An apparatus and method for a reel-to-reel chalk line comprising a first housing comprising a first reel, a first rotatable crank mechanism connected to the first reel, and a first chalk bin comprising apertures for allowing the passage of a continuous loadable chalk line. The apparatus further comprises an opposed second housing comprising a second rotatable reel, a second crank mechanism connected to the second reel, and a second chalk bin comprising apertures for allowing passage of the continuous impregnable chalk line. The continuous impregnable chalk line is reeled about the first and second reels as the respective crank mechanisms are alternately rotated forward and backward. The chalk line comprises one or more releasable segments along its length. The releasable segments sever the chalk line when a load on the chalk line exceeds the working capacity of the first and second reels and crank mechanisms within the respective housings.

An apparatus and method for a reel-to-reel chalk line comprising a first housing comprising a first reel, a first rotatable crank mechanism connected to the first reel, and a first chalk bin comprising apertures for allowing the passage of a continuous loadable chalk line. The apparatus further comprises an opposed second housing comprising a second rotatable reel, a second crank mechanism connected to the second reel, and a second chalk bin comprising apertures for allowing passage of the continuous impregnable chalk line. The continuous impregnable chalk line is reeled about the first and second reels as the respective crank mechanisms are alternately rotated forward and backward. The chalk line comprises one or more releasable segments along its length. The releasable segments sever the chalk line when a load on the chalk line exceeds the working capacity of the first and second reels and crank mechanisms within the respective housings.

A drive assembly for a tool with a rotatable crank and a reel may include a carrier operably coupled to the reel, a stress relief plate interposed between the carrier and the crank and configured to operably couple the carrier to the crank, and mating surfaces disposed on the carrier, the stress relief plate, and the crank in a stacked arrangement to distribute stresses and increase maximum torque capacity of the drive assembly.

A drive assembly for a tool with a rotatable crank and a reel may include a carrier operably coupled to the reel, a stress relief plate interposed between the carrier and the crank and configured to operably couple the carrier to the crank, and mating surfaces disposed on the carrier, the stress relief plate, and the crank in a stacked arrangement to distribute stresses and increase maximum torque capacity of the drive assembly.

A guide assembly for a tape measuring device may include an inner guide portion facing a reel assembly of the tape measuring device, and an outer guide portion facing away from the reel assembly. The guide assembly may be configured to enable the tape to be paid out from an aperture of the tape measuring device in both lateral directions relative to the aperture.

A guide assembly for a tape measuring device may include an inner guide portion facing a reel assembly of the tape measuring device, and an outer guide portion facing away from the reel assembly. The guide assembly may be configured to enable the tape to be paid out from an aperture of the tape measuring device in both lateral directions relative to the aperture.

A simple, economical, chalk line hook device is disclosed for marking straight lines, or lines at an angle, comprising a single unit having a front and back side, a top and bottom side wherein the top side has a gripping region which includes at least one, preferably two, gripping fangs for helping to secure the hook device to a straight edge or a corner of a surface to be marked. The hook device can be used by a single individual for marking surfaces of interest and the string can be pulled in multiple angles to provide clearly visible and precision lines for further use by contractors. The hook device is uniquely designed to contain a non-pointed notched region within the top gripping portion of the device, so that the chalk line is wrapped over the front side of the hook device, over the notch, and pulled downward against the back side of the hook device toward the lower hole of the hook device. It has been found that this inventive device can mark straight lines, or lines at an angle, from 3′ to over 30′ in length, or longer, by a single individual, and can be done with simplicity and precision.

A simple, economical, chalk line hook device is disclosed for marking straight lines, or lines at an angle, comprising a single unit having a front and back side, a top and bottom side wherein the top side has a gripping region which includes at least one, preferably two, gripping fangs for helping to secure the hook device to a straight edge or a corner of a surface to be marked. The hook device can be used by a single individual for marking surfaces of interest and the string can be pulled in multiple angles to provide clearly visible and precision lines for further use by contractors. The hook device is uniquely designed to contain a non-pointed notched region within the top gripping portion of the device, so that the chalk line is wrapped over the front side of the hook device, over the notch, and pulled downward against the back side of the hook device toward the lower hole of the hook device. It has been found that this inventive device can mark straight lines, or lines at an angle, from 3′ to over 30′ in length, or longer, by a single individual, and can be done with simplicity and precision.

A leveling assembly including a levelling bit with a first portion that engages a screw head of a levelling screw in a base of a gondola assembly and a second portion that countersinks around a portion of the leveling screw. The levelling assembly further includes an alignment measuring system configured to measure alignment of slots in the gondola assembly. The alignment measuring system includes a first bar attached to a retractable cord and a second bar movable along the cord. The first bar is shaped for insertion into a first slot of a first upright and the second bar is shaped for insertion into a second slot of a second upright. The cord is shaped to extend along a face of a third upright between the first and second upright when the first bar is inserted into the first slot and the second bar is inserted into the second slot.

A nozzle for a chalk box that includes a housing and a chalk reservoir may be configured to be releasably coupled with the housing. The nozzle may include a shell, and a nozzle flange assembly configured to interface with a case flange assembly of the housing to operably couple the nozzle to the housing. The nozzle flange assembly may include a locking member. A gasket portion may be integrated into the locking member to seal an interface between the nozzle flange assembly and the case flange assembly to inhibit chalk leakage from the chalk box.