Abstract:
A fishing reel (100) comprises a crank (110), a spool (120) connected to said crank (110), a pull-off brake mechanism (230,230,400,400,400) and a chassis (130). The pull-off brake mechanism (230,230,400,400,400) 5 and the crank (110) are interconnected such that a pretension of the pull-off brake mechanism (230,230,400,400,400) increases as the crank (110) is moved in a reeling-in direction. Moreover, the pretension of the pull-off pull-off brake mechanism (230,230,400,400,400)10 also increases as the crank (110) is moved in a direction opposite to the reeling-in direction.

Description:
This application is a National Stage Application of PCT/SE2008/050109, filed 28 Jan. 2008, which claims benefit of Serial No. 0700313-0, filed 9 Feb. 2007 in Sweden and which applications are incorporated herein by reference. To the extent appropriate, a claim of priority is made to each of the above disclosed applications. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a fishing reel comprising a crank, a spool connected to said crank, a pull-off brake mechanism and a chassis. The pull-off brake mechanism and the crank are interconnected such that a pretension of the pull-off brake mechanisms increases as the crank is moved in a reeling-in direction 
     PRIOR ART 
     In the art of fishing with a rod and a reel, a very important feature of the reel is to provide a pull-off brake for the line; the pull-off brake prevents the line from breaking if a fish makes a rush, i.e. is struck by panic and tries to avoid his destiny by forcefully trying to swim in a direction that is opposite to the wish of the fisher. 
     The pull-off brake also serves as a means for the fisher to tire the fish to a degree where it is not resisting being pulled out from its element, i.e. the water. 
     In a standard fishing reel, the pull-off brake is mechanically situated between a crank used to maneuver, i.e. reel in or let out line, the fishing reel and a spool housing the line. This means that it is impossible to apply a larger reel-in force than allowed by the pull-off brake setting. If the pull-off brake setting is very low, this might lead to problems reeling in a fish ready for reeling in. Of course, it is possible to adjust the pull-off brake setting prior to reeling in, but this is often connected with some effort. 
     For fly-fishing reels, the problem with the pull-off brake setting is even more aggravated than for other fishing reels. Fly-fishing reels have namely usually no release mechanism allowing the line to be reeled out; instead, the fisher usually pulls out the line manually, against the force of the pull-off brake. Consequently, the fisher might be tempted to set the pull-off brake to an as low setting as possible, which might lead to problem when the pull-off brake is actually needed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,311 discloses a fishing reel wherein the pull-off brake force can be adjusted by moving the crank in a reeling in direction. The adjustment is achieved by the provision of small balls positioned squeezed between inclined planes of a disc connected to the crank and inclined planes on two discs connected to a pull-off brake of the reel. Whenever there is a torque (in the reeling in direction) applied to the disc connected to the crank, the balls will move on the inclined planes and force the discs apart. The force forcing apart the discs is transferred to the pull-off brake, which will be adjusted to transfer a larger torque without slipping. 
     There are however a number of disadvantages connected with the fishing reel disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,311: 
     Firstly, there is no limit for the size of the force forcing apart the discs provided in the fishing reel of U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,311. This means that the discs or the pull-off brake easily could be overloaded. Secondly, no effect on the pull-off brake is achieved if the crank is moved in the opposite direction, i.e. against the reeling in direction. Thirdly, the discs controlling pull-off brake force and the pull-off brake itself of the fishing reel of U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,311 are placed close to the crank, which makes the design unnecessarily “bulky”. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention solves these and other problems by providing a fishing reel having the function of increasing a pull-off brake force if the crank is moved in either direction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Below, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the appended drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of a fishing reel of the present invention, 
         FIG. 2  is a section view of the fishing reel of the present invention, taken along the line A-A in  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the fishing reel according to the present invention and 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a prior art fishing reel that could be provided with a pull-off brake according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a fishing reel  100  according to the present invention comprises a crank  110 , operatively connected to a spool  120 , the spool being intended to house a line during fishing and to provide a reeling-in help for landing large and powerful fish. The spool is housed within a chassis  130 , which preferably is provided with a fastening device  140  for attachment to a fishing rod (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, the chassis is provided with openings  155 . The openings provide a means for allowing the line to dry, and also reduce the weight of the fishing reel  100 . 
     In  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a mechanism providing the necessary functions of the fishing reel  100  according to the invention is shown. In order to obtain the proper function of the reel, there are some components that always corotate with the spool  120  and some components that are fixed relative to the chassis  130 . Other components corotate with the spool in one rotational direction of the spool and are fixed relative to the housing in the other rotational direction of the spool. In order to simplify the understanding of the invention, all components corotating with the spool in both directions will be described first. 
