Patent Publication Number: US-7913968-B2

Title: Action wobble spring mounting assembly and method of manufacture

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/729,294 filed on Oct. 21, 2005, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a spring mounting assembly, and more particularly, to a spring mounting assembly for use with customizable wobble objects. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Bobblehead dolls are popular toy figurines, which feature a mounted head that allows movement. It is common for the head to be connected with a spring, which allows random movement in limited directions. This movement is frequently termed as bobbing or bobbling. 
     The bobblehead dolls are typically small ceramic, resin, or plastic cast stationary bodies with spring mounted distinctive heads featuring the likenesses of a variety of stars (e.g., sports, movie, rock, historic persons). The motion in the toy figurines is supplied by a vertically mounted spring, most often attached in or as a neck under a hollow bobbling head. Recent updates to the bobblehead dolls include a plastic portrait window mounted in place of the face. 
     Additionally, various products, such as greeting cards, books, magazines, business cards, and the like can feature “pop-up” images designed to create a “3D” effect. Conventionally, a “pop-up” image is created through the use of a spring, such as a metal coil spring, that is glued or otherwise adhered individually to the book, magazine, etc. However, the use of such a spring is costly, inefficient, and difficult to customize. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is intended to identify neither key nor critical elements of the invention nor delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a mounting assembly is provided. The method includes the steps of providing at least one first mounting element and molding a resilient spring directly to the first mounting element. The spring including a first end portion and a second end portion, and the first end portion is molded to the first mounting element. The method also includes the steps of providing at least one second mounting element, attaching the second mounting element to the second end of resilient spring to form the mounting assembly, providing an object for attachment to the mounting assembly, and attaching the object to either one of the first mounting element and the second mounting element. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a plurality of mounting assemblies is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a plurality of first mounting elements provided as a first sheet of material and molding a plurality of resilient springs. Each resilient spring is molded directly to a selected one of the plurality of first mounting elements. Each spring includes a first end portion and a second end portion, and the first end portion is molded to the first mounting element. The method also includes the steps of providing a plurality of second mounting elements provided as a second sheet of material, and attaching each of the plurality of second mounting elements to a selected one of the plurality of resilient springs at the second end of the selected resilient spring to form each mounting assembly. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a mounting assembly for an object is provided. The mounting assembly includes a first mounting element including an aperture defined by a peripheral edge, and a resilient spring including a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is attached to at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the aperture. The mounting assembly further includes a second mounting element attached to the second end of resilient spring, and an object secured to either one of the first mounting element and the second mounting element. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a mounting assembly is provided. The method includes the steps of molding at least one first mounting element, and molding a resilient spring directly to the first mounting element. The spring includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is molded to the first mounting element, and the first mounting element and the resilient spring are molded substantially simultaneously. The method further includes the steps of providing at least one second mounting element, attaching the second mounting element to the second end of resilient spring to form the mounting assembly, providing an object for attachment to the mounting assembly, and attaching the object to either one of the first mounting element and the second mounting element. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a mounting assembly for an object is provided. The mounting assembly includes a first mounting element including an aperture defined by a peripheral edge. The first mounting element further includes a base member and a leg member attached to the base member. The mounting assembly further includes a resilient spring including a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is attached to at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the aperture. The mounting assembly further includes a second mounting element attached to the second end of resilient spring, and an object secured to either one of the first mounting element and the second mounting elements. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a perspective view of an example mounting assembly in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is similar to  FIG. 1A , but illustrates another example mounting assembly including first and second mounting plates having similar geometry in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a front view of an example application of the mounting assembly of  FIG. 1  on a wobble-head figure in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a side view of an example application of the mounting assembly of  FIG. 1  on a wobble-head figure in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates another example application of the mounting assembly of  FIG. 1  on an example self-mailer wobble image greeting card in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a side view of the self-mailer wobble image greeting card of  FIG. 3A  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates another example application of the mounting assembly of  FIG. 1  on another self-mailer wobble image greeting card in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates another example application of the mounting assembly of  FIG. 1  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4C  illustrates another example application of the mounting assembly of  FIG. 1  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of an example first mounting element in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective section view along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 1  of the example mounting assembly in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7A  illustrates another example application of the mounting assembly of  FIG. 1  for use with a postage stamp in a first configuration in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7B  is similar to  FIG. 7A , but illustrates a sectional view the example application in a second configuration in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a step in an example manufacturing process wherein a plurality of springs are molded onto a plurality of first mounting elements in accordance with another aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates another step in the example manufacturing process wherein the second mounting elements are attached to the resilient springs in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10A  illustrates a sectional view showing the second mounting elements attached to the resilient springs in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10B  illustrates a sectional view showing the second mounting elements attached to the resilient springs in accordance with another aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates another step in the example manufacturing process wherein the second mounting elements are detached from the second sheet in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates another step in the example manufacturing process wherein the first mounting elements are detached from the first sheet in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is similar to  FIG. 12 , but shows a sectional view of the first mounting elements being detached from the first sheet in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates another step in the example manufacturing process wherein the completed mounting assemblies are retained in a retail tray in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a step in an alternate example manufacturing process wherein the mounting assemblies are formed in a continuous process in accordance with another aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is similar to  FIG. 15 , but illustrates another step in the manufacturing process wherein a post-processing operation is used. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates an alternate mounting assembly having an alternate first mounting element in accordance with another aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is similar to  FIG. 17 , but shows yet another alternate first mounting element in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     An example embodiment of a device that incorporates aspects of the present invention is shown in the drawings. It is to be appreciated that the shown example is not intended to be a limitation on the present invention. For example, one or more aspects of the present invention can be utilized in other embodiments and even other types of devices. 
     Turning to the shown example of  FIG. 1A , a mounting assembly  10  for a wobble head is illustrated in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. The mounting assembly  10  can include a first mounting element  12 . The first mounting element  12  can include various geometries and various materials. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1A , the first mounting element  12  can include a plate. The plate can have various geometries, such as a generally rectangular geometry shown in  FIG. 1A . However, as shown in  FIG. 1B , the plate can include various other geometries, such as oval. It is to be appreciated that geometries, such as square, elliptical, circular, triangular, polygonal, etc. can also be employed. Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 17-18 , the first mounting assembly  12  can include a flexible attachment structure, such as a paperclip or the like. For the sake of brevity, the following description will include the plate geometry, with the understanding that it can similarly apply to the various other geometries. 
