WO1998024310A1

WO1998024310A1 - Spinning reel for fishing

Info

Publication number: WO1998024310A1
Application number: PCT/AU1997/000812
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ning Tao
Original assignee: Hsing, Suo; Jarvis Walker Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1996-12-06
Filing date: 1997-11-28
Publication date: 1998-06-11
Also published as: EP0971582A4; JP2001505056A; NZ336494A; CN1239400A; EP0971582A1; AUPO406296A0; KR20000069350A

Abstract

A spinning reel for fishing, of the type where line is wound onto a normally non-rotative spool (12) by means of a rotor (36). Rotary motion of the handle of the reel is transferred by gearing (24, 28, 30) into oppositely directed rotations of two bevel gears (32, 34). The rotor (36) rotates with one of these bevel gears (34) and, due to a pin (15b) engaging with worm groove (15a) on spool shaft (14), spool (12) is made to reciprocate (see arrows c-c). For higher-speed winding a control lever (not shown) may be moved to disengage clutch (38) from the reel body (46) and engage it with the other bevel gear (32). This forces the spool shaft (14) and its spool to rotate. As this rotation is in the opposite sense to that of rotor (36) the relative speed of rotor and spool is increased. The movement of the control lever may be effected by motion of a cable (not shown) running from a switch or lever on the handle of the fishing rod.

Description

Spinning reel for fishing Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a spinning reel for fishing. In particular, it relates to a spinning reel of the type having a spool assembly including a spool shaft which reciprocates in an axial direction on rotation of a handle, the spool being mounted on a first axial end of a spool shaft, a drive mechanism being provided towards a second axial end of the spool shaft, opposite from the first axial end, and a rotor which turns about the spool for winding line onto the spool. Background of the Invention

In spinning reels of the type described above, fishing line is wound onto the spool by means of the rotor which turns about the axis of the spool shaft and describes a circle extending around the spool, carrying fishing line around the spool, for winding the line onto the spool. The speed at which line is wound onto the spool depends on the gearing of the reel and the speed at which the handle is turned. In some circumstances, it is desirable to have a faster winding speed than normal. It is known to provide two speed winding on existing spinning reels, however the mechanisms used for this involve complex gearing arrangements which are expensive to manufacture.

The present invention seeks to provide a simpler mechanism which allows higher and lower speed winding but which is compact and easy and cheap to manufacture.

Thus, according to the present invention there is provided a spinning reel for fishing comprising: a spool shaft, reciprocable in an axial direction during rotation of a handle shaft, a spool being mounted on the spool shaft at a first axial end of the spool shaft; a rotor for winding line onto the spool; means, operatively connected to the handle shaft for turning the rotor relative to the body of the spinning reel about the spool and spool shaft, for winding line onto the spool, characterised in that the spinning reel also includes means for selectively rotating the spool shaft about its central axis relative to the body of the spinning reel which can be optionally selected to increase the speed of rotation of the rotor relative to the spool. Typically, the means for turning the rotor about the spool shaft includes a bevel gear or other gear adapted to convert rotational movement in one axis to rotational movement in perpendicular axis, such as a spiral gear. The (first) bevel gear may be mounted about the spool shaft and a second bevel gear rotating about an axis perpendicular to the spool shaft may be provided which meshes with the first bevel gear.

The first bevel gear is connected to the rotor and rotation of the first bevel gear about and relative to the spool shaft causes the rotor to turn about the spool. The second bevel gear is typically rotated about its axis by a pinion gear meshing with a spur gear rotated by a shaft connected to the handle.

In a preferred embodiment, the spinning reel includes a third bevel gear mounted about the spool whose teeth oppose the teeth of the first bevel gear and which meshes with the second bevel gear so that the first and third bevel gears "sandwich" the second bevel gear and rotate in opposite directions about the spool shaft.

Typically, the first and third bevel gears will have the same number of teeth although the numbers of teeth can differ by small amounts (say by one or two teeth). Both first and third bevel gears may rotate relative to the shaft and move along the spool shaft. The reel may also include a clutch which is movable along the spool shaft between first position where it is engaged with the casing, or body of the spinning reel, a second position where it engages the third bevel gear, or a position where it does not engage the body or the bevel gear so that the spool rotates freely. The clutch is constrained so that it cannot rotate relative to the spool shaft.

