Abstract:
A channeled track connector having a base and a slider. The slider slides into an key opening in the base. The base includes a first foot for engaging the channeled track. The slider includes a second foot for engaging the channeled track. Each piece standing alone is not engagable to the channeled track. However, when slid together, the base and slider as a whole stands together as one-piece, remains fixed to the channeled track, and serves as a mount for a predefined object.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to a connector for a channeled track, more particularly to a two part connector for a channeled track, and specifically to a two part connector for a channeled track where one part slides into and out of the other part to make a connection between the connector, as a whole, and the channeled track. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A channeled track is a tool. Objects such as lights may be hung from the channeled track and slid along the track. Fishing apparatus may be mounted on a channeled track and slid along the track. The channeled track is desirably light, rigid and strong. The channeled track can be easily mounted to a variety of surfaces by, for example, simple screws. The channeled track can be an integral portion such as built into the gunwale of a boat. 
         [0003]    What is between the channeled track and an object is important. This device, which in the present case is called a connector, is also desirably light, rigid and strong and, further, desirably easy to connect to the channeled track and easy to be adapted to engage any number of objects, not only a bank of lights and a fishing apparatus. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    A feature of the present invention is the provision in a connector for a channeled track having two flanges, of a base and a slider, with the slider being slideable into and out of the base, with the base having a flange receiver for one of the flanges, and with the base and slider in combination making up a flange receiver for the other of the flanges. 
         [0005]    Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a connector for a channeled track having two flanges, of a base, with the base having a first flange receiver having opposing faces and an open face, and with the base making up one of the faces of a second flange receiver. 
         [0006]    Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a connector for a channeled track having two flanges, of a slider, with the slider making up a portion of a second flange receiver, namely, two faces disposed at a right angle to each other. 
         [0007]    Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a connector for a channeled track, of a base and a slider, with the slider being slideable into and out of the base, with the base having a foot for engaging a channel portion, and with the slider having a foot for engaging the opposite channel portion. 
         [0008]    Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a connector for a channeled track having two flanges and a space between the flanges, of a base having a first elongate receiver that can be inserted into the space between the flanges directly from a front face of the channeled track, without accessing the channeled track by being inserted in an open end of the channeled track. 
         [0009]    Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a connector for a channeled track having two flanges and a space between the flanges, of a slider having at least a portion of a second elongate receiver, with such second elongate receiver portion being insertable into the space between the flanges directly from the front face of the channeled track, without accessing the channeled track by sliding in an open end of the channeled track. 
         [0010]    Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a connector for a channeled track, of a base, of a slider slideable into and out of the base, of the base having a first foot for engaging a channel portion, of the slider having a second foot for engaging the other channel portion, and of a threaded pin that engages each of the base and the slider such that the slider is locked relative to the base, where the pin can further draw the slider and base to and away from each other and their respective feet to and away from each other to loosen and lock the connector as a whole to the track. 
         [0011]    Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a connector for a channeled track, of a first connector portion having a first foot for engaging a channel portion, of a second connector portion having a second foot for engaging an opposite channel portion, and of the first and second connector portions being incrementally drawable to and away from each other such that the first and second feet are incrementally drawable to and away from each other to place greater and lesser pressure upon the track such that the connector offers greater and lesser resistance to being slid along the track. 
         [0012]    Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a connector for a channeled track, of a threaded pin engaging a first portion of the connector and extending in the y-axis direction, of the threaded pin including a proximal end and a distal end, and of the distal end confronting and being spaced from the first foot such that the distal end and first foot can engage therebetween one of the first and second flanges. 
         [0013]    An advantage of the present invention is a connector that can slide in a channeled track. 
         [0014]    Another advantage of the present invention is a connector that can be fixed at any location in a channeled track. 
         [0015]    Another advantage of the present invention is a connector that can be manipulated to slide rather easily or with some resistance in a channeled track. 
         [0016]    Another advantage of the present invention is a connector that can be manipulated to slide with incrementally varying degrees of resistance in a channeled track. 
         [0017]    Another advantage of the present invention is a connector that can access the channeled track from a front face of the channeled track without going through an open end of the channeled track. 
         [0018]    Another advantage of the present invention is a connector that, after being engaged to the channeled track, stays in the channeled track despite great pressure in an effort to force it out frontally. 
