Abstract:
A fishing reel having a main spool for dispensing fishing line for casting during fishing. A second reserve spool, or bobbin, is provided for dispensing a reserve amount of fishing line to the main spool through a passage in the main spool. The main spool defines a cavity, and a portion of the reserve spool is carried substantially within such cavity. In one embodiment, the main and reserve spools rotate with one another, being locked together with a releasable locking device. In another embodiment, the relative motion between the main and reserve spools in controlled by a friction drag arrangement. In the event additional line is needed on the main spool, line can be drawn through the passage in the main spool from the reserve spool through relative rotation of the reserve spool with respect to the main spool.

Description:
This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 60/293,252, filed May 24, 2001, the entirety of the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to a fishing reel having a reserve line associated with the main spool of the reel. 
     The present invention includes a novel reserve line bobbin for open-faced spinning reels and baitcast reels. More specifically, the new reserve line bobbin is incorporated within the spool of the reels. The purpose of the new bobbin is to make more efficient use of the fishing line by providing a reserve space for a portion of the line not required for casting in a particular fishing application. 
     The present invention applies particularly well to the recently available small diameter, high strength microfilament or micro-fiber lines, some of which may be braided. These lines are small in diameter in comparison to the more conventional monofilament lines that have been in general use for a long period of time. The literature on the braided lines commonly compares the diameter of a particular strength of line to a monofilament line of approximately the same diameter which has a much lower breaking strength. The following are representative ratios: 10 lb./2 lb., 20 lb./5 lb., 30 lb./6 lb., etc. The small diameter of the braided lines makes it possible to store long lengths of line inside of the main spool on the reserve bobbin. In general, the lighter lines would be used on smaller reels requiring smaller spools and bobbins, heavier lines would be used on larger reels requiring larger spools and bobbins. 
     Another property of the braided lines that makes the interior reserve line bobbin feasible is low memory. This allows the line to be wound tightly on a small diameter spool or bobbin and still be useful when it is retrieved. This would likely not be the case with monofilament lines which would take a set and would tend to be coiled when pulled from the spool or bobbin. The monofilament lines would also tend to spring away from the spool or bobbin and could cause interior tangles. 
     Use of reels incorporating the present invention would allow much more efficient use of the braided lines. Many problems occur with the line beyond the length of line normally cast from the spools on both open-faced spinning reels and on baitcast reels. On the open-faced reels, loops of line sometimes pull from deep in the lay of line on the spool, causing major tangles. The line is usually discarded when major tangles occur. On the baitcast reels, overrun (commonly referred to as backlash) can cause line tangles very deep in the spool, far beyond casting distance. The limited amount of line on the main spool permitted with the incorporation of the reserve bobbin of the present invention mitigates these problems. 
     The reserve line bobbin of the present invention is also useful for replenishment of the line on the main spool due to loss of line from normal wear and repeated tying on of lures. 
     The efficient use of braided lines made possible by the reserve line bobbin of the present invention would make the lines much more cost effective, since the cost of braided lines is roughly two to five times the cost of monofilament lines. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a system for allowing lightweight braided line to be used in a manner which preserves the line and minimizes waste thereof. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a reel having a reserve amount of line. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a reel having a reserve line bobbin. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a reel having a reserve line bobbin which is carried in the interior of the main spool of a reel. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a reserve line spool configured for use on conventional reels. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method of providing a reserve amount of line to a reel. 
     Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a spool configuration having a first portion of line, and a second, major, portion of the line in reserve. 
     Another object of the present invention is to minimize the amount of line exposed on a spool during casting. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a fishing reel for minimizing wasting of line when fishing in tight, restricted areas that interfere with casting. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide for more efficient use of the braided lines by storing a portion of the line on the interior of the main spool where it would not be subject to tangles and damage, and wherein line could be retrieved and applied to the main spool as required. 
     The present invention includes the use of a second (or auxiliary) spool, also referred to herein as a reserve bobbin, carried inside of or adjacent to the spool of an ordinary fishing reel, such as an open-end fishing reel, or a baitcast reel. This allows for a more shallow spool to be used, which in turn exposes only a minimum amount of line to tangles and breakage. 
     The reserve bobbin need only pay out line as necessary when the line on the main spool becomes shortened to a less than desirable length. In one configuration, the main spool may hold fifteen yards or so, with the reserve bobbin holding approximately eight-five yards. This would give the user a total of one hundred yards of line to use, but would only expose fifteen yards or so of line at any given time. On smaller reels, a larger diameter main spool could be used in order to accommodate a bobbin having the desired reserve capacity. 
