Abstract:
A mounting bar has a body portion and a mounting slot extending at least part way through the body portion near an end thereof. The mounting slot is defined by a first radius extending through the body portion. The slot is further defined by a bottom surface substantially tangent to the first radius, the bottom surface extending toward the end of the body portion. A leading surface, closer to the end of the body portion than the first radius, extends from the bottom surface of the slot to an outside surface of the body portion. A clamping mechanism is provided and is operable to secure the mounting bar to another support that is positioned in the mounting slot.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention is directed in general to equipment for mounting devices and, more particularly, to a mounting bar resistant to slipping under load, the mounting bar capable of being used with existing support structures to mount various equipment or devices. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Conventional systems for adjustably mounting and supporting various devices generally employ clamping mechanisms. Such clamping mechanisms generally mount and support the devices in a limited number of positions. Vibration or jarring of any portion of the system or the supported device, however, may cause the clamping mechanism to loosen, thereby causing undesirable slippage and movement of the mounted device. In addition, sometimes such clamping devices inadequately grip whatever they are mounted to causing the device to slip. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In one aspect, the present invention resides in a mounting bar having a body portion and a mounting slot extending at least part way through the body portion near an end thereof. The mounting slot is defined by a first radius extending through the body portion. The slot is further defined by a bottom surface substantially tangent to the first radius, the bottom surface extending toward the end of the body portion. A leading surface, closer to the end of the body portion than the first radius, extends from the bottom surface of the slot to an outside surface of the body portion. A clamping mechanism is provided and is operable to secure the mounting bar to another support that is positioned in the mounting slot. The other support can form part of, but is not limited to, a microphone stand, a light stand, a shopping cart, wheelchair, drum hardware, exercise equipment, or the like. 
         [0004]    The leading surface can define, at least in part, a second radius substantially tangent to the bottom surface. The centerline of the second radius is offset from a centerline defined by the first radius by the above-described bottom surface. The offset is sized to allow for easy insertion of the other support into the mounting slot. 
         [0005]    The slot can also be angled to allow the mounting bar to extend from whatever it is mounted to at a desire angle. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, the body portion of the mounting bar includes a first body portion and a second body portion, the first and second body portions being selectively rotatable relative to one another. The first and second body portions once rotated to a desired location relative to one another can be retained in position via a retention mechanism. The retention mechanism includes an outer gear coupled to one of the first and second body portions and an inner gear coupled to the other of the first and second body portions, the inner gear being matingly engageable with the outer gear. A spring assembly urges the first and second body portions toward one another, thereby allowing the inner and outer gears to remain meshed with one another. When the first and second body portions are to be rotated relative to one another, the first and second body portions are pulled away from each other, causing the inner and outer gears to disengage. The first and second body portions are then rotated relative to one another and the teeth defining the inner and outer gears are meshed back together, releasably fixing the position of the first and second body portions. A sleeve can be provided and extends part way along the first and second body portions to provide support thereto in an area where the first and second body portions pull away from each other. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1A  is an exploded perspective view of a bar for mounting a device, in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1B  is an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a bar for mounting a device, of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1C  is a side sectional view of the bar of  FIG. 1B . 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a top sectional view of a bar for mounting a device, in accordance with the present invention, in which the bar is bent. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the bar of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the bar of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a side sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a two-piece bar for mounting a device, in accordance with the present invention, the two pieces of the bar being axially engaged. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the two-piece bar of  FIG. 5  having a splined assembly with sleeves. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a side sectional view of the two-piece bar of  FIG. 5 , the two pieces of the bar being axially disengaged. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the bar, in accordance with the present invention, defined by a sleeve. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a side sectional view of the bar of  FIG. 8 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    As shown in  FIG. 1A , a mounting bar generally designated by the reference number  10  includes a body portion  12  defining a slot  14  adjacent an end of the body portion. The slot  14 , as shown in the illustrated embodiment, comprises an end portion  13  defined by first radius  16 . The first radius  16  is also defined in part by a first centerline  18 . A second end portion  19  is defined by a second radius  20 . The second radius  20  is defined in part by a second centerline  22 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second centerlines,  18  and  22  respectively, are separated by a distance designated by the reference letter “d.” The size of the first radius  16  and the length of the distance “d” is dependent on the size of the mounting bar  10  as well as the size of the bar, tube, or other item that the mounting bar can be attached to. In the illustrated embodiment, the first radius  16  is tangent to a bottom surface  24  defined by the slot  14 . While a second radius has been described, the present invention is not limited in this regard as there can be instances where there is no second radius, but rather a substantially straight wall portion defined in part by a right angle, or square corner, or other angle is employed without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention. 
