US20110302854A1

US20110302854A1 - Floor leveling system

Info

Publication number: US20110302854A1
Application number: US13/156,249
Authority: US
Inventors: Duane Armijo
Original assignee: Sustainable Building Innovations Inc
Current assignee: Sustainable Building Innovations Inc
Priority date: 2010-06-09
Filing date: 2011-06-08
Publication date: 2011-12-15
Also published as: WO2011156615A1

Abstract

A floor-leveling system is provided and includes such features as a corner pedestal, a cross-joint pedestal, a side-joint pedestal, an interior pedestal, an exterior frame support, an interior frame support, and drop-in pins that may be used and assembled together to construct a sufficient foundation to collectively support a temporary structure that is placed thereon. These various components may be quickly coupled together in assorted configurations to form the foundation that is sufficiently strong and rigid to suitably support the weight of the structure. Many of the components of the foundation can be adjusted to conform to uneven elevations of the ground surface upon which the foundation is to be placed. The ability of the foundation to be quickly assembled and adapted to uneven elevation significantly reduces the man-power and time required to assemble the foundation and erect the structure thereon.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[S]

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application to Duane Armijo entitled “FLOOR LEVELING SYSTEM,” Ser. No. 61/352,944, filed Jun. 9, 2010, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated entirely herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to building components and more particularly to components of a floor-leveling system used to support building walls, floors, and ceilings placed thereon.
2. State of the Art
Every structure should be built upon a solid foundation—one that properly transfers the weight of the structure, including the weight of the floor, walls, and roof, to the ground surface upon which the foundation and the structure rest. Moreover, the weight of any structure must be distributed evenly over the foundation upon which the structure rests so that the weight of a particular part or section of the structure does not exceed the bearing capacity of the foundation. If the foundation is not solid, or if the weight of the structure exceeds the bearing capacity of the foundation, the foundation is likely to fail and the structure will collapse.
Given these considerations, the foundation should maintain solid contact with the ground surface upon which the foundation rests so as to provide a solid base for the support of the structure, and the foundation should retain the structure in a level configuration so as to evenly disperse the weight of the structure over the foundation. Ensuring that these considerations are met results in the structural integrity of the structure being maintained.
Oftentimes, to meet these considerations, the ground surface is first leveled or flattened to provide an optimal surface upon which to lay the foundation. Typically, heavy machinery and extensive man hours are required to adequately perform the task. Once complete, the foundation is laid upon the leveled surface.
Temporary, or non-permanent, structures are no different. Temporary structures, like permanent structures, must have a solid foundation upon which to sit to maintain structural integrity. However, with temporary structures it is usually not possible, not feasible, and not economically viable to level or flatten the ground surface upon which a temporary structure will be erected. For example, more often than not, heavy machinery is not available to flatten the ground surface at the location where the temporary structure is to be erected. Also, the time and effort it takes to level, flatten, and prepare the surface upon which the structure is to be constructed (and thereafter construct the structure) is not worth the need for the use of the structure itself. For instance, the time alone required to prepare the ground surface and erect the structure can be longer than the time that the structure will be used. Indeed, the need for the use of the temporary structure may be, in some cases, only a few hours. Additionally, those who utilize a temporary structure may wish to leave as small an ecological footprint as possible, which precludes the manipulation of the ground surface upon which the structure is to be erected.
Accordingly, there is a need for a floor leveling system that solves the aforementioned problems. Specifically, there is a need for a floor leveling system that can quickly and easily be assembled, and yet can make solid contact with an uneven ground surface to provide structural integrity to a non-permanent structure placed thereon.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to building components and more particularly to components of a floor-leveling system used to collectively support a structure placed thereon.
One aspect of the system of the present invention comprises a corner pedestal, a cross-joint pedestal, a side-joint pedestal, an interior pedestal, an exterior frame support, an interior frame support, and drop-in pins that may be used and assembled together to construct a sufficient foundation to collectively support a structure that is placed thereon. These various components may be quickly coupled together in assorted configurations to form the foundation that is sufficiently strong and rigid to suitably support the weight of the structure that is placed thereon. Moreover, many of the components of the foundation can be adjusted to conform to uneven elevations of the ground surface upon which the foundation is to be placed. The ability of the foundation to be quickly assembled and adapted to uneven elevation significantly reduces the man-power and time required to assemble the foundation and erect the structure thereon.
Another aspect of the present invention further comprises the structure of the pedestals. The pedestals may include a base portion that includes a support plate, a base plate, a base shaft, and a threaded rod. The support plate is larger in size than the base plate and may be used to contact the ground surface to support the weight of the system. In some cases, the support plate can be dispensed with and a base plate alone may contact the ground surface to support the weight of the system. Where the support plate is desired, the base plate may be coupled to the support plate on the top surface of the support plate. The base shaft is fixedly coupled to the base plate. The threaded rod having opposing thread patterns on each side of a center nut that is fixedly coupled to the center portion of the threaded rod may be threaded into the base shaft.
Another aspect of the present invention further comprises the pedestal portion of the pedestals. The pedestal portion may include a receiver plate, a pedestal shaft, a shield plate and a spacer plate. The pedestal shaft may be threaded onto the exposed side of the threaded rod. Once threaded, jamb nuts on either side of the center nut on the threaded rod may be used to secure the pedestal shaft and base shaft in position on the threaded rod. The jamb nuts are threaded toward the base shaft and the pedestal shaft until one jamb nut contacts the base shaft and the other jamb nut contacts the pedestal shaft to secure each shaft in position on the threaded rod. The receiver plate further comprises holes in an outer extremity portion thereof. The spacer plate is fixedly coupled to the receiver plate and extends substantially perpendicularly from the top surface of the receiver plate. The shield plate is fixedly coupled to the spacer plate behind the spacer plate, such that the shield plate does not contact the receiver plate.
Another aspect of the present invention comprises the various structural configurations of the receiver plate and the corresponding structure of the shield plate and spacer plate. Certain embodiments of the pedestal portion include the receiver plate having an L-shape along with the spacer plate and the shield plate. Other embodiments of the pedestal portion include the receiver plate having a T-shape, with the shield plate and the spacer plate being straight. Yet other embodiments of the pedestal portion include the receiver plate having a straight-shape, with the shield plate and the spacer plate being straight. Still other embodiments of the pedestal portion include the receiver plate having a straight-shape and the spacer plate or shield plate not being attached thereto.
