Support apparatus

Abstract

Support apparatus including a base, a receptacle for receiving an object, and a plurality of spaced apart buttresses connected to the base and to the receptacle, the buttresses mounting the receptacle perpendicularly with respect to the base and spaced outwardly therefrom to cause force received by the receptacle from supporting the object to be transferred and distributed to different portions of the base by the buttresses. The support may be grounded to ground supported objects.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Support apparatus, comprising: 
 a base;    a receptacle for receiving an object; and    a plurality of spaced apart buttresses connected to said base and to said receptacle, said receptacle mounted separate from said base upon said buttresses spaced outwardly from said receptacle to said base to cause force received by said receptacle from supporting said object to be transferred and distributed to different portions of said base by said buttresses; and wherein at least said base, said receptacle and said buttresses are made of electrically conductive material.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein a ground path is provided from said supported object through said receptacle connected to said buttresses connected to said base, and said base is provided with a ground connector for being connected to earth ground.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said ground connector provided upon said base is spaced from said receptacle and a ground lead is connected to said ground connector by an exothermic weld.  
     
     
         4 . The Support apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said base is circular and planar and has a central portion, and said receptacle is internally threaded for receiving a threaded member that supports said object, said apparatus comprising a ground path from said supported object to a ground connector provided upon said base.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said receptacle comprises a cylinder and is provided with a central bore for receiving said object, wherein said buttresses are planar and are disposed radially outwardly from said cylinder.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said receptacle has a central bore and an outer portion with a collar providing a support surface parallel to said base.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein each of said buttresses includes first and second end, and outer and inner edges, said first end connected to said receptacle, said second end connected to said base, said outer edge extending from said first and second ends and said inner edge extending from said first and second ends and including a straight portion connected to said first end and a curved outer portion connected to said second end.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein said support apparatus further comprises a frame for supporting equipment, said frame provided with at least one outwardly extending member sized and shaped for receipt in said receptacle, said outwardly extending member comprising said object to be supported by said receptacle.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein said base, said receptacle and said buttresses comprise a support module, wherein said support apparatus comprises a plurality of said support modules, wherein said frame is provided with a plurality of said outwardly extending members sized and shaped for receipt in said plurality of receptacles to cause said plurality of support modules to support said frame, and wherein said plurality of outwardly extending members engage said receptacles electrically and thereby electrically connect to said buttresses and said base to cause said ground connector to connect said frame and said equipment to earth ground.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 6  wherein said support surface of said collar comprises a first annular support surface and wherein said central bore has a first length, wherein said support apparatus further comprises a frame for supporting equipment, said frame provided with at least one outwardly extending member sized and shaped for receipt in said central bore, said outwardly extending member comprising said object, wherein said outwardly extending member includes an outer portion and an inner portion and wherein said outwardly extending member includes an intermediate portion, said outer portion and said inner portion, said intermediate portion provided with a outwardly extending annular collar including an outer surface providing a second annular support surface, said outer portion of said outwardly extending member having a second length less than said first length, and upon said outer portion of said outwardly extending member being inserted into said central bore said second annular support surface is in supporting contact with said first annular support surface to cause said annular collar to apply said force to said receptacle.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein said central bore has internal threads for receiving an object that is threaded.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein said base, said cylinder, said collar and said buttresses have outer surfaces, and wherein said outer surfaces are coated with a layer of corrosion resistant material, except said first annular support surface and second annular support surface are uncoated, so that said ground path is through said uncoated annular surfaces.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein said ground lead is of sufficient strength to mechanically connect said apparatus to a retaining structure to secure said apparatus to said retaining structure.  
     
     
         14 . Support apparatus, comprising: 
 a base;    an internally threaded receptacle for receiving a frame support member;    a frame support member threaded to fit within said receptacle; and    a plurality of spaced apart buttresses connected to said base and to said receptacle, said buttresses mounting said receptacle perpendicularly with respect to said base and spaced outwardly therefrom to cause force received by said receptacle from supporting said object to be transferred and distributed to different portions of said base by said buttresses.    
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein said frame support member further comprises 
 an upper threaded portion and a lower threaded portion that are joined to a block, and said lower threaded portion to fit within said receptacle; and a post internally threaded at one end for receiving said upper threaded portion.  
 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein said support apparatus further comprises a frame for supporting equipment upon at least one detachable post that connects to said frame support member, said frame provided with at least one receiving area sized and shaped for receiving said detachable post.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein at least said base, said receptacle and said buttresses are made of electrically conductive material and wherein said base is provided with a ground connector for being connected to ground.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein said support apparatus further comprises a frame for supporting equipment upon at least one detachable post that connects to said frame support member, said frame provided with at least one receiving area for receiving said detachable post, wherein said frame, said frame support member, said post, said base, said receptacle and said buttresses comprise a support module, and wherein said support module is made of electrically conductive material, and wherein said base is provided with a ground connector for being connected to ground.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 18  wherein said support apparatus further comprises a plurality of said support modules comprised of a plurality of said frames joined in electrical contact and supported upon a plurality of said frame support members, and wherein said plurality of frame support members engage said receptacles electrically and thereby electrically engage said buttresses and said base to cause said ground connector to connect said frame and said equipment to ground.  
     
     
         20 . A platform support means made of electrically conductive material comprising: 
 planar base means, having a center area and ground connector,    receptacle means for receiving an object to be supported, buttressing means, outwardly spaced upon, and having a first support edge connected to, said base means, and having a second support edge connected to said receptacle means, to mount said receptacle means separate from said base means and above said center area.    
     
     
         21 . A platform support means according to  claim 20 , having said ground connector located on said base means outside of said center area, with a ground lead connected to said connector, for providing an electrical ground path from said supported object through said receptacle means, through said buttressing means, through said base means to said ground connector and said ground lead to earth ground.  
     
     
         22 . A platform support means according to  claim 20 , further comprising a ground lead, wherein said ground connector and said ground lead are joined by an exothermic weld, and said ground lead is of adequate tensile strength to anchor said support means to a retaining structure.  
     
     
         23 . The platform support means of  claim 20 , wherein said base means is a substantially circular plate, said receptacle means has an inner receiving bore and an outer surface for being joined to said second support edge, and a plurality of planar polygonal buttresses comprise and buttressing means, each said buttress having a first and second support edge and third edge inclined from the connection between said first support edge and said base plate to the connection between said second support edge and said outer surface of said receptacle means, and having a fourth edge opposite said third edge.  
     
     
         24 . Apparatus for distributing the weight of a supported object, comprising: 
 a substantially circular base plate,    a receptacle having an outer surface and an internal bore for receiving an object to be supported, said object including a platform for equipment cabinets, and including at least one platform support leg to be received within said bore,    a plurality of radial buttresses mounting said receptacle separate from and above said base plate, and with said bore perpendicular to said base, and each said buttress having a base plate, and with said bore perpendicular to said base, and each said buttress having a first end connected to said base plate and a second end connected to said outer surface of said receptacle, to distribute the weight of said object supported by said receptacle down said buttresses to said base plate and away from the area of said base plate directly below said mounted receptacle.