Patent Publication Number: US-11382319-B1

Title: Spinning type fishing reel with bi-directionally rotating rotor and drag control to prevent line twist

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/713,213, filed on Dec. 13, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,869,467, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/218,998, filed on Dec. 13, 2018, now abandoned, which claims the benefit of provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/598,014, filed on Dec. 13, 2017. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     N/A 
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all rights whatsoever. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to fishing reels, and more particularly to a spinning type fishing reel having a drag controlled bi-directionally rotating rotor to prevent line twist. 
     2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     A spinning reel is a common type of fishing reel. Conventional spinning reels are characterized as having a body assembly with an open-faced spool disposed with an axis in generally parallel relation with the fishing pole. A rotor is disposed in surrounding relation with the spool and includes a bail arm having a line guide for guiding the fishing line onto the spool. The bail arm is pivotable between an open position for casting, and a closed position for reeling the line back onto the spool. A crank having a handle is mounted to one side of the body assembly and functions to reel in the fishing line. A drive gear actuated by the crank is coupled to a pinion gear coupled to the rotor to cause rotation thereof to wind the line back on to the spool. A spool shaft passes axially through an axial aperture defined in pinion gear and is attached to the spool. The spool shaft is caused to reciprocate by an oscillation gear and slider coupling driven by the crank. The body assembly and mechanisms are preferably designed such that the crank may be mounted on either side of the spool to accommodate both left and right-handed fishermen. With a conventional spinning reel, rotation of the crank causes the rotor to rotate relative to the spool whereby fishing line, guided by the line guide affixed to the bail, is wound onto the spool. At the same time the spool axially oscillates relative to the rotor, and more particularly, to the line guide so as to result in even winding of the line about the spool. 
     A significant problem associated with conventional spinning reels relates to the inducement of line twist due to the winding motion of the rotor and line guide about the rotationally stationary spool. The amount of line twist increases significantly when the drag setting and force on the line is such that the rotor spins while the line is relatively stationary and/or being reeled in, or let out, slowly. Excessive line twist results in backlashes and birds nest entanglements that render the line unusable. In order to eliminate the accumulated twist, the fisherman must often let out the line to relieve the twist and reel the line back in evenly. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for advancements to spinning reels that eliminate the problems related to line twist. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the limitations and disadvantages present with conventional fishing reels by providing an improved spinning reel that eliminates problems associated with line twist by providing a rotor adapted for both clockwise and counterclockwise rotation wherein a drag assembly applies drag to the rotor to prevent the rotor from imparting twist on the line when in the winding mode. By enabling the rotor to rotate in a reverse direction with the application of drag the present invention prevents line twist when fighting a fish by allowing the rotor to rotate in a reverse direction and/or to remain stationary as the handle is cranked thereby preventing the rotor from imparting twist on the line. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved spinning reel for fishing. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a modified spinning reel having a bi-directionally rotating rotor. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a spinning reel wherein a drag mechanism is configured to apply adjustable drag to the rotor thereby taking the rotor out of sync with the winding crank. 
     In accordance with these and other objects, which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a photographic illustration of a fishing rod adapted with a spinning reel in accordance with the prior art; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of a basic spinning type fishing reel configured with a bi-directionally rotating rotor and rotor drag mechanism in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of an alternate embodiment spinning type fishing reel configured with a cam actuated rotor drag mechanism; and 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a spinning type fishing reel configured with a bi-directionally rotating rotor and cam actuated rotor drag mechanism, showing important components. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein. 
     Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. 
     Concentrations, amounts, and other numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within the ranges as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration, a numerical range of “about 1 to 5” should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of about 1 to about 5, but also include individual values such as 2, 3, and 4 and sub-ranges such as from 1-3, from 2-4, and from 3-5, etc. as well as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, individually. The same principle applies to ranges reciting only one numerical value as a minimum or maximum. Furthermore, such an interpretation should apply regardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristics being described. 
