An extendable and retractable column which is formed from at least three linked sections or chains. The linked sections include a plurality of individual segments linked end to end. As the linked segments are extended, each of the individual segments of the linked chains engage individual segments o
An extendable and retractable column which is formed from at least three linked sections or chains. The linked sections include a plurality of individual segments linked end to end. As the linked segments are extended, each of the individual segments of the linked chains engage individual segments of adjacent linked sections to form a column. As the linked sections are retracted, each of the individual segments of the linked sections disengage from the individual segment of the adjacent linked sections and the individual linked sections may be rolled up into a multi-sided form for compact storage.
대표청구항▼
1. A tower assembly comprising: a base;a guide assembly connected to the base, the guide assembly comprising a drive module and an outer frame, with the drive module having a drive member that is operatively connected to a gearbox the is operatively connected to a motor, with the outer frame compris
1. A tower assembly comprising: a base;a guide assembly connected to the base, the guide assembly comprising a drive module and an outer frame, with the drive module having a drive member that is operatively connected to a gearbox the is operatively connected to a motor, with the outer frame comprising:a plurality of parallel support posts;a plurality of transversely oriented lower brace members connected adjacent to first ends of the support posts;a plurality of transversely oriented upper brace members connected adjacent to second ends of the support posts, with the upper brace member substantially parallel to the lower brace members, and with the support posts, the lower brace members and the upper brace members forming a substantially triangularly shaped structure;with the outer frame configured and arranged to substantially encircle the drive module;a plurality of bale support brackets connected to the outer frame of the guide assembly, with at least one of the plurality of the bale support brackets removably connected to one of the parallel support posts; anda plurality of chain sections of linked segments, with at least one of the plurality of chain sections able to be engaged by the drive member of the drive module so as to be able to form an extensible and retractable column, and with at least one of the plurality of chain sections able to be configured into a compacted form of a bale that can be retained by one of the bale support brackets. 2. The tower assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said linked segments comprises a body having a first panel, a second panel, a first side wall, a second side wall, a top end and a bottom end, with the first and second panels oriented next to each other in a substantially parallel relation and with the first and second panels connected to each other by a plurality of webs. 3. The tower assembly of claim 2, wherein the first panel of each of said linked segments includes a first set of vertically aligned, transversely oriented slots. 4. The tower assembly of claim 3, each of said linked segments further comprising a second set of vertically aligned, transversely oriented slots. 5. The tower assembly of claim 2, wherein the first side wall includes an upper engagement member that supports a peg such that the peg is positioned substantially parallel to the first side wall, above the upper end, laterally outward from the first side wall, and substantially within a plane defined by the outer surface of the first panel. 6. The tower assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cowl, with the cowl configured and arranged to be positioned over the bale and an associated bale support bracket. 7. The tower assembly of claim 6, wherein the outer frame comprises a plurality of vertically oriented support posts, and wherein the cowl is connectable to at least one of the vertically oriented support posts. 8. The tower assembly of claim 7, wherein the cowl comprises a plurality of walls, and wherein the plurality of walls include spaced apart side walls, that are connected to each other by a top portion, an edge portion and a bottom portion. 9. The tower assembly of claim 1, wherein the drive member comprises a transversely oriented pinion gear, and wherein the pinion gear is configured and arranged to engage vertically aligned, transversely oriented slots in at least one of the plurality of chain sections. 10. The tower assembly of claim 1, wherein the guide assembly includes a vertically oriented channel that operatively engages a section of a chain section as the chain section moves vertically with respect to the guide assembly. 11. The tower assembly of claim 10, wherein the vertically oriented channel of the guide assembly opens outwardly relative thereto. 12. The tower assembly of claim 1, wherein said one of the plurality of the bale support brackets includes a pair of wings that extend outwardly from the tower assembly. 13. The tower assembly of claim 12, wherein at least one wing of the pair of wings includes an inner surface, and each inner surface with a guide rail attached thereto. 14. The tower assembly of claim 1, further including a bale frame for use in forming a bale, the bale frame comprising: a first plate,a second plate; anda plurality of rods that connect the first plate to the second plate in a parallel relation, with each of the first and second plates having a centrally located transverse aperture that receives a central shaft, with each of the first and second plates including a tab with a transverse aperture, wherein the tab is configured and arranged to receive a pivot shaft that is used to connect the frame to a segment suitable for use in forming a column of a tower. 15. The tower assembly of claim 14, wherein the bale frame further comprises a center shaft, wherein the center shaft includes opposing ends, and wherein each end of said opposing ends is configured and arranged to slide within a guide rail of a bale support bracket. 16. The tower assembly of claim 1, wherein the base Comprises: a top surface,a skirt extending downwardly from the top surface;a plurality of radially extending feet, with at least one of said plurality of radially extending feet including a flange with an aperture, and with the aperture configured to receive a fastening element, wherein the base may be secured to another object. 17. A tower assembly comprising: a base;a guide assembly connected to the base, the guide assembly comprising a drive module and an outer frame, with the drive module having a drive member that is operatively connected to a gearbox that, is operatively connected to a motor, and with the outer frame configured and arranged to substantially encircle the drive module;a plurality of bale support brackets connected to the outer frame of the guide assembly;a bale frame operatively connected to two of the plurality of bale support brackets, the bale frame comprising a first plate, a second plate; and a plurality of rods that connect the first plate to the second plate in a parallel relation, with each of the first and second plates having a centrally located transverse aperture that receives a central shaft, with each of the first and second plates including a tab with a transverse aperture, wherein the tab is configured and arranged to receive a pivot shaft that is used to connect the bale frame to a segment of a chain section that is suitable for use in forming a column of the tower assembly; anda plurality of chain sections of linked segments, with at least one of the plurality of chain sections able to be engaged by the drive member of the drive module so as to be able to form an extensible and retractable column, and with at least one of the plurality of chain sections able to be configured into a compacted form about the bale frame. 18. The tower assembly of claim 17, wherein the bale frame further comprises a center shaft, wherein the center shaft includes opposing ends, and wherein each end of said opposing ends is configured and arranged to slide within a guide rail of a bale support bracket. 19. The tower assembly of claim 17, wherein the bale support brackets extend in an outward direction relative to the guide assembly. 20. A tower assembly comprising: a base;a guide assembly connected to the base, the guide assembly comprising a drive module and an outer frame, with the drive module having a drive member comprising a transversely oriented pinion gear, with the transversely oriented pinion gear operatively connected to a gearbox that is operatively connected to a motor, and with the outer frame configured and arranged to substantially encircle the drive module;a plurality of bale support brackets connected to the outer frame of the guide assembly; anda plurality of chain sections of linked segments, with at least one of the plurality of chain sections including vertically aligned, transversely oriented slots that are configured and arranged to be engaged by the transversely oriented pinion gear so as to be able to form an extensible and retractable column, and with at least one of the plurality of chain sections able to be configured into a compacted form of a bale that can be retained by one of the bale support brackets.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (19)
Colman,Mark; Norris,John, Extendable/retractable support column.
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