Patent Publication Number: US-6216969-B1

Title: Fishing reel with anti-reverse mechanism

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/926,295, filed Sep. 5, 1997 entitled FISHING REEL ANTI-REVERSE MECHANISM, now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/812,858, filed Mar. 6, 1997, now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/671,802, filed Jun. 25, 1996, now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/453,575, filed May 26, 1995, now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/326,733, filed Oct. 20, 1994, now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/203,659, filed Feb. 28, 1994, now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/049,624, filed Apr. 19, 1993, now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/885,916, filed May 18, 1992, now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/824,744, filed Jan. 17, 1992, now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/550,820, filed Jul. 6, 1990, now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/453,060, filed Dec. 13, 1989, now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/235,993, filed Aug. 24, 1988, now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a fishing reel and, more particularly, to an improvement in an anti-reverse mechanism for preventing a rotary member such as a spool, rotor, etc. from being undesirably rotated by the pulling force acting in the direction in which the fishing line is unwound. 
     There have heretofore been known anti-reverse mechanisms for fishing reels such as those disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication Numbers 55-32463 (1980) and 59-32282 (1984). 
     This type of conventional anti-reverse mechanism is arranged such that a ratchet wheel is rigidly secured to a rotating shaft which is rotated by turning a handle, while a pawl member which is brought into and out of engagement with the ratchet wheel is pivotally mounted on a reel frame, and the pawl member is retained in engagement with the ratchet wheel by means of a spring, whereby the rotating shaft is prevented from rotating in the direction in which the line is unwound but allowed to rotate in the retrieving direction, that is, the direction in which the line is rewound in response to the rotation of the handle in the retrieving direction. 
     The above-described conventional anti-reverse mechanism for fishing reels suffers, however, from the following problems. Since it comprises parts which are additionally provided, i.e., a ratchet wheel, a pawl member, a screw required to pivotally mount the pawl member on the reel frame, and a spring member for retaining the pawl member in engagement with the ratchet wheel, the number of parts increases and it is not easy to assemble and disassemble these parts. In addition, since the conventional antireverse mechanism is constructed by setting discrete parts on the rotating shaft and the reel frame, there is a fear of failure in prevention of reverse rotation due to an error in machining or assembling these parts. 
     In the anti-reverse mechanism of the type described above, the number of teeth of the ratchet wheel is generally 6 to 8. Therefore, even in the case of a ratchet wheel having 8 teeth, the angle between each adjacent teeth is relatively large, i.e., 45°. Accordingly, the angle required for the ratchet wheel and the pawl member which are brought into engagement with each other to come to prevent reverse rotation, that is, the slipping angle, is unfavorably large, so that the following problems have heretofore been experienced. 
     For example, when a fishing line is let out from a spinning reel, if the rod is vigorously swung down with the bail set free, the handle arm rotates by inertia through an angle corresponding to the slipping angle. At this time, if the bail arm bumps against the bail return member provided on the reel body, the bail is returned to the retrieve position and, at the same time, the line which is being let out is suddenly stopped by the bail which is prevented from rotating in reverse, so that there is a fear of the line being disconnected by the tension accidentally applied thereto. 
     When the fishing rod is vigorously pulled due to a trouble such as the hook being caught by an obstacle on the bottom of the water, large impact force acts on the ratchet wheel and the pawl member which are engaged with each other to prevent reverse rotation, which is likely to result in damage to the pawl member or other parts. In addition, the relatively large slipping angle involves the problem that the line is likely to slack. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a fishing reel which is designed so that it is possible to facilitate the assembling and disassembling operations, eliminate a failure in prevention of reverse rotation and effect an anti-reverse operation with a minimized slipping angle and a minimized impact. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a fishing reel which is designed so that it is possible to reliably prevent reverse rotation by minimizing the slipping angle and it is also possible to eliminate the fear of the line slacking or being disconnected by minimizing the impact applied thereto at the time when the anti-reverse operation is effected. 
     To these ends, the present invention provides a fishing reel of the type in which the rotation of a handle supported on a reel body is transmitted to a spool through a rotation transmission system incorporated in the reel body, wherein the improvement comprises a one-way bearing which allows rotation in one direction but locks rotation in the other direction, the one-way bearing being disposed between a rotary member rotated by actuating said handle and the reel body that supports the rotary member. 
     By virtue of the above-described arrangement, the one-way bearing which is interposed at the support portion of a rotary member such as a flyer shaft, a driving shaft or the like locks reverse rotation of the rotary member. Thus, it is possible to effect a reliable anti-reverse operation with minimized impact force and also possible to unitize the anti-reverse mechanism. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fishing reel of the type in which the rotation of a handle supported on a reel body is transmitted to a spool through a rotation transmission system incorporated in the reel body, wherein the improvement comprises: a one-way bearing fitted on the outer periphery of a rotary member rotated by actuating the handle; a ratchet wheel fitted on the outer periphery of the one-way bearing in such a manner that the ratchet wheel is unable to rotate relative to the bearing; and a pawl disengageably engaged with the ratchet wheel. 
     Thus, according to the present invention, an anti-reverse mechanism is comprised of a one-way bearing which is connected to the reel body through a ratchet wheel and a pawl. Therefore, it is possible to effect a reliable anti-reverse operation and minimize both the slipping angle and impact force at the time when an anti-reverse operation is effected. 
