Abstract:
A device for unwinding, cleaning, storing, and rewinding flyline and backing is disclosed. The device includes a spool having side walls, a divider, vents, and an open side. The spool is fitted onto a spool holder to guide the spool while in use. A rotational force is applied to the spool to remove line or backing from a flyreel. A winder is provided for use with a flyreel in winding or rewinding flyline and backing onto the flyreel. The winder and the spool are preferably rotated via a cordless drill.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/357,341, filed Feb. 15, 2002, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to fly fishing, and specifically to an improved device for removing, winding on, storing, and cleaning flylines.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Conventional saltwater fly fishing reels are commonly used in saltwater fishing. These reels are loaded with flyline, typically forty yards in length, followed by backing. Backing is conventionally a thin, braided nylon, and is often 100 and up to 400 or 500 yards in length.  
           [0004]    Due in part to the material of which the backing is composed, the backing, and to some extent the flyline, tend to soak up saltwater. As the fly fishing reels (“flyreels”) are exposed to this saltwater, corrosion occurs.  
           [0005]    One prior art attempt to address this problem, which is in common use, is to form the flyreels using anodized aviation grade aluminum. However, even when such materials are used, flyreels tend to become corroded after signigicant exposure to saltwater. Such flyreels tend to be rather expensive, and thus, it is particularly problematic when corrosion occurs.  
           [0006]    One way to reduce corrosion substantially is to clean the flyline and backing after exposure to saltwater. Problems experienced with this, however, include the fact that it is difficult to unwind and rewind this lengthy, thin line which tangles and knots very easily, and which takes a long time to wind. Unwinding and rewinding this line is particularly tedious, since flyreels have a direct drive in which one revolution of the handle produces one revolution of the spool.  
           [0007]    Another problem with conventional flyreels is that storing the line on a flyreel for any prolonged period of time can produce excessively coiled flyline because the spool of the flyreel has a relatively small diameter. The flyline has a “line memory,” which holds the shape of the spool. This coiling can impair casting.  
           [0008]    Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a device which addresses the above identified problems.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0009]    In view of the deficiencies described above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method for removing, winding on, storing, and cleaning flylines.  
           [0010]    In accordance with the above objectives, the present invention is a device having three main components, a spool, a spool holder, and a winder. The invention can be used to remove flyline from flyreels, clean it, and store it. The device can also be used to wind the flyline back onto the flyreel, whether after cleaning or storing it, or winding new line onto the reel. Power may be provided by a rotational force, whether manual or automatic such as with a hand crank or a rotational motor. Preferably, power is provided by a rotational motor such as a drill. Ideally, a cordless drill with progressive start, is used.  
           [0011]    The device facilitates efficient unwinding, soaking, storing, and rewinding of the flyline. The device thus prolongs life of expensive saltwater flyreels by preventing corrosion, prolongs life of flylines, reduces line memory, stores flylines on large diameter areated spools, enables quick flyreel filling for shop keepers and professionals, provides an easy storage solution of line while conducting reel maintenance, all in a manner which is convenient, easily utilized, and inexpensive.  
           [0012]    In a preferred embodiment, the spool is preferably a perforated, cylindrical spool, preferably made of plastic with a stainless steel mandrel. One face of the spool is preferably open, the other face (where the mandrel is fitted) is closed. The spool preferably can be fitted on any drill, ideally a cordless drill, preferably a drill with progressive start and reverse gear, by inserting the mandrel. The front end of the flyline is attached to the spool and by progressively starting the drill, the spool turns. By doing so, the flyline is removed from the flyreel and wound onto the spool. The spool is preferably equipped with side walls so the line will not slip off the spool.  
           [0013]    The spool also preferably includes a divider wall which can be used to separate the backing from the flyline.  
           [0014]    Once all the flyline and backing are wound onto the spool, the rear end of the backing is detached from the flyreel. The spool is then removed from the drill and can then be soaked, preferably in warm soapy water to remove the salt. Afterwards it is preferably rinsed and left to dry.  
           [0015]    In a preferred embodiment, the spool holder is preferably a cylindrical box made of plastic with a bayonet closure. The spool holder preferably serves two functions. 1) It serves as a guide around which the spool can turn when winding line back onto the reel. As a matter of fact, the spool has to be guided when winding the line back onto the flyreel, in order to prevent it from spinning out of control. Ideally, materials are selected such that the coefficient of friction between the spool and the spool holder is just enough to ensure proper line tension while spooling. 2) The spool holder can also act as a container which holds the mandrels of the spool and the winder, the washers and nuts, and the user manual. This may be particularly useful for packaging and display for retail purposes, or for convenient transporting or storage.  
           [0016]    The spool preferably has a line guide ring constructed of stainless steel or any other suitable material. The spool holder preferably has a slot configuration, or alternatively, two apertures in the bottom of its base adapted to receive the line guide ring. Before spooling flyline from a spool onto a flyreel, the line is slipped through the line guide ring to give better control when spooling.  
