# US 2017/0284433 A1 · Mounting assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0284433 A1 - Document ID: US20170284433A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/475,536 - Filed: 2017-03-31 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-31 - Inventors: John Curtis Thomas - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170284433A1 ## CPC - B62J 9/21: above or alongside the front wheel, e.g. on the handlebars - B62J 11/00: Supporting arrangements specially adapted for fastening specific devices to cycles, e.g. supports for attaching maps - F16B 2/005: {Means to increase the friction-coefficient} - F16B 5/0642: {the plates being arranged one on top of the other and in full close contact with each other} - F16C 11/106: {for ball joints} - F16M 11/041: {Allowing quick release of the apparatus} - F16M 11/14: with ball-joint (ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06 {; adjustable mountings employing universal joints for lighting devices F21V21/26 - F21V21/30}) - F16M 13/02: for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle - F16M 13/022: {repositionable} - B62J 50/225: {Mounting arrangements therefor} - F16B 5/0635: {fastened over the edges of the sheets or plates} - F16B 7/1418: {with a clamping collar or two split clamping rings tightened by a screw or a cammed latch member} - F16B 11/006: {by gluing (gluing of plastics material B29C65/48)} - F16B 2200/83: Use of a magnetic material - B62J: CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS - F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS ## Abstract Various implementations include a spring biased mounting assembly. The mounting assembly includes a clamp plate with engagement arms extending therefrom and a base plate. The base plate is disposed between the clamp plate and distal ends of the engagement arms. The distal ends of the engagement arms are biased toward a first surface of the base plate. An object, such as a hand held electronic computing device, may be secured between the base plate and the distal ends of the engagement arms. The spring force may be provided by the clamp plate itself (e.g., a spring steel clamp plate) or by a separate spring (e.g., one or more helical springs, leaf springs, or a spring steel plate) disposed between the clamp plate and the base plate. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A mounting assembly comprising: a clamp plate having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first and second surfaces are opposite and spaced apart from each other; at least two engagement arms, each engagement arm having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal ends are coupled to the clamp plate and are spaced apart from and opposite each other, and the distal ends of the engagement arms are spaced apart from the first surface of the clamp plate and extend toward each other; and a base plate disposed between the distal ends of the engagement arms and the first surface of the clamp plate, the base plate having a first surface that faces the distal ends of the engagement arms and a second surface that faces the first surface of the clamp plate, wherein one of the first surface of the base plate or the distal ends of the engagement arms are biased toward the other of the distal ends or the first surface of the base plate via a spring force. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein: the engagement arms comprise a first engagement arm and a second engagement arm, the proximal end of the first engagement arm being coupled to a first portion of the clamp plate and the proximal end of the second engagement arm being coupled to a second portion of the clamp plate, the first and second portions being coupled along adjacent edges of each portion, and the clamp plate comprises spring steel and is biased into an engagement position about the adjacent edges, wherein in the engagement position, a first plane comprising the first portion of the clamp plate is disposed at a first angle greater than 0° from a second plane comprising the second portion of the clamp plate, and the clamp plate is urgable into a non-engagement position in which the first plane is disposed at a second angle relative to the second plane, wherein the first angle is greater than the second angle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The mounting assembly of claim 2, further comprising a cam, the cam being movable between a first position to allow the clamp plate to be in the engagement position and a second position in which the clamp plate is urged into the non-engagement position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The mounting assembly of claim 3, wherein the clamp plate and base plate are coupled to a mounting body, and the cam is rotatably coupled to the mounting body adjacent the second surface of the clamp plate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The mounting assembly of claim 2, further comprising at least one frictional material disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of the base plate, the frictional material having a static coefficient of friction relative to the object that is greater than a static coefficient of friction of the first surface of the base plate relative to the object. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The mounting assembly of claim 5, wherein the frictional material comprises a silicone pad, a foamed pad, rubber pad, or elastomeric pad. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The mounting assembly of claim 5, wherein the frictional material comprises a frictional coating. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one spring is disposed between the first surface of the clamp plate and the second surface of the base plate, the spring for biasing the first surface of the base plate toward the distal ends of the engagement arms. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The mounting assembly of claim 8, wherein the spring is a helical spring. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The mounting assembly of claim 8, wherein the clamp plate comprises a first portion and a second portion that are hingedly coupled along adjacent edges of each portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The mounting assembly of claim 10, wherein the spring comprises a spring steel plate having at least one bend axis and first and second side edges, the first and second side edges are spaced apart from and opposite each other relative to the bend axis, and the spring plate is bent and biased about the bend axis such that the first and second side edges of the spring plate extend toward the first surfaces of the first and second portions of the clamp plate. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The mounting assembly of claim 11, wherein: the first and second portions of the clamp plate are movable between an nonengagement position and an engagement position, the engagement position including the first surfaces of the first and second portions lying at a first angle greater than 0° to each other, and the nonengagement position including the first surfaces of the first and second portions lying at a second angle relative to each other, wherein the first angle is greater than the second angle, and in the engagement position, the spring plate urges the first surfaces of the first and second portions of the clamp plate away from the second surface of the base plate and the distal ends of the engagement arms toward the first surface of the base plate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The mounting assembly of claim 12, further comprising a cam disposed adjacent the second surfaces of the first and second portions of the clamp plate, wherein the cam is actuatable in a first direction to urge the first and second portions into the nonengagement position and is actuatable in a second direction to allow the spring plate to urge the first and second portions into the engagement position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The mounting assembly of claim 8, wherein the base plate comprises a first edge and a second edge, the first and second edges being spaced apart from and opposite each other and each edge comprising a lip that extends away from the first surface of the base plate in a direction toward the distal ends of the engagement arms, wherein axes that extend along each edge of the base plate are substantially parallel to each other and are perpendicular to axes that extend along proximal ends of the engagement arms. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The mounting assembly of claim 8, wherein the base plate comprises a first edge and a second edge, the first and second edges being spaced apart from and opposite each other and each of the first edge and second edge of the base plate comprising a lip that extends away from the first surface of the base plate in a direction toward the distal ends of the engagement arms. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The mounting assembly of claim 15, wherein the base plate comprises a first portion having the first edge of the base plate and a second portion having the second edge of the base plate, wherein the first and second portions of the base plates have edges disposed adjacent to each other and are opposite and spaced apart from the first and second edges of the base plate, wherein the distance between the adjacent edges of the first and second portions of the base plate is adjustable. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The mounting assembly of claim 1, further comprising a swivel assembly, the swivel assembly comprising a ball and a socket that are rotatably coupled together, wherein one of the ball or socket are coupled to the clamp plate, and the other of the socket or ball are coupled to a mounting base. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The mounting assembly of claim 17, wherein the mounting base comprises at least one magnet for magnetically coupling the mounting base to a surface on or within a vehicle. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The mounting assembly of claim 17, wherein the mounting base comprises an adhesive for adhesively coupling the mounting base to a surface on or within a vehicle. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The mounting assembly of claim 17, wherein the mounting base defines one or more openings for receiving a screw fastener to secure the mounting base to a surface on or within a vehicle. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The mounting assembly of claim 17, wherein the mounting base defines an opening sized to receive a handlebar. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The mounting assembly of claim 21, wherein the mounting base comprises a first clamp and a second clamp, the first clamp having a base and two arms that extend from the base of the first clamp, the two arms defining the opening, and distal ends of the two arms being movable away from each other to receive the handlebar and are biased toward each other to grip the handlebar, and the second clamp being coupled around the arms of the first clamp to prevent the arms from moving away from each other. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The mounting assembly of claim 21, wherein the mounting base comprises: an inner clamp, the inner clamp having a first clamp portion and a second clamp portion, the first and second clamp portions being coupled together along adjacent faces thereof, the first and second clamp portions defining an arcuate shaped end; a split ring, the split ring defining a central opening and having an outer surface, and at least a portion of the outer surface being engagable with the arcuate shaped end of the inner clamp; and an outer clamp, the outer clamp being engagable around at least a portion of the split ring and the inner clamp to prevent the first and second clamp portions and the split ring from moving away from each other. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The mounting assembly of claim 1, further comprising a mounting base for coupling the mounting assembly to a surface on or within a vehicle. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The mounting assembly of claim 24, wherein the mounting base comprises an adhesive for adhesively coupling the mounting base to the vehicle surface. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The mounting assembly of claim 24, wherein the mounting base defines one or more openings for receiving a screw to secure the mounting base to the vehicle surface. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) The mounting assembly of claim 24, wherein the mounting base comprises at least one magnet for magnetically coupling the mounting base to the vehicle surface. ### Claim 28 (depends on 1) The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting base defines an opening sized to receive a handlebar. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The mounting assembly of claim 28, wherein the mounting base comprises a first clamp and a second clamp, the first clamp having a base and two arms that extend from the base of the first clamp, the two arms defining the opening, and distal ends of the two arms being movable away from each to receive the handlebar and are biased toward each other to grip the handlebar, and the second clamp being coupled around the arms of the first clamp to prevent the arms from moving away from each other. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) The mounting assembly of claim 28, wherein the mounting base comprises: an inner clamp, the inner clamp having a first clamp portion and a second clamp portion, the first and second clamp portions being coupled together along adjacent faces thereof, the first and second clamp portions defining an arcuate shaped end; a split ring, the split ring defining a central opening and having an outer surface, and at least a portion of the outer surface being engagable with the arcuate shaped end of the inner clamp; and an outer clamp, the outer clamp being engagable around at least a portion of the split ring and the inner clamp to prevent the first and second clamp portions and the split ring from moving away from each other. ### Claim 31 (depends on 1) The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one spring is disposed between the second surface of the base plate and a surface of the mounting assembly that is fixed relative to the clamp plate, the spring for biasing the first surface of the base plate toward the distal ends of the engagement arms. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The mounting assembly of claim 31, wherein the spring is a helical spring. ### Claim 33 (depends on 31) The mounting assembly of claim 31, wherein the surface of the mounting assembly that is fixed relative to the clamp plate comprises a floor of a recess defined in a first side of a mounting body, the mounting body comprising a ball joint extending from a second side of the mounting body, wherein the ball joint and recess are spaced apart. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The mounting assembly of claim 33, wherein the recess is an annular shaped recess. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The mounting assembly of claim 34, wherein a plug extends from the second surface of the base plate, the plug defining a central opening and an annular recess spaced radially outwardly from the central opening, wherein the spring is disposed between a floor of the annular recess of the plug and the floor of the annular shaped recess of the mounting body. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The mounting assembly of claim 35, wherein an inner surface of a distal end of the plug has a diameter that is less than a diameter of the inner surface of a proximal end of the plug, the distal end of the plug defining the annular recess of the plug, and wherein a fastener having a head is coupled through the opening defined by the mounting body, the head having an outer diameter that is greater than the inner diameter of the distal end of the plug. ### Claim 37 (depends on 33) The mounting assembly of claim 33, wherein a plug extends from the second surface of the base plate, and the spring is disposed between the plug and the floor of the recess. ### Claim 38 (depends on 33) The mounting assembly of claim 33, further comprising a mounting base, the mounting base defining a semi-spherical opening for receiving the ball joint therein. ### Claim 39 (depends on 33) The mounting assembly of claim 33, wherein the mounting body comprises a flange that extends radially outwardly from the mounting body adjacent the first side of the mounting body. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) The mounting assembly of claim 39, wherein the mounting body extends through an opening defined in a central portion of the clamp plate, and the flange is disposed adjacent the first surface of the clamp plate. ### Claim 41 (depends on 1) The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein a handheld electronic computing device is securable between the first surface of the base plate and the distal ends of the engagement arms.