Abstract:
A pedestal includes a base is releasably fixed to an elongate post. The base includes an annular flange and a central plateau which has a central opening. At least one tongue extends from the plateau into the opening. A rim protrudes from the flange and is spaced radially outboard of the plateau. A spider is fixed on the post end and has at least one radially outwardly extending leg. The post has a first circumferential position in which the leg is located in the base central opening circumferentially offset from the tongue. The post has a second circumferential position in which the leg snugly underlies and is axially trapped by the tongue. One of the tongue and the leg have a circumferentially extending ramp surface tightly camingly engaged with an opposed surface of the other of the tongue and the leg in the post second position. In the post second position, the leg axially tightly abuts the plateau and the tongue tightly abuts the opposed surface. An annular member is axially movable on the post. The member has a first axial position relatively distant from the spider and a second axial position adjacent a lateral plane of the spider and engaging the base in a ramp and opposing surface disengagement inhibiting relation.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to a pedestal mountable on a first support structure for carrying a second support structure in spaced relation to the first support structure. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Mountable pedestals configured to carry a supported structure have found considerable usefulness. More specifically, these mountable pedestals have been particularly useful for supporting tabletops, seats and other such items on the floor (e.g. deck) in recreational vehicles and boats. 
     Applicant has found that a combination of factors can increase the desirability of a particular pedestal. For instance, the pedestal should be quick and easy to attach and remove as to both the supported item and the floor. In addition, the pedestal should provide a sturdy location, with respect to the floor, of the item being supported. For example, if the pedestal is supporting a table, the pedestal should be configured to prevent excessive wobbling of the tabletop and to allow the table to support an acceptable load. Further, the pedestal should be aesthetically pleasing, or at the very least not aesthetically displeasing, to the viewer. 
     The assignee of the present application has manufactured commercially successful mountable pedestals for a number of years, but continues to try to improve such pedestals. The invention disclosed herein arises from that continued effort to improve upon existing pedestals. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to a new and useful pedestal. The pedestal includes a base that is releasably fixed to an elongate post. The base unit includes a base and a mounting assembly which is secured to the post. A central opening extends through the base. At least one tongue is provided on the base and extends into the central opening. A spider is fixed at an end of the post and has at least one radially outwardly extending leg. The post has a first circumferential position with respect to the base in which the at least one leg of the spider is located in the base central opening and is circumferentially offset from the at least one tongue. The post has a second circumferential position with respect to the base in which the at least one leg of the spider snugly underlies and is axially trapped by the at least one tongue. When the post is in the second circumferential position, a circumferentially extending ramp surface of one of the at least one tongue and the at least one leg is tightly camingly engaged with an opposed surface of the other of the at least one tongue and the at least one leg. An annular member is sleeved on the post and is axially movable thereon. The member has a first axial position relatively distant from the spider and a second axial position adjacent a lateral plane of the spider. When the annular member is in the second axial position, it engages the base in a manner which inhibits disengagement of the ramp surface and the opposed surface of the at least one tongue of the base and the at least one leg of the spider. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of the pedestal according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, such pedestal including a base unit, a pedestal upstanding from such base unit, and a connector unit mounted on such pedestal; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of a base of the FIG. 1 base unit; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross sectional side view of the base of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a central cross sectional view of an end cap of the FIG. 1 base unit; 
     FIG. 5 is a top view of the FIG. 4 end cap; 
     FIG. 5A is an enlarged fragment view of the end cap of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the FIG. 4 end cap; 
     FIG. 7A is a top view of a screw mounting block of the FIG. 1 base unit; 
     FIG. 7B is a cross sectional side view of the FIG. 7A screw mounting block; 
     FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of an annular member of the FIG. 1 base unit; 
     FIG. 9 is a top view of the FIG. 8 annular member; 
     FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the FIG. 8 annular member; 
     FIG. 11 is a top view of a spider of the FIG. 1 base unit; 
     FIG. 12 is a side view of the FIG. 11 spider; 
     FIG. 13A is a top view, substantially as viewed along the line XIII—XIII, of the base unit of FIG. 1 illustrating the spider in a first circumferential position with respect to the base; 
     FIG. 13B is a view similar to FIG. 13A but illustrating the spider in a second circumferential position with respect to the base; 
     FIG. 14A is a cross sectional view, substantially as viewed along the line XIV—XIV, of the lower end of the pedestal of FIG. 1 illustrating the annular member in its first axial position with respect to the pedestal; 
     FIG. 14B is a view similar to FIG. 14A but illustrating the annular member in its second axial position with respect to the base; 
     FIG. 15A is a front view of a latch for attachment to the pedestal and engagement of the connector member of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 15B is a cross sectional side view of the latch of FIG. 15A; 
     FIG. 16A is a front view of an end cap for use with the connector unit of the FIG. 1 pedestal, wherein the end cap is secured to the upper end of the pedestal post; 
     FIG. 16B is a side view of the upper end of the pedestal post of FIG. 1 with the connector assembly end cap attached; 
     FIG. 17 is a top view of a connector member for use with the connector unit of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the FIG. 17 connector member; 
     FIG. 19 is a cross sectional side view of the connector unit of the pedestal of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view of the lower end of a pedestal according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention, and showing the annular member in its first position; 
     FIG. 20A is a view similar to FIG. 20 but showing the annular member in its second position; 
     FIG. 21 is a top view of the pedestal of FIG. 20 illustrating the annular member in its second position; 
     FIG. 22 is a bottom view of the annular member of FIG. 20; and 
     FIG. 23 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 14B illustrating an alternative base and a nut of this invention and how these components interact. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to FIG. 1 there is illustrated a mountable pedestal  10  embodying the present invention. The pedestal  10  includes a base unit  11  that is fixable on a floor f. A post  12  extends upward from the base unit  11 . The post is preferably a hollow elongate rigid tube formed of a suitable material, such as aluminum. A connector unit  13  is mounted on an upper end of the post  12 . The connector unit supports an item, such as a tabletop  14 . 
     The base unit  11  includes a base  16  (FIGS. 2-3) and a mounting assembly  17 . The mounting assembly  17  is secured to a lower end  18  of the post  12  and releasably engageable with the base  16 . The base  16  includes an annular flange  21  and is preferably composed of aluminum or another suitable material. A plurality of spaced apart fastener holes  22  extend through the flange  21  (FIG.  2 ). A rim  23  extends downward from an outer edge of the flange  21  (FIG.  3 ). A top surface  24  of the flange  21  is scored (FIG.  2 ). The flange  21  surrounds a central plateau  26  which is stepped up from the flange  21  by an axially extending step  27 . A central opening  28  is formed in the central plateau  26 . Three tongues  29  extend into the opening  28  from the central plateau  26  (FIG.  2 ). The tongues  29  are equally spaced about the circumference of the central opening  28 . The tongues  29  are spaced apart from one another by three notches  31 . A stop  32  is formed in one of the notches  31 . 
     The mounting assembly  17  includes a generally cup-shaped end cap  36  (FIGS.  4 - 6 ). The end cap  36  is preferably manufactured from a durable molded plastic or other suitable material. The end cap  36  includes a bottom end wall  37 . The end cap  36  has inner and outer radial peripheral walls  38  and  39  that extend substantially upward from the end wall  37 . The outer wall  39  terminates in an annular rim  41  (FIG. 4) that projects radially outward away from the inner wall  38 . The inner and outer walls  38  and  39  are spaced apart by an annular groove  42  that opens upward. A peripheral surface of the inner wall  38  includes a plurality of ridges  43  (FIG.  5 A). The ridges  43  will allow the post  12  to be more easily received by the end cap  36  and allow additional room for glue or another adhesive, if desired, between the post  12  and the end cap  36 . An outer peripheral surface of the outer wall  39  of the end cap  36  is threaded. The inner wall  38  includes a number of buttresses  44 . 
     A locator  46  (FIG. 5) projects downward from the center of the end wall  37  of the end cap  36 . A plurality of spaced apart fastener holes  47  extend through the end wall  37  (FIGS.  5  and  6 ). Three ribs  48  extend downward from the end wall  37  and are equally spaced about the circumference of the end wall  37 . As best illustrated in FIG. 6, the ribs  48  are positioned so they are centered between the fastener holes  47 . 
