US Patent 10196817 Locking mechanism for deployable booms

A boom deployment mechanism is disclosed. The boom deployment mechanism may include a boom, a root plug, and a locking mechanism. In some embodiments, the boom may have a proximal end and a distal end. The boom may have a deployed configuration where the boom has a tubular shape with a slit that extends along the longitudinal length of the boom from the proximal end of the boom to the distal end of the boom. The boom may have a stowed configuration where the boom is flattened and rolled. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism may be configured to secure the proximal end of the boom to the root plug when the boom is in a deployed configuration.