Abstract:
An anchor system is provided featuring a two-piece toggle having a conduit with a passage in-between for passing one or more wires through, and having one end with a crosspiece formed thereon for passing through an aperture in a mounting surface of another device and engaging one side of the mounting surface and a fastener for frictionally coupling the two-piece toggle to an opposing side of the mounting surface of the other device so as to hold or secure the two-piece toggle in relation to the other device.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a mounting system; and more particularly relates to a mounting system for mounting an electrical device. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Mounting systems are known and include: U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,387, which shows a device for mounting on a junction box, and having a conduit for passing wires through and threading onto a connector attached to a mounting surface. Other known patents show other toggle or molly-like arrangements, including U.S. Pat. No. 1,111,657 which typifies a large body of art showing split threaded bolts; U.S. Pat. No. 2,072,066 which discloses a split threaded member having toggles for securing the same in place; U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,534,650 and 4,457,653 which disclose a threaded member held in place with a toggle and means for securing a hook member in place; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 832,920; 883,833 and 3,212,224 which disclose other detachable fastening devices, including a fishing tool for wells. However, none of these known patents disclose a mounting system having a conduit having passageway with electrical wires for mounting an electrical device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention provides a new and unique anchor system featuring a two-piece toggle having a crosspiece portion on one end configured to pass through an aperture in a mounting surface and engage one side of the mounting surface, and also having a stud portion on its other end configured to form a conduit to pass one or more wires through the mounting surface; and a fastener configured to couple the stud portion to the mounting surface on an opposing side thereof so as to urge the crosspiece portion against the one side of the mounting surface and lock the anchor system to the mounting surface. 
         [0006]    According to some embodiments of the present invention, the anchor system may include one or more of the features, as follows: 
         [0007]    The two-piece toggle may also feature a first L-shaped toggle half having an L-shaped portion configured for inserting into the aperture in the mounting surface so that the L-shaped portion extends in one direction along the mounting surface, and having a stud-like portion extending from the other side of the mounting surface; and a second L-shaped toggle half having a corresponding L-shaped portion also configured for inserting into the aperture so that the corresponding L-shaped portion extends in another direction along the mounting surface, and having a corresponding stud-like portion extending from the other side of the mounting surface; where the first and second L-shaped toggle halves are configured for mating together so as to form the anchor system having the crosspiece portion formed by first and second L-shaped portions on the one side of the mounting surface, and having the stud portion formed by respective stud-like portions on the other side of the mounting surface. 
         [0008]    The crosspiece portion may include a toggle wing pivotally arranged on a toggle pin on the one end and configured to pass through the aperture, the crosspiece portion also having left and right toggle wing portions configured to extend in opposite directions on the one side of the mounting surface after the toggle wing is inserted in the aperture and tilts or rotates 90°. 
         [0009]    The toggle wing may be substantially pivoted at its center so as to form the crosspiece portion on the one side of the mounting surface once it rotates substantially 90°. 
         [0010]    The stud portion may include threads configured on its outer surface for receiving the fastener having corresponding threads for engaging the threads of the stud portion. 
         [0011]    The stud portion may also be configured to couple or mount a device thereto, including a light, a speaker, an antenna, etc. 
         [0012]    The mounting surface may include tubing, a flat wall, a ceiling or a T-top that forms part of some other device, structure, vehicle, equipment, or other apparatus either now known or later developed in the future. 
         [0013]    The present invention may also take the form of a method featuring inserting an L-shaped portion of a first L-shaped toggle half into an aperture in a mounting surface so that the L-shaped portion extends in one direction on one side of the mounting surface, and a stud-like portion extends from the other side of the mounting surface; inserting a corresponding L-shaped portion of a second L-shaped toggle half into the aperture so that the corresponding L-shaped portion extends in another direction on the one side of the mounting surface, and a corresponding stud-like portion extends from the other side of the mounting surface; mating together the second L-shaped toggle half and the first L-shaped toggle half so as to form an anchor system having a crosspiece portion formed by two L-shaped portions on one side of the mounting surface and a stud portion formed by respective stud-like portions on the other side of the mounting surface; and attaching a fastener to the stud portion so as to urge the crosspiece portion against the one side of the mounting surface and lock the anchor system to the mounting surface. 
         [0014]    According to some embodiments of the present invention, this method may include one or more of the features, as follows: 
         [0015]    The method may include configuring the stud portion so as to form a conduit to pass one or more wires through the mounting surface. 
         [0016]    Each L-shaped toggle half may be formed as an integral molded piece. 
         [0017]    Each L-shaped toggle half may be made of plastic, aluminum, stainless steel, fiberglass, or other suitable material. 
