Extendible mast and related methods

Abstract

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.

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.   
     
     
         2 . The extendible mast according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein a diameter of the at least one of the transmission element and the retaining structure thereof is at least one of larger than the interstitial spaces of the coiled member; and smaller than a separation between outer surfaces of adjacent coils of the coiled member.   
     
     
         3 . The extendible mast according to  claim 1 , wherein the transmission element contains one or more electrical conductors for transmitting electrical power or data signals along the mast. 
     
     
         4 . The extendible mast according to  claim 1 , wherein the transmission element contains one or more optical fibres for transmitting optical power or data signals along the mast. 
     
     
         5 . The extendible mast according to  claim 1 , wherein the transmission element provides a hose arranged to transmit a gas, fluid, gel, powder, or particulate matter. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The extendible mast according to  claim 1 , wherein the transmission element provides a hose for transmitting hydraulic power along the mast. 
     
     
         8 . The extendible mast according to  claim 1 , wherein the transmission element provides a fuel-line. 
     
     
         9 . The extendible mast according to  claim 1 , wherein a distal end of the mast has a mount adapted to attach to a tool or other device. 
     
     
         10 . The extendible mast according to  claim 1 , wherein the mast supports or incorporates an antenna for one or more of transmitting and receiving electromagnetic communications. 
     
     
         11 . The extendible mast according to  claim 1 , wherein the member comprises at least one of a reinforced composite and a bistable material. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The extendible mast according to  claim 1 , further comprising a connector on the mast configured to externally connect to the transmission element. 
     
     
         14 . The extendible mast according to  claim 13 , wherein the connector is a rotatable connector. 
     
     
         15 . The extendible mast according to  claim 13 , wherein a length of the transmission element extends beyond a coiled end of the member and is in communication with the connector, wherein said length of the transmission element forms a coil wherein a tightness of the coil changes as the mast is extended and retracted. 
     
     
         16 . The extendible mast according to  claim 1 , wherein the retaining structure is configured to allow the transmission element to slip relative to the member. 
     
     
         17 . The extendible mast according to  claim 1 , wherein the retaining structure comprises a pocket for surrounding and retaining the transmission element. 
     
     
         18 . The extendible mast according to  claim 1 , further comprising a housing for containing the coiled mast and guiding the mast as it is extended. 
     
     
         19 . The extendible mast according to  claim 18 , wherein the housing comprises a winding mechanism for one or more of coiling and extending the mast. 
     
     
         20 . The extendible mast according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the transmission element and the retaining structure thereof has a diameter that is greater than a thickness of the member, and wherein the mast comprises a raised portion over at least a portion of at least one of an inner and an outer face of the member such that when the member is coiled, the raised portion lies against an opposite face. 
     
     
         21 . A method of deploying an apparatus, the method comprising:
 extending an extendible mast, the mast configured to at least one of support and position said apparatus, the 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 for 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; and 
 providing services to the apparatus via the transmission element. 
   
     
     
         22 . A method of stowing an apparatus, the method comprising:
 retracting an extendible mast, the mast configured to at least one of support and position said apparatus, the 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. 
   
     
     
         23 - 25 . (canceled)