           [0017]    In a preferred embodiment, the winder is preferably a rubber disk with curved slots and a central stainless steel mandrel which also fits in a drill. The slots are placed in pairs on either side of the mandrel. The axis of two facing slots (one pair) runs through the center of the winder. The axis of the other pair also runs through the center of the winder and is at a 90° angle compared to the axis of the first pair of slots. One pair of slots has a larger diameter and is spaced wider apart. The other pair has a smaller diameter and is less spaced.  
           [0018]    The winder is preferably fitted onto the drill by means of its mandrel. Once fitted onto the drill, the winder is pressed onto the flyreel, in such a manner that the handle and the counterweight which equip most flyreels on the market are lodged in the slots of the winder. The various diameters and spacing of the slots match the size of about 80% of all flyreels commonly found in the world. The winder is preferably centered on the flyreel. Circular ribbing on the bottom of the winder gives the user visual guidance to center the flyreel on the winder. The rear end of the backing is attached to the flyreel and the activation of the drill makes the reel turn, winding the line on it. Only slight pressure is needed to keep the winder on the reel. The circular ribbing also prevents the flyreel from slipping out of the center while winding the line back onto the flyreel. Ideally, the winder is made of rubber so that it does not damage the flyreel.  
           [0019]    Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the following drawings.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the spool of the present invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 is a side view of the spool of the present invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 is another side view of the spool of the present invention.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the bayonet closure of the lid of the spool holder.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5 is a side view of the spool holder of the present invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 6 is a side view of the spool holder of the present invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the line guide ring of the present invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 8 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the present invention showing the attaching means of the spool holder for the line guide ring.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the spool of the present invention.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the winder of the present invention.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention showing the circular ribbing of the winder.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 12 is a side view of the winder of the present invention showing the winder mandrel.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 13 is a side view of the handle of the present invention.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 14 is another side view of the handle of the present invention.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 15 is yet another side view of the handle of the present invention.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention showing the mandrel of the spool, a nut and a washer.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention showing a drill interfaced with the mandrel of the spool.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention showing a drill interfaced with the winder mandrel.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention showing the winding of line from a flyreel onto a spool.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 20 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention showing the winding line from a spool back onto a flyreel.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the handle, spool, spool holder, and winder of the present invention.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 22 is an open view of the spool holder and spool of the present invention.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 23 is a open view of the spool holder and spool of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0043]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.  
         [0044]    A device  10  for manipulating flyline is disclosed. The device  10  includes a spool  20  for winding line onto, and a spool holder  30  for holding the spool in alignment during use. The spool  20  is rotatably fitted onto the spool holder  30  via an open side  40  of the spool  20 . The spool  20  and holder  30  preferably interlock such that the spool  20  is prevented from vertical displacement while spinning. In one embodiment, the holder  30  includes a circumferential flange  50  at its base, and the spool  20  includes a circumferential groove  60  on its interior at its open end  40 , the circumferential flange  50  being adapted to interlock with the groove  60  to prevent the spool from vertical displacement while spinning.  
         [0045]    The spool  20  comprises a cylindrical frame  70 , preferably composed of vertical frame members  80 . The vertical frame members  80  preferably have a substantially rectangular cross-section having a width along the circumference longer than a depth in the axial direction for added rigidity. The spool  20  has side walls  90  extending radially beyond the outer circumference of the frame  70 , at least one divider  100  extending radially from an inner circumferential line of the frame  70 , vents  110  within the frame  70 , and a mandrel  120  extending axially from a side wall  90  of the spool  20 .  
         [0046]    The mandrel  120  preferably has a threaded interface  130 , and is adapted to receive a handle  140 , such as via being secured by a nut  150 . Preferably, the mandrel  120  has a threaded hole at the distal end for attachment via a screw  160 . The screw  160  preferably has a head with slanted sides to form a substantially flush fit with a base of the side of the spool  20 , the spool side being adapted with slanted openings to interface with the screw  160 .  
         [0047]    The spool  20  ideally includes a means for attaching a line, such as notches  210 .  
         [0048]    The system of the invention also includes a winder  170  having openings  180  on at least one side for interfacing with a flyreel, and a winder mandrel  190  extending axially therefrom for use with a drill or handle  140 . While a handle would not likely be used in this context since the flyreel typically includes a handle, the handle  140  could be used if the object being wound has no handle. The winder  170  preferably has four slots  180  comprising a first pair and a second pair on either side of the winder mandrel  190 , an axis of the first pair running through the center of the winder  170  and an axis of the second pair being at a 90 degree angle relative to the axis of the first pair.  
         [0049]    The winder  170  is preferably composed of a rubber disk, and the slots  180  are preferably curved so as to lock engagement points on a flyreel when turning and prevent it from slipping out of center. In a preferred embodiment, the winder  170  includes circular ribbing  200  to prevent slipping and to allow for visual alignment.  
         [0050]    The spool holder  30  is preferably constructed of plastic, and comprises a compartment having a cavity  220  for receiving a weighted substance, such as sand or water, to hold the spool  20  in place in use. Ideally, attached to the spool holder  30  is a line guiding means  230  which can be permanently or removably mounted to the spool holder  30 . The line guiding means  230  is preferably a rod or wire having a line guiding ring  240  through which the line is strung before usage. It can be attached via locking components  250 .  
