Stub Shaft Support Patents (Class 242/317)
  • Patent number: 11864543
    Abstract: A fishing reel and related method include a housing, a spool, and a brake assembly. The housing includes an external circumferential surface and an internal circumferential surface. The spool is configured to have a length of fishing line wound thereon, and is rotatable relative to the housing about a rotation shaft. The brake assembly is mounted to and rotatable with the spool. The brake assembly includes a plurality of pivotally mounted pawls. The plurality of pawls each include a contact surface arranged facing the internal circumferential surface. Rotation of the fishing reel upon the fishing line being pulled out of the fishing reel when a fish pulls on the fishing line causes a centrifugal force that moves the contact surface of the plurality of pawls into contact with the internal circumferential surface to reduce a rotational speed of the spool relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventors: Cary Hogan Jones, George Stickler
  • Patent number: 11278015
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bevel washer including a body made of a wearable material; the bevel washer made of a wearable material forms part of a drag system for a fishing reel. In addition, the present invention relates to a drag mechanism for a fishing reel including bevel washers made of a wearable material; bevel washers made of a non-wearable material; and the bevel washer made of a wearable material and the bevel washers made of a non-wearable material are placed adjacent to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: DQC International Corp.
    Inventor: Matt Baldwin
  • Patent number: 10219500
    Abstract: A dual-bearing reel being capable of regulating relative rotation between a drive gear that interlocks with a spool and a drive shaft includes a braking device, a ring, a drag adjustment part and a sound unit. The ring is configured to be integrally rotatable with the drive shaft, configured to be pressed toward the drive gear, and has a sound generating part disposed at an outer periphery thereof. The drag adjustment part is configured to adjust a pressing force of the braking device. The sound unit is mounted to the drive gear and extends toward the sound generating part, so as to contact the sound generating part in an axial direction of the drive gear, and is configured to generate sound by interfering with the sound generating part by relative rotation between the drive gear and the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kunio Takechi
  • Patent number: 9554565
    Abstract: A fly fishing reel having a hidden counterweight system, reversible crank knob, mounting seat, and/or sealed spool and drag system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: 3-TAND, LLC
    Inventor: Robert W. Koelewyn
  • Patent number: 9038934
    Abstract: A fly reel comprises a housing having a back plate, a spindle extending from the back plate, a spool rotatably mounted on the spindle, an adjustable drag assembly fixed to the spool and rotatably mounted with the spool, the adjustable drag assembly is adapted to provide controlled friction against the spool during rotation of the spool, a crank member for rotating the spool in a first direction, and a one way clutch operatively associated with the spindle for permitting rotation of the crank member in the first direction only whereby the spool is adapted to rotate independent of the crank in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. In addition, the drag adjustment knob of the reel is disposed on the same side as the reel crank handle and the drag components may be sealed within a cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventors: Gregory A. Header, Gregory E. Miller, Timothy Wiest
  • Patent number: 8915459
    Abstract: A fishing reel comprises a spool 14 which is provided in a rotatable manner with respect to a reel body 12, and around which a fishing line 24 is wound, and a winding mechanism 18 which is provided coaxially with the spool 14. Between the spool 14 and winding mechanism 18, a drag part 16, which transmits rotation of the winding mechanism 18 to the spool 14 at or below a predetermined torque, is provided. The winding mechanism 18 is provided with a power transmission member 44 provided coaxially with a main rotation shaft 30 which rotates with the spool 14 via a one-way clutch 40. A winding ring 45 provided coaxially with the power transmission member 44, a winding cord 47 whose one end is fixed to the winding ring 45, and which is wound around the winding ring 45, and a spiral spring 46 which rotates the power transmission member 44 in a rewinding direction are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: Takehito Tobo
  • Patent number: 8882015
    Abstract: Fly fishing reels, a brake system, and a device for providing decreased tension on the fishing line and the leader are provided. In the system, the axle connecting the fly line spool to the brake system provides a shock absorbing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Fossadalur EHF
    Inventors: Ingolfur Thorbjornsson, Steingrimur Einarsson
  • Patent number: 8840054
    Abstract: A fishing reel housing for attachment to a rod along a longitudinal rod axis. The housing has a shaft for accepting a central bore of a line dispensing spool and an adjustment mechanism for selectively adjusting the shaft in position transversely away from the rod axis while maintaining its position along the rod axis. A fishing reel comprises the reel housing with a spool with a central bore mounted thereon. A fishing apparatus comprises at least one rod having a mount to support a fishing reel thereon with the reel mounted on thereon. A kit comprises the reel housing and at least one line dispensing spool having a central bore for mounting on the shaft of the fishing reel housing and may comprise one or more rods, lines and/or lures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: 1069416 AB Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen Maerz, Michael Thomas Sutherland, Lawrence Ralph Thomas
