Patent Description:
Pneumatically actuated telescoping masts are known in the art, and are, for example, mounted on the roof of a motor vehicle such as an emergency vehicle or utility vehicle. Alternatively, mounting configurations may also involve the floor of a vehicle, allowing the telescoping mast to extend through the roof of the vehicle. The mast is generally used for positioning various devices at an elevated point above the vehicle. Pneumatically actuated telescoping masts are particularly advantageous for such uses, because they are lightweight, compact in the retracted position, and quickly transportable to a site by the vehicles on which they are mounted. Pneumatically actuated telescoping masts are extended and retracted using air under pressure and, in a fully extended use position, are usually vertical, although they can be inclined in the use position. The vehicle on which the telescoping mast is mounted typically includes a compressor and appropriate pneumatic controls for displacing the mast sections between retracted and extended positions.

In a typical mast, each telescoping section includes a hollow cylindrical body with a collar secured to an end thereof. The collar can include a keyway (or key) for rotationally interlocking the telescoping section with an adjacent telescoping section or sections. The collar can also provide reinforcement to the cylindrical body.

Many prior art masts utilize a collar at the top of each telescoping section that extends radially outwardly from the cylindrical body. Such collars are often bolted or otherwise secured to the cylindrical body of the telescoping section. This allows an adjacent (smaller diameter) cylindrical body of an adjacent connected telescoping section to be retracted into the larger diameter telescoping section. In this manner, each telescoping section can be retracted into the next larger telescoping section.

<CIT> discloses a lock for securing telescoping tube sections wherin the lock relies on rotating motion of the lock to lock and unlock. <CIT> sicloses lock mechanisms that employ rotary spiders that rely on rotating motion for locking and unlocking. <CIT> discloses a linearly movable lock pin in a telescoping mast assembly. <CIT> discloses a locking mechanism that requires the motive force of a mast power screw to cause the unlocking sequence when the mast nests, wherein the lock uses a rotating motion to lock and unlock.

It will be appreciated, however, that as payload capacities and weight of pneumatic masts increase, standing near or around the mast during operation is becoming more of a safety concern. Concern for user safety is further heightened by the manual locking and unlocking of telescoping mast sections required by known pneumatic masts.

While at least some of the above-described mast assemblies have been commercially successful, there is a need for an improved telescoping mast which addresses the disadvantage described above.

In accordance with one aspect of the exemplary embodiment, an auto-lock assembly for a telescoping mast having a plurality of telescoping tube sections configurable between a retracted position and an extended position is provided. The assembly includes a first latch pin mounted perpendicularly to a first tube section, the first latch pin being pre-loaded toward a locked position with a second tube section and configured to move linearly to an unlocked position with respect to the second tube section. A first latch lever is mounted to the first latch pin, the first latch lever configured to pivot between a parallel position and a rotated position with respect to the first tube section. A guide plate is mounted parallel to a third tube section and an angled bearing surface disposed on an upper portion of the guide plate, the guide plate and angled bearing surface configured to contact the first latch lever. The first latch pin is pre-loaded to move linearly into the locked position with the second tube section when the second tube section is in the extended position with respect to the first tube section. Further, the first latch pin moves linearly from the locked position to the unlocked position by the pivoting movement of the first latch lever and the first latch lever pivots from the parallel position to the rotated position by the contact with the angled bearing surface of the guide plate when the first tube section is in the retracted position with respect to the third tube section to thereby allow the retracted position of the second tube section with respect to the first tube section.

