This disclosure relates generally to the field of chalk boxes, also referred to as a chalk line dispenser. Chalk boxes are well known in the art to create a straight line for use in construction. A line wound about a reel is covered with chalk. The line is then pulled from the reel. A portion of the line proximate a first end of the line is held against a surface to be marked. A second portion of the line is held against the surface a distance apart. The line is held taught between the two points. A user then raises a portion of the line between the two portions held against the surface under tension, when the line is released the line snaps back toward the surface depositing a straight line of chalk along the surface. The line is then wound back on to the reel. Typically the reel is located within a housing. If the line is dragged through debris some of the debris may enter the housing and foul the line for future use. The debris may also act to block the line from being easily withdrawn from the housing or reeled back on to the reel. Additionally, if the line becomes wet during use, the wet line will form a cake of wet chalk within the housing that may also prevent the line from being easily withdrawn from the housing. Cleaning the housing requires that the chalk box be disassembled. This requires time and may not be easily accomplished. The line is reeled back into the housing through the use of a handle located external to the housing. Any chalk that enters the area proximate the handle may foul the mechanism that couples the handle to the reel thereby inhibiting the proper and easy winding or unwinding of the line.
It would be desirable to provide a chalk box that would address these shortcomings. Specifically, it would be desirable to provide a chalk box that would minimize debris from entering the housing. Further it would be desirable to provide a chalk box that could be easily accessed to remove any debris that may enter the chalk box. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide a chalk box that minimized the amount of moisture that could enter the housing via the line as it is being reeled back into the housing. It would also be desirable to provide a chalk box that inhibited the chalk from entering the area proximate the handle to ensure smooth operation of the reel.
One embodiment of the invention relates to a chalk line dispenser including chalk and chalk line. The dispenser comprises a housing defining a chamber, a gear system disposed in the chamber, a reel assembly disposed in the housing and coupled to the gear box, the reel assembly including flange and a gear. There is also provided a first seal having a first diameter disposed on the flange and a second seal having a diameter smaller than the first diameter disposed on the flange intermediate the gear and the first seal. Wherein the first and second seal when compressed against the flange prevent chalk from entering the gear system.
Another embodiment provides a chalk line dispenser comprising a housing including a nose portion defining an aperture. A chalk line reel is contained in the housing, with chalk line disposed on the reel and extending through the aperture. A cap is selectively removable and configured to couple to the nose portion with a snap fit.
There is further provided a chalk line dispenser comprising a housing including a nose portion, a bottom surface, and a rear portion and a flat area defined by at least a portion of the bottom surface proximate the rear portion. Wherein the flat area facilitates housing stability during operation of the chalk line dispenser.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or moveable in nature and/or such joining may allow for the flow of fluids, electricity, electrical signals, or other types of signals or communication between the two members. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature.
Referring to the FIGURES, a chalk box 10 is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Chalk box 10 comprises a main body 12, an insert 54, a reel mechanism 66, a maintenance cap 110, one or more seals 94, 96, 130, and 132, and a string 100. Chalk box 10 is configured to provide a retractable string or cable 100 that may be at least partially coated chalk. String 100 is held against a body to be marked (e.g., a piece of lumber) and snapped, leaving behind a chalk line.
Referring to
As illustrated in
Chamber 16 at least partially encloses reel mechanism 66 and is configured to contain a supply of chalk to coat a string 100. Receiving structure 18 extends outward from chamber 16 and is configured to receive an insert 54 and a container 64 of chalk. As shown in
Handle 24—extends upward from chamber 16 to provide a user with a means of gripping chalk box 10. According to an exemplary embodiment, handle 24 forms an arch that is connected to chamber 16 on one end and receiving structure 18 on another end. According to other exemplary embodiments, handle 24 may only be attached on one end and be a cantilevered structure. Handle 24 may include a non-slip coating or other surface treatment to improve a user's ability to grip chalk box 10.
Reel mechanism 66 is provided to allow a user to retract string into chamber 16 so that string 100 can be coated with chalk. Reel mechanism 66 uses a planetary gear arrangement to magnify a rotational input by the user so that string 100 is retracted more quickly into chamber 16. Reel mechanism 66 comprises a reel 68, planetary gears 84, a cover plate 80, a ring or retainer 86, a crank of arm 90, a handle or knob 92, first seal 94 and second seal 96.