     With reference now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a photographic illustration of a fishing rod  1  adapted with a spinning reel  2  in accordance with the prior art. Spinning reel  2  includes a body  3 , a hand crank  4 , a rotor  5  including a bail assembly  6  pivotally connected thereto, and wherein the bail assembly includes a line guide  7 , and an open-face spool  8  disposed with an axis in generally parallel relation with a fishing pole. Rotation of hand crank  4  causes rotor  5  and line guide  7  to rotate in a line winding mode, while further causing spool  8  to reciprocate in an axial direction to cause the line to wound on the spool evenly. 
       FIG. 2  is a basic schematic illustration of relevant components of a spinning type fishing reel, generally referenced as  10 , adapted with a bi-directionally rotating rotor with a rotor drag system in accordance with the present invention. As seen in  FIG. 2 , fishing reel  10  includes a spool  12  affixed to a shaft  14  such that spool  12  reciprocates up and down as indicated by the arrow illustrated on spool  12 . Shaft  14  is mechanically connected to a slider or other reciprocating mechanism (not shown) actuated by the fishing reel crank as is known in the art. A rotor  16  is disposed in surrounding relation with spool  12 . Rotor  16  has an axially disposed ball bearing  17  which receives a rotor shaft  18  which is driven by the reel crank. Rotor shaft  18  comprises a tubular shaft and receives spool shaft  14  axially disposed therein. Rotor shaft  18  is driven by a gear  20 , which in turn is driven by the fishing reel hand crank (not shown). Rotor shaft  18  is further supported by a pair of ball bearings, referenced as  22  and  23 , disposed on opposing sides of a rotor anti-reverse bearing  24 . The anti-reverse bearing  24  prevents reverse rotation of hand crank  4  when the reel is in a winding mode. As further discussed below, however, reverse rotation of rotor  16  is permitted in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
     A drag assembly, generally referenced as  30 , is provided for rotor  16 . Drag assembly  30  includes a pair of drag plates, including a first drag plate  32  and a second drag plate  34 , with a drag washer  36  disposed therebetween and keyed to the rotor shaft. First drag plate  32  is affixed to rotor  16  by suitable fastening means, such as mechanical fasteners. Second drag plate  34  is connected to a drag adjuster  38 . Variations on the number of drag plates and washers are considered within the scope of the present invention. As should be apparent, drag assembly operates on rotor  16  when rotating in the reverse direction, such as when fighting a fish. In this basic embodiment, drag adjuster  38  is in threaded engagement with rotor shaft  18  below and adjacent to second drag plate  34 . Clockwise rotation of drag adjuster  38  compresses drag plates  32  and  34  upon drag washer  36  thereby increasing drag force. Conversely, counter-clockwise rotation of drag adjuster  38  reduces the drag force applied to rotor  16  by increasing the spacing between drag plates  32  and  34 . 
     The present invention thus provides a fishing spinning reel that prevents twist from being induced on the fishing line by allowing reverse rotation of the rotor with reverse rotation resistance provided by drag assembly  30 . Thus, when fighting each hand crank rotation will not necessarily result in a corresponding rotation of rotor  16 . By limiting rotor revolutions, the rotor imparts less, if any, line twist on the fishing line. Preventing line twist is significant in preventing line twist induced entanglements and thus avoids the time wasted by the fisherman untangling and relieving line twist. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic sectional illustration of relevant components of an alternate embodiment spinning type fishing reel, generally referenced as  100 , adapted with a bi-directionally rotating rotor with a rotor drag system in accordance with the present invention. As seen in  FIG. 3 , fishing reel  100  includes a spool  102  affixed and keyed to a spool shaft  104  such that spool  102  reciprocates up and down as indicated by the arrow illustrated on spool  102 . Spool  102  is keyed to shaft  104  to prevent the spool from rotation about the shaft. In a preferred embodiment, spool  102  includes a push button release  102 A, which, upon actuation, functions to release spool  102  from spool shaft  104  to allow quick release and replacement of the spool. Spool shaft  104  is mechanically connected to a slider or other reciprocating mechanism (not shown) actuated by the fishing reel crank as is known in the art. The mechanical coupling of shaft  104  to the reel hand crank/handle may be accomplished by any suitable mechanical components, including gears or a combination of one or more gears linked to a pivotal member as is known in the art. A rotor  106  is disposed in concentric relation to spool  102  as seen in  FIG. 3 . Rotor  106  is actuated by a rotor shaft  108 . Rotor shaft  108  is disposed in outer concentric relation with spool shaft  104 . Rotor Shaft  108  is threaded at the distal/top portion thereof and has a worm gear  109  disposed at the proximal end thereof. Worm gear is driven by the reel hand crank (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) via suitable mechanical linkage as is known in the art. 
