Mounting device

Abstract

A mounting device for associating a configurable isolation device with a support structure is provided, wherein the mounting device includes a support structure mounting apparatus for securely associating the mounting device with a support structure and an isolation device interface apparatus for securely associating the configurable isolation device with the mounting device.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-In-Part of co-pending Application Ser. No. 11/217,541 filed Sep. 1, 2005 entitled “Configurable Isolation System,” the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates generally to a system for creating an isolated area and more particularly to a self-contained, retractable isolation system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As the general population increases, the cities and rural communities have become increasingly over crowded, resulting in an increase of land use restrictions and a decrease in the size of the average house lot. As such, personal privacy is often very difficult to maintain and solitude has become a luxury for the homeowner or apartment tenant. For example, an apartment tenant or condominium owner may want to enjoy his/her backyard patio or deck in privacy only to find that neighbors and/or passerby's have a clear view of the homeowner's activities. This is particularly evident with luxury homes that are constructed along golf courses or beaches, where golfer's walking along the fairway or beachgoers walking along the beach may view everything that is happening on the deck or patio and in some cases, what is happening within the condominium itself.

One approach that may be used to resolve this problem might be to install a solid fence or enclosure around the deck or patio. Unfortunately however, this approach has several disadvantages. One disadvantage involves the diminution or total loss of enjoyment of being outdoors. This is because the construction of a solid fence around a deck or patio would effectively enclose the deck or patio area, restricting or blocking the view, restricting or eliminating exposure to plant and animal life and blocking sun light and any pleasant breezes. Another disadvantage involves the permanency of the enclosure itself. This is because most solid fences are not removable or adjustable and those that are tend to be very cumbersome and very expensive. Yet another disadvantage involves the inability to erect a fence or enclosure around a pool or patio. This is because most apartments, condominiums or housing developments have associations that govern what owners/tenants may do or build on their property. Still yet another disadvantage involves the aesthetic appearance of the fence or enclosure.

Another approach that may be used to resolve this problem involves the use of a fabric and/or screen structure. Historically fabric structures, enclosures, screens and fences have been used for a variety of applications. Large fabric domes cover outdoor arenas, shopping malls, swimming pools, tennis courts and other locations having a need for a customized privacy enclosure. Unfortunately however, due to their size and complexity fabric domes are typically not well-suited for an individual homeowner, especially if the area sought to be enclosed is small or has some type of overhang. Additionally, a dome structure is not well adapted to ensure privacy. Specifically, to provide sufficient seclusion for a porch or patio the perimeter of the dome would have to extend down to such an extent that the deck or patio would essentially be enveloped by the structure. Moreover, these domes tend to be structurally complicated making disassembly and storage cumbersome and impractical.

Currently, although there have been several attempts to address the disadvantages discussed hereinabove, each of these attempts have proved either unsuccessful or only moderately successful. One such attempt is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,646 to Lutostanski which teaches a convertible enclosure adapted to cover an outside area, such as a hot tub. Unfortunately however, this enclosure is intended for a specific function although the disclosed enclosure may provide a modicum of protection from the elements such as sunlight, rain and/or snow, it does not provide privacy. Additionally, this enclosure requires an overhead support skeleton capable of supporting a durable, weatherproof vinyl cover. Another attempt is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,909 to King et al. which teaches a freestanding privacy screen for cordoning off a desired area. Unfortunately however, this type of privacy screen is cumbersome, not portable and is intended for use within an office environment to form office cubicles.

Another such attempt is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,893 to Neer which teaches a flexible decorative screen attached to pole structures to form a perimeter around a deck, pool or patio, wherein the screen is essentially wrapped around and attached to the poles in a manner that creates a modicum of privacy for those who using the deck, pool or patio. Unfortunately however, several disadvantages exist with this screen. First, while the decorative screen itself is removable and storable, the screen assembly is not portable. This is because the freestanding poles to which it attaches must remain securely in place either by being embedded into the ground or by being embedded into the deck or patio structure itself. Second, the screen setup is elaborate requiring the installation of guide rails to guide a series of rollers having hooks for holding up and moving the screen, similar to that of a shower curtain. Third, the freestanding poles are not aesthetically pleasing and may in fact present dangerous obstacles to children running and playing in the area.

