Patent ID: 7654923

Claim:
A readily extendable, multi-element support system comprising A. a support base; B. a plurality of tube members coaxially aligned with each other and constructed for telescopic movement relative to each other, with one of said tube members being mounted to the support base; C. a plurality of plate members each mounted to the bottom edge of one tube member and constructed for longitudinal movement along the length of at least one tube member; D. a plurality of independent, elongated control segments cooperatively associated with each other and constructed for longitudinal movement relative to each other, with each control segment being mounted to one tube member and one plate member for enabling said tube member and plate member to move longitudinally with the longitudinal movement of the control segment; and E. a drive assembly comprising a chain drive belt and a sprocket drive wheel cooperatively associated with the chain drive belt for causing said belt to move longitudinally along the length of at least one elongated control segment, with the chain drive belt being interconnected with at least one plate member for causing said plate member to move longitudinally with the movement of the chain drive belt, whereby a fully integrated, multi-element support system is achieved wherein a plurality of elongated control segments are repeatedly and reliably longitudinally extended in a fully controlled and rapid manner.