Patent Abstract:
A self-centering and adjustable removable mount having a circular base and opposing outer sloping edges on the outer periphery of the circular base. A notch is formed between the bottoms of the opposing outer sloping edges. A cylindrical shell surrounds the outer sloping edges of the circular base, and the cylindrical shell includes a tab on a lower inner wall of the cylindrical shell sized to fit into the notch of the circular base, wherein the outer sloping edges of the circular base guide the tab into the notch when the cylindrical shell is placed around the circular base, thereby positioning the cylindrical shell in a predetermined orientation. A magnetized lid is connected to the back of a device to be mounted, and the magnetized lid is attracted to a base magnet when the lid is positioned on top of the cylindrical shell.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to devices for removably mounting various articles, and more particularly, to quickly and securely removably mounting devices in predetermined locations. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Numerous types of mounting apparatuses exist for removably securing articles or devices to desired locations. For example, Garmin International, located in Olathe, Kans., manufactures the Nuvi GPS Windshield Suction Cup Mount and Bracket Bundle for removably securing portable GPS devices to the inside windshield of a vehicle. This suction cup mount requires a bracket that surrounds the entire GPS device and a relatively large suction cup to secure a GPS to a vehicle windshield. Annex Products, located in Prahran, Australia, manufactures the Quad Lock® bike mount for an IPhone® 6, which is a type of smartphone. The Quad Lock® bike mount requires a case that surrounds a smartphone, and the case is mechanically secured to a bracket that is attached to a bicycle with zip straps or zip ties. The mounting bracket of the Quad Lock® bike also requires significant space on the handlebars of a bicycle. Rokform, located in Santa Ana, Calif., manufactures a universal bike mount for securing a smartphone using a mounting bracket attached to the back of a smartphone. The mounting bracket can be attached to various mounting attachments, such as a suction cup, a magnet, and a bracket that is secured to handlebars of a bicycle. 
     While each of these known apparatuses for removably mounting a device to various locations, such as a bicycle, can be effective, each of these known apparatuses require significant space or real estate on the device and multiple physical movements to be secured, such as the Quad Lock®, with the need to push and twist, or the space needed on the location to which a device is to be removably secured, such as the handlebars on a bicycle. Accordingly, there is a need for a removable mounting apparatus that minimizes movement and the amount of space required on a device to be mounted and on a location for the device to be removably mounted. 
     ASPECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     One aspect of the present invention is to provide a removable mount that minimizes the amount of space or real estate required on a device to attach the device to a desired location. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a removable mount that minimizes the amount of space or real estate required on a desired location to attach a device to that location. 
     A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a removable mount that automatically centers a device when it is attached to a predetermined mounting location. 
     An additional aspect of the present invention is to provide a removable mount that enables the orientation of a mounted device to be manually adjusted if desired. 
     In order to achieve these aspects and others, the Magnetik™ Mount of the present invention provides a self-centering and adjustable removable mount, such as for a bicycle, having a circular base with an outer periphery, an upper inner wall with a first diameter, and a lower inner wall with a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter. An inner platform is located between a bottom of the upper inner wall and a top of the lower inner wall. Opposing outer sloping edges are on the outer periphery of the circular base, and a notch is formed between bottoms of the opposing outer sloping edges. A cylindrical shell surrounds the outer sloping edges of the circular base, and the cylindrical shell includes a tab on a lower inner wall of the cylindrical shell sized to fit into the notch of the circular base, wherein the outer sloping edges of the circular base guide the tab to slip into the notch when the cylindrical shell is placed around the circular base, thereby positioning the cylindrical shell in a predetermined orientation. A base magnet is located within the circular base and above the inner platform, and a lid is to be located on a top of the cylindrical shell. An outer perimeter on the bottom cover of the lid is teethed and the top of the cylindrical shell is teethed, and the lid and the cylindrical shell interlock when the lid is positioned on top of the cylindrical shell. A lid magnet is located within the lid, wherein the lid magnet is magnetically attracted to the base magnet when the lid is positioned on top of the cylindrical shell. The lid is to be secured to the back of a device to be removably mounted, such as a smartphone. An anti-snag guide surrounding the perimeter of the lid can be included, wherein an inner wall of the anti-snag guide extends at least to a top of the teeth of the lid, and an outer perimeter of the anti-snag guide slopes outward toward the back of the phone. 