Another aspect of the present invention comprises the frame supports, both exterior and interior. The interior frame supports are structured similarly to the exterior frame supports, except that when assembled, the interior frame supports are turned upside down. The exterior and interior frame supports are L-shaped and include a vertical portion and a horizontal portion. The horizontal portion supports the weight of the structure to be placed thereon, and the vertical portion provides strength and rigidity to the horizontal portion and prevents the structure from sliding off of the horizontal portion. At the ends of the horizontal portion of each of the exterior and interior frame supports, a c-channel is fixedly coupled thereto. The c-channel is fixedly coupled to the exterior frame support on the underside of the horizontal portion, which is on the opposite side of the vertical portion. In contrast, the c-channel is fixedly coupled to the interior frame support on the topside of the horizontal portion, which is on the same side as the vertical portion. The c-channel defines an opening into which the receiver plate of each of the pedestals is inserted to couple each of the frame supports to each of the pedestals. Thus, when the exterior frame support is coupled to the pedestal by way of the c-channel being inserted onto the receiver plate, the c-channel is underneath the horizontal portion and thus does not interfere with the structure that is placed on the horizontal portion. As mentioned above, when the interior frame support is coupled to the pedestal by way of the c-channel, the interior frame support is turned upside down so that the vertical portion is directed downward. Likewise, with the c-channel being coupled to the topside of the horizontal portion of the interior frame support, when the interior frame support is turned upside down, the c-channel is positioned underneath the horizontal portion and thus neither the vertical portion nor the c-channel interferes with the structure that is placed on the horizontal portion.
Another aspect of the present invention further comprises holes in the frame supports and holes in the accompanying c-channels. The holes allow the drop-in pins to be inserted through the holes in the frame supports, down through the holes in the respective receiver plates, and out through the holes in the c-channel to hold the frame supports on the pedestals. The drop-in pins may be held in place by gravity.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the particular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary configuration of a floor-leveling system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a component of the floor-leveling system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a component of the floor-leveling system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a component of the floor-leveling system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a component of the floor-leveling system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of several assembled components of the floor-leveling system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of several assembled components of the floor-leveling system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a component of the floor-leveling system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the floor-leveling system with a structure placed thereon in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of an embodiment of a component of the floor-leveling system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the component of the floor-leveling system shown in FIG. 8 in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a component of the floor-leveling system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a component of the floor-leveling system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a component of the floor-leveling system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a component of the floor-leveling system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a component of the floor-leveling system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a component of the floor-leveling system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a side view of an embodiment of a component of the floor-leveling system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a component of the floor-leveling system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a component of the floor-leveling system in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to building components and more particularly to components of a floor-leveling system used to provide a sufficient foundation to support a structure thereon, the structure including, for example, a floor, a ceiling, and walls.
As shown in FIG. 1, the floor leveling system 100 comprises a corner pedestal 10, a cross-joint pedestal 40, a side-joint pedestal 50, an interior pedestal 60, an exterior frame support 70, an interior frame support 90, and drop-in pins 92. These various components may be quickly coupled together, as will be described in more detail below, in assorted configurations to form the system 100 that is sufficiently strong and rigid to suitably support the weight of a structure 200 placed thereon, as shown in FIG. 9. Moreover, because the system 100 can be adjusted to conform to uneven elevations of the ground surface upon which the system 100 is to be placed, the ground surface does not generally have to be leveled or treated before the system 100 is placed thereon. The ability of the system 100 to be quickly assembled and adapted to uneven elevation significantly reduces the man-power and time required to assemble the system 100 and erect the structure 200 thereon.
As shown in FIG. 2, the corner pedestal 10 comprises a support plate 12, a base plate 14 and a base shaft 16. The base shaft 16 can be fixedly coupled, such as by welding or other permanent adhesive technique, to the base plate 14. The base shaft 16 is hollow and the axial direction of the base shaft 16 is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the base plate 14 under the condition that the base shaft 16 is coupled to the base plate 14. The interior surface of the base shaft 16 is configured to receive the threads of a threaded rod 18, to be described below. The base plate 14 is releasably coupled, such as by bolts or pegs, to the support plate 12 and thus makes contact with the top surface of the support plate 12, the support plate 12 being larger in size than the base plate 14. The support plate 12 is generally placed on the ground surface upon which the system 100 is to be placed, such that the bottom surface of the support plate 12 directly contacts the ground surface. In such a configuration, the support plate 12 functions to support the weight of the structure 200 that is to be placed upon the system 100. The size and shape of the support plate 12 can be determined based on several factors. For example, the weight of the structure 200 or the firmness of the ground surface upon which the support plate 12 is to be placed can assist in the selection of the appropriate size and dimension of the support plate 12.
The base plate 14 is structured to be sufficiently strong to support the weight of the system 100 and the structure 200 placed thereon without the assistance of the support plate 12. In fact, the base plate 14 can, in certain embodiments, be placed directly on the ground surface to support the system 100 and structure 200 placed thereon, without the assistance of the support plate 12. Certain ground surfaces may not provide substantial surface area for the relatively larger support plate 12 to be used effectively. In these cases, it is more convenient to place the relatively smaller base plate 14 directly on the ground surface. Moreover, in other cases, where the ground surface upon which the system 100 and structure 200 are to be placed is substantially firm enough, the base plate 14 can be placed directly on the ground surface and can support the weight of the system 100 and structure 200 without negative effects, such as the base plate 14 dipping or sinking into a soft ground surface.
