Adjustable orientation attachment system

A semi-spherical gimbal attachment device facilitates secure and stable attachment of components by allowing screws to be oriented at various angles, addressing alignment issues and enhancing assembly efficiency.

WO2025235282A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2025-11-13SAGE BRACKET SOLUTIONS
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/US2025/027188
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-05-08
Filing Date
2025-04-30
Publication Date
2025-11-13

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing attachment methods, such as using screws, often face challenges due to alignment issues that can lead to stability problems when screws are angled, making it difficult to properly join components.

Method used

The use of a semi-spherical gimbal attachment device that allows screws to be oriented at various angles, ensuring the screw head sits flush against a flat surface, providing stable attachment.

Benefits of technology

Enables secure attachment of components at diverse orientations, enhancing structural stability and ease of assembly by accommodating screws in confined spaces and irregular dimensions.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

Technologies and implementations for facilitating attachment of components at a wide range of orientations (e.g., angles), while providing a proper attachment. The technologies and implementation may include a rotatable attachment apparatus having a substantially semi-spherical solid body having a substantially flat surface and a substantially spherical surface. The technologies and implementations may include the rotatable attachment apparatus having a substantially flat side wall and a hole disposed along a centerline of the semi-spherical body, where the hole may have a diameter configured to accommodate at least one of a screw, a bolt, a nail, a rivet, an anchor, or a pin.
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Description

ADJUSTABLE ORIENTATION ATTACHMENT SYSTEMCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial number 63 / 644,429, filed on May 08, 2024, titled ADJUSTABLE ORIENTATION ATTACHMENT SYSTEM, which is incorporate herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.BACKGROU N D

[0002] Unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

[0003] Attachment approaches may involve using attachment devices such as, but not limited to, screws, bolts, nails, rivets, anchors, pins, etc. For example, screws may be used to attach one or more parts together. For example, a part such as, but not limited to, a metal bracket may be attached to another part such as, but not limited to, wooden beam by the utilization of screws. As may be appreciated, using screws may have various challenges. Some examples of challenges may include challenges such as, but not limited to, alignment issues (i.e., screws not being straight into each part), which may cause stability issues (e.g., the parts may not be joined as strong as should). The stability issues may be introduced because the head of the screw may be configured to be flat against a surface to facilitate proper joining of the parts. If the screw is angled, the head of the screw may not sit properly against the flat surface, and accordingly, the joining of the parts may have structural and / or stability issues.

[0004] There may be a variety of reasons that may cause a screw to be screwed in at an angle. For example, the screw may be within a confined space and / or may be reachable at an angle (e.g., through a hole). In another example, the parts to be joined may have one or more dimensions that may accommodate angled screws (e.g., length of the screw may be longer than the thickness of the part). In yet another example, a tool that may be utilized to screw may not have enough space to screw the parts in a perpendicular manner (e.g., screw bit and / or drill may not have enough room to be perpendicular to the parts to be joined). The variety of reasons that may cause a screw to be angled may be numerous.

[0005] All subject matter discussed in this section of this document is not necessarily prior art and may not be presumed to be prior art simply because it is presented in this section. Plus, anyreference to any prior art in this description is not and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that such prior art forms parts of the common general knowledge in any art in any country. Along these lines, any recognition of problems in the prior art are discussed in this section or associated with such subject matter should not be treated as prior art, unless expressly stated to be prior art. Rather, the discussion of any subject matter in this section should be treated as part of the approach taken towards the particular problem by the inventor(s). This approach in and of itself may also be inventive. Accordingly, the foregoing summary is illustrative only and not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.SU M MARY

[0006] Described herein are various illustrative methods, systems, and apparatus for facilitating adjustable orientation of an attachment device.

[0007] Some example attachment apparatus may include a substantially semi-spherical body having a first end and a second end, the first end being a substantially flat surface and the second end being a substantially spherical surface. Some example attachment apparatus may include a substantially flat side wall around the first end, where the substantially flat side wall may have a depth towards second end. Some example attachment apparatus may include a hole disposed along a centerline of the semi-spherical body, the hole having a diameter configured to accommodate at least one of a screw, a bolt, a nail, a rivet, an anchor, or a pin.