In accordance with another aspect of the exemplary embodiment, a telescoping mast is provided. The telescoping mast includes a plurality of telescoping mast sections including a base tube, an intermediate tube, and an end tube, the intermediate and end tube adapted to be telescopically received in the base tube, a base auto-lock having a collar for mounting to the base tube, and an intermediate auto-lock having a collar for mounting to the intermediate tube. Both the base auto-lock and the intermediate auto-lock include a latch pin housed in the collar and configured to move linearly between a locked and unlocked position, a latch lever mounted to the latch pin and configured to pivot between a parallel position and a rotated position with respect to the plurality of telescoping mast sections, and a guide plate mounted on the collar and oriented parallel to the plurality of telescoping mast sections. The base auto-lock latch pin is movable into the locked position with the intermediate tube when the intermediate tube is fully extended out of the base tube. The intermediate auto-lock latch pin is movable into the locked position with the end tube when the end tube is fully extended out of the intermediate tube and is movable into the unlocked position with the end tube when the intermediate auto-lock latch lever pivots from the parallel position to the rotated position by contact with the base auto-lock guide plate when the intermediate tube is retracted into the base tube, thereby allowing the end tube to retract into the intermediate tube.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the exemplary embodiment, an auto-lock for use with a telescoping mast having a plurality of tube sections is provided. The auto-lock includes a plurality of collars, each collar mountable to an associated tube section, a plurality of spring-activated latch pins, each latch pin housed in an associated collar and oriented perpendicular to the plurality of tube sections, and configured to move linearly between a locked and an unlocked position with an associated tube section, a plurality of latch levers, each lever mounted on an associated latch pin and configured to pivot between a parallel position and a rotated position with respect to the plurality of tube sections and to move the associated latch pin into the unlocked position, and a plurality of guide plates, each guide plate mounted on an associated collar and oriented parallel to the plurality of tube sections, each guide plate configured to move an associated latch lever from the parallel position to the rotated position.

Described herein is a telescoping mast that extends when the internal pressure of the mast is increased relative to the outside atmospheric pressure. Each tube section of the telescoping mast reaches its maximum extended height when a latch panel (welded around the outside surface of said tube section) contacts a collar fastened to the next larger adjacent tube section. Once this happens, latch or locking pins (pre-loaded via springs) on the collar assembly engage into a cutout in the tube section's latch panels. When the mast is fully extended, latch pins from each collar assembly will be engaged into cutouts in the latch panel of the next smaller adjacent tube section. The internal pressure of the mast can then be reduced to atmospheric pressure as positive contact between the locking pins and tube section's latch panels will keep the mast extended.

To retract the mast, the internal pressure of the mast must be increased to remove the load from the pins due to tube and payload weight. Air cylinders mounted to the bottom of the base tube collar are then actuated. The air cylinder's pistons contact the latch levers on the base tube collar, which then actuates the locking pins, thereby removing them from the cutout in the latch panel of the next smaller adjacent tube section. The pressure in the mast is then reduced so that the unlocked tube section retracts. At the end of retraction, the latch levers on the collar of the unlocked section contacts the guide plate/bearings of the lower collar, thereby actuating the locking pins and removing them from the cutout in the latch panel of the next smaller adjacent tube section. The process is repeated until all locking pins are actuated and the mast is fully unlocked and retracted.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating exemplary embodiments of the disclosure only and are not for the purpose of limiting same, <FIG> illustrates an exemplary auto-locking mast assembly <NUM> in accordance with the present disclosure. The mast assembly <NUM> generally includes a base section or tube <NUM> having a top or upper portion <NUM> and a bottom or lower portion <NUM>. A telescoping portion <NUM> is illustrated as being situated generally adjacent the top or upper portion <NUM> of the mast assembly <NUM>. However, such an arrangement is only exemplary, and the particular location of the telescoping portion is non-limiting. For example, the telescoping portion <NUM> could alternatively be situated adjacent the lower portion <NUM>. An auto-lock/unlock system <NUM> is also shown and is generally located on one or both sides of the telescoping portion <NUM> of the mast assembly <NUM>.

With further reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the telescoping portion <NUM> of the mast assembly <NUM> in <FIG> is generally composed of a plurality of telescoping mast sections 103a - 103f. As will be appreciated, each of the mast sections 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d, 103e, and 103f is typically telescopically received in the adjacent base section or tube <NUM>. As the present disclosure relates to a pneumatically or hydraulically actuated mast, the telescoping mast sections can be sealed together such that pressurized air or fluid can be used to extend the telescoping mast sections 103a - 103f out of each other and/or the base section <NUM>.

