Abstract: An improved bail assembly for a spinning reel which, in one aspect includes a bail arm with a roller hood having an outer converging end portion wherein a bail wire extends from the converging end portion in an initial substantially straight manner such that there are no bends in the bail wire in proximity to the roller hood. In another aspect, the improvement comprises a converging extension piece which extends from the bail arm, the bail wire extending from the extension piece in a substantially straight manner such that there are no bends in proximity to the extension piece. The extension piece preferably also constitutes a connector for the bail wire which is effective for reducing corrosion of the bail assembly.

Abstract: A filter apparatus comprises a filter element to be positioned in an interior region defined by a housing. The filter element comprises a quick-drain valve member to block a flow of fluid from the interior region through a quick-drain outlet defined by the housing when the filter element is positioned in the interior region and to allow a flow of fluid from the interior region through the quick-drain outlet when the filter element is removed from the interior region.

Abstract: A filter apparatus comprises a ring secured to a filter cover so as to engage a center tube extending within a filter element to retain the center tube and the filter element. A method of assembling a filter apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A filter apparatus comprises a filter element to be positioned in an interior region defined by a housing. The filter element comprises a quick-drain valve member to block a flow of fluid from the interior region through a quick-drain outlet defined by the housing when the filter element is positioned in the interior region and to allow a flow of fluid from the interior region through the quick-drain outlet when the filter element is removed from the interior region.

Abstract: A filter apparatus comprises a ring secured to a filter cover so as to engage a center tube extending within a filter element to retain the center tube and the filter element. A method of assembling a filter apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A drag adjustment mechanism for a spincast reel which includes a drag adjustment wheel, accessible from the exterior of the reel, which is configured to rotate in a plane parallel to the front-to-back axis of the reel. In a preferred embodiment, the drag adjustment wheel includes: a first axle projecting from a first face; a drive gear extending from a second face; a second axle extending from the drive gear; and a gripping surface formed circumferentially about the perimeter of the wheel. In a preferred embodiment, the wheel is of a two-part construction wherein all of the components of the wheel, except the gripping surface, are die cast from metal and the gripping surface is molded over the die cast wheel.

Abstract: A reversible crank handle system for a fishing reel which eliminates rotation free-play between the crank handle and a drive gear. Preferably, the inventive reversible crank handle system includes: a drive gear having a passageway there through, each end of the passageway terminating in a notch; a crankshaft receivable through the passageway, the crankshaft including a crank handle affixed to one end of the crankshaft and a wedge receivable in either notch. When a retainer is tightened to secure the crankshaft in the fishing reel, the wedge is drawn into the notch thereby nonrotatably engaging the crankshaft and the drive gear. The tapered nature of the notch and wedge eliminate rotational free-play between the crank handle and the drive gear to eliminate unintentional loosening of the retainer.

Abstract: An oil filter assembly includes a filter housing and a release valve for regulating oil drainage from a filter chamber in the filter housing. A filter module is arranged in the filter chamber to engage the release valve. A first biasing element normally moves the release valve to an opened position allowing drainage of oil from the filter chamber to urge the filter module to cause the release valve to move against and overcome a biasing force generated by the first biasing element to the closed position when the filter module is installed in a oil-filtering position in the filter housing.

Abstract: An anti-tangle device is disclosed for use in a fishing reel which includes a hub, a spool carried by the hub for maintaining a supply of fishing line, and the spool having a radially extending front wall terminating in an outer rim. A center shaft extends axially through the hub. A spinner head is carried on the forward end of the center shaft and at least partially longitudinally overlaps the front wall of the spool defining an annular gap therebetween. Crank and gears are provided for rotating the center shaft and for selectively moving the shaft forwardly and rearwardly of the spool for moving the spinner head therewith. A drag washer is mounted on the hub forwardly of the front wall of the spool and includes an annular flange projecting rearwardly over the rim of the front wall. Fishing line drawn radially from the spool rides on the flange of the drag washer to prevent entanglement of the line in the gap between the spinner head and the spool washer.

Abstract: A thumb button is disclosed for use in a fishing reel having a rotatable spinner head retained within a housing, the spinner head being displaceable axially by depressing the thumb button. Stops are associated with the thumb button to confine rearward rotation of the button away from a depressed position. Pivots are operatively associated between the thumb button and the housing, the thumb button being pivotable about the pivots. A spring tab is molded as an integral part of the thumb button for engaging the inside of the housing to constantly maintain the spring means and, thereby, the thumb button under loaded condition.

