Fishing Reels.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 14th May, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 13th Feb., 1890-Accepted, 22nd Mar., 1890
Fishing Reels.
I, JOSEPH PATRICK COSTIGAN, of St. Paul in the county of Ramsey, and State of
Minnesota, United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of my
invention for FISHING REELS to be as follows:-
This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in fishing reels in
the nature of attachments or additions to the ordinary forms of reels, and designed
more especially to facilitate the laying of the line upon the winding drum when
reeling in, and to furnish a tension upon the line when reeling which shall be
automatically relieved or removed when unreeling or casting, said tension device
serving also to straighten out kinks or twists in the line so that the latter may be
evenly laid on the winding drum.
The reel frame is of any approved pattern consisting generally of two circular disks
forming the ends of the reel and carrying the winding drum mounted therein
concentrically therewith. Upon the outer face of one of the disks is mounted a
master gear provided with a crank for the purpose of operating the same, the said
master gear meshing with a pinion upon the axis of the winding drum, whereby' the
latter is adapted to he revolved. These parts are of common construction, arranged
to co-operate in a well known manner, and hence do not require more specific
description.
Supported between the end disks of the frame and preferably located in front of
and below the axis of the winding drum is a bar or cross piece formed or provided
with suitable ways or guides, the side bars of said cross piece being preferably
grooved. Upon or within this cross piece is mounted a slide or carrier having
passages or grooves therein adapted to receive the guides or ways formed upon or by
the said cross piece, and fitted to slide freely back and forth thereon in a plane
substantially parallel with the axis of the drum. To one side of and preferably below
this guide and supported in bearings in the end plates or in bars attached thereto, is
a cylinder provided with a pinion in mesh with the master gear, either directly or
through intermediate gearing, so that the said cylinder will be caused to rotate in
unison with the winding drum. This cylinder is furnished with reversed threads or
grooves, the latter representing right and left screws, whose threads or grooves of the
same pitch are crossed at equal distances and terminate in common grooves or channels
at opposite ends, whereby the two spirals are caused to merge and become practically
continuous, the one leading directly into the other at each end of the cylinder.
Upon or within the slide or carrier is attached an arc-shaped blade fitted to ride
within the aforesaid grooves and partially embrace the cylinder. This blade is of such
length measured across the cylinder that when lying in one of the grooves it will
bridge the space at the points where the reverse grooves intersect and effectually
prevent the blade from entering and following the oppositely inclined groove until it
has reached the end of the cylinder where it strikes into the end channel, and the
angular position of the blade being reversed or changed by contact with the outer
wall of said channel it is led into the oppositely inclined groove.
The blade may be connected to its supporting block or saddle in any desired
manner, care being taken to provide for the slight change in the angular position
of the blade in passing from one spiral to the other. Such provision may be made by
attaching or forming the blade upon the end of a spindle and passing said spindle
through an opening or bearing in the block, thus forming a swivel connection between
the blade and the block; or the swivel connection may be made between the blade
and the end of the pin, and the pin may be threaded through the slide, so that it can
be turned to withdraw the blade from the groove when desired.

page_text: Upon the sliding carrier or to the spindle a loop or eye is attached or formed, this
eye constituting a guide for the line which is led through it to the winding drum.
The operation of this part of my invention is as follows:-
The end of the line is passed through the eye in the guide and fastened to the
winding drum in the usual manner. Upon turning the crank upon the master gear
the drum is revolved and at the same time the grooved cylinder is set in motion. The
blade lying in one of the grooves is caused to travel toward one end of the recl,
carrying with it the slide and the guide through which the line passes, whereby as the
line is wound upon the drum it is gradually carried or guided toward one end thereof.
When, however, the blade reaches the channel at the end of the cylinder and the line
has been wound to one end of the drum, the blade being caused to enter the opposite
thread or groove is started toward the opposite end of the cylinder and the line is
guided back upon the winding drum until it reaches the opposite extremity, when the
same operation is repeated, the line being guided back and forth lengthwise of the
winding drum.