With continued reference to <FIG>, the auto-lock/unlock system <NUM> is illustrated as being located on both sides of the telescoping portion <NUM> of the mast assembly <NUM>. That is, the auto-lock/unlock system <NUM> is shown as including a first stack of auto-locking assemblies <NUM> located on one side of the telescoping portion <NUM> and a second stack of auto-locking assemblies <NUM> located on an opposing side of the telescoping portion. However, such an arrangement is only exemplary and it should be understood that the auto-lock/unlock system <NUM> can include any desired number of stacks of auto-locking assemblies. For example, the auto-lock/unlock system <NUM> could include a single stack or two or more stacks of auto-locking assemblies without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The particular number of desired stacks of auto-locking assemblies may depend on, for example, the size of the mast assembly or the weight of any payload that may be attached to the mast assembly, where larger sized masts and heavier payloads may require additional stacks of auto-locking assemblies compared with smaller sized masts and lighter payloads.

With continued reference to <FIG>, and as shown in further detail in <FIG>, the stacks of auto-locking assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> each generally include at least one base auto-lock <NUM> and n - <NUM> intermediate auto-locks <NUM>, where n is equal to the number of telescoping mast sections included in a given mast assembly. For example, the mast assembly <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> includes six (<NUM>) telescoping mast sections 103a - 103f (i.e., n = <NUM>). Thus, five (<NUM>) intermediate auto-locks 118a- 118e (i.e., <NUM>-<NUM>) are provided for telescoping mast sections 103a - 103e. Mast section 103f, being the last section of telescoping portion <NUM>, does not require an auto-lock because no additional mast section needs to be locked into place above the last section. While each intermediate auto-lock 118a - 118e typically corresponds to a differently sized telescoping mast section 103a - 103e, the features of the intermediate auto-locks are generally identical. Accordingly, only the first intermediate auto-lock 118a will be described in the additional detail illustrations of <FIG> and <FIG> but it should be appreciated that each of the intermediate auto-locks generally includes the same features.

In any event, the first auto-lock in each stack of auto-locking assemblies that may be included in a given mast assembly of the present disclosure is typically a base auto-lock assembly, such as base auto-lock <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and shown in greater detail in <FIG> and <FIG>. The base auto-lock assembly <NUM> is attached to the base section or tube <NUM> and generally includes an actuating cylinder body <NUM>, a collar <NUM>, a latch pin <NUM>, a latch lever <NUM>, a guide plate <NUM>, and a guide bearing <NUM>. An electrical actuator (not shown) could also be used in place of the actuating cylinder <NUM> without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. A horizontal bore <NUM> is centrally located in the cylinder body <NUM> and is sized to house and permit the back and forth movement of a piston <NUM>. An inlet/outlet <NUM> is fluidically connected to the bore <NUM> to provide pressurized fluid to and from the bore. The pressurized fluid, when provided to or released from the bore <NUM>, enables the back and forth movement of the piston <NUM> within the bore. The piston <NUM> is oriented generally perpendicular to the vertically oriented base tube <NUM> and generally parallel to the horizontally oriented bore <NUM>. The force receiving end 122a of the piston <NUM> is positioned adjacent the base tube <NUM> and the actuating end 122b is generally disposed adjacent the latch lever <NUM> and guide plate <NUM>.

The latch lever <NUM> and guide plate <NUM> are oriented generally perpendicular to the horizontally oriented piston <NUM> and generally parallel to the vertically oriented base tube <NUM>. Moreover, the latch lever <NUM> and guide plate <NUM> are generally disposed adjacent to one another, with the guide plate <NUM> being located closer in distance to the base tube <NUM>. In other words, the latch lever <NUM> is generally disposed on or adjacent to a surface of the guide plate <NUM> which faces away from the base tube <NUM>. A thru-hole 135a in the guide plate <NUM> permits the actuating end 122b of the piston <NUM> to extend there-through and contact the latch lever <NUM>. The guide plate <NUM> further includes a guide bearing <NUM> disposed on a top or upper portion 134b, the guide bearing being angled inward toward the base tube <NUM>. The guide bearing <NUM> provides a bearing surface <NUM> adapted to interact with the latch lever <NUM> of the intermediate auto-lock assembly 118a (see <FIG>).

