Level adjustment system and method for free standing poles and structural columns

Abstract

Four bolts in a square configuration are installed in a base member of concrete with the threaded portions of the bolts protruding above the surface of the base member. A nut is attached to each of the bolts and above the nut, a washer is installed. A leveling tool is in the form of a plate of a flat rigid non bendable material such as aluminum. The leveling tool has an aperture in its center and four slots which are spaced evenly from each other around the tool and extend radially away the central aperture. The bolts are each fitted into one of the slots with the edges of the slots abutting against the washers. A leveling gage is installed on the surface of the tool. The nuts are then adjustably positioned until the gage indicates that the tool is vertically level. The tool is then removed and the four bolts and washers used to provide a level support for the base of a pole or other vertical support structure.

1 . A system for mounting a support for a vertical structure in a vertically level orientation comprising:
 a solid support base;   four bolts installed in said base, said bolts being arranged away from each other in a substantially circular configuration;   a nut threadably engaging each of said bolts;   a tool fabricated of a flat substantially non bendable material, said tool having an aperture formed in the center thereof and four slots extending radially away from said aperture and spaced from each other evenly about said tool;   each of said bolts being fitted into a separate one of said apertures with the nuts on said bolts supporting said tool; and   a leveling instrument supported on said tool;   whereby each of said nuts is vertically adjusted to bring said tool to a level position, the tool then being removed with the nuts providing a vertically level support for the vertical structure.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  and further including a washer between each of said nuts and the tool. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said tool is fabricated of aluminum. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said vertical structure is a pole. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said base structure is of concrete. 
   
   
       6 . A system for use in leveling a pole to a precise vertical orientation comprising:
 a concrete block support member;   four bolts fixedly joined to said block in a substantially circular configuration;   a nut threadably engaging each of said bolts;   a rigid substantially unbendable flat plate forming a tool having four slots and a central aperture formed therein, said slots running from the central aperture towards the periphery of said plate and being equally spaced from each other;   each of said bolts being fitted in a separate one of said slots with the edges of each slot being supported by the nut attached to the bolt fitted therein; and   a leveling gage mounted on said tool;   the nuts being adjusted in position on said bolts to bring the tool to a level position as indicated by the gage;   
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6  therein said-tool is fabricated of rigid aluminum; 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 6  wherein a washer is installed between each of the nuts and the tool; 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 6  wherein said tool includes an arched stand mounted on the plate portion of the tool, said leveling gage beng mounted on top of said stand; 
   
   
       10 . A system for leveling a tool to a precise vertical orientation comprising;
 a concrete block support member;   four bolts fixedly joined to said block member in a substantially circular configuration;   a nut threadably engaging each of said bolts;   a washer installed on top of each nut;   a rigid substantially flat aluminum plate forming a tool having four slots and a central aperture; said slots being equally spaced from each other;   each of said bolts being fitted in a separate one of said slots with the nuts on the bolts supporting the tool; and   a leveling instrument supported on the tool;   whereby each of said nuts is vertically adjusted on its associated bolt to bring said tool to a level position, the tool then being removed, with the nuts providing a vertically level support for the pole.   
   
   
       11 . A method for providing a level support in a vertical position for a pole comprising the steps of:
 installing four bolts in a concrete block with the top end of said bolts protruding from the top surface of said block, said bolts being positioned in a circular configuration spaced around the surface of said block;   installing a nut on each of said bolts;   installing a flat plate of rigid material forming a tool having a central aperture and four slots formed therein, said slots being equally spaced from each other and extending from the central aperture towards the periphery of said plate; said flat plate being installed with each bolt fitted into one of said slots and the edges of the bolts abutting against the edges of the slots;   installing a leveling gage on said plate;   adjusting each of said nuts on its associated bolt to level the plate as indicated by the leveling gage; and   removing the flat plate tool for future use, the four nuts having been adjusted to support the pole in a level position.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  and additional including the step of placing a washer under each of the nuts; 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the tool additionally includes an arched stand and the step of mounting said stand on said plate. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  and further including mounting the leveler on the top of the stand.