GB2251535A

GB2251535A - Fishing reel

Info

Publication number: GB2251535A
Application number: GB9200380A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jun Sato
Original assignee: Shimano Inc
Current assignee: Shimano Inc
Priority date: 1991-01-11
Filing date: 1992-01-09
Publication date: 1992-07-15
Anticipated expiration: 2012-01-09
Also published as: GB9200380D0; JP2536452Y2; GB2251535B; KR920014403A; KR950008074B1; JPH0494970U; DE4200671A1

Abstract

A fishing reel has a reel body, a handle 8 supported to the reel body for retrieving a fishing line and a one-way clutch mechanism 17 for preventing reverse rotation of the handle shaft in a fishing-line feeding direction. The one-way clutch mechanism 17 includes an inner ring member 17A, an outer ring member 17B and a roller member 17C interposed between the inner and outer ring members. The inner ring member 17A is fitted on a handle shaft connected with the handle 8 so as to transmit torque. The reel body includes a cylinder member 23 for inwardly supporting the outer ring member 17B of the one-way clutch mechanism 17. The arrangement minimises the effects on the clutch mechanism caused by deformation of the reel body during fishing line tension. <IMAGE>

Description

FISHING REEL The present invention relates to a fishing reel having a

fishing-line take-up handle supported to a reel body and a oneway clutch mechanism for preventing rotation of the handle in a direction for feeding a fishing line, and the invention more particularly relates to a construction for supporting the oneway clutch mechanism.

A conventional fishing reel of the above-described type is known from e.g. the Japanese laid-open utility model gazette No. 64-38964. According to this known reel taking a baiteasting reel for example, a roller member is provided for a handle shaft while a ring member inwardly engaging this roller member is supported to a reel body. This roller type one-way clxitch mechanism, as compared with a ratchet type one- way mechanism consisting essentially of a gear wheel -2and a pawl member, has the advantage that the mechanism allows quick and sensitive response to a caught fish because of a fairly limited 'play' of the mechanism when acting for prevention of reverse rotation.

On the other hand, according to the same convention, since the roller member is in contact with the handle shaft, the construction requires that the handle shaft be provided with appropriate surface treatment or the like in order to effectively resist contact pressure applied from the handle shaft. Further, the assembly of the roller member within the reel construction per se tends to be troublesome. Moreover, for reliably fitting the roller member inwardly engaging the ring member to the reel body, it is necessary to form the engaging portion of the reel body with a relatively high precision so as to avoid unnecessary looseness.

The reel body is generally formed of such material as a resin having a superior workability or aluminum diecast. Then, if such reel body is subjected to a fishing line tension of a significant magnitude, the body experiences deformation which causes enlargement of the gap between the ring member and the reel body, consequently, disadvantageous 1 10 looseness occurs. Such mechanical looseness causes a delay in the angler's initial interaction with a caught fish, so that the caught fish may be inadvertently released. In this respect, the conventional reel construction has room for improvement.

Obviously, the above problem can be overcome by forming the reel body of other material having a higher strength. However$ such high-strength material poses the problem of inferior workability.

Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved fishing reel which can continue, for an extended period of time, to allow quick and sensitive interaction with a caught fish without sacrificing the performance of its one-way clutch mechanism or without using any high-strength material for forming its reel body.

For accomplishing the above-described object, a fishing reel, according to the essential spirits of the present invention, comprises:

a reel body; a handle supported to the reel body for retrieving a fishing line; a one-way clutch mechanism for preventing reverse rotation of the handle shaft in a fishing-line feeding direction; wherein said one-way clutch mechanism includes an inner ring member, an outer ring member and a roller member interposed between said inner and outer ring members, said inner ring member being fitted on a handle shaft connected with said handle so as to transmit' torque, said reel body including a cylinder member for inwardly supporting said outer ring member of the one-way clutch mechanism. Functions and effects of this construction will be described next.

