Fishing reel with automatic backlash control

• Main Authors: NEPPLE; BRUCE C, TANOUS; JOSEPH, PARK; MICHAEL C
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 10.11.1998
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: AGRICULTURE; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; CARE OF BIRDS, FISHES, INSECTS; FISHING; FORESTRY; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HUNTING; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TRAPPING

Backlash in a fishing reel is eliminated by automatically matching the reel discharge speed to the line speed. The drag on the reel is automatically adjusted so that the reel discharge speed does not exceed the line speed. The invention includes a reel, a mechanism for measuring the relationship between the line speed and the reel discharge speed, an electronically controlled braking device and a microprocessor for controlling the braking device in response to the relationship between the line speed and the reel discharge speed. When the reel discharge speed exceeds the line speed additional braking is applied. One alternative embodiment of the invention intermittently applies a very short pulse of braking action to the reel. The response to this pulse of braking action is detected and used to determine if the reel discharge speed exceeds the line speed.