Alternative Right Or Left Side Drive Patents (Class 242/282)
  • Patent number: 11785929
    Abstract: A dual-bearing reel according to the present disclosure enables a rotatably supported spool between a left and a right side panel of a reel body to be rotated with a handle provided at one of the side panels and includes a movement restraining portion that is provided on an outer peripheral surface of a counter handle-side one of the side panels of the reel body, and that prevents a pressing thumb of a hand from moving outward from the counter handle-side one of the side panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: GLOBERIDE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Sakiyama, Masayuki Hatakenaka
  • Patent number: 11707870
    Abstract: A reel based tensioning device includes a housing, a spool that is rotatably positioned within the housing, and a knob member that is operably coupled with the spool to cause the spool to rotate in a first direction within the housing and thereby wind a tension member about the spool. The reel based tensioning device also includes a load holding mechanism that is coupled with the spool and that is configured to rotate the spool in the first direction within the housing and to prevent rotation of the spool in a second direction to prevent unwinding of the tension member from about the spool. The reel based tensioning device further includes an audible component that is configured to produce an audible noise responsive to operation of the knob member to signal an adjustment of the tension member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: BOA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Hipwood, Eric Irwin, Thomas Trudel, Mark Soderberg, Michael Nickel, Oronde Armstrong, Cody Henderson, Greg Langley, William Roushey, Thomas Pollack, Ashley Pickens, Ilya Minkin, Eric Whewell
  • Patent number: 11696574
    Abstract: A spinning reel includes a reel body, a handle shaft rotatably supported with respect to the reel body, a spool shaft movably supported in a front-rear direction with respect to the reel body, a reciprocator including a first gear configured to rotate in a first direction of rotation in conjunction with rotation of the handle shaft, a second gear including a gear body configured to mesh with the first gear and a first boss portion protruding from the gear body and configured to rotate in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation, and a slider mounted on the spool shaft and including an engagement groove with which the first boss portion is configured to engage, and a limiter disposed between the reel body and the second gear and being configured to limit rotation of the second gear in the first direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO COMPONENTS (MALAYSIA) SDN. BHD.
    Inventors: Foong Wei Kang, Chan Yik Hui, Mohd Hisyamuddin Bin Kamn
  • Patent number: 10058081
    Abstract: A fishing reel includes a handle, a spool on which a fishing line is wound, a partially open reel body housing an internal mechanism converting a rotational force applied to the handle into a movement to wind the fishing line onto the spool, a lid member closing the opening of the reel body, and a seal member disposed between an opening edge portion of the reel body and a lid flat surface of the lid member. The seal member includes a shape-retaining portion that holds the shape and a sealing material that has elasticity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Koji Ochiai
  • Patent number: 8960583
    Abstract: A fixed spool fishing reel having a handle shaft connected to a handle to be rotated thereby and coupled to a bail arm drive of the wheel so that rotation of the handle shaft causes rotation of the bail arm. The handle shaft is coupled to the bail arm drive via a gear mechanism that enables the gear ratio between rotation of the handle shaft and rotation of the bail arm drive to be selectively altered. Also, a fixed spool fishing reel having a spool shaft and two gear wheels respectively on opposite sides of the spool shaft, both gear wheels being coupled to be driven by a rotary handle of the reel and both being selectable to be the one which drives a spool shaft oscillatory mechanism of the reel, the coupling between each of the said two gear wheels and the mechanism being via respective gearing arrangements to impart different respective ratios of handle rotary speed to oscillatory speed of the spool shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Fox International Group Limited
    Inventors: Andrew John Little, Adam Richard Ellis Taylor
  • Patent number: 8950697
