Triple Lever Drag System

Abstract

We provide a fishing reel with a lever drag mechanism. [Solution] The fishing reel is equipped with a lever drag mechanism, the lever of the drag mechanism can be rotated forward or backward to engage or disengage the drag mechanism. When the lever is rotated forward to engage the drag mechanism, the shaft can be pulled outward from the reel, as a result of multiple drag washers coming into contact with multiple drag plates. The drag washers can be coupled to the spool, and the drag plates can be coupled to a drag plate hub. As a result, when the drag mechanism is engaged, the drag washers can frictionally couple to the drag plates so that the spool is coupled to the drag plate hub, preferably. When the drag mechanism is disengaged, the spool can rotate independently of the drag plate hub.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 488,391, filed on March 3, 2023, under the name "TRIPLE LEVER DRAG SYSTEM", which is currently pending, and the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention generally relates to a drag mechanism for a fishing reel, and more particularly to a pull-to-engage drag mechanism including a plurality of drag washers and drag plates.

Background Art

[0003] Conventional fishing reels include a drag mechanism for applying drag or resistance to the rotation of the spool when tension is applied to the fishing line (e.g., by a fish). When the tension applied to the fishing line becomes so great that the fishing line cannot withstand it, the drag mechanism allows the spool to rotate and the fish to pull the fishing line from the reel. By allowing the fish to pull the fishing line from the reel when tension is applied to the fishing line, the drag mechanism reduces the pressure on the fishing line, rod, and fisherman.

[0004] In a typical example, a carbon fiber drag washer is fixed to the spool, and a metal drag plate is fixed to the frame of the fishing reel. When the drag washer and the drag plate are brought into contact with each other (e.g., by a lever), friction occurs and resists the rotation of the drag plate relative to the drag washer. Thus, the drag washer and the drag plate can be brought into contact with each other to create resistance to the rotation of the spool and the payout of the line.

[0005] Typically, and preferably, the drag or resistance level is adjustable by the angler to obtain a drag level appropriate for the situation. For example, when casting, it may be desirable to obtain the maximum casting distance, and therefore it may be desirable to set the reel to a "free spool" mode with little to no drag. When using live bait, a relatively low drag level may be desirable so that the live bait can swim and attract fish, but not sink. When a fish is hooked, a higher drag level may be desirable to allow the fish to swim away. Furthermore, the drag level can be adjusted as needed as the size of the fish is better estimated and / or as the fish becomes tired.

[0006] To provide adjustable drag, most conventional reels generally utilize a lever-drag mechanism that includes a rotatable lever and calibration knob located on the side of the reel. When the lever is rotated forward in a first direction, the drag washer and drag plate advance relative to each other, and tightening pressure is applied to create friction between the drag washer and drag plate. The amount of tightening pressure between the drag washer and drag plate can be selectively adjusted by rotating the calibration knob. Thus, the angler can selectively adjust the drag level by rotating the calibration knob. In addition, when the lever is rotated backward in a second direction, the drag washer and drag plate move apart from each other. Thus, the angler can rotate the lever backward in a second direction to put the reel into a "free spool" mode, where the spool rotates with minimal resistance.

[0007] This configuration provides adjustable drag, but it has several drawbacks. Conventional lever drag mechanisms have one drag washer and one drag plate. Therefore, in conventional lever drag mechanisms, there is usually only one interface that generates friction. To produce the desired level of drag in a conventional lever drag mechanism, a relatively high frictional force is required at the single interface. This relatively high frictional force can cause wear on the drag washer and drag plate with repeated use. In addition, because there is only one interface that provides the drag, a relatively large clamping pressure may be required between the drag washer and drag plate to generate the necessary friction. This relatively large clamping pressure between the drag washer and drag plate can create a "sideload" that makes it difficult for the spool to selectively wind the fishing line.

