WO1992006592A1

WO1992006592A1 - Fishing line loader

Info

Publication number: WO1992006592A1
Application number: PCT/US1990/006024
Authority: WO
Inventors: Craig Calhoun Karr; Arthur Winburn Saunders
Original assignee: Craig Calhoun Karr; Arthur Winburn Saunders
Priority date: 1990-10-19
Filing date: 1990-10-19
Publication date: 1992-04-30

Abstract

A fishing line loader (10) comprises a generally 'C'-shaped open frame (12) with a simple clamp arrangement (14) at one end thereof and a fishing line spool holder (16) at a second end. In a preferred embodiment, the fishing line loader (10) comprises a right-angle metal bracket with a threaded spindle screw (38) screwed through a tapped hole (40) near one end of the bracket. The other end of the bracket has a short clamp bar (26) attached by two screws (22) and a pair of knurled nuts (32). Opposed shallow 'V'-shaped bends (24) in the clamp bar (26) and the end of the bracket allow fastening the fishing line loader (10) to a fishing rod. Two rubber pads (34) with adhesive backings are provided to stick into the depressions formed by the opposed 'V'-shaped bends (24) to prevent damage to the rod in fastening the bracket thereto. A fishing line spool is centered and tensioned between first and second rubber cones (44) mounted on spindle screw (38) to either side of the spool. First and second nylon washers (46) are mounted on spindle screw (38) adjacent the larger ends of the centering/tensioning cones (44). A plastic tension nut (48) is screwed onto the free end of spindle screw (38) to set the frictional resistance to rotation of the line spool. A locknut (50) locks the arrangement into position. The invention further encompasses a fishing line loader kit comprising the component parts of the fishing line loader (10) packaged together with instructions for assembly by the user.

Description

FISHING LINE LOADER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to fishing tackle accessories, and in particular to a device for loading a fishing line onto a fishing reel.

There are many devices in the prior art for loading or unloading fishing lines onto fishing reels. some representative examples are described briefly below.

U.S. Patent 4,360,172 to Cope is directed to a line winding device for fishing reels which comprises a base plate adapted to be secured to a suitable rigid support such as a wall or a post by screws, a cylindrical stud which projects outwardly and horizontally from the base plate, a right angle spool mounting bar having one leg insertable into a bore of the stud and a second leg disposed at a right angle to the first leg, a pair of collars adjustably fixed on the second leg by set screws, a pair of plastic friction bearing sleeves that are rotatable on the second leg, and a helical compression spring that encircles the second leg between one of the collars and one of the sleeves. A spool of fishing line may be mounted rotatably and axially on the second leg between the collars. Friction bearing sleeves are fitted into the respective opposite ends of a hub of the spool. Because the frictional bearing sleeves resist the rotation of the spool, the line is drawn from the spool only under some degree of tension, which can be adjusted by moving the collars along the bar of the second leg.

U.S. Patent 4,776,527 to Prowant is directed to a portable fishing line spool holder apparatus for feeding fishing reels. The spool holder comprises a C-shaped yoke and a bracket. The C-shaped yoke includes an arm hingedly connected to the yoke by a hinge, a second arm, a pair of opposed stud shafts, a pair of anchors attached to the arms and the yoke, respectively, a spring that attaches between the arms and the yoke, and a cap opposite the shafts. The bracket includes two opposed rectangularly shaped members having semicylindrical channels which complement one another to form a cylindrical channel through which a fishing pole passes. The yoke attaches to the bracket by a bolt secured by a wing nut. The pivoting arm provides a mechanism to produce a drag on the spool so that the fishing line may be wound at a proper tension.

U.S. Patent 3,973,741 to Dean is directed to a fishing line changer. The fishing line changer comprises an L-shaped member with a short horizontal top and a longer vertical flange having a circular hole, a V-shaped horizontal member attached to the vertical flange, a cylindrical axle having one end that extends through the circular hole, a crank attached to one end of the axle by a wing nut, and a cylindrical spool that mounts on the axle and is secured thereon by a wing nut. The V-shaped horizontal member holds a fishing rod. When a fishing line is to be reeled onto the spool, the crank is attached to the axle. When a line is to be reeled off the spool, the crank is removed and replaced by a circular disk.

