Abstract:
The present disclosure generally relates to a line guide for a fishing rod and that employs a system of roller assemblies within a frame, the roller assemblies configured to form a passageway for the fishing line to pass through. As an angler reels in a fish and the fishing line is in contact with one of the roller assemblies, the tension of the fishing line will cause a component of the roller assembly to rotate, thus greatly reducing any sliding friction between the fishing line and the line guide. The line guides can be a variety of sizes and the frames of the line guides can vary in shape and their mounting orientation relative to the fishing rod.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/888,131 filed Jul. 9, 2004, now pending, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This description generally relates to line guides that can be used with a variety of fishing rods.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Fishing rods are generally coupled with either a conventional reel or a spinning reel. The reel is primarily used for casting, retracting and controlling the fishing line. The actual fishing rod is an assembly of tapered blanks with a series of line guides extending down the length of the rod for guiding the fishing line from the reel to the tip of the rod. Line guides are generally circular rings placed at various locations along the rod and attached to the rod with wrapping material. The rings typically have a larger diameter near the reel-end of the rod and a small diameter near the tip-end of the rod.  
         [0006]     Another type of line guide has a pulley, or roller, that facilitates the fishing line running over the line guide. One example of such a line guide is sold under the trademark BIG FOOT® guides by AFTCO Manufacturing Company, Inc. of Irvine, Calif. A groove in the pulley inhibits the fishing line from slipping off the roller and abrading against the line guide housing; however, the pulley is not foolproof, and slippage of the line off of the pulley is possible. Line guides with pulleys are described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,041, issued to Betto and entitled “Guiding Device for Fishing-Rod Lines.” 
         [0007]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate the conventional-reel rod and the spinning-reel rod, respectively.  FIG. 1  illustrates the conventional-reel rod  1  with a conventional reel  2  mounted on the topside of the rod. Standard, ring-shaped line guides  3  extend down the length of the rod, and are also mounted on the topside of the rod. Although ring-shaped line guides  3  are shown in the  FIG. 1 , the standard, horizontal roller guides discussed above could be used instead of the ring-shaped line guides, but only if the conventional reel  2  is coupled with the rod.  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates the spinning-reel rod  5  coupled with the spinning reel  6 . In such a configuration, the first line guide  7  to receive the fishing line from the spinning reel typically has a larger diameter than the first line guide  3  used in the conventional-reel rod configuration. Due to the circular pattern in which the fishing line pays out from or reels on to the spinning reel  6 , the larger diameter of the first line guide  7  creates less tension, pull, and friction on the fishing line. Gravity acting on the fishing line tends to keep the fishing line in contact with the lowest point  8  of each of the line guides (i.e., the top of the ring  8  if viewing the ring-shaped line guide in an upright position). The action of gravity, which forces the fishing line downward, is one reason why standard roller guides are not used in the spinning-reel rod configuration. The use of standard, horizontal roller guides in such a configuration would not serve any benefit because the fishing line would not stay in contact with the pulley.  
         [0009]     Although the choice of reel is one of the parameters that affects the angler&#39;s choice of line guides, another parameter is the character of the fishing rod itself. In particular, the type of material that the rod blanks are made from and the amount of taper along the rod dictates, for the most part, the amount of “rod action.” “Rod action” is a term that indicates the amount of flexibility or stiffness in the rod and is generally dictated by the degree of taper along the length of the rod. The amount of rod action is important to anglers because a stiff (i.e., fast action) rod is better suited for large game fish where the hook has to be firmly set and the rod must be powerful enough to handle the action of the large fish. A slow-action rod is better suited for small fish where the flexible nature of the rod helps prevent the bait from coming off the hook. Many anglers use a medium action rod as a versatile, go-between rod for smaller fish or larger, fresh water fish. The two primary materials used to construct fishing rod blanks are either fiberglass or carbon reinforced composite (i.e., graphite).  
         [0010]     Once an angler selects a rod with a desired amount of rod action, it is important that the line guides do not detract from or adversely affect the rod action. Experienced anglers know that the quantity, mounting style, and placement of the line guides along the length of the rod can have a fairly significant effect on the overall performance of the rod. Line guides can affect the rod action, but most importantly, the line guides affect the smooth transition of the fishing line from the reel to the end of the rod.  
