GB2505009A

GB2505009A - Spool for a fixed-spool fishing reel

Info

Publication number: GB2505009A
Application number: GB201216242A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dennis Perrin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-08-12
Filing date: 2012-08-12
Publication date: 2014-02-19
Anticipated expiration: 2032-08-12
Also published as: GB2505009B; GB201216242D0

Abstract

Spool (18, Fig. 6) comprises a skirt portion 18b of larger diameter than a spool portion (18a, Fig. 6); a curved pommel 21 is provided on the spool portion or an adjacent rim, with the pommel adapted to receive a loop of line (17, Fig. 6) from the spool. Retainer 24 is adjacent the pommel to provide a nip for passage of line when passed over the pommel; where pommel and retainer are produced as a one-piece moulding. The moulding may include a fixing tongue 25 extending through an opening 18c, and/or may include support flap 30 extending below the retainer. The skirt may have an opening and guide chute to receive the tongue. Also disclosed is a one piece moulding wherein the support flap may be less than 90° relative to the fixing tongue prior to insertion through a side opening, and may be further displaceable from the fixing tongue upon mounting.

Description

A Spool for a Fixed Spool Fishing Reel

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to a spool for fixed spool fishing reels, particularly fixed spool reels that utilize line casting limiters that both limit the cast and release the line when required to do so.

BACKGROUND ART

(0002] Conventional fixed spool reels have a spool holder and a winding mechanism including a rotary bail arm, and a spool having a spool portion, on which the line is wound, and a skirt portion of larger diameter than the spool portion, which skirt portion serves to mount the spool in the reel. The spool is usually interchangeable. In other words it can usually be removed from the reel and replaced by another spool, e.g. carrying different types of line.

(0003] The skirt portion in most designs of fixed spool reel has a line retaining clip, this being situated on the rim of the skirt portion adjacent the spool portion. Its intended purpose is to hold the end of the line, when the spool is not being used, and prevent the line from unravelling.

[0004] When fishing using a rod fitted with a fixed spool reel it is desirable or even essential to limit the distance that the bait is propelled when casting.

[0005] A common method is to find an optimum position by casting short of the target and estimating a further amount of line that could be paid out safely. The angler then secures the line on the spool with an elastic band or similar or may use the line clip (usually fitted on a fixed spool reel, as mentioned above). The line is wound back on to the reel and recast towards the target area, this time the cast is limited by the securing means but a further amount of line may be required to reach the target spot. This entails removing or releasing the securing means, paying out more line and then resecuring it to the spool by means of same securing means. This process may have to be repeated several times.

[0006] The conventional use of an elastic band is laborious and it does not stand up to repeated casting, it can also interfere with the windings on the spool.

[0007] The use of the line clip is more convenient but in general it is not designed for this purpose. (It is designed to secure the end of the line to prevent the line coming off the spool when not in use). In practice itis difficult to hook the line under the clip and because of the pressure exerted by the clip it tends to cause line damage; this is made worse when it is used as a casting limiter by the "snatch' which occurs as the line reaches this limit. It can be disastrous if a fish surges as it acts as a solid stop that can cut through the line. In any event, line damage is intolerable. It has therefore been proposed in the applicant's own earlier EP-A-1341410 to provide a pommel as a means of tethering a loop of line for the purpose of target casting that is more convenient to use than the elastic band or conventional line clip, and which does not cause any damage to the line.

[0008] More specifically it was previously proposed in EP-A-1 341410 to provide a spool for a fixed spool fishing reel, comprising a spool portion on which fishing line is wound and a skirt portion of larger diameter than the spool portion, wherein a pommel of a curved nature is provided on the spool portion or on a rim of the skirt portion adjacent the spool portion, the pommel being adapted to have a loop of the fishing line from the spool trained thereover thereby to tether the line so that when the line is pulled axially at the end of a cast, the pommel acts to check the cast, but the pommel automatically allows the line to slip therefrom as a result of a pull on the line altering the angular deviation of the line around the pommel.