U.S. Patent 3,950,881 to Hays is directed to a fishing line spool holder for transferring fishing lines to a reel. The spool holder comprises a C-shaped one-piece member having a pair of spool-holding arms extending outwardly from a base portion, a pair of rod-gripping arms extending downwardly from the base portion, a pair of shoulders extending from the free ends of the spool holding arms, and a pair of cone-shaped spool support members extending from the shoulders toward each other. The tapered ends of the spool support members insert into the axial bore of a spool for supporting a spool during rotation.

The following patents may be relevant to the present invention: PATENT NUMBER INVENTOR ISSUE DATE

2,848,778 F.C. Plummer, Sr. et al. Aug. 26, 1958 3,506,213 D. Young Apr. 14, 1970 3,776,485 Foley et al Dec. 4, 1973

3,977,224 P. H. Smith May 18, 1976

4,034,930 C. A. Stevenson July 12, 1977

4,922,644 D. C. Sherbondy May 8, 1990

None of the patents described or listed above provides a fishing line loader with the structural simplicity and ease of operation of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a fishing line loader is disclosed which comprises a generally "C"-shaped open frame with a simple clamp arrangement at one end thereof and a spool-holding spindle at a second end thereof. The "C^π-shaped frame defines a plane which is at right angles to a fishing rod when the fishing line loader is clamped thereto at a point between the handle of the rod and the first line guide.

One or two spools of line are mounted on the spool-holding portion of the fishing line loader so that the axis of rotation of the spool is at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the fishing rod when the fishing line loader is mounted on the rod. The end of the line is attached to the spool of a fishing reel mounted on the rod handle. The line is loaded onto the reel by turning the reel handle to rotate the line spool mounted on the line loader. The position of the line spool and its frictional resistance to rotation are adjustable.

In the preferred embodiment, the fishing line loader comprises an "L"-shaped metal bracket with a threaded cross arm turning the "L" into a "C" by being screwed through a tapped hole near one end of the bracket. The other end of the bracket has a short clamp bar attached to it by two short screws and a pair of knurled nuts. Opposed shallow "V"-shaped bends in the clamp bar and the end of the bracket allow fastening the fishing line loader to a cylindrical fishing rod. Two rubber pads with adhesive backings are provided to stick into the opposed "V"-shaped depressions to prevent damage to the rod in fastening the bracket thereto.

The threaded arm serves as a spindle for mounting one or more spools of fishing line thereon. The fishing line spool is centered and tensioned between first and second rubber cones mounted on the threaded arm to either side of the spool. First and second nylon washers are mounted on the threaded arm adjacent the larger ends of the centering/tensioning cones.

A plastic tension nut is screwed onto the free end of the threaded arm to set the frictional resistance to rotation of the line spool. After the tension is set with the tension nut, a locknut is screwed tight against the tension nut to lock the arrangement into position.

The fishing line loader of the present invention allows a single person to load fishing line onto a fishing reel without requiring the aid of a second person. The present device is mechanically simple, has a small number of parts, and is inexpensive to manufacture. The present device is also compact, lightweight, and easy to use.

