Apparatus, System, and Method for a Mounting Shoe with Locking Projection

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method for a mounting shoe with a locking projection is disclosed. A mounting shoe has a shoe body. A base is connected to a bottom of the shoe body, the base having a channel formed through the base between a first side and a second side. A locking projection is removably positioned within a hole positioned through the shoe body and the base, wherein the hole extends from a top surface of the shoe body to a ceiling of the channel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mounting shoe comprising:
 a shoe body;   a base connected to a bottom of the shoe body, the base having a channel formed through the base between a first side and a second side, wherein the channel has at least first and second angled sidewalls, wherein a first distance between the first and second angled sidewalls at a location proximate to a ceiling of the channel is greater than a second distance between the first and second angled sidewalls at a location proximate to a bottom surface of the base; and   a locking projection removably positioned within a hole positioned through the shoe body and the base, wherein the hole extends from a top surface of the shoe body to a ceiling of the channel.   
     
     
         2 . The mounting shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the locking projection further comprises a threaded screw, and wherein the threaded screw is engagable with a threaded, internal sidewall of the hole. 
     
     
         3 . The mounting shoe of  claim 2 , wherein the threaded screw further comprises a set screw. 
     
     
         4 . The mounting shoe of  claim 2 , wherein the threaded screw is positioned fully below the top surface of the shoe body. 
     
     
         5 . The mounting shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the locking projection is movable between engaged and disengaged positions, wherein in the engaged position, the locking projection is at least partially intersecting the channel, and wherein in the disengaged position, the locking projection is non-intersecting with the channel. 
     
     
         6 . The mounting shoe of  claim 1 , wherein a center line of the channel is offset from a center line of the shoe body. 
     
     
         7 . A mounting shoe comprising:
 a shoe body;   a base connected to a bottom of the shoe body, the base having a channel formed through the base between a first side and a second side; and   
       a locking projection removably positioned within a hole positioned through the shoe body and the base, wherein the locking projection formed on a biased lever, wherein the biased lever is positioned within at least a portion of the shoe body, wherein the biased lever is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position to move the locking projection between nonintersecting and intersecting positions within the channel. 
     
     
         8 . The mounting shoe of  claim 7 , wherein the locking projection is movable between engaged and disengaged positions, wherein in the engaged position, the locking projection is at least partially intersecting the channel, and wherein in the disengaged position, the locking projection is non-intersecting the channel. 
     
     
         9 . The mounting shoe of  claim 7 , wherein a center line of the channel is offset from a center line of the shoe body. 
     
     
         10 . The mounting shoe of  claim 7 , wherein the channel has at least first and second angled sidewalls, wherein a first distance between the first and second angled sidewalls at a location proximate to a ceiling of the channel is greater than a second distance between the first and second angled sidewalls at a location proximate to a bottom surface of the base. 
     
     
         11 . An optical device mounting system comprising:
 an optical device having a chassis;   a plate attachable to the chassis;   a mounting shoe having a channel, wherein the mounting shoe is attachable to the plate by engaging rail edges of the plate with the channel; and   a locking projection positionable at least partially in the channel   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the locking projection further comprises a threaded set screw, and wherein the threaded screw is engagable with a threaded, internal sidewall of a hole in the mounting shoe. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein a center line of the channel is offset from a center line of the mounting shoe. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the chassis and the plate are formed from metal. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the plate has at least one cavity formed therein, wherein the locking projection is at least partially engagable with the at least one cavity. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one cavity further comprises at least two circular cavities positioned along a length of the plate. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein when the locking projection is positioned through the at least one cavity, translational movement between the mounting shoe and the plate is prevented. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the locking projection extends below an upper surface of the plate. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the channel further comprises at least first and second angled sidewalls, wherein the rail edges of the plate are slidably engagable with the first and second angled sidewalls. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the locking projection is formed on a biased lever, wherein the biased lever is positioned within at least a portion of the mounting shoe, wherein the biased lever is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position to move the locking projection between nonintersecting and intersecting positions within the plate.