A connector for securing a component to a support

Abstract

A connector 100, 200 for securing a component to a support. The connector includes a housing body 120, 220 to which the component is securable, the housing body 120, 220 defining a first space and being locatable on a first side of the support. The connector 100, 200 also includes a shaft 140, 240 extending from the housing body 120, 220, the shaft 140, 240 being locatable through an installation aperture in the support. A portion of the component is locatable through an overlap between the first space defined by the housing body 120, 220 and the installation aperture in the support. The connector 100, 200 includes a securing device 180, 280 coupled to the shaft 140, 240 and moveable along the shaft 140, 240 for contacting a second side of the support, the second side being opposite to first side, such that the support is clamped between the housing body 120, 220 and the securing device 180, 280. The securing device 180, 280 is adjustable between a stowed position in which the connector can be inserted or removed from the support and a deployed position in which the connector can be clamped to the support. The securing device 180, 280, when in the deployed position, has a continuous length across the housing body 120, 220 and is substantially symmetrical with respect to a central axis through the housing body 120, 220. The connector 100, 200 includes guide and a brace portion 110, 210 about which the securing device is pivotable, slidably mounted to the guide, and against which the securing device 180, 280 braces when the securing device 180, 280 is in the deployed position.

Description

A CONNECTOR FOR SECURING A COMPONENT TO A SUPPORTField

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector for securing a component to a support, such as a benchtop or a table. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a tap connector for connecting a tap to a benchtop. In an alternative embodiment, the present invention relates to a connector for securing a computer monitor arm, to which one or more monitors may be mounted, to a table.Background

[0002] Existing tap connectors have a housing body that is locatable on an upper surface of a benchtop and a pair of clamping arms that are locatable on an underside of the benchtop. The clamping arms are mounted onto a shaft that extends from a rearward location of the housing body. The clamping arms extend forwardly from the shaft and is adjustable relative to the housing body to secure the tap connector to the benchtop. Due to the location to the clamping arms relative to the housing body and so that the arms can fit through an installation hole in the support, each clamping arm has a short end portion for clamping, with the housing body, a portion of the support that is rearward of the housing body and a long end portion for clamping, with the housing body, a portion of the support that is forward of the housing body. When the existing tap connector clamps onto the support, the housing body does not sit stably on the benchtop.Summary of Invention

[0003] It is an object of preferred embodiments of the invention to address the disadvantage described above and / or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

[0004] An aspect of the present invention provides a connector for securing a component to a support, the connector including:a housing body to which the component is securable, the housing body defining a first space and being locatable on a first side of the support;a shaft extending from the housing body, the shaft being locatable through an installation aperture in the support, wherein a portion of the component is locatable through an overlap between the first space defined by the housing body and the installation aperture in the support;a securing device coupled to the shaft and moveable along the shaft for contacting a second side of the support, the second side being opposite to first side, such that the support is clamped between the housing body and the securing device, the securing device being adjustable between a stowed position in which the connector can be inserted or removed from the support and a deployed position in which the connector can be clamped to the support, wherein the securing device, when in the deployed position, has a continuous length across the housing body and is substantially symmetrical with respect to a central axis through the housing body;a guide; anda brace portion about which the securing device is pivotable, slidably mounted to the guide, and against which the securing device braces when the securing device is in the deployed position.

[0005] Preferably, a middle portion of the securing device is laterally offset from the central axis through the housing body.

[0006] Another aspect of the present invention provides a connector for securing a component to a support, the connector including:a housing body to which the component is securable, the housing body defining a first space and being locatable on a first side of the support;a shaft extending from the housing body, the shaft being locatable through an installation aperture in the support, wherein a portion of the component is locatable through an overlap between the first space defined by the housing body and the installation aperture in the support;a securing device coupled to the shaft and moveable along the shaft for contacting a second side of the support, the second side being opposite to first side, such that the support is clamped between the housing body and the securing device, the securing device being adjustable between a stowed position in which the connector can be inserted or removed from the support and a deployed position in which the connector can be clamped to the support; anda brace portion about which the securing device is pivotable and against which the securing device braces when the securing device is in the deployed position, wherein, whenbraced by the brace portion, a significant portion of a total length of the securing device is located on the brace portion.

