Brunswick Corporation

Zebco Division of Brunswick Corp

Zebco Corporation

Rayford A Cockerham

William B Johnson

Young Jue Kang

Carl J Berendt

Richard J Robbins

Roy E Stiner

Robert L Carpenter

Benny E Smith

David Brown

David A Kern

There is hereinafter provided a reciprocating/oscillating structure for use in a fishing reel, wherein the guide carries a guide slot within it that is asymmetric in shape, and that creates two separate spool movement velocity regimes as the spool is moved forward and backward during recall of fishing line into the reel. The guide slot of the instant invention is asymmetrically constructed to produce, in a two-cycle-type spool movement arrangement, one spool velocity profile in the forward direction and a different spool velocity function in the rearward direction. In the preferred embodiment, the two velocity profiles (asymmetries of the guide) will be chosen to be complementary in the sense that imperfections in the velocity function in one direction can be compensated for to some extent during movement in the second cycle.

Asymmetric oscillation mechanism for a spinning reel

The present invention provides a super-elastic, lightweight bail wire in combination with a bail assembly for use in connection with spinning-type fishing reels. In the most preferred embodiment the bail is made of an austenitic nickel-titanium alloy wire.

Spinning reel with improved bail

Spinning reel foot and stem

A magnetic bail mechanism utilizing opposed, cooperating magnetic means, each having a plurality of magnetic regions which, when in cooperating relationship, contribute torque and provide a tendency for the magnetic means to separate throughout the bail range. The magnetic means interface to provide a maximum separation tendency between the magnetic means at the trip point of the bail and a minimum separation tendency at each of the cast and retrieve positions. The magnetic means provide a torque force urging the bail into the retrieve position when the bail is located between the retrieve position and the trip point and a torque force urging the bail into the cast position when the bail is located between the trip point and the cast position. The magnetic means are prevented from assuming any arrangement whereby facing regions of opposite polarity are substantially axially aligned.

Magnetic bail actuation system

A fishing reel has a frame and an operating mechanism on the frame. The operating mechanism includes a spool assembly mounted to the frame for rotation around a first axis to direct fishing line onto the spool assembly. The operating mechanism also includes a brake assembly. The brake assembly includes a brake surface on the frame, a brake weight with a brake weight surface, and a first mechanism for mounting the brake weight to the spool assembly for movement between a) a first position wherein the brake weight surface on the brake weight is urged against the brake surface on the frame to generate a first braking force as an incident of the spool assembly rotating at a first predetermined velocity and b) a second position wherein the brake weight surface on the brake weight is not urged against the brake surface on the frame to generate a braking force as large as the first braking force. Additionally, the brake assembly further includes a selector that is operable remotely from the brake weight placeable selectively in a first and a second state for i) preventing the brake weight from moving from the second position into the first position as the spool assembly is rotated at the first predetermined velocity with the selector in the first state and ii) allowing the brake weight to move from the second position into the first position as the spool assembly is rotated at the first predetermined velocity with the selector in the second state.

Remotely operable centrifugal brake

A fishing reel with a frame having a first axis and forward and rear ends spaced axially relative to the first axis and an operating mechanism on the frame. The operating mechanism includes a line carrying spool, a rotor that is rotatable around the first axis relative to the frame, a bail assembly on the frame which is changeable between a cast position and a retrieve position, a rotor operator, and a drive train through which the rotor is rotated around the first axis in response to operation of the rotor operator. The operating mechanism further has a bail actuating system for moving the bail assembly from the retrieve position into the cast position. The bail actuating system includes a bail moving assembly which moves in a fore and aft direction relative to the frame, and a motion changing linkage which produces a force on the bail assembly that urges the bail assembly from the retrieve position towards the cast position as an incident of the bail moving assembly moving from a normal position forwardly relative to the frame into an opening position. The bail moving assembly has a portion that cooperates with the frame to guide the bail moving assembly between the normal and opening positions.

