Equipment retention system

Abstract

A retention system for equipment includes a base plate assembly and an adapter assembly securable to the equipment. The adapter assembly includes an interface includes having a locking recess. The base plate assembly includes a base plate and an adapter assembly guide adjacent the base plate for receiving the interface therein thereby coupling the adapter assembly with the base plate assembly. The base plate assembly further includes a locking mechanism movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The locking mechanism in the engaged position engages the locking recess of the interface, thereby locking the adapter assembly with the base plate assembly. The locking mechanism in the disengaged position disengages from the locking recess of the interface, thereby unlocking the adapter assembly from the base plate assembly.

1 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A retention system for equipment, comprising:
 an adapter assembly securable to equipment, the adapter assembly comprising an interface having a locking recess;   a base plate assembly, comprising:
 a base plate, 
 an adapter assembly guide adjacent the base plate wherein the adapter assembly guide receives the interface therein thereby coupling the adapter assembly with the base plate assembly, and 
 a locking mechanism coupled with the base plate, and being user movable from an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein, in the engaged position, the locking mechanism engages the locking recess of the interface, thereby locking the adapter assembly with the base plate assembly, and further wherein, when a user moves the locking mechanism to the disengaged position, the locking mechanism disengages from the locking recess of the interface, thereby unlocking the adapter assembly from the base plate assembly. 
   
     
     
         33 . The retention system for equipment according to  claim 32 , wherein the adapter assembly further comprises:
 a fastener adapted to engage equipment; and   an interface bracket rigidly secured with the interface, wherein the interface bracket rigidly engages the fastener such that, after introduction of the interface into the adapter assembly guide the equipment remains aligned with the base plate assembly and is immovable relative thereto.   
     
     
         34 . The retention system for equipment according to  claim 32 , wherein the adapter assembly further comprises:
 a fastener adapted to engage equipment; and   an interface bracket coupled with the interface, the interface bracket being selectively engageable with a first side of the fastener and a second side of the fastener, wherein the interface bracket is removable from the second side of the fastener and engageable with the first side of the fastener for a right handed configuration, further wherein the interface bracket is removable from the first side of the fastener and engageable with the second side of the fastener for a left handed configuration.   
     
     
         35 . The retention system for equipment according to  claim 32 , wherein the base plate includes a plunger channel, a locking assembly channel communicating with the plunger channel, and an aperture communicating with the locking assembly channel. 
     
     
         36 . The retention system for equipment according to  claim 35 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises:
 a locking assembly disposed in the locking assembly channel and biased to extend through the aperture such that the locking assembly engages the locking recess of the interface; and   a plunger communicating with the locking assembly, the plunger disposed in the plunger channel and extending therefrom, wherein movement of the plunger moves the locking assembly from the aperture such that the locking assembly disengages from the locking recess of the interface.   
     
     
         37 . The retention system for equipment according to  claim 36 , wherein insertion of the interface of the adapter assembly into the adapter assembly guide depresses the locking assembly until the locking recess of the interface aligns with the aperture of the base plate. 
     
     
         38 . The retention system for equipment according to  claim 36 , wherein the plunger includes a ward engagement key and the plunger channel includes a ward, further wherein the ward limits the movement of the plunger relative to the locking assembly. 
     
     
         39 . The retention system for equipment according to  claim 36 , wherein the locking assembly comprises:
 a hinge pin;   a latch pivotable about the hinge pin; and   a biasing member that biases the latch to extend through the aperture such that the latch engages the locking recess of the interface, wherein movement of the plunger relative to the latch overcomes the biasing force of the biasing member and moves the latch from the aperture such that the latch disengages from the locking recess of the interface.   
     
     
         40 . The retention system for equipment according to  claim 36 , wherein the base plate assembly further comprises a back plate securable with the base plate to maintain the plunger within the plunger channel and the locking assembly within the locking assembly channel. 
     
     
         41 . The retention system for equipment according to  claim 32 , wherein the interface of the adapter assembly includes a first end and a second end, wherein the interface tapers from the first end to the second end such that the first end is wider than the second end. 
     
