Abstract:
A string line tool having a string line reel and a uniquely shaped string line block integral with the string line reel. The string line tool is especially adapted to work on various construction tasks or jobs that require the use of a pair of pegs or rods stuck in the ground and spaced from each other at a predetermined distance. The uniquely shaped string line block has a semi-cylindrical inner surface and the string line reel has a string with a metal ring attached to a free end of the string. A main advantage in using this string line tool is that it is self supporting.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to the use of a string line tool for alignment work in masonry, carpentry and general construction. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    String line reels are conventionally used in construction work to provide a visible line by which the construction worker can use for aligning multiple construction units, e g., bricks or cinder blocks, as well as for other construction work that require the alignment of a plurality of construction units such as the alignment of a plurality of wooden planks for an outdoor deck. An old and well known string line reel is disclosed in the Oxendahl patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,285,277 whereby a string line is wound on a cord bearing head rotatably disposed on an elongated handle. However, the string line reel disclosed in this patent requires some extra work on the part of the construction worker in the fixing of the free end of the string line to the construction work and the holding of the string line reel at the opposite end of the string line when it is deployed. In other words, the string line reel is not self supporting as is a main feature of applicant&#39;s invention. The patent to Winstead U.S. Pat. No. 1,094,286 does, however, disclose a string line reel and holder which is self supporting when in use. The string line in this patent is wound around a hand rotatable reel at one end and is fixed to a support at its opposite end. When in use, the string line is placed on a wall or other surface and becomes strained between the rotatable reel and the opposite support and, therefore, the system is self supporting. The Heavner patent U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,184 discloses the use of line blocks and respective line holders located at opposite ends of a brick wall to stretch respective guide lines or string lines between opposing ends of the brick wall in order to maintain proper placement and alignment of brick courses. The line blocks in the Heavner patent are disclosed as being T-shaped. In this patent, the string line is under tension when the line blocks and line holders are used in the system. However, the line holders in this patent are neither shown nor disclosed. A pending patent application by the present inventor discloses a self supporting string line reel-line block tool which is more conducive in the alignment of construction elements with 90 degree corners such as bricks and cinder blocks because of the structure of the L-shaped line block of the tool. See Published Patent Application No. 2007/0029433. The purpose of the string line tool of this invention differs from the purpose of the inventor&#39;s published patent application in that the open spaced curvature in the line block of the inventor&#39;s published patent application is to wind an excess amount of string around the line block whereas the purpose of the semi-cylindrical surface in the string line block of the present invention is to hook around a rod or peg and capture the string between the rod or peg and the semi-cylindrical surface of the string line block. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The main purposes of this invention is to provide a self supporting string line tool which is especially adapted for providing a visible line by which the construction worker can use in a variety of different construction tasks or jobs that require the use of a string line stretched between spaced pegs, rods, etc., stuck in the ground. Construction tasks or jobs that the string line tool of this invention is especially adapted to are: providing an alignment line for laying down concrete or asphalt for walkways, driveways, streets, etc.; alignment for a plurality of tree samplings; alignment for fences; and for any other alignments requiring the use of spaced pegs or spaced rods stuck in the ground. The string line tool of this invention combines the features of a string line reel and a string line block having a continuously curved inner surface. The self supporting string line tool of this invention unites a hand held, rotatable string line reel with the uniquely structured string line block. The construction worker can place a metal ring, attached to a free end of the string of the string line reel, around a peg or rod stuck in the ground, pull the combined string line reel and string line block over a desired distance while keeping the string under tension, and finally hooking the string line block around another peg or rod stuck in the ground whereby the string, still under tension, becomes locked between the continuously curved inner surface of the string line block and the peg or rod thereby making the string line tool self supporting. 
         [0006]    Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide a self supporting string line tool. 
         [0007]    Another object of this invention is to provide a string line tool which will facilitate the alignment of different construction jobs or tasks that generally require the use of pegs, rods, etc., and a string line in the alignment process. 
         [0008]    A further object of this invention is to save work time for the construction worker in the use of this unique tool. 