    Abstract: A handle assembly for a spinning reel is configured to be mounted onto a drive gear shaft that is rotationally supported on a main body of the spinning reel. The handle assembly includes a metal shaft member, a metal handle arm, a handle grip and a first metal tubular member. The metal shaft member includes a threaded portion disposed at one end for screwing to the drive gear shaft and a coupling portion disposed at the other end. The metal handle arm includes a connected portion pivotally coupled to the coupling portion of the metal shaft member to pivot around a radial axis of the shaft member. The handle grip is rotatably attached to the metal handle arm to rotate around an axis that is parallel to a rotational axis of the metal shaft member. The first metal tubular member includes first and second pipe portions. The first pipe portion is disposed on an outer circumferential side of the metal shaft member for contacting the metal handle arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takuji Takamatsu, Hirokazu Hiraoka
  • Patent number: 8905345
    Abstract: A fixed spool fishing reel having a spool shaft with a coaxial hollow rotor shaft rotatable thereabout. The reel is further provided with a handle shaft which extends transversely of and is offset relative to the spool shaft. First and second mutually orthogonal gears are coupled for rotation with the handle shaft, the first gear having an axis of rotation which is transverse of and offset from the spool shaft. Likewise for third and fourth gears, with the third gear being on the opposite side of the spool shaft relative to the first gear. The axis of the third gear is closer to the spool than that of the first gear. Likewise the fourth is closer than the second. The rotor shaft can be driven by the handle shaft selectively via the first or the third gear to change the gearing ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Fox International Group Limited
    Inventor: Adam Richard Ellis Taylor
  • Patent number: 8840053
    Abstract: A dual-bearing reel attachable to a fishing rod, comprising, a reel unit, a handle shaft rotatably supported by the reel unit, and a handle assembly being mounted onto the handle shaft. The handle assembly includes a handle arm and a handle knob rotatably attached to a tip of the first arm portion. The handle arm includes an attachment portion detachably attached onto the handle shaft in a unitarily rotatable state, a first arm portion extending radially outwards from the attachment portion, first and second protruding portions disposed around of the attachment portion, and a coupling portion. The first and second protruding portions are protruding radially outwards. The first and second protruding portions are circumferentially aligned at predetermined intervals. The coupling portion couple the protruding portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kunio Takechi
  • Patent number: 8430349
    Abstract: A spinning reel master gear assembly is rotatably attachable to a reel unit of a spinning reel. The spinning reel master gear assemble includes a master gear shaft being rotatably attachable to the reel unit, and a master gear fixed to the master gear shaft in an integrally rotatable state. The master gear shaft includes an attachment portion. The attachment portion has a male threaded portion at least partially on an outer peripheral surface thereof. The master gear includes a female threaded portion screwed onto the male threaded portion, and a centered portion including an axis appropriately aligned by the attachment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yik Hui Chan, Bi Rong Law, Meng Young Tea
  • Patent number: 8152087
    Abstract: A handle arm mounting structure for a fishing reel includes a fastening section and a washer member. The fastening section has a first non-circular hole configured to engage non-rotatably with a non-circular section of a handle shaft. The washer member has a circular disk-like section and an engaging protrusion and is configured to be mounted in an axial direction on the handle shaft. The circular disk-like section has a second non-circular hole that engages with the non-circular section. The engaging protrusion protrudes toward the first non-circular hole from a periphery of the second non-circular hole. The engaging protrusion has an inside surface configured to engage with the non-circular section and an outside surface having a first tapered surface that tapers toward a tip end and engages with the first non-circular hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kentaro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7815138
    Abstract: A handle assembly includes a handle shaft portion, a handle arm, a handle grip, and a tubular member. The handle shaft portion is mounted to the inner peripheral portion of a master gear shaft so as not to be allowed to rotate relative to the master gear shaft, and is disposed so that the tip end portion of the master gear shaft protrudes outward in the axial direction compared to the tip end portion of the master gear. The handle arm extends in the radial direction from the tip end portion of the handle shaft portion, and is mounted to the handle shaft portion so as to be capable of pivoting with respect to the handle shaft portion. The handle grip is mounted to the tip of the handle arm. The tubular member is non-rotatably engaged with the tip end portion of the master gear shaft and the base end portion of the handle arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Components (Malaysia) SDN. BHD.
