Patent Publication Number: US-9428003-B2

Title: Mounting bracket

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/881,115 filed on Sep. 23, 2013, of which said application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The disclosure relates generally to apparatuses and methods to mount and display skulls, particularly the skulls of game animals. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional devices to mount and display skulls of game animals require physically attaching the skull to a mounting apparatus by means such as screws, glue, staples, or nails. Certain conventional devices may display the skull in an unnatural position and may not offer adjustability. Further, conventional devices may require some damage or modification to the skull to secure the skull to the mount, diminishing the value of the skull. 
     Accordingly, a mounting bracket that allows the skull to be displayed without damaging the skull, while offering adjustability would be desirable. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed is an apparatus for mounting vertebrate skulls using a skull foramen magnum cavity and a skull cleft, the apparatus including a body; an at least one upper tine extending from said body and being configured for insertion into the skull foramen magnum cavity; and an at least one lower tine extending from said body and being configured to nest within the skull cleft when said at least one upper tine is inserted into the foramen magnum cavity. 
     Further disclosed is an apparatus for mounting skulls, said apparatus including a body with a hole formed therein; an at least one upper tine extending upwardly from said body; an at least one lower tine disposed between said plurality of upper tines, wherein said at least one lower tine is extending downwardly from said body; and a mount for anchoring said apparatus, said mount configured to allow said at least one upper tine and said at least one lower tine to move relative to said mount, said mount including an anchor body with a threaded hole therethrough; and a fastener to retain said body and is threadedly coupled to threaded hole. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification embodies several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is an elevation view of a mounting bracket in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of a mounting bracket such as that shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 3  is an anterior posterior view of a skull of a vertebrate animal. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following disclosure will detail particular embodiments according to the present invention, which provides methods and apparatuses for mounting skulls. Before discussing the methods and apparatuses however, a general description of European Mounts and of the relevant anatomy of skulls, particularly game animal skulls is provided immediately below. 
     A game skull may be displayed as a European Mount. European Mounts have little to no animal flesh, animal hide or internal parts to maintain. In a European Mount, only the skull, horns and/or antlers are displayed. As a result, natural features, bones, and cavities of a skull may be used to mount the skull for display. European Mounts may be considered for their ease of maintenance, distinctive appearance and affordability. 
     Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout the disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the skull  200  is formed of several bones that fuse together to form a protective shell for the brain. Skulls of vertebrate animals, including game animals have a natural hole known as the foramen magnum  110 . The foramen magnum  110  is a natural cavity that runs through the occipital bone  120  of the skull  200 . The foramen magnum  110  is the animal&#39;s natural conduit for the nerves and arteries to the brain from the rest of the animal&#39;s body. Typically in vertebrate animals, the skull  200  sits upon the top vertebrae and the brain is connected to various parts of the body by nerves that run from the brain and transmit impulses through the body via the vertebrae that run down the animal&#39;s body. The skull  200  is typically arranged such that the foramen magnum  110  is lined up axially in the center of the skull  200  and positioned at the anterior portion of the skull  200  or alternatively stated, the bottom of the skull  200  when the animal is upright. The foramen magnum  110  cavity exposes the supraoccipital bone  111  and the squamous portion  112  of the occipital bone of the skull  200 . 
     Another natural feature of skulls  200  belonging to vertebrate animals is the bony ridge called the occipital condyles  125 . The occipital condyles  125  are located on the occipital bone  120 , known specifically as the basiocciput  121  or alternatively the posterior clivus  122 . The occipital condyles  125  are positioned on the left and right side of the foramen magnum  110 . The outside edges of the occipital condyles  125  form natural crevices  126 , which allow for articulation between the upper vertebrae and the skull  200 . The upper vertebrate has lateral masses (not shown) that pivot and are captured in the natural crevices  126  of the occipital condyles  125  when the animal is lifting and rotating its head. Further, the inner portions  128  of the occipital condyles  125  along with the basiocciput  121  or the posterior clivus  122  form a cleft  127  anterior of the foramen magnum  110 . 
