With Chalking Feature Patents (Class 33/414)
  • Patent number: 6345448
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a combination protractor/chalk line device, including: a housing; a chalk line string disposed in the housing and withdrawable from the housing at a first end of the housing; a manually graspable handle loosely attached to the housing; a protractor disposed on a side of the housing; and the combination protractor/chalk line being arranged such that, when the chalk line string is withdrawn from the housing and held taut and the handle is grasped, the protractor will indicate an angle from horizontal defined by the chalk line string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Chontos
  • Patent number: 6289597
    Abstract: A chalk box for producing a chalk line without leakage of chalk dust from within. The chalk box has a chalk-filled chamber that houses a spool and a flexible chalk line. The chalk line extends outwardly around a guidepost and through a fibrous tube. The fibrous tube snugly hugs the flexible line, preventing chalk dust from leaking through the tube. The chalk dust impregnating the flexible line provides lubrication for its passage through the fibrous tube. The present invention also includes a built-in pencil sharpener isolated from the chalk dust, for the convenience of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Gregory L. Beyers
  • Patent number: 6167632
    Abstract: A dual chalk line device for marking straight lines in construction applications. The dual chalk line device includes a housing with a pair of separable sections and a pair of openings. Each of the sections has a sidewall, a pair of opposite ends, and a pair of side edges extending between the ends. A divider panel is positioned between the sections of the housing to separate the housing into a pair of compartments. A first spool is rotatably disposed in one of the compartments of the housing. A second spool is rotatably disposed in another of the compartments of the housing. Each of the spools has a quantity of line wrapped therearound. A pair of handles are mounted to the spools and positioned outside the housing. The handles permit external rotation of the spools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Ron Shor
  • Patent number: 6138370
    Abstract: A chalk line helper having a generally planar top section, a generally planar bottom section, the bottom section having a plurality of bottom projections positioned perpendicular to the bottom section, a front leading edge, a rear following edge, a first side section having a first wing-shaped projection, the first wing-shaped projection generally slanted toward the rear following edge and inward toward the top section, and a second side section having a second wing-shaped projection, the second-wing shaped projection generally slanted toward the rear following edge and inward toward the top section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventor: Bruce Rolfe
  • Patent number: 6098299
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a chalk line holder has a housing, an operating mechanism on the housing, with a spool around which a supply of line can be wound and moveable relative to the housing about a first axis, and a brake assembly for the spool. The brake assembly has a ratchet element moveable with the spool about the first axis, a pawl moveable transversely to the first axis between a) an engaged position wherein the pawl engages the ratchet element to prevent movement of the spool in a first direction about the first axis and b) a disengaged position, a biasing element normally urging the pawl towards the engaged position, and an actuator to move the pawl towards the disengaged position against the urging of the biasing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Keson Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Collins, Daniel Collins, Gary Nosek
  • Patent number: 6082014
    Abstract: A chalk line end is disclosed which includes a substantially flat base member having first and second tabs depending therefrom in order to form a substantially 90 degree angle to the base member. First and second points extend from the respective first and second tabs and are sized and shaped so as to press into the side surface of a board when the chalk line end is positioned over the board edge. This arrangement facilitates maintaining the position of the chalk line end as the chalk line is drawn off at an angle to the board edge. As an optional feature, a chalk line mount may be coupled to the base member by means of a swiveling connector, such as a rivet. This swiveling connection facilitates drawing the chalk line off at an angle from the board edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: GLB Tool, LLC
    Inventor: Greg L. Beyers
  • Patent number: 6079112
    Abstract: A powdered chalk line dispenser comprising a housing formed from at least two mated together cover plates, which define a cavity with an opening and a threaded aperture; a spool assembly is located in said housing cavity; a chalk line is wrapped around said spool and extends outwardly of the housing through the opening in the housing; a spring and manual lever are attached to the spool to cause the spool to rotate in a direction to apply a force to the chalk line to wrap the chalk line around the spool; an aperture in said housing is internally threaded for attachment to an externally threaded chalk supply bottle which supplies chalk into the cavity for coating the chalk line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Inventor: Brian C. Love
  • Patent number: 6044568
