Abstract:
An anchor for securing a line is provided that has an elongated housing with a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end. The housing houses an attachment member for securing the anchor to a surface and the attachment member is configured to protrude from the housing and to retract substantially entirely within the housing. An actuation member is received by the housing and has a protruding. The actuation member is operably connected to the attachment member and biased in a direction toward the second end of the housing. The actuation member is further configured to slide axially within the housing and rotate about the longitudinal axis to selectively move the attachment member such that it protrudes from the first end of the housing at any one of a plurality of predetermined distances.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to anchors for securing a line and, more particularly, to an stickpin-type line anchor with a variable extension distance pin. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the construction industry, methods typically require the attachment of a string to a surface to hold the end in place for applying a line of chalk or for general layout purposes. The industry generally relies on an awl, hook, stickpin, or nail. An end hook is typically used to attach the free end of the chalk reel or line reel string to a surface so that the surface can be marked by snapping a line of chalk or using the string as a straight layout line. 
     Hook-type attachments require an exposed edge of the surface as an end attaching point. Each of the above-mentioned methods are conventionally employed to anchor the free end of layout strings. Each method, however, has particular drawbacks. 
     Some stickpins, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,622,393 B2 to Bartimus, require a tool to adjust pin exposure. In such methods, if the exposure distance of the pin is to be adjusted due to use with different work materials, time-consuming tool adjustment must be made each time the material is changed. Where a specific amount of pin exposure is desired, measuring tools must be used to verify the distance. 
     Other methods and tools require that a pin be locked at a certain length of exposure. Still others make attachment to some line hooks cumbersome, inconvenient, or impossible. To remove conventional stickpins from a workpiece, a user at times must apply a significant pulling force or have to wiggle the pin back and forth, resulting in further damage to the workpiece. Other tools have multiple parts that can become lost and severely hinder their function. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an anchor for securing a line is provided that includes a housing and an attachment member for securing the housing to a surface. The attachment member is configured to extend from and retract into the housing. An actuation member is movable with respect to the housing and is operably connected with the attachment member for moving the attachment member. The actuation member is selectively movable to enable the attachment member to protrude a selected distance from the housing. 
     In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a line anchor is provided that comprises a housing and an attachment member that projects from the housing. A clip is disposed on the housing and is configured to receive an end member of a line. The clip is movable between a deployed position extending outwardly from the housing for engagement with the end member and a storage position wherein the clip is positioned to provide a more compact configuration to the line anchor. 
     In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for anchoring a line. An actuation member is moved to selectively position an attachment member of an anchor at one of a plurality of predetermined distances from an end of a housing and the attachment member is secured to a surface. The end of a line is secured to the housing. 
     In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a line anchor is provided that comprises an elongated housing having a longitudinal axis and an attachment member that projects from an end of the housing. A protrusion extends from the end of the housing and has a lower surface forming an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. The protrusion provides leverage for removing the attachment member from a surface. 
     In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a combination chalk line and anchor is provided that comprises a chalk line having a housing for containing powdered chalk, a line for receiving the chalk, and a hook at the end of the line. The combination further comprises an anchor that has a housing and an attachment member that projects from the housing. A clip secures the anchor to the chalk line. The clip is formed from a resilient metal material and has a portion thereof with a generally U-shaped configuration adapted to receive the anchor. The clip also has projections that are received in openings formed in the chalk line housing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of the present invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a line anchor during use in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a line anchor and line hook in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a line anchor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4A ,  4 B,  4 C are exploded views showing assembly steps of a line anchor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the housing of a line anchor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective detail view of the end portion of a line anchor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective end view of a line anchor and line in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 7A-7D  show steps for attaching a line to a line anchor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a line anchor and line reel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a line anchor and spring clip in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  show the steps of attaching a spring clip to a line reel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The description as set out herein illustrates an arrangement of the invention and is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure in any manner. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show a preferred embodiment of the present invention. An exemplary line anchor  10  is provided that generally includes a housing  12 , an actuation member  14 , an attachment member  16 , a nose member  22 , and a pivotable hook lock or retainer  24 . The attachment member  16 , shown here as a pin, is selectively positionable at any of a plurality of distances of extension from the line anchor housing  12 , as described below. The line anchor  10  of the present invention may be used in conjunction with a line  42 , which may be a chalk line or string line for laying out a straight line between two measured points as used in construction, for example, or the line  42  may be any other line suitable for anchoring. The line  42  may have attached an end member, such as a hook  40 , that may be placed over shoulders  27  disposed on the housing  12 . The hook lock or retainer  24  pivots to snap into a notch  38  on a boss  36  located on the surface of the housing  12  to lock the line end member  40  in place. The line  42  may be guided by the nose member  22  or channels  23  in the nose member  22  to run against the attachment member  16  and close to the workpiece (not shown) for maximum accuracy. The nose member  22  may have an angled workpiece contact surface to act as a lever and assist in prying the anchor  10  from the workpiece during removal. Further features and exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be discussed in more detail below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the housing  12  may be elongated and configured to slidingly receive an actuation member  14  along its longitudinal axis at one end. The external surface of the housing  12  may include a raised boss  36  having a notch  38  thereon. The external surface of the housing  12  may also include grooves  56  and holes  25  (see  FIG. 1 ). The grooves  56  aid in attaching the line anchor  10  to a conventional line reel  80  ( FIG. 8 ) and the holes  25  ( FIG. 4A ) are configured to receive a line hook lock  24 , described below. 
     The actuation member  14  has mounted therein an attachment member  16  that is configured to be embedded (or attached) within (or to) a material or workpiece upon which it is desired to lay out a straight line or otherwise anchor a line. In an embodiment, the attachment member may be a pin  16 , as shown in the Figures. The pin  16  may be integrally formed with the actuation member  14  or may be separately attached. In an embodiment, the actuation member  14  and the pin  16  are formed of different materials such as plastic and metal, respectively. In such cases it is therefore necessary to attach the actuation member  14  and pin  16  separately or to mold the actuation member  14  over the pin  16 . The pin  16  may be fastened to the actuation member  14  by a dowel  18  that passes through an eyelet of the pin  16  and a bore in the actuation member  14 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , or by any other fastening means. 
     A biasing member, such as a spring  20 , may be positioned between a shoulder  13  molded into the interior of the housing  12  and an annular space  15  within the actuation member  14 . The spring  20  urges the actuation member  14  in a direction away from the housing  12  (i.e., to the right in  FIG. 3 ). 
     The line anchor  10  may further include a nose member  22  that is attached to the housing  12  at an attachment end, which is opposite a control end, through which the actuation member  14  is received. Alternatively, the nose member  22  may be integrally formed with the housing  12 . The nose member  22  may have an eyelet  21  and may have a surface that forms an obtuse angle with the longitudinal axis of the housing, as is shown in  FIG. 1 . The angled surface of the nose member  22  is such that it increases leverage and allows a user to more easily pry the line anchor  10  from the material or workpiece during removal. The surface of the nose member  22  may alternatively be angled at a right or acute angle, instead of an obtuse angle, so as to increase leverage. The essence of the prying surface of the nose member  22  is that a portion extends some distance from the longitudinal axis of the line anchor  10  and adjacent to the material or workpiece so that a mechanical advantage is realized. 
     The assembly process is shown in  FIGS. 4A-4C . In an initial step, shown in  FIG. 4A , the nose member  22  is inserted into a first, attachment, end of the housing  12  and is held in place by one or several pins  19 . Next, as shown in  FIG. 4B , the spring  20  is inserted into a second, control, end of the housing  12  and is followed by the actuation member  14 , which carries the pin  16 . The dowel  18  is inserted into a bore  17  (see  FIG. 8 ) in the housing  12  and is received by a bore in the actuation member  14 , and optionally an eyelet in the pin  16 , to retain the actuation member  14  within the housing  12 . Finally, as shown in  FIG. 4C , a line hook lock  24  is attached to the housing  12  via holes  25 . The hook lock  24  may have two legs that are spread apart to clear the portion of the housing forming the holes  25  and are then released to seat the legs in the holes  25 . The hook lock  24  is thereby permitted to pivot about an axis passing through the holes  25 . 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  show the mechanism by which the line anchor  10  allows the pin  16  to extend from the housing  12  at any one of a plurality of predetermined distances. Herein, a distance that the pin  16  extends from the housing  12  is considered to refer to the distance from the tip of the pin  16  to that portion of the housing  12  that is closest to the tip of pin  16  measured substantially along the pin&#39;s axis. This distance may also be considered as the amount of pin penetration in a workpiece. The distance is considered to be positive when the tip of the pin  16  is external to the housing  12  and negative when the tip of the pin  16  is within the housing  12 . The nose member  22 , if present and whether formed integrally with or separately from the rest of the housing  12 , is herein considered for descriptive purposes to be an element of the housing  12  such that the above-described distance is measured from the tip of the pin  16  to the nose member  22  where applicable. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , a first slot  30 , a second slot  32 , and a third slot  34  may be molded into the interior surface of the housing  12 . Each of the slots  30 ,  32 ,  34  extends from a forward region (at the attachment end of the housing  12 ) to a rearward region (at the control end of the housing  12 ). The first slot  30  extends rearwardly the greatest distance, the second slot  32  extends a lesser distance than the first slot  30 , and the third slot  34  extends a lesser distance than the second slot  32 . The dowel  18 , fixed within a bore in the actuation member  14  (which is operatively connected to the pin  16 ), has a length and diameter configured to fit within the respective slots  30 ,  32 ,  34  and thereby retain the actuation member  14  and pin  16  assembly at various positions along the longitudinal axis of the housing  12 . As the spring  20  biases the actuation member  14  in a direction toward the control end of the housing  12 , the dowel  18  abuts the end of a slot  30 ,  32 ,  34  and holds the actuation member  14  in place, fixing the pin  16  at a predetermined distance. 
