STAPL: A Standard Template Adaptive Parallel C++ Library

Collapsible feed mechanism for providing radial support to a longitudinally extending member and for preventing bending and buckling of the longitudinally extending member during the axial advancement thereof while under an axial compressive load, such collapsible feed mechanism typically residing axially displaceably within an outer support structure, including a plurality of axially displaceable radial support members positioned around the longitudinally extending member and for providing the radial support thereto; each radial support member having an outer axial surface and an inner axial surface and the outer axial surface being greater in axial length than the inner axial surface; the outer axial surfaces of greater axial length for slidably engaging the outer support structure during the axial displacement of the radial support members and for preventing the tendency of the axially displaceable support members to rotate with respect to an axis perpendicular to the longitudinally extending member and bind during the axial displacement of the radial support members; and the inner axial surfaces for slidably engaging the longitudinally extending member during the axial displacement of the radial support members and for providing the radial support to the longitudinally extending member.