Winding – tensioning – or guiding – Reeling device – Fishing rod reel
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-23
2001-09-11
Marcelo, Emmanuel M. (Department: 3653)
Winding, tensioning, or guiding
Reeling device
Fishing rod reel
C242S295000, C242S321000, C242S322000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286772
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to fishing reels and more particularly to a fly fishing reel having an adjustable drag assembly incorporated in a hub mounting a removable spool.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In sport fishing, one of the challenges is to land a fish using a line of relatively light weight with respect to the weight of the fish. The term “weight” of the line is a term specifying its strength, usually expressed as “n” pounds test line, where “n” is the number of pounds of tensile strength of the line. Typically, fishing line can have a tensile strength in the range of approximately 2-50 pounds.
One way to protect the line against breakage is to utilize a fishing reel incorporating a drag assembly. In some such reels, the drag assembly provides an interface between a spool carrying the fishing line and a hand operated shaft and crank for turning the spool. In fly fishing reels, the drag assembly acts between a frame and a spool, with the handle for turning the spool being a part of the spool. The object is to adjust the drag so that the spool will slip relative to the shaft and crank or frame and thereby protect the line from breaking by releasing the line from the spool.
It will further be appreciated that in crank type reels, the drag system provides for the unwinding and release of line without having to rotate the shaft and crank assembly. If a large fish, full of fight, is hooked, the fish may dive or run and thereby unwind line rapidly from the spool. Typically, such unwinding is too rapid for the fisherman to keep up through operation of the crank or handle. Releasing the crank or handle in such a situation is a poor option, as the reel then provides no resistance to unwinding, when such resistance is necessary for fighting and tiring the fish. Also, if the crank were released to permit the line to unwind, it would be difficult to regain control of the crank until such time as the fish slowed or stopped.
It will also be appreciated that the drag assembly limits the force that can be applied to the fish through the line as the fisherman reels in the fish or flexes the fishing rod. The drag assembly provides for slippage of the spool relative to the shaft and crank or handle, if the fisherman attempts to apply force in excess of the strength of the line or if the fish should suddenly apply such force to the line.
For best fishing results, the fisherman may want to set the drag to utilize the maximum strength of the fishing line without breaking the line. This requires that the drag assembly operate accurately and smoothly. In particular, it is important that the drag assembly operate to provide resistance to unwinding line from the spool, but be unaffected by other aspects of the operation of the reel, such as whether the line is being released from one of the sides or the center of the spool, and, of course, the operation of the drag assembly itself. Most importantly, the drag assembly should be adjustable to cooperate with the strength of the line, but must not inadvertently break the line and lose a large fish.
In fly reels, the spool may be mounted with anti-reverse features, so that it is essential that the drag system be smooth and reliable to avoid line breakage. In fly reels, it is also sometimes desirable to change line, and the ability to quickly change spools would greatly facilitate line changes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a principal object of the invention herein to provide a drag assembly for fishing reels.
It is an additional object of the invention herein to provide a drag assembly for fishing reels which exhibits accurate, consistent and smooth operation.
It is a further object of the invention herein to provide a drag assembly for fishing reels which operates independently of other aspects of the fishing reel.
It is another object of the invention herein to provide a drag assembly for a fishing reel which is rugged and reliable.
It is also an object of the invention herein to provide a fly fishing reel with selectable direction of anti-reverse action.
It is an object of the invention to provide a fishing reel especially adapted for fly fishing.
It is an additional object of the invention to provide a fly fishing reel in which the spool is readily changeable.
In carrying out this invention and in one illustrative embodiment thereof, there is provided a fishing reel including a body adapted to be received by a rod, with the body mounting a shaft and crank for rotating the shaft. The shaft extends to a threaded distal end. A spool for windably releasing and retrieving fishing line is rotatably mounted surrounding the shaft by a drag assembly.
The drag assembly includes a first bearing assembly supporting a first side of the spool and a second bearing assembly having an inner ring slidably received with respect to the shaft and an outer ring supporting a second side of the spool adjacent the threaded distal end of the shaft. A clutch is received between the inner race of the second bearing and a clutch stop fixed with respect to the shaft. An adjustment mechanism is secured to the threaded distal end of the shaft for adjustably compressing the clutch between the inner race of the second bearing and the clutch stop, the clutch thereby providing an adjustable frictional engagement between the spool and the shaft.
According to aspects of the invention, the bearing assembly and its inner and outer rings are a ball bearing having an inner race and an outer race. The clutch is a clutch pack of washers including drag washers keyed to the shaft alternating with drag washers key to the spool. According to a more particular aspect, friction washers are provided between the shaft-keyed drag washers and the spool-keyed drag washers.
Also, according to aspects of the invention, the inner race of the first bearing is interposed between the clutch pack of washers and the clutch stop, and according to a particular aspect, the inner races of both bearings are used to compress the clutch pack. The clutch pack includes end drag washers positioned adjacent to the first and second bearing assemblies, the end drag washers being configured to provide clearance with respect to the outer race of the adjacent bearing.
According to additional aspects of the invention, the adjustment mechanism is threaded to the distal end of the shaft. A compression nut is provided for compressing a clutch spring providing compressive force on the clutch pack of washers. According to a particular structure, the clutch spring is restrained within a keeper.
According to further aspects of the invention, a hub is provided surrounding the shaft, and the hub defines the clutch stop, a bearing seat adjacent the clutch stop and a clutch washer shank for receiving the shaft-keyed washers. A thrust collar is also provided between the adjustment mechanism and the clutch pack of disks, and defines a seat for the second bearing assembly.
According to other aspects of the invention, seals are provided between the shaft and the spool for maintaining the clutch pack free of water or dirt to assure its smooth operation and long life.
The spool and drag assembly is advantageously utilized in a spinning reel, but may also be incorporated in fly casting reels, bait casting reels, and trolling reels.
In also carrying out this invention and in another illustrative embodiment thereof, there is provided a fly fishing reel having a frame adapted for mounting the reel to a rod. An axle tube is supported on a spindle that extends from the frame, the spindle mounted by anti-reverse means for one-way rotation with respect to the frame. A drag assembly is at least partially mounted within the axle tube for adjustably permitting rotation of the axle tube against spindle and the anti-reverse means. A spool is removably received and secured in interlocking engagement with the axle tube, thereby adapting the reel for spool replacement independent of the anti-reverse means and drag assembly.
According to additional aspects of the invention, the spool has an axial sleeve that slides over the axle tube in
Marcelo Emmanuel M.
Ware Fressola Van der Sluys & Adolphson LLP
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