[0009] Additionally in EF-A-1341 410 it was proposed that the pommel should have a shallow undercut at its side remote from the spool portion, including a line exit portion that has a surface which guides the line out of the undercut as the exiting line is pulled towards the axial direction of the spool.

[0010] A further feature proposed in EP-A-1 341410 is that a line retainer device of flexible construction should be mounted adjacent the pommel to provide a nip there between for passage of the fishing line when it is trained overlaround the pommel thereby to prevent the tishing line tailing off the pommel.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An object of the present invention is to facilitate manufacture of a spool with aforesaid pommel and its associated retainer device while assuring consistency of the capability to insert the ioop of fishing line between the pommel and the retainer device and allow release therefrom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] With foregoing in view, the present invention provides a spooi as detailed above which is characterised in that the pommel and the retainer device are produced jointly as a one-piece moulding.

[0013] Preferably the one-piece moulding includes a fixing tongue that extends outwards below the pommel and through an opening in the side of the spooi.

[0014] A plurality of pommels may be spaced around the spooi, each with a respective associated retainer device.

[0015] The invention also provides a one piece moulding comprising a pommel and an associated retainer for mounting onto a spool of a fixed spool fishing reel, the moulding including a nip between the pommel and the retainer device for passage therethrough of fishing line when said line is trained over/around the pommel for purpose of checking a cast, and the moulding also including a fixing tongue extending outwards below the pommel for insertion through an opening in the side of the spool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] The invention will now be described, byway of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa view of a fixed spool reel of the kind to which the invention relates; Figure 2 is a view of a known spool in a line-retaining situation; Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary face view of a known pommel and retainer; Figure 4 is a side view of the portion shown in figure 3 partially in cross-section along line B-B of figure 3; Figure 5 is an end view of a known spool of the type illustrated in figures 3 and 4, in direction of arrow A in figure 4, showing conventional screw fixing of the retainer; Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a known spool of the type illustrated in figures 3 to 5 in a pommel line-retaining situation; Figure 7 is a view comparable to figure 6 of the spool and adjacent part of the reel in a condition where the line is about to be released from the pommel; Figure 8 is a fragmentary face view (comparable to the prior art figure 3) of a pommel and retainer on a spool in accordance with the present invention; Figure 9 is a side view of an embodiment of a one-piece moulding in accordance with the present invention; Figure 10 is a front view of the one-piece moulding of figure 9; Figure 11 is an end view of the one-piece moulding in the direction of arrow C in figure 10; Figure 12 is a cross-sectional side view (comparable to prior art figure 4) showing a one-piece moulding in accordance with the invention when fitted into a spool along line D-D of figure 8; Figure 13 is same view as figure 12, along line E-E in figure 14, showing the one-piece moulding of figures 9 to 11 fitted to a modified spool in accordance with the invention; and Figure 14 is an end view (comparable to prior art figure 5) of the spooi with the one-piece moulding fitted thereto in the manner shown in figure 13.

[0017] Figure 1 of the drawings illustrates a fixed spool fishing reel 11 having a foot 12 by which it is secured to the butt of a rod 13. The reel has a winding mechanism comprising a winding handle 14 and a gearbox 15 by which a bail arm 16 is rotated which winds the line 17 on to a spooi 18 and which can be set to an "off" position to allow the line to run freely overend the spool 18 for casting. Although termed "fixed spool", the spool 18 is actually able to rotate freely or against an adjustable drag, or be locked against rotation, the mode being set by controls on the reel.

[0018] The spool 18 is removable, so that a different spool, with a different weight of line, can be substituted. Figure 2 shows a conventional spool 18 comprising a spool portion 18a on which the line 17 is wound and a skirt portion 18b by which it is mounted in the reel 11. The skid portion 1 8b has a line retaining clip 19 on its rim adjacent the spool portion 1 8a. The line 17 is shown retained in this clip, which is intended to hold the end of the line, when the spool is not in use, against the line 17 unravelling.

