Reel assembly and methods of use thereof

Abstract

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:
 at least one base member;   an arm rotatably coupled to the base member;   a rotatable axle coupled to the arm, 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 the storage configuration;   an actuatable input supported by the arm, the actuatable input configured to rotate the rotatable axle relative to the arm.   
     
     
         2 . The reel system of  claim 1 , wherein the single 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, a second arm is rotatably coupled to the second base member, and the rotatable axle extends between the first arm and the second arm. 
     
     
         3 . The reel system of  claim 2 , further comprising a support plate extending laterally between and coupled to the first base and the second base. 
     
     
         4 . The reel system of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable axle is removably coupled from the arm. 
     
     
         5 . The reel system of  claim 1 , further comprising a mounting fixture, the mounting fixture supported by the base member. 
     
     
         6 . The reel system of  claim 1 , further comprising a support coupled to the base, the support shaped to receive the flexible buoyant pad, the support comprising an aperture configured to receive a strap. 
     
     
         7 . The reel system of  claim 6 , wherein the support is a first support, the reel system further comprising a second support coupled to a second base, the second support shaped to receive the rolled up pad, the second support comprising a second aperture configured to receive a second strap. 
     
     
         8 . The reel system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuatable input comprises a motor configured to rotate the rotatable axle. 
     
     
         9 . The reel system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuatable input comprises a crank arm. 
     
     
         10 . The reel system of  claim 1 , wherein the arm is 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. 
     
     
         11 . 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 pad is configured to extend between the first member and the second member. 
     
     
         12 . An accessory mounting system, comprising:
 a mounting panel configured to mount to a vehicle;   an accessory mounting structure supported by the mounting panel, the accessory mounting structure configured to receive an accessory; and   a linkage assembly coupled between the mounting panel and the accessory mounting platform, the linkage assembly comprising a first member and a second member each configured to rotate relative to the mounting panel; and   the linkage assembly adapted to move between a first position and a second position, and in the first position the mounting structure is nominally parallel to a ground level and in the second position the mounting structure is angled upwardly from the first position.   
     
     
         13 . The accessory mounting system of  claim 12 , wherein the linkage assembly further comprises a third link coupled between the first link and the second link. 
     
     
         14 . The accessory mounting system of  claim 13 , wherein the third link is a biasing member. 
     
     
         15 . The accessory mounting system of  claim 13 , further comprising a fourth link coupled between the first link and the second link, the fourth link positioned further from the mounting panel than the third link. 
     
     
         16 . The accessory mounting system of  claim 12 , wherein the mounting panel mounts to the vehicle using a plurality of removable mounting fixtures. 
     
     
         17 . The accessory mounting system of  claim 12 , further comprising a motor coupled to the linkage assembly, the motor configured to move the linkage assembly from the first position to the second position.