Patent US4592148A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4592148A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Chalk line reel structure
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-07-12
•
Granted: 1986-06-03
•
Expires: 2004-07-12
Abstract
Abstract A chalk line reel structure which includes a housing, a reel carrying a chalk line disposed within the housing which has an opening through which the chalk line extends, a spring and enclosure therefor carried by said housing with one end of the spring affixed effectively to the reel and the other end to the enclosure and a releasable ratchet coupled effectively to the housing and the spring enclosure for adjustment of spring tension. The housing may also include a second opening for the introduction of powdered chalk and a separate compartment enclosing the reel and having openings aligned with the housing openings.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Longenette
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:05
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H75/00; B65H75/02; B65H75/34; B65H75/38; B65H75/44; B65H75/4418; B65H75/4428; B65H75/4431; B44; B44D; B44D3/00; B44D3/38; B65H2701/00; B65H2701/30; B65H2701/35; B65H2701/357
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
318 words
A chalk line reel structure comprising a reel having a chalk line wound thereon, a closed housing surrounding said reel and having an opening through which said line extends, a central shaft rotatably carrying said reel, spring means on one side of said housing and fixed at one end relative to said reel, an enclosure enclosing said spring means with the other end of said spring means secured to said enclosure, adjustable ratchet means coupling said housing and enclosure to impart the desired tension to said spring when said chalk line is in the retracted position, clutch means carried by said housing and operable to lock said reel with the line in a selected extended position and to control the rate of return of said line under the action of said spring means, said housing being formed of two spaced plates with a peripheral wall closing the space defined by said plates, means fixedly keying said shaft to one of said plates, said reel including a sleeve fixed thereto for rotatably engaging said shaft, said other plate having a central opening through which said sleeve extends, said one end of said spring being fixed to said sleeve and said ratchet means couples said enclosure to said shaft, said clutch means includes a braking member for engaging said sleeve, a lever arm connected to said braking member and a brake actuating member secured to the lever arm and operable to gradually apply said brake to control rotation of said reel upon retraction of said chalk line and to hold said brake in a reel locking position, a reel enclosing compartment within said housing and having a sleeve receiving opening, said compartment having a chalk line opening in alignment with the first said housing opening and said housing and compartment each include second aligned openings for feeding powdered chalk to said chalk line and means for closing said second openings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
318 words
A chalk line reel structure comprising a reel having a chalk line wound thereon, a closed housing surrounding said reel and having an opening through which said line extends, a central shaft rotatably carrying said reel, spring means on one side of said housing and fixed at one end relative to said reel, an enclosure enclosing said spring means with the other end of said spring means secured to said enclosure, adjustable ratchet means coupling said housing and enclosure to impart the desired tension to said spring when said chalk line is in the retracted position, clutch means carried by said housing and operable to lock said reel with the line in a selected extended position and to control the rate of return of said line under the action of said spring means, said housing being formed of two spaced plates with a peripheral wall closing the space defined by said plates, means fixedly keying said shaft to one of said plates, said reel including a sleeve fixed thereto for rotatably engaging said shaft, said other plate having a central opening through which said sleeve extends, said one end of said spring being fixed to said sleeve and said ratchet means couples said enclosure to said shaft, said clutch means includes a braking member for engaging said sleeve, a lever arm connected to said braking member and a brake actuating member secured to the lever arm and operable to gradually apply said brake to control rotation of said reel upon retraction of said chalk line and to hold said brake in a reel locking position, a reel enclosing compartment within said housing and having a sleeve receiving opening, said compartment having a chalk line opening in alignment with the first said housing opening and said housing and compartment each include second aligned openings for feeding powdered chalk to said chalk line and means for closing said second openings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
114 words
A chalk line reel structure according to claim 1 wherein said ratchet means comprises a circular element overlying said spring enclosure and keyed to the other end of said shaft and axially displaceable relative thereto, said element having at least one projection extending from the surface thereof facing said enclosure, said enclosure including at least one projection receiving opening and means including a spring and thumb-screw threadably engaging the adjoining end of said shaft to hold said projection in engagement with said projection receiving opening to lock said enclosure relative to said housing, the last said means being releasable to disengage said projection and permit said enclosure to be rotated relative to said housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
220 words
A chalk line reel structure comprising a housing formed of a pair of spaced plates of similar configuration and a peripheral wall closing the space defined by said plates, a centrally positioned shaft extending between said plates, keyed to one of said plates and secured against axial displacement, a sleeve rotatably carried by said shaft and extending through an opening in the other of said plates, a reel within said housing and carrying a chalk line, said reel being fixedly secured to said sleeve, a spiral spring overlying said other plate and having its inner end fixed to said sleeve, a spring enclosure surrounding said spring with the other end of said spring fixed to said enclosure, ratchet like means overlying said enclosure with one portion keyed to said shaft and releasably engaging a cooperating portion on said enclosure to permit rotation of said enclosure to produce the desired spring tension and to lock said enclosure against rotation at the desired spring tension, said housing including at lease one opening through which said chalk line extends and for introducing powdered chalk to said chalk line reel, and clutch means including a control lever engaging said sleeve to lock the sleeve and reel in a selected position and to control the rate of return of the chalk line after being extended.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
220 words
A chalk line reel structure comprising a housing formed of a pair of spaced plates of similar configuration and a peripheral wall closing the space defined by said plates, a centrally positioned shaft extending between said plates, keyed to one of said plates and secured against axial displacement, a sleeve rotatably carried by said shaft and extending through an opening in the other of said plates, a reel within said housing and carrying a chalk line, said reel being fixedly secured to said sleeve, a spiral spring overlying said other plate and having its inner end fixed to said sleeve, a spring enclosure surrounding said spring with the other end of said spring fixed to said enclosure, ratchet like means overlying said enclosure with one portion keyed to said shaft and releasably engaging a cooperating portion on said enclosure to permit rotation of said enclosure to produce the desired spring tension and to lock said enclosure against rotation at the desired spring tension, said housing including at lease one opening through which said chalk line extends and for introducing powdered chalk to said chalk line reel, and clutch means including a control lever engaging said sleeve to lock the sleeve and reel in a selected position and to control the rate of return of the chalk line after being extended.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A chalk line structure according to claim 3 including a compartment within said housing enclosing said reel and having a chalk line opening in alignment with the first said opening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A chalk line reel structure according to claim 4 wherein the housing and compartment are each provided with second aligned openings for introducing powdered chalk to said reel compartment and means for closing said second aligned openings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
A chalk line reel structure according to claim 4 wherein said one portion of said ratchet-like means includes a disc-shaped memeber lying against said enclosure and having at least one projection extending from the inner surface thereof, said enclosure having at least one projection receiving opening and means for holding said projection in engagement with the last said opening after the enclosure has been rotated to achieve the desired opening tension.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-06-02 | 1989-12-02 | 1990-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-06-02 | 1993-12-02 | 1994-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-06-02 | 1997-12-02 | 1998-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |