An extensible object, wherein the extensible object includes a base, a first extension member that is movable relative to the base between a retracted position for the first extension member and an extended position for the first extension member, and a second extension member that is movable relative to the first extension member between a retracted position for the second extension member and an extended position for the second extension member;
- an extension mechanism that is operable to drive the first extension member towards the extended position for the first extension member and to drive the second extension member towards the extended position for the second extension member, wherein the extension mechanism is operatively connected to the second extension member via a lost motion connection having a selected amount of lost motion;
- and
- an extension mechanism power source operatively connected to the extension mechanism to drive the extension mechanism,
- wherein, when the extensible object is in a home position, driving of the extension mechanism by the extension mechanism power source drives the first extension member towards the extended position for the first extension member while consuming at least a portion of the lost motion in the lost motion connection,
- wherein, upon consuming an entirety of the lost motion in the lost motion connection, further driving of the extension mechanism by the extension mechanism power source drives both the first and second extension members towards the extended positions for the first and second extension members,
- wherein the extension mechanism includes:
- at least one drum,
- a first extension drive cable connected between the at least one drum and the first extension member and passing over either a first extension drive cable rotatable or non-rotatable member on the base,
- a second extension drive cable connected between a second extension drive cable anchor point and the second extension member and passing over a second extension drive cable rotatable or non-rotatable member that is movable by movement of the first extension member,
- wherein the extension mechanism power source is operatively connected to the at least one drum to rotate the at least one drum in a first rotation direction so as to wind the first extension drive cable onto the at least one drum, thereby driving the first extension member toward the extended position for the first extension member, which in turn drives movement of the second extension drive cable rotatable or non-rotatable member, which in turn drives the second extension drive cable to drive movement of the second extension member relative to the first extension member upon consumption of the lost motion in the lost motion connection,
- wherein the extensible object includes a third extension member that is movable relative to the first extension member between a retracted position for the third extension member and an extended position for the third extension member, and
- wherein the extension mechanism includes a third extension drive cable connected between the base and the third extension member and passing over a third extension drive cable rotatable or non-rotatable member on the first extension member,
- wherein the lost motion connection includes an excess amount of length of the third extension drive cable between the base and the third extension member, such that there is a selected amount of slack in the third extension drive cable when the first and third extension members are in the retracted positions for the first and third extension members, and wherein the third extension member is supported against a limit member on the first extension member so as to be driven thereby and to drive the second extension member even when there is slack in the third extension drive cable.