Another such attempt is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,860,310 to Kubly, et al. which teaches a roll-up curtain assembly for use as a partition, wherein the curtain assembly requires a plurality of vertically spaced curtain sections each of which includes a motorized roll-up rod assembly for opening and closing each of the curtain sections. Unfortunately however, this assembly also includes several disadvantages. First, the assembly is not easily removed and is certainly not portable. As such, the assembly must be used with a secured structure. Second, the size of the screen in the assembly is not adjustable and as such, the size of the screen must be customized for the size of the area or length of the structure. Third, because each section in the assembly is coupled together they must open and close in unison decreasing the reliability by increasing the probability of a malfunction. Fourth, the assembly requires power to open and close the screens. Thus, either several batteries must be supplied with each curtain section or several plug outlets must be available to power the assembly. This is not only inconvenient but also dangerous as this type of screen is for outdoor use and will most likely be exposed to the elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A mounting device is provided, wherein the mounting device includes a device base portion, a device side portion and at least one device lip portion, wherein the at least one device lip portion is associated with the device base portion via the device side portion, the device base portion, device side portion and the at least one device lip portion defining a mounting device cavity for removably containing at least a portion of a configurable isolation device.

A mounting device for associating a configurable isolation device with a support structure is provided, wherein the configurable isolation device includes a barrier having a first barrier end and a second barrier end, wherein the first barrier end includes a barrier connection device for connecting the first barrier end to a structure and a barrier configuration device, wherein the barrier configuration device is non-movably associated with the second barrier end and wherein the barrier configuration device is rotatable about an axis a to configure the barrier between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration, the mounting device including a support structure mounting apparatus for securely associating the mounting device with a support structure and an isolation device interface apparatus for securely associating the configurable isolation device with the mounting device

A mounting device for associating a configurable isolation device with a support structure is provided, wherein the mounting device includes a support structure mounting apparatus for securely associating the mounting device with a support structure and an isolation device interface apparatus for securely associating the configurable isolation device with the mounting device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are numbered alike:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a configurable isolation system in accordance with a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional top down view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 1 being implemented with a deck;

FIG. 9 is a top down view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 1 being implemented with the deck of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a front view of a configurable isolation system in accordance with a second embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a top down view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional side view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional side view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is a front view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 10;

FIG. 16 is a top down view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 10 being implemented as a standalone system;

FIG. 17 is a side view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 10 being implemented with a deck;

FIG. 18 is a side view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 10 being implemented with a deck and having a covering device;

FIG. 19 is a top down view of a configurable isolation system in accordance with a third embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a top down view of a configurable isolation system in accordance with a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a side view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a front view of a mounting device for associating a configurable isolation system with a structure in accordance with a first embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a top down view of the mounting device of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a front view of the mounting device of FIG. 22 associated with a structure;

FIG. 25 is a front view of the mounting device of FIG. 22 associated with a structure;

FIG. 26 is a top down view of the mounting device of FIG. 22;

FIG. 27 is a side view of a configurable isolation system;

FIG. 28 is a side view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a top down view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 27 being associated with the mounting device of FIG. 22;

FIG. 30 is a front view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 27 being associated with the mounting device of FIG. 22;

FIG. 31 is a front view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 27 being associated with the mounting device of FIG. 22;

FIG. 32 is a front view of a mounting device for associating the configurable isolation system of FIG. 27 with a structure in accordance with a second embodiment;

FIG. 33 is a front view of the mounting device of FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is a front view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 27 being associated with the mounting device of FIG. 32;

FIG. 35 is a front view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 27 being associated with the mounting device of FIG. 32;

FIG. 36 is a side view of a mounting device for associating the configurable isolation system of FIG. 27 with a structure in accordance with a third embodiment;

