Abstract:
A clip for holding a first article in contact with a second article, comprising a first portion for insertion into a groove in the first article and a second portion abutting against the second article, the first portion extending substantially at right angles to the second portion.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a clip for holding a first article, such as an under-slung sink, to a second article, such as a work surface, and a method relating thereto. 
       BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    When fitting an under-slung stainless steel sink to a granite work surface, a strong connection is required. However, the life of a sink is considerably shorter than that of a granite worktop and it is therefore desirable that the sink should be removed and replaced at a later date. 
         [0003]    Granite is an extremely hard material which is very difficult to drill. Conventional clips supplied with stainless steel sinks require drilling of the work surface, and are thus very difficult to use with granite. 
         [0004]    An alternative method of fixing an under-slung sink is to make a softwood frame, place the sink in position on the frame, place silicone sealant around the edge of the sink and fit the granite work surface over the sink. This has the problem that if the sink needs to be replaced, the granite work surface first needs to be lifted. This means that damage to the work top, surrounding tiles and fittings is likely. Replacing an under-slung sink is thus time consuming and costly and may result in a work area around the sink that is damaged. 
         [0005]    A further alternative is to place silicone sealant around the top of the sink, and use a two-part resin to adhere the sink in place. Not only is it time consuming to use the two-part resin, but also problems occur with the resin failing and the sink becoming detached from the work surface. This is potentially unsafe as well as unsatisfactory for the user of the sink. 
         [0006]    An aim of the present invention is to address the problems that the prior art has described herein or elsewhere. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a clip for holding a first article in contact with a second article, comprising a first portion for insertion into a groove in the first article and a second portion abutting against the second article, the first portion extending substantially at right angles to the second portion. 
         [0008]    Preferably the clip is adapted such that the greater a separating force between the first and second articles, the stronger the grip of the clip. 
         [0009]    Preferably the clip is resilient. The clip may have a first portion in the form of a shallow V shape. 
         [0010]    Preferably the first portion is adapted to be held in the groove by friction. 
         [0011]    Preferably the first article is a work surface, and may be a kitchen work surface. Preferably, the work surface is granite. 
         [0012]    Preferably the second article is a sink. Alternatively the second article may be a kitchen unit or a support leg. 
         [0013]    Preferably the clip is made of spring steel. Preferably the clip is 2 mm or 3 mm in width. 
         [0014]    Preferably the groove is 15 mm or 22 mm in depth. Preferably the groove is 2.5 mm or 4 mm in width. 
         [0015]    The second article may be a temporary fencing arrangement. 
         [0016]    According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a clip for holding a sink in contact with a work surface, comprising a first portion for insertion into a groove in the work surface and a second portion abutting against the sink. 
         [0017]    According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a sink clip as hereinbefore described. 
         [0018]    According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a sink arrangement comprising a sink and a plurality of clips, wherein the clips are as hereinbefore described. 
         [0019]    According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of attaching a first article to a second article, comprising the steps of cutting at least one groove in the first article, locating the second article on the first article, and inserting each of at least one clips into a corresponding groove to attach the first article to the second article. 
         [0020]    Preferably, the step of cutting the at least one groove in the first article comprises cutting the at least one groove substantially parallel to an edge of the second article. The at least one groove may be cut by means of an angle grinder. The angle grinder may be a  41 ″ angle grinder. 
         [0021]    Preferably, the step of inserting each clip into a corresponding one of said at least one groove comprises partially inserting each clip into the corresponding groove, optionally adjusting the position of the second article, and then fully inserting each clip into the corresponding groove. 
         [0022]    Preferably, the step of partially inserting each clip into the corresponding groove is carried out by means of the fingers of a fitter. 
         [0023]    Preferably, the step of fully inserting each clip into the corresponding groove is carried out by means of a hammer. 
         [0024]    According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of attaching an under-slung sink to a work surface, comprising the steps of cutting a plurality of grooves in the lower surface of the work surface at a distance from an opening in the work surface under which the sink is to be located, locating the sink under the opening, inserting each of a plurality of clips into a corresponding groove. 
         [0025]    Preferably the step of placing silicone around the edge of the sink is carried out before the step of locating the sink in position under an opening. 
         [0026]    According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of attaching a first article to a second article, wherein the clip is as hereinbefore described. 
         [0027]    The present invention includes any combination of the herein referred to features or limitations. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]    For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: 
           [0029]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a clip according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  is a view from below of a sink installed on a work surface by means of the clips of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view from the side of a sink installed on a work surface by means of the clips of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged cross sectional view of a clip arrangement of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 5   a  shows a cross sectional view through the groove of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 5   b  shows a cross sectional view through the groove of  FIG. 4  when an alternative clip is inserted; 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  is a view from below of a leg arrangement for supporting a work surface using the clip of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a temporary fencing arrangement using a further embodiment of the clip of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0037]      FIG. 1  shows a clip  10  according to a first embodiment of the invention. The clip  10  comprises a first portion  12  and a second portion  14  extending substantially at right angles to the first portion  12 . The clip  10  is designed to have a degree of resilience as will be described below. The clip  10  may be made from 3 mm or 2 mm thick spring steel. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 2 and 3  show a sink  22  which has been attached to the lower surface of a granite work surface  20  by means of clips  10 . The granite work surface  20  has a number of grooves  24  machined into the lower surface, each groove  24  being parallel to the closest edge of the sink  22 . Each groove  24  is 22 mm deep and 4 mm wide or 15 mm deep and 2.5 mm wide, according to the thickness of the clip  10 . 
