Patent ID: 6041685
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: B26D,B30B,Y10T

Abstract:
Adjustable load-bearing apparatus, comprising:first and second interfitted bodies cooperatively defining an enclosed, constant volume internal chamber filled with a substantially incompressible fluid,said first body presenting a loading surface oriented for receiving an externally applied load during use of the apparatus, and an internal load transmitting surface in contact with said fluid,said second body presenting a load-bearing surface area in contact with said fluid; anda shiftable adjuster connected to one of said first and said second bodies in order to cause relative movement of at least one of the bodies relative to the other body, the connection between said adjuster and said one of said first and second bodies being located spaced from and out of contact with said fluid,said adjuster including an element movable within said chamber in response to shifting of the adjuster,said element presenting a load-transmitting surface area in contact with said fluid which transmits load through the element to the connection between said adjuster and said one of said first and second bodies,said element load-transmitting surface area being less than said load-bearing surface area,the connection between said adjuster and said one of said first and second bodiesexperiencing only a portion of an externally applied load received by said loading surface.