Patent Abstract:
A drag/free spool controller incorporated into a fishing reel that has a signal generator mechanically attached to the reel. When the spool spins the signal generator produces a voltage signal, and after a pre-determined number of rotations, the generated signal is compared to a pre-determined value to determine if the spooling corresponds to a fish strike. When the generated voltage signal exceeds the pre-determined value, indicating a fish strike, a solenoid attached to the reel is actuated to disengage the drag mechanism, placing the reel into a free spool position. This action allows the fish to run with the bait while the angler repositions himself to manually engage the drag to set the hook. If after a pre-determined interval the angler fails to manually engage the drag, the solenoid will do so automatically.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    The present application derives priority from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/214,448 filed Apr. 23, 2009. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention generally relates to fishing products and, more specifically, to a free spool controller for a fishing reel. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Background 
         [0005]    Sailfish and marlin are among the most prized sport fishing trophy fish in existence, largely because they fight aggressively, launching themselves out of the water over and over again. However, catching a sailfish and/or marlin is no simple task. It takes great finesse. Typically, a heavy duty lever-drag reel is spooled with over 400 yards of 20-30 pound test monofilament, and ballyhoo, pilchards, threadfin herring or goggle eyes are used as bait. The bait may be drifted, slow trolled or fished from a kite, and in all such cases the reel is generally kept in a normal drag position until a fish strikes. Both sailfish and marlin are notoriously sensitive when they first take the bait. Just the slightest tug on the line when the fish comes upon the bait can result in them mouthing it, and then dropping it. For this reason, most anglers immediately release the reel drag to free spool with the clickers on, or with the bail open. The fish will pull the line in free spool as it runs with the bait, and it will not be pulled out of its mouth. However, within 5-10 seconds of the strike, the drag lever must be returned to the strike position and the hook set, or chances are that the fish will escape. This precisely-choreographed sequence sounds easy, but is very difficult to implement in practice. Sailfish and marlin tend to strike when the anglers are sitting around relaxing, and many are lost because the anglers are slow to the rod. This problem is especially acute for elderly anglers who are not as spry and cannot always jump to the rod within seconds of a strike. It would be helpful to automate the process of switching modes from drag to free spool and back, within a set interval after the fish strikes. While there have been prior efforts to electrically-control a fishing reel, none are for the foregoing purpose. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,188,793 to Takeshi Ikuta issued Mar. 13, 2007, shows an electric circuit for controlling a fishing reel spool, primarily to prevent backlash. A rotor having four magnets is disposed on the spool&#39;s shaft, and surrounding the rotor are coils. This rotor assembly is used to both generate electricity and brake the spool. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,045,076 to John J. Daniels issued Apr. 4, 2000, shows an anti-backlashing fishing reel. A line sensor generates a signal based upon the tension in the line to control the electronically variable brake. Depending upon the signal, the variable brake will apply a force to the spool to resist rotation to prevent an overrun. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,831,417 to John Wun-Sing Chu issued Nov. 3, 1998, shows electronic circuitry that takes input data, such as the outside diameter of the spool, the tension in the line, and the length of the released line, to determine whether the drag should be increased or decreased. The drag mechanism is engaged through constricting forces created by SMA wire that is controlled by the electronic circuitry. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,194 to John N. Young issued Jul. 10, 1990, shows casting reel with a dynamically controlled variable casting drag. A magnetic disc is connected to the spool shaft, and when the disc rotates with the shaft, an electrical coil produces an output signal. An electric circuit receives the signal and produces a drag signal based on the output signal, and the drag signal is used to control an electronic brake. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,492 to Takashi Atobe issued Dec. 13, 1988, shows a reel having a revolution sensor device. The device includes magnets located on the spool and Hall effect sensors opposing the magnets. An on-board microcomputer uses the generated signal to calculate line length. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,219,131 to Furomoto issued Jun. 15, 1993 shows a fishing reel with electronic drag measurement for notifying the user of the exact braking force of a drag mechanism. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,722 to Christopher K. Kreuser et al. issued Jul. 2, 2002, shows a bait cast fishing reel having a sensor to generate signals representing rotation of the spool. The sensor is coupled to a controller. Using the spool rotation signals, the controller generates a control signal that is transmitted to the breaking mechanism. The breaking mechanism comprises an electric solenoid that engages a brake pad with the spool when casting to prevent backlash. 
