Adjustable mounting and security device for appliances

Abstract

A supporting or supporting and security device is provided for mounting an appliance on a support surface, or for hanging an appliance from a wall or ceiling. The device includes a base having upper and lower portions, and pads that adhere the sides of the appliance. Generally L-shape brackets are adjustably connected to the base by use of threaded fastener means. The appliance is placed on the base and clamped between the side brackets. The side brackets include a generally vertical portion for retaining the pads, and a generally horizontal portion for sliding within the base assembly.

I claim: 
     
       1. A device for mounting an appliance, comprising: a base having upper and lower portions which define a substantially closed compartment, said upper portion adapted to support the appliance and said lower portion adapted to be secured to a support surface;   at least two side brackets disposed at opposite ends of said base, each of said brackets having a generally horizontal portion adapted to be slidably insertable within said compartment and a generally vertical portion;   a first set of at least two threaded fasteners, each of said threaded fasteners insertable through each of said side brackets and into said compartment, for urging said brackets toward said appliance to provide a clamping force on said appliance along the length of said first set of threaded fasteners;   at least two frictional or adhesive pads, each of said pads having opposing faces, one of said faces of each of said pads adapted to contact or attach to the sides of the appliance, and the other face of each of said pads adapted to attach to each of said generally vertical portions of said brackets; and   a second set of threaded fasteners disposed within said compartment for cooperating with said first set of threaded fasteners to secure said side brackets to the sides of the appliance.   
     
     
       2. The device of claim 1, further comprising locking means, cooperative with said . .adjusting means,.!. .Iadd.first set of at least two threaded fasteners .Iaddend.for providing security against theft of the appliance. 
     
     
       3. The device of claim 1, wherein said .Iadd.first set of at least two .Iaddend.threaded fasteners . .include.!. .Iadd.includes .Iaddend. allen head barrels for adjustment. 
     
     
       4. The device of claim 1, wherein said . .force developing means is double-sided adhesive tape or single-sided.!. .Iadd.pads include .Iaddend.adhesive tape. 
     
     
       5. The device of claim 1, wherein said . .force developing means is.!. .Iadd.pads include .Iaddend.a rubber or rubber-like material such as urethane. 
     
     
       6. A device for mounting an appliance on a support urface or arm, comprising: a base with upper and lower portions forming an interior compartment, said upper portion constituting a supporting platform for the appliance and said lower portion adapted to be secured to the support surface or arm;   two side brackets disposed at opposite sides of said base, at least one of said brackets being adapted for slidable insertion into said interior compartment;   means for developing a frictional or adhesive force between said brackets and the appliance; and   means for adjusting the spacing of said brackets to conform to the size of the appliance, said adjusting means including a first threaded fastener which is insertable through said bracket and is secured to a second threaded fastener mounted in said compartment, and said adjusting means further being adapted to provide a clamping force along an axis parallel to said first threaded fastener and parallel to a line running between said side brackets.   
     
     
       7. The device of claim 6, further comprising locking means disposed at one end of said first set of fasteners. 
     
     
       8. The device of claim 7, wherein said locking means comprises an allen head barrel located outside of said brackets. 
     
     
       9. The device of claim 6, wherein said . .insertable.!. side bracket includes a generally vertical portion adapted to engage and retain said force developing means. 
     
     
       10. The device of claim 9, wherein said .Iadd.side bracket further includes a horizontal portion, said .Iaddend.horizontal and vertical portions of said side . .brackets.!. .Iadd.bracket .Iaddend.are pivotable about the intersection of said portions. 
     
     
       11. The device of claim 6, wherein said force developing means includes at least two frictional or adhesive pads, each of said pads adapted to connect to a side bracket. 
     
     
       12. The device of claim . .11.!. .Iadd.9.Iaddend., wherein said generally vertical portion of said side . .brackets.!. .Iadd.bracket .Iaddend.includes a pair of opposing vertical flanges which extend inwardly toward the appliance. 
     
     
       13. The device of claim 12, wherein said pads cooperate with a pad support having an attachment surface and a pair of opposing vertical flanges which extend outwardly away from the appliance, said vertical flanges of said pad support adapted to be retained within said . .side bracket.!. .Iadd.opposing vertical .Iaddend.flanges whereby said . .side bracket functions.!. .Iadd.vertical flanges function .Iaddend.as a retaining mechanism for said pads and said pad support. . . 
     
     
       14.  The device of claim 13, wherein said vertical flanges of said side brackets include protuberances which facilitate a snap-fit connection with said vertical flanges of said pad supports..!. 
     
