US3719331A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Downrigger
Assignee: HARSCH PRECISION ENG
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Filing: 1971-06-30
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Granted: 1973-03-06
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Expires: 1991-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A downrigger for use in trolling. The downrigger has frame means releasably mounted on the watercraft. Shaft means are rotatably supported on the frame means and reel means are axially, slideably mounted on the shaft means and angularly fixed for rotation therewith. Drive means are provided and adapted to drive the shaft means for rotation to wind and unwind the line from the reel means. Brake means are provided which include an axially facing planar stationary surface on the frame means encircling the shaft means and an axially facing cooperating planar surface opposed to the stationary surface mounted on the reel means for rotation therewith. The brake means also includes actuating means for urging the cooperating surface in an axial direction into and out of an adjustable frictional engagement with the stationary surface for frictionally locking the reel means to the frame means under an adjustable amount of friction so that the tightness of the coupling between the stationary surface and the cooperating surface may be controlled and the coupling may be caused to slip when the line becomes snagged on an underwater object to thereby prevent the line from breaking.
Inventors
- 👤 G Harsch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:16
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K89/00; A01K89/015; A01K89/0165; A01K91/00; A01K91/06; A01K91/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A downrigger for use on watercraft for trolling, the combination comprising: frame means releasably mounted on said watercraft; shaft means rotatably supported on said frame means; reel means axially, slideably mounted on said shaft means and angularly fixed for rotation therewith; drive means adapted to drive said shaft means for rotation to wind and unwind a line from said reel means; brake means including an axially facing planar stationary surface on said frame means and an axially facing cooperating planar surface opposed to said stationary surface mounted on said reel means for rotation therewith, said brake means further including actuating means for urging said cooperating surfaCe axially of said shaft means into and out of an adjustable and frictional engagement with said stationary surface for frictionally locking said reel means to said frame means under an adjustable amount of friction whereby the tightness of the coupling between said stationary surface and said cooperating surface may be controlled so that said coupling may be caused to slip when said line becomes snagged on an underwater object to thereby prevent said line from breaking.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A downrigger for use on watercraft for trolling, the combination comprising: frame means releasably mounted on said watercraft; shaft means rotatably supported on said frame means; reel means axially, slideably mounted on said shaft means and angularly fixed for rotation therewith; drive means adapted to drive said shaft means for rotation to wind and unwind a line from said reel means; brake means including an axially facing planar stationary surface on said frame means and an axially facing cooperating planar surface opposed to said stationary surface mounted on said reel means for rotation therewith, said brake means further including actuating means for urging said cooperating surfaCe axially of said shaft means into and out of an adjustable and frictional engagement with said stationary surface for frictionally locking said reel means to said frame means under an adjustable amount of friction whereby the tightness of the coupling between said stationary surface and said cooperating surface may be controlled so that said coupling may be caused to slip when said line becomes snagged on an underwater object to thereby prevent said line from breaking.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
182 words
A downrigger for use on watercraft for trolling, the combination comprising: frame means releasably mounted on said watercraft; shaft means rotatably supported on said frame means; reel means axially, slideably mounted on said shaft means and angularly fixed for rotation therewith; drive means adapted to drive said shaft means for rotation to wind and unwind a line from said reel means; brake means including an axially facing planar stationary surface on said frame means and an axially facing cooperating planar surface opposed to said stationary surface mounted on said reel means for rotation therewith, said brake means further including actuating means for urging said cooperating surfaCe axially of said shaft means into and out of an adjustable and frictional engagement with said stationary surface for frictionally locking said reel means to said frame means under an adjustable amount of friction whereby the tightness of the coupling between said stationary surface and said cooperating surface may be controlled so that said coupling may be caused to slip when said line becomes snagged on an underwater object to thereby prevent said line from breaking.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
182 words
A downrigger for use on watercraft for trolling, the combination comprising: frame means releasably mounted on said watercraft; shaft means rotatably supported on said frame means; reel means axially, slideably mounted on said shaft means and angularly fixed for rotation therewith; drive means adapted to drive said shaft means for rotation to wind and unwind a line from said reel means; brake means including an axially facing planar stationary surface on said frame means and an axially facing cooperating planar surface opposed to said stationary surface mounted on said reel means for rotation therewith, said brake means further including actuating means for urging said cooperating surfaCe axially of said shaft means into and out of an adjustable and frictional engagement with said stationary surface for frictionally locking said reel means to said frame means under an adjustable amount of friction whereby the tightness of the coupling between said stationary surface and said cooperating surface may be controlled so that said coupling may be caused to slip when said line becomes snagged on an underwater object to thereby prevent said line from breaking.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
97 words
A downrigger according to claim 1, wherein said drive means includes an electric motor and gear reducer means, the output shaft of said gear reducer means being connected to said shaft means, said gear reducer means including gear means for permitting said output shaft to be manually rotated in reel winding and unwinding rotational directions so that when said line becomes snagged on an underwater object, said brake means will slip and said shaft means will be permitted to rotate in said reel unwinding direction. shaft means will be permitted to rotate in said reel unwinding direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
A downrigger according to claim 1 including mounting platform means secured to said watercraft, said mounting platform means having ridge means and first coupling means spaced therefrom; and wherein said frame means includes projection means engageable with said ridge means and second coupling means releasably engageable with said first coupling means for holding said projection means in engagement with said ridge means to thereby hold said frame means on said mounting platform means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
A downrigger according to claim 1 including means defining a boom secured to and extending away from said frame means and having pulley means mounted adjacent the free end thereof, said pulley means being generally radially aligned with said reel means, said line engaging said pulley means to guide same from said reel means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A downrigger according to claim 4, wherein said pulley means includes housing means releasably securable with said free end of said boom means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A downrigger according to claim 4, wherein said pulley means comprises a line guiding pulley rotatably supported on a support means on said boom and pulley guard means for preventing said line from coming off said pulley means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
A downrigger according to claim 4, wherein said pulley means includes housing means secured to said free end of said boom means and having a shaft rotatably mounted therein, a pulley secured to said shaft and being rotatable therewith, and means on said housing means slideably engaging the periphery of said pulley to thereby prevent said line from coming off said pulley.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
82 words
A downrigger according to claim 4, wherein said pulley means includes housing means secured to said free end of said boom means and having a shaft rotatably mounted thereon, a pulley secured to said shaft and being rotatable therewith; and including counter means secured to said pulley and responsive to a rotational movement thereof to indicate the amount of line played out from said reel means, the diameter of said pulley corresponding to an increment of measurement displayed on said counter means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
76 words
A downrigger according to claim 1, wherein said drive means includes a motor and a motor driven output shaft connected to said shaft means; and including switching means adjacent said pulley means and connected in circuit with said motor, said switching means being responsive to the movement of an object secured to said line, a movement of said reel means in said winding direction causing said object to switch said switching means to deenergize said motor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A downrigger according to claim 9 including releasable connecting means for connecting said motor driven output shaft to said shaft means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A downrigger according to claim 1 including mounting means secured to said watercraft and means for pivotally securing said frame means to said mounting means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
A downrigger according to claim 11 including pulley means secured to said frame means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A downrigger according to claim 12 including counter means mounted on said frame means and responsive to a rotational movement of said shaft means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-05 | 1976-09-04 | 1977-03-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-05 | 1980-09-04 | 1981-03-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-05 | 1984-09-04 | 1985-03-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |