PEDESTAL APPARATUS

Abstract

A pedestal apparatus for use in supporting a powered fan includes a hollow pedestal, a tubular column including a lower end supported on the pedestal, ballast supported within the interior space of the pedestal for lowering the center of gravity of the apparatus to restrain tipping, and a dampening element disposed within the tubular column for dampening vibration of the apparatus during use of the powered fan. The ballast and dampening element can be provided by the end user, reducing the weight of the apparatus as manufactured and shipped.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] “Not Applicable”.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] “Not Applicable”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates generally to a pedestal for a powered fan, and more particularly to a pedestal that exhibits reduced vibration and provides stabilization of the fan against tipping.

[0004] Powered fans for circulating air are widely used in commercial and industrial environments, and typically are designed for portability so that they can be repositioned at various work stations in a factory. In addition, known fans are designed for stability, and typically include weighted pedestals that help to resist tipping of the fans when bumped by workers or machinery.

[0005] A problem encountered in the manufacture of commercial fans is that the same structural features that provide stability to the fans, namely the heavy weight thereof, adversely affect the cost of manufacturing and shipping the fans. Specifically, by increasing the weight of a fan or its pedestal to provide the necessary stability during use, a construction results which is expensive to manufacture, and heavy to ship and move. In addition, conventional fans, and the pedestals on which they are supported, experience substantial vibration during use, creating in some cases a ringing sound that annoys workers around the fan.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a pedestal apparatus that is adapted for use with a powered commercial fan, that is inexpensive to construct and ship, that provides stability against tipping, and that experiences reduced vibration during use relative to known constructions.

[0007] In accordance with these and other objects evident from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, a pedestal apparatus is provided which includes a hollow pedestal, a tubular column including a lower end supported on the pedestal, ballast supported within the interior space of the pedestal for lowering the center of gravity of the apparatus to restrain tipping, and a dampening element disposed within the tubular column for dampening vibration of the apparatus during use of the powered fan.

[0008] By providing a pedestal construction in accordance with the present invention, numerous advantages are realized. For example, by providing an apparatus in which the ballast is separate from the pedestal, it is possible to manufacture and ship the apparatus without the ballast, and for the consumer to add the ballast at the point of use, reducing the cost of manufacture and shipment of the apparatus. In addition, such a construction permits the use of readily available materials such as sand, dirt or water as ballast in the apparatus, reducing the cost thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0009] The preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing, wherein:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a first pedestal apparatus constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the first pedestal apparatus, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 2, of a second pedestal apparatus constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 2, of a third pedestal apparatus constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment; and

[0014] FIG. 5 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 2, of a fourth pedestal apparatus constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] A pedestal apparatus 10 constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 1, in combination with a conventional electric-powered fan 12 adapted to circulate air in a commercial or industrial setting. The fan can take the form of any conventional construction, and does not form a part of the invention.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the pedestal apparatus 10 broadly includes a pedestal 14, a tubular column 16, ballast 18 for lowering the center of gravity of the apparatus to restrain tipping, and a dampening element 20 for dampening vibration of the apparatus during use of the powered fan. The pedestal 14 is formed of any suitable material such as a supportive synthetic resin material, sheet metal, wood or the like, and includes a bottom wall 15 adapted to support the pedestal on the floor, and at least one upstanding side wall 17 presenting an upper opening in which the column 16 is received. The side wall can either be formed by a single conical shaped wall presenting the upper opening and defining a substantially enclosed interior space, or can be formed of a plurality of upstanding legs that present an open interior space that is exposed to and easily accessible from the side of the pedestal.

[0017] An annular collar or sleeve 22 is secured to the bottom wall of the pedestal, and protrudes upward within the interior space thereof, presenting an opening of substantially equal size to the upper opening defined by the side walls of the pedestal. Both openings are shaped and sized to receive the column 16 to support it in place on the pedestal, and a set screw or the like may be provided on the collar for securing the column in place upon assembly. Preferably, the collar includes an outer circumferential surface that presents upper and lower flanges that protrude radially outward therefrom. This construction adds rigidity to the collar, and provides a seat for the ballast 18, as described below.

[0018] The column 16 is hollow, including opposed upper and lower ends, an outer surface having a diameter sized for receipt in the upper opening and collar of the pedestal, and an interior space. As shown in FIG. 1, a mounting bracket 24 is fastened to the upper end of the column and serves as a means for mounting a fan on the apparatus. Preferably, the bracket 24 is threaded onto the column or otherwise secured in place in a manner that permits the bracket to be removed, if desired for repair or replacement.

