GB2357233A

GB2357233A - Fishing reel

Info

Publication number: GB2357233A
Application number: GB9927044A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gary John Arnall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-11-17
Filing date: 1999-11-17
Publication date: 2001-06-20
Anticipated expiration: 2019-11-17
Also published as: GB9927044D0; GB2357233B

Abstract

The reel comprises means (32,38,30) to draw in the line, using the same hand that holds the rod. A conventional reel may be converted by removing its winding handle and fitting a conversion unit which comprises drive means (30) for coupling to the drive mechanism of the reel, and means (32,38) for operating the drive means. In use, trigger 32 is depressed causing cable 38 to move rack 40. The rack engages with a toothed wheel 42 driving hub 44 to draw in the line. On releasing the trigger the wheel reverses but does not turn the hub as spring-loaded pins 43 ride over teeth 45 on rotation of the wheel in this direction.

Description

2357233 Anqler's reel The present invention relates to a reel for a

fishing rod.

In use of a conventional fishing rod, the angler holds the rod in one hand whilst using the other hand to turn the winding handle of the reel and so draw in the line and any catch.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a reel for a fishing rod, the reel comprising means for operating it, to draw in the line, using the same hand that holds the rod.

In use of this reel, the angler may hold the rod and operate the reel using just one hand, leaving the other hand free, for example for manipulating the keep net.

Preferably the operating means comprises a trigger lever for mounting to the rod, preferably at a position forwardly of the reel. Preferably the trigger level is arranged to project forwardly, generally parallel to the axis of the rod. Preferably the trigger lever is coupled by a cable to means for rotating the spool of the reel.

In use, the angler depresses the trigger lever repeatedly, to operate the reel in successive steps.

Preferably the trigger level is coupled to a toothed rack, which is arranged to drive the spool of the reel as the toothed rack is displaced in one direction (the advancing direction) upon depression of the trigger lever. Preferably the toothed rack is engaged with a toothed wheel which is coupled to a drive hub such that the wheel will drive the hub in one direction but is free to turnon the hub in the other direction.

Preferably the reel also has a winding handle so that it may be operated in the conventional manner, if desired.

2 Preferably a conversion unit is provided for converting a conventional reel to a reel in accordance with the present invention, i.e. a reel which may be operated by the same hand that holds the rod. Preferably this requires removal of the winding handle of the conventional reel, then attachment of a unit which couples to the drive mechanism of the conventional reel, and (if desired) refitting of the winding handle to the conversion unit.

Thus, also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a unit for fitted to a fishing reel once the winding handle thereof has been removed, the unit having drive means for coupling to the drive mechanism of the reel, and means for operating the drive means of the unit so that, in use, the reel may be operated using the same hand that holds the rod.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a conventional reel for fitment to a fishing rod; FIGURE 2 is an isometric view of a reel in accordance with the present invention, fitted to a fishing rod; FIGURE 3 is a side view of the reel of Figure 2 prior to fitting to the fishing rod; FIGURE 4 is an isometric view of part of a conversion unit for fitting to the conventional reel of Figure 1; and FIGURE 5 is a sectional view through the part shown in Figure 4.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a conventional reel which comprises a spool 10 mounted to the f orward end of a body 12. A support 14 projects from the underside of the body 12 and two feet 16,18 project in opposite directions from the bottom end of the support 14, parallel to the axis of the spool 10, for securing the reel to the rod.

3 A winding handle 20 is mounted to one side of the body 12, for turning around an axis extending across the body 12, perpendicular to the axis of the spool 10. The body 12 is formed with an interior compartment in which a mechanism is housed, for transmitting drive from the winding handle 20 to the main shaft of the spool 10.

Figures 2 and 3 show a reel in accordance with the present invention, which comprises the conventional reel of Figure 1 to which a conversion unit has been fitted. Thus, the winding handle 20 of the reel of Figure 1 has been temporarily removed, the casing 30 of the conversion unit fixed to the side of the body 12 of the reel, and the winding handle 2 0 refitted.

The winding handle 20 may be used in the usual way for rotating the spool 10 to draw in the line and any catch: however, the conversion unit includes a trigger- operated mechanism which enables the spool 10 to be rotated using the thumb or a f inger of the same hand that holds the rod, instead of using the winding handle.

Thus, Figure 3 shows the reel fitted to a fishing rod R. In conventional manner, the reel is secured to the rod by means of a pair of collars 22,24 pushed towards each other to engage over the feet 16,18 of the support 14 of the reel. A trigger level 32, for operating the reel as the alternative to using the winding handle, is pivotally mounted to a projecting support 34 which is secured to the rod R, forwardly of the reel, by means of a collar 36. The trigger lever 32 projects forwardly, generally parallel to the rod R and on the same side of the rod as the reel. A Bowden cable 38 has one end coupled to the trigger lever 32 and its other end extends into the casing 30 of the conversion unit, where it is coupled to a toothed rack 40, as shown in Figure 5.

Also as shown in Figure 5, the rack 40 meshes with a toothed wheel 42 which encircles a free-wheeling hub 44. The wheel 42 and hub 44 are coupled together by means of ratchet 4 teeth 45 on the hub 44 and spring-loaded pins 43 on the wheel 42. Thus, the wheel 42 will drive the hub 44 when the wheel 42 is turned in the counter- clockwise direction, but will turn freely on the hub 44 when turned in the clockwise direction.

In use therefore, when the trigger lever 32 is manually depressed, the rack 40 is advanced, within the casing 30, by means of the 13owden cable: this drives the wheel 42 through a limited angle, to correspondingly turn the hub 44, which is coupled to the mechanism within the reel body 12 to turn the spool 10. When the pressure on the trigger lever 32 is released, the bias of a return spring (not shown) causes the rack 40 to retract, turning the wheel 42 in the clockwise direction: the wheel 42 is free to turn in this direction, without turning the hub 44.

is The winding handle is coupled to the hub 44 so that it may be used, instead of the trigger mechanism, for rotating the spool 10. In the example shown, when the winding handle is turned in this direction, the hub 44 is free to turn relative to the wheel 42, which remain stationary. However, the arrangement may be such that the rack 40 is disengaged from the wheel 42 when the winding handle is used: for example, the rack may be arranged to retract to an end position where it is disengaged from the wheel 42, each time the trigger lever 32 is released.

Claims

1) A reel for a fishing rod, the reel comprising means for operating it to draw in the line, using the same hand that holds the rod.

2) A reel as claimed in claim 1, in which said operating means comprises a trigger lever for mounting to the rod.

3) A reel as claimed in claim 2, arranged for said trigger level to project forwardly, generally parallel to the rod.

4) A reel as claimed in claim 2 or 3, in which said trigger lever is coupled by a cable to means for rotating the spool of the reel.

5) A reel as claimed in claim 4, in which said trigger lever is coupled to a toothed rack, arranged to drive said spool as said rack is displaced in an advancing direction upon is depression of said trigger lever.

6) A reel as claimed in claim 5, in which said toothed rack is engaged with a toothed wheel which is coupled to a drive hub such that said wheel will drive said hub in one direction but is free to turn on the hub in the opposite direction.

7) A reel as claimed in any preceding claim, also provided with a winding handle.

8) A unit for fitting to a fishing reel once the winding handle thereof has been removed, said unit having drive means for coupling to the drive mechanism of the reel, and means for 6 operating said drive means so that, in use, the reel may be operated using the same hand that holds the rod.

9) A reel for a fishing rod, the reel being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.