     The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred features of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed invention and specific embodiments as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention, and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bicycle including a mount configured in accordance with the present invention to secure a smartphone to a steering column of the bicycle; 
         FIG. 1 a    is an enlarged view of the smartphone secured to the bicycle using the mount of the present invention of  FIG. 1  shown from a different angle; 
         FIG. 1 b    is an exploded view of a smartphone on the bicycle using the mount of present invention shown in  FIG. 1 , wherein a smartphone includes an anti-snag guard on a lid of the mount; 
         FIG. 2 a    is a perspective view of the top of the mount shown in  FIG. 1   a;    
         FIG. 2 b    is a perspective view of the bottom of the mount shown in  FIGS. 1 a    and  2   a;    
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective view of the mount of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 1 a  and 2 a    wherein the smartphone has been removed from the mount; 
         FIG. 3 a    is an enlarged view of the steering column of the bicycle and the mount shown is  FIGS. 1 a , 2 a    and  3 , wherein the smartphone and a cylindrical shell of the mount have been removed exposing a circular base of the mount. 
         FIG. 3 b    is another view of the steering column of bicycle shown in  FIG. 3 a   , wherein the mount has been removed, exposing a bolt in the bicycle for tightening components of the steering column, and that bolt is utilized by present invention to secure the circular base to the top of the steering column; 
         FIG. 4 a    is an enlarged perspective view of the smartphone shown in  FIGS. 1 and 1   a  after removal from the mount of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , and a lid from the mount can be seen attached to the back of the smartphone; 
         FIG. 4 b    is a perspective view of the smartphone shown in  FIG. 4 a    from a different angle; 
         FIG. 4 c    is an enlarged perspective view of the smartphone shown in  FIG. 1 b    including an anti-snag guide on the lid of the mount of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5 a    is a perspective of the bottom of the lid of the mount shown in  FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    removed from the smartphone; 
         FIG. 5 b    is a perspective view of the lid shown in  FIG. 5 b    from a different angle; 
         FIG. 5 c    is a perspective view of the top of the lid shown in  FIGS. 5 a    and  5   b;    
         FIG. 5 d    is a perspective view of the top of the lid shown in  FIGS. 5 a -5 c    wherein the lid magnet has been removed; 
         FIG. 6 a    is a perspective view of the top of a cylindrical shell of the mount shown in  FIG. 3  including a base magnet and configured in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 6 b    is a perspective view of the shell shown in  FIG. 6 a    from a different angle; 
         FIG. 6 c    is a perspective view of the bottom of the cylindrical shell shown in  FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b    from a different angle; 
         FIG. 7 a    is a perspective view of the top of the cylindrical shell shown in  FIGS. 6 a -6 c    wherein a base magnet, a circular base, locking bolt, and cylindrical insert have been removed from the cylindrical shell; 
         FIG. 7 b    is a perspective view of the cylindrical shell shown in  FIG. 6 a    from a different angle; 
         FIG. 7 c    is a perspective view of the bottom of the cylindrical shell shown in  FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b    shown from a different angle; 
         FIG. 8 a    is a perspective view of the top of the circular base and the cylindrical insert of the mount shown in  FIG. 3   a;    
         FIG. 8 b    is a perspective view of the top of the circular base and the cylindrical insert shown in  FIG. 8 a    from a different angle; 
         FIG. 8 c    is a perspective view of the top of the circular base and the cylindrical insert shown in  FIGS. 8 a    and  8   b;    
         FIG. 8 d    is a perspective view of the front of the circular base and the cylindrical insert shown in  FIGS. 8 a   - 8   c;    
         FIG. 8 e    is a perspective view of the bottom of the circular base and the cylindrical insert shown in  FIGS. 8 a   - 8   d;    
         FIG. 8 f    is a perspective view of the bottom of the circular base and the cylindrical insert shown in  FIGS. 8 a -8 e    from a different angle; 
         FIG. 9 a    is a perspective view of the top of the circular base without the cylindrical insert shown in  FIGS. 8 a   - 8   f;    
         FIG. 9 b    is a perspective view of the top of the circular base shown in  FIG. 9   a;    
         FIG. 9 c    is a perspective view of the top of the circular base shown in  FIGS. 9 a  and 9 b    from a different angle; 
         FIG. 9 d    is a perspective view of the top of the circular base shown in  FIGS. 9 a -9 c    from a different angle; 
         FIG. 9 e    is a perspective view of the bottom of the circular base shown in  FIGS. 9 a -9 d    from a different angle; 
         FIG. 9 f    is a perspective view of the bottom of the circular base shown in  FIGS. 9 a -9 e    from a different angle; 
         FIG. 10 a    is a perspective view of the top of the cylindrical insert shown in  FIGS. 8 a   - 8   f;    
         FIG. 10 b    is a perspective view of the cylindrical insert shown in  FIG. 10 a    from a different angle; and 
         FIG. 10 c    is a perspective view of the bottom of the cylindrical insert shown in  FIGS. 10 a    and  10   b.    
