Abstract:
A specially designed line marking device includes a marking string that is attached to a bow-shaped support structure with no free end for conveniently use by a single operator, a shuttle for coating the marking string with marking media prior to use, allowing an operator to effectively use this marking device and snap a marking line onto a working surface without the assistance of an additional operator, and a movable carriage containing liquid, powder, or aerosol marking media to be sprayed or deposited along said marking string, creating an inverse image of the marking string.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/751,601 filed on Jan. 11, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    Workers must often mark or herein after referred to as “draw” straight lines accurately to minimize waste in cutting construction materials, and to ensure that materials will be properly fastened. A chalk line is a marking tool for marking straight lines on a surface. A chalk line draws straight lines using a tightly drawn string. Specifically, the string, coated or impregnated with chalk or a loose dye, is drawn across the surface to be marked, and is then “snapped” to cause the string to strike the surface, marking a straight line. It is an important tool in carpentry, painting, construction, roofing, framing, surveying and other mechanical arts which require a straight line. 
         [0003]    Typically, a chalk line marking device has a chalk line carrying a ring or hook or clip at its free end to anchor at an edge of a surface to mark. Some examples of chalk line marking devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,589,500 to Linden et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,143,462 to Gertz, U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,337 to Noyes. Nevertheless, it is inconvenient when using such a line marking device to mark a line on a surface which does not have an edge to locate. Besides, these line marking devices are relatively expensive or complicated to construct or utilize. 
         [0004]    Therefore, it is necessary to have an improved and cost-effective line marking device that can enable one single operator to apply mark lines on surfaces that do not have conveniently located edges. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention provides a specially designed line marking device which includes a marking string attached to a bow-shaped support structure, a means for coating the line with marking substance (chalk) prior to use, allowing an operator to effectively use this marking device and snap a marking line onto a working surface without the assistance of an additional operator. Potential uses of the line marking device include marking lines on walls, ground, concrete, roofing, floors, and ceilings. 
         [0006]    An aspect of the present invention is to provide a line marking device comprising a main support structure, a marking string supported by the main support structure, and a bullet or shuttle which is slidably connected in relation to the marking string for impregnating the marking string with a marking substance. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment of the invention, the main support structure of the line marking device lies in a plane perpendicular to the surface to be marked, and above the marking string in relation to the marking surface. 
         [0008]    A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a shuttle or bullet that, when placed in relative motion with a marking string, impregnates the marking string with marking media. Relative motion can incorporate moving the marking string through or along a fixed bullet or shuttle, or can incorporate moving the bullet or shuttle around or along a fixed marking string. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment of the invention, the bullet or shuttle may comprise a structure which can be attached in a breakaway or removable configuration to facilitate replacement or replenishment of marking media. In a further embodiment, the bullet or shuttle may comprise structure which can be fixedly attached around a marking string in a manner which does not permit removal. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment of the invention, the bullet or shuttle can comprise marking solid chalking or marking media for impregnating a marking string when moved relative to the line. In a further embodiment of the invention, the bullet or shuttle which comprises liquid or powder marking media within an absorbent material which, when in relative motion with a marking string, can impregnate the marking string with the marking media. 
         [0011]    The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow. 
