Sink flange assembly installation method and tool

A tool for installing a locking ring in an annular groove defined by a lower annular rim portion of a sink flange, the tool comprising:

• a pair of first and second elongated members that are pivotally connected to each other at a pivot point to form a pair of opposed first and second handles and a pair of opposed ring-engaging first and second tips such that the first and second tips move away from each other by operation of a person squeezing the first and second handles toward each other;
• each of the first and second tips defining a respective one of a pair of outwardly facing first and second indentations that adapt the first and second tips to function as means for engaging the locking ring in order to spread the locking ring by operation of the person squeezing the first and second handles toward each other;
• each of the first and second tips defining a respective one of a pair of inwardly facing third and fourth indentations that adapt the first and second tips to function as means for engaging the annular rim portion of the sink flange;
• and
• each of the first and second elongated members including a respective one of a pair of first and second ring-dislodging components that are adapted to function as means for enabling the person to dislodge the locking ring from the first and second tips in order to complete installation of the locking ring in the annular groove.

A tool for installing a locking ring in an annular groove defined by a lower annular rim portion of a sink flange, the tool comprising:

• a pair of first and second elongated members that are pivotally connected to each other to form a pair of opposed first and second handles at proximal end portions of the first and second elongated members and a pair of opposed ring-engaging first and second tips at distal end portions of the first and second elongated members;
• each of the first and second tips defining a respective one of a pair of outwardly facing first and second indentations that function as means for engaging the locking ring in order to spread the locking ring by operation of the person squeezing the first and second handles toward each other;
• each of the first and second tips defining a respective one of a pair of inwardly facing third and fourth indentations that function as means for engaging the annular rim portion of the sink flange;
• and
• each of the first and second elongated members including a respective one of a pair of first and second ring-dislodging components that function as means for enabling the person to dislodge the locking ring from the first and second tips in order to complete installation of the locking ring in the annular groove.