AU673969B2 - Spinning reel having balancing means - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant: SHIMANO INC.

Invention Title: SPINNING REEL HAVING BALANCING MEANS r e 1 e The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 2- SPINNING REEL HAVING BALANCING MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a spinning reel having a balancing means for restricting rotational imbalance of a rotor. This application is a divisional application of 16255/92.

2 DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART There is known a spinning reel having a balancer 10 weight attached to a rotor as the above-mentioned balancing means Japanese laid-open utility model gazette No.

52-80887).

However, with the above-described balancer weight, it is difficult to achieve complete solution to the rotational imbalance. On the other hand, it has been practically impossible to modify a configuration of the rotor or an arrangement of components thereof for the sole purpose of improvement in the balance.

.0 With this type of balancer, the farther the 20 balancer is disposed relative to the rotational axis, -3the greater a value of the moment becomes. Therefore, in often times, a balancer of a relatively small weight will suffice for the purpose. However, in the case of the conventional construction where the balancer is attached to a cylindrical portion of the rotor, since this cylindrical portion is usually arranged at an inner side of a skirt portion of the rotor, the balancer can not project outwards at this portion, so that the balancer necessarily tends to be large in weight.

Then, in order to arrange the balancer without being interfered with by the skirt portion of the spool, it is conceivable to arrange the balancer at a rear end portion (on the side of the spool body) of 15 the rotor. However, since this portion usually is not formed with high manufacturing precision, there arises a new problem that the arrangement of the balancer at this position may adversely affect the physical strength of this portion.

20 Moreover, in disposing the balancer at the rear end portion of the rotor, if the balancer is attached here in such a manner as to project significantly from an outer periphery of the rotor, this balancer may come into contact with e.g. an angler's finger in the course of rotation of the rotor.

'I 4 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved spinning reel of the above type which allows a user of the reel to restrict rotational vibration of the rotor within a permissible range thus allowing smooth line-retrieving operation by well balancing the rotor rotation without sacrificing other functions of the spinning reel.

Therefore in accordance with a broad aspect of the invention there is provided a spinning reel comprising: a reel body; a rotor attached to said reel body, said rotor being rotatable about a rotor axis, said rotor axis defining a forward-rearward direction with a forward direction being a direction in which a fishing line is released from said reel, said rotor including: a base end portion; first and second arm portions extending from said base end portion, said arm portions being on substantially opposite sides of said rotor axis, said arm portions Sohaving top ends respectively; *a handle for rotating said rotor, said handle being attached to said reel body; a first pivotal arm attached to said top end of said first arm portion; :a second pivotal arm attached to said top end of said second arm portion, said second pivotal arm including a line roller; a bail extending between said first and second pivotal arms, said bail being pivotable with said pivotal arms between retrieving and releasing positions; and i balancing means provided on at least one of said first and second pivotal arms for improving a dynamic balance of said rotor when said bail is in said retrieving position.

I

Preferably said balancing means is a balancer provided to said first pivotal arm on a side of pivot axis of said first pivotal axis substantially opposite to the bail, said balancer being formed integrally with said first pivotal arm.

Preferably said balancer projects, outwardly with respect to said roter axis, from said first pivotal arm.

Preferably the spinning wheel further comprises an auxiliary balancer and a main balancer, said auxiliary and main balancers being disposed on said rotor so as to correct torsional imbalance due to weight of said bail during rotation of said rotor.

In a preferred embodiment said balancing means is a weight provided on said first pivotal arm, said weight is located in such position that a first composite gravity center composed of said weight and said first pivotal arm is on a rotational path of a second gravity center composed of said second pivotal arm and substantially faces to said second gravity center with respect to said rotor axis, and a weight of said weight is determined so that said first composite gravity center and said second gravity center offset each other.

In a preferred embodiment said balancing means is a weight provided on said first pivotal arm, said weight is located in a position higher than a second gravity center being the center of gravity of said second pivotal arm, so that a first composite gravity center composed of said weight and said first pivotal arm is on a rotational path of said second gravity center, and substantially opposite from said second gravity center with respect to said rotor axis, and weight of said weight is determined so that said first composite gravity center and said second gravity center offset each other.

6 In another preferred embodiment said balancing means is a balancer provided on said first pivotal arm, said balancer is located at a position forwardly relative to a second gravity center being the center of gravity of said second pivotal arm when said bail is in a retrieving position so that said balancer can reduce a rotational imbalance of said rotor due to a weight of said second pivotal arm.