The corner pedestal 10 further comprises the threaded rod 18, mentioned above, a center nut 20, and jamb nuts 22. The threaded rod 18 can have the center nut 20 fixedly coupled thereto, such as by welding or other permanent adhesion technique. The threaded rod 18 is threaded on both sides of the center nut 20 and the thread on either side of the center nut 20 is opposite to one another. For example, the threaded rod 18 may have left-hand thread on one side of the center nut 20 and right-hand thread on the opposing side, or vice versa. Jamb nuts 22 can be threaded onto the threaded rod 18, one on either side of the center nut 20 to assist in securing the corner pedestal 10 at a vertical elevation, to be described below.
The corner pedestal 10 further comprises a pedestal shaft 24, a receiver plate 26, a spacer plate 28, and a shield plate 30. The pedestal shaft 24 is similar to the base shaft 16 in that the pedestal shaft 24 is hollow and the axial direction of the pedestal shaft 24 is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the receiver plate 28 under the condition that the pedestal shaft 24 is coupled to the receiver plate 28. The interior surface of the pedestal shaft 24 is configured to receive the thread of the threaded rod 18.
The receiver plate 26 of the corner pedestal 10 is structured in an L-shape to form a corner. Specifically, the receiver plate 26 is fixedly coupled, such as by welding or other permanent adhesive technique, to the pedestal shaft 24 such that the two “legs” of the “L” extend substantially perpendicularly from the axis of the pedestal shaft 24 in two directions, the directions being substantially at right angles to one another to form the L-shape. The receiver plate 26 of the corner pedestal 10 is structured to receive the exterior frame supports 70. The length of each of the two “legs” of the receiver plate 26 is substantially the same. Holes 32 are placed in the top surface of the receiver plate 26 toward the ends of the “legs”. The holes 32 are generally circular in shape and run entirely through the receiver plate 26, such that drop-in pins 92, shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, can be placed within the holes 32 and thus penetrate entirely through the receiver plate 26.
Spacer plate 28 is also L-shaped to form a corner. The spacer plate 28 is fixedly coupled, such as by welding or other permanent adhesion technique, to the receiver plate 26, the corner of the spacer plate 28 being positioned proximate the corner of the receiver plate 26. A portion of the spacer plate 28 is fixedly coupled to the outside edge of the receiver plate 26 and the remaining portion of the spacer plate 28 extends vertically, relative to the horizontal top surface of the receiver plate 26, such that the top surface of the receiver plate 26 and the remaining portion of the spacer plate 28 are substantially perpendicular to one another. The “legs” of the spacer plate 28 run along the outside edge of the receiver plate 26 and the length of the “legs” of the spacer plate 28 is less than the length of the “legs” of the receiver plate 26.
Shield plate 30 is also L-shaped to form a corner. Shield plate 30 is fixedly coupled, such as by welding or other permanent adhesion technique, to the spacer plate 28, the corner of the shield plate 30 being positioned proximate the corner of the receiver plate 26 and the spacer plate 28. The width of the spacer plate 28 and the shield plate 30 are substantially the same, such that the vertical height of the spacer plate 28 and the shield plate 30 are the same. Shield plate 30 also extends vertically relative to the horizontal top surface of the receiver plate 26. The length of the “legs” of the shield plate 30 is larger than the length of the “legs” of the spacer plate 28, such that the outer ends of the “legs” of the shield plate 30 extend beyond the spacer plate 28 to create end portions 34. End portions 34 do not contact the receiver plate 26 and are spaced apart from the outside edge of the receiver plate 26 by the depth of the spacer plate 28, thus creating, or defining, a gap 36 between the outer edge of the receiver plate 26 and the inside surface of the shield plate 30. The purpose of the gap 36 will be described in further detail below.
As described above, the pedestal shaft 24 is configured to receive the thread of the threaded rod 18. When the pedestal shaft 24 is threaded onto one side of the threaded rod 18 and the base shaft 16 is threaded onto the remaining side of the threaded rod 18, the corner pedestal 10 can be set in its desired position within the system 100 and can be set for elevation. The elevation of the corner pedestal 10, or more particularly, the elevation of the receiver plate 26 of the corner pedestal 10 with respect to the ground surface, can be adjusted, as needed, by adjusting how much of the threaded rod 18 is threaded into either the base shaft 16 or the pedestal shaft 24. Indeed, the amount of thread of the threaded rod 18 that is threaded into the pedestal shaft 24 and the base shaft 16 can be independently adjusted to change the height of the receiver plate 26 relative to the ground surface. Once the desired elevation is obtained by adjusting the threaded rod 18, the jamb nuts 20 on either side of the center nut 20 can be tightened against the pedestal shaft 24 and the base shaft 16, respectively, to lock the threaded rod 18 in position and thus lock the corner pedestal 10 at its desired elevation.
As shown in FIG. 3, the cross-joint pedestal 40 comprises similar features to the corner pedestal 10 described above. The specific features of the cross-joint pedestal 40 function in accordance with the description of the corner pedestal 10, except that the receiver plate 26, the spacer plate 28, and the shield plate 30 of cross-joint pedestal 40 are of a different configuration. Specifically, the receiver plate 26 of cross-joint pedestal 40 is structured in a T-shape, instead of an L-shape. The L-shape, described above with reference to the corner pedestal 10, is structured to be placed in a corner of the system 100 and receive the exterior frame supports 70. In contrast, the T-shape of the cross-joint pedestal 40 is structured to be placed on an outer edge of the system 100, the top of the “T” structured to receive the exterior frame supports 70, which form the exterior portions of the system 100, and the bottom of the “T” structured to receive the interior frame supports 90, which form the interior portions of the system 100. Furthermore, the spacer plate 28 and the shield plate 30 are not L-shaped, but are instead straight. The spacer plate 28 is fixedly coupled to the edge of the receiver plate 26 that is opposite the T-portion of the T-shaped receiver plate 26 and the shield plate 30 is fixedly coupled to the spacer plate 28. The length of the shield plate 30 is greater than the length of the spacer plate 28 such that the shield plate 30 extends beyond the spacer plate 28 on either side of the spacer plate 28 to create end portions 34. Similar to the end portions 34 of the corner pedestal 10, the end portions 34 of the cross-joint pedestal 40 do not contact the receiver plate 26 and are spaced apart from the outside edge of the receiver plate 26 by the depth of the spacer plate 28, thus creating, or defining, a gap 36 between the outer edge of the receiver plate 26 and the inside surface of the shield plate 30. The purpose of the gap 36 will be described in further detail below.
As shown in FIG. 4, the side-joint pedestal 50 comprises similar features to that of the cross-joint pedestal 40, except that the receiver plate 26 of the side-joint pedestal 50 is straight and does not contain a T-portion that is capable of receiving the interior frame support 90. Specifically, the receiver portion 26 of the side-joint pedestal 50 is configured to receive the exterior frame supports 70 to support the exterior of the system 100.
As shown in FIG. 5, the interior pedestal 60 comprises similar features to that of the side-joint pedestal 50, except that the side-joint pedestal 50 does not include the spacer plate 28 or the shield plate 30. Indeed, the interior pedestal 60 does not include the spacer plate 28 or the shield plate 30 because the interior pedestal 60 is to be placed in the interior of the system 100 and receives the interior frame supports 90 to support the interior of the system 100. Therefore, the interior pedestal 60 has no need of the spacer plate 28 and the shield plate 30, which normally function to keep the wall portions or floor portions of the structure 200 from slipping off of the horizontal surfaces of the system 100.