FIG. 37 is a side perspective view of the mounting device of FIG. 36; and

FIG. 38 is a side view of the mounting device of FIG. 36.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a first embodiment of a configurable isolation device 100 is shown and includes a device structure 102 defining a barrier cavity 104 for containing at least one barrier device 106. The device structure 102 includes a device top portion 108, a device bottom portion 110 and at least one device side portion 112, wherein at least one of the at least one side portion 112 defines a barrier opening 114 communicated with the barrier cavity 104. The barrier device 106 includes a barrier configuration device 116 and a barrier 118 having a first barrier end 120 and a second barrier end 122, wherein the first barrier end 120 includes a barrier interface device 124 and wherein the second barrier end 122 is securely associated with the barrier configuration device 116. The barrier 118 may include a barrier connection device 117 associated with the first barrier end 120 to provide a means for securely associating the first barrier end 120 with a support structure.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the barrier configuration device 116 is movably associated with the device structure 102 such that the barrier configuration device 116 resiliently rotates about an axis a. This allows the barrier 118 to be springingly configured between an extended configuration 126 and a retracted configuration 128. As such, when the barrier 118 is configured into the extended configuration 126, the resilient nature of the barrier configuration device 116 causes a force F₁ to be applied to the barrier 118 in the direction of the barrier configuration device 124 to cause the barrier 118 to be configured into the retracted configuration 128. Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the barrier device 106 is at least partially disposed within the barrier cavity 104 and the barrier interface device 124 is disposed external to the device structure 102 to be adjacent the barrier opening 114, wherein the barrier interface device 124 is sized and/or shaped such that at least a portion of the barrier 118 is disposed external to the barrier cavity 104.

Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, to configure the barrier 118 from the retracted configuration 128 into the extended configuration 126, a force F₂ directed away from the barrier configuration device 116 is applied to the barrier interface device 124 to cause the barrier configuration device 116 to resiliently rotate about the axis a and to cause at least a portion of the barrier 118 to be disposed external to the barrier cavity 104. The first barrier end 120 may then be securingly associated with a positionably stable structure via the barrier connection device 117 such that the barrier 118 remains in the extended configuration 126. To configure the barrier from the extended configuration 126 into the retracted configuration 128, the barrier interface device 124 is disassociated from the positionably stable structure and the force F₁ applied to the barrier 118 by the barrier configuration device 124 causes the barrier 118 to be at least partially disposed within the barrier cavity 104 and become self-retractingly and wrappingly associated with the barrier configuration device 124. It should be appreciated that the force F₁ may also be applied manually and/or automatically via at least one of a mechanical actuation device, such as a spring or a crank, and an electrical actuation device.

Referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, one way to implement the self-retracting isolation device 100 is by disposing the device structure 102 adjacent a support structure 150 on a deck 152 or patio having at least one support structure 150. The device structure 102 may be free standing or may be securely associated with the support structure 150 via any method and/or device suitable to the desired end purpose, such as a clip, an attachment cord and a Velcro connector. A force F₂ is applied to the barrier interface device 124 to cause the barrier 118 to be configured into the extended configuration 126. As the barrier 118 is being configured into the extended configuration 126, the barrier is disposed to be adjacent the deck support structure 150 to obstruct or limited visual exposure of the deck 152 or patio. When the barrier 118 is configured into the extended configuration 126, the first barrier end 120 is securingly associated with an anchor support structure 154 via the barrier connection device 117 to maintain the barrier 118 in the extended configuration. The barrier 118 may be configured into the retracted configuration 128 by disassociating the first barrier end 120 from the deck support structure 154. The force F₁ applied to the barrier 118 via the barrier configuration device 116 causes the barrier to be configured from the extended configuration 126 into the retracted configuration 128 to be disposed within the barrier cavity 104.

Referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, a second embodiment of a configurable isolation device 200 is shown and includes a device structure 202 defining a barrier cavity 204 for containing at least one barrier device 206 and a device cavity 208 for containing at least one barrier support 210, wherein the barrier support 210 includes a barrier support base portion 211 and a barrier support interface portion 213. The device cavity 208 may be sized and shaped to securingly and removably contain the barrier support 210. The device structure 202 includes a device top portion 212, a device bottom portion 214 and at least one device side portion 216, wherein the at least one device side portion 216 defines a barrier opening 218 communicated with the barrier cavity 204.

Referring to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the barrier device 206 includes a barrier configuration device 220 and a barrier 222 having a first barrier end 224 and a second barrier end 226, wherein the first barrier end 224 includes a barrier connection device 223 and a barrier interface device 228 and wherein the second barrier end 226 is securely associated with the barrier configuration device 220. The barrier configuration device 220 is movably associated with the barrier device 206 such that the barrier configuration device 220 resiliently rotates about an axis a. This allows the barrier 222 to be springingly configured between an extended configuration 230 and a retracted configuration 232. As such, when the barrier 222 is configured into the extended configuration 230, the resilient nature of the barrier configuration device 220 causes a force F₁ to be applied to the barrier 222 in the direction of the barrier configuration device 220 to cause the barrier 222 to be configured into the retracted configuration 232.

