Abstract:
A spool design for fishing reels is discosed, allowing for the reversible separation of the spool into different parts for the easy removal of old fishing line and wherein a specially configured aperture is exposed upon separation of the spool parts, allowing for the introduction of one end of the line into the interior of the spool. The line can be attached to the inside of the spool, providing for a secure fastening of the line without exposure of the knot to the exterior of the spool.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/867,185 filed May 29, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,609,671), which itself claimed priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/217,890, filed Jul. 12, 2000, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
   Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/217,890, file Jul. 12, 2000, is hereby claimed. 
   This is a continuation in part of PCT patent application Ser. No. PCT/US02/16778, having international filing date May 29, 2002, which in the U.S. was a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/867,185, filed May 29, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,609,671, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable 
   REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
   Not applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The apparatus of the present invention relates to fishing reels and spool constructions, more particularly to fixed-spool (spinning) reels and an improved configuration for a fixed-spool (spinning) reel spool. 
   2. General Background of the Invention 
   Fixed-spool reels (commonly referred to as spinning reels) are currently the most popular reels used for sport fishing world-wide. While many different makes and models are offered to accommodate the varying needs of fishing enthusiasts, the basic design of most spinning reels is similar. Particularly, the spool of spinning reels, which serves to store the fishing line wound up by the reel, shows little variation between different models. 
   The casting distance that can be achieved with a given type of line and lure is largely dependent on the design of the spool. Many modern spinning reel spools feature a wide center portion, and are elongated and slightly cone-shaped, in an attempt to minimize line friction during the casting process. Typically, the line is fastened to these spools by attaching it firmly to the center portion of the spool with a knot. This mode of line attachment, however, leads to several problems common to spinning reels. 
   First, most of the knots used for line attachment are fairly bulky, since no angler wishes to risk the loss of a sizeable fish due to the loosening of the knot attaching the line to the spool. This knot, and the line end typically protruding from it, may significantly interfere with the even layering of the line wound subsequently on the spool, thereby decreasing the accuracy and distance achievable during the casting process. The more the spool is elongated, and the more its center portion is wide, the more will the body of the knot be located in proximity to the outer layers of the line. This partially offsets the advantages in casting distance and accuracy gained by modern spool design. 
   Second, inelastic lines with little inherent stretch, particularly modern braided lines, are difficult to attach firmly to the center portion of most spools. This problem increases at lower temperatures. In these situations, cranking the handle of the reel will not lead to the taking up of line, but rather to the rotation of the entire coil of line around the spool. 
   Third, the process of removing old line from the spool is cumbersome. The line has to be manually pulled off from the spool, foot by foot, a time consuming and frustrating process that leaves a large heap of tangled line. Since many fishermen are put off by the prospect of the time consuming and boring process of line changing, many a “big one” gets away due to the breaking of old, damaged line. 
   Fourth, while an attempt to circumvent the above listed problems by hiding the knot inside the spool would solve some of the above problems, a new problem arises: Spinning reels, by universal design, are indeed “fixed spool reels”, and are often referred to as such. They depend on the ability of the spool to change from a generally fixed attachment on the reel shaft assembly to rotational movements around that shaft when a strong fish sets the drag mechanism, preventing line breakage, in motion. Any such attempts to hide the knot inside the spool have to provide means to prevent any possibility of interference of the knot or parts of the fishing line with the rotational movements of the spool around the reel shaft assembly. 
   These considerations make it apparent that there exists the need for a new type of spinning reel spool, allowing not only for the quick removal of old line, but also for the firm attachment of new line, without the possibility of line loosening at the attachment site, or the possibility of interference of the knot with the casting process, or the possibility of interference of the knot or parts of the fishing line with the drag mechanism. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,111 to Berke describes a spool having a detachable flange for removing damaged line. The Berke patent does not relate to a fishing reel spool construction but rather to a separate line winding tool. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,443 to Miyazaki discloses a notch in the barrel of a spool, for securing line. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,699 to Stinnette teaches a spool that can be separated in two parts for line removal. The spool design does not offer any internal line attachment features. Moreover, the claims of the Stinnette patent demand that the spool have a parabolic contour, a feature that may facilitate line removal, but which is certain to interfere with the casting process, and which runs counter to the slightly conical mid-section design of modern spools intended for long-range casting. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,623 to Smith describes a fishing reel spool containing an elongated opening, generally parallel to the spool axis, with multiple smaller orthogonal side openings. Securement of line to the spool occurs through wedging of a preformed knot at the end of the line into smaller orthogonal portions of the longitudinal slot. Separation of the line from the spool is possible through retrograde movements of the line and detachment of the preformed knot from its wedged position. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,003 to Sacconi discloses a fishing reel spool which can be threadably separated, and a cartridge spool which contains line and which fits over a first spool axle, both spools being reversibly locked together by a locking detent. The fishing reel spool is not designed to take up line directly without a cartridge spool. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,864 to Cole teaches a line winding tool including a take-up spool with removable flange for removing line from a conventional fishing reel spool. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,103,843 to Nothdurft teaches a fishing reel design which includes a spool and cover both having an aperture. The fishing line is passed through both apertures and then knotted at the outside of the cover of the spool. 
   U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,777,648; 2,696,951; and 2,669,400 to Wood describe an arbor, to be mounted on the shaft of a conventional fishing reel spool, containing apertures for attachment of fishing line. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 2,309,146 to Whistler teaches a spool with a transverse bore through a hub portion and a spindle for passing one end of a fishing line to be wound on said spool. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 2,525,169 to Dodge, entitled “Cork Hub”, issued Oct. 10, 1950. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a spinning reel and spool arrangement, wherein the spool is of two parts, an upper part, and a lower part. These parts can be assembled or taken apart using a simple mechanism of external and internal threads. Removal of old line now becomes very quick and hassle free: the two segments filled with line are simply taken apart, leaving immediately a neat coil of old line that can be discarded easily. 
   In addition, one of the two segments of the spool features a small opening at the site of attachment of the opposing segment. This opening is used to introduce the end of the line, which is then attached to a small wire loop on the inner surface of that same spool segment. This will lead to a secure connection of the line to the spool, eliminating possible gliding of the entire coil of line around the spool. The knot of the connection is hidden inside the spool, avoiding all interference of the knot with the smooth separation of line from the spool during the casting process. Since the knot is firmly attached to the interior of the spool, it cannot slip out of the opening. 
   By modifying the spool structure, the invention, iter alia, substantially shortens the process of line removal, provides for a secure connection of the line to the spool, and eliminates possible interference of the knot with the casting process. 
   A feature of the present invention is that the spool can be taken apart in a plurality of segments for easy line removal. The spool described uses a simple threading mechanism to join the two segments of the spool. An additional conventional locking mechanism could be used to prevent all accidental loosening of the connection, and/or any other conventional locking mechanism could be used instead of the threads to join the spool segments. 
   Another feature of the present invention is that the line is attached firmly to structural parts of the spool center, and not simply wound around the spool, thus preventing the slipping of the entire line coil. The invention described here uses a single opening and a wire loop connector at the inside of the spool for the fastening of the line. Multiple variations of this, using one or more openings, and/or various devices for the attachment of the line, could be used. 
   Another feature of the present invention is that the knot of the line connection is hidden inside the spool, thus avoiding possible interference with the casting process, yet being firmly connected to the spool, avoiding potential separation of the line end from the spool that may be caused by backward movements of the line. 
   Yet another feature of the present invention is that the knot, and those parts of the line which are located inside the spool, are separated from the shaft, upon which the spool is mounted. This assures that there is no possibility of interference of the knot or the fishing line with the main shaft and its attached components if the drag mechanism is put in motion when a big fish is played. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For better clarity, the illustrations do not feature any of the usual details at the upper and lower ends of the spool, nor its connection to the spool shaft or the drag system. These parts and details vary significantly between the many types and brands of spinning reels, yet they are of no particular importance to understand the this improved spool and reel design. 
     For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing the separated parts of the spool, as well as the end of fishing line being attached to the spool; 
       FIG. 2   a  is an end view of the assembled parts of the spool; 
       FIG. 2   b  is a sectional end view of the spool; 
       FIG. 2   c  is a top view of the lower portion of the spool; 
       FIG. 2   d  is an end view of the separated parts of the spool; 
       FIG. 2   e  is an exploded perspective view of the separated parts of the spool; 
       FIG. 3   a  is an end view of a traditional spool, showing the attachment of line; 
       FIG. 3   b  is an end view of a traditional spool, showing several layers of line; 
       FIG. 3   c  is an end view of the spool, showing the attachment of line; 
       FIG. 3   d  is an end view of the spool, showing several layers of line; 
       FIG. 4   a  is an end view of a traditional spool, showing the process of line removal therewith; 
