Fishing line guide

Abstract

To provide a freely-moving-type fishing line guide that can reliably fit to a blank and does not affect a condition of a fishing rod.SOLUTION: A fishing line guide 10 has a guide body 12 and a fitting member 13. The fitting member 13 includes a first pipe part 31, a second pipe part 32, and a connection part 33. A fixation part 26 of the guide body 12 is fixed to the first pipe part 31. A fixation part 29 of the guide body 12 is fixed to the second pipe part 32. A part of the connection part 33 is cut out and an opening 30 is provided. The opening 30 faces the guide body 12. A thickness of the connection part 33 is the thinnest in a center part 41.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fishing line guide structure, and more particularly to a floating fishing line guide structure that is applied to, for example, a telescopic fishing rod. [Background technology]

[0002] Telescoping fishing rods equipped with fishing line reels generally employ floating fishing line guides. The floating fishing line guides are equipped with a fitting member with a predetermined inner diameter, through which the blank constituting the telescoping fishing rod is inserted. The fitting member is typically cylindrical, and the blank's outer shape forms a predetermined taper. The fitting member is fitted into the blank by moving relatively from the small diameter side to the large diameter side of the blank (see Patent Document 1). This secures the fishing line guide to the blank with a certain holding force. Moving the fitting member in the opposite direction (from the large diameter side to the small diameter side of the blank) releases the connection between the fishing line guide and the blank. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-3280 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, fishing rods designed for targeting large fish also require a certain level of mechanical strength for their line guides. For example, the guide frame of the line guide is designed as a so-called double-foot type, and the fitting member must be designed with a correspondingly large outer shape and thickness to ensure a secure fit with the blank. In this specification, the term "double-foot type" refers to a concept in which the guide frame that holds the guide ring has a pair of support legs arranged side by side in a direction along the central axis of the guide ring. Note that the term "double-foot type" also includes a structure in which at least one of the support legs has a pair of leg pieces spaced apart in the radial direction of the guide ring.

[0005] However, if the outer shape and thickness of the fitting member are increased, not only will the weight of the fishing line guide increase, but the high-rigidity fitting member fitting into the blank will have a negative effect on the so-called fishing rod's tactile response. In particular, with double-foot fishing line guides that are longer in the direction along the central axis of the guide ring, the effect on the fishing rod's tactile response is more pronounced.

[0006] The present invention has been made in light of this background, and its object is to provide a floating fishing line guide that can be securely fitted to the blank and does not adversely affect the performance of the fishing rod. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) In order to solve the above problem, a floating fishing line guide according to a first aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a guide ring for guiding a fishing line; an annular frame for holding the guide ring; a first support leg having a first fixing portion extending in a first direction along the axis of the guide ring and attached to a pair of first support portions spaced apart circumferentially of the frame; a second support leg having a second fixing portion extending in a second direction opposite to the first direction and attached to a second support portion provided between the pair of first support portions on the frame; a first pipe portion to which the first fixing portion is fixed; a second pipe portion to which the second fixing portion is fixed; and a connecting portion having a low rigidity portion having a bending rigidity lower than at least one of the first pipe portion and the second pipe portion, connecting the first pipe portion and the second pipe portion.

[0008] In this invention, a frame that holds a guide ring, a first support leg, and a second support leg constitute a guide body. The first fixing portion of the first support leg is fixed to the first tubular portion, and the second fixing portion of the second support leg is fixed to the second tubular portion. The first tubular portion and the second tubular portion are connected via a connecting portion, and these constitute a fitting member. That is, the guide body is fixed to the fitting member, thereby forming a floating fishing line guide. For example, a blank that constitutes a telescoping fishing rod is inserted through the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion. As the fitting member slides relative to the blank, the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion fit into predetermined positions on the blank and function as a fishing line guide. The bending rigidity of the connecting portion is set lower than that of at least one of the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion. Therefore, when a bending moment acts on the blank and causes it to bend (typically, when a fish is struck during actual fishing), the connecting portion easily bends to follow the bending of the blank. Therefore, the provision of this fishing line guide does not adversely affect the performance of the fishing rod.

[0009] (2) In the floating fishing line guide of the second aspect according to the first aspect of the present invention, the low-rigidity portion is provided on the peripheral surface of the connecting portion on the side where the frame is disposed.

[0010] This floating fishing line guide is particularly applicable to fishing rods equipped with spinning reels. When the first and second tubular sections are fitted in their designated positions on the blank, the low-rigidity section is located on the side of the connecting section where the frame is located, i.e., the side facing the blank. In this case, since the low-rigidity section is located on the side where compressive strain occurs in the bent blank, the connecting section bends in response to the deformation of the blank. This further reduces any adverse effects on the fishing rod's performance.

[0011] (3) In the floating fishing line guide of the third aspect according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the low rigidity portion is defined by a notch provided in the connecting portion.

[0012] In this configuration, the structure of the low-rigidity portion is simple, and the rigidity of the low-rigidity portion can be easily adjusted by changing the size of the notch, so that the flexibility of the connecting portion can be easily designed.

[0013] (4) In the floating fishing line guide of the fourth aspect according to the third aspect of the present invention, the notch is defined by at least two openings.

[0014] In this configuration, the structure of the low rigidity portion is extremely simple, which in turn simplifies the structure of the connecting portion, thereby reducing the cost of the fishing line guide.

[0015] (5) In a floating fishing line guide according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the low-rigidity portion is defined by a thin-walled portion provided in the connecting portion.

[0016] In this configuration, the structure of the low-rigidity portion is simple. Moreover, the rigidity of the low-rigidity portion is determined by the thin wall thickness of the connecting portion, so that buckling of the connecting portion when it bends is suppressed. Therefore, the connecting portion bends while more closely following the bending of the blank.

