Abstract:
An automatic rewinding two-speed fishing reel that utilizes a transmission which includes a post assembly mounted on a driver that is rotatable on a shaft that connects to a recess arrangement formed in a low gear that is also rotatable on the shaft. The post assembly is engaged with the recess arrangement when in the low speed mode and is displaced from the recess arrangement when in the high speed mode. Connecting wall surfaces between the post assembly and the recess arrangement form an angle other than ninety degrees and preferably between ten and sixty degrees relative to the longitudinal center axis of the shaft.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The field of this invention relates to a fishing reel and more particular to a fishing reel which will automatically adjust between a slow rewind speed and a fast rewind speed depending on the resistance that is encountered with the fishing line. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   The present invention is deemed to be an improvement over the structure defined within U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,526, issued Jan. 6, 2004, entitled, AUTOMATIC TWO-SPEED TRANSMISSION FOR A FISHING REEL, which includes the present inventor as one of the inventors. 
   In the past there have been constructed numerous different types of variable speed fishing reels. Most such reels require a manual selection to change speeds. While fishing with a rod and reel, there are occasions when a fishing reel with a fast retrieve ratio is very desirable such as when retrieving a lure while trolling, recovering an empty hook when one has lost his bait or attempting to keep the fishing line taut between the rod tip and a hooked fish that is swimming towards the angler. However, when an angler is attempting to subdue a large powerful fish that is pulling against the rod and reel, the leverage disadvantage of a reel with a high gear ratio can restrict the anglers ability to retrieve line and capture the fish. An angler with a manual shift variable speed reel can choose the proper gear ratio to suit the moment. However, the disadvantage of a manual shift reel is that the angler must stop turning the reel handle and stop applying pressure to a hooked fish in order to manually shift gears in the reel. This act can result in the loss of the fish. In order to avoid the loss of the fish due to slack line or pausing from applying pressure to the fish, it is desirable to construct a fishing reel that will automatically make the selection from high speed to low speed not requiring any manual selection by the angler. 
   However, within the fishing reel of the aforementioned patent when the fishing reel is being driven at low speed by turning of the reel handle, there is quite a bit of pressure that is applied to the transmission that is incorporated in conjunction within the reel. This pressure may cause the transmission to slip. This slipping of the transmission at an inopportune time can cause the fishing line to break resulting in a loss of the fish that is hooked. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A first embodiment of automatic two-speed transmission for a fishing reel which utilizes a driver and a low gear that are located directly adjacent each other and are mounted on a shaft which has a longitudinal center axis. The driver and the low gear are connectable by an engagement mechanism which comprises a post and a cavity where the post is capable of being disconnected from the cavity or the post is to be locatable within the cavity. With the post being disconnected from the cavity, relative movement between the driver and the low gear is possible. With the post mounted within the cavity, the driver and the low gear are driven together. The post has a first wall surface that abuts against a second wall surface of the cavity that produces the driving connection between the driver and the low gear. Both the first wall surface and the second wall surface are located at an angle within the range of one degree to sixty degrees relative to the longitudinal center axis. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by the angle being defined as being precisely ten degrees. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by there being defined a plurality of posts which are evenly spaced apart and there are also a plurality of cavities with a single cavity to connect with a single post. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by the post being defined as being continuously spring biased toward an engagement with a cavity. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by the post being defined as including a cam surface with the cavity being defined as including a camming surface. The cam surface is to ride up the camming surface during movement of the driver to disconnect such from the low gear. 
   A second main embodiment of the present invention is directed to a fishing reel which automatically adjusts to a low rewind speed or a high rewind speed. The fishing reel includes a transmission assembly which includes a pair of members located in juxtaposition. This pair of members are mounted on a shaft which has a longitudinal center axis. The transmission assembly includes a post and a cavity. When the post engages with the cavity, the pair of members are driven together and when the post is spaced from the cavity, the pair of members are not being driven together. The post has a first wall surface that abuts a second wall surface of the cavity that produces a driving connection between the pair of members. The first wall surface and the second wall surface are located at an angle which is not parallel to the longitudinal center axis. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the second basic embodiment is modified by the angle being defined as being within the range of one degree to sixty degrees. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the second basic embodiment is modified by there being utilized a plurality of posts which are evenly spaced apart with there being a plurality of corresponding cavities with a single cavity to connect with a single said post. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the second basic embodiment is modified by the post being defined as being spring biased toward engagement with the cavity. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the second basic embodiment is modified by the post including a cam surface with the cavity including a camming surface. The cam surface is to ride up the camming surface during movement to separate the members. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is to be made to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown in the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a lever drag fishing reel which incorporates the automatic two-speed transmission in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line  2 — 2  of  FIG. 1  showing the automatic two-speed transmission in the position of high rewind speed; 
       FIG. 3  is view similar to  FIG. 2  but showing the transmission in the position of low rewind speed; 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the internal components of the fishing reel of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the low gear driver included within the fishing reel of the present invention showing in detail the configuration of the posts that are utilized on the low gear driver; 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of the low gear that is utilized in conjunction with the fishing reel transmission of the present invention showing the arrangement of the cavities that are to engage with the posts located on the member of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a single post and cavity connected between the driver member and the low gear member showing the angular relationship of the forward wall of the post and a front wall of the cavity to be ten degrees; and 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 7  but showing the angular relationship of the forward wall of the post and the front wall of the cavity to be sixty degrees. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  is an exterior view of the fishing reel constructed in accordance with the present invention. The fishing reel shown in  FIG. 1  is what is termed a lever drag fishing reel. However, the present invention could be utilized in conjunction with star drag fishing reels. The present invention is directed to the including of an automatic two-speed transmission within the reel which does not require shifting by the operator to change from a high speed gear ratio to a low speed gear ratio and vice versa. The transmission will automatically shift into a high speed gear ratio, which is shown in  FIG. 2 , when tension on the fishing line is low, such as when trolling or reeling in of a lure or bait through the water. The transmission will automatically shift to a low speed gear ratio, the configuration which is shown in  FIG. 3 , when the fishing line tension exceeds a predetermined setting. 
