Patent ID: 6046706
Filing Date: 2000-04-04
Classification: E04H,H01Q

Abstract:
An antenna mast, comprising;a plurality of telescoping generally tubular sections including a top section, at least one intermediate section, and a base section;each section having an external annular flange at the upper end thereof and having an annular bearing for engaging slidably the next innermost section for facilitating rapid deployment and retraction of the mast;each one of said bearings being mounted on its annular flange and having a central opening therein being approximately the same size as said next innermost section for receiving it slidably;each one of said bearings being composed of thermoplastic material;pulley means for causing said sections to move between a retracted storage position and a fully extended deployed use position;said pulley means also causing said sections to move between said fully extended deployed use position and the retracted storage position;said pulley means further comprising an extension/retraction arrangement coupling adjacent sections so that the at least one intermediate section is coupled to another non-base section;motive means for driving said pulley means thereby providing an extension force or a retraction force; andwherein said motive means causes two or more sections to extend substantially simultaneously when the extension force is applied to said extension/retraction arrangement and said motive means causes two or more sections to retract substantially simultaneously when the retraction force is applied to said extension/retraction arrangement.