Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
ACCESSORY MOUNTING ASSEMBLY
[0001] This paragraph has been left intentionally blank.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates in general to an accessory mounting assembly,
and more
particularly to an adjustable accessory mounting assembly.
Description of Related Art
[0003] Many vehicles are equipped with at least one accessory such as a
speaker, light,
camera, combinations thereof. In many instances, these accessories are mounted
on
outdoor portions of the vehicle. For example, it is common to fixedly mount
lights
or speakers on a boat tower, automobile or all-terrain vehicle (ATV).
[0004] However, several problems exist with current accessory mounting
assemblies. One
problem is that mounting assemblies often do not permit the accessory to be
easily
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directed toward a desired position. For example, lights mounted on an ATV are
typically in a fixed position. Thus, if it is desired to direct the light to a
different
location, then the ATV must be repositioned. In addition, it is often
difficult to
quickly attach or detach an accessory from the assembly. For example, speakers
mounted on a boat can be vulnerable to theft, vandalism, or severe weather
conditions. Another problem presented by current accessory mounting assemblies
is
that the accessories are not easily interchangeable with the mounting
assembly. For
example, the available space and/or power on an ATV are often limited. Thus,
it is
often necessary to opt for speakers instead of lights or vice versa.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Therefore, one object of this invention is to provide an accessory
mounting assembly
that can permit an accessory (e.g. one or more speakers, lights, cameras,
combinations thereof) to be independently or dependently directed toward a
desired
position. Still a further object of this invention is to provide an accessory
mounting
assembly that can permit an accessory to be easily attached or detached from
the
accessory mounting assembly. Yet another object of this invention is to
provide an
accessory mounting assembly that can permit different accessories to be
attached or
detached from the mounting assembly.
[0006] Accordingly, this invention in one embodiment comprises an accessory
mounting
assembly for mounting an accessory. The assembly can be configured to permit
the
accessory to pan, rotate or tilt. The assembly can also be configured to
permit the
accessory to be releasablv attached to the assembly. The assembly includes a
mounting member attachable to the support structure and having a mounting
2
member electrical connector. The assembly also includes a docking member
releasably attached to the mounting member and having a docking member
electrical
connector communicably coupled to the mounting member electrical connector.
The
accessory is attached to the docking member.
[0007] Additionally, the foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features
and technical
advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of
the
invention that follows may be understood. Additional features and advantages
of the
invention are described hereinafter.
It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and
specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for
modifying or
designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present
invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such
equivalent
constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.
The novel features, which are believed to be characteristic of
the invention, both as to its org:Ini/a don and method of operation, together
with
further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following
description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is
to be
expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is proN ided for the
purpose
of illustration and description only mid is not intended as a definition of
the limits of
the ptc>clit invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of this
invention.
However, it is to be understood that these embodiments are not intended to be
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exhaustive, not limiting of the invention. These embodiments are but examples
of
sonic of the forms in which the invention may be practiced.
10008.11 Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a typical ski boat provided
with a towing tower to assist
in towing a skier.
[0009] Figure 1A illustrates a typical tow rope attaching post structure
used in Figure 1.
[0010] Figure 2 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a typical ski boat
provided with a
towing pylon to assist in towing a skier.
[0011] Figure 2A illustrates a typical tow rope attaching post structure
used in Figure 2.
[0012] Figure 3 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the tow rope
attachment and
accessory rack of this invention.
[0013] Figure 4 is a frontal view of the Figure 3 embodiment of the invention
to which
speakers have been attached.
[0014] Figure 5 is a side view of Figure 3.
[0015] Figure 6 is a top view of Figure 3.
[0016] Figure 7 is an exploded view of Figure 8.
[0017] Figure 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an accessory
mounting assembly
in accordance with aspects of this invention.
[0018] Figure 9 is a front view of Figure 8.
[0019] Figure 10 is a rear view of Figure 8.
[0020] Figure 11 is a left side view of Figure 8
[0021] Figure 12 is a right side view of Figure 8.