   Low speed gear ratios are desired when tension on the fishing line is high so that high mechanical advantage is provided to the user, such as when fighting against a fish attempting to reel in the fish or when reeling in a large fish that is heavy in weight. Automatic shifting from low gear back to high gear is important to prevent slack from developing in the fishing line so the fish turn and run toward the angler. Automatic shifting as opposed to manual gear shifting is additionally important if an angler is holding the fishing rod with one hand and turning the fishing reel crank with the other hand while fighting a large fish. 
   Referring particularly to  FIG. 1  there is shown an exterior view of the fishing reel  10  of this invention. The fishing reel  10  includes a reel frame  12  which is mounted to a side plate  14 . Mounted within the reel frame  12  is a transmission  16  which is utilized to drive a spool  18 . Fishing line is to be wound on the spool  18 . 
   The side plate  14  has a through hole  20 . Extending through the through hole  20  is a drive shaft  22 . The inner end of the drive shaft  22  is formed into an enlarged annular flange  24 . The outer end of the drive shaft  22  includes a series of external threads  26 . Threadably secured on threads  26  is a crank handle lever  28 . The crank handle lever  28  is fixedly secured onto the drive shaft  22  by means of a conventional nut  30 . Located between the nut  30  and the crank handle lever  28  is a washer  32 . The drive shaft  22  has a longitudinal center axis  34 . Fixedly attached to the crank handle lever  28  and located parallel to but displaced from the longitudinal center axis  34  is an arm  36 . Fixedly mounted on the outer end of the arm  36  is a handle  38 . Manual grasping of the handle  38  and rotating of such causes the crank handle lever  28  to rotate which in turn will cause rotation of the drive shaft  22 . 
   The transmission  16  has a low speed gear  40  mounted and held against the flange  24 . The gear  40  includes a center opening  42  within which is located the flange  24 . The external periphery of the gear  40  includes an annular series of gear teeth  44 . The gear teeth  44  are in continuous engagement with gear teeth  46  of a low speed pinion gear  48 . The pinion gear  48  is integral with the sleeve  50 . The sleeve  50  has a through passage (which is not shown) through which is conducted a spool shaft  52 . The inner end of  54  of the spool shaft  52  is rotatably journaled to the inner surface of the side plate  14 . The outer end of the spool shaft  52  is conducted through through passage  56  of the spool  18 . Fixedly mounted onto the pinion gear  48  and located directly against the spool  18  is a clutch plate  58 . 
   The inner side surface of the gear  40  includes a series of recesses  60  which is part of an engagement mechanism. The recesses  60  are elongated and arcuate and are evenly spaced apart. There is shown to be six in number of the recesses  60 . However, the number of the recesses  60  could be increased or decreased without departing from the scope of this invention. The recesses  60  are located annularly disposed about center through opening  62  within which is located the inner end of the drive shaft  22  and the flange  24 . 
   Each of the recesses  60 , which are also part of the engagement mechanism, include a camming surface in the form of an inclined surface  64  which could also be called a ramp. At the end of each recess  60  the inclined surface  64  connects to deep section  66 . The deep section  66  is closed by a forward wall  68 , which is shown in  FIG. 7 . In  FIG. 8 , the forward wall is defined as  68 ′. In  FIG. 7 , the forward wall is defined as being inclined one degree or greater relative to the longitudinal center axis  34  with ten degrees being preferred. In  FIG. 8 , the forward wall  68 ′ forms a sixty degree angle relative to the longitudinal center axis  34 . The reason for the different angles of the forward surfaces  68  and  68 ′ will be explained further on in the specification. 
