Fishing reel with drag system

A fishing reel comprising a circumferential drag system including a drum structure within which an expansion member rests. The expansion member carries at its circumference an O-ring brought against the interior surface of the drum structure upon expansion of the expansion element. In this manner, controlled adjustment of the radially outward expansion element establishes a given magnitude drag coefficient for the drag system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present application relates generally to sport fishing equipment, and 
particularly to a drag system for a fishing reel. 
Important characteristics of a fishing reel drag system include an ability 
to recover from emersion, i.e., return to an established drag setting 
following dowsing, an ability to apply appropriate drag to the fishing 
line in response to a deployment force, and an ability to resist fatigue 
during extended use. Unfortunately, most fishing reel drag systems fall 
short of fully satisfying these important operating criteria. 
Fishing reel drag systems use friction to develop a reactive drag force 
against line windout. Traditionally, drag systems provide an adjustable 
frictional relationship between elements of the fishing reel. For example, 
one cork element moves with the fishing reel spool during windout or 
windin. A second cork element remains stationary relative to the fishing 
reel housing. The cork elements are adjustably urged together to establish 
a given drag or resistance to rotation of the fishing reel spool. The 
magnitude of drag developed against line windout is set according to 
equipment used, prevailing conditions, and user preference. When the 
reactive drag force is excessive, however, the fishing reel drag system 
develops excess line tension in response to a strong deployment force, 
e.g., a large fish on, and can result in a broken fishing rod tippet at 
the strike or on the initial run following strike. 
Existing drag systems lack for failure to avoid sudden excess line tension 
during initial application of a deployment force, e.g., fish on. The drag 
system reacts to a deployment force by providing a reactive force on the 
fishing line. A deployment force below a given drag threshold will not 
windout line, but once exceeding this drag threshold the fishing reel 
spool begins to windout fishing line. Line tension is dictated by the 
deployment force until the drag system allows windout. During windout, 
line tension is limited by the reactive drag force produced by the drag 
system, i.e., line tension is a function of the drag setting during 
windout. 
By adjusting the amount of friction produced by the drag system, i.e., by 
adjusting the drag setting, maximum line tension is limited to a given 
magnitude. Before windout begins, however, the drag system produces a 
large reactive force as it overcomes the static friction of the drag 
system. The large reactive force produces a corresponding large magnitude 
line tension. As windout commences, the drag system produces a relatively 
lesser magnitude reactive force, being derived then from dynamic friction 
within the drag system. As may be appreciated, the relatively lesser 
magnitude reactive force during windout produces a corresponding lesser 
magnitude line tension. 
To limit line tension absolutely below a given magnitude, the drag setting 
must be set such that its initial relatively larger magnitude reactive 
force corresponds to the desired maximum line tension allowed. 
Unfortunately, such a setting may be inappropriate during windout, i.e., 
such a setting may provide insufficient drag during windout. The drag 
setting is, therefore, a compromise somewhere in a range between that 
appropriate for windout and that appropriate at the onset of windout. As a 
result, one must accept more risk of lost fish or broken tippets when the 
drag system is set more appropriately for windout and less appropriately 
for the onset of windout. 
Thus, conventional drag systems suffer due to a large difference in line 
tension developed in response to a given line deployment force. 
Cork material has a relatively high frictional coefficient of drag. To make 
matters worse, cork has often been coated in an attempt to make the cork 
more water resistant. Because cork quickly losses its effectiveness, i.e., 
provides substantially less drag, when exposed to water, a conventional 
fishing reel becomes virtually worthless for a time following unintended 
emersion. 
Another problem found in traditional fishing reels is that of drag fatigue, 
i.e., the drag system losing its ability to provide a consistent magnitude 
drag at a given setting when used heavily for extended periods, e.g., all 
day. Many drag systems fatigue during use and provide lesser and lesser 
magnitude drag. As may be appreciated, a more consistent application of 
drag force is desirable throughout the day for improved drag performance. 
Accordingly, it is often necessary to carry several fishing reels during a 
fishing excursion in the event that one fishing reel gets wet or becomes 
fatigued and thereby loses an ability to provide appropriate reactive drag 
in response to a line deployment force. Even with multiple reels, one must 
deal with the problem of large variation in line tension resulting from an 
inability of the drag system to provide consistent line tension in 
response to a given magnitude line deployment force. 
