Patent Application
20240367458
The present disclosure relates to chalk line reel systems, and more specifically, chalk line reel systems having a replaceable chalk cartridge. A chalk line, also known as a chalk box or chalk reel, is used for making straight lines on surfaces. Chalk lines typically include a reel or spool holding a line (e.g., string, cord) coated in chalk powder or other type of dye. The line, when pulled taut against a surface, and then snapped, leaves a straight line of chalk or dye to serve as a guide.
Conventional chalk lines commonly have an interior space holding chalk therein. Some conventional chalk lines require partial disassembly to refill the chalk line or may include openings to the interior space for a user to refill the chalk. A squeeze bottle filled with chalk is often used to refill these conventional chalk lines. This process is often both messy and time-consuming. It is desirable to provide a chalk line reel system that allows a user to quickly and easily refill or replace the chalk in a chalk reel without the mess and hassle of a conventional system. Such a system will improve ease of use and increase functionality over a conventional chalk line.
In accordance with one feature of this disclosure, a chalk line reel system is provided. The chalk line reel system includes a chalk cartridge having a cartridge housing including a chalk compartment at least partially filled with chalk and a chalk dispensing opening to the chalk compartment. The chalk cartridge has a frangible seal closing the chalk dispensing opening. The chalk line reel system includes a chalk line housing having an interior space, a mount structure for releasably mounting the chalk cartridge, and a seal breaking structure configured to break the frangible seal to allow chalk to be dispensed from the chalk compartment into the interior space with the chalk cartridge engaged in the mount structure. The chalk line reel system includes a reel mounted to the housing for rotation relative to the housing about a reel axis, and a chalk line wound around the reel and engageable with chalk contained in the interior space.
In one feature, the seal breaking structure partially removes the frangible seal as the chalk cartridge engages the mount structure.
As one feature, the seal breaking structure perforates the frangible seal as the chalk cartridge engages the mount structure.
In one feature the chalk cartridge further includes a mount receiving structure, defining a sliding axis, configured to slidably engage the mount structure, along the sliding axis, to releasably mount the chalk cartridge. The seal breaking structure perforates the frangible seal as the mount receiving structure slidably engages the mount structure.
As one feature, the frangible seal and the chalk dispensing opening form an acute angle relative to the sliding axis.
In another feature, the seal breaking structure includes a plurality of teeth.
According to one feature, the seal breaking structure includes a cutting blade.
In yet a further feature, the chalk line reel system includes a manually operated crank arm operably connected to the rotatable reel to allow a user to manually rotate the reel.
In another feature, the chalk line reel system includes a spring operably connected to the gear system to rotate the reel.
In one feature, the frangible seal includes a foil portion induction sealed to an edge of the chalk dispensing opening.
As one feature, the interior space includes a first interior space and a second interior space. The reel is mounted to the housing in the first interior space, the chalk is contained in the second interior space, and the chalk line housing further includes a fibrous material, between the first interior space and the second interior space, limiting passage of chalk between the first interior space and the second interior space.
In accordance with one feature of this disclosure, a chalk line reel is provided. The chalk line reel includes a chalk line housing having an interior space, a mount structure for releasably mounting a chalk cartridge, and a seal breaking structure configured to break a frangible sea of the chalk cartridge to allow chalk to be dispensed from the chalk cartridge into the interior space with the chalk cartridge engaged in the mount structure. The chalk line reel includes a reel mounted to the housing for rotation relative to the housing about a reel axis, and a chalk line wound around the reel and engageable with chalk contained in the interior space.
As one feature, the seal breaking structure is configured to partially remove a frangible seal of the chalk cartridge as the chalk cartridge engages the mount structure.
In one feature, the seal breaking structure is configured to perforate a frangible seal of the chalk cartridge as the chalk cartridge engages the mount structure.
In another feature, the seal breaking structure includes a plurality of teeth.
As one feature, the seal breaking structure includes a cutting blade.
In another feature, the chalk line reel includes a manually operated crank arm operably connected to the rotatable reel to allow a user to manually rotate the reel.
In another feature, the chalk line reel system includes a spring operably connected to the gear system to rotate the reel.
