Support and levelling device

A levelling structure for levelling a structure having supports for secondary support on fixed footings. A coupling mechanism extends between an access point on the structure and the footings. Adjustment of the coupling member from the structure alters the elevation of the structure and supports together towards or away from the footings. By providing the adjustment from the structure itself, the requirement for elevational adjustment beneath the structure is avoided as well as adjustment against the opposition of the load.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a support device and more particularly, the present invention relates to a support and levelling arrangement for supporting a structure and allowing for simplified use for levelling the structure relative to the surface upon which it is placed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a wide array of levelling and supporting devices promulgated in the prior art. In a simple form, levelling devices, such as those for a large appliance provide a threaded rod having a foot at the terminal end. In use, a user must rotate the foot or footing under the weight of the appliance to which it is attached. This is clearly difficult and to be simplified, the weight of the appliance must be mitigated by lifting the appliance and then subsequently rotating the footing. Depending on the surface on which the appliance is placed, this may require several attempts in order to achieve levelling.

Another embodiment of levelling/supporting arrangements is the screw jack. These are generally used in levelling, for example an outdoor deck. The jack is disposed between a footing and the supporting beam of the deck. The footing is generally a cement preform in contact with the ground. The levelling is achieved by rotating the threaded handles of the jack which urges the threaded support rod up against the beam. As will be appreciated, there is a significant load on the jack. In some instances, the user must crawl under the deck to either install or use such jacks. This presents a significant safety issue. The possibility of the jack device moving off centre of the significant load can result in the structure falling onto the user underneath.

Another form of levelling arrangement typically used for deck support is the U shaped threaded bracket fixed into a cement preform. The bracket receives a section of lumber therein which, in turn, is connected to the beam of the deck. This arrangement is particularly limited in that the significant load of the deck must be borne by the section of lumber. In order to operate this system, the adjustment requires rotation of a nut under the full load of the deck negatively affecting the stability of the structure. Further, the mechanical components are exposed to the elements and over the course of time the connection between the steel rod in the cement can become compromised. To an unsuspecting user, adjustment, in light of the forces involved, could result in mechanical failure leading to injury.

In respect of the patent and related published literature, Carlson, in United States Patent Publication No. US 2004/0163334, published Aug. 26, 2004, provides an adjustable beam of the variety noted above. A cement footing is provided with a nut which receives a threaded segment attached to a U shaped bracket. The latter receives a beam therein. Adjustment is achieved by rotation under the full load of the structure underneath the U shaped bracket.

A method and apparatus for adjusting a pier block is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,561,950, issued to Collins et al., Oct. 8, 1996. A threaded rod is fixed into a footing and includes a rotatable member thereon for adjusting the elevation of a bracket suited to retaining a support. The adjustment is done on the threaded member under load and under the bracket.

Busby, in U.S. Pat. No. 9,499,992, issued Nov. 22, 2016, provides a height adjustable flooring substrate support system. The arrangement incorporates a plurality of spacer, plates and supports which are rotationally movable to support a floor on the ground. Adjustment is made by rotation of selected members of the multiple component structure and then a flooring material is placed there over.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,687, issued Apr. 16, 2002, to Heintz et al. discloses a method and apparatus for levelling a manhole cover frame. A rim holder engages the rim of the rim of the frame. A threaded bolt is threaded in the holder and allows elevational adjustment to the correct road surface level.

Other levelling arrangements are depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 3,511,001, issued May 12, 1970, to Morgan Jr. The arrangement is resilient levelling means for floors.

The arrangement provides an underlayment with a threaded adjustment for altering the underlayment relative to a concrete floor. Once levelled, finished flooring is placed there over. Once the finished flooring is positioned, no further adjustment of the levelling is possible. In embodiments, the arrangement includes biasing devices to provide a degree of resiliency to the finished floor. Although a generally useful arrangement, re-levelling is only possible by removal of the finished flooring material.

In order to mitigate the safety, mechanical and ease of use issues, there is required a support/levelling arrangement which allows a user to adjust elevation/level of a supported structure at the point of the supported structure, not beneath it. Further there is a need for such an arrangement that does not fixedly secure load bearing members to a footing or require movement of the footing to assist of facilitate levelling.