         [0019]    Another advantage of the present invention is a connector that, after being engaged to the channeled track, can both 1) stay in the channeled track despite great pressure in an effort to force it out frontally, and 2) slide easily axially along the channeled track. 
         [0020]    Another advantage of the present invention is a connector that consists essentially of two pieces. 
         [0021]    Another advantage of the present invention is a connector that consists essentially of two pieces and a pin. 
         [0022]    Another advantage of the present invention is a connector that is easy to install on a channeled track. 
         [0023]    Another advantage of the present invention is a connector that is simple to operate. 
         [0024]    Another advantage of the present invention is a connector that is inexpensive to manufacture. 
         [0025]    Another advantage of the present invention is a connector that is light, rigid and strong. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]      FIG. 1A  is an environmental, partially section view of an example of a location for the present channeled track connector where the location is in a boat, shows an integral channeled track on the inner side or gunwale of the boat, shows the present connector engaged to the channeled track, and shows the connector depending from channeled track in a downward direction. 
           [0027]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 1A , shows a partial view in phantom of an example of an object that may be mounted to the connector where the object is a fishing rod and reel, shows an independent channeled track, and shows the connector extending in an upward direction. 
           [0028]      FIG. 1C  is a detail, perspective, partially exploded view of the connector of  FIG. 1B , shows the slider being slid into the base, and shows how a pin can engage the connector. 
           [0029]      FIG. 2A  is a rear elevation view of the base of the connector of  FIG. 1B , without the slider engaged in the base. 
           [0030]      FIG. 2B  is a rear elevation view similar to the view of  FIG. 2A , with the slider engaged in the base. 
           [0031]      FIG. 2C  is a side elevation view of one side of the slider of  FIG. 1C . 
           [0032]      FIG. 2D  is a side elevation view of the other side of the slider of  FIG. 1C . 
           [0033]      FIG. 2E  is a section partial view of the base of the connector of  FIG. 1B , without the slider engaged to the base. 
           [0034]      FIG. 2F  is a section partial view of the base of the connector of  FIG. 1B , with the slider engaged to the base. 
           [0035]      FIG. 3A  is a detail, partially section, partially phantom view of the connector of  FIG. 1B , shows each of the base and slider engaging the channeled track, and shows in phantom the connector mounting a holder for an object where the object is a fishing rod and reel. 
           [0036]      FIG. 3B  is an end view of the slider and channeled track of  FIG. 3A , shows spacing between two flanges of the channeled track, and shows a foot entering the spacing by disposing the slider at an angle. 
           [0037]      FIG. 3C  is an end view similar to  FIG. 3B , shows the foot further into the channeled track, and shows the slider as a whole further approaching a line disposed at a right angle to the channeled track. 
           [0038]      FIG. 3D  is an end view similar to  FIG. 3B , shows the foot still further into the channeled track, and shows the slider as a whole still further approaching a line disposed at a right angle to the channeled track. 
           [0039]      FIG. 3E  is an end view similar to  FIG. 3B , shows the foot yet further into the channeled track and at a position where the foot is engaging one of the flanges of the channeled track, and shows the slider as a whole disposed at a right angle to the channeled track. 
           [0040]      FIG. 3F  is a detail section view of the connector of  FIG. 1B  and shows how the pin of  FIG. 1C  engages the slider and the base to prevent sliding of the slider relative to the base. 
           [0041]      FIG. 3G  is a detail section view similar to the view of  FIG. 3F  and shows how the pin of  FIG. 1C  engages the slider and several portions of the base to draw the base and slider apart to frictionally further engage the base and slider to the channeled track to prevent sliding of the connector as a whole relative to the channeled track. 
           [0042]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the present connector similar to the view of  FIG. 1B , where the present connector further includes fine tuning adjustment screws. 
           [0043]      FIG. 4B  is a detail section view of the present connector similar to the view of  FIG. 3F , where the present connector further includes fine tuning adjustment screws. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 1A , the present channel track connector is indicated by reference numeral  10 . Connector  10  is engaged to an integral channeled track  12  of a gunwale  14  of a vessel. A gunwale is nautical term that describes the top edge of the side of a boat, or the widened edge at the top of a side of a boat, or the upper edge of the side or bulwark of a vessel. Integral track  12  of  FIG. 1A  may or may not have a pair of defined ends and, if so, such defined ends may or may not be open ends. Connector  10  does not require such open ends to connect to such an integral track  12 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 1B  shows an independent track  12  that may be engaged, such as with pin connectors, anywhere so desired, such as to a gunwale of a vessel. Track  12  has a first end  18  and a second end  20 . The connector  10  can slide from the first end  18  to the second end  20  or connector  10  can be fixed, via a friction fit, at any location between first end  18  and second end  20 . 
