U.S. patent application number 10/190864 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-08 for automatic two-speed transmission for a fishing reel.
Invention is credited to Bledsoe, Steven W., Duncan, Richard.
Application Number | 20040004141 10/190864 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29735282 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040004141 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bledsoe, Steven W. ; et
al. |
January 8, 2004 |
AUTOMATIC TWO-SPEED TRANSMISSION FOR A FISHING REEL
Abstract
An automatic two-speed transmission for a fishing reel comprises
a spool mounted on a spool shaft, a drive sleeve mounted on a drive
shaft disposed parallel to the spool shaft. A low gear driver
nonrotatably mounted on the drive shaft engages the low gear when
the low gear rotates at a speed less than the drive shaft, the low
gear driver disengaging from the low gear when the low gear rotates
at a speed greater than the drive shaft. The low gear drives a low
pinion gear that turns the spool. A high gear is disposed on the
drive sleeve between clutch washers, the clutch washers providing
frictional resistance against the high gear in order to engage the
high gear, which in turn engages a high pinion gear that turns the
spool. A tension preset device selectably adjusts the drive sleeve
and the drive shaft axially relative to each other, squeezing the
high gear between the clutch washers.
Inventors: |
Bledsoe, Steven W.; (San
Clemente, CA) ; Duncan, Richard; (Aliso Viejo,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Kit M. Stetina
STETINA BRUNDA GARRED & BRUCKER
Suite 250
75 Enterprise
Aliso Viejo
CA
92656
US
|
Family ID: |
29735282 |
Appl. No.: |
10/190864 |
Filed: |
July 8, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/255 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 89/015 20130101;
A01K 89/01904 20150501; A01K 89/0184 20150501 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/255 |
International
Class: |
A01K 089/015 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An automatic two-speed transmission for a fishing reel,
comprising: a drive shaft; a low gear rotatably carried on the
drive shaft; a low gear driver non-rotatably carried on the drive
shaft for engaging the low gear when the low gear rotates at a
speed less than the drive shaft, the low gear driver disengaging
from the low gear when the low gear rotates at a speed greater than
the drive shaft; a high gear rotatable on the drive sleeve; and a
pair of clutch washers non-rotatably fixed to the drive sleeve and
disposed on either side of the high gear, the clutch washers
frictionally engaging the high gear when the rotational force on
the high gear is lower than the frictional force of the clutch
washers on the high gear.
2. The automatic two-speed transmission of claim 1, wherein the
drive shaft is supported by a reel side plate.
3. The automatic two-speed transmission of claim 2, wherein the
drive shaft includes a distal end and a proximal end, the distal
end passing axially through to the exterior of the reel side plate,
the proximal end extending into the interior portion of the reel
side plate.
4. The automatic two-speed transmission of claim 3, wherein the low
gear is freely rotatable on a shoulder of the drive shaft and
bearingly supported by a radial flange at the proximal end of the
drive shaft, the low gear engaging a low pinion gear, the low
pinion gear fixedly connected to a spool shaft, the spool shaft
journaled into the reel side plate and disposed parallel to the
drive shaft.
5. The automatic two-speed transmission of claim 3, wherein the low
gear driver is non-rotatably and slidably carried on the proximal
end of the drive shaft by the interengagement of a pair of low gear
driver flats with a pair of low gear flats, the low gear driver
having at least one post for engaging an equal number of arcuate
mating cavities disposed on the low gear.
6. The automatic two-speed transmission of claim 3, wherein the
high gear has a diameter greater than that of the low gear and is
freely rotatable and slidably carried on the drive sleeve, the high
gear engaging a high pinion gear, the high pinion gear fixedly
connected to the spool shaft.
7. The automatic two-speed transmission of claim 1, wherein the
engaging surfaces of the clutch washers and the high gear are sized
and configured to provide a higher coefficient of friction with the
high gear.
8. The automatic two-speed transmission of claim 1, further
comprising: a crank handle fixedly connected to the drive shaft for
rotating the drive shaft.