Other preferred features may be ascertained from the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention; in which, Fig. 1 is a side view of a rotor, Fig. 2 is a front view of the rotor, Fig. 3 is a plane view of the rotor, sinn Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an entire spinning reel, Fig. 5 is a graph showing load-torque 20 characteristics after a balance adjustment, Fig, 6 is a graph showing load-torque characteristics before the balance adjustment, Fig. 7 is an overall side view with some parts being cut away, Fig. 8 is a front view illustrating a further embodiment in which a disposing arrangement of a balancer is modified, Fig. 9 is a front view showing a condition where 7 a pair of arm portions are sideways displaced from a rotational center relative to the condition shown in Fig. 8, Fig. 10 is a front view showing a further condition where a balancer having a rotary face at a forward portion thereof is displaced to the opposite side across the rotational center relative to the condition of Fig. 9, Fig. 11 is a front view a further embodiment in which a disposing arrangement of the balancer is further modified, e '"Fig. 12 is an overall side view of a spinning reel relating to the further embodiment, Fig. 13 is a side view showing a spinning reel relating to a still further embodiment, Fig. 14 is a front view showing the spinning reel of Fig. 13, Fig. 15 is a side view showing an entire spinning reel relating to a still further embodiment, 20 Fig. 16 is a section view showing a click mechanism incorporated in the reel of Fig. Fig. 17 is a side view showing an arrangement of a balance" for a reel relating to a still further embodiment, Fig. 18 is a side view showing the entire reel of 8 Fig. 17, Fig. 19 is a plane view showing a control mechanism incorporated in the reel of Fig. 17, Fig. 20 is a plane view illustrating the control mechanism of the reel of Fig. 17 under a line releasing condition, Fig. 21 is a side view showing an arrangement of a balancer for a reel relating to a still further embodiment, Fig. 22 is a front view showing an arrangement of the balancer of the reel of Fig. 21, Fig. -23 is a schematic side view showing a balance condition of a rotor of a reel relating to a still further embodiment, 15 Fig. 24 is a front view of the rotor of the reel of Fig. 23, Fig. 25 is a side view of the rotoc of the reel of Fig. 23, Fig. 26 is a partially cutaway side view of the 20 reel shown in Fig. 23, Fig. 27 is a front view of a one-way clutch incorporated in the reel shown in Fig. 23, Fig. 28 is a section showing a support construction for a pawl member of the reel shown in Fig. 23,

II

9 Fig. 29 is a side view showing an arrangement of a balancer of a reel relating to a still further embodiment, Fig. 30 is a side view of of the reel shown in Fig. 29, Fig. 31 is a front view of the rotor of the reel shown in Fig. 29, Fig. 32 is a side view showing the entire spinning reel shown also in Fig. 29, Fig. 33 is a side view showing a rotor of a reel relating to a further embodiment, Fig. 34 is a front view showing the rotor of the reel of Fig. 33, Fig. 35 is a side view in vertical section showing a spool of the reel shown in Fig. 33, and Fig. 36 is a side view showing the entire spinning reel of Fig. 33.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a spinning reel relating to the present invention will now be described in details with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A spinning reel relating to a first embodiment is shcwn in Figs. 4 and 7. As shown, the spinning reel 10 includes a reel body 2 having a handle 1. At forward positions of the reel body 2, there are disposed a rotor 4 having a bail 3 and a spool 5 for retrieving an unillustrated fishing line. At other forward positions of the reel body 2, there are also disposed a cylindrical shaft 6 for transmitting a force from the handle 1 to the rotor 4 and a spool shaft 7 which supports a spool The rotor 4 includes a cylindrical base end portion and a pair of arm portions 4A, 4A extending from the base end portion along a longitudinal axis X.

The arm portions 4A, 4A are so disposed as oppose to each other across the longitudinal axis X. One arm portion 4A carries an arm cam 8 and the other arm portion 4A carries a pivotable arm 9; and the bail 3 is provided between the arm cam 8 and the pivotable arm 9. This bail 3 is switchable between a line l releasing position and a line retrieving position.

The arm cam 8 includes a line roller 10 acting as a line guide unit for guiding the fishing line.

Further, in this spinning reel, there are provided balancing means B, B at two positions along the longitudinal axis for the purpose of offsetting weight imbalance resulting from the weights of such components as the arm portions 4A, 4A, the bail 3, the I g I L I 11 arm cam 8, the pivotable arm 9 and the line roller Particularly, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, in this reel, there are assuined rotary flat faces S, T which act as reference positions along the longitudinal axis at forward and rear positions with respect to the rotor 4. Then, a moment value is obtained by multiplying the weights of the components including the arm portions 4A, 4A, the bail 3, the arm cam 8, the pivotable arm 9 and the line roller 10 and an arm length extending in a radial direction from the longitudinal axis X where the weights of the components are present. Then, this moment value is divided between lengths corresponding to distances S" from the position of the gravity to the respective rotary flat faces S, T. T'iat is to say, the moment is divided in such a manner that the moment divided between the rotary flat faces S, T will not produce a torque. In this way, the moment values divided between the flat faces S, T are composed within the rotary flat faces. This composite moment is considered as an imbalance rotation amount between the two rotational flat faces S, T. Then, by disposing the balancing means B at appropriate positions, these balancing means B produce a counter moment for offsetting the composite moment.

s sil 12 Then, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the pair of arm portions 4A, 4A are displaced by a predetermined amount D relative to the longitudinal axis X thereby to form the one balancing means B and also, as illustrated in Fig. 3, two balancers 11, 11 are disposed at the base end portion to form the other balancing means B.

That is to say, a point PS subjected to the above-described composite moment is displaced towards the bail 3 relative to the longitudinal rotational axis X. Therefore, the displacement amount D of the pair of arm portions 4A, 4A is so set as to locate a center of gravity QS of the balancing means B at a position opposed to the position of the point PS across the axis X.

The balancers 11, 11 are disposed outwardly of an outer periphery of the rotor 4 and also inwardly of a rotational path U of an outer peripheral portion of the arm portion 4A, as viewed from the direction of the longitudinal rotational axis X. This can prevent contact between e.g. a user's finger and the balancers 11 during a line retrieving operation. That is, the arrangement not only reduces the weights of the balancers 11, 11 but also prevents the contact between the finger and the balancers without requiring any 13 special elements for these purposes.

Incidentally, on this rotational flat face the point PT subjected to the composite moment appears as shown in Fig. 2. So, that the balancers 11, 11 are so disposed as to cause a composite gravity center QT of these two balancers 11, 11 to appear at the position opposed to the point PT across the rotational axis X.

