Patent ID: 8092121

Claim:
A method of using a load support, wherein said load support includes an outer tube, a plunger at least partially slidably disposed within said outer tube, wedging members disposed between an outer surface of said plunger and an inner surface of said outer tube for setting said plunger and said outer tube in place, comprising: placing the load support in a position between two surfaces; sliding the plunger in an outward axial direction with respect to said outer tube until said plunger and said outer tube each contact one of the two surfaces, respectively; preloading the load support so that the wedging members substantially self-set the inner and outer tubes in place with respect to each other; subjecting the load support to an axial compressive force, so that the wedging members gouge the inner surface of said outer tube and the outer surface of said plunger, thus causing the plunger to slide in an inward axial direction with respect to the outer tube.