It would be desirable, therefore, to provide in a fishing reel an improved 
drag system not contributing to sudden large variation in line tension 
during initial fish strike or initial run. A fishing reel should be 
effective even following complete emersion in water, quickly recovering to 
provide consistent reactive drag at a given drag setting. Finally, a 
fishing reel should not fatigue during use, making it available for use 
throughout an extended fishing excursion. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the present invention, an improved drag system includes 
a drag housing defining the inner surface of a drum element. Within the 
drum element, a pair of expansion members reside with intervening 
frictional material provided between the expansion members and the inner 
surface of the drum structure. The drag system further includes an 
adjustment portion bearing against the expansion members in such manner as 
to separate the expansion members toward the inner surface of the drum 
structure thereby capturing said frictional materials between said 
expansion members and said inner surface. The extent to which said 
expansion members are separated determines the magnitude of drag provided 
by the drag system. 
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the frictional material 
interposed between the expansion members and the inner surface of the drum 
housing include an O-ring and a low friction drag strip. The O-ring 
provides a reverse bias collapsing force on the expansion members and 
bears directly against the drag strip captured between the O-ring and the 
inner surface of the drum housing. 
Also in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, 
the adjustment portion of the drag system of the present invention 
includes a spreader element including surfaces angled relative to a 
central axis of the drum structure. The expansion elements include 
corresponding angled surfaces whereby upon driving the spreader element 
into the expansion members the expansion members separate under the 
influence of the engaged angled surfaces. By withdrawing the spreader 
element the expansion elements contract under the influence of the 
surrounding O-ring. 
Overall, the drag system provides consistent line tension through initial 
onset of a deployment force and during windout of fishing line. 
Accordingly, an established drag setting accurately reflects both the drag 
conditions desired during initial windout and during windout. As a result, 
the user can adjust the drag setting to a desired setting without 
compromise, i.e., without setting the drag system to an intermediate value 
between that desired under dynamic friction conditions and that desired 
under static friction conditions. 
The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and 
distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. 
However, both the organization and method of operation of the invention, 
together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be 
understood by reference to the following description taken with the 
accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like 
elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the drawings 
comprises generally a drag system exhibiting the desirable characteristic 
of substantially consistent line tension in response to a given magnitude 
deployment force through onset of the deployment force and during line 
windout. The drag system also exhibits the desirable characteristic of 
quickly returning to normal operation following emersion, i.e., returning 
to an established drag setting following exposure to water. Furthermore, 
the drag system of the present invention exhibits an ability to resist 
fatigue even through long hours of continuous use, i.e., maintains 
consistent drag all day long. These aspects of the drag system of the 
present invention resolve shortcomings of conventional fishing reel drag 
systems. While shown here in the context of a fly fishing reel, it will be 
understood that the drag system of the present invention may be applied to 
a variety of fishing reel types. 
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, fishing reel 10 includes a drag system 12 
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fishing reel 
10 mounts at its foot 14 (FIG. 2) to a fishing rod 16 in conventional 
fashion. A fishing reel housing 18 fixedly attaches to foot 14 and remains 
stationary relatively to fishing rod 16. A spool 20 rotates about a main 
axis 22 relative to housing 18. Spool 20 includes a handle 24 rotatably 
mounted upon spool 20 and spaced radially from the main axis 22 whereby a 
user 26 (FIG. 1) may grasp handle 24 and rotate spool 20 relative to 
housing 18 to collect line 28 thereon. 
Drag system 12 manages, i.e., limits, line tension 30 during line 28 
windout. In particular, reel 10 offers a given magnitude resistance or 
drag in response to application of a deployment force 32 on fishing line 
28. The higher the drag setting for drag system 12 the greater the line 
tension 30 allowed to develop. In accordance with the present invention, 
line tension 30 is substantially constant when overcoming static and 
dynamic friction conditions within drag system 12. 
Spool 20 is dismounted from housing 18 by operation of a spool lock 40. By 
sliding spool lock 40 radially outward relative to main axis 20, spool 20 
is movable along axis 22 away from housing 18 as illustrated in FIG. 3. 
Spool 20 carries as its hub a one-way roller bearing 44 (shown removed in 
FIG. 3) held in place by an annular bearing nut 46. Nut 46 includes a 
central bore 46a leaving exposed the central bore 44a of bearing 44. 
Housing 18 provides a spindle 48 defining the main axis 22 of fishing reel 
10. Spool 20 mounts by sliding central bore 44a of bearing 44 upon spindle 
48 of housing 18. Spindle 48, mounted fixedly relative to housing 18, 
provides at its distal end an annular relief 48a for engagement by the 
spool lock 40 to capture spool 20 upon spindle 48. 
