Integrated Disc Dial Leveler Table Base & Levelers

Abstract

The Integrated Disc Leveler Base is a new type of table base that can be used most commonly in the hospitality and corporate settings. This table base allows the user to quickly adjust the pitch, and stability of the table with a “Disc” and “Captive Nut” invention that is not seen on any other table base. Floors are almost never completely level so, in nearly all settings, any table will wobble and not be level without adjustment. When the table is moved even slightly it will need to be adjusted again. The Integrated Disc Table base allows smooth, precise and simple adjustment so when a table is moved it can made level and stabilized with-out having to tilt, lift, slide, or turn the table. It can also be adjusted when the table is full of food and beverage and with substantial weight on it.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/311,163, filed Mar. 21, 2016 and entitled “Drill Through Table Base Leveling and Stabilization Device System,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/324,725, filed Apr. 19, 2016 and entitled “Flat Foot ‘Quick Adjust’ Table base leveling and Stabilization Device,” and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/283,340, filed Sep. 1, 2016 and entitled “Flat Foot ‘Disc’ Table Base ‘Replacement’ Leveler.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is designed to allow the user to easily and without disturbing, tilting, rotating or turning upside down, stabilize and make level, tables table bases. It is most applied to tables of the type that are most commonly found in restaurant, business or commercial environments. The original design of the type of table base is typically referred to as “Cross”, “X” or Round” bases and are usually casted in various sizes and lengths. They can be referred to in other terms.

The origin of this style of base goes back to 1958 when Franklin Jacobs invented and, soon after along with other companies began to actively sell these bases to restaurants and other business. Franklin Jacobs' company became Falcon Products and at its peak its market share was estimated at 70%. Today there are an estimated 6,000 table bases of a similar design sold each day.

FIGS. A-D are photographs of the typical “X” and “Round” table bases as they were originally designed and are still sold today:

The evolution of my invention.

The “Integrated Disc Dial leveler base” originated from myself (Bruce T. Ringgenberg) due to the frustration of managing the tables in restaurants that I owned and managed. Although there are other adjunct solutions available for stabilizing tables, they either didn't work at all or were not durable or were not integrated into the base. I was seeking, not an “Automatic” leveling solution, but an easily adjustable and durable solution that was mechanical but could easily be adjusted without disturbing the food and beverage on the table and thereby immediately eliminating an uneven and wobbly table.

In short I wanted to just reach down and fix the wobble. I also wanted an adjustable table base that could handle the rigors of a bar restaurant setting. No plastic!

The design is intended to allow the user to manage the table position relative to the floor (level) and stability by using an adjustment or adjuster that has been previously unavailable in any setting or invention. The “DISC” or DIAL” is what allows access to the leveler to allow it to be quickly adjusted.

I began with prototypes and then perfected the design to the specifications in the application.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The “integrated Disc/Dial Leveler Base & Leveler is really two variations of a design that share a specific feature: THE DISC or DIAL. This is what allows the user to access the levelers that levels and/or stabilizes the table. Typically a leveler is beneath the table base and can only be adjusted by turning the table upside down or at least lifting it to such and extent required to relieve the table from pressure.

ALL VARIATIONS OF ALL TYPES OF LEVELERS THAT I HAVE FOUND, EITHER IN THE TRADITIONAL MARKETS AND MANUFACTURER'S AND IN OUR PATENT SEARCHES, DO NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO ADJUST THEM WHILE THEY ARE IN POSITION AND WITH A LOAD OF ANY KIND SUCH AS WITH FOOD, BEVERAGE OR OTHER ITEMS ON THE TABLE TOP.

ADDITIONALLY, THERE IS NO DEVICE THAT ALLOWS THE LEVELER TO MOVE UP AND DOWN WITHOUT THE LEVELER ITSELF SPINNING OR TWISTING. THE “DISC”/DIAL” GIVES THE USER. THE ABILITY TO ADJUST THE TABLE WITH WEIGHT ON IT AND ALSO PROVIDES A LEVELER THAT MOVES UP AND DOWN WITHOUT TWISTING OR SPINNING.

From a design perspective the “Disc”/Dial” and the “Captive” nut make my invention different from any other leveler and/base available or in existence today.

There are at least two embodiments of the present invention, including: 1) The integrated Disc Leveler Base; and 2) The “Replacement” Disc Levelers. In both variations of the invention the “Disc” or “Dial” Is the method of adjusting and setting the table position and stability. With the “integrated base the “Captive Nut” is the unique design characteristic that makes my invention a perfect fit for a patent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. A-D are photographs of prior art “X” and “Round table bases.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of a slot cut into a casting of a table base, the slot to receive a hex leveling disc.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of a seat for a “D” broach retaining washer formed within the table base.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of a threaded spindle or cam.