As shown in FIG. 6, the system 100 further comprises exterior frame supports 70 and interior frame supports 90. Exterior frame supports 70 are substantially L-shaped, the L-shape forming a horizontal portion 72 and a vertical portion 74. The exterior frame supports 70 can be of various lengths depending on the need of the system 100. The length of the exterior frame supports 70 is defined between a vertical portion end 76 and a horizontal portion end 78 on each respective end of the exterior frame support 70. The exterior frame supports 70 have fixedly coupled thereto, by welding or other permanent adhesion technique, a c-channel 82 on the underside of the horizontal portion 72 near each of the horizontal portion ends 78, the c-channel 82 and the underside of the horizontal portion 72 defining therebetween an opening 84. The opening 84 is structured to receive the receiver plate 26 on each of the corner pedestal 10, the cross-joint pedestal 40, the side-pedestal 50, and the interior pedestal 60. Moreover, each of the horizontal portion ends 78 further comprises an angled corner 80. The angled corner 80 allows the exterior frame supports 70 to be coupled to the corner pedestal 10 without the horizontal portion 72 of each of the exterior frame supports 70 interfering with one another and preventing the proper assembly of the exterior frame supports 70 on the corner pedestal 10. The exterior frame supports 70 further comprise pin holes 86 into which the drop-in pins 92 can be placed. The pin holes 86 extend through the horizontal portion 72 of the exterior frame supports 70 and through the c-channel 82, as seen in FIG. 7, in which the drop-in pin 92 is shown inserted into the pin holes 86 and the holes 32.
The interior frame supports 90 are similar in structure to the exterior frame supports 70, except that the c-channel 82 is coupled to the interior frame supports 90 on the topside of the horizontal portion 72. Then, when the interior frame support 90 is to be mounted to one of the cross-joint pedestal 40 and the interior pedestal 60, the interior frame support 90 is flipped upside down, such that the vertical portion 74 is pointed generally downward and the c-channel is positioned below the horizontal portion 72, as shown in FIG. 6. In such a configuration, neither the c-channel 82 nor the vertical portion 74 interferes with the structure 200 placed upon the system 100, as both the c-channel 82 and the vertical portion 74 are positioned below the horizontal portion 72 that supports the structure 200. Indeed, in such a configuration, although the vertical portion 74 of exterior frame supports 70 extend upward and the vertical portion 74 of interior frame supports 90 extend downward, the horizontal portion 72 of the exterior frame supports 70 and the horizontal portion 72 of the interior frame supports 90 can nevertheless be positioned in the same horizontal plane to support the structure 200 in an even, and level, arrangement.
As shown in FIG. 7, the exterior frame supports 70 can be coupled to the receiver plate 26 of the corner pedestal 10. Specifically, the exterior frame supports 70 are coupled to the corner pedestal 10 by placing the opening 84 in the c-channel 82 onto the receiver plate 26. The receiver plate 26 can then be further slid into the opening 84 until the vertical portion end 76 contacts the vertical edge of the spacer plate 28. Moreover, as the exterior frame support 70 is thus placed onto the corner pedestal 10, the gap 36 between the back edge of the receiver plate 26 and the front face of the shield plate 30 provides sufficient space for the outside edge of the c-channel 82 to slide into the gap 36, if needed. With the edge of the c-channel 82 wedged within the gap 36, as described above, the shield plate 30 and the outside edge of the receiver plate 26 further hold the c-channel 82, and thus the exterior frame support 70, in place on the receiver plate 26. This also provides greater rigidity to the system 100.
Although the coupling of the exterior frame supports 70 to the corner pedestal 10 has been described in detail above, the exterior frame supports 70 may be coupled to each of the cross-joint pedestal 40, the side-pedestal 50, and the interior pedestal 60 in a similar manner. Specifically, the exterior frame supports 70 may slide onto the receiver plate 26 of each of the pedestals 40, 50 and 60, by the c-channel 82 being placed onto the receiver plate 26 of each of the respective pedestals 40, 50 and 60. Moreover, the edge of the c-channel 82 may also slide into the gap 36 on each of the cross-joint pedestal 40 and the side-pedestal 50, if needed, as described above in relation to the exterior frame supports 70 and the corner pedestal 10. Furthermore, the interior frame supports 90 can slide onto and couple to each of the cross-joint pedestal 40 and the interior pedestal 60 in a similar manner to that of the exterior frame supports 70.
To further secure the exterior frame supports 70 and the interior frame supports 90 to any of the pedestals 10, 40, 50 and 60, drop-in pins 92 can be utilized. For example, as the receiver plate 26 is slid into the opening 84 in the c-channel 82, the pin holes 86 in the exterior frame support 70 match up with and overlap holes 32 in the receiver plate 26. When the pin hole 86 in the exterior frame supports 70 overlaps the hole 32, the drop-in pin 92 can be inserted through both the pin hole 86 and the hole 32 to keep the exterior frame support 70 in position on any of the pedestals 10, 40, 50 and 60. Pin holes 86 are also provided in the interior frame supports 90 and in the c-channels 82 attached thereto. Thus, when the pin hole 86 in the interior frame supports 90 overlaps the hole 32, the drop-in pin 92 can be inserted through both the pin hole 86 and the hole 32 to keep the interior frame support 90 in position on any of the pedestals 40 and 60.
As shown in FIG. 8, the drop-in pin 92 comprises a pin head 94 and a pin shaft 96. When used to couple the exterior frame supports 70 and interior frame supports 90 to any of the corner pedestal 10, the cross-joint pedestal 40, the side-pedestal 50, and the interior pedestal 60, the pin shaft 96 is inserted into the holes 86 and 32. The pin shaft penetrates through the holes 86 and 32 and extends out the underside of the exterior frame supports 70 and interior frame supports 90, as the case may be. The pin head 94 is larger in diameter than the diameter of the pin shaft 96 and thus prevents the drop-in pin 92 from sliding completely through the holes 86 and 32. Gravity keeps the drop-in pin 92 in position, once placed. Alternatively, a small bore hole running through the diameter of the pin shaft 96 may be placed in the end of the pin shaft 96, and a split pin, or an R-clip, may be inserted into the small bore hole to prevent the drop-in pin 92 from coming out of the holes 86 and 32. Further in the alternative, the drop-in pin 92 can be held in place by the flooring placed onto the floor leveling system 100, and specifically onto the frame supports 70 and 90, such that the pins 92 are covered and secured in place by the frame supports 70 and 90.
As described above, each of the pedestals 10, 40, 50 and 60 comprises the threaded rod 18, the center nut 20 and the jamb nuts 22. Accordingly, any of the pedestals 10, 40, 50 and 60 can be adjusted for elevation by adjusting how much the threaded rod 18 is threaded into either the base shaft 16 or the pedestal shaft 24. In this way, the elevation of the receiver plate 26 on any of the respective pedestals 10, 40, 50 and 60 can be adjusted for height with respect to the ground surface. As a result, each pedestal 10, 40, 50 or 60 that is used to construct a certain desired configuration of the system 100 can be separately and independently adjusted for elevation to account for the uneven ground surface upon which the system 100 is placed to place the system 100 in a level orientation prior to the structure 200 being placed thereon. Moreover, after the system 100 has been leveled and the structure 200 has been placed thereon, settling may occur. To account for settling, each of the pedestals 10, 40, 50 and 60 may be separately and independently adjusted to raise the level of the respective pedestals 10, 40, 50 and 60 to return the system 100 and the structure 200 thereon to a level orientation.
