Fishing reel with anti-reverse mechanism

Abstract

A fishing reel has an anti-reverse mechanism for preventing a reel spool or other rotary member from being undesirably rotated by pulling force acting in the direction in which the fishing line is unwound. The anti-reverse mechanism is provided with a one-way bearing connected to the reel body through a ratchet wheel and pawl. It is possible to effect reliable anti-reverse operation and minimize the slipping angle and impact force when anti-reverse operation is effected. According to one embodiment, a rotary handle shaft member extends between a reel support plate and an outer plate parallel to a spool shaft, with an inner end of the handle shaft rotatably supported by the support plate through a bearing while an outer, other end portion of the shaft is rotatably supported through a bearing unit slidably but prevented from rotating, i.e., being fixed within a cylindrical portion provided on the outer plate. The longitudinal axis of the operating shaft is parallel and proximate to the axis of spool shaft such that the handle shaft need not extend radially beyond the periphery of the base of the spool. A retainer clip, engaged with a groove of the handle shaft, is secured to the support plate, restricting axial movement of the handle shaft and allowing the handle shaft to be kept in place, stably retained, on the support plate even if the outer end of the shaft is not supported by the bearing unit during assembly or disassembly of the reel. The one-way bearing arrangement is of novel design, protecting against invasion from alien substances and water, and thus protecting the anti-reverse mechanism of the reel.