     The main spool and bobbin of the present invention can be designed to fit conventional reels, and could come in a variety of sizes and shapes. 
     By reducing the length of line required on the main spool, the reserve bobbin of the present invention reduces the potential for loss of a large amount of line due to the pulling off of line deeper into the winding of line on the spool than is required by the cast. This situation is fairly common with open-faced spinning reels, and generally results in the entangling of the line. The reserve bobbin also reduces the required depth, and accordingly, the front lip height of the main spool, which in turn, reduces resistance when the line is being pulled from the spool during the cast, since the line does not have to engage and flex around a front lip of larger height. This should result in easier and longer casts of a lure. 
     In order to pay out line from the reserve bobbin to the main spool, a locking device, such as a screw, pin, clip, etc., is released. This allows for rotation of the reserve bobbin with respect to the main spool. During normal operation, the reserve bobbin is locked to, or allowed to move only slightly relative to, the main spool with the locking device to rotate with the main spool during casting and reeling in of the line. Through release of the locking device, the main bobbin is able to pay out line to the main spool, through a passage or opening in the main spool, when additional line is needed on the main spool. After this additional line is payed out, the locking device is engaged to again cause rotation of the bobbin with the main spool. 
     A drag interface system could be provided on the bobbin. Such a drag system could be a modified conventional drag system, a spring washer, a spring-biased washer, etc., which would provide friction against the bobbin, and accordingly, resistance to the line being pulled from the bobbin. The line would be removed from the bobbin upon applying a predetermined force to the line. 
     Alternately, the locking device could be only partially disengaged from the bobbin in order to provide frictional resistance (and thus drag) to rotation of the bobbin. The amount of resistance for a drag system should be such that inadvertent removal of line from the bobbin when all line is cast from the spool would be fairly restricted, but not so much that intentional removal of line for replenishment would be overly difficult. In determining the proper drag, it is noted that it takes less force to pull the line directly from the bobbin than it takes to pull the line through the line guides of the fishing rod bent under stress. 
     The reserve bobbin thus increases line use efficiency by allowing the line on the main spool to be replenished, through the selective-pulling of line through the opening in the main spool from the reserve bobbin. The line on the main spool can be replenished as required, such as when the line is shortened due to tying knots, breakage, wear, etc. 
     The present invention also provides a method of providing a reserve amount of line to a fishing reel. 
     The use of the reserve bobbin is particularly suitable for use with the newer small diameter, high strength, braided lines. The braided lines generally have low memory, which allows them to be wound tightly on the reserve bobbin, while still being useful when pulled out and wound on the main spool. Increasing the usage of the braided line is particularly desirable for cost reasons, since the braided line may cost several times more than ordinary monofilament line. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing, as well as other objects of the present invention, will be further apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, when taken together with the accompanying specification and the drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bait cast reel constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the bait cast reel illustrated in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines  3 — 3  of FIG. 1 of an alternate embodiment bait cast reel and bobbin constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines  4 — 4  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5A is a sectional view taken along lines  5 A— 5 A of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 5B is a sectional view taken along lines  5 B— 5 B of FIG. 4 illustrating use of a clip for use in connection with the reserve bobbin; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an open-face spinning reel constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the open-face reel illustrated in FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 7A is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment open-face reel spool and reserve bobbin constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along lines  6 — 6  of FIG. 6 illustrating an alternate embodiment open-face reel spool and reserve bobbin constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along lines  9 — 9  of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a further alternate embodiment of an open-face reel spool and reserve bobbin constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a sectional view of another alternate embodiment of an open-face reel spool and reserve bobbin constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a further alternate embodiment of an open-face reel spool and reserve bobbin constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a sectional view of another alternate embodiment of an open-face reel spool and reserve bobbin constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a further alternate embodiment of an open-face spinning reel spool and reserve bobbin constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 15 is a sectional view of an alternate embodiment bait-cast reel spool and reserve bobbin constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 16 is a sectional view of a further alternate embodiment bait-cast reel spool and reserve bobbin constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 17 is a sectional view of a still further embodiment of a bait-cast reel spool and reserve bobbin constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 18 is a sectional view of another alternate embodiment of a bait-cast reel spool and reserve bobbin constructed in accordance with the present invention; and 
     FIG. 19 is a sectional view of still another embodiment of a bait-cast reel spool and reserve bobbin constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The accompanying drawings and the description which follows set forth this invention in its preferred embodiment. However, it is contemplated that persons generally familiar with fishing gear will be able to apply the novel characteristics of the structures illustrated and described herein in other contexts by modification of certain details. Accordingly, the drawings and description are not to be taken as restrictive on the scope of this invention, but are to be understood as broad and general teachings. 
     Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference characters represent like elements or features throughout the various views, the fishing reel of the present invention is indicated generally in the figures by reference character  10 . 
     It is also to be understood that the full disclosure of my provisional patent application Serial No. 60/293,252, filed May 24, 2002 is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     The present invention is shown herein in use with open face (also known as open end) reels and with bait cast reels. The reels depicted in the drawings and discussed herein are for illustrative purposes and could be of a variety of other configurations while still being encompassed by the present invention. 
     Versions of the present invention as applied to a bait reel are shown in FIGS. 1 through 5B, and  15  through  19 , and versions of the present invention applied to an open face reel are shown in FIGS. 6 though  14 . 
     Turning first to application of the present invention  10  to an open face reel, such is shown in FIG.  6 . Open face reel  12  has a support structure, generally  13 , with a base  14  which is attached in a conventional manner to a fishing rod, generally,  15 . A conventional crank  18  and drive mechanism, generally D, is provided in the reel for translating rotation of the crank  18  into rotation of the main shaft  20  of the reel  10 . Reel  10  includes a rotor assembly, generally  22 , having a line roller  24  on which line, generally L, (FIG. 8) passes from a main spool, generally S, and a second spool, or, reserve line bobbin, generally B. 
     A bail holder  28  is provided for holding a conventional bail, the bail being movable between one position to allow for free spinning of the main spool S during casting, and another position for allowing the line to be reeled in and wound upon main spool S by turning of crank  18 . 
     As shown in FIG. 7, spool S has a bore  29  for receiving main shaft  20  and is locked to main shaft  20  of reel  10  with a pin  30 . Pin  30 , as shown in FIG. 8, is carried within a slot  32  of a boss  36  provided on spool S. Bobbin B has a bore  37  which receives boss  36 , and pin  30  also serves to capture bobbin B within a cavity, generally  34 , of spool S. A skirt  38  extends rearwardly from spool S and rotates about a generally cylindrical wall  40  (FIG. 7) of rotor assembly  22 . 
     A clip  42  is provided within a recess  44  in the forward face  46  of spool S. Clip  42  attaches to main shaft  20  to retain the spool S and, in turn, bobbin B, on shaft  20  of reel  10 . Washers  50  are provided about boss  36  in order to properly space bobbin B from pin  30 . A spring washer  52 , preferably constructed of stainless steel, is also provided between washers  50  to apply pressure to bobbin B and to form a drag interface in order to apply a drag to bobbin B to prevent overrun of bobbin B when line L is pulled from bobbin B through passage P of spool S. An additional washer  50  is provided between the base  53  of bobbin B and pin  30 , as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. 
     FIG. 8 also illustrates line L wound about the barrel shaped surface  54  of spool S between a forward lip  58  and a rearward shoulder  60 . Note that the depth of the windings of line L on spool S is much more shallow than the depth of the windings of line L on the cylindrical winding surface  62  of bobbin B. Winding surface  62  is bound by a forward flange  64  and a rearward flange  66  of bobbin B. 
     In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 6,  7 , and  8 , relative movement of bobbin B with respect to spool S is restricted by the drag, or frictional forces, between the face  64  of bobbin B, washers  50 , spring washer  52 , and the inner face  65  of spool S. The amount of drag between these components, and, accordingly, the resistance to the line L being pulled from the bobbin, can be varied through use of one or more spring washers  52  and/or one or more washers  50  in combination with one or more spring washers  52 . In other words, the present invention is not to be limited to the particular washer/spring washer configurations shown herein, since the arrangement of those items may vary from application to application. 
     The amount of resistance for a drag system should be such that inadvertent removal of line from the bobbin when all line is cast from the spool would be fairly restricted, but not so much that intentional removal of line for replenishment would be overly difficult. In determining the proper drag, it is noted that it takes less force to pull the line directly from the bobbin than it takes to pull the line through the line guides of the fishing rod bent under stress. 