    Inventors: Ken'ichi Sugahara, Yik Hui Chan
  • Patent number: 7780104
    Abstract: A bait reel equipped with a turning dial controls the winding of the fishing line by controlling the revolution of the spool during fishing. The bait reel equipped with a turning dial has a dial for spooling connected by the handle axle and the combination of gears. Therefore, it enables the user to manually fine-tune the revolution of the spool, makes the structure of the reel simple even when the turning dial is added by making the guide support add the turning dial to the handle axle so the fishing line can be smoothly and stably wound on or released from the spool, and makes it easy to change and maintain the turning dial by fixing the turning dial to the side cover located, with the possibility of detaching and re-attaching, on the opposite side of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Silver Star Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Cheol-woo Park
  • Patent number: 7614577
    Abstract: A handle assembly has a handle arm, a knob shaft and a handle knob that includes a tubular portion and a substantially spherical knob portion. The tubular portion is mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the knob shaft. The knob portion is unitarily formed with the tubular portion. The knob portion has a first knob with a substantially spherically shaped outer peripheral surface and a second knob that is disposed on a side of the first knob opposite the handle arm. The second knob has a substantially spherically shaped outer peripheral surface with a diameter larger than a diameter of the first knob. The second knob is unitarily linked with the first knob at a junction a distance from the outermost radial portion at a region of the knob portion opposite the tubular portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Koji Ochiai, Keigo Kitajima
  • Patent number: 7537178
    Abstract: A spinning reel includes a reel unit, a rotation transmission mechanism, a handle assembly, a rotor, a spool shaft, an oscillating mechanism, and a spool. The reel unit includes a reel body that has a first opening, and a first lid member that covers the first opening. The rotation transmission mechanism includes a master gear shaft that is rotatably mounted to the reel unit, and a master gear that is disposed on the master gear shaft integrally rotatably about a first shaft axis X. The reel body includes a first rotation support portion that rotatably supports the master gear shaft on a master gear side of the spool shaft. The first lid member includes a second rotation support portion that rotatably supports the master gear shaft on a first lid member side of the master gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kei Saito
  • Patent number: 7216825
    Abstract: A fishing reel includes: a reel body attachable to a fishing rod; a spool rotatably supported by the reel body; a handle disposed at a side portion of the reel body for rotating the spool to winding a fishing line on the spool; and an auxiliary operating member for auxiliary winding the fishing line on the spool provided at a position in which the auxiliary operating member can be operated by a finger of an angler's hand holding the fishing rod to which the reel body is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Daiwa Seiko, Inc.
    Inventors: Harumichi Oishi, Mikiharu Kobayashi, Masashi Ono
  • Patent number: 7191969
    Abstract: A fishing reel includes: a reel body; a spool rotatably supported by the reel body; a handle shaft rotatably supported by the reel body; a handle arm provided at a distal end of the handle shaft; a transmission mechanism that transmits a rotation of the handle shaft to the spool via a drag device capable of adjusting braking force; and a braking force controlling element rotatably supported by the handle shaft, the braking force controlling element including an adjusting portion for adjusting the braking force applied to the drag device and an operation portion for the adjusting portion. The operation portion radially extends from an axis center of the handle shaft, and includes a bent portion which is formed at an intermediate portion of the operation portion and bent toward the reel body side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Daiwa Seiko, Inc.
    Inventors: Takeo Miyazaki, Akio Sekimoto
  • Patent number: 7163168
    Abstract: A spinning reel handle assembly that does not expose a male threaded section to the outside includes a handle shaft portion, a cylindrical cover member, a cylindrical screw-threaded member and a cylindrical moveable member. The cylindrical cover member is mounted on an external circumference of a tip end section of the handle shaft portion. The cylindrical cover member is configured to cover at least a portion of an external circumference of the moveable member and an entire portion of the male threaded section of the cylindrical screw-threaded member on which the cylindrical moveable member is not mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Ken'ichi Sugawara, Shingo Matsuo, Masuo Ban
  • Patent number: 7070137
