ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT PEDESTAL

Abstract

A unique pedestal designed for placement beneath an object such as a flowerpot. The pedestal includes multiple legs that are preferably attached to each other via a central pivot structure. Each of the legs is preferably adjustable in length and features a support foot adapted to contact a bottom surface of the object being supported. The pivot structure, in combination with the ability to adjust the length of each leg, enables a user to optimally position the pedestal's support feet to provide maximum stability and support for the object located atop the pedestal.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is in the field of support structures. More particularly, the invention is a pedestal that is ideally suited for placement beneath a flowerpot. A pedestal in accordance with the invention comprises multiple legs and a central pivot structure that enables a user to adjust the position of said legs. Each of said legs is also preferably adjustable in length and features a unique support foot proximate its distal end. The pivot structure, in combination with the ability to adjust the length of each leg, enables a user to optimally position said support feet whereby they can engage a bottom surface of the object being supported.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Flowerpots are used both indoors and out and may be of various shapes and sizes. A flowerpot may sometimes be directly placed on a support surface, such as a floor, tabletop or windowsill, or placed atop a pot support structure. Typical pot support structures include jardinieres and concave catch pans, both of which function to catch water spillage and/or fallen plant matter. Some flowerpots and pot support structures feature depending foot-like structures that contact the underlying support surface.

A common problem associated with using flowerpots is that the support surface located beneath the bottom portion of the flowerpot, or pot support structure, if used, can become damaged. This can occur due to water spillage that stains said surface, or from the formation of mold, mildew and/or rot that results from water spillage and/or high levels of humidity in the area between the flowerpot or pot support structure, and the underlying support surface. Furthermore, sharp edges of the flowerpot's and/or pot support structure's bottom surface can scratch the support surface if the flowerpot is moved without lifting it away from said support surface.

Another common problem associated with the use of flowerpots is that it can be very difficult for a user to move the flowerpot, should the need arise. The bottom surface of the pot, or if used, the catch pan, is normally not designed for sliding on the underlying support surface. As a result, moving a flowerpot often requires a user to vertically lift the flowerpot.

Furthermore, it can be problematic to support a flowerpot in a stable manner. A pot support structure, such as a catch pan, is sometimes specifically designed for use with a particular flowerpot whereby it is shaped and structured to adequately support the flowerpot at predetermined locations on said pot. However, if the underlying support surface is not level, or does not provide uniform support, an unbalanced upward force will be applied to the bottom of the flowerpot. This may lead to instability of the pot and/or cracking of the pot due to unevenly distributed forces. Also leading to unevenly distributed forces on the pot is the use of a catch pan that does not properly match the shape of the bottom of the flowerpot. The latter situation is actually quite common since many users will place a dinner plate, or a similar structure not designed for use with flowerpots, beneath a flowerpot.

An additional problem encountered with flowerpots and flowerpot support structures is that the bottom surface of the flowerpot, or support structure, may not be ideally suited for the type of surface upon which it rests. For example, some flowerpots and catch pans employ a number of widely-spaced small feet that provide very adequate and stable support when they are resting on a hard surface. However, when a thick carpet is the underlying support surface, the flowerpot may lean to one side and/or the feet may damage the carpet. Alternatively, when a pot or support structure designed for resting on a carpeted surface is placed on a hard surface, damage to said surface may result.

In many cases, a user will wish to employ a flowerpot support structure that supports the flowerpot in a raised position above the underlying support surface. Since flowerpots come in many shapes and sizes, a user may not be able to easily procure a suitable support structure to place beneath any particular flowerpot. In addition, even when a properly sized support structure is available, the design of said support structure may be such that there will be inadequate ventilation beneath said structure, resulting in the formation of mold, mildew or rot on the underlying support surface. Furthermore, to satisfy user aesthetics, it is sometimes desirable that a support structure located beneath a flowerpot not be noticeable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a support structure in the form of a pedestal having multiple legs. Located proximate each leg's distal end is a foot having a unique shape and structure. While the preferred usage of the invention is for supporting a flowerpot in an optimum manner atop a support surface, the invention may be used to support other types of objects. In its preferred manner of use, the invention provides numerous distributed points of support for a flowerpot, or for a structure located directly beneath a flowerpot, such as a catch pan. The invention also enables sufficient airflow beneath the flowerpot or catch pan to prevent humidity build-up that can lead to damage of an underlying support surface. Furthermore, different embodiments of the invention can be employed to optimize the invention for use on different types of underlying surfaces and/or to enable the invention to easily slide on a support surface.