     
       15. The device of claim 6, wherein the lower portion of said base includes an arm receiver. 
     
     
       16. The device of claim 6, wherein said base includes recesses located at each end of said base, each of said side brackets fitting within said recesses to increase the width to which the device can be adjusted. . .17. The device of claim 6, wherein a portion of said base depends into said compartment, said depending portion being rigidly connected to a 
     
     
        TINNERMAN® nut..!..Iadd.18.  A device for mounting an appliance to a support structure, comprising: a base having two sections which define an interior compartment, one of said sections adapted to receive the appliance and the other of said sections adapted to be secured to the support structure;   at least two side brackets disposed at opposite ends of said base, each of said brackets having a generally horizontal portion adapted to be slidably insertable within said compartment and a generally vertical portion;   a first set of at least two threaded fasteners, each of said threaded fasteners insertable through each of said side brackets and into said compartment, for urging said brackets toward said appliance to provide a clamping force on said appliance along the length of said first set of threaded fasteners;   at least two frictional or adhesive pads, each of said pads having opposing faces, one of said faces of each of said pads adapted to contact or attach to the sides of the appliance, and the other face of each of said pads adapted to attach to each of said generally vertical portions of said brackets; and   a second set of threaded fasteners disposed within said compartment for cooperating with said first set of at least two threaded fasteners to secure said side brackets to the sides of said appliance. .Iaddend..Iadd.19. The device of claim 18 for mounting an appliance to a support structure, further comprising locking means cooperative with said first set of at least two threaded fasteners for providing security against theft of the appliance. .Iaddend..Iadd.20. The device of claim 18 for mounting an appliance to a support structure, wherein said first set of at least two threaded fasteners includes allen head barrels for adjustment. .Iaddend..Iadd.21. The device of claim 18 for mounting an appliance to a support structure, wherein said pads are comprised of adhesive tape. .Iaddend..Iadd.22. The device of claim 18 for mounting an appliance to a support structure, wherein said pads are comprised of a   
     
     
        rubber or rubber-like material such as urethane. .Iaddend..Iadd.23.  A device for mounting an appliance to a support structure, comprising: a base having two sections which define an interior compartment, one of said sections adapted to receive the appliance;   at least two side brackets disposed at opposite ends of said base, each of said brackets having a generally horizontal portion adapted to be slidably insertable within said compartment and a generally vertical portion;   a first set of at least two threaded fasteners, each of said threaded fasteners insertable through each of said side brackets and into said compartment for urging said brackets toward said appliance to provide a clamping force on said appliance along the length of said first set of threaded fasteners;   at least two frictional or adhesive pads, each of said pads having opposing faces, one of said faces of each of said pads adapted to contact or attach to the sides of the appliance, and the other face of each of said pads adapted to contact or attach to the sides of the appliance, and the other face of each of said pads adapted to attach to each of said generally vertical portions of said brackets; and   a second set of threaded fasteners disposed within said compartment for cooperating with said first set of threaded fasteners to secure said side   
     
     
        brackets to the sides of the appliance. .Iaddend..Iadd.24.  The device of claim 23 for mounting an appliance to a support structure, further comprising locking means, cooperative with said first set of at least two threaded fasteners, for providing security against theft of the appliance. .Iaddend..Iadd.25. The device of claim 23 for mounting an appliance to a support structure, wherein said first set of at least two threaded fasteners include allen head barrels for adjustment. .Iaddend..Iadd.26. The device of claim 23 for mounting an appliance to a support structure, wherein said pads are comprised of adhesive tape. .Iaddend..Iadd.27. The device of claim 23 for mounting an appliance to a support structure, wherein said pads are comprised of a rubber or rubber-like material such 
     
     
        as urethane. .Iaddend..Iadd.28.  A device for mounting an appliance to a support structure, comprising: a base including at least one horizontal portion and sidewalls, said base thereby forming a closed interior space;   at least two side brackets disposed at opposite ends of said base, each of said brackets including at least a generally vertical portion;   at least one of said side brackets being insertable into said space and being adjustably connected to said base by at least one horizontally directed first fastener, said first fastener being insertable through said side bracket and into said space for urging said bracket toward the appliance to provide a clamping force on said appliance along the length of said first fastener;   at least one second fastener disposed within said space for cooperating with said first fastener to adjustably secure at least one of said side brackets to the sides of the appliance;   at least two frictional or adhesive pads, each of said pads having opposing faces, one of said faces of each of said pads adapted to contact or attach to the sides of the appliance, and the other face of each of said pads connected to each of said generally vertical portions of said brackets; and   a locking means cooperative with said first fastener for providing security   
     
     
        against theft of the appliance. .Iaddend..Iadd.29.  A device for mounting an appliance to a support structure, comprising: a horizontally disposed and longitudinally extending base having a closed interior space;   at least two side brackets disposed at opposite ends of said base, each of said brackets including at least a generally vertical portion;   at least one of said side brackets also including a generally horizontal portion insertable into said space and being adjustably connected to said base by at least one horizontally directed first fastener cooperating with at least one second fastener disposed within said space, said first fastener being insertable through said side bracket and into said space for urging said bracket toward the appliance to provide a clamping force on said appliance along the length of said first fastener; and   at least two frictional or adhesive pads, each of said pads having opposing faces, one of said faces of each of said pads adapted to contact or attach to the sides of the appliance, and the other face of each of said pads connected to one of said vertical portions of said brackets. .Iaddend.