Large arbor fishing reel embodying recessed drag control knob and zero backlash drag engagement clutch

A fly fishing reel having a large diameter arbor wall defining a large diameter recess within the spool within which recess are contained support structure for rotatably supporting the spool, and a digitally manipulable drag adjustment knob rotatably actuable through use of a single finger to apply a rotary adjusting moment on the knob. Also enclosed within the large diameter central recess of the reel is a zero backlash drag engagement structure operable to eliminate line jerk and to control the direction of rotation of the spool, thus enabling customizing of the reel for right or left handed fishermen.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to fishing reels, and more particularly to a large 
arbor fly fishing reel incorporating a drag control knob fully recessed in 
the large diameter arbor and also incorporating a zero backlash drag 
engagement clutch means. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Prior United States patents known to exist that relate to fishing reels 
include the following: U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,059,765; 2,180,566; 2,551,309; 
2,306,257; 2,331,249 3,478,976; 3,510,083; 3,478,977; 4,162,049; 
4,883,238. 
Referring to the patents listed above, U.S. Pat. No. 2,059,765 is not a 
large arbor reel and does not incorporate the drag mechanism within the 
large diameter recess defined by the arbor of the reel. As stated in the 
patent, the purpose of the invention is to exert a drag upon the fish when 
it runs with a line, and to simultaneously provide a click mechanism that 
serves as an alarm when the line is drawn outwardly. According to the 
specification of this patent, reels of this type, before the invention 
described by this patent, have not been provided with a click mechanism 
that works in conjunction with the drag mechanism. In this patent, the 
structures relating to these two functions are wholly outside the arbor of 
the reel and therefore differentiate significantly in structure and 
function from the structure disclosed and claimed herein. 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,180,566 also does not disclose a reel having a large 
diameter arbor or recess, does not include mechanism of any kind-within 
the recess formed by the arbor, and does not incorporate a zero backlash 
mechanism as disclosed herein. Thus, with respect to providing a drag, 
this patent teaches the utilization of a break shoe mounted upon a lever 
arm and which is adjustably pressed against a friction surface of the reel 
by a spring carried on an adjusting stem the outer end of which is 
provided with a knurled knob peripherly mounted on the reel and which may 
be digitally manipulated to increase or decrease the drag. In like manner, 
the click mechanism in this reel is similar to the drag mechanism with the 
exception that the break shoe is replaced by a spring-pressed pawl that 
works in conjunction with circumferentially spaced teeth formed in the 
break drum. As with most ratchet-type mechanisms, when the pawl moves over 
the outer peripheral surface of the tooth, and disengages the groove 
between adjacent teeth, there is a moment in time when back lash occurs 
prior to reengagement of the pawl with the next succeeding groove between 
the adjacent teeth. 
Accordingly, this patent does not incorporate a zero backlash mechanism. 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,551,309 also does not teach a large arbor reel. As clearly 
illustrated in the drawings of this patent, and described in the 
specification, the reel is provided with a frame within which a spool is 
rotatably mounted. Interposed between the spool and one end of the frame 
is a break drum having ratchet teeth on its inner face arranged to engage 
a spring-pressed ratchet mounted on the inner face of the spool and having 
ratchet teeth on its outer face arranged to engage a ratchet mounted in 
the frame whereby the spool may be rotated in either direction. Clearly 
then, this patent does not teach a large arbor, nor a drag mechanism 
mounted within the recess formed by the large arbor, nor does it disclose 
a zero backlash mechanism. 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,306,257 clearly does not disclose a large arbor reel, and 
does not include within such a non-existant large arbor the ancillary 
mechanisms for controlling drag and backlash. In fact, this patent, 
specifically states that one of the objects is to place the drag mechanism 
entirely on the exterior of the reel. A ratchet mechanism is provided in 
association with the drag control mechanism enabling free rotation of the 
reel spool in one direction, as when a fish is being reeled in. As 
described and illustrated in the patent, the ratchet mechanism is 
significantly different in structure and operation from applicant's zero 
backlash mechanism. 