A pedestal in accordance with the invention can be adjusted in a number of different ways to enable its use beneath a wide range of shapes and sizes of flowerpots, catch pans, or other objects. The pedestal's adjustability is accomplished through the use of multiple length-adjustable legs attached to each other via a central pivot structure that enables pivotal movement of the legs. The pivot structure, in combination with the adjustable length legs, allows a user to optimally position the pedestal's feet whereby a top-located portion of each foot contacts a proper support point on a bottom surface of the object being supported. This maximizes both the stability of the support, and the even distribution of transmitted support forces.

Various designs may be employed to enable the pedestal's legs to vary in length. In the preferred embodiment, each leg includes a length-adjusting structure in the form of an elongated rod member that is telescopically engaged to a hollow end portion of an elongated cross member. The engagement may further include structures that create detents that facilitate a controlled, user-discernible movement of said rod member.

The foot located at the distal end of each of the pedestal's legs features a top surface that is preferably adapted to achieve a non-slip engagement to the bottom surface of the object being supported. The shape, structure and bottom surface of the foot is preferably adapted for the surface on which it will rest. For example, if the pedestal will be used on a hard flat surface, the pedestal can feature feet that are in the form of a significant portion of a sphere, preferably a hemisphere. Alternatively, if the pedestal is to be used on a carpeted surface, the pedestal will preferably feature feet that are substantially cone-shaped. In addition, if the pedestal is be to used in an environment where the pedestal should not be able to slide, the pedestal will preferably feature feet that are made from, or covered with, a non-slip material. If instead, a user desires a pedestal that will readily slide on an underlying hard surface, the pedestal will preferably feature hemispherical feet that are made from a hard, smooth material, such as a hard plastic, or that are covered with a low friction material, such as TEFLON.

In the preferred embodiment, the pedestal's legs are movable by virtue of a pivot connection engaged to each of the pedestal's cross members. The pivot connection may be a pivot pin or other conventional pivot structure, including interlocking structures that are formed in, or attached to, the two cross members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a pedestal in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the pedestal shown in FIG. 1, and wherein a flowerpot resting atop the pedestal, as well as a support surface, are shown in phantom.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the pedestal shown in FIG. 1 and wherein a portion of the pedestal's internal structure is shown in phantom, as well as a flowerpot resting atop the pedestal.

FIG. 4 is a detailed side view of an end portion of one of the legs of the pedestal shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a detailed side view of an alternate embodiment of an end portion of a leg for the pedestal shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of a pedestal in accordance with the invention and wherein a portion of the pedestal's internal structure is shown in phantom.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the pedestal shown in FIG. 6, and wherein a portion of the pedestal's internal structure is shown in phantom.

FIG. 8 provides a cross-sectional side view of an alternate embodiment of a pivot structure for a pedestal in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Looking now to the drawings in greater detail, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several figures, there is indicated by the numeral 1 a pedestal in accordance with the invention. A preferred manner of usage for said pedestal is to support a flowerpot, catch pan, or the like.

The pedestal 1 preferably comprises a first cross member assembly 2 and a second cross member assembly 4. The two cross member assemblies are connected together via a central pivot structure 6.

While cross member assemblies 2 and 4 are preferably assembled from identical components, they differ in the orientation of some of said components. Each of said cross member assemblies includes an elongated member/body member 8, two rod members 10 and a foot structure 12 located at the distal end of each rod member.

The elongated member 8 of each cross member assembly is preferably made of a rigid material such as plastic, wood or metal. Located at its center is a relatively thin, flat portion 14. The member's opposite end portions 16 are preferably hollow.

The center-located flat portion 14 of each elongated member 8 preferably includes planar first and second surfaces, 20 and 21 respectively. Said portion preferably includes a thru-hole 22 located at its center. The thru-hole has a center axis perpendicular to surfaces 20 and 21.

The end portion 16 of each elongated member 8 has an elongated interior open area 24 (note FIG. 3) that is bounded by a sidewall 26. While said area is shown as being substantially rectangular in cross-section, the area may instead be formed to have other cross-sectional shapes. Sidewall 26 preferably features a plurality of spaced-apart ridges 28.

