Mount with magnetic attachment and automatic safety latching

Abstract

A system and method of releasably mounting a device, usually to a ceiling, is disclosed. The system has a ceiling mounted unit ( 200 ) and a device mounted unit ( 250 ), releasably joined preferably by an magnetic coupling ( 202 ) which engages a floating plate ( 252 ) allowing for positive coupling even if the units are misaligned. A safety latch ( 256 ) with a locking/latching claw ( 260 ) and ejection/disengagement prong ( 266 ) provide positive locking and a method of separating the units despite strong adhesion forces.

1 . An apparatus for removably mounting a device to a surface, comprising;
 a. a first unit configured to be attached to a surface;   b. a second unit configured to be attached to a device;   c. one of said units including a magnet receiving contact plate, the other of said units including at least one magnet, said first and second units being configured to permit engagement of said magnet with said plate when said units are brought together;   wherein said contact plate is attached to one of said units.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said contact plate is adjustably attached to one of said units. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said contact plate is configured to articulate with three degrees of moment relative to said unit. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said unit includes an interior base portion which further includes a rod attached to and extending from said base portion and also being attached to said contact plate; said rod being free to float relative to said base portion, so that said plate float with said rod. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said base includes an aperture for receiving said rod, said aperture being larger than said rod so that said contact plate may float relative to said unit. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said safety locking device further includes at least one disengagement prong pivotally moveable with said pivoting arm. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said disengagement prong extend away from said pivoting arm and when pivoted, into engagement with said at least one magnet to urge the magnets apart from said plate when said pivot arm is operated to release the units from each other. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said disengagement prong extend away from said pivoting arm and when pivoted, into engagement with the unit opposite the one to which it is attached so that when said pivot arm is operated it disengages the units from each other. 
   
   
       9 . A system for safe removable mounting of at least one apparatus to a ceiling surface, comprising;
 a. a first unit configured to be attached to the ceiling;   b. at least one second unit configured to be attached to a device;   c. one of said units including first adhesion element, the other of said units having a second adhesion element capable of releasably mating with said first element, said first and second units being configured to permit engagement when brought together, one of said adhesion elements being configured to be capable of movement on three axes so as to more easily mate with said other adhesion element;   d. one of said units including a pivoting safety latch with an ejection element having pivoting arm with a disengagement prongs, proximate one end of the latch, extending away from said pivoting arm and when pivoted, for urging the units to separate and disengage said adhesion elements; and a latch claw proximate an opposite end of the latch, said claw configured to engage a recess in the other of said units, so that the units are latched together when said claw is engaged.   
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said adhesion elements are mechanically engaging devices. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said claw and prongs are rigidly connected together on said latch and configured to alternately disengage and latch said units together depending on the position of the latch. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said adhesion elements include hook and loop fasteners. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said adhesion elements include magnets in one of said units and a magnetically responsive element on said other unit. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein said magnets are tapered along their length and wherein said unit includes a like tapered aperture to receive said magnets, said taper preventing removal of the magnets in the direction of insertion. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 13  wherein said pivot arm includes an aperture therethrough and further including a locking fastener sized to be received within said aperture and to engage the other of said units, so that when said fastener is inserted, the pivot arm is prevented from further pivoting. 
   
   
       16 . A method of securely docking a magnetic coupling to a receiving plate comprising
 a. affixing a magnet element to one unit;   b. affixing a plate element to another unit;   c. configuring at one of the plate or magnet elements to be movable relative to the unit to which it is affixed,   
     so that said movable element may move relative said other element to accommodate angular misalignment between said elements when they approach each other 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  including the step of allowing angular movement of said plate relative the unit to which it is affixed, providing a safely releasable securing device to a fixed mount, the device being mounted on a first unit with a second unit being fixedly mounted, one of the units having a magnet and the other unit having a magnetically responsive material. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  including the step of simultaneously affixing the magnet to the plate and mechanically latching said units together at the time the magnet and plate are affixed, thereby providing a further safety mechanism.