     
         42 . The retention system for equipment according to  claim 41 , wherein the adapter assembly guide includes a first guide rail having a first portion and a second portion opposed to a second guide rail having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first and second guide rails are spaced apart at their first portions wider than the interface of the adapter assembly to facilitate insertion of the interface between the first and second guide rails, further wherein the first and second guide rails taper along their second portions and are spaced apart at their second portions substantially the same as the width of the interface of the adapter assembly such that the first and second guide rails engage the interface thereby coupling the adapter assembly with the base plate assembly. 
     
     
         43 . The retention system for equipment according to  claim 42 , wherein the first and second guide rails each define a groove that engages the interface of the adapter assembly to maintain the adapter assembly seated between the first and second guide rails. 
     
     
         44 . The retention system for equipment according to  claim 42 , wherein the adapter assembly guide includes a stop that arrests the insertion of the interface of the adapter assembly therein. 
     
     
         45 . A retention system for equipment, comprising:
 an adapter assembly securable to equipment, the adapter assembly including a triangular shaped interface having a width and defining a base at a first upper end and a rounded apex at a second lower end, wherein the interface tapers from the first upper end to the second lower end such that the base at the first upper end is wider than the rounded apex at the second lower end, further wherein the rounded apex at the second end provides a point of insertion for the interface;   a base plate assembly, comprising:
 a base plate, and 
 an adapter assembly guide adjacent the base plate for receiving therein the interface of the adapter assembly, the adapter assembly guide including a first guide rail having a first upper portion and a second lower portion opposed to a second guide rail having a first upper portion and a second lower portion, the first and second guide rails defining a funnel shape whereby their first upper portions taper to their second lower portions, wherein the first upper portions are wider than the base at the first upper end of the interface of the adapter assembly to provide an entrance for the rounded apex at the second lower end of the interface between the first and second guide rails and further to funnel the interface toward the second lower portions whereby the interface due to the rounded apex at the second lower end enters the second lower portions, further wherein the first and second guide rails taper along their second lower portions and are spaced apart at their second lower portions substantially the same as the width of the interface of the adapter assembly such that the first and second guide rails engage the interface thereby coupling the adapter assembly with the base plate assembly. 
   
     
     
         46 . The retention system for equipment according to  claim 45 , wherein the first and second guide rails each define a groove that engages the interface of the adapter assembly to maintain the adapter assembly seated between the first and second guide rails. 
     
     
         47 . The retention system for equipment according to  claim 45 , wherein the adapter assembly guide includes a stop that arrests the insertion of the interface of the adapter assembly therein. 
     
     
         48 . The retention system for equipment according to  claim 45 , wherein the adapter assembly further comprises:
 a fastener adapted to engage equipment; and   an interface bracket rigidly secured with the interface, wherein the interface bracket rigidly engages the fastener such that, after introduction of the interface into the adapter assembly guide the equipment remains aligned with the base plate assembly and is immovable relative thereto.   
     
     
         49 . The retention system for equipment according to  claim 45 , wherein the adapter assembly further comprises:
 a fastener adapted to engage equipment; and   an interface bracket coupled with the interface, the interface bracket being selectively engageable with a first side of the fastener and a second side of the fastener, wherein the interface bracket is removable from the second side of the fastener and engageable with the first side of the fastener for a right handed configuration, further wherein the interface bracket is removable from the first side of the fastener and engageable with the second side of the fastener for a left handed configuration.   
     
     
         50 . A retention system for equipment, comprising:
 an adapter assembly securable to equipment, the adapter assembly comprising an interface;   a base plate assembly, comprising:
 a base plate, 
 an adapter assembly guide adjacent the base plate wherein the adapter assembly guide receives the interface therein thereby coupling the adapter assembly with the base plate assembly, and 
 a locking mechanism coupled with the base plate, and being user movable from an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein, in the engaged position, the locking mechanism engages the interface, thereby locking the adapter assembly with the base plate assembly, and further wherein, when a user moves the locking mechanism to the disengaged position, the locking mechanism disengages from the interface, thereby unlocking the adapter assembly from the base plate assembly. 
   