  • Patent number: 8757531
    Abstract: Implementations for fly reel are generally disclosed. The implementations include various methods and apparatus for automatically adjusting and managing drag associated with the fly reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventor: Josh Bradley
  • Patent number: 8746604
    Abstract: A fishing reel for winding and releasing a fishing line includes a tubular spool being configured to wind the fishing line onto an outer periphery thereof, a spool shaft made of metal, the spool shaft being attached to an inner periphery of the spool, and a Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) layer being formed on a surface layer side of the spool shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Niitsuma, Shouji Nakagawa, Satoshi Ikebukuro, Ken'ichi Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 8662434
    Abstract: A fishing reel, especially for fly fishing, comprising a spool (2) the annular or tubular hub part (3) (core) of which is removably mounted on a shaft (4), characterized in that said removable shaft is axially located in the hub part by means of at least one releasable detent connection and is non-rotatably retained in the body of the spool by means of at least one positive connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Wolfgang Triller
  • Patent number: 8651410
    Abstract: A dragging device restricting one-way rotation of a spool of a fly reel. In a rotation-restricting device of a spool having a dragging device which allows the spool to be attached to and detached from a shaft secured to a housing and which restricts one-way rotation of the spool, a sleeve is fitted on the shaft, a flange extends in the radial direction from one end of the sleeve, a flange cover is secured to the housing in the spool-attached direction, the flange makes contact between the flange cover and the housing, and a disk plate makes contact with the flange, whereby pressure applied due to rotation of a drag-adjusting knob mounted on the housing is transferred to the disk plate to restrict one-way rotation of the spool. A waterproof structure on the friction surface of the disk plate prevents infiltration of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: River Runs Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chang Ho Park
  • Patent number: 8480021
    Abstract: An ice fishing reel for facilitating automatic tension to the fishing line. The ice fishing reel includes a support assembly including a support member, a rod holder being in communication with the support member, and a shaft extending from the support member to support a spool; a handle assembly being in communication with the spool and the support assembly; and a spool tension assembly being supported upon the shaft and being biasedly engagable to the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: Steven A. Sauk
  • Patent number: 8480022
    Abstract: A fly reel spool rotatably coupled with a frame mounted on a fishing rod to wind a fish line includes a rotary frame rotatably coupled inside the frame; a winding drum having a ball-catching protrusion on an inner circumference coupling with the rotary frame, the winding drum configured such that the fish line is wound on or unwound from an outer circumference; a locking ball installed in an outer circumference of the rotary frame to protrude from and retract into the rotary frame; elastic means for elastically holding the locking ball so that it protrudes from the outer circumference of the rotary frame, whereby the locking ball is caught by one touch on the ball-catching protrusion on the inner circumference of the winding drum when the rotary frame is coupled with the winding drum, and stopping means for supporting the winding drum and the rotary frame to rotate together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventors: Seok Woon Kang, Suk Young Kang
  • Patent number: 8308097
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a click sound generating device for a bait reel. The bait reel includes a reel frame, a spool, a handle and a drag knob. The spool is rotatably mounted to the reel frame. A fishing line is wound around the circumferential outer surface of the spool. The handle is connected to the spool through a gear shaft. The drag knob is provided between the handle and the gear shaft to adjust the drag strength of the spool. The click sound generating device is in the drag knob and generates clicking sounds depending on rotation of the drag knob, thus enabling a user to minutely and precisely control the drag strength or rotating force of the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Doyo Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kwang-Ho Hyun
  • Patent number: 8240590
    Abstract: A fishing reel (100) comprises a crank (110), a spool (120) connected to said crank (110), a pull-off brake mechanism (230,230,400,400,400) and a chassis (130). The pull-off brake mechanism (230,230,400,400,400) 5 and the crank (110) are interconnected such that a pretension of the pull-off brake mechanism (230,230,400,400,400) increases as the crank (110) is moved in a reeling-in direction. Moreover, the pretension of the pull-off pull-off brake mechanism (230,230,400,400,400)10 also increases as the crank (110) is moved in a direction opposite to the reeling-in direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Danielsson Innovation AB
