Spool Or Spool Shaft Feature Patents (Class 242/322)
  • Patent number: 11083178
    Abstract: A spinning reel for casting a fishing line in a forward direction includes a reel body, a spool shaft, a pinion gear, a bushing and a bearing. The spool shaft is supported by the reel body so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction. The pinion gear has a tubular shape and an interior, the spool shaft penetrating through the interior. The bushing has a support portion supporting the spool shaft, and a housing portion that has a larger diameter than an inner diameter of the support portion and that is fixed to the reel body by press-fitting. The bearing is attached to the housing portion of the bushing and supporting the pinion gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Koji Ochiai
  • Patent number: 10617102
    Abstract: Provided is a fishing reel having a hidden lock lever for a palm-side first side cover. The fishing reel has a hidden lock lever for a palm-side first side cover in which an operating portion of the lock lever protrudes out of the first side cover when the first side cover is unlocked so that a user can immediately know that the first side cover is unlocked when holding the fishing reel, and the operating portion of the lock lever is hidden inside the first side cover so that a user can fish with the fishing reel in his/her hands without inconvenience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: DOYO ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kang Ho Hyun
  • Patent number: 10575509
    Abstract: A drag knob for adjusting a drag force of a spinning reel includes a knob body, a screwable member and a rotation prevention member. The knob body includes a knob portion rotatable in a circumferential direction of the spool shaft, and an accommodating recess. The knob body protrudes forward in an axial direction and extends in a radial direction. The accommodating recess has a rearward opening in the axial direction of the spool shaft. The screwable member is disposed in the accommodating recess of the knob body and is screwed onto a front end of the spool shaft. The rotation prevention member is configured to prevent the screwable member from rotating relative to the knob body, has a width narrower than a width of the knob portion and protrudes from the screwable member in a same direction as an extending direction of the knob portion of the knob body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kei Saito, Takuji Takamatsu, Takanori Maruoka
  • Patent number: 9226486
    Abstract: A spinning reel spool according to a first aspect of the present invention is a spinning reel spool that delivers fishing line forward. The spinning reel spool comprises a spool body and a ring member. This spool body has a body portion and a protruding portion. The protruding portion is integrally formed on a front side of the body portion. The protruding portion is annularly arranged and protrudes from the body portion in an axial direction of the spool body. The ring member is disposed on an outer circumferential portion of the protruding portion of the spool body. The ring member is held between the body portion and a plastically deformed part of the protruding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Hiraoka, Takuji Takamatsu, Keigo Kitajima, Kouji Ochiai, Akihiko Sato
  • Publication number: 20150090825
    Abstract: A spool device includes a spool shaft and a spool. The spool shaft is rotatably mounted to the reel body. The spool is mounted to the spool shaft. The spool device has a notch part and a protruding portion. The notch part is disposed on one of the spool and the spool shaft. The notch part is formed in an axial direction of the spool shaft. The protruding portion is disposed on the other of the spool or the spool shaft. The protruding portion is configured to engage the notch part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: Satoshi IKEBUKURO
  • Publication number: 20150028143
    Abstract: A line clip of a spinning reel includes a mounting member and a clip member. The mounting member is configured to be mounted to the spool. The clip member is disposed on the mounting member, and is configured to lock the fishing line between the clip member and the surface of the spool. The clip member comprises a mounting end portion having the mounting member attached thereto, the mounting end portion having a predefined width in a circumferential direction of the spool, an introduction end portion configured to have a fishing line introduced thereto, and a movement restriction portion disposed between the mounting end portion and the introduction end portion, having a width that is different from the predefined width, and being configured to restrict the fishing line from moving to the introduction section side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Hirokazu HIRAOKA, Shingo MATSUO
  • Publication number: 20140361111
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fishing reel with a fishhook hanger. The fishing reel includes: a reel body with a reception part formed in the reel body; and a fishhook hanger which has a hanging part to which a fishhook is hung, and a connection part coupled to the reception part. The fishhook can be stably hung on the hanging part of the fishhook hanger so that the fishhook can be prevented from damaging the fishing reel or injuring a user, and handling of the fishing rod with the fishing reel can be facilitated. Particularly, the fishhook hanger is configured such that it can be retractably extracted from the reel body. Therefore, the fishhook hanger can be retracted into the reel body as needed while the fishing rod is used. Furthermore, the fishhook hanger can be easily extracted from and retracted into the reel body in a simple manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: DOYO ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kwang-Ho HYUN
