Abstract: A lockable reel seat system includes a reel seat body exhibiting: (a) a handle section having a rear reel seat cavity, a male threaded length with a circular cross sectional shape and a longitudinally extended central axis, and a pair of aligned grooves extending longitudinally within said threaded portion; (b) a foregrip or other form of forward member with a female threaded cavity that engages the threaded portion of the handle to allow the cavity to advance toward or retract from the rear reel seat cavity, a pair of holes aligned with the grooved in the threaded section; and (c) a curved saddle clip that fits over the foregrip or forward member and which has a pair of inwardly projecting pins that extend through the holes and engage the grooves.When the saddle clip is engaged, the foregrip or forward member cannot be turned. This clip acts as a lock to secure the reel in the reel seat of a particular rod.

Abstract: Yarns and fishing lines are made by a process that includes the step of exposing an opaque yarn made from ultrahigh molecular weight, gel spun polyolefin filaments to a temperature within the melting point range of the filaments for a time sufficient to at least partially fuse the contact surfaces of adjacent filaments. For ultrahigh molecular weight, gel spun polyethylene, this temperature is preferably within the range from about 150.degree.-157.degree. C. The surface fusion between and among filaments imparts desirable handling characteristics to the ultrahigh molecular weight, gel spun polyolefin yarns and fishing lines that are similar to those of a conventional monofilaments. Preferably, the temperature, residence time, and stretching ratio at the selected temperature are chosen to provide a fishing line exhibiting a tensile modulus within the range from about 230 g/d to about 780 g/d with a tenacity of at least 15 g/d.

Abstract: A fishing reel having a brake mechanism including a brake drum provided on a spool receiving a fishing line thereon. A line tension sensor for determining the tension of the fishing line is operatively connected to the brake mechanism which includes at least one brake for engaging the brake drum connected with the spool. Under the control of the line tension sensor the brake mechanism is engaged with the brake drum for pre-braking by friction the rotating spool at initial slack in the fishing line. The brake mechanism is engaged with the brake drum for abruptly stopping by wedging the spool at slack beyond the initial slack. Under the control of the line tension sensor, the brake mechanism frictionally engages the brake drum for pre-braking the rotating spool when slack is initially sensed in the fishing line. When slack beyond that initially sensed occurs, at least one brake of the brake mechanism is wedged against the brake drum for abruptly stopping the spool.

Abstract: A modular spinning reel is made with a modular gearbox that includes a one piece gearbox shell that encloses a drive gear within. The modular gearbox permits components subject to wear and damage to be readily replaced without disassembling the precision gears while also providing a drive component that can be manufactured in quantity with high precision.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved fishing rod blank having increased hoop strength and a visually unique and appealing appearance. The rod blank of the instant invention incorporates non-woven materials to achieve increased flexibility hoop strength and improved visual appearance. In particular, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, non-woven materials are applied to unidirectional prepreg materials during the prepregging process to form a co-plied unidirectional and non-woven preimpregnated fibrous composite material that is used to form the fishing rod blank. In another embodiment, the non-woven material is applied to the outermost layer of the rod in a finishing step to enhance the appearance of the rod. The appearance is further enhanced when the underlying material and a woven outer layer of the blank have contrasting colors. In an alternative embodiment, the innermost layer of the rod blank is formed of a non-woven material.

Abstract: A composite shaft used in the manufacture of golf clubs includes a straight shaft of tapered form extending between an upper butt end a lower tip end. A radially outwardly protruding bulge section is located on the shaft with the bulge section being spaced from both the tip end of the shaft and the butt end of the shaft. The bulge section has a relatively short length compared to the length of the shaft and is located on the shaft to begin in the lower 1/3 of the shaft length.

Abstract: A fishing reel of the multiplier type has a frame, a line spool rotatably mounted in the frame, a brake disk coaxial with the line spool and non-rotatably but axially displaceably arranged in the frame, and a brake unit connected to the line spool and adapted, in cooperation with the brake disk, to brake spool rotation. The brake unit has brake arms with a first end and a second end. The brake arms support at their first end a brake element and are at their second end connected to the holder in a manner pivotable about a pivot axis perpendicular to the line spool axis, so as to be pivoted between an off-position and a braking position, in which the brake elements engage the brake disk. The first end of each brake arm is positioned radially inside its second end. Each brake arm extends in a direction which is so offset from a radial direction in respect of the line spool axis that its first end is positioned in the direction of rotation of the line spool seen behind its second end.

Abstract: Fishing rods have a bulged section within two line guides from the handle, within the last four guides, or a combination of bulged zones. Fishing rods with at least one bulged section are able to cast further.

Abstract: Described is a formulation for delivering fish attractants that sustains the release time as well as provides high coating power. The composition is made with a stable water-in-oil emulsion of petrolatum jelly, a water soluble delivery agent, a thickening agent, and a water soluble fish attractant. These formulations stick well to the exterior surface of artificial lures while allowing the active attractant ingredient to be released slowly into the water. The formulations are also in the form of a soft gel that is easily applied to the surface of a lure by dunking the lure in a wide-mouthed container or squeezing the gel from a conventional container.

Abstract: A fishing reel of the multiplier type comprises a rotatable line spool which is mounted on a shaft. A clutch member having a gear is mounted on the shaft. The gear meshes with a driving gear which is rotatable by means of a handle. The clutch member is displaceable along the shaft between an engaging position, in which it is connected to the line spool for rotation thereof, and a disengaging position, in which it is disconnected from the line spool. The clutch member is displaceable from its first to its second position by means of a trigger which actuates a clutch mechanism for displacement of the clutch member. The clutch mechanism comprises a disk which is turnable by the trigger and has ramp elements for cooperation with ramp elements on a yoke supporting the clutch member. The disk cooperates with a spring assembly having a cam curve with a first cam surface, a second cam surface and an intermediate crest.

Abstract: Vibrational analysis is used to map the true sweet spot of a golf club. The testing device, method of testing, method of designing a golf club, and tuned golf clubs are disclosed.

Abstract: A composite shaft used in the manufacture of golf clubs includes a straight shaft of tapered form extending between an upper butt end a lower tip end. A radially outwardly protruding bulge section is located on the shaft with the bulge section being spaced from both the tip end of the shaft and the butt end of the shaft. The bulge section has a relatively short length compared to the length of the shaft and is located on the shaft to begin in the lower 1/3 of the shaft length.