    Inventor: Tomas Erik Danielsson
  • Patent number: 7832673
    Abstract: This invention relates to a fly reel, of which the drag system installed in the frame thereof comprises: a drag knob that is connected rotational to one side of periphery of the center shaft that is connected fixed to hub of frame; a drag disk that is spaced-apart from said drag knob and gets inserted rotational to periphery of said center shaft; a braking means for restraining said drag disk from rotating on said center shaft in accordance with transferred amount of said drag knob moved to axial direction of said center shaft; a drag disk bush that is inserted at said drag disk for being rotated together with said drag disk as said drag disk rotates, the drag disk bush having said center shaft inserted therein; a oneway bearing that is inserted at periphery of said drag disk bush, for permitting one directional rotation but for restraining the other directional rotation; and a drag cover that is inserted rotational at periphery of said center shaft so as to be rotated by regulated rotation of said spool, for
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Juho Corporation
    Inventors: Jae Koo Lee, Jin-Gu Kim
  • Patent number: 7798440
    Abstract: A fly reel having a spool with multiple line holding portions, permitting a single rod an reel assembly to be simultaneously fitted with different types of fly line, and eliminating the need to remove and reinstall reels when changing types of fly line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: JC Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: James Crofoot
  • Patent number: 7789336
    Abstract: A spool includes a tubular bobbin trunk, a pair of flanges and a boss member. The bobbin trunk has a peripheral surface extending along the axial direction of the spool so that a fishing line can be wound around the bobbin truck. The peripheral surface of the bobbin trunk includes thickened wall portions disposed on opposing sides of an axial center part of the bobbin trunk. The flanges are integrally formed with the peripheral surface of the bobbin trunk as a one-piece, unitary member. Each of the flanges extends substantially in a radially outward direction of the spool. The boss member is disposed between axial ends of the bobbin trunk and extends along the radial direction of the spool. The boss member includes a disc portion with a through-hole to receive a spool shaft. Each of the thickened wall portions has a thickness greater than other portions of the bobbin trunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shouji Nakagawa, Akira Niitsuma
  • Patent number: 7677487
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fly reel, wherein the drag system installed in frame comprises: a drag knob that is connected rotation-controllably to one side periphery of center shaft; a drag spindle that is connected rotationally to periphery of said center shaft and distantly from said drag knob; a friction means for restraining controllably any one-directional rotation force of said drag spindle in accordance with transferred amount of said drag knob moved to axial direction of said center shaft; a drag spindle insert that is inserted rotationally to periphery of said center shaft and rotated by rotational manipulation of said spool; and a unidirectional bearing that is inserted at inside of said drag spindle for permitting one directional rotation and restraining the other directional rotation of said drag spindle insert being inserted therein. Overall configuration thereby can be made efficient and simple; direction setting of unidirectional bearing can be changed easily if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Juho Corporation
    Inventor: Jae Koo Lee
  • Patent number: 7637450
    Abstract: A fly-fishing reel is provided for rewinding a fishing line on a spool, whose movement is limited, in at least one sense, by a braking mechanism. The fly-fishing reel includes a self-supporting structure and a spool. The self-supporting structure includes a central axis which bears on it the braking mechanism, which includes a first lateral containing ring, a brake ring concentrically arranged within an adjustment track or ring, and a second lateral containing ring. The brake ring is a split ring defining a guide slot along which a braking adjustment member is displaced. The braking adjustment member expands or contracts the brake ring. A blocking member is also concentrically mounted on the adjustment track or ring, which is in turn arranged without a relative sliding among them within the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventors: Ignacio Ordonez, Hugo Luis Chiera
  • Patent number: 7464891
    Abstract: Fly fishing reel. The reel comprises a housing (2, 102, 202), a main axis (3, 103, 203), a swivel driving lever (4, 104, 204) preloaded by elastic recovery means (11, 111, 211) and a first pinion (6, 106, 206) driven by driving lever (4, 104, 204). First pinion (6, 106, 206) is coaxial to main axis (3, 103, 203). The reel also comprises a reel (8, 108, 208) for winding up line (34, 134, 234) that is coaxial to main axis (3, 103, 203) and a brake (9, 109, 209) for spool (8, 108, 208). Between first pinion (6, 106, 206) and spool (8, 108, 208) a gearing (7, 107, 207) is provided. Said gearing (7, 107, 207) comprises at least one planetary train made up of a second pinion (18, 118, 218), at least three planet gears (16, 116, 216) and a ring gear (15, 115, 215). Ring gear (15, 115, 215) is linked to first pinion (6, 106, 206) via a one-way clutch (13, 113, 213).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Bawer Technology S.L.
