Patent Publication Number: US-6666420-B1

Title: Suction cup having compact axial installation and release mechanism

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of suction cups, and in particular to axial suction cup installation and release devices and methods. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Suction cups are generally well-known and commonly used to mount and secure objects to smooth surfaces such as the surfaces of glass, plastic, Formica, glazed tile, metal, and other smooth surfaces. A typical suction cup includes a cup body and a stem. The cup body is generally arcuate or circular and defines a concavity. Typically, the stem is integrally formed on the body and used as the place of attachment for the object to be supported by the suction cup. At least the body of the suction cup is made of rubber, plastic or other material having sufficiently elastically resilient properties such that, when the body is pressed against a smooth surface, the volume of concavity is reduced, thereby forcing air to be expelled so that the body forms an air-tight seal against the smooth surface. Atmospheric pressure outside the body retains the suction cup body against the surface. When the air-tight seal is broken, air rushes into the concavity, releasing the vacuum and the suction attachment to the surface. Whereupon the elastically resilient material of the suction cup body returns to its relaxed condition. The resilient suction cup can be repeatedly reused. 
     Suction cups are difficult to properly position. Once a suction cup is attached to a surface, the suction forces (atmospheric and friction) resist repositioning of the cup. Attachment of the suction cup to an object can also be a problem. Preferably, the attachment should be releasable. 
     Furthermore, the vacuum within the suction cup resists the resilient force of the body so that the force of suction balances the resilient force of the body of the suction cup. The result is a limit on the degree of vacuum which can be achieved. 
     One way this limitation on the vacuum can be at least partially overcome is by “pulling” the center of the suction cup body away from the surface, thereby at least partially overcoming the restraining effect of the vacuum and generating an even greater vacuum. The periphery of the suction cup forms an air-tight seal with the surface. When the center of the suction cup body is pulled resiliently away from the surface, a partial vacuum is formed between the body and the surface so that the suction cup body “sticks” to the surface. The greater the vacuum the better the cup sticks to the surface. 
     Several devices have been proposed to “pull” the center of the suction cup away from the surface in order to increase the suction. The most common arrangement, often found for example on the bases of pencil sharpeners and many kitchen appliances, involves a rod or crankshaft which extends mainly parallel to the surface to which the suction cup is to adhere. The center of the suction cup is attached to an eccentric section of the rod or crankshaft, and when a lever arm is turned, the center of the suction cup is pulled outward. U.S. Pat. No. 25 2,089,714, HOLDING DEVICE; issued Aug. 10, 1937, to Schuler; U.S. Pat. No. 3,765,638, SUCTION MOUNT, issued Oct. 16, 1973, to Harrison; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,641, CURVED SURFACE SUCTION MOUNTING APPARATUS, issued Jun. 19, 1990, to McElhaney, all of which are incorporated herein by reference, all describe such shaft-based arrangements. 
     One problem with arrangements using crankshafts and eccentric rods is the lever arms which extend out from whatever device they are mounted in. The lever arms is all too easy to hit or snagged, and the suction is thereby accidentally released. Another drawback of lever arms is that the support and bearing structure for them is difficult to integrate into the structure of the device which is utilizing the suction cups. This complication increases costs and the likelihood of failure. 
     A further cause of increased costs associated with such suction cup assemblies according to the prior art is that they usually require suction cups that must be specially designed to accommodate the lever arms, crankshafts, and the like. 
     More recently, U.S. Pat. No. 5,087,005, TWIST-CAM SUCTION CUP ASSEMBLY, issued Feb. 11, 1992, to Holoff, et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,381,990, RELEASABLE SUCTION CUP ASSEMBLY, issued Jan. 17, 1995, to Belokin, et al., both incorporated herein by reference, proposed devices for “pulling” the center of the suction cup axially. 
     Holoff, et al., for example, discloses a suction cup assembly having a suction cup, a cam member, a cone member and a mating core member secured to the suction cup. The cone member has an outer periphery generally co-extensive with an outer portion of the suction cup, and a generally cylindrical inner opening closely enclosing a cylindrical outer surface of the core member. The cam member has generally cylindrical camming surfaces, and is mounted onto and closely engages either the core member or a camming flange on the cone member, depending on the embodiment. The cam member axially shifts the core member outward relative to the cone member by pulling the center of the suction cup away from a surface to which the suction cup may be adhered. 
     Belokin, et al. discloses a releasable suction cup formed by a cup body which has a duct passing therethrough and a valve element for opening the duct, whereby the vacuum holding the suction cup can be released for repositioning the suction cup. The valve extends through the duct and is threaded on one end to receive a threaded fastener which is used to move the valve element into a sealing position and to secure the suction cup to an object. 
     The axial suction cup devices of Holoff, et al. and Belokin, et al. and others however are overly complex to manufacture, assemble and operate, as well as suffering other limitations. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A compact axially-driven suction cup installation mechanism including a substantially rigid rotational drive mechanism having a tubular frame forming a substantially planar drive surface at one end thereof, a pair of diametrically opposed spiral installation drive members projecting inwardly from an internal wall surface of the tubular frame and being supported at first and second ends by a pair of diametrically opposed longitudinal stanchions projecting inwardly from the internal wall surface of the tubular frame, internal edge surfaces of the spiral installation drive members and longitudinal stanchions forming a longitudinal aperture axially aligned with the internal wall surface of the tubular frame, and means for manually rotating the tubular frame; a housing having a substantially planar external drive surface formed with an aperture therethrough and being structured to cooperate with the substantially planar drive surface of the rotational drive mechanism; and a columnar drive shaft structured to travel through the longitudinal aperture of the rotational drive mechanism, a first end of the columnar drive shaft including means for connecting to a suction cup and a second end of the columnar drive shaft including means for interacting with one or both of the pair of spiral installation drive members for moving the columnar drive shaft through the longitudinal aperture of the rotational drive mechanism in an outwardly direction relative to the planar drive surface thereof 
     According to one aspect of the invention, the means of the columnar drive shaft for interacting with the spiral installation drive members of the rotational drive mechanism is structured as a rigid installation drive pin installed crosswise to the columnar drive shaft. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the means for connecting to a suction cup includes a structure adapted for being molded into the suction cup. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a suction cup having a central attachment portion is included, the central attachment portion being coupled to the suction cup connecting means of the columnar drive shaft. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the housing includes a concavity positioned on a surface opposite from the external drive surface thereof and is structured to admit a central flexible portion of a suction cup, the aperture communicating between the external drive surface and the concavity. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the rotational drive mechanism further includes a pair of diametrically opposed spiral release drive members each projecting inwardly from an internal wall surface of the tubular frame on an opposite surface of the spiral installation drive members and being supported at first and second ends by the pair of diametrically opposed longitudinal stanchions projecting inwardly from the internal wall surface of the tubular frame; and the second end of the columnar drive shaft further includes means for interacting with one or both of the pair of spiral release drive members for moving the columnar drive shaft through the longitudinal aperture of the rotational drive mechanism in a second direction relative to the planar drive surface thereof opposite from the first direction. The means of the columnar drive shaft for interacting with the spiral release drive members of the rotational drive mechanism is, for example, a rigid release drive pin installed crosswise to the columnar drive shaft at a position between the installation drive pin and the means for connecting to a suction cup. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the housing includes a utilization mounting surface structured as a pattern of mounting holes spaced away from the housing planar drive surface a distance sufficient to admit the rotational drive mechanism therebetween. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a partial cutaway view of the invention embodied a suction cup device having a compact axially-driven suction cup installation and release mechanism; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the suction cup housing of the invention embodied as a shallow “bell” shaped body an under surface of which is formed with a concave cavity structured to cooperate with the suction cup of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the suction cup and drive shaft of the invention embodied in a plunger assembly; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the spiral axial drive member of the invention that is mounted on the drive shaft illustrated in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 illustrates the suction cup device of the invention for describing the assembly and operation of the device; and 
     FIG. 6 illustrates the suction cup device of the invention having a device mounting structure installed on a utilization mounting surface thereof. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In the Figures, like numerals indicate like elements. 
     The terms “up” and “down” and derivatives are used solely for clarity in describing the invention and relate to the relative orientation of the individual components shown in the Figures and the assembly relative to a surface to which it is attached. 