Advantageously, the present invention ameliorates the issues noted to provide a safe, effective and simple to use arrangement having application in a number of support/levelling environments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A further object of on embodiment of the present invention is to provide a levelling apparatus suitable for levelling a structure having a top surface, comprising: a retaining member suitable for retaining a support member, the support member having a top surface and a bottom surface, the support member for supporting the structure;an adjustable coupling member operatively connected between the retaining member and the top surface of the structure in use and operable from the top surface of the structure allowing levelling of the structure relative to a surface upon which the support member is positioned.

The arrangement may be utilized for levelling any number of structures, such as flooring, decks, platforms, stages, budding structures such as domiciles, bridges as well as furniture, pool tables, appliances, inter alia.

Of particular convenience is the fact that adjustment is possible from the structure to be levelled itself. This eliminates the need for accessing the underside to the structure. This is very advantageous in a situation where one needs to adjust the level of a low deck. With the present invention, the user can simply actuate the coupling member from top of the deck.

In some embodiments, the building structure includes an opening in registration with the adjustable coupling member to facilitate access to the adjustable coupling member whereby the building structure may be selectively levelled.

Optionally, the access point may be positioned on the structure at another point which is equally convenient and still provides the benefit of adjustment completely away from the underside of the structure and load bearing members and/or footings.

In embodiments herein, operative connection between the adjustable coupling and the retaining member comprises a threaded nut fixedly secured to retaining member.

Working in concert with the retaining member is the adjustable coupling comprising an elongate threaded rod extending between a top surface and a bottom surface of said support.

In some embodiments, the elongate rod may extend through the support from the top surface to the bottom surface. In other embodiments, the arrangement may include rods on either side of the support member.

A further object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a kit for facilitating levelling of support beams supporting a deck structure having support footings and a top deck surface, comprising:

a retainer for retaining a respective support beam;

a coupling structure adjustably coupled to the retainer and configured to extend, in use, from the support footings to an access point on said top deck surface whereby adjustment of the coupling structure from the deck surface alters the height of the respective support beam relative support footings.

A still further object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a method for levelling a structure having a frame on a surface upon which the structure is positioned, comprising:

positioning an adjustable coupling member between an access point on the structure, the frame and the surface upon which the structure is positioned; and

adjusting the adjustable coupling member from the access point on the structure to alter the elevation of the structure and the frame together relative to the surface upon which the structure is positioned.

In use, the surface upon which the structure is positioned is maintained in a fixed position by the rotational movement of the adjustable coupling member relative to said surface upon which the structure is positioned. Movement of the structure and frame together towards or away from the surface upon which the structure is positioned is effected upon adjustment of the adjustable coupling member.

Other significant advantages will become transparent from a review of the details defined herein after.

Having thus generally described the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, illustrating preferred embodiments.

Similar numerals used in the Figures denote similar elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now toFIG.1, shown is a prior art arrangement globally referenced by numeral10for supporting a structure12, shown in the example as a deck platform14. A support beam16underlies the platform14.

For elevation and support, structure18is provided for positioning on the ground surface, G. The structure18provides a base or footing20, typically a cement preform, into which is fixed a tube22having a threaded nut24connected thereto. Nut24threadably receives a threaded rod26having a U shaped bracket28connected thereto. The bracket28receives a section of lumber30therein; the lumber section30connects and supports support beam16.

Adjustment of the beam16is achieved by turning nut24to urge the rod26upwardly. The adjustment of nut24must be done under the full load the arrangement is supporting.

Arrangements of this type are well known in the prior art and examples have been identified in the background herein.

From a support point of view, these arrangements are dangerous in that integrity is limited by the fixture of the tube22within the cement footing20, quality of connection between the lumber section30with the bracket28and beam16and the physical ability of a user to adjust the nut24under significant load conditions. All of this is further exacerbated by the fact that adjustment requires a user to be directly adjacent all of the potential failure areas. This is a potentially injurious situation where a user must crawl under the structure12to perform a levelling adjustment.

FIGS.2and3illustrate a first embodiment of the invention which overcomes the limitations of the existing arrangements in the prior art. In the example, a retaining member40is provided for retaining a support (not shown) discussed herein after with respect to the advancing Figures. Retaining member40, in this example, comprises a unitary body having a base42and spaced apart walls44and46integral therewith. Each of the walls44and46include apertures48for receiving fasteners (not shown).

Disposed centrally through base42is a threaded rod50extending upwardly through the base42in a spaced apart relation with walls46and48. The threaded rod50terminates at a free end with a nut52.