As a result, when a fishing line retrieving operation is effected by rotating the handle of this reel, this line retrieving operation can be effected in a smooth manner because the rotational balance is maintained at the forward and rear positions of the rotor 4. During a line casting operation also, it is "possible to restrict rotational vibration due to imbalance of the rotor 4.

Further, since the balancer 11 is disposed at the rear end side of the rotor 4, as compared with the conventional reel construction of this type, it is possible to dispose the balancer 11 farther away from the axis X. Also, even if the balancer 11 has to be disposed at a relatively weak portion such as the connecting portions between the rotor 4 and the arm portions 4A, by so arranging the plurality of balancers II...as to cause the composite gravity center to appear at such portions, it is possible to I 14 distribute these balancers at relatively strong portions.

Moreover, in case the balancer 11 is so disposed as to project from the outer periphery of the rotor, this balancer 11 can be located at a position farther away from the axis X in comparison with the conventional construction. Also, even if the user inadvertently brings his finger closer to the balancer 11, this movement is prevented by the arm portion 4A, whereby there occurs no contact between the finger and the balancer 11.

In short, according to the construction of this embodiment, in comparison with the conventional construction, the balancer 11 can be located at a position farther away from the axis X of the rotor 4.

Accordingly, the balancer 11 can be of a light weight and also this weight reductioN does not- result in deterioration in the strength of the rotor 4.

If the balancing means B is so arranged as to restrict the rotational imbalance amount at the rotational flat faces S, T within 200 g -mm, then, it becomes possible to achieve not only a static balance but also a dynamic balance of the rotor 4.

Consequently, the line retrieving operation using the handle can e effected smoothly. Further, during the 15 casting operation too, rotational vibration due to imbalance of the rotor 4 can be effectively restricted.

Experiments were conducted by comparing vibration characteristics of a spinning reel having the imbalance amount at the reference positions set at 6g -mm a gravity center deviation amount to be described later ranging below 1 mm) and the same spinning reel having the imbalance amount exceeding 200 g -mm before the balancing adjustment. The results are shown in Figs. 4 through 6. More particularly, as illustrated in Fig. 4, a sensor is set to sense vibration at a leg portion of the reel tj be attached to a fishing rod. Using this sensor, 'ibration characteristics in directions and are obtained. The illustrated characteristics ^comprise those in the direction where the vibration affects in the right and left directions of the reel. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, a dot line denotes a load while a solid line denotes a torque about the direction It may be seen that variation in the load and variation in the torque are both reduced. In the vibration characteristics in the other directions too, the load and torque variations are reduced. These are not illustrated.

16 Incidentally, in order to further restrict rotation of the rotor 4 during a line casting operation, as shown in Figs. 4 and 7, in this spinning reel, a further balancer 1C is provided on the side opposed to a grip portion 1B in order to offset the weights of the arm portions 1A and a grip portion 1B of the handle 1. With this, imbalance of the handle 1 relative to the handle shaft 1 can be corrected, so that the handle 1 can be prevented from being rotated during the casting operation.

Next, further embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described.

*0 The balancer 11 can be disposed at a plurality of positions along the longitudinal axis.

In case the rotor 4 has a relatively short axial length, only one reference position will suffice 4sm for the detecting of the imbalance amount.

It is conceivable to standardize the reference value usable regardless of possible difference in the mass of the rotor 4. In this case, the reference value will be obtained by dividing the reference imbalance amount of 200 g -mm by the mass of the rotor 4 (generally referred to as a center of gravity deviation). In practice, it is preferred that the imbalance amount not exceed 60g -mm and the 17 gravity center deviation amount not exceed 2mm.

Further, by considering a rotational velocity of the rotor 4 during a line retrieving operation in addition to the size of the rotor 4, it becomes possible to control the rotational imbalance amount according to the JIS standards (Japanese Industrial Standards).

Specifically, the gravity center deviation amount is multiplied by the rotational velocity to produce a value. Then, by maintaining this value within a range between 16 and 40 mm/s, it is possible to cause the rotational performance of the rotor 4 to substantially comply with the 6th grade of the JIS.

As illustrated in Fig. 8, it is conceivable to form the balancing means B by disposing the balancer 1IS at a forward side of the rotational flat face S in place of the displacement of the disposing positions of the pair of arm portions 4A, 4A the offset arrangement as shown in Fig. Further, as shown in the same drawing, it is also conceivable to dispose a single balancer 11T at a rear side of a rotational flat face T.

Fig. 9 shows a further construction of the balancing means B. In this case, relative to the condition of Fig. 8, the pair of arm portions 4A, 4A are displaced sideways by an amount D relative to the L L_ 18 rotational center and a balancer 11S is provided on a front side rotational flat face S. Alternately, it is conceivable to provide the single balancer 11T in the rear side rotational flat face T.

Fig. 10 shows a still further construction of the balancing means B. In this case, relative to the condition of Fig. 9, the pair of arm portions 4A, 4A are further displaced sideways by a larger amount E relative to the rotational center and the balancer 1IS is provided on the side opposite across the rotational center to the displaced positions of the arm portions 4A, 4A in the forward side rotational flat face S. As also shown in this Fig. 10, it is conceivable to provide the single balancer 11T in ;ar side rotational flat face T.

Fig. 11 shows a further construction. In this, the balancers 11, 11 are provided respectively inside the arm portion 4A of the rotor 4 and at at peripheral portion of this rotor 4 with the balancers 11, 11 forming an angle smaller than 90 degrees in the direction along the axis X. Further, the balancer 11 disposed at the peripheral portion of the rotor 4 has a weight greater than that of the other balancer 11 disposed inside the rotor 4. This construction has the advantage of allowing reduction 19 in the weight and the size of the balancer 11 disposed inside the rotor 4 thus facilitating arrangement of other components such as a toggle spring inside the arm portion 4A.