In an alternative embodiment of the pedestal configuration described above, as shown in FIG. 10, the pedestals 10, 40 and 60 may comprise a platform unit 44, which includes a hollow box 43, a tube 124 at a bottom portion of the hollow box 43 and an exemplary configuration of a receiver plate 26 at a top portion of the hollow box 43. Specific receiver plate 26 configurations will be described in greater detail below.
The platform unit 44 is closed at its top by the receiver plate 26 that is fixedly coupled to the top of the hollow box 43 to form the top portion of the platform unit 44. And, the tube 124 extends from the bottom of the hollow box 43. The tube 124 aligns with the opening (not shown) in the bottom of the hollow box 43, such that a shaft 118 can be placed inside the platform unit 44, including through the tube 124 and the opening (not shown) in the bottom of the hollow box 43, and the shaft 118 can slide freely within the platform unit 44, including the tube 124 and the hollow box 43, without engaging either the tube 124 or the hollow box 43.
A riser mechanism 120 may be coupled to the shaft 118. The riser 120 engages the shaft 118 and is configured to travel up and down the shaft 118 as desired by the user. The riser 120 may engage the shaft 118 by friction, the riser 120 being clamped about the shaft 118 at a location on the shaft 118 chosen by the user. Alternatively, the shaft 118 can be a threaded rod. As a threaded rod, the shaft 118 allows the riser 120 to be a threaded nut. The riser 120, as a threaded nut on a threaded rod, can rotate about the shaft 118 in a continuous interval, instead of at discreet intervals or incremental steps. Indeed, the center nut riser 120 can travel along most of the length of the threaded shaft 118. Under the condition that the platform unit 44 is placed over the shaft 118, the center nut riser 120 engages the platform unit 44 at the bottom end of the tube 124. As the center nut riser 120 is rotated about the shaft 118, the center nut riser 120 rises or lowers, as the case may be, and displaces the platform unit 44 accordingly. In other words, as the center nut riser 120 moves up or down the shaft 118, by rotation about the shaft 118, the platform unit 44 is likewise moved up or down, respectively.
Handle-bar arms 21 extend from the riser 120 to assist in rotating the riser 120 about the shaft 118. The arms 21 are fixedly coupled to the riser 120 at opposing sides of the riser 120 to provide the user better grip to produce more torque on the riser 120 to get the riser 120 to rotate when a heavy load is placed on the receiver plate 26, which creates rotational frictional resistance between the engagement of the tube 124 and the riser 120.
As mentioned above, the receiver plate 26 is the top portion of the platform unit 44. As the riser 120 is adjusted along the length of the shaft 118, the riser 120 engages the platform unit 44 and adjusts the height of the platform unit 44, and thus the receiver plate 26, above the base 14. Due to the fact that the base 14 rests on the surface on which the system 100 is being erected, adjusting the position of the riser 120 along the length of the shaft 118 adjusts the distance between the receiver plate 26 and the base plate 14, or in other words the distance between the receiver plate 26 and the ground surface.
As described above, the support plate 12 may be coupled to the base plate 14. In an embodiment, the support plate 12 is releasably slidably coupled to the base plate 14, so that the base plate 14 can be easily engaged or released from engagement, as desired by the user, by sliding the base plate 14 out of engagement with the support plate 12. As shown in FIG. 10, braces 13 are attached to the support plate 12 and function to allow the base plate 12 to slide into the braces 13 such that the braces 13 engage the top face of the base plate 14 and secure the base plate 14 to the support plate 12. Once coupled to the base plate 14, the support plate 12 rests below the base plate 14 and contacts the ground surface. The footprint of the support plate 12 is larger than the footprint of the base plate 12 and thus can provide added stability to the system 100.
As shown in FIG. 10, the shaft 118 can have coupled thereto a collar 46. The collar 46 is coupled to the top end of the shaft 118 and functions to engage the interior base of the hollow box 43, such that when the riser 120 is moved up the shaft 118, the interior of the hollow box 43 will contact the underside of the collar 46 and prevent the riser 120 from further rising so as to not allow the riser 120 to push the platform unit 44 up and off of the shaft 118.
As shown in FIG. 12, the corner pedestal 10 can have a square-shaped receiver plate 26. The square-shaped receiver plate 26 has through holes 32 in opposing corners of the plate 26. Additionally, in a corner of the square-shaped receiver plate 26 that does not have a through hole 32, a support member 130 protrudes upward from the plate 26. The support member 130, in conjunction with the exterior frame supports 70, functions to help secure any floor member (not shown) placed on the system 100 from sliding off or disengaging from the system 100. The through holes 32 in the square-shaped receiver plate are configured to correspond with the through holes 86 in the frame supports 170 and 190. The frame supports 170 and 190 can thus be placed directly on the square-shaped receiver plate 26, the through holes 86 can be aligned with the through holes 32 and the drop-in pins 92 can be inserted through both through holes 86 and 32 to secure the frame supports 170 or 190 to the corner pedestal 10. The receiver plate 26 thus supports the frame supports 170 or 190 thereon.
As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the frame supports 170 and 190 have an L-shaped cross section. The through holes 86 are positioned in the frame supports 170 and 190 at opposing ends of the frame supports 170 and 190 and only one side of the frames 170 and 190. In this way, when the exterior frame support 170 is coupled to the pedestal 10, the through hole 86 is positioned in the horizontally oriented section of the “L” shape and the vertically oriented section of the “L” shape points upward away from the ground surface and corresponds to the vertically oriented support member 130 of the pedestal 10 to create a vertical perimeter around the system 100 that prevents the flooring, or flooring sections, placed thereon from sliding off the system 100. On the other hand, when the interior frame support 190 is placed on one of the pedestals 40 or 60 in the interior of the system 100, the vertically oriented section of the “L” shape points downward away from the ground surface so as to not interfere with the flooring, or flooring sections, placed on the system 100. Also, as shown in FIG. 19, the interior frame support 190 defines an opening 192 in the vertically oriented section of the “L” shape. The opening 192 allows the horizontally oriented section of the “L” frame to rest on and couple to the through hole 32 in the middle of the interior length of the receiver plate 26 of the pedestal 40 without the vertically oriented section of the “L” frame interfering with the receiver plate 26 of the pedestal 40. When coupling to the interior pedestal 60, the vertically oriented sections of the “L” frame of the interior frame support 190 fit to the side of the receiver plate 26 and do not interfere with the coupling to the receiver plate.
Once the exterior frame supports 170 are coupled to the corner pedestal 10 at the receiver plate 26, the riser 120 of the pedestal 10 can be operated to adjust the height of the receiver plate 26 and consequently the height of the frame supports 170 coupled thereto. In this way, the frame supports 170 can be adjusted to rest in a level plane above the surface to thereby support the flooring that has been placed on the frame supports 170 in the same level plane above the surface. Additionally, once the interior frame supports 190 are coupled to the interior pedestal 60 at the receiver plate 26, as will be discussed below, the riser 120 of the pedestal 60 can be operated to adjust the height of the receiver plate 26 and consequently the height of the frame supports 190 coupled thereto. In this way, the frame supports 190 can be adjusted to rest in a level plane above the surface to thereby support the flooring that has been placed on the frame supports 190 in the same level plane above the surface.