[0019] Returning to FIG. 2, the lower end of the column is open, and is retained in the collar 22 upon assembly of the apparatus. If desired, the collar can be manufactured with an internal circumferential surface that is threaded, and the outer surface of the column can be threaded at the lower end such that the column can be screwed into and out of the collar during assembly and disassembly. Such a construction could be used in combination with or in place of the construction described above, wherein a set screw may be is provided for securing the column in place in the collar.

[0020] The ballast 18 employed in the apparatus consists of any readily available material of suitable density to provide stability against tipping of the pedestal apparatus during use. In accordance with one possible construction, the ballast includes a solid ring of concrete, rubber or the like, and is formed in a toroid shape so that it can be received in the interior space of the pedestal around the lower end of the column. Alternately, a hollow, lightweight casing formed of synthetic resin or the like is provided, and is filled with a ballast material such as sand, dirt or water after the apparatus has been transported to a place of use. In this alternate construction of the ballast, a hole is provided in the casing for permitting it to be filled with ballast material, and to permit emptying thereof should it be necessary to subsequently transport the apparatus to another distant use location. As such, it is not necessary to transport the heavy ballast material, reducing the cost of transport significantly.

[0021] The dampening element 20 of the apparatus also consists of any readily available material of suitable size and composition to provide a dampening effect on vibration transmitted along the column from the fan during operation. Preferably, the element includes a bag 26 filled with loose dampening material 28, such as dirt, sand, rubber particles, or water, and is sized for easy sliding receipt in the open lower end of the column prior to assembly of the column on the pedestal. As such, the dampening material in the bag contacts the wall of the column, dampening vibration during operation of the fan. This construction of the apparatus reduces the adverse effects of vibration of the pedestal apparatus, eliminating ringing of the column and rendering the apparatus more quiet than would be possible in the absence of the dampening element.

[0022] As with the ballast 18, the dampening element 20 can be easily removed from the apparatus if the need arises so that the weight of the apparatus can be reduced to facilitate transportation. In addition, because the dampening material can be selected from a group of commonly available materials, it is not necessary to manufacture the relatively heavy element into the apparatus, and the resulting construction is less expensive to manufacture and ship.

[0023] During manufacture of the apparatus, the pedestal 14, column 16, ballast casing, if used, and dampening bag 26 are constructed and packed for shipment without including either ballast material or dampening material. As such, the weight of the apparatus is substantially less than the final weight of the pedestal apparatus in use, reducing the cost of manufacture and shipment. Once the apparatus is received by a customer, it is prepared for assembly by filling the casing with ballast and the bag 26 with dampening material, and by positioning the ballast 18 on the pedestal and inserting the dampening element 20 in the lower end of the column 16. Thereafter, the column is fitted in the pedestal and the collar, and is secured in place by the set screw, if provided. The apparatus is then ready for use as a support for a powered fan. Because of the presence of the ballast on the pedestal, the apparatus restrains tipping should it get bumped by workers or machinery during use. In addition, the dampening material in the lower end of the column contacts the column wall, reducing noise associated with vibration.

[0024] Turning to FIG. 3, a second apparatus 30 is illustrated. As with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 broadly includes a pedestal 32, a tubular column 34, ballast 36 for lowering the center of gravity of the apparatus to restrain tipping, and a dampening element 20 for dampening vibration of the apparatus during use of the powered fan. The pedestal 32 is formed of any suitable material such as a supportive synthetic resin material, sheet metal, wood or the like, and includes a bottom wall adapted to support the pedestal on the floor, and at least one upstanding side wall defining an upper opening in which the column is received. The side wall is formed by a single conical or pyramid shaped wall presenting the upper opening and defining a substantially enclosed interior space, and includes a hole through which the ballast 36 can be poured into or out of the pedestal. A cap 40 is provided for covering the hole to enclose the ballast within the interior space during use.

[0025] An annular collar or sleeve 42 is secured to the bottom wall of the pedestal, and protrudes upward within the interior space thereof, presenting an opening of substantially equal size to the upper opening defined by the side walls of the pedestal. Both openings are shaped and sized to receive the column 34 to support it in place on the pedestal, and a set screw or the like may be provided on the collar for securing the column in place upon assembly.

