Patent Publication Number: US-2009236479-A1

Title: Adjustable support pedestal

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is in the field of support structures. More particularly, the invention is a pedestal that is ideally suited for placement beneath a flowerpot. A pedestal in accordance with the invention comprises multiple legs and a central pivot structure that enables a user to adjust the position of said legs. Each of said legs is also preferably adjustable in length and features a unique support foot proximate its distal end. The pivot structure, in combination with the ability to adjust the length of each leg, enables a user to optimally position said support feet whereby they can engage a bottom surface of the object being supported. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Flowerpots are used both indoors and out and may be of various shapes and sizes. A flowerpot may sometimes be directly placed on a support surface, such as a floor, tabletop or windowsill, or placed atop a pot support structure. Typical pot support structures include jardinieres and concave catch pans, both of which function to catch water spillage and/or fallen plant matter. Some flowerpots and pot support structures feature depending foot-like structures that contact the underlying support surface. 
     A common problem associated with using flowerpots is that the support surface located beneath the bottom portion of the flowerpot, or pot support structure, if used, can become damaged. This can occur due to water spillage that stains said surface, or from the formation of mold, mildew and/or rot that results from water spillage and/or high levels of humidity in the area between the flowerpot or pot support structure, and the underlying support surface. Furthermore, sharp edges of the flowerpot&#39;s and/or pot support structure&#39;s bottom surface can scratch the support surface if the flowerpot is moved without lifting it away from said support surface. 
     Another common problem associated with the use of flowerpots is that it can be very difficult for a user to move the flowerpot, should the need arise. The bottom surface of the pot, or if used, the catch pan, is normally not designed for sliding on the underlying support surface. As a result, moving a flowerpot often requires a user to vertically lift the flowerpot. 
     Furthermore, it can be problematic to support a flowerpot in a stable manner. A pot support structure, such as a catch pan, is sometimes specifically designed for use with a particular flowerpot whereby it is shaped and structured to adequately support the flowerpot at predetermined locations on said pot. However, if the underlying support surface is not level, or does not provide uniform support, an unbalanced upward force will be applied to the bottom of the flowerpot. This may lead to instability of the pot and/or cracking of the pot due to unevenly distributed forces. Also leading to unevenly distributed forces on the pot is the use of a catch pan that does not properly match the shape of the bottom of the flowerpot. The latter situation is actually quite common since many users will place a dinner plate, or a similar structure not designed for use with flowerpots, beneath a flowerpot. 
     An additional problem encountered with flowerpots and flowerpot support structures is that the bottom surface of the flowerpot, or support structure, may not be ideally suited for the type of surface upon which it rests. For example, some flowerpots and catch pans employ a number of widely-spaced small feet that provide very adequate and stable support when they are resting on a hard surface. However, when a thick carpet is the underlying support surface, the flowerpot may lean to one side and/or the feet may damage the carpet. Alternatively, when a pot or support structure designed for resting on a carpeted surface is placed on a hard surface, damage to said surface may result. 
     In many cases, a user will wish to employ a flowerpot support structure that supports the flowerpot in a raised position above the underlying support surface. Since flowerpots come in many shapes and sizes, a user may not be able to easily procure a suitable support structure to place beneath any particular flowerpot. In addition, even when a properly sized support structure is available, the design of said support structure may be such that there will be inadequate ventilation beneath said structure, resulting in the formation of mold, mildew or rot on the underlying support surface. Furthermore, to satisfy user aesthetics, it is sometimes desirable that a support structure located beneath a flowerpot not be noticeable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is a support structure in the form of a pedestal having multiple legs. Located proximate each leg&#39;s distal end is a foot having a unique shape and structure. While the preferred usage of the invention is for supporting a flowerpot in an optimum manner atop a support surface, the invention may be used to support other types of objects. In its preferred manner of use, the invention provides numerous distributed points of support for a flowerpot, or for a structure located directly beneath a flowerpot, such as a catch pan. The invention also enables sufficient airflow beneath the flowerpot or catch pan to prevent humidity build-up that can lead to damage of an underlying support surface. Furthermore, different embodiments of the invention can be employed to optimize the invention for use on different types of underlying surfaces and/or to enable the invention to easily slide on a support surface. 
