U.S. patent application number 14/794502 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-07 for mounting apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is L. Christopher Franklin. Invention is credited to L. Christopher Franklin.
Application Number | 20160003270 14/794502 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55016701 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160003270 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Franklin; L. Christopher |
January 7, 2016 |
MOUNTING APPARATUS
Abstract
A mounting apparatus and system and method for making the same
are provided. The mounting apparatus allows an object to be mounted
to a mounting surface via magnetic attractions between different
planes of engagement. Through the movement of planes of magnets, an
object that is brought in proximity to the mounting apparatus may
engage one of the magnetic planes and then be moved further to
engage the other magnetic plane, with the combined magnetic force
being configured to support the particular object for which the
mounting apparatus is designed. The engagement and/or disengagement
of the object from the mounting apparatus can thus occur in stages,
by degrees, and/or in a tiered manner.
Inventors: |
Franklin; L. Christopher;
(Asheville, NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Franklin; L. Christopher |
Asheville |
NC |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55016701 |
Appl. No.: |
14/794502 |
Filed: |
July 8, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14209534 |
Mar 13, 2014 |
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14794502 |
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61798054 |
Mar 15, 2013 |
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62109057 |
Jan 29, 2015 |
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62022130 |
Jul 8, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
439/529 ;
248/220.22; 248/309.4; 248/558 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49826 20150115;
H01F 7/0221 20130101; H01R 13/70 20130101; F16B 2001/0035 20130101;
F16M 13/02 20130101; F16M 11/14 20130101; B44C 5/02 20130101; F16B
1/00 20130101; F16M 13/022 20130101; H01R 24/60 20130101; F16M
11/041 20130101; H01R 13/73 20130101; H01R 2107/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16B 1/00 20060101
F16B001/00; H01R 13/70 20060101 H01R013/70; H01R 24/60 20060101
H01R024/60; F16M 13/02 20060101 F16M013/02; H01R 13/73 20060101
H01R013/73 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for mounting an object to a mounting surface,
comprising: a bay configured to receive a plurality of modular
apparatus components; a modular first mounting magnet configured to
define a first plane; and a modular engagement member comprising a
plurality of engagement member components, wherein at least one of
the engagement member components is configured to respond to
magnetism; wherein, when the plurality of modular apparatus
components is received by the bay, the modular engagement member is
disposed relative to the modular first mounting magnet along a line
of engagement that intersects the first plane; wherein the bay is
configured to substantially prevent movement of the plurality of
modular apparatus components along the line of engagement; wherein
the modular engagement member is configured so that at least one of
the plurality of engagement member components is movable between an
extended state and a retracted state along the line of engagement;
wherein the modular first mounting magnet and the modular
engagement member are configured to cooperate to engage the object
to be mounted to produce a total engagement force, and wherein a
disengaging force that is less than the total engagement force and
that is applied to a mounted object overcomes the total engagement
force in stages by successively overcoming the respective
engagement forces associated with the modular first mounting magnet
and the modular engagement member to disengage the object.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bay comprises an apparatus
transmission path that is configured to provide an electrical
connection to any of the plurality of modular apparatus components
received by the bay.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality
of modular apparatus components is a modular charger support that
is configured to support a plurality of interface connectors,
wherein the modular engagement member is configured to support a
plurality of apparatus connectors, and wherein the mounting
apparatus is configured to support the passthrough of electricity
and data relative to the USB 3.1 specification.
4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first mounting magnet
comprises a plurality of electromagnets supported by a modular
holding plate, and wherein the modular holding plate is configured
to electrically engage the apparatus transmission path.
5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the modular engagement member
is configured so that a charging relationship may be established
with an object to be mounted.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the mounting apparatus is
configured so that the charging relationship is maintained between
the mounting apparatus and the object when at least one of the
object or the mounting apparatus is rotated relative to the other
of the at least one of the object or the mounting apparatus.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of a plurality modular
apparatus components is configured to support at least one
electrical connection interface, and wherein an apparatus
transmission path is defined in stages as each successive one of
each of the plurality of modular apparatus components is received
by the bay.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bay is configured to
support each of a substantially male modular engagement member and
a substantially female modular engagement member.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bay is configured to
structurally engage a plurality of modular base surfaces.
10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein a portion of the bay is
configured to receive a plurality of interchangeable modular
components.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least one of the
plurality of interchangeable modular components is a modular
card.
12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least one of the
plurality of interchangeable modular components is a modular power
source.
13. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality
of modular apparatus components comprises a push-button switch.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality
of modular apparatus components is a modular engagement member
comprising an apparatus engagement latch.
15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality
of modular apparatus components is a modular housing.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the modular housing is
configured so that the total engagement force associated with the
mounting apparatus is substantially changed when the modular
housing is attached to the apparatus.
17. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality
of modular apparatus components is a modular card, and wherein the
modular card is configured to electrically engage the apparatus
transmission path.
18. The apparatus of claim 2, the mounting apparatus further
comprising a modular plug adapter, wherein the modular plug adapter
is configured to adapt mains power to the apparatus transmission
path.
19. The apparatus of claim 2, the mounting apparatus further
comprising a modular Edison screw, wherein the modular Edison screw
is configured to attach to the bay and is configured to adapt mains
power to the apparatus transmission path.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, the mounting apparatus further
comprising a modular housing configured to diffuse heat associated
with the mounting apparatus.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation-in-Part of pending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 14/209,534, filed Mar. 13, 2014, which
claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
61/798,054, filed Mar. 15, 2013. This application also claims
priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
62/109,057, filed Jan. 29, 2015; and U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 62/022,130, filed Jul. 8, 2014. The
disclosures of all the aforementioned applications are incorporated
by reference herein, in their entireties.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to methods, systems,
and apparatuses for releasably engaging multiple bodies. In
particular, various mechanisms for attaching and releasing objects
in stages are described.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Numerous solutions exist for attaching, connecting, or
otherwise joining two or more objects, as there are many reasons
objects may need to be attached. Fewer solutions also provide
mounting functionality.
[0004] Potentially mountable objects make up a variety of sizes,
shapes, and weights, so common mounting methods vary widely in form
and function. Generally, available mounting means require
mechanical fasteners for attaching an object--particularly for
relatively large or heavy objects--and often also require tools and
installation time. Toolless mounting methods, such as those that
rely on a snap-in mechanism, are faster but may require a user to
apply precise and, often, concentrated pressure to the object
during mounting. Similar intervention may also be required for
release of the object. Quick-mount solutions, such as suction
mounts and magnetic mounts, are typically useful for relatively
light objects, but these mounts are often relatively insecure and
are more prone to unintentional disengagement than are the
aforementioned means. Additionally, if configured for heavier
objects or to provide greater security, quick-mount solutions
require a greater holding force than is necessary for attachment
alone in order to bear the weight of the object, and such strong
holding forces may cause users unnecessary difficulty in releasing
or dismounting the object.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for simple,
scalable, and cost-effective apparatuses and systems for attaching
and/or mounting objects of various sizes, shapes, and weights to
different mounting surfaces that allow for quick and easy
attachment and release of the objects.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Having thus described the invention in general terms,
reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are
not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a mounting apparatus and a
nominal object in an unengaged configuration according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0008] FIGS. 2-4 illustrate relative movements of planes according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of a mounting apparatus and a
nominal object in an unengaged configuration according to another
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate a mounting apparatus according to
another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate a system for mounting an object to a
mounting surface comprising a mounting apparatus and an object
interface according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0012] FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate a mounting apparatus according to
another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate a mounting apparatus according to
another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 10 illustrates a mounting apparatus according to
another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate a system for mounting an object to
a mounting surface comprising a mounting apparatus and an object
interface according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 12 illustrates a mounting apparatus according to
another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 13 illustrates a system for mounting an object to a
mounting surface comprising a mounting apparatus and an object
interface according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 14 illustrates a mounting apparatus according to
another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 15 illustrates a mounting apparatus according to
another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIGS. 16A-16B illustrate a mounting apparatus according to
another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIGS. 17A-17C illustrate a mounting apparatus according to
another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 17D illustrates a mounting apparatus and an object
interface according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0023] FIG. 18 illustrates a system for mounting an object to a
mounting surface comprising a mounting apparatus and an object
interface according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 19 illustrates a system for mounting an object to a
mounting surface comprising a mounting apparatus and an object
interface according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0025] FIG. 20A illustrates a system for mounting an object to a
mounting surface comprising a mounting apparatus and an object
interface according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0026] FIG. 20B illustrates a modular component of an object
interface according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 21 illustrates a system for mounting an object to a
mounting surface comprising a mounting apparatus and an object
interface according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0028] FIG. 22 illustrates a schematic front view of a plurality of
electrical connectors according to another exemplary embodiment of
the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 23 illustrates a modular component of an object
interface according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0030] FIG. 24 illustrates a portion of a mounting apparatus and a
modular component of an object interface according to another
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 25 illustrates a system for mounting an object to a
mounting surface comprising a mounting apparatus and an object
interface according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0032] FIG. 26 illustrates a mounting apparatus according to
another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0033] FIGS. 27A-27B illustrate a system for mounting an object to
a mounting surface comprising a mounting apparatus and an object
interface according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0034] FIGS. 28A-28B illustrate a mounting apparatus according to
another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 28C illustrates a modular component of a mounting
apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0036] FIG. 28D illustrates a cross-sectional view of a modular
component of a mounting apparatus and a modular component of an
object interface according to another exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
[0037] FIG. 29 illustrates an object interface according to another
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 30 illustrates a system for mounting an object to a
mounting surface comprising a mounting apparatus and an object
interface according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0039] FIG. 31 illustrates a plurality of mounting apparatuses
according to other exemplary embodiments of the present
invention;
[0040] FIGS. 32A-32B illustrate a mounting apparatus according to
another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0041] FIGS. 33A-33B illustrate a mounting apparatus according to
another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 34 illustrates an object interface according to another
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 35 illustrates portions of a plurality of modular
components of an object interface according to another exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
[0044] FIG. 36 illustrates a mounting apparatus according to
another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 37 illustrates a mounting apparatus according to
another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and
[0046] FIG. 38 illustrates a plurality of mounting apparatuses
according to other exemplary embodiments of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS
[0047] Some embodiments of the present invention will now be
described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention
are shown. Indeed, various and diverse embodiments are feasible
within the scope and spirit of the invention and may be applied
broadly in many technical fields across several industries for uses
other than those outlined herein. Thus, the invention should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,
these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy
applicable legal requirements.
[0048] The following disclosure generally describes a method for
releasably engaging one physical body with another, as well as
associated systems and apparatuses. For the purposes of
explanation, the invention will be described in terms of a mounting
process. While terminology within this context (e.g., mounting,
mounting apparatus, etc.) is useful for explanatory purposes, the
chosen course of explanation should not be construed to limit the
scope of the described method or embodiments.
[0049] Accordingly, it should be noted that an embodiment termed a
mounting apparatus in this disclosure may be functional for
purposes other than mounting. For example, some mounting
apparatuses described herein may be applied separately to two or
more bodies (e.g., like embodiments of the invention applied to
each body), and the apparatuses may be attached one to the other to
join the bodies together. In such a scenario, the invention may be
regarded as an attachment interface.
[0050] Additionally, like embodiments (such as those described
above) may be configured with connectors that are compatible when
joined one to the other so that joining the apparatuses may
facilitate a connection between the bodies. Consequently, the
invention may be thought of as a connection interface in certain
contexts.
[0051] Moreover, some embodiments of the invention, which may be
configured in a like or similar manner to some embodiments
described herein, may themselves be mounted to other mounting
apparatuses not described herein, thus enhancing the functionality
of the known mounting apparatuses. Thus, in some situations, the
invention may be considered to be a mounting interface.
[0052] In consideration of the variations outlined above, which are
not exhaustive and should not be interpreted to limit the scope of
the invention but instead are meant to illustrate the broad
application and usefulness of the applied method, further
description herein will use terminology within the context of a
mounting process to facilitate explanation of the invention. For
the purposes of this disclosure, the term "object" is used to refer
to any physical body that is meant to engage a mounting apparatus.
The term makes no reference to the role of the object in the
mounting process. For example, a wall may be an object (e.g., it is
meant to engage a mounting apparatus), but a wall cannot be,
itself, mounted as an object in the traditional sense. In such
contexts, the object may be described as an object interface that
is capable of attaching to the wall so that the wall may engage the
apparatus. In some contexts, the meaning of the term object may be
extended to include an item or device a user ultimately wishes to
mount (e.g., a television, painting, mobile phone, tablet computer,
shelving unit, etc.).
[0053] The term "engagement" refers to the magnetic hold
established between two or more components when a stage of
attachment is complete (continuing until a corresponding stage of
disengagement occurs) or when an object has attached to an
apparatus via at least one completed stage of attachment (this may
be referred to as, e.g., partial engagement), and the term may also
refer to physical contact between two surfaces in some cases. The
term "total engagement force" refers to a targeted (e.g., sought,
required, etc.), and substantially peak, net magnetic force
achieved between an object (or object interface) and an apparatus.
The terms "attraction" or "attraction force" and "repel,"
"repulsion," or "repelling force" will refer to magnetic influence
or interaction that may occur as part of a process of engagement
(e.g., magnetic forces that are deemed to be in progress and are
not engagement, as described above). The term "overall engagement
force" is a sum of the respective engagement forces (of various
stages of engagement) and/or attraction forces that may occur or be
present during the mounting or dismounting process that leads up to
(e.g., an increasing overall engagement force) or away from (e.g.,
decreasing), but does not include, a total engagement force, as
described above (e.g., it is always less than a total engagement
force).
[0054] The term "magnet" refers to any material or component that
responds to a magnetic field, including a ferrous metal or other
material that is configured to respond to magnetism, a permanent
magnet, an electromagnet, a correlated magnet, a programmed/coded
magnet, etc., or a combination of these.
[0055] The term "mounting magnet" may refer to a magnet or group of
magnets, as defined above, or may reference a certain component of
an apparatus or system that responds to a magnetic field.
[0056] The term "electrical connection" may refer to any connection
established for the transmission or exchange of power, data, or
both power and data.
[0057] The term "coil object" refers to an object (as defined
above) that comprises a wireless charging component that is
configured to participate in a wireless charging relationship
(i.e., a wireless charging device, such as a wireless charging base
station, a mobile device capable of being charged wirelessly,
etc.). The term "non-coil object" refers to an object that is not
configured to participate in a wireless charging relationship
(i.e., an object that is incompatible with wireless charging
devices). Unless specified, an object may be a coil object or a
non-coil object.
[0058] The term "modular component" may refer to any component,
piece, part, feature, etc. of a mounting apparatus, an object
interface, a system, or a component of a mounting apparatus, an
object interface, and/or a system that is configured to be
removable, detachable, and/or replaceable. Correspondingly, the
term "modular" may be used generally to indicate that a particular
component, piece, part, feature, etc. or a group of components,
pieces, parts, features, etc. may be removable, detachable, and/or
replaceable.
[0059] The terms "locking engagement force", "lockably engaged",
"lockable engagement", and similar terms refer to a state of
engagement between the mounting apparatus and the object or the
object interface that is established in addition to the total
engagement force and that substantially prevents disengagement of
the object from the mounting apparatus. A locking engagement force,
etc. may be produced by magnetic or physical engagement and is
typically brought about by a supplemental action that is intended
to create the locking engagement force, etc. such as a rotational
movement of the object, the activation of a mechanism such as a
lock or latch, etc. Correspondingly, a locking engagement force,
etc. typically persists until a second supplemental action, which
may be a substantially opposite action, releases the locking
engagement force, etc. so that the object may be disengaged from
the mounting apparatus.
[0060] The term "peripheral object" may refer to any physical body
that is not an object, as defined above. The term is used herein to
provide context in selected embodiments, descriptions, and
examples, and use of the term does not preclude a particular type
or category of physical body from being an object. For example, the
same type of physical body (e.g., a smartphone) may be both an
object and a peripheral object in the same example (e.g., a first
smartphone may be the object to be mounted and a second smartphone
may be a peripheral object). Correspondingly, a single physical
body (i.e. a first smartphone) will not be both an object and a
peripheral object in the same embodiment, description, or
example.
[0061] The term "smart" indicates that an item, such as a mounting
apparatus, an object interface, a mounting system, a modular
component, an object, a peripheral object, etc., is capable of
performing at least one computational function. The at least one
computational function may include, but is not limited to,
functionality commonly associated with mobile computing devices
such as running software, wired or wireless communication,
participating as a node on one or more networks, etc. The term is
used for succinctness, clarity, and purpose of explanation in
selected embodiments, descriptions, and examples and, therefore,
should not be construed to limit the scope of the capabilities or
functionality of embodiments that are not specifically identified
as smart. Moreover, a mounting apparatus, object interface,
mounting system, modular component, peripheral object, etc. that is
identified as smart is presumed to be configured to support at
least the hardware and software components necessary per the
application, including but not limited to a printed circuit board,
integrated circuit, storage drive (e.g., flash memory, solid state
drive, etc.), memory card reader (i.e. memory card slot, adapter,
etc.), data port, power port, wireless data component (e.g.,
wireless radios such as WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, etc.), cellular data
component (e.g., GSM, CDMA, etc.), wireless data module,
accelerometer, gyroscope, GPS chipset, etc.
[0062] The term "card" refers to a component or a modular component
of a mounting apparatus, object interface, or mounting system that
is configured to support a printed circuit board, motherboard, etc.
and is presumed to be smart, as defined above, whether or not the
component is specifically identified as being smart. Accordingly, a
card may be configured to support at least the hardware and
software components necessary per the application, and the term
"card component" may refer to any component or feature of a smart
device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet computer, etc.), including but
not limited to an integrated circuit, storage drive (e.g., flash
memory, solid state drive, etc.), memory card reader (i.e. memory
card slot, adapter, etc.), data port, power port, wireless data
component (e.g., wireless radios such as WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC,
etc.), cellular data component (e.g., GSM, CDMA, etc.), wireless
data module, accelerometer, gyroscope, GPS chipset, etc.
[0063] The term "standalone" indicates that that a modular
component requires only an electrical connection or a power source
(e.g., a battery, a receiver coil for wireless charging, etc.;
which may be integrated into the modular component) in order to
operate autonomously with at least partial functionality. The term
is also used generally to indicate that a body, such as a mounting
apparatus, exists independently and is not integrated within an
existing body.
[0064] The term "input device" may refer to any component or
feature of a mounting apparatus, an object interface, a mounting
system, a modular component, an object, or a peripheral object that
may be configured to receive physical or sensory input from, for
example, a user or from the environment, including but not limited
to a proximity sensor, tactile sensor, vibration sensor, motion
detector, ambient light sensor, gas sensor, digital camera (e.g.,
photo, video, webcam, etc.), tactile button, switch, control knob,
lever, etc. or a combination of these.
[0065] The term "tactile input" may refer to any input associated
with the sense of touch, such as the push of a button or the
activation of a touch sensor, such as a capacitive sensor, via
touch.
[0066] The term "interchangeable component" refers to a nominal
modular component of a mounting apparatus, an object interface,
and/or a mounting system that is one of a plurality of modular
components that are similarly configured relative to a
structurally-defined area (e.g., a space, slot, receptacle,
chamber, etc.) of a mounting apparatus, an object interface, and/or
a mounting system or a component of a mounting apparatus, an object
interface, and/or a mounting system so that each of the plurality
of modular components may be interchangeably attached and detached
via the structurally-defined area. For example, an available slot
in a mounting apparatus may be configured to receive a ferrous
metal plate, a card, or an input device per the desired
functionality of the mounting apparatus, and each of the ferrous
metal plate, the card, and the input device may be similarly
configured relative to the structurally-defined area of the slot to
interchangeably fit the slot. Thus, the term makes no reference to
the functionality of the modular component other than the
interchangeable nature of its form factor.
[0067] The term "field manipulation component" may refer to any
component or feature of a mounting apparatus, an object interface,
a mounting system, a modular component, or an object that is
configured to manipulate, change, block, or otherwise influence a
magnetic field associated with at least one component of a mounting
apparatus, an object interface, a mounting system, or an object,
including but not limited to a ferromagnetic metal plate,
ferromagnetic metal cap or cover, a magnetic shielding component,
flux guide, etc. The term generally refers to components or
features that are intended to fine tune the magnetic field(s)
associated with components of the mounting apparatus, object
interface, or mounting system such as mounting magnets,
ferromagnetic controlling components, etc. or that are intended to
protect or shield other components or features of a mounting
apparatus, an object interface, a mounting system, a modular
component, or an object that may be adversely affected by a
magnetic field, such as cards, input devices, etc.
[0068] The term "task" may refer to any function, series of
functions, etc. that a mounting apparatus, an object interface, a
mounting system, an object, or a peripheral object is configured to
perform, including but not limited to mechanical functions,
electrical functions, computing functions, communication functions,
changes that may be perceived by the senses or sensory devices, or
a combination of these.
[0069] The terms "card", "input device", "field manipulation
component", and "task" are used in selected embodiments,
descriptions, and examples in this disclosure for succinctness,
clarity, and ease of explanation, and specific use of these terms
in some embodiments, descriptions, and examples should not be
construed to limit the scope of the capabilities, functionality,
components, or features of embodiments wherein like or similar
components are not specifically identified as "card", "input
device", "field manipulation component", or "task".
[0070] The term "common" (e.g., "common component", "common modular
component", etc.) identifies that a component or feature comprises
a substantially identical configuration in each of a plurality of
mounting apparatuses, object interfaces, mounting systems, modular
components, or objects that may comprise the component or
feature.
[0071] Furthermore, as used herein, the terms "bottom," "top,"
"upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," and similar terms are used for
ease of explanation and refer generally to the position of certain
components or parts of components of embodiments of the described
invention at various points during the mounting or dismounting
process. It is understood that such terms are not used in any
absolute sense, and, as such, part of a component described as an
"outer surface" at one point during the mounting process, for
example, may be on an inner portion of the apparatus or system upon
completion of the mounting process.
[0072] Objects of various types, sizes, shapes, weights, etc. have
different mounting requirements. For example, a user may wish to
mount a small, relatively lightweight object such as a GPS device
to an irregular (e.g., sloped) surface of a vehicle dashboard. The
user may further wish to mount the GPS device with one hand in one
simple motion without necessarily having to concentrate on
positioning the object with respect to the mounting apparatus. In a
different scenario, however, the user may want to mount a large,
heavy object to a relatively vertical surface, such as may be the
case when the user wishes to mount a 52'' plasma television to a
wall in the user's home. In this case, the user may need to support
the object with two hands and may want to accomplish the mounting
operation as quickly as possible, while at the same time ensuring
that the television is properly secured and will not accidentally
fall and be damaged once mounted. When the time comes to take the
object off the mounting apparatus, whether the object is large or
small, heavy or light, the user may again wish to accomplish the
task in a relatively simple manner by exerting as little effort as
possible.
[0073] Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide
for a mounting apparatus that is configured for mounting an object
to a mounting surface using magnetism. As described below,
embodiments of the mounting apparatus provide at least two magnets
arranged in two different planes, with at least one of the planes
being configured to be movable with respect to the other one.
Through the movement of the planes of magnets, an object that is
brought in proximity to the mounting apparatus may engage one of
the magnetic planes and then be moved further to engage the other
magnetic plane, with the combined magnetic force (e.g., total
engagement force) being configured so that the mounting apparatus
or system supports the particular object for which it is
designed.
[0074] By dividing the total required magnetic force into two
planes (or more, as described below), engagement and/or
disengagement of the object from the mounting apparatus may occur
in stages. As such, in some embodiments, a user bringing the object
into proximity with the mounting apparatus during the mounting
process may be able to gradually engage the object with the
mounting apparatus. In other words, as the object is brought closer
to the mounting apparatus, the magnetic force that is created
between the object and the various magnetic planes of the mounting
apparatus will, initially, be less than the total magnetic force
that will ultimately provide support for the object and will
gradually increase as the object fully engages the mounting
apparatus.
[0075] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, a user
may be able to disengage the object from the mounting apparatus in
stages by successively disengaging the object from each magnetic
plane of engagement. Such a tiered release of the object may allow
the user to apply a disengaging force to the mounted object that is
less than the total engagement force that exists between the
mounting apparatus and the object when the object is fully engaged
(e.g., mounted to the surface). Thus, for example, in the case of a
heavy object that is engaged with the mounting apparatus, the user
need not pull the object off the mounting apparatus by applying an
opposite force that is equal to the total (e.g., large) force that
is used to keep the object engaged with the mounting apparatus.
Rather, the user can apply a force that is sufficient to overcome
the magnetic force between the object and one of the magnetic
planes (e.g., less than the total engagement force of all the
planes), such that the object is disengaged gradually (e.g.,
releasing from each plane separately).
[0076] In addition to the staged engagement and disengagement that
is possible by way of embodiments of the invention described below,
the mounting apparatus may be configured to provide other functions
that facilitate a mounting and/or dismounting operation and/or
functions that facilitate or enhance use of the mounted object. For
example, in some embodiments, the mounting apparatus may be
configured to allow the object to self-align with the mounting
apparatus. The mounting apparatus may further be configured to
structurally support objects of various weights and configurations
(e.g., sizes and shapes), provide data and electrical connections
with the object, and engage the object in different ways. Some
embodiments may allow manipulation of an engaged object (e.g.,
various movements of the object) either by the user or by the
apparatus acting on the object in a controlled manner. Further
embodiments may provide an effective locking mechanism for the
object. Other configurations may manage the functionality of an
object by partially disengaging and re-engaging the object. Still
other embodiments may ready the apparatus for engagement, change
the appearance of the apparatus, and/or change the way the
apparatus may be engaged. And in other configurations, the
apparatus may remain unobtrusive or inconspicuous until it is meant
to be used.
[0077] Accordingly, as will become apparent in light of the
description below and with reference to the figures, the method
disclosed herein may be embodied in multiple ways. A self-contained
(e.g., standalone) apparatus may be constructed and configured to
be affixed to a portable or fixed body (e.g., a mounting surface),
some embodiments hereinafter described being examples of such.
Additionally, the method may be applied to an existing body (e.g.,
a wall, a television, a frame for artwork), or a portion of an
existing body, such that the body is modified to achieve the
desired functionality of the invention (e.g., to incorporate
embodiments of the invention), wherein existing components or
features of the body are used as components or features of
embodiments of the invention, so that such embodiments are
partially or fully embedded within the body. Described another way,
components that may be necessary for an embodiment of the invention
and that are absent in the body may be added to the body, and
components or features of the body already suitable for carrying
out the needed roles of the prescribed components of the embodiment
may be used as-is or may be altered as necessary; all components
together being configured to achieve an apparatus comprised of both
existing components and added components and residing at least
partially within the body. The latter practice may be particularly
beneficial, as modifying an existing body may often be less
expensive and/or less invasive than embedding a self-contained
apparatus, and, in some cases, an integrated embodiment may be more
aesthetically appealing than would a self-contained apparatus
affixed to the body. One example is that of a wall being modified,
wherein the method is applied to a portion of the wall so that an
object may be mounted to the wall, and wherein most of the
components configured to create the embodiment of the invention are
hidden within the wall so that the impact on the visual aesthetic
of the wall is minimal as compared to affixing a self-contained
apparatus to the wall. Moreover, in addition to the practices cited
above, a system is provided, wherein an apparatus and an object
interface (or two apparatuses) may be created for the bodies (by
either construction or modification, as explained above) that are
configured to agree with one another during the mounting
process.
[0078] The method provided for mounting an object to a mounting
surface comprises supporting a first mounting magnet in a first
plane; supporting a second mounting magnet in a second plane;
allowing at least one of the mounting magnets to move independently
of the other mounting magnet along a line of engagement that
intersects the first and second planes; limiting movement of the at
least one of the mounting magnets that is movable between a
respective outer limit position and a respective base limit
position; configuring the mounting magnets to cooperate to engage
the object to be mounted to produce a total engagement force; and
configuring the respective outer limit position of the at least one
of the mounting magnets that is movable such that a disengaging
force that is less than the total engagement force and that is
applied to a mounted object overcomes the total engagement force in
stages by successively overcoming the respective engagement forces
associated with the first and second mounting magnets to disengage
the object.
[0079] At least one of the first or second planes may be defined by
a curved surface. Also, one of the mounting magnets may have a
fixed position. For example, the first mounting magnet may have a
fixed position, and the second mounting magnet may be movable.
[0080] The first mounting magnet may comprise a plurality of
magnets. Likewise, the second mounting magnet may comprise a
plurality of magnets.
[0081] A controlling force may be applied to the at least one of
the mounting magnets that is movable to control at least the
movement or functionality of the at least one of the mounting
magnets that is movable. The controlling force may be configured to
bias the at least one of the mounting magnets that is movable away
from the object to be mounted. The controlling force may be
configured to bias the at least one of the mounting magnets that is
movable toward the object to be mounted. Furthermore, the
controlling force may be configured to move the at least one of the
mounting magnets that is movable between its respective outer limit
position and its respective base limit position.
[0082] The controlling force may be removable, may be configured to
be adjustable, and/or may be configured to be dynamically adjusted
so as to define a respective holding position of the at least one
of the mounting magnets that is movable between the respective
outer limit position and the respective base limit position of the
at least one of the mounting magnets that is movable.
[0083] The controlling force may be configured to be managed
remotely. Also, an interface may be configured for managing the
controlling force. The controlling force may comprise a plurality
of controlling forces, and each respective controlling force may be
configured to control a corresponding mounting magnet.
[0084] At least one of the mounting magnets may be configured to
receive a portion of the object to be mounted. And receiving the
portion of the object to be mounted may comprise structurally
supporting the object.
[0085] Structurally supporting the object may comprise limiting
movement of the object to a direction along a single axis relative
to the mounting apparatus. Alternatively or additionally,
structurally supporting the object may comprise at least partially
supporting a weight of the object. Moreover, receiving the portion
of the object to be mounted may comprise guiding engagement of the
object.
[0086] At least one short-range wireless data transfer device may
be positioned in proximity to a target mounting area, and the at
least one short-range wireless data transfer device may be
configured to be within a communication range of a communication
component associated with the object when the object is mounted.
Alternatively or additionally, the at least one short-range
wireless data transfer device may be within a communication range
of a communication component associated with the object when the
object is fully engaged and may be outside the communication range
of the communication component when the object is partially
disengaged or fully disengaged.
[0087] At least one wireless charging device may be positioned in
proximity to a target mounting area, and the at least one wireless
charging device may be configured to be within a charging range of
a compatible wireless charging component when the object is
partially or fully engaged with the mounting apparatus.
[0088] Furthermore, at least one connection interface may be
supported in at least one of the first or second planes. The
connection interface may be an electrical connector.
[0089] The first mounting magnet may be configured to have a first
magnetic force, and the second mounting magnet may be configured to
have a second magnetic force that is substantially opposite the
first magnetic force.
[0090] The second mounting magnet may be movable, and a plurality
of second mounting magnets may be supported in a plurality of
respective second planes. The second mounting magnets may be
configured such that the respective base limit position of each
second mounting magnet is in substantially the same plane. The
second mounting magnets may be arranged in a nested configuration.
Also, the second mounting magnets may be arranged in a telescoping
configuration.
[0091] The respective limit positions of the at least one of the
mounting magnets that is movable may be configured such that the at
least one of the mounting magnets that is movable is movable to a
position in which the first and second planes substantially
coincide.
[0092] In some embodiments, the second mounting magnet may be
movable and the first mounting magnet may be in a fixed
position.
[0093] The second mounting magnet may be configured such that the
base limit position of the second mounting magnet substantially
coincides with the first plane. Alternatively, the second mounting
magnet may be configured such that the outer limit position of the
second mounting magnet substantially coincides with the first
plane.
[0094] In some embodiments, the first mounting magnet and the
second mounting magnet may be movable.
[0095] The respective base limit positions of the first mounting
magnet and the second mounting magnet may be configured such that
the respective base limit positions are in substantially the same
plane. Also, the respective outer limit positions of the first
mounting magnet and the second mounting magnet may be configured
such that the respective outer limit positions are in substantially
the same plane.
[0096] The outer limit position of the first mounting magnet and
the base limit position of the second mounting magnet may be
configured such that the outer limit position of the first mounting
magnet and the base limit position of the second mounting magnet
are in substantially the same plane.
[0097] At least the first mounting magnet or the second mounting
magnet may be positioned relative to a target mounting area such
that proximity of an object to be mounted to the target mounting
area produces at least one attraction force with respect to at
least one of the first or second mounting magnets. At least one of
the mounting magnets that is movable may be configured to be moved
toward the object to be mounted as a result of the at least one
attraction force.
[0098] The positions of the mounting magnets and the respective
limit positions of the at least one of the mounting magnets that is
movable may be configured such that the at least one attraction
force draws the at least one of the mounting magnets that is
movable toward the respective outer limit position, thereby
defining a range for the first engagement position.
[0099] Furthermore, the positions of the mounting magnets and the
respective limit positions of the at least one of the mounting
magnets that is movable may be configured such that engagement
between the object and the respective mounting magnet within the
range for the first engagement position results in a second
attraction force that draws the object and the unengaged mounting
magnet together for engagement such that a total engagement force
is produced for mounting the object to the apparatus.
[0100] A retaining force may be configured to bias the at least one
of the mounting magnets that is movable away from the object to be
mounted. The retaining force may be less than the at least one
attraction force.
[0101] A third mounting magnet may be supported in a third plane.
The third mounting magnet may be configured to be attached to an
object to be mounted to adapt the object to agree with at least one
of the first or second mounting magnets.
[0102] The third mounting magnet may comprise a plurality of
magnets. Also, the third mounting magnet may comprise a plurality
of third mounting magnets in a plurality of third planes.
[0103] Furthermore, the third mounting magnet may be configured to
apply an object controlling force to at least one of the first or
second mounting magnets.
[0104] In one embodiment of the mounting apparatus, the apparatus
comprises an intermediate surface configured to respond to
magnetism and an engagement member disposed relative to the
intermediate surface along a line of engagement. The engagement
member is configured to respond to magnetism, and at least one of
the engagement member or the intermediate surface is configured to
be movable between an extended state and a retracted state. In the
retracted state, the at least one of the engagement member or the
intermediate surface that is movable is biased away from the object
to be mounted. In the extended state, the at least one of the
engagement member or the intermediate surface that is movable is
biased toward the object to be mounted. Proximity of the object to
the engagement member produces an attraction force between the
object and the engagement member that causes engagement of the
object with the engagement member, and proximity of the object to
the intermediate surface produces an attraction force between the
object and the intermediate surface that causes engagement of the
object with the intermediate surface, such that the apparatus is
configured to engage the object to be mounted in stages via the
respective engagement forces.
[0105] At least the intermediate surface or the engagement member
face may be defined by a curved surface. The intermediate surface
may have a fixed position. Engagement of the object with the
engagement member may cause the object to be in such proximity to
the intermediate surface that an attraction force between the
object and the intermediate surface is produced. Engagement of the
object with the intermediate surface may cause the object to be in
such proximity to the engagement member that an attraction force
between the object and the engagement member is produced. The
respective attraction forces associated with the engagement member
and the intermediate surface may cooperate to engage the object and
may produce a total engagement force between the apparatus and the
object.
[0106] The apparatus may be configured such that a disengaging
force that is applied to a mounted object successively overcomes
the respective engagement forces associated with the intermediate
surface and the engagement member to disengage the object.
Therefore, the disengaging force may be less than the total
engagement force.
[0107] The engagement member may be configured to be substantially
flush with the intermediate surface (for example, in the retracted
state).
[0108] The apparatus may comprise a controlling component
configured to apply a controlling force to at least one of the
engagement member or the intermediate surface to control at least
the movement or functionality of the respective one of the
engagement member or the intermediate surface. The controlling
component may be configured to bias the engagement member toward
the retracted state, or the controlling component may be configured
to bias the engagement member toward the extended state.
Additionally or alternatively, the controlling component may be
configured to move the engagement member between a retracted
position and an extended position.
[0109] The controlling component may be configured such that the
controlling force is adjustable, may be capable of being managed
remotely, and/or may be removable.
[0110] The controlling component may comprise a magnet. For
example, the controlling component may comprise an
electromagnet.
[0111] The controlling component may be configured to maintain the
engagement member in an extended position. Also, the controlling
component may be configured such that the engagement member
automatically retracts after the object is disengaged from the
apparatus.
[0112] The controlling component may be configured to be movable
relative to the line of engagement. The controlling component may
comprise a plurality of controlling components, wherein each
controlling component may be configured to control at least the
movement or functionality of a corresponding one of the engagement
member or the intermediate surface.
[0113] The engagement member may comprise an extension and a face
joined to the extension. The engagement member may be configured to
structurally support the object via engagement of the object with
at least a portion of the extension. Additionally or alternatively,
the extension may be configured to bear at least a portion of a
weight of the object.
[0114] The engagement member may be configured to limit movement of
the object to a direction along a single axis relative to the
apparatus. The extension may be configured to define a position of
the engagement member in at least one of the extended state or the
retracted state.
[0115] The intermediate surface of the apparatus may be configured
to receive at least a portion of at least one of the engagement
member or the object to be mounted. A portion of the intermediate
surface may define an opening configured to slideably receive at
least a first portion of the engagement member so as to
substantially align the line of engagement along a central axis of
the engagement member as the engagement member is moved between the
extended and retracted states. The intermediate surface may
comprise a chamber extending from the portion of the intermediate
surface defining the opening, wherein the chamber may be configured
to slideably receive a second portion of the engagement member, and
wherein the first portion of the engagement member may have a
different width than the second portion.
[0116] The chamber may define a first depth and the engagement
member may define a second depth, and the first depth may be
greater than the second depth.
[0117] The intermediate surface may be configured to structurally
support the object. Additionally or alternatively, the intermediate
surface may be configured to bear at least a portion of the weight
of the object. Furthermore, the intermediate surface may be
configured to limit movement of the object to a direction along a
single axis relative to the apparatus.
[0118] The apparatus may comprise at least one short-range wireless
data transfer device which may be supported by the intermediate
surface or the engagement member. The at least one short-range
wireless data transfer device may be supported by the intermediate
surface and may be capable of wirelessly communicating with an
electronic device that is brought into proximity with the
short-range wireless data transfer device. Moreover, the engagement
member may be configured such that the at least one short-range
wireless data transfer device is capable of wirelessly
communicating with the electronic device when the object is fully
engaged with the apparatus and is incapable of wirelessly
communicating with the electronic device when the object is
partially disengaged or fully disengaged from the apparatus.
[0119] The apparatus may comprise at least one wireless charging
device which may be supported by the intermediate surface or the
engagement member. The at least one wireless charging device may be
supported by the intermediate surface and may be capable of
wirelessly charging an electronic device that is brought into
proximity with the wireless charging device.
[0120] At least one of the engagement member or the intermediate
surface of the apparatus may be configured to support at least one
connection interface. The at least one connection interface may be
configured to transmit at least data or electricity to the object
to be mounted when the object is engaged with the apparatus.
[0121] At least one of the engagement member or the intermediate
surface may be configured to bias the object to be mounted to a
predefined mounting orientation prior to engagement of the object
with the apparatus.
[0122] At least one of the engagement member or the intermediate
surface may comprise at least one electromagnet.
[0123] The engagement member may comprise a plurality of engagement
members. At least one of the engagement members may be configured
to respond to magnetism, and each engagement member may be
configured to be moved independently along a respective line of
engagement with respect to other engagement members. Each
engagement member may comprise an extension and a face joined to
the extension, and the extension may be configured to define a
position of the engagement member in at least one of the extended
state or the refracted state.
[0124] The extension of each engagement member may define a depth,
and the depth of at least two of the engagement members may be
different.
[0125] The engagement member may comprise a plurality of engagement
member components, and at least one engagement member component may
be configured to respond to magnetism. The plurality of engagement
member components may be configured relative to one another such
that they are in a nested configuration. In the extended state, the
plurality of engagement member components may form a telescoping
engagement member which may extend toward an object to be mounted.
In the retracted state, the plurality of engagement member
components may be substantially flush with the intermediate
surface. Alternatively, in the retracted state, the plurality of
engagement member components may form a telescoping receptacle.
Moreover, in the extended state, the plurality of engagement member
components may be substantially flush with the intermediate
surface.
[0126] In some embodiments, an object interface is also provided,
as mentioned above, that is configured to be attached to an object
(e.g., a device or item that the user wishes to mount) to
facilitate engagement of the object with the mounting apparatus.
The object interface may include one or more magnets that are
configured to attract or be attracted to corresponding magnets of
the mounting apparatus. As such, the object interface may, in some
embodiments, be integral to the device or item to be mounted (e.g.,
such as a component of the device or item itself), be part of a
covering or other attachment or accessory to the device or item, or
otherwise be configured for attachment to the device or item. As
with the mounting apparatus, the object interface may be configured
in numerous ways, from being embodied by a simple plate that is
configured to respond to magnetism to, in some cases, having the
features and functionality of the mounting apparatus. As such, it
is understood that the mounting apparatus is not limited to
embodiments in which the mounting apparatus is attached to the
mounting surface (e.g., wall, dashboard, tabletop, etc.) and is
configured to receive the object (e.g., the device or item or the
object interface), but also includes embodiments in which the
mounting apparatus is attached (or otherwise associated) with the
device or item to be mounted and is configured to engage a
reciprocal structure that is associated with the mounting surface
(e.g., a simple magnetic area on the mounting surface, etc., or an
object interface).
[0127] Accordingly, a system is provided for mounting an object to
a mounting surface. The system comprises a mounting apparatus and
an object interface. The mounting apparatus comprises an
intermediate surface configured to respond to magnetism, the
intermediate surface defining a first plane; and an engagement
member configured to respond to magnetism, the engagement member
defining a second plane and being configured to be movable along a
line of engagement that intersects the first plane. The object
interface is configured to be attached to an object to be mounted
and to the mounting apparatus, and the object interface comprises a
central object surface configured to respond to magnetism and
configured to agree with at least one of the engagement member or
the intermediate surface, the central object surface defining a
third plane. At least one of the engagement member or the
intermediate surface of the mounting apparatus is configured to
move between a respective outer limit position and a respective
base limit position. When the at least one of the engagement member
or the intermediate surface that is movable is in the respective
outer limit position, a distance between the first and second
planes defines an apparatus engagement depth, and the mounting
apparatus is configured to engage the object interface via
respective engagement forces associated with the engagement member
and the intermediate surface such that the overall engagement force
increases by degrees until a total engagement force is produced for
mounting the object to the mounting surface.
[0128] The apparatus may be configured such that a disengaging
force that is less than the total engagement force and that is
applied to a mounted object attached to the object interface is
capable of disengaging the object interface from the mounting
apparatus in stages by successively overcoming the respective
engagement forces associated with the engagement member and the
intermediate surface.
[0129] The central object surface may comprise at least one
electromagnet. Alternatively or additionally, the central object
surface may comprise at least one correlated magnet, and the at
least one correlated magnet comprised by the central object surface
may be programmable.
[0130] The engagement member may comprise at least one correlated
magnet, and the at least one correlated magnet comprised by the
engagement member may be programmable.
[0131] Likewise, the intermediate surface may comprise at least one
correlated magnet, and the at least one correlated magnet comprised
by the intermediate surface may be programmable.
[0132] At least one of the first, second, or third planes may be
defined by a curved surface.
[0133] The mounting apparatus may comprise an apparatus controlling
component configured to apply an apparatus controlling force to at
least one of the engagement member or the intermediate surface to
control at least the movement or functionality of the respective
one of the engagement member or the intermediate surface. The
apparatus controlling force may be configured to bias the
engagement member away from the object interface. Alternatively,
the apparatus controlling force may be configured to bias the
engagement member toward the object interface.
[0134] The object interface may be configured such that an
attraction force produced between the engagement member and the
object interface is greater than the apparatus controlling
force.
[0135] The apparatus controlling component may be configured to
move the engagement member between the outer limit position and the
base limit position.
[0136] The central object surface may be configured to apply a
first interface controlling force to at least the intermediate
surface or the engagement member of the apparatus. The first
interface controlling force may be configured to be adjustable.
Additionally or alternatively, the first interface controlling
force may be capable of being managed remotely.
[0137] At least the engagement member or the intermediate surface
may comprise at least one connection interface. Likewise, the
central object surface may comprise at least one connection
interface.
[0138] The object interface may be configured to structurally
enhance the object when attached to the object.
[0139] The engagement member may comprise a plurality of engagement
members defining a plurality of second planes. Alternatively or
additionally, the engagement member may comprise a plurality of
engagement member components arranged in a nested
configuration.
[0140] The central object surface may be configured to receive at
least a portion of at least one of the engagement member or the
intermediate surface. Likewise, at least one of the engagement
member or the intermediate surface may be configured to receive at
least a portion of the central object surface.
[0141] The object interface may comprise a secondary object surface
spaced from the central object surface, and the secondary object
surface may be configured to respond to magnetism. The secondary
object surface may define a fourth plane. The fourth plane may be
defined by a curved surface.
[0142] The distance between the third plane and the fourth plane
may define an object interface depth, and the apparatus engagement
depth and the object interface depth may be different.
[0143] The mounting apparatus may be configured to engage the
object interface via an engagement force produced between the
engagement member and the central object surface and an engagement
force produced between the intermediate surface and the secondary
object surface, and the overall engagement force may increase by
degrees until a total engagement force is produced for mounting the
object to the mounting surface.
[0144] The object interface depth may be configured such that a
disengaging force that is less than the total engagement force and
that is applied to a mounted object attached to the object
interface is capable of disengaging the object interface from the
mounting apparatus in stages by successively overcoming the
respective engagement forces associated with the engagement member
and the intermediate surface.
[0145] The secondary object surface may comprise a plurality of
secondary object surfaces in a plurality of fourth planes. The
secondary object surface may comprise at least one electromagnet.
Alternatively or additionally, the secondary object surface may
comprise at least one correlated magnet.
[0146] Furthermore, the secondary object surface may be configured
to apply a second interface controlling force to at least the
intermediate surface or the engagement member of the apparatus. The
second interface controlling force may be configured to be
adjustable. Alternatively or additionally, the second interface
controlling force may be capable of being managed remotely.