As shown in FIG. 13, the cross-joint pedestal 40 can have a rectangular-shaped receiver plate 26, with through holes 32 positioned in neighboring corners along a length of the receiver plate 26 and another through hole 32 positioned near the midpoint of the opposing length of the receiver plate 26. In this configuration, exterior frame supports 170 can be coupled to the pedestal 40 concurrently with an interior frame support 190. Specifically, a through hole 86 of an exterior frame support 170 can be aligned with one of the through holes 32 in the corner of the receiver plate 26. Once aligned, the pin 92 can be placed through the aligned holes 86 and 32 to couple the exterior frame support 170 to the pedestal 40. Similarly, another exterior frame support 170 can be coupled to the pedestal 40 at the other through hole 32 at the neighboring corner along the length of the receiver plate 26. Also, similarly, an interior frame support 190 can be coupled to the pedestal 40 by aligning the opening 192 in the frame support 190 to the pedestal 40 and aligning the through hole 86 on the frame support 190 near the opening 192 to the through hole 32 at the midpoint of the receiver plate 26. Thus, the pedestal 40 functions as a t-joint, coupling to and supporting two exterior frame supports 170 on opposing ends of the receiver plate 26, the two exterior frame supports 170 forming an outer perimeter of the system 100, and one interior frame support 190 at the midway point of the receiver plate 26, the interior frame support 190 forming part of the interior support structure of the system 100. Of course, the vertical portion of the L-shaped exterior frame supports 170 is directed upward and away from the ground surface to form the outer perimeter discussed above, and as shown in FIGS. 1, 6, and 7. Moreover, the vertical portion of the L-shaped interior frame supports 190 is directed downward toward the ground surface, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, so as to not interfere with the floor surface that will be placed on and supported by the system 100. And, the opening 192 allows the vertically oriented section of the “L” frame of the interior frame support 190 to not contact and interfere with the pedestal 40.
As shown in FIG. 14, the interior pedestal 60 can have a rectangular-shaped receiver plate 26, with through holes 32 positioned at the midpoint of opposing widths of the receiver plate 26. In this configuration, interior frame supports 190 can be coupled to the pedestal 60 at opposing ends of the receiver plate 26. Specifically, a through hole 86 of an interior frame support 190 can be aligned with one of the through holes 32 in the receiver plate 26. Once aligned, the pin 92 can be placed through the aligned holes 86 and 32 to couple the interior frame support 190 to the pedestal 60. Similarly, another interior frame support 190 can be coupled to the pedestal 60 at the other through hole 32 at the opposing length of the receiver plate 26. Thus, the pedestal 60 functions as an interior-joint, coupling to and supporting two interior frame supports 190 on opposing widths of the receiver plate 26, the two interior frame supports 190 forming part of the interior support structure of the system 100. Of course, the vertical portion of the L-shaped interior frame support 190 is directed downward toward the ground surface, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, so as to not interfere with the floor surface that will be placed on and supported by the system 100. And, as mentioned above, the vertically oriented sections fit to the side of the receiver plate 26 so as to not interfere or disrupt the coupling of the frame supports 190 to the pedestal 60. Alternatively, the pedestal 60 could function as an exterior frame joint, similarly to pedestal 50. In other words, instead of coupling interior frame supports 170 to opposing sides of the receiver plate 26, the pedestal 60 can have coupled thereto two exterior frame supports 190 on opposing sides of the receiver plate. Such a scenario arises when an exterior pedestal is needed, but it is unnecessary to couple an interior cross-joint to that particular exterior pedestal.
As shown in FIG. 15, an embodiment of the system 100 includes a pedestal 150. Pedestal 150 comprises the features described above with respect to pedestal 50, but further comprises a second shaft 218, a second riser mechanism 220, a receptacle 144 that defines an opening 143 in a top portion thereof, and a through hole 132. The second shaft 218 couples to the same base plate 14 that couples to the shaft 118, such that the base plate 14 can couple to a single support plate 12, as shown in FIG. 15. Alternatively, the second shaft can couple to a different base plate 14 than the base plate 14 to which the shaft 118 is coupled. However, similarly to the shaft 118, the second shaft 218 is coupled to the base plat 14 at one end and protrudes orthogonally from the base plate 14. The second riser mechanism 220 engages the second shaft 218 and is configured to travel up and down the shaft 218. The second riser mechanism 220 further engages the base of the receptacle 144 and moves the receptacle 144 up and down the shaft 218 as the second riser 220 moves up and down on the shaft 218. The receptacle 144 has an opening (not shown) in the bottom portion thereof, such that the shaft 218 can fit inside the opening and not engage the receptacle 144 as the receptacle 144 moves up and down the shaft in response to movement of the second riser 220. The second shaft 218 is positioned on the base plate 14 so as to not interfere with the coupling of the support frames 170 or 190 to the pedestal 60. Pedestal 150 is useful to support the column 145 at an exterior side joint of the system 100.
The second riser 120 engages the second shaft 218 and is configured to travel up and down the shaft 218 as desired by the user. The riser 220 may engage the shaft 218 by friction. For example, the riser 220 can be clamped about the shaft 218 at a location (i.e., height) on the shaft 218 chosen by the user. As shown in FIG. 18, the shaft 218 can be a threaded rod. As a threaded rod, the shaft 218 allows the riser 220 to be a threaded nut. The riser 220, as a threaded nut on a threaded rod, can rotate about the shaft 218 in a continuous interval, instead of at discreet intervals or incremental steps. Indeed, the center nut riser 220 can travel along most of the length of the threaded shaft 218. Under the condition that the receptacle 144 is placed over the shaft 218, the center nut riser 220 engages the receptacle 144 and as the center nut riser 220 is rotated about the shaft 218, the center nut riser 220 rises or lowers, as the case may be, and displaces the receptacle 144 accordingly. In other words, as the center nut riser 220 moves up or down the shaft 218, by rotation about the shaft 218, the receptacle 144 is likewise moved up or down, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 18, the second shaft 218 may have a collar 146 coupled to the top thereof. The second collar 146 functions similarly to the collar 46, in that collar 146 functions to engage the interior base of the receptacle 144, such that when the second riser 220 is moved up the shaft 218, the interior of the receptacle 144 will contact the underside of the collar 146 and prevent the receptacle 144 from rising further, so that the riser 220 cannot push the receptacle 144 up and off of the shaft 218.
As shown in FIG. 15, the receptacle 144 further comprises through holes 132 placed in opposing sides of the receptacle 144. The receptacle 144 defines an opening 143, wherein a column 145, or other support member of the system 100, as shown in FIG. 18, may be placed within the receptacle 144 and supported by the receptacle 144. The column 145 has through holes therein (not shown), such that when the column 145 is placed within the receptacle 144, the through holes in the column 145 line up with the through holes 132 in the receptacle 144 to allow the pins 92 to couple the column 145 to the receptacle 144. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 18, a nut and bolt combination 192 can be utilized to pass through the through holes of the column 145 as well as through the through holes 132 of the receptacle 144 to secure the column 145 to the receptacle 144.