     Fishing reels of the invention have substantial advantages, relative to the prior art, including combining anti-reverse and drag functions into an integrated structure. The new reels provide improved protection of the line during use. Advantageous structures of the new reels offer improved protection of internal features of the reels. Thus, novel reel constructions bring about advantageous effects, protecting the one-way bearing from invasion and attachment of dust, other alien substances, sea water or other water. The novel structure protects the anti-reverse mechanism reliably without any trouble over the long term. In addition, the new reel structure are more compact, and more easily assembled and disassembled. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a partially-sectioned side view showing a first embodiment in which the anti-reverse mechanism according to the present invention is applied to a spinning reel. 
     FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a partially-sectioned front view showing a third embodiment in which the anti-reverse mechanism according to the present invention is applied to a double-bearing type reel. 
     FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5A is a fragmentary sectional view showing a first modification of a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5B is a fragmentary sectional view showing a second modification of a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a partially-sectioned side view showing a sixth embodiment in which the anti-reverse mechanism according to the present invention is applied to a spinning reel. 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII—VII of FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a seventh embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a partially-sectioned side view showing an eighth embodiment in which the anti-reverse mechanism according to the present invention is applied to a double-bearing type reel. 
     FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line X—X of FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 11 is a horizontal sectional view of a further modified version of a reel of the invention, being a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 5, and particularly illustrating a pinion supporting shaft, spool shaft, and other elements of the construction relative to them. 
     FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view of salient portions of the constructions shown in FIG. 11, according to a first position of a spool shaft driving pinion of the reel of FIG.  11 . 
     FIG. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view of salient portions of the constructions shown in FIG. 11, according to a second position of the spool shaft-driving pinion. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PRACTICAL EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     FIG. 1 is a partially-sectioned side view of a spinning reel having an anti-reverse mechanism according to the present invention. 
     In the figure, reference numeral  1  denotes a reel body having a mounting leg  2  which is secured to a fishing rod when the reel is mounted thereon. A hollow flyer shaft  4  extends perpendicularly through a front wall  3  of the reel body  1 . The flyer shaft  4  is rotatably carried by a radial bearing  5  and, at the same time, supported by a roller type one-way bearing  6  which is fitted in the front wall  3 , whereby the flyer shaft  4  is allowed to rotate in the retrieving direction but prevented from rotating in the direction in which the line is unwound. In other words, the one-way bearing  6  constitutes an anti-reverse mechanism. Reference numeral  7  denotes a flyer which is disposed at the front side of the reel body  1 . The flyer  7  has a bail  8  and is concentrically fitted on that portion of the flyer shaft  4  which projects outward from the reel body  1 . The flyer  7  is rigidly fastened to the flyer shaft  4  by means of a nut  9  which is screwed onto the shaft  4 . Reference numeral  10  denotes a spool shaft which extends through the bore in the flyer shaft  4  and which is supported therein in such a manner that it is rotatable as well as axially slidable. A spool  11  is mounted on the forward projecting end portion of the spool shaft  10  in such a manner that the spool  11  is rotatable about the axis of the spool shaft  10 . The spool  11  and the spool shaft  10  are coupled together through a drag mechanism  12 . 
     Further, in FIG. 1, reference numeral  13  denotes a pinion which is integrally formed on the outer periphery of that portion of the flyer shaft  4  which projects inside the reel body  1 , the pinion  13  being meshed with a driving gear  14  which is disposed inside the reel body  1 . A hollow-driving shaft  14   a  of the driving gear  14  is rotatably carried by the reel body  1  in such a manner that the driving shaft  14   a  extends perpendicular to the spool shaft  10 . A handle shaft  15  is rigidly fitted into the hollow driving shaft  14   a,  and a handle  16  for winding in the line is secured to that end portion of the handle shaft  15  which projects outward from the reel body  1 . Reference numeral  17  denotes an oscillation actuating member which is secured to that portion of the spool shaft  10  which projects inside the reel body  1  in such a manner that the actuating member  17  is rotatable relative to the spool shaft  10  but immovable axially thereof. The actuating member  17  is connected to an oscillating gear  18  which is in mesh with a gear  19  which is rigidly secured to the hollow driving shaft  14   a.    
     The following is a description of the operation of the spinning reel according to this embodiment arranged as described above. 
     When the handle  16  is turned in the direction of the arrow A shown in FIG. 1, the rotation of the handle  16  is transmitted to the flyer shaft  4  through the hollow driving shaft  14   a,  the driving gear  14  and the pinion  13 , thus causing the flyer shaft  4  to rotate in the direction of the arrow B shown in FIG.  1 . At this time, the one-way bearing  6  supporting the flyer shaft  4  does not restrain the rotation of the shaft  4 . 
     As the flyer shaft  4  rotates in the direction of the arrow B. the flyer  7  which is connected to the shaft  4  in one unit is rotated in the same direction as that of rotation of the flyer shaft  4 , and the bail  8  rotates around the spool  11 . As a result, the fishing line (not shown) which is guided by the bail  8  is wound on the spool  11 , as is well known. At the same time, the rotation of the hollow driving shaft  14   a  caused by the operation of the handle  16  is transmitted to the oscillating gear  18  through the gear  19 , thus causing the gear  18  to rotate. As a result, the actuating member  17  which is connected to the gear  18  actuates both the spool shaft  10  and the spool  11  to reciprocate along the axis of the shaft  10 , thus allowing the line to be uniformly wound on the spool  11 . 
