Ring-shaped line protecting element for use in fishing reels

A line protecting element for use in fishing reels with a line spool having circular end walls and with a surface surrounding at least one of said end walls of the line spool in spaced relation thereto,

• said line protecting element comprising
• a split ring of elastic material, said ring being formed and dimensioned to be seated on the end wall of the end wall of the line spool and, in the seated position, to substantially close the space between the end wall and the surrounding surface, said elastic split ring being shaped to have, in a free condition of the ring, two facing, spaced apart ends where said ring is split and a spring rigidity which varies along said ring, and said split ring being formed to be non-circular in free condition and having, in said free condition, a maximum radius in the area of the split portion of said ring and a decreasing radius in both directions away from said area of maximum radius to a minimum radius in the zone opposite said area, and said ring being so shaped that, when bringing together said facing ends to a substantially closed annular form, in the form said ring is to have in position of use, it is generally circular and owing to its natural tendency to spring outwardly and its varying spring rigidity, adapts itself to said surrounding surface irrespective of minor non-circularity thereof.