         [0018]    Each stud-like portion may have a respective partial threaded portion configured to form a threaded portion when the first L-shaped toggle half and the second L-shaped toggle half are mated to form the anchor system for receiving a corresponding fastener having corresponding threads. 
         [0019]    The two L-shaped portions may extend in substantially opposite directions. 
         [0020]    The method may include inserting one or more wires into a conduit portion of the first L-shaped toggle half before inserting the first L-shaped toggle half into the aperture for subsequently coupling to an electrical device to be mounted onto the stud portion. 
         [0021]    The first L-shaped toggle half may have a respective stud portion with a partial tubular portion, an intermediate annular portion, or both for passing the one or more wires through in order to retain the same in the first L-shaped toggle half. 
         [0022]    Each L-shaped toggle half may have a respective curved portion where each stud portion is connected to each L-shaped portion configured to facilitate inserting each L-shaped portion into the aperture. 
         [0023]    The method may include inserting one or more washers onto the stud portion so as to be arranged between the fastener and the mounting surface. 
         [0024]    The method may include providing a protective boot over some or all of the fastener for sealing and protecting the mounting anchor exposed on the outside of the mounting surface. 
         [0025]    Each L-shaped toggle half has its respective stud portion connected to and extending substantially at a right angle in relation to its L-shaped portion. 
         [0026]    The present invention may also take the form of a method featuring inserting one end of an anchor system having a toggle wing portion into an aperture of a mounting surface, the toggle wing portion having a toggle wing pivotally arranged by a toggle pin; disturbing the anchor system so that the toggle wing rotates substantially 90° and part of its longitudinal surface rests on one side of the mounting surface so as to form a crosspiece portion; and attaching a fastener to a stud portion on the other side of the mounting surface so as to urge the crosspiece portion against the mounting surface and lock the anchor system to the mounting surface. 
         [0027]    According to some embodiments of the present invention, this method may include one or more of the features, as follows: The toggle wing may be substantially pivoted at its center so as to form the crosspiece portion on the one side of the mounting surface once it rotates substantially 90°. The stud portion may be configured to form a conduit to pass one or more wires through the mounting surface. The toggle wing portion and the stud portion may be made of plastic, aluminum, stainless steel, fiberglass, or other suitable material. 
         [0028]    The present invention may also take the form of a kit for over-the-counter sales of the anchor system disclosed herein. For example, the kit may comprise: a first L-shaped toggle half having an L-shaped portion configured to insert into an aperture in a mounting surface so that the L-shaped portion extends in one direction on one side of the mounting surface and a stud-like portion extends from the other side of the mounting surface; a second L-shaped toggle half having a corresponding L-shaped portion configured to insert into the aperture so that the corresponding L-shaped portion extends in another direction on the one side of the mounting surface and a corresponding stud-like portion extends from the other side of the mounting surface; the first L-shaped toggle half and the second L-shaped toggle half being configured to mate together so as to form an anchor system having a crosspiece portion formed by two L-shaped portions on the one side of the mounting surface and a stud portion formed by respective stud-like portions on the other side of the mounting surface; a fastener configured to attach to the stud portion so as to urge the crosspiece portion against the one side of the mounting surface and lock the anchor system to the mounting surface; and a set of instructions for informing a purchaser of the kit how to assemble the anchor system. 
         [0029]    Advantages of the mounting system according to some embodiments of the present invention include:
       The mounting system may be a blind toggle anchor that exposes a strongly anchored stud to mount or clamp devices to.   One embodiment, sometimes referred to as the hollow version, can cleanly hide-away wires for mounting any type of electronic device like: lights, speakers, antennas, radar, etc.   Another embodiment, sometimes referred to as the solid version, can rigidly blind mount anything using a stud and a nut to clamp it. (Boat seats, fishing pulpits, etc.)   The large wing design allows the mounting system to be mounted to many surfaces: tubing, flat walls made of all materials: aluminum, fiberglass, plastic, wood, wallboard, etc. (Ideal for Boats and RV&#39;s)   The split toggle design makes it easy to remove so it is reusable.   It also requires drilling a smaller aperture than typical anchors.   Design has the strength to mount heavy items on many surfaces.       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0037]    The drawing includes the following Figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale: 
           [0038]      FIG. 1   a  shows a first toggle half having wires inserted therein according to some embodiments of a quick mount anchor system of the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 1   b  shows the first toggle half in  FIG. 1   a  partially inserted into a aperture in tubing according to some embodiments of the quick mount anchor system of the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 1   c  shows a second toggle half in  FIG. 1   a  partially inserted into the aperture in tubing in  FIG. 1   b  in front of the first toggle half according to some embodiments of the quick mount anchor system of the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 1   d  shows washers and a screw nut for inserting over threads of the first and second toggles in  FIG. 1   c  after being inserted into the aperture according to some embodiments of the quick mount anchor system of the present invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 1   e  shows a final fastener assembly after the washers and the screw nut are coupled to the first and second toggles in  FIG. 1   d  according to some embodiments of the quick mount anchor system of the present invention. 