         [0013]    None of the foregoing references nor any other known prior art suggests an automatic electronic drag/free spool control system that is capable of incorporation into an otherwise conventional lever-drag reel to selectively release, and then reapply drag a predetermined interval after a fish strike.  FIG. 1  is an illustration of a conventional “big water” lever drag reel, and  FIG. 2  details the internal spool, spindle and brake washer of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0014]    Such reels typically seat a rotatable spool  2  inside a unitary open frame  3 . The spool  2  is rotatably carried on a spindle  6 , and a hand crank  4  turns the spool  2  on the spindle  6  via an internal gear mechanism. A lever  5  allows preset of the desired drag from far left (0% drag) to far right (100% drag). As seen in  FIG. 2 , the lever  5  extends and/or retracts the internal spindle  6  which in turn moves a brake washer  7  located at the opposing side of the reel, the brake washer  7  acting as a disc brake against the side of spool  2 . The brake washer  7  may be pre-biased toward the spool  2  by a spring or Belleview washer. When more drag is required, moving lever  5  clockwise retracts spindle  6 , thereby compressing the Belleview washer and biasing brake washer  7  harder against the spool  2  and requiring more pull to release line. When less drag is required, moving lever  5  counterclockwise extends spindle  6 , thereby easing off the brake washer  7  and requiring less pull to release line. The reel is set to free spool when the lever  5  is pulled all the way counterclockwise and all drag on the spool  2  is released. The reel is set to maximum drag when the lever  5  is moved fully clockwise from free spool position. Typically there is a spring-loaded (detent) button two thirds along the path of travel of the lever  5 , known as a strike button  9 . In addition, a stationary screw-post  8  acts as a stop demarcating the full free spool position. The reel is set to strike or “normal drag” when the lever  5  is moved clockwise from free spool position  8  and hits the strike button  9 . This is where anglers fight fish, and is designed to demarcate a drag setting equal to 33% of the line rating. If desired, the strike stop button  9  can be depressed allowing the angler to move the lever  5  forward to maximum drag, although max drag is typically higher than the line rating and results in broken fishing line. This is the basic footprint of a conventional lever drag fishing reel as referred to herein, although some conventional reels have equivalent free spool buttons in place of lever  5 . In practice, anglers will keep the lever  5  at the strike button  9  while trolling, kite fishing, or jigging. If a fish strikes, the angler must immediately place the lever  5  in free spool position  8  allowing the fish to run with the bait in free spool so as not to pull the bait out of its mouth. Then, within 5-10 seconds of the strike, the drag lever  5  must be returned to the strike position  9  and the hook set, or the fish will escape. This precisely-choreographed sequence is very difficult to implement in practice, especially if the anglers are seated at a distance and not as spry as they once were, or deep in conversation when the fish strikes. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to provide a free spool controller for a fishing reel that senses a fish strike, automatically places the reel in free spool mode, and then affords the angler a predetermined interval of free-spooling with a manual switch to free spool mode before automatically applying drag, thereby providing a safeguard if the anglers are not quick enough to jump up and manually set the drag. 
         [0016]    It is another object to provide a free spool controller as above that can easily be incorporated into the footprint of a conventional lever drag fishing reel. 