     When pulling force acts on the line in the direction in which it is unwound, the flyer  7  is urged to rotate in the reverse direction to the retrieving direction (the direction of the arrow B in FIG.  1 ), but the one-way bearing  6  supporting the flyer shaft  4  is activated by the rotation of the flyer shaft  4  in the reverse direction to the direction of the arrow B so as to block the shaft  4  from rotating in the reverse direction. In other words, the flyer  7  is prevented from rotating in reverse. When larger pulling force acts on the line due to a sudden tug or turn of a fish and the pulling force exceeds the drag force of the drag mechanism  12 , the spool  11  rotates while slipping relative to the spool shaft  10  in the direction in which the line is unwound, thereby preventing disconnection of the line. 
     In the foregoing embodiment, the mechanism for preventing reverse rotation of the flyer  7  is constituted by the one-way bearing  6  and therefore the anti-reverse mechanism can be unitized. Accordingly, the assembly and disassembly of the mechanism are facilitated and thus superior operability is obtained. In addition, since the one-way bearing  6  is of the type that rollers which constitute the bearing  6  are engaged in the shape of wedges between the flyer shaft  4  and an outer ring to thereby perform a locking operation, the slipping angle is small and it is unlikely that a failure in prevention of reverse rotation will occur. Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent reverse rotation of the spool  11 . Further, the impact applied when the anti-reverse operation is effected, and it is therefore unlikely that a trouble will occur. 
     FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a second embodiment in which the one-way bearing for prevention of reverse rotation according to the present invention is provided on the handle shaft of a spinning reel. 
     In FIG. 2, the same members or portions as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description of the same elements as those in the first embodiment is omitted. The second embodiment will be explained with emphasis on elements which are different from those shown in FIG.  1 . 
     In this embodiment, as will be clear from FIG. 2, a hollow driving shaft  14   a  is rotatably carried by the reel body  1  through radial bearings  20 , and one end portion of the driving shaft  14   a  is fitted in a one-way bearing  21  which is rigidly secured to the reel body  1  in close proximity to one of the radial bearings  20 , whereby the hollow driving shaft  14   a  of the driving gear  14  is allowed to rotate in one direction, that is, the retrieving direction (the direction of the arrow C shown in FIG.  2 ), but locked from rotating in the reverse direction thereto. 
     In the second embodiment arranged as described above also, the same advantages as those in the first embodiment are obtained. 
     FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment in which the one-way bearing for prevention of reverse rotation according to the present invention is applied to a double-bearing type reel. 
     In the figure, a spool shaft  31  is horizontally carried between right- and left-hand frames  30   a  and  30   b  of a reel body  30  in such a manner that the spool shaft  31  is movable along the axis thereof, and a spool  32  is supported on the spool shaft  31  in such a manner that the spool  32  is unable to rotate relative to the shaft  31 . A pinion  33  is fitted on that portion of the spool shaft  31  which is disposed within the right-hand frame  30   a  in such a manner that the pinion  33  is rotatable and axially movable relative to the spool shaft  31 . The pinion  33  is further supported by the right-hand frame  30   a  through a bearing  33   a.  One end of the pinion  33  is connected to a pressure plate  34   a  which constitutes a drag mechanism  34 . The drag mechanism  34  comprises the pressure plate  34   a  which is rotatably fitted on the spool shaft  31  through a bearing  34   b  in such a manner as to face the side surface of the spool  32 , a friction plate  34   c  which is rigidly secured to that surface of the pressure plate  34   a  which faces the spool  32 , and a friction plate  34   d  which is rigidly secured to that surface of the spool  32  which faces the pressure plate  34   a  so that the friction plate  34   d  is engageable with the friction plate  34   c.  Reference numeral  35  denotes a spring for pressing the friction plate  34   c  secured to the pressure plate  34   a  so that the friction plate  34   c  engages with the friction plate  34   d  secured to the spool  32 . The spring  35  is interposed between the other end of the pinion  33  and a thread member  36  which is supported on the spool shaft  31  in such a manner as to face the second end of the pinion  33 . A knob  37  for adjusting the level of drag force is screwed onto the thread member  36 . Reference numeral  38  denotes a control lever actuated to engage and disengage the drag mechanism  34 , the lever  38  being pivotally attached to the reel body  30 . The pivotally supported proximal portion of the control lever  38  is engaged with the knob  37  through a cam member  39 . Accordingly, when the control lever  38  is pivoted so as to activate the spool shaft  31 , together with the knob  37  and the thread member  36 , to move axially through the cam member  39 , the spool  32  which is supported on the spool shaft  31  moves toward or away from the pressure plate  34   a  of the drag mechanism  34 , thereby allowing the spool  32  and the pinion  33  to be connected together or disconnected from each other. 
     Reference numeral  40  denotes a driving shaft which is provided on the right-hand frame  30   a  such as to extend parallel to the spool shaft  31 . The driving shaft  40  is supported on the right-hand frame  30   a  through a one-way bearing  41  for prevention of reverse rotation in such a manner that the driving shaft  40  is rotatable only in one direction. A driving gear  42  which is meshed with the pinion  33  is rigidly secured to that end portion of the driving shaft  40  which projects inside the right-hand frame  30   a,  and a retrieving handle  43  is secured to that end portion of the driving shaft  40  which projects outward from the right-hand frame  30   a.    
