Actuating support member

An actuating support member for use in a deployable structure that comprises a plurality of interconnected elongate support members of which the actuating support member is one of the elongate support members, the deployable structure being deployable from a stowed state to a deployed, expanded state in which the elongate support members are arranged in a ring;

• each elongate support member being provided with a connector mounted on the elongate support member and configured for longitudinal movement with respect to the elongate support member when the deployable structure is being changed between the stowed state and the expanded state;
• wherein the actuating support member comprises a hollow portion;
• a connector comprising a collar is mounted on an exterior of the actuating support member and configured for longitudinal movement with respect to the actuating support member when the deployable structure is being changed between the stowed state and the expanded state;
• the actuating support member comprises two longitudinally extending slots that provide communication between an interior of the actuating support member and the exterior of the actuating support member;
• an electromechanical device is mounted in the interior of the actuating support member and is configured to turn a drive shaft that extends longitudinally in the interior of the actuating support member;
• the drive shaft is connected to a drive member provided in the interior of the actuating support member, so that rotation of the drive shaft causes longitudinal movement of the drive member within the actuating support member;
• and
• connecting portions extend through the longitudinally extending slots to provide a lost motion connection between the drive member and the collar, such that movement of the drive member in one direction with respect to the actuating support member urges the collar in said one direction, and movement of the collar in said one direction is effected even if the drive member remains stationary.

A deployable structure comprising a plurality of interconnected elongate support members, the deployable structure being deployable from a stowed state to a deployed, expanded state in which the elongate support members are arranged in a ring;

• each elongate support member being provided with a connector mounted on the elongate support member for longitudinal movement with respect to the elongate support member when the deployable structure is being changed between the stowed state and the expanded state;
• wherein at least one of the elongate support members comprises an actuating support member that comprises a drive member configured for longitudinal movement with respect to a remainder of the actuating support member, and an electromechanical device arranged to drive the drive member in one direction with respect to the remainder of the actuating support member;
• the drive member being connected to the connector by a lost motion connection so that the drive member causes the connector to move in said one direction when the drive member is moved by the electromechanical device in said one direction, and the connector is moved in said one direction even if the drive member is not moved by the electromechanical device;
• and
• wherein the actuating support member is configured to deploy the deployable structure from the stowed state to the deployed state.