         [0046]    First end  18  or second end  20 , or both, may be closed off. However, connector  10  can be engaged to track  12  from an area in front of track  12  without resorting to pushing in the connector  10  from an opening in ends  18 ,  20 , which ends are conventionally open ends. 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , connector  10  includes two connector portions: a base  24  and a slider  26 . Base  24  includes an integral block portion  28  and an integral cantilevered portion  30 . Cantilevered portion  30  is a mount or mounting portion for an object  32  such as a cup holder or navigation apparatus in the downwardly extending cantilevered portion  30  of  FIG. 1A , or such as a fishing rod and reel in the upwardly extending cantilevered portion  30  of  FIG. 1B . 
         [0048]    Block portion  28  is elongate and in the elongate or longitudinal direction (x-axis direction) runs parallel to the track  12  and engages track  12 . Cantilevered portion  30  is supported at one end (by the block portion  28 ) and carries a load (object  32 , the fishing rod and reel) at generally the other end or along its length. 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 1B , C-channeled track  12  includes an integral rear  34 , a pair of integral sides  36 , and a pair of integral flanges  38 . The sides  36  extend from the rear  34 . Each of the flanges  38  extend from one of the sides  36 . The flanges  38  run parallel to the rear  34 . The flanges  38  extend toward each other and are spaced from each other. Rear  34 , sides  36 , and flanges  38  in combination define a T-shaped channel  40 . T-shaped channel  40  includes a space or channel portion  42  (disposed immediately between the distal ends of the flanges  38  in a z-axis direction) and a pair of channel portions  44  (disposed in a z-axis direction between sides  36 ), where each of the channel portions  44  is on the inside of each of the flanges  38 . T-shaped channel  40  may be referred to as a navigable route or a route through which connector  10  slides or passes or progresses. The flanges  38  define a front face of the track  12 . The rear  34  defines a rear face of the C-channeled track  12 . The track  12  is conventionally referred to as a C-shaped channeled track, perhaps because there is a radius to the junction between the flanges  38  and their respective sides  36 , as seen, for example, in  FIG. 3B . However, it should be noted the channel  40  itself in the track is T-shaped. In other words, “C-shaped” may relate to the hardware or material of the track  12  itself, while “T-shaped” relates to the space or groove or channel  40  in the hardware or material. C-channeled track  12  includes a length or longitudinal direction (the x-axis direction), a lateral direction (y-axis direction), and a normal direction (z-axis direction). The longitudinal (x-axis) direction is defined as the direction between ends  18  and  20 . The lateral direction (y-axis) is defined as the direction between the flanges  38  and the rear  34 . The normal (z-axis) direction is defined as the direction between sides  36 . 
         [0050]    Channeled tracks may be integral portions of apparatus. For example, the hardware or material may change such that there is no C-shape, but a T-shaped channel is still present. As to a channeled track formed as part of an extrusion that engages the hull of a boat, the Zarn U.S. Pat. No. 7,341,231 B2 issued Mar. 11, 2008 and entitled Accessory Mounting System For A Boat is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
         [0051]    The block portion  28  of the base  24  is shown in  FIGS. 1B ,  1 C,  2 A and  2 E, among other figures. Block portion  28  is a block formed of a hard plastic. Block portion  28  includes a longitudinal axis (x-axis), a lateral axis (y-axis), and a normal axis (a z-axis). Block portion  28  includes six sides including 1) a closed end  46  disposed generally in a plane defined by the lateral and normal axes, 2) an open end  48  that is opposite the closed end  46  and disposed generally in a plane defined by the lateral and normal axes, 3) a first or front side  50  disposed generally in a plane defined by the longitudinal and normal axes such that first side  50  runs parallel to the track  12  when the connector  10  is engaged to the track  12 , 4) a second rear side  52  disposed generally in a plane defined by the longitudinal and normal axes such that the rear side  52  runs parallel to the front side  50  and confronts the track  12  when the connector  10  is engaged to the track  10 , 5) a third or apertured side  54  disposed generally in a plane defined by the longitudinal and lateral axis such that side  54  runs at a right angle to the first and second sides  50 ,  52 , and 6) a fourth side  56  disposed generally in a plane defined by the longitudinal and lateral axes such that side  56  is opposite the third side  54  and runs at a right angle to the first and second sides  50 ,  52 . 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIG. 2E , block portion  28  includes an elongate key opening  58  running in the longitudinal direction. Key opening  58  includes two portions: an elongate head opening  60  and an elongate neck opening  62 . Key opening  58  is accessed via an inlet  64 , shown in  FIG. 2A . Open end  48  includes the inlet  64 . Inlet  64  communicates the key opening  58 . Key opening  58 , including head opening  60  and neck opening  62 , is elongate and extends from inlet  64  to a terminal inside position that confronts the closed end  46 , as shown in  FIG. 2A . 
         [0053]    Each of the head and neck openings  60 ,  62  is rectangular in shape when viewed in section or from the open end  48 . Head opening  60  includes a greater height and width than neck opening  62 . In other words, head opening  60  runs a greater distance in the normal direction than neck opening  62 , and head opening  60  runs a greater distance in the lateral direction than neck opening  62 . Head opening  60  is formed in part by a longitudinally and laterally running inner faces  66  and  68 , shown in  FIG. 2E . 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIG. 2A , inlet  64  is formed in part by opposing faces  70 ,  72  that run laterally and longitudinally. A portion of face  70  leads into face  66  of head opening  60 . A portion of face  72  leads into face  68  of head opening  60 . As shown in  FIG. 1C , inlet  64  is further formed in part by face or stop  74  running between faces  70 ,  72 . Face  74  runs laterally and normally. 
         [0055]    As shown in  FIGS. 1B and 1C , block portion  28  includes the first or front side  50 . Side  50  runs from closed end  46  to open end  48 . First or front side  50  includes a rectangular recessed portion  74  running from a position confronting the closed end  46  to stop  74  where recessed portion  74  leads into or drops off to stop  74 . Recessed portion  74  provides a location for a label or tag for a trademark or trade name or for other indicia. Recessed portion  74  also provides a track for running a fingernail to remove the slider  26  from the base  24 . Front side  60  is generally rectangular. 
         [0056]    As shown in  FIGS. 1B and 1C , block portion  28  includes the third or apertured side  54 . Side  54  runs from closed end  46  to open end  48 . As shown in  FIGS. 1C ,  3 F, and  3 G, side  54  includes a threaded hole  76  for a threaded pin  78 . Hole  76  is in a medial portion of side  54 , intermediate the ends  46  and  48 . Hole  76  extends from the outer face of side  54  to the head opening portion  60  of keyed opening  58 . Hole  76  communicates with the head opening  60 . Threaded pin  78  may be a socket set screw operated by a hex wrench or hex key. Threaded pin  78  may include a thumb grip  79 , as shown in  FIG. 3F . 
         [0057]    As shown in  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  2 E, block portion  28  of base  24  includes the second or rear side  52 . Rear side  52  includes generally three portions: 1) an elongate foot  80  for engaging one of the channel portions  44 , 2) the elongate neck opening  62 , and 3) a flat face  82  that includes elongate flange receiver portions or faces  84  and  86 . Foot  80 , in combination with face  86 , makes up a first flange receiver  81  for capturing or engaging one of the flanges  81 . 
         [0058]    Foot or hook  80  extends from and beyond flat face  82 . Foot  80  is elongate and runs from a location that confronts open end  48  to a location that confronts the closed end  46 . Foot  80  runs parallel to and confronts neck opening  62 , as shown in  FIG. 2A . As shown in  FIG. 1A , foot  80  includes a first elongate bar portion  83  that engages one of the channel portions  44 . As further shown in  FIG. 1A , foot  80  includes a second elongate bar portion  85  that extends through space  42  and engages, restrains, and confronts the distal end of one of the flanges  38 . Bar portions  83  and  85  are integral with each other an in the nature of an angle iron. 