     The present invention is an apparatus and method for a suction cup device having a compact axial suction cup installation and release mechanism. The suction cup device includes a suction cup within a concave housing, and an axial drive member structured to operate on an external surface of the housing. A drive shaft is coupled to a central portion of the suction cup and extends through an aperture in the housing, projecting above a drive surface axially aligned with the concave surface formed in the housing. The drive shaft extends through a central aperture in the axial drive member and interacts with an inclined drive surface to pull the central portion of the suction cup toward and push it away from the concave surface of the housing when the axial drive member is rotated in first and second opposite directions relative to the housing. 
     FIG. 1 is a partial cutaway view of the invention embodied a suction cup device  10  having a compact axially-driven suction cup installation and release mechanism. Accordingly, the housing  12  is shown embodied by example and without limitation as having a substantially concave recess or cavity  14  formed in a first “suction” surface, a substantially planar reaction drive surface  16  formed on an opposite external surface of the housing  12  from, and axially aligned with, the concave cavity  14 . An axial aperture  18  communicates between the housing drive surface  16  and the concave cavity  14 . The suction cup device  10  according to the invention is intended to secure some device —a “utilization device”—to a surface. Therefore, a utilization mounting surface  20  is provided as a pattern of mounting holes raised above the operational features of the device. According to one embodiment of the invention, the utilization mounting surface  20  is formed external to the concave cavity  14  and spaced far enough from the housing drive surface  16  to fit the compact axially-driven suction cup installation and release mechanism of the invention to fit their between. The utilization mounting surface  20  is formed, by example and without limitation, with a pair of spaced apart threaded mounting holes  22 . 
     A suction cup  24  is provided having a resiliently deformable central suction portion  25  positioned within the concave cavity  14  of the housing  12  and the peripheral lip portion  28  positioned outside of the cavity  14 . 
     A drive shaft  30  is sized to pass through the aperture  18  in the housing  12  and includes a thin disk-shaped foot portion  32  that is coupled to the central portion  25  of the suction cup  24 . 
     A spiral rotational drive member  34  is mounted on the drive shaft  30 . The rotational drive member  34  is formed having a first substantially planar drive surface  36  that, in operation, drives rotationally against the housing reaction drive surface  16 . The rotational drive member  34  is further formed with an pair of upper spiral axial installation drive surfaces  38  that are axially aligned with the first planar drive surface  36  and are relatively inclined at substantially identical angles thereto, and a second pair of spiral axial release drive surfaces  39  are formed on the undersides of the installation drive surfaces  38  and have substantially the identical inclination relative to the housing reaction drive surface  16 . A substantially round axial aperture  40  communicates between the planar drive surface  36  and the two inclined drive surfaces  38  and is sized to slidingly accept the axial drive shaft  30  therethrough. Installation and release drive pins  42 ,  43  are fixed crosswise to the drive shaft  30  and spaced away from the suction cup  24 . The installation and release drive pins  42 ,  43  are structured to interact with the respective installation and release inclined drive surfaces  38 ,  39  of the axial drive member  30 . 
     The suction cup housing  12 , drive shaft  30  and rotational drive member  34  all may be manufactured easily and inexpensively as individual units of relatively rigid molded plastic. The installation and release drive pins  42 ,  43  are of a tough and sturdy material such as metal. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the suction cup housing  12  embodied as a shallow “bell” shaped body  44  an under surface of which is formed with the concave cavity  14 . As is more clearly shown in FIG. 1, the concave cavity  14  is by example and without limitation formed with a shallow semi-spherical shape that is further truncated at its inner surface by the substantially planar underside  46  of the drive surface  16 . The concavity  14  is alternatively embodied as a shallow semi-spherical shape that maintains its curvature across the underside  46  of the drive surface  16 . According to another alternative embodiment, the concavity  14  is embodied as a shallow “funnel” shape that either maintains its shape to the underside  46  of the reaction drive surface  16 , or is truncated at its inner surface by the substantially planar underside  46  of the reaction drive surface  16 . 