Spindle 48 carries a drag sleeve 54. Drag sleeve 54 rotates upon the 
spindle 48 and engages the central bore 44a of one-way roller bearing 44. 
Thus, rotation of spool 20 in one direction is free spinning relative to 
sleeve 54, but in the opposite rotational direct engages sleeve 54 and 
urges sleeve 54 into rotation about spindle 48. In other words, during 
windout the roller bearing 44 engages sleeve 54 and urges sleeve 54 into 
rotation about spindle 48. During collection of line 28, however, bearing 
44 is free spinning on sleeve 54 and exerts little or no torque on sleeve 
54. Drag system 12 establishes a given magnitude resistance to rotation of 
sleeve 54 upon spindle 48, and thereby establishes drag with respect to 
spool 20 in a given rotational direction, with free spinning rotation of 
spool 20 allowed in the opposite rotational direction. As may be 
appreciated, by removing bearing 44 from spool 20 and flipping bearing 44 
end-for-end, fishing reel 10 may be quickly and easily converted from a 
right-hand retrieve fishing reel to a left-hand retrieve fishing reel. 
FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate in more detail the fly fishing reel 10 of FIGS. 
1-3. FIG. 4 shows in cross section the assembled fishing reel 10 while 
FIG. 5 shows an exploded perspective assembly view of the fishing reel 10. 
In FIGS. 4 and 5, spool 20 is shown including the handle 24 mounted 
rotatably thereon by means of a handle bushing 60 resting coaxially within 
the bore 24a of handle 24 and abutting a cup washer 62. A handle screw 64 
passes through wall 20a of spool 20 and cup washer 62 and threadably 
engages the handle bushing 60. In this manner, handle 24 is rotatably 
mounted upon spool 20. A counter-balance weight 66 mounts to wall 20a by 
way of screw 68 extending through wall 20a. In this manner, 
counter-balance 66 offsets the weight of handle 24 on spool 20 for better 
stability during rotation of spool 20. 
A locking plate 70 attaches by way of plate screws 72 upon the exterior 
surface of wall 20a. Spool lock 40 includes an interior portion 40a and an 
exterior portion 40b. Locking plate 70 includes a slotted aperture 70a in 
which a coupling portion 40c of spool lock 40 rests. Locking plate 70 
includes guide ways (not shown) for constraining movement of spool lock 40 
along a radial path. Spool lock 40 includes an aperture 40d in interior 
portion 40a aligned generally with the main axis 22, but slidable radially 
relative thereto by means of guide ways (not shown) of locking plate 70. 
With the interior portion 40a of lock 40, including the aperture 40d, 
captured between locking plate 70 and wall 20a, a shoulder 40e of spool 
lock 40 engages the inner diameter of an O-ring 78 also captured between 
plate 70 and wall 20a. O-ring 78 provides a biasing force to bring the 
aperture 40d of spool lock 40 radially away from alignment with main axis 
22. In this manner, the relief 48a of spindle 48 may pass into aperture 
40d when aperture 40d is aligned with axis 22, and be locked in place by 
releasing lock 40 following inward movement of spool lock 40 under the 
influence of O-ring 78. As previously noted, by applying a radially 
outward directed force on spool lock 40, i.e., against the biasing force 
of O-ring 78, the aperture 40d is aligned with main axis 22 and spindle 48 
whereby spool 20 may be slidably removed from spindle 48. 
Drag sleeve 54 is an integral portion of a drag housing 84. As previously 
noted, the inner bore 54a of drag sleeve 54 rests coaxially upon the 
spindle 48. A drum 86, of relatively greater diameter with respect to 
sleeve 54, is formed integrally with the sleeve 54. Drum 86 (shown 
partially broken away in FIG. 5) defines a cylindric inner drum surface 
86a. A floor 86b of drum 86 receives thereagainst a ultra high molecular 
washer 88. A cylindric drag strip 90, also of UHMW material, rests along 
the inner drum surface 86a. Thus, the interior surfaces of drum structure 
86 are protected by UHMW washer 88 and UHMW drag strip 90. 
