Boom with mast assembly

Abstract

A torsion- and bending resistant boom formed of beams running the length of the structure, a set of pierced, transverse flanges arrayed along, and substantially perpendicular to, the length of the structure, a continuous longitudinal member running the length of the structure, piercing the flanges, and several further longitudinal members, outward of the first member. The longitudinal members are welded to the flanges. An elevatable mast assembly raises and lowers the boom, and has a mast and guides formed of hollow tubes, and rollers between the guides and the mast, the rollers transferring torque loading to the guides.

1 - 49 . (canceled)  
   
   
       50 . An elevatable mast assembly for lifting a load above a supporting structure, comprising: 
 a mast having an elevation axis;    a guide assembly having a plurality of guiding elements, wherein said guiding elements are fixed to the supporting structure; and    a plurality of roller assembly sets, wherein said sets inhibit translation of said mast relative to said guiding elements but permit such translation along the elevation axis.    
   
   
       51 . The elevatable mast assembly of  claim 50 , the mast assembly comprising a plurality of joined parallel mast sections, and said mast sections and said guiding elements comprising metal tubing.  
   
   
       52 . The elevatable mast assembly of  claim 50 , wherein said guiding elements are spaced radially outward of the mast, and said guiding elements and said mast are aligned to said translation axis.  
   
   
       53 . The elevatable mast assembly of  claim 50 , 
 each of said roller assembly sets comprising a plurality of roller assemblies, each said assembly having at least one roller and a mount;    wherein the mounts of a first set of roller assemblies are fixed to said guiding elements and the mounts of a second set of roller assemblies are fixed to said mast.    
   
   
       54 . The elevatable mast assembly of  claim 53 , further compromising a direction of elevation, wherein said first set is in the direction of elevation from said second set.  
   
   
       55 . The elevatable mast assembly of  claim 53 , wherein said first set is further along said elevation axis than said second set.  
   
   
       56 . The elevatable mast assembly of  claim 50 , each of said roller assembly sets comprising a plurality of rollers, wherein the rollers of at least one set are in rolling contact with said mast and the rollers of at least one other set are in rolling contact with said guiding elements.  
   
   
       57 . The elevatable mast assembly of  claim 56 , wherein said rollers in rolling contact with said mast are above said rollers in rolling contact with said guiding elements.  
   
   
       58 . The elevatable mast assembly of  claim 50 , 
 said mast comprising at least four parallel mast sections, each of said mast sections comprising a hollow metal tube;    said guide assembly comprising at least four guiding elements, each of said guiding elements comprising a hollow metal tube; and    a screw jack elevation system;    wherein at least one guiding element is located radially outwardly of each of said mast sections from said elevation axis.    
   
   
       59 . In a mobile transport for emitting penetrating radiation, for scanning targets with said radiation and for sensing said radiation using sensors, the transport for movement along a direction of travel, a mast system, comprising: 
 a mast having an translation axis;    a guide assembly having a plurality of guiding elements, wherein said guiding elements are fixed to the supporting structure; and    a plurality of roller assembly sets, wherein said sets guide translation of said mast along the translation axis.    
   
   
       60 . The mast system of  claim 59 , 
 said mast comprising a plurality of parallel mast sections, each of said mast sections comprising a hollow metal tube,    said guide assembly comprising a plurality of guiding elements, each of said guiding elements comprising a hollow metal tube,    wherein at least one guiding element is located radially outwardly of each of said mast sections from said translation axis.    
   
   
       61 . The mast system of  claim 59 , 
 each of said roller assembly sets comprising a plurality of roller assemblies, each said assemblies having at least one roller and a mount; and    the mast assembly further compromising a direction of elevation;    wherein the mounts of a first set of roller assemblies are fixed to said guiding elements the mounts of a second set of roller assemblies are fixed to said mast, and said first set is in the direction of elevation from said second set.    
   
   
       62 . The mast system assembly of  claim 59 , 
 comprising at least a first and second roller assembly set, each of said roller assembly sets comprising a plurality of rollers;    wherein the rollers of the first set are in rolling contact with said mast, the rollers of the second set are in rolling contact with said guiding elements, and said rollers in rolling contact with said mast are above said rollers in rolling contact with said guiding elements.