       FIG. 4   b  is an end view of the separated parts of the spool, showing the process of line removal; 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the disassembled parts of the spool, and their position in relation to a spinning reel, on which they are mounted; and 
       FIG. 6  shows a spinning reel featuring the spool, mounted on a fishing rod. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 5 and 6  depict the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, designated generally by the numeral  39 . 
     FIG. 1  shows the separated parts of the spool  38 , including distal part  36 , and proximal part  37 . Distal part  36  features a central aperture  10 , allowing part  36  to fit over middle tube  24  of proximal part  37 . Distal part  36  features distal flange  11  and middle section  12  of spool  38 . Proximal part  37  and distal part  36  connect reversibly via external threads  18  and internal threads  25  of the proximal  37  and distal  36  spool parts, respectively. 
   In  FIG. 1 , a middle tube  24  is provided on proximal part  37 . Line attachment loop  15  allows fishing line  21  to be secured to proximal part  37  by means of a knot  16 . At its distal end, middle tube  24  features end piece  14 . Line  21  exits spool  38  via line aperture  20 . 
   Of note, while aperture  20  has been depicted with edges, to improve clarity of the drawing, it should be emphasized that smooth contours of aperture  20  are essential to avoid damage to line  21 . Once line  21  has been attached to attachment loop  15 , it is lead out of proximal part  37  via line aperture  20 . Distal part  36  is then reversibly attached to proximal part  37  through threads  18 ,  25 . As is evident from this and subsequent figures, this assembly prevents knot  16  from coming into contact with either the exterior of spool  38 , or with main shaft assembly  30  (FIG.  5 ), on which spool  38  is mounted. 
     FIG. 2   a  shows distal  36  and proximal 37 parts of spool  38  assembled. Spool  38  resembles a traditional spool  26 , spool  38   m  featuring an elongated middle section  12 , and smooth proximal  22  and distal  11  flanges, and, proximally, a skirted spool section  23 . Separation line  19  marks where parts  36  and  37  are reversibly joined. Adjacent and below separation line  19 , line aperture  20  is visible. 
     FIG. 2   b  is a sectional view of spool  38  shown in  FIG. 2   a . Note that end piece  14  of middle tube  24  can be flush with the interior surface of distal part  36 . 
     FIG. 2   c  shows proximal part  37  from the top. Easily seen are central aperture  13  of middle tube  24  (which can receive main shaft assembly  30  as shown in FIG.  5 ), as well as end piece  14 , attachment loop  15 , distal rim  17  of proximal threaded portion  18 , separation line  19 , and proximal flange  22 .  FIGS. 2   d  and  2   e  show these same parts when separated, using and end view and an exploded perspective view, respectively. 
     FIGS. 3   a-d  compare the line attachment to a traditional spool  26  (FIGS.  a-b ) with the attachment of line to spool  38 , illustrating one of the advantages of the invention. Traditional spool  26 , as depicted in  FIG. 3   a , features, like most modern spools, a fairly elongated and wide middle section  12 , allowing for less friction during the casting process. Using this elongated and wide middle section, the diameter of layer  27  of fishing line  21  wound around the spool is relatively thin. Knot  16  therefore occupies significant space in relation to layer  27 .  FIG. 3   b  illustrates that, during long distance casts, when lower layers of line  21  are exposed, knot  16  actually hinders line  21 , as it is paid out rapidly in a direction parallel to the long axis of spool  26 . 
     FIGS. 3   c  and  3   d  feature that same process of line attachment and line payout for spool  38 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3   c , shape and contour of spool  38  resemble traditional spool  26 , however, knot  16  now is hidden inside spool  38 . Therefore, there is no possibility of interference of knot  16  with line  21 , and the casting process, as shown in  FIG. 3   d , becomes smooth and unobstructed. 
     FIG. 4  compares the process of line removal from a traditional spool  26  ( FIG. 4   a ), and from the new and improved spool  38  ( FIG. 4   b ). Line  21  has to be stripped off traditional spool  26  by hand, leading to the formation of a voluminous entanglement of fishing line, known to fishermen by the slang term “birds nest”  28 , and to aggravation of the fisherman. Moreover, since this discarded line  21  is difficult to store, some unscrupulous anglers will leave bird&#39;s nest  28  behind in nature, where it may entangle and kill wildlife.  FIG. 4   b  shows the removal process with spool  38 . It is remarkably quick and easy to operate as a few turns will separate distal part  36  from proximal part  37 , leaving a neat coil of layers  27  of fishing line  21  for easy and space saving disposal. 
     FIG. 5  shows spool  38  in relation to standard parts of a spinning reel  39 . Like traditional long-skirted spools, spool  38  fits with its skirted section  23  over the corresponding portion of rotor  32 . Middle tube  24  receives main shaft assembly  30 , thereby effectively separating line  21 , attached to loop  15  on the exterior of middle tube  24 , from central aperture  13 , which defines the interior of middle tube  24 . Should therefore a big fish put the drag mechanism in motion, an event that will not fail to happen, given new reel  39 &#39;s multiple advantages, spool  38  will rotate without interference of line  21  or knot  16  with main shaft assembly  30 . Please note that standard items necessary to effectively secure spool  38  on main shaft assembly  30 , such as washers, nuts, and retainers, are not depicted for clarity. 
     FIGS. 5 and 6  depict improved fishing reel apparatus  39  including spool  38  mounted on fishing reel apparatus  39 , and fishing reel apparatus  39  assembled with a fishing rod  35 . 
   Parts List 
   The following is a list of suitable parts and materials for the various elements of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
   
