Bearing supported pick-up pin for spincast reel

A fishing reel designed to retain rotational functionality under load. The reel has a spool and spinner head assembly. A first pin arm is pivotally mounted to a plate portion of the spinner head assembly. A plate facing surface of the first pin arm has at least a portion that defines a planar surface from the first pivot end to the first pin arm for providing deflection resistance. A first pick-up pin selectively extends the first pin arm through a first pick-up pin orifice in a wall portion of the spinner head assembly. A first pick-up sleeve is rotationally mounted on the first pick-up pin for engaging fishing line when fishing line is wound onto said spool.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to fishing reels. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved pick-up pin for spincast reels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Spincast reels are well known in the art. A spincast reel typically includes a central body including a frame, a front cover positionable over at least the front face of the frame and having a tapered forward wall, a back cover positionable over at least the back face of the frame, a casting button projecting from the back cover, and a crank handle extending from a side of the fishing reel. Most of the operating structures and operating mechanisms of the reel are either mounted on, formed on, or mounted through the frame. A crank handle is operable for winding a fishing line around a spool contained within the reel. The spool is typically mounted on a spool hub that projects forwardly from the front of the frame.

A spincast reel will also include a foot structure for securing the reel on a fishing rod. The foot structure typically extends from either the bottom of the body or from the bottom of the back cover.

Operating structures and mechanisms contained in a typical spincast reel include an elongate main or center shaft that slidably and rotatably extends through the frame and through the spool, a spinner head secured to the forward end of the main or center shaft, a pinion gear positioned on the main shaft, a crankshaft extending from the crank handle into the side of the reel and through a crankshaft boss provided on the rearward face of the frame, a drive gear or face gear secured on the crankshaft, an anti-reverse mechanism in communication with the crankshaft for preventing reverse rotation of the crank handle and crankshaft, and an adjustable drag system.

A pinion gear is typically retained in the reel adjacent the rear face of the frame. The pinion gear is keyed on the main or center shaft for imparting rotational movement to the center shaft while allowing the shaft to slide longitudinally through the frame. The crankshaft drive gear operably engages the pinion gear such that rotational movement is imparted to the main shaft by turning the crank handle.

When an excessive pulling force is applied to the fishing line, the drag system counteracts the anti-reverse mechanism of the reel to payout a sufficient amount of additional fishing line to prevent the line from breaking. Most drag systems function to allow either an adjustable resistance to rotational slippage of the line spool about the spool hub or to allow an adjustable resistance to rotational slippage of the drive gear about the crankshaft. A typical drag system will also include an external adjustment mechanism, such as either a finger-operated drag wheel projecting from the reel housing or a star-shaped dial operably secured adjacent the crank handle on the exterior end of the crankshaft.

The spinner head attached to the forward end of the main shaft winds fishing line on the reel spool. While winding, the spinner head is positioned over the spool. When the user turns the crank handle, the rotational movement of the handle is mechanically transferred to the spinner head by means of the drive or face gear, the pinion gear, and the center shaft. The spinner head typically includes a mechanism for holding and positioning the fishing line so that, as the spinner head rotates, the spinner head wraps line around the spool. The mechanism is typically a set of line-grasping notches formed in a rearward edge of the spinner head or a spring-loaded pick-up pin or pins that project laterally through a sidewall of the spinner head.

A spincast reel will also typically include a biasing member for biasing the main or center shaft rearwardly toward engagement with the casting button. The biasing member commonly consists of a spring positioned around the rearward portion of the center shaft. The spring is typically attached to or retained by the rearward end of the main shaft such that the spring also holds the pinion or center shaft gear against the reel frame.

When casting a spincast reel, a user initially presses and holds the thumb button whereby the main shaft and the spinner head move forward and the spinner head clamps the fishing line against the tapered forward wall of the front cover. The line is thus prevented from moving outward, i.e., is prevented from paying out during the power portion of the casting motion. The forward movement of the center shaft and spinner head also typically activates a locking mechanism that limits the rearward movement of the spinner head such that the spinner head is prevented from returning to its winding position and disengages the line-grasping mechanism.

