# US 2013/0153733 A1 · Extendable/retractable support column > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0153733 A1 - Document ID: US20130153733A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/758,482 - Filed: 2013-02-04 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2003-04-17 - Assignees: Tower Solutions, LLC - Inventors: Mark Colman; John Norris - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130153733A1 ## CPC - F16M 11/38: by folding {, e.g. pivoting or scissors tong mechanisms} - E04H 12/185: {with identical elements} - F16C 11/10: Arrangements for locking - F16M 13/00: Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles (heads thereof F16M11/02 {; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20} ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 {; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22}); Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles {(supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025)} - Y10T 74/18616: Single input, plural outputs - Y10T 403/32008: Plural distinct articulation axes - F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS - E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D) - F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract An extendable and retractable column which is formed from at least three linked sections. The linked sections include a plurality of individual sections linked end to end. As the linked sections are extended, each of the individual sections of the linked chains engage individual sections of adjacent linked chains to form a column. As the linked sections are retracted, each of the individual sections of the linked chains disengage from the individual section of the adjacent linked sections and the individual linked sections may be rolled up for compact storage. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A link for forming an extendable/retractable column having a plurality of linear sections, wherein each linear section is formed by a plurality of links that are pivotally connected to each other in an end-to-end manner, each link comprising: a generally planar, rigid body having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, an outer surface and an inner surface; wherein the first and second sides each further comprise a side flange with a pivot opening, with each side flange extending outwardly at a substantial right angle with respect to the outer surface of the body, with each pivot opening spaced outwardly from the outwardly with respect to the outer surface of the body, with the pivot openings configured and arranged to receive and retain a pivot rod so that the pivot rod is substantially parallel to the body; and, a connection tab, the connection tab located at one of the first or second ends of each link, with the connection tab extending inwardly from the inner surface of the body, and with the connection tab is configured and arranged to engage a vertically adjacent link. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The link of claim 1, wherein the connection tab is located one of the side flanges. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The link of claim 1, wherein the connection tab is adjacent the first end of the body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The link of claim 1, wherein the connection tab includes an upwardly opening slot that is defined by an upper pivot support tab and a lead-in surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 5) The link of claim 5, wherein each side flange further comprises a roller guide, wherein each roller guide is spaced outwardly from the outer surface of the body, wherein each roller guides extends toward the other roller guide, and wherein the roller guides are in alignment with each other and substantially parallel to the body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The link of claim 1, further comprising a drive engagement portion that extends from the first end to the second end of the body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The link of claim 6, wherein the drive engagement portion comprises a first group of parallel, elongated slots, with each slot having a length that extends partially between the first and second sides, with each slot having a length that is greater than a distance defined by the inner and outer surfaces of the body, with the slots of the first group of slots in alignment with each other and evenly spaced along a length defined by the first and second ends, and with the first group of parallel slots located adjacent the first side of the body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The link of claim 7, wherein the drive engagement portion comprises a first group of parallel, elongated slots that are in alignment with each other and evenly spaced along a length defined by the first end and the second end; and wherein the drive engagement portion comprises a second group of parallel, elongated slots that are in alignment with each other and evenly spaced along the length defined by the first end and the second end. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The link of claim 8, wherein the first and second groups of slots are located adjacent the first and second sides of the body. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The link of claim 8, wherein each slot of the groups of slots has a length that is greater than a distance defined by the inner and outer surface of the body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The link of claim 1, further comprising a retaining tab that extends outwardly relative to the outer surface of the body, with the tab having a portion that extends outwardly beyond the outward extents of the side flanges. ### Claim 12 An extendable/retractable column comprising: a plurality of linked sections each including a plurality of individual sections pivotally connected to one another in end-to-end relationship, each of the individual sections including a first and second end and a pair of opposing sides; each individual section having a plurality of projections extending outwardly from the opposing sides, said projections of a first individual section of a first linked section engaging the projections of a second individual section of a second linked section when the first and second linked sections are interconnected with one another to form the column. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The extendable/retractable column of claim 12, wherein each individual section includes an inner surface, and wherein the plurality of projections is generally coincident with a plane defined by the inner surface. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The extendable/retractable column of claim 12, wherein the plurality of projections have longitudinal axes that are substantially transverse to the column. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The extendable/retractable column of claim 12, wherein the projections of one side are parallel to the projections of the opposing side. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The extendable/retractable column of claim 12, wherein the projections of one side are vertically offset with respect to the projections of the opposing side. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The extendable/retractable column of claim 12, wherein two projections of the first individual section of a first linked section engage one projection of the second individual section of the second linked section when the first and second linked sections are interconnected with one another to form the column. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The extendable/retractable column of claim 12, wherein at least one individual section further comprises a first group of parallel slots that extend between the opposing sides, with the slots in vertical alignment from the first end to the second end. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The extendable/retractable column of claim 18, wherein the least one individual section further comprises a second group of parallel slots that extend between the opposing sides, with the slots in vertical alignment from the first end to the second end. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The extendable/retractable column of claim 19, wherein the first and second groups of parallel slots are substantially parallel to each other.