    Inventor: Carlos Bao-Coutado
  • Patent number: 7464890
    Abstract: Fly fishing reel comprising a housing (2, 102, 202), driving means (3, 103, 203), a gearing (4, 104, 204), mechanically connected to the driving means (3, 103, 203), a spool (5, 105, 205) connected mechanically and rigidly to the gearing (4, 104, 204), with said gearing (4, 104, 204) and spool (5, 105, 205) forming a rigid kinematic unit (12, 112, 212), and a brake (8, 108, 208). The reel comprises a one-way clutch (7, 107, 207) between driving means (3, 103, 203) and gearing (4, 104, 204). Brake (8, 108, 208) comprises a free wheel mechanism (9, 109, 209) and acts upon rigid kinematic unit (12, 112, 212), and the force can be regulated continuously. In the line feed-out direction (6, 106, 206), one-way clutch (7, 107, 207) is inactive and free wheel mechanism (9, 109, 209) is active, whereas in the wind up direction of line (6, 106, 206), one-way clutch (7, 107) is active (4, 104, 204) and free wheel mechanism (9, 109, 209) is inactive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Bawer Technology S.L.
    Inventor: Carlos Bao-Coutado
  • Patent number: 7360732
    Abstract: A fishing apparatus that allows an individual to catch fish, while at the same, not be encumbered with a traditional fishing rod and reel. The fishing apparatus includes a reel that has an indentation where a length of fishing line or monofilament is wound around. To one side of the reel is attached a centrally-mounted plastic grip, while an offset handle is attached to the other side of the reel. The fishing line, as it exits the reel, passes through a loop attached to a line guide which is mounted on the reel. A tensioner bolt, which is centrally mounted on the opposite side as that of the centrally-mounted grip, passes through the reel and provides tension against the fishing apparatus, thereby giving a more authentic feel to the fishing apparatus in comparison to a standard fishing rod and reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Inventor: Sibby Byl
  • Patent number: 7314193
    Abstract: A spool includes a spindle (8a) perpendicularly extending from a major surface (4a) of a base plate (4). A bobbin (16a) is fitted over the spindle (8a). The bobbin (16a) includes a short cylindrical member (18a) and a flange (20a) contacting the major surface (4a) of the base plate (4). A coil of fishing line (22a) is fitted over the bobbin (16a). A short cylindrical member (10a) of a flange member is fitted into the spindle (8a). A flange (12a) is formed along the peripheral edge of the cylindrical member (10a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Inventor: Fujita Kimura
  • Patent number: 7226013
    Abstract: A fishing reel includes a clicking mechanism that produces an audible indication when fishing line is payed out from a rotatable line spool. The audible indication is created by the interaction of a clicking member and a flexibly mounted tab. The clicking mechanism is constructed such that the audible indication will not occur as the crank handle is being turned by a user to retrieve the fishing line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Shakespeare Company, LLC
    Inventor: Young Kang
  • Publication number: 20040173705
    Abstract: A fishing reel includes an adjustable dynamic drag mechanism and a static drag mechanism connected to a brake mechanism. The static drag mechanism allows a user to select a predetermined amount of static drag whereas the manually adjustable dynamic drag mechanism allows the user to instantly add more drag. The fishing reel also allows a user to set a maximum total drag (i.e., the combination of the static and the maximum dynamic drag) such that the user cannot accidentally add too much dynamic drag that could result in the total drag exceeding the strength of the fishing line. The fishing reel preferably includes an adjustable leverage mechanism that allows the user to select the desired amount of mechanical advantage. In the preferred embodiment, the brake mechanism includes a ratchet plate, a yoke, and a friction ring disposed between the plate and the yoke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: Doug Hill
    Inventors: Doug Hill, Mark J. McMenemy
  • Publication number: 20040061011
    Abstract: A fly-fishing reel has a reel body with a reversible pawl and an arbor. A spindle shaft with a gear rotates on the arbor, the gear and pawl limiting the direction of rotation. A spool and lockably engaged drive plate rotate on the spindle shaft and are secured thereon by a drag capsule which attaches to the spindle shaft. Tightening the drag capsule on the spindle shaft forcibly engages friction surfaces on the spindle shaft, the spool, the drive plate, and the drag capsule to provide an adjustable dual disk drag mechanism, as well as securing the drive plate and spool together. The spool can be readily replaced with a different spool and the spools are preferably reversible on the spindle shaft. A winding handle is attached to the drive plate to provide direct-drive action, or is attached to the drag capsule to provide a non-return action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: David F. Gilmore