[0147] Moreover, the second interface controlling force may be
configured to repel the intermediate surface of the apparatus such
that the at least one of the secondary object surfaces associated
with the intermediate surface is separated from the intermediate
surface. The distance between the at least one of the secondary
object surfaces associated with the intermediate surface and the
intermediate surface may define a third depth, and the third depth
may be less than the apparatus engagement depth.
[0148] The mounting apparatus may be configured so that it is
impervious to rust. Likewise, the object interface may be
configured so that it is impervious to rust. For example, magnets
may be sealed or encased in materials that are impervious to water
and water vapor, such as plastics, thermoplastic elastomers,
non-ferrous metals, etc., and other (e.g., non-magnet) components
may be comprised of materials that resist rust or other corrosion.
Configured in this way, embodiments of the mounting apparatus or
system may be used in many environments, including wet
environments.
[0149] The particular configurations that are illustrated and
described below are included for purposes of explanation. In fact,
numerous other configurations are possible based on the teachings
provided in this disclosure, and the embodiments described herein
have been chosen to illustrate one or more inventive concepts.
Therefore, the configurations detailed herein do not provide an
exhaustive list of the possible configurations for providing the
staged engagement, disengagement, and/or other functionality
described below.
[0150] Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.
Some components of the mounting apparatus are not shown in one or
more of the figures for clarity and to facilitate explanation of
the embodiments.
[0151] Referring now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a mounting
apparatus 10 is shown for engaging and attaching to an object. In
the depicted embodiment of FIG. 1, the object is a nominal object
99 that inherently responds to magnetism (e.g., a piece of ferrous
sheet metal being mounted for storage, a picture frame with a
magnetic backing, etc.).
[0152] The mounting apparatus 10 may be configured such that a
first mounting magnet is supported in a first plane P1 and a second
mounting magnet is supported in a second plane P2. Accordingly, an
engagement member 14 and an intermediate surface 12 may each be
configured to respond to magnetism. The second mounting magnet may
comprise a plurality of magnets in some embodiments. Likewise, the
first mounting magnet may comprise a plurality of magnets. In the
depicted embodiment of FIG. 1, the first mounting magnet is
supported in the first plane P1 by the intermediate surface 12, and
the second mounting magnet is supported in the second plane P2 by a
face 88 of the engagement member 14. In this embodiment, the second
mounting magnet is comprised of a single magnet 40, and the first
mounting magnet is comprised of six magnets 30 arranged with
respect to each other and with respect to the second mounting
magnet. The quantity, type, strength, arrangement, spacing, etc. of
the magnets with respect to each other and with respect to other
components of the mounting apparatus may be selected to accommodate
the object to be mounted, the functionality required of the
apparatus, and/or the requirements of the user. In the depicted
embodiment of FIG. 1, the components of the intermediate surface 12
and the engagement member 14 other than magnets 30 and magnet 40
may be comprised of materials that neither influence nor respond to
magnetism. Thus, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the intermediate
surface 12 and the engagement member 14 are each configured to
respond to magnetism via magnets 30 and magnet 40,
respectively.
[0153] Alternatively, in some embodiments, an apparatus may be
configured without the presence of traditional magnets (i.e.,
magnets that, themselves, produce a magnetic field(s), such as
permanent magnets). For instance, the mounting apparatus may be
configured without traditional magnets when the object itself
produces a magnetic field that allows mounting to occur. In such
embodiments, the intermediate surface and the engagement member may
be configured to respond to magnetism by other means, such as by
attaching pieces of ferrous metal in lieu of traditional magnets or
by configuring the intermediate surface or the engagement member
to, in whole or in part, be made of material that responds to
magnetism. Accordingly, in some embodiments, an intermediate
surface or an engagement member may carry out the functions of a
first mounting magnet or a second mounting magnet. Correspondingly
or additionally, a first plane P1 or a second plane P2 may be a
nominal plane that is defined by an intermediate surface or an
engagement member of the mounting apparatus, or a surface of
such.
[0154] In some embodiments, at least one of the mounting magnets
(or groups of mounting magnets, as is the case in the depicted
embodiment) may be configured to move independently of the other
mounting magnet along a line of engagement L.sub.e that intersects
the first and second planes P1 and P2. A schematic representation
illustrating the movement of the planes P1 and P2 and the line of
engagement L.sub.e is shown in FIGS. 2-4.
[0155] In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 1, an engagement member
14 may be configured to be movable with respect to a fixed
intermediate surface 12 and the other components of the apparatus
10. Thus, the second mounting magnet 40 may be able to move
independently of the first mounting magnets 30 along the line of
engagement L.sub.e.
[0156] The movement of the mounting magnet(s) that is moveable
(which, in some embodiments, may be both the first and second
mounting magnets) may be limited, such that each mounting magnet
that is moveable is only able to move between a respective outer
limit position OL and a respective base limit position BL (as shown
in FIG. 5). Accordingly or additionally, at least one of the
engagement member 14 or the intermediate surface 12 may be
configured to be moved between an extended state and a retracted
state. In the retracted state, the at least one of the engagement
member or the intermediate surface that is moveable may be biased
away from the object to be mounted (e.g., may be biased toward the
base limit position BL). In the extended state, the at least one of
the engagement member or the intermediate surface that is movable
may be biased toward the object to be mounted (e.g., may be biased
toward the outer limit position OL). In the embodiment of FIG. 1,
the extended state and the retracted state reference the relative
positions of the engagement member 14 when its associated mounting
magnet (the second mounting magnet 40) is in its outer limit
position OL and in its base limit position BL, respectively,
because the second mounting magnet 40 is the mounting magnet that
is moveable in this embodiment, and the first mounting magnet 30,
of the intermediate surface 12, has a fixed position. The apparatus
is shown in the extended state in FIG. 5.
[0157] The outer limit position OL and the base limit position BL
may be defined in various ways. For example, stop features may be
provided via one or more components of the mounting apparatus and
may be positioned relative to the movable mounting magnet(s) to
limit the movement of the mounting magnet(s). Alternatively or
additionally, the engagement member may comprise an extension and a
face joined to the extension, and the extension may be configured
to define a position of the engagement member in at least one of
the extended state or the retracted state. In the depicted
embodiment of FIG. 1, a stop feature 50 is provided via an outward
protrusion of an extension 98 joined to a face 88 of the engagement
member 14, the extension 98 configured to define a depth of the
engagement member 14. The stop feature 50 may be configured to
contact an inner surface 86 of the intermediate surface 12 to stop
movement of the engagement member 14 in a direction toward the
object 99 (e.g., toward the extended state). Additionally, a base
surface 80 is configured such that an interior surface 84 of the
base surface 80 stops movement of the engagement member 14 in a
direction away from the object 99 (e.g., toward the retracted
state). Thus, the base surface 80 is configured to serve as a stop
feature in this embodiment. Correspondingly, the positions of the
stop feature 50 and the base surface 80 relative to the depth of
the engagement member 14 as defined by the extension 98 may serve
to define the outer limit position OL and the base limit position
BL of the second mounting magnet 40. Specifically, the outer limit
position OL of the second mounting magnet 40 may be defined by the
placement of the stop feature 50 on the extension 98 relative to
the depth of the extension 98, and the base limit position BL of
the second mounting magnet 40 may be defined by the position of the
base surface 80 relative to the depth of the engagement member 14
and to the position of the intermediate surface 12. Thus, the
extension 98 may be configured to define the position of the
engagement member 14 in the extended state.
[0158] Furthermore, while the outer limit position OL and base
limit position BL may be defined by the relative positions of and
features of the components of the mounting apparatus in a
predefined configuration, the outer limit position OL and base
limit position of the at least one of the mounting magnets that is
movable may be dynamically redefined by adjusting components of the
mounting apparatus, as described in more detail below.
[0159] Embodiments of the present invention may be configured such
that a portion of the intermediate surface may define an opening
configured to slideably receive at least a first portion of the
engagement member. Receiving the at least a portion of the
engagement member may substantially align the line of engagement
along a central axis of the engagement member as the engagement
member is moved between the extended and retracted states. In the
embodiment of FIG. 1, a portion of the intermediate surface 12 may
define an opening 94 that may be configured to slideably receive at
least a first portion of the engagement member 14 (which, in this
case, may be the extension 98) via a guide surface 96. As such, the
movement of the second mounting magnet 40 and (correspondingly) the
engagement member 14 may be guided via the intermediate surface 12
such that the line of engagement L.sub.e may be substantially
aligned along a central axis X of the engagement member 14 as the
engagement member 14 is moved between the extended and retracted
states. Furthermore, the depth of the extension 98 may ensure that
the engagement member 14 remains in contact with the guide surface
96 when the engagement member 14 is in the retracted position
(e.g., in contact with the base surface 80, as described above).
Therefore, the extension 98 may also serve to define the position
of the engagement member 14 in the retracted state.
[0160] The respective limit positions (OL and BL) of the movable
magnet(s) may be configured such that the first and second mounting
magnet(s) (the second mounting magnet 40 in the embodiment of FIG.
1) are movable to a position in which the first and second planes
substantially coincide. Accordingly, the second mounting magnet may
be configured such that the base limit position of the second
mounting magnet substantially coincides with the first plane.
Referring again to FIG. 1, a housing 82 may connect the base
surface 80 and the intermediate surface 12 and may enclose the
apparatus 10 (a portion of a sidewall of the housing 82 has been
removed in FIG. 1 for purpose of explanation). The depth of the
engagement member 14 may be configured relative to the depth of the
guide surface 96 and the length of the housing 82 such that the
engagement member 14, which may be slideably received by the
intermediate surface 12 (as described above), and, correspondingly,
the second mounting magnet 40 may be movable to a position in which
the second plane P2 and the first plane P1 substantially coincide.
In the embodiment of FIG. 1, this position (P1=P2) is also the base
limit position BL of the second mounting magnet 40 and the
retracted state of the engagement member 14, such that the front
surface of the mounting apparatus 10 is substantially flush when
the engagement member is in the retracted state. In other
embodiments, however, as will be described below, the stop features
50, base limit position BL, outer limit position OL, and extended
state and retracted state may be defined by other components of the
mounting apparatus 10 and/or other structures of those
components.
[0161] The mounting magnets 30, 40 may be configured to cooperate
to engage the object to be mounted (e.g., the object 99 in FIG. 1)
such that a total engagement force is produced between the mounting
magnets and the object that serves to hold the object to the
mounting apparatus, as described in greater detail below.
Accordingly, the respective outer limit position of the mounting
magnets that are moveable (e.g., the second mounting magnet 40 in
the depicted embodiment of FIG. 1) may be configured such that a
disengaging force that is less than the total engagement force and
that is applied to a mounted object may overcome the total
engagement force in stages by successively overcoming the
respective engagement forces associated with the first and second
mounting magnets to disengage the object.
[0162] The relative positions and relative movement of the
engagement member 14 and the intermediate surface 12, as described
above, may also facilitate mounting of the object to the mounting
apparatus. Proximity of the object (e.g., the object 99 in FIG. 1)
to the engagement member may produce an attraction force between
the object and the engagement member that causes engagement of the
object with the engagement member. Likewise, proximity of the
object to the intermediate surface may produce an attraction force
between the object and the intermediate surface that causes
engagement of the object with the intermediate surface, such that
the mounting apparatus may be configured to engage the object to be
mounted in stages via the respective engagement forces.
[0163] The succession and number of the stages of engagement (e.g.,
mounting) or disengagement (e.g., dismounting) may be configured as
desired (per the application, the object, the requirements of the
user, etc.) by the relative arrangement of the components of the
apparatus, the inclusion of a component(s) that produces a magnetic
field, the strength(s) of the magnetic field(s), and other factors,
as will be described in more detail below.
[0164] Additionally, at least the first mounting magnet or the
second mounting magnet may be positioned relative to a target
mounting area such that proximity of an object to be mounted to the
target mounting area produces at least one attraction force with
respect to at least one of the first or second mounting magnets.
The mounting magnet(s) that is movable may be configured to move
toward the object to be mounted as a result of the attraction
force(s). Thus, the attraction force(s) may draw the movable
mounting magnet(s) toward the respective outer limit position(s) to
define a range for a first engagement position (e.g., establish
range in which a first stage of engagement may take place).
Furthermore, the apparatus may be configured such that engagement
between the object and the mounting magnet within the range for the
first engagement position results in a second attraction force that
draws the object and the unengaged mounting magnet together for
engagement such that a total engagement force is produced for
mounting the object to the apparatus. The mounting magnet(s) may be
positioned in this way to facilitate engagement of the object
and/or to produce an automatic succession of stages of engagement
to produce the total engagement force (e.g., the first stage of
engagement results in an attraction force that produces the second
stage of engagement, and so on, so that the application force
required from the user for mounting the object after the first
stage of engagement begins may be substantially null). Furthermore,
the mounting magnet(s) may be positioned as described above to
produce a desired engagement order, produce a desired result prior
to engagement (such as extension of the engagement member, for
example), or for other reasons described below.
[0165] In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 1, for example, a nominal
object 99 is provided that occupies substantially one plane (P3)
and is inherently configured to respond to magnetism (e.g., the
object has not been altered to accommodate the mounting apparatus
10) such that any portion of the object 99 may interact with the
first or second mounting magnets 30, 40. In this embodiment, the
first mounting magnet 30 and the second mounting magnet 40 may be
positioned relative to a facade 85 of the intermediate surface that
may be a desirable target mounting area for the object 99. As
described above, in this embodiment, the front surface of the
mounting apparatus 10 may be substantially flush when the
engagement member 14 is in the retracted position. Also, as
previously described, the engagement member 14 may extend beyond
the intermediate surface 12. Thus, in the depicted embodiment of
FIG. 1, due to the configuration of the mounting apparatus 10 and
the configuration of the object 99 (e.g., substantially planar),
the second mounting magnet 40 may always be in a position at least
as close to the object to be mounted (e.g., object 99) as the
position of the first mounting magnet 30, so a staged engagement
for the object 99 (P3) may be predetermined to be P2, then P1
because P2 may be the movable plane (e.g., engagement may occur
between the object 99 and the second mounting magnet 40 followed by
engagement between the object 99 and the first mounting magnet 30).
Likewise, a staged disengagement may be predetermined to be P1,
then P2 in the embodiment of FIG. 1. It should be noted that these
outcomes are specific to the embodiment of FIG. 1 and with respect
to the object 99, as these predefined outcomes may not apply to
irregularly shaped objects or objects with multiple surfaces or
planes, as will be discussed in additional embodiments below.
Correspondingly and additionally, when the object 99 is brought
into proximity of the facade 85 of the intermediate surface 12
(e.g., the target mounting area), at least one attraction force may
be produced between the object 99 and at least one of the first or
second mounting magnets 30, 40 as a result of proximity of the
object 99, and the second mounting magnet 40 (e.g., the mounting
magnet that is movable) may move toward the object to be mounted
(object 99) as a result of the at least one attraction force (e.g.,
the second mounting magnet 40 may be drawn toward its outer limit
position OL). Thus, automatic extension of the engagement member 14
may occur, and, thus, the first engagement position may be defined
in one of two ways. The second mounting magnet 40 may engage the
object 99 to produce a first engagement, if the object 99 is in
closer proximity to the intermediate surface 12 than the outer
limit position OL of the second mounting magnet 40. Alternatively,
the second mounting magnet 40 may reach its outer limit position OL
and remain there, with the engagement member 14 held in the
extended state by the attraction force between the object 99 and
the second mounting magnet 40, until the first engagement occurs
(e.g., via movement of the object 99 toward the apparatus 10).
Therefore, the range for the first engagement position (e.g., first
stage of engagement) may be defined by the range between the outer
limit position OL and the base limit position BL of the second
mounting magnet 40. In either case, a first engagement position may
be established (e.g., a first stage of engagement). As previously
described, the object 99, in the first engagement position, may be
in a position that results in a second attraction force that may
draw the object 99 and the unengaged mounting magnet (in this case,
the first mounting magnet 30) together so that the resulting
engagement (e.g., a second stage of engagement) may produce a total
engagement force for mounting the object 99 to the mounting
apparatus 10. Thus, the first and second mounting magnets 30, 40 in
FIG. 1 may be positioned relative to one another such that a first
stage of engagement may produce an automatic succession of stages
of engagement to produce the total engagement force (in the case of
the depicted embodiment of FIG. 1, one successive stage of
engagement).
[0166] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the described embodiment
depicted in FIG. 1 in which the second mounting magnet 40 is
movable and the first mounting magnet 30 has a fixed position. The
second plane P2 (represented by a line in the figure), defined by
the second mounting magnet 40 supported in the engagement member
14, may be movable between its base limit position BL and its outer
limit position OL along the line of engagement L.sub.e. As the
object (e.g., the object 99 of FIG. 1, which in the depicted
embodiment defines a third plane P3) is positioned in proximity to
the mounting apparatus and an attraction force is created between
the second mounting magnet 40 of the engagement member 14 and the
object 99, the engagement member 14, in this example, may be drawn
toward the object 99 in the direction A, as shown in FIG. 2, so
that the second mounting magnet 40 and, correspondingly, plane P2
may move until the object is engaged or until the second mounting
magnet 40 reaches the outer limit position OL and can move no
further in the direction A. FIG. 3 schematically shows the first
stage of engagement between the object 99 and the second mounting
magnet 40 of engagement member 14, represented by coinciding planes
P2 and P3. In this illustration (FIG. 2), the first stage of
engagement is shown at the outer limit position OL of the second
mounting magnet, but the first stage of engagement may occur at any
point along the line of engagement L.sub.e between the outer limit
position OL and the base limit position BL in this example. After
the first stage of engagement (P2, P3), the engagement member and
the object interface 12 may be moved in the direction B. This
movement in the direction B may be due to a second magnetic
attraction that exists between the object 99 and the first mounting
magnet 30. Alternatively or additionally, movement in the direction
B may occur as a result of application of, or continued application
of, a force applied to the object by a user in the direction B.
FIG. 4 shows the result of the second magnetic attraction, wherein
the first plane P1, the second plane P2, and the third plane P3 may
substantially coincide and may be disposed in proximity to the base
limit position BL. At this point, a total engagement force may
exist between the mounting apparatus and the object as a result of
the combined engagement forces between the first mounting magnet 30
and the object 99 and the second mounting magnet 40 and the object
99, and this total engagement force may serve to secure the object
to the mounting apparatus in the engaged and mounted
configuration.
[0167] The opposite process may be implicated when the object is
removed from the mounting apparatus in some embodiments. Referring
again to the embodiment of FIG. 1 as represented by FIGS. 2-4, a
user applying a disengaging force to the object may initially
overcome one of the engagement forces (e.g., the force between the
object 99 and the first mounting magnet 30 of the first plane P1),
and continued application of the disengaging force may thus move
the second mounting magnet 40 of the engagement member 14 (and the
second plane P2 via movement of the engagement member 14) and the
object 99 (and the third plane P3) in the direction A from the
position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 3. Further
application of a disengaging force may overcome the engagement
force between the object 99 and the second mounting magnet 40 of
the second plane P2 to fully disengage the object 99 (FIG. 2).
[0168] It is noted that, although in the embodiment depicted in
FIGS. 1-5 the engagement member 14 is movable with respect to a
fixed intermediate surface 12, in other embodiments the
intermediate surface may be movable with respect to a fixed
engagement member, or both the intermediate surface and the
engagement member may be movable with respect to each other. Thus,
in some embodiments, engagement of the object with the intermediate
surface may occur first and may cause the object to be in proximity
to the engagement member, which may result in an attraction force
between the object and the engagement member. Regardless of the
order of engagement, the respective engagement forces associated
with the engagement member and the intermediate surface may thus
cooperate to engage the object and produce a total engagement force
between the mounting apparatus and the object. Furthermore, a
disengaging force that is applied to the object may successively
overcome the respective engagement forces associated with the
intermediate surface and the engagement member to disengage the
object, and the disengaging force may be less than the total
engagement force, as noted above.
[0169] The mounting apparatus may further include a controlling
force that may be applied to the at least one of the mounting
magnets that is moveable to control at least the movement or the
functionality of the at least one of the mounting magnets that is
moveable. For example, with reference to FIG. 1, the mounting
apparatus 10 may further comprise a controlling component 60
configured to apply the controlling force. The controlling
component 60 may comprise a magnet, such as a material configured
to respond to magnetism or a component capable of producing a
magnetic field (e.g., a permanent magnet, electromagnet,
programmable magnet, etc.). In other embodiments, the controlling
component may comprise a plurality of controlling components
configured to apply a plurality of controlling forces, and each
respective controlling force may be configured to control a
corresponding mounting magnet. In yet other embodiments, the
controlling component may be a spring or another component or
combination of components that is configured to apply the
controlling force to the respective one of the engagement member or
the intermediate surface that is moveable.
[0170] The controlling component may be configured to bias the at
least one of the mounting magnets that is moveable away from the
object to be mounted. For example, the controlling component 60 may
be configured to bias the second mounting magnet 40 away from the
object 99 so that the engagement member 14 may be biased toward the
retracted state. In such a case, the controlling component may be
construed to be a retaining force, serving to retain the engagement
member 14 so that the second mounting magnet 40 is substantially in
the base limit position BL. Thus, in FIG. 1, the engagement member
14, when in the retracted state, may be substantially flush with
the intermediate surface 12, as described above and the benefits of
which are described in greater detail below (and also illustrated
by other embodiments of the present invention, below).
[0171] Alternatively or additionally, the controlling component may
be configured to bias the at least one of the mounting magnets that
is moveable toward the object to be mounted. Thus, in FIG. 1, the
controlling component 60 may be configured to bias the mounting
magnet 40 toward the object 99, so that the engagement member 14 is
correspondingly biased toward the extended state, also as
illustrated and described in greater detail with respect to other
embodiments of the present invention, below.
[0172] Furthermore, the controlling component may be configured
such that the controlling force is adjustable. In some embodiments,
the controlling force may be physically adjustable, such that the
controlling component (e.g., magnet, spring, etc.) is configured to
be moved toward or away from the at least one of the mounting
magnets that is movable. This may be accomplished via, e.g., a
lever, crank, etc. within the mounting apparatus that has an
extending portion that may be available to the user, for example,
along one side of the outer perimeter of the apparatus.
Alternatively, the controlling component may be configured to be
movable within the apparatus relative to the line of engagement
(e.g., supported by a movable member that may, for example, be
similar to the engagement member). Moving the controlling component
may adjust the controlling force applied to the mounting magnet(s)
(e.g., make the controlling force stronger or weaker depending upon
the direction of movement) as the controlling component moves
nearer or further away from the mounting magnet(s) that is movable
and may cause the movable magnet(s) to move as a result.
Furthermore, the controlling component may also be configured to be
physically adjustable by, for example, being supported on a
structure within the apparatus that may rotate or swivel such that
the controlling component may have a different orientation with
respect to the mounting magnet(s) (depending upon how the
controlling component is adjusted).
[0173] Thus, in some embodiments, for example, the controlling
component may be a magnet that produces a magnetic field (e.g., has
a north pole and a south pole) that may have an orientation
relative to the mounting magnet(s) such that the mounting magnet(s)
are biased toward the controlling component. In such an embodiment,
the controlling component may be, for example, supported on a
swiveling structure within the apparatus that may be manipulated to
swivel the controlling component 180 degrees so that the
controlling component's orientation, relative to the mounting
magnet(s), may be effectively reversed, thereby causing the
controlling force to also be effectively reversed and causing the
mounting magnet(s) to be biased away from the controlling
component.
[0174] For example, referring again to FIG. 1, the base surface 80
may be configured to rotate (e.g., swivel) and may, therefore,
comprise an extension that is made accessible to a user beyond the
housing 82 of the mounting apparatus 10 by a hole in the housing 82
so that the extension may be accessible to a user for adjustment of
the base surface 80 and, in turn, the controlling component 60. The
controlling component 60 may be a rare earth magnet, and the base
surface 80 may be rotated by 180 degrees by the user to produce a
substantially opposite magnetic controlling force that may act on
the second mounting magnet 40 in a substantially opposite manner
relative to the magnetic controlling force that may have acted on
the second mounting magnet 40 prior to the rotation of the base
surface 80. Thus, the engagement member 14, as a result of the
input by the user, may be made to partially or fully extend from
the mounting apparatus 10 or may be made to partially or fully
retract depending upon the strength of the controlling force.
[0175] Alternatively, the controlling component may be adjustable
by other means. In some embodiments, the controlling component may
be an electromagnet such that the controlling force may be
adjustable via manipulation of the flow of an electric current.
Therefore, the controlling force may be strengthened by degrees,
weakened by degrees, removed entirely (e.g., by stopping the flow
of the electric current to the electromagnet), or reversed (e.g.,
by reversing the poles/polarity of the electromagnet) via
manipulation of the electric current associated with the
electromagnet. In other embodiments, the controlling component may
be a programmable magnet and the corresponding first or second
mounting magnet may be suitably configured to cooperate with the
programmable magnet. Therefore, in either case, the controlling
component may be configured to move the engagement member (and/or
the intermediate surface in some embodiments) between a retracted
position and an extended position (e.g., may be configured to move
the at least one of the mounting magnets that is moveable between
its respective outer limit position and its respective base limit
position), and/or the controlling component may be configured to
maintain the engagement member in an extended position (one
possible extended position is shown in FIG. 5; e.g., the extended
state). Accordingly, the controlling component may be configured to
dictate a specific position of at least one of the first or second
mounting magnets (and, correspondingly, at least one of the
intermediate surface or the engagement member), between the outer
limit position OL and the base limit position BL prior to
engagement of the object, and/or the controlling component may be
configured to alter (e.g., customize) the target mounting area of
the apparatus. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the
controlling component 60 may be configured to apply a controlling
force to the second mounting magnet 40 (e.g., a repelling force)
such that the engagement member 14 may be held in an extended
position in the extended state (e.g., the second mounting magnet 40
held in the outer limit position OL), and this may effectively
define the first engagement position (as described above) of the
first stage of engagement that would occur when the object 99 is
mounted. In the same way, the engagement member 14 (supporting the
second mounting magnet 40 in the second plane P2) may be held in an
extended position, for example, midway between the extended state
and the retracted state (as depicted in FIG. 2 by the second plane
P2), thus altering the appearance and/or shape of the target
mounting area. Altering the appearance and/or shape of a target
mounting area on a mounting apparatus may provide an aesthetic
benefit, may make the target mounting area more obvious to the user
(making the mounting apparatus more intuitive to use), or may
substantially adapt the target mounting area to an object to be
mounted (e.g., matching the shape of the object to be mounted or
making the target mounting area more agreeable with respect to the
shape of an object to be mounted). Thus, as described above, the
controlling component, or the plurality of controlling components,
may be configured to be dynamically adjusted so as to define a
respective holding position of the at least one of the mounting
magnets that is movable between the respective outer limit position
and the respective base limit position of the at least one of the
mounting magnets that is movable. In some embodiments, such as
those described below, defining the holding position(s) of the
mounting magnet(s) may dictate a prescribed order of the stages of
engagement and/or disengagement of the object. Correspondingly, an
object may achieve a total engagement force with the mounting
apparatus via different means (e.g., engaging P1, then engaging P2
vs. engaging P2, then engaging P1) or may engage the mounting
apparatus differently (e.g., engaging more or fewer planes) as a
result of, and depending upon, the adjustment(s) made to the
controlling force(s) via the controlling component(s).
Additionally, the holding position(s) of the mounting magnets may
be dynamically arranged by the controlling force(s) relative to one
another so that the second attraction force (which may be produced
as a result of the first stage of engagement in the first
engagement position, as described above) is produced or is not
produced as prescribed (e.g., the unengaged mounting magnet is, or
is not, within the required proximity of the object upon the
happening of the first stage of engagement in the first engagement
position for the second attraction force to be produced). Thus, the
relative positions of the mounting magnets (and, correspondingly,
the relative positions of the engagement member and/or intermediate
surface that is movable) as determined by the adjustment(s) of the
controlling force(s) may produce or preclude the automatic
succession of stages of engagement that produces the total
engagement force. If the automatic succession of stages of
engagement is precluded, the total engagement force between the
object and the mounting apparatus may still be produced by the
continued application of an engaging force to the object (e.g.,
continued movement of the object toward the mounting apparatus by,
for example, the user) to mount the object. Also, it is important
to note that the adjustment(s) to the controlling force(s) may be
made when the mounting apparatus is disengaged with the object
(e.g., idle) or when the mounting apparatus is engaged with the
object.
[0176] When an object is engaged (e.g., mounted) with the mounting
apparatus, the controlling force may be dynamically adjusted to
enhance the functionality of the mounting apparatus, to move the
object, and/or to interact with the object or a component or device
associated with the object. For example, in FIG. 1, when the object
99 is mounted to the mounting apparatus 10 such that a total
engagement force is produced between the object 99 and the mounting
apparatus, the controlling component 60 may be adjusted so that the
controlling force (in this example, an attraction force) between
the second mounting magnet 40 and the controlling component 60 may
be strengthened. Strengthening of the controlling force may cause
the engagement force between the second mounting magnet 40 and the
object 99 to be strengthened such that the total engagement force
between the object 99 and the mounting apparatus 10 is
strengthened. Strengthening of the total engagement force may cause
the object 99 to be more securely engaged with the mounting
apparatus 10 (e.g., the object 99 is less likely to be
unintentionally disengaged) and may cause the object 99 to be more
stable against unintended impacts (e.g., swipes, bumps, etc.) that
may otherwise affect or reposition the object 99 on the mounting
apparatus 10. Furthermore, the controlling force may be
strengthened to a degree such that the total engagement force is
too great for a user to overcome (using ordinary and reasonable
force) to disengage the object 99. Thus, the object 99 may
effectively be "locked" to the mounting apparatus until the
controlling force is further adjusted (e.g., weakened) to allow for
disengagement of the object 99 from the mounting apparatus 10 by
the user.
[0177] Additionally, referring again to FIG. 1, the engagement
force between the first mounting magnet 30 and the object 99, when
the object 99 is mounted to the mounting apparatus 10, may be
significantly stronger than the engagement force between the second
mounting magnet 40 and the object 99 such that the first stage of
disengagement (e.g., disengagement of the first mounting magnet 30
and the object 99, in FIG. 1) requires a significantly stronger
disengaging force applied by the user than does the second stage of
disengagement (e.g., disengagement of the second mounting magnet 40
and the object 99). In this case, to make disengagement of the
object 99 easier for the user, the controlling force (applied by
the controlling component 60) may be adjusted so that it biases the
second mounting magnet 40 toward the outer limit position OL (e.g.,
a repelling force) and may be of sufficient strength to move the
engagement member 14 and the object 99 beyond the first plane P1
(and, correspondingly, the intermediate surface 12) such that the
first stage of disengagement may be accomplished by the controlling
force (e.g., partial disengagement) rather than by the user. The
user may then disengage the object 99 by overcoming a lesser total
engagement force, such as the engagement force between the second
mounting magnet 40 and the object 99 (e.g., the second stage of
disengagement) to disengage the object 99 from the mounting
apparatus 10. Furthermore, the controlling force may be configured
to be managed remotely. Remote management of the controlling force
may be accomplished, for example, in one of the following ways: by
configuring the apparatus to receive a wireless signal, radio
frequency, etc. transmitted by an external device to a receiving
device which is configured to adjust the controlling component; via
a physical interface on the device configured to adjust the
controlling force (e.g., a button, touch interface, crank, lever,
etc.) that is built into an exposed surface of the mounting
apparatus or extending from the mounting apparatus and that may be
manipulated by a user to produce a desired effect; or via a wired
connection to the apparatus configured to connect the controlling
component with a management interface (e.g., a wall switch, volume
knob, etc.) so that the strength of the controlling component may
be managed by degrees and/or may be turned on/off. Therefore, if
the engagement force between the second mounting magnet 40 (in the
embodiment of FIG. 1) is not sufficient for supporting the weight
of the object 99 on its own (such that the user must grasp the
object 99 during the second stage of disengagement in order to
prevent the object from an unintentional fall from the engagement
member 14), the object may be grasped by the user prior to the
first stage of disengagement (e.g., when the object 99 is fully
engaged with the mounting apparatus 10), and the adjustment of the
controlling force may be effected remotely such that the object 99
is ejected beyond the more difficult stage of disengagement by the
engagement member 14 while the user grasps the object 99 so that
the object 99 is supported and so that the user may disengage the
object 99 from the mounting apparatus 10. However, in some cases,
it may be desirable for the object to automatically disengage
(e.g., fall from) the mounting apparatus when the controlling force
is used to eject the object from the engagement member or the
intermediate surface (e.g. such as during the manufacturing of
parts). Therefore, some embodiments may be configured to
intentionally produce this result.
[0178] The ejection process described above may also be effected to
allow for manipulation of an object engaged with the mounting
apparatus. Referring again to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the second
mounting magnet 40 may be configured to bear the weight of the
object 99 such that the object 99 may be ejected from the
intermediate surface 12 (as described above) so that the object 99
may be repositioned (e.g., rotated to achieve a desired
orientation, spun, slid, etc. in this embodiment). After
repositioning, the controlling force may be further adjusted so
that the engagement member 14 retracts and the object 99 is again
fully engaged with the mounting apparatus via the total engagement
force. In other embodiments, repositioning the object may involve
tilting or otherwise adjusting the pitch, yaw, and roll of the
object, among other means, in which case the one of the engagement
member or intermediate surface that is movable may remain extended
until the adjusted or adjustable position is no longer desired.
[0179] Adjustment of the controlling force via the controlling
component may also be used to redefine the base limit position BL
of the at least one of the first or second mounting magnets that is
moveable (and, correspondingly, the retracted state of the at least
one of the engagement member or the intermediate surface that is
movable) by effectively serving as a stop feature of the apparatus.
Additionally, in some embodiments, the controlling component of the
apparatus may be configured to serve as a stop feature without
adjustment. Referring again to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the
controlling component 60 may be configured to bias the second
mounting magnet 40 toward the outer limit position OL via the
controlling force (for example, a repelling force that interacts
with the mounting magnet 40), and the controlling component 60 may
be adjusted so that the controlling force is strengthened. The
first mounting magnet 30 may apply an attraction force to the
object 99 that is stronger than the bias of the controlling force
at the outer limit position OL of the second mounting magnet 40.
Thus, when the object 99 is engaged with the engagement member 14
(which may be in an extended position--e.g., the extended state, as
shown in FIG. 5--prior to engagement due to the bias of the
controlling force on the second mounting magnet 40), the attraction
of the object 99 to the first mounting magnet 30 may move the
object 99 and the second mounting magnet 40 toward the controlling
component 60 until a position may be reached such that the
attraction force between the first mounting magnet 30 and the
object 99 is substantially equivalent to the repelling force
between the controlling component 60 and the second mounting magnet
40, thus limiting movement of the second mounting magnet 40 along
the line of engagement L.sub.e and effectively redefining the base
limit position BL of the second mounting magnet 40 and,
correspondingly, limiting the total engagement force (e.g.,
relative to the total engagement force inherent to the
configuration of the mounting apparatus 10 prior to the adjustment
of the controlling force) between the object 99 and the mounting
apparatus 10.
[0180] In addition to the functions that may be served by the
controlling component(s) of the invention as described above, in
some embodiments similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1, additional
controlling components 60 (Group 1) may be supported by the inner
perimeter of the extension 98 of the engagement member 14 that may
be configured to cooperate with the first mounting magnet 30 of the
intermediate surface 12 (or may be configured to cooperate with
additional controlling components 60 (Group 2) supported by the
guide surface 96 of the intermediate surface 12) such that a
friction force between the engagement member 14 and the guide
surface 96 of the intermediate surface 12 may be limited (e.g.,
reduced) or eliminated as the engagement member 14 moves between
the retracted state and the extended state. The cooperation
referenced above may result by means of Group 1 and the mounting
magnet 30 (or Group 1 and Group 2) being configured to have
substantially opposite magnetic forces that repel one another and
effectively serve to create a repelling force between the extension
98 of the engagement member 14 and the guide surface 96 of the
intermediate member 12.
[0181] Furthermore, the controlling component may be configured
such that the controlling force is removable. Removing the
controlling force may involve adjustment of the controlling force,
such that the strength of the controlling force is decreased until
the controlling force is removed altogether. In other embodiments,
the controlling force may be removed by physically removing,
re-positioning, or blocking the controlling component. This may be
accomplished by use of a movable rod, strip, plate, etc. on which
the controlling component is attached and that may be inserted into
and removed from the apparatus, or a similar result may be
accomplished by making the apparatus accessible to a blocking
component (e.g., a magnetic shielding component) that may be
inserted to block or otherwise hinder the controlling force.
[0182] Additionally, the controlling component may be configured
such that the engagement member automatically retracts after the
object is disengaged from the apparatus. Referring again to FIG. 1,
the controlling component 60 may be configured to bias the
engagement member 14 toward the retracted state by applying a
controlling force (e.g., an attraction force) to the second
mounting magnet 40. The controlling force may be of sufficient
strength to bias the second mounting magnet 40 toward the base
limit position BL when the second mounting magnet 40 is in the
outer limit position OL (e.g., when the engagement member 14 is in
the extended state). Thus, the mounting apparatus 10 may have a
disengaged (e.g., idle) configuration when no object is engaged
with the mounting apparatus 10 wherein the engagement member 14 may
be in the retracted state (and the second mounting magnet 40 may be
in the base limit position BL). Therefore, the engagement member 14
may be automatically retracted by the controlling force applied by
the controlling component 60 when the object 99 is disengaged from
the mounting apparatus 10 as the mounting apparatus 10 returns to
the disengaged (e.g., idle) configuration.
[0183] In still other embodiments, additional components or devices
may be provided (e.g., used in conjunction with, attached to, or
integrated with the mounting apparatus) to enhance a user's
experience with the object to be mounted. For example, in some
embodiments, at least one short-range wireless data transfer device
may be positioned in proximity to a target mounting area (e.g., the
vicinity of the mounting surface in which the object is to be
mounted) and may be supported by the intermediate surface or the
engagement member. The at least one short-range wireless data
transfer device may be capable of wirelessly communicating with an
electronic device that is brought into proximity with the
short-range wireless data transfer device, and it may be capable of
wirelessly communicating with the electronic device when the object
is fully engaged with the apparatus and may be incapable of
wirelessly communicating with the electronic device when the object
is partially disengaged or fully disengaged from the apparatus. For
example, with reference to the embodiment of FIG. 1 which may
comprise a short-range wireless transfer device (not shown) mounted
to the inner surface 86 of the intermediate surface 12 and wherein
the object 99 may comprise an attached mobile phone (not shown),
the mobile phone may be capable of communicating with the
short-range wireless data transfer device of the mounting apparatus
10 when the object 99 is fully engaged with the apparatus 10.
Therefore, the controlling force produced by the controlling
component 60 may be adjusted to eject the object 99 and the mobile
phone beyond the intermediate surface 12 to a distance from the
short-range wireless data transfer device so that communication
between the mobile phone and the short-range wireless data transfer
device may be stopped. The controlling force may further be
adjusted so that the engagement member 14 is retracted so that the
object 99 is again fully engaged with the mounting apparatus 10
such that the mobile phone is once again capable of communicating
with the short-range wireless data transfer device supported by the
inner surface 86 of the intermediate surface 12.
[0184] Additionally, some embodiments may comprise at least one
wireless charging device supported by the intermediate surface or
the engagement member. The at least one wireless charging device
may be supported by the intermediate surface and may be capable of
wirelessly charging an electronic device that may be brought into
proximity with the wireless charging device. In this regard, the
receiving component (e.g., a receiving device configured to receive
the wireless charging device signal) may be any component of the
object (e.g., integral to or otherwise attached to the object) that
is configured to be charged and/or recharged (such as a
rechargeable power cell or battery) for serving as a power source
to the object. The charging range may be a range of distances
within which the wireless charging device may (e.g., remotely)
charge the receiving component. Referring again to the embodiment
depicted in FIG. 1 which may comprise a wireless charging device
(not shown) supported by the inner surface 86 of the intermediate
surface 12 and wherein the object 99 may comprise an attached
mobile phone (not shown), engaging the object 99 with the mounting
apparatus 10 may result in the mobile phone being wirelessly
charged by the wireless charging device that is supported by the
intermediate surface 12.
[0185] In still other embodiments, at least one connection
interface may be supported in at least one of the first or second
planes (e.g., the planes P1, P2 shown in FIG. 1). The connection
interface may be any interface between the object and some other
component or device (which may, in some cases, be a like or similar
embodiment of the mounting apparatus) that allows a connection to
be made. For example, the connection interface may, in some cases,
be an electrical connector that is configured to connect the object
or a component thereof to a source of electricity (such as a source
of electricity in the mounting surface).
[0186] Various embodiments may be configured such that at least one
of the mounting magnets may receive a portion of the object to be
mounted. Receiving a portion of the object to be mounted may
comprise structurally supporting the object, limiting movement of
the object to a single direction along a single axis relative to
the mounting apparatus, and/or at least partially supporting a
weight of the object. In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 1, the
object 99 may define a third plane P3, and the third plane P3 may
be a nominal plane such that the object 99 may be defined by a
curved surface and, correspondingly, a depth d.sub.o. Alternatively
or additionally, the object 99 may define the depth d.sub.o by
having multiple engageable surfaces (e.g., surfaces that respond to
magnetism and may be engaged by the mounting apparatus) that may be
spaced apart, and the engageable surfaces may be joined by an
extension so that the object 99 is similar to the object 99a
depicted in FIG. 5. The depth d.sub.o may be less than the depth
d.sub.a, defined by the distance between the first plane P1 and the
second plane P2 when each of the respective mounting magnets is in
its respective outer limit position OL (shown in FIG. 5).
Therefore, the engagement member 14 of the mounting apparatus 10 in
FIG. 1 may be configured to receive the object 99a (also a nominal
object that inherently responds to magnetism, in this example) via
engagement of the object extension 76 (by way of the object surface
opening 78 of the object 99a) with at least a portion of the
extension 98 of the engagement member 14. The extension 98 may be
configured to bear at least a portion of the weight of the object
99a, and engagement of the object 99a with the portion of the
extension 98 may limit movement of the object 99a to a direction
along a single axis relative to the mounting apparatus 10, which
may make the object 99a more stable and/or secure than a
substantially flat object 99 mounted to the mounting apparatus 10
in a similar manner. Therefore, the first mounting magnet 30 and
second mounting magnet 40 and, correspondingly, the total
engagement force may each be of a strength that is less than the
strength of the mounting magnets and the total engagement force
required for supporting the object 99. Thus, smaller and/or less
powerful magnets may be used to provide substantially the same
functionality (e.g., weight-bearing, stability, security, etc.), as
the role and importance of the mounting magnets may change to that
of providing a holding force (e.g., total engagement force) suited
for attachment rather than a holding force fully responsible for
bearing the weight of the object and/or stably securing the object.
Moreover, the smaller and/or less powerful magnets may be less
expensive to procure or manufacture, which may provide an
additional benefit. Furthermore, limiting movement of the object
99a to a single direction along a single axis may protect the
object 99a against unintentional disengagement (e.g., via
accidental bumps, swipes, vibration, or other jarring or disruptive
forces that may influence the object) and may require that any
unintentional disengaging force must overcome the engagement forces
associated with the various stages of disengagement to completely
disengage the object 99a. Thus, even an unintentional disengaging
force that is forceful enough to overcome one engagement force
(e.g., the engagement force between the first mounting magnet 30
and the object 99a within the first plane P1) may be substantially
reduced or may cause the object to lose momentum so that a
subsequent engagement force (e.g., between the second mounting
magnet 40 and the object 99a within the second plane P2) may not be
overcome. Additionally, embodiments that are configured to produce
the automatic succession of stages of engagement (described
previously) may effectively reverse the movement of the object
caused by the unintentional disengaging force (if the force is not
substantial enough to overcome all of the stages of disengagement)
and thus may effectively re-engage the object automatically (e.g.,
without external intervention) to re-establish the total engagement
force between the object and the mounting apparatus.
[0187] As described above and as shown in FIG. 5, the object 99a
has multiple engageable surfaces that are spaced from one another
so that the distance between the surfaces defines a depth.
Engagement of the mounting apparatus 10 (shown in FIG. 1) with an
object of this type may occur in a similar manner to the staged
engagement process previously described with respect to object 99
of FIG. 1 (e.g., the engagement member 14 may extend in response to
proximity of the object 99a, the second mounting magnet 40 may
engage the object 99a first, and the first mounting magnet 30 may
draw the object 99a toward the mounting apparatus 10 to fully
engage the object 99a; e.g., staged engagement in an order P2, P1).
Alternatively, depending on factors such as the strength of the
mounting magnets (30, 40), the depth d.sub.o of the object 99a, and
the type and strength of the controlling force as applied by the
controlling component, proximity of the object 99a may cause the
object 99a to be drawn to the first mounting magnet 30 such that
the first mounting magnet 30 engages the object 99a first (e.g.,
the first stage of engagement), and the engagement member 14 may
subsequently, or simultaneously, be drawn toward the object 99a and
may engage the object 99a last (e.g., the second stage of
engagement) to produce a total engagement force (e.g., staged
engagement in an order P1, P2).