     The mounting assembly  10  can also include a resilient spring  14  that can include a first end portion  16  and a second end portion  18 . In the shown example, the first end portion  16  of the spring  14  is coupled to the first mounting plate  12 . The first mounting plate  12  can include a thin paper, plastic, cardboard, or other plate-like structure, having a first side  20  and second side  22 . The first side  20  can be adapted to secure to an object, such as an image or photo (not shown) via a permanent or non-permanent adhesive, or the like. The adhesive can be pre-applied to the first side  20  of the first mounting plate  12  and can include a film or other protective element provided thereon, such as a peel-away backing, which is removed prior to use. However, it is to be appreciated that the object can also be secured to the first mounting plate  12  via a magnet, fastener (e.g., a hook and loop fastener), suction cup, or various other suitable structures and/or methods. Additionally, as shown, the first end  16  of the spring  14  can be coupled to the second side  22  of the first mounting plate  12  at a substantially perpendicular angle, as depicted in  FIG. 2B . 
     The mounting assembly  10  can also include a second mounting element  24  coupled to the second end portion  18  of the spring  14 . Like the first mounting element  12 , the second mounting element  24  can include various geometries and various materials, such as a plate or even a flexible attachment structure. Again, for the sake of brevity, the following description will include the plate geometry, with the understanding that it can similarly apply to the various other geometries. Additionally, like the first mounting plate  12 , the second mounting plate  24  can include an adhesive, fastener, or the like, such that the second mounting plate  24  can be utilized to couple the mounting assembly  10  to a support structure, as will be described more fully herein. In addition or alternatively, either or both of the first and second mounting plates  12 ,  24  can be attached to a support structure. For example, at least one of the first and second mounting plates  12 ,  24  can be adapted to be coupled to any regular or irregular surface, such as books, clothing, appliances, computers, office equipment, furniture, vehicles, windows, mirrors, bulletins, wipe boards, postage stamps, greeting cards, envelopes, postcards, corporate mailers, magazines, drink cups, food packaging, and/or various other suitable materials or structures. 
     Turning now to the examples shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , the mounting assembly  10  can be employed to support various objects upon various supporting structures. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the mounting assembly  27  can be used to mount a photograph of a head  26  onto a body  28 . The head  26  can be constructed from a high-resolution digital photograph on thick, gloss photo paper or other suitable media. The head  26  can be of a specific person (e.g., oneself, family member, friend, celebrity) or a pet (e.g., dog, cat, etc.). The body  28  can be constructed from pressboard, plastic, metal, wood, or the like, and can include a full color printed image, for example, an athlete (e.g., tennis player, ice skater, skateboarder, cyclist, basketball player), a media personality, an actor/actress, singer, or even an inanimate object, such as a sports car, a motor boat, etc. The body  28  can be supported by a base  30  or the like manufactured from plastic, wood, metal, or other suitable material. 
     When mounted to the body  28 , the head  26  is able to wobble with respect to the body via the spring  14 . The wobble movement of the head  26  can depend upon various characteristics of the spring, such as length, material, and coil diameter. In one example, the spring  14  can be a compression spring. Moreover, because the head  26  is mounted substantially perpendicularly with respect to the body  28 , the head  26  wobbles in a unique side to side motion, as depicted by the arrows in  FIG. 2A , that can last up to thirty seconds or longer when set in motion, though other times can also be achieved. The wobble action of the head  26  can be a clockwise and counterclockwise movement of the head  26  with the spring  14  acting as a pivot point. It is to be appreciated that various items can be animated with the wobble motion. For example, a hand can be attached to the body via the mounting assembly  10  to provide a waving motion. Other examples of items that can be attached via the mounting assembly  10  include a postage stamp, a rotating ball, a food item (e.g., cup of coffee/tea, can of soda/beer, a donut, ice cream, cookie, hot dog, burger), a book, a magazine, flowers, a gift, or a branded product, such as a COKE®, a SNICKERS®, etc. can be attached for advertising purposes. Although wobble heads have been described herein as being attached to a body or background image, it is to be appreciated that a wobble head can be provided with a magnet, suction cup, hook and loop fastener, snaps, rivets, buttons, or any other fastening device to couple the wobble head to clothing, appliances, computers, office equipment, furniture, vehicles, windows, mirrors, bulletins, wipe boards, postage stamps, greeting cards, envelopes, postcards, corporate mailers, magazines, or any other suitable material or structure. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 3A-3B , another example application of the mounting assembly  10  is shown with a self-mailer greeting card  32 . It is to be appreciated that the description with respect to the self-mailer greeting card can be applied to any other type of suitable mailer. The self-mailer greeting card  32  can include a spacer box  34 , and a greeting panel  36 . Various fasteners or adhesives, such as hook and loop fasteners or removable adhesive dots can be applied to corners of the spacer box  34  and greeting panel  36  to facilitate holding the greeting card  32  together during mailing. A mailing address can be provided on an outside portion of either the spacer box  34  or the greeting panel  36 . A wobble image  38  can be secured to an inner portion of a back panel  40  of the spacer box  34  via mounting assembly  10 . As shown, the wobble image  38  is secured to the first mounting plate  12 , and the second mounting plate  24  is secured to the back panel  40 . The spring  14  is attached therebetween and is shown as a coil spring, though it is to be appreciated that the spring  14  can also include various other geometries, such as a helical spring. A front panel  42  of the spacer box  34  can include a cut out portion such that the spring  14  can project through the front panel  42 . The spacer box  34 , thus, provides room for suitable compression of the spring  14  while still retaining its original properties. However, where a generally fully collapsible spring is utilized, such as is discussed more fully herein, it is to be appreciated that a greeting card  35  can include a substantially flat base panel  37 , as shown in  FIG. 4A , instead of the spacer box  34 . One or more objects  37 , such as a photograph, business card, for example, can be movably attached to the base panel  37  via a mounting assembly  41 , the mounting assembly  41  being substantially similar to that described with respect to  FIG. 1  herein. 
