GB2092872A - Fishing reel - Google Patents

Abstract

A fishing reel is provided with a magnetic brake or drag which comprises an ultra high intensity magnet (44) adjustably carried on one of the side frame plates (10) with one of its poles (45) in closely spaced relation to an electrically conductive side disk of the spool (25) which carries the fishing line to provide an induction or eddy current effect for braking thereby to prevent overrunning and to retard backlash upon casting. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fishing reel This invention relates to fishing reels and more particularly to a fishing reel having a brake relying upon an eddy current or hysteresis effect.

It has heretofore been proposed to provide fishing reels for casting having a velocity brake comprising opposed centrifugal weights transversely slidably mounted on a pin to contact a cylindrical brake drum. If in the absence of such a brake, at high reel speeds, of the order of 10,000 rpm there is no check of the backlash there is a tendency of the line to collect in a tangle often referred to as a birdsnest.

It has also been proposed to provide on a fishing reel for casting a slow speed friction brake which is not effective for avoiding a tangle because of the backlash.

It has heretofore also been proposed, as shown in U.S. Patent No. 2,361,239, to provide a fishing reel having a magnetic brake or drag with a plurality of magnets having adjacent poles. In said prior Specification, two embodiments are illustrated.

In Figures 1 and 2 a plurality of radially disposed magnets in pairs are illustrated with a braking member 58 having a flange 60 movable in the air gap 66 between pairs of magnets to generate eddy currents in the member 58 to apply a braking action to slow down the spool to prevent overrunning and backlash.It is also pointed out (column 2, commencing at line 40) that "the flange 60 preferably should overlap or extend beyond the magnets, the members 58 should have as large a diameter as is practicable, as many magnets as possible should be used, and the maximum possible pole surface and the smallest practicable air gap should be provided." It is further pointed out (column 2, line 48 et seq.) "that the maximum braking effect will be obtained when the magnet elements are positioned with opposite poles of opposite polarity and minimum effect obtained when opposite poles are of like polarity." In Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 of said prior Specification, a different embodiment is illustrated in which a magnet assembly 80 is provided comprising a plurality of magnets 81 in sets one having a north pole and the other a south pole the magnet assembly having pins 90 in slots on the inner surface of a sleeve 88. The sleeve 88 is rotatable by movement of a lateral portion 92 extending beyond the periphery ofthe cup member 91 (see Figures 4 and 5), to vary the air gap between the magnets 81 and the eddy current member 50'. The eddy current member 50' is described as an annular member f non-magnetic electrically conductive material suc; as copper secured to one end thereof and is intended, upon rotation of the spool 24 to generate eddy currents for braking in the member 50'.

In order to retain the pairs of magnets in this form of the invention they are preferably moulded into plastics and a key 86 is provided to prevent rotation of the magnet assembly.

Prior U.S. Patent No. 3,239,162 shows a fishing reel which, with minor modifications, is suitable for use with the magnetic brake ofthe present invention.

It is the principal object of the invention to provide a magnetic brake for a fishing reel which is simple in construction and reliable in its operation.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a magnetic brake for a fishing reel which preferably employs a single ultra high intensity magnet with one of its poles being effective for braking.

According to the present invention there is provided a fishing reel having a rotatable spool between end frame plates, said spool having an end wall of electrically conductive material, and an ultra high strength magnet carried in one of the end frame plates with one of its poles in closely spaced relation to said end wall of said spool for generation of eddy currents upon rotation of said spool and providing a braking action on said spool.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with particular reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a vertical central sectional view of a fishing reel of the invention; Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view, taken approximately on the line 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, enlarged, taken approximately on the line 3-3 of Figure 2; and Figure4 4 is an exploded perspective view ofthe fishing reel.

A reel frame is shown which includes outer end frame plates 10 and 11 preferably made of moulded synthetic plastics material, metallic inner rings 12 and 13, preferably of brass or aluminum, secured to the frame plates 10 and 11 by screws 14 which are in threaded engagement in horizontal frame posts 15, the inner rings 12 and 13 also being held to the posts 15 by additional screws (not shown). A reel stand plate 16 is also provided which has the screws 14 in threaded engagement therewith.

The end frame plate 10 has a cap 18 in threaded engagement therein, the cap 18 having an interiorly disposed spring 19 in engagement with a plate 20.

The cap 18 has mounted therein a ball bearing 21 which supports a spool shaft 22 on which a spool 25 is carried, preferably of an electric conductive material; aluminum being particularly suitable, and having spaced end walls 26 and a central portion 27. One of the end walls 26 has a flat face 28 for the purposes to be explained.

The plate 20 bears on the end of the shaft 22 resiliently urging it towards the right in FIG. he shaft 22 has parallel flat faces 23 at its other er- for purposes to be explained.

The shaft 22 has a sleeve portion 24 mounted thereon for keying thereto a click gear 29 on flattened face portions 30, similar to the faces 23. A click tongue 31 is provided mounted on a click shaft 32 with a click tongue positioning button 33 on the other end of the click shaft 32. The click shaft 32 is slidably carried in an elongate opening 34 in the end frame plate 10. A click spring 35 held in place on the interior face of the end frame plate 10 by screws 36 has arcuate arms 37 which engage in opposite recesses 38 on the click tongue 31 when it is in its inward position so that swinging movement of the click tongue 31 is available in sither direction with the click tongue 31 in its inward position. With the click tongue 31 in its outward position it is free from engagement with the click gear 29.