Fitting into each of the elongated member's end portions 16 is a portion 30 of an associated elongated rod member 10. Said rod member is preferably made of a rigid material such as plastic, wood or metal. To enable a user to adjust a pedestal to match the bottom surface of an object to be supported, each of the cross member assemblies preferably includes length-adjusting structure. In the embodiment shown, the length-adjusting structure comprises a portion 30 of the rod member movably received within area 24.

To control the movement of the rod member, each of the cross member assembly preferably includes a plurality of structures that form detents. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, each rod member has a tip portion 32 that is arrow-shaped in cross-section. As a result, detents are created when the side edges 34 of said tip portion 32 contact the ridges 28 whenever a user tries to slide the rod member in, or out, of area 24. Preferably, flexibility in the material of the rod member and/or the material of the ridges, or a minimal clearance, allows the rod member's tip portion to move past a ridge 28 when a user applies longitudinally-directed force on the rod member. Whenever the side edges of the tip portion bump into a ridge, a detent occurs that positionally locks the rod member in place when the user stops applying force to the rod member.

It should be noted that other means may be employed to enable the passage of the rod member's tip portion past a ridge. For example, the rod member's tip portion may include a movable structure, such as an outwardly biased and extending spring-loaded ball that can move inwardly to enable the passage of the tip portion past a ridge 28.

It should also be noted that the area 24 may include no ridges 28. In that case, it would be preferred that the opening 36 through which the rod member passes into area 24 has a shape or size whereby once the rod member is inserted into area 24, it will be difficult to completely withdraw the rod member from said area. When no ridges are employed, the side edges of the rod member's tip portion are preferably a relatively tight fit in area 24. While an arrow-shaped tip portion 28 of the rod member has been disclosed, said tip portion may have a different shape that is either complementary to, or non-complementary to, the interior sidewall 26 of area 24.

Secured to an outer end of each rod member 10 is a foot structure 12. The foot structure is also herein referred to as a foot. As will be discussed, the foot structure may take a number of forms. A preferred embodiment of the foot structure is shown in detail in FIG. 4.

The foot structure 12 preferably includes a top-located disk 38 made of a rubber, vinyl, polyurethane or some other non-slip material. A non-slip material is herein defined as a material that tends not to slide on a smooth, hard surface in the same manner as rubber.

Disk 38 is designed to contact the bottom surface of whatever object is resting directly atop the pedestal 1. If it is desired for the pedestal to be a permanent, or semi-permanent, attachment to whatever object it will be supporting, both of the disk's top and bottom surfaces, 40 and 42 respectively, can be coated with an adhesive. In such a situation, the disk can be formed from a portion of double-stick tape. While a non-slip material is preferred, the disk can be made of other materials. It should be noted that while disk 38 will normally enhance the use of the invention, it is not required, and is therefore optional.

Located below disk 38, and forming a part of the foot structure, is a semicircular connecting portion 44 of the foot structure that is located at, and secured to, the end of the rod member 10. Even though portion 44 is considered as being a part of the foot structure, it may be a formed section of the rod member, as shown, or it may be a separate member, or other portion of the foot structure, that is secured to the rod member. The disk 38 is preferably attached to an adjacent surface of portion 44 by an adhesive. Located at the center of portion 44 is a thru-hole 48.

Located directly beneath portion 44 is the base 50 of the foot structure. Said base is preferably in the shape of a hemisphere, or at least a significant portion of a sphere, wherein a top-located flat surface 52 of the base 50 faces upwardly and contacts the adjacent bottom surface of portion 44. The curved outer surface of the base predominantly faces downwardly, whereby the extreme bottom portion 56 of said surface will contact whatever support surface underlies the foot structure. Portion 56 is shown as being a curved surface, since it is the base of a hemisphere. However, portion 56 may alternatively have a flat contour to increase the contact area between the base and an underlying surface.

