Abstract:
A clicker mechanism for a fishing reel is described. A typical fishing reel has a spool defining an orifice and a shaft passing through the orifice. A component having an irregular surface, such as a gear-like component with teeth or a ring defining a serrated inner surface engages the shaft. A clicker assembly may be affixed to the spool. The clicker assembly includes a clicker for engaging the clicker gear. The clicker alternately moves from a first position to a second position. The clicker assembly utilizes a magnet that provides a magnetic force to return the clicker to the first position from the second position. Two magnets may be used to exert magnetic force against one another, either with an attracting or a repelling force.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to the use of magnetic force to actuate or locate a clicker mechanism. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Various types of fishing reels are known in the art. An example of a common fishing reel is a spinning reel. A typical spinning reel has a body having a mounting structure extending from the top of the body for mounting the reel beneath a fishing rod. A pinion sleeve is rotatably mounted through a front end of the body. A rotor assembly is secured to a forward end of the pinion sleeve. A main shaft slidably extends through the pinion sleeve and through the rotor assembly. A line spool is secured on a forward end of the main shaft. A bail wire assembly is attached to the rotor assembly for grasping a fishing line to facilitate winding of the line around a line spool. A drive shaft extends laterally into the side of the body structure. A crank handle is secured on the exterior end of the drive shaft. A drive gear (e.g., a face gear) is mounted on the interior portion of the drive shaft and an oscillation mechanism is provided for imparting reciprocating movement to the main shaft and the line spool. 
   Typically, the drive gear meshes with a pinion gear (e.g. a helical gear) formed on the pinion sleeve such that turning of the crank handle imparts rotational movement to the rotor assembly. As the rotor assembly rotates, the oscillation mechanism imparts reciprocating movement to the main shaft and the line spool. The reciprocating movement of the line spool ensures that the fishing line is properly wound over the width of the spool. The oscillation mechanism may also prevent the main shaft and the line spool from rotating during the winding operation. 
   The spool of the spinning reel is typically retained on the main shaft by means of a frictional system (i.e., a drag system), which deters rotation of the spool when simply reeling in a fishing lure but allows the spool to rotate with respect to the main shaft when sufficient pull is applied to the fishing line. Thus, for example, when a fish fights against the fisherman&#39;s efforts to reel it in, the frictional system responds by yielding/playing-out sufficient line, as necessary, to prevent the line from breaking. A clicker mechanism is typically employed to alert the fisherman when the frictional system is allowing fishing line to play-out. 
   Spinning reels commonly also include drag adjustment systems for selectively adjusting the amount of rotational resistance (i.e., drag) provided between the main shaft and line spool assembly. Such drag systems typically include a spring-loaded adjustment knob or dial rotatably secured at the distal end of the main shaft. A base plate, collar, or other structure typically extends radially from the main shaft and is attached to the main shaft such that the plate, collar or other structure is prevented from rotating with respect to the main shaft. A friction-reducing washer or other friction-reducing member is positioned between the interior end wall of the spool and the base plate. A plurality of friction drag plates or other structures are positioned inside the spool between the interior end thereof and the drag knob. The drag plates are typically of alternating configurations such that every other drag plate is keyed or otherwise secured on the main shaft such that the drag plate cannot rotate with respect to the main shaft, and the remaining interspersed drag plates are keyed to, and rotate with, the spool. Friction-reducing washers or other friction-reducing structures are typically positioned between the drag plates. 
   The amount of drag provided by the drag system can be increased by turning the drag knob in a tightening direction (typically clockwise) such that the drag dial moves and holds the drag plates and spool closer together and closer to the stationary base plate. Of course, the amount of drag provided can also be reduced as desired by simply rotating the drag knob in the opposite direction. 
   During the course of normal use, components of the reel are typically exposed to fresh water or salt water. Consequently, some components may experience corrosion that may reduce the effectiveness of the component. One component in particular that is susceptible to corrosion is the clicker mechanism. A typical clicker mechanism utilizes coil or leaf springs to bias the clicker mechanism towards a gear-type device. A difficulty associated with conventional springs is fatigue, which may result in breakage of the spring resulting from use over an extended period of time. Fatigue is especially severe in corrosive environments, such as a salt water environment, which further reduces the life of the mechanism. Although clickers are discussed above in the context of spinning reel clickers, clickers may also be utilized in other types of fishing reels where similar difficulties may also be encountered 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The instant invention is directed to an improved clicker mechanism. The clicker mechanism of the invention utilizes magnets that are used to bias the clicker mechanism. When properly located, multiple magnets or multiple magnetic/ferrous pieces can provide an appropriate attracting and/or opposing force on each other that will create a force sufficient to bias the clicker mechanism. 