    Abstract: A handle assembly is detachably screwed onto a master gear shaft, on which a master gear is provided. The handle assembly includes an approximately T-shaped handle grip, a handle arm on which the handle grip is rotatively mounted, and a handle shaft on which the base of the handle arm is mounted. The handle shaft has a three piece structure including a tubular main shaft unit, a first shaft portion that is screwed onto one end of the main shaft unit and the master gear shaft, and a second shaft portion that is mounted on the other end of the main shaft unit and the base of the handle arm. In a screw type handle assembly for a spinning reel, it is possible to maintain rigidity of the handle shaft at a high level while reducing the overall weight of the handle shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Nishikawa, Koji Ochiai
  • Patent number: 6983906
    Abstract: A master gear includes a shaft made of an aluminum alloy, a gear portion, and an annular member made of stainless steel alloy. The shaft is screwed onto a handle shaft, a gear portion that is integrally formed on the outer periphery of the shaft. The shaft is supported by the reel unit at rotational support portions via bearings and has female threaded portions on its ends such that the handle is screwed to one of the female threaded portions. The gear portion is arranged on an outer periphery of the shaft portion between the rotational support portions, and meshes with a pinion gear. The annular portion is mounted to the outer periphery of the shaft such that at least part of the annular member is disposed not between the rotational support portions. With this structure, it is easy to remove bearings from a master gear of a spinning reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Nishikawa, Hirokazu Hiraoka, Yasuhiro Hitomi
  • Patent number: 6966515
    Abstract: A handle assembly 1 for a spinning reel includes handle shafts 1a, and a handle arm 1b that is detachably mounted to a handle shaft 1a. The handle arm 1b has a through hole 1j formed in the base end thereof. A male threaded portion 80c of the handle shaft 1a is mounted in the through hole 1j, and the handle arm 1b is detachably installed on the handle shaft 1a by a nut member 90a. A cap member 90f that covers the entire nut member 90a is mounted to the outer periphery of the nut member 90a. A male threaded portion 90e is formed on the tip of the cap member 90f, and the cap member 90f is fixed to the nut member 90a by screwing the male threaded portion 90e to a female threaded portion 90d formed on a head portion of the nut member 90a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Tomohiro Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 6883738
    Abstract: A master gear shaft of a spinning reel has a through-hole having a rectangular cross-section formed on the inner periphery of the master gear shaft. A handle shaft has a head that interlocks with the right end of the master gear shaft, a trunk which extends from the head and is non-rotatively inserted into the through-hole, and a first threaded portion having a male screw projecting from the tip of the trunk. A handle arm has a boss for interlocking with the left end of the master gear shaft, a second threaded portion, which is a female screw threaded portion that engages with the first threaded portion and is provided on the boss, and an arm that extends from the boss in a direction interlocking with the master gear shaft. The handle assembly prevents a handle shaft from loosening from a master gear shaft in a spinning reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Hideki Nakajima, Ken'ichi Sugawara
  • Patent number: 6874719
    Abstract: Sealing structure has a friction disk having a spindle-form boss portion, a cover member, and a seal member, in a lever-drag type dual-bearing reel. Cover member has a through-hole situated encompassing the boss portion, and is a component that is rotatable relative to friction disk. The seal member, which is a component made of an elastic substance, is for sealing a clearance between the boss portion and the cover member, and has an cylindrical portion made of an elastic substance and mountable on the boss portion, and a sealing portion formed integrally on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion and tapering toward the through-hole. A distal edge of the sealing portion is for contacting a contact surface in through-hole. The present invention provides a structure for sealing a spindle-form first member and, disposed about the outer periphery thereof, a second member, to seal while controlling impairment in rotational performance, without having to use components or space for fastening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Takeshi Ikuta
  • Publication number: 20040200915
    Abstract: A handle assembly 1 for a spinning reel includes handle shafts 1a, and a handle arm 1b that is detachably mounted to a handle shaft 1a. The handle arm 1b has a through hole 1j formed in the base end thereof. A male threaded portion 80c of the handle shaft 1a is mounted in the through hole 1j, and the handle arm 1b is detachably installed on the handle shaft 1a by a nut member 90a. A cap member 90f that covers the entire nut member 90a is mounted to the outer periphery of the nut member 90a. A male threaded portion 90e is formed on the tip of the cap member 90f, and the cap member 90f is fixed to the nut member 90a by screwing the male threaded portion 90e to a female threaded portion 90d formed on a head portion of the nut member 90a.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventor: Tomohiro Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20040140385