[0008] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.BRI EF DESCRI PTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] Subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be consideredlimiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 illustrates a hole in a roof as described with respect to one non-limiting examples scenario utilizing one or more embodiments.

[0011] Figure 2 illustrates some supporting apparatus available from Sky Lift™, with which one or more embodiments may be utilized.

[0012] Figure 3 illustrates an attachment component having one or more orientations, in accordance with one embodiment.

[0013] Figure 4 illustrates a system including an example of an attachment component configured to facilitate adjustable orientation of an attachment device, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0014] Figure 5 illustrates a system including a rotatable attachment apparatus and an attachment component, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0015] Figures 6A and 6B illustrate further detailed views of a rotatable attachment apparatus, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0016] Figure 7 illustrates a detailed view of a rotatable / adjustable attachment apparatus in further detail, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0017] Figure 8 illustrates a close-up view of an attachment / fastener hole, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0018] Figure 9 illustrates a system utilizing a rotatable / adjustable (e.g., angles) attachment apparatus, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0019] Figure 10 illustrates an attachment component having a rotatable attachment apparatus, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0020] Figures 11A and 11B illustrate orientation / angle indicators on a rotatable / adjustable attachment apparatus, in accordance with one or more embodiments.DETAI LED DESCRI PTION

[0021] The following description sets forth various examples along with specific details to provide a thorough understanding of claimed subject matter. It will be understood by those skilled in the art after review and understanding of the present disclosure, however, that claimed subject matter may be practiced without some or more of the specific details disclosed herein. Further, in some circumstances, well-known methods, procedures, systems, componentsand / or circuits have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring claimed subject matter.

[0022] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure.

[0023] This disclosure is drawn, inter alia, to methods, systems, and apparatus for adjustable orientation of attachment of various components.

[0024] Attachment devices such as, but not limited to, screw type attachment devices, may be utilized for securing and / or attaching various components. For example, screw type fastening devices may be utilized for securing components such as, but not limited to, metal components, wood components, plastic components, fiber components, organic tissue components, ceramic components, bone components, and so forth, and / or any combination thereof. Accordingly, attachment devices may be utilized in a wide variety of environments such as, but not limited to, manufacturing, construction, healthcare, marine, aerospace, automotive, etc.

[0025] Prior to turning to the figures, some non-limiting example scenarios utilizing the claimed subject matter may be described. In one non-limiting example scenario, various embodiments of the disclosure may be utilized in a construction related environment. In this scenario, the construction related environment may include a system for attaching a secondary roof over an existing roof. The system may include a component such as, but not limited to, a bracket or similar type of component and one or more attachment devices such as, but not limited to, a one or more screws. As part of the system for attaching a secondary roof over an existing roof, the screws may be utilized to secure the bracket to a structural component of a building (e.g., a wall) to facilitate supporting various objects or connecting other components.

[0026] Continuing with the non-limiting example scenario of attaching a secondary roof over an existing roof, one example method may include cutting a hole in the existing roof. The hole may be of an approximate size to accommodate a strut like component (e.g., strut), where the strutmay be configured to help support the components of the secondary roof. As may be appreciated, the hole may be substantially similar and / or slightly larger than the shape of the strut. For example, the strut may be of a circular tube type of strut. Accordingly, the hole may be cut as a substantially circular hole.

[0027] In order to describe the scenario in a real-world setting, some approximate dimensions may be described. It is to be understood that these dimensions are only examples to facilitate a more thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter and should not be construed as limiting the claimed subject matter in any way. In one example, a hole measuring 4 inches in diameter may be cut in the existing roof. The hole may be located above the wall by a distance such as, but not limited to, 6 inches. The bracket may have dimensions such as, but not limited, a width of 3.5 inches, a length of 9 inches, and a thickness of 0.375 inches.