Referring to FIG. 12 and FIG. 14, to configure the barrier 222 from the retracted configuration 232 into the extended configuration 230, a force F₂ directed away from the barrier configuration device 220 is applied to the barrier interface device 228 to cause the barrier configuration device 220 to resiliently rotate about the axis a and to cause at least a portion of the barrier 222 to be disposed external to the barrier cavity 204. The barrier interface device 228 may then be securingly associated with a positionably stable structure via the barrier connection device 223 such that the barrier 222 remains in the extended configuration 230. To configure the barrier from the extended configuration 230 into the retracted configuration 232, the barrier interface device 228 is disassociated from the positionably stable structure and the force F₁ applied to the barrier 222 by the barrier configuration device 220 causes the barrier 222 to be at least partially disposed within the barrier cavity 204 and become wrappingly associated with the barrier configuration device 220.

Referring to FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, one way to implement the self-retracting isolation device 200 is to cordon off a predetermined area 234 by removing the barrier supports 210 and positioning these barrier supports 210 to form an outline of a desired area to enclose. A force F₂ is applied to the barrier interface device 228 to cause the barrier 222 to be configured from the retracted configuration 232 into the extended configuration 230. As the barrier 222 is being configured from the retracted configuration 232 into the extended configuration 230, the barrier 222 is disposed to be adjacent each of the barrier supports 210 to form the partially enclosed area 234 and to obstruct or limited the visual exposure of this area. When the barrier 222 is configured into the extended configuration 230, the first barrier end 224 is securingly associated with a barrier support 210 via a barrier connection device 217 to maintain the barrier 222 in the extended configuration 230. The barrier 222 may be configured back into the retracted configuration 232 by disassociating the first barrier end 224 from the barrier support 210. The force F₁ applied to the barrier 222 via the barrier configuration device 220 causes the barrier 222 to be configured from the extended configuration 230 into the retracted configuration 232 to be disposed within the barrier cavity 204. The barrier supports 210 may then be re-associated with the device structure 202 to be disposed in the device cavity 208.

Referring to FIG. 17, it should be appreciated that the self-retracting isolation device 100, 200 may be associated with other self-retracting isolation devices 100, 200 to form an isolation wall having a greater height than can be achieved with one self-retracting isolation device 100, 200. Referring to FIG. 18, it should also be appreciated that the device structure 102, 202 of the self-retracting isolation device 100, 200 may also be configured to be associated with a covering device 236 to provide protection from the environmental elements, such as rain and sun. Referring to FIG. 19, a third embodiment of a configurable isolation device 300 is shown and includes a device structure 302 defining a barrier cavity 304 for containing a plurality of barrier devices 306 and a device cavity 308 for containing at least one barrier support 310. Referring to FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, a fourth embodiment of a configurable isolation device 400 is shown and includes a device structure 402 defining a barrier cavity 404 for containing at least one barrier device 406 and having at least one barrier support retention device 408 for retaining at least one barrier support 410

It should be appreciated that the barrier 118, 222 may be comprised of any material suitable to the desired end purpose, such as mesh, plastic, screen, cloth, rubber, or any composite thereof. It should also be appreciated that the self retracting isolation device 100, 200 may be associated with any surface, vertically or horizontally, it is deemed to be needed, such as the ground floor, rail, ledge, wall, house and stairs of any outdoor construction. Furthermore, the barrier 118, 222 may be contained within the device structure 102, 202 via any means suitable to the desired end purpose, including but not limited to wrapping the barrier 118, 222, folding the barrier 118, 222 and telescoping the barrier 118, 222. Furthermore, although the barrier connection device 117, 217 is shown herein as being a Velcro type of connection device, the barrier connection device 117, 217 may be any type of barrier connection device 117, 217 suitable to the desired end purpose, such as hooks, clips, magnetic connectors and friction connectors. Moreover, it is contemplated that the device structure 102, 202 and/or barrier 118, 222 may also include a wall mount bracket for mounting the device 102, 202 and/or barrier 118, 222 on a wall. Additionally, the device structure 102, 202 and/or barrier 118, 222 may also be size adjustable to accommodate different uses, such as a countertop and/or table top barrier.

