Patent Publication Number: US-8122612-B2

Title: System for indicating the engagement depth of threadably engaged surfaces

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/202,319, filed on Aug. 31, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to the field of threaded support pedestals, such as for supporting an elevated surface above a fixed surface for elevated floors, decks, walkways and similar building assemblies. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Elevated building surfaces such as elevated floors, decks, terraces and walkways are desirable in many environments. One common system for creating such surfaces includes a plurality of surface tiles, such as concrete tiles (pavers), stone tiles or wood tiles, and a plurality of spaced-apart support pedestals upon which the tiles are placed to be supported above a fixed surface. For example, in outdoor applications, the surface tiles may be elevated above a fixed surface by the support pedestals to promote drainage, to provide a level structural surface for walking, and/or to prevent deterioration of or damage to the surface tiles forming the building surface. The support pedestals can have a fixed height, or can have an adjustable height such as to accommodate variations in the contour of the fixed surface upon which the support pedestals are placed, or to create desirable architectural features. 
     In many applications the surface tiles are rectangular in shape, having four corners. Each of the spaced-apart support pedestals can therefore support the corners of four adjacent surface tiles at the tile corners. Stated another way, each surface tile can be supported by portions of four support pedestals that are disposed under each of the four corners of the tile. However, tiles of other shapes and configurations can be utilized. Support pedestals can also be placed under the tiles at locations other than the corners, such as under a central portion of the tiles. 
     One example of a support pedestal is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,264 by Buzon, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The support pedestal disclosed by Buzon can be used in outdoor or indoor environments and is capable of supporting heavy loads applied by many types of building surfaces. The pedestal includes a threaded base member and a threaded support member that is rotatably engaged with the base member to enable the height of the support pedestal to be adjusted by rotating the support member or the base member relative to the other. The support pedestal can also include a coupling member that can couple the base member to the support member for further increasing the height of the support pedestal, if necessary. Buzon also discloses the use of indicator slots to visually inform the user that the maximum safe extension of the support member above the base member has been reached. 
     Support pedestals are also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,363,685 by Kugler and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0261329 by Kugler et al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Thus, support pedestals can include threaded pedestal members that are assembled by rotatably engaging the pedestal members. A majority of the load placed upon the support pedestal is typically borne by the threads. Each threaded pedestal member must often be rotatably engaged with its mating pedestal member to at least a minimum depth that is sufficient to maintain the structural integrity of the pedestal. One problem that may be encountered is that it may be difficult for an operator assembling the structure to ascertain if the minimum engagement depth has been reached. 
     It is an objective to provide a system for indicating the depth of engagement of two threadably engaged surfaces of a support pedestal. It is another objective to provide a system for indicating the depth of engagement of two threadably engaged surfaces of a support pedestal that eliminates the need for visual confirmation of the engagement depth by the operator. 
     Accordingly, in one embodiment, a system for indicating a depth of engagement of two threadably engaged surfaces of a support pedestal is provided. The system may include at least a first thread protuberance disposed on a first threaded surface of the support pedestal. The system may also include at least a second protuberance disposed on a second threaded surface of the support pedestal, whereby the first thread protuberance impinges against the second thread protuberance when the first and second threaded surfaces are threadably engaged and rotated. The impingement of the first thread protuberance against the second thread protuberance advantageously may provide sensory indication of a depth of engagement of the first and second threaded surfaces. 
     A number of feature refinements and additional features may be separately applicable to the foregoing embodiment. These feature refinements and additional features may be implemented individually or in any combination. For example, in one aspect, the first and second thread protuberances do not frictionally engage an opposing threaded surface when the first and second thread protuberances are not in physical contact. In this manner, relative rotation of the threadably engaged first and second threaded surfaces is not inhibited by the protuberances. In another aspect, the first thread protuberance and the second thread protuberance become frictionally engaged when they are in physical contact such that relative rotation of the first and second threaded surfaces in at least one direction is inhibited. In another aspect, the impingement of the first thread protuberance and the second thread protuberance may cause a tactile vibration as the first thread protuberance and the second thread protuberance are moved past each other during relative rotation of the threadably engaged first and second surfaces. In another aspect, the impingement of the first thread protuberance and the second thread protuberance may cause an audible sound as the first thread protuberance and the second thread protuberance are moved past each other during relative rotation of the threadably engaged first and second threaded surfaces. 