    Abstract: A handle assembly is detachably screwed onto a master gear shaft, on which a master gear is provided. The handle assembly includes an approximately T-shaped handle grip, a handle arm on which the handle grip is rotatively mounted, and a handle shaft on which the base of the handle arm is mounted. The handle shaft has a three piece structure including a tubular main shaft unit, a first shaft portion that is screwed onto one end of the main shaft unit and the master gear shaft, and a second shaft portion that is mounted on the other end of the main shaft unit and the base of the handle arm. In a screw type handle assembly for a spinning reel, it is possible to maintain rigidity of the handle shaft at a high level while reducing the overall weight of the handle shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Tomohiro Nishikawa, Koji Ochiai
  • Patent number: 6712301
    Abstract: Sealing structure has a friction disk having a spindle-form boss portion, a cover member, and a seal member, in a lever-drag type dual-bearing reel. Cover member has a through-hole situated encompassing the boss portion, and is a component that is rotatable relative to friction disk. The seal member, which is a component made of an elastic substance, is for sealing a clearance between the boss portion and the cover member, and has an cylindrical portion made of an elastic substance and mountable on the boss portion, and a sealing portion formed integrally on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion and tapering toward the through-hole. A distal edge of the sealing portion is for contacting a contact surface in through-hole. The present invention provides a structure for sealing a spindle-form first member and, disposed about the outer periphery thereof, a second member, to seal while controlling impairment in rotational performance, without having to use components or space for fastening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Taisei Morise
  • Publication number: 20030218088
    Abstract: A handle assembly has a handle arm mounted to a fore-end of a handle shaft, a handle grip rotatively mounted to one end of the handle arm, and a rotation support portion made of a metal for rotatively mounting the handle grip to handle arm. The handle grip is a substantially egg-shaped member made of a synthetic resin, and is rotatively provided on the outward side of the rotation support portion. The handle grip is shaped such that the user can grip the whole of the handle grip with his palm. The handle grip also has first through fourth recesses such that the user can grasp the handle grip by attaching the thumb to the third recess, or pinch the handle grip between the thumb and fingertips by placing the thumb and index finger in the first and second recesses. Accordingly, it is possible to conduct high-speed winding easily.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: SHIMANO, Inc.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Hirayama, Kenichi Kawasaki, Tomoharu Sakurai
  • Publication number: 20030205637
    Abstract: A master gear shaft of a spinning reel has a through-hole having a rectangular cross-section formed on the inner periphery of the master gear shaft. A handle shaft has a head that interlocks with the right end of the master gear shaft, a trunk which extends from the head and is non-rotatively inserted into the through-hole, and a first threaded portion having a male screw projecting from the tip of the trunk. A handle arm has a boss for interlocking with the left end of the master gear shaft, a second threaded portion, which is a female screw threaded portion that engages with the first threaded portion and is provided on the boss, and an arm that extends from the boss in a direction interlocking with the master gear shaft. The handle assembly prevents a handle shaft from loosening from a master gear shaft in a spinning reel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Applicant: SHIMANO. INC.
    Inventors: Hideki Nakajima, Ken?apos;ichi Sugawara
  • Patent number: 6626385
    Abstract: The invention is to offer a spinning reel for fishing, in which a handle can be replaced left and right, and an offset amount of a spool shaft and a handle shaft is reduced without lowering strength of these shafts, so that transmitting efficiency of rotating torque from a drive gear to a pinion gear can be heightened and a reel main body can be miniaturized. In the spinning reel for fishing, a part of the handle shaft crossing with the spool shaft is formed as a small diameter portion determined to have a smaller diameter than those of other parts of the handle shaft, and a part of the handle which is connected to the handle shaft is less to extend within the handle shaft to traverse the crossing portion of the spool shaft and the handle shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Daiwa Seiko, Inc.