     In the double-bearing type reel arranged as described above, when the handle  43  is turned in the direction of the arrow D shown in FIG. 3, the driving shaft  40  is free with respect to the one-way bearing  41  and therefore is rotated. The rotation of the driving shaft  40  is transmitted to the pressure plate  34   a  of the drag mechanism  34  and further transmitted to the spool  32  through the friction plates  34   c  and  34   d  which are in engagement with each other. Accordingly, the spool  32  is rotated in the retrieving direction and the fishing line (not shown) is wound on the spool  32 . 
     When pulling force acts on the line in the direction in which it is unwound, the spool  32  is urged to rotate in the unwinding direction, but the one-way bearing  41  supporting the driving shaft  40  is activated to lock, i.e., prevent or block, the spool  32  from rotating in the unwinding direction. When pulling force which is larger than the drag force of the drag mechanism  34  acts on the line, the friction plates  34   c  and  34   d  of the drag mechanism  34  slip relative to each other, so that the spool  32  rotates in the unwinding direction to prevent disconnection of the line. 
     It should be noted that the spool  32  is set free when the pressure plate  34   a  is separated from the side surface of the spool  32  by actuating the lever  38 , as shown in FIG.  3 . 
     In the case of the foregoing third embodiment of the present invention also, the same advantages as those in the first embodiment are obtained. 
     FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a fourth embodiment in which the one-way bearing for prevention of reverse rotation according to the present invention is adapted to serve also a bearing for a rotary member. 
     In the figure, a stepped cylindrical bore  3   a  is bored in a front wall  3  of a reel body  1 . The outer ring  6   a  of a one-way bearing  6  is fitted into the cylindrical bore  3   a.  The intermediate shaft portion  4   a  of a flyer shaft  4  is disposed such as to be inscribed in a plurality of rollers  6   c  arranged annularly by means of a retainer  6   b  on the inner periphery of the outer ring  6   a.  Thus, the flyer shaft  4  is carried in such a manner that it is allowed to rotate only in one direction but blocked from rotating in the other direction. A boss portion  7   a  of a flyer  7  is fitted on the smaller-diameter shaft portion  4   b  of the flyer shaft  4  which projects outward from the front wall  3  of the reel body  1 , so that it is possible to secure the flyer  7  on the smaller-diameter shaft portion  4   b  by means of a nut  9  screwed onto the distal end of the smaller-diameter shaft portion  4   b  and the step portion  4   c  defined between the intermediate shaft portion  4   a  and the smaller-diameter shaft portion  4   b.  In this case, the end face of the boss portion  7   a  of the flyer  7  is brought into contact with the end face of the outer ring  6   a  of the one-way bearing  6  so as to prevent the bearing  6  from falling out of the bore  3   a.    
     In addition, a pinion  13  is formed on the outer periphery of the larger-diameter portion  4   d  of the flyer shaft  4  which projects from the front wall  3  so as to extend inside the reel body  1 . The step portion  4   e  defined between the larger-diameter portion  4   b  and the intermediate shaft portion  4   a  is engaged with the edge of the cylindrical bore  3   a  through a slide member  44 , thereby suppressing the movement of the flyer shaft  4  in the direction of thrust. It should be noted that reference numeral  10  denotes a spool shaft which extends through the axial bore in the flyer shaft  4 . 
     In the flyer shaft supporting mechanism arranged as described above, the one-way bearing  6  has both the anti-reverse function and the bearing function and therefore it is possible to omit the radial bearing  5  shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment in which the one-way bearing for prevention of reverse rotation according to the present invention is applied to a double-bearing type reel for fishing. 
     In FIG. 5, reference numeral  50  denotes a right-hand outer plate which is secured to a support plate  51   a  of a body frame  51  in such a manner that the outer plate  50  surrounds the outer surface of the support plate  51   a.  The numeral  52  denotes a spool which is disposed inside the frame  51 , the spool  52  being coaxially secured to a spool shaft  54  which is rotatably carried between the support plate  51   a  and the other support plate (not shown) through a bearing  53 . The numeral  55  denotes a pinion which is rotatably mounted on the projecting portion of the spool shaft  54  which extends through the support plate  51   a  and projects into the space defined between the support plate  51   a  and the right-hand outer plate  50 . The pinion  55  is able to come into and out of engagement with a clutch portion  56  which is formed on the projecting portion of the spool shaft  54 . As is well known, this clutching/declutching operation is effected by means of an actuating member (not shown) horizontally carried between the two support plates. Reference numeral  57  denotes a braking mechanism which is provided outside the right-hand outer plate  50  for applying a mechanical brake to the spool shaft  52 . 