     The drive surface  16  is embodied as a substantially planar surface that truncates the semi-spherical exterior of the housing  12  at a position opposite from the concave cavity surface  14  and spaced apart from it by the thickness of the housing body  44 . The drive surface  16  is further axially aligned with the concavity  14 . The aperture  18  communicating between the reaction drive surface  16  and its underside  46  within the concavity  14  is structured to limit relative rotation of the drive shaft  30 . For example, the aperture  18  is formed as a generally square or rectangular slot, although other anti-rotational shapes may be used such as oblongs, stars, kidneys and free forms. According to one embodiment, the shape of the aperture  18  follows the generally round overall theme of the axially-driven suction cup device  10  of the invention having the short sides of the rectangular slot curved or arched substantially concentric with the bell-shaped housing body  44  and the concavity  14  formed therein. 
     A peripheral lip portion  48  formed concentrically with the bell-shaped housing body  44  is constructed to hold the peripheral lip portion  28  of the suction cup  24  smooth, flat annular ring concentric with the housing body  44  and positioned external to the concavity  14 . As is more clearly shown in FIG. 1, the lip portion  48  includes an annular groove  50  between concentric outward and downward projecting portions  52 ,  54  for capturing a thick and portion of the suction cup lip  28 . The downward projecting portion  54  of the housing lip  48  keeps the suction cup lip  28  from being drawn into the concavity  14  during installation of the suction cup device  10 , while the outwardly projecting portion  52  helps to keep the suction cup lip  28  from curling. 
     The suction cup housing  12  includes the utilization mounting surface  20  formed, for example, as a pair of spaced apart columns  56  diametrically opposed from one another on either side of the drive surface  16  and projecting upwardly from the external surface of the bell-shaped housing body  44 . The columns  56  are sized and shaped to provide sufficient stiffness against side loading expected of the application for which suction cup device  10  is intended. The utilization mounting surfaces  20  are substantially co-planar surfaces formed substantially parallel with the drive surface  16  and disposed on the ends of the columns  56  distal from the housing body  44 . Each of the utilization mounting surfaces  20  includes means  22  for attaching thereto. For example, the attaching means  22  are embodied as threaded holes or through holes backed up with embedded or free-floating metal hex nuts or another threaded insert. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the suction cup  24  and the drive shaft  30  embodied in a plunger assembly  60 . As is more clearly shown in FIG. 1, the drive shaft  30  includes an integral disk-shaped foot portion  32  expanding outwardly from one end of the column-shaped body of the drive shaft  30 . The circular foot portion  32  is provided with means  62 ,  64  for adhering the moldable suction cup material thereto. For example, the adhering means  62 ,  64  (shown in cutaway) are embodied as a pattern of depressions or holes and short columnar projections, respectively, that may be present individually or in combination (shown). The columnar drive shaft  30  is sized to pass through the aperture  18  in the suction cup housing  12  and is shaped to cooperate with the aperture  18  for maintaining a constant relative rotational orientation, and thus remains rotationally oriented to the suction cup housing  12  during operation. In the example shown, the columnar drive shaft  30  generally rectangular in cross-section and is sized to slidingly engage the aperture  18 . The columnar drive shaft  30  also includes one or a pair of spaced-apart crosswise through holes  66 ,  68  at intervals along its length, the hole  66  more proximate to the distal end of the drive shaft  30  is provided for the installation drive pin  42 , while the more distal through hole  68  is provided for the release drive pin  43 , as discussed below. 
     The suction cup  24  is a rubber, plastic or another elastically resilient material molded over the circular foot portion  32  of the drive shaft  30 , as is more clearly shown in FIG.  1 . The adhering means  62 ,  64  to improve and ensure adhesion of the molded suction cup material to the drive shaft foot portion  32 . The central suction portion  25  of the suction cup  24  includes a relatively stiff round center section  26  formed of the elastically resilient material over molding the foot  32  of the drive shaft  30 . The relatively stiff round center section  26  is surrounded by an integral thin deformably resilient annular portion of that extends to the integral peripheral lip portion  28 . According to one embodiment of the invention, the peripheral lip portion  28  is an annular ring of the elastically resilient material structured to cooperate with the annular groove  50  of the housing body&#39;s lip  48  for keeping the peripheral lip  28  from being drawn into the concavity  14  during installation of the suction cup device  10 . Accordingly, the lip portion  28  includes a thickened inner peripheral annular ring  70  that forms an annular “shelf”  72  structured to fit within the annular groove  50  between outwardly and downwardly projections  52 ,  54 . The integral peripheral lip  28  may extend outwardly in a thickened annular ring portion  74  having a cross-section of sufficient thickness to avoid curling during installation of the suction cup device  10 , thereby effectively increasing the suction cup footprint and the holding power of the suction cup device. 
     A tab  75  extends from the periphery of the annular ring portion  74  of the suction cup  24 . When the suction cup is attached to a surface, manual lifting of the tab  75  by the operator eases release of the suction cup device  10 . 
     Although less effective in operation than a rigid material, the drive shaft  30  is optionally molded of the plastic or other elastically resilient material from which the suction cup  24  is molded. Additionally, when molded of the same material as the suction cup  24 , the drive shaft  30  is optionally molded integrally with the suction cup  24 , and the foot portion  32  is eliminated. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the spiral axial drive member  34  that is mounted on the drive shaft  30  in FIG.  1 . As embodied in FIG. 4, the axial drive member  34  includes the substantially planer drive surface  36  embodied as an annular ring formed as one surface of a substantially tubular-walled body or frame  76  that is its main structural component. In the top-down perspective view of FIG. 1 the pair of upper spiral axial installation drive surfaces  38  are shown as a pair of diametrically-opposed annular inclined surfaces around the round axial aperture  40 . The installation drive surfaces  38  are offset above respective spiral axial release drive surfaces  39  and cover a vertical distance relative to the tubular walls of the frame  76  that is configured to create a substantial vacuum between the deformable central portion  25  of the suction cup  24  and a surface to which it is attached. The lower release drive surfaces  39  begin at a minimum position relative to the frame walls  76  that is offset above the planar drive surface  36  sufficiently to permit the release drive pin  43  to pass thereunder, as is more clearly shown in FIG.  1 . 
     The spiral installation drive surfaces  38  are provided with anti-rotation “keeper” means  78 . For example, the spiral installation drive surfaces  38  extend at their maximum elevation relative to the planar drive surface  36  in an extension or “shelf” portion  80  that is formed either substantially parallel with the planar drive surface  36  or canted at a slightly negative inclination relative to the respective installation drive surfaces  38 . A “saddle” is optionally created by a shallow curve or “dish” shaped in shelf to operate as the anti-rotation locking mechanism. Irrespective of configuration, the installation drive and  42  rests on the shelf portion  80 . A detent  82  is optionally formed between each installation drive surface  38  and the respective extension  80  as an offset or a steeply negatively inclined plane (shown). 
     The pairs of spiral installation and release drive surfaces  38 ,  39  end in a pair of stanchions  84  diametrically opposed across the axial aperture  40 . Besides supporting the upper and lower ends of the installation and release surfaces, the stanchions  84  provide stops in the form of solid surfaces  86  for one or both of the installation and release drive pins  42 ,  43 . 
     The rotational drive member  34  includes access means  88  for installing the installation drive pin  42  during assembly of the suction cup device  10  and its installation and release mechanism. For example, the access means  88  is embodied as a slot through the tubular wall of the frame  76  sized to pass the installation drive pin  42 . The access slot  88  is positioned along the inclined installation drive surface  38  and a point adjacent to or actually in alignment with the extension  80  at the top of one of the installation drive surfaces  38  distal from the planar drive surface  36 . 
     Additionally, the rotational drive member  34  includes operating means  90  for gripping and manually rotating it about its longitudinal axis, as indicated by the arrow, relative to the suction cup housing  12 , whereby the inclined installation and drive surfaces  38 ,  39  are rotated relative to the respective rotationally fixed installation and release drive pins  42 ,  43  and the drive shaft  30  is driven-axially relative to the rotational drive member  34 . The operating means  90  is embodied for example as a pair of diametrically opposed flanges projecting outwardly from the tubular-walls of the frame  76 , as illustrated in FIG.  4 . Alternatively, the operating means  90  is embodied as another conventional manual gripping device or surface such as a knurled or grooved surface. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates the suction cup device  10 , with the utilization of mounting surface  20  exposed. The illustration of FIG. 5 is useful in describing the assembly and operation of the suction cup device  10 , including its compact axial suction cup installation and release mechanism. As illustrated, the suction cup  24  is installed with the deformable central suction portion  25  positioned within the concavity  14  of the housing  12 , as more clearly shown in FIG. 1, and the peripheral lip portion  28  extending beyond the portion  48 . As is also more clearly shown in FIG. 1, the columnar drive shaft  30  passes through the cooperating axial aperture  18  communicating between the interior surface  46  of the cavity  14  and the planar drive surface  16  of the suction cup housing  12 . 
