Fishing line spooler

A fishing line spooler is an apparatus that both spools and strips a fishing line. The apparatus is portable and mountable. The apparatus accommodates a variety of spinning reels and fishing line spools. The apparatus includes a base plate, a stand, a line-guiding plate, a motor, a main shaft, and a spool retainer. The base plate positions and upholds the stand. The stand offsets the motor and the main shaft from the base plate. The line-guiding plate directs the fishing line from a spool and prevents the fishing line from twisting. The motor rotates a spinning reel mount and a line stripper spool, individually, in order to spool and strip a fishing line, respectively. The main shaft mounts a fishing line spool. The spool retainer secures the position of the fishing line spool along the main shaft while allowing the fishing line spool to rotate about the main shaft.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to fishing line spoolers. More specifically, the present invention is a fishing line spooler that is portable. The present invention both spools a fishing line onto a spinning reel and strips a fishing line from a fishing rod. Furthermore, the present invention accommodates a variety of spinning reels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Stripping fishing line from a fishing spinning reel is cumbersome task that is necessary after fishing. There are several devices in the market which can perform said task, though these devices tend to very bulky and are not portable. These devices may also not be automatic in which they require the user to actuate a crank or handle to begin the spooling process. Spooling a fishing reel from a fishing line is also difficult task to complete without the aid of spooling station.

It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a fishing line spooling apparatus which compact and portable. Fishing line of a fishing spinning reel may be freely and easily stripped to a spool of the present invention through the rotation of a motor. Fishing line of various sized spools may be spooled onto a fishing spinning reel through the present invention. Fishing line is automatically run through from a fishing line spool to the fishing spinning reel. The present invention reduces line twist when the fishing spinning reel is spooled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a fishing line spooler that automatically spools a fishing line onto spinning reels of various sizes. The present invention also strips a fishing line from a fishing rod. The present invention is portable and mountable onto any surface, therefore allowing a user to both spool and strip a fishing line while fishing on a boat. The present invention prevents the twisting of the line and eliminates any manual input by the user as the fishing line is spooled or stripped. In order for the present invention to both spool and strip a fishing line, the present invention comprises a base plate1, a stand2, a line-guiding plate3, a motor4, a main shaft7, and a spool retainer9, shown inFIG. 1,FIG. 4,FIG. 5, andFIG. 10. The base plate1upholds the stand2and the line-guiding plate3. The present invention is mountable onto a variety of surface with the base plate1. The base plate1may be fastened onto a surface with a clamp, a plurality of screws, a plurality of bolts, and so on. The stand2upholds the motor4and the main shaft7such that a variety of adapters that may be attached to the motor4and various sized spools that are attached to the main shaft7do not come into contact with the base plate1. The line-guiding plate3defines a path for which a fishing line travels from a spool to a spinning reel. The line-guiding plate3therefore prevents the twisting of the fishing line as the fishing line is spooled onto a spinning reel. The motor4rotates various attachments and adapters that spools and strips a fishing line so that no manual input is required from the user. The main shaft7upholds both a variety of spools and the spool retainer9as the fishing line is being spooled onto a spinning reel. The main shaft7allows for the continuous rotation of a spool as the fishing line is being spooled onto a spinning reel. The spool retainer9secures a spool onto the main shaft7, such that the spool does not slide across the main shaft7.

The overall configuration of the aforementioned components allows the present invention to serve as a universal tool for fishing line spools and spinning reels. The main shaft7is mounted parallel and offset from the base plate1by the stand2, thereby providing structural balance, as illustrated inFIG. 2. The line-guiding plate3is mounted to the base plate1, adjacent the stand2, and is positioned perpendicular to the base plate1. This configuration effectively directs the fishing line from a spool to a spinning reel without twisting. The motor4is laterally connected to the stand2, offset from the base plate1, in order for a variety of attachments to rotate freely. An output axle5of the motor4is oriented towards the line-guiding plate3, simplifying the path of the fishing line from the spool to a spinning reel. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main shaft7is mounted on the stand2, opposite the motor4, in order to offset the portion of the fishing line unraveling from the spool from the portion of fishing line being spooled. A central axis8of the main shaft7is oriented perpendicular to a rotation axis6of the output axle5of the motor4, further eliminating any twisting of the fishing line. As the spool rotates about the main shaft7, the spool slides back and forth along the main shaft7, increasing the twist of the fishing line as it is spooled onto the spinning reel. In order to prevent the sliding of the spool, the spool retainer9is integrated onto the main shaft7.