[0008] Furthermore, known lever drag mechanisms are typically of the "push-to-engage" design. In a push-to-engage design, when the lever is rotated forward to engage the drag mechanism, the shaft translates axially inward. This axial inward push of the shaft causes the drag washer to contact the drag plate. However, push-to-engage drag mechanisms can be cumbersome for anglers. For example, anglers can easily push the shaft inward unintentionally, thereby unintentionally engaging the drag mechanism.

[0009] In addition, in push-engagement mechanisms, repeated operation of the lever and ambient vibrations (e.g., vibrations from a boat) can cause "drag drift," where the position of the calibration knob changes over time. As a result, in push-engagement drag mechanisms, the drag level may become inconsistent even when the lever is rotated, and the angler may need to recalibrate the calibration knob from time to time. In contrast, for pull-engagement drag mechanisms, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 17 / 995,522, entitled "PULL TO TURN LEVER DRAG PRESET KNOB," whose details are incorporated herein by reference, describes a calibration knob that is less prone to drag drift.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need for a drag mechanism that can generate drag over more interface surfaces than those provided by known drag mechanisms. In addition, it is desirable that such a drag mechanism be a pull-engagement lever drag mechanism that allows the spool to rotate freely when the shaft is selectively moved within the reel. [Overview of the project]

[0011] This invention overcomes many of the shortcomings and limitations of the prior art devices discussed above. The invention described here includes a drag mechanism for selectively preventing or resisting the rotation of a fishing reel spool. The drag mechanism includes a plurality of drag washers (e.g., an inner drag washer, a central drag washer, and an outer drag washer) fixed to the spool. When the angler rotates the lever of the fishing reel forward in a first direction, the shaft can be translated axially outward from the frame of the fishing reel. When the shaft is pulled axially outward, the drag washers are preferably brought into contact with drag plates (e.g., an inner drag plate and an outer drag plate). The drag washers and drag plates can exert pressure on each other, generating friction in the drag mechanism. As a result, the drag mechanism can resist the rotation of the drag washers relative to the drag plates. Therefore, since the drag washer can be fixed to the spool, the drag mechanism also preferably prevents or resists the rotation of the spool. To disengage the drag mechanism and allow the spool to rotate with minimal resistance, the lever can be rotated backward in a second direction to separate the drag washer from the drag plate.

[0012] These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the following detailed description relating to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a front cross-sectional view of a fishing reel having a drag mechanism configured according to the teachings of the present invention, where the drag mechanism is in the disengaged position. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a front cross-sectional view of a fishing reel with the drag mechanism in the engaged position. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] While various modifications and alternative forms are possible for this disclosure, specific embodiments are illustrated in the figures and described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the figures and detailed descriptions presented herein are not intended to limit this disclosure to any specific embodiment, but rather to encompass all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the spirit and scope of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0015] Next, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals throughout the drawings refer to the same parts. In order to clearly illustrate the features of the present invention, the proportional relationships of the elements are not necessarily maintained in the drawings.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the fishing reel 1 may include a frame 5 configured to be coupled to a fishing rod (not shown), and a spool 10 rotatably coupled to the frame 5. To hold the spool 10 to the frame 5, the spool 10 may be supported on a shaft 15 extending from the left side 20 to the right side 25 of the frame 5. To facilitate the rotation of the spool 10, the spool 10 may be coupled to the shaft 15 through a first spool bearing 30 and a second spool bearing 35. The first spool bearing 30 and the second spool bearing 35 may be positioned on the shaft 15 close to the left side 20 and the right side 25 of the frame 5, respectively.

[0017] The spool 10 can be designed to receive and hold the fishing line on the reel 1. For example, the spool 10 may be substantially cylindrical with an hourglass shape (i.e., a cylindrical shape where the diameter is greater towards the ends than in the middle) that allows the fishing line to be wound onto the spool 10. When the fishing line is wound onto the spool 10 in a first direction, as the spool 10 rotates in the first direction, preferably more fishing line is wound onto the spool 10. Thus, as the spool 10 rotates in the first direction, preferably the fishing line can be “wound up” or stored.