Examination of the remaining patents listed above has failed to disclose 
any large arbor reels that incorporate either or both of the drag control 
mechanism or anti-backlash mechanism within a large diameter recess formed 
by the arbor of the reel. Other publications that relate to reels include 
Dan Bailey's Fly Shop magazine published out of Livingston, Mont.; 
Cabella's Fly Fishing 1995 magazine, and Trout magazine for the summer of 
1989, particularly the article entitled Reel Developments, by C. Boyd 
Pfeiffer. 
A careful review of published material relating to fly fishing reels, 
particularly reels having large diameter arbors or recesses, has failed to 
reveal a large arbor fly fishing reel in which essentially all mechanical 
aspects of the reel are operatively contained within the recess formed by 
the arbor. Accordingly, one of the principal objects of the present 
invention is to provide a fly fishing reel that incorporates a large 
diameter arbor defining a large diameter recess within which is 
operatively incorporated a drag adjusting knob and drag generating 
mechanism on the same side as the reel handle to preclude the necessity of 
having to change the fishing rod from hand-to-hand to adjust a drag knob 
on the opposite side of the reel from the handle. 
Investigation has revealed that drag adjustment knobs that are mounted on 
the same side of the reel on which the handle or crank is mounted, create 
a problem in that rotation of the reel with the handle, tends to bring the 
knuckles of that hand into contact with the drag adjustment knob, leading 
to skinned knuckles. Accordingly, another object of the invention is the 
provision of a large arbor fly fishing reel in which the drag adjustment 
knob is placed on the reel on the same side as the handle, but is recessed 
so as to prevent contact of the drag adjustment knob by the hand when the 
reel spool is rotated, as when reeling in a fish. Also, if a fish is 
pulling line out, a flip of the finger on the drag adjustment knob 
re-adjusts the drag as necessary to land the fish. 
Most reels that have been examined utilize an anti-backlash mechanism 
consisting of a ratchet and pawl arrangement in which the pawl is dragged 
over the ends of the teeth and falls between two adjacent teeth. 
Experience has taught that this mechanism minimizes backlash, but does not 
eliminate it. Accordingly, another object of the present invention is the 
provision of a zero backlash mechanism in conjunction with a large arbor 
fly fishing reel. 
A still further object of the invention is the provision of a fly fishing 
reel having a large diameter spool that enables quick line retrieval and 
minimizes line coiling memory while providing consistent drag pressure as 
the line runs out as when a fish is "running" with the line. 
Yet another object of the invention is a large arbor fly fishing reel that 
incorporates mechanism to provide instant drag engagement with no jerk or 
backlash on the line, here referred to as zero backlash. 
Many reels of the fly fishing-type include mechanisms that protrude beyond 
the side surfaces of the frame or spool. Such protrusions create the risk 
of the line becoming tangled on such protrusions. Accordingly, another 
object of the invention is the provision of a large arbor fly fishing reel 
that eliminates protrusions from the frame and spool on which line might 
tangle. 
When fly fishing, depending upon the circumstances, it is frequently 
necessary to change the spool to provide a different type of line or 
leader or tippet. Accordingly, a still further object of the invention is 
the provision of a large arbor fly fishing reel that enables removal and 
substitution of the spool without use of tools or extraneous parts that 
must be detached from the reel with the attendant risk of loss thereof. 
Some fishermen are left-handed, while most fishermen are right-handed. 
Accordingly, yet another object of the invention is the provision of a 
large arbor fly fishing reel that can be changed from a right-handed to a 
left-handed mode of operation by a simple rearrangement of the zero 
backlash mechanism that controls the direction of rotation of the spool. 
