초록 ▼

A deformable device mountable by suction on a mounting surface including a body having an inner surface and a periphery. The inner surface has a concave portion and a suction portion contiguous with suction created to mount the body on the mounting surface. The inner surface includes a boundary defi

A deformable device mountable by suction on a mounting surface including a body having an inner surface and a periphery. The inner surface has a concave portion and a suction portion contiguous with suction created to mount the body on the mounting surface. The inner surface includes a boundary defining the suction portion, an additional portion between the boundary and the periphery, and a bend adjacent the boundary at which the inner surface curves away from the mounting surface. The body is deformable from an undeformed shape to an actuated shape to mount the body on the mounting surface by positioning the inner surface of the undeformed body adjacent the mounting surface thereby forming a cavity and deforming the body to the actuated shape thereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid from the cavity to create suction between the body and the mounting surface.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A deformable device mountable by suction on a generally smooth mounting surface comprising a body including: an outer surface; a periphery extending around the body surrounding the outer surface; and an inner surface opposite said outer surface, said inner surface having a co

What is claimed is: 1. A deformable device mountable by suction on a generally smooth mounting surface comprising a body including: an outer surface; a periphery extending around the body surrounding the outer surface; and an inner surface opposite said outer surface, said inner surface having a concave portion opposite said outer surface when the body is undeformed, said concave portion including a suction portion contiguous with suction created to mount the body on said mounting surface during use, said inner surface including a boundary defining said suction portion and an additional portion between said boundary of said suction portion and said periphery of the body, said inner surface including a bend adjacent said boundary at which the inner surface curves away from the mounting surface when the inner surface of the body is positioned on the mounting surface; wherein the body is deformable from an undeformed shape to an actuated shape to mount the body on the mounting surface by positioning the inner surface of the body adjacent the mounting surface when the body is in the undeformed shape thereby forming a cavity between said suction portion and the mounting surface and deforming the body to its actuated shape thereby scaling the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid out of the cavity to create suction between the body and the mounting surface thereby securing the body to the mounting surface; wherein said bend adjacent the boundary of the suction portion is a first bend and the inner surface further includes a second bend between said first bend and said periphery in which the additional portion of the body curves in a direction that is opposite from a bending direction of the first bend; and wherein the body further comprises a pad between said second bend and said periphery contacting said mounting surface when the device is mounted on the mounting surface. 2. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said outer surface is substantially free of protrusions. 3. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the periphery varies from circular. 4. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the device is configured so that said periphery and the mounting surface are separable by a maximum clearance of between about 0.016 inch and about 0.063 inch while the body is secured to the mounting surface. 5. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the body is configured so that substantially alt of the inner surface between the boundary and the periphery contacts the mounting surface when the body is in the actuated shape and secured to the mounting surface. 6. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein: any tangent of the inner surface extends at angle with respect to the mounting surface when the body is in its undeformed shape and the inner surface is positioned adjacent the mounting surface; and the angle of each such tangent varies from the angle of every other such tangent by about 85° or less. 7. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein a thickness measured between said inner surface and said outer surface is generally constant throughout the body. 8. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein a thickness measured between said inner surface and said outer surface tapers from a maximum thickness within the suction portion to a minimum thickness at the periphery. 9. A deformable device mountable by suction on a generally smooth mounting surface comprising: a body including: an outer surface; a periphery extending around the body surrounding the outer surface; and an inner surface opposite said outer surface, said inner surface having a concave portion opposite said outer surface when the body is undeformed, said concave portion having a center and including a suction portion contiguous with suction created to mount the body on said mounting surface during use, the suction portion having a central region including said center of the concave portion, the inner surface including a boundary defining the suction portion and an additional portion between the suction portion and the periphery; wherein the body is deformable from an undeformed shape to an actuated shape to mount the body on the mounting surface by positioning the inner surface of the body adjacent the mounting surface when the body is in the undeformed shape thereby forming a cavity between said suction portion and the mounting