         [0019]    In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting bar is hollow and an end cap  26  is positioned in the body portion  12  to accommodate a clamping mechanism  25 . The end cap  26  defines a threaded hole  28  extending through the end cap. The clamping mechanism  25  comprises a knob  30  that includes a threaded shaft  32  extending outwardly therefrom. The threaded shaft  32  is threadably engageable with the threaded hole  28  and, as will be explained in greater detail below, engages and causes the item to which the mounting bar is being coupled to engage the first end portion  13 . The present invention is not limited to the clamping mechanism comprising a knob  30  on a threaded shaft  32  engageable with a threaded hole  28 , however, as other mechanisms may be employed. For example, the clamping mechanism  25  can be a toggle clamp, ball detent, spring loaded piston, or the like. While the body portion  12  of the mounting bar  10  has been described as being hollow, the present invention is not limited in this regard as the body portion can also be solid. In such a case, the end cap  26  would not be needed and the threaded hole  28  could be defined by the body portion  12  to allow a threaded knob to be inserted therein. 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIGS. 1B and 1C , a mounting bar generally designated by the reference number  310  includes a body portion  312  defining a slot  314  adjacent an end of the body portion. The body portion  312  is cut or otherwise formed such that the slot  314  is defined by substantially straight wall portions defined in part by right angles and square corners. As illustrated in  FIG. 1B , the slot  314  is capable of receiving a bar or tube  315  similarly configured (straight wall portions defined in part by right angles and square corners, the straight wall portions being complementary to the wall portions of the slot  314 ). A clamping mechanism  325  (similar to clamping mechanism  25  described above) is positioned in an end of the body portion  312  to urge the tube  315  against at least one wall defining the slot  314  to releasably clamp the tube into the slot  314 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1C . 
         [0021]    The body portion  12  is not limited to being straight, as shown in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, and  1 C. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the body portion  12  may include a suitable bend at any desired angle A. As shown, angle A is 90 degrees. The present invention is not limited to the body portion  12  being either straight or angled at 90 degrees, however, as the body portion can be any combination of straight tubing and bent tubing. Furthermore, although the tubing is illustrated herein as having a round cross-sectional geometry and an angular (rectangular) cross-sectional geometry, the present invention is not so limited, as the tubing can have a cross-sectional geometry that is elliptical or any other shape. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the first radius  16  is defined by a leading edge  17  and two bearing edges  19 . The leading edge  17  and the two bearing edges  19  are positioned to define the slot  14  such that the center point of the slot  14  is offset from a centerline  15  extending longitudinally through the mounting bar  10  by a distance “e” ( FIG. 4 ). At least the two bearing edges  19  define elliptically enveloping surfaces that make contact with a matingly-shaped item (“the item”) received in the slot  14 . In offsetting the slot  14  by the distance “e,” a suitable amount of material remains on the body portion  12  in the area surrounding the slot to enable the item to be supported. Upon operating the clamping mechanism  25  as shown by turning the threaded shaft  32  to cause the translation thereof through the threaded hole  28 , the item positioned in the slot  14  is urged against the bearing edges  19  and elliptically enveloped such that the contact of the item with the bearing edges holds the item in place. The leading edge  17  further aids in releasably locking the item against the bearing edges  19 . The present invention is not limited to the center point of the slot  14  being offset from the centerline  15  as shown, however, as other configurations are within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0023]    The first radius  16  (and thus the leading edge  17  and the bearing edges  19 ) is sized and configured to accommodate an item having a cross-sectional dimension within a specific range and up to a particular diameter. For example, a first radius  16  in a body portion  12  having a one-inch diameter may be sized and configured to receive a second member of tubing having a cross-sectional diameter of 10-16 millimeters (mm). A first radius  16  in a body portion  12  having a larger diameter may be sized and configured to receive a second member of tubing having larger cross-sectional diameter (e.g., 17-25 mm or 26-36 mm). The present invention is not limited to the configuration as shown, however, as the slot could also be squared off to attach to a tray table or the like. 
