Adaptive mounting structure

• US 20090242719A1
• Filed: 03/28/2008
• Published: 10/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey D Carnevali
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey D Carnevali
• Inventors: Carnevali, Jeffrey D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,997,554 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/346.200
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 47/00 Suction cups for attaching purposes; Equivalent means using adhesives devices using adhesives, suction or magnetism for hanging or supporting pictures or the like A47G1/17; vacuum work holders B25B11/005; anchoring of ships using suction B63B21/27; suction cups for handling glass B65G49/061; load-engaging elements for cranes using suction means B66C1/02
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/14 with ball-joint ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06 ; adjustable mountings employing universal joints for lighting devices F21V21/26 - F21V21/30
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2078 with ball-joint ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06
• 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 13/022 repositionable

Abstract

A novel adaptive mounting device that effectively mounts and secures objects to nonplanar surfaces, and in particular effectively mounts and secures objects in a quick and efficient manner to complex contours of different automotive vehicle dashboard and other interior vehicle surfaces having differing coverings of differing textures. By example and without limitation, this novel adaptive mounting device includes a substantially flexible container forming a vacuum chamber containing and substantially filled with a substantially granular substance. A mounting structure having a frame supporting a presentation structure is joined to the bladder with at least a coupler or other presentation structure external of the bladder. A substantially air impermeable seal is formed between the bladder and a portion of the frame, and at least a partial vacuum is formed within the bladder.

A method for manufacturing the novel adaptive mounting device is also provided.

Claims

1. An adaptive mounting device, comprising:

a substantially rigid base plate;

a hollow bladder formed of a flexible material that is substantially impermeable air;

a substantially airtight seal formed between the base plate and an opening into the bladder;

a granular substance substantially filling the bladder; and

at least a partial vacuum formed inside the bladder.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a sealable airway into a vacuum chamber interior of the bladder and substantially filled with the granular substance.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the sealable airway further comprises a secondary opening into the bladder, and wherein the sealable airway is further sealed with a substantially airtight seal.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein the sealable airway further comprises a passage formed through the base plate, and

further comprising a stopper;

and

a substantially airtight seal between the stopper and the sealable airway.

5. The device of claim 2, further comprising a vacuum generator coupled in fluid communication with the interior of the bladder.

6. The device of claim 5, further comprising a vacuum release valve coupled in fluid communication with the interior of the bladder.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein the vacuum generator further comprises a manual vacuum pump coupled to the base plate.

8. An adaptive mounting device, comprising:

a substantially malleable base structure comprising a bladder comprising a flexible and substantially air impermeable material and forming a vacuum chamber therewithin, and a granular substance substantially filling the vacuum chamber,

a mounting structure having a frame supporting a presentation structure at least partially external of the bladder;

a substantially air impermeable seal between the bladder and a portion of the frame; and

at least a partial vacuum formed within the bladder.

9. The device of claim 8, further comprising:

a sealable airway into the vacuum chamber; and

a substantially air impermeable seal sealing the sealable airway.

10. The device of claim 9, further comprising:

a manual vacuum pump coupled to the frame; and

a suction channel formed between an intake of the vacuum pump and the vacuum chamber of the bladder.

11. The device of claim 10, further comprising:

a manual vacuum release control valve in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the frame further comprises a universal mounting surface.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the universal mounting surface further comprises at least a substantially smooth and flat suction cup mounting surface.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the universal mounting surface further comprises a plurality of blind mounting holes.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein at least a portion of the plurality of blind mounting holes further comprises a pattern of blind holes comprising substantially smooth bores for receiving conventional self-tapping screw fasteners.

16. A method for forming an adaptive mounting device, the method comprising:

into a bladder comprising a flexible and substantially air impermeable material and forming a vacuum chamber therewithin, depositing a granular substance substantially filling the vacuum chamber;

joining a mounting structure to the bladder with at least a presentation structure portion of the mounting structure being external of the bladder;

forming a substantially air impermeable seal between the bladder and a portion of the mounting structure; and

forming at least a partial vacuum within the bladder.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the forming at least a partial vacuum within the bladder is practiced subsequently to the forming a substantially air impermeable seal between the bladder and a portion of the mounting structure.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising coupling a manual vacuum generator to the mounting structure in fluid communication with the bladder;

and

wherein the forming at least a partial vacuum within the bladder further comprises manually operating the vacuum generator.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising coupling a manual vacuum release in fluid communication with the bladder;

and

manually releasing the at least partial vacuum within the bladder.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising alternately manually operating the vacuum generator for forming at least a partial vacuum within the bladder, and manually operating the vacuum release for releasing the at least a portion of the partial vacuum within the bladder.