The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of 
which, with the foregoing, will be apparent from the following description 
and the drawings. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited 
to the embodiment illustrated and described since it may be embodied in 
various forms within the scope of the appended claims. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In terms of broad inclusion, the fly fishing reel of my invention comprises 
a large diameter spool having a large diameter arbor defining a recess 
within which are contained the digitally manipulable drag adjustment knob 
and the automatically and instantly actuable zero backlash drag engagement 
clutch means. Additionally, the spool and frame with which it cooperates 
are relatively narrow in a transverse dimension, thus facilitating 
"palming" of the reel for greater control. The digitally manipulable drag 
adjustment knob, being recessed within the large diameter arbor recess of 
the spool, enables manipulation of the reel crank or handle without risk 
of skinned hands on the knob and eliminates a protrusion on the reel, thus 
eliminating the risk of the line being entangled about such a protrusion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
In terms of greater detail, the fly fishing reel of the invention includes 
a frame member designated generally by the numeral 2 and including a 
circular back plate 3 symmetrical about a central axis 4 and provided with 
a shallow peripheral flange 5 from which diametrically oppposed arcuate 
flanges 6 and 7 project perpendicularly in relation to the back palte and 
integrally from the peripheral flange 5. The arcuate flange 6 
circumferentially subtends an arc that can range from about 30 to 50 
degrees, and its outer peripheral edge 8 remote from the base plate is 
rabbetted as indicated at 9 for a purpose which will hereinafter be 
explained. The arcuate flange 7 circumferentially subtends a lesser arc of 
from about 15 to 20 degrees, and its outer peripheral edge 12 lies in a 
common plane with the edge 8, and is also rabbetted as indicated at 13. 
The frame 2 is preferably precision machined from a suitable metal such as 
aluminum alloy, and the circular back plate portion 3 of the frame is 
provided centrally symmetrical about the central axis 4 of the back plate 
with an integral mounting pad 14. Formed centrally in the mounting pad is 
a guide bore 16, and four threaded mounting bores 17 are also provided in 
the mounting pad spaced radially about the central guide bore. Preferably, 
neither the guide bore nor the four threaded mounting bores extend through 
the full thickness of the mounting pad, thus enhancing the appearance of 
the reel and eliminating the possibility that an overly long mounting 
screw will project from the back surface of the back plate and provide a 
protrusion on which the line may become entangled. 
To provide an understanding of the size and precision design of my fly 
fishing reel, in a reel having a nominal overall diameter of four inches 
(4"), the overall diameter of the frame is preferably 3.970 inches, while 
the transverse thickness of the frame between a plane coincident with the 
outermost surface of the mounting pad 14 and a parallel plane coincident 
with the edges 8 and 12 of flanges 6 and 7, respectively, amounts to about 
1.370 inches. While the nominal thickness of the back plate measured 
outboard, i.e, surrounding the mounting pad 14, amounts to about 0.080 
inches, the thickness of the peripheral flange 5 and diametrically opposed 
arcuate flanges 6 and 7, measured radially, is increased to 0.125 inches 
for rigidity and to provide sufficient thickness to accommodate the 
rabbetted edges. 
It will of course be understood that the fly fishing reel frame thus formed 
constitutes the base or support on which all remaining components of the 
reel are carried. It should also be understood that the dimensions 
indicated are merely those that have been selected for a reel of specific 
diameter, and that these dimensions may be modified as necessary or 
desirable both in a reel of the size indicated and in larger or smaller 
reels. Thus, it is not intended that the dimensions indicated constitute a 
limitation in the scope of the invention presented as defined in the 
claims that follow. 
For detachable attachment of the frame 2 to a fishing pole P as illustrated 
in FIGS. 1 and 2, the frame is provided with a foot member designated 
generally by the numeral 18, and including a pedestal portion 19 having 
two mounting bores 21 therein adapted to receive two mounting screws 22 
that threadably engage corresponding threaded bores 23 in arcuate flange 
6, as shown in the drawings. The undersurface 24 of the pedestal is curved 
to conform to the curvature of the arcuate flange 6, while the upper 
surface 26 of the pedestal is curved and extended in oppositely projecting 
rod mounting flanges 27 adapted to be detachably engaged by mounting 
ferrules 28 and 29 on the fishing rod handle. The ferrule 29 is threadably 
adjustable on the rod to enable the two ferrules to be moved toward each 
other to detachably lock the frame to the fishing rod. 