The invention provides a further embodiment designed for further restriction of rotation of the rotor 4 during a casting operation. That is, as illustrated in Fig. 12, the handle 1 includes a pair of arm portions 1A, 1A having a same length and a pair of grip portions 1B, 1B having a same weight. With this, it is possible to further avoid imbalance of the o handle 1 relative to the handle shaft thereby to prevent rotation of the handle 1 as well during the "casting operation.

Figs. 13 and 14 illustrate a further embodiment of the present invention. In this construction, the balancers 11, 11 are disposed adjacent the rear end portion of the rotor 4 on the same side as the gravity center WP of the rotor 4 as viewed in the direction along the rotational axis X. So that, a composite gravity center WX of the gravity center WP of the rotor 4 and the gravity center W1 of the balancers 11, 11 is formed at an intermediate position along the rotational axis X. Then, a further balancer 12 is disposed to provide a gravity center W2 at a position 20 opposed to the the position of the composite gravity center WX for offsetting the magnitude of this composite gravity center WX. Further, as shown in the same drawings, it is also conceivable to form, on a rear face side adjacent the rear end of the rotor 4, a plurality of concave portions 4B for accommodating the balancers 11 in order to allow selective arrangement of the balancers 11 in accordance with possible irregularities present in the reel products.

A still further construction shown in Fig. 15 is possible for further restricting rotation of the rotor 4 during a casting operation. That is, in this reel construction, the balancer 1C is provided on the side opposed to the grip portion 1B in order to offset the 15 weights of the arm portion 1A and the grip portion 1B of the handle 1. This construction too can solve the problem of imbalance of the handle 1 relative to the handle shaft thus preventing rotation of the handle 1 during the casting operation.

In Fig. 16, a reference numeral 1Z denotes a click sound generating mechanism projectable and retractable relative to a disc 15 interposed between a friction plate 13 and a drag control element 14 of a drag mechanism. This mechanism generates a clicking sound through engagement and disengagement with and 21 from uneven faces 5A....defined inside the spool when there occurs a sliding movernent inside the drag mechanism.

A further embodiment of the present invention will be described next.

A construction of a spinning reel of this further embodiment is as follows. A line roller is provided at a pivotable arm attached to the arm portion of the rotor. At one end of this line roller, there is supported a bail. Further, by using as a reference the pivotable arm having the line roller, a first balancer is provided at a position closer to the reel body than to the pivotable arm. And, at a position opposed, across the axis, to a composite gravity 15 center composed of the gravity center of the S. components disposed on the side of the pivotable arm and the gravity center of the first balancer and at an arm portion opposed to the pivotable arm, there is provided a second balancer having a weight for offsetting the composite gravity center.

S* With the above-described construction, as illustrated in Fig. 17, the first. balancer 20 is disposed on the same side as the gravity center Wa of the components including the pivotable arm with respect to the axis X, such that the composite gravity 23 center WY composed of the gravity center Wa and the gravity center W20 of the first balancer 20 appears at a position between the two gravity centers. Then, the second balancer 21 having the appropriate weight is provided for offsetting the composite gravity center WY by setting a composite gravity center WY' composed of a gravity center Wa' of the pivotable arm 9' on this side and of its gravity center W21 on a rotational path of the above-described composite gravity center WY. Accordingly, the weights are balanced in the direction along the rotational axis X.

Moreover, since the respective composite gravity centers WY, WY' are positioned on the same rotational path, there occurs no torque or the like during the rotation of the rotor 4.

Fig. 17 illustrates moment values of the above balanced condition relative to the axis X. As shown,a moment value Ul resulting from the weight of the first balancer 20, a moment value U2 resulting from the weight of the second balancer 21 and a further momenf value UP' resulting from the weight of the pivotable arm 9' are balanced with one another.

That is to say, by disposing the first balancer on the heavier side instead of providing a single balancer, the composite gravity center WY is displaced 23 towards the reel body 2. Consequently, even if the second balancer 21 is provided to the roto-" 4, this second balancer 21 can be arranged at such position as to offset the weight of this composite gravity center

WY.

The rotor 4 includes the pair of arm portions 4A, 4A at positions opposed to each other across the axis X. Further, for the pivotable arms 9, 9' attached to the respective arm portions 4A, 4A, there is attached the bail 3 which is switchable between a line releasing position and a line retrieving position.

Further, one of the pivotable arms 9, 9' includes the line roller 10 for guiding the fishing line and a control mechanism A for switching the bail 3 to the releasing position by one step operation. Then, in this reel, there is provided the balancing means for offsetting imbalance in the weights of the components including the line roller 10, the control mechanism A.

Specifically, by using as a reference the gravity center Wa of the weights of the components 10, A, "etc., the first balancer 20 is provided at the arm portion 4A of the rotor 4 on the side of the reel body 2. Further, with respect to the composite gravity center WY composed of the gravity center Wa of the components and the gravity center W20 of the first 24balancer 20, at an opposite position across the axis X and at the arm portion 4A opposed to the pivotable arm 9, there is provided the second balancer 21 having an appropriate weight at a position on the rotational Lath of the composite gravity WY composed of the gravity center Wa' of the pivotable arm 9' on this side and of its gravity center W21 in order to offset said composite gravity center WY during r-lation uf the rotor 4.

Through the above-described arrangements of the respective balancers 20, 21, the weights are balanced with each other in the direction along the axis X.

Further, since the !econd balancer 21 is disposed at the position for offsetting the weight of the gravity 15 center WY, even when a mechanical looseness is developed at the support construction for the rotor 4, there occurs no vibration during the rotation of the rotor 3, whereby a smooth line retrieving action is possible.