         [0039]    In use, the sink is placed in position under an opening  26  in the granite work surface  20 . The first portion  12  of each clip  10  is received in a respective groove  24 . The relative size of the first portion  12  of the clip and the groove  24  are determined such that the clip  10  can be partially inserted in the groove  24  using finger pressure, and is held in position in the groove  24  by friction between the first portion  12  and the surface of the groove. In this position the clips  10  are able carry the weight of the sink  22  on their second portions  14 . This enables a fitter to move the sink on the clips until the sink  22  is in the correct position. The clips  10  are also designed such that the first portions  12  can be fully inserted in the respective grooves  24  by tapping with a hammer. In the fully installed position each clip  10  is capable of carrying a greater amount weight placed on the second portion  14 . Indeed, the shape of the clip  10  means that in the fully installed position, as the force on the second portion  14  increases, the clip  10  becomes more strongly wedged within the groove  24 . 
         [0040]    The first portion  12  of the clip  10  may have a shallow V shape as illustrated in  FIG. 1 and 5   a.  The V shape is resilient and provides three areas of strong contact with the inside of the groove. Alternatively, first portion  12 ′ of the clip  10  may be flat, as illustrated in  FIG. 5   b.  The fact that the work surface  20  is made of granite means that the interior of the groove provides a very hard, high friction surface which is excellent for the clip to engage with. 
         [0041]    An exemplary method of installing an under-slung sink  22  will now be described. The granite work surface  20  is placed with its lower side facing upwards. The sink  22  is placed in the desired position on the lower side of the granite work surface  20 . A line is then drawn around the sink  22  with chalk and the sink  22  removed. At each of the points around the chalk line where it is desired to place a clip  10 , a groove  24  is cut parallel to the chalk line and at 20 mm from the chalk line and externally of the chalk line. Each groove  24  is cut using a  41 ″ angle grinder. The granite work surface  20  is then located in its desired position. 
         [0042]    When attaching the sink  22  to the granite work surface  20 , silicone is first applied around a flange  28  of the sink  22  and the sink  22  lifted into place. The silicone provides a water tight seal between the sink  22  and the granite work surface  20 . The first portion  12  of each of the clips  10  may then be located in a partially inserted position in respective grooves  24  by pressing with a finger or thumb. In the partially inserted position, the clips  10  are sufficiently secure within the grooves  24  to hold the sink  22  in place whilst allowing play between the sink  22  and the work surface  20 . This allows the sink  22  to be accurately aligned and yet be supported by the clips  10 . A hammer, such as a pin hammer, is then used to finally tap the clips  10  to a fully installed position in the granite work surface  20 . This secures the sink  22  firmly between the second portion  14  of the clip  10  and the work surface  20 . 
         [0043]    Once installed, the shape of the clip  10  is such that the more downwards pressure that is applied to the sink  22 , and hence to the second portion  14  of the clip  10 , the more securely the clip  10  is held in the respective groove  24 . The limiting factor for failure of the sink  22  arrangement when under load is therefore likely to be failure of the sink  22  itself. 
         [0044]    The simple design of the clip  10  of the present invention enables the fitter to install an under-slung sink  22  easily and quickly, and also ensures its safeness and sturdiness. A standard sink  22  can be fitted and secured by the clips  10  in around 10 to 15 minutes. 
         [0045]    The clips  10  not only secure the sink  22  to the granite work surface  20 , but is capable of withstanding extreme pressure that may be encountered in retail and domestic environments, such as the weight of an average person. 
         [0046]    When it is desired to replace a sink  22 , the clips  10  can be tapped sideways by means of a hammer to release the sink  22  from the work surface  20 . The clips  10  may have to be tapped several times in opposing directions before they finally work loose. Thus the work surface  20  can remain in position, avoiding unnecessary damage. 
         [0047]    Although the clip  10  has been described above for use in supporting a sink  22 , it could be used in any application where one item needs to be held in close contact with another item. When a separating force is applied to the items the clip  10  serves to hold the items in even stronger contact. 
         [0048]    For example, the clips  10  may be used to fit kitchen units to granite work surfaces. Again, the clips  10  are strong in use, but are easily removable, thus avoiding damage to both the units and the work surfaces. 
         [0049]      FIG. 6  shows a work surface  40  in a kitchen that requires a support leg  42 . The support leg  42  may be provided with a plate fitting  44 . The plate fitting  44  is shown as triangular, but may be any suitable shape. Three grooves  46  are cut in the lower surface of the work surface  40 , one at the centre of each side of the plate fitting  44 , parallel to the side and at a predetermined distance from the side. Each groove  46  receives in use a clip  10  for securing the plate fitting  44  to the lower surface of the work surface  40  as described above. 
         [0050]      FIG. 7  shows temporary safety fencing  60  of the type used to keep pedestrian and/or traffic away from road works. The fencing  60  includes a weighted base  62  to prevent the fencing  60  from falling over. However, this weighting is often not sufficient in high winds or if the fencing  60  is accidentally or deliberately pushed over. One or more larger scale versions  64  of the clip  10  described above may be used to secure the base  62  to a road surface. A first portion  70  of the clip  64  is inserted in a groove  66  cut in the road surface, whilst a second portion  72  of the clip  10  bears on an inner surface of a recess  68  in the base  62 . If a force is applied to the base, tending to lift the base from the tarmac, the clip will apply a counter force to the inner surface of the recess  68 . 
         [0051]    The clip  10  functions most effectively in conjunction with grooves  24  cut in hard surfaces such as granite, but could be used with any other suitable surfaces. 
         [0052]    Although a few preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. 
         [0053]    Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0054]    All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. 
         [0055]    Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 
         [0056]    The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.