Patent ID: 7510152

Claim:
An extendable post installable between opposed surfaces, said post having: a first longitudinally extending tube, a second longitudinally extending tube in sliding telescoping engagement with the first tube, a locking mechanism having an unlocked condition permitting relative sliding movement of the first tube relative to the second tube and a locked condition preventing relative sliding movement of the first tube relative to the second tube when the first tube and the second tube are in a desired longitudinal relationship, one of the first and second tubes having an open end which in use is adjacent one of said opposed surfaces, a surface engaging member having a stem slidably received in said open end and projecting beyond the open end, said stem having a portion of reduced diameter projecting from the open end of said one tube, said portion of reduced diameter having an outer surface that is spaced from an inner wall of said one tube, a spring within said one tube and acting on the stem to resiliently urge the stem in a direction out of the open end of the tube, and a retainer limiting movement of said stem in said direction, the retainer comprising a collar secured within said one tube at a position spaced from the open end thereof, a pin passing through an aperture in the collar, said pin having a head at one end which limits movement of the pin in said direction by engagement with the collar, said pin having an opposite end secured to the stem, and the spring being a vertical compression spring surrounding the pin between the collar and the stem.