Variable position vehicle hood stay device

A hood stay device for a vehicle having a hood and a body, the hood stay device comprising:

• a housing defining a housing cavity, a proximal end of the housing being adapted to be pivotably coupled to one of the hood or the body of the vehicle;
• a support member, an inner end of the support member being disposed within the housing cavity, the support member extending through a distal end of the housing to an outer end of the support member disposed external of the housing, the support member being slidable relative to the housing along a support axis, the support member including a plurality of teeth arranged in a rack along the support axis, the outer end of the support member being pivotably coupled to the other one of the hood or the body of the vehicle;
• and
• a latch member coupled to the housing and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position relative to the housing, wherein when the latch member is in the locked position the latch member engages the teeth to inhibit movement of the support member along the support axis, and wherein when the latch member is in the unlocked position the latch member is spaced apart from the teeth to permit movement of the support member along the support axis.