    Abstract: A chalk line dispenser holder system is provided including at least one chalk line dispenser for selectively dispensing a chalk line from a periphery of the dispenser. Also included is a structure connected to an end of the chalk line for resting on a recipient surface onto which chalk is to be applied. A weight of the structure precludes the movement of the end of the chalk line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventor: Jacques J. Raymond
  • Patent number: 6041507
    Abstract: The multiple line drawing aid is a generally U-shaped device or channel which has holes in one side member and a tension friction plate attached to the holding member opposite. The tension friction plate has slots on the edge which are located to correspond to the holes in the aperture member. A drawing instrument such as a dry erase marker is then inserted in each hole and pushed into the structure formed by the friction plate and face plate to retain the marker. The holes and slots then serve to hold the inserted markers when the users moves them across a drawing surface to draw parallel lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventors: David S. Dutcher, Jennifer B. Dutcher
  • Patent number: 5920997
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention an automatically retractable chalk line device is provided having a housing in which a power spring drives a first large diameter gear through a first shaft. The first large diameter gear is in driving engagement with a first smaller diameter gear located below the power spring. The first smaller diameter gear drives a second large diameter gear located partially above the power spring. The second large diameter gear drives a second smaller diameter gear which a drives a chalk retaining spool, which holds the chalk line. The relative diameters of the two large diameter gears as compared with the diameter of the two small diameter gears provides a large mechanical advantage. A disc brake is mounted for braking engagement with one of the large diameter gears, preferably the second large diameter gear. An arrangement for engaging and disengaging the disc brake with the large diameter gear is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventor: Michael L. Girtman
  • Patent number: 5822874
    Abstract: A pistol-shaped automatically retracting chalk-line dispenser comprises a three-member housing enclosing two separate chambers. The upper, chalk-receiving chamber, contains a double-walled chalk-line spool and a line-guiding roller. A seal on the chalk-line spool shaft prevents chalk dust from entering the second chamber, which contains drive gears, the line-retracting spring, and a trigger-actuated latching brake mechanism. In one embodiment, a finger-like projection from the trigger is initially brought to bear on a rotating cap to brake the rate of line retraction as the trigger is pulled rearwardly. If the trigger is pulled back more than a predetermined distance, the finger-like projection snaps into engagement between the teeth of a sprocket attached to the cap and thus locks the retraction mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Inventor: Anne Nemes
  • Patent number: 5727324
    Abstract: A chalk box having a generally teardrop-shaped main body section and an arched neck section extending forwardly from the main body section. A reel containing a line is rotatably mounted within the case. The line exits the case through in aperture at the forward end of the neck section. The line exits through the aperture at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the case. The configuration of the case makes the chalk box of the present invention less awkward to use than prior art chalk boxes. Also, the case may be provided with a hook lying along the longitudinal axis of the case. When the line is engaged with the hook and the case is suspended at the end of the line, the chalk box functions as a plum bob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Inventor: Jeffery Moore
  • Patent number: 5699622
    Abstract: A line marking device includes an elongated body which mounts a marking filament that is loaded with marking powder. When the filament is snapped against a surface a portion of the powder is deposited on that surface along a well defined line. The body also mounts a protractor and spirit levels that are used to locate or set the device in a predetermined position prior to snapping the marking filament against the surface to be marked. The marking filament extends through a shuttle chamber that contains a supply of marking powder. That shuttle is moved back and forth on the body to recharge the marking filament with marking powder. In a second embodiment of this invention the marking filament is pressed rather than snapped against the surface to be marked. In a third embodiment of this invention a writing instrument mounted on the body of the device is drawn along the length of the body to draw a line on a receiving surface adjacent the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Inventor: Gerald G. Umbro
  • Patent number: 5683055
    Abstract: A line reel includes a housing, a spool rotatably mounted in the housing, a crank and crown gear assembly rotatably disposed in the housing and a pinion located in the housing in meshed engagement with the crank and crown assembly for rotation therewith. A release button movable into and out of meshed engagement with the spool is slidably mounted on the pinion and keyed thereto for rotation therewith. A spring is disposed between the pinion and the release button for selectively allowing locking and unlocking of the spool without movement of the crank and crown gear assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Johnson Level & Tool Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Jean Guy Dufour
