Methods of supporting upright items from a support surface

Abstract

A method of supporting an upright member from a support surface includes inserting an elongated carrier of an upright member support system into a hole in the support surface. A base of the support system is positioned at least partially around the carrier so the base contacts at least one upper surface of the support surface. A lock of the support system is releasably engaged with the carrier above the base and tightened down sufficient to maintain the base in contact with the support surface. The upright member is inserted into a bore of the carrier.

1 . A method of supporting at least one upright member from a support surface with the use of an upright member support system that includes at least one elongated carrier, at least one base and at least one lock, the method comprising:
 inserting the lower end of the elongated carrier into a hole in the support surface;   positioning the base at least partially around the carrier so that the base at least partially surrounds at least part of the lower end of the carrier and contacts at least one upper surface of the support surface;   releasably engaging the lock with the carrier above the base;   tightening the lock down on the carrier relative to the base sufficient to maintain the base in contact with the support surface; and   inserting the upright member into a longitudinally-oriented bore of the carrier.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the base includes a longitudinally-oriented bore extending therethrough and at least part of the carrier is externally threaded, further including
 sliding the bore of the base over the upper end of the carrier and sliding the base down the carrier, and 
 threadably engaging the lock with the carrier above the base to sandwich the base against the support surface. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further including the lock forcing at least one gripper extending downwardly from the base to engage the support surface and limit rotation of the base relative to the mat during normal or expected operations. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  further including
 the at least one gripper of the base seating within a recess formed in the support surface around the hole, and 
 the at least one gripper abutting a wall of the recess of the support surface upon the placement of twisting or rotational forces on the base during normal or expected operations. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the upright member support system includes an anchor, further including
 releasably securing the anchor to the carrier above the lock, and 
 the anchor gripping the upright member. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the anchor includes at least one compression member and at least one compression nut, further including
 placing the compression member inside the compression nut, 
 threadably engaging the compression nut with the carrier above the lock, and 
 tightening the compression nut onto the carrier until the compression member grips the upright member. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further including inserting the upright member into the longitudinally-oriented bore of the carrier until the lower end of the upright member abuts and rests upon at least one internal surface of the carrier. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further including when the upright member bends under normal or expected use conditions,
 the upright member imparting forces on at least one interior wall of the carrier, 
 the carrier transferring at least some of the forces imparted onto it from the upright member to the base, and 
 the base transferring at least some of the forces placed upon it by the carrier to the support surface.