     In yet another aspect, the first thread protuberance has a non-symmetrical shape whereby resistance to rotation of the engaged first and second threaded surfaces is greater in one rotational direction than in the other rotational direction when the second thread protuberance moves past the first thread protuberance. 
     The threaded surfaces may include threads having thread crests and thread sidewalls, and thread roots disposed between adjacent thread sidewalls. The protuberances may be disposed on or within any one of the thread crests, thread roots, thread sidewalls, or any combination thereof. In one aspect, the first thread protuberance is disposed within a thread root of the first threaded surface. In another aspect, the second thread protuberance is disposed on a thread crest of the second threaded surface. In another aspect, the first thread protuberance may be disposed on a thread sidewall of the first threaded surface, and the second thread protuberance may be disposed on a thread sidewall of the second threaded surface. 
     Either of the first and second threaded surfaces may comprise a single thread protuberance, or may comprise a plurality of thread protuberances. In one aspect, a plurality of spaced-apart thread protuberances is disposed on the first threaded surface. In a further aspect, a plurality of spaced-apart thread protuberances is also disposed on the second threaded surface. 
     The support pedestal may include several support pedestal members. In one aspect, the first threaded surface is disposed on a base member and the second threaded surface is disposed on a support member of the support pedestal. A support pedestal may also include a coupling member that is adapted to operatively couple the support member to the base member. In one aspect, the coupling member includes at least a third threaded surface and at least a third thread protuberance is disposed on the third threaded surface. In this manner, sensory indication of a depth of engagement of the third threaded surface of the coupling member can be provided when the third threaded surface is threadably engaged with the first threaded surface or the second surface. 
     In another embodiment, a system for indicating a depth of engagement of two threadably engaged surfaces of a support pedestal is provided. This system may include a plurality of spaced-apart root protuberances that are disposed on a thread root of a first threaded surface of the support pedestal. At least a first crest protuberance is disposed on a thread crest of a second threaded surface of the support pedestal, whereby the first crest protuberance impinges against the plurality of root protuberances when the first and second threaded surfaces are threadably engaged and rotated to provide sensory indication of a depth of engagement of the threaded surfaces. 
     A number of feature refinements and additional features may be separately applicable to the foregoing embodiment. These feature refinements and additional features may be implemented individually or in any combination. For example, in one aspect, the root protuberances and the crest protuberance do not frictionally engage an opposing threaded surface when the protuberances are not in physical contact, such that relative rotation of the first and second threaded surfaces is not inhibited by the protuberances. In another aspect, the first and second threaded surfaces become frictionally engaged when the crest protuberance is disposed between adjacent root protuberances such that relative rotation of the first and second threaded surfaces is inhibited in both rotational directions. 
     In yet another aspect, impingement of the plurality of root protuberances and the crest protuberance may cause a tactile vibration as the plurality of root protuberances and the crest protuberance are moved past each other during relative rotation of the engaged first and second threaded surfaces. In a further aspect, the impingement of the plurality of root protuberances and the crest protuberance may cause an audible sound as the plurality of root protuberances and the crest protuberance are moved past each other during relative rotation of the engaged first and second threaded surfaces. In another aspect, the system includes a plurality of crest protuberances where the thread crest protuberances are disposed on the thread crest of the second threaded surface. 
     In another aspect, the first crest protuberance may have a non-symmetrical shape whereby resistance to rotation of the engaged first and second threaded surfaces is greater in one rotational direction than in the other rotational direction when the first crest protuberance moves past the plurality of first root protuberances. In another aspect, the first threaded surface is disposed on a pedestal support member and the second threaded surface is disposed on a pedestal base member. 
     In another embodiment, a system for indicating a depth of engagement of two threadably engaged surfaces of a support pedestal is provided. The system may include at least a first root protuberance disposed on a thread root of a first threaded surface of the support pedestal. A plurality of spaced-apart crest protuberances are disposed on a thread crest of a second threaded surface of the support pedestal, whereby the first root protuberance impinges against the plurality of crest protuberances when the first and second threaded surfaces are threadably engaged and rotated to provide sensory indication of a depth of engagement of the threaded surfaces. 
