US3904158A

US3904158A - Support base

Info

Publication number: US3904158A
Application number: US473279A
Authority: US
Inventors: Sherman M Michael
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1974-05-24
Filing date: 1974-05-24
Publication date: 1975-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 1992-09-09

Abstract

A support base for restingly supporting various objects thereon, such as, air conditioner condenser apparatus, refuse receptacles and the like. The base includes a pair of planklike members provided with confronting transverse notches intermediate their respective lengths thereof for interlocking engagement one with the other. A plurality of support blocks, respectively provided with downwardly directed channels, restingly engage the respective outer ends of the planklike members. Each of the channels and the outer ends of the planklike members are provided with interlocking teeth to permit ratchet like movement inwardly of the support blocks and to preclude outward movement thereof. Each of the blocks includes a plurality of steplike support surfaces for selectively engaging and supporting corresponding portions of the lower edge of the object being supported on the base.

Description

1 Sept. 9, 1975 SUPPORT BASE [76] Inventor: Sherman M. Michael, 1453 Ranger Dr., Southhaven, Miss, 38671 22 Filed: May 24, 1974 [21] Appl.No.:473,279

[52] US. Cl. 248/23; 248/149; 248/432;

248/172; 248/188.2 [51] Int. Cl. F16M 11/38 [58] Field of Search 248/310, 346, 157, 19,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS Germany 248/23 Primary ExaminerRoy D. Frazier Assislunl Examiner-Robert A. Hafer Armrney, Agent, or FirmJohn R. Walker, lII

[ 5 7 1 ABSTRACT A support base for restingly supporting various objects thereon, such as, air conditioner condenser apparatus, refuse receptacles and the like, The base includes a pair of planklike members provided with confronting transverse notches intermediate their respective lengths thereof for interlocking engagement one with the other. A plurality of support blocks, respectively provided with downwardly directed channels, restingly engage the respective outer ends of the planklike members. Each of the channels and the outer ends of the planklike members are provided with interlocking teeth to permit ratchet like movement inwardly of the support blocks and to preclude outward movement thereof. Each of the blocks includes a plurality of steplike support surfaces for selectively engaging and supporting corresponding portions of the lower edge of the object being supported on the base.

12 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures SUPPORT BASE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the field of bases for rest ingly supporting various objects thereon.

2. Description of the Prior Art Applicant is aware of the following US. patents: the Olds. US. Pat. No. 137,473; the Jutz. Sr.. US. Pat. No. 1,496,272; the Hansen, US. Pat. No. 1,643,271: the Cullinan. U.S. Pat. No. 2,250,361; the Matthews, US. Pat. No. 2,410,227: the Mitchell et al., US. Pat. No. 2,517,332; the DeW'itt, US. Pat. No. 2,655,872; the Edgerton, US. Pat. No. 2,743,499; and the Fox, US. Pat. No. 3,790,115. None of the above patents suggest or disclose applicants device. It should be noted that certain of the above mcntioned patents teach radially extending having stepped notches provided adjacent the outer ends thereof for supporting certain specified objects. However, the arms of the prior devices incline downwardly to establish leg members whereby the object supported is elevated at considerable distance above the floor or other support surface. The

support base of the present invention, while not being limited to this purpose. is intended to be widely used for the purpose of supporting an air conditioning condenser apparatus which usually is supported on a poured concrete slab. This practice has certain disad vantages which were enumerated in the above mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,790,115. Therefore, reference to US. Pat. No. 3,790,115 is directed for purposes of ascertaining these disadvantages.

It should be pointed out that none of the prior known support bases make provisions for leveling the objects supported thereon. In other words, it was assumed that the ground or other supporting surface subjacent the prior known support bases would be level before placing the support base thereon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed towards overcoming the disadvantages and problems relative to previous support bases, particularly the problems enumerated in the above-mentioned US. Pat. No. 3,790,1 15. The concept of the present invention is to provide a universal support base for restingly supporting various objects thereon, such as, air conditioning condenser apparatus, refuse receptacles and the like. The base of the present invention is intended to be constructed with knock down features for reducing the size of the base for shipping and warehousing advantages. The base ofthe present invention includes a pair of planklike members provided with confronting transverse notches intermediate the respective lengths thereof for interlocking engagement one with the other, thus establishing a rigid cross like section having a plurality of radially extending arms. Also included are a plurality of support blocks or leveling blocks, respectively provided with downwardly directed channels, which restingly engage the respective outer ends of the planklike members. Each of the Channels and the outer ends of the planklike members are provided with interlocking teeth to permit ratchet like movement inwardly of the support or leveling blocks and to preclude outward movement thereof. Each of the blocks includes a plurality of step-like support surfaces for selectively engaging and supporting corresponding portions of the lower edge of the object supported on the base. More specifically. the uppermost step or support surface selectively engages the object to elevate that particular portion and conversely the lowermost step or support surface selectively engages the object to lower that particular portion. Ac cordingly. the earth subjacent the base of the present invention need not be leveled prior to placing the support base thereon.