[0007] The significant portion of the total length of the securing device that is located on the brace portion, when the brace portion braces the securing device in the deployed position, may be at least 20% of the total length of the securing device, at least about 30% of the total length of the securing device; at least about a third of the total length of the securing device; 40% of the total length of the securing device, at least 50% of the total length of the securing device, at least 60% of the total length of the securing device, at least 70% of the total length of the securing device, at least 80% of the total length of the securing device, at least 90% of the total length of the securing device. The significant portion of the total length of the securing device may preferably be a substantial portion of the total length of the securing device.

[0008] The securing device, when in the deployed position, preferably has a continuous length across the housing body. Further preferably, the securing device, when in the deployed position, is substantially symmetrical with respect to a central axis through the housing body.

[0009] Preferably, the shaft is rotatable relative to the housing body to move the securing device and / or brace portion along the shaft.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the connector further includes at least one guide extending from the housing body, the at least one guide being arranged in parallel to the shaft. The brace portion may be slidably mounted to the at least one guide, wherein the brace portion moves along the shaft and along the guide(s) away from or towards the housing body upon rotation of the shaft relative to the housing body. Additionally or alternatively, the securing device is slidably mounted to the at least one guide, wherein the securing device moves along the shaft and along the guide(s) away from or towards the housing body upon rotation of the shaft relative to the housing body. The connector preferably includes one guide. In other examples, the connector may include two guides or more than two guides.

[0011] The securing device, when in the stowed position, preferably has a stowed footprint that is smaller than the first space of the housing body. The securing device, when in the deployed position, preferably has a deployed footprint that is greater than the first space.

[0012] Preferably, a length of the brace portion is along a first longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to a second longitudinal axis along which the securing device extends when in the deployed position.

[0013] The securing device is preferably separable from the brace portion. In an alternative embodiment, the securing device may be physically connected to the brace portion. For example, the securing device may be pivotably connected to the brace portion.

[0014] The securing device may be pivotable between the stowed position and the deployed position. Preferably, the securing device is biased to the stowed position. In another example, the securing device is biased to the deployed position. By way of example, the securing device may have a weighted portion that biases the securing device to the stowed position or the deployed position, wherein the weighted portion of the securing device has a weight that is greater than a weight the other portions of the securing device.

[0015] In one embodiment, the securing device may have a slot through which the shaft passes. Preferably, the slot is an elongate aperture that is skewered by the shaft. The securing device may include one or more additional slots that each through which a respective one of the guide(s) passes. Preferably, each additional slot is an elongate aperture that is skewered by the respective guide. In other examples, the securing device and / or brace portion is / are laterally offset from the shaft. In the same or yet other examples, the securing device and / or brace portion is / are laterally offset from the guide(s).

[0016] The connector preferably further includes a stop portion that threadably engages the shaft, the stop portion being moveable along the shaft upon rotation of the shaft. Preferably, the brace portion is arranged to restrict a rotation of the stop portion relative to the shaft. Preferably, upon rotation of the shaft relative to the housing body and when the brace portion contacts the stop portion, the stop portion is trapped, or restricted from rotating, by the brace portion and is caused to move up or down the shaft. Preferably, the brace portion restricts the rotation of the stop portion relative to the shaft when the brace portion is located on the stop portion. The stop portion is preferably a nut. Alternatively, the stop portion may be a body having a non-circular cross section such as a body having a cam-shape. In other examples, the stop portion has a wall portion that braces against a wall portion of the securing device. In this example, the brace portion is slidable relative to the shaft but does not engage the shaft apart from being skeweredby the shaft. Preferably, the shaft extends along a central longitudinal axis and a maximum distance from the central longitudinal axis to an edge of the stop portion is equal to or greater than a distance from the central axis to the wall portion of the brace portion.

[0017] The brace portion may preferably be an elongate body such as a plate. The elongate body may, in one example, have an L-shape profile having a shorter wall portion and a longer wall portion. The securing device, when in the deployed position, preferably braces against the longer wall portion of the L-shape plate. The shorter wall portion of the L-shape plate may be contactable by the stop portion to thereby restrict a rotation of the stop portion relative to the shaft.

