Apparatus for leveling and method of using same
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for establishing and/or maintaining a position of a desired object on a support surface comprising:
- a clamp member attachable to the desired object, said clamp member comprising a first arm defining a single opening, a substantially flat second arm essentially parallel to said first arm, a transverse member extending between said first arm and said second arm, and a gripping piece extending transverse from said second arm and attached to said second arm at a position distal to said transverse member, wherein said transverse member, said second arm, and said gripping piece form a flat-bottom channel to grip onto a single bottom edge of the desired object, wherein the flat-bottom channel is dimensioned for an interference fit with the bottom edge of the desired object to prevent the clamp member from sliding off the bottom edge; and
a one piece threaded member threadedly engaged only with said single opening of said first arm, said one piece threaded member having a top end and bottom portion with a rounded or spherical bottom surface wherein said rounded or spherical bottom surface is configured to contact the support surface, and wherein said top end is configured to be rotated, rotation of said threaded member causing the desired object to move toward or away from the support surface for positioning as desired, and wherein said rotation and/or positioning capability remain adjustable while said apparatus bears the weight of said desired object, and wherein said threaded member can be positioned to allow said clamp member second arm to directly contact the support surface.
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Abstract
A device for leveling a desired object such as a cabinet or enclosure on uneven or sloping floors is provided. The device comprises a housing which may be attached to the object to be leveled, such as a cabinet wall, either prior to, or during installation of the cabinet, enclosure, or other desired object. The housing is further provided with a threaded hole and a threaded member which engages the threaded hole. When the treaded member is rotated, it will contact the uneven or sloping floor and can lift or lower the cabinet or enclosure as needed for leveling.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus for establishing and/or maintaining a position of a desired object on a support surface comprising:
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a clamp member attachable to the desired object, said clamp member comprising a first arm defining a single opening, a substantially flat second arm essentially parallel to said first arm, a transverse member extending between said first arm and said second arm, and a gripping piece extending transverse from said second arm and attached to said second arm at a position distal to said transverse member, wherein said transverse member, said second arm, and said gripping piece form a flat-bottom channel to grip onto a single bottom edge of the desired object, wherein the flat-bottom channel is dimensioned for an interference fit with the bottom edge of the desired object to prevent the clamp member from sliding off the bottom edge; and
a one piece threaded member threadedly engaged only with said single opening of said first arm, said one piece threaded member having a top end and bottom portion with a rounded or spherical bottom surface wherein said rounded or spherical bottom surface is configured to contact the support surface, and wherein said top end is configured to be rotated, rotation of said threaded member causing the desired object to move toward or away from the support surface for positioning as desired, and wherein said rotation and/or positioning capability remain adjustable while said apparatus bears the weight of said desired object, and wherein said threaded member can be positioned to allow said clamp member second arm to directly contact the support surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for establishing and/or maintaining a position of a desired object on a support surface, the object having a sub-floor and/or bottom shelf, the apparatus comprising:
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a first member, configured to be attached to the desired object, a fastener that penetrates the object or support surface to which the first member is attached;
said first member comprising a first wall and a second wall substantially in parallel and a bottom wall forming a substantially flat bottom channel between said first wall and said second wall, wherein the flat bottom channel is dimensioned for an interference fit with a bottom edge of the desired object to prevent the clamp member from sliding off the bottom edge;
a one piece second member;
said first member defining a single opening for engaging the one piece second member;
the one piece second member having two ends, wherein a first end, having a rounded or spherical bottom, is configured to contact the support surface, and wherein a second end is configured for operational engagement with an adjusting tool, whereby said operational engagement of said one piece second member will cause said one piece second member to extend or retract toward or away from the support surface, thus positioning at least part of the desired object where desired, and wherein said second member can be positioned to allow said first member to directly contact the support surface and wherein said positioning remains adjustable while said first member and said one piece second member bear the weight of said desired object; and
an adjusting tool for mating with said one piece second member first end for adjusting the one piece second member, wherein said first end of said one piece second member is accessible through an opening in the sub-floor and/or the bottom shelf in the desired object, for adjusting the position of the object when the object is located in its functional location. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for adjusting and/or maintaining an object level on a supporting surface comprising:
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a first member comprising;
a first substantially flat portion defining a hole;
a second substantially flat portion substantially parallel to the first substantially flat portion;
a first substantially flat transverse portion connected at one end to the first substantially flat portion and at the opposite end to the second substantially flat portion and substantially perpendicular to both the first and second substantially flat portions; and
a second substantially flat transverse portion substantially parallel to the first substantially flat transverse portion and connected to the end of the second substantially flat portion opposite the end which is connected to the first substantially flat transverse portion;
wherein the first substantially flat transverse portion, the second substantially flat transverse portion and the second substantially flat portion form a flat bottom channel to receive the bottom edge of an objected to be leveled, wherein the flat bottom channel is dimensioned for an interference and/or friction fit with the bottom edge of the object to be leveled, and wherein the hole defined by the first substantially flat portion is threaded; and
a second member comprising;
a top portion configured to be rotated;
a body, wherein the body is threaded and threadably engaged through the hole in first substantially flat portion, wherein rotation of the body moves the first member towards or away from the support surface; and
a substantially rounded or spherical bottom surface, wherein rotation of the second member seats the bottom surface on the support surface, wherein the bottom surface is sized to allow the second substantially flat portion to directly contact the support surface;
wherein rotation of the second member displaces the first member and the bottom edge of the object being held in the channel towards or away from the support surface for leveling, wherein the second member is a single piece. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for adjusting and/or maintaining an object level on a supporting surface comprising:
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a first member comprising;
a first substantially flat portion defining a first hole;
a second substantially flat portion substantially parallel to the first substantially flat portion and defining a second hole;
a first substantially flat transverse portion connected at one end to the first substantially flat portion and at the opposite end to the second substantially flat portion and substantially perpendicular to both the first and second substantially flat portions; and
wherein the first substantially flat transverse portion and the second substantially flat portion defining a hole form ledge to receive the bottom edge of an objected to be leveled, wherein the first hole defined by the first substantially flat portion is threaded and the second hole defined by the second substantially flat portion is counter sunk to receive a fastener for securing the first member to a bottom edge of the object to be leveled; and
a second member comprising;
a top portion configured to be rotated;
a body, wherein the body is threaded and threadably engaged through the hole in first substantially flat portion, wherein rotation of the body moves the first member towards or away from the support surface;
a substantially rounded or spherical bottom surface, wherein rotation of the second member seats the bottom surface on the support surface, wherein the bottom surface is sized to allow the second substantially flat portion to directly contact the support surface;
wherein rotation of the second member displaces the first member and the bottom edge of the object being held on the ledge towards or away from the support surface for leveling; and
wherein the second member is an integrally formed single piece.
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Specification