Double-bearing type fishing reel

Abstract: In a double-bearing type fishing reel, a front finger-placing section (50) is provided between the side boards (2a, 2b) of the reel body (1) above the spool (3) in such a manner that, when an angler grips the reel body (1), the thick of the end portion of the thumb is abutted against the front finger-placing, and a rear finger-placing section (55) is provided between the side boards (2a, 2b) of the reel body (1) behind the spool (3) in such a manner that the base of the thumb is abutted against the rear finger-placing section (55). The double-bearing type fishing reel is high in reel gripping characteristic.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a double-bearing type fishing reel. Such a reel is known for example from US-A-5 183 221. In a conventional double-bearing type fishing reel, its spool is rotatably supported between the side boards of the reel body, and a finger placing member is provided between the side boards of the reel body so that, when, during fishing, the angler grips the side board opposite to the side board where the handle is provided, he can place his thumb on it (cf. Japanese Utility Patent (OPI) No's 21262/1992 and 117576/1992 (the term "OPI" as used herein means an "unexamined published application")). With the above-described conventional double-bearing type fishing reel, the side board opposite to the side board where the handle is provided is gripped during fishing. In this case, the angler grips the side board opposite to the side board where the handle is provided, with his thumb abutted against the aforementioned finger placing member. However, the conventional double-bearing type fishing reel is not designed with the reel gripping characteristic taken into account. Hence, merely with the thumb placed on the finger placing member, it is impossible for the angler to grip the whole reel sufficiently deep. Hence, the reel body is gripped with the holding force of the finger tip which is away from the position of swing of the wrist in the snapping operation. Hence, when a fish takes the hook, it is rather difficult for the angler to strike the fish quickly with the snap of the wrist. On the other hand, as was described above, the angler is unable to grip the reel body sufficiently deep. Hence, when the fishing line is taken up or let out (a casting operation), the conventional double-bearing type fishing reel is low in operability. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a double-bearing type fishing reel which is improved in reel gripping characteristic. What is provided by the invention is a novel double-bearing type fishing reel. A specific feature of the fishing reel of the invention resides in the configuration of finger place section on which the thumb is placed and/or the configuration of one of the side boards of the fishing reel which is opposite to the other side board where the handle is provided, in order to enable an angler to grip the entire reel sufficiently deep. More specifically, in the double-bearing type fishing reel of the invention, a reel body having two side boards, a spool rotatably supported between said side boards, wherein said reel body has a front finger-placing section for abutment of the thick of the end portion of a user's thumb, and rear finger-placing section for abutment of a base of the user's thumb, said finger-placing sections being provided between said side boards characterized in that at least one of said side boards has an inverse height ratio within the range from 10% to 90%, between the overall height of said side board measured at the spool shaft center and between the height of said side board measured at a position which is a distance 0.6 x h1 in a longitudinal direction backwardly from said spool shaft center. This feature makes it possible for the angler to positively grip the reel body deep with the palm by sufficiently utilizing the base region and the thenar region of the thumb. Furthermore, in the double-bearing type fishing reel according to a preferred embodiment, one of the side boards which is opposite to the other side board where the handle is provided is so tapered that the side board is gradually smaller in height towards the rear end from the spool mounting region and/or the outer surface of the one side board is inclined backwardly, towards the other side board from the spool mounting region. This feature facilitates the angler to grip the whole reel body deep such that the palm encloses the whole reel body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the structure of a double-bearing type fishing reel, which constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the double-bearing type fishing reel shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a side view of the double-bearing type fishing reel shown in FIG. 1, showing how the latter is gripped by the angler. FIG. 4 is a sectional view, with parts cut away, illustrating the double-bearing type fishing reel shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is an exploded plan view of the fishing reel shown in FIG. 1. FIGS. 6A and 6B are plan views showing modifications of the double-bearing type fishing reel shown in FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention will be concretely described with reference to a double-bearing type fishing reel of the type that the traverse shaft of a level winding device is provided behind the spool which has been proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 75671/1995. However, the invention is not limited thereto or thereby; that is, the technical concept of the invention may be applied to a variety of double-bearing type fishing reels, within the scope of the appended claims. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the structure of a double-bearing type fishing reel, which constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention (hereinafter referred to merely as "a fishing reel", when applicable). FIG. 2 is a side view of the fishing reel shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the fishing reel gripped with the hand. FIG. 4 is a sectional view, with parts cut away, of the fishing reel shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is an exploded plan view showing an external appearance of the fishing reel of the invention. Right and left sides boards 2b and 2a are coupled to the frame 1a of a reel body 1 (the side board 2a being on one side of the fishing reel where a handle 7 is provided, and the side board 2b on the other side which is opposite to the one side). A spool shaft 3a, on which a spool 3 is mounted, is rotatably supported through bearings between the right and left side boards 2b and 2a. A pinion 5 is axially slidably mounted on one end portion of the spool shaft 3a and engaged with a drive gear 9 which is mounted on the shaft 7a of the handle 7 (hereinafter referred to as "a handle shaft 7a", when applicable). Hence, as the handle 7 is turned, the spool 3 is rotated through the drive gear 9 and the pinion 5. The pinion 5 has an annular groove, with which a clutch board 10 is engaged. The clutch board 10 is axially slid by the operation of a clutch change-over lever 13 which is protruded from the surface of the frame 1a which is on the side of the side board 2a. Hence, the aforementioned pinion 5 is axially slid. As the pinion 5 is axially slid, the torque of the handle 7 is transmitted to the spool 3 ("clutch on"; the fishing line is taken up), or the transmission of the torque is interrupted ("clutch off"; the fishing line is let out). A clutch mechanism of this type is well known in the art. The mounting position of the clutch change-over lever, and the operating direction can be changed variously. In the embodiment, in order that the clutch change-over operation can be achieved with the reel body gripped, the clutch change-over lever is so arranged that it is able to slide back and forth near the position where the thumb is located. The drive shaft 15 of the level winding device having a traverse groove in the outer cylindrical surface thereof (hereinafter referred to as "a traverse shaft 15", when applicable) is rotatably supported between the right and left side boards 2b and 2a behind the spool (on the side which is opposite to the side towards which the fishing line is let out). A gear (not shown) is mounted on the end portion (on the handle side) of the traverse shaft 15 in such a manner that the gear is engaged with the drive gear 9 mounted on the aforementioned handle shaft 7a. Hence, the traverse shaft 15 is turned by the rotation of the handle 7. The traverse shaft 15 is accommodated in a guide cylinder 20 which is provided between the right and left side boards 2b and 2a. The guide cylinder 20 has an elongated hole which is extended axially. That is, the traverse shaft 15 is turned inside the guide cylinder 20. A drive body 22 is provided outside the guide cylinder 20 in such a manner that it surrounds the latter 20 and is axially movable. The drive body 22 includes an engaging piece which is extended through the elongated hole formed in the guide cylinder 20 to engage with the traverse groove of the traverse shaft 15. Hence, as the traverse shaft 15 is turned, the drive body 22 is moved right and left along the axis. A rod mounting section 30 which secures the reel body 1 to the fishing rod is provided between the right and left side boards 2b and 2a below the spool 3. Below the spool 3, the central portion of an operating body 33 is pivotally supported on the rod mounting section 30 by a collar 35 and a supporting shaft 37 arranged inside the collar 35. The operating body 33 is in the form of an elongated plate which is extended across the spool 3 and bent substantially U-shaped. The rear end portion of the operating body 33 is engaged with the aforementioned drive body 22, and the front end portion is coupled to a fishing line guide 40 having a fishing line guide hole 41 through which the fishing line is passed. The fishing line guide 40 is supported by a guide shaft 45 connected between the right and left side boards 2b and 2a so that it is stably moved right and left. When, the handle of the fishing reel thus constructed is turned, the spool 3 is rotated, while the traverse shaft 15 is also rotated. As the traverse shaft 15 is rotated in this manner, the drive body 22 is reciprocated along the traverse shaft, so that the operating body 33 coupled to the operating body 33 is swung through a predetermined angle about the supporting shaft 37. As the operating body 33 swings, the fishing line guide 40 is reciprocated along the guide shaft 45, whereby the fishing line S is wound parallel on the spool 3. A front finger-placing section 50, on which the thick of the thumb can be placed when the reel body is gripped with the hand, is provided between the