     A pedestal in accordance with the invention can be adjusted in a number of different ways to enable its use beneath a wide range of shapes and sizes of flowerpots, catch pans, or other objects. The pedestal&#39;s adjustability is accomplished through the use of multiple length-adjustable legs attached to each other via a central pivot structure that enables pivotal movement of the legs. The pivot structure, in combination with the adjustable length legs, allows a user to optimally position the pedestal&#39;s feet whereby a top-located portion of each foot contacts a proper support point on a bottom surface of the object being supported. This maximizes both the stability of the support, and the even distribution of transmitted support forces. 
     Various designs may be employed to enable the pedestal&#39;s legs to vary in length. In the preferred embodiment, each leg includes a length-adjusting structure in the form of an elongated rod member that is telescopically engaged to a hollow end portion of an elongated cross member. The engagement may further include structures that create detents that facilitate a controlled, user-discernible movement of said rod member. 
     The foot located at the distal end of each of the pedestal&#39;s legs features a top surface that is preferably adapted to achieve a non-slip engagement to the bottom surface of the object being supported. The shape, structure and bottom surface of the foot is preferably adapted for the surface on which it will rest. For example, if the pedestal will be used on a hard flat surface, the pedestal can feature feet that are in the form of a significant portion of a sphere, preferably a hemisphere. Alternatively, if the pedestal is to be used on a carpeted surface, the pedestal will preferably feature feet that are substantially cone-shaped. In addition, if the pedestal is be to used in an environment where the pedestal should not be able to slide, the pedestal will preferably feature feet that are made from, or covered with, a non-slip material. If instead, a user desires a pedestal that will readily slide on an underlying hard surface, the pedestal will preferably feature hemispherical feet that are made from a hard, smooth material, such as a hard plastic, or that are covered with a low friction material, such as TEFLON. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the pedestal&#39;s legs are movable by virtue of a pivot connection engaged to each of the pedestal&#39;s cross members. The pivot connection may be a pivot pin or other conventional pivot structure, including interlocking structures that are formed in, or attached to, the two cross members. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a pedestal in accordance with the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the pedestal shown in  FIG. 1 , and wherein a flowerpot resting atop the pedestal, as well as a support surface, are shown in phantom. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the pedestal shown in  FIG. 1  and wherein a portion of the pedestal&#39;s internal structure is shown in phantom, as well as a flowerpot resting atop the pedestal. 
         FIG. 4  is a detailed side view of an end portion of one of the legs of the pedestal shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a detailed side view of an alternate embodiment of an end portion of a leg for the pedestal shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of an alternate embodiment of a pedestal in accordance with the invention and wherein a portion of the pedestal&#39;s internal structure is shown in phantom. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the pedestal shown in  FIG. 6 , and wherein a portion of the pedestal&#39;s internal structure is shown in phantom. 
         FIG. 8  provides a cross-sectional side view of an alternate embodiment of a pivot structure for a pedestal in accordance with the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Looking now to the drawings in greater detail, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several figures, there is indicated by the numeral  1  a pedestal in accordance with the invention. A preferred manner of usage for said pedestal is to support a flowerpot, catch pan, or the like. 
     The pedestal  1  preferably comprises a first cross member assembly  2  and a second cross member assembly  4 . The two cross member assemblies are connected together via a central pivot structure  6 . 
     While cross member assemblies  2  and  4  are preferably assembled from identical components, they differ in the orientation of some of said components. Each of said cross member assemblies includes an elongated member/body member  8 , two rod members  10  and a foot structure  12  located at the distal end of each rod member. 
     The elongated member  8  of each cross member assembly is preferably made of a rigid material such as plastic, wood or metal. Located at its center is a relatively thin, flat portion  14 . The member&#39;s opposite end portions  16  are preferably hollow. 
     The center-located flat portion  14  of each elongated member  8  preferably includes planar first and second surfaces,  20  and  21  respectively. Said portion preferably includes a thru-hole  22  located at its center. The thru-hole has a center axis perpendicular to surfaces  20  and  21 . 