         [0059]    In the present case, foot means not merely a “sole” of a foot. Here “foot” means a structure having a general right angle, just like a human foot includes a general right angle. A human foot, by definition, means the terminal part of a leg, below the ankle joint. Such a structure, below the ankle joint, still includes a general right angled structure. It should be noted that a hook is a curved or angular piece of metal or other hard substance for catching, pulling, holding, or suspending something. Foot  80  is in the nature of a hook as well as a foot. This is so because foot  80  not only engages channel portion  44 , but also confronts or engages the distal end of one of the flanges  38 . 
         [0060]    To engage one of the flanges  38  of track  12 , first flange receiver  81  includes a first flat face  86  disposed in a plane defined by longitudinal and normal axis, a second flat face  88  that opposes the first flat face  86  and that is also disposed in a plane defined by longitudinal and normal axes, and a third flat face  90  intermediate faces  86  and  88 , where face  90  is disposed in a plane defined by longitudinal and lateral axes. Faces  86 ,  88 ,  90  define an open front face  92  of the first flange receiver  81 . 
         [0061]    Foot  80  includes a closed back face  94  disposed in a plane defined by longitudinal and lateral axes. Closed back face  94  forms a portion of neck opening  62 . Closed back face  94  is opposite of open front face  92 . 
         [0062]    Intermediate the open front face  92  and closed back face  94  is a face  96  that confronts the rear  34  of the track  12  and a face  98  that confronts one of the sides  36  of the track  12 . Face  96  is disposed in a plane defined by longitudinal and normal axes. Face  96  runs in the normal direction (z-axis direction) for a certain distance, and this distance is preferably slightly less than the distance that space  42  runs in the normal direction (the distance between distal ends of opposing flanges  38  or z-axis direction) such that the foot  80  can be inserted directly into track  12  without tilting the base  24  and without sliding the base  24  into the track  12  from one of the open ends  18 ,  20  of the track  12 . 
         [0063]    Flat face  82  runs normally and longitudinally and extends from side  54  to the neck opening  62 . Flat face  82  further extends from side  56  to face  90  of receiver  81  so as to include face  86  of flange receiver  81  and be coplanar with face  86  of flange receiver  81 . Flat face  82  further includes a portion  100  that runs laterally without interruption from side  54  to side  56 . Flat face portion  100  leads into and confronts closed end  46 . The elongate flange receiver portion  84  of flat face  82  confronts and receives a front face of one of the flanges  38 . 
         [0064]    As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , block portion  28  of base  24  includes the fourth side  56 . Fourth side  56  is an interior side, is flat and is disposed in a plane defined by longitudinal and lateral axes. Fourth side  56  is opposite and parallel to side  54 , disposed at a right angle to front side  50 , and disposed at a right angle to flat face  82  of rear side  52 . 
         [0065]    Cantilevered portion  30  of base  24  is integral with block portion  28 . As shown in  FIGS. 3A ,  2 A, and  2 B, cantilevered portion  30  includes a transition portion  102  that projects from the fourth side  56 . Extending obliquely from transition portion  102  is a flat panel  104 . Depending at a right angle from panel  104  is an end rib  106 . End rib  106  extends from and is integral with closed end  46  of block portion  28 . Depending at a right angle from panel  104  is an end rib  108 . End rib  108  extends from and is integral with open end  48  of block portion  28 . Depending at a right angle from panel  104  are a set of three intermediate ribs  110 . Intermediate ribs  110  extend from and are integral with side  56  of the block portion  28 . Ribs  106 ,  108 ,  110  run parallel to each other. Panel  104  includes an oblique distal edge  112 . End ribs  106 ,  108  include respective oblique distal edges  114 ,  116 . Each of the intermediate ribs  110  includes an oblique distal edge  118 . Inner end portions of the ribs  106 ,  108 ,  110  extend integrally from side  56  and from transition portion  102  such that cantilevered portion  30  provides a sturdy base for mounting an object  32 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , a hole  120  may be drilled through panel  104  of cantilevered portion  30  to provide for pin connecting mechanism  122  for a holder  124  for object  32 . 
         [0066]    Slider or key  26  is an elongate piece of hard plastic. Slider  26  generally includes an elongate head  126  that mates with head opening  60 , a stop  128 , an elongate neck  130  that mates with neck opening  62 , and an elongate foot or hook  132  for engaging one of the channel portions  44 . Slider or key  26  is keyed to key opening  58 . 