Thus, if the clutch is engaged with the casing of the spinning reel the spool shaft is prevented from rotating relative to the casing. However, if the clutch is engaged with the third bevel gear, the spool shaft is caused to rotate in the opposite sense to the turning of the rotor thus the speed of rotation of the rotor relative to the spool is increased.

A highly preferred and novel feature of the invention is the use of a worm shaft and pin to drive the main shaft directly backwards and forwards in the direction of its longitudinal axis to reciprocate the spool backwards and forwards. Existing types of worm drive used in fishing reels include an arrangement where a separate worm shaft is set in the spool of the fishing reel, the worm shaft encircling the main shaft with the pin set in the rotor to drive the spool and reciprocate the spool along the longitudinal axis of the main shaft. In another known prior art arrangement, a separate worm shaft is provided which is disposed parallel to the main shaft which is connected to the worm via a block which reciprocates up and down the worm shaft and thus causes the shaft and spool to reciprocate. In a further arrangement, the spool itself is fixed, and only the line guide which winds line onto the spool is oscillated by means of a worm shaft parallel to the axis of the spool.

The preferred reciprocating worm drive of the present invention is simpler and more compact than the three prior art systems described above since the main shaft itself is directly driven via a pin located inside the bevel gear. Thus, in a related aspect of the present invention, there is provided a spinning reel for fishing comprising: a main spool shaft, reciprocable in an axial direction during rotation of a handle shaft, a spool being mounted on the main spool shaft at a first axial end of the spool shaft: a pinion, rotatable during the rotation of the handle, for turning a rotor for winding line onto the spool: means, operatively connected to the handle shaft for turning the rotor relative to the body of the spinning reel about the spool and spool shaft, for winding line onto the spool, characterised in that the main spool shaft defines a worm shaft, the spool is fixed relative to the main spool shaft in use. and a pin co-operates with the worm shaft for driving and reciprocating the worm shaft, and hence the spool, along its longitudinal axis.

Preferably, the spool shaft is generally cylindrical and defines at least one groove which extends part way along the longitudinal extent of the shaft. The clutch is preferably generally annular and defines an inwardly extending protrusion shaped and configured to locate in the grooves when the clutch is mounted on the spool. More than one groove could be provided.

One side of the clutch may define teeth adopted to engage with corresponding teeth on the reverse side of the third bevel gear. The other side of the clutch may also define teeth which are adapted to engage in a corresponding slot in the body or casing of the spinning reel. Alternatively, the clutch may define a friction plate which engages with a similar friction plate on the reverse side of the bevel gear. In this embodiment the amount of slip between the plates can be varied by adjusting the force pushing the friction plates together, in this manner the winding speed can be varied over a wide range depending on the amount of slip between the plates.

A suitable switch or lever may be provided for moving the clutch. In one embodiment the switch or lever may be operated electromagnetically by a solenoid, or the like. One problem with existing fishing reels is that as the number of features offered by the reels increase the complexity of the reels and their control systems also increase. Control of the reels thus becomes more difficult, particularly since most of the time it is desirable that one of the angler's hands will be operating the handle of the reel while the other hand holds the rod on which the reel is fixed.

Thus in a preferred feature of the invention control of the clutch is carried out remotely by means of a cable control mechanism whose lever or switch is located on the rod or handle of the fishing rod assembly which includes the spinning reel. The control cable may be of the standard type used to operate bicycle brakes and the like and comprising a fairly stiff wire disposed in a flexible tube. Of course this type of control means could be used to control other switches on fishing reels.

Thus in a related aspect of the present invention there is provided a control system for a fishing reel assembly including a fishing reel and a fishing rod, the control system comprising a switch, lever or the like disposed on the rod of the fishing rod assembly, preferably disposed on the handle of that rod, and a control cable operatively connecting that switch or lever to a switchable mechanism of the fishing reel to enable control of a feature of the fishing reel remotely from the fishing rod

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is an exploded part-sectional schematic view of a fishing reel embodying the present invention; Figure la illustrates the spool shaft reciprocating mechanism in more detail;

Figure 2 is a view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 including a first mechanism for moving a clutch of the fishing reel: Figure 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention having a second mechanism for moving the clutch:

Figure 3a is a cross sectional view of a part of the mechanism illustrated in Figure 3:

Figure 4 illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention having a third mechanism for moving the clutch:

Figures 5 and 5a illustrate a fourth embodiment of the present invention having a fourth mechanism for moving the clutch:

Figure 5b illustrates an electromagnetic switch for moving the clutch:

Figure 6 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the present invention having a fifth mechanism for moving the clutch:

Figure 7 illustrates a sixth embodiment of the present invention having an alternative clutch design: and

Figure 8 illustrates a seventh embodiment of the present invention using a clutch similar to that shown in Figure 7: Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a schematic exploded view of a spinning reel for fishing, generally indicated at 10. The spinning reel includes a spool 12 on which fishing line is wound, the spool being mounted at the distal end 13 of the spinning reel, on a spool shaft 14. by means of a front tension drag mechanism generally indicated at 16. mounted on a screw thread 18 provided at the distal end 13 of the spool shaft 14.