         [0011]     In many angling situations, whether fly fishing or large game fishing, an angler will often have a need to pull, twist, turn, or otherwise manipulate the spatial orientation of the rod. Two such examples are pulling the rod horizontally to pull a fish out of an area covered with reeds or when fishing off a pier or a boat, and trying to keep the tip low to the water when using artificial bait. This type of manipulation can cause the fishing line to abrade against the ring-type line guides. Abrasion causes the line filament to degrade, fray, and break. Line breakage not only results in the cost of replacing the fishing line, which can get expensive, but often the loss of fishing tackle and bait, not to mention the loss of that one special fish, thus relinquishing the angler to the role of telling the story about “the one that got away.” 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     One object of the present invention is to provide a series of line guides that can be used with any type of fishing rod, whether it is a conventional or a spinning rod and whether it is for light-duty or heavy-duty fishing. Another object of the present invention is to provide a series of line guides that minimizes any potential regions where abrasion can occur between the line guides and the fishing line.  
         [0013]     In one aspect, a line guide for a fishing rod includes a frame enclosing a passageway extending therethrough; a first roller having a first rotation axis, the first roller rotatably coupled to the frame and rotatable about the first rotation axis in approximately a first plane, wherein the first plane is substantially perpendicular to the passageway of the frame; a second roller having a second rotation axis, the second roller rotatably coupled to the frame and rotatable about the second rotation axis in approximately a second plane, wherein the second plane is parallel to and axially offset from the first plane; and a third roller having a third rotation axis, the third roller rotatably coupled to the frame and rotatable about a third rotation axis in approximately a third plane, wherein the third plane is parallel to and axially offset from the first and second planes, respectively.  
         [0014]     In another aspect, a line guide for a fishing rod includes a frame enclosing a passageway extending therethrough, the frame having a plurality of recessed pockets; and a plurality of rollers rotatably coupled to the frame and received at least partially in respective recessed pockets, each roller comprising a pair of end portions connected by a central portion, wherein for each of the plurality of rollers, the end portion of one roller cooperates with the end portion of another roller to substantially prevent fishing line from passing between the rollers and contacting the frame.  
         [0015]     In yet another aspect, a frame for a line guide used on a fishing rod includes a frame body enclosing a passageway; a plurality of recessed pockets formed in the frame body; and a cap coupled to the frame body, the cap configured to cooperate with the frame body to retain and rotatably support therebetween a rotatable member located at least partially within one of the respective recessed pockets.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is a rear, right side isometric view of a prior art fishing rod with a conventional reel and ring-shaped line guides.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a rear, right side isometric view of a prior art fishing rod with a spinning reel and ring-shaped line guides.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a rear, right side isometric view of a fishing rod with a conventional reel and line guides according to one illustrated embodiment.  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a front, left side isometric view of the fishing rod blank and line guide of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 5A  is an exploded, diametric view of a roller assembly placed within a frame of a line guide according to another illustrated embodiment.  
         [0021]      FIG. 5B  is an exploded, diametric view of the roller assembly of  FIG. 5A  having a single sleeve.  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is a is a front, left side isometric view of a fishing rod blank with an attached line guide having a frame with a slim profile according to another illustrated embodiment.  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of the line guide of  FIG. 6 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 8A  is a front elevational view a hexagonal-shaped line guide according to one illustrated embodiment.  
         [0025]      FIG. 8B  is a front elevational view of the hexagonal-shaped line guide of  FIG. 8A  with a rounded outer circumference.  
         [0026]      FIG. 9A  is a front elevational view of a triangular-shaped line guide having a V-shaped roller configuration according to one illustrated embodiment.  
         [0027]      FIG. 9B  is a front elevational view of the triangular-shaped line guide of  FIG. 9A  having three overlapping rollers according to another illustrated embodiment.  
         [0028]      FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of a tip-top line guide according to one illustrated embodiment.  
         [0029]      FIG. 11  is an exploded isometric view of a roller assembly used in a line guide according to one illustrated embodiment.  
         [0030]      FIG. 12  is an exploded, front left isometric view of a line guide frame and a separate mounting foot according to one illustrated embodiment.  
         [0031]      FIG. 13  is a front elevational view of a line guide pivotally attached to a mounting bracket according to one illustrated embodiment.  