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[0022] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view along C-C of Figure 12.
[0023] Figure 14 is a top view of Figure 8.
[0024] Figure 15 is a bottom view of Figure 8.
[0025] Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view along B-B of Figure 15.
[0026] Figure 17A-C illustrates an embodiment of electrical connectors in
accordance with
aspects of this invention.
[0027] Figure 18 illustrates the docking member detached from the mounting
member.
[0028] Figure 19 illustrates an embodiment of the accessory mounting assembly
secured to
a speaker.
[0029] Figure 20 is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in Figures 21-24
[0030] Figures 21-24 illustrate perspective views of an alternate embodiment
of the
accessory mounting assembly.
[0031] Figures 25-26 illustrate an embodiment of an accessory mounting
assembly in
accordance with aspects of this invention.
[0032] Figure 27 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment having a
bayonet
connection.
[0033] Figure 28 illustrates a side view of Figure 27.
[0034] Figure 29 illustrates a front view of Figure 27.
[0035] Figure 30 illustrates a top view of Figure 27.
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[0036] Figures 31-33 depict alternative embodiments of the mounting member.
[0037] Figure 34 depicts an embodiment of the accessory mounting assembly used
with an
ATV.
[0038] Figure 35 illustrates a perspective view of the accessory mounting
assembly shown
in Figure 34.
[0039] Figure 36 illustrates an exploded view of the accessory mounting
assembly shown in
Figure 35.
[0040] Figure 37 illustrates a front-view of the accessory mounting assembly
shown in
Figure 35.
[0041] Figure 38 illustrates a side-view of the accessory mounting assembly
shown in
Figure 35.
[0042] Figure 39 illustrates a top-view of the accessory mounting assembly
shown in
Figure 35.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0043] Without any intent to limit the scope of this invention, reference is
made to the
Figures in describing the embodiments of the invention.
[0044] One embodiment of this invention involves an improvement to
conventional tow ski
boat rope attachment structures. Referring now to Figure 1, a typical ski boat
1 is
illustrated having tower 2 affixed to boat decking structure 3. Tower 2 is
constructed
generally of two L-shaped tubular members 4 and 5 and fixed in position
relative to
one another by horizontal tubular members 6 to form a rigid structure.
Typically,
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tower 2 will be positioned over boat cockpit 7 and extend over each side of
front
windshield 8 so as to center the weight of tower 2 evenly over the width of
boat 1 to
allow for better handling of boat 1 when towing a skier (not shown). Referring
now
to Figures 1 and 1A, affixed to top center section 9 of member 4 is
cylindrical post
having indented section 11 encircling post 10. A tow rope or tether 12 having
a
looped end is fitted over post 10 and into indented section 11 when boat 1
will be
used to tow a skier.
[0045] Figure 2 illustrates a similar ski boat 1 which instead of having tower
2 is provided
with a pylon 13 fixed to boat floor 14 and extending upward so that its upper
end 15
(see Figure 2A) is positioned sufficiently above the boat floor 14 to permit
tow rope
or tether 12 to be attached in indented section 16 circling and located at
upper end 15
of pylon 13 and extend to the skier (not shown) without touching boat deck 3
when
the skier is being towed.
[0046] Figure 3 thru 6 illustrate the ski rope attachment and accessories
rack 17 that is
attachable to top center section 9 of tower 2. To facilitate the attachment,
tower bar
section 9 is drilled to provide aligned bolt openings 18 sized to permit bolt
19 to pass
through section 9 to attach to tower bar diameter adaptor 20. Adaptor 20 is
preferably shaped and sized to sit flush on section 9. In addition adaptor 20
is
provided with an opening 21 extending vertically through adaptor 20 and is
sized to
allow the threaded end 22 of bolt 19 to thread into spindle insert 26 thereby
compressibly affixing adaptor 20 to section 9. The upper surface 23 of adaptor
20 is
provided with a cavity 24 provided with a key 25 to receive a universal
spindle insert
26 having a bottom flange 27 provided with a notch 28 sized to permit key 25
to be
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positioned in notch 28. Flange 27 is sized to fit within cavity 24 in a manner
that
prevents flange 27 from rotating. Insert 26 has a hollow threaded spindle 29
extending vertically upward from flange 27. Fitted about spindle 29 is a disc-
shaped
signal or power commutator 30 to permit a full 360 rotation of arm 39.
