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Equipment is temporarily supported above the ground by a self-supporting, readily erectable and transportable mast. The mast comprises a pneumatically inflatable elongate tube having a first end to which the equipment is coupled and a second end coupled to a ground support tripod. The mast is provid

Equipment is temporarily supported above the ground by a self-supporting, readily erectable and transportable mast. The mast comprises a pneumatically inflatable elongate tube having a first end to which the equipment is coupled and a second end coupled to a ground support tripod. The mast is provided with bracing structure adapted to brace the tube when inflated and including respective flexible members extending from each tripod leg to the first end of the tube.

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1. 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, wher

1. 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. 2. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the tripod legs are extendable. 3. The kit according to claim 2, wherein the tripod legs are telescopic, and are interconnected by bracing struts connected together by a central member, wherein the bracing struts each include an end attached to the central member and an opposite end attached to one of the tripod legs. 4. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the flexible members each comprise a single or multiple ply cord interconnecting each leg to the first end of the tube with additional connections to one or more collars mounted on the tube at positions intermediate the first and second ends of the tube. 5. The kit according to claim 4, wherein the additional connections comprise respective cords extending from the collar to each said flexible elongate member. 6. The kit according to claim 4, wherein each collar is provided with a plurality of spokes each having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal ends of the spokes are coupled to the collar, and the distal ends of the spokes are coupled to the respective cord. 7. The kit according to claim 6, wherein, for each collar, the distal ends of its spokes are connected by further cords. 8. The kit according to claim 1, wherein each flexible member comprises a respective web of material interconnecting a mounting point on a respective said leg with the first end and the second end of the tube, the web of material being placed under tension between the first end and the mounting point and between the first and second ends when the tripod is erected and the tube is inflated. 9. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the tube includes an air-impermeable tube wall formed from reinforcing textile strands helically laid between two layers formed from a material selected from rubber, substitutes therefor and plastics, the strands being laid at an angle to the axis of the tube of 45° or less, and more preferably, 30° or less. 10. The kit according to claim 9, wherein the said material is PVC and the reinforcing strands are formed of nylon. 11. The kit according to claim 9, wherein the reinforcing strands are helically wound in opposing senses about the axis of the tubular member so as to cross. 12. The kit according to claim 11, wherein the strands wound in opposing senses are interwoven resulting in a woven textile reinforcing structure. 13. The kit according to claim 9, wherein the reinforcing strands are laid at an angle of between 10 and 15°. 14. The kit according to claim 9, wherein there is a second layer of reinforcing strands laid at a different angle to the first. 15. The kit according to claim 14, wherein a first layer of reinforcing strands are laid at an angle of between 10 and 15° and a second layer of strands are laid at an angle of about 45°. 16. The kit according to claim 14, wherein there is a further layer of reinforcing strands extending parallel to the axis of the tubular member. 17. The kit according to claim 9, wherein the two layers are fused together through interstices occurring in the strands. 18. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the tube includes an inflation valve positioned at or near the first end of the tube. 19. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the pump is a manually-operated pump. 20. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the tube is configured to support the equipment upon inflation to a pressure of about 1 Bar.