     The spacer box  34  can also provide room for various other features, such as one or more microchips, speakers, batteries, or the like (not shown). For example, the microchip can be coupled to the mounting assembly  10 , such as by being secured to an end portion of the spring  14 . For instance, an adhesive, or the like, can be utilized to secure the microchip to any desirable surface. The microchip can be operable to provide voice activation and audio for an image secured to the mounting assembly  10 . Though described in accordance with a greeting card, it is to be appreciated that the microchip could be utilized with various other applications of the mounting assembly  10 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 4B , it is to be appreciated that the mounting assembly  10  can be compressed to a substantially flat geometry, as is discussed in greater detail herein, and can be utilized to attach one or more objects to any suitable item  43 . The item  43  can include a greeting card, an envelope, a postcard, a corporate mailer, a magazine, a drink cup, food packaging, or the like. As shown in the present example, a plurality of objects  45 ,  47 ,  49  can be coupled to the item  43 . The object(s)  45 ,  47 ,  49  can include a preprinted image, a custom image, a photograph, a postage stamp, and/or the like. Further, one or more objects can be positioned between the mounting assembly  10  and the item  43 ; while one or more other objects can be positioned on an opposite side of the mounting assembly. One of these objects can include a protective cover, which will be described in greater detail herein. 
       FIG. 4C  illustrates an adhesive  57  for securing the spring  61  in a flattened position in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. For instance, the adhesive can be a captive glue dot  57  utilized to capture the spring  61  via a top portion  59  of the spring  61 . The spring can then be trapped onto a surface  63  until the product is ready to be activated. For instance, the glue dot  57  can be applied to a magazine insert. The spring  61  can be held down by the glue dot  57  until a reader pulls on an image secured to a top of the spring  61 , which would then pop up and start wiggling. The glue can be the same type used in the industry to hold down items such as credit cards, CD&#39;s, and such to mailers and envelopes. However, any suitable adhesive can be used in any suitable form and is contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention. As can be appreciated, the mounting assembly  10  can be utilized to support various objects upon various supporting surfaces, and as such the various examples shown in  FIGS. 2-4  are not intended to provide any limitations upon the present invention. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 5-7 , the various elements of the mounting assembly  10  of  FIG. 1A  will now be discussed in more detail. The first mounting plate  12  can include an aperture  50  defined by a peripheral edge  52 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the aperture  50  can include a hole extending through the first mounting plate  12 , though it can also include a recess or the like that does not extend through the plate. The peripheral edge  52  can extend about the entire edge of the aperture  50 . For example, where the aperture  50  includes a circular hole, the peripheral edge  52  can extend about the circumference of the hole. However, it is to be appreciated that either or both of the aperture  50  and peripheral edge  52  can also include various other geometries, such as square, oval, triangular, polygonal, etc. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the resilient spring  14  can be attached to the first mounting plate  12 . For example, the first end  16  of the spring  14  can be attached to at least a portion of the peripheral edge  52  of the aperture  50 . The spring  14  can be attached in various manners. For example, the spring  14  can be attached using various fasteners, adhesives, or the like. In another example, as shown, the spring  14  can be molded directly to the first mounting plate  12 . That is, during a single manufacturing step where the spring  14  is actually formed, the spring  14  can also be simultaneously attached to (e.g., molded to) the first mounting plate  12 . As shown, the spring  14  can be molded directly to the peripheral edge  52  of the aperture  50  such that portions of the first end  16  of the spring  14  extend from either or both of the first and second sides  20 ,  22  of the first mounting plate  12 . The spring  14  can be molded to the peripheral edge  52  radially, as shown, or even tangentially along various planes. Alternatively, the spring  14  can fill in the aperture  50 , or as shown, provide for a hole through the plate. 
     Additionally, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6 , remainder of the spring  14  can also be formed during the molding process. In one example, the molding process can include an injection molding process utilizing a thermoplastic material or the like, such as acetyl. It is to be appreciated that various materials can be used, along with various geometries, depending upon the desired performance characteristics of the spring  14 . As shown, the spring  14  can include a helical geometry. In addition or alternatively, the spring  14  can include a plurality of coils  54  arranged in a conical geometry  56 . That is, the outer diameter of the coils  54  can decrease from the first end  16  to the second end  18 . The coils  54  can decrease in diameter at varying degrees, and/or can even taper from the first end  16  to the second end  18 . Further, it is to be appreciated that the coils can have various cross-sectional geometries, such as square, circular, triangular, polygonal, etc. 
     Additionally, as shown in  FIGS. 7A-7B , the conical geometry  56  can permit the spring  14  to collapse to a substantially flat geometry. For example, as shown in  FIG. 7A , the mounting assembly  10  can be attached between a supporting structure  51 , such as a greeting card, envelope, postcard, corporate mailer, magazine, or the like, and an object  53 , such as a postage stamp. The supporting structure  51  can also be a carrier sheet used to carry the mounting assembly and/or to transfer the mounting assembly  10  to another structure. The carrier sheet can include an adhesive backing, such as a permanent, removable, or repositionable adhesive layer. A protective cover  55 , such as a removable, light permeable protective film, can be placed in covering relationship over the object  53  and mounting assembly  10  to create a layered assembly. The protective cover  55  can include a permanent, a removable, or a repositionable adhesive layer. Accordingly, the protective cover  55  can be removed from the object  53  without damaging the object  53 . The protective cover  55  can be manufactured from paper, film, plastic, cardboard, or various other suitable materials. Further, the protective cover  55  can be substantially transparent, semitransparent, or opaque. It is to be appreciated that although a single protective cover  55  has been described, various numbers of layers can be arranged variously about the mounting assembly  10 . 
     Next, as shown in  FIG. 7B , the spring  14  can collapse such that the coils  54  are received within the aperture  50  and lie generally along a single plane. For example, each coil  54  can be received within the aperture  50  adjacent the other coils  54  such that the spring  14  has a vertical height that is substantially equal to or less than the vertical height of the first end  16  that is molded to the first mounting plate  12 . Thus, the interaction of the conical geometry  56  and the aperture  50  can permit the mounting assembly  10  to be compressed to a substantially flat geometry. Further, the protective cover  55  can act to retain the mounting assembly  10  in the compressed state until removed. Accordingly, the mounting assembly  10  can be utilized in various applications requiring a relatively thin assembly, such as with a postage stamp on an item to be mailed, or even with a book, magazine, greeting card, etc., yet still retain the wobble ability when released. 