     The mounting assembly  17  includes a screw mounting block  49  (FIGS. 7A-7B) that is positioned in the end cap  36 . The screw mounting block  49  includes three legs  51  that extend radially outward. A fastener hole  52  extends through each leg  51 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 8-10, the mounting assembly  17  includes an annular member  56 . As illustrated, the annular member  56  is a nut which is composed of a suitable material, such as a durable moldable plastic. The nut  56  has inner and outer peripheral surfaces  57  and  58  (FIG.  8 ). The outer peripheral surface  58  is tapered so the circumference of a bottom end  59  of the nut  56  is greater than the circumference of a top end  61  of the nut  56 . The inner peripheral surface  57  is threaded and surrounds a central recess  62  that extends between the top and bottom ends  61  and  59  of the nut  56 . Preferably, the outer peripheral surface  58  of the nut  56  includes a plurality of ridges  63  and contours  64  to facilitate easier gripping and manipulation of the nut  56  by a user (FIG.  9 ). As best illustrated in FIG. 10, the bottom end  59  of the nut  56  is generally cup-shaped and includes a skirt  66  which surrounds the central recess  62 . The skirt  66  includes a free end  67  that has an edge  68  which extends around a bottom surface  69 . The edge  68  of the skirt  66  is scored. 
     The mounting assembly  17  includes a spider  73  (FIGS. 11 and 12) that is composed of a suitable material, such as aluminum or steel. The spider  73  has a centrally positioned locator opening  74  (FIG.  11 ). The spider  73  has three legs  76  that extend radially outward. Each leg  76  is contoured to include two raised portions  77  separated by a downwardly extending central portion  78 , as best illustrated in FIG. 12. A fastener hole  79  extends through each leg  76  (FIG.  11 ). 
     Referring now to FIGS. 15-19, the connector unit  13  includes a latch  81 , here formed as a leaf spring, that has a fixed first end  82  (FIGS. 15A-15B) and a free second end  83 . A fastener hole  84  extends through the first end  82  to facilitate attachment of the latch  81  to the post  12 . The latch  81  is composed of a resiliently bendable material. The latch  81  is mountable on the post  12  so the second end  83  can flex toward and away from the post  12 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 16A-16B the connector unit  13  includes an end cap  86  having an end surface  87 . The end cap  86  includes a central interior opening  88  that is surrounded by an outer wall  89 . The outer wall  89  extends axially away from the end surface  87  and terminates in a substantially annular protrusion  90 . 
     The connector unit  13  includes a connector member  91  (FIGS. 17-19) that has a tapered outer wall  94  and an inner wall  98 . The outer wall  94  connects a central plateau  92  to an annular flange  96  so that the annular flange  96  is stepped from the plateau  92 . A central opening  93  is formed by the inner wall  98 . An annular groove  95  is formed in a lower end of the inner wall  98 . A plurality of spaced apart fastener holes  97  extend through the flange  96 . 
     ASSEMBLY 
     To assemble the pedestal  10 , the base  16  is mounted on the floor f. The base  16  is first positioned in the desired location on the floor f. Screws S are then inserted through the fastener holes  22  and tightened to secure the base  16 . 
     The mounting assembly  17  is then assembled. The screw mounting block  49  is dropped into the end cap  36  so that it rests on the end wall  37 . Due to its configuration, the screw mounting block  49  can only be received in the lower end  18  of the post  12  with the legs  51  extending between the buttresses  44 . Thus, when the screw mounting block  49  is positioned on the end wall  37  of the end cap  36 , the fastener holes  52  will be aligned with the fastener holes  47  of the end wall  37 . 
     The nut  56  is then positioned around the end cap  36 . The nut  56  is secured to the end cap  36  by a mating of the internal threads of the nut  56  with the external threads of the end cap  36 . The nut  56  is advanced about the end cap  36  until the top end  61  of the nut  56  abuts the rim  41  of the outer wall  39  of the end cap  36  (FIG.  14 A). The nut  56  is now in a first axial position with respect to the end cap  36 . 