[0018] In contrast, when the spool 10 is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the fishing line is unwound from the spool 10, and as a result, more fishing line is preferably released or "released" from the reel 1. When an angler releases fishing line by casting or otherwise releasing the line, the angler may want the spool 10 to rotate with relatively low resistance. To facilitate this, the angler may position the drag mechanism 40 in the disengaged position, as shown in Figure 1.

[0019] When the drag mechanism 40 is in the disengaged position, the spool 10 preferably rotates with minimal resistance. For example, the drag mechanism 40 may include an inner drag washer 45, a central drag washer 50, an outer drag washer 55, an inner drag plate 60, and an outer drag plate 65 that are selectively engageable with each other (as described in relation to Figure 2). When the drag mechanism 40 is in the disengaged position, a first gap 70 can be formed between the inner drag washer 45 and the inner drag plate 60. In addition, a second gap 75 can be formed between the inner drag plate 60 and the central drag washer 50. Furthermore, a third gap 80 can be formed between the outer drag washer 55 and the outer drag plate 65. Thus, when the drag mechanism 40 is in the disengaged position, the reel 1 can be in a "free spool" mode such that the spool 10 rotates with minimal resistance.

[0020] Referring to Figure 2, when an angler hooks a fish, the angler may prefer that the reel 1 resist the rotation of the spool 10 to prevent further release of the fishing line. To facilitate such a configuration, the angler may position the drag mechanism 40 in the engaged position, as shown in Figure 2.

[0021] To position the drag mechanism 40 in the engaged position, the angler rotates a lever (not shown) in a first direction, preferably pulling or translating the shaft 15 axially outward from the reel 1. The lever may be located on the right side 25 of the frame 5, but in an alternative embodiment, the lever may be located on the left side 20. More specifically, the lever may be coupled to the first end 85 of the shaft 15. When the lever is rotated backward, the first end 85 of the shaft 15 is translated, preferably, to a threshold distance away from the right side 25 of the frame 5. The threshold distance can be adjusted by the angler by rotating a calibration knob 90 screw-coupled to the first end 85 of the shaft 15.

[0022] As the shaft 15 translates axially outward from the reel 1, preferably the spool 10 and the shaft hub 95 translate toward the right side 25. More specifically, the flange 100 of the shaft 15 engages with the shaft hub 95, preferably pulling the shaft hub 95 toward the right side 25. As the shaft hub 95 moves toward the right side 25, the radial lip 105 of the shaft hub 95 engages with the spool 10, preferably causing the spool 10 to also move toward the right side 25.

[0023] As further shown in Figure 2, as the spool 10 translates toward the right side 25, preferably the drag washers 45, 50, 55 come into contact with the drag plates 60, 65, generating frictional engagement with the drag mechanism 40. In particular, the drag washers 45, 50, 55 and the drag plates 60, 65 can move toward each other, and as a result, the gaps 70, 75, 80 (see Figure 1) can be substantially narrowed before disappearing. The drag washers 45, 50, 55 may be ring-shaped, and the drag plates 60, 65 may be disc-shaped (e.g., substantially circular plates), but other configurations are also foreseeable. In some embodiments, the drag washers 45, 50, 55 and / or the drag plates 60, 65 may be made of metal and / or carbon fiber.

[0024] More specifically, when the spool 10 translates towards the right side 25, the spool 10 abuts against the inner drag washer 45 and, preferably, can translate the inner drag washer 45 towards the right side 25. As a result, the spool 10 can push the inner drag washer 45 such that the inner drag washer 45 contacts the inner drag plate 60. Further, the translational movement of the spool 10 and the inner drag washer 45 can push or position the inner drag plate 60 so as to contact the central drag washer 50. The central drag washer 50 may be coupled to the outer drag washer 55, and as a result, the outer drag washer 55 is preferably pushed or positioned so as to contact the outer drag plate 65. Thus, when the drag mechanism 40 is engaged, friction can be generated between the inner drag washer 45 and the inner drag plate 60, between the inner drag plate 60 and the central drag washer 50, and between the outer drag washer 55 and the outer drag plate 65. Thus, the drag mechanism 40 can preferably generate friction at three interface surfaces.