As shown in FIG. 16, the system 100 further comprises corner pedestal 110. The corner pedestal 110 comprises the features described above with respect to pedestal 10 and further comprises the features of the second shaft 218, the second riser mechanism 220, the receptacle 144 that defines the opening 143, and the through holes 132 described above. Similarly to the pedestal 150, the pedestal 110 comprises the second shaft 218 that couples to the same base plate 14 that couples to the shaft 118, such that the base plate 14 having both shafts 118 and 218 coupled thereto can couple to a single support plate 12, as shown in FIG. 16. Alternatively, the second shaft can couple to a different base plate 14 than the base plate 14 to which the shaft 118 is coupled. Also, as described above, the second shaft 218 of the pedestal 110 is positioned on the base plate 14 so as to not interfere with the coupling of the support frames 170 or 190 to the pedestal 10 positioned near the pedestal 10. Pedestal 110 is useful to support the column 145 at an exterior corner of the system 100.
As shown in FIG. 17, the system 100 further comprises a pedestal 190. The pedestal 190 comprises a pedestal 15 and further comprises the features of the second shaft 218, the second riser mechanism 220, the receptacle 144 that defines the opening 143, and the through holes 132 described above with respect to pedestals 150 and 110. The pedestal 15 comprises the features of the pedestals 10, 40 and 60 described above, specifically with regard to the shaft 118, the riser 110 and the platform unit 44 and their functional interaction. The pedestal 15 comprises a receiver plate 26 that has a square-like shape with a notch 115 cut out of one of the corners. The receiver plate 26 of pedestal 15 has through holes 32 positioned proximate the notch 115 and another through hole 32 in a corner that opposes the notch 115. The through hole 32 that is positioned in the corner that opposes the notch 115 is adapted to correspond to the through hole 86 of an interior frame support 190 such that the interior frame support 190 can be supported on the receiver plate 26 and coupled to the receiver plate 26 by a pin 92 placed through the through holes 32 and 86. The two other through holes 32 positioned proximate the notch 115 are adapted to correspond to the through holes 86 of respective exterior frame supports 170 such that each exterior frame support 170 can be supported by the receiver plate 26 and coupled thereto by the pin 92 engaging the respective through holes 32 and 86. Because the pedestal 190 is useful in the system 100 at an interior corner on the exterior of the system 100, the notch 115 allows the shaft 218 that holds pedestal 144 to remain the same distance from the shaft 118 as the distance between the shafts 218 and 118 of pedestals 110 and 150. Pedestals 110, 150, and 190 are configured such that the respective receptacles 144 are positioned on the exterior side of the system 100. As such, pedestals 110, 150, and 190 are useful to support exterior features of the system 100 or adjacent to the system 100.
A method of using the system 100 will hereinafter be described. To assemble the system 100, a user may plan a configuration of a building or structure to be erected, and determine what footprint the building will have. For example, the desired configuration may be a square. Or, in other embodiments, the desired configuration may be a rectangle. In yet other embodiments, the configuration may be a collection of squares and rectangles pieced together. Indeed, the desired configuration of the system 100 may require any number of the pedestals to be used, or, on the other hand, may require a number of certain types of the pedestals to be used, but none of the remaining types of pedestals. Moreover, smaller configurations of the system 100 may only require that the exterior frame supports be used and not the interior frame supports. Needless to say, the system 100 is adaptable to any desired configuration incorporating a collection of squares and rectangles, because the collection, and interchangeability, of the pedestals and frame supports allow freedom of choice to the user. Based on the footprint of the building or structure to be erected, a user can then determine which portions of the system 100 are needed to construct the particular footprint.
After selecting the desired configuration, or footprint, the user may assess the configuration and assign the required pedestal to each intersection of the frame supports that will be utilized to construct the desired configuration. The user may then lay out a desired configuration for the system 100 on which the structure will be placed. Thereafter, the support plate, the base plate, or both, of each respective pedestal may be laid out on the ground surface at the intersections of the exterior frame supports and the interior frame supports. The shaft may then be coupled to each of the base shafts. The appropriate receiver plate configuration can then be coupled to the shaft. Alternatively, the pedestals may be pre-assembled prior to being set out and used by the user. Thus, after setting out the pre-assembled components or after assembling the individual components on sight, the user may then adjust the height of each of the individual pedestals.
Alternatively, the user can engage the frame supports with the respective pedestals by placing frame supports onto the respective receiver plates. After the frame supports are engaged with the respective receiver plates, the drop-in pins can be inserted into each of the through holes in the respective receiver plates and frame supports to further secure the frame supports to each of the respective pedestals. After securing the frame supports with the drop-in pins in this manner, the system 100 can be adjusted for elevation. Specifically, each of the pedestals that are used to construct the system 100 can be separately and individually adjusted for height to ensure that each of the frame supports is in a level plane with respect to each of the other frame supports. This ensures that the entire system 100 is level. Once level, or once the desired elevation has been set, a flooring structure can be placed on the system 100. Thereafter, each pedestal of the system 100 can be adjusted for height to ensure that each of the frame supports is in the level plane with respect to the other frame supports. Then, after leveling the system with the floor thereon, the structure 200, including floors and building, may be assembled on the system 100. Thereafter, each pedestal of the system 100 can be adjusted for height to ensure that each of the frame supports is still in the level plane with respect to the other frame supports. After the weight of the floor and/or the weight of the building is placed on the system 100, or even from the passage of time, the ground surface on which the system 100 is placed, may settle and shift. Thus, it is necessary to be able to adjust the plane of the system 100 at any time before, during, or after placement of the structure 200 on the system. In this way, the system 100 ensures that the building 200 remains on a level plain despite the uneven ground surface on which the system rests. The system 100 may be disassembled by reversing one or more of the steps described above.
The step of adjusting any of the pedestals further comprises and hereby incorporates any of the steps described above that relate to the intended operation of the structural aspects of the pedestals, including, but not limited to, adjusting the shaft or the riser to engage the platform unit to thus raise or lower the receiver plate that has the frame supports coupled thereto.
Due to the ease of assembly and the adaptability to uneven surfaces, the system 100 of the present invention allows the user to quickly provide temporary structures where needed and only for the duration of the need without requiring substantial preparation of the ground surface that oftentimes results in permanent damage to the environment after the temporary structure has been disassembled and moved.
The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pedestal of a floor leveling system, comprising:

