Patent Publication Number: US-11655836-B2

Title: Quick disconnect mount

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/596,932, filed Oct. 9, 2019, pending, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/743,009, filed Oct. 9, 2018, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in this application. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     (NOT APPLICABLE) 
     BACKGROUND 
     The invention relates to mounting structure for securing support poles or the like to a boat deck and, more particularly, to a low-profile mounting assembly utilizing push-click installation and press-button removal. 
     Existing mount systems typically utilize mounting brackets secured with two bolts and a locking pin securable through aligned holes in the bracket and support pole as shown in  FIG.  1   .  FIG.  2    shows an alternative prior art construction utilizing a ball and socket joint. Both existing assemblies are highly conspicuous and secure the locking pins with unsightly lanyards as shown. Moreover, the existing constructions may not adequately secure the support poles, resulting in instability and potential rattling during use. The existing assemblies are also limited in rotatable displacement. 
     SUMMARY 
     It would be desirable to provide a quick disconnect mount utilizing a low-profile mounting stud and avoiding the use of unsightly pole pins with hanging lanyards. The quick disconnect mount of the described embodiments includes a low-profile mounting stud secured with a single connector to the boat deck. Connection and disconnection can be achieved with one person using one hand. Additionally, the low-profile mounting stud can be screwed or bolted to the surface using a single drill hole. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a quick disconnect mount includes a mounting stud securable to a structure, and a connector securable on the mounting stud. The mounting stud includes at least one circumferential ridge and at least one circumferential trough, and the connector includes a central channel sized to fit over the mounting stud and a locking bar engageable with the circumferential trough. 
     The at least one circumferential ridge may define a cam surface. The locking bar may be displaceable between an extended position and a retracted position, where the locking bar may be biased toward the extended position. The cam surface defined by the at least one circumferential ridge may be positioned to displace the locking bar from the extended position to the retracted position as the connector is positioned over the mounting stud. The quick disconnect mount may further include a pushbutton cooperable with the locking bar that when depressed displaces the locking bar from the extended position to the retracted position. 
     The connector may include an interior circumferential seal. The connector may include a pair of upright posts extending away from the mounting stud that define a U-shaped channel. The connector further may include a bushing positioned in the U-shaped channel. The connector may be rotatable on the mounting stud across 360 degrees. The mounting stud may include a single through hole, and the quick disconnect mount may further include a single connector extendable through the single through hole. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a support pole assembly includes a support pole with a connecting end, and the quick disconnect mount of the described embodiments. The connecting end of the support pole is attached to the connector. The connector may include a pair of upright posts extending away from the mounting stud that define a U-shaped channel, where the connecting end of the support pole is secured in the U-shaped channel. In some embodiments, the support pole is pivotable relative to the connector across at least 180 degrees, and the connector is rotatable on the mounting stud across 360 degrees. The connector may also include a bushing positioned in the U-shaped channel, where the connecting end of the support pole engages the bushing. 
     In yet another exemplary embodiment, a method of connecting a support pole to a boat deck using the quick disconnect mount of the described embodiments includes the steps of securing the support pole to the connector; aligning the connector with the mounting stud; positioning the connector over the mounting stud to a first position such that the circumferential ridge displaces the locking bar from an extended position to a retracted position; and positioning the connector over the mounting stud to a second position such that the locking bar is displaced into the extended position engaging the circumferential trough. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other aspects and advantages will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    shows an existing mount system utilizing a mounting bracket secured with two bolts and a locking pin; 
         FIG.  2    shows an alternative existing construction utilizing a ball and socket joint; 
         FIG.  3    shows the low-profile mounting stud of the quick disconnect mount according to the described embodiments; 
         FIGS.  4  and  5    show the connector of the quick disconnect mount in position to engage the mounting stud; 
         FIGS.  6 - 8    show the connector engaging the mounting stud; 
         FIG.  9    shows the pushbutton pressed inward to disengage the connector; and 
         FIG.  10    is a sectional view of the connector. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIGS.  3 - 6   , the quick disconnect mount of the described embodiments includes a low-profile mounting stud  10  securable to a boat deck or other structure. That is, the mounting stud  10  can be screwed or bolted to the structure via a single connector  15 A extendable through a single through hole  15 B. The mounting stud  10  includes at least one circumferential ridge  12  and at least one circumferential trough  14 . 
     The connector  16  includes a central channel  18  sized to fit over the mounting stud  10 . A seal  19  or the like may be positioned in the channel  18 . Locking structure  20  (described in more detail below) in the channel is coupled with a pushbutton  22  for engaging the trough  14  over the ridge  12  of the mounting stud  10 . 
       FIG.  10    is a sectional view of the connector  16 . The locking structure includes a locking bar  20  that is displaceable between an extended position and a retracted position. The locking bar  20  is biased toward the extended position via a spring  23  or the like engaging the pushbutton  22 . The locking bar  20  is integral with the pushbutton  22 , and as such, displacing the pushbutton  22  against the force of the spring  23  serves to displace the locking bar  20  out of engagement with the trough  14  of the mounting stud  10 . The circumferential ridge  12  of the mounting stud  10  defines a cam surface. The cam surface defined by the circumferential ridge  12  is positioned to displace the locking bar  20  from the extended position to the retracted position as the connector  16  is positioned over the mounting stud  10 . In an alternative construction, the locking bar  20  may include a cam surface. 
     To secure the connecting member  16 , the channel  18  is aligned with the mounting stud  10 , and the connector  16  is simply pressed onto the mounting stud  10 . As noted, the ridge  12  acts as a cam surface to displace the locking structure/bar  20  as the connector  16  is pressed onto the pin  10 . See  FIGS.  4 - 5   . 
     The connector  16  is shown secured to the mounting stud  10  in  FIG.  6   . Once secured, the support pole SP is displaceable across greater than 180°, and the connector  16  and support pole SP are 360° rotatable around the mounting stud  10 . The added degrees of freedom facilitate installation of a Bimini top or other structure supported on one or more of the support poles SP. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  7  and  8   , in some embodiments, the connector  16  may be provided with a bushing  24  formed of plastic or other pliable material. The connector  16  may be provided with a pair of upright posts  26  extending away from the mounting stud  10 . The upright posts  26  define a U-shaped channel  28 . The bushing  24  may be positioned in the U-shaped channel  28 . The bushing  24  secures the end of the support pole SP, possibly but not necessarily in an interference fit, to provide for a secure connection and to substantially reduce or eliminate rattling during use. 
     With reference to  FIG.  9   , removal of the connector  16  from mounting stud  10  is achieved by depressing the button  22  to displace/retract the locking bar  20  from the mounting stud trough  14 , and the connector  16  can be simply lifted off the mounting stud  10 . 
     With the structure of the described embodiments, when the poles are removed, all that is left is a small low-profile mounting stud. This structure avoids the use of unsightly pole pins with hanging lanyards. Connection and disconnection can be achieved with one person using one hand. The connectors can be secured anywhere the mounting stud can be attached including pontoon rails, fiberglass boat decks, and the like. The 360° swivel facilitates installation, and the greater than 180° of angular displacement can accommodate any angle of the support pole going into the mount. The mounting stud can be screwed or bolted to the surface using a single drill hole. The connector may be formed using various materials, and the bushing may be a polymer sleeve. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.