Patent ID: 8684327

Claim:
A kit comprising: (1) a self-supporting, readily erectable and transportable mast adapted temporarily to support equipment above the ground, the mast comprising: (a) a pneumatically inflatable elongate tube having a first end to which the equipment is arranged to be coupled and a second end, wherein the tube is flexible when deflated in order to be collapsed for transport and substantially inflexible when inflated in order to support the equipment above the ground, and wherein the first end of the tube defines an opening and a mounting member is positioned at the first end of the tube closing off the opening; (b) a collapsible ground support tripod coupled to the second end of the tube, the tripod having three pivotable tripod legs, and (c) a bracing structure adapted to brace the tube when inflated, wherein the bracing structure includes three flexible members extending from the tripod legs to the first end of the tube, wherein each of the flexible members includes a first end connected to the tube and a second end connected to the corresponding tripod leg, and wherein the flexible members are pre-connected to the tube and the tripod legs prior to inflation of the tube; (2) a single shoulder bag containing the mast with the tube deflated, the tripod collapsed and the flexible members connected to the tube and the tripod legs, whereby the shoulder bag allows for transport of the mast by one person; and (3) a portable pump engageable with the tube to provide for inflation of the tube; wherein, following removal from the shoulder bag, the tube is configured to be inflated along a ground surface while in a substantially horizontal position and thereafter moved to a substantially vertical position following inflation to support the equipment.