BACKPACK OR SHOULDER STRAP ACCESSORY MOUNT

Abstract

An accessory mounting system can be operable to mount an accessory to a device. The accessory mounting system can include an accessory mount and an accessory holder. The accessory mount can include a mount body having a first end, a second end, and an inner section disposed between the first and second ends. The accessory mount can further include a first device interface disposed at the first end and configured to interface with the device and a second device interface disposed at the second end and configured to interface with the device. The accessory mount has at least one mounting point disposed on the inner section of the mount body. The accessory holder can include an interface operable to selectively attach to and detach from the mounting point of the accessory mount. The accessory holder can receive and support an accessory.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/392,737, filed Jul. 27, 2022, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject technology relates generally to mounting devices onto an object. More particularly, the subject technology relates to mounting devices such as various accessories to a backpack strap.

BACKGROUND

Many people use a variety of accessories that are typically handheld. For example, cameras, umbrellas, phones, or the like are often held in a person's hand during use. However, some users might prefer to use such accessories “hands-free” (i.e., use the accessories without the need to hold the accessories with their hands). For example, several harnesses have been developed that can hold a camera on a person's body while the person engages in another activity, thereby allowing the person to record the activity. Similarly, some articles of clothing or bags are made with pockets or other clips with particular accessories in mind.

However, in several instances, a bag or item of clothing worn by a person does not facilitate hands-free use of an accessory desired by a user. In other instances, a user may want an option to use several different accessories in a hands-free manner.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the present disclosure in some examples is directed to an accessory mounting system that can be operable to mount an accessory to another device. The accessory mounting system can include an accessory mount and an accessory holder. The accessory mount can include a mount body having a first end, a second end, and an inner section disposed between the first and second ends. The accessory mount can further include a first device interface disposed at the first end and configured to interface with the device and a second device interface disposed at the second end and configured to interface with the device. The accessory mount has at least one mounting point disposed on the inner section of the mount body. The accessory holder can include an interface operable to selectively attach to and detach from the mounting point of the accessory mount. The accessory holder can receive and support an accessory.

In some examples, the inner section can include a curved profile providing a clearance relative to the first and second device interfaces. The clearance can be between 0.1 inches and 6 inches. The first and second device interfaces can include a curvature opposite that of the curved profile of the inner section.

In some examples, the at least one mounting point can include a rail extending along the inner section. The interface of the accessory holder can include a rail interface operable to selective attach to and detach from the rail. In some examples, the rail can include teeth. The accessory holder can include a corresponding teeth interface that has a teeth-catching protrusion that extends within the teeth interface to interface or engage with the teeth of the rail.

In some examples, the accessory holder can include rail clamps configured to selectively engage with the rail. The teeth interface can be disposed on the rail clamps. The rail clamps can include a through hole through which a rail clamp axle can extend and about which the rail clamps rotate to selectively engage the teeth interface with the teeth of the rail.

In some examples, the at least one mounting point can include a threaded hole. The accessory holder can be configured to be selectively attached to the threaded hole via a fastener. The mounting point can further include at least one guide aperture disposed adjacent to the threaded hole. The accessory holder can include at least one guide protrusion corresponding to the at least one guide aperture.

In some examples, the accessory holder can include an umbrella holder comprising a half-cylindrical configuration operable to receive an umbrella handle of an umbrella and a stop surface at an end of the accessory holder against which a bottom of the umbrella handle is configured to rest. In some examples, the accessory holder can include a holder body comprising a permanent magnet.

In one example of the present disclosure, an accessory mount is provided that is operable to attach to a backpack shoulder strap. The accessory mount can include a mount body comprising a first end, a second end, and an inner section disposed between the first and second ends. The accessory mount can further include a first backpack strap interface disposed at the first end and configured to interface with the backpack shoulder strap, and a second backpack strap interface disposed at the second end and configured to interface with the backpack shoulder strap. The accessory mount can also include at least one mounting point disposed on the inner section of the mount body. The mounting point can be operable to selectively receive an accessory.

