GB2515507A

GB2515507A - Fishing reel

Info

Publication number: GB2515507A
Application number: GB1311283.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chung Cheung; Shu Cheong Yuen
Original assignee: HELIGEAR ENGINEERING H K CO Ltd
Current assignee: HELIGEAR ENGINEERING H K CO Ltd
Priority date: 2013-06-25
Filing date: 2013-06-25
Publication date: 2014-12-31
Also published as: GB201311283D0

Abstract

A fishing reel 1 comprising a spool 2 for storing a fishing line, a rotor 4 positioned about the spool, the rotor being rotatable about its axis so as to wind the fishing line onto the spool, a drive means 12 operable to rotate the rotor, a shaft 28 connected to the spool; and a reciprocation mechanism 16 for causing the shaft and the spool to reciprocate axially in response to operation of the drive means, wherein the shaft comprises a telescopic arrangement such that the shaft is moveable between a retracted and an extended position as the shaft and the spool reciprocate axially. The shaft may comprise a central part 30 and an outer hollow part 32 which form the telescopic arrangement. The central part may comprise an abutment part which limits the relative axial movement between the central part and the outer part.

Description

FISHING REEL

The invention relates to a fishing reel which has a reciprocating spool.

It is known to provide a fishing reel which comprises a mechanism for causing reciprocation of the spool as a fishing line is being wound onto the spool.

Typically, the fishing reel comprises a spool for storing a fishing line which is provided together with a rotor at the front of a body of the fishing reel. The fishing reel comprises a handle which when rotated causes rotation of the rotor which winds the fishing line onto the spool. The fishing reel also comprises a reciprocating mechanism which causes the spool to axially reciprocate as the handle is rotated. Therefore, as the fishing line is wound onto the spool it reciprocates axially which ensures that the fishing line is distributed evenly along the length of the spool.

The present invention is concerned with providing a reciprocation or oscillating fishing reel which includes an improved shaft.

The present invention provides a fishing reel which comprises a spool for storing a fishing line, a rotor positioned about the spool, the rotor being rotatable about its axis so as to wind the fishing line onto the spool, a drive means operable to rotate the rotor, a shaft connected to the spool, and a reciprocation mechanism for causing the shaft and the spool to reciprocate axially in response to operation of the drive means, wherein the shaft comprises a telescopic arrangement such that the shaft is moveable between a retracted and an extended position as the shaft and the spool reciprocate axially.

By providing a shaft which comprises a telescopic arrangement the length of the shaft is able to change as the shaft, and hence the spool, reciprocate axially whilst fishing line is being wound onto the spool. This means that for a given size of spool, with a given desired reciprocation distance, the fishing reel can be more compact, as less axial space is required for the shaft. Alternatively, for a given size of fishing reel, the axial distance over which the spool can reciprocate can be greater (due to increased axial length over which the front end of the telescopic shaft can move) and hence the space for storing the fishing line on the spool can be larger and thus more fishing line can be stored by the fishing reel.

The spool and the shaft may reciprocate axially relative to the rotor. The position at which the fishing line is guided onto the fishing reel may be fixed relative to the rotor. Therefore, with this arrangement, as the spool reciprocates axially the fishing line is guided onto the spool along its length so that the fishing line is distributed approximately evenly along the length of the spool.

The fishing reel may comprise a main body. When the fishing reel is attached to a fishing rod, the main body of the fishing reel may be mounted directly to the fishing rod. The main body of the fishing rod may comprise a support arm.

The spool may reciprocate in a forward and rearward direction relative to the main body of the fishing reel. The front of the fishing reel may be where the spool is located and the rear of the fishing reel may be where the drive mechanism (the drive mechanism comprising, for example, the drive means and the reciprocation mechanism) is located. When the spool is in its most rearward position, the shaft may be in its retracted position (in which its axial dimension is smallest) and when the spool is in its most forward position the shaft may be in its extended position (in which its axial dimension is greatest).

The drive mechanism may be at least partially housed in a reel housing.

The reel housing may be part of the main body of the fishing reel. In a one possible embodiment the reel housing supports the drive mechanism and shaft. The reel housing may house the drive mechanism which may be provided rearward of the rotor.

