Patent ID: 8418997

Claim:
A support column apparatus for supporting and moving a portion of a building, comprising; a base column of square tubular cross section; a top extension column of square tubular cross section dimensioned to slide within said base column and be telescopically received within said base column; a hydraulic cylinder within said base column; a piston in said cylinder and a piston rod extendable from said hydraulic cylinder into the interior of said top extension column; shims in said top extension column slidably engaging said piston rod and having square exterior surfaces for engaging the interior of said top column, said shims being of two component construction, each shim component defining a semi cylindrical surface for engaging said piston rod, and a rectangular exterior surface for engaging the interior of said column and fastenings for securing said two components around said piston rod; and, a hydraulic connection, whereby hydraulic fluid may be either admitted into or discharged from said cylinder to extend said piston rod for moving said top extension column relative to said base column, or to retract it.