Abstract:
Parts inexpensively coated that yet are difficult to mar. The reel body  1  of a double bearing reel is given as an example of a part superficially coated in accordance wish the invention. It includes a metallic base portion  10 , an oxide film layer  11 , a substrate Taint film layer  12 , and a finishing paint film layer  13 . The finishing paint film layer  13  is formed by the application of a self-mending paint material. Forming the paint film layer on the surface of the reel body  1  by applying a self-mending paint material by the self-mending function of the paint material thus restores scratched portions if the surface is damaged due to scratching or the like. Therefore, scratches due to injuries tend not to remain on the coated part and as a result, scratches are unlikely to damage the surface of the body of the part. Moreover, forming the layer by applying a paint material facilitates low cost production.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Technical Field  
           [0002]    The present invention relates coated parts, and in particular to coated parts that are used outdoors in bicycle components and fishing equipment.  
           [0003]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0004]    Paint films are often formed from painting materials onto parts that are frequently used outdoors in bicycles and fishing equipment, especially onto parts made of metallic materials. Thus forming films onto the body of metal parts keeps them from being exposed to corrosive atmospheres and improves their anti-corrosiveness. Also, forming paint films with various colored painting materials enhances design characteristics.  
           [0005]    Wherein the paint films are formed using ordinary painting materials such as acrylic or urethane resin paints, the paint film hardness will be low compared to the metals. Therefore, sliding motion between like parts, or parts being dropped can damage the paint film superficially on the parts and expose the material surfaces. Foreign substances such as water get in through those portions of the paint film that are injured, which makes the paint film tend to peel away. Furthermore, if the paint film is impaired, the appearance can no longer be maintained. Moreover, with metals that corrode easily, such as magnesium alloy, if the film is damaged the metals tend to corrode.  
           [0006]    To make surfaces difficult to mar, instead of Saint films it has been the practice to form onto materials hard metallic thin films that are highly anti-corrosive by such methods as plating, ionic implantation, or vapor deposition. The surfaces of parts on which hard metallic thin films are formed are not easily injured. Nevertheless, the metal materials at times corrode when brought into direct contact with like metals and, due to differences in ionization tendency, an internal battery is set up. This makes complex procedures necessary such as interposing an insulating layer between the part surfaces and the hard metallic layer, which raises manufacturing costs.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INTENTION  
         [0007]    An object of the present invent on is inexpensively to provide coated parts that are not easily marred.  
           [0008]    Another object of the present invention is inexpensively to provide coated parts that are not easily corroded.  
           [0009]    The coated part according to the invention is a first aspect includes a part body superficially onto which a paint film layer is coated. Applying a highly restorative paint material to at least part of the surface of the part body forms the paint film layer.  
           [0010]    In the paint film layer formed by superficially applying a highly restorative paint material to the body the coated part, if the coated part is scratched, the scratched portion mends and the paint film on the surface is reformed. Therefore, a scratch forms on the surface the scratch does not remain, and as a result the coated part is not easily marred. Moreover, forming the layer by applying a paint material facilitates low cost production.  
           [0011]    It should be noted that herein “highly restorative paint material” are paint materials such as semi-mending paints formed from the special acrylic resin paints manufactured by Natoko Paint Co. Ltd., for example, which usually are offered in the form of a transparent, clear paint. Herein, “self-mending function” is a function wherein abrasions of a certain extent or dents caused by pressure exist temporarily as injuries compared with the rest of the surface, but due to the elasticity of the paint film are restored after awhile, which makes the injuries disappear.  
           [0012]    The functional-group side chains (chains between the cross-linking points and the acrylic main chains) in the self-mending paints are long compared to general acrylic resin paints. The significance of this is that not only the side chains, but also the cross-linking portions between the acrylic main chains in self-mending paints constitute a structure in which the degree of kinetic freedom is very high. Consequently, the long side chains work as springs against external pressure, realizing the self-mending function by elasticity. Also, compared to general paint films, the lubricity of the paint film surface of self-mending paints is high—the coefficients of friction of the surface are low. Therefore, something hard striking the paint film will tend to slip, and force due to external pressure is widely dispersed in directions parallel to the paint film, attenuating force in the perpendicular direction. Accordingly, even the paint film itself cannot easily be damaged.  