  • Patent number: 6641071
    Abstract: A fishing reel has a spool base, a spool, a unidirectional control device and an axle penetrating the elements of the fishing reel. The unidirectional control, device has a limiting wheel with a driving roller recess to receive a driving roller. A plurality of first guide trenches is defined in the limiting wheel and inclinedly extends from the driving roller recess in a first direction. A plurality of second guide trenches is defined in the limiting wheel and inclinedly extends from the driving roller recess in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A biasing member is deformably received in each respective first guide trench. A brake block is movably received in each respective first guide trench. Accordingly, the rotating direction of the fishing reel is changeable by means of changing the locations of the brake blocks and the biasing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventor: Shih-Yuan Yeh
  • Publication number: 20030168541
    Abstract: A fishing reel drag mechanism includes a manually adjustable dynamic drag mechanism as well as a static drag brake mechanism. The static drag brake mechanism allows a fisherman to select a predetermined amount of static or constant drag whereas the manually adjustable dynamic drag mechanism allows the fisherman to instantly add or lessen the total amount of drag while playing a hooked fish. The manually adjustable dynamic drag mechanism includes a dynamic brake member, a lever, and linkage. The linkage may also include an adjustable leverage mechanism that allows the user to select the desired amount of mechanical advantage. The static drag brake mechanism includes a brake member and a static drag adjuster. The static drag adjuster preferably includes a static drag selection device, a static drag adjustment cam, and an adjustment link pin. The static drag adjustment cam preferably includes a curved channel having a circumferentially decreasing radius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: Doug Hill
    Inventors: Doug Hill, Mark J. McMenemy
  • Publication number: 20030150947
    Abstract: A fly fishing reel includes a casing, a spool mounted rotatably in the casing, and a unidirectional controller including a ratchet wheel secured to the spool, and a pawl pivoted to the casing and releasably engaging the ratchet wheel. The ratchet wheel includes a plurality of angularly spaced apart first engaging teeth. The pawl includes at least two angularly spaced apart second engaging teeth, which are respectively in sliding contact with two of the first engaging teeth so as to permit rotation of the spool to rotate in a first direction, and which engage the two first engaging teeth so as to prevent rotation of the spool in the second direction opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventor: Eugene Hong
  • Publication number: 20030150946
    Abstract: A fly fishing reel includes a casing, a spool mounted rotatably in the casing, and a brake unit including a friction wall extending from the spool, a brake-mounting plate secured to the casing and formed with a plurality of retaining recesses, and a plurality of brake shoes securely and respectively mounted in the retaining recesses and in friction contact with the friction wall. The brake-mounting plate is spaced apart from the friction wall by a gap. Adjacent brake shoes are spaced apart from each other by a channel which is in spatial communication with the gap so as to permit removal of bits resulting from rubbing between the friction wall and the brake shoes upon rotation of the spool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventor: Eugene Hong
  • Patent number: 6578785
    Abstract: A fly fishing reel includes a casing, a spool mounted rotatably in the casing, a handle connected to the spool via a connecting rod, an arcuate plate attached to the casing and formed with a plurality of angularly spaced apart retaining-holes, a drag adjustment lever having one end pivoted to the connecting rod, a positioning unit pivoted to the other end of the lever and having a retaining pin selectively and releasably engaging one of the retaining-holes so as to position the lever, and a releasing unit for disengaging the retaining pin from the selected one of the retaining-holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventor: Eugene Hong
  • Patent number: 6550709