     A number of feature refinements and additional features may be separately applicable to the foregoing embodiment. These feature refinements and additional features may be implemented individually or in any combination. For example, in one aspect, the crest protuberances and the root protuberance do not frictionally engage an opposing threaded surface when the protuberances are not in physical contact, such that rotation of the first and second threaded surfaces is not inhibited by the protuberances. In another aspect, the first and second threaded surfaces become frictionally engaged when the root protuberance is disposed between adjacent crest protuberances such that relative rotation of the first and second threaded surfaces is inhibited by the protuberances in both rotational directions. 
     In another aspect, impingement of the plurality of crest protuberances and the root protuberance may cause a tactile vibration as the plurality of crest protuberances and the root protuberance are moved past each other during relative rotation of the engaged first and second thread surfaces. In another aspect, impingement of the plurality of crest protuberances and the root protuberance may cause an audible sound as the plurality of crest protuberances and the root protuberance are moved past each other during relative rotation of the engaged first and second thread surfaces. In another aspect, a plurality of root protuberances are disposed on the thread root of the first threaded surface. 
     In another aspect, the plurality of crest protuberances have a non-symmetrical shape whereby resistance to rotation of the threadably engaged first and second surfaces is greater in one rotational direction than in the other rotational direction when the crest protuberances move past the first root protuberance. In another aspect, the first threaded surface is disposed on a pedestal support member and the second threaded surface is disposed on a pedestal base member. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of support pedestals supporting surface tiles in an elevated building surface assembly. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective side view of a support pedestal. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a support member that is useful in a support pedestal. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a partial perspective view of a base member that is useful in a support pedestal. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an exploded cross-sectional view of a support pedestal. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an exploded cross-sectional view of a support pedestal including a coupling member. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a top view of a coupling member for a support pedestal. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The system described herein for indicating the engagement depth of threadably engaged surfaces is particularly useful for support pedestals, particularly for adjustable-height support pedestals used to support surface tiles in a building surface assembly. By way of example,  FIG. 1  illustrates a plurality of support pedestals, such as support pedestals  100   a  and  100   b  that support surface tiles  102  to form an elevated building surface assembly  101 . As is illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the support pedestals  100   a  and  100   b  are placed on a fixed surface and can support a plurality of surface tiles  102  above the fixed surface to form an elevated building surface. The support pedestals  100   a  and  100   b  can be placed on fixed surfaces such as rooftops, on-grade (e.g., natural ground), over concrete slabs including cracked concrete slabs, and can be placed within water features, such as fountains. Although illustrated as supporting surface tiles  102 , it will be appreciated that support pedestals can be utilized to support a wide variety of objects. 
     The surface tiles  102  must often be supported over a fixed surface having an uneven grade or slope. To create a building surface that reduces or eliminates the fluctuations in the fixed surface beneath it, the support pedestals must themselves have different heights. For this reason, height-adjustable support pedestals are often utilized, where the height of each pedestal can be adjusted within a range. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , support pedestal  100   b  is taller than support pedestal  100   a  and includes a coupling member  110  for increasing the height of the support pedestal  100   b . An example of a height-adjustable support pedestal is illustrated, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,363,685 by Kugler, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirely. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a height-adjustable support pedestal  200 . The support pedestal  200  includes a base member  206  and a support member  208  that is threadably engaged with the base member  206 . The base member  206  includes a base plate  214  that is adapted to be placed upon a fixed surface. A cylindrical base extension  212  extends upwardly and transversely from the base plate  214  and is reinforced by reinforcing flanges  218 . 
     The support member  208  includes a support plate  236  and a cylindrical support extension  230  extending downwardly and transversely from the support plate  236 . The cylindrical support extension  230  includes a threaded outer surface  234  having helically disposed support member threads  235  and that is threadably engaged with a threaded inner surface of the cylindrical base extension  212 . Thus, the height of the support pedestal  200  can be adjusted by rotating one of the pedestal members relative to the other pedestal member to change the depth of engagement of the two threadably engaged surfaces. However, for the support pedestal  200  to safely support a structure, the threaded surfaces of the cylindrical support extension  230  and the cylindrical base extension  212  must typically be threadably engaged by a minimum engagement depth. However, it is difficult for an operator to know when the minimum desired engagement depth has been reached and often visual verification of the engagement depth can often be difficult during assembly. 