right and left side boards 2b and 2a of the reel body 1 and above the spool 3. In addition, a rear finger-placing section 55, on which the base of the thumb can be placed when the angler grips the reel body with the thick of the thumb placed on the front finger-placing section 50, is provided between the right and left side boards 2b and 2a of the reel body 1 and behind the spool 3. As was described above, the finger-placing sections 50 and 55, on which the thumb can be placed, are provided between the right and left side boards 2b and 2a. Hence, the reel body 1 can be gripped by using the part of the thumb which is from the base region to the thenar region of the thumb. That is, the reel body is positively held near the position of swing of the wrist in the snap action. Hence, when a fish takes the hook, the angler can stably strike the fish with a snap of the wrist. Furthermore, since the reel body is held stably, the fishing reel is high in operability when the fishing line is taken up or let out. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the front finger-placing section 50 is provided above the spool 3 and considerably ahead of the spool. This design is suitable for a small fishing reel, and the reel body can be gripped deep with the palm. An opening provided between the front finger-placing section 50 and the rear finger-placing section 55 is utilized as follows: That is, through the opening, the thumb is pressed against the spool 3, on which the fishing line is wound, to brake the spool; or through the opening, the fishing line is controlled when backlash occurs with the spool. The front finger-placing section 50 and the rear finger-placing section 55 are not particularly limited in configuration; however, it is preferable that they are shaped as follows: In practice, when the reel body is gripped deep with the thumb placed on the front finger-placing section 50 and the rear finger-placing section 55, the tip end of the thumb is inclined towards the handle as indicated by the two-dot chain lines in FIG. 1. Hence, it is preferable that the front finger-placing section 50 and the rear finger-placing section 55 are so shaped that the thumb can be readily placed on the line P in FIG. 1. And when the thumb is laid on the front finger-placing section 50 and the rear finger-placing section 55, the thick of the thumb, which is ranged from the tip end to the base of the thumb, is arcuate as indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3. Hence, it is preferable that the inner portions of the front finger-placing section 50 and the rear finger-placing section 50 are formed into thumb holding portions 50a and 55a, respectively, which are inclined inwardly in correspondence to the arcuate thick of the thumb. With the aid of the thumb holding portions 50a and 55a, the thumb is stably positioned; that is, the reel body is improved in reel holding characteristic. In order to facilitate the reel assembling work, it is preferable the front finger-placing section 50 (including the thumb holding portion 50a) and the rear finger-placing section 55 (including the thumb holding portion 55a) are formed integral with the frame 1a of the reel body 1. The side board 2a (on the handle side) and the side board 2b (on the opposite side) are coupled to the frame 1a which is integral with the front finger-placing section 50 and the rear finger-placing section 50, as shown in FIG. 1. However, it should be noted that, in order that, when backlash occurs with the spool, the fishing line may be controlled, the side board 2b (on the opposite side) is so designed that it is removable from the frame 1a with ease. In the embodiment, the rear finger-placing section 55 formed in the frame 1a is somewhat curved downwardly so that a finger placing cover 55b is placed thereon. The finger placing cover 55b is made of a soft material such as soft resin and rubber material. With the finger placing cover 55b thus placed, the angler feels the thumb fitted well on the reel. In the embodiment, in order to hold the whole reel body deep with the palm, the side board 2b (on the side opposite to the side where the handle is provided (hereinafter referred to as "the opposite side", when applicable)) is designed particularly in configuration. Hence, the fishing reel is further improved in reel gripping characteristic. As shown in FIGS. 2 through 4, the side board 2b (on the opposite side) is tapered towards the rear end from the spool mounting region as viewed from the side. In the conventional side board (on the opposite side) as disclosed by the aforementioned Japanese Utility Patent (OPI) No's 21262/1992 and 117576/1992, is substantially in the form of an arc formed around the spool shaft, and therefore the outer cylindrical portion of the side board abuts against the angler's palm, which makes it rather difficult for the angler to grip the side board deep with the palm. On the other hand, in the embodiment of the invention, the side board 2b is tapered towards the rear end from the spool mounting region as was described above, which makes it possible for the angler to hold the reel body deep with the palm. Hence, when the angler places the thumb on the finger placing sections 50 and 55, he can hold the side board 2b deep with the palm as viewed in the direction of height. A preferable range of taper of the side board in the embodiment, will be concretely described with reference to FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, reference character h1 designates the height of the side board 2b which is measured at the spool shaft center O; and h2, the height of the side board 2b which is measured at the position which is backwardly away as much as ℓ from the spool shaft center O. In this case, when ℓ = 0.6 x h1 , the ratio h2/h1 is in a range of from 10% to 90%. This is based on the following reason: If the ratio h2/h1 is larger than 90%, then the thickness of the side board 2b as viewed in the direction of height is increased, and therefore the hand may get tired of holding the reel when he holds the reel for a long time, and it is rather laborious to grip the reel with the hand. On the other hand, if the ratio h2/h1 is smaller than 10%, then the holding range of the reel rear end portion is small, and therefore it is rather difficult the angler to hold the reel body with the palm, and accordingly in controlling the spool with the thumb, the fishing reel is low in operability. As shown in FIG. 1, the outer surface of the side board 2b (on the opposite side) is inclined backwardly, and tapered towards the rear end from the spool mounting region as viewed in the direction of width. The side board 2b thus formed can be held deep with the palm not only in the direction of height but also in the direction of width. A preferable range of taper of the side board 2b as viewed in the direction of width is as follows: In FIG. 1, reference numeral W1 designates the distance between the side boards 2a and 2b which is measured along the spool shaft; and W2, the width which is measured at the position which is backwardly away as much as L from the spool shaft. In this case, when L = 0.5 x W1 , then the ratio W2/W1 is set in a range of from 15% to 90%. This is based on the following reason: If the ratio W2/W1 is smaller than 15%, then it becomes difficult to positively hold the reel with the thenar region of the thumb; and if the ratio is larger than 90%, then it is rather difficult to hold the whole reel with the palm, and in controlling the spool with thumb, the fishing reel is low in operability. The outer surface of the side board 2b (on the opposite side) may be so shaped that it is gradually decreased in width as viewed in the upward direction and in the downward direction (towards both the upper end and the lower end) from the spool mounting region. The outer surface of the side board 2b thus shaped is substantially oval. Hence, as is seen from FIG. 3, it is ready for the angler to hold the lower portion of the side board with the index finger. That is, the angler can hold the whole reel body deep with the palm by using the index finger and the thumb. The configurations of the side board 2b (on the opposite side) as viewed in the direction of height, in the width direction, and in the upward and downward directions may be applied to an ordinary double-bearing type fishing reel. The ordinary double-baring type fishing reel thus modified is improved in reel gripping characteristic. Furthermore, the side board may be tapered (or made gradually smaller in width) only in one of the above-described directions. Even in this case, the double-bearing type fishing reel thus modified is improved in reel gripping characteristic. Alternatively, for the same effect, the side board may be modified as follows: Similarly, the side board is tapered only in one of the above-described directions, and the front finger-placing section 50 and the rear finger-placing section 55 are formed. When the side board is tapered, all that is necessary is that the tapering of the side board is started at the spool mounting region, and the side board is made gradually smaller in width towards the end. Hence, if the tapered side board may be somewhat uneven in the middle portion, it may help the angler grip the fishing reel. While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, the invention is not limited thereto or thereby; that is, they may be changed or modified in various manners within the scope of the appended claims. For instance, the configurations of the front finger-placing section 50 and the rear finger-placing section 55 may be so modified that the opening defined by them is as shown in FIG. 6. The part (a) of FIG. 6 shows one of the modifications. In the modification, the front finger-placing section 50 and the rear finger-placing section 55 are so designed that the opening is substantially similar in configuration to the thumb placed thereon. With the modification thus designed, the thumb may be stably positioned on the finger-placing sections 50 and 55. Hence, the angler can achieve a casting operation stably while holding the reel body positively. The (b) of FIG. 6 shows another of the modifications. In the modification, the front finger-placing section 50 is so designed that the opening is further spread towards the side which is opposite to the side where the handle is provided. With the modification thus designed, the thumb is stably positioned on the finger-placing sections. And since the opening is large, the thumbing operation can be achieved with ease. As was described above, the double-bearing type fishing reel of the invention allows the angler to positively grip the reel body deep with the palm. This feature makes it possible for the angler to stably let the fishing line out or take it up, and to strike a fish quickly when it takes the hook.