The end frame plate 10 (see FIGURE 3) has a sleeve 39 with a magnet holder 40 in threaded engagement in the sleeve 39, the magnet holder 40 having an end slot 41 for adjustment. Interiorly disposed on the magnet holder 40, a plate 42 is secured on the holder 40, with a spring 43 interposed between the plate 42 and the interior face of the frame plate 10. The magnet holder 40 has fixedly mounted therein an ultra high field strength magnet 44 with one of its poles 45 disposed for effective braking action with respect to the surface 28 of the spool 25.

The magnet 44 is preferably a cylinder of ultra high magnetic intensity and with a magnetic field strength in the range of 1800 gauss to 3600 gauss and is preferably compounded of samarium cobalt, a rare earth material, available from Indiana General Magnet Products, of Valpariso, Indiana, underthe tradename INCOR. The magnetic field strength is of the order of five times that of a magnet of alnico.

The innermost pole 45 of the magnet 44 is dispossed in spaced relation to the face 28 of the spool 25, a spacing of thirty to fifty thousandths of an inch having been found satisfactory.

The outer end frame plate 11 has a cap 50 in threaded engagement therein, the cap 50 having a ball bearing 51 carried therein which supports the spool shaft 22. The shaft 22 has a gear 52 slidably mounted thereon, the position of which is controlled by an eccentric actuating iever 53 which is accessible exteriorly of the end frame plate 11 and movable from one extreme position to the other to move the gear 52 into and out of engagement with the flat faces 23 in a well known manner very similar to that described in prior Patent No. 3,239,162.

The gear 52 meshes with a gear 54 carried on a sleeve shaft 55 which is rotatable by a crank arm 56 having an actuating handle 57 thereon. The sleeve shaft 55 has a friction brake 58, of well known type carried thereon, like that shown in prior Patent No.

3,239,162, the braking action of which is controlled by adjustment of an exteriorly accessible star wheel 60.

A ratchet wheel having a spring actuated ratchet (not shown) may be provided as shown in prior Patent No.3,239,162 to prevent undesired rotation.

The mode of operation will now be pointed out.

When it is desired to utilize the rod and reel for casting the click tongue 31 will be adjusted as desired by positioning of the positioning button 33 in its outward position and free from engagement with the click gear 29.

The star wheel 60 for the friction brake 58 will also be adjusted, as desired, for control of the drawing in of a fish on the line.

The actuating lever 53 will be positioned so that the spool 25 is disconnected from the gear 52, allowing rotation of the spool 25 independent of the gear 52.

When the line is cast the spool 25 will be rotated.

Rotation of the spool 25 with its face 28 in closely spaced relation to the innermost pole 45 of the magnet 44 will cause the generation of eddy currents in the contiguous end wall 26 and provide an effective braking action is most effective at the high internal tangling ofthe line. Magnet holder 40 may be axially shifted by rotation using slot 41. Therefore adjustment of the braking action may be effected by increasing or decreasing the amount of air gap between magnet 44 and face 28 of spool 25. The length of the cast may also be controlled by adjustment of the air gap. Experience will allow the user to select an adjustment corresponding to his skill.

The generation of eddy currents and the resulting braking action on the spool to prevent backlash and rotational speeds of the spool during the early part of the cast.

During the latter part of the cast the eddy current braking action will be less effective. An adjustable frictional brake may be used. Rotation and corresponding advance of the threaded cap 18 will vary the compression force of spring 19 on plate 20. Simple frictional pressure will be applied to shaft 22 to further retard spool rotation.

Claims (10)

1. Afishing reel having a rotatable spool between end frame plates, said spool having an end wall of electrically conductive material, and an ultra high strength magnet carried in one of the end frame plates with one of its poles in closely spaced relation to said end wall of said spool for generation of eddy currents upon rotation of said spool and providing a braking action on said spool.

2. Afishing reel as claimed in claim 1 in which said magnet contains samarium cobalt.

3. Afishing reel as claimed in claim 1 in which the magnetic intensity of said magnet is in excess of 1800 gauss.

4. Afishing reel as claimed in claim 1 in which the magnetic intensity of said magnet is in the range from 1800 to 3600 gauss.

5. Afishing reel as claimed in claim 1 in which a magnet holder is provided for said magnet.

6. Afishing reel as claimed in claim 1 in which a magnet holder is provided for said magnet, and said holder is accessible exteriorly of said one of said end frame plates for adjustment of the position of said magnet.

7. Afishing reel as claimed in claim 1 in which manual driving means is provided for said spool, and manually operable members forming part of said driving means provide for disconnecting said driving means.

8. Afishing reel as claimed in claim 1 in which adjustable friction braking means is provided for said spool.

9. Afishing reel as claimed in claim 1 in which disengageable click means is provided for said spool.

10. Afishing reel substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in the accompanying drawings.