The invention further encompasses a fishing line loader kit comprising the component parts of the fishing line loader packaged together with instruction for assembly by the user. The saving of labor by use of the kit concept allows the device to be sold at a price less than that for the assembled version.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fishing line loader that is mechanically simple and easy to manufacture.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fishing line loader that is suitable for single-person operation and is convenient to use.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a generally "C-shaped fishing line loader with a clamping arrangement at the free end of one of the parallel sides and a spool-holding arrangement on the other parallel side.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a means of centering and tensioning one or two spools of fishing line as part of the spool-holding arrangement.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a generally "C"-shaped fishing line loader with one parallel arm that can be clamped to a fishing rod with one or two spools of fishing line mounted on the other parallel arm and free to rotate against an opposing frictional force that can be adjusted, so that the free end of the fishing line can be attached to a spool of a fishing reel mounted to the rod and the line can be loaded onto the reel by turning the handle of the reel. Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fishing line loader kit comprising a plurality of component parts packaged together with instructions for assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. l is a perspective view of the fishing line loader of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded left side elevational view of the fishing line loader of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fishing line loader of the present invention clamped to a fishing rod and with a spool of fishing line mounted on the loader, ready for loading onto a fishing reel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a fishing line loader 10 is provided that comprises a generally "C-shaped frame 12. frame 12 has a first parallel arm 13 with a clamp 14 at the free end thereof and a line spool holder 16 forming a second parallel arm.

Clamp 14 comprises a clamp bracket 18 having a first pair of clamp screw hole 20 through which first and second clamp screws 22 are inserted. Clamp bracket 18 has a curved portion 23 with a concave rod-holding groove 24.

A clamp bar 26 having a pair of tapped clamp screw holes 28 has an oppositely curved portion 29 with a second rod-holding groove 30. Clamp screws 22 are engaged by the tapped clamp screw holes 28 to attach clamp bar 26 to clamp bracket 18.

First and second clamp nuts 32 are screwed onto the end of clamp screws 22 and can be used to adjust the size of the opening defined by first rod-holding groove 24 and second rod-holding groove 30 to accommodate various fishing rod diameters. First and second cushioning pads 34 (shown in FIG. 2) are secured with adhesive to the inner sides of clamp bracket 18 and clamp bar 26 to protect a fishing rod from possible damage when clamp 14 is applied to the rod.

A standoff arm 36 integrally formed with first parallel arm 13 makes an approximate right angle with arm

13. Line spool holder 16 comprises a spindle screw 38 screwed through a tapped spindle hole 40 in end 42 of standoff arm 36.

The central portion of spindle screw 38, on which one or two spools of fishing line are intended to be mounted, is bracketed by first and second centering/tensioning cones 44 mounted on spindle screw 38. Nylon thrust washers 46 are positioned outside cones 44 on spindle screw 38. A tension nut 48 is screwed onto the free end of spindle screw 38, followed by a locknut 50.

The frictional resistance to rotation of a spool of fishing line mounted on the central portion of spindle screw 38 can be varied by. adjusting the pressure exerted on either side of the spool by first and second centering/tensioning cones 44. The pressure is adjusted by screwing tension nut 48 toward or away from the spool. When a desired degree of frictional resistance to rotation of the spool is reached, it can be maintained by screwing locknut 50 tightly against tension nut 48.

The present invention further encompasses a fishing line loader kit composed of all the component parts of the fishing line loader 10 previously described, a container in which to hold the component parts, and printed directions for assembling the component parts provided in the container along with the component parts. The directions for assembling the fishing line loader 10 can take the form of written instructions or printed illustrations.

FIG. 2 or an equivalent picture could be provided to illustrate the proper assembly of the component parts of fishing line loader 10. Also, the proper method of using fishing line loader 10 to load fishing line onto a fishing reel is illustrated by FIG. 3, the equivalent of which could be provided with the fishing line loader kit inside the packaging therefor. As shown in FIG. 3, fishing line loader 10 is mounted on a fishing rod 52 between a rod handle 54 and a first line guide 56. The mounting is effected by clamping the cylindrical part of rod 52 between first and second rod-holding grooves 24 and 30 by tightening clamp nuts 32 on first and second clamp screws 22 against clamp bar 26.

The part of rod 52 held between clamp bar 26 and clamp bracket 18 is protected by cushioning pads 34 made of rubber or some similar material such as neoprene.

Cushioning pads 34 are affixed to first and second rod-holding grooves 24 and 30 by adhesive backings on the pads, preferably.

A fishing reel 58 is mounted on rod 52 in a normal position on rod handle 54. A spool of fishing line 60 is mounted on the central portion of spindle screw 38 between first and second centering/tensioning cones 44 as described above.