     Reference numeral  58  denotes a handle shaft, i.e., rotary shaft member, which is extended between the support plate  51   a  and the right-hand outer plate  50  in parallel to the spool shaft  54 . One end of the handle shaft  58  is rotatably supported by the support plate  51   a  through a bearing  59 , while the other end portion of the shaft  58  is rotatably supported through a bearing unit  60  which is slidable but prevented from rotating, i.e., is fixed within a cylindrical portion  69  provided on the right-hand outer plate  50 . As is shown in FIG. 5, the longitudinal axis of shaft  58  is parallel and proximate to the axis of spool shaft  54  so that shaft  58  need not extend radially beyond the periphery of the base of spool  52 . In addition, a ring-shaped groove  61  is formed in the outer periphery of the first end portion of the handle shaft  58 , and a fall preventing member, namely a retainer clip, designated  62 , engaged with the groove  61  of the handle shaft  58 , is rigidly secured to the support plate  51   a  by means of a screw  63 , thereby restricting the axial movement of the handle shaft  58  and, at the same time, allowing the handle shaft  58  to be kept in place, stably retained, on the support plate  51   a  even if the second (outer) end of the shaft  58  is not supported by the bearing unit  60  during assembly or disassembly. 
     A driving gear  64  (shown broken away for illustrative purpose) which is meshed with the pinion  55  is mounted on that portion of the handle shaft  58  which is disposed inside the right-hand outer plate  50  in such a manner that the driving gear  64  is axially movable and rotatable relative to the handle shaft  58 . A gear wheel  65  for returning of the clutch is mounted on the handle shaft  58  within the driving gear  64  in such a manner that the gear wheel  65  for returning of the clutch  65  is not rotatable against the handle shaft  58  and is constructed to rotate unitedly with the handle shaft  58  (this feature being known art and thus not shown in the Figures), and so that the clutch mechanism in the spool in free rotation mode (i.e., with the clutch off) returns to engaged condition of the reel (i.e., with the clutch on) for co-operating with the returning movement the gear wheel  65  for returning of the clutch when actuated by the of rotation of the handle shaft  58  in the winding direction. 
     Reference numeral  66  denotes a drag mechanism for friction coupling together the driving gear  64  and the handle shaft  58  to generate rotational torque applied to the spool  52 . The drag mechanism  66  comprises a pressure plate  66   a  which is mounted on the handle shaft  58  in such a manner that the plate  66   a  is axially movable but unable to rotate relative to the handle shaft  58 , a friction plate  66   b  which is disposed between the opposing side surfaces of the pressure plate  66   a  and the driving gear  64 , and a leaf spring  66   c  for adjusting the level of drag force, a spring retainer  66   d  which is interposed between the leaf spring  66   c  and the bearing unit  60 , and a knob  66   e  for adjusting the level of drag force which knob is screwed onto a threaded portion  58   a  formed at the second end of the handle shaft  58 . Reference numeral  67  denotes a rotatable handle which is rigidly secured to the second end of the handle shaft  58 . Other features of the drag force adjusting mechanism are emphasized below. 
     The bearing unit  60  comprises a collar  60   a  which is mounted on the handle shaft  58  in such a manner that the collar  60   a  is axially movable on the handle shaft  58  but prevented from rotating relative to it, a one-way bearing  60   b  for prevention of reverse rotation which is mounted on the collar  60   a  and fitted in the reel body cylindrical portion  69 , a felt member  60   c  which is secured to one end portion of the one-way bearing  60   b,  and a spring retainer  66   d  which is mounted on the other end portion of the bearing  60   b.    
     It will be noted that in the drag force adjusting mechanism, an inner sleeved end  66   e   1  of the drag force adjusting knob  66   e  presses the collar  60   a,  and a peripheral inner end  66   e   2  of a flanged collar  66   e   3  (which is of larger diameter and concentric to the sleeved inner knob portion  66   e   1 ) of the drag force adjusting knob  66   e  covers the outside of the cylindrical part  50   a  of the reel side plate, namely right hand outer plate,  50 . This structure brings about advantageous effects. That is, it protects the one-way bearing  60  from invasion and attachment of dust, other alien substances, sea water or other water. It protects the anti-reverse mechanism, with its wedge function of the one-way bearing  60 , reliably without any trouble over the long term. 
     In the fishing reel arranged as described above, when the handle  67  is turned in the direction of the arrow E shown in FIG. 5, the handle shaft  58  is free with respect to the one-way bearing  60   b  and therefore rotated together with the handle  67  in the same direction. Also, the driving gear  64  which is friction-coupled thereto through the drag mechanism  66  is rotated in the same direction, and the rotation of the gear  64  is transmitted to the spool  52  through the pinion  55 , the clutch portion  56  and the spool shaft  54 , so that the fishing line (not shown) is wound on the spool  52  as it rotates. 
     When pulling force acts on the line in the direction in which it is unwound, the spool  52  is urged to rotate in the unwinding direction, but the one-way bearing  60   b  supporting the driving shaft  58  is activated to block the spool  52  from rotating in the unwinding direction. When pulling force which is larger than the drag force of the drag mechanism  66  acts on the line, the pressure plate  66   a  and the friction plate  66   b  of the drag mechanism  66  slip relative to each other, so that the spool  52  rotates in the unwinding direction to prevent disconnection (i.e., breakage) of the line. 
     As has been described above, according to the present invention, a one-way bearing is provided between a rotary shaft member which is rotated by actuating a handle and a reel body which supports the rotary member so that prevention of reverse rotation of the rotary member is effected by the function of the one-way bearing. Therefore, the anti-reverse mechanism can be compactly unitized and this facilitates the operation of incorporating the anti-reverse mechanism into the reel body and also the disassembling operation. Thus, the operability is improved. In addition, since the rotary shaft-member slipping angle at the time when the one-way bearing effects an anti-reverse operation is small, there is no fear of failure in prevention of reverse rotation and it is, therefore, possible to reliably prevent reverse rotation. It is also possible to minimize the impact to the mechanism applied at the moment when the anti-reverse operation is effected. 
