Remote Release Assembly for a Surface Mount

A surface mount assembly may comprise at least one connector set, including a mount anchor and mount fitting that are configured to lockingly engage, and a remote release assembly for unlocking the two. The surface mount assembly may include a catch to catch the mount fitting as it drops from engagement with the mount anchor. The surface mount assembly may further include a guide member for guiding the mount fitting into engagement with the mount anchor. The surface mount assembly may further include a case mount assembly that is crashworthy, in that it is configured to transfer the loads from cargo contained in the case to the mount fitting, while largely bypassing the case. The surface mount assembly may also include two connector sets, where the remote release assembly is disposed between the two and is configured to simultaneous release each of the two from engagement.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The embodiments described and claimed herein relate generally to methods, systems, and devices for securing equipment to a surface. In one embodiment, a surface mount assembly is secured to a surface, while a case mount assembly is secured to a case or bag. The surface mount assembly and case mount assembly may be removably attached. A remote release assembly includes a remote release trigger to disengage the surface mount assembly and case mount assembly. The embodiments described and claimed herein have many different applications, including in ambulances, where crashworthy securement systems are necessary to secure equipment.

BACKGROUND

Ambulances rely on securement systems to secure medical equipment to the walls and other surfaces of the vehicle during daily operation. These systems are required to firmly restrain the equipment in the event that the vehicle undergoes any sudden maneuvers or crashes. These systems must also maximize the amount of medical equipment that can be stored in the vehicle, while providing enough space for the emergency medical personnel to navigate throughout the vehicle. An ideal securement system would also allow for rapid release and attachment, and remote detachment, of the medical equipment to provide more efficiency during emergencies.

Current ambulance equipment storage systems, which generally include shelves, cabinets, and systems of vertical securement straps, nets, and carabiner clips, suffer several drawbacks. Wall-mounted cabinets or shelves are bulky and oversized and reduce the storage capacity of the ambulance, as well as available space for emergency medical personnel. Additionally, only equipment that fits within the dimensions of the individual shelves or cabinet drawers can be stored. A system of restraints, nets, and carabiners allows for storage of a wider range of equipment. However, these systems are typically strenuous and time-consuming to use. In securing a heavy piece of equipment to the wall, an ambulance operator is required to lift the device for securement against the wall and to hold it in place while attaching each individual carabiner clip to the desired point of connection. The operator is unable to attach the device to the wall in one movement and instead must hold it in place until every necessary connection is formed. The requirement of a secondary lifting for removal of that device can also impose similar hazards as the securement steps must be reversed.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved securement system for securing equipment to vehicle surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Clearly, the prior art devices have limitations which the present embodiments overcome. The embodiments described and claimed herein may include any one or more of the following structures and features to overcome those limitations:

A catch is provided to catch the cargo or case as it drops out of the bottom of the securement device due to gravity, which prevents accidental drop of equipment.

Angled surface on the catch causes the bag to tilt outward for easy removal.

Catches are removable/stowable whereby the catch feature can be selectively engageable/disengageable; alternative embodiments include catches that snap into/out of place, rotate into/out of place, slide into/out of place, etc.

Catches only deploy when the release is triggered and stow out of position to permit securement of the cargo from the underside of the anchors.

Guide members, including guide surfaces/ridges/contours, cooperate with a case mount assembly to permit blind securement of the cargo—one merely needs to place the cargo against the surface and fittings on the case naturally find their way into engagement with the anchors attached to the surface.

Wings at top and bottom of a remote release assembly catch the fittings and pull them toward the surface and opening in the anchor to prevent the case from being pulled away from the case when the fittings are approaching engagement with the anchors.

Ramps at top and bottom of the remote release assembly guide the fittings for left/right alignment with the anchors.

Curved nature of fittings engages the remote release assembly in a way that guides the fittings for left/right alignment with the anchors.

Cover has a ramp on outer wings that engages with the fittings to pull the case toward the surface so that the fittings are aligned with the openings/channel in the anchor.

Bumper on the back side of the case with chamfered edges engages the front face of the remote release assembly to push the case away from the surface so that the fittings are aligned with the openings/channel in the anchor.

The remote release assembly may include optional “elephant ears” that guide the outside edge of the case-mounted fittings.

Magnet could be placed in center of bag plate to keep bag centered as it is sliding down.

The case handle and release trigger are within simultaneous reach of a user's single handle, so that the user can grab bag handle and trigger release simultaneously to remove bag (one handed operation).

Visual/audible indication of engagement between fitting and anchor.

Visual indication that the safe release is in the “locked” position—for example, the slider or other mechanism in the remote release assembly has a finger that extends out of the top/bottom of the housing when “unlocked,” finger disappears when remote release assembly is “locked”.

The remote release assembly is mounted to wall using a quick connect/disconnect attachment—in an application where there is a grid of surface-mounted mount anchors, the remote release assembly could be quickly located between any pair of mount anchors.

A pair of cams cooperate to unlock a pair of spaced-apart mount anchors—the cams covert up/down movement of release trigger/slider into lateral (side to side) movement of release members; cams have angled surface that depresses mount anchor release trigger as they slide laterally.

A back plate and cover of the remote release assembly have guides for the slider to guide linear sliding movement up/down and keep the slider in plane.

The slider/remote trigger extend from top to bottom of the remote release assembly—can be depressed at one end and/or pulled on the other end to unlock the mount anchors.

Sliding rods permit release members to slide laterally (left/right) and keeps them in plane.

Spring keeps cams pulled together as a default (fail safe lock position for mount anchors).

Bag mounting plate (outer) has a register to keep fittings from rotating—the register can be cross shaped so that bag can be oriented in both portrait and landscape orientation.

Bag mounting plate (inner).

Plurality of breakaway panels so it can be customized for use with bags/cases of various size.

Includes various cutouts to reduce weight.

Includes other cutouts to receive straps or nets.

Cams are constructed from multiple pieces—the top release is the same part as the bottom catch.

The case mounting assembly enables the load of the cargo in an accident to bypass the case—the load is instead transferred from the straps or other internal securement for the cargo directly through the hardware ware of the case mounting assembly directly to the mount fittings, and thus, directly to the mount anchors, without passing through the case.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated by graphic symbols, phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the embodiments described and claimed herein or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the inventions described herein are not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated. Indeed, it is expected that persons of ordinary skill in the art may devise a number of alternative configurations that are similar and equivalent to the embodiments shown and described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims.

Like reference numerals will be used to refer to like or similar parts from Figure to Figure in the following detailed description of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

whereby only a single mold or casting is required to make both main body1339and main body1359(i.e., they are identical and merely rotated 180° with respect to each other about axis30). In addition, release1333is identical to catch1335, wherein the snap connection on release1333and catch1335is compatible with the snap connections on both the top and bottom of the main body1339. Similarly, release1353is identical to catch1355, wherein the snap connection on release1353and catch1355is compatible with the snap connections on both the top and bottom of the main body1359.

Releases1333,1353are positioned and configured to engage with, or depress, the triggers140of the mount anchors102,104, thereby unlocking the mount anchors102,104, when the release members1330,1350are in the unlocked position, as shown inFIG.17. When the release members1330,1350are in the locked position, as shown inFIG.16, the releases1333,1353are disengaged or spaced from the triggers140, which allows the triggers140to return to their default, locked position. As best shown inFIG.18, the releases333,353each include an angled or chamfered engagement face1334,1354on its rear side to enable a smooth depression and disengagement of the triggers140. The angled faces1334,1354and engagement between angled faces1334,354and triggers140may also allow the force from spring135to assist in moving release members1330,1350back to their locked position after pressure on the remote trigger1302and/or remote trigger1308is released.