The frictional resistance to rotation of spool 60 is adjusted by paying fishing line 62 off spool 60 while adjusting tension nut 48. After attaching the free end of line 62 to fishing reel 58, a single person can load the fishing line 62 from spool 60 onto reel 58 by simply turning the handle 64 of fishing reel 58. After the spool of reel 58 is filled with line 62, fishing line loader 10 is easily removed from rod 52 by unscrewing clamp nuts 32 off the ends of clamp screws 22 and removing clamp bar 26. Among the advantages of fishing line loader 10 are (1) mechanical simplicity, (2) ease of assembly, (3) ease of attachment or removal from a fishing rod, (4) adjustability of line-loading tension, (5) single-person operability, and (6) rugged construction. In addition, the use of proper component materials, such as aluminum, brass, or stainless steel, provides a rustproof fishing line loader 10.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, it should be understood that these embodiments are provided by way of example only, and that the invention is not to be construed as limited thereto, but only by the proper scope of the following claims. For example, alternative equivalent means of clamping fishing line loader 10 to a fishing rod and of holding a spool of fishing line which are well-known in the art can be utilized without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS WE CLAIM:

1. A fishing line loader comprising: an open frame having first and second free ends; clamping means at said first end of said frame, for clamping said loader to a fishing rod; spool-holding means on said second end of said frame, for holding at least one spool of fishing line so that said spool will rotate against an opposing frictional force when said line is pulled; and tension-adjusting means on said spool-holding means for adjusting the magnitude of said frictional force.

2. The fishing line loader of Claim 1 further comprising rod surface protection means for protecting the surface of said rod from possible damage by said clamping.

3. The fishing line loader of Claim 1 wherein said frame is generally "C-shaped, with a right-angle bracket having first and second arms of approximately equal length, said first arm having a free end, with a longer threaded third arm attached to said second arm and oriented parallel to said first arm.

4. The fishing line loader of Claim 3 wherein said clamping means comprises a first rod-holding groove near said free end of said first arm, first and second through-holes to either side of said groove, a clamp bar having a central, second rod-holding groove opposite in curvature to said first groove and further having third and fourth through-holes to either side of said second groove positioned to match said first and second through-holes, first and second clamp screws inserted through said first and third through-holes and said second and fourth through-holes, respectively, and first and second clamp nuts screwed onto free ends of said first and second clamp screws, respectively.

5. The fishing line loader of Claim 4 wherein said clamping means further comprises first and second cushioning pads attached to said first and second rod- holding grooves, respectively.

6. The fishing line loader of Claim 5 wherein said cushioning pads comprise a neoprene material and are adhesively attached to said grooves.

7. The fishing line loader of Claim 3 wherein said spool-holding means further comprises first and second cones having holes through their axes of cylindrical symmetry, said cones being disposed on said threaded third arm with their apices directed toward each other, first and second washers disposed on said threaded arm adjacent first and second flat bases of said cones, a tension nut screwed onto said threaded arm between said second washer and a free end of said threaded arm, and a locknut screwed onto said threaded arm adjacent said tension nut nearest said free end of said threaded arm.

8. The fishing line loader of Claim 7 wherein said cones comprise a neoprene material and said washers comprise a nylon material.

9. The fishing line loader of Claim 3 wherein said threaded arm is a bolt screwed through a tapped hole through said second arm near an end thereof furthest from said first arm.

10. A fishing line loader comprising: a first arm having a free first end and a second end; a second arm attached to said second end of said first arm, having a first end connected to and forming substantially a right angle with said first arm and having a second end; a third arm attached to said second arm at said second end thereof, having a first end connected to and making a substantially right angle with said second arm and having a free second end; clamping means adjacent said first end of said first arm, for clamping said loader to a fishing rod; and line spool holding means on said third arm for holding at least one spool of fishing line with said third arm inserted through a central hole through said spool.

11. The fishing line loader of Claim 10 further comprising tension adjusting means for adjusting a frictional force between said line spool holding means and said spool when line is pulled off said spool.