   An example clicker assembly utilizes two (2) magnets to actuate the clicker mechanism. A first sub-assembly is secured tightly to a spool. A second sub-assembly pivots about a post that is spaced an appropriate distance away from the spool. Each sub-assembly is provided with a magnet. The interaction of the magnets provides an attracting force. Alternatively the interaction of the magnets provides an opposing force. The force acts to continuously hold the clicker assembly in a starting position. When actuated, e.g., when the spool is rotated so that clicker interacts with the clicker gear, the magnetic force acts to push or pull the clicker back to the starting position. 
   Magnetic clickers may be used anywhere where conventional spring clickers are used. Examples of magnetic clickers include clickers for use as drag indicators, strike indicators, bait indicators, drag knob clickers, spool clickers and crank clickers. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a spinning reel. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the spinning reel of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of the rotor body of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the spool of  FIG. 2  showing the clicker mechanism mounted therein. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of components associated with the clicker sub-assembly of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the spool of  FIG. 2  showing a second embodiment of the clicker mechanism mounted therein. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is important to understand that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the embodiments and steps described herein. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a spinning-type fishing reel, according to the present invention, is designated generally as  10 . Spinning reel  10  has a rotor  12 . Rotor  12  has a generally cylindrical rotor body  13  ( FIG. 2 ), which defines a rotor face  14  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ). Bail wire  15  is provided to wrap a supply of line around spool  16  at the front of reel  10 . Spool  16  defines a skirt  17 , a spool shoulder  18 , a spool lip  19  ( FIG. 2 ), a spool cap  20  ( FIG. 2 ), spool cap cavity  21  ( FIG. 2 ), and spool face  22  ( FIG. 4 ). It should be understood that reel  10  described herein is only exemplary of the environment for the invention. Many variations in the configuration of reel  10  shown are contemplated by the invention. Particularly, it is contemplated that the clicker of the invention may be utilized with other types of reels such as trolling reels or other types of fishing reels. 
   Reel  10  has main housing  23  that encases operating mechanism  24  ( FIG. 2 ). Housing  23  has an integrally formed stem  25  that terminates at foot  26 , which is attachable to a fishing rod (not shown) by conventional means. 
   Rotor  12  is rotated about a central longitudinal axis  27  ( FIG. 1 ) by crank handle  28 , which is operably connected to operating mechanism  24 . As rotor  12  is rotated, fishing line is continuously wrapped about spool  16 . Operating mechanism  24  includes structure for oscillating spool  16  in fore and aft direction, as indicated by the double-headed arrow  29  ( FIG. 1 ), as rotor  12  rotates, to thereby assure that the line is evenly distributed over the surface of spool  16  between spool shoulder  18  and spool lip  19 . 
   Rotor  12  has diametrically, oppositely located first and second ears  34 ,  36 . Ears  34 ,  36  cooperatively define a support for a movable bail assembly  38 . Bail assembly  38  has a first bail arm  40  mounted to first bail ear  34  and second bail arm  42  mounted to second bail ear  36 . The ends of U-shaped bail wire  15  are fixedly attached, one each to the bail arms  40 ,  42 , so that the bail arms  40 ,  42  and bail wire  15  are movable as a unit. 
   First bail arm  40  is connected to the first bail ear  34  to be pivotable relative thereto about an axis. In like manner, the second bail arm  42  is attached to the second bail ear  36  for pivoting movement relative thereto about a parallel axis. With this arrangement, the bail assembly  38  is pivotable as a unit relative to the rotor  12  about the axes between a first position, or cast position, and a second position, or retrieve position. Through an over-center bias mechanism (not shown) within at least one (1) of the bail ears  34 ,  36 , the bail arms  40 ,  42 , and thus the entire bail assembly  38 , are biased into the cast and retrieve positions as the bail assembly  38  approaches each. 
   When bail assembly  38  is in the cast position, line is allowed to freely pay off the spool  16 . To change the bail assembly  38  from the cast position to the retrieve position, crank handle  28  is turned. A mechanism is typically provided that is activated by rotation of rotor  12  that causes the bail assembly  38  to be deflected out of the cast position and into the retrieve position upon rotation of crank handle  28 . 
   In the transition from the cast position to the retrieve position, the line is guided along an edge of bail wire  15  and onto line roller  44 . With reel  10  in the retrieve position, the line extends from spool  16 , around cylindrical line roller  44 , and forwardly from line roller  44  away from reel  10 . 
   Operation of crank handle  28 , with bail assembly  38  in the retrieve position causes rotor  12  to rotate clockwise about axis  27  as viewed from the front of spool  16 . Rotation of rotor  12  brings fishing line against the line roller  44  and causes the line to wrap around spool  16  as rotor  12  rotates. 