[0028] The bracket having a width smaller than the diameter of the hole (e.g., 3.5 inches) may be put through the hole lengthwise and placed on the wall. The bracket may be configured to facilitate attachment of the bracket to the wall utilizing various attachment devices such as, but not, limited to one or more screws (e.g., one or more holes included in the bracket). The bracket may include an attachment orientation / adjustment device (here on out, a gimbal), in accordance with various embodiments. In one example embodiment, the bracket may include holes configured to receive one or more gimbals (here on out, attachment holes), where the attachment holes may be cut in a substantially circular manner having a dimension of 0.69 diameter and passing through the thickness of the bracket. A gimbal may have dimensions to seat itself on / in the attachment hole of the bracket. In one example, the gimbal may have approximate dimensions such as, but not limited to, a depth of 0.39 inches, a flat offset dimension of 0.10 inches, an overall diameter of 0.74 inches, and an inner hole having a diameter of 0.70 inches, where the inner hole may facilitate accommodation of an attachment device. The shape of the gimbal may be substantially semi spherical / el liptical (i.e., a flat surface on one side and a curved surface on the other). The curved surface may be configured to be placed on / in the attachment hole and facilitate articulation of the gimbal in a variety of orientations / angles while seated in the attachment hole.

[0029] Here again, it is to be understood that the previously described dimensions are only examples to facilitate a more thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter and should not be construed as limiting the claimed subject matter in any way.

[0030] Continuing with the scenario of utilizing the claimed subject matter in the construction environment, attachment devices such as, but not limited, to one or more screws may be placed through the attachment hole in a variety of angles / orientations, in accordance with various embodiments. The gimbal may be configured to facilitate reception of a substantially majority of the attachment force that may be exerted by the head of the attachment device (i.e., head of the screw may be seated substantially against the flat side of the gimbal). As a result, the bracket may be attached to the wall using attachment devices in a variety of orientations / angles while providing substantially the force for attaching the bracket to the wall.

[0031] Some non-limiting examples of utilization of the claimed subject matter may be illustrated in the following figures. However, it should be appreciated that the claimed subject matter may be applicable to a wide variety of applications such as, but not limited to, healthcare (e.g., various orthopedic applications), aerospace engineering (e.g., assemble aircraft and spacecraft components, such as wings, fuselages, engine mounts, etc.), automotive (e.g., fasten metal parts in vehicles, such as engine mounts, suspension components, body panels, etc.), construction (e.g., assemble framing, roofing, and siding in buildings, as well as to fasten pipes, ductwork, etc.), electronics (e.g., assemble electronic devices, such as computers, smartphones, and televisions, to fasten components like circuit boards, heat sinks, etc.), furniture making (e.g., assemble furniture frames, shelves, other components, etc.), heavy machinery (e.g., fasten metal components in heavy machinery, such as cranes, excavators, bulldozers, etc.), industrial equipment (e.g., assemble and fasten components in industrial equipment, such as pumps, valves, gearboxes, etc.), marine engineering (e.g., assemble and fasten components in boats and ships, such as propeller shafts and engine mounts, etc.), medical equipment (e.g., assemble and fasten components in medical devices, such as surgical instruments, hospital equipment, etc.), and / or railway industry (e.g., assemble and fasten components in railway cars, locomotives, track infrastructure, etc.). Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.