In order for the line-guiding plate3to effectively guide the fishing line from a spool to a spinning reel, the present invention comprises a first side hole21, a second side hole22, and a central elongated hole23, each of which accommodates various sized spools. Seen inFIG. 1,FIG. 2, andFIG. 4, the first side hole21, the central elongated hole23, and the second side hole22each traverse through the line-guiding plate3. The first side hole21is positioned adjacent the central elongated hole23. The second side hole22is positioned adjacent the central elongated hole23, opposite the first side hole21. The first side hole21, the second side hole22, and the central elongated hole23are oriented parallel to each other. This configuration allows the first side hole21to accommodate the fishing line of a spool of a shorter length and the second side hole22to accommodate the fishing line of a spool of a larger length. The central elongated hole23accommodates the fishing line of a spool of a length between the first side hole21and the second side hole22.

The present invention further comprises a motor housing25. The motor housing25conceals and protects the motor4. Furthermore, the motor housing25upholds and connects the motor4against the stand2, as seen inFIG. 1,FIG. 4,FIG. 5, andFIG. 10. More specifically, the motor housing25is laterally mounted to the stand2, opposite the main shaft7. The motor4is mounted within the motor housing25in order to protect the motor4from the elements of the surrounding environment. The output axle5of the motor4traverses through the motor housing25in order to accommodate adapters and attachments. An alternate embodiment of the present invention further comprises a door25. The door25allows a user to access the motor4without having to remove or detach the motor housing25from the stand2. The door25is integrated into the motor housing25and may comprise a fastener so that the door25may remain closed unless otherwise opened by the user.

Moreover, the present invention comprises a power source26and a power switch27in order for a user to engage the motor4, shown inFIG. 13. The power source26provides the necessary power to the motor4, and the power switch27turns on and turns off the motor4by connecting and interrupting the electrical connection between the power source26and the motor4, respectively. The power switch27is integrated into the motor housing25so that a user may access the power switch27. The power source26is electrically connected to the motor4and the power switch27, thereby being able to both provide the power to the motor4as well as be controlled by the power switch27. The power source26is preferably mounted within the motor housing25so that the present invention is not connected to an external power source26. The power source26is preferably a battery. However, it is understood that in alternate embodiments, the power source26may be mounted external to the motor housing25.

In order to spool a fishing line onto a spinning reel, the present invention comprises a spinning reel mount28, shown inFIG. 1,FIG. 5,FIG. 6,FIG. 7, andFIG. 8. The spinning reel mount28connects a spinning reel to the motor4, thereby allowing the spinning reel to rotate freely. The spinning reel mount28comprises a cam plate29, a knob30, a hub31, and a plurality of arms32. The cam plate29defines the path of the plurality of arms32. The knob30rotates the hub31and consequently extends and retracts the plurality of arms32. The hub31houses the plurality of arms32. The plurality of arms32presses against an interior surface of a spinning reel, thereby gripping onto the spinning reel regardless of the size of the spinning reel. In order for the spinning reel mount28to serve as a universal adapter between a spinning reel and the motor4, the knob30is torsionally connected to the output axle5of the motor4, and the hub31is torsionally connected to the knob30. The cam plate29is rotatably connected to the torsional connection between the knob30and the hub31so that plurality of arms32uniformly extends and retracts from and into the hub31, respectively. The plurality of arms32is radially and slidably mounted into the hub31in order to accommodate various sized spinning reels. Moreover, the cam plate29is operatively engaged to each of the plurality of arms32, wherein the cam plate29is used to extend the plurality of arms32from the hub31and is used to retract the plurality of arms32into the hub31.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the spinning reel further comprises a plurality of dowels33and a plurality of curved tracks35, shown inFIG. 6,FIG. 7, andFIG. 8. The plurality of dowels33connects the plurality of arms32to the cam plate29. The plurality of curved tracks35defines the path of the plurality of dowels33, and consequently the plurality of arms32, across the cam plate29. The plurality of curved tracks35is integrated into the cam plate29and is radially distributed about the cam plate29. This arrangement converts the radial movement of the hub31to linear movement of the plurality of dowels33into and out of the hub31. Each of the plurality of dowels33is connected perpendicularly to a corresponding arm from the plurality of arms32in order to accommodate the arrangement between the cam plate29and the hub31. More specifically, each of the plurality of dowels33are slidably engaged along a corresponding track from the plurality of curved tracks35.