In the preferred embodiment, base 50 has a height in the range of approximately one-quarter of an inch to two inches and may be made of any of a number of different materials, including wood, metal, plastic, rubber and/or a composite of said materials or other materials. If the pedestal 1 is to be placed on a surface where any sliding of the pedestal is undesirable, base 50 would preferably be made of a non-slip material such as rubber or polyurethane. If instead, a user wishes to have the ability to slide the pedestal 1 on the underlying surface, the base would preferably be made out of a hard, smooth material such as a hard plastic. For most uses, a transparent polycarbonate material would be employed. While not shown, it is possible to employ a base 50 made out of a hard material and to include a complementary boot made of a non-slip material that a user can fit over the exterior of the base. The addition of a non-slidable rubber boot to the base will increase the force required to cause the foot structure to slide on the underlying surface. If it is instead desired to increase the ability of the foot structure to slide on an underlying surface, a TEFLON boot, or coating, may be added to the bottom of the foot structure's base.

By providing the base with an outer configuration of a significant portion of a sphere, the base has a significant structural strength, while at the same time, the base's small, curved bottom surface will tend not to mark or penetrate an underlying support surface. When the pedestal 1 is employed to support a heavy flowerpot, proper choice of a base 50 for the pedestal's feet 12 will enable a user to slide/glide the pedestal and flowerpot across a smooth, flat support surface such as a wooden floor or tabletop.

The attachment method employed for securing the base 50 to portion 44 is preferably of a type that enables easy changing of the base 50. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, a screw 60 extends through hole 48 in portion 44 in a manner whereby the head 62 of the screw cannot pass through the hole and the body of the screw threads into a center hole 64 in the base 50. Preferably, the adhesive used to secure the disk 38 is of a type that allows removal of the disk should it become necessary to remove the base 50.

It should be noted that instead of a screw, other types of fasteners may be employed to accomplish the securement of the base 50. For example, the disk 38 may include a prong that has exterior bumps and that fits through hole 48 and can become locked into a complementary hole in the base. Alternatively, portion 44 can have a depending prong that can be secured into, or on, the base 50. In addition, the base 50 may instead include an upwardly-extending prong or fastener that can engage the sidewall of hole 48, a part of portion 44, or the disk 38. Furthermore, other well-known securement methods, such as adhesives and hook and loop fastener strips, can be employed in addition to, or in place of, the previously noted securement methods described for securing the base 50 to the pedestal 1.

The pivot structure 6 that connects together the two cross member assemblies may take any of a number of forms. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the pivot structure makes use of an elongated pivot bolt 66 that extends through the hole 22 in portion 14 of the elongated member 8 of both of the cross member assemblies. The pivot bolt also extends through the center of an optional washer 68 sandwiched between the two portions 14. Located at the top of the pivot bolt is a hex-shaped head 70. The head of the pivot bolt may alternatively have other shapes, as long as the pivot bolt can be secured in place.

The other end of the pivot bolt preferably features exterior threads onto which is threadedly engaged a locknut 72. The locknut functions to maintain the pivot bolt in place whereby the pivot bolt allows relative movement of the two cross members. Washers 74, each larger in diameter than the adjacent hole 22, are shown directly above the locknut and directly beneath the head of the pivot bolt. The washers enable a smoother pivot motion and also eliminate any need for the locknut and/or bolt head to be larger than hole 22.

It should be noted that by locating the pivot structure at the center of the pedestal, two features of the pedestal are enhanced. Firstly, the central location of the pivot structure maximizes the pedestal's flexibility since each leg has an equally long moment arm. Secondly, the central location of the pivot structure enables a maximum adjustability of the position of each foot structure 12.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the pedestal 1 is shown atop a support surface 76 (shown in phantom) supporting a conventional flowerpot 78 (shown in phantom). Support surface 76 may be a floor, tabletop, windowsill or any other surface upon which a flowerpot is commonly placed. A generic flowerpot is shown.

To properly support the flowerpot, the legs of the pedestal 1 are arranged by the user so that each of the pedestal's foot structures 12 underlies a portion of the flowerpot's bottom surface 80 proximate the outer perimeter 82 of said bottom surface. In this manner, each foot structure can be responsible for supporting approximately one-quarter of the total weight of the flowerpot. It should be noted that locating the pedestal's feet in this manner also provides a wide support base that maximizes the stability of the support. The adjustability of the legs can allow a user to provide a high level of support to most any size or shape of flowerpot, no matter whether the flowerpot is round, oval, or even square or rectangular.

FIG. 2 should additionally be noted for its showing of gaps 85 located between the bottom surface 80 of the flowerpot and the flat support surface 76 that underlies the pedestal 1. The gaps help to prevent any accumulation of moisture beneath the flowerpot.

