Pedestal apparatus

Abstract

A pedestal apparatus for use in supporting a powered fan includes a hollow pedestal, a tubular column including a lower end supported on the pedestal, ballast supported within the interior space of the pedestal for lowering the center of gravity of the apparatus to restrain tipping, and a dampening element disposed within the tubular column for dampening vibration of the apparatus during use of the powered fan. The ballast and dampening element can be provided by the end user, reducing the weight of the apparatus as manufactured and shipped.

1 . A pedestal apparatus for use in supporting a powered fan, the apparatus comprising: 
 a hollow pedestal defining an interior space;    a tubular column including opposed upper and lower ends, the lower end being supported on the pedestal;    ballast supported within the interior space of the pedestal for lowering the center of gravity of the apparatus to restrain tipping; and    a dampening means disposed within the tubular column for dampening vibration of the apparatus during use of the powered fan.    
     
     
         2 . A pedestal apparatus as recited in    claim 1   , further comprising a collar connected to the pedestal and presenting an aperture within which the column is received, and a fastening means for fastening the collar to the column to secure the column on the pedestal.  
     
     
         3 . A pedestal apparatus as recited in    claim 1   , wherein the interior space of the pedestal is completely enclosed and the pedestal includes an aperture through which the interior space is accessible, the apparatus further comprising a cap for closing off the aperture in the pedestal to retain the ballast in the interior space.  
     
     
         4 . A pedestal apparatus as recited in    claim 1   , further comprising a casing within which the ballast is retained.  
     
     
         5 . A pedestal apparatus as recited in    claim 4   , further comprising a collar connected to the pedestal and presenting an aperture within which the column is received, and a fastening means for fastening the collar to the column to secure the column on the pedestal, the casing being supported by the collar within the interior space.  
     
     
         6 . A pedestal apparatus as recited in    claim 4   , wherein the casing is formed in the shape of a toroid.  
     
     
         7 . A pedestal apparatus as recited in    claim 1   , wherein the dampening means includes a bag filled with loose ballast material, the bag being received in the lower end of the column.  
     
     
         8 . A pedestal apparatus as recited in    claim 7   , wherein the loose ballast material is selected from the group consisting of sand, dirt and water.  
     
     
         9 . A pedestal apparatus as recited in    claim 1   , wherein the ballast is selected from the group consisting of sand, dirt, water and concrete.  
     
     
         10 . A pedestal apparatus as recited in    claim 1   , further comprising a fitting secured to the upper end of the column, the fitting being adapted to secure the powered fan to the pedestal apparatus.  
     
     
         11 . A pedestal apparatus for use in supporting a powered fan, the apparatus comprising: 
 a pedestal including a bottom wall, an upper annular ring spaced vertically from the bottom wall, and a plurality of legs connected between the bottom wall and the ring and defining an interior space;    a tubular column received in the upper annular ring of the pedestal and including opposed upper and lower ends, the lower end being supported on the bottom wall of the pedestal;    a hollow ballast casing presenting an enclosed interior space and being sized for receipt within the interior space of the pedestal, the casing presenting a central opening sized for receipt of the column; and    ballast supported within the interior space of the casing for lowering the center of gravity of the apparatus to restrain tipping.    
     
     
         12 . A pedestal apparatus as recited in    claim 11   , wherein the ballast is selected from the group consisting of sand, dirt, water and concrete.  
     
     
         13 . A pedestal apparatus as recited in    claim 11   , further comprising a dampening means disposed within the tubular column for dampening vibration of the apparatus during use of the powered fan.  
     
     
         14 . A pedestal apparatus as recited in    claim 13   , wherein the dampening means includes a bag filled with loose ballast material, the bag being received in the lower end of the column.  
     
     
         15 . A pedestal apparatus as recited in    claim 14   , wherein the loose ballast material is selected from the group consisting of sand, dirt and water.  
     
     
         16 . A pedestal apparatus for use in supporting a powered fan, the apparatus comprising: 
 a hollow pedestal defining an interior space and including a bottom wall and at least one upstanding side wall that substantially enclose the interior space, the pedestal presenting an upper opening;    a tubular column received in the upper opening of the pedestal and including opposed upper and lower ends, the lower end being supported within the interior space of the pedestal; and    ballast supported within the interior space of the pedestal around the column for lowering the center of gravity of the apparatus to restrain tipping.    
     
     
         17 . A pedestal apparatus as recited in    claim 16   , wherein the ballast is selected from the group consisting of sand, dirt, water and concrete.  
     
     
         18 . A pedestal apparatus as recited in    claim 16   , further comprising a dampening means disposed within the tubular column for dampening vibration of the apparatus during use of the powered fan.  
     
     
         19 . A pedestal apparatus as recited in    claim 18   , wherein the dampening means includes a bag filled with loose ballast material, the bag being received in the lower end of the column.  
     
     
         20 . A pedestal apparatus as recited in    claim 19   , wherein the loose ballast material is selected from the group consisting of sand, dirt and water.  
     
     
         21 . A pedestal apparatus for use in supporting a powered fan, the apparatus comprising: 
 a cup-shaped pedestal presenting a concave bottom surface, a convex upper surface, and an outer circumferential edge, the pedestal defining an interior space adjacent the bottom surface, and presenting a central opening;    a tubular column received in the central opening of the pedestal and including opposed upper and lower ends;    an annular collar secured to the pedestal within the central opening of the pedestal and connected to the column to support the column on the pedestal;    a hollow ballast casing presenting an enclosed interior space and being sized for receipt within the interior space of the pedestal, the casing presenting a central opening sized for receipt of the column; and    ballast supported within the interior space of the casing for lowering the center of gravity of the apparatus to restrain tipping.    
     
     
         22 . A pedestal apparatus as recited in    claim 21   , further comprising a cap sized for receipt in the lower end of the column, the cap presenting an outer circumferential flange on which the ballast casing is supported.  
     
     
         23 . A pedestal apparatus as recited in    claim 21   , wherein the ballast is selected from the group consisting of sand, dirt, water and concrete.  
     
     
         24 . A pedestal apparatus as recited in    claim 21   , further comprising a dampening means disposed within the tubular column for dampening vibration of the apparatus during use of the powered fan.  
     
     
         25 . A pedestal apparatus as recited in    claim 24   , wherein the dampening means includes a bag filled with loose ballast material, the bag being received in the lower end of the column.  
     
     
         26 . A pedestal apparatus as recited in    claim 25   , wherein the loose ballast material is selected from the group consisting of sand, dirt and water.  
     
     
         27 . A pedestal apparatus for use in supporting a powered fan, the apparatus comprising: 
 at least one hollow pedestal presenting an enclosed interior space and a central opening;    a tubular column received in the central opening of the at least one pedestal and including opposed upper and lower ends;    a collar presenting an inner surface sized for receipt of the column and an outer surface sized for receipt in the central opening of the pedestal for supporting the column on the at least one pedestal; and    ballast supported within the interior space of the at least one pedestal for lowering the center of gravity of the apparatus to restrain tipping.    
     
     
         28 . A pedestal apparatus as recited in    claim 27   , wherein the ballast is selected from the group consisting of sand, dirt, water and concrete.  
     
     
         29 . A pedestal apparatus as recited in    claim 27   , further comprising a dampening means disposed within the tubular column for dampening vibration of the apparatus during use of the powered fan.  
     
     
         30 . A pedestal apparatus as recited in    claim 29   , wherein the dampening means includes a bag filled with loose ballast material, the bag being received in the lower end of the column.  
     
     
         31 . A pedestal apparatus as recited in    claim 30   , wherein the loose ballast material is selected from the group consisting of sand, dirt and water.