Patent ID: 8899535

Claim:
A mounting apparatus for repeatable positioning of an item, comprising: a first mount configured to receive a first member fixedly coupled to an item, the first member being at least partially-spherically shaped, the first mount including at least three points engaged to and non-movably supporting the at least partially-spherically shape portion of the first member and positively constraining the first member against movement along three mutually-perpendicular directions; a second mount positioned in fixed relation to the first mount and configured to receive a second member fixedly coupled to the item and positively constrain the second member against movement along exactly two of the three mutually-perpendicular directions; and a third mount configured as an at least partially-planer surface located above and positioned in fixed relation to the first and second mount and configured to receive a third member fixed coupled to the item and positively constrain the third member against movement along exactly one of the three mutually-perpendicular directions; the first, second, and third members being engaged to the respective first, second, and third mounts in a manner such that the item is unrestrained against movement along three mutually-orthogonal directions.