         [0009]    Other objects and advantages in the use of the string line tool of this invention will become apparent upon reading the following description of which the attached drawings form a part. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the string line tool of this invention with the string wound thereon. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the string line tool of this invention without the attached string and with the handle elevated above its support. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines  4 ,  4  in  FIG. 1   
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is similar to  FIG. 4  but with the handle removed from its support. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines  6 ,  6  in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a partial top planar view of the line block of the string line tool of this invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a partial bottom planar view of the line block of the string line tool of this invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a top planar view of the metal ring  6 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a top planar view of the metal ring  6  with the string  5  being attached to it through the hole  7 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the metal ring  6  showing the bent-over or hook portion  8 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  shows an example of the use of the string line tool of this invention in the alignment of planting several trees for landscaping. 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  shows another example of the use of the string line tool of this invention in the installation of a framework for laying down a cement sidewalk. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0023]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , there is shown the string line tool of this invention. The string line tool  1  is made of an elongate support member  2  with an L-shaped line block  3  which is integral with one end of the support member  2  and a rotatable and removable handle  4  at the same end of the support member  2  as the line block  3 . A string  5  is wrapped around the central portion of the support member  2 . A stretchable string  5 , commonly used for string line devices, is used for the string line tool  1  of this invention. The string  5  generally has a length of between 100-300 feet. The free end of the string  5  is attached to a generally circular metal ring  6  and the opposite end of the string  5  is knotted to a hole  9  ( FIG. 3 ) in the central portion of the support member  2 . The circular metal ring  6  has a hole  7  therein and a bent over portion or hook portion  8  opposite thereto. The metal material for the circular metal ring  6  is made from aluminum, steel, stainless steel or some other similar metal. Although metal is preferred for the circular metal ring  6  other materials such as hard plastic or rubber may also be used in lieu thereof. There is a somewhat larger hole  10  ( FIG. 3 ) near the bottom end of the support member  2 ; this hole  10  may be used for hanging the string line tool  1  in a storage condition. Integral with the top or upper end  2   a  of the support member  2  is an elongate handle support  12  for the rotatable handle  4 . The overall longitudinal length of the support member  2  with its rotatable handle  4  is approximately 7 inches. The width of each wing  2   a,    2   b  at the opposite ends of the support member  2  is approximately 2½ inches. The width of the central portion  2   c  of the support member  2  is approximately 1 inch. The major part of the central portion  2   c  has a flat surface on both sides thereof. A sufficiently narrow groove  2   d  is provided at the end of wing  2   b  in order to secure the free end of the string  5  when the string line tool  1  is not being used. The thickness of the central portion  2   c  of the support member  2  can vary from 1/16 inch to ½ inch. 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3. 4 ,  5 , and  6  which give a more detailed showing of the handle  4  and its support  12 . The length of the handle  4  is approximately 3 inches and has an inner diameter of approximately ½ inch. The handle  4  has a tapered outer diameter which is slightly smaller at its upper end than at its lower end. The length of the handle support  12  is approximately 2 and ¾ inch. The handle support  12  has four ribs  13  along its longitudinal length and a pair of somewhat resilient fingers  14  and  15  extending from the free end of the handle support  12 . The fingers  14  and  15  are closely spaced from each other. Each of the fingers  14  and  15  has a protuberance, at their respective ends, extending perpendicularly away from the centerline of the handle support  12  and towards the inner surface of the handle  4 . A rim  16  extends from the inner surface of the handle  4  and near the upper end of the handle  4 . The handle  4  is slipped down over the handle support  12  and the rim  16  is forced over the extended protuberances of the pair of resilient fingers  14  and  15  to thereby firmly attach the handle  4  to the support member and allowing the handle to be rotatable relative to the handle support  12 . The ribs  13  aid in stabilizing the handle  4  while the handle  4  is being rotated. The handle  4  may be removed from the handle support  12  for certain construction jobs by prying one of the fingers  14  or  15  inwardly (for example, by using an appropriate screwdriver) so that the handle  4  can be slipped out from the handle support  12 . 
         [0025]    The important feature of this invention is the operation of the line block  3  which is made integral with the upper end or wing  2   a  of the support member  2 . Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  7 , and  8 , there is shown a line block  3  which is approximately L-shaped having a first leg section  17  and a shorter second leg section  18 . The first leg section  17  of the line block  3  is the part of the line block  3  which is made integral with the upper wing  2   a  of the support member  2 . The longitudinal length of the first leg section  17  of the line block  3  is approximately 2 and ½ inches and the longitudinal length of the second leg section  18  of the line block  3  is approximately 2 inches. There is a semi-cylindrical inner surface  19  between the first and second leg sections  17 ,  18  of the line block  3 . This semi-cylindrical inner surface  19  has a radius of approximately 0.5 inch although this radius could be greater if the diameter of the peg or rod is greater than an inch. However, the 0.5 inch radius is preferred since the rods and pegs generally used for the general construction projects intended for use of this string line tool  1  do not have a diameter greater than one inch. There is a shallow groove  20  in the top surface  17   t  of the first leg section  17  of the line block  3 . The shallow groove  20  has a depth of approximately 1/16 inch and runs longitudinally from the front end  17   f  of the first leg section  17 , up to and through the lower end of the semi-cylindrical surface  19 , and colinearly with the bottom of a deep groove  21  in the second leg section  18 . The deep groove  21  in the second leg section  18  extends from the top surface  18   t  of the second leg section  18  all the way down to the level of the shallow groove  20  of the first leg section  17 . On the back surface  17   b  of the first leg section  17  there is another shallow groove  22  extending from the bottom of the deep groove  21  down to the bottom end  18   b  of the second leg section  18 . The depth of the shallow grooves  20  and  22  is made deep enough to accommodate the sliding of the string  5  therein and therethrough. 
