WO2000078133A1

WO2000078133A1 - Fishing reel of the multiplier type

Info

Publication number: WO2000078133A1
Application number: PCT/SE2000/001221
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roger Ylikangas; Patrik Svensson
Original assignee: Berkley Inc.
Priority date: 1999-06-17
Filing date: 2000-06-13
Publication date: 2000-12-28
Also published as: SE9902298D0; AU5859900A; SE9902298L; SE512616C2

Abstract

A fishing reel of the multiplier type has a line spool (3) which is mounted on a shaft (7). A clutch element, which is rotatable by means of a handle (4), is displaceable along the shaft between an engaging position, in which it is connected to the line spool (3) for rotation thereof, and a disengaging position, in which it is disconnected from the line spool. The clutch element is displaced from the engaging position to the disengaging position by a trigger being depressed from a starting position to an operating position. The clutch element is displaced from the disengaging position to the engaging position when the turning of the handle (4) in the direction of retrieval starts, the trigger being simultaneously automatically returned to the starting position. The fishing reel also has a level winding element (25) and a groove follower pin (32) connected therewith and engaging an endless screw, rotatable by the handle (4), in order to displace the level winding element back and forth along a guiding sleeve (17). The groove follower pin (32) is displaceable back and forth along an operating rod (39) which extends through the groove follower pin. The operating rod (39) is connected to the trigger in such manner that is moves the groove follower pin (32) out of engagement with the screw when the trigger is depressed, and immediately returns it into engagement with the screw when the trigger is returned to the starting position.

Description

FISHING REEL OF THE MULTIPLIER TYPE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fishing reel of the multiplier type, comprising a frame; a line spool shaft mounted in said frame ; a rotatable line spool mounted on said shaft; a drive shaft mounted in the frame and supporting a driving gear which is non-rotationally connected therewith; a handle mounted on the drive shaft for rotating the same ; a clutch means which is mounted on the line spool shaft and has a gear member which is adapted to be rotated by the driving gear, and which is displaceable along the line spool shaft between an engaging position, in which the clutch means is connected to the line spool for rotation thereof, and a disengaging position, in which the clutch means is disconnected from the line spool; a level -wind mechanism, which has a sleeve which is arranged in the frame and extends parallel to the line spool shaft and has a slot extending along the sleeve, an endless screw which is rotatably mounted in the sleeve and supports a gear non-rotationally connected therewith and adapted to be rotated by the driving gear, a level winding means which is mounted on the sleeve, and a groove follower pin, which is connected with the level winding means and which via the slot of the sleeve engages the endless screw to move, during rotation thereof, the level winding means back and forth along the sleeve; and a trigger which is mounted on the frame and which by means of a first clutch mechanism is connected to the clutch means in order to, when actuated, displace the clutch means to its disengaging position and which, by means of a second clutch mechanism, is connected to the level -wind mechanism to disconnect, when actuated, the level winding means from the endless screw and release it for free displacement along the sleeve, the first and the second clutch mechanism being connected to the handle m such manner that, during rotation of the handle m the direction of line retrieve, they return the clutch means to its engaging position and the level winding means to its position connected with the endless screw. Background Art

A fishing reel of this type is known from SE 432,513. In this prior art fishing reel, the level winding means consists of a first line carriage which is displaceable back and forth along the sleeve and m which the groove follower pin engaging the endless screw is arranged, and two line carriage parts which are displaceable back and forth along a guiding rod parallel to the sleeve and which together form a second line carriage and each support an arm intended for guiding the fishing line. The two line carriages are releasably interconnected and can, by actuation of the trigger, be disconnected from each other. This disconnection is carried out by the first line carriage, during actuation of the trigger, being rotated a distance round the sleeve from an engaging position to a disengaging position. When the first line carriage is in the engaging position, the two line carriage parts with the fishing line positioned between the two arms as a unit (the second line carriage) are displaceable back and forth along the guiding rod m order to distribute the fishing line uniformly over the entire width of the line spool during retrieval of the line. When the first line carriage is m the disengaging position, the two line carriage parts are disengaged from the first line carriage and can, independently of each other, be displaced freely along the guiding rod. This disengagement is carried out by means of the trigger when a cast is to be made. When the cast is being made, the line is paid out from the line spool and moves the two line carriage parts apart so that they are located m a respective end position on the guiding rod. When the handle is turned for retrieval of the line, the first line carriage is immediately turned back to the disengaging position and is displaced on the sleeve first to its one end position and then to its other end position to be automatically connected with first one line carriage part and then the other line carriage part. During this first displacement stroke back and forth of the first line carriage, the line spool is rotated for retrieval of tne line, which thus occurs without the line being properly distributed over the line spool. Winding of the line onto the line spool m essentially one and the same place on the line spool can therefore be achieved during the first displacement stroke.

