Abstract:
A method and structure for forming a fly fishing reel having a device to engage or release a preset amount of drag from a spool of line. A spool of line is mounted on a spindle on the fly fishing reel. A drag mechanism is adapted to apply resistance against rotation of the spool. The device is adapted to engage or release the drag mechanism from the spool so that the preset amount of drag is enabled or disabled.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/267,268, filed on Feb. 8, 2001, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus and associated method to engage or release a pre-set drag on a fly-fishing reel. 
     2. Related Art 
     Stripping line from a fly-fishing reel requires a user to pull against a preset line resistance (drag). The preset line resistance may make it difficult to strip the line. Thus there is a need to make it easier to strip the line. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a fly-fishing reel, comprising: 
     a spool of line on a spindle of the fly-fishing reel; 
     a drag mechanism, wherein the drag mechanism is adapted to apply a preset resistance against rotation of the spool; and 
     a device, wherein the device is adapted to release the drag mechanism from the spool such that the preset resistance is disabled. 
     The present invention provides a fly-fishing reel, comprising: 
     a spool of line on a spindle of the fly-fishing reel; 
     a drag mechanism, wherein the drag mechanism is adapted to apply a preset resistance against rotation of the spool; and 
     a device, wherein the device is adapted to engage the drag mechanism to the spool such that the preset resistance is enabled. 
     The present invention provides a method for forming a fly-fishing reel, comprising: 
     providing a spool of line on a spindle of the fly-fishing reel; 
     providing a drag mechanism, wherein the drag mechanism is adapted to apply a preset resistance against rotation of the spool; and 
     providing a device, wherein the device is adapted to release the drag mechanism from the spool such that the preset resistance is disabled. 
     The present invention provides a method for forming a fly-fishing reel, comprising: 
     providing a spool of line on a spindle of the fly-fishing reel; 
     providing a drag mechanism, wherein the drag mechanism is adapted to apply a preset resistance against rotation of the spool; and 
     providing a device, wherein the device is adapted to engage the drag mechanism to the spool such that the preset resistance is enabled. 
     A fly-fishing reel, comprising: 
     a spool of line on a spindle of the fly-fishing reel; 
     a drag mechanism, wherein the drag mechanism is adapted to apply a preset resistance against rotation of the spool; and 
     means for releasing the drag mechanism from the spool such that the preset resistance is disabled. 
     A fly-fishing reel, comprising: 
     a spool of line on a spindle of the fly-fishing reel; 
     a drag mechanism, wherein the drag mechanism is adapted to apply a preset resistance against rotation of the spool; and 
     means for engaging the drag mechanism to the spool such that the preset resistance is enabled. 
     The present invention advantageously disengages the preset drag from a fly fishing reel, resulting in little resistance when stripping line from the fly fishing reel. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 depicts a first cross-sectional view of a fly fishing reel, including a one piece device, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 depicts a second cross-sectional view of the fly fishing reel of FIG. 1, also including the one piece device, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 depicts a modified cross-sectional view of the fly fishing reel in FIG. 2, showing a two piece device, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 depicts an exploded side view of the fly fishing reel of FIG. 3, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 depicts a three dimensional exploded view of the fly fishing reel of FIG. 4, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 depicts a side view of a fly fishing reel, illustrating a lever, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 depicts a side view of the fly fishing reel of FIG. 5, illustrating a two piece trigger, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 depicts a first three dimensional view of the fly fishing reel of FIG. 7, illustrating the two piece trigger, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 depicts a second three dimensional view of the fly fishing reel