System for Mounting Objects to Polymeric Membranes

Abstract

A system and method to attach an object to a support structure. The system includes a mounting plate attached to an elastic membrane. The elastic membrane includes a lower surface having a first and a second surface area. The first surface area extends peripherally along at least a portion of the lower surface and bonded to the support structure. The second surface area is at least partially enclosed within the first surface area and separable from the support structure. The system further includes a riser adapted to couple to the mounting plate and the object.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system to attach an object to a support structure, the system comprising:
 a mounting plate;   an elastic membrane having:
 an upper surface, the upper surface being bonded to a bottom surface of the mounting plate; and 
 a lower surface having:
 a first surface area, the first surface area extending peripherally along at least a portion of a perimeter of the lower surface; and 
 a second surface area, the second surface area being at least partially enclosed within the first surface area, the second surface area being positioned at least partially below the mounting plate, the second surface area being separable from the support structure such that the second surface area elastically extends in a direction away from the support structure as a force is exerted on the mounting plate; and 
 
   a riser having:
 an attachment portion having a first attachment device, the attachment device being adapted to couple with the object; and 
 a base portion having an second attachment device, the second attachment device being adapted to couple the base portion to a top surface of the mounting plate; 
 wherein the attachment portion is positioned away from the base portion. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , the attachment portion, comprising:
 a first top surface;   a second top surface, the second top surface being relatively flush with the first top surface; and   an elevated top surface elevated at a height relative to the first top surface;   wherein a bottom surface of the object rests against at least one of the first top surface, the second top surface, and the elevated top surface.    
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , the attachment portion comprising:
 a front surface;   a rear surface spaced apart from the front surface;   a first side surface; and   a second side surface, the second side surface being spaced apart from and relatively parallel to the first side surface;   wherein the object abuts against at least one of the front surface, rear surface, first side surface, and second side surface, which in turn prevents rotational movement of the object.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , the riser further comprising:
 a first sidewall attached to attachment portion and the base portion, the first sidewall being adapted to extend the attachment portion relative to the base portion.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , the riser further comprising:
 a second sidewall attached to the attachment portion and the base portion, the second sidewall being adapted to extend parallel to the first sidewall.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , the riser further comprising:
 a leg attached to the base portion;   wherein the leg raises the base portion above a raised portion of the mounting plate.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first attachment device is a hole extending through the thickness of the attachment portion. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , the base portion comprising:
 a bottom surface, the bottom surface being adapted to rest on a top surface of the mounting plate;   a cavity extending from the bottom surface;    wherein the cavity is adapted to receive a raised surface of the mounting plate.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the riser forms a L-shaped configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , the riser further comprising:
 a structure attached to the base portion;   wherein the structure elevates the riser relative to a top surface of the mounting plate and forms a cavity for receiving a raised surface of the mounting plate.