Patent ID: 7048094

Claim:
A ladder, comprising: a first stile, a second stile and a plurality of rungs extending between the first stile and the second stile; the first stile comprising a first column, the first column including an internal surface, and a second column disposed in a nested arrangement for relative lengthwise movement in a telescopic fashion; a latch mechanism for selectively locking the second column relative the first column; a button operatively coupled to the latch mechanism for actuating the latch mechanism; the button being positioned in proximity to the first column and including a depression dimensioned to receive a tip portion of a thumb of a hand applying a push force in a direction away from the first column and toward the second stile to retract the latch mechanism, thereby unlocking the second column; a sleeve disposed about an exterior surface of the second column; the sleeve including an external guiding surface for contacting the internal surface of the first column.