In some embodiments, the surface mount assembly1100and/or remote release assembly1300may include one or more catches which may be disposed below one or both of the mount anchors102,104, in particular below the channel122. It is contemplated that the catches may be used with or without a remote release assembly1300, and may be a component separate from both the remote release assembly1300and surface mount assembly1100. The catches may be fixed in place or moveable between a catch position, a stow position, and/or a non-use position (described in further detail below). Moreover, the catches may be attached to any structure of the surface mount assembly1100, the mount anchors102,104, the remote release assembly1300, or even separately to the surface1010.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS.15-17, the catches are part of the remote release assembly1300, are mechanically linked to the remote triggers1302,1308, are biased to a stow position to allow the mount fittings1202,1204to engage the mount anchors102,104from the underside, and only deploy to a catch position underneath the mount anchors102,104when one or both of the remote triggers1302,1308are triggered. More particularly, the release members1330,1350may include catches1335,1355that are disposed underneath the channels122of the mount anchors102,104when the release members1330,1350are in the unlocked position (FIG.17). In that respect, the catches1335,1355may be positioned to catch the case1020if it is permitted (accidentally or intentionally) to drop out of the bottom of the mount anchors102,104.

The catches permit a one-handed release of the case1020from the surface1010. Using a single hand, the user may trigger one of the remote triggers1302,1308, whereby gravity causes the case1020to move downward and be captured by the catches. The user may then use the same hand to grip and remove the case1020.

In one embodiment, as shown inFIGS.15-17, the catches1335,1355may be formed as a separate and removable component of the release members1330,1350. In that respect, the catches1335,1355can be removed from attachment to the body1339,1359of the release members1330,1350to disable the catch feature. One or more connections may be provided in remote locations, for example on any one or more of the components of the remote release assembly1300(e.g., on the underside of the housing cover1380), whereby the catches1335,1355can be connected and stored in the remote location when they are not in use to avoid misplacing the same. In alternative embodiments, the catches may be integrally formed with the release member1330,1350, or pivotally attached thereto whereby the catch can pivot between use and non-use positions.

The catches1335,1355may embody a “U” shape or other shaped cradle for receiving, supporting, and holding the attachment member or stem1208of the mount fittings1202,1204. The catches1335,1355may include upwardly extending members1336,1337,1356,1357that are spaced apart a distance that corresponds to and is slightly greater than the width of the stem1208. When the catches1335,1355are used, upwardly extending members1336,1356engage the outwardly directed side edges of the stem206of the mount fittings1202,1204, respectively. In that respect, catches1335,1355prevent the biasing force of biasing member1304from causing the release members1330,1350to return to their default locked position until the user grips and removes the case1020.

The catches1335,1355may be provided with rear bearing structures1338,1358that cause the top of the case20to be angled or spaced outward from the surface10to enable easier gripping and removal of the case. In one embodiment, as shown the rear bearing structures1338,1358are surfaces that are angled outward from the surface1010as they extend from bottom to top, as shown inFIGS.19-20. When the catches1335,1355are in use holding stems1208of the mount fittings1202,1204, the channel engaging members1206will be oriented at roughly the same angle by virtue of resting adjacent the angled surfaces of the rear bearing structures1338,1358.

As previously mentioned, the remote release assembly1300may include one or more features, including but not limited to one or more guide members, that keep the release members1330,1350moving only laterally along axis32. In the embodiment shown inFIGS.15-17, the guide members are guide rods1360,1365that are received in laterally-facing apertures1371,1372,1373,1374,1375,1376,1377,1378. Each of the guide rods1360,1365may include two reduced diameter portions1361,1362,1366,1367that are disposed near the opposite ends of the guide rods1360,1365. The back plate1340may in turn include connection members1363,1364,1368,1369that are configured to receive the guide rods1360,1365at the reduced diameter portions1361,1362,1366,1367by snap engagement. As shown, connection members1368,1369are recessed slots, while the connection members1363,1364are snap connections, whereby the entire assembly of release members1330,1350may be pivoted into connection with the back plate1370about the lower guide rod1365. In alternative embodiments, the rods1360,1365may instead be mounted to the cover1380. Moreover, as an alternative to or in combination with the guide rods1360,1365, one or both of the back plate1340and cover1380may include projections or other guide members that form a channel or the like that constrain the release members1330,1350to move laterally along axis32and/or keep the release members1330,1350within the plane defined by axes30,32, similar to the guide members described below for the remote trigger1302and slider1320.

