Three-piece mount

Abstract

A mount for mounting an object to a surface, wherein the mount comprises: a first base configured to engage with the object; a second base configured to engage with the surface; and an elongate stem configured to engage with the first base and the second base; wherein the stem is configured to attach to the first base and the second base.

Description

[0001] THREE-PIECE MOUNT

[0002] FIELD

[0003] 1. This relates to a three-piece mount.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] 2. Objects, such as mirrors or paintings, can be mounted to a surface, such as walls or ceilings.

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007] 3. In a first example embodiment, there is provided a mount for mounting an object to a surface, wherein the mount comprises: a first base configured to engage with the object; a second base configured to engage with the surface; and an elongate stem configured to engage with the first base and the second base; wherein the stem is configured to attach to the first base and the second base.

[0008] 4. Preferably, the first base and / or the second base comprises a threaded section, and the stem comprises a threaded section wherein the threaded section of the first base and / or the threaded section of the second base is configured to engage with the threaded section of the stem.

[0009] 5. Preferably, the threaded section of the first base and / or the threaded section of the second base is a female threaded member, and the threaded section of the stem is a male threaded member.

[0010] 6. Preferably, the first base comprises a depression and a peripheral wall, wherein: the depression of the first base is configured to at least partially contain adhesive, a magnet, and / or a suction pad to engage the object; and the peripheral wall of the first base is configured to surround the depression. Preferably, the second base comprises a depression and a peripheral wall, wherein: the depression of the second base is configured to at least partially contain adhesive, a magnet, and / or a suction pad to engage the surface; and the peripheral wall of the second base is configured to surround the depression. Preferably, the first base comprises an aperture configured to receive a fastener. Preferably, the second base comprises an aperture configured to receive a fastener. Preferably, an exterior edge of the first base and / or second base is filleted. Preferably, the peripheral wall of the first base and / or the peripheral wall of the second base has a circular shape. Preferably, the diameter of the peripheral wall of the first base is not equal to the diameter of the peripheral wall of the second base. Preferably, the diameter of the peripheral wall of the first base is equal to the diameter of the peripheral wall of the second base. Preferably, the first base and / or the second base has a catenoidal horn shape. Preferably, the stem has a catenoidal shape. Preferably, the mount, in an assembled state, has a catenoidal shape. Preferably, the length of the stem is about three quarters of the diameter of the first base. Preferably, the length of the stem is about three quarters of the diameter of the second base. 19. Preferably, the material of the first base and / or the material of the second base and / or the material of the stem is brass.

[0011] 20. In a second example embodiment, there is provided a method for mounting an object using the mount, the method comprising: engaging the first base with the object; engaging the second base with the surface; attaching the stem to the first base; and attaching the stem to the second base.

[0012] BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0013] 21. The description is framed by way of example with reference to the drawings which show certain embodiments. However, these drawings are provided for illustration only, and do not exhaustively set out all embodiments.

[0014] 22. Figure 1 is a view of the assembled mount according to an example embodiment.

[0015] 23. Figure 2 is an exploded view of the mount of Figure 1.

[0016] 24. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the first base and / or the second base of the mount of Figure 1.

[0017] 25. Figure 4 is a cross-section view of the first base and / or the second base of Figure 3.

[0018] 26. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the stem of the mount of Figure 1.

[0019] 27. Figure 6 is a cross-section view of the stem of Figure 5.

[0020] 28. Figure 7 is a flow diagram of a method of installing the mount of Figure 1.

[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] 29. In an embodiment, a mount may comprise three pieces: a first base configured to engage an object, a second base configured to engage a surface, and a stem configured to attach the first base and the second base. This three-piece configuration may provide flexibility of use and ease of installation.

[0023] 30. Figures 1 and 2 show an example such mount which may be used for mounting an object to a surface. The mount comprises a first base 100 which is configured to engage an object, a second base 200 which is configured to engage the surface and a stem 300 which is configured to attach to the first base 100 and the second base 200.