[0017] (6) In the floating fishing line guide of the sixth aspect according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the thin-walled portion is defined by at least two recesses.

[0018] In this configuration, the structure of the low rigidity portion is even simpler.

[0019] (7) In the floating fishing line guide of the seventh aspect according to the fifth or sixth aspect of the present invention, the thin-walled portion gradually becomes thinner as it moves away from at least one of the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion.

[0020] In this configuration, the rigidity of the low-rigidity portion changes continuously, and therefore the connecting portion bends in accordance with the bending of the blank more easily.

[0021] (8) In a floating fishing line guide of an eighth aspect according to any one of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, the first tube portion has a first mounting portion to which the first fixed portion is fixed, the second tube portion has a second mounting portion to which the second fixed portion is fixed, and at least one of the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion has a circumferential regulating portion that regulates the first fixed portion or the second fixed portion from moving circumferentially relative to the first tube portion or the second tube portion.

[0022] In this configuration, the first and second fixed portions are placed on the first and second mounting portions of the first and second tubular portions, respectively. At least one of the first and second mounting portions is provided with a circumferential direction restricting portion, restricting circumferential movement of the first or second fixed portion. This improves the rigidity of the fishing line guide.

[0023] (9) In a floating fishing line guide of a ninth aspect according to the first to eighth aspects of the present invention, the first tube portion has a first mounting portion to which the first fixed portion is fixed, the second tube portion has a second mounting portion to which the second fixed portion is fixed, and at least one of the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion has an axial regulating portion that regulates the axial movement of the first fixed portion or the second fixed portion relative to the first tube portion or the second tube portion.

[0024] In this configuration, the first and second fixed portions are placed on the first and second mounting portions of the first and second tubular portions, respectively. Since an axial direction restricting portion is provided on at least one of the first and second mounting portions, axial movement of the first and second fixed portions is restricted. This improves the rigidity of the fishing line guide.

[0025] (10) In the floating fishing line guide of the tenth aspect according to the first to ninth aspects of the present invention, the first tube portion has a first mounting portion to which the first fixed portion is fixed, the second tube portion has a second mounting portion to which the second fixed portion is fixed, and a reinforcing portion is provided between the first mounting portion and the first fixed portion or between the second mounting portion and the second fixed portion.

[0026] In this configuration, the first fixing portion or the second fixing portion is fixed to the first tubular portion or the second tubular portion via the reinforcing portion, thereby reducing the surface pressure between the first fixing portion and the first tubular portion or between the second fixing portion and the second tubular portion. This prevents distortion of the first tubular portion or the second tubular portion when the first fixing portion or the second fixing portion is fixed. Therefore, the fishing line guide can be accurately attached to the blank in the correct position and orientation.

[0027] (11) In the floating fishing line guide of the eleventh aspect according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the reinforcing portion is made of a sheet member reinforced with carbon fiber.

[0028] In this case, the sheet member constituting the reinforcing portion is typically made of prepreg, so that the reinforcing portion can be formed simply and inexpensively.

[0029] (12) In the floating fishing line guide of the twelfth aspect according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the sheet member has a cylindrical portion that covers the outer peripheral surface of the first mounting portion or the second mounting portion.

[0030] In this configuration, the shape of the sheet member is extremely simple, so the reinforcing portion can be constructed inexpensively. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a floating fishing line guide 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a floating fishing line guide 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the floating fishing line guide 10. As shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the floating fishing line guide 10. As shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the structure of the fitting member 13. As shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the fitting member 13. As shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a fishing line guide according to a first modified example of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the structure of a fitting member 64 of a fishing line guide according to a second modified example of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the structure of a fitting member 74 of a fishing line guide according to a third modified example of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the structure of a fitting member 84 of a fishing line guide according to a fourth modified example of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a fitting member 94 of a fishing line guide according to a fifth modified example of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a fishing line guide 110 according to a sixth modified example of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the reinforcing ring 111 and the reinforcing ring 112 employed in the fishing line guide 110. As shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that this embodiment is merely one aspect of the floating fishing line guide of the present invention, and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0033] 1. Overview of floating fishing line guides

[0034] 1 and 2 are a front view and a cross-sectional view of a floating fishing line guide 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of the floating fishing line guide 10.

[0035] This floating fishing line guide (hereinafter referred to as "fishing line guide") 10 is attached to a fishing rod and fitted into a blank 11 that constitutes the fishing rod, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The blank 11 has a cylindrical outer shape with a predetermined taper, and the fishing line guide 10 slides relative to the blank 11, thereby being fixed in a predetermined position on the blank 11.

[0036] The fishing line guide 10 has a guide body 12 and a tubular fitting member 13. The guide body 12 is fixed to the fitting member 13 in a manner described below. As shown in the figure, the blank 11 is inserted into this fitting member 13. A distinctive feature of the fishing line guide 10 according to this embodiment is the structure of the fitting member 13. That is, when a bending moment acts on the blank 11 (typically when a fish is struck during actual fishing), bending strain occurs in the blank 11. However, because the fitting member 13 has the structure described below, the fitting member 13 deforms in response to the bending strain of the blank 11, and as a result, the performance of the fishing rod including the blank 11 is not adversely affected.

[0037] 2. Guide body

[0038] The guide body 12 has a guide ring 14 (see FIG. 2), a frame 15, and a first support leg 16 and a second support leg 17 (see FIG. 3). That is, the guide body 12 is of a double-foot type.

[0039] The frame 15, the first support leg 16, and the second support leg 17 are integrally formed. In this embodiment, they are made of a titanium alloy. However, the frame 15, the first support leg 16, and the second support leg 17 may be made of other metal materials, resins, or the like.