     To change the position of the actuation member  14  and pin  16  assembly, a user may push the exposed portion of the actuation member  14  in the direction of arrow A in  FIG. 3  and rotate it in the direction of arrow B in  FIG. 3  so that the dowel  18  is aligned with a different slot. When the actuation member  14  is released, the dowel  18  will be urged by the spring  20  toward the end of the slot to thereby fix the pin  16  at a different extension distance. Indicia may be provided on the end of the housing  12  and/or the exposed portion of the actuation member  14 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , to aid in informing the user as to the present location of the pin  16  and directing a user as to which direction the actuation member  14  should be rotated to result in the desired pin extension distance. For example, in  FIG. 6  three indicia  26  are displayed on the exposed portion of the actuation member  14 : “¼ inch,” “RETRACT,” and “½ inch.” An index mark  28  is provided at the end of the housing  12  to indicate the extension option that represents the current location of the dowel  18  and the distance the pin  16  extends from the housing  12 . 
     While a dowel and slot arrangement is described herein as a mechanism by which the actuation member  14  may be held at various positions along the longitudinal axis of the housing  12 , it is appreciated that other suitable systems of retaining the actuation member  14  at different distances may be used. For example, a cam mechanism may be implemented having ramped surfaces molded into the interior surface of the housing  12  that guide a cam follower located on the actuation member  14 . 
     In a first position (shown in  FIG. 3 ), which may be considered a rest or inactive position, the dowel  18  is seated in slot  30 , and the pin  16  is maintained within the housing  12  such that it does not extend outwardly from the housing  12 . In such a case, the distance of extension may be considered to be zero or have a negative value, corresponding to the distance that the pin  16  is retracted within the housing  12 . It may be desired to set the pin  16  entirely within the housing  12  and a distance from the end of the housing  12  so that a slight accidental bump to the exposed portion of the actuation member  14  does not result in the pin  16  emerging from the housing. 
     A second position may be one in which the dowel  18  is seated in slot  32  and pin  16  extends from the end of the housing  12  at a distance of, for example, 0.25 inches (6.3 mm). This distance may be desired for anchoring a line  42  in relatively hard materials or workpieces that do not require a large amount of pin penetration to maintain the line anchor  10  in position. Such materials may include cement board, particle board, hard board, OSB (oriented strandboard), plywood, wood beams, trim boards, and the like. 
     In a third position, the dowel  18  is seated in slot  34  and the pin  16  is extended a greater distance from the end of the housing  12 , for example 0.5 inches (12.6 mm). This greater distance may be desired for anchoring a line  42  in relatively soft materials or workpieces that may require a greater amount of pin penetration to secure the line anchor  10 . Such materials may include gypsum board, asphalt shingles, and the like. 
     One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, while three predetermined pin positions are depicted in the Figures and described, any number of such positions may be implemented to accommodate and more precisely tailor the distance of pin extension to the particular material or workpiece used. As such, the slots  30 ,  32 ,  34  and dowel  18  mechanism described above may be modified to include more slots of varying lengths molded into the interior surface of the housing  12 . The amount of slots used is only limited by the space available along the inner circumference of the housing and its length. 
     The present invention may be used with any type of line, such as chalk lines, string lines, or the like. Conventional line reels  80  are typically provided with an end member, such as a hook  40 , to which a line  42  may be secured (as shown in FIGS.  7  and  7 A- 7 D). Moreover, the invention may also be used with free lines or lines without a reel. The line  42  shown in the Figures is not specific to any type of line but is merely representative of the class of lines suitable for use in the present invention. 
     Where a line  42  has an end member (such as a hook member  40 ) at its end, the present invention provides a mechanism for attaching the end member to the line anchor  10 , as shown in  FIG. 7A-7D . In step  1 , shown in  FIG. 7A , the line hook  40  is hooked or placed against shoulders  27  formed on the exterior surface of the housing  12 . In step  2 , shown in  FIG. 7B , the hook lock or end member retainer  24  is pivoted, as indicated by the arrow (see also arrow C in  FIG. 3 ), over the hook  40  and pressed against the boss  36 . A portion of the line hook lock  24  snaps into the notch  38  in the boss  36 , thereby locking the line hook  40  in place. To release the line hook  40 , the hook lock  24  is simply pulled from the notch  38  and pivoted in the opposite direction, thereby freeing the line hook  40 . The hook lock  24  may be formed of spring wire or other suitable material to provide sufficient strength and flexibility. 