[0018] In another example, the guide portion may be threadably coupled to the shaft. Additionally or alternatively, the securing device may be threadably coupled to the shaft.

[0019] The brace portion preferably has a bracing surface area that is larger than a surface area of the securing device that is located on the brace surface area. The bracing surface area may, for example, have a trapezoidal cross-sectional area, while the securing device has a crosssection that is substantially rectangular in shape.

[0020] In one embodiment, the securing device may be a plate. The plate is preferably skewered by the shaft. Additionally or alternatively, the plate may be skewered by the guide(s).Preferably, the securing device is pivotable about an edge of the brace portion. In this preferred embodiment, the securing device can pivot about the brace portion while the shaft and / or guide(s) limit a pivoting range of the securing device. Preferably, the pivoting range is limited by the shaft and / or guide to the stowed position.

[0021] In another embodiment, the securing device may include two arms that are pivotable relative to each other. Preferably, the securing device includes a pivot pin that pivotably couples the two arms, the pivot pin being locatable between the shaft and the guide (or one of the guides). One of the arm portions may include a slot through which the shaft passes. The slot may be an elongate aperture for example. The other one of the arm portions may include a slot through which the guide passes. The slot may be an elongate aperture for example.

[0022] The securing device may include one or more grip portions for gripping the second side of the support. A portion of the shaft is preferably located in the grip portion when the securingdevice is in the stowed position. Additionally or alternatively, a portion of the guide(s) may be located in the grip portion when the securing device is in the stowed position. The grip portion preferably defines a recessed area or a channel in which the portion of the shaft or guide is locatable. The grip portion may be removable from the respective arm.

[0023] Another aspect of the present invention provides a component including the connector according to the aspect previously described above. For example, the component is a tap including the connector previously described.Brief Description of Drawings

[0024] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:Figures 1A to 1D show a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; andFigures 2A to 2D show a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention.Description of Embodiments

[0025] With reference to Figures 1A to 1D, a connector 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing body 120 to which a component (not shown) is securable, a shaft 140 and a guide 160 both extending from the housing body 120, a securing device 180 coupled to the shaft 140, a brace portion 110, and a stop portion 130. The connector 100 is a tap connector for securing a tap to a support such as a bench such as a kitchen bench, vanity top, or a laundry bench for example. The bench, or support, to which the tap connecter is to be installed has a first side (or a top side), a second side (or a bottom side / underside) opposite the first side, and an installation aperture for the passage of inlet plumbing lines of the tap. In other examples, the connector is for a computer monitor arm, to which one or more computer monitors are securable, for securing the arm to a table. In yet other examples, the connector may for connecting an accessory to a wall. The accessory may be a kitchen accessory or a bathroom accessory such as a towel rail for example.

[0026] In a tap-installation example, the available working space for a plumber below a bench is typically restricted especially where, as an example case, a sink is already installed in the bench. In that example case, there is a narrow working space for the plumber between the sink and a backwall of a cabinetry on which the bench is located. In preferred embodiments, the connector 100 allows for the tap to be secured to the bench from the top of the bench. In particular, in those preferred embodiments, a plumber or installer does not need to go under the bench to secure the tap to the bench. After the tap is secured to the connector 100 on the bench, the plumber or installer may still go under the bench, after the tap is secured to the bench, to complete the installation such as connecting any plumbing to the tap. To connect the plumbing to the tap, the plumber would have easy access to the inlet plumbing lines of the tap to which the plumbing is to be connected. In particular, the inlet plumbing lines of the tap have a sufficient length that allows those lines to be easily accessed by the plumber or installer.

[0027] The housing body 120 of the connector 100 is locatable on the first side (top side) of the bench. The housing body 120 has an aperture defining a first space 122 of the passage of plumbing. In particular, the inlet plumbing lines of the tap pass through the first space 122 and through the installation aperture of the bench such that those plumbing lines are present in an underside of the bench. In this regard, when the housing body 120 is located on the first side of the bench, the housing body 120 is located over the installation aperture in the bench such that the aperture of the housing body 120 leads into the installation aperture, i.e. there is continuity from the aperture in the housing body to the installation aperture for the passage of a portion of the component, for this example being the inlet plumbing of the tap.