surface and deforming the body to its actuated shape thereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid out of the cavity to create a suction between the body and the mounting surface thereby securing the body to the mounting surface; wherein tangents of the inner surface extend at corresponding angles with respect to the mounting surface when the inner surface is positioned adjacent the mounting surface and each angle of said angles varies from each other angle of said angles by about 85° or less when the body is in the undeformed shape; wherein the inner surface includes: a first region adjacent the central region having a first tangent of said tangents; a second region between the first region and the boundary having a second tangent of said tangents; a third region adjacent the boundary having a third tangent of said tangents; and a fourth region between the boundary and the periphery having a fourth tangent of said tangents; wherein, when the body is in its undeformed shape and said inner surface of the body is positioned adjacent the mounting surface: the first tangent is generally parallel to the mounting surface; the second tangent extends at a second angle with respect to the mounting surface; the third tangent extends at a third angle with respect to the mounting surface that is less than the second angle; and the fourth tangent extends at a fourth angle with respect to the mounting surface that is less than the third angle; and wherein the body is configured so that when the body is in the actuated shape and mounted on the mounting surface: the first tangent is generally parallel to the mounting surface; an angle at which the second tangent extends with respect to the mounting surface is less than the angle at which the tangent of the second region extends with respect to the mounting surface when the body is in the undeformed shape and the inner surface of the body is positioned adjacent the mounting surface; and the third tangent of said third region is generally parallel to the mounting surface. 10. A device as set forth in claim 9 wherein a thickness measured between said inner surface and said outer surface is generally constant throughout the body or tapers from a maximum thickness within the suction portion to a minimum thickness at the periphery. 11. A device as set forth in claim 9 wherein, when the body is in the actuated shape and mounted on the mounting surface, said fourth tangent is sloped away from the mounting surface. 12. A device as set forth in claim 9 wherein: the inner surface includes a fifth region between the fourth region and the periphery having a fifth tangent and a sixth region between the fifth region and the periphery having a sixth tangent; and when the body is in the undeformed shape and the inner surface is positioned adjacent the mounting surface: the fifth tangent extends at an angle with respect to the mounting surface that is greater than the fourth angle; and the sixth tangent extends at an angle with respect to the mounting surface that is greater than the fifth angle. 13. A device as set fourth in claim 12 wherein, when the body is in the actuated shape and mounted on the mounting surface: the first tangent is generally parallel to the mounting surface; an angle at which the second tangent extends with respect to the mounting surface is less than the angle at which the second tangent extends with respect to the mounting surface when the body is in the undeformed shape and the inner surface of the body is positioned adjacent the mounting surface; the third tangent is generally parallel to the mounting surface; the fourth tangent is generally parallel to or sloped away from the mounting surface; the fifth tangent is generally parallel to the mounting surface; and the sixth tangent is generally parallel to the mounting surface. 14. A device as set forth in claim 9 wherein each angle of said angles varies from each other angle of said angles by less than about 57° when the body is in the undeformed shape. 15. A device as set forth in claim 9 wherein said outer surface is substantially free of protrusions. 16. A device as set forth in claim 9 wherein the periphery varies from circular. 17. A device as set forth in claim 9 wherein the body is configured so that substantially all of the inner surface between the boundary and the periphery contacts the mounting surface when the body is in the actuated shape and secured to the mounting surface. 18. A device as set forth in claim 9 wherein a thickness measured between said inner surface and said outer surface is generally constant throughout the body. 19. A device as set forth in claim 9 wherein a thickness measured between said inner surface and said outer surface tapers from a maximum thickness within the suction portion to a minimum thickness at the periphery. 20. A deformable device mountable by suction on a generally smooth mounting surface comprising: a body including: an outer surface; a periphery extending around the body surrounding the outer surface; and an inner surface opposite said outer surface, said inner surface having a concave portion opposite said outer surface when the body is undeformed, said concave portion having a center and including a suction portion contiguous with suction created to mount the body on said mounting surface during use, the suction portion having a central region including said center of the concave portion, the inner surface including a boundary defining the suction portion and an additional portion between the suction portion and the periphery; wherein the body is deformable from an undeformed shape to an actuated shape to mount the body on the mounting surface by positioning the inner surface of the body adjacent the mounting surface when the body is in the undeformed shape thereby forming a cavity between said suction portion and the mounting surface and deforming the body to its actuated shape thereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid out of the cavity to create a suction between the body and the mounting surface thereby securing the body to the mounting surface; wherein the inner surface includes: a first region adjacent the central region having a first tangent; a second region between the first region and the boundary having a second tangent; a third region adjacent the boundary having a third tangent; and a fourth region between the boundary and the periphery having a fourth tangent; a fifth region between the fourth region and the periphery having a fifth tangent; and a sixth region between the fifth region and the periphery having a sixth tangent; wherein, when the body is in its undeformed shape and said inner surface of the body is positioned adjacent the mounting surface: the first tangent is generally parallel to the mounting surface; the second tangent extends at a second angle with respect to the mounting surface; the third tangent extends at a third angle with respect to the mounting surface that is less than the second angle; and the fourth tangent extends at a fourth angle with respect to the mounting surface that is less than the third angle; the fifth tangent extends at an angle with respect to the mounting surface that is greater than the fourth angle; the sixth tangent extends at an angle with respect to the mounting surface that is greater than the fifth angle; and wherein the body further comprises a pad in the sixth region contacting said mounting surface when the device is mounted on the mounting surface. 21. A device as set forth in claim 20 wherein said outer surface is substantially free of protrusions. 22. A device as set forth in claim 20 wherein the periphery varies from circular. 23. A device as set forth in claim 20 wherein the body is configured so that substantially all of the inner surface between the boundary and the periphery contacts the mounting surface when the body is in the actuated shape and secured to the mounting surface. 24. A device as set forth in claim 20 wherein: every tangent of the inner surface, including said first, second, third, and fourth inner-surface tangents, extends at a corresponding angle with respect to the mounting surface when the body is in its undeformed shape and the inner surface is positioned adjacent the mounting surface; and each angle of said angles varies from each other angle of said angles by about 85° or less. 25. A device as set forth in claim 20 wherein a thickness measured between said inner surface and said outer surface is generally constant throughout the body. 26. A device as set forth in claim 20 wherein a thickness measured between said inner surface and said outer surface tapers from a maximum thickness within the suction portion to a minimum thickness at the periphery. 27. A deformable device mountable by suction on a generally smooth mounting surface comprising: a body including: an outer surface; a periphery extending around the body surrounding the outer surface; and an inner surface opposite said outer surface, said inner surface having a concave portion opposite said outer surface when the body is undeformed, said concave portion having a center and including a suction portion contiguous with suction created to mount the body on said mounting surface during use, the suction portion having a central region including said center of the concave portion, the inner surface including a boundary defining the suction portion and an additional portion between the suction portion and the periphery; wherein a thickness measured between the inner surface and the outer surface tapers from a maximum thickness adjacent the center of the concave portion to a minimum thickness at the periphery; wherein the body is deformable from an undeformed shape to an actuated shape to mount the body on the mounting surface by positioning the inner surface of the body adjacent the mounting surface when the body is in the undeformed shape thereby forming a cavity between said suction portion and the mounting surface and deforming the body to its actuated shape thereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid out of the cavity to create a suction between the body and the mounting surface thereby seeming the body to the mounting surface; wherein the inner surface includes: a first inner region adjacent the central region having a first inner tangent; a second inner region between the first inner region and the boundary having a second inner tangent; a third inner region adjacent the boundary having a third inner tangent; and a fourth inner region between the boundary and the periphery having a fourth inner tangent; wherein, when the body is in its undeformed shape and said inner surface of the body is positioned adjacent the mounting surface: the first inner tangent is generally parallel to the mounting surface; the second inner tangent extends at a second inner angle with respect to the mounting surface; the third inner tangent extends at a third inner angle with respect to the mounting surface that is less than the second inner angle; and the fourth inner tangent extends at a fourth inner angle with respect to the mounting surface that is less than the third inner angle; and wherein the outer surface includes: a first outer region opposite the first inner region, the first outer region having a first outer tangent being substantially parallel to the first inner tangent; a second outer region opposite the second inner region, the second outer region having a second outer tangent being substantially parallel to the second inner tangent; a third outer region opposite the third inner region, the third outer region having a third outer tangent being substantially parallel to the third inner tangent; and a fourth outer region opposite the fourth inner region, the fourth outer region having a fourth outer tangent being substantially parallel to the fourth inner tangent. 