Abstract: The present invention relates to a collapsible stand, a kit for a collapsible stand and to associated methods and apparatus. The collapsible stand is intended for supporting an object, and includes a head unit comprising a fixture for attaching to the object, and one or more leg sockets; and one or more legs proximal ends of which are reversibly received in the respective leg sockets. Each leg comprises a bistable reelable composite member having a first stable form in the form of an elongate slit tube in which form the member is resiliently biased and acts as a leg. When removed from the socket, the tube can be opened out at the slit at an end and progressively coiled to reversibly attain a second stable form in the form of a coil. The coil defines an internal space for accommodating at least part of the head unit.

Abstract: An antenna assembly and related methods are described. The antenna assembly (1) comprises an extendible mast (2) constructed and arranged so as to be configurable between a coiled form and an extended form. The extended mast (2) is resiliently biased in the form of an elongate tube having a slit along its length. The coiled mast is wound about an axis extending transversely to the longitudinal extent of the mast. An antenna (6) is integrally coupled to the mast such that when extended, the mast supports and positions the antenna, and when coiled, the mast and antenna are coiled together.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting assembly (1), comprising an extendible mast (2) constructed and arranged so as to be configurable between a coiled form and an extended form, wherein when extended the mast is resiliently biased in the form of an elongate tube having a slit along its length and wherein when coiled the mast is wound about an axis extending transversely to the longitudinal extent of the mast; and, a lighting element (6) supported by the mast and extending along at least a portion of the mast.

Abstract: The present application relates to composite members and to methods of manufacturing a composite member. In an aspect, a composite member (10) is formed as a longitudinal structure capable of being coiled about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the member. The composite member (10) comprising plural layers (p1-p5) of material bonded together to form a laminate. At least one layer (p3) of material has a boundary (30) partway along the longitudinal extent of the member and extending between the sides of the member. The boundary (30) is angled with respect to the transverse axis (18) of the member.

Abstract: The present application describes methods and apparatus relating to sensor assemblies and fiber optic assemblies. In one example, a method is described of deploying a sensor assembly (1) for sensing a property associated with a structure of interest (100). The sensor assembly (1) includes an elongate member (2) configurable between a coiled form and an extended form and at least one sensor (3) disposed along at least a part of the longitudinal extent of the member. The method comprises uncoiling the elongate member (2) and positioning the sensor assembly (1), and then forming the structure of interest around the sensor assembly (1) or introducing a filler material in the space between the sensor assembly (1) and the structure of interest such that the sensor assembly (1) is coupled to the structure and the property of the structure can be sensed by the sensor (3).

Abstract: An antenna assembly and related methods are described. The antenna assembly (1) comprises an extendible mast (2) constructed and arranged so as to be configurable between a coiled form and an extended form. The extended mast (2) is resiliently biased in the form of an elongate tube having a slit along its length. The coiled mast is wound about an axis extending transversely to the longitudinal extent of the mast. An antenna (6) is integrally coupled to the mast such that when extended, the mast supports and positions the antenna, and when coiled, the mast and antenna are coiled together.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a composite product from plural components are disclosed. The apparatus (10) comprises a conveyor assembly comprising back-to-back conveyor belts (16,18) which are drivable such that components can be received between the conveyor belts at an input end of the conveyor assembly and can be moved through the apparatus between the conveyor belts. A press (30) is arranged to consolidate the components into a flat form by the application of pressure to the components between the conveyor belts. The conveyor belts pass through a die (71) which is arranged such that consolidated components between the conveyor belts are shaped into a non-flat profile as they move through the die. A heater (38) is arranged to apply heat to set the components into the non-flat profile to form the composite product (57).

Abstract: The invention provides an extendible member (10) which is configurable between a coiled form (11) and an extended form (12).

Abstract: The invention provides an extendible member which is configurable between a coiled form and an extended form. The extendible member comprises: a primary member comprising a sheet of material resiliently biased in a slit tube form, wherein the slit tube can be opened out at the slit to assume an open form in which it has a flattened cross section; at least one resilient secondary member having first and second connections to the primary member at respective different circumferential positions on the primary member, wherein in the extended form, the primary member is in its slit tube form and the resiliency of the secondary member causes at least part of the secondary member to displace towards the slit in the primary member to provide torsional and axial stiffness to the primary member, and wherein in the coiled form, the primary member is in its open form and the secondary member conforms to the flattened cross section of the primary member so that primary and secondary member can be co-coiled.

Abstract: The invention provides an extendible member which is configurable between a coiled form and an extended form. The extendible member comprises: a primary member comprising a sheet of material resiliently biased in a slit tube form, wherein the slit tube can be opened out at the slit to assume an open form in which it has a flattened cross section; at least one resilient secondary member having first and second connections to the primary member at respective different circumferential positions on the primary member, wherein in the extended form, the primary member is in its slit tube form and the resiliency of the secondary member causes at least part of the secondary member to displace towards the slit in the primary member to provide torsional and axial stiffness to the primary member, and wherein in the coiled form, the primary member is in its open form and the secondary member conforms to the flattened cross section of the primary member so that primary and secondary member can be co-coiled.