Incidentally, the control mechanism A includes a lever 22 pivotably attached to the arm portion 4a of the rotor 4 to be pivotable about an axis Y and a cam element 23 operable to switch the pivotable arm 9 through contact with the lever 22 when this lever 22 is operated upwards.

25 Inside the arm portion 4A of this side, there is incorporated a toggle spring 24 for urgedly maintaining the pivotable arm 9 at either the line releasing position or the line retrieving position.

And, this spring 24 is covered with a cover member A still further embodiment of the present inv-ntion will be described next.

According to a reel of this embodiment, the 'ine roller is provided to the pivotable arm attached to the arm portion of the rotor, with one end of the bail being supported to this line roller. Further, the first balancer is provided to the rotor on the side where the bail at its line retrieving position is located in the direction along the axis. Also, relative to a composite gravity center composed of the gravity center of the components formed on the pair of ari portions and that of the first balancer, the second balancer is provided at a position opposed to the composite gravity center across the axis in order to offset the composite gravity center.

With the above-described construction, as illustrated in Figs. 21 and 22, the first balancer is arranged on the same side as the bail 3 with respect to the axis X. So that, although the gravity center Wa of the components attached to the bail 3 and I L 26 the pair or arm portions 4A, 4A is positioned at a relatively forward portion of the reel, the composite gravity center WY composed of said gravity center Wa and of the gravity center W20 of the first balancer is shifted towards the reel body, whereby the weights are balanced with each other in the direction along the axis. Moreover, since the second balancer 21 is arranged on the rotational path of the composite gravity center WY, there occurs no torque during the rotation of the rotor 4.

That is to say, in the case of the above construction too, by arranging the first balancer on the heavier side in place of providing a single balancer, the composite gravity center WY is displaced towards the reel body 2. Consequently, even when the :second balancer 21 is to be attached to the rotor 4, th-s second balancer 21 can be disposed at a position offsetting the composite gravity WY.

Accordingly, through the unique arrangements of the balancers, the spinning reel of the present invention can provide a smooth line retrieving action without causing uncomfortable vibration e.g. on the fishing rod even if a high-speed line retrieving action is effected after a mechanical looseness is developed in the reel through its use for an extended 27 period of time.

In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 21 and 22, there is provided in the difference in the arrangement of the balancer at the portion of the rotor 4.

That is, the first balancer 20 is disposed at a position of the rotor 4, where the bail 3 at its line retrieving position is located in the direction along the axis X, displaced relative to the reel body 2.

Further, with respect to the composite gravity center WY composed of the gravity center Wa of the weights of the components such as the bail 3, the pivotable arm 9, the line roller 10 and so on and of the gravity center W20 of the first balancer 20, at a position opposed to the composite gravity center WY across the 15 axis X, there is provided the second balancer 21 having the weight capable of offsetting said composite gravity center WY during the rotation of the rotor 4.

Through the above-described arrangements of the respective balancers 20, 21, the weights in the direction along the axis are balanced with each other.

Further, since the second balancer 21 is located at the position -apable of offsetting the weight of the composite gravity center WY, the reel can provide a smooth line retrieving operation without causing vibration during the rotor rotation even after a 28 mechanical looseness has developed in the support construction for the rotor 4.

In addition to the above-described various embodiments, further modified constructions are conceivable. For instance, it is conceivable to embed the balancers in 'he rotor 4. Further, the cover member 25 can be formed of heavy material so that this member can act also as the first balancer. Moreover, it is conceivable to render the balancers adjustable in their positions.

Some other embodiments of the invention will be described next.

In a further modified construction, the pivotable ar.n is provided with a balancer disposed on a side 15 opposite to the bail in the direction along the pivot axis of this pivotable arm, with the balancer projecting outwardly of the pivotable arm.

This modified construction can achieve functions and effects to be described next.

That is, as shown in Figs. 23 through 25, a composite gravity center WQ of the pivotable arm 9 and of the balancer 11 and a gravity center Wb of the arm cam 8 are located substantially on a same path.

Moreover, these gravity centers WQ and Wb are opposed to each other. Accordingly, the moments of the 29 respective gravity centers WQ and Wb are substantially balanced with each other. Also, since the composite gravity center WQ is located at the position opposed to the bail 3 across the rotational axis X the weight of this gravity center WQ can slightly offset the weight of the bail thure occurs e.g. no torque due to the weight of the arm cam 8 during the rotation of the rotor 4.

Incidentally, as for the moment values of this balanced condition with respect to the axis X, as illustrated in Fig. 23, the moment value UP due to the weight of the gravity center Wb of the components including the arm cam 8 and the further moment value UQ due to the weight of the composite gravity center 15 WQ of the pivotable arm 9 are substantially balanced with each other.

That is, according to this construction, the balancer 11 is provided to the pivotable arm 9. So that, in comparison with the conventional construction where the balancer is provided to the rotor 4 for instance, the construction allows the balancer not to significantly project from the rotor 4 and allows also effective prevention of torque.

Accordingly, through the unique arrangements of the balancers, the spinning reel having this construction can provide a smooth line retrieving action without causing uncomfortable vibration e.g. on the fishing rod even if a line retrieving action is effected at a high speed.