           [0013]    The coated part in a second aspect is in accordance with the first aspect or the invention, but wherein at least a portion of the part body is exteriorly exposed. Herein, if the coating layer formed on the exteriorly exposed portion that frequently makes contact external parts is scratched, the scratched portion is restored and the scratch tends to disappear. As a result, the exposer portion tends not to be scratched.  
           [0014]    In a third aspect the coated part is as set forth in the foregoing aspects, but further wherein the part body includes a sliding portion for sliding against another part. Herein, if the coating layer on the surface is damaged when the sliding portion slides against the other part, its sliding state tends not to fluctuate since the coating layer reforms. For this reason, if the coating layer is reformed on, for example, sliding portions making up male-female engagement parts that slide in components equipment, their engagement state will not tend to tighten nor loosen.  
           [0015]    In a fourth aspect of the present invention the coated part is as set forth in the foregoing aspects, but further wherein the coating layer is translucent, and a substrate paint film layer, formed by applying a colored paint, is present between the part body and the coating layer. Herein, since the coating layer is translucent, designs or letters on the substrate paint film layer formed by applying a colored paint may be seen through the coating layer. Protecting the substrate paint film layer with a coating layer that is not easily marred also maintains the appearance of the substrate paint film layer.  
           [0016]    In a fifth aspect the coated part is as set forth in the foregoing aspects, but further wherein the part body is used for fishing equipment. In this case, the coating layer on fishing equipment often used outdoors in a corrosive atmosphere is unlikely to be damaged, maintaining the appearance of the fishing equipment. This also keeps the part body from being exposed directly to corrosive atmospheres, and hence the part body is unlikely to become corroded.  
           [0017]    The coated part of the invention in a third aspect is as set forth in the foregoing aspects, but further wherein the part body is used in bicycles. Herein, the coating layer on bicycle parts that are frequently used outdoors is not likely to become damaged, which helps to maintain the appearance of the bicycles. This also keeps the parts from being exposed directly to the oven air, and hence, the oars are unlikely to become corroded.  
           [0018]    In a seventh aspect the coated part is as set forth in the foregoing aspects, but further wherein the part body is made of metal. In this case, if a coated part having a metallic part body is used in a corrosive atmosphere, it is not likely to corrode since the part body is covered by a coating layer that is not easily damaged.  
           [0019]    The coated part of the invention in an eighth aspect is in accordance with the seventh aspect, but further wherein the part body is made of an aluminum alloy or a magnesium alloy, and an anodic oxidized film layer is present between the body of the part and the coating layer. Herein, since the part body made of an aluminum or magnesium alloy, which tend to corrode, is covered by the coating layer via the anodic oxidzed film layer, the adherence of the coating layer as well as the anti-corrosion properties of the part are increased.  
           [0020]    In a ninth aspect the coated part is as set forth in the foregoing aspects, but further wherein the part body is made of a synthetic resin. In this case, since the part body is made of a synthetic resin, which is not as hard as metal and thus fragile, is covered by the coating layer formed by a self-mending paint material, the synthetic resin body of the part is not likely to be damaged.  
           [0021]    The coated part of the intention in an tenth aspect is in accordance with the ninth aspect, but further wherein the body of the part is a fiber-reinforced synthetic resin laminate article wherein a synthetic resin base material is impregnated into a high-strength fiber backing. Herein, even in fiber-reinforced synthetic resin laminate articles in which water tends to cause peeling, because the coating layer is not likely to become damaged and hence water is not likely to get into the body of the part, peeling is unlikely.  
           [0022]    From the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a dual-bearing reel to which an embodiment or the present invention is adopted;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 as sectional plan view of the dual-bearing reel of FIG. 1;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary schematic view in section through a general part body in fishing equipment or bicycle components;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary schematic view in section through another general part body in fishing equipment or bicycle components;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 5A and 5B are views corresponding to FIG. 3, depicting progress of mending in a self-mending paint;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 6 is side view of a spinning reel to which a second embodiment is adopted;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 7A and 7B are lateral views respectively depicting extended and collapsed states of the base portion or a fishing rod to which a third embodiment is adopted;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary schematic view in section through the center-axial tube of the rod depicted in FIGS. 7A and 7B;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 9 is cross-sectional view through a crank assembly or a bicycle according to a fourth embodiment;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 10 is a front view of the right crank arm of the FIG. 9 crank assembly. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0033]    Embodiment 1  
         [0034]    A double bearing reel shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied, is a low-profile type reel for bait cast. The double bearing reel includes a reel body  1  made of a magnesium alloy, a handle assembly  2 , and a spool  4  for winding a fishing line. The handle assembly  2  is provided for rotating the spool  4  and is disposed at one side of the reel body  1 . The spool  4  is rotatably provided in the reel body  1  and may be detached therefrom. A star drag  3  for adjusting a drag is disposed at the reel body  1  side of the handle assembly  2 .  