[0026] The column 34 is hollow, including opposed upper and lower ends, an outer surface having a diameter sized for receipt in the upper opening and collar of the pedestal, and an interior space. A mounting bracket is fastened to the upper end of the column and serves as a means for mounting a fan on the apparatus. Preferably, the bracket is threaded onto the column or otherwise secured in place in a manner that permits the bracket to be removed, if desired for repair or replacement.

[0027] The lower end of the column is open, and is retained in the collar upon assembly of the apparatus. If desired, the collar can be manufactured with an internal circumferential surface that is threaded, and the outer surface of the column can be threaded at the lower end such that the column can be screwed into and out of the collar during assembly and disassembly. Such a construction could be used in combination with or in place of the construction described above, wherein a set screw may be provided for securing the column in place in the collar.

[0028] The ballast 36 employed in the apparatus consists of any readily available material of suitable density to provide stability against tipping of the pedestal apparatus during use. The ballast is not encased in anything other than the pedestal itself, and is simply poured into the pedestal after the column has been secured in place. The bottom and side walls of the pedestal, along with the column, encase the material and prevent it from spilling from the apparatus during use. However, it is possible to remove the ballast if the apparatus is to be transported. As such, it is not necessary to transport the heavy ballast material, reducing the cost of transport significantly.

[0029] The dampening element 20 of the apparatus is as described above, and preferably includes a bag 26 filled with loose dampening material 28, such as dirt, sand, rubber particles, or water. The bag 26 is sized for easy sliding receipt in the open lower end of the column prior to assembly of the column on the pedestal. As such, the dampening material in the bag contacts the wall of the column, dampening vibration during operation of the fan.

[0030] During manufacture of the apparatus 30, the pedestal 32, column 34 and dampening element bag 26 are constructed and packed for shipment without including either ballast material or dampening material. As such, the weight of the apparatus is substantially less than the final weight of the pedestal apparatus in use, reducing the cost of manufacture and shipment. Once the apparatus is received by a customer, it is prepared for assembly by filling the dampening bag with available dampening material 28 and placing the filled bag inside the lower end of the column. Thereafter, the column is fitted in the pedestal and the collar, and is secured in place by the set screw, if provided. The cap 40 of the pedestal is then removed so that the pedestal can be filled with ballast 36 material, and the cap is replaced so that the apparatus is ready for use as a support for a powered fan. Because of the presence of the ballast in the pedestal, the apparatus restrains tipping should it get bumped by workers or machinery during use. In addition, the dampening element 20 in the lower end of the column contacts the column wall, reducing noise associated with vibration.

[0031] A third embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 4, wherein the apparatus 50 is illustrated as broadly including a pedestal 52, a tubular column 54, ballast 56 for lowering the center of gravity of the apparatus to restrain tipping, and a dampening element 20 for dampening vibration of the apparatus during use of the powered fan. The pedestal 52 is formed of any suitable material such as a supportive synthetic resin material, sheet metal or the like, and is generally cup-shaped, presenting a lower concave surface and a convex upper surface. As such, the pedestal presents an outer circumferential edge that rests on the floor, and defines an interior space between the pedestal and the floor.

[0032] The pedestal includes a central hole having a diameter larger than the diameter of the column 54, and an annular collar or sleeve 58 is secured to the pedestal within the hole. Preferably, the collar includes an upper section having a threaded outer circumferential surface that engages a cooperating threaded interior circumferential surface of the hole. In addition, the collar 58 includes a lower flange that engages the bottom surface of the pedestal and holds the collar in place against the pedestal once the collar is threaded into the hole. The collar 58 presents an opening of substantially equal size to the outer diameter of the column, and is shaped and sized to receive the column to support it in place on the pedestal. A set screw or the like is provided on the collar for securing the column in place upon assembly.

[0033] The column 54 is hollow, including opposed upper and lower ends, an outer surface having a diameter sized for receipt in the upper opening and collar of the pedestal, and an interior space. A mounting bracket is fastened to the upper end of the column and serves as a means for mounting a fan on the apparatus. Preferably, the bracket is threaded onto the column or otherwise secured in place in a manner that permits the bracket to be removed, if desired for repair or replacement.

[0034] The lower end of the column is open, and is retained in the collar upon assembly of the apparatus. A cap 60 is provided for closing the lower end of the column, and includes an upper threaded portion that engages a cooperating inner threaded surface of the column, and a lower flange that positions the cap in the column. The flange of the cap also protrudes from the column by a distance sufficient to provide a seat for the ballast 56, as described below. The cap 60 can be formed of the same material as the collar, e.g. synthetic resin, sheet metal or the like.