9. An automatic two-speed transmission for a fishing reel including
a reel side plate fixedly connected to a reel frame and including a
spool rotatably mounted on a spool shaft, the automatic two-speed
transmission comprising: a drive shaft supported by the reel side
plate; a drive sleeve axially slidable and non-rotatably fixed to
the drive shaft by a pair of diametrically disposed slots, the
slots mating with a pair of pins disposed on the proximal end of
the drive shaft; a low gear rotatably carried on the drive shaft; a
low gear driver biased toward the low gear and non-rotatably
carried on the drive shaft for engaging the low gear when the low
gear rotates at a speed less than the drive shaft, the low gear
driver disengaging from the low gear when the low gear rotates at a
speed greater than the drive shaft; a high gear rotatable on the
drive sleeve; a pair of clutch washers axially slidable and
non-rotatably mounted to the drive sleeve and disposed on either
side of the high gear, the clutch washers frictionally engaging the
high gear when the rotational force on the high gear is lower than
the frictional force of the clutch washers on the high gear; and a
tension preset device attached to the drive shaft, the tension
preset device moving the drive sleeve and the drive shaft axially
relative to each other to adjust the frictional force between the
high gear and the clutch washers in order to regulate the point at
which the transmission assembly shifts from the high gear to the
low gear and from the low gear to the high gear.
10. The automatic two-speed transmission of claim 9, further
comprising: a pair of annular clutch discs rotatably mounted on the
drive sleeve and disposed on either side of the high gear between
the clutch washers and the high gear, the clutch discs providing
frictional resistance against the high gear and the clutch washers
in order to engage the high gear.
11. The automatic two-speed transmission of claim 9, wherein the
drive shaft includes a distal end and a proximal end, the distal
end passing axially through to the exterior of the reel side plate,
the proximal end extending into the interior portion of the reel
side plate.
12. The automatic two-speed transmission of claim 11, wherein the
low gear is rotatable on a shoulder of the drive shaft and
bearingly supported by a radial flange at the proximal end of the
drive shaft, the low gear engaging a low pinion gear, the low
pinion gear fixedly connected to the spool shaft, the spool shaft
journaled into the reel side plate and disposed parallel to the
drive shaft.
13. The automatic two-speed transmission of claim 11, wherein the
low gear driver is non-rotatably and slidably carried on the
proximal end of the drive shaft by the interengagement of a pair of
low gear driver flats with a pair of low gear flats, the low gear
driver having at least one post for engaging an equal number of
arcuate mating cavities disposed on the low gear.
14. The automatic two-speed transmission of claim 9, wherein the
low gear driver has an equal number of spring bores positioned
complementary to the spring cavities for accommodating a set of
springs for biasing the low gear driver toward the low gear, the
biasing of the springs allowing the posts of the low gear driver to
engage the arcuate mating grooves of the low gear when the low gear
is rotating slower than the drive shaft while the posts and mating
grooves are aligned.
15. The automatic two-speed transmission of claim 9, wherein the
low gear driver has a plurality of posts for engaging an equal
number of arcuate mating cavities disposed on the low gear.
16. The automatic two-speed transmission of claim 9, wherein the
high gear has a diameter greater than that of the low gear and is
freely rotatable and slidably carried on the drive sleeve, the high
gear engaging a high pinion gear, the high pinion gear fixedly
connected to the spool shaft.
17. The automatic two-speed transmission of claim 9, wherein the
engaging surfaces of the clutch washers and the high gear are sized
and configured to provide a higher coefficient of friction with the
high gear.
18. The automatic two-speed transmission of claim 9, further
comprising: a crank handle fixedly connected to the drive shaft for
rotating the drive shaft.
19. The automatic two-speed transmission of claim 11, wherein the
slots in the drive sleeve mate with an equal number of bosses
integral to and disposed on the proximal end of the drive
shaft.
20. The automatic two-speed transmission of claim 11, wherein the,
the slots in the drive sleeve mate with an equal number of set
screws disposed on the proximal end of the drive shaft.
21. The automatic two-speed transmission of claim 14, wherein the
springs are coil springs.
22. The automatic two-speed transmission of claim 14, wherein the
springs are conical springs.
23. The automatic two-speed transmission of claim 9, wherein a
single coil spring is interposed between the clutch washer and the
low gear driver for biasing the low gear driver toward the low
gear.
