Abstract
An improved chalk line and chalk line hook that eliminates the marking errors of prior art chalk line hooks is claimed and described. The improved chalk line hook comprises a gripping hook, line attachment loop rotatably attached to a surface of the gripping hook, and rotating attachment means which may be a pivot pin. The axis of rotation of the line attachment loop is disposed directly over the securing edge of the gripping hook, eliminating the offset suffered by prior art chalk line hooks. The invention may further comprise a container able to contain powdered chalk and having an aperture for the line to pass through, a rotating reel for dispensing and retrieving chalk line, and line passing through the container aperture and attached to a chalk line hook of the invention. The invention may further comprise a magnet disposed on a surface of the gripping hook.
Claims
1. A chalk line hook, comprising: a gripping hook and a line attachment loop; wherein said gripping hook comprises a surface for securing against an edge of a surface to be marked; and wherein said line attachment loop is rotatably attached to a surface of said gripping hook by a rotatable attachment, said rotatable attachment having an axis of rotation, and said line attachment loop is also adapted to attach to a line; and wherein said axis of rotation is disposed directly over an edge of said surface to be marked when said surface for securing of said gripping hook is secured against an edge of a surface to be marked.
2. The chalk line hook of claim 1, wherein said rotatable attachment between said line attachment loop and said surface of said gripping hook further comprises a pivot pin attached to said surface of said gripping hook and rotatably attached to said line attachment loop.
3. The chalk line of claim 2 in which said surface for securing against an edge of a surface to be marked further comprises at least one gripping point.
4. The chalk line of claim 1, wherein said griping hook comprises a first planar leg and a second planar leg having an common edge forming an angle therebetween, each leg having an interior and exterior surface, and wherein said rotatable attachment between said line attachment loop and said gripping hook is disposed in said exterior surface of said first planar leg, and wherein said surface for securing against an edge of a surface to be marked is defined as the interior surface of said second planar leg.
5. The chalk line of claim 4 in which said surface for securing against an edge of a surface to be marked further comprises at least one gripping point.
6. The chalk line of claim 1, wherein said griping hook comprises a first planar leg and a second planar leg having an common edge forming an angle therebetween, each leg having an interior and exterior surface, and wherein said rotatable attachment between said line attachment loop and said gripping hook is disposed in said exterior surface of said first planar leg, and wherein said surface for securing against an edge of a surface to be marked is defined as the interior surface of said second planar leg.
7. The chalk line of claim 6 in which said angle is ninety degrees.
8. The chalk line of claim 7 in which said surface for securing against an edge of a surface to be marked further comprises at least one gripping point.
9. The chalk line of claim 6 in which said surface for securing against an edge of a surface to be marked further comprises at least one gripping point.
10. The chalk line of claim 1 in which said surface for securing against an edge of a surface to be marked further comprises at least one gripping point.
11. The chalk line hook of claim 1, further comprising a magnet disposed on a surface of said gripping hook.
12. A chalk line, comprising: A chalk container capable of containing powdered chalk, having a reel disposed therein rotatably attached to an interior surface of said container and comprising line for snapping chalk line marks, wherein said reel comprises line having a first end and a second end, said first end attached to said reel and said end passing through an aperture in said container; a chalk line hook; wherein said line is attached to a line attachment loop that is attached to a surface of said chalk line hook by a rotatable attachment having an axis of rotation; wherein said gripping hook comprises a surface for securing against an edge of a surface to be marked; and and wherein said axis of rotation is disposed directly over an edge of said surface to be marked when said surface for securing of said gripping hook is secured against an edge of a surface to be marked.
13. The chalk line hook of claim 12, wherein said rotatable attachment between said line attachment loop and said surface of said gripping hook further comprises a pivot pin attached to said surface of said gripping hook and rotatably attached to said line attachment loop.
14. The chalk line of claim 13 in which said surface for securing against an edge of a surface to be marked further comprises at least one gripping point.
15. The chalk line of claim 12, wherein said griping hook comprises a first planar leg and a second planar leg having an common edge forming an angle therebetween, each leg having an interior and exterior surface, and wherein said rotatable attachment between said line attachment loop and said gripping hook is disposed in said exterior surface of said first planar leg, and wherein said surface for securing against an edge of a surface to be marked is defined as the interior surface of said second planar leg.
16. The chalk line of claim 15 in which said surface for securing against an edge of a surface to be marked further comprises at least one gripping point.