A rear drag assembly is also provided at the proximal end 20 of the spinning reel which assembly is standard in the art and is not shown in detail. The rear drag assembly is adjusted by knob 22. A large spur gear 24 is mounted on shaft 26 which is turned by a handle of the spinning reel which handle is fixed to the shaft to turn the same but which, to simplify the drawings is not illustrated. Spur gear 24 meshes with pinion gear 28 which is formed on a reverse (i.e. non-toothed) side of a bevel gear 30. Bevel gear 30 is thus rotated at an angular speed of rotation in direction B greater than the speed at which the handle is turned in direction A. The bevel gear 30 meshes with bevel gears 32 and 34 and rotates them in opposite directions at speeds ωl and ω2 as indicated in Figure 1. In the described embodiment, bevel gears 32 and 34 are the same size and configuration, hence the gears rotate at the same angular speed but in opposite rotational senses. However, in other embodiments the sizes of the gears and/or the numbers of teeth may differ by one or two teeth. A rotor assembly 36 is mounted to bevel gear 34 and hence rotates at the same angular speed relative to the body of the spinning reel as does gear 34.

Bevel gear 34 is integral with a reciprocating mechanism which causes the spool shaft to oscillate in the direction C-C. This is illustrated in more detail in Figure la where it can be seen that the system uses a worm shaft 15a formed directly on the main spool shaft 14 and a pin 15b to drive the spool shaft 14. Conventional spool reciprocation systems referred to in the introduction to this application are awkward to use in conjunction with the bevel gears of the present invention although they could be used. The present system uses the spool shaft 14 directly as the worm shaft and the pin is inside the bevel gear. This feature of having the reciprocation mechanism actually formed on the shaft enables the reel to be more compact.

A clutch 38 is mounted on spool shaft 14 and is movable along the shaft 14, controlled by a suitable mechanism, such as a lever, not illustrated in Figure 1. As can be seen in Figure 1 the cross section of the spool shaft defines two diametrically opposed slots or grooves 14a. 14b. which extend along the shaft from the proximal end 20 of the shaft towards the distal end. terminating between bevel gear 32 and bevel gear 34. The clutch 38 defines protrusions, not illustrated, which locate in the groove so the clutch cannot rotate about or relative to the spool shaft. The clutch also defines a circumferential groove 39 which extends around the centre of the body of the clutch 38.

As can be seen in Figure 1 the reverse side 32B of the bevel gear 32 defines four arcuate teeth or protrusions 40 which are spaced apart on the circumference of a circle. Both sides 38A and 38B of the clutch also define similarly sized and configured sets of teeth 42 and 44 respectively such that when clutch 38 is moved towards the distal end of the spinning reel into contact with bevel gear 32 the teeth 40 and 42 mesh and the clutch and the bevel gear 32 rotate as one. Facing the opposite side 38B of the clutch is a generally cruciform slot 46 in the casing of or a body portion of the spinning reel. The slot is configured to receive teeth 44 so that when the clutch 38 is moved towards the proximal end of the spinning reel teeth 44 engage in slot 46 and the clutch cannot rotate with respect to the body of the spinning reel. In use if the clutch 38 is engaged with the spinning reel body 46 the spool shaft 14 is prevented from rotating and merely reciprocates backwards and forwards relative to the spinning reel body, handle etc.. in the direction C - C. The rotor to which in use the fishing line is attached, rotates at speed ω2. The main shaft 14 and spool 12 do not turn hence the net speed at which line is fed onto the reel is merely ω2.

If the clutch is moved into engagement with the bevel gear 32. the spool shaft is forced to rotate with the gear 32 at speed ωl. Thus the shaft rotates in the opposite sense to the rotor thus increasing the net speed at which line is wound onto the reel to ωl + ω2.

Thus the rotor is able to wind line onto the reel at much greater speed: if the bevel gears 32 and 34 are the same size the speed will be doubled.

Figures 2 to 6 show partly exploded views, of various options for mechanisms for controlling the clutch. Components of the spinning reel which are same as those shown in Figure 1. bear the same reference numerals. In those figures the clutch is normally biased, usually by means of springs and levers in a position intermediate bevel gear 32 and casing 46 in a "free spool" condition.

In Figure 2 one end 52 of a lever 50 defines a slot 54 between two flexible arms 52 A. B which engage in the circumferential groove 39 extending around the circumference of the centre of the clutch 38. The flexible arms act as leaf springs and continuously urge the teeth of the clutch 38 into mating contact with the casing or gear 32 to prevent fret (ridge) to fret mating of the teeth: if the ridges of the teeth do contact each other, as soon as the clutch and gear have rotated a sufficient distance relative to each other to inter-engage the arms will cause the teeth to interlock. The centre of the lever defines a pivot pin 55. One end 55 A of the pivot pin is cylindrical and is mounted in the body/casing of the spinning reel. The other end 55B of the pivot defines two flats 57. 58 at 90° to each other. The flats acts to retain the lever in one of two stable positions corresponding to the clutch being engaged with the casing or the bevel gear 32 respectively, and the other, or handle end. 56 of the lever is used to pivot the one end 52 of the lever to move the clutch to cause the clutch to engage either the bevel gear 32 or the slot 46. The mechanism tends to have a definite "flip" action in changing the positions over which alerts the user that the desired changeover in the position of the lever has been initiated.

In Figure 3 a plate 60 having a circular cut out portion 62 engages in groove 39 and is moved by switch assembly 64 which can be moved parallel to the axis of the spool shaft 14. in the direction C-C. Figure 3a is a cross- sectional view through the switch assembly which shows the embodiment in more detail. An elongate slot is defined in the casing. A rod extends through the slot perpendicular to the casing and is fixed to a switch button 63. A spring plate 61 which defines a clip 65 or protrusion at either end holds the switch at positions at either end of the slot by means of channels 65a in the casing which receive the clips. At the end of the rod distal from the switch there are two springs 66a and 66b which act to smooth the operation of the clutch. At some clutch rotating angles, the clutch's teeth are not able to engage with the teeth of the bevel gear. For example, if the lever button 63 is pushed towards the right as oriented in Figure 3a. the spring plate 61 will hold the button 63 at the right by the effect of the clip 65 engaging in the channel 65a. However if the teeth of the clutch 38 are jammed against the teeth of the bevel gear 32 as illustrated in Figure 3a The clutch cannot properly engage with the engage with the bevel gear 32. Spring 66b is then compressed. Once the reel is operated by turning its handle, a relative displacement will occur between the clutch 38 and the gear 32. the teeth will be aligned and the spring 66b is then able to force the clutch 38 to move into the engaging position. To engage clutch 38 with casing 46 is similar to the above analysis. Springs 66a and 66b act as a buffer and thus enable smooth and reliable clutch operation.

In Figure 4 one end 70 of a lever 72 defines a slot between two flexible arms 72A. B which engages in the circumferential groove 39 of the clutch 38. The lever defines a pivot 74 which is mounted in the body/case of the spinning reel. A handle 76 is fixed to the axis of the pivot pin so that turning the handle causes the level to pivot to the clutch with the body of the spinning reel or the bevel gear 32 as appropriate.

A spring 78 biases the lever to retain the clutch in one of two stable positions corresponding to the clutch being engaged with the casing or bevel gear 32. respectively. By holding the handle 76 an angler may prevent the clutch teeth from being engaged with either the casing or the bevel gear 32 thus the reel is in a "free spool" condition.

Flexible element/arm 72A performs the same function as springs 66a, 66b of Figure 3, in engaging the clutch and gear 32 where they do not initially mesh.

Referring now to Figure 5, a further embodiment is shown in which a slot 100 for engaging in the groove 39 in the clutch is defined in a plate 102 which is mounted perpendicular to a further plate 104 which plate is slidable in direction C-C. A rod 106 extends from plate 104 and into a slot 107 in a lever arm 108.

Plate 104 is biased by means of a spring 110 which acts as a buffer in a similar manner to springs 66a and 66b. The lever arm 108 is biased by means of a further spring 112 which tends to hold the clutch in one of two stable positions corresponding to the clutch being engaged with the casing or bevel gear 32, respectively. By holding the handle 114 an angler may prevent the clutch teeth from being engaged with either the casing or the bevel gear 32 thus the reel is in a "free spool" condition.

