Leveling mount

[0002] This application claims the benefits of Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/267,870, filed Feb. 9, 2001.

[0003] The field of this invention relates to equipment leveling devices. The present invention is a device to permit installation of equipment in temporary or permanent locations wherein the supporting surface may not be a level planar surface. Leveling elements are accordingly required to supply adjustable support for the equipment to overcome the uneven support surface in order for the equipment to be leveled despite the non-planar support surface. The present invention is also adapted to permit the equipment to be repositioned or moved to uneven surfaces without loss of stability upon an uneven or non-level surface in non-skid applications.

[0004] The term “non-skid” refers to the substantial anchoring of equipment in a specific location upon what can be described as a non-planar surface so that the equipment does not move from its designated position during operation despite vibratory or oscillatory movement of the equipment. The present invention accordingly is a unique leveling mount to be installed on a wide variety of operating equipment including machine tools, packaging and printing machines and other machines performing a wide range of operations.

[0005] Many types of leveling devices utilize a simple screw-jack consisting of a bolt that provides a means of raising or lowering the device, the bolt threaded directly into the leveling mount. The use of a bolt as a load bearing leg for the support of machinery can pose difficulties if the machine is to be placed upon a surface that tilts or requires the machine be in a fixed position perpendicular to the supporting surface. The tilt of the supporting bolt can cause a resulting stress upon the bolt, which results in the failure of the bolt. U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,075 to Freeman discloses a machine leveling assembly, which employs a screw-jack mechanism with a ball and socket support and load transmission member comprising a threaded metal shaft mounted vertically in a leveling assembly. The shaft terminates in a ball, which is inserted into a separate ground support base configured to allow the ball to rotate freely and allow the load to be distributed more evenly about the spherical surface of the socket.

[0006] The use of a threaded screw or spindle to adjust the vertical support of a mounting device in conjunction with motion resistant and shock-absorbing members is taught in prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 3,815,852 to May discloses a machine mount device, which has a special friction surface for resting upon a floor to resist lateral motion displacement. The friction surface consists of a metal layer to which is brazed a quantity of carbide grits so that with motion of the machine mount, the grits tend to work into the floor surface to hold the supported machine in a fixed position. The vertical machine support, a threaded leveling bolt, is threaded through a lock nut to retain the machine support in place to support the machine. U.S. Pat. No. 4,632,356 to Munz discloses a mounting device comprising a foundation body of a resilient material of rubber or other suitable elastomer with a metal cover plate into which is rotated a threaded spindle to adjust the vertical support of the supported object. A retaining ledge on the supported object holds the supported object against rotation during rotation of the threaded spindle. In one embodiment, a threaded bolt of the support plate is screwed into an internal thread of a double spindle with a threaded bushing. U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,912 to Whittaker discloses a vibration isolation mount comprising an elastomeric material within an enclosing metal frame. An adjustable threaded screw through the metal frame rests upon a steel plate inserted into a recess within the elastomeric material and thus can raise and lower heavy equipment supported surface. The elastomeric material is configured so the elastomeric material contacts the support surface, thus dampening and isolating horizontal vibrations imposed on the mount from the supported equipment.

[0007] It thus is well known to use a threaded support to raise and lower a supported object as a mounting device and leveling agent. However, objectionable aspects of devices ordinarily available as equipment leveling devices can restrict the utility of such devices and may create problems in their application and use. A disadvantage of the mounting device taught by Freeman '075 is that the ball and socket arrangement is not self-leveling. While the arrangement permits the load to be evenly distributed about the spherical surface of the socket, the ball is not free to move from the vertical to adjust for unevenness of the supporting surface during installation of the machine-leveling device. The Freeman '075 machine-leveling device also utilizes the practice of inserting load-bearing shims precision ground to fit. As Freemen '075 teaches, shims can be difficult to use if the machine is to be placed on a surface that varies in elevation between different mount locations. The May '852 patent discloses a vertical supporting element on a base with carbide grits which frictionally engage and cut into softer floor materials and work into the floor. The machine mount apparatus of the May '852 patent and the supported machine are not free to be easily moved after engagement with the supporting floor. The Munz'356 patent requires that the particular object to be supported must be provided with engaging surfaces which in conjunction with a protruding ledge of the mount device engages and retains the object in position against rotation of the mounting device support upon rotation of a threaded spindle to adjust the spacing between the object and the supporting surface. Moreover, the Munz patent indicates that deviations from vertical alignment require compensating adjustments in the design of the mounting device to provide an adjustable mounting device for the required application instead of being initially a self-leveling mounting device. The Whittaker patent '912 discloses an elastomeric material within a metal frame, which contacts a supporting surface such as a floor or other structure. Function of the elastomeric material is as a vibration isolation mass and a support for heavy-duty dynamic equipment such as stamping presses, machine tools and the like. The elastomeric material is taught as having a flat lower surface in contact with the supporting surface and is inserted within the metal frame. The elastomeric material insert is shaped and dimensioned to fit snugly within the metal frame in that the sides of the frame engage the sides of the elastomeric insert. The weight of the supported equipment maintains the positioning of the insert within the frame. No provision by Whitaker '912 is provided for easy replacement for the elastomeric insert if such is required by usage or for self-leveling of the mounting device.