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bicycle  5  including a steering column  6 , handlebars  8 , handgrips  9 , and a seat  11 . The bicycle  5  includes a front wheel  13  and a rear wheel  15 . In accordance with the present invention, a smartphone  12  is removably secured to the top of the steering column  6  of the bicycle  5  using a magnetic mount. 
       FIG. 1 a    is enlarged view of the steering column  6 , handlebars  8 , and smartphone  12  shown in  FIG. 1  from a different angle looking upward. Further shown is a stem  14  for connecting the handlebars  8  to the steering column  6 . The handlebars  8  are secured to the stem  14  using a clamping bracket  16 . 
     In accordance with the present invention, a mount  10  is provided for securing the smartphone  12  to the top  17  of the steering column  6 . The mount  10  includes a lid  18  connected to the back  19  of the smartphone  12 . A circular base  20  of the mount  10  is connected to the top  17  of the steering column  6 , and a cylindrical shell  22  of the mount  10  connects the lid  18  to the circular base  20 . The lid  18  is connected to the cylindrical shell  22 . 
       FIG. 1 b    is an enlarged exploded view of the mount  10  shown in  FIG. 1 a   , except the lid  18  includes an anti-snag guide  32  which surrounds the periphery of the lid  18 . The anti-snag guide  32  slopes outward towards a back  7  of the smartphone  4 . The bottom  71  of the anti-snag guide  32  is secured to the back  7  of the smartphone  4 , and the top  73  of the anti-snag guide  32  extends to at least the top of the teeth  26  of the lid  18 . The anti-snag guide  32  preferably is constructed of rubber or other elastic material and is stretched around the lid  18  to be secured to the lid  18  and smartphone  4 . 
       FIG. 2 a    is an enlarged perspective view of the mount  10  shown in  FIG. 1 a    and configured in accordance with the present invention, wherein the complete mount  10  has been removed from both the bicycle  5  and the smartphone  12 . The mount  10  includes the lid  18  and the cylindrical shell  22 . The lid  18  includes a top cover  23  and a bottom cover  25 . The bottom  21  of the bottom cover  25  is teethed  26  around the periphery. The top cover  23  and the bottom cover  25  of the lid  18  are preferably molded from a polymer, such as plastic. The top  69  of the top cover  23  of the lid  18  preferably includes an adhesive, such as 3M 4646 VHB, for securing the lid  18  to a device or an article to be removably mounted, such as a smartphone or a handheld global positioning system (GPS). 
     A cylindrical shell  22  is located below the lid  18 . The top  27  of the cylindrical shell  22  is teethed  28 . The teething  28  of the cylindrical shell  22  and the teething  26  of the lid  18  are sized so as to interlock when the bottom  21  of the lid  18  is placed on the top  27  of the cylindrical shell  22 . The cylindrical shell  22  includes a threaded aperture  29  on the side for receiving a bolt  30 . The bolt  30  can be tightened to secure the cylindrical shell  22  to a circular base  20  ( FIG. 2 b   ). 
