Abstract: A fishing reel with an integrated barometer sensor, a temperature sensor, and a weight sensor forming a sensorized fishing reel to enhance the fishing experience of an angler is disclosed. The sensorized fishing reel includes; an exterior housing supporting a display and enclosing the barometer sensor, the temperature sensor, the weight sensor as well as a controller. The controller selectively interacts with each sensor to obtain sensory readings provided by each sensor, and delivers the obtained sensory readings to the angler via the display.

Abstract: A fishing reel with an electronics module enclosed by an exterior housing of the fishing reel is disclosed. The electronics module provides a watertight environment for a plurality of circuits. The circuits are useful to perform a variety of functions, including but not limited to determining a status of a fishing environment, controlling reel functions, or otherwise.

Abstract: A fishing reel which displays an estimated weight of a fish on the fishing line while the fish is reeled-in including: a line spool; a load cell for measuring an outward force pulling on the line; a processor in communication with the output of the load cell such that the processor can periodically read the outward force on the line; and a display for displaying an estimated weight of the fish to a fisherman. Based on forces measured between the time a fish strikes the hook and the landing of the fish, the processor calculates and displays an estimated weight.

Abstract: A drag washer of ceramic material is provided in a drag assembly for a fishing reel. The ceramic drag washer surprisingly provides the unique combination of hardness and surface finish to render desirable performance characteristics for a high quality drag assembly.

Abstract: A fishing reel which displays an estimated weight of a fish caught on a hook attached to fishing line attached to the fishing reel while the fish is reeled-in that includes a line spool; a load cell for measuring an outward force pulling on the line; a processor in communication with the output of the load cell such that the processor can periodically read the outward force on the line; and a display for displaying an estimated weight of the fish to a fisherman. The processor calculates an estimated weight and updates the display which displays the estimated weight, based on forces measured between the time a fish strikes the hook and the landing of the fish.

Abstract: A camping-type container for a liquified gas fuel. The inventive container comprises: a container body formed of a transparent material such that a user can see the liquid level of the liquified gas fuel in the container; a top end structure provided on the top end of the container body; and a discharge valve provided in the top end structure, the discharge valve being a valve of the type attachable to a camping-type appliance.

Abstract: A fishing reel which displays an estimated weight of a fish on the fishing line while the fish is reeled-in including: a line spool; a load cell for measuring an outward force pulling on the line; a processor in communication with the output of the load cell such that the processor can periodically read the outward force on the line; and a display for displaying an estimated weight of the fish to a fisherman. Based on forces measured between the time a fish strikes the hook and the landing of the fish, the processor calculates and displays an estimated weight.

Abstract: An apparatus adaptable for holding, and burning gas fuels from, different containers, the different containers including at least a first container and a second container. The apparatus preferably comprises: a housing sized such that each of the different containers is removably receivable in the housing; a burner assembly for receiving and burning gas fuel from each of the different containers; a stand or other elevating structure positionable in the housing for elevating and retaining the first container in the housing in an operating position, the elevating structure being removable from the housing for placing the second container in the housing in its operating position; and an adaptor removably attachable between the second container and the burner assembly.

Abstract: A fishing reel including a crank handle retained to a threaded end of a crankshaft by an attachment which comprises a nut for threadedly fixing the crank handle to the crank shaft, wherein one end of the nut has a hexagonal cross section and the other end includes an outward flare, and a plastic retainer for the nut comprising: a first inside cavity shaped to receive the hexagonal portion of the nut such that the nut is nonrotatably captivated relative to the retainer; a second inside compartment shaped to receive the outward flare of the nut such that when matably received, the retainer is secured to the nut; a pin protruding from the retainer to be received by a hole in the crank handle to prevent rotation of the retainer relative to the crank handle; and a smooth outside surface.

Abstract: A fishing reel having a frame and an operating mechanism on the frame. The operating mechanism has a line carrying spool that is movable guidingly and reciprocatingly in a first path in first and second opposite directions, a bail assembly which is rotatable around a first axis to direct line onto the line carrying spool, a drive element that is operable to rotate the bail assembly, and an oscillating assembly. The oscillating assembly is driven by operation of the drive element and thereby causes the line carrying spool to move in the first path. The oscillating assembly has a first gear element that is rotatably driven by operation of the drive element around a second axis that is transverse to the first axis and a second gear element that is in mesh with the first gear element. The second gear element extends both a) in the first direction beyond the second axis and b) in the second direction beyond the second axis as the fishing reel is operated.