           [0043]      FIG. 1   f  shows a device, such as a searchlight, for coupling to the final fastener assembly in  FIG. 1   e  according to some embodiments of the quick mount anchor system of the present invention. 
           [0044]      FIG. 1   g  shows the searchlight coupled to the final fastener assembly in  FIG. 1   f  according to some embodiments of the quick mount anchor system of the present invention. 
           [0045]      FIG. 1   h  shows the searchlight coupled to the final fastener assembly in  FIG. 1   g  having a protective boot arranged over the washers and the screw nut according to some embodiments of the quick mount anchor system of the present invention. 
           [0046]      FIG. 1   i  shows a partial cross-sectional view of the tubing and the final fastener assembly in  FIG. 1   h  according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0047]      FIG. 2   a  shows a quick mount anchor system according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0048]      FIG. 2   b  shows the quick mount anchor system to be inserted in the tubing according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0049]      FIG. 2   c  shows the quick mount anchor system inserted in the tubing in  FIG. 2   b  having its toggle bolt tilted 90 degrees and its nut tightened for locking the toggle bolt according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0050]      FIG. 2   d  shows a device, such as a searchlight, for coupling to the quick mount anchor system according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0051]      FIG. 2   e  shows the searchlight coupled to the quick mount anchor system in  FIG. 2   d  according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0052]      FIG. 2   f  shows the searchlight coupled to the quick mount anchor system in  FIG. 1   e  having a protective boot arranged over the washers and the screw nut according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0053]      FIG. 2   g  shows a partial cross-sectional view of the tubing and the quick mount anchor system in  FIG. 2   f  according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0054]      FIG. 2   h  shows a toggle bolt having a rivet or screw for coupling two toggle bolts halves together according to some embodiments the quick mount anchor system of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0055]      FIGS. 1   a  to  1   i  show a quick mount anchor system according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0056]      FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  show a first L-shaped toggle half generally indicated as  10  having an L-shaped portion  10   a  and a stud-like portion  10   b . The L-shaped portion  10   a  is configured to insert into an aperture  20   a  in a mounting surface  20  so that the L-shaped portion  10   a  extends in one direction generally indicated as A along the mounting surface  20 . The respective stud-like portion  10   b  may include a partial tubular portion  10   b ′, an intermediate annular portion  10   b ″, or both for passing the one or more wires through in order to retain the same. The partial tubular portion  10   b ′ is configured to extend far enough so as to be able to couple a device thereto after the anchor system is mounted to the mounting surface consistent with that shown and described herein. 
         [0057]      FIG. 1   c  and  1   d  shows a second L-shaped toggle half generally indicated as  14  having a corresponding L-shaped portion  14   a  and a corresponding stud-like portion  14   b . The corresponding L-shaped portion  14   a  is configured to insert into the aperture  20   a  in front of the first L-shaped portion  10   a  so that the corresponding L-shaped portion  14   a  extends in another direction B along the mounting surface  20 . As shown, the portions  10   a ,  14   a  extend substantially in opposite direction, although the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the same. The first L-shaped toggle half  10  and the second L-shaped toggle half  14  are configured to mate together so as to form an anchor system having a crosspiece portion generally indicated as  16  (see  FIG. 1   i ) formed by the two L-shaped portions  10   a ,  14   a  on one side S 1  of the mounting surface  20  and a stud portion generally indicated  18  formed by the stud-like portions  10   b ,  14   b  on the other side S 2  of the mounting surface  20 . 
         [0058]    In  FIG. 1   d , a fastener generally indicated as  22  is configured to attach to the stud portion  18  so as to urge the crosspiece portion  16  (see  FIG. 1   i ) against the one side S 1  of the mounting surface  20  and lock the anchor system to the mounting surface  20 . As shown, the fastener may include a screw nut  22   a  and one or more washers  22   b . As shown, the stud portion  18  may take the form of a conduit having a thread portion  18   a  configured on its outer surface for receiving the fastener  22  that has corresponding threads (not shown) for engaging the threads  18   a . In this case, each stud-like portion  10   b ,  14   b  has a respective partial threaded portion  24 ,  26  configured to form the threaded portion  18   a  when the first L-shaped toggle half  10  and the second L-shaped toggle half  14  are mated to form the anchor system. 
