Releasable mount apparatus and system

摘要

A mounting system can be used to releasably attach a first item to a second item. In one example, the first item can be a protective encasement for a mobile electronic device, and the second item can be a bicycle mount, suction cup mount, vehicle surface, office surface, or home surface. The mount assembly can include a first housing portion connected to a second housing portion, and can include a cam and torsion spring disposed within a housing volume defined by the first and second housing portions. A recess in the mount assembly can receive and retain a mounting cleat associated with the first item. One or more clasp mechanisms of the mount assembly can be configured to clasp the mounting cleat when it is inserted into the recess and to release the mounting cleat when the first housing portion is rotated relative to the second housing portion.

主权项

1. A mount assembly for releasably receiving a mounting cleat, the mount assembly comprising:
a top housing rotatably connected to a bottom housing, the top and bottom housings together defining a housing volume; a recess disposed in a top surface of the top housing, the recess having at least one corner and being configured to receive the mounting cleat, the mounting cleat also having at least one corner for engaging the corner of the recess; a center torsion spring disposed within the housing volume, the center torsion spring comprising a first end and a second end, the first end of the center torsion spring being connected to the bottom housing, and the second end of the center torsion spring being connected to the top housing, wherein the top housing is rotatable between an unrotated position and a rotated position relative to the bottom housing, wherein, when the top housing is in the rotated position, the center torsion spring exerts a force upon the top housing, the force urging the top housing to return to the unrotated position relative to the bottom housing; and a first clasp mechanism and a second clasp mechanism both at least partially disposed within the housing volume, wherein the first clasp mechanism opposes the second clasp mechanism, wherein the first and second clasp mechanisms each extend toward a center of the recess when the top housing is in the unrotated position to retain the mounting cleat in the recess, wherein the first and second clasp mechanisms each retract away from the center of the recess to release the mounting cleat from the recess when the top housing is rotated relative to the bottom housing; wherein the first and second clasp mechanism are configured to be forced away from the center of the recess by the mounting cleat to releasably receive the mounting cleat in the recess and wherein the first and second clasp mechanisms are further configured to release the retained mounting cleat when the retained mounting cleat is rotated relative to the mount assembly.