[0188] The distance between the outer limit positions OL of the
first and second mounting magnets may define a depth d.sub.a. As
shown in FIG. 5, the depth d.sub.a may be greater than the depth
d.sub.o such that the object 99a may be engaged with the mounting
apparatus 10 via successive stages of engagement, as described
above. Thus, the object 99a may be dismounted from the mounting
apparatus 10 via successive stages of disengagement. In the
embodiment of FIG. 5, regardless of the order of the stages of
engagement (e.g., P1, then P2 vs. P2, then P1), if the depth of the
object 99a (d.sub.o) is less than the depth between the outer limit
positions OL of the second mounting magnet 40 and the first
mounting magnet 30 (d.sub.a), the engagement member 14 may
automatically adapt to the depth of the object 99a during the
second (in this case) stage of engagement of the mounting process
(e.g., the engagement member 14 may engage the object 99a first and
retract during the second stage of engagement, or the engagement
member may extend to produce the second stage of engagement with
the object 99a), and the object 99a may be disengaged from the
mounting apparatus 10 in multiple stages. It is important to note,
however, that, if d.sub.o is greater than d.sub.a, the second
mounting magnet 40 may still engage the object 99a (e.g., by
magnetic engagement if not also by physical engagement) depending
upon the shape of the object 99a such that the engagement force
between the second mounting magnet 40 and the object 99a
contributes toward the total engagement force (e.g., increases the
total engagement force) and, therefore, aids in facilitating
mounting of the object 99a (the second mounting magnet 40 and its
corresponding stage of engagement and engagement force still have
the same role in the mounting process even if not physically
engaged with the object, though the engagement force associated
with the second mounting magnet 40 may be of a lesser strength),
but the benefits of staged disengagement may not apply (e.g., the
object 99a may not disengage the mounting apparatus 10 in a staged
manner if d.sub.o is greater than d.sub.a).
[0189] Furthermore, the mounting apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 may be
configured such that the engagement member 14 is substantially
flush with the intermediate surface 12 (as described above). This
may be beneficial for mounting an object such as object 99a because
the outer surface of the object 99a (e.g., the surface closest to
the mounting apparatus 10) may be initially misaligned with the
engagement member 14 when engaged with the intermediate surface 12.
In this case, the user may slide the object 99a across the flush
surface of the mounting apparatus 10 and, when the engagement
member 14 is properly aligned with the object surface opening 78,
the engagement member 14 may automatically extend to engage the
object 99a by an attraction force produced between the second
mounting magnet 40 and the object 99a (specifically, the surface of
object 99a that is furthest from the mounting apparatus 10) that is
no longer blocked by the outer surface of the object 99a (e.g., the
surface closest to the mounting apparatus 10, as noted above).
Thus, the object 99a may be easier to mount to the mounting
apparatus 10, or the object 99a may be mounted in a less precise
manner, than would be the case if the user were required to
initially align the object 99a properly in order to mount the
object.
[0190] Additionally, if d.sub.o is less than d.sub.a (as described
above), the engagement member 14 may be configured to produce
audible feedback (e.g., a click, tone, or other sound) upon
engagement of the object 99a that may provide notification that the
object 99a is fully engaged with the mounting apparatus 10.
Configuring the audible feedback that may occur may include
choosing a material for the face 88 of the engagement member 14
that produces such feedback when engaged with another surface or
may include supporting a sensor in the face 88 of the engagement
member 14 that may be configured to be attached to a noise-making
device (e.g., a small speaker) within the mounting apparatus
10.
[0191] Also, the mounting apparatus 10 may be configured such that
the object is aligned properly with respect to the apparatus prior
to engagement. As such, at least one of the engagement member or
the intermediate surface may be configured to bias the object to be
mounted to a predefined mounting orientation prior to engagement of
the object with the apparatus, as will be shown by way of other
embodiments and will be discussed in more detail below.
[0192] Turning now to FIG. 6A, another embodiment is shown that is
similar to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 but comprises
additional components and modifications that enhance the
adaptability and functionality of the apparatus 10. The embodiment
depicted in FIG. 6A may also support a first mounting magnet 30
(comprised of six magnets) in a first plane by an intermediate
surface 12 and a second mounting magnet 40 in a second plane by a
face 88 of the engagement member 14, and only the second mounting
magnet 40 (and, correspondingly, the engagement member 14) may be
movable. However, in this embodiment, the magnets 30 may be
supported by the fixed intermediate surface 12 via support
extensions 83 that extend from the inner surface 86 of the
intermediate surface 12 and may be hollow to accommodate the
magnets 30 and support the magnets 30 in the intermediate surface
12. Also, as may be similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1, in the
embodiment of FIG. 6A, a portion of the intermediate surface 12 may
define an opening 94 that is configured to slideably receive at
least a first portion (which, in this case, may be a first portion
98' of the extension 98) of the engagement member 14 so as to
substantially align the line of engagement L.sub.e along the
central axis X of the engagement member 14 as the engagement member
14 is moved between the extended and retracted states.
Additionally, however, as shown in FIG. 6A, the intermediate
surface 12 of the mounting apparatus 10 may further comprise a
chamber 90 that may extend from the portion of the intermediate
surface that may define the opening 94 and that may contact the
interior surface 84 of the base surface 80, and the chamber 90 may
be configured to slideably receive a second portion of the
engagement member 14 (which, in this case, may be a second portion
98'' of the extension 98 that may extend beyond the stop feature 50
that is provided via the outward protrusion of the extension 98)
via engagement of the second portion 98'' with an inside surface 92
of the chamber 90. Adding this component (the chamber 90) may
enhance the adaptability and functionality of the mounting
apparatus 10, as the second mounting magnet 40 may not be limited
to a base limit position BL that ensures that the extension 98 of
the engagement member 14 remains in contact with the guide surface
96 of the intermediate surface 12 to keep the line of engagement
L.sub.e substantially aligned along the central axis X (as may be
required in the mounting apparatus 10 in FIG. 1). This may be the
case, in fact, because the chamber 90 (configured as noted above)
may also align the line of engagement L.sub.e along the central
axis X of the engagement member 14 by means of its engagement with
the second portion 98'' of engagement member 14. As such, the
engagement member 14 may be configured (e.g., modified, as compared
to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1) such that the area of contact
between the second portion 98'' and the inside surface 92 of the
chamber 90 is increased, which may further ensure the stability of
the engagement member 14 along the central axis X and the line of
engagement L.sub.e. The area of contact may be increased by
extending the second portion 98'' of the extension 98 toward the
face 88 of the engagement member 14 (and, thus, changing the
position of the stop feature 50), which may, in turn, affect the
outer limit position OL of the second mounting magnet 40 if no
other changes are made with respect to the outer limit position OL,
or the area of contact may be increased by extending the second
portion 98'' of the extension 98 away from the face 88, which may,
in turn, affect the base limit position BL of the second mounting
magnet 40 if no other changes are made with respect to the base
limit position BL. Depending on the dimensions chosen for the
lengths of the first and second portions 98', 98'' with respect to
the length of the chamber 90, the total length of the engagement
member 14 may be shorter than the length of the chamber (as shown
in FIG. 6B). Thus, as shown, the chamber 90 may define a first
depth and the engagement member 14 may define a second depth, with
the first depth being greater than the second depth (which may,
e.g., correspond to the thickness of a plate through which the
opening is formed, in other embodiments).
[0193] With continued reference to FIG. 6B, because the chamber 90
may keep the engagement member in proper alignment with the line of
engagement L.sub.e, as described previously, and may have a depth
greater than the depth of the engagement member 14, as described
above, the base limit position BL of the second mounting magnet 40
may be configured to be at a position within the mounting apparatus
10 (e.g., between the intermediate surface 12 and the base surface
80) such that the engagement member 14 may move along and within
the chamber 90. Therefore, the second mounting magnet 40 may be
moved beyond the intermediate surface 12 in a direction away from
an object to be mounted (e.g., the engagement member 14 may be
retracted), and the interior surface 84 of the base surface 80 may
act as a stop feature (as described previously with reference to
the embodiment of FIG. 1) and may define the base limit position BL
of the second mounting magnet 40 (and, accordingly, the retracted
state of the engagement member 14).
[0194] FIG. 6C shows the presently described embodiment of the
apparatus 10 in the retracted state and, accordingly, shows the
base limit position BL of the second mounting magnet 40. As is also
shown in FIG. 6C, when the engagement member 14 is in the retracted
state, a portion of the chamber farthest from the base limit
position BL may be configured to align with the opening 94 of the
intermediate surface to define a receiving cavity 91. Thus, the
intermediate surface 12 may be configured to receive a portion of
the object to be mounted (e.g., a portion of a suitably shaped
object or an object interface configured to fit within the
receiving cavity 91).
[0195] Accordingly, the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6A may be
configured to have a surface that is substantially "male" (e.g.,
with the engagement member 14 extended) or substantially "female"
(e.g., with the engagement member 14 retracted) with respect to the
object to be mounted, and, so, accordingly, the mounting apparatus
10 of FIG. 6A may be able to engage objects that are deemed to be
substantially male or substantially female. Furthermore, the
mounting apparatus 10 may be configured so that it is adaptable
between a substantially male configuration and a substantially
female configuration depending on the substantially male or female
configuration of the object to be mounted (e.g., the mounting
apparatus 10 may adapt to the shape of the object to be mounted).
Furthermore, an apparatus 10 configured to be substantially male
when not engaged (e.g., idle), such as a mounting apparatus 10
configured such that the engagement member 14 is held in the
extended state when idle by a controlling force applied by the
controlling component 60 to the second mounting magnet 40, may
adapt to engage an object to be mounted of the same orientation
(e.g., male) via retraction of the engagement member 14 to a
retracted state in response to engagement of the object during the
mounting process. Likewise, an apparatus 10 configured to be
substantially female when not engaged (e.g., idle), such as a
mounting apparatus 10 configured such that the engagement member 14
is held in the retracted state when idle by a controlling force
applied by the controlling component 60 to the second mounting
magnet 40, may adapt to engage an object to be mounted of the same
orientation (e.g., female) via extension of the engagement member
14 to an extended state in response to engagement of the object
during the mounting process.
[0196] As noted above, the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6A may be
very versatile, and various configurations of the embodiment
(including like and unlike configurations) may be used in
conjunction with one another in mounting and non-mounting (e.g.,
attachment) contexts per the application.
[0197] As described previously, at least one of the mounting
magnets may be configured to receive a portion of the object to be
mounted. Receiving a portion of the object to be mounted by the
intermediate surface and/or the engagement member may further
provide structural support to the object, may facilitate alignment
of the object with the mounting apparatus, may guide the object, or
may accomplish a combination of these. For example, the
intermediate surface 12 may thus be configured to bear at least a
portion of the weight of the object. In the embodiment of FIG. 6A,
the object may be received via the opening 94 of the intermediate
surface 12 (i.e. the first mounting magnet 30), and, in receiving a
portion of the object, the intermediate surface 12 may structurally
support the object, facilitate alignment of the object with the
mounting apparatus 10, and/or guide engagement of the object (as
noted above).
[0198] In some embodiments, structurally supporting the object may
further include limiting movement of the object to a direction
along a single axis relative to the mounting apparatus 10 in
response to a disruptive or disengaging force applied to the
object. For example, the engagement member and/or the intermediate
surface may be configured to limit movement of the object to a
direction along a single axis in response to the applied
disengaging force. Said differently, the mounting apparatus 10 may
be configured to resist unintentional disengagement of the object
and/or object interface from the mounting apparatus, such as from
an accidental hit or swipe (e.g., a force having a transverse
component with respect to the direction of the line of engagement
L.sub.e). For example, a force applied at a downward angle to the
mounting apparatus 10 may be resisted by the structural support
provided by the engagement member 14 and/or intermediate surface
12, and only a disengaging force applied in a single direction
along a single axis, such as the central axis X of the engagement
member shown in FIG. 6A (e.g., knocking or pulling the object in a
direction away from the mounting apparatus), would serve to
disengage the object.
[0199] With continued reference to the depicted embodiment of FIG.
6A, the first portion 98' of the engagement member 14 may have a
different width (e.g., diameter in the case of a cylindrical
configuration as shown) than the second portion 98''. In some
cases, for example, the first portion 98' may have a narrower width
than the second portion 98''. In this regard, a width (e.g.,
diameter) of the opening 94 may correspond to the width of the
first portion 98' and may thus be smaller than the width of the
second portion 98'' of the engagement member 14, such that the
second portion 98'' may be too large to pass through the opening 94
and may serve to limit the movement of the engagement member 14 in
a direction away from the base surface 80 via contact of the stop
feature 50 with the inner surface 86 of the intermediate surface
12. Thus, the width of the second portion 98'' (e.g., the
configuration of the stop feature 50) may, with respect to the
depth of the first portion 98', define the outer limit position OL
of the second mounting magnet 40 (and, accordingly, the extended
state of the engagement member 14).
[0200] The mounting apparatus may be configured so that the target
mounting area is substantially flush. Configuring the mounting
apparatus such that the target mounting area (e.g., primary
mounting surface) is substantially flush may be beneficial for many
reasons. The flush surface may be aesthetically pleasing. A flush
surface may allow for certain movements of the object prior to
engagement (e.g., sliding, etc.) that may assist with
self-alignment, may assist with engagement, or may generally make
the mounting process easier or more enjoyable for a user.
Additionally, a flush face may keep a component(s) of the mounting
apparatus out of the way when not in use so as to avoid snags,
impacts, or other unintentional engagement with the component(s).
Furthermore, a flush configuration may serve to prevent debris from
entering the mounting apparatus such that the components of the
apparatus remain able to function properly. Particularly, the at
least one of the engagement member or intermediate surface that is
movable may be benefitted by a flush face because it (or they) may
be exposed to dirt and debris less often, relative to a
configuration in which it (they) may remain exposed when, for
example, in a disengaged (e.g., idle) state. Accordingly, a flush
surface may be achieved in a variety of ways depending on the
configuration of the mounting apparatus and generally involves
arranging the components of the mounting apparatus so that the
multiple planes and/or surfaces of the apparatus coincide in the
same plane.
[0201] In embodiments in which the first mounting magnet 30 is
moveable and the second mounting magnet 40 is in a fixed position,
for example, the first mounting magnet may be configured such that
the respective base limit position BL substantially coincides with
the second plane. Similarly, the first mounting magnet 30 may be
configured such that its respective outer limit position OL of the
first mounting magnet 30 substantially coincides with the second
plane. Furthermore, in some embodiments in which the first mounting
magnet and the second mounting magnet are moveable, the respective
base limit positions BL of the first mounting magnet 30 and the
second mounting magnet 40 may be configured such that the
respective base limit positions are in substantially the same
plane. Moreover, the outer limit position OL of the first mounting
magnet 30 and the base limit position BL of the second mounting
magnet 40 may be configured such that the outer limit position OL
of the first mounting magnet and the base limit position BL of the
second mounting magnet are in substantially the same plane.
[0202] As described above, a variety of different configurations
are possible for providing the mounting apparatus. In some cases,
such as in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the object 99 that
may engage the mounting apparatus may be a simple structure, such
as a single surface that inherently responds to magnetism. In other
cases, the object (such as object 99a depicted in FIG. 5) may have
a depth d.sub.o that may correspond to a distance between two
surfaces or may correspond to a depth defined by a curved surface
of the object. As shown, embodiments of the mounting apparatus may
be able to accommodate and engage an object (similar to either
object 99 or object 99a) without having been specifically
configured with respect to the object. And, in some cases,
embodiments of the mounting apparatus may also be able to
manipulate an object and/or provide further functionality without
having been specifically configured with respect to the object.
Additionally, embodiments that may be even more useful may be
accomplished by configuring the mounting apparatus for a specific
object, or for a particular object shape.
[0203] Moreover, a substantially greater degree of functionality
may be achieved by concurrently configuring a mounting apparatus
and an object interface relative to one another such that they may
cooperate in an even more predictable and prescribed manner. The
system may be configured to cooperate prior to engagement, during
the engagement process, and/or while engaged. For example, turning
to FIGS. 7A and 7B, a system 200 is provided that includes a
mounting apparatus 210, such as embodiments of the mounting
apparatus 10 described above. The system 200 may further include an
object interface 220 configured to be attached to an object (not
shown) to be mounted to the mounting apparatus 210.
[0204] The mounting apparatus 210 may include an intermediate
surface 212 configured to respond to magnetism and an engagement
member 214 configured to respond to magnetism (e.g., as described
above). The intermediate surface 212 may be configured to respond
to magnetism by supporting the first mounting magnet 230 (comprised
of six magnets 230) in the first plane P1, and the engagement
member may be configured to respond to magnetism by supporting the
second mounting magnet 240 (comprised of one magnet 240) in the
second plane P2. Thus, the intermediate surface 212 may define the
first plane P1, and the engagement member 214 may define the second
plane P2. The engagement member 214 may be configured to move along
a line of engagement L.sub.e that intersects the first plane P1, as
described above.
[0205] With respect to the object interface 220, a third mounting
magnet may be supported in a third plane and may be configured to
be attached to an object to be mounted to adapt the object to agree
with at least one of the first or second mounting magnets.
Additionally, the third mounting magnet may comprise a plurality of
magnets. Moreover, the third mounting magnet may comprise a
plurality of third mounting magnets in a plurality of third planes.
Thus, the object interface 220 may include a central object surface
226 configured to respond to magnetism by supporting a third
mounting magnet 241, comprised of one magnet 241, in a third plane
P3 (one of a plurality of third planes in this embodiment) and may
include a secondary object surface 224 spaced from the central
object surface and configured to respond to magnetism by supporting
a third mounting magnet 231, comprised of eight magnets 231, in a
fourth plane P4 (another of the plurality of third planes, as noted
above). The central object surface 226 may be configured to agree
with at least one of the engagement member 214 or the intermediate
surface 212. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7A, the central
object surface 226 may define a third plane P3, and the secondary
object surface 224 may define a fourth plane P4 (the fourth plane
being one of a plurality of third planes, as noted above). A
distance between the third and fourth planes P3, P4 may define an
object interface depth d.sub.o. At least one of the engagement
member 214 or the intermediate surface 212 of the mounting
apparatus 210 may be configured to move between a respective outer
limit position OL and a respective base limit position BL. As such,
when the at least one of the engagement member 214 or the
intermediate surface 212 that is movable (the engagement member 214
in this embodiment) is in the respective outer limit position OL, a
distance between the first and second planes P1, P2 may define an
apparatus engagement depth d.sub.a. The object interface 220 may
thus be configured such that the object interface depth d.sub.o and
the apparatus engagement depth d.sub.a are different.
Correspondingly or additionally, the mounting apparatus 210 may be
configured to engage the object interface 220 via respective
engagement forces associated with the engagement member 214 and the
intermediate surface 212 such that the overall engagement force
increases by degrees until a total engagement force is produced for
mounting the object to the mounting surface. Moreover, the object
interface depth d.sub.o may be configured such that a disengaging
force that is less than the total engagement force and that is
applied to a mounted object attached to the object interface 220 is
capable of disengaging the object interface 220 from the mounting
apparatus 210 in stages by successively overcoming the respective
engagement forces associated with the engagement member 214 and the
intermediate surface 212.
[0206] As previously noted, the mounting apparatus 210, shown in
FIG. 7A as part of the system 200, may be engaged in multiple ways.
In FIG. 7A, an object interface 220 is provided for mounting an
object to the mounting apparatus 210 and may be configured to agree
with the opening 294 of the intermediate surface 212 and,
correspondingly or additionally, the face 288 of the engagement
member 214. As described previously, the mounting apparatus 210 may
be configured such that it may act as substantially male, as
substantially female, or as both male and female via movement of
the engagement member 214 between two limit positions. In this
embodiment, because the object interface 220 may be configured to
define its depth d.sub.o in a substantially male configuration
(e.g., the central object surface 226 may be configured to be
received by the mounting apparatus 210), the apparatus 210 may be
configured accordingly by configuring the outer limit position OL
and the base limit position BL of the engagement member 214 so that
the apparatus engagement depth d.sub.a may be less than the object
interface depth d.sub.o. As noted previously, the apparatus
engagement depth d.sub.a may be defined by the distance between the
first and second planes P1, P2 when the engagement member 214 (and,
correspondingly, the second mounting magnet 240) is in the outer
limit position OL, and the object interface depth d.sub.o may be
defined by the distance between the plurality of third planes,
which, in this case, may be the distance between the third and
fourth planes P3, P4. By configuring the apparatus engagement depth
d.sub.a to be less than the object interface depth d.sub.o when the
apparatus 210 may be configured to receive a portion of the object
interface 220 (e.g., when the object interface 220 is substantially
male), engagement between the central object surface 226 and the
engagement member 214 may be ensured. Furthermore, to ensure
engagement between the intermediate surface 212 and the secondary
object surface 224 (and, therefore, ensure a total engagement
force), the base limit position BL of the engagement member 214 may
be configured so that the distance between the first and second
planes P1, P2 when the engagement member 214 is in the base limit
position is greater than the object interface depth d.sub.o. Thus,
configuring the system 200, as depicted in FIG. 7A, as described
above may facilitate engagement of the object interface 220 with
the mounting apparatus 210 such that a total engagement force is
produced for mounting the object to the mounting surface.
[0207] Thus configured, engagement of the object interface 220 with
the mounting apparatus 210 within the system 200 may occur in two
ways, both via multiple stages of engagement. Placing the object
interface 220 in proximity to the target mounting area (as
described above) of the mounting apparatus 210 may produce a first
attraction force between the object interface 220 and the mounting
apparatus 210. The first attraction force may draw the engagement
member 214 toward the central object surface 226 such that the
second mounting magnet 240 in the second plane P2 and the third
mounting magnet 241 in the third plane P3 are engaged for a first
stage of engagement between the object interface 220 and the
mounting apparatus 210. As a result of the first stage of
engagement, proximity of the third mounting magnet 231 (the second
of the plurality of third mounting magnets, as noted above) in the
fourth plane P4 and the first mounting magnet 230 in the first
plane P1 may create a second attraction force between the secondary
object surface 224 and the intermediate surface 212 such that the
third mounting magnet 231 and the first mounting magnet 230 are
engaged to produce a second stage of engagement and a total
engagement force for mounting the object interface 220 to the
mounting apparatus 210 and, correspondingly, for mounting the
object to the mounting surface. Alternatively, placement of the
object interface 220 in proximity to the target mounting area of
the mounting apparatus 210 may produce a first attraction force
between the third mounting magnet 231 in the fourth plane P4 and
the first mounting magnet 230 in the first plane P1. The first
attraction force may draw the secondary object surface 224 toward
the intermediate surface 212 such that the third mounting magnet
231 and the first mounting magnet 230 are engaged for a first stage
of engagement. As a result of the first stage of engagement,
proximity of the third mounting magnet 241 in the third plane P3
and the second mounting magnet 240 in the second plane P2 may draw
the engagement member 214 toward the central object surface 226
such that the second mounting magnet 240 and the third mounting
magnet 241 are engaged for a second stage of engagement and a total
engagement force for mounting the object interface 220 to the
mounting apparatus 210 and, correspondingly, for mounting the
object to the mounting surface.
[0208] Also, it is important to note that, referring again to the
system 200 depicted in FIG. 7A, the surface face 222 of the central
object surface 226 may engage the face 288 of the engagement member
214 for a first stage of engagement when the engagement member 214
is extended from the intermediate surface 212 of the mounting
apparatus 210 (e.g., a male-to-male engagement) in which case the
engagement member 214 may retract beyond the intermediate surface
212 in a direction toward the base surface 280 such that the second
stage of engagement between the intermediate surface 212 and the
secondary object surface 224 may occur. Additionally, the
engagement member 214 may be configured to be substantially flush
with the intermediate surface 212 when in a disengaged (e.g., idle)
state (this may occur as a result of a controlling force being
applied by the controlling component 260 that may bias the
engagement member 214 away from the controlling component 260 and
toward the outer limit position OL, with the outer limit position
OL of the engagement member 214 being configured such that the
first plane P1 and the second plane P2 substantially coincide). In
such a configuration, the object interface 220 depicted in FIG. 7A
may engage the engagement member 214 via the surface face 222 of
the central object surface for a first stage of engagement, and
proximity of the secondary object surface 224 to the intermediate
surface 212 may cause an attraction force between the secondary
object surface 224 and the intermediate surface 212 that is greater
than the controlling force applied to the engagement member 214 by
the controlling component 260 such that the engagement member 214
may effectively be pushed into a retracted position beyond the
intermediate surface 212 and into the chamber 290 of the mounting
apparatus 210 that may allow the second stage of engagement to
occur for a total engagement force that mounts the object interface
220 to the mounting apparatus 210 and, correspondingly, mounts the
object to the mounting surface.
[0209] Turning now to another embodiment of the system 200, the
embodiment depicted in FIG. 7B shows the mounting apparatus 210 of
the system 200 in the extended state with respect to an object
interface 220 that may be configured such that it may act as
substantially female within the system 200. The mounting apparatus
210 may be configured relative to a substantially female object
interface 220 such as the one depicted in FIG. 7B in the following
manner. The outer limit position OL of the engagement member 214
may be configured such that the apparatus engagement depth d.sub.a
is greater than the object interface depth d.sub.o to ensure
engagement between the second mounting magnet 240 of the engagement
member 214 and the third mounting magnet 241 of the central object
surface during the mounting process. Furthermore, the base limit
position of the engagement member 214 may be configured relative to
the object interface depth d.sub.o and the strengths of the second
mounting magnet 240 and the third mounting magnet 241 depending on
the preferred configuration for the mounting apparatus 210. If the
preferred configuration does not require a depth between the
intermediate surface 212 and the engagement member 214 when the
engagement member is retracted (e.g., the mounting apparatus 210 is
not desired to have the flexibility of acting as male or female),
the base limit position BL may be configured such that the distance
between the first plane P1 and the second plane P2 when the
engagement member is in the base limit position is less than the
object interface depth d.sub.o. If a male-female configuration is
preferred for the mounting apparatus 210 (e.g., the interior of the
mounting apparatus 210 defines a depth when the engagement member
is in the base limit position BL, and the engagement member 214
protrudes from the intermediate surface 212 when in the outer limit
position OL), the base limit position BL of the engagement member
214 may be configured with respect to the strengths of the first
mounting magnet 240 and the third mounting magnet 241 and with
further respect to the proximity required between the respective
mounting magnets to produce an attraction force capable of moving
the second mounting magnet 240 toward the third mounting magnet 241
during the mounting process.
[0210] The staged engagement of the object interface 220 shown in
FIG. 7B may occur in substantially the same orders between the
respective planes of the system 200 as those depicted in FIG. 7A
and as described with respect to FIG. 7A (e.g., P2, P3 then P1, P4;
or P1, P4 then P2, P3). However, rather than the surface face 222
of the central object surface 226 being drawn into the mounting
apparatus 210 by way of the opening 294 of the intermediate surface
212, the engagement member 214 (referring now to FIG. 7B) may be
drawn into a cavity 275 of the central object surface 226 for the
P1, P3 stage of engagement to occur.
[0211] The staged disengagement process may occur in a variety of
ways as well, depending on the configuration of the mounting
apparatus 210. In FIG. 7A, a disengaging force applied to the
mounted object that is less than the total engagement force may
disengage the secondary object surface 224 from the intermediate
surface 212 for a first stage of disengagement. Prior to, and
during, the first stage of disengagement, the engagement member 214
may move away from the base surface 280 and may be still engaged
with the central object surface 226 of the object interface.
Therefore, having completed the first stage of disengagement, a
continued disengaging force may continue to move the engagement
member 214 until the engagement member 214 reaches its outer limit
position OL. At the outer limit position, the central object
surface 226 and the engagement member 214 may disengage for a
second stage of disengagement. Thus, a user that may apply a
disengaging force to an object mounted to the mounting apparatus
210 may need only to apply a disengaging force of sufficient
strength to overcome the first stage of disengagement. Each
subsequent stage of engagement may require more or less force to
overcome than did the first stage of disengagement, but each
successive stage of release may be less than the total engagement
force, such that the object is able to be disengaged more
gradually, with the total engagement force split amongst multiple
tiers of release, for an experience that may be easier and more
enjoyable for the user.
[0212] Disengagement of the system 210 shown in FIG. 7B may follow
substantially the same order. In both of the systems described in
the FIGS. 7A-7B, the point at which the stages of release occur
depends on the location of the outer limit position OL of the
engagement member 214. The first stage of disengagement may occur
within the mounting apparatus 210 between the central object
surface 226 and the engagement member 214 if, in FIG. 7A, the outer
limit position of the engagement member 214 (and, correspondingly,
the second mounting magnet 240) is configured to be between the
base surface 280 and the intermediate surface 212.
[0213] As depicted in FIGS. 7A-7C and as described above, the
relative depths of the object interface 220 and the mounting
apparatus 210 may produce substantial surface area contact between
the components of the system such that the system may be well
suited to bearing the weights of mounted objects. Indeed, a
substantial benefit of the mounting apparatus 210 and the mounting
system 200 is the weight-bearing capability of the apparatus/system
achieved in conjunction with the flexibility and ease of use of
magnetic attachment and release. The configuration of the mounting
apparatus 210 and the system 200 may be tailored to emphasize the
weight-bearing aspects of the embodiments per the application such
that a majority of the weight-bearing responsibility of the
apparatus/system may be transferred from the magnetic engagements
between planes to the structure of the apparatus/system, allowing
users the benefits of magnetic attachment and release with lesser
risk (e.g. risk of a fall, an unintended movement, or other
unintended consequences related to unintentional disengagement).
Accordingly, smaller and/or less expensive magnets may be required
for the apparatus/system to function suitably as compared with
other magnetic mounts that may support the same weight(s), such
that the apparatus/system may be less expensive to manufacture and
may be more affordable for users while providing the same
functionality and benefits.
[0214] As mentioned above, configuring the mounting apparatus with
respect to an object or with respect to an object interface, as
shown in the system 200 of FIG. 7A, may provide a greater degree of
functionality and may, in turn, additionally benefit a user of the
mounting apparatus. Also as noted above, the number, strength, and
arrangement of the mounting magnets may be selected to enhance the
functionality of the mounting apparatus in certain ways. For
example, in some embodiments, at least one of the engagement member
or the intermediate surface may be configured to bias the object to
be mounted to a predefined mounting orientation prior to engagement
of the object with the apparatus. Correspondingly, in some
embodiments, the first mounting magnet may be configured to have a
first magnetic force, and the second mounting magnet may be
configured to have a second magnetic force that is substantially
opposite the first magnetic force. In a system, the third mounting
magnets may also be configured such that they agree with the
arrangement of first and second mounting magnets prior to
engagement. In this way, unintentional and incorrect engagement
between mounting magnets may be avoided.
[0215] As shown in FIG. 7A, the magnets 231 of the secondary object
surface 224 may be substantially aligned with corresponding magnets
230 supported by the intermediate surface 212, and magnet 240 of
the engagement member 214 may be substantially aligned with magnet
241 of the central object surface 226. Furthermore, each set of
corresponding mounting magnets may be configured so that the
magnetic poles facing one another during the mounting process may
be substantially opposite. In the configuration shown in FIG. 7A,
the mounting apparatus 210 may be substantially female for the
purposes of engagement (e.g., the engagement member 214 is capable
of retracting within the mounting apparatus 210), as described
above, and as will be described in more detail below. Accordingly,
the positions of the mounting magnets, as shown, may facilitate
engagement of the object interface 226 with the mounting apparatus
210 provided that the perimeter of the surface face 222 of the
central object surface 226 (and, accordingly, the extension surface
223) aligns with the opening 294 of the intermediate surface 212.
The components of system 200 may further be configured so that the
magnetic interaction between the object interface 220 and the
mounting apparatus 210 prior to engagement helps facilitate proper
engagement. This may be accomplished by configuring the third
mounting magnets 231, 241 of the object interface 220 relative to
the first and second mounting magnets 230, 240 of the mounting
apparatus 210 so that the object interface 220 may substantially
self-align with the mounting apparatus 210 prior to engagement with
the mounting apparatus 210 to produce a predefined mounting
orientation for aligning the object interface 220, and,
specifically the central object surface 226 in this embodiment,
with the apparatus 210. For example, magnets 231 of the secondary
object surface 224 may be permanent magnets, and the magnets 231
may be oriented so that the north pole (N) of each magnet may be
facing the mounting apparatus 210 during the mounting process.
Correspondingly, magnets 230 of the intermediate surface 212, which
may also be permanent magnets, may be oriented so that the south
pole (S) of each magnet may be facing the object interface 220
during the mounting process. Additionally, magnet 241 of the
central object surface 226 may be oriented so that the south pole
(S) of the magnet may be facing the mounting apparatus during the
mounting process, and magnet 240 of the intermediate surface 214
may be oriented so that its north pole (N) faces the object
interface 220 during the mounting process. Thus, the magnetic
forces being configured as such, the central object surface 226
(e.g., magnet 241), upon being brought into proximity with the
mounting apparatus 210, may repel the intermediate surface 212
(e.g., magnets 230 being of the same polarity as magnet 241) so as
to avoid improper engagement with the mounting apparatus 210; and,
further, the repelling force between magnets 230 and magnet 241 may
serve to guide the central object surface 226 toward alignment with
the opening 294 of the intermediate surface 212 because the opening
294 may be the path of least resistance.
[0216] An attraction force between the corresponding mounting
magnets in a system may also serve to self-align the object
interface 220 with the mounting apparatus 210. FIG. 7B shows a
system in which the mounting apparatus 210 may act as male, such
that a cavity 275 of the object interface 220 may receive the
engagement member 214 during engagement of the object interface 220
with the mounting apparatus 210. Thus, the cavity 275 may need to
be aligned with the engagement member 214 and/or the opening 294 of
the intermediate surface 212 (e.g., if the engagement member 214 is
retracted and/or recessed when the mounting apparatus 210 is idle),
and alignment may be easier for a user if the system 200 is
configured to self-align during mounting. With continued reference
to FIG. 7B, placing the object interface 220 into proximity of the
target mounting area (e.g., which may be the facade 285 of the
intermediate surface 212, in this embodiment) of the mounting
apparatus 210 may cause an attraction force between the magnets 231
of the secondary object surface 224 and the magnets 230 of the
intermediate surface 212 such that six of the magnets 231 and six
of the magnets 230 (i.e., all of them, in this embodiment) are
attracted to one another and orient the object interface 220 (and,
thus, the object) in a predefined way, as well as positioning the
cavity 275 relative to the opening 294 such that the engagement
member 214 may be received by the object interface 220. It should
be noted, as well, that the configuration of magnets 231 in FIGS.
7A-7B may serve to facilitate an easier mounting process for the
user, particularly with respect to the circular cross-section that
may be chosen for other components of these embodiments, in that
the "extra" magnets (e.g., two of the eight magnets 231 that may
remain unused in the mounted configuration) may provide that all
six magnets 230 of the intermediate surface are engaged by the
object interface 220 during the mounting process regardless of the
orientation of the object (and, correspondingly, the object
interface 220) as positioned by the user. This may provide a better
experience for the user, because the user may not need to align the
object in a particular fashion in order to achieve an intended
result (e.g., mounting the object). For example, a user may wish to
mount her phone in the car for use as a GPS device using a system
similar to the system 200 in FIG. 7B, and she may wish to mount the
phone without having to look at the mounting apparatus so that she
may concentrate on her driving. Therefore, she may mount the phone
without looking, so that the way she positions the phone during
mounting may happen to be askew relative to her preferred
orientation for the device. The presence of eight magnets 231 in a
circular configuration on the secondary object surface 224, rather
than six magnets 231 in a configuration matching that of the
intermediate surface 212, may ensure that the device is mounted and
secured to the mounting apparatus properly (e.g., safely and via a
total engagement force) even if it may not be of the targeted
orientation of the user, and this may be preferable to the user
versus not being able to mount the device at all due to the mistake
in orientation, having to risk looking at the mounting apparatus
while driving in order to properly align the device, and/or having
the device mounted incorrectly so that the device may be prone to
an accidental fall. Furthermore, as described above, the
configuration of components of the system 200 shown in FIG. 7B may
provide a guiding and self-aligning influence for proper mounting
of the device with respect to the engagement member 214 and/or
other components of the system 200 in addition to accommodating the
mistake in orientation of the device. Moreover, the configuration
of the system 200 as shown in FIG. 7B, in the above example, may
allow the user to easily correct her mistake. The flush contact of
the surfaces of the system 200 shown in FIGS. 7A-7B (e.g., the
substantially flat secondary object surface 224 and the
substantially flat intermediate surface 212, which may be in
contact in a mounted and engaged configuration), along with the
flexibility of rotational movement via the cylindrical shape of the
engagement member 214 in FIGS. 7A-7B (and the accommodating
size/shape of the opening 294 of the intermediate surface 212), the
configuration of magnets 230 and 231 discussed above, and other
features, may allow the user to easily adjust the orientation of
the mounted device. The user may accomplish this by applying a
rotational force to the phone (e.g., the object) that may be strong
enough to overcome the engagement forces between the magnets 231
and the magnets 230 (which may be a lesser force than that required
to disengage the magnets 231, 230 in the direction of the line of
engagement L.sub.e) while the engagement force between magnet 240
and magnet 241 remains substantially unchanged as the engagement
member 214 is rotated about the central axis X. Thus, the system
200 may remain partially disengaged momentarily (e.g. magnets 231
and magnets 230 being temporarily out of alignment) until the
continued rotational movement causes an attraction between the
magnets 230 of the intermediate surface 212 and a second
configuration of the magnets 231 (which may be adjacent to those
magnets 231 which were previously engaged, such that the second
configuration may include one magnet 231 that may have been
previously unengaged) that is stronger than the attraction between
the magnets 230 and the first configuration of the magnets 231
(e.g., the magnets 231 having been disengaged). This attraction
(between magnets 230 and the second configuration of the magnets
231) may re-align the object according to the second configuration
of the magnets 231 relative to the magnets 230, producing a new
total engagement force. Thus, the user may only need to rotate the
object just further than halfway between the adjacent magnets 231
to accomplish the change in orientation rather than being required
to disengage the object (by providing a disengaging force along the
line of engagement L.sub.e) and re-engage the object with the
apparatus (again, along the line of engagement L.sub.e) in order to
accomplish the same change in orientation.
[0217] Embodiments which may allow a user to manipulate an object
(e.g., slideably, as described above, or otherwise) and/or cause
the object or object interface to interact with the magnetic forces
present within the apparatus or system while the object is engaged
or partially engaged with the mounting apparatus (and,
particularly, when those interactions change the state of
engagement and/or the state of the object or object
interface)--whether within a system, as in the example above, or
without (as described previously)--may allow the mounting apparatus
to have functionality in addition to, or that may complement, the
mounting functionality of the apparatus or system; and this
additional functionality may be very valuable to the user. For
example, in the system depicted in FIG. 7C, an intermediate surface
212 may be provided that includes a first mounting magnet 230
comprised of six magnets 230b, 230c, 230d, 230f (not shown), 230g
(not shown), 230h and a second object surface 224 that may include
a third mounting magnet 231 comprised of eight magnets 231a, 231b,
231 c, 231d, 231 e, 231f (not shown), 231g (not shown), 231h,
wherein six magnets 231b, 231 c, 231d, 231f, 231g, 231h of the
eight magnets of the second object surface 224 may correspond to
the six magnets 230b, 230c, 230d, 230f, 230g, 230h of the
intermediate surface 12 when a mounted object is in a preferred
mounted orientation (e.g., in this embodiment, the rotational
orientation of the object relative to the central axis X of the
mounting apparatus 210 that a user may wish the object to be in
when fully mounted, such as when a user may wish a television to be
in a position such that the bottom edge of the television's screen
is substantially level instead of being rotationally askew--e.g.,
crooked--relative to the central axis X). In the embodiment
depicted in FIG. 7C, the preferred mounted orientation may
correspond to the pre-engagement (e.g., disengaged) orientation
shown and described above. Furthermore, the system 200 shown may be
configured such that magnets 231c and 230c and magnets 231g (not
shown) and 230g (not shown) are correlated magnets and such that
magnets 231a, 231b, 231d, 231e, 231f (not shown), 231h and magnets
230b, 230d, 230f (not shown), 230h are permanent magnets. The
correlated magnets 231c, 230c, 231g, 230g may be configured to
engage the permanent magnets 230b, 231d, 230h, 231f in
substantially the same way as would permanent magnets (e.g., in
substantially the same way as the magnets 231c, 230c, 231g, 230g
may engage the magnets 230b, 231d, 230h, 231f if the magnets 231c,
230c, 231g, 230g were permanent magnets of respective polarities
opposite the respective polarities of the magnets 230b, 231d, 230h,
231f) during the mounting process (e.g., along respective
engagement axes that correspond to the central axis X and,
accordingly, the line of engagement L.sub.e) and, also, when
engaged rotationally in a mounted configuration (as described
above). Furthermore, the correlated magnets 231c, 230c may be
configured with respect to one another such that they may engage
one another rotationally when the object interface 220 is engaged
with the mounting apparatus via a clockwise movement about the
central axis X with respect to the facade 285 of the intermediate
surface 212 such that magnet 231c is moved from a position of
engagement with magnet 230b (e.g., disengaged from magnet 230b via
the clockwise movement) to a position of engagement with 230c
(e.g., engaged with magnet 230c via the clockwise movement).
Likewise, the correlated magnets 231g, 230g may be configured with
respect to one another such that they may engage one another
rotationally when the object interface 220 is engaged with the
mounting apparatus via the same clockwise movement described above
such that magnet 231g is moved from a position of engagement with
magnet 230f (e.g., disengaged from magnet 230f via the clockwise
movement) to a position of engagement with 230g (e.g., engaged with
magnet 230g via the clockwise movement). Thus, the engagements
between the respective correlated magnet pairs may occur
substantially simultaneously in response to the same clockwise
rotational movement described above. Furthermore, the respective
configurations of the correlated magnet pairs 231c, 230c and 231g,
230g may provide that, in the engaged state, the correlated magnet
pairs 231c, 230c and 231g, 230g may be disengaged, respectively,
via a substantially opposite rotational movement (e.g.,
counterclockwise) only, such that the respective correlated magnet
pairs may not be able to be reasonably disengaged (e.g., disengaged
by means other than by an extreme or unusual force) in a direction
along the line of engagement L.sub.e in response to a disengaging
force applied in a direction along the line of engagement L.sub.e.
Thus, the object interface 220 may be able to be fully disengaged
from the mounting apparatus 210 only after the substantially
opposite rotational movement has occurred.
[0218] Therefore, being configured as described above, a user may
mount an object to a mounting surface using system 200 shown in
FIG. 7C by rotating the object slightly counterclockwise when
facing the mounting apparatus 210 such that magnets 231a and 231c,
for example, of the object interface 220 are substantially aligned
with magnets 230h and 230b of the mounting apparatus. The object
may thus be placed into proximity of the mounting apparatus 210 and
engaged with the mounting apparatus 210, as described above. After
engagement, the user may rotate the object clockwise, sliding the
second object surface 224 against the intermediate surface 212,
until the correlated magnet pairs 231c, 230c and 231g, 230g are
engaged. The user may know the correlated magnet pairs are engaged
because the object may not be able to be further rotated in the
clockwise direction as a result of the respective engagements
and/or also because the object may be in the preferred mounted
orientation. To disengage the object, the user may rotate the
object counterclockwise until the correlated magnet pairs are
disengaged and, correspondingly, the magnets adjacent the
correlated magnets are engaged. The user may thus disengage the
object by applying a disengaging force that is less than the total
engagement force between the object interface 220 and the mounting
apparatus 210, as previously described. The configuration of the
system 200 described with respect to FIG. 7C is one of many
possible configurations using correlated magnets, and
configurations wherein the correlated magnet pairs are in closer
proximity when fully engaged (e.g., supported on the facade 285 of
the intermediate surface 212 rather than on the inner surface 286,
and configured in a like manner on the second object surface 224,
for example) may be even more advantageous in producing the desired
result.
[0219] Furthermore, correlated magnets may be coded (e.g.,
programmed) such that they may only respond to other coded magnets.
For example, in the embodiment described above, the correlated
magnets may be configured to interact with permanent magnets in a
substantially similar fashion as would a permanent magnet in the
place of the correlated magnet (as described). Alternatively,
embodiments may be configured such that the correlated magnets may
effectively "ignore" some components of the embodiment, such as the
permanent magnets described above, and may respond only to other
coded magnets that may be configured specifically to interact with
them magnetically. Thus, coded magnets may provide a substantial
degree of customization with respect to the desired functionality
of the system.
[0220] Configuring the mounting system 200 as described above may
be very beneficial to a user in that the security and stability of
the object may be greatly enhanced. For instance, in some
embodiments, a user may be able to mount a television or other
visual display to a wall in a boat, valuing the additional security
that may be afforded the device against the unpredictable and
sudden forces (e.g., yaw, etc.) that may act on the device when the
boat is at sea. Additionally, a theatre company may value the
system for being able to quickly and easily mount temporary
lighting systems from the ceiling between performances and may use
the mounting system knowing that the force of gravity may act in a
direction substantially aligned with the line of engagement L.sub.e
of the mounting apparatus 210 such that the lighting system is
secure against the force of gravity when mounted to the
ceiling.
[0221] Similar advantages may result from a system 200, again with
reference to FIG. 7C, that may be configured to use electromagnets
in place of, or in addition to, the correlated magnets described
above. For example, in a system 200 that is configured to use
electromagnets for providing additional security to the mounting
system, the magnets 230c, 230d, 230f (not shown), 230g (not shown),
230h may be electromagnets that may be managed by an electric
current such that they may be strengthened or weakened in response
to a signal. The magnets 231 of the second object surface 224 may
be permanent magnets, and the system 200 may contain only seven
third mounting magnets 231 such that the system does not contain
the magnet 231c shown in FIG. 7C. Additionally, component 230b of
the intermediate surface 212 in FIG. 7C may be a circuit that
responds to magnetism by producing a signal, such as a Hall Effect
sensor. The circuit may respond to the presence or absence of a
magnet by producing one or more signals, and the circuit may be
configured to effectively control the strength of the
electromagnets 230 of the mounting apparatus 210 by sending a
signal to an electrical device within the mounting apparatus (not
shown) that may receive the signal from the circuit and may adjust
the forces of the electromagnets 230 accordingly. Furthermore, the
circuit may be configured to be adjustable such that it may be
enabled or disabled by a user. When enabled, a user may mount an
object to the mounting apparatus 210 in a slightly askew
orientation, as described above, so that the magnets 231a and 231d,
for example, of the secondary object surface 224 may be aligned
with magnets 230h and 230c, respectively, of the intermediate
surface 212. When mounted in this way, the circuit may be aligned
with the area of magnet 231c shown in FIG. 7C (which, again, is not
present in the described configuration) such that no signal is
generated during mounting. Thus, the total engagement force
resulting from the initial (e.g. skewed) engagement may be of a
level L. The user may rotate the object clockwise, as described
above, and the clockwise movement may align the magnet 231b with
the circuit such that the circuit sends a first signal to the
electrical device. The electrical device may be configured to
effectively strengthen the magnetic force of the electromagnets 230
in response to the first signal. The increased magnetic strength of
the electromagnets 230 may increase the total engagement force of
the system 200 to a level H. The level H total engagement force may
prevent the object from being disengaged in a direction that may
substantially correspond with a direction of the line of engagement
L.sub.e. Thus, a user wishing to disengage the object may need to
first rotate the object in a counterclockwise manner, as described
above, and the force required to rotate the object may be less than
the total engagement force H. The counterclockwise movement may
move the magnet 231b out of proximity of the circuit such that the
circuit sends a second signal to the electrical device. The
electrical device may be configured to effectively weaken the
magnetic force of the electromagnets 230 in response to the second
signal. The reduced magnetic strength of the electromagnets 230 may
decrease the total engagement force of the system 200 to the level
L. Thus, the user may be able to apply a disengaging force to
dismount the object via successive stages of disengagement, as
previously described.