     The first mounting plate  12  can include various other features to facilitate molding the spring  14  thereto. As shown in  FIGS. 5-6 , the first mounting plate  12  can include a stress relief structure  58  to counter-act cooling or shrinking forces that may occur during the cooling and curing of the spring  14 . For example, as the spring  14  is molded to the peripheral edge  52  and subsequently cures from a liquid state to a solid state, it can contract towards the interior of the aperture  50 . If no stress relief structure is provided, the first mounting plate  12  can be deformed to a curved shape, such as a “potato chip” shape. However, the stress relief structure  58  can counter-act such a deformation by permitting limited movement of portions of the first mounting plate  12  to absorb the cooling or shrinking forces. 
     The stress relief structure  58  can include various geometries, such as at least one slit extending through the first mounting plate  12 . In the shown examples, the stress relief structure  58  can include an arcuate slit  60  generally similar to the curvature of the peripheral edge  52 . Alternatively, the stress relief structure  58  can include a plurality of arcuate slits  60 , and at least one of the slits  60  can be generally concentric with another of the slits  60 ′. For example, the stress relief structure  58  can include a pair of slits  60 , each being disposed on an opposite side of the aperture  50 . In addition or alternatively, the plurality of arcuate slits  60  can include at least one of the slits  60  being radially offset from another of the arcuate slits  60 ″. Further still, the plurality of arcuate slits  60  can include concentric and radially offset slits arranged in a pattern or array. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the slits  60  can be arranged to generally circumscribe the peripheral edge  52  to provide stress relief along the entire first end  16  of the molded spring  14 . It is to be appreciated that the stress relief structure  58  can also include various other geometries, arrangements, etc. For example, the stress relief structure  58  can include grooves, holes, or the like that may or may not extend through the first mounting plate  12 . Additionally, the stress relief structure  58  can be disposed at various locations about the first mounting plate  12 . In addition or alternatively, the stress relief structure  58  can be arranged in various patterns, arrays, or even randomly, and can be arranged in various linear or curved geometries. Even further still, the stress relief structure  58  can include structure added to the first mounting plate, such as a varying thickness of the first mounting plate  12 , a stress-resistant frame extending about the first mounting plate  12 , or the like. 
     Keeping with  FIGS. 5-6 , the second end  18  of the spring  14  can be attached to the second mounting plate  24  in various manners. In one example, the second end  18  can be molded directly to the second mounting plate  24  similar to the operation previously described with regards to the first end  16  and the first mounting plate  12 . Alternatively, the second end  18  can be attached to the second mounting plate  24  by way of an adhesive, a fastener, welding or the like. In the shown examples, the second end  18  can be attached to the second mounting plate  24  by a thermoforming operation, such as by a heat-staking operation. In a heat-staking operation, the second mounting plate  24  can be placed adjacent the second end  18  of the spring. A stake  62  can be inserted through a hole or the like in the second end  18  of the spring  14  until a flange  64  of the stake  62  abuts the spring  14 . A tip  66  of the stake  62  can extend through the second mounting plate  18 . Subsequently, the tip  66  of the stake  62  can be melted (e.g., thermoformed) to thereby trap the second mounting plate  24  between the flange  62  and the melted tip  66 . However, it is to be appreciated that various other staking operations can also be used, such as cold staking, riveting, etc. 
     An example method of manufacturing the mounting assembly  10  will now be discussed. As can be appreciated, the mounting assemblies  10  can be manufactured using various methodologies, including more or less steps arranged in various orders. Additionally, the mounting assemblies  10  can be manufactured by hand (e.g., in singular units or in small batches), or can be manufactured by a semi or fully automated process (e.g., mass production). Though each mounting assembly  10  can be produced individually, it can be beneficial to manufacture a plurality in a single manufacturing process. Thus, for the sake of brevity, the following examples will discuss only the manufacture of a plurality of mounting assemblies  10 , with the understanding that such methodologies can apply equally as well to the manufacture of a single mounting assembly  10 . 
     Turning to the example shown in  FIG. 8 , a plurality of first mounting plates  72  are provided as a first sheet  70  of material. The first sheet  70  of material can be provided as a discrete sheet, or can also be provided as a continuous sheet of material for use in a reel-to-reel operation, as will be discussed more fully herein. The first sheet  70  can include the same material as the final first mounting plates  12 . Thus, for example, the first sheet  70  can be pre-printed with indicia, such as branding information, instructions, or the like, and can also include an adhesive or the like already applied with a protective cover sheet. Additionally, each of the various first mounting plates  12  can be partially pre-cut or otherwise partially separated from the first sheet  70 . For example, each of the first mounting plates  72  of  FIG. 8  can be perforated about the outer edges thereof to facilitate future removal of the first mounting plates from the first sheet  70 . 
     Next, the plurality of mounting plates  72  of the first sheet  70  can be fed into a molding machine, and a resilient spring  14  can be molded to each of the mounting plates  74 . As discussed above, the resilient spring  14  can each be molded directly to each of the mounting plates  74 , such as about the peripheral edge  52  thereof. As can be appreciated, the molding machine (not shown) can include the requisite elements necessary to form a spring  14  such as those discussed herein, including an appropriate mold and/or material supply elements for forming the spring geometry. Additionally, each resilient spring  14  can be molded using various operations, such as an injection molding operation using a thermoplastic material or the like. However, other molding operations can be used, such as blow molding, compression molding, rotational molding, vacuum forming, or the like. Further, during the molding operation, each resilient spring  14  can be simultaneously formed as a spring, and attached to the first mounting plate  12  in a single operation. 
     Next, once the resilient springs  14  have cured to a solid form, the second mounting plates  24  can be attached to form each mounting assembly  10 . The second mounting plates  24  can also be provided as a second sheet  80  of material. As before, the second sheet  80  of material can be provided as a discrete sheet, or as a continuous sheet for use in a reel-to-reel operation. Additionally, the second sheet  80  can be pre-printed with indicia, such as branding information, instructions, or the like, can include an adhesive or the like already applied with a protective cover sheet, and/or have the second mounting plates  24  be partially pre-cut or otherwise partially separated from the second sheet  80 . Additionally, as shown, the second sheet  80  can carry the stakes  62  used to mount the second mounting plates  24  to the springs  14 . For example, the stakes  62  can be removably attached to each of the second mounting plates  24  during in a previous step. Alternatively, the stakes  62  can be provided prior to the heat-staking operation. 