       FIG. 2 b    is a perspective view of the bottom  31  of the mount  10  shown in  FIG. 2 a   .  FIG. 2 b    illustrates a circular base  20  located within the cylindrical shell  22 . A cylindrical insert  34  is located within the circular base  20 . An aperture  33  is located within the cylindrical insert  34  for receiving a bolt, such as bolt  54  in  FIG. 3 b   , to secure the mount  10  to a desired location. A tab  35  is located on an inner wall  37  of the cylindrical shell  22 . A notch  36  is located within the circular base  20 , and the tab  35  is sized to be received within the notch  36 . The tab  35  and the notch  36  function to properly position the cylindrical shell  22  over and around the circular base  20 . 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective view of the mount  10  on the steering column  6  of the bicycle  5  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , wherein the smartphone  12  and lid  18  have been removed. An upper rim  39  of the cylindrical insert  34  is shown located within the circular base  20 , and the cylindrical shell  22  is located around and over the circular base  20 . A first magnet or base magnet  40  ( FIG. 6 a   ) is to be located within the cylindrical shell  22 , and the base magnet  40  attracts and secures the cylindrical shell  22 , which is constructed of a magnetic metal, to the circular base  20 . The teeth  28  on the top  27  of the cylindrical shell  22  are further illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 3 a    is an enlarged perspective view of the handlebars  8  and the circular base  20  of the mount  10 , wherein the cylindrical shell  22  has been removed to more clearly illustrate the circular base  20 . Also illustrated are the clamping bracket  16 , stem  14 , and steering column  6 . 
     In accordance with the present invention, the circular base  20  includes opposing sloping edges  42 ,  44  on the outer wall  43  of the circular base  20 . A notch  36  is formed between the bottoms  45 , 47  of the opposing sloping edges  42 , 44 . A plateau  46  is formed between the tops  48 , 49  of the opposing sloping edges  42 , 44 . The circular base  20  is preferably constructed of non-magnetic metal or plastic. A cylindrical insert  34  is located within the circular base  20 . The cylindrical insert  34  includes a cylindrical body  50  having an upper outer rim  52  on the outer surface of the cylindrical body  50 . 
       FIG. 3 b    is an enlarged perspective view of the handlebars  8  and steering column  6  shown in  FIG. 3 a   , wherein components of the mount  10  have been removed, exposing the bolt  54  for tightening the bicycle components of the steering column  6 . In accordance with the present invention, the bolt  54  fits through the aperture  33  of the cylindrical insert  34  to secure the circular base  20  to the top  17  of the steering column  6 . Most, if not all, bikes have a very long bolt such as bolt  54  that hold the entire structure of the steering column  6  of a bicycle together. This bolt generally has plenty of extra thread to allow it to be unscrewed and have an object, like our Magnetik™ base mount  10  of the present invention, to be inserted onto and screwed back down so everything is held together as if nothing changed other than there is now a circular base as a permanent interface to removably mount a phone or other desired item. 
       FIG. 4 a    is a perspective view of the back  19  of the smartphone  12  shown in  FIGS. 1 a  and 2 a   . The top cover  23  of lid  18  is shown affixed to the back  19  of the smartphone  12 , preferably by adhesive. The teeth  26  on the bottom  21  of the bottom cover  25  of the lid  18  are further illustrated.  FIG. 4 b    is a perspective view of the back  19  of the smartphone  12 , similar to  FIG. 4 a   , but shown from a different angle. Illustrated again is the lid  18  preferably glued to the back  19  of the smartphone  12 . The teeth  26  on the bottom cover  25  of the lid  18  also are visible. 
       FIG. 4 c    is an enlarged perspective view of the smartphone  4  and lid  18  including the anti-snag guide  32  shown in  FIG. 1 b   . The anti-snag guide  32  surrounds the periphery of the lid  18 . The anti-snag guide  32  slopes outward towards the back  7  of the smartphone  4 . The bottom  71  of the anti-snag guide is secured to the back  7  of the smartphone  4 , preferably by gluing, and the top  73  of the anti-snag guide  32  extends to at least the top of the teeth  26  of the lid  18 . The anti-snag guide  32  preferably is constructed of an elastic plastic that stretch around the periphery of the lid  18 . 
       FIG. 5 a    is a perspective view of the lid  18  including the top cover  23  and the bottom cover  25 . An enlarged view of the teeth  26  on the periphery of the bottom  21  of the bottom cover  25  are further illustrated. Apertures  41  are included in the bottom cover  25  to facilitate alignment of the lid  18 . The apertures  41  are located at 90 degrees from one another to enable a user to more accurately align the lid  18  at the desired location and desired orientation. 