[0032] Various embodiments of the present disclosure may be utilized in conjunction with a supporting apparatus such as, but not limited to a support apparatus available from SkyLift™ Roof Riser Hardware of Salem, Oregon. In this non-limiting example, the support apparatus available from SkyLift™ may be referred to as a "riser" similar to the apparatus disclosed in US Patent Application 13 / 399,263, filed February 17, 2012, having the title Elevated Roof, US Patent Application 14 / 741,353, filed June 16, 2015, having the title Elevated Roof, and PCT Patent Application PCT / US23 / 62848, filed February 17, 2023, having the title MODULAR STABILIZINGSUPPORT FOR ELEVATED STRUCTURES. All three applications 13 / 399,263, 14 / 741,353, and PCT / US23 / 62848 are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. Additionally, the various embodiments may be utilized in conjunction with structural collars such as, but not limited to, stabilizing support structural collar system disclosed in US Patent No. 11,795,694, titled STABILIZING SUPPORT STRUCTURAL COLLAR SYSTEM which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0033] Turning now to Figure 1, Figure 1 illustrates a hole in a roof as described with respect to one non-limiting examples scenario utilizing one or more embodiments. In Figure 1, a hole 102 may be cut into an existing roof 104. The hole 102 may be located above a space 106, where one or more parts may be disposed to be joined. The hole 102 may be shown to illustrate attaching one or more parts in the space 106, where a it may be difficult to use a tool (e.g., screwdriver, hammer, drill, etc.). Various attachment devices (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.) may be disposed through the hold 102, and as a result, joining parts in the space 106 through the hole 102 may be facilitated, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0034] Figure 2 illustrates some supporting apparatus available from Sky Lift™, with which one or more embodiments may be utilized. In Figure 2, a support apparatus such as, but not limited to, a roof riser 202 and / or a modular roof riser 204. Some examples of roof risers may be found in US Patent Application 13 / 399,263 and US Patent Application 14 / 741,353. Some examples of modular roof risers may be found in PCT Patent Application PCT / US23 / 62848. Additionally shown in Figure 2, the roof riser 202 may include an attachment component 206, which may facilitate attachment of the roof riser 202 to a part (e.g., wooden beam). The modular riser 204 may include a modular attachment component 208, which may include an attachment component bolt 210. Additionally, in Figure 2, a structural collar may be shown 212. Some examples of the structural collar may be found in US Patent No. 11,795,694.

[0035] The components shown in Figure 2 may be some examples of various parts that may be joined utilizing the claimed subject matter. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.

[0036] Figure 3 illustrates an attachment component having one or more orientations, in accordance with one embodiment. In Figure 3, the hole 102 (shown in Figure 1) may be shown as a cross-section diagram 300. In Figure 3, an attachment component 302 (e.g., modular attachment component 208 shown in Figure 2) may be shown as a cross-section. As a cross- sectional view, the attachment component 302 may include an attachment hole 304, which maybe configured for an attachment device 306 (e.g., a screw) and optionally, an attachment bolt (e.g., the attachment component bolt 210 shown in Figure 2). Additionally, the hole 102 may be cut into the existing roof 104 (shown in Figure 1).

[0037] As shown in Figure 3, in order to facilitate utilizing the attachment device 306 through the hole 102, the attachment device 306 may be directed at an angle 308. Facilitating utilization of the attachment device 306 may involve a tool such as, but not limited to, a screwdriver and / or a drill having a screw bit (not shown). As will be described in further detail, the attachment device 306, which may be utilized at the angle 308 may be facilitated by various embodiments of the claimed subject matter. It should be appreciated that in Figure 3, some of the dimensional aspects described above with respect to the construction scenario (e.g., hole and wall) may be shown. For example, in Figure 3, a roof deck 310 may include the hole 102 having a dimension (a hole dimension 314). Additionally, a dimension (e.g., heel dimension 316) may describe a distance between a wall assembly 312 (e.g., double top plated wall assembly) and the roof deck 310. A non-limiting example the hole dimension 314 may be approximately 4.5 inches plus or minus, while the heel dimension may be approximately 6 inches plus or minus. It should be appreciated that the hole 102 may be a wide variety of shapes such as, but not limited to, substantially circular, square, rectangular, elliptical, and so forth. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.

[0038] Figure 4 illustrates a system including an example of an attachment component configured to facilitate adjustable orientation of an attachment device, in accordance with one or more embodiments. In Figure 4, an attachment component 400 may include one or more attachment (e.g., fasten) holes 402. As shown, the attachment hole 402 may be substantially circular in shape. Additionally, the attachment hole 402 may include a non-limiting example dimension 404. In one non-limiting example dimension, the value may be approximately 0.69 inches plus or minus. As will be described in detail, the non-limiting example dimension 404 may be for reference to facilitate a ratio, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0039] Additionally, shown in Figure 4 may be one or more rotatable attachment apparatus (a gimbal 406), which may be described in detail later.

[0040] In Figure 4, the attachment component 400 may not be shown including an attachment component bolt (e.g., the attachment component bolt 210 shown in Figure 2). However, a center hole 408, which may be configured to accommodate a bolt. However, it should be appreciated that based, at least in part, on an application of the claimed subject matter, theattachment component 400 may or may not include a bolt and / or may be disposed in any location on the attachment component 400. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.