     The end portion  16  of each elongated member  8  has an elongated interior open area  24  (note  FIG. 3 ) that is bounded by a sidewall  26 . While said area is shown as being substantially rectangular in cross-section, the area may instead be formed to have other cross-sectional shapes. Sidewall  26  preferably features a plurality of spaced-apart ridges  28 . 
     Fitting into each of the elongated member&#39;s end portions  16  is a portion  30  of an associated elongated rod member  10 . Said rod member is preferably made of a rigid material such as plastic, wood or metal. To enable a user to adjust a pedestal to match the bottom surface of an object to be supported, each of the cross member assemblies preferably includes length-adjusting structure. In the embodiment shown, the length-adjusting structure comprises a portion  30  of the rod member movably received within area  24 . 
     To control the movement of the rod member, each of the cross member assembly preferably includes a plurality of structures that form detents. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , each rod member has a tip portion  32  that is arrow-shaped in cross-section. As a result, detents are created when the side edges  34  of said tip portion  32  contact the ridges  28  whenever a user tries to slide the rod member in, or out, of area  24 . Preferably, flexibility in the material of the rod member and/or the material of the ridges, or a minimal clearance, allows the rod member&#39;s tip portion to move past a ridge  28  when a user applies longitudinally-directed force on the rod member. Whenever the side edges of the tip portion bump into a ridge, a detent occurs that positionally locks the rod member in place when the user stops applying force to the rod member. 
     It should be noted that other means may be employed to enable the passage of the rod member&#39;s tip portion past a ridge. For example, the rod member&#39;s tip portion may include a movable structure, such as an outwardly biased and extending spring-loaded ball that can move inwardly to enable the passage of the tip portion past a ridge  28 . 
     It should also be noted that the area  24  may include no ridges  28 . In that case, it would be preferred that the opening  36  through which the rod member passes into area  24  has a shape or size whereby once the rod member is inserted into area  24 , it will be difficult to completely withdraw the rod member from said area. When no ridges are employed, the side edges of the rod member&#39;s tip portion are preferably a relatively tight fit in area  24 . While an arrow-shaped tip portion  28  of the rod member has been disclosed, said tip portion may have a different shape that is either complementary to, or non-complementary to, the interior sidewall  26  of area  24 . 
     Secured to an outer end of each rod member  10  is a foot structure  12 . The foot structure is also herein referred to as a foot. As will be discussed, the foot structure may take a number of forms. A preferred embodiment of the foot structure is shown in detail in  FIG. 4 . 
     The foot structure  12  preferably includes a top-located disk  38  made of a rubber, vinyl, polyurethane or some other non-slip material. A non-slip material is herein defined as a material that tends not to slide on a smooth, hard surface in the same manner as rubber. 
     Disk  38  is designed to contact the bottom surface of whatever object is resting directly atop the pedestal  1 . If it is desired for the pedestal to be a permanent, or semi-permanent, attachment to whatever object it will be supporting, both of the disk&#39;s top and bottom surfaces,  40  and  42  respectively, can be coated with an adhesive. In such a situation, the disk can be formed from a portion of double-stick tape. While a non-slip material is preferred, the disk can be made of other materials. It should be noted that while disk  38  will normally enhance the use of the invention, it is not required, and is therefore optional. 
     Located below disk  38 , and forming a part of the foot structure, is a semicircular connecting portion  44  of the foot structure that is located at, and secured to, the end of the rod member  10 . Even though portion  44  is considered as being a part of the foot structure, it may be a formed section of the rod member, as shown, or it may be a separate member, or other portion of the foot structure, that is secured to the rod member. The disk  38  is preferably attached to an adjacent surface of portion  44  by an adhesive. Located at the center of portion  44  is a thru-hole  48 . 
     Located directly beneath portion  44  is the base  50  of the foot structure. Said base is preferably in the shape of a hemisphere, or at least a significant portion of a sphere, wherein a top-located flat surface  52  of the base  50  faces upwardly and contacts the adjacent bottom surface of portion  44 . The curved outer surface of the base predominantly faces downwardly, whereby the extreme bottom portion  56  of said surface will contact whatever support surface underlies the foot structure. Portion  56  is shown as being a curved surface, since it is the base of a hemisphere. However, portion  56  may alternatively have a flat contour to increase the contact area between the base and an underlying surface. 
