Adjustable Leveling Pedestal

Abstract

The present invention provides a pedestal for use in raised access flooring, such as for magnetic resonance imaging rooms and computer rooms. The pedestal includes a base, a head, first and second support members, a threaded support shaft, and first and second threaded nuts. The invention is easy to install and can be made of all non-metalic parts. The base and the head can be constructed identically to minimize the type of parts needed for manufacturing and inventory. The first and second support members can also be constructed identically, further minimizing the parts needed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims priority from earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/176,402 titled Adjustable Locking Spacer, filed May 7, 2009.

The present invention relates generally to an adjustable leveling pedestal to support raised access flooring, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to an adjustable leveling pedestal that allows for infinite height adjustment of the floor by moving stopping members along a shaft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Adjustable pedestals for flooring are well known in the art, but suffer from significant drawbacks. For example, prior art adjustable spacers have limited vertical positioning, limited ability to adjust the vertical positioning during loading, and are cumbersome to work with and install. Typical adjustable pedestals are provided with a base, a slotted or notched shaft and a top plate. The shaft is received within, and moves in and out of, the base and locks into position with a clip, rod, cotter pin, or similar mechanism. The spacer is only positionable at heights which correspond to the slots or notches on the shaft.

Also, typical adjustable pedestals are not adjustable while a load is applied. The downward force of the load precludes vertical adjustment of the adjustable pedestal unless something is provided to support or lift the applied load. Prior art pedestals are also difficult to install and cumbersome to work with.

Therefore, a need exists for an adjustable leveling pedestal that is selectively adjustable when a load is applied. Simple installation and minimal types of part are also desirable. It is to such an adjustable leveling pedestal that the present invention is directed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a pedestal to support access flooring. The pedestal includes a base, a head, first and second support members, a threaded support shaft, and first and second threaded nuts. The first support member is inserted into the base and the second support member is inserted into the head. The threaded support shaft is removably inserted into the first and second support members. The first and second threaded nuts are rotatably attached to the support shaft. The first threaded nut abuts the second support member and the second threaded nut abuts the first threaded nut. The first threaded nut can be rotated to move the second support member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front elevational view of a portion of an adjustable leveling pedestal in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a front elevational view of the adjustable leveling pedestal of FIG. 1A in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a plurality of floor panels having the adjustable leveling pedestals of FIG. 1B disposed at each corner thereof.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a plurality of floor panels having the adjustable leveling pedestal of FIG. 1B disposed at the adjoining corners.

FIG. 4A is a side elevational view of aligned pair adjustable leveling pedestals of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 4B is a side elevational view of the misaligned pair of adjustable leveling pedestals of FIG. 4A before alignment.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of another presently preferred embodiment of an adjustable leveling pedestal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1A and 1B, shown therein is an adjustable leveling pedestal 10 for raising and leveling access flooring panels (see FIGS. 4A and 4B) away from a surface 18. The adjustable leveling pedestal 10 is provided with a top engaging member 22, a bottom engaging member 24, a first adjustable stop 26, a second adjustable stop 30 and a support shaft 34.

In a presently preferred embodiment, the top engaging member 22 is fabricated to interface with a head 14. The top engaging member 22 preferably has a generally square cross sectional area, although it may have many different geometries that would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. It will be understood that the geometry of the top engaging member 22 should cooperate with the head 14 to provide a substantially secure interface, which can preferably be assembled without tools by inserting the top engaging member 22 into the head 14. The top engaging member 22 is preferably constructed of a plastic or fiberglass material, but can be fabricated out of any suitable material, such as a resin, other plastic polymer, natural material(s) such as a wood or fiber based material, metal (such as steel, titanium, aluminum or blends thereof) and combinations thereof. The top engaging member 22 is provided with an interface 42 which is fabricated to connect the top engaging member 22 with the support shaft 34. In a presently preferred embodiment, the interface 42 is a bore fabricated such that the support shaft 34 fits snugly within the interface 42, preferably without using tools.