[0041] Additionally, as shown in Figure 4, the attachment hole may be a straight hole (i.e., a hole with vertical walls passing through the component), in accordance with one embodiment. In another embodiment, the attachment hole may have surface, where the gimbal may be seated, with a variety of shaped surfaces. For example, the attachment hole may have a surface that may substantially match the surface of a gimbal, when the gimbal may be seated on / in the attachment hole (e.g., edges of the attachment hole may have a substantially arced surface).

[0042] Figure 5 illustrates a system including a rotatable attachment apparatus and an attachment component, in accordance with one or more embodiments. In Figure 5, an attachment system 500 may include an attachment component 502 having an attachment hole 504. Shown in Figure 5, seated in the attachment hole 504 may be a gimbal 506 (e.g., the gimbal 406 shown in Figure 4). Additionally shown, the attachment component 502 may include a center hole 508, which may be configured for an attachment component bolt (e.g., bolt 210 shown in Figure 2). It should be appreciated that the center hole 508 may be utilized for an attachment component bolt, but an attachment bolt may be disposed in any position on the attachment component 502, or an attachment bolt may not be included in the attachment system 500.

[0043] In Figure 5, the gimbal 506 may include a center hole 510. As will be described in further detail, the center hole 510 may be configured to accommodate an attachment device such as, but not limited to, a screw, a bolt, a nail, a rivet, an anchor, and / or a pin.

[0044] As shown in Figure 5, the attachment system 500 may have the gimbal 506 seated in the attachment hole 504 in a variety of orientations / angles, in accordance with various embodiments of the claimed subject matter. Additionally, based, at least in part, on the application of various embodiments of the claimed subject matter, the configuration of the attachment system 500 may widely vary. Accordingly, the attachment system 500 may facilitate attachment of various attachment components utilizing attachment devices at a wide variety of adjustable orientations and / or angles, in accordance with various embodiments of the claimed subject matter.

[0045] Figures 6A and 6B illustrate further detailed views of a rotatable attachment apparatus, in accordance with various embodiments. In Figure 6A, a substantially isometric view of a firstend of a rotatable attachment apparatus may be shown. In Figure 6B, a substantially isometric view of a second end of a rotatable attachment apparatus may be shown.

[0046] In Figures 6A and 6B, a gimbal 600 may comprise of a substantially semi-spherical solid body. The gimbal 600 may include a first end, which may be a substantially flat surface 602. Additionally, the gimbal 600 may include a second end, which may be a substantially spherical surface 604. Around the periphery of the semi-spherical body (i.e., around the flat surface 602), a flat side wall 606 may be shown. Shown in Figure 6A and 6B, the flat side wall 606 may have a depth (shown in detail later in Figure 8) from the flat surface 602 to the substantially spherical surface 604. The gimbal 600 may include a hole 608 along a centerline of the gimbal 600. Further details of the gimbal 600 may be described with respect to Figure 7. The features shown in Figures 6A and 6B may facilitate the rotatable / adjustable attachment apparatus described herein including its various embodiments. Additionally, the substantially flat surface may facilitate an attachment device having a substantially flat head to sit relatively flush against the surface, which may facilitate substantial force against the gimbal. In another example, the substantially flat surface may be a substantially concave surface, which may facilitate an attachment device having a substantially convex head to sit relatively flush against the surface. Here again, the convex head sitting relatively flush against the surface of a concave surface may facilitate substantial force against the gimbal, which in turn may help to facilitate a proper and / or stronger attachment of components utilizing the gimbal. The surface may be a wide variety of shapes to facilitate the head of an attachment device to sit relatively flush against the surface, which may facilitate substantial force against the gimbal. Accordingly, the shape of the surface may help facilitate a substantially flush contact with the head of an attachment device.