         [0051]    In another preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the spool  20  is made out of molded plastic, fitted at the closed face with a stainless steel mandrel  130 , and held in place with a stainless steel screw  160  and a washer and nut  150 . The spool  20  preferably has two walls  90  on either side to prevent line from slipping off the spool  20 . The walls  90  are preferably equipped with notches  210  to attach the flyline. Preferably, the spool  20  also has a divider wall  100  in four sections, to separate flyline from backing. The spool  20  preferably has a very open construction so that the flyline can be cleaned thoroughly and afterwards can dry quickly.  
         [0052]    Also, in one preferred embodiment, the spool holder  30  is a cylindrical box with a lid, both made out of molded plastic. The lid of the spool holder  30  is preferably locked into place with a bayonet closure. Any other suitable closure is also contemplated. The bottom of the spool holder  30  preferably has an anti-slip matting. The function of the spool holder  30  is to serve as a guide for the spool to spin around. The spool holder  30  can be weighted, such as by filling it with sand or pebbles for extra stability. Also, the spool holder  30  can preferably serve as a container for the mandrels, screws, washers, and a user manual (see also FIG. 23).  
         [0053]    In a preferred embodiment, the winder  170  is a rubber disk, similar to a grinding disk, equipped with a stainless steel mandrel  190 , secured with a stainless steel screw and washers. The mandrel may be similar to the mandrel  120  on the spool  20 . Four oblong slots are placed opposite to each other at a 90° angle. Each pair of slots preferably has a different diameter and spacing, in order to accommodate a wide variety of flyreels, and may be curved in order to lock into place with engaging components of a flyreel.  
         [0054]    The spool  20  can be fitted onto a drill, preferably a cordless drill. Optionally, the mandrel  120  of the spool  20  is equipped with a threaded interface  130 . The threaded interface  130  allows for a handle  140  to be fitted on the spool  20  for spooling line onto the spool manually. The drill preferably has a progressive start and a reverse gear. By activating the drill, the flyline and/or backing is spooled onto the spool  20 .  
         [0055]    The winder  170  preferably can also be fitted onto a drill. The winder  170  is pressed onto the face of a flyreel. By activating the drill, the flyline and/or backing is wound onto the flyreel.  
         [0056]    When spooling the flyline and/or backing onto the spool  20 , the end of the flyline is attached to the spool  20 , using one of the line attacher notches  210 . By making the drill turn, the flyline and/or backing is stripped off the flyreel. Once all the line is on the spool  20 , it is untied from the flyreel. The spool  20  is removed from the drill and is soaked in fresh water for a period of time. Then it is left to dry in the open air. When the line is dry, it can either be wound back onto the reel using the winder  170  or the spool  20  can be stored with the line on it until the next use.  
         [0057]    As shown in the figures, when winding the flyline and/or backing onto the flyreel, the spool  20  is slipped over the spool holder  30  and the end of the flyline and/or backing is attached to the flyreel. A groove  60  at an open end, on the inside of the spool  20  fits over a circular flange  50  at the base of the spool holder  30  to prevent the spool  20  from riding upwards while spinning. There is also disposed on the spool  20  preferably a line guide ring constructed of stainless steel or any other suitable material to give better control of the line when spooling. The line guide ring  230 ,  240  is preferably fitted into slots at the bottom of the spool holder  30 . Alternatively, it is inserted in two holes in the base of the spool holder  30 . The line is slipped through the line guide ring before spooling.  
         [0058]    In one hand, the user presses the drill equipped with the winder  170  against the face of the flyreel, which is held in the other hand, in such a manner that the slots in the winder  170  fit around the handle and counter weight found on most flyreels. The slots are curved in shaped to prevent the flyreel from slipping out of center while winding line back onto the reel. There is further a circular ribbing  200  at the bottom of the winder  170  to give the user visual guidance to center the flyreel on the winder. The ribbing  200  also prevents the flyreel from slipping out of center while winding the line back onto the flyreel. After making sure the winder is well centered on the flyreel, the drill is progressively started which makes the flyreel turn.  
         [0059]    The flyline and/or backing are thus wound onto the flyreel. The user makes sure the line is spread evenly on the flyreel. During the process of winding, the spool  20  spins around the spool holder  30 , preventing it from running wild. The friction between the spool  20  and the spool holder  30  is just right to create proper line tension and even filling of the flyreel.  
         [0060]    The preferred components and packaging of the invention are as follows. On the left, starting from top: the spool; the spool holder; and the winder. On the right, starting from top: the spool fitted over the spool holder, showing the bayonet closure, which could optionally close via an O-ring seal of the lid: the invention as it can be packaged: mandrels, screws, washers and user manual are inside the spool holder.  
         [0061]    A method for manufacturing and a method of using the device of the present invention is additionally intended within the scope of the invention, as detailed herein.  
         [0062]    While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.