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140263791
    Abstract: A ratchet wheel is provided for a fishing reel (e.g., a spinning reel or a dual-bearing reel). The ratchet wheel is mounted onto a first component of the fishing reel. The ratchet wheel being engagable with a claw member pivotally mounted to a second component of the fishing reel. The second component is configured to be rotatable relatively to the first component. The ratchet wheel has a mounting part and a plurality of teeth. The mounting part is configured to be mounted onto the first component. The teeth are radially disposed on one of an outer peripheral portion of the mounting part and an inner peripheral portion of the mounting part. The teeth extend from the one of the outer and inner peripheral portions. The teeth are configured such that two adjacent ones of the teeth selectively engage the claw member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Shimano Components (Malaysia) SDN, BHD
    Inventors: Baihaki Bin SABTU, Abu Supian Bin AHMAD, Md Shahid Bin SOWARNI, Chun Wee CHEW
  • Publication number: 20140178687
    Abstract: A monofilament fiber as described made from a polyoxymethylene polymer. Polyoxymethylene polymer can be blended with an abrasion additive in order to improve abrasion resistance. The polyoxymethylene polymer may be combined with a thermoplastic elastomer and a coupling agent. The fiber can be used as fishing line, as bristles for a brushing device, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Ticona LLC
    Inventors: Robert Gronner, Arvind Karandikar, Kaushik Chakrabarty, David McIlroy
  • 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: 8708268
    Abstract: A fishing reel having a reel housing comprising a ring gear with a rod mount directly or indirectly attached to the ring gear and a spool positioned within the ring gear, a reel crank adapted to impart rotational movement to the spool, a line guide positioned radially outwardly from the spool, a flange hingedly attached to the spool, wherein the spool may be positioned in a first casting position wherein the axis of the spool is generally parallel to a fishing rod when the rod mount is mounted to the fishing rod; and wherein the spool is movable 90 degrees with respect to the flange to be positioned in a second reeling position, wherein the axis of the spool is generally perpendicular to a fishing line being retrieved upon line retrieval; and wherein as the reel crank is rotated the spool orbitally rotates within the ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventor: William Joseph Lombardo
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130206889
    Abstract: A spinning reel waterproofing member is provided for waterproofing a space between a tubular portion and a rotating member of a spinning reel. The tubular portion is disposed on a front end of a reel main body. The rotating member is disposed on an inner peripheral portion of the tubular portion and a front portion of the tubular portion. The spinning reel waterproofing member includes a main body portion being fixed to the inner peripheral portion of the tubular portion and including a distal end portion, a first lip portion extending in a radial direction so that the distal end portion of the main body portion is in contact with an outer peripheral portion of the rotating member, and a second lip portion extending in an axial direction from a front surface of the first lip portion toward a rear surface of the rotating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: SHIMANO INC.
  • Patent number: 8485461
    Abstract: A spinning reel spool coupling structure has a pin insertion portion, an anti-rotation pin, a retainer, and an anti-rotation groove. The pin insertion portion has a through hole passing through the spool shaft. The anti-rotation pin includes a first anti-rotation portion, a fitting portion, and a second anti-rotation portion. The fitting portion adjoins the first anti-rotation portion, and fits into the pin insertion portion. The second anti-rotation portion extends from the fitting portion and has a diameter greater than that of the pin insertion portion. The retainer member prevents the anti-rotation pin from being detached from the spool shaft, is disposed on an outer peripheral side of the first anti-rotation portion, and has an axial length such that the retainer member contacts the spool shaft. The anti-rotation groove is formed to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to a length of the spool shaft, and engages the second anti-rotation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kei Saito
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130119176
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fishing reel that allows the caster to cast from either side of the spool or an in-line position. Starting from a spool position with the line on the spool in the same direction as the retrieve referred to as the in-line position, the line can be cast from this position, or the spool can be rotated 90 degrees in either direction from the in-line position for the cast. After the spool is rotated, the cast is discharged from the side of the spool in a direction perpendicular to the line on the spool. After the cast, the spool is returned to the starting position of the in-line position, with the line on the spool in the same direction as the retrieve. The line is then retrieved by turning a handle connected to a series of gears that engage the spool and thereby reel in the line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventor: Mark Frances Kendra
  • Publication number: 20130037644
    Abstract: Implementations for fly reel are generally disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventor: Josh Bradley