Also included are horizontally disposed web struc ture which may be a single piece contruetion or if desired it may alternately be in several pieces. In either event, the web structure engages the radially extending arms and closes the space therebetween thus providing a vapor proof barrier and also retards vegetation growth subjaccnt the object being supported by the base. Further, an anchor rod preferably is included for anchoring the base of the present invention to the earth or other surface upon which it may be resting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the support base of the present invention suitably placed upon the surface of the earth and shown restingly supporting an object.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken as on the line lI-II of FIG. 1 showing the interlocking teeth structure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing one of the support blocks of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken as on the line lV-IV of FIG. 1 showing the interlocking relationship of certain structure.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the first of a pair of planklike members of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side elcvational view of the second of the pair of planklikc members of the present invention showing rodlike anchor means for engaging the surface subjacent the base of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial view depicting the rod-like anchor means piercingly engaging the surface subjacent the base of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the base of the present invention showing the vapor proof barrier in a single piece construction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The support base 11 of the present invention is intended to rcstingly support various objects, such as, air conditioning apparatus, refuse receptacles, or the like with such objects being character referenced herein by the capital letter A as depicted in FIG. 1 in phantom lines. The base 11 includes a plurality of radially extending arms 13 which are individually designated as 13a. 13b and 13c. etc., having inner and outer ends thereto, as at l5, 17 respectively, with the inner ends 15 thereof being joined one to the other, in a manner to be fully described.

Also included are a plurality of support blocks 19 which are individually designated as 19a, 19b and 191', etc., respectively provided with downwardly directed channels, as at 21 in FIG. 3 of the drawing. From FIG. 1 of the drawing it may readily be seen that the support blocks 19 restingly engage the respective outer ends 17 of the arms 13 and the outer ends 17 are received in the channels 21.

Also included are leveling means, as at 23, for leveling the object or apparatus A which is supported upon the base II. The leveling means 23 has a capability of compensating, within limits, for a non-level surface, such as the earths surface characterized by the letter S, subjacent the support base 11.

The leveling means 23 includes providing each of the support blocks 19 with a plurality of step-like support surfaces 25 which are individually designated as 25a, 25b, and 25c, etc. The support surfaces 25 are arranged descendably toward the inner ends 15 of the arms 13 for selectively engaging and supporting corresponding portions of the lower peripheral edge of the object or apparatus A which is being supported on the base 11.

The base 11 of the present invention preferably includes a pair of substantially horizontally disposed

planklike members

27, 29 arranged perpendicular one with the other to establish a rigid cross-like section 31 having the radially extending arms 13 as above described. Thc planklike

members

27, 29 are provided with confronting transverse notches, as at 33, 35 respectively disposed intermediate the lengths thereof for interlocking engagement one with the other.

The leveling means 23 additionally includes provid ing each of the arms 13 with a first series of upwardly directed serrations, as at 37. Additionally, the channels 21 of the plurality of support blocks 19 are provided with a second series of downwardly directed serrations, as at 39, which interlockingly engage the first series of serrations 37. Further, the first and second series of

serrations

37, 39 are inclined, as clearly shown in FIG. 2 of the drawing, to allow inward slidable movement of the support blocks 19 along the arms 13 and to preclude outward slidable movement thereof. Further. the leveling means 23 includes providing the arms 13 which tapered portions, as at 41. In other words, the arms are tapered downwardly and outwardly from the junction thereof whereby the support blocks 19 are caused to be slightly raised as they are manually moved inwardly along the arm 13.

From FIGS. 1 and 4 through 6 of the drawing it may be seen that the

planklike members

27, 29 respectively include horizontally disposed

footlike pad members

43, 35 for more evenly distributing the weight of the object or apparatus A supported by the base 11 in a manner obvious to those skilled in the art. It should be understood that the foot-like pad member 43 is interrupted adjacent the notch 33 to establish a pair of foot-like pad sections, as at 43a, 43b in FIG. 5 to permit unobstructed interlocking engagement of the

planklike members

27, 29.