         [0032]      FIG. 14  is a side elevational view of the line guide and mounting bracket of  FIG. 13 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 15  is a front elevational view of a line guide fixed to a pair of opposing mounting brackets according to one illustrated embodiment.  
         [0034]      FIG. 16  is a rear, left side isometric view of a line guide according to one illustrated embodiment.  
         [0035]      FIG. 17  is a front, elevational view of the line guide of  FIG. 16 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 18  is a front, left side isometric view of the line guide of  FIG. 16 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 19  is a side, elevational view of a rotatable member having spindles according to one illustrated embodiment.  
         [0038]      FIG. 20  is a side, elevational view of a rotatable member having rounded bearing surfaces according to alternative illustrated embodiment.  
         [0039]      FIG. 21A  is a cross-sectional view of the line guide of  FIG. 16  taken along line  21 A- 21 A in  FIG. 17 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 21B  is a cross-sectional view of the line guide of  FIG. 21A , taken along line  21 B- 21 B in  FIG. 21A .  
         [0041]      FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view of the frame of  FIG. 21A  showing a bushing located in the frame, but without the rotatable member for clarity.  
         [0042]      FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view of a contoured recessed pocket of a frame for a line guide according to one illustrated embodiment.  
         [0043]      FIG. 24  is an isometric, exploded view of a pair of caps for a frame of a line guide according to one illustrated embodiment. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0044]     In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the invention. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without many of these details. In other instances, well-known structures and the numerous specialty versions associated with fishing rods and reels have not been shown or described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments of the invention.  
         [0045]     The general function of a line guide attached to a fishing rod is to control and contain the fishing line as it extends from the reel to the tip of the rod. Line guides generally keep the fishing line from becoming tangled. An angler places the fishing line in tension when a fish is hooked. With the line under tension, directional changes of the fish, the rod, or both causes the fishing line to contact at least some static, non-rotational portion of the enclosed line guide. This contact, which often occurs in combination with the angler reeling in the fishing line and making radical directional changes with the rod, creates friction between the fishing line and the line guide. The friction, over time, abrades the fishing line and causes portions of the fishing line to fray and even fracture. The friction also makes it more challenging for the angler to reel in the fishing line.  
         [0046]     The discussion herein provides details about line guides that permit the fishing line to pass through a passageway with little resistance, even when the fishing line is under tension and in contact with a portion of the line guide.  FIG. 3  illustrates a fishing rod  9  having a series of line guides  10  positioned along a set of tapered, connected rod blanks  12 . Each of the line guides  10  has a series of guide roller assemblies  22  arranged within a frame  20  to prevent the fishing line (not shown) from contacting the frame during use. When the fishing line is placed under tension, the contact of the line with at least one of the rollers  22  causes the roller  22  to rotate, thus greatly reducing or eliminating any sliding contact between the fishing line and the line guide  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the line guides  10  can be seated on the rod blank  12  such that each line guide  10  is a mirror image of an adjacent line guide (i.e., notice the positioning of the roller assemblies  22  within the frame for each illustrated line guide  10 ). This arrangement may facilitate the transition of the fishing line from one line guide  10  to the next.  
         [0047]      FIG. 4  better illustrates the line guide  10  according to this particular embodiment of the present invention. Mounting feet  14  secure the line guide  10  to the blank  12 . The mounting feet  14  can be shaped to complement the circular-shaped blank  12 . Thread  16  is generally used to attach the mounting feet  14  to the blank  12  by locating the feet  14  on the blank  12  and winding multiple turns of the thread  16  around the blank  12  and the foot  14 . A layer of resin can then be poured onto the thread  16  and permitted to harden. The hardened resin secures the mounting feet  14  to the blank  12 , seals the thread  16 , and provides a smooth transitional surface between the thread  16  and the blank  12 .  
         [0048]     In the illustrated embodiment, the roller assemblies  22  are arranged to create a passageway  24 . One advantage of this arrangement of the roller assemblies  22  is that it prevents the fishing line from making contact with any static or non-rotating components of the line guide  10 , regardless of the orientation of the fishing rod while the angler is using the rod.  
         [0049]     In the illustrated embodiment, the frame  20  can include a neck portion  26 , which extends downward toward the mounting feet  14 . The neck portion  26  can be integrally formed with the frame  20 ; however, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the mounting feet  14 , the neck portion  26 , and the frame  20  can instead be assembled from individual components, or some combination of the above.  
