Zebco Division of Brunswick Corp

David Schuelke

Kent L Zwayer

William R Worrell

Jeffrey J Kolodziej

David D Cosby

Joe Gleason

Tommy Joe Cocanougher

A casting actuator having a slip-resistant contacting surface which flexes to accommodate the user's thumb. The casting actuator preferably comprises: an actuating lever; a support structure; a living hinge pivotably connecting the actuating lever to the support structure; and a flexible cover extending from the support collar over at least a portion of the lever. The flexible cover provides a flexible, slip-resistant contacting surface on the lever. The inventive actuator is preferably formed by an inventive method comprising the steps of: (a) placing a first material in a mold to form a unitary, molded structure and (b) while the first material is present in mold, placing a second material in the mold to form the flexible cover. The unitary, molded structure formed from the first material comprises: the actuating lever; the support collar; and the resilient hinge. The inventive casting actuator preferably includes a convex engaging surface for operably contacting a main shaft of the fishing reel.

Growing community of inventors

Stillwater, MN, United States of America

David Schuelke