     Having discussed the relevant anatomy of skulls generally, further detail regarding a mounting bracket for skulls will now be discussed hereinbelow. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an exemplary embodiment of a mounting bracket  100  for mounting and displaying a skull is illustrated. The mounting bracket  100  includes a body  10  with upper tines  20  and lower tines  30  extending therefrom. In an exemplary embodiment, the body  10  is adjustably coupled to an anchor body  60 . Anchor body  60  may be coupled to a wall or other support structure. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , body  10  has a generally horizontal orientation and at least one planar portion. Further, upper tines  20  and lower tines  30  extend from body  10 . In at least one exemplary embodiment, the overall length of body  10 , upper tines  20 , and lower tines  30  is three inches. In alternative embodiments, the overall length of the body  10 , upper tines  20 , and lower tines  30  are any suitable length. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, body  10  has an aperture  40  formed therein to allow for a fastener, such as set screw  50  to pass therein and allow for rotational adjustment relative to anchor body  60 . Accordingly, the edges of body  10  may be rounded to remove any corners or other obstacles to allow for rotation of mounting bracket  100  when mounting bracket  100  is located near a mounting surface where corners of mounting bracket  100  or body  10  may impede rotation. Similarly, body  10  may be otherwise finished to remove sharp edges and to increase aesthetic appeal. 
     Body  10  further includes upper tines  20  that extend upwardly from body  10 . Body  10  may include one or more upper tines  20 . In at least one exemplary embodiment, mounting bracket  100  contain two upper tines  20 . The upper tines  20  are in a generally parallel arrangement relative to other upper tines  20 . For ease of manufacturing, it may be contemplated to space the upper tines  20  a distance apart that is greater than or equal to the width of the lower tine  30 . Accordingly, in an exemplary embodiment, upper tines  20  and lower tines  30  are formed during a single metal stamping, cutting, or other general forming operation. In other embodiments, the body  10 , upper tines  20 , and the lower tines  30  are separate elements that are discretely formed. 
     Relative to body  10 , the upper tines  20  may extend at an obtuse angle upwardly. In certain embodiments, the upper tines  20  extend upwardly at an angle between 30-40 degrees relative to body  10 . In other embodiments, the upper tines  20  extend upwardly at an angle between 32.5-37.5 degrees relative to body  10 . However, in other embodiments, the upper tines  20  extend at any angle suitable to mount and display a skull. Upper tines  20  may be of any length suitable for insertion into the foramen magnum cavity  110  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ). In at least one exemplary embodiment, upper tines  20  are 2.25 inches long. Further, in an exemplary embodiment, the upper tines  20  are configured to enter the foramen magnum cavity  110  of a skull  200 . Additionally, the upper tines  20  may contact the bones found inside the foramen magnum cavity  110 , such as the supraoccipital bones  111  or the squamous portion  112  of the occipital bone  120  found within the cavity  110 . Accordingly, it is contemplated for the upper tines  20  to support the weight of a skull and assist in keeping the skull at the desired angle. 
     In addition to upper tines  20 , body  10  includes lower tines  30  that extend downwardly from body  10 . In an exemplary embodiment, lower tines  30  may be disposed between a plurality of upper tines  20 . Lower tines  30  may include one or more lower tines  30 . In at least one exemplary embodiment, mounting bracket  100  contains one lower tine  30 . As previously contemplated, lower tine  30  may be formed by cutting, bending, punching or otherwise forming the material between upper tines  20  downward. In other embodiments, the lower tine  30  is a discrete element as previously contemplated. 
     Relative to body  10 , the lower tine  30  may extend at an obtuse angle downwardly. In certain embodiments, the lower tine  30  extends downwardly at an angle between 30-40 degrees relative to body  10 . In other embodiments, the lower tine  30  extends downwardly at an angle between 32.5-37.5 degrees relative to body  10 . However, in other embodiments, the lower tine  30  extends at any angle suitable to mount and display a skull. Similarly, the overall angle between the lower tine  30  and the upper tines  20  is between 65 to 75 degrees. In other embodiments, the overall angle between the lower tine  30  and the upper tines  20  may be between 67.5 to 72.5 degrees. However, in other embodiments, the overall angle between the lower tine  30  and the upper tines  20  is any angle suitable to mount and display a skull. Lower tine  30  may be of any length suitable for mounting and displaying skulls. In at least one embodiment, lower tine  30  is ⅞ inches long. In at least one embodiment, the lower tine  30  is substantially thinner than the upper tines  20 . In an exemplary embodiment, the lower tine  30  is configured to rest or nest in the cleft  127  defined between the occipital condyles  125  of a skull  200 , on the basiocciput  121 , also referred to as posterior clivus  122 , to support, stabilize and prevent side to side rotation of a skull  200  by interfacing with the lower tine  30  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ). 
