Apparatus and methods for providing a retractable mast

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for raising a retractable mast comprise engaging at least three flat flexible strips such that each strip forms a side of a mast. Each strip comprises a set of tabs and slots disposed along opposite edges of the strips. The housing may further comprise a feed mechanism operable to interlock the at least three lengths of flexible strips by drawing the strips together causing each tab of each strip to engage with a slot of an adjacent flexible strip. In addition, the apparatus may comprise a controller module operable to control extending and retracting the mast. The apparatus may be incorporated in a robotic device operable to travel in at least a horizontal plane and extend the retractable mast.

1 . A method for raising a retractable mast, comprising: 
 engaging at least three flexible strips such that each strip forms a side of a mast, each strip comprising a first edge portion, a second edge portion and a body there between, whereby a set of tabs and slots disposed along opposite edges of each of the at least three flexible strips engage opposing slots and tabs disposed on the edge portions of adjacent flexible strips.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein engaging further comprises engaging at least three identical flat flexible strips.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein engaging further comprises engaging alternating sets of tabs and slots disposed along opposite edges of each of at least three flat flexible strips.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein engaging further comprises drawing the at least three flexible strips together from a point within the mast, by operation of a drive mechanism within the mast.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising automatically extending at least one electronic signal carrying cable from a base of the mast to a top of the mast, the cable maintaining continuous continuously as the mast is raised and retracted.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising shielding the mast with a protective cover as the mast is raised and retracted.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining a height to which the mast is raised.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising synchronizing raising and retracting a plurality of masts.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising rotating a threaded shaft in an essentially vertical axis, the shaft thread engaging slots disposed on at least one side of the mast.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for forming a retractable mast, comprising: 
 a support structure;    at least three lengths of flexible strips, the strips stored within the support structure, each strip including: 
 a first planar surface substantially parallel to a second planar surface;  
 a first edge portion, a second edge portion, and a body there between;  
 a plurality of tabs and slots disposed along the lengths of opposing first and second edge portions;  
   a feed mechanism mounted to the support member, the feed mechanism operable to interlock the at least three lengths of flexible strips by engaging each tab of each of the at least three flexible strips with a slot of an adjacent flexible strip; and    a controller module operable to control extending and retracting the mast.    
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , comprising three flat flexible strips.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein alternating sets of slots and tabs are formed on each edge of the at least three lengths of flexible strips.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein each tab disposed along one edge portion of each strip is substantially opposite a slot disposed along the other edge portion of the strip.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein at least one flexible strip comprises a plurality of angled slots spaced along the length of the flexible strip, wherein the feed mechanism comprises a threaded shaft extending in a substantially vertical axis from a base of the mast, and wherein the threaded shaft further comprises a helical thread disposed on an exterior surface of the threaded shaft, the helical thread operable to engage a portion of the plurality of angled slots.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the threaded shaft comprises a coaxial bore.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a retractable shield operable to surround the mast as the mast is extended.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising a cable management system operable to maintain a continuous electrical connection between at least one electrical device disposed within the housing and at least one other electrical device mounted on a top of the mast while the mast is extended and retracted.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the cable management system comprises a slip ring operable to maintain at least 15 continuous electrical connections.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 10  further comprises a control unit in electrical communication with the controller module, the control unit operable by a user to control the extending and retracting of the mast.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the control unit is in wireless communication with the controller module.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a transport mechanism whereby the apparatus is operable to travel along a surface under control of the controller module.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising a harness operable to allow an individual to operate the apparatus while harnessed to the individual.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising a suitcase wherein the housing is removeably mounted within the suitcase.  
   
   
       24 . A robot, comprising a housing, the housing further comprising: 
 a transport mechanism operable to propel the housing along a surface;    a lift mechanism operable to form a retractable mast, the lift mechanism including: 
 at least three lengths of flexible strips;  
 a feed mechanism operable to draw the at least three lengths of flexible strips together and form the retractable mast; and  
   a controller module operable to control an operation of the transport mechanism and the lift mechanism.