Referring to FIG. 22 and FIG. 23, a first embodiment of a mounting device 700 for mounting the configurable isolation device 100, 200 to a surface is shown and includes a device structure 702 having a structure bottom portion 704 and at least one device structure lip portion 706. The structure bottom portion 704 and the at least one device structure lip portion 706 at least partially defines a structure cavity 708 for removably and securely containing the device bottom portion 214 of the configurable isolation device 100, 200. The mounting device 700 includes a structure interface 710 that includes at least one threaded mounting cavity 712 and at least one threaded structure securing device 714, wherein the at least one threaded mounting cavity 712 is defined by the structure bottom portion 704 and may be sized to accommodate the at least one threaded structure securing device 714 for securing the mounting device 700 to a structure, such as a floor, a patio, boat deck and/or a porch. The mounting device 700 also includes an isolation device mounting interface 716 for securingly associating the configurable isolation device 100, 200 with the mounting device 700. In accordance with a first embodiment, the isolation device mounting interface 716 includes a threaded isolation device mounting apparatus 718 and a threaded isolation device interface cavity 720 which is defined by the device structure lip portion 706. At least one of the threaded isolation device interface cavity 720 and the threaded isolation device mounting apparatus 718 may be sized and shaped to threadingly and securingly engage the other of the threaded isolation device interface cavity 720 and the threaded isolation device mounting apparatus 718.

Referring to FIG. 24, FIG. 25 and FIG. 26, the mounting device 700 may be securingly associated with a structure 722 by positioning the mounting device 700 to be disposed adjacent the structure 722 and inserting the threaded structure securing device 714 within the threaded mounting cavity 712. The threaded structure securing device 714 is rotated such that the threaded structure securing device 714 traverses the threaded mounting cavity 712 in the direction of the structure 722. As the threaded structure securing device 714 traverses the length of the threaded mounting cavity 712 it protrudes from the bottom portion of the threaded mounting cavity 712 to securingly and mountingly engage the structure 722. It should be appreciated that although the structure interface 710 is shown as having at least one threaded mounting cavity 712 and at least one threaded structure securing device 714, the structure interface 710 may be any type of structure interface devices/methods suitable to the desired end purpose of securingly associating the mounting device 700 to a structure, such as clips, bolts, adhesives, quick connect/disconnect device(s) and/or friction type interfaces.

Referring to FIG. 27 and FIG. 28, a configurable isolation device 100, 200 is shown and includes an isolation device mounting interface portion 724 associated with the device bottom portion 214 for securely associating with the threaded isolation device mounting apparatus 718. It should be appreciated that although the isolation device mounting interface portion 724 is shown as having at least one cavity 724 for receiving a portion of the threaded isolation device mounting apparatus 718, the isolation device mounting interface portion 724 may be any type and or quantity of isolation device mounting interface portions 724 suitable to the desired end purpose of securely associating the configurable isolation device 100, 200 with the mounting device 700.

Referring to FIG. 29, FIG. 30 and FIG. 31, the mounting device 700 may be securely associated with the configurable isolation device 100, 200 by associating the device bottom portion 214 of the configurable isolation device 100, 200 with the mounting device 700 such that the device bottom portion 214 is at least partially disposed within the structure cavity 708 to be at least partially sandwiched between the device structure lip portion 706 and the structure bottom portion 704 such that the interface cavity 720 is disposed adjacent the device mounting interface portion 724. Once the interface cavity 720 is disposed to be adjacently aligned with the device mounting interface portion 724, the configurable isolation device 100, 200 may be securely associated with the mounting device 700 by rotating the isolation device mounting apparatus 718. This causes the threaded portion of the isolation device mounting apparatus 718 to threadingly and securingly interact with the threaded portion of the interface cavity 720. As the isolation device mounting apparatus 718 is rotated, the isolation device mounting apparatus 718 protrudes from the bottom portion of the device structure lip portion 706 to be at least partially disposed within the structure cavity 708 and to interact with the device mounting interface portion 724. This causes the configurable isolation device 100, 200 to be securely associated with the mounting device 700. To disassociate the configurable isolation device 100, 200 from the mounting device 700, rotate the isolation device mounting apparatus 718 in a manner reverse to that described hereinabove such that the isolation device mounting apparatus 718 traverses the interface cavity 720 in a direction away from the configurable isolation device 100, 200.

