Deck Tap Mounting Kit With Rotating Fasteners
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of plumbing fittings on decks, such as faucets on basins or sinks, is often cumbersome and requires assistance due to limited access from below, making it awkward and time-consuming, especially when only one person is available for the task.
Innovation Solution
A fixing kit that includes an elongate coupling member with external threaded portions for connecting to the plumbing fitting and a fastening member, which is axially retained and rotatable, allowing the base part to clamp the deck from underneath, enabling secure mounting without the need for additional assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the faucet is secured from below the deck, then the faucet can be firmly fixed to the deck, but the installation becomes awkward and requires two people due to limited access space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional installation approach by enabling the faucet to be secured from above the deck rather than from below. The mounting kit includes a mounting plate that attaches to the underside of the deck and extends upward with mounting arms that engage with the faucet body from above, allowing the installer to secure the faucet in a straightforward top-down manner similar to conventional surface mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mounting kit as an intermediary device between the faucet and the deck. This mounting kit includes a mounting plate with mounting arms that provide a mechanical interface, allowing the faucet to be securely attached to the deck through a simplified process that doesn't require access to the underside of the deck.
2Strength
If multiple components are used to secure the faucet from below, then the faucet can be firmly fixed, but the installation complexity increases and time is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fastening components into an integrated mounting kit assembly. The mounting plate, mounting arms, and fastening mechanisms are pre-assembled into a single unit that attaches to the faucet body and secures to the deck in one operation, eliminating the need for multiple separate components and simplifying the installation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting kit is pre-assembled with all necessary components (mounting plate, arms, fasteners) configured in their final positions before installation. This preliminary assembly allows the installer to simply attach the pre-configured kit to the faucet and deck without having to assemble multiple components during the installation process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If access to the underside of the deck is restricted, then the installation space is limited, but securing the faucet from below becomes difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the mounting approach by designing a system that secures the faucet from above the deck rather than requiring access to the underside. The mounting plate attaches to the underside of the deck and extends upward with arms that engage the faucet body from above, allowing installation without needing to reach underneath the deck.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Apparatus for mounting a plumbing fitting (7) on a deck (5) having an opening (13) extending between an upper surface (5a) and a lower surface (5b) of the deck (5). The apparatus includes one or more elongate coupling members (17a, 17b) connectable to the plumbing fitting (7) so as to extend, in use, through the opening (13) in the deck (5) and one or more fastening members (27a, 27b) co- operable with the coupling members (17a, 17b) on an underside of the deck (5). The fastening members (27a, 27b) are connected to a clamping plate (23) to provide a sub-assembly in which the fastening members (27a, 27b) are axially retained relative to the clamping plate (23) and are rotatable relative to the clamping (plate 23). In use, the plumbing fitting (7) is fixed to the deck (5) by positioning the plumbing fitting with the coupling members (17a, 17b) extending through the opening (13) and attaching and tightening the fastening members (27a, 27b) on the coupling members (17a, 17b) to seat the clamping plate (23) on the underside of the deck (5).