Fig. 26 shows a further embodiment of the present invention. As shown, in this construction, like the foregoing embodiments, the spinning reel includes the reel body 2 having the handle 1. At forward positions of the reel body 2, there are disposed the rotor 4 having the bail 3 and the spool 5 for retrieving the unillustrated fishing line. At other forward positions of the reel body 2, there are also disposed the cylindrical shaft 6 for transmitting a force from -the handle 1 to the rotor 4 and the spool shaft 7 15 which supports the spool reoo Further, as shown in Figs. 27 and 28, inside the rotor 4, there is incorporated a one-way clutch C for preventing a reverse rotation rotation in the line releasing direction) of this rotor 4. This oneway clutch C includes a plurality of teeth 4T formed in an inner periphery of the rotor 4, a pawl member 18 engageable with the teeth 4T and a cam member 31 controllable by a spring element 30 fitted about a sleeve 29 rotatable in unison with the cylindrical shaft 6 for controlling a position of the pawl member 31 18. At a shaft portion 18A of the pawl member 18, there is fitted an O-ring 32 for reducing impact noise generated through the contact between the teeth 4T and the pawl member.

The pawl member 18 is supported via a resin bush 33 to a shaft portion 2A projecting from the reel body 2.

Further, as shown in Fig. 26, at a rear position of the reel body 2, there is provided a guard member 34 formed of stainless steel, with a front end portion 34A of the member being engaged with the reel body 2 and a rear face of the same being fastened by a screw for the purpose of restricting frictional wear at this portion of the reel body.

15 The rotor 4 includes a pair of arm portions 4A, 4A at positions opposed to each other across the rotational axis X. To the one arm portion 4A, there is attached the arm cam 8 to be pivotable about the axis Y. To the other arm portion 4A, there is attached the pivotable arm 9 to be pivotable about the Saxis Y. And, the bail 3 is attached between the line roller 10, which acts as a line guide unit provided on the side of the arm cam 8, and the pivotable arm 9, with the bail 3 being switchable between the line releasing position and the line retrieving position.

32 Further, in this reel, there is provided the balancing means for offsetting the weight balance resulting from the weights of the components including the arm cam 8, the line roller 10 and so on.

That is, as illustrated in Figs. 23 through the pivotable arm 9 is constructed as a heavy component as being formed of zinc die cast. And, the balancer 11 is formed integrally with this pivotable arm 9. This balancer 11 is positioned on the side opposite to the bail in the direction along the axis Y and has a configuration projecting outwardly from the pivotable arm 9. Further, a gap G is formed for outwardly displacing this balancer 11 relative to the oe«^ direction of the axis Y.

15 The above-described formation of the gap G is for preventing contact between the balancer 11 and the arm pcrtion 4A of the rotor 4 during an operation of the bail 3.

And, a composite gravity center WQ of the balancer 11 and of the pivotable arm 9 is set at a position located on a rotational path along which the gravity center Wb of the components including the arm cam 8 during rotation of the rotor 4 and in opposition to this gravity center Wb; and this composite gravity center WQ is provided with such a weight as to offset _L 33 the weight of the gravity center Wb of the components including the arm cam 8. Accordingly, the moments of thf. respective gravity centers Wb, WQ are balanced with each other. Further, since the moments due to the weights of these gravity centers Wb, WQ are offset with each other, a smooth line retrieving operation is possible without causing vibration even when the rotor 4 is rotated at a high speed.

Incidentally, with this reel, although the balancer 11 can offset the weight of the bail 3 to some extent, the balancer 11 can not completely offset the weight. For this reason, in addition to the balancer 11, there is provided another balancing means for solving imbalance resulting from the weight of the 15 bail 3. Specifically, a main balancer 41 is provided at a position opposed across the axis X to a composite gravity center WZ composed of a gravity center WS of an auxiliary balancer 40 located at a position displaced toward the reel body 2 on the side of the bail 3 at its line retrieving position relative to the direction along the axis X and of a gravity center WR due to the weight of this bail 3, with the main balancer 41 having such a weight as to offset the composite gravity center WZ during rotation of the rotor 4.

34 In addition to the above-described embodiments, it is also conceivable to form the balancer 11 and the pivotable arm 9 as separate components, with the balancer 11 is attached at an outer portion of this pivotable arm 9. Further, the balancer can be so constructed as to be position-adjustable.

In the above embodiment, the balancers 40, 41 are provided for the purpose of solving the imbalance resulting from the weight of the bail. Instead, a further construction is possible. Namely, in this further construction, the rotor 4 Is so arranged that the pair of arm portions 4A, 4A formed on this rotor 4 are displaced to the side opposite to the bail; and, the moment due to the weight of the pair of arm 15 portions 4A, 4A and to the weight of the balancer 11 and the further moment due to the weight of the bail 3 are balanced with each other without using the additional balancers.

A still further embodiment of the present invention will be described next.

In this embodiment, the balancer is provided to the pivotable arm. Further, on a rotational path along which of the gravity center of the arm cam moves during a rotor rotation or adjacent said rotational path and at a position opposed to the gravity center 35 of the arm cam, there is set the composite gravity center of the balancer and the pivotable arm with the composite gravity center being provided with a weight for offsetting the weight of the gravity center of the arm cam.

This construction has functions and effects to be described next.

As shown in Fig. 29, the composite gravity center WQ of the pivotable arm 9 and the balancer 11 and the gravity center Wb of the arm cam 9 are positioned on the same path and these gravity centers WQ, Wb are opposed to each other. So that, the weights are balanced in the direction along the axis X. Moreover, since the respective gravity centers WQ, Wb are 15 positioned on the same rotational path, there occurs no torque e.g. during the rotation of the rotor 4.

That is, according to this construction, the balancer 11 is integrally or separately provided to the pivotable arm 9. So that, in comparison with the conventional construction where the balancer is provided to the rotor 4 for instance, the construction allows the balancer not to significantly project from the rotor 4 and allows also effective prevention of torque.