The base collar <NUM> provides a means for attaching the base auto-lock assembly <NUM> to the base section or tube <NUM>. In this regard, the base collar <NUM> is mounted to an upper end of the base tube <NUM> and has a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the base tube. In other words, the base collar <NUM> is generally an annular body adapted to be inserted into an open end of the cylindrical base tube <NUM> and/or adapted to fit around the diameter of the base tube adjacent an upper, open end thereof. As such, the base tube <NUM> and the base collar <NUM> can be equipped with fully tapped thru-holes (not shown) around their circumference, the thru-holes of both components being aligned to receive a fastening means (not shown) which secures the base collar to the base tube. In addition, or alternatively, the base collar <NUM> can be welded to the base tube <NUM>. The base collar <NUM> can be made of any suitable material such as a metal or composite material. The base collar <NUM> can be made by any suitable manufacturing process or processes such as molding, casting, machining, etc..

As mentioned above, the base collar <NUM> provides a means for attaching the base auto-lock assembly <NUM> to the base tube <NUM>. However, the base collar <NUM> also provides a means for attaching the various components of the base auto-lock assembly <NUM> to the base collar itself. Accordingly, a plurality of countersink bores <NUM> can be provided in the base collar <NUM> that are adapted to receive suitable fasteners, such as screws <NUM> (see <FIG>). The countersink bores <NUM> are generally used for securing the actuating cylinder <NUM> and guide plate <NUM> of the auto-lock assembly <NUM> to the base collar <NUM>. In order to provide adequate space for securing the actuating cylinder <NUM> and guide plate <NUM> of the base auto-lock assembly <NUM>, the base collar <NUM> includes a horizontally oriented arm portion <NUM> to which these components can be attached. The arm portion <NUM> extends a distance away from and generally perpendicular to the vertically oriented base tube section <NUM> and can include the plurality of countersink bores <NUM>.

The arm portion <NUM> of the base collar <NUM> is also configured to house and permit the back and forth movement of the latch pin <NUM>. In this regard, the latch pin <NUM> is disposed in a centrally located thru-hole <NUM> of the arm portion <NUM> of the base collar <NUM>. The latch pin <NUM> is oriented generally perpendicular to the vertically oriented base tube <NUM> and generally parallel to the horizontally oriented arm portion <NUM>. A locking end 128a of the latch pin <NUM> is positioned adjacent the base tube <NUM> and the opposite end 128b is positioned adjacent the latch lever <NUM> and guide plate <NUM>. End 128b also includes a mechanical force generator, such as spring <NUM>, which enables the back and forth movement of the latch pin <NUM> within the thru-hole <NUM>. Moreover, the latch lever <NUM> is mounted in front of the spring <NUM> on end 128b of the latch pin <NUM>, such that the spring is positioned between a step or ledge portion formed in the latch pin <NUM> and the guide plate <NUM>. The mounting arrangement of the latch lever <NUM> and latch pin <NUM> creates a pivot point about which the latch pin can rotate inward and outward relative to the base tube <NUM>.

One or more latch panels <NUM> are provided in the smaller adjacent telescoping mast section (i.e., 103a) that each include a cutout <NUM>. The cutout <NUM> of each latch panel <NUM> is configured to receive the locking end 128a of the latch pin <NUM>. More particularly, the spring <NUM> causes the locking end 128a of the latch pin <NUM> to engage the cutout <NUM> on a respective latch panel <NUM>, thereby locking the telescoping mast section 103a into an extended position with respect to base tube <NUM>. This occurs during an extension process when the mast section 103a is telescoping vertically upward from the base tube <NUM>. In addition, a second thru-hole 135b in the guide plate <NUM> and a thru-hole <NUM> in the latch lever <NUM> permits end 128b of the latch pin <NUM> to extend there-through. In other words, thru-holes 135b and <NUM> permit the latch pin <NUM> to engage and disengage from the cutout <NUM> of the latch panel <NUM>. The latch pin <NUM> is generally disposed above the piston <NUM>.

With further reference now to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the intermediate auto-lock assembly 118a is attached to corresponding telescoping mast section 103a and generally includes, an intermediate collar 140a, a latch pin <NUM>, a latch lever <NUM>, a guide plate <NUM>, and a guide bearing <NUM>. The latch lever <NUM> and guide plate <NUM> are oriented generally perpendicular to the horizontally oriented latch pin <NUM> and generally parallel to the vertically oriented telescoping mast section 103a. Moreover, the latch lever <NUM> and guide plate <NUM> are generally disposed adjacent to one another, with the guide plate being located closer in distance to the telescoping mast section 103a. In other words, the latch lever <NUM> is generally disposed on or adjacent to a surface of the guide plate <NUM> which faces away from the telescoping mast section 103a. The guide bearing <NUM> is disposed on a top or upper portion 150b of the guide plate <NUM> and is angled inward toward the base tube <NUM>. The guide bearing <NUM> provides a bearing surface <NUM> adapted to interact with the latch lever of subsequent intermediate auto-lock assembly 118b (see <FIG>).