At the end of the casting motion, the user releases the thumb button to allow the shaft spring to move the center shaft and the spinner head rearwardly such that the fishing line is no longer clamped against the tapered forward wall of the front cover. With the line released and the spinner head prevented from grasping or otherwise engaging the fishing line, the line flows freely over the forward end of the line spool and through a line opening provided in the forward end of the front cover.

After casting, the user returns the spinner head and the line-grasping mechanism to their winding positions by turning the crank handle. One or more cam lobes or other release mechanisms are typically provided on the frame or elsewhere in the reel for releasing the spinner head locking mechanism in response to rotational movement of the spinner head.

One potential area for reel malfunction relates to the pick-up pins. Under certain conditions, friction between the pick-up pins and the spinner head assembly or other structures result in preventing rotation when a load was applied. In particular, contact may occur due to deflection of structure that support and move a line pick-up member between retrieve and casting positions, e.g., a line pick-up arm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The fishing reel of the invention includes a body including a frame having a front side and a rear side. The frame defines an axial orifice that communicates the front side and the rear side. A main shaft is slidably received in the axial orifice. In one embodiment, a spool is mounted on a shaft that shares a longitudinal axis with the main shaft. In some embodiments, the spool may be mounted on a spool boss that is part of the reel body and that shares a longitudinal axis with the main shaft.

A spinner head assembly is secured to the main shaft forward of the frame and the spool. The spinner head assembly has a plate portion and a circumferential wall portion protruding from the plate portion. The plate portion has a forward surface and a rearward surface. The forward surface has a first spring tab and a second spring tab protruding therefrom. The plate portion defines a first pivot orifice, a first slot, a second pivot orifice and a second slot. The circumferential wall portion defines a first pick-up pin orifice and a second pick-up pin orifice.

A first spring member is received in the first slot. The first spring member has an inner end and an outer end. First spring member additionally defines a flange and a receiving orifice that receives a fastener, such as a screw.

A first pin arm defines a first pivot end, a first pin end, a plate facing or engaging surface, and an inside surface. The first pin arm defines a first pivot orifice adjacent the first pivot end. The first pin arm further defines a first spring member orifice. The plate engaging surface defines a first receptacle on the plate engaging surface. The first receptacle further defines the first spring member orifice for receiving the inner end of the first spring member, wherein at least a portion the plate engaging surface defines a planar surface from the first pivot end to the first pin end of the first pin arm. The continuous planar surface results from the first pin arm having at least a portion that defines a substantially uniform thickness. The thickness of the first pin arm functions to increase stiffness and to constrain the line pick-up arm. The first pin arm is additionally restrained from deflection by the flange of the first spring member, which contacts the forward surface of the plate portion. Therefore, the first pin arm is pivotally affixed to the plate portion at the first pivot end and is slidably restrained at a second location along a length of first pin arm, preferably on a second side of a midpoint of first pin arm, although stability and deflection resistance are increased by the addition of the slidable restraint at any location.

The first pin arm is pivotally mounted to the rearward surface of the plate portion by the first pivot member, wherein the affixing member is a threaded flange.

A first affixing member is received in the first pivot orifice. A wheel is mounted on the first spring member and is received in the first receptacle of the first pin arm. The wheel has a plate facing or engaging surface for sliding on the rearward surface of the plate portion when the first pin arm is pivoted about the first pivot member. In one embodiment, the wheel is rotationally mounted to the first pin arm for rotational engagement with reel structure.

A first pin spring has a first end in communication with the first spring tab and a second end in communication with the outer end of the first spring member. The first pin spring is provided for biasing the first pin arm to a retracted position.

A first pick-up pin extends from the first pin end of the first pin arm. The first pick-up pin is provided for selectively extending through the first pick-up pin orifice in the circumferential wall portion of the spinner head assembly.

A first pick-up sleeve is rotationally mounted on the first pick-up pin. The first pick-up sleeve is provided for engaging fishing line when the fishing line is to be wound onto the spool.

A second spring member is received in the second slot. The second spring member has an inner end and an outer end. The second spring member additionally defines a flange and a receiving orifice that receives a fastener, such as a screw.

