Winding – tensioning – or guiding – Reeling device – Fishing rod reel
Reexamination Certificate
2002-01-15
2003-06-03
Marcelo, Emmanuel (Department: 3653)
Winding, tensioning, or guiding
Reeling device
Fishing rod reel
C242S15700C
Reexamination Certificate
active
06572041
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to fishing-line guiding mechanisms. More specifically, the present invention relates to spinning-reel fishing-line guiding mechanisms provided at the fore-ends of a pair of rotor arms for guiding fishing line onto the spool.
2. Background Information
Fishing-line guiding mechanisms are provided on spinning reels for guiding fishing line onto the spool. The fishing-line guiding mechanism is furnished with: a pair of bail-support members carried pivotally on the fore-ends of the pair of rotor arms; a stationary shaft whose one end is fixed to the fore end of one of the bail-support members; a stationary shaft cover fixed to the other end of the stationary shaft; a bail one end of which is attached to the stationary shaft cover; and a line roller. The one end of the bail is bent over and fixedly inserted into the lateral vertex portion of the stationary shaft cover. The line roller is carried rotatively on the stationary shaft in between the stationary shaft cover and the bail-support member.
When winding fishing line onto the spool in a spinning reel having this sort of fishing-line guiding mechanism, the bail is swung over into a line-retrieving posture, and the handle is cranked. The fishing line is thus piloted by the bail over the stationary shaft cover, and guided into contact with the circumferential surface of the line roller. Then, winding outer-circumferentially onto the spool, the fishing line changes direction guided on the line roller.
Sometimes with the foregoing conventional fishing-line guiding mechanisms, during a weakening in the tension on the fishing line, such as when a fish gets off the terminal tackle while retrieving the fishing line, so-called line-slack, in which the fishing line parts from the line roller, will occur. The line-slack often happens in lightweight lure fishing such as trout fishing that uses fine fishing lines. Occurrences of line-slack may lead to problems such as the fishing line parting rearward from the bobbin portion of the spool and further encroaching into and snarling in the spool interior, and/or the fishing line becoming tangled. Cranking the handle while the fishing line is in such situation will make the fishing line prone to tangling on the bail-support member or the spool. When the fishing line snarls on the bail-support member or the spool, the handle can no longer be rotated, and the fishing line snaps or else gets further entangled on some other part.
In view of the above, there exists a need for a spinning reel fishing line guiding mechanism 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 prevent inconveniences with spinning-reel fishing-line guiding mechanisms that occur due to line slack.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, a spinning-reel fishing-line guiding mechanism is provided, to let it pivot between a line-guiding posture and a line-releasing posture, on the fore-ends of first and second rotor arms of a rotor disposed frontward on the spinning-reel reel body; and is a mechanism that when in the line-guiding posture guides fishing line onto the spool, and comprises: first and second bail-support members, a line roller, a stationary shaft, a stationary shaft cover, a bail, and a line-slack preventing part. The first and second bail-support members are fitted pivotally on the fore-ends of the first and second rotor arms. The line roller is provided on the fore end of the first bail-support member, where it guides the fishing line onto the spool. The stationary shaft is a rod projecting from the fore end of the first bail-support member, where it rotatively carries the line roller. The outer diameter of the stationary shaft cover, which is provided on the fore end of the stationary shaft, is larger than the outer diameter of the liner roller. The bail interconnects the stationary shaft cover and the second bail-support member, wherein it guides the fishing line onto the line roller. The line-slack preventing part is situated on, and projects beyond the rest of, the side of the first bail-support member from which the stationary shaft projects, and has a fishing-line piloting surface that pilots the fishing line toward the line roller.
In such the mechanism, when the handle is cranked in the state in which the bail is locked into the line-retrieving posture in this fishing-line guiding mechanism, the fishing line, conducted by the bail, is guided over the stationary shaft cover and into contact with the circumferential surface of the line roller. In this situation—when tension is acting on the fishing line—the line roller guides the fishing line smoothly onto the spool, but if the fishing-line tension weakens, the fishing line will tend to part off the line roller. Nevertheless because a line-slack preventing part is arranged on, projecting beyond the rest of, the side of the first bail-support member from which the stationary shaft projects, and moreover because a fishing-line piloting surface that pilots the fishing line toward the line roller is provided on the line-slack preventing part, though line-slack wherein the fishing line parts off the line roller occurs, the moment that tension acts on the fishing line, it is guided back onto the line roller. Consequently, even if the fishing-line tension weakens and the line goes slack, it is unlikely to bring about inconvenience.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a spinning-reel fishing-line guiding mechanism as in the first aspect, wherein the line-slack preventing part has a line-slack preventing portion situated opposing a fishing-line guiding section of the line roller. In this case, the fact that a line-slack preventing portion is arranged opposing a fishing-line guiding section of the line roller means that even if the fishing-line tension weakens, line-slack is not apt to occur.
According to third aspect of the present invention, in a spinning-reel fishing-line guiding mechanism as in the second aspect, wherein the line-slack preventing part has an engaging recess situated opposing the line roller and enabling engagement with the fishing line. Because in this case the engaging recess facilitates preventing the fishing line from parting, in the line-roller axial direction, off the area opposing the line roller, line-slack is unlikely to occur.
According to fourth aspect of the present invention, in a spinning-reel fishing-line guiding mechanism as in any of the first to third aspects, wherein the first bail-support member has a round attaching portion that attaches pivotally to the first rotor arm, a round roller-support portion affixed to the stationary shaft and into which the line roller is fitted, and a connecting portion, molded at approximately uniform thickness, that connects the attaching portion and the roller support portion; and wherein the line-slack preventing part is a rib formed on the connecting portion and projecting in the direction the stationary shaft projects. In this case, the line-slack preventing part is formed integrally with the first bail-support member, which compared with instances where the configuration is by separate elements therefore holds down weight increase, keeps the rotational balance from wavering, and inexpensively controls line-slack.
According to fifth aspect of the present invention, in a spinning-reel fishing-line guiding mechanism as in any of the first to third aspects, wherein the line-slack preventing part is a pivoting member disposed on the side of the first bail-support member that is toward the spool, and is mounted on the first rotor arm, coaxially with the first bail-support member, where it pivots linked with the first bail-support member. In this case, the fact that the line-slack preventing part is a separate member from yet pivots together with the
Hitomi Yasuhiro
Morise Taisei
Marcelo Emmanuel
Shimano Inc.
Shinjyu Global IP Counselors, LLP
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