         [0059]    Each L-shaped toggle half  10  and  14  may also have a respective curved portion  30 ,  32  where each stud-like portion  10   b ,  14   b  is respectively connected to each L-shaped portion  10   a ,  14   a  configured to facilitate inserting each L-shaped portion  10   a ,  14   a  into the aperture  20   a.    
         [0060]    By way of example, the mounting surface  20  is shown as a tubular structure, although the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind of mounting surface either now known or later developed in the future, including, but not limited to, a flat wall, a ceiling, a T-top, etc., of any structure that forms part of, e.g., a building, or a vehicle such as a marine vessel, or other apparatus, equipment, etc. either now known or later developed in the future. 
         [0061]      FIG. 1   e  shows a final fastener assembly of the anchor system after the washers  22   b ,  22   c  and the screw nut  22   a  are coupled to the first and second toggle halves  10 ,  14  in  FIG. 1   d.    
         [0062]      FIG. 1   f  shows, by way of example, a device generally indicated as  50 , such as a searchlight, for coupling to the final fastener assembly of the anchor system shown in  FIG. 1   e . The searchlight  50  may include a coupling device  52  for clamping onto the stud  18 . The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind of device for coupling to the stud portion  18 , or any particular type or kind of clamping device for coupling the same together. The scope of the invention is intended to include other types or kind of clamping device either now known or later developed in the future. Further, the scope of the invention is also intended to include the stud portion  18  having further adaptations or configurations for receiving other clamping devices having corresponding adaptations or configurations now known or later developed in the future. In other words, the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to how the device  50  and the stud portion  18  are coupled together. 
         [0063]    As shown, the wires  12   a ,  12   b  inserted in the first L-shaped toggle half  10  may be coupled to the device  50  on one end and to some power source (not shown) on the other end to provide power to the device  50 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 1   g  shows the device coupled to the final fastener assembly in  FIG. 1   f  which provides a very robust mounting configuration with the wires  12   a ,  12   b  completely and safely hidden. 
         [0065]      FIG. 1   h  shows an optional protective boot  60  arranged over the washer  22   b  and the screw nut  22   c  for providing protections to these elements. 
         [0066]      FIG. 1   i  shows a partial cross-sectional view of the tubing and the final fastener assembly in  FIG. 1   h  showing the crosspiece portion inside the tubing. 
         [0067]      FIGS. 2   a  to  2   h  show another quick mount anchor system generally indicated as  100  according to some embodiments of the present invention. Similar parts to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1   a  to  1   i  are references with similar reference numerals. 
         [0068]    In  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b , the quick mount anchor system  100  is shown to include a toggle wing portion generally indicated as  102  on one end and a stud portion generally indicated as  104  on the other end. The toggle wing portion  102  is inserted into the aperture  20   a  of the mounting surface  20 , and has a toggle wing  106  pivotally arranged by a toggle pin  108 . 
         [0069]    In  FIG. 2   c , once inserted into the aperture  20   a , the toggle wing rotates substantially 90° based on the disturbance related to the insertion (or some additional disturbance if needed) so that part of its longitudinal surface rests on one side S 1  of the mounting surface  20  so as to form a crosspiece portion generally indicated as  110 . Similar to the embodiment described above, the fastener  22  is attached to the stud portion  104  on the other side S 2  of the mounting surface  20  so as to urge the crosspiece portion  110  against the mounting surface  20  and lock the anchor system to the mounting surface. Consistent with that discussed above, the stud portion  104  may include threads and the nut  22   c  may include corresponding threads for coupling the same together as shown. The scope of the invention is intended to include other coupling configurations either now known or later developed in the future. The toggle wing  106  is substantially pivoted at its center so as to form the crosspiece portion  110  on the one side S 1  of the mounting surface once it rotates substantially 90°. As shown, the stud portion  104  is configured to form a conduit generally indicated as  120  to pass the one or more wires  12   a ,  12   b  through the mounting surface  20  for connection to some power source (not shown). The coupling device  52  may include a pivot lock screw  54  for tightening the device  50  at a particular orientation. 
         [0070]      FIG. 22   h  shows an alternative embodiment where the toggle wing  106 ′ takes the form of two toggle wing parts  106   a  and  106   b  having a rivet or screw  106   c  for coupling the same together. In this embodiment, the stud portion  104 ′ has protrusions  120  on each side thereof for receiving the two toggle wing parts  106   a  and  106   b.    
       THE SCOPE OF THE INVENTION 
       [0071]    It should be understood that, unless stated otherwise herein, any of the features, characteristics, alternatives or modifications described regarding a particular embodiment herein may also be applied, used, or incorporated with any other embodiment described herein. Also, the drawings herein are not drawn to scale. 
         [0072]    Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, the foregoing and various other additions and omissions may be made therein and thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.