     The spool  120  is connected to a hub  160  by ears  170  ( FIG. 2 ) that are squeezed between a squeeze ring  180  and surfaces arranged on the hub  160 . The squeeze ring  180  is biased to squeeze the ears by a cover  190 , which is provided with an internal thread  200  cooperating with a corresponding outer thread  210  provided on the hub  160 . 
     An inner circumferential surface of the hub  160  is provided with axial grooves  220  ( FIG. 3 ). The grooves  220  cooperate with brake plates  230 ,  230 ′ such that the brake plates always will follow the rotation of the spool  120 . The hub  160  is journalled on first and second ball bearings  240 ,  250 , respectively, wherein the outer peripheries of the bearings always follow the rotation of the spool. 
     The above components do always follow the rotation of the spool, regardless of direction. Below, components that follow the spool rotation in one direction will be described. These components do always follow the rotation of the crank  110 . 
     Starting from the right in  FIG. 2 , one end of the crank  110  comprises a handle  260  journalled on a pin  270 . The other end of the crank is attached to a crank hub  280 . The crank hub  280  is in turn fastened to an elongate shaft  290 , e.g. by a cone connection, which shaft extends from the crank hub  280  to a torque converter  300 , the function of which will be described below. 
     There are also some components being fixed or almost fixed relative to the chassis  130 , which components are vital to the function of the fishing reel  100  according to the invention. Starting from right in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a pull-off brake adjusting knob  310 , which is fastened to a pull-off brake adjuster  320  is shown; both the adjusting knob and the pull-off brake adjuster are arranged coaxially with the shaft  290 . The pull-off brake adjuster  320  is threaded on an end  330  of a hollow shaft  340 . The hollow shaft is threaded into an opening of the chassis  130  and extends from the pull-off brake adjuster  320  to the torque converter  300 . 
     A sleeve-shaped brake pretensioner  350  is threaded on the end of the elongate shaft  290  and biases two spring washers  360 ,  365  ( FIG. 3 ) against a third ball bearing  370 . The third ball bearing journals the elongate shaft  290  in relation to the pull-off brake adjuster  320 , via the brake pretensioner  350 . 
     Moreover, there is a one-way bearing  380 , i.e. a bearing allowing for rotation in one direction and stopping rotation in the other direction, provided on the outside of the hollow shaft  330 . This bearing journals a brake ring  390 , which is provided with external ridges  395  ( FIG. 3  only) for cooperating with corresponding grooves provided in inner surfaces of three brake pads  400 ,  400 ′,  400 ″. 
     The torque converter  300  comprises a crown  410  fastened to the elongate shaft  290 , a control sleeve  420  and three balls  430  (only one ball shown in  FIG. 2 ). The crown  410  comprises three protrusions  415  facing toward the control sleeve  420 , and the control sleeve comprises three identical and equidistant protrusions  425 ,  425 ′,  425 ″ facing toward the crown. The radial extension of the protrusions is such that a certain amount of angular movement between the crown and the control sleeve is possible. The protrusions of the crown are, on their surface facing the control sleeve, each provided with a groove (not shown), that is deepest in a central region, and the surfaces between the protrusions of the control sleeve are provided with equal grooves  427 . In an operational position, the balls  430  are placed between the grooves of the protrusions of the crown  430  and the grooves provided between the protrusions of the control sleeve  420 . 
     Hereinafter, the function of the fishing reel  100  according to the present invention will be described with reference to the above components. 
     In a “ready-to fish” setting, the brake pretensioner  350  is threaded onto the elongate shaft  290  with a force large enough to get a minimal pull-off brake force setting of the pull-off brake; as is well known by persons skilled in the art of fishing, such pull-off brake force is preferably low enough to avoid a line break in case of a fish struggling against being reeled in, but large enough to offer a resistance to the fish pulling out the line, such that the fish will be tired enough to allow for reeling in. 
     The pull-off brake force of the fishing reel according to the present invention is emanating from friction between the brake pads  400 ,  400 ′,  400 ″ and the brake plates  230 ,  230 ′; as mentioned earlier, the brake plates are connected to the spool  120 , and the brake pads  230 ,  230 ′ are connected to the brake ring  390 , which is journalled on the hollow shaft  340  by the one-way bearing  380 . Hence, if the spool, e.g. by a fish pulling the line, is urged to rotate in a direction not allowed by the one-way bearing  380 , there will be a movement between the brake plates and the brake pads. This movement causes a braking friction between the brake plates and the brake pads. 