         [0017]    These and other objects are accomplished by an electronic drag/free spool controller incorporated into a fishing reel that has a transducer attached to the spool. When the spool spins the transducer generates a signal which is fed to a controller, and the controller determines if the spooling corresponds to a fish strike. When the transducer signal indicates a fish strike, an actuator automatically disengages the drag mechanism, placing the reel into a free spool position. This action allows the fish to run with the bait while the angler repositions himself to manually engage the drag to set the hook. If after a pre-determined interval the angler fails to manually engage the drag, the actuator will do so automatically. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0018]    Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and certain modifications thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional lever drag fishing reel (prior art). 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  details the spool, spindle and brake washer of  FIG. 1  (prior art). 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  illustrates the entire reel assembly  1  in assembled form. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view illustrating all the components of the fishing reel  1  with enlarged insets of individual components. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an exemplary control circuit for spool control circuit board  30 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a diagram of the control scheme and switches S 1 , S 2 , S 3  and LEDs L 1 -L 3  mounted external to the reel  1  in master sleeve  13  for implementing the control scheme. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the master sleeve  13 A. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a composite drawing illustrating various views of the non-ferrous magnet disk  22  with a plurality of magnets  28  mounted in the non-ferrous disk  22 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a close up view of an alternative motor-based braking mechanism. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a close up view of yet another alternative motor-based braking mechanism. 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  illustrates yet another embodiment in which an electronic brake  200  operates directly on spool  2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]    The present invention is a fishing reel incorporating an automatic free spool control system. The free spool control system has at least two separate controls, one being ON or OFF, and one being AUTOMATIC or MANUAL Modes. When turned OFF, the reel functions as an ordinary reel. Thus, after a strike, the user will need to manually put the reel into free spool by moving the drag lever (ref  5  in  FIG. 1 ) to free spool position  8 , or in case of some other control (e,g, a free spool button) by pushing down on that button or otherwise operating the free spool control. The reel will remain in free spool as long as the momentary free spool button or lever  5  is held in the free spool position. When the user releases the momentary free spool button or moves the drag lever towards drag, the reel returns to normal drag operation. Thus, when in OFF Mode the fishing reel of the present invention functions as a conventional big water lever drag fishing reel. 
         [0031]    When the ON/OFF control is turned ON, the AUTOMATIC or MANUAL Modes offer two choices. When in ON/AUTOMATIC mode, the reel senses revolution of the spool when a fish strikes. It waits (in normal drag, typically at the strike stop button  9  of  FIG. 1 ) until the reel has turned a programmable distance, and then the reel automatically enters free spool. The reel remains in free spool a programmable number of revolutions and, assuming the angler does not enter ON/MANUAL Mode, ON/AUTOMATIC mode automatically returns the reel to normal drag. This automates the entire process of switching modes from drag to free spool and back when a fish strikes. 
         [0032]    This ON/AUTOMATIC Mode is interruptible by the ON/MANUAL Mode, which is essentially a manual override that momentarily prevents return of the reel to normal drag. Though various physical control schemes are envisioned for switching between these modes (as described below), three electronic switches accessible on the reel will suffice: a two position ON/OFF switch, a two-position AUTOMATIC Mode switch, and a momentary MANUAL Mode switch. This way, anytime the angler picks up the rod during the programmed free spooling time period in ON/AUTOMATIC Mode and depresses the momentary ON/MANUAL mode button, the reel enters ON/MANUAL Mode, which interrupts the ON/AUTOMATIC MODE countdown and maintains free spool for a longer duration of time. If the angler picks up the rod after the ON/AUTOMATIC Mode countdown when the reel has been returned to normal drag, and depresses the momentary ON/MANUAL mode button, the reel immediately enters free spool for as long the ON/MANUAL Mode button is depressed, thereafter returning to ON/AUTOMATIC Mode when the angler releases the ON/MANUAL Mode switch. In addition to the electronic modes the angler can manually go in and out of free spool anytime simply by depressing or releasing the existing reel free spool button/lever supplied with the reel. 
