Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an improved fly reel,
and more specifically to a fly reel provided with an auxiliary drag or brake
means arranged to be actuated by finger pressure applied by the fisherman to
the drag assembly. The actuating means for the auxiliary drag is disposed at ;~
a point which is accessible to the fisherman without requiring the fisherman to
move his hands from a normal reel gripping position. In other words, it is not
necessary for the fisherman to re-arrange or re-position the rod and reel in
order to actuate the auxiliary drag assembly.
Normally, fly fishing reels are equipped with a drag of the ratchet
type. Such a conventional drag assembly is normally not useful for application ;`
of a braking force to the reel when a game fish is hooked and starts to run.
In order to achieve such a braking force, the fisherman will normally apply
finger pressure to the surface of the line remaining within the confines of the
line receiving spool. In the event the fisherman has hooked a large fish which
has commenced a run, such finger pressure to achieve braking may be 7neffec-
tive.
In the past, a variety of auxiliary drag assemblies have been pro-
posed which can be utilized to exert a braking force on the line spool, and
thus assist in controlling the play of the fish. These auxiliary drag assembliesfrequently require the fisherman to hold the rod and reel assembly in an unusual; ~;
or unnatural fashion, or may require the preparation of a complex system which
is heavy and relatively difficult to assemble and service. Additionally, certainfly fishing reels have been equipped with auxiliary drag assemblies which tend
to grip the spool tightly7 and thus exert unusual or heavy forces on the line,
thereby risking breaking of the line. The auxiliary drag mechanism of the
present invention permits a wide variety of forces to be applied to the line 1
spool, with the braking force being directly proportional to the finger pressureexerted by the fisherman upon the auxiliary drag assembly7 with minimum weight
increase.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ~ I
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Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, the fly fishing
reel includes a frame means with a line receiving spool means mounted there-
within. The frame means includes a pair of laterally disposed line spool
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r . onfining rings or members, each spool confining member comprising first
and second generally concentrically disposed arcuate sectors or segments
which are overlapped arcuateiy for a signiFicant arcuate distance. One of the
overlapping segments becomes a cantilevered beam portion which is resilient
in a radial direction, with the inner circumferential portion thereof being
arranged to engage the outer peripheral edge surface of the spool. A force
applied radially inwardly against the cantilevered portion will urge the canti-
levered portion against the peripheral edge of the iine spool so as to generate
frictional drag resisting free rotation of the line spool within the frame. The
10magnitude of braking force applied to the assembly is in direct proportion to
the finger pressure applied to the assembly by the fisherman, and thus is ~ -
totally predictable and reliable. ~ ~;
Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide
an improved fly fishing reel which includes an auxiliary drag mechanism which
is functional as a braking mechanism for the fisherman.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved
fishing reel equipped with an auxiliary drag mechanism functional as a braking
mechanism, and which is actuated by the fisherman without requiring the fisher~
man to alter, change, or otherwise modify a normal grip of the rod and fly reel ` -~
assembly.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an
improved fly reel which is equipped with an auxiliary drag mechanism, and -
wherein the drag mechanism includes an arcuate cantilevered arm which is
resilient and capable of flexure in a radial direction, and wherein the inner ~ ~
circumferential surface of the arcuate cantilevered portion may be forced ~;
against the outer peripheral edge surface of the line spool flange so as to
generate frictional drag against free rotation of the line receiving spool within -
the frame.
A principal object is to provide a fishing reel comprising frame
30 means and a line receiving spool means mounted therewithin, said line receiving
spool means including a central core with flanges secured to opposed ends
thereof and being mounted for axial rotation within said frame means; said
spool flanges having an outer periphery with an edge surface extending axially
of said spool; said frame means including a pair of laterally disposed line spool
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, _~onfining members, each confining member comprising first and second gen-
erally concentrically disposed arcuate sectors with said first arcuate sector
having spaced coupling means at opposed ends thereof securing said second
arcuate sector thereto, with said spaced coupling means providing said second
arcuate sector with an arcuate captive portion interposed between said spaced
coup1ing means an an arcuate cantilevered arm portion extending therefrom and
having a free end; said cantilevered portion being resilient in a radial direction `
and with the inner circumferential portion thereof having an inner axially
extending edge surface axially aligned with said spool flange outer edge surfaceand normally spaced radially outwardly from said spool flange outer edge;
means for transmitting a force applied radially inwardly adjacent the free end
of said cantilevered portion to generate frictional drag against said axially
extending outer edge surfaces of said spool flange for resisting free rotation
of said line receiving spool within said frame means.
