Abstract:
This invention is directed to a uni-body constructed leveling device used to shore and stabilize a furniture leg. This leveling device may include three primary components. First, it has a bottom disk having a first surface and corresponding second surface which is essentially flat and circular. Affixed to the second surface is a vertical shaft having a first end, a second end and a middle column disposed between both the first and second ends. The first end of the vertical shaft is rigidly affixed to the second surface. Lastly, a plurality of platforms are affixed to the bottom disk. Each platform has a unique elevation above the bottom disk. Moreover, each platform is essentially parallel to the second surface of the bottom disk.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention is directed toward a rotatable table leveling disk which can be placed under a furniture leg and twisted to shore up and balance a piece of furniture. Such device may take the form of a circular disk having a vertical shaft which includes a plurality of stepped levels. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In both restaurants and cafes, wobbly tables are a problem both as an annoyance for customers and as a detraction from the table&#39;s function of supporting dinnerware and other articles on it. Whether floors are made of wood, tile, concrete, terrazzo, or any other material, the floor surface is seldom perfectly flat. For this purpose, the legs or pedestals of many tables are provided with glides which are typically mounted by screw threads to enable the glides to be vertically adjusted for stable support of the table on floor surfaces which are not perfectly level. 
         [0003]    The difficulty with conventional table glides is that it is a time consuming process to properly adjust them. In a busy restaurant setting, time is simply not available to make such adjustments each time a table is moved. Such adjustments would likely require that the table be tipped up or turned down on its side for access to the glide with a tool if necessary. Accordingly, such adjustments may be an unacceptable disruption in any event. Finally, even if the table glides are properly adjusted once, readjustment would be necessary each time the table is moved to accommodate combining tables or different table arrangements. 
         [0004]    Even on level surfaces, adjustment may be necessary when combining tables to level them relative to one another. When two tables are moved together, they not only need to be stabilized at that new position, but also leveled with one another to eliminate a ledge at the joint since it may be necessary for a patron to be seated at the junction where two tables meet. 
         [0005]    In an effort to avoid wobbly tables, restaurants (and related establishments) have been known to use cardboard matches or plain wood wedges below selected table glides for leveling and stabilizing wobbly tables. The matchbooks are somewhat compressible and aesthetically detract from what otherwise may be a very elegant restaurant atmosphere. The common wood wedge provides vertical support, but no lateral support. Accordingly, if the table is bumped or moved slightly, it can be moved off of either of these supports. Furthermore, it is difficult to insert a common wedge under the glides of a table pedestal because the precise position of the table glide cannot be seen unless the waiter gets down on hands and knees with his eyes near the floor. 
         [0006]    While there have been several attempts at creating an improved wedge device for shoring up tables, each has limitations as an effective leveling device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,767 issued on Oct. 5, 1993 to Floyd E. Mellen (“the &#39;767 Patent”) is directed to a wedge having a cavity formed on the top surface that extends from the forward end to the rearward end. Such wedge may likewise include a pair of feed to guide the wedge onto the table leg to create a support. 
         [0007]    Other advances to the table leveling systems include a plurality of wedges all of which slide amongst themselves. One example of such system is U.S. Pat. No. 4,858,865 issued on Aug. 22, 1989 to Rudolf Schrepfer (“the &#39;865 Patent”). The &#39;865 leveling mount relates to a three wedges which communicate with each other via a vertical pin. Through twisting a horizontal screw, each of the wedges slide in order to create a desired pile height. 
         [0008]    Similar to the &#39;865 Patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,548 issued on Oct. 11, 1988 to Barry Bezenek relates to an assembly of two wedges. Here, the level system includes a primary wedge having two columns of teeth on the include surface which allows attachment of the second wedge called a “walker.” By affixing the walker onto the primary wedge via the teeth, a user can create a specific pile. However, this requires manually lift and then securing the walker to a desired height. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,292 issued on Feb. 20, 1996 to Jeffrey Richards is directed to two opposing wedge shaped pieced constructed to slide into each other to cause the furniture leg to be raised or lowered. 