[0047] Figure 7 illustrates a detailed view of a rotatable / adjustable attachment apparatus in further detail, in accordance with various embodiments. In Figure 7, a side view of a gimbal 700 may be shown. The gimbal 700 may include one or more of the features as described with respect to Figures 6A and 6B. As shown in Figure 7, the gimbal 700 may include a substantially flat surface 702, a substantially spherical surface 704, a substantially flat side wall 706, a hole 708 along a center line 710. Additionally, the gimbal 700 may include a number of non-limiting example dimensions for at least some of the features of the gimbal 700. For example, the nonlimiting example dimensions may include, but not limited to, a diameter of the substantially flat surface (i.e., the diameter substantially semi-spherical solid body) 712, an overall dimension of the substantially semi-spherical solid body 714, a dimension of the hole 716, and a depth of thesubstantially flat side wall 718. The dimensions 712, 714, 716, & 718 may be utilized as ratios for the various dimensions.

[0048] For example, in one non-limiting example, the dimensions of at least some of the features may include, but not limited to, the diameter of the substantially flat surface 712 being approximately 0.74 inches plus or minus, the overall dimension of the substantially semi- spherical solid body 714 being approximately 0.39 inches plus or minus, the dimension of the hole 716 being approximately 0.70 inches plus or minus, and the depth of the substantially flat side wall 718 being approximately 0.10 inches plus or minus. Utilizing at least some of these non-limiting dimensions, in one example, a ratio of the depth of the substantially flat side wall 718 and the overall dimension of the substantially semi-spherical solid body 714 may be approximately 0.10 inch to 0.39 inch respectively. In another example, a ratio of the dimension of the hole 716 and the diameter of the substantially flat surface 712 may be approximately 0.70 inch to 0.74 inch respectively.

[0049] As may be appreciated, the dimensions are shown for example purposes, and accordingly, may widely vary. However, one or more of the example dimensions may be utilized to help facilitate dimensional relationships. For example, briefly turning back to Figure 4, in one example, a ratio of the diameter of the attachment hole / receptacle 404 and the diameter of the substantially flat surface (i.e., the diameter substantially semi-spherical solid body) 712 may be approximately 0.69 inch to 0.74 inch respectively. Accordingly, the dimensions are shown for example purposes to facilitate understanding of the at least one or more ratios. The one or more ratios may be utilized to facilitate a rotatable / adjustable (e.g., angles) attachment apparatus as claimed.

[0050] The dimensions disclosed herein are only examples to facilitate a more thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter and should not be construed as limiting the claimed subject matter in any way. Accordingly, the dimensions may be of a wide variety of dimensions based, at least in part, on the environments to be utilized, applications, material, and so forth. For example, the dimensions may be of different orders of magnitude based, at least in part on, application, material, and / or any combination thereof. Dimensions may be in orders of magnitude such as, but not limited to, measured in micrometers, millimeters, centimeters, meters, etc. Accordingly, the dimensions are substantially any dimension.

[0051] As shown, the surface may have a substantially flat surface, in accordance with one embodiment. In another embodiment, the surface may have a substantially concave surface.The substantially flat surface may facilitate an attachment device having a substantially flat head to sit relatively flush against the surface, which may facilitate substantial force against the gimbal. The substantially concave surface may facilitate an attachment device having a substantially convex head to sit relatively flush against the surface, which may facilitate substantial force against the gimbal. The surface may be a wide variety of shapes to facilitate the head of an attachment device to sit relatively flush against the surface, which may facilitate substantial force against the gimbal. Accordingly, the shape of the surface may help facilitate a substantially flush contact with the head of an attachment device.

[0052] Figure 8 illustrates a close-up view of an attachment / fastener hole, in accordance with one or more embodiments. In Figure 8, an attachment component 800 may include an attachment hole 802. As shown in Figure 8, the attachment hole 802 may include a notch type feature 804. The notch type feature 804 may facilitate holding of a gimbal (as may be detailed in Figure 9). The notch type feature 804 may be substantially circular at one or more sides of the attachment hole 802 as shown. However, the notch type feature 804 may be a wide variety of shapes such as, but not limited to, substantially rectangular, substantially elliptical, and so forth. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.