       FIG. 5 b    is a perspective view of the side of the top cover  23  and bottom cover  25  of the lid  18  shown in  FIG. 5 a   . The teeth  26  on the bottom or bottom face  21  of the bottom cover  25  of the lid  18  are clearly illustrated. The top  75  of the top cover  23  preferably includes an adhesive, such as 3M VHB adhesive, for securing the top  75  to a desired location, such as the back of a smartphone or other device. 
       FIG. 5 c    is a perspective view of the top surface  51  of the bottom cover  25  of the lid  18 . The teeth  26  and apertures  41  can be seen. Also illustrated is the second magnet or lid magnet  56  located in a cavity  55  within the bottom cover  25  of the lid  18 . The second magnet  56  is magnetically attracted to the first magnet  40  in the circular base  20  when the lid  18 , attached to a smartphone or other device, is placed on top of the cylindrical shell  22 , thus holding the lid  18  on the cylindrical shell  22 . 
     The lid  18  preferably is milled out of aluminum or extruded with ABS plastic, which then has a 7-pound magnet mounted inside the cavity  55  using epoxy. The north and south poles on the magnet  40  are fixed in order to be attracted to the magnet  56  within the cylindrical shell  22  ( FIG. 6 a   ). 
       FIG. 5 d    is a perspective view of the top surface  51  of the bottom cover  25  of the lid  18  shown in  FIG. 5 c   , except the lid magnet  56  has been removed to more clearly see the cavity  55  for storing the magnet  56 . The apertures  41  and the teeth  26  on the bottom surface or face  21  of the bottom cover  25  of the lid  18  also are illustrated. 
       FIG. 6 a    is a perspective view of the top  27  of the cylindrical shell  22  showing the teeth  28  on the top or top surface  27  of the cylindrical shell  22 . The locking bolt or locking screw or bolt  30  is located within the threaded aperture  29 . The base magnet  40  is shown located within a cavity  58  in the upper portion of the cylindrical shell  22 . A ledge  59  is formed between the upper inner wall  60  of the cylindrical shell  22  and the side wall  61  of the cavity  58 . The cylindrical shell  22  preferably is milled out of 6061-t6 aluminum or extruded ABS plastic. The base magnet  40  preferably is a 19-pound magnet mounted inside the cavity  58  using epoxy. The base magnet  40  is mounted to have a fixed north and south pole in order to attract to the second or lid magnet  56  within the lid  18 . 
       FIG. 6 b    is a perspective view of the side of the cylindrical shell  22  shown in  FIG. 6 a   . The teeth  28 , top surface  27 , and upper inner wall  60  of the cylindrical shell are illustrated. The lock bolt  30  also is illustrated. 
       FIG. 6 c    is a perspective view of the bottom  62  of the cylindrical shell  22  shown in  FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b   . Similar to  FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b   , the teeth  28  and locking bolt  30  are illustrated.  FIG. 6 c    further illustrates the bottom  63  of the circular base  20  and the bottom and lower inner rim  65  of the cylindrical insert  34 . The notch  36  on the circular base  20  can be seen as well as the tab  35  of the cylindrical shell  22  located within the notch  36 . 
       FIG. 7 a    is a perspective view of the top  27  of the cylindrical shell  22  shown in  FIGS. 6 a -6 c    wherein the second magnet  40 , the lock bolt  30 , the circular base  20 , and the cylindrical insert  34  have been removed. The teeth  28  and the threaded aperture  29  are shown, as well as the upper inner wall  60  of the cylindrical shell  22  and the side wall  61  of the cavity  58 . The ledge  59  is shown between the upper inner wall  60  and the side wall  61 . The top of the floor  57  of the cavity  58  can be seen with the base magnet  40  removed.  FIG. 7 b    is a perspective side view of the cylindrical shell  22  shown in  FIG. 7   a.    
       FIG. 7 c    is a perspective view of the bottom  62  of the cylindrical shell  22  shown in  FIGS. 7 a  and 7 b   . The full length of the tab  35  on the lower inner wall  64  of the cylindrical shell  22  can be seen with circular base  20  and the cylindrical insert  34  removed. The bottom of the floor  57  of the cavity  58  can also be seen with the circular base  20  and the cylindrical insert  34  removed. 