     Once the nut  56  is in its first axial position, the spider  73  is attached to the end wall  37  of the end cap  36 . To mount the spider  73 , the locator  46  of the end wall  37  is positioned in the locator opening  74  of the spider  73 . The spider  73  is then oriented so the fastener holes  79  in the legs  76  are aligned with the fastener holes  47  in the end wall  37  and the fastener holes  52  of the screw mounting block  49 . A screw  80  or other suitable fastener is tightened in each set of fastener holes  52 ,  79  and  47  to secure the spider  73  to the end wall  37 . The raised portions  77  of each leg  76  are adjacent the end wall  37 . The central portion  78  of each leg  76  of the spider  73  projects downwardly away from the end wall  37  of the end cap  36 . When assembled, the legs  76  of the spider  73  extend outward between adjacent ribs  48  of the end cap  36  (FIG.  14 A). 
     Once the spider  73  is secured to the end cap  36 , the post  12  can be secured to the mounting assembly  17 . The lower end  18  of the post  12  is inserted into the end cap  36  so the lower end  18  is positioned in the annular groove  42  between the inner and outer walls  38  and  39  of the end cap  36 . The lower end  18  of the tube  12  can be secured to the end cap by an adhesive, such as glue. The end cap  36  is preferably also secured to the post  12  by a fastener  19  which will further prevent the end cap  36  from axial and/or rotational movement with respect to the post  12 . Once the mounting assembly  17  is secured to the post  12 , the post  12  is positioned over the base  16  so that each leg  76  of the spider  73  is positioned in the central opening  28  of the base  16  and axially extends into a notch  31  between adjacent tongues  29  so as to be offset from the tongues  29 , as illustrated in FIG.  13 A. The base  16  is now in a first circumferential position with respect to the post  12 . The post  12  is then rotated with respect to the base  16  so that the base  16  is in a second circumferential position with respect to the post (FIG.  13 B). When the base  16  is in this position, each leg  76  of the spider  73  is positioned beneath one of the base tongues  29 . One of the legs  76  abuts the stop  32  of the base  16 . Each leg  76  is thus axially trapped by a respective tongue  29  to prevent axial movement of the base  16  with respect to the post  12 . 
     After the base  16  is moved to the second position, the nut  56  is moved to its lower position so the edge  68  of the nut  56  engages the flange  21 , as illustrated in FIG.  14 B. The nut  56  is now tightened over the base  16  to further secure the base  16  in its second position. In addition, since the edge  68  of the nut  56  and the flange  21  are scored, these surfaces will frictionally interact to further inhibit movement of the base  16  with respect to the post  12 . Thus, pedestal  10  can provide a stable and sturdy base for the object supported thereon. Furthermore, since the open notches  31  of the base opening  28  are covered by the nut  56 , the overall aesthetic appearance of the pedestal  10  will be visually pleasing. 
     To complete assembly of the pedestal  10 , the connector unit  13  is secured to the upper end  15  of the post  12 . A suitable fastener is inserted through the fastener hole  84  of the latch  81  and a complementary hole in the upper end  15  of the post  12  to secure the latch  81  to the post. The top end  12  of the post  12  is then inserted in the central opening  88  of the end cap  86 . The connector member  91  is then positioned over the end cap  86  so the end cap  86  is received in the passage  93 . The protrusion  90  on the outer wall  89  opposes the plateau  92  and limits the distance the connector member  91  can be displaced toward the mid-section of the post  12 . As the connector member  91  slides over the top end  12 , the annular groove  95  of the connector member  91  is engaged by the latch  81  on the upper end  15  of the post  12 . Once the opening is engaged by the latch  81 , the connector member  91  is prevented from both axial and circumferential movement with respect to the post  12 . 
     Once the connector unit  13  is secured to the post  12 , the tabletop  14 , or other desired item to be supported, can be mounted thereon. To mount the tabletop  14 , it is first centered over the pedestal  10 . Bolts or other suitable fasteners are then inserted through the bores on the connector flange and into the bottom surface of the tabletop  14 . It should be appreciated that the tabletop  14  or other item could be mounted to the pedestal  10  before the pedestal  10  is mounted to the floor. Similarly, the base  16  could be mounted to the floor prior to being secured to the post  12 . 
     MODIFICATION 
     FIGS. 20-22 show a modified mountable pedestal  110 . The modified pedestal  110  is preferably identical to the previously disclosed pedestal  10 , except as described hereafter. Parts of the pedestal  110  that are similar to parts of the pedestal  10  carry the same reference numerals with the prefix “1” added thereto. 