     Turning to the example shown in  FIG. 9 , both of the first and second sheets  70 ,  80  can be fed, in various manners, into an attachment device  84  for manual or automated attachment of the springs  14  to the second mounting plates  24 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 10A , the sheets  70 ,  80  can include a plurality of feed holes  89  configured to guide and move the sheets  70 ,  80  into and out of the attachment device  84 . Thus, the feed holes  89  can act as positioning and/or locating features for the sheets  70 ,  80 .  FIG. 10B  illustrates alternative or additional locations for feed holes  91 . As shown, the feed holes  91  are positioned along two opposing sides of each of the sheets  70  and  80 . Returning to  FIG. 9 , the attachment device  84  can include an upper portion  85  having a plurality of upper plungers  86 , and a lower portion  87  having a plurality of lower plungers  88 . The upper and lower plungers  86 ,  88  can be arranged in a pattern or array corresponding to the pattern or array of first and second mounting plates  12 ,  24 . The upper and lower portions  85 ,  87  can be separable to permit the first and second sheets  70 ,  80  to travel therethrough. Additionally, either or both of the upper and lower plungers  86 ,  88  can be individually vertically movable. During a heat-staking operation, each lower plunger  88  can act as an orientation guide to expand an associated spring  14  and retain it in a predetermined location. Next, each upper plunger  86  can press against and apply heat to the tip  66  of each stake  62  to thermoform each of the tips  66  against an associated second mounting plate  24 . However, as discussed herein, the upper plunger  86  can also perform various other attachment operations, such as cold-staking, riveting, providing various fasteners, adhesives, welding operations, etc. Either or both of the upper and lower plungers  86 ,  88  can also perform various other steps as may be required. 
     Subsequent to the heat staking operation, the first and second sheets  70 ,  80  having a plurality of completed mounting assemblies  90  can be removed from the attachment device  84 . Any or all of the upper and lower portions  85 ,  87  and/or the upper and lower plungers  86 ,  88  can be vertically separated to permit the sheets  70 ,  80  to be removed. As shown in  FIGS. 9-10 , the first and second mounting plates  12 ,  24  can each remain attached to the first and second sheets  70 ,  80 , respectively, upon exiting from the attachment device  84 . 
     However, either or both of the first and second mounting plates  12 ,  24  can also be detached from the first and second sheets  70 ,  80 , respectively, by the attachment device  84 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 11 , an alternate attachment device  84 ′ can perform both of the tasks of attaching the second mounting plates  24  to the springs  14 , and separating the second mounting plates  24  from the second sheet  80 . In one example, the alternative attachment device  84 ′ can utilize a die cutting operation or the like to separate the second mounting plates  24  from the second sheet  80 . For example, the upper plunger  86  could cooperate with a die-cutter device (not shown) such that both operations occur substantially simultaneously. However, the operations can also occur in successive order, as well. Thus, once the second mounting plate  24  is separated from the second sheet  80 , the completed mounting assemblies  90  and an empty second sheet  80 ′ can exit the alternate attachment device  84 ′. As can be appreciated, the second mounting plates  24  can also be separated from the second sheet  80  in a manual operation or the like after exiting from the attachment device  84 . 
     Turning now to the operations illustrated in  FIGS. 12-13 , the first mounting plates  12  can also be detached from the first sheet  70 , and the plurality of mounting assemblies  90  can be sorted, packaged, and/or prepared for post-processing. A separation device  92  can be provided, including an upper portion  94  and a lower portion  96 . Either or both of the upper and lower portions  94 ,  96  can be vertically movable relative to each other. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the upper portion  94  is raised relative to the lower portion  96  to permit entry of the plurality of mounting assemblies  90 , or exit of the empty first sheet  70 ′ for disposal. 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , the upper portion  94  is lowered relative to the lower portion  96  to perform the separation operation. In the shown example, the act of lowering the upper portion  94  can perform the separation operation, though a separately movable plunger or the like (not shown) can also be used. As mentioned before, the separation operation can be a die-cut operation performed by a die-cut device  98 . Once the separation operation is performed, the separated mounting assembly  10  can travel through a guide channel  99  into a separation tray  100  or the like. The separation tray  100  can include a plurality of chambers or cells adapted to receive each of the mounting assemblies  10  for further processing and/or processing. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the separation tray can include a retail packaging tray  102 . The retail packaging tray  102  can include a plurality of the mounting assemblies  10  for individual application by a consumer to various objects and/or support structures. The retail packaging tray  102  can also include a lid  104  for protecting the mounting assemblies  10 , and can also include various indicia, branding, sales information, or the like. The retail packaging tray  102  can also include various other materials to form a kit. For example, the kit can include photo paper (not shown) for printing a desired image and at least one action wobble mounting assembly, such as the previously described wobble  FIG. 28  or greeting card  32 . A variety of fasteners (not shown) can also be provided for securing the wobble image to various surfaces and/or structures. For example, the fasteners can include snaps, hook and loop fasteners, magnets, etc. The kit can also include one or more die cut action figures and/or backgrounds, as well as one or more bases to support the figures and/or backgrounds. In addition or alternatively, the kit can include cardstock (not shown) to create custom greeting cards, books, postage stamps, envelopes, postcards, corporate mailers, magazines, or the like. 
     Turning now to the example shown in  FIGS. 15-16 , another method of manufacturing a plurality of mounting assemblies  10  will be described. It is to be appreciated that the previously described method focused on manufacturing mounting assemblies can be more appropriate for retail sale, such as in the retail tray  102  or the like, and that the following method can be more appropriate for commercial sales of large volumes of mounting assemblies  10 . For example, the following method may be used to manufacture mounting assemblies  10  on the order of 40,000 per hour or more for mass production and commercial sale. However, either or both of the methods discussed herein can be utilized for retail or commercial sales, as may be appropriate for a particular application of the mounting assemblies  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , a commercial manufacturing process  110  is shown. The commercial manufacturing process  110  can be of the “reel-to-reel” type configured to supply materials to the process from large reels, and to accept the final products back onto finish reels. However, either or both of the supply materials or finished products can be handled as appropriate to a particular application. 
     The commercial manufacturing process  110  can include a first supply roll  112  containing a supply of the aforementioned first sheet  114  having the first mounting plates  12 . Additionally, a second supply roll  116  can contain a supply of the aforementioned second sheets  118  having the second mounting plates  24 . As shown, the first and second sheets  114 ,  118  can be provided as webs as appropriate to a “reel-to-reel” manufacturing method. It is to be appreciated that the commercial manufacturing process  110  can also include appropriate motors, guides, pulleys, etc. for guiding the first and second sheets  114 ,  118  through the process. 