[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a leveling mount, which provides a self-leveling ball and socket arrangement and a self-leveling means of supporting a structure wherein the support surface may not be a level planar surface.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide an equipment mount assembly in which the vertical support elements are effectively combined with an elastomeric non-skid base pad to provide efficient mounting of equipment and to restrict appreciable displacement along the surface of the support surface and damage to the support surface.

[0010] A further object of the invention is to provide an easy, simple, and efficient means of replacing the elastomeric non-skid base pad by providing a snap-on male circumferential locking elastomeric pad which locks in place over female circumferential indentations on the base mount with easy removability and replacement after wear or damage.

[0011] A still further object is to permit engineering of the elastomeric base pad to required needs of the installation, to modify the thickness, size, and material of the base pad as needed to provide a larger base pad to reduce vibration effects upon the mounted equipment or support surface or to overcome environmental conditions.

[0012] An additional object is to provide an equipment mount assembly with design flexibility comprising a tapped ball socket suitable for receiving a tapped ball or a fixed stud on equipment, wherein the leveling mount needs to be easily removed, a larger than standard stud can be attached to or mounted in the leveling mount base or the mounted equipment already has a fixed stud which needs to be inserted in the leveling mount base.

[0013] This invention relates to a leveling mount for installation of equipment in locations wherein the supporting surface may not be a level planar surface. The invention comprises a ball and socket arrangement and self-leveling mount which adjusts to uneven surfaces without operative adjustments and a non-skid elastomeric base pad to restrict the movement of the equipment from its designated position during operation despite vibratory or oscillatory movement of the equipment. The non-skid elastomeric base pad utilizes male-female design elements to allow easy replacement upon damage, wear, or installation requirements. The non-skid elastomeric base pad permits the equipment to be temporarily repositioned or moved to uneven surfaces without damage to the support surface. The mount alternatively comprises a tapped ball socket suitable for receiving a separately sized ball end stud, or a threaded equipment stud, said separately sized ball end stud or threaded equipment stud being integral supports of supported equipment.

[0014] FIG. 1 is across-sectional view of the snap-lock non-skid leveling mount with a threaded support stud of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the alternate snap-lock non-skid leveling mount with a tapped socket suitable for receiving a separately sized ball end stud or a equipment stud which are integral supports of supported equipment.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the leveling mount base.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a view of the leveling mount base showing the female indentations of the base for receiving the male projections of the non-skid elastomeric base pad.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the non-skid elastomeric base pad.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the non-skid elastomeric base pad.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the threaded mounting stud support with a ball end and a jam nut.

[0021] Upon inspection of FIG. 1 it will be noted that the leveling mount comprises a metal base mount 10, a non-skid elastomeric base pad 11, a threaded stud 12 with a jam nut 13 and a ball end 14, a socket 15 in metal base mount 10, a female circumferential indentation 16 in metal base mount 10 to mount elastomeric base pad 11. Threaded stud 12 has a milled hexangular-projecting block 17 to allow threaded stud 12 to be screwed or turned into a required position.

[0022] In FIG. 2, the metal base mount 20 has an internal tapped socket 18 to provide means of attachment of an external threaded stud or bolt by threads 19 with a hexangular projecting block 21 which serves as a means to screw the metal base mount 20 onto an external threaded stud or bolt. A cross sectional view of base mount 20, indentation 16 and elastomeric base pad 11 is also shown. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the leveling mount base of FIG. 1 wherein the indented socket 18 is shown. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the leveling mount of FIG. 1, wherein indented socket 18, and female circumferential female indentation 16 is shown with base support 22 and chamfer 23. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the elastomeric base pad 24 showing the male circumferential projection 24 which engages the female circumferential indentation 16 of the metal base mount 10 of FIG. 1 or metal base mount 20 or FIG. 2.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the elastomeric base pad 11 showing the male circumferential projection 24. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the threaded studded 12 with a ball end and jam nut 13 inserted in the socket of the metal base mount 10. Elastomeric pad 11 base mount 10, and projecting block 17 are shown.

[0024] The present invention relates to a unique leveling mount to be installed on equipment to support and level equipment on an uneven or non-level surface utilizing a ball and socket arrangement. The leveling mount is used to support and level a wide variety of equipment including machine tools, electronic equipment, packaging and printing machines. The mount is constructed of carbon or alloy steel with a plated finish with a non-skid cup pad of elastomeric material. The leveling mount engages the mounting stud so that the mounting stud can freely swivel 7½° from the vertical to all sides of the centerline through a circular 360° movement in a ball socket. The mounting stud is a threaded metal bar of carbon steel or alloy steel with a ball end which swivels in the leveling mount. Alternatively, a fixed stud already attached to the supported equipment can be engaged with the threaded ball socket of the leveling mount. The ball and socket arrangement allows for a self-leveling adjustment of the leveling mount on an uneven or non-level surface. The ball and socket combination also allows the load to be more evenly distributed about the entire spherical surface of the socket.