    Inventor: Wataru Tsutsumi
  • Patent number: 6502775
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: W. C. Bradley/Zebco Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry L. Neufeld
  • Publication number: 20020066815
    Abstract: A spinning reel has a drag assembly in its spool on one end of the reel body, and an adjustment knob for the drag assembly on another end of the reel body, where it is conveniently accessed during use of the reel. The reel has a handle arm with two slidably disposed handle arm portions, which are releasably secured together at selected positions to provide a variable length handle arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Robert W. Koelewyn, Donald C. Liu
  • Patent number: 6364229
    Abstract: A fishing reel having a frame and an operating mechanism on the frame. The operating mechanism includes a line carrying spool, an element that is rotatable relative to the frame around a first axis to cause line to be directed onto the spool, and a crank handle that is rotatable relative to the frame around a second axis to thereby cause the first element to be rotated around the first axis. The crank handle has a body with a first portion projecting radially in one direction from the second axis, a graspable element on the first body portion, and a counterbalance assembly. The counterbalance assembly includes a second portion of the body which projects radially from the second axis oppositely to the one direction and a first weight element attached to the second portion of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Young Jue Kang
  • Publication number: 20020020772
    Abstract: A fishing reel comprising a spool releasably secured by a locking nut on a spindle of a spool carrier, a ratchet mechanism engageable through a friction plate assembly being adapted to allow the spool to rotate relatively freely in a first direction and adapted to impart resistance or prevent rotation in the reverse direction, the friction plate assembly being operable by rotation of the locking nut to control the resistance to rotation in the reverse direction, the ratchet mechanism comprising a reversible pawl on the carrier and a circular ratchet mounted on the spindle of the carrier for coaxial rotation relative to the spindle, the pawl being moveable by means of a switch between a first position to prevent rotation of the ratchet in the forward direction and a second position to prevent rotation of the ratchet in the reverse direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventor: Charlie Norris
  • Patent number: 6267312
    Abstract: A fly fishing reel comprises a large diameter spool having a broad width and a shallow line storage depth. The reel may have an arm-like body and a unique mounting member which, when attached to a fishing rod, positions the perimeter of the spool across a longitudinal axis of the rod. In an additional aspect, a drag mechanism is provided in a center hub of the spool. The drag mechanism is a unidirectional dual cone drag mechanism. The drag mechanism comprises a pair of opposing frictional conical race members, an inner race member inserted into an outer race member. The race members are biased into contact to create drag on the rotating spool. A roller clutch is utilized to produce a unidirectional drag mechanism. The roller clutch is configured to lock thereby causing relative rotation of the race members creating frictional drag only when the spool is rotated in the “reeling out direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: C1 Design Group
    Inventors: Mark S. Farris, Aaron Taylor
  • Patent number: 6176446
    Abstract: Configuration for waterproofing rotary mechanism shafts protruding from the compartments in which they are housed in a spinning reel main unit. In each case the shafts are supported on ball bearings, but in some cases the outer race and its mounting are fitted to be stationary in the compartment with respect to the compartment, and the shaft and the inner race supporting are rotatable. In other cases, the shaft and the inner race supporting it are stationary, and the outer race and its mounting in the compartment rotate about the shaft. Shaft seals are furnished to seal respective protruding shafts. In all cases, the seal is retained by the compartment mounting axially outward with respect to the compartment and contacts both the stationary and at least either the rotary component or the rotary mechanism shaft. Washers, caps, or lids retain and position the shaft seals against the shaft bearing stationary components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Jun Sato
  • Patent number: 6102315
    Abstract: A master gear 11 for a spinning reel transmits a rotational torque of a handle assembly 1 to a rotor 3 via a pinion gear 12. The master gear 11 includes a master gear shaft 10, a gear attachment portion 11a, and a gear member 11b. The master gear shaft 10 is rotatably supported by a reel main body 2 at both ends thereof, and has a first female screw portion 10b and a second female screw portion 10d formed on both end surfaces thereof. The gear attachment portion 11a includes a flange portion 11d which is formed on an inward position with respect to a portion of the gear attachment portion 11a at which rotation of the master gear shaft 10 is supported. The gear member 11b includes a disk portion 11e and a face gear portion 11f. The disk portion 11e is non-rotatably coupled to the flange portion 11d of the gear attachment portion 11a. The face gear portion 11f is formed on an outer peripheral portion of the disk portion 11b, and is adapted to couple with the pinion gear 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Jun Sato