     Forward flange  64 ′ of bobbin B, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7A,  9 , and  10 , includes V-shaped grooves, generally  68 , radially spaced about the periphery of the face  70  of forward flange  64 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 7A and 9, locking device, generally LD, is provided on reel  12  for selectively locking the rotation of bobbin B with respect to spool S. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A and 9, the locking device is a screw  74 , which is threadingly received within a threaded opening  76  provided in the face  46 ′ of spool S. As shown in FIG. 9, the screw  74  is in a locking position, the forward end  80  thereof engaging with a V-shaped groove  68  of bobbin B, to prevent relative rotation of bobbin B with respect to spool S. In this configuration, the line L on bobbin B does not pay out when the line L is cast, such as in the casting of a lure (not shown), but instead stays wound on bobbin B. 
     When screw  74  is rotated such that the forward end thereof no longer engages with a groove  68  of bobbin B, bobbin B may freely rotate with respect to spool S, and this allows line L to be pulled from reserve bobbin B in those instances where additional line is required to be wound on the barrel shaped surface  54  of spool S. 
     FIGS. 10,  11 , and  12  illustrate variations of locking device LD, wherein screws  90 ,  90   a,  and  90   b,  respectively, are used for engaging with screw  68  of bobbin B. 
     In one preferred embodiment, spool S is approximately 1 ½ inches in length, and approximately 1 {fraction (1/16)} th  inches in diameter. The thickness of lip  58  is approximately {fraction (5/64)} th  inches, as is also the height of lip  58 . The length of boss  36  is approximately {fraction (21/32)} nd  inches in length, and boss  36  is ⅜ th  inches in diameter. The length by which skirt  38  extends beyond boss  36  is also approximately {fraction (21/32)} nd  inches. The recess  44  in the face of spool S is approximately ¾ inches in diameter, and the diameter of the forward portion of spool S, inclusive of lip  58 , is approximately 1½ inches in diameter. The diameter of the barrel shaped surface  54  is approximately 1{fraction (5/16)} th  inches in diameter, and its width is approximately {fraction (39/64)} th  inches. 
     All of the foregoing dimensions are an example of one preferred embodiment of a spool S constructed in accordance with the present invention, and it is to be understood that such dimensions could vary widely from application to application. The diameter of the spool can be as large as reasonable for the strength and characteristics of the material used and the thickness of such material. 
     FIG. 13 illustrates an alternate embodiment locking device LD for use with the present invention. A set screw  100  is provided in a threaded opening  102  of spool S, in a circumferential portion thereof. Set screw  100  engages a radial engagement surface  104  of bobbin B to selectively fix rotation of bobbin B with respect to spool S, during normal operation of reel  10 . When it is desired to pay out additional line L from bobbin B to spool S, set screw  100  is backed outwardly slightly within threaded bore  102 , such that set screw  100  disengages, or only slightly engages, bobbin B, to allow bobbin B to rotate in order to pay out line L, as needed. 
     FIG. 14 illustrates a further alternate embodiment of locking device LD. In this embodiment, locking device LD includes a sliding pin, generally  110 , which is moveable radially inwardly and outwardly within a slot  112  of spool S. Pin  110  includes an enlarged head portion  114  which is a larger dimension than slot  112 , such that head portion  114  prevents pin  110  from falling into slot  112 . A washer  116  is fastened to pin  110  to allow sliding movement, of pin  110  within slot. 112  and to prevent pin  110  from falling outwardly from slot  112 , and serves to present the end  118  of pin  110  to a groove or slot  120  provided in the circumference of a recessed portion  122  of a forward flange  64  of bobbin B. An open, raceway portion  124  is provided radially outwardly from groove  120 , such that pin  110  may be moved from a bobbin locking position, as shown in FIG. 14, radially outwardly to a unlocking position, wherein end  118  of pin  110  is in raceway  124 . This unlocking position allows bobbin B to rotate with respect to spool S. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention in the form of a baitcast reel, generally  12 ′. Baitcast reel  12 ′ operates on generally the same principle as does the open face spinning reel  10  discussed above, and includes a housing, generally  11 , having a main spool S′, reserve spool, or, bobbin B′, carried in a cavity  34 ′ and a locking device LD. A crank  18 ′ is provided for rotating the spool in a conventional manner on a reel spool shaft  200 . Reel  12 ′ includes an open end  201  for receipt of bobbin B′. 
