HK1022942A - Quick install faucet assembly - Google Patents

Description

Quick-install faucet assembly

The present invention relates generally to faucet assemblies, and more particularly to a quick-install faucet assembly that attaches the faucet assembly from the top of a platform.

In conventional faucet assemblies, the faucet assembly is mounted from below the deck, or the components to be mounted need to be mounted to the faucet assembly from below the deck. This assembly, which typically requires assembly from below the platform, is labor intensive and inconvenient for the installer.

The object of the present invention is to provide a quick-install faucet assembly that can be installed on a platform from above the platform, and that is simple in construction, inexpensive to produce, and has high operational reliability. It is another object of the present invention to provide a quick-install faucet assembly that is not only easy to assemble, but also easy to disassemble when needed. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a quick-install faucet assembly that quickly and easily installs the spout and/or faucet end from the top of the platform with minimal tools or manipulation.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a quick-install faucet assembly, and more particularly, to a quick-install faucet assembly that connects the faucet assembly from the top of the platform.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

The present invention will be understood more clearly from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a quick-install faucet assembly according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a water outlet tube inserted through a hole in a platform according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the spout assembly with the rotational lock in a vertical position;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the outlet pipe inserted into a hole in the platform with the rotational lock in a horizontal position in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the spout assembly with the swivel lock in a horizontal position for engagement with the platform in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a quick-install outlet tube assembly according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a spout nut according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a rotary lock according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a mounting guide in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a first side view of the quick install end valve assembly with the rotary lock in a vertical position, according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a second side view of the end valve assembly with the rotary lock in the vertical position, in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a third side view of the end valve assembly with the rotary lock in the vertical position, in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a side view of an end valve assembly inserted into a hole in a platform with a rotational lock in a horizontal position in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a second side view of the end valve assembly with the rotational lock in a horizontal position in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of an end valve assembly according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a rotary lock according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a nut used with the end valve assembly, according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a side view of a threaded body used with an end valve assembly according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a spacer tube used in the end valve assembly according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a nut guide plate assembly used with the end valve assembly according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a guide flange of a nut guide plate assembly according to the principles of the present invention;

fig. 23 and 24 are side and front views, respectively, of a guide rod of a nut guide plate assembly in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a first side view of a quick-install end valve assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a second side elevational view of the end valve assembly illustrated in FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a first side view of a guide and nut assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a second side view of the guide and nut assembly shown in FIG. 27 as inserted through the aperture of the platform;

FIG. 29 is a first side view of the guide and nut assembly with the locking member in a horizontal position as shown in FIG. 27;

FIG. 30 is a second side view of the guide and nut assembly shown in FIG. 29 inserted through the aperture of the platform with the locking member in a horizontal position;

FIG. 31 is a top view of the guide and nut assembly shown in FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of an end valve assembly having an alternative attachment configuration;

fig. 33 is a cross-sectional view of another T-connection tube configuration for use in the present invention.

A quick-install faucet assembly according to the principles of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The quick-install faucet assembly described herein includes an outlet tube 10 and a pair of separately mounted end valve assemblies 12, 14. However, it will be appreciated that the principles of the invention may also be applied to faucet assemblies in which the outlet pipe 10 is integral with the valve assemblies 12, 14.

As shown in fig. 7, the outlet pipe 10 includes an outlet passage 16 communicating with a water supply pipe 18. The supply pipe 18 has a threaded end 20 which engages an internally threaded portion 22 of the outlet pipe 10. The service pipe 18 includes a radially extending hex flange 24. The guide 26 is provided with a pair of holes 28, as shown in fig. 10, for receiving the threaded portion 20 of the service pipe 18 through one of the holes 28. A radially extending flange 24 supports the guide 26 within a lower cavity 30 of the outlet pipe 10. The threaded portion 20 of the supply pipe 18 engages with the internally threaded portion 22 of the outlet pipe 10. Teflon tape or other sealing means may be used on the threaded portion of the service pipe 18 to make the interface watertight, as is known in the art.