Accordingly, through the unique arrangements of 36 the balancers, the spinning reel having this construction can provide a smooth line retrieving action without causing uncomfortable vibration e.g. on the fishing rod even if a high-speed line retrieving action is effected after a mechanical looseness is developed in the reel through its use for an extended period of time.

According to a reel of this further embodiment, as shown in Figs. 29 through 32, the balancer 11 is incorporated within the pivotable arm 9. And, the composite gravity center WQ of the balancer 11 and of the pivotable arm 9 is located at a position on the rotational path along which the gravity center Wb of the arm cam 8 moves during rotation of the rotor 4 and 15 in opposition to the gravity center Wb of the arm cam 8. Further, this composite gravity center WQ is provided with such a weight as to offset the weight of the gravity center Wb of the arm cam 8.

Through the above-described arrangement of the balancer 11, the weights along the axis X are balanced with each other and also the weights of the respective gravity centers Wb, WQ are offset with each other.

Consequently, a smooth line retrieving operation is possible without casing vibration during the rotation of the rotor 4 even if a mechanical looseness is 37 developed in the construction supporting the rotor 4.

With this reel, in addition to the balancer 11, there is provided the other balancing means for solving imbalance resulting from the weight of the bail 3. Specifically, the main balancer 41 is provided at the position opposed across the axis X to the composite gravity center WZ composed of the gravity center WS of the auxiliary balancer 40 located at a position displaced toward the reel body 2 on the side of the bail 3 at its line retrieving position relative to the direction along the axis X and of the gravity center WR due to the weight of this bail 3, with the main balancer 41 having such a weight as to offset the composite gravity center WZ during rotation 15 of the rotor 4.

In addition to the above-described embodiments, it is also conceivable to form the balancer 11 and the pivotable arm 9 integrally with each other with forming the pivotable arm 8 of a heavy material.

Further, it is conceivable to attach the balancer 11 to an outer portion of the pivotable arm 9. Moreover, the balancer 11 can be so constructed as to be position-adjustable.

As a further alternate embodiment of the present invention, it is conceivable to so set the pivot axis 38 Y, relative to a plane extending normal to the rotational axis X, that the side of the arm cam is displaced with inclination toward the reel body.

This alternate construction can achieve functions and effects to be described next.

For instance, as shown in Figs. 33 and 34, with this construction, in comparison with the conventional reel construction, the arm cam 8 is disposed closer to the reel body 2 the pivotable arm 9 is disposed away from the reel body). So that, the gravity center of the components such as the arm portion 4A, the pivotable arm 9 positioned in opposition to this arm cam 8 and the gravity centce of the arm cam 8 can be set in opposition to each other where their weights 15 are offset with each other. Moreover, like the conventional construction, the pivot operation of the bail 3 can be effected about the single axis (pivot axis Y).

That is to say, according to this embodiment, the arm cam 8 formed Es a heavy component is displaced towards the reel body, or the pivotable arm 9 is displaced away from the reel body 9, such that the dynamic balance of the rotor can be achie-e.-(l witl It u sing a heavy balancer (with the construction ,of the present embodiment, it is possible to ue a hal ancer 39 of a relatively small weight).

As a result, the invention has provided an improved spinning reel which provides a smooth line retrieving operation at a high speed through balancing of the rotor rotation without causing inconvenience to the bail operation or providing a heavy balancer, In particular, according to the present invention, it is not necessary to use a heavy balancer, so that the invention can achieve another advantage of not increasing the weight of the entire reel.

The spinning reel of this alternate embodiment will be more particularly described next.

As shown in Fig. 36, at forward positions of the 15 reel body 2 having the handle 1, there are disposed he rotor 4 having the bail 3 and the spool 5 for retrieving an unillustrated fishing line. At further forward positions of the reel body 2, there are provided the cylinder shaft 6 for transmitting the n 4 force from the handle 1 to the rotor 4 and the spool shaft 7 supporting the spool As illustrated in Figs. 33 through 36, the rotor 4 includes the pair of arm port ions 4A, 4A at positions opposed to each other across the rotational a is X. The bail 3 is interposed between the arm cam 40 8 ttached to the one arm portion 4A and the pivotable arm 9 attached to the other a"n portion 4A. Furt'.ier, through pivotal movements of the arri cam 8 and the pivotable arm 9 about the pivot axis Y, the bail 3 is switchable between the line releasing position and the line retrieving position.

The arm cam 8 includes the line roller 10 acting as the line guide unit for guiding the fishing line.

In this reel, in order to offset the weights of the arm cam 8, the pivotable arm 9, the line roller 1.0 and so on, the pivotable arm 9 is formed of a heavy material such as a metal. Also, the pivot c is Y is so set, relative to the plane extending no:-.al to the rotational axis X, that the side of the arm cam 8 is 15 displaced with an inclination toward the side of the o reel body 2. And, the gravity center Wb of this arm cam 8 and the gravity center Wa of the pivotable arm 9 are located in opposition to each other across the rotational axis X.

Incidentally, with this reel, in order to restrict the imbalance due to the weight of the bail 3 by means o' the weights of the pair or' arm portions 4A, 4A, the arm cam 8 and the pivotable arm 9, as shown in Fig. 34, the respective arm portions 4A, IA are displaced by the predetermined amount D to the 41 side opposite to the bail with respect to the rotational axis X.