24. An automatic two-speed transmission for a lever-type fishing
reel including a reel side plate fixedly connected to a reel frame
and including a spool rotatably mounted on a spool shaft, the
automatic two-speed transmission comprising: a drive shaft
rotatably carried by the reel side plate, the drive shaft having a
distal end and a proximal end, the distal end passing axially
through to the exterior of the reel side plate, the proximal end
extending into the interior portion of the reel side plate; a crank
handle non-rotatably connected to the distal end of the drive shaft
for rotation thereof; a drive sleeve axially slidably carried on
the proximal end of the drive shaft and non-rotatably fixed thereto
by a pair of diametrically disposed slots, the slots mating with a
pair of pins disposed on the proximal end of the drive shaft; a low
gear freely rotatable on a shoulder of the drive shaft and
bearingly supported by a radial flange at the proximal end of the
drive shaft, the low gear having low gear teeth for driving a low
pinion gear by the meshing of the low gear teeth with the low
pinion gear teeth, the low pinion gear fixedly connected to the
spool shaft, the spool shaft journaled into the reel side plate and
disposed parallel to the drive shaft; a low gear driver slidable on
the proximal end of the drive shaft and non-rotatably carried
thereon by the interengagement of a pair of low gear driver flats
with a pair of low gear flats, the low gear driver having at least
one post for engaging one of any number of arcuate mating cavities
disposed on the low gear enabling rotation of the low gear, the
arcuate mating cavities of the low gear having ramps disposed at an
angle approximately equal to the angle of a chamfer disposed on the
end of each post to allow the low gear driver to disengage the low
gear when the low gear rotates at a speed greater than that of the
drive shaft; a pair of clutch washers non-rotatably and slidably
carried on the drive sleeve by the interengagement of clutch washer
flats with the drive sleeve flats, one of the pair of clutch
washers located adjacent to and bearingly supported by an
anti-reverse gear, the anti-reverse gear fixedly connected to the
drive sleeve, the other of the pair of clutch washers located
adjacent the low gear driver and having at least one spring
cavities spaced equally about the circumference, the low gear
driver having an equal number of spring bores positioned
complementary to the spring cavities for accommodating a set of
springs for biasing the low gear driver toward the low gear, the
biasing of the springs allowing the posts of the low gear driver to
engage the arcuate mating grooves of the low gear only when the low
gear is rotating slower than the drive shaft while the posts and
mating grooves are aligned; a high gear having a diameter greater
than that of the low gear and freely rotatable and slidably carried
on the drive sleeve, the high gear disposed between the pair of
clutch washers, the high gear having high gear teeth for driving a
high pinion gear by meshing of the high pinion gear teeth with the
high gear teeth, the high pinion gear fixedly connected to the
spool shaft; a pair of annular clutch discs mounted on the drive
sleeve and disposed on either side of the high gear, the clutch
discs providing frictional resistance against the high gear in
order to engage the high gear; and a tension preset wheel
threadably attached to a threaded portion of the drive shaft, the
tension preset wheel moving the drive sleeve and the drive shaft
axially relative to each other to squeeze the high gear between the
clutch washers, the clutch discs applying frictional force thereto
so that the high gear is driven frictionally by rotation of the
drive shaft in a forward direction to reel in line at a high rate
of speed at low resistance, the low gear driver engaging the low
gear and enabling rotation of the low gear in a forward direction
when resistance applied to the spool is greater than the clutch
friction resistance allowing the user to reel in line at a low rate
of speed at high resistance, the tension preset wheel adjustable to
regulate the point at which the transmission assembly shifts from
high gear to low gear and from low gear to high gear.
25. The automatic two-speed transmission of claim 24, wherein the
clutch discs are sized and configured to provide a higher
coefficient of friction with the clutch washers and the high
gear.
26. The automatic two-speed transmission of claim 25, wherein the
clutch discs are constructed of carbon fiber.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] (Not Applicable)
STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
[0002] (Not Applicable)
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates generally to fishing equipment
and, more particularly, to an automatic two-speed transmission for
a fishing reel to provide automatic shifting from high speed to low
speed and from low speed to high speed.
