System and Method for Installing an Undermount Sink

Abstract

An undermount sink mounting system includes a support member adapted to engage a frame onto which a countertop is mounted. The support member upwardly supports a sink engagement lever, which is adapted to engage a sink in such a way that said sink engagement lever presses the sink upwardly toward the countertop when the sink is mounted. A height adjustment member is adapted to move the sink engagement lever upwardly to engage the sink and adjust how forcefully said sink engagement lever presses against the sink.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for mounting a sink to the underside of a countertop, the system comprising:
 a support member connectable to a frame on which the countertop is positioned;   a height adjustment member attached to the support member; and   a sink engagement lever upwardly supported by the height adjustment member, the sink engagement lever having (a) a first end meeting the height adjustment member and configured to contact the underside of a countertop, (b) a pivot point where the first end meets the height adjustment member, and (c) a second end spaced from the pivot point and configured to contact a sink;   wherein the height adjustment member is configured to raise the sink engagement lever relative to the support member.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the support member includes an elongated beam having a pair of opposed ends, each of the opposed ends having a mounting bracket for affixing the support member to the frame. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sink engagement lever has a curved section with an arm extending from the curved section, the arm including the first end. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the sink engagement lever includes an arcuate-shaped opening. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the height adjustment member includes at least one threaded fastener received within a channel formed in the sink engagement lever and the threaded fastener is slidable laterally within the channel. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the support member includes an elongated beam having a pair of opposed ends, each of the opposed ends having a mounting bracket for affixing the support member to the frame;   the second end of the sink engagement lever includes an arcuate-shaped opening; and   the height adjustment member includes at least one threaded fastener received within a channel formed in the sink engagement lever and the threaded fastener is slidable laterally within the channel.   
     
     
         7 . A sink mounting apparatus comprising:
 a support member including a mounting bracket configured to attach to a countertop supporting frame;   a height adjustment member attached to the support member; and   a sink engagement lever upwardly supported by the height adjustment member, the sink engagement lever having (a) a first end meeting the height adjustment member, (b) a pivot point where the first end meets the height adjustment member, and (c) a second end spaced from the pivot point.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the sink engagement lever has a curved section with an arm extending from the curved section, the arm including the first end. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the second end includes an arcuate-shaped opening. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the height adjustment member includes at least one threaded fastener received within a channel formed in the sink engagement lever and the threaded fastener is slidable laterally within the channel. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the height adjustment member includes a pair of threaded fasteners threaded though the support member. 
     
     
         12 . A method of installing a sink, the method comprising:
 attaching a support member to a frame configured to upwardly support a counter;   resting a sink on a sink engagement lever attached to the support member;   raising the sink by adjusting a height adjustment member upwardly supporting the sink engagement lever;   wherein, while raising the sink, the sink engagement lever contacts the counter causing the sink engagement lever to pivot about a pivot point which causes the sink to raise.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the height adjustment member includes at least one threaded fastener received within a channel formed in the sink engagement lever and the threaded fastener is slidable laterally within the channel. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the sink engagement lever includes a first end meeting the height adjustment member and the pivot point is positioned where the first end meets the height adjustment member. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising placing the sink engagement lever onto the height adjustment member after attaching the support member to the frame.