Winding – tensioning – or guiding – Reeling device – Fishing rod reel
Reexamination Certificate
2003-05-22
2004-06-01
Marcelo, Emmanuel M (Department: 3654)
Winding, tensioning, or guiding
Reeling device
Fishing rod reel
C242S404200, C242S129700, C043S025000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06742737
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to fishing reels and more particularly to a removable spool support for supporting a spool of fishing line in the proper position during installation of the fishing line on a fishing reel.
2. Description of the Related Art
Fishing line used in sportfishing is available in a wide range of materials, sizes, and performance properties. Selection of the appropriate fishing line will depend upon several factors such as the type of fishing (bait fishing, flyfishing, spin casting), the type of water (freshwater v. salt water, stream fishing v. lake fishing v. ice fishing), the size of the fish pursued, etc. A sportsman active in several different types of fishing may need to use a variety of fishing lines which are readily exchangeable. A selection of fishing lines can be provided in several ways.
Several different replaceable reel spools for each fishing reel, each holding a selected fishing line, can be used. When a particular line is to be used, the reel spool holding that line is exchanged for the reel spool currently on the reel. Alternatively, the fishing line on a particular reel spool can be removed and replaced With the desired line.
In the first instance, maintaining a supply of reel spools can be expensive. In the latter instance, changing line, particularly if it must be done frequently, can be time-consuming and inconvenient. In particular, fishing line must be carefully wound from the supply spool onto the reel spool in order to avoid twisting the line or excessively stretching the line, which can lead to line entanglement during use or premature line failure. Furthermore, all fishing line deteriorates with age and use, and must be periodically replaced with fresh line.
Typically, a sportsman needing to have new fishing line installed on a fishing reel must arrange for a sporting goods store having the proper equipment to install the line. This can be inconvenient, as well as costly. Furthermore, such an option is unworkable if the line must be replaced in the field.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
A device for installing a length of fishing line onto a fishing reel mounted onto a fishing rod having a longitudinal axis comprises a spool holder adapted to receive a spool containing the length of fishing line, wherein the spool is mounted for rotatable movement with respect to the spool holder, a quick-release clamp, wherein the quick-release clamp has a retainer mounted thereto for movement between a clamping position wherein the retainer is adapted to retain a portion of the fishing rod and a release position wherein the retainer is opened to allow removal of the clamp from the portion of the fishing rod, and a support arm connecting the spool holder to the quick-release clamp, whereby, when a user of the fishing rod desires to install the length of fishing line onto the fishing reel, the quick-release clamp, in its release position, is positioned over a length of the fishing rod generally distal from the fishing reel, and the quick-release clamp is moved to its clamping position so that the quick-release clamp is retained on the rod whereby a spool of additional fishing line can be rotatably mounted on the spool holder and the fishing line from the spool can be fed onto the fishing reel in a convenient manner. In one embodiment, a spring biases the quick-release clamp to the clamping position. In another embodiment, a spool retainer retains the spool on the spool holder. In yet another embodiment, the spool retainer is a flanged nut. The flanged nut can be tightened against the spool to restrain the spool against rotating. A spring can be inserted between the spool retainer and the spool.
In another embodiment, the support arm is inclined relative to the spool holder. In yet another embodiment the support arm comprises a lower linkage, an upper linkage, and a pivotal connection therebetween for pivotal movement of the upper linkage relative to the lower linkage. In another embodiment, the quick-release clamp, the spool holder, and the support arm lie in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the fishing rod. In another embodiment, the spool further comprises a crank for rotating the spool to retrieve line from the reel onto the spool.
In another embodiment, an assembly for installing fishing line onto a fishing reel comprises a fishing rod having a longitudinal axis, a fishing reel mounted to the fishing rod at a first end thereof, at least one eyelet adapted to route the fishing line along the length of the rod, and a line feeding device comprising a spool holder adapted to receive a spool containing the length of fishing line, wherein the spool is mounted for rotatable movement with respect to the spool holder, a quick-release clamp, wherein the quick-release clamp has a retainer mounted thereto for movement between a clamping position wherein the retainer is adapted to retain a portion of the fishing rod and a release position wherein the retainer is opened to allow removal of the clamp from the portion of the fishing rod, and a support arm connecting the spool holder to the quick-release clamp, whereby, when a user of the fishing rod desires to install the length of fishing line onto the fishing reel, the quick-release clamp, in its release position, is positioned over a length of the fishing rod generally distal from the fishing reel, and the quick-release clamp is moved to its clamping position so that the quick-release clamp is retained on the rod whereby a spool of additional fishing line can be rotatably mounted on the spool holder and the fishing line from the spool can be fed onto the fishing reel in a convenient manner.
In another embodiment, a method of installing fishing line from a spool of replacement fishing line onto a fishing reel mounted to a fishing rod comprises the steps of detachably mounting the spool of replacement fishing line to the fishing rod for rotatable movement of the spool with respect thereto in a generally spaced relationship with respect to the fishing reel, threading the fishing line from the spool of replacement fishing line to the fishing reel, attaching the fishing line to the fishing reel, and winding the fishing line onto the fishing reel. In another embodiment, the method can comprise the step of restraining rotation of the spool of replacement fishing line to vary the tension of the fishing line being wound onto the fishing reel. In yet another embodiment, the method can comprise the step of rotating the spool to unwind fishing line from the fishing reel onto the spool.
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Marcelo Emmanuel M
McGarry Bair PC
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