  • Publication number: 20120223173
    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: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Akira NIITSUMA, Shouji NAKAGAWA, Satoshi IKEBUKURO, Ken'ichi KAWASAKI
  • Publication number: 20120001007
    Abstract: A fishing reel with dual spool spin axes includes a housing, a rotor assembly rotatably mounted on the housing, and a spool shroud assembly including a fishing line spool gimbal mounted on the rotor assembly. The shroud assembly is movable between a casting position with a spool axis parallel to a rod axis and a retrieve position with the spool axis perpendicular to the rod axis. The spool is geared to the housing in such a manner that rotation of the rotor assembly about a rotor axis to retrieve the line causes the spool to spin about the rotor axis and simultaneously about a spool axis to counteract twist in the line caused by the manner of casting the line or by line pay-out by a hooked fish.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventor: Brent J. Bloemendaal
  • Patent number: 8066216
    Abstract: A lever drag mechanism includes a friction disc, a drag disc, and a moving mechanism. The moving mechanism includes an urging member. The urging member urges a bearing by pressing an inner periphery thereof to allow an outer periphery of the bearing to make constant contact with a housing recess. When a drag lever is pivoted, the moving mechanism axially reciprocates the spool shaft to allow a second brake member to make contact with or to separate away from a first brake member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kunio Takechi
  • Patent number: 8028948
    Abstract: A fishing spool line control system includes a cutter housing attached to an annular elastic cloth band that fits around and covers fishing line on a spool. Fishing line, such as tippet, is fed from the spool through a hole in the rear of the cutter housing, and is cut to desired length by a blade in the front of the cutter housing. A thumb rest behind the blade allows pressure to be placed on the cutter housing, allowing safer, easier, and more accurate cutting of the fishing line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Fly Fishing Xtreme, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Holt
  • Publication number: 20110180646
    Abstract: A retainer member has a retainer portion, a through hole, and non-circular cross section. A bearing section is disposed on an outer periphery of the retainer portion. The through hole has a circular axial cross section and an inner periphery, which is axially penetrated by a non-circular portion of a spool shaft from back to front. The non-circular cross-sectional portion is formed by cutting out a front end of the retainer portion by machining. The non-circular cross-sectional portion has a non-circular axial cross section that engages the non-circular portion of the spool shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Hirokazu HIRAOKA
  • Publication number: 20110042500
    Abstract: A spinning reel spool coupling structure has a pin insertion portion, an anti-rotation pin, a retainer, and an anti-rotation groove. The pin insertion portion has a through hole passing through the spool shaft. The anti-rotation pin includes a first anti-rotation portion, a fitting portion, and a second anti-rotation portion. The fitting portion adjoins the first anti-rotation portion, and fits into the pin insertion portion. The second anti-rotation portion extends from the fitting portion and has a diameter greater than that of the pin insertion portion. The retainer member prevents the anti-rotation pin from being detached from the spool shaft, is disposed on an outer peripheral side of the first anti-rotation portion, and has an axial length such that the retainer member contacts the spool shaft. The anti-rotation groove is formed to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to a length of the spool shaft, and engages the second anti-rotation portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Kei SAITO
  • Patent number: 7871030
    Abstract: A spinning reel includes a holder base having two racks, an accommodation space defined between the racks and two axle holes in communication with the accommodation space at two sides, two transmission shafts respectively mounted in the axle holes, slide blocks at two sides of the holder base, a steering mechanism, which comprises two swivel brackets pivotally mounted in the accommodation space and biasable relative to each other, a skirted spool mounted in between the swivel brackets, a driving mechanism coupled to one transmission gear and adapted for rotating the skirted spool by means of a driving gear set and a rotating device coupled to the other transmission shaft and adapted for moving the slide blocks through a drive gear set and a follower gear set to force one transmission shaft into engagement with one end of the skirted spool and to bias one swivel bracket and the skirted spool between a horizontal position and a vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Inventor: Chung-Liang Chang
  • 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: 7775471
    Abstract: An indicating section is formed in a rear flange portion of a metal spool. The indicating section includes first and second stepped portions. These portions are indicators for the amount of fishing line wound around spool. The first stepped portion is formed by first and second surfaces. The first surface is part of the surface of the rear flange portion. The second surface is formed radially outward of the first surface. The axial heights of the first and second surfaces are different from each other. The second stepped portion is formed by third and fourth surfaces and is also formed radially outward of the first stepped portion. The third surface is part of the surface of the rear flange portion. The fourth surface is formed radially outward of the third surface. The axial heights of the third and fourth surfaces are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Keigo Kitajima