[0028] The housing body 120 has an annular (or ring) shape. The housing body 120 preferably encloses the space for a passage of plumbing. The housing body 120 has a base portion and a top portion. In another example, the housing body has a C-shape a square shape, an oval shape, or a polygon shape. In these other examples, the housing body defines a first space for the passage of the portion of the component to which the housing body is securable.

[0029] The base portion of the housing body 120 has an upper portion that is ribbed or keyed, or that is circumferentially toothed. The ribbed upper portion is for engaging a correspondingly ribbed or toothed internal surface of a tap housing or component housing.

[0030] The housing body 120 may, in some installation instances, have a diameter that is equal to, smaller than, or only slightly larger than a diameter of the installation aperture in the support. For these installation instances, the housing body 120 would not be able to sit or sit stably on the bench or other support. To allow the connector to be used for these installation instances, the connector includes a platform (not shown) on which the housing body is locatable, the platform having a footprint that is larger than the diameter of the installation aperture. In a preferred example, the platform includes an aperture for the passage of plumbing and a recessed region around the aperture, with the housing body being locatable on the recessed region of the platform. The platform with the tap located thereon together cover the installation aperture in the bench. The platform provides a finished look for the installation.

[0031] The connector 100 further includes a resiliently deformable seal ring or an O-ring, locatable between the housing body 120 and the platform, that deforms when the connector 100 is secured to the bench to provide a seal around the housing body 120.

[0032] The shaft 140 extends from the housing body 120. When the connector 100 is located over the installation aperture in the bench, the shaft 140 passes through the installation aperture. The shaft 140 is rotatably mounted to the housing body 120. The shaft 140 has a head portion 142 that is rotatably mounted to the housing body 120 and a threaded shaft portion 144 extending from the head portion 142. The head portion 142 and the threaded portion 144 of the shaft 140 form a unitary piece that is rotatable relative to the housing body 120. The connector 100 further includes a washer locatable on the shaft 140 between the head portion 142 and the housing body 120. In other examples, the connector has more than one shaft each to which securing device (that will be described below) is respectively connected. The head portion 142 is provided in the housing body 120 such that it is easily accessible by a user when the component is not secured to the connector. In particular, the head portion 142 is provided in the aperture of the housing body 120. In some embodiments, the shaft may have a stop member for trapping the securing device 180 and brace portion 110 on the threaded portion 144. The stop member may be located at an end of the threaded portion 144 of the shaft 140. The stop member is, for example, an enlarged portion.

[0033] The guide 160 extends from the housing body 120. The guide 160 is an elongate member such as a rod for example. A first end of the guide 160 is connected to the housing body 120 while a second, opposite, end of the guide is a free end. In this regard, the guide 160 is arrangedsubstantially in parallel to the threaded portion 144 of the shaft 140. In other examples, the connector may have two guides, three guides, or four or more guides. In yet other examples, the connector may not have any guide. The guide 160 has substantially a same length from the housing body to its free end as the shaft 140 from the housing body 120 to its respective free end. In other examples, the guide may be shorter than the shaft such that when the securing device reaches a portion of the shaft in which it is not caught by the guide, the securing device would rotate in unison with the shaft without falling out from the shaft.

[0034] The securing device 180, in this example, is an elongate body, such as a plate, that is pivotable about an edge of the brace portion 110. The securing device 180 has a length that is greater than a length of the brace portion 110 and has a width that is less than a maximum width of the brace portion 110. The bracing surface area has a trapezoidal cross-sectional area, while the securing device has a cross-section that is substantially rectangular in shape.

[0035] The securing device 180 is coupled to the shaft 160 and moveable along a length of the shaft 160 for contacting the second (underside surface) side of the support, the second side being opposite to first side, such that the support is clamped between the housing body 120 and the securing device 180. The securing device 180 is also slidable relative to the guide 160. The guide 160 restricts a rotation of the securing device 180 relative to the shaft as the securing device 180 moves along the length of the shaft 140.