     Rotor  106  is mounted to rotor shaft  108  via first and second axially disposed bearings, referenced as  107 A and  107 B. Bearings  107 A and  107 B are preferably ball bearings, however, roller bearings, or any suitable equivalent is considered within the scope of the present invention. It is important that at least two bearings, namely bearings  107 A and  107 B, be provided as the present inventor found that use of a single bearing resulted in unsatisfactory rotor rotation upon an application of force on the fishing line. More particularly, if rotor  106  is mounted to shaft  108  using a single bearing ( 107 ), force transferred to rotor  106  from fishing line under tension has been found to cause the rotor to wobble out of axial alignment with shaft  108  thereby causing the rotor to bind thus preventing the single bearing from allowing generally free rotation. An internally threaded nut  111  is disposed in threaded engagement with threaded upper portion of shaft  108  secures rotor  106  to prevent distally axial movement thereof relative to shaft  108 . Rotor shaft  108  is driven by worm gear  109 , which in turn is driven by the fishing reel hand crank (not shown) as is known in the art. 
     A drag assembly, referenced as  130 , is provided to apply adjustable drag force to rotor  106 . Drag assembly  130  includes a pair of drag plates, including a first/upper drag plate  132 , a second/lower drag plate  134 , along with a pair of drag washers, referenced as  136  and  137 . First drag plate  132  is connected to rotor shaft  108 , preferably via inner keyed connection. Further, second drag plate  134  is connected to rotor  106 , preferably via outer keyed connection. More particularly, drag plate  134  includes a radially outwardly projecting tab  134 A which is received in and capable of riding along a longitudinal slot  106 A formed on an inner surface of rotor  106 . First drag washer  136  is disposed between rotor  106  and first drag washer  132 , and second drag washer is disposed between first drag plate  132  and second drag plate  134 . The drag washers and drag plates comprise friction plates or disks, namely a plate or disk having an operative surface formed of material having a high coefficient of friction. As should be apparent, variations on the number of drag plates and washers are considered within the scope of the present invention. 
     Drag assembly  130  operates on rotor  106  to apply user selected drag force thereto, typically when rotor  106  is urged to rotate in a reverse direction, such as when fighting a fish. In the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a drag adjustment mechanism, generally referenced as  140 , utilizes a cam mechanism to axially increase and decrease the application of drag. More particularly, drag adjustment mechanism  140  is user adjustable to increase and decrease compressive force to on drag assembly  130 , namely drag plates and washers, whereby compressive force is used to press drag plates  132  and  134  into compression against drag washers  136  and  137 . As should be apparent an increase in compressive force increases the frictional forces realized as the drag plates and drag washers rotate or attempt to rotate relative to one another in face-to-face engagement. 
