EXTENDIBLE MAST AND RELATED METHODS

摘要

An extendible mastand 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 extendedform, 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 memberand wherein when coiled the memberis 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 memberso that the transmission element forms a coil outside the interstitial spaces of the coiled member.