[0222] It is important to note that the corresponding mounting
magnets in systems such as system 200 may act in a similar fashion
to that of a controlling component, described previously. Systems
are also contemplated and may be configured such that all of the
mounting magnets and controlling components are electromagnets,
correlated magnets, programmable correlated magnets, etc. These
components may be configured to interact with one another and with
other controlling components to move, reorient, or otherwise
reposition the object mounted to the mounting apparatus. For
example, referring again to the system 200 in FIG. 7A, magnets 230,
231, 240, 241 may be configured to be electromagnets that may be
adjustable via previously-described methods. Thus, the object
itself, via the object interface, may be able to influence its own
state of movement or position by being configured to send signals
to the apparatus, either interactively (e.g. dynamically) by a user
or in a pre-programmed fashion, to manipulate the magnetic forces
for the benefit of the user. Thus, an apparatus 210 in a system may
produce an apparatus controlling force, and an object interface may
produce an object controlling force via the configured magnets.
Therefore, an object interface may be able to eject itself by
applying a controlling force to the apparatus. Additionally, the
object interface may apply a controlling force to partially
disengage the object so that the object may be adjusted. The depth
of adjustment may be a depth from the intermediate surface, and the
depth of adjustment may be less than the apparatus engagement depth
such that the object is only partially disengaged from the
apparatus when it is able to be adjusted. To facilitate such
functionality, any of the central object surface or the plurality
of secondary object surfaces may be configured with at least one
electromagnet, at least one correlated magnet, or at least one
programmable magnet. In addition, the engagement member and/or the
intermediate surface may be configured with at least one
electromagnet, at least one correlated magnet, or at least one
programmable magnet.
[0223] Although FIGS. 7A-7C depict an object interface having two
planes of engagement, the object interface may be configured
(depending upon the number of planes of the mounting apparatus, for
example) to have 3, 4, 5, or more planes of engagement to
accommodate additional tiers of engagement/disengagement provided
by the mounting apparatus.
[0224] For purposes of explanation, certain external components of
the embodiments of the mounting apparatus 10, 210 described above
and illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7C are not shown to allow other
described components to be shown. As such, the mounting apparatus
10, 210 may be embodied in various ways. For example, one or more
of the engagement member, intermediate surface, magnets, etc. may
be disposed and/or movable within a housing. The housing itself may
be configured in various ways to accommodate attachment of the
mounting apparatus to various types and configurations of mounting
surfaces.
[0225] Although the embodiments described above involve the use of
two tiers of magnets (e.g., two planes P1, P2), the same principles
may be applied to create a mounting apparatus 10 having 3, 4, 5, or
more stages of engagement and/or disengagement. Indeed, the greater
the number of planes that are provided for magnetic engagement, the
smaller the required incremental engagement and/or disengagement
force that is needed as the total engagement force may be
distributed among a greater number of planes. In addition, the
engagement/disengagement force required for each plane may be
distributed substantially equally (e.g., by dividing the total
engagement force required to support the intended object by the
total number of planes), or may be distributed unevenly, such as,
for example, in an embodiment in which the initial disengaging
force required is greater than the subsequent incremental
disengaging forces required for release of subsequent stages.
[0226] In some embodiments of the invention, the second mounting
magnet may be movable, and a plurality of second mounting magnets
may be supported in a plurality of respective second planes. In
addition, the second mounting magnets may be arranged in a nested
configuration and/or a telescoping configuration. Accordingly, in
some embodiments, the engagement member may comprise a plurality of
engagement member components, and at least one of the engagement
member components may be configured to respond to magnetism.
Referring now to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8A, the engagement
member 14 may comprise a plurality of engagement member components
14', 14'', and each of the plurality of second mounting magnets
40', 40'' may be supported in a respective second plane by a
respective engagement member component.
[0227] Dividing the engagement force of a second mounting magnet 40
amongst a plurality of second mounting magnets 40', 40'' in a
plurality of respective second planes may allow the engagement
force of the second mounting magnet to be overcome over a greater
distance and via a greater number of respective engagement forces.
Therefore, each engagement force associated with each respective
second plane may be of a lesser force than that of the second
mounting magnet supported in a single second plane, so the
respective engagement forces may each require a lesser respective
disengaging force such that the total engagement force may be
overcome more gradually. Overcoming the total engagement force of
the second mounting magnet more gradually over a greater distance
may allow the object to be more easily and smoothly disengaged from
the mounting apparatus while preserving substantially the same
total engagement force for maintaining engagement of the object
with the mounting apparatus when engaged.
[0228] The plurality of engagement member components (14', 14'')
may be configured relative to one another such that, in the
retracted state, the plurality of engagement member components are
in a nested configuration that is substantially flush with the
intermediate surface 12, as illustrated in FIG. 8B. Thus, the
embodiment depicted in FIG. 8A may provide a smoother and more
gradual release of an object while retaining the visually appealing
aesthetic of the flush surface of the mounting apparatus.
[0229] In the extended state, the plurality of engagement member
components 14', 14'' may form a telescoping engagement member
extending toward an object to be mounted along an engagement member
axis (e.g., axis X). An additional benefit of arranging the
engagement member components 14', 14'' in a nested and/or
telescoping configuration may be that the engagement member
components 14', 14'' may adapt to various surfaces that may have
substantially differing depths. As such, embodiments such as the
apparatus 10 depicted in FIGS. 8A-D may be used as mounting
apparatuses and/or may be attached to objects for mounting the
objects to other surfaces. Moreover, like apparatuses with nested
configurations may attach to one another and may provide a high
degree of flexibility and ease of detachment.
[0230] Furthermore, a nested configuration of engagement member
components may be configured to selectively extend in response to
differing attraction forces. For example, the embodiment depicted
in FIG. 8A may be configured to accommodate a relatively smaller
object with the smaller engagement member 14' and may be configured
to accommodate a relatively larger object with engagement member
14''. As such, the components may be configured with differing
weights with respect to one another and with respect to the
apparatus 10 such that the smaller engagement member 14' may extend
in response to relatively lesser attraction forces, and the larger
engagement member 14'' may require a stronger attraction force to
be extended from the apparatus 10. Thus, in one example, a user may
wish to use one mounting apparatus for mounting two devices, a
mobile phone and a tablet computer. The user may accomplish this
with the apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. 8A, as the smaller
engagement member 14' may be configured to extend in response to a
magnetic attraction brought about by proximity of the mobile phone
for mounting the mobile phone, but the attraction force between the
phone and the mounting apparatus may not be strong enough to move
the larger engagement member 14'' as configured. However, the
larger engagement member 14'' may be configured to extend when the
larger tablet computer is brought into proximity, as the tablet
computer may apply a larger attraction force (either due to the
metal content of the device as compared to the mobile phone, or
because the device may be fitted with an object interface).
Correspondingly, object interfaces may be configured for use with
the nested apparatuses so as to produce the selective tier
mechanism consistently as an added benefit of the device.
[0231] In some cases, the mounting apparatus 10 may be configured
such that at least one of the engagement member components is
configured to respond to magnetism (e.g., at least one of the
engagement member components comprises a respective second mounting
magnet 40), as noted above. The plurality of engagement member
components may be configured relative to one another, however, such
that, in the retracted state, the plurality of engagement member
components (three engagement member components 14', 14'', 14''' in
the embodiment of FIGS. 9A-9C) are in a nested configuration that
forms a telescoping receptacle 190 that is configured to receive at
least a portion of an object to be mounted, as shown in FIG. 9A. In
the extended state, the plurality of engagement member components
14', 14'', 14'' may form a telescoping engagement member 14
extending toward the object to be mounted, as shown in FIG. 9B. An
exploded view of the embodiment of FIGS. 9A and 9B is shown in FIG.
9C.
[0232] Accordingly, the planes, strengths, sizes, arrangement,
distances, depths, allowable movements, etc. associated with the
first and second mounting magnets with respect to each other, other
components of the mounting apparatus, and the object may be
configured in various ways to achieve particular desired functions,
capabilities, and/or aesthetics. For example (with reference to
FIGS. 2-4), in some embodiments, the respective limit positions of
the at least one of the mounting magnets that is moveable may be
configured such that the first and second mounting magnets are
movable to a position in which the first and second planes
substantially coincide.
[0233] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 10, although embodiments of the
engagement member 14, 214 described above are depicted as having a
flat outer face (e.g., face 88 of FIG. 6A), embodiments of mounting
apparatus 10 are contemplated in which the outer face 45 is curved
or otherwise angled. In this regard, in some embodiments, one or
more of the planes of engagement (e.g., one or more of the first or
second planes) may be defined by a curved surface. Said
differently, one or more of the intermediate surface or the
engagement member may be defined by a curved surface, as shown in
FIG. 10 with respect to the engagement member 14. In this way, the
engagement member 14 may be configured to engage a correspondingly
curved component of an object interface. Moreover, curvature of the
engagement member 14 (or intermediate surface, in some embodiments)
may allow for an additional degree of freedom in the engagement of
the object interface with the mounting apparatus, such as to allow
the object interface to be attached at an angle (e.g., not
necessarily aligned with the central axis of the engagement
member).
[0234] Referring now to FIG. 11A, a system 300 is provided that may
include a mounting apparatus 310 comprising an intermediate surface
312 that may be configured to respond to magnetism and an
engagement member 314 that may also be configured to respond to
magnetism. The intermediate surface 312 may define a first plane,
and the engagement member 314 may define a second plane and may be
configured to move along a line of engagement L.sub.e that
intersects the first plane. As shown, the second plane may be
defined by a curved surface. The system 300 may further include an
object interface 320 configured to be attached to an object (not
shown) to be mounted and to the mounting apparatus 310, and the
object interface may comprise a central object surface 322 that may
define a third plane. The central object surface 322 may be
configured to respond to magnetism and may be configured to agree
with the engagement member 314.
[0235] The engagement member 314 may be configured to move between
an outer limit position OL and a base limit position BL.
Additionally, the engagement member 314 may comprise an extension
398 and a face 388 joined to the extension 398 and may support a
second mounting magnet 340 in the second plane. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 11A, the face 388 of the engagement member 314 may be
the curved surface of the second mounting magnet 340. The extension
398 may provide a stop feature 350 by means of an outward
protrusion of the extension 398 that has a greater diameter than
the opening 394 of the intermediate surface. A portion of the
extension 398 may be slideably received by the guide surface 396 of
the intermediate member 312 such that the stop feature 350 may
limit the engagement member 314 in a direction away from the
intermediate surface 312 along the line of engagement L.sub.e by
contacting an inner surface 386 of the intermediate surface 312
and, thus, may define the outer limit position OL of the engagement
member 314. When the engagement member 314 is in the outer limit
position, the distance between the first and second planes may
define an apparatus engagement depth d.sub.a.
[0236] The intermediate surface 312 may support the first mounting
magnet 330 in the first plane, and the first mounting magnet 330
may limit the engagement member 314 in a direction away from the
central object surface 322 by contact with the second mounting
magnet 340 of the engagement member 314 and, thus, may define the
base limit position of the engagement member 314.
[0237] As mentioned above, the central object surface 322 may be
configured to agree with the engagement member 314 by way of a
surface opening 304 and a contact surface 302 of the surface
opening 304 that may be configured (e.g., shaped) to substantially
flushly engage the face 388 of the engagement member 314 and,
correspondingly, the second mounting magnet 340. The diameter of
the surface opening 304 may be less than the diameter of the face
388 of the engagement member 314 (and, correspondingly, may be less
than the diameter of the second mounting magnet 340). The diameter
of the surface opening 304 and the depth (e.g., thickness) of the
central object surface 322 may be configured relative to the object
(not shown) and relative to the diameter of the face 388 (and e.g.,
the diameter of the second mounting magnet 340) such that the
contact surface 302 substantially flushly engages the face 388 of
the engagement member 314. For example, a substantially flat
object, or a substantially flat portion of the object, that may
attach to the object interface 320 on the surface of the central
object surface 322 that is furthest from the mounting apparatus 310
and may block or otherwise occupy a portion of the opening 304 that
may be occupied by the engagement member 314 when engaged with the
central object surface 322, may require a greater depth (e.g.,
thickness) of the central object surface 322 than would an object
that does not block or otherwise occupy the portion of the opening
304.
[0238] The intermediate surface 312 may be attached to a mounting
surface (e.g., a wall) via fasteners by way of countersunk holes
307. The central object surface 322 may attach to an object (not
shown) to be mounted via fasteners by way of countersunk openings
355. The intermediate surface 312 may apply an attraction force
(via the first mounting magnet 330) to the engagement member 314
such that the engagement member 314 is in the base limit position
(e.g., retracted) when the mounting apparatus 310 is disengaged
(e.g., idle).
[0239] Therefore, an object to be mounted to the mounting surface
may be put in proximity of the mounting apparatus 310, and an
attraction force between the engagement member 314 and the central
object surface 322 may be greater than the attraction force applied
to the engagement member 314 by the intermediate surface 312 such
that the engagement member is moved toward the outer limit position
OL. If the central object surface 322 is not within the apparatus
engagement depth d.sub.a, the engagement member 314 may reach the
outer limit position OL and be held in the outer limit position by
the attraction force between the central object surface 322 and the
engagement member 314 until the central object surface 322 may be
moved within the apparatus engagement depth d.sub.a. When the
central object surface 322 is within the apparatus engagement depth
d.sub.a, the engagement member 314 may engage the central object
surface 322 (e.g., a first stage of engagement). Proximity of the
central object surface 322 to the intermediate surface 312 may
result in an attraction force between the central object surface
322 and the intermediate surface 312. The engagement member 314,
the central object surface 322, and the object may move toward the
intermediate surface 312, and the overall engagement force between
the mounting apparatus 310 and the object interface 320 may
increase by degrees until such time that the engagement member 314
may move to the base limit position BL. In the base limit position
BL, an engagement force between the central object surface 322 and
the intermediate surface 312 may be produced (e.g., a second stage
of engagement) such that the overall engagement force becomes a
total engagement force for mounting the object to the mounting
surface.
[0240] As shown in FIG. 11A, the central object surface may not
physically engage the facade 385 of the intermediate surface 312,
and the engagement force produced between the intermediate surface
312 and the central object surface 322 may be a magnetic engagement
force. As such, the object may be free to move about the face 388
of the engagement member 314 (e.g., rotationally, pivotally, etc.)
such that the object may be manipulated to a preferred orientation
(FIG. 11B) when securely mounted via the total engagement force of
the mounting apparatus 10.
[0241] The mounting apparatus 310 may be configured such that a
disengaging force that may be less than the total engagement force
and that may be applied to the object attached to the object
interface 320 may be capable of disengaging the object interface
from the mounting apparatus in stages by successively overcoming
the respective engagement forces associated with the engagement
member and the intermediate surface.
[0242] With respect to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 11A, a
disengaging force applied to the object may be of a sufficient
strength to disengage the mounted object if the disengaging force
is greater than the engagement force between the intermediate
surface 312 and the central object surface 322 because the total
engagement force may be overcome by degrees over the distance
defined by the apparatus engagement depth d.sub.a as the
disengaging force first overcomes the engagement force between the
intermediate surface 312 and the central object surface 322 which
may begin movement of the engagement member 314 and the object
toward the outer limit position OL. In the outer limit position,
the disengaging force may need to be of a strength greater than the
engagement force between the central object surface 322 and the
engagement member 314 to disengage the object from the mounting
surface.
[0243] Turning now to FIG. 12, an embodiment of a mounting
apparatus 10 is shown. The mounting apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 12
may comprise a first mounting magnet 30 supported in a first plane
and a second mounting magnet 40 supported in a second plane. The
first mounting magnet 30 may be comprised of six magnets 30
supported by an intermediate surface 12, and the second mounting
magnet 40 may be comprised of one magnet 40 supported by an
engagement member 14.
[0244] The engagement member 14 may be configured to be movable
along a line of engagement L.sub.e that intersects the first and
second planes. The engagement member 14 may comprise an extension
98 and a face 88 joined to the extension.
[0245] The intermediate surface 12 may be in a fixed position. The
intermediate surface 12 may be configured to receive a portion of
the extension 98 of the engagement member 14 via a guide surface 96
of an opening 94 defined by a portion of the intermediate surface
12, and two protrusions of the inner surface 86 of the intermediate
surface 12 may encroach on the opening 94 and may be received by a
groove 58 of the extension 98 of the engagement member 14 which may
further guide movement of the engagement member 14 and may prevent
rotation of the engagement member 14 as the engagement member 14 is
moved between the extended state and the retracted state.
[0246] The engagement member 14 may be configured to move between a
base limit position BL and an outer limit position OL. Movement of
the engagement member 14 may be limited in the direction of the
outer limit position OL by a stop feature 50 that may be provided
by an outward protrusion of the extension 98 of the engagement
member 14, and the stop feature 50 may contact an inner surface 86
of the intermediate surface 12 by way of the groove 58 when the
engagement member 14 is in the extended state. When in the
retracted state, an inner face 59 of the engagement member 14 may
be in contact with a guide stop 87 that may limit movement of the
engagement member 14 toward the base limit position BL. When in the
retracted state, the facade 85 of the intermediate surface and the
face 88 of the engagement member 14 may be substantially flush, as
the depth between the facade 85 and the guide stop 87 may be
substantially the same as the depth between the face 88 and the
inner face 59 of the engagement member 14.
[0247] The stop feature 50 of the engagement member 14 may support
a plurality of controlling components 60 (six, in this embodiment)
which may substantially align with the first mounting magnet 30
(equally six, in this embodiment) supported by the intermediate
surface. Thus, the controlling component 60 may be movable, and the
movement of the controlling component 60 may substantially
correspond with the movement of the second mounting magnet 40. Said
differently, the plurality of controlling components 60 may be
supported in a third plane that is movable with respect to the
engagement member 14 that may be substantially parallel to the
second plane.
[0248] The controlling component 60 may apply a force to the
mounting magnet 30 (six magnets in FIG. 12) that may bias the
engagement member 14 toward the retracted state (e.g., a repelling
force). Movement of the engagement member 14 toward the retracted
state may be stopped by guide stop 87 of the intermediate surface
12 as the inner face 59 of the engagement member 14 contacts the
guide stop 87. Thus, the target mounting area (described
previously) may be flush when the mounting apparatus 10 is
disengaged (e.g., idle), as described above.
[0249] The mounting apparatus 10 may be configured to attach to a
mounting surface (not shown) via four attachment supports 107. An
object to be mounted to the mounting surface may be put in
proximity of the mounting apparatus 10 which may produce at least
one attraction force between the object and at least one of the
mounting magnets 30, 40. The at least one attraction force may be
greater than the controlling force applied to the intermediate
surface 12 by the controlling component 60 such that the engagement
member 14 moves toward the object to engage the object. The object
and the second mounting magnet 40 may produce an engagement force
(e.g., a first stage of engagement), and the object may be in such
proximity to the intermediate surface 12 that the object moves
toward the intermediate surface 12. The object may engage the first
mounting magnet 30 (and, correspondingly, the intermediate surface
12) for a second stage of engagement that may produce a total
engagement force for mounting the object to the mounting
surface.
[0250] The object may be disengaged from the mounting apparatus 10
by application of a disengaging force that is less than the total
engagement force, as the total engagement force may be overcome in
stages by successively overcoming the respective engagement forces
associated with the first and second mounting magnets to disengage
the object.
[0251] The controlling component 60 may also be configured to apply
a force to the intermediate surface 12 that may bias the engagement
member 14 toward the extended state. In fact, the engagement member
14 may be positioned at any point along the line of engagement
L.sub.e that may be between the outer limit position OL and the
base limit position BL by configuring the controlling component 60
(e.g., size, strength, shape, type, etc.) and the first mounting
magnet 30 relative to one another such that a desired position of
the engagement member 14 is achieved. For example, the controlling
component and first mounting magnet may be configured relative to
one another such that the face of the engagement member is
substantially flush with the intermediate surface when the
apparatus is idle (e.g. in a disengaged state). Also, the
controlling component and first mounting magnet may be configured
relative to one another such that the engagement member is extended
when the mounting apparatus is idle (e.g. the face 88 of the
engagement member 14 may be in a position that is further along the
line of engagement in the direction of the object to be mounted
than is the intermediate surface 12, such that the face 88 may be
positioned between the object and the intermediate surface 12 when
the mounting apparatus is in a disengaged state). Alternatively, in
some embodiments, the controlling component and first mounting
magnet may be configured relative to one another such that the
engagement member is retracted when the mounting apparatus is idle
(e.g. the intermediate surface 12 may be in a position that is
further along the line of engagement in the direction of the object
to be mounted than is the face 88 of the engagement member 14 when
the mounting apparatus is in a disengaged state).
[0252] Various magnets may be chosen for the mounting apparatus to
facilitate this or other desired functionality of the apparatus
and/or its components, and any of the first mounting magnet 30, the
second mounting magnet 40, and/or the controlling component 60 may
be an electromagnet, a programmable magnet, a correlated magnet,
etc. For example, the first mounting magnet may comprise at least
one programmable magnet and the controlling component may comprise
at least one programmable magnet. Thus, the first mounting magnet
and the controlling component may each be programmed such that they
cooperate to produce a desired position of the engagement member
when the mounting apparatus is in a disengaged state (e.g. when the
mounting apparatus is idle).
[0253] Additionally or alternatively, magnets may be chosen so that
the mounting apparatus provides additional functionality. Referring
again to FIG. 12, in some embodiments of the mounting apparatus 10,
the second mounting magnet 40 may be a correlated magnet.
Additionally, an object interface (not shown) may comprise a
corresponding correlated magnet that may substantially align with
the second mounting magnet 40 during engagement. The correlated
magnets may be configured such that, once engaged (i.e. mounted via
a total engagement force, as described previously), rotation of the
object interface (e.g. clockwise rotation) causes the pair of
correlated magnets to interact to produce a locking engagement
force such that the object may not be disengaged from the mounting
apparatus 10 in a direction corresponding to the line of engagement
L.sub.e. The locking engagement force may be an engagement force in
addition to the total engagement force achieved during mounting of
the object interface to the mounting apparatus. Correspondingly,
when the user wishes to disengage the object from the mounting
apparatus, the user may rotate the object in a substantially
opposite fashion (e.g. counterclockwise) to release the locking
engagement force, and the user may then go about applying a
disengaging force to the object that may be less than the total
engagement force to disengage the object in stages, as previously
described.
[0254] Embodiments using pairs of correlated magnets in this way
may be very beneficial to the user due to the degree of additional
security and functionality provided. For example, the locking
engagement force may resist the force of gravity on the object when
the force of gravity is substantially aligned with the line of
engagement L.sub.e in a disengaging direction, whereas the total
engagement force (absent the locking engagement force) may not.
Thus, the additional rotation performed by the user (e.g.
clockwise, in the example above) may prevent unintentional
disengagement with the mounting apparatus when the object and
apparatus are moved into a position in which gravity would
otherwise produce unintentional disengagement. Also, because the
locking engagement force may resist movement of the object in a
disengaging direction along the line of engagement L.sub.e, a user
may rotate the object and/or object interface to create the locking
engagement force when he wishes to manipulate or adjust the object
without disengaging the object from the apparatus, such as when
repositioning the object for continued use. Said differently, when
the user's intention is to move the mounted object toward himself
rather than disengage the object, the user may rotate the
object/object interface beforehand to "lock" it to the mounting
apparatus and prevent unintentional disengagement while interacting
with the object. Thus, the user may freely move the object in the
direction of the line of engagement L.sub.e without worry of
unintentional disengagement.
[0255] The locking functionality described above may be created via
many types of magnets and/or various configurations of magnets in
different embodiments.
[0256] Turning now to FIG. 13, a system 400 is shown for mounting
an object interface 420 to a mounting apparatus 410. The system 400
may include a mounting apparatus 410 which may comprise an
intermediate surface 412 configured to respond to magnetism and an
engagement member 414 configured to respond to magnetism. The
intermediate surface 412 may define a first plane, and the
engagement member 414 may define a second plane. Additionally, the
engagement member 414 may be movable along a line of engagement
L.sub.e that intersects the first plane and may support a second
mounting magnet 440 in the second plane. The intermediate surface
may support a first mounting magnet 430 in the first plane, and the
first mounting magnet 430 may be comprised of six magnets 30. The
system 400 may also include an object interface 420 that may be
configured to be attached to an object to be mounted (not shown)
and to the mounting apparatus 410. The object interface 420 may
comprise a central object surface 426 that may be configured to
respond to magnetism and may define a third plane. And the object
interface 420 may also comprise a secondary object surface 424 that
may be spaced from the central object surface 426 and may define a
fourth plane. The secondary object surface 424 may support a
respective third mounting magnet 431 (which may be one of a
plurality of third mounting magnets in a plurality of third planes
in this embodiment), and the third mounting magnet 431 may be
comprised of two magnets 431 supported in a respective third plane.
The central object surface 426 may support a respective third
mounting magnet 441, which may be comprised of one magnet 441, in a
respective third plane.
[0257] At least one of the engagement member 414 or the
intermediate surface 412 may be movable between an outer limit
position OL and a base limit position BL. An apparatus engagement
depth d.sub.a may be defined by a distance between the first and
second planes when the at least one of the engagement member 414 or
the intermediate surface 412 that is movable is in the respective
outer limit position.
[0258] In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 13, the engagement member
414 may be movable between an outer limit position OL and a base
limit position BL and may be slideably received by the intermediate
surface 412 along a guide surface 496 by way of an opening 494, and
extension 498 may slide along the guide surface 496 of the
intermediate surface 412. The intermediate surface 412 may have a
fixed position. The engagement member 414 may further comprise an
extension 498 and a face 488 joined to the extension, and movement
of the engagement member 414 may be limited in the direction of an
object to be mounted by a stop feature 450 formed by an outward
protrusion of the extension 498. The stop feature 450 may contact
the inner surface 486 of the intermediate surface and, thus, may
serve to define the outer limit position of the second mounting
magnet 440. Additionally, the stop feature 450 may support a
plurality of apparatus controlling components 460 (six magnets 460
in this embodiment) in a plane that moves relative to the second
plane. Movement of the engagement member 414 toward the retracted
state may be limited by the inner face 459 of the engagement member
414 by contact with a facade 485 of the intermediate surface.
[0259] The central object surface 426 may have a lead face 429 and
may be configured to engage the face 488 of the engagement member
414 during the mounting process. The secondary object surface 424
may comprise a frontage 427 and a hanger 477 attached to the
frontage 427. Additionally, the second object surface may have
fastener holes 479 for attaching to the object to be mounted (e.g.,
a picture frame, etc.).
[0260] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, magnets 431, 441, 430,
440, 460 may be rare earth magnets. Mounting magnets 431, supported
by the secondary object surface 424, may have north (N) poles
facing the mounting apparatus 410. Mounting magnets 430, supported
by the intermediate surface 412, may have south (S) poles facing
the object interface 420 and may have north (N) poles facing the
controlling components 460 supported by the stop feature 450 of the
intermediate member 414. Controlling components 460 may have north
(N) poles facing the object interface. Mounting magnet 440 may be
supported by the face 488 of the intermediate surface and may have
a south (S) pole facing the object interface 420. Mounting magnet
441 may be supported by the central object surface 426 and may have
a north (N) pole facing the mounting apparatus 410.
[0261] Therefore, the controlling components 460 may be configured
to be weakly repelled by the magnets 430 such that the engagement
member 414 may be in the retracted position when disengaged (e.g.,
idle), and its movement in a direction away from the object
interface 420 may be stopped by contact with the facade 485 of the
intermediate surface by the inner face 459 of the engagement
member. Magnets 431 may be configured to be moderately attracted to
the magnets 430, and the magnet 441 may be configured to be
strongly attracted to the magnet 440.
[0262] The object interface 420 may be brought into proximity with
the mounting apparatus 410 by a user such that an attraction force
between the magnet 441 of the central object surface 426 and the
magnet 440 of the engagement member 414 moves the engagement member
414 against the repelling force of the magnets 430 of the
intermediate surface and toward the object interface. The magnet
440 may engage the magnet 441 for a first stage of engagement. The
depth between the first and second planes when the engagement
member 414 is extended and engaged may be substantially equivalent
to the depth between the lead face 429 of the central object
surface 426 and the facade 485 of the intermediate surface such
that the secondary object surface 424 of the object interface 420
may be pressed substantially flush against the facade 485 of the
intermediate surface 412 as a result of the first engagement force.
The hanger 477 may thus be positioned over the extension 498 of the
engagement member 414. The magnets 430 of the intermediate surface
may be physically lower than magnets 431 (e.g., not aligned) in the
engagement position for the magnets 441, 440. The user may let go
of the hanger 477 to allow it to engage the extension 498 of the
engagement member. The weight of the object may lower the object
and object interface such that the magnets 431 are aligned with the
magnets 430, and a second stage of engagement may be produced for a
total engagement force between the object interface 420 and the
mounting apparatus 410. However, the lowering of the object may
disengage the magnets 440, 441 and engagement of the magnets 430,
431 may strengthen the repelling force applied to the controlling
components 460 which may repel the engagement member 414 such that
the engagement member 414 retracts in response to the repelling
force issued by the magnets 430, 431. Thus, the inner face 459 of
the engagement member may contact the hanger 477 of the secondary
object surface 424, effectively holding the hanger 477 against the
facade 485 of the intermediate surface.
[0263] The user may apply a disengaging force by lifting the object
which may slide the frontage 427 of the secondary object surface
against the facade 485 of the intermediate member 412 and disengage
the magnets 430, 431. The lifting force may be less than the total
engagement force between the magnets 430, 431 if the magnets 430,
431 were to have been pulled in a direction along the line of
engagement L.sub.e. Disengaging the magnets 430, 431 may cause the
repelling force applied to the controlling components 60 to be
reduced. Proximity of the magnet 441 upon the lifting of the object
may cause the engagement member 414 to extend and release the
hanger 477. Thus, the object may be fully disengaged from the
mounting surface.
[0264] For example, in some embodiments, the second mounting magnet
may be moveable, and a plurality of second mounting magnets may be
supported in a plurality of respective second planes. In this
regard, turning to FIG. 14, in some embodiments, the engagement
member 14 may comprise a plurality of engagement members, such as
four engagement members 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d in the depicted
embodiment. At least one of the engagement members 14a, 14b, 14c,
14d may be configured to respond to magnetism (e.g., one or more
may support a respective second mounting magnet), and each
engagement member may be configured to move independently along a
respective line of engagement with respect to other engagement
members. Thus, each engagement member 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d may be
configured to move between a respective base limit position BL and
a respective outer limit position OL that is substantially
independent of the other engagement members.
[0265] Moreover, the second mounting magnets may be configured such
that the respective base limit position BL of each second mounting
magnet is in substantially the same plane. With respect to the
embodiment of FIG. 14, for example, a base surface 80 may be
provided that includes stop features 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d
corresponding to a particular engagement member component 14a, 14b,
14c, 14d. Each stop feature 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d may have a height
(e.g., length of extension away from the base surface 80)
substantially corresponding to the depth of its corresponding
engagement member component 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d. For example, the
deepest engagement member component 14d in the embodiment of FIG.
14 may be configured to correspond to the stop feature 55d with the
smallest height, whereas the shallowest engagement member component
14a may be configured to correspond to the stop feature 55a with
the greatest height. By configuring the stop feature heights and
the corresponding engagement member depths to add up to the same
dimension across all of the engagement member components, the
respective base limit position BL of each of the second mounting
magnets may lie in substantially the same plane (e.g., the
assembled outer face of the engagement member may be substantially
flush).
[0266] Each engagement member component 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d may
comprise an extension 98a, 98b, 98c, 98d and a face 88a, 88b, 88c,
88d joined to the extension, and each extension may be configured
to limit movement of the object to a direction along a single axis
in response to a disruptive or disengaging force applied to the
object, as described above. Thus, the extension 98a, 98b, 98c, 98d
of each engagement member component 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d may define a
depth, as noted above, and the depth of at least two of the
engagement member components may be different, as illustrated in
the embodiment of FIG. 14.
[0267] In other embodiments, however, such as the embodiment
depicted in FIG. 15, each engagement member 14n may define
substantially the same depth, and a plurality of engagement members
may be arranged in close proximity to form a set. For example, a
plurality of engagement members 14n comprising a plurality of
second mounting magnets 40n in a plurality of second planes may be
arranged in relatively close proximity to form a set 140, as shown.
Each engagement member 14n may comprise an extension 98n and a face
88n joined to the extension, and each engagement member 14n in the
set 140 may be configured to move independently of the other
engagement members. Thus, each engagement member 14n may be
slideably received by an intermediate surface 12 by way of an
opening 94n and may move along a guide surface 96n of the opening
94n. As such, movement of the engagement member 14n may be limited
between a base limit position BL and an outer limit position OL,
and movement of the engagement member 14n in a direction toward the
object to be mounted may be limited by a stop feature 50n formed by
an outward protrusion of the extension 98n that contacts an inner
surface 86 of the intermediate surface 12. The base limit position
BL of the engagement member 14n may be defined by the depth of the
extension 98n of the engagement member 14n relative to the base
surface 80.
[0268] Additionally or alternatively, the base limit position BL of
each respective engagement member 14n may be defined by a
controlling component 60 that may be configured to apply a
controlling force to the set 140 or, in some embodiments, separate
controlling forces specific to each engagement member 14n. For
example, the controlling component 60 may be comprised of a
programmable magnet which may have an array of magnets
corresponding in number to the number of engagement members 14n.
Thus, the controlling component 60 may be able to produce multiple
attraction and repulsion forces simultaneously that may act
separately on each engagement member 14n in the set 140 and may
cause some engagement members 14n to be retracted while other
engagement members 14n are extended. Furthermore, the extended
engagement members 14n may be extended by degrees (e.g., at
differing lengths depending on the configuration of the
programmable magnet) such that the set 140 may be able to take a
variety of shapes. As such, the set 140 may be adapted to the shape
of an object or may accommodate a mounted object in a particular
way.
[0269] Additionally, in some embodiments which may or may not
include a controlling component 60, the set 140 may allow for
engagement of the mounting apparatus 10 with an object having an
irregular surface (e.g., non-perpendicular or sloped lines or
curves), such that the pin set 140 conforms to the shape of the
object (or an object interface) and may mount the object and/or
support at least a portion of the weight of the object without
having been configured for the object. Thus, an apparatus 10
comprising a set 140 may be able to accommodate the mounting of
objects that other embodiments could not.
[0270] The apparatus 10 comprising the set 140, as shown in FIG.
15, may engage an object in stages, as described above, such that a
portion of the object is engaged with the intermediate surface 12.
The portion of the object engaged with the intermediate surface 12
may compress (e.g., fully retract) the engagement members 14n in
contact with the portion of the object, and the non-compressed
engagement members 14n may be attracted to multiple depths of the
object to substantially "fill in" cavities of the object not
engaged with the intermediate surface 12 such that the object may
be engaged and supported over a larger surface area in proportion
to the object's overall surface area as compared to other
embodiments.
[0271] Furthermore, the mounting apparatus 10 comprising the set
140 of engagement members 14n may be attached to a mountable object
so that the object may engage irregularly-shaped surfaces that are
configured to respond to magnetism.
[0272] As noted, the disclosed method may be embodied in various
ways. FIGS. 16A and 16B show an embodiment of a mounting apparatus
that may use a minimal number of components to apply the method of
invention. In the embodiment shown, a controlling component may be
suspended from a structure that may comprise the intermediate
surface in other embodiments, and the controlling component may be
movable with respect to the apparatus and to the engagement member.
The engagement member may be configured in a similar manner to the
engagement member 14 in FIG. 12.
[0273] In FIGS. 17A-17B, a housing 500 is shown with respect to an
embodiment of the mounting apparatus 10 similar to the embodiment
of FIG. 1. The housing 500 is defined by a front portion 510 and a
rear portion 520. The front portion 510 and the rear portion 520
may fit together in a clamshell configuration, as shown in FIG.
17B. In addition, the front portion 510 may accommodate movement
therethrough of the engagement member 514, while the rear portion
520 may be configured to attach to a mounting surface comprising a
ball joint-type attachment member 550 via a socket component 540 of
the mounting apparatus (shown in FIG. 17A). The socket component
540 may, for example, be defined by a component of the rear portion
520 of the mounting apparatus 500, as depicted. In such
embodiments, the ball and socket attachment 550-540 may allow the
mounting apparatus 500 to be movable with respect to the mounting
surface, such as rotationally (e.g., pitch, yaw, roll, etc.). For
example, the ball joint-type attachment member 550 may allow the
mounted object (not shown) to be manually adjusted by a user (up,
down, left, right, etc.) as desired. In this regard, the ball
joint-type attachment member 550 may be provided as an extension
from a wall, a table, or other surface, and adjustment by the user
of the ball and socket attachment 550-540 may facilitate a user's
viewing angle of a screen (for example) of the mounted object via
adjustment of the position of the mounting apparatus with respect
to the ball joint-type attachment member 550.
[0274] With reference to FIG. 17B, for example, the rear portion
520 may serve as the base surface in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the
front portion 510 may serve as the intermediate surface, and the
engagement member 514 may be configured to be movable therebetween.
The front and rear portions 510, 520 may be configured to be
attached to each other via corner flanges 530 and fasteners (not
shown).
[0275] Referring now to FIG. 17C, which shows a front view of the
housing 500, the intermediate surface of the mounting apparatus may
be configured to have a close edge P and a far edge Q. A close edge
P may be defined relative to a far edge Q by a minimum short
distance D.sub.S, measured from a close edge P to the engagement
member 514, that is less than a minimum long distance D.sub.L,
measured from a far edge Q to the engagement member 514. In some
embodiments, the minimum short distance D.sub.S and the minimum
long distance D.sub.L may be equivalent (i.e., D.sub.S=D.sub.L, as
in a circular configuration of the intermediate surface). For the
purposes of this disclosure, an embodiment of the mounting
apparatus having a minimum short distance D.sub.S that is equal to
a minimum long distance D.sub.L will be deemed to have at least one
far edge Q and no close edge P.
[0276] In some embodiments, an apparatus and/or system may be
configured so that an object may be pivotally disengaged from the
mounting apparatus. Thus, an edge of the intermediate surface may
define at least one pivot axis, and a disengaging force applied to
the object may cause the object (and/or the object interface) to be
pivotally engaged with a contact area of an edge of the
intermediate surface so that the object may be moved about a pivot
axis of the edge of the intermediate surface. Movement of the
object about the pivot axis may cause the object to be pivotally
disengaged from the mounting apparatus along an arc of
disengagement. FIG. 17C shows a pivot axis P.sub.a defined by the
close edge P of the front portion 510 (the intermediate surface) of
the housing 500 (the mounting apparatus).
[0277] Therefore, a pivotal disengagement of the object along the
arc of disengagement A.sub.de may be optional in some embodiments
(e.g., available as an alternative disengagement path in addition
to a disengagement path along the line of engagement L.sub.e) and
may be preferred to a disengagement along the line of engagement
L.sub.e, because a disengaging force required to produce a pivotal
disengagement of a mounted object along an arc of disengagement
A.sub.de may be less than the disengaging force required to
disengage the object from the mounting apparatus along the line of
engagement L.sub.e. Regardless of the path of disengagement (e.g.,
along an arc of disengagement A.sub.de or along the line of
engagement L.sub.e), disengagement of the object from the mounting
apparatus may occur in stages.
[0278] With reference to FIG. 17D, which shows a side view of a
system comprised by the housing 500 and a partially-disengaged
object interface 570 that is configured to agree with the
engagement member 514 via a cavity 575, the object interface 570
may be configured relative to the mounting apparatus (i.e., the
housing 500) so that it may be pivotally disengaged from the
mounting apparatus. The object interface 570 may be configured so
that a disengaging force that is applied to the object (or the
object interface 570) in a direction that is substantially
perpendicular to a pivot axis P.sub.a defined by an edge of the
intermediate surface may cause the object interface 570 to be
pivotally engaged with a contact area of the edge defining the
pivot axis P.sub.a (e.g., the close edge P of the front portion
510, in this embodiment) so that the object interface 570 may be
moved about the pivot axis P.sub.a and may be pivotally disengaged
from the mounting apparatus along an arc of disengagement A.sub.de.
Therefore, a disengaging force may be applied in either of the two
directions defined by the line of engagement L.sub.e in this
embodiment (e.g., a direction toward the base limit position of the
engagement member 514 or a direction away from the base limit
position of the engagement member 514) to produce a pivotal
disengagement of the object interface 570.
[0279] Furthermore, a pivotal disengagement may be produced by a
plurality of disengaging forces applied in substantially opposite
directions corresponding to the line of engagement L.sub.e to
portions of the object interface 570 (or the object) that are
substantially opposite to one another relative to a close edge P.
For example, a user wishing to pivotally disengage an object from a
mounting apparatus may apply a disengaging force to a top portion
of the object interface in a direction away from the mounting
apparatus (away from the base limit position of the engagement
member 514) and may, at the same time, apply a disengaging force to
a bottom portion of the object interface in a direction toward the
mounting apparatus (toward the base limit position of the
engagement member 514) to pivotally disengage the object from the
mounting apparatus.
[0280] Embodiments of the mounting apparatus and/or system may be
configured to facilitate (e.g., make easier) a pivotal
disengagement along one or more edges of the mounting apparatus,
configured to impede (e.g., make more difficult) a pivotal
disengagement along one or more edges of the mounting apparatus, or
configured so that a pivotal disengagement of the object (or the
object interface) is not possible. For example, the minimum short
distance D.sub.S, the minimum long distance D.sub.L, the apparatus
engagement depth d.sub.a, the object interface depth d.sub.o, the
shape of the engagement member, and/or the placement of the first
mounting magnet may be configured to facilitate or to prevent a
pivotal disengagement of the object from the mounting
apparatus.
[0281] In one embodiment, the object interface depth d.sub.o may be
configured relative to the depth of the engagement member 514 so
that a pivotal disengagement of the object is not possible. Said
differently, the engagement member 514 may be too long relative to
the object interface depth d.sub.o for the object to be pivotally
disengaged.
[0282] In other embodiments, the width and/or size of the
intermediate surface (i.e., D.sub.L and D.sub.S) may be configured
relative to the size of the object (or the object interface) to
facilitate or to prevent a pivotal disengagement of the object. A
greater distance D.sub.L or D.sub.S between the engagement member
514 and a respective edge Q or P of the intermediate surface may
require a greater (e.g. stronger) disengaging force to produce a
pivotal disengagement along the respective edge Q or P (i.e. may
make a pivotal disengagement of the object interface more
difficult), and a lesser distance between the engagement member 514
and an edge Q or P of the intermediate surface may require a lesser
(e.g. weaker) disengaging force to produce a pivotal disengagement
along the respective edge Q or P (i.e. may make a pivotal
disengagement of the object interface less difficult).
Correspondingly, a pivotal disengagement along a far edge Q may
require a relatively greater disengaging force than a pivotal
disengagement along a close edge P.
[0283] Additionally or alternatively, the mounting apparatus may be
configured (e.g., shaped) so that a contact area between the object
interface and an edge of the intermediate surface defining a pivot
axis is decreased, and a decreased (e.g., smaller) contact area
defining the pivot axis may make a pivotal disengagement of the
object less likely and/or more difficult. For example, as shown in
FIGS. 17A-17C, some embodiments of the mounting apparatus may
comprise an intermediate surface that is configured so that the
minimum long distance D.sub.L is constant along the far edge Q.
Embodiments with a constant minimum long distance D.sub.L may
comprise a curved far edge Q.
[0284] A curved far edge Q may make a pivotal disengagement along
the far edge Q more difficult (and the possibility of unintentional
disengagement less likely), because the curved far edge Q may
produce a smaller contact area along a pivot axis than would a
substantially flat (e.g., straight) far edge Q, and a smaller
contact area occupying a smaller portion of the pivot axis may not
provide the same leverage and/or stability for a pivotal
disengagement as that provided via a substantially flat (e.g.,
straight) far edge Q along a substantially identical pivot axis.
For example, an object that is pivoted about a curved far edge Q
may engage only a portion of the far edge Q in response to a
disengaging force and, therefore, may not be stable along a pivot
axis associated with the far edge Q as the total engagement force
between the object and the mounting apparatus is overcome. In
contrast, an object that is pivoted about a substantially flat far
edge Q may engage the entire far edge Q in response to a
disengaging force and, therefore, may be more stable along a pivot
axis associated with the far edge Q. A relative lack of stability
along the curved far edge Q may require a concentrated (e.g., more
deliberate, steady, and/or targeted) disengaging force to overcome
the total engagement force of the mounting apparatus or system to
produce a pivotal disengagement, so the likelihood of unintentional
disengagement may be reduced. Furthermore, because such a
concentrated disengaging force may be required, a user may find
that a pivotal disengagement along a curved edge of the mounting
apparatus may produce an experience that is less desirable (e.g.,
more difficult) than the experience associated with a pivotal
disengagement along a substantially flat (e.g., straight) edge of
the mounting apparatus.