The screw 32 is provided with a hollow cylindrical body 34 which is externally threaded and is provided with an upper radially extending flange 36. The threaded rod 32 extends through the second bore 28 in the guide 26, and the flange 36 abuts the guide 26. The screw 32 is aligned with the hole 38 in the outlet pipe 10 to allow a square hole wrench to be inserted to tighten an internal hexagonal engagement portion 40 provided on the upper portion of the screw 32. In the assembled faucet assembly, the lifting rod 58 extends through the central bore of the threaded rod 32 and the bore 38 of the outlet pipe 10. The lift rod 58 engages a drain plug assembly (not shown) to open and close the drain plug, as is well known in the art.

Nut 42 is threadably engaged with screw 32. As shown in FIG. 8, the nut 42 includes a threaded bore 44 that engages the threaded rod 32 and a second bore 46 that slidably receives the service pipe 18. The nut 42 also includes two swivel arms 48 that can extend from opposite sides of the nut 42. A locking member 50 is rotatably mounted on the nut 42. The locking member 50 includes a pair of generally parallel arms 52 with a central pivot hole 54. As shown in fig. 9, the cross arm 56 extends between the arms 52. The swivel arm 48 of the nut 42 extends through the pivot hole 54 of the locking member 50 to rotatably support the locking member 50 thereon. It should be noted that the nut 42 could be modified to be an extended pivot pin to support the locking element 50.

Referring to fig. 3-6, the installation of the outlet pipe is described below in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The outlet pipe is mounted to a platform or mounting surface 60 provided with an aperture 62, the aperture 62 receiving the screw 32 of the outlet pipe assembly and the feed pipe 18. As shown in FIG. 3, the locking member 50 is generally rotatable to a vertical position extending longitudinally along the service pipe 18 and the threaded rod 32 such that the cross arm 56 abuts the service pipe 18. Any counterclockwise tilting of the outlet tube assembly, as viewed in figure 3, results in the cross arm 56 of the locking member 50 being held firmly against the service pipe 18. At the same time, the installer can insert the locking member 50 in a vertical position by grasping it through the aperture 62. After the locking member 50 has been passed through the aperture 62 in the platform 60, the outlet pipe is rotated to the final position with the screw 32 and the service pipe 18 extending generally vertically, and the weight of the cross arm 56 of the locking member 50 causes the locking member 50 to rotate in the direction of arrow a, as shown in figure 3, until the cross arm 56 contacts the service pipe 18 in a generally horizontal position, as shown in figure 5. At this point a square-hole wrench is inserted through the hole 38 in the outlet pipe 10 to tighten the hex engagement portion 40 of the screw 32. Then, to pull the nut 42 and locking member 50 in an upward direction, the screw 32 is rotated so that the ends of the parallel arms 52 of the locking member 50 engage the underside of the platform 60 at four spaced points around the aperture 62, as shown in FIG. 2. The lifting rod 58 is slidably received in the bore of the screw 32 and is easily moved to insert a square-hole wrench through the bore 38 of the outlet pipe 10 to engage the hex portion 40 of the screw 32.

As shown in fig. 1, the quick-install faucet assembly of the present invention is provided with first and second end valve assemblies 12, 14. One of the end valve assemblies 12 is connected to a hot water line and the other end valve assembly 14 is connected to a cold water line. In accordance with the quick connect hose assembly of the present invention, each end valve assembly 12, 14 is provided with an end fitting 70 which is clamped in place by a fitting retaining clip 72 and which communicates by means of a communication hose 74 to a T-fitting 76 provided on the supply pipe 18 of the outlet pipe 10.