         [0024]    Still referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a through hole  23  extends through the body portion  12 . A clamping mechanism may be employed to secure the tubing in the through hole  23 . The clamping mechanism may be a threaded shaft translatable through an end cap or a threaded hole, as is employed to secure the tubing in the slot  14 . 
         [0025]    Although both the slot  20  and the through hole  23  are shown as being configured to allow the tubing to be mounted therein perpendicular to the bar  10 , the present invention is not so limited as the slot and the through hole may be angled through the body portion  12  to allow the mounting bar  10  to be located on the tubing (e.g., shaft of a microphone stand or the like) at an angle. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , an alternate embodiment of the bar is designated generally by the reference number  110  and is hereinafter referred to as “bar  110 .” Bar  110  comprises a body portion  112  defined by a first body portion  114  axially coupled to a second body portion  116  via a selectively-engageable splined assembly  118 . The first body portion  114  includes a slot  20  as defined above with regard to  FIG. 1  (and/or a through hole  23 ) as well as a knob  30  and a threaded shaft  32 . The splined assembly  118  allows the first body portion  114  to be rotated relative to the second body portion  116 , thereby allowing a device (e.g., a microphone, sheet music holder, light, or the like) mounted on the second body portion  116  to be adjustably positionable. 
         [0027]    The splined assembly  118  is defined by an outer gear  120  having a first sleeve  121  extending from one side thereof over a portion of the first body portion  114  and a second sleeve  123  extending from the other side thereof in an opposing direction over a portion of the second body portion  116 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The first body portion  114  is received in and supported by the first sleeve  121 , and the second body portion  116  is received in and supported by the second sleeve  123 . The outer gear is engageable with an inner gear  122  mounted to an end of the second body portion  116  proximate the splined assembly  118 , as shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 5-7 . Both the outer gear  120  and the inner gear  122  are also slidably mounted to a shaft  133  coupled to the first body portion  114 . The shaft  133  extends through the outer gear  120 , the inner gear  122 , and a spring plate  130  mounted to an end of the first body portion  114  proximate the splined assembly  118 . A first spring  140  is located on the shaft  133  between a head  134  of the shaft and the inner gear  122 . A second spring  141  is also located on the shaft  133  between a nut  132  threaded on an end of the shaft  133  opposite the head  133  and the spring plate  130 . During operation, the first and second body portions,  114  and  116  respectively, can be pulled away from one another, thereby disengaging the inner gear  122  from the outer  120 . The first and second body portions,  114  and  116  respectively, can then be rotated relative to one another. Once positioned in a desired location, the first spring  140  and the second spring  141  urge the outer and inner gears,  120  and  122 , into engagement with one another, releasably fixing the position of the first and second body portions relative to one another. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the mounting bar may be defined by a short sleeve, shown at  210 , appropriately sized to enable the sleeve to be slidably positioned over the end of a first tube  60  such as a horizontal bar or an upright member on a legged stand or base. The sleeve is open on one end having clamping mechanisms  214  to allow the sleeve to be secured to the first tube  60 . The clamping mechanisms  214  may be finger-actuatable, as shown, or they may comprise hex head screws or the like. The knob  30  and threaded shaft  32  are located on the sleeve to allow the bar  210  to receive and clamp a second tube  62  in the slot  20 . Suitable devices such as sheet music holders, microphones, lights, or the like can be mounted on the second tube  62 . 
         [0029]    Although this invention has been shown and described with respect to the detailed embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed in the above detailed description, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the foregoing description.