[0285] Correspondingly, the minimum short distance D.sub.S, minimum
long distance D.sub.L, and/or the shape(s) of the edge(s) of a
mounting apparatus may be configured so that the easiest means of
pivotal disengagement (e.g., the path of least resistance) is more
obvious (e.g., intuitive) for a user of the mounting apparatus or
system. Therefore, the intermediate surface of the mounting
apparatus may be configured to facilitate a pivotal disengagement
of the object or to substantially impede a pivotal disengagement of
the object along one or more edges of the mounting apparatus per
the application.
[0286] The object interface also may be configured to facilitate,
to prevent, or to alter a pivotal disengagement of the object from
the mounting apparatus. For example, in some embodiments, the arc
of disengagement A.sub.de may be altered by a gap depth G.sub.d
between the object interface 570 and the intermediate surface of
the mounting apparatus when the object interface and the mounting
apparatus are in an engaged and mounted configuration. For example,
in an embodiment of the system wherein the object interface
comprises a protruding dial (as shown in FIG. 29, described below),
a gap depth G.sub.d may be defined between the intermediate surface
and the central object surface of the object interface, and the gap
depth G.sub.d may cause a greater divergence between the arc of
disengagement A.sub.de and the line of engagement L.sub.e over a
disengagement distance (e.g., the distance required to fully
disengage the object interface from the mounting apparatus) during
a pivotal disengagement of the object than would occur if the gap
depth G.sub.d were substantially null. In the embodiment of FIG.
17D, a gap depth G.sub.d is substantially null (i.e., there is no
gap depth G.sub.d) because the object interface 570 is configured
to be substantially flushly engaged with the intermediate
surface--the front portion 510--when fully engaged with the
mounting apparatus. In either case (e.g., whether or not a system
defines a gap depth G.sub.d between the central object surface and
the mounting apparatus when the system is engaged), components
and/or features of the mounting apparatus and the object interface
(such as the apparatus engagement depth d.sub.a, the depth and/or
shape of the engagement member; the depths and/or diameters of
engagement member components; the depth of the dial; the diameter
of the cavity of the object interface; etc.) may be configured
relative to the minimum short distance D.sub.S to facilitate a
disengagement path corresponding to a desired arc of disengagement
A.sub.de. For example, as shown in FIG. 17D, one or more front
edges of the engagement member 514 may be shaped to facilitate a
pivotal disengagement along a desired arc of disengagement
A.sub.de.
[0287] Referring now to FIG. 18, another embodiment of a mounting
apparatus 10 is shown for engaging and attaching to an object. In
the depicted embodiment of FIG. 18, the object is an object
interface 20 that is configured to be attached to the object to be
mounted.
[0288] The mounting apparatus 10 may be configured such that a
first mounting magnet is supported in a first plane P1 and a second
mounting magnet is supported in a second plane P2. The first plane
P1 may be a nominal plane that is defined by an intermediate
surface 12 of the mounting apparatus 10, whereas the second plane
P2 may be a nominal plane that is defined by an engagement member
14 of the mounting apparatus, as described previously. Accordingly,
the intermediate surface 12 and the engagement member 14 may each
be configured to respond to magnetism.
[0289] The first mounting magnet may comprise a plurality of
magnets in some embodiments. Likewise, the second mounting magnet
may comprise a plurality of magnets. In the depicted embodiment of
FIG. 18, a first mounting magnet comprised of one magnet 30 and a
second mounting magnet comprised of four magnets 40 arranged as
shown are provided. The quantity, type, strength, arrangement,
spacing, etc. of the mounting magnets with respect to each other
and with respect to other components of the mounting apparatus may
be selected to accommodate the object to be mounted and the
requirements of the user.
[0290] At least one of the mounting magnets (or group(s) of magnets
comprising the mounting magnet(s), as is the case in the depicted
embodiment) may be configured to move independently of the other
mounting magnet along a line of engagement L.sub.e that intersects
the first and second planes P1, P2. In this regard, the movement of
the mounting magnet(s) that is moveable (which, in some
embodiments, may be both the first and second mounting magnets) may
be limited, such that each mounting magnet that is moveable is only
able to move between a respective outer limit position OL and a
respective base limit position BL.
[0291] The outer limit position OL may be defined, for example, by
stops 56 that extend from a component of the mounting apparatus 10.
In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 18, the engagement member 14 is
configured to be movable with respect to a fixed intermediate
surface 12. The engagement member 14 is slideably received by
cylinder 35 of the intermediate surface 12 via contact with block
surface 36, and stops 56 are provided as inward extensions from a
sidewall 52 of the intermediate surface. The stops 56 are, in turn,
configured to contact a corresponding ledge 51 defined by the
engagement member 14 to stop movement of the engagement member 14.
Thus, the outer limit position OL is defined by the position of the
second mounting magnet 40 when the ledge 51 is in contact with the
stops 56. In other embodiments, however, the stops 56, base limit
position BL, outer limit position OL, and length of the line of
engagement L.sub.e may be defined by other components of the
mounting apparatus 10 and/or other structures of those
components.
[0292] The mounting magnets 30, 40 may be configured to cooperate
to engage the object to be mounted (e.g., the object interface 20),
such that a total engagement force is produced between the mounting
magnets and the object interface that serves to hold the object to
the mounting apparatus. Accordingly, the respective outer limit
positions of the mounting magnets that are moveable (e.g., the
second mounting magnet 40 in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 18)
may be configured such that a disengaging force that is less than
the total engagement force and that is applied to a mounted object
overcomes the total engagement force in stages by successively
overcoming the respective engagement forces associated with the
first and second mounting magnets to disengage the object.
[0293] As illustrated in FIG. 18, at least one of the engagement
member 14 or the intermediate surface 12 may be configured to be
movable between an extended state and a retracted state. In the
retracted state, the at least one of the engagement member or the
intermediate surface that is moveable may be biased away from the
object to be mounted (e.g., may be biased toward the base limit
position BL). In the extended state, the at least one of the
engagement member or the intermediate surface that is movable may
be biased toward the object to be mounted (e.g., may be biased
toward the outer limit position OL). In this way, proximity of the
object (e.g., the object interface 20) to the engagement member 14
may produce an attraction force between the object and the
engagement member that causes engagement of the object with the
engagement member. Likewise, proximity of the object (e.g., the
object interface 20) to the intermediate surface 12 may produce an
attraction force between the object and the intermediate surface
that causes engagement of the object with the intermediate surface,
such that the mounting apparatus 10 may be configured to engage the
object to be mounted in stages via the respective attraction
forces.
[0294] In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 18, for example, the
object interface 20 may include a first object magnet 31 and a
second object magnet 41 (or, as in the illustrated example, the
second object magnet may be comprised of a plurality of magnets).
The first object magnet 31 and the second object magnet 41 may be
configured (e.g., positioned and sized) to attract or be attracted
to a corresponding one of the first or second mounting magnets 30,
40 of the mounting apparatus 10. In the depicted embodiment, the
first object magnet 31 is configured to respond to and interact
with the first mounting magnet 30, and the second object magnets 41
are configured to respond to and interact with the magnets
comprising the second mounting magnet 40. Although in FIG. 18 the
first and second object magnets 31, 41 are positioned in
substantially the same plane (e.g., are arranged on a single object
surface 22), in some embodiments, the object interface 20 may
comprise a central object surface configured to respond to
magnetism and a secondary object surface spaced from the central
object surface and configured to respond to magnetism. In such
embodiments, the central object surface may define a third plane,
and the secondary object surface may define a fourth plane, as
described previously.
[0295] Various embodiments of the mounting system may allow users
to selectively interact with a mounted object (e.g. choosing to
move the object to intentionally disengage it versus choosing to
move the object to intentionally interact with it) via relatively
subtle adjustments to the object (such as by creating a locking
engagement force, as previously described). In some embodiments,
the mounting apparatus and object interface may be configured to
agree such that a user may selectively manipulate the object
without the need to create a locking engagement force.
[0296] Referring now to FIG. 19, a system 600 is provided
comprising a mounting apparatus 610 and an object interface 620. In
this embodiment, the engagement member 614 is shown in the extended
state, and the central object surface 626 is configured to agree
with the engagement member 614 such that the central object surface
626 may receive at least a portion of the engagement member 614.
Additionally, the extension 698 of the engagement member 614 may
comprise a channel 608, and the central object surface 626 of the
object interface 620 may comprise a lip 609. The engagement member
614 and the central object surface 626 may be configured relative
to one another such that a portion of the lip 609 may be seated
within the channel 608 when the object interface 620 is fully
engaged with (i.e. mounted to) the mounting apparatus 610 and when
the mounting apparatus is in an orientation in which the line of
engagement L.sub.e is not in alignment with the force of gravity.
The seating of the lip 609 may be ensured by configuring the
strength of the first mounting magnet 630 (comprised of six magnets
in the embodiment of FIG. 19) and the strength of the third
mounting magnet 641 (comprised of a ferrous metal plate and an
attached, permanent ring magnet in this embodiment) such that the
final movement of the object interface 620 during the mounting
process may be a movement in the direction of the force of gravity
that seats the lip 609 within the channel 608 (i.e. configuring the
mounting magnets to ensure that the total engagement force is less
than the force of gravity in a direction substantially
perpendicular to the line of engagement L.sub.e). Also, the base
surface 680 of the mounting apparatus 610 may be configured to be
attached to a movable support arm (not shown) so that the apparatus
is movable. Thus, when the object is mounted and the lip 609 is
seated, a user may move the object (and the apparatus) in a
direction along the line of engagement L.sub.e without disengaging
the object, because the object interface 620 may be structurally
engaged with the mounting apparatus 610 in both directions along
the line of engagement--via the channel 608 in a direction away
from the mounting apparatus (i.e., a direction that would normally
be a disengaging direction) and via the facade 685 of the
intermediate surface 612 in a direction toward the mounting
apparatus (i.e. the direction of engagement). Therefore, a user may
manipulate the object both toward and away from herself (and in
various other directions due to the structural support of the
mounting apparatus 610 relative to the object interface 620, as
previously described) without disengaging the object. Furthermore,
when the user does wish to disengage the object, she may move the
object in a direction opposite the force of gravity to unseat the
lip 609 from the channel 608 prior to providing a disengaging force
that is less than the total engagement force to disengage the
object in stages (as previously described). In this way, the user
may selectively interact with a mounted object and determine
whether or not the object remains engaged with the mounting
apparatus via subtle, yet intentional, movements of the object
relative to the mounting apparatus.
[0297] The system 600 may also be configured to provide charging
functionality for an object to be mounted. Correspondingly, a
system may be configured so that an electrical connection may be
established between the mounting apparatus and an object to be
mounted. The system may be configured so that electricity and/or
data may be exchanged between the object, the mounting apparatus,
the object interface, and/or the mounting surface (or any
combination thereof). Correspondingly, a system may be configured
to support a plurality of electrical connections and/or a plurality
of electrical connection types (e.g. a DC power connection, a USB
connection, a micro-USB connection, etc.), and a mounting apparatus
and/or an object interface may be configured to support more than
one type of electrical connection.
[0298] Referring to FIG. 20A, a system 600 is provided for mounting
an object to a mounting surface. The system 600 may comprise a
mounting apparatus 610 and an object interface 620 and may be
configured so that an electrical connection may be established
between the mounting apparatus 610 and the object to be mounted
(not shown). The object to be mounted may be a mobile electronic
device (such as a tablet computer, a smartphone, a GPS device,
etc.), and the object interface 620 may be a case that may be
configured to be attached to the mobile electronic device and to
the mounting apparatus 610 (a front enclosure of the mobile device
case is not shown in the figure for purposes of illustration). The
mounting apparatus 610 may be configured to be attached to a
mounting surface (such as a wall, a windshield, a stand, etc.; also
not shown).
[0299] The mounting apparatus 610 shown in FIG. 20A may comprise an
intermediate surface 612, an engagement member 614, and a base
surface 680 that may be configured to be attached to a mounting
surface (not shown). The intermediate surface 612 may define a
first plane and may be configured to respond to magnetism by
supporting a first mounting magnet, comprised of six magnets 630,
in the first plane. The engagement member 614 may comprise a
plurality of engagement member components (614', 614''), and at
least one of the plurality of engagement member components may be
configured to respond to magnetism. The plurality of engagement
member components may be arranged in a telescoping and/or nested
configuration. As shown in FIG. 20A, the engagement member 614 may
comprise two engagement member components 614' and 614'' that may
be configured to respond to magnetism via a plurality of second
mounting magnets (magnets 640' and 640'', respectively) in a
plurality of respective second planes (two, in this embodiment),
and the engagement member components 614' and 614'' may be arranged
in a nested and telescoping configuration. The engagement member
614 may be configured to be movable between an outer limit position
(an extended state) and a base limit position (a retracted state)
along a line of engagement L.sub.e that intersects the first plane.
A portion of the intermediate surface 612 may define an opening
configured to slideably receive the engagement member 614 and may
substantially align the line of engagement L.sub.e along a central
axis X of the engagement member 614 as the engagement member 614 is
moved between the extended state and the refracted state. The base
surface 680 may support an apparatus controlling component 660 that
may be configured to apply an apparatus controlling force to the
engagement member 614 to bias the engagement member 614 toward the
refracted state. The engagement member 614 is shown in the extended
state in FIG. 20A.
[0300] The object interface 620 shown in FIG. 20A may comprise a
central object surface 626 that may be configured to respond to
magnetism by supporting a third mounting magnet 641 in a third
plane. The third mounting magnet 641 may comprise a plurality of
magnets (a ferrous metal plate and an attached permanent magnet) in
this embodiment. The central object surface 626 may be configured
to agree with the engagement member 614 via a cavity 675 and by the
configuration of magnet 641 relative to magnets 630, 640' and 640''
(i.e. when the object interface 620 is brought into proximity with
the mounting apparatus 610, an attraction force is produced between
magnet 641 and magnets 630, 640', and 640''). Correspondingly, the
central object surface 626 may be configured to receive at least a
portion of the engagement member 614 via the cavity 675 when the
object interface 620 is fully engaged with (i.e. mounted to) the
mounting apparatus 614. Each engagement member component (614',
614'') may comprise an extension (698', 698'') and a face (688',
688'') joined to the extension, and the extension(s) may be
configured to bear at least a portion of a weight of the object. In
this embodiment, an extension surface 623 of the central object
surface 626 may be configured to engage the extension 698'' of the
engagement member component 614''. Thus, the engagement member 614
may be configured to bear at least a portion of the weight of the
object in this embodiment.
[0301] The object interface may be configured to substantially
self-align with the mounting apparatus prior to engagement. In this
embodiment, the third mounting magnet 641 and the cavity 675 of the
object interface 620 may be configured relative to the second
mounting magnet 640' and the engagement member 614 of the mounting
apparatus 610 so that the cavity 675 may be substantially
self-aligned with the central axis X of the engagement member 614
prior to engagement with the engagement member 614 during the
mounting process. Moreover, the object interface may be configured
relative to an axis of symmetry of the object to be mounted, and
the object to be mounted may be substantially symmetrically
disposed about a central axis of at least one of the engagement
member or the intermediate surface of the mounting apparatus when
the object interface is partially or fully engaged with the
mounting apparatus. The axis of symmetry may intersect the center
of gravity of the object (or the center of gravity of the
combination of the object interface and the object, if different
than the center of gravity of the object). In the embodiment of
FIG. 20A, the object interface 620 may be configured relative to an
axis of symmetry Y of the object to be mounted. The axis of
symmetry Y may align with the central axis X of the engagement
member 614 when the object interface 620 is engaged with the
mounting apparatus 610. Therefore, the object may be rotated about
the central axis X of the engagement member 614 when the object is
engaged with the mounting apparatus 610, and a user may find that
the object rotates more freely and in response to less effort than
would be the case if the object interface 620 were not aligned with
an axis of symmetry Y of the object. Furthermore, the system 600
may require a lesser total engagement force to maintain (e.g. hold)
the object in one of a variety of reorientation positions that may
be brought about by rotation of the object relative to the total
engagement force required to maintain the object in an equivalent
reorientation position if the object interface 620 were not
configured relative to an axis of symmetry Y of the object.
[0302] As noted, the system may be configured so that an electrical
connection may be established between the object and the mounting
apparatus when the object interface is engaged with the mounting
apparatus. Accordingly, at least one of the engagement member or
the intermediate surface may comprise at least one connection
interface, and the central object surface may comprise at least one
connection interface in some embodiments. The at least one
connection interface comprised by the mounting apparatus may be
configured to transmit at least data or electricity to the object
when the object is engaged with the mounting apparatus. Thus, the
mounting apparatus may comprise at least one electrical connector,
and the object interface may comprise at least one electrical
connector. Each of the at least one electrical connector comprised
by the object interface may be configured to agree with a
corresponding one of the at least one electrical connector
comprised by the mounting apparatus when the object interface is
engaged with the mounting apparatus. In other embodiments, the
system may be configured so that at least data or electricity may
be transmitted between the mounting apparatus and the object
interface only (e.g., to power only a feature of the object
interface and not the object). Therefore, the connection interfaces
comprised by the system may be embodied in various ways.
[0303] With continued reference to FIG. 20A, the central object
surface 626 may be configured to support a charger support 601 in
addition to the third mounting magnet 641. The central object
surface 626 may comprise a surface opening 678 configured to
slideably receive the charger support 601, and the charger support
601 may be positioned between the third mounting magnet 641 and the
cavity 675 of the central object surface 626 when the charger
support 601 is fully received by the central object surface 626.
Therefore, the object interface may have modular and/or removable
components. Likewise, the charger support may be configured to be
removable in some embodiments. When the charger support 601 is
fully received by the central object surface 626, the charger
support 601 may occupy a portion of the cavity 675.
Correspondingly, the object interface depth d.sub.o may be reduced.
Therefore, in some embodiments, the object interface depth may be
adjustable. Furthermore, with continued reference to FIG. 20A, the
charger support 601 may intersect an axis of symmetry Y of the
object to be mounted when fully received by the object interface
620, and the charger support 601 may intersect the line of
engagement L.sub.e and the central axis X of the engagement member
614 when the central object surface 626 is engaged with the
mounting apparatus 610.
[0304] The object interface may comprise at least one interface
connector, and the at least one interface connector may be an
electrical connector. Moreover, the object interface may comprise a
plurality of interface connectors. Additionally, the object
interface may comprise a common plug (e.g. micro-USB connector,
etc.) configured to be attached to a port of the object to be
mounted. The object interface may also comprise an interface
transmission path that is configured to be attached to the common
plug and to the interface connector(s) to connect the common plug
and the interface connector(s). Thus, the interface transmission
path may be configured to transmit at least data or electricity
between the interface connector(s) and the common plug. For
example, the object interface may be a case for a table computer
and may comprise a micro-USB connector that is configured to attach
to a micro-USB port of the tablet computer (e.g., in lieu of a
micro-USB cable). The interface transmission path of the object
interface may comprise a plurality of conductive paths, and each of
the plurality of conductive paths may correspond to one of a
plurality of wires comprising a common micro-USB cable. Thus
configured, the interface transmission path may transmit at least
data or electricity between the micro-USB port and the interface
connectors of the object interface. Correspondingly, at least a
portion of the plurality of apparatus connectors and the apparatus
transmission path of the mounting apparatus may be configured to be
compatible with the micro-USB power/data standard so that the
tablet computer may be charged via the mounting apparatus and/or
may exchange data with the mounting apparatus when the object
interface is engaged with the mounting apparatus.
[0305] In the embodiment of FIG. 20A, the charger support 601 of
the object interface 620 may comprise three interface connectors
606 and a common plug 604 configured to attach to a port of the
object to be mounted (not shown). Each of the plurality of
interface connectors 606 may comprise a connector pin (a plurality
of which will be hereinafter referred to as a "connector pin
grouping"), and each of the plurality of interface connectors 606
(each connector pin) may be configured to move between a respective
extended connector position and a retracted connector position. The
charger support 601 may be configured so that each of the plurality
of interface connectors 606 (each connector pin) may be biased
toward a respective extended connector position (e.g. away from the
charger support 601 and toward the mounting apparatus 610) by a
respective connector extension force applied by a respective
connector extension component (e.g., a spring, etc.). (The
connector pin grouping comprised by the charger support 601 is
shown in FIG. 20B.) An interface transmission path 607 may connect
the common plug 604 and the interface connectors 606, and the
interface transmission path 607 may comprise a plurality of
conductive paths (e.g. wires, etc.). Each conductive path comprised
by the interface transmission path 607 may be configured to be
attached to a respective one of the plurality of interface
connectors 606 (three, in this embodiment) and a corresponding
electrical contact point (e.g., connector or equivalent) comprised
by the common plug 604. The interface transmission path 607 may be
embedded within the charger support 601, and the charger support
601 may be partially comprised a non-conductive material and may
insulate each conductive path of the interface transmission path
607 relative to one another and relative to the other components of
the object interface 620. In other embodiments, the interface
transmission path 607 may be a separate component of the object
interface and may comprise an insulated wire or wire bundle, etc.
The charger support 601 may be configured so that the common plug
604 is substantially in alignment with the port of the object to be
mounted when the charger support 601 is slideably received by the
surface opening 678 of the central object surface 626 so that the
common plug 604 may be received by the object to be mounted when
the charger support 601 is fully received by the central object
surface 626. Additionally, the charger support 601 may comprise an
adapter port 603, and the adapter port 603 may be configured to
receive an external common connection cable (e.g. USB, micro-USB,
etc.; not shown) that may be used to transmit at least data or
electricity to the object via the charger support 601 when the
common plug 604 is received by (e.g. connected to) the object. The
charger support 601 may be configured so that the object receives
data and/or electricity from only one of the external common
connection cable or the mounting apparatus 610 when both the
external common connection cable and the mounting apparatus 610 are
connected to the charger support 601. The adapter port 603 may be
configured to be substantially identical to the port of the object
(e.g. if the object has a micro-USB port, the adapter port 603 may
be a micro-USB port), or the adapter port 603 may be configured to
support a different connection type than the port of the object
(e.g. if the object has a micro-USB port, the adapter port 603 may
be a USB port, etc.). If the adapter port 603 is configured to
support a different connection type than the port of the object,
the charger support 601 may serve as an adapter for the object so
that the object may be compatible with the different connection
type via the charger support 601. This may provide an additional
benefit to a user, because a user may prefer to use a different
type of external common connector cable for charging the object
than that which is natively compatible with the port of the object.
Whether or not the adapter port 603 of the object interface is
substantially identical to the port of the object, the adapter port
603 may provide a benefit to a user in that the user may connect an
external common connection cable, for example, for transmitting
electricity and/or data to the object without having to remove the
charger support 601 from the object interface 620 to do so.
[0306] Alternatively or additionally, the charger support 601 may
be configured so that the common plug 604 may be removed from the
port of the object while the position of the charger support 601
remains substantially unchanged relative to the cavity 675 and the
mounting apparatus 610 (i.e., while the position of the interface
connectors 606 relative to the cavity 675 remains unchanged). For
example, the charger support 601 may comprise a joint 602, and the
joint 602 may be flexible. The joint 602 may be a mechanical joint
or may be a portion of the charger support 601 that is comprised of
a flexible material (e.g. rubber, silicone, etc.). Thus, the common
plug 604 may be removed from the port of the object and may be
pivotally moved via the joint 602 to allow access to the port of
the object. Such functionality may be desirable when a user wishes
to quickly and easily gain access to the object's port without
having to remove the charger support 601 from the object interface
620.
[0307] Moreover, in some embodiments, the charger support 601 may
be configured to be flexible (e.g. wholly comprised of a flexible
material) and, thus, may be configured to be at least partially
adaptable to the shape and/or contours of the object and/or the
object interface. For example, the body of the charger support 601
may be comprised of one or more flexible materials (e.g. rubber,
silicone, etc.), and the interface transmission path 607 may be
configured to be flexible. Thus, the common plug 604 may be
connected to the object and the charger support 601 may be
substantially wrapped around the perimeter (e.g., a corner) of the
object as desired. Additionally, in some embodiments, the charger
support 601 may be configured with an adhesive material (e.g. a
nanofoam layer, a micro-suction pad, a non-permanent sticky
adhesive, etc.) so that the charger support 601 may releasably
adhere to the object or to the object interface.
[0308] In still other embodiments, the charger support may comprise
adapter contacts (in addition to or in lieu of the common plug
604), and the adapter contacts may be configured to be attached to
an external port adapter that is compatible with (i.e., configured
to be attached to) the port of the object to be mounted. Referring
to FIG. 21, a system 700 is shown that may comprise a mounting
apparatus 710 and an object interface 720, and the object interface
720 may comprise a charger support 701. The charger support 701 may
comprise adapter contacts 703 that may be configured to be attached
to an external port adapter (not shown). The external port adapter
may be configured to be attached to a port of the object to be
mounted (e.g. via a plug that may be similar to the common plug
604) and may comprise receiving contacts configured to attach to
the adapter contacts 703 of the charger support.
[0309] Additionally, in some embodiments, the adapter contacts of
the charger support and the receiving contacts of the external port
adapter may be configured to be attached magnetically. Thus, the
adapter contacts of the object interface may comprise one or more
magnets. Furthermore, in another embodiment, the central object
surface may be configured relative to the object and to an external
port adapter (attached to the object's port) so that the adapter
contacts of the charger support and the receiving contacts of the
external port adapter magnetically attach when the charger support
is received by the central object surface. Magnetic attachment of
the adapter contacts (of the charger support) with the receiving
contacts (of the external port adapter) may establish an electrical
connection between the object interface and the object (and,
correspondingly, between the object and the mounting apparatus when
the object interface is engaged with the mounting apparatus).
[0310] Referring again to FIG. 20A, the engagement member 614 of
the mounting apparatus 610 may be configured to support a plurality
of apparatus connectors 605. Correspondingly, one or more of the
plurality of engagement member components (614', 614'') may be
configured to support at least one electrical connector (i.e., at
least one of the plurality of apparatus connectors) in various
embodiments. Thus, the apparatus connectors 605 may be electrical
connectors. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 20A, the apparatus
connectors 605 may be supported by the face 688' of the engagement
member component 614' that may define the outer limit position OL
of the engagement member 614 when the engagement member 614 is in
the extended state (i.e., the engagement member component that is
furthest from the base surface 680 when the engagement member is in
the extended state). The apparatus connectors 605 may comprise a
plurality of ring contacts arranged in a concentric configuration
and made of an electrically conductive material (hereinafter
referred to as a "concentric ring set"), and the face 688' may be
comprised of non-conductive material. The concentric ring set may
be flush with the face of the engagement member, may be recessed
within the face of the engagement member, may protrude from the
face of the engagement member, or may define a curved surface in
different embodiments. (The ring contacts are configured to be
substantially flush with the face 688' of the engagement member in
FIG. 20A, and FIG. 26 shows a concentric ring set defined by a
curved surface.) The mounting apparatus 610 may comprise an
apparatus transmission path 689 that may be configured to be
attached to the apparatus connectors 605 and to a nominal component
681. The nominal component 681 may be a power adapter, a charging
device, an electrical and/or data port, a printed circuit board,
etc. The apparatus transmission path 689 may comprise one or more
conductive paths (e.g. wires comprising a wire bundle in FIG. 20A),
and each conductive path may be attached to a respective one of the
plurality of apparatus connectors 605. The apparatus transmission
path 689 may connect the apparatus connectors 605 to one or more
electrical contact points (e.g., electrical pins or similar, etc.)
of the nominal component 681. The plurality of second mounting
magnets 640', 640'' in the embodiment shown in FIG. 20A are
ring-shaped to accommodate passage therethrough of the apparatus
transmission path 689 to the nominal component 681. The apparatus
transmission path 689 may be flexible (e.g. a wire bundle) and may
be configured to minimize its influence on the engagement member
614 as the engagement member 614 is moved between the outer limit
position OL (extended state) and the base limit position BL
(refracted state) along the line of engagement L.sub.e (e.g. the
apparatus transmission path 689 may be configured to be slack).
[0311] As noted, the interface connectors of the object interface
may be configured relative to the apparatus connectors of the
mounting apparatus so that an electrical connection may be
established between the object interface and the mounting apparatus
when the object interface is engaged with the mounting apparatus.
Accordingly, the object interface may be configured so that the
interface connectors are available to the mounting apparatus via a
cavity of the central object surface. Referring again to FIG. 20A,
the interface connectors 606 comprised by the charger support 601
may be available to the mounting apparatus 610 via the cavity 675
of the central object surface 626 when the charger support 601 is
fully received by the central object surface 626. The interface
connectors 606 may be configured to agree with the apparatus
connectors 605 supported by the face 688' of the engagement member
614 of the mounting apparatus 610. When the object interface 620 is
engaged with the mounting apparatus 610, the central object surface
626 may receive at least a portion of the engagement member 614 via
the cavity 675. An attraction force produced between the second
mounting magnet 640' and the third mounting magnet 641 may cause
the interface connectors 606 and the apparatus connectors 605 to
engage, and engagement of the interface connectors 606 and the
apparatus connectors 605 may establish an electrical connection
between the mounting apparatus 610 and the object interface 620
(and, correspondingly, the object to be mounted).
[0312] As noted, the system 600 may be configured so that each of
the plurality of apparatus connectors 605 may engage a
corresponding one of the plurality of interface connectors 606 of
the object interface 620 so that an electrical connection may be
established between the object interface 620 and the mounting
apparatus 610 when the object interface 620 is engaged with the
mounting apparatus 610. The components of the object interface and
the mounting apparatus that may engage to establish the electrical
connection may be embodied in various ways.
[0313] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 20A, the apparatus
connectors 605 may be comprised by a concentric ring set (as
described above), and the interface connectors 606 may be comprised
by a connector pin grouping (as described above and as shown in
FIG. 20B) that may be supported by a charger support 601. When the
object interface 620 is engaged with the mounting apparatus 610,
each of the plurality of interface connectors 606 (each connector
pin of the connector pin grouping) may engage a corresponding one
of the apparatus connectors 605 (a corresponding contact ring of
the concentric ring set) so that an electrical connection may be
established between the object interface 620 and the mounting
apparatus 610. An attraction force produced between the second
mounting magnet 640' of the engagement member 614 and the third
mounting magnet 641 of the object interface 620 may cause the
engagement member 614 and the charger support 601 to be engaged,
and the engagement force produced between the second mounting
magnet 640' and the third mounting magnet 641 may be configured to
be greater than the plurality of connector extension forces applied
to each of the plurality of interface connectors 606 (each
connector pin) comprised by the charger support 601 so that each of
the plurality of interface connectors 606 may be moved toward a
retracted connector position when the engagement member 614 (via
the engagement member component 614') is engaged with the charger
support 601. Said differently, the engagement force produced
between the charger support 601 and the face 688' of the engagement
member 614 may compress the interface connectors 606 between the
charger support 601 and the apparatus connectors 605. Therefore,
when the object interface 620 is fully engaged with (e.g., mounted
to) the mounting apparatus 610, the apparatus connectors 605 (the
concentric ring set) and the interface connectors 606 (the
connector pin grouping) may be engaged so that an electrical
connection is produced between the mounting apparatus 610 and the
object interface 620, and the system 600 may be configured so that
the electrical connection produced between the object interface 620
and the mounting apparatus may be maintained during a rotational
movement of at least one of the object interface 620 or the
mounting apparatus 610 relative to the other of the at least one of
the object interface 620 or the mounting apparatus 610.
[0314] Correspondingly, in other embodiments, the roles of the
system's components may be effectively reversed: the apparatus
connectors may comprise a connector pin grouping, and the interface
connectors may comprise a corresponding concentric ring set. In
either case, the interface connectors 606 and the apparatus
connectors 605 may be configured so that an electrical connection
that has been established between the object interface and the
mounting apparatus may be maintained when at least one of the
object interface or the mounting apparatus is rotated relative to
the other of the at least one of the object interface or the
mounting apparatus.
[0315] Some embodiments of the system 600 shown in FIG. 20A may be
configured so that the engagement member component comprising the
apparatus connectors 605 may be rotated about the central axis X of
the engagement member 614. In such embodiments, the mounting
apparatus 610 may comprise a slip ring 6890 configured to be
attached to the apparatus transmission path 689, and the slip ring
6890 may be configured so that the apparatus transmission path 689
does not become tangled or twisted during a rotational movement of
the engagement member 614 relative to the base surface 680. In
other embodiments, the engagement member 614 may be configured to
have a fixed position relative to intermediate surface 612 and/or
the base surface 680, so the mounting apparatus 610 may be
configured without a slip ring 6890.
[0316] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the apparatus connector(s)
and/or the interface connector(s) may be configured to respond to
magnetism. Therefore, the apparatus connector(s) and/or the
interface connector(s) may be moved between a respective retracted
connector position and a respective extended connector position by
one or more connector controlling forces applied by one or more
magnetic components of the system. For example, in the embodiment
shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, the interface connectors 606 may be
configured to respond to magnetism and may moved toward a retracted
connector position by an attraction force produced between the
interface connectors 606 and the third mounting magnet 641.
(Correspondingly, in some embodiments, the interface connectors 606
may be flush with or recessed within the charger support 601 when
the charger support 601 is fully received by the central object
surface 626.) An attraction force produced between the second
mounting magnet 640' and the interface connectors 606 may be
configured to be stronger than the attraction force produced
between the interface connectors 606 and the third mounting magnet
641, so the interface connectors 606 may be moved toward an
extended connector position and may engage the apparatus connectors
605 when the object interface 620 is engaged with the mounting
apparatus 610.
[0317] Moreover, in some embodiments, the interface connectors 606
and the apparatus connectors 605 may be configured relative to one
another so that an electrical connection may be maintained (e.g.,
substantially uninterrupted or undisturbed) when the object
interface 620 slides or slips, etc. relative to the mounting
apparatus 610. Such a slip movement may define a linear slip
distance and may occur in response to the application of an
external force to the system (whether intentional or
unintentional). For example, a user of an object may intentionally
apply an external force to the system when interacting with the
object to cause a slip movement of the object interface relative to
the mounting apparatus (as described relative to FIG. 19 above), or
a slip movement may be produced in response to an unintentional
external force (e.g., jarring, etc.) applied to the system 600 via
an unintentional hit or swipe. Furthermore, the system 600 may be
configured so that a slip movement may occur in response to the
force of gravity in embodiments of the system wherein such a slip
movement may be a preferred and measured form of functionality
(also described relative to FIG. 19 above). Thus, a maximum linear
slip distance S (depicted in FIG. 22) may be predictable (i.e.
calculable) with respect to other chosen components and tolerances
of the system (e.g., by measuring the difference between the
circumference of the cavity 675 vs. the circumference of the
engagement member 614). Therefore, the widths of the ring
contact(s) comprised by the object interface and/or the mounting
apparatus may be configured relative to a maximum linear slip
distance S--and relative to the widths (e.g. contacting surface
areas) of the corresponding connector pin(s)--so that an electrical
connection may be maintained (e.g., substantially uninterrupted or
undisturbed) throughout a slip movement of the object interface
when the object interface is engaged with the mounting
apparatus.
[0318] In other embodiments, the apparatus connectors 605 may
comprise a connector pin grouping, and the interface connectors 606
may comprise a concentric ring set. Referring to FIG. 23, the
interface connectors 606 (concentric ring set) may be supported by
a fore surface 6015 of an interface disc 6013, and the charger
support 601 may be configured to receive the interface disc 6013 so
that the interface disc 6013 may be rotated independently of the
charger support 601 and the object interface. The object interface
620 may be configured so that the interface disc 6013 may be
aligned with the cavity 675 of the central object surface 626 when
the charger support 601 is fully received by the central object
surface 626 so that the interface disc 6013 may be engaged with the
engagement member 614 of the mounting apparatus 610 when the object
interface 620 is mounted to the mounting apparatus 610. The
interface disc 6013 may comprise a plurality of throughpins (not
shown in the figure), and each of the plurality of throughpins may
be configured to attach to a corresponding one of the interface
connectors 606 and may protrude from an aft surface 6017 of the
interface disc 6013. The charger support 601 may further comprise
at least one wide ring (which may be configured in a similar manner
to a ring contact), and a plurality of wide rings 6060 may be
arranged in a concentric configuration. Each of the plurality of
throughpins of the interface disc 6013 may be configured to contact
a corresponding one of the wide rings 6060. Furthermore, each of
the plurality of wide rings 6060 may define a width that is greater
than the width of a corresponding one of the interface connectors
606 (comprised by ring contacts in this embodiment), and each of
the plurality of wide rings 6060 may be configured to be attached
to a corresponding conductive path of the interface transmission
path 607.
[0319] The interface disc 6013 may be configured to be movable
within a thin chamber 6065 of the charger support 601. Accordingly,
a fore surface 6015 of the interface disc 6013 may be configured to
be movable within a range of motion defined by a boundary edge 6069
of the charger support 601, and movement of the interface disc 6013
may be limited by engagement between the boundary edge 6069 of the
charger support 601 and a raised edge 6016 of the interface disc
6013. Thus, the interface disc 6013 may be configured to be movable
(rotationally, laterally, etc.) relative to the charger support
601. The boundary edge 6069, the raised edge 6016, and the
respective widths of each of the plurality of wide rings 6060 may
be configured relative to a preferred or allowable maximum linear
slip distance S (as described above) so that an electrical
connection that has been established between the interface
connectors 606 and the apparatus connectors 605 may be maintained
throughout a slip movement of the object interface 620 relative to
the mounting apparatus 610. Therefore, the interface disc 6013 may
be engaged with the engagement member 614 in when the object
interface 620 is fully engaged with (e.g. mounted to) the mounting
apparatus 610 and may move in accordance with the engagement member
614 (or an engagement member component, in some embodiments). For
example, the interface disc 6013 (and the interface connectors 606)
may move in accordance with the engagement member 614 (and the
apparatus connectors 605) throughout a slip movement.
Correspondingly, the throughpins comprised by the interface disc
6013 may be configured to maintain contact with the wide rings 6060
throughout a slip movement, a rotational movement, etc. so that an
electrical connection may be maintained between the object
interface 620 and the mounting apparatus 610 throughout the slip
movement, rotational movement, etc. Because the concentric ring set
defined by the wide rings 6060 may be configured relative to a
maximum linear slip distance S (e.g., rather than the concentric
ring set comprised by the interface connectors 606), the surface
area defined by each of the plurality of interface connectors 606
may be smaller. Therefore, each of the plurality of interface
connectors 606 may be arranged in proximity so that the footprint
(e.g., the portion of the interface disc 6013 occupied by the
plurality of interface connectors 606, in this embodiment) defined
by the plurality of interface connectors 606 may be smaller,
because each of the respective ring contacts comprised by the
interface connectors 606 may not define (e.g., require) a
respective width that is configured to accommodate the maximum
linear slip distance S. Correspondingly, the footprint defined by a
corresponding plurality of apparatus connectors 605 may be smaller,
because the apparatus connectors 605 (e.g., the connector pins) may
be arranged in proximity to correspond with the positions of the
plurality of interface connectors 606. Furthermore, because the
surface area defined by each of the plurality of interface
connectors 606 may be smaller, the interface disc 6013 may comprise
(e.g., may have room for) a greater plurality of interface
connectors 606 (i.e., more total ring contacts). Likewise, the
engagement member 614 may comprise a greater plurality of apparatus
connectors 605 (e.g., within the same available space).
[0320] Additionally, in some embodiments, the interface disc 6013
may be configured to respond to magnetism and may be configured
relative to the engagement member 614 so that proximity of the
interface disc 6013 to the engagement member 614 causes the
interface connectors 606 to substantially self-align with the
apparatus connectors 605 so that an electrical connection may be
established when the interface disc 6013 is engaged with the
engagement member 614. Thus, the engagement member 614 (or an
engagement member component thereof, in some embodiments) may
comprise magnets configured to facilitate the alignment of the
interface connectors 606 and the apparatus connectors 605.
[0321] Magnetic alignment of the interface connectors 606 and the
apparatus connectors 605 may be desired in other embodiments of the
system as well. For example, in some embodiments, the apparatus
connectors 605 and the interface connectors 606 may each comprise a
connector pin grouping, and the connector pin grouping comprised by
the interface connectors 606 may be configured to agree with the
connector pin grouping comprised by the apparatus connectors 605
when the object interface 620 is engaged with the mounting
apparatus 610. Referring to FIG. 24, which shows the charger
support 601 of the object interface 620 and (only) a portion of the
mounting apparatus 610, the apparatus connectors 605 of the
mounting apparatus 610 may comprise a connector pin grouping that
may be supported by a face 688' of the engagement member 614, and
the interface connectors 606 of the object interface may comprise a
connector pin grouping that may be supported by an interface disc
6013. The interface disc 6013 may be configured to be received by a
charger support 601, and the interface disc 6013 may be configured
to be movable (rotationally, laterally, etc.) relative to the
charger support 601 (as described above). The face 688' of the
engagement member 614 may comprise a depression 689, and the
apparatus connectors 605 may be substantially recessed within the
depression 689. Correspondingly, the interface connectors 606 may
be supported by a fore surface 6015 of the interface disc 6013, and
the fore surface 6015 may be configured (e.g. shaped) to agree with
the depression 689 of the engagement member 614 so that the
apparatus connectors 605 may engage the interface connectors 606
when the fore surface 6015 is received by the depression 689.
[0322] The interface disc 6013 shown in FIG. 24 may be movable
relative to the charger support 601, so the object interface 620
may rotate about a central axis X of the engagement member 614 when
the interface disc 6013 is fully engaged with the face 688' of the
engagement member 614 (i.e. when the fore surface 6015 of the
interface disc 6013 is received by the depression 689 and an
electrical connection has been established between the interface
connectors 606 and the apparatus connectors 605). Furthermore, each
of the interface disc 6013 and the face 688' of the engagement
member 614 shown in FIG. 24 may be configured to respond to
magnetism, so the interface connectors 606 and the apparatus
connectors 605 may be configured (e.g., relative to one another) to
substantially self-align prior to engagement of the interface disc
6013 and the engagement member 614.
[0323] In some embodiments, the interface disc 6013 may support at
least one correlated magnet, and the face 688' of the engagement
member 614 may support at least one correlated magnet. The at least
one correlated magnet supported by the interface disc 6013 may be
configured relative to the at least one correlated magnet supported
by the face 688' of the engagement member 614 so that proximity of
the interface disc 6013 to the face 688' may cause the interface
disc 6013 to be moved to a position in which the interface
connectors 606 and the fore surface 6015 may be aligned with the
apparatus connectors 605 and the depression 689 so that the
interface connectors 606 and the apparatus connectors 605 may
engage so that an electrical connection may be established between
the object interface and the mounting apparatus.
[0324] Additionally, in some embodiments, the face 688' of the
engagement member 614 may be configured to be movable (e.g.,
rotationally; or rotationally, laterally, etc. in a configuration
similar to that of the interface disc 6013, as described above) and
may be configured to respond to magnetism so that the apparatus
connectors 605 and the interface connectors 606 substantially
self-align during the mounting process. Therefore, the object
interface may be configured relative to the mounting apparatus so
that the interface connectors and the apparatus connectors may
substantially self-align prior to engagement of the interface
connectors and the apparatus connectors.
[0325] Correspondingly, the system may be configured so that an
electrical connection may be established between the mounting
apparatus and the object interface regardless of the orientation of
the object when the object interface is engaged with the mounting
apparatus along the line of engagement.
[0326] In still other embodiments, an object interface may be
engaged with a mounting apparatus so that a first engagement
position is established, and an electrical connection may not be
established between the object interface and the mounting apparatus
in the first engagement position. The mounted object may be moved
so that a second engagement position may be established, and an
electrical connection may be established between the object
interface and the mounting apparatus in the second engagement
position. For example, the charger support 601 may comprise a
connector pin grouping supported by a fore surface of the charger
support 601 (which may be identical to the fore surface 6015 shown
in FIG. 24), and, thus, the interface connectors 606 may be in a
fixed position (e.g. not movable) relative to the charger support
601. Therefore, each of the plurality of interface connectors 606
may be attached to a corresponding conductive path of the interface
transmission path 607. In such an embodiment, the charger support
601 and the face 688' of the engagement member 614 (which may be
identical to the engagement member shown in FIG. 24) may be engaged
in a first engagement position, and the fore surface of the charger
support 601 and the depression 689 may not be aligned in the first
engagement position. Thus, the object interface 620 (and the
charger support 601) may be rotated about a central axis X of the
engagement member 614 so that a second engagement position is
established, and the fore surface of the charger support 601 may be
aligned with the depression 689 in the second engagement position
so that the fore surface may be received by the depression 689
(i.e., rotated to a position in which the fore surface fits the
depression 689). Thus, the interface connectors 606 and the
apparatus connectors 605 may be engaged in the second engagement
position, and an electrical connection may be established between
the object interface and the mounting apparatus. Correspondingly,
in such embodiments, the fore surface of the charger support 601
may be configured relative to the depression 689 so that one of the
object interface or the mounting apparatus may be rotated relative
to the other of the object interface or the mounting apparatus to
move the system from a first engagement position to a second
engagement position so that an electrical connection may be
established. For example, shapes may be chosen for the fore surface
of the charger support 601 and the depression 689 that allow for a
rotational movement to take place (e.g., from a first engagement
position to a second engagement position) until such an alignment
and fit is established for establishing an electrical
connection.
[0327] Placement of the apparatus connectors and the interface
connectors may differ in various embodiments of the system.
Referring to FIG. 25, the apparatus connectors 605 of the mounting
apparatus may be supported by an extension 698 of the engagement
member 614 (shown in the extended state), and the interface
connectors 606 of the object interface may be supported by an
extension surface 623 of the central object surface 626. (Some
components of the object interface are not shown in the figure for
purposes of illustration.) The interface connectors 606 may
comprise a plurality of connector pins (three in this embodiment),
and each of the plurality of interface connectors 606 (i.e., each
connector pin) may be configured to be movable between a respective
extended connector position and a retracted connector position (as
described previously). Each of the plurality of interface
connectors 606 may be biased toward a respective extended connector
position (e.g. away from a supporting surface of the extension
surface 623 and toward an opposite portion of the extension surface
623) by a respective connector extension force applied by a
respective connector extension component (e.g., a spring).