The frame of the fly fishing reel is designed to form a protective base for 
and appropriately support all other components of the reel. Thus, in the 
reel illustrated herein, there is detachably yet rigidly secured to the 
back plate 3 and the mounting pad 14, a spindle designated generally by 
the numeral 31, and preferably fabricated from an appropriate stainless 
steel. The spindle is symmetrically formed about a longitudinal axis 32, 
and includes a shaft portion 33 which, at one end, is provided with a 
radially extending generally circular mounting flange 34 and a cylindrical 
stub shaft 36 adapted to engage the guide bore 16. Counter-sunk screw 
holes 37 are formed in the circular flange to receive machine screws 38 
adapted to threadably engage the threaded bores 17 formed in the mounting 
pad. It will thus be seen that the central axis of the frame and the 
central axis of the spindle coincide, and that the combination of the 
thickened back plate in the area of the mounting pad, taken with the 
attachment of the stainless steel mounting flange 34 of the spindle 
thereto, rigidifies and strengthens the back plate so as to insure that 
the remaining components mounted on the spindle run true and without 
wobble to provide a high precision and smoothly operating fly fishing 
reel. 
Mounted on the spindle for true rotation thereon in a selected direction 
about the central axis 32 is a drag disk designated generally by the 
numeral 39. The drag disk is conveniently fabricated from aluminum alloy 
and is symmetrical about a central axis which, when the disk is mounted on 
the spindle shaft, is coincident with the central axis 32 of the spindle. 
To rotatably mount the drag disk on the spindle shaft adjacent the spindle 
mounting flange 34, there is mounted on the spindle shaft an annular 
bearing ring 41 fabricated from any suitable bearing material that 
minimizes rotational friction and wear of the component it rotatably 
supports. As seen in the drawings, one end edge 42 of the annular bearing 
ring 41 may be nested within a shallow annular channel 43 formed in the 
surface 44 of the mounting flange 34 at the base of the spindle shaft 33. 
At its opposite end edge, the bearing ring 41 forms an abutment against 
which the drag disk abuts to limit and control its axial position on the 
spindle shaft, and control the position of other portions of the drag disk 
in relation to associated structure. 
Thus, the drag disk includes a hub portion 47 having an inner bearing 
surface 48 that is rotatably journaled on the outer peripheral bearing 
surface of the bearing ring 41. The inner bearing surface 48 is 
intercepted by a radially extending annular stop flange 49 the inner 
surface 51 of which slidably abuts the end edge 46 of the bearing ring 41 
as shown. Extending integrally from the hub portion 47 is an annular disk 
portion 53 having an inner surface 54 and a parallel outer surface 56 
between which is defined the thickness of the drag disk. The outer surface 
56 forms a drag surface as will hereinafter be explained. 
Formed integrally on the inner surface 54 of the annular disk portion is an 
annular bead 57 having an outer periphery 58 and an inner circular 
periphery 59. The annular bead projects axially from the surface of the 
annular disk portion and its projection is intercepted by an outer end 
surface 61. Formed in the outer annular surface 58 of the bead 57 is a 
radially inwardly extending slot 62 that stops short of the inner circular 
periphery of the annular bead. A radially extending bore 63 is formed in 
the annular outer peripheral surface of the bead. The purpose of the 
radially extending annular slot 62 and the bore 63 will be explained 
hereinafter. 
As shown in the drawings, the inner periphery 59 of the annular bead 57 
forms a circular surface that is symmetrical about the central axis of the 
spindle and which is radially spaced about the outer periphery of the 
circular mounting flange 34 by a precise and predetermined amount. In like 
manner, the inner surface 54 of the annular disk portion is axially spaced 
from the adjacent surface 44 of the spindle mounting flange 34. This axial 
spacing between the adjacent surfaces 54 and 44 is controlled and 
determined by the thickness of the radially extending annular stop flange 
49, which abuts the associated end edge 46 of the bearing ring 41. It 
should also be noted that the outboard surface 61 of the bead 57 is spaced 
from the adjacent inner surface of the circular back plate 3, thus 
enabling free rotation of the drag disk in a selected direction without 
physical contact of the drag disk with the adjacent inner surface of the 
back plate and the adjacent flat surface 44 of the mounting flange 34. 