Referring to FIG. 32 and FIG. 33, a second embodiment of a mounting device 800 for mounting the configurable isolation device 100, 200 to a surface is shown and includes a device structure 802 having a structure bottom portion 804 and at least one device structure lip portion 806. The structure bottom portion 804 and the at least one device structure lip portion 806 at least partially defines a structure cavity 808 for removably and securely containing the device bottom portion 214 of the configurable isolation device 100, 200. The mounting device 800 includes a structure interface 810 that includes at least one threaded mounting cavity 812 and at least one threaded structure securing device 814, wherein the at least one threaded mounting cavity 812 is defined by the structure bottom portion 804 and may be sized to accommodate the at least one threaded structure securing device 814 for securing the mounting device 800 to a structure, such as a floor, a patio, boat deck and/or a porch. The mounting device 800 also includes an isolation device mounting interface 816 for securingly associating the configurable isolation device 100, 200 with the mounting device 800. In accordance with a second embodiment, the isolation device mounting interface 816 includes an isolation device mounting apparatus 818 which is resiliently configurable between an engaged configuration 820 and a disengaged configuration 822 via a spring mechanism 824. Although the isolation device mounting interface 816 is shown as being configurable between the engaged configuration 820 and the disengaged configuration 822 via the spring mechanism 824, it should be appreciated that the isolation device mounting interface 816 may be configurable via any method and/or device suitable to the desired end purpose, such as a snapping mechanism.

Referring to FIG. 34 and FIG. 35, the mounting device 800 may be securely associated with the configurable isolation device 100, 200 by associating the device bottom portion 214 of the configurable isolation device 100, 200 with the mounting device 800 such that the device bottom portion 214 is at least partially disposed within the structure cavity 808. As the device bottom portion 214 is disposed within the structure cavity 808, a force is applied to the isolation device mounting apparatus 818 in a direction away from the structure cavity 808 allowing the device bottom portion 214 to slide within the structure cavity 808. Once the device bottom portion 214 is disposed within the structure cavity 808 such that the interface cavity 724 is adjacent the isolation device mounting portion 818, a force is applied to the isolation device mounting apparatus 818 in a direction toward from the structure cavity 808 such that the isolation device mounting apparatus 818 is at least partially disposed within the interface cavity 724. To disassociate the configurable isolation device 100, 200 from the mounting device 800, a force is applied to the isolation device mounting apparatus 818 in a direction away from the structure cavity 808 allowing the device bottom portion 214 to be disassociated from the structure cavity 808 and thus the configurable isolation device 100, 200.

Referring to FIG. 36 and FIG. 37, a third embodiment of a mounting device 900 for mounting the configurable isolation device 100, 200 to a surface is shown and includes a device structure 902 having a structure bottom portion 904 and a extraction structure 906 having an extraction structure bottom portion 908. The extraction structure 906 includes an extraction structure mounting interface 910 for securingly associating with the barrier 118, 222. The device structure 902 includes at least one device structure attachment device 912 and the extraction structure mounting interface 910 includes at least one extraction structure attachment device 914, wherein at least one of the extraction structure attachment device 914 and the device structure attachment device 912 is configured to securingly interact with the other of the extraction structure attachment device 914 and the device structure attachment device 912.

In this embodiment, when the extraction structure attachment device 914 and the device structure attachment device 912 are securingly engaged with each other, the extraction structure 906 may be used to carry the mounting device 900. As shown in FIG. 38, it should be appreciated that the extraction structure 906 may be rotatably associated with the extraction structure bottom portion 908 such that the extraction structure 906 controllably rotates relative to the extraction structure bottom portion 908 for mounting on a sloped surface, such as a boat deck. This allows the extraction structure attachment device 914 and the device structure attachment device 912 to be rotatably disassociated from each other. To implement the mounting device 900, the device structure 902 is fastened to a structure, such as a patio deck or a boat deck as described in further detail hereinabove, and the extraction structure 906 is pulled away from the device structure 902 to extract the barrier 118,222 from the device structure 902. The extraction structure 906 may then be fastened to the structure as described in further detail hereinabove.

It should be further appreciated that the barrier 118, 222 may be constructed from a material having a predetermined design for aesthetic purposes and/or a material that blocks the view from only one side of the barrier 118, 222. Also, it is further contemplated that the barrier device 106, 206 and/or the barrier 118, 222 may be removably associated with the device structure 102, 202 to allow the barrier 118, 222 and/or the barrier device 106, 206 to be removed and/or replaced from the barrier structure 102, 202.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it should be understood by those skilled 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, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or substance to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is important that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the apportioned claims. Moreover, unless specifically stated any use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another.

Claims

1. A mounting device, comprising:

a device base portion;

a device side portion; and

at least one device lip portion, wherein said at least one device lip portion is associated with said device base portion via said device side portion, said device base portion, device side portion and said at least one device lip portion defining a mounting device cavity for removably containing at least a portion of a configurable isolation device.