     In the preferred embodiment, base  50  has a height in the range of approximately one-quarter of an inch to two inches and may be made of any of a number of different materials, including wood, metal, plastic, rubber and/or a composite of said materials or other materials. If the pedestal  1  is to be placed on a surface where any sliding of the pedestal is undesirable, base  50  would preferably be made of a non-slip material such as rubber or polyurethane. If instead, a user wishes to have the ability to slide the pedestal  1  on the underlying surface, the base would preferably be made out of a hard, smooth material such as a hard plastic. For most uses, a transparent polycarbonate material would be employed. While not shown, it is possible to employ a base  50  made out of a hard material and to include a complementary boot made of a non-slip material that a user can fit over the exterior of the base. The addition of a non-slidable rubber boot to the base will increase the force required to cause the foot structure to slide on the underlying surface. If it is instead desired to increase the ability of the foot structure to slide on an underlying surface, a TEFLON boot, or coating, may be added to the bottom of the foot structure&#39;s base. 
     By providing the base with an outer configuration of a significant portion of a sphere, the base has a significant structural strength, while at the same time, the base&#39;s small, curved bottom surface will tend not to mark or penetrate an underlying support surface. When the pedestal  1  is employed to support a heavy flowerpot, proper choice of a base  50  for the pedestal&#39;s feet  12  will enable a user to slide/glide the pedestal and flowerpot across a smooth, flat support surface such as a wooden floor or tabletop. 
     The attachment method employed for securing the base  50  to portion  44  is preferably of a type that enables easy changing of the base  50 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , a screw  60  extends through hole  48  in portion  44  in a manner whereby the head  62  of the screw cannot pass through the hole and the body of the screw threads into a center hole  64  in the base  50 . Preferably, the adhesive used to secure the disk  38  is of a type that allows removal of the disk should it become necessary to remove the base  50 . 
     It should be noted that instead of a screw, other types of fasteners may be employed to accomplish the securement of the base  50 . For example, the disk  38  may include a prong that has exterior bumps and that fits through hole  48  and can become locked into a complementary hole in the base. Alternatively, portion  44  can have a depending prong that can be secured into, or on, the base  50 . In addition, the base  50  may instead include an upwardly-extending prong or fastener that can engage the sidewall of hole  48 , a part of portion  44 , or the disk  38 . Furthermore, other well-known securement methods, such as adhesives and hook and loop fastener strips, can be employed in addition to, or in place of, the previously noted securement methods described for securing the base  50  to the pedestal  1 . 
     The pivot structure  6  that connects together the two cross member assemblies may take any of a number of forms. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the pivot structure makes use of an elongated pivot bolt  66  that extends through the hole  22  in portion  14  of the elongated member  8  of both of the cross member assemblies. The pivot bolt also extends through the center of an optional washer  68  sandwiched between the two portions  14 . Located at the top of the pivot bolt is a hex-shaped head  70 . The head of the pivot bolt may alternatively have other shapes, as long as the pivot bolt can be secured in place. 
     The other end of the pivot bolt preferably features exterior threads onto which is threadedly engaged a locknut  72 . The locknut functions to maintain the pivot bolt in place whereby the pivot bolt allows relative movement of the two cross members. Washers  74 , each larger in diameter than the adjacent hole  22 , are shown directly above the locknut and directly beneath the head of the pivot bolt. The washers enable a smoother pivot motion and also eliminate any need for the locknut and/or bolt head to be larger than hole  22 . 
     It should be noted that by locating the pivot structure at the center of the pedestal, two features of the pedestal are enhanced. Firstly, the central location of the pivot structure maximizes the pedestal&#39;s flexibility since each leg has an equally long moment arm. Secondly, the central location of the pivot structure enables a maximum adjustability of the position of each foot structure  12 . 