     Accordingly, a system is provided that may provide sensory indication of the engagement depth of first and second threaded surfaces of support pedestal members. The system may provide sensory indication in the nature of tactile vibration and/or an audible sound, for example. In this manner, the operator will know when a minimum safe engagement depth of the pedestal members has been reached without necessitating visual confirmation of the engagement depth by the operator. 
     The system may include protuberances that are disposed on the threaded surfaces of the support pedestal, whereby the protuberances may impinge against each other when the threaded surfaces are threadably engaged and rotated to a desired engagement depth. The impingement of the protuberances during relative rotation of the pedestal members can provide sensory indication of the engagement depth of the threaded surfaces. In this regard, the protuberances can be disposed on a predetermined location on each of the threaded surfaces, whereby the location of the protuberances ensures that when the protuberances impinge a desired engagement depth of the threaded surfaces has been reached. 
     By way of example, the pedestal members may include a base member and a support member, as well as one or more coupling members that are adapted to couple support members to base members.  FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary support member  308  that is adapted to be rotatably engaged with a corresponding base member, e.g., a base member as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The support member  308  includes a support plate  336  and a cylindrical support extension  330  that extends downwardly and transversely from the support plate  336 . The cylindrical support extension  330  includes a threaded outer cylindrical surface  334 . The threaded outer surface  334  includes threads  335  having thread crests  335   a  and thread sidewalls  335   c , and thread roots  335   b  that are disposed between adjacent thread sidewalls  335   c.    
     A plurality of thread protuberances  360   a ,  360   b  and  360   c  are disposed on the threaded outer surface  334 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the protuberances  360   a ,  360   b  and  360   c  are disposed on the thread crests  335   a  and extend outwardly therefrom. The support member threads  335  may be in the form of a continuous single thread that is helically disposed on the cylindrical support extension  330 , or can be discontinuous, e.g., such that one or more channels are formed along the length of the cylindrical support extension  330 , as is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a partial perspective view of a base member  406  that is adapted be used with a corresponding support member, e.g., the support member illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The base member  406  includes a cylindrical base member extension  412 . The cylindrical base member extension  412  includes a threaded inner surface  426  comprising helically disposed threads  421  having thread crests  421   a  and thread sidewalls  421   c . Thread roots  421   b  are disposed between adjacent thread sidewalls  421   c.    
     A plurality of spaced-apart thread protuberances  462   a  and  462   b  are disposed on the threaded inner surface  426  in a thread root  421   b  between adjacent thread sidewalls  421   c . The support member threads  421  may be in the form of a continuous single thread that is helically disposed on the cylindrical base extension  412 , or can be discontinuous, e.g., such that one or more channels are formed along the length of the cylindrical base extension  412 , as is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     Referring to both  FIGS. 3 and 4 , when the support member  308  is operatively placed onto the base member  406 , and rotated in a clockwise direction, the threaded surfaces  334  and  426  will become threadably engaged to threadably engage the base member  406  with the support member  308 . As an operator continues to rotate the support member  308  within the base member  406  in a clockwise direction, after about one to two full revolutions for example, the thread crest protuberance  360   a  will impinge upon the thread root protuberance  462   a . At this point, further clockwise rotation of the support member  308  will be inhibited due to the physical contact between the thread crest protuberance  360   a  and the thread root protuberance  462   a . That is, a small amount of additional force (e.g., torque) must be applied by the operator to continue clockwise rotation and further threadable engagement of the support member  308  with the base member  406 . When additional torque is applied to the support member  308 , the thread crest protuberance  360   a  will move past the thread root protuberance  462   a , and substantially uninhibited rotation of the support member  308  will be restored. This may serve as a tactile indication to the operator that the support member  308  is engaged to a sufficient depth with the base member  406 . For example, the tactile indication may be the vibration sensed when the thread crest protuberance  360   a  first impinges upon the thread root protuberance  462   a , as well as the sensation when the thread crest protuberance  360   a  has fully moved past the thread root protuberance  462   a  and uninhibited rotation of the threadably engaged pedestal members is restored. The impingement of the protuberances  360   a  and  462   a  may also produce an audible sound that may be heard by the operator. 