         [0010]    Accordingly, there is a need in the art of table leveling devices for a single member constructed device that allows the leveling of a furniture leg without need of manipulating multiple wedges towards or about each other. Such system should be easy to place under a furniture leg, as well as capable of adjustment once placed under the table. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    This invention solves many of the limitations found in current devices used to shore and/or stabilize furniture legs when on uneven surfaces. Moreover, the invention offers a uni-body constructed device that does not require the manipulation of multiple wedges or other devices to create a designed pile or height to stabilize the furniture. Accordingly, the technology instead offers the advance of a simple yet effective shoring device with reduced risk of dislodging due to extensive use of the suspect furniture. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment of the invention, the device is directed to a leveling device having three part construction. More specifically, the device includes a bottom disk, a vertical shaft, and a plurality of platforms having various heights about the bottom base. More specifically, the bottom disk includes a first surface and corresponding second surface, both of which mirror each other in size and dimension. The second surface may include ornamentation such as a logo, symbol or information about an establishment&#39;s food or drink specials. 
         [0013]    The second component of the leveling device is the vertical shaft which is perpendicularly attached to the bottom disk. Such vertical shaft includes a first end, a corresponding second end and a middle column disposed between both the first and second ends. Preferably, the first end of the vertical shaft is rigidly affixed to the second surface of the bottom disk. Optionally, the middle column includes a plurality of cavities sufficient to engage a furniture leg. 
         [0014]    The third component are a plurality of platforms affixed to the bottom disk. Each platform has a unique elevation above the bottom disk and is essentially parallel to the second surface of the bottom disk. In one embodiment, there are a total of six different elevations about the bottom disk, through inclusion of a first platform, a second platform, a third platform, a fourth platform, and a fifth platform. In such embodiment, each platform has a unique elevation about the bottom disk. The combined surface of the second surface and these various five platforms may form a single ornamentation which shows a particular logo, symbol or related information. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating various embodiments of the present invention, in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the leveling device having stepped surfaces; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the leveling device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the spiral leveling device; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the spiral leveling device shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the sloped leveling device; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the sloped leveling device shown in  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
       The Stepped Level Device 
       [0023]      FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  illustrate, by way of example, one embodiment of the leveling device  100 . As shown, the salient components of the leveling device  100  may include a bottom disk  110 , a central vertical shaft  120 , and a plurality of stepped levels  130 . Each stepped level  130  is preferably affixed to the central vertical shaft  120  and is at a different height/elevation above the bottom disk  110 . 
         [0024]    As further illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the bottom disk  110  is essentially flat and circular. Such bottom disk  100  can optionally be other essentially rounded shapes such as octagons, etc. Moreover, such bottom disk  110  includes first surface  111  and a corresponding second surface  112 . The first surface  111  preferably rests on a hard surface, such as a restaurant floor. Optionally, the first surface  111  may include ornamentation  113  which may include but is certainly not limited to various logos. Such logos may include beer, wine or spirits carried by a restaurant establishment or related business. Likewise, a portion of the second surface  112  may also include ornamentation  113  (along with the various stepped levels  130  positioned on top of the second surface  112 ). 
         [0025]    Positioned on the second surface  112  of the bottom disk  110  is the central vertical shaft  120 . As further shown in  FIG. 1 , such vertical shaft  120  is affixed essentially perpendicular to the second surface  112 . Preferably (although it is not required) the vertical shaft  120  is positioned in the center of the bottom disk  110 . Such vertical shaft  120  includes a first side  121 , a top side  122 , and a middle column  123  (positioned between both sides  121  and  122 ). As shown, the first side  121  is rigidly affixed to the second surface  112  of the bottom disk  110 . 
         [0026]    While the middle column  123  of the vertical shaft  120  is preferably tubular in shape and construction, it can be a variety of shapes and sizes. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the middle column  123  can have the cross section of a star or other known shape (i.e., a triangle, a square, a pentagon, and octagon, etc). Accordingly, the middle column  125  can include the cross section of a known logo, crest, or other personal identifier—or a related form of preferred ornamentation  124 . 
         [0027]    The third primary component of the leveling device  100  are a series of two or more stepped levels  130 . As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , these stepped levels  130  may take the form of various height platforms  131 . Each platform  131  is at a different height about the bottom disk  110 . Preferably, each platform  131  is parallel (and therefore essentially horizontal with) the second surface  112 . According, the plurality of these platforms  131  are affixed to the vertical shaft  120  such that each platform  131  has a unique elevation above the bottom disk  110 . 
