EP3010336A1

EP3010336A1 - Method for manufacturing fishing rods and fishing rod created using this method

Info

Publication number: EP3010336A1
Application number: EP15780755.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Teresina Pietrobon
Original assignee: Faps Srl
Current assignee: Faps Srl
Priority date: 2014-09-19
Filing date: 2015-09-17
Publication date: 2016-04-27
Also published as: CN105636435A; RU2015146754A; WO2016042506A1

Abstract

Method for manufacturing fishing rods, in particular of a modular type, basically comprising the steps of forming a tubular element (10) by winding on a core at least a layer (11) of composite material impregnated with synthetic resin, of applying on the tubular element a film to contain the impregnated composite material (11), of thermoforming the tubular element (10) and of eliminating the containment film. The composite material layer (11) impregnated with synthetic resin is coated, at least partially, with a layer (12) of non-woven fabric (TNT) in which are embedded particles of ceramic material such as alumina oxide, and the layers (11, 12) are wound on the core so as to overlap the edges of said layers along a generatrix substantially parallel to the tubular element axis.

Description

METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING FISHING RODS AND FISHING ROD

CREATED USING THIS METHOD

DESCRIPTION TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing fishing rods, in particular Roubaisienne-type fishing rods, formed by a plurality of tubular modular elements jointed in sequence to acquire the desired length of the rods.

[002] The invention relates, besides to fishing rods, also to similar tubular elements for sports equipment obtained using said method.

PRIOR ART TECHNIQUE

[003] Modular fishing rods have been known for a long time. Normally, the method for their manufacturing consists in winding on a core, preferably in the shape of a frustum of a cone called "mandrel" one or more layers of a composite material impregnated with a thermosetting resin, named "pre-preg", which is then wound and put under compression by winding a pre-tensioned coating band, and which is made then to undergo thermoforming. When the thermoforming is finished, the compression band is removed and the desired product is thus obtained.

[004] Fishing rods generally have a dark surface that absorbs sun rays, in particular infrared radiation, and therefore they heat up. This heating has different drawbacks.

One of the main drawbacks is the fact that the user has to handle a hot tool, which can reach a temperature hot enough to burn his hands.

Furthermore, laboratory tests and field experiments have uncovered a second inconvenience of products made with a composite material formed by carbon layers and thermosetting resins: said manufactured products when undergoing heating tend to lose the stiffness characterizing them and to excessively flex when under stress.

[005] A third drawback comes from the physical properties of certain types of carbon; in fact, unlike common solids that expand when heated, carbon objects shrink when heated. Hence, it happens that in the joint point between two modular elements wherein the respective end portions are fitted in, the surface of a first outer modular element shrinks because of the solar heat while the surface of the second modular element fitted in the first one keeps its dimensions since it is protected from light by the same first outer modular element. Consequently, the end portion of the first outer modular element tightens the end portion of the second inner modular element with the result that the two elements can be separated with difficulty.

[006] Another inconvenience that affects fishing rods manufactured according to the prior art teachings is the progressive loss of assembly stability of the modular elements forming them.

In fact, with time, the friction due to the repeated operations of assembling/disassembling the fishing rod wears out the end portions of the modular elements involved in the joint, loosening the fitting-in seat and/or reducing the thickness of the walls. Consequently, the fit-in is not any more precise and the modular elements might separate one from the other, or slide receding one inside the other due to torsions, bending, or other deformations to which they are subjected during the sport activity, damaging the performance of the fisherman.

[007] In essence, in order to form a modular fishing rod, the modular elements must be greatly wear proof, at least in correspondence of their end portions, in order to keep, over time, the necessary operating characteristics.

[008] A further disadvantage of the solutions employed at present in manufacturing certain modular elements for fishing rods is linked to the number of manufacturing steps necessary to obtain the finishing of the product. In fact, the blank obtained by means of thermoforming has to be smoothed, treated with at least a first primer layer, undergo a plurality of serigraphic passages and finally receive a last coating layer with a transparent varnish.

Furthermore, it is known that varnishing methods for this kind of materials require the use of polluting chemical substances and which consequently need appropriate apparatuses for their use and storage.