         [0033]    Effectively, the combination of ON/AUTOMATIC MODE and ON/MANUAL modes afford a predetermined interval of free-spooling time for the angler to reach the reel and manually switch to drag mode, before the reel itself automatically switches to drag mode. This provides a safeguard in case no angler is quick enough to jump up and manually set the drag. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  illustrates the entire reel assembly  10  in assembled form, and  FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view illustrating all the components of the fishing reel  10  with enlarged insets of individual components. As seen in  FIG. 3 , the reel assembly comprises certain components in common with typical big water lever drag spinning reels, and like components seen in  FIGS. 1-2  are similarly numbered. These components include a unitary open frame  3 , a rotatable spool  2  inside the frame  3 , hand crank  4  and opposing side plate  11  with internal gear mechanism for turning the spool  2  about a spindle  17 . The spindle  17  is inserted through the center of the spool  2  and serves as a stationery axle. A gear wheel  18  is inserted onto the end of spindle  17 , and the gear wheel  18  is keyed to the spool  2 . The gear wheel  18  is a conventional component that engages an internal spring (not shown) simply to create a clicking noise and a minute but efficient amount of drag for indexing the position of the spool  2 . Turning the crank  4  one way rotates the spool  2  in a conventional manner similar to other existing fishing reels. Turning the crank  4  in the opposite direction is inoperative on the internal gear mechanism and has no effect. A brake washer  7  is mounted adjacent the spool  2  on spindle  17 . The brake washer  7  rotates with spool  2 , and applies a braking (drag) force to it as per the drag lever  5  described with reference to  FIG. 1 . When the user wants more drag, they move drag lever  5  clockwise which biases spindle  17 , thereby forcing brake washer  7  harder against the spool  2  and increasing the braking drag. When the user wants less drag, they ease off drag lever  5  which biases spindle  17  thereby removing pressure. One skilled in the art will understand that additional components and slightly different components may be incorporated in side plate  11 . For example, many reels have clicking mechanisms to index rotation, etc. The present invention would not affect their operation. Indeed, one skilled in the art will recognize that everything to the left of line A-A′ may be considered conventional components found on conventional reels. 
         [0035]    In accordance with the present invention, the reel assembly  10  also comprises a position disc  22  mounted on the spindle  17  and adapted to rotate with the spool  2  (enclosed between frame  3  and spool  2 ), and a drag/free spool controller circuit board  30  adjacent the position disc  22  but fixedly mounted within frame  3  and stationery relative to position disc  22 . The spindle  17  protrudes through spool controller circuit board  30  and terminates at the far end of a solenoid  34 . A metal hub  32  is slidably inserted between spool  2  and solenoid  34 . Solenoid  34  is commercially-available plunger solenoid with the metal hub  32  forming the longitudinally movable plunger and a toroidal coil body operable to move the plunger. The metal hub  32  may be spring-biased as is known with plunger solenoids, to bias the hub  32  back into the solenoid  32 . With this configuration, electrical activation of solenoid  34  pushes hub  32  and spindle  17  outward slightly (0.060″, though this distance may vary with different reels). This pushes the brake washer  7 , which is likewise attached to the spindle  17  on the other side of the spool  2 , out of its normal preset drag engagement with the spool  2  into free spool. The current system operates from a 12VDC power supply derived from the boats power main, though it is envisioned that a 12 VDC battery could be used for portability. The solenoid  34  is one exemplary mechanism for controlled shifting of spindle  17  along its axis in order to disengage the brake washer  7 , but other suitable linear positioning actuators exist. Alternative motorized embodiments are described below. 
         [0036]    Given the linear actuator and mechanism for axially shifting spindle  17 , the present system adds the capability of knowing when to shift in and out of free spool. This is accomplished with the position disc  22  and the way that it interfaces the drag/free spool controller circuit board  30 . Position disc  20  forms a Hall-effect sensor with controller circuit board  30 . Specifically, position disc  22  is a flat circular washer having a particular pattern of very small permanent magnets  28  embedded therein. The position disc  22  faces the controller circuit board  30  which, in addition to power regulation and control circuitry (to be described), also provides a plurality of Hall sensors  27  on its backside in facing relationship with position disc  22 . The Hall sensors  27  are aligned with the rotation paths of the magnets  28  embedded in position disc  22 , and can thereby sense when a corresponding magnet  28  passes there beneath. Using a pattern