Patent ID: 6116531
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
A fishing reel drag mechanism, comprising:a spool for a fishing line;a hollow brake drum attached coaxially to said spool and rotatable about a common axis, said brake drum having a circular interior surface;a resilient circular brake shoe positioned coaxially inside said brake drum, an outer diameter of said brake shoe being slightly smaller than an inner diameter of said brake drum, said brake shoe having a discontinuation comprised of a gap; anda generally wedge-shaped spreader positioned in said gap of said brake shoe and movable in a direction generally perpendicular to a plane of said brake shoe;wherein when said spreader is moved to a first position in a first direction toward a wider end thereof, said gap is contracted and said brake shoe is in a relaxed position spaced from said brake drum, and said brake drum is freely rotatable; andwhen said spreader is moved to a second position in a second direction toward a smaller end thereof, said gap is expanded by said spreader and said brake shoe is tightly pressed against said interior surface of said brake drum, and said brake drum is substantially prevented from rotating;thereby drag on said brake drum is adjustable to control rotation thereof by moving said spreader between said first and said second positions and controlling a width of said gap.