Remotely attachable and separable coupling

Abstract

An article for mounting from or against the ceiling is removably coupled to a base fixedly secured to the ceiling, by a person standing on the floor, supporting the article on an elongated rod, and thrusting the article against the base to couple the article and the secured base. The article is removed by inserting the rod into the article, exerting a force on the rod to uncouple the article from the base, and supporting the article on the rod as the article is lowered. The article is thus positioned on or hung from the ceiling, without being manually contacted by the person. The article may be used to mount other devices, such as a sign, smoke detector, etc. or may include such device as a part of the mount.

1 . A mounting system, comprising: 
 a first subassembly attachable to a support;    a second subassembly that is releasably attachable to the first subassembly;    a multi-retention mechanism to hold the first subassembly and the second subassembly together, including 
 a first retention mechanism that is selectively operable to release and hold using a gravitational force;  
 a second retention mechanism that is selectively operable to release and hold responsive to a positional relationship between the first subassembly and the second subassembly.  
   
   
   
       2 . The mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein the first retention mechanism comprises a ledge interlock.  
   
   
       3 . The mounting system of  claim 2 , wherein the ledge interlock includes a wedge-shaped member on the first subassembly, and a wedge shape socket on the second subassembly.  
   
   
       4 . The mounting system of  claim 1 , further comprising an attachment for the second subassembly to coact with one end of an elongate member to manipulate the second subassembly  
   
   
       5 . The mounting system of  claim 4 , wherein the attachment is selected from the group consisting of a socket and a protrusion.  
   
   
       6 . The mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein the second retention mechanism includes a magnet and magnetically responsive plate.  
   
   
       7 . The mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein the second retention mechanism comprises Velcro.  
   
   
       8 . The mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein the second retention mechanism comprises a latch.  
   
   
       9 . The mounting system of  claim 8 , wherein the latch is spring operated.  
   
   
       10 . The mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein the second retention mechanism comprises a ridge formed in one of the first subassembly and the second subassembly and a groove formed in the other of the first subassembly and the second subassembly.  
   
   
       11 . The mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein a device is attached to the second subassembly.  
   
   
       12 . The mounting system of  claim 11 , wherein the device is a smoke detector.  
   
   
       13 . The mounting system of  claim 12 , wherein the smoke detector is battery powered.  
   
   
       14 . The mounting system of  claim 12 , wherein the smoke detector is externally powered.  
   
   
       15 . The mounting system of  claim 11 , wherein the device is a light fixture  
   
   
       16 . The mounting system of  claim 15 , wherein the light fixture is battery powered.  
   
   
       17 . The mounting system of  claim 15 , wherein the light fixture is externally powered.  
   
   
       18 . The mounting system of  claim 1 , further comprising electrical contacts.  
   
   
       19 . The mounting system of  claim 18 , wherein the electrical contacts are power contacts.  
   
   
       20 . The mounting system of  claim 18 , wherein the electrical contacts are signal contacts.  
   
   
       21 . A method of releasably coupling a first subassembly to a relatively remote secured second subassembly, comprising the steps of: 
 coupling a tool to the first subassembly;    registering the first subassembly at an angle with respect to the second subassembly, thereby engaging a first holding mechanism;    reducing the angle between the second subassembly and the first subassembly, thereby engaging a second holding mechanism; and    uncoupling the tool from the first subassembly.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the step of uncoupling the tool from the first subassembly includes the step of pivoting a catch of the second subassembly to secure the second holding mechanism.  
   
   
       23 . A method of removing a suspended subassembly that is releasably coupled to a relatively remote secured subassembly, comprising the steps of: 
 coupling a tool to the suspended subassembly;    applying a force to the tool to disengage a second holding mechanism, wherein the force is substantially perpendicular to an orientation of the secured subassembly;    increasing an angle between the second subassembly and the first subassembly to disengage a first holding mechanism; and    withdrawing the suspended subassembly.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the step of coupling a tool to the suspended subassembly includes the step of pivoting a catch of the suspended subassembly to release the second holding mechanism.