     It is also to be appreciated that, as shown, the commercial manufacturing process  110  can also include a secondary set of first and second supply rolls  112 ′,  116 ′ for providing a secondary set of first and second sheets  114 ′,  118 ′. The secondary sets can be utilized together with the primary sets to double production, or can also be utilized as a backup set to minimize delays in the manufacturing process. For example, the secondary set can be prepared for use while the primary set is actually being used, and when the primary set is depleted, the secondary set can be utilized while the primary set is re-supplied with fresh materials. 
     The commercial manufacturing process  110  can further include an assembly device  120  for performing the various assembly steps to form the mounting assemblies  10 . The assembly device  120  can include various components, such as a molding component  122  for molding the springs  14  to each of the first mounting plates  12 , similar to that discussed in accordance with  FIG. 8 . An attachment component  124  can be provided subsequent to the molding component  122  for attachment of the second mounting plates  24  to the springs  14 , similar to that discussed in accordance with  FIGS. 9-10 . It is to be appreciated that the assembly device  120  can perform any of the operations discussed herein, and can also perform additional operations as required. 
     The assembly device  120  can also include various other components, such as a supply component  126  for the thermoplastic, a control system  128 , and/or various other elements as may be required. As can be appreciated, the assembly device  120  can be manually operated, though it can also be partly or fully automated, such as by a PLC or various other automation systems. Additionally, robotics or the like can also be employed during the manufacturing process to increase efficiency. 
     The commercial manufacturing process  110  can further include a finish roll  130  configured to accept the completed mounting assemblies  90  (see  FIGS. 9-10 ) from the assembly device  120 . As shown, the assembly device  120  can produce the mounting assemblies  90  in a two-sheet web  132 . The two-sheet web  132  can be similar to that shown in  FIGS. 9-10 , wherein the first and second mounting plates  12 ,  24  remain attached to the first and second sheets  114 ,  118 , respectively. However, unlike the example of  FIGS. 9-10 , it can be beneficial during a commercial manufacturing process for both of the first and second mounting plates  12 ,  24  to have a similar geometry to facilitate separation from the two-sheet web  132 . Thus, for example, the first and second mounting plates  12 ,  24  can both have a rectangular, circular, oval, triangular, and/or polygonal geometry. Additionally, a secondary finish roll  130 ′ can be provided for accepting a secondary two-sheet web  132 ′, similar to that discussed above with the secondary supply rolls  114 ′,  116 ′. 
     As an example, each molding cell in the commercial manufacturing process  110  can be capable of producing 19,200,000 pcs/mo with a seven second cycle. This output is based on a three shift, twenty hour work day operating seven days per week. The cell is thus operating approximately 7000 house per year. 
     The springs can be fully assembled using SMI/3M film product provided on forty inch diameter reels, each forty inch reel weighing approximately 400 lbs. Each reel can have enough material for about 300,000 wobble springs. Four reels of paper (two upper and two lower) can be fed into the molding machine substantially simultaneously. The expected reel life is about twenty hours of operation. A quick change splicing system is planned to keep reel changeover time under five minutes. Reel to reel molding will injection mold film/paper directly to one side of spring. Secondary automation mounted within the molding machine will permanently attach the second layer of paper provided from two secondary reel systems onto opposite surface of the spring, where it will be heat staked or sonic welded in place within the molding machine. The film rolls will be provided on six up skids, requiring the machine cell to be re-loaded approximately once per week. Quality control will be monitored by a suitable vision system. Upon exiting the molding machine, the combined reels of paper with the spring enclosed are then reeled back onto two forty-five inch take up reels. Each forty-five inch reel contains approximately 100,000 wobble springs and weighs between 100 and 150 lbs. The reels can delivered to secondary operations via six layer skids. Each cell can include have four reels feeding in and two take up reels. The take up reels will fill up every three-four hrs, but can be changed while machine is in operation. Finished reels can be stacked on skids (about six reels per skid) with side protectors for either bulk shipment or for use in inserting and folding equipment, as will be described in greater detail herein. Each cell is designed to fit into a single standard machine space. 
     Turning now to the example shown in  FIG. 16 , various post-processing steps can be performed to the finished two-sheet web  132 . As shown towards the left-hand side, the commercial manufacturing process  110  can operate as discussed above. The two-sheet web  132  can be stored upon the finish roll  130 , and when sufficiently full, the finish roll  130  can be the final product for sale to another commercial entity. The other commercial entity can utilize the mounting assemblies contained thereon in various other separate manufacturing processes. 
     As shown towards the right-hand side of  FIG. 16 , a modified commercial manufacturing process  210  can also be used. The modified commercial manufacturing process  210  can include a similar first and second supply rolls  112 ,  116 , assembly device  220 , finish roll  230  and two-sheet web  232 . However, the modified commercial manufacturing process  210  can also include one or more post-processing operations  240 . As shown, the two-sheet web  232  from the finish roll  230  can feed directly into the post-processing operation  240 . However, it is to be appreciated that various post-processing operations can be performed immediately following the primary manufacturing operation, or can even be performed at a different time and/or location. 
     Various post-processing operations  240  can be performed. In one example, the post-processing operation  240  can include a product packaging device, such as a vacuum packaging device, for packaging the mounting assemblies  10  in various manners, such as for sale, storage, transport, etc. In another example, the post-processing operation  240  can include a product-integration device  242 . The product-integration device  242  can be configured to integrate each of the mounting assemblies  10  onto another product, such as a book, postage stamps, greeting cards, envelopes, postcards, corporate mailers, magazines, or the like. Thus, the product-integration device  242  can include a product entry end  244  for receiving the various products, an integration component  246  for physically integrating the mounting assemblies  10  onto the product, and an exit end  248  for the finished product. The exit end  248  can include various elements for receiving, packaging, and/or stacking the finished products for sale, and can even include various quality control elements. 
     The integration component  246  can physically integrate the mounting assemblies  10  onto the product in various manners. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 2-4F , the integration component  246  can attach one or more mounting assemblies  10  to each of the wobble figure, greeting card, postage stamp, envelope, postcard, corporate mailer, magazine, or the like. In another example, the integration component  246  can attach an object, such as a postage stamp, a rotating ball, a food item, and/or a promotional item to the mounting assembly  10 , which may or may not subsequently be attached to another product. 