     
     
         51 . The retention system for equipment according to  claim 50 , wherein the adapter assembly further comprises:
 a fastener adapted to engage equipment; and   an interface bracket rigidly secured with the interface, wherein the interface bracket rigidly engages the fastener such that, after introduction of the interface into the adapter assembly guide the equipment remains aligned with the base plate assembly and is immovable relative thereto.   
     
     
         52 . The retention system for equipment according to  claim 50 , wherein the adapter assembly further comprises:
 a fastener adapted to engage equipment; and   an interface bracket coupled with the interface, the interface bracket being selectively engageable with a first side of the fastener and a second side of the fastener, wherein the interface bracket is removable from the second side of the fastener and engageable with the first side of the fastener for a right handed configuration, further wherein the interface bracket is removable from the first side of the fastener and engageable with the second side of the fastener for a left handed configuration.   
     
     
         53 . The retention system for equipment according to  claim 50 , wherein the base plate includes a plunger channel, a locking assembly channel communicating with the plunger channel, and an aperture communicating with the locking assembly channel. 
     
     
         54 . The retention system for equipment according to  claim 53 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises:
 a locking assembly disposed in the locking assembly channel and biased to extend through the aperture such that the locking assembly engages the interface; and   a plunger communicating with the locking assembly, the plunger disposed in the plunger channel and extending therefrom, wherein movement of the plunger moves the locking assembly from the aperture such that the locking assembly disengages from the interface.   
     
     
         55 . The retention system for equipment according to  claim 54 , wherein insertion of the interface of the adapter assembly into the adapter assembly guide depresses the locking assembly until the interface aligns with the aperture of the base plate. 
     
     
         56 . The retention system for equipment according to  claim 54 , wherein the plunger includes a ward engagement key and the plunger channel includes a ward, further wherein the ward limits the movement of the plunger relative to the locking assembly. 
     
     
         57 . The retention system for equipment according to  claim 54 , wherein the locking assembly comprises:
 a hinge pin;   a latch pivotable about the hinge pin; and   a biasing member that biases the latch to extend through the aperture such that the latch engages the interface, wherein movement of the plunger relative to the latch overcomes the biasing force of the biasing member and moves the latch from the aperture such that the latch disengages from the interface.   
     
     
         58 . The retention system for equipment according to  claim 54 , wherein the base plate assembly further comprises a back plate securable with the base plate to maintain the plunger within the plunger channel and the locking assembly within the locking assembly channel. 
     
     
         59 . The retention system for equipment according to  claim 50 , wherein:
 the interface is triangular in shape having a width and defining a base at a first upper end and a rounded apex at a second lower end, wherein the interface tapers from the first upper end to the second lower end such that the base at the first upper end is wider than the rounded apex at the second lower end, further wherein the rounded apex at the second end provides a point of insertion for the interface; and   the adapter assembly guide includes a first guide rail having a first upper portion and a second lower portion opposed to a second guide rail having a first upper portion and a second lower portion, the first and second guide rails defining a funnel shape whereby their first upper portions taper to their second lower portions, wherein the first upper portions are wider than the base at the first upper end of the interface of the adapter assembly to provide an entrance for the rounded apex at the second lower end of the interface between the first and second guide rails and further to funnel the interface toward the second lower portions whereby the interface due to the rounded apex at the second lower end enters the second lower portions, further wherein the first and second guide rails taper along their second lower portions and are spaced apart at their second lower portions substantially the same as the width of the interface of the adapter assembly such that the first and second guide rails engage the interface thereby coupling the adapter assembly with the base plate assembly.   
     
     
         60 . The retention system for equipment according to  claim 59 , wherein the first and second guide rails each define a groove that engages the interface of the adapter assembly to maintain the adapter assembly seated between the first and second guide rails. 
     
     
         61 . The retention system for equipment according to  claim 59 , wherein the adapter assembly guide includes a stop that arrests the insertion of the interface of the adapter assembly therein.