[0019] This clip 19 is sometimes used by anglers for target casting. In order accurately to hit a selected spot, the angler limits the cast by means of a tether at the appropriate line location on the reel. The clip 19 is used as the tether, but it is not really suitable -it has not been designed for this purpose -as it can damage the line, and damaged line means lost catches.

[0020] In the applicant's prior proposal the clip is replaced with a retainer 24 and a pommel 21 as shown in figure 3. More specifically the skirt portion 18b has a pommel 21 of a curved nature on its rim adjacent the spool portion 18a and a retainer device 24 is provided, also on the skirt portion 1 8b to the side of the pommel 21 remote from the spool portion 18a, to form a narrow passage, in effect a nip, for the loop 17a and prevent the loop 17a from falling off the pommel 21.

[0021] The pommel 21 in this known version has a shallow undercut 22 including a line exit portion 23 that has a surface which guides the line 17 out of undercut portion 22 as the exiting line is pulled towards the axial direction of the spool 18.

[0022] It should be noted that the pressure exerted on the line 17 by the action of inserting and releasing of the line 17 between the retainer device 24 and the pommel 21 is critical and needs to be minimal and must not cause any damage to the line 17. This action is best illustrated in figures 6 and 7. In the situation shown in figure 6, a loop 17a of line 17 from the spool 18a is trained over the pommel 21 and through the narrow passage between the pommel 21 and the retainer device 24. At the end of a cast, when the line 17 is being pulled axially off the spool (as shown), the line 17 is caught on the pommel and no further line can escape.

[0023] In the situation shown in figure 7, the line is trained over the pommel 21 and then around the roller of the bail arm 16. As the bail arm 16 and the pommel 21 move relative to each other from the position of figure 7, the angle of the line 17 on the pommel 21 changes so as to slip it off the pommel. This allows a fish to run with the bait, without risking damage to the line.

[0024] As shown in figures 4 and 5 in the known arrangement the pommel 21 is formed integrally with the skirt portion 18b of the spool while the retainer device 24 is separate. It is mounted by means of a tongue 25 which locates through a aperture in the wall of the skirt portion 18b and is retained by screw fixing at 20.

[0025] The known arrangement of retainer and pommel has disadvantages in that the pressure produced by using a screw 20. or alternatively a star washer, to position the retainer 24 relative to the pommel 21 does not give consistent results in the spacing of the retainer relative to the pommel 21 and is time consuming and labour intensive in assembly.

[0026] The present invention, illustrated by figures 8 to 14, provides a retainer 24 that allows easy and consistent insertion/release of the line 17 between the retainer 24 and the pommel 21 without having to pay particular attention to the fixing thereof.

[0027] The one-piece moulding shown in figures 9 to 11 achieves consistent pressure of the retainer 24 by the flexibility of the connecting strap 31 between the retainer 24 and the pommel 21. The pressure exerted by the retainer 24 is predetermined by the thickness of the strap 31 and comes into effect when the gap 33 is closed during assembly of the spool by the action of fixing the moulding into position on the skirt 18b. The gap 33 adjacent the strap 31 is accordingly an essential part of the moulding.

[0028] Any method of fixing of the one piece moulding to the spool is acceptable as long as it does not affect the flexibility of the strap 31 connecting the retainer 24. A support flap is provided as part of the moulding, extending below the retainer 24. A gap 35 between the flap 30 and the retainer 24 allows the retainer 24 to flex about the strap 31 as the line f/a is insertedlreleased between the retainer 24 and the pommel 21.

[0029] This action is best understood with reference to figures 9 and 12. The tongue 25 is inserted into the skirt 18b in a conventional manner. The angle 0 between the tongue 25 and the flap 30 is increased as the base of the moulding. i.e. the flap 30, is pushed against the skirt 18b to achieve an optimum position of the retainer 24 relative to the pommel 21 at which the tongue 25 is fixed in position with a screw 20 as shown in figure 12.