[0004] Big game fishing tackle is characterized by heavy-duty
revolving spool reels. Most big game reels today are lever drag
reels of either the single speed or two-speed variety. However,
despite their increased cost, two-speed lever drag reels account
for half of all lever drag reels sold. In fact, reel technicians
upgrade some single speed reels to two-speed versions with
after-market conversions.
[0005] The prior art describes a manual two-speed fishing reel
including a low speed gear engageable with a second low speed gear
and a high speed gear engageable with a second high speed gear, the
second low and high speed gears driving a spool. A shifter
transmits the rotation of a handle shaft from the first low gear to
the first high gear in order to engage the high gear, and vice
versa. However, this arrangement is problematic in that manual
shifting is cumbersome because both hands may be occupied in
fighting a large fish, with one hand on the rod and the other on
the crank handle. Even temporarily removing either hand may lead to
the loss of the fish.
[0006] The prior art also describes a two-speed fishing reel
allowing bi-directional reeling through the use of a cylindrical
shaft for transmitting force from a crank handle. The cylindrical
shaft is axially slidable and can alternately engage either a low
speed gear or a high speed gear upon the manual pushing or pulling
of a control button. However, the manually selectable two-speed
fishing reel of this configuration has the same drawbacks that are
inherent in any manually selectable two-speed fishing reel--namely,
the need for the angler to divert attention when fighting a large
or powerful fish to manually push or pull a control button to
effect a gear change. Manually changing gears, as may be required
many times during the course of landing a large and powerful fish,
could result in losing the fish if the fishing line slackens during
the time that it takes to manually shift gears.
[0007] Also included in the prior art is an automatic two-speed
drive mechanism. Two driving gears of different diameters are
rotatably mounted on a main shaft, the two driving gears meshing
with two smaller driven gears. The two driven gears are biased
toward each other with springs. Cam surfaces are disposed on the
ends of the driven gears facing each other, the cam surfaces
disengaging the driven gears and urging them axially away from each
other when the smaller driven gear rotates relative to the larger
driven gear in one direction. When the larger driven gear rotates
relative to the smaller driven gear in this direction, the cams
drivingly couple the two driven gears together. Included with the
configuration is the ability to set the frictional force on the
high gear independent from the frictional force setting of the low
gear so that the frictional settings are compatible with the type
of lure used and the type of fishing. However, the drawback to the
above mechanism is that the construction is complicated with many
moving parts and the manufacturing cost is high.
[0008] Another automatic two-speed drive mechanism included in the
prior art is a planetary gear configuration wherein planetary gears
extend from one side of a high speed main drive gear and are
engaged by a secondary drive gear. A friction clutch is interposed
between a main drive shaft and the main drive gear. When the
friction clutch slips, the secondary drive gear, through orbital
rotation of the planet gears, drives the main drive gear. As
planetary gear systems necessarily involve many parts, the
two-speed drive mechanism of this configuration is also complicated
and costly.
[0009] As can be seen, there is a need for an automatic shifting
two-speed lever drag fishing reel that can automatically and
rapidly shift from low speed to high speed and vice versa without
the need for manual speed selection by the user. Additionally,
there is a need for an automatic shifting two-speed lever drag
fishing reel wherein the frictional torque is easily adjustable.
Furthermore, there is a need for an automatic two-speed
transmission for a fishing reel that is low cost and of simple
construction with a minimal number of parts.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates
the above referenced deficiencies associated with the use of the
two-speed fishing reels of the prior art. More particularly, the
present invention is an improved, automatic two-speed transmission
for a fishing reel that will automatically shift into high speed
gear ratio when tension on the line is low. As will be demonstrated
below, the automatic two-speed transmission of the present
invention differs from existing two-speed lever drag fishing reel
transmissions in that it does not require manual shifting by the
operator to change from a high speed gear ratio to a low speed gear
ratio. The automatic two-speed transmission will automatically
shift into low speed gear ratio when fishing line tension exceeds a
predetermined setting of the tension preset wheel. The tension
preset wheel is also easily adjustable for regulating the point at
which the transmission shifts from high gear to low gear and from
low gear to high gear.
