Stand

An apparatus, comprising:

• a first component and a second component disposed in sliding engagement with one another;
• a means for providing a balancing force between the first component and the second component;
• a magnitude of the balancing force being substantially equal to a first load;
• a means for providing a friction force for resisting relative movement between the first component and the second component;
• the friction force having a magnitude smaller than the magnitude of the balancing force;
• wherein the means for providing the balancing force comprises a cam and the means for providing the friction force comprises a shoe contacting an outer surface of the cam.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a cam having a first cam surface;
• a spring assembly including a roller and a shoe;
• the roller contacting the first cam surface at a rolling contact point;
• the shoe contacting the first cam surface at a sliding contact point;
• friction at the sliding contact point producing a friction force resisting relative movement between the cam and the shoe.