[0025] The leveling mount utilizes a ball and socket arrangement in combination with an elastomeric base pad to obtain greater stability and location security despite vibratory or oscillatory movement of the equipment during operation, thus providing an added, non-skid attribute to the leveling mount. The term “non-skid” refers to the substantial anchoring of equipment in a specific location upon what can be described as a non-planar surface so that the equipment does not move from its designated position during operation.

[0026] The non-skid elastomeric base pad, alternatively termed a snap-on elastomeric cup pad, is of any suitable elastomeric material including neoprene rubber, butyl rubber, polyurethane rubber, silicone rubber, natural rubber, and any synthetic elastomer suitable for the environmental requirements with resiliency and elasticity. The base pad is designed to be mounted on the leveling mount metal base as a male fitting or cupping pad upon the female designed metal base wherein male circumferential projections of the base pad lock in place over female circumferential indentations in the metal base mount. The elastomeric feature of the material of the base pad permits the base pad to be inserted upon the metal base mount and to be removed therefrom. Replacement of the elastomeric base pad is therefore easily obtained. The method of attachment and replacement overcomes the difficulties inherent in any method of attachment, which requires an adhesive, or other non-inherent property method of attachment. This method of attachment utilizes the elastomer characteristics of resiliency and elasticity to obtain a tight secure fit of the male elastomeric cup pad upon the female metal base of the leveling mount. The electrical insulation characteristics of the elastomer cup pad permit electrical insulation of equipment mounted on the leveling mount if such is needed or desired. The snap-lock design of the elastomer cup pad permits engineering of the cup pad dimensions to the required needs of the installation. The thickness and size of the cup pad can be modified for larger base mount surfaces and thickness to reduce vibration effects upon the mounted equipment.

[0027] The female metal base of the leveling mount is designed to accept the male elastomer cup pad as a female receiver and support base in that the female base element of the metal leveling mount is suitably indented to provide female circumferential indentations to receive the male circumferential locking projections of the snap-lock elastomeric cup pad. The female metal base is sufficiently holed to form a receiving socket for the ball end of a stud, the said stud being the ball end of a threaded stud or the end of a fixed stud affixed to the mounted equipment. The receiving socket is sufficiently holed to allow the threaded stud with a ball end to swivel 7½° from the vertical through 360° in a circular motion. The 7½ degrees of movement provided by the receiving socket to the tapped ball stud provides increased stability in that range of deviation from the vertical is restricted but allows sufficient deviation to allow installation of supported equipment upon uneven surfaces that are non-level up to about 7½ degrees deviation.

[0028] The threaded stud with a ball end is machined from a hardened solid bar of carbon or alloy steel and has a threaded jam nut to raise and lower the height and level of the supported equipment.

[0029] The leveling mount base with a socket machined therein is from carbon or alloy steel with the socket hardened. The socket alternatively is suitably sized to receive either a threaded stud with a ball end or to receive a support stud affixed to the supported equipment. The leveling mount base circumferential indented channel in conjunction with the circumferential base extension provides the female mounting for the elastomeric base pad.

[0030] The instant invention accordingly comprises, in combination, a leveling mount base with (a) an indented socket, a circumferential indented channel extending around said leveling amount base, a circumferential chambered footing projection forming an element of said circumferential indented channel, said indented socket sized to receive an inserted support member for a supported structure, said indented socket sized to permit rotary movement and restrict movement from the vertical of said inserted support member, said circumferential indented channel and circumferential chambered footing projection forming a female engagement mounting, (b) a ball-ended support member comprising a ball-ended support stud to form a ball and socket joint with said leveling mount base with rotary movement and restricted movement from the vertical, (c) an elastomeric circumferential leveling mount base pad with resiliency and elasticity sized to fit tightly and securely on said leveling mount base as a female mounting engaging said leveling mount base with a circumferential male projecting engagement lip sized to seat in said circumferential indented channel of said leveling mount base.

[0031] The support stud with a ball end accordingly forms a ball and socket joint with the leveling mount base indented socket. The support stud, alternatively, can be affixed to a supported structure as a supporting part thereof. In such case, a ball end is not required of the equipment support stud. The elastomeric circumferential leveling mount base pad can be of any elastomeric material such as neoprene rubber, butyl rubber, polyurethane rubber, silicon rubber, natural rubber, and any synthetic rubber. The indented socket is sized to allow the inserted ball-ended stud movement of 7½° from the vertical and a 360° rotary movement of the leveling mount base. The ball-ended support stud is threaded to receive a threaded nut to raise and lower the supported structure. The leveling mount base pad of elastomeric material accordingly snaps into place vigorously and is removable without use of tools. Alternatively, the indented socket of said leveling mount base can be threaded to receive a threaded or non-threaded support stud without a ball end affixed to the supported structure.