         [0067]    Head  126  is shaped so as to slide longitudinally (from closed end  46  to open end  48 , referred to as the x-axis) into and out of head opening  60  with minimal lateral movement (from side  50  to side  52 , referred to as the y-axis) and with minimal normal (z-axis) movement (from side  54  to side  56 ). In section, head  126  is a rectangular piece, as shown in  FIGS. 2F . Head  126  includes a tapered end  134  and an opposite end  136 . 
         [0068]    Stop  128  extends in the normal direction from opposite end  136  of head  126 . As shown in  FIG. 2B , when the slider  26  has been fully slid into the key opening  58 , stop  128  and opposite end  136  are fully received into inlet  64  of the block portion  28  while the distal end of the slider  26 , including tapered end  134 , stops short of the distal end of the neck opening  62 . Stop  128  includes a stop edge  138  that abuts stop  74 , whereupon slider  26  is fully in block portion  28 . Stop edge  138  rises slightly in the normal direction beyond recessed portion  74 , to be offset from the face of recessed portion  74 , such that a fingernail can slide along recessed portion  74 , dig against stop edge  138  and pull slider  26  out of key opening  58 . 
         [0069]    Head  126  includes a pair of opposing faces  140 ,  142  extending in the lateral and longitudinal directions. A threaded hole  144  runs through head  126  in the z-axis direction and enters and exits faces  140 ,  142  intermediate ends  134 ,  136 . When slider  26  has been fully slid into key opening  58 , hole  144  is aligned with hole  76  such that threaded pin  78  can be screwed into each of holes  76 ,  144  at the same time. 
         [0070]    Neck  130  depends integrally from head  126 . Neck  130  includes a width (distance in the z-axis direction) that is less than the width of head  126  (distance in the z-axis direction). The width of neck  130  is slightly less than the width (distance in the z-axis direction) of neck opening  62  such that there is minimal play in the z-axis direction. The length of neck  130  (distance in the x-axis direction) is the same as the length of head  126 . 
         [0071]    Neck  130  leads into elongate foot  132 . Elongate foot  132  is in the nature of an angle iron having a first bar portion  144 . 1  disposed at a right angle to a second bar portion  146 . Bar portion  144 . 1  is disposed in a common plane with neck  130 . 
         [0072]    Elongate foot  132  includes a first flange receiving face  148  on bar portion  144 . 1 . Face  148  runs laterally and longitudinally. Elongate foot  132  includes a second flange receiving face  150  on bar portion  146  that opposes flange receiving face  84  of the base  24 . Face  150  runs longitudinally and normally. Flange receiving faces  148  and  150  of elongate foot  132  together with flange receiving face  84  on block portion  28  make up a second flange receiver  151  having an open front face  152  for one of the flanges  38  of track  12 . Elongate foot  132  includes a closed back face  154 , shown in  FIG. 3B . Face  154  runs longitudinally and laterally. Closed back face  154  of elongate foot  132  confronts and slides against closed back face  94  of elongate foot  80  when slider  26  is slid into the base  24 , as shown in  FIGS. 2B ,  2 F,  3 A and  3 F. 
         [0073]    Elongate foot  132  further includes face  156 , shown in  FIG. 3D , and face  158 , shown in  FIG. 3B . Faces  156  and  158  are disposed at right angles to each other. Face  158  is parallel to and opposite face  154 . Face  156  runs longitudinally and normally. Face  158  runs laterally and longitudinally. 
         [0074]    As shown in the sequence depicted by  FIGS. 3B ,  3 C,  3 D, and  3 E, face  156  includes a width (distance in the z-axis direction) that is greater than the width of space  42  (distance between distal ends of flanges  38 ). While foot  80 , having face  96  that is equal to or less than the width of space  42 , can engage the track  12  without being tilted along an axis, slider  26  preferably is tilted about the longitudinal axis (x-axis) so as to maneuver bar portion  146  into one of the channel portions  44 . Each of foot  80  (of base  24 ) and foot  132  (of slider  26 ) can be brought into engagement with track  12  from a front of the track  12 . It is not required that the feet  80  and  132  be first engaged via open end  18  or open end  20 . If desired, feet  80  and  132  can be first brought into engagement with track  12  through open end  18  or open end  20 . As to disengagement, after being slid apart, each of base  24  and slider  26  can be taken directly out of the track  12  in the forwardly direction in the reverse manner of being engaged. If desired, after being slid apart, or while still engaged to each other, base  24  and slider  26  can be slid out of one of the open ends  18 ,  20 . 