of FIG. 7 with the fly fishing reel attached to a pole, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a first cross sectional view of a fly fishing reel  50  having a device  17  to engage or release a preset amount of drag (may also be described as “resistance”) from a spool  8  by engaging a taper drag disc  7 , in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The device  17  may comprise one piece (e.g. device  17  in FIG. 1 and 2) or it may comprise a plurality of pieces (e.g., device  17  comprising pieces  17   a  and  17   b  in FIGS. 3-5 and  7 - 9 ). The device  17  may be a trigger (i.e., as shown in FIGS. 1-5 and  7 - 9 ) or a lever (i.e., as shown in FIG.  6 ). The device  17  may comprise a metallic alloy or metal including, inter alia, stainless steel or aluminum. The spool  8  may comprise metal including, inter alia, aluminum. The taper drag disc  7  may comprise plastic including, inter alia, Rulon®or Nylon®. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a second cross sectional view of the fly fishing reel  50  of FIG. 1 having the device  17  to engage or release a preset amount of drag from the spool  8  (shown in FIG. 1 but not shown in FIG. 2) by engaging a drag mechanism comprising a drag preset knob  1 , a spring compressor  4 , a compression spring  5 , and a taper drag disc  7 , in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The device  17  may be a trigger (i.e., as shown in FIG. 2) or a lever (i.e., as shown in FIG.  6 ). The device  17  may comprise one piece or it may comprise a plurality of pieces. The device  17  may include a tapered drag surface  95 . The spool  8  is attached to a spool engagement shaft  9  that is attached to a spline hub  15 . A keyed engagement disc  28  locks the spool  8  to the spline hub  15  so that the spool  8 , the keyed engagement disc  28 , and the spline hub  15  may rotate together in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction. The spool  8  may be enclosed within a reel body  3 . The device  17  is engaged so that the preset amount of drag may be applied to the spool  8 , gradually or instantaneously. The aforementioned drag is adjusted to a preset value by taming the drag preset knob  1  clockwise or counter clockwise into a threaded opening in a drag housing  2 , wherein the spring compressor  4  is pushed forward (i.e., in the direction  99 ). The force of the spring compressor  4  moving forward in the direction  99  compresses the compression spring(s)  5 . The compression spring(s)  5  is circular with a clearance hole in the center that fits over (i.e., encloses) the spline hub  15 . The compression spring(s)  5  applies a force in the direction  99  to the back of the surface  81  of the taper drag disc  7 . The front surface  82  of the taper drag disc  7  is used as a braking surface for the device  17  to engage. As the front surface  82  of the taper drag disc  7  is engaged by the device  17 , the taper drag disc  7  is forced backwards (opposite to direction  99 ) towards the compression spring(s)  5 . The friction between the device  17  and the front surface  82  of the taper drag disc  7  thus creates the preset amount of drag. The taper drag disc  7  is a part of the drag mechanism as described supra. The device  17  may be released from the drag mechanism so that the preset amount of drag is disabled and the spool  8  (i.e., as shown in FIG. 3) is free to spin, allowing for the free pulling of line from the fly fishing reel for casting. The device  17  may enable the preset drag after the preset drag is disabled. The device  17  and the drag mechanism may be separate components or as portions of a same component. A torsion spring  23  may be used to return the device  17  to a desired or predetermined position. A locking cap  32  may be used to lock the device  17  in a desired or predetermined position. A washer  36  comprising metal or plastic may be used between the trigger  17  and the reel body  3 . The device  17  may comprise a metallic alloy or metal such as, inter alia, stainless steel or aluminum. The spool  8 , drag housing  2 , and reel body  3  may each comprise a metallic alloy or metal such as, inter alia, aluminum. The taper drag disc  7  may comprise plastic such as, inter alia, Rulon®or Nylon®. The spring compressor  4 , compression spring(s)  5 , spool engagement shaft  9 , spline hub  15 , torsion spring  23 , engagement disc  28 , and locking cap  32  may each comprise a metallic alloy or metal such as, inter alia, stainless steel. The drag preset knob  1  may comprise, inter alia, plastic, metal, or a metallic alloy. 