Extending
from its edge surface 31 are electrical input lines 32 and 33 that can be
connected to
audio speakers 34 and 35, respectively through output line 61. Wear bushing 36
rests
on top of the mid-flange 38 of spindle 29.
[0047] Elongated, hollow arm 39 has lower shroud 40 that fits over commutator
30 and is
provided with a cavity to receive bushing 36 about which arm 39 rotates. Arm
39 is
also provided with a threaded opening 61 positioned about its vertical center
axis
through which spindle 29 extends. Tow rope spool 41 and locking cap 42 arc
then
positioned on spindle 29 and held fixed to arm 39 by bolt 43 that extends
through
aligned openings 44 and 45 of spool 41 and cap 42, respectively, and is
screwed into
threaded opening 58 of spindle 29. In one embodiment, arm 39 will be provided
with a hollow cavity or channel that extends from shroud 40 to each end of arm
39
where speakers 34 and 35 will be attached. This will permit wires attaching
the
speakers 34 and 35 to an audio receiver or other audio source located in the
boat
cockpit to be positioned out of sight and better protected from the weather.
If
desired, arm 39 may have one or more openings 46 formed to reduce the weight
of
arm 39 to allow it to rotate about bushing 36 more easily.
[0048] Speakers 34 and 35 can be bolted to arm 39 by bolts 46 and 47,
respectively, which
pass through arm openings 48 and 49, respectively and into threaded openings
in
speaker support brackets 50 and 51, respectively. The speakers 34 and 35 may
be
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mounted above or hang below arm 39. Affixed to the center front edge 52 of arm
39
are two spaced apart, parallel shoulder members 53 and 54 having a
horizontally
positioned axle 55 extending between the two members. Pivotally mounted on
axle
55 is rope guide 56. Guide 56 has ring structure 57 through which a tow rope
can
pass. It is noted guide 56 does not have to be a ring structure, but could be
pin or
other structure having an opening though which the tow rope 12 can pass and be
secured. However, these other structures must be designed so that the lateral
movement of the tow rope 12 will cause arm 39 to track the tow rope 12
movement.
[0049] In operation, the end of tow rope 12 is passed through ring 57 and then
looped and
fixed around rope spool 41. The opposite end of tow rope 12 is provided with
at
least one handle that is held by the skier when being towed. As a skier moves
to the
side of ski boat 1 the tow rope 12 contacts one of the ring structure 57 and
causes
arm 39 to be turned in the direction of the skier. Commutator 30 may be
provided
with a magnetic or optical encoder or other similar device that provides
digital or
analog pulses that correspond to the angle at which arm 39 has turned. These
pulses
arc reduced to a digital signal by known means and transmitted to a processor,
preferably positioned in cockpit 7 or elsewhere protected from the weather,
which
electronically processes the signal to provide a visual image on a monitor
indicating
the position of the skier relative to the boat. The monitor is preferably
positioned in
cockpit 7 where the boat driver can readily see the monitor. In addition to
mounting
speakers on arm 39, one can mount other accessories such as lights and video
cameras. In the event a video camera is mounted on arm 39, the video camera
can be
operatively connected to the monitor to permit the boat driver or passengers
to view
the skier performing tricks.
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[0050] In another embodiment, locking means will be affixed to arm 39 that
will permit arm
39 to be locked in one of multiple positions. This feature will be beneficial
when the
ski boat is tied to dock and it is desired to direct the speakers or lights in
a fixed
direction or when the boat is being operated without a skier other device in
tow. In
this embodiment, the movement of speakers 34 and 35 when the boat is docked or
when no skier is being towed can be controlled by separate motors that are
operatively attached to the speakers to pan or tilt the speakers in a desired
direction.