         [0050]     In addition, the rectangular-shaped frame  20  is positioned so that an upper portion  28  and a lower portion  30  of the frame  20  are vertically aligned with the centerline  32  of the blank  12 . The orientation of the frame  20  in this manner provides a structurally robust connection between the frame  20  and the neck  26  and permits the weight of the frame to be minimized. One skilled in the art will appreciate and understand that the frame  20  can be shaped (e.g., rectangular, circular, hexagonal, etc.) and oriented in many different ways.  
         [0051]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a roller assembly  22  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The roller assembly includes a pin  50 , a first sleeve  56 , and a second sleeve  58 . The pin  50  has a first end  52  and a second end  54 . In one embodiment, the pin  50  can be made from corrosion resistant stainless steel (CRES) and coated with Teflon® or some other type of friction-reducing coating. The first end  52  is threaded and can be received by the frame. The first sleeve  56  slides over the pin  50  and remains free to rotate on the pin. In addition, the second sleeve  58 , which can be made with a hard rubberized or non-slip material, can be placed over the first sleeve  56 . The second sleeve  58  can have a tight fit relative to the first sleeve  56  so that the two sleeves  56  and  58  are rotationally coupled. The second sleeve  58  can be coupled to the first sleeve  56  with an adhesive, through a press fit operation, or some other joining method, for example. Washers  60  can be used to provide a bearing surface between the rotating sleeves  56  and  58  and the interior surfaces of the frame. The second end  54  of the pin  50  can be secured to the frame with a nut  62 .  
         [0052]     The non-slip material of the second sleeve  58  permits the fishing line to grip the roller assembly  22 . The tension in the fishing line combined with the non-slip action between the fishing line and the second sleeve  58  results in both sleeves  56  and  58  being rotated at substantially the same rate. The roller assembly  22  of the present embodiment can be utilized with any of the line guide embodiments discussed herein, to include the tip-top line guide  500  ( FIG. 10 ). One skilled in the art will appreciate and understand that the roller assembly  22  of the present embodiment can be configured without a second sleeve  58  and further that the first sleeve  56  can be coated with non-slip coating in lieu of providing the second sleeve  58 , for example.  
         [0053]      FIG. 5B  illustrates the pin  50  having the first end  52  and the second end  54  is received by the frame of the line guide by inserting the pin  50  through an opening in the frame in a downward direction. The first end  52  is secured to the upper portion of the frame while the second  54  is secured to the lower portion of the frame. The first sleeve  56 , in the illustrated embodiment, is made with a hard rubberized or non-slip material.  
         [0054]      FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate a line guide  110  according to another embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, a rectangular-shaped frame  120  captures the roller assemblies  122 . The fishing line  118  is illustrated extending through the passageway  124  formed by the roller assemblies  122 .  
         [0055]     The line guide  110  includes a frame  120  with laterally extending projections  134  having openings  136  for receiving the roller assemblies  122 . The projections  134  permit the line guide  110  to have a reduced or slimmed-down profile. One advantage of a slimmer profile is that it reduces wind resistance when casting. Another advantage is that the slimmer profile reduces the overall weight of the line guide  110  and as discussed above, this can affect the amount of rod action in the rod. A slimmer profile, which reduces portions of the frame that are non-moving, decreases the likelihood that the fishing line will come into contact with the non-moving parts of the frame regardless of the rod&#39;s orientation.  
         [0056]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  provide two more embodiments of a frame  220 , each with a slightly different shape.  FIG. 8A  illustrates a hexagonal-shaped frame  220  having six interior sides  238  and six exterior sides  240 . The roller assemblies  222  form a passageway  224 .  FIG. 8B  illustrates a hexagonal-shaped frame  320  having an outer circumference is round or circular, thus essentially having only one exterior side  340 . One skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that the outer circumference of the frame  320  can be machined or manufactured to have a smooth, round contour, regardless of the shape of the interior circumference of the frame  320 .  
         [0057]      FIG. 9A  illustrates a line guide  400  according to yet another embodiment of the invention. The line guide  400  of the illustrated embodiment has mounting feet  414  and a frame  420 , where the frame is coupled to the mounting feet by a neck  426 . The frame  420  is triangular-shaped with two frame members  421  forming a V-shape and an upper, horizontal frame member  423  enclosing the frame. A pair of roller assemblies  422  are rotationally coupled between the V-shaped frame members  421  and the horizontal frame member  423 . An interior surface  425  of the upper frame member  423  includes a rounded contour for allowing the fishing line to smoothly glide over the interior surface upon contact therewith.  
         [0058]     Alternatively,  FIG. 9B  illustrates that a third roller assembly  427  can span the distance between the V-shaped frame members  421 . In such an embodiment, the roller assemblies  422  and  427  are arranged to form an enclosed passageway  424  in which the fishing line will be contained.  
         [0059]      FIG. 10  illustrates a tip-top line guide  500  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The tip-top line guide  500  is seated on the tip or end of the fishing rod  502  and must be securely attached to the tip  504  of the rod order to prevent the tension of the fishing line from twisting or prying off the tip-top line guide  500 . The tip-top line guide  500  includes a frame  506 , roller assemblies  508 , and an attachment sleeve  510 . The attachment sleeve  510  further includes a distal portion  512  for connecting with the frame  506  and a proximal portion  514  for receiving the tip  504  of the rod  502 . In addition, support braces  516  can be used to securely attach the frame  506  to the rod tip  504 .  
         [0060]      FIG. 11  illustrates a cross sectional view of a roller assembly  600  rotationally secured to a frame  602  according to another embodiment of the present invention. The roller assembly  600  includes a pin  604  receivably and rotationally coupled between two bearings  606 . The bearings  606  can be press fit or simply slid into openings  608  provided in the frame  602 . A cap  610  is used to secure the bearings  606  with the frame  602  and thus axially restrain the pin  604 . An inner surface  612  of the cap  610  can also act as a bearing surface in the event the pin  604  is displaced to one side of the frame  602  or the other.  
         [0061]     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , a line guide  700  is assembled with a frame  702  and an integrally formed neck  704 . The attachment of the frame  702  to the fishing rod (not shown) is accomplished by attaching the neck  704  with a single, flexible mounting foot  706 . The flexibility of such an attachment is better suited for lighter weight fishing rod. The illustrated mounting foot  706  is bolted to the frame  708 ; however, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the attachment of the frame  702  to the mounting foot  706  can be accomplished in a number of ways, for example bonding, snapping together, etc.  
         [0062]      FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate a line guide  800  with a frame  802  is attached to a mounting bracket  804  according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. The line guide  800  is very similar to the line guide described in  FIG. 4 , except the illustrated line guide  800  has only one mounting foot  806 . In order to provide a more flexible, but robust attachment with the fishing rod (not shown), the mounting bracket  804  is pivotally mounted to the frame  802  at a pivot location  808 . This extra degree of freedom between the frame  802  and the fishing rod provides the line guide  800  with the ability to slightly pivot relative to the mounting bracket  804 . The mounting bracket  804  is U-shaped so it does not interfere with the fishing line (not shown) passing through the passageway  810  formed by the roller assemblies  812 . Alternatively, the mounting bracket  804  can be fixed with the frame in the event that extra flexibility is not desired.  
         [0063]      FIG. 15  illustrates a line guide  900  with a frame  902  fixed (i.e., welded) to a mounting bracket  904  according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. The line guide  900  is similar to the line guide described above except the illustrated line guide  900  includes opposing flexible mounting brackets  904  fixed with the frame  902 .  
         [0064]      FIG. 16  shows a line guide  1000  according to another embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, a generally circular frame  1002  encloses a passageway  1004  that extends through the frame  1002 . Rotationally coupled to the frame  1002  are a number of rollers  1006 , which are disposed around the passageway  1004  and specifically referenced as the lower roller  1006   a,  the side rollers  1006   b,  and the upper roller  1006   c.  The frame  1002  further includes a mounting foot  1008  for securing and/or attaching the line guide  1000  to a fishing rod (not shown). A portion  1010  of the frame  1002  separates each adjacent pair of rollers  1006  and is complimentarily contoured with the roller  1006  to form a smooth transition between the rollers  1006 . Caps  1012  can be coupled to the frame  1002  for retaining the rollers  1006  in the frame.  
