# US 9,520,642 B2 · Pneumatic non-locking low-profile telescoping masts > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,520,642 B2 - Document ID: US9520642B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/094,141 - Filed: 2016-04-08 - Published: 2016-10-13 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2015-04-10 - Assignees: The Will-Burt Company - Applicants: Paul Bradford Blackwelder; Cameron Jay Young; Clifford Duff - Inventors: Paul Bradford Blackwelder; Cameron Jay Young; Clifford Duff - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9520642B2 ## CPC - H01Q 1/32: Adaptation for use in or on road or rail vehicles - E04H 12/003: {Access covers or locks therefor} - E04H 12/182: {telescopic (locking of telescopic systems in general F16B7/10)} - H01Q 1/10: Telescopic elements - H01Q 1/103: {Latching means; ensuring extension or retraction thereof} - H01Q 1/3275: {mounted on a horizontal surface of the vehicle, e.g. on roof, hood, trunk} - H01Q: ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS (radiators or antennas for microwave heating H05B6/72) - E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D) ## Abstract A telescoping mast assembly having a mast axis and comprising a plurality of telescoping mast sections having axially opposite ends and being axially slidable relative to one another along the mast axis between retracted and extended positions, the telescoping mast sections including a base tube adapted to be fixed to a support surface and an innermost telescoping section, and wherein the innermost telescoping section supports a cylindrical nest lock platform assembly adapted to cover an axial end of the base tube when the mast assembly is in the retracted position, wherein each telescoping mast section includes an internal collar and a cylindrical body and the nest lock platform assembly includes a payload platform and one or more wedges that mate with corresponding notches in the internal collar. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A telescoping mast assembly having a mast axis and comprising a plurality of telescoping mast sections having axially opposite ends and being axially slidable relative to one another along the mast axis between retracted and extended positions, the telescoping mast sections including a base tube fixed to a support surface and an innermost telescoping section in the retracted and extended positions, and wherein the innermost telescoping section supports a cylindrical can surrounding at least a portion of an axial end of the base tube in the retracted position of the mast assembly, wherein each telescoping mast section includes an internal collar and a cylindrical body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The telescoping mast assembly of claim 1, wherein the can has a cavity defined by a circular top wall and a cylindrical side wall extending from an edge of the top wall, the cavity having an inner diameter sized to closely receive the axial end of the base tube. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The telescoping mast assembly of claim 2, wherein the base tube includes a projection on a circumferentially outer surface thereof, and the side wall of the can includes an opening adapted to receive the projection when the mast assembly is in the retracted position thereby rotationally interlocking the innermost tube section and the base tube. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The telescoping mast assembly of claim 3, wherein the protrusion and opening are wedge-shaped. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The telescoping mast assembly of claim 4, wherein the protrusion is secured to the base tube with a fastener. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The telescoping mast assembly of claim 5, wherein the protrusion is adjacent an axial end of the base tube. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The telescoping mast assembly of claim 1, wherein the internal collar includes an annular body adapted to be inserted into an open end of the cylindrical body, the internal collar having a radially outwardly extending shoulder adapted to engage an axial end face of the cylindrical body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The telescoping mast assembly of claim 7, wherein a circumference of the internal collar corresponds to a circumference of the cylindrical body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The telescoping mast assembly of claim 8, wherein the internal collar is secured to the cylindrical body with at least one fastener. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The telescoping mast assembly of claim 9, wherein the at least one fastener includes a machine screw. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The telescoping mast assembly of claim 1, wherein each telescoping mast section starting with the innermost telescoping mast section has a maximum outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of an axial end opening of the telescoping mast section into which it is received. ### Claim 12 A telescoping mast assembly having a mast axis and comprising a plurality of telescoping mast sections having axially opposite ends and being axially slidable relative to one another along the mast axis between retracted and extended positions, the telescoping mast sections including a base tube adapted to be fixed to a support surface and an innermost telescoping section, and wherein the innermost telescoping section supports a cylindrical nest lock platform assembly adapted to cover an axial end of the base tube when the mast assembly is in the retracted position, wherein each telescoping mast section includes an internal collar and a cylindrical body and the nest lock platform assembly includes a payload platform and one or more wedges that mate with corresponding notches in the internal collar. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The telescoping mast assembly of claim 12, wherein a circumference of the internal collar corresponds to a circumference of the cylindrical body. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The telescoping mast assembly of claim 13, wherein the internal collar is secured to the cylindrical body with at least one fastener. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The telescoping mast assembly of claim 14, wherein the at least one fastener includes a machine screw. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The telescoping mast assembly of claim 15, wherein each telescoping mast section starting with the innermost telescoping mast section has a maximum outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of an axial end opening of the telescoping mast section into which it is received.