  • Patent number: 6073871
    Abstract: A fly fishing reel comprises a large diameter spool having a broad width and a shallow line storage depth. The reel may have an arm-like body and a unique mounting member which, when attached to a fishing rod, positions the perimeter of the spool across a longitudinal axis of the rod. In an additional aspect, a drag mechanism is provided in a center hub of the spool. The drag mechanism is a unidirectional dual cone drag mechanism. The drag mechanism comprises a pair of opposing frictional conical race members, an inner race member inserted into an outer race member. The race members are biased into contact to create drag on the rotating spool. A roller clutch is utilized to produce a unidirectional drag mechanism. The roller clutch is configured to lock thereby causing relative rotation of the race members creating frictional drag only when the spool is rotated in the "reeling out direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: C-1 Design Group
    Inventors: Mark S. Farris, Aaron Taylor
  • Patent number: 6059211
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved spinning reel having a reel body of unitary sidewall construction. More specifically, the present invention provides a spinning reel having a reel body of unitary sidewall construction with a front or a back opening and an associated plate that removably attaches to the reel body opening to thereby enclose and hold the internal mechanisms and parts of the spinning reel. The use of the present invention allows a fisherman to substantially assemble and/or disassemble the spinning reel of the invention without the aid of tools, such as screwdrivers, wrenches, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Charles C. Worth Corporation
    Inventor: John Newton Young
  • Patent number: 6010087
    Abstract: A fly fishing reel is disclosed which allows for a simplified construction allowing for reversibility of the drag effect on a spool to facilitate left- or right-hand operation without disassembling small parts which can be lost in the boat. The spool structure is strengthened by virtue of a tapered design. A snap-on cap doubles as a support for a spring that holds the spool to a shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Scott T. Merrill, Robert L. Forslund, Ronald M. Cross
  • Patent number: 5947398
    Abstract: A fishing reel assembly includes a disk-shaped base defining an elongate slot, and a control member mounted on a first side of the base and formed with a slide slidably extending through the elongate slot. An inverted U-shaped control plate is movably mounted on a second side of the base and is secured to the slide of the control member to slide therewith. The control plate includes a first leg defining a first guiding slot and a second leg defining a second guiding slot. A first driven gear is rotatably and slidably received in the first guiding slot, and a second driven gear is rotatably and slidably received in the second guiding slot. A spool is rotatably mounted on the base, and a drive gear is fixedly mounted on the spool to rotate therewith and is rotatably disposed between the first driven gear and the second driven gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: Shih-Yuan Yeh
  • Patent number: 5947399
    Abstract: A bait casting reel enables a user to easily control rotation of the spool. The bait casting reel includes a frame, a spool rotatably supported by the frame, a lever externally disposed and movable by a user to a left-handed position and a right-handed position, and a click member coupled to and movable by the lever, the click member allowing rotation of the spool in a first direction and preventing rotation in a second direction when the lever is moved to the left-handed position. The click member allows rotation of the spool in the second direction and prevents rotation in the first direction when the lever is moved to the right-handed position. A click holder is provided inside of the cover of the bait casting reel. The click holder comprises a head contactably coupled with the gears of the spool, a tail contacting with bosses formed inside of the cover, and a click having a shoulder abutted on protrusions provided inside of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Shin A Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheol Suk Oh
  • Patent number: 5690289
    Abstract: A handle mounting structure in a fishing reel, which spreads open and deforms a collar by means of the taper action of a tapered engaging surface formed in the end portion of a handle shaft to thereby be sure to prevent the handle shaft from being loosened and clattered in the rotational direction thereof. The handle mounting structure includes: a drive shaft having a drive gear and a through-hole; a handle shaft to which a handle is fixed and which is non-rotatably fitted into the through-hole of the drive shaft; a tapered engaging surface formed on an end portion of the handle shaft; a collar deformable radially outwardly and fitted into the through-hole of the drive shaft so that one end of the collar is confronted with the tapered engaging surface; and a threaded member engageable with the handle shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Daiwa Seiko, Inc.