  • Patent number: 5644852
    Abstract: A chalk line reel includes an opening in the housing that permits access to a powdered chalk storage area. A movable door is mounted on the housing, and the door is movable to a closed position in which the door obstructs the opening. A first element on the door releasably couples the chalk line clip to the door, and a second element on the housing releasably couples the chalk line clip to the housing. The first and second elements are positioned such that clip resists movement of the door away from the closed position when the clip is coupled to the first and second elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: American Tool Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony B. Fuller, Toby J. Beckmann, Joseph A. Sorensen, Thomas M. Chervenak
  • Patent number: 5585123
    Abstract: A sculpting tool is provided for use in sculpting shapeable mass, such as common beach sand, snow, soft dirt or soft clay. The tool has first and second sculpting heads, each sculpting head having a pair of oppositely-facing cutting elements for cutting into the shapeable mass. The tool also has an elongate shaft or handle extending between the sculpting heads. Each cutting element is serrated so that a user may use the tool to produce patterns in the granular material. Preferably, each cutting element has a different serration pattern, thereby providing the user with four different patterns with which to sculpt. In addition, each sculpting head defines a pair of opposite cup-like structures such that a user may scoop and/or move a portion of the shapeable mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Inventor: Philip J. Busby
  • Patent number: 5509207
    Abstract: A speed layout stick comprised of an oblong bar having a handle secured to the midpoint thereof. The oblong bar has a length of sixty-four inches. The oblong bar has four pair of apertures formed therethrough at areas spaced at sixteen inch intervals. Four pair of lead holders are secured to the oblong bar adjacent the four pair of apertures. Each of the four pair of lead holders have a pull pin thereattached. The pull pin functions to removably secure an object within the lead holders. A plurality of lead sticks are received through each of the apertures of the oblong bar and each of the lead holders and secured therein by the pull pin. The lead sticks function to draw lines on a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Inventor: Dale N. Harms
  • Patent number: 5509616
    Abstract: An automatically retracting chalk line dispenser including, in part, a casing forming a reservoir for storing a quantity of chalk dust. A spool assembly includes a spool having string disposed within the casing such the string contacts the chalk dust. An automatic, centrifugal speed regulator assembly is included which contains at least one speed regulator arm, the arm having a primary end and a secondary end. A regulator arm support mechanism is provided for supporting the speed regulator arm relative to the chalk line dispenser wherein the regulator arm support mechanism rotates with the spool. The regulator arm support mechanism pivotally supports the primary end, and further supports a spring for retracting a dispensed length of the string. An arbor is attached to the casing so that relative rotation therebetween is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Inventors: Leopoldo E. Millen, Jr., Joseph H. Weaver
  • Patent number: 5493787
    Abstract: A casing for a chalk line dispenser comprises a pair of casing elements which interfit and define a chamber for storing chalk. The casing elements have end walls and sidewalls extending about the periphery thereof with interfitting surface portions along the outer ends thereof. The interfitting surface portion of one of the casing elements has a groove in the end surface of the sidewall extending about the periphery thereof and intermediate its width to provide resiliently deflectable depending wall sections. The interfitting surface portion on the other of the casing elements has a tongue extending about its periphery which seats in the groove and is of greater width than the groove to deflect the wall sections, so that the tongue is firmly gripped by the resiliently deflectable wall sections to provide a seal therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: The Stanley Works
    Inventor: Robert L. Owens
  • Patent number: 5470029
    Abstract: A line reel includes a housing, a spool rotatably mounted in the housing, a crank and crown gear assembly rotatably disposed in the housing and a pinion located in the housing in meshed engagement with the crank and crown assembly for rotation therewith. A release button movable into and out of meshed engagement with the spool is slidably mounted on the pinion and keyed thereto for rotation therewith. A spring is disposed between the pinion and the release button for selectively allowing locking and unlocking of the spool without movement of the crank and crown gear assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Johnson Level & Tool Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Jean G. Dufour
  • Patent number: 5465494
    Abstract: A chalk line tool consists of a chalk dispensing compartment, a reel for string and a grinder that rotates with the reel. The chalk dispensing compartment accepts chalk sticks, which the grinder grinds into the chalk dust that coats the string. The grinder consists of a drum with integral grinding teeth. When the drum rotates in the direction that corresponds to the unwinding of the string from the reel, the grinding teeth grind the end of the chalk stick. The chalk tool is easily, quickly and neatly loaded by dropping the chalk stick into the chalk dispensing compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Inventor: Anthony Johnston