Other and further objects oF the present invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art upon a study of the following specification, ~ ~ `
appended claims, and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved fishing reel shown ~ -
mounted on a conventional fly rod;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the fishing reel;
Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the fishing reel illustrated
in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a sectional view taken aiong the line and in the direction
of the arrows 4-4 of Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the line and in the direction
of the arrows 5-5 of Figure 4, and illustrating the normal disposition of the ;
auxi I i ary drag assemb I y;
Figure 6 is a sectional view similar to F-igure 5, taken along the
line and in the direction of the arrows 6-6 of Figure 4, and showing the auxiliary
drag assembly in braking disposition, and
Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view, similar to Figure 2, and
illustrating the manner in which the support structure for the spool is arranged.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBOD_MENT
In accordance \,vith the preferred embodiment of the presen~ invention,
and with attention being directed to Figure 1~ the improved fly fishing reel
generally designated 10 is shown in a conventional operational mode, being
attached to the butt or handle portion 12 of rod 13. Also, as is conventional, -`
line 14 is shown extending from the reel 10 and outwardly through the guides
of rod 13.
With attention now being directed to Figure 2, it will be seen that
the reel 10 includes frame means which are arranged to retain or hold line
receiving spool means 15 therewithin. The frame means includes a spider member ~`
16 which supports, at its outer extremities, a spool confining member or ring
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17. A similar spool confining member or ring is shown in laterally opposed
relationship to member 17, as at 18. Each of the spool confining members 17
and 18 comprise a pair of arcuate sectors or segments, such as the arcuate
sectors 45 and 46, as illustrated in Figure 3, as more fully explained herein- ;` `
after. Also, as is conventional in fishing reels of this type, a mounting member20 is provided in order to permit attachment to the fishing rod, in the manner
illustrated in Figure 1. Further, an arcuate cradle element is illustrated at
21 in order to provide a means of attachment of member 20 to the line spool
confining members 17 and 18. As indicated, cradle 21 has mounting sleeves `~ -
arranged at opposed ends thereof, such as is illustrated at 22 and 23, with
these mounting sleeves being shown in greater detail in Figures 5 and 6.
Attention is now directed to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings wherein -`
further details of the fishing reel are illustrated. As is apparent in Figure 4,the core 25 of line spool 15 is mounted over a main shaft assembly generally
designated 26, which assembly includes a geae hub 27 along with rubber sleeve
member 28, members 27 and 28 being adjustably compressably retained together
by gear hub nut 29. Screw 30 is provided coaxially internally of members 27,
28 and 29, with the threaded end of screw 30 being engaged in retainer 31. Hub
bushing 32 is provided over the periphery of screw 30 to permit axial rotation
of spool 15 within the reel structure. The arrangement is such that upon
compressing tubular sleeve 28 between members 27 and 29, the outer periphery
of tubular sleeve 28 expands outwardly and thus engages firmly the core 25 of ~`
line receiving spool 15. Compression of tubular sleeve 28 between members 27
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nd 29 is accomplished with spool 15 being removed. Gear hub 27 is provided
with a geared surface 33 which is arrangecl to engage clicker pick 34, with
button 35 controlling the radial disposition of the working end of pick 34 so asto provide for varying degrees of engagement or disengagement of pick 34 with
the teeth of gear 33. The engagement of pick 34 with the teeth of gear 33
provides a drag on the rotation of line receiving spool 15 within the frame `
means, with clicker pick drag arragenements being conventional in fishing
reels.
Line spool lS, in addition to core 25, is provided with flanges 37
and 38, with winding crank 39 being provided to enable the fisherman to wind
the spool during use. Each of the flanges 37 and 38 is provided with an outer ;~
peripheral edge having a surface extending axially of the spool, as is shown
at 40 and 41. This axially extending surface provides a braking surface when
in engagement with the auxiliary drag or braking assembly which will be
described in greater detail hereinafter.
The laterally disposed line spool confining members 17 and 18 each
include first and second generally concentrically disposed arcuate sectors or
segments, such as the arcuate sectors 45 and 46, as illustrated in Figure 3.
