Patent ID: 8544661

Claim:
An adjustable lower pole assembly for use with an upper pole comprising: a pole comprising a lower end; a stop member engaged with said lower end of said pole; said stop member comprising a flange extending outward of said lower end of said pole; a shroud comprising an upper end disposed about said lower end of said pole and a lower end extending outward from said lower end of said pole; said shroud further comprises an inner shoulder adapted to engage with said flange of said stop member to prevent said shroud from falling off said lower end of said pole; said shroud further comprises a first passage way extending inward from said upper end of said shroud to said shoulder; said shroud further comprises a second passage way extending inward from said lower end of said shroud to said shoulder; said pole passes thru said second passage way to said first passage way and said flange of said stop member is located in said second passageway engaged with said shoulder; each of said first and second passages ways has an inside diameter; said inside diameter of said second passage way is greater than said inside diameter of said first passage way; a spring substantially disposed within said second passage way of said shroud; said spring having a lower end and an upper end engaged with said stop member; a cap disposed about said lower end of said shroud and engaged with said lower end of said spring; and whereby said lower end of said pole may be moved downward within said second passage way of said shroud against said spring creating a force in said spring that urges said pole upward.