Patent ID: 8225559

Claim:
A retractable column comprising: three articulated sections arranged so as to be able to be brought together to form sides of the column, each section having a plurality of links pivotally connected to each other in an end-to-end manner, and at least one section including a drive engagement portion that extends substantially from one end of the section to an opposite end of the section; a first connection member extending in a first direction from each link wherein each first connection member comprises a curved body with a tapered tip, with the curved body extending from the connection member at an oblique angle relative to a plane defined by the link; a second connection member extending in a second direction from each link, wherein the first connection member of a first link is configured and arranged to releasably engage the second connection member of an adjacent link as the sections are extended in a generally vertical direction to form the column; a drive mechanism positioned to operably engage the drive engagement portion so as to be able to extend all of the articulated sections in the generally vertical direction; a first inner guide tower positioned between the three sections to help guide the first and second connection members of adjacent links into engagement with each other; a second outer guide tower positioned so as to be able to retain the engaged sections in operable engagement with the drive mechanism.