Chalk reel

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016347117-A1
Application number	US-201514723856-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 28, 2015
Priority date	May 28, 2015
Publication date	Dec 1, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A chalk reel has a housing defining a chalk chamber and an opening for accessing the chamber. A door is movable between an open position for allowing access through the opening to the chalk chamber and a closed position preventing access to the chamber. A lock assembly is provided on the door and is movable with the door. The lock assembly rotates relative to the door between a locked position and an unlocked position and reciprocates to secure and release a lock member.

First claim

1 . A chalk reel comprising:
a housing defining a chamber and an opening for accessing the chamber; a door movable between an open position for allowing access through the opening to the chamber and a closed position preventing access to the chamber; a rotatable lock assembly provided on the door and movable with the door, the lock assembly comprises a lock member rotatable relative to the door between a locked position and an unlocked position.

2 . The chalk reel of claim 1 wherein a line is wound on a reel in the housing and extends from housing through an aperture in the door.

3 . The chalk reel of claim 1 wherein the door pivots relative to the housing between the open position and the closed position.

4 . The chalk reel of claim 1 wherein a seal is formed around the periphery of the opening that is engaged by the door.

5 . The chalk reel of claim 2 wherein the lock assembly comprises a cap that is rotatably mounted in the aperture, the cap being operatively coupled to the lock member and including a through hole for receiving the line.

6 . The chalk reel of claim 2 wherein a cap is operatively coupled to the lock member and is mounted in the aperture for rotational and reciprocating motion relative to the door.

7 . The chalk reel of claim 6 wherein a spring exerts a bias force on the cap that biases the cap in a first reciprocating direction.

8 . The chalk reel of claim 6 wherein the lock member moves with the cap such that the lock member is rotated between the locked position and the unlocked position.

9 . The chalk reel of claim 8 wherein the lock member comprises a projection that projects laterally from the cap.

10 . The chalk reel of claim 8 wherein a bias force is exerted on the lock assembly and the lock member is biased into engagement with an engagement structure when the lock member is in the locked position.

11 . The chalk reel of claim 10 wherein the engagement structure comprises a recess on the housing.

12 . The chalk reel of claim 11 wherein a force may be applied to the cap against the bias force to move the lock member out of the recess.

13 . The chalk reel of claim 6 further comprising an abutment surface that extends into the path of travel of the lock member to prevent the cap from rotating through more than a predetermined angle.

14 . The chalk reel of claim 1 further comprising one of a detent and a tab on the door that engages the other one of the detent and the tab on the lock assembly when the lock assembly is in the locked position to prevent rotation of the lock assembly.

15 . The chalk reel of claim 14 wherein the lock assembly rotates and reciprocates relative to the door and a spring exerts a bias force that biases the lock assembly in a first direction to engage the detent with the tab.

16 . The chalk reel of claim 15 wherein a force may be applied to the lock assembly in a second direction against the bias force provided by the spring to disengage the tab from the detent.

17 . The chalk reel of claim 14 further comprising at least a second one of a detent and a tab on one of the door and the lock member to prevent rotation of the lock assembly when the lock assembly is in the unlocked position.

18 . The chalk reel of claim 5 wherein a through hole is provided in the cap for receiving the line, a first end of the line extending into the housing and being wound on a reel and a second end of the line extending from the housing and being connected to an end hook.

19 . The chalk reel of claim 18 wherein the cap comprises a docking member for retaining the end hook using a press fit.

20 . A chalk reel comprising:
a housing defining a chalk chamber and an opening for accessing the chalk chamber; a door movable between an open position for allowing access through the opening to the chalk chamber and a closed position preventing access to the chalk chamber; a cap provided on the door and movable with the door, the cap being mounted in the door for rotation and reciprocation relative to the door, the cap comprising a locking member engageable with the housing to lock the door in the closed position; a spring biasing the lock member in a first reciprocating direction into engagement with the housing.

Assignees

• Irwin Ind Tool Co

Inventors

• Parker Gregory David
• Leblanc Norman John
• Smith Robin E
• Deleo Anthony
• Reedy Michael H
• Butler Brian
• Johnson Douglas

Classifications

• B44D3/38 Primary

  Cord line chalkers · CPC title