[009] In particular, patent US 5,964,056 describes a fishing rod realized using a different type of material, precisely a so-called "non-woven fabric" (TNT). As it is known, this material is an industrial product obtained by means of methods other than weaving, and its fibres have a casual direction, that is without the individuation of an orderly structure. It is stated that this type of material has characteristics of greater resistance and, when it forms the outer coating, also of a better appearance compared to other traditional fabrics. However, non-woven fabric is always made of fibres of materials normally used such as carbon, glass, polyamides, etc. The proposed solution, then, do not solve some of the aforementioned problems; in particular that of the overheating of the outer surfaces of the tubular modular elements, wherefrom derive also insertion difficulties as well as the necessity of further finishing operations.

[010] European patent EP1 188372, whose holder is the same applicant of the present application, teaches to coat at least the end portions of the modular elements that make up a fishing road with an outer layer composed of a glass fibre layer wherein, granules of ceramic material such as alumina oxide are embedded on the surface. The layers are impregnated with synthetic resin and polymerized by means of a curing cycle. The presence of alumina oxide gives reflecting properties to the surface of the modular elements so as to form a barrier able of preventing the heating of the inner carbon fibre layers. Furthermore, the presence of alumina oxide in the glass fibre layer ensures a good endurance and resistance in particular in the fit-in sections. Yet, also this solution is not completely satisfactory since it requires a supplementary process in order to apply the aluminized layer and does not avoid the necessity of further finishing operations.

The aluminizing process described in this patent, and in general in the prior art, requires a kind of non-woven fabric which is heavy, characteristic that affects the weight of the modular elements and of the fishing rods that thus become uncomfortable and difficult to use.

Furthermore, the alumina oxide embedded in the glass fibre surface results in a product with uneven characteristics.

SUMMERY OF THE INVENTION

[011] The main object of the present invention is then to realize a method for manufacturing fishing rods, in particular modular ones, so as to obtain elements that are not subjected to the typical drawbacks due to the overheating of a fishing rod of composite material, i.e. they must be able of limiting the overheating in order to avoid burning the user's hands, and able of avoiding the change of the mechanical and physical characteristics of the equipment.

[012] A second object of the present invention is to realize a method for finishing fishing rods so as to avoid treatments such as varnishing and decorating that require supplementary operations using polluting chemical substances in order to apply information referring to the product characteristics and/or to the name of the same on the outer surface of said modular elements.

[013] A third object of the present invention is to realize a method for finishing modular elements of composite material so as to make the end portions of said modular elements resistant to wear thus avoiding deterioration of the stability of fishing rods composed by said modular elements.

[014] Such objects are acquired through the method described in claim 1 and through a fishing rod described in claim 5. The respective sub-claims specify further particulars of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[015] The technical characteristics of the invention will be described with the aid of the appended figures showing two possible embodiments, by way of non-limiting example, wherein:

- Fig. 1 shows a perspective enlarged section of a portion of composite material for manufacturing a fishing rod according to the invention;

- Fig. 2 shows a partial longitudinal section having a highlighted and enlarged particular of a tubular element for a modular fishing rod obtained through the method according to the invention;

- Fig. 3 shows a partial cross section of the tubular element of Fig. 2 according to section Ill-Ill;

- Figs. 4A and 4B show a longitudinal partial section of the fitted-in end portions of two tubular elements of a fishing rod in two different solutions having a highlighted and enlarged particular according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[016] The idea at the basis of the present invention is to provide a method for finishing tubular elements in order to form a modular fishing rod, elements that are not subjected to an excessive overheating, that can be decorated easily and effectively and that are more resistant to the wear due to ordinary usage with a restrained increase of added weight.

[017] At the end of a research period and of laboratory tests it has been devised a method and means necessary to apply said method for manufacturing tubular elements required to make up modular fishing rods.

[018] One of such tubular elements 10 for a modular fishing rod is shown in Fig. 2 according to a longitudinal section of a partial view and in Fig. 3 according to a cross section of a partial view.

[019] The method object of the present invention comprises a first step wherein one or more layers 1 1 of composite material (pre-preg) are made available in an overlapping manner (Fig. 1 ). The layers 1 1 are usually made of fibrous material, such as carbon fibre. The synthetic resins are normally made of epoxy, acrylic resins and the like. [020] Subsequently, according to the invention, on the layer 1 1 is laid a further layer 12 in non-woven fabric (hereinafter TNT), preferably polyester TNT (hereinafter TNT-PES); said TNT-PES layer 12 can be metalized beforehand. In this case, alumina oxide or a similar ceramic material, can be applied, or embedded, in the form of powders, granules or nanowires 13 (Fig.1 and Fig. 3) by means of treatment in high vacuum furnace. The use of the alumina film on greige fabrics has the purpose of increasing the insulating power of the textile base thanks to the thermal reflective factor of aluminium.