It should also be noted in FIG. 2 that the bottom/nadir of the pivot structure is located above the bottom of the feet. In this manner, when the pedestal is in use, there will preferably be a space 85 between the bottom of the pivot structure and the underlying support surface 76. As a result, when the bottom surface of the object being supported is uneven, and/or the underlying support surface is not flat, said space allows the pedestal 1 to flex at its center. This flexing action enables the pedestal's feet to move up or down to thereby accommodate and match said uneven surface(s).

FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment of a foot structure 86 that may be employed in lieu of the foot structure 12. Also in the figure, an alternate rod member 88 is employed in lieu of a rod member 10.

Foot structure 86 features a base 90 that is substantially cone-shaped and includes a narrow, cylindrical tip portion 92. When all of the pedestal's feet employ a base 90, the long, narrow shape of said bases will enable the pedestal 1 to have a firm footing when said pedestal is placed on a non-flat surface, such as a thick carpet. The narrow tip portion 92 of a base 90 will pass through the fibers of a carpet and find stable support on the carpet's base layer, or on the support surface underlying the carpet. In this embodiment, one of the previously described alternate attachment methods for a base of a foot structure is employed. As shown, a cylindrical member 94 is adhesively attached to the end of the rod member 88 and includes a downwardly-extending prong 96 that is screwed into a hole 98 in the base.

It should be noted that the pedestal 1 shown in FIGS. 1-3 may be considered to have four legs. Each leg comprises one-half of one of the cross member assemblies and effectively has an end point at the pivot structure 6.

While a pedestal 1 having two equal length cross member assemblies is shown, a pedestal in accordance with the invention may instead have a greater, or fewer, number of such “full-length” cross member assemblies. In addition, a pedestal in accordance with the invention may employ one, or more, “half-length” cross member assemblies. While a full-length cross member assembly forms two legs of the pedestal, a half-length cross member assembly would basically be formed by half of either of the cross member assemblies shown, whereby it would form a single leg of the pedestal. Such a half-length cross member assembly would have one end pivotally connected to the pivot structure 6, and its other end would include a foot structure, such as foot structure 12. A pedestal having one full-length cross member assembly and one half-length cross member assembly would have three legs. A pedestal in accordance with the invention can therefore have from three legs to any greater number of legs, depending on the total number of full-length and half-length cross member assemblies employed.

FIGS. 6 and 7 provide two views of another embodiment of a pedestal 100 in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment, the pedestal comprises three cross member assemblies 102, 104 and 106 that are pivotally attached to each other via a central pivot structure 108 that extends through one end of each assembly. Located at the distal end of each cross member assembly is a foot structure 12.

While the figures show the pedestal 100 having three different cross member assemblies, most likely a mass-produced pedestal in accordance with the invention would have identical cross member assemblies. The pedestal shown provides the reader with examples of different constructions that may be employed in forming a leg of a pedestal in accordance with the invention.

In cross member assembly 102, the foot structure 12 is connected to a rod member 10 that is adjustably received within an area 114 of a main body/elongated member 116 of the assembly. Said rod member is preferably secured to the main body 116 in the same manner as employed in pedestal 1 to secure rod member 10 to an elongated member/main body 8. This allows a user to move the rod member 10 longitudinally to change the distance between the associated foot structure 12 and the pedestal's pivot structure 108. The shown cross member assembly is essentially a “half-length” cross member assembly, as described previously as being employable in the first embodiment of the invention.

In cross member assembly 104, the foot structure 12 is connected to a rod member 118 that is adjustably received within an area 120 of a main body/elongated member 122 of said assembly. Said rod member is preferably secured in a manner wherein a user can move the rod member longitudinally to change the distance between the associated foot structure 12 and the pedestal's pivot structure 108. The assembly includes detent structure comprising an end 124 of the rod member having a depending tab 126 (note FIG. 7) and the bottom surface 128 of area 120 having a plurality of bumps 130 and an end wall 132. The tab is designed so that to enter area 120, a person forces the tab past wall 132, and thereafter said wall will prevent the rod member from coming fully out of area 120. While the bumps 130 provide intermittent resistance points to movement of the tab, they do not prevent such movement. As the tab moves past each bump, any contact between the tab and a bump will cause a slight interference to movement that can be felt, and possibly heard, by the user to thereby indicate to the user that said tab has contacted a bump. This facilitates a user being able to tell that the foot is located at a particular distance from the pivot structure. Should pedestal 100 have multiple cross member assemblies identical to cross member assembly 104, this arrangement facilitates a user being able to set all of the pedestal's legs to the same length. Alternatively, the bottom of the main body 122 may have a groove or slot complementary in width to tab 126 and through which the tab may slidingly travel.