Referring to FIG. 16, the end valve assembly 14 is described below. It should be understood that end valve assemblies 12, 14 have the same structure and therefore a detailed description of each valve assembly is not required. End valve assembly 14 includes a threaded body 80 mounted to a shut-off valve 82. The threaded body 80 includes an upper hex head portion 84 with a radially extending flange 86 disposed below the hex head portion 84. The threaded body 80 also includes a hollow longitudinally extending base portion 88, the base portion 88 defining a water flow passage, as shown in fig. 16. The threaded body 80 has a hollow portion 90 that receives a spacer tube 92 (shown in fig. 20). The spacer tube 92 has a hollow bore therethrough defining a central water flow passage 93 through which fluid can be delivered through the shut-off valve 82. The shut-off valve 82 delivers water from the water passage 93 to a water passage 95 formed concentrically between the threaded body 80 and the spacer tube 92, and to a radially extending bore 96 in the base portion 88 of the threaded body 80. The bore 96 communicates with the end fitting 70 to convey fluid through the communication hose 74. The base portion 88 of the threaded body 80 is provided with a radial groove 98 for supporting an O-ring 102 between the base portion 88 and the end fitting 70 for a watertight fit between the end fitting 70 and the threaded body 80. The base 88 of the threaded body 80 has a recessed area between the O-rings 102 to facilitate water flow. The base portion 88 also includes a recess 104 that receives the retaining clip 72. As shown in fig. 1 and 16.

Nut 110 is threadably engaged with threaded body 80. As shown in fig. 18, the nut 110 is provided with a pair of oppositely arranged guide grooves 112 and a pair of oppositely arranged rotation arms 114. As shown in fig. 17, the rotation locking member 118 is rotatably mounted on the nut 110. The rotational lock 118 includes a pair of generally parallel arms 120 each having a pivot hole 122 for receiving the rotatable arm 114 to rotatably support the lock 118 on the nut 110. The locking member 118 includes a cross arm 124 extending between the swivel arms 120.

As shown in fig. 21, a nut guide 130 is provided to guide the nut 110 and prevent the nut 110 from rotating. The nut guide 130 includes a guide flange 132 that abuts the radially extending flange 86 of the threaded body 80. As shown in fig. 16, the guide flange 132 includes a pair of recesses 134 that mate with upper curved portions 136 of oppositely disposed guide rods 138, as shown in fig. 23 and 24. When the guide flange 132 abuts the radially extending flange 86, the flange 86 helps to retain the upper curved portion 136 of the guide 138 in the groove 134. The guide rods 138 extend through the guide slots 112 in the nut 110 to prevent rotation of the nut 110 relative to the nut guide 130. Accordingly, when the screw body 80 is rotated, the nut 110 is prevented from being rotated with respect to the nut guide 130, thereby causing the nut 110 to move upward and downward along the screw body 80 according to the rotating direction of the screw body 80. When the nut 110 moves up and down along the screw body 80 according to the rotation of the screw body 80, the locking member 118 also moves.

As shown in fig. 11-13, the locking member 118 is rotated to a generally vertical position during installation of the end valve assembly 14 in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The end valve assembly 14 is then inserted through the aperture 150 in the platform or mounting surface 60. After insertion of the end valve assembly 14 through the aperture 150, the locking member 118 is rotated to a horizontal position, as shown in fig. 14 and 15. The rotation of the locking member 118 is caused by a weight imbalance of the locking member 118 due to the weight of the crossbar 124 making one end of the locking member 118 heavier than the other.

To securely fasten the end valve assembly 14 to the platform 60, the guide flange 132 is captured and the threaded body 80 is rotated in a clockwise direction to pull the locking member 118 upwardly against the underside of the platform 60. To secure the end valve assembly 14 in place, the hex head portion 84 of the threaded body 80 may be tightened with a wrench. The height of which can be automatically set to a suitable operating height. A handle (not shown) is then placed on the upper splined portion 154 of the valve 82, as is well known in the art.

