
 of at least 1.5 cm more from the sink bowl 20. Although FIG. 1 shows a
 partial view of the sink countertop 16, it is to be appreciated that the
 hole 14 is formed in the countertop 16 with a generally corresponding
 shape to that of the sink bowl 20. The rim 18 of the sink 12 is adapted
 for moderate flexure to allow the sink 12 to be drawn down to the
 countertop 16 to create a tight seal between the sink rim 18 and the top
 of the countertop 16 with the use of a caulking compound or gasket
 therebetween.
 The mounting assembly 10 consists of a weld bracket 24, which is welded to
 the side of the sink bowl 20, a movable clip 26 which in use engages the
 underside of the countertop 16 to secure the sink 12 in place, and a
 hanger assembly 28 used to movably couple the clip 26 to the weld bracket
 24.
 The weld bracket 24 is shown best in FIGS. 1 to 4 as being welded to the
 side of the sink bowl 20 at a location between about 2 and 6 cm beneath
 the sink rim 18. The weld bracket 24 is formed by stamping from a thin
 sheet of steel and has at least one, and more preferably, two identical
 hook members 30. As is shown in FIG. 1, the weld bracket 24 is secured to
 the bowl 20 so that each hook member 30 extends at an angle laterally
 outwardly from the bowl 20 and upwardly towards the countertop 16,
 defining a narrow upwardly open bight 32 therein. Associated with each
 hook member is a lanced tab 34 which projects downwardly and laterally
 outward beneath each hook 30. Preferably, the tabs 34 do not extend
 laterally outwardly from the sink bowl 20 to the same extent as the hook
 members 30. As will be described hereafter, the lanced tabs 34 act to
 maintain the hanger assembly 28 in a position secured to a sink bowl 20
 during the operation of the mounting assembly 10.
 The hanger assembly 28 consists of an L-shaped hanger bracket or hanger 38
 and an elongated threaded bolt 40. The hanger bracket 38 as shown in FIGS.
 1, 2, 5 and 6 is formed from a bent flattened ribbon of steel and includes
 an elongated keeper portion 42 which is adapted for coupling to the weld
 bracket 24, and a laterally extending projecting portion 43. A rectangular
 opening 44 is formed in the upper part of the keeper portion 42 which is
 configured so that the hanger brackets 38 may be secured to the sink 12 by
 inserting the hook member 30 therethrough in the manner shown in FIG. 1.
 As is apparent, when the hanger bracket 38 is suspended in the bight 32 of
 the hook member 30, the lanced tab 34 preferably locates immediately above
 a lowermost edge 46 of the bracket opening 44. The engagement of the tab
 34 with the edge 46 thus prevents the hanger bracket 38 from being slid
 directly upward out of the hook bight 32.
 The projecting portion 43 extends at approximately 90.degree. from the
 keeper portion 42, so as to extend outwardly substantially perpendicular
 from the sink bowl 20 when the hanger bracket 38 is secured in position to
 the hook 30. An internally threaded bore 48 is formed through the middle
 of the projecting portion 43. FIG. 2 shows the portion 43 in top view as
 being generally rectangular and extending from the keeper portion 42 to an
 outer edge 47. The projecting portion 43 further includes a beveled corner
 portion 49 which extends into the edge 47.
 FIGS. 2 and 4 show best the beveled comer portion 49 as being provided to
 permit substantially unhindered rotation of the clip 26 about the axis
 A-A.sub.1 to a limit position shown in FIG. 2. It is to be appreciated,
 however, that other hanger bracket configurations are also possible.
 FIG. 1 shows the bolt 40 as being of a stock construction having an
 elongated externally threaded portion 50, and a larger diameter bolt head
 52. The diameter of the threaded portion 50 of the bolt 40 is selected to
 threadedly engage the internally threaded bore 48 of the hanger bracket
 38, whereby the rotation of the bolt 40 results in its movement through
 the bore 48.
