Releasable mounting system

• US 4,071,217 A
• Filed: 09/30/1976
• Issued: 01/31/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: RCA Corporation
• Inventors: Kongelka, Robert Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Parsons, Jr., Marion
• Application Number:
  US05/728,427
• Time in Patent Office: 488 Days
• Field of Search: 248/309 R, 248/475 A, 248/178, 248/186, 248/183, 248/477, 248/478, 248/475 B, 403/224-228, 403/DIG. 3, 403/DIG. 4
• US Class Current: 248/309.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0205 for radio sets B60R11/0211 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0087 around two axes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 403/03 Load-responsive release

Abstract

A releasable mounting system includes a deformable bracket for holding an article. The bracket is formed with a recess which deforms with the bracket. A second element which is fixed to a support is also deformable and includes a plurality of tangs the inner surfaces of which define a central opening and the outer surfaces of which abut the inner walls of the recess. A wedge located in the central opening and secured to the bracket wedges the tangs against the recess walls. Upon distortion of the bracket, the recess distorts permitting at least one of the tangs to disengage from the recess, the central opening to enlarge, and the wedge to pass through the opening, thereby disengaging the article from the support.

Claims

1. A mounting system for releasably securing an article to a support comprising:

a deformable first element for holding said article,

a deformable second element arranged to be secured to said support,

one of said first and second elements having an opening defined by deformable inner surfaces which deform with said one element, said one element includes tang means extending therefrom, and said other element includes wall means in engagement with said tang means,

a wedge member secured to the other of said elements for wedging the one element to the other element at said inner surfaces with said wedge member element wedging said tang means against said wall means,

said first element, in response to a sufficient force, disengaging said tang means from said wall means to permit enlargement of the opening by the wedging action of the wedge member and the latter to pass through the opening, whereby the two elements separate.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said wall means define a recess formed in said other element,

said tang means are formed with inner surfaces which define said opening, and wherein

said wedge member is disposed in said opening and engages said inner surfaces of said tang means for wedging said tang means against said wall means.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein:

said recess is further defined by a bottom wall having a serrated surface, and wherein

said tang means are formed with a serrated surface in engagement with said bottom wall surface.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said first element includes a "U" shaped yoke member further including first and second legs for supporting said article therebetween and depending from a cross member,

said cross member is formed with a recess defined by an inner wall,

said second element includes a plurality of tangs disposed in said recess, said tangs each having a first outer surface in engagement with said wall and an inner second surface forming said deformable inner surfaces, and wherein

said wedge member is secured to said cross member and disposed in said opening.

5. The system of claim 4 further including:

securing means for securing said wedge member to said cross member in a first direction, at least one of said tangs having a surface tapering toward said first direction, said wedge member having a tapered wedge surface corresponding to and in engagement with said one tang tapering surface for squeezing said tang against said inner wall.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein:

said recess is further defined by a bottom wall, said tapered surfaces being arranged with respect to each other so that said wedge member squeezes said one tang against said bottom wall.

7. In an arrangement for releasably securing an article to a supporting member, in combination:

a first element to whichf the article may be secured, said element formed of a deformable material and being formed with a depression therein defined by an inner wall and a base, said inner wall deforming in a direction generally perpendicular to said base of said depression when said element is deformed;

a deformable element formed with means by which it may be secured to said supporting member, said second element being formed with tang elements having tapered inner surfaces, said tapered inner surfaces defining, at least in part, an aperture in said second element, and the outer surfaces of said tangs engaging said inner wall of said depression, when said second element is in place on said first element;

a third element having tapered outer surfaces which mate with the tapered inner surfaces of said second element, when said third element is in place in said second element; and

means mounted in said first element and engaging said third element for causing the third element to force the tangs of the second element against the inner walls of said depression in said second element, whereby when said first element is deformed more than a given amount, said inner wall of said depression deforms sufficiently to release the tang abutting that portion of said wall, permitting the aperture in said second member to deform sufficiently that said third element passes through said aperture.