    Inventors: Shinji Takeuchi, Eiji Shinohara
  • Patent number: 5609309
    Abstract: A fly reel drag direction changer having a ratchet member of the changer which has a ratchet gear part and a circular silent cam slot formed in the ratchet gear part. A silent cam is elastically received in the silent cam slot such that the cam is selectively rotated along with the ratchet member due to elasticity but simply slides in the silent cam slot when the elasticity is overcome. A stopper has a recess for receiving an arm of the silent cam such that the stopper is rotated between a ratchet engaging position and a ratchet releasing position in accordance with the rotating direction of the ratchet member. The stopper is mounted to a rotatable coupling wheel such that the stopper is rotated between the ratchet engaging position and the ratchet releasing position and the rotatable coupling wheel is selectively rotated along with the ratchet member in the ratchet engaging position of the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Shin A Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chul S. Oh
  • Patent number: 5547141
    Abstract: A fishing reel includes a reel body including a first side frame, a second side frame and an elongated frame formed therebetween. A driven shaft is rotatably mounted in the elongated free. A drive shaft is detachably mounted in the driven shaft for rotating the driven shaft therewith. A handle portion is engaged with the drive shaft for rotating the drive shaft therewith. A cap is rotatably mounted around one of the first and second side plates. A stud is fixedly formed in the cap and is threadedly engaged in an inner thread of one distal end of the drive shaft for retaining the drive shaft in the driven shaft. A spool shaft is slidably mounted in the reel body and a spool is rotatably mounted around the spool shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Inventor: Shih-yuan Yeh
  • Patent number: 5518194
    Abstract: A fishing reel with a drag sound generating portion produces click sounds when a fish has been hooked. In the drag sound generating portion, a drag cap has spring holder rods for a plate spring. For positive click generation by a click spring in a spool operation sound generating portion, a crank handle joining portion is securely fastened without gap between a rotary shaft and a driving shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Bando Leports Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong-O Jeung
  • Patent number: 5381979
    Abstract: A spinning reel comprising a reel body, a handle including an arm projecting to one side with respect to an axis of rotation of the handle, and a grip portion defined in an outer end portion of the arm, a handle shaft connected to the handle to be rotatable on the axis of rotation of the handle, a drive gear housed in the reel body to be rotatable in unison with the handle shaft, and a rotor rotatably supported forwardly of the reel body. The rotor is rotatable by drive transmitted from the handle through said handle shaft and the drive gear. The spinning reel of the invention further comprises balancer means mounted on plural positions axially of the handle for restraining vibration of a rotary mechanism of the handle caused by turning of the handle and for balancing the rotary mechanism of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Furomoto
  • Patent number: 5183221
    Abstract: A fishing reel in which a spool is rotatably supported to a reel body having right and left side frames and support frames, each integrally, transversely connecting the right and left side frames to each other, the fishing reel comprising an improvement wherein one of the support frame located above the spool at a front side of the reel has an inner edge bent forward as viewed from above the reel. Accordingly, a thumb of a fisherman's hand grasping a fishing reel can be easily and naturally put on a support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: Daiwa Seiko, Inc.
    Inventors: Michiki Kawai, Takeo Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 4966336
    Abstract: A fly fishing reel assembly has a line spool 4 mounted for rotation on a spindle 6 in a cage 2. Provided on the cage is a drag mechanism 11 having a rotor 12 co-axial with the spool and rotatable relative to the carrier. The resistance to rotation of the rotor 12 is variable by rotation of a wheel 15. Rotatable with the spool 8 are pivotted latch levers 20 which are engageable with a circumferential array of teeth 13 on the rotor. An adjustable slide ring 22 on the spool optionally pivotally adjusts the latch levers 20 from the first position in which relative rotation between the spool and cage in one sense of direction couples the spool through the latch levers 20 to rotate in unison with the rotor 13 (and therefore rotational resistance to be applied) whereas during said relative rotation in the opposite sense of direction the latch levers 20 trip over the teeth 13 for the spool to rotate freely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Assignee: House of Hardy Limited
    Inventors: Raymond Humble, Main Hudson, Charles Norris
  • Patent number: 4962900
    Abstract: A fishing line reel operable in both the right-hand and left-hand modes is isclosed. The reel comprises a handle component for connecting the reel to a fishing rod, a housing having a crank and crankshaft to wind fishing line on the reel and anti-reversing lock means to prevent unwinding of the fishing line when actuated. The housing and anti-reversing lock means are rotatable relative to the handle component into two positions approximately 180.degree. apart, corresponding to the right- and left-hand mode positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: D.A.M. Deutsche Angelgerate Manufaktur Hellmuth Kuntze GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Klaus Dorbandt