[0011] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, there is provided an automatic two-speed transmission
for a fishing reel that will automatically shift from high speed to
low speed and from low speed to high speed. The automatic two-speed
transmission of the present invention includes a reel frame side
plate connected to a reel frame, the transmission driving a spool
rotatably mounted on a spool shaft. The transmission includes a
drive shaft that is carried by the reel frame side plate. A crank
handle connected to the drive shaft rotates the drive shaft. A
drive sleeve is carried on and non-rotatably fixed to the drive
shaft.
[0012] A low gear, freely rotatable on the drive shaft, drives a
low pinion gear with the low pinion gear connected to the spool
shaft, the spool shaft disposed parallel to the drive shaft and
journaled into the reel side plate. A low gear driver is slidably
disposed on the drive shaft. The low gear driver is non-rotatable
on the drive sleeve.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the low
gear driver includes six posts for engaging a set of arcuate mating
cavities on the low gear. Engagement of the gear driver posts with
the arcuate mating cavities enables the rotation of the low gear.
Also in a preferred embodiment, the arcuate mating cavities of the
low gear have ramps allowing the chamfer posts of the gear driver
to smoothly disengage from the arcuate mating cavities when the low
gear rotates at a speed greater than that of the drive shaft.
Optionally, the low gear driver may have only three posts for
engaging three arcuate mating cavities in the low gear. However,
there are a number of arrangements that can provide the necessary
engagement and disengagement characteristics of the low gear driver
with the low gear.
[0014] The drive sleeve also includes a pair of clutch washers that
are held non-rotatable on the drive sleeve. In a preferred
embodiment, an anti-reverse gear fixed to the drive sleeve provides
bearing support for one of the clutch washers. The anti-reverse
gear prevents the transmission from rotating in a rearward
direction. The other of the pair of clutch washers is located
adjacent the low gear driver.
[0015] Interposed between the low gear driver and one of the clutch
washers is a set of springs. The biasing force of the springs
allows the posts of the low gear driver to engage the arcuate
mating grooves of the low gear only when the low gear is rotating
slower than the drive shaft while the posts and mating grooves are
aligned. Optionally, at least one spring such as a cone spring may
be interposed between the low gear driver and the clutch washer
concentric to the low gear driver.
[0016] A high gear, disposed between the pair of clutch washers and
freely rotatable on the drive sleeve, is located adjacent the low
gear, the high gear having a diameter greater than that of the low
gear. The high gear drives a high pinion gear, the high pinion gear
connected to the spool shaft, which as mentioned above, is
journaled into the reel side plate and disposed parallel to the
drive shaft.
[0017] A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a
pair of annular clutch discs mounted on the drive gear on either
side of the high gear. The clutch discs provide frictional
resistance against the high gear in order to engage the high gear.
One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that an alternate
arrangement may also be possible where the annular clutch discs may
be omitted altogether. In this scenario, the clutch washers alone
are configured to provide frictional resistance for engaging the
high gear.
[0018] A tension preset device located on the end of the drive
shaft provides a selectively adjustable predetermined compression
load between the clutch washers and the high gear. In the preferred
embodiment, the tension preset device is a tension preset wheel
that is threadably attached to the threaded portion of the drive
shaft. The tension preset wheel moves the drive sleeve and the
drive shaft axially relative to each other in order to squeeze the
high gear between the clutch washers.
[0019] In operation, when there is no resistance on the fishing
line, the clutch discs and/or clutch washers apply frictional force
to the high gear so that the high gear is driven frictionally by
rotation of the drive shaft. This in turn causes the high pinion
gear to rotate the spool in a forward direction to reel in line at
a high rate of speed at low resistance. In this condition, the low
pinion gear causes the low gear to rotate at a speed greater than
that of the drive shaft and low gear driver, prohibiting the low
gear driver from engaging the low gear as the posts of the low gear
driver rotate and slide past the arcuate mating cavities of the low
gear.
