Mounting apparatus

Abstract

A mounting apparatus and system and method for making the same are provided. The mounting apparatus allows an object to be mounted to a mounting surface via magnetic attractions between different planes of engagement. Through the movement of planes of magnets, an object that is brought in proximity to the mounting apparatus may engage one of the magnetic planes and then be moved further to engage the other magnetic plane, with the combined magnetic force being configured to support the particular object for which the mounting apparatus is designed. The engagement and/or disengagement of the object from the mounting apparatus can thus occur in stages, by degrees, and/or in a tiered manner.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for mounting an object that is configured to respond to magnetism to a mounting surface, comprising:
 an intermediate surface configured to respond to magnetism, wherein the intermediate surface comprises a first mounting magnet; and   an engagement member configured to respond to magnetism, wherein the engagement member comprises a second mounting magnet;   wherein at least one of the engagement member and the intermediate surface is configured to be movable between a respective outer limit position and a respective base limit position;   wherein the engagement member is configured to be movable between an outer limit position and a base limit position;   wherein the engagement member comprises an extension and a face joined to the extension, and wherein the face of the engagement member is defined by a curved surface;   wherein proximity of an object that is configured to respond to magnetism to the engagement member produces an attraction force between the object and the engagement member that causes engagement of the object with the face of the engagement member, and proximity of the object to the intermediate surface produces an attraction force between the object and the first mounting magnet that causes engagement of the object with the first mounting magnet; and   wherein the respective attraction forces associated with the engagement member and the intermediate surface cooperate to engage the object to produce a total engagement force for mounting the object to a mounting surface.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured so that a disengaging force that is less than the total engagement force and that is applied to the mounted object disengages the object in stages by successively overcoming the respective engagement forces associated with the intermediate surface and the engagement member to disengage the object. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one electromagnet. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the face of the engagement member defines a substantially ball-like structure. 
     
     
         5 . A system for mounting an object to a mounting surface comprising:
 a mounting apparatus comprising:
 an intermediate surface configured to respond to magnetism, wherein the intermediate surface comprises a first mounting magnet; and 
 an engagement member configured to respond to magnetism, wherein the engagement member comprises a second mounting magnet; 
   an object interface configured to be attached to an object to be mounted and to the mounting apparatus, the object interface comprising:
 a central object surface configured to respond to magnetism, wherein the central object surface comprises a third mounting magnet; 
   wherein at least one of the engagement member and the intermediate surface of the mounting apparatus is configured to be movable between a respective outer limit position and a respective base limit position;   wherein the engagement member of the mounting apparatus comprises an extension and a face joined to the extension, and wherein the face of the engagement member is defined by a curved surface;   wherein proximity of the object interface to the engagement member produces an attraction force between the object and the engagement member that causes engagement of the object interface with the face of the engagement member, and proximity of the object interface to the intermediate surface produces an attraction force between the object and the first mounting magnet that causes engagement of the object with the first mounting magnet;   wherein the respective attraction forces associated with the engagement member and the intermediate surface cooperate to engage the object to produce a total engagement force for mounting the object to a mounting surface; and   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein a disengaging force that is less than the total engagement force and that is applied to the mounted object disengages the object interface in stages by successively overcoming the respective engagement forces associated with the intermediate surface and the engagement member to disengage the object. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the mounting apparatus and the object interface comprises at least one electromagnet. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the central object surface defines a surface opening that is configured to agree with the face of the engagement member. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the face of the engagement member of the mounting apparatus defines a substantially ball-like structure.