Quick release pin marine mount system for quick release accessories
AssigneeCompX International Inc.
InventorsTim Truesdale, John D Wendt, Michael C Livorsi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and corresponding and/or associated methodology for a surface mounted base/pin system that allows a user to release an accessory by actuating the pin system which releases the unit from the base. The subject base/pin system uses a plurality of grooves in a base component and a plurality of balls in a pin component for providing rotational locking positions.
Claims21
A quick release mounting system for interchangeable marine accessories configured to be mounted along a supporting railing area of a water craft, comprising:
- a receiving base configured for being mounted along a supporting railing area of an associated water craft, with at least a portion of the base configured to extend below an upper surface of the railing area, the base defining a plurality of longitudinal grooves along a portion of the length thereof, and defining an elongated recess adjacent the grooves and configured for receiving an insert;
- a pin insert configured for selective insertion by a user into the base elongated recess, wherein the insert includes a contoured plunger axially movable within the recess, and a plurality of partially captured balls radially movable relative to the insert;
- and
- a pivoting toggle mounted on the insert for selectively moving the mounting system into a locked position whereby the plurality of balls are forced radially outward by the contoured plunger into contact with the plurality of longitudinal grooves to provide rotational locking positions, and for selectively moving the mounting system into an unlocked position whereby the plurality of balls are freed by the contoured plunger to move radially inward out of contact with the plurality of longitudinal grooves.
A methodology for a quick release mounting system for using interchangeable marine accessories on a supporting railing area of a water craft, comprising:
- mounting a receiving base along a supporting railing area of an associated water craft, with at least a portion of the base extending below the upper surface of the railing area, the base defining a plurality of longitudinal grooves along a portion of the length thereof, and defining an elongated recess adjacent the grooves and configured for receiving an insert;
- and
- selectively inserting a pin insert into the base elongated recess, wherein the insert includes a contoured plunger axially movable within the recess, and a plurality of partially captured balls radially movable relative to the insert, and with a pivoting toggle mounted on the insert for selectively moving the mounting system into a locked position whereby the plurality of balls are forced radially outward by the contoured plunger into contact with the plurality of longitudinal grooves to provide rotational locking positions, and for selectively moving the mounting system into an unlocked position whereby the plurality of balls are freed by the contoured plunger to move radially inward out of contact with the plurality of longitudinal grooves.
A quick release base/pin mounting system that allows a user to quickly relocate or remove a selected interchangeable marine accessory from one location to another along a supporting railing area of a water craft by actuating the pin to release it from the base, comprising:
- a receiving base configured for being flush mounted along a supporting railing area of an associated water craft, with the base configured to extend below an upper surface of the railing area, the base defining a plurality of longitudinal grooves along a portion of the length thereof, and defining an elongated recess adjacent the grooves and configured for receiving an insert;
- a pin insert configured for selective insertion by a user into the base elongated recess, wherein the insert includes a contoured plunger axially movable within the recess, and at least one partially captured ball for each respective longitudinal groove of the plurality of longitudinal grooves, and radially movable relative to the insert;
- a pivoting toggle mounted on the insert for selectively moving the mounting system into a locked position whereby the at least one ball for each respective longitudinal groove is forced radially outward by the contoured plunger into contact with the plurality of longitudinal grooves to provide rotational locking positions, and for selectively moving the mounting system into an unlocked position whereby the at least one ball for each respective longitudinal groove is freed by the contoured plunger to move radially inward out of contact with the plurality of longitudinal grooves;
- and
- at least one of an annular stop or a peripheral spherical groove for interaction with the balls for capturing the insert from being withdrawn whenever the mounting system is selectively moved into its locked position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.