[0040] The frame 15 has an annular shape, which is circular in this embodiment. A guide ring 14 is fitted onto the inner peripheral surface of the frame 15. The guide ring 14 guides the fishing line and is formed in an annular shape. The guide ring 14 is typically made of silicon carbide (SiC). The center of the frame 15 and the center of the guide ring 14 are aligned, and reference numeral 18 indicates the axial center of the guide ring 14 and the frame 15. In this embodiment, when the blank 11 is inserted into the fishing line guide 10 and fixed (the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), reference numeral 19 indicates the rod tip direction (corresponding to the "first direction" in the claims), and reference numeral 20 indicates the rod butt direction (corresponding to the "second direction" in the claims). Note that in this embodiment, reference numeral 19 indicates the rod tip direction and reference numeral 20 indicates the rod butt direction, but the frame 15 may be arranged so that reference numeral 19 indicates the rod butt direction and reference numeral 20 indicates the rod tip direction.

[0041] The first support leg 16 is attached to the frame 15 and extends toward the rod tip 19. The first support leg 16 has a pair of leg pieces 21 and 22 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The leg pieces 21 and 22 are formed symmetrically as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. One end 23 of the leg piece 21 and one end 24 of the leg piece 22 are attached to a predetermined portion 25 (corresponding to the "first support portion" in the claims) on the periphery of the frame 15. The predetermined portions 25 are two portions spaced apart in the circumferential direction on the periphery of the frame 15 (see FIG. 3). The other end of the leg piece 21 and the other end of the leg piece 22 are connected to form a fixed portion 26 (corresponding to the "first fixed portion" in the claims). In this embodiment, the fixed portion 26 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape and extends toward the rod tip 19 in the direction of the axis 18. However, the outer shape of the fixing portion 26 is not particularly limited.

[0042] The second support leg 17 is attached to the frame 15 and extends toward the fitting member 13. In this embodiment, the second support leg 17 extends perpendicular to the fitting member 13, but may extend toward the fitting member 13 while inclining toward the butt 20. One end 27 of the second support leg 17 is attached to a lower edge 28 of the frame 15 (corresponding to the "second support portion" in the claims). This lower edge 28 is part of the outer periphery of the frame 15 and is located midway between the two predetermined portions 25. The other end of the second support leg 17 forms a fixed portion 29 (corresponding to the "second fixed portion" in the claims). In this embodiment, this fixed portion 29 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape, similar to the fixed portion 26 of the first support leg 16. This fixed portion 29 extends toward the butt 20 in the direction of the axis 18. However, the external shape of the fixed portion 29 is not particularly limited.

[0043] 3. Fittings

[0044] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing the structure of the fitting member 13, where (a) is a plan view and (b) is a front view. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the fitting member 13.

[0045] The fitting member 13 is formed in a cylindrical shape and has an opening 30 in its center. That is, the fitting member 13 has a first pipe portion 31, a second pipe portion 32, and a connecting portion 33 that connects them. In this embodiment, the fitting member 13 is integrally formed from resin. However, the material that constitutes the fitting member 13 is not limited to resin, and metal or other materials can be used. However, the first pipe portion 31, the second pipe portion 32, and the connecting portion 33 do not necessarily have to be integrally formed, and they may be formed as separate members and assembled by known joining means.

[0046] The connecting portion 33 is made of a cylindrical member. In Figures 5 and 6, reference numeral 34 indicates the central axis of the connecting portion 33. A central portion of the connecting portion 33 is cut out, and this cut-out portion forms the opening 30. As shown in Figure 5, a peripheral wall 35 of the connecting portion 33 is cut out along the circumferential direction, and this cut-out portion extends a predetermined length 36 along the central axis 34. In this embodiment, approximately half of the peripheral wall 35 is removed in the circumferential direction, and the predetermined length 36 roughly corresponds to the length of the connecting portion 33.

[0047] In other words, the peripheral edge of the opening 30 has a linear portion 37 along the central axis 34 and a curved portion 38 along the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 35, and these are continuous. A boundary 39 between the linear portion 37 and the curved portion 38 is curved. By providing the opening 30 defined by the linear portion 37 and the curved portion 38 in this manner, the bending rigidity of a portion 40 of the connecting portion 33 where the opening 30 is provided (corresponding to the "low rigidity portion" described in the claims) is reduced. In this embodiment, the opening 30 is defined by the linear portion 37 and the curved portion 38, but it is sufficient that the opening 30 is formed by removing a portion of the peripheral wall 35 of the connecting portion 33, and the size (area) and position of the opening 30 can be designed appropriately so that the bending rigidity of the portion 40 is as intended by the design.

[0048] 1, the portion 40 in which the opening 30 is provided is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 33 on the side where the frame 15 of the guide body 12 is disposed. That is, the portion 40 in which the opening 30 is provided is disposed so as to face the guide body 12. The effects of such an opposing arrangement of the two will be described later. However, the portion 40 in which the opening 30 is provided does not necessarily have to be disposed opposite the guide body 12.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 6 , in this embodiment, the thickness of the connecting portion 33 varies along the central axis 34. Specifically, the thickness of the connecting portion 33 is smallest at a central portion 41 in the axial direction 34 (corresponding to the “low-rigidity portion” and “thin-walled portion” in the claims), and gradually increases from the central portion 41 toward the rod tip 19 and the rod butt 20. In this embodiment, the thickness is smallest at the central portion 41 of the connecting portion 33, but this is not limited thereto. The thickness may be smallest at any portion along the central axis 34 of the connecting portion 33 (a position offset from the central portion 41). In other words, the thickness of the connecting portion 33 may be designed to gradually decrease with increasing distance from the first tubular portion 31 or the second tubular portion 32. The thickness of the connecting portion 33 may be constant along the central axis 34.

