Pivotable reel assembly

Abstract

A pivotable reel assembly is disclosed. The reel assembly can include a frame comprising a base and an elongate mounting portion configured to pivot relative to the base about a pivot axis. The elongate mounting portion can include a proximal portion coupled with the base, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion between the proximal and distal portions. A spool drum can be connected with the intermediate portion of the elongate mounting portion. The spool drum can be configured to rotate about a rotational axis to spool and unspool a linear element, the rotational axis generally transverse to the pivot axis. A wheel can be connected to the distal portion of the elongate mounting portion and configured to roil about the pivot axis. The distal portion can position the wheel along a transverse axis that is generally transverse to the rotational axis and the pivot axis.

1 . A reel assembly comprising:
 a frame comprising a base and an elongate mounting portion configured to pivot relative to the base about a pivot axis, the elongate mounting portion comprising a proximal portion coupled with the base, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion between the proximal and distal portions;   a spool drum connected with the intermediate portion of the elongate mounting portion, the spool drum configured to rotate about a rotational axis to spool and unspool a linear element, the rotational axis generally transverse to the pivot axis; and   a wheel connected to the distal portion of the elongate mounting portion and configured to roll about the pivot axis, wherein the distal portion positions the wheel along a transverse axis that is generally transverse to the rotational axis and the pivot axis.   
     
     
         2 . The reel assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the spool drum comprises a pair of end pieces spaced apart along the rotational axis, the spool drum defining a spooling surface between the end pieces, wherein the pair of end pieces defines a corresponding pair of planes disposed parallel to the transverse axis, the wheel disposed between the corresponding pair of planes. 
     
     
         3 . The reel assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a motor operably connected with the spool drum to cause the spool drum to rotate about the rotational axis. 
     
     
         4 . The reel assembly of  claim 3 , further comprising a motor controller configured to control operation of the motor. 
     
     
         5 . The reel assembly of  claim 3 , further comprising a spooling support coupled with the frame and offset from the spool drum along the transverse axis, the spooling support configured to translate along a spooling support axis generally parallel to and offset from the rotational axis 
     
     
         6 . The reel assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the motor is operably connected with the spooling support to cause the spooling support to translate about the spooling support axis. 
     
     
         7 . The reel assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the spooling support is translatable by way of a spooling actuator that converts rotation imparted by the motor to translation. 
     
     
         8 . The reel assembly of  claim 7  further comprising one or a plurality of gears mechanically coupled between the motor and the spooling support. 
     
     
         9 . The reel assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the wheel is configured to rotate about the transverse axis so as to roll along a pathway disposed about the pivot axis. 
     
     
         10 . The reel assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a first connector on the base, a second connector on the base, and one or more conduits connecting the first and second connectors. 
     
     
         11 . The reel assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising a third connector on the frame near the spool drum, a fourth connector on a spooling surface of the spool drum, and one or more conduits connecting the third and fourth connectors. 
     
     
         12 . The reel assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a conduit extending between the second connector and the third connector, the conduit extending through or around the frame. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A reel assembly comprising:
 a frame having a base and a mounting portion configured to pivot relative to the base about a pivot axis;   a spool drum connected with the mounting portion of the frame, the spool drum configured to rotate about a rotational axis to spool and unspool a linear element, the rotational axis non-parallel with the pivot axis;   a motor operably connected with the spool drum to cause the spool drum to rotate about the rotational axis; and   a controller in electrical communication with the motor, the controller configured to transmit control signals to the motor to control the operation of the motor.   
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A reel assembly comprising:
 a frame having a base and a mounting portion configured to pivot relative to the base about a pivot axis;   a spool drum connected with the mounting portion of the frame, the spool drum configured to rotate about a rotational axis to spool and unspool a linear element; and   a connector configured to provide fluid or electrical communication with the linear element along a connector axis, the connector positioned such that the connector axis is aligned with the pivot axis.   
     
     
         23 .- 66 . (canceled) 
     
     
         67 . The reel assembly of  claim 22 , further comprising a first connector connected to the frame, the first connector configured to provide fluid or electrical communication with the linear element along a first connector axis non-parallel to the rotational axis. 
     
     
         68 . The reel assembly of  claim 67 , further comprising a second connector configured to provide fluid or electrical communication with the linear element along a second connector axis parallel to the rotational axis. 
     
     
         69 . The reel assembly of  claim 68 , further comprising a conduit having a first end portion connected to the first connector and a second end portion connected to the second connector, at least a portion of the conduit extending non-parallel relative to the first connector axis, the conduit being bent so as to pass through or around the mounting portion of the frame to provide fluid or electrical communication between the first and second connectors 
     
     
         70 . The reel assembly of  claim 20 , further comprising a connector configured to provide fluid or electrical communication with the linear element along a connector axis, the connector positioned such that the connector axis is aligned with the pivot axis. 
     
     
         71 . The reel assembly of  claim 20 , further comprising a spooling support coupled with the frame and offset from the spool drum along the transverse axis, the spooling support configured to translate along a spooling support axis generally parallel to and offset from the rotational axis