     Referring to FIG. 5A, a modified form of the fishing reel of FIG. 5 has the following modifications, viz., that collar  60   a  is distally elongated, and with elimination of inner sleeved end  66   e   1  (FIG. 5) of the drag force adjusting knob  66   e  so that collar  60   a  bears directly against an inner surface  66   e   4  of the flanged collar  66   e   3 . This reel structure similarly brings about advantageous effects of preventing the one-way bearing  60   b  on cylindrical part  50   a  of right hand outer plate  50  from invasion and attachment of dust, other alien substances, sea water or other water, protecting the anti-reverse mechanism, with its wedge function of the one-way bearing  60 , reliably without any trouble over the long term. 
     As another modification of the embodiment of FIG. 5, which suffices to explain the modification features, collar  60   a,  being of cylindrical form, and surrounds the one-way bearing  60 , and the inner end  66   e   1  of the drag force adjusting knob  66   e  presses collar  60   a  in an axial direction inwardly, i.e., toward inner plate  51 , and the outer side  60   a   2  of the collar  60   a  presses against the pressure plate  66   a  of drag mechanism  66  by means of spring  66   c  via a thin washer  66   d.  Here again are the advantages that the anti-reverse mechanism, with its wedge function of the one-way bearing  60 , is maintained reliably without troubles since it is not affected by any undesired restriction by the core adjusting face of the one-way bearing formed in the handle shaft  58  and the cylindrical part  50   a  of reel side plate (outer plate)  50 . An advantageous compact size is thus made possible. 
     FIG. 6 is a partially-sectioned side view showing a sixth embodiment in which the anti-reverse mechanism according to the present invention is applied to a spinning reel. 
     In FIG. 6, reference numeral  71  denotes a reel body having a mounting leg  72  which is secured to a fishing rod when the reel is mounted thereon. A hollow flyer shaft  74  extends perpendicularly through a front wall  73  of the reel body  1 . The flyer shaft  74  is rotatably carried by means of a bearing  75 . 
     A pinion  76  is formed on the outer periphery of that portion of the flyer shaft  74  which projects inside the reel body  71 , the pinion  76  being meshed with a driving gear  77  which is disposed inside the reel body  71 . The driving gear  77  is secured to a hollow driving shaft  78  which is rotatably carried by the reel body  71  in such a manner that the driving shaft  78  extends perpendicular to the flyer shaft  74 . A handle shaft  79  is rigidly fitted into the hollow driving shaft  78 , and a handle  80  for winding in the line is secured to that end portion of the handle shaft  79  which projects outward from the reel body  71 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a one-way bearing  81  is fitted on the outer periphery of that portion of the flyer shaft  74  which projects outward from the reel body  71 , and a ratchet wheel  82  is concentrically fitted on the outer periphery of the one-way bearing  81  in such a manner that the ratchet wheel  82  is unable to rotate relative to the one-way bearing  81 . Reference numeral  83  denotes a V-shaped pawl which is pivotally attached to the front wall  73  of the reel body  71  through a screw pin  84  in close proximity to the ratchet wheel  82 . One end of the pawl  83  is biased by a spring  85  in the direction in which it is engaged with the ratchet wheel  82 , while the other end of the pawl  83  is engaged with a cam  86  whereby the pawl  83  is actuated to come in and out of engagement with the ratchet wheel  82 . The cam  86  is rigidly secured to a rod  87  which extends longitudinally through the reel body  71  so as to be supported thereby. A switching lever  88  is rigidly secured to that end of the rod  87  which projects outward from the reel body  71 . 
     In FIG. 6, reference numeral  89  denotes a flyer which is disposed at the front side of the reel body  71 . The flyer  89  has a bail  90  and is concentrically fitted on the distal end portion of the flyer shaft  74 . The flyer  89  is fastened to the flyer shaft  74  by means of a nut  91  which is screwed onto the shaft  74 . Reference numeral  92  denotes a spool shaft which extends through the bore in the flyer shaft  74  and which is supported therein in such manner that it is axially slidable but unable to rotate relative to the flyer shaft  74 . A spool  93  is mounted on the forward projecting end portion of the spool shaft  92  in such a manner that the spool  93  is rotatable relative to the spool shaft  92 . The spool  93  and the spool shaft  92  are friction-coupled together through a drag mechanism  94 . That end of the spool shaft  92  which projects inside the reel body  71  is connected to an oscillating mechanism (not shown) which causes the spool  93  to reciprocate longitudinally in synchronism with the rotation of the flyer  89 . 
     The following is a description of the operation of the spinning reel of this embodiment arranged as described above. 
     Referring to FIG. 7, if the switching lever  88  in actuated to the position shown by the solid line, the pawl  83  is pivoted clockwise as viewed in the figure by the action of the spring  85  and the one end of the pawl  85  is thereby engaged with the ratchet wheel  82 , thus preventing the ratchet wheel  82  from rotating counterclockwise as viewed in the figure. 
