Chalk box with chalk reel spool groove

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11440343-B2
Application number	US-202017618943-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 11, 2020
Priority date	Jun 17, 2019
Publication date	Sep 13, 2022
Grant date	Sep 13, 2022

Abstract

A spool for a chalk box may include a core member extending substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the spool, a first sidewall disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the spool at a first end of the core member, and a second sidewall disposed in a plane substantially parallel to the first sidewall at a second end of the core member. The string may be configured to be retained on the spool by being wound onto the core member. The first sidewall may include a first anchorage orifice and a second anchorage orifice spaced apart from each other and each passing through the first sidewall from an inside surface of the first sidewall to an outside surface of the first sidewall. A spool groove may be formed on the outside surface of the first sidewall extending from the first anchorage orifice to the second anchorage orifice.

First claim

That which is claimed:

1. A spool for a chalk box, the spool comprising:
a core member extending substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the spool;
a first sidewall disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the spool at a first end of the core member; and
a second sidewall disposed in a plane substantially parallel to the first sidewall at a second end of the core member,
wherein string is configured to be retained on the spool by being wound onto the core member,
wherein the first sidewall includes a first anchorage orifice and a second anchorage orifice spaced apart from each other and each passing through the first sidewall from an inside surface of the first sidewall to an outside surface of the first sidewall, and
wherein a spool groove is formed on the outside surface of the first sidewall extending from the first anchorage orifice to the second anchorage orifice.

2. The spool of claim 1 , wherein a depth of the spool groove is equal to or greater than a string width of the string.

3. The spool of claim 1 , wherein a depth of the spool groove is less than a string width of the string.

4. The spool of claim 1 , wherein the first and second anchorage orifices are disposed proximate to the core member, equidistant from the axis of rotation of the spool.

5. The spool of claim 4 , wherein the spool groove extends to define a chord between the first and second anchorage orifices, and
wherein respective ends of the chord each define equal radial distances from the axis of rotation of the spool to a center of a respective one of the first and second anchorage orifices.

6. The spool of claim 1 , wherein the spool groove is formed in the first sidewall during molding of the spool.

7. A chalk box comprising:
a housing having an aperture;
a reel assembly enclosed within the housing;
a string having a first end operably coupled to an end hook and configured to extend from the housing through the aperture and having a second end configured to be wound on the reel assembly; and
a chalk reservoir in which the string is retained or through which the string passes prior to extending out of the aperture,
wherein the reel assembly comprises a spool comprising:
a core member extending substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the spool;
a first sidewall disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the spool at a first end of the core member; and
a second sidewall disposed in a plane substantially parallel to the first sidewall at a second end of the core member,

wherein string is configured to be retained on the spool by being wound onto the core member,
wherein the first sidewall includes a first anchorage orifice and a second anchorage orifice spaced apart from each other and each passing through the first sidewall from an inside surface of the first sidewall to an outside surface of the first sidewall, and
wherein a spool groove is formed on the outside surface of the first sidewall extending from the first anchorage orifice to the second anchorage orifice.

8. The chalk box of claim 7 , wherein a depth of the spool groove is equal to or greater than a string width of the string.

9. The chalk box of claim 7 , wherein a depth of the spool groove is less than a string width of the string.

10. The chalk box of claim 9 , wherein the first sidewall faces an inside portion of the housing and is separated therefrom by a clearance distance, and
wherein the clearance distance is greater than or equal to the string width minus the depth of the spool groove.

11. The chalk box of claim 7 , wherein the first and second anchorage orifices are disposed proximate to the core member, equidistant from the axis of rotation of the spool.

12. The chalk box of claim 11 , wherein the spool groove extends to define a chord between the first and second anchorage orifices, and
wherein respective ends of the chord each define equal radial distances from the axis of rotation of the spool to a center of a respective one of the first and second anchorage orifices.

13. The chalk box of claim 7 , wherein the spool groove is formed in the first sidewall during molding of the spool.

Assignees

• Apex Brands Inc

Inventors

• Beckwith Jonathan Siebert
• Wilson Cecil

Classifications

• B44D3/38 Primary

  Cord line chalkers · CPC title