[0024] 31. An example of the object to be mounted is an art piece, such as a ceramic, painting, or sculpture. An example of the surface is a supporting surface, such as a vertical wall, a ceiling, a horizontal surface, pedestal, or an angled surface.

[0025] Base

[0026] 32. The first base 100 is shown in Figures 3 and 4. The first base 100 comprises a first side 110 which is configured to engage the object, a second side 120 which is configured to attach to the stem 300 and an aperture 130 which is configured to receive a fastener to assist in engaging the object.

[0027] Shape

[0028] 33. The first base 100 may have an outer profile in the shape of a curved funnel. This may mean the width of the cross-section of one side of the first base 100 is greater than the other side, that the width from one side to the other side increases at a non-linear rate, and the overall shape is rotationally symmetrical about the center axis. In the depicted embodiment, the first side 110 is the wider side, and the second side 120 is the narrower side of the curved funnel.

[0029] 34. The first side 110 and the second side 120 may both be generally circular and positioned opposite each other on the first base 100. Alternatively, other shapes, including those which are not rotationally symmetric, may be used.

[0030] 35. The first base 100 may have dimensions suited to the object to be mounted. For example, a relatively larger first side 110 may support a relatively larger object, and a relatively smaller first side 110 may support a relatively smaller object. In general, the diameter of the first side 110 may be proportional to the maximum force which can be supported by the mount.

[0031] Depression

[0032] 36. The first side 110 may have a depression 111. The center of the depression 111 may be positioned in the middle of the first side 110. The depression 111 may have a tapered cylinder shape where the depression opening 112 is circular, and the depression end 113 is also circular. In some embodiments, the diameter of the depression opening 112 may be smaller than the diameter of the depression end 113.

[0033] 37. The taper angle of the depression 111 may be substantially 45°. This taper angle may be used to hold a means for engaging the object in place. The depression 111 may be formed of multiple tapered cylinder portions.

[0034] Peripheral Wall

[0035] 38. A peripheral wall 130 is defined between the first side 110 and the second side 120, and may be positioned on the first side 110 so that the peripheral wall 130 surrounds the depression 111. The height and / or thickness of the peripheral wall 130 may be proportional to the first side 110 diameter. The distance between the peripheral wall 130 and the depression opening 112 may be proportional to the diameter of the first side 110. Threaded Section

[0036] 39. On the second side 120, a cavity 121 is formed in the first base 100. Within the cavity 121, a threaded section 122 is formed. The threaded section 122 which may be used to attach the first base 100 to a corresponding threaded section of the stem 300. The threaded section 122 may be positioned so that its central axis aligns with the central axis of the first base 100.

[0037] 40. In alternative embodiments, a threaded portion may be formed on protrusion from the second side 120. In this way, the second side 120 may have a "male" connector, in contrast to the "female" connector formed by the cavity 121 and threaded section 122.

[0038] Aperture

[0039] 41. In some embodiments, an aperture is formed through the first base 100 by the cavity 121, a neck 140, and the depression 111. The aperture may allow a fastener to pass through the first base 100 which may assist the first base 100 to engage an object. The head of the fastener 213 may then abut the depression end 113 adjacent the neck 140. In some cases, a countersunk hole may be formed in this location.

[0040] Engagement

[0041] 42. The first base 100 is configured to engage an object. In some cases, the engagement may be via an adhesive. An example of this could be an adhesive pad which fits within the depression 111, or an adhesive substance which is placed in the depression 111 and / or in the first side 110 within the peripheral wall 130. This adhesive substance could be added during manufacturing or mounting. The adhesive substance would be suitable for bonding to the first base 100 material and the object material. Using an adhesive substance may allow the first base 100 to engage an object which has an irregular non-planar surface, as the object could partially fit within the depression 111 and peripheral wall 130. 43. In another embodiment, the first base 100 may engage the object via magnetic engagement, where a first magnet is connected to first end 100 and a second magnet is connected to the object.