Fishing reel with trigger actuated bail assembly

The present invention provides a super-elastic, lightweight bail wire in combination with a bail assembly for use in connection with spinning-type fishing reels. In one preferred aspect, the bail wire has a modulus of elasticity (E) and a moment of inertia (I) whose product (E.times.I) is equal to or less than 45 lbs.-in..sup.2. In another preferred aspect, the bail wire has a weight per unit length equal to or less than 1.0.times.10.sup.-3 lbs./in. Both aspects of the invention are achieved in an austenitic nickel-titanium alloy bail wire.

Superelastic, lightweight bail wire for spinning fishing reels

A fishing reel having a frame and an operating mechanism on the frame. The operating mechanism includes a line carrying spool, a rotor that is rotatable around a first axis relative to the frame, a bail assembly on the frame which is changeable between a cast position and a retrieve position, a rotor operator, and a drive train through which the rotor is rotatable around the first axis in response to operation of the rotor operator. The operating mechanism further includes a trigger that is repositionable relative to the frame between first and second positions. The trigger causes the bail assembly to be changed from the retrieve position into the cast position as the trigger moves from the first position into the second position. A trip link on the rotor is repositionable from a retracted position into an extended position as an incident of the bail assembly changing from the retrieve position into the cast position. A trip link actuator is repositionable between first and second positions. With the trip link in the extended position, the trip link traces a predetermined path as the rotor rotates around the first axis. With the trip link actuator in the first position for the trip link actuator, the surface of the trip link actuator resides in the predetermined path traced by the trip link. With the trip link actuator in the second position for the trip link actuator, the surface of the trip link actuator resides substantially outside of the predetermined path traced by the trip link.

Fishing reel with trip link for repositioning a bail assembly

A braking apparatus for a fishing reel comprising: a plurality of braking elements; a braking element assembly for retaining the braking elements in radial paths about a rotational axis such that a centrifugal force imparted to the braking elements by rotating the braking elements about the rotational axis will urge the braking elements to move in their radial paths away from the rotational axis toward individual, extended radial positions; a contact member; and a positioning mechanism for selectively positioning the contact member in at least a first location and a second location. When the contact member is positioned in its first location and the braking elements are in their extended radial positions, at least one of the braking elements contacts the contact member. However, when the contact member is positioned in its second location, the one braking element just mentioned cannot contact the contact member, regardless of whether the braking element is in its extended radial position. The braking element assembly used in the inventive apparatus preferably comprises: (a) a housing having the above-mentioned rotational axis extending longitudinally therethrough and having an outer wall positioned around the rotational axis and (b) a plurality of radial slots provided in the housing and having slot openings extending through the outer wall. Preferably, the braking elements are slidably retained in the housing slots at different longitudinal positions along the rotational axis.

Adjustable brake for baitcast reel

A method for producing fishing reel frames and a fishing reel frame employs a starting piece comprising: a longitudinal first side wall; a longitudinal second side wall having a spaced relationship with the first side wall such that the second side wall is spaced apart from the first side wall; and at least one longitudinal cross-structure holding the first and second side walls in the spaced relationship. The starting piece is preferably an extruded structure. The method comprises the step of machining the starting piece to produce a plurality of individual frames. The method also includes the steps of: (a) forming a series of spool apertures through the first side wall such that each of the individual frames includes a separate one of the spool apertures; (b) forming a series of spool shaft apertures through the second side wall such that each of the individual frames includes a separate one of the spool shaft apertures; and (c) forming feet from those portions of the cross-structure included in the individual frames. The feet are operable for mounting the individual frames on fishing rods. The longitudinal cross-structure is preferably positioned above the bottom of the starting piece whereby the feet formed therefrom are spaced a sufficient distance above the bottoms of the frames to provide low profiles when the frames are mounted on fishing rods.

Fishing reel frame

An apparatus for removably securing a cover on a fishing reel frame. The inventive apparatus comprises a locking member having a locking pin. The inventive apparatus also comprises an opening, provided by the frame, for receiving the locking pin to thereby secure the cover on the frame. The locking member is retained in the cover for reciprocating movement along a line of reciprocation. The apparatus further comprises an actuator, operable from outside of the cover, for moving the locking member along its line of reciprocation to thereby remove the locking pin from the frame opening.

Growing community of inventors

Broken Arrow, OK, United States of America

Rayford A Cockerham