Garbage disposal installation tool and method of use thereof

• US 8,490,277 B1
• Filed: 04/15/2011
• Issued: 07/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael K. Dahood
• Original Assignee: Michael K. Dahood
• Inventors: Dahood, Michael K.
• Primary Examiner(s): COZART, JERMIE E
• Application Number:
  US13/088,076
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 466/1, 4DI/G 4, 295/250.1, 295/250.2, 295/59, 292/40, 292/42, 292/70, 292/71, 292/811, 292/83, 292/84
• US Class Current: 29/525.01
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 27/00 Hand tools, specially adapted for fitting together or separating parts or objects whether or not involving some deformation, not otherwise provided for machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects B23P19/00
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 27/14 for assembling objects other than by press fit or detaching same
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49947 by applying separate fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49998 Work holding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53909 Means comprising hand manipulatable tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/54 Miscellaneous apparatus

Abstract

A tool to aid in the installation of garbage disposal units through the facilitation of lifting such a unit to the drain portion of a sink is provided. Such a tool permits a single user to retain and maneuver a disposal unit into position in order to facilitate attachment thereof to a sink drain with reliability and consistency. Such a tool includes moveable rods of sufficient strength and rigidity to accommodate the disposal unit weight at specific levels such that the user may place and lift the disposal unit on demand without deleteriously effecting the finish or other portions of the subject sink to marring during such installation. The method of installation utilizing such a manual tool is encompassed within the invention as well.

Claims

1. A tool for the installation of a food/garbage disposal unit within a sink and plumbing system, wherein said tool includes a substantially straight-line main support tube and a first and second rod, wherein said support tube that is defined by a central vertical axis length that is greater than its diameter and wherein said tube exhibits an outer periphery having dimensions that permit introduction through the opening of a sink drain and the opening of the upper grinding chamber of a food disposal unit;

wherein said main support tube includes a first set of holes present on opposite edges of said outer periphery and a second set of holes present on opposite edges of said outer periphery, wherein said first set of holes allows for insertion of said first rod through both of said first set of holes simultaneously such that said first rod extends perpendicularly from the central vertical axis of said support tube;

wherein said second set of holes allows for insertion of said second rod through both of said second set of holes simultaneously such that said second rod extends perpendicularly from the central vertical axis of said support tube;

wherein said first set of holes is disposed at a preselected location on the outer periphery of said main support tube such that said location is a distance from said second set of holes that equals the distance from the outer edge of said sink drain and the inner rim of the roof of said upper grinding chamber of said food disposal unit when said sink drain and said disposal unit are in initial contact with one another prior to attachment of properly aligned and complementary configured connection points;

wherein said first rod exhibits a length greater than the diameter of said sink drain;

wherein said second rod exhibits a length greater than the diameter of the opening of said upper grinding chamber; and

wherein both of said first and second rods are constructed from material of sufficient strength to securely hold the weight of said disposal unit when oriented horizontally through said first and second sets of holes, respectively.

2. The tool of claim 1 wherein said tube is cylindrical in shape.

3. The tool of claim 1 wherein said at least two rods are made from fiberglass.

4. A method of installation of a food disposal unit to a sink drain, wherein said method includes the steps of:

a) providing a straight-line tube having a central vertical axis with first and second support components, wherein both of said first and second support components are of sufficient strength to withstand the weight of a food disposal unit when lifted vertically;

b) introducing such straight-line tube i) through a sink drain of a certain diameter, wherein said sink drain includes an upper exterior surface, and wherein said sink drain includes attachment means for connection with said food disposal unit, wherein said food disposal unit comprises an upper grinding chamber; and

ii) into said upper grinding chamber of said food disposal unit, wherein said upper grinding chamber has a certain diameter, wherein said upper grinding chamber has a roof with a rim, and wherein said food disposal unit includes attachment means for connection with complementary configured attachment means of said sink drain;

wherein said introduction is made from a position above both of said sink drain and said food disposal unit;

c) engaging said first support component with said rim of said upper grinding chamber such that said first support component is in contact with said rim at two opposite points and wherein said first support component has a length greater than the diameter of said upper grinding chamber;

d) manually lifting said food disposal unit through the engagement of said first support component with the rim of said upper grinding chamber to a point at which said sink drain attachment means and said food disposal attachment means are initially in contact with one another;

e) engaging said second support component with said external surface of said sink drain such that said second support component is in contact at two opposite points and wherein said second support component has a length greater than the diameter of said sink drain; and

f) attaching said sink drain to said food disposal unit through engagement of said sink drain attachment means and said food disposal unit attachment means.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said first and said second support components are rods.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said rods are made from fiberglass.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein said first and said second support components are retained within said tube through the presence of appropriately sized holes to allow for disposition of said components perpendicularly to said central vertical axis.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said first and second support components are rods.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said rods are made from fiberglass.

10. The method of claim 4 wherein step (b)(i) is performed prior to step (b)(ii).