[0035] The ballast 56 employed in the apparatus consists of any readily available material of suitable density to provide stability against tipping of the pedestal apparatus during use. In accordance with one possible construction, the ballast includes a solid ring of concrete, rubber or the like, and is formed in a toroid shape so that it can be received in the interior space of the pedestal around the lower end of the column. Alternately, a hollow, lightweight casing formed of synthetic resin or the like is provided, and is filled with a ballast material such as sand, dirt or water after the apparatus has been transported to a place of use. A hole is provided in the casing for permitting it to be filled with ballast material, and to permit emptying thereof should it be necessary to subsequently transport the apparatus to another distant use location. As such, it is not necessary to transport the heavy ballast material, reducing the cost of transport significantly.

[0036] The dampening element 20 of the apparatus is as described above, and preferably includes a bag 26 filled with loose dampening material 28, such as dirt, sand, rubber particles, or water. The bag is sized for easy sliding receipt in the open lower end of the column prior to assembly of the column on the pedestal. As such, the dampening material in the bag contacts the wall of the column, dampening vibration during operation of the fan.

[0037] As with the ballast 56, the dampening element 20 can be easily removed from the apparatus if the need arises so that the weight of the apparatus can be reduced to facilitate transportation. In addition, because the dampening material can be selected from a group of commonly available materials, it is not necessary to manufacture the relatively heavy element into the apparatus, and the resulting construction is less expensive to manufacture and ship.

[0038] During manufacture of the apparatus, the pedestal 52, column 54, ballast casing, if used, and dampening bag 26 are constructed and packed for shipment without including either ballast material or dampening material. As such, the weight of the apparatus is substantially less than the final weight of the pedestal apparatus in use, reducing the cost of manufacture and shipment. Once the apparatus is received by a customer, it is prepared for assembly by positioning the ballast on the pedestal. Thereafter, the column is fitted in the collar, and is secured in place by the set screw. The bag 26 is filled with dampening material 28 and placed in the lower end of the column, and the cap 60 is threaded into the column to hold the dampening element in place against the sides of the column. The apparatus is then ready for use as a support for a powered fan. Because of the presence of the ballast 56 on the pedestal, the apparatus restrains tipping should it get bumped by workers or machinery during use. In addition, the dampening material in the lower end of the column contacts the column wall, reducing noise associated with vibration.

[0039] Turning to FIG. 5, a pedestal apparatus 70 constructed in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention is shown. The apparatus broadly includes a pair of pedestals 72, 74, a tubular column 76, ballast 78 for lowering the center of gravity of the apparatus to restrain tipping, and a dampening element 20 for dampening vibration of the apparatus during use of the powered fan. The pedestals 72, 74 are toroid shaped, presenting a central hole having a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the column. Each pedestal 72,74 is formed of any suitable casing material such as a supportive synthetic resin material, sheet metal or the like, and presenting a flat bottom wall, a flat upper wall, and inner and outer side walls extending therebetween. The bottom wall of the lower pedestal 72 is adapted to support the pedestal on the floor, and the bottom wall of the upper pedestal rests on the lower pedestal so that they are stacked one on top of the other. In addition, the upper pedestal 74 can be constructed of a size smaller than the lower pedestal to move the center of gravity of the pedestals lower than would be the case if they were of identical size and shape.

[0040] Each pedestal 72, 74 is hollow, presenting an interior space within which ballast material 78 can be received. A hole is provided in each pedestal for permitting filling and emptying of the pedestals, and caps 79 are provided for closing off the holes during use of the apparatus.

[0041] An annular collar or sleeve 80 is secured to the pedestals 72, 74 within the central hole, and presents an opening of substantially equal size to the outer diameter of the column. The opening is shaped and sized to receive the column 76 to support it in place on the pedestal, and a set screw or the like may be provided on the collar for securing the column in place upon assembly. Preferably, the collar 80 includes an outer circumferential surface that presents upper and lower flanges that protrude radially outward therefrom. This construction adds rigidity to the collar, and provides a seat for the pedestals.

[0042] The column 76 is hollow, including opposed upper and lower ends, an outer surface having a diameter sized for receipt in the upper opening and collar of the pedestal, and an interior space. A mounting bracket is fastened to the upper end of the column and serves as a means for mounting a fan on the apparatus. Preferably, the bracket is threaded onto the column or otherwise secured in place in a manner that permits the bracket to be removed, if desired for repair or replacement.

