Patent Publication Number: US-6712323-B1

Title: Recording sensor mounting bracket for acoustic pianos

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO A COMPUTER PROGRAM APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally pertains to keyboard-operated musical instruments, and more particularly to a mounting bracket for supporting a recording sensor assembly within an acoustic piano. 
     2. Description of the Background Art 
     Acoustic pianos and similar mechanically operated musical instruments often incorporate recording sensors for registering the movement of the keys during a session in which the instrument is being played. The sequence of registered key activity may be subsequently utilized by an electronic player mechanism, in the same instrument or other instruments, to activate the keys of the instrument to substantially reproduce the music of the original session in which the key movements were registered. 
     Recording sensors are typically mounted either beneath the keyboard of the instrument to sense the movements associated with each key, or more preferably proximal to the action stack for sensing the movement of the hammer shanks. It will be appreciated that numerous elements of an acoustic piano are subject to movement in response to the operation of a key. Within a typical piano, for example, key operation may be sensed directly or by sensing the movement of the hammers, hammer shanks, or other parts which move in response to key operation. A separate sensor is utilized for each key to allow the actions of every key to be properly registered. It should be appreciated that modern recording sensors are capable of recording subtle keystroke nuances and can very accurately sense the position and velocity with which the keys are operated. Achieving this level of accuracy, however, requires that the sensors be positioned accurately with respect to each key with the assurance that the position of each sensor will not shift over time. To achieve sensor positioning accuracy and to simplify mounting, sensors are generally manufactured within sensor assemblies that contain a plurality of sensor elements. Each sensor assembly typically comprises a substantially flat printed circuit board upon which the sensor circuitry has been mounted. On acoustic pianos, the sensor assemblies are generally installed above the hammer shanks. 
     The direct mounting of sensor assemblies proximal to the action stack of an acoustic piano, without the use of a mounting bracket, can provide a compact installation, however, difficulties arise with regard to installation, adjustment, and maintenance of the associated sensor circuits. In addition, the spacing of internal structures within the instrument can differ substantially from one piano make and model to another. Therefore, a number of mounting brackets and rails have been developed by manufacturers for retaining sensor assemblies within a variety of acoustic pianos and other similar musical instruments. 
     One such mounting apparatus retains sensor assemblies within a mounting rail, such as a U-shaped channel. The use of mounting rails allows the position of the retained sensor assemblies to be adjusted along the length of the rail to align with the hammer shanks and then to be locked in place by inserting and engaging a separate fastener. The use of rail mounts and other typical sensor assembly mounts, requires the removal of one or more fastener elements prior to inserting, adjusting, or removing a sensor assembly. 
     Utilizing mounts for retaining sensor assemblies within the piano, or equivalent, can also give rise to another set of problems. In particular, a situation can arise in which the added size of a mounted sensor assembly interferes with proper hammer motion and thereby compromises the quality of instrument operation. Such a situation may arise from using a sensor assembly mount that requires more vertical spacing than exists above the hammer shanks within the instrument. For example, in the case of a mounting rail, it will be appreciated that sufficient vertical clearance is necessary for the combination of sensor assembly, the thickness of the mounting rail material, and the clearance between the mounting rail and the bottom of the sensor assembly. Furthermore, the adjustment, removal, or re-insertion of a sensor assembly within the mounting device is generally cumbersome, and typically requires the use of tools for manipulating one or more fasteners. 
     Therefore, a need exists for a sensor mounting apparatus that simplifies the sensor assembly mounting and adjustment process within various acoustic piano makes and models while minimizing the vertical space requirement. The present invention satisfies those needs, as well as others, and overcomes the deficiencies of previously developed recording sensor mounting apparatus. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises a mounting bracket for supporting a recording sensor assembly Within a keyboard-operated musical instrument, such as an acoustic piano, or similar. A sensor assembly may be readily inserted, adjusted, or removed from the mounting bracket by applying a manual force, such as to a release member, without the need to remove or install fasteners. The mounting bracket is capable of supporting a sensor assembly in approximately the same vertical space as would be required to attach the bare sensor assembly within the instrument. 
     The mounting bracket attaches to the action stack to support a sensor assembly on a portion of the bracket which is attached adjacent to the side of the respective hammer flanges. Since the vertical thickness of the bracket supporting the sensor assembly is positioned between the hammer flanges, as contrasted to above the hammer flanges in the case of a mounting rail, the present mounting bracket can be designed with negligible vertical space penalty. Therefore, a sensor assembly may be mounted using these brackets in approximately the same vertical space as would be required to fasten an unmounted sensor assembly to the action stack. When mounted within an acoustical piano, the portion of the bracket which supports the sensor assembly is joined to a substantially horizontal portion of the bracket that overlies the hammer flange and is adapted with an opening through which the hammer flange fastener has been received. Preferably, the mounting bracket of the present invention substantially conforms to a portion of the horizontal and vertical surfaces of the hammer flange. It is also preferable that two mounting brackets be utilized to support each sensor assembly, and that multiple mounting brackets are utilized within the piano to properly maintain the position of a number of sensor assemblies in relation to the hammer shanks, or other moving parts that are activated in response to operation of the keys. It will be appreciated, however, that the number of sensor mounting brackets utilized for supporting the sensor assemblies is a matter of choice. 
     A number of embodiments are described for the present invention which provide mechanisms for retaining a sensor assembly within a bracket which is designed to occupy a minimum amount of vertical space. One group of embodiments within the present invention support the sensor assembly with a locking mechanism that is configured with a release member. A sensor assembly may be received, adjusted, or removed from the mounting bracket by applying a sufficient urging force in a substantially predetermined direction to said release member. Preferably, the release member may be activated by using the fingers or thumb, to apply pressure in the correct direction on the release member to disengage a locking mechanism. Upon releasing pressure on the release member, the locking mechanism supplies a biasing engagement force to engage the sensor assembly and thereby lock its position within the mounting bracket. Another embodiment utilizes the characteristics of the sensor board itself to effect retention within the mounting bracket. Shown by way of example is a mounting bracket in which the flexure of the sensor assembly itself during receipt within the mounting bracket provides a biasing force to prevent vibration of the sensor assembly while aiding retention of the assembly within the bracket. 
     The releasable locking mechanism described within the first set of embodiments of the present invention is shown, by way of example, comprising a combination of a fixed retention member and a biasing retention member. The biasing retention member operating to lock the position of the sensor board within the mounting bracket. Prior to engagement of the biasing retention member, the fixed retention member acts as a limiter on vertical and longitudinal sensor assembly motion while not restricting lateral motion of the sensor assembly. When released and allowed to exert a bias force, the biasing engagement member applies retention pressure to the sensor assembly against the fixed retention member to lock the sensor assembly in a fixed position. It will be appreciated that the biasing retention member may be alternately adapted to exert an extension force in relation to a fixed retention member which engages a portion of the sensor assembly in an opposing direction. 
     To simplify the insertion, alignment, and positioning of the sensor assembly, a separate keyed retention mechanism is preferably incorporated within the mounting bracket. The keyed retention mechanism operates in combination with the locking mechanism. The keyed retention mechanism engages the sensor assembly to prevent the sensor assembly from shifting in a longitudinal direction which is parallel to the length of the hammer shanks. The keyed retention mechanism may also be configured so as not to be fully insertable within the sensor assembly such that the sensor assembly needs to be flexed for engagement within the mounting bracket. 
     It should be appreciated that more than two retention members may be incorporated per each mounting bracket without departing from the present invention. The locking retention mechanism, preferably in combination with the keyed retention mechanism, therefore operates to maintain sensor assembly position at a fixed location within the instrument to which it is attached so that positional adjustment, insertion, and removal of the sensor assemblies is readily achieved. 