A fishing reel of the same type is also known from SE 447,050. The level -wind mechanism m this prior art fishing reel differs from the above-described level-wind mechanism m the fishing reel according to SE 432,513 essentially merely by the fact that the second line carriage is formed as one part which supports the two arms for guiding the line. When the first line carriage is in the disengaging position, the second line carriage is disconnected from the first line carriage and can be displaced freely along the guiding rod. When the line during a cast is paid out from the line spool, it moves, by running between the two arms, the second line carriage back and forth along the guiding rod. When the line is then to be wound onto the line spool by turning of the handle m the direction of line retrieve, the second line carriage can therefore be in any position whatever along the guiding rod. Also in this case, the first line car- riage must thus be displaced, more or less, before it meets the second line carriage and is automatically connected with this. During such displacement, the line is also m this case wound more or less m essentially one and the same position onto the line spool before the level winding starts.

The level -wind mechanisms of the two prior art fishing reels described above are designed for the purpose of releasing the level winding means during a cast m such manner that it does not brake or wear the line during the cast, which occurs if the line runs m a line guide of a level winding means fixed m one posi- tion. The above two level -wind mechanisms achieve this object m a satisfactory manner but have the above- described drawback that the line, during retrieval, is initially wound onto the line spool m essentially one and the same position on the line spool. Summary of the Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a fishing reel whose level -wind mechanism also achieves this object, however, m such a manner that there is no dead time between the start of the winding of the line and the start of the level -winding function of the level winding means, i.e. that the level winding means is immediately connected to the endless screw as the winding starts .

According the present invention, this object is achieved by a fishing reel which is of the type described by way of introduction and characterised in that an operating rod which is parallel to the sleeve and included in said second clutch mechanism extends through the groove follower pin, that the groove follower pin is displaceable along the operating rod, and that the operating rod is connected to the trigger m such manner that, during actuation of the trigger, the operating rod is moved from a first position, m which it holds the groove follower pin m engagement with the endless screw and thus holds the level winding means m its position connected with the endless screw, to a second position, m which the operating rod holds the groove follower pm disengaged from the endless screw and, thus, holds the level winding means disconnected from the endless screw. The operating rod is m a preferred embodiment a camshaft which is rotationally mounted m the frame and whose said first and said second position are a first and a second turning position, respectively.

The camshaft has m cross-section suitably essen- tially the shape of a quadrant of a circle. Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described m more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings .

Fig. 1 is a perspective view and shows part of a fishing reel according to the present invention seen obliquely from behind and from right.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view and shows the part of the fishing reel shown m Fig. 1, seen from the front and from right . Fig. 3 is a perspective view and shows part of the fishing reel according to Figs 1 and 2, seen obliquely from the front and from left, a level winding means being shown in a connected position.

Fig. 4 corresponds to Fig. 3 but shows a level winding means in a disconnected position.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the level winding means m the connected position shown m Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the level winding means m the disconnected position shown in Fig. 4.