    Abstract: The fly fishing reel of this invention comprises a housing that includes a mounting shoe for attaching the reel to a fishing rod, a hub attached axially to the center of the housing, a spool containing a centrally mounted spindle supported within the hub, and an adjustable, highly effective and efficient drag system coupled between the spool and housing. The drag system is a unidirectional variable friction brake that includes a first and second inner bearing races and first and second outer bearing races. The inner bearing races each have convex hemispherical friction surfaces. The outer bearing races each have concave hemispherical friction surfaces. The outer races are rotationally fixed by interlocking geometry with the hub. The inner races encase a unidirectional roller clutch which receives the spindle attached to the spool. The hemispherical friction surfaces are longitudinally concentric with the rotational axis of the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Native Reels
    Inventor: Michael Vashro
  • Patent number: 6513743
    Abstract: An anti-reverse large arbor fly fishing reel is provided which is robust in design and has a superior drag. The reel includes a drag offset structure allowing an angler to switch between a preset light drag to a preset heavy drag while still allowing full adjustability of drag force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: The Orvis Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Leigh H. Perkins, Jr., James B. Lepage
  • Patent number: 6508426
    Abstract: This invention relates to a fishing reel (10) which comprises a reel body (12), a spool (14) rotatable relative to the reel body, a handle (16) for rotating the spool, and a drive bearing (32) connecting the handle to the spool. The drive bearing (32) is in the form of a ball-bearing including a plurality of balls (34) which are mounted to the handle (16) and which are arranged to rotate so that rotation of the handle (16) at a first velocity is transferred to the spool (14) at a second velocity greater than the first velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: Giles Whittle-Herbert
  • Patent number: 6474581
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: House of Hardy Ltd.
    Inventor: Charlie Norris
  • Publication number: 20020104912
    Abstract: A method and structure for forming a fly fishing reel having a device to engage or release a preset amount of drag from a spool of line. A spool of line is mounted on a spindle on the fly fishing reel. A drag mechanism is adapted to apply resistance against rotation of the spool. The device is adapted to engage or release the drag mechanism from the spool so that the preset amount of drag is enabled or disabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventor: Clyde H. Bascue
  • Publication number: 20020096586
    Abstract: In known reels it has been attempted to attain the desired high speed, which is intended to maintain the tension of the line when a fish is swimming quickly towards the angler, by enlarging the outer diameter. This has the shortcoming that the handle is mounted on a large radius. This makes a fast cranking from the wrist impossible. When the handle is mounted on a smaller radius the force required in the struggle with a pulling fish becomes too great, which is equally disadvantageous.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Henschel
  • Patent number: 6412724
    Abstract: A spool for a fishing reel comprising at least two side-by-side arbors of different diameters separated by a dividing wall having a diameter larger than the diameter of the larger of the arbors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventor: Daniel A. Ferrara, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6382545
    Abstract: A fishing reel is composed of a spool base (10), a rotating plate (20), a spool (30), a driving roller (40), a limiting wheel (50), a locking device (60), and a trigger device (70). The locking device (60) is able to control the rotating status of the fishing reel from free rotations to unidirectional rotation simply by turning the clutch knob (63).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Shih-Yuan Yeh
  • Publication number: 20020023979
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a bearing arrangement for reels, primarily fly fishing reels. The device comprises a drum (11) having a bearing ring (13) which forms a side edge of the drum and which at its peripheral, outer surface has a track (16) to receive the bearing balls (5) which are held together by a ring (6), the drum being enclosed by a cage (8) having a first, inner bearing ring (7) which has a contact surface for the balls and which by a thread is connected to a second, outer bearing ring (4) which also has a contact surface or the balls. A free volume (15) is formed between the first bearing ring (7) and the second bearing ring (4). The free volume (15) may be varied by adaptation of the setting of the outer bearing ring (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Applicant: OPM Fishing Tackle Ltd.