of magnets  28  and Hall sensors  27 , the relative angular position of position disc  22  and hence the spool  2  can be accurately determined, and the rotation of the spool  2  can be tracked by controller circuit board  30 . Thus, the spool controller circuit board  30  is essentially an electronically-actuated automatic free spool controller that reads the position disc  22  and switches modes from normal drag to free spool and back dependent on its angular position and/or rotation. More specifically, the spool controller circuit board  30  senses the angular position and rotation of position disc  22  (and hence spool  2 ) and selectively activates solenoid  34  to disengage the brake washer  7 . The spool controller circuit board  30  includes control circuitry to do this in a predetermined sequence dependent on the selected one of three above-described modes. When OFF, no electronic control is exerted. When in ON/AUTOMATIC MODE, the spool controller circuit board  30  initially leaves the brake washer  7  in normal engagement as set manually using the drag lever  5  (see  FIG. 1 ). However, when a fish strikes and peels away line, the spool  2  begins to rotate as does position disc  22 , and spool controller circuit board  30  counts a programmable first number of tics of revolution (for example, three full revolutions) and then automatically activates solenoid  34  to disengage the brake washer  7 , thereby entering free spool. The fish, which typically only mouths the bait and swims away, peels away line without drag (which would otherwise cause the fish to disgorge the bait). The spool controller circuit board  30  continues to monitor, counting a programmable second number of tics of revolution in free spool mode (for example, fifty full revolutions), and then automatically deactivates solenoid  34  to engage the brake washer  7 , thereby returning to normal drag. This automates the process of switching from drag to free spool and back, within set intervals after a fish strikes. The user always has the option of interrupting ON/AUTOMATIC MODE if they can reach the reel in time to extend the free spool duration before the reel itself automatically switches to normal drag, or if too late to switch back to free spool. This is done simply by depressing an ON/MANUAL mode switch, which interrupts the ON/AUTOMATIC MODE counting and, if necessary, immediately activates solenoid  34  to disengage the brake washer  7 , thereby returning to free spool for a longer duration. Again the ON/MANUAL mode control is preferably a momentary switch and when released the reel returns to ON/AUTOMATIC MODE counting. Consequently, the ON/AUTOMATIC MODE affords a predetermined interval of free-spooling time for the anglers and provides a safeguard in case no angler is quick enough to jump up and manually set the drag. 
         [0037]    The system components which are not existing parts of the conventional lever drag reel are the position disc  22 , spool control circuit board  30 , hub  32 , solenoid  34 , master sleeve  13  and end cap  19 . In addition, the spindle  17  is elongated slightly to extend hub  32  into solenoid  34 , but is otherwise a conventional fishing reel spindle with rounded cross-section that serves as an axle for spool  2 . 
         [0038]    The master sleeve  13  is custom manufactured to replace the existing reel side plate which is screwed onto frame  3 . The master sleeve  13  is a hollow cylindrical cover slightly longer than the existing manufacturer-supplied side plate in order to accommodate the position disc  22 , spool control circuit board  30  and solenoid  34 . The master sleeve  13  accepts a screw-on cap  19  to completely enclose the components. Note also the master sleeve  13  is machined with a plurality of side apertures for access to the mode control switches and viewing of mode-indicator LEDs (indicating the current operating mode) all resident on the spool control circuit board  30 . As described below, the number and function of the physical switches and LEDs may vary as a matter of design choice, and three switches S 1 -S 3  are shown in  FIG. 4  along with three LEDs L 1 -L 3  according to one exemplary control scheme suitable for implementation of the embodiment of  FIGS. 3-4 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an exemplary control circuit for spool control circuit board  30 . The circuit board  30  includes at least one Hall Effect sensor  27  with outputs connected to a processor  110 . The Hall Effect sensor  27  in the illustrated embodiment may be an AH182 Low power Hall Effect Switch manufactured by Diodes Incorporated. If desired, two or more such Hall Effect sensors  27  may be used, and indeed in the presently preferred embodiment three Hall Effect sensors  27  are used to provide three separate pickups because this is necessary to determine spooling direction. The AH182 is a three-terminal Hall effect sensor device with a output driver, mainly designed for battery-operation. Power is supplied from a remote 12 VDC power source connected by a DC input connector to the circuit board  30 , and through an on/off power switch S 1 . An on-board voltage regulator supplies 3 VDC regulated power to the Hall Effect sensor(s)  27  and processor  110 . One skilled in the art will understand that