Rotation of handle 114 mounted about shaft 26 causes the clutch to move to engage either slot 46 or bevel gear 32. as appropriate. The provision of the handle 114 around the main handle shaft provides ease of access to speed changes.

Figure 5a shows a similar view to Figure 5 illustrating the location of handle 114 in relation to the casing 115 and the reel winding handle 116. Figure 5b illustrates an embodiment in which the switch is moved electromagnetically by a solenoid 117 and ferromagnetic rod 118 on which a plate 119 engaging the groove 39 in the clutch is mounted. The rod is able to move along its longitudinal axis. A control system 120 operated by a switch, or possibly a computer, reverses the current through the solenoid and hence moves the rod and plate to the left or right. The solenoid 117 also acts as a buffer.

Figure 6 shows a similar arrangement to Figure 4 except that the lever handle 120 is generally in the shape of an inverted J and projects upwards towards the back of the spinning reel. Anglers are used to having switches and controls located at the rear of the reel body/casing and the location of the switch there is preferred by some. Figures 7 and 8 show embodiments which have more substantial variations to the mechanism of the device and. in particular a different design of clutch plate.

In Figures 7 and 8 the clutch 138a. 138b engages with bevel gear 132 by friction only rather than by means of meshing teeth. Parts 138a. 138b are in fact in one piece, although in Figures 7 and 8 the parts are shown separated for a clearer illustration of the design of the clutch. That is Surfaces 138c and 138d are in fact joined. The reverse side 132A of the bevel gear engages with surface 138 A. not shown, of clutch both of which are coated with materials which have a high coefficient of friction. In these embodiments the clutch is normally biased to the "slower" position where the spool is not turned.

A plate-like lever 140 is pivoted to the casing of the spinning reel about axis 142. As oriented in Figure 7. when upper end 149 of the plate rotates in a clockwise direction D this causes clutch 138 to engage with bevel gear 132 and at the same time disengage from slot 148 which in turn causes the spool to rotate in the opposite sense to the rotor such that the relative speed of rotation is again ωl + ω2.

When upper end 149 of lever 140 moves in the anticlockwise direction E a slot 148 in the lever engages with a cross shaped protrusion defined in a clutch part 138b. This prevents the spool shaft from rotating relative to the casing/body of the spinning reel. Lever 140 is moved by a mechanism including a further lever 150, one end of which is attached to the upper end 149 of lever 140. the other end of which 154 is connected to a cable control mechanism 156. The lever pivots about an axis 158 controlled by the cable mechanism 156. the control handle 160 for which can be located on a fishing rod 162 for ease of use.

Figure 8 shows a similar arrangement to Figure 7 except that the lever 140 is controlled by means of a single further lever 180 one end 182 of which is spring mounted to upper end 149 of lever 140. the other end of which defines a handle 184 which is located adjacent the mounting means 186 shown in dotted lines for mounting the spinning reel onto a fishing rod. The lever 180 is pivoted about axis 183 located close to end 182 to provide a suitable mechanical advantage on operating the handle 184. The location of the handle adjacent the rod is convenient for use. since it enables a person fishing to control the winding speed, hold the fishing rod and turn the handle to wind the line in at the same time.

In both the embodiments of Figure 7 and 8 it can be seen that there is a spring 190 disposed between the top of the lever 149 and the lever which actuates the lever to move to engage with the clutch. The spring 190 acts as a buffer and smooths the operation of the device. Another spring 192 keeps the clutch 138a engaged in the casing when the lever 184 or 160 are not actuated.

It will be seen that the various embodiments described above provide a variety of options for control means and levers to operate the speed change feature of the present invention and whichever option is used is largely a matter of preference and ease of vise for the user.

Although the specific description describes the use of bevel gears, any gear which can convert rotational movement in one axis into rotational movement about a substantially perpendicular axis, such as a spiral gear, could be used.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A spinning reel for fishing comprising: a spool shaft, reciprocable in an axial direction during rotation of a handle shaft, a spool being mounted on the spool shaft at a first axial end of the spool shaft; a rotor for winding line onto the spool: means, operatively connected to the handle shaft for turning the rotor relative to the body of the spinning reel about the spool and spool shaft, for winding line onto the spool, characterised in that the spinning reel also includes means for selectively rotating the spool shaft about its central axis relative to the body of the spinning reel which can be optionally selected to increase the speed of rotation of the rotor relative to the spool.

