Abstract:
An adjustable fishing reel spool brake, the reel having a body, comprising in combination, the spool having a metallic zone that rotates as the spool rotates, a magnetic flux provider carried on the reel body, the provider adjustably movable to vary magnetic flux establishment in the path of rotation of said zone and acting to resist and thereby brake reel rotation.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to control of fishing line travel from a fishing reel, as during casting, and more particularly concerns adjustable magnetic control of reel rotation, as during casting. 
         [0002]    In the past fisherman relies primarily upon thumb or finger pressure application to the line wound on the reel spool to control casting as during line unwinding from the rotating spool. This method was generally objectionable due to factors such as uneven thumb pressure to the rotating line, the line bundle, and leading to inaccurate casting. There is need for an improved and simple control method and apparatus for providing even and reliable automatic control of spool rotation. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    It is a major object of the invention to provide improvements meeting the above described need. Basically, the invention meets this need by provision of an adjustable fishing reel spool brake, and comprises: 
         [0004]    a) the spool having a metallic zone that rotates as the spool rotates, 
         [0005]    b) a magnetic flux provider carried on the reel body, the provider adjustably movable to vary magnetic flux established in the path of rotation of said zone and acting to resist and thereby brake reel rotation. 
         [0006]    As will be seen, the magnetic flux provider typically has magnetic flux transmission means that extends proximate the surface of the metallic zone during reel rotation. Such transmission means typically and preferably includes two pole pieces and an adjustably positioned magnet or magnets that transmit flux to said pole pieces, there being an adjuster associated with the provider that is adjustable to adjust positioning of the magnet or magnets relative to the pole pieces. 
         [0007]    Another object includes the provision of means, including a rotor, carrying the magnets to be selectively adjustably rotatable, in offset relation to the spool axis of rotation. 
         [0008]    A yet further object includes provision of detent means to releasably hold the magnet or magnets in selected rotated position relative to the pole pieces. 
         [0009]    An additional object includes provision of both plus and minus flux providing elements that are selectively rotatable between the pole pieces to adjust their exposure to the pole pieces, and adjust flux transmission by the pole pieces to the spool metallic zone, for adjustable braking effect. 
         [0010]    A further object includes provision for carriage of the plus and minus flux elements on a reel wall to be frontwardy closely exposed to the rotating spool structure to produce braking eddy currents in that structure, and to have rearward exposure to the carriage means or rotor for easy, selective manual adjustment, thereby to provide for accurate spool braking adjustment. 
         [0011]    These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understood from the following specification and drawings, in which: 
     
    
     
       DRAWING DESCRIPTION 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is an axial section taken through a fishing reel structure including a line winding spool; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an axial view taken in section on lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a section taken through elements of a magnetic flux provider, and associated structure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a frontal view of magnet structure and pole pieces, with the magnetic structure in one adjusted position; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a view like  FIG. 4 , with the magnetic structure in another adjusted position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    In the drawings, a fishing reel  10  carries a rotatable, line winding spool  11  that rotates about axis  12 . The reel has end flanges  10   a  and  10   b , and the spool also has end flanges  11   a  and  11   b . Numeral  13  designates fishing line wound on and about the spool, and which rapidly unwinds and leaves the spool as the spool rotates during casting. It is desired that the rate of line unwinding be carefully regulated during casting, and in the past, the fisherman would place his thumb or finger against the rotating line bundle as at position  14 , which was unsatisfactory as referred to above. 
         [0018]    In accordance with the invention, a magnetic flux provider is carried by an element of the reel body, as for example is designated at  16 , in association with flange  10   a , but offset from the reel axis  12 . See for example, the flux provider  19  in  FIG. 2 , offset from axis  12 . The provider will be understood as having adjustably movable structure to vary magnetic flux establishment, including flux strength, that intercepts the rotating spool. See in this regard, the flux lines of force designated at  25  in  FIG. 3 , intercepted by the rotating spool portion  26  forming wall  27  facing the provider  19 . Portion or zone  26  and wall  27  are metallic, and may for example consist of aluminum, in which eddy currents are produced in portion  26  exerting braking force on the spool, resisting its rotation. 
         [0019]    The provider has magnetic flux transmission means extending proximate the wall surface  27  of the rotating spool, there being a slight gap  30  between  27  and the magnetic flux transmission means. The latter may include two arching fixed position pole pieces  32  and  33 , and adjustably positioned magnet or magnets  34  and  35  that transmit flux to the pole pieces. The degree of flux transmitted to the pole pieces and to the spool zone  26 , depends upon position adjustment of the magnets. For that purpose, magnet position adjuster, indicated generally at  19   a , is provided in associated with the provider  19 , to adjust the magnet positioning relative to the fixed position pole pieces, to controllably vary magnet flux transmitted to the spool element or portion  26 . 
         [0020]    As shown, two semi-circular magnets  34  and  35  are provided and supported by a cup  40  having a circular rim  40   a  surrounding portions of the magnets. Other convexly curved portions  34   a  and  35   a  of the semicircular magnets extend in close surface proximity to the concave inner sides  32   a  and  33   a  of the pole pieces, as in  FIG. 4 . Surface portions  34   a  and  35   a  define a circle, and a division line  36  is defined by the flat inner sides of the two magnets. Cup rim  40   a  terminates in facing relation to the pole pieces. 
         [0021]      FIG. 4  shows the polarity+magnet  34  curved side  34   a  bounded by the concave inner side  32   a  of pole piece  32 ; the polarity−magnet curved side  35   a  being bounded by the concave inner side  33   a  of pole piece  33 . This magnet positioning corresponds to maximum flux transmission at  25 , for maximum spool braking effect.  FIG. 5  shows the magnets  34  and  35  rotated 90° to the left, so that approximately half of magnet  34 &#39;s curved side  31   a  lies adjacent approximately half of the curved inner side  32   a  of pole piece  32 ; and approximately the other half of its curved side  34   a  lines adjacent approximately half of the curved using side  33   a  of pole piece  33 . 
         [0022]    Likewise, approximately half of the curved side  35   a  of magnet  35  lies adjacent about half of the curved inner side  32   a  of pole piece  32 , and approximately half of the curved side  35   a  of magnet  35  lies adjacent about half of curved inner side  33   a  of pole piece  33 . This condition corresponds to minimum or no flux transmission at  25 , since for example pole piece  32  is exposed to both + and − (about equal) polarities of  34  and  35 ; and pole piece  33  is likewise exposed to both + and − (about equal) polarities of  34  and  35 . 
         [0023]    Between the two magnet rotary positions of  FIGS. 4 and 5  are a large number of magnet selectable rotary positions which correspond to incrementally selectable flux transmission to the circular metallic portion  26  of the spool, and therefore correspond to different level spool braking effects, each of which provides smooth regulated braking, as opposed to substantially irregular and uncomfortable braking effect when only manual or thumb engagement of the spool winding bundle is utilized for braking. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 1 and 3  show a selector knob or control  50  attached at  51  to the cup  40 , for selectively rotating the magnets, as described. 
         [0025]    A suitable detenting means may be provided as at  61  for example, to retain the cup in any of a series of rotary positions between the position of  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The detent pin  62  may be spring-urged to allow manual forcible over-ride of any selected detenting position, allowing manually controlled increase or decrease in spool magnetic braking effect. The user can also press his thumb against the remaining line bundle on the spool to suddenly easily stop its rotation, and line pay-out, as after the cast bait or hook weight bundle strikes the water.