         [0012]    Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0013]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0014]    The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred feature of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claim, and the accompanying drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference numerals. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a line marking device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  shows a fully assembled line marking device including a continuous marking string, a bow-shaped support structure, a shuttle or bullet which is fixed to one end of the support structure, and shows a dissembled view of a horizontal support surface which may be fixed to another end of the support structure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the line marking device of  FIG. 1 , showing the fully assembled device with slidably attached continuous marking string, fixed position shuttle or bullet, bow-shaped support structure, and dissembled horizontal support surface for engaging a surface to be marked. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the shuttle or bullet device fixed to the second end of the line marking device of  FIG. 1 , showing the general exterior structure of the bullet or shuttle as it is fixed to one end of the bow-shaped support structure in a slidably fixed relationship to the continuous marking loop. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the first end of the line marking device of  FIG. 1 , depicting the horizontal mounting bracket attached to the first end of the line marking device. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a partially dissembled side view of the first end of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing possible embodiments of the horizontal support surface for engaging a surface to be marked. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a side view of a line marking device according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a bow-shaped support structure for a fixed position marking string, a horizontal support surface on one end, and a shuttle or bullet slidably placed along the marking string for impregnating the marking string with marking media. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the shuttle or bullet device placed at the second end of the line marking device, slidably joined to the marking string of the line marking device of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is an isometric top-down view of a third preferred embodiment of the line marking device showing an elongated bow-shaped support structure which incorporates a fixed marking string with a bullet or shuttle that is slidably placed along the marking string.  FIG. 8  also shows an additional means for marking a surface with a moveable carriage that can be moved along guide wires to mark a surface along the marking string beneath it. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a side angle view of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 8  showing the bow shaped support structure with marking string, slidable bullet or shuttle, guide wires, and moveable carriage for marking. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is another embodiment of the line marking device showing the guide wires and movable carriage, further showing a remote which may be used to control an automated movable carriage for marking a surface along the marking string below the movable carriage. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a close view of one end of an embodiment of the line marking device showing the bow-shaped support structure, fixed marking string, slidable bullet or shuttle, guide wires, and movable carriage. 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is another view of the moveable carriage of one embodiment of a line marking device wherein the carriage moves along guide wires carrying line marking media in a reservoir. 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  is a closer view of the moveable carriage of one embodiment of a line marking device showing a closer view of one embodiment of a reservoir for carrying marking media. 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  is an end view of one embodiment of a line marking device showing the bow-shaped support structure, fixed marking string, slidable bullet or shuttle, movable carriage, and guide wires which are attached with springs in order to maintain tension along the line to facilitate limitation of lateral movement of the carriage during marking operation. 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  is a closer view of a second end of an embodiment of a line marking device showing the bow-shaped support structure and horizontal support surface for maintaining a level configuration along a surface to be marked. 
           [0031]      FIG. 16  is a close-up view of a first end of an embodiment of a line marking device showing the bow-shaped support structure, horizontal support surface for maintaining a level configuration along a surface to be marked, a fixed marking string, a slidable bullet or shuttle containing marking media, guide wires, and a spring configuration for maintaining tension in the guide wires 
           [0032]      FIG. 17  shows a variation of the embodiment wherein there is seen a telescoping measurement mode 
           [0033]      FIG. 18  shows a variation of the embodiment that can be used during roofing. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0034]      FIG. 1  depicts a side view of one embodiment of a line marking device generally designated by the reference numeral  10 . The device is held together primarily by a bow-shaped main support structure  11  with an apex  12  and first  13  and second  14  ends. A continuous marking string  15  with no loose ends can be slidably attached to the main support structure in at least three points comprising the first and second ends and the apex, with at least one portion opposite the apex forming a straight line that may be used for marking a surface. The marking string  15  forms a closed loop with no loose ends, and may be attached in a manner that allows the operator to pull the line through a bullet or shuttle  16  containing marking media. A bullet or shuttle  16  can be fixed at the second end  14  of the bow-shaped support structure, and encloses the continuous marking string in a manner that coats the marking string with marking media as the marking string passes through the center of the bullet or shuttle. A horizontal placement bracket or support surface  18  can be attached at the first end of the bow-shaped support structure  11  which allows an operator to easily place the line marking device in a flat or level position for line marking. The horizontal placement bracket  18  can be placed such that a flat surface on a bottom edge of the placement bracket lies in a plane perpendicular to the line marking device, and parallel to the surface to be marked. 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  depicts an elevated side view of one embodiment of a line marking device.  FIG. 2  shows how the continuous marking string  15  can be slidably attached to the bow-shaped support structure in order to pass through the shuttle or bullet  16  which can be made up of or which can be loaded with marking media. 