Also as previously mentioned, the remote release assembly300may include one or more features, including but not limited to one or more guide members, that keep the remote trigger1302and slider1320moving only up and down along axis30. One such guide member may take form as an aperture or slot1375in the back plate1340that receives and guides a portion of one or more of the remote trigger1302and the slider1320, in this case a tip1303of the slider1320. As can be appreciated fromFIG.15, the aperture1375has a width that generally corresponds to the width of the tip1303, and has side edges that will engage with the tip1303to prevent lateral movement of the remote trigger1302and slider1320and keep them moving only up and down along axis30. The back plate1340may also include an aperture, channel, or slot1377that receives one or both of the remote trigger1302and slider1320by mating and/or sliding engagement. The aperture1377may include side walls that serve as boundaries for corresponding side walls of the remote trigger1302and/or slider1320to prevent lateral movement thereof. The cover1380may also include one or more guide members to guide remote trigger1302and slider1320moving only along axis30. In the embodiment shown inFIG.21, those guide members may include one or a series of projections1381,1382,1383,1384,1385,1386that form one or more channels1387,1388,1389that engage with the left and right sides of one or both of the remote trigger1302and slider1320to prevent lateral movement along axis32, but permit up and down movement along axis30. As configured inFIG.21, the space between projections1381,1382define channel1387, the space between projections1383,1384define channel1388, and the space between projections1385,1386define channel1389. Channel1387has a width that roughly corresponds to the width of tip1303of the slider1320, whereby the lower portion1326can be received in the channel1387. Channels1388,1399both have a width that roughly corresponds to the width of the remote trigger1302, whereby the remote trigger1302can be received in the channels1388,1389. Of course, any one or more of these projections may be provided on the back plate1340. Moreover, as an alternative to or in combination with the projections1381,1382,1383,1384,1385,1386, one or both of the back plate1340and cover1380may include rods or other guide members that serve as rails for the remote trigger1302and slider1320and constrain those components to move up and down along axis30and/or keep the remote trigger1302and slider1320within the plane defined by axes30,32, similar to the guide members described above for the release members1330,1350.

The back plate1340and cover1380also include features, including but not limited to one or more guide members, to hold the remote trigger1302and slider1320within a plane defined by axes30,32. In the embodiment shown inFIGS.15and21, the main panel of the back plate1340serves as a first guide member or boundary to prevent movement of one or both of the remote trigger1302and slider1320in a first direction along axis34, while one or more raised portions1390,1391serve as a second guide member or boundary to prevent movement of one or both of the remote trigger1302and slider1320in a second (opposite) direction along axis34. Stated in another way, a portion of the back plate1340is configured to engage with the rear face of one or both of the remote trigger1302and slider1320, while a portion of the cover1380is configured to engage with the front face of one or both of the remote trigger1302and slider1320, thereby confining the remote trigger1302and slider1320to move within the plane defined by axes30,32. The slot1377and aperture1375in the back plate340may also include front and rear walls that serve as boundaries for corresponding faces of the remote trigger1302and/or slider1320to keep them in plane.

Turning now toFIG.22, the case mount assembly1200in one embodiment may comprise one or more of the mount fitting1202, the mount fitting1204, a plurality of feet1218, an internal panel220, an external panel1250, and a bumper1270. A magnet, like the magnet290of the first embodiment, is optional. Moreover, the mount fittings1202,1204, external panel1250, and bumper1270may be formed as a single, integrally formed or cast part, as shown, or may be formed as separate, connectable parts as shown for the first embodiment. In one embodiment, these components are configured to sandwich a wall of the case1020, with the internal panel1220being disposed at an internal face of the case1020and the external panel1250and other components being disposed at an external face of the case1020.

