Telescoping mechanism and method of extending and retracting a telescoping mechanism

摘要

A telescoping mechanism and method of extending and retracting a telescoping mechanism includes a first arm that extends in a particular direction with respect to a base, a second arm that extends in that direction with respect to the first arm, a first drive assembly that extends and retracts the first arm, and a second drive assembly that extends and retracts the second arm. The first drive assembly includes a rotatable drum and a cable. The cable is wrapped at least one turn around the drum. The cable has a first portion attached to one end portion of the first arm and a second end portion to an opposite end portion of the first arm.

主权项

1. A telescoping mechanism, comprising:
a first arm that extends in a particular direction with respect to a base; a second arm that extends in said particular direction with respect to said first arm; a first drive assembly that extends and retracts said first arm; and a second drive assembly that extends and retracts said second arm; wherein said first drive assembly comprises a rotatable drum and a cable, said cable wrapped at least one turn around said drum, said cable having a first portion attached to one end portion of said first arm and a second end portion to an opposite end portion of said first arm, wherein rotation of said drum causes one of said cable portions to wind onto said drum and the other of said cable portions to unwind from said drum to extend or retract said first arm wherein said cable is positively engaged at a center portion thereof to said drum wherein said cable includes an enlarged portion and wherein said drum includes a void wherein engagement of said engaged portion with said void causes said cable to be positively engaged with said drum.