     In step  3 , shown in  FIG. 7C , the pin  16  is extended from the housing  12  to a desired predetermined distance by pushing and rotating the actuation member  14 , as described above, and line  42  is wrapped around the pin  16  or allowed to run beside it (as in  FIG. 7 ). The nose member  22  may be provided with guide channels  23  to direct the line  42  away from the line anchor  10  and to allow the nose member  22  to abut the material or workpiece without pinching the line  42 . The line anchor  10  may then be driven by hand or with a striking tool into the material or workpiece upon which a straight line is to be laid out. 
     In embodiments in which a free line is used (i.e., where no line hook  40  is provided), the line  42  may instead by tied or otherwise attached directly to the nose member  22 , as shown in  FIG. 7D . The line  42  may be secured to the nose member  22  at the location of the guide channels  23  so that the line  42  is not pinched between the nose member  22  and the material or workpiece once the line anchor  10  is attached, as shown. 
     Once the line anchor  10  is securely embedded in the material with the surface of the nose member  22  flush with the material surface, the line  42  is pulled taut and a straight line is laid. In cases where a chalk line reel is used, the line  42  may at this point be snapped to create a chalk line on the material. To remove the line anchor  10 , a user may pull the anchor  10  in the same direction that the extended surface of the nose member extends (e.g., in  FIG. 1 , to the right). The pin  16  may therefore be pried from the material to permit the line anchor  10  to release. After use, the pin  16  may be retracted into the housing  12  by pushing on the exposed portion of the actuation member  14  and rotating it to the “RETRACT” position. 
     According to an alternative method of using the line anchor  10  of the present invention, the actuation member  14  may be kept in its representative “RETRACTED” position at all times, even during use. In this case the line anchor  10 , with the pin  16  in the retracted position, may be held to the material or workpiece upon which a straight line is to be laid out. A user then applies pressure to the exposed portion of the actuation member  14  either manually or with a striking tool to embed the pin  16  in the material until the line anchor  10  is satisfactorily secured. In this case, it is the high friction that results from the embedding of the pin  16  in the material that provides a counterforce to the biasing spring  20 , instead of the slots  30 ,  32 ,  34 , to maintain the pin  16  in the extended position. 
     It is further noted that this method may also be carried out with the pin  16  being initially extended, as opposed to retracted as described. In this way, a predetermined minimum amount of pin extension is provided while further extension is permitted if necessary or desired. As such, the pin  16  may be extended to any desired distance within the material regardless of the initial degree of exposure from the housing  12  (limited by the length of the pin), thus enabling an extremely adaptable device. 
     According to a further aspect of the present invention, means are provided to conveniently attach the line anchor  10  to a line reel  80 , as shown in  FIGS. 8-10B .  FIG. 8  shows the line anchor  10  in a stored position in relation to a line reel  80  (for safety reasons, a user may instead choose to retract the pin  16  when the line anchor  10  is not in use). As shown in  FIG. 9 , a spring clip  50  is provided that engages with grooves  56  molded into the outer surface of the housing  12  to secure the line anchor  10 . 
     A line reel  80  is provided with a generally T-shaped recess  82  to receive the spring clip  50 . The spring clip  50  has legs  52  that are inserted into the recess  82  to hold the clip  50  in place. As shown in  FIG. 10A , a first leg  52  of the spring clip  50  is inserted into a short slot of the T-shaped recess  82  and is slid along a long slot of the T-shaped recess  82  until it reaches the end. Then, as shown in  FIG. 10B , the spring clip  50  is squeezed and the second leg  52  is inserted into the short slot of the T-shaped recess  82 . When the spring clip  50  is released, the second leg  52  slides along the long slot of the T-shaped recess  82  until it reaches the end. 
     The grooves  56  of the line anchor  10  may then be lined up with arms  54  of the spring clip  50  and pressed into the spring clip  50 . The line anchor  10  is thereby held by the spring clip  50  against the housing of the line reel  80  for convenient storage and transportation. To remove the line anchor  10  from the spring clip  50 , a user simply pulls it out, applying a force sufficient to overcome the spring force of the clip  50 . 
     While specific embodiments have been described above, it will be appreciated that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as described. The descriptions above are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Thus it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention as described without departing from the scope of the claims set out below.