The internal panel1220may include a series of cutouts or voids or apertures (for example, apertures1222,1224,1226) of various shape and size for, among other things: weight reduction; receiving straps, netting, bolts, or other connectors or securement devices to secure cargo (e.g., straps assembly1237); or receiving screws, bolts or other fasteners that extend through the wall of the case1020for attachment to structures located outside of the case1020, such as the feet1218. With regard to the latter purpose, the internal panel1220may include a series of apertures1227,1228,1229,1230,1231,1232,1233,1234,1235forming multiple rows and columns for receiving fasteners1236,1238that extend through the wall of the case1020to secure the mount fittings1202,1204, external plate1250, and bumper1270to the external face of the case1020. The multiple rows and columns of accommodate different mounting locations for the mount fittings1202,1204, external plate1250, and bumper1270whereby the case mount assembly1200accommodates mounting the case in different orientations and locations. In alternative embodiments, the internal panel1220may comprise one or more break-away panels, for example, with break-away edges formed by a series of perforations, so that the size of the internal panel1220can be modified to accommodate cases of multiple different sizes. See, for example, break-away panel244, with break-away edge246of the first embodiment inFIG.12.

The bumper1270serves as a bearing surface for sliding and resting engagement with the outer face of the cover1380during engagement of the case mount assembly1200with the surface mount assembly1100, as described in more detail below.

Notably, the construction of the case mount assembly facilitates transferring the load of cargo in the case20from the straps assembly1237(or other cargo securement, such as nets, etc) to the internal panel1220, through the fasteners, and then to the external plate1250and mount fittings1202,1204, and ultimately to the mount anchors102,104, whereby the load of the cargo substantially bypasses the case1020(or is not reliant on the case1020to stay secure) in an accident, which may not be designed to be crashworthy.

One or more of the surface1010, case1020, surface mount assembly1100, case mount assembly1200, and remote release assembly1300may include features, including but not limited to one or more guide members, for guiding the mount fittings1202,1204into alignment with the mount anchors102,104when a user is attempting to mount a case1020to the surface1010. In that respect, one or a combination of guide members may permit a “blind installation” of the case1020onto the surface1010where the user places the case1020against or adjacent the surface1010and the case mount assembly1200will naturally find engagement with the surface mount assembly1100as it is lowered. The guide members will help center each of the mount fittings1202,1204with each the respective mount anchors102,104and put each of the channel engaging members1206within the same plane as each of the respective channels122.

For example, in the embodiment shown inFIGS.14and21, the mount fittings1202,1204(e.g., the channel engaging members1206) may be provided with curved or angled corners1215,1216, which would serve as guide members as they will engage with left and right sides1392,1393and/or corners1394,1395of the housing1380to urge the case1020left or right (along axis32), as the situation may require, to the place the center of each fitting1202,1204(e.g., the stem1208) in the same plane defined by axes30,34as the center of each mount anchor102,104(e.g., the open slot124). As an alternative to or in combination to the curved/angled mount fittings1202,1204, at least a portion of the side walls1392,1393and/or corners1394,1395of the housing1380may be angled or curved inward (toward each other) as they extend from the mount anchors102,104to the top of the housing1380. Other guide members positioned elsewhere on any of the surface1010, case1020, surface mount assembly1100, case mount assembly1200, and remote release assembly1300may serve the same purpose of centering the fittings1202,204with the anchors102,104. Similar guide walls and corners may be provided at the bottom of the housing1380to help make left/right adjustments for when the user attempts to secure the case from the bottom of the mount anchors102,104.