28. A device as set forth in claim 27 wherein: the inner surface further includes: a fifth inner region between the fourth inner region and the periphery, the inner surface in the fifth region having a fifth inner tangent; and a sixth inner region between the fifth region of the inner surface and the periphery, the inner surface in the sixth region having a sixth inner tangent; when the body is in the undeformed shape and the inner surface is positioned adjacent the mounting surface: the fifth inner tangent extends at a fifth inner angle with respect to the mounting surface that is greater than the fourth inner angle; and the sixth inner tangent extends at an inner angle with respect to the mounting surface that is greater than the fifth inner angle; and the outer surface further includes: a fifth outer region opposite the fifth inner region the fifth outer region having a fifth outer tangent being substantially parallel to the fifth inner tangent; and a sixth outer region opposite the sixth inner region, the sixth outer region having a sixth outer tangent being substantially parallel to the sixth inner tangent. 29. A device as set forth in claim 27 wherein said outer surface is substantially free of protrusions. 30. A device as set forth in claim 27 wherein the periphery varies from circular. 31. A device as set forth in claim 27 wherein: every tangent of the inner surface, including said first, second, third, and fourth inner-surface tangents, extends at a corresponding angle with respect to the mounting surface when the body is in its undeformed shape and the inner surface is positioned adjacent the mounting surface; and each angle of said angles varies from each other angle of said angles by about 85° or less. 32. A deformable device mountable by suction on a generally smooth mounting surface comprising a body including: an outer surface; a periphery extending around the body surrounding the outer surface; and an inner surface opposite said outer surface, said inner surface having a concave portion opposite said outer surface when the body is undeformed, said concave portion including a suction portion contiguous with suction created to mount the body on said mounting surface during use, said inner surface including a boundary defining said suction portion and an additional portion between said boundary of said suction portion and said periphery of the body; wherein said inner surface includes an inner-surface bend adjacent said boundary at which the inner surface curves away from the mounting surface when the inner surface of the body is positioned on the mounting surface; wherein said outer surface includes an outer-surface bend corresponding to and opposite the inner-surface bend; and wherein the body is deformable from an undeformed shape to an actuated shape to mount the body on the mounting surface by positioning the inner surface of the body adjacent the mounting surface when the body is in the undeformed shape thereby forming a cavity between said suction portion and the mounting surface and deforming the body to its actuated shape thereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid out of the cavity to create suction between the body and the mounting surface thereby securing the body to the mounting surface; and wherein the body is configured to have one or more characteristics selected from a group of characteristics consisting of: a mass of the additional portion is at least about 7% of a mass of the body; and a distance between said boundary and said periphery is at least about 6% of a maximum length of the body; wherein the body is configured so that when the body is in the undeformed shape a first tangent of the inner surface within the inner-surface bend is generally parallel to the mounting surface; and wherein the body is configured so that when the body is in the actuated shape and mounted on the mounting surface said first tangent of the inner surface of the body is generally parallel to the mounting surface. 33. A device as set forth in claim 32 wherein the body is configured so that substantially all of the inner surface between the boundary and the periphery contacts the mounting surface when the body is in the actuated shape and secured to the mounting surface. 34. A device as set forth in claim 32 wherein tangents of the inner surface, including said first tangent, extend at corresponding angles with respect to the mounting surface when the inner surface is positioned adjacent the mounting surface and each angle of said angles varies from each other angle of said angles by about 85° or less when the body is in the undeformed shape. 35. A device as set forth in claim 32 wherein the periphery varies from circular. 36. A device as set forth in claim 32 wherein said inner-surface bend adjacent the boundary of the suction portion is a first inner-surface bend and the inner surface further includes a second inner-surface bend between said first inner-surface bend and said periphery in which the inner surface of the additional portion of the body curves in a direction that is opposite from a bending direction of the first inner-surface bend. 37. A device as set forth in claim 32 wherein said outer-surface bend is a first outer-surface bend and the outer surface further includes a second outer-surface bend between said first outer-surface bend and said periphery in which the outer surface of the additional portion of the body curves in a direction that is opposite from a bending direction of the first outer-surface bend. 38. A device as set forth in claim 32 wherein a thickness measured between said inner surface and said outer surface is generally constant throughout the body. 39. A device as set forth in claim 32 wherein a thickness measured between said inner surface and said outer surface tapers from a maximum thickness within the suction portion to a minimum thickness at the periphery. 40. A device as set forth in claim 32 wherein said outer surface is substantially free of protrusions. 