Downrigger

Claim 2

An outrigger type trolling equipment, comprising a pedestal, a reel adapted for winding a line thereon, means journaling the reel on the pedestal for turning movement about an axis, said reel having a plurality of conical openings in a side thereof spaced circumferentially around the axis, and a pin slidably mounted on the pedestal having a conical end portion in position to engage selectively in the conical openings for releasably locking the reel against turning movement of its axis by surface to surface contact between the conical end portion and a conical opening, and resilient biasing means between the pedestal and the slidably mounted pin for allowing automatic disengagement of the conical pin end portion from the selected conical opening upon excess turning force being applied to the reel.

Claim 3

An outrigger type trolling equipment, comprising a pedestal, a reel adapted for winding a line thereon, means journaling the reel on the pedestal for turning movement about an axis, said reel having a rim, a drag wheel having a friction surface in position to bear upon the rim of the reel, an elongated arm supporting the drag wheel at one end thereof, and means pivotally mounting the opposite end of the arm on the pedestal for swinging movement of the arm about an axis spaced from the axis of the reel, said axis of swinging movement being operably positioned to cause the drag wheel to bear with increased pressure on the wheel when the wheel is rotated to unwind the line and to cause the drag wheel to release pressure on the wheel when the wheel is rotated to wind the line.

Claim 4

An outrigger type trolling equipment, comprising a pedestal, a reel adapted for winding a line thereon, means journaling the reel on the pedestal for turning movement about an axis, said reel having a rim, a drag wheel having a friction surface in position to bear upon the rim of the reel, an elongated arm supporting the drag wheel at one end thereof, and means pivotally mounting the opposite end of the arm on the pedestal for swinging movement of the arm about an axis spaced from the axis of the reel, said axis of swinging movement being operably positioned to cause the drag wheel to bear with increased pressure on the wheel when the wheel is rotated to unwind the line and to cause the drag wheel to release pressure on the wheel when the wheel is rotated to wind the line.

Claim 5

An outrigger type trolling equipment, according to claim 2, including a friction surface beside the drag wheel in position to be engaged thereby, and means for yieldably urging the drag wheel against the friction surface.

Claim 6

An outrigger type trolling equipment according to claim 3, including means for adjusting the tension of the yieldable means.

Claim 7

An outrigger type trolling equipment, according to claim 2, including a shaft mounted in the arm and supporting the drag wheel on one end thereof, a brake surface interposed between the arm and the drag wheel in position for engagement by the latter, and a spring bearing at one end against the arm and at the opposite end against the shaft tending to move the drag wheel against the brake surface.

Claim 8

An outrigger type trolling equipment according to claim 2, including a line guard extending over the reel, and means mounting the line guard on the pedestal beside the reel.

Claim 9

An outrigger type trolling equipment comprising a flat plate-like base having an upstanding pin thereon, a pedestal including a support having a pair of upstanding brackets on the support, a reel journaled on the upstanding brackets for rotation about an axis and for winding of a line thereon, a central bottom opening in the support surrounding the pin and journaling the support on the pin for swivelling movement of the reel and line with respect to the base, a drag wheel having a friction surface in position to bear upon the rim of the reel, an elongated arm supporting the drag wheel at one end thereof for turning movement about an axis, and means pivotally mounting the opposite end of the arm on one of the upstanding brackets for swinging movement of the arm about an axis spaced from the axis of the reel, said axis of swinging movement being operably positioned to cause the drag wheel to bear with increased pressure on the wheel when the wheel is rotated to unwind the line and to cause the drag wheel to release pressure on the wheel when the wheel is rotated to wind the line.

Claim 10

An outrigger type trolling equipment comprising a flat plate-like base having an upstanding pin thereon, a pedestal including a support having a pair of upstanding brackets on the support, a reel journaled on the upstanding brackets for rotation about an axis and for winding of a line thereon, a central bottom opening in the support surrounding the pin and journaling the support on the pin for swivelling movement of the reel and line with respect to the base, a drag wheel having a friction surface in position to bear upon the rim of the reel, an elongated arm supporting the drag wheel at one end thereof for turning movement about an axis, and means pivotally mounting the opposite end of the arm on one of the upstanding brackets for swinging movement of the arm about an axis spaced from the axis of the reel, said axis of swinging movement being operably positioned to cause the drag wheel to bear with increased pressure on the wheel when the wheel is rotated to unwind the line and to cause the drag wheel to release pressure on the wheel when the wheel is rotated to wind the line.