In some examples, the inner section includes a curved profile providing a clearance relative to the first and second device interfaces. The clearance can be between 0.1 inches and 6 inches. The first and second device interfaces can include a curvature opposite that of the curved profile of the inner section.

In some examples, the at least one mounting point can include a rail extending along the inner section. The rail can be operable to receive the accessory. The rail can include teeth operable to receive the accessory at different points along the rail. The at least one mounting point can also include a threaded hole operable to receive the accessory via a fastener. The mounting point can include at least one guide aperture disposed adjacent to the threaded hole. The at least one guide aperture can be operable to align the accessory with the threaded hole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention; and, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a bottom, front, right perspective view of an accessory mounting system in accordance with one exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a top, front, left perspective view of the accessory mounting system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a top view of the accessory mounting system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B is a bottom, front, right section view of the accessory mounting system taken along the line A-A in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a rail clamp of the accessory mounting system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a rail clamp of the accessory mounting system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the accessory mount of the accessory mounting system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the accessory holder of the accessory mounting system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an accessory mounting system according to one example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a section view of the accessory mounting system of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an accessory mounting system according to one example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the accessory mounting system of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12A, FIG. 12B, and FIG. 12C show views of an accessory mounting system used on an exemplary backpack;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an accessory mount operable for use with the accessory mounting system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an accessory holder of the accessory mounting system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the accessory holder shown in FIG. 14 mounted to the accessory mount shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an accessory holder mounted to the accessory mount shown in FIG. 13; and

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an accessory holder mounted to the accessory mount shown in FIG. 13.

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3B, an accessory mounting system, indicated generally at 10, is provided. The accessory mounting system 10 can be operable to attach an accessory to another device. More specifically, the accessory mounting system 10 can be operable to hold an accessory for a user so that the user can operate the accessory hands-free. In this example, the accessory mounting system 10 can be operable to attach an accessory to shoulder strap of a backpack. This can allow an accessory to be attached to a user near a chest and shoulder of the user and offset from the head of a user.

The accessory mounting system 10 can comprise an accessory mount 120 and an accessory holder 150 that is removably attachable to the accessory mount 120. Generally, the accessory mount 120 can connect or mount to a device, such as the strap of a backpack, and the accessory holder 150 can attach to the accessory mount 120 and can support the accessory to be held by the accessory mounting system 10.

The accessory mount is shown in FIGS. 1-3B and 6. The accessory mount 120 can comprise a mount body 122 having a first end 124 and a second end 126. The mount body 122 can comprise an inner section 128. The inner section 128 can be curved as shown in FIGS. 1-3B and 6. However, the inner section 128 could take on other profiles. For example, the inner section 128 could be straight. When the inner section 128 is curved as shown, the inner section 128 can allow the mount body 122 to contour to the shape of a strap of a backpack when worn by the user. For example, the inner section 128 can provide a clearance (i.e., space from the highest point in the inner section 128 relative to lowest points of the first end 124 and the second end 126) of around 0.1 inches to 6 inches. In one example, the clearance can be about 1 inch. The clearance of the inner section 128 can provide adequate space for the curvature of the backpack strap as it is being worn by the user. This increases the ergonomics of the accessory mount 120.

The accessory mount 120 can comprise a first device interface 141 and a second device interface 143 disposed at ends 124, 126 of the accessory mount 120, respectively. The first and second device interfaces 141, 143 can be operable to interface with a backpack strap or other device to which the accessory mount 120 is attached. The first and second device interfaces 141, 143 can be considered a backpack strap interface when interfacing with a backpack strap. The first and second device interfaces 141, 143 can comprise a curvature in the opposite direction of the inner section 128. This opposite curvature can provide each of the first and second device interfaces 141, 143 with a comfortable and secure contact point on the backpack strap or other device to which the accessory mount 120 is attached. Further, the opposite curvature of the device interfaces 141, 143 can provide for a secure contact point of the mount body 122 against the backpack strap or other device at multiple different positions and/or orientations of the accessory mount 120 relative to the backpack strap or other device.

The accessory mount 120 can further comprise one or more mounting points to which the accessory holder 150 can attach to and detach from the accessory mount 120. In this example, the mounting point can comprise a rail 130. The rail 130 can be raised from the upper surface 129 of the mount body via a vertical support beam 131. The rail 130 and vertical support beam 131 can be formed integrally with the mount body 122, such as via an injection molding process. In some examples, the rail 130 and vertical support beam 131 can be attached to the mount body 122 such as via a fastener or adhesive. The rail 130 can comprise an inner section 132 that can correspond to the curvature of the inner section 128 of the mount body 122. The rail can also comprise a first end 134 and a second end 136 which can comprise a curvature opposite that of the inner section 132, corresponding to the ends 124, 126 of the mount body 122. The rail 130 can be operable to allow the accessory holder 150 to be removably attached thereto and to be positioned at different points along the rail 130. Accordingly, the rail 130 can comprise teeth 138 on sides of the rail 130 that can interface with the accessory holder 150 to allow the accessory holder 150 to removably attach to the rail 130 at different points along the rail 130, as will be explained in more detail below. Thus, the rail 130 and teeth 138 can define a plurality of mounting points to which the accessory holder 150 can be mounted.

The rail 130 further comprises a first narrowed portion 140a at the first end 134 of the rail 130 and a second narrowed portion 140b at the second end 136 of the rail 130. The narrowed portions 140a and 140b do not include the teeth 138 and can thus facilitate easy removal of the accessory holder 150 from the rail 130. The narrowed portions 140a, 140b can have a curvature that corresponds to the curvature of the ends 124, 126 of the mount body 122 of the accessory mount 120.

The accessory mount 120 can further comprise strap attachment protrusions 142a, 142b disposed at the first end 124 of the accessory mount 120 and strap attachment protrusions 144a, 144b disposed at the second end 126 of the accessory mount 120. The strap attachment protrusions 142a, 142b, 144a, 144b can facilitate attachment of the accessory mount 120 to another device, such as a backpack shoulder strap. A strap, which can be an elastic member with a loop on each end or which can be any other suitable other strap, can attach to one of the attachment protrusions 142a, 144a, can extend around the backpack strap or other device, and can then attach to another attachment protrusion 142b, 144b. Each of the attachment protrusions 142a, 142b, 144a, 144b can comprise a catch flange 146 to retain the loop of the elastic member or retain any other suitable strap in the attachment protrusions 142a, 142b, 144a, 144b during use. Other attachment mechanisms can also be used to attach the accessory mount 120 to the shoulder strap or other device such as holes to receive a strap, a clamping member, a fastener, or the like.

As mentioned above, the accessory holder 150 can removably attach to the accessory mount 120. The accessory holder 150 is shown in FIGS. 1-3B and 7. The accessory holder 150 can comprise a holder body 152. The holder body 152 can be shaped to receive a desired accessory. In this example, the accessory holder 150 can be an umbrella holder wherein the holder body 152 comprises a half-cylindrical configuration with a stop surface 153 on one end. This configuration can be operable to receive an umbrella to be carried hands-free by a user. For example, a handle of the umbrella can be placed into the half-cylindrical configuration of the holder body 152 and can be placed such that the bottom of the handle is against the stop surface 153.

The accessory holder 150 can further comprise a first rail clamp 154a and a second rail clamp 154b. The first and second rail clamps 154a, 154b are operable to releasably attach the accessory holder 150 to the rail 130 of the accessory mount 120. The accessory holder 150 can also comprise accessory connection protrusions 156a, 156b, 156c, 156d to which elastic bands, straps, or other fasteners can connect to secure the accessory, such as the umbrella handle, to the accessory holder 150.

The accessory holder 150 can comprise an interface that connects to or otherwise interfaces with a mounting point of the accessory mount 120. In this example, the interface can comprise a rail interface 158. The rail interface 158 can comprise a generally inverted U-shaped profile that can sit over the rail 130 (i.e., mounting point) of the accessory mount 120. As shown in FIGS. 3B-5, the first and second rail clamps 154a, 154b can each rotate about a respective rail clamp axle 160 that extends through the rail clamp, 154a, 154b and into the holder body 152. Each rail clamp 154a, 154b can comprise a flanged interface 162 that can be actuated by a user to rotate the rail clamps 154a, 154b about the rail clamp axles 160. A void 166 formed into the holder body 152 can accommodate and provide clearance for the rotation of the rail clamps 154a, 154b. An outer surface of the holder body 152 can define a clamp stop surface 168 to limit the rotation of the first and second rail clamps 154a, 154b. A body interface surface 170 can be formed on the flanged interface 162 and can interface with the clamp stop surface 168 to limit rotation of the first and second rail clamps 154a, 154b.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the rail clamps 154a, 154b (indicated generally as 154) can each comprise an axle receiving portion 172 and a teeth interface 164. The axle receiving portion 172 can comprise a through hole 174 through which the rail clamp axle 160 can extend. The teeth interface 164 can be formed adjacent to the axle receiving portion 172 and can comprise a groove that extends along a length of each rail clamp 154a, 154b. The teeth interface 164 can be operable to interface with and partially surround the teeth 138 of the rail 130 of the accessory mount 120 (see FIG. 3B). The teeth interface 164 can comprise a teeth-catching protrusion 176 that extends laterally in the groove of the teeth interface 164. The teeth-catching protrusion 176 can be operable to interface or engage with the teeth 138 of the rail 130, such as be extending into a space between two of the teeth 138. In this manner, when the teeth-catching protrusion 176 engages with the teeth 138, the rail clamp 154a, 154b holds the accessory holder in position with respect to the rail 130 of the accessory mount 120. The teeth interface 164 further comprises a locking surface 178. The locking surface 178 can be operable to extend underneath the teeth 138 of the rail 130 to lock the accessory holder 150 onto the accessory mount 120.

In this example, the rail clamps 154a, 154b can be spring-loaded, such as via a torsion spring, to be biased such that the teeth-catching protrusions 176 remain engaged with the teeth 138 and such that the locking surface 178 remains underneath the teeth 138. In this manner, the accessory holder 150 can securely remain on the accessory mount 120 during use. When a user desires to remove or reposition the accessory holder 150, the user can press against the flanged interface 162 of the rail clamps 154a, 154b to rotate the rail clamps 154a, 154b about the rail clamp axles 160 to disengage the teeth-catching protrusion 176 from the teeth 138 and to clear the locking surface 178 from underneath the teeth 138. To reposition the accessory holder 150, the rail clamps 154a, 154b can be released at a desired position along the rail 130 of the accessory mount 120, and the rail clamps 154a, 154b can be biased such that the teeth-catching protrusion 176 engages with the teeth 138 and the locking surface 178 extends underneath the teeth 138.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show another example of an accessory mounting system that can be operable to mount an accessory to another device, such as a backpack shoulder strap. The accessory mounting system 20 can comprise an accessory mount 220 and an accessory holder 250 that is operable to attach to the accessory mount 220. The accessory mount 220 can comprise a mount body 222 having a first end 224 and a second end 226. A curved bridge section 228 of the mount body 222 can extend from the first end 224 to the second end 226. The curved bridge section 228 can facilitate curvature to correspond to that in the backpack shoulder strap as it is being worn by a user. For example, the curved bridge section 228 can provide a clearance (i.e., space from the highest point in the curved bridge section relative to the first end 224 and the second end 226) of around 0.1 inches to 6 inches. In one example, the clearance can be about 1 inch. The clearance of the curved bridge section 228 can provide adequate space for the curvature of the backpack strap as it is being worn by the user.

The accessory mount 220 can further comprise a pivoting accessory clamp 230 that can be operable to secure and pivotably retain the accessory holder 250 as will be discussed in more detail below. The pivoting accessory claim 230 is an example of a mounting point on the accessory mount 220 to which the accessory holder 250 can attach. The accessory mount 220 can also comprise a first device interface 241 that can comprise a lateral member operable to rest against a device such as a backpack shoulder strap. The first device interface 241 can comprise strap attachment holes 242a, 242b. The strap attachment holes 242a, 242b can facilitate attachment of the first device interface 241 to the device such as a backpack strap. The attachment can be via a strap having hook and loop fasteners which can be looped through the strap attachment holes 242a, 242b. Other attachment mechanisms can be provided such as via an elastic strap that extends from the strap attachment holes 242a, 242b and around the device, such as a backpack shoulder strap.

The accessory mount 220 can also comprise a second device interface 243 that can comprise a lateral member operable to rest against a device such as a backpack shoulder strap. The second device interface 243 can comprise strap attachment holes 244a, 244b. The strap attachment holes 244a, 244b can facilitate attachment of the second device interface 243 to the device such as a backpack strap. The attachment can be via a strap having hook and loop fasteners which can be looped through the strap attachment holes 244a, 244b. Other attachment mechanisms can be provided such as via an elastic strap that extends from the strap attachment holes 244a, 244b and around the device, such as a backpack shoulder strap.

The pivoting accessory clamp 230 can comprise a spherical interface wall 248 that interfaces with the accessory holder 250. In this example, an accessory holder 250 can comprise a holder body 252 and accessory connection holes 256 that facilitate the attachment of the accessory to the accessory holder. The connection holes 256 can facilitate a strap or other connector that wraps around the accessory. The strap can be secured by a fastener such as a hook and loop fastener or other device. The accessory holder 250 further comprises a neck 258 that extends from the holder body 252. The neck attaches to a spherical member 260 that is retained inside of the accessory clamp. In one example, the spherical member 260 can interface with the spherical interface wall 248 such that the spherical member 260 can slide against the spherical interface wall 248. The spherical member 260 is an example of an interface of the accessory holder 250 that is operable to interface with the mounting point of the accessory mount 220. This allows the accessory holder 250 to pivot with respect to the accessory mount 220. This can allow the user to change an orientation of an accessory held in the accessory mounting system 20.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show another example of an accessory mounting system that can be operable to mount an accessory to another device, such as a backpack shoulder strap. The accessory mounting system 30 can comprise an accessory mount 320 and an accessory holder 350 that is operable to attach to the accessory mount 320 via a pivoting accessory clamp 330. The pivoting accessory clamp 330 and accessory holder 350 are substantially the same as the pivoting accessory clamp 230 and accessory holder 350, thus a detailed description of them will be omitted for brevity. Similar to the inner section 128 of mount body 122, and the curved bridge section 228 of mount body 222, the accessory mount 320 comprises a mount body 322 that can facilitate curvature in the backpack shoulder strap as it is being worn by a user.

In this example, the accessory mount 320 can further comprise a first device interface 341 that can comprise a lateral member operable to rest against a device such as a backpack shoulder strap. The first device interface 341 can comprise strap attachment holes 342a, 342b. The strap attachment holes 342a, 342b can facilitate attachment of the first device interface 341 to the device such as a backpack strap. The attachment can be via an attachment strap 345a that can have hook and loop fasteners which can be looped through the strap attachment holes 242a, 242b. Other attachment mechanisms can be provided such as via an elastic strap that extends from the strap attachment holes 342a, 342b and around the device, such as a backpack shoulder strap.

The accessory mount 320 can also comprise a second device interface 343 that can comprise a lateral member operable to rest against a device such as a backpack shoulder strap. The second device interface 343 can comprise strap attachment holes 344a, 344b. The strap attachment holes 344a, 344b can facilitate attachment of the second device interface 343 to the device such as a backpack strap. The attachment can be via an attachment strap 345b that can have hook and loop fasteners which can be looped through the strap attachment holes 344a, 344b. Other attachment mechanisms can be provided such as via an elastic strap that extends from the strap attachment holes 344a, 344b and around the device, such as a backpack shoulder strap.

The mount body 322 of the accessory mount 320 can be formed of a first straight portion 328a, a second straight portion 328b, and a third straight portion 328c. The first, second, and third straight portions 328a-328c can be angled relative to one another to form the overall shape of the mount body. The first and second straight portions 328a, 328b can be joined together at a first angled portion 329a. Similarly, the second and third straight portions 328b, 328c can be joined together at a second angled portion 329b. The straight portions 328a-328c can be formed such that the mount body 322 is raised relative to the first and second device interfaces 341, 343. In some examples, the mount body 322 can have a clearance (i.e., a distance extending perpendicularly from a bottom of the second straight portion 328b to the first and second device interfaces 341, 343) of between 0.1 inches to 6 inches. The clearance can facilitate the curvature of a backpack strap when the mount body 322 is attached to the backpack strap during use. The mount body 322 can thus be considered a curved section without required an arced curvature in construction. Thus, the mount body 322 can accommodate a curvature a device to which it is attached, such as the curvature of a backpack strap being worn by a user.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C show views of an accessory mounting system, such as any of accessory mounting systems 10, 20, 30 used with an exemplary backpack. As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the accessory mounting system 10, 20, 30 can be attached to a backpack shoulder strap 400 as explained above. The accessory mounting system 10, 20, 30 can thus facilitate attachment of an accessory to be used hand-free by a wearer of the backpack. In FIGS. 12A and 12B, the accessory is an umbrella. In FIG. 12C, it is shown that more than one accessory holder (such as accessory holder 150 in FIG. 1) can be used on a single accessory mount (such as accessory mount 120 in FIG. 1). In this example, an articulating phone mount and an adjustable flashlight mount can be attached to the accessory mount (such as via the rail 130 in FIG. 1). However, any number of other accessories can be used such as an action camera, a storage device, or the like.

FIGS. 13-15 show views of an accessory mounting system including an accessory mount and an accessory holder according to one example of the present disclosure. An accessory mounting system 50 can comprise an accessory mount 520 that can be attached to a backpack strap or other device, and an accessory holder 550 that can selectively mount to and detach from the accessory mount 520. It will be appreciated that the accessory mount 520 and the accessory holder 550 can be similar to the accessory mount 120 and the accessory holder 150 discussed above in many aspects. Thus, a full description is not provided here for the sake of brevity.

The accessory mount 520 can be provided with one or more threaded holes 582 that can be disposed intermittently along the rail 530 of the accessory mount 520. In the example shown in FIGS. 13-15, three threaded holes 582 are disposed intermittently along the rail 530 of the accessory mount 520. However, there could be more threaded holes 582 or less depending on a given application. The threaded hole 582 can be operable to receive a fastener (not shown in FIGS. 13-15) to secure the accessory holder 550 to the accessory mount 520. The attachment via the threaded hole 582 and fastener can augment the attachment of the accessory mount 520 to the rails 530 via the teeth 538, such as was discussed above with reference to accessory mounting system 10. In other examples, the attachment via the threaded hole 582 and fastener can replace attachment to the rail 530 via the teeth 538. Thus, the threaded holes 582 can define one or more mounting points on the accessory mount 520 to which the accessory holder 550 can attach.

To facilitate attachment via the threaded hole 582, the rail 530 can comprise guide apertures 584 that can be disposed on at least one side of each threaded hole 582. In the example shown in FIGS. 13-15, guide apertures 584 are disposed on both sides of each threaded hole 582. The guide apertures 584 can facilitate alignment of the accessory holder 550 to the threaded hole 582. Furthermore, the guide apertures 584 can lock the accessory holder 550 in position when the fastener is in place to ensure that the fastener does not loosen from the threaded hole 582.

The threaded hole 582 and guide apertures 584 can be of a standard in the photography industry to allow for mounting standard photography accessories and/or other accessories to the accessory mount. For example, the threaded hole 582 can comprise a size of ¼-20 UNC. In some examples, the threaded holes 582 can comprise a size of ⅜-16 UNC.