Claims: Double-bearing type fishing reel comprising a reel body (1) having two side boards (2a,2b); a spool (3) rotatably supported between said side boards (2a,2b); wherein said reel body (1) has a front finger-placing section (50) for abutment of the thick of the end portion of a user's thumb, and a rear finger-placing section (55) for abutment of a base of the user's thumb, said finger-placing sections (50,55) being provided between said side boards (2a,2b), characterized in that at least one of said side boards has an inverse height ratio (h2/h1) within the range from 10% to 90%, between the overall height (h1) of said side board measured at the spool shaft center (0) and the height (h2) of said side board measured at a position (1) which is a distance 0.6 x h1 in a longitudinal direction backwardly from said spool shaft center (0). Double-bearing type fishing reel as claimed in claim 1, wherein a handle (7) is provided adjacent a first one of said side boards such that said first side board is located between said handle (7) and said spool (3), and wherein the second one of said side boards (2b) which is opposite to the first side board (2a) where the handle (7) is provided is so tapered that said second side board (2b) is gradually smaller in height as it approaches a rear end from a spool mounting region. Double-bearing type fishing reel as claimed in claim 1, wherein a handle (7) is provided adjacent a first one of said side boards such that said first side board is located between said handle (7) and said spool (3), and wherein an outer surface of a second one of said side boards (2b) which is opposite to the first side board (2a) where the handle (7) is provided is inclined nearer to the first side board (2a) as it approaches a rear end from a spool mounting region. Double-bearing type fishing reel as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, wherein inner portions of said front finger-placing section (50) and said rear finger-placing section (55) are formed into thumb holding portions, respectively, which are inclined inwardly. Double-bearing type fishing reel as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said front finger-placing section (50) has a first arcuate perimeter, said rear finger-placing section (55) has a second arcuate perimeter opposite to the first arcuate perimeter across said spool, said first and second arcuate perimeters in cooperation with said side boards define an opening above said spool (3), and said opening is substantially in the form of an oval. Double-bearing type fishing reel as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first and second arcuate perimeter respectively have first and second points defining the largest diameter of said oval, and an imaginary line (P) connecting said first and second points is inclined with respect to an imaginary plane orthogonal to an axis of said spool. Double-bearing type fishing reel as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein each of said first and second arcuate perimeters is asymmetric with respect to an imaginary plane orthogonal to an axis of said spool (3) and intersecting a center of a spool. Double-bearing type fishing reel as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first and second perimeters respectively have a first and second point together defining a largest diameter of the oval; and an imaginary line (P) connecting the first and second points is inclined with respect to an imaginary plane extending in directions orthogonal to the spool axis such that the first point is located between said first side board and the imaginary plane, while the second point is located between the imaginary plane and said second side board. Double-bearing type fishing reel as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the rear finger-placing section (55) comprises a cover (55b) made of elastic material and formed arcuately inwardly for receiving the base portion of the thumb. Double-bearing type fishing reel as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said handle (7) is mounted adjacent to said first side board (2a) so as to rotate about a transversely extending handle axis, whereby said first side board is located between said handle and said spool, and the spool axis is located forward of the handle axis. Double-bearing type fishing reel as claimed on one of the claims 1 to 10, wherein an inverse width ratio of the width (W1) between the sideboards (2a,2b) measured along the spool shaft and the width (W2) a distance (L) of L = 0,5 x W1 backwardly from said spool shaft is in a range from 15% to 90%.

Inventors: ASANO SHINICHI, MURAYAMA TOMOHIRO, ONO TOSHIRO, ASANO, SHINICHI, MURAYAMA, TOMOHIRO, ONO, TOSHIRO
Applicants: DAIWA SEIKO INC, DAIWA SEIKO INC.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A01K89
IPC codes: A01K89