A second pin arm defines a first pivot end, a first pin end, a plate engaging surface and an inside surface. The second pin arm defines a first pivot orifice adjacent the first pivot end. The second pin arm further defines a first spring member orifice. The plate engaging surface defines a receptacle on the plate engaging surface. The receptacle further defines the first spring member orifice for receiving the inner end of the second spring member, wherein at least a portion the plate engaging surface defines a planar surface from the first pivot end to the first pin end of the second pin arm. The continuous planar surface results from the second pin arm having at least a portion that defines a substantially uniform thickness. The thickness of the second pin arm functions to increase stiffness and to constrain the line pick-up arm. The first pin arm is additionally restrained from deflection by a flange of the second spring member, which contacts the forward surface of the plate portion. Therefore, the second pin arm is pivotally affixed to the plate portion at the first pivot end and is slidably restrained at a second location along a length of second pivot arm, preferably on a second side of a midpoint of second pivot arm, although stability and deflection resistance are increased by the addition of the slidable restraint at any location.

The second pin arm is pivotally mounted to the rearward surface of the plate portion by the second pivot member, wherein the affixing member is a threaded flange.

A second affixing member is received in the second pivot orifice. A wheel is mounted on the second spring member and is received in the spacer receptacle of the second pin arm. The wheel has a plate engaging surface for sliding on the rearward surface of the plate portion when the second pin arm is pivoted about the second pivot member. In one embodiment, the wheel is rotationally mounted to the second pin arm for rotational engagement with reel structure.

A second pin spring has a first end in communication with the first spring tab and a second end in communication with the outer end of the second spring member. The second pin spring is provided for biasing the second pin arm to a retracted position.

A second pick-up pin extends from the pin end of the second pin arm. The second pick-up pin is provided for selectively extending through the second pick-up pin orifice in the circumferential wall portion of the spinner head assembly.

A second pick-up sleeve is rotationally mounted on the second pick-up pin. The second pick-up sleeve is provided for engaging fishing line when the fishing line is to be wound onto the spool.

The unique design of the first pin arm and second pin arm, as well as the rotationally mounted first pick-up sleeve and second pick-up sleeve, result in improved smoothness of operation and an increase in reel reliability.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the figures, fishing reel is designated generally10. Fishing reel10includes a body12having a frame14. Frame14has a front side16and a rear side18. Frame14defines an axial orifice (not shown) that communicates front side16and rear side18of frame14. Main shaft22is received within axial orifice20. Spool24is rotatably mounted to rotate about a longitudinal axis of main shaft22.

Spinner head assembly26is secured to main shaft22forward of frame14and spool24. Spinner head assembly26includes plate portion28that is substantially perpendicular to main shaft18. Spinner head assembly26further includes circumferential wall portion30that protrudes from plate portion28and is substantially parallel to main shaft18.

First spring member62is received in first slot42. First spring member62has an inner end64and an outer end66. First spring member62additionally defines flange67and receiving orifice68that receives fastener69, such as a screw. A head of fastener69engages inside surface78of first pin arm70and maintains flange67in close proximity to forward surface32of plate76of spinner head assembly26.

First pin arm70defines first pivot end72, first pin end74, plate facing or engaging surface76, and inside surface78. First pin arm70defines first pivot orifice80adjacent to first pivot end72. First pin arm70further defines first spring member orifice82(FIG. 9). Plate engaging surface76of first pin arm70may define first wheel receptacle84. First wheel receptacle84further defines first spring member orifice82for receiving inner end64of first spring member62. At least a portion of plate engaging surface76defines a planar surface from first pivot end72to first pin end74of first pin arm70. The portion of first pin arm70adjacent to first wheel receptacle84and forming a portion of the planar surface is provided to reinforce first pin arm70to limit deflection of first pin arm70. Pin arm70is further restrained from deflection by flange67of first spring member62.

First pin arm70is pivotally mounted to rearward surface34of plate portion28by first affixing member86. First affixing member86is received in first pivot orifice80. In a preferred embodiment, affixing member86is threadably received in threaded flange81.