According to one feature, the interior space includes a first interior space and a second interior space. The reel is mounted to the housing in the first interior space, the chalk is contained in the second interior space, and the chalk line housing further includes a fibrous material, between the first interior space and the second interior space, limiting passage of chalk between the first interior space and the second interior space.
In accordance with one feature of this disclosure, a chalk cartridge for use with a chalk line reel is provided. The chalk cartridge includes a cartridge housing having a chalk compartment at least partially filled with chalk and a chalk dispensing opening, mount receiving structure, defining a sliding axis, configured to slidably engage the chalk line reel, along the sliding axis, to releasably mount the chalk cartridge to the chalk line reel, and a frangible seal closing the chalk dispensing opening. The frangible seal and the chalk dispensing opening form an acute angle relative to the sliding axis.
As one feature, the chalk cartridge includes mount receiving structure, defining a sliding axis, to releasably mount the chalk cartridge to the chalk line reel.
In another feature, the frangible seal and the chalk dispensing opening form an acute angle relative to the sliding axis.
It should be understood that the inventive concepts disclosed herein do not require each of the features discussed above, may include any combination of the features discussed, and may include features not specifically discussed above.
FIC. 7D is a front view of the chalk line cartridge of
As best seen in
In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the interior space 16 is formed within the chalk line housing 12 and includes a first interior space 34 and a second interior space 36. The first interior space 34 at least partially encloses the reel 22. The reel 22 is wound with the chalk line 24 and rotates within the first interior space 34 to reel or unreel the chalk line 24 therefrom. The second interior space 36 is configured to hold chalk, received from the chalk cartridge 14, therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the chalk line housing 12 includes a grommet 38 and a first passage 39 (e.g., hole, depression, recess) connecting the second interior space 36 to the first interior space 34. The chalk line housing 12 also includes a second passage 40 exiting the second interior space 36 and out of the chalk line housing 12. The chalk line 24 passes from the first interior space 34 (e.g., from the reel 22) and through the grommet 38 and the first passage 39. The chalk line 24 passes through the second interior space 36, where it is at least partially coated with chalk held therein, and out the second passage 40. In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the first passage 39 and the second passage 40 include a fibrous material (e.g., wool, cotton, etc.) therein. The fibrous material prevents (e.g., limits) chalk from passing through the first passage 38 or the second passage 40 while allowing the chalk line 24 to pass through the first passage 38 and out the second passage 40 after the chalk line 24 has been coated with chalk. In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the chalk line housing 12 includes a pair of posts 42 extending from the chalk line housing 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the chalk line 24 wraps around the posts 42, as best shown in
In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the chalk cartridge 14 is configured to be received by (e.g., slidably attached to) the chalk line housing 12. In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the mount structure 18 comprises a pair of raised sidewalls (e.g., protruding walls) extending from the chalk line housing, with each sidewall having an outwardly protruding lip 43, as best shown in
In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the chalk compartment 28 comprises an interior space within the cartridge housing 26 of the chalk cartridge 14. The chalk compartment 28 is at least partially filled with chalk (e.g., any marking material as may be used by chalk lines) In some examples, the chalk compartment 28 may include ink. The chalk dispensing opening 30 is open to the chalk compartment 28 and is open to the outside of the chalk cartridge 14 to allow the chalk to pass therethrough (e.g., to the chalk line housing 12 when connected thereto). In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the chalk dispensing opening 30 includes a frangible seal 32 to seal the chalk dispensing opening 30, for example, to prevent chalk from leaving the chalk compartment 28. In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the frangible seal 32 comprises a foil seal (e.g., a foil portion) induction sealed to the exterior edges of the chalk dispensing opening 30 to seal the chalk within the chalk compartment 28.
