Adjustable mounting apparatus

• US 6,513,774 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2001
• Issued: 02/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael J. Hailson
• Original Assignee: Michael J. Hailson
• Inventors: Hailson, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): King, Anita
• Assistant Examiner(s): STERLING, AMY JO
• Application Number:
  US09/808,416
• Publication Number:
  US 20010023915A1
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• Field of Search: 248/178.1, 248/181.1, 248/181.2, 248/288.31, 248/288.51
• US Class Current: 248/288.51
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 11/106 for ball joints
• 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 2200/022 by friction

Abstract

An adjustable mounting apparatus includes a mounting post having a ball at one end. Opposed clamping members clamp the ball from opposite sides of the mounting post. The clamping members engage the ball with line contact. The clamping members are at a fixed distance apart from each other on a first side of the ball. An adjustable locking member secures the clamping members together on a second side of the ball for loosening and tightening the clamping members about the ball. This allows the clamping members to be rotated about the ball and tightened thereon. A mounting fixture is secured to the clamping members to allow devices to be mounted thereon.

Claims

1. An adjustable mounting apparatus comprising:

a mounting post, the mounting post including a stem portion and a ball at one end thereof;

opposed clamping members for clamping the ball from opposite sides of the stem portion of the mounting post, the clamping members engaging the ball with line contact, the clamping members being a fixed distance apart from each other on a first side of the ball;

an adjustable locking member for securing the clamping members together on a second side of the ball for loosening and tightening the clamping members about the ball, thereby allowing the clamping members to be rotated about the ball and tightened thereon; and

a mounting fixture secured to the clamping members.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the clamping members are rigidly secured to each other on said first side of the ball.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which the adjustable locking member is hand operated.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a base for securing the mounting post to a surface.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 in which the mounting fixture allows a device to be mounted thereon.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 in which each clamping member comprises a plate with a hole formed therethrough, edges of the hole forming clamping edges which engage the ball with line contact.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 in which the hole is circular.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 in which each clamping member has a circular outer perimeter such that each clamping member is annular in shape.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 in which the mounting post has a stem extending from the ball along a first axis, the stem having a width that is less than the distance between the clamping members and a sufficient axial length so that the clamping members are capable of being rotated around the ball 360°

about said first axis and approximately 90°

about a second axis that is transverse to said first axis.

10. An adjustable mounting apparatus comprising:

a mounting post, the mounting post including a stem portion and a ball at one end thereof;

opposed clamping members for clamping the ball from opposite sides of the stem portion of the mounting post, the clamping members each comprising an annular plate with a circular hole formed therethrough, edges of the hole forming clamping edges which engage the ball with line contact, the clamping members being rigidly secured a fixed distance apart from each other on a first side of the ball;

an adjustable hand operated locking member for securing the clamping members together on a second side of the ball for loosening and tightening the clamping members about the ball, thereby allowing the clamping members to be rotated about the ball and tightened thereon; and

a mounting fixture secured to the clamping members.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a base for securing the mounting post to a surface.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 in which the mounting fixture allows a device to be mounted thereon.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 in which the mounting post has a stem extending from the ball along a first axis, the stem having a width that is less than the distance between the clamping members and a sufficient axial length so that the clamping members are capable of being rotated around the ball 360°

about said first axis and approximately 90°

about a second axis that is transverse to said first axis.

14. An adjustable mounting apparatus comprising:

a mounting post, the mounting post including a stem portion and a ball at one end thereof;

opposed clamping members for clamping the ball from opposite sides of the stem portion of the mounting post, the clamping members engaging the ball with line contact, the clamping members being a fixed distance apart from each other on a first side of the ball; and

an adjustable locking member for securing the clamping members together on a second side of the ball for loosening and tightening the clamping members about the ball, thereby allowing the clamping members to be rotated about the ball and tightened thereon.

15. A method of forming an adjustable mounting apparatus comprising:

providing a mounting post, the mounting post including a stem portion and a ball at one end thereof;

clamping the ball from opposite sides of the stem portion of the mounting post with opposed clamping members, the clamping members engaging the ball with line contact, the clamping members being a fixed distance apart from each other on a first side of the ball;

securing the clamping members together on a second side of the ball with an adjustable locking member for loosening and tightening the clamping members about the ball, thereby allowing the clamping members to be rotated about the ball and tightened thereon; and

securing a mounting fixture to the clamping members.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising rigidly securing the clamping members to each other on said first side of the ball.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising making the adjustable locking member hand operated.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising providing a base for securing the mounting post to a surface.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising forming each clamping member from a plate with a hole formed therethrough, edges of the hole forming clamping edges which engage the ball with line contact.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising making the hole circular.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising forming each clamping member with a circular outer perimeter such that each clamping member is annular in shape.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising providing the mounting post with a stem extending from the ball along a first axis, the stem having a width that is less than the distance between the clamping members and a sufficient axial length so that the clamping members are capable of being rotated around the ball 360°

about said first axis and approximately 90°

about a second axis that is transverse to said first axis.