Wheel88is mounted on first spring member62and received in first receptacle84of first pin arm70. Wheel88has plate facing or engaging surface90for sliding on rearward surface34of plate portion28when first pin arm70is pivoted about first affixing member86. In one embodiment, bearing spacer288(FIG. 14) is rotationally mounted to first pin arm70. Ball bearings289may be provided to facilitate rotation. In another embodiment, wheel88may be integrally formed with first pin arm70. Wheel88may engage rotating structure on main shaft22.

Referring now toFIG. 6, first pin spring92has a first end in communication with first spring tab36. First pin spring92has a second end that communicates with outer end66of first spring member62. First pin spring92is for biasing first pin arm70to a retracted position.

First pick-up pin98(FIG. 9) extends from first pin end74of first pin arm70. First pick-up pin98is for selectively extending through first pick-up pin orifice50in circumferential wall portion30of spinner head assembly26.

First pick-up pin sleeve100is rotationally mounted on first pick-up pin98. In a preferred embodiment, first pick-up pin sleeve100is mounted to first pick-up pin98with one or more bearings102therebetween (see, e.g.,FIG. 14). In one embodiment, bearings102are roller bearings. First pick-up sleeve100is for engaging fishing line when fishing line is to be wound onto spool24.

The components associated with second pin arm170(FIG. 2) are the same as components associated with first pin arm70. Where components associated with second pin arm170are visible, these components are labeled. When not visible, these components should be understood to have the same construction as corresponding components associated with first pin arm70. Second pivot member is received in second pick-up pin orifice. Second spring member162(FIG. 6) is received in second slot. Second spring member162has an inner end and an outer end166(FIG. 6). Second spring member162additionally defines a flange and receiving orifice for receiving a fastener, similar to first spring member62.

Second pin arm170(FIG. 2) defines second pivot end172, second pin end174, a plate facing or engaging surface, and inside surface178. Second pin arm170defines second pivot orifice (not shown) adjacent to second pivot end. Second pin arm170further defines second spring member orifice. Plate engaging surface of second pin arm170defines a second receptacle. Second receptacle further defines second spring member orifice for receiving inner end of second spring member162. At least a portion of plate engaging surface defines a planar surface from second pivot end to second pin end172of second pin arm170. Fastener169(FIG. 2) passes through second pin arm170for securing second spring member162.

Second pin arm170is pivotally mounted to rearward surface34of plate portion28by second affixing member186. Second affixing member186is received in second pivot orifice. In a preferred embodiment, second affixing member186is threadably received in a threaded flange (not shown).

Wheel188is mounted on second spring member162and received in the second receptacle of second pin arm170. Wheel188has plate facing or engaging surface for sliding on rearward surface34of plate portion28when second pin arm170is pivoted about second affixing member186. In one embodiment, wheel188is rotationally mounted to second pin arm170. Bearings, such as ball bearings, may be provided to facilitate rotation. In another embodiment, wheel188may be integrally formed with second pin arm170.

Second pin spring192(FIG. 6) has first end in communication with second spring tab136. Second pin spring192has second end that communicates with outer end166of second spring member162. Second pin spring192is for biasing second pin arm170to a retracted position. In the exemplary embodiment, first pin spring92and second pin spring192are located adjacent to forward surface32of spinner head assembly26. In other embodiments, first pin spring92and second pin spring192may be located adjacent to rearward surface34of spinner head assembly26.

Still referring toFIG. 6, second pick-up pin198extends from second pin end174of second pin arm170. Second pick-up pin198is for selectively extending through second pick-up pin orifice52in circumferential wall portion30of spinner head assembly26. Although an embodiment having two pin arms, i.e., first pin arm70and second pin arm170, are shown in figures, it should be understood that the reel of the invention could be made with a single pin arm, three, or more pin arms. Additionally, although first pin arm70and second pin arm170are shown as being pivotally mounted, other configurations are possible, including linear actuated pins wherein the pin arms move radially to pass pick-up pins through the pick-up pin orifice.

Second pick-up pin sleeve200is rotationally mounted on second pick-up pin198. In a preferred embodiment, second pick-up pin sleeve200is mounted to second pick-up pin198on one or more bearings.