Abstract:
A fishing reel comprises a rigid housing, made from the assembly of several parts, and covered with a waterproof flexible casing, except for the openings for access for mechanical parts and the foot. A cover pinches the casing around the front opening for access for the main reel shaft. The foot pinches the casing around a fastening tenon for the foot. Some plugs ensure waterproofing by pinching the casing around the openings for access for the crank shaft. Therefore, the housing provides effective waterproofing by protecting the gear mechanism in the cavity of the housing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention pertains to fishing reels with a fixed axial spool and a rotary line pick up. 
     Inside these standard fishing reels a housing with a rigid side encloses a cavity in which an inside gear mechanism is lodged. The side of the housing is attached, through an upper connecting area, to a fastening foot on a fishing rod. The housing has two opposite lateral openings for access for the shaft of the crank handle that controls the inside gear mechanism. In addition, the housing includes a front opening for access for the longitudinal hollow shaft that supports the line pick up drum. The longitudinal hollow shaft that supports the line pick up drum rotates and is supported in the front opening of the housing while moving in axial rotation by means of the inside gear mechanism. A spool that holds the reserve fishing line is supported at the end of a spool support shaft that goes through the hollow longitudinal shaft. The shaft that supports the spool engages in an alternate axial movement by means of the inside gear mechanism. 
     During the rotation of the crank handle the inside gear mechanism converts the movement of rotation from the crank handle around its transverse axis into a movement of rotation of the line pick up drum around the longitudinal axis of the reel, and converts the movement of rotation of the crank handle around its transverse axis into an alternate axial movement of translation of the spool support shaft. Consequently, the inside gear mechanism is relatively complex, and must be protected against aggressive outside agents such as humidity and dust. 
     With standard reels the housing is generally made of several parts that are assembled one against the other, and the shape of the housing is relatively complex. Consequently, it is difficult to provide effective seals at all of the joining areas of the parts forming the housing, and at all of the areas where mobile mechanical elements go through, such as the crank handle shaft and the hollow longitudinal shaft for the line pick up drum. Therefore, standard reels are not sufficiently waterproof to protect against aggressive outside agents such as humidity, water and dust, without damaging the inside gear mechanism. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One objective for this invention is to provide a new reel structure with effective means to render it waterproof, compatible with the complexity of the outside shape of the reel, effectively sealing the mobile mechanical parts from the outside environment, and without disturbing the normal functioning of the reel and especially the rotation or the translation of the mobile mechanical elements. 
     Another objective of the invention is to provide a waterproof structure that is simple and inexpensive, while sturdy and with visual appeal. 
     To achieve these objectives and others, a fishing reel according to the invention includes a standard housing and a mechanism structure such as the one described above, and in addition comprises: 
     a waterproof flexible casing, placed on the housing to cover it entirely except for the base of the foot, the front opening and the opposite lateral openings, 
     means for waterproofing the upper section around the base of the foot, to guarantee waterproofing between the outside environment and the space inside the casing, 
     first means for waterproofing the lateral section to seal one of the opposite lateral openings, 
     second means for waterproofing the lateral section to leave access for the shaft of the crank handle and to guarantee waterproofing between the outside environment and the space inside the casing, 
     means for waterproofing the front section, designed to leave access for the hollow longitudinal shaft and to guarantee waterproofing around the hollow longitudinal shaft between the outside environment and the space inside the casing. 
     Besides effective waterproofing, the waterproof flexible casing, made of an elastomer, acts as a shock absorber in case the reel is dropped or in case of shocks against rocks, for example. In addition it is a sound proofing device, reducing the inevitable noise perceived from the inside mechanical system. 
     According to one method of implementation, the means for waterproofing the front section include a rigid cover with a center opening equipped with means for an annular seal in order for the hollow longitudinal shaft to be waterproof while in rotation, while the cover has a peripheral support area that entirely surrounds the center opening and is applied with pressure by fastening and tightening means on one part of the casing surrounding the center opening. 
     According to one method of implementation, the first means for waterproofing the lateral section include a blind plug having an annular rim for front support and an inside thread to screw on the corresponding outside thread from an axial shaft projecting around one of the two lateral openings on the housing, with the supporting annular rim in the front pinching part of the casing surrounding the lateral opening against the side of the housing. 
     According to one method of implementation, the second means for waterproofing the lateral section include a pierced plug with an axial hole provided with means for an annular seal in order for the crank shaft to be waterproof while in rotation, and with an annular rim for front support and an inside thread to screw on the corresponding outside thread from an axial shaft projecting around the other lateral opening on the housing, with the supporting annular rim in the front pinching a corresponding part of the casing surrounding the lateral opening against the side of the housing. 
     According to one method of implementation, the means for waterproofing the upper section include a tenon protruding on the housing, and an attached foot, the base of which is hollowed out to fit over the protruding tenon, with the peripheral lower rim of the foot pinching part of the casing surrounding the protruding tenon against the side of the housing. 
     The housing may include at least one swinging button to drive the inside mechanism. The button is then actuated by deformation of part of the casing with a flexible side that covers it. 
     Preferably, the reel additionally includes a nut screwed on an axial threaded part at one end of the hollow longitudinal shaft, with an annular joint inserted to seal around the spool support shaft and against the nut. 
     According to a preferable method of implementation that would simplify the adjustment of the flexible casing on the reel housing during assembly, without any risk of damaging the flexible casing, the invention provides a reel structure in which: 
     the flexible casing has a longitudinal slit on its upper section between a front opening used for access for the hollow longitudinal shaft and an upper opening used for access for the foot, 
     the foot and/or the cover comprise(s) a small tongue resting on the external side of the casing around the longitudinal slit. 
     For a fishing reel with a front spool brake it is, in addition, suitable to protect the brake mechanism against aggression from the environment. Here, the spool includes a front brake mechanism with a stack of washers lodged inside an axial cavity in front of the spool body, with a brake activation front rotary button pushing back the stack of washers in the bottom of the front axial cavity and screwed on the end of the spool support shaft, with an annular seal inserted between the spool and the spool support shaft behind the front axial cavity, and with a sealing disk inserted on the spool support shaft in front of the front axial cavity and engaged with its circumference sliding and resting on an annular area corresponding to the spool around the front axial cavity, certain axial posts from the brake activation button go through the sealing disk in a watertight manner and rest on the stack of washers behind the sealing disk. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objectives, characteristics and advantages of this invention will be elaborated in the following description for the specific methods of implementation, by referring to the appended FIGURES, in which: 
     FIG. 1 represents an exploded perspective view showing the main parts to be assembled to implement the waterproof reel housing according to one method of implementation for this invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the assembled reel, without a spool; 
     FIG. 3 is top view in a longitudinal section according to the plane 3--3 in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a partial side view in a longitudinal section according to the median longitudinal plane 4--4 in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a side view in a longitudinal section according to the longitudinal plane 5--5 in FIG. 3, shifted slightly laterally in relation to the median longitudinal plane 4--4; 
     FIG. 6 is a partial front view in cross section according to plane 6-6 in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 7 is a partial cross section according to plane 7 in FIG. 2, showing a detail of the means used to waterproof the upper area of the housing; 
     FIG. 8 is a side view in longitudinal section illustrating, at a larger scale, a structure for a swinging activating button accessible through the flexible casing; 
     FIG. 9 is a bottom view in perspective, illustrating a structure of a reel foot according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a side view in longitudinal section of a structure for a waterproof spool with front brake according to one method of implementation for this invention; 
     FIG. 11 illustrates the detail of the peripheral area of a waterproof disk according to the method of implementation in FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 12 illustrates in detail access for a post from a brake button through the waterproof disk in the method of implementation in FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 13 is a rear view of a waterproof disk of the method of implementation in FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 14 is a bottom view in cross section of the waterproof disk in FIG. 13; 
     FIG. 15 is a front view of the waterproof disk in FIG. 13; 
     FIG. 16 is a side view in diametric section of an intermediate connecting part according to the invention between the brake activation button and the stack of brake washers; 
     FIG. 17 is a side view in median longitudinal section of a roller for line pick up equipped with means for waterproofing according to one method of implementation for this invention; 
     FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate, in longitudinal section, two variants for the implementation of a seal between the spool support shaft and the drum for line pick up; and 
     FIG. 20 is a half side view in cross section of the means to waterproof the roller for line pick up, illustrating two variants of seals according to the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the method of implementation illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 and 10, a fishing reel according to this invention comprises a housing (1) with a rigid side (2) surrounding a cavity (3) in which an inside gear mechanism (4) is lodged. As we can see in FIG. 1, the housing (1) is composed of the frame assembly (5) constituting the main section of the housing (1), and a frame cover (6) laterally inserted and fastened on the frame (5). 