With this reel, at a rear portion of the reel body 2, there is provided a drag mechanism 51. And, at a forward end portion of the spool 5, there is provided a push button 52 for dismounting the spool from the spool shaft 7. Between the spool shaft 7 and the spool 5, there are interposed a pin 53 for preventing relative rotation between these components 1 and a spring 54 for absorbing looseness of the spool In addition to the above-described embodiments, it is also conceivable to dispose a balancer at the forward face of the rotor in order to restrict 15 imbalance due to the weight of the bail 3. Further alternately, the present invention can be embodied in a reel which does not have the piv& ble arm.

Moreover, the present invention can be embodied *also in such a construction as disclosed in the Japanese laid-open utility model gazette No. 62-80570 where the reel is ovided with a lever-type control member for operating the arm cam to the position for releasing the bail. With Ihe provision of such control member, the invention can achieve improvement in the rotational balance also in the construction I- 42 where the gravity center of the rotor is displaced towards the forward side of the rotor.

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.

1 ft a

Claims (13)

1. A spinning reel comprising: a reel body; a rotor attached to said reel body, said rotor being rotatable about a rotor axis, said rotor axis defining a forward-rearward direction with a forward direction being a direction in which a fishing line is released from said reel, said rotor including: a base end portion; first and second arm portions extending from said base end portion, said arm portions being on substantially opposite sides of said rotor axis, said arm portions having top ends respectively; a handle for rotating said rotor, said handle being attached to said reel body; a first pivotal arm attached to said top end of said first arm portion; a second pivotal arm attached to said top end of said second arm portion, said second pivotal arm including a line roller; a bail extending between said first and second pivotal arms, said bail being pivotable with said pivotal arms between retrieving and releasing positions; and balancing means provided on at least one of said first and second pivotal arms for improving a dynamic balance of said rotor when said bail is in said retrieving position.

A spinning reel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said balancing means is a balancer provided to said first pivotal arm on a side of pivot axis of said first pivotal axis substantially opposite to the bail, said balancer being formed integrally with said first pivotal arm.

3. A spinning reel as claimed in claim 2 wherein said balancer projects, outwardly with respect to said E po *1 I xssb t nil y op si et h al adb l ne 44 roter axis, from said first pivotal arm.

4. A spinning reel as claimed in. either claim 2 or 3, further comprising an auxiliary balancer and a main balancer, said auxiliary and main balancers being disposed on said rotor so as to correct torsional imbalance due to weight of said bail during rotation of said rotor.

A spinning reel as claimed in claim i, wherein said balancing means is a weight provided on said first pivotal arm, said weight is located in such position that a first composite gravity center composed of said weight and said first pivotal arm is on a rotational path of a second gravity center composed of said second pivotal arm and substantially faces to said second gravity center with respect to said rotor axis, and a weight of said weight is determined so that said first composite gravity center and said second gravity center offset each other.

6. A spinning reel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said balancing mean is a weight provided on said first 4S° pivotal arm, said weight is located in a position higher S 20 than a second gravity center being the center of gravity of °said second pivotal arm, so that a first composite gravity center composed of said weight and said first pivotal arm is on a rotational path of said second gravity center, and ii substantially opposite from said second gravity center with respect to said rotor axis, and weight of said weight is determined so that said first composite gravity center and said second gravity center offset each other.

7. A spinning reel as claimed in claim i, wherein said balancing means is a balancer provided on said first pivotal arm, said balancer is located at a position forwardly relative to a second gravity center being the center of gravity of said second pivotal arm when said bail is in a retrieving position so that said balancr can 45 reduce a rotational imbalance of said rotor due to a weight of said second pivotal arm.

8. A spinning reel as claimed in any one of claims to 7, further comprising an auxiliary balancer and a main balancer, said auxiliary and main balancers being disposed on said rotor so as to correct torsional imbalance due to a weight of said bail during rotation of said rotor.

9. A spinning reel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said balancing means are said first and second pivotal arms pivotable about axes inclined from a plane normal to said rotor axis, said axis of said first pivotal arm is positioned rearwardly of said axis of said second pivotal arm.

A spinning reel as claimed in claim 9, wherein said inclination of said axes is such that said first arm portion together with said first pivotal arm and said .second arm portion together with said second pivotal arm substantially dynamically balance each other when said bail is a line retrieving position. 0 "O 20

11. A spinning reel as claimed in either claim 8 or 9, wherein said first and second arm portions are displaced to the opposite side of a plane containing said rotor axis to a side that said bail is projected when said bail is a SS*. line retrieving position.

12. A spinning reel as claimed in claim 8, wherein said first and second arm portions are displaced with *respect to a plane containing said rotor axis so as to at least partially counterbalance an imbalance produced by the weight of said bail. 46

13. A spinning reel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1 to 7 or 8 to 10 or 11 and 12 or 13 and 14 or 15 and 16 or 17 to 20 oi 21 and 22 or 33 to 28 or 29 to 32 or 33 to 36 of the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS 4TH DAY OF OCTOBER 1996 SHIMANO INC By Its Patent Attorneys: GRIFFITH HACK CO., Fellows Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia *o* oo• ABSTRACT A spinning reel having a reel body; a rotor attached to said reel body, said rotor being rotatable about a rotor axis. The rotor includes: a base end portion; first and second arm portions extending from said base end portion, said arm portions being on substantially opposite sides of said rotor axis, said arm portions having top ends respectively; a handle for rotating said rotor, said handle being attached to said reel body; a first pivotal arm attached to said top end of said first arm portion; a second pivot arm attached to said top end of said second arm portion, said second pivot arm including a line roller; a bail extending between aid first and second pivotal arms, said bail being pivotable with said pivotal arms between 15 retrieving and releasing positions; and balancing means provided on at least one of said first and second pivotal arms for improving a dynamic balance of said rotor when said bail is in said retrieving position.