In certain embodiments the shaft comprises a central part (a male part) and an outer hollow part (a female part) which form the telescopic arrangement. The central part may be directly fixed to the spool. For example, the central part may be a rod and the outer hollow part may be a tube with an inner diameter which is larger than the outer diameter of the central rod. The outer hollow part may be arranged so as to be able to accommodate the central part. Both the central part and the outer hollow part may be able to reciprocate axially and as the central part reciprocates it may move into and out of the outer hollow part, i.e. in a telescopic manner. In other words, the parts of the shaft may move relative to each other in an axial direction. Relative to a main body of the fishing reel, the central part and the outer hollow part may reciprocate axially in a forward and rearward direction.

When the shaft is in its retracted position the outer hollow part may be in its most rearward position and the central part may also be in its most rearward H position and may be received by the full length of the outer hollow part, i.e. the outer hollow part may be entirely located over and around the central part. This means that the axial distance between the ends of the shaft can change as the shaft reciprocates axially.

When the shaft is in its extended position both the outer hollow part and the central part may be in their most forward position. In this position only a small ength of the central part may be accommodated in the outer hollow part such that the shaft may be at a maximum length.

By providing this telescopic arrangement, when the shaft is in its retracted position the length of the shaft is reduced as part of the length of the shaft is accommodated in another part of the shaft. This means that the overall size of the reel, or the reel body for accommodating the shaft, can be reduced in size or the maximum reciprocation distance for a given size of reel can be increased.

In certain embodiments the shaft comprises one or more abutment portions to limit the maximum axial movement of the parts of the shaft relative to each other.

The central part may comprise an abutment portion which prevents the central part from being able to retract entirely out of the outer hollow part and may comprise a second abutment portion which limits the axial distance that the central part can extend through the outer hollow part. The abutment portions may, for example, be radial projections provided on the central part. This means that the telescopic arrangement can work reliably even when the shaft is moved to its positions of maximum and minimum extension.

In certain embodiments a portion of the shaft, such as the outer hollow part, may be supported by a shaft support means, such as a ring. The shaft support may be fixed axially relative to the position of the rotor (and the main body of the reel) through which the outer hollow part can move axially. The shaft support may be rotatable relative to the main body of the reel and may be non-rotatably fixed to the telescopic shaft. For example, the shaft support may be supported by the reel main body (e.g. by bearings on the reel main body). When the outer hollow part is supported by the shaft support, the outer hollow part may comprise abutment portions to limit the maximum axial movement of the outer hollow part relative to the shaft support.

The shaft may be arranged so that the parts of the shaft, such as the central part and the outer hollow part, cannot rotate about their axis relative to each other.

For example, the parts may have a non cylindrical cross-sectionS may be splined, or may comprise a key which permits relative movement in the axial direction but not in the circumferential direction. This means that, for example, a breaking force can be applied when necessary to one pad of the shaft to prevent and/or control rotation of the whole shaft. When the reel comprises a shaft support which cannot rotate relative to the shaft, the rotation of the shaft support can be controlled to control rotation of the shaft. Thus the telescopic shaft arrangement can be used to provide a drag mechanism.

The shaft may be fixed, and optionally rigidly fixed, to the spool. With this arrangement, the shaft and spool cannot rotate relative to each other. This means that rotation of the spool can be controlled by controlling rotation of the shaft. In turn this means that mechanisms to control the rotation of the spool may be provided at or towards the rear of the main body of the fishing reel.

The drive means may comprise a handle which is rotated by the user to wind in the fishing reel. There may be a drive gear which is caused to rotate by operation of the handle. For example, the drive gear may be connected to the handle which is rotated by the user to wind in the fishing reel. The drive gear may engage with a pinion which is connected to the rotor. With this arrangement, rotation of the drive gear would cause rotation of the rotor.

In certain embodiments the pinion and drive gear are bevel gears, such as spiral bevel gears. This means that the axis of the rotation of the drive gear can be perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotor. In other words, with this arrangement, rotation of the drive gear about its axis of rotation can cause rotation of the rotor about an axis of rotation which is perpendicular.

The pinion may be located about the shaft, e.g. circumferentially around the shaft, and the shaft may be able to reciprocate axially relative to the pinion. This provides a compact arrangement. The shaft may rctate about its axis relative to the pinion. With this arrangement, the rotor can be driven without causing rotation of the shaft.