The construction can be embodied as shown in Figs. 1 and 7, f or example. As shown, an engagement arrangement is provided between an inner ring member 17A of a one-way clutch mechanism 17 and a handle shaft 16. Also, another engagement arrangement is provided between an outer ring member 17B of the clutch mechanism and a cylinder member 23. With these, an assembly of the reel construction can be done very easily simply by attaching the one-way clutch mechanism 17 through the respective engagement arrangements. Further, only by forming the cylinder member 23 of a material having a higher strength than that used for the reel body, it is possible, without forming the reel body of such high-strength material, to effectively prevent enlargement in the gap between the outer ring member 17B and the cylinder member 23.

More specifically, according to the present invention, the one-way clutch mechanism 17 consists essentially of the inner ring member 17A, the outer ring member 17B and the roller member 17C. This arrangement reduces the labor required for the reel assembly. Further, by use of the cylinder member 23 provided separately from the reel body, it becomes possible to use material of lower workability in forming the reel body.

Thus, through the relatively simple modification utilizing a cylinder member, the invention has fully achieved its intended primary object of providing an improved fishing reel which can continue, for an extended period of time, to allow quick and sensitive interaction with a caught fish without sacrificing the performance of its one-way clutch mechanism or without using any high- strength material for forming its reel body.

In addition, the cylinder member is formed of material different from that forming the reel body. Accordingly, if it is required to effect a fishing work on an outer surface of the reel body by e.g. grinding and polishing treatment, this treatment can be done without any difficulity because the cylinder member can be assembled into the reel body after completion of the surface treatment of the latter.

Further, and other objects, features and effects of the invention will become more apparent from the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:- Fig. 1 is a section showing a right portion of a fishing reel relating to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a section showing a left portion of the reel of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a side view showing a clutch control unit of the reel, Fig. 4 is a side view in vertical section of the fishing reel, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a body of the reel, Fig. 6 is a rear view of the reel, 1 10 Fig. 7 is a section view o mechanism of the reel, Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing an attachment construction of the one-way clutch mechanism, Fig. 9 is a section showing an arrangement of a permanent magnet or the like of the reel, and Fig. 10 is a side view of the fishing reel.

f a oneway clutch Preferred embodiments of a fishing reel relating to the present invention will now be described in particular with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figs. 1 through 10 show a baitcasting reel as one example of the fishing reel relating to the invention. This baitcasting reel has a reel body including a left casing I and a right casing 2. Forwardly of this reel body, there is disposed a level-wind mechanism L consisting essentially of a worm shaft 3, a guide rod 4 and a line-guide member 5. Further, a spool 6 is disposed centrally of the reel body and a clutch control member 7 is disposed rearwardly 'of the reel body, respectively. The right casing 2 accommodates a handle 8, a drag control member 9 and a cast controller 10. The left casing 1 accommodates a brake mechanism 11.

In this reel, the left casing 1, a portion of the right casing 2 and a thumbrest 12 and a pair of lower frames 13, 13 disposed between the casings 1, 2 are integrally formed of an aluminum diecast. This integral assembly will be referred to as an integral portion A. Then, to this integral portion A, there is attached a cover portion B forming the remaining portion of the right casing 2, so that the portions A and B together form the reel body.

In a side view, this reel body has a substantially circular face having a center P. Also, at a position obtained by displacing, by a predetermined amount, an axis Q of a spool 6 upwardly relative to the center P and also in a virtual horizontal plane G set on the same level as the center P, the aforementioned worm gear 3 is disposed.

On the other hand, between the pair of roller frames 13, 13, there is interposed a reel leg 14 for attachment of this reel to a fishing rod.Referring to dimensions of this reel, the reel body has an outer diameter ranging approximately between 45 mm and 70 mm and has a distance H between the center P and the leg 14 which distance ranges at not greater than 40 mm. These dimensional arrangements are provided for improvement of 'palming' feel during a casting action.