     In accordance with this aspect of the present invention drag adjustment mechanism  140  includes first/upper and second/lower drag adjustment members, referenced as  142  and  144 , which define opposing cam surfaces, referenced as  142 A and  144 A, shaped to result in axial expansion and contraction upon relative rotation of one cam member relative to the other. First drag adjustment member  142  is rotatably received on rotor shaft  108 , with a thrust bearing  150  sandwiched between it and second drag plate  134 . The use of a thrust bearing is important for transmitting compressive forces to drag assembly  130  while maintaining smooth rotational action. Second drag adjustment member  144  is disposed substantially adjacent to first drag member  142 , such that cam surfaces  142 A and  144 A, are disposed in face-to-face engagement. In addition, second drag adjustment member is affixed to the reel housing (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) by fasteners  145  so as to remain stationary. A thrust bearing  152  is disposed on the lower end of second drag adjustment member  144  so as to provide a load bearing surface upon which compressive force may be applied when increasing drag. One or more drag clickers, referenced as  160  radially project from drag adjustment member  144 , with ends thereof engaging the inner surface of first drag adjustment member  142 , to generate a “clicking” sound as member  142  is rotated relative to member  144 , wherein the clicking sound provides audible feedback confirming drag adjustment. Further, an anti-reverse bearing  154  and a bearing  156  are sandwiched between thrust bearing  152  and worm gear  109 . 
     Accordingly, rotation of first drag adjustment member  142  in a first direction relative fixed second drag adjustment member  144  results in rotational movement between cam surfaces  142 A and  144 A thereby resulting in axial extension of first drag member  142  in an axially distal direction whereby compressive force is applied to lower drag plate  134  vis thrust bearing  150 . The compressive force is applied to the drag assembly  130  thereby increasing compressive pressure on between the drag plates  132  and  134 , and drag washers  136  and  137 . Conversely, rotation of first drag adjustment member  142  in a second opposite direction results in rotational movement between cam members  142 A and  144 A thereby resulting in axial retraction of member  142  whereby compressive force is relaxed thereby decreasing decrease compressive pressure on between the drag plates and drag washers. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 , drag adjustment mechanism  142  comprises a cylindrical, hat-shaped member disposed on rotor shaft  108 . In a contemplated alternate embodiment, drag mechanism  138  may comprise a radially projecting lever. 
       FIG. 4  depicts an exploded detailed view, of a spinning reel adapted with a bi-directionally rotating rotor with a rotor drag system in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 4  includes a number of mechanisms and structures discussed above in the discussion of schematic  FIG. 3 , and the following discussion will use like reference numbers for like components, mechanisms, and structures. 
     Fishing reel  100  includes a spool  102  affixed and keyed to a shaft  104  such that spool  102  reciprocates up and down. In a preferred embodiment, spool  102  includes a push button release  102 A, which, upon actuation, functions to release spool  102  from shaft  104  to allow quick release and replacement of the spool. Shaft  104  is mechanically connected to a slider or other reciprocating mechanism, generally referenced as  200 , actuated by the fishing reel crank assembly, referenced as  202 , as is known in the art. Rotor  106  is actuated by a threaded rotor shaft  108  having a worm gear  109  disposed at the proximal end thereof. Worm gear is driven by the hand crank assembly  202  via suitable mechanical linkage as is known in the art. 
     First and second axially disposed bearings, referenced as  107 A and  107 B, receive rotor shaft  108 . A shim is  170  may be disposed between bearings  107 A and  107 B, and a second shim  170  may be disposed on the proximal side of bearing  107 A as best seen in  FIG. 4 . It is important that at least two bearings, namely bearings  107 A and  107 B, be provided as the present inventor found that use of a single bearing resulted in unsatisfactory rotor rotation upon an application of force on the fishing line. More particularly, when configured with a single bearing, force transferred to rotor  106  from fishing line under tension caused rotor  106  to wobble out of axial alignment with shaft  108  thereby causing the rotor to bind thus preventing the single bearing from allowing generally friction-free rotation. An internally threaded nut  111  is disposed in threaded engagement with shaft  108  thereby securing rotor  106  to prevent distally axial movement thereof relative to shaft  108 . A shim  170  may be disposed between nut  111  and rotor  106 . Rotor shaft  108  is driven by worm gear  109 , which in turn is driven by the fishing reel handle and crank assembly  202 . As noted above, the mechanics for transmitting rotational movement from the handle crank assembly  202  to worm gear  109  are known in the art. 