   Located directly adjacent to the side surface  70  of the gear  40  is a low speed gear driver  72 . Mounted on the outer surface  74  of the low speed driver  72  are a plurality of evenly spaced apart posts  76 . Driver  72  has a central through opening  73 . There are six in number of the posts  76 . Therefore, there is a single post  76  that is capable of connecting with a single recess  60 . The post  76  includes a front wall  78  which is inclined at an angle which is equal to the angle of the forward wall  68 . Noting  FIG. 7 , it can be seen that the angle of ten degrees relative to the longitudinal center axis  34 , is established for the front wall  78 . In  FIG. 8 , the front wall  68 ′ of the post  76 ′ is located at sixty degrees relative to the longitudinal center axis  34 . The top of each post  76  includes a cam surface in the form of an inclined surface  80 . The top of each post  76 ′ includes a cam surface in the form of an inclined surface  80 ′. The operation of the posts  76  and  76 ′ relative to the recesses  68  and  68 ′ will be explained further on in the specification. 
   Formed within the back surface of the driver  72  are three in number of spaced apart recesses  82 . Mounted within each recess  82  is a coil spring  84 . The three coil springs  84  could be replaced by a single cone spring which surrounds through opening  73 . The opposite end of the coil spring  84  fits within a recess  86  of a backing plate  88 . Backing plate  88  also has a centrally located through opening  87 . The opposite surface of the backing plate  88  abuts against a clutch plate  90 . The clutch plate  90  is to be formed of a non-metallic material which is commonly used in conjunction with braking shoes. Clutch plate  90  abuts against one side of a high speed gear  92  with its center through opening  91  aligning with through opening  87 . High speed gear  94  has mounted thereon its periphery a series of gear teeth  94 . Placed against the opposite side of the gear  92  is a clutch plate  96  which is similar in construction to clutch plate  90  except clutch plate  96  is smaller in size. Clutch plate  96  has a center through opening  95  which is to align with through opening  93  of gear  92 . Abutting against clutch plate  96  is a backing plate  98 . The backing plate  98  abuts against an antireverse gear  100 . The antireverse gear  100  is integrally mounted on a drive sleeve  102 . The drive sleeve  102  has a pair of slots  104  (only one in number of the slots  104  being shown) and a pair of flats  106 , again with only one in number of the flats  106  being shown. The flats  106  connect with flats  108  of the backing plate  98  which are formed in conjunction with through opening  107  of backing plate  98 . This means that the backing plate  98  is non-rotatably secured relative to the drive sleeve  102 . In a similar manner, the flange  104  has a drive shaft hub  110  connected thereto and extending therefrom. The hub  110  has mounted thereon a pair of flats  112 , again with only one in number of the flats  112  being shown with it being understood that there is another flat  112  on an opposite side of the hub  110 . These flats  112  are to operatively engage with flats  114  formed in conjunction with through opening  73  of the driver  72 . This means that the driver  72  is non-rotatably secured relative to the drive shaft  22 . 
   Each of the slots  104  engages with a ridge  116  which is formed on the drive shaft  22 . As a result, the drive sleeve  102  is rotatably secured to the drive shaft  22 . The gear teeth  94  of the gear  92  mesh with a pinion gear  118 . Pinion  20  gear  118  is integral with the sleeve  50  and is rotationally mounted on the inner end  54  of the spool shaft  52 . The clutch plate  58  is to be constructed of a similar material as has been constructed for clutch plate  90  and clutch plate  96 . 
   Mounted on the threads  26  is a tension preset wheel  120 . The tension preset wheel  120  is to be manually turned by the angler which will cause drive shaft  22  to be moved relative to the side plate  14 . This will result in a frictional force to be applied through each of the clutch plates  90  and  96  to the gear  92 . The amount of force that is applied to the gear  94  can be varied by either tightening of the wheel  120  or loosening of the wheel  120 . 
   The antireverse gear  100  connects with a pair of cogs, which are not shown, which are mounted on the inside wall of the side plate  14 . These cogs ratchet and permit the antireverse gear  100  to only rotate in one direction. These cogs are not shown in the drawings. However, the function of the antireverse gear  100  is deemed to be conventional and forms no specific part of this invention. The flats  122  formed in conjunction with through opening  87  on the backing plate  88  engage with the flats  112  on the drive shaft hub  110 . This means that the backing plate  99  is non-rotatably secured relative to the drive shaft  22 . The drive shaft  22  extends through each of the openings  62 ,  73 ,  87 ,  91 ,  93 ,  95  and  107 . 