voltage requirements may be adjusted as a matter of design choice. A surface mount power ON LED L 1  is also provided on circuit board  30 , and a connector for external power is provided. A PC-board mounted AUTO Mode ON switch S 2  is provided to set the controller to ON/AUTOMATIC mode, and a surface mount AUTO ON LED L 2  is also provided on circuit board  30  for indicating same. In addition, a PC-mounted MANUAL Mode ON switch S 3  is provided to set the controller back to ON/MANUAL mode, and a surface mount MANUAL ON LED L 3  is also provided on circuit board  30  for indicating same. The processor  110  performs, for example, counting and calculation, on the incoming Hall Effect tics. The basic elements that can be determined by the processor  110  are shaft speed, amount of rotation, direction of rotation, and time between events. All elements, except for direction, can be determined by using only one Hall sensor, whereas the latter requires two or three. Thus, in its simplest form the processor  110  counts a number of tics as the spool turns after a fish strike, and determines the number of tics needed to enter “free spool” mode and then back to normal drag. In this regard, the processor  110  may be any general-purpose or special purpose computer, such as, for example, a processor, a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable array, a programmable logic unit (PLU), a microprocessor or any other device capable of performing the foregoing counting and responding to and executing mode instructions pursuant to the present method. The processor  110  may run software for implementing the method and functions described above. The processor  110  also may access, store, manipulate, process, and create data in response to these applications. The software applications may include a computer program, a piece of code, an instruction, or some combination thereof, for instructing the processor  110  to operate as desired. In addition, a more rudimentary digital counter and gate array may be used (functionally equivalent to a PLU). If desired, PC-board-mounted DIP switches may be provided on circuit board  5  and connected to processor  110  to allow factory or user-selection of the number of tics (or time interval) needed for drag-to-free spool and for free-spool to drag. This way, by setting a DIP switch the angler has a choice of however many revolutions are desired to allow line to spool out in drag mode before putting the reel in free spool, and then back again. The processor  110  also counts tics or times an interval before putting the reel back into drag mode. The PC-mounted DIP switches are preferably sealed inside the master sleeve, accessible by rubberized covers or by the angler taking off the master sleeve  13 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating three exemplary control schemes using various switches S 1 , S 2 , S 3  mounted on the circuit board  30  for implementing the control scheme. 
         [0041]    In  FIG. 6A , when the ON/OFF control S 1  is turned OFF, no power is applied, the ON/OFF LED L 1  remains off, and the reel is usable as normal with a manual lever drag and manual free-spool button. When the ON/OFF control S 1  is turned ON, power is applied, the ON/OFF LED L 1  illuminates, and the AUTOMATIC or MANUAL Mode switches S 2 , S 3  offer two choices of ON/AUTOMATIC MODE or ON/MANUAL MODE override. By depressing the AUTOMATIC mode ON switch S 2 , the AUTO ON LED L 2  illuminates, the processor  110  assumes control and senses revolution of the spool when a fish strikes. It waits (in normal drag) until the reel has turned a programmable first distance, and then the reel automatically enters free spool. The reel remains in free spool a programmable number of revolutions and then returns to normal drag. This automates the entire process of switching modes from drag to free spool and back when a fish strikes. However, this AUTO ON Mode is interruptible by depressing the MANUAL ON control S 3 , which is essentially a manual override to ON/MANUAL MODE as described above. The MANUAL ON LED L 3  illuminates, and the processor  110  relinquishes control to the angler. The MANUAL ON control S 3  is preferably a momentary switch that allows the angler to pick up the rod during the programmed AUTOMATIC free spooling time period, depress the momentary MANUAL ON button S 3 , and the reel enters ON/MANUAL Mode and free spools, returning to ON/AUTOMATIC Mode when the angler releases the MANUAL ON button S 3 . The angler can manually go in and out of free spool anytime simply by depressing or releasing the MANUAL ON button S 3 . This interrupts the ON/AUTOMATIC MODE countdown to maintains free spool for a longer duration of time, or if ON/AUTOMATIC Mode has already switch to normal the momentary MANUAL ON button S 3  will immediately force the reel to free spool for as long the button is depressed, thereafter returning to ON/AUTOMATIC Mode. 
         [0042]    Effectively, the combination of AUTO ON S 2  and MANUAL ON S 3  modes afford a predetermined interval of free-spooling time for the angler to reach the reel and manually switch to drag mode, before the processor  110  automatically switches to drag mode. This provides a safeguard in case no angler is quick enough to jump up and manually set the drag. 