In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, and as best shown in
As best shown in
While other chalk line reel systems may be used, the chalk line reel system 10 of the illustrated and preferred embodiment, is an automatic rewinding chalk line. The chalk line housing 12 includes a spring to drive the reel 22 to rewind the chalk line 24. In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the reel 22 is connected to or includes a gear system (e.g., gear or number of gears) connected to the spring. The gear system, for example, can reduce the number of windings of the spring that are necessary to rewind the chalk line 24. In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the gear system, for example, provides a 4:1 reduction in the number of spring windings necessary to rewind the chalk line 24. In some examples, the increased speed of retraction from the gear system 51 may increase the chance of binding of the chalk line 24 during retraction. In the illustrated and preferred example, the posts 42 (e.g., the wrapping of the chalk line 24 around the posts 42 between the grommet 38 and the first passage 39, as best shown in
In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the chalk line housing 12 includes a retention clip 52 to retain the chalk cartridge 14 thereto. The chalk cartridge 14 includes a protruding nub 53 (e.g., lip, catch). As best shown in
Preferred embodiments of the inventive concepts are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventor(s) for carrying out the inventive concepts. Variations of those preferred embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor(s) expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor(s) intend that the inventive concepts can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, the inventive concepts disclosed herein include all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements and features in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the inventive concepts unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. Further in this regard, while highly preferred forms of the chalk line reel system 10 are shown in the figures, it should be understood that this disclosure anticipates variations in the specific details of each of the disclosed components and features of the material dispenser and that no limitation to a specific form, configuration, or detail is intended unless expressly and specifically recited in an appended claim.
For example, while specific and preferred forms have been shown for the reel 22 of chalk line reel system 10 with an automatic rewind feature, other forms may be used. For example, the chalk line reel system 10 may be a manual chalk reel having a manually operated crank arm operably connected to the reel 22 to allow a user to manually rotate the reel. In some examples, the reel 22 may be an electronically rewinding reel. While the chalk line reel system 10 has been shown including a gear system 51, in some examples the chalk line reel system 10 may not include a gear system 51. For example, a hand crank, spring, or electric drive may be directly connected to the reel 22 without the gear system 51 or may be connected to the reel 22 through the gear system 51.
As a further example, while seal breaking structure 20 is shown in the form of a plurality of teeth, the a seal breaking structure 20 may include any number of teeth and/or cutting blades or combination of teeth and/or cutting blades. The seal breaking structure 20 may include a single tooth or a single cutting blade. In some examples, the seal breaking structure 20 may include a blunt surface capable of pushing or otherwise removing the frangible seal 32 from the chalk dispensing opening 30.
As another example, while the frangible seal 32 is shown in the form of foil seal, other examples may use other sealing materials or sealing membranes, as are known in the art, such as plastic or paper seals. In some examples, the frangible seal 32 may be manually removed and, for example, may have a pull tab to open. Further, while the frangible seal 32 has been shown as being induction sealed, in some examples the frangible seal 32 may use adhesives or other methods to seal the frangible seal 32 to the chalk dispensing opening 30. In some examples, the chalk cartridge 14 may include a removable cap over the frangible seal 32 to prevent puncturing of the frangible seal 32 prior to installation.
As yet a further example, while the interior space 16 is shown as being divided into the first interior space 34 and the second interior space 36 and divided by the grommet 38 and the first passage 39, in some examples the chalk line housing 12 may not include the grommet 38 and/or the first passage. For example, the interior space 16 may comprise a single opening (e.g., compartment, interior space) within the chalk line housing 12. For example, the reel 22 may be open to the chalk dispensing opening 30 of chalk compartment 28 when the chalk line housing 12 is connected to the chalk cartridge 14. The chalk from the chalk cartridge 14 may be directly deposited into the interior space 16 housing the reel 22.
As another example, while the mount structure 18 is shown in the form of a pair of raised sidewalls with outwardly protruding lips 43, other connection types (e.g., clips) may be used, such as, a single rail, a plurality of rails, or rails having shapes other a protruding lip (e.g., post with a round/spherical top). In some examples, the chalk line housing 12 does not include sidewalls (e.g., rails) and instead or additionally includes guides on the chalk line housing 12 or interlocking geometry that does not include rails.
As another example, while retention clip 52 and protruding nub 53 are shown in the illustrated and preferred embodiment to retain the chalk cartridge 14 to the chalk line housing 12, the locking (e.g., attachment) feature may be provided by a plastic clip, a button release, or a locking feature without a nub.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and “at least one” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of the term “at least one” followed by a list of one or more items (for example, “at least one of A and B”) is to be construed to mean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the inventive concepts disclosed herein and does not pose a limitation on the scope of any invention unless expressly claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the inventive concepts disclosed herein.
