Patent ID: 7232103

Claim:
A load-bearing column apparatus configured to support a load with respect to a support surface, the apparatus comprising: a) a base configured to abut the support surface; b) a cap configured to abut the load; c) an elongated, flexible sleeve extending between the cap and the base to form an enclosure configured to extend to and between the load and the support; d) a bladder, disposed in the enclosure configured to selectively receive an incompressible liquid; e) the elongated, flexible sleeve having at least two configurations, including: i) a collapsed configuration in which the bladder is not filled and has a first, shorter length; and ii) an expanded configuration in which the bladder is filled with the liquid and has a second, longer length sized to extend to and between the load and the support surface; f) the cap or the base including a pair of plates including an outer plate and an inner plate; g) an annular groove, formed between the outer plate and the inner plate; and h) a ring, disposed in the annular groove between the outer plate and the inner plate, an end of the sleeve extending around the ring.