High reliability, high precision, releasable mounting systems and methods
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.
1 . A releasable mounting system for semi-permanently attaching to a surface, 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 an antenna ( 92 ) and an anemometer ( 96 ), the antenna ( 92 ) mounted above the anemometer ( 96 ) at the highest point of the mast assembly ( 80 ); and
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 at least one direction from the upright position.
2 . The releasable mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the upper housing assembly ( 90 ) further comprises a tapered housing ( 94 ) providing support and protection to the mounted anemometer ( 96 ) and antenna ( 92 ).
3 . The releasable mounting system of claim 1 , further comprising:
an upper portion of each upright stanchion ( 50 ) including a stanchion magnet ( 56 );
the mast support ( 42 ) including a pair of mounted support magnets ( 58 ),
wherein an attraction force exists between the stanchion magnets ( 56 ) and the support magnets ( 58 ) when the mast support ( 42 ) is in the upright position, the magnetic attraction force biasing the mast assembly ( 80 ) in the upright position.
4 . The releasable mounting system of claim 3 , further comprising:
a first repulsive magnet ( 64 ) on the mast support ( 42 ); and
a second repulsive magnet ( 62 ) on the shell ( 44 ),
wherein as the mast assembly ( 80 ) pivots from the biased upright position in the at least one direction, the first repulsive magnet ( 64 ) moves closer to the second repulsive magnet ( 62 ) and a repulsion force is created when the repulsive magnets ( 64 , 62 ) are in proximity to one another, the repulsion force serving to dampen the fall of the mast assembly ( 80 ).
5 . The releasable mounting system of claim 3 , further comprising:
a shaft ( 52 ) rotatably-mounted to the upright stanchions ( 50 ) and connected to the mast support ( 42 ); and
at least one dampener ( 54 ) attached to one of the upright stanchions ( 50 ),
wherein the shaft ( 52 ) is connected to the at least one dampener ( 54 ) and as the shaft partially rotates with the mast assembly ( 80 ) as it pivots from the upright position, the at least one dampener ( 54 ) dampens the movement of the pivotally-mounted mast assembly ( 80 ).
6 . The releasable mounting system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a base assembly ( 22 ) having a plurality of magnetic-assisted suction cup mounting assemblies ( 100 ) for semi-permanently attaching to a ferrous material surface,
wherein the rooftop assembly ( 40 ) connects to the base assembly ( 22 ).
7 . The releasable mounting system of claim 6 , wherein the base assembly further comprises:
a base plate ( 24 ), the plurality of magnetic-assisted suction cup mounting assemblies ( 100 ) adjustably connected to the base plate;
each magnetic-assisted suction cup mounting assembly ( 100 ) comprising:
a suction cup ( 108 ); and
at least one magnet ( 107 ) providing additional fixturing of the base assembly ( 22 ) to the ferrous material surface.
8 . The releasable mounting system of claim 7 , wherein each magnetic-assisted suction cup mounting assembly ( 100 ) further comprises a suction pump ( 112 ) for drawing a vacuum between the suction cup ( 108 ) and the ferrous material surface.
9 . The releasable mounting system of claim 7 , wherein the at least one magnet ( 107 ) has a raised position wherein the at least one magnet ( 107 ) is distant from the ferrous material surface upon initial placement of the suction cup ( 108 ) on the ferrous material surface.
10 . The releasable mounting system of claim 9 , wherein the at least one magnet ( 107 ) has a lowered position wherein the at least one magnet ( 107 ) is adjacent to or in contact with the ferrous material surface.
11 . A releasable mounting system for semi-permanently attaching to a surface, comprising:
a rooftop assembly ( 40 ) comprising:
a mast support ( 42 ) for supporting a mast assembly ( 80 ); and
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 support ( 42 ) is biased in an upright position using a magnetic attraction force and allowed to pivot in at least one direction from the upright position.
12 . The releasable mounting system of claim 11 , further comprising:
an upper portion of each upright stanchion ( 50 ) including a stanchion magnet ( 56 );
the mast support ( 42 ) including a pair of mounted support magnets ( 58 ),
wherein an attraction force exists between the stanchion magnets ( 56 ) and the support magnets ( 58 ) when the mast support ( 42 ) is in the upright position, the magnetic attraction force biasing the mast assembly ( 80 ) in the upright position.
13 . The releasable mounting system of claim 11 , further comprising:
a first repulsive magnet ( 64 ) on the mast support ( 42 ); and
a second repulsive magnet ( 62 ) on the shell ( 44 ),
wherein as the mast assembly ( 80 ) pivots from the biased upright position in the at least one direction, the first repulsive magnet ( 64 ) moves closer to the second repulsive magnet ( 62 ) and a repulsion force is created when the repulsive magnets ( 64 , 62 ) are in proximity to one another, the repulsion force serving to dampen the fall of the mast assembly ( 80 ).
14 . The releasable mounting system of claim 11 , further comprising:
a shaft ( 52 ) rotatably-mounted to the upright stanchions ( 50 ) and connected to the mast support ( 42 ); and
at least one dampener ( 54 ) attached to one of the upright stanchions ( 50 ),
wherein the shaft ( 52 ) is connected to the at least one dampener ( 54 ) and as the shaft partially rotates with the mast assembly ( 80 ) as it pivots from the upright position, the at least one dampener ( 54 ) dampens the movement of the pivotally-mounted mast assembly ( 80 ).
15 . The releasable mounting system of claim 11 , further comprising:
a base assembly ( 22 ) having a plurality of magnetic-assisted suction cup mounting assemblies ( 100 ) for semi-permanently attaching to a ferrous material surface,
wherein the rooftop assembly ( 40 ) connects to the base assembly ( 22 ).
16 . The releasable mounting system of claim 15 , wherein the base assembly further comprises:
a base plate ( 24 ), the plurality of magnetic-assisted suction cup mounting assemblies ( 100 ) adjustably connected to the base plate;
each magnetic-assisted suction cup mounting assembly ( 100 ) comprising:
a suction cup ( 108 ); and
at least one mounting assembly magnet ( 107 ) providing additional fixturing of the base assembly ( 22 ) to the ferrous material surface.
17 . The releasable mounting system of claim 16 , wherein the at least one mounting assembly magnet ( 107 ) has a lowered position wherein the at least one mounting assembly magnet ( 107 ) is adjacent to or in contact with the ferrous material surface.
18 . The releasable mounting system of claim 17 , wherein the at least one mounting assembly magnet ( 107 ) has a raised position wherein the at least one mounting assembly magnet ( 107 ) is distant from the ferrous material surface and the suction cup ( 108 ) as the suction cup ( 108 ) is being attached by suction to the ferrous material surface.
19 . The releasable mounting system of claim 16 , wherein each magnetic-assisted suction cup mounting assembly ( 100 ) further comprises a suction pump ( 112 ) for drawing a vacuum between the suction cup ( 108 ) and the ferrous material surface.
20 . The releasable mounting system of claim 11 , wherein the mast assembly ( 80 ) comprises an antenna ( 92 ) and an anemometer ( 96 ), the antenna ( 92 ) mounted above the anemometer ( 96 ) at the highest point of the mast assembly ( 80 ).