       FIG. 8 a    is a perspective view of the top of the circular base  20  and the cylindrical insert  34  properly positioned within the circular base  20 . The upper outer rim  52  of the cylindrical insert  34  is located within the circular base  20 , and below or level with the top rim or surface  66  of the circular base  20 . The inner wall of the cylindrical body  50  of the cylindrical insert  34  extends all the way through the circular base  20 , wherein the lower inner rim  65  of the cylindrical insert  34  becomes flush with the bottom surface of the circular base  20 , as shown in  FIG. 8   f.    
     The opposing sloped edges  42 ,  44  are located on the outer wall  43  of the circular base  20 . The tab  46  is located between the upper ends  48 , 49  of the opposing sloped edges  42 , 44 . An aperture  68  is located in the side of the opposing sloped edges  42 , 44  below the plateau or tab  46 . The aperture  68  is preferably threaded and receives and secures the locking bolt  30  to secure the cylindrical shell  22  over the circular base  20 . 
       FIG. 8 b    is a perspective view of the top of the circular base  20  and cylindrical insert  34  shown in  FIG. 8 a    from a different angle. The notch  36  is shown between the bottoms  45 , 47  of the opposing sloping edges  42 , 44 . Also shown is the top of the inner lower rim  65  of the cylindrical insert  34 . The aperture  33  is located in the lower inner rim  65  for received the steering column bolt  54  to secure the cylindrical insert  34  and the circular base  20  to the top  17  of a steering column  6  of a bicycle. Of course, other bolts or screws can be located within the aperture  33  to secure the cylindrical insert  34  and circular base  20  to any desired location, such as a vertical wall, cabinet, etc. The upper outer rim  52  of the cylindrical insert  34  secures the circular base  20  in place by being placed firmly against the plateau  70  ( FIG. 9 a   ) of the circular base  20  when the cylindrical insert  34  is secured by a bolt or screw via the aperture  33 . In an alternative embodiment, the bottom of the circular base  20  and/or the lower inner rim  65  of the cylindrical insert  34  can include an adhesive for gluing the circular base  20  to a desired location. 
       FIG. 8 c    is a perspective view of the top of the circular base  20  and the cylindrical insert  34  shown in  FIGS. 8 a  and 8 b    from another angle.  FIG. 8 d    is a front perspective view of the circular base  20  and cylindrical insert  34 .  FIGS. 8 e  and 8 f    are perspective views of the bottom  63  of the circular base  20  and cylindrical insert  34  shown in  FIGS. 8 a -8 d    from different angles. 
       FIGS. 9 a -9 d    are perspective views of the top of the circular base  20  shown in  FIGS. 8 a -8 f   , wherein the cylindrical insert  34  has been removed. The inner platform or plateau  70  located between the upper inner wall  74  of the circular base  20  and the lower inner wall  72  of the circular base  20 . The upper outer rim  52  of the cylindrical insert  34 , as shown in  FIGS. 8 a -8 c   , fits within the upper inner wall  74  and on top of the inner platform  70 . The cylindrical body  50  of the cylindrical insert  34  is located within the lower inner wall  72  of the circular base  20 . 
       FIGS. 9 e  and 9 f    are perspective views of the bottom  63  of the circular base  20  shown in  FIGS. 8 e  and 8 f   , wherein the cylindrical insert  34  has been removed. With the cylindrical insert  34  removed, the lower inner wall  72  of the circular base  20  is clearly visible. The circular base  20  preferably is milled out of 6061-t6 aluminum or extruded ABS plastic, which then has 1008 low carbon steel insert mounted inside the center of base  20  with epoxy within the lower inner wall  72 . The steel is necessary to maintain the magnetic attraction to the cylindrical shell  22 . 
       FIG. 10 a    is a perspective view of the top of the cylindrical insert  34  shown in  FIGS. 8 a -8 f   . The upper outer rim  52 , cylindrical body  50 , lower inner rim  65 , and aperture  33  of the cylindrical insert  34  are clearly visible in  FIG. 10 a   .  FIG. 10 b    is a perspective view of the side of the cylindrical insert  34  shown in  FIG. 10 a    showing the cylindrical body  50  and upper outer rim  52 .  FIG. 10 c    is a perspective view of the bottom of the cylindrical insert  34  shown in  FIGS. 10 a  and 10 b    illustrating the upper outer rim  52 , cylindrical body  50 , lower inner rim  65 , and aperture  33 . 
     While specific embodiments have been shown and described to point out fundamental and novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes of the form and details of the invention illustrated and in the operation may be done by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7