The spinning reel mount28further comprises a plurality of slots35, seen inFIG. 8andFIG. 9, which effectively secures each of the plurality of arms32within the hub31. The plurality of slots35laterally traverses into the hub31so that the plurality of arms32may traverse across the cam plate29. More specifically, the plurality of arms32is radially distributed about the hub31. Each of the plurality of arms32are slidably engaged into a corresponding slot from the plurality of slots35, thereby expanding or retracting in order to accommodate spinning reels of various sizes. An alternate embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of grips36, seen inFIG. 9. The plurality of grips36increases the friction between each of the plurality of arms32and a corresponding spinning reel. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention a slot laterally traverses into each of the plurality of arms32, allowing a grip of the plurality of grips36to be mounted onto a corresponding arm of the plurality of arms32. More specifically, each of the plurality of grips36are terminally connected to a corresponding arm from the plurality of arms32, opposite the hub31, as the ends of each of the plurality of arms32opposite the hub31press directly against an engaged spinning reel.

In order to strip a fishing line from a fishing rod, the present invention further comprises a line stripper spool37, seen inFIG. 4andFIG. 10. The line stripper spool37collects the fishing line from a fishing rod in an organized fashion. If the spinning reel mount28is attached to the output shaft5of the motor4and the user wishes to strip a fishing line from a fishing rod, the user simply removes the spinning reel mount28and attaches the line stripper spool37, and vice versa. Moreover, the fishing line is bundled without any twisting. The line stripper spool37comprises a mounting portion38and a capping portion39. The mounting portion38connects the line stripper spool37to the motor4, and the capping portion39contains the stripped fishing line. The mounting portion38is mounted onto the output axle5of the motor4so that the line stripper spool37automatically rotates without any input from the user. The capping portion39is detachably attached to the mounting portion38so that the user may retrieve the bundled fishing line without having to undo or unwind the spooled fishing line about the line stripper spool37. The capping portion39is positioned adjacent to the mounting portion38, opposite the motor4, thereby preventing the fishing line from slipping past the line stripper spool37.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a line slot42, shown inFIG. 4andFIG. 10, allows a fishing line to be secured between the connection of the mounting portion38and the capping portion39. The fishing line may then wrap around the line stripper spool37and be automatically stripped from a fishing rod. The line slot42traverses through the capping portion39. In order to prevent the fishing line from escaping past the line stripper spool37, the mounting portion38and the capping portion39preferably each comprises a base end40and a tapered end41. The base end40is positioned opposite the tapered end41. The base end40is larger in size in order to contain the fishing line about the tapered end41as the line stripper spool37rotates. More specifically, the base end40of the mounting portion38is positioned adjacent to the motor4. The tapered end41of the capping portion39is pressed against the tapered end41of the mounting portion38, defining a continuous, curved surface for which the fishing line may wrap around. The line slot42traverses through the capping portion39from the tapered end41to the base end40of the capping portion39. This arrangement allows a user to secure the fishing line between the tapered end41of the capping portion39and the tapered end41of the mounting portion38, then slip the fishing line around the line stripper spool37. The tapered end41of the mounting portion38comprises a protrusion that slips into a slot of the tapered end41of the capping portion39, as seen inFIG. 10. The user turns on the motor4with the power switch27and the fishing line automatically wraps around the line stripper spool37, thereby being stripped from a corresponding fishing rod.

The present invention further prevents the twisting of a fishing line that is being spooled onto a spinning reel as the present invention comprises a line guide rod43and a line channel44, seen inFIG. 1,FIG. 2, andFIG. 4. The line guide rod43positions the line channel45along the path of the fishing line from a spool mounted onto the main shaft7to the spinning reel that is mounted onto the output axle5of the motor4. The line channel45guides the fishing line from the spool to the spinning reel, more specifically, the portion of the path between the line-guiding plate3and the spinning reel mount28. In order to position the line channel45along that portion of the path, the line guide rod43is laterally mounted to the stand2and is positioned in between the output axle5of the motor4and the line-guiding plate3. The line channel45traverses through the line guide rod43and is oriented perpendicular to the rotation axis6of the output axle5of the motor4. This arrangement ensures a linear path of the fishing line towards the spinning reel just before the fishing line wraps around the spinning reel, eliminating any twisting of the fishing line.

