Abstract: An apparatus (1) for deploying and supporting a flexible object (7). The apparatus comprises an elongate support (3) comprising a longitudinal first guide (4), an elongate flexible member (5) longitudinally slidable relative to the first guide (4), a first connector (9), connected to the flexible elongate member (5) and adapted to be attached to the flexible object (7), a longitudinal second guide 6, and at least one sliding connector (9, 11, 13); (106, 111, 113; 209, 211, 213), longitudinally slidable relative to the second guide (6) and adapted to be attached to the flexible object (7). The flexible elongate member (5) is adapted to be pushed along the first guide (4) via an externally applied longitudinal force, transferred as a compressive internal force along the flexible member (5), to move the flexible object (7) from a first position to a deployed position.

Abstract: An object 1, is secured to a distal part of a flexible elongate member 4 that is inserted into a hollow interior 3 of an elongate tubular constraint 2. An intermediate length portion of the member is constrained within the constraint. A force applied to a proximal part of the member is directed longitudinally toward the distal part, and transferred as a compressive internal force along the intermediate portion to move it longitudinally within the hollow constraint and to move the object to a new location at which the object can be supported. In a preferred embodiment, a flexible and resilient member is pushed up a tube having a slot extending along the tube. A flag secured to the top end of the member extends out through the slot. An operator at ground level can push the member and attached flag into and up the tube to raise and fly the flag at an elevated position.