[0053] Figure 9 illustrates a system utilizing a rotatable / adjustable (e.g., angles) attachment apparatus, in accordance with one or more embodiments. In Figure 9, an attachment system 900 may include an attachment component 902. The system 900 may include a rotatable / adjustable attachment apparatus (gimbal 904), which may be seated in an attachment (e.g., fasten) hole 906. In Figure 9, the gimbal 904 may include a hole 906 and the attachment hole 908 may include a notch 910. In the one example shown in Figure 9, the system 900 may be made of metal material, where the metal material may be configured to facilitate utilization of a magnet 912. As shown in Figure 9, the magnet 912 may be disposed in the notch 910, and when the gimbal 904 is disposed on the attachment hole 908, the magnet 912 may facilitate holding of the gimbal 904, where holding of the gimbal 904 may be based, at least in part, on a strength of the magnet 912. As shown, the gimbal 904 may rotate and / or be adjustable at a wide variety of angles and / or orientations 914, in accordance with one or more embodiments. As shown, the system 900 may include an attachment device 916. In the one example shown in Figure 9, the attachment device 916 may be a screw type device having a screw head 918 and a threaded body 920. Additionally, the screw head 918 may include a substantially flat surface 922.

[0054] In Figure 9, the threaded body may be disposed through the hole 906 and screwed into a variety of material such as, but not limited to, the wall assembly 312 shown in Figure 3. The attachment device may facilitate attachment of the attachment component 902 to the variety of material. As the attachment device is substantially engaged (i.e., approximately fully screwed in), the screw head 918 may press up against the gimbal 904. For example, the substantially flat surface 922 of the attachment device 916 may contact against the gimbal 904 on a surface such as, but not limited to, a substantially flat surface 922 of the gimbal 904 to facilitate a proper and / or stronger attachment.

[0055] As a result, an attachment device may be utilized to attach a wide variety of components at a wide range of orientations (e.g., angles), while providing a proper attachment.

[0056] It should be appreciated that the number of gimbals and / or the number of attachment holes may be any number and may not necessarily correspond to each other (e.g., five holes with three gimbals). Additionally, the orientations of the gimbal may all be different (e.g., number of gimbals being at different angles. Further, the gimbal may be adjusted at any of the angles and / or orientations prior to and / or during attachment (i.e., change the angle of the attachment device).

[0057] Figure 10 illustrates an attachment component having a rotatable attachment apparatus, in accordance with various embodiments. In Figure 10, similar to Figure 3, the hole 102 (shown in Figure 1) may be shown as a cross-section diagram 1000. In Figure 10, an attachment component 1002 may be shown as a cross-section. As a cross-sectional view, the attachment component 1002 may include an attachment hole 1004. Unlike the example shown in Figure 3, the attachment hole 1004 may have a substantially vertical wall 1006 (i.e., straight hole). As shown, a gimbal 1008 may be disposed over the attachment hole 1004. The gimbal 1008 may have a hole 1010, which may be configured to accommodate an attachment device 1012 (e.g., a screw).

[0058] As shown in Figure 10, the gimbal 1008 may facilitate attachment of the attachment component 1002 to other components (e.g., wall assembly 312 shown in Figure 3), where the gimbal 1008 may be adjustable to a wide variety of orientations and / or angles. The attachment device 1012 may be disposed through the hole 1010 and attached (e.g., screwed, bolted, pinned, nailed, etc.) to until a surface of the gimbal 1014 and a head of the attachment device 1016 may make contact. Contact of the surface of the gimbal 1014 and the head of the attachment device 1016 may help to facilitate a proper and / or strong attachment ofcomponents being attached to one another. As a result, various components may be attached to each other attachment devices in a variety of orientations / angles while providing substantially the appropriate force for attachment of the components together.

[0059] Figures 11A and 11B illustrate orientation / angle indicators on a rotatable / adjustable attachment apparatus, in accordance with one or more embodiments. In Figures 11A and 11B, a gimbal 1100 may have one or more angle / orientation indicators. For example, in Figure 11A, a substantially spherical surface 1102 of the gimbal 1100 may include lines 1104. The lines 1104 may be provided to help facilitate determination of angles / orientation of the gimbal 1100 relative to a surface. For example, as the gimbal 1100 is disposed on an attachment hole, the exposure of the lines 1104 above the surface of the attachment hole may help facilitate indication of the angle / orientation of the gimbal relative to the surface of the attachment hole. It should be appreciated that the lines 1104 may be etched, drawn, etc., and accordingly, the claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.