         [0043]    In  FIG. 6B , the control scheme is similar to  6 A but the AUTOMATIC ON and MANUAL ON switches S 2 , S 3  are consolidated in a single rocker switch S 2  which flips back and forth between AUTO ON Mode and MANUAL ON Mode. Operation is the same, and the angler can manually go in and out of free spool anytime simply by switching the button S 2  from MANUAL ON to AUTO ON. 
         [0044]    In  FIG. 6C , the control scheme is similar to  6 B but the AUTOMATIC ON and MANUAL ON switches S 2 , S 3  are consolidated in a single toggle switch S 2  which toggles back and forth between AUTO ON Mode/OFF Mode/MANUAL ON Modes. Operation is the same, and the angler can manually go in and out of free spool anytime simply by toggling the button S 2  from MANUAL ON to AUTO ON. 
         [0045]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the master sleeve  13  illustrating placement of a plurality of through-bores for displaying LED indicators L 1 -L 3  mounted on the circuit board  5  described above, and for accessing the PC-mounted switches S 1 -S 3 . Three LEDs L 1 -L 3  are mounted behind clear acrylic waterproofed inserts at A, B and C, and these include the Power On LED (L 1 ), the Manual Mode ON LED indicator (L 3 ), and the Auto Mode ON Indicator (L 3 ) as shown in  FIG. 6A . In addition, the Manual/Auto PC-mounted switches S 2 , S 3  and ON/OFF switch S 1  are mounted at P, Q and R behind rubberized waterproof covers. Another bore-hole at E is preferably provided with a surface-mount environmentally-sealed female receptacle for connection to an external power 12 VDC power source. 
         [0046]      FIG. 8  is a composite drawing illustrating a front view (A) and side perspective view (B) of the non-ferrous position disk  22  with a plurality of magnets  28  mounted in the non-ferrous disk  22 . The disk  22  is a flat washer-like member with a central aperture and machined with a number of boreholes  62  patterned uniformly-spaced around the periphery. Each borehole  62  seats a magnet  28  in a facing relationship with circuit board  30 . As shown, the magnets  28  may be 0.125″ annular disks press-fit or glued into the corresponding boreholes  62 . In the illustrated embodiment, four sets of three magnets  28  are employed, the magnets  28  of each set being offset and positioned at different radii to form spiracle radii. Thus, for a reel requiring eighteen “clicks” to accomplish a complete revolution, the disk  8  is partitioned into eighteen 20 degree sectors, and the magnets  28  are spaced by 20 degrees with each set separated by a dead space. This way, each click of the reel corresponds to a Hall Effect tic. Of course, different reel models employ different click-measures of rotation and it is envisioned that the specific number and spacing of magnets will be driven by the particular reel for which it is designed. However, this multiple angularly-spaced magnet design offers a flexible programming capabilities to suit most commercial reels. 
         [0047]    One skilled in the art will readily understand that any mechanical, optical or magnetic index-counting device may be used in place of Hall Effect sensor(s)  27  and position disk  22  for rotation/angular measurement of the spool  2 . 
         [0048]    One skilled in the art should also understand that solenoid  34  is but one mechanism for controlled shifting of spindle  17  along its axis in order to disengage the brake washer  7 . Other suitable linear positioning mechanisms exist. For example, two motorized embodiments are described below. 
         [0049]      FIG. 9  illustrates an alternate embodiment in which the solenoid  34  of  FIGS. 3-4  is replaced by a small electric motor  134  and a translation gear assembly. The motor  134  is a standard 12 VDC electric motor such as, for example, Thomson P/N 21507A. In this instance the motor  134  shaft is equipped with a gear  136 . The distal end of the spindle  17  is equipped with a gear-driven linear actuator  100  for converting rotary motion of the motor  134  into the necessary 0.060″ displacement of spindle  17 . Rotation of the gear  136  turns a larger reduction gear  140  mounted on a hub  170 . The spindle  17  is slidably and rotatably carried in hub  170 , hub  170  including an end collar  172  mounted stationary within master sleeve  13  that provides a limited degree of axial movement for spindle  17  as shown. The actual linear displacement of spindle  17  is accomplished with a set of ramped camming discs  150 . One camming disc  150 B is affixed to the reduction gear  140 , and the other camming disc  150 A is affixed by a collar  160  to spindle  17 . Camming disc  150 B bears against camming disc  150 A via opposed inclined bearing surfaces, and as camming disc  150 B rotates relative to camming disc  150 A the opposed inclined bearing surfaces force the camming discs  150 A,  150 B apart. Counter-rotation allows them back together. This linear motion is transferred directly to the spindle  17 , and is used for selectively engaging or disengaging free spool in the manner described above relative to  FIGS. 2-3 . The position disc  22  is identical to that described previously, and the spool control circuit board  30  is identical to  FIG. 5  except that a motor driver is used rather than a solenoid driver. 