The integral portion A and the cover portion B are both treated with alumite coating having bright finish and also outer surfaces of interconnecting parts of these portions A and B are treated by cutting so as to present smooth and stepless interconnection therebetween. As a result, the entire assembly presents a pleasant feel and appearence.

Inside the right casing 2, there is projecting a handle shaft 16 to which the handle 8 and a drag control member 9 are attached. Further, the handle shaft 16 mounts a drag mechanism D and a disc 15 adjacent an inner end of the shaft 16 and a one-way clutch mechanism 17 is disposed at an intermediate position of this handle shaft 16.

A clutch mechanism C includes a clutch sleeve 19 slidably mounted on a spool shaft 18 rotatable with a spool 6 and a pin 20 acting as a f ixed element f ixed to the spool shaft 18 and engageable with and disengageable from the clutch sleeve 19. In operation, as an input gear 19A of this clutch sleeve 19 comes into engagement with an output gear 21 of the drag mechanism D, a rotational force from the handle 8 is transmitted to the spool 6 through the drag mechanism D and the clutch mechanism C.

The spool shaft 18 has its opposed terminal ends supported by bearings 22, 22. Further, a cast controller 10 is screwed to the right casing 2 so as to adjust a friction force to be applied on the righthand end of the spool shaft 18. The one-way clutch mechanism 17 includes an inner ring member 17A, an outer ring member 17B and a plurality of roller members 17C interposed between the inner and outer ring members 17A, 17B. The inner ring member 17A is outwardly fitted on the handle shaft 16 for torque transmission thereto; while, the outer ring member 17B is inwardly fitted to a cylinder member 23 attached to the cover portion B so as to transmit the torque to the member 23, so that the one-way clutch mechanism 17 acts to prevent reverse rotation of the handle 8.

The above-mentioned cylinder member 23, as shown in Fig. 8, has a flanged portion 23A through which the member 23 is fixed to the cover portion B by means of a pin 24. Further, this cylinder member 23 has an engaging face 23B formed straight along the handle shaft 16. Accordingly, the one-way clutch mechanism 17 is detachable from the outside of the reel body. The torque transmission between the handle shaft 16 1 10 and the inner ring member 17A is realized through engagement between a projecting piece 17a of the inner ring member 17A and an engaging portion Wa of a washer W fitted on the handle shaft 16 for torque transmission therewith.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, a shifter 26 slidably supported to a pair of pivot shafts 25, 25 is engaged with the clutch sleeve 19. Further, a rotary cam 27 having a pair of cam faces 27A, 27A for sliding the shifter 26 is rotatably and coaxially mounted on the spool 6 having an axis Q. A link member 28 contactable with a contact pin 7A of the clutch control member 7 is engaged with an engaging pin 27B of the rotary cam 27.

The pivot shafts 25, 25 mount compression springs 29, 29 for operating the shifter 26 to engage the clutch mechanism C. Also, a toggle spring 30 is provided for the rotary cam 27 for retaining a posture of this rotary cam 27 either in the engaged or disengaged condition of the clutch mechanism C. A return arm 32 is provided for switching over an end of the toggle spring 31 to bring the end into engagement with the ratchet wheel 15 when the clutch mechanism C is declutched, i.e. disengaged. For declutching the clutch mechanism C, the clutch control member 7 is -12depressed, so that the link member 28 moves along an are path through its contact with the guide member 33 to rotate the rotary cam 27. As a result, through depression of the cam faces 27A, 27A, the clutch mechanism -C is declutched. Reversely, for engaging the clutch mechanism C, the handle 8 is rotated in the fishing-line retreaving direction, so that a pressing force from a pawl portion 15A of the disc 15 acts on the return arm 32 to reverse the rotary cam 27. Then, the shifter 26 is moved by urging forces of the compression springs 29, 29 in the direction for engaging the clutch mechanism C.

The clutch control member 7 is supported slidably only relative to a wall portion 2S of the right casing 2. Further, the control pin 7A is inserted into an arcuate guide slot 2A and the clutch control member 7 defines an arcuate through hole 7B into which a connecting frame 34 is inserted, so that the clutch control member 7 slides along an arcuate moving path about a center P of the reel body as viewed from sidewise.

