Improvements in Fishing Reels.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Oct., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 27th June, 1896-Accepted, 19th Sept., 1896
PROVISIONAL STEIFIATION.
Improvements in Fishing Reels.
1, THOMAS JAMES SUTTON, of 2521 8th Avenue, in the City, County and
State of New York, United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to reels for fishing rods, and the object thereof is to
provide a simple and effective pivotal support for the reel, and also means for
connecting the crank or winding devices therewith and throwing the same out of
gear with the reel when desired.
In a reel constructed according to this invention the shaft of the reel is provided
with inwardly convexed heads or end pieces rigidly secured thereto, said reel
being supported in a frame consisting of end plates connected by rods or bars, and
a plate or bar provided with a transverse curved plate, by means of which the
device is secured to the rod or pole.
Each end of the shaft is provided with a circular recess or cavity, designed to
receive the pointed end of a pivot or support which is screw-threaded and secured
in the following manner.
One end plate is provided centrally with an outwardly extending tubular
shoulder or projection screw-threaded on both its outer and inner surfaces, and
through this projection is passed the screw-threaded pivotal support on which is
placed a set screw nut, and over all is placed a screw-threaded cap.
At the opposite end, the shaft decreed in size and extends a short distance
through the end plate, and has mounted thereon a pinion. In this case the pivot
supported by an end casing having an annular rim, the casing being secured to
the end plate, preferably by screws, and forming a chamber in connection with said
end plate.
Through the centre of this casing is passed a tubular projection formed on
a bracket or loop which is secured to the end plate and enclosing the end of the
shaft and pinion mounted thereon, and through the screw-threaded tubular
projection is passed the other pivotal support on which a set screw is mounted, and
it is evident that by means of the pointed screw-threaded pivots, their screw-
threaded supports, and the set-nuts thereon, a most nice and perfect adjustment of
the pressure on the reel, and a perfect pivotal support therefor, is secured.
Pivotally supported within the chamber is a lever, on one end of which is
mounted a pinion, designed to engage with a wheel or pinion fixed on a shaft,
which extends through the casing and has secured thereto the crank provided with
the usual handle.
The outer end of the lever extends through a slot in the rim of the casing and is
bent over flush with said rim, the projection thereof being serrated to form a
support for the thumb, by which the lever is operated.
Within the chamber, and secured to the plate, is an arm or plate which is
provided with an outwardly extending shoulder, and the free end of which extends
over the lever, preferably in contact therewith, forming a guide therefor. The
arm is provided near its free end with a perforation which meshes with a
corresponding perforation, formed in the lever, under certain circumstances as
hereinafter described, and a spring which passes under the arm, nud connects with

page_text: the lever, acts to hold the lever and pinion in a position out of contact with the
pinion on the reel shaft.
Passing through the casing is a movable headed pin on which, inside of the
casing, is mounted a spring secured in place by a lug.
The outer edges of the heads, which are convex on their inner surfaces, fit and
move within an annular recess formed in said heads, by which construction there is
no off-set or shoulder formed at this point, and the inner surface of the end plates
and heads are practically smooth and continuous.
The operation is as follows. In the normal condition of the apparatus the
headed pin enters the perforation in the arm and also the perforation in the lever,
which is drawn back so that said projections mesh and in this position the pinion
on the lever contacts with the pinion on the end of the reel shaft, the pinion on the
lever being also in contact with the pinion connected with the crank shaft, and it
will thus be seen that the crank and reel are in connection, and the reel may be
operated as usual by the crank.
Whenever it is desired, however, to disconnect the crank and reel, it is only
necessary to pull outwardly on the headed pin which will be withdrawn from the
perforations and in the arm and lever. The spring will then set to draw the inner
end of the lever and the pinion mounted thereon into the positions shown in Fig. 2,
and ut of contact with the pinion on the shaft of the reel. As will be readily
seen, in the disposition of these parts, there will be no connection between the
crank and the reel shaft and the reel will be free to revolve independently
thereof. Whenever it becomes desirable to again connect these parts so as to
operate the reel by means of the crank, it is only upeessary to pull backward on
the thumb piece connected with the lever until said lever strikes against the end of
the slot, when the pin will again pass through the perforations, holding the lever
in the position necessary to connect its pinion with the pinion on the reel shaft, in
which the crank will gear with said pinion on the reel shaft through pinion on the
lever and the reel may be operated by means of the crank in the usual menner.
The spring on the headed pin operates to force said pin forwardly, and when said
pin is withdrawn to admit of the return of the gear wheels and lever, to the
position out of contact with the reel shaft pinion it is operated against the force of
Aaid spring.
It will thus appear that I accomplish the object of my invention by means of a
device simple in construction and operation and one which is perfectly adapted to
serve the purpose for which it is intended, and which does not add materially to
the cost of the apparatus.
Dated this 11th day of October 1895.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.
Improvements in Fishing Reels.