     An object of the invention is to provide low-profile mounting of sensor assemblies proximal to the hammer shanks within an acoustic piano. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a mounting bracket that allows for accurate alignment and secure positioning of recording sensor assemblies in relation to the hammer shanks, or other moving parts associated with the key operation within an acoustic piano. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a mounting bracket that may be utilized with a variety of acoustic piano makes and models without compromising the instrument operation. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a bracket for mounting sensor assemblies wherein multiple brackets may be compatibly utilized per instrument and/or sensor board without interfering with one another. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a mounting bracket that is capable of retaining the sensor assembly in a fixed location that is substantially immune to instrument vibration. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a mounting bracket that may be readily attached, or removed, from an instrument. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a mounting bracket that securely retains a sensor assembly and prevents inadvertent shifting. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a mounting bracket that is capable of retaining a sensor assembly without the need of separate fasteners, such as threadable fasteners, wherein the sensor assembly can be more readily inserted and removed for maintenance and repairs. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a mounting bracket from which sensor assemblies may be adjusted, removed, or inserted in response to a simple one-touch manual operation by the technician. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a bracket design that is reliable and may be manufactured at low cost. 
     Further objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out in the following portions of the specification, wherein the detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing preferred embodiments of the invention without placing limitations thereon. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following drawings which are for illustrative purposes only: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sensor assembly received within as mounting bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown for mounting on the action stack within an acoustic piano. 
     FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of the locking mechanism of FIG. 1, shown engaging the sensor assembly for retention. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mounting bracket within FIG. 1, shown prior to engaging a sensor assembly therein. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 3, showing the locking mechanism and keyed retention mechanism. 
     FIG. 5 is a top view of a sensor assembly retained between a pair of mounting brackets according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown attached to the hammer flange and rail assembly within an acoustic piano. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a sensor mounting bracket according to another embodiment of the present invention, shown having an extended release member. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a sensor mounting bracket according to another embodiment of the present invention, shown utilizing an additional bend within the biasing retention member to increase compliance. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a sensor mounting bracket according to another embodiment of the present invention based on FIG. 7, shown without a retention tab. 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a sensor mounting bracket according to another embodiment of the present invention, shown adapted to rely on the compliance of the sensor mounting board for position retention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring more specifically to the drawings, for illustrative purposes, the present invention is embodied in the apparatus generally shown in FIG.  1  through FIG.  9 . It will be appreciated that the apparatus may vary as to configuration and as to details of the parts, and that the method may vary as to the specific steps and sequence, without departing from the basic concepts as disclosed herein. 
     FIG.  1  and FIG. 2 illustrate a mounted sensor assembly  10 , wherein a sensor assembly  12  is shown retained by a pair of mounting brackets  14 , which are shown separate from an acoustic piano into which they would be installed. It should be readily appreciated that each mounting bracket  14  would typically be installed within an instrument prior to installation of sensor assembly  12 . A number of sensors (not shown) are incorporated within sensor assembly  12  to sense hammer shank movement, or the movement of other mechanical elements which move in response to the displacement of the piano keys. A plurality of sensor assemblies are typically incorporated within a piano so that the operation of every key may be registered. It will be appreciated that a typical piano requires a sufficient number of sensors to monitor eighty eight keys. 
     A pair of mounting brackets  14  are shown retaining sensor assembly  12 . The body of each mounting bracket  14  is preferably fabricated from a metallic material, such as spring steel or other easily formed resilient material, and is preferably designed to conform to a portion of the horizontal and vertical surfaces of the hammer flange assembly to reduce vertical space requirements. The mounting brackets should be fabricated from a sufficiently thin material so as not to unduly increase the height of the mounted sensor board, and should be mechanically configured so as to accommodate the spacing which exists between the hammer shanks. It will be appreciated, therefore, that the mounting brackets may be fabricated from a variety of plastics, resins, metals, and so forth without departing from the present invention. A preferred embodiment of the mounting bracket is shown fabricated from a spring steel material of a thickness between approximately ten and thirty mils that has been cut and bent to shape. Twenty mil spring steel was utilized within a preferred embodiment as it was found to provide a suitable tradeoff between rigidity and ease of deflection. Mounting bracket  14  comprises a vertical support arm  16  adapted with means for supportive retention of the sensor assembly, such as a locking mechanism. The vertical region of the mounting bracket is coupled with a horizontal region of material that at least partially surrounds a mounting cutout  18 , whose geometry and orientation provide proper low-clearance engagement under the hammer flange fastener, typically a screw. Mounting cutout  18  is preferably provided as an open area of a size and shape to accommodate the receipt of the shaft of the hammer flange fastener. 