As another example, in the embodiment shown inFIG.23, the outer face, edges, or sides of the bumper1270may be provided with curved or angled features, which would serve to guide the channel engaging members1206into the same plane as the channels122(i.e., the same plane along axes30,32). As can be appreciated inFIG.23, the channel engaging members206will be in approximately the same plane as channels122when the outer face1284of the bumper1270rests against the outer face1396of the cover1380. This is because the height h1of the outer face1396from the surface10minus the height h2of the channel122from the surface10(i.e., the distance d1between the outer face1396and the channel122) is approximately equal to the height h3of the channel engaging member1206from the rear face1022of the case1020minus the height h4of the outer face1284of the bumper1270from the rear face1022of the case1020(i.e., the distance d2between the outer face1284and the channel engaging member1206). That is d1is approximately equal to d2. When the channel engaging member1206is in the same plane as the channel122(i.e., when the outer face284of the bumper1270at least approximately abuts outer face1396of the cover1380), the rear face1022of the case will be a distance d3from the surface1010. To help smoothly guide the case1020away from the surface1010when the rear face1022of the case1020is a distance less than distance d3from the surface1010as the channel engaging member206approaches the channel122, the bumper1270may include, as an example, one or both of contoured edge1286(e.g., curved, chamfered, or angled) and contoured edge1288. If a user attempts to secure a case1020from the top with the rear face1022of the case1020a distance from the surface1010that is less than distance d3, contoured edge1286would serve as a guide member as it will engage with the top1397and/or top corner1398of the cover380to urge the case1020away from the surface1010, until the outer face1284of the bumper1270approximately abuts the outer face1396of the cover, and thus, the channel engaging members1206are in the same plane as the channels122. Similarly, if a user attempts to secure a case1020from the bottom with the rear face1022of the case1020a distance from the surface1010that is less than distance d3, contoured edge1288would serve as a guide member as it will engage with the bottom1399and/or bottom corner1379of the cover1380to urge the case1020away from the surface1010, until the outer face1284of the bumper1270approximately abuts the outer face1396of the cover, and thus, the channel engaging members1206are in the same plane as the channels122. As an alternative to or in combination to the contoured edges1286,1288, at least a portion of one or more of the top1397, top edge1398, bottom1399, and bottom edge1379of the cover1380may be angled or curved inward (toward the surface1010) as they extend from outer face1396of the cover1380to the surface1010. Other guide members positioned elsewhere on any of the surface1010, case1020, surface mount assembly1100, case mount assembly1200, and remote release assembly1300may serve the same purpose of putting the channel engaging member1206into the same plane as the channel122.

Notably, the feet1218may have a height h5from the rear face1022that exceeds the height h3of the mount fittings1202,1204to protect the components of the case mount assembly2100when not mounted to the surface1010. In addition, the feet1218in some embodiments may also serve, in effect, as guide members that help simplify putting the channel engaging members1206into the same plane as the channels122. More particularly, if the height h5of the feet1218is greater than height h3, but less than or equal to height h3plus distance d3, the contoured edges1286,1288will automatically be aligned for contact with the top1397, top edge1398, bottom1399, and/or bottom edge1379(as the case may be) during securement of the case1020. Obviously, the height h5must be less than the height h1, otherwise the feet may prevent the channel engaging member1206from ever being in the same plane as the channel122(assuming surface1010is flat is present underneath feet1218). While the feet1218are shown as separate components that are attached to the case1020, they may be integral with the case1020in alternative embodiments.

To help smoothly guide the case1020toward the surface1010and prevent the rear face1022of the case1020from moving more than a distance of d3from the surface1010as the channel engaging member1206approaches the channel122, the cover380may include various guide member such as wings402,404having inwardly-directed (toward the surface1010) contoured surfaces1406,1408that engage the channel engaging members1206ensuring they stay in plane with the channels122when the case1020is secured from the top. In alternative embodiments, the contoured surfaces1406,1408may comprise ramp surfaces (like the first embodiment) that are angled toward the surface1010from top to bottom. The cover1380may include similar wings1414,1416at a lower end thereof with similar contoured surfaces that may be defined by ramp surfaces that are angled toward the surface from bottom to top to guide the case1020when engaged from the bottom. Notably, when the channel engaging members1206rest against the at least the lower end of the contoured surfaces1406,1408, they will be approximately in plane with the channel122. In that regard, the height h6of the contoured surfaces406,408from the surface10is approximately equal to the height h2of the channel122(differences accounting for the thickness of the channel122and channel engaging member1206). As an alternative to or in combination to the contoured surfaces1406,1408, at least a portion of the edge or underside of the channel engaging members1206may be angled or curved. Other guide members positioned elsewhere on any of the surface1010, case1020, surface mount assembly1100, case mount assembly1200, and remote release assembly1300may serve the same purpose of putting the channel engaging member1206into the same plane as the channel122.

