Fishing line storage and release device

Claim 2

A line storage device for use with a fishing rod or the like and which is adapted to automatically release the line upon a predetermined tension being applied thereto, said device comprising, a spool having a cylindrical outer surface adapted to receive a number of turns of line to thereby store a predetermined length of line wound thereabout, said spool cylindrical surface defining a central axis and including a rear axial end and a forward axial end, abutment means positioned adjacent the forward axial end of said spool cylindrical surface for guiding a line wound on the spool from a tangential to a radially inward direction, detent means positioned adjacent said spool central axis for guiding a line extending radially inwardly from said abutment means into an axial direction and for normally holding the line therein but releasing the same upon a predetermined axial force being applied thereto, and adjustable biasing means for varying the holding force applied to the line and thereby varying the force required to release a line from said detent means.

Claim 3

A line storage device as defined in claim 1 further including a circular flange positioned at the rear axial end of said spool and extending radially beyond the circumference of said spool cylindrical surface to facilitate retention of a line wound on the spool, and a spring clip mounted on said circular flange, said clip being adapted to detachably mount said device on a cooperating bracket.

Claim 4

A line storage device as defined in claim 2 wherein said abutment means comprises a V-shaped notch in the cylindrical surface of said spool.

Claim 5

A line storage device as defined in claim 2 wherein said abutment means comprises a pin mounted immediately adjacent the cylindrical surface of said spool and extending in a generally axial direction.

Claim 6

A line storage device as defined in claim 1 wherein said detent means comprises a post having transverse face, and a pad mounted adjacent said transverse face for limited movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to said face.

Claim 7

A line storage device as defined in claim 5 wherein said detent means further comprises a threaded aperture extending into said post and perpendicular to said transverse face, an opening through said pad, a rotatable threaded member extending freely through said opening and into said threaded aperture, and said biasing means includes a spring operatively connected between said threaded member and said pad to resiliently press said pad into engagement with the transverse face, whereby the pressure between the pad and transverse face may be adjusted by rotation of the threaded member. Pg,14

Claim 8

A line storage device as defined in claim 1 wherein said detent means includes a wire hook mounted for rotation about a second axis perpendicular to said central axis between a first position adapted to retain a guided line, and a second position adapted to release a guided line, a locking notch in a peripheral portion of said wire hook, and said biasing means includes a pin adapted to resiliently engage said notch when said wire hook is positioned in said first position to releasably hold said hook in such position.

Claim 9

A line storage device as defined in claim 1 wherein said detent means includes a wire hook mounted for rotation about a second axis perpendicular to said central axis and between a first position adapted to retain a guided line and a second position adapted to release a guided line, said wire hook including a cam surface eccentrically positioned about said second axis and including a notch therein, and said biasing means includes a threaded member mounted to extend in a direction perpendicular to said second axis and including a spring biased pin carried at the forward end thereof, said pin being adapted to engage said cam surface and enter said notch when said hook is rotated to its first position to releasably hold the hook in such position, said threaded member being manually rotatable to axially advance the same and thereby adjust the pressure between said pin and cam surface.

Claim 10

A line storage device as defined in claim 1 wherein said detent means includes a wire hook mounted for rotation about a second axis perpendicular to said central axis and between a first position adapted to retain a guided line and a second position adapted to release a guided line, said wire hook being arcuately curved and including a resilient transverse segment intermediate the ends thereof, said transverse segment including a notch on the outer surface thereof, and said biasing means includes a threaded member mounted to extend in a direction perpendicular to said second axis and including a pin at the forward end thereof, said pin being adapted to engage said transverse segment of said wire hook and enter said notch when said hook is rotated to its first position to releasably hold said hook in such position, said threaded member being manually rotatable to axially advance the same and thereby adjust the pressure between said pin and said transverse segment.

Claim 11

A line storage device for use with a fishing rod or the like and which is adapted to automatically release the line upon a predetermined tension being applied thereto, said device comprising a tubular spool having a cylindrical outer surface adapted to receive a number of turns of line to thereby store a predetermined length of line wound thereabout, said spool outer surface defining a central axis and having a rear axial end and a forward axial end, a notch in said spool outer surface at the forward end thereof for guiding a line wound on the spool from a tangential to a radially inward direction, and a releasable guide element positioned adjacent the spool central axis and including a post terminating in a transverse face, a threaded bore extending into said transverse face, a rotatable threaded member having an enlarged head mounted in said threaded bore, a pad carried by said threaded member immediately adjacent said transverse face, and a spring coaxially carried by said threaded member between said pad and said head for resiliently biasing said pad into engagement with said face.

Claim 12

A line storage device for use with a fishing rod or the like and which is adapted to automatically release the line upon a predetermined tension being applied thereto, said device comprising a tubular spool having a cylindrical outer surface adapted to receive a number of turns of line to thereby store a predetermined length of line wound thereabout, said spool outer surface defining a central axis and having a rear axial end and a forward axial end, a notch in said spool outer surface at the forward end thereof for guiding a line wound on the spool from a tangential to a radially inward direction, and a releasable guide element positioned adjacent the spool central axis and including a post terminating in a transverse face, a threaded bore extending into said transverse face, a rotatable threaded member having an enlarged head mounted in said threaded bore, a pad carried by said threaded member immediately adjacent said transverse face, and a spring coaxially carried by said threaded member between said pad and said head for resiliently biasing said pad into engagement with said face.