     The side (2) of the housing (1) comprises an upper connecting area (7) for a fastening foot (8) on a fishing rod. 
     The side (2) of the housing (1) comprises two opposite lateral openings (9) and (10) for access for shaft (11) of a crank handle that controls the inside gear mechanism (4). 
     Side (2) of the housing (1) comprises a front opening (12) for access for a hollow longitudinal shaft (13) of a line pick up drum (14). 
     The line pick up drum (14) is interdependent with a hollow longitudinal shaft (13) that rotates and is supported in the front opening (12) of the housing (1) while being moved in axial rotation by the inside gear mechanism (4). Therefore, we have represented in a diagram a toothed gear (4) supported by the crank shaft (11) and engaged with a posterior end pinion provided on the hollow longitudinal shaft (13). The assembly of the line pick up drum (14) on the hollow shaft (13) is achieved for example by forcing it into place or by molding a cylindrical portion (14&#39;) of the existing drum (14) on the hollow shaft (13). 
     A line reserve spool (15) may be fitted at the end of the spool support shaft (16), as illustrated in FIG. 10, this spool support shaft (16) going through the hollow longitudinal shaft (13) while moved in alternate axial translation by the inside gear mechanism (4), in a standard manner that is often used in fishing reels. 
     The inside gear mechanism (4) may be one of many standard mechanisms that are often used in fixed spool fishing reels with line pick up. 
     By referring again to FIGS. 1 through 3, we notice that the reel according to the invention comprises a waterproof flexible casing (17), placed on the housing (1) to cover it entirely except for the base of the foot (8), the front opening (12) and the opposite lateral openings (9) and (10). 
     Means for waterproofing the upper section are placed around the base of the foot (8) to guarantee waterproofing between the outside environment and the space inside the casing (17), to, more particularly, resist humidity or dust coming from outside the housing (1). In the method of implementation illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 9, the means for waterproofing the upper section include a tenon (18) protruding from the housing (1), and an attached foot (8) of which the base (19) is hollowed out, as we can better see in FIG. 9, with a cavity (20) to fit over the protruding tenon (18), with the peripheral lower rim (21) of the foot pinching part of the casing (17) surrounding the protruding tenon (18) against the side (2) of the housing (1). We can clearly see the side of the housing being pinched around the tenon (18) more particularly in FIGS. 4 through 6. 
     The foot (8) may be attached to the housing (1) with screws and metalloplastic washers inserted in the holes (22) of the foot (8) (FIG. 9) and in corresponding holes (22) of the tenon (18). 
     According to the invention, the reel comprises means to waterproof the front section, designed to leave access for the hollow longitudinal shaft (13) and to guarantee the seal around the hollow longitudinal shaft (13) between the outside environment and the space inside the casing (17). In the method of implementation illustrated in the FIGURES, and particularly in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, the means to waterproof the front section include a rigid cover (23), with a center opening (24) equipped with means for an annular seal (25) in order for the hollow longitudinal shaft (13) to be waterproof while in rotation. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the seal (25) preferably may rest against the external side of the cylindrical portion (14&#39;) of the line pick up drum (14), this external side may be made with an appropriate material to reduce friction and avoid wear of the seal (25). The cover (23) comprises a peripheral support area (26) that entirely surrounds the center opening (24) and is applied with pressure by fastening and tightening means such as screws inserted inside holes (27) on one part (28) of the casing (17) surrounding the center opening (24). 
     In the illustrated method of implementation, the cover (23) comprises a peripheral tubular rim with an anterior-posterior axis forming the peripheral support area (26) and facing a peripheral corresponding side (28) of the casing (17), this corresponding lateral side (28) having an anterior-posterior axis. Similarly, the housing (1) has a peripheral lateral surface (29) shaped in a similar manner, preferably in a truncated pyramid with an anterior posterior axis, in such a manner that the axial insertion of the cover (23) on the part (29) of the housing (1) causes the progressive pinching of the part (28) of the casing (17) between the cover (23) and the part (29) of the housing (1). 
     In addition, according to the invention, the reel comprises the first means to waterproof the lateral section to seal one of the opposite lateral openings (9) and (10) of the housing (1). In the method of implementation illustrated in FIG. 3, the first means to waterproof the lateral section include a blind plug (30) with a front support annular rim (31) and an inside thread (32) to screw on the corresponding outside thread from an axial shaft (33) projecting around one or the other opposite lateral openings (9) and (10) on the housing (1). 
     In the assembled position illustrated in FIG. 3, the front support annular rim (31) of the blind plug (30) pinches part (34) of the casing (17) surrounding the lateral opening (9) or (10) against the side (2) of the housing (1). 
     In addition, the reel comprises the second means to waterproof the lateral section to leave access for the shaft (11) of the crank handle and to guarantee waterproofing between the outside environment and the space inside the casing (17). In the method of implementation illustrated, as we can better see in FIG. 3, the second means to waterproof the lateral section include a pierced plug (35) with an axial hole (36) equipped with the means for an annular seal (37) in order for the crank shaft (11) to be waterproof while in rotation. The pierced plug (35) has a front support annular rim (38) and an inside thread (39) to screw on the corresponding outside thread from an axial shaft (40) projecting around the other one of the opposite lateral openings (9) and (10) of the housing (1). In the assembled position, the front support annular rim (38) pinches part of the casing (17) surrounding the lateral opening (9) or (10) against the side (2) of the housing (1). 
     The crank shaft (11) is preferably solid, or has a transverse wall (41) to prevent fluid from entering along the axial channel of the crank shaft (11). 
     In the method of implementation illustrated in the FIGURES and more particularly in FIGS. 2 and 8, the reel has at least one activating button (42), for example one rear swinging activating button to drive the inside gear mechanism (4). The button (42) is actuated by the user by deforming part of the flexible casing (17) that covers it. 
     As we can see in FIG. 3, and in more detail in FIG. 18, the waterproofing between the spool support shaft (16) and the hollow longitudinal shaft (13) that goes through it may preferably be provided by a nut (43) equipped with an inside annular seal (44) and screwed on an axial threaded part at one end of the hollow longitudinal shaft (13), with the inside annular seal (44) inserted to seal around the spool support shaft (16) and against the nut (43). The annular seal (44) may preferably be a seal with a lip. 
     Alternately, as illustrated in FIG. 19, the waterproofing between the spool support shaft (16) and the hollow longitudinal shaft (13) may preferably be implemented by a tubular seal (44&#39;) with a lateral tubular side (144&#39;) undulated with bellows limited by two end circular lips (244&#39;) and (344&#39;) engaged in rotation and waterproof in the respective annular grooves (116) of the shaft (16) and (143) of the nut (43). In this way, we reduce the friction in the longitudinal movements of the spool support shaft (16). 
     In the method of implementation illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, the flexible casing (17) has a longitudinal slit (45) on its upper section between a front opening (46) for access for the hollow longitudinal shaft (13) and an upper opening (47) for access for the foot (8). Here, the foot (8) and/or the cover (23) comprise(s) a small tongue (48) resting on the external side of the casing (17) around the longitudinal slit (45). For example, as is illustrated in the FIGURES, the cover (23) preferably supports the small tongue (48). 