In certain embodiments the reciprocation mechanism for causing the shaft and the spool to reciprocate axially in response to operation of the drive means may be driven via the pinion which is connected to the rotor. This minimises the number of parts of the drive mechanism and ensures that the shaft and spool reciprocate as the rotor is rotated. Alternatively, the reciprocation mechanism may be driven directly by the drive gear, i.e. through a different drive train to that of the rotor.

In certain embodiments, the reciprocation mechanism converts a rotational motion in to a linear reciprocating motion. This means that a rotational input can be used to cause reciprocation of the spool as the fishing line is wound onto the spool.

In certain embodiment the reciprocation mechanism comprises a screw and a follower which is caused to reciprocate linearly when the screw is rotated in a single direction. The screw may comprise two opposite helical channels, With this arrangement, as the screw is rotated, the follower may be moved linearly along to one end of the screw by movement in one of the two channels and then once it reaches the end of the screw it is led into the opposite helical channel such that as the screw continues to rotate the follower is moved linearly in the opposite direction by action of the second channel.

In certain embodiments the follower may be connected to a bracket which is connected to the shaft. As the follower is reciprocated by rotation of the screw the bracket may cause the shaft to move with the follower such that the shaft reciprocates. The shaft may be able to rotate about its axis relative to the bracket.

This means that the shaft can be rotated without interference with the reciprocation mechanism.

Alternatively the reciprocation mechanism may comprise a reciprocation gear which is rotated by action of the drive means. For example, when the drive means comprises a drive gear, the drive gear may be engaged with the reciprocation gear such that rotation of the drive gear causes rotation of the reciprocation gear. The reciprocation mechanism may also comprise a bracket which comprises a slot. With this arrangement, the reciprocating gear may comprise a protrusion which engages with the slot of the bracket. When the reciprocating gear rotates the protrusion rotates with the reciprocating gear. The movement of the protrusion causes the bracket to reciprocate axially. In certain embodiments the bracket is connected to the shaft such that as the bracket reciprocates in a linear motion the shaft is caused to also reciprocate. The shaft may be able to rotate about its axis relative to the bracket. This means that as the shaft rotates the reciprocating mechanism can remain stationary The fishing reel may comprise a drag mechanism at the rear of the fishing reel which can act to apply an adjustable breaking force to the shaft. This mechanism may be used to prevent and/or control rotation of the shaft during use of the fishing reel and thus prevent and/or control rotation of the spool to which the shaft may be fixed.

The ree' may comprise further features not discussed above.

In its broadest sense the present invention provides a reciprocating fishing reel which includes a shaft having a telescopic arrangement.

The terms reciprocating and oscillating may be used interchangeably throughout the present specification. For example, the reciprocating mechanism may also be termed an oscillating mechanism and the motion of the spool may be referred to as an oscillation rather than a reciprocation.

Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a partial cross section of a fishing reel of a first embodiment; Figure 2 shows the fishing reel of Figure 1 in a retracted position; Figure 3 shows the fishing reel of Figure 1 in an extended position; Figure 4 shows a partial cross section of the fishing reel in Figure 1 in plan view; Figure 5 shows a front end view of the fishing reel in Figure 1 in cross section; Figure 6 shows a cross section of the shaft of the fishing reel; Figure 7 shows a partial cross section of a fishing reel of a second embodiment; and Figure 8 shows a cross section of the shaft of the fishing reel of Figure 1 with more parts shown; Figures ito 5 show a first embodiment of a fishing reel 1. The fishing reel 1 comprises a spool 2 on which fishing line can be stored at the front of the fishing reel 1. It also comprises a rotor 4 which comprises a bail arm 5. The bail arm 5 acts as a line guide to guide a fishing line onto the spool 2 when it is being wound onto the spool 2. The rotor 4 is provided on the front of a reel body 6 which encases the driving mechanism of the fishing reel 1 at the rear of the fishing reel 1.

The reel body 6 comprises a support arm 8 at the top of the fishing reel 1 which is used to support the fishing reel 1 on a fishing rod (not shown).

The driving mechanism comprises a drive gear 10 which is connected to a handle 12. When the handle 12 is rotated by a user this causes the drive gear 10 to rotate. The drive gear lOis in engagement with a pinion 14 which is connected to the rotor 4. The pinion 14 and drive gear 10 are spiral bevel gears and rotation of the drive gear 10 about its axis causes the pinion 14 to rotate about its axis which is perpendicular to the axis of the drive gear 10 When the pinion 14 is rotated the rotor 4 rotates.

The fishing reel comprises a reciprocation mechanism 16. This mechanism 16 comprises a driven gear 18 which is in engagement with the pinion 14. The reciprocation mechanism 16 also includes a screw 20 which comprises a channel 22. The driven gear 18 is fixed to the screw 20 such that rotation of the gear 18 causes rotation of the screw 20. The reciprocation mechanism 16 also comprises a follower 24 which engages with the channel 22 and is caused to reciprocate axially when the screw 20 is rotated, as explained in more detail below. The follower 24 is connected to a wind bracket 26. As the follower 24 is reciprocated axially the wind bracket 26 also reciprocates axially.

The wind bracket 26 is connected to a shaft 28. The shaft is connected to the spool 2. As the wind bracket 26 reciprocates it causes the shaft 28 to reciprocate which in turn causes the spool 2 to reciprocate. The wind bracket 26 is connected to the shaft 28so that the shaft may rotate freely of the wind bracket 26.

The shaft comprises a telescopic arrangement such that as the shaft 28 reciprocates axially it can expand and contract by moving between an extended and retracted position. The shaft 28 comprises a rod 30 and an outer tube 32 and is supported by a support ring 34. The shaft and support ring are shown in Figure 6 without the other components of the fishing reel 1. As the shaft 28 reciprocates axially the rod 30 and outer tube 32 reciprocate axially. The rod 30, outer tube 32 and support ring 34 can move axially relative to one another. The outer tube 32 can reciprocate axially in the support ring 34 between a rearward position (see Figures 1 and 2) and a forward position (see Figure 3). The rod 30 can also move between a rearward position (see Figure 2) and a forward position (see Figures 1 and 3). When the rod 30 is in its rearward position it is received within the outer tube 32 to thereby reduce the length of the shaft 28. This means that the reel body 6 can be more compact.

The shaft is shown in its fully retracted position in Figure 2, fully extended position in Figure 3 and in an intermediate position in Figure 1. When the shaft is in its fully retracted position the spool 2 is in its most rearward position and is located closest to the rotor 4. In this position the bail arm 5 acts to guide the fishing line onto the front portion of the spool. When the shaft is in its fully extended position the spool 2 is in its most forward position and is located furthest from the rotor 4. In this position the bail arm 5 acts to guide the fishing line onto the back portion of the spool 2. Finally, when the shaft is in an intermediate position the bail arm 5 acts to guide the fishing line onto a central portion of the spool 2. The shaft 28 and spool 2 reciprocate linearly between these positions so as to guide the fishing line onto the spool evenly.

When the user wishes to wind a fishing line onto the spool 2, the user turns the handle 12. This cases rotation of the drive gear 10. Due to engagement of the drive gear 10 with the pinion 14, the rotation of the drive gear 10 causes rotation of the pinion 14. The pinion 14 is attached to the rotor 4 and thus rotation of the pinion 14 causes rotation of the rotor 4. Rotation of the rotor 4 causes the fishing line to be wound onto the spool 2, the fishing line being guided by the bail arm 5.

Simultaneously to the rotation of the rotor 4, the engagement of the pinion 14 with the driven gear 18 causes the screw 20 of the reciprocation mechanism 16 to rotate. Rotation of the screw 20 causes the follower 24 to be guided by the channel 22 and thus to be reciprocated linearly in a forward to backward direction (axially). This reciprocation is due to the follower 24 running in the channel 22 which is formed from two opposite helical grooves which leads the follower 24 in a forward and then backwards direction repeatedly as the screw 20 is turned continuously in a single direction. The reciprocating motion of the follower 24 causes the bracket 26 to reciprocate axially which causes the shaft 28 to reciprocate axially. The shaft 25 is connected to the spool 2 and thus the reciprocal motion of the shaft 28 causes the spool 2 to reciprocate. The spool 2 reciprocates axially relative to the rotor 4 and thus the fishing line is guided by the bail arm 5 along the length of the spool so as to evenly distribute the fishing line on the spool 2 as it is wound in.