In cross member assembly 106, the foot structure 12 includes an extension portion 134 of the main body/elongated member 136 of said assembly. In this manner, the foot structure is at a fixed distance away from the pedestal's pivot structure 108.

The pedestal's pivot structure 108 preferably employs a grommet 140 that passes through complementary holes 142 in the end of each of the cross member assemblies 102, 104 and 106. The grommet's top and bottom portions, 144 and 146 respectively, have larger diameters than said holes 142 to thereby pivotally secure together the cross member assemblies. It should be noted that other conventional securement methods and/or structures can be alternatively employed to pivotally connect the cross member assemblies. One such structure is a circular ring that would pass through the holes 142 in the cross member assemblies, thereby giving the unit a resemblance to a key chain. When a ring is employed as a pivot structure, none of the holes 142 would normally be collinear when the unit is in use.

FIG. 8 provides a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a pivot structure 148 that may be employed in any of the previously described embodiments of the invention. The cross member assemblies 150 and 152 may be substantially identical to any of the previously described cross member assemblies, but are formed to have structures that enable one cross member assembly to become pivotally interlocked with the other cross member assembly. Cross member assembly 150 includes a pair of upwardly-extending hooks 154, while cross member assembly 152 includes a large circular hole 156 through which the hooks extend. The hook's prongs 158 catch on the top edge 160 of the hole, thereby securing together the assemblies. The ability for one cross member assembly to pivot relative to the other cross member assembly is obtained by the ability of the prongs to slide on edge 160 of the hole.

It should be noted that a pedestal in accordance with the invention, such as pedestals 1 and 100, can be used to provide support to many types of objects. For example, a stereo speaker or vase can be placed atop either of pedestals 1 or 100.

Furthermore, a pedestal in accordance with the invention may not employ a central pivot structure or have legs that are adjustable in length. While these features are preferred, they are not required.

Lastly, it should be noted that when the base of any of the taught foot structures is made out of a transparent material, the pedestal will be almost undetectable. This can provide an unusual and desirable appearance.

The preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed herein have been discussed for the purpose of familiarizing the reader with the novel aspects of the invention. Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, many changes, modifications and substitutions may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims.

Claims

1. An adjustable pedestal designed for placement beneath an object whereby said pedestal will function to support said object, said pedestal comprising:

a first elongated member having first and second opposite end portions;

a second elongated member having first and second opposite end portions;

a pivot structure that connects said first elongated member to said second elongated member and enables said first elongated member to pivot relative to said second elongated member;

wherein a first foot structure is attached to said first end portion of said first elongated member by a first length-adjusting structure, wherein said foot structure has a top surface that is spaced from said pivot structure by a first distance, and wherein said length-adjusting structure enables a user to change said first distance;

wherein a second foot structure is attached to said second end portion of said first elongated member by a second length-adjusting structure, wherein said second foot structure has a top surface that is spaced from said pivot structure by a second distance, and wherein said second length-adjusting structure enables a user to change said second distance; and

wherein a third foot structure is attached to said first end portion of said second elongated member by a third length-adjusting structure, wherein said third foot structure has a top surface that is spaced from said pivot structure by a third distance, and wherein said third length-adjusting structure enables a user to change said third distance.

2. The pedestal of claim 1 wherein a fourth foot structure is attached to said second end portion of said second elongated member by a fourth length-adjusting structure, wherein said fourth foot structure has a top surface that is spaced from said pivot structure by a fourth distance, and wherein said fourth length-adjusting structure enables a user to change said fourth distance.

3. The pedestal of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said pivot structure is located in a center portion of said first elongated member.

4. The pedestal of claim 3 wherein at least a portion of said pivot structure is located in a center portion of said second elongated member.

5. The pedestal of claim 1 wherein said pivot structure comprises an elongated pivot bolt that has a longitudinal axis that extends through said first elongated member and said second elongated member.

6. The pedestal of claim 1 wherein said first foot structure includes a base portion in the form of a significant portion of a sphere.