12. The fishing line loader of Claim 10 wherein said clamping means comprises a first rod-holding groove near said free end of said first arm, first and second through-holes to either side of said groove, a clamp bar having a central, second rod-holding groove opposite in curvature to said first groove and further having third and fourth through-holes to either side of said second groove positioned to match said first and second through-holes, first and second clamp screws inserted through said first and third through-holes and said second and fourth through-holes, respectively, and first and second clamp nuts screwed onto free ends of said first and second clamp screws, respectively.

13. The fishing line loader of Claim 10 further comprising rod protection means for protecting said fishing rod when said clamping means is clamped to said fishing rod.

14. The fishing line loader of Claim 13 wherein said rod protection means comprises first and second cushioning pads of a resilient material attached to said clamping means on opposed faces thereof between which said fishing rod is to be clamped.

15. The fishing line loader of Claim 10 wherein said line spool holding means comprises first and second cones having holes through their axes of cylindrical symmetry, said cones being disposed on said third arm with their apices directed toward each other, first and second washers disposed on said third arm adjacent first and second flat bases of said cones, tension nut screwed onto said threaded arm between said second washer and a free end of said third arm, and a locknut screwed onto said third arm adjacent said tension nut nearest said free end of said third arm.

16. The fishing line loader of Claim 15 wherein said cones comprise a neoprene material and said washers comprise a nylon material.

17. The fishing line loader of Claim 10 wherein said third arm is a bolt screwed through a tapped hole through said second arm near an end thereof furthest from said first arm.

18. A fishing line loader kit comprising: a container; a right-angle bracket inside said container having substantially equal-length first and second arms, with a tapped hole through said first arm near a free end thereof, an axis of said hole being parallel to said second arm, said second arm having a V-shaped bend near a free end thereof with first and second tapped through-holes to either side of said bend; a threaded bolt inside said container having a length greater than either said arm; a clamp bar inside said container having a V- shaped bend therein, with first and second through-holes to either side of said bend, a distance between said through- holes being the same as a distance between said through holes in said second arm of said bracket; first and second substantially identical cones inside said container, each having a through-hole along an axis of cylindrical symmetry of said cone large enough in diameter to accommodate a threaded part of said bolt; first and second substantially identical washers inside said container, each having a hole there through large enough in diameter to accommodate said threaded part of said bolt; first and second substantially identical screws inside said container with threads to match said threaded through-holes in said bracket and having small enough diameters to pass through said through-holes in said clamp bar; first and second clamp nuts inside said container having threads to match threads on said first and second screws; first and second substantially identical locknuts inside said container having threads to match said threaded portion of said bolt; first and second adhesive-backed pads inside said container, each having a size to fit said V-shaped bends in said second arm of said bracket and said clamp bar; and printed directions for assembling said fishing line loader using said bracket, said bolt, said clamp bar, said first and second screws, said first and second clamp nuts, said first and second cones, said first and second washers, and said first and second locknuts.

19. The fishing line loader kit of Claim 18, wherein said bracket comprises an anodized aluminum material, said cones and said pads comprise a neoprene material, said washers comprise a nylon material, and said clamp nuts and said locknuts comprise a plastic material.

20. The fishing line loader kit of Claim 18 wherein said container comprises a plastic pouch. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

fishing line loader 10 frame 12 first parallel arm 13 clamp 14 line spool holder 16 clamp bracket lύ first pair of clamp screw holes 20 first and second clamp screws 22 curved portion 23 rod-holding groove 24 clamp bar 26 tapped clamp screw holes 28 oppositely curved portion 29 second rod-holding groove 30 first and second clamp nuts 32 first and second cushioning pads 34 standoff arm 36 spindle screw 38 tapped spindle hole 40 end 42 (of standoff arm 36) first and second centering/tensioning cones 44 nylon thrust washers 46 tension nut 48 locknut 50

[Note: the following reference numerals are not part of the invention] fishing rod 52 rod handle 54 first line guide 56 fishing reel 58 spool of fishing line 60 fishing line 62