FIG. 4 is a photograph of a “D” broach retaining washer.

FIG. 5 is a photograph of a machine thumb disc washer with a “D” broach.

FIG. 6 is a photograph of parts of the integrated disc/dial leveler and the casting.

FIG. 7 is a photograph of the assembled parts and the casting.

FIG. 8 is a photograph of a thumb disc installed in the casting.

FIG. 9 is a photograph of a machined base leg extension of a four Pronged “x” base which depicts how we modify all of the legs of the four pronged or “x” base to prepare the base casting for assembly of the five pieces of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a photograph of the leg extension with a “Disc” inserted into the slot visible in FIG. 1 prior to insertion of the captive nut. This is very unique and is the identifying feature of the invention. The “Captive Nut” makes it possible to move the leveler up and down without the leveler twisting or turning. This in turn allows for smooth, stable and high weight bearing operation. It also allows the leveler to be adjusted from the side and in a static position. It is the secret sauce of my invention.

FIG. 11 is a photograph of the leg extension after insertion of the “Captive Nut.” The “Captive Threaded Nut” is one of the unique design elements of my invention. This is how the user can adjust the leveler with out it spinning or twisting. It also extends the control of the adjustment to the “disc” because we stamp the disc with a hex to match the captive nut.

FIG. 12 is a photograph of a Disc and a Captive Nut and illustrates how the “captive nut” and the “disc” go together. We stamp the disc with a 0.505 Hex so the pieces combine to lock the disc to the “captive Nut”.

FIG. 13 is a photograph of the leg extension with a “Retaining “D” Broach Disc comprising a “Retaining Disc” which is stamped with a “D” shaped broach. This prevents the leveler from floating in the “Captive Nut” and thereby spinning. Without the “D” broach the leveler would not move up and down freely in situations when the leveler would not have any natural friction. The modified leveler then fits in to the broached socket.

FIG. 14 is a photograph of the leg extension receiving a Modified Leveler. The Leveler is a stock leveler and comes in various sizes and features. The one we use is 5/16-18 thread and we then machine one side of the stem to match the “D” broach of the “retaining Disc.” It is also larger than most levelers and it has a ¾″ extension stem length, which is longer than most levelers.

FIG. 15 is a photograph of an assembled Leg Extension illustrating the completed assembly of one of the leg extensions of the base. We modify all four legs to give the user better control of the levelers and thereby making it easier to level and stabilize the table. This is with the leveler fully extended.

FIG. 16 is a photograph of an “integrated Disc Leveler Base” of the present invention in a restaurant environment. The irregular tile and uneven floor demonstrates a challenging environment for level and stable tables. A simple adjustment of the Disc base eliminates the unevenness and wobbly aspects of the table.

FIG. 17 is a close up photograph of the completed leveler base showing an “Adjustable Disc” feature of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a photograph of the 3 Parts of a standard table base set. Our manufacturing Partner, Jacobs International sells its standard base as 3 pieces. This is a quality feature and it provides as much structural integrity as possible. The base and cap are casted steel and the column is a bigger gauge that other competing bases in the market.

FIG. 19 is a photograph of a number of bases which include the integrated disc/dial leveler of the present invention and which are assembled and Ready to be attached to the tabletops.

FIG. 20 is another photograph of the completed base installed in a restaurant. It is a pizza shop.

FIG. 21 is a photograph of a “disc” element of another embodiment of the leveler base which is configured to replace the old broken levelers in an existing base. The disc extends outside of the perimeter of many “x” bases and “round bases in the industry.

FIG. 22 is a photograph of the “Replacement Disc Levelers” in a real setting. With this embodiment, the leveler becomes accessible through the use of the disc which is attached to a traditional leveler. The disc allows the user to adjust the height without having to reach underneath the table leg.

FIG. 23 is another photograph of the replacement leveler which is installed to the existing ¼×20 threads of a prior art table base. Although the leveler itself does spin, it still allows the user to make adjustments more readily than traditional levelers.

FIG. 24 provides several views of a leg extension of a table Base of the present invention. Since it is only the ends that need modification this drawing accommodates the 22″×22″, 30″×30″ and the 36″×36″ “x” bases. It also accommodates other bases by other manufactures of similar design.

FIG. 25 illustrates discs of embodiments of the present invention which accommodate the “Hex Captive Nut” that is inside of the leg extension and thereby lock the disc to the captive nut so the user can adjust the levelers from the side and without lifting or moving the base. It is also the only reason the user can adjust the table height with contents of higher weight on the table tops.

FIG. 26 illustrates a “Retaining Disc” of the present invention. This is unique in that it is manufactured with a “D” broach to prevent the leveler from floating/spinning when there is no natural friction, i.e. when there is no downward pressure on the leveler it would spin when being adjusted. The “D” broach matches the leveler stem in shape and prevents spinning of the leveler.

FIG. 27 are views of a #4 Stock Nut for the “Captive Nut” feature. It is installed in the base and locks the Leveler Disc to the nut and allows the user to adjust the leveler with out it twisting or spinning and thereby also provides a high weight limit for the table.

FIG. 28 provides views of a #5 Screw used to fasten the “Retaining Disc” to the leg extension of the base.

FIG. 29 is a photograph of a #6 Leveler which has been modified by cutting a flat side that matches the “D” broach in the “Retaining Disc.” It is 5/16×18×1″ stem for durability and longer stroke. We offer other levelers that may have a larger base or longer stroke.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

My Invention makes possible the LEVELING and STABILIZATION of a table base and therefore the table top attached to it, by adjusting a dial or disc and without lifting, tilting or affecting the contents on the table top.

Unlike any other solution for uneven and wobbly tables it is integrated into the side of the base leg extention.

It is mechanical and therefore very durable. The levelers can be replaced due to natural wear and tear, if desired, without having to buy a whole new base.

List of innovative and unique features:

• • 1) it is integrated into the side of the base leg
  • 2) It can be used/adjusted when the table if full of food and beverage
  • 3) It is mechanical and manufactured of cast iron and steel with a rubber plastic leveler making it very durable
  • 4) The levelers do not spin which gives my invention the ability to adjust height even with a high amount of weight on the table and base.
  • 5) The Captive nut that is inside of the base leg is steel and threaded 5/16×18 to allow small but smooth adjustment of the leveler and therefore height and position of the base and table.
  • 6) It allows the user to LEVEL and make STABLE the table base. i.e.: It can be adjusted to level a table on a sloping AND uneven floor.

Process Summary

With the manufacture's permission, we take an existing “X” style table base and machine the leg extensions to accommodate the 5 parts of the invention. We partnered with the largest manufacture and distributor in the industry, JI Base/Jacobs international.

We then assemble the 2 proprietary stamped parts using screws to affix the “retaining disc.” We then package the base putting the modified levelers in packs and leaving the levelers in the box with instructions.

Purchases can buy online from our cart at www.flatfootbases.com or using our wholesale distribution channels. We ship the bases using traditional and existing companies such as USPS, UPS or FED EX. With large orders we may use LTL shipping.

There are 4 companies involved in the process:

Jacobs International—They machine the bases to accommodate the proprietary parts
Peter Forg Manufacturing Inc.—They stamp and black zinc barrel plate the proprietary and unique parts to be assembled and then ship them to St. Louis, Mo.
Gabriel Glides—We purchase existing Glides/Levelers.
Clark Logistics—Clark Assembles, stores, repackages and then ships the Integrated Bases of the present invention.

Process Steps Outline

1) Peter Forg Mfg. stamps the 2 proprietary parts.

• • a. The “0.505 Hex Disc”
  • b. The “D Broach Retaining Disc”

2) We purchase 3 existing parts

• • a. The “Floating Nut” aka hex coupling nut
  • b. Traditional pan screws 10-32×⅜″
  • c. Existing levelers 5/16×18 thread with 1″ stem.

3) We modify the levelers by cutting a flat side

4) At JI Base we machine existing bases to accommodate the parts

5) We ship the parts to St. Louis, Mo. for assembly. The bases and parts are assembled by a third party

6) We repackage the bases assembled but with the levelers removed to prevent breakage during shipment.

7) The purchaser or user only needs to insert the levelers and install the base to the table as usual.

Note: The component and some of the process can be slightly modified or improved with additional innovation. The patent should cover minor variations in the design and manufacture.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. An integrated leveler for a table base, comprising:

a leveler disc in a slot of a leg of the table base;

a captive nut in an aperture of the leg, the captive nut including a bore, wherein the captive nut is interconnected to the leveler disc;

a retaining disc interconnected to the leg; and

a leveler including an threaded extension, the threaded extension receivable within the bore of the captive nut.