As the shaft 28 reciprocates linearly it expands and retracts in length due to the telescopic action of the parts of the shaft 28. When the spool 2 is in its most rearward position the shaft is in its retracted position so that the dimension of the reel body 6 which houses the shaft can he reduced.

Figure 7 shows a second embodiment of a fishing reel 101 which is the same as the embodiment shown in Figures ito 5 except that it is provided with an alternative reciprocation mechanism. Components which are unchanged between the two embodiments are provided with the same reference numerals and these components will not be described again to avoid repetition.

The reciprocation mechanism 116 of the second embodiment comprises a driven gear 118. The driven gear 118 is in direct engagement with the drive gear such that when the drive gear 10 rotates the driven gear 118 rotates.

The driven gear 118 comprises a protrusion 120 which engages in a slot 124 in a bracket 122. The protrusion 120 is attached to the driven gear 118 and thus rotates with the driven gear 118 as it is rotated. The rotation of the protrusion causes the bracket 122 to reciprocate linearly in a backwards to forwards direction (in relation to the reel itself). The bracket 122 is fixed to the shaft 28 so that as the bracket 122 reciprocates linearly the shaft 28 is caused to reciprocate.

As described above this causes the spool 2 to reciprocate axially and causes the telescopic expansion and contraction of the shaft 28.

When a user turns the handle 12 the rotor 4 is caused to rotate as described above which winds a fishing line onto the spool 2. Simultaneously, this winding of the handle 12 causes the driven gear 118 to rotate due to its engagement with the drive gear 10. Rotation of the driven gear 118 causes the protrusion 120 to rotate which due to the slot 124 causes the bracket 122 to reciprocate axially. This causes the shaft 28 to reciprocate axially which causes the spool 2 to reciprocate to thereby evenly distribute the fishing reel on the spool 2 as it is wound in (as described above).

The two embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 7 may comprise other components which are not shown in the Figures. In fact, certain features have been omitted from the Figures for clarification. For example the fishing reel may comprise a drag mechanism 50 at the rear of the fishing reel as shown in Figure 8.

The drag mechanism 50 comprises an adjustment knob 52 which is connected to a knob insert 54 and a drag screw 56. When the adjustment knob 52 is turned by a user the knob insert is rotated which causes the screw to move linearly in a direction which is dependent on the direction in which the adjustment knob 52 has been turned.

When the adjustment knob 52 is turned so that the drag screw 59 is moved in a forward direction away from the adjustment screw 52 it pushes against a biased lever 58 which in turn pushes against a cam 60 which pushes against a friction brake 62. The action of the cam 60 pushing against the friction brake 62 increases the force required to cause rotation of the shaft support ring 34 and hence shaft 28 about its axis. The drag mechanism 50 can therefore be used to prevent and/or control rotation of the shaft 28 and thus rotation of the spool 2 during use of the fishing reel.

Claims

C LA I MS: A fishing reel, the fishing reel comprising: a spool for storing a fishing line; a rotor positioned about the spool, the rotor being rotatable about its axis so as to wind the fishing line onto the spool; a drive means operable to rotate the rotor; a shaft connected to the spool; and a reciprocation mechanism for causing the shaft and the spool to reciprocate axially in response to operation of the drive means, wherein the shaft comprises a telescopic arrangement such that the shaft is moveable between a retracted and an extended position as the shaft and the spool reciprocate axially.
2. A reel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shaft comprises a central part and an outer hollow part which form the telescopic arrangement.
3. A reel as claimed in claim 2, wherein the central part and outer hollow part are non-rotataby fixed relative to each other and are arranged to permit relative axial movement between the central and outer hollow part.
4. A reel as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the central part comprises an abutment portion to limit the maximum relative axial displacement between the central part and the outer hollow part.
5. A reel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fishing reel comprises a shaft support which is axially fixed relative to the rotor.
6. A reel as claimed in claim 5, wherein the shaft support is non-rotatably fixed relative to the shaft and is arranged to permit relative axial movement of the shaft and the shaft support.