[0036] With reference to Figure 1B, the securing device 180 does not overlap the first space defined by the housing body 120 when the securing device 180 moves along the shaft 140 toward the housing body 120 and does not overlap the first space defined by the housing body 120 when the securing device 180 moves along the shaft 140 away from the housing body. Thereby, the securing device 180 does not obstruct a passage for the portion of the component through the support and / or does not interfere with a portion of the component through, and on the underside of, the support.

[0037] The securing device 180 has a slot 182 through which the shaft 140 passes. The slot 182 is, in this example, an elongate aperture that is skewered by the shaft 140. The securing device 180 also has a slot 184 through which the guide 160 passes for restricting the rotation of the securing device 180 about the shaft relative to the housing body 120 when the shaft 140 isrotated in either direction relative to the housing body 120. The slot 184 is, in this example, an elongate aperture that is skewered by the guide 160.

[0038] In other examples, the securing device and / or brace portion may be laterally offset from the shaft. In the same or yet other examples, the securing device and / or brace portion may be laterally offset from the guide(s). In these other examples, the connector may include one or more bridge components for coupling the securing device with the shaft and / or to the guide(s) and one or more bridge components for coupling the brace portion with the shaft and / or to the guide(s).

[0039] The securing device 180 moves upwardly or downwardly along a length of the shaft 140 upon rotation of the shaft 140 relative to the housing body 120. The guide 160 restricts a rotation of the securing device 180 as the securing device moves along the shaft 140.

[0040] The securing device 180 is adjustable between a stowed position (showed in Figure 1C) in which the connector 100 can be inserted or removed from the support and a deployed position (shown in Figure 1D) in which the connector 100 can be clamped to the support. In some examples, the securing device 180 has a weighted portion that biases the securing device to the stowed position or the deployed position. In other examples, the securing device may be biased to one of the positions by way of selecting locating the securing device’s center-of-gravity in relation to the brace portion 110 or by way of a biasing means such as a spring. In the preferred embodiment, the securing device 180 is pivotable between the stowed position and the deployed position. When in the stowed position, the securing device 180 has a stowed footprint that is smaller than the first space of the housing body 120. When in the deployed position, the securing device 180 has a deployed footprint that is greater than the first space of the housing body 120. The stowed footprint is smaller than the deployed footprint. The shaft 140 and / or the guide 160 limit a pivoting range of the securing device to the stowed position. In this regard, when the securing device 180 is pivoted to the stowed position, the shaft 140 and / or guide 160 are located at an end of the respective slot 182, 184 in the securing device thereby limiting a further downward pivoting of the securing device 180 about the edge of the brace portion 110. The securing device 180 has a length that is longer than a width of the housing body 120.

[0041] The securing device 180 braces against the brace portion 110 when the securing device 180 is in the deployed position. When braced by the brace portion 110, a significant portion of atotal length of the securing device 180 is located on the brace portion 110. The brace portion 110 braces the securing device 180 in the deployed position to provide rigidity and stability to the component 100 when the connector clamps onto the support. The significant portion of the total length of the securing device 180 that is located on the brace portion, when the brace portion braces the securing device in the deployed position, is at least 20% of the total length of the securing device, at least about 30% of the total length of the securing device; at least about a third of the total length of the securing device; 40% of the total length of the securing device, at least 50% of the total length of the securing device, at least 60% of the total length of the securing device, at least 70% of the total length of the securing device, at least 80% of the total length of the securing device, at least 90% of the total length of the securing device. Preferably, a substantial portion of the securing device 180 is braced by the brace portion 110.