The bottom engaging member 24 is preferably similar in construction and function to the top engaging member 22 with a generally square cross sectional area, but can also have any number of differing geometries that would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. It will be understood that the geometry of the bottom engaging member 24 should cooperate with, for example, the geometry of a base 46 to provide a substantially secure interface, preferably without using tools. The bottom engaging member 24 is preferably constructed of a plastic or fiberglass material, but can be fabricated out of any suitable material, such as a resin, other plastic polymer, natural material(s) such as a wood or fiber based material, metal (such as steel, titanium, aluminum or blends thereof) and combinations thereof. The bottom engaging member 24 is provided with an interface 50 which is also made to connect the bottom engaging member 24 with the support shaft 34. In a presently preferred embodiment, the interface 50 is also a bore fabricated such that the support shaft 34 fits snugly within the interface 50, preferably without using tools. The lengths of both the top engaging member 22 and the bottom engaging member 24 should be of sufficient size and the length of their respective bores should be of sufficient depth to receive portions of the support shaft 34.

The support shaft 34 of the adjustable leveling pedestal 10 is provided with a first end 58 and a second end 62. The support shaft 34 is preferably made of fiberglass and threaded along its entire length (all threading not shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B). The support shaft 34 should be of a size that can be snugly fit into interfaces 42 and 50 of the top engaging member 22 and the bottom engaging member 24, respectively, but can be removed with minimal force, preferably without using tools. The support shaft 34 is constructed so as to cooperate with both the first adjustable stop 26 and the second adjustable stop 30 to provide height adjustability for the adjustable leveling pedestal 10. The support shift 34 includes threads 66 that are operable to engage the first adjustable stop 26 and the second adjustable stop 30. Other shaft configurations (such as partially threaded) that allow the support shaft 34 to engage the first adjustable stop 26 and the second adjustable stop 30 may likewise be utilized.

The first adjustable stop 26 is preferably a plastic flanged nut (flange not shown) for receiving an end of the support shaft 34. The flange of the first adjustable stop 26 is preferably oriented such that the flange abuts the top engaging member 22. The first adjustable stop 26 may be fabricated out of any suitable material, for example, a resin or plastic polymer, natural material(s) such as a wood or fiber based material, metal (such as steel, titanium, aluminum or blends thereof), fiber or glass based materials and combinations thereof. As mentioned above, the flange of first adjustable stop 26 is constructed so as to engage with at least a portion of the top engaging member 22 in order to hold the top engaging member 22 in a fixed configuration relative to the bottom engaging member 24. In operation, the first adjustable stop 26 is secured against a bottom surface 78 of the top engaging member 22 by turning the first adjustable stop 26 until it abuts the bottom surface 78 of the top engaging member 22.

The second adjustable stop 30 is preferably a standard nut similar in construction and operation to the first adjustable stop 26. The second adjustable stop 30 is positioned below the first adjustable stop 26 and operates to substantially preclude downward movement of the first adjustable stop 26 along the support shaft 34 after the second adjustable stop 30 has been tightened against the first adjustable stop 26.

In operation, the first adjustable stop 26 and the second adjustable stop 30 are threaded onto the support shaft 34. The first end 58 of the support shaft 34 is inserted into the interface 42 of the top engaging member 22 and the second end 62 of the support shaft 34 is inserted into the interface 50 of the bottom engaging member 24, preferably without using tools. To secure the top engaging member 22, the first adjustable stop 26 is turned until the flange contacts the bottom surface 78 of the top engaging member 22. To lock the first adjustable stop 26 and therefore top engaging member 22, the second adjustable stop 30 is turned until it contacts the bottom of the first adjustable stop 26. The cooperative use of the first adjustable stop 26 and the second adjustable stop 30 allow for infinite adjustability and fine adjustments to the overall length of the adjustable leveling pedestal 10.

