WO1989001285A1

WO1989001285A1 - A fishing reel handline

Info

Publication number: WO1989001285A1
Application number: PCT/AU1988/000320
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bryan James Larkin; Noel Sydney Davidson Wood
Original assignee: Dean Larkin Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1987-08-21
Filing date: 1988-08-22
Publication date: 1989-02-23
Also published as: AU2323688A; GB2228656B; GB9003937D0; GB2228656A; AU614773B2; NZ225904A

Abstract

A hand reel (10) having a generally toroidal spool (11) with a pair of generally annular flanges (12) and (13) which diverge radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis (17) of the spool (11) so as to define a toroidal recess (15) which receives a line (16) so that the line (16) is coiled about the longitudinal axis (17) of the spool (11), a central body (20) rotatably supporting the spool (11), which central body (20) has a central aperture (23), a handle (24) extending diametrically across said central aperture (23), and a brake mechanism (28) mounted in said handle (24) an d including a trigger (34) which is manipulated by the user's forefinger to actuate the brake mechanism (28) to apply a braking force to the spool (11) to inhibit movement of the spool.

Description

A FISHING REEL HANDLINE Background of the Invention The present invention relates to hand fishing reels. Traditionally hand reels have consisted of a plastics moulded reel of generally toroidal shape with a pair of annular side walls which provide an annular recess within which the fitting line is coiled. The side walls are shaped so that casting of the line is best achieved by having the longitudinal axis of the reel extending in the direction of the intended cast. These traditional hand reels have suffered several disadvantages of which the follow are prominent. Firstly, when the line is paid in, it was usually coiled on a ground surface or the floor of a boat for convenience. This frequently resulted in tangling of the line. Secondly, the hand reels were not provided with a drag mechanism. Thirdly, they could only be gripped by the user placing a hand through the centre of the reel so that a portion of the reel was held in the palm of the hand, a position which was not comfortable during use of the reel.

Discussion of the Prior Art Hand reels are disclosed in US Patents 3 838 830; 3 687 393; 3 169 723; and 2 483 696. These various patents include hand reels which consist of a handle portion and a rotatable spool.

US Patent 3 838 830 describes a hand reel with a toroidal spool rotatably supported on a hand grippable central portion. The configuration of the central portion is such that it is difficult to grip and does not lend itself to small size hand reels. Still further, there is no drag mechanism provided. A still further disadvantage is that the spool is prone to engaging the arm of the user thereby inhibiting use and causing possible injury to the user if the reel is spinning quickly when coming into contact with the user's skin. US Patent 3 687 393 describes a kite reel with a central handle portion which rotatably supports a spool. Again, the central handle portion does not lend itself to small diameter reels and the spool portion is exposed for contact with the arm of the user. A drag mechanism is again not provided.

US Patent Specification 3 169 723 describes a hand reel of metal wire construction. There is a central handle portion which rotatably supports a spool. Again, the spool is exposed for contact with the user's arm and the central portion does not lend itself to small diameter reels. There is also not provided any drag mechanism.

Disclosed in US Patent 2 483 696 is a hand reel with an offset handle portion and a rotatable spool. Since the offset handle is positioned to lend itself to small diameter spools, it at least partly ameliorates the disadvantages in respect of the above discussed reels. However, since the handle is offset relative to the spool, any force applied to the spool will tend to cause twisting of the reel about the user's hand. A drag mechanism is provided but it is pre-set and cannot be adjusted on a continually variable basis by the user during operation of the reel.

Described in French Patents 8407459 and 86 14293 are hand reels which consist of a central hand portion rotatably supporting a spool.

