GB2553548A

GB2553548A - A washer device

Info

Publication number: GB2553548A
Application number: GB1615223.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Taylor Adam
Original assignee: Fox International Group Ltd
Current assignee: Fox International Group Ltd
Priority date: 2016-09-07
Filing date: 2016-09-07
Publication date: 2018-03-14
Anticipated expiration: 2036-09-07
Also published as: GB201615223D0; GB2553548B

Abstract

A washer device 10 comprises two annular components 12, 14 each having a main face 18 which engages a corresponding main face of the other component. Each main face 18 has regions of different levels in a direction along an axis of the component 12, 14. R

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: A washer device Abstract Title: Washer device (57) A washer device 10 comprises two annular components 12, 14 each having a main face 18 which engages a corresponding main face of the other component. Each main face 18 has regions of different levels in a direction along an axis of the component 12, 14. R

[0001] A washer device [0002] The present invention relates to a washer device.

[0003] A problem may arise when more than one article is screwthreaded down onto a support in such a manner that the different articles need to be in alignment with one another. This occurs for example in angling when a plurality of rod rests or bite alarms are screwed onto a pod or a set of bank sticks, by means of respective screw threads on the rod rests or bite alarms on the one hand and respective screwthreads on parts of the pod or the set of bank sticks on the other hand. Because of the randomness in the angular positions of the starts of the different threads concerned, once the rod rests or bite alarms are sufficiently tightened, they may be facing in different directions. One way of overcoming this is by the use of one or more washers each of which surround their associated male screwthread so that they are sandwiched between the rod rest or bite alarm and the pod or bank stick. This enables the rod rest or bite alarm to be sufficiently tight when it is in alignment with the other rod rest or rests or bite alarm or alarms. However, the selected washer may be found to be too thin or too thick, which in turn may need the replacement of the washer by one of different thickness, or by the addition of one or more further washers. This can make the setting up of a fishing rod support system cumbersome and timeconsuming, whether the washers used are flexible washers, rigid washers or spring washers.

[0004] The present invention seeks to provide a remedy.

-2[0005] Accordingly the present invention is directed to a washer device comprising two annular components each having a main face which when in use engages a corresponding main face of the other component, which main face has surface regions of different levels in a direction along an axis of the component, whereby relative rotation between the components about their common axis when the device is in use alters the effective thickness of the washer device.

[0006] The two annular components may comprise compressible material.

[0007]

The two components may be substantially identical to one another.

[0008]

The different levels may be provided by [0010] [0011] series of steps.

[0009] There may be four sets of steps with each step in each set providing a surface region which is further away from the opposite main face of the component than the corresponding surface region of the preceding step of the set progressing in a given sense around the component, the four levels of each set being the same as the four levels of each other set.

There may be four steps in each set.

The steps of two of the sets which are diametrically opposite one another and which are furthest from the opposite main face of the component may be provided with protuberances, for example generally circular protuberances, and each of the steps of the other two sets may be provided with corresponding recesses, for example generally circular recesses, so that the protuberances of each component can engage in recesses in the other of the components, and the effective thickness of the washer device can be altered by disengaging the two components, rotating one of the

-3 components relative to the other and re-engaging the components such that the protuberances engage respective recesses of steps of a different level.

[0012] An example of a washer device embodying the present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the only Figure of the accompanying drawing, which shows a perspective side view of such a device with the components thereof spaced apart from one another.

[0013] Thus, in the drawing there is shown a washer device 10 comprising two compressible plastics annular washer components 12 and 14 shown in the Figure as being spaced apart from one another, but which when in use are brought together so that they engage one another and share a common axis.

[0014] Tl· respectively.

components 12	and	14 are	identical. They
5 main	faces	16	and 18,	and 2 0 and	22
Those	main	faces 16	and 20 of	the
and 14	which	face	outwardly away from	the
components 14	and	12 are	generally planar
) annular ridges 24	and 2 6	(only visible	in

the upper of the components in the Figure).

[0015] The main faces 18 and 22 of the components 12 and 14 which face towards one another have a stepped form. This form is shown more clearly in the lower of the two components in the Figure. From this it can be seen that there are four sets 28, 30, 32, and 34 each of four steps 36, 38, 40 and 42. In progressing in a clockwise direction around the component, viewing it as in the Figure, steps 36 through to 42 are at successively higher levels, so that each step provides a surface region which faces the other component, and the surface regions of successive steps progressing in a clockwise direction around the component are successively at further

-4distances away from the opposite main face 20 of the component 14 (as is the case for the corresponding main face 18 of the component 12, although this is more clear for the component 14 in the Figure).

[0016] Each step is of the same dimension as every other step in a circumferential direction.

[0017] Of the surface regions of the four highest steps 42 of the component 14 two of them which are diametrically opposite one another are provided with generally circular protuberances 44 and 46. These are provided in diametrically opposite sets 30 and 34 of steps. Each step of the other two sets 28 and 32 of steps of the component 14 are provided with correspondingly generally circular recesses 48 in their respective surface regions.

[0018] When the washer device 10 is in use, with the relative angular positioning between the components 12 and 14 as shown in the Figure, the protuberances 4 6 of each component 12 and 14 will engage in the recesses 48 of the steps 36 of the sets 28 and 32 of steps, which steps provide surface regions which are closest to the opposite main face of their own component 12 or 14, so that the washer device 10 has its minimum effective thickness .

[0019] Any one of three further successively increasing thicknesses can be obtained by disengaging the two components 12 and 14 from one another, rotating the upper component 12 for example in the Figure by 18°, 36°, or 54° so that the protuberances 46 of each component 12 and 14 engage any two of the recesses 48 which are at successively increasing distances away from the opposite main face of their respective component 12 and 14.

[0020] Numerous variations and modifications to the illustrated washer component 10 may occur to the reader

-5 without taking the resulting construction outside the scope of the present invention. For example, there may be six or eight sets of steps instead of four. Each set of steps may have anything from two to eight or more steps. Each protuberance does not need to be generally circular and may have substantially any cross-sectional shape, as long as the recesses will receive the protuberances, preferably by being correspondingly shaped. One or both components 12 and 14 could be made thicker, and/or the illustrated washer device could be used in conjunction with one or more conventional washers.

Claims

Claims :

1. A washer device comprising two annular components each having a main face which when in use engages a corresponding main face of the other component, which main face has surface regions of different levels in a direction along an axis of the component, whereby relative rotation between the components about their common axis when the device is in use alters the effective thickness of the washer device.

2. A washer device according to claim 1, in which the two annular components comprise compressible material.

3. A washer device according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the two components are substantially identical to one another .

4. A washer device according to any preceding claim, in which the different levels are provided by a series of steps .

5. A washer device according to claim 4, in which there are four sets of steps with each step in each set providing a surface region which is further away from the opposite main face of the component than the corresponding surface region of the preceding step of the set progressing in a given sense around the component, the four levels of each set being the same as the four levels of each other set.

6. A washer device according to claim 5, in which there are four steps in each set.

7. A washer device according to claim 5 or claim 6, in which the steps of two of the sets which are diametrically opposite one another and which are furthest from the opposite main face of the component are provided with protuberances and each of the steps of the other two sets are provided with corresponding recesses, so that the protuberances of each component can engage in recesses in the other of the components, and the effective thickness of the washer device can be altered by disengaging the two components, rotating one of the components relative to the other and re-engaging the components such that the protuberances engage respective recesses of steps of a different level.

8. A washer device according to claim 7, in which the said protuberances and the said recesses are generally circular .

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1615223.3