A fishing line spool is securely mounted onto the main shaft7as the spool retainer9comprises a clamp10, a spring13, and a slideable lock15, illustrated inFIG. 2,FIG. 11, andFIG. 12. The clamp10surrounds the spool. The spring13allows the slideable lock15to more effectively press against the clamp10and limit any damage to the fishing line spool. The slideable lock15allows a user to adjust the clamp10according to the length of the fishing line spool. In order for the clamp10to surround the fishing line spool, the clamp10comprises a stationary stopper11and a slideable stopper12. The stationary stopper11offsets the fishing line spool from the stand2. This allows the fishing line spool to freely rotate as the fishing line is pulled from the fishing line spool by the spinning reel attached to the spinning reel mount28without encountering16any friction from the stand2. The slideable stopper12allows the clamp10to secure fishing line spools of various sizes onto the main shaft7. The stationary stopper11and the slideable stopper12both preferably comprise a tapered end and a base end. The tapered end being positioned opposite the tapered end. The base end of the stationary stopper11being pressed against the stand2. The tapered end of the slideable stopper12being positioned adjacent the tapered end of the stationary stopper11. The tapered ends of both the stationary stopper11and the slideable stopper12facilitates the free rotation of the fishing line spool about the main shaft7and between the clamp10.

The configuration of the aforementioned components of the spool retainer9allows the fishing line spool to freely rotate about the main shaft7without moving linearly across the main shaft7. As shown inFIG. 11andFIG. 12, the stationary stopper11is pressed against the stand2, and the slideable stopper12is slidably engaged with the main shaft7. The user may remove the slideable stopper12, and consequently the slideable lock15, from the main shaft7in order to insert a fishing line spool on the main shaft7. The slideable stopper12is positioned adjacent the slideable stopper12, positioned opposite the stand2, in order for the slideable stopper12for the clamp10to surround the fishing line spool. The slideable lock15is terminally fixed to the spring13, and the spring13is positioned adjacent to the slideable stopper12, opposite the stationary stopper11. This allows the clamp10to grasp onto the fishing line spool as tight as possible. A central axis15of the spring13is aligned with the central axis8of the main shaft7so that the force of the spring13is centralized on the slideable stopper12and the grip of the clamp10is stabilized around the fishing line spool. The slideable lock15is also slidably engaged with the main shaft7in order for a user to insert a fishing line spool between the stationary stopper11and the slideable stopper12.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the slideable lock15comprises a ring16, a male-threaded shaft19, and a knob20. The ring16attaches the slideable lock15onto the main shaft7. As seen inFIG. 12, the ring16further comprises a channel17, which accommodate the main shaft7, and a female-threaded hole18, which accommodates male-threaded shaft. The male-threaded shaft19secures the position of the ring16along the main shaft7. The knob20allows the user to engage and disengage the male-threaded shaft19with the main shaft7. The channel17is oriented perpendicular to the female-threaded hole18, and the main shaft7traverses through the channel17. Consequently, the male-threaded shaft19is oriented perpendicular to the main shaft7and securely presses against the main shaft7. The male-threaded shaft19is engaged with the female-threaded hole18. The knob20is terminally fixed to the male-threaded shaft19, opposite to the female-threaded hole18. This arrangement utilizes the rotary force applied by the user with knob20to apply a normal force against the main shaft7, thereby securing16the position of the ring16along the main shaft7.

Once enough of the fishing line from the spool has been spooled onto the spinning reel, the fishing line may be cut. As the present invention is meant to be a portable tool, the present invention further comprises a line cutter45that allows a user to cut a fishing line. In order to cut a fishing line, the line cutter45comprises a mounting body46, a blade47, and cap49, illustrated inFIG. 3. The mounting body46attaches the blade47to the line-guiding plate3. The blade47cuts the fishing line, and the cap49prevents the blade47from being exposed and coming into contact with another surface or the user. The mounting body46is fixed onto the line-guiding plate3, and the blade47is fixed to the mounting body46, opposite the line-guiding plate3. This allows the user to easily cut the fishing line along the path from the fishing line spool to the spinning reel. The cap49is attached to the blade47, opposite the mounting body46, and a sharpened edge48of the blade47is oriented away from the elongated base plate1, effectively surrounding the blade47while allowing the user to cut the fishing line.