  • Patent number: 7762489
    Abstract: A spool for a spinning reel is attached to a non-circular portion formed on a tip of a spool shaft. The spool shaft moves back and forth but is prevented from rotating with respect to a reel unit. The spool includes a spool unit and a bearing member. The spool unit includes a bobbin trunk and a drag accommodation part. The bobbin trunk is capable of winding a fishing line around its outer periphery. The drag accommodation part is formed on the inner peripheral side of the bobbin trunk. The bearing member is a tubular member made of synthetic resin. The bearing member rotatably supports the spool unit. The bearing member is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the bobbin trunk. The bearing member has an engagement hole non-rotatably engaged with the non-circular portion of the spool shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shingo Matsuo, Keigo Kitajima
  • Patent number: 7753304
    Abstract: A reel unit of the dual-bearing reel is configured to support a spool, a spool shaft, a drag mechanism, and a drag adjusting lever. The reel unit has a first end member with a first opening and a first escape portion. The first opening accommodates a first flange portion and has an edge surface with a first facing portion facing towards the outer peripheral surface of the first flange portion. The first facing portion and the outer peripheral surface of the first flange portion define a gap with an axial length shorter than the axial length of the outer peripheral surface of the first flange portion. The first escape portion is arranged within the inner peripheral surface of the first end member and has a diameter larger than that of the first facing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takeshi Ikuta, Kunio Takechi
  • Patent number: 7614576
    Abstract: A spool of a spinning reel includes a support member, a spool body, a drag mechanism, a first sealing member, and a second sealing member. The support member is detachably connected to a spool shaft. The spool body includes a housing recess that is frontally open and rotatably attached to the support member. The drag mechanism decelerates the spool body and includes a front friction portion that has a press washer with an inner peripheral surface opposed to an outer peripheral surface of a front portion of the support member. The press washer contacts a drag regulation member. The housing recess accommodates the friction portion. The first sealing member seals a gap created between the inner peripheral surface of the press washer and the outer peripheral surface of the support member. The second sealing member seals the gap created between the outer peripheral surface of the press washer and the housing recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Koji Ochiai, Takuji Takamatsu
  • Publication number: 20090272831
    Abstract: A spool for a spinning reel is attached to a non-circular portion formed on a tip of a spool shaft. The spool shaft moves back and forth but is prevented from rotating with respect to a reel unit. The spool includes a spool unit and a bearing member. The spool unit includes a bobbin trunk and a drag accommodation part. The bobbin trunk is capable of winding a fishing line around its outer periphery. The drag accommodation part is formed on the inner peripheral side of the bobbin trunk. The bearing member is a tubular member made of synthetic resin. The bearing member rotatably supports the spool unit. The bearing member is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the bobbin trunk. The bearing member has an engagement hole non-rotatably engaged with the non-circular portion of the spool shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Shingo Matsuo, Keigo Kitajima
  • Publication number: 20090250542
    Abstract: A two or three part pre-wound replacement spool system for an open face fishing reel is disclosed. The system includes four parts: a mounting spool that fits onto the arbor of the reel; a complementary disposable line holding spool made of biodegradable materials which slides onto the mounting spool; a retainer cap, connecting to the mounting spool and reel arbor, to hold the line holding spool in place; and, a quantity of fishing line which has been pre-wound onto the line holding spool. One version of the system includes a heavier end flange on the pre-wound replacement spool, thusly eliminating the need for an additional retainer cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventor: David Alvin Kirkpatrick
  • Publication number: 20090166460
    Abstract: An indicating section is formed in a rear flange portion of a metal spool. The indicating section includes first and second stepped portions. These portions are indicators for the amount of fishing line wound around spool. The first stepped portion is formed by first and second surfaces. The first surface is part of the surface of the rear flange portion. The second surface is formed radially outward of the first surface. The axial heights of the first and second surfaces are different from each other. The second stepped portion is formed by third and fourth surfaces and is also formed radially outward of the first stepped portion. The third surface is part of the surface of the rear flange portion. The fourth surface is formed radially outward of the third surface. The axial heights of the third and fourth surfaces are different from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Keigo Kitajima
  • Patent number: 7543772
    Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a fishing line spool which is capable of securely holding a fishing line wound around the fishing line spool and reduced in cost. The fishing line spool is provided with a hollow core, a pair of flanges, and doors which are formed integrally. The doors are provided on outer peripheries of the flanges. The doors change postures between a closed posture in which tips of the doors are brought into contact to each other and an open posture in which the tips depart from each other. Each of the doors is formed from an elastic disc. Each of the doors is so curved that the tips of the doors press against each other in the closed posture. A pinching plate for pinching a fishing line is provided on the tip of each of the doors. The hollow core, the flanges, and the doors are made from a biodegradable resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Inventor: Fujita Kimura
  • Patent number: 7490790
    Abstract: A spool for a fishing reel is disclosed to include an axle, which has a surface and a recess curved inwards from the surface, two sidewalls radially extending from the two distal ends of the axle, and a pin, which is disposed in the recess with the topmost edge thereof kept in flush with the surface of the axle for the fastening of a fishing line for allowing the spool to take up or let off the fishing line smoothly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Okuma Fishing Tackle Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gerhard Gruber, Walter Baumgartner
  • Patent number: 7478774
    Abstract: A spinning reel includes a body, which has two sliding plates coupled to two opposite lateral sides of the base thereof, a spool holder, which has a U-shaped frame pivotally mounted in the base of the body and a spool pivotally coupled to the U-shaped frame, a spool rotating mechanism, which has two pins axially movable to engage the spool and a gear set mounted on one pin for rotating the spool to take up a fishing line, and a spool biasing mechanism, which has a drive gear set, a operating bar for operation by a person to rotate the drive gear set, a driven gear set coupled to the drive gear set and rotatable to move the sliding plates in moving the pins of the spool rotating mechanism into engagement with spool or away from the spool, and a transmission device coupled between the driven gear set and the spool holder for causing the spool holder to be biased between a horizontal position and a vertical position upon rotation of the drive gear set by the operating bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Inventors: Chung-Liang Chang, Chang-Tsung Chang
  • Publication number: 20090014573
    Abstract: A heavy duty fishing reel or trolling reel is disclosed having improvements related to a unitary end assembly, a duel drag system, a preset adjust mechanism and anti-bind improvements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: W.C. BRADLEY/ZEBCO HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: HOGUN KIM, Hyunkyu Kim
  • Patent number: 7438248
    Abstract: A modularized fishing reel spool comprises a drag adjust knob, a brake device having two springs and washer stacks, a front lid, a core and a skirt. A turning support system of the spool comprises a two bearing system, a main shaft and a core shaft. Compared to conventional fishing reel spools, this invention provides a spool having advantages such as better structural design, wider adjustable brake range, superior line-loading force application, well-functioned water drainer system, low manufacturing cost and lower material usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Ning Tao
  • Publication number: 20080203207
    Abstract: A line holder includes a spool about which line is wound and a spool housing. The spool is rotatably supported in the housing. The spool housing has an aperture through which the line is extendable. The spool housing includes a member that applies a variable force to the spool to resist rotation of the spool relative to the spool housing. A cutter may be connected to the spool housing for cutting the line. A method of providing fishing line is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Konrad L. Krauland, Brett S. Hensley, Jarrett Edwards
  • Publication number: 20080197224
    Abstract: A fishing line spool support, line guide mechanism, and kit incorporating the same enables users thereof to transfer line from a spool assembly to a reel assembly. The spool support comprises a spool-bearing portion and opposed rails extending in parallel relation to one another away from the spool-bearing portion. A line guide mechanism rides along the rails and comprises spool interfacing structures borne by a carriage member of the mechanism for interfacing with the opposed rims of a spool as borne by the spool support. Together the carriage member and interface units provide line-guiding stop structure for preventing or minimizing line migration during line transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: Ian Touchstone
  • Publication number: 20080191080
    Abstract: A fishing line spool support and kit incorporating same enables users thereof to transfer line from a spool assembly to a reel assembly. The spool support comprises a single thin rod angled or bent at points intermediate its length to effect a plurality of rod portions, which rod portions extend in three structural planes. The rod portions define a spool-bearing portion and first and second anchor-enabling portions. The first and second anchor-enabling portions are cooperable with peripheral or external support structures such as doors and/or tackle boxes for restricting displacement of the spool support toward the spool-bearing portion as line is unwound from a rotatably received spool assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: William A. Shalosky