It is sometimes desirable, as when making a cast, that the winding drum should
be free to revolve, and as the laying cylinder would, in such an event, have a retarding
influence, provision may be made, by the use of any of the well known mechanical
appliances adapted to the purpose, for detaching the cylinder from the master gear.
For instance, the pinion may be connected to the shaft of the cylinder by a ratchet
connection, such as would permit the pinion to rotate freely when the winding drum
is rotated in a direction to unwind the line and engage and rotate freely when the
winding drum is rotated in a direction to unwind the line and engage and rotate the
cylinder when the crank is operated to wind up the line; or the end of the shaft
carrying the pinion may be mounted in a lever so as to be moved into and out of
gear with the master gear. Other equivalent means for detachably connecting the
cylinder with the driving mechanism or master gear will be readily suggested to one
skilled in the art, the important element and that claimed residing in the detachable
character of the winding and line guiding or laying mechanism.
The next feature of the invention relates to a moans for preventing the formation
or winding in of kinked or twisted portions of the line, and for maintaining a certain
tension on the line during the winding operation, and at the same time permitting the
line to freely unwind or be paid out.
Supported in the end disk of the frame, and when employed in connection with the
line laying devices hereinbefore described, in front of the latter, is a cross-bar
provided with two angularly disposed eyes or guides between which is pivotally
supported a yoke or V-shaped frame upon whose limbs is 'mounted a cross piece
held pressed toward the extremities of the frame by springs and prevented from
escaping therefrom by suitable heads upon the limbs. The yoke is free to swing
between the eyes, the outer edge of the outer eye being further removed from the
cross piece, so that when the yoke is swung toward the eye its outer face will be
brought nearly in line with the outer wall of the. inner eye, but when swung in the
opposite direction toward the outer eyo it will leave a free opening through said eye.
The line is led through the outer eye over the cross piece and through the inner
eye to the winding drum, either directly or through the line laying guide herein before
described. As the line is wound upon the reel, any kinked or twisted portions
striking against the cross bar will elevate or oscillate the yoke toward the inner eye,
thereby partially closing the latter. With the yoke thus elevated but a
passage is provided between the cross piece and the outer wall of the inner eye,
through which the line can enter to the winding drum, whereby the kinks and twists
are straightened out before reaching the drum.
narrow
The cross piece is mounted upon springs and held in position by an elastic yielding
pressure, so as to yield and permit the passage of knots, etc., or in case the line becomes
tangled to permit it to be wound up in case of necessity without danger of breaking
the line or the tension device.
The yoke may also, in addition to performing the operation described, i.e.,

page_text: straightening out kinks and twists,-be made to serve a further purpose of main-
taining a tension on the line while recling in, for if the line be depressed in advance
of the reel, so as to cause it to draw over and upon the cross bar, the latter may be
swung up against the inner eye to operate as a friction brake on the line by pressing
it against the wall of the eye, the amount of tension thus produced being dependent
upon the power of the springs, which latter are arranged to yield and permit the
cross bar to be depressed, thereby permitting the line to pass when sufficient power
is applied to the winding drum.
As a modification in construction, combining in one the devices hereinbefore
described, the inner and outer eyes or guides through which the line passes may be
formed in the extremities of two arms extending upwardly in V-shape from the
sliding block or saddle of the line carrier, the outer eye having its upper wall at a
Within the two arms
somewhat greater distance from the block than the inner eye.
and near the apex of the angle formed thereby is pivotally mounted a tongue, the
equivalent of the yoke before mentioned, and adapted to oscillate from one arm to
the other and to partially close or open the inner eye. The line is passed through the
When the line
eyes and over the end of the tongue, and thence to the winding reel.
is paid out, the tongue falls against the outer arm leaving both eyes open for the
passage of the line, but when the line is being wound upon the drum, the tongue is
drawn by friction against the inner arm partially closing the inner eye. The upper
extremity of the tongue is formed with a cross piece mounted by means of a spring
upon the body of the tongue, in order to allow sufficient yielding to afford the
requisite tension. The two arms may be formed in one piece the part connecting
the two branches forming a wall substantially in line with the upper extremities of
the inner and outer eyes.