     Although each threaded surface  334  and  426  is illustrated as comprising a plurality of thread protuberances, each threaded surface  334  and  426  may be provided with only a single thread protuberance. Further, although the protuberances illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4  are disposed on a thread crest or a thread root of the threaded surfaces, thread protuberances may be disposed on another portion of the threaded surfaces, such as a thread sidewall  335   c  or  421   c . For example, the support member threaded surface  334  could comprise a thread protuberance on a thread sidewall  335   c  and the base member threaded surface  426  could include a thread protuberance on a thread sidewall  421   c , wherein the placement of the thread protuberances is such that the protuberances impinge on each other when the support member  308  is threadably engaged with the base member  406  and rotated to a desired engagement depth. 
     Further, although described above with respect to the support member  308  being rotated in a clockwise direction to threadably engage the base member  406 , the rotation between the support member  308  and the base member  406  is relative and the base member  406  could be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction while the support member  308  remains substantially stationary. The tactile indication of engagement depth may also occur when the height of the support pedestal is being increased, such as by rotating the previously-engaged support member  308  counterclockwise relative to the base member  406 . In this instance, the thread crest protuberance  360   c  impinges upon the thread root protuberance  462   b  to indicate to the operator that the maximum desired height, i.e., the minimum threaded surface engagement depth, has been reached. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , each of the threaded surfaces  334  and  426  includes a plurality of thread protuberances. The thread protuberances may be disposed in spaced-apart relationship along the circumference of the threaded surfaces such that when the first crest protuberance  360   a  is moved past the first thread root protuberance  462   a , the thread crest protuberance  360   a  will be disposed between the two adjacent thread root protuberances  462   a  and  462   b . In this manner, relative rotation of the threadably engaged pedestal members in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions will be inhibited. Further, when the first thread crest protuberance  360   a  moves past the first thread root protuberance  462   a  by virtue of the operator applying additional torque to the pedestal members, the first thread crest protuberance  360   a  will be quickly impinge upon the second thread crest protuberance  462   b  to provide the operator with a clear tactile indication that the desired threaded surface engagement depth has been reached. Continuing to apply torque to the support member  308  will continue to produce a tactile vibration easily sensed by the operator until the thread crest protuberance  360   c  moves past the thread root protuberance  462   b . Although illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4  as comprising three protuberances on the support member threaded surface  334  and two protuberances on the base member threaded surface  426 , it will be appreciated that any combination of a single protuberance or a plurality of protuberances may be utilized on the threaded surfaces. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary support pedestal  500  that includes a system for indicating the engagement depth of the threadably engaged surfaces of the pedestal members. The support pedestal  500  includes a base member  506  and a support member  508  that is adapted to be threadably engaged with the base member  506 . In this regard, the base member  506  includes a cylindrical base extension  512  and a base member threaded surface  526 . 
     The support member  508  includes a support plate  536  and a cylindrical support extension  530  extending downwardly and transversely from the support plate  536 . The cylindrical support extension  530  includes a support member threaded surface  534  comprising helically disposed support member threads  535  that are adapted to be rotatably engaged with the base member threads  521 . Thus, the support member threads  535  and the base member threads  521  may have substantially the same thread size and thread pitch to enable the support member  508  to be rotatably engaged with the base member  506 . 
     The base member threaded surface  526  comprises helically disposed base member threads  521  having thread crests  521   a  and thread sidewalls  521   c . Thread roots  521   b  are disposed between adjacent sidewalls  521   c  of the threaded surface  526 . Likewise, the support member threaded surface  534  includes helically disposed support member threads  535  comprising thread crests  535   a  and thread sidewalls  535   c , and includes thread roots  535   b  disposed between adjacent thread sidewalls  535   c . Thus, when the two pedestal member threaded surfaces  534  and  526  are threadably engaged, the thread crests  535   a  of the support member  508  are disposed within the thread roots  521   b  of the base member  506 , and the thread crests  521   a  are disposed within the thread roots  535   b.    
     As is discussed with respect to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , to tactilely indicate the depth of engagement of the two threadably engaged surfaces, each of the threaded surfaces is provided with at least one thread protuberance. In this manner, the protuberances may impinge against each other when the threaded surfaces are threadably engaged to a desired engagement depth. The protuberances may be shaped and sized such that when the protuberances are not in physical contact with each other, each pedestal member is freely rotatable with respect to the other pedestal member. When the support member  508  and the base member  506  are threadably engaged and are rotated relative to each other, the protuberances may come into physical contact and may provide sensory indication of the depth of engagement of the two threaded surfaces. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a crest protuberance  560  is disposed on a crest  535   a  of the threaded surface  534 . A root protuberance  562  is disposed within a root  521   b  of the base member threaded surface  526 . The protuberances  560  and  562  may comprise, for example, small nubs that project from their respective threaded surfaces. The size of the threads and protuberances illustrated in  FIG. 5  are somewhat exaggerated for purposes of clarity. The protuberances may be sized so that when a root protuberance comes into contact with a crest protuberance, the protuberances may be moved past each other by applying additional rotational force, i.e., torque, to the pedestal members, but without requiring excessive torque to be applied. 
     In this regard, the protuberances  560  and  562  may be large enough to cause a tactile sensation (e.g., a vibration) and/or an audible sound as they are moved past each other, However, the protuberances  560  and  562  should not be so large as to substantially inhibit relative rotation and threadable engagement of the support members. Therefore, the root protuberance  562  preferably does not extend beyond the crest of the threads. For example, the root protuberance  562  may extend to 50% or less of the thread depth, 25% or less of the thread depth. In this regard, the threads may have a thread depth (d) of at least about 1/16 inch and not greater than about ¼ inch, for example. 
     Likewise, the crest protuberance  560  does not extend significantly beyond the crest of the thread. More specifically, the crest protuberance  560  should not be so large as to inhibit operative placement of the support member  508  into the base member  506 , or to inhibit relative rotation of the pedestal members when the thread protuberances are not in contact. In this manner, the pedestal members can be freely rotated relative to each other until the protuberances come into physical contact, indicating that a predetermined engagement depth has been reached. 
     As is noted above, the support pedestals may include one or more coupling members to further increase the height of the support pedestal.  FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-sectional view of another exemplary support pedestal. The pedestal  600  has an adjustable height to enable the construction of a level surface above a fixed surface that is not level, and/or to create desirable architectural features. The support pedestal  600  comprises three support pedestal members—a base member  606 , a support member  608 , and a coupling member  610  that is adapted to be disposed between the base member  606  and the support member  608  to operatively couple the support member  608  to the base member  606  to increase the height of the support pedestal  600 . 
     The base member  606  includes a base plate  614  that is adapted to be placed upon a fixed surface. The base member  606  also includes a cylindrical base extension  612  that extends upwardly and transversely away from the base plate  614 . Reinforcing flanges  618  may be provided to enhance the strength and stability of the base member  606 . The base member  606  includes a threaded surface  626  on the interior of the cylindrical base extension  612 . 
     The support member  608  is adapted to be disposed of the top of the support pedestal  600 . The support member  608  includes a cylindrical support extension  630  that extends transversely in downwardly from a support plate  636 . The support extension  630  includes an outer threaded surface  634  disposed on the cylindrical support extension  630 . The outer threaded surface  634  includes first support member threads  635  that are helically disposed on the cylindrical support extension  630 . The cylindrical support extension  630  also includes an inner threaded surface  638  that includes helically disposed support member threads  639 . 
     The support pedestal  600  may also include a coupling member  610  that is adapted to be disposed between the base member  606  and support member  608 . The coupling member  610  can advantageously enable the height of the support pedestal  600  to be adjusted over a broad height range with substantially no gaps in the achievable height within the height range. The coupling member  610  may include a first cylindrical engagement portion  640  and a second cylindrical engagement portion  642 . The first cylindrical engagement portion  640  may include an outer threaded surface  646  having helically disposed threads  647  and the second cylindrical engagement portion  642  may include an outer threaded surface  648  having helically disposed threads  649 . In this regard, the threaded surface  646  may be adapted to be rotatably engageable with the inner threaded surface  626  of the base member  606 , and the threaded surface  648  may be adapted to be rotatably engageable with the inner threaded surface  638  of the support member  608 . In this regard, the first cylindrical engagement portion  640  may have an outer diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the second cylindrical engagement portion  642 . Thus, the base member  606  and support member  608  can be rigidly coupled via the coupling member  610  to form the support pedestal  600 . 