These two French patents in particular are directed at the configuration of the spool. Specification 8407459 has a central handle portion provided with a brake mechanism. The central handle portion does not lend itself to small diameter reels and the brake mechanism prevents rotation of the reel but does not provide for easy and continuous adjustment in respect of a drag force. Still further, the brake applies an unbalanced force to the spool since the brake force is only applied at one location. The spool is exposed and can contact the arm of the user. Specification 86 14293 suffers the same disadvantages, however, in an attempt to ameliorate the disadvantage in respect of small reels, the handle is offset. Nowever, as discussed previously, offset handles have the disadvantage that the reel will tend to twist in the user's hand since the fishing line is offset with respect to the u ser ' s hand. The brake mechanism of Specification 86 14293 again is not adapted for easy and continuous adjustment of a drag force and is basically an "on" and "off" brake as the brake mechanism protrudes right through the handle and must be manipulated from either side to move it between the on/off positions. The brake mechanism of Specification 84 07459 is positioned so as to be very close to the inner oeripheral surface of the central support for the spool and accordingly cannot be easily manipulated by the forefinger. The brake mechanism of Specification 86 14293 is positioned transverse of the general plane of the fishing reel and accordingly cannot be operated during normal use by the forefinger.

Summary of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantages.

There is disclosed herein a hand reel comprising: a toroidal spool having a pair of generally annular spaceα flanges providing a toroidal recess within which a line is located to be coiled about the longitudinal axis of the spool; a central body rotatably supporting said spool for rotation about said axis relative to said body, said body having a central aperture within which a user's hand may be located, a handle extending diametrically across said aperture and being located generally within the plane of the spool and configured to be grasped by the user's hand, and a guard extending away from said handle to a position at least radially adjacent the radially outer periphery of saiα spool so as to be located Detween the user's arm and said spool; and brake means including a trigger mechanism mountes in said handle and positioned to be engaged by the user's forefinger, a brake member movable by said trigger mechanism into frictional engagement with said spool so as to apply a force thereto to inhibit rotation of said spool. There is also disclosed herein a hand reel comprising: a toroidal spool having a pair of generally annular spaced flanges providing a toroidal recess within which a line is located to be coiled about the longitudinal axis of the spool; a central body rotatably supporting said spool for rotation about said axis relative to said body, said body having a central aperture within which a user's hand may be located, a handle extending diametrically across said aperture and being located generally within the plane of the spool and configured to be grasped by the user's hand; and brake means including a trigger mechanism mounted in said handle and positioned to be engaged by the user's forefinger, a brake member movable by said trigger mechanism into frictional engagement with said spool so as to apply a brake force thereto to inhibit rotation of said spool, wherein said trigger mechanism includes a trigger movable in a direction extending at an acute angle to said axis between a position allowing rotation of said spool, and a position preventing rotation of said spool.

There is still further disclosed herein a hand reel comprising: a toroidal spool having a pair of generally annular spaced flanges providing a toroidal recess within which a line is located to be coiled about the longitudinal axis of the spool; a central body rotatably supporting said spool for rotation about said axis relative to said body, said body having a central aperture within which a user's hand may be located, a handle extending diametrically across said aperture and being located generally within the plane of the spool and configured to be grasped by the user's hand; and brake means including a trigger mechanism mounted in said handle and positioned to be engaged by the user's forefinger, a brake member located at each radial end of said handle and movable by said trigger mechanism into frictional engagement with said spool so as to apply a force thereto to inhibit rotation of said spool, wherein said trigger mechanism includes a trigger to be engaged by the forefinger so as to be movable between a position allowing rotation of said spool, and a position preventing rotation of said spool, and resilient means biasing said trigger to the position allowing rotation of said spool. Preferred forms of the present invention will now be descrioed by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of a hand fishing reel;

Figure 2 is a schematic further side elevation of the reel of Figure

1; Figure 3 is a schematic part sectioned side elevation of the reel of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a schematic top plan part sectioned view of the reel of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a schematic top plan view of the reel of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a schematic part sectioned side elevation of an alternative reel to that of Figures 1 to 5;

Figure 7 is a schematic part sectioned top plan view of the reel of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of the reel of Figure 6; and Figure 9 is a schematic parts exploded view of the reel of Figure 6.

In Figures 1 to 5 there is schematically depicted a hand fishing reel 10 having a toroidal spool 11 with a pair of annular flanges 12 and 13 co-operating with a spool base 14 to provide a toroidal recess 15 within which a fishing line 16 is located to be coiled about the longitudinal axis 17 of the spool 11. The annular flanges 12 and 13 diverge radially outwardly to facilitate casting of the line 17 by facing the reel 10 so that the axis 17 extends in the direction of the intended cast together with the flange 13. The flange 13 is provided with a shaft 18 upon which there is rotatably mounted a knob 19 which may be gripped by the user to rotate the spool to wind in the line 16.