         [0036]      FIG. 3  shows a larger view of a shuttle or bullet  16  in one embodiment of a line marking device. In one embodiment, the shuttle or bullet  16  can be fixed to the second end  14  of the bow-shaped support structure  11  in a manner that might allow the continuous marking string  15  to pass through the center. In one embodiment, the shuttle or bullet can be made of a solid marking material for direct deposition of marking media onto the continuous marking string. In another embodiment, the shuttle or bullet can contain a powdered or liquid marking media, which can be imparted onto the continuous marking string as the marking string passes through the shuttle or bullet. In an embodiment wherein the bullet or shuttle contains liquid or powdered marking media, the bullet or shuttle may have a soft or spongy material in each open end in order to prevent free pouring of marking media, and to maintain the lateral position of the shuttle along the marking string. 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  depicts a close-up side view of a horizontal placement bracket or horizontal support surface  18 , which in one embodiment can be attached to the first end of the bow-shaped support structure. The horizontal placement bracket  18  can serve to prevent marking of a surface before the continuous marking string is purposely engaged with the surface to be marked. The horizontal placement bracket can also serve to provide a flat or level area with which to engage the surface to be marked to facilitate the operation of marking. 
         [0038]      FIG. 5  depicts a partially exploded side view of the first end of an embodiment of the line marking device. In differing embodiments, the shape and structure of the horizontal placement bracket  18  can vary, and may include a larger, square or diamond shape, or may include a narrower, rectangular shape. In this way said device is able to adapt to different concrete surfaces for different stages in the cutting process. This flexibility allows for the reduction of error and furthermore also allows for an accurate and rather easy process of alignment as needed. 
         [0039]      FIG. 6  depicts a side view of a second embodiment of a line marking device  10 . The device is held together primarily by a bow-shaped main support structure  11  with an apex  12  and first  13  and second  14  ends. A marking string  15  can be fixedly attached to the main support structure in at least two points comprising the first and second ends. At least one portion of the marking string forms a straight line between the first and second ends which may be used to mark a surface. A bullet or shuttle  16  can be slidably placed along the marking string enclosed around the marking string  15  in a manner that coats the marking string with marking media as the bullet or shuttle  16  slides along the line. A horizontal placement bracket  18  can be attached at the first end of the bow-shaped support structure which allows an operator to easily place the line marking device in a flat or level position for line marking. The horizontal placement bracket  18  can be placed such that a flat surface on a bottom edge of the placement bracket lies in a plane perpendicular to the line marking device, and parallel to the surface to be marked. 
         [0040]      FIG. 7  depicts an embodiment of the bullet or shuttle  16  wherein the bullet or shuttle is slidably placed such that the marking string  15  runs through the center of the bullet or shuttle. The inner portion or shuttle can comprise or contain solid, liquid, or powder marking media such that sliding the bullet or shuttle along the will impregnate the marking string with marking media. Once impregnated with marking media, the marking string in such embodiment would place a line on a surface when snapped by the operator. 
         [0041]    The bullet serves to clean the line (memory foam cleans the line as it passes across the line) and also serves to chalk the line. Such bullet device is able to move along the line and is refillable as needed. 
         [0042]    In some embodiments, the bullet or shuttle can be formed in a manner that allows it to be opened or detached to facilitate interchangeability. Such interchangeability facilitates reloading or replacement of marking media when marking media becomes depleted. In other embodiments the bullet or shuttle can be integrally formed around the marking string without means for removal. In some embodiments, the marking media contained within the bullet or shuttle may comprise a solid chalking device which impregnates the marking string when the bullet or shuttle and marking string are moved relative to one another. In another embodiment, the bullet or shuttle can contain liquid or powder marking media within an absorbent material or within a hollow shell. In an embodiment wherein the bullet or shuttle contains liquid or powdered marking media in a hollow shell, each open end of the bullet or shuttle may be closed with a soft or spongy material which prevents free pouring of the marking media and prevents lateral movement of the shuttle in directions other than parallel to the marking string. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 8 and 9  depict another embodiment of the line marking device  10 . In this embodiment the bow-shaped support structure  11  having an elongated main body and a first and second curved ends  13 ,  14 . The device  10  may contain one or two horizontal support brackets or support structures  19  attached to the first and second ends  13 ,  14  respectively of the support structure. The marking string  15  may be fixedly attached at both ends to the first and second ends  13 ,  14  of the support structure, with a bullet or shuttle  16  containing or being made of marking media  17 , being slidably placed along the marking string  15 . This embodiment may also contain a movable carriage  20  which is placed along a number of guide wires  21 . Two such guide wires  21  are pictured. The guide wires may be drawn taut from one end of the device to the other, allowing the movable carriage  20  to slide or roll along the wires  21  and move freely between both ends. In such an embodiment, the movable carriage may have a reservoir for marking media, and may have an apparatus for spraying or depositing marking media around the marking string, creating an inverse marking line, where the line to be cut falls along the area directly below the marking string  15 , which remains unmarked after spraying or deposition. 