     In  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the pedestal  1  is shown atop a support surface  76  (shown in phantom) supporting a conventional flowerpot  78  (shown in phantom). Support surface  76  may be a floor, tabletop, windowsill or any other surface upon which a flowerpot is commonly placed. A generic flowerpot is shown. 
     To properly support the flowerpot, the legs of the pedestal  1  are arranged by the user so that each of the pedestal&#39;s foot structures  12  underlies a portion of the flowerpot&#39;s bottom surface  80  proximate the outer perimeter  82  of said bottom surface. In this manner, each foot structure can be responsible for supporting approximately one-quarter of the total weight of the flowerpot. It should be noted that locating the pedestal&#39;s feet in this manner also provides a wide support base that maximizes the stability of the support. The adjustability of the legs can allow a user to provide a high level of support to most any size or shape of flowerpot, no matter whether the flowerpot is round, oval, or even square or rectangular. 
       FIG. 2  should additionally be noted for its showing of gaps  85  located between the bottom surface  80  of the flowerpot and the flat support surface  76  that underlies the pedestal  1 . The gaps help to prevent any accumulation of moisture beneath the flowerpot. 
     It should also be noted in  FIG. 2  that the bottom/nadir of the pivot structure is located above the bottom of the feet. In this manner, when the pedestal is in use, there will preferably be a space  85  between the bottom of the pivot structure and the underlying support surface  76 . As a result, when the bottom surface of the object being supported is uneven, and/or the underlying support surface is not flat, said space allows the pedestal  1  to flex at its center. This flexing action enables the pedestal&#39;s feet to move up or down to thereby accommodate and match said uneven surface(s). 
       FIG. 5  shows an alternate embodiment of a foot structure  86  that may be employed in lieu of the foot structure  12 . Also in the figure, an alternate rod member  88  is employed in lieu of a rod member  10 . 
     Foot structure  86  features a base  90  that is substantially cone-shaped and includes a narrow, cylindrical tip portion  92 . When all of the pedestal&#39;s feet employ a base  90 , the long, narrow shape of said bases will enable the pedestal  1  to have a firm footing when said pedestal is placed on a non-flat surface, such as a thick carpet. The narrow tip portion  92  of a base  90  will pass through the fibers of a carpet and find stable support on the carpet&#39;s base layer, or on the support surface underlying the carpet. In this embodiment, one of the previously described alternate attachment methods for a base of a foot structure is employed. As shown, a cylindrical member  94  is adhesively attached to the end of the rod member  88  and includes a downwardly-extending prong  96  that is screwed into a hole  98  in the base. 
     It should be noted that the pedestal  1  shown in  FIGS. 1-3  may be considered to have four legs. Each leg comprises one-half of one of the cross member assemblies and effectively has an end point at the pivot structure  6 . 
     While a pedestal  1  having two equal length cross member assemblies is shown, a pedestal in accordance with the invention may instead have a greater, or fewer, number of such “full-length” cross member assemblies. In addition, a pedestal in accordance with the invention may employ one, or more, “half-length” cross member assemblies. While a full-length cross member assembly forms two legs of the pedestal, a half-length cross member assembly would basically be formed by half of either of the cross member assemblies shown, whereby it would form a single leg of the pedestal. Such a half-length cross member assembly would have one end pivotally connected to the pivot structure  6 , and its other end would include a foot structure, such as foot structure  12 . A pedestal having one full-length cross member assembly and one half-length cross member assembly would have three legs. A pedestal in accordance with the invention can therefore have from three legs to any greater number of legs, depending on the total number of full-length and half-length cross member assemblies employed. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  provide two views of another embodiment of a pedestal  100  in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment, the pedestal comprises three cross member assemblies  102 ,  104  and  106  that are pivotally attached to each other via a central pivot structure  108  that extends through one end of each assembly. Located at the distal end of each cross member assembly is a foot structure  12 . 
     While the figures show the pedestal  100  having three different cross member assemblies, most likely a mass-produced pedestal in accordance with the invention would have identical cross member assemblies. The pedestal shown provides the reader with examples of different constructions that may be employed in forming a leg of a pedestal in accordance with the invention. 
