Winding – tensioning – or guiding – Reeling device – Fishing rod reel
Utility Patent
1998-08-28
2001-01-02
Walsh, Donald P. (Department: 3653)
Winding, tensioning, or guiding
Reeling device
Fishing rod reel
C188S185000
Utility Patent
active
06168106
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a centrifugal brake for a fishing reel. In particular, the present invention is directed to a centrifugal brake having an adjustable braking force.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Centrifugal brakes are commonly used to prevent backlash in bait casting reels. These bait casting reels conventionally have a frame including a reel cover surrounding and enclosing an operating mechanism. As part of the operating mechanism, the centrifugal brake will include one or more brake weights, each mounted to a line-carrying spool assembly for rotation with the spool assembly about a central axis and for movement radially relative to the central axis as an incident of centrifugal forces produced by rotation of the spool assembly being developed thereon. Each of the brake weights has a brake weight surface at a distal radial end of the brake weight. During operation of the brake system, the brake weights rotate with the spool assembly and translate freely radially until the brake weight surface contacts a brake surface on the reel frame, whereupon the friction force generated between the brake weight surface and the brake surface slows the rotation of the spool.
Commonly, the brake weights are not restricted in their radially movement until the brake pad contacts the brake surface. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,321 to Roberts. Consequently, when the centrifugal force is great enough, all of the weights will contact the brake surface. The result is that only a single level of braking force is achievable.
However, it may be desirable to be able to vary the braking force such that different levels of braking force are achievable. For example, it may be desirable to be able to vary the level of braking force to compensate for difference in line weight.
One system and method used to provide variable braking force includes providing brake weights of various masses which are selectively attachable to and removable from the spool assembly. Accordingly, to decrease the braking force, the weights originally attached to the spool are replaced with weights of a lower total mass. By contrast, to increase the braking force, the original weights are replaced with weights having a higher total mass.
This system and method for providing variable braking force has several significant drawbacks. First, the selection of the proper sized weight to generate the proper braking force may be a relatively complicated process, and not easily performed by the novice angler. Second, once the weights have been detached from the spool, it is very easy for the weights to become misplaced or lost because of their small size. Third, at least a portion of the reel body and at least a portion of the operating mechanism of the reel may need to be removed, which step may also not be easily performed by the novice angler, or even the experience angler if performed in the field. Fourth, the removal of the reel body exposes the operating mechanism of the reel to contamination, for example from water and dirt. These contaminants can cause the performance of the reel to be degraded over time, leading to a shorter reel life.
An alternative system and method for providing variable braking force has been suggested wherein the brake weights remain attached to the spool at all times, but the radial motion of the brake weights is selectively restricted to vary the braking force. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,356,090 and 5,372,324 to Sato and U.K. Patent No. 2,257,882 to Nakajima. According to this method, one or more brake weights are disposed on a radial arm for unrestricted radial movement along the arm in a first braking state. In a second braking state, the radial movement of one or more of the weights is restricted by a radial stop which is fixed at a specific radial distance relative to the spool. In the second braking state, the number of weights which have their movement restricted by the stop can be varied such that the braking force generated thereby is varied.
This system also has significant drawbacks. Again, the function of the system may not be easily understood by the novice angler. Additionally, at least a portion of the reel body must still be disassembled to provide access to the weights for manual manipulation of the weights using the fingertips. Given the small size of the reel, and the limited access to the weights that most of these systems provide, changing the braking force may still be a tedious, labor-intensive activity. The removal of at least a portion of the reel body also allows contaminants to migrate into the operating mechanism.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fishing reel with a frame and an operating mechanism on the frame. The operating mechanism includes a spool assembly mounted to the frame for rotation around a first axis to direct fishing line onto the spool assembly. The operating mechanism also includes a brake assembly. The brake assembly includes a brake surface on the frame, a brake weight with a brake weight surface, and a first mechanism for mounting the brake weight to the spool assembly for movement between a) a first position wherein the brake weight surface on the brake weight is urged against the brake surface on the frame to generate a first braking force as an incident of the spool assembly rotating at a first predetermined velocity and b) a second position wherein the brake weight surface on the brake weight is not urged against the brake surface on the frame to generate a braking force as large as the first braking force. Additionally, the brake assembly further includes a selector that is operable remotely from the brake weight and placeable selectively in a first and a second state for i) preventing the brake weight from moving from the second position into the first position as the spool assembly is rotated at the first predetermined velocity with the selector in the first state and ii) allowing the brake weight to move from the second position into the first position as the spool assembly is rotated at the first predetermined velocity with the selector in the second state.
Therefore, the present invention may provide a system for varying the braking force of a centrifugal brake which is easily understood by the novice angler.
The present invention may also provide a system for varying the braking force of a centrifugal brake which is easily performed by the novice angler.
The present invention may provide a system for varying the braking force of a centrifugal brake which does not require disassembly of the reel body.
The present invention may provide a system for varying the braking force of a centrifugal brake which limits the unrestricted passage of contaminants to the operating mechanism of the reel.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4917321 (1990-04-01), Roberts
patent: 5356090 (1994-10-01), Sato
patent: 5362011 (1994-11-01), Sato
patent: 5372324 (1994-12-01), Sato
patent: 5393005 (1995-02-01), Nakajima
patent: 5542619 (1996-08-01), Karlsson
patent: 5782420 (1998-07-01), Forslund et al.
patent: 5803385 (1998-09-01), Baisch
patent: 5865387 (1999-02-01), Hirano
patent: 5950949 (1999-09-01), Cockerham
patent: 5984221 (1999-11-01), Kim
patent: 5996921 (1999-12-01), Hogaki et al.
patent: 6003798 (1999-12-01), Kim
patent: 2257882 (1993-01-01), None
Brunswick Corporation
Marcelo Emmanuel M.
Walsh Donald P.
Wood Phillips VanSanten Clark & Mortimer
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