LEVELING DEVICE

• US 20100084523A1
• Filed: 10/03/2008
• Published: 04/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Matthew W. Lasley
• Original Assignee: Matthew W. Lasley
• Inventors: Lasley, Matthew W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,774,950 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/148
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/06 with vertical toothed rack
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 91/10 adapted to mounting on inclined floor

Abstract

A leveling device comprises a generally horizontal frame configured to hold a number of parallel, closely spaced support legs in a generally vertical configuration. The support legs are slidably mounted in collars formed in the frame such that the legs may slide up and down within the collars. The support legs are configured to move independently of one another and to be locked into place using a locking mechanism configured to frictionally or mechanically engage the support legs once the legs are positioned to match the contour of the ground or other uneven surface. Multiple embodiments of the locking mechanism are disclosed. The leveling device of the present invention not only may be used to level an object on an uneven surface, but also can be used to adjust the height of an object on a even or uneven surface by adjusting the length of the support legs.

Claims

1. A leveling device for leveling an object on a surface, the leveling device comprising:

a frame having a top surface, a bottom surface, a closed side, an open side and a length, wherein the top surface and the bottom surface are formed with a plurality of closely spaced collars formed therein along the length of the frame, the collars in the top surface vertically aligned with the collars formed in the bottom surface;

a plurality of support legs extending through the frame, each of the support legs extending through one of the plurality of collars in the top surface and the corresponding one of the plurality of collars in the bottom surface; and

a pressure plate mounted to the frame, the pressure plate configured to engage the plurality of support legs.

2. The leveling device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the frame is linear.

3. The leveling device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the frame is non-linear.

4. The leveling device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the plurality of support legs have a circular cross-section.

5. The leveling device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the plurality of support legs have a non-circular circular cross-section.

6. The leveling device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the plurality of support legs further comprise a plurality of protuberances formed along at least one side of the support legs.

7. The leveling device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the pressure plate comprises a plurality of protuberances formed on a side of the pressure plate.

8. The leveling device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the pressure plate is hingedly mounted to the frame.

9. The leveling device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the pressure plate further comprises a handle, the handle configured to matingly engage a latch disposed on the frame.

10. The leveling device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the plurality of support legs further comprise caps configured to prevent the plurality of support legs from fully passing through the collars in the top surface of the frame.

11. The leveling device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the plurality of support legs further comprise a flat bottom surface.

12. The leveling device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the pressure plate engages the plurality of support legs by forcing the plurality of support legs into frictional engagement with the collars in the top surface of the frame.

13. The leveling device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the pressure plate engages the plurality of support legs by forcing the plurality of support legs into frictional engagement with the collars in the bottom surface of the frame.

14. The leveling device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the pressure plate engages the plurality of support legs by forcing the plurality of support legs into simultaneous frictional engagement with the collars in the top surface of the frame and the collars in the bottom frame.

15. The leveling device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the plurality of support legs further comprises a plurality of protuberances formed along at least one side of the support legs and the pressure plate comprises a plurality of protuberances formed on a side of the pressure plate.

16. The leveling device in accordance with claim 15 wherein the pressure plate engages the plurality of support legs by forcing the plurality a protuberances formed on the side of the pressure plate into mating engagement with the plurality of protuberances formed along the at least one side of the support legs.

17. The leveling device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the pressure plate engages the plurality of support legs through a cam mechanism.

18. The leveling device in accordance with claim 1 where the device is configured to adjust a distance between the object and the surface.