From the description above it will be understood that the drag disk is 
normally enabled to rotate in only one selected direction. This direction 
of selected rotation is necessarily the same direction in which the reel 
is manipulated to rewind the line, as when a fish is on the line and it is 
desired to reel the fish in to be netted. The direction in which the drag 
disk cannot normally rotate is the direction that corresponds to the line 
being payed out, as when the fish is permitted to run with the line in a 
controlled manner against drag imposed by the adjustable drag mechanism 
hereinafter to be described. To enable such selective rotation of the drag 
disk, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the circular outer periphery 64 of 
the the circular mounting flange 34 of the spindle is provided with 
diametrically opposed notches 66, each notch having a flat chordal-like 
bottom surface 67 intercepted at opposite ends by spaced shoulders or end 
walls 68 perpendicular to the bottom surface 67 and intercepting the 
circular periphery 64 of the mounting flange. 
It should be noted from FIGS. 6 and 7 that the circular outer periphery 64 
of the mounting flange 34 is closely circumscribed by the inner circular 
peripheral surface 59 (FIG. 3) of the drag disk 39, these concentric 
circular surfaces being spaced apart by about 0.020 of an inch. Confined 
within the diametrically opposed notches 66 are complementary roller 
clutch assemblies, each designated generally by the numeral 69, and each 
including a pair of cylindrical members 71 and 72 captured in the space 
between the bottom 67 of each notch 66 and the circumscribing inner 
circular periphery 59 of the drag disk 39. 
As will be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cylindrical members 71 in each notch 
66 are symmetrical about their respective central axes 73, which axes are 
perpendicular to associated surface 54 of the drag disk 39 and parallel to 
the coincident central axes 32 of the frame and the spindle. Additionally, 
it should be noted that the axes 32 of the cylindrical members 71 are 
spaced on opposite sides of the coincident central axes of the frame and 
spindle, and that their axes are coincident with a plane that includes the 
coincident central axes of the frame and spindle. 
As a result of this relationship, the outer periphery of each of the 
cylindrical members 71 is in physical contact with the associated bottom 
67 of the notch in which it is confined, and is also in physical contact 
with the associated circularly circumscribing surface 59 of the drag disk. 
Each cylindrical member 71 is also in physical contact with the 
contiguously arranged cylindrical member 72 that is also in physical 
contact with the bottom 67 of the notch and the circularly circumscribing 
surface 59 of the drag disk. 
However, there are two important characteristics that differentiate the 
cylindrical members 71 and 72 in each of the notches. The first of these 
is that the cylindrical members 71 are formed from an incompressible 
material such as stainless steel. These cylindrical members 71, because of 
their position in relation to the circumscribing inner peripheral surface 
59 of the drag disk enable free rotation of the drag disk in a direction 
which tends to roll the cylindrical members 71 against the contiguous 
cylindrical members 72, which are fabricated from a synthetic resinous 
material such as a closed-cell elastomer and possess a slight amount of 
elastic compressibility. Thus, the members 72 impinge resiliently against 
the circularly circumscribing surface 59 of the drag disk and impose a 
slight amount of drag on the drag disk to prevent "freewheeling" of the 
reel. They also retain the cylindrical members 71 in the position of 
maximum dimension between surface 67 and opposed surface 59, thus 
preventing the members 71 from being rolled into the gore of diminishing 
dimension formed between bottom surface 67 and the circumscribing circular 
peripheral surface 59 of the drag disk. 
Thus it is that when the drag disk is attempted to be rotated in a 
direction to roll the cylindrical members 71 away from the cylindrical 
members 72, which happens when a fish is on the line and tensioning the 
line against reel drag, the cylindrical members 71 tend to roll away from 
the cylindrical members 72, toward the diminishing dimension between the 
bottom surface 67 and the circularly circumscribing surface 59, and the 
cylindrical members 71 instantly are caught in the gore to prevent 
rotation of the drag disk in relation to the spindle. The run of the fish 
is thus controlled totally by the drag that is imposed on the line by the 
drag mechanism, while the fisherman is enabled to work the fish toward him 
by free rotation of the drag disk in its free rotation direction. To 
reverse the action of the roller clutches so as to enable rotation of the 
drag disk in the opposite direction, all that is required is that the 
position of the cylindrical members 72 be moved to the other side of the 
cylindrical members 71 as illustrated in FIG. 7. 
