MOUNTING APPARATUS

摘要

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.

主权项

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.