Description of a Preferred Embodiment

The fishing reel of which a part is shown in Figs 1- 4 is of the multiplier type and has a substantially circular-cylindrical frame 1 with two side plates 2a and 2b. The fishing reel also has a line spool 3 which is mounted m the frame 1 between the two side plates 2a and 2b and intended for a fishing line L (see Figs 5 and 6) , a handle 4 and an associated transmission mechanism 5 for rotation of the line spool 3 and a foot 6 which is fixed to the frame 1 and by means of which the fishing reel can be attached to a fishing rod (not shown) . The line spool 3 is non-rotationally mounted on a line spool shaft 7 which is rotatably mounted in the side plates 2a and 2b of the frame 1 and which projects a distance outside the right side plate 2a. A sleeve-shaped clutch means 8 is mounted on the line spool shaft 7 out- side the right side plate 2a. The clutch means 8 has at its right end a gear member 9 which is coupled to and driven by the handle 4 via a drive shaft 10 which is mounted in the right side plate 2a, and a driving gear 11, which is non-rotationally connected with the drive shaft and meshes with the gear member 9. The drive shaft 10 and the driving gear 11 are included in the transmission mechanism 5. The clutch means 8 has at its left end a sleeve portion (not shown) which has a diametrical groove in its one terminal edge surface. The line spool shaft 7 has in the vicinity of its right end a pin (not shown) which extends diametrically through the shaft. The clutch means 8 is displaceable back and forth along the shaft 7 between an engaging position, in which the pin is received in the groove and the clutch means 8 thus is drivingly engaged with the shaft 7 to rotate the line spool 3 as the handle 4 is turned for retrieval of the fishing line, and a disengaging position which is located somewhat to the right of the engaging position and in which the groove does not receive the pin. A trigger 12 which is operable by the user's thumb is mounted in the rear portion of the frame 1 between the two side plates 2a and 2b and supports a rod 13 which is fixedly connected with the trigger and movable therewith and whose ends extend through a hole 14a and 14b formed in the side plates 2a and 2b, respectively. The trigger 12 is displaceable between an upper starting position (Figs 1-3) and a depressed, operative position (Fig. 4). The trigger 12 is via a first clutch mechanism 15 connected to the clutch means 8 to displace, during actuation (depression) , the clutch means to its disengaging position. When a cast is to be made, the trigger 12 is depressed to displace the clutch means 8 to its disengaging position. When the clutch means 8 is m this position, the line spool 3 can rotate freely. The first clutch mechanism 15 is designed m such manner that it returns the clutch means 8 to its engaging position when the handle 4 begins to be turned m the direction of retrieval, i.e. m the direction m which that part of the fishing line L which has been paid out during the cast is again wound onto the spool 3.

The first clutch mechanism 15 is m this case a clutch mechanism of the type as described m SE 510,212. The fishing reel also has a level -wind mechanism 16, which is arranged m the front portion of the frame 1. The level -wind mechanism 16 has a guiding sleeve 17 which has a slot 18 extended along the underside of the sleeve. The guiding sleeve 17 extends parallel to the line spool shaft 7 between the two side plates 2a and 2b and is non- rotatably mounted m these. The guiding sleeve 17 is at its left end received in a circular groove 18 in the left side plate 2b and has at its right end two diametrically opposite, axially projecting projections (not shown) which are received in corresponding recesses 19 m the right side plate 2a. A screw 20, which extends coaxially through the guiding sleeve 17, is rotatably mounted in the two side plates 2a and 2b and extends with a pm 21a and 21b, respectively, through the side plates. The right pm 21a of the screw 20 supports outside the right side plate 2a a gear 22 which is non-rotationally connected to the screw and meshes with an intermediate gear 23, which m turn meshes with the driving gear 11. The screw 20 can thus be rotated by means of the handle 4.

The screw 20 is a so-called endless screw and has an endless thread groove 24 which extends helically in one direction and returns helically m the other direction.

The level -wind mechanism 16 also has a level winding means 25 formed m one piece and having a sliding sleeve 26, a projection 27 and a bearing sleeve 28. The sliding sleeve 26 is considerably shorter than the guiding sleeve 17 which extends through the sliding sleeve. The inner diameter of the sliding sleeve 26 is the same as the outer diameter of the guiding sleeve 17. The sliding sleeve 26 is slidable along the guiding sleeve 17. The projection 27, which projects essentially radially upwards from the sliding sleeve 26, has a line opening 29 which is directed perpendicular to the axial direction of the sliding sleeve and m which a wear-resistant ring 30 of a ceramic material is arranged and through which the fishing line L extends. The bearing sleeve 28 projects essentially radially downwards from the sliding sleeve 26, and its axial through hole opens m the axial through hole of the sliding sleeve. A transverse hole 31 parallel to the guiding sleeve 17 extends through the bearing sleeve 28.