From FIGS. 1, 8 of the drawing it may clearly be seen that the support base I 1 includes horizontally disposed web means, as at 47, engaging the radially extending arms 13 and closing the space therebetween for providing a vapor-proof barrier and to retard vegetation growth subjacent the object or apparatus A being supported by the base I]. In this regard, the web means 47 may simply consist of a unitary web of a flexible nonporous substance, as shown in FIG. 8, disposed subjacent the radially extending arms 13 thus establishing a rectangular shaped barrier having a length and width thereto substantially equal to the length and width of the cross-like section 31. On the other hand, the preferred structure for the web means 47 is shown in FIG. 1 and includes a plurality of sheet like members 49 individually designated as 49a, 49b and 49c, etc. The

sheet like members 49 are interposed between adjacent pairs of the radially extending arms 13, i.e., the sheet like member 49a is interposed between the arms 13a, [31); the sheet like member 4911 is interposed between the

arms

13b, 13c; the sheet like member 49(- is inter posed between the

arms

13c, 13d; and the sheet like member 49d is interposed between the arms 13d, 13a.

The base 11 includes means, for example interlock means 51 shown in FIG. 4, interlocking the sheet like members 49 and the arms 13 one to the other. More specifically, the interlock means 51 includes providing each arm 13 with a pair of outwardly directed flange members, as at 53, 55 in FIG. 4 of the drawing. The

flange members

53, 55 respectively terminate outwardly thereof with depending lip portions 57, 59. The

flange members

53, 55 inherently are resilient whereby the lip portions 57, 59 may be yieldably urged upwardly. The

flange members

53, 55 preferably terminate at the inner ends, i.e., adjacent the

appropriate notches

33, 35, with a mitered end to facilitate optimum engagement when forming the cross-like section 31 from the

planklike members

27, 29. In other words, from FIG. 1 of the drawing it may be seen that the flange member 53 of the arm 13d is continuous with the flange 55 of the arm 13c, etc. Additionally, the interlock means 51 includes providing adjacent sides of each of the sheet like members 49 with a pair of upturned flange portions, as at 61 in FIG. 4, for interlocking engagement with the appropriate lip portions 57, 59.

From FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawing it may be seen that the plank member 29 includes depending pointed rodlike anchor means, as at 63, for piercingly engaging the surface S subjacent the support base II.

From the above disclosure and a study of the drawing it may be seen that the device 11 may be used to support various objects A having various sizes and shapes thereto, i.e., the objects A may have a circular or round bottom, an oblong bottom or square bottom or the like. Additionally, the Objects or apparatus A may be of various dimensions since the support blocks 19 may simply be slidably moved along the radial arms 13 to adjust the support base 1] to support various size objects A.

In the event the surface of the earth or other supporting structure S is level, the support blocks 19 preferably are spaced equal distance outwardly from the junction of the cross-like section 31. Also, the object A preferably rests upon the same support surface, e.g., support surface 25c, for each of the plurality of support blocks 19.

On the other hand, in the event the surface of the earth or other supporting surface S is not level, e.g., assume the arm 13a to be higher than is the arm 136, the object A would then be placed on a lower surface such as the support surface 25d for the support block 19a and upon a higher support surface such as the support surface 25b for the support block 190. In this manner, a rough compensation is achieved when the arm 13a is higher than the arm 130. A fine or more accurate compensation for the non level condition is subsequently achieved by moving the

support block

190, 19c toward or away from the junction of the cross-like section 31. This raises 0r lowers the corresponding support block 19a or 19c slightly due to the tapered portions 41 of the arms 13a, l3c.

