Sink with tri-mountable sink rim

Abstract

This invention is a novel sink rim that is readily adaptable to mounting by conventional drop in, under mount and flush mount methods. By incorporating a thicker and wider outwardly extending peripheral mounting flange, a tri-mountable sink rim is created. Having a flat surface on both the upper and lower surfaces of the outwardly extending peripheral mounting flange, the rim may be mounted as a drop in or an under mount sink assembly. These square exterior edges, as opposed to rolled or beveled edges, create a truly flush mountable rim, overcoming the limitations of prior art sinks. The additional thickness and width of the outwardly extending peripheral mounting flange provide adequate support for the sink assembly when flush mounted.

1 . A sink mountable in a countertop according to a selected one of a plurality of mounting styles, comprising:
 a basin having a mouth wherein the basin comprises a first basin wall, a second basin wall and a base member;   a mounting flange fixed to and extending outward from the basin mouth, the mounting flange dimensioned to support the sink when mounted and comprising:
 a top surface dimensioned to cooperate for under mounting style with a bottom surface of the countertop and to lie for flush mounting style in the same plane as the top surface of the countertop; and 
 a bottom surface dimensioned to cooperate for drop in mounting style with the top surface of the countertop and to cooperate for flush mounting style with an upper surface of a sunken mounting ledge in the countertop. 
   
   
   
       2 . The sink of  claim 1 , wherein the base member is concave in relation to the plane of the top surface of the countertop. 
   
   
       3 . The sink of  claim 2 , wherein the mounting flange further comprises a plurality of apertures dimensioned to cooperate for mounting a faucet assembly. 
   
   
       4 . The sink of  claim 2 , wherein the base member is in contacting engagement with and disposed between the first basin wall and the second basin wall. 
   
   
       5 . The sink of  claim 4 , wherein the base member comprises a cross-section forming the arc of a circle. 
   
   
       6 . The sink of  claim 1 , wherein the basin further comprises a third basin wall. 
   
   
       7 . The sink of  claim 6 , wherein the first basin wall comprises a top and a bottom, wherein the basin further comprises an outflow channel, and wherein the outflow channel is disposed about the bottom of the first basin wall. 
   
   
       8 . The sink of  claim 7 , wherein the mounting flange comprises a first transverse portion and a second transverse portion, wherein the top of the first basin wall is in contacting engagement with the first transverse portion of the mounting flange, wherein the base member is in contacting engagement with the second transverse portion of the mounting flange and the outflow channel, and wherein the base member is disposed with a downward slope from the first transverse portion of the mounting flange to the outflow channel. 
   
   
       9 . The sink of  claim 8 , wherein the downward slope is an angle of from about one degree to about sixty degrees. 
   
   
       10 . A sink mountable in a countertop according to a selected one of a plurality of mounting styles, comprising:
 a basin having a mouth; and   a mounting flange fixed to and extending outward from the basin mouth, the mounting flange dimensioned to support the sink when mounted and comprising:
 a top surface dimensioned to cooperate for under mounting style with a bottom surface of the countertop and to lie for flush mounting style in the same plane as the top surface of the countertop; and 
 wherein a side surface dimensioned to cooperate for flush mounting style with a side surface of a sunken mounting ledge in the countertop; 
 the top surface of the mounting flange and the side surface of the mounting flange form a substantially square edge, and wherein the bottom surface of the mounting flange and the side surface of the mounting flange form a substantially square edge. 
   
   
   
       11 . The sink of  claim 10  wherein the basin is generally oval. 
   
   
       12 . The sink of  claim 10 , wherein the basin is generally round. 
   
   
       13 . The sink of  claim 10 , wherein the basin is generally a non-geometric shape. 
   
   
       14 . The sink of  claim 10 , wherein the basin is generally a geometric polygon shape. 
   
   
       15 . The sink of  claim 10 , wherein the mounting flange is generally round. 
   
   
       16 . The sink of  claim 10 , wherein the mounting flange is generally oval. 
   
   
       17 . A sink mountable in a countertop according to a selected one of a plurality of mounting styles, comprising:
 a basin having a mouth and at least one base member wherein the basin further comprises an outflow channel disposed about the at least one base member;   a catch pan having a drainage aperture wherein the catch pan is disposed below the at least one base member and wherein the drainage aperture is aligned with the outflow channel;   a mounting flange fixed to and extending outward from the basin mouth, the mounting flange dimensioned to support the sink when mounted and comprising:
 a top surface dimensioned to cooperate for under mounting style with a bottom surface of the countertop and to lie for flush mounting style in the same plane as the top surface of the countertop; and 
 a bottom surface dimensioned to cooperate for drop in mounting style with the top surface of the countertop and to cooperate for flush mounting style with an upper surface of a sunken mounting ledge in the countertop. 
   
   
   
       18 . The sink of  claim 17 , wherein at the least one base member has a cross section forming the arc of a circle. 
   
   
       19 . The sink of  claim 18 , wherein the circle has a radius of from about 7 to about 20 inches. 
   
   
       20 . The sink of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one base member is disposed at a downward slope from the mounting flange to the outflow channel. 
   
   
       21 . The sink of  claim 18 , wherein the outflow channel is disposed about an apex of the circle.