     If present, the release drive pin  43  is inserted into and partially through the more distal hole  68  through the drive shaft  30 . 
     The round axial aperture  40  of the rotational drive member  34  is fitted over the end of the columnar drive shaft  30  projecting through the axial aperture  18  above the housing drive surface  16 . The release drive pin  43  fitting between the tubular walls of the axial drive member frame  76 . The respective pairs of inclined installation and release drive surfaces  38 ,  39  are thereby positioned on opposite sides of the drive shaft  30  with each of the release drive surfaces  39  in proximity to the portion of the release drive in projecting crosswise from opposite sides of the drive shaft  30 . The planar drive surface  36  is positioned adjacent to and in contact with the housing reaction drive surface  16 , as is more clearly shown in FIG.  1 . The access means, slot  88 , is aligned with the second crosswise hole  66  through the distal end of the drive shaft  30 . 
     When the suction cup  24  is in a relaxed state, the positioning of the access slot at or near the top of the inclined installation drive surface  38  causes the second crosswise hole  66  in the drive shaft  30  to be slightly below the installation drive surfaces  38  of the axial drive member  34 . It is therefore partially obscured and inaccessible. A slight pressure is applied to the center section  26  of the suction cup  24 , and thereby to the foot portion  32  of drive shaft  30 . The drive shaft  30  is thereby moved axially relative to the housing  12  and the axially-driven rotational drive member  34  so that the second crosswise hole  66  appears above the installation drive surfaces  38 . The installation drive pin  42  is now passed through the slot  88  and is inserted into and partially through the hole  66  through the drive shaft  30 . During assembly, the installation drive pin passes completely through the access slot  88  and thereafter fits between the tubular walls of the axial drive member frame  76 . Upon release of the pressure against the suction cup center section  26 , the resilient suction cup  24  attempts to return to its relaxed state. The drive shaft  30  is thereby pulled back through the axial aperture  40  in the rotational drive member  34  and the axial slot  18  in the housing  12 , which generates a slight pressure between the installation drive pin  42  and the installation drive surfaces  38 . This pressure asked to keep the installation drive pin  42  from backing out of the hole  66  and through the access slot  88 . However, as the rotational drive member  34  is rotated to a release position, as discussed below, the installation drive pin  42  moves along the installation drive surfaces  38  downward relative to the rotational drive member  34 , which releases the pressure and permits the suction cup  24  to return to its relaxed state. 
     In operation, with the rotational drive member  34  rotated to release pressure between the installation drive pin  42  and the inclined installation drive surface  38 , the peripheral lip portion  28  of the relaxed suction cup  24  is placed against a smooth surface to which is to be attached. When the operator is satisfied with the position of the suction cup device  10  relative to the attachment surface, the torque load is applied via the flanges  90  to rotate the drive member frame  76  relative to the suction cup housing  12  in the installation direction indicated by the arrow marked “ON.” During rotation, the installation drive pin  42  comes into contact with a upwardly ramping axial installation drive surfaces  38 . Continued application of the torque load to the drive member frame  76  causes the installation drive pin to travel upwardly along the axial installation drive surfaces  38 . The planar drive surface  36  forming the bottom surface of the axial drive member  34  is as is simultaneously rotated against the housing reaction drive surface  16 . As the installation drive pin  42  travels upwardly along the installation drive surfaces  38 , it is moved axially away from the housing reaction drive surface  16 . The drive shaft  30  is simultaneously drawn upwardly through axial aperture  18  in the housing drive surface  16 . The foot portion  32  is carried upwardly as part of the drive shaft  30 . The center section  26  of the suction cup  24  to his drawn up for delay with the foot portion  32  into the concavity  14  while the peripheral housing lip  48  maintains a manual or shape and position of the suction cup peripheral lip  28  external to the concavity  14 . In effect, motion of the installation drive pin  42  upwardly along the installation drive surfaces  38  pulls the drive shaft  30  of the plunger  60  and out of the concavity  14  through the axial aperture  18  in the housing reaction drive surface  16 . As the links of the plunger drive shaft  30  increases above the housing drive surface  16 , the portion within the concavity  14  shortens. The thin deformably resilient annular portion  27  of the suction cup  24  is forced to stretch between the withdrawing center section  26  positionally fixed peripheral lip  28 . An airtight cavity  92  (shown in FIG. 1) is formed beneath the suction cup wherein a partial vacuum is formed relative to ambient atmospheric pressure. 