As shown in Fig. 1, an output gear 35 mounted on the handle shaft 16 is meshed with an input gear 36 mounted on the worm shaft 3, so that the level-wind mechanism L functions in association with a rotary operation of the handle 8.

As shown in Fig. 2, the left casing I forms, in its outer side, a circular opening 1A centering about the reel body center P. And, the brake mechanism 11 is attached to a disc-shaped cover 37 for covering the opening 1A.

The brake mechanism 11 includes a plurality of permanent magnets 38... arranged adjacent the spool 6 formed of metal, a displacing mechanism for displacing the magnets 38 along the axis Q of the spool 6 and a rotary operation type adjusting member 39 attached to the cover 37. The adjusting member 39 consists essentially of a disc-shaped member 39A and a knob 39B attached to an outer surface of the member 39A. Further, a rotational axis of the adjusting member 39 is aligned with the reel -body center P (aligned also with a center of the cover 37). With the displacing mechanism, displacement of a pin 40 engageable into a cam groove 39C defined in an inner face of the discshaped member 39A is transmitted via a shaft 42 incorporated within a cylinder 41 to a plate 43 supporting the magnets 38.

Incidentally, with the above-described brake mechanism 11, in association with a rotary operation of the adjusting member 39, a spring element 44 comes 1 10 into and out of engagement relative to a threaded portion defined in an outer periphery of the discshaped member 39A so as to generate a clicking sound.

In place of the above-described embodiment, the present invention may be embodied by using any other type of one-way clutch mechanism as disclosed in the Japanese published utility model gazette No. 42-7523 or the Japanese published patent gazette No.46-21126 for example. Further, the reel body may be formed of a resin material instead of the metal.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

-15CLAIMS

A fishing reel comprising: a reel body; a handle supported to the reel body for retrieving a fishing line; a one- way clutch mechanism for preventing reverse rotation of the handle shaft in a fishing-line feeding direction; wherein said one-way clutch mechanism includes an inner ring member, an outer ring member and a roller member interposed between said inner and outer ring members. said inner ring member being fitted on a handle shaft connected with said handle so as to transmit torque. said reel body including a cylinder member for inwardly supporting said outer ring member of the one-way clutch mechanism.
2. A fishing reel as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said cylinder member has a flanged portion through which said cylinder member is fixed to a cover portion of a casing forming said reel body.
3. A f ishing reel as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein said cylinder member has as engaging face formed straight along the handle shaft so as to allow said -16one-way clutch mechanism to be detachabl outside of said reel body.

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4. A f ishing reel as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said torque transmission between said handle shaft and said inner ring member is realized through engagement between a projecting piece of said inner ring member and an engaging portion of a washer fitted on said handle shaft for torque transmission therewith.
5. A f ishing reel as claimed in Claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein said reel body has an outer diameter ranging approximately between 45 mm and 70 mm and has a distance ranging at not greater than 40 mm between a center of said reel body and a reel leg.
6. A f ishing reel as claimed in any preceding Claim, comprising:

a further clutch mechanism including a clutch sleeve slidably mounted on a spool shaft rotatable with a spool and a fixed element fixed to said spool shaft and engageable with and disengageable from said clutch sleeve.
7. A fishing reel as claimed in any preceding Claim, comprising:

-17a disc-shaped cover for covering an opening defined in an outer side of a casing forming said reel body, a brake mechanism being attached to said discshaped cover.
8. A fishing reel as claimed in Claim 7, wherein said brake mechanism includes a plurality of permanent magnets arranged adjacent said spool, a displacing mechanism for displacing said magnets along an axis of said spool and a rotary operation type adjusting member attached to said cover.
9. A fishing reel as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said adjusting member includes a disc-shaped member and a knob attached to an outer surface of said discshaped member.
10. A fishing reel substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.