US 12,709,236 B2 · High reliability, high precision, releasable mounting systems and methods

Abstract

A releasable mounting system and method for semi-permanently attaching to a ferrous material surface, comprising a base assembly having a plurality of magnetic-assisted suction cup (MASC) mounting assemblies connected to a base plate for semi-permanently attaching to the ferrous material surface. Each MASC mounting assembly has a suction cup and at least one magnet providing additional fixturing of the base assembly to the ferrous material surface. The system may include a rooftop assembly comprising a shell and a pivotally mounted mast assembly biased in an upright position. The rooftop assembly on a vehicle rooftop may include sensors providing information to a computer inside the vehicle, including information with respect to the orientation of the mast on top of the vehicle during a mobile survey. All of the data gathered from the rooftop assembly may be wirelessly communicated to the computer inside the vehicle.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A releasable mounting system for semi-permanently attaching to a surface of a vehicle, comprising:

a rooftop assembly (40) comprising:
a mast assembly (80) comprising a mast support (42), a tubular member (82, 84), and an upper housing assembly (90) comprising a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) antenna (92) and an anemometer (96), the GNSS antenna (92) mounted above the anemometer (96) at the highest point of the mast assembly (80);
a shell (44) having a pair of upright stanchions (50) aligned parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shell (44), the pair of upright stanchions (50) spaced from one another by a distance allowing the mast support (42) to be positioned therebetween and pivotally mounted to the pair of upright stanchions (50),
wherein the mast assembly (80) is biased in an upright position and allowed to pivot in forward and rearward directions from the upright position, and
at least one sensor (69) for detecting the orientation of the mast assembly (80).

2 more elements

A releasable mounting system for semi-permanently attaching to a surface of a vehicle, comprising:

a rooftop assembly (40) comprising:
a mast assembly (80) comprising a mast support (42), a tubular member (82, 84), and an upper housing assembly (90) comprising a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) antenna (92) and an anemometer (96), the GNSS antenna (92) mounted above the anemometer (96) at the highest point of the mast assembly (80);
a shell (44) having a pair of upright stanchions (50) aligned parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shell (44), the pair of upright stanchions (50) spaced from one another by a distance allowing the mast support (42) to be positioned therebetween and pivotally mounted to the pair of upright stanchions (50), at least one upright stanchion (50) including a stanchion magnet (56);
the mast support (42) including at least one mounted support magnet (58),
wherein an attraction force exists between the stanchion magnet (56) and the support magnet (58) when the mast support (42) is in an upright position, the magnetic attraction force biasing the mast assembly (80) in the upright position, and wherein the mast assembly (80) is allowed to pivot in at least one direction from the upright position;
and
at least one sensor (69) for detecting the orientation of the mast assembly (80).

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

High reliability, high precision, releasable mounting systems and methods

Life of this patent

High reliability, high precision, releasable mounting systems and methods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19