[0050] The first tubular portion 31 is a cylindrical member and is continuous with the connecting portion 33. The central axis of the first tubular portion 31 coincides with the central axis 34 of the connecting portion 33. As shown in FIG. 1, the first tubular portion 31 protrudes from the connecting portion 33 toward the rod tip 19 in a direction along the axial center 18. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, an intermediate portion 42 of the first tubular portion 31 along the axial direction 34 has a reduced diameter. As a result, the end portion 43 of the first tubular portion 31 toward the rod tip 19 and the end portion 44 toward the rod butt 20 form flanges, and these end portions 44 are continuous with the connecting portion 33. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the end portion 43 gradually decreases toward the rod tip 19. In other words, the outer peripheral surface of the end portion 43 forms a taper. However, the outer diameter of the end portion 43 may be constant.

[0051] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, a mounting surface 45 (corresponding to the "first mounting portion" in the claims) is provided at the end 44 of the first pipe portion 31. As shown in Figure 1, the fixed portion 26 of the guide body 12 is placed on the mounting surface 45. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, in this embodiment, the mounting surface 45 is rectangular and faces the frame 15 of the guide body 12. The mounting surface 45 is a flat surface formed on the outer peripheral surface of the end 44, and is configured by forming a step on the outer peripheral surface of the end 44. Therefore, in this embodiment, the periphery of the mounting surface 45 forms a wall surface that rises in the radial direction of the end 44.

[0052] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5( a), a first wall surface 46 (corresponding to an "axial direction restriction portion" in the claims) and a pair of second wall surfaces 47 (corresponding to a "circumferential direction restriction portion" in the claims) are formed on the periphery of the mounting surface 45. The first wall surface 46 is disposed so as to intersect with the central axis 34, and each of the second wall surfaces 47 is perpendicular to the first wall surface 46. The second wall surfaces 47 face each other, and a distance 48 between them corresponds to the dimension of the guide body 12. That is, the distance 48 between the second wall surfaces 47 corresponds to a width 49 of the fixing portion 26 (see FIG. 3) of the first support leg 16. As shown in FIG. 3( a), when the fixing portion 26 is placed on the mounting surface 45, it is sandwiched between the pair of second wall surfaces 47. At this time, it is preferable that an end 50 (see FIG. 2) of the fixing portion 26 abuts against the first wall surface 46. In this embodiment, the mounting surface 45 is formed in a rectangular shape, but the outer diameter shape of the mounting surface 45 is not particularly limited; in short, it is sufficient that a first wall surface 46 is formed against which the end of the fixing portion 26 can abut, and a second wall surface 47 is provided that is perpendicular to the first wall surface 46.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the second tubular portion 32 is a cylindrical member and is continuous with the connecting portion 33. In this embodiment, the second tubular portion 32 has the same shape as the first tubular portion 31, and the central axis of the second tubular portion 32 coincides with the central axis 34 of the connecting portion 33. As shown in FIG. 1, the second tubular portion 32 protrudes from the connecting portion 33 toward the butt direction 20 along the axis 18. An intermediate portion 52 of the second tubular portion 32 along the axial direction 34 has a reduced diameter. As a result, the end portion 53 of the second tubular portion 32 facing the butt direction 20 and the end portion 54 facing the tip direction 19 form flanges, and these end portions 54 are continuous with the connecting portion 33. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the end portion 53 gradually decreases toward the butt direction 20. That is, the outer peripheral surface of the end portion 53 forms a taper. However, the outer diameter of the end portion 53 may be constant.

[0054] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, a mounting surface 55 (corresponding to the "second mounting portion" in the claims) is provided at the end 54 of the second pipe portion 32. As shown in Figure 1, the fixed portion 29 of the guide body 12 is placed on the mounting surface 55. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, in this embodiment, the mounting surface 55 is rectangular and faces the frame 15 of the guide body 12. The mounting surface 55 is a flat surface formed on the outer peripheral surface of the end 54, and is configured by forming a step on the outer peripheral surface of the end 54. Therefore, in this embodiment, the periphery of the mounting surface 55 forms a wall surface that rises in the radial direction of the end 54.

[0055] Specifically, a third wall surface 56 (corresponding to an "axial direction restricting portion" in the claims) and a pair of fourth wall surfaces 57 (corresponding to a "circumferential direction restricting portion" in the claims) are formed on the periphery of the mounting surface 55. The third wall surface 56 is disposed so as to intersect with the central axis 34, and each of the fourth wall surfaces 57 is perpendicular to the third wall surface 56. The fourth wall surfaces 57 face each other, and a distance 58 between them corresponds to the dimension of the guide body 12. That is, the distance 58 between the fourth wall surfaces 57 corresponds to a width 59 of the fixing portion 29 (see FIG. 3) of the second support leg 17. As shown in FIG. 3(b), when the fixing portion 29 is placed on the mounting surface 55, it is sandwiched between the pair of fourth wall surfaces 57. At this time, it is preferable that an end 60 (see FIG. 2) of the fixing portion 29 abuts against the third wall surface 56. In this embodiment, the mounting surface 55 is formed in a rectangular shape, but the outer diameter shape of the mounting surface 55 is not particularly limited; in short, it is sufficient that a third wall surface 56 is formed against which the end of the fixing portion 29 can abut, and a second wall surface 57 is provided that is perpendicular to the third wall surface 56.

[0056] In this embodiment, the connecting portion 33 is designed so that the bending rigidity of the connecting portion 33, i.e., the bending rigidity of the portion 40 where the opening 30 is provided, is low, and the bending rigidity of this portion 40 is set to be smaller than the bending rigidity of the first pipe portion 31 and smaller than the bending rigidity of the second pipe portion 32. However, it is sufficient that the connecting portion 33 is designed so that the rigidity of this portion 40 is smaller than either the rigidity of the first pipe portion 31 or the rigidity of the second pipe portion 32.