     In order to alter the friction between the brake plates and the brake pads, a force pressing the plates and pads towards one another is altered. The force is transferred from the brake pretensioner  350 , via the spring washers  360 ,  365 , the pull-off brake adjuster  320 , the elongate shaft  290 , the crown  41 , the balls  430  and the control sleeve  420  to the assembly of brake pads and brake plates; hence, the force compressing the brake pad and brake plate assembly equals the force compressing the spring washers  360 ,  365 . Preferably, the brake pretensioner is set to give a very small compression force. 
     In order to adjust the force, and hence the friction between the brake pads and the brake plates, three different methods could be used: 
     The first method is to control the force by rotating the pull-off brake adjuster  320 , such that the threads mounting the pull-off brake adjuster  320  to the chassis  130  will be screwed in or out, hence decreasing or increasing the pull-off brake force, respectively. 
     The second way to increase the pull-off brake force is to maneuver the crank  110  in the “reeling in” direction. Such movement will transfer a torque to the torque converter  300 , which torque will induce a rotational movement between the crown  410  and the control sleeve  420 . The rotational movement between the crown  410  and the control sleeve  420  will displace the position of the mutual positioning of the grooves provided at the top of the protrusions if the crown  410  and the grooves of the surfaces between the protrusions of the control sleeve. As mentioned, the grooves are deeper in a central region, and the balls  430  are placed in contact with two oppositely situated grooves. Hence, a rotational movement will force the crown  410  and the control sleeve  420  away from one another, since the space for the ball will decrease in case the grooves provided at the top of the protrusions if the crown  410  and the grooves of the surfaces between the protrusions of the control sleeve are displaced. The increased distance between the crown and the control sleeve will increase the pull-off brake force, due to the force transmission describe above with reference to the function of the pretensioner  350 . 
     The third way to adjust the pull-off brake force is to move the crank  110  in an opposite direction compared to the “reeling-in” direction. This will have exactly the same effect as moving the crank  110  in the “reeling in” direction, i.e. increasing the pull-off brake force due to the balls  430  forcing the crown and control sleeve away from one another. 
     The third way of adjusting the pull-off brake force will prove valuable when it comes to tiring a fish resisting being reeled in; although it is possible to adjust the pull-off brake by moving the crank in the “reeling-in” direction during fish tiring, it has sometimes proven to be cumbersome to withhold a proper and even braking force in case the fish should be lively. 
     In order to allow the line to dry, the spool  120  might be provided with openings  150 . The openings also serve as a means for reducing the weight of the fishing reel  100 . 
     In one embodiment of the invention, first signal means  440  might be provided for emitting a sound signal for signaling a rotating spool rotating against the force of the pull-off brake. The first signal means may comprise a ball  442  suspended from an internal surface of the cover  190  by a coil spring  444 , wherein the ball  442  and the coil spring  444  are arranged to hold the ball against a toothed surface  446  of the crown. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, an additional second signal means  450  might be provided for signaling maneuvering of the pull-off brake adjusting knob  310 . The signal means might comprise a ball  452  which is urged against a toothed surface  456  of the pull-off brake adjusting knob  310 . In order to avoid overtightening or overloosening of the pull-off brake adjusting knob, a wall  460  ( FIG. 3 ) might be added on the toothed surface, wherein the wall  460  will cooperate with the ball  452  for avoiding the pull-off brake adjusting knob from being rotated more than one revolution. 
     In still another embodiment of the invention, the earlier described mechanism providing a controllable pull-of brake force is used for a bait cast reel. A prior art bait cast reel  500  is shown in  FIG. 4 . The bait cast reel  500  comprises a crank  510 , connected via a gearbox (not shown) to a spool  520 . A control knob  530  is operatively connected to the spool, such that the spool is released when the control knob is maneuvered. In some bait cast reels, the control knob has the further function of locking the spool while being pressed down, and release the spool as it is released; this feature makes casting of a bait simpler (on bait cast reel not having this type of function of the control knob, the user must lock the spool using his thumb after the control knob has been maneuvered). 
     According to the present invention, a prior art bait cast reel may be provided with a mechanism providing the same features, i.e. adjustability of the brake force by moving the crank  510  in a forward or backward direction. In a bait cast reel, the braking arrangement according to the preset invention can be fit in two different positions, namely 
     A benefit of the reel  100  of the present invention is that it is fairly easy to change the reeling in direction from one side to the other; the only measure that has to be taken is to disassemble the reel, dismount the one-way bearing  380  from the hollow shaft  340 , turn the one-way bearing  380  one hundred and eighty degrees and mount it to the hollow shaft  340 . The one hundred and eighty degree turn of the one-way bearing will allow the bearing to rotate in the opposite direction; hence, it is possible to turn the reel from “right-hand drive” “left-hand drive”. 
     Of course, there are many modifications possible without departing from the scope of the invention such as it is defined in the dependent claims.