Patent ID: 7581360

Claim:
A retractable column comprising: at least three section chains arranged in an adjacent manner, each section chain having a plurality of links pivotally connected to each other; a first chain connection member extending in a first direction from each link wherein each first chain connection member further comprises a pointed hook, the pointed hook extending from the connection member at an oblique angle; a second chain connection member extending in a second direction from each link, the first chain connection member of a first link adapted to releasably engage the second chain connection member of a second link as the section chains are extended in a generally vertical direction; a drive mechanism positioned to operably engage each of the at least three section chains and extend the same in a generally vertical direction; a first guide tower operably positioned between the three section chains to help guide the engagement of the first and second chain connection members; a second outer guide tower operably positioned around the engaged section chains, the outer guide tower including one or more rollers each positioned so as to engage and maintain substantially continuous contact with a portion of one of the chain sections so as to help to retain the engaged section chains in operable engagement with the drive mechanism.