Patents by Inventor Michael Thomas Cranston

Michael Thomas Cranston has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7469482
    Abstract: A chalk line apparatus for marking regularly spaced locations. The apparatus comprises a casing for powdered chalk containing a rotatable reel, line wound on said reel, and an exit opening for the line at one end of the holder. The line has evenly spaced short segments disposed thereon so that when the line is tensioned to a predetermined level of about 10-15 lbs, the segments reside at precisely placed predetermined intervals. When the line is snapped, chalk marks are placed on the wall surface in a pattern that identifies the appropriate locations of underlying wall studs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Studline Tool Company
    Inventors: James Karl Hickey, Michael Thomas Cranston
  • Patent number: 7231722
    Abstract: A chalk line apparatus for marking regularly spaced locations. The apparatus comprises a casing for powdered chalk containing a rotatable reel, a wire rope wound on said reel, and an exit opening for the wire rope at one end of the holder. The wire rope is coated with a material that resists retention of chalk, and has evenly spaced short chalk-retaining segments disposed thereon so that when the wire rope is tensioned to about 10 lbs, the segments reside at precisely placed predetermined intervals. When the line is snapped, the chalk-covered short segments leave evenly spaced chalk marks that correspond to the locations of underlying wall studs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Stud Line Tool Company
    Inventors: James Karl Hickey, Michael Thomas Cranston