Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to telescoping mast assemblies (telescoping “towers”), polygonal sided masts for use in such assemblies, methods of fabricating polygonal sided masts, methods and apparatus for sequentially actuating and deactuating hold-down and locking mechanisms in telescoping towers, and such other aspects as will be understood from the present descriptions and drawings. Telescopic towers are usable for supporting and raising to a height any type of communications payload, including, for example, radio antennas, television antennas, any type of surveillance and/or sensor payloads, including, for example, microphones, cameras, flood lights, and the like.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to telescoping mast assemblies (telescoping “towers”), polygonal sided masts for use in such assemblies, methods of fabricating polygonal sided masts, methods and apparatus for sequentially actuating and deactuating hold-down and locking mechanisms in telescoping towers, and such other aspects as will be understood from the present descriptions and drawings. Telescopic towers are usable for supporting and raising to a height any type of communications payload, including, for example, radio antennas, television antennas, any type of surveillance and/or sensor payloads, including, for example, microphones, cameras, flood lights, and the like.

Abstract: In an integrated telescoping mast-payload assembly, the payload forms the top telescoping section.

Abstract: A telescoping multi-sectional mast in which the upper sections are extended and retracted in a controlled predetermined sequence and in which each section, when fully extended, is automatically and positively locked to the next lower section.The improved locking system includes a lock projection-lock engagement pair, one of the pair being carried on the outer surface of each of the upper sections of the mast and the other of the pair being carried on the upper ends of each of the intermediate sections. A lock actuator stud is carried on the upper end of each of the intermediate and bottom sections. This pair cooperates to operatively lock together in response to disengagement with the actuator stud carried on the next lower mast section, to restrain relative vertical movement between an upper section which is fully extended from the next lower section. The pair unlocks in response to engagement with the actuator stud carried by the next lower section.

Abstract: A telescoping multi-sectional mast in which the upper sections are extended and retracted in a controlled predetermined sequence an in which each section, when fully extended, is automatically and positively locked to the next lower section. The improved locking system includes a lock bar near the lower end of each lower section, a locking assembly on the upper end of each intermediate section and a lock actuator stud on the upper ends of each of the intermediate and bottom sections. The lock assembly includes an inwardly projecting collar, and rotatable disk having a locking projection segment formed on its periphery, a toggle responsive to vertical movement of the lock bar and stop actuated by the toggle for controlling rotation of the lock disk. The lock actuator stud and lock disk have mating engageable cam surfaces to cause and control rotation of the disk in response to vertical movement of each upper section relative to the next lower section.

Abstract: In an integrated telescoping mast-payload assembly, the payload forms the top telescoping section.