[0042] 44. In some cases, the engagement may be simply by providing a hook or other protrusion on which the object is held.

[0043] Material

[0044] 45. The material of the first base 100 may be a metal such as brass or aluminium. Where the first base 100 is configured to use adhesive, parts of the first surface 100 intended to engage with the adhesive may be rough to improve the bond strength of the adhesive. The remaining surfaces of the first base 100 may be smooth. The outer edge where the peripheral wall 130 meets the first end 110 may be filleted which may prevent the object being damaged.

[0045] Second Base

[0046] 46. The second base 200 may be identical to the first base 100. In this case, the description above in relation to the first base 100 also applies to the second base 200, with the exception that the first side of the second base 200 is configured to engage with a surface. The means for engagement may otherwise be the same as those used for engagement of the first base 100 with an object.

[0047] 47. In other embodiments, the second base 200 may be configured differently from the first base 100. This may include different dimensions, shape, or materials.

[0048] Stem

[0049] 48. Figures 5 and 6 show stem 300. The stem 300 is configured to attach to the first base 100 and the second base 200. The stem 300 comprises a first side 310 and a second side 320, which are each formed as a protrusion from a central portion. Shape

[0050] 49. The stem 300 may be elongated so that the first side 310 and the second side 320 are on opposite ends of the stem 300. The first side 310 and second side 320 may be parallel to each other.

[0051] 50. The stem 300 may have a substantially catenoidal shape so that the first side 310 has a circular shape and the second side 320 also has a circular shape. The catenoidal shape causes the stem 300 to be wide at the first side 310 and the second side 320, and to be at its thinnest midway between the first side 310 and second side 320. The width of the stem 300 is proportional but not linear to the distance from the first side 310 and second side 320. The diameter of the first side may be equal to the diameter of the second side in some examples.

[0052] 51. The length of the stem 300 may reflect the weight of the object intended to be mounted by the mount. A longer stem 300 may cause the second base 200 and stem 300 to experience more strain if the weight of the object is kept constant.

[0053] 52. In some examples, the length of the stem 300 may be substantially three quarters the diameter of the first side 110 of the first base 100 or the diameter of the first side of the second base 200.

[0054] Threaded sections

[0055] 53. A threaded section 311 may be formed on the outside of the first side 310, and a threaded section 321 may be positioned on the outside of the second side 320. In this way, the stem 300 may have a "male" connector at each end, which can connect with a corresponding "female" connector of the first base 100 and second base 200. However, in some cases, a threaded section is formed in a cavity at each of the first side 310 and the second side 320, which can connect with a corresponding "male" connector of the first base 100 and second base 200. Material

[0056] 54. The material of the stem 300 may be a metal such as brass or aluminium. All surfaces of the stem 300 may be substantially smooth.

[0057] Assembly

[0058] 55. The first base 100 is configured to attach to the stem 300. This occurs by the second side 120 of the first base 100 attaching to the first side 310 of the stem 300, in particular by rotating one piece relative to the other to interlocking the threaded section 122 and the threaded section 311. The length of the first threaded section 311 may substantially equal the length of the threaded section 122 and this length, along with a screw pitch, may inform the number of rotations required by the first base 100 relative to the stem 300 to go from the unattached position to the fully attached position. In preferred cases, the number of rotations required is an integer.

[0059] 56. The second base 200 is configured to attach to the stem 300 in the same manner as the first base 100.

[0060] 57. In some examples, the first base 100 and second base 200 may be interchangeable and the first base 100 may be attached to the stem 300 using either end of the stem 300.

[0061] 58. Once the first base 100 and the second base 200 have both been attached to the stem 300, the mount 100 may have a substantially catenoidal shape. This shape will vary depending on the length of the stem 300 and or the size of the first base 100 and / or the size of the second base 200. The catenoidal shape may be asymmetrical if the size of the first base 100 does not equal the size of the second base 200.