     The retention means primarily comprises a locking mechanism that applies a biasing force to restrict sensor assembly movement. The locking mechanism is preferably augmented with a keyed retention mechanism that simplifies sensor assembly insertion and adjustment. The keyed retention mechanism prevents longitudinal movement parallel to the hammer shanks when the locking mechanism is disengaged. The two forms of retention operate in concert to provide a secure support in which lateral adjustments may be performed and sensor boards may be inserted or removed easily. 
     The keyed retention mechanism can be implemented as a protrusion, such as a tab that protrudes from the mounting bracket to engage an opening, slot, or similar adaptation within the sensor assembly to prevent longitudinal movement. The keyed retention mechanism is depicted as a retention tab  20  which engages a slot  22  within sensor assembly  12  to assure that the sensor assembly remains in a fixed position and does not shift in the longitudinal direction. The directions of motion in relation to a supported sensor assembly are represented as longitudinal  23   a , lateral  23   b , and vertical  23   c . Protruding retention tab  20  is preferably tapered to facilitate the receipt and secure engagement with sensor assembly  12 . It will also be appreciated that retention tab  20  may be configured of a width to allow for only partial insertion within slot  22  wherein the sensor assembly must be slightly flexed to provide for engagement of the locking mechanism. Partial engagement with the tapered sides of retention tab  20  can also aid in reducing sensor board movement by firmly pressing into the material of sensor assembly  12 . 
     The locking mechanism is implemented with a fixed retention member  24  used in combination with a biasing retention member  26 . Fixed retention member  24  is exemplified as a protruding retention structure which retains a first lateral edge  25  of sensor assembly  12 . Biasing retention member  26  is exemplified as a spring clip retainer which supplies a biasing force t o engage a second lateral edge  27  of sensor assembly  12  in concert with the retention provided by fixed retention member  24 . 
     The sensor assembly itself may be configured with a number of additional cutouts and adaptations to facilitate mounting of the sensors and circuits of the sensor assembly. Shown by way of example, are a series of eight sensor mounting cutouts  28  spanning sensor assembly  12 . 
     FIG. 2 depicts a detailed view of biasing retention member  26  which preferably comprises a spring clip retainer that engages the upper surface and second lateral edge  27  of sensor assembly  12 . It will be appreciated that biasing retention member  26  may be implemented with any compliantly coupled sensor assembly engagement member, such as an elongated member extending from the mounting bracket having surfaces for engaging the top and edge surface of the sensor assembly to apply a biasing force in concert with the fixed retention member to prevent lateral and vertical movement. The keyed retention mechanism is exemplified with opening  22  within sensor assembly  12 , such as a slotted lateral aperture, for engagement over retention tab  20 . The use of a slotted lateral aperture allows the lateral sensor position to be adjusted when the locking mechanism is at least partially disengaged. 
     FIG.  3  and FIG. 4 illustrate mounting bracket  14  and the combination of retention mechanisms. The biasing retention member  26  is formed having a spring clip structure with a first bend  30 , a second bend  32 , a release member  33 , and a notch  34  cut into the lower portion of the spring clip. Application of sufficient force to release member  33 , in a direction away from the sensor assembly, disengages the biasing retention member  26  to allow a sensor assembly to be removed, or inserted. It will be appreciated that undue force can cause plastic deformation on release member  33 , wherein the biasing retention force will be adversely affected. However, the biasing retention member will normally be subject to sufficiently small displacements under reasonable care and will thereby retain its spring-like biasing properties for many hundreds of insertion, adjustment, and removal cycles. The remaining material above notch  34  forms a horizontal edge that vertically restrains sensor assembly movement. The vertical material on the edge of notch  34  engages the exterior edge of sensor assembly  12  to apply a biasing force thereto. 
     The material of mounting bracket  14  should be sufficiently compliant to allow repeated activation of biasing retention member  26  by applying pressure to release member  33  for the insertion and removal of sensor assemblies. Although alternative configurations may be utilized to provide a biased engagement, it should however, be appreciated that the anticipated number of sensor assembly insertion and removal cycles will be limited during actual use and may not warrant the added cost of more elaborate biasing mechanisms. Mounting bracket  14  is preferably fabricated from metal, such as formed within a bending or stamping process. The mounting bracket may alternatively be fabricated from other suitably compliant materials which may be cast, injection molded, or otherwise formed. 