Abstract: A braking apparatus for a fishing reel comprising: a side cover; a brake dial rotatably positioned in the side cover such that the brake dial is externally accessible and operable from outside of the side cover, the brake dial having a plurality of predetermined positions; at least one interacting boss provided on either the brake dial or the side cover; and a resilient boss operably provided on the other of the brake dial or the side cover for interaction with the interacting boss such that, as the dial is rotated in a given direction to a point where the resilient boss contacts an interacting boss, further rotation in that direction is inhibited until the user exerts sufficient force on the dial to deform the resilient boss thereby allowing the resilient boss to traverse the interacting boss.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for a fishing reel, which rotor assembly has a rotor with a first rotational axis and forward and rear ends spaced axially relative to the first axis. The rotor assembly further has a bail assembly that is repositionable relative to the rotor between cast and retrieve positions. The bail assembly has a first arm that is pivotable around a second axis relative to the rotor as the bail assembly moves between the cast and retrieve positions. The rotor assembly further has a trigger that is movable relative to the rotor around a third axis between normal and actuated positions. The bail assembly is movable from the retrieve position towards the cast position as an incident of the trigger moving from the normal position to the actuated position. The third axis is spaced forwardly of the second axis.

Abstract: A rotatable line spool for a fishing reel, the spool including a line-receiving surface defining an axis of rotation for the spool. The surface extends radially outwardly to define an axial boundary for line received on the spool and terminates in the radial direction at a radially outer rim spaced from the axis by a radial distance R. The outer rim extends outward from the line-receiving surface and terminates at a first annular surface spaced axially outward from the line-receiving surface. A flywheel mass extends radially inward from the outer rim and terminates at a radius R2 from the axis in the range of 55% to 85% of R. The mass extends axially outward from the line-receiving surface and terminates at a second annular surface that is spaced axially inward from the first annular surface by an axial distance X in the range of 0%-5% of the radial distance R.

Abstract: A sonar transducer assembly is provided which is adapted to be mounted on the transom of a boat. The assembly includes a shaped transducer device comprising a housing having a base portion of substantially elliptical cross section and a nose of a flattened ellipsoidal shape. A connector stem having a faired leading edge connects the transducer housing to a mounting bracket assembly. The mounting bracket assembly includes a base member adapted to be connected to the transom and a pivotable member which supports the transducer device. A releasable connection between the members includes a pair of laterally spaced, outwardly extending projections on one member which engage ears formed on the other member. An elastomeric insert disposed between the arms controls the force necessary to cause release of the connection to provide "kick-up" when the transducer device strikes an object in the water.

Abstract: A method for mounting a transducer in a boat hull is disclosed where the transducer has a frusto-conical outer end portion adjacent an end which is to be mounted flush with the boat hull. Initially, a member is positioned at a predetermined location in the boat hull mold, which member includes an upwardly converging frusto-conical surface. The boat hull is then molded around the member and the molded boat hull removed from the mold. The transducer is then attached to the portion of the boat hull which was molded about the member. In one embodiment, the member is a plug and the plug is mounted to the hull mold so that the removing of the boat hull from the hull mold also includes the removing of the boat hull from the member. The plug can have a thickness greater than the boat hull, or less than the boat hull in which case a subsequent cylindrical hole is drilled in order to attach the transducer. In an alternative embodiment, the member is a collar having a cavity therein which receives the transducer.

Abstract: This invention comprehends a mechanism that applies a uniform drag on an aft or rear mounted drag mechanism. A driver member is keyed to the centershaft and is engaged by floating friction drive members nested between friction units which floating friction drive members and friction units permit wide centershaft concentricity or misalignment without creating binding or tightness of the centershaft.

Abstract: This invention comprehends a unique dual C-shaped retainer clip. This clip is advantageously applied to the shaft of a spinning style fishing reel in order to lock the slider to the shaft.