[0057] 1 and 2, the guide body 12 is placed and fixed on the fitting member 13. That is, the fixing portion 26 of the guide body 12 is placed in the intermediate portion 42 of the first pipe portion 31, and an end portion 50 of the fixing portion 26 is placed on the mounting surface 45. At this time, the fixing portion 26 is sandwiched between the second wall surface 47 (see FIG. 5), and the end portion 50 of the fixing portion 26 abuts against the first wall surface 46. Then, although not shown, a known adhesive is applied, and a fixing thread is wound around the first pipe portion 31 together with the fixing portion 26, thereby fixing the first support leg 16 of the guide body 12 to the first pipe portion 31. Similarly, the fixing portion 29 of the guide body 12 is placed in the intermediate portion 52 of the second pipe portion 33, and an end portion 60 of the fixing portion 29 is placed on the mounting surface 55. The fixing portion 29 is sandwiched between the second wall surface 57 (see FIG. 5), and an end portion 60 of the fixing portion 29 abuts against the first wall surface 56. The second support leg 17 of the guide body 12 is fixed to the second pipe portion 32 by a known adhesive and fixing thread.

[0058] 4. Effects

[0059] 1, in the fishing line guide 10 according to this embodiment, the bending rigidity of the connecting portion 33 is lower than that of the first tubular portion 31, and is also lower than that of the second tubular portion 32. Therefore, when a fish is struck during actual fishing and a bending moment acts on the blank 11, causing it to bend, the connecting portion 33 bends in response to the bending of the blank 11. As a result, even if the fishing line guide 10 is provided on the blank 11, the performance of the fishing rod is not adversely affected.

[0060] The bending rigidity of the connecting portion 33 is reduced by the portion 40 where the opening 30 is provided. This portion 40 is provided on the side of the connecting portion 33 where the frame 15 of the fishing line guide 10 is disposed. Therefore, when the fishing line guide 10 is applied to a fishing rod to which a so-called spinning reel is attached, the following advantageous effects are particularly achieved.

[0061] With the first tube 31 and the second tube 32 fixed to the blank 11, the portion 40 of the connecting portion 33 where the opening 30 is provided is located on the side where the frame 15 of the guide body 12 is disposed. Therefore, the portion 40 where the opening 30 is provided is located on the side where compressive strain occurs in the bent blank 11, so the connecting portion 33 bends more easily in response to the deformation of the blank 11. As a result, adverse effects on the feel of the fishing rod are further reduced.

[0062] 5 and 6, in this embodiment, the portion 40 of the connecting portion 33 is configured by a notch provided in the connecting portion 33. Therefore, the structure of the portion 40 where the opening 30 is provided is simple, and the cost required to reduce the rigidity of the connecting portion 33 is reduced. Moreover, the bending rigidity of the connecting portion 33 can be easily adjusted by the size of the notch (the size of the opening 30), so the flexibility of the connecting portion 33 can be easily designed.

[0063] In this embodiment, the thickness of the connecting portion 33 varies along the direction of the central axis 34, and is designed to be thinnest at the central portion 41 of the connecting portion 33. By adopting such a structure, the bending rigidity of the connecting portion 33 can be more easily reduced. Furthermore, by reducing the thickness of the connecting portion 33, buckling of the connecting portion 33 when it bends is suppressed. As a result, the connecting portion 33 bends in a manner that more closely follows the bending of the blank 11.

[0064] Additionally, in this embodiment, the thickness of the connecting portion 33 is thinnest at the central portion 41, and gradually becomes thinner as it moves away from the first tubular portion 31 and the second tubular portion 32. This causes the bending rigidity of the connecting portion 33 to change continuously along the direction of the central axis 34. Therefore, the connecting portion 33 bends to better follow the bending of the blank 11. As mentioned above, this thin-walled structure of the connecting portion 33 may be omitted.

[0065] In this embodiment, the fixed portions 26 and 29 of the guide main body 12 are placed on the mounting surfaces 45 and 55 provided on the first tubular portion 31 and the second tubular portion 32, respectively. At this time, the fixed portion 26 abuts against the first wall surface 46 and the second wall surface 47, and the fixed portion 29 abuts against the first wall surface 56 and the second wall surface 57. This restricts the movement of the fixed portions 26 and 27 in a direction along the central axis 34 of the connecting portion 33, and also restricts the movement of the connecting portion 33 in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the guide main body 12 is firmly fixed to the fitting member 13, improving the rigidity of the fishing line guide 10. Note that the first wall surface 46 and the second wall surface 47, as well as the first wall surface 56 and the second wall surface 57, may be omitted.

[0066] 5. Variations

[0067] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a fishing line guide according to a first modified example of this embodiment, showing a fitting member 61. As shown in FIG.

[0068] A fitting member 61 according to this modification differs from the fitting member 13 according to the above embodiment in the structure of the connecting portion 62. That is, the connecting portion 62 does not have the opening 30 (see FIG. 6) that was provided in the connecting portion 33. The connecting portion 62 is cylindrical, and the thickness of the connecting portion 62 is thinnest at the central portion 41. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the peripheral wall 35 of the connecting portion 62 forms a single, uniformly curved surface, and a uniform concave shape is formed from the first pipe portion 31 and the second pipe portion 32 toward the central portion 41. The other configurations of the fitting member 61 are the same as those of the fitting member 13.

