System and method for delivery element support

A bracket assembly for connecting a delivery element with a line element supporting the delivery element as the delivery element is moved between an extended condition and a retracted condition thereof, the delivery element extending between a secured end thereof attached to a structure assembly and a free end thereof, the line element extending between an inner end secured to the structure assembly and an outer end thereof secured to the delivery element proximal to the free end, the line element including an inner portion at least partially engaged with the structure assembly and an outer portion extending between the inner portion and the outer end, the bracket assembly comprising:

• a body portion defining a delivery element opening therein that is defined by a body portion axis, a segment of the delivery element being securable in the delivery element opening, in which the segment is aligned with the body portion axis;
• an upper portion pivotably mounted to the body portion, the upper portion comprising an aperture element pivotable about an upper portion axis that is transverse to the body portion axis;
• and
• the aperture element defining an aperture opening therein defined by an aperture axis transverse to the upper portion axis, in which the line element is slidingly receivable, wherein the line element is engageable with the aperture element as the delivery element is moved between the extended and retracted conditions and the outer portion of the line element correspondingly moves through the aperture opening, to urge the aperture element toward alignment with the line element.

A method of supporting a delivery element that is movable between an extended condition, in which a free end of the delivery element is located distal to a structure assembly to which a secured end of the delivery element is secured, and a retracted condition, in which the free end is located proximal to the structure assembly, the method comprising:

• (a) providing a line element extending between an inner end thereof secured to the structure assembly and an outer end thereof secured to the delivery element proximal to the free end, the line element comprising an inner portion engaged with the structure assembly and an outer portion extending between the inner portion and the outer end;
• (b) providing a plurality of bracket assemblies, each said bracket assembly comprising:
• a body portion securable to a segment of the delivery element wherein, when the body portion is secured to the delivery element segment, the delivery element segment is aligned with a body portion axis;
• an upper portion pivotably mounted to the body portion, the upper portion comprising an aperture element pivotable about an upper portion axis that is transverse to the body portion axis;
• the aperture element defining an aperture therein, the aperture being defined by an aperture axis that is transverse to the upper portion axis;
• (c) positioning the line element in the apertures;
• and
• (d) when the delivery element moves between the extended condition and the retracted condition, allowing the line element to move through the apertures relative to the delivery element, wherein the aperture element is urged by the outer portion of the line element toward alignment of the upper portion axes with the respective segments of the delivery element.

A system comprising:

• a structure assembly;
• a delivery element extending between a free end thereof positionable distal from the structure assembly and a secured end thereof attached to the structure assembly, the delivery element being movable between an extended condition, in which the free end is located distal to the structure assembly, and a retracted condition, in which the free end is located proximal to the structure assembly;
• a plurality of bracket assemblies, each said bracket assembly comprising:
• a body portion securable to the delivery element;
• an upper portion mounted to the body portion, the upper portion defining an aperture therein;
• the body portions of the bracket assemblies being secured to respective segments of the delivery element at locations thereon spaced apart from each other along the delivery element at preselected distances;
• a line element extending between an inner end secured to the structure assembly and an outer end secured to the delivery element proximal to the free end, the line element comprising an inner portion at least partially engaged with the structure assembly and an outer portion extending between the inner portion and the outer end;
• the line element being movable relative to the delivery element as the delivery element is moved between the extended and retracted conditions thereof;
• and
• the line element being slidingly receivable in the apertures in the upper portions as the delivery element is moved between the extended and retracted conditions thereof, and the outer portion of the line element is correspondingly moved relative to the delivery element, to support the delivery element.