[0051] While described above in relation to a conventional tow ski boat rope
attachment
structure, aspects of this invention can also be employed in a variety of
other ways.
For example, in alternate embodiments, an accessory mounting assembly 100 can
be
used to mount an accessory (e.g. one or more speakers, lights, cameras,
combinations
thereof, etc.) to a support structure. The accessory mounting assembly 100 can
be
configured to permit the accessory to pan, swivel or tilt in a desired
direction. The
accessory mounting assembly 100 can also be configured to permit 360 rotation
of
the accessory. The support structure should be configured to support the
weight of
the accessory. Examples of suitable support structures include a boat, boat
tower,
motor vehicle (e.g. truck, car, ATV), building wall or ceiling, and so forth.
[0052] With reference to Figures 7-19, the accessory mounting assembly 100
comprises a
mounting member 110 and a docking member 120. The mounting member 110 is
configured to attach to the support structure. The mounting member 110 also
includes a first connector 114 configured to releasably attach the mounting
member
110 to the docking member 120. As shown in Figure 7, the mounting member 110
can be a clamp configured for attaching the accessory mounting assembly to the
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support structure such as a tubular boat tower, vehicle roll bar, or bar/rail
mounted
on a vehicle. The clamp can have an upper clamp bracket 111 and lower clamp
bracket 112.
[0053] In an alternate embodiment shown in Figures 20-24, the mounting member
110 can
be a base plate or surface mount 125 configured to be attached to the support
structure (e.g. a flat surface such as wall, floor, deck, ceiling, and so
forth) with a
fastener 113 (e.g. nuts and bolts, pins, screws, and so forth). The mounting
member
110 may also include an optional backup surface mount 128 that would be
installed
behind the mounting surface to add strength to the connection as appropriate.
A
gasket 129 may be provided between the mounting surface 140 and base plate 125
to
reduce vibrations. In this embodiment, the mounting member 110 is hingully
connected to the first connector 114 to permit the first connector 114 to rock
or
pivot back and forth. The hinged connection can be accomplished by providing
the
base plate or surface mount 125 with connection shoulders 126a, 126b that mate
with corresponding connection arms 127a, 127b on the first connector 114. The
connection shoulders 126a, 126b and arms 127a, 127b may be secured together
using
a fastener 113. One of the connection arms 127b may be removable to permit
easy
assembly and pivot release. Alternatively, the connection shoulders 126a, 126b
can
be located on the first connector and the connection arms 127a, 127b can be
located
on the base plate or surface mount 125.
[0054] Figures 31-33 depict further alternative embodiments of the mounting
member 110
wherein the mounting member is configured to be attached to the docking member
120 using a threaded connection (Figure 31), saddle clamp (Figure 32), or
bayonet
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connection (Figure 33). The mounting member 110 (bayonet, threaded or saddle
clamp embodiment) can be configured to attach directly to a pipe hanging from
a
ceiling or protruding from a floor.
[0055] The docking member 120 is attachable to the accessory. The docking
member 120
may be a bracket or base plate 121 that attaches to the accessory. The base
plate 121
can be attached to the accessory with a fastener (e.g. nuts and bolts, screw,
and so
forth). The docking member 120 also includes a second connector 122. The
second
connector 122 is configured to be releasably secured to the first connector
114. In
one embodiment, the first connector 114 and second connector 122 may be
secured
together by a quick release mechanism 130, which permits the mounting member
110
to releasably attach to the docking member 120. This allows the accessory 170
to be
quickly attached or detached from the mounting member 110. The quick release
mechanism 130 may be configured to be operated by hand, which eliminates the
need for special tools to detach the docking member 120 from the mounting
member 110. Simply loosening the quick release mechanism 130 can allow the
docking member 120 to rotate 360 degrees without completely detaching it.
Alternatively, the quick release mechanism 130 can be completely loosened and
detached from the mounting member 110.