To selectively increase the height of the top engaging member 22, the top engaging member 22 is moved upwardly along the support shaft 34 by turning the first adjustable stop 26 to raise the top engaging member 22. To lock the first adjustable stop 26 and therefore top engaging member 22, the second adjustable stop 30 is turned until it contacts the bottom of the first adjustable stop 26. To selectively lower the height of the top engaging member 22 the second adjustable stop 30 is turned in the opposite direction, moving the second adjustable stop 30 downwardly along the support shaft 34. Next, the first adjustable stop 26 is turned in the opposite direction moving the first adjustable stop 26 downwardly along the support shaft 34. The top engagement member 22 is then moved downwardly along the support shaft 34 until the bottom of the top engagement member contacts the first adjustable stop 26. The first adjustable stop 26 and the second adjustable stop 30 can be turned by hand or using a wrench or other suitable tool.

The adjustable leveling pedestal 10 is constructed so as to be used for spacing floor panels 14 a distance away from a surface 18. When utilized for spacing floor panels 14 a distance away from the surface 18, the adjustable leveling pedestal 10 is preferably provided with a channel (not shown) that is bolted to the head 44. Preferably, the channel can be slid onto the bolts connecting it to the head (or heads) without the use of tools. This can be accomplished by proper spacing of the bolt and a nut so that during installation of the flooring system the channel can be simply slid onto the nut. The channel is preferably long enough to be bolted to as many adjustable leveling pedestals 10 as are needed to support the floor panels 14 and thereby occupy the area desired for the raised access flooring. In another preferred embodiment, the channel includes a soft material such as foam rubber attached to the top side. The soft material provides an interface between the channel and the floor panels 14 that prevents the floor panels 14 from moving and prevents unwanted noise when loads are applied to the floor panels 14. In another preferred embodiment, the base 46 is secured to the surface 18 with an adhesive, as will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. As stated previously, the base 46 is configured to mate with the bottom engaging member 24. In one embodiment, the base 46 is constructed having a vertical support 108 having a recess 112 for receiving the bottom engaging member 24, and a base flange 114 for connecting the base 46 to the surface 18. The base flange 114 is preferably of a square cross section that includes four holes. The adhesive, in addition to securing the base flange 114 (and thereby the base 46), extrudes through the holes to additionally secure the base 46. The base 46 is constructed from any suitable rigid and durable material, for example, a resin or plastic polymer, natural material(s) such as a wood or fiber based material, metal (such as steel, titanium, aluminum or blends thereof), fiber or glass based materials and combinations thereof. The base flange 114 of the base 46 may also be secured to the surface 18 via a fastener such as, for example, threaded fasteners, screws, nails, rivets, in addition to the adhesive.

The head 44 is substantially identical in construction to the base 46, though only the head 44 is typically bolted, such as to the channel (not shown). In one preferred embodiment, the head 44 is constructed having a vertical support 110 having a recess 120 for receiving the top engaging member 22, and a head flange 128 for connecting the head 44 to the channel. The head flange 128 of the head 44 is preferably of a square cross section that includes four holes (not shown) and is preferably bolted to the channel. In a preferred embodiment, the channel runs along the interface of adjacent floor panels 14 and supports the weight of the floor panels 14. The floor panels 14 are preferably made from fiberglass, and if constructed from such material the floor panels 14 remain securely on the channel.

Referring now to FIG. 3, shown therein is a plurality of floor panels 14, each of which is provided with four adjustable leveling pedestals 10, one adjustable locking spacer 10 positioned on each corner 116. Although a raised floor can be assembled in this fashion, the added benefit of using the channel and a fewer number of adjustable leveling pedestals cannot be realized.

Referring now to FIG. 4B, shown therein is a misaligned pair of floor panels 14 (channel is not shown). When installing floor panels 14, if the surface 124 is not level, the floor panels 14 will not be level.