         [0044]    Herein there also can exist in another embodiment an over-hanging sky lift that functions to hold a paint cart within the track. Such paint cart can be remote controlled or manually operated. Therein rests a spray can used for needed markings. 
         [0045]      FIG. 10  shows an embodiment of a movable carriage  20 . In such an embodiment, the carriage may roll or slide along the guide wires  21 , with sufficient structure to prevent side to side or lateral movement, resulting in a straight line after marking operation. In one embodiment of the marking carriage, the carriage may be automated, and can be operated via remote control, as is depicted in  FIG. 10 . In another embodiment, the moveable carriage may be operated manually. Such embodiments of the moveable carriage may have a marking reservoir which contains liquid, powder, or aerosol marking media to be sprayed or deposited along the marking string  15  below during marking operation. 
         [0046]      FIG. 11  shows another view of an embodiment of a line marking device  10  having a moveable carriage  20 , showing the position of the moveable carriage  20  above the marking string  15  and bullet or shuttle  16 . In such an embodiment, either the carriage  20  or bullet or shuttle  16  may be used, providing potential for an operator to paint, deposit, or chalk a line, depending on the operator&#39;s needs and conditions of the surface to be marked. For example, in cases where a surface to be marked is wet, an operator may prefer to use paint rather than a chalking or powdered media, and would be able to use the carriage deposition method as an alternative to snapping the marking string. 
         [0047]      FIG. 12  shows a side view of an embodiment of a moveable carriage  20  for marking. 
         [0048]      FIG. 13  shows a close up view of an embodiment of a moveable carriage  20  for a line marking device. In such an embodiment, the carriage  20  may have a marking media reservoir  22 . The reservoir  22  may contain liquid, powder, or aerosol marking media, which may be sprayed or deposited when the moveable carriage is moved along the guide lines. Such an operation would place marking media around the marking string  15  below, leaving an inverse image of the marking string. In such an operation, the operator would be left with an unmarked area directly below the marking string which would operate as a cutting line. 
         [0049]      FIG. 14  shows an end view of an embodiment of a line marking device in which guide wires  21  for a moveable carriage comprise springs  23  to maintain tension. Other suitable means for maintaining tension in the guide wires may also be used, such as a ratchet or other tightening means. 
         [0050]      FIG. 15  shows one embodiment of a line marking device  10  which has a horizontal mounting bracket or horizontal support surface  19 . In one embodiment, the bracket or surface may be fixedly attached to the bow-shaped support structure, allowing an operator to place the line marking device  10  by lowering it from a parallel position to the surface to rest on the surface to be marked. In another embodiment, the horizontal bracket  19  or support surface may be hinged so as to allow an operator to lower the marking device one side at a time, allowing the operator to align the device accordingly as he places the device along the surface to be marked. 
         [0051]      FIG. 16  shows an additional view of an embodiment of a line marking device  10  which has a horizontal mounting bracket  19  or horizontal support surface.  FIG. 16  depicts an embodiment which may have such a feature in addition to guide wires  21  for a moveable carriage  20  as well as a slidable bullet or shuttle  16  along a marking string  15 . Such features in some embodiments may be present in addition to or in the absence of any of other such features. 
         [0052]      FIG. 17  shows a variation of the embodiment wherein there is seen a telescoping measurement mode wherein the measurement device can clearly be interpreted. 
         [0053]      FIG. 18  shows a variation of the embodiment that can be used during roofing. Herein there is a telescoping frame that has a spring holding outward tension device located centrally to achieve 90 degree angel pivots in an outward direction at the far reaches of said device. Tension wires are situated thereunder at a proximal 35 degree angular bend. 
         [0054]    Whereas particular embodiments of this invention have been described above for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details of the present invention may be made without departing from the invention. 
         [0055]    While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are entitled.