[0056] For example, as shown in Figure 7, the quick release mechanism 130 can
be a saddle
clamp having a fastener such as a thumbscrew, clip, and so forth. The quick
release
mechanism 130 may also include a locking tab or keeper 131 that helps to
prevent the
thumbscrew 132 from coming loose or undone when subjected to vibration. A
safety
clip 133 can also be used to further secure the thumbscrew 132. A person could
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simply loosen (tighten) the thumb screw by hand to detach (attach) the docking
member 120 from the mounting member 110. In an alternate embodiment, the quick
release mechanism 130 could be a set of notches and corresponding grooves
configured to releasably secure the docking member 120 to the mounting member
110. The notches may be located on the docking member 120 and the grooves may
be located on mounting member 110, or vice versa.
[0057] Alternatively, the quick release mechanism 130 can be a threaded
connection (Figure
25) or a bayonet connection (Figure 26). As shown in Figure 25, the threaded
connection is a fastening mechanism that releasably secures the docking member
to
the mounting member. The threaded connection typically comprises a male
connection 134 having spiral ridges configured to mate with a corresponding
female
connection 135. As shown in Figure 26, the bayonet connection is a fastening
mechanism that typically comprises a cylindrical male receptor with one or
more
radial pins 136, and a female receptor with matching slots(s) 137. Spring(s)
can be
used to keep the receptors locked together. As discussed above, simply
loosening the
quick release mechanism 130 can allow the docking member 120 to rotate 360
degrees without completely detaching it. Alternatively, the quick release
mechanism
130 can be completely loosened and detached from the mounting member 110.
[0058] The accessory mounting assembly 100 also comprises a signal or power
commutator
to permit a full 360W rotation of the accessory. In one embodiment shown in
Figure
7, the commutator comprises a mounting member electrical connector 115 and a
docking member electrical connector 123. The surface of the mounting member
electrical connector 115 may also have one or more signal or electrical lines
117a
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extending from its surface that can be operatively connected to an audio,
video or
electrical source. Similarly, the docking member electrical connector 123 may
also
include one or more signal electrical lines 117b extending from its surface
that can be
operatively connected to the accessory. As shown in Figures 17A-17C, the
surface
of the mounting member electrical connector 115 may include one or more
stationary graphite or metal contacts (or brushes) 118 that contact the
surface of the
docking member 123. The one or more contacts 118 on the mounting member
electrical connector 115 correspond to one or more traces on the surface of
the
docking member electrical connector 123. The contacts and traces permit the
electrical connectors 115, 123 to be communicably coupled to each other. The
traces
may be metal rings or discs.
[0059] As the accessory and docking member 120 are rotated, the electrical
current or signal
is continually conducted through the stationary contacts 118 to the traces.
Additional
traces and contacts can be stacked along the axis of rotation if more than one
electrical circuit is desired. In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the one
or more
traces can be located on the surface of the mounting member electrical
connector
115 and the one or more contacts 118 can be located on the surface of the
docking
member electrical connector 123. In this alternate embodiment, the one or more
traces can be stationary while the one or more contacts (or brushes) 118
rotate.
[0060] The mounting member 110 also includes an insert 116 for securing the
mounting
member electrical connector 115 to the mounting member 110, which holds the
mounting member electrical connector 115 in position. Similarly, the docking
member also includes an insert 124 for securing the docking member electrical
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connector 123 to the docking member 120, which holds the docking member
electrical connector 123 in position. The inserts 116, 124 ensure that the
contacts and
traces of are aligned with one another. The inserts 116, 124 can be
constructed of any
material capable of substantially insulating the electrical connectors 115,
123 from
outside interference (e.g. metal parts of the docking member or mounting
member, if
any). As shown in Figure 7, the inserts 116, 124 may include clips that mate
with
corresponding notches provided on the members 110, 120.
[0061] In operation, the mounting member electrical connector 115 is
secured to the
mounting member 110 using the mounting member insert 116. The docking member
electrical connector 123 is secured to the docking member 120 using the
docking
member insert 124. The mounting member 110 is attached to a support structure
by
the clamp or base plate using fasteners. The docking member 120 is attached to
the
accessory using fasteners. As shown in Figure 19, the docking member 120 can
then
be attached to the mounting member 110 by securing the second connector 122
and
the first connector 123 together with a quick release mechanism 130.
