A mounting part for an apparatus to be mounted into a cut-out of a countertop includes a rail member having a front wall with a plurality of notches, and a latch member defining an internal cross-sectional space for receiving the rail member in a manner such that the latch member is able to travel along the rail member. The latch member has a front wall with an extension having a terminal end that extends inwardly towards the rail member and which is adapted to be seated in one of the notches, with the latch member being pivotable with respect to the front wall of the rail member. A catch member is pivotably secured to the latch member, the catch member having an end edge for contacting the underside of a countertop. The mounting part also includes a pull member for pulling the latch member and the catch member upwardly.

A mounting part for an apparatus to be mounted into a cut-out of a countertop includes a rail member having a front wall with a plurality of notches, and a latch member defining an internal cross-sectional space for receiving the rail member in a manner such that the latch member is able to travel along the rail member. The latch member has a front wall with an extension having a terminal end that extends inwardly towards the rail member and which is adapted to be seated in one of the notches, with the latch member being pivotable with respect to the front wall of the rail member. A catch member is pivotably secured to the latch member, the catch member having an end edge for contacting the underside of a countertop. The mounting part also includes a pull member for pulling the latch member and the catch member upwardly.

A sink system is provided. The sink system includes a sink basin and a discharge conduit coupled to the sink basin, which is positioned to expel fluid into the sink basin via an outlet thereof. The flow of fluid through the discharge conduit may be activated via a motion sensor or switch coupled directly to the basin or a spacer ring positioned between the basin and the countertop. Controls for adjusting the temperature and/or flow rate of fluid through the discharge conduit may also be coupled to the basin or a spacer ring positioned between the basin and the countertop, or alternatively, to a surface of the countertop. Methods of making and using sink systems are also provided.

A sink system is provided. The sink system includes a sink basin and a discharge conduit coupled to the sink basin, which is positioned to expel fluid into the sink basin via an outlet thereof. The flow of fluid through the discharge conduit may be activated via a motion sensor or switch coupled directly to the basin or a spacer ring positioned between the basin and the countertop. Controls for adjusting the temperature and/or flow rate of fluid through the discharge conduit may also be coupled to the basin or a spacer ring positioned between the basin and the countertop, or alternatively, to a surface of the countertop. Methods of making and using sink systems are also provided.

A connecting element (1) is provided for fastening a sink (10) to a worktop (20), which worktop has a cutout (21) for inserting the sink, which cutout has a peripheral boundary surface (22). The connecting element has: a base body (2) serving as a bearing part for bearing against the sink; at least one spring part (3.1-3.8) which projects from the base body on a first side and which is designed, under loading in the direction of the base body, to produce a spring force which acts away from the base body; and at least one anchoring part which projects from the base body on a second side thereof situated opposite to the first side and which is designed to engage in a slot-shaped recess (15) in the sink. An engagement direction of the anchoring part extends substantially approximately antiparallel to a direction of the spring force.

A connecting element (1) is provided for fastening a sink (10) to a worktop (20), which worktop has a cutout (21) for inserting the sink, which cutout has a peripheral boundary surface (22). The connecting element has: a base body (2) serving as a bearing part for bearing against the sink; at least one spring part (3.1-3.8) which projects from the base body on a first side and which is designed, under loading in the direction of the base body, to produce a spring force which acts away from the base body; and at least one anchoring part which projects from the base body on a second side thereof situated opposite to the first side and which is designed to engage in a slot-shaped recess (15) in the sink. An engagement direction of the anchoring part extends substantially approximately antiparallel to a direction of the spring force.

A countertop assembly and method of making same. The method includes obtaining at least first and second layers that each include first and second alignment openings defined therein, disposing adhesive onto the upper surface of the first layer or the bottom surface of the second layer, stacking the second layer on the first layer, aligning the first alignment openings and aligning the second alignment openings, inserting a first alignment rod through the aligned first alignment openings, inserting a second alignment rod through the aligned second alignment openings, allowing the adhesive to dry to form a countertop stack assembly, and machining the countertop stack assembly to remove at least a portion of a surface of the first layer and at least a portion of a surface of the second layer to form a finished countertop assembly.

A countertop assembly and method of making same. The method includes obtaining at least first and second layers that each include first and second alignment openings defined therein, disposing adhesive onto the upper surface of the first layer or the bottom surface of the second layer, stacking the second layer on the first layer, aligning the first alignment openings and aligning the second alignment openings, inserting a first alignment rod through the aligned first alignment openings, inserting a second alignment rod through the aligned second alignment openings, allowing the adhesive to dry to form a countertop stack assembly, and machining the countertop stack assembly to remove at least a portion of a surface of the first layer and at least a portion of a surface of the second layer to form a finished countertop assembly.

An accessory, system and method for holding an undermount sink with a drain hole against an underside of an opening of a countertop includes a plank, a cord, and a block. The plank has a first length that is longer than an opening width of the opening in the countertop. The cord has a top end and a bottom end. The top end of the cord is attached to the plank. The block is affixed to the bottom end of the cord. The block is configured to be inserted into and secured under the drain hole. The block has a second length longer than a drain width of the drain hole. The accessory is configured for holding the undermount sink against the underside of the opening of the countertop through the cord being attached between the plank and the block.

An accessory, system and method for holding an undermount sink with a drain hole against an underside of an opening of a countertop includes a plank, a cord, and a block. The plank has a first length that is longer than an opening width of the opening in the countertop. The cord has a top end and a bottom end. The top end of the cord is attached to the plank. The block is affixed to the bottom end of the cord. The block is configured to be inserted into and secured under the drain hole. The block has a second length longer than a drain width of the drain hole. The accessory is configured for holding the undermount sink against the underside of the opening of the countertop through the cord being attached between the plank and the block.