RELEASABLE MOUNT APPARATUS AND SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A mount assembly for releasably receiving a mounting cleat, the mount assembly comprising:
- a top housing rotatably connected to a bottom housing, the top and bottom housings together defining a housing volume;
a recess disposed in a top surface of the top housing, the recess configured to receive a mounting cleat;
a center torsion spring disposed within the housing volume, the center torsion spring comprising a first end and a second end, the first end of the center torsion spring being connected to the bottom housing, and the second end of the center torsion spring being connected to the top housing, wherein the top housing is rotatable between an unrotated position and a rotated position relative to the bottom housing, wherein, when the top housing is in the rotated position, the center torsion spring exerts a force upon the top housing, the force urging the top housing to return to the unrotated position relative to the bottom housing;
a first clasp mechanism at least partially disposed within the housing volume, wherein the first clasp mechanism extends into the recess when the top housing is in the unrotated position, and wherein the first clasp mechanism is retracted from the recess when the top housing is in the rotated position; and
a second clasp mechanism at least partially disposed within the housing volume, wherein the second clasp mechanism extends into the recess when the top housing is in the unrotated position, and wherein the second clasp mechanism is retracted from the recess when the top housing is in the rotated position.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A mounting system can be used to releasably attach a first item to a second item. In one example, the first item can be a protective encasement for a mobile electronic device, and the second item can be a bicycle mount, suction cup mount, vehicle surface, office surface, or home surface. The mount assembly can include a first housing portion connected to a second housing portion, and can include a cam and torsion spring disposed within a housing volume defined by the first and second housing portions. A recess in the mount assembly can receive and retain a mounting cleat associated with the first item. One or more clasp mechanisms of the mount assembly can be configured to clasp the mounting cleat when it is inserted into the recess and to release the mounting cleat when the first housing portion is rotated relative to the second housing portion.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A mount assembly for releasably receiving a mounting cleat, the mount assembly comprising:
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a top housing rotatably connected to a bottom housing, the top and bottom housings together defining a housing volume; a recess disposed in a top surface of the top housing, the recess configured to receive a mounting cleat; a center torsion spring disposed within the housing volume, the center torsion spring comprising a first end and a second end, the first end of the center torsion spring being connected to the bottom housing, and the second end of the center torsion spring being connected to the top housing, wherein the top housing is rotatable between an unrotated position and a rotated position relative to the bottom housing, wherein, when the top housing is in the rotated position, the center torsion spring exerts a force upon the top housing, the force urging the top housing to return to the unrotated position relative to the bottom housing; a first clasp mechanism at least partially disposed within the housing volume, wherein the first clasp mechanism extends into the recess when the top housing is in the unrotated position, and wherein the first clasp mechanism is retracted from the recess when the top housing is in the rotated position; and a second clasp mechanism at least partially disposed within the housing volume, wherein the second clasp mechanism extends into the recess when the top housing is in the unrotated position, and wherein the second clasp mechanism is retracted from the recess when the top housing is in the rotated position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A mounting system for attaching a first item to a second item, the mounting system comprising:
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a mounting cleat comprising a first undercut in a first side surface and a second undercut in a second side surface, wherein the first side surface is opposite the second side surface; and a mount assembly configured to releasably attach to the mounting cleat, the mount assembly comprising; a top housing rotatably connected to a bottom housing, the top and bottom housings together defining a housing volume; a recess disposed in a top surface of the top housing, the recess configured to receive the mounting cleat; a center torsion spring disposed within the housing volume, the center torsion spring comprising a first end and a second end, the first end of the center torsion spring being connected to the bottom housing, and the second end of the center torsion spring being connected to the top housing, wherein the top housing is rotatable between an unrotated position and a rotated position relative to the bottom housing, wherein, when the top housing is in the rotated position, the center torsion spring exerts a force upon the top housing, the force urging the top housing to return to the unrotated position relative to the bottom housing; a first clasp mechanism at least partially disposed within the housing volume, wherein the first clasp mechanism extends into the recess and engages the first undercut of the mounting cleat when the top housing is in the unrotated position, and wherein the first clasp mechanism retracts from the recess to disengage the first undercut of the mounting cleat when the top housing is rotated to the rotated position; and a second clasp mechanism at least partially disposed within the housing volume, wherein the second clasp mechanism extends into the recess and engages the second undercut of the mounting cleat when the top housing is in the unrotated position, and wherein the second clasp mechanism retracts from the recess to disengage the second undercut of the mounting cleat when the top housing is rotated to the rotated position. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A mounting system for attaching an encasement for a mobile electronic device to a surface, the mounting system comprising:
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an encasement for a mobile electronic device, the encasement comprising a mounting cleat extending from an outer surface of the encasement, the mounting cleat comprising a first undercut in a first side surface and a second undercut in a second side surface, wherein the first side surface is opposite the second side surface; and a mount assembly configured to releasably attach to the mounting cleat, the mount assembly comprising; a top housing rotatably connected to a bottom housing, the top and bottom housings together defining a housing volume; a recess disposed in a top surface of the top housing, the recess configured to receive the mounting cleat; a center torsion spring disposed within the housing volume, the center torsion spring comprising a first end and a second end, the first end of the center torsion spring being connected to the bottom housing, and the second end of the center torsion spring being connected to the top housing, wherein the top housing is rotatable between an unrotated position and a rotated position relative to the bottom housing, wherein, when the top housing is in the rotated position, the center torsion spring exerts a force upon the top housing, the force urging the top housing to return to the unrotated position relative to the bottom housing; a first clasp mechanism at least partially disposed within the housing volume, wherein the first clasp mechanism extends into the recess and engages the first undercut of the mounting cleat when the top housing is in the unrotated position, and wherein the first clasp mechanism retracts from the recess to disengage the first undercut of the mounting cleat when the top housing is rotated to the rotated position; and a second clasp mechanism at least partially disposed within the housing volume, wherein the second clasp mechanism extends into the recess and engages the second undercut of the mounting cleat when the top housing is in the unrotated position, and wherein the second clasp mechanism retracts from the recess to disengage the second undercut of the mounting cleat when the top housing is rotated to the rotated position.
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Specification