The underside54of base42(shown inFIG.3) provides a nut56which is fixedly secured to underside54. Threaded rod50is received within nut56. The opposed end of the threaded rod50includes a non threaded segment58. In use, discussed in the advancing Figures, a push off plate60having an aperture62receives segment58. Apertures64are also provided to receive fasteners (not shown).

Turning now toFIGS.4and5, shown is an example of the arrangement in use. A footing arrangement comprising20and20′ is provided. The top of footing20includes the push off plate60fastened to the footing20via the apertures64. Segment58seats in aperture62as referenced inFIG.3.

A beam structure16is retained within the retaining member40and fastened thereto via apertures48. Beam structure16includes a passage66therethrough to receive threaded rod50. Rod50is rotatable within passage66and may extend partially above the top of the beam structure16.

As will be evident fromFIGS.4and5, the beam structure16normally rests on the support20and in particular, push off plate60, when included. The plate60may not be necessary in ail scenarios and will depend on the type of material used for the footing20. In the example, the structure14being supported is a deck platform which will be referenced with numeral14for purposes of explanation only. The structure14overlies beams16and includes access points68extending therethrough which register with the passages66in the beams16. In this manner, access to the nut52of rod50is accessible for rotation from the top of the structure14. There is full access for a user (not shown) to rotate the nut with a suitable device from the top surface of the structure14without having to access the arrangement anywhere under the structure14, beams16or footings20. Conveniently, the nut52may be adjusted using, for example, a socket driver. Sealing members70may be used to temporarily seal the access points68.

As is schematically illustrated inFIG.5and with further reference toFIG.4, rotation of the nut52from the top surface of the structure14alters the elevation of the beam structure16relative to the footing20by pushing away from the footing from atop the structure14. With the provision of the push off plate60and the seating arrangement of segment58in aperture62, an efficient arrangement is realized. The coupling arrangement, i.e., the retaining member40, rod50and nut56is particularly well suited to accommodating significant loads. For example, for the threaded rod of a diameter of ⅞″, the load capability is in excess of 7000 kg. With the provision of the load being pushed down from the top, a mechanical advantage is provided.

This makes adjustment from the top nearly effortless as is evinced by the fact that a simple socket driver can be used to adjust the level of a significant load.

With the provision of multiple arrangements over the structure14, the levelling can be done at a plurality of points to effectively fine tune the levelling of the structure14.

As will be appreciated, the arrangement can be employed in a number of different embodiments and can be used for levelling building structures, furniture, appliances among a host of other objects. To this end,FIG.6illustrates a further embodiment. In this arrangement, the retaining member40may include only the base42having the nut56similar toFIG.2. This is useful for adjusting the elevation of lighter loads, where the retaining base42retains the structure (not shown) to be supported.

FIG.7illustrates an alternative embodiment where base42includes a single wall support72extending there from. In this embodiment, a second nut74may be fixedly secured to the topside of the base42to cooperate with nut56for enhanced strength. In this example, wall72may be secured to a surface to be supported and levelled (not shown) or may be integrated into the body of, for example, an appliance, generally represented by numeral76. In the case of an appliance being supported, adjustment can be done in an isolated manner from the underside. As is known, adjustment for existing appliance arrangements involves rotation of the footing which is under load conditions and thus moves the load upwardly to achieve levelling. In the embodiment ofFIG.7, adjustment is achieved by pushing down on the load from an area completely spaced from the footing.

FIG.8illustrates yet another embodiment. In this example, walls44and46extend to receive the beam16and at least a part of the footing20. A cross brace78extends between walls44and46and mounts nut56centrally there between. This arrangement adds additional lateral reinforcement by coupling the retaining member to a greater extent between the footing20and beam16.

FIG.9illustrates yet another embodiment of the arrangement. In this example, the coupling member is relocated from generally within the beam16and between walls44and46, to a location outside of the beam16and more particularly at the sides thereof. In this arrangement retaining members80and82are fixedly secured to each side of the beam16and are each thread ably received within a respective threaded rod50. Each rod50passes through retaining member42. As with the previous embodiments, adjustment of the nut52, pushes the beam16away from the footing20and in this example, away from the retaining member42.

As has been set forth, the embodiments allow for the alteration of the elevation of a supported structure by incorporating a coupling structure which may be disposed generally within a supporting structure or alongside of same. Such arrangements allow for adjustment from the top and directly adjacent the top of a structure being supported to allow for the significantly reduced effort in adjusting a load and while allowing this to be performed using the load for a mechanical advantage out of a potentially dangerous situation attributed to making adjustments under the load.