[0043] The lower end of the column 76 is open, and is retained in the collar 80 upon assembly of the apparatus. If desired, the collar can be manufactured with an internal circumferential surface that is threaded, and the outer surface of the column can be threaded at the lower end such that the column can be screwed into and out of the collar during assembly and disassembly. Such a construction could be used in combination with or in place of the construction described above, wherein a set screw is provided for securing the column in place in the collar.

[0044] The ballast 78 employed in the apparatus consists of any readily available material of suitable density to provide stability against tipping of the pedestal apparatus during use. For example, sand, dirt or water can be used to fill the pedestals and to function as ballast in the apparatus. As such, it is not necessary to transport the heavy ballast material, reducing the cost of transport significantly.

[0045] The dampening element 20 of the apparatus is as described above, and preferably includes a bag 26 filled with loose dampening material 28, such as dirt, sand, rubber particles, or water. The bag is sized for easy sliding receipt in the open lower end of the column prior to assembly of the column on the pedestal. As such, the dampening material in the bag contacts the wall of the column, dampening vibration during operation of the fan.

[0046] As with the ballast 78, the dampening element 20 can be easily removed from the apparatus if the need arises so that the weight of the apparatus can be reduced to facilitate transportation. In addition, because the dampening material can be selected from a group of commonly available materials, it is not necessary to manufacture the relatively heavy element into the apparatus, and the resulting construction is less expensive to manufacture and ship.

[0047] During manufacture of the apparatus, the pedestals 72, 74, column 76, and dampening bag 26 are constructed and packed for shipment without including either ballast material or dampening material. As such, the weight of the apparatus is substantially less than the final weight of the pedestal apparatus in use, reducing the cost of manufacture and shipment. Once the apparatus is received by a customer, it is prepared for assembly by filling the pedestals 72, 74 with ballast and closing the holes of the pedestals with the caps. In addition, the bag 26 is filled with dampening material 28, and is inserted in the lower end of the column. Thereafter, the column is fitted in the collar, and is secured in place by the set screw. The apparatus is then ready for use as a support for a powered fan. Because of the presence of the ballast in the pedestal, the apparatus restrains tipping should it get bumped by workers or machinery during use. In addition, the dampening material in the lower end of the column contacts the column wall, reducing noise associated with vibration.

[0048] Although the invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the attached drawing figures, it is noted that substitutions may be made and equivalents employed herein without departing from the scope of the invention as recited in the claims.

Claims

1. A pedestal apparatus for use in supporting a powered fan, the apparatus comprising:

a hollow pedestal defining an interior space;

a tubular column including opposed upper and lower ends, the lower end being supported on the pedestal;

ballast supported within the interior space of the pedestal for lowering the center of gravity of the apparatus to restrain tipping; and

a dampening means disposed within the tubular column for dampening vibration of the apparatus during use of the powered fan.

2. A pedestal apparatus as recited in

claim 1, further comprising a collar connected to the pedestal and presenting an aperture within which the column is received, and a fastening means for fastening the collar to the column to secure the column on the pedestal.

3. A pedestal apparatus as recited in

claim 1, wherein the interior space of the pedestal is completely enclosed and the pedestal includes an aperture through which the interior space is accessible, the apparatus further comprising a cap for closing off the aperture in the pedestal to retain the ballast in the interior space.

4. A pedestal apparatus as recited in

claim 1, further comprising a casing within which the ballast is retained.

5. A pedestal apparatus as recited in

claim 4, further comprising a collar connected to the pedestal and presenting an aperture within which the column is received, and a fastening means for fastening the collar to the column to secure the column on the pedestal, the casing being supported by the collar within the interior space.

6. A pedestal apparatus as recited in

claim 4, wherein the casing is formed in the shape of a toroid.

7. A pedestal apparatus as recited in

claim 1, wherein the dampening means includes a bag filled with loose ballast material, the bag being received in the lower end of the column.

8. A pedestal apparatus as recited in

claim 7, wherein the loose ballast material is selected from the group consisting of sand, dirt and water.

9. A pedestal apparatus as recited in

claim 1, wherein the ballast is selected from the group consisting of sand, dirt, water and concrete.

10. A pedestal apparatus as recited in

claim 1, further comprising a fitting secured to the upper end of the column, the fitting being adapted to secure the powered fan to the pedestal apparatus.