     A drag assembly, referenced as  130 , is provided to apply adjustable drag force to rotor  106 . Drag assembly  130  includes a pair of drag plates, including a first/upper drag plate  132 , a second/lower drag plate  134 , along with a pair of drag washers, referenced as  136  and  137 . First drag plate  132  is connected to rotor shaft  108 , preferably via an inside keyed connection wherein drag plate  132  is rotationally fixed relative to shaft  108 . Second drag plate  134  has a radially outwardly projecting tab  134 A, engages a slot formed in rotor  106 , thereby allowing axial movement of first drag plate  132  relative to rotor  106 , but not relative rotational movement. While specific keyed configurations are disclosed for drag plates  132  and  134 , it should be appreciated that any suitable keyed connection structures are considered within the scope of the present invention. First drag washer  136  is disposed between rotor  106  and first drag plate  132 , and second drag washer  137  is disposed between first drag plate  132  and second drag plate  134 . 
     The various drag plates and drag washers, each comprise a friction plate, namely a plate having an operative, preferably planar, surface formed of material having a high coefficient of friction. As should be apparent, variations on the number of drag plates and washers are considered within the scope of the present invention. Further, drag plates and drag washers may be keyed or connected to the rotor and/or shaft  108  in alternate configurations, provided however that an adjustable drag force is controllably formed between rotor  106  and shaft  108 . 
     Drag assembly  130  operates on rotor  106  to apply user selected drag force thereto when rotor  106  is urged to rotate in a reverse direction, such as when the user is fighting a fish. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , a drag adjustment mechanism, generally referenced as  140 , utilizes a cam to increase and decrease the application of drag. More particularly, drag adjustment mechanism  140  is user adjustable to increase and decrease compressive force on drag assembly  130 , whereby compressive force is used to press drag plates  132  and  134  into compression against drag washers  136  and  137 . As should be apparent an increase in compressive force increases the frictional forces realized as the drag plates and drag washers rotate or attempt to rotate relative to one another in face-to-face engagement. 
     In accordance with this aspect of the present invention drag adjustment mechanism  140  includes first/upper and second/lower drag adjustment members, referenced as  142  and  144 , which define opposing cam surfaces, referenced as  142 A and  144 A, shaped to result in axial expansion and contraction upon relative rotation of one cam member relative to the other. First drag adjustment member  142  is rotatably mounted on gear shaft  108 , with a thrust bearing  150  sandwiched between it and second drag plate  134 . Second drag adjustment member  144  is received on shaft  108  and disposed substantially adjacent to first drag member  142 , such that cam surfaces  142 A and  144 A, are disposed in face-to-face engagement. In addition, second drag adjustment member is affixed to the reel housing  3  by mechanical fasteners  145  so as to remain stationary. A thrust bearing  152  is disposed on the lower end of second drag adjustment member  144  so as to provide a load bearing surface upon which compressive force may be applied when increasing drag. One or more drag clickers, referenced as  160  radially project from drag adjustment member  144 , with ends thereof engaging the inner surface of firsts drag adjustment member  142 , to generate a “clicking” sound as member  142  is rotated relative to member  144 . Further, an anti-reverse bearing  154  and a bearing  156  are sandwiched between thrust bearing  152  and worm gear  109 . A shim  170  may be disposed between thrust bearing  152  and anti-reverse gear  154 . 
     Accordingly, rotation of first drag adjustment member  142  in a first direction relative fixed second drag adjustment member  144  results in rotational movement between cam surfaces  142 A and  144 A thereby resulting in axial extension of first drag member  142  in an axially distal direction whereby compressive force is applied to lower drag plate  134  vis thrust bearing  150 . The compressive force is applied to the drag assembly  130  thereby increasing compressive pressure on between the drag plates  132  and  134 , and drag washers  136  and  137 . Conversely, rotation of first drag adjustment member  142  in a second opposite direction results in rotational movement between cam members  142 A and  144 A thereby resulting in axial retraction of member  142  whereby compressive force is relaxed so as to decrease compressive pressure on between the drag plates and drag washers. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , drag adjustment mechanism  142  comprises a cylindrical, hat-shaped member, however, in a contemplated alternate embodiment, drag mechanism  142  may comprise a radially projecting lever. 
     The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.