Uniformly compressible platen

摘要

A platen (10) for use in an clamping operation wherein a force (F) is generated having a first direction includes a first wall (12) having edges and a center area (30) and at least first and second sides, wherein the first side is adapted to be positioned nearest the clamping operation. The platen further includes a second wall (14) spaced from and substantially parallel to the first wall (12), wherein the first and second walls extend substantially transverse to the first direction of the force (F). An intermediate support (16) is positioned between the walls and is used to direct the force from edges of the second wall (14) toward the center area (30) of the first wall (12) for substantially preventing non-uniform deflection of the first wall (12) along the first side. <IMAGE>