         [0050]    Rather than camming discs  150 A,  150 B it is also possible to use a linear worm gear as the linear actuator for converting rotary motion of the motor  134  into the necessary 0.060″ displacement of spindle  17 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 10  illustrates an exemplary worm gear linear actuator  120 . The components are largely the same as described relative to  FIG. 9  but the camming discs  150 A,  150 B are replaced by a spindle  17  shaft threaded with worm gear threads  180  and journaled through a threaded hub  170 . This way, when reduction gear  140  turns, the hub  170  engages the threads  180  of spindle  17  and moving it linearly. This linear motion is used for selectively engaging or disengaging free spool in the manner described above relative to  FIGS. 2-3 . The position disc  22  is identical to that described previously, and the spool control circuit board  30  is identical to  FIG. 5  except that a motor driver is used. 
         [0052]    One skilled in the art will readily understand that a more expensive but conventional servo or step motor may be used in place of motor  134 , in which case the driver of  FIG. 5  must be a digital driver. It is also common for these types of actuators to include an integral encoder for position feedback, and this may be interfaced directly to the spool control circuit board eliminating the need for position disc  22 . 
         [0053]    For certain reels that do not include a supplied brake disc  7  as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , or whenever desired, any of the above-described embodiments may be adapted to apply a braking force directly to the rotating spindle  17  rather than by imparting a linear shift to spindle  17  to use the supplied brake disc  7 . For example,  FIG. 11  illustrates yet another embodiment in which an electronic brake  200  operates directly to apply a braking force to spindle  17 . The spindle  17  is extended from spool  2  through the electronic brake mechanism  200 , which is mounted to the spool control circuit board  30  in this case on the lefthand side of the reel. In the illustrated embodiment, the electronic brake  200  includes a linear solenoid  221  coupled to a mechanical wedge assembly  222  both affixed to the reel body  23 . The spindle  17  passes through the wedge assembly  222  and is gripped thereby. The solenoid  221  operates the wedge assembly  222  in a guillotine-like manner. When in normal drag mode, the electronic brake  200  closes the wedge assembly  222  on the bushing  230  and imposes a direct drag on the spool  2  to prevent free spooling. The solenoid  221  here is a conventional linear solenoid with plunger shaft. The wedge assembly  222  comprises two opposing yokes slidably journaled together. Electrical activation and extension of the solenoid  221  bears outward upon a lever which draws open the opposed yokes, freeing the spool  2 . Conversely, contraction of the solenoid  221  closes the opposed yokes, which in turn imparts a drag against the spool  2 . When power is removed from the solenoid  221  the wedge assembly  222  returns and drag is placed back on the spool  2 . This requires a return mechanism and for this return mechanism the wedge assembly  22  may be spring loaded. One skilled in the art should recognize that any suitable electro-mechanical braking mechanism will suffice for electronic brake  200 , so long as it is capable of putting the reel in and out of free spool. Thus, the illustrated solenoid with slidable/expanding wedge design is just one possible embodiment, and one skilled in the art should understand that a variety of known mechanical expansion configurations exist and may be suitable. 
         [0054]    It should now be apparent that the above-described drag/free spool controller  2  senses a fish strike, automatically places the reel in free spool mode, and then affords the angler a predetermined interval of free-spooling to manually switch to drag mode before automatically applying drag, thereby providing a safeguard if the anglers are not quick enough to jump up and manually set the drag. The free spool controller can easily be incorporated into the footprint of a conventional fishing reel. 
         [0055]    Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiment and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. For example, rather than a Hall-effect sensor, the drag may be released and reset by sensing torque on the reel, though this is a more complicated and expensive endeavor. 
         [0056]    It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth in the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0