Patent attributes
The support 10 of the present invention resembles a conventional Acrow prop which may be used for temporarily supporting a load. In particular, the present invention is arranged to support a surface at a static position. For example, the surface may comprise a ceiling/beam/lintel within a structure wherein the usual permanent supports for the ceiling/beam/lintel are being replaced or deemed temporarily insufficient. However, the present invention can be used in numerous situations where a support 10 is required and for which the support 10 can be quickly and easily installed. The present invention provides (hydraulic) movement means to move the upper end relative to the lower end. In addition, the present invention provides retraction prevention means to prevent the upper end moving towards the lower end while supporting the load and prevents the inner core member 14 being forcibly retracted back into the outer sleeve member 12 due to the compressive force of the load. A hydraulic ram 22 has a maximum extension limit and the present invention uses an adjustable mounting/abutment mechanism which means that a relatively small hydraulic ram 22 can be installed in the outer sleeve member 12. This size of hydraulic ram 22 will then be suitable for all heights and the support is not limited to simply being moveable within a restricted range.