A groove follower pm 32, which essentially has the shape of a circular cylinder with an axial centre bore 33 and an opening 34 which extends the lateral direction into the cylinder m the lower part thereof, is axially displaceably and turnably mounted in the bearing sleeve 28. The groove follower p 32 has a blade-shaped portion 35 arranged at the upper end of the cylinder and having essentially the same width as the endless thread groove 24 of the screw 20 and engaging, via the slot 18 in the guiding sleeve 17, m the thread groove 24. A pressure spring 36, which at its lower end is connected with an end part 37, is mounted m the centre bore 33. When the handle 4 is turned m the direction of retrieval, the line spool 3 rotates and the gear 22 and, thus the screw 20, is turned by the driving gear 11. The pm 32 follows the endless thread groove 24 of the screw 20 m such manner that the level winding means 25 is moved back and forth along the guiding sleeve 17 to distribute the fishing line L uniformly over the line spool 3. The trigger 12 is via a second clutch mechanism 38 connected to the level-wind mechanism 16 m order to disengage, during actuation (depression), the blade-shaped portion 35 of the groove follower pm 32 from the thread groove 24 and thus disconnect the level winding means 25 from the screw 20 and release it for free displacement along the guiding sleeve 17.

The second clutch mechanism 38 has an operating rod 39 which extends parallel to the guiding sleeve 17 between the two side plates 2a and 2b, which it is turnably mounted by means of a pm 40a and 40b, respectively. The left pm 40b extends through the left side plate 2b and supports outside this a U-shaped coupling yoke 41 which is non-rotationally connected therewith. The operating rod 39 is axially locked m its position by means of a locking washer 42 arranged mside the left side plate 2b. The operating rod 39 has m cross-section essentially the shape of a quadrant of a circle, the axis of rotation A of the operating rod 39, i.e. the common axis of the pins 40a and 40b, being positioned m the vicinity of the corner of the quadrant of a circle (see Figs 5 and 6) . The end part 37 of the pressure spring 36 abuts from above against the operating rod 39, which m turn abuts from above against the annular lower portion 43 of the groove follower pm 32 and thus serves as a camshaft cooperating with the end part 37, the spring 36 and the groove follower pm 32 m order to operate the engagement of the blade-shaped portion 35 m the groove 24 of the endless screw 20. The operating rod 39 is turn- able between a first position, which is shown Figs 3 and 5 and m which the operating rod 39 via the end part 37 and the spring 36 holds the portion 35 of the groove follower pm 32 engagement m the groove 24 of the screw 20, and a second position, which is shown in Figs 4 and 6 and m which the operating rod 39 via the annular portion 43 of the groove follower pm 32 holds the portion 35 of the groove follower pm 32 disengaged from the groove 24 of the screw 20.

The second clutch mechanism 38 also has a part- circular transfer arm 44, which is slidably mounted an external groove 45 m the left side plate 2b. The arm 44 has at its rear end a yoke part 46, whose legs grasp the rod 13 of the trigger 12, and at its front end a pm 47 which projects to the left and which is grasped by the legs of the coupling yoke 41.

When the trigger 12 is m its starting position, it holds, via the rod 13, the transfer arm 44, the pm 47 and the coupling yoke 41, the operating rod 39 m its first turning position, i.e. the position m which the groove follower pm 32 engages the screw 20 and thus holds the level winding means 25 connected to this m such manner that the level winding means 25, during turning of the handle 4 m the direction of retrieval, is moved back and forth along the guiding sleeve 17 m order to distribute the fishing line L uniformly over the line spool 3.

When the trigger 12 is depressed to its depressed position, which occurs when a cast is to be made, it turns, via the rod 13, the transfer arm 44, the pm 47 and the coupling yoke 41, the operating rod 39 through 90° anticlockwise from its first turning position to its second turning position, i.e. the position m which the groove follower pm 32 is disengaged from the screw 20 and thus holds the level winding means 25 disengaged therefrom. In this position, the level winding means 25 is disconnected from the screw 20 and is freely displaceable along the guiding sleeve 17. During the cast, the fishing line L running through the line opening 29 of the level winding means 25 is paid out from the line spool 3 and easily moves the level winding means 25 back and forth along the guiding sleeve 17.