[0069] In this modified example, the thickness of the connecting portion 62 is thinner at the center portion 41 (corresponding to the "low rigidity portion" in the claims), thereby reducing the bending rigidity of the connecting portion 62. Therefore, just like the fishing line guide 10 according to the above embodiment, when a bending moment acts on the blank 11 during actual fishing, the connecting portion 62 bends in response to the bending of the blank 11, so even if the fishing line guide 10 is provided on the blank 11, the performance of the fishing rod is not adversely affected.

[0070] 8A and 8B are diagrams showing the structure of a fitting member 64 of a fishing line guide according to a second modified example of this embodiment, where (a) is a plan view and (b) is a front view.

[0071] A fitting member 64 according to this modification differs from the fitting member 13 according to the above embodiment in the structure of the connecting portion 65. That is, in the fitting member 13 according to the above embodiment, the connecting portion 33 has a single opening 30, whereas the connecting portion 65 has two openings 66 and 67, as shown in the figure. Like the opening 30 of the connecting portion 33 (see FIG. 5), the opening 66 is formed by cutting out the peripheral wall 35 of the connecting portion 65 in the circumferential direction. This cut-out portion extends a predetermined length 68 along the central axis 34. In this modification, as in the above embodiment, the peripheral wall 35 is removed over approximately half of the circumferential direction.

[0072] The peripheral edge of opening 66 has a straight portion 69 along central axis 34 and a curved portion 70 along the circumferential direction of peripheral wall 35, and these are continuous. A boundary 71 between straight portion 69 and curved portion 70 is curved. The same is true for opening 67. By providing openings 66 and 67 defined by straight portion 69 and curved portion 70 in this manner, the bending rigidity of a portion 72 of connecting portion 65 where openings 66 and 67 are provided (corresponding to the "low rigidity portion" in the claims) is reduced. The other configuration of fitting member 64 is the same as that of fitting member 13 according to the above embodiment.

[0073] In this modified example, as with the fishing line guide 10 according to the above embodiment, the bending rigidity of the connecting portion 63 is lower than that of the first tubular portion 31 and is also lower than that of the second tubular portion 32, so that when a bending moment acts on the blank 11 during actual fishing and causes it to bend, the connecting portion 63 bends in response to the bending of the blank 11. As a result, even if the fishing line guide 10 is provided on the blank 11, the performance of the fishing rod is not adversely affected.

[0074] 9A and 9B are diagrams showing the structure of a fitting member 74 of a fishing line guide according to a third modified example of this embodiment, where (a) is a plan view and (b) is a front view.

[0075] In the second modified example, two openings 66 and 67 are provided in the connecting portion 62 (see FIG. 8 ). In this modified example, however, many more openings are arranged side by side along the central axis 34. That is, a fitting member 74 according to the third modified example differs from the fitting member 13 according to the above embodiment in that the connecting portion 33 in the fitting member 13 according to the above embodiment has a single opening 30, whereas the connecting portion 76 in the fitting member 74 has seven openings 77 to 83, as shown in FIG. 9 . The openings 77 to 83 are formed as narrow grooves, and the peripheral wall 35 of the connecting portion 76 is cut in the radial direction. The depth from the openings 77 to 83 is approximately half the outer diameter of the connecting portion 76. In this modified example, the depth of the opening 77 is set shallower than the depth from the openings 78 to 83. The depth from the opening 77 to the opening 83 is not particularly limited, but may be formed so that the depth becomes shallower as it approaches the first pipe portion 31 and the second pipe portion 32.

[0076] By providing openings 77 to 83 in this manner, the bending rigidity of a portion 84 of connecting portion 76 where openings 77 to 83 are provided (corresponding to the "low rigidity portion" described in the claims) is reduced. In this modified example, seven openings 77 to 83 are provided, but the number of openings is not particularly limited. The other configurations of fitting member 74 are the same as those of fitting member 13 according to the above embodiment.

[0077] In this modified example, as with the fishing line guide 10 according to the above embodiment, the bending rigidity of the connecting portion 76 is lower than that of the first tubular portion 31 and is also lower than that of the second tubular portion 32, so that when a bending moment acts on the blank 11 during actual fishing and causes it to bend, the connecting portion 76 bends in response to the bending of the blank 11. As a result, even if the fishing line guide 10 is provided on the blank 11, the performance of the fishing rod is not adversely affected.

[0078] FIG. 10 shows the structure of a fitting member 84 of a fishing line guide according to a fourth modified example of this embodiment, where (a) is a plan view and (b) is a front view.

[0079] In the third modified example, seven openings 77 to 83 are provided in connecting portion 76, but in this modified example, circular or elliptical through-holes are arranged in a row along central axis 34. That is, a fitting member 84 according to the fourth modified example differs from fitting member 13 according to the above embodiment in that, while connecting portion 33 in fitting member 13 according to the above embodiment has a single opening 30, connecting portion 86 in fitting member 84 has five openings 87 to 91, as shown in FIG. 10 . Openings 87 to 91 have circular or elliptical outer shapes and penetrate peripheral wall 35 of connecting portion 86. The outer shapes of openings 87 to 91 are not particularly limited and may be polygonal holes.

[0080] By providing openings 87 to 91 in this manner, the bending rigidity of a portion 92 of connecting portion 86 where openings 87 to 91 are provided (corresponding to the "low rigidity portion" described in the claims) is reduced. In this modified example, five openings 87 to 91 are provided, but the number of openings is not particularly limited. The other configuration of fitting member 84 is the same as that of fitting member 13 according to the above embodiment.

[0081] In this modified example, as with the fishing line guide 10 according to the above embodiment, the bending rigidity of the connecting portion 86 is lower than that of the first tubular portion 31 and is also lower than that of the second tubular portion 32, so that when a bending moment acts on the blank 11 during actual fishing and causes it to bend, the connecting portion 86 bends in response to the bending of the blank 11. As a result, even if the fishing line guide 10 is provided on the blank 11, the performance of the fishing rod is not adversely affected.