     FIG. 23 illustrates an alternative base  16   a  and nut  56   a  of this invention. Base  16   a  is formed so as to have an outer flange  21   a  that is the same height or slightly higher than the inner-located center plateau  26 . Between the outer flange  21   a  and center plateau  26 , base  16   a  is formed to have a circular track  160  that is recessed relative to both the outer flange  21   a  and the center plateau  26 . A diagonally upwardly directed circular lip  162  is the portion of the base  16   a  that connects track  160  to the outer flange  21   a.    
     Nut  56   a  is formed to have a free end  67   a  that is outwardly beveled. More particularly, the angle of inclination of base lip  162  and nut free end  67   a  are similar, if not identical. One or both of the outer surfaces of the nut free end  67   a  and the base lip  162  may be scored. The base  16   a  and the nut  56   a  are collectively shaped so that when the nut is screwed against the base, the nut free end  67   a  seats against the base lip  162 . Owing to the outward circumferential contact between the surfaces of these components, lateral movement of the nut  56   a  and, consequently, of the post  12  is restrained. 
     In other alternative versions of this embodiment of the invention, it may be desirable to form that base so that the outer flange is the highest portion of the base, relative to the rim  23 . In these versions of the invention, the circular, diagonally oriented lip located between the inner edge of the outer flange and the inner portions of the base would serve the same function as the above described base lip  162 . The base of these versions of the invention may not require the above-described recessed track. 
     Also, in alternative versions of the invention, the fastener holes  22  formed in the base may be positioned within the inner portion of the base subtended by the nut free end. Thus, in these versions of the invention, once the mounting assembly is fully assembled, the fastener holes, as well as the fasteners seated in them, are concealed from view. 
     The pedestal  110  preferably replaces the threaded end cap  36  of the pedestal with the end cap  136  (FIGS.  20  and  21 ). The end cap  136  has a relatively short outer peripheral wall  139  that extends upward from the end wall  137  of the end cap  136  and terminates in a radially outwardly extending rim  141 . An annular slider  156  is substituted for the nut  56  of the pedestal  10 . The annular slider  156  includes three blocks  199  (FIGS. 21-22) that extend downward toward the base  116 . The slider  156  is movable along the post  112  between a first axial position spaced apart from the spider  173  (FIG. 20) and a second axial position (FIG.  20 A). The slider  156  is prohibited from moving beyond the first axial position away from the second axial position by the rim  141 . 
     When the base  116  is in its second circumferential position with respect to the post  112 , the legs  176  of the spider  173  are once again axially trapped by the tongues  129  of the base  116 . Thus, the base  116  is prevented from axial movement with respect to the post  112  and inhibited by the engagement of the legs  176  of the spider  173  and the tongues  129  of the central plateau  126  from circumferential movement. When the base  116  is in this position, the slider  156  is moved to its second position so that each block  199  is received in one of the three notches  131  of the base central opening  128  (FIG.  21 ). Thus, the base  116  is prevented from rotational movement about the post  112 . In addition, since the notches  131  of the base  116  are covered by the blocks  199  of the slider  156 , the aesthetic qualities of the post  112  are enhanced. 
     It should be appreciated that the foregoing description is for the purposes of illustration only, and further alternative embodiments of this invention are possible without departing from the scope of the claims. For instance, while the pedestal of the present invention has been illustrated with only one base unit that is secured to the lower end of the post, this is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Indeed, the pedestal could instead be configured to receive a base unit that is attached to the upper end of the post. This configuration could find a particular application with home or office furniture. In addition, the pedestal could be configured to receive a base unit on both the upper and lower ends of the post. This would provide a positive locking attachment at both the upper and lower ends. Thus, the pedestal need not include a connector assembly on either end. 
     In addition to the above modifications, when the present invention includes a connector assembly on either end, any suitable connector assembly could be substituted for the snap lock connector assembly illustrated. Additionally, while a spider having three prongs has been illustrated herein, it should be appreciated that a spider having any sufficient number of prongs could instead be used. For instance, a spider having either two or four prongs could be substituted to lock the pedestal in the desired position. However, it should also be appreciated that the number of legs should be equal to the number of ribs that project downward from the end cap and the number of tongues on the central plateau of the base. 
     Thus, although particular preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that variations or modifications lie within the scope of the present invention and do not depart from the spirit of the invention.