When floor panels 14 are uneven, the height of one or more of the floor panels 14 may be either raised or lowered to align the floor panels 14 via the adjustable leveling pedestal 10. By way of non-limiting example, a floor panel 14 having an adjustable leveling pedestals 118A and 118B and abuts another floor panel 14 having an adjustable leveling pedestal 122A and 122B. The floor panel 14 having the adjustable leveling pedestal 122B is positioned at a height lower than the floor panel 14 having the adjustable leveling pedestal 118A and 118B due to, for example, variations of the surface 124. To adjust the height of the floor panel 14 having the adjustable leveling pedestal 122B, the first adjustable stop 138 of the adjustable leveling pedestal 122B is moved upwardly along the support shaft 130, therefore moving the top engaging member 134 upwardly and in-turn, increasing the height of the floor panel 14. When the desired height of the floor panel 14 is achieved, the second adjustable stop 126 is moved upwardly along the support shaft 130 until it abuts the bottom of the first adjustable stop 138. This process may be repeated, extending and retracting the adjustable locking spacer 122B until the correct floor panel 14 height is achieved (see FIG. 4A).

Referring now to FIG. 5, shown therein is another presently preferred embodiment of the adjustable leveling pedestal 200 with channel 202. A head 204 is preferably bolted to the channel 202. Similar to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the adjustable leveling pedestal 200 includes a first adjustable stop 208 and a second adjustable stop 216, secured to a threaded support shaft 212.

From the above description, it is clear that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and to attain the advantages mentioned herein as well as those inherent in the invention. While presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described for purposes of this disclosure, it will be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are accomplished within the spirit of the invention disclosed.

Claims

1. A pedestal to support access flooring, comprising:

a base;

a head;

first and second support members, wherein the first support member is inserted into the base and the second support member is inserted into the head;

a threaded support shaft removably inserted into the first and second support members; and

first and second threaded nuts rotatably attached to the support shaft, wherein the first threaded nut abuts the second support member and the second threaded nut abuts the first threaded nut, and wherein the first threaded nut can be rotated to move the second support member.

2. The pedestal of claim 1, further comprising a channel attachable to the head configured to abut the access flooring.

3. The pedestal of claim 2, further comprising a layer of soft material between the channel and the access flooring.

4. The pedestal of claim 1, wherein the base and the head are substantially identical.

5. The pedestal of claim 1, wherein the first and second support members are substantially identical.

6. The pedestal of claim 1, wherein the support member is constructed of fiberglass.

7. An access flooring system, comprising:

a channel;

a base;

a head attached to the channel;

first and second support members, wherein the first support member is inserted into the base and the second support member is inserted into the head;

a threaded support shaft removably inserted into the first and second support members; and

first and second threaded nuts rotatably attached to the support shaft, wherein the first threaded nut abuts the second support member and the second threaded nut abuts the first threaded nut, and wherein the first threaded nut can be rotated to move the second support member.

8. The access flooring system of claim 7, wherein the channel is configured to abut a floor panel.

9. The access flooring system of claim 8, further comprising a soft layer of material between the channel and the floor panel.

10. The access flooring system of claim 7, wherein the first and second support members are substantially identical.

11. The access flooring system of claim 7, wherein the base and the head are substantially identical.

12. The access flooring system of claim 7, wherein the support shaft is constructed of fiberglass.

13. The access flooring system of claim 7, constructed of only non-metalic substances.

14. The access flooring system of claim 7, wherein the second threaded nut is a flange nut.

15. An access flooring system, comprising:

floor panel;

a channel configured to abut the floor panel;

a base configured to engage a first support member;

a head configured to engage a second support member and attached to the channel;

a threaded shaft inserted into a bore in the first and second support members; and

first and second threaded nuts, wherein the first threaded nut abuts the second support member and is configured to move the second support member up and down when rotated about the threaded shaft, and wherein the second threaded nut abuts the first threaded nut.

16. The access flooring system of claim 15, wherein the floor panel is constructed of fiberglass.

17. The access flooring system of claim 15, wherein the head and the base are substantially identical.

18. The access flooring system of claim 15, wherein the first and second support members are substantially identical.

19. The access flooring system of claim 15, wherein the channel includes a soft material that abuts the flooring panel.

20. The access flooring system of claim 15, constructed of only non-metalic materials.