     To let out the fishing line (not shown) wound on the spool  93  in this state, the rod is vigorously swung down with the bail  90  set free. Thus, the line is successively unwound from the spool  93 . At this time, the ratchet wheel  82  is engaged with the pawl  83  and the ratchet wheel  82  and the flyer shaft  74  are engaged with each other through the one-way bearing  81  such that reverse rotation is blocked. Moreover, since the one-way bearing  81  is of the type that rollers which constitute the bearing  81  are engaged in the shape of wedges between the outer periphery of the flyer shaft  74  and the outer ring of the bearing  81  to thereby perform a locking operation, the slipping angle is small. Accordingly, even if the fishing rod is vigorously swung down to let out the line, there is substantially no fear of the handle  80  being rotated by inertia. Therefore, there is no possibility that the arm  90   a  of the bail  90  set free will bump against the bail return member  71   a  provided on the reel body  71  as in the case of the prior art, and there is therefore no risk of the bail  90  being undesirably set in the retrieve position when the rod is swung down. 
     When the handle  80  is turned in the retrieving direction indicated by the arrow F in FIG. 6, the rotation of the handle  80  is transmitted from the handle shaft  79  to the flyer shaft  74  through the driving shaft  78 , the driving gear  77  and the pinion  76 , thereby rotating both the flyer  89  and the bail  90  and thus winding the line on the spool  93 . At this time, the one-way bearing  81  is free with respect to the rotation of the flyer shaft  74  in the direction of the arrow G shown in FIG. 7, so that the ratchet wheel  82  is not substantially rotated. 
     In the case where the rod is bent to a large extent and tension is suddenly applied to the line during a retrieving operation due to the fact that the hook connected to the line is caught by an obstacle on the bottom of the water or a fish catches the hook, both the ratchet wheel  82  and the one-way bearing  81  bear the load applied to the anti-reverse mechanism. Accordingly, no impact load is applied to the pawl  83  and the screw pin  84  supporting it, and there is no fear of any trouble in terms of strength. In addition, since the slipping angle at the time when the anti-reverse operation is effected is small, no slack is generated in the line. Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent reverse rotation. 
     If the switching lever  88  is set in the position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 7, the pawl  83  is disengaged from the ratchet wheel  82 , so that the flyer shaft  74  is set free to rotate in both the rewinding and unwinding directions. The flyer shaft  74  is set in this free state when the line is to be released or the angler fights with the hooked fish. 
     FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of a seventh embodiment in which the antireverse mechanism according to the present invention is provided on the handle shaft of a spinning reel. 
     In FIG. 8, the same members or portions as those in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description of the same elements as those in the sixth embodiment is omitted. The seventh embodiment will be explained with emphasis on elements which are different from those shown in FIG.  6 . 
     In this embodiment, as will be clear from FIG. 8, a hollow driving shaft  78  is rotatably carried by the reel body  71  through a bearing  94 , and a one-way bearing  95  is fitted on the outer periphery of one end portion of the driving shaft  78 . A ratchet wheel  96  is fitted on the outer periphery of the one-way bearing  95  in such a manner that the ratchet wheel  96  is unable to rotate relative to the bearing  95 . Further, a pawl  97  which is similar to that shown in FIG. 7 is pivotally attached to the reel body  71 , the pawl  97  being selectively brought into and out of engagement with the ratchet wheel  96 . 
     In the seventh embodiment arranged as described above also, the same advantages as those in the sixth embodiment are obtained. 
     FIGS. 9 and 10 show in combination an eighth embodiment in which the antireverse mechanism according to the present invention is applied to a double-bearing type reel. 
     In the figure, reference numeral  100  denotes a reel body. A handle shaft  102  is rotatably supported through bearings  103  between a pair of inner and outer plates  101   a  and  101   b  of one side frame  101  that constitutes the reel body  100 . A driving gear  104  is supported on the handle shaft  102  in such a manner that the gear  104  is rotatable relative to the shaft  102 , and the driving gear  104  and the handle shaft  102  are friction-coupled together through a drag mechanism  105 . A one-way bearing  106  is fitted on the outer periphery of the handle shaft  102 , and a ratchet wheel  107  is fitted on the outer periphery of the one-way bearing  106  in such a manner that the ratchet wheel  107  is unable to rotate relative to the bearing  106 . A pawl  108  which is selectively brought into and out of engagement with the ratchet wheel  107  is pivotally attached to the inner plate  101   a  through a pin  109  in the vicinity of the ratchet wheel  107 . The pawl  108  is biased by a leaf spring  110  in the direction in which the pawl  108  is engaged with the ratchet wheel  107 . Further, the pawl  108  is arranged such as to be selectively switched between two positions, that is, one position where it is engaged with the ratchet wheel  107  and the other position where the former is disengaged from the latter, by actuating a switching lever  111  which is provided outside the side frame  101 . 
     In the double-bearing type reel arranged as described above, when the handle shaft  102  is turned in the direction of the arrow H shown in FIG. 10, since the handle shaft  102  is free with respect to the one-way bearing  106  which is fixedly retained through the ratchet wheel  107  and the pawl  108 , the handle shaft  102  is rotated clockwise as viewed in FIG. 9, and the rotation of the handle shaft  102  is transmitted to the spool (not shown) through the driving gear  104 . 
     When tension is suddenly applied to the line which is being unwound from the spool, the spool is urged to rotate in the unwinding direction, but the one-way bearing  106  locks the spool from rotating in the unwinding direction. When tension which is larger than the drag force of the drag mechanism  105  acts on the line, the drag mechanism  105  slips, so that the driving gear  104  rotates relative to the handle shaft  104  which is in a locked state, together with the spool, thus preventing disconnection of the line. 
