Module for an articulated stowable and deployable mast
US5267424A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 9, 1992 |
| Grant date | Dec 7, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 9, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T24/3916
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A module for forming part of an articulated mast which can be retracted to be stowed and elongated to be deployed, the mast when deployed having a central axis of elongation and a plurality of these modules. Each module has at least three rigid non-folding station rods joined to form a rigid station, and an equal number of non-folding longerons, each hingedly connected to a corner of the station. Four diagonal segments are formed as part of two flexible inelastic cables, which are brought together at a control which always holds one of the cables, and passes the other. The control includes a releasable catch to hold the other cable when its segments are at lengths respective to a deployed module.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.