Mount for removable support pedestal

Abstract

A base member attached to a supporting surface has an open top cavity in the general shape of a shoe and a base assembly housing, which is attached to the lower end of a rigid pedestal which supports an apparatus at its upper end, is foot shaped in part to nestle in the base member shoe area. A manually operable securing device releasably secures the housing snugly in the base member so that the pedestal is readily attached and removed as necessary.

Claims

1. A device for removably mounting a boat accessory to a boat deck, comprising: a) a rigid base plate fixedly attached to the surface of a boat deck, said base plate having an upwardly open cavity, the walls of said cavity defining a shoe area having an outward tapered toe receiving recess in one wall, an inwardly tapered heel receiving opposite wall, and generally parallel side walls enclosing the shoe area; b) a rigid pedestal, the upper end of said pedestal adapted to engage and support the underside of a boating accessory; c) a housing fixedly attached to the lower end of said pedestal said housing enclosing a foot having a toe member for resting in the cavity recess and a heel member for snugly engaging the heel receiving wall of said cavity; and, d) manually operable means coupled to said housing and to said base plate for releasably securing said housing foot within said shoe area.

2. A device for removably mounting a boat accessory to a boat deck as described in claim 1 further including parallel rests on each side of said toe receiving recess for engaging corresponding surfaces of said housing shoe.

3. A device for removably mounting a boat accessory to a boat deck as described in claim 1 wherein said manually operable securing means is attached to a ledge extending outward from the heel area of said housing and is coupled to said base plate.

4. A device for removably mounting a boat accessory to a boat deck as described in claim 3 wherein said manually operable securing means comprises a member extending from said ledge into engagement with said base plate, said member manually operable to move said housing foot vertically into said base plate shoe.

5. A device for removably mounting a boat accessory to a boat deck as described in claim 4 wherein the vertical movement of said housing produces a translational movement of said foot within the shoe area of said base plate.

6. A device for removably mounting a boat accessory to a boat deck as described in claim 4 wherein said manually operable member comprises a rigid elongated threaded member threadably engaged with said base plate.

7. A device for removably mounting a boat accessory to a boat deck as described in claim 1 wherein said housing and said base plate are formed by die-casting.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is an illustration of an embodiment of the invention for securely mounting an elevated boat seat on a supporting surface such as a boat deck;

(2) FIG. 2 is a top view of a base plate for mounting on a supporting surface;

(3) FIG. 3 is an underside view of a base assembly housing for engaging the base plate cavity;

(4) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of FIGS. 2 and 3 showing more clearly some of the mating surfaces of an embodiment of the invention;

(5) FIG. 5 is a partly sectioned view showing in greater detail some of the engaged surfaces when the base assembly is coupled to the base plate; and,

(6) FIG. 6 is a similar view with the base assembly in secured engagement with the base plate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(7) Typically and conventionally a boat apparatus or accessory such as a boat seat 10 is coupled to the upper end of a vertically disposed pedestal or stanchion 11 by a mechanism 12, not pertinent to the instant invention, which allows the user to move the seat back and forth and rotationally. Oftentimes, means, not shown, are provided to change the elevation of the apparatus. The FIG. 1 embodiment illustrates a base plate 13 on a supporting surface, such as a boat deck 14. A base assembly 15 fixedly attached to the lower end of pedestal 11 is engaged with base plate 13 and a manually operable locking mechanism 16 for releasably securing base assembly 15 to base plate 13 is attached to a ledge 17 extending from base assembly housing 15.

(8) FIG. 2 is a top view of base plate 13 and FIG. 3 is an underside view of base assembly 15 without its normally integral attachment to a pedestal or stanchion. The embodiment depicted in the drawings illustrate a circular rim or ring 13a by which the base plate is attached to a supporting surface such as boat deck 14 via bolts or the like, not shown, in openings 18. The outer configuration of base plate ring 13a in the illustrative embodiment is not intended to be limitive. The configuration may be circular as shown or rectangular or other geometric design provided that it has the essential features as called for by the invention as described herein. The interior walls in cavity 20 of base plate 13 into which base assembly 15 is inserted are configured to provide close or intimate contact with the corresponding configured walls of the base assembly when the two are coupled together. Outwardly tapered inner wall 21 of cavity 20 is configured to form a recess 23 to receive a similarly tapered extending wall 22 of base assembly 15. Directly rearward therefrom inner wall 24 of cavity 20 is configured to make intimate contact with wall 25 of base assembly 15. In similar fashion the inner sidewalls 26 of cavity 20 and the corresponding outer walls 27 of base assembly 15 are configured to make intimate contact with one another when coupled together.

(9) Threaded member 30 engaged with threaded opening 31 when operated manually by knob 32 releasably locks the two mounting members together by applying forces on the mounting members 15 and 13 to produce a slight degree of translational motion drawing their respective surfaces together to produce a firm and snug engagement. The open top cavity forms or provides a shoe area in the base plate having a toe receiving front recess 23 and a heel receiving rear area and enclosing side walls to mate with frontward toe projection 22 and a rearward heel area along with the enclosing walls of base assembly 15. Correspondingly, housing 15 provides a foot, with toe and heel, which is snugly engaged within the base plate shoe area when joined together. In addition, inwardly tapered flats or rests 28 at each end of recess 23 also serve to provide intimate contact between base 13 and base assembly 15 when they are secured to one another. The close intimate contact of the corresponding surfaces of the two coupled and secured mounting members provides the increased security for mounting elevated accessories and apparatus when needed yet providing a relatively convenient manner of removal when necessary.