[0030] The screw 20 may be replaced as a means of fixing by modifying the tongue 25, as shown in figures 9, 10 and 11, to include guide means and/or a catch and also by corresponding modification of the spool. In this respect the tongue 25 of the one-piece moulding may have inwardly tapered sides 36c and 36d and recesses 36a and 3Gb, as best shown in the face view, figure 10. Also the tongue 25 may have one or more flexible catches 34 positioned anywhere (but as shown at its free end) to provide a clip in' optimum location for the one-piece moulding.

[0031] Figure 13 shows a guide chute 39 located internally on the skirt mounting portion of the spool 18 adjacent the aperture 1 8c through which the tongue 25 is inserted for mounting into the spool. The tongue 25 then inserted through the aperture 18c of the skirt 18b so that the recesses 36a and 3Gb in the side edges of the tongue 25 engage side runners 37 and 38 of the chute 39. The base flap 30 of the moulding is pushed against the exterior of the skirt 1 8b to achieve an optimum position of the retainer 24 relative to the pommel 21, at which point the flexible catch 34 locates on the bottom of the chute 39 as bestseen in figures 13 and 14.

[0032] Figures 8, 9, 12 and 13 show an undercut groove 27 provided along the side of the pommel adjacent the spool portion 18a, namely opposite to/remote from the retainer device 24. The purpose of this groove 27 is to allow for engagement of an elastic line (in the form of an elastic band, but preferably of round cross-section) which is not shown in these drawings but in preferred embodiments of the spool of the invention will be attached to the spool portion 18b in a circumferential direction around at least a part of to the spool portion 18b. The purpose of such an elastic line is to be looped around the pommel 21, engaging in the groove 27, after the loop 1 7a of fishing line has been placed between the pommel 21 and the retainer device 24, in the groove 22, to prevent inadvertent release of the fishing line loop 17a, which may otherwise occur, particularly in adverse weather conditions or when using monofilament line. The provision of such an elastic retainer line is the subject of the applicant's co-pending application.

[0033] Because of the curved nature of the pommel no damage to the line takes place even with continuous casting of heavy weights or feeders, etc. [0034] In other embodiments (not shown) a plurality of one piece mouldings providing a plurality of pommels and associated retainers may be arranged around the spool.

[0035] On some reels, the spool portion and the skirt portion are separate. On such reels the one-piece moulding providing the pommel and associated retainer can be arranged on the skirt portion exactly as if it was integral with the spool.

[0036] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other components. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