   Referring now primarily to  FIG. 2 , a main shaft  50  communicates with operating mechanism  24 . Main shaft  50  has a cylindrical segment  52  that terminates at shoulder  54 . Main shaft  50  additionally has a driving segment  56 , e.g., a rectangular segment. Driving segment  56  is provided with threaded end  58 . Main shaft  50  passes through a central aperture in rotor  12  and through a central aperture in spool  16 . Cylindrical segment  52  of main shaft  50  rotatably passes through rotor  12  with said cylindrical segment  52 . Rotor  12  is mounted in such a way to allow for relative rotation between the main shaft  50  and the rotor  12 . Driving segment  56  of main shaft  50  passes through spool  16 . Relative rotation of said spool  16  with respect to said main shaft  50  is permitted. 
   A clicker gear  60  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ) and washer  62  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ) are located on main shaft  50  between rotor face  14  of rotor body  13  and spool  16 . Clicker gear  60  and washer  62  are fixedly mounted on main shaft  50 , preferably by means of polygonal openings  64 ,  66  that mate with driving section  56  of main shaft  50 . 
   Skirt  17  of spool  16  surrounds rotor body  13  and rotates relative thereto. Drag washers  70  are located within spool cap cavity  21  wherein alternating drag washers  70  are keyed to driving segment  56  of main shaft  50  in a similar manner to clicker gear  60  and washer  62 . Drag dial  72  is threadably received on threaded end  58  of main shaft  50  and is provided to selectively compress drag washers  70  for adjusting drag, i.e., for adjusting frictional resistance of spool  16  to rotate with respect to main shaft  50 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , shown is an enlarged view of spool  16 . Spool skirt  17  is shown surrounding spool face  22 . Clicker assembly  80  is located within the space defined by spool skirt  17  and spool face  22 . Clicker assembly  80  is made up of anchor sub-assembly  82  and clicker sub-assembly  84 . Anchor sub-assembly  82  is affixed to spool face  22  at anchor  86 . Anchor sub-assembly  82  supports first magnet  88 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , pivot post  90  protrudes from spool face  22 . Clicker sub-assembly  84  is pivotally attached to pivot post  90 . Clicker sub-assembly  84  is made up of body  92  that defines clicker  94 , post orifice  96  for receiving pivot post  90  and magnet bracket  100  for receiving magnet holder  110 . Second magnet  112  is received within magnet holder  110 . 
   Magnets  88  and  112  actuate the clicker mechanism either via an attracting force or a repelling force. Anchor sub-assembly  82  is secured to anchor  86 . Clicker sub-assembly  84  pivots about pivot post  90 . When spool  16  is rotated, clicker  94  interacts with clicker gear  60 , which displaces body  92  of clicker sub-assembly  84  into a secondary position. The magnetic force functions to return the clicker assembly to a starting position. 
   Clicker  94  is the mechanism that interacts with clicker gear  60 . Magnet holder  110  is preferably secured to magnet bracket  100  via heat staking, orbital staking, or insert molding. Second magnet  112  is preferably press fit into magnet holder  110  and its surface sealed with a two-part epoxy to protect second magnet  112  from the ambient environment. Protecting magnets  88 ,  112  is desirable since magnets are extremely prone to corrosion. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6 , shown is an enlarged view of spool  16  having a second embodiment of a clicker assembly mounted therein. Spool skirt  17  is shown surrounding spool face  22 . Clicker assembly  150  is located within the space defined by spool skirt  17  and spool face  22 . Clicker assembly  150  is made up of clicker housing  152 , which contains base magnet  154  and piston magnet  156 . Clicker  158  protrudes from piston magnet  156 . Clicker housing  152  is secured to clicker mount plate  160 . Clicker mount plate  160  is rotatably secured to spool  16  with serrated ring  162 . Serrated ring  162  defines a plurality of inwardly facing serrations  164 . Clicker mount plate  160  defines an engaging orifice  166  for rotatably affixing clicker mount plate  160  to driving segment  56  of main shaft  50 . 
   Base magnet  154  and piston magnet  156  interact to generate a repelling force for forcing piston magnet  156  outwardly, where clicker  158  is forced into engagement with serrations  164  of serrated ring  162 . When spool  16  is rotated, attached serrated ring  162  rotates therewith, which causes serrations  164  to be moved laterally relative to clicker  158 . As the serrations  164  pass over clicker  158 , clicker  158  is alternately pushed towards base magnet  154  and forced into recesses between the peaks of serrations  164 , thereby making an audible clicking sound. 
   Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the spirit of this invention as defined by the appended claims.