     Rotation of the axially-driven drive member  34  ceases when the installation drive pin encounters the solid surface  86  of one or both of the stanchions  84 . Other rotational stops may also be provided such as the flanges  90  encountering one of the columns  56  bearing the utilization mounting surfaces  20 . 
     The pressure exerted by the installation drive pin  42  is maintained by its spaced apart position relative to the housing reaction drive surface  16 . This relative position is maintained by the anti-rotation keeper means  78 , whereby the installation drive pin  42  is settled on the extension or step portion  80  at maximum elevation relative to the housing drive surface  16 . Passing the installation drive pin  42  over the optional detent  82 , as well as the tension generated in the suction cup  24 , ensures that the installation drive pin  42  cannot back down the installation drive surfaces  38 . 
     The suction cup device  10  is released from the attachment surface by release of the relative vacuum within the suction cup  24 . This is accomplished by collapsing the airtight cavity  92  by driving the center  26  of the suction cup  24  downwardly to the attachment surface, whereby tension in the stretched deformably resilient annular portion  27  is released and the suction cup  24  returns to its relaxed condition. The center  26  of the suction cup  24  is driven downwardly by interaction of the release drive pin  43  with the release drive surfaces  39  when the torque load is applied to rotate the drive member  34  in a release direction, as indicated by the arrow marked “OFF.” For example, a released torque load is applied to the flanges  90  of the drive member frame  76 . Force by the release drive pin  43  moving downwardly along the release drive surfaces  39  combines with the elasticity of the stretched deformably resilient annular portion  27  material to push the plunger drive shaft  30  down through the axial aperture  18  into the concavity  14 . When the upward force on the plunger drive shaft  30  is completely removed and the suction cup  24  is relaxed, the relative vacuum holding the suction cup device  10  against the attachment surface is released and the device  10  can be moved. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates the suction cup device  10  of the invention having a device mounting structure  94  installed on the utilization mounting surfaces  20 . The device mounting structure  94  includes means for attaching to the utilization mounting surfaces  20 . For example, counter-bores and through holes  96  are provided for a fastener  98  to be threaded to the nut or insert provided at the mounting holes  22 . The device mounting structure  94  includes, by example and without limitation, device mounting means such as a threaded or other capture hole  100 . 
     The two-hole diamond shape of the device mounting structure  94  illustrated is not intended to be exhaustive and is shown as only one example and without limitation. The device mounting structure  94  is optionally embodied in any useful configuration. For example, the device mounting structure  94  is embodied suitably for mounting the resiliently compressible ball-shaped coupler described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,885, entitled UNIVERSALLY POSITIONABLE MOUNTING DEVICE, issued Dec. 8, 1998, to the inventor of the present invention, which is incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the device mounting structure  94  is embodied suitably for mounting the wheel-and-axle assembly of the positively-positionable mount described in allowed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/855,162, entitled POSITIVELY-POSITIONABLE MOUNTING APPARATUS, filed May 14, 2001, in the name of the inventor of the present invention, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     According to another alternative, the device mounting structure  94  is embodied suitably for mounting either of the male and female mounting bases for use in combination with the flexible snap-link apparatus disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/654,245, entitled FLEXIBLE ELECTRONIC MOUNT APPARATUS, filed Sep. 2, 2000, in the name of the inventor of the present invention, which is incorporated herein by reference. Other alternative embodiments of the device mounting structure  94  are also contemplated for mounting a variety of different useful devices. 
     While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.