     In still yet another example, the integration component  246  can attach an image (e.g., face  28 , wobble image  38 , or the like) to the mounting assembly  10 . For example, the image can include a photograph that is printed on a substrate. The substrate can be attached to the mounting assembly  10 , such as to the first mounting plate  12 . The photograph can be received from a remote location (e.g., a location remote to the integration component  246 ) and attached to the mounting assembly. For example, the one or more photographs can be received from another manufacturing process (e.g., pre-printed photographs) for use with the post-processing operation  240 . Further, in order to provide a pleasing appearance such that the photograph is substantially equal in size and shape to the first mounting plate  12 , the integration component  246  can trim the photograph during attachment to the mounting assembly  10 . For example, the photograph can be attached to the first mounting plate  12 , and then both the photograph and the first mounting plate  12  can be trimmed to separate the first mounting plate from the two-sheet web  232 . The trimming operation can be similar to the die-cut operation shown in  FIGS. 12-13 . However, it can be beneficial to simultaneously trim the second mounting plate  24  from the two-sheet web  232 . Thus, where the first and second mounting sheets  12 ,  24  have substantially the same geometry, such as shown in  FIG. 1B , a single trimming operation (e.g., a single die-cut operation) can be utilized to trim both of the first and second mounting plates  12 ,  24  and the photograph. Alternatively, if desired, first and second mounting sheets  12 ,  24  can be trimmed separately. 
     An example of a post processing operation includes inserting and folding equipment. The inserting and folding equipment can be used to produce magazine inserts, or twofold or threefold window or windowless mailer or greeting card, as shown in  FIG. 4A , for example. For instance, each inserter/folder is capable of inserting and folding up to 40,000 pieces per hour. The unit can include a Multi-feeder MFT 550 unit, for example, fitted with an auto loader (approximately one-two hours of operation per load), which works off of stacked unfolded or folded paper stock (e.g., 1.5 inches to 28 inches wide or reel feed). As the paper is loaded onto the conveyer it passes under a series of one-six modular wobble placer units. Each of these units can place one wobble spring and one corresponding image at a rate of 10,000 springs per hour. To achieve 40,000 springs per hour, four units can work together to place one spring and corresponding image per sheet. After image placement, the product passes through a folding station where the paper can be folded, if desired, in one or more places. The machine can run from stacked media and predetermined artwork or from reel fed media. Upon exiting the machine, the finished product is stacked. An operator thereby removes each stack and places the stacks on skids for shipment or placement into shipping and inserting equipment. Each inserter/folder is designed to operate semi un-attended for eight to ten hours with the operator loading new stacks of product into the autoloader unit approximately every thirty to sixty minutes. The operator unloads and finished product about every 30 minutes. The product can be packaged in a manner similar to which the product was received. For instance the same packing can be reused. Quality control can be maintained by an integrated vision system provided by the automation supplier and incorporated into the turnkey system. Reels can be designed for eight to ten hours of operation at rate, at which point live splicing can occur (up to six reels can live slice before a new skid is brought in (live splicing does not require the machine to stop, the machine can be configured for up to forty-eight hours of continuous operation before the spring supply needs to be replenished). Each cell can require one paper reel feeding system per inserter/folder unit. A typical cell can have four reel feeding systems and four inserter/folder units to operate at 40,000 spring products produced per hour. If one reel runs out, the automation can continue at a reduced rate until the reel is reloaded. The artwork supply (either reel or sheets) will be maintained in the autoloader with an estimated run time of two to three hours of materials per load, and can be continuously replenished without interruption of production. Typical paper reel reload time can be about five minutes (once every forty-eight hours). 
     If desired, the completed spring and image assembly can be covered with a protective film layer as part of the production process for products such as mailings, etc where protection of the image is necessary. Space requirement can be approximately 22×40 feet per unit. Power requirement can be 220VAC single phase  55  amp breaker, air requirement can be 80 psi clean dry air. 
     In another example, the integration component  246  can include a printing device, such as a commercial digital printer, offset printer, or the like (not shown) for printing the photographs on a plurality of substrates (not shown), such as photographic paper or other suitable media. The photographs can be printed on to the substrates prior to or subsequent to attachment to the product (e.g., book, postage stamps, greeting cards, envelopes, postcards, corporate mailers, magazines, etc.), though it can be beneficial to print the photographs prior to the attachment step. The images can include digital images (e.g., digital pictures, photographs, symbols, text, etc.) that can be received by the printing device over a computer network. Thus, the integration component  246  can receive the various digital images, print those images onto the substrates, and then attach the substrates to the mounting assemblies  10 . As such, the integration component  246  can permit dynamic printing of the digital images onto the substrates to permit a variety of images to be attached to the mounting assemblies. Accordingly, the post-processing operation  240  can permit a dynamic and efficient operation capable of handling various tasks, including custom orders. 
     It is to be appreciated that the computer network can include various types of computer networks, such as a local area network, wide area network, cellular network, or even the Internet. Thus, because the post-processing operation  240  can permit a dynamic operation, and because the integration component  246  can be operatively connected to the Internet, the post-processing operation  240  can permit custom orders to be received from the customers over the Internet. For example, a customer could order one or more custom mounting assemblies  10  having custom digital images provided to the integration component  246  over the Internet. In one example, a user can log onto a website and select a first object from a plurality of templates. Alternatively, the user can upload a desired image to be used as the first object. The user can then select a desired position on the first object for positioning the mounting assembly  10 . The user can select a second object from a plurality of templates or images. Alternatively, the user can upload a desired image to be used as the second object. The customer could provide a digital image of a family member, such as a head-shot similar to the head  26  of  FIG. 2 , and could request that the mounting assemblies be placed on a particular body, similar to the body  28  of  FIG. 2 . 
     A preview of the finished product can be displayed where the user can then select a quantity of desired products and place his/her order. The order can be received by the printer, printed on the substrate, and, if desired, cut, according to the customer&#39;s specifications for the first and second objects. The first and second objects are then positioned, or otherwise assembled, with the mounting assembly  10  according to the customer&#39;s assembly specifications. Thus, the post-processing operation  240  could accept the mounting assemblies  10  from the additional manufacturing operation  210 , receive the digital image from the Internet (e.g., head  26 ), print the image onto a substrate, attach the substrate to the mounting assemblies, and attach the mounting assemblies to the requested supporting structure (e.g., body  28 ) to complete the custom order. 