         [0075]    Like tapered end  134 , neck  130  and bar portion  144 . 1  share a tapered end  160 . Bar portion  146  of foot  132  also includes a tapered end  162 . The faces of tapered ends  134 ,  160  and  162  are co-planar and as a whole provide a point or taper to facilitate the entry of slider  26  into inlet  64  and further into key opening  58 . 
         [0076]      FIG. 3F  shows pin  78  screwed into block portion  28  and further into the slider  26  via the holes  76  and  144 . Here the slider  26  is locked relative to the block portion  28 . Here the connector  10  as a whole can slide with some friction along track  12 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 3G  shows pin  78  screwed into block portion  28 , further into the slider  26  via the holes  76  and  144 , and yet further such that a head of the pin  78  brings pressure upon inner face  66  of block portion  28 . As such pressure is brought to bear, slider  26  and block portion  28  are respectively drawn apart in the normal (z-axis) direction such that feet  80  and  132  are also drawn apart in the normal (z-axis) direction to drive the feet  80  and  132  with greater pressure and into a relatively great friction fit with track  12  such that under normal hand pressure connector  10  cannot be slid or pushed in the longitudinal direction along track  12 . 
         [0078]    It should be noted that the connector  10  may be manipulated to slide easily along the track  12  or with varying or incremental degrees of resistance along the track  12  or with such a great degree of resistance that under normal hand pressure cannot be made to slide at all. Threaded pin  78  and threaded holes  76  and  44  provide this advantage of incremental resistance. The further the pin  78  is incrementally screwed in, the greater distance the feet  80  and  132  are drawn apart, and the greater the resistance to sliding. 
         [0079]    In operation, cantilevered portion  30  is prepared to mount object  32 . For example, hole  132  may be drilled through panel  104 . Then, the holder  124  and pin connecting mechanism  122  may be engaged to the panel  104 . Then, unless already in place, track  12  is engaged at the desired location, such as via screws engaging the rear face  34  of the track  12  and another object, such as a boat or all terrain vehicle. Then either the base  24  or slider  26  may be engaged with the track  12 . Base  24  can be held in an orientation such that the x-axis and z-axis plane of the block portion  28  is parallel to the x-axis and z-axis plane of the track  12 . In this orientation, foot  80  is pushed through space  42 . Then foot  80  is pushed in either of the z-axis directions depending upon the orientation of the open front face  92  of the foot  80 . Then, at an axial location different from base  24 , the slider  26  is engaged to the track  12  by tilting the slider  26  so as to maneuver foot  132  into the channel  40  and further into channel portion  44 . Then, from their different axial locations, one or both of slider  26  and base  24  are slid together such that the slider engages the key opening  58  and is slid fully into the base  24 . Then pin  78  can be operated to 1) merely lock slider  26  to base  24  as shown in  FIG. 3F  and allow the connector  10  as a whole to slide with some ease along the track  12 , or 2) draw slider  26  and base  24  apart so as to draw feet  80  and  132  apart so fix under a friction fit the connector  10  as a whole at a particular location on the track  12 . Then, object  32  may be secured to holder  124 . Connector  10  can be slid in the x-axis direction while object  32  is engaged to the cantilevered portion  30 . 
         [0080]    It should be noted that track  12  can be oriented in any direction. In other words, track  12  can be placed on a horizontal axis and then spun to be “upside down” or “right-side up” or “sideways” or “tilted.” Or track  12  can be placed on a vertical axis and then spun and fixed at any orientation. Or track  12  can be fixed on an oblique axis and then spun and fixed at any orientation. In still other words, track  12  can be fixed at any spin, roll and yaw axis. At any of the above noted orientations, connector  10  can be engaged to the track  12 . 
         [0081]    It should be noted that the cantilevered portion  30  is merely an example of a mount. Block portion  28  itself may serve as a mount for an object  32 . Instead of a cantilevered portion  30 , a bank of lights may be engaged to the block portion  28 . Instead of a cantilevered portion  30 , a ribbed portion may be set in generally the same plane as the blocked portion  28  where, except for the cantilevered feature, ribbed portion is the same as cantilevered portion  30 . 
