Twist-base mount

Abstract

The Twist-Base Mount couples a single-screw, substrate-penetrating element with an elastically-deformable, concave base element that, once installed, acts as a spring, exerting a downward force upon the substrate around its circumference. Because the base element is rigidly attached to the substrate-penetrating element, a force applied to the Mount parallel to the plane of the substrate is offset by the pressure of the perimeter of the base element against the substrate, resulting in additional strength. The Mount's single-screw, self-boring element allows quick and easy installation. The spring-like base-element permits 360-degree rotation of the Mount while maintaining uniform pressure against the substrate, thereby preserving strength regardless of rotational positioning. The mount remains economical in relation to mounts of similar strength and rotational adjustability due to its insert-molded construction.

1 . A stable, rotatably-adjustable mount for a fixture, comprising:
 a plastically-deformable, domeshaped base having a convex, fixture-supporting topside portion and a concave, substrate-facing, underside portion opposite the topside portion, having a substrate-engaging portion defined by a circumferential edge, wherein the dome shaped base is a section of a hollow sphere cut by a plane;   a single screw with a non-circular head that resists twisting, said head rigidly embedded in a conical hub extending perpendicularly away from a center of the underside portion, said screw projecting perpendicularly away from the conical hub and having a pointed substrate-engaging tip and sharp threads to facilitate: (a) self-boring penetration of the substrate, (b) compression of the circumferential edge of the base against the substrate, and (c) a corresponding elastic deformation of the dome; and   a fixture attached to the fixture-supporting portion of the base,   wherein said hub includes a bottom portion having a flat surface that acts as a stop to limit deformation of the wall of the hub.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said circumferential edge has protuberances uniformly spaced apart along the edge to provide additional friction between the edge and the substrate to prevent unintentional rotation of the base. 
     
     
         3 . A device for securely and rotatably holding a first object on a surface of a second object, comprising:
 a deformable hollow base having a wall defining a dome shape, the wall having a lower circumferential edge for engaging a substantially flat surface of the second object, wherein the dome shape is a section of a sphere cut by a plane; and   a single screw extending lengthwise from a top of the dome-shaped base along an axis perpendicular to a plane defined by the lower circumferential edge of the dome shaped base,   wherein the base is comprised of a thermoplastic material and a non-circular head of the screw is embedded in the thermoplastic material of the base.   
     
     
         4 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 3 , in which a countersunk hole is defined at the top of the dome-shaped base and the screw includes a shank that extends through the hole and a head seated in a countersink of the hole. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 3 , in which the dome-shaped base is comprised of a polyolefin. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , in which the polyolefin is polypropylene. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 3 , in which a plurality of nubs are defined on the lower circumferential edge of the wall of the dome-shaped base. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 3 , in which the dome shape is a section of an ellipsoid cut by a plane perpendicular to a major or minor axis of the ellipsoid. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 3 , in which the screw has a thread density of at least 10 threads per inch. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 3 , in which the screw has a thread density of at least 16 threads per inch. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 3 , in which the screw has a tapered shank. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 12 , in which the screw is self-tapping. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 12 , in which the screw is self-drilling. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 3 , in which a length ratio of the width of the base to the height of the base is from 4 to 8. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 3 , in which a length ratio of the width of the base to the height of the base is about 6. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 3 , in which the base includes a hub portion extending from the top of the base toward a plane defined by the lower circumferential edge of the wall of the base, the bottom of the hub having a flat surface that acts as a stop to limit deformation of the wall of the hub. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 1 , in which the diameter of the base is from 1.5 to 2.5 inches and the length of the screw is from 0.5 to 1.5 inches.