By the arrangement of parts last described, the line laying device and the
straightening and tension devices are co-operative, the eyes in the two arms serving
the purpose of the guide described in connection with the line laying device.
For the purpose of retarding the movement of the drum when it is desired to pay
out the line slowly, through one of the disks forming the ends of the reel is inserted
a pin, the inner end of which bears against the end of the drum, and which is
supported in place and normally held away from contact with the drum by means of
a suitable spring secured to the disk and in which the pin is secured. Upon the outer
end of a rock shaft mounted in bearings in the disks, and having a thumbpiece
extending radially therefrom by means of which it may be rocked, is secured a tappet
arm having an inclined inner surface adapted to slide over the end of the pin when
the shaft is rocked and depress the same, causing the inner extremity of the pin to
impinge against the end of the drum, acting as a drag to retard the motion of the
latter. A suitable stop limits the movement of the tappet arm, and the said arm may
be provided with a spring to return the same to its normal position when pressure is
removed from the thumb piece upon the rock shaft.
Dated this First day of Mar 1880
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Fishing Reels.
I, JOSEPH PATRICK COSTIGAN, of St. Paul, in the County of Ramsey, and State of
Minnesota, United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in fishing reels in
the nature of attachments or additions to the ordinary form of reels, and designed
more especially to facilitate the laying of the line upon the winding drum when
reeling in, and to furnish a tension upon the line when reeling which shall be
automatically relieved or removed when unreeling or casting, said tension device

page_text: Serving also to straighten out kinks Of GWISES In the fine so that the latter may be
evenly laid on the winding drum.
The reel frame, A, is of any approved pattern, consisting generally of two circular
disks, a, a, forming the ends of the reel and carrying the winding drum, B, mounted
therein concentrically therewith. Upon the outer face of one of the disks, a, is
mounted a master gear, C, provided with a crank, D, for the purpose of operating
the same, the said master gear meshing with a pinion, E, upon the axis of the
winding drum, whereby the latter is adapted to be revolved. These parts are of
common construction, arranged to cooperate in a well known manner, and hence do
not require more specific description.
The invention is described in detail by reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fishing reel provided with my improvements;
Figure 2 is an end view of the reel, the outer cap or plate being removed, showing
the driving mechanism, the construction and operation of the drag or brake, etc.
Figure 3 is a detail view of one form of the line laying guide and tension device,
showing the two united ;
Figure 4 is a view of another form of the line laying guide, showing the construction
of the two parts when arranged separately; and
Figure 5 is a detail showing the operation of the drag or brake device.
The same letters or figures designate corresponding parts in all of the views.
Supported between the end disks, a, a, of the frame and preferably located in
front of and below the axis of the winding drum, B, is a bar or cross piece, 1,
formed or provided with suitable ways or guides, 2, 2, the side bars of said cross
pieces, 1, being preferably grooved. Upon or within this cross piece is mounted a
slide or carrier, 3, having passages or grooves therein adapted to receive the guides
or ways, 2, 2, formed upon or by the said cross piece, and fitted to slide freely back
and forth thereon in a plane substantially parallel with the axis of the drum. Or the
ways or guides may consist simply of two parallel bars mounted in the end disks,
the carrier embracing the same so as to reciprocate thereon. To one side of and
preferably below these guides, 1, and supported in bearings in the end plates, a, a,
or in bars attached thereto, is a cylinder, 4, provided with a pinion, 5, in mesh with
the master gear, either directly or through intermediate gearing, so that the said
cylinder will be caused to rotate in unison with the winding drum. This cylinder 4,
is furnished with reversed threads or grooves, 6, the latter representing right and
left screws, whose threads or, grooves of the same pitch are crossed at equal distances
and terminate in common grooves or channels, 7, at opposite ends, whereby the two
spirals are caused to, merge and become practically continuous, the one leading
directly into the other at each end of the cylinder.