2. A mounting device according to claim 1, wherein said device base portion defines a threaded structure mounting cavity and includes a device base portion top communicated with a device base portion bottom via said threaded structure mounting cavity.

3. A mounting device according to claim 2, further comprising a threaded structure mounting apparatus, wherein said threaded structure mounting apparatus is sized and shaped such that when said threaded structure mounting apparatus is associated with said threaded structure mounting cavity said threaded structure mounting apparatus protrudes from said device base portion bottom to securingly interact with a support structure.

4. A mounting device according to claim 3, wherein said threaded structure mounting apparatus securingly interacts with said support structure via a support structure interface device.

5. A mounting device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one lip portion defines an isolation device interface cavity and includes a device lip portion top communicated with a device lip portion bottom via said isolation device interface cavity.

6. A mounting device according to claim 5, further comprising an isolation device interface apparatus, wherein said isolation device interface apparatus is configurable between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration.

7. A mounting device according to claim 6, wherein when said isolation device interface apparatus in configured into said engaged configuration, said isolation device interface apparatus is lockingly disposed within said isolation device interface cavity such that a portion of said isolation device interface apparatus is protruding into said mounting device cavity via said device lip portion bottom.

8. A mounting device according to claim 6, wherein when said isolation device interface apparatus in configured into said disengaged configuration, said isolation device interface apparatus is disposed within said isolation device interface cavity such that a portion of said isolation device interface apparatus is protruding away from said mounting device cavity via in the direction of said device lip portion top.

9. A mounting device according to claim 6, wherein said isolation device interface apparatus is lockingly and resiliently configurable between said engaged configuration and said disengaged configuration via a resilient member.

10. A mounting device according to claim 5, further comprising a threaded isolation device interface apparatus and wherein said isolation device interface cavity includes a threaded portion for threadingly interacting with said threaded isolation device interface apparatus, wherein said threaded isolation device interface apparatus is configurable between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration.

11. A mounting device according to claim 10, wherein when said threaded isolation device interface apparatus in configured into said engaged configuration, said threaded isolation device interface apparatus is disposed within said isolation device interface cavity to be threadingly associated with said threaded portion such that a portion of said threaded isolation device interface apparatus is protruding into said mounting device cavity via said device lip portion bottom.

12. A mounting device for associating a configurable isolation device with a support structure, wherein the configurable isolation device includes a barrier having a first barrier end and a second barrier end, wherein the first barrier end includes a barrier connection device for connecting the first barrier end to a structure and a barrier configuration device, wherein the barrier configuration device is non-movably associated with the second barrier end and wherein the barrier configuration device is rotatable about an axis a to configure the barrier between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration, the mounting device comprising:

a support structure mounting apparatus for securely associating the mounting device with a support structure; and

an isolation device interface apparatus for securely associating the configurable isolation device with the mounting device.

13. A mounting device according to claim 12, wherein said mounting device defines a structure mounting cavity for securingly containing said support structure mounting apparatus.

14. A mounting device according to claim 13, further comprising a support structure interface device for interfacing with said support structure mounting apparatus to securely associate the mounting device with said support structure.

15. A mounting device according to claim 12, wherein said mounting device defines a mounting device cavity for removably containing a portion of the configurable isolation device.

16. A mounting device according to claim 15, wherein said mounting device further defines an isolation device interface cavity and includes an isolation device interface apparatus, wherein said isolation device interface apparatus is configurable between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration.

17. A mounting device according to claim 16, wherein when said isolation device interface apparatus in configured into said engaged configuration, said isolation device interface apparatus is disposed within said isolation device interface cavity such that a portion of said isolation device interface apparatus is protruding into said mounting device cavity.

18. A mounting device according to claim 12, wherein said isolation device interface apparatus is lockingly and resiliently configurable between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration via a resilient member.

19. A mounting device according to claim 12, further comprising a threaded isolation device interface apparatus and wherein said isolation device interface cavity includes a threaded portion for threadingly interacting with said threaded isolation device interface apparatus, wherein said threaded isolation device interface apparatus is configurable between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration.

20. A mounting device for associating a configurable isolation device with a support structure, the mounting device comprising:

a support structure mounting apparatus for securely associating the mounting device with a support structure; and

an isolation device interface apparatus for securely associating the configurable isolation device with the mounting device.