I, THOMAS JAMES SUTTON, residing at 2521 8th Avenue, in New York, in the
County of New York, and State of New York 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 reels for fishing rods, and the object thereof is to
provide a simple and effective pivotal support for the reel, and also means for
connecting the crank or winding devices therewith and throwing the same out of
gear with the reel when desired.

page_text: nowing specmentio
accompanying drawing forms a part, in which :-
Fig. 1, is a central longitudinal section through the center of the reel and its
support.
Fig. 2, a plan view of the gearing mechanism connecting the handle or winder
with the shaft of the reel and means for throwing the saine into or out of gear
therewith; and
Fig. 3, a side view of the end casing enclosing the parts shown in Fig. 2, and
showing the crank and other elements.
Referring to the drawing, the numeral 2, designates the shaft of the reel, which
is provided with the inwardly convexed heads or end pieces 3 rigidly secured
thereto said reel being supported in a frame consisting of the end plates 4 and 5
and the connecting rods or bars 6, and a plate or bar 7, provided with a transverse
curved plate 8, by means of which the device is secured to the rod or pole.
Each end of the shaft 2 is provided with a circular recess or cavity 9, designed
to receive the pointed end of a pivot or support 10, which is screw-threaded, an
shown, and secured in the following manner.
The end plate 4, is provided centrally with an outwardly extending tubular
shoulder or projection 19, screw threaded on both its outer and inner surfaces, and
through this projection is passed the screw-threaded pivotal support 10, on which
is placed a set screw nut 20, and over all is placed a screw-threaded cap 21.
At the opposite end the shaft 2 is decreased in size and extends a short distance
through the end plate 5, and has mounted thereon a pinion 22. In this case the
pivot 10 is supported by an end casing 23, having an annular rim 24, the casing 23
being secured to the cud plate, preferably by screws, and forming, in connection
with said end plate, a chamber 25.
Through the center of this casing is passed a tubular projection 26 formed on a
bracket or loop 27 secured to the end plate and enclosing the end of the shaft 2
and pinion 22 mounted thereon, and through the screw-threaded tubular
projection 20 is passed the pivot 10, on which is mounted a set-nut 28, and it is
evident that by means of the pointed screw-threaded pivots 10, their screw-
threaded supports and the set-nuts thereon, a most nice and perfect adjustment of
the pressure on the reel, and a perfect pivotal support therefore, is secured.
Pivotally supported at 29 within the chamber 25 is a lever 30, on one end of
which is mounted a pinion 31, designed to engage with a wheel or pinion 32, the
shaft 33 of which extends through the casing 25 and has secured thereto the
crank 34, provided with the usual handle 25.
The outer end of the lever 30 extends through a slot 36 in the rim 24, and is
bent over flush with said rim as shown at 37, the projection 37 thereof being
serrated to form a support for the thumb, by which the lever is operated.
Within the chamber 25 and secured to the plate 5 is an arm or plate 38, which
is provided with an outwardly extending shoulder 39, and the free end of which
extends over the lever 30, preferably in contact therewith, forming a guide
therefor. The arm 38 is provided near its free end with a perforation 40, which
meshes with a corresponding perforation 41 formed in the lever 38, under certain
circumstances as hereinafter described, and a spring 42, which passes under the
arm 38 and connects with the lever 30, acts to hold the lever and pinion 31 in the
position shown in Fig. 2, out of contact with the pinion 22.
Passing through the casing 23 is a movable, headed pin 43, on which, inside of
the casing, is mounted a spring 44, secured in place by a lug 45.
Referring again to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the outer edges of the heads 3,
which are convex on their inner surfaces, fit and move within an aunular recess 31
formed in said heads, by which construction there is no off-set or shoulder formed
at this point, and the inner surface of the end plates and beads 3 are practically
Emooth and continuous.
The operation is as follows: In the normal condition of the apparatus the
beaded pin 43 enters the perforation 40 in the arm 38 and also the projection 41 in

page_text: the lever 30, which is drawn back so that said projections 40 and 41 mesh, and in
this position the pinion 31 on the lever 30 contacts with the pinion 22 on the end
of the reel shaft, the pinion 31 being also in contact with the pinion 32 connected
with the crank shaft, and it will thus be seen that the crank and reel are in
connection, and the reel may be operated as usual by the crank.
Whenever it is desired, however, to connect the crank and reel, it is only
necessary to pull outwardly on the headed pin 43, which will be withdrawn from
the perforations 40 and 41 in the arm 38 and lever 30. The spring 42 will then
act to draw the inner end of the lever 30 and pinion 31 mounted thereon into the
positions shown in Fig. 2 and out of contact with the pinion 22 on the shaft of the
reel. As will be readily seen, in this position of these parts, there will be no
connection between the crank and the reel shaft and the reel will be free to
revolve independently thereof. Whenever it becomes desirable to again connect
these parts so as to operate the reel by means of the crank, it is only necessary to
pull backward on the thumb piece 37, connected with the reel 30 until said lever
strikes against the end of the slut 36 shown in Fig. 3, when the pin 43, will again
pass through the perforations 40 and 41, holding the lever 30 in the position
necessary to connect the pinion 31, when the pinion 22, in which the crank will be
in gear with said pinion 22 through pinion 31, and the reel may be operated by
means of the crank in the usual manner. The spring 41 on the healed pin 43
operates to force said pin forwardly, and when said pin is withdrawn to admit of
the return of the gear wheels and lever 30 to the position shown in Fig. 2, it is
operated against the force of said spring 44.