From FIG. 3 of the drawing it may be seen that each of the support blocks 19 includes a plurality of risers 65 which are individually designated as 65a, 65b. 650. etc. The support surfaces 250 preferably are not used to support objects A thereon since the objects would not be adequately locked to the support base ll. In other words. when the object A restingly engages the support surfaces 250, the risers 65b engage the appropriate lower vertical sides of the object A to prevent the object from sliding off of the support blocks 19. Additionally. the interlocking arrangement of the first and second series of

serrations

37, 39 prevents the blocks 19 from moving outwardly. The weight of the object A. of course, aids in assuring positive engagement of the

serrations

37, 39. Accordingly, once the support base 11 has been properly adjusted in the above described manner and the object A has been placed thereon, the object A will remain in alignment for an indefinite period of time.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof. it is to be understood that is not to be so limited since changes and modifications may be made therein which are within the full intended scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A supporting base for restingly supporting various objects thereon, said base comprising a plurality of radially extending arms having inner and outer ends thereto with the inner ends thereof being joined one to the other. a plurality of support blocks respectively being provided with downwardly directed channels, said channels of said support blocks slidably engaging respective ones of said arms to allow movement of said support blocks along said arms and leveling means for leveling the object being supported upon said base. said leveling means having a capability of compensating. within limits. for a non-level surface subjacent said support base.

2. A supporting base for restingly supporting various objects thereon. said base comprising a plurality of radially extending arms having inner and outer ends thereto with the inner ends thereof being joined one to the other. a plurality of support blocks respectively being provided with downwardly directed channels. said support blocks restingly engaging the respective outer ends of said arms with said outer ends being received in said channels. and leveling means for leveling the object being supported upon said base; said leveling means having a capability of compensating, within limits, for a nonlevel surface subjacent said support base; said leveling means providing said plurality of arms with a first ser es of upwardly directed serrations and said channels of said plurality of support blocks respectively being provided with a second series of down wardly directed serrations which interloekingly engage said first series of serrations, said first and second series of serrations being inclined to allow ratchet-like inward slidably movement of said support blocks along said arms and to preclude outward slidablc movement thereof. and said arms being tapered downwardly and outwardly from the junction thereof whereby said support blocks are caused to be raised as they are manually moved inwardly along said arms.

3. A supporting base for restingly supporting various objects thereon, said base comprising a plurality of sub stantially horizontally disposed radially extending arms having inner and outer ends thereto with the inner ends thereof being rigidly joined one to the other. a plurality of support blocks respectively being provided with downwardly directed channels. said support blocks restingly engaging the respective outer ends of said arms with said outer ends being received in said channels, each of said support blocks including a plurality of stcplike support surfaces arranged descendably toward the inner ends of said arms for selectively engaging and supporting corresponding portions of the lower peripheral edge of the object being supported on said base. and horizontally disposed web means cngag ing said radially extending arms and closing the space therebetween for providing a vapor proof barrier and to retard vegetation growth subjacent the object being supported by said base; said web means including a plurality of sheetlike members respectively interposed between adjacent puirs of said radially extending arms. said supporting base including means for interlocking said sheet like members and said arms one to the other.

4. A supporting base for restingly supporting various objects thereon, said base comprising a plurality of sub stantially horizontally disposed radially extending arms having inner and outer ends thereto with the inner ends thereof being rigidly joined one to the other. a plurality of support blocks respectively being provided with downwardly directed channels. said channels of said support blocks slidably engaging respective ones ofsaid arms to allow movement of said support blocks along said arms, and each of said support blocks including a plurality of steplike support surfaces arranged descend ably toward the inner ends of said arms for selectively engaging and supporting corresponding portions of the lower peripheral edge of the object being supported on said base.

5. The supporting base of claim 4 in which is included horizontally disposed web means engaging said radially extending arms and closing the space therebetween for providing a vapor proof barrier and to retard vegetation growth subjacent the object being supported by said base.

6. The supporting base of claim 4 in which is included anchor means for anchoring said base to the surface subjacent thereto.

7. The supporting base of claim 5 in which said web means consists of a unitary web of a flexible non porous substance disposed subjacent said radially ex tending armsv 8. The device of claim 4 in which said radially extending arms taper downwardly and outwardly from the junction thereof.

9. A supporting base for restingly supporting various objects thereon. said base comprising a pair of substantially horizontally disposed planklike members and a plurality of support blocks; said platelike members being arranged perpendicular one with the other to establish a rigid cross-like section having a plurality of radially extending arms, said planklikc members being provided with confronting transverse notches respectively disposed intermediate the lengths thereof for interlocking engagement one with the other. said plurality of support blocks respectively being provided with downwardly directed channels. said support blocks restingly engaging the respective outer ends of said arms with said outer ends being received in said channels, each of said arms including upwardly directed first serrations. each of said channels including downwardly directed second serrations which interlockingly engage said first serrations. and each of said support blocks including a plurality of steplike support surfaces arranged by said base.