Reel 68, shown best in
Planetary gears 84, shown in
Chalk is an abrasive substance and can cause excessive wear and binding if it is allowed to enter the area where gears 46, 76, and 84 are engaging each other. To help retain chalk in chamber 16, away from gears 46, 76, and 84, two seals 94, 96 are provided between reel 68 and body 12. As shown in
According to an exemplary embodiment, string 100 is a braided nylon line with a twisted three-strand core. String 100 is configured to have a relatively low elasticity. Because it has a generally round cross-section and low elasticity, string 100 produces a relatively clean line. According to other exemplary embodiment, chalk box 10 may use any string or chord commonly known in the art.
As shown in
As string 100 is pulled from chamber 16 or retracted into chamber 16, reel mechanism 66 rotates. The rotational momentum of reel mechanism 66 may cause reel mechanism 66 to rotate such that the rate that string enters chamber 16 is different than the rate at which string 100 is taken up by reel 68. In typical chalk boxes, this may cause string 100 to loosen from reel 68, doubling back on itself or otherwise binding in reel mechanism 66. Routing string over sleeves 44 and exerting a pressure on string with inner seals 130 causes a tension on string 100 and reduces the chance for string 100 to bind in reel mechanism 66.
Nose portion 26 further includes an end wall 32 with an aperture, hole or outlet 34. String 100 extends outward through aperture 34. A generally circular extension or wall 28 extends outward from end wall 32 around aperture 34. An outer seal 132 is provided between nose portion 26 and maintenance cap 110 that is configured to exclude moisture or outside debris from entering chamber 16 and fouling chalk. Outer seal includes a slit or cut 134 that allows string to pass through outer seal 132. According to an exemplary embodiment, outer seal 132 is a generally cylindrical wool pad approximately 5 mm thick. According to other exemplary embodiments, outer seal 132 may have a thickness greater than or less then 5 mm. According to still other exemplary embodiments, seal 132 may be comprise another fiber, or may be another material that suitably excludes debris from chamber 16 while allowing string 100 to exit chamber 16.
Maintenance cap or nose cap 110 is coupled to body 12 around outlet 34 and helps prevent moisture and debris from entering the interior of body 12. Maintenance cap 110 is configured to be coupled to body 12 with a snap fit so that a user may quickly easily remove cap 110 without removing any fasteners. As shown in
Inner wall 118 extends away from inner surfaces of outer walls 112 and surrounds support walls 122. Inner wall 118 includes a plurality of cavities, gaps or openings 120 that extends inward from the inner surface of inner wall 118. Cavities 120 are configured to engage inwardly extending protrusions 30 on wall 28 to further couple cap 110 to body 12. According to an exemplary embodiment, four protrusions 30 and cavities 120 are provided around wall 28 and inner wall 118 respectively. According to other exemplary embodiments, cavities 120 and protrusions 30 may be greater or fewer in number, differently distributed around wall 28 and inner wall 118 or be provided as a continuous ridge and slot. Support walls 122 extend outward from a central bore 126 and provide additional rigidity to cap 110. When cap 110 is coupled to body 12, outer seal 132 is trapped between cap 110 and body 12 and compressed by support walls 122 and end wall 32. Bore, hole, or passage 126 extends through cap 110 and provides a passage for string 100 to pass through cap 110. According to an exemplary embodiment, a brass sleeve or grommet 128 is provided in bore 126 to reduce wear on cap 110 by string 100. According to other exemplary embodiments, sleeve 128 may be another material with suitable wear properties.
To help orientate cap 110 on body 12, cap 110 and body 12 may have alignment features, shown as cut-outs 124 and notch 31 (shown in
Outer seal 132 provides a barrier substantially reducing the ability of moisture or debris from entering chamber 16. Because debris may cling to string 100, when string 100 is retracted by reel mechanism 66, debris may collect between outer seal 132 and support walls 122 and within passage 126. A user can easily remove cap 110 from body 12 and remove the debris from cap 110 to allow easier movement of string 100.
It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the seal system as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments.
This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/841,892 filed Sep. 1, 2006, which is incorporated herein.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20080052935 A1 | Mar 2008 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60841892 | Sep 2006 | US |