         [0082]    It should be noted that first flange receiver  81  is a combination of three faces  86 ,  88  and  90  (on the block portion  28 ) and that second flange receiver  151  is a combination of faces  148 ,  150  (on the slider  26 ) and face  84  (on the block portion  28 ). 
         [0083]    It should be noted that the present connector  10  preferably and advantageously confronts each of the following faces of the track  12  at the same time by the following portions or faces of the connector  10 : 
         [0084]    1) the inner face of rear  34  by faces  96  and  156 ; 
         [0085]    2) the inner faces of sides  36  by faces  98  and  158 ; 
         [0086]    3) the inner faces of flanges  38  by faces  88  and  146 ; 
         [0087]    4) the opposing distal ends of the flanges  38  by faces  90  and  148 ; and 
         [0088]    5) the front faces of the flanges  38  by faces  86  and  84 . 
         [0089]    By confronting all five of the above surfaces, the present connector  10  provides a sturdy and secure engagement to the track  12 . By confronting all five of the above surfaces, portions of the connector  10  extend into the channel  44 , portions of the connector  10  extend into channel  42 , and portions of the connector  10  capture the flange  38  by confronting such on its interior and exterior faces. 
         [0090]    It should be further noted that stability is maximized by providing an integral connection between the block portion  28  and the foot  80 . That is, the base  24  effectively extends on an integral and one-piece basis to within the channeled track  12 . 
         [0091]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  show an embodiment of the present connector  10  having a pair of fine adjustment screws  164 . Screws  164  may also be referred to as pin connectors or pin connects. Screws  164  are preferably socket set screws operated by a hex wrench or hex key. Screws  164  may include the thumb grip  79 , as shown in  FIG. 3F . Each of the screws  164  includes a head or proximal end  166  and a distal end  168 . 
         [0092]    As indicated above, block portion  28  includes sides  50  and  52 , with the y-axis direction running from side  50  to side  52 . Block portion  28  includes a pair of threaded through holes  170  extending in the y-axis direction, with screws  164  engaging holes  170 . Each of the threaded holes  170  opens on each of the sides  50  and  52 . The openings of holes  170  on side  52  confront foot  80 , including first elongate bar portion  83  that engages one of the channel portions  44 . The opening of holes  170  on side  50  are located adjacent to and spaced from recessed portion  74 . One of the holes  170  is disposed closer to side  48  than side  46 . The other of the holes  170  is disposed closer to side  46  than side  48 . The holes  170  are disposed in the x-axis direction relative to each other. 
         [0093]    Screws  164  engage the holes  170 . When so engaged, distal ends  168  of screws  164  confront and are spaced from foot  80  and confront and are spaced from first elongate bar portion  83  of foot  80 . When the foot portion  83  engages one of the channel portions  44 , screws  164  are turned in such that the distal ends  168  engage the flange  38  that is associated with such channel portion  44  such that the connector  10  as a whole is more securely fixed to the track  12 . Screws  164  are preferably constructed out of nylon, plastic or some other material that will not harm the outside finish of the track or rail  12 . It should be noted that the fixing of flange  38  between distal end  168  and foot bar portion  83  is incremental and can be “fine tuned.” That is, such fine tuning can permit a) a relatively low sliding resistance of the connector  10  along the track  12  when pressure is exerted in the x-axis direction by the hand of an adult, b) a relatively high sliding resistance of the connector  10  along the track  12  when pressure is exerted in the x-axis direction by the hand of an adult, c) a degree of sliding resistance that is somewhere between the low sliding resistance and high sliding resistance such that the sliding resistance is incrementally adjustable, d) no sliding resistance where the distal end  168  is spaced from the flange  38 , or e) an absolute pinch between the screws  164  and foot portion  83  such that connector  10  cannot slide along the track  12 , without destroying the structural integrity of the connector  10 , when a sliding pressure is exerted in the x-axis direction by the hand of an adult. 
         [0094]    Various tracks or rails  12  have manufacturing tolerances and some also have slightly different dimensions. If a connector  10  without screws  164  is designed to fit a particular rail, its potential fit as to other tracks or rails  12  may be minimized. However, with the provision of screws  164 , the potential fit of connector  10  as to any particular track or rail  12  is maximized. 
         [0095]    Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalents of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.