The intermediate collar 140a provides a means for attaching the intermediate auto-lock assembly 118a to the base section or tube <NUM>. In this regard, the intermediate collar 140a is mounted to an upper end of telescoping mast section 103a and has a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the telescoping mast section. In other words, the intermediate collar 140a is generally an annular body adapted to be inserted into an open end of the telescoping mast section 103a and/or adapted to fit around the diameter of the mast section adjacent an upper, open end thereof. As such, the telescoping mast section 103a and the base collar 140a can be equipped with fully tapped thru-holes (not shown) around their circumference, the thru-holes of both components being aligned to receive a fastening means (not shown) which secures the intermediate collar to the telescoping mast section. In addition, or alternatively, the intermediate collar 140a can be welded to telescoping mast section 103a. The intermediate collar 140a can be made of any suitable material such as a metal or composite material. The intermediate collar 140a can be made by any suitable manufacturing process or processes such as molding, casting, machining, etc..

As mentioned above, the intermediate collar 140a provides a means for attaching the intermediate auto-lock assembly 118a to the telescoping mast section 103a. However, the intermediate collar 140a also provides a means for attaching the various components of the intermediate auto-lock assembly 118a to the collar itself. Accordingly, one or more countersink bores <NUM> can be provided in the intermediate collar 140a that are adapted to receive suitable fasteners, such as screws <NUM> (see <FIG>). The one or more countersink bores <NUM> are generally used for securing the guide plate <NUM> of the intermediate auto-lock assembly 118a to the intermediate collar 140a. In order to provide adequate space for securing the guide plate <NUM>, the intermediate collar 140a includes a horizontally oriented arm portion <NUM> to which the guide plate can be attached. The arm portion <NUM> extends a distance away from and generally perpendicular to the vertically oriented telescoping mast section 103a and can include the one or more countersink bores <NUM>.

The arm portion <NUM> of the intermediate collar 140a is also configured to house and permit the back and forth movement of the latch pin <NUM>. In this regard, the latch pin <NUM> is disposed in a centrally located thru-hole <NUM> of the arm portion <NUM> of the intermediate collar 140a. The latch pin <NUM> is oriented generally perpendicular to the vertically oriented telescoping mast section 103a and generally parallel to the horizontally oriented arm portion <NUM>. A locking end 142a of the latch pin <NUM> is positioned adjacent the telescoping mast section 103a and the opposite end 142b is positioned adjacent the latch lever <NUM> and guide plate <NUM>. End 142b also includes a mechanical force generator, such as spring <NUM>, which enables the back and forth movement of the latch pin <NUM> within the thru-hole <NUM>. Moreover, the latch lever <NUM> is mounted in front of the spring <NUM> on end 142b of the latch pin <NUM>, such that the spring is positioned between the telescoping mast section 103a and the guide plate <NUM>. The mounting arrangement of the latch <NUM> and latch pin <NUM> creates a pivot point about which the latch pin can rotate inward and outward relative to the telescoping mast section 103a.

One or more latch panels <NUM> are provided in the subsequent smaller adjacent telescoping mast section (i.e., 103b) that each include a cutout <NUM>. The cutout <NUM> of each latch panel <NUM> is configured to receive the locking end 142a of the latch pin <NUM>. More particularly, the spring <NUM> causes the locking end 142a of the latch pin <NUM> to engage the cutout <NUM> on a respective latch panel <NUM>, thereby locking the telescoping mast section 103b into an extended position with respect to mast section 103a. This occurs during an extension process when the mast section 103b is telescoping vertically upward from the mast section 103a. In addition, a thru-hole <NUM> in the latch lever <NUM> and a thru-hole <NUM> in the guide plate <NUM> permit end 142b of the latch pin <NUM> to extend there-through. In other words, thru-holes <NUM> and <NUM> permit the latch pin <NUM> to engage and disengage from the cutout <NUM> of the latch panel <NUM>.