    Inventor: Mats Gustafsson
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20010038053
    Abstract: The fly fishing reel of this invention comprises a housing that includes a mounting shoe for attaching the reel to a fishing rod, a hub attached axially to the center of the housing, a spool containing a centrally mounted spindle supported within the hub, and an adjustable, highly effective and efficient drag system coupled between the spool and housing. The drag system is a unidirectional variable friction brake that includes a first and second inner bearing races and first and second outer bearing races. The inner bearing races each have convex hemispherical friction surfaces. The outer bearing races each have concave hemispherical friction surfaces. The outer races are rotationally fixed by interlocking geometry with the hub. The inner races encase a unidirectional roller clutch which receives the spindle attached to the spool. The hemispherical friction surfaces are longitudinally concentric with the rotational axis of the spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventor: Michael Vashro
  • Patent number: 6296200
    Abstract: A fly fishing reel includes a fishing-rod connecting member, a main shaft, a spool, a retaining member, a brake device, and a drag adjustment device. The main shaft exetends rotatably through a central hole in the connecting member, and has a left end, a right end, and an outward flange that extends radially and outwardly from the main shaft near the left end. The spool is sleeved on the main shaft so as to rotate synchronously therewith, and is provided with a handle. The retaining member is mounted removably on the right end of the main shaft, and is disposed adjacent to the handle for retaining the connecting member and the spool between the outward flange of the main shaft and the retaining member. The retaining member can be removed from the main shaft for replacement of the spool. The brake device is disposed between the left end of the main shaft and the connecting member for stopping rotation of the main shaft within the connecting member when a force applied to the handle is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Inventor: Liang-Jen Chang
  • Patent number: 6209815
    Abstract: A fishing reel has a housing for rigidly mounting on a fishing rod. A line spool is rotatably mounted in the housing. A handle is affixed to one side of the housing for winding in line. An antireverse mechanism allows winding in line and stops free release of line. An adjustable friction clutch, or drag, allows release of line when pull exceeds a preset force. Adjustment of the drag force setting is achieved by two adjusting knobs, one on each side of the reel. This enables the angler to hold the rod in either hand while using the free hand to adjust the drag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Ligi Tool and Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Collier
  • Patent number: 6206312
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fly fishing reel including a reel frame, a spool disposed into the reel frame, and a spool shaft supporting plate detachably mounted on one open end of the reel frame, the reel frame comprising a radial guide channel in an inner circumference of the open end, a plurality of recesses formed around the glide channel at predetermined intervals to interrupt the guide channel, and snap portions formed around the guide channel in radial and outward directions between the recesses. The spool shaft supporting plate includes a plurality of plate springs in one side contacting the open end of the reel frame, and each of the plate springs includes a circular head, a fixed portion for preventing a lateral movement of the plate spring, and a resilient neck portion connecting the head to the fixed portion, the head being moved radially and inwardly by an external force, and being returned to on original position as soon as the external force is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Shin A Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chul Suk Oh
  • Patent number: 6168105
    Abstract: In a fishing reel (1) for fly-fishing having a body (2), a line winder (3) joined to the body (2) rotating around an axis (x—x) and a handle (4) perpendicular to the axis of the fishing rod to rotate the line winder (3) between the handle (4) and the line winder (3), multiplier devices (5, 6) are incorporated to multiply the ratio between the rotation speed of the line winder (3) and that of the handle (4) to a preset degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Francis Nydegger
  • Patent number: 6131839
    Abstract: A fishing reel includes a frame, a base for securing the frame to a fishing rod, a fishing line spool rotationally mounted to the frame for rotation about a spool axis, a main drive gear mounted within the frame for rotation about a drive gear axis, a crank for rotating the drive gear about the drive gear axis, and a transmission for releasably engaging the drive gear with the spool. The transmission includes a spool gear fixedly mounted to the spool and an intermediate gear moveable between a first position engaging the drive gear in gear transmission engagement with the spool gear and a second position where such engagement is released. If desired, the reel may include a drag mechanism releasably engageable with the spool gear for imposing a drag upon rotation of said spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: Sandor Kmetyko
  • 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