17. The chalk line of claim 12, wherein said griping hook comprises a first planar leg and a second planar leg having an common edge forming an angle therebetween, each leg having an interior and exterior surface, and wherein said rotatable attachment between said line attachment loop and said gripping hook is disposed in said exterior surface of said first planar leg, and wherein said surface for securing against an edge of a surface to be marked is defined as the interior surface of said second planar leg.
18. The chalk line of claim 17 in which said angle is ninety degrees.
19. The chalk line of claim 18 in which said surface for securing against an edge of a surface to be marked further comprises at least one gripping point.
20. The chalk line of claim 17 in which said surface for securing against an edge of a surface to be marked further comprises at least one gripping point.
21. The chalk line of claim 12 in which said surface for securing against an edge of a surface to be marked further comprises at least one gripping point.
22. The chalk line hook of claim 12, further comprising a magnet disposed on a surface of said gripping hook.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate the deficiencies of the prior art, and further illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings:
(2) FIG. 1a depicts a top view of a chalk line of the prior art in use, and illustrating the error caused by the deficiencies of the chalk line hooks of the prior art, demonstrating a need for the present invention.
(3) FIG. 1b depicts a side view of a chalk line of the present invention in use and showing the chalk line container broken away so that the chalk line reel, line and powdered chalk or depicted; also depicted is the axis of rotation of a chalk line reel.
(4) FIG. 1c depicts a top view of a chalk line and chalk line hook of the present invention illustrating that use of the chalk line and chalk hook of the present invention eliminates the displacement of the chalk lines of the prior art and therefore eliminates the errors caused by this displacement.
(5) FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the improved chalk line hook of the invention, showing the rotatable attachment between the line attachment loop and gripping hook of the invention in which the line attachment loop is rotatably attached to the gripping hook by a pivot pin of the invention. Also depicted in FIG. 2 is a magnet attached to a surface of the chalk line hook of the invention for removably attaching the chalk line hook to a surface, such as a ferrous surface.
(6) FIG. 3 depicts a perspective bottom view of an embodiment of the invention, illustrating a plurality of gripping points disposed on gripping surfaces of the invention and also illustrating a line attached to the line attachment loop of the invention, which may be rotatably attached to the gripping hook.
(7) FIG. 4 depicts a front view of an embodiment of the improved chalk line hook of the invention. Also depicted in FIG. 4 is a magnet attached to a surface of the chalk line hook of the invention for removably attaching the chalk line hook to a surface, such as a ferrous surface.
(8) FIG. 5 depicts a side view of an embodiment of the improved chalk line hook of the invention. Also depicted in FIG. 5 is a magnet attached to a surface of the chalk line hook of the invention for removably attaching the chalk line hook to a surface, such as a ferrous surface.
(9) FIG. 6 depicts a rear view of an embodiment of the improved chalk line hook of the invention, illustrating the rotatable attachment between the line attachment loop of the invention and the gripping hook of the invention, wherein the line attachment loop and gripping hook are rotatably attached by a pivot pin. Also depicted in FIG. 6 is a magnet attached to a surface of the chalk line hook of the invention for removably attaching the chalk line hook to a surface, such as a ferrous surface.
(10) FIG. 7 depicts a front view of an embodiment of the invention in which the improved chalk line hook of the invention is placed over and is rotatably engaged with a nail wherein the nail forms the retaining feature of the surface to be marked. Also depicted in FIG. 7 is a magnet attached to a surface of the chalk line hook of the invention for removably attaching the chalk line hook to a surface, such as a ferrous surface.
(11) FIG. 8 depicts a side view of an embodiment of the invention in which the improved chalk line hook of the invention is placed over and is rotatably engaged with a nail wherein the nail forms the retaining feature of the surface to be marked. Also depicted in FIG. 8 is a magnet attached to a surface of the chalk line hook of the invention for removably attaching the chalk line hook to a surface, such as a ferrous surface.
(12) FIG. 9 depicts a rear view of an embodiment of the invention in which the improved chalk line hook of the invention is placed over and is rotatably engaged with a nail wherein the nail forms the retaining feature of the surface to be marked. Also depicted in FIG. 9 is a magnet attached to a surface of the chalk line hook of the invention for removably attaching the chalk line hook to a surface, such as a ferrous surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(13) The following documentation provides a detailed description of the invention.