         [0035]    The reel body  1  includes a reel frame  5 , a side cover  6  disposed at both side of the frame  5 , a front cover  7  covering the front portion of the frame  5 , and a thumb rest  8  covering the top. Each member constituting the reel body  1  is made of a magnesium alloy and a coating treatment using a self-mending paint material has been applied on the surface of each member.  
         [0036]    Next, the structure of each member that constitutes the reel body  1  will be described in detail.  
         [0037]    As shown in FIG. 3, an oxide film layer  11  is formed by anodic oxidation on the surface of a base portion  10  of each of the members, which are made of a magnesium alloy. The oxide-film layer  11  increases adhesion of the paint material. A substrate paint film layer  12  as formed on the oxide film layer  11 , which may improve the design of the surface by adding a color. The substrate paint film layer  12  may be formed by applying a coloring paint such as, for instance, a double-fluid urethane coloring paint, a silicon acrylic coloring paint, an acrylic baked coloring paint, powdered coloring paint (polyester type, hybrid type), and melamine baked coloring paint.  
         [0038]    A finishing coating layer  13  is formed on the substrate paint film layer  12 , which is formed by applying a self-mending paint material having a high recoverability. As a self-mending paint material, for example, a transparent clear paint material made of a special acrylic resin manufactured by Natoko Paint Co. Ltd. 2 may be suitably used. Herein, “self-mending function” is a function wherein abrasions of a certain extent or dents caused by pressure exist temporarily as injuries compared with the rest of the surface, but due to the elasticity of the paint film are restored after awhile, which makes the injuries disappear. The functional-group side chains (chains between the cross-linking points and the acrylic-main chains) in the self-mending paints are long compared to general acrylic resin paints. The significance of this is that not only the side chains, but also the cross-linking portions between the acrylic main chains in self-mending paints constitute a structure in which the degree or kinetic freedom is very high. Consequently, the long side chains work as springs against external pressure, realizing the self-mending function by elasticity.  
         [0039]    The handle assembly  2 , the star drag  3 , and the spool  4  are also made of a magnesium alloy. As shown in FIG. 4, a finishing coating layer  13  made of the self-mending paint material is directly formed on an oxide film layer  11  by the anodic oxidation method. In this manner, the feel of a metal directly appears on the surface.  
         [0040]    By covering exposed portions of a double bearing reel using the finishing coating layer  13  formed by applying the self-mending paint material in the above-mentioned manner, it becomes possible to mend a scratch  15  shown in FIG. 5A, which is caused by dropping the double bearing reel or rubbing it against a hard material, by the self-recovering property derived from the elasticity of the finishing coating layer  13  to a state shown in FIG. 5B in which the paint material on the surface is restored. Accordingly, the trace of a scratch does not remain on the surface and, as a result, the surface tends not be damaged and the appearance of the surface can be maintained. Also, if the scratch  15  is formed, it will be repaired and the surface of a metal is prevented from being exposed to a corrosive atmosphere often present in such places as a fishing place. Accordingly, metallic parts tend not to be eroded. Moreover, since the layer is formed by applying a paint material, it is easy to form with a moderate price.  
         [0041]    Embodiment 2  
         [0042]    Although a double bearing reel is used as an example of fishing equipment in the above-mentioned embodiment 1, the present invention may also be applied to a spinning reel.  
         [0043]    As shown in FIG. 6, a spinning reel to which he embodiment 2 of the present invention is applied includes a reel main body  22 , a rotor  23 , and a spool  24 . The reel main body  22  rotatably supports a handle  21 . The rotor  23  is rotatably supported by the reel main body  22  and is disposed at the front portion thereof. The spool  24  is placed at the front of the rotor  23  in a movable manner in the back and front direction and fishing line is reeled-in around the stool  24 .  
         [0044]    The reel main body  22  includes a reel  22   a  for supporting the rotor  23  and the spool  24 , and a substantially T-shaped fishing rod mount  22   b  extending in the upward direction from the reel body  22   a . The reel main body  22  may be a member made of, for instance, an aluminum alloy. Mechanisms such as a rotor driving mechanism for rotating the rotor  23  and an oscillating mechanism for uniformly winding the fishing line around the spool  24  by moving the spool  24  in the back and forth direction are provided in the reel body  22   a.    
         [0045]    As shown in FIG. 3, an oxide film layer  11 , a substrate paint film layer  12 , and a finishing coating layer  13  are formed on a base portion  10  of the reel main body  22  made of an aluminum alloy in that order. By adopting this configuration, the reel main body  22  is hardly damaged.  
         [0046]    The rotor  23  includes a cylindrical portion  30  and a first rotor arm  31  and a second rotor arm  32 , each of which is disposed at a respective side of the cylindrical portion  30  so as to be opposed to each other. The cylindrical portion  30  and the rotor arms  31  and  32  are integrally formed member made of, for instance, an aluminum alloy.  
         [0047]    A first bail-supporting member  40  is movably attached to the inner periphery side of the end of the first rotor arm  31 . A line roller  41  for guiding a fishing line to the spool  24  is attached to the end of the first bail supporting member  40 . Also, a second bail supporting member  42  is movably attached to the inner periphery side of the end of the second rotor arm  32 . A bail  43  is provided between the line roller  41  located at the end of the first bail supporting member  42  and the second bail supporting member  42 . A bail arm  44  for guiding the fishing line to the spool  24  is constituted by the bail supporting members  40  and  42 , the line roller  41 , and the bail  43 . Since the rotor  23  is easily damaged when the fishing rod is placed on, and made contact with, a rock or a hard ground such as a quay, a oxide film layer  11  and a finishing coating layer  13  are formed or a base portion  10  made of an aluminum alloy in that order as shown in FIG. 4. By adopting such structure, a scratch tends not to be formed on the rotor  23 .  
         [0048]    Embodiment 3  
         [0049]    Although fishing reels are used as examples a fishing equipment in the above-mentioned two embodiments, the present invention may also be applied to a fishing rod shown in FIG. 7.  
         [0050]    This fishing rod includes a base rod  50  and at least one rod member  51  which is connected to the base rod  50  in a telescopic manner or in a separate segment manner, and it is possible to change the length of the base rod  50 . The base rod  50  and the rod member  51  are made of, for instance, a cylindrically tapered resin laminating mold member which is obtained by winding a prepreg made of a reinforced fiber resin whose carbon fiber has been immersed in epoxy resin, around a tapered rod shape mandrel.  
         [0051]    The base rod  50  includes a rod base portion  60  used for operating the fishing rod or attaching a reel, and a movable rod end portion  61  which may be inserted in the rod base portion  60 . The movable rod end portion  61  is attached to the rod base portion  60  to be turnable circumferentially. The required rod members  51  are connected to a front end or the rod base portion  60 .  
         [0052]    A guide tube  62  is disposed at the front end of the rod base portion  60 . The movable rod end portion  61  includes a center-axial tube  63  and a protruded pipe  65  which is fitted and fixed to the outer periphery of the end of the center-axial tube  63 . The center-axial tube  63  of the movable rod end portion  61  is movably inserted in the cylindrical rod base portion  60  between an extended state as shown in FIG. 7A and a shortened state as shown in FIG. 7B.  
         [0053]    Since the center-axial tube  63  of the movable rod end portion  61  is inserted in the rod base portion  60 , it slides against the inner surface of the rod base portion  60 . Hence, scratches easily mar its appearance. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 8, a substrate paint film layer  12  and a finishing coating layer  13  are formed, in that order, on a base portion  10  of the center-axial tube  63  made of carbon fiber reinforced resin. Note that it is possible to form these layers  12  and  13  on the entire surface of the fishing rod including the center-axial tube  63 . According to the embodiment 3, a scratch is not easily formed on the center-axial tube  63  when the center-axial tube  63  is moved in and out of the rod base portion  60  and, hence, the beauty thereof may be maintained. Also, if a scratch is formed on the center-axial tube  63 , its sliding state is not easily changed since the finishing coating layer  13  is reproduced. For this reason, the engagement state thereof with the base portion  60  tends not be tighten nor loosen. Moreover, since it becomes difficult for foreign substances such as water to invade the resin portion, the laminated layer tends not to be peeled off.  
         [0054]    Embodiment 4  
         [0055]    A crank assembly  70  for a bicycle shown in FIG. 9 includes a right crank arm  72  and a left crank arm  73  which is non-rotatably fixed to the respective end of a crank shaft  75  made of, for instance, an aluminum alloy. The crank shaft  75  is rotatably supported by a bottom bracket  71  which is attached to a bicycle frame (not shown in the figure).  
         [0056]    As shown in FIG. 10, the right crank arm  72  includes a boss portion  80  which is coupled to the crank shaft  75 , a crank portion  81  extending outwardly in a radius direction from the boss portion  80 , and five connecting fingers  82  extending outwardly in the radius direction from the boss portion  80 . The coupling fingers  82  are provided with a substantially equal interval between each other and the crank portion  81  extends in the radius direction from between the two coupling fingers  82 . A sprocket  83  is attached to the respective coupling finger  82  in a detachable manner by a bolt.  
         [0057]    The right crank arm  72  is made of a magnesium alloy. A pedal shaft  92  made of a stainless alloy for attaching a pedal  90  is disposed at an end of the crank portion  81 . For this attachment, a screw hole  85  is formed at the end of the crank portion  81 . The screw hole  85  is formed in a sleeve  86  made of an aluminum alloy which is press fitted in the end of the crank portion  81  in a non-rotatable manner.  
         [0058]    An adhesive is applied to a space between the sleeve  86  and the end of the crank portion  81 . Also, an oxide film layer  11  and a finishing coating layer  13  as shown in FIG. 4 are formed on a base portion  10 , made of an magnesium alloy, of the right crank arm  72 . For this reason, a scratch is hardly formed on the right crank arm  72 .  
         [0059]    As shown in FIG. 1, the left crank arm  73  includes a boss portion  87  and a crank portion  88  extending in the radius direction from the boss portion  87 . A sleeve  86  made of an aluminum alloy is also press fitted in the end of the crank portion  88 , and an oxide film layer  11  and a finishing coating layer  13  as shown in FIG. 4 are formed on a base port on  10  which is made of an magnesium alloy.  
         [0060]    In this kind of coated parts for bicycles, also, a scratch is not easily formed on the crank arms  72  and  73  made of a magnesium alloy. Moreover, if the pedal shaft  92  made of a stainless alloy is attached to the crank arms  72  and  73  made of a magnesium alloy, the crank arms  72  and  73  are not easily electrolytically corroded. Further, since the adhesive composition is filled in a space between the sleeve  86  and the crank portions  81  and  88 , corrosion is hardly started from the space portion.  
         [0061]    Other Embodiments  
         [0062]    (a) The coated parts according to the present invention are not limited to those for a reel body of a fishing reel, a fishing rod, or a crank arm of a bicycle as disclosed in the previous embodiments, and may be applied to a coated part utilized for a product that is used mainly outside such as fishing equipment or a bicycle. For example, the present invention may be applied to a coated part for a cooler box, a braking device such as a brake lever and a brake arm, and a speed changer such as a front derailleur and a rear derailleur, of a bicycle.  
         [0063]    (b) The finishing coating layer is not limited to a clear and transparent one and a colored finishing coating layer may be employed.  
         [0064]    (c) Although the metallic coated parts in the above-mentioned embodiments are made of a magnesium alloy or an aluminum alloy the metallic coated parts may be made of other materials such as iron or a copper alloy.  
         [0065]    As explained in the foregoing, according to the present invention, since a coating layer is formed on a surface by applying a self-mending paint material having a high self recoverability, if the layer is damaged due to such factors as scratches, the layer is reproduced by the self recovery function. For this reason, is a scratch is formed, the scratch does not remain on the surface and, as a result, a surface is not easily damaged by a scratch. Also, since the layer is formed by applying a paint material, it is readily formed with a low cost.  
         [0066]    While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, to those skilled in the art it will be apparent from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the embodiments according to the present invention is provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.