Retainer for oscillator system

This invention comprehends a means for coupling an oscillator mechanism of a fishing reel to the spool of the fishing reel so that the spool will reciprocate back and forth as the fishing line is wound thereon. The spool shaft is received in a mounting mechanism associated with the yoke strap cam follower portion of the oscillating mechanism. An undercut groove on the shaft facilitates its fastening to the yoke strap.

What is claimed is:

1. In a fishing reel having a housing with a front spool end and a back drag assembly end, a center shaft mounted in the housing with a drag end projecting into the housing, the shaft generally having a diameter "A" with a groove defining an undercut diameter on the shaft located near the drag end, the diameter of the undercut being "D" and smaller than "A" and the width of the undercut groove being "B", the undercut having a periphery smaller than the periphery of the shaft, means for imparting reciprocating motion to the shaft including a reciprocating oscillator slide having a bifurcated fork secured thereto, the fork having first and second lugs with inner walls and a space between the inner walls having a dimension approximately "B", the lugs each having a coaxial hole with a diameter slightly larger than "A", the shaft being slip fitted into the lug holes with the undercut diameter being positioned between the inner walls, an improved means for securing the shaft to the oscillator slide comprising:

a retainer clip having a resilient base and two outwardly directed resilient bifurcated legs integral with the base, the clip having first and second sides common to the base and the legs and having a width dimension therebetween slightly less than the dimension "B", the clip tightly mounted on the undercut diameter and located in the space between the inner walls, the open ends of the bifurcated legs being spaced apart a distance "F" which is smaller than the distance "D", the base and the legs each contacting the undercut diameter at three different contact points on the periphery of the groove, the contact points comprising an included angle on the periphery of more than 200.degree., the base and legs extending beyond the diameter "A" with the first and second sides adjacent the inner walls thereby preventing the shaft from moving relative to the lugs.

2. In a spinning reel having a housing with a front spool end and a back spool assembly end, a center shaft mounted in the housing with a drag end projecting into the housing, means within the housing for imparting reciprocating motion to the shaft including a reciprocating oscillator slide, an improved means for securing the shaft to the slide comprising:

(a) the shaft having a diameter "A" and an undercut grooe near the drag end, the groove having sides and an undercut with a diameter "D" and a width dimension between the sides of "B",

(b) clevis secured to the side of the slide and projecting outwardly therefrom having two lugs, each lug having a hole slightly larger than "A", each lug having an inner surface and a space between the inner surfaces being slightly greater than "B",

(c) the shaft slip fit into each hole with the undercut diameter positioned in the space and the groove sides substantially aligned with the inner surfaces,

(d) a retainer clip having a resilient base and first and second inwardly directed resilient bifurcated legs integral with the base, an included angle between the first leg and the base being less than 90.degree. and an included angle between the second leg and the base being less than 90.degree., the base and legs forming a partially triangular shaped cross-sectional configuration, external clip surfaces common to the base and legs defining a clip width slightly less than the dimension "B", each leg having an open end with the ends being spaced apart a distance "F" which is less than the diameter "D", the clip mounted on the undercut diameter and located in the space between the lugs, the base and legs extending beyond the diameter "A" whereby the sides of the grooves bear against the external clip surfaces which in turn bear against the inner walls preventing relative sliding movement between the shaft and the slide.

3. In the reel of claim 2 the holes in the lugs forks of the clevis being coaxial.

4. The clip of claim 1 or 2 wherein the open end of each leg has an outwardly bent tang.

5. The clip of claim 4 wherein a cross-sectional view of the undercut and the clip depicts that a perpendicular bisector of each of the legs and the base meet at an area near the center of the undercut diameter.

6. The clip of claim 4 wherein an inner radius is located between the tang and the leg.

7. The clip of claim 1 or 2 wherein the shaft is free to rotate relative to the lugs with the clip mounted in the undercut groove.

8. The clip of claim 4 wherein the tang prevents the clip from rotating when the shaft rotates relative to the lugs.

9. The clip of claim 1 or 2 wherein the clip is made from one of the materials selected from the group consisting of spring steel, spring tempered copper alloys, or plastic.