Magnetic mounting apparatus

• US 20040232291A1
• Filed: 06/30/2004
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey D Carnevali
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey D Carnevali
• Inventors: Carnevali, Jeffrey D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,374,142 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/206.5
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/022 by friction

Abstract

An apparatus for removably retaining by magnetic attraction any of various modem handheld devices. The magnetic mounting apparatus provides a magnetic mounting platform having a socket-like recessed support surface surrounded by a raised lip and backed by an interface structure that secures the magnetic mounting platform assembly to an external mounting surface. A permanent magnet is disposed within a cavity that positions magnet in close proximity to the flat support surface. A separate and distinct ferromagnetic adapter plate is adhered to a device to be supported, the adapter plate being structured for accommodation by the socket-like recessed support surface for removably retaining the device by magnetic attraction to the magnetic mounting platform.

Claims

7. A magnetic mounting apparatus, comprising:

(a) a magnetic mounting platform, comprising;

an operational surface that is formed with a peripheral lip portion substantially surrounding a socket having a support surface that is recessed relative to the lip portion,

an interface surface spaced away from the operational surface,

a magnet retention structure formed on an opposite surface from the recessed support surface, and

a magnet retained within the magnet retention structure; and

(b) an adapter plate formed of a magnetically permeable material and structured to cooperate with the socket.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising an inclined transition surface formed between the recessed support surface and the peripheral lip portion.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the magnetic mounting platform further comprises a rigid platform formed of substantially rigid material.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the magnet retention structure further comprises a cavity that is sized to compressively retain the magnet.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the magnet retention means further comprises an annular ring sized to accept the magnet under at least a light pressure.

12. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the magnet further comprises a rare-earth type permanent magnet.

13. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising one or more apertures extending between the operational surface and interface surface, each of the one or more apertures being structured to accept a fastener.

14. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a bi-adhesive material disposed on one surface of the plate.

15. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising one or more fastener clearance holes formed through the plate.

16. A magnetic mounting apparatus, comprising:

a rigid mounting platform having a substantially planar recessed support surface formed within a peripheral lip portion;

a disk-shaped permanent magnet;

a magnet retention structure projecting from a backing surface opposite from the recessed support surface, the magnet retention structure being structured for retaining the magnet in close proximity to the recessed support surface;

an interface structure projecting from the backing surface of the mounting platform, the interface structure being structured for securing the mounting platform to an external mounting surface with the recessed support surface facing away from the external mounting surface and for capturing the magnet within the magnet retention structure between the backing surface and the external mounting surface; and

a portion of magnetically attractive material distinct from the mounting platform, the portion of magnetically attractive material being sized to mate with the recessed support surface within the peripheral lip portion and having an adhesive material disposed thereon for adhering being structured for attachment to a surface of an external device to be supported.

1. A magnetic mounting apparatus, comprising:

a supporting means for supporting a portion of magnetically attractive material, the supporting means comprising a thin pad of elastomeric material;

an attracting means for magnetically attracting the portion of magnetically attractive material to the supporting means;

position controlling means for controlling a position of the portion of magnetically attractive material relative to the supporting means;

a retaining means for retaining the magnetic attracting means in close proximity to the supporting means; and

an interfacing means for interfacing the supporting means to an external mounting surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 where in the position controlling means further comprises means for controlling a rotational orientation of the portion of magnetically attractive material relative to the supporting means.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the supporting means further comprises both the retaining means and the interfacing means in an integral component.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the supporting means further comprises a support surface that is recessed relative to a peripheral lip surface.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the magnetically attracting means further comprises a permanent magnet installed in close proximity to the recessed support surface.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising attaching means for attaching the portion of magnetically attractive material to an external device to be supported.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the portion of magnetically attractive material further comprises an adhesive material disposed thereon for adhering to a surface of an external device to be supported.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the portion of magnetically attractive material further comprises one or more fastener clearance holes extended therethrough, each fastener clearance hole being sized to accept a mechanical fastener therethrough for attachment to a surface of an external device to be supported.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the magnet retention structure further comprises an annular ring sized to accept the magnet thereinto under at least light pressure against a floor surface on an opposite side of the mounting platform from the recessed support surface and positioned in close proximity to the recessed support surface.

20. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the interface structure further comprises a plurality of bosses distributed around the magnet retention structure.

21. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the mounting platform further comprises an outwardly inclined transition wall between the recessed support surface and peripheral lip portion.

23. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein each of the portion of magnetically attractive material and the recessed support surface further comprises a mutually cooperating rectangular shape.

20-1. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the portion of magnetically attractive material further comprises an outwardly inclined peripheral edge.