[0328] When the object is engaged with the mounting apparatus, the
engagement member 614 may be received by the extension surface 623
of the object interface 620, and the interface connectors 606 may
be moved toward a retracted position via contact with the face 688
of the engagement member 614 when the engagement member 614 is
received by the extension surface 623. Therefore, an edge of the
face 688 (i.e. the meeting place between the face 688 and the
extension 698) of the engagement member 614 may be configured (e.g.
shaped, rounded, etc.) to facilitate movement of the interface
connectors 606 toward a retracted position during engagement in
some embodiments.
[0329] Furthermore, in some embodiments, each of the plurality of
interface connectors 606 may define a respective extended position,
and each of the respective extended positions defined the interface
connectors 606 may be different. Correspondingly, each of the
plurality of apparatus connectors 605 may be recessed within a
respective channel of the extension 698 (each channel may be
similar to the channel 608 shown in FIG. 19). Each channel may
define a depth, and the depth of each respective channel may
correspond to a depth of a corresponding apparatus connector.
Furthermore, the depths of each of the channels (and,
correspondingly, the depths of each of the plurality of apparatus
connectors) may be different. The respective extended positions of
the interface connectors 606 may be configured relative to the
respective depths of the channels of the extension 698 so that an
electrical connection may be established between the object
interface and the mounting apparatus when the object interface is
engaged with the mounting apparatus. Such a recessed and staggered
configuration of the apparatus connectors 605 may prevent
undesirable contact and/or connection between components of the
object interface (e.g. certain interface connectors) and components
of the mounting apparatus (e.g. certain apparatus connectors) as a
portion of the plurality of interface connectors 606 may be moved
past a portion of the plurality of apparatus connectors 605 during
engagement.
[0330] In the embodiment of FIG. 25, the central object surface 626
may comprise the interface transmission path 607 (not shown) and
the common plug 604. In other embodiments, a charger support may be
configured to support the interface connectors 606 in the
configuration shown in FIG. 25. And in some embodiments, the
interface transmission path 607 may be configured to be attached to
a circuit board or other electrical component comprised by the
object, such as in an embodiment wherein the object interface 620
is built into the casing or enclosure of an electronic device
(e.g., a tablet computer, a smartphone, etc.).
[0331] In still other embodiments, a portion of the face of the
engagement member may define a curved surface, and the curved
surface may support at least one apparatus connector. Referring to
FIG. 26, a mounting apparatus is shown in an idle (e.g. unengaged)
configuration with an engagement member in a retracted position. A
portion of the face of the engagement member of the mounting
apparatus may define a curved surface, and the curved surface may
support a plurality of apparatus connectors arranged in a
concentric configuration (e.g., as a concentric ring set). An
object interface may be configured relative to the mounting
apparatus shown in FIG. 26 so that a charger support, a central
object surface, or another component of the object interface may
support a corresponding curved surface that is configured to agree
with the curved surface comprised by the engagement member, and the
corresponding curved surface supported by the charger support, the
central object surface, or another component of the object
interface may support a corresponding plurality of interface
connectors (e.g., a concentric ring set, a pin grouping, etc.) so
that an electrical connection may be established between the object
interface and the mounting apparatus when the object interface is
engaged with the mounting apparatus.
[0332] As previously noted, the mounting apparatus may comprise at
least one wireless charging device. Accordingly, the disclosed
system for mounting an object to a mounting surface comprising a
mounting apparatus and an object interface may be configured so
that a wireless charging relationship may be established between
the object to be mounted and the mounting apparatus when the object
is engaged with the mounting apparatus. Furthermore, a system for
mounting an object to a mounting surface comprising a mounting
apparatus and an object interface may be configured so that a
wireless charging relationship may be established between the
object interface and the mounting apparatus for charging the object
when the object is engaged with the mounting apparatus.
[0333] The configuration of an object interface comprised by the
system may be varied according to the wireless charging
compatibility of the object to be mounted (i.e., whether or not the
object comprises a wireless charging component; e.g., a coil object
vs. a non-coil object) as well as the configuration of the object
(e.g., where the wireless charging component is located, whether or
not the object is configured to respond to magnetism, etc.). For
example, an object interface may be configured to add wireless
charging functionality, mounting functionality (e.g., for an object
that is not configured to respond to magnetism), or both wireless
charging functionality and mounting functionality to an object
depending upon the configuration of the object. Furthermore, in
some embodiments, an object interface may be configured to adapt
the wireless charging functionality of an object to be mounted in
various ways.
[0334] Referring to FIG. 27A, a system 800 is provided for mounting
and wirelessly charging an object. The system 800 may comprise a
mounting apparatus 810 and an object interface 820. The mounting
apparatus 810 may comprise an intermediate surface 812, a base
surface 880 (shown in FIG. 27B), and an engagement member 814. The
engagement member 814 may comprise a plurality of engagement member
components, 814' and 814'', arranged in a nested and telescoping
configuration, and the engagement member 814 may be configured to
be moved between an extended state and a retracted state. FIG. 27A
shows the engagement member 814 in the extended state.
[0335] As shown in FIG. 27B, which depicts a cross-sectional view
of the system 800 when the mounting apparatus 810 is fully engaged
with the object interface 820, a plurality of second mounting
magnets, 840' and 840'', may be supported by the engagement member
components 814' and 814'', respectively. The second mounting magnet
840' may be comprised by a ring of ferrous metal, and the second
mounting magnet 840'' may be comprised by a permanent ring magnet.
The intermediate surface 812 may support a first mounting magnet
comprised of four magnets 830. The base surface 880 may support a
controlling component (not shown), and the controlling component
may be configured to bias the engagement member 814 (i.e., each of
the engagement member components 814' and 814'') toward the
retracted state.
[0336] The mounting apparatus 810 may comprise a wireless charging
device, and the wireless charging device may be positioned in
proximity to a target mounting area so that the wireless charging
device may be within a charging range of a compatible wireless
charging component when the object is engaged with the mounting
apparatus. In some embodiments, the wireless charging device
comprised by the mounting apparatus may comprise a plurality of
components. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 27A & 27B, the
wireless charging device may comprise a transmitter coil component
8401 and a transmitter circuit board (not shown). Therefore, the
wireless charging device supported by the mounting apparatus 810
may be capable of wirelessly charging a compatible electronic
device that is brought into proximity with the wireless charging
device. The transmitter coil component 8401 may be supported by the
engagement member 814, the transmitter circuit board (not shown)
may be supported by the base surface 880, and the transmitter coil
component 8401 and the transmitter circuit board may be connected
via an apparatus transmission path 889 (e.g., a wire or wire
bundle).
[0337] The mounting apparatus 810 may comprise a first shielding
component 8411, and the first shielding component 8411 may be
supported by the engagement member 814. The first shielding
component 8411 may be configured so that the transmitter coil
component 8401 may be partially enclosed by the first shielding
component 8411.
[0338] The object interface 820 may be a case for a mobile
electronic device (e.g., a tablet computer, etc.) that is not
configured to participate in a wireless charging relationship
(i.e., a non-coil object), and the object interface 820 may
comprise a central object surface 826 that is configured to attach
to the mobile electronic device (i.e., the object to be mounted).
The central object surface 826 may be configured to support a third
mounting magnet, and the third mounting magnet may comprise a
plurality of magnets, 831 and 841. Magnet 831 may comprise a round,
ferrous metal plate with a center opening (i.e., a hole in the
center of the plate), and magnet 841 may be a permanent ring magnet
that is configured to be attached to the ferrous metal plate in
this embodiment. The object interface 820 may comprise a second
shielding component 8412, and the second shielding component 8412
may be configured to be attached to the third mounting magnet, 831
& 841, in this embodiment.
[0339] The object interface 820 may comprise a wireless charging
device, and the wireless charging device comprised by the object
interface 820 may comprise a plurality of components. In this
embodiment, the wireless charging device may comprise a receiver
coil component 8402 and a receiver circuit board (not shown), and
an interface transmission path 807 (e.g., a wire) may be configured
to connect the receiver coil component 8402 and the receiver
circuit board. The second shielding component 8412 may be
configured so that the receiver coil component 8402 may be
partially enclosed by the second shielding component 8412.
[0340] The wireless charging device comprised by the object
interface 820 may be configured relative to the wireless charging
device comprised by the mounting apparatus 810 so that a wireless
charging relationship may be established between the object
interface 820 and the mounting apparatus 810 when the object is
engaged with the mounting apparatus 810. Said differently, the
wireless charging device comprised by the object interface 820 may
be configured to be compatible with the wireless charging device
comprised by the mounting apparatus 810. For example, each wireless
charging device may be configured according to a wireless charging
specification (e.g., Qi, Powermat, etc.) to ensure
compatibility.
[0341] The wireless charging device comprised by the object
interface may be configured relative to the wireless charging
device comprised by the mounting apparatus so that a wireless
charging relationship may be maintained between the mounting
apparatus and the object when at least one of the object interface
or the mounting apparatus is rotated relative to the other of the
at least one of the object interface or the mounting apparatus. For
example, the receiver coil component 8402 comprised by the object
interface 820 and the transmitter coil component 8401 comprised by
the mounting apparatus 810 may be configured to be substantially
symmetrically disposed about a central axis of the engagement
member 814 when the object interface 820 is engaged with the
mounting apparatus 810.
[0342] Magnet 831 may be configured relative to magnets 830 and
magnets 840'' so that an attraction force may be produced between
magnet 831 and magnets 830 and 840'' when the object interface 820
is brought into proximity with the mounting apparatus 810, and
magnet 841 may be configured relative to magnet 840' so that an
attraction force may be produced between magnet 841 and magnet 840'
when the object interface 820 is brought into proximity with the
mounting apparatus 810. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 27B, an
attraction force produced between the second mounting magnet 840'
(one of a plurality of second mounting magnets in this embodiment)
and the third mounting magnet (specifically, magnet 841 in this
embodiment) may cause engagement between the second mounting magnet
840' and the third mounting magnet, and a depth defined by the
engagement member 814' may be configured relative to a charging
range defined by the transmitter coil component 8401 so that the
receiver coil component 8402 may be within the charging range of
the transmitter coil component 8401 when the second mounting magnet
840' and the third mounting magnet are engaged. Proximity of the
receiver coil component 8402 to the transmitter coil component 8401
within the charging range of the transmitter coil component 8401
may establish a wireless charging relationship between the
transmitter coil component 8401 and the receiver coil component
8402. The wireless charging relationship established between the
transmitter coil component 8401 and the receiver coil component
8402 may be an inductive charging relationship, and an engagement
force produced between the second mounting magnet 840' and the
third mounting magnet may maintain the position of the receiver
coil component 8402 within the charging range of the transmitter
coil component 8401.
[0343] The central object surface 826 may be configured to support
the receiver circuit board (not shown) and a common plug (e.g., a
micro-USB plug, etc.; not shown), and the common plug may be
configured to be attached to a port of the object to be mounted
when the object interface 820 is attached to the object. The
interface transmission path 807 may be configured to be attached to
each of the receiver coil component 8402, the circuit board, and
the common plug. Thus, the object interface 820 may be configured
so that energy transferred via the wireless charging relationship
may be converted to an electric current by the receiver circuit
board and may be transferred to the object via the common plug to
charge the object. In this way, the object interface 820 may
function as a wireless charging adapter for the object in some
embodiments.
[0344] As shown in FIGS. 27A and 27B, the second shielding
component 8412 may be configured to agree with the first shielding
component 8411 so that the receiver coil component 8402 and the
transmitter coil component 8401 may be substantially fully enclosed
by the second shielding component 8412 and the first shielding
component 8411 when the object interface 820 is fully engaged with
the mounting apparatus 810. Substantially fully enclosing the
receiver coil component 8402 and the transmitter coil component
8401 within an enclosure comprised by the second shielding
component 8412 and the first shielding component 8411 may isolate a
wireless charging field (e.g., a magnetic field) that is associated
with the wireless charging relationship relative to other
ferromagnetic components and/or magnetic fields supported by or
associated with the mounting apparatus 810 and/or the object
interface 820. Said differently, the second shielding component
8412 and the first shielding component 8411 may be configured so
that the enclosure comprised by the second shielding component 8412
and the first shielding component 8411 may be configured to guide,
block, divert, etc. magnetic fields and/or lines of flux associated
with ferromagnetic components of the mounting apparatus (e.g., a
mounting magnet, etc.) that may interfere with the wireless
charging field so that the wireless charging relationship may be
established between the object and the mounting apparatus 810 when
the object is engaged with the mounting apparatus 810. Thus, the
enclosure comprised by the second shielding component 8412 and the
first shielding component 8411 may protect the integrity of the
wireless charging field associated with the wireless charging
relationship.
[0345] In other embodiments of the system, the wireless charging
device comprised by the mounting apparatus may be a receiver device
(e.g., may comprise a receiver coil component), and the wireless
charging device comprised by the object interface may be a
transmitter device (e.g., may comprise a transmitter coil
component).
[0346] In another embodiment, an object interface may be configured
to attach to a coil object. The object interface may be configured
relative to the mounting apparatus so that a compatible wireless
charging component comprised by the object may be positioned within
a charging range of the at least one wireless charging device
comprised by the mounting apparatus when the object is partially or
fully engaged with the mounting apparatus.
[0347] In still other embodiments, an object interface may be
configured to be attached to a coil object and may comprise a
plurality of wireless charging components configured to adapt the
functionality of the wireless component comprised by the coil
object to a desired position on the object interface. For example,
if the object to be mounted is a coil object comprising a receiver
coil component that is not in alignment with an axis of symmetry of
the coil object, the object interface may comprise a first wireless
charging device and a second wireless charging device. The first
wireless charging device may be a wireless transmitter device and
may be aligned with the receiver component comprised by the coil
object, and the second wireless charging device may be a wireless
receiver device that is configured to be attached to the first
wireless charging device. Thus, the second wireless charging device
may be configured to emulate the functionality of the receiver coil
component comprised by the coil object while occupying the desired
position relative to, for example, a wireless charging device
comprised by the mounting apparatus.
[0348] In another embodiment, an object interface may be configured
to adapt a coil object to a non-wireless charging mounting
apparatus, such as the mounting apparatus 610 depicted in FIG. 20A.
For example, the object interface may support a charger support,
and a first side of the charger support may comprise a wireless
transmitter device. The wireless transmitter device may be
configured to be in proximity to a wireless receiver component
comprised by the coil object when the object interface is attached
to the coil object. A second side of the charger support may
comprise a plurality of interface connectors, and the plurality of
interface connectors may be configured relative to a plurality of
apparatus connectors comprised by the mounting apparatus so that an
electrical connection may be established between the mounting
apparatus and the object interface when the object interface is
engaged with the mounting apparatus. Thus, when the object
interface is engaged with the mounting apparatus and an electrical
connection is established, the charger support may be configured to
wirelessly charge the coil object, and the wireless transmitter
device comprised by the charger support may be powered by the
electrical connection. Such functionality may be desirable when,
for example, a mobile electronic device comprises no charging port
and a wireless charging and mounting solution is unavailable.
[0349] In various embodiments, magnets comprised by the mounting
apparatus or the object interface (e.g., via a mounting magnet, a
controlling component, a nominal ferrous metal component, etc.) may
be configured relative to the at least one wireless charging device
so that a wireless charging relationship may be established between
the object and the mounting apparatus when the object is engaged
with the mounting apparatus. Said differently, components of the
mounting apparatus that may interfere with a wireless charging
field (e.g., an electromagnetic field) associated with the at least
one wireless charging device may be configured relative to the at
least one wireless charging device so that the wireless charging
field is undisturbed (i.e., functions properly). For example, a
first mounting magnet and a second mounting magnet may be
positioned relative to the at least one wireless charging device so
that a magnetic field associated with a respective one of the first
mounting magnet or the second mounting magnet does not
substantially interfere with (e.g., overlap) the wireless charging
field associated with the at least one wireless charging device.
Alternatively or additionally, a mounting apparatus and/or an
object interface may be configured (e.g., via the configuration of
shielding materials, flux guides, caps, etc.) so that interference
from ferromagnetic components and/or magnetic fields comprised by
the mounting apparatus and/or the object interface may be
substantially prevented.
[0350] In still other embodiments, the mounting apparatus may
comprise a plurality of wireless charging devices, and each of the
plurality of wireless charging devices may be configured according
to a wireless charging specification (e.g., Qi, Powermat, etc.).
Therefore, a mounting apparatus comprising a plurality of wireless
charging devices may support a plurality of wireless charging
standards (e.g., the mounting apparatus may be compatible with both
Qi and Powermat devices). For example, a wireless charging device
supported by the engagement member may be configured according to a
first wireless charging specification (e.g., Qi), and a wireless
charging device supported by the intermediate surface may be
configured according to a second wireless charging specification
(e.g., Powermat).
[0351] In some embodiments, each of the plurality of wireless
charging devices may be positioned relative to a respective one of
a plurality of target mounting areas so that a plurality of
wireless charging relationships may be established between the
mounting apparatus and a plurality of objects to be mounted. Said
differently, the mounting apparatus may be configured so that a
plurality of objects may be mounted and wirelessly charged
simultaneously, and each object may be compatible with a different
wireless charging standard.
[0352] And in other embodiments, components of the disclosed
mounting apparatus may be built into or around an existing wireless
charging base station to add mounting functionality to the wireless
charging base station.
[0353] The mounting apparatus or system may comprise modular
components. Thus, in some embodiments, the mounting apparatus may
comprise at least one modular component. Likewise, the object
interface may comprise at least one modular component.
[0354] Any component, feature, group of components, portion, etc.
of the mounting apparatus may be configured to be modular. For
example, an engagement member, an intermediate surface, a base
surface, a controlling component, a first mounting magnet, a second
mounting magnet, a housing, a plurality of apparatus connectors,
and/or a nominal component may be configured to be a modular
component of the mounting apparatus. Likewise, any component,
feature, group of components, portion, etc. of the object interface
may be configured to be modular in various embodiments. For
example, a charger support, a dial (described in more detail
below), an interface controlling component, a third mounting
magnet, a central object surface, a secondary object surface, a
plurality of interface connectors, and/or a nominal component may
be configured to be a modular component of the object
interface.
[0355] The functionality of a mounting apparatus, an object
interface, or a system may differ depending on the number and/or
type of modular components present with the mounting apparatus,
object interface, or system as well as the configuration(s) (e.g.,
relative positioning, etc.) of the modular component(s). For
example, a mounting apparatus comprising a first modular apparatus
component may have a first apparatus functionality. The first
modular apparatus component comprised by the mounting apparatus may
be removed and replaced by a second modular apparatus component,
and the second modular apparatus component may be different from
the first modular apparatus component. Therefore, the mounting
apparatus (i.e., the same mounting apparatus) comprising the second
modular apparatus component may have a second apparatus
functionality, and the second apparatus functionality may be
different from the first apparatus functionality. Likewise, an
object interface comprising a first modular interface component may
have a first interface functionality, and the object interface
comprising a second modular interface component may have a second
interface functionality. Moreover, a system comprised by the
mounting apparatus and the object interface (as described above)
may have a first system functionality (e.g., a mounting
functionality resulting from engagement of a mounting apparatus
having a first apparatus functionality and an object interface
having a first interface functionality), a second system
functionality (e.g., resulting from a first apparatus functionality
and a second interface functionality), a third system functionality
(e.g., resulting from a second apparatus functionality and a first
interface functionality), or a fourth system functionality (e.g.,
resulting from a second apparatus functionality and a second
interface functionality) depending on the configurations of the
mounting apparatus and the object interface comprising the
system.
[0356] In one embodiment, a first system functionality may
correspond to a first total engagement force between the object
interface and the mounting apparatus when the object interface is
engaged with (mounted to) the mounting apparatus, a second system
functionality may correspond to a second total engagement force, a
third system functionality may correspond to a third total
engagement force, etc. Therefore, the total engagement force of the
system may be adjustable. Likewise, the total engagement force of a
mounting apparatus may be adjustable.
[0357] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the mounting apparatus may
function without the at least one modular apparatus component (e.g.
usefully, desirably, and/or in a prescribed manner; though the
functionality of the mounting apparatus, including the mounting
functionality, may be different). Likewise, in some embodiments,
the object interface may function without the at least one modular
interface component. Moreover, the system may function without the
at least one modular apparatus component and/or without the at
least one modular interface component.
[0358] In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus may comprise at
least one modular component. The engagement member may be
configured to be a modular component of the mounting apparatus.
Alternatively or additionally, a face of an engagement member or a
face of an engagement member component may be configured to be a
modular component of the mounting apparatus. In some embodiments,
an engagement member component may be configured to be a modular
component of the mounting apparatus. For example, at least a
portion of a modular engagement member, such as an engagement
member component, may comprise a mesh material, such as a mesh
configuration of metal chain links or a fabric, and the mesh
material may be configured to allow movement of the face of the
engagement member and/or the second mounting magnet that a
substantially fixed configuration an engagement member component
may not.
[0359] Moreover, the second mounting magnet may be configured to be
a modular component of the mounting apparatus. In some embodiments,
the second mounting magnet may be configured to be a modular
component of the engagement member. Moreover, the first mounting
magnet may be configured to be a modular component of the mounting
apparatus. In some embodiments, the first mounting magnet may be
configured to be a modular component of the intermediate
surface.
[0360] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the base surface may be
configured to be a modular component of the mounting apparatus.
Additionally or alternatively, a controlling component may be
configured to be a modular component of the mounting apparatus. The
controlling component may be configured to be a fastener in some
embodiments.
[0361] The mounting apparatus may comprise a bay, and the bay may
be configured to be a modular component of the mounting apparatus.
Moreover, the mounting apparatus may comprise a plurality of bays
in some embodiments.
[0362] The mounting apparatus may comprise a modular housing. In
some embodiments, the modular housing may be configured to be
slideably received by at least a portion of the mounting apparatus,
and the modular housing may be configured relative to the at least
a portion of the mounting apparatus so that a friction force is
produced between the modular housing and the at least a portion of
the mounting apparatus when the modular housing is attached to the
at least a portion of the mounting apparatus. Moreover, the
friction force may be configured so that the modular housing may be
releasably attached to the at least a portion of the mounting
apparatus without fasteners.
[0363] Referring to FIG. 28A, a mounting apparatus 910 is shown,
and the mounting apparatus 910 may comprise a plurality of modular
components. The mounting apparatus 910 may comprise a modular
engagement member 914, and the engagement member 914 may be
configured to be releasably attached to an intermediate surface
912. For example, the modular engagement member 914 may be
configured to be slideably received by the intermediate surface 912
via a first top opening 991 of the intermediate surface 912 when
the engagement member 914 is in the retracted state. Likewise, the
engagement member 914 may be removable via the first top opening
991. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the engagement member 914
may be screwed into, snapped into, etc. the intermediate surface
912.
[0364] As shown in FIGS. 28A and 28B, the engagement member 914 may
be comprised of a plurality of engagement member components (five,
in this embodiment) arranged in a nested and telescoping
configuration, and a second mounting magnet 940 may be supported by
a face 988' of an engagement member component. Therefore, the
second mounting magnet 940 may be removable in this embodiment,
because it is supported by the engagement member 914, which is
configured to be a modular component of the mounting apparatus 910,
as noted above.
[0365] In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus may comprise a
modular second mounting magnet, so the second mounting magnet may
be configured to be releasably attached to the engagement member.
For example, an engagement member component comprising a second
mounting magnet may be configured to be releasably attached to
another of the plurality of engagement member components comprising
the engagement member. Alternatively or additionally, a face of an
engagement member component supporting a second mounting magnet may
be configured to be a modular component of the mounting apparatus.
For example, the modular face may be screwed, snapped, etc. into
and out of an extension of an engagement member component.
[0366] The intermediate surface 912 of the mounting apparatus 910
may support a modular first mounting magnet 930, and the first
mounting magnet 930 may comprise a holding plate configured to
support a plurality of magnets (six, in this embodiment). The
holding plate may be comprised of a material that does not respond
to magnetism in this embodiment (e.g., rubber, plastic, etc.). The
intermediate surface 912 may be configured to slideably receive the
first mounting magnet 930 via the first top opening 991 of the
intermediate surface 912. Therefore, the first mounting magnet 930
may be removable via the first top opening 991, and,
correspondingly, the first mounting magnet 930 may be configured to
be a modular component of the mounting apparatus 910 in this
embodiment. In other embodiments, the first mounting magnet may
comprise a plurality of modular holding plates supporting a
plurality of magnets.
[0367] The mounting apparatus 910 may comprise a bay 913 that is
configured to be releasably attached to the intermediate surface
912 in this embodiment. Correspondingly, the bay 913 may be
configured to be a modular component of the mounting apparatus 910.
The mounting apparatus 910 may comprise a modular base surface 980,
and the base surface 980 may be configured to be releasably
attached to the bay 913. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 28A,
the base surface 980 is configured to be releasably attached to the
bay 913 via a controlling component 960. Therefore, in this
embodiment, the controlling component 960 may be configured to be a
fastener. Additionally, the controlling component 960 may be
configured to apply a controlling force to the second mounting
magnet 940 that is configured to bias the engagement member 914
toward the retracted state.
[0368] The mounting apparatus 910 shown in FIG. 28A may comprise a
modular housing 982. The modular housing may be configured to fully
or partially enclose other components of the mounting apparatus per
the application. FIG. 28B shows the mounting apparatus 910 when the
engagement member 914 is in the extended state and other components
of the mounting apparatus 910 are substantially fully enclosed by
the housing 982. The face 988' of the engagement member may be
configured to be flush with the housing 982 when the engagement
member 914 is in the refracted state. Additional modular housings
may be configured in various ways per the application. For example,
the modular housing may be configured to define at least one access
opening so that the modular housing is configured to allow access
to one or more features or components (e.g., ports, input devices,
etc.) supported by the mounting apparatus. In some embodiments, the
modular housing may support additional features, functionality,
and/or components of the mounting apparatus such as wireless data
antennas, wireless radios, input devices, and/or additional
components that may be substantially similar to or may be
configured to support the functionality of the components of the
mounting apparatus (e.g., any feature or component of the mounting
apparatus, listed in greater detail below). In other embodiments,
the modular housing may be comprised of a relatively soft and
pliable material, such as rubber, so that the modular housing is
configured to protect the mounting apparatus against sudden impacts
such as drops, knocks, or vibrations. And in still other
embodiments, the modular housing may be configured to support
fasteners for attaching the mounting apparatus to the mounting
surface per the application.
[0369] Referring again to FIG. 28A, the bay 913 may be configured
to support an interchangeable component 981, and the bay 913 may be
configured to slideably receive the interchangeable component 981
via a second top opening 992 of the bay 913. Therefore, the
interchangeable component 981 may be configured to be removable via
the second top opening 992 (the interchangeable component 981 is
shown in a partially-inserted state in FIG. 28A for purpose of
illustration). In some embodiments, the bay may be configured to
support a plurality of interchangeable components. In one
embodiment, the bay may be configured to receive any of a field
manipulation component, a card, or the first mounting magnet, and
the bay may adapt the interchangeable component to one or more
components of the mounting apparatus. For example, the bay may
comprise a plurality of electrical connectors to support the
functionality of an interchangeable component that requires an
electrical connection with the apparatus transmission path (e.g., a
card, etc.). Moreover, the bay may be configured to support plugs,
connectors, input-output ports, etc. per the application. Other
interchangeable components that do not require an electrical
connection, such as a field manipulation component or a first
mounting magnet, may be configured to avoid contact with the
plurality of electrical connectors comprised by the bay or may be
configured using nonconductive components or materials so that the
functionality of the apparatus transmission path of the mounting
apparatus is substantially unaffected by attachment of the
non-electrical interchangeable. In some embodiments, an
interchangeable modular apparatus component may be a common
component of the mounting system. Accordingly, an object interface
may be configured to support the interchangeable modular apparatus
component. Likewise, in some embodiments, the mounting apparatus
may be configured to support an interchangeable modular interface
component. For example, the mounting apparatus may be configured to
support a modular charger support, and the modular charger support
may be a common component of the mounting system.
[0370] The interchangeable component 981 may be configured so that
the total engagement force associated with the mounting apparatus
or system is changed when the interchangeable component 981 is
attached to the mounting apparatus 910 (i.e., when received by the
second top opening 992 in this embodiment). For example, the
interchangeable component 981 may be a field manipulation
component, and the type of the field manipulation component may
vary per the application. For example, the field manipulation
component may comprise a ferrous metal plate, a plastic plate that
is configured to support at least one magnet, an aluminum plate
that is configured to support a plurality of ferrous metal caps,
etc. per the application. Therefore, the interchangeable component
981 may be configured relative to the first mounting magnet 930 so
that the magnetic field associated with the first mounting magnet
930 is substantially changed when the interchangeable component 981
is received by the second top opening 992, and a substantial change
in the magnetic field associated with the first mounting magnet 930
may correspond to a change in the total engagement force of the
mounting apparatus or the system when the object or the object
interface is engaged with the mounting apparatus. In other
embodiments, the interchangeable component 981 may be configured
relative to other components of the mounting apparatus 910 (e.g.,
the second mounting magnet 940, the controlling component 960,
etc.) and may be configured to alter the functionality of said
components (e.g., the movement of the engagement member 914, the
strength of the controlling force, etc.).
[0371] In some embodiments, the interchangeable component 981 may
be configured to be movable between a front limit position and a
rear limit position along the line of engagement L.sub.e. For
example, the interchangeable component that is configured to be
movable may be a field manipulation component. When the object is
fully engaged with the mounting apparatus 910 and the field
manipulation component is in the front limit position, an
engagement force produced between the first mounting magnet 930 and
the object (or the object interface) may be greater than an
engagement force produced between the first mounting magnet 930 and
the object (or the object interface) when the object is fully
engaged with the mounting apparatus 910 and the field manipulation
component is in the rear limit position. Therefore, in some
embodiments, the total engagement force may be adjustable via
movement of an interchangeable component 981 between a front limit
position and a rear limit position. Furthermore, the mounting
apparatus 910 may be configured so that the interchangeable
component 981 may be movable when the object is engaged with the
mounting apparatus 910. Thus configured, a user may, for example,
move the field manipulation component to the front limit position
so that the object is more securely attached to the mounting
apparatus (e.g., so that the total engagement force may be greater,
so that a locking engagement force may be created, etc.), and the
user may move the field manipulation component to the rear limit
position prior to disengaging the object so that disengagement of
the object from the mounting apparatus 910 may require less
effort.
[0372] The mounting apparatus and/or the object interface may
comprise at least one card, input device, field manipulation
component, battery, power source, power adapter, plug adapter,
power port, electromechanical machine, door latch, audio speaker,
and/or light (e.g., LED, etc.), and the at least one card, card
component, input device, field manipulation component, battery,
power source, power adapter, plug adapter, power port,
electromechanical machine, door latch, audio speaker, and/or light
(e.g., LED, etc.) may be configured to be a modular component of
the mounting apparatus or the object interface or may be supported
by a modular component of the mounting apparatus and/or the object
interface. Correspondingly, a mounting apparatus, an object
interface, and/or a mounting system may be configured to be smart
in some embodiments. Also, any modular component of a mounting
apparatus, an object interface, and/or a mounting system may be
configured to be smart per the application.
[0373] For example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 28A and 28B,
the interchangeable component 981 may comprise a battery, a power
source, a power supply, a power adapter, a card, a card component,
a storage drive, a memory card reader, a data port, a power port, a
wireless data module (e.g., WiFi module, Bluetooth module, cellular
module, etc.), and/or a field manipulation component (as noted
above); the base surface 980 may be configured to support a power
adapter, a plug adapter, a battery, a power source, a power supply,
a memory card reader, a data port, a power port, a mounting
fastener, and/or a mounting adapter; the engagement member 914 may
be configured to support at least one wireless data component,
wireless data module, tactile sensor, and/or light; the
intermediate surface 912 may be configured to support at least one
proximity sensor, tactile sensor, motion detector, digital camera,
wireless data component, cellular data component, wireless data
module, ambient light sensor, and/or light; the first mounting
magnet 930 may be configured to support at least one wireless data
component; and the housing 982 may be configured to support at
least one proximity sensor, tactile sensor, motion detector,
digital camera, wireless data component, wireless data module,
ambient light sensor, and/or light.
[0374] Furthermore, the mounting apparatus and/or the object
interface may be configured so that a first modular component
comprising a first functionality may be interchangeable with a
second modular component comprising a second functionality. For
example, each of the first top opening 991 and the second top
opening 992 may be configured to receive either of the first
mounting magnet 930 or an interchangeable component 981.
Accordingly, in some embodiments, the intermediate surface 912, the
bay 913, and/or the interchangeable component 981 may be a field
manipulation component configured to shield a card or a card
component from the magnetic influence of the first mounting magnet
930, the second mounting magnet 940, and/or other components of the
mounting apparatus 910. Likewise, an object interface may comprise
a field manipulation component, and the field manipulation
component may be configured so that the object, such as an audio
speaker, is shielded from the magnetic influence of the mounting
apparatus.
[0375] Some modular components of a mounting apparatus or an object
interface may require electricity. Therefore, a modular apparatus
component may be configured relative to the mounting apparatus so
that an electrical connection may be established between the
modular apparatus component and the mounting apparatus when the
modular apparatus component is attached to the mounting apparatus.
Likewise, a modular interface component may be configured relative
to the object interface so that an electrical connection may be
established between the modular interface component and the object
interface when the modular interface component is attached to the
object interface. Correspondingly, a modular apparatus component or
a modular interface component may comprise at least one electrical
connector, and a mounting apparatus or an object interface may
comprise at least one corresponding electrical connector.
Alternatively or additionally, a modular apparatus component or a
modular interface component may be configured to be powered or
charged wirelessly. For example, a modular apparatus component or a
modular interface component may comprise a receiver coil component
so that the modular apparatus component or the modular interface
component may participate in an wireless charging relationship,
such as an inductive charging relationship. Moreover, as noted, a
mounting apparatus or an object interface may comprise a
transmitter coil component, and the transmitter coil component
comprised by the mounting apparatus or the object interface may be
configured to wirelessly charge modular apparatus components and/or
modular interface components comprised by the mounting apparatus,
the object interface, and/or the mounting system.
[0376] In some embodiments, a modular apparatus component or a
modular interface component may be configured to be a common
modular component of the mounting system. The mounting apparatus
and the object interface may be configured relative to one another
and relative to the configuration of the common modular component
so that the common modular component may be releasably attached to
either of the mounting apparatus or the object interface.
Correspondingly, the common modular component may be, for example,
removed from the object interface and attached to the mounting
apparatus and vice versa. For example, a modular card, a modular
mounting magnet, and/or a modular charger support may be a common
modular component of the mounting system in some embodiments.
[0377] Furthermore, a modular card may be configured so that the
modular card may be releasably attached to a sustantially identical
modular card, and a bay, which may be supported by the mounting
apparatus and/or by the object interface (e.g., if a common bay),
may be configured to receive one modular card and/or a plurality of
modular cards in a releasably-attached configuration. For example,
each of a plurality of modular cards may comprise at least one
plurality of electrical connectors that is configured to be
attached to a corresponding plurality of electrical connectors
supported by a substantially identical modular card. In some
embodiments, the pluralities of electrical connectors may be
configured to be releasably attached magnetically.
[0378] Likewise, in some embodiments, each of a plurality of
modular apparatus components may be configured to be releasably
attached magnetically.
[0379] A modular charger support may comprise a card, a
transmission path, and a plurality of electrical connectors in some
embodiments, and the modular charger support comprising the card,
the transmission path, and the plurality of electrical connectors
may be configured to be a common modular component of the mounting
system. For example, the common charger support may be configured
to be an interchangeable component of the object interface and the
mounting apparatus, and the common charger support may be supported
by the central object surface of the object interface and may be
supported by the base surface of the mounting apparatus.
[0380] Modular components of the mounting apparatus, the object
interface, or the mounting system may be configured to change the
functionality of the mounting apparatus, the object interface, or
the system per the application. For example, the housing 982 may be
comprised of a material that neither influences nor responds to
magnetism (such as aluminum, plastic, etc.). Alternatively, in some
embodiments, the housing 982 may be configured to respond to
magnetism. In either case, the housing 982 may be configured to
influence the functionality of the mounting apparatus in a
prescribed manner per the application.
[0381] For example, the housing 982 may be configured relative to
the first mounting magnet 930 so that the magnetic field associated
with the first mounting magnet 930 is substantially changed (e.g.,
a change in the magnetic lines of flux, force curve, strength,
etc.). In one embodiment, a plastic housing 982 may support at
least one magnet, and the at least one magnet supported by the
housing 982 may cooperate with the first mounting magnet 930 so
that an attraction force produced between the first mounting magnet
930 and the object (or the object interface) when the housing 982
is attached to the mounting apparatus 910 is greater than an
attraction force produced between the first mounting magnet 930 and
the object (or the object interface) when the housing is not
attached to the mounting apparatus 910. Correspondingly, the total
engagement force of the mounting apparatus or system may be
greater.
[0382] Alternatively, some configurations of the housing 982 may
produce a lesser total engagement force between the mounting
apparatus and the object. For example, a relatively thicker housing
982 may increase a distance between the first mounting magnet 930
and the object (or the object interface) when the object is engaged
with the mounting apparatus 910, and a greater distance between the
first mounting magnet 930 and the object may result in a lesser
(i.e., weaker) total engagement force. Likewise, the housing 982
may define a curved surface, and the curved surface defined by the
housing 982 may increase a distance between the first mounting
magnet 930 and the object (or the object interface) when the object
is engaged with the mounting apparatus 910. Said differently, a
modular housing may be configured so that an air gap between a
magnet supported by the mounting apparatus and a magnet supported
by the object or the object interface is larger. In still other
embodiments, the housing 982 may be comprised of a material that
responds to magnetism (e.g., a ferrous metal) so that the housing
982 is a magnet, as previously defined. Additionally or
alternatively, the housing 982 may comprise ferrous metal caps that
are configured to partially enclose the first mounting magnet 930
(or at least one of a plurality of magnets comprising the first
mounting magnet 930). Therefore, the total engagement force of a
mounting apparatus and/or a mounting system may be adjustable via
the attachment, detachment, or replacement of a modular housing
982.
[0383] In fact, because the total engagement force produced between
the mounting apparatus and the object (or the object interface) may
be determined, in whole or in part, by the relative proximity of
the magnets comprised by the mounting apparatus or the mounting
system (for example, the distances, depths, air gaps, etc. between
the magnets) as well as the respective magnetic field(s) associated
with the magnets (e.g., the relative strength, shape, etc. of the
magnetic field(s) associated with a magnet and/or group of
magnets), the total engagement force of a mounting apparatus or
mounting system may be substantially changed via the attachment,
detachment, or replacement of any modular component of the mounting
apparatus or mounting system.
[0384] The mounting apparatus and/or the object interface may be
configured so that a first modular component comprising a first
functionality may be interchangeable with a second modular
component comprising a second functionality. In one embodiment,
each of the first top opening 991 and the second top opening 992
may be configured to receive either of the first mounting magnet
930 or an interchangeable component 981. Accordingly, the
intermediate surface 912, the bay 913, and/or the interchangeable
component 981 may be configured to shield a card or card component
from the magnetic influence of the first mounting magnet 930, the
second mounting magnet 940, and/or other components of the mounting
apparatus 910 in some embodiments.
[0385] In this way, the total engagement force of a mounting
apparatus or system may be changed by the attachment, detachment,
or replacement of any or all of a modular first mounting magnet
930, a modular second mounting magnet 940, a modular controlling
component 960, or an interchangeable component 981 in some
embodiments.
[0386] Various embodiments of an engagement member or a modular
engagement member may be configured to enhance the functionality of
a mounting apparatus or a mounting system, and a mounting system
may be configured so that the mounting process and associated
functionality of the mounting apparatus or mounting system may be
carried out in various ways per the application. As such, a system
for mounting an object to a mounting surface is provided. The
system may comprise a mounting apparatus and an object interface,
and the object interface may be configured to be attached to an
object to be mounted and to the mounting apparatus. The mounting
apparatus may comprise an intermediate surface, and the
intermediate surface may define a first plane. The mounting
apparatus may further comprise an electromechanical engagement
member, and the electromechanical engagement member may comprise at
least one engagement member component arranged in a nested and
telescoping configuration. The at least one engagement member
component may define a second plane. The electromechanical
engagement member may further comprise an apparatus engagement
latch. The object interface may comprise a central object surface,
and the central object surface may define an alignment target and
an interface latch cavity.
[0387] The at least one engagement member component comprised by
the electromechanical engagement member of the mounting apparatus
may be configured to be movable between an extended state and a
retracted state along a line of engagement that intersects the
first plane, and the mounting apparatus may be configured so that
proximity of the object interface to the mounting apparatus and
substantial alignment of the at least one engagement member
component and the alignment target defined by the central object
surface causes the electromechanical engagement member to bias the
at least one engagement member component along the line of
engagement.
[0388] In one embodiment, proximity of the object interface to the
mounting apparatus and substantial alignment of the at least one
engagement member component and the alignment target defined by the
central object surface may cause the electromechanical engagement
member to bias the at least one engagement member component toward
the extended state along the line of engagement. Alternatively, in
some embodiments, proximity of the object interface to the mounting
apparatus and substantial alignment of the at least one engagement
member component and the alignment target defined by the central
object surface may cause the electromechanical engagement member to
bias the at least one engagement member component toward the
retracted state along the line of engagement.
[0389] The apparatus engagement latch supported by the
electromechanical engagement member may be configured to be movable
between an extended apparatus engagement latch position and a
retracted apparatus engagement latch position along an apparatus
latch engagement line. The mounting apparatus may be configured so
that the apparatus engagement latch is biased toward the retracted
apparatus engagement latch position when the apparatus engagement
latch and the interface latch cavity are not substantially aligned
along the apparatus latch engagement line, and the mounting
apparatus may be configured so that the apparatus engagement latch
is biased toward the extended apparatus engagement latch position
when the apparatus engagement latch and the interface latch cavity
are substantially aligned along the apparatus latch engagement
line.
[0390] Movement of the at least one engagement member component
along the line of engagement may cause the apparatus engagement
latch and the interface latch cavity to be substantially aligned so
that the object interface and the mounting apparatus may be
lockably engaged to produce a first engagement force for mounting
the object to the mounting surface.
[0391] In some embodiments, the first engagement force may cause
the electromechanical engagement member to bias the at least one
engagement member component toward the retracted state to produce a
second engagement force for mounting the object to the mounting
surface. For example, the at least one engagement member may be
configured to bias the object interface to engage the intermediate
surface of the mounting apparatus to produce the second engagement
force.
[0392] The at least one engagement member component comprised by
the electromechanical engagement member may comprise an extension
and a face joined to the extension. In some embodiments, the face
of the at least one engagement member component may be configured
to support a plurality of apparatus connectors. Alternatively or
additionally, the extension of the at least one engagement member
component may be configured to support a plurality of apparatus
connectors.
[0393] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the apparatus engagement
latch may be configured to support a plurality of apparatus
connectors.
[0394] Moreover, in some embodiments, the at least one engagement
member component may define a plurality of second planes. Said
differently, the electromechanical engagement member may comprise a
plurality of engagement member components; the plurality of
engagement member components may be arranged in a nested and
telescoping configuration; and the plurality of engagement member
components may define a plurality of second planes.
[0395] The electromechanical engagement member may define an
apparatus engagement depth, and the electromechanical engagement
member may define the apparatus engagement depth in at least one of
the extended state or the retracted state.
[0396] In some embodiments of the mounting system, the central
object surface may define a cavity, and the cavity may define the
alignment target. Also, the cavity may define an object interface
depth. Furthermore, the interface latch cavity may be disposed
relative to the cavity so that the interface latch cavity may be
accessible via the cavity. For example, the object interface may be
configured so that the interface latch cavity is accessible to the
apparatus engagement latch via the cavity when the mounting
apparatus is engaged with the object interface. In other
embodiments, the central object surface may comprise an object
extension comprising a substantially male configuration, and the
object extension comprised by the central object surface may define
the alignment target. The object extension comprised by the central
object surface may define an object interface depth.
[0397] The mounting apparatus may further comprise at least one
apparatus input device, and the at least one apparatus input device
may be configured to communicate with the electromechanical
engagement member. Communication with the electromechanical
engagement member may define controlling at least the movement or
the functionality of the at least one engagement member
component.
[0398] The at least one apparatus input device may be a proximity
sensor, a camera, etc. And the at least one apparatus input device
may be supported by the at least one engagement member
component.
[0399] The mounting apparatus may be configured so that the at
least one apparatus input device detects the substantial alignment
of the at least one engagement member component and the alignment
target, and the mounting apparatus may be configured to coordinate
movement of the electromechanical engagement member relative to
input received by the at least one apparatus input device so that
the at least one engagement member component may define a
predefined apparatus engagement depth relative to the object
interface depth defined by the object interface.
[0400] Furthermore, the mounting apparatus may be configured to
coordinate movement of the electromechanical engagement member
relative to input received by the at least one apparatus input
device so that the apparatus engagement latch and the interface
latch cavity are substantially aligned along the apparatus latch
engagement line during the engagement process.
[0401] In some embodiments, the apparatus engagement latch may
define a latch plane. The latch plane defined by the apparatus
engagement latch may be configured to be substantially parallel to
the second plane defined by the at least one engagement member
component. In some embodiments, the apparatus engagement latch may
be configured to be movable in a direction that corresponds to the
line of engagement.
[0402] The mounting apparatus may be configured so that the latch
plane defined by the apparatus engagement latch is movable to a
position wherein the latch plane defined by the apparatus
engagement latch and the second plane defined by the at least one
engagement member component substantially coincide.
[0403] In some embodiments, the apparatus engagement latch may
comprise a plurality of engagement member latches. Each of the
plurality of engagement member latches may be configured to be
movable between a respective extended apparatus engagement latch
position and a respective retracted apparatus engagement latch
position along a respective apparatus latch engagement line.
