Support column assembly

A method of supporting a roof with a telescoping support column comprising a first support tube having first and a second end, the second end of the first support tube having an opening therein;

• a bearing plate on the second end of the first support tube, a second support tube having first and second ends, a bearing plate on the second end of second support tube, the first end of the second support tube being telescopingly received in the first end of the first support column, a locking wedge overlying the telescoping overlap between the first and second support tubes, the locking wedge having an exterior tapered face portion;
• and a cylindrical clamp having an opening for receiving at least a portion of the locking wedge, the clamp having a tapered interior surface for engaging the exterior tapered face portion of the locking wedge, the method comprising:
• extending the telescoping support column until one of the bearing plates engages the roof and the other bearing plate engages the floor, and
• moving the cylindrical clamp axially over the locking wedge to compresses the first end of the first support tube to effectively clamp the first support tube relative to the second support tube.