The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 12, 2000
Filed:
Nov. 19, 1998
John N Young, Fairfax, CA (US);
Pacific Products, San Rafael, CA (US);
Abstract
A fishing reel drag mechanism includes a spool for a fishing line, a brake drum attached coaxially to the spool, and a resilient circular brake shoe positioned inside the brake drum. The outer diameter of the brake shoe is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the brake drum. A gap is provided on the brake shoe, and a movable spreader is positioned in the gap. When the spreader is moved to a first position, the brake shoe is in a relaxed position spaced from the brake drum, so that the spool may rotate with zero drag. When the spreader is gradually moved to a second position, the gap is gradually expanded by the spreader, and the brake shoe is gradually expanded against the brake drum. The drag on the brake drum is thus adjusted by changing the width of the gap with the spreader. Grooves arranged concentrically around the brake shoe provide additional compliance which improves smoothness in drag application and the range of drag force provided. A pawl may be selectively moved into engagement with ratchet teeth around the spool to positively lock the spool in position when desired.