Patent ID: 8376646

Claim:
An adjustable pole comprising: a lower pole comprising an upper end; an upper pole telescopically engaged with said lower pole; a locking unit engaged with said upper end of said lower pole; said locking unit comprises: a one-piece unitary housing comprising a lower bore engaged with said upper end of said lower pole and an upper bore freely guiding said upper pole into and out of said lower pole; said lower and upper bores have a common central axis; said housing further comprises a channel disposed adjacent said upper bore; said channel comprises a floor, left and right sidewalls, and a top wall; said housing further comprises a slot having a first portion disposed in said floor and a second portion disposed in said top wall an upper end of said first portion of slot is merged with said second portion of said slot to provide a continuous L-shaped slot to provide access between said channel and said upper pole disposed within said upper bore; and a lever rotatably supported within said channel between a locked position where said upper pole cannot be moved and an unlocked position where said upper pole may be moved; said lever comprises a handle portion disposed outward of the channel and a tooth catch engaged with said upper pole in said locked position; said tooth catch is substantially shielded by said top wall and said left and right sidewalls of said channel between said locked and unlocked positions.