Abstract:
A top mounted column placement element includes a plumb bob hanging element to allow a plumb bob to hang from the top mounted column placement element and identify a corresponding portion of a bottom mounted column placement element. The top mounted column placement element defines a column perimeter. The bottom mounted column placement element also defines a column perimeter. Once the top mounted column placement portion and bottom mounted column placement element are in place, the column can be placed and set to conform to both defined column perimeters, ensuring the column is properly positioned.

Description:
PRIORITY 
     The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/016,274, filed Jun. 24, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed generally toward building devices and more particularly toward installation accessories for columns. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Installing a column properly is a laborious, time consuming task. Columns are often shaped such that they do not have flat exterior surfaces suitable as a reference surface for plumbing the column. Furthermore, when the column is placed on a ground surface that is even slightly non-level, setting the column is a matter of trial and error with no reliable means for objectively testing for plumb. 
     Consequently, it would be advantageous if an apparatus existed that is suitable for objectively determining a proper location for the top and bottom of a column before the column is installed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a novel method and apparatus for objectively determining a proper location for the top and bottom of a column before the column is installed. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, a top mounted column placement element includes a plumb bob hanging element to allow a plumb bob to hang from the top mounted column placement element and identify a corresponding portion of a bottom mounted column placement element. The top mounted column placement element defines a column perimeter. The bottom mounted column placement element also defines a column perimeter. Once the top mounted column placement portion and bottom mounted column placement element are in place, the column can be placed and set to conform to both defined column perimeters, ensuring the column is properly positioned. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the general description, serve to explain the principles. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The numerous advantages of the present invention may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIG. 1A  shows a top, schematic view of a top mounted column placement element for a round column according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1B  shows a side, schematic view of a top mounted column placement element for a round column according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2A  shows a top, schematic view of a top mounted column placement element for a round column according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2B  shows a side, schematic view of a top mounted column placement element for a round column according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  shows a top view of a bottom mounted column placement element for a round column according to at least one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4A  shows a top, schematic view of a top mounted column placement element for a square column according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4B  shows a side, schematic view of a top mounted column placement element for a square column according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5A  shows a top, schematic view of a top mounted column placement element for a square column according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5B  shows a side, schematic view of a top mounted column placement element for a square column according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  shows a top view of a bottom mounted column placement element for a square column according to at least one embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective, environmental view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the subject matter disclosed, which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The scope of the invention is limited only by the claims; numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents are encompassed. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the embodiments has not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , top and side, schematic views of a top mounted column placement element for a round column according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. In at least one embodiment, the top mounted column placement element  100  includes a plumb bob placement indicator  104 . The plumb bob placement indicator  104  indicates the proper location for a hook screw to hang a plum bob. The top mounted column placement element  100  may be mounted to a ceiling or some other structure corresponding to the top portion of a decorative, architectural or building column by one or more screws through one or more screw holes  106 . Alternatively, the top mounted column placement element  100  may be affixed to a ceiling by a chemical adhesive. In addition, a gasket may be placed between the ceiling and the top mounted column placement element  100 . 
     In at least one embodiment, the plumb bob placement indicator  104  may correspond to a protrusion  110  configured to place a gap between the ceiling mounting surface and the plumb bob placement indicator  104 . The protrusion  110  facilitates placement of the hook screw. 
     In at least one embodiment, the top mounted column placement element  100  may include an outside perimeter flange  108  configured to surround the outside perimeter of a column top cap. The outside perimeter flange  108  may prevent water intrusion, vermin, refuse and other such undesirable material beneath the top cap once installed. 
     In at least one embodiment, the bottom surface of the top mounted column placement element  100  may include a visual column placement indicator  102 . The visual column placement indicator  102  defines the outside perimeter of the column once the column is in position. In at least one embodiment, the visual column placement indicator  102  may comprise a differing finish as compared to the rest of the top mounted column placement element  100 . 