[0082] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a fitting member 94 of a fishing line guide according to a fifth modified example of this embodiment.

[0083] In the first modified example, as shown in Fig. 7, the peripheral wall 35 of the connecting portion 62 of the fitting member 61 is a single uniformly curved surface (concave surface), but in this modified example, the peripheral wall 35 of the connecting portion 95 is not a uniformly curved surface. That is, fitting member 94 according to the fifth modified example differs from fitting member 61 according to the first modified example in that fitting member 94 according to the fifth modified example has three curved surfaces 96 to 98 (corresponding to the "recess" and "low-rigidity portion" described in the claims) on the peripheral wall 35 of the connecting portion 95, as shown in Fig. 11. The other configurations of fitting member 94 are the same as those of fitting member 61.

[0084] Curved surfaces 96 to 98 are arranged side by side along the direction of central axis 34. Curved surfaces 96 to 98 are formed to be convex radially inward of connecting portion 95, and the thickness of peripheral wall 35 of connecting portion 95 varies along the direction of central axis 34. Curved surface 96 is located at a central portion 99 of connecting portion 95, and the thickness of peripheral wall 35 is thinnest at this central portion 99. Curved surfaces 97 and 98 are located on both sides of curved surface 96. The thickness of peripheral wall 35 is thinnest at a central portion 100 of curved surface 97, and the thickness of peripheral wall 35 is thinnest at a central portion 101 of curved surface 98. In other words, the formation of curved surfaces 96 to 98 reduces the thickness of peripheral wall 35. The curvature of curved surfaces 96 to 98 is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately designed so that the thickness of peripheral wall 35 at central portion 99, central portion 100, and central portion 101 has a required dimension. In this modified example, curved surface 98 is formed from three curved surfaces 96, but the number of curved surfaces is not particularly limited, as long as at least two curved surfaces are formed.

[0085] In this modified example, as with the fishing line guide 10 according to the above embodiment, the wall thickness is thinner from the central portion 99 to the central portion 101 (corresponding to the "low rigidity portion" in the claims), so the bending rigidity of the connecting portion 95 is reduced, and the bending rigidity of the connecting portion 95 is lower than the bending rigidity of the first tubular portion 31 and also lower than the bending rigidity of the second tubular portion 32. Therefore, when a bending moment acts on the blank 11 during actual fishing and causes it to bend, the connecting portion 95 bends in response to the bending of the blank 11. As a result, even if the fishing line guide 10 is provided on the blank 11, the performance of the fishing rod is not adversely affected.

[0086] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a fishing line guide 110 according to a sixth modified example of this embodiment.

[0087] The fishing line guide 110 according to this modification differs from the fishing line guide 10 according to the previous embodiment in that it includes reinforcing rings 111 and 112 (corresponding to the "reinforcing portions" in the claims) that respectively reinforce the first tubular portion 31 and the second tubular portion 32 of the fitting member 13. The rest of the configuration of the fishing line guide 110 is the same as that of the fishing line guide 10.

[0088] 13A and 13B are perspective views of the reinforcing ring 111 and the reinforcing ring 112, where (a) shows the reinforcing ring 111 and (b) shows the reinforcing ring 112. FIG.

[0089] The reinforcing ring 111 is interposed between the first tubular portion 31 of the fitting member 13 and the fixed portion 26 of the guide body 12, and the reinforcing ring 112 is interposed between the second tubular portion 32 and the fixed portion 29 of the guide body 12. The reinforcing ring 111 is cylindrical, and its inner diameter corresponds to the outer diameter of the intermediate portion 42 of the first tubular portion 31. The width 113 of the reinforcing ring 111 corresponds to the size of the fixed portion 26. However, this width 113 is not particularly limited, as long as it is set so that the reinforcing ring 111 can be positioned between the fixed portion 26 and the intermediate portion 42 of the first tubular portion 31. The thickness 117 of the reinforcing ring 111 is not particularly limited, but may be approximately 0.10 mm to 0.80 mm, and in this embodiment, may be set to 0.30 mm. In this embodiment, a slit 115 is formed in the peripheral wall 114 of the reinforcing ring 111, and the peripheral wall 114 is cut by this slit 115.

[0090] The material constituting the reinforcing ring 111 is not particularly limited, and metal or resin can be used. In this embodiment, it is made of a sheet-like resin reinforced with carbon fiber (corresponding to the "sheet member" described in the claims). The reinforcing ring 111 is typically made by cutting prepreg, in which carbon fiber is impregnated with resin, into a strip, which is then wound around a mandrel in an annular shape and fired. The reinforcing ring 111 has slits 115, allowing it to bend elastically in the direction of arrow 116 in FIG. 13.

[0091] The reinforcing ring 112 is formed in a cylindrical shape like the reinforcing ring 111, and as shown in Fig. 12, the width 118 of the reinforcing ring 112 corresponds to the size of the fixing portion 29. However, this width 118 is not particularly limited, and it need only be set so that the reinforcing ring 112 can be placed between the fixing portion 29 and the intermediate portion 52 of the second tube portion 32. The configuration of the reinforcing ring 112 is the same as that of the reinforcing ring 111, except that the width 118 is different from the width 113 of the reinforcing ring 111.

[0092] The reinforcing ring 111 is elastically opened in the direction of arrow 116 as shown in Fig. 13, and is fitted into the intermediate portion 42 of the first tube portion 31 as shown in Fig. 12. Because the outer diameter of this intermediate portion 42 corresponds to the inner diameter of the reinforcing ring 111, the reinforcing ring 111 is securely fixed to the intermediate portion 42. By interposing an adhesive or the like between the reinforcing ring 111 and the intermediate portion 42, the reinforcing ring 111 is firmly fixed to the intermediate portion 42.