(14) Referring now to FIGS. 1b and 1c, a chalk line 050 and chalk line hook 102 of the present invention are depicted. In general, a container 052 may contain powdered chalk 054 and reel 053 which may have line 056 spooled upon it. Real 053 may be rotatably attached to container 052 so that it is free to rotate about an axis 057. Line 105 may become coated with powdered chalk 054 due to chalk 054 and line 105 both being disposed within container 052. When it is desired to mark a surface 001, chalk line hook 102 may be grasped and pulled away from container 052 to be disposed on an edge 058 of the structure comprising surface to be marked 001. Line 105 may then be pulled taut and snapped by grasping and displacing line 105 in the direction of arrow B and releasing it, such that it snaps back into its taut position as depicted in the figures, impacting the surface to be marked 001 and displacing some of the chalk from line 056 onto the surface to be marked 051 leaving a straight line which may be then used by the user for any operation desired, such as, for example, cutting. In this manner for example the user may use a chalk line to mark plywood or some other construction material for cutting.
(15) Referring now to FIG. 1a, a top view of chalk line hook of the prior art 051 is depicted as it would appear in use. In the example shown in FIG. 1a, it is desired to mark a line C. However, due to displacement A which is the distance from the retaining feature of the surface to be marked to the line attachment point D where the chalk line is attached to the chalk line hook of the prior art, the actual line marked on the surface to be marked follows line 056. The resulting offset between line 056 in the desired location of the line to be marked C represents an undesirable error, with the resulting negative effects as hereinbefore described.
(16) Referring now to FIG. 1c, some of the advantages of the improved chalk line and chalk line hook of the present invention 100 are depicted. Gripping hook 102 may be disposed so as to be in contact with an edge 058 of surface to be marked 001 so that line 105 may be pulled taut as depicted in the figure. Line 105 may be attached to line attachment loop 104. Line attachment loop 104 may also be rotatably engaged with a surface of gripping hook 102 by a rotating attachment having an axis of rotation. The rotating attachment may be provided by pivot pin 103. In the resulting rotating attachment between line attachment loop 104 and gripping hook 102, pivot pin 103 forms an axis about which line 105 and line attachment loop 104 may rotate. It can be seen by observing FIG. 1C that pivot pin 103 is disposed in a surface of gripping hook 102 such that the axis of rotation is located over edge 058 of surface to be marked 001. Thus, the axis of rotation of line 105 and one attachment loop 104 is located directly over edge 058 surface to be marked 001, eliminating displacement A shown in FIG. 1b and thereby eliminating the error caused by displacement A. By using the improved chalk line hook of the invention 100, a user is therefore able to accurately mark the desired line C by snapping line 105 such that it leaves a chalk trace on surface to be marked 001 that is accurately marked along the desired line C. The improved chalk line hook of the invention improves a state-of-the-art by eliminating the error caused by displacement A in the chalk line hooks of the prior art.
(17) Referring now to FIG. 2 a perspective view of an embodiment of the improved chalk line hook of the invention 100, showing the rotatable attachment between the line attachment loop 104 and gripping hook 102 of the invention in which the line attachment loop 104 is rotatably attached to the gripping hook 102 by a pivot pin 103 of the invention is depicted. In the view depicted in FIG. 2, chalk line 105 has been pulled taught in a direction that is approximately perpendicular to an edge of the surface to be marked (not shown in FIG. 2). Line 105 may be attached to line attachment loop 104 at line attachment point 111 by any means known in the art for attaching a line to a structure which may include, but is not limited to, tying as depicted in FIG. 2. Likewise snap swivels or other means for attaching line 105 to line attachment loop structure 104 may be utilized. Line attachment loop 104 may be rotatably attached to a surface of gripping hook 102 for example by pivot pin 103. Thus, line attachment loop may be free to rotate about an axis formed by pivot pin 103 on an axis of rotation. Pivot pin 103 may be secured to a surface of gripping hook 102 by any means known in the art such as, for example and not by way of limitation, swaging fitting or by use of matching male and female threads, in which pin 103 may comprise male threads which match female threads disposed in a surface of gripping hook 102. Pin 103 is attached to a surface of gripping 102 so as to allow a rotating engagement between line attachment loop 104 and gripping hook 102 in the directions of arrows E as shown in the figure. Thus, a line such as a chalk line 105 may be attached to line attachment loop 104 and, when line 105 is pulled taut and moved in the direction of arrows E, line attachment loop and line 105 may rotate around an axis formed by pivot and 103. Line attachment loop 104 may take any shape that allows rotatable engagement with pivot pin 103 and also allows for attachment of line 105 by any means known in the art. Thus, in the figures of the drawings, line attachment loop 104 is depicted as a four sided shape that may be comprised of wire, but the scope of the invention is not to be limited to the shape depicted in the figures, as line attachment loop 104 may be any shape convenient for fabrication or for any other purpose, as long as line attachment loop may be rotatably engaged with pivot pin 103 and also may be attached to line 105. The invention may, but does not necessarily, further comprise an optional magnet 130 disposed on a surface of gripping hook 102 which may be useful for magnetically attaching the chalk line hook of the invention to metals, such as ferrous metals, and any other materials attracted to magnets.
