Modular mounting system and assembly

Abstract

A modular mounting assembly and system is disclosed that permits a wide variety of accessory items to be easily coupled and uncoupled to a vertical surface. In certain embodiments, the vertical surface may be a surface of an above ground storage tank. A saddle is fixedly coupled to the vertical surface and slidably mates with a shelf mount that is fixedly coupled to an upper portion of an accessory item support. To maintain the accessory item support in place, relative to the vertical surface, a side mount is fixedly mounted on the vertical surface. It is disposed below the saddle, and removably couples with a lower portion of the accessory item support.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mounting assembly comprising:
 a substantially vertically oriented surface;   an accessory item support;   a saddle fixedly coupled to the substantially vertically oriented surface, the saddle and the substantially vertically oriented surface defining a pocket therebetween that is proximal an upper portion of the saddle;   a shelf mount fixedly coupled to an upper portion of the accessory item support and comprising a downwardly extending leg that is slidably received in the pocket; and   a first side mount fixedly coupled to the substantially vertically oriented surface and removably coupled to a lower portion of the accessory item support.   
     
     
         2 . The mounting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first side mount defines one or more openings therein, and the lower portion of the accessory item support defines one or more openings therein, with the one or more openings of the first side mount aligning with the one or more openings of the lower portion of the accessory item. 
     
     
         3 . The mounting assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising one or more fasteners that extend through the one or more openings of the first side mount and the one or more openings of the lower portion of the accessory item to removably couple the first side mount to the accessory item support. 
     
     
         4 . The mounting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the saddle comprises a first plate and a second plate that are fixedly coupled to one another. 
     
     
         5 . The mounting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first side mount lays substantially flush with the lower portion of the accessory item support. 
     
     
         6 . The mounting assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a second side mount fixedly coupled to the substantially vertically oriented surface and configured to removably couple to a lower portion of the accessory item support. 
     
     
         7 . The mounting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the accessory item support comprises a top plate, with the saddle being fixedly coupled thereto, and a gusset, with the side mount being removably coupled thereto. 
     
     
         8 . The mounting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially vertically oriented surface is a portion of an above ground storage tank. 
     
     
         9 . The mounting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the accessory item support is configured to support a gas pump, a card reader, a shelf for holding a hose reel, a mount for holding a fire extinguisher, a step, or a ladder. 
     
     
         10 . A mounting system comprising:
 a saddle configured to fixedly couple to a substantially vertically oriented surface, the saddle and the substantially vertically oriented surface being configured to define a pocket therebetween that is proximal an upper portion of the saddle;   a shelf mount configured to fixedly couple to an upper portion of an accessory item support and comprising a downwardly extending leg that is configured to be slidably received in the pocket; and   a first side mount configured to fixedly couple to the substantially vertically oriented surface and configured to removably couple to a lower portion of the accessory item support.