     In cross member assembly  102 , the foot structure  12  is connected to a rod member  10  that is adjustably received within an area  114  of a main body/elongated member  116  of the assembly. Said rod member is preferably secured to the main body  116  in the same manner as employed in pedestal  1  to secure rod member  10  to an elongated member/main body  8 . This allows a user to move the rod member  10  longitudinally to change the distance between the associated foot structure  12  and the pedestal&#39;s pivot structure  108 . The shown cross member assembly is essentially a “half-length” cross member assembly, as described previously as being employable in the first embodiment of the invention. 
     In cross member assembly  104 , the foot structure  12  is connected to a rod member  118  that is adjustably received within an area  120  of a main body/elongated member  122  of said assembly. Said rod member is preferably secured in a manner wherein a user can move the rod member longitudinally to change the distance between the associated foot structure  12  and the pedestal&#39;s pivot structure  108 . The assembly includes detent structure comprising an end  124  of the rod member having a depending tab  126  (note  FIG. 7 ) and the bottom surface  128  of area  120  having a plurality of bumps  130  and an end wall  132 . The tab is designed so that to enter area  120 , a person forces the tab past wall  132 , and thereafter said wall will prevent the rod member from coming fully out of area  120 . While the bumps  130  provide intermittent resistance points to movement of the tab, they do not prevent such movement. As the tab moves past each bump, any contact between the tab and a bump will cause a slight interference to movement that can be felt, and possibly heard, by the user to thereby indicate to the user that said tab has contacted a bump. This facilitates a user being able to tell that the foot is located at a particular distance from the pivot structure. Should pedestal  100  have multiple cross member assemblies identical to cross member assembly  104 , this arrangement facilitates a user being able to set all of the pedestal&#39;s legs to the same length. Alternatively, the bottom of the main body  122  may have a groove or slot complementary in width to tab  126  and through which the tab may slidingly travel. 
     In cross member assembly  106 , the foot structure  12  includes an extension portion  134  of the main body/elongated member  136  of said assembly. In this manner, the foot structure is at a fixed distance away from the pedestal&#39;s pivot structure  108 . 
     The pedestal&#39;s pivot structure  108  preferably employs a grommet  140  that passes through complementary holes  142  in the end of each of the cross member assemblies  102 ,  104  and  106 . The grommet&#39;s top and bottom portions,  144  and  146  respectively, have larger diameters than said holes  142  to thereby pivotally secure together the cross member assemblies. It should be noted that other conventional securement methods and/or structures can be alternatively employed to pivotally connect the cross member assemblies. One such structure is a circular ring that would pass through the holes  142  in the cross member assemblies, thereby giving the unit a resemblance to a key chain. When a ring is employed as a pivot structure, none of the holes  142  would normally be collinear when the unit is in use. 
       FIG. 8  provides a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a pivot structure  148  that may be employed in any of the previously described embodiments of the invention. The cross member assemblies  150  and  152  may be substantially identical to any of the previously described cross member assemblies, but are formed to have structures that enable one cross member assembly to become pivotally interlocked with the other cross member assembly. Cross member assembly  150  includes a pair of upwardly-extending hooks  154 , while cross member assembly  152  includes a large circular hole  156  through which the hooks extend. The hook&#39;s prongs  158  catch on the top edge  160  of the hole, thereby securing together the assemblies. The ability for one cross member assembly to pivot relative to the other cross member assembly is obtained by the ability of the prongs to slide on edge  160  of the hole. 
     It should be noted that a pedestal in accordance with the invention, such as pedestals  1  and  100 , can be used to provide support to many types of objects. For example, a stereo speaker or vase can be placed atop either of pedestals  1  or  100 . 
     Furthermore, a pedestal in accordance with the invention may not employ a central pivot structure or have legs that are adjustable in length. While these features are preferred, they are not required. 
     Lastly, it should be noted that when the base of any of the taught foot structures is made out of a transparent material, the pedestal will be almost undetectable. This can provide an unusual and desirable appearance. 
     The preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed herein have been discussed for the purpose of familiarizing the reader with the novel aspects of the invention. Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, many changes, modifications and substitutions may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims.