Mounts for tracking devices

Abstract

Mounts (10) for securing a device (12) to an article (14) comprise a housing (16) having an internal volume (18) configured to selectively receive and retain the device (12) in the housing (16); and a coupler (20) attached to the housing (16) and configured to be operatively attached to the article (14).

1 . A mount ( 10 ) for securing a stand-alone tracking device ( 12 ) to an article ( 14 ), the mount ( 10 ) comprising:
 a housing ( 16 ) having a generally frustoconical shape with a circular profile, wherein the housing ( 16 ) defines an internal volume ( 18 ) configured to selectively receive and retain the stand-alone tracking device ( 12 ) in the housing ( 16 ); and   a coupler ( 20 ) attached to the housing ( 16 ) and configured to be operatively attached to the article ( 14 ).   
     
     
         2 . The mount ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the coupler ( 20 ) comprises a double-sided foam tape ( 70 ). 
     
     
         3 . The mount ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the coupler ( 20 ) defines a coupler aperture ( 28 ), and wherein the housing ( 16 ) extends into the coupler aperture ( 28 ). 
     
     
         4 . The mount ( 10 ) of  claim 3 , wherein the housing ( 16 ) does not extend fully through the coupler aperture ( 28 ). 
     
     
         5 . The mount ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the housing ( 16 ) comprises an upper surface ( 36 ) opposite the coupler ( 20 ), wherein the upper surface ( 36 ) has a central region ( 30 ) and a peripheral region ( 32 ) extending around the central region ( 30 ), wherein the central region ( 30 ) is at least substantially flat, wherein the peripheral region ( 32 ) slopes away from the central region ( 30 ), and wherein at least a substantial portion of the peripheral region ( 32 ) extends at an angle ( 34 ) of 200-235 degrees relative to the central region ( 30 ). 
     
     
         6 . The mount ( 10 ) of  claim 5 , wherein the housing ( 16 ) has a housing diameter ( 40 ), and wherein the central region ( 30 ) has a central-region diameter ( 42 ) that is 60-90% of the housing diameter ( 40 ). 
     
     
         7 . The mount ( 10 ) of  claim 5 , wherein the housing ( 16 ) has a housing diameter ( 40 ) and a housing height ( 86 ), and wherein the housing diameter ( 40 ) is 4-6 times the housing height ( 86 ). 
     
     
         8 . The mount ( 10 ) of  claim 5 , wherein the housing ( 16 ) has a housing diameter ( 40 ), and wherein the central region ( 30 ) has a central-region diameter ( 42 ) that is 70-80% of the housing diameter ( 40 ). 
     
     
         9 . The mount ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the housing ( 16 ) has a lower surface ( 66 ) to which the coupler ( 20 ) is attached, and wherein the housing ( 16 ) defines a plurality of spaced-apart cavities ( 88 ) extending into the housing ( 16 ) from the lower surface ( 66 ), and wherein the plurality of spaced-apart cavities ( 88 ) are spaced radially around a central axis ( 50 ) of the mount ( 10 ). 
     
     
         10 . The mount ( 10 ) of  claim 1  in combination with the stand-alone tracking device ( 12 ) positioned within the internal volume ( 18 ). 
     
     
         11 . The mount ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the coupler ( 20 ) comprises a double-sided foam tape ( 70 ), wherein the double-sided foam tape ( 70 ) defines a coupler aperture ( 28 ), wherein the housing ( 16 ) extends into the coupler aperture ( 28 ), and wherein the housing ( 16 ) does not extend fully through the coupler aperture ( 28 ). 
     
     
         12 . The mount ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the internal volume ( 18 ) has a circular profile.