         [0028]    As specifically illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the middle column  123  takes the form of a five point star. Attached to the middle column  123  are four platforms  131 : a first platform  132 , a second platform  133 , a third platform  134 , and a fourth platform  135 . This creates five different elevations which a furniture leg may rest in order to be stabilized (i.e., shored up). The lowest elevation for the leveling device  100  is a portion of the second surface  112 . Positioned at elevation above this portion of the second surface  112  is the first platform  132 . Likewise, the second platform  133  is positioned at a height above the first platform  132 . 
         [0029]    When a middle column  123  takes the form of ornamentation  124  such as a five-point star, it may create a plurality of cavities  136 . These cavities  136  allow a furniture leg to be more securely rest on the chosen platform  131  as well as abut the middle column  123 . This helps reduce wobbling and reduces the risk of the leveling device  100  to become dislodged. 
       Spiral Leveling Device 
       [0030]    Both  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  illustrates, by way of example, a second embodiment of a spiral leveling device  200 . As shown, the spiral leveling device  200  includes a flat bottom portion  210 , a central point  220 , and a plurality of stepped levels  230 . Here, the bottom portion  210  is again essentially flat and circular having a first surface  211  and a corresponding second surface  212 . Such first surface  211  can include ornamentation  213  in a variety of forms including a logo of the restaurant establishment, or the beer, wine or spirits served at such establishment. Moreover, such ornamentation  213  could include food or drink specials. 
         [0031]    Positioned on top of the second surface  211  are a plurality of stepped levels  230  which are formed from multiple platforms  231 . As shown, this embodiment includes six varying elevations based upon the attachment of five platforms  231 : a first platform  232 , a second platform  233 , a third platform  234 , a fourth platform  235  and a fifth platform  236 . As shown each platform  232 - 235  includes an interior curved side  237  and a corresponding exterior curved side  238 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , both curved sides  237  and  238  help create a spiral appearance and affect on the top surface of the spiral leveling device  100 . The interior curved sides  237  help form a cavity  239  which again helps position and engage a furniture leg. 
         [0032]    As further shown in  FIG. 4 , a section of each platform  232 - 235  may have a portion of graphical content to show ornamentation  120  in the form of a logo, design or statement. Such statement can be information about the restaurant establishment such as daily food or drink specials. Moreover, the placement of each of the various platforms  232 - 235  creates a central point  220  which is located preferably (but not necessarily) in the center of the bottom disk  210 . 
         [0033]    Through placement of the spiral leveling disk  200  below a furniture leg, the device can be rotated about the bottom disk  100  (see  FIG. 3 ). By positioning the correct elevated platform  231 , the device can engage the furniture leg. By rotating it within the cavity  239  created by the interior curved side  237 , the furniture leg is essentially locked in to reduce the risk of becoming dislodged from the spiral leveling disk  200 . 
       Sloped Leveling Device 
       [0034]    Both  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  show, by way of example, yet a third embodiment of the device in the form of a sloped leveling device  300 . Such sloped leveling device  300  can be employed to help shore and/or stabilize a furniture leg, as well as alternatively act as a door stop. As shown, the sloped leveling device  300  may include a bottom disk  310 , a central vertical shaft  320 , and a single inclined spiral slope  330 . Such single inclined spiral slip  330  is affixed onto the central vertical shaft  320  to provide a gradual elevation above the bottom disk  110 . 
         [0035]    As further illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the bottom disk  310  is essentially flat and circular having a first surface  311  and a corresponding second surface  312 . As with the other leveling devices  100  and  200 , the first surface  311  of the sloped leveling device  300  can display a form of ornamentation  313  (such as a graphic, logo, etc.). 
         [0036]    Positioned on the second surface  312  of the bottom disk  310  is the central vertical shaft  320 . As further shown in  FIG. 5 , such vertical shaft  320  is affixed essentially perpendicular to the second surface  312 . Preferably (although it is not required) the vertical shaft  320  is positioned in the center of the bottom disk  310 . Such vertical shaft  320  includes a first side  321 , a top side  322 , and a middle column  323  (positioned between both sides  321  and  322 ). As shown, the first side  321  is rigidly affixed to the second surface  312  of the bottom disk  310 . 
         [0037]    As further shown in  FIG. 5 , the single inclined spiral slope  330  is a gradual slope that provide a larger range of elevations about the bottom disk  110 . This allows a more custom fit and shoring of the furniture leg by simply rotating the bottom disk  110  about such leg.  FIG. 6  offers an elevation view of the spiral slope  330  in light of the central shaft  320 .