[0020] When the resistance on the fishing line is greater than the
clutch frictional resistance exerted on the high gear by the clutch
discs and/or clutch washers, the high gear slips, losing its
ability to drive the spool. As the high gear slips, the high and
low pinion gears slow down, allowing the drive shaft and low gear
driver to match the rotational speed of the low gear. When the
rotational speed of the low gear driver matches or exceeds the
rotational speed of the low gear, the low gear driver engages the
low gear. This in turn drives the low pinion gear and spool of the
reel, providing the user with a greater mechanical advantage at the
crank handle.
[0021] However, in the case where the transmission is in low gear,
the resistance to the fishing line may be suddenly reduced, such as
if a fish on the line turns and runs toward the user causing the
line to slacken. In this condition, the frictional resistance of
the clutch discs and/or washers against the high gear is greater
than the resistance applied to the fishing line, allowing the high
gear to resume driving the high pinion gear. The low gear driver
then disengaging from the low gear, allowing the user to again reel
in line at a high rate of speed. The above scenario where the
transmission automatically shifts from low gear to high gear and
back to low gear may be repeated many times during the course of
fighting and landing a fish. The tension preset wheel is adjustable
to regulate the point at which the transmission assembly shifts
from high gear to low gear and from low gear to high gear.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] These as well as other features of the present invention
will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings
wherein:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lever drag fishing reel
which incorporates an automatic two-speed transmission in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 2-2
of FIG. 1, illustrating the arrangement of the automatic two-speed
transmission with the low gear driver disengaged so that the high
gear is driving the spool;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 3-3
of FIG. 1, illustrating the arrangement of the automatic two-speed
transmission with the low gear driver engaged so that the low gear
is driving the spool;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2
looking axially at the general arrangement of the automatic
two-speed transmission of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the automatic
two-speed transmission illustrating the connective relationship of
the low gear driver to the low gear and the connective relationship
of the clutch discs to the high gear in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a perspective view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5
illustrating the posts of the low gear driver, which are hidden in
FIG. 5;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5
looking axially at the arrangement of the arcuate mating cavities
in the low gear;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 8-8
of FIG. 7 illustrating the ramps of the arcuate mating cavities in
the low gear; and
[0031] FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 9-9
of FIG. 8 illustrating the chamfer of the posts of the low gear
driver.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be
described in particular with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates a lever drag fishing reel incorporating
the automatic two-speed transmission of the present invention.
Although adaptable for use in conventional star drag fishing reel,
the present invention is disclosed according to its incorporation
into a lever drag fishing reel. As indicated above, the automatic
two-speed transmission differs from existing two-speed fishing reel
transmissions in that it does not require manual shifting by the
operator to change from a high speed gear ratio to a low speed gear
ratio. The automatic two-speed transmission will automatically
shift into high speed gear ratio, the configuration of which is
shown in FIG. 2, when tension on the line is low. High speed gear
ratios are desired when tension on the line is low, such as when
trolling or reeling in lures or bait through the water. The
automatic two-speed transmission will automatically shift into low
speed gear ratio, the configuration of which is shown in FIG. 3,
when fishing line tension exceeds a predetermined setting.
[0034] Low speed gear ratios are desired when tension on the
fishing line is high so that a high mechanical advantage is
provided to the user such as when fighting or reeling in a large
fish. Automatic shifting from low gear back to high gear is also
important to prevent slack from developing in the line should the
fish turn and run toward the angler, creating the risk that the
fish might break the line due to the water resistance on the line
as it is dragged through the water. Automatic shifting, without
resorting to manual gear selection, is additionally important if an
angler is holding the fishing rod with one hand and turning the
fishing reel crank handle with the other while fighting a large
fish. It is recognized herein that the present automatic two-speed
transmission may be utilized with star drag fishing reels other
than the lever drag fishing reel type into which the present
invention is incorporated.
[0035] Referring more particularly now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the
automatic two-speed transmission of the present invention includes
a reel frame side plate 14 fixedly connected to a reel frame 12, a
transmission assembly 16 adapted to drive a spool 80, which is
rotatably mounted on a spool shaft 78. The transmission comprises a
drive shaft 18 that is carried by the reel frame side plate 14, the
drive shaft 18 having a distal end 18a passing axially through the
side plate 14, and a proximal end 18b extending into the interior
of the side plate 14.
[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5, a crank handle 20 is
non-rotatably connected to the distal end 18a of the drive shaft 18
with a drive sleeve 22 axially and slidably carried on the proximal
end 18b of the drive shaft 18. The drive sleeve 22 is non-rotatably
fixed on the drive shaft 18 by a pair of diametrically disposed
slots 66, the slots 66 mating with a pair of pins 30 disposed on
the proximal end 18b of the drive shaft 18. However, it will be
recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art that other shapes,
sizes, configurations and geometries for non-rotatably fixing the
drive sleeve 22 to the drive shaft 18 may suffice. For example, the
slots 66 in the drive sleeve 22 may mate with bosses that are
integral with the drive shaft 18. Optionally, set screws disposed
on the proximal end 18b of the drive shaft 18 for mating with the
slots 66 in the drive sleeve 22 may also be workable.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a low gear 36 is freely
rotatable on a shoulder 26 of the drive shaft 18, a radial flange
24 at the proximal end 18b of the drive shaft 18 providing bearing
support for the low gear 36. The low gear 36 drives a low pinion
gear 40 by the meshing of low gear teeth 36a with low pinion gear
teeth 40a, the low pinion gear 40 fixedly connected to the spool
shaft 78, which is journaled into the reel side plate 14 and
disposed parallel to the drive shaft 18.
[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 5, a low gear driver 42 is
slidably disposed on the proximal end 18b of the drive shaft 18 and
non-rotatably carried thereon by the interengagement of a pair of
low gear driver flats 44 with a pair of drive shaft flats 28.
However, a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that
there are a number of arrangements that can substantially
accommodate the slidable fixing of the low gear driver 42 to the
drive shaft 18. For example, the drive shaft 18 may include an
axially disposed rib that mates with a complementary notch in the
low gear driver 42 for non-rotatably fixing the low gear driver
42.
[0039] As illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7, 8, and 9, it can be seen that
the low gear driver 42 has at least six posts 46 for engaging an
equal number of arcuate mating cavities 50 disposed on the low gear
36 enabling rotation of the low gear 36, the arcuate mating
cavities 50 of the low gear 36 having ramps 52 disposed at an angle
approximately equal to the angle of a chamfer 48 disposed on the
end of each post 46. The combination of the chamfer 48 and the ramp
52 allow the low gear driver 42 to disengage the low gear 36 when
the low gear 36 rotates at a speed greater than that of the drive
shaft 18. Optionally, the low gear driver 42 may have three posts
46 for engaging three arcuate mating cavities 50 in the low gear
36, for example. However, it will be recognized by a person of
ordinary skill in the art that other configurations and geometries
such as a single cone spring that can substantially provide the
engagement and disengagement characteristics of the low gear driver
42 with the low gear 36 may suffice.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 5, slidably carried on the drive sleeve 22
is a pair of clutch washers 58. The clutch washers 58 are
non-rotatably fixed by the interengagement of clutch washer flats
62 with drive sleeve flats 64 with one of the pair of clutch
washers 58 located adjacent to an anti-reverse gear 68. Although
not mandatory, the anti-reverse gear 68 provides bearing support
for the clutch washer 58. The anti-reverse gear 68 is fixedly
connected to the drive sleeve 22, preventing the transmission from
rotating in a rearward direction. However, one of ordinary skill in
the art will recognize that the clutch washers 58 may be axially
slidably attached to the drive sleeve 22 by any configuration
substantially capable of preventing the rotation of the clutch
washers 58. The other of the pair of clutch washers 58 is located
adjacent the low gear driver 42 and it has at least three spring
cavities 60 spaced equally about the circumference.
[0041] The low gear driver 42 has an equal number of spring bores
56 positioned complementary to the spring cavities 60 for
accommodating a set of springs 54 for biasing the low gear driver
42 towards the low gear 36. One of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize that the springs 54 may be coil springs or conical
springs. Alternatively, a single coil spring disposed concentric
with the drive shaft 18 and interposed between the low gear driver
42 and the clutch washer may also be workable. The biasing force of
the springs 54 allows the posts 46 of the low gear driver 42 to
engage the arcuate mating cavities 50 of the low gear 36 only when
the low gear 36 is rotating slower than the drive shaft 18 while
the posts 46 and mating cavities 50 are aligned.