 FIGS. 1, 2 and 7 show best the movable clip 26 which is preferably formed
 from bending a single blank of steel ribbon. The clip 26 includes a
 generally rectangular base 56, defined in part by upper and lower parallel
 spaced webs 58,60. A pair of aligned apertures 62,64 in each of the upper
 and lower webs 58, 60, respectively, define the upper and lower extent of
 a through-opening 65 which extends along an axis A-A.sub.1 through the
 base 56. The through-opening 65 has a minimum diameter marginally greater
 than the outermost diameter of the threaded portion 50 of the bolt 40, but
 smaller than the diameter of the bolt head 52, thereby permitting the
 threaded portion 50 of the bolt 40 to be slid axially therein. The
 through-opening 65 is formed in the clip base 56 so as to permit the axial
 alignment of the through-opening 65, the threaded bore 48 of the hanger
 bracket 38 and the threaded portion 50 of the bolt 40. An arm member 67
 extends longitudinally generally in the axial direction from the base 56.
 As shown best in FIG. 7, the arm member 67 is formed as a generally planar
 elongated web of metal which is bent at approximately 55.degree.
 substantially along one edge, to define an angularly extending locating
 flange 69 which extends substantially along the axial length of the arm
 member 67. The end of the arm member 67 which is remote from the base 56
 merges with a laterally extending finger portion 66 which preferably
 terminates in a plurality of axially projecting teeth or fingers 68. As is
 apparent from FIG. 1, on tightening of the movable clip 26, it is the
 fingers 68 which engage the underside of the countertop 16, to firmly
 secure the sink 12 in place within the hole 14.
 Although not essential, a lateral slot 72 is formed part-way across the
 clip 26 where the arm member 67 and finger portion 66 merge. The slot 72
 extends a distance selected to provide the clip 26 with a desired point of
 weakness. More particularly, the slot 72 has an extent chosen to permit
 bending of the clip and the finger portion 66 to deflect relative to the
 arm member 67 when the bolt 40 is turned with a predetermined torque. The
 predetermined torque is selected greater than the torque required to pull
 the rim 18 of the sink 12 down snuggly onto the upper surface of the
 countertop 16, but less than that required to cause permanent deformation
 of either of the rim 18 or the side of the sink bowl 20. It is to be
 appreciated that this advantageously prevents deformation of the sink rim
 18 or bowl 40 in the event the bolt 40 is overtightened.
 More preferably, as shown best in FIG. 2, the base 56 is elongated in the
 lateral direction at which the projecting finger portion 66 extends from
 the arm member 67. The clip 26 is preferably selected with a width which
 substantially corresponds to the lateral extent of the projecting portion
 43 of the hanger bracket 38. With this configuration, the clip 26 may be
 rotated 90.degree. about the axis A-A.sub.1 between a nested position
 shown in FIG. 8 in which a lateral edge of the clip finger portion 66 is
 moved towards abutting contact with the sink bowl 20. When the clip 26 is
 moved to the nested position, the locating flange 69 is brought into
 alignment with the beveled corner edge 49 of the hanger bracket 38.
 Because the width of the clip 26 is substantially at or smaller than the
 distance the projecting portion 43 laterally extends, the movable clip 26
 does not substantially project outwardly from the sink bowl 20 beyond the
 hanger bracket 38. As will be described hereafter, this permits the hanger
 assembly 28 and movable clip 26 to be secured to the weld bracket 24 prior
 to installation of a wide rim sink 12.
 The longitudinal side portion 74 of the base 56 which is spaced from and
 generally parallel, the arm member 67 is formed with a sufficiently large
 surface area so as to dissipate any contact in forces between the clip 26
 and sink 12 over a fairly wide area of the side of the bowl 20. Most
 preferably the side portion 74 has an area of at least 0.75 cm.sup.2.