     The small tongue (48) may preferably include a longitudinal lower groove, such as the groove (49) illustrated in FIG. 7, in which two protruding flanges (50) and (51) constituting the lips of the longitudinal slit (45) of the casing (7) are inserted. Consequently, the waterproofing is reinforced. 
     In the implementation illustrated in FIGS. 10 through 12, the reel comprises a line reserve spool (15) with a front brake mechanism with a stack of washers (52). The stack of washers (52) is lodged in a front axial cavity (53) of the line reserve spool body (15), and a front rotary button (54) activates the brake by pushing back the stack of washers in the bottom of the front axial cavity (53). The button (54) is screwed on the end of the spool support shaft (16). An intermediate part (55) inserted on the posterior side of the button (54) includes some axial posts such as the post (56) of which the posterior end rests between the stack of washers (52). The intermediate part (55) is illustrated detached in FIG. 16. 
     According to the illustrated method of implementation of the invention, an annular seal (57) is inserted between the line reserve spool (15) and the spool support shaft (16) behind the front axial cavity (53), and a sealing disk (58) is inserted on the spool support shaft (16) in front of the front axial cavity (53), the waterproof disk (58) is engaged with its circumference (59) sliding and resting on an annular area corresponding with the line reserve spool (15) around the front axial cavity (53). FIG. 11 illustrates the detail of the sliding support of the circumference (59) of the waterproof disk (58), with a lip (60) folded toward the back at an angle and toward the axis and resting inside a groove (61) on the body of the line reserve spool (15). FIGS. 13 through 15 illustrate the waterproof disk (58) detached, according to its two opposite sides and in a diametric section. 
     Certain axial posts (56) from the brake activation button (54) go through the sealing disk (58) in a watertight manner and rest on the stack of washers (52) behind the sealing disk (58). The access area for the axial posts (56) through the waterproof disk (58) is illustrated in FIG. 12, the waterproof disk has a hole (62) with a lip (63) on the circumference that is elastically flexible to insure waterproofing. The waterproofing device for the brake in front of the spool may be used regardless of this waterproof casing on the housing. 
     In a standard way, according to the invention, the reel may include a rotary roller, mounted on a bail arm (14). According to the invention, we provide protection for the roller against aggressive outside agents that could trigger seizing of the roller on its axle of rotation, and would suspend any further rotation. FIG. 17 illustrates a method of implementation for the means of protection according to the invention: the roller (64) is inserted in an annular housing on the bail arm (14), this housing has lips that partly cover and opposite (65) and (66). The roller (64) is rotatively mounted with a bearing (67), with axial play between the roller (64) and the front sides (69) and (169) of the housing that supports it. An annular seal with a lip (68) is fixed on the circumference of the roller (64), and rests against the corresponding front side (69) of the bail arm (14) and at the same time against the inside of the lip (66) of the bail arm (14) with a lip that is elastically flexible (70). The elastically flexible lip (70) rests sliding on the bail arm (14), preventing any foreign matter from entering the inside of the mechanism that provides rotation to the roller (64). 
     In another method of implementing the means to protect the roller (64), such as illustrated in FIG. 20, each annular seal with a lip (68) is replaced by an annular seal with a lip (68&#39;) fixed in the bail arm (14) under a corresponding lip of this arm (65), with a seal lip (168&#39;) elastically compressed against an end side (164) of the roller (64) and positioned at an angle toward the outside. 
     The FIG. 20 illustrates a variant in which the annular seal with a lip (68&#39;) is positioned as the seal (68&#39;), under a lip from the bail arm (66), but with a seal lip (168&#39;) positioned at an angle toward the outside. The protection device for the roller may be used regardless of this waterproof casing on the housing or means to waterproof the front brake. 
     Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The present invention described with reference to the preferred embodiments and set forth in the following claims is manifestly intended to be as broad as possible. For example, unless specifically otherwise noted, the claims reciting a single particular element also encompass a plurality of such particular elements. 
     This invention is not limited to the methods of implementation that have been explicitly described, but it includes the various variants and generalizations contained in the following claims.