Upon or within the slide or carrier, 3, is attached an arc-shaped blade, S, fitted to
ride within the aforesaid grooves and partially embrace the cylinder. This blade is
of such length measured across the cylinder, 4, that when lying in one of the
grooves, 6, it will bridge the space at the points where the reverse grooves intersect
and effectually prevent the blade from entering and following the oppositely
inclined groove until it has reached the end of the cylinder where it strikes into the
end channel, 7, and the angular position of the blade being reversed or changed by
contact with the outer wall of said channel it is led into the oppositely inclined
groove, 6.
The blade may be connected to its supporting block or saddle, 3, in any desired
manner, care being taken to provide for the slight change in the angular position of
the blade in passing from one spiral to the other. Such provision may be made by
attaching or forming the blade upon the end of a spindle, 9, and passing said spindle
through an opening or bearing in the block, 3, thus forming a swivel connection
between the blade and the block; or the swivel connection may be made between the
blade and the end of the pin, and the pin may, he threaded through the slide, so that
it can be turned to withdraw the blade from the groove when desired.

page_text: Upon the sliding carrier or to the spindle, 9, a loop or eye, 10, is attached or
formed, this eye constituting a guide for the line which is led through it to the
winding drum.
The operation of this part of my invention is as follows:-
The end of the line is passed through the eye in the guide, 10, and fastened to the
winding drum in the usual manner. Upon turning the crank, D, upon the master
gear the drum is revolved and at the same time the grooved cylinder, 4, is set in
motion. The blade, 8, lying in one of the grooves, 6, is caused to travel toward the
end of the reel, carrying with it the slide, and the guide through which the line
passes, whereby as the line is wound upon the drum it is gradually carried or guided
toward one end thereof. When, however, the blade, 8, reaches the channel, 7, at the
end of the cylinder, 4, and the line has been wound to one end of the drum, the blade
being caused to enter the opposite thread or groove is started toward the opposite end
of the cylinder and the line is guided back upon the winding drum until it reaches
the opposite extremity when the same operation is repeated, the line being guided
back and forth lengthwise of the. winding drum.
It is sometimes desirable, as when making a cast, that the winding drum should
be free to revolve and as the laying cylinder, 4, would, in such an event, have a
retarding influence, provision may be made, by the use of any of the well known
mechanical appliances adapted to the purpose, for detaching the cylinder from the
master gear. For instance, the pinion, 5, may be connected with the shaft of the
cylinder, 4, by a ratchet connection, such as would permit the pinion to rotate
freely when the winding drum is rotated in a direction to unwind the line and engage
and rotate the cylinder when the crank is operated to wind up the line; or the end
of the shaft carrying the pinion, 5, may be mounted in a lever, 11, so as to be moved
into and out of gear with the master gear, as shown in Fig. 2. Other equivalent
means for detachably connecting the cylinder, 4, with the driving mechanism or
master gear will be readily suggested to one skilled in the art, the important element
and that claimed residing in the detachable character of the winding and line guiding
or laying mechanism.
The next feature of the invention relates to a means for preventing the formation
of winding in of kinked or twisted portions of the line, and for maintaining a certain
degree of tension on the line during the winding operation, and at the same time
permitting the line to be freely unwound or paid out.
Supported in the end disks, a, a, of the frame, and when employed in connection
with and distinct from the line laying devices hereinbefore described, in front of the
latter, is a cross bar, 20, provided with two angularly disposed eyes or guides, 21, 22,
between which is pivotally supported a yoke or V-shaped frame, 23, upon whose
limbs is mounted a cross piece 24, held pressed toward the extremities of the frame, 23,
by springs, 25, and prevented from escaping therefrom by suitable heads upon the
limbs. The yoke is free to swing between the eyes, the outer edge of the outer eye 22,
being further removed from the cross piece, 24, so that when the yoke is swung
toward the eye, 21, its outer face will be brought nearly in line with the outer wall
of the said eye, but when swung in the opposite direction toward the outer eye, 22,
it will leave a free opening through said eye.