[0025] When the drag washers 45, 50, 55 and the drag plates 60, 65 are in frictional engagement, preferably, the spool 10 can resist rotation. For example, the drag washers 45, 50, 55 can be coupled to the spool 10 by a spool pin 110 so as to rotate about the shaft 15 together with the spool 10. In contrast to the drag washers 45, 50, 55, the drag plates 60, 65 can be coupled to a drag plate hub 115 that can be selectively rotatable about the shaft 15. As a result, when the drag washers 45, 50, 55 are in frictional engagement with the drag plates 60, 65, the spool 10 preferably resists rotating relative to the drag plate hub 115.

[0026] When the spool 10 is coupled to the drag plate hub 115 via the drag mechanism 40, a handle (not shown) can be used to selectively rotate the drag plate hub 115 and thus the spool 10. The handle can be rotatably coupled to the frame 5 and engage with the drag plate hub 115 via gears 120, 125 to rotate the drag plate hub 115. For example, the handle can be coupled to the first gear 120, and the second gear 125 can be connected to the first gear 120 and the drag plate hub 115. Thus, the drag plate hub 115 can preferably rotate about the shaft 15 when the handle is rotated.

[0027] As a result, when the drag mechanism 40 is engaged, the angler can use the handle to rotate the spool 10 in the first direction to wind up additional fishing line. In addition, if the angler fixes the handle in place, the connection between the spool 10 and the drag plate hub 115 can help prevent the spool 10 from rotating and releasing the fishing line.

[0028] To set the level of drag, the angler can rotate the calibration knob 90 to adjust the threshold distance by which the shaft 15 moves in response to rotation of the lever. Shortening the threshold distance causes the shaft 15 to translate further towards the right 25. As a result, the drag washers 45, 50, 55 and the drag plates 60, 65 apply greater pressure against each other, resulting in a greater level of drag. Thus, rotating the calibration knob 90 to shorten the threshold distance preferably increases the level of drag. Conversely, if the calibration knob 90 is rotated to increase the threshold distance, the shaft 15 preferably translates a shorter distance in response to rotation of the lever. Thus, when the calibration knob 90 is rotated to shorten the threshold distance, the drag mechanism 40 preferably produces a higher level of friction and drag.

[0029] If the tension on the fishing line exceeds the frictional force between the drag washers 45, 50, 55 and the drag plates 60, 65, the drag mechanism 40 can allow rotation between the drag washers 45, 50, 55 and the drag plates 60, 65. Thus, the spool 10 can rotate to release more fishing line. To help prevent the fishing line from breaking, the angler can adjust the calibration knob 90 so that the friction in the drag mechanism 40 is less than or equal to the strength of the fishing line. Thus, for tension greater than the strength of the fishing line, the spool 10 can rotate to release more fishing line, preferably relieving the tension on the fishing line.

[0030] As is evident from the foregoing description, specific embodiments of the present invention are not limited by the specific details of the examples shown herein, and it is therefore intended that other modifications, applications, variations, or equivalents thereof will be conceivable to those skilled in the art. However, many such modifications, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the components of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this specification and the accompanying drawings. In addition, it should be noted that not all accompanying drawings are to scale unless otherwise stated above. All other uses in such modifications, modifications, variations, and applications that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention are deemed to be encompassed by the present invention, limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. Frame and, A shaft slidably coupled to the frame, A spool configured to rotate around the aforementioned shaft, A first drag washer, a second drag washer, and a third drag washer, wherein each of the first drag washer, the second drag washer, and the third drag washer is coupled to the spool such that the first drag washer, the second drag washer, and the third drag washer rotate together with the spool, A first drag plate and a second drag plate, wherein each of the first drag plate and the second drag plate is coupled to the frame, and A fishing reel equipped with, When the shaft is moved outward from the frame, at least one of the first drag washer, the second drag washer, and the third drag washer moves toward at least one of the first drag plate and the second drag plate. A fishing reel in which, when the shaft is moved inward toward the frame, at least one of the first drag washer, the second drag washer, and the third drag washer moves away from at least one of the first drag plate and the second drag plate.