[0060] In another example, in Figure 11B, various shadings 1106 may be utilized on the substantially spherical surface 1102. The shadings 1106 may be provided to help facilitate determination of angles / orientation of the gimbal 1100 relative to a surface. In Figure 11B, the shadings 1106 may be shown as various colors. However, it should be appreciated that the shadings 1106 may be in any form such as, but not limited to, crosshatchings, dots, etc., and accordingly, the claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.

[0061] It should be appreciated that it is contemplated within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure that the claimed subject matter may include a wide variety of support apparatus, attachment mechanisms, and material such as, but not limited to, metals, polymers, brackets, bolts, fibers, fibrous material, screws, clamps, etc. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is not limited in these respects.

[0062] In some portions of the description, illustrative implementations of the disclosure may have been described with reference to the elements of the components described with respect to Figures 1 - 11. However, the described embodiments are not limited to these depictions. More specifically, some elements / components depicted in Figures 1 - 11 may be omitted from some implementations detailed herein. Furthermore, other elements not depicted in Figures 1 - 11 may be used to implement example apparatuses detailed herein.

[0063] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and / or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and / or from the singular to theplural as is appropriate to the context and / or application. The various singular / plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

[0064] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and / or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and / or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms,whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B.

[0065] Reference in the specification to "an implementation," "one implementation," "some implementations," or "other implementations" may mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with one or more implementations may be included in at least some implementations, but not necessarily in all implementations. The various appearances of "an implementation," "one implementation," or "some implementations" in the preceding description are not necessarily all referring to the same implementations.

[0066] While certain exemplary techniques have been described and shown herein using various methods and systems, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various other modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted, without departing from claimed subject matter. Additionally, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation to the teachings of claimed subject matter without departing from the central concept described herein. Therefore, it is intended that claimed subject matter is not limited to the particular examples disclosed, but that such claimed subject matter also may include all implementations falling within the scope of the appended claims, and equivalents thereof.

Claims

Claims1. A rotatable attachment apparatus comprising: a substantially semi-spherical solid body having a first end and a second end, the first end being a substantially flat surface and the second end being a substantially spherical surface; a substantially flat side wall around the first end having a depth towards the second end; and a hole disposed along a centerline of the semi-spherical body, the hole having a diameter configured to accommodate at least one of a screw, a bolt, a nail, a rivet, an anchor, or a pin.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the semi-spherical body comprises the semi-spherical body made of metal.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the semi-spherical body comprises the semi-spherical body made of polymer.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first end comprises the substantially flat surface configured to provide a substantially flat surface for a head of the at least one of the screws, the bolt, the nail, the rivet, the anchor, or the pin.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substantially spherical surface comprises the substantially spherical surface configured to rotate within a substantially circular receptacle.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the circular receptacle comprises the circular receptacle having a diameter, the diameter being approximately equivalent to a ratio of the circular receptacle diameter to a diameter of substantially flat surface.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the ratio comprises a ratio of approximately 0.69 inch to 0.74 inch.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substantially flat side wall comprises the substantially flat side wall having the depth being approximately equivalent to a ratio of the depth to a distance from the first end to the second end.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the ratio comprises a ratio of approximately 0.10 inch to 0.39 inch.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hole comprises the hole having a dimension approximately equivalent to a ratio of a diameter of the hole to a diameter of the first end.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the ratio comprises a ratio of approximately 0.70 inch to 0.74 inch.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an angle indicator disposed on the substantially spherical surface.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the angle indicator comprises a line etched on a surface of the substantially spherical surface, wherein the line is configured to indicate an angle relative to a flat surface having a hole configured to seat the substantially spherical surface.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the angle indicator comprises a color shading on a surface of the substantially spherical surface, wherein the color shading is configured to indicate an angle relative to a flat surface having a hole configured to seat the substantially spherical surface.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the angle indicator comprises a line etched on a surface of the substantially spherical surface, wherein the line is configured to indicate an angle relative to a flat surface having a depression configured to seat the substantially spherical surface.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the angle indicator comprises a line etched on a surface of the substantially spherical surface, wherein the line is configured to indicate an angle relative to a flat surface having a depression configured to seat the substantially spherical surface.

Citation Information

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