To enable the imposition of selective amounts of rotational drag on the fly 
fishing reel, there is applied to the outer annular surface 56 of the drag 
disk a large diameter cork composite annular disk 74, or other appropriate 
friction material, the inner periphery of which seats about the hub 
surface 52 of the drag disk while the outer periphery of the cork 
composite disk is coincident with the outer periphery of the drag disk as 
shown in the drawings. Compression of the large diameter cork composite 
annular disk enables instant drag engagement with no jerk or backlash and 
delivers a very low start-up inertia. 
The large diameter cork composite annular drag disk is interposed between 
the associated parallel surface 56 of the drag disk and an abutting 
surface of a spool assembly designated generally by the numeral 76. The 
spool assembly is preferably fabricated from aluminum alloy and includes a 
circular channel 77 possessing a generally U-shaped cross-section formed 
by a rear annular wall 78 having inner and outer peripheries and parallel 
to a front annular wall 79 having inner and outer peripheries. The inner 
peripheries of the annular walls are integrally connected by a large 
diameter cylindrical arbor wall 81 that forms the bottom of the U-shaped 
cross-section of the channel 77 and which also defines a large diameter 
central recess 82. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the diameter of the central 
recess 82 is about twice the radial depth of the circular channel, thus 
placing the spool on which the line is wound closer to the outer periphery 
of the reel than is sally the case. Stated in other words, the diameter of 
the cylindrical arbor wall 81, as shown in the drawings, is at least fifty 
percent (50%) of the diameter of the spool. The functional effect of 
placing the line so far from the rotational axis of the reel is to 
lengthen the lever arm, i.e., the distance between the point of tangency 
of the line on the underlying turns of the line on the spool and the 
rotational axis of the spool. 
Extending integrally and transversely across the large diameter central 
recess 82 defined by the arbor wall 81 is an annular web or partition wall 
83 the outer periphery of which is integral with the inner periphery of 
the cylindrical arbor wall 81, and the inner periphery of which is 
integral with a hub 84 adapted to be rotatably journaled on the shaft 
portion 33 of the spindle 31. The hub 84 is symmetrically disposed about 
the central axis 32 of the spindle shaft and is provided adjacent opposite 
ends with bearing rings 86 and 87 rotatably interposed between the hub 84 
and the associated portion of the spindle shaft as shown. 
It is important to note that the annular partition wall 83 is 
intermediately positioned between the planes of the front and rear walls 
79 and 78, respectively, of the U-shaped channel, to thus define a rear 
recess portion 88 within which recess is enclosed the mounting base flange 
34 of the spindle and the drag disk 39. As shown in the drawings, the 
portion 89 of the arbor wall 81 that circumscribes the rear recess 88 is 
provided on its inner periphery with circumferentially spaced recesses 91 
that cooperate with a coil of stainless steel wire 92 embedded in the 
radially extending slot 62 formed in the outer periphery 58 of the bead 57 
to form a "clicker" assembly which sounds an alarm when a fish takes the 
bait and runs with the line, but which is silent when the fish is reeled 
in by the fisherman. 
The rear recess portion 88 is somewhat more shallow than the front recess 
portion 82 within which is accommodated the axially projecting hub 84 of 
the spool 76. Additionally, note that the wall 81 defining the outer 
periphery of the large recess 82 is provided with a multiplicity of 
transversely extending and circumferentially spaced ventilation slots 93 
that function to admit air into the channel 77 within which the line is 
wound to thus dissipate moisture from the line. To enhance such 
ventilation, the rear annular wall 78 and the front annular wall 79 are 
both provided with a multiplicity of circumferentially spaced holes 94 
generally spaced medianly between the inner and outer peripheries of these 
wall members. 