A drag expander 100, including an upper portion 100a and a lower portion 
100b, defines generally a bifurcated disk including a circumferential 
O-ring site 102. An O-ring 104 rests circumferentially about drag expander 
100 at the site 102. With the O-ring 104 resting at site 102, and the 
expander portions 100a and 100b being thereby drawn together toward main 
axis 22, the assembly of expander 100 and O-ring 104 may be placed within 
the drum 86. In particular, the O-ring 104 circumferentially engages the 
drag strip 90 and the leading face of expander 100 rests against the 
washer 88. Drag expander 100 defines a central bore 100c through which the 
spindle 48 slides in mounting drag housing 84 upon spindle 48. In such 
configuration, moving the expanders 100 radially outward causes O-ring 104 
to bear against drag strip 90 within drum housing 86. As may be 
appreciated, to the extent that expander portions 100a and 100b are 
radially separated a larger magnitude frictional relationship exists 
between the drag expander 100 and the drag housing 84. As will be 
explained more fully hereafter, the drag expander 100 is held against 
rotation about the main axis 22 and the frictional relationship between 
drag expander 100 and the rotating drag housing 84 establishes a given 
drag setting for drag system 12. 
Spindle 48 mounts fixedly to the reel housing 18 by means of a drag nut 110 
threadably engaging spindle 48 and capturing therebetween reel housing 18. 
More particularly, a central bore 18a of housing 18 receives the threaded 
proximal end of spindle 48. Nut 110 then threads upon spindle 48 to secure 
spindle 48 upon housing 18. Also, spindle 48 includes a shoulder 48b 
including a flat portion 48c fitting closely within the aperture 18a of 
housing 18, also including a corresponding flat portion 18b. In this 
manner, spindle 48 is held securely against rotation as mounted fixedly 
upon housing 18 and defining the main axis 22. 
The assembly of drag housing 84, washer 88, drag strip 90, drag expander 
100, and O-ring 104 mounts coaxially upon spindle 48 by sliding onto the 
distal end thereof. Once so positioned on spindle 48, a washer 120 slides 
into abutting contact with the distal end of sleeve 54 and a lock nut 76 
threads upon spindle 48 to hold drag housing 84 against movement axially 
along the spindle 48 and toward its distal end at the relief 48a. In other 
words, the lock nut 76 captures drag housing 84 against coming off the end 
of spindle 48. A UHMW washer 55 may be placed coaxially upon sleeve 54 and 
against the drum 86 as an interface between drag housing 84 and spool 20. 
In such configuration, i.e., with the drag housing 84 blocked against 
movement off the spindle 48 by means of lock nut 76, drag system 12 
further provides a mechanism for bearing against the expander 100 to cause 
outward radial movement of expander portions 100a and 100b, and thereby 
establish a given magnitude frictional relationship between drag expander 
100 and drag housing 84. More particularly, a drag spreader 122 projects 
spreader legs 124, each including surfaces 124a inclined downward toward 
main axis 22 in the direction of drag expander 100, into expander 100. 
Drag expander 100 includes inclined apertures 100d similarly inclined 
downward toward main axis 22 in the direction of drag housing 84. The 
angle of inclination for apertures 100d and legs 124 may vary according to 
the range of drag desired, i.e., for a given angle of inclination for legs 
124 and apertures 100d, a given range of drag is achieved. Thus, by 
varying the angle of inclination for legs 124 and apertures 100d relative 
to the axis 22, a selected range of drag results. As the drag spreader 122 
is driven into the drag expander 100, i.e., the surfaces 124a of spreaders 
124 enter the inclined apertures 100d of drag expander 100, the drag 
expander portions 100a and 100b are driven radially outward. Similarly, as 
the drag spreader 122 is withdrawn from the drag expander 100, the 
expander 100 contracts radially inward under the influence of O-ring 104. 
A pair of wave springs 130, individually 130a and 130b, are positioned each 
adjacent the drag spreader 122, and a washer 134 is interposed between the 
upper wave spring 130a and the drag knob 136. A drag screw 138 is 
positioned coaxially along main axis 122, through the drag knob 136, 
washer 134, wave spring 130a, drag spreader 122, and wave spring 130b for 
threading engagement with the interior threaded aperture 48b of spindle 
48. In this manner, the assembly of drag knob 136, washer 134, wave spring 
130, drag spreader 122, and wave spring 130b are captured coaxially along 
main axis 22 with drag spreader 122 suitably positioned for engagement of 
drag expander 100. An inner bore 136a of drag knob 136 engages threaded 
portion 48d of spindle 48 so as to collapse the assembly against reel 
housing 18 and cause the spreader legs 124 to protrude through apertures 
18c reel housing 18 and into the drag expander 100. 
Thus, rotational movement of drag knob 136 accomplishes longitudinal 
movement of drag spreader 122 along axis 22 and thereby establishes a 
given radial outward or radial inward position for the drag expander 
portions 100a and 100b to establish a selected magnitude frictional 
relationship between the drag housing 84 and the drag expander 100. 