     Turning now to the examples shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , yet another example mounting assembly  300  will now be discussed. As stated previously, the first mounting element can include various geometries and various materials, such as a flexible attachment structure for use as a paperclip or the like. Though an alternate example is discussed, it is to be appreciated that various other mounting assemblies having various other geometries can be used, and as such the following discussion is not intended to provide a limitation upon the present invention. 
     Similar to the mounting assembly  10  previously discussed, the alternate mounting assembly  310  shown in  FIG. 17  can include a first mounting element  312  attached to a second mounting element  324  by way of a resilient spring  314  having a first and second ends  316 ,  318 . The alternate mounting assembly  310  can include similar structure to that previously discussed herein, such as an aperture  350  being recessed in or extending through the first mounting element  312 , and/or second mounting element  324  being attached to the spring  314  by a thermoforming operation (e.g., thermoforming the tip  366  of a stake). It is to be appreciated that various object, such as an image, can be attached to either of the first and second mounting elements  312 ,  324  as previously discussed herein. 
     However, the alternate mounting assembly  310  can further include various other structure, geometry, materials, etc. For example, as shown, the first mounting element  312  can further include a base member  330  and a leg member  332  attached to the base member  330 . For example, as shown, the base member  330  can be disposed adjacent the aperture  350  and can extend a distance away therefrom. Additionally, the leg member  332  can be attached to the base member  330  at various locations. For example, as shown in  FIG. 17 , the leg member  332  can be attached to the base member  330  near the aperture  350 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 18 , the leg member  332  can be attached to the base member  330  towards the extended end thereof. 
     Further, the leg member  332  can be movable relative to the base member  330 . For example, the leg member  332  can be resiliently attached to the base member  330 . As shown, the leg member  332  can include a first end  336  and a second end  338 . The first end  336  can be pivotally attached to the base member  330 , and the second end  338  can remain free. Thus, the second end  338  can be selectively offset from the base member  330 . For example, the second end  338  can be pivoted upwards or downwards relative to the base member  330  to vary a gap  334  therebetween. As such, the alternative mounting assembly  310  can act as a paperclip or the like. For example, a supporting structure, such as a relatively thin paper product or the like, can be retained within the gap  334  between the base member  330  and leg member  332 . Thus, the mounting assembly  310  can be used as a paperclip or the like. Additionally, because the leg member  332  can be resiliently pivotally attached to the base member  330 , the resilient force can facilitate retention of the paper product. The leg member  334  can be resiliently and/or pivotally attached to the base member  330  in various manners. For example, as shown, the leg member  334  can be formed with the base member  330  to provide a living hinge or the like. Alternatively, the leg member  334  can be attached to the base member  330  by a hinge-pin interconnection, and can include a resilient spring or the like, though other connections can also be used. 
     Additionally, it is to be appreciated that the geometry and performance characteristics of the base member  330  and leg member  332  can be varied as required for retention of various supporting structures. For example, the gap  334  can have various sizes to accommodate supporting structures of various thicknesses. In addition or alternatively, the base member  330  and/or the leg member  332  can be formed of a deformable material (e.g., a deformable metal, plastic, or the like) to facilitate retention of a supporting structure. For example, either or both of the base and leg members  330 ,  332  could wrap about a portion of the supporting structure. In another example, where either or both of the base member  330  or the leg member  332  include a deformable material, the mounting assembly  310  could be adapted to be supported by a generally horizontal surface, such as a desk, tabletop, countertop, or the like. 
     Turning now to the example shown in  FIG. 18 , yet another alternate mounting assembly  310 ′ is shown to illustrate that the base and/or leg members  330 ′,  332 ′ can also include various geometries. Similar item numbers are used for clarity, though modified items include a prime designator (′). For example, the first end  336 ′ can be attached to the base member  330 ′ at a location spaced a distance from the aperture  350 , while the second end  338 ′ can extend towards the aperture  350 . Even so, a gap  334 ′ can still be selectively altered between the base and leg members  330 ′,  332 ′ by selectively offsetting the second end  338 ′. Thus, the mounting assembly  310 ′ can also be utilized as a paperclip or the like for retaining various supporting structures with the gap  334 ′. It is to be appreciated that the prior alternate mounting assembly  310  is generally configured to locate the second mounting element  324  away from the supporting structure (e.g., extending away from a book, postage stamp, greeting card, envelope, postcard, corporate mailer, magazine, or the like), while the present mounting assembly  310 ′ is generally configured to locate the second mounting element  324  towards the supporting structure (e.g., extending towards or even within a book, postage stamp, greeting card, envelope, postcard, corporate mailer, magazine, or the like). Thus, the alternate mounting assemblies  310 ,  310 ′ can be configured for a variety of uses. 
     Further still, the alternate mounting assemblies  310 ,  310 ′ can be manufactured using similar steps to those previously disclosed herein. However, more or less steps may also be included. For example, the first mounting element  312  can be molded, such as by an injection molding process or the like. The spring  314  can also be molded. Further, the first mounting element  312  and the spring  314  can be molded and attached substantially simultaneously. Thus, for example, a single mold can be utilized to both form and attach the first mounting element  312  and the spring  314  in a single operation. 
     Additionally, the mounting assemblies  310 ,  310 ′ can be manufactured as single units or in mass-produced commercial quantities. For example, the mounting assemblies  310 ,  310 ′ can be manufactured using steps similar to the “reel-to-reel” commercial manufacturing process discussed herein. In such a “reel-to-reel” process, the first mounting element  312  and spring  314  can be transported by a carrier through the manufacturing process after they are molded. In one example, the carrier can include a webbing, such as a paper or plastic sheet having an adhesive or the like. In another example, during the molding operation that forms the first mounting element  312  and the spring  314 , a thin plastic carrier (not shown) can also be simultaneously molded to connect a plurality of the first mounting elements  312  together. The first mounting elements  312  can be subsequently detached form the thin plastic carrier at a later step in the process, similar to that discussed above with reference to the first mounting plate  12  and the first sheet  70 . Subsequently, the mounting assemblies  310 ,  310 ′ can proceed through various other steps and/or post-processing operations, including those discussed herein (e.g., attaching an object and/or image to the second mounting plate  324 , packaging operations, etc.), or even various other steps. 
     The invention has been described with reference to various example embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.