A unitized telescopic leg assembly (10) that is incorporated into one side of a hand carried case to allow the case to be propped upright in either an opened or closed configuration. The assembly (10) includes a U-shaped housing (22) mounted inside the briefcase and includes a pair of legs (30) which are slideably retained. A piston (54) is attached to the inside end of the legs permitting the legs to extend from the case slowly due to a slight vacuum formed inside the housing. A catch assembly consisting of a actuator (80) and contiguous rods (64) inside the housing retain the legs by the urging of the rods into a keeper (58) on each leg. When the actuator is manually depressed, the legs extend and when tilted open form a four leg stand. The legs are manually retracted and held in place by the arms interfacing with the keepers.