41. A deformable device mountable by suction on a generally smooth mounting surface comprising: a body including: an outer surface; a periphery extending around the body surrounding the outer surface; and an inner surface opposite said outer surface, said inner surface having a concave portion opposite said outer surface when the body is undeformed, said concave portion having a center and including a suction portion contiguous with suction created to mount the body on said mounting surface during use, the suction portion having a central region including said center of the concave portion, the inner surface including a boundary defining the suction portion and an additional portion between the suction portion and the periphery; wherein the body is deformable from an undeformed shape to an actuated shape to mount the body on the mounting surface by positioning the inner surface of the body adjacent the mounting surface when the body is in the undeformed shape thereby forming a cavity between said suction portion and the mounting surface and deforming the body to its actuated shape thereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid out of the cavity to create a suction between the body and the mounting surface thereby securing the body to the mounting surface; wherein the inner surface includes: a first region adjacent the central region having a first tangent of said tangents; a second region between the first region and the boundary having a second tangent of said tangents; a third region adjacent the boundary having a third tangent of said tangents; and a fourth region between the boundary and the periphery having a fourth tangent of said tangents; wherein, when the body is in its undeformed shape and said inner surface of the body is positioned adjacent the mounting surface: the first tangent is generally parallel to the mounting surface; the second tangent extends at a second angle with respect to the mounting surface; the third tangent extends at a third angle with respect to the mounting surface that is less than the second angle; and the fourth tangent extends at a fourth angle with respect to the mounting surface that is less than the third angle; and wherein the body is configured so that substantially all of the inner surface between the boundary and the periphery contacts the mounting surface when the body is in the actuated shape and secured to the mounting surface. 42. A device as set forth in claim 41 wherein said outer surface is substantially free of protrusions. 43. A device as set forth in claim 41 wherein the periphery varies from circular. 44. A device as set forth in claim 41 wherein: the inner surface includes a fifth region between the fourth region and the periphery having a fifth tangent and a sixth region between the fifth region and the periphery having a sixth tangent; and when the body is in the undeformed shape and the inner surface is positioned adjacent the mounting surface: the fifth tangent extends at an angle with respect to the mounting surface that is greater than the fourth angle; and the sixth tangent extends at an angle with respect to the mounting surface that is greater than the fifth angle. 45. A device as set forth in claim 41 wherein: every tangent of the inner surface, including said first, second, third, and fourth inner-surface tangents, extends at a corresponding angle with respect to the mounting surface when the body is in its undeformed shape and the inner surface is positioned adjacent the mounting surface; and each angle of said angles varies from each other angle of said angles by about 85° or less. 46. A device as set forth in claim 41 wherein a thickness measured between said inner surface and said outer surface is generally constant throughout the body. 47. A device as set forth in claim 41 wherein a thickness measured between said inner surface and said outer surface tapers from a maximum thickness within the suction portion to a minimum thickness at the periphery. 48. A deformable device mountable by suction on a generally smooth mounting surface comprising: a body including: an outer surface; a periphery extending around the body surrounding the outer surface; and an inner surface opposite said outer surface, said inner surface having a concave portion opposite said outer surface when the body is undeformed, said concave portion having a center and including a suction portion contiguous with suction created to mount the body on said mounting surface during use, the suction portion having a central region including said center of the concave portion, the inner surface including a boundary defining the suction portion and an additional portion between the suction portion and the periphery; wherein a thickness measured between the inner surface and the outer surface tapers from a maximum thickness adjacent the center of the concave portion within the suction portion to a minimum thickness at the periphery; wherein the body is deformable from an undeformed shape to an actuated shape to mount the body on the mounting surface by positioning the inner surface of the body adjacent the mounting surface when the body is in the undeformed shape thereby forming a cavity between said suction portion and the mounting surface and deforming the body to its actuated shape thereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid out of the cavity to create a suction between the body and the mounting surface thereby securing the body to the mounting surface; wherein the inner surface includes: a first region adjacent the central region having a first tangent of said tangents; a second region between the first region and the boundary having a second tangent of said tangents; a third region adjacent the boundary having a third tangent of said tangents; and a fourth region between the boundary and the periphery having a fourth tangent of said tangents; and wherein, when the body is in its undeformed shape and said inner surface of the body is positioned adjacent the mounting surface: the first tangent is generally parallel to the mounting surface; the second tangent extends at a second angle with respect to the mounting surface; the third tangent extends at a third angle with respect to the mounting surface that is less than the second angle; and the fourth tangent extends at a fourth angle with respect to the mounting surface that is less than the third angle. 