Aspects for rigidly positioning a load-bearing bar are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes positioning a bar between two surfaces so that one end is oriented towards one surface, and the other end is oriented towards another surface. The method also comprises rotating a crank to facilitate having each end make contact with its corresponding surface. Here, rotating the crank extends an extension shaft away from a control shaft, whereas rotating in an opposite direction inserts the extension shaft into the control shaft. An apparatus is also disclosed, which includes a control shaft comprising a crank that rotates a gear assembly, and an extension shaft coupled to the control shaft. Here, the extension shaft extends away from the control shaft when the gear assembly rotates in a first direction, and retracts when the gear assembly rotates in an opposite direction.