In view of the various components of the exemplary mast assembly <NUM> discussed above, the operation of the mast assembly and the auto-locking/unlocking function of the auto-lock/unlock system <NUM> will now be discussed. While the operation of the presently disclosed mast assembly <NUM> will be primarily discussed with reference to the base tube <NUM>, the first intermediate mast tube section 103a, and the second intermediate mast tube section 103b it should be understood that because the features of the remaining intermediate mast tube sections 103c - 103f are generally identical, the other intermediate mast tube sections operate in substantially the same manner as the first and second intermediate mast tube sections.

With reference to <FIG>, the base tube <NUM> and intermediate telescoping mast section 103a of the mast assembly <NUM> are illustrated in a nested position. The nested position of the base tube <NUM> and all telescoping mast sections 103a - 103f is also illustrated <FIG>. When it is desired to extend the first intermediate telescoping mast section 103a, the internal pressure of the entire mast (i.e., base tube <NUM> and intermediate sections 103a - 103f) is increased relative to the outside atmospheric pressure, causing the first intermediate mast section to extend away from the stationary base tube. As illustrated in <FIG>, the first intermediate tube section 103a reaches its maximum extended height when the latch panel <NUM> disposed around the outside surface of the first intermediate tube section contacts the base collar <NUM> the base tube <NUM>. Once this happens, latch pin <NUM> (which is pre-loaded via spring <NUM>) of the base collar <NUM>, engages into the cutout <NUM> of the latch panel <NUM> on the first intermediate tube section 103a, thereby locking the telescoping mast section 103a into an extended position with respect to base tube <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the second intermediate tube section 103b reaches its maximum extended height when the latch panel <NUM> disposed around the outside surface of the second intermediate tube section contacts the intermediate collar 140a of the first intermediate mast section 103a. Once this happens, latch pin <NUM> (which is pre-loaded via spring <NUM>) of the intermediate collar 140a, engages into the cutout <NUM> of the latch panel <NUM> on the second intermediate tube section 103b, thereby locking the second intermediate tube section into an extended position with respect to first mast section 103a. When the mast assembly <NUM> is fully extended, the latch pins from each intermediate collar assembly (140a - 140f) will be engaged into the cutouts of the latch panel of the next smaller adjacent tube section. The internal pressure of the mast assembly <NUM> can then be reduced to atmospheric pressure as positive contact between the latch pins and tube section's latch panels will keep the mast extended.

When it is desired to retract the first intermediate telescoping mast section 103a, the internal pressure of the entire mast (i.e., base tube <NUM> and intermediate sections 103a - 103f) is increased to remove the load from the latch pins due to tube and payload weight. The air cylinder <NUM> mounted to the base collar <NUM> are then actuated. More particularly, when the piston <NUM> of the air cylinder <NUM> contacts the latch lever <NUM> on the base collar <NUM>, the pivot point created by the mounting arrangement between the latch lever and the latch pin <NUM> permits the latch lever to rotate outward relative to the first intermediate tube section 103a. This rotational motion of the latch lever <NUM> pulls the latch pin <NUM> linearly away from the first intermediate tube section 103c, overcomes the force exerted by spring <NUM>, and causes the latch pin to disengage the cutout <NUM> of the latch panel <NUM> on the first intermediate tube section. The pressure in the mast assembly <NUM> is then reduced so that first intermediate tube section 103a, now unlocked from base tube <NUM>, begins to retract.

At the end of retraction (see <FIG>), the latch lever <NUM> on the intermediate collar 140a of the unlocked first intermediate tube section 103a contacts the guide plate <NUM> and guide bearing <NUM> of the base collar <NUM>. The contact between the latch lever <NUM> and the guide bearing <NUM> of the guide plate <NUM> actuates the latch pin <NUM>. More particularly, when the latch lever <NUM> contacts the guide bearing <NUM> of the guide plate <NUM>, the pivot point created by the mounting arrangement between the latch lever and the latch pin <NUM> permits the latch lever to rotate. Due to the guide plate <NUM> being oriented at an angle, contact between the latch lever <NUM> and guide bearing <NUM> causes the latch lever to rotate outward relative to the second intermediate tube section 103b. This rotational motion of the latch lever <NUM> pulls the latch pin <NUM> linearly away from the second intermediate tube section 103b, overcomes the force exerted by spring <NUM>, and causes the latch pin to disengage from the cutout <NUM> of the latch panel <NUM> on the second intermediate tube section. The second intermediate tube section 103b, now unlocked from the first intermediate tube section 103a, begins to retract.