[0042] As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, adjacent the low gear 36
is a high gear 72 having a diameter greater than that of the low
gear 36 and freely rotatable and slidably carried on the drive
sleeve 22, the high gear 72 disposed between the pair of clutch
washers 58. The high gear 72 has high gear teeth 72a for driving a
high pinion gear 76 by meshing of the high pinion gear teeth 76a
with the high gear teeth 72a, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The high
pinion gear 76 is fixedly connected to the spool shaft 78, which as
mentioned above, is journaled into the reel side plate 14 and
disposed parallel to the drive shaft 18.
[0043] A pair of annular clutch discs 70 are mounted on the drive
sleeve and disposed on the sides of the high gear 72, the clutch
discs 70 providing frictional resistance against the high gear 72
in order to engage the high gear 72. One of ordinary skill in the
art will recognize that in an alternate configuration, the annular
clutch discs 70 may be omitted altogether with the clutch washers
58 alone providing frictional resistance against the high gear 72
in order to engage the high gear 72. Additionally, the engaging
surfaces of the annular clutch washers 58 and high gear 72 may be
sized and configured to provide a higher coefficient of friction
with the high gear 72.
[0044] Threadably attached to the threaded portion 32 of the distal
end 18a of the drive shaft 18 is a tension preset wheel 34. The
tension preset wheel 34 moves the drive sleeve 22 and the drive
shaft 18 axially relative to each other in order to squeeze the
high gear 72 between the clutch washers 58. Although the figures
specifically show the tension preset wheel 34 as threadably
attached, it will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art
that any tension preset device that can substantially provide a
predetermined compression load between the clutch washers 58 and
the high gear 72 may be workable.
[0045] In operation, under conditions of no resistance on the
fishing line, the clutch discs 70 and clutch washers 58 apply
frictional force to the high gear 72 so that the high gear 72 is
driven frictionally by rotation of the drive shaft 18. This in turn
causes the high pinion gear 76 to rotate the spool 80 in a forward
direction to reel in line at a high rate of speed at low
resistance. In this condition, illustrated in FIG. 2, where the
transmission is in the high gear 72, the low pinion gear 40 causes
the low gear 36 to rotate at a speed greater than that of the drive
shaft 18 and low gear driver 42, prohibiting the low gear driver 42
from engaging the low gear 36.
[0046] Under conditions where resistance is applied to the fishing
line at a force greater than the clutch frictional resistance
exerted on the high gear 72 by the clutch discs 70 and clutch
washers 58, such as when reeling in a large fish, the high gear 72
slips, losing its ability to drive the spool 80. As the high gear
72 slips, the rotation of the high pinion gear 76 and low pinion
gear 40 slows, allowing the drive shaft 18 and low gear driver 42
to match the rotational speed of the low gear 36. When the
rotational speed of the low gear driver 42 matches or exceeds the
rotational speed of the low gear 36, the low gear driver 42 engages
the low gear 36, as illustrated in FIG. 3. This in turn drives the
low pinion gear 40 and spool 80 of the reel 10, providing the user
with a high mechanical advantage at the crank handle 20.
[0047] However, when the transmission is in low gear 36, the
resistance to the fishing line may be suddenly reduced, such as
when the fish moves toward the user, causing the line to slacken.
In this condition, again illustrated in FIG. 2, the frictional
resistance of the clutch discs 70 and clutch washers 58 against the
high gear 72 is greater than the resistance applied to the fishing
line, allowing the high gear 72 to resume driving the high pinion
gear 76, the low gear driver 42 disengaging from the low gear 36,
thereby allowing the user to again reel in line at a high rate of
speed. The tension preset wheel 34 is adjustable to regulate the
point at which the transmission assembly 16 shifts from the high
gear 72 to the low gear 36 and from the low gear 36 to the high
gear 72.
[0048] Additional modifications and improvements of the present
invention may also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art. Thus, the particular combination of parts described and
illustrated herein is intended to represent only certain
embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to serve
as limitations of alternative devices within the spirit and scope
of the invention.
* * * * *