     FIG. 3 shows a modified cross sectional view of a fly fishing reel  50  having a two piece device  17  comprising pieces  17   a  and  17   b  (see FIG. 4 for piece  17   b ) to engage or release a preset amount of drag from a spool  8  by engaging a drag mechanism comprising a drag preset knob  1 , a spring compressor  4 , a compression spring  5 , a taper disc backer  6 , and a taper drag disc  7 , in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The device  17  may be a trigger (i.e., as shown in FIG. 3) or a lever (i.e., as shown in FIG.  6 ). The device  17  may comprise one piece (as in FIGS. 1 and 2) or it may comprise a plurality of pieces (e.g. pieces  17   a  and  17   b  in FIGS. 3-5 and  7 - 9 ). The device  17  may include a tapered drag surface  95 . The spool  8  may be enclosed within a reel body  3 . The spool  8  is secured to a spool engagement shaft  9  using a spool attachment screw  11 . The spool engagement shaft  9  is attached to a spline hub  15 . A side  45  of the spool  8  and a side  47  of the spool engagement shaft  9  have cutouts to accept spool keys  10 . The spool keys  10  lock the side  45  of the spool  8  to the side  47  of the spool engagement shaft  9  to allow for positive engagement while turning the reel  8 . A side  52  of the spool engagement shaft  9  is coupled to a side  60  of a spline hub  15  and is secured in place using a hub attachment screw  13 . A bearing  12  may be used around the spline hub  15  where the spline hub  15  protrudes thru a reel body  3 . The device  17  is engaged so that the preset amount of drag may be applied to the reel  8 , gradually or instantaneously. The aforementioned drag is adjusted to a preset value by turning the drag preset knob  1  clockwise or counter clockwise into a threaded opening in a drag housing  2 , wherein the spring compressor  4  is pushed forward (i.e., in a direction  99 ). The force of the spring compressor  4  moving forward in the direction  99  compresses the compression spring(s)  5 . The compression spring(s)  5  is circular with a clearance hole in the center that fits over (i.e., encloses) the spline hub  15 . The compression spring(s)  5  applies a force to the taper disc backer  6  that is adhesively coupled to a back surface  81  of the taper drag disc  7 . A front surface  82  of the taper drag disc  7  is used as a braking surface for the device  17  to engage. As the front surface  82  of the taper drag disc  7  is engaged by the device  17 , the taper drag disc  7  is forced backwards (opposite to direction  99 ) towards the compression spring(s)  5 . The friction between the device  17  and the front surface  82  of the taper drag disc  7  thus creates the preset amount of drag. The taper drag disc  7  is part of the drag mechanism as described supra. The device  17  may be released from the drag mechanism so that the preset amount of drag is disabled and the spool  8  is free to spin, allowing for the free pulling of line from the fly fishing reel for casting. The device  17  may enable the preset drag after the preset drag is disabled. The device  17  and the drag mechanism may be separate components or as portions of a same component. The device  17  may comprise a metallic alloy or metal such as, inter alia, stainless steel or aluminum. The spool  8 , drag housing  2 , and reel body  3  may comprise a metallic alloy or metal such as, inter alia, aluminum. The taper drag disc  7  may comprise plastic such as, inter alia, Rulon®or Nylon®. The bearing  12  may comprise metal such as, inter alia, stainless steel or plastic including, inter alia, Rulan®. The spring compressor  4 , compression spring(s)  5 , taper disc backer  6 , spool engagement shaft  9 , spool key  10 , spool attachment screw  11 , hub attachment screw  13 , and spline hub  15  may each comprise a metallic alloy or metal such as, inter alia, stainless steel. The drag preset knob  1  may comprise, inter alia, plastic or metal. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded side view of FIG. 3, showing the fly fishing reel  50  having a device  17  (The device  17  is used to represent the combination of a trigger  17   a  and  17   b ) to engage or release a preset amount of drag from a spool  8  by engaging a drag mechanism comprising a drag preset knob  1 , a spring compressor  4 , a compression spring  5 , a taper disc backer  6 , and a taper drag disc  7 , in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The device  17  may comprise one piece (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) or a plurality of pieces (as shown in FIGS. 3-5 and FIGS.  7 - 9 ). The device may be the trigger  17   a  and  17   b  (i.e., as shown in FIG.  4 , 5 , and  7 ) or a lever  17  (i.e., as shown in FIG.  6 ). The device  17  may include a tapered drag surface  95 . The spool  8  may be enclosed within a reel body  3 . The reel body is mounted to a fishing pole using a reel foot  19 . The spool  8  is attached to a spool engagement shaft  9  (see FIG.  3 )and the spool engagement shaft is  9  is coupled to a spline hub  15  and is secured in place using a hub attachment screw  13  (i.e., as shown in FIG.  3 ). A bushing  16  may be used to separate the spool engagement shaft  9  from the reel body  3  acting as a bearing. The device  17   a ,  17   b  is engaged so that a preset amount of drag may be applied to the reel  8 , gradually or instantaneously. The aforementioned drag is adjusted to a preset value by turning the drag preset knob  1  clockwise or counter clockwise into a threaded opening in a drag housing  2 , wherein the spring compressor  4  is pushed forward (i.e., in a direction  99 ). The force of the spring compressor  4  moving forward in the direction  99  compresses a compression spring(s)  5 . The compression spring(s)  5  is circular with a clearance hole in the center that fits over the spline hub  15 . The compression spring(s)  5  applies a force to taper disc backer  6  that is adhesively coupled to a back surface  81  of the taper drag disc  7 . A front surface  82  of the taper drag disc  7  is used as a braking surface for the device  17   a  to engage. As the front surface  82  of the taper drag disc  7  is engaged by the device  17   a , the taper drag disc  7  is forced backwards (opposite to direction  99 ) towards the compression spring(s)  5 . The friction between the device  17   a  and the front surface  82  of the taper drag disc  7  thus creates the preset amount of drag. The taper drag disc  7  is part of the drag mechanism as described supra. The device  17  may be released from the drag mechanism so that the preset amount of drag is disabled and the spool  8  is free to spin, allowing for the free pulling of line from the fly fishing reel for casting. The device  17  may enable the preset drag after the preset drag is disabled. The device  17  and the drag mechanism may be separate components or as portions of a same component. The device  17  may include a torsion spring  23  used to return the device  17  to a desired or predetermined position. FIG. 4 illustrates a two piece device  17   a,b  attached to a shaft  22 , wherein the shaft  22  may rotate thru a device pivot  20  that is attached to the reel body  3 . A device compressor  21  forces the device  17   a  to engage the taper drag disc  7 . A handle  18  is used to rotate the spool  8  for line retrieval. The device  17  and device pivot  20  may comprise a metallic alloy or metal such as, inter alia, stainless steel or aluminum. The spool  8 , drag housing  2 , reel foot  19  and reel body  3  may comprise a metallic alloy or metal such as, inter alia, aluminum. The taper drag disc  7  may comprise plastic such as, inter alia, Rulon®or Nylon®. The spring compressor  4 , compression spring(s)  5 , taper disc backer  6 , spool engagement shaft  9 , spline hub  15 , compressor  21 , torsion spring  23 , and shaft  22  may comprise a metallic alloy or metal such as, inter alia, stainless steel. The drag preset knob  1 , bushing  16 , and handle  18  may comprise, inter alia, plastic or metal. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a  3  dimensional exploded view of FIG. 4, showing of a fly fishing reel  50  having a device  17  (The device  17  is used to represent the combination of a trigger  17   a  and  17   b ) to engage or release a preset amount of drag from a spool  8  by engaging a drag mechanism comprising a drag preset knob  1 , a spring compressor  4 , a compression spring  5 , a taper disc backer  6 , and a taper drag disc  7 , in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The device  17  may be a trigger  17   a  and  17   b  (i.e., as shown in FIG. 5) or a lever  17  (i.e., as shown in FIG.  6 ). The spool  8  may be enclosed within a reel body  3 . The reel body  3  is mounted to a fishing pole using a reel foot  19 . The spool  8  is attached to a spool engagement shaft  9  and the spool engagement shaft is  9  is coupled to a spline hub  15  and is secured in place using a hub attachment screw  13  (i.e., as shown in FIG.  3 ). The device  17   a ,  17   b  is engaged so that a preset amount of drag may be applied to the reel  8 , gradually or instantaneously. The aforementioned drag is adjusted to a preset value by turning the drag preset knob  1  clockwise or counter clockwise into a threaded opening in a drag housing  2 , wherein the spring compressor  4  is pushed forward in a direction  99 . The force of the spring compressor  4  moving forward in the direction  99  compresses the compression spring(s)  5 . The compression spring(s)  5  is circular with a clearance hole in the center that fits over (i.e., encloses) the spline hub  15 . The compression spring(s)  5  applies a force to the taper disc backer  6  that is adhesively coupled to a back surface  81  of the taper drag disc  7 . The front surface  82  of the taper drag disc  7  is used as a braking surface for the device  17   a  to engage. As the taper drag disc  7  is engaged by the device  17   a , the taper drag disc  7  is forced backwards (opposite to direction  99 ) towards the compression spring(s)  5 . The friction between the device  17   a  and the front surface  82  of the taper drag disc  7  thus creates the preset amount of drag. The taper drag disc  7  is part of the drag mechanism as described supra. The device  17  may be released from the drag mechanism so that the preset amount of drag is disabled and the spool  8  is free to spin, allowing for the free pulling of line from the fly fishing reel for casting. The device  17  may enable the preset drag after the preset drag is disabled. The device  17  and the drag mechanism may be separate components or as portions of a same component. The device  17  may comprise one piece or it may comprise