[021]. In the specific application for a modular fishing rod, the aluminized TNT-PES layer 12 not only has the purpose of increasing the reflective properties of the outer surface of the fishing rod, but also that of increasing the resistance to wear due to repeated operations of assembling and disassembling the modular elements.

But not just that, TNT-PES colour can be chosen in a light shade, such as white, so as to further contribute to reflect the incident light and limit the heating of the outer surface of the modular elements 10 of the fishing rod.

[022] Thanks to the presence of said aluminized layer 12, incident radiations, in particular the infrared one, are reflected and do not reach the inner layers 1 1 , which, therefore, do not overheat and are not subjected to changes of the aforementioned physical and mechanical properties, thus improving the fishing rod performance thanks to the heating reduction of the same.

[023] According to the invention, on said aluminized TNT-PES layer 12, can be applied one or more pre-printed adhesive labels 15 (Fig. 1 ), carrying the name of the product and/or of the manufacturer, as well as the specific technical characteristics of the fishing rod.

[024] The structure with overlapping layers thus obtained, if necessary, is cut to size so as to make it acquire the required dimensions. Subsequently, it is carried out the winding of the structure on a core or forming mandrel (not shown), in order to make a tubular element, so that the edges of the layers which will be in contact overlap along a generatrix substantially parallel to the tubular element axis. The winding is carried out using a winding press (not shown).

Alternatively, the inner layers 1 1 and the aluminized TNT-PES layer 12 are first cut to size and then the cut pieces are overlapped one to the other so as to be subsequently wound round said core or forming mandrel.

[025] The next step of the method envisages winding the preformed modular element with a band of cellophane, propylene or thermo-shrinking material having similar properties by means of a banding machine (not shown) so as to make it keep the form obtained by means of the winding press.

[026] The final step for manufacturing the modular element requires the polymerisation of the various layers in a polymerisation furnace. After completing the polymerisation, the containment film is removed and the modular element is finished without the necessity of further operations such as smoothing, varnishing, etc.

[027] The coating of the tubular element with a TNT-PES layer 12, according to the main characteristic of the invention, can be carried out on the whole outer surface of the element. In this case, the user is guaranteed the highest protection against overheating his hands that have to slide along the whole fishing rod. Anyway, it is clear that the coating of the TNT-PES layer may be limited to the end portions only of the modular elements and, in any case, to the parts in contact with the user's hands.

[028] A particular embodiment of the method object of the present invention, envisages the application of a TNT-PES aluminized layer 14 also on a portion of the structure with overlapping layers corresponding to the inner surface of the tubular element 10 close to the end portion to be jointed to a contiguous tubular element. Alternatively, said layer 14 can also be applied singularly through a successive winding.

In this way, the stability of the fit-in is ensured even after repeated operations for assembling and disassembling the modular fishing rod.

[029] In a further embodiment, said second TNT-PES layer 14 coating the end portions of the inner surface of the tubular elements 10 and at least the end portion of the layer 12 involved in the joint of two modular elements, are processed so as to insert nanowires 13 of titanium, nickel, copper-cobalt or other metal having similar characteristics among their fibres (Fig. 2, detail A and Fig. 3, detail B).

[030] Again in a further embodiment said nanowires 13 are applied on the whole length of said first TNT-PES layer 12 so has to give said modular elements 10 greater resistance and elasticity.

[031] Having two or more modular elements 10 at disposal it is possible to carry out the assembly of a modular fishing rod. In Fig. 4A there are shown the end portions of two of said modular elements 10 according to the present invention, wherein said elements are jointed by means of an axial insertion. The male end portion 20 of the element and the female end portion 30 of the element normally have respective conjugate frusto-conical profiles. In the detail C of Fig. 4A, it can be seen that the body of the element 30 is realized having an inner layer 31 in a composite material where, on the outer surface thereof, is applied a TNT-PES layer 32 and where, on the inner surface thereof, is applied a TNT- PES layer 34. The body of the element 20, in the part not involved in the insertion with other modular elements, on the contrary, is normally realized with a layer 21 of composite material whose outer surface has a TNT-PES layer 22. Nanowires can, in case, be inserted in the layers 22, 34 in the contact areas between said modular elements 20, 30.