Each of these sectors encompasses approximately 240 degrees of arc, and are
joined together, one to another, by screws 47 and 48, which extend through i~
mounting sleeves 22 and 23, as previously described. These sectors are
overlap~ing for approximately 120 of arc with the individual segments being
shown at their overlapping zones in Figure 2. A further spacer and clamping
arrangement for the individual arcuate sectors or segments is shown at 50 in
Figure 4, with this arrangement including a spacer sleeve 51 and a screw 52,
screw 52 spanning the width of the reel between the laterally disposed spool
confining members 17 and 18. The overlapping or stacking arrangement of the
individual arcuate sectors forming members 17 and 18, together with the spacing -
feature of the cradle 21 is believed best illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings.
: With continuing attention being directed to Figures 3 and 4, it will
be observed that the first arcuate sector 45 has spaced coupling means 47 and
48 arranged at its opposed ends. With sector 46 being secured to sector 45 at
these two points, a captive span or zone is provided between mounting points
47 and 48, and an arcuate cantilevered portion is provided in that arcuate part
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~:~r segment which is illus~rated as at 50. Arcuate sector 46 is fabricated fromresilient or flexible metal so as to render the cantilevered portion resilientlydeflectable in a radTal direction. In order to achieve both durability and flexi-
bility in the same metallic member, arcuate cantilevered portion 50 is provided
with a means for increasing the flexibility of the cantilevered portion. An ~;
increase in flexibility may be obtained by a reduction in cross-sectional, or
by other means such as, for example, providing a plurality of bores so as to
- render the portion more resilient or flexible. Thus, the increase in resiliency
may be achieved without significantly weakening the cantilevered portion, -
while continuing to provide a durable product.
Attention is now directed to Figures 5 and 6 wherein the details of
the auxuliary drag or braking assembly are illustrated in greater detail.
Specifically, it will be seen that the inner circumferential surface 55 of canti-
levered member 50 is axially aligned with the spool flange outer edge surface
40, and as illustrated in Figure 5, surface 55 is normally spaced radially
outwardly from surface 40, with a gap being shown in Figure 5. However,
when the force is applied to cantilevered member 50 in the direction of arrow ;
56 in Figure 6, cantilevered portion 50 deflects radially inwardly so as to
provide contact along an extensive portion of spool surfac e 40, such as the
arcuate segment extending between points 56 and 57 of the cantilevered portion
50, as illustrated in Figure 6. In other words, as cantilevered portion 50 is `
deflected radialiy inwardly, a greater amount of surface contact is provided
between the surfaces 55 of the auxlliary drag or braking assembly and the
surface 40 of the line spool. The frictional drag increases controllably,
therefore, as a function of the force applied to the assembly, with this Friction
resisting free rotation of the line receiving spool within the frame means.
With attention being directed to Figure 7 of the drawings, it will be - -
observed that those components taken from the side opposite that shown in
Figures 3, 5 and 6 carry the suffix IIBII to identify the corresponding and mating
component. - -
In order to permit the fisherman to readily engage the auxiliary -
drag or braking assembly, a radially outwardly extending projection is provided
as at 60. A transverse spacer element is available as at 61 to transfer or
otherwise apply radially inwardly directed forces to both sides of the reel when
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~wo such braking assemblies are provided. Thus, when the fisherman desires
to apply a drag force to the reel, he wiil merely press the projection 56
radially inwardly, and thus achieve effective braking action.
It will be appreciated, therefore, that the fisherman in utilizing the
fishing reel of the present invention will be able to effectively brake the out~
ward running of the line without requiring a change in the normal handling of the
rod and reel during fishing. This, of course, is a valuable feature for the
fisherman, inasmuch as a greater degree of control can be exercised by the
fisherman when such control is indicated.
In the structure described in the drawings, it will be noted that
each side of the reel 10 is provided with substantially identical laterally ~;
disposed line spool confining members such as the members 17 and 18. Each
of these includes first and second generally concentrically disposed arcuate
sectors or segments such as the sectors 45 and 46, with each having a canti~
levered end portion as shown at 50 and 63. In certain instances, it may be -~
found that a single such braking member may be sufficient~ however, for most
purposes, a pair of such members is provided.
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