Winding – tensioning – or guiding – Reeling device – Fishing rod reel
Reexamination Certificate
2002-04-18
2003-07-29
Matecki, Kathy (Department: 3654)
Winding, tensioning, or guiding
Reeling device
Fishing rod reel
C242S246000, C242S322000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06598819
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to spools. More specifically, the present invention relates to spools mounted on spinning-reel spool shafts that are axially movably installed in the reel bodies of spinning reels.
2. Background Information
The spool in front-drag model spinning reels having built-in drag mechanisms is linked to the fore end of the spool shaft via the drag mechanism. This type of spool has a bobbin trunk portion, front/rear flange portions formed flaring at either end of the bobbin trunk portion, and a tubular skirt portion formed integrally with the rear flange portion. The drag mechanism includes a drag handling unit, and a friction unit that is pressed upon by the drag handling unit and is arranged within a drag-housing compartment formed in the interior of the bobbin trunk portion. The friction unit includes a first friction disk that is non-rotatable with respect to the spool shaft, and a second friction disk that is non-rotatable with respect to the spool.
Large-model spinning reels with a compact spool in which the bobbin trunk is formed small so that spooling capacity for thick, high-test fishing line may be secured are known. Because the diameter of the bobbin trunk is relatively small in this sort of spinning reel, securing drag-housing compartment in the bobbin trunk interior through which sufficient drag force corresponding to thick fishing line can be gained is difficult.
In this respect, a spool in which the drag-mechanism friction unit is disposed not in the bobbin trunk, but in the rear of the spool (specifically, within the skirt) is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Post-Grant Gazette Pub. No. H06-16512. The spinning reel disclosed in the aforementioned gazette is formed with a cylindrical drag housing that projects rearward on the rear face of the rear flange portion; and a friction unit having first and second disks is housed in the drag housing interior. The friction unit is arranged in a state in which its movement rearward is restricted, where it can come into contact with the rear face of the rear flange. A drag-handling unit for pressing the friction unit is screwed onto the fore end of the spool shaft. A retaining means for locking the friction unit in place is fastened with locking screws to the rear face of the drag housing. The retaining means is mounted covering the rear of the friction unit.
Since the friction unit in a thus-configured conventional spool is locked in place by the retaining means, when the spool is undone from the spool shaft, the friction unit as such comes apart from the spool shaft along with the spool.
Conventionally, the bobbin trunk and rear-flange portions of the spool body are often formed integrally with the skirt portion. In this respect, metal highly resistant to corrosion must be used for the bobbin trunk portion and the rear flange, because they are constantly in contact with the fishing line. Consequently, on account of being formed integrally with the bobbin trunk portion, conventionally with aluminum alloys too, those that are of comparatively high corrosion resistance, or those that have been surface-treated for high corrosion resistance are used.
Issues Invention is to Solve
Since the friction unit is covered by the retaining means in the foregoing conventional configuration, foreign matter such as dust and grit is not apt to invade into the drag disks. Nevertheless, because a gap is left in between the skirt portion of the spool and the rotor, liquid is liable to seep in through the gap in the course of washing the reel with liquids. Should liquid seep in through the gap between the skirt and the rotor, the liquid is liable to seep into the interior of the drag mechanism, through the gap between the retaining member and the spool shaft, and the gap between the retaining member and the drag housing, wetting the disks within the friction unit and fluctuating the drag force.
Also since the bobbin trunk portion and the rear flange portion must be corrosion resistant, in the foregoing conventional configuration, lightweight alloys having high resistance to corrosion (e.g., aluminum alloys), or alloys that have been subjected to a surface treatment to heighten the corrosion resistance are used. Alloys whose corrosion resistance is high tend to have dull, whitish hues compared with those whose corrosion resistance is low, which makes it difficult by comparison with those whose corrosion resistance is low to obtain a metallic luster having a classic feel.
On the other hand, the skirt portion is a component covering the round-cylinder portion of the rotor so that fishing line will not coil onto it. Consequently, the skirt portion requires less corrosion resistance than the bobbin trunk and rear-flange portions, which are constantly in contact with fishing line to which saltwater has clung. Moreover, because the skirt portion is always exposed, the skirt portion is the most conspicuous among the components of the spool, and is the part on which adornment may be presented to lend a classic feel to the reel overall.
Nevertheless, in the foregoing conventional configuration, the skirt portion and the bobbin trunk and rear-flange portions are formed integrally as a member that has high resistance to corrosion or has been surface-treated to effect high corrosion resistance. Accordingly, the corrosion resistance of the fishing-line contact areas can be maintained. However, the skirt portion can only have dull hues, which is a problem in that improving the decorativeness of the skirt portion is difficult.
Furthermore, when the spool is retreated in the foregoing conventional configuration, the drag-mechanism friction unit is situated in the interior of the skirt portion where the round-cylinder portion of the rotor is adjacent, whereby the dimension of the friction unit in the spool-axial direction is restricted. The number of disks in the friction unit is therefore restricted, and gaining sufficient drag force is difficult, even if the disks are made large in diameter.
In view of the above, there exists a need for spool which overcomes the above mentioned problems in the prior art. This invention addresses this need in the prior art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to control fluctuations in drag force due to liquids seeping into the drag mechanism in a spool on the rear of which a drag mechanism is disposed.
Another object of the present invention is to improve decorativeness of the skirt portion, while maintaining the corrosion resistance of the areas that contact fishing line, in a spool on the rear of which a drag mechanism is disposed.
Still another object of the present invention is to make it easier to gain sufficient drag force in a spool on the rear of which a drag mechanism is disposed.
A spinning-reel spool having to do with the first aspect of the present invention is mounted on a spool shaft installed reciprocatingly in the reel body of the spinning-reel, and is furnished with: a spool body, a drag mechanism, a cover member, a first sealing means, and a second sealing means. The spool body has a tubular bobbin-trunk portion mounted rotatably on the spool shaft, and front and rear flange portions diametrically larger than the bobbin trunk portion and provided respectively on the front and rear of the bobbin trunk portion. The drag mechanism has: a drag-handling unit that screws onto fore end of the spool shaft to press the bobbin trunk portion, and a first friction unit disposed in a state enabling it to contact the rear face of the rear flange portion, and meanwhile restricting its movement rearward on the spool shaft. The cover member is a component installed non-rotatably on the spool body, to cover the first friction unit over its rear. The first sealing means is a means that is fitted in between the cover member and the spool body, and that seals a gap between the two. The second sealing means is a means that i
Langdon Evan
Matecki Kathy
Shimano Inc.
Shinjyu Global IP Counselors, LLP
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