[0093] In the fishing line guide 110 according to this modification, like the fishing line guide 10 according to the previous embodiment, the bending rigidity of the connecting portion 33 is lower than that of the first tubular portion 31, and is also lower than that of the second tubular portion 32. Therefore, when a bending moment acts on the blank 11 during actual fishing and causes it to bend, the connecting portion 33 bends in response to the bending of the blank 11. As a result, even if the fishing line guide 110 is provided on the blank 11, the performance of the fishing rod is not adversely affected.

[0094] Furthermore, because the reinforcing ring 111 is provided in the intermediate portion 42 of the first tubular portion 31, the surface pressure generated between this intermediate portion 42 and the fixed portion 26 is suppressed. The same applies to the surface pressure generated between the intermediate portion 52 of the second tubular portion 32 and the fixed portion 29. Therefore, distortion of the intermediate portions 42 and 52 is prevented when the fixed portion 26 is fixed to the first tubular portion 31 and when the fixed portion 29 is fixed to the second tubular portion 32. As a result, the fishing line guide 110 is accurately attached to the blank 11 in the correct position and posture. Note that in this modified example, the reinforcing ring 111 is provided in the first tubular portion 31 and the reinforcing ring 112 is provided in the second tubular portion 32, but either the reinforcing ring 111 or the reinforcing ring 112 may be omitted.

[0095] In particular, in this modified example, the reinforcing rings 111 and 112 are made of prepreg and fired into a cylindrical shape, which has the advantage of being simple in structure and inexpensive to form. Note that instead of the reinforcing rings 111 and 112, sheet members may be sandwiched between the first pipe portion 31 and the fixing portion 26, and between the second pipe portion 32 and the fixing portion 29. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 10 Fishing line guide 11. Blank 14 Guide ring 15...frame 16...1st support leg 17...Second support leg 18...Axis core 19. Towards the tip of the rod 20···For the butt of the rod 23...One end 24...One end 25....Specified part 26... Fixed part 27...One end 28 Lower edge 29... Fixed part 30...Aperture 31 First pipe section 32...Second pipe section 33...Connection part 34...center axis 35...peripheral wall 40....A portion where an opening is provided 41...Central part 42 Middle section 45....Placement surface 46...First wall 47...Second wall 52 Middle section 55....Placement surface 56 Third wall 57···Fourth wall 62...Connection part 65...Connection part 66...Aperture 67...Aperture 72....A portion where an opening is provided 76...Connection part 77...Aperture 78...Aperture 79...Aperture 80...Aperture 81...Aperture 82...Aperture 83...Aperture 86...Connection part 87...Aperture 88...Aperture 89...Aperture 90...Aperture 91...Aperture 95...Connection part 96...Curved surface 97...Curved surface 98...Curved surface 99...Central part 100...Central part 101...Central part 110 Fishing line guide 111···Reinforcement ring 112 Reinforcement ring

Claims

1. A guide ring for guiding the fishing line; an annular frame that holds the guide ring; a first support leg having a first fixing portion extending in a first direction in an axial direction of the guide ring and attached to a pair of first support portions spaced apart in a circumferential direction of the frame; a second support leg having a second fixing portion extending in a second direction opposite to the first direction and attached to a second support portion provided between the pair of first support portions of the frame; a first pipe portion to which the first fixing portion is fixed; a second pipe portion to which the second fixing portion is fixed; a connecting portion that connects the first pipe portion and the second pipe portion and has a low rigidity portion that has lower bending rigidity than at least one of the first pipe portion and the second pipe portion; A fishing line guide equipped with

2. 2. The fishing line guide according to claim 1, wherein the low-rigidity portion is provided on a peripheral surface of the connecting portion on a side where the frame is disposed.

3. 3. The fishing line guide according to claim 1, wherein the low-rigidity portion is defined by a notch provided in the connecting portion.

4. The fishing line guide of claim 3 , wherein the notch is defined by at least two openings.

5. 3. The fishing line guide according to claim 1, wherein the low-rigidity portion is defined by a thin-walled portion provided at the connecting portion.

6. 6. The fishing line guide of claim 5, wherein said thinned portion is defined by at least two recesses.

7. 7. The fishing line guide according to claim 5, wherein the thin-walled portion gradually becomes thinner as it moves away from at least one of the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion.

8. the first pipe portion has a first mounting portion to which the first fixing portion is fixed, the second pipe portion has a second mounting portion to which the second fixing portion is fixed, 2. The fishing line guide according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion has a circumferential regulating portion that regulates the first fixing portion or the second fixing portion from moving circumferentially relative to the first tubular portion or the second tubular portion.

9. the first pipe portion has a first mounting portion to which the first fixing portion is fixed, the second pipe portion has a second mounting portion to which the second fixing portion is fixed, 2. The fishing line guide according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion has an axial regulating portion that regulates axial movement of the first fixing portion or the second fixing portion relative to the first tubular portion or the second tubular portion.

10. the first pipe portion has a first mounting portion to which the first fixing portion is fixed, the second pipe portion has a second mounting portion to which the second fixing portion is fixed, 2. The fishing line guide according to claim 1, further comprising a reinforcing portion provided between the first mounting portion and the first fixed portion or between the second mounting portion and the second fixed portion.

11. 11. The fishing line guide according to claim 10, wherein the reinforcing portion is made of a sheet member reinforced with carbon fiber.

12. The sheet member is The fishing line guide according to claim 11, further comprising a cylindrical portion that covers an outer peripheral surface of the first mounting portion or the second mounting portion.

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