Patent ID: 7533498

Claim:
A mechanically deployable, expandable and collapsible structure, comprising: at least one scissor assembly comprising a first and a second strut, the first and the second strut each having first and second ends and being pivotably attached to each other such that the scissor assembly is movable between a folded position, in which the first end of the first strut and the second end of the second strut are substantially adjacent, and an expanded position; a first spacer disposed between the first end of the first strut and the first end of the second strut when the scissor assembly is in the expanded position, the first spacer comprising a rigid element having a fixed length between a first end proximate the first end of the first strut and a second end proximate the first end of the second strut; a second spacer disposed between the second end of the first strut and the second end of the second strut when the scissor assembly is in the expanded position; and a tension member connected to the first and second struts, wherein the tension member is arranged such that the scissor assembly is moved from the folded position when there is slack in the tension member to the expanded position when the slack in the tension member is taken up, the first and second spacers each include tubular members, and the tension member extends longitudinally through at least part of the first spacer between the first end and the second end of the first spacer.