     In at least one embodiment, the plumb bob placement indicator  104  is centered in the top mounted column placement element  100 . Furthermore, the visual column placement indicator  102  may define a perimeter equidistant from the plumb bob placement indicator  104 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , top and side, schematic views of a top mounted column placement element for a round column according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. In at least one embodiment, the top mounted column placement element  200  includes a plumb bob placement indicator  204 . The plumb bob placement indicator  204  indicates the proper location for a hook screw to hang a plum bob. The top mounted column placement element  200  may be mounted to a ceiling or some other structure corresponding to the top portion of a column by one or more screws through one or more screw holes  206 . Alternatively, the top mounted column placement element  200  may be affixed to a ceiling by a chemical adhesive. In addition, a gasket may be placed between the ceiling and the top mounted column placement element  200 . 
     In at least one embodiment, the plumb bob placement indicator  204  may correspond to a protrusion  210  configured to place a gap between the ceiling mounting surface and the plumb bob placement indicator  204 . The protrusion  210  facilitates placement of the hook screw. 
     In at least one embodiment, the top mounted column placement element  200  may include an outside perimeter flange  208  configured to surround the outside perimeter of a column top cap. The outside perimeter flange  208  may prevent water intrusion, vermin, refuse and other such undesirable material beneath the top cap once installed. 
     In at least one embodiment, the bottom surface of the top mounted column placement element  200  may include a visual column placement indicator  202 . The visual column placement indicator  202  defines the outside perimeter of the column once the column is in position; during installation, the top of the column is placed such that the perimeter of the top of the column corresponds to the visual column placement indicator  202 , thereby ensuring that the top of the column is properly positioned. In at least one embodiment, the visual column placement indicator  202  may comprise a differing finish as compared to the rest of the top mounted column placement element  200 . Alternatively, or in addition to the visual column placement indicator  202 , the top mounted column placement element  200  may include an internal column flange  212  to hold a column in place. 
     In at least one embodiment, the plumb bob placement indicator  204  is centered in the top mounted column placement element  200 . Furthermore, the visual column placement indicator  202  may define a perimeter equidistant from the plumb bob placement indicator  204 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a top view of a bottom mounted column placement element for a round column according to at least one embodiment of the present invention is shown. In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a bottom mounted column placement element  300  comprises a plumb bob target  304 . In conjunction with a plumb bob hanging from a corresponding top mounted column placement element, the bottom mounted placement element  300  is placed such that the plumb bob target  304  is aligned with the hanging plumb bob. An outside perimeter placement indicator  302  indicates where the outside of a column should be placed so that the column is properly aligned at both the top and bottom. A base cap may then be placed to cover the bottom mounted placement element. 
     In at least one embodiment, the bottom mounted placement element  300  may be taped or chemically adhered to a bottom surface once properly placed with reference to the plumb bob target  304  so that the plumb bob may be removed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , top and side, schematic views of a top mounted column placement element for a square column according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. In at least one embodiment, the top mounted column placement element  400  includes a plumb bob placement indicator  404 . The plumb bob placement indicator  404  indicates the proper location for a hook screw to hang a plum bob. The top mounted column placement element  400  may be mounted to a ceiling or some other structure corresponding to the top portion of a column by one or more screws through one or more screw holes  406 . Alternatively, the top mounted column placement element  400  may be affixed to a ceiling by a chemical adhesive. In addition, a gasket may be placed between the ceiling and the top mounted column placement element  400 . 
     In at least one embodiment, the top mounted column placement element  400  may include a second plumb bob placement indicator  412  for hanging a plumb bob to correctly orient a corresponding bottom mounted placement element. Because the top mounted column placement element  400  and corresponding column are not round, the correct orientation of the top mounted column placement element  400  and corresponding bottom mounted placement element are aesthetically necessary. 
     In at least one embodiment, the plumb bob placement indicator  404  may correspond to a protrusion  410  configured to place a gap between the ceiling mounting surface and the plumb bob placement indicator  404 . The protrusion  410  facilitates placement of the hook screw. 
     In at least one embodiment, the top mounted column placement element  400  may include an outside perimeter flange  408  configured to surround the outside perimeter of a column top cap. The outside perimeter flange  408  may prevent water intrusion, vermin, refuse and other such undesirable material beneath the top cap once installed. 
     In at least one embodiment, the bottom surface of the top mounted column placement element  400  may include a visual column placement indicator  402 . The visual column placement indicator  402  defines the outside perimeter of the column once the column is in position. In at least one embodiment, the visual column placement indicator  402  may comprise a differing finish as compared to the rest of the top mounted column placement element  400 . 