  • Patent number: 5452517
    Abstract: A multi color wire marker comprises a base, a slideway, a carriage housing to which are mounted rollers for respectively feeding and gathering hot foil colored tape, a main ram housing and an anvil against which a wire to be marked is supported. A plurality of rollers carrying different colored tapes are mounted on the carriage housing whereby anyone of the colored tapes can be chosen to mark the wire by indexably moving the carriage housing until the appropriate tape is lying between the ram and the anvil. The ram which is heated to an adjustable temperature is then pressed against the tape which presses the wire against the anvil, the heat and pressure making colored products mounted on the tape melt off and color mark the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: Werner Lothmann
  • Patent number: 5444919
    Abstract: A battery powered chalk line comprising a housing having a top and bottom face and side walls forming a chamber therein. A drive shaft is secured within the side walls for rotational movement and extends across the width of the chamber. A spindle is mounted on the shaft and is selectively couplable for rotation therewith. A chalk line is mounted on the spindle for being dispensed and retrieved with the rotation of the shaft. The chalk line extends through an aperture in the front end of the housing with a hook secured to the exterior end of the line. A cavity in the chamber adjacent to its front end in proximity to the aperture for coating the line with chalk powder as the line passes therethrough. A driven bevel gear forms with the spindle for rotation therewith. A motor with an output shaft with drive bevel gear secures thereto for rotation to rotate the spindle to reel in the line. Batteries within the chamber couple the motor with a switch to activate and inactivate the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Inventor: Antonio D. Alves
  • Patent number: 5375334
    Abstract: A doorframe template apparatus is provided which includes a T-shaped first straight edge member which includes a straight top member and a straight middle member extending perpendicularly from a middle portion of the top member. The straight top member includes a top flange member and a bottom flange member at right angles to the straight middle member. A second straight edge member is connected to the straight middle member by a lockable pivoted joint. The lockable pivoted joint enables the T-shaped first straight edge member to be adjusted with respect to the second straight edge member at angles that conform to respective doorframe angles when the straight top member of the T-shaped first straight edge member is placed against a doorjamb, and the second straight edge member is placed against a horizontal doorframe member. The straight middle member includes a first aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Inventor: Michael A. Coker
  • Patent number: 5263259
    Abstract: A body having a pair of holes is provided to hold a pair of pencils or the like. The bores are provided with a threaded interior surface into which the instrument may be screwed and held.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Inventor: Fausto Cimador
  • Patent number: 5239761
    Abstract: A measuring instrument includes a casing served as a rule, an angular level secured in a central portion of the casing having a rotational protractor rotatably mounted in the level for measuring any angles, a horizontal gauge provided in a right side portion of the casing for checking a horizontality, a vertical gauge formed in a left side portion of the casing for checking a verticality, a reelable plummet provided in the casing and protruded outwardly for checking a vertical line or plane, a measuring tape wound in the casing and pulled outwardly for measuring a length, and a protractor template rotatably secured on the casing having a plurality of guide slots of many geometric shapes punched in the template for guiding the drawing of many geometric shapes and having a plurality of angular graduations circularly formed on a pivotal portion of the template also for measuring planar angles, so as to provide a measuring instrument having multiple measurement uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Inventors: Chyi-Yiing Wu, Chih-Jen Hsu
  • Patent number: 5212875
    Abstract: A chalk line assembly includes a plurality of chalk containing chambers. A reel is mounted in each chamber. Each reel contains a hollow drum with a line mounted around each drum and exiting from its chamber. A shaft is slidably mounted through the aligned reel drums. The shaft includes locking structure engageable with complementary locking structure on the hubs so that the shaft may be brought into locking engagement with a selecting hub to permit the line from that reel to be extended and then rewound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Inventor: Joseph R. Corso
  • Patent number: 5163230