     In the foregoing eighth embodiment of the present invention also, the same advantages as those in the sixth embodiment are obtained. 
     As described previously according to the present invention, a one-way bearing is fitted on the outer periphery of a rotary member which is rotated by actuating a handle, while a ratchet wheel is fitted on the outer periphery of the one-way bearing in such a manner that the ratchet wheel is unable to rotate relative to the bearing, and a pawl is arranged to come in and out of engagement with the ratchet wheel. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent reverse rotation and minimize the slipping angle at the time when the anti-reverse operation is effected. As a result, even if tension is suddenly applied to the line due to draw of the rod by way of example, the impact applied to the anti-reverse mechanism is small and the impact force is shared between the ratchet wheel and the one-way bearing. Accordingly, the anti-reverse mechanism has no trouble in terms of strength, and the line has no slack therein. 
     Even when the rod is vigorously swung down to let out the line, there is no fear of the handle arm being rotated by inertia, which would otherwise cause the rotary member connected to the handle arm to rotate, resulting in the bail being undesirably set in the retrieve position. 
     It should be noted that the anti-reverse system of the present invention may, of course, be applied to closed-face type reels, single-bearing type reels, etc. in addition to spinning reels and double-bearing type reels such as those exemplarily shown in the foregoing embodiments. 
     Refer to FIG. 11 which is a horizontal sectional view of an improved fishing reel which is an improvement of the embodiment of FIG. 5 or other embodiments relative to the spool shaft and pinion supporting shaft features of the reel. The elements of the improved reel are identified by reference numerals different from those of other embodiments to avoid confusion. 
     The reel of FIG. 11 includes housing members  150   a,    150   b  in which spool  116  reel has a spool shaft  114  supported by outer and inner bearings  112 ,  112 ′, and with the outer end of the spool shaft  114  being a clutch-engaging portion. Axially aligned with the spool shaft is a pinion shaft  128  carrying a pinion  126  formed as a sleeve journalled at its inner and outer ends by bearings  122 ,  124 . Reference numeral  118  denotes a rotatable handle which is rigidly secured to an outer end of a handle shaft  118   a  for functioning as according to other embodiments, and a drag adjustment wheel  118 D is fitted to the reel for adjusting, as previously described, the amount of drag force of the reel. 
     Referring to FIG. 12, the pinion supporting shaft  128  extends outwardly beyond housing member or end cover  110   b,  being enclosed as evident within a collar fitted with a protective cap  130  which seals the assembly against moisture and contaminants. 
     Designated at  136  is a driving gear (shown partly by dashed lines and partly broken away for illustrative purpose) which is meshed with teeth  132  of pinion  126  shiftably carried by pinion supporting shaft  128 . Driving gear  136  is disposed inside the right-hand outer cover member  110   b.  The pinion  126  is thus formed by a sleeve  134  which is fitted to the pinion supporting shaft  128  in axially shiftable in sliding relationship such that the sleeve  134  extends to opposite ends for journaling in the bearings  122 ,  124  but can shift axially toward the spool shaft for clutching engagement in response to a control member  138   b.  A spool shaft pin  114   a  extends though the outer end of the spool shaft  114  for engagement to drive spool shaft  114  by a radially enlarged frustoconical inner end  126   a  of sleeve  134  including an inwardly-extending projecting portion  148  thereof, when permitted by control member  138   b,  as shown in this FIG.  12 . Thus drive spool shaft  114  is caused to be rotated by driving gear  136  when handle  118  is rotated by the user of the reel. 
     Referring to FIG. 13, pinion supporting shaft  128  has an inner end which extends inwardly beyond an enlarged frustoconical inner end  126   a  of sleeve  134  which is now seen to have been provided with inwardly-extending projecting portion  148  thereof which is received within the inner race for bearing  122 , and wherein projecting portion  148  includes a spiral or sloping engaging surface edge, i.e., an engagement or clutching surface  148 ′, in proximity to spool shaft pin  114   a  for smooth engagement thereof to drive the spool shaft  114  if permitted. Thus, it will be evident from comparison of FIGS. 12 and 13 that control member  138   b  has caused the pinion  126  and its sleeve-form extension  134  to have shifted outwardly within inner races of the bearings  122 ,  124  so as to take projecting portion  148  out of engagement with spool shaft pin  114   a  for decoupling, i.e., declutching, the spool shaft  114  for free rotation of the reel spool  116 . 
     It is accordingly seen that the version of FIG. 11 with details evident from FIGS. 12 and 13 provides all of the advantages of the previously-described reel constructions while achieving selective coupling and decoupling of the reel spool  116  through the action of the control or clutching member  138   b  as the fisherman user of the new reel may by actions determine. Thus, the handle  118  when rotated in a clockwise direction causes the rotary handle shaft member to similarly rotate and the friction-coupled driving gear to also rotate in the same direction as the drag mechanism, rotation of the driving gear being transmitted to the spool through the pinion when permitted by control member  138   b,  the spool shaft is driven for winding of fishing line on the spool as it rotates. 
     In view of the foregoing, the objects and other advantages are attained, but it is apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from spirit and scope of the invention. The arrangements described are illustrative and exemplary, and are limited only by the scope of the following claims.