Fishing reel with pad drag mechanism
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Fishing reels are generally provided with drag mechanisms that allow some slippage in the line reeling system when tension on the line exceeds a predetermined setting. That is, when tension imposed by a hooked fish becomes excessive, it overcomes the drag to allow some line to be played out, thus reducing the chances of the line snapping under tension. Conventional fishing reel drag mechanisms generally incorporate a series of circular washers, alternately of metal and a high friction material, arranged face to face in a drag stack. Means are provided to compress the drag stack an adjusted amount in order to set the drag, that is, the amount of tension on the line that can be tolerated in reeling the line in. When that tension is exceeded, the drag device will slip and some line will play out. Common problems encountered in conventional drag mechanisms is their inability to operate smoothly and their relatively short life spans resulting from rapid wear of the friction surfaces. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a drag mechanism for a fishing reel that is smooth in operation and has a relatively long life span. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide a drag mechanism from which heat is rapidly dissipated. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide a drag mechanism that can be installed in existing fishing reels without modification thereof. 
     Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the description to follow, particularly when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In carrying out this invention, I provide a drag mechanism wherein the conventional friction washers are replaced by small pads of friction material that are supported in spaced relationship around the axis of the drive. Consequently, just small areas of the pressure plates that squeeze the pads to adjust the drag are contacted, leaving considerable exposed areas for dissipation of heat. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is an elevation view partially in section of a bait casting reel embodying features of this invention: 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view in perspective showing the drag assembly of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a partial section view of a spinning reel showing another embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded view in perspective of the drag mechanism of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded view in perspective of another embodiment of this invention; and 
     FIGS. 6 and 7 are views in perspective of other drag pad embodiments. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The Embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 
     The bait casting reel 10 of this invention has a pair of parallel side plates 12 and 14 with a spool 16 rotatably mounted between them. The spool 16 is mounted on a spool shaft 18, and keyed to the end of the shaft 18 is a pinion 20 that is driven by the main gear 22. 
     The main gear 22 is slidably and rotatably carried on a drive shaft 24 that rotates on one of the side plates 12 to be driven by a handle 26, which is fixed at the drive shaft 24 by means of a nut 28 threaded to the end thereof. 
     A drag stack 30 is formed by a &#34;sandwich&#34; of outer pressure plates 32, intermediate friction carrier discs or rings 34 with friction pads 36, and in the middle, the main gear 22. The pressure plates 32 are slidable but not rotatable on the drive shaft 24 and engage friction pads 36 carried on the carrier rings 34 to squeeze them against the sides of the main gear 22. As seen in FIG. 2, the carrier plates may have a number of holes 35 of any selected shape, e.g. wedge shaped or round as illustrated, and contained within each hole 35 is a complementary pad 36 of friction material. 
     The stack is squeezed between a flange 38 on the inner end of the drive shaft and a pressure sleeve 40 or hub of a star wheel 42, which is threaded onto the drive shaft 24. Hence, the tighter the drag stack 30 is squeezed, the greater will be the drag setting and a greater pull on the line (not shown) is needed to overcome the winding of the spool by the handle. 
     With the carrier ring 34 and drag pads 36 replacing the conventional drag washer, there is less surface contacted by the pressure plates 38 and, therefore, more pressure plate surface exposed for dissipation of heat. In addition, the relatively small areas of the friction pads 36 provides for a smoother drag. 
     The Embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 
     Here, the invention is applied to a spinning reel 44 wherein a spool 46 is rotatably carried on the main shaft 48. A support block 50, which is fixed as by pin 49 the main shaft 48, in a conventional manner is pulled through by a drag knob 52 to press to rotate with against the friction pads 56. This squeezes the friction pads 56 between the block 50 and the spool 46, which is rotatably carried on the main shaft 48. Again, the friction pads 56 are carried on a carrier ring 58, and they are spaced outward from the axis 60 thereof (FIG. 4) to leave a greater surface area of the block 50 exposed for dissipation of heat. In addition, the small surface areas of the friction pads 56 provide a smoother drag. 
     The Embodiment of FIG. 5 
     Here, the drag stack is similar to that shown in FIG. 2 with outer pressure plates 62 compressing friction pads 64 against the sides of the main gear 66. In this embodiment the friction pads 64 are formed on an integral carrier ring 68, which positions the pads 64 outward of and spaced around, the axis 70. 
     FIG. 6 there are shown wedge-shaped pressure pads 72 on an integral inner carrier ring 74, and in FIG. 7 the wedge-shaped pads 76 are carried on an integral outer ring 78. 
     While this invention has been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments thereof, it is obvious that modifications and changes therein may be made by those skilled in the art to which it pertains without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention, as defined by the claims appended hereto.