Adjustable support device with multiple rolling elements

A system for supporting an item relative to a support surface, the system comprising three or more adjustable support devices, each adjustable support device including:

• a base attachable to a supported item so as to be disposed between the supported item and a support surface, the base including a plurality of rolling element receiving receptacles, each of the rolling element receiving receptacles positioned and oriented to interface with a rolling element disposed between the base and the support surface;
• a plurality of rolling elements, each of the rolling elements interfacing with one of the rolling element receiving receptacles;
• and
• an external sleeve coupled to the base for adjustable vertical positioning of the external sleeve relative to the base, wherein the external sleeve can be placed in a first vertical position relative to the base where the external sleeve contacts the support surface and can be placed in a second vertical position relative to the base where the external sleeve does not contact the support surface.

A method for supporting an item relative to a support surface, the method comprising:

• receiving a base attached to the supported item so as to be disposed between the supported item and the support surface, the base including a plurality of rolling element receiving receptacles;
• receiving each of a plurality of rolling elements interfaced with one of the rolling element receiving receptacles;
• retaining the rolling elements relative to the base;
• receiving an external sleeve coupled to the base for adjustable vertical positioning of the external sleeve relative to the base;
• adjusting the external sleeve relative to the base so that the external sleeve does not contact the support surface and the supported item is supported relative to the support surface via the rolling elements;
• and
• adjusting the external sleeve relative to the base so that the external sleeve contacts the support surface and the supported item is supported relative to the support surface via the contact between the external sleeve and the support surface.