     Body  10  including, upper tines  20 , and lower tines  30  may be formed from a single piece of material. In at least one embodiment, body  10 , upper tines  20 , and lower tines  30  are cut, formed, and shaped from sheet metal. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the sheet metal is 14 gauge steel. In alternative embodiments, the thickness of the steel varies depending on the load requirements of the mounting bracket. Accordingly, in an embodiment where heavier loads are anticipated, the sheet metal is 12 gauge or thicker. Additionally, mounting bracket  100  may be finished for aesthetic and functional purposes. In alternative embodiments, body  10 , upper tines  20 , and lower tines  30  are formed from discrete elements. In at least one embodiment, the mounting bracket  100  may be anodized. 
     Anchor body  60  may be utilized to couple body  10  with a desired mounting surface with the use of an appropriate fastener. In at least one exemplary embodiment, anchor body  60  has two planar surfaces in a perpendicular relationship with each other. Anchor body  60  may be made of angle iron. Further, anchor body  60  may be expanded or elongated for larger skulls or skulls with larger or curved horns, to allow for more distance from the mounting surface. 
     In at least one embodiment, anchor body  60  has a threaded hole  70  located on the top portion of the anchor body  60  to receive a fastener such as set screw  50 , in order to couple anchor body  60  to body  10 . Further, in at least one embodiment, anchor body  60  may have a second threaded hole  80  to receive a fastener such as mounting screw  90 , in order to couple anchor body  60  to a suitable mounting surface. 
     Set screw  50  is threadedly coupled to hole  70  in anchor body  60 , and further serves to adjustably couple body  10  to anchor body  60 . In an exemplary embodiment, body  10 , along with upper tines  20  and lower tines  30  are able to be rotated left to right relative to anchor body  60 , along the axis created by set screw  50  when threadedly coupled into threaded hole  70 . Accordingly, the left to right rotation of body  10  and the skull  200  attached thereto can be adjusted, and set screw  50  may be tightened to couple body  10  to anchor body  60  and maintain the desired rotational position. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, mounting screw  90  interfaces with a mounting surface to threadedly couple threaded hole  80  and anchor body  60  to the mounting surface. Additionally, the thickness of the mounting surface may require a longer mounting screw which may be used accordingly. Further, a wood screw may be contemplated to mount anchor body  60 . 
     An exemplary embodiment of a process for mounting and displaying a skull will now be described in detail. Importantly, steps may be skipped or combined in various embodiments. 
     First, the anchor body and body assembly may be mounted to a suitable mounting surface via a mounting screw. As previously contemplated, a suitable mounting screw may be used for a mounting surface of a certain thickness. Alternatively, a wood screw may be used to mount the anchor body and body to a mounting surface as well. 
     Next, the upper tines are positioned into the natural cavity of a suitable skull. Specifically, the upper tines are positioned into the foramen magnum  110  of the skull  200 . As previously discussed, the skull  200  now rests on the inner portion of the foramen magnum  110 , known as the supraoccipital bones  111  or the squamous portion  112  of the occipital bones  120 . 
     Next, the lower tines are positioned into the natural cleft  127  of the skull  200 , located adjacent to the natural cavity, specifically the foramen magnum  110  present in the skull  200 . As previously discussed, a natural cleft  127  is created between the occipital condyles  125 , wherein the lower tines may rest on the basiocciput  121 , also referred to as posterior clivus  122 . 
     Lastly, the body of the mounting bracket may be rotated relative to the anchor body and the mounting surface, by loosening the set screw and rotating the skull and the corresponding mount body relative to the anchor body and the mounting surface. Once a desired orientation is achieved, the set screw can be tightened to secure the proper orientation. 
     All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
     Exemplary embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.