[0404] The object interface may be configured relative to the
mounting apparatus so that the apparatus engagement latch is
magnetically biased toward the extended apparatus engagement latch
position when the apparatus engagement latch and the interface
latch cavity are substantially aligned.
[0405] The object interface may be configured relative to the
mounting apparatus so that the apparatus engagement latch is
mechanically biased toward the extended apparatus engagement latch
position when the apparatus engagement latch and the interface
latch cavity are substantially aligned. For example, the
electromechanical engagement member may be configured to
mechanically bias the apparatus engagement latch toward the
extended apparatus engagement latch position when the apparatus
engagement latch and the interface latch cavity are substantially
aligned so that the object interface and the mounting apparatus are
lockably engaged.
[0406] The mounting apparatus may be configured to support a first
mounting magnet, and the first mounting magnet may be supported by
the intermediate surface. The first mounting magnet may comprise a
plurality of electromagnets. The magnetic field produced by the
first mounting magnet may be configured to be adjustable. For
example, the magnetic force produced by the first mounting magnet
may be configured to be dynamically strengthened or weakened.
Additionally or alternatively, the first mounting magnet may be
configured to be switched on and off.
[0407] Moreover, the electromechanical engagement member may be
configured to support a second mounting magnet. The second mounting
magnet supported by the electromechanical engagement member may
comprise at least one electromagnet. The magnetic field produced by
the second mounting magnet supported by the electromechanical
engagement member may be configured to be adjustable. For example,
the magnetic force produced by the second mounting magnet may be
configured to be dynamically strengthened or weakened. Additionally
or alternatively, the second mounting magnet may be configured to
be switched on and off.
[0408] The electromechanical engagement member may be configured to
be a modular component of the mounting apparatus. Likewise, the
first mounting magnet may be configured to be a modular component
of the mounting apparatus, and the second mounting magnet may be
configured to be a modular component of the mounting apparatus.
[0409] At least one of the first mounting magnet or the second
mounting magnet may be configured to guide the substantial
alignment of the at least one engagement member component and the
alignment target.
[0410] As previously noted, in some embodiments, the mounting
apparatus or the mounting system may be configured to ready the
mounting apparatus for engagement and/or change the way the
mounting apparatus may be engaged.
[0411] The object interface may further comprise at least one
short-range wireless data transfer device. Likewise, the mounting
apparatus may further comprise at least one short-range wireless
data transfer device. The at least one short-range wireless data
transfer device comprised by the object interface may be an NFC
device. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one short-range
wireless data transfer device comprised by the object interface may
be a Bluetooth device. The mounting apparatus may configured to be
smart, and the mounting apparatus may be configured to communicate
with the at least one short-range wireless transfer device
comprised by the object interface (or the object).
[0412] In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus may be
configured to wake from a low-power state in response to proximity
of at least one of the object interface, the object to be mounted,
or a peripheral device.
[0413] Furthermore, the object interface may be configured relative
to the mounting apparatus so that proximity of the object interface
activates at least one of the first mounting magnet or the second
mounting magnet so that the at least one of the first mounting
magnet or the second mounting magnet is configured to respond to
magnetism.
[0414] Thus, the at least one of the first mounting magnet or the
second mounting magnet may be configured to guide substantial
alignment of the alignment target and the at least one engagement
member component in response to proximity of the object interface
to the mounting apparatus.
[0415] The mounting apparatus and the object interface may be
configured relative to one another so that the mounting apparatus
may identify the object to be mounted (e.g., the object interface
depth d.sub.o, the weight of the object, etc.) based on input from
the at least one short-range wireless data transfer device
comprised by the object interface. For example, the object
interface (or the object) may be configured to produce a persistent
coded signal that identifies the object interface (or the object)
to the mounting apparatus, and the mounting apparatus may be
configured to adjust a magnetic force associated with at least one
of the first mounting magnet or the second mounting magnet to a
predefined level relative to the object to be mounted as defined by
the coded signal.
[0416] The mounting apparatus may be configured so that substantial
alignment of the alignment target and the at least one engagement
member causes the mounting apparatus to dynamically adjust a
magnetic force associated with at least one of the first mounting
magnet or the second mounting magnet to a predefined level relative
to the object to be mounted.
[0417] In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus may be
configured so that proximity of the object interface to the
mounting apparatus causes the mounting apparatus to dynamically
adjust a magnetic force associated with at least one of the first
mounting magnet or the second mounting magnet to a predefined level
relative to the object to be mounted.
[0418] And in some embodiments, the mounting apparatus may be
configured so that engagement between the object interface and the
mounting apparatus causes the mounting apparatus to dynamically
adjust a magnetic force associated with at least one of the first
mounting magnet or the second mounting magnet to a predefined level
relative to the object to be mounted.
[0419] The electromechanical engagement member comprised by the
mounting apparatus may be configured to support a plurality of
apparatus connectors. The plurality of apparatus connectors
supported by the electromechanical engagement member may comprise a
plurality of apparatus connector subsets. Correspondingly, the
mounting apparatus may be configured to support a plurality of
electrical connections.
[0420] The object interface may be configured to support a
plurality of interface connectors. The plurality of interface
connectors supported by the object interface may comprise a
plurality of interface connector subsets. Correspondingly, the
object interface may be configured to support a plurality of
electrical connections. Likewise, the mounting system may be
configured to facilitate a plurality of electrical connections
between the object and the mounting apparatus.
[0421] The mounting apparatus may be configured to coordinate
movement of the at least one engagement member component comprised
by the electromechanical engagement member relative to input
received by the at least one apparatus input device so that the
plurality of apparatus connectors and the plurality of interface
connectors are substantially engaged and at least one electrical
connection is established between the mounting apparatus and the
object interface when the object is mounted to the mounting
apparatus.
[0422] The mounting apparatus may be configured to be smart.
Accordingly, the electromechanical engagement member may be
configured to be smart. Additionally or alternatively, the mounting
apparatus may be configured to support a card.
[0423] The mounting apparatus may be configured so that at least
one authentication communication is required for disengagement of
the object interface from the mounting apparatus to occur. For
example, the mounting apparatus may configured to lock the
apparatus engagement latch in the extended apparatus engagement
latch position until a first authentication communication is
received. Said differently, the mounting system may be configured
so that the object is lockably engaged with the mounting surface
until the at least one authentication communication is received by
the mounting apparatus, and the mounting apparatus may be readied
for disengagement by receipt of the at least one authentication
communication so that the mounting apparatus is effectively
unlocked by the at least one authentication communication. The at
least one authentication communication may be produced by the
object, the object interface, and/or a peripheral object per the
application.
[0424] For example, in one embodiment, the object interface may
support a short-range wireless data transfer device, and the
short-range wireless data transfer device may be configured to
provide a first authentication communication to the mounting
apparatus when the short-range wireless data transfer device is
within a predefined range of the mounting apparatus. The
short-range wireless data transfer device may be a Bluetooth
device. In other embodiments, the short-range wireless data
transfer device may be an NFC device or a similar technology per
the application.
[0425] Furthermore, the object interface may support an interface
input device, and the interface input device may be configured to
provide a second authentication communication to the mounting
apparatus when the interface input device receives a predefined
input. For example, the interface input device supported by the
object interface may be a tactile sensor, and the second
authentication communication may be transmitted via an electrical
connection established between the object interface and the
mounting apparatus.
[0426] The second authentication communication may be a persistent
signal configured to be persistently transmitted by the object
interface in coordination with a persistent tactile input. For
example, the persistent signal comprising the second authentication
communication may occur when a user touches the object interface
(e.g., in anticipation of disengaging the object from the mounting
apparatus).
[0427] The mounting apparatus may comprise a card, and the card
comprised by the mounting apparatus may be configured to receive a
plurality of authentication communications from the object
interface. The card comprised by the mounting apparatus may be
configured to communicate with the electromechanical engagement
member to control at least the movement or the functionality of the
electromechanical engagement member. In some embodiments, the card
comprised by the mounting apparatus may be configured to
communicate with the apparatus engagement latch to control at least
the movement or the functionality of the apparatus engagement
latch. For example, the mounting apparatus may be configured to
unlock the apparatus engagement latch when the second
authentication communication is received so that the apparatus
engagement latch may be movable along the apparatus latch
engagement line.
[0428] In some embodiments, the electromechanical engagement member
may be configured to be smart.
[0429] The mounting apparatus may be configured so that a
persistent disengaging force applied to the mounted object causes
the apparatus engagement latch to be biased toward the retracted
apparatus engagement latch position so that the object may be
disengaged from the mounting apparatus. In some embodiments, the
electromechanical engagement member may be configured to
mechanically bias the apparatus engagement latch toward the
retracted apparatus engagement latch position in response to the
persistent disengaging force.
[0430] Thus, the mounting apparatus may be configured to
differentiate between a persistent disengaging force and a
non-persistent disengaging force, such as a sudden disengaging
force caused by a knock, hit, or other unintentional disengaging
force applied to the object (e.g., by accident). Said differently,
a smart mounting apparatus and/or a smart electromechanical
engagement member may be configured to recognize the intention of,
for example, a user to disengage the object.
[0431] The duration of the persistent disengaging force required to
disengage the object may be configured per the application. For
example, a mounting system configured for a relatively fragile
object may be configured so that the persistent disengaging force
required to disengage the object must be applied for ten seconds so
that unintentional disengagement is less likely. Alternatively, a
mounting system configured for an object that may need to be
dismounted as quickly and effortlessly as possible may be
configured so that the persistent disengaging force required to
disengage the object must be applied for a half-second so that
disengagement is a relatively seamless experience for a user.
[0432] When an object has been disengaged from the mounting
apparatus, the mounting apparatus may be configured to return the
at least one engagement member component to an idle state. For
example, the electromechanical engagement member may be configured
to bias the at least one engagement member component toward the
retracted state after the apparatus engagement latch is moved from
the extended apparatus engagement latch position to the refracted
apparatus engagement latch position. Said differently, the
electromechanical engagement member may be configured to be
automatically retracted during disengagement.
[0433] Thus configured, an object may be lockably engaged with a
mounting surface, and a user wearing a peripheral device, such as a
wearable device, may approach the mounted object, and proximity of
the peripheral device to the mounting apparatus may provide a first
authentication communication to the mounting apparatus. When the
user touches a tactile input device supported by the object
interface in the process of grasping the object, the mounting
apparatus may receive a second authentication communication and may
unlock the apparatus engagement latch. Thus, the user may apply a
disengaging force to disengage the object from the mounting
surface. Alternatively, the mounting apparatus may be configured to
automatically retract the apparatus engagement latch in and/or
eject the object interface from the intermediate surface of the
mounting apparatus in response to the second authentication
communication.
[0434] Moreover, in some embodiments, the mounting apparatus may be
configured to bias the apparatus engagement latch toward the
retracted apparatus engagement latch position when the second
authentication communication and the persistent disengaging force
are concurrently received.
[0435] In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus may be
configured to ready the electromechanical engagement member for
disengagement in response to proximity of at least one of the
object interface, the object to be mounted, or a peripheral
device.
[0436] Furthermore, in some embodiments, a portion of the interface
latch cavity may be comprised by an object interface latch, and the
object interface latch may be configured to be movable along an
object interface latch engagement line.
[0437] The object interface latch may be configured to be movable
along the interface latch engagement line to a position that
prevents lockable engagement between the object interface and the
mounting apparatus in some embodiments. For example, movement of
the object interface latch may effectively close or block the
interface latch cavity in some embodiments.
[0438] Also, in some embodiments, the mounting apparatus may be
configured to be flush when not engaged. Thus, the mounting
apparatus may be configured so that the first plane and the second
plane substantially coincide when the mounting apparatus is in a
disengaged state (e.g., idle).
[0439] And in some embodiments, the first plane may be a nominal
plane and the intermediate surface may define a curved surface.
Likewise, the second plane may be a nominal plane and the face of
the at least one engagement member component may define a curved
surface in some embodiments.
[0440] Referring to FIGS. 28A and 28C, the mounting apparatus 910
may be configured so that the engagement member 914 is
interchangeable with an electromechanical engagement member 914R.
As noted, the mounting apparatus may be configured so that the
apparatus transmission path is integrated throughout the structure
of the mounting apparatus so that an electrical connection may be
established between each of a plurality of modular apparatus
components and the mounting apparatus. Said differently, the
plurality of modular apparatus components comprised by the mounting
apparatus may be configured relative to one another so that an
electrical connection required by any one of the plurality of
modular apparatus components may be supported by the mounting
apparatus. Correspondingly, the mounting apparatus may be
configured so that each of the plurality of modular apparatus
components may communicate with any other of the plurality of
modular apparatus components. Referring again to FIG. 28A, the
mounting apparatus 910 may be configured so that an electrical
connection may be established between the electromechanical
engagement member 914R and the mounting apparatus when the
electromechanical engagement member 914R is attached to the
mounting apparatus. In the depicted embodiment, the intermediate
surface 912 may support at least one electrical connector
configured to establish an electrical connection with a
corresponding at least one electrical connector supported by the
electromechanical engagement member 914R.
[0441] As shown in FIG. 28C, the electromechanical engagement
member 914R may comprise an electromechanical assembly of a
plurality of engagement member components arranged in a nested and
telescoping configuration. For example, the electromechanical
engagement member 914R may be configured in a similar manner to
that of a motorized telescoping zoom assembly of a digital camera,
and the electromechanical engagement member 914R may be configured
to support a predefined maximum weight per the application. The
face 988'R of one of the plurality of engagement member components
may support an apparatus input device, such as a proximity
sensor.
[0442] The electromechanical engagement member 914R may be
configured to be smart and may be configured to respond in a
predefined manner to input from the apparatus input device. Input
received by the apparatus input device may be processed by a card
(an interchangeable component 981) supported by the mounting
apparatus 910.
[0443] The face 988'R of the electromechanical engagement member
914R may support a plurality of apparatus connectors 905, and the
plurality of apparatus connectors 905 may be configured to
support/facilitate a plurality of electrical connections between an
object to be mounted and the mounting apparatus 910. In one
embodiment, the plurality of apparatus connectors 905 may be
configured to dynamically adjust the electrical connection type
relative to an object interface per the application. In some
embodiments, the plurality of apparatus connectors may comprise a
plurality of apparatus connector subsets. For example, the
plurality of apparatus connectors may comprise a first apparatus
connector subset and a second apparatus connector subset. The first
apparatus connector subset may be configured to support the
passthrough of, for example, a USB Type C connection, and the
second apparatus connector subset may be configured to support a
mains electrical connection (e.g., AC power). Correspondingly, the
electromechanical engagement member may be configured to establish
an electrical connection with a plurality of object interfaces
supporting interface connectors and/or interface connector subsets
that are configured relative to the first apparatus connector
subset, the second apparatus connector subset, or both.
[0444] The mounting apparatus 910 may be configured so that the
position of the electromechanical engagement member 914R may be
automatically and dynamically adjusted relative to the proximity of
an object to be mounted.
[0445] The electromechanical engagement member 914R may comprise an
apparatus engagement latch 915, and the apparatus engagement latch
915 may be configured to be motorized and may be configured to be
movable between the retracted apparatus engagement latch position
and the extended apparatus engagement latch position in response to
an electrical signal produced by the mounting apparatus 910. The
apparatus engagement latch 915 is shown in the extended apparatus
engagement latch position in FIGS. 28C and 28D. Also as shown in
FIG. 28D, an object interface 920 (a portion of which is shown in
the figure) may define a cavity 975 and an interface latch cavity
974, and the interface latch cavity 974 may be disposed relative to
the cavity 975 so that the interface latch cavity 974 may be
accessible via the cavity 975.
[0446] Additionally, in some embodiments, an electromechanical
engagement member, whether modular or non-modular, may be
configured to be movable between the extended state and the
retracted state in response to an electrical signal only, and the
electrical signal may be transmitted by a card supported by the
mounting apparatus. For example, the electromechanical engagement
member may be configured to be movable only as a result of the
electrical signal produced by the card rather than any other
influence, including an attraction force produced between the
engagement member and the object caused by proximity of the object,
as described in previous embodiments. Said differently, though an
electromechanical engagement member may be configured to respond to
magnetism in some embodiments, the electromechanical engagement
member may be configured to resist movement that would, in other
embodiments, occur in response to an attraction force produced
between the electromechanical engagement member and the object,
such that the electromechanical engagement member may be configured
to be only electrically operated.
[0447] As described, the functionality and configuration of a
modular engagement member may vary greatly per the application.
Accordingly, a modular configuration of the mounting apparatus may
allow a user to switch between a first apparatus functionality and
a second apparatus functionality via the exchange of a first
modular engagement member and a second modular engagement member
per the application.
[0448] A modular configuration of the mounting apparatus and/or
object interface may provide additional flexibility and benefits as
well. For example, the apparatus engagement depth d.sub.a, the
object interface depth d.sub.o, and/or the structural orientation
(e.g., a substantially male or female configuration, etc.) of the
mounting apparatus or the object interface may be changed per the
application via the replacement or interchange of modular apparatus
components and/or modular interface components. Additionally or
alternatively, the size and/or shape of components or features of
the mounting apparatus or object interface; the visual aesthetic of
the mounting apparatus or the object interface; and/or the
functionality of the mounting apparatus and/or object interface;
etc. may be modified via a modular configuration.
[0449] In one embodiment, a first modular housing defining a first
opening may be replaced with a second modular housing defining a
second opening, and a width (e.g. diameter, area of a
cross-section, etc.) of the second opening may be different than a
width of the first opening. Therefore, the depth, width,
functionality, and/or shape of a protruding portion of the
engagement member when the engagement member is in the extended
state may be changed via attachment of the second modular housing.
For example, the second modular housing may be configured so that
at least one of a plurality of engagement member components
defining the engagement member may be substantially restrained
(e.g., not movable) by the second modular housing when the second
modular housing is attached to the mounting apparatus, and
restraint of the at least one of the engagement member components
by the second modular housing may change the depth, width,
functionality, and/or shape, of the engagement member when the
engagement member is biased toward the extended state. Said
differently, the second modular housing may act as a stop feature
to the at least one of the plurality of engagement member
components, obstructing movement of the at least one of the
engagement member components along the line of engagement L.sub.e.
In other embodiments, a second modular housing may be configured to
change the functionality of the mounting apparatus via interaction
with at least one of a plurality of engagement members supported by
the mounting apparatus. For example, the second modular housing may
be configured to substantially restrain, block, cover, engage, etc.
at least one of a plurality of engagement members per the
application to substantially change the functionality of the
mounting apparatus. Additionally or alternatively, attachment of
the second modular housing may change the outer limit position OL
of the second mounting magnet and, correspondingly, the apparatus
engagement depth da of the mounting apparatus in some embodiments.
Furthermore, the visual aesthetic of the mounting apparatus (e.g.
the color, the material--aluminum vs. plastic vs. wood--etc.) may
be changed by the replacement of the first modular housing with the
second modular housing.
[0450] In another embodiment, a first modular engagement member
comprising a substantially male configuration, wherein the
engagement member is configured to be substantially flush with the
intermediate surface when in the retracted state, may be replaced
with a second modular engagement member comprising a substantially
female configuration, wherein the engagement member may be
configured to form a telescoping receptacle when in the retracted
state.
[0451] In still other embodiments, the functionality of the
mounting apparatus or the mounting system may be substantially
changed by the replacement of a modular mounting magnet. For
example, a first mounting magnet comprising a plurality of
permanent magnets may be replaced with a first mounting magnet
comprising a plurality of electromagnets, so the functionality of
the mounting apparatus may be substantially changed via the
exchange of modular components. For example, the second
configuration, including a first mounting magnet comprising a
plurality of electromagnets, may allow a magnetic field associated
with the first mounting magnet 930 to be adjusted--made stronger,
made weaker, turned on and off, etc.--while the first
configuration, including a first mounting magnet comprising a
plurality of permanent magnets, may not. Moreover, a modular
configuration of a mounting apparatus or an object interface may
allow components or features, such as electronic components or
features, to be upgradeable, which may enhance the value of the
mounting apparatus or the object interface over the life of the
mounting apparatus or the object interface.
[0452] One of skill in the art will appreciate the many embodiments
and associated functionalities that may be achieved in a mounting
apparatus and/or a mounting system via various configurations of
modular components that are like or similar to those disclosed
herein.
[0453] Moreover, in some embodiments, the mounting apparatus may
comprise a door latch component, and the door latch component may
be configured so that an extending portion of the door latch
component may be movable along a door latch engagement line. An
engagement member may be configured relative to the door latch
component so that a rotational movement (e.g., clockwise,
counterclockwise) of the engagement member is configured to move
the extending portion of the door latch along the door latch
engagement line. The engagement member may be configured to respond
to magnetism and may be configured to be movable between an
extended state and a retracted state along a line of engagement.
The mounting apparatus may be configured so that the engagement
member is biased toward the refracted state so that the engagement
member does not protrude from the mounting apparatus when the
mounting apparatus is not engaged. An object interface may be
configured to be attached to a knob and to the mounting apparatus.
The object interface may be configured to respond to magnetism and
may define a cavity, and the cavity may be configured relative to
the engagement member so that the engagement member may be moved
rotationally (e.g., clockwise and/or counterclockwise) when the
object interface is engaged with the mounting apparatus. For
example, the engagement member may comprise an octagonal extension
and a face joined to the extension, and the cavity may comprise a
reciprocal octagonal structure that is configured to receive the
engagement member when the knob is mounted to the mounting
apparatus. An attraction force produced between the object
interface and the mounting apparatus may be configured so that
proximity of the knob to the mounting apparatus causes engagement
between the knob and the mounting apparatus to mount the knob to
the mounting apparatus. When the knob is engaged with the mounting
apparatus, a torqueing force applied to the knob may operate the
door latch component and may move the extending portion of the door
latch component along the door latch engagement line.
Correspondingly, in one embodiment, the mounting apparatus may be
configured relative to a door so that the door latch component
functions in a like or similar manner to a standard door latch
assembly when the knob is engaged with the mounting apparatus. In
another embodiment, the mounting apparatus may be configured
relative to a cabinet door so that the door latch component
functions in a like or similar manner to a child-proof lock when
the extending portion of the door latch is positioned along the
door latch engagement line so that the extending portion of the
door latch is engaged with an inner portion of the cabinet. In
either embodiment, the door latch component may be configured to be
operable only when the knob is engaged with the mounting apparatus,
and the mounting apparatus may be configured to be flush when the
knob is not engaged with the mounting apparatus. Correspondingly,
the door latch component comprised by the mounting apparatus may be
substantially inoperable (e.g., the door cannot be opened, the
cabinet cannot be opened, etc.) when the mounting apparatus is in a
disengaged state. Thus, a user may wish to stow, hide, put out of
reach, etc. the knob when the user wishes the door, cabinet, etc.
to remain inaccessible.
[0454] Also, as noted, some embodiments of the object interface may
be configured to support modular components that may add
functionality to or increase the versatility of the object
interface and/or the mounting system. For example, as illustrated
above, a charger support may be configured to be a modular
component of an object interface. Likewise, an object interface may
comprise a variety of other modular components that may influence
or change the functionality of a system in various ways.
[0455] Referring to FIG. 29, an object interface 620 is shown, and
the object interface 620 may be a case for a mobile electronic
device. The object interface 620 may comprise a modular dial 6230,
and the dial 6230 may be supported by the central object surface
626. The dial 6230 may be configured to be attached to an extension
surface 623 of the central object surface. The dial 6230 may be
permanently attached or releasably attached to the object interface
620. Thus, the dial 6230 may be configured to be removable (e.g.
screwed in/out, snapped in/out, joined by fasteners, etc.). In the
embodiment of FIG. 29, the dial 6230 may be threaded on an outside
surface 6232 so that the dial 6230 may be releasably attached to
(e.g. capable of being screwed into and out of) the extension
surface 623, and the extension surface 623 may be correspondingly
threaded so that it may receive the dial 6230.
[0456] Whether releasably attached or permanently attached, the
dial 6230 may be configured to be movable between an outermost
limit position OLP and an innermost limit position ILP along a line
of movement L.sub.m. Thus, the object interface may be configured
so that the object interface depth do is adjustable. Likewise, the
object interface may be configured so that the total engagement
force of the system is adjustable. (The terms outermost limit
position and innermost limit position do not make reference to
whether a position of the dial 6230 is inside or outside of the
object interface 620.) For example, when the dial 6230 is in the
outermost limit position OLP, a distance between the third mounting
magnet and at least one of the first mounting magnet or the second
mounting magnet may be greater than a distance between the third
mounting magnet and the at least one of the first mounting magnet
or the second mounting magnet when the dial 6230 is in the
innermost limit position ILP, and a greater distance between the
third mounting magnet and the at least one of the first mounting
magnet or the second mounting magnet may correspond with a lesser
(e.g. weaker) total engagement force between the object interface
and the mounting apparatus when the object interface is fully
engaged with (e.g. fully mounted to) the mounting apparatus.
[0457] In some embodiments, the dial 6230 may be configured to be
moved between the outermost limit position OLP and the innermost
limit position ILP via a rotational movement of the dial 6230. For
example, a rotational movement of the dial 6230 in a clockwise
direction may move the dial toward its outermost limit position
OLP, and rotation of the dial 6230 in a counter-clockwise direction
may move the dial toward its innermost limit position ILP. The dial
6230 may be configured so that a friction force between the dial
6230 and the central object surface 626 (e.g. produced between the
corresponding threading of the outside surface 6232 of the dial
6230 and the extension surface 623 of the central object surface
626 in FIG. 29) may maintain the dial 6230 in a position between
the outermost limit position OLP and the innermost limit position
ILP (i.e. the dial 6230 may occupy any position between the
outermost limit position OLP and the innermost limit position ILP
along the line of movement L.sub.m). Furthermore, the dial 6230 may
be configured so that a torque force required to produce a
rotational movement of the dial is greater than a torque force
applied by a friction force produced between the dial 6230 and the
mounting apparatus when the object interface (or object) is rotated
when engaged with the mounting apparatus. Therefore, a dial 6230
that is configured to be movable may be configured so that the dial
6230 may maintain a fixed position when one of the object interface
620 or the mounting apparatus 610 is rotated relative to the other
of the object interface 620 or the mounting apparatus 610 when the
object interface 620 is engaged with the mounting apparatus 610.
For example, the corresponding threading of the dial 6230 and the
extension surface 623 may be configured so that a torque force
required to produce a rotational movement of the dial 6230 is
greater than a torque force applied by a friction force produced
between the dial 6230 and the mounting apparatus during a
rotational movement of the object interface relative to the
mounting apparatus. Thus configured, the dial 6230 may not be
movable toward the outermost limit position or the innermost limit
position by a friction force produced by rotational movement of the
object interface when engaged with the mounting apparatus. Thus,
the dial may be configured to maintain a fixed position along the
line of movement L.sub.m (e.g. at the innermost limit position, the
outermost limit position, or a position therebetween) throughout a
rotational movement the object interface when the object interface
is engaged with the mounting apparatus.
[0458] In other embodiments, the torque force required to produce a
rotational movement of the dial 6230 may be configured so that the
dial 6230 may be rotated (and, correspondingly, be moved toward the
innermost limit position or the outermost limit position) in
response to a friction force produced between the dial 6230 and the
mounting apparatus during a rotational movement of the object
interface (or object) when engaged with the mounting apparatus.
Such a configuration may be desired so that the total engagement
force of the system may be dynamically increased or decreased in
response to the rotational movement of the object and/or object
interface when engaged with the mounting apparatus.
[0459] In still other embodiments, the dial 6230 may be configured
to have a retaining force and/or an extension force, and the
retaining force and/or extension force may influence movement of
the dial along the line of movement L.sub.m. The retaining force
may bias the dial 6230 toward the innermost limit position ILP, and
the extension force may bias the dial 6230 toward the outermost
limit position OLP. In one embodiment, the dial 6230 may be
configured to have a spring-loaded catch mechanism. The
spring-loaded catch mechanism may be configured to produce the
retaining force in response to a first application of an
interaction force to the dial 6230 and may be configured to produce
the extension force in response to a second application of the
interaction force to the dial 6230. Therefore, the dial 6230 may be
moved (e.g. toggled) between the innermost limit position ILP and
the outermost limit position OLP in response to successive
applications of an interaction force to the dial 6230. An
interaction force may be applied directly to the dial 6230 by a
user when the object interface is not engaged with the mounting
apparatus, or, in some embodiments, an interaction force may be
applied directly to the dial 6230 by a user when the object
interface is engaged with the mounting apparatus. Also, an
interaction force may be applied indirectly to the dial 6230 when
the object interface is engaged with the mounting apparatus. For
example, an interaction force may be applied to a mounted object
(or to the object interface), and the interaction force may
compress the dial 6230 between the object interface and the
mounting apparatus so that the spring-loaded catch mechanism may be
activated and may move the dial 6230 to one of the innermost limit
position ILP or the outermost limit position OLP. When activation
of the spring-loaded catch mechanism causes the dial 6230 to be
moved to the innermost limit position ILP in an engaged (e.g.
mounted) configuration, the total engagement force may be increased
(because the distance between the third mounting magnet and at
least one of the first mounting magnet or the second mounting
magnet may be decreased). When activation of the spring-loaded
catch mechanism causes the dial 6230 to be moved to the outermost
limit position OLP in an engaged configuration, the total
engagement force may be decreased (because the distance between the
third mounting magnet and at least one of the first mounting magnet
or the second mounting magnet may be increased). Therefore, the
total engagement force of the system may be dynamically changed via
an interaction force applied to the object interface (or the
object) when the object interface is engaged with the mounting
apparatus.
[0460] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the spring-loaded catch
mechanism comprised by the dial 6230 may be configured to assist,
enhance, or otherwise facilitate disengagement of the object from
the mounting apparatus. For example, an extension force produced by
activation of the spring-loaded catch mechanism of the dial 6230
may effectively serve as an ejection force that may overcome at
least a portion of the disengaging force required for disengaging
(i.e. dismounting) the object from the mounting apparatus.
Therefore, in some embodiments, the dial 6230 may be configured to
produce an ejection force.
[0461] By adjusting the dial 6230 between the outermost limit
position and the innermost limit position ILP, users of the system
(in the embodiment shown in FIG. 29, users of a tablet or
smartphone case relative to a mounting apparatus) may be able to
adjust the strength of the total engagement force produced between
the mounting apparatus and the object interface. Therefore, a user
who values security (e.g. the peace of mind of a greater total
engagement force for holding her tablet computer to the mounting
apparatus) and desires a relatively strong total engagement force
for holding the object interface to the mounting apparatus may
adjust the dial 6230 toward its innermost limit position ILP to
facilitate the relatively strong total engagement force.
Alternatively, a user who values ease of use (e.g. a more
effortless detachment of a tablet computer) and desires a
relatively weak total engagement force may adjust the dial 6230
toward its outermost limit position to facilitate the relatively
weak total engagement force between the object interface and the
mounting apparatus.
[0462] In still other embodiments, the dial 6230 may be configured
so that the structure (e.g. shape, etc.) of the object interface
620 may be altered. For example, a dial 6230 configured to move
between an outermost limit position OLP and an innermost limit
position ILP (as described above) may be movable to a position in
which a portion of the dial 6230 protrudes from the object
interface. The protruding dial 6230 may increase the object
interface depth do, and, thus, the object interface may receive a
relatively larger portion of the engagement member when engaged
with the mounting apparatus. Therefore, the object interface may be
configured so that the object interface depth is adjustable.
Correspondingly or additionally, one or more engagement member
components that may have been retracted when fully engaged with the
object interface (e.g. before the dial was moved to the protruding
position) may be extended when fully engaged with the object
interface when the dial is in a protruding position.
[0463] In embodiments wherein the dial 6230 is removable, the
structure of the object interface 620 may be altered by removal of
the dial 6230, as removal of the dial 6230 may increase the size
(e.g., diameter, volume, etc.) of the cavity 675 and/or may alter
the structure (e.g. configuration, shape, etc.) of a substantially
female receptacle comprised by the object interface. Moreover, the
dial 6230 may comprise a plurality of dial components, and each of
the plurality of dial components may be configured to be removable.
Thus, the structure of the object interface 620 may be altered by
the attachment of additional dial components, and the attachment of
one or more dial components may decrease the size of the cavity
675, an opening defined by the cavity 675, and/or may alter the
structure of the substantially female receptacle. (Like the dial
6230, additional dial components may be permanently or releasably
attached.) In some embodiments, the plurality of dial components
may be arranged in a nested configuration. For example, referring
again to FIG. 29, the dial 6230 may be supported by the object
interface 620 as described above, and the dial 6230 may be
configured to receive a dial component 6231 that is configured to
be releasably attached to an inner surface 6238 of the dial 6230
(e.g. both surfaces may threaded, as described above) so that the
dial 6230 and the dial component 6231 are arranged in a nested
configuration. Thus, attachment of the dial component 6231 may
change the size of the cavity 675 and/or the structure of the
female receptacle. Therefore, more or fewer tiers of the mounting
apparatus (i.e. engagement member components) may be received by
the object interface as a result of the configuration of the dial
and/or dial component(s).
[0464] In another embodiment, the dial 6230 may comprise a shutter
assembly that is configured to change the diameter of the cavity
675 or an opening defined by the cavity 675 (e.g. partially or
fully close the cavity 675) when the dial 6230 is rotated. The
shutter assembly may function in a like or similar manner to that
of an aperture mechanism of a camera. Therefore, the dial 6230 may
be configured so that the cavity 675 of the object interface 620 is
adjustable. In some embodiments, the dial 6230 and the shutter
assembly may be configured relative to a channel 608 of the
engagement member 614 of the mounting apparatus 610 (such as that
shown in FIG. 19), and the dial 6230 may be configured to be moved
(e.g. rotated) so that the shutter assembly may engage the channel
608 when the object interface is engaged with the mounting
apparatus.
[0465] The additional dial component(s) may define a depth, and the
depth of the additional dial component(s) may be different than the
depth of the dial 6230. If the depth defined by the additional dial
component(s) is less than the depth of the dial 6230, the structure
of the cavity may be altered to that of a tiered female receptacle
in a telescoping configuration in some embodiments. If the depth
defined by the additional dial component(s) is greater than the
depth of the dial 6230, the structure of the cavity may be altered
to that of a tiered male telescope in a telescoping configuration
(for example, a shape that may be similar to that of the engagement
member of the mounting apparatus when the engagement member
comprises a plurality of engagement member components and is in the
extended state, as shown in previous embodiments). Thus, the
attachment of additional dial component(s) may alter (e.g.
increase/strengthen or decrease/weaken) the total engagement force
of the system because the distance(s) between the third mounting
magnet and at least one of the first or second mounting magnets may
be altered, as described above, depending on the configuration of
the additional dial component(s). Furthermore, each of a plurality
of dial components may be configured to be movable between a
respective innermost limit position and a respective outermost
limit position.
[0466] Importantly, the dial (and, optionally, additional dial
components) of the object interface 620 may also be configured in a
like or similar manner to an engagement member (including those
embodiments of the engagement member that comprise engagement
member components), because each of a plurality of dial components
may be configured to respond to magnetism and may be configured to
be movable between a respective innermost limit position and a
respective outermost limit position (as described above). Also, as
noted, the plurality of dial components may be arranged in a nested
configuration and/or a telescoping configuration. Thus, in some
embodiments, the object interface may comprise some or all of the
components of a mounting apparatus and/or may function in similar
manner to a mounting apparatus. Accordingly, and as previously
noted, like or similar embodiments of the mounting apparatus may be
applied to two or more bodies (e.g., a mounting surface and a
mobile device case, in the above example) and may be attached one
to the other to join the bodies together, as is evident in
consideration of many of the disclosed embodiments.
[0467] In still other embodiments, the facing surface 6235 of the
dial 6230 may be configured to rotate independently of the central
object surface 626 (or independently of all other components of the
object interface 620, in some embodiments), and the facing surface
6235 may be configured to rotate about the axis of symmetry Y of
the object. (In some embodiments, the axis of symmetry Y may
substantially correspond to the central axis X of the engagement
member of the mounting apparatus when the object interface is
engaged with the mounting apparatus.) Therefore, the object
interface 620 may be configured to reduce kinetic friction between
the object interface 620 and at least one of the engagement member
or the intermediate surface when the object interface 620 is
rotated about the axis of symmetry Y of the object when the object
interface 620 is engaged with the mounting apparatus. Said
differently, the facing surface 6235 of the dial 6230 may be
configured to maintain a fixed position when engaged with the
mounting apparatus via a static friction force produced between the
facing surface 6235 of the dial 6230 and at least one of the
intermediate surface or the engagement member of the mounting
apparatus when the object interface is rotated about the axis of
symmetry Y. Therefore, the object interface may be configured to
reduce or substantially eliminate frictional wear on at least one
of the object interface or the at least one of the intermediate
surface or the engagement member of the mounting apparatus when the
object interface is rotated relative to the mounting apparatus when
engaged with the mounting apparatus.
[0468] Additionally, in some embodiments, the dial 6230 may be
configured to respond to magnetism. For example, the dial 6230 may
support at least one magnet, and the at least one magnet may be
configured to attract (or to repel) one or more components of the
mounting apparatus. In some embodiments, the dial 6230 may support
the third mounting magnet of the object interface 620.
[0469] In still other embodiments, the object interface 620 may be
configured to attach to a substantially flush surface that is
configured to respond to magnetism. The substantially flush surface
may be a surface of the mounting apparatus and/or may be a piece of
ferrous metal, a refrigerator, a wall, etc.
[0470] The third mounting magnet may be configured relative to the
substantially flush surface so that it may support the weight of
the object interface 620 and the object when the dial 6230 is
engaged with the substantially flush surface. In one embodiment,
the facing surface 6235 of the dial 6230 may support the third
mounting magnet, and the third mounting magnet may comprise at
least one correlated magnet. The at least one correlated magnet may
be configured to resist a sliding movement (e.g. a substantially
parallel movement relative to the plane of the substantially flush
surface that may be aligned with the force of gravity, in some
embodiments) when the facing surface 6235 of the dial 6230 is
engaged with the substantially flush surface, and resistance to the
sliding movement may support the weight of the object interface 620
and the object against the force of gravity when the dial 6230 is
engaged with the substantially flush surface. In such embodiments,
the holding strength (e.g. resistance to the sliding movement) of
the at least one correlated magnet may be configured relative to
the substantially flush surface and to the weight of the object
(and object interface) so that the object interface supports the
weight of the object when engaged with the substantially flush
surface.
[0471] Therefore, in some embodiments, the object interface 620 may
comprise a third mounting magnet that is configured to support the
weight of the object when the object interface 620 is substantially
flushly engaged with the mounting apparatus (i.e. when the
engagement member is substantially flush with, or recessed within,
the intermediate surface and/or is otherwise not received by the
cavity 675 of the object interface 620).
[0472] Moreover, a dial 6230 comprising the at least one correlated
magnet may be configured to rotate independently of the central
object surface 620. Thus, an object interface 620 comprising a
third mounting magnet (e.g., a correlated magnet) that is
configured to support the weight of an object may facilitate a
rotational movement of the object when the object interface 620 is
engaged with a substantially flush surface. In such an embodiment,
the dial 6230 may occupy a substantially fixed position relative to
the substantially flush surface via engagement of the at least one
correlated magnet with the substantially flush surface, and the
object interface 620 may rotate about the substantially fixed
position of the dial 6230 when the object interface 620 is engaged
with (e.g., mounted to) the substantially flush surface.
[0473] In still other embodiments, the object interface 620 may be
configured to have a substantially flush surface that is configured
to attach to the engagement member 614 of the mounting apparatus
610 when the engagement member 614 is in the retracted state, and
the engagement member 614 may support at least one correlated
magnet that is configured to engage the substantially flush surface
of the object interface 620. The at least one correlated magnet
comprised by the engagement member 614 may be configured to support
the weight of the object interface and the object (i.e. resist a
sliding force, as described above) when the object interface 620 is
engaged with the mounting apparatus 610. Furthermore, the
engagement member 614 may be configured to rotate about a central
axis X when in the retracted state. Therefore, a mounted object may
be rotated about the central axis X of the engagement member 614
when engaged with the at least one correlated magnet of the
engagement member 614.
[0474] Configurations of the system, the mounting apparatus, and/or
the object interface that allow for a rotational movement of a
mounted object may be desirable, because many modern portable
electronic devices (tablet computers, smartphones, displays, etc.)
feature automatic reorientation of displayed content in response to
a change in orientation (e.g. a rotational movement) of the
devices. Therefore, users of modern portable electronic devices may
be accustomed to routinely rotating the devices during normal use,
so configurations of the system, mounting apparatus, and/or object
interface that allow for easy and convenient rotation of the
mounted object may provide a more seamless use experience for
portable device users.
[0475] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the dial 6230 may be
joined to the third mounting magnet 641, and the dial 6230 and the
third mounting magnet 641 may be configured to rotate independently
of the central object surface 626 (and/or independently of all
other components of the object interface 620, in some embodiments).
In still other embodiments, the dial 6230 may be configured to be
attached to the third mounting magnet 641 and the central object
surface 626 so that the dial 6230 may rotate independently of the
third mounting magnet 641 and may rotate independently of the
central object surface 626 (e.g. the dial, the third mounting
magnet, and the central object surface all may move independently
of one another despite being attached to one another). In other
embodiments, the dial 6230 may be configured to be joined to the
third mounting magnet 641 so that rotation of the dial 6230
substantially corresponds to rotation of the third mounting magnet
641 (i.e. they rotate together, or the object interface 620 may be
rotated while the dial 6230 and the third mounting magnet 641
remain stationary when engaged with the mounting apparatus 610).
Such a configuration (e.g. corresponding rotation between the dial
and the third mounting magnet) may be desired when, for example,
the third mounting magnet 641 comprises a plurality of magnets that
are configured to substantially align with a corresponding
plurality of magnets comprised by the first mounting magnet
supported by the intermediate surface of the mounting apparatus,
and wherein alignment of the plurality of third mounting magnets
and the plurality of first mounting magnets may be required to
produce a total engagement force when the object interface is
mounted to the mounting apparatus.
[0476] Although the dial 6230 and additional dial component 6231
shown in FIG. 29 have a circular cross section, a dial and/or
additional dial component(s) may have a rectangular, hexagonal,
etc. cross section in various embodiments.
[0477] Referring to FIG. 30, a system 1000 is provided for mounting
an object to a mounting surface. The system 1000 may comprise a
mounting apparatus 1010 and an object interface 1020. The mounting
apparatus 1010 may be configured to be attached to a mounting
surface, such as a VESA mount that is configured to support a
television, and the object interface 1020 may be configured to be
attached to an object to be mounted, such as a television that is
configured to attach to the VESA mount, via four attachment
supports 1007.
[0478] The mounting apparatus 1010 may comprise an intermediate
surface 1012 that is configured to respond to magnetism by
supporting a first mounting magnet in a first plane. The first
mounting magnet may comprise a plurality of magnets in this
embodiment. Also, as shown, the mounting apparatus 1010 may
comprise a plurality of engagement members.
[0479] A first engagement member may comprise a plurality of
engagement member components, 1014' and 1014'', arranged in a
nested configuration. A second engagement member 1014 may be
configured to be movable between an extended state and a retracted
state along a line of engagement that intersects the first plane.
The second engagement member 1014 may support a second mounting
magnet (one of a plurality of second mounting magnets in this
embodiment). The second mounting magnet may define an outer limit
position when the second engagement member 1014 is in the extended
state, and the second mounting magnet may define a base limit
position when the second engagement member 1014 is in the retracted
state. A controlling component (not shown) may be supported by a
base surface (not shown) of the mounting apparatus 1010, and the
controlling component may be configured to apply a controlling
force to the second mounting magnet supported by the second
engagement member 1014 that may bias the second engagement member
1014 toward the refracted state.
[0480] The second engagement member 1014 may comprise an extension
1098 and a face 1088 joined to the extension 1098. The extension
1098 comprised by the second engagement member 1014 may comprise a
first extension portion 1098' and a second extension portion
1098'', and the second engagement member 1014 may be configured to
structurally support the object via engagement of the object
interface 1020 with at least a portion of the extension, 1098' or
1098''. The extension 1098 may be configured to bear at least a
portion of the weight of the object to be mounted. Furthermore, the
extension 1098 comprised by the first extension portion 1098' and
the second extension portion 1098'' may be configured to have stop
features 1050, and the stop features 1050 may be configured
relative to the intermediate surface 1012 and the base surface (not
shown) so as to define the outer limit position and the base limit
position of the second mounting magnet supported by the second
engagement member 1014 (and, likewise, the extended state and the
retracted state of the engagement member 1014).
[0481] The object interface 1020 may comprise a central object
surface 1026 and a secondary object surface 1024 that is spaced
from the central object surface 1026. The object interface 1020 may
support a plurality of third mounting magnets. Accordingly, the
central object surface 1026 may support a third mounting magnet in
a third plane, and the secondary object surface may be configured
to respond to magnetism by supporting a third mounting magnet in a
fourth plane. In this embodiment, one of the plurality of third
mounting magnets may be the secondary object surface 1024, because
the secondary object surface 1024 may comprise a ferrous metal
plate. Likewise, the central object surface 1026 may be one of the
plurality of third mounting magnets in this embodiment, because the
central object surface 1026 may comprise a ferrous metal plate and
a permanent magnet attached to the ferrous metal plate.
[0482] The central object surface 1026 may comprise an extension
surface 1023, and the extension surface 1023 may be comprised of a
first extension surface portion 1023' and a second extension
surface portion 1023''. The extension surface 1023 may be
configured to be attached to the secondary object surface 1024 so
that the secondary object surface 1024 and the central object
surface 1026 may be joined by the extension surface 1023. A width
(e.g., a diameter, in this embodiment) of the first extension
surface portion 1023' may be different from a width of the second
extension surface portion 1023''. In this embodiment, the width of
the second extension surface portion 1023'' may be less than the
width of the first extension surface portion 1023' (i.e., the
diameter of the second extension surface portion 1023'' may be less
than the diameter of the first extension surface portion
1023').