[0042] The securing device 180, when in the deployed position, has a continuous length across the housing body 120. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1A to 1D, the securing device 180, which is an elongate body formed of a single piece, has a length that spans across a width of the housing body 120. In addition, the securing device 180, when in the deployed position, is substantially symmetrical with respect to a central axis through the housing body 120. When the securing device 180 is in the deployed position, a first portion of the securing device 180 that extends beyond the housing body 120 from one side of the connector 100 has a length that is substantially equal to that of a second portion of the securing device 180 that extends beyond the housing body 120 from another side of the connector 100. These first and second portions contact an underside of the bench that, together with the housing body, clamp to the bench. The first and second portions that are substantially equal in length and that extend beyond the housing body from opposite sides of the connector 100 allow for a uniform and distributed clamping by the connector 100 onto the bench. The securing device 180 has a middle portion that is laterally offset from the central longitudinal axis through the housing body 120, which is parallel to the longitudinal axes through shaft 140 and the guide 160 respectively. The middle portion of the securing device 180 when in the deployed position, as shown in Figure 1B, is located between the shaft 180 and the guide 160. In other examples, the middle portion is skewered by the shaft and / or guide.

[0043] The brace portion 110 is slidably mounted to the shaft 140 and to the guide 160, wherein the brace portion 110 moves along the shaft 140 and along the guide 160 away from or towards the housing body 120 upon rotation of the shaft 140 relative to the housing body 120.Additionally, the securing device 180 is slidably mounted to the shaft 140 and to the guide 160, wherein the securing device 180 moves along the shaft 140 and along the guide 160 away from or towards the housing body 120 upon rotation of the shaft 140 relative to the housing body 120.

[0044] Rotation of the shaft 140 in a first direction (e.g. clockwise direction) causes the stop portion 110, which carries the brace portion 110 and the securing device 180, to move along the shaft securing device 180 to move in an upward direction relative shaft 140 to secure the tap connector 100 to the bench and rotation of the shaft 140 in a second direction (e.g. a counterclockwise direction) causes the stop portion 110, which carries the brace portion 110 and the securing device 180, to move in a downward direction relative to the shaft to unfasten the connector 100 from the bench. The shaft 140 can be rotated by operating a tool on the head portion 142 of the shaft 140. The shaft 140 and / or guide 160 additionally limit a pivoting range of the securing device 180.

[0045] The brace portion 110 is an elongate body having an L-shape profile with a longer wall portion 112 and a shorter wall portion 114. The shorter wall portion 114 is perpendicular to the longer wall portion 112. The securing device 180, when in the deployed position, braces against the longer wall portion 112 of the L-shape plate. The shorter wall portion 114 of the L-shape plate is contactable by the stop portion 130 to thereby restrict a rotation of the stop portion 130 relative to the shaft 140. A length of the brace portion 110 is along a first longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to a second longitudinal axis along which the securing device 180 extends when in the deployed position. The brace portion 110 has a bracing surface area that is larger than a surface area of the securing device 180 that is located on the bracing surface area. Rotation of the shaft 140 when the stop portion 130 is trapped by the guide portion on the shaft causes the stop portion 130 to move upwards or downwards along the shaft 140.

[0046] The securing device 180 is separable from the brace portion 110. As shown in Figures 1A to 1D, the securing device 180 is a separate piece from the brace portion 110. In other examples, the securing device may be pivotably connected to the brace portion.

[0047] The stop portion 130 threadably engages the shaft 140. The stop portion 130 is moveable along the shaft 140 upon rotation of the shaft 140. The brace portion 110 is arranged to restrict a rotation of the stop portion relative to the shaft to cause the stop portion to move up or down the shaft upon rotation of the shaft. Upon rotation of the shaft 140 relative to the housing body 120and when the brace portion 110 contacts the stop portion 130, the stop portion 130 is trapped, or restricted from rotating, by the brace portion 110 and is caused to move up or down the shaft 140. In particular, the brace portion 110 restricts the rotation of the stop portion 130 relative to the shaft 140 when the brace portion 110 is located on the stop portion 130. The stop portion 130 is a nut. In other examples, the stop portion may be a body having a non-circular cross section such as a body having a cam-shape. The stop portion 130 has a wall portion that braces against a wall portion of the securing device. The brace portion 110 is slidable relative to the shaft 140 but does not engage the shaft 140 apart from being skewered by the shaft 140.Preferably, the shaft 140 extends along a central longitudinal axis and a maximum distance from the central longitudinal axis to an edge of the stop portion 130 is equal to or greater than a distance from the central axis to the wall portion of the brace portion 110. In another example, the brace portion may threadably engage the shaft.