[032] In Fig. 4B are shown the end portions of two elements of a fishing rod according to the present invention, but connected one to the other in a telescopic way. In this case, the adjacent modular elements 40 and 50 have respective frusto-conical profiles, with different diameters and which vary along the modular element extension so as to realize a limit stop. The bodies of the outer element 40 and of the inner element 50 have (detail E, in Fig. 4B) an inner layer 41 , 51 of composite material and an outer TNT-PES layer 42, 52. Moreover, said element 40 has a further TNT-PES layer 44 in the end portion involved in the connection with said element 50. In the layers 44, 52 nanowires might be inserted in the contact areas between said modular elements 40 and 50.

[033] The improvements contributed by the invention with respect to the prior art are apparent from the foregoing.

[034] The presence of the aluminized TNT-PES layer 12 involves various advantages; a first advantage with respect to the carbon fibre whose natural dark gray or black surface greatly absorbs infrared rays, is given by the capability of the light coloured and metallic surface, of reflecting the incident radiation so as to prevent the carbon layers from overheating, thus avoiding both excessively tightened joints of the modular elements, and changes in the mechanical properties of the fishing rod.

[035] A second advantage relates to antistatic properties; in fact, the alumina oxides surfacing the surface create carbon/aluminium dipoles and this electrostatic charge reduces the possibility that raindrops or specks of dust gather on the fishing rod surface. This is particularly important in the insertion area at the end portions of the modular elements.

[0036] A third advantage coming from the presence of the outer metallic layer 12 and of the nanowires 13 is the increase of the resistance to wear due to continuous insertions and releases of the elements.

[037] Finally, the application of a light coloured TNT-PES layer has two further advantages. On the TNT-PES can be applied or printed a further decorative layer with informative and/or decorative elements, such as the name of the product and/or of the manufacturer, and/or the technical characteristics of the product in a simple way avoiding a complexity of the finishing steps. The absence of the varnishing step contributes to the suppression of costs and of the problems of this process linked to the apparatuses for using and storing substances harmful for the environment.

Claims

1. Method for manufacturing fishing rods, in particular of modular type, essentially

comprising the steps of: forming a tubular element (10) by winding on a core at least a composite material layer (1 1 ) impregnated with synthetic resin,

applying a containment film on the tubular element to contain the impregnated composite material (1 1 ),

thermoforming the tubular element (10) and eliminating the containment film, characterized in that

said composite material layer (1 1 ) impregnated with synthetic resin is coated, at least partially, with a non-woven fabric (TNT) layer (12) in which are embedded particles of ceramic material, such as alumina,

the winding of thus prepared layers (1 1 , 12) on the core is carried out overlapping the edges of said layers (1 1 , 12) along a generatrix substantially parallel to the tubular element (10) axis.

2. Method for manufacturing fishing rods according to claim 1 , characterized in that said composite material layer (1 1 ) is coated with said non-woven fabric (TNT) layer (12) before being wound on the core to form the tubular element (10).

3. Method for manufacturing fishing rods according to claim 1 , characterized in that before winding of said composite material layers (1 1 ) and said nonwoven fabric (12) on the core, is also applied on said non-woven-fabric layer (12) at least an informative and/or decorative label (15).

4. Method for manufacturing fishing rods according to claim 1 , characterized in that said woven-non-woven fabric layer (12) is applied on said composite material layer (1 1 ) so as to cover at least a portion corresponding to the outer surface close to one end of said tubular element (10).

5. Method for manufacturing fishing rods according to claim 1 , characterized in that a further woven-non-woven fabric layer (14) is applied on said layer of composite material (1 1 ) so as to also cover at least a portion corresponding to the inner surface close to one end of said tubular element (10).

6. Modular fishing rod comprising a plurality of tubular elements, characterized in that said tubular elements (10) are made according to the process of claims 1 to 4.

7. Modular fishing rod according to claim 5 characterized in that said tubular elements (10) are interconnected axially in a releasable manner.

8. Modular fishing rod according to claim 5 characterized in that said tubular elements (10) are interconnected axially in a non-releasable manner and such as to slide one inside the other.