AU2021101806A4 - Extender for pedestal - Google Patents

Abstract

Atop extender (10) for a pedestal jack (100) is disclosed. The extender includes a top surface (12) which is configured to receive accessories such as slope correctors and includes a series of cylindrical apertures (50), and an underside which defines a series of depending cylindrical plugs/spigots (60, 62, 64, 66) which locate in corresponding holes in the top of the pedestal jack. The top extender does not require the top of the pedestal to be removed for fitting and the spigots simply slot into the top of the pedestal. The top extenders can be stacked together for transportation with the spigots removeably locating in the apertures in the top surface. 10 C> 12 C> I C) C) QD QD q .7

Description

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"Extender for pedestal"

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an extender for a pedestal, also known as a pedestal jack.

Background

[0002] It is well known to provide elevated or raised floors, also known as pedestal floors. Elevated flooring typically incorporates a number of pedestals uniformly distributed over a sub surface/sub-floor, such as a concrete floor of a multi-storey building, a roof, terrace, or any other surface over which it is desired to locate an elevated floor. Other non-exhaustive applications of pedestal floors include technical floors for laboratories, fitting out old buildings, patios, balconies, swimming pool or spa surrounds and decking. The pedestals co-operate in supporting floor panels, such as pavers, or bearers or the like.

[0003] Pedestals vary in their size and degree of sophistication ranging from low level pedestals where the flooring members are only slightly raised from the underlying surface, to more complex, taller height adjustable pedestals, which may include slope correction.

[0004] In some cases, the pedestals may be of insufficient height, and in that case it is known to use extenders to increase the height of the pedestal. There are two current types of extender and both types have drawbacks. A first type are bottom extenders and these fit to the base of the pedestal. There are two drawbacks with this type of extender. The first is that the extender has to be quite wide as the base of the pedestal is typically the widest part of the pedestal and the extender needs to be at least as wide as the base. So bottom extenders are bulky and expensive in terms of materials used. Also pedestals need to be laid out in accurate array and in order to attach the bottom extender, the pedestal has to be lifted up and, may not be replaced in the correct position in the array.

[0005] Intermediate extenders attach between the base and the top of the pedestal. While these can be smaller than bottom extenders, they require the pedestal to be partly disassembled to be installed, so can be time consuming and fiddly to install.

[0006] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each of the appended claims.

Summary

[0007] In a first broad aspect the present invention provides an extender for a pedestal including a top surface which is configured to receive accessories, such as a slope corrector, and an underside which defines dependent engagement means for engaging with the top face of a head element of the pedestal.

[0008] Typically, the top surface of the extender will have substantially the same shape and configuration as the top surface of the head element of the pedestal on which it locates.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the top surface defines a series of cylindrical apertures arranged in a circular arrangement, and the underside defines a series of depending cylindrical plugs/spigots which locate in corresponding holes in the top of the extender or head element. It is preferred that the depending spigots and plugs are shaped and configured such that they locate in the corresponding holes in the top surface of the extender or head element in one relative orientation only.

[0010] Ina particularly advantageous embodiment, the centre of the top surface of the extender defines a generally circular aperture and the underside of the extender defines a depending clip which includes two legs which are spaced apart at the substantially the same distance as the diameter of the generally circular aperture and include feet which extend radially away from the centre of the extender, in use the legs passing through the central aperture of a head element with the feet engaging behind the aperture locking the top extender in position.

[0011] Preferably, the generally circular aperture in the centre of the top surface defines two opposed slots/cut-outs which, in use, when one extender is stacked on top on another extender in the one orientation, are aligned with the feet of the depending clip and allow the extenders to be superposed without locking the extenders together.

[0012] It is preferred that the generally circular aperture in the centre of the top surface defines two opposed slots which in use, when one extender is stacked on top on another extender in the one orientation, are aligned with the feet of the depending clip and allow the extenders to be superposed without locking the extenders together.

[0013] It is preferred that the head member defines a first part-spherical, surface having a first radius of curvature, and the head member defines an array of holes for receiving the peg and which extend about the centre of the top surface of the head member for fixing the slope adjustment plate relative to the head member in two or more different relative orientations.

[0014] Typically, the array of holes are located on a spiral curve.

[0015] Advantageously, by attaching to the head member of the pedestal, the top extender is easy to install and simply attaches on top of the head member, without having to move or adjust the pedestal. The clips ensure that the top extender is locked to the head element. The cut outs in the central hole of the top extender allow the top extenders to be stacked and disengaged.

[0016] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0017] A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described, byway of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a top extender for a pedestal jack;

Figure 2 is a top view the extender of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a bottom perspective view of the extender of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a bottom view of the extender of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a side view of the extender of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an isometric view showing the extender attached to the top of a pedestal;

Figure 7 is a part exploded isometric view showing the extender of Figure 4 separated from the pedestal; and

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the engagement between the top of the pedestal and the top extender

Description of Embodiments

[0018] Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a top extender 10 for a pedestal. The top extender comprises a top face or plate 12 from the perimeter of which depends an annular skirt portion 14. The top face 12 of the pedestal is substantially the same shape and configuration as the top face 112 of the head element 110 of a pedestal 100 on which the top extender locates (refer to Figure 7).

