Patent ID: 8066051

Claim:
An adjustable-length pole comprising: an inner telescoping pole segment having a head end; an outer telescoping pole segment having a foot end; at least one locking mechanism that secures the positioning of the inner telescoping pole segment relative to the outer telescoping pole segment; a plunger having a longitudinally extending body that extends outwardly from an interior of the inner telescoping pole segment, the plunger comprising: a universal joint ball at a top of the plunger; a flange extending from a base of the plunger; and races that extend along the body of the plunger; a collar at the head end of the inner telescoping pole segment, the collar having inner guides that mate with the races of the plunger, such that the collar, inner guides and races prevent rotation of the plunger relative to the inner telescoping pole segment; an anchor secured within the inner telescoping pole segment; a compression mechanism seated between the base of the plunger and the anchor, wherein the compression mechanism biases the plunger in an outward direction away from the anchor; a retainer wire that slides through the anchor and includes a hook at a first end of the retainer wire that mates with a corresponding hole of the flange of the plunger and an elbow at a second end of the retainer, wherein the elbow of the retainer wire interfaces with the anchor to limit outward extension of the plunger in the outward direction; and a foot at the foot end of the outer telescoping pole segment.