11. A pedestal apparatus for use in supporting a powered fan, the apparatus comprising:

a pedestal including a bottom wall, an upper annular ring spaced vertically from the bottom wall, and a plurality of legs connected between the bottom wall and the ring and defining an interior space;

a tubular column received in the upper annular ring of the pedestal and including opposed upper and lower ends, the lower end being supported on the bottom wall of the pedestal;

a hollow ballast casing presenting an enclosed interior space and being sized for receipt within the interior space of the pedestal, the casing presenting a central opening sized for receipt of the column; and

ballast supported within the interior space of the casing for lowering the center of gravity of the apparatus to restrain tipping.

12. A pedestal apparatus as recited in

claim 11, wherein the ballast is selected from the group consisting of sand, dirt, water and concrete.

13. A pedestal apparatus as recited in

claim 11, further comprising a dampening means disposed within the tubular column for dampening vibration of the apparatus during use of the powered fan.

14. A pedestal apparatus as recited in

claim 13, wherein the dampening means includes a bag filled with loose ballast material, the bag being received in the lower end of the column.

15. A pedestal apparatus as recited in

claim 14, wherein the loose ballast material is selected from the group consisting of sand, dirt and water.

16. A pedestal apparatus for use in supporting a powered fan, the apparatus comprising:

a hollow pedestal defining an interior space and including a bottom wall and at least one upstanding side wall that substantially enclose the interior space, the pedestal presenting an upper opening;

a tubular column received in the upper opening of the pedestal and including opposed upper and lower ends, the lower end being supported within the interior space of the pedestal; and

ballast supported within the interior space of the pedestal around the column for lowering the center of gravity of the apparatus to restrain tipping.

17. A pedestal apparatus as recited in

claim 16, wherein the ballast is selected from the group consisting of sand, dirt, water and concrete.

18. A pedestal apparatus as recited in

claim 16, further comprising a dampening means disposed within the tubular column for dampening vibration of the apparatus during use of the powered fan.

19. A pedestal apparatus as recited in

claim 18, wherein the dampening means includes a bag filled with loose ballast material, the bag being received in the lower end of the column.

20. A pedestal apparatus as recited in

claim 19, wherein the loose ballast material is selected from the group consisting of sand, dirt and water.

21. A pedestal apparatus for use in supporting a powered fan, the apparatus comprising:

a cup-shaped pedestal presenting a concave bottom surface, a convex upper surface, and an outer circumferential edge, the pedestal defining an interior space adjacent the bottom surface, and presenting a central opening;

a tubular column received in the central opening of the pedestal and including opposed upper and lower ends;

an annular collar secured to the pedestal within the central opening of the pedestal and connected to the column to support the column on the pedestal;

a hollow ballast casing presenting an enclosed interior space and being sized for receipt within the interior space of the pedestal, the casing presenting a central opening sized for receipt of the column; and

ballast supported within the interior space of the casing for lowering the center of gravity of the apparatus to restrain tipping.

22. A pedestal apparatus as recited in

claim 21, further comprising a cap sized for receipt in the lower end of the column, the cap presenting an outer circumferential flange on which the ballast casing is supported.

23. A pedestal apparatus as recited in

claim 21, wherein the ballast is selected from the group consisting of sand, dirt, water and concrete.

24. A pedestal apparatus as recited in

claim 21, further comprising a dampening means disposed within the tubular column for dampening vibration of the apparatus during use of the powered fan.

25. A pedestal apparatus as recited in

claim 24, wherein the dampening means includes a bag filled with loose ballast material, the bag being received in the lower end of the column.

26. A pedestal apparatus as recited in

claim 25, wherein the loose ballast material is selected from the group consisting of sand, dirt and water.

27. A pedestal apparatus for use in supporting a powered fan, the apparatus comprising:

at least one hollow pedestal presenting an enclosed interior space and a central opening;

a tubular column received in the central opening of the at least one pedestal and including opposed upper and lower ends;

a collar presenting an inner surface sized for receipt of the column and an outer surface sized for receipt in the central opening of the pedestal for supporting the column on the at least one pedestal; and

ballast supported within the interior space of the at least one pedestal for lowering the center of gravity of the apparatus to restrain tipping.

28. A pedestal apparatus as recited in

claim 27, wherein the ballast is selected from the group consisting of sand, dirt, water and concrete.

29. A pedestal apparatus as recited in

claim 27, further comprising a dampening means disposed within the tubular column for dampening vibration of the apparatus during use of the powered fan.

30. A pedestal apparatus as recited in

claim 29, wherein the dampening means includes a bag filled with loose ballast material, the bag being received in the lower end of the column.

31. A pedestal apparatus as recited in

claim 30, wherein the loose ballast material is selected from the group consisting of sand, dirt and water.