Systems and methods for mounting objects

Abstract

Disclosed are systems and methods for mounting objects by capturing the object, or an intermediate mounting device attached to the object, between the head of a retention device and a surface of a track or the like into which the retention device is inserted. Also disclosed are methods for modifying or manufacturing an existing object to allow it to be directly captured between a track and a retention device. Further disclosed are a variety of capture aperture shapes for use with existing, commercially available track mounting system components. Specially configured retention devices are also disclosed for effective implementation of the systems and methods of the present invention. Stabilizing devices are also disclosed for stabilizing and/or preventing movement of a captured object in its captured state. Suspension devices are disclosed for suspending a captured object. Obstructers and similar devices for enlarging the head of commercially available retention devices are also disclosed.

1 . An apparatus for coupling an article to a track mounting system comprising:
 at least one body; and   at least one capture aperture passing through at least a portion of said at least one body, wherein a shape of said at least one capture aperture accepts passage of a base of at least one retention device through said at least one capture aperture, and said shape of said at least one capture aperture prevents passage through said at least one capture aperture of at least one of the group consisting of a head of said at least one retention device, a component coupled to a head of said at least one retention device, and combinations thereof;   wherein said at least one retention device mates with at least one track aperture of at least one first track of said track mounting system; and   wherein passing said at least one retention device through said at least one capture aperture and mating said at least one retention device with said at least one track aperture captures said body between said at least one retention device and said at least one first track.   
   
   
       2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus is one of the group consisting of a mounting plate, an adaptor, a wheel chock, a track adaptor plate, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one first track is at least one of the group consisting of horizontal track, vertical track, E track, A track, L track, aircraft style seat/logistic track, Versatie track, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus includes at least one of the group consisting of a mounting aperture, an object stabilizing device, an aperture stabilizing device, a suspension device, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus includes at least one of the group consisting of a tab, a flange, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       6 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said capture aperture is a cutout. 
   
   
       7 . An apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said cutout is at least one of the group consisting of rectangular, circular, semi-circular, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said article is coupled to said apparatus. 
   
   
       9 . An apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said coupling is performed via at least one mounting aperture. 
   
   
       10 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said capture aperture includes at least one of the group consisting of a rounded latitudinal protrusion, a rounded longitudinal end, a non-rounded latitudinal protrusion, a non-rounded longitudinal end, a slotted longitudinal end, a circular longitudinal end, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       11 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said retention device includes at least one of the group consisting of a ring, a strap lap, a strap aperture, an obstructer, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       12 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said article is at least one second track. 
   
   
       13 . An apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said at least one second track is at least one of the group consisting of horizontal track, vertical track, E track, A track, L track, aircraft style seat/logistic track, Versatie track, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       14 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one first track includes two parallel tracks. 
   
   
       15 . A method of modifying or manufacturing an object to facilitate coupling of said object to at least one track mounting system comprising the steps of:
 selecting at least one track of said at least one track mounting system to be compatible with said object;   selecting at least one retention device of said at least one track mounting system to be compatible with said object;   selecting at least one aperture shape that allows passage of a base of said at least one retention device through said at least one aperture and prevents passage of at least one of the group consisting of a head of said at least one retention device, an object coupled to a head of said at least one retention device, and combinations thereof; and   creating at least one aperture having said at least one aperture shape in a body of said object,   wherein said at least one retention device mates with at least one aperture of at least one track of said track mounting system; and   wherein passing said at least one retention device through said at least one aperture and mating said at least one retention device with said at least one track captures said body between said at least one retention device and said at least one track.   
   
   
       16 . A method for coupling an object to a track mounting system comprising the steps of:
 passing at least one retention device through at least one aperture located in said object; and   inserting said at least one retention device into at least one track aperture located in at least one track of said track mounting system;   wherein upon completion of said method, said object is captured between at least a portion of said retention device and at least a portion of said at least one track.   
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 aligning said at least one aperture located in said object with said at least one track aperture located in said at least one track of said track mounting system.   
   
   
       18 . An apparatus for enlarging a head of a retention device to prevent passage of said head through at least one capture aperture comprising:
 at least one body; and   at least one coupling mechanism for coupling said body to said head of said retention device.   
   
   
       19 . An apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein said coupling mechanism is at least one of the group consisting of a clip, a nut and bolt combination, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       20 . An apparatus for insertion into a track aperture of a track for capturing at least one object between said apparatus and said track comprising:
 a base; and   a head coupled to said base, said head including at least one of the group consisting of a protrusion, a component, and combinations thereof;   wherein said at least one of the group consisting of a protrusion, a component, and combinations thereof prevents passage of said head through at least one capture aperture; and   wherein at least a portion of a first perimeter of said head extends beyond a corresponding portion of a second perimeter of said base.   
   
   
       21 . An apparatus according to  claim 20  further comprising:
 at least one retention device stabilizing device.   
   
   
       22 . An apparatus for insertion into a track aperture of a track for capturing at least one object between said apparatus and said track:
 a base; and   a head coupled to said base;   wherein at least a portion of said head overhangs at least a portion of said base; and   wherein said at least a portion of said head prevents passage of said head through at least one capture aperture.   
   
   
       23 . An apparatus according to  claim 22  further comprising:
 at least one retention device stabilizing device.