    Abstract: A chalk line assembly includes a housing formed with a cavity therewith to receive powdered chalk, with a chalk line wound within the housing about a central spool. A crank handle is directed into the housing to effect winding and reeling of a chalk line relative to the housing about the spool. A mounting plate is secured to a rear wall of the housing, with the mounting plate including a ferromagnetic member mounted to the mounting plate projecting rearwardly of the mounting plate. The mounting plate further includes a support aperture directed therethrough to receive fasteners permitting vertical mounting of the apparatus to ferrous and non-ferrous supports in directing a vertical chalk line. A modification of the invention includes a fiber optic housing structure mounted to the housing for projecting illumination and alignment with the chalk line and orthogonally oriented relative to the chalk line for measurement in a construction environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Inventor: Raymond A. Gast
  • Patent number: 5138771
    Abstract: A three-dimensional homologous surveying instrument includes a base with a spherical cover mounted thereon for receiving therein a shell holder, an intermediate spherical shell and an inner spherical shell with respective zero references set in a homologous relationship with each other. The inner spherical shell rotates within the intermediate spherical shell on a first axis serving as a dynamic X-axis. The intermediate spherical shell rotates in the shell holder on a second axis perpendicularly intersecting the first axis and thus serves as a dynamic Y-axis. The cover is positioned in the base to serve as the Z-axis. Longitudinal and latitudinal scaling on the cover matches longitudinal and latitudinal scaling on the intermediate and inner shells, resulting in a three-dimensional, completely homologous surveying instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Inventor: Chiu-Shan Lee
  • Patent number: 5121552
    Abstract: A drawing kit is provided comprising a drawing pad, a plurality of transparent geometric shaped templates, and a double pencil holder. The pages of the pad have intersecting perpendicular lines and the templates have orthogonally intersecting indicia so that the templates may successively be selected and their indicia intersections aligned with line intersections on the drawing pad, and the outline of the template traced onto the pad so as to create more line intersections on the pad, and the successive process repeated to generate composite geometric designs on the pad. The double pencil holder has a pair of substantially parallel bores therethrough which allow pencils to be force-fitted therein securely enough to resist dislodgement from normal drawing forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Inventor: Fausto R. Cimador
  • Patent number: 5119565
    Abstract: A corner level apparatus arranged for alignment of structural components at a corner intersection includes intersecting first and second arms, wherein the arms define an acute included angle therebetween, generally at forty-five degrees. A mount projects rearwardly of the junction for securement of a spirit level arranged parallel to a top surface of the first and second arms. A modification of the invention includes support legs telescopingly and adjustably mounted relative to a bottom surface of the arms projecting downwardly therefrom for support of the level structure for use as a gauge and a securement of various structural components at the corner intersection of a dwelling, wherein the apparatus in a further refinement includes chalk lines retractably mounted within each of the arms for alignment of the arms and use of the chalk line as a gauge in structural construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Inventors: James Horvath, Richard L. Horvath
  • Patent number: 5116153
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multiple line writing instrument which is adapted for one-handed operation in the general manner of an ordinary pen or pencil and which accomodates variations in the writing angle at which the instrument may be applied to a writing surface. The instrument includes plural elongate writing means, such as pens, held in parallel, spaced apart array. By means of a pivotal stop table the writing tips of the plural writing means are held in continous writing contact with a writing surface despite variations in writing angle which may occur during use. The multiple line writing instrument avoids the necessity to employ biasing elements, such as springs, to maintain writing contact of the writing tips with the writing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Inventor: Paul R. Tully
  • Patent number: 5079848
    Abstract: A base-point anchor that will allow anchoring of chalklines, plumb bob lines, string for layout lines and tape rules, comprising a body with adhesive locking apertures and an anchor aperture and a bulk adhesive adhering to the body and extruded into the adhesive locking apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Inventors: Gary T. Oshiro, Rodney N. Morisato
  • Patent number: 5063681
    Abstract: A chalk line assembly and a pair of spreader allow two spaced apart chalk lines to be marked simultaneously. A chalk line assembly includes a chalk line, a spool, a box, and a crank. The chalk line has two ends wound on the spool and a middle portion forming a bight having a first side, a second side and an outer end. The box confines the spool and provides a bearing therefore, confines a body of powdered chalk and includes an aperture for passage of the chalk line from the box. The crank is connected to the spool for rotating the spool to wind up the chalk line. A pair of spreaders include a first spreader for receiving the line middle portion from the spool and includes a pair of spaced apart ports through which the line middle portion passes. The second spreader is slidably connected to the bight outer end and includes a spaced apart pair of ports through which the chalk line passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Inventor: Oliver A. Bradley