7. The pedestal of claim 1 wherein the top surface of each of said foot structures is made from a non-slip material.

8. The pedestal of claim 1 wherein a base portion of said first foot structure is transparent.

9. The pedestal of claim 1 wherein the length-adjusting structure that is employed to attach said first end portion of said first elongated member to said first foot structure comprises an elongated rod member.

10. The pedestal of claim 9 wherein said rod member extends into a hollow interior area of the first elongated member.

11. The pedestal of claim 10 wherein said rod member and a sidewall that defines said hollow interior area of the first elongated member have structures that in combination form detents that can releasably stop longitudinal movement of said rod member.

12. The pedestal of claim 11 wherein said sidewall that defines said hollow interior area of the first elongated member includes a plurality of ridges that extend toward a longitudinal center axis of said hollow interior area and that can contact a portion of said rod member.

13. The pedestal of claim 1 wherein said first and second elongated members are structurally identical to each other.

14. The pedestal of claim 1 wherein said first foot structure includes a substantially cone-shaped base portion.

15. The pedestal of claim 1 wherein said first foot structure includes a bottom surface made of a non-slip material.

16. The pedestal of claim 1 wherein said first foot structure includes a smooth, curved bottom surface made of a hard material capable of sliding on a hard, smooth surface.

17. The pedestal of claim 1 wherein said pivot structure allows said third foot structure to be moved relative to the first foot structure.

18. The pedestal of claim 1 wherein when an object having a substantially planar bottom surface sized to overlay said pedestal is placed upon said pedestal in a manner whereby said bottom surface of said object contacts said top surface of said first, second and third foot structures, the object will then at least partially be supported by said foot structures.

19. The pedestal of claim 1 wherein when said pedestal is placed on a flat, level surface, a nadir surface of a center portion of said pedestal will be spaced from said level surface and wherein said pedestal is capable of flexing in a manner whereby said center portion moves downwardly toward said level surface.

20. The pedestal of claim 1 wherein there are significant open spaces between the pedestal's foot structures whereby air can flow through said pedestal.

21. An adjustable pedestal comprising:

a first cross member assembly having first and second opposite end portions;

a second cross member assembly having first and second opposite end portions;

a pivot structure that connects said first cross member assembly to said second cross member assembly and enables said first cross member assembly to pivot relative to said second cross member assembly;

wherein said first end portion of said first cross member assembly includes a first foot structure;

wherein said second end portion of said first cross member assembly includes a second foot structure;

wherein said first end portion of said second cross member assembly includes a third foot structure; and

wherein when an object is placed atop said pedestal and said object has a bottom surface sized and shaped whereby all of said foot structures can be located directly beneath said surface and contact said surface, the object will directly contact a top surface of each of said foot structures.

22. An adjustable pedestal comprising:

a first cross member assembly having first and second opposite end portions, wherein said first end portion includes an adjustably connected first foot structure, wherein said second end portion includes an adjustably connected second foot structure, wherein said first and second foot structures are separated by a first distance, and wherein a user can adjust said foot structures in a manner that changes said distance;

a second cross member assembly having first and second opposite end portions, and wherein said first end portion of said second cross member assembly includes an adjustably connected third foot structure that is spaced from said second end portion of said second cross member assembly by a second distance, and wherein a user can adjust said third foot structure in a manner that changes said second distance;

a connecting structure that connects said first cross member assembly to said second cross member assembly; and

wherein when an object is placed atop said pedestal and said object has a bottom surface sized and shaped whereby all of said foot structures can be located directly beneath said surface and contact said surface, the foot structures will directly support said object.

23. An adjustable pedestal comprising:

first, second and third elongated legs;

a pivot structure that pivotally connects together a first end of each of said first, second and third legs, and wherein said pivot structure allows said legs to pivot relative to each other;

wherein a second end of each of said first, second and third legs includes a foot structure; and

wherein when an object is placed atop said pedestal and said object has a bottom surface sized and shaped whereby all of the pedestal's foot structures can be located directly beneath said surface and contact said surface, the object will be directly supported by said foot structures.

24. The pedestal of claim 23 wherein at least one of said foot structure includes a hemispherical base portion.

25. The pedestal of claim 23 wherein at least one of said foot structures is attached to an associated one of said legs by a length-adjusting structure that enables a user to change a length dimension of said associated one of said legs.