At this point, the end fitting 70 is secured to the end valve assembly 14 by sliding the fitting 70 over the base portion 88 of the threaded body 80, and the fitting retaining clip 72 is inserted into the groove 104 to secure the fitting 70 in place. Preferably, the communication hose 74 is pre-installed to the end fitting 70 and the T-fitting 76, thereby reducing the time and effort required for assembly when there is limited space under the sink. As shown in fig. 16, the end fitting 70 includes a generally cylindrical body portion 160 having a neck tube 162 extending radially therefrom. The neck tube 162 has a plurality of serrations 164 on its outer surface. The serrations 164 engage the hose 74 to fixedly secure the hose 74 to the end fitting 70. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 32, the end fitting 70 may be secured in place by a threaded fitting 230 that engages a recess 232, the recess 232 being disposed in a base 234 of a modified threaded body 236. The threaded connector 230 includes a body portion 238 that receives a connector ring 240, the connector ring 240 having a plurality of teeth 242 with radially inwardly extending ends 244. The inner wall 246 of the body portion 238 is sloped to provide a wedge for the teeth 242 to engage the recesses 232, the recesses 232 being disposed on the base 234 of the screw body 236. The body portion 238 of the nipple 230 includes a threaded portion 248 for connection to a water supply pipe (not shown). This embodiment simplifies the design of the threaded body 236, as compared to the threaded body 80, since the threaded portion 248 connecting the water supply line is provided on the nipple 230, rather than on the base portion 88 of the threaded body 80. Preferably, the water supply pipe is pre-installed on the nipple 230, and then the nipple 230 is simply pushed into the modified screw body 236 under the sump without using tools when the working space under the sump is limited. The threaded joint 230 as shown is commercially available from PARFLEX, ParKERHANnifin, 1300N., free Street, Ravenna, Ohio 44266.

As shown in FIG. 1, the T-fitting 76 includes a body portion 168 that is connected to the service pipe 18, and as further shown in FIG. 7, it further includes first and second hose connection portions 170 to which the hose 74 is connected. As shown in FIG. 7, the body portion 168 supports an O-ring 172 and an adapter ring 174 that encircle the service pipe 18. The adapter ring 174 includes a plurality of longitudinally extending teeth 176 provided with radially inwardly extending ends 178. The radially inwardly extending end 178 engages an annular groove 180 formed on the outer surface of the service pipe 18, as shown in FIG. 1, to retain the T-joint 76 to the service pipe 18. The T-connector 76 is commercially available from PARFLEX division of PARKER Hannifin (1300N., free Street, Ravenna, Ohio 44266). Alternatively, a modified T-joint 180 shown in fig. 33 may be utilized. The tee 180 includes a body portion 182 with a cylindrical interior 184 for receiving the end of a service pipe 186. The service pipe 186 includes a threaded end 187 that mates with a nut 188 to secure the tee 180. The service pipe 186 has a pair of grooves 190 for receiving O-rings 192 to provide a water tight seal between the service pipe 186 and the T-fitting 180. The tee fitting 180 includes a pair of serrated hose nipple portions 194.

A second embodiment of an end valve assembly 200 is described below with reference to fig. 25-30. The end valve assembly 200 is secured to the sink or platform by an upper bracket 202 and a lower nut lock 204, as shown in FIGS. 27-30. The upper bracket 202 is not threaded and it is attached to the bracket 206. The bracket 206 includes a pair of elongated rods 208 with elongated slots 210. The lower nut locking member 204 has a pair of laterally outwardly extending swivel arms 212. the lower nut locking member 204 includes a threaded portion 214 and a pair of spaced apart retaining walls 216. The swivel arm 212 is slidably received in an elongated slot 210 of the long rod 208 so that the lower nut lock 204 can rotate between the two slots 210. During installation of the valve assembly 200, the lower nut lock 204 is swung upwardly to the vertical position shown in fig. 27 and 28 so that the lower nut lock 204 and bracket 206 can be inserted through the aperture 150 in the platform 60. The lower nut lock 204 then swings downward under the force of gravity to a generally horizontal position once the nut lock 204 is passed through the aperture 150. The retaining wall 216 of the lower nut lock 204 extends horizontally above the edge of the aperture 150.

And then inserted through the center of the upper bracket 202 into the end body 220 and allowed to drop down to the lower nut lock 204. The end body 220 includes a threaded outer surface 221 such that the end body 220 can engage the lower nut lock 204 when the end body 220 is rotated. To secure the end body 220 to the platform, the upper bracket 202 can be clamped in place while the threaded end body 220 is rotated. Rotation of the valve body causes the lower nut lock 204 to move the threaded valve body 220 upward until the platform 60 is sandwiched between the upper bracket 202 and the lower nut lock 204. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, end body 220 supports valve 82 and inner spacer tube 92 in the same manner.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a quick connect faucet assembly provides a faster installation than conventional faucets. Thus, installation is simplified because all of the components can be fastened from above the sink.

The quick-install faucet assembly of the present invention does not have loose parts that are misaligned. The user can pre-install and prime the end valve and outlet pipe.

Although the invention has been described above, it will be obvious that many variations are possible. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (23)

1. An apparatus for mounting a fixture to a topside of a platform having at least one mounting hole, comprising:

a threaded member engaged with the fastener and extending through the mounting hole and rotatable over the platform;

a nut threadedly engaged with the threaded member and passing through the mounting hole to the underside of the platform, the nut moving toward and away from the underside of the platform in accordance with the direction of rotation of the threaded member;

a second member coupled to the threaded member parallel to the threaded member, the second member engaging the nut to prevent the nut from rotating when the threaded member is rotated, whereby the nut moves up and down along the length of the threaded member depending on the direction of rotation of the threaded member;

a locking bracket pivotally connected to the nut, the locking bracket being weighted to assume a free position across the nut when the nut is moved downwardly sufficiently far from the platform, the position being substantially perpendicular to the threaded member, said locking bracket having a length greater than the diameter of the mounting hole in the platform and being pivoted upwardly along the length of the threaded member to move the nut downwardly through the mounting hole in the platform and being pivoted to said free position when sufficiently far from the mounting hole whereby the nut is raised in the direction of the platform in response to rotation of the threaded member, the locking bracket engaging the underside of the platform to clamp the mounting member to the platform.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the lock bracket including at least one leg and a cross arm formed at one end thereof and extending substantially at a right angle; a pin pivotally connecting a middle portion of at least one leg of the locking bracket to the nut; the cross arm limits movement of the at least one leg and allows the locking member to pass through the mounting hole.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein at least one leg with a crossbar at its end is rotated upwardly to engage the threaded member to allow the locking member to pass through the mounting hole.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the cross arm defines a rise and fall of the at least one leg to prevent over-rotation of the at least one leg in either direction.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the locking bracket is substantially "U" shaped having a pair of legs extending on opposite sides of the nut and a cross arm connected across one end of the legs, said cross arm limiting movement of said locking bracket and allowing the locking member to pass through the mounting aperture.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the locking bracket is pivoted upwardly to form an inverted "U" shape for passing through the mounting hole.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the second member is spaced apart from the threaded member; the nut includes a threaded bore engaging the threaded member and slidably engaging the second member; and a pin pivotally connecting the lock bracket to the nut, allowing the lock bracket to move freely between a substantially vertical and a substantially horizontal position.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the nut includes a second aperture that slidably engages the second member to prevent the nut from rotating during rotation of the threaded member, whereby the nut will move in a direction toward or away from the underside of the platform.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the threaded member is hollow with a bore extending therethrough; and a drain line extending through the hole in the threaded member.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the second member defines a service pipe leading to the fixture.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein

The fixing part limits a water outlet pipe;

the second part is in threaded engagement with the water outlet pipe;

the provided joint plate comprises a pair of holes; one hole passes the second member and the other hole passes the screw member;

the joint plate clamps the water outlet pipe through the second component in a non-moving manner;

the threaded member has an enlarged head portion disposed at the top of the plate that can be rotated to raise or lower the nut thereon.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the fixture defining an end body having a valve therein; the locking bracket is substantially "U" shaped having a pair of legs extending on opposite sides of the nut and a cross bar spanning one end of the legs; a rotating member connecting the lock bracket to the nut; and the locking bracket rotates upwardly with the cross arm to limit movement thereof to allow the locking member to pass through the mounting hole.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein: the locking bracket is pivoted upwardly to form an inverted "U" shape to pass through the mounting hole.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein: the second member has a top disk axially coupled to the threaded member; a pair of guide arms connected to the top disk and extending parallel to the threaded member on opposite sides thereof; and the nut has a pair of recesses through which the guide arms extend to prevent the nut from rotating during rotation of the threaded member, whereby the nut will move toward or away from the platform in response to rotation of the threaded member.

15. A faucet, comprising:

a water outlet pipe having a passage therein;

a conduit connected to said outlet pipe for conveying water to said passageway;

a screw rotatably connected to said outlet pipe;

a nut member having a threaded bore for engaging said threaded rod; and

a locking member rotatably mounted on said nut member, said locking member including a pair of arms disposed on opposite sides of said nut member and a cross arm extending between one end of said pair of arms, wherein upon rotation of said threaded rod said nut member and locking member move relative to said outlet pipe, said pair of arms of said locking member engaging the underside of the mounting surface to secure said outlet pipe to said mounting surface.

16. The faucet of claim 15, wherein said spout has a hole in the top thereof for the entry of a tool of said screw engaging portion.

17. The faucet of claim 16 wherein the aperture in the top of said spout is adapted to receive a lifting rod for attachment of a drain plug.

18. The faucet of claim 15 wherein said locking member pivots between a first generally vertical position and a second generally horizontal position such that said cross arm of said locking member abuts said service pipe in said first generally vertical position and said second generally horizontal position.

19. The faucet of claim 15, further comprising a pair of end valve assemblies, each end valve assembly comprising:

a threaded body rotatably mounted on the stop valve;

a nut member engaged with said threaded body; and

a locking member rotatably mounted on said nut member and including at least one arm, wherein upon rotation of said threaded body, said nut member and said locking member move relative to said threaded body, at least one arm of said locking member engaging an underside of a mounting surface to secure said end valve assembly to said mounting surface.

20. An end valve assembly for a faucet comprising:

a valve assembly;

a threaded body rotatably mounted to said valve assembly;

a nut member engaged with said threaded body; and

a locking member rotatably mounted on said nut member and including at least one arm, wherein upon rotation of said threaded body, said nut member and said locking member move relative to said threaded body, said at least one arm of said locking member engaging an underside of a mounting surface to secure said end valve assembly to said mounting surface.

21. The end valve assembly of claim 20 further comprising a nut guide for preventing rotation of said nut member with said threaded body.

22. An apparatus for mounting a fixture to a topside of a platform having at least one mounting hole, comprising:

a bracket having a first portion extending through the mounting hole and a second portion abutting the top side of said platform, said first portion including a pair of parallel arms, each arm having an elongated slot;

a nut locking member including a threaded portion, at least a portion of said locking member extending from said threaded portion, and a pair of swivel arms extending from opposite sides of said nut locking member and engaging said elongated slots in said pair of parallel arms of said first portion of said bracket member to permit said nut locking member to rotate relative to said bracket, said locking portion having a length greater than the diameter of the mounting aperture in the platform, and said nut locking member being rotated to a generally vertical position such that said first portion of said bracket passes through said mounting aperture and swings to a free position when sufficient to pass through the mounting aperture; and

a threaded member engaged with the mounting member and extending through the second portion of said bracket for engaging said threaded body of said nut locking member whereby upon rotation of the threaded member the nut locking member is raised in the direction of the platform and the nut locking member will engage the underside of the platform to clamp the mounting member to the platform.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said locking member portion of said nut locking member includes a pair of locking arms extending along opposite sides of said threaded body.