[0062] Method

[0063] 59. Figure 7 shows an overall method for using the mount to mount an object to a surface. 60. At step 701, the first base 100 is engaged with an object. This may be accomplished using an adhesive which is placed within the depression 111. A fastener may additionally or alternatively be used.

[0064] 61. At step 702, the second base 200 is engaged to the surface 102. This may be accomplished using an adhesive which is placed within a depression. A fastener may additionally or alternatively be used. Step 701 and step 702 may be completed in an interchangeable order.

[0065] 62. At step 703, the first base 100 is attached to the stem 300. This may be accomplished by interlocking the threaded sections of the first base 100 and the stem 300.

[0066] 63. At step 704, the second base 200 is attached to the stem 300. This may be accomplished by interlocking the threaded sections of the second base 200 and the stem 300. Steps 703 and step 704 may be completed in an interchangeable order.

[0067] 64. In this way, the object is mounted to the surface by use of the mount.

[0068] Interpretation

[0069] 65. The steps of the methods have been described in a particular order for ease of understanding. However, the steps can be performed in a different order from that specified, or with steps being performed in parallel. This is the case in all methods except where one step is dependent on another having been performed.

[0070] 66. The term "comprises" and other grammatical forms is intended to have an inclusive meaning unless otherwise noted. That is, they should be taken to mean an inclusion of the listed components, and possibly of other non-specified components or elements.

[0071] 67. While the present invention has been explained by the description of certain embodiments, the invention is not restricted to these embodiments. It is possible to modify these embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A mount for mounting an object to a surface, wherein the mount comprises: a first base configured to engage with the object; a second base configured to engage with the surface; and an elongate stem configured to engage with the first base and the second base; wherein the stem is configured to attach to the first base and the second base.

2. The mount of claim 1 wherein the first base and / or the second base comprises a threaded section, and the stem comprises a threaded section wherein the threaded section of the first base and / or the threaded section of the second base is configured to engage with the threaded section of the stem.

3. The mount of claim 2 wherein the threaded section of the first base and / or the threaded section of the second base is a female threaded member, and the threaded section of the stem is a male threaded member.

4. The mount of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the first base comprises a depression and a peripheral wall, wherein: the depression of the first base is configured to at least partially contain adhesive, a magnet, and / or a suction pad to engage the object; and the peripheral wall of the first base is configured to surround the depression.

5. The mount of claim 4 wherein the second base comprises a depression and a peripheral wall, wherein: the depression of the second base is configured to at least partially contain adhesive, a magnet, and / or a suction pad to engage the surface; andthe peripheral wall of the second base is configured to surround the depression.

6. The mount of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the first base comprises an aperture configured to receive a fastener.

7. The mount of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the second base comprises an aperture configured to receive a fastener.

8. The mount of any one of claim 1 to 7 wherein an exterior edge of the first base and / or second base is filleted.

9. The mount of any one of claim 5 to 8 wherein the peripheral wall of the first base and / or the peripheral wall of the second base has a circular shape.

10. The mount of claim 9 wherein the diameter of the peripheral wall of the first base is not equal to the diameter of the peripheral wall of the second base.

11. The mount of claim 9 wherein the diameter of the peripheral wall of the first base is equal to the diameter of the peripheral wall of the second base.

12. The mount of any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the first base and / or the second base has a catenoidal horn shape.

13. The mount of any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the stem has a catenoidal shape.

14. The mount of any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the mount, in an assembled state, has a catenoidal shape.

15. The mount of any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the length of the stem is about three quarters of the diameter of the first base.

16. The mount of any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein the length of the stem is about three quarters of the diameter of the second base.

17. The mount of any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein the material of the first base and / or the material of the second base and / or the material of the stem is brass.

18. A method for mounting an object using the mount of any one of claims 1 to 17, the method comprising: engaging the first base with the object; engaging the second base with the surface; attaching the stem to the first base; and attaching the stem to the second base.

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