Turning now toFIG.24, as previously discussed, the release trigger2302and case handle2024(rigid or flexible) of any embodiment disclosed herein may be disposed in close proximity when the case2020is secured. More particularly, the release trigger2302and case2024may be disposed within simultaneous reach of a user's single hand, whereby the user can grasp the handle2024and simultaneously depress the trigger2302with the same, single hand. For example, the user could grasp the handle2024with their fingers and palm and depress the release trigger2302with their thumb (or grasp the handle2024with their thumb and palm and depress the release trigger2302with their fingers).

Turning now toFIG.25, additional guide members3502,3504for the outside edges of the mount fittings may be provided on opposite sides of any embodiment of the remote release assembly3300to create channels3506,3508for receiving the mount fittings.

Turning now toFIG.26, any embodiment herein may be provided with a visible or audible safety indicator that indicates whether any of the release triggers are in an unlocked condition. The safety indicator may be electronic, such as a light bulb or speaker, and may be triggered by a sensor that detects the unlocked condition of the trigger (e.g., the trigger on the mount anchors or remote release assembly). The safety indicator may also be mechanical, such as an extension4602of the slider4320that becomes visible outside of the housing of the remote release assembly4300when the remote release assembly4300is in the unlocked condition. In alternative embodiments, the safety indicator may be an extension of any other component of the remote release assembly4300or mount anchors102,104, and may be visible at a remote location or visible through a window in the housing of the remote release assembly4300.

Turning now toFIG.27, one version of a catch5355is shown in combination with a mount fitting5204to show how it holds the mount fitting5204at an angled orientation relative to the surface5010.

Turning now toFIG.28, an alternative embodiment of a release member6350is shown with a pivotally connected catch6355in the use position that can be rotated about pivot axis6366into a non-use, or stowed position.

While the previously described remote release assemblies are mechanical in nature, alternative embodiments that are electronically controlled are contemplated. In one such embodiment, an electronically controlled expansion member (not shown) can be positioned between the release members to move the release members from the locked position to the unlocked position, and then back to the locked position. The expansion member can take the form of a linear actuator, pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder and piston, solenoid, or other similar device that is operated using a switch, button, or other electronic control on or remote from the housing of the remote release assembly. The expansion member can be a substitute for the remote release mechanism or can be provided in combination with the remote release mechanism. In that respect, the remote release mechanism could serve as a manually-operated backup in the event of a power interruption or other failure of the expansion member.

Note that any of the previous embodiments may be mounted to a vertical surface (as shown inFIG.1), such as an internal or external wall of an ambulance and/or the side of an ambulance cot, although the surface mount assembly100may be mounted to a surface of any orientation, including a horizontal surface, such as a shelf (as shown inFIG.24). For convenience, regardless of mounting orientation, axis30may be referred to herein as a y-axis, axis32may be referred to herein as an x-axis, and axis34may be referred to as a z-axis.

FIGS.29-31depict a seventh embodiment of a case mount assembly7200that is configured to cooperate with a surface mount assembly (not shown) to secure a case20to a surface. The case mount assembly7200may be used with any of the previously mentioned surface mount assemblies, with the option of a remote release assembly, or in its simplest form with two mount anchors secured to a surface. The case mount assembly7200generally comprises an internal plate assembly7220, an external plate7250, and one or more guide brackets7270. The case20is sandwiched between the internal plate assembly7220on the internal side and the external plate (or fitting bracket)7250, the guide brackets7270,7272, and the mount fittings202,204on the external side, all of which are secured together using a plurality of fasteners. As with the previous embodiments, the mount fittings202,204are configured to be received by corresponding mount anchors102,104mounted to the surface10. In addition, the guide brackets7270,7272are designed to engage with corresponding surfaces on either the mount anchors102,104or an associated remote release assembly, to guide the mount fittings202,204into proper alignment with the mount anchors102,104. Additionally, the guide brackets7270,7272may include or otherwise serve as “feet” to protect the mount fittings202,204when the case20is in use and set down on a surface.