         [0065]      FIGS. 17 and 18  show that the rollers  1006  are arranged in the frame  1002  to completely encompass the passageway  1004 , according to the illustrated embodiment. The rollers  1006  are arranged in three different planes,  1006   a′,    1006   b′,  and  1006   c′,  as best seen in  FIG. 18 . The respective planes  1006   a′,    1006   b′,  and  1006   c′  are substantially parallel to a first surface  1014  of the frame  1002 . In addition, the rollers  1006  are further arranged such that the end portions  1016  of adjacent rollers overlap one another when viewed along a first direction  1018  ( FIG. 18 ). In addition, the adjacent end portions  1016  of the rollers  1006  form an obtuse angle  1020  (90&lt;1020&lt;180 degrees) with one another.  
         [0066]      FIG. 19  best shows one of the rollers  1006 , according to one illustrated embodiment. The roller  1006  includes a pair of spindles  1022  connected by a roller body  1024 . The roller body  1024  includes the end portions  1016  connected by a central portion  1026 . Each end portion  1016  has a first outer diameter D 1  and tapers toward the central portion  1026 , which has a second outer diameter D 2 . The second outer diameter D 2  of the central portion  1026  is smaller than the first outer diameter D 1  of the respective end portion  1016  such that the roller body  1024  can have an hourglass shape. The spindles  1022  extend axially and oppositely, in line with a rotation axis  1028  of the roller  1006 . Each of the end portions  1016  includes a roller end surface  1030  that can be substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis  1028 . It is understood and appreciated that the rollers  1006  are sized according to the type of and/or purpose of the fishing rod onto which they are to be mounted. Thus, larger rollers  1006  with thick spindles  1022  may be required for deep-sea sport fishing, whereas small rollers with small spindles may be used when ice fishing for small perch.  
         [0067]      FIG. 20  shows an alternate embodiment of the roller  1006  where instead of the spindles  1022 , the roller incorporates rounded bearing surfaces  1023 . Additionally or alternatively, the roller  1006  can include at least one smooth-transitioning groove  1025  and/or a surface treatment  1027 . The groove  1025  is shown as an annular groove, however the groove  1025  can be formed at an angle, other than perpendicular, in relation to the axis  1028  of the roller  1006 . The groove  1025  may help stabilize the location of the fishing line on the roller  1006  during operation and may also encourage the roller  1006  to roll more efficiently and smoothly because the annular groove  1025  provides more contact area between the fishing line and the roller  1006 .  
         [0068]     The surface treatment  1027  can be in addition to or as an alternate to the grooves  1025 . The surface treatment  1027  can be a texturing, a coating, or other similar treatment that increases, or at least enhances, the amount of friction between the roller  1006  and the fishing line. In one embodiment, the surface treatment  1027  is a textured coating sprayed on the roller  1006 , similar to the type of non-slip, hardened coatings that are typically used to cover a cement floor, stairs, and/or a pick-up truck bed.  
         [0069]      FIGS. 21A and 21B  show the roller  1006   b  relative to an opening  1032  formed in a portion of the frame  1002  according to the illustrated embodiment.  FIG. 22  shows the same portion of the frame  1002  without the roller  1006   b  for clarity. Hence,  FIG. 22  shows that a bushing  1034  can be positioned in the frame  1002  to act as a bearing surface for the roller  1006 . FIG.  23  shows an alternate embodiment where the shape of the opening  1032  compliments the hourglass shape of the roller  1006 .  
         [0070]      FIG. 24  shows the caps  1012  that couple to the frame  1002  according to one illustrated embodiment. The cap  1012  includes two recessed pockets  1036  that include counter bearing surfaces  1038  to complimentarily receive the rounded bearing surfaces  1023  of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 20 . The cap  1012  forms an elongated arc with a smooth outer surface  1040  so that a smooth transition is maintained between the cap  1012  and the frame  1002 . The cap  1012  can be mechanically secured to the frame  1002 , for example by being press fit into the frame  1002 , by being clipped into the frame  1002 , and/or by some other similar, mechanical attachment means. Although not shown, the recessed pockets  1036  and bearing surfaces  1038  can be alternatively configured to receive the spindles  1022  and roller end portions  1030  of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 19 .  
         [0071]     These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all line guide mechanisms that operate in accordance with the claims. Accordingly, the invention is not limited by the disclosure, but instead its scope is to be determined entirely by the following claims.