   The operation of the fishing reel  10  of this invention is as follows: Under conditions of no resistance on the fishing line, the clutch plates  90  and  96  apply a frictional force to the high speed gear  92  with the amount of this frictional force being determined by tightening or loosening of the wheel  120 . Rotation of the drive shaft  22  causes the high speed gear  92  to rotate. This causes the pinion gear  118  to rotate which rotates the spool  80  in a forward direction to reel in the fishing line which is to be wound on the spool  80 . The speed of rotation of the spool  80  is deemed to be a high rate of speed at low resistance. The rotational force of pinion gear  118  is transmitted through the sleeve  50  and pinion gear  48  and through the clutch plate  58  which frictionally engages with the spool  18 . This type of rotational movement of the spool  18  is what occurs in what is called a lever drag fishing reel. Referring particularly to  FIG. 2  where the force transmission is through the high speed gear  92 , the low speed pinion gear  48  causes the low speed gear  40  to rotate at a speed greater than that of the drive shaft  22  and the driver  72  does not engage the low speed gear  40 . The posts  76  are attempting to be located within the recesses  60  due to the continuous bias of the coil springs  84 . However, because the gear  40  is rotating faster in a counterclockwise direction relative to the driver  72 , the inclined surfaces  80  ride up the inclined surfaces  64  which causes the driver  72  to be moved longitudinally compressing the coil springs  84  and locating of the posts  76  in a disconnected position from each of their respective recesses  60 . 
   When resistance is applied to the fishing line at a force greater than the clutch frictional resistance exerted on the high speed gear  92  by the clutch plates  90  and  96 , such as when reeling in a large fish, the gear  92  slips, losing its ability to drive the spool  18 . As the high speed gear  92  slips, the rotation of the pinion gears  48  and  118  slow allowing the drive shaft  22  and the driver  72  to match the rotational speed of the gear  40 . When the rotational speed of the driver  72  matches or exceeds the rotational speed of the gear  40 , the bias of the springs  84  forces the driver  72  toward the gear  40  so that each post  76  will rest within a recess  60  with each front wall  78  abutting against its respective forward wall  68 . The drive force then to the spool  18  is achieved from gear  40  through pinion gear  48  providing the user with a high mechanical advantage at the crank handle lever  28 . 
   There is a tendency that if the force is great enough for the posts  76  to be forced out of engagement with the recesses  60 . It is for this reason that the front wall  78  is inclined and the forward wall  68  is similarly inclined with this inclination being at such an angle to tend to maintain the engagement of the posts  76  with respect to each of the recesses  80 . It has been found that the most preferable angle is the ten degree angle shown in  FIG. 7  for each front wall  78  and each forward wall  68  relative to the longitudinal center axis  34 . However, in  FIG. 8 , this angle could be decreased from ten degrees to the sixty degree angle for the front wall  78 ′ and the forward wall  68 ′ within each of the recesses  60 ′. Actually, any angle could be utilized between the ten degree angle of  FIG. 7  and the sixty degree angle of  FIG. 8 . It is considered to be within the scope of this invention that actually any angle away from parallel to the longitudinal center axis could be used, such as one, two, three, four, five, and so forth. However, the ten degree angle seems to be the most desirable to ensure that accidental disengagement of the driver  72  relative to the gear  40  will not occur. 
   When the transmission  16  is in low gear, that is the driving force occurring through the pinion  48 , and if the resistance is suddenly reduced, such as when a fish moves toward the angler causing the fishing line to slacken, the frictional resistance of the plates  90  and  96  against the high speed gear  92  becomes greater than the resistance applied to the fishing line and applied to the spool  18 . The result is the high speed gear  92  resumes driving the pinion gear  118  thereby allowing the user to reel in the fishing line on the spool  18  at a high rate of speed. 
   The discussion included in this patent is intended to serve as a basic description. The reader should be aware that the specific discussion may not explicitly describe all embodiments possible and alternatives are implicit. Also, this discussion may not fully explain the generic nature of the invention and may not explicitly show how each feature or element can actually be representative of a broader function or of a great variety of alternative or equivalent elements. Again, these are implicitly included in this disclosure. Where the invention is described in device-oriented terminology, each element of the device implicitly performs a function. It should also be understood that a variety of changes may be made without departing from the essence of the invention. Such changes are also implicitly included in the description. These changes still fall within the scope of this invention. 
   Further, each of the various elements of the invention and claims may also be achieved in a variety of manners. This disclosure should be understood to encompass each such variation. Particularly, it should be understood that as the disclosure relates to elements of the invention, the words for each element may be expressed by equivalent apparatus terms even if only the function or result is the same. Such equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms should be considered to be encompassed in the description of each element or action. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is entitled. It should be understood that all actions may be expressed as a means for taking that action or as an element which causes that action. Similarly, each physical element disclosed should be understood to encompass a disclosure of the action which that physical element facilitates. Such changes and alternative terms are to be understood to be explicitly included in the description.