To reduce friction, a roller, 26, is journalled in the eye, 21, at or near its upper
edge, and a similar roller, 27, is arranged on the inner face of eye 22, and in order
to retain the line in proper position on the cross piece, 24, the latter is provided
with a groove or depression at or near the center, as shown at 28.
The line is led through the outer eye, 22, over the cross piece, 24, and through the
inner eye, 21, to the winding drum, either directly, or through the line-laying
guide, 10, hereinbefore mentioned. As the line is wound upon the reel, any kinked
or twisted portions striking against the cross bar will elevate or oscillate the yoke
toward the inner eye, 21, thereby partially closing the latter. With the yoke thus
elevated but a narrow passage is provided between the cross piece and the outer wall
of the inner eye, through which the line can enter to the winding drum, whereby the
kinks and twists are straightened out before reaching the drum.

page_text: The cross piece is mounted upon springs and held in position by an elastic yielding
pressure, so as to yield and permit the passage of knots, etc., or in case the line
becomes tangled to permit it to be wound up in case of necessity without danger of
breaking the line or the tension device.
The yoke may also in addition to performing the operation described, i.e.,
straightening out kinks and twists, be made to serve a further purpose of maintaining
a tension on the line while reeling in, for if the line be depressed in advance of the
reel, so as to cause it to draw over and upon the cross bar, the latter may be swung
up against the inner eye, 21, to operate as a friction brake on the line by pressing it
against the wall of the eye, the amount of tension thus produced being dependent,
upon the power of the springs, which latter are arranged to yield and permit the
cross bar to be depressed, thereby permitting the line to pass when sufficient power
is applied to the winding drum.
As a modification in construction, combining in one the devices hereinbefore
described, and illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, the inner and outer eyes or guides through
which the line passes may be formed in the extremities of two arms extending
upwardly in V-shape from the sliding block or saddle, 3, of tlie line carrier, the outer
eye, 22, having its upper wall at a somewhat greater distance from the block than
the inner eye, 21. Within the two arms and near the apex of the angle formed
thereby is pivotally mounted a tongue, 23, the equivalent of the yoke before mentioned,
and adapted to oscillate from one arm to the other and partially close or open the
inner eye. The line is passed through the eyes and over the end of the tongue, and
thence to the winding reel, the two eyes in this construction taking the place of the
eye, 10, of the line carrier before mentioned.
When the line is paid out, the tongue falls against the outer arm, leaving both eyes
open for the passage of the line, but when the line is being wound upon the drum, the
tongue is drawn by friction against the inner arm partially closing the inner eye.
The upper extremity of the tongue is formed with à cross piece, 24, mounted by
means of a spring upon the body of the tongue, in order to afford sufficient yielding
to afford the requisite tension. The two arms may be formed in one piece, the part
connecting the two branches forming a wall substantially in line with the upper
extremities of the inner and outer eyes.
By the arrangement of parts last described, which is the preferred construction, the
line laying device and the straightening and tension devices are co-operative, the eyes
in the two arms serving the purpose of the guide described in connection with the
line laying device.
For the purpose of retarding the movement of the drum when it is desired to pay
out the line slowly, through one of the disks, a, forming the ends of the reel is
inserted a pin, 29, the inner end of which bears against the end of the drum, and
which is supported in place and normally held away from contact with the drum, by
means of a suitable spring, 30, secured to the disk and in which the pin is secured.
