Method and apparatus for selectively adjusting the elevation of an undulating or plannar surface

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 , wherein said threaded tubular stem has at least a three inch nominal diameter.

Claim 4

The method of claim 1 , wherein said threaded first tubular stem has a total length prior to cutting at least four times the length of said base member or said crown member.

Claim 5

The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of aligning a vertical edge of said upper horizontal surface along a plurality of alignment tabs extending vertically upward from an upper planar surface of said crown member.

Claim 6

The method of claim 1 , further comprising positioning a non-skid shim pad on an upper surface of said crown member to inhibit shifting of the building surface.

Claim 7

The method of claim 1 , wherein said adjustable support piece is capable of supporting a load of at least about 2000 lbs.

Claim 8

The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of securing said base member to the lower horizontal surface.

Claim 9

The method of claim 7 , wherein said step of securing comprises inserting a screw or nail through an engagement hole in said base member and penetrating the lower horizontal surface.

Claim 10

The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of positioning a crown spacer on an upper surface of said crown member to increase said total length of said support piece.

Claim 11

An adjustable support piece for selectively adjusting the elevation of a building surface, comprising: a base member having a substantially planar bottom surface, a first height, and a plurality of integral threads positioned vertically upward along a longitudinal axis of said adjustable support piece; a crown member having a substantially planar upper surface with a plurality of vertically extending alignment tabs extending upwardly therefrom, and a plurality of integral threads extending vertically downward along said longitudinal axis of said adjustable support piece; a first tubular stem having a first end, a second end and a length at least four times the length of said first height of said base member and constructed of a material capable of being cut with a hand saw, said first threaded tubular stem sized for threading engagement with a coupling; a second tubular stem having a first end and a second end, said first end sized for threading engagement to an upper end of said coupling and said second end sized for threading engagement with said integral threads of said crown member, wherein said base member and said crown member when interconnected to said first and said second tubular stems define said adjustable support piece with a length which can be selectively modified to change the elevation of the building surface positioned on top of said adjustable support piece; and a removable, rigid crown spacer having a lower surface which matingly engages said upper surface of said crown member and having a plurality of upwardly extending alignment tabs to align said building surface, wherein the total length of said adjustable support piece can be selectively increased or decreased.

Claim 12

An adjustable support piece for selectively adjusting the elevation of a building surface, comprising: a base member having a substantially planar bottom surface, a first height, and a plurality of integral threads positioned vertically upward along a longitudinal axis of said adjustable support piece; a crown member having a substantially planar upper surface with a plurality of vertically extending alignment tabs extending upwardly therefrom, and a plurality of integral threads extending vertically downward along said longitudinal axis of said adjustable support piece; a first tubular stem having a first end, a second end and a length at least four times the length of said first height of said base member and constructed of a material capable of being cut with a hand saw, said first threaded tubular stem sized for threading engagement with a coupling; a second tubular stem having a first end and a second end, said first end sized for threading engagement to an upper end of said coupling and said second end sized for threading engagement with said integral threads of said crown member, wherein said base member and said crown member when interconnected to said first and said second tubular stems define said adjustable support piece with a length which can be selectively modified to change the elevation of the building surface positioned on top of said adjustable support piece; and a removable, rigid crown spacer having a lower surface which matingly engages said upper surface of said crown member and having a plurality of upwardly extending alignment tabs to align said building surface, wherein the total length of said adjustable support piece can be selectively increased or decreased.

Claim 13

The adjustable support piece of claim 10 , wherein at least one of said first tubular stem and said second tubular stem are comprised of a plastic material.

Claim 14

The adjustable support piece of claim 10 , further comprising a non-skid shim pad sized to fit on said substantially planar top surface of said removable, rigid crown spacer to inhibit any shifting of the building surface.

Claim 15

The adjustable support piece of claim 10 , wherein said base member has a plurality of apertures sized to receive a nail or screw, wherein said base member can be secured to a lower building surface.

Claim 16

The adjustable support piece of claim 10 , wherein said plurality of vertically extending alignment tabs are sufficiently brittle to be selectively broken off of the upper surface of said crown member.

Claim 19

The method of claim 15 , further comprising the step of positioning a non-skid member on said crown spacer to inhibit any movement of the building surface.