49. A device as set forth in claim 48 wherein: every tangent of the inner surface, including said first, second, third, and fourth inner-surface tangents, extends at a corresponding angle with respect to the mounting surface when the body is in its undeformed shape and the inner surface is positioned adjacent the mounting surface; and each angle of said angles varies from each other angle of said angles by about 85° or less. 50. A device as set forth in claim 48 wherein the body is configured so that substantially all of the inner surface between the boundary and the periphery contacts the mounting surface when the body is in the actuated shape and secured to the mounting surface. 51. A device as set forth in claim 48 wherein said outer surface is substantially free of protrusions. 52. A device as set forth in claim 48 wherein the periphery varies from circular. 53. A device as set forth in claim 48 wherein: the inner surface includes a fifth region between the fourth region and the periphery having a fifth tangent and a sixth region between the fifth region and the periphery having a sixth tangent; and when the body is in the undeformed shape and the inner surface is positioned adjacent the mounting surface: the fifth tangent extends at an angle with respect to the mounting surface that is greater than the fourth angle; and the sixth tangent extends at an angle with respect to the mounting surface that is greater than the fifth angle. 54. A deformable device mountable by suction on a generally smooth mounting surface comprising: a body including: an outer surface; a periphery extending around the body surrounding the outer surface; and an inner surface opposite said outer surface, said inner surface having a concave portion opposite said outer surface when the body is undeformed, said concave portion having a center and including a suction portion contiguous with suction created to mount the body on said mounting surface during use, the suction portion having a central region including said center of the concave portion, the inner surface including a boundary defining the suction portion and an additional portion between the suction portion and the periphery; wherein the body is deformable from an undeformed shape to an actuated shape to mount the body on the mounting surface by positioning the inner surface of the body adjacent the mounting surface when the body is in the undeformed shape thereby forming a cavity between said suction portion and the mounting surface and deforming the body to its actuated shape thereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid out of the cavity to create a suction between the body and the mounting surface thereby securing the body to the mounting surface; wherein the inner surface includes: a first region adjacent the central region having a first tangent; a second region between the first region and the boundary having a second tangent; a third region adjacent the boundary having a third tangent; and a fourth region between the boundary and the periphery having a fourth tangent; a fifth region between the fourth region and the periphery having a fifth tangent; and a sixth region between the fifth region and the periphery having a sixth tangent; and wherein, when the body is in its undeformed shape and said inner surface of the body is positioned adjacent the mounting surface: the first tangent is generally parallel to the mounting surface; the second tangent extends at a second angle with respect to the mounting surface; the third tangent extends at a third angle with respect to the mounting surface that is less than the second angle; and the fourth tangent extends at a fourth angle with respect to the mounting surface that is less than the third angle; the fifth tangent extends at an angle with respect to the mounting surface that is greater than the fourth angle; and the sixth tangent extends at an angle with respect to the mounting surface that is greater than the fifth angle. 55. A device as set forth in claim 54 wherein, when the body is undeformed and the inner surface is positioned adjacent the mounting surface, the outer surface includes: a first outer region opposite the first inner region, the first outer region having a first outer tangent being substantially parallel to the first inner tangent; a second outer region opposite the second inner region, the second outer region having a second outer tangent being substantially parallel to the second inner tangent; a third outer region opposite the third inner region, the third outer region having a third outer tangent being substantially parallel to the third inner tangent; and a fourth outer region opposite the fourth inner region, the fourth outer region having a fourth outer tangent being substantially parallel to the fourth inner tangent. 56. A device as set forth in claim 53 wherein the body is configured so that substantially all of the inner surface between the boundary and the periphery contacts the mounting surface when the body is in the actuated shape and secured to the mounting surface. 57. A device as set forth in claim 54 wherein a thickness measured between the inner surface and the outer surface is generally constant throughout the body or tapers from a maximum thickness adjacent the center of the concave portion to a minimum thickness at the periphery. 58. A device as set forth in claim 54 wherein said outer surface is substantially free of protrusions. 59. A device as set forth in claim 54 wherein the periphery varies from circular. 