  • Patent number: 5042159
    Abstract: A chalk line retraction device is formed of a hollow casing defining a chalk line aperture therethrough. A chalk line reel carrying a chalk line is mounted for rotation within the casing and is keyed to a spur gear. The spur gear is engaged with a ring gear of much larger pitch diameter. The ring gear is coupled to a movable end of a spirally wound band spring. The other end of the band spring is anchored to the casing. The gearing arrangement provides a mechanical advantage such that a relatively long movement of the chalk line produces a corresponding short movement of the movable end of the band spring, thereby allowing a chalk line of considerable length to be taken up on the chalk line reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Inventor: Leo Millen
  • Patent number: 5022158
    Abstract: A layout tool includes an elongate rectangular shaped body having opposed upper and lower surfaces, opposed end surfaces and opposed front and rear surfaces. The layout tool is formed of a dense material and has a U-shaped handle detachably secured thereto and projecting upwardly therefrom. Anchoring pins are adjustably secured to the body to permit vertical adjustment thereof. Positioning grooves on the front, end and lower surfaces of the body to permit positioning of the chalk line during the layout operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Inventor: Bruce R. Beyer
  • Patent number: 5014437
    Abstract: The invention relates to the improved structure for an ink cup, particularly such structure having upper and lower cover bodies, a thread winding wheel, a manual turning wheel and an inverted T-shaped pressing disk. The interior of the inverted T pressing disk encloses a compression spring and is set inside the manual turning wheel by means of a hollow circular rod. The manual turning wheel cooperates with a circular hole in the upper cover body, and is urged into contact with the upper cover body by the compression spring in the pressing disk. A spiral spring in the thread winding wheel automatically rewinds the thread except when the manual turning wheel is squeezed against the cover body to stop the thread winding wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Inventor: Fu-Cheng Sun
  • Patent number: 4976041
    Abstract: A base-point anchor that will allow anchoring of chalklines, plum bob lines, string for layout lines and tape rules, comprising a body with adhesive locking apertures and an anchor aperture and a bulk adhesive adhering to the body and extruded into the adhesive locking apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Inventors: Gary T. Oshiro, Rodney N. Morisato
  • Patent number: 4926562
    Abstract: A closed type device for line marking comprises a box-shaped body and a circular partition wall dividing the inner space of the body into a space for a bobbin seat and a closed space surrounding the outer surface of partition wall for the storage of Chinese dark ink as an ink space. The ink space is stuffed with an ink absorbent material and the bobbin seat is adapted to receive the bobbin in concealed manner. A flexible thread of absorbent material is wound onto the bobbin. The closed ink space prevents the ink from leaking out of the line marking device. The closed arrangement for the body and bobbin make the device easy to operate and convenient to carry by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Inventor: Chyn-Herng Hwu
  • Patent number: 4921507
    Abstract: A layout tool includes a container having elongate generally rectangular-shaped front and rear walls, rectangular end walls, and a horizontal bottom wall. An opening extends through the central portion of the front adjacent its lower edge and extends into and upwardly through the bottom wall. The front wall has a linear scale on the exterior surface thereof. A chalk line has one end thereof extending through the opening in the front and bottom wall and is wound upon a reel of a chalk line mechanism. A weight is positioned in the container and stabilizes the latter against movement when the chalk line is stretched, pulled taut, and snapped against a surface to form an accurately located layout line on the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Inventor: Bruce R. Beyer
  • Patent number: 4826338
    Abstract: A multi-tipped pen and a pen/pen holder combination are disclosed. The multi-tipped pen has an even number of pen tips spaced at a set distance to enable to user to draw simultaneously parallel lines. The pen is used by layout artists to indicate the placing and size of printed material that will appear in the final version of an advertisement. The distance between the pen tips indicates the size of type to be used. The pen may be located within a pen holder that prevents the pen tips from drying out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Inventor: William Kilpatrick
  • Patent number: 4819337
    Abstract: A carpenter' chalk marking device for producing marks at regular intervals along a straight line upon a working surface, characterized by chalk marking units mounted along a chalk line and configured to hold the line from contact with the marking surface to prevent extraneous marks. The device also includes a chalk containing canister with a storage spool for the chalk line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Inventor: Tim I. Noyes
  • Patent number: 4815212
    Abstract: An instrument for use in preparing an accident report concerning an automotive vehicle is constructed to draw four continuous lines in a manner simulating the paths of the wheels of the vehicle. The instrument has a housing which confines four independently spring-loaded leads in a rectangular array. The leads are slidably held by an alignment plate which is threadably connected to the top of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Inventor: Ben Wood