 To install a wide rimmed sink 12, a complementary shaped hole 14 is first
 formed through the countertop 16. The hole 14 is sized smaller than the
 peripheral extent of the sink rim 18, but large enough to permit the sink
 bowl 20, weld brackets 24 and hanger brackets 38 to be lowered
 therethrough, so that the sink rim 18 may be moved into position resting
 on the countertop 16.
 Preferably, the radius of the hole 14 is approximately 1 cm greater than
 the radial extent of the sink bowl 20.
 Either at the factory or immediately prior to inserting the sink 12 into
 the hole 14, movable clip 26 is initially rotated about the axis A-A.sub.1
 to the nested position, after the hanger 38 and movable clip 26 are
 coupled to the sink 12. In initial placement, the threaded portion 50 of
 the bolt 40 is aligned with the axis A-A.sub.1 and inserted upwardly
 through the bottom of the clip base 56 and into threaded engagement with
 the threaded bore 48. Because the through-opening 65 is sized larger than
 the threaded end 50 of the bolt 40, the clip 26 moves to rest with the web
 60 resting against the bolt head 52.
 An advantage of the present invention exists in that when the clip 26 is
 moved to the nested position shown in FIG. 8, the arm member 67 marginally
 engages a side edge of the projecting portion 43. The engagement of the
 arm member 67 with the projecting portion 43 acts to lock the clip 26 in
 the nested position. The result is that the clip 26 may not rotate from
 the nested position until a predetermined minimum rotational force is
 applied, as for example by rotating the bolt 40 with a required torque.
 This advantageously ensures that during installation the clip 26 will not
 rotate from the side of the sink bowl 20, where it may otherwise interfere
 with the movement of the sink 12 into the hole 14.
 On initially rotating the bolt 40 in the direction of arrow 80 (shown in
 FIG. 9) with the predetermined minimum torque to tighten the bolt 40, the
 movable clip 26 rotates about axis A-A.sub.1 together with the bolt head
 52. The clip 26 rotates so that the finger 66 swings away from the nested
 position, until the projecting flange 69 contacts the edge 47 of the
 hanger 38 at the position shown in FIG. 9, thereby limiting further
 movement of the clip 26 about the axis. It is to be appreciated that the
 flange 69 is configured to limit rotational movement of the clip 26 past
 the position where the finger portion 66 may be brought upwardly into
 engagement with the desired portion of the countertop. Most preferably,
 the limit position is selected so that the angular projecting finger
 portion 66 extends radially outwardly away from the sink bowl 20, and the
 side portion 74 of the clip base 56 is moved into sliding contact with the
 side of the bowl 20.
 As the bolt 40 is tightened, it is drawn upwardly through the threaded bore
 48 with the hanger 38 maintained on the weld bracket 24 against any upward
 forces on the bolt 40 by the engagement of the tab 34 with the lower edge
 46 of the hanger bracket opening. As the bolt 40 moves upwardly towards
 the rim 18 relative to the hanger 38, the engagement of the larger
 diameter bolt head 52 with the bottom web 60 of the clip base 56 also
 urges the movable clip axially upward with the side portion 74 maintained
 in sliding contact with the sink 12. Because the clip 26 engages the bolt
 40 at each of the spaced apertures 62,64, the arm member 67 is maintained
 substantially aligned with the axis A-A.sub.1 and deflection of the clip
 26 is substantially eliminated. As the clip 26 initially contacts the
 underside of the countertop 16, the teeth 68 bite into the countertop 16,
 and the rotational force of the bolt 40 pulls the hanger 38 securely into
 the bight 32, as the sink 12 is clamped into position. Further, because of
 the surface area of the side portion 74, the contact forces between the
 bowl 20 and base 56 which occur as the finger portion 66 is forced against
 the countertop 16, are dissipated over a comparatively wide area,
 lessening the likelihood the side of the bowl 20 may be deformed.