[0483] When the object is mounted to the mounting apparatus 1010,
proximity of the central object surface 1026 to the mounting
apparatus 1010 may produce an attraction force between the central
object surface 1026 and each of the plurality of engagement member
components, 1014' and 1014'', that may cause engagement between the
central object surface 1026 and the first engagement member, and
proximity of the secondary object surface 1024 to the mounting
apparatus 1010 may produce an attraction force between the
secondary object surface 1024 and the second engagement member 1014
that may cause engagement between the secondary object surface 1024
and the second engagement member 1014.
[0484] The third mounting magnet supported by the central object
surface 1026 may be configured relative to the second mounting
magnets supported by the first engagement member, 1014' and 1014'',
so that the object interface 1020 may substantially self-align with
the mounting apparatus 1010 prior to engagement.
[0485] The mounting apparatus 1010 may be configured so that a
front surface of the mounting apparatus 1010 (e.g., a target
mounting area comprised by the intermediate surface 1012 and the
plurality of engagement members) is substantially flush when the
first engagement member, 1014' and 1014'', and the second
engagement member 1014 are in the retracted state, and the mounting
apparatus 1010 may be configured so that the first engagement
member, 1014' and 1014'', and the second engagement member 1014 are
in the retracted state when the mounting apparatus 1010 is idle.
The mounting apparatus 1010 may be configured so that a second
apparatus engagement depth d.sub.a is defined between the second
engagement member 1014 and the first engagement member, 1014' and
1014'', (and, correspondingly, the intermediate surface 1012 in
this embodiment) when the second engagement member 1014 is in a
respective extended state and the first engagement member, 1014'
and 1014'', is in a respective retracted state. The object
interface 1020 may be configured so that an object interface depth
d.sub.o is defined, and a depth between the central object surface
1026 and the secondary object surface 1024 may define the object
interface depth d.sub.o. The central object surface 1026--the
depths defined by the first extension surface portion 1023' and the
second extension surface portion 1023'' of the central object
surface as well as the width (e.g., diameter) defined by the
central object surface 1026--and the object interface depth d.sub.o
may be configured relative to the second engagement member
1014--the depths defined by the first extension portion 1098' and
the second extension portion 1098'' of the second engagement member
1014--and the second apparatus engagement depth d.sub.a so that the
central object surface 1026 may be received by the second
engagement member 1014 when the second engagement member 1014 is in
the extended state, wherein receiving the central object surface
1026 may cause the object interface 1020 to be seated by the
mounting apparatus 1010. Seating of the object interface 1020 may
comprise structurally supporting the object, and the mounting
apparatus 1010 may be configured to structurally support the object
via engagement of the first extension surface portion 1023' of the
central object surface 1026 with the second extension portion
1098'' of the second engagement member 1014 and/or via engagement
of the second extension surface portion 1023'' of the central
object surface 1026 with the first extension portion 1098' of the
second engagement member 1014.
[0486] Furthermore, the first mounting magnet and the second
mounting magnet may be configured relative to the plurality of
third mounting magnets so that a total engagement force produced
between the mounting apparatus 1010 and the object interface 1020
may facilitate a movement of the object interface 1010 in a
direction corresponding to the force of gravity during the mounting
process so that the central object surface 1026 may be received by
the second engagement member 1014 and, correspondingly, the object
interface 1020 may be seated by the mounting apparatus 1010 when
the object interface 1020 is engaged with the mounting apparatus
1010. Said differently, the total engagement force may be
configured relative to the weight of the object to be mounted so
that the object interface 1020 may be slideably moved along the
target mounting area of the mounting apparatus 1010 so that the
central object surface 1026 may be received by the second
engagement member 1014 and, correspondingly, the object interface
1020 may be seated by the mounting apparatus 1010 when the object
interface 1020 is fully engaged with the mounting apparatus
1010.
[0487] Therefore, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 30, when the
object is mounted to the mounting apparatus 1010, proximity of the
central object surface 1026 to the mounting apparatus 1010 may
cause the central object surface 1026 to substantially self-align
with the first engagement member so that a central axis of the
central object surface 1026 may be substantially aligned with a
central axis of the engagement member component 1014'. Also,
proximity of the central object surface 1026 to the mounting
apparatus 1010 may produce an attraction force between the central
object surface 1026 (e.g., a third mounting magnet) and the first
engagement member (e.g., a second mounting magnet) that may cause
engagement between the surface face 1022 of the central object
surface 1026 and the engagement member component 1014'.
Additionally, proximity of the secondary object surface 1024 to the
second engagement member 1014 may produce an attraction force
between the secondary object surface 1024 (e.g., a third mounting
magnet) and the second engagement member 1014 (e.g., a second
mounting magnet) that may cause engagement between the secondary
object surface 1024 and the face 1088 of the second engagement
member 1014 (e.g., the second engagement member 1014 may be moved
toward the extended state so that engagement occurs). Moreover,
proximity of the secondary object surface 1024 to the intermediate
surface 1012 may cause an attraction force to be produced between
the secondary object surface 1024 (e.g., a third mounting magnet)
and the intermediate surface 1012 (e.g., the first mounting
magnet), and the object interface 1020 may be moved further along
the line of engagement in a direction toward the intermediate
surface 1012. Further movement of the object interface 1020 in a
direction toward the intermediate surface 1012 may cause the first
engagement member, 1014' and 1014'', to be moved toward the
retracted state. Furthermore, the object interface 1020 may be
slideably moved so that the central object surface 1026 may be
received by the second engagement member 1014 and, correspondingly,
the object interface 1020 may be seated by the mounting apparatus
1010. The object interface 1020 may be slideably moved by a user
and/or by the force of gravity until the object interface 1020 is
seated by and, therefore, structurally engaged with the mounting
apparatus 1010.
[0488] When seated, the object interface 1020 may resist a
disengaging movement in a direction corresponding to the line of
engagement until the weight of the object is offset (e.g., the
object is lifted) by application of a lifting force (e.g., that is
substantially opposite the force of gravity) that may unseat the
object interface 1020 from the mounting apparatus 1010 so that the
object interface 1020 may then be disengaged from the mounting
apparatus 1010 along the line of engagement in stages, as
previously described. Thus, the system 1000 may be configured so
that a weight of the object to be mounted may be utilized to
provide additional security (i.e., structural security) to a
mounted object. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 30, whether seated
via engagement of the first extension surface portion 1023' with
the second extension portion 1098'' of the second engagement member
1014 or via engagement of the second extension surface portion
1023'' with the first extension portion 1098' of the second
engagement member 1014, the mounted object may be rotated about the
central axis of the central object surface when the object
interface 1020 is fully engaged with (i.e., engaged and seated, in
this embodiment) the mounting apparatus 1010.
[0489] The mounting apparatus 1010 may be engaged by a wide variety
of object interfaces and, thus, may be utilized within a variety of
systems in addition to the system 1000. For example, in addition to
the object interface 1020, the mounting apparatus 1010 may be
compatible with a like or similar embodiment of the object
interface 620 shown in FIG. 19. Thus, the object interface 620 may
engage and disengage the mounting apparatus 1010 via the engagement
member component 1014' in a like or similar manner to the
engagement and disengagement of the object interface 620 with the
engagement member 614 shown in FIG. 19, because the cavity 675
comprised by the central object surface 626 may be configured to
agree with only the engagement member component 1014'. Therefore,
the object interface 620 may be configured to receive only the
engagement member component 1014' during the mounting process, and
the other components of the mounting apparatus (e.g., the second
engagement member 1014 and the engagement member component 1014'')
may be substantially refracted relative to the engagement member
component 1014' when the object interface 620 is fully engaged with
the mounting apparatus 1010. Furthermore, in another embodiment, an
object interface may be configured to receive the engagement member
component 1014'' and the second engagement member 1014, together,
and the engagement member component 1014' may be substantially
retracted relative to the engagement member component 1014'' and
the second engagement member 1014 when the object interface is
fully engaged with the mounting apparatus 1010.
[0490] Moreover, in a like or similar embodiment to that depicted
in FIG. 30, the roles of the mounting apparatus 1010 and the object
interface 1020 may be effectively reversed. For example, the object
interface 1020 may be configured to be attached to a VESA mount,
and the mounting apparatus 1010 may be substantially inverted
relative to the orientation shown in FIG. 30 and, thus, may be
configured to be attached to a television for mounting the
television to the VESA mount. Thus configured, the second
engagement member 1014 comprised by the mounting apparatus 1010 may
function in a similar manner to the hanger 477 depicted in FIG. 13
when fully engaged with the object interface 1020.
[0491] As noted, a mounting apparatus, an object interface, and/or
a mounting system may be configured to support the exchange of data
via one or more wireless data transfer devices and/or electrical
connections and may be configured to be smart in various
embodiments. Accordingly, a plurality of mounting apparatuses may
comprise an apparatus communication system. Referring to FIG. 31,
an embodiment of an apparatus communication system 1100 is
provided.
[0492] Also as previously noted, the mounting method disclosed
herein may be applied to an existing body, or a portion of an
existing body, so that the body is modified to achieve the desired
functionality of the mounting apparatus. Also as previously noted,
and as previously illustrated in FIGS. 17A and 17B, embodiments of
the mounting apparatus may themselves be mounted to other, known
mounting apparatuses to enhance the functionality of the known
mounting apparatuses so that the mounting apparatus may be
considered to be a mounting interface for the known mounting
apparatus. The system depicted in FIG. 31 shows two such
examples/embodiments.
[0493] As shown in FIG. 31, the mounting method may be applied to a
device box (i.e., switch box, pattress box, etc.) so that the
device box is modified to achieve the desired functionality of the
mounting apparatus and to enhance the functionality of the device
box. Accordingly, a mounting apparatus 1110A is provided, and the
mounting apparatus 1110A may comprise an intermediate surface and a
plurality of engagement members, shown in the retracted state,
configured relative to a device box housing 1182.
[0494] Also as shown in FIG. 31, an embodiment of the mounting
apparatus may be mounted to another, known mounting apparatus
(e.g., an Edison screw, in this embodiment) to enhance the
functionality of the known mounting apparatus so that the mounting
apparatus may be considered to be a mounting interface for the
known mounting apparatus. Accordingly, a mounting apparatus 1110B
is provided, and the mounting apparatus 1110B may be configured in
like or similar manner to the mounting apparatus 910 and may
comprise a modular engagement member, shown in the extended state,
and a modular Edison screw configured to be releasably attached to
the base surface of the mounting apparatus 1110B. The mounting
apparatus 1110B may comprise a heat diffuser or a modular heat
diffuser component in some embodiments.
[0495] Said differently, the mounting method may be applied to an
electric lamp, or a portion of an electric lamp (e.g., an Edison
screw, in FIG. 31), so that the electric lamp is modified to
achieve the desired functionality of the mounting apparatus. For
example, in one embodiment, a mounting system may comprise a
mounting apparatus, configured in a like or similar manner to the
mounting apparatus 1110B, and an object interface configured to be
attached to the object to be mounted (e.g., the lamp portion of the
electric lamp) and to the mounting apparatus so that the electric
lamp is modified to achieve the desired functionality of the
mounting apparatus. Such a configuration of a mounting system may
allow a user to quickly and easily attach and detach a lamp from a
standard, electric lamp mounting socket. Furthermore, such a
configuration may allow other objects that are configured with
compatible object interfaces to be mounted to the standard,
electric lamp mounting socket and receive electricity and data via
the standard, electric lamp mounting socket in some
embodiments.
[0496] Communication amongst a plurality of mounting apparatuses
comprising an apparatus communication system may range from
relatively simple communication to relatively complex communication
per the application and relative to the respective configurations
of each of the plurality of mounting apparatuses comprising the
system. For example, the mounting apparatuses comprising an
apparatus communication system may be configured to communicate via
wired (e.g., Ethernet, powerline, etc.) or wireless connections;
via simplex, duplex, multiplex, etc. communication; via one or more
networks; and/or via any feasible connection or combination of
connections per the application. In some embodiments, one or more
of the mounting apparatuses comprising the apparatus communication
system may be configured to be smart.
[0497] Referring again to FIG. 31, the apparatus communication
system 1100 may be configured for simplex communication between the
mounting apparatus 1110A and the mounting apparatus 1110B. The
engagement member 1114c comprised by the mounting apparatus 1110A
may be configured to function as a tactile input device (e.g., a
push-button, a push switch, a resistive or capacitive touch sensor,
etc.). For example, the mounting apparatus 1110A may comprise a
push-button switch component positioned relative to the engagement
member 1114c, and the mounting apparatus 1110A may be configured so
that a tactile input received by the engagement member 1114c may be
communicated to the mounting apparatus 1110B in a prescribed
manner. In this embodiment, the apparatus communication system 1100
may be configured so that a tactile input received by the
engagement member 1114c is configured to initiate a task by the
mounting apparatus 1110B.
[0498] The relative complexity of a task performed within the
apparatus communication system may vary per the application and
relative to the respective configurations of each of the plurality
of mounting apparatuses comprising the apparatus communication
system. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 31, the mounting apparatus
1110A may be configured to communicate with the mounting apparatus
1110B via powerline communication, and successive tactile inputs
received by the engagement member 1114c may be configured to
successively open and close a circuit comprised by the mounting
apparatus 1110B so that an electrical connection established
between the mounting apparatus 1110B and a mounted object may be
effectively connected and disconnected--and the object effectively
turned on/off--via successive tactile inputs applied to the
engagement member 1114c.
[0499] Alternatively or additionally, the mounting apparatus 1110A
and the mounting apparatus 1110B may be configured to communicate
wirelessly, and, in some embodiments, the mounting apparatus 1110A
and the mounting apparatus 1110B may be configured to be smart. For
example, in one embodiment, an input received by the mounting
apparatus 1110A may be transmitted to the mounting apparatus 1110B
via a WiFi network and may cause the mounting apparatus 1110B to
run a software program. For example, the software program may be
configured to control the variable intensity and color of an LED
lamp that is mounted to the mounting apparatus 1110B in a
predefined manner.
[0500] Referring again to FIG. 31, alternatively or additionally,
the mounting apparatus 1110A may be configured to communicate with
and/or control one or more peripheral objects. For example, a
device box housing 1182 supported by the mounting apparatus 1110A
may be configured to be attached to a wiring infrastructure (e.g.,
in a home or building) that is attached to a peripheral object,
such as a three-speed ceiling fan. The mounting apparatus 1110A may
be configured to control the three-speed ceiling fan via the wiring
infrastructure. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the engagement
member 1114c may be configured to function as a control knob. For
example, the mounting apparatus 1110A may comprise a second
controlling component, such as a spring-loaded catch mechanism, and
a portion of the second controlling component may be configured to
be movable between an extended position and a retracted position.
When the portion of the second controlling component is in the
retracted position, the engagement member 1114c may be configured
to be movable between an extended state and a retracted state along
a line of engagement and may be biased toward the retracted state
by a first controlling component, as described and illustrated in
other embodiments. Also as described in previous embodiments, the
engagement member 1114c may comprise an extension and a face joined
to the extension. The second controlling component may be
positioned relative to the engagement member 1114c so that
application of a first tactile input to the engagement member 1114c
may actuate the second controlling component and cause the second
controlling component to bias the movable portion of the second
controlling component toward the extended position. When the
portion of the second controlling component is biased toward the
extended position, the second controlling component may apply a
persistent ejection force to the engagement member 1114c that is
configured to bias the engagement member 1114c toward the extended
state. Thus, the second controlling component may be configured to
effectively eject the engagement member 1114c toward the extended
state in response to the first tactile input, and the persistent
ejection force may be configured to persistently bias the
engagement member 1114c toward the extended state so that the
extension of the engagement member 1114c is exposed and may be
grasped for use as a control knob.
[0501] Furthermore, the mounting apparatus 1110A may be configured
so that the application of a torqueing force to the engagement
member 1114c causes the mounting apparatus 1110A to communicate
with the peripheral object in a prescribed manner. For example, a
user may depress the engagement member 1114c (e.g., a first tactile
input) to effectively eject the engagement member 1114c to an
extended state, and the user may grasp the engagement member 1114c
and torque the engagement member 1114c in a substantially clockwise
direction to sequentially increase the speed of the three-speed
ceiling fan. Likewise, the user may torque the engagement member
1114c in a substantially counterclockwise direction to sequentially
decrease the speed of the three-speed ceiling fan. Additionally or
alternatively, the mounting apparatus 1110A may be configured to
control an object, such as an LED lamp, that is engaged with the
mounting apparatus 1110B. In one embodiment, the mounting apparatus
1110A may be configured so that application of a persistent
torqueing force to the engagement member 1114c in a
counterclockwise direction may gradually decrease the brightness of
the LED lamp and application of a persistent torqueing force to the
engagement member 1114c in a clockwise direction may gradually
intensify the brightness of the LED lamp.
[0502] Moreover, when interaction with the engagement member 1114c
as a control knob is no longer desired, the mounting apparatus
1110A may be configured so that application of a second tactile
input to the engagement member 1114c when the engagement member
1114c is persistently biased toward the extended state may actuate
the second controlling component (e.g., the spring-loaded catch
mechanism) and cause the second controlling component to bias the
movable portion of the second controlling component toward the
retracted position so that the persistent ejection force is
eliminated. As a result, the engagement member 1114c may again be
movable between an extended state and a retracted state along a
line of engagement, effectively unencumbered by the second
controlling component, and may be biased toward the retracted state
by the first controlling component.
[0503] In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus may be
configured so that engagement of the mounting apparatus with the
object interface initiates a software function.
[0504] Furthermore, the mounting apparatus 1110A may be configured
to facilitate a plurality of electrical connections between the
mounting apparatus 1110A and an object to be mounted. As shown in
FIG. 31, the mounting apparatus 1110A may be configured to support
a plurality of apparatus connectors, and the plurality of apparatus
connectors supported by the mounting apparatus 1110A may comprise a
first apparatus connector subset 1105b and a second apparatus
connector subset 1105e. Each of the apparatus connector subsets
supported by the mounting apparatus 1110A may be configured to
facilitate a mains power (e.g., AC power) connection with a
compatible object interface, so the configuration of the first
apparatus connector subset 1105b may be substantially the same as
the configuration of the second apparatus connector subset 1105e in
this embodiment. Each of the apparatus connector subsets may be
configured so that a respective apparatus connector subset is live
only when engaged with a corresponding plurality of interface
connectors. Said differently, the plurality of apparatus connectors
comprised by the mounting apparatus 1110A may be configured to be
inactive when in a disengaged state. Thus, the plurality of
apparatus connectors comprised by the mounting apparatus 1110A may
be configured to be safe to touch (e.g., with human hands, with
arbitrary pieces of metal, etc.) so that the apparatus connectors
do not produce unintended shocks or arcs. For example, the mounting
apparatus 1110A may be configured so that an authentication
communication is required for each of the apparatus connector
subsets to be live (i.e., electrically functional), and the
authentication communication may be provided by a compatible object
interface via wired or wireless means prior to or during engagement
per the application.
[0505] As noted, in other embodiments, the mounting apparatus may
facilitate a plurality of electrical connections (e.g., two, three,
four, etc.) of various types and configurations per the
application, so the respective configurations of each of the
plurality of apparatus connector subsets may be different in some
embodiments.
[0506] In some embodiments, the device box housing 1182 may be
configured to be a modular component of the mounting apparatus
1110A. Said differently, the device box housing 1182 may be
configured to be attached to (e.g., fastened to) a mounting
surface, such as a wall, and the mounting apparatus 1110A may be
configured to be releasably attached to the mounting surface via
the modular device box housing 1182 so that the mounting apparatus
1110A effectively may be a modular component of the mounting
surface by way of the modular device box housing 1182 when the
device box housing 1182 is attached to the mounting surface.
[0507] In still other embodiments, the mounting apparatus may
comprise a power plug or power socket. Correspondingly,
additionally, or alternatively, an engagement member may comprise a
power plug or power socket.
[0508] As previously noted, in some embodiments, a physical body
may comprise a mounting apparatus and an object interface or may
comprise components or features of both a mounting apparatus and an
object interface.
[0509] For example, referring to FIG. 32, a portable power source
is shown from two perspectives (e.g., a substantially front view
and a substantially rear view), and the portable power source may
be configured to define a cavity and may comprise an engagement
member, a plurality of apparatus connectors, and a plurality of
interface connectors. The portable power source may be configured
to support a rechargeable battery, a supercapacitor, an
ultracapacitor, a fuel cell, etc. per the application. The
engagement member may be configured to be fixed (e.g., not movable)
in some embodiments.
[0510] In one embodiment, the engagement member may be configured
to support a plurality of apparatus connectors and a plurality of
interface connectors. For example, the face of the engagement
member (e.g., an outer portion of the face) may be configured to
support a plurality of apparatus connectors, and the inner face of
the engagement member (e.g., an inner portion of the face) may be
configured to support a plurality of interface connectors, and the
plurality of interface connectors and the plurality of apparatus
connectors may be joined and supported via the face of the
engagement member. Correspondingly, a substantially hollow
configuration of the engagement member may define a cavity, and the
cavity defined by the engagement member may be configured, and may
function in a substantially similar manner, to a cavity defined by
an object interface as disclosed in other embodiments. For example,
the cavity depicted in FIG. 32 may be comprised by a substantially
hollow portion of the engagement member as described above.
[0511] Moreover, as previously noted, an embodiment of a mounting
apparatus may be applied separately to two or more bodies, and the
mounting apparatuses may be attached one to another to join the
bodies together; and like embodiments may be configured with
connectors that are compatible when joined one to the other so that
joining the mounting apparatuses may facilitate a connection
between the bodies. FIG. 32 depicts one example of such an
embodiment.
[0512] Correspondingly, in some embodiments, a plurality of
mounting apparatuses may be configured to support a daisy chain
configuration relative to a desired electrical connection per the
application. Likewise, a plurality of mounting systems may be
configured to support a daisy chain configuration relative to a
desired electrical connection per the application.
[0513] With reference to FIGS. 33A and 33B, in some embodiments of
the mounting apparatus, a supplemental engagement member may be
configured relative to an engagement member of the mounting
apparatus so that the supplemental engagement member may be
attached to the engagement member, and attachment of the
supplemental engagement member to the engagement member of the
mounting apparatus may be configured to substantially change the
functionality of the engagement member and/or the mounting
apparatus per the application. A supplemental engagement member may
be configured to be releasably engaged with the mounting apparatus
via a total engagement force or may be configured to be lockably
engaged with the mounting apparatus via a locking engagement force
per the application. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the mounting
apparatus may be configured so that a supplemental engagement
member and/or an object interface may be optionally lockably
engaged with the mounting apparatus when the supplemental
engagement member or the object interface is engaged with the
mounting apparatus so that a locking engagement force may be
produced in addition to the total engagement force.
[0514] Referring to FIGS. 33A and 33B, a mounting apparatus 1210
and a supplemental engagement member 12140 are shown, and the
supplemental engagement member 12140 may be configured to
substantially change the functionality of the engagement member
1214 and the mounting apparatus 1210 by, for example, substantially
changing the shape of the engagement member 1214, adding wireless
charging functionality to the mounting apparatus 1210, and
substantially changing an attraction force associated with the
engagement member 1214 as well as the total engagement force
associated with the mounting apparatus 1210 when an object
interface is engaged with the mounting apparatus 1210. Furthermore,
the supplemental engagement member 12140 may be configured so that
the supplemental engagement member 12140 may be optionally lockably
engaged with the mounting apparatus when the supplemental
engagement member 12140 is engaged with the mounting apparatus 1210
so that a locking engagement force may be produced in addition to
the total engagement force between the supplemental engagement
member 12140 and the mounting apparatus 1210. Correspondingly, the
supplemental engagement member 12140 may engage the mounting
apparatus 1210 in a like or similar manner to an object interface
and may substantially change the functionality of the mounting
apparatus in a like or similar manner to a modular engagement
member or a modular engagement member component.
[0515] The mounting apparatus 1210 may be configured to support an
engagement member 1214 (shown in an extended state in the figure)
comprising a plurality of apparatus connectors 1205 and an
apparatus engagement latch 1215. The supplemental engagement member
12140 may be configured to define a cavity 12751 and may comprise a
second mounting magnet 12400, a plurality of interface connectors
(not shown), an interface transmission path (not shown), a
transmitter coil component 12401, and an object interface latch
12251.
[0516] An attraction force produced between the mounting apparatus
1210 and the supplemental engagement member 12140 may cause the
supplemental engagement member 12140 and the mounting apparatus
1210 to be engaged to produce a total engagement force. Said
differently, the supplemental engagement member 12140 may be
mounted to the mounting apparatus 1210 in a substantially similar
fashion as would a compatible object, object interface, etc.
[0517] The supplemental engagement member 12140 may be configured
relative to the mounting apparatus 1210 so that an electrical
connection may be established between the mounting apparatus 1210
and the supplemental engagement member 12140 when the supplemental
engagement member 12140 is engaged with the mounting apparatus
1210, and the electrical connection may be configured to support a
transmitter coil component or a receiver coil component so that the
mounting apparatus 1210 may be configured to participate in a
wireless charging relationship when the supplemental engagement
member 12140 is engaged with the mounting apparatus 1210.
[0518] In one embodiment, the supplemental engagement member 12140
may comprise a transmitter coil component 12401, and the mounting
apparatus 1210 may be configured to wirelessly charge a compatible
object, object interface, modular apparatus component, etc. when
the supplemental engagement member 12140 is engaged with the
mounting apparatus 1210.
[0519] In some embodiments, the supplemental engagement member
12140 may comprise a receiver coil component, and the mounting
apparatus 1210 may be configured to be wirelessly charged by a
compatible object, object interface, etc. when the supplemental
engagement member 12140 is engaged with the mounting apparatus
1210. For example, the mounting apparatus may comprise a
rechargeable battery, and the rechargeable battery may be
wirelessly charged by a compatible object, etc. when the
supplemental engagement member 12140 is engaged with the mounting
apparatus 1210.
[0520] Furthermore, a supplemental engagement member may be
configured to substantially change the mounting functionality of an
engagement member and/or a mounting apparatus when the supplemental
engagement member is engaged with the mounting apparatus. For
example, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 33B, the supplemental
engagement member 12140 may be configured in a like or similar
manner to the engagement member 14 depicted in FIG. 10 and/or the
engagement member 314 depicted in FIGS. 11A and 11B. As such, a
mounted object may be free to move about the face 12880 of the
supplemental engagement member 12140 (e.g., rotationally,
pivotally, etc.) such that the object may be manipulated to a
preferred orientation when securely mounted via the total
engagement force comprised by the mounting apparatus 1210 when the
supplemental engagement member 12140 is engaged with the mounting
apparatus 1210.
[0521] Moreover, in this and other embodiments, a supplemental
engagement member may be configured to substantially change the
magnetic field associated with a mounting apparatus in a predefined
manner. For example, the supplemental engagement member may be
configured to substantially adjust and/or fine tune the magnetic
field relative to a particular object, object interface, range of
object weights, etc.
[0522] In other embodiments, a supplemental engagement member may
be configured to support one or more input devices, wireless data
transfer devices, etc. per the application.
[0523] A supplemental engagement member may be configured to be
releasably attached and/or lockably attached to a mounting
apparatus per the application. For example, referring again to FIG.
33A, the mounting apparatus 1210 may comprise an apparatus
engagement latch 1215 so that the supplemental engagement member
12140 may be optionally lockably engaged with the mounting
apparatus 1210 when the supplemental engagement member 12140 is
releasably attached (i.e., mounted) to the mounting apparatus
1210.
[0524] The apparatus engagement latch 1215 may be configured to be
movable between an extended apparatus engagement latch position and
a retracted apparatus engagement latch position along an apparatus
latch engagement line. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 33A and FIG.
33B, the apparatus engagement latch may define an extended
apparatus engagement latch position when the apparatus engagement
latch is biased toward the object to be mounted (and/or the
supplemental engagement member, in this embodiment), and the
apparatus engagement latch may define a retracted apparatus
engagement latch position when the apparatus engagement latch is
biased away from the object to be mounted (e.g., biased toward the
intermediate surface, base surface, etc. of the mounting apparatus
in various embodiments).
[0525] The apparatus engagement latch 1215 may be configured to
respond to magnetism, and the apparatus engagement latch 1215 may
be biased toward the retracted apparatus engagement latch position
by a controlling component comprised by the mounting apparatus 1210
when the engagement member 1214 is not engaged with an object to be
mounted (e.g., an object, an object interface, a supplemental
engagement member, etc.). The mounting apparatus 1210 may be
configured so that the apparatus engagement latch 1215 may be
biased toward the extended apparatus engagement latch position by
an attraction force produced between the object to be mounted and
the apparatus engagement latch 1215 when the object to be mounted
is engaged with the engagement member 1214. For example, in the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 33A and 33B, the mounting apparatus 1210
may be configured so that the apparatus engagement latch 1215 may
be biased toward the cavity 12751 defined by the supplemental
engagement member 12140 by an attraction force produced between the
second mounting magnet 12400 and the apparatus engagement latch
1215 when the supplemental engagement member 12140 is engaged with
the engagement member 1214. Correspondingly, in the embodiment
shown in FIGS. 33A and 33B, the apparatus engagement line may
correspond to the line of engagement of the mounting apparatus
1210.
[0526] At least a portion of the object interface latch may be
configured to be movable between a closed object interface latch
position and an open object interface latch position along an
object interface latch engagement line. For example, referring to
the supplemental engagement member 12140 shown in FIG. 33A, an
outer portion (shown in the figure) of the object interface latch
12251 may be configured to move an inner portion (not shown) of the
object interface latch 12251 between the closed object interface
latch position and the open object interface latch position along
the object interface latch engagement line.
[0527] The cavity 12751 defined by the supplemental engagement
member 12140 may be configured to receive one or both of the
engagement member 1214 and the apparatus engagement latch 1215 when
the supplemental engagement member 12140 is engaged with the
mounting apparatus 1210 depending upon the position of the object
interface latch 12251.
[0528] The object interface latch 12251 may be configured relative
to the cavity 12751 defined by the supplemental engagement member
12140 and relative to the apparatus engagement latch 1215 so that
the cavity 12751 is substantially obstructed by at least a portion
of the object interface latch 12251 relative to the apparatus
engagement latch 1215 when the object interface latch 12251 is in
the closed object interface latch position. Furthermore, the object
interface latch 12251 may be configured so that the cavity 12751 is
substantially unobstructed relative to the apparatus engagement
latch 1215 when the object interface latch 12251 is in the open
object interface latch position.
[0529] Said differently, the object interface latch 12251 may
define the closed object interface latch position when the cavity
12751 is substantially obstructed by at least a portion of the
object interface latch 12251 relative to the apparatus engagement
latch 1215, and the cavity 12751 may not receive the apparatus
engagement latch 1215 when the object interface latch 12251 defines
the closed object interface latch position. Accordingly, the object
interface latch 12251 may define the open object interface latch
position when the cavity 12751 is substantially unobstructed by the
object interface latch 12251 relative to the apparatus engagement
latch 1215, and the cavity 12751 may receive the apparatus
engagement latch 1215 when the supplemental engagement member 12140
is engaged with the engagement member 1214 and the object interface
latch 12251 defines the open object interface latch position.
[0530] Furthermore, when the object interface latch 12251 defines
the closed object interface latch position, a portion of the cavity
12751 may define an interface latch cavity.
[0531] In some embodiments, an object interface latch or a similar
component of the object interface may be configured so that a
cavity defined by the object interface is obstructed relative to
one or more engagement members or engagement member components
comprised by the mounting apparatus, including but not limited to
an engagement member or an engagement member component that
comprises an apparatus engagement latch.
[0532] The object interface latch may be configured so that
application of an input force to at least a portion of the object
interface latch is configured to bias the object interface latch
toward one of the open object interface latch position or the
closed object interface latch position. For example, in one
embodiment, the object interface latch may be configured to support
a capacitive sensor, and the object interface latch may be
configured so that application of an input force to the capacitive
sensor effectively toggles the object interface latch between the
open object interface latch position and the closed object
interface latch position.
[0533] Referring again to FIG. 33A, the object interface latch
12251 may be configured so that application of the input force to
the outer portion (shown in the figure) of the object interface
latch 12251 is configured to bias the inner portion (not shown) of
the object interface latch 12251 toward the open object interface
latch position, and the object interface latch 12251 may be
configured so that the inner portion of the object interface latch
12251 is automatically biased toward the closed object interface
latch position when the input force is removed. For example,
depression of the outer portion of the object interface latch 12251
(i.e., the input force) may operate a spring assembly that is
configured to bias the inner portion of the object interface latch
12251 toward the open object interface latch position until the
input force is removed.
[0534] In such a configuration, the supplemental engagement member
12140 may be releasably engaged with the mounting apparatus 1210
when mounted to the mounting apparatus 1210. Furthermore, when the
supplemental engagement member 12140 is mounted (i.e., releasably
engaged) to the mounting apparatus 1210, application of the input
force to the outer portion of the object interface latch 12251 may
bias the inner portion of the object interface latch toward the
open object interface latch position. When the object interface
latch 12251 defines the open object interface latch position, the
cavity 12751 may be unobstructed by the object interface latch
12251 relative to the apparatus engagement latch 1215; and an
attraction force produced between the apparatus engagement latch
1215 and the second mounting magnet 12400 may cause the apparatus
engagement latch 1215 to be received by the cavity 12751. Removal
of the input force may cause the inner portion of the object
interface latch 12251 to be automatically biased toward the closed
object interface latch position, and, when the object interface
latch 12251 defines the closed object interface latch position, a
portion of the cavity 12751 may define an interface latch cavity
relative to the apparatus engagement latch 1215; and the
supplemental engagement member 12140 may be lockably engaged with
the mounting apparatus 1210.
[0535] FIG. 33B shows the mounting apparatus 1210 and the
supplemental engagement member 12140 when engaged via a locking
engagement force.
[0536] In some embodiments, the apparatus engagement latch may be
supported by the intermediate surface, a housing, or another
component of the mounting apparatus. Also, the apparatus engagement
latch may be configured to be flush with the intermediate surface,
the housing, etc. when the mounting apparatus is not engaged.
[0537] Referring to FIG. 34, a modular object interface 1220 is
provided, and the modular object interface 1220 may be configured
to be attached to an object to be mounted, such as a mobile
computing device (e.g., a tablet computer, a smartphone, etc.) in
this embodiment. Moreover, the modular object interface 1220 may be
configured to be attached to either of the engagement member 1214
or the supplemental engagement member 12140 of the mounting
apparatus 1210.
[0538] The modular object interface 1220 may comprise an object
interface latch 12252 so that the modular object interface 1220 may
optionally lockably engage the mounting apparatus 1210. Also, the
modular object interface 1220 may comprise a modular central object
surface 1222, and the central object surface 1222 may be configured
to agree with the supplemental engagement member 12140 by way of a
surface opening 1204 and a contact surface 1202 of the surface
opening 1204 that may be configured (e.g., shaped) to substantially
flushly engage the face 12880 of the supplemental engagement member
12140 so that the object to be mounted may be free to move about
the face 122880 of the supplemental engagement member 12140 (e.g.,
rotationally, pivotally, etc.) such that the object may be
manipulated to a preferred orientation when securely mounted via
the total engagement force comprised by the mounting apparatus 1210
when the supplemental engagement member 12140 is engaged with the
mounting apparatus 1210.
[0539] The modular object interface 1220 may comprise a modular
interface housing 1221, and the interface housing 1221 may be
configured to support a plurality of modular interface components
arranged in a tiered configuration. For example, a first portion of
the interface housing 1221 may be configured to slideably receive
each of the plurality of modular object interface components, and a
second portion of the interface housing 1221 may be configured to
slideably enclose an exposed portion of each of the plurality of
modular object interface components that is slideably received by
the first portion of the interface housing 1221.
[0540] Such a configuration may allow the modular object interface
1220 to be highly customizable so that modular object interface
components may be easily interchangeable. Furthermore, such a
configuration may allow the structural configuration of the modular
object interface 1220 and/or structural features or components of
the modular object interface 1220 to be fine-tuned per the
application.
[0541] For example, FIG. 35 depicts a plurality of modular object
interface components (only a portion of each of the plurality of
modular object interface components is shown in the figure), and
the plurality of modular object interface components may be
arranged in a tiered configuration and may define a cavity 12753 of
the object interface. Correspondingly, a modular object interface
comprising a tiered configuration of a plurality of modular object
interface components may be highly customizable and may provide a
high degree of flexibility in dynamically custom-configuring the
modular object interface relative to a variety of configurations of
the mounting apparatus per the application. For example, the
modular object interface components may be configured to change or
dynamically adjust the object interface depth d.sub.o; change or
dynamically adjust the position of an object interface latch;
change or dynamically adjust the position of one or more third
mounting magnets so that the total engagement force between the
object interface and the mounting apparatus is correspondingly
changed; add, remove, or change the position of a modular charger
support and/or, by association, the depth and/or configuration of a
plurality interface connectors relative to the mounting apparatus;
and/or change the way in which a modular object interface may be
structurally engaged with the mounting apparatus. One of skill in
the art will appreciate the various configurations made possible by
a tiered configuration of a plurality of modular interface
components as guided by the content of this disclosure.
[0542] In still other embodiments of the mounting apparatus or
mounting system, a minimal number of components may be necessary to
achieve the desired functionality of the mounting apparatus or
mounting system per the application, because the mounting apparatus
or the mounting system may be configured relative to the force of
gravity to achieve the desired functionality.
[0543] For example, referring to FIG. 36, a mounting apparatus 1310
is shown, and the mounting apparatus 1310 may comprise an
engagement member 1314 (shown in the extended state) and an
intermediate surface 1312. In this embodiment, the engagement
member 1314 (only) may be configured to respond to magnetism, and
the mounting apparatus 1310 may be configured relative to the force
of gravity so that the gravitational force provides further
functionality that may be associated with other components of the
mounting apparatus in other embodiments. For example, the mounting
apparatus 1310 may be configured relative to the force of gravity
so that engagement between an object interface or an object to be
mounted and the intermediate surface 1312 may occur as a result of
the gravitational force relative to the object to be mounted. In
this way, the gravitational force may be utilized to provide
substantially similar functionality to that of an attraction force
produced by, for example, a first mounting magnet in another
embodiment. Furthermore, the mounting apparatus 1310 may be
configured relative to the force of gravity so that the engagement
member 1314 automatically retracts after the object is disengaged
from the apparatus. In this way, the gravitational force may be
utilized to provide substantially similar functionality to a
controlling component. Likewise, the mounting apparatus 1310 may be
configured relative to the force of gravity so that the engagement
member 1314 may be biased toward the retracted state by the
gravitational force so that the engagement member 1314 is
substantially flush relative to the intermediate surface 1312 when
the mounting apparatus 1310 is not engaged with an object to be
mounted.
[0544] In one embodiment, the mounting apparatus 1310 may comprise
a stand when the base surface 1380 is substantially engaged with a
substantially horizontal surface such as a tabletop. An object
interface may be configured to be attached to the mounting
apparatus 1310 and to an electronic device (e.g., a notebook
computer, a TV set-top box, etc.). The engagement member 1314
comprised by the mounting apparatus 1310 may be configured to
support a plurality of apparatus connectors, and the object
interface may be configured to support a corresponding plurality of
interface connectors so that an electrical connection may be
established between the electronic device and the mounting
apparatus 1310 when the object interface is engaged with the
mounting apparatus 1310.
[0545] Furthermore, the intermediate surface 1312 of the mounting
apparatus 1310 may be configured to support a modular first
mounting magnet, and the modular first mounting magnet may be
optionally attached to the mounting apparatus 1310 to enhance the
total engagement force of the mounting system so that the mounting
apparatus 1310 may support the object to be mounted when the base
surface 1380 is attached to a substantially vertical surface such
as a wall.
[0546] Referring to FIG. 37, a mounting apparatus 1410 is provided,
and the mounting apparatus 1410 may be configured to support a
plurality of electrical connections. For example, the plurality of
electrical connections may comprise a plurality of audio-video
connections (e.g., HDMI, composite video, component video, Toslink,
etc.), and the mounting apparatus 1410 may support a plurality of
audio-video ports that may be configured to be attached to a
display, such as a television, per the application. A plurality of
cables may be attached to the ports and are shown in the figure.
Each of the plurality of engagement members may be configured to
respond to magnetism and may be movable between a respective
extended state and a respective retracted state. Each of the
plurality of engagement members is shown in the retracted state in
FIG. 37. Each of the plurality of engagement members may be
configured to support one of a plurality of electrical connections
supported by the mounting apparatus 1410. A corresponding object
interface may be configured to be attached to an audio-video
component (e.g., a DVD player, CD player, audio receiver, etc.) per
the application, and the object interface may be configured
relative to the mounting apparatus 1410 so that engagement between
the object interface and the mounting apparatus 1410 may establish
a plurality of electrical connections between the audio-video
component and the display. In such a configuration, a user may
quickly and easily connect and disconnect the audio-video component
and the display without the need to insert or remove audio-video
cables between the devices. Thus, the mounting system may be
configured as a connection interface between the devices.
[0547] The mounting system may be applied in various embodiments to
engage a plurality of physical bodies, and a plurality of mounting
systems may be configured relative to one another to facilitate a
continuous electrical connection between the physical bodies. For
example, a flooring mounting apparatus may be configured to be
attached to (i.e., integrated into) a flooring component (e.g.,
hardwood, tile, etc.) and to a wiring infrastructure in, for
example, a building via an apparatus transmission path. A desk may
be configured so that a bottom portion of a leg of the desk
comprises a leg object interface that is configured relative to the
flooring mounting apparatus so that the leg object interface may
engage the flooring mounting apparatus. In such a configuration,
the flooring mounting apparatus may effectively anchor the desk leg
to a predefined position on the flooring so that the desk leg is
not slideably movable across the surface of the flooring when
engaged. The desk leg may be further configured to support a leg
mounting apparatus on a top portion of the leg, and the desk may
further be configured to support a desktop object interface that is
configured to be attached to the leg mounting apparatus to mount
the desk leg to the desktop (i.e., to join the furniture together).
Moreover, the desk may be configured to support a desktop mounting
apparatus in the top surface (e.g., the desktop) of the desk, and a
monitor stand may be configured to support an object interface that
is configured relative to the desktop mounting apparatus so that
the monitor stand may be engaged with the desktop mounting
apparatus. The monitor stand may be further configured to support a
stand mounting apparatus, and a display panel may be configured to
support a display object interface that is configured relative to
the stand mounting apparatus so that the display panel may be
mounted to the monitor stand. Furthermore, each of the plurality of
mounting systems may be configured to support a corresponding and
compatible electrical connection, and the desk and the monitor
stand may each be configured to support a transmission path that
connects each of the respective mounting apparatuses, object
interfaces, and/or mounting systems supported by each of the desk
and the monitor stand. In such a configuration, when each of the
mounting systems is engaged, an electrical connection may be
established between the wiring infrastructure and the display
panel.
[0548] Correspondingly, in some embodiments, the mounting system
may be highly functional when the intermediate surface comprised by
the mounting apparatus is not configured to respond to magnetism.
For example, an engagement member that is configured to respond to
magnetism and that is effectively built into a countertop may be
configured to engage an object interface supported by an appliance,
such as a microwave. The object interface may define a cavity and
may be configured to engage the engagement member when the cavity
and the engagement member are substantially aligned, and engagement
between the mounting apparatus and the object interface may
substantially anchor the microwave relative to the surface of the
countertop. Thus, when a user, for example, pulls open the door of
the microwave, the microwave may be substantially anchored against
the force applied by the user (e.g., a force which may otherwise
cause the microwave to move across the surface of the countertop)
and may not be movable along the surface of the countertop due to
the engagement force between the mounting apparatus and the object
interface.
[0549] FIG. 38 shows an embodiment of a mounting system comprising
a plurality of mounting apparatuses that may be configured to be
joined, and each of the plurality of mounting apparatuses may
comprise components of a mounting apparatus and an object interface
so that the plurality of mounting apparatuses may be joined one to
another.
[0550] As noted above, the structures and components depicted in
the figures have been simplified for clarity and ease of
explanation. As such, one or more of the components, such as
housings, fasteners, stands, swivels, etc., although described
above, may not be shown in the figures. Those of ordinary skill in
the art will understand and appreciate that the method, systems,
and apparatuses provided herein may also describe means for
joining, coupling, attaching, or otherwise magnetically associating
one body with another, and that numerous alternate embodiments and
adaptations may be executed as guided by the full content of this
disclosure.
[0551] For example, although particular configurations and relative
dimensions and spacings are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings, it is to be understood that the particular configurations
are depicted for purposes of explanation, and multiple other
configurations are possible. As an example, although embodiments of
the mounting apparatus are shown as having an engagement member
with a circular cross-section, embodiments may include engagement
members having a square, rectangular, triangular, etc.
cross-section. Additionally or alternatively, the configuration of
an outer face of the engagement member may include additional
features for enhancing the interaction between the engagement
member and the object interface. In this regard, the outer face of
the engagement member may be keyed (e.g., defining openings
configured and arranged to receive corresponding protrusions of the
object interface) such that only particular object interfaces may
be engaged, object interfaces may be engaged at only certain angles
or orientations with respect to the mounting apparatus, and/or only
particular electrical connectors comprised by the mounting
apparatus and/or the object interface may be engaged. In other
embodiments, an outer face of an engagement member may include
holes or other openings for allowing wires or other components to
be passed through from the mounting apparatus to the object
interface or vice versa. Furthermore, one of ordinary skill in the
art will recognize that there are many means available for
manipulating the magnetic field associated with a magnet, a group
of magnets, etc., and, correspondingly or additionally, the
magnetic field associated with a mounting apparatus, an object
interface, or an engaged system, in order to achieve a desired
functionality. For example, ferrous metal caps, plates, flux
guides, magnetic shielding materials, shielding cages, etc. may be
configured relative to a magnet, a plurality of magnets, or groups
of magnets to strengthen, weaken, shape, or otherwise affect the
magnetic fields associated with the magnet(s); and similar
components (modular or fixed) may be configured to influence the
magnetic field associated with a mounting apparatus, an object
interface, or an engaged system in a particular way.
[0552] Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not
to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that
modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included
within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms
are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive
sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
* * * * *