Rotatably supporting the spool 11 is a central body 20. The body 20 has an annular flange 21 which supports the spool base 14. The flange 21 has annular shoulders 22 which retain the spool 11 in position by engaging the spool base 14.

The flange 14 encompasses a central aperture 23 across which there diametrically extends a handle 24 to be attached at each radial end to the flange 21. The handle 24 is positioned to be grasped by a user's hand being located in the aperture 23. The handle 24 has a handle body 25 with finger ridges 26 defining finger recesses 21. The finger ridges 26 face outwardly at an acute angle to the axis 17 as do the recesses 24. Accordingly, the user's arm extends at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis 17. This positioning of the handle 24 with its finger ridges 26 facing outwardly, lends the reel 10 to be constructed with relatively small diameter spools 11.

Mounted in the handle 24 is a brake mechanism 28. The brake mechanism 28 includes a pair of brake shafts 29 and 30 with the radially outer ends thereof engaged with brake members 31. Fixed to the central body 20 are resilient brake pads 32 which are engaged by the brake members 30 and moved radially outwardly to engage the radially inner peripheral surface of the spool 11 to apply a braking force thereto. The force applied to the spool 11 can be varied so as to adjust the drag force on the line 16. The radially inner ends of the shafts 29 and 30 are provided with inclined plates 33 which are engaged by a trigger 34. The trigger 34 projects through an aperture 35 in the handle body 25 and has inclined surfaces 36 which engage the inclined plates 33 to cause movement of the shafts 29 and 30 upon the trigger 34 being depressed by the forefinger of the user. A spring 37 extends between the trigger 34 and the handle body 35 to bias the trigger 34 to move to a position allowing free rotation of the spool 11. The brake pads 33 are resiliently deformed into engagement with the spool 11 and move away from contact with the spool 11 under their own resilience by moving the brake members 31 radially inwardly when the forces on the shafts 29 and 30 are reduced. The trigger 34 projects at the same acute angle as the finger ridges 26. More particularly, the trigger 34 is located in a particular finger recess so that the trigger 34 is easily manipulated by the forefinger.

The central body 20 includes a pair of arm guards 38 which project radially outwardly from the handle 24 to a position at least radially adjacent the radially outer portions of the spool 11 in order to prevent contact between the user's arm and the spool 11. It is preferred that the guards 38 actually project beyond the radially outer edges of the flange 12 and extend thereabout as best seen in Figure 4. Attached to one of the guards 38 are line guides 39 which engage the line 16 to guide its movement when the line is being reeled in.

In Figures 6 to 9 there is schematically depicted a hand reel 40. The hand reel 40 has a toroidal spool 41. The spool 41 has a pair of annular flanges 42 which co-operate with the spool base 43 to provide a toroidal recess 44 within which a line is located to be wound about the longitudinal axis 45 of the spool 41.

Rotatably supporting the spool 41 is a central body 46, the body 46 has annular flanges 47 which provide bearing racers to receive spherical bearing elements 48 which are retained in position by flange portions 49 extending from the spool base 43. The central body 64 provides a central aperture 50. Extending diametrically across the aperture 50 is a handle 51 which has its radial end secured to the flanges 47. The handle 51 includes a handle body 52 providing a trigger aperture 53 within which there is mounted a trigger 54. The trigger 54 actuates a pair of brake shafts 55 to move brake members 56 into frictional engagement with the radially inner peripheral surface of the spool 41. The trigger 54 has a pair of inclined surfaces 57 which engage inclined surfaces 58 of the brake shafts 55. The brake shafts 55 are each provided with a lug 59 between which a spring 60 extends, to bias the brake shafts 55 toward each other to move the brake members 56 from engagement with the spool 41. The trigger 54 is movable by the user's forefinger so that upon depression of the trigger 54, the brake shafts 55 are moved apart to move the brake members 56 into frictional engagement with the spool 41 so as to apply a force thereto, which force inhibits rotation of the spool 41. When the trigger 54 is released, the trigger 54 moves to allow the brake shafts 55 to move together under the action of the spring 60.