Upon the outer end of a rock shaft, 31, mounted in bearings in the disks, and having
a thumb piece, 32, extending radially therefrom by means of, which it may be rocked,
is secured a tappet arm, 33, having an inclined inner surface adapted to slide over
the end of the pin, 29, when the shaft is rocked and depress the same, causing the
inner extremity of the pin to impinge against the end of the drum, acting as a drag
to retard the motion of the latter. A suitable stop, 34, limits the movement of the
tappet arm, and the said arm may be provided with a spring, 35, to return the same
to its normal position when pressure is removed from the thumb piece upon the
rock shaft.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The combination with the spool and winding mechanism of a reel, a guide bar
attached to the frame and having parallel grooves or ways therein, and a slide mounted
to reciprocate in said grooved ways, of a cylinder provided with reversed grooves

page_text: mounted in proximity to said guide bar, and a pin adjustably mounted in said slide
and provided with a blade entering the groove in the cylinder to reciprocate the slide,
substantially as described.
2. In combination with the spool frame and winding mechanism of a reel, a
cylinder provided with reversed grooves and connected to the driving mechanism,
a guide bar mounted in proximity to said cylinder, a slide mounted to reciprocate
upon said guide bar, an eye or guide for the line connected to said slide, and an
adjustable pin supported in said slide and carrying a blade for engaging the grooves
in the cylinder, substantially as described.
3. In combination with the spool of a reel such as described, a tension device
composed, essentially, of two guides through which the line is passed, and an
intermediate hinged cross piece, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
4. In combination with the winding drum or spool of a reel, a tension device
consisting, essentially, of two guides supported upon the frame, and a yoke or tongue
pivotally supported to swing between the guides and carrying a cross bar with
supporting springs, substantially as described."
5. The combination, in a fishing reel and with the winding drum or spool, of two
angularly disposed guides mounted upon the frame, and a yoke or tongue pivoted
to swing between said guides and carrying a cross piece with yielding tension
devices operating to hold the line when passed through the guide and over the
cross piece clamped between the cross piece and the wall of the guide, substantially
as described.
6. The combination, in a fishing reel and with the winding spool thereof, of a guide
through which the line is carried to the spool, and a cross bar or support for the line
mounted upon a swinging support and adapted to be moved toward the guide to
clamp the line against the latter, substantially as described.
7. The combination, in a fishing reel and the winding spool thereof, of a guide
through which the line is conducted to the spool, and a friction-bar mounted upon
movable supports in front of said guide and held pressed toward the wall of the guide
by clastic tension devices, said bar being adapted and arranged to be drawn toward
the guide by the friction of the line upon it, substantially as described.
8. In a fishing reel and in combination with the winding spool thereof, two guides
angularly disposed, and a pivoted yoke or tongue carrying a cross bar mounted upon
springs, said cross bar being interposed between the guides in position to be acted
upon by the line and swung up toward the rear guide to clamp the line, substantially
as described.
9. The combination, to form a tension attachment for a fishing reel, of the bar
provided with a line guide and a frictional tension bar mounted upon said bar and
movable toward and from the front of the guide with an elastic support for holding
said bar pressed upon the line, substantially as described.
10. In a fishing reel and in combination with the spool, the winding mechanism
and an eye or guide reciprocated longitudinally of the reel to lay the line, and a
tension device, substantially such as described, consisting of a guide for the line and
a movable bar supported to reciprocate in front of said guide and provided with
elastic pressure devices, substantially as described.
11. In combination with the spool and winding mechanism of a fishing reel,
substantially as described, the slide carrying the line guide and blade, the grooved
cylinder, and the pinion upon the extremity of said cylinder, a pinion mounted upon
the extremity of a movable lever for connecting and disconnecting said cylinder
pinion with the driving mechanism, whereby the spool may be rotated without moving
the cylinder, substantially as described.
12. The combination in a fishing reel and with the winding drum or spool, of a
spring-mounted pin extending through the end disk of the reel, a rock shaft or bar
mounted in the end disks of the reel, a tappet arm having an inclined inner face
carried by said rock shaft, and a projecting thumb piece for rocking said shaft and

page_text: bringing the inclined face of said tappet to act upon said pin, whereby the inner
end of said pin is pressed against said drum to retard the movement of the same,
substantially as specified.
Dated this 16th day of December 1889.
JOSEPH PATRICK COSTIGAN.
H. B. Barlow,
Agent for Applicant.