60. A device as set forth in claim 54 wherein: every tangent of the inner surface, including said first, second, third, and fourth inner-surface tangents, extends at a corresponding angle with respect to the mounting surface when the body is in its undeformed shape and the inner surface is positioned adjacent the mounting surface; and each angle of said angles varies from each other angle of said angles by about 85° or less. 61. A device as set forth in claim 54 wherein: every tangent of the inner surface, including said first, second, third, and fourth inner-surface tangents, extends at a corresponding angle with respect to the mounting surface when the body is in its undeformed shape and the inner surface is positioned adjacent the mounting surface; and each angle of said angles varies from each other angle of said angles by about 85° or less. 62. A device as set forth in claim 54 wherein a thickness measured between said inner surface and said outer surface is generally constant throughout the body. 63. A device as set forth in claim 54 wherein a thickness measured between said inner surface and said outer surface tapers from a maximum thickness within the suction portion to a minimum thickness at the periphery. 64. A deformable device mountable by suction on a generally smooth mounting surface comprising: a body including: an outer surface; a periphery extending around the body surrounding the outer surface; and an inner surface opposite said outer surface, said inner surface having a concave portion opposite said outer surface when the body is undeformed, said concave portion having a center and including a suction portion contiguous with suction created to mount the body on said mounting surface during use, the suction portion having a central region including said center of the concave portion, the inner surface including a boundary defining the suction portion and an additional portion between the suction portion and the periphery; wherein the body is deformable from an undeformed shape to an actuated shape to mount the body on the mounting surface by positioning the inner surface of the body adjacent the mounting surface when the body is in the undeformed shape thereby forming a cavity between said suction portion and the mounting surface and deforming the body to its actuated shape thereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid out of the cavity to create a suction between the body and the mounting surface thereby securing the body to the mounting surface; wherein the inner surface includes: a first region adjacent the central region having a first tangent of said tangents; a second region between the first region and the boundary having a second tangent of said tangents; a third region adjacent the boundary having a third tangent of said tangents; and a fourth region between the boundary and the periphery having a fourth tangent of said tangents; wherein, when the body is in its undeformed shape and said inner surface of the body is positioned adjacent the mounting surface: the first tangent is generally parallel to the mounting surface; the second tangent extends at a second angle with respect to the mounting surface; the third tangent extends at a third angle with respect to the mounting surface that is less than the second angle; and the fourth tangent extends at a fourth angle with respect to the mounting surface that is less than the third angle; wherein, when the body is undeformed and the inner surface is positioned adjacent the mounting surface, the outer surface includes: a first outer region opposite the first inner region, the first outer region having a first outer tangent being substantially parallel to the first inner tangent; a second outer region opposite the second inner region, the second outer region having a second outer tangent being substantially parallel to the second inner tangent; a third outer region opposite the third inner region, the third outer region having a third outer tangent being substantially parallel to the third inner tangent; and a fourth outer region opposite the fourth inner region, the fourth outer region having a fourth outer tangent being substantially parallel to the fourth inner tangent; wherein the body is configured so that substantially all of the inner surface between the boundary and the periphery contacts the mounting surface when the body is in the actuated shape and secured to the mounting surface. 65. A device as set forth in claim 64 wherein said outer surface is substantially free of protrusions. 66. A device as set forth in claim 64 wherein the periphery varies from circular. 67. A device as set forth in claim 64 wherein: the inner surface includes a fifth region between the fourth region and the periphery having a fifth tangent and a sixth region between the fifth region and the periphery having a sixth tangent; and when the body is in the undeformed shape and the inner surface is positioned adjacent the mounting surface: the fifth tangent extends at an angle with respect to the mounting surface that is greater than the fourth angle; and the sixth tangent extends at an angle with respect to the mounting surface that is greater than the fifth angle. 68. A device as set forth in claim 64 wherein a thickness measured between said inner surface and said outer surface is generally constant throughout the body. 69. A device as set forth in claim 64 wherein a thickness measured between said inner surface and said outer surface tapers from a maximum thickness within the suction portion to a minimum thickness at the periphery. 70. A device as set forth in claim 64 wherein: every tangent of the inner surface, including said first, second, third, and fourth inner-surface tangents, extends at a corresponding angle with respect to the mounting surface when the body is in its undeformed shape and the inner surface is positioned adjacent the mounting surface; and each angle of said angles varies from each other angle of said angles by about 85° or less.