[0019] In the centre of the top face, there is a generally circular aperture 16 which is surrounded by a flange 18 which is enclosed by a circular wall 20. Extending around the circular wall is a first part spherical surface 22 which extends between the perimeter/circumference of the circular wall 20 and a concentric circle/ring 24. A flange 26 extends from the perimeter of the convex surface to a circular inside perimeter of a further or outer part spherical concave surface 28 in the form of a band which extends in a band/ring around the top extender. The flange 26 is recessed slightly relative to the circle/ring 24. A series of radially aligned strengthening ribs 30 extend across the flange from the perimeter/circumference of the circle/ring 24 to the further part spherical surface 28. A series of drainage holes 32 are formed in the flange between adjacent pairs of ribs to prevent the build-up of water in the flange 26.

[0020] Four holes 34 are defined in the outer band 28 from which depend annular tubes 36 for receiving a screw or other fastener for fixing the top extender to the head element 110 of a pedestal. The tubes have a wider upper part 36A and a narrower lower part 36B.

[0021] With reference to Figures 1 and 2 in particular, it can be seen that the central circular aperture 16 defines two opposed slots or cut-outs 40, 42. These allow the engagement and removal of another extender using a clip 44 depending from the underside of the extender 10, best seen in Figure 3.

[0022] A series of twelve generally circular holes 50 extend through the first part spherical surface 18, which receive and cooperate with a known slope adjuster, described in more detail in AU 2006308433. The holes 50 are different sizes.

[0023] Figures 3 and 4 show the base or underside of the top extender 10. The underside defines two concentric annular skirts - an inner skirt 52 and an outer skirt 54 connected by radially extending ribs 56. Four tubes 60, 62, 64, 66 depend down from adjacent the inner side of the inner skirt 52. The tubes are sized and configured to each locate in one of the twelve holes in the top of another top extender, or on the head element 110 of a pedestal 100.

[0024] The clip 44 defines two opposed legs 70, 72 at the base of which are rounded projections or feet 74 which extend radially away from the centre of the top extender. The legs are spaced apart at the same distance as the diameter of the circular aperture 16.

[0025] Figures 6 to 8 illustrate the top extender being attached to the head element 110. As is best seen in Figure 7, while the top face 112 of the head element 110 is largely identical to the top face of the top extender, the central circular aperture 116 does not have any diametrically opposed cut outs. The top extender locates and fits onto the head element in one specific orientation only, where the depending tubes 60, 62, 64 and 66 removeably push fit into four of the twelve holes 150. At the same time the legs 70, 72 of the depending clip 44 deflect inwards and the feet 74 snap fit behind the ring 116. The top extender then remains fixed to the head element 110 and cannot easily be removed. Optionally, fasteners such as screws (not shown) can be inserted into one of more of the annular tubes 36 and used to connect the top extender to the top face of the head element 110.

[0026] The top extenders 10 may also be stacked one on top of another for storage and transport. In this case the depending tubes 60, 62, 64 and 66 removeably push fit into four of the twelve holes 50 of the top element, again in one specific orientation only. In that orientation the feet 74 of the clip pass through the cut-outs 40 and 42 in the central aperture 16 so the top extenders can be easily separated.

[0027] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (8)

CLAIMS:

1. An extender for a pedestal including a top surface which is configured to receive accessories, such as a slope corrector, and an underside which defines depending engagement means for engaging with the top face of a head element of the pedestal.

2. An extender as claimed in claim 1 wherein the top surface of the extender has substantially the same shape and configuration as the top surface of the head element of the pedestal on which it locates.

3. An extender as claimed in claim 2 wherein the top surface defines a series of cylindrical apertures arranged in a circular arrangement, and the depending engagement means include a series of depending cylindrical plugs/spigots defined on the underside of the extender which locate in corresponding holes in the top surface of the extender or head element.

4. An extender as claimed in claim 3 wherein the depending cylindrical plugs/spigots are shaped and configured such that they locate in the corresponding holes in the top surface of the extender or head element in one relative orientation only.

5. An extender as claimed in claim 2 or 3 or 4 wherein the centre of the top surface defines a generally circular aperture and the depending engagement means further include a depending clip depending from the underside of the extender which includes two legs which are spaced apart at the substantially the same distance as the diameter of the circular aperture and include feet which extend radially away from the centre of the extender, in use the legs passing through the central aperture of a head element with the feet engaging behind the aperture locking the top extender in position.

6. An extender as claimed in claim 5 wherein the generally circular aperture in the centre of the top surface defines two opposed slots which in use, when one extender is stacked on top on another extender in the one orientation, are aligned with the feet of the depending clip and allow the extenders to be superposed without locking the extenders together.

7. An extender as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the head member defines a first part-spherical, surface having a first radius of curvature, and the head member defines an array of holes for receiving the peg and which extend about the centre of the top surface of the head member for fixing the slope adjustment plate relative to the head member in two or more different relative orientations.

8. An adjustable pedestal as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the array of holes are located on a spiral curve.

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