Patent Publication Number: US-2012023882-A1

Title: Universal mounting structure for a lawn striper

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/484,416 filed Jun. 15, 2009, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/862,420, filed Sep. 27, 2007, both of which are incorporated herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to the field of lawn mower accessories, and more particularly to a universal mounting structure for a lawn striper. 
     Lawn or grass striping is a method of grooming a mowed lawn of grass to achieve a desired aesthetic appearance. Grass striping is used to produce a checkerboard or a stripe pattern that is commonly seen in professional ball parks, golf courses, municipal parks, and even privately owned homes. The striping effect results from bending the blades of cut grass. Grass bent away from and towards the observer appears lighter and darker, respectively. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment relates to a universal mounting structure for a lawn striper including a first bracket, a second bracket, a third bracket, a pin, and a spring. The first bracket is configured for mounting to a frame of a lawn mower and includes at least one aperture. The second bracket includes an aperture. The pin is received through the at least one aperture of the first bracket and through the aperture of the second bracket to rotationally couple the first bracket and the second bracket. The third bracket is rotationally coupled to the second bracket and moveable relative to the second bracket between a first position and a second position. The spring is interconnected between the second bracket and the third bracket to bias the third bracket in the first position. A longitudinal axis of the spring remains perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the lawn mower regardless of how the first bracket is mounted to the frame of the lawn mower. 
     Another embodiment relates to a lawn mower having a lawn striper including a first bracket, a second bracket, a pin that rotationally couples the first bracket and the second bracket, a third bracket, a spring, and a striper blade. The first bracket is configured for mounting to a frame of the lawn mower and includes at least one aperture. The second bracket includes an aperture. The pin is received through the at least one aperture of the first bracket and through the aperture of the second bracket to rotationally couple the first bracket and the second bracket. The third bracket is rotationally coupled to the second bracket and moveable relative to the second bracket between a first position and a second position. The spring is interconnected between the second bracket and the third bracket to bias the third bracket in the first position. The striper blade includes an upper edge coupled to the third bracket and a free lower edge opposite the upper edge. The upper edge of the striper blade remains perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the lawn mower regardless of how the first bracket is mounted to the frame of the lawn mower. 
     Another embodiment relates to a lawn striping kit including at least one universal mounting structure. The universal mounting structure includes a first bracket, a second bracket, a third bracket, a first pin, a second pin, and a spring. The first bracket is configured for mounting to a frame of a lawn mower and includes a first aperture in a first surface of the bracket and a second aperture in a second surface of the bracket. The first surface and the second surface are perpendicular to one another. The second bracket includes an aperture. The third bracket is rotationally coupled to the second bracket and moveable relative to the second bracket between a first position and a second position. The spring is interconnected between the second bracket and the third bracket to bias the third bracket in the first position. The first pin is configured to be received through the first aperture of the first bracket and the aperture of the second bracket to rotationally couple the first bracket and the second bracket when the universal mounting structure is in a first orientation. The second pin is configured to be received through the second aperture of the first bracket and the aperture of the second bracket to rotationally couple the first bracket and the second bracket when the universal mounting structure is in a second orientation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other attributes of the disclosure will become more clear upon a thorough study of the following description of the best mode for carrying out the disclosure, particularly when reviewed in conjunction with the drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the grass striper of the present disclosure mounted at the rear of a lawn mower. 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the lawn mower of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view showing the components of the grass striper. 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged elevational view of the coil spring resilient link, with portions cut away to show the top and bottom spring connectors. 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a partial side elevational view showing the top edge of the wiper blade at a selected elevation above the ground surface. 
         FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 6 , but showing the top edge of the wiper blade at a lower elevation, where more of the lower portion of the wiper blade is flexed downwardly in contact with the ground surface. 
         FIG. 8  is a partial side elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the grass striper using a tension spring resilient link and a molded wiper blade including spring steel molded inserts. 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view showing the components of the grass striper alternate embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a front elevational view of the wiper blade with the location of the spring steel inserts shown in dashed lines. 
         FIG. 11  is a front elevational view of the spring steel insert. 
         FIG. 12  is a sectional view taken along line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged perspective view of the torsion spring linkage. 
         FIGS. 14A and 14B  are exploded views of a grass striper according to another exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded view of the spring assembly of  FIG. 14A . 
         FIG. 16  is a top view of a the grass striper of  FIG. 14A  coupled to a lawnmower. 
         FIGS. 17-20  are perspective views of the grass striper of  FIG. 14  coupled to a lawnmower in various configurations. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As can be seen by reference to the drawings, and in particular to  FIG. 1 , the grass striper that forms the basis of the present disclosure is designated generally by the reference number  10 . The grass striper  10  includes an elongated flexible wiper blade  20  and a resilient link  40 .  FIG. 1  shows the striper  10  attached to the frame of a lawn mower  1  behind the mower deck  3  and behind the rear ground wheels  5 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 3 , the wiper blade  20  has an upper edge  22  attached by fasteners  24 ,  25  between a mounting bar  26  and the lower arm of an angle bracket  28 . The lower edge  30  of the blade  20  is disposed to contact the ground surface  7  and extends transversely a distance greater than the distance between the rear wheels  5  of the mower  1 . Slots  29  in the upper arm of the angle bracket  28  allow for transverse adjustment of the position of the wiper blade  20 . The wiper blade  20  is made of a multi-ply rubber sheet generally used in conveyor belts. The preferred material includes a polyester fabric and has an elastic modulus ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 piw, e.g., Goodyear-Spartan conveyor belting. The wiper blade  20  is flexible, but provides adequate stiffness to bend the cut grass behind the mower  1 . Also, the lower corners of the blade  20  may be rounded to prevent the blade from gouging the ground surface  7 . 
     The resilient link  40  includes a pair of transversely spaced coil springs  50  attached to and interconnecting the upper arm of the angle bracket  28  and vertically adjustable brackets  70 .  FIGS. 4 and 5  show the coil spring  50  with an outer surface  52 , and an inner surface  54  that defines a central core  56 . Top and bottom spring connectors  60  and  64  have outer surfaces  61  and  65  that thread into the central core  56  and matingly engage the inner surface  54 . A lug  62  with an opening  63  extends up from the top connector  60 , and a threaded bore  66  is formed in the bottom connector  64  to receive fastener  68 . 
     Vertically adjustable brackets  70  are secured to the frame of the mower  1  by fasteners  72 ,  73  received in adjustment slot  74 . The lug  62  of top spring connector  60  is received through an opening  76  in bracket  70  and secured by cotter pin  78 . Fastener  68  is received through adjustment slot  29  in angle bracket  28  to secure the bottom spring connector  64  to bracket  28 . The wiper blade  20  is thus attached to the mower by the resilient link  40 . 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate the vertical adjustment of the wiper bade  20  with respect to the ground surface  7 .  FIG. 6  shows the top portion of the blade  20  at a first elevation  80  above the ground surface  7 , and  FIG. 7  shows the top portion of the blade  20  at a second lower elevation  90 , where more of the lower portion of the blade  20  flexes to contact the ground surface  7  and provide greater force to bend the grass in the direction of travel of the mower  1 . The elevation of the upper portion of the blade  20  is selectively adjusted based on the type of grass to be groomed. 
     The grass striper  10  of the present disclosure is designed to be attached to most lawn mowers behind the mower deck to create a striping effect on the mowed lawn. The adjustable bracket  70  may take any configuration necessary to mount to a given mower. This striper  10  is lightweight and does not compact the ground like heavy rollers commonly used for striping. This striper  10  is resiliently mounted to provide maximum flexibility, and is vertically adjustable to be effectively used with many varieties of grasses. 
     An alternate embodiment grass striper  110  is illustrated in  FIGS. 8-13 . The grass striper  110  includes an elongated flexible wiper blade  120  and a resilient link  140 . The grass striper  110  is attached to the frame of a lawn mower  1  in a manner similar to the attachment of the grass striper  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 9 , the wiper blade  120  has an upper edge  122  attached by fasteners  124 ,  125  between a mounting bar  126  and the lower arm of an angle bracket  128 . The lower edge  130  of the blade  120  is disposed to contact the ground surface  7  and extends transversely a distance greater than the distance between the rear wheels  5  of the mower  1 . Slots  129  in the upper arm of angle bracket  128  allow for transverse adjustment of the position of the wiper blade  120 . 
     The wiper blade  120  is a laminate including four spaced spring steel inserts  119  sandwiched between a pair of rubber strips  121 . The preferred embodiment of the wiper blade  120  is made by placing the first rubber strip  121  in a preheated molding die, positioning four spaced spring steel inserts  119  on the first rubber strip  121 , then placing the second rubber strip  121  over the inserts  119 . The die is then closed and vulcanization is started, curing the rubber with high heat and sulfur. The die is then opened and the cured laminated wiper blade  120  is removed. Each of the rubber strips  121  is 1030 mm long, 230 mm wide, and 4.75 mm thick, and are composed of 25% Nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), 50% Natural rubber (NR), and 25% cotton yarn. The spring steel inserts  119  are 0.50 mm thick spring steel. The wiper blade  120  is flexible, but it is substantially stiffer than wiper blade  20 . 
     The resilient link  140  includes a pair of transversely spaced torsion springs  150  attached to and interconnecting the upper arm of the angle bracket  128  and vertically adjustable brackets  170  that are attached to the frame of the mower  1  by fasteners  172  received in adjustment slots  174 . The torsion spring  150  is carried on a sleeve  152 , and pin  154  and cotter key  156  secure the spring  150  to the lower yoke  176  of the adjustable bracket  170 . Connecting bracket  160  is carried on the reduced end of sleeve  152  between the torsion spring  150  and the yoke  176  of the adjustment bracket  170 . One end  149  of the torsion spring  150  engages the yoke  176  of the adjustment bracket  170  while the opposite end  151  of the spring  150  engages the connecting bracket  160 . 
     The wiper blade  120  is vertically adjustable in a manner similar to the adjustment of wiper blade  20  illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Also, the wiper blade  120  may be attached to most mowers behind the mower deck and be used on many varieties of grasses. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 14A and 14B , a striper  200  (e.g. striper assembly, lawn striper, grass striper, etc.) is shown according to another exemplary embodiment. The striper  200  includes a blade  202  with an upper edge  204  and a lower edge  206 . As described above, the blade  202  may be a resilient material such as a fabric, a flexible polymer, a rubber (e.g., such as a masticated rubber), or a silicone. In other embodiments, the blade  202  may be formed of a generally rigid material such as a rigid polymer, steel, or another metal. 
     The blade  202  is coupled to a lawn mower  310  via one or more mounting devices, shown in  FIGS. 14A ,  14 B, and  FIG. 16  as two universal mounting structures  210 . As shown in  FIGS. 16-20 , the universal mounting structures  210  couple the blade  202  to the frame  311  of the lawn mower  310  generally to the rear of the rear wheels  312 . A bracket  208  with one or more openings  209  is provided along the upper edge  204  of the blade  202 . In one embodiment, the openings  209  may be slots to allow for a greater flexibility in the positioning of the universal mounting structures  210 . In one embodiment, the bracket  208  has an L-shaped cross-section and is coupled to the blade  202  with fasteners such as bolts, rivets, or a welded connection. In other embodiments, the bracket  208  may have another cross-sectional shape such as an I-shaped cross-section, a T-shaped cross-section, a U-shaped cross-section, or other suitable cross-sectional shape. In other embodiments, the upper edge  204  of the blade  202  may be shaped (e.g., with a lip, etc.) and include openings  209  such that the universal mounting structures  210  may be coupled directly to the blade  202 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, each universal mounting structure  210  includes a first bracket  220 , a second bracket  250 , and a third bracket  270 . The second bracket  250  and the third bracket  270  are coupled together in a manner that allows the second bracket  250  and the third bracket  270  to move (e.g., rotate) relative to one another. As shown in  FIGS. 14A and 14B , a resilient member, shown as a spring  290 , is coupled to both the second bracket  250  and the third bracket  270 . The spring  290  biases the rotational position of third bracket  270  relative to the second bracket  250 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the spring  290  is a torsion spring. 
     The second bracket  250 , the third bracket  270 , and the spring  290  form an assembly shown as a spring box assembly  240 . The first bracket  220 , along with the spring box assembly  240 , are coupled together to mount the blade  202  to the lawn mower  310 . As shown in  FIGS. 17-20 , the first bracket  220  is coupled to the frame  311  of the lawn mower  310  and third bracket  270  is coupled to the upper edge  204  of the blade  202  (e.g., via the bracket  208 ). 
     The first bracket  220  includes first surface  222 , a second surface  226 , and a third surface  230 . The second surface  226  and the third surface  230  are generally perpendicular to the first surface  222 . The second surface  226  and the third surface  230  are parallel to one another and spaced apart from each other. The first surface  222  includes a first aperture  224 . A second aperture  228  is provided in the second surface  226 , and a corresponding third aperture  232  is provided in the third surface  230 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the third aperture  232  is generally aligned with the second aperture  228 . A hollow support member  238  may be coupled (e.g., welded) to the second surface  226  and the third surface  230 , aligned with both the second aperture  228  and the third aperture  232 . 