2. A spinning reel as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the means for turning the rotor about the spool shaft includes a first gear mounted about the spool shaft and a second gear rotating about an axis perpendicular to the spool shaft which meshes with the first gear and wherein: the first gear is connected to the rotor and rotation of the first gear about and relative to the spool shaft causes the rotor to turn about the spool.

3. A spinning reel as claimed in claim 2 characterised in that the second gear rotates about its axis by means of a pinion meshing with a spur gear rotated by a shaft connected to the handle.

4. A spinning reel as claimed in any one of claims 1-3 characterised in that the spinning reel includes a third gear mounted about the spool whose teeth oppose the teeth of the first gear and which meshes with the second gear so that the first and third gears sandwich the second gear and rotate in opposite directions about the spool shaft.

5. A spinning reel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 characterised in that he first, second and third gears are bevel gears.

6. A spinning reel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 characterised in that the first and third gears are spiral gears.

7. A spinning reel as claimed in claim 5 characterised in that the first and third bevel gear bodies are fixed in terms of transitional movement relative to the body of the reel but may rotate relative to the shaft and move relative to the spool shaft.

8. A spinning reel as claimed in claim 5 or 7 characterised in that the reel also includes a clutch which is movable along the spool shaft between first position where it is engaged with the casing, or body of the spinning reel, a second position where it engages the third bevel gear, or a position where it does not engage the body or the bevel gear so that the spool rotates freely and wherein the clutch is constrained so that it cannot rotate relative to the spool shaft and wherein; if the clutch is engaged with the casing of the spinning reel the spool shaft is prevented from rotating relative to the casing. However, if the clutch is engaged with the third bevel gear, the spool shaft is caused to rotate in the opposite sense to the turning of the rotor thus the speed of rotation of the rotor relative to the spool is increased.

9. A spinning reel as claimed in any one of claims 1-8. characterised in that the spool shaft is generally cylindrical and defines at least one groove which extends part way along the longitudinal extent of the shaft.

10. A spinning reel as claimed in claim 9 characterised in that the clutch is preferably generally annular and defines an inwardly extending protrusion shaped and configured to locate in the groove when the clutch is mounted on the spool.

11. A spinning reel as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 10, characterised in that one side of the clutch may define teeth adopted to engage with corresponding teeth on the reverse side of the third gear.

12. A spinning reel as claimed in claim 11 characterised in that the other side of the clutch also defines teeth which are adapted to engage in a corresponding slot in the body or casing of the spinning reel.

13. A spinning reel as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 12 characterised in that the clutch defines a friction plate which is adapted to engage with a similar friction plate on the reverse side of the third gear.

14 A spinning reel as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that control of the selection means is carried out remotely by means of a cable control mechanism whose operating lever or switch is located on the rod or handle of a fishing rod assembly.

15. A spinning reel as claimed in claim 14 characterised in that the control cable comprises a relatively stiff wire disposed in a flexible tube.

16. A spinning reel as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the main shaft carries the spool and defines a worm shaft and is driven directly backwards and forwards in the direction of its longitudinal axis by a rotatable pin about its axis adapted bevel gear to reciprocate the spool backwards and forwards.

17. A spinning reel for fishing comprising: a main spool shaft, reciprocable in an axial direction during rotation of a handle shaft, a spool being mounted on the main spool shaft at a first axial end of the spool shaft: a pinion, rotatable during the rotation of the handle, for turning a rotor for winding line onto the spool; means, operatively connected to the handle shaft for turning the rotor relative to the body of the spinning reel about the spool and spool shaft, for winding line onto the spool, characterised in that the main spool shaft defines a worm shaft, the spool is fixed relative to the main spool shaft in use. and a pin co-operates with the worm shaft for driving and reciprocating the worm shaft and hence the spool.

18. A control system for a fishing reel assembly including a fishing reel and a fishing rod, the control system comprising a switch lever or the like disposed on the rod of the fishing rod assembly, preferably disposed on the handle of that rod. and a control cable operatively connecting that switch or lever to a switchable mechanism of the fishing reel to enable control of a feature of the fishing reel operated by that mechanism remotely from the fishing rod.

19. A spinning reel as claimed in claim 16 characterised in that the control cable comprises a relatively stiff wire disposed in a flexible tube.