     In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 16, spool S′ is attached to spool shaft  200  using a retaining clip  202 , against which a spring washer  204  bears. Although reel  12 ′ may be constructed without using spring washer  12 ′, if used, spring washer  204  bears against a washer  206  and applies a light pressure to the reserve line bobbin B′ to prevent overrun of bobbin B′ when line L is pulled therefrom. Line L passes through a passage  208  within spool S′. Bobbin B′ includes grooves  210  around the circumference of a forward portion  212  thereof. Locking device LD includes a bobbin locking/release screw  214  received in bore  215  of spool S′ and engages with grooves  210  of bobbin B′, in order to fix bobbin B′ against relative rotation with respect to spool S′. Screw  214  operates in the same manner as screw  74  to lock and unlock bobbin B′. 
     Alternately, as shown in FIG. 3, a drag system could be used with baitcast reel  12 . A combination of spring washers  52 , or spring washer  52 /flat washer  50  combinations could be used to achieve the desired drag. Such a drag system would work as described above in regards to the implementation of the present invention in an open face reel. 
     As shown in FIGS. 17 and 19, a spool support plate  220  may be provided at an open end of spool S′ to prevent distortion of spool S′ at the open end  222  of spool S′ when spool S′ is under stress, due to tension in line L. Plate  220  is removable as necessary in order for replenishment of line L on bobbin B′. 
     FIGS. 15,  17 ,  18 , and  19  illustrate an alternate embodiments of reel  12 , wherein locking device LD is a set screw  230  carried within a tapped opening  232  of spool S′. Set screw  230  is tightened against reserve bobbin B′ for casting and retrieving line L on the spool S′, in order to prevent, or at minimum, significantly restrict, rotation of reserve bobbin B′ with respect to spool S′. Set screw  230  is loosened when line L is to be pulled from reserve bobbin B′, in order to provide such line to outer spool S′. 
     Alternately, a locking device LD, such as set screw  230  could be only partially disengaged from the bobbin in order to provide frictional resistance (and thus drag) to rotation of the bobbin B. 
     FIGS. 2,  5 A, and  5 B illustrate locking device LD is a spring loaded locking pin  240  carried in a cavity  238  in bobbin B′, which is biased upwardly from bobbin B′ by a spring  242  to automatically lock bobbin B′ to spool S′ upon alignment of pin  240  with opening  256  of spool S′. Bobbin B′ is shown in a locked position in FIGS. 4 and 5A. To attain an unlocked position, a clip, generally  250 , is used having a downwardly extending finger  252 . Finger  252  depresses locking pin  240  downwardly such that bobbin B′ may rotate with respect to spool S′. Clip  250  is of a generally C-shape and includes a curved seat portion  254  which engages spool S at a position generally diametrically opposed to an opening  256  provided in spool S′, in which locking pin  240  seats when bobbin B′ is in a locked position. 
     Clip  250  may be stored in a side panel of reel  12 ′, such as side panel  260  when not needed for releasing bobbin B′ for line retrieval. 
     In operation, line L is loaded on a reserve bobbin B or B′ and spool S or S′ by first winding line L onto the bobbin. The line, thus wound on the bobbin, is temporarily secured to the bobbin using a rubber band, clip, etc. The desired yardage of line L to be placed on the main spool is pulled from the bobbin and passed through the passage P from inside the spool. The bobbin is inserted into the spool as the rubber band is removed, and the bobbin is then allowed to seat within the spool. Locking device LD is engaged to lock the bobbin against relative movement with respect to the spool. 
     To increase the length of line on the main spool S or S′, all the line L is cast from the main spool. The locking device LD is disengaged, such that the bobbin may rotate with respect to the spool. The desired amount of additional yardage of line is pulled from the reserve bobbin, and the locking device is then engaged to lock the bobbin with respect to the spool. 
     The braided lines discussed above are normally purchased in spools of one hundred to one hundred fifty yards. A fishing lure is normally cast in the range of fifteen to thirty-five yards. The bobbin/main spool combined line capacity should preferably equal at least the total yardage of line normally expected to be used on a particular reel. The spool should be proportioned to hold an amount of line equal to the length of cast required. The bobbin should be proportioned to hold the remainder of the length of line normally purchased for a particular reel. 
     From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention provides a system for meeting the objects of the invention set forth above. 
     While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described using specific terms, such description is for present illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations to such embodiments, including but not limited to the substitution of equivalent features or parts, and the reversal of various features thereof, may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure of the invention and the following claims.