[0048] With reference to Figures 2A to 2D, a connector 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a housing body 220 to which a component (not shown) is securable, a shaft 240 and a guide 260 both extending from the housing body 220, a securing device 280 coupled to the shaft 240, and a brace portion 210. Unless otherwise described, features of the connector 200 are similar to the features to the connector 100 described above with reference to Figures 1A to 1D.

[0049] In this embodiment, the brace portion 210 threadably engages the shaft 240. Like the previous embodiment, the guide 260 passes through an aperture of the brace portion 210 and restricts a rotation of the guide 260 relative to the shaft 240 as the shaft 240 rotates to cause the brace portion 210 to move along the shaft 240.

[0050] The securing device 280 is located on the brace portion 260. The securing device 280 is carried by the brace portion 210 as the brace portion moves along the length of the shaft 240.

[0051] The securing device 280 includes two arms 282 that are pivotable relative to each other. The arms 282 are pivotable relative to each other between a stowed position (shown in Figure 2C) and a deployed position (shown in Figure 2D). The securing device 280 includes a pivot pin 284 that pivotably couples the two arms 282. The pivot pin 284 is locatable between the shaft 240 and a guide 260 to trap the securing device 280. One of the arm portions 282 includes a slot through which the shaft 240 passes. The slot is preferably an elongate aperture. The other one ofthe arm portions 282 includes a slot through which the guide 260 passes. The slot is preferably an elongate aperture for example. The securing device 280 has a length, in the deployed position, that is longer than a width of the housing body 220.

[0052] The arms 282 may be biased to the deployed position. In particular, from the stowed position, the arms 282 may naturally fall onto the brace portion 210 into the deployed position. In another example, the arms may be biased to the stowed position. In this regard, the securing device includes a biasing means, such as a spring, that draws the two arms together.

[0053] Similar to the previous embodiment, the securing device 280 braces against the brace portion 210 when the securing device 280 is in the deployed position. When braced by the brace portion 110, a significant portion of a total length of the securing device 180 is located on the brace portion 110. The brace portion 110 braces the securing device 180 in the deployed position to provide rigidity and stability to the component 100 when the connector clamps onto the support. Preferably, a substantial portion of the securing device 180 is braced by the brace portion 110.

[0054] Each arm 282 has a grip portion 286 for gripping the second side of the support. A portion of the shaft 240 is located in the grip portion of one arm 282 when the securing device 280 is in the stowed position. A portion of the guide 260 is located in the grip portion of the other arm 282 when the securing device 280 is in the stowed position. The grip portion 286 defines a recessed area or a channel in which the portion of the shaft 240 or guide 260 is locatable. The grip portion may be removable from the respective arm 282.

[0055] The securing device 280, when in the deployed position, has a continuous length across the housing body 220. In the embodiment shown in Figures 2A to 2D, the securing device 280, which is are two arms pivotably connected to each other with the pivot point being centrally located in relation to the housing body 220, has a length that spans across a width of the housing body 220. In addition, the securing device 280, when in the deployed position, is substantially symmetrical with respect to a central axis through the housing body 220. When the securing device 280 is in the deployed position, a free end portion of one arm 282 of the securing device 180 that extends beyond the housing body 220 has a length that is substantially equal to that of a free end portion of the other arm 282 of the securing device 280 that extends beyond the housing body 220. The free end portions that are substantially equal in length and that extend beyond thehousing body from opposite sides of the connector 200 allow for a uniform and distributed clamping by the connector 200 onto the bench. The securing device 180 has a middle portion that is laterally offset from the central longitudinal axis of the housing body 220, which is parallel to the longitudinal axes through shaft 240 and the guide 260 respectively. The middle portion of the securing device 180 when in the deployed position, as shown in Figure 2B, is located between the shaft 180 and the guide 160. In other examples, the middle portion is skewered by the shaft and / or guide.