The accessory holder 550 can comprise a through hole 592 operable to receive a fastener for mounting the accessory holder 550 to the threaded hole 582 of the accessory mount 520. The accessory holder 550 can further comprise at least one guide protrusion 594 disposed on a bottom surface of the accessory holder 550. In FIG. 14, two guide protrusions 594 are shown, with the guide protrusions 594 on opposite sides of the through hole 592. The guide protrusions 594 are operable to be received in the guide apertures 584 of the accessory mount 520 to align the accessory holder 550 with one of the threaded holes 582 of the accessory mount 520 and to help lock the accessory holder 550 to the accessory mount 520 when the accessory holder 550 is mounted to the accessory mount 520 via a fastener extending through the through hole 592 and into the threaded hole 582 of the accessory mount 520. The through hole 592 and guide protrusions 594 are examples of an interface that is operable to connect to and/or otherwise interface with a mounting point of the accessory mount 520.

As shown in FIG. 15, the accessory holder 550 can connect to the rail 530 of the accessory mount 520 via rail clamps 554, which can be similar to the rail clamps 154a, 154b discussed above. The accessory holder 550 can in addition or alternatively attach to the rail 530 of the accessory mount 520 via the threaded hole 582 via a fastener extending through the through hole and seating on a top surface adjacent to the through hole 592. Thus, the accessory holder 550 can be securely attached to the accessory mount 520.

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of an accessory mounting system according to one example of the present disclosure. In FIG. 16, the accessory mounting system 60 comprises an accessory mount 620 and an accessory holder 650. The accessory mount 620 is similar to the accessory mount 520 and thus a full description will not be provided. The accessory holder 650 can differ from the accessory holder 550 in that it can be a magnetic accessory holder. The accessory holder 650 can comprise a holder body 652 that houses one or more permanent magnets such as a rare earth magnet. The rare earth magnet can comprise, for example, a neodymium magnet. The accessory holder 650 can thus facilitate mounting of an accessory to the accessory holder via a magnetic attraction between the permanent magnets within the holder body 652 and a magnetically attracted material, such as a ferromagnetic material, of the accessory.

The accessory holder 650 can mount to and detach from the accessory mount 620 as other accessory holders described above herein. For example, the accessory holder 650 can attach to a rail 630 of the accessory mount via rail clamps 654a, 654b similar to rail clamps described above. In addition or in the alternative, the accessory holder 650 can mount to and detach from the accessory mount 620 via a fastener 696 that extends through a through hole 692 in the accessory holder 650 to interface with a threaded hole 682 of the accessory mount 620. Guide protrusions (not shown in FIG. 16, but similar to guide protrusion 594 shown in FIG. 14) can interface with guide apertures 684 to align the accessory holder 650 with one of the threaded holes 682 and to prevent the fastener 696 from loosening from the threaded hole 682. In this manner, different types of accessory holders can be utilized with the accessory mounting system 60. It is noted that while a fastener 696 is operable to extend through the through hole 692 in this example, this is not intended to be limiting. In some examples, the fastener can be formed integrally with the accessory holder 650 to be screwed into the threaded hole 682.

FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of an accessory mounting system according to one example of the present disclosure. In FIG. 17, the accessory mounting system 70 comprises an accessory mount 720 and an accessory holder 750. The accessory mount 720 is similar to the accessory mounts 520, 620 described above. The accessory holder 750 differs from the accessory holder 650 in that the accessory holder 750 shown in FIG. 17 does not comprise rail clamps. The accessory holder 750 can be operable to and detach from the rail 730 of the accessory mount 720 via a fastener 796 that extends through a through hole 792 in the accessory holder 750 to interface with a threaded hole 782 of the accessory mount 720. Guide protrusions (not shown in FIG. 17, but similar to guide protrusion 594 shown in FIG. 14) can interface with guide apertures 784 to align the accessory holder 750 with one of the threaded holes 782 and to prevent the fastener 796 from loosening from the threaded hole 782. In this manner, different types of accessory holders can be utilized with the accessory mounting system 70.