(18) Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective bottom view of an embodiment of the invention, illustrating a plurality of gripping points 106 disposed on gripping surfaces of the invention and also illustrating a line 105 attached to the line attachment loop 104 of the invention, which may be rotatably attached to gripping hook 102 is depicted. Gripping points 106 may be formed by any means known in the art for forming small features such as cones, bumps, other raised features, stampings with protruding sharp points, or any other features that may be utilized to grip surface. One or more gripping points 106 may be utilized to aid the grip of gripping hook 102 onto a surface or feature comprising an element of the surface to be marked. In this manner, gripping hook 102 may be securely placed onto a surface or feature comprising an element of the surface to be marked so that line 105 may be pulled taut and snapped, disposing some of its chalk onto the surface to be marked and thereby marking a line as may be desired by a user.
(19) Referring now to FIG. 4, a front view of an embodiment of the improved chalk line hook of the invention is depicted. Optional gripping points 106 may be disposed on one or more surfaces of gripping hook 102. The improved chalk line hook of the invention 100 may comprise any number of gripping points 106. The number of gripping points depicted in the figures of the drawings is representative only of an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The specific number of gripping points is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the invention. Line attachment loop 104 is rotatably attached to a surface of gripping hook 102 by pivot pin 103 (not shown in FIG. 4 but shown in FIGS. 2, 5, 6, 8, and 9). The invention may further comprise an optional magnet 130 disposed on a surface of gripping hook 102 which may be useful for magnetically attaching the chalk line hook of the invention to metals, such as ferrous metals, and any other materials attracted to magnets.
(20) Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, a side and rear view, respectively, of an embodiment of the improved chalk line hook of the invention 100 are depicted. The improved chalk line hook of the invention 100 may comprise any number of gripping points 106; line attachment loop 104 may be attached to line 105 by any means known in the art as hereinbefore described, and may be further rotatably attached to a surface of gripping hook 102 also as hereinbefore described. The invention may further comprise a magnet 130 disposed on a surface of gripping hook 102 which may be useful for magnetically attaching the chalk line hook of the invention to metals, such as ferrous metals, and any other materials attracted to magnets.
(21) Referring now to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 a front view, side view, and view, respectively, of an embodiment of the improved chalk line hook of the invention 100 is depicted, wherein the improved chalk line hook of the invention 100 has been placed over a nail 107 disposed in the surface to be marked in order to be retained in place over the nail as chalk line 105 is pulled taut, causing the cylindrical shaft 110 (not depicted in FIG. 7 but depicted in FIG. 8) of nail 107 to come into contact with V groove 101 disposed in a surface of gripping hook 102. Thus FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 depict one of many intended uses of the improved chalk line hook of the invention 100. In the intended use depicted in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 the improved chalk line hook of the invention is secured against nail 107, and nail 107, in this exemplary use, forms a retaining feature of the surface to be marked. Thus, when chalk line 105 is pulled taut, cylindrical shaft 110 of nail 107 comes into contact with the groove 101 of the improved chalk line hook 100 of the invention, and the user may proceed to displace and release chalk line 105, causing it to step back into its taught position in releasing chalk to mark a line on the surface to be marked as desired by the user. In this manner, the improved chalk one hook of the invention is not retained on an edge of the surface to be marked but is rather retained by a nail 107 disposed in the surface to be marked. The invention may further comprise a magnet 130 disposed on a surface of gripping hook 102 which may be useful for magnetically attaching the chalk line hook of the invention to metals, such as ferrous metals, and any other materials attracted to magnets.
(22) Referring now to FIGS. 2-9, griping hook 102 may comprise a first planar leg 120 and a second planar 121 leg having an common edge 122 forming an angle there between, each leg having an interior and exterior surface, and wherein the rotatable attachment between line attachment loop 104 and gripping hook 102 is disposed in said exterior surface of said first planar leg 123, and wherein said surface for securing against an edge of a surface to be marked is defined as the interior surface 124 of said second planar leg 121. In an embodiment, the angle between the first planar leg 120 and second planar 121 leg may be, but is not necessarily, ninety degrees.
(23) Although a detailed description as provided herein and in the drawings contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not merely by the preferred examples or embodiments given.