As soon as the handle 4 is being turned m the direction of retrieval, the first clutch mechanism 15 returns the clutch means 8 to its engaging position and the trigger 12 to its starting position. The trigger 12 turns, via the rod 13, the transfer arm 44, the p 47 and the coupling yoke 41, the operating rod 39 through 90° clockwise back to its first turning position. The blade-shaped portion 35 of the groove follower pm 32 is then immediately engaged m the groove 24 of the endless screw 20, which makes the level winding start immediately as the retrieval of the fishing line L starts.

It will be appreciated that the fishing reel de- scribed above can be modified m various ways withm the scope of the appended claims. For instance, the operating rod 39 working as a camshaft can thus be replaced by an operating rod which is vertically adjustable via the second clutch mechanism 38 and which in a raised position holds the groove follower pm 32 m engagement with the screw 20 and m a lowered position holds it disengaged from the screw 20.

It should finally be noted that "right", "left", "rear" , front" , "upper" and "lower" m the above descrip- tion relate to a fishing reel intended for right-handed users and refer to the position of the components, which is shown m the drawings and which besides corresponds to the position of use for the fishing reel during fishing.

Claims

1. A fishing reel of the multiplier type, comprising a frame (1) ; a line spool shaft (7) mounted m said frame; a rotatable line spool (3) mounted on said shaft; a drive shaft (10) mounted m the frame and supporting a driving gear (11) which is non-rotationally con- nected therewith; a handle (4) mounted on the drive shaft for rotating the same; a clutch means (8) which is mounted on the line spool shaft (7) and has a gear member (9) which is adapted to be rotated by the driving gear (11) , and which is displaceable along the line spool shaft (7) between an engaging position, m which the clutch means (8) is connected to the line spool (3) for rotation thereof, and a disengaging position, m which the clutch means is dis- connected from the line spool; a level-wind mechanism (16), which has a sleeve (17) which is arranged m the frame (1) and extends parallel to the line spool shaft (7) and has a slot (18) extending along the sleeve, an endless screw (20) which is rotat- ably mounted the sleeve (17) and supports a gear (22) non-rotationally connected therewith and adapted to be rotated by the driving gear (11), a level winding means (25) which is mounted on the sleeve (17) , and a groove follower pm (32), which is connected with the level winding means (25) and which via the slot (18) of the sleeve (17) engages the endless screw (20) to move, during rotation thereof, the level winding means (25) back and forth along the sleeve; and a trigger (12) which is mounted on the frame (1) and which by means of a first clutch mechanism (15) is connected to the clutch means (8) m order to, when actuated, displace the clutch means to its disengaging posi- tion and which by means of a second clutch mechanism (38) is connected to the level -wind mechanism (16) to, when actuated, disconnect the level winding means (25) from the endless screw (20) and release it for free displace- ment along the sleeve (17) , the first and the second clutch mechanism (15, 38) being connected to the handle (4) m such manner that, during rotation of the handle m the direction of line retrieve, they return the clutch means (8) to its en- gagmg position and the level winding means (25) to its position connected with the endless screw (20), c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that an operating rod (39) which is parallel to the sleeve (17) and included m said second clutch mecha- nism (38) extends through the groove follower pm (32) , that the groove follower pm (32) is displaceable along the operating rod (39) , and that the operating rod (39) is connected to the trigger (12) m such manner that, during actuation of the trigger, the operating rod is moved from a first position, m which it holds the groove follower pm (32) m engagement with the endless screw (20) and thus holds the level winding means (25) m its position connected with the endless screw, to a second position, m which the operating rod holds the groove follower pm (32) disengaged from the endless screw (20) and, thus, holds the level winding means (25) disconnected from the endless screw.

2. A fishing reel as claimed m claim 1, c h a r - a c t e r i s e d m that the operating rod (39) is a camshaft which is rotationally mounted m the frame (1) and whose said first and said second position are a first and a second turning position, respectively.

3. A fishing reel as claimed m claim 2, c h a r - a c t e r i s e d that the camshaft (39) has m cross-section essentially the shape of a quadrant of a circle .