     
       
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               Parts Number 
               Description 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               10 
               central aperture of spool 
             
             
               11 
               distal flange of spool 
             
             
               12 
               middle section of spool 
             
             
               13 
               central aperture of middle tube 
             
             
               14 
               end piece of middle tube 
             
             
               15 
               line attachment loop 
             
             
               16 
               knot 
             
             
               17 
               distal rim of lower threaded portion 
             
             
               18 
               threads of proximal part of spool 
             
             
               19 
               separation line between proximal and 
             
             
                 
               distal spool parts 
             
             
               20 
               line aperture 
             
             
               21 
               fishing line 
             
             
               22 
               proximal flange of spool 
             
             
               23 
               skirted section of spool 
             
             
               24 
               middle tube 
             
             
               25 
               threads of distal part of spool 
             
             
               26 
               traditional spool 
             
             
               27 
               layers of fishing line 
             
             
               28 
               bird&#39;s nest 
             
             
               29 
               drag knob 
             
             
               30 
               main shaft assembly 
             
             
               31 
               bail arm 
             
             
               32 
               rotor 
             
             
               33 
               reel body 
             
             
               34 
               handle assembly 
             
             
               35 
               fishing rod 
             
             
               36 
               distal part of spool 
             
             
               37 
               proximal part of spool 
             
             
               38 
               spool and spinning reel apparatus 
             
             
               39 
               improved fishing reel 
             
             
               40 
               fishing apparatus 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.