Patent Publication Number: US-6216992-B1

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

Description:
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° 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. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of the mounting assembly securing a sink in a clamped position in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the mounting assembly shown in FIG. 1 taken along line  2 - 2 ′; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the weld bracket shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the weld bracket shown in FIG. 3 taken along lines  4 - 4 ′; 
     FIG. 5 is perspective front view of the hanger bracket shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the hanger bracket shown in FIG. 5 taken along line  6 - 6 ′; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the clip member shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective top view of the mounting assembly shown in FIG. 1, with the clip member moved to a nested position; and 
     FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of the mounting assembly shown in FIG. 1 prior to clamping, with the clip moved to a limit position. 
    
    
     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 ° 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 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 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° 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° about the axis A-A 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.