a plurality of pieces and a torsion spring  23  may be used to return the device  17  to a desired or predetermined position. FIG. 5 illustrates a two piece device  17   a,b  attached to a shaft  22 , wherein the shaft  22  may rotate thru a device pivot  20  that is attached to the reel body  3 . A device compressor  21  forces the device  17   a  to engage the taper drag disc  7 . A handle  18 , attached to the spool  8  with a screw  26  may be used to rotate the spool  8  for line retrieval. The device  17  and device pivot  20  may comprise a metallic alloy or metal such as, inter alia, stainless steel or aluminum. The spool  8 , drag housing  2 , reel foot  19  and reel body  3  may each comprise a metallic alloy or metal such as, inter alia, aluminum. The taper drag disc  7  may comprise plastic including, inter alia, Rulon® or Nylon®. The spring compressor  4 , compression spring(s)  5 , taper disc backer  6 , spool engagement shaft  9 , spline hub  15 , compressor  21 , torsion spring  23 , screw  26 , and shaft  22  may each comprise a metallic alloy or metal such as, inter alia, stainless steel. The drag preset knob  1  and handle  18  may comprise, inter alia, plastic or metal. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a fly fishing reel  50  having a device  17  to engage or release a preset amount of drag from a spool  8 , by engaging a drag mechanism comprising a drag preset knob  1 , a spring compressor  4 , a compression spring  5 , a taper disc backer  6 , and a taper drag disc  7  (as shown in FIG.  2 -FIG.  5 ), in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The device  17  illustrated in FIG. 6 is a lever. The device  17  may comprise one piece or a plurality of pieces. The device  17  may be engaged so that a preset amount of drag may be applied to the reel  8 , gradually or instantaneously. The device  17  may be released from the from the drag mechanism so the preset amount of drag is disabled. The device  17  may enable the preset amount of drag after the preset amount of drag is disabled. The device  17  and the drag mechanism may be separate components or as portions of a same component. The device  17  may each comprise a metallic alloy or metal such as, inter alia, stainless steel or aluminum. The spool  8  may comprise metal including, inter alia, aluminum. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the fly fishing reel  50  of FIG. 5 having a device  17  to engage or release a preset amount of drag from a spool  8  by engaging a drag mechanism comprising a drag preset knob  1 , a spring compressor  4 , a compression spring  5 , a taper disc backer  6 , and a taper drag disc  7  (as shown in FIG.  2 -FIG.  5 ), in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The device  17  illustrated in FIG. 7 is a trigger  17   a,b  having a plurality of pieces. The device  17  may be engaged so that a preset amount of drag may be applied to the reel  8 , gradually or instantaneously. The device  17  may be released from the from the drag mechanism so the preset amount of drag is disabled. The device  17  may enable the preset amount of drag after the preset amount of drag is disabled. The device  17  and the drag mechanism may be separate components or as portions of a same component. The device  17  may comprise metal including, inter alia, stainless steel or aluminum. The spool  8  may comprise metal including, inter alia, aluminum. 
     FIG. 8 illustrates a  3  dimensional view of the fly fishing reel  50  of FIG. 7 having the two piece device  17  (i.e.  17   a  and  17   b ) to engage or release a preset amount of drag from a spool  8 , in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The device  17  may be a trigger (i.e., as shown in FIG. 8) or a lever (i.e., as shown in FIG.  6 ). The spool  8  is enclosed by a reel body  3 . The reel body is mounted to a fishing pole using a reel foot  19 . The device  17  may be engaged so that a preset amount of drag may be applied to the reel  8 , gradually or instantaneously. The device  17  may comprise a metallic alloy or metal such as, inter alia, stainless steel or aluminum. The spool  8 , reel foot  19  and reel body  3  may each comprise a metallic alloy or metal such as, inter alia, aluminum. 
     FIG. 9 illustrates a second  3  dimensional view of a fly fishing reel  50  of FIG. 7 mounted on a fishing pole  55  having a device  17  to engage or release a preset amount of drag from a spool  8 , in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The device  17  may be a trigger (i.e., as shown in FIG. 9) or a lever (i.e., as shown in FIG.  6 ). The spool  8  is enclosed by a reel body  3 . The reel body is mounted to the fishing pole  55  using a reel foot  19 . The device  17  may be engaged so that a preset amount of drag may be applied to the reel  8 , gradually or instantaneously. The preset amount of drag is set using a drag preset knob  1 . The device  17  may comprise a metallic alloy or metal such as, inter alia, stainless steel or aluminum. The spool  8 , reel foot  19  and reel body  3  may each comprise a metallic alloy or metal such as, inter alia, aluminum. 
     While embodiments of the present invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, many modifications and changes will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to encompass all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.