At the end of retraction, the latch lever on the second intermediate collar 140b of the unlocked second intermediate tube section 103b contacts the guide plate <NUM> and guide bearing <NUM> of the first intermediate collar 140a. The contact between the latch lever and the guide bearing <NUM> of the guide plate <NUM> actuates the latch pin of the second intermediate collar 140b. More particularly, when the latch lever of the second intermediate collar 140b contacts the guide bearing <NUM> of the guide plate <NUM>, the pivot point created by the mounting arrangement between the latch lever and the latch pin permits the latch lever to rotate. Due to the guide plate <NUM> being oriented at an angle, contact between the latch lever and guide bearing <NUM> causes the latch lever to rotate outward relative to the third intermediate tube section 103c. This rotational motion of the latch lever pulls the latch pin linearly away from the third intermediate tube section 103c, overcomes the force exerted by the associated spring, and causes the associated latch pin to disengage the respective latch penal cutout on the third intermediate tube section. The third intermediate tube section 103c, now unlocked from the second intermediate tube section 103b, begins to retract. As retraction continues, the locking pins of each intermediate collar are disengaged from the latch panel cutouts of the next smaller adjacent intermediate tube section. This is repeated until all locking pins are actuated and the mast assembly <NUM> is fully unlocked and retracted.

The exemplary auto-locking mast assembly described in the present disclosure provides many advantages over telescoping mast assemblies currently known in the art. For example, the mast unlocking method described herein, and more particularly, the initial step of unlocking the mast, can be easily remotely controlled. That is, a user is not required to contact/touch the mast in order to lock/unlock the mast. As another example, the positive contact between adjacent collar components is automatically unlocked between intermediate and top mast sections during retraction, thereby decreasing the overall time it takes to retract the mast assembly. As yet another example, the pre-loaded latch pins described herein automatically lock into place at the end of mast section travel, thereby decreasing the overall time it takes to fully extend the mast assembly. As another example, the locking pins described herein are a simple latch pin design which provide for optimal manufacturability and reduced cost thereof. Moreover, the automated locking and unlocking of the exemplary mast assembly described herein reduces or even eliminates water and dust ingress pathways.

Claim 1:
A telescoping mast assembly (<NUM>) having a plurality of telescoping tube sections (<NUM>, <NUM>) configurable between a retracted position and an extended position, at least one of said telescoping tube sections being provided with an autolock assembly (<NUM>), said assembly comprising:
a first latch pin (<NUM>) mounted perpendicularly to a first tube section (103a), the first latch pin being pre-loaded toward a locked position with a second tube section (103b) and configured to move linearly to an unlocked position with respect to the second tube section (103b);
a first latch lever (<NUM>) mounted to the first latch pin (<NUM>), the first latch lever configured to pivot between a parallel position and a rotated position with respect to the first tube section (103a);
a guide plate (<NUM>) mounted to a third tube section (<NUM>) and an angled bearing surface (<NUM>) disposed on an upper portion of the guide plate (<NUM>), the guide plate and angled bearing surface configured to contact the first latch lever (<NUM>);
wherein the first latch pin (<NUM>) is pre-loaded to move linearly into the locked position with the second tube section (103b) when the second tube section (103b) is in the extended position with respect to the first tube section (103a),
wherein the first latch pin (<NUM>) moves linearly from the locked position to the unlocked position by the pivoting movement of the first latch lever (<NUM>) and the first latch lever (<NUM>) pivots from the parallel position to the rotated position by the contact with the angled bearing surface (<NUM>) of the guide plate (<NUM>) when the first tube section (103a) is in the retracted position with respect to the third tube section (<NUM>) to thereby allow the retracted position of the second tube section (103b) with respect to the first tube section (103a).