The examples described above and shown in the figures are not intended to be limiting. It will be appreciated that features described with reference to one figure can be employed or integrated with features described in other figures. Indeed, the features described herein can be combined in any number of suitable combinations.

While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below. :

Claims

1. An accessory mounting system operable to mount an accessory to a device, the accessory mounting system comprising:

an accessory mount comprising: a mount body comprising a first end, a second end, and an inner section disposed between the first and second ends, a first device interface disposed at the first end and configured to interface with the device, a second device interface disposed at the second end and configured to interface with the device, and at least one mounting point disposed on the inner section of the mount body; and

an accessory holder comprising an interface operable to selectively attach to and detach from the mounting point of the accessory mount.

2. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein the inner section comprises a curved profile providing a clearance relative to the first and second device interfaces.

3. The accessory mounting system of claim 2, wherein the clearance is between 0.1 inches and 6 inches.

4. The accessory mounting system of claim 2, wherein the first and second device interfaces comprise a curvature opposite that of the curved profile of the inner section.

5. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein the at least one mounting point comprises a rail extending along the inner section, and the interface of the accessory holder comprising a rail interface operable to selective attach to and detach from the rail.

6. The accessory mounting system of claim 5, wherein the rail comprises teeth and wherein the accessory holder comprises a teeth interface having a teeth teeth-catching protrusion that extends within the teeth interface to interface or engage with the teeth of the rail.

7. The accessory mounting system of claim 6, wherein the accessory holder further comprises rail clamps configured to selectively engage with the rail, the teeth interface being disposed on the rail clamps.

8. The accessory mounting system of claim 7, wherein the rail clamps comprise a through hole through which a rail clamp axle can extend and about which the rail clamps rotate to selectively engage the teeth interface with the teeth of the rail.

9. The accessory mounting system of claim 5, wherein the at least one mounting point further comprises a threaded hole, and wherein the accessory holder is configured to be selectively attached to the threaded hole via a fastener.

10. The accessory mounting system of claim 9, wherein the mounting point further comprises at least one guide aperture disposed adjacent to the threaded hole, and wherein the accessory holder comprises at least one guide protrusion corresponding to the at least one guide aperture.

11. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein the accessory holder comprises an umbrella holder comprising a half-cylindrical configuration operable to receive an umbrella handle of an umbrella and a stop surface at an end of the accessory holder against which a bottom of the umbrella handle is configured to rest.

12. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein the accessory holder comprises a holder body comprising a permanent magnet.

13. An accessory mount operable to attach to a backpack shoulder strap, the accessory mount comprising:

a mount body comprising a first end, a second end, and an inner section disposed between the first and second ends;

a first backpack strap interface disposed at the first end and configured to interface with the backpack shoulder strap;

a second backpack strap interface disposed at the second end and configured to interface with the backpack shoulder strap; and

at least one mounting point disposed on the inner section of the mount body, the at least one mounting point being operable to selectively receive an accessory.

14. The accessory mount of claim 13, wherein the inner section comprises a curved profile providing a clearance relative to the first and second device interfaces.

15. The accessory mount of claim 14, wherein the clearance is between 0.1 inches and 6 inches.

16. The accessory mount of claim 14, wherein the first and second device interfaces comprise a curvature opposite that of the curved profile of the inner section.

17. The accessory mount of claim 13, wherein the at least one mounting point comprises a rail extending along the inner section, the rail being operable to receive the accessory.

18. The accessory mount of claim 17, wherein the rail comprises teeth operable to receive the accessory at different points along the rail.

19. The accessory mount of claim 17, wherein the at least one mounting point further comprises a threaded hole operable to receive the accessory via a fastener.

20. The accessory mount of claim 19, wherein the mounting point further comprises at least one guide aperture disposed adjacent to the threaded hole, the at least one guide aperture being operable to align the accessory with the threaded hole.