A morphable support mechanism for a load-bearing support structure includes a first chain assembly, a second chain assembly, and working surface subcomponents coupled to the first chain assembly. Links in the first chain assembly have inward-facing structural features, and links in the second chain assembly have inward-facing structural features. The inward-facing structural features are configured to releasably couple together in response to concerted movement of the first and second chain assemblies along a predefined deployment path, and are configured to separate and decouple from each other in response to concerted movement of the first and second chain assemblies along a predefined stowage path. The working surface subcomponents cooperate to form a deployable working surface, and the inward-facing structural features interlock to be self-supporting when deployed such that the deployable working surface is load-bearing.

A morphable support mechanism for a load-bearing support structure includes a first chain assembly, a second chain assembly, and working surface subcomponents coupled to the first chain assembly. Links in the first chain assembly have inward-facing structural features, and links in the second chain assembly have inward-facing structural features. The inward-facing structural features are configured to releasably couple together in response to concerted movement of the first and second chain assemblies along a predefined deployment path, and are configured to separate and decouple from each other in response to concerted movement of the first and second chain assemblies along a predefined stowage path. The working surface subcomponents cooperate to form a deployable working surface, and the inward-facing structural features interlock to be self-supporting when deployed such that the deployable working surface is load-bearing.