     To tactilely indicate the engagement depth of the coupling member  610  with the support member  608  and/or the base member  606 , the coupling member  610  may also be provided with one or more thread protuberances on the threaded surfaces. For example, the height coupling member  610  may include a thread protuberance  664   b  that disposed on the threaded surface  646 . Thus, when an operator begins to rotate the coupling member  610  relative to the base member  606 , the threaded surfaces  626  and  646  will at first easily engage and the pedestal members will freely rotate. As the operator continues to rotate the height adjusting member  610  relative to the base member  606 , the protuberance  664   b  and the protuberance  662  will impinge. When these two protuberances come into contact, the operator will feel resistance to further rotation of the pedestal members, thereby giving the operator tactile feedback regarding the depth of the engagement between the base member  606  and the coupling member  610 . 
     At this point, the operator can apply a moderate amount of additional torque such that the protuberances  662  and  664   b  can move past each other. When the protuberances move past each other, the protuberances can also advantageously produce a clicking noise to audibly indicate to the operator that the threaded surfaces  626  and  646  have passed the point where they are sufficiently engaged, particularly if either or both of the threaded surfaces  626  and  646  includes a plurality of protuberances disposed in spaced-apart relation. The operator can then continue to rotate the pedestal members relative to each other to obtain the desired pedestal height. 
     Similarly, if the operator begins to rotate the coupling member  610  relative to the base member  606  in the opposite (e.g., counter-clockwise) direction, the operator will again reach the point where the protuberances  662  and  664   b  impinge to indicate to the operator that the support pedestal members can no longer be rotated without jeopardizing the structural safety of the pedestal  600 . 
     In a similar manner, the threaded surface  648  of the second cylindrical engagement portion  642  may also include a protuberance  664   a . The protuberance  664   a  is adapted to impinge upon a protuberance  660   b  that is disposed on the threaded surface  638  of the support member  608 . The threaded surface  634  of the support member  608  also includes a protuberance  660   a  that is adapted to impinge upon the protuberance  662  of the base member  606  when the support member  608  is threadably engaged directly with the base member  606 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , a top view of the coupling member  710  is illustrated. The coupling member  710  is substantially identical to the coupling member  610  illustrated in  FIG. 6 . As is illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the protuberances  764   a  and  764   b  are disposed on threads  749  and  747 , respectively. The protuberances illustrated in  FIG. 7  are not symmetrical and have an angled shape, such that relative rotation in one direction is inhibited to a greater degree than relative rotation in the opposite direction. 
     Although system for indicating an engagement depth is illustrated with respect to several exemplary support pedestals, it will be appreciated that such a system can be utilized in conjunction with virtually any type of support pedestal that utilizes threads to rotatably engage one pedestal member with another pedestal member. 
     The support pedestal members can be fabricated from a wide variety of materials. Preferably, the material will be able to withstand prolonged exposure to moisture and/or ultraviolet radiation so that the support pedestal can be utilized in outdoor applications. In one particular aspect, the support pedestal members may be fabricated from a high density, durable and impact resistant polymer, such as polypropylene. The protuberances may, for example, be molded directly on the threaded surfaces of a molded polymer support pedestal member. However, the support pedestal members or portions of the pedestal members can be fabricated from other materials, including composite materials. Further, it is not necessary that each member of the support pedestal be fabricated from the same material. 
     While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and adaptations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, although the illustrated embodiments comprise a base member having internal threads and a support member having internal and/or external threads, it will be apparent that the threads can be inter-related in different ways. For example. the base member could comprise an outer threaded surface, and the support member could comprise only an inner threaded surface. Further, although the pedestal members are described as separate members, it will be readily appreciated that the members can be distinct or can be integrally attached to one another. It is to be expressly understood that these and other such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.