Winding – tensioning – or guiding – Reeling device – Fishing rod reel
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-02
2002-10-08
Marcelo, Emmanuel (Department: 3654)
Winding, tensioning, or guiding
Reeling device
Fishing rod reel
C242S319000, C242S321000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06460793
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to dual-bearing fishing reel units; more particularly, to dual-bearing reel units to which the spool-cranking handle is disposed unilaterally, and the spool is disposed internally.
2. Description of Related Art
Dual-bearing reels include a reel unit that may be mounted on a fishing rod, a spool disposed inside the reel unit, a spool-cranking handle provided on one side of the reel unit, and a rotation transmission mechanism for transmitting rotation of the handle to the spool. The body of the reel unit includes a reel frame and first and second side-covers. The reel frame includes a pair of first (distal or left) and second (proximal or right) side-plates and connection members connecting the two side-plates, which are covered by the side-covers.
Conventionally known among dual-bearing reel units of this class are those in which a circular opening through which the spool can be passed is formed in the first side-plate, opposite the side where the reel unit crank (handle) is mounted. This enables the spool to be attached/detached from the side opposite the side where the crank is mounted. The first side-cover of conventional dual-bearing reel unit bodies is detachably fitted to the first side-plate, for spool attachment/detachment. A spool support member for rotatively supporting the spool shaft is detachably fitted into the circular opening. The spool support member is coupled to the first side-cover, so that it can be attached/detached unitarily with the side-cover. The configuration is thus such that attaching/detaching the spool support member or the side-cover to/from the side-plate attaches/detaches the side-cover and the spool support member unitarily from/to the side-plate. A removal handle for attaching/detaching the spool support member is accessibly provided exposed from the first or the second side-cover, where it can be operated from the exterior.
Accordingly, the spool support member and the side-cover coming off unitarily enables the spool to be installed or removed by passing it through the opening. In instances in which a centrifugal or like spool-braking mechanism is fitted inside, adjustment of the braking force of the braking mechanism can then be carried out.
Wherein a removal handle is provided accessibly on the first side-cover it is configured with, for example, a foldable handling member and an interlocking member that turns in cooperation with the handling member. The interlocking member interlocks with the periphery of an opening through which the spool is passed, and which is formed in the distal (first) side-plate.
An attach/detach element that is provided accessibly on the second side-cover (that is, on the side where the handle is mounted) includes for example of a plurality of screws that pierce the two side-plates and whose heads are accessible on the second (proximal) side-cover.
Furthermore, for this kind of dual-bearing reel, round dual-bearing reels are known whose side-plates and side-covers are made of metal and are substantially circular when viewed from the side. In these round dual-bearing reels made of metal, the rotation transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotation of the handle to the spool and the clutch mechanism for coupling and de-coupling the handle and the spool are disposed between the side-cover and the side-plate on the side where the handle is mounted. A braking mechanism using centrifugal or magnetic forces to brake the rotation of the spool in the direction unwinding the line is disposed between the side-cover and the side-plate on the distal side. The spool can be detached from the side-plate on the distal side. An opening through which the spool can be passed is formed in the side-plate, and the side-cover is detachable from the side-plate.
To enhance the appearance of this round dual-bearing reel made of metal and to make it lighter, its outer peripheral surface is subjected to a cutting process and through-holes are formed piercing the side-covers.
In this conventional configuration, if the handle part is provided exposed to be accessible on the first side-cover, then the handle part tends to stick out, so that the handle part contacts the palm of the hand when by a “palming” operation the reel unit and the fishing rod are gripped together. When the handle part touches the palm of the hand, it may cause an odd sensation in the palm of the hand. Also, depending on the structure of the removal handle, the removal handle may be actuated by mistake.
Furthermore, providing the removal handle on the first side-cover—especially in the case of round metal reels that are circular when seen from the side—makes it difficult, not being able to attain a sleek impression design-wise, to attain an appearance having a classic sense.
If the removal handle in these conventional configurations is provided accessibly from the outside on the second side-cover, then a plurality of screws have to be taken off, which complicates the attach/detach operation considerably.
Additionally, when through-holes are formed in the side-covers of the reel unit in this conventional round dual-bearing reel, water, or dirt such as sand or dust, easily enters the reel through the through-holes. When water or dirt enters the inside of the reel, it adheres to the various mechanisms disposed behind the side-cover and may harm the ability of the spool to rotate or to brake. Especially in a dual-bearing reel provided with an opening for detaching the spool in the distal side-cover (on the side that is opposite to where the crank is mounted), there is the danger that water or dirt can enter through this opening to the side of the spool.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to avoid an odd sensation when gripping the reel unit and to prevent attaching/detaching by mistake.
It is a further object of the present invention to attain a classic appearance.
It is a furthermore object of the present invention to allow easy opening and closing of the first side-cover, and to allow an opening and closing of the first side-cover in which the operating element does not contact the palm of the hand when gripping the reel unit.
It is a still further object of the present invention to suppress the intrusion of water or dirt into the reel even though through-holes are formed in the side-cover to enhance the reel's appearance and to make it lighter.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, the body of a dual-bearing reel unit has a shaft-cranking handle disposed on one side surface of the dual-bearing reel body and a spool disposed inside the dual-bearing reel body, and comprises: a frame; a spool support member; an removal handle; a first side-cover; and a second side-cover. The frame includes a pair of side-plates arranged at a predetermined spacing, and a circular first opening through which the spool can be passed is provided on the distal side-plate. The spool support member rotatively supports one end of a rotation shaft of the spool and is detachably mounted to the distal side-plate, such that detaching the spool support member reveals the first opening. The removal handle is for attaching/detaching the spool support member and is provided on the distal side-plate or on the spool support member. The first side-cover can be opened and closed and covers the outer side of the distal side-plate, in which the first opening is formed, together with the spool support member and the removal handle. The second side-cover covers the outer side of the proximal side-plate and supports shaft-cranking handle rotation.
In a dual-bearing reel body thus, the first side-cover is removed from the distal side-plate to attach or detach the spool, and the spool support member is removed from the distal side-plate by operating the removal handle, which is mounted inside. This reveals the first opening and the spool can be removed. If for example a centrifugal braking mechanism for braking the spool is provided on the side of the spool, then it is possible to adjust
Hirayama Hirokazu
Sato Jun
Marcelo Emmanuel
Shimano Inc.
Shinjyu Global IP Counselors, LLP
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