The internal plate assembly7220is configured to hold one or more cargo items by receiving and engaging with one or more fittings7202that are integrated into or fasted to the cargo item. The fittings7202may be essentially identical to the mount fittings202,204. In one embodiment, the internal plate assembly7220may comprise an “integrated” plate7224, a spring plate7226, one or more springs7228, and one or more spacers7230. The integrated plate7224and spring plate7226sit in overlying relation and each have overlying apertures that receive fasteners. The fasteners also receive the springs7228and spacers7230, which are located between the plates7224,7226and the inside surface of the case20. The aperture, however, in the spring plate7226is larger (e.g., has a greater diameter) than both the aperture in the integrated plate7224and the spacers7230, while the aperture in the integrated plate7224is smaller (e.g., has a smaller diameter) than the spacers7230. In that respect, the spacers7230will keep the integrated plate7224at a fixed distance from the inside surface of the case20, but will not prevent the spring plate7226from “floating”, i.e., moving back and forth along the length of the fastener. The springs7228are coaxial with and larger than the spacers7230, but smaller than the aperture in the spring plate7226. In that respect, the springs7228urge the spring plate7226against the integrated plate7224.

The integrated plate7224includes a plurality of connectors7232for receiving fittings7202, while the spring plate7226includes surfaces7234that sit directly behind the connectors7232. Note that while the surfaces7234on the spring plate7226take the form of a plurality of strips that are separated by large apertures, the large apertures are included solely for the purpose of weight reduction. In that regard, the surfaces7234may take any shape or form. In fact, the spring plate7226could comprise a flat sheet with no apertures other than those for receiving the fasteners previously discussed. As best shown inFIG.31, the connectors7232may comprise a slot7236with a circular portion at one end and a generally rectangular portion at the other end (top and bottom in this configuration). The rectangular portion is includes one or more spring clips7238that may take the form as inwardly-biased arms positioned at opposites side of the rectangular portion, wherein the ends of the arms nearest the circular portion include inwardly directed projections7240. As best shown inFIG.30, the circular portion of the slot7236is configured to receive the channel engaging member206of the fitting7202which puts the channel engaging member206into contact with the surface7234of the spring plate7226. By applying pressure on the fitting7202toward the case, the springs7228will be depressed and a space will form between the integrated plate7224and the spring plate7226, whereby the integrated plates7224and the spring plate will sandwich the channel engaging member206. At this point, the user can slide the fitting7202to the other end of the slot, i.e., into the rectangular portion. As the user slides the fitting7202into the rectangular portion, the spring clips7238will be displaced outward until the attachment member208is fully inserted and the projections7240may snap into an interference fit with a top edge of the attachment member208. At this point, the fitting7202will be unable to move in any direction within the plane of the integrated plate7224by virtue of the perimeter of the rectangular portion and the spring clips7238. Because the width of the rectangular portion is less than the width of the channel engaging member, the user will be unable to pull the fitting7202out of the connector7232in a direction normal to the integrated plate7224. Of course, the fitting7202can be removed, via upward pressure upward on the fitting7202, the magnitude of which can be varied by modifying the spring coefficient, until the spring clips7238disengage.

Notably, in the embodiment ofFIGS.29-31, the cargo will be secured directly to the plates, which is directly secured to the fitting bracket and fittings, whereby the load carried by the plates will be transferred directly the surface (e.g., a vehicle wall) during transit. This takes the case, a weak point, out of the equation, allowing the case mount assembly to be crash-worthy.

Each of the integrated plate7224and spring plate7226may be constructed from a single sheet of material, for example, metal or plastic or other rigid material. The various features thereof (described above) may be formed by stamping, cutting, milling, or other machining processes, or may be separately created and attached thereto.

Although the inventions described and claimed herein have been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the inventions described and claimed herein can be practiced by other than those embodiments, which have been presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.