  • Patent number: 7401748
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily attach a sound producing mechanism to a spool of a spinning reel and to compactly dispose the spool. An annular attachment member to which a hitting member of a sound producing mechanism is attached is detachably/reattachably mounted and fixed in an attachment recess that is formed to be annularly concaved in an inner peripheral portion of a bobbin trunk. Here, the annular attachment member is completely mounted in the attachment recess that is formed to be annularly concaved. Accordingly, it is possible to easily attach the attachment member to the attachment recess, and it is also possible to uniformly maintain the weight balance of a spool in the peripheral direction. In addition, here, the attachment member is mounted in the attachment recess. Thus, the attachment member is not likely to protrude backward from a rear end portion of the bobbin trunk, compared to the conventional configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Keigo Kitajima, Hirokazu Hiraoka, Shingo Matsuo
  • Publication number: 20080142628
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily attach a sound producing mechanism to a spool of a spinning reel and to compactly dispose the spool. An annular attachment member to which a hitting member of a sound producing mechanism is attached is detachably/reattachably mounted and fixed in an attachment recess that is formed to be annularly concaved in an inner peripheral portion of a bobbin trunk. Here, the annular attachment member is completely mounted in the attachment recess that is formed to be annularly concaved. Accordingly, it is possible to easily attach the attachment member to the attachment recess, and it is also possible to uniformly maintain the weight balance of a spool in the peripheral direction. In addition, here, the attachment member is mounted in the attachment recess. Thus, the attachment member is not likely to protrude backward from a rear end portion of the bobbin trunk, compared to the conventional configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Keigo KITAJIMA, Hirokazu HIRAOKA, Shingo MATSUO
  • Patent number: 7384012
    Abstract: The invention relates a long-distance casting spool 1 for fishing reels, with a spool body 2 comprising a spool base 3 and limit flanges 4, 5 on both sides, where limit flange 4 pointing in the run-off direction is provided with a radially outer spool lip 6, via which a fishing line that can be wound up in circumferential winding direction s perpendicular to spool axis a can run off in run-off direction z roughly parallel to spool axis a. With the object of reducing the frictional resistance between the unwinding fishing line and spool lip 6, it is proposed that spool lip 6 display a number of retaining fins 7, distributed evenly over the circumference, that base end 8 of each retaining fin 7 be permanently connected to spool body 2, that the free ends of retaining fins 7 extend obliquely in the direction opposite to winding direction s, and that retaining fins 7 have a radially outer, longitudinal side designed as fin lip 9. (FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Inventor: Günther Burk
  • Patent number: 7374121
    Abstract: A fishing reel component includes a boss, a spring member, a lid member, a push button and spring arrangement member. The boss forms a boss through hole and a mounting space. The spring member is mounted in the mounting space. The spring member includes first and second engagement portions arranged to oppose each other. The lid member is fixed to the boss to retain the spring member and cover the mounting space. The push button includes a plurality of tapered portions. The tapered portions protrude from the push operation portion in the axial direction. The spring arrangement member arranges the spring member between the lid member and the spring arrangement member. The spring arrangement member includes a plurality of first through holes with each of the first through holes being configured for one of the tapered portions to pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Taisei Morise
  • Patent number: 7364105
    Abstract: A fishing reel has a body, a spool, a handle and a warning device. The body has a spool axle rotatably mounted in the body. The spool is rotatably and coaxially mounted around the spool axle of the body. The handle is rotatably mounted on the body and is connected to the spool. The warning device is mounted between the spool and the spool axle and has at least one illuminating element, an annular coil and an annular permanent magnet. Each illuminating element is mounted through the spool. The annular coil is coaxially mounted in the spool and is electrically connected to each illuminating element. The annular permanent magnet is coaxially mounted around the spool axle, corresponds to the coil and is separated from the coil by a gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventor: Shih-Yuan Yeh
  • 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: 7314192
    Abstract: A spinning reel has a reel main unit, a spool shaft and a pinion gear. The pinion gear has a frontward section, an intermediate section and a rearward section. The intermediate section and the rearward section are supported in a freely rotatable manner in the reel main unit by a first support part and a second support part, respectively. The spool shaft passes through an internal circumference of the pinion gear. The spool shaft is supported in a freely rotatable manner at a position frontward of the frontward section by a third support part and at a position rearward of the rearward section by a fourth support part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Keigo Kitajima, Koji Ochiai, Yutaka Inoue, Kei Saito