     A compliance slot  36  is shown cut into support arm  16  to reduce the flexure stress to which bend  30  is subject. Protruding retention tab  20  is provided as an extension of upper surface  38  of the vertical portion of support arm  16 , and is shaped to engage an opening, or other engagement structure within sensor assembly  12  to prevent motion therein. Fixed retention member  24  is exemplified with a retention cutout notch  40 , or slot, which preferably tapers down towards its closed end to engage sensor assembly  12 , and to thereby prevent vertical and lateral movement. The taper of the cutout notch may be up to about fifteen degrees (15°) of angle, with a preferred configuration having approximately three degrees (3°) of taper. 
     Mounting bracket  14  includes a bend  42  at which the material of the mounting bracket transitions from a substantially vertical structure to a horizontal surface  44  (FIG. 3) to facilitate mounting to the hammer flange. Mounting cutout  18  located within horizontal mounting surface  44  is configured for retention by a fastener, such as a screw approximately centered on axis  46  within cutout  18 . Typically, mounting bracket  14  is attached by way of the existing hammer flange threaded fasteners. A vertical extension  48  of support arm  16  provides sufficient material height to form biasing retention member  26  and illustrates a preferred tapering transition from bend  42  toward horizontal surface  44 . 
     FIG. 5 depicts a sensor assembly  12  being mounted between a pair of mounting brackets  14 , which are depicted being retained by fasteners  50  that retain hammer flanges  52  (in phantom) to a hammer rail  54  (in phantom) which makes up a portion of the action stack within an acoustic piano. A hammer rest rail  56  (in phantom) and an action bracket  58  (in phantom) are also shown in relation to the hammer  57  (in phantom) and hammer  59  (in phantom) for reference. It can be seen that sensor assembly  12  is keyed into mounting bracket  14  by way of opening  22  which engages retention tab  20 . action bracket  58  (in phantom) are also shown within the instrument for reference. It can be seen that sensor assembly  12  is keyed into mounting bracket  14  by way of opening  22  which engages retention tab  20 . 
     In operation, pressure is applied to biasing retention member  26  through release member  33  to sufficiently displace it so that sensor assembly  12  may be received into mounting bracket  14 , adjusted laterally, or released therefrom. It will be appreciated that disengaging biasing retention member  26  requires the application of pressure to release member  33  in a direction away from sensor assembly  12 . The disengaging pressure may be preferably applied manually, wherein the user is able to adjust, remove, or insert sensor assembly  12  without the necessity of tools or complex operations. By utilizing release member  33 , the sensor assemblies may be inserted, adjusted, or removed with a “one-handed” manual operation. Upon inserting sensor assembly  12  into the pair of mounting brackets  14 , protruding retention tab  20  at least partially engages opening  22  in sensor assembly  12 . When the user releases pressure on release member  33 , the upper portions of biasing member  26  slide over the top surface of sensor assembly  12  to provide vertical retention, as retention tab  20  becomes fully engaged within opening  22 . It should be appreciated that the mounting bracket may be fabricated with biasing member  26  oriented at a slight downward angle, such that upon release of release member  33 , biasing member  26  has a horizontal longitudinal component of motion toward the sensor board  12  and a downward vertical component of motion toward mounting bracket  14 . The edges of notch  34  are driven by biasing member  26  to forcibly engage second lateral edge  27  of sensor assembly  12 . 
     FIG. 6 is another embodiment  60  of the invention, which is adapted with a larger biasing retention member  62  having a bend  64  which extends into a release member  66 . It will be appreciated that bend  64  is preferably a slightly more acute angle than second bend  32  found in FIG. 3, to accommodate the extra length of release member  66 . The use of extended length release member  66  reduces the required amount of force for the removal, insertion, or adjusting of the sensor assembly within the mounting brackets. 
     FIG. 7 is another embodiment  70  of the invention which provides additional compliance within the biasing retention member  72 . A first bend  74  is generally directed in a first lateral direction, a second bend  76  spans an acute angle and is directed in an opposing second lateral direction. A third bend  78 , shown substantially aligned over the body of the bracket, limits the extension of the retention member over an inserted sensor assembly. A release member  80  extends from third bend  78  to facilitate the application of pressure to the biasing retention member  72 . A notch  82  in the lower portion of biasing retention member  72  is configured to engage the top surface and edge surface of an inserted sensor assembly within bracket  70 . It will be appreciated that the use of an additional bend within this embodiment of sensor mounting bracket  70  increases the compliance of the bracket and requires the application of less pressure for inserting, releasing, and adjusting the sensor assembly retained therein. 
     FIG. 8 is another embodiment  86  of the invention which does not rely on the use of a retention tab, but is otherwise identical to the embodiment depicted in FIG.  7 . It will be appreciated that sufficient longitudinal retention may be provided by the biasing retention member  72  in combination with fixed retention member  24  to securely retain a sensor assembly without shifting. 
     FIG. 9 is another embodiment  90  of the invention in which the biasing retention member of the bracket is eliminated and the bracket relies on the compliance of the sensor assembly itself to provide vibration-free secure retention within the bracket. A notched retention lip  92  comprises a notch  94  over which a retention protrusion  96  is positioned. To insert a sensor assembly within sensor bracket  90 , a first edge of the sensor assembly is inserted within notch  40  and retention tab  20  is partially inserted within an engagement slot (not shown). The sensor assembly, typically a printed circuit board, flexes under the application of additional pressure and the second edge of the sensor board may be insertably engaged under retention protrusion  96 . It should be appreciated that the sensor assembly does not require a slot for receiving retention tab wherein the height of retention tab  20  may be substantially reduced so as just to aid in biasing the sensor assembly during insertion. It should be appreciated that the biasing force to prevent vibration of a received sensor assembly may be created in a number of alternative ways. For example, retention cutout slot  40  of fixed retention member  24  may be sufficiently narrow and oriented at a sufficient upward angle, such that the opposing end of a sensor assembly received therein is upwardly urged, against which pressure must be applied to secure the sensor assembly under retention protrusion  96 . It will be appreciated that this mounting configuration can be utilized without the biasing force which is provided by sensor assembly flexure, however, a certain amount of play can then exist between the sensor assembly and the mounting bracket. Therefore, unless at least one of the sensor mounting brackets retaining a given sensor assembly incorporates a biasing mechanism the sensor assembly may be subject to vibration within the mounting bracket. 
     The described mounting brackets and variations which would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art based on the teachings of the present invention, may be utilized individually, or in combination, within an acoustic piano or similar device, to retain substantially planar assemblies, such as sensor assemblies within a fixed position. It will be appreciated that the use of certain bracket combinations could facilitate sensor assembly manipulation within the brackets. By way of example, the bracket of FIG. 7 may be utilized in combination with the bracket of FIG. 9 to retain a single sensor assembly. The insertion of a sensor assembly  12  for retention by the above combination of brackets allows for the simple removal, or re-insertion of the sensor board by applying pressure to the sensor board while operating a single release member. 
     Accordingly, it will be seen that this invention provides for the mounting of sensor assemblies proximal to the hammer shanks and minimizes the amount of clearance required to reduce the possibility that the mounted sensor assembly will interfere with the operation of the instrument. In addition, the invention simplifies the attachment and removal of sensor assemblies from above the hammer shanks within the acoustic piano, or similar mechanically operated device. It will be appreciated that the described embodiment of the sensor assembly mounting bracket provides retention of a sensor assembly within the bracket without using threaded fasteners while it retains the sensor assembly in a fixed position incapable of shifting. A quick release locking mechanism for attaching the sensor assemblies to the mounting brackets is preferably implemented as a biasing retention member, such as a spring clip, having a release member. It should, however, be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that a number of alternative forms of quick release mechanism may be substituted without departing from the teachings of the present invention. Furthermore, although the locking mechanism is exemplified for engaging the exterior edges of the sensor assembly, it may alternatively be adapted to engage any location on the sensor assembly which is configured with a suitable opening, or other form of engagement receptacle. 
     Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural, chemical, and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present invention, for it to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.”