Spring-loaded adjustable length cargo rod

Claim 1

In combination with opposing spaced surfaces, an adjustable length member for shoring a partial load relative to said surfaces, said member including an elongated tubular center section, a first end section telescopingly engaged with one end of said center section for extension and retraction relative to the latter, said first end section and said one end of said center section including coacting latch means operative to releasably latch said first end section in predetermined extended positions relative to said one end of said center section, a second end section telescopingly engaged with the other end of said center section for extension and retraction relative to said center section, and elongated abutment member mounted within said center section for adjustable shifting therealong, spring means operably connected between said abutment member and second end section yieldingly biasing the latter away from said abutment member, positioning means operably connected between said center section and the abutment member for selectively positioning said abutment member along said center section, said abutment member and the adjacent ends of said end sections being slidingly telescoped within said center section against rotation relative thereto, said abutment member being adjustable within said center section to a position abutted against the inner end of said second end section, said positioning means including a block mounted within said center section against displacement relative thereto and disposed between said first end section and said abutment member, a screw shaft having one end journaled through said block against axial shifting relative thereto, said screw shaft extending longitudinally of said center section and having its other end threadedly engaged with the adjacent end of said abutment member, a transverse operating shaft journaled through said second section between said abutment member and said first end section, and meshed beveled gears mounted on said screw shaft and operating shaft.