2. The fishing reel according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first drag washer, the second drag washer, and the third drag washer is configured to engage with at least one of the first drag plate and the second drag plate to generate friction.

3. The fishing reel according to claim 1, wherein the shaft is coupled to a calibration knob configured to adjust the distance the shaft moves inward or outward relative to the frame.

4. The fishing reel according to claim 1, wherein the spool is configured to move toward the first side of the frame when the shaft moves outward from the frame.

5. The fishing reel according to claim 1, wherein the first drag washer, the second drag washer, and the third drag washer are each coupled to the spool via at least one pin.

6. The fishing reel according to claim 1, wherein when the shaft is moved outward from the frame, the spool is configured to move at least one of the first drag washer, the second drag washer, and the third drag washer toward at least one of the first drag plate and the second drag plate.

7. The fishing reel according to claim 1, wherein the resistance applied to the spool is selectively adjustable by moving the shaft inward or outward from the frame.

8. The fishing reel according to claim 1, wherein the first drag washer, the second drag washer, and the third drag washer are each ring-shaped.

9. A hub coupled to the first drag plate and the second drag plate so as to rotate together with the first drag plate and the second drag plate, A handle configured to selectively rotate the hub, The fishing reel according to claim 1, further comprising:

10. The fishing reel according to claim 9, wherein the handle is configured to rotate the spool when at least one of the first drag plate and the second drag plate is engaged with at least one of the first drag washer, the second drag washer, and the third drag washer.

11. Frame and, A shaft slidably coupled to the frame, A spool configured to rotate around the aforementioned shaft, A first drag washer, a second drag washer, and a third drag washer, wherein each of the first drag washer, the second drag washer, and the third drag washer is coupled to the spool such that the first drag washer, the second drag washer, and the third drag washer rotate together with the spool, A first drag plate and a second drag plate, wherein each of the first drag plate and the second drag plate is configured to engage with at least one of the first drag washer, the second drag washer, and the third drag washer. A fishing reel that includes, When the fishing reel is in the first position, the first drag plate engages with the first drag washer and the second drag washer, respectively, and the second drag plate engages with the third drag washer. A fishing reel, wherein when the fishing reel is in a second position, a gap is formed between at least one of the first drag washer, the second drag washer, and the third drag washer and at least one of the first drag plate and the second drag plate, and when the shaft is moved inward toward the frame, the fishing reel moves from the first position to the second position.

12. The fishing reel according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the first drag plate and the second drag plate moves when the fishing reel moves from the first position to the second position.

13. The fishing reel according to claim 11, further comprising the first drag washer, the second drag washer, and the third drag washer, and a calibration knob configured to adjust the tightening pressure between the first drag plate and the second drag plate.

14. The fishing reel according to claim 11, wherein the first drag washer, the second drag washer, and the third drag washer are each made of carbon fiber at least partially.

15. The fishing reel according to claim 11, further comprising a handle for selectively rotating the first drag plate and the second drag plate.

16. The fishing reel according to claim 15, wherein the handle is configured to rotate the spool when the fishing reel is in the first position.

17. The fishing reel according to claim 11, wherein when the fishing reel is in the first position, it is configured to generate greater resistance to the rotation of the spool than when the fishing reel is in the second position.

18. The fishing reel according to claim 11, wherein when the fishing reel moves from the first position to the second position, the spool moves in the axial direction.

19. The fishing reel according to claim 18, wherein when the fishing reel moves from the first position to the second position, the spool moves at least one of the first drag washer, the second drag washer, and the third drag washer, and at least one of the first drag plate and the second drag plate.

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