Reel assembly support with variable orientation

Abstract

A reel assembly is provided to support lengths of fluid delivery line. A support arm is secured at one end with the reel assembly and shaped at the opposite end to engage a support structure. The support arm includes separate arm sections; each having mating end portions that are shaped to be releasably, coaxially securable with one another to resist rotation with respect to one another. The arm sections may be provided in various shapes, including straight and angled, to provide a variable geometry. A pivot joint may be formed within the support arm to allow a portion of the support arm and the reel assembly to pivot with respect to the support structure.

1 . A system for supporting lengths of one or more fluid delivery lines, the system comprising:
 a reel assembly having opposite end portions and a line support section located between the opposite end portions that is oriented to support the lengths of one or more fluid delivery lines; and   a support arm having a first end portion and a second end portion; the support arm having at least a first arm section, associated with the first end portion, and a second arm section, associated with the second end portion; the first arm section and second arm section including mating end portions that are releasably, coaxially securable with one another;   the mating end portions of the first arm section and second arm section being shaped to engage one another in a manner that resists rotation of the mating end portions of the first arm section and second arm section with respect to one another;   at least one end portion of the reel assembly being operatively coupled with a mounting end portion of the first arm section;   a mounting end portion of the second arm section being shaped to securably engage a support structure.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the mating end portions of the first arm section and second arm section are shaped to have a plurality of spaced-apart teeth that are shaped to permit teeth from the mating end portion of the first arm section to intermesh with the teeth from the mating end portion of the second arm section. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the mating end portions of the first arm section and second arm section arc shaped to: (i) engage one another in a first secure position with respect to one another; (ii) separate from one another, (iii) rotate axially with respect to one another, and (iv) be secured with one another in a second secure position. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the mating end portion of the first arm section and the mating end portion of the second arm section are secured with one another with a threaded fastener that passes, coaxially, at least partially through the second arm section and is received, coaxially, by mating threads associated with the mating end portion of the first arm section. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the mounting end portion of the first arm section is coupled with an axle on which the reel assembly rotates; the first arm section extending outwardly from the axle at an angle. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  further comprising a third arm section, associated with the support arm; the third arm section having first and second opposite mating end portions that are shaped to engage the mating end portions of the first and second arm sections in a manner that resists rotation of the mating end portions of the third arm section with the mating end portions of the first arm section and second arm, section. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein a long axis that extends through the third arm section is bent to at least approximate a right angle; the mating end portion of the first arm section is secured with the first mating end portion of the third arm section; the second mating end portion of the third arm section being secured with the mating end portion of the second arm section. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  further comprising a fourth arm section, associated with the support arm; the fourth arm section having first and second opposite mating end portions that are shaped to engage the mating end portions of any of the first, second, and third arm sections in a manner that resists rotation of the mating end portions of the fourth arm section with the mating end portions of any of the first arm section, second arm section, and third arm section. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein a long axis that extends through the fourth arm section is straight; the mating end portion of the first arm section being secured with the first mating end portion of the fourth arm section; the second mating end portion of the fourth arm section being secured with the first mating end portion of the third arm section; the second mating end portion of the third arm section being secured with the mating end portion of the second arm section. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the mounting end portion of the first arm section is provided with a mounting receiver having a recess that is shaped to receive a length of the axle adjacent an end portion of the reel assembly; a mounting cap being provided with a recess to receive a length of the axle and shaped to couple with the mounting receiver, whereby a length of the axle is positioned between the mounting receiver and mounting cap, securing the axle with the first arm section. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  further comprising at least one mechanical fastener that removably engages the mounting receiver with the mounting cap in a secure position. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 5  further comprising a pin member having a long axis and operatively coupled with the mounting end portion of the first arm section; the pin member being selectively movable along the long axis between locked and unlocked positions; a plurality of recesses formed within an end portion of the reel assembly, adjacent the mounting end portion of the first arm section; the recesses being shaped to receive a length of the pin member in the locked position, whereby rotational movement of the reel assembly is substantially prevented. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the plurality of recesses are positioned in a circular pattern about an opening in the reel assembly that receives the axle. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising a spring member associated with the mounting end portion of the first arm section and the pin member in a manner that biases the pin member toward the locked position; the mounting end portion of the first arm section including a slot that is shaped to slidably receive a handle member, associated with an end portion of the pin member, when the pin member is in the locked position; the pin member being rotatably coupled with the mounting end portion of the first arm section such that the pin member may be moved to the unlocked position by sliding the handle member from within the slot; the pin member being retained in the unlocked position by rotating the pin member until the handle member is prevented from entering the slot. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the mounting end portion of the second arm section is shaped to have an elongated mounting post; the support structure including a receiving socket that is shaped to releasably and securably receive the mounting post. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the mounting end portion of the second arm section is shaped to define a mounting plate having a mounting surface that is shaped to securably engage a generally planar portion of the support structure. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the mounting surface of the mounting plate is shaped to define a recess that extends into the mounting end portion of the second arm section, adjacent the mating end portion of the second arm section; the recess being shaped to permit a mechanical fastener to be placed in the recess and removably passed at least partially through the mating end portion of the second arm section. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the support arm includes a pivot joint between the first and second end portions of the support arm, whereby a length of the support arm that is coupled with the reel assembly may be selectively pivoted with respect to the second end portion of the support arm. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the pivot joint is disposed within the first arm section between the mounting end portion and mating end portion of the first arm section, whereby the mounting end portion pivots on an a pivot axis with respect to the mating end portion. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein an engagement face of the mating end portion of the first arm section is oriented to face perpendicularly from the pivot axis. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19  further comprising a pin member having a long axis and operatively coupled with the mating end portion of the first arm section; the pin member being selectively movable along the long axis between locked and unlocked positions; a plurality of recesses formed within the first arm section, adjacent the mating end portion; the recesses being shaped to receive a length of the pin member in the locked position, whereby pivoting movement of the mounting end portion of the first arm section, with respect to the mating end portion, is substantially prevented. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the plurality of recesses are positioned in a circular pattern that encircles the pivot axis. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22  further comprising a spring member associated with the mating end portion of the first arm section and the pin member in a manner that biases the pin member toward the locked position; the mating end portion of the first arm section including a slot that is shaped to slidably receive a handle member, associated with an end portion of the pin member, when the pin member is in the locked position; the pin member being rotatably coupled with the mating end portion of the first arm section such that the pin member may be moved to the unlocked position by sliding the handle member from within the slot; the pin member being retained in the unlocked position by rotating the pin member until the handle member is prevented from entering the slot. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 19  further comprising an axle support member, having first and second end portions; a length of the first end portion defining an axle on which the reel assembly rotates; the second end portion defining a pivot support, whereby a length of the second end portion extends into a socket in the mating end portion of the first arm section to pivotably support the reel assembly. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24  wherein a length of the axle support member extends coaxially through the mounting end portion of the first arm section. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 24  wherein a length of the pivot support is oriented perpendicularly in relation to the axle. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 24  further comprising a swivel coupling coupled with the second end portion of the axle support member, whereby a fluid delivery line may be operatively, pivotably coupled with the axle support line. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27  further comprising a second swivel coupling coupled with the first end portion of the axle support member, whereby a second fluid delivery line may be operatively, pivotably coupled with the axle support line while the fluid delivery line is supported on the reel assembly. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 19  further comprising:
 a third arm section, associated with the support arm; the third arm section having first and second opposite mating end portions and a long axis extending through the third arm section that is straight; 
 the mating end portion of the first arm section being secured with the first mating end portion of the third arm section; the second mating end portion of the third arm section being secured with the first mating end portion of the second arm section. 
 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29  wherein the mounting end portion of the second arm section is shaped to have an elongated mounting post; the support structure including a receiving socket that is shaped to releasably and securably receive the mounting post. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 29  wherein the mounting end portion of the second arm section is shaped to define a mounting plate having a mounting surface that is shaped to securably engage a generally planar portion of the support structure. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 19  further comprising:
 a third arm section, associated with the support arm; the third arm section having first and second opposite mating end portions and a long axis that extends through the third arm section that is bent to at least approximate a right angle; 
 a fourth arm section, associated with the support arm; the fourth arm section having first and second opposite mating end portions and a long axis extending through the fourth arm section that is bent to at least approximate a right angle; 
 the mating end portion of the first arm section being secured with the first mating end portion of the fourth arm section; the second mating end portion of the fourth arm section being secured with the first mating end portion of the third arm section; the second mating end portion of the third arm section being secured with the mating end portion of the second arm section.