Telescopic stay

A telescopic stay for two objects capable of being folded relative to one another, particularly for supporting a work surface (1) which can be folded relative to a frame structure (5), the stay including at least two tubes (6,7) which are capable of being telescopically retracted one within the other and the mutually opposite free ends of which are intended to be pivotally connected to a respective one of said objects, and further including an inner guide tube (8) arranged within the telescopic tubes, a tension spring (15) extending axially through all tubes, and a locking means (9) for releasably locking the telescopic tubes in a given working position relative to one another, characterized in that the inner guide tube is fixedly mounted (13) to one of the telescopic tubes (6) such that relative axial movement between said one tube and the guide tube is prevented and the guide tube accompanies movement of said one telescopic tube in relation to the other telescopic tube (7) and remains fully within the telescopic tubes in all positions thereof;

• and in that opposite ends of the tension spring are individually fixedly attached to remote ends of the telescopic tubes, the unloaded length of the tension spring being less than the distance between said remote ends of the telescopic tubes when fully retracted one within the other such that the spring constantly exerts a force on the telescopic tubes which strives to further retract the tubes one inside the other in all positions to thus damp free swinging motions of the work surface in a folded, retracted position.