The central body 64 includes a pair of arm guards 61 which extend radially outwardly away from the handle 51 to a position at least radially adjacent the radially outer peripheral portions of the spool 41 so as to be located between the arm of the user and the spool 41. Preferably, the guard 61 would be provided with slots 62 which act as line guides to aid in delivering the fishing Tine to the recess 44 when the line is being wound in. To aid in winding in of the line, one of the flanges 47 is provided with a rotatable knob 63 which is gripped by the user to rotate the spool 41 about the axis 45.

Claims

A FISHING REEL HANDLINE Claims 1. A hand reel comprising: a toroidal spool having a pair of generally annular spaced flanges providing a toroidal recess within which a line is located to be coiled about the longitudinal axis of the spool; a central body rotatably supporting said spool for rotation about said axis relative to said body, said body having a central aperture within which a user's hand may be located, a handle extending diametrically across said aperture and being located generally within the plane of the spool and configured to be grasped by the user's hand, and a guard extending away from said handle to a position at least radially adjacent the radially outer periphery of said spool so as to be located between the user's arm and said spool; and brake means including a trigger mechanism mounted in said handle and positioned to be engaged by the user's forefinger, a brake member movable by said trigger mechanism into frictional engagement with said spool so as to apply a force thereto to inhibit rotation of said spool.

2. The hand reel of Claim 1 wherein said guard includes a pair of guard portions which project in diametrically opposite directions from said handle.

3. The hand reel of Claim 1 wherein said guard is provided with a line guide to aid in the delivery of line to the spool.

4. A hand reel comprising: a toroidal spool having a pair of generally annular spaced flanges providing a toroidal recess within which a line is located to be coiled about the longitudinal axis of the spool; a central body rotatably supporting said spool for rotation about said axis relative to said body, said body having a central aperture within which a user's hand may be located, a handle extending diametrically across said aperture and being located generally within the plane of the spool and configured to be grasped by the user's hand; and brake means including a trigger mechanism mounted in said handle and positioned to be engaged by the user's forefinger, a brake member movable by said trigger mechanism into frictional engagement with said spool so as to apply a brake force thereto to inhibit rotation of said spool, wherein said trigger mechanism includes a trigger movable in a direction extending at an acute angle to said axis between a position allowing rotation of said spool, and a position preventing rotation of said spool.

5. The hand reel of Claim 4 wherein said handle has finger grooves which project at the same angle as said trigger.

6. The hand reel of Claim 5 wherein said angle is approximately 45°.

7. A hand reel comprising: a toroidal spool having a pair of generally annular spaced flanges providing a toroidal recess within which a line is located to be coiled about the longitudinal axis of the spool; a central body rotatably supporting said spool for rotation about said axis relative to said body, said body having a central aperture within which a user's hand may be located, a handle extending diametrically across said aperture and being located generally within the plane of the spool and configured to be grasped by the user's hand; and brake means including a trigger mechanism mounted in said handle. and positioned to be engaged by the user's forefinger, a brake member located at each radial end of said handle and movable by said trigger mechanism into frictiopal engagement with said spool so as to apply a force thereto to inhibit rotation of said spool, wherein said trigger mechanism includes a trigger to be engaged by the forefinger so as to be movable between a position allowing rotation of said spool, and a position preventing rotation of said spool, and resilient means biasing said trigger to the position allowing rotation of said spool.

8. The reel of Claim 7 wherein said trigger mechanism includes a pair of force transmitting shafts which engage said brake members to cause movement thereof, each shaft having a terminal end adjacent said trigger, which terminal end is provided with an inclined surface, with the inclined surfaces converging, and said trigger has a pair of inclined surfaces which co-operate with the inclined surfaces of said shafts so that movement of said trigger causes said shafts to move apart to move said brake members to apply a braking force to said spool.

9. The reel of Claim 7 wherein said brake members include resilient brake pads which are resiliently deformed to move into contact with said spool and under their own resilience are biased away from said spool and move therefrom when said trigger is released.

10. A hand reel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompany drawings.