H. The device of claim 9 in which said radially extending arms taper downwardly and outwardly from the junction thereof,

12. The supporting base of claim 9 in which at least one of said planklike members includes depending pointed rodlike anchor means for piercingly engaging the surface subjacent said base.

Claims

1. A supporting base for restingly supporting various objects thereon, said base comprising a plurality of radially extending arms having inner and outer ends thereto with the inner ends thereof being joined one to the other, a plurality of support blocks respectively being provided with downwardly directed channels, said channels of said support blocks slidably engaging respective ones of said arms to allow movement of said support blocks along said arms and leveling means for leveling the object being supported upon said base, said leveling means having a capability of compensating, within limits, for a non-level surface subjacent said support base.

2. A supporting base for restingly supporting various objects thereon, said base comprising a plurality of radially extending arms having inner and outer ends thereto with the inner ends thereof being joined one to the other, a plurality of support blocks respectively being provided with downwardly directed channels, said support blocks restingly engaging the respective outer ends of said arms with said outer ends being received in said channels, and leveling means for leveling the object being supported upon said base; said leveling means having a capability of compensating, within limits, for a nonlevel surface subjacent said support base; said leveling means providing said plurality of arms with a first series of upwardly directed serrations and said channels of said plurality of support blocks respectively being provided with a second series of downwardly directed serrations which interlockingly engage said first series of serrations, said first and second series of serrations being inclined to allow ratchet-like inward slidably movement of said support blocks along said arms and to preclude outward slidable movement thereof, and said arms being tapered downwardly and outwardly from the junction thereof whereby said support blocks are caused to be raised as they are manually moved inwardly along said arms.

3. A supporting base for restingly supporting various objects thereon, said base comprising a plurality of substantially horizontally disposed radially extending arms having inner and outer ends thereto with the inner ends thereof being rigidly joined one to the other, a plurality of support blocks respectively being provided with downwardly directed channels, said support blocks restingly engaging the respective outer ends of said arms with said outer ends being received in said channels, each of said support blocks including a plurality of steplike support surfaces arranged descendably toward the inner ends of said arms for selectively engaging and supporting corresponding portions of the lower peripheral edge of the object being supported on said base, and horizontally disposed web means engaging said radially extending arms and closing the space therebetween for providing a vapor proof barrier and to retard vegetation growth subjacent the object being supported by said base; said web means including a plurality of sheetlike members respectively interposed between adjacent pairs of said radially extending arms, said supporting base including means for interlocking said sheet like members and said arms one to the other.

4. A supporting base for restingly supporting various objects thereon, said base comprising a plurality of substantially horizontally disposed radially extending arms having inner and outer ends thereto with the inner ends thereof being rigidly joined one to the other, a pluraLity of support blocks respectively being provided with downwardly directed channels, said channels of said support blocks slidably engaging respective ones of said arms to allow movement of said support blocks along said arms, and each of said support blocks including a plurality of steplike support surfaces arranged descendably toward the inner ends of said arms for selectively engaging and supporting corresponding portions of the lower peripheral edge of the object being supported on said base.

7. The supporting base of claim 5 in which said web means consists of a unitary web of a flexible non-porous substance disposed subjacent said radially extending arms.

8. The device of claim 4 in which said radially extending arms taper downwardly and outwardly from the junction thereof.

9. A supporting base for restingly supporting various objects thereon, said base comprising a pair of substantially horizontally disposed planklike members and a plurality of support blocks; said platelike members being arranged perpendicular one with the other to establish a rigid cross-like section having a plurality of radially extending arms, said planklike members being provided with confronting transverse notches respectively disposed intermediate the lengths thereof for interlocking engagement one with the other, said plurality of support blocks respectively being provided with downwardly directed channels, said support blocks restingly engaging the respective outer ends of said arms with said outer ends being received in said channels, each of said arms including upwardly directed first serrations, each of said channels including downwardly directed second serrations which interlockingly engage said first serrations, and each of said support blocks including a plurality of steplike support surfaces arranged descendably toward the inner ends of said arms for selectively engaging and supporting corresponding portions of the lower peripheral edge of the object being supported on said base.

10. The supporting base of claim 9 in which is included horizontally disposed web means engaging said radially extending arms and closing the space therebetween for providing a vapor proof barrier and to retard vegetation growth subjacent the object being supported by said base.

11. The device of claim 9 in which said radially extending arms taper downwardly and outwardly from the junction thereof.