It will thus appear that I accomplish the object of my invention by means of a
device simple in construction and oration and one which is perfectly adapted
to serve the purpose for which it is intended, and which does not add materially to
the cost of the apparatus.
I do not confine myself to the exact form, construction and combination of parts
shown, as it is evident that various modifications therein may be formed without
departing from the scope of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a reel or similar device, the combination, with a reel supported in a frame,
through one end of which one end of the reel shaft extends and has mounted
thereon a pinion, of a casing connected with said end and forming a chamber
enclosing said pinion, a crank the shaft of which passes through said casing and is
provided in said chamber with a pinion mounted thereon, a lever pivotally
supported in said casing, one end of which extends through the side thereof and
the other end of which is provided with a pinion which gears with said pinion on
the crank shaft and is adapted to be placed in gear with said pinion on the reel
shaft, and a spring connected with said lever, the normal operation of which is to
hold the pinion on the lever out of gear with the pinion on the reel shait, and
means for connecting said pinions and holding them in gear, substantially as shown
and described.
2. The combination, with a reel support provided with end pieces, of a reel
supported therein, one end of the shaft of which extends through one of said end
pieces and is provided with a pinion mounted thereon, a casing secured to said end
piece and forming a chamber in which is located said pinion, a crank the shaft of
which extends inwardly through said casing and is provided with a pinion mounted
thereon, a lever also pivotally mounted in said casing, one end of which extends
through the side thereof by which the same is supported, and the other end of
which is provided with a pinion in gear with the pinion on the crank shaft and
adapted to be placed in gear with the pinion on the reel, a spring connected with
said lever operating to hold the pinion thereon out of gear with the pinion on the
reel, an arm or plate mounted in said casing and extending over said lever, and

page_text: means for operating the latter to place the gear thereon in connection with the
gear upon the reel shaft and locking the parts in said position, substantially as
shown and described.
3. The combination, with a reel support provided with end pieces, of a reel
supported therein, one end of the shaft of which extends through one of said pieces
and is provided with a pinion mounted thereon, a casing secured to said end piece
and forming a chamber, in which is located said pinion, a crank the shaft of which
extends inwardly through said casing and is provided with a pinion mounted
thereon, a lever also pivotally mounted in said casing, one end of which extends
through the side thereof by which the same is operated, and the other end of
which is provided with a pinion in gear with the pinion on the crank shaft and
adapted to be placed in gear with the pinion on the reel, a spring connected with
said lever operating to hold the pinion thereon out of gear with the pinion on the
reel, an arm secured in said casing and extending over said lever, each of said
parts being provided with a perforation adapted to mesh when the lever is operated
to place the pinion thereon in gear with the pinion on the reel shaft, and a spring
bolt or pin extending through the casing and adapted to enter said perforations
and lock the parts in gear with the reel shaft, substantially as shown and
described.
4. The combination, with a frame provided with end pieces, of a reel one end of
the shaft of which extends through one of said end pieces and is provided with a
pinion mounted thereon, of a bracket or support secured to said end piece and
enclosing said pinion and end of the shaft, and provided with a screw-threaded
projection, through which extends a screw-threaded pivot, which operates in
connection with the end of the reel shaft, of a casing secured to said end piece
and forming a chainber, a crank shaft extending through said casing and having
mounted thereon within said chamber, a pinion, a lever also pivotally supported
in said chamber, one end of which extends through the side thereof and the other.
end of which is provided with a pinion in gear with the pinion on the crank shaft,
and means for operating said parts so as to alternately place the pinion on the
lever in and out of gear with the pinion on the reel shaft, substantially as shown
and described.
5. The combination, with a frame provided with end pieces and a reel supported
therein, the shaft of said reel being provided at each end with a recess adapted to
receive the pointed end of a pivotal support, of a screw-threaded pointed pivotal
supports, one of which passes at one end through a screw-threaded projection on
the end piece and provided with a set-nut, the other end of the reel shaft passing
through the end piece or plate and provided with a pinion mounted thereon, and a
bracket secured to said end piece and provided with a tubular screw-threaded
projection adapted to receive the screw-threaded pivot for said end of the reel
shaft, a set-out mounted on said pivot and operating in connection with said
projection, and a casing enclosing said bracket and pinion, through the center of
which the screw-threaded projection on the bracket passes, and a crank the shaft
of which extends through said casing and is provided with a pinion mounted thereon
in said chamber, and means for alternately placing said pinion in and out of gear
with the pinion on the reel shaft, substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 25th day of June 1896.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.