Because the drag spreader 122 is held against rotation, i.e., the spreader 
legs 124 pass through corresponding apertures 18c of reel housing 18, and 
the spreader legs 124 engage the inclined apertures 100d of drag expander 
100, the drag expander 100 is held rotationally stationary relative to 
reel housing 18. In this manner, a magnitude of friction established 
between drag expander 100 and drag housing 84 dictates the amount of 
resistance to rotation about axis 22 offered by drag housing 84. 
Drag system 12 exhibits as low as 0.007 drag coefficient making "start-up" 
drag practically non-existent. The circumferential drum arrangement of 
drag system 12 increases point contact expansion as the drag knob 136 is 
tightened. The drag established increases exponentially as the knob 136 is 
adjusted to provide a wide range of drag settings. Also, drag system 12 
needs no predetermined, i.e., incremental, settings on the adjustment knob 
136, but instead provides a true analog and wide range of drag settings. 
In this manner, the user can establish an ideal maximum line tension 30. 
Most fishing reels provide an audible feedback to indicate to the user 
rotation of the spool. In the illustrated fishing reel 10, a clicker 
assembly 150 includes a spur gear 152 mounted circumferentially about the 
outer surface of drum 86, a clicker point 154 engaging the teeth of gear 
152, a spring 156 upon which clicker point 154 mounts, a clicker body 158 
upon which spring 156 mounts, and a screw 160 for attaching the body 158 
to housing 18. As may be appreciated, the drag housing 84 moves only 
during windout of spool 20. During collection of line 28, the one-way 
roller bearing 44 rotates freely on the sleeve 54 and exerts little or no 
torque thereon. Accordingly, spur gear 152 rotates only during line 28 
windout. As spur gear 152 rotates during windout, the clicker point 154 
moves from tooth-to-tooth, thereby producing a clicking noise indicative 
of spool 20 windout. Thus, the clicker assembly 150 only produces audible 
indication of spool 20 rotation during line 28 windout, and not during 
line 28 collection. 
Thus, an improved drag system for a fishing reel has been shown and 
described. The drag system of the present invention provides accurate and 
consistent drag performance as demanded by the most discriminating of all 
sports fishing activities, i.e., fly fishing. As may be appreciated by 
those persons experienced in fly fishing, every aspect of the equipment 
used and conditions prevailing must be considered in fully enjoying the 
fishing experience. The drag system of the present invention allows the 
user to fully enjoy the fishing experience by providing an accurate and 
reliable drag system accurately establishing a drag setting according to 
prevailing conditions and equipment used. 
Consider a situation where the user is casting to selective wild trout on a 
smooth flowing spring creek. Conditions of the day call for 7.times. 
tippets and size 22 flies. The fish are large and breaking tippets all to 
often. The source of tip breakage is most likely found in the drag system 
of the reel. Unless the drag coefficient is low enough, the fish will 
break off at the strike because the reel requires a sharp jerk to overcome 
the breakaway, i.e., static, friction of the drag system. While large 
tippets could be used, the user would risk spooking the fish. A fishing 
reel employing the drag system of the present invention, however, has 
extremely low coefficient of drag and allows the user to continue using 
the 7.times. tippets as conditions demand. Because the drag system of the 
present invention has substantially consistent drag response from the 
onset of a deployment force and through line windout, no such sudden sharp 
jerk is required to overcome breakaway friction and the fishing line 
experiences no sudden sharp increase in tension. As a result, the risk of 
tippet breakage is substantially reduced even thought lighter gauge 
tippets are employed. 
The weak point in most conventional fishing reel is the cork material used 
in the drag system. Cork offers a relatively high drag coefficient, and 
cannot permit smooth, i.e., consistent, drag resistance in response to a 
deployment force. This can be particularly critical when fishing for 
long-running game fish like bone fish and rugged species. In such sport, 
the user doesn't simply reel in the fish. It is necessary to battle the 
fish for every foot of line. During such battle, the line experiences 
sudden increases in tension corresponding to the onset of windout. With a 
drag system of the present invention, the drag setting may be appropriate 
for both the onset of windout and during windout. In this manner, a more 
precise drag setting appropriate for the current conditions may be 
achieved without risking damage to the fishing rod or loss of game. 
It will be appreciated that the present invention is not restricted to the 
particular embodiment that has been described and illustrated, and that 
variations may be made therein without departing from the scope of the 
invention as found in the appended claims and equivalents thereof.