Abstract: A spring means associated with a pivotable thumb button (29) on a spinning type reel for urging the button away from its depressed position. An elongate resilient spring member (424, 524, 624, 724, 824) is engagable adjacent its opposing ends with the reel cover (12) and the underside of the thumb button (29). A tab (420), depending from the reel cover, engages the resilient member intermediate its ends so as to retain the spring and prevent longitudinal displacement of the same relative to the reel housing (10).

Abstract: A closed face spinning reel is suspended below a fishing rod. The reel has a finger brake lever that causes the spinner head to move from the winding position to the precasting and casting position by lifting up on the finger lever. The finger lever arm is made in two parts, one metal and the other molded plastic, which parts are assembled by inserting the metal part in the plastic part while the plastic part is warm from the mold so that the plastic shrinks around the metal. A resilient element in the plastic part cooperates with a mating surface on the body of the reel to hold the lever against a stop preventing rattling when the lever is not held and returning the lever to a uniform released position.

Abstract: In the packaging of a fishing reel for shipment or storage the protrusion of the crank handle takes up unnecessary space. Separation of the handle from the reel for packaging often results in marring of the reel or handle as they rattle against each other. This invention sets forth a foldable crank handle. The crank handle has a base with a flat face. Extending into the base from the face and outward through its side is a slot. A pair of tabs are formed at the interface of the slot, face and base side. The crank handle is mounted to the reel by pivotally connecting an end of the axially movable crank rod, rotation of which retrieves the fishing line, into the slot. When the crank rod is secured in the position for fishing line retrieval the face of the base abuts a fitting, rotatably located in the bearing means, which has a recess or receptacle. In this position the crank handle may be operated to rotate the crank rod to retrieve fishing line.

Abstract: This invention comprehends a spin casting style fishing reel that has an anti-reverse mechanism that prevents the crank assembly from being rotated in the reverse direction when desired. The anti-reverse mechanism is silent in operation and can be selectively placed into or taken out of operation. In miniature sized reels, the switch to engage or disengage the anti-reverse mechanism can be handably mounted on the side of the fishing reel.

Abstract: A spin casting style fishing reel is disclosed having generally a reel body, a front cover, and a back support housing with a stem extending therefrom and capable of being connected to a fishing rod. The reel body has a deck plate and a portion projecting rearwardly from the deck plate and having an offset ledge. The deck plate has at least three spaced apart bosses, each boss having an aperture aligned with an aperture in the deck plate. Bosses are also provided in the back support housing, which bosses align with the bosses of the reel body, the reel body being mounted to the back support housing by securing appropriate fastening means such as screws through the apertures in the bosses. When so mounted, both sets of bosses engage to support the back support housing and the reel body in such a manner that the rim of the back support housing is spaced from the offset ledge and rear edge of the reel body.

Abstract: A spin casting fishing reel (10) has a cylindrical body (20) with a transverse deck plate (21) and circumferential forward (22) and rearward (23) body portions with integral axially aligned hollow bosses (39 and 40) at opposite sides of the rearward reel body portion. There is a crank bearing sleeve (160 and 161) slidably mounted in each of the hollow bosses (39 and 40), and a gear crank assembly (310) is journalled in the crank bearing sleeves (160 and 161). A back housing (11) for the reel has a cylindrical cover (12) mating with the periphery of the rearward circumferential body portion (23) and is detachably secured to the body. Transversely extending interengaging parts (45, 46 and 164) on each of the hollow bosses (39 and 40) and on each crank bearing sleeve (160 and 161) fix the rotational orientation of the bearing sleeves in the bosses, and abutting surfaces (46, 47 and 165) limit inward movement of the sleeves in the bosses.

Abstract: A spin casting style fishing reel is provided with an anti-reverse mechanism which prevents the crank assembly from being rotated in a reverse direction wherein fishing line is payed out, when a selection switch for the mechanism is set in a first position. The selection switch can be selectively moved between the first position and a second position for activation and deactivation of the anti-reverse mechanism. A lever portion of the anti-reverse mechanism has an integral activation arm which follows the movement of the selection switch between the first and second positions, activating and deactivating the anti-reverse mechanism, and a bias receiving arm to which a spring is mounted to hold the activation arm in engagement with the selection switch.