         [0026]    The string line tool  1  of this invention may be made from plastic, metal or wood. Plastic is preferred, for example, AVS plastic. The manufacture of the string line tool  1  of this invention is made by injection molding of plastic and the handle  4  is also made by injection molding of plastic. Both the support member  2  and the line block  3  are preferably joined together as a single unit by injection molding. Alternatively, the support member  2  and the line block  3  may be made separately by injection molding and then attached to each other by some appropriate fastening means, e. g., adhesive, fusion, screw(s), etc. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 9 ,  10 , and  11  show different views of the metal ring  6 .  FIG. 9  is a top planar view of the metal ring  6  without the string  5  being attached thereto.  FIG. 10  is another top planar view of the metal ring  6  with the string  5  being attached to it through the hole  7 .  FIG. 11  is a side view of the metal ring  6  showing the bent-over portion or hook portion  8  of the metal ring  6 . The inner diameter of the metal ring  6  is approximately ⅞ inch and the outer diameter (excluding the extended bent-over portion  8 ) is approximately 1¼ inch. The hook portion  8  of the metal ring  6  has three parts: an extended part  8   a,  a bent-down part  8   b  and a bent-inward part  8   c.  The extended part  8   a  is approximately ¼ inch; the bent-down part  8   b  is approximately ¼ inch and the bent-inward part  8   c  is approximately 1/16 inch. The dimensions of the metal ring  6  may vary depending on the particular application. 
         [0028]    An example of an application of the string line tool  1  of this invention is now explained with reference to  FIG. 12 . For a landscaping project, it is desired to plant a plurality of trees along a particular periphery. The landscaper will position and strike into the ground a plurality of spaced rods along the desired periphery where the trees are to be planted. The landscaper will then slip the metal ring  6  of the string line tool  1  over the initial rod (IR) and pull the unitary string line reel and line block to the next spaced rod and then loops the string  5  around that rod while keeping the string  5  under tension. The landscaper will repeat this procedure for each rod along the periphery until the final rod (FR) is reached. The landscaper will finally hook the line block  3  around this final rod (FR) while aligning the string  5  in the shallow groove  20  and still maintaining the string  5  under tension such that the string  5  is captured between the final rod (FR) and the semi-cylindrical inner surface  19  of the line block  3  whereby the string line tool I will be self supporting. 
         [0029]    Another example of an application of the string line tool  1  of this invention is now explained with reference to  FIG. 13 . In the construction of a particularly configured cement sidewalk, the construction worker generally constructs a frame-work on both sides of the desired configured cement sidewalk. The framework generally comprises metal forms (MFS) 6 inches high. Therefore, the construction worker must align these metal forms (MFS) along both sides of the desired configured cement sidewalk which is conventionally 42 inches wide. The alignment of these metal forms (MFS) is done by utilizing the string line tool  1  of this invention and the placement of a plurality of spaced metal rods into the ground. The alignment of the metal rods along only one side of the desired configured cement sidewalk will be explained here since the alignment of the rods on the opposite side of the sidewalk is similar. The construction worker will position and strike into the ground a plurality of spaced rods along the desired path where the metal forms (MFS) are to be positioned for the layout of the cement sidewalk. The construction worker will then slip the metal ring  6  of the string line tool  1  over the initial rod (IRR) and pull the unitary string line reel and line block to the next spaced rod and then loops the string  5  around that rod while keeping the string  5  under tension. The construction worker will repeat this procedure for each successive rod along the desired path until the final rod (FRR) is reached. The construction worker will finally hook the line block  3  around the final rod (FRR) in a manner similar to that explained in the previous example whereby the string line tool  1  will be self supporting. The construction worker will then position the metal forms (MFS) along the path of the tensioned string  5 . Finally, the construction worker will repeat this procedure on the opposite side where the cement sidewalk is to be laid down, conventionally, about 42 inches from the first alignment of the string  5 . 
         [0030]    Although the examples shown use round rods or pegs, it is understood that rods or pegs having other cross-sectional shapes, e. g., square, hexagonal, etc., may also be used provided that their diameters or thickness are small enough to fit into the semi-cylindrical surface portion of the line block  3  as well as being able to fit into the center of the metal ring  6 . 
         [0031]    Although the primary purpose of the metal ring  6  of the string line tool  1  of this invention is to slip around a rod or peg as one end of an anchor for this string line tool  1  it is also possible to use the hook portion  8  of the metal ring  6  as the anchor for certain construction jobs where the anchoring element has a 90 degree corner. 
         [0032]    Modification of this invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and it is intended that the invention be not limited by the embodiments disclosed herein but that the scope of the invention be defined by the appended claims.