[0056] The various embodiments of the present invention described above have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The present invention should not be limited by any of the exemplary embodiments described above.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A connector for securing a component to a support, the connector including:a housing body to which the component is securable, the housing body defining a first space and being locatable on a first side of the support;a shaft extending from the housing body, the shaft being locatable through an installation aperture in the support, wherein a portion of the component is locatable through an overlap between the first space defined by the housing body and the installation aperture in the support;a securing device coupled to the shaft and moveable along the shaft for contacting a second side of the support, the second side being opposite to first side, such that the support is clamped between the housing body and the securing device, the securing device being adjustable between a stowed position in which the connector can be inserted or removed from the support and a deployed position in which the connector can be clamped to the support, wherein the securing device, when in the deployed position, has a continuous length across the housing body and is substantially symmetrical with respect to a central axis through the housing body;a guide; anda brace portion about which the securing device is pivotable, slidably mounted to the guide, and against which the securing device braces when the securing device is in the deployed position.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein a middle portion of the securing device is laterally offset from the central axis through the housing body.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, when braced by the brace portion, a significant portion of a total length of the securing device is located on the brace portion4. A connector for securing a component to a support, the connector including:a housing body to which the component is securable, the housing body defining a first space and being locatable on a first side of the support;a shaft extending from the housing body, the shaft being locatable through an installation aperture in the support, wherein a portion of the component is locatable through an overlap between the first space defined by the housing body and the installation aperture in the support;a securing device coupled to the shaft and moveable along the shaft for contacting a second side of the support, the second side being opposite to first side, such that the support is clamped between the housing body and the securing device, the securing device being adjustable between a stowed position in which the connector can be inserted or removed from the support and a deployed position in which the connector can be clamped to the support; anda brace portion about which the securing device is pivotable and against which the securing device braces when the securing device is in the deployed position, wherein, when braced by the brace portion, a significant portion of a total length of the securing device is located on the brace portion.

5. The connector of claim 3 or 4, wherein the significant portion of the total length of the securing device that is located on the brace portion, when the brace portion braces the securing device in the deployed position, is at least 20% of the total length of the securing device, at least about 30% of the total length of the securing device; at least about a third of the total length of the securing device; 40% of the total length of the securing device, at least 50% of the total length of the securing device, at least 60% of the total length of the securing device, at least 70% of the total length of the securing device, at least 80% of the total length of the securing device, at least 90% of the total length of the securing device.

6. The connector of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the securing device, when in the stowed position, has a stowed footprint that is smaller than the first space of the housing body and the securing device, when in the deployed position, has a deployed footprint that is greater than the first space.

7. The connector of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a length of the brace portion is along a first longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to a second longitudinal axis along which the securing device extends when in the deployed position.

8. The connector of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the securing device is separable from the brace portion.

9. The connector of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the securing device is pivotable between the stowed position and the deployed position.

10. The connector of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the securing device has a weighted portion that biases the securing device to the stowed position or the deployed position.

11. The connector of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the securing device has a slot through which the shaft passes.

12. The connector of any one of claims 1 to 11, further including a stop portion that threadably engages the shaft, the stop portion being moveable along the shaft upon rotation of the shaft, wherein the brace portion is arranged to restrict a rotation of the stop portion relative to the shaft to move the stop portion up or down the shaft.

13. The connector of claim 12, wherein the brace portion is an elongate body having an L-shape profile with a shorter wall portion and a longer wall portion, wherein the securing device, when in the deployed position, braces against the longer wall portion of the L-shape plate and the shorter wall portion of the L-shape plate is contactable by the stop portion to thereby restrict a rotation of the stop portion relative to the shaft.

14. The connector of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the brace portion has a bracing surface area that is larger than a surface area of the securing device that is located on the bracing surface area.

15. The connector or any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the securing device includes one or more grip portions for gripping the second side of the support.

16. The connector of claim 15, wherein a portion of the shaft is located in the grip portion when the securing device is in the stowed position.

17. The connector of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the securing device is a plate that is pivotable about an edge of the brace portion.

18. The connector of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the securing device includes two arms that are pivotable relative to each other, wherein the securing device includes a pivot pin that pivotably couples the two arms, the pivot pin being locatable between the shaft and a guide.

19. A component including the connector or any one of claims 1 to 18.

20. The component of claim 19, wherein the component is a tap.Building Group Pty LtdBy the Attorneys for the ApplicantSPRUSON & FERGUSONPer:

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