Reel assembly and methods of use thereof
A reel system may receive a leading edge of a flexible buoyant pad. The flexible buoyant pad may have a use configuration having a first outer vertical envelope and a storage configuration having a second outer vertical envelope that is smaller than the first outer vertical envelope. The reel system may comprise at least one base member, an arm rotatably coupled to the base member and a rotatable axle coupled to the arm. The rotatable axle may be rotatable relative to the arm and the rotatable axle may adapted to receive the flexible buoyant pad and support the flexible buoyant pad in the storage configuration. Further, an actuatable input may supported by the arm. The actuatable input may be configured to rotate the rotatable axle relative to the arm.
1 . A reel system for receiving a leading edge of a flexible buoyant pad having a use configuration having a first outer vertical envelope and a storage configuration having a second outer vertical envelope smaller than the first outer vertical envelope, the reel system comprising:
a first base member;
a first arm rotatably coupled to the first base member;
a second base member spaced from the first base member;
a second arm rotatably coupled to the second base member;
a support plate extending laterally between and coupled to the first base member and the second base member;
a rotatable axle extending between the first arm and the second arm, the rotatable axle rotatable relative to the first arm and the second arm, the rotatable axle adapted to receive the flexible buoyant pad and support the flexible buoyant pad in the storage configuration; and
an actuatable input supported by the first arm, the actuatable input configured to rotate the rotatable axle relative to the first arm and the second arm.
2 . The reel system of claim 1 , wherein the rotatable axle is removably coupled from the first arm and the second arm.
3 . The reel system of claim 1 , further comprising a mounting fixture, the mounting fixture supported by either of the first base member or the second base member.
4 . The reel system of claim 1 , further comprising a support coupled to the first base member, the support shaped to receive the flexible buoyant pad, the support comprising an aperture configured to receive a strap.
5 . The reel system of claim 4 , wherein the support is a first support, the reel system further comprising a second support coupled to the second base member, the second support shaped to receive the rolled up pad, the second support comprising a second aperture configured to receive a second strap.
6 . The reel system of claim 1 , wherein the actuatable input comprises a motor configured to rotate the rotatable axle.
7 . The reel system of claim 1 , wherein the actuatable input comprises a crank arm.
8 . The reel system of claim 1 , wherein the first arm and the second arm are configured to rotate between a first position when the flexible buoyant pad is in the use configuration and a second position when the flexible buoyant pad is in the storage configuration, the second position distinct from the first position.
9 . The reel system of claim 1 , wherein the rotatable axle comprises a first member and a second member spaced from the first member, and the flexible buoyant pad is configured to extend between the first member and the second member.
10 . The reel system of claim 1 , wherein the support plate comprises at least one handle configured to allow a user to carry the reel system.
11 . The reel system of claim 1 , wherein the rotatable axle comprises a bracket and a rod spaced apart from the bracket to define an opening therebetween, the opening extending along a length of the rotatable axle and configured to receive the leading edge of the flexible buoyant pad.
12 . A reel system for receiving a flexible buoyant pad, the reel system comprising:
a base member;
a support plate supported by the base member, the support plate comprising a rotational support;
an arm having a first end and a second end, the first end being semicircular with a first radius and comprising a first aperture, the second end being semicircular with a second radius larger than the first radius and comprising a rotational interface, the rotational interface rotatably coupled to the rotational support such that the arm can rotate upwardly and downwardly relative to the base member;
a rotatable axle coupled to the arm at the first aperture, the rotatable axle rotatable relative to the arm, the rotatable axle adapted to receive the flexible buoyant pad and support the flexible buoyant pad in a storage configuration; and
an actuatable input supported by the arm at a rotational input coupling point positioned coincident with the first aperture, the actuatable input mechanically coupled to the rotatable axle and configured to rotate the rotatable axle relative to the arm.
13 . The reel system of claim 12 , wherein the arm comprises a torsion spring configured to assist in rotation of the arm relative to the support plate.
14 . The reel system of claim 12 , wherein the base member is a first base member and the arm is a first arm, the reel system further comprising a second base member spaced from the first base member and a second arm rotatably coupled to the second base member, wherein the rotatable axle extends between the first arm and the second arm.
15 . The reel system of claim 12 , wherein the actuatable input comprises a crank assembly having a crank arm and a handle coupled to the crank arm.
16 . The reel system of claim 12 , wherein the actuatable input comprises a motor including one or more of: a DC motor, an AC motor, a permanent magnet motor, an induction motor, or a brushless motor.
17 . A reel system for receiving a leading edge of a flexible buoyant pad, the reel system comprising:
a base member;
an arm rotatably coupled to the base member;
a rotatable axle removably coupled to the arm, the rotatable axle is rotatable relative to the arm and adapted to support the flexible buoyant pad in a storage configuration when the flexible buoyant pad is rolled around the rotatable axle, the rotatable axle comprising:
a bracket having a first end and a second end, the bracket comprising a first extension and a second extension forming a right-angle bracket;
a first coupling plate coupled to the first end of the bracket;
a second coupling plate coupled to the second end of the bracket; and
a rod having a rod first end coupled to the first coupling plate and a rod second end coupled to the second coupling plate, the rod spaced apart from the bracket to define an opening between the bracket and the rod, the opening configured to receive the leading edge of the flexible buoyant pad; and
an actuatable input supported by the arm, the actuatable input configured to rotate the rotatable axle relative to the arm.
18 . The reel system of claim 17 , wherein the first coupling plate comprises an outer coupling point configured to rotatably couple to the arm and an inner coupling point coupled to the rod first end.
19 . The reel system of claim 17 , wherein the bracket further comprises a first endcap coupled to the first end and a second endcap coupled to the second end.
20 . The reel system of claim 17 , wherein the base member is a first base member and the arm is a first arm, the reel system further comprising a second base member, a second arm rotatably coupled to the second base member, wherein the first coupling plate is rotatably coupled to the first arm and the second coupling plate is rotatably coupled to the second arm.
21 . The reel system of claim 17 , further comprising a support coupled to the base member, the support being arcuately shaped and positioned to contact the flexible buoyant pad when the flexible buoyant pad is rolled around the rotatable axle.
22 . The reel system of claim 17 , wherein the rotatable axle is removably coupled to the arm via a coupling mechanism including one or more of: a pin-and-slot system or a latching mechanism.