Mounting device and method of supporting an object
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsFelipe S. R. Bizarria, Julio M. Souza
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed are mounting devices that allow consumers to quickly and easily determine whether a given mounting device can be used to hang or otherwise support a desired object. The mounting device includes an indicator that is exposed to alert the consumer if the weight of the object exceeds the maximum weight recommendation of the mounting device. If the indicator remains hidden, the mounting device is considered appropriate for the given object.
Claims17
A mounting device for supporting an object from a substrate, the mounting device comprising:
- a base attachable to the substrate and defining an upper end and a lower end, the base comprising an indicator at the upper end;
- a cover movably connected to the base, the cover comprising a support for supporting the object, wherein the cover covers the indicator of the base at a normal position with respect to the base, wherein the cover includes a pair of channels, and wherein the base further comprises a connecting portion disposed proximate to the lower end and adapted to be slidably received within the pair of channels of the cover;
- and
- a resilient member disposed between the base and the cover, wherein the resilient member is adapted to retain the cover at the normal position up to a predetermined weight threshold applied on the support,
- wherein the cover moves from the normal position to at least partially expose the indicator when a weight applied on the support exceeds the predetermined weight threshold.
A method of supporting an object from a substrate, the method comprising:
- providing a mounting device including a base, a cover movably connected to the base, and a resilient member disposed between the base and the cover, wherein:
- the base defines an upper end and a lower end, the base comprising an indicator at the upper end, wherein a connecting portion of the base is slidably received within a pair of channels of the cover;
- the cover covers the indicator at a normal position with respect to the base;
- and
- the resilient member is adapted to retain the cover at the normal position up to a predetermined weight threshold applied on a support projecting outwards from the cover;
- attaching the base to the substrate;
- and
- supporting the object on the support, wherein the cover moves from the normal position to at least partially expose the indicator when a weight applied on the support exceeds the predetermined weight threshold, at least partial exposure of the indicator being indicative of the object being too heavy for a recommended use of the mounting device.
A mounting device for supporting an object from a substrate, the mounting device comprising:
- a base defining an upper end and a lower end, the base comprising an indicator at the upper end;
- an adhesive strip adapted to attach the base to the substrate;
- a cover movably connected to the base, the cover comprising a support for supporting the object, wherein the cover covers the indicator of the base at a normal position with respect to the base, wherein the cover includes a pair of channels, and wherein the base further comprises a connecting portion disposed proximate to the lower end and adapted to be slidably received within the pair of channels of the cover;
- and
- a resilient member disposed between the base and the cover, wherein the resilient member is adapted to retain the cover at the normal position up to a predetermined weight threshold applied on the support, and wherein the resilient member is compressed to move the cover from the normal position when a weight applied on the support exceeds the predetermined weight threshold, the indicator being at least partially exposed upon movement of the cover from the normal position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.