     The first aperture  224 , the second aperture  228 , and the third aperture  232  are each configured to receive a member for coupling the first bracket  220  to the spring box assembly  240 . According to one embodiment, shown in  FIG. 14A , the first bracket  220  is in a generally vertical orientation and the spring box assembly  240  is coupled to the first surface  222  of the first bracket  220  with a pin  244  received in the first aperture  224 . According to another exemplary embodiment, shown in  FIG. 14B , the first bracket  220  is in a generally horizontal orientation and the spring box assembly  240  is coupled to the second surface  226  or the third surface  230  of the first bracket  220  with a pin  246 . The pin  246  is received in the second aperture  228  and the third aperture  232  and passes through the hollow support member  238 . A washer  248  and a fastener such as a linchpin  249  may be utilized to secure the pin  244  or the pin  246 . In other exemplary embodiments, the pin  244  or  246  may be secured with another device such as a cotter pin, R-clip, or split pin. In still other embodiments, the pin  244  or  246  may be partially threaded and be secured with a nut. In still other embodiments, the pin  244  or  246  may be a fixed post extending from the first bracket  220  or the spring box assembly  240 . 
     In other exemplary embodiments, the support member  238  may not be aligned with the second aperture  228  and the third aperture  232 . In such an embodiment, the first bracket  220  may be in a generally horizontal orientation, and the spring box assembly  240  may be coupled to the first bracket  220  with a shorter fastener, similar to pin  244 , that only passes through the second aperture  228  or the third aperture  232 . The spring box assembly  240  may also be coupled to the first bracket  220  with a pin  246  that is long enough to pass through both the second aperture  228  and the third aperture  232  without passing through the support member  238 . 
     The first bracket  220  further includes a fourth surface  234  that is perpendicular to the first surface  222 , the second surface  226 , and the third surface  230 . When the first bracket  220  is coupled to the frame  311 , the fourth surface  234  is adjacent to the frame  311 . The fourth surface  234  includes one or more openings  236  configured to receive a fastener, such as a threaded fastener. The openings  236  are configured to allow a wide variety of fastener locations, thereby allowing greater flexibility in the placement of the first bracket  220  on the frame  311  of the lawn mower  310 . In one embodiment, each opening  236  is a slot, but in other embodiments, the openings  236  may include a single slot, one or more holes, a combination of slots and holes, or any other suitable openings. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 15 , the spring box assembly  240  formed by the second bracket  250 , the third bracket  270 , and the spring  290  is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. The second bracket  250  includes a first arm  252  and a second arm  254  that are spaced apart from one another and are substantially parallel to each other. The first arm  252  and the second arm  254  extend generally at a right angle from a surface  256 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the surface  256  includes an aperture  258  for receiving a coupling member, such as pin  244  or pin  246 . 
     The second bracket  250  may further include a second surface  260  that is perpendicular to the first arm  252 , the second arm  254 , and the surface  256 . The second surface  260  may include one or more openings  262  such as slots or holes. According to an exemplary embodiment, the first bracket  220  may not be used and the openings  262  may be used to couple the spring box assembly  240  directly to the frame  311 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the third bracket  270  includes a first arm  272  and a second arm  274  that are spaced apart from one another and are substantially parallel to each other. The first arm  272  and the second arm  274  extend generally at a right angle from a surface  276 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the surface  276  includes one or more apertures  278  for receiving one or more coupling members, such as bolts  284 . The bolts  284  may cooperate with washers  286  and nuts  288  to couple the third bracket  270  to the bracket  208  (e.g., using the openings  209  in the bracket  208 ), thus coupling the universal mounting structure  210  to the blade  202 . The use of two fasteners such as bolts  284  to couple the third bracket  270  to the bracket  208  rotationally fixes the third bracket  270  to the bracket  208 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the third bracket  270  may further include one or more support members  280 . The support member  280  may be a planar member as shown in  FIG. 15 , a hollow member similar to support member  238  of the first bracket  220 , or any other suitable support member. As shown in  FIG. 15 , the support member  280  extends between the first arm  272  and the second arm  274  and is coupled (e.g., welded) to each of the arms  272 ,  274  at an end of the support member  280 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the first arm  252  and the second arm  254  of the second bracket  250  include generally aligned apertures  255 . Likewise, the first arm  272  and the second arm  274  of the third bracket  270  include generally aligned apertures  275 . When the spring box assembly  240  is assembled, the spring  290  is aligned with the apertures  255  and the apertures  275 . A first end  292  of the spring  290  is coupled to the second bracket  250  and a second end  294  of the spring  290  is coupled to the third bracket  270 . According to one exemplary embodiment, the ends  292  and  294  of the spring  290  are wrapped on or around the edges of the respective brackets  250  and  270 . According to another exemplary embodiment, the ends  292  and  294  of the spring  290  are received in apertures in the respective brackets  250  and  270 . Additionally, according to another exemplary embodiment, the end  292  may be received in an aperture in the second bracket  250  (such as, e.g., aperture  264  shown in  FIG. 15 ) and the end  294  may be wrapped around a front portion of the end of the arm  272  of the third bracket  270 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the spring  290  may surround a hollow member such as a bushing  296 . A pivot member, shown as a bolt  302 , passes through the apertures  255 , through the apertures  275 , through the bushing  296 , and through the spring  290  along the longitudinal axis  300  of the spring  290 . One or more bushing washers  304  and a nut  306  may be used to retain the bolt  302 . The bolt  302  couples the second bracket  250  to the third bracket  270  such that the third bracket  270  can rotate about the longitudinal axis  300  relative to the second bracket  250 . In other words, the third bracket  270  is rotationally coupled to the second bracket  250 . The bolts  284  prevent the third bracket  270  from rotating relative to the bracket  208 . In this way, the longitudinal axis  300  of the springs  290  of each of the spring box assemblies  240  remains parallel to each other and to the blade  202 . 
     Once the spring box assembly  240  is assembled, the spring  290  applies a force (e.g., a biasing force) between the second bracket  250  and the third bracket  270 . In other words, the spring  290  exerts a biasing force on the third bracket  270  such that the third bracket  270  is normally in a first or rest position (e.g., such that the surface  256  of the second bracket  250  is generally parallel to the surface  276  of the third bracket  270 ). During operation of the grass striper, the third bracket  270  may be rotated to a second or operative position when the blade  202  is in use to stripe grass. In this manner, the spring  290  aids in applying a force to the lower edge  206  of the blade  202  such that contact is maintained between the blade  202  and the ground. 
     If viewed from the right side of the lawn mower  310 , the spring  290  biases the third bracket  270  and the blade  202  in a clockwise direction relative to the second bracket  250  about the longitudinal axis  300  of the spring  290 . When in use, the lawn mower  310  may pass over bumps, ridges, or other features that apply an upward force on the lower edge  206  of the blade  202 , causing the blade  202  and the third bracket  270  in an anti-clockwise direction relative to the second bracket  250  about the longitudinal axis  300  of the spring  290 . This force is counteracted by the spring  290  to maintain contact between the blade  202  and the ground. 
     According to other exemplary embodiments, another type of resilient member may be used to bias the rotation of the third bracket  270  and the blade  202  relative to the second bracket  250  and the frame  311 . For instance, the spring  290  may be a tubular rubber member, a leaf spring, a compression spring, an extension spring, or any other suitable member. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , the universal mounting structures  210  are used to couple the blade  202  to the lawn mower  310  such that the blade  202  is perpendicular to the forward movement of the lawn mower  310  (e.g., the blade  202  is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  320  of the lawn mower  310 ). 
     The connection between the first bracket  220  and the spring box assembly  240  allows the spring box assembly  240  to rotate relative to the first bracket  220  (e.g., via pin  244  or pin  246 ) during assembling the blade  202  to the mower  310  (i.e., before the blade  202  is coupled to both of the third brackets  270 ). This allows the spring box assembly  240  to remain in the same orientation (e.g., with the longitudinal axis  300  of the spring  290  parallel to the blade  202  and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  320  of the lawn mower  310 ) regardless of whether the first bracket  220  is coupled to a side face  314  of the frame  311  (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 17 ), to a rear face  316  of the frame  311  (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 18 ), or to an angled face  318  of the frame  311  (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 19 ). It should be noted that the angled face  318  may have any angle between the rear face  316  and the side face  314 . In other words, the angle face  318  may be angled from between 0 degrees and 90 degrees. 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 20 , the spring box assembly  240  may be coupled to the first bracket  220  oriented horizontally along any vertical surface, such as side face  314  (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 20 ). Likewise, the spring box assembly  240  may be coupled to the first bracket  220  oriented horizontally along the rear face  316  or the angled face  318  (both of which are not shown). 
     The flexible nature of the universal mounting structures  210  allow the blade  202  to be coupled to a wide variety of lawn mowers of different makes and models. The blade  202  and universal mounting structures  210  may be provided as a kit, allowing a lawn mower dealer or purchaser to add lawn striping functionality to an already existing lawn mower. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 17-20 , the blade  202  can be coupled to the lawn mower  310  with the universal mounting structures  210  in many different orientations. However, it should be noted that one having ordinary skill in the art would readily recognize that many other different orientations are possible, and not just limited to those shown in  FIGS. 17-20 . 
     As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims. 
     It should be noted that the term “exemplary” as used herein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples). 
     The terms “coupled,” “connected,” and the like as used herein mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. 
     It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the universal mounting structures shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.