[0062] As shown in Figure 18, the docking member 120 is releasably attached to
the
mounting member 110. The accessory 170 can be detached (or attached) from the
support structure by loosening or unlocking (or tightening or locking) the
quick
release mechanism 130. In addition, the accessory can be rotated in a desired
direction. For example, where the support structure is a boat tower on a boat,
the
accessory 170 can be directed toward the dock or other area so that music or
light
may be directed towards people in those areas.
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[0063] As shown in Figure 7-8 and Figure 19, the one or more signal or
electrical output
lines 117a from the mounting member electrical connector 115 are operatively
connected to an audio, video or electrical source. Similarly, as shown in
Figure 7-8
and Figure 18, the one or more signal or electrical output lines 117b from the
docking member electrical connector 123 are operatively connected to the
accessory.
This configuration permits audio, video or electricity to be transmitted to
the
accessory 170. If the accessory is a camera, the output from the camera may be
transmitted to a recording device using the one or more signal or electrical
output
lines 117a, 117b.
[0064] Figures 34-39 illustrate another embodiment of the accessory mounting
assembly
100 used with an ATV 160. Although this embodiment is shown with an ATV, it
could also be used with any vehicle (e.g. automobile, boat, and so forth). In
this
embodiment, the accessory mounting assembly 100 can further comprise the
support
structure 150. The support structure 150 can be a bar or rail attached to the
ATV
160. The mounting member 110 can attach directly to the support structure 150.
Alternatively, the mounting member 110 can be also constructed as part of the
support structure 150. As described above, the mounting member 110 can be
attached to the docking member 120 using a threaded connection (Figure 31),
saddle
clamp (Figure 32), or bayonet connection (Figure 33). The support structure
150
can also be configured to be longitudinally adjustable to permit adjustment of
the
length of support structure 150 so that it can be more easily attached to the
ATV or
vehicle. For example, the support structure 150 can have one or more extension
bars
or rails 151a, 151b that extend and retract. Alternatively, the support
structure 150
could be configured to be telescoped.
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[0065] The support structure 150 can also include attachment structures 153a,
153b
configured to attach the support structure 150 to the vehicle. For example,
the
attachment structures can be configured to mount to different types of ATV
racks.
That is, the attachment structures 153a, 153b can be a Polaris Lock & Ridemi
mount,
Can-Am LinQTm mount, basket rack mount, or tube rack mount. The attachment
structures 153a, 153b could also be releasably attached to the support
structure 150
to permit the attachment structures 153a, 153b to be changed depending upon
the
type of vehicle.
[0066] The support structure 150 can also include one or more electrical
connections 152a,
152b to connect to a power source, which will provide power to one or more
attached accessories 170 using electrical output lines 117a, 117b. For
example, the
support structure 150 can have an electrical connection 152a configured to
mate with
a car lighter adapter and/or an electrical connection 152b configured to be
directly
wired to a power source such as a battery. In this manner, a variety of
accessories 170
(e.g. speakers, lights, power inverter such as a 12V DC to 110 AC inverter
including
USE3 charging ports for computing devices, agricultural sprayers, and so
forth) can be
attached or detached to the ATV, which can be particularly useful for
operating
ATVs or other vehicles in remote areas.
[0067] Any reference to patents, documents and other writings contained herein
shall not
be construed as an admission as to their status with respect to being or not
being
prior art. Although the present invention and its advantages have been
described in
detail, it is understood that the array of features and embodiments taught
herein may
17
be combined and rearranged in a large number of additional combinations not
directly disclosed, as will be apparent to one having ordinary skill in the
art.
[0068]
Moreover, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and
alterations
can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
These and other alternate embodiments of this
invention are clear from the foregoing description of embodiments of the
invention.
The specific embodiments described herein and other alternate embodiments that
are
obvious from the described general embodiments are encompassed.
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