     In at least one embodiment, the plumb bob placement indicator  404  is centered in the top mounted column placement element  400 . Furthermore, the visual column placement indicator  402  may define a perimeter equidistant from the plumb bob placement indicator  404 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A   5 B, top and side, schematic views of a top mounted column placement element for a square column according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. In at least one embodiment, the top mounted column placement element  500  includes a plumb bob placement indicator  504 . The plumb bob placement indicator  504  indicates the proper location for a hook screw to hang a plum bob. The top mounted column placement element  500  may be mounted to a ceiling or some other structure corresponding to the top portion of a column by one or more screws through one or more screw holes  506 . Alternatively, the top mounted column placement element  500  may be affixed to a ceiling by a chemical adhesive. In addition, a gasket may be placed between the ceiling and the top mounted column placement element  500 . 
     In at least one embodiment, the top mounted column placement element  500  may include a second plumb bob placement indicator (not shown) for hanging a plumb bob to correctly orient a corresponding bottom mounted placement element. Because the top mounted column placement element  500  and corresponding column are not round, the correct orientation of the top mounted column placement element  500  and corresponding bottom mounted placement element are aesthetically necessary. 
     In at least one embodiment, the plumb bob placement indicator  504  may correspond to a protrusion  510  configured to place a gap between the ceiling mounting surface and the plumb bob placement indicator  504 . The protrusion  510  facilitates placement of the hook screw. 
     In at least one embodiment, the top mounted column placement element  500  may include an outside perimeter flange  508  configured to surround the outside perimeter of a column top cap. The outside perimeter flange  508  may prevent water intrusion, vermin, refuse and other such undesirable material beneath the top cap once installed. 
     In at least one embodiment, the bottom surface of the top mounted column placement element  500  may include a visual column placement indicator  502 . The visual column placement indicator  502  defines the outside perimeter of the column once the column is in position. In at least one embodiment, the visual column placement indicator  502  may comprise a differing finish as compared to the rest of the top mounted column placement element  500 . Alternatively, or in addition to the visual column placement indicator  502 , the top mounted column placement element  500  may include an internal column flange  512  to hold a column in place. 
     In at least one embodiment, the plumb bob placement indicator  504  is centered in the top mounted column placement element  500 . Furthermore, the visual column placement indicator  502  may define a perimeter equidistant from the plumb bob placement indicator  504 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a top view of a bottom mounted column placement element for a square column according to at least one embodiment of the present invention is shown. In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a bottom mounted column placement element  600  comprises a plumb bob target  604 . In conjunction with a plumb bob hanging from a corresponding top mounted column placement element, the bottom mounted placement element  600  is placed such that the plumb bob target  604  is aligned with the hanging plumb bob. An outside perimeter placement indicator  602  indicates where the outside of a column should be placed so that the column is properly aligned at both the top and bottom. A base cap may then be placed to cover the bottom mounted placement element. 
     In at least one embodiment, the bottom mounted column placement element  600  may include a second plumb bob target  606  for indicating the proper orientation of the bottom mounted placement element  600  with reference to a corresponding top mounted column placement element. Because the top mounted column placement element, bottom mounted placement element  600  and corresponding column are not round, the correct orientation of the bottom mounted placement element  600  and corresponding top mounted column placement element are aesthetically necessary. 
     In at least one embodiment, the bottom mounted placement element  600  may be taped or chemically adhered to a bottom surface once properly placed with reference to the plumb bob target  604  so that the plumb bob may be removed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , a perspective, environmental view of one embodiment of the present invention is shown. In at least one embodiment, a top mounted column placement element  700  is mounted to a top surface corresponding to the location of the top of a column  706 . A plumb bob  704  is attached at a plumb bob placement indicator in the top mounted column placement element  700  indicates the center, plumb bob target of a bottom mounted column placement element  702 . The plumb bob  704  allows the top mounted column placement element  700  and bottom mounted column placement element  702  to be aligned such that a column  706  placed with reference to a visual column placement indicator in the top mounted column placement element  700  and outside perimeter placement indicator in the bottom mounted column placement element  702  will be substantially vertical. 
     It is believed that the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description of embodiments of the present invention, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely an explanatory embodiment thereof, it is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.