[0037] The invention is not restricted to the details of the illustrated embodiment or any of the other variations mentioned above, which are provided by way of example only. Other variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A spool for a fixed spool fishing reel, the spool comprising a spool portion on which fishing line is wound and a skirt portion of larger diameter than the spool portion; wherein a pommel of a curved nature is provided on the spool portion or on a rim of the skirt portion adjacent the spool portion, the pommel being adapted to have a loop of the fishing line from the spool trained thereover thereby to tether the line so that when the line is pulled axially at the end of a cast, the pommel acts to check the cast, but the pommel automatically allows the line to slip therefrom as a result of a pull on the line altering the angular deviation of the line around the pommel; and wherein a retainer device is mounted adjacent the pommel to provide a nip there between for passage of the fishing line when it is trained over/around the pommel thereby to prevent the fishing line falling off the pommel; characterised in that the pommel and the retainer device are produced jointly as a one-piece moulding.
2. A spool according to claim 1 wherein the one-piece moulding includes a fixing tongue that extends outwards below the pommel and through an opening in the side of the spool.
3. A spool according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the one-piece moulding includes a support flap extending below the retainer device.
4. A spool according to claim 2 wherein the skirt portion is provided with the opening through which the tongue of the moulding is inserted, and the skirt portion is also provided internally with a guide chute for reception of the fixing tongue.
5. A one piece moulding comprising a pommel and an associated retainer for mounting onto a spool of a fixed spool fishing reel, the moulding including a nip between the pommel and the retainer device for passage therethrough of fishing line when said line is trained over/around the pommel for purpose of checking a cast, and the moulding also including a fixing tongue extending outwards below the pommel for insertion through an opening in the side of the spool.
6. A moulding according to claim 5, further including a support flap extending below the retainer device.
7. A moulding according to claim 6 wherein the support flap extends at an angle 0, less than 9Q0, relative to the fixing tongue prior to insertion through the opening in the side of the spool and is displaceable further from the fixing tongue upon mounting to the spool.
8. A moulding according to claim 5, 6 01 7 wherein the fixing tongue has side edges which taper towards each other towards a free end of the tongue.
9. A moulding according to any of claim 5 to 8 wherein the fixing tongue has side edges provided with guide means, such as recesses or projections.
10. A moulding according to any of claims 5 to 9 wherein the fixing tongue has a flexible catch for engagement with the spool when the tongue has been inserted through the opening in the spool.
11. A moulding according to any of claims 5 to 10 wherein the pommel has a shallow undercut in its side adjacent the retainer device including a line exit portion which guides the line out of the undercut as the angular deviation of the line changes.
12. A spool for a fixed spool fishing reel comprising a spool portion on which fishing line is wound or to be wound and a skirt portion of larger diameter than the spool portion, the skirt portion being provided with an opening at at least one location around its periphery, characterised in that a one piece moulding as claimed in any of claims 6 to 11 is fitted thereto to provide a pommel and an associated retainer device on the spool.
13. A spool for a fixed spool fishing reel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and illustrated by figures 8 to 14 of the accompanying drawings.
14. A one piece moulding comprising a pommel and an associated retainer for moulding onto a spool of a fixed spool fishing reel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and illustrated by figures 9 to 12 or figures 9, 10, 11 and 14 of the accompanying drawings.Amendments to the claims have been filed as followsCLAIMS1. A one piece moulding comprising a pommel and an associated retainer for mounting onto a spool of a fixed spool fishing reel, the moulding including a nip between the pommel and the retainer device for passage there through of fishing line when said line is trained over/around the pommel for purpose of checking a cast.2. A moulding according to claim 1 further including a fixing tongue that extends outwards below the pommel for insertion through an opening in the side of the spool.3. A moulding according to claim 1 or 2, further including a support flap extending below the retainer device.4. A moulding according to claim 2 and 3 wherein the support flap extends at an angle 0, less than 90°, relative to the fixing tongue prior to insertion through the opening in the side of the spool and is displaceable further from the fixing tongue upon mounting to the spool.5. A moulding according to claim 2 wherein the fixing tongue has side edges which CV) 15 taper towards each other towards a free end of the tongue.6. A moulding according to claim 2 or 5 wherein the fixing tongue has side edges C') provided with guide means, such as recesses or projections.7. A moulding according to any of claims 2, 5 or 6 wherein the fixing tongue has a o flexible catch for engagement with the spool when the tongue has been inserted through the opening in the spool.8. A moulding according to any preceding claim wherein the pommel has a shallow undercut in its side adjacent the retainer device including a line exit portion which guides the line out of the undercut as the angular deviation of the line changes.9. A spool for a fixed spool fishing reel comprising a spool portion on which fishing line is wound or to be wound and a skirt portion of larger diameter than the spool portion, and a one piece moulding as claimed in any preceding claim fitted thereto to provide a pommel and an associated retainer device on the spool.10. A spool according to claim 9 wherein the skirt portion is provided with an opening at at least one location around its periphery, and a moulding as claimed in any of claims 2, 5, 6 or 7 is fitted thereto by the tongue of the moulding fitting through the opening in the skirt portion.11. A spool according to claim 10 wherein the skirt portion is also provided internally with a guide chute for reception of the fixing tongue.12. A spool for a fixed spool fishing reel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and illustrated by figures 8 to 14 of the accompanying drawings.13. A one piece moulding comprising a pommel and an associated retainer for mounting onto a spool of a fixed spool fishing reel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and illustrated by figures 9 to 12 or figures 9, 10, 11 and 14 of the accompanying drawings. C') CoLU :ii