To ensure that the spool 76 runs true, the outer peripheral edge portion 96 
(FIG. 3) of the front annular wall 79 is provided with a circular channel 
97 defined by a shoulder 98 on the one hand and a circumferential flange 
99 on the other hand so that the rabbetted edges 9 and 13, respectively, 
of the frame flanges 6 and 7 project into the channel yet are provided 
with operating clearance so that the front annular wall 79 does not 
contact the stationary flanges 6 and 7. Since the flanges 6 and 7 are 
circumferentially spaced apart, a large portion of the peripheral edges of 
the front and rear walls of the spool are available for "palming" to 
control the spool. Accordingly, the outer peripheral edges of these 
flanges are rounded to provide a more comfortable "feel" when the spool is 
"palmed". 
To control the amount of drag imposed on the spool, there is provided 
mounted on the free threaded end of the spindle shaft 33 within the front 
portion of the recess 82 a drag adjustment knob designated generally by 
the numeral 101 (FIGS. 2 and 3), and preferably formed from high grade 
aluminum alloy. The drag adjustment knob is operable in conjunction with 
the threaded end portion 102 of the spindle shaft, and in conjunction with 
a knob retainer housing 103 and a knob retainer clip 104. To impose an 
axially directed force on the hub 84 of the spool 76 to cause the annular 
wall portion 83 of the spool to impose pressure on the large diameter cork 
composite annular disk 74, thereby compressing the cork annular disk and 
imposing a frictional drag force on the confronting surfaces of the 
partition wall 83 of the spool and the annular disk portion of the drag 
disk 39, all that is required be done is that the adjustment knob be 
rotated so as to more fully engage the threaded end portion 102 of the 
spindle shaft. This causes the adjustment knob to apply resilient pressure 
against a spring pad 105 within the drag adjustment knob, thus 
transferring such resilient pressure to the bearing impinging the outer 
end of the hub 84, and imposing such resilient pressure on the large 
diameter cork composite annular disk 74 and thus selectively adjusting the 
amount of drag imposed on the spool. 
It is important to note that the entire drag adjustment knob is contained 
within the limits of the recess 82, thus avoiding the protuberance of any 
portion of the knob and thus preventing the line from becoming entangled 
with the knob, and also preventing the hand rotating the reel crank 114 
from striking the drag adjustment knob and thereby causing injury to the 
hand. The drag adjustment knob includes a central hub 106 from which 
radiate five circumferentially spaced lugs 107 (FIGS 2 and 3) adapted to 
be rotated by a single finger applying pressure to one of the recessed 
lugs on the knob. A wall 108 formed on the hub is provided with a threaded 
bore adapted to threadably engage the threaded end 102 of the spindle 
shaft, which is also provided with an annular slot 109 adapted to 
cooperate with a spring-pressed retainer clip 104 to lock the drag 
adjustment knob to the spindle shaft while permitting it to be rotated for 
adjustment of the drag. For this purpose, the retainer clip 104 is 
inserted into an appropriately sized slot 110 formed in the knob retainer 
housing 103 so that the clip may be digitally manipulated within the 
housing when it is attached to the knob to enable the clip to engage or 
disengage the annular slot 111 of the spindle shaft. The knob retainer 
housing 103 is secured to the face of the drag adjustment knob by 
appropriate screws 112, and the retainer clip is manipulated to lock or 
unlock the drag adjustment knob from the spindle shaft by applying 
pressure to the protruding flange 113 of the clip which extends out of the 
retainer housing 103. 
It will thus be seen that a light, streamlined reel having no protrusions 
projecting from the frame or the spool is provided for comfortable and 
accurate control by a fisherman, whether he be right or left handed. The 
recessed drag adjustment knob, being recessed in the same side of the reel 
as the handle 114 and counter-weight 116 are supported, enables a 
fisherman to conveniently re-adjust the drag of the reel with the same 
hand that is being used to actuate the handle, even while the reel spool 
is being rotated by actuation of the handle. 
Having thus described the invention, what is believed to be new and novel 
and sought to be protected by letters patent of the United States is as 
follows.