EXTENDIBLE MAST AND RELATED METHODS

摘要

An extendible mast and related methods are described. The mast (1) comprises a member (2) constructed and arranged so as to be configurable between a coiled form and an extended form, wherein when extended the member (2) is resiliently biased in the form of an elongate tube having a slit along its length formed by longitudinal edges of the member and wherein when coiled the member is opened out at the longitudinal edges to a flattened form and wound about an axis extending transversely to the longitudinal extent of the member. The mast (1) further comprises a transmission element (18) or retaining structure (16) for retaining a transmission element (18) extending along at least part of the longitudinal extent of the member (2), wherein the transmission element or retaining structure is positioned adjacent a longitudinal edge of the member so that the transmission element forms a coil outside the interstitial spaces of the coiled member.

主权项

1. An extendible mast, comprising:
a member constructed and arranged so as to be configurable between a coiled form and an extended form, wherein when extended the member is resiliently biased in a form of an elongate tube having a slit along its length formed by longitudinal edges of the member and wherein when coiled the member is opened out at the longitudinal edges to a flattened form and wound about an axis extending transversely to a longitudinal extent of the member; and, at least one of a transmission element and a retaining structure thereof extending along at least part of the longitudinal extent of the member, wherein the at least one of the transmission element and the retaining structure thereof is positioned adjacent at least one longitudinal edge of the member so that the at least one of the transmission element and the retaining structure thereof forms a coil outside interstitial spaces of the coiled member.