Twist-Base Mount

Abstract

The Twist-Base Mount couples a single-screw, substrate-penetrating element with an elastically-deformable, concave base element that, once installed, acts as a spring, exerting a downward force upon the substrate around its circumference. Because the base element is rigidly attached to the substrate-penetrating element, a force applied to the Mount parallel to the plane of the substrate is offset by the pressure of the perimeter of the base element against the substrate, resulting in additional strength. The Mount's single-screw, self-boring element allows quick and easy installation. The spring-like base-element permits 360-degree rotation of the Mount while maintaining uniform pressure against the substrate, thereby preserving strength regardless of rotational positioning. The mount remains economical in relation to mounts of similar strength and rotational adjustability due to its insert-molded construction.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Not Applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE[0002]This invention pertains to the field of mounts and mounting systems, and more particularly to a single-screw, rotatable mounting system for affixing a fixture to a substrate.[0003]The related art includes mounting systems that comprise a planar base element designed to rest against a substrate and a substrate-penetrating element that extends orthogonally downward from the base element for affixing the mount to the substrate.[0004]Mounting systems vary in strength (the amount of weight that can be supported when affixed to given substrate), speed of installation (the amount of time required to affix the mount to a substrate), rotational adjustability (the degree to which the mount can pivot after installation while maintaining strength), and economy (the degree to which the mount is not costly). While all four attributes are desirable, they are, in general, mutually exclusive or offsetting. ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]The Twist-Base Mount solves the preceding dilemma by its unique structure, which couples a single-screw, substrate-penetrating element with a flexible, concave base element that, once installed, acts as a spring, exerting a downward force upon the substrate around its circumference. Because the base element is rigidly attached to the substrate-penetrating element, a force applied to the mount parallel to the plane of the substrate is offset by the pressure of the perimeter of the base element against the substrate, resulting in additional strength. Yet the mount's single-screw, self-boring, substrate-penetrating element still allows quick and easy installation, and the spring-like, concave base-element permits 360-degree rotation of the mount while maintaining uniform pressure against the substrate, thereby preserving strength regardless of rotational positioning. Nonetheless, the mount remains economical in relation to mounts of similar strength and rotational adjustability due to its insert-molded construction, in which the elastic base element is formed and rigidly affixed to a rigid substrate-penetrating element (such as a steel screw) by a single-step, plastic-injection molding process.

Problems solved by technology

For example, a strong mount would be expected to cost more, due to its complexity or materials, or require more time to install, perhaps due to multiple substrate-penetrating elements.

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