 It is to be appreciated that if removal of the sink 12 is desired, the bolt
 40 is simply rotated in the counter direction to arrow 80, lowering the
 bolt 40 and clip 26 relative to the hanger bracket 38.
 While the preferred embodiment of the invention discloses the use of the
 mounting assembly 10 in securing a wide rim sink 12, the present invention
 is also suitable for use in securing narrower rim sinks which have a rim
 dimension of less than 1.5 cm as is described hereafter with like
 reference numerals identifying like components. In installing a narrower
 rim sink 12, the hole 14 would be formed only marginally greater than the
 sink bowl 20 and with a radial diameter less than that of the narrower rim
 18. The sink 12 is shipped without the hangers 38, bolts 40 and clips 26
 attached as it is lowered into position in the hole 14.
 It is to be appreciated that the upwardly extending hook 30 configuration
 of the weld bracket 24 is particularly suited for narrow rim sinks 12.
 Following the insertion of the sink 12 in the hole 14, and with the rim 18
 resting on the upper surface of the countertop 16, the hanger 38, with the
 clip 26 and bolt 40 preassembled thereto is attached to the weld bracket
 24. The preassembled clip 26, bolt 40 and hanger 38 is reattached by
 hooking the hanger 38 onto the hook 30 so that the hook 30 is inserted
 through the hanger opening 44. Thereafter the bolt 40 is tightened by
 turning in the direction of arrow 80 (FIG. 9) until the clip 26 is urged
 upwardly together with the bolt head 52 to bring the teeth 68 of the
 projecting portion 66 into engagement with the underside of the countertop
 18. Again, with the initial rotation of the bolt 40, the clip 26 will
 rotate about axis A-A.sub.1 until the flange 69 contacts the edge 47 at
 the limit position.
 It is to be appreciated that because the engagement of the projecting
 flange with the hanger bracket edge 47 limits further rotational movement
 of the movable clip 26, there is no need to hold the clip 26 in the
 correct position during tightening of the bolt 40, and the mounting
 assembly bolt 40 may be tightened with single hand operation.
 The use of an axially extending projecting flange 69 along the entire
 length of the arm member 67 advantageously ensures that the movable clip
 26 is maintained in the optimum limit position as it is slid axially
 upward. It is to be appreciated, however, that other flange constructions
 or engagement members used to maintain the clip 26 in the desired
 orientation are also possible and will now become apparent.
 While the preferred embodiment of the invention discloses a two-part hanger
 assembly used to mount the movable clip 26, the invention is not so
 limited. By way of one non-limiting example, the hanger could be omitted
 and a weld bracket similar to that shown in Canadian Patent No. 1,246,805
 could be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the
 present invention. Another alternative is to integrate into the weld
 bracket a laterally extending portion with a threaded hole or holes to
 accept the bolt.
 It is to be appreciated that while a hooked shaped weld bracket 24 and
 slotted hanger bracket 38 provide a simplified construction, other
 configurations of movably securing the clip 26 to the sink 20 are
 possible, including by way of non-limiting example prongs, clasps and
 other mechanical fasteners.
 While the present invention discloses the arm member 67 as including a
 locating flange 69 for use in orienting the clip 26 at the limit position,
 the invention is not so limited. Although less preferred, a locating
 flange or finger used to engage the arm member 67 or base 56 and prevent
 clip movement past the limit position could equally be provided on one or
 more of the hanger 38 or weld bracket 24.
 While the preferred embodiment of the invention discloses the clip 26 as
 being formed from a single blank of steel which is bent to define a base
 56 having the upper and lower webs 58,60, the invention is not so limited.
 If desired, the base could be formed as a solid cast member or as a planar
 web of plastic or other metal, with a secondary support being provided to
 the bolt 40.
 Although the detailed description of the invention describes and
 illustrates many preferred embodiments, the invention is not so limited.
 Many modifications and variations will now appear to persons skilled in
 the art. For a definition of the invention, reference may be had to the
 appended claims.