  • Patent number: 4813145
    Abstract: An automatically retracting chalk line assembly having both locking and braking means to lock the extended line in place and to slow the speed of retraction of the line during automatic rewind. The spool containing the line has an extended side in a hub cap shape which protrudes through a circular aperture in the housing. A slide member is moved out of a channel in this hub cap to form a friction lock with the housing. Braking is accomplished by slowing the spin of the hub cap by hand pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Inventors: Archie B. Josey, Jr., Timothy C. Sox
  • Patent number: 4773162
    Abstract: A type of mini electric inking box in which a small motor transmit drive through a gear set to a thread wheel, while the thread on the thread wheel is placed inside the ink box with a sponge and extended outwards, inside the box body is a detachable cover and a battery compartment, at the front is a lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Inventor: Huei-Yang Lin
  • Patent number: 4765557
    Abstract: An automatic retractable chalk snap string device having an improved brake structure for selectively braking the spring-biased hub on which the chalk string is retractably wound. The brake control includes a brake lever having a manipulating surface adapted to be engaged by a user's finger, such as the user's thumb, in a rocking motion, permitting the user to apply force in both removing the brake pad from the winding hub and to apply the brake pads to the winding hub in concert with a biasing spring similarly acting to urge the brake pads agains the hub. The hub is provided with projecting brake surfaces to be engaged by the brake pads to provide further improved, positive selective braking action. The arrangement of the brake lever is coordinated with the configuration of the housing of the device to permit facilitated one-hand control of the functioning of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Inventor: Paul G. Kahmann
  • Patent number: 4731933
    Abstract: A chalkline device situated on a protractor in such a manner which permits the chalkline string to extend from the centerpoint of the protractor's radius past the degree markings on the protractor. By placing the centerpoint side of the protractor on any straight surface and extending the chalkline string past the degree markings any angle measurement can, by the chalkline string, be determined and marked in the same process. The chalkline string serves as both the hand of a dial and a medium for conveyance of the chalk to the surface being marked or measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Inventor: Charles D. Cope
  • Patent number: 4723859
    Abstract: The inventive nib body for marking pen is a polygonally prismatic rod-like body made of a porous and rigid material suitable for penetration of the marking ink. Each of the ridge lines formed between the polygonal, e.g. triangular or quadrilateral, end surface and the side surfaces serves as the line-drawing edge so that, when each of the edges has a different length from the others, lines of different widths can be drawn with different line-drawing edges by use of a single nib. Further, the line-drawing edge can be provided with one or more of notches and divided into sections so that the edge can be used for drawing, for example, a double-track line composed of two parallel lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Inventor: Kazunori Kitoh
  • Patent number: 4699535
    Abstract: A writing implement for generating a pair of lines which will vary in spacing depending upon the down pressure applied includes a handle, a pair of elongated blades of flexible material which are secured at one end to the handle and which project therebeyond. The blades have their minor axes intersecting at an angle of approximately 45.degree. to 135.degree., and marking elements are secured to the free ends of the blades and project therefrom with the points thereof being closely spaced in the unflexed condition of the blades. When the user applies downward pressure to the writing implement, the blades flex along their longitudinal axes, and this moves the points of the marking elements apart to generate a pair of spaced lines. Various types of marking elements may be replaceably seated in barrel portions at the free ends of the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Inventor: William J. Hildebrandt
  • Patent number: 4697349
    Abstract: A housing substantially with a rectangular-box shape containing a flexible measuring tape stored therein and a tape-opening provided on the upper face thereof. An ink box containing ink and an ink thread is provided on the front face of the housing. The outermost end of the ink thread is attached to a needle grip with a needle. A level is provided on the upper face of the housing. A pivotal centering needle is provided on a position of one side face of the housing proximate to the tape-opening. The centering needle is used as a centering arm for a pair of compasses while the measuring tape is used as a cantilever arm for determining the radius of an arc or a circle. A pivotal plate set of the first side face of the housing and a hook member set of the opposite face, together with the ink thread pulled out, provide the function of a plumb rule for determining the vertically of a perpendicular plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Inventor: Rule Lee