Faucet quick install nut

Abstract

The mounting nut includes a first segment and a second segment attached by a hinge portion. The hinge portion provides for expansion of the mounting nut to bend onto itself in a clamshell like manner. The hinged mounting nut is slidable over a water connection fitting such that the mounting nut can be slid over the water connection fitting and up against the bottom-mounting surface to secure a faucet assembly to a sink deck.

1 . A faucet assembly comprising: 
 a threaded water inlet; and    a mounting nut comprising a flexible portion providing for sliding over a water connection fitting, wherein said mounting nut engages threads on said threaded water inlet for securing the faucet assembly.    
   
   
       2 . The assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said flexible portion comprises a hinge connecting a first segment to a second segment, wherein said first and second segments are movable relative to each other to adjust an area defined between said first segment and said second segment.  
   
   
       3 . The assembly as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said first and second segments include inner threads corresponding to threads of said threaded water inlet.  
   
   
       4 . The assembly as recited in  claim 3 , wherein abutment of said mounting nut against a surface causes contraction of said first segment relative to said second segment to engaged said threads of said threaded water inlet.  
   
   
       5 . The assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said mounting nut includes a flange for abutting an underside of a mounting surface.  
   
   
       6 . The assembly as recited  claim 2 , wherein said hinge comprises a first hinge disposed 180 degrees from a second hinge.  
   
   
       7 . The assembly as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said first segment is a substantially identical to said second segment.  
   
   
       8 . The assembly as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said hinge provides for said mounting nut to fold.  
   
   
       9 . A mounting nut for a faucet assembly including a threaded water inlet tube, said mounting nut comprising: 
 a first segment and a second segment defining an internal bore therebetween; and    a hinge portion connecting said first segment to said second segment, wherein said first segment is movable relative to said second segment.    
   
   
       10 . The mounting nut as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said first and second segments are movable relative to each other to adjust an area defined between said first segment and said second segment.  
   
   
       11 . The mounting nut as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said first and second segments include inner threads corresponding to threads of a water inlet pipe.  
   
   
       12 . The mounting nut as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said mounting nut includes a flange for abutting an underside of a mounting surface.  
   
   
       13 . The mounting nut as recited in  claim 12 , wherein abutment of said mounting nut against a surface causes contraction of said first segment relative to said second segment to engage the threads of the threaded water inlet.  
   
   
       14 . The mounting nut as recited  claim 9 , wherein said hinge comprises a first hinge disposed 180 degrees from a second hinge.  
   
   
       15 . A method of installing a faucet assembly comprising the steps of: 
 (a) connecting a water connection fitting to a water inlet tube of the faucet assembly above a mounting surface;    (b) inserting the water connection fitting and the water inlet tube of the faucet assembly through an opening in the mounting surface;    (c) sliding a mounting nut over the water connection fitting onto the water inlet tube; and    (d) securing the faucet assembly to the mounting surface.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , including the step of threading the mounting nut onto a water supply hose attached to the water connection fitting.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein step (c) includes bending the mounting nut to an open position to slide over the water connection fitting.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein step (d) includes abutting a flange of the mounting nut against an under side of the mounting surface and compressing a first segment of the mounting surface against a second segment to engage threads of the water inlet tube.