a base having a top face and a bottom face, the bottom face adapted to engage a surface on which the system rests;

a shaft having opposing ends, one of the ends being coupled to the base such that the shaft extends orthogonally from the base;

a platform unit having a receiver plate on a top portion thereof; and

a riser mechanism functionally engaged with the shaft, the riser mechanism being configured to support the platform unit thereon and to transition along the shaft,

wherein a height of the receiver plate above the surface is adjustable within a predetermined range by moving the riser mechanism along the length of the shaft.

2. The pedestal of a floor leveling system of claim 1, the platform unit further comprising:

the receiver plate having a top face and a bottom face;

a hollow box defining a cavity therein, the box being coupled to the bottom face of the receiver plate, the hollow box having an opening in a bottom surface thereof; and

a tube having a top end and a bottom end, the top end being coupled to the bottom surface of the box and the tube extending below the box, the tube aligning with the opening in the box, and

wherein the tube and the opening in the hollow box fit onto the shaft so that under the condition that the riser mechanism raises and lowers the platform unit the riser mechanism engages the bottom end of the tube and the shaft slides freely within the tube and the opening.

3. The pedestal of a floor leveling system of claim 1, wherein the shaft is a threaded rod and the riser mechanism is a bolt that threads onto the rod and transitions along the length of the rod in a continuous interval within the predetermined range in response to being rotated about the rod.

4. The pedestal of a floor leveling system of claim 1, further comprising:

a support plate that releasably couples to the bottom face of the base plate to support the pedestal, the support plate being larger in size than the base plate and residing between the base plate and the surface on which the system rests.

5. The pedestal of a floor leveling system of claim 3, further comprising:

a handle bar coupled to the bolt that extends outwardly from the bolt to assist in the rotation of the bolt about the threaded rod.

6. The pedestal of a floor leveling system of claim 1, further comprising:

a support wall protruding from the receiver plate,

wherein the receiver plate has a square-shaped top surface that has through holes positioned in opposing corners thereof, and

wherein the support wall protrudes from the receiver plate proximate a corner not occupied by one of the through holes.

7. The pedestal of a floor leveling system of claim 1, wherein the receiver plate has a rectangular-shaped top surface that has through holes positioned in each of neighboring corners of a length of the rectangle and another through hole positioned proximate the midpoint of the opposing length of the rectangle.

8. The pedestal of a floor leveling system of claim 1, wherein the receiver plate has a rectangular-shaped top surface that has through holes positioned proximate the midpoint of opposing widths of the rectangle.

9. The pedestal of a floor leveling system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second shaft having opposing ends, one of the ends being coupled to the base such that the second shaft extends orthogonally from the base;

a platform unit having a box-shaped receptacle on a top portion thereof, the receptacle having an open top; and

a riser mechanism functionally engaged with the second shaft, the riser mechanism being configured to support the box-shaped receptacle thereon and to transition along the second shaft,

wherein a height of the box-shaped receptacle above the surface is adjustable within a predetermined range by moving the riser mechanism along the length of the second shaft.

10. A pedestal of a floor leveling system, comprising:

a base plate adapted to engage a surface on which the system rests;

a base plate tube coupled to a top portion of the base plate and extending orthogonally from the base plate,

a receiver plate;

a receiver plate tube coupled to an underside portion of the receiver plate and extending orthogonally from the receiver plate; and

a shaft having opposing ends, the shaft being configured to engage the base plate tube at one of the opposing ends and to engage the receiver plate tube at the other of the opposing ends to support the receiver plate at an adjustable distance above the surface,

wherein the distance is adjustable within a predetermined range by adjusting the engagement between the shaft and one or both of the base plate tube and the receiver plate tube.

11. The pedestal of a floor leveling system of claim 10, wherein the shaft is threaded and has fixedly attached thereto a turning mechanism, and wherein each of the receiver plate tube and the base plate tube is internally threaded to engage the threads of the shaft, so that by rotating the turning mechanism the engagement between the shaft and one or both of the receiver plate tube and the base plate tube is adjusted, wherein threading the shaft into one or both of the receiver plate tube and the base plate tube decreases the exposed length of the threaded shaft to thus decrease the distance between the receiver plate and the surface, and wherein threading the shaft out of one or both of the receiver plate tube and the base plate tube increases the exposed length of the threaded shaft to increase the distance between the receiver plate and the surface.

12. The pedestal of a floor leveling system of claim 11, further comprising:

locking mechanisms on the threaded shaft on each side of the turning mechanism,

wherein one of the locking mechanisms is positioned against the base plate tube and the other of the locking mechanisms is positioned against the receiver plate tube to lock the engagement between the threaded shaft and each of the base plate tube and the receiver plate tube.

13. The pedestal of a floor leveling system of claim 10, further comprising:

a support plate that couples to the underside portion of the base plate and supports the pedestal thereon, the support plate resting on the surface between the surface and the base plate.

14. The pedestal of a floor leveling system of claim 10, further comprising:

a spacer plate coupled to a length of the receiver plate, the spacer plate extending orthogonally from a top surface of the receiver plate; and

a shield plate coupled to the spacer plate, such that the spacer plate is positioned between the receiver plate and the shield plate, the spacer plate creating a gap between the receiver plate and the shield plate.

15. The pedestal of a floor leveling system of claim 10, wherein the receiver plate of the pedestal is shaped in one of an L-shaped pattern, a T-shaped pattern, or a straight pattern.

16. A floor leveling system, comprising:

a plurality of frame beams that support a floor thereon; and

a plurality of pedestals, each pedestal comprising:

a platform unit having a receiver plate on a top portion thereof; and

wherein a height of the receiver plate above the surface is adjustable within a predetermined range by moving the riser mechanism along the length of the shaft, and

wherein the receiver plates of the pedestals are coupled to the frame beams and support the frame beams at a distance above the surface, each of the pedestals being independently adjustable to a desired height within a predetermined range to place the floor in a level plane above the surface.

17. A method of using a floor leveling system, the method comprising:

setting out the pedestals on a surface on which system rests;

setting out the frame beams between the pedestals;

coupling the frame beams to the pedestals;

adjusting the height of the pedestals to level the frame beams;

placing a floor on the level frame beams, wherein the floor is supported in a level plane above the surface; and

erecting a structure on the level floor above the surface.

18. The method of using a floor leveling system of claim 17, further comprising:

generating a building footprint;

determining the system components needed to create the footprint;

setting out the system components on a surface on which the system will be placed according to the respective position of each component within the footprint; and

assembling the individual system components prior to assembling the individual components to one another.

19. The method of using a floor leveling system of claim 17, further comprising:

adjusting the height of the individual pedestals according to one or more of the following: prior to coupling the frame beams to the individual pedestals; after coupling the frame beams to the individual pedestals to place the frame beams in a level plane above the surface; after the floor has been placed on the frame beams to place the floor in a level plane; or after a structure has been placed on the floor and the surface has settled.

20. The method of using a floor leveling system of claim 17, wherein adjusting the height of the pedestals further comprises adjusting a riser mechanism coupled to a shaft having opposing ends, one of the ends being coupled to a base resting on the surface such that the shaft extends orthogonally from the base, and the other of the ends functionally engaging a platform unit, the platform unit having a receiver plate coupled to a top portion thereof, the riser mechanism being configured to support the platform unit thereon and transition along the shaft to raise or lower the receiver plate as the riser mechanism moves along the shaft supporting the platform unit.