Countertop fixture adapters

Abstract

Provided herein are adapters useful in constructing countertops for kitchens and other areas in which fixtures such as sinks and cooking range tops are desired to be installed. Through use of an adapter according to the invention, on-site cutting of holes or voids in stone countertops is eliminated and countertops may be fabricated using plain rectangular slabs of stone or other materials readily. Use of an adapter according to the invention reduces labor and costs associated with countertop fabrication and installation.

1 ) A unitary constructed sink, comprising:
 a) a substantially planar base portion comprising a first end portion, a second end portion, a front portion, a rear portion, a top surface, a bottom surface, a length dimension, a width dimension, and a thickness dimension;   b) a front lip portion having a length dimension, a width dimension, and a thickness dimension,   
     wherein said front lip portion is attached to said front portion of said base portion such that the length dimension of said front lip portion coincides with the length dimension of said base portion, and the width dimension of said front lip portion extends in a direction downward from the plane of said base portion, the width dimension of said front lip portion being greater than the thickness dimension of said base portion; and
 c) a basin attached to said base portion, 
 
     wherein at least one of said first end portion and said second end portion is configured to receive and reside upon an upward-facing surface of the end portion of a section of a countertop having a width dimension that is substantially equal to said width dimension of said base portion, sufficiently to conceal the entire end portion of said section of countertop from view. 
   
   
       2 ) A sink according to  claim 1  wherein said front lip portion extends downward from the plane of said base portion such that the width dimension of said front lip portion intersects the plane of said planar base portion at an angle of about 90 degrees. 
   
   
       3 ) A sink according to  claim 1  wherein said substantially planar base portion is substantially rectangular in shape. 
   
   
       4 ) A sink according to  claim 1  wherein said sink basin has a shape selected from the group consisting of: substantially rectangular, circular, and oval in shape. 
   
   
       5 ) A sink according to  claim 1  wherein said front lip portion has a shape selected from the group consisting of: bullnose, beveled, and square. 
   
   
       6 ) A combination comprising a sink according to  claim 1  and further comprising:
 a first section of countertop having a front edge, top surface, and an end portion, said end portion of said first section of countertop being in effective mechanical contact with said base portion and present at a location selected from the group consisting of: said first end portion and said second end portion of said sink, with a portion of the top surface of said countertop being disposed beneath said bottom surface of said base portion, sufficiently that said end portion of said first section of countertop is concealed from view.   
   
   
       7 ) A combination according to  claim 6  and further comprising:
 a second section of countertop having a front edge, a top surface, and an end portion, said end portion of said second section of countertop being in effective mechanical contact with said base portion and present at a location selected from the group consisting of: said first end portion and said second end portion of said sink not occupied by said first section of countertop, with a portion of the top surface of said second section countertop being disposed beneath said bottom surface of said base portion, sufficiently that said end portion of said second section of countertop is concealed from view.   
   
   
       8 ) A combination according to  claim 7  wherein at least one of said sections of countertop are rectangular. 
   
   
       9 ) A combination according to  claim 6  wherein said front lip portion is shaped to substantially conform to the front edge of said first section. 
   
   
       10 ) A combination according to  claim 6  wherein said front lip portion is shaped to be substantially different than the front edge of said first section. 
   
   
       11 ) A combination according to  claim 7  wherein said front lip portion has a shape selected from the group consisting of: bullnose, beveled, and square. 
   
   
       12 ) A combination according to  claim 6  wherein the width dimension of said base portion is substantially the same as the width dimension of said first section of countertop. 
   
   
       13 ) A combination according to  claim 7  wherein the width dimension of said base portion is substantially the same as the width dimensions of both of said first and said second sections of countertop. 
   
   
       14 ) A combination according to  claim 6  wherein the front edge of said combination as a whole comprises: a portion that comprises said first section of countertop, and a portion that comprises said sink. 
   
   
       15 ) A combination according to  claim 7  wherein the front edge of said combination as a whole comprises: a portion that comprises said first section of countertop, a portion that comprises said second section of countertop, and a portion that comprises said sink.