Abstract:
A snap line for use in applying powdered material to a surface. The line comprises at least one strand of material that has been coated with water repellent material. The line may be used in conjunction with powder that has also been coated with water repellent material. The line and the powder enable a user to apply lines to wet or damp surfaces in a normal fashion.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/828,912, filed Jul. 26, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,488,379 which was a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/684,243, filed Oct. 13, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,367,130, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to construction equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to equipment that is used to lay out dimensional or building lines for workers in the construction industry. 
   BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
   Snap lines have been used in the construction industry for many years for laying out building or dimensional lines. They are easy to use, accurate, and inexpensive. Typically, a snap line is tautly held adjacent or slightly above a surface that is to be marked. The line is then pulled away from the surface and released so that it strikes against the surface, leaving a residual line of powdered material, such as chalk. Over the years, snap line technology has evolved; powdered material is now available in colors other than blue, and housings are better able to retain and protect the powdered material from the elements. 
   One thing that has not changed over the years, however, is the use and operation of the snap line. That is, the snap line must still be positioned adjacent or slightly above a surface to be marked, pulled away, and then released so that it strikes against the surface to be marked. This works quite well for most surfaces. However, a drawback with existing snap lines is that they are ineffective when weather conditions are less than ideal. 
   As one may expect, conventional snap lines often do not operate as intended when conditions are wet or damp. Often, the powdered material adheres to the snap line and does not release when the line strikes the surface. Moreover, if some of the powdered material does manage to release from the line upon impact, it does not easily transfer to a surface to be marked, and if transfer does occur, the powdered material can be easily smeared and/or washed away. Thus, whenever wet conditions exist, layout work is essentially halted. This can be problematic in areas where wet conditions such as precipitation and high humidity are common. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A snap line for use in applying powdered material to a surface. The line comprises at least one strand of material that has been treated with water repellent material. The water repellant material may be applied to the line by conventional techniques and technologies, such as spraying and submersing. The line may be used with existing powdered materials such as the various colored chalks now in use, or it may be used in conjunction with powdered material that has also been treated with water repellent material. In combination, the treated line and powdered material enable a user to apply lines to wet or damp surfaces, or surfaces with shallow puddles thereon in a normal fashion. Advantageously, the treated line and/or powdered material may be used with most existing snap line. 
   Certain objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the several views. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a snap line apparatus; 
       FIG. 2  is an illustration depicting a method by which powdered material of the present invention may be treated; 
       FIG. 3  is another illustration depicting another method by which powdered material of the present invention may be treated; 
       FIG. 4  is an illustration depicting a method by which a snap line of the present invention may be treated; 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic representation of process steps by which powdered material of the present invention may be treated; and, 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic representation of process steps by which an improved snap line may be treated. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   A typical snap line apparatus is depicted in  FIG. 1 . The apparatus  10  includes a housing  12  for holding powdered material and an access door  14  through which powdered material may be added without having to dismantle the housing. The apparatus also has a rotatable handle  16  that may be pivoted between storage and use positions. The handle  16  is operatively connected to a reel (not shown) about which a line  20  is wound. The line  20  includes an attachment ring  22 , which is configured to facilitate attachment of the line  20  to a suitably positioned fastening element (also not shown). 
   The powdered material used in snap lines is usually available in bulk as a stand-alone product. In addition, powdered material is packaged in differently sized containers, of which a common size is 8-ounces. While the preferred powdered material used in the present invention comprises chalk and/or cementitious dye, it is understood that other powdered materials may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
   A process by which an improved powdered material may be treated is shown in  FIG. 2 . In the figure, a container  30  is depicted as having a cap  32 , which has been removed to expose the powdered material  34  contained therein. Another container  40  is also depicted as having its cap  42  removed to expose water resistant material  44  contained therein. As shown, the water resistant material  44  is added to the container  30 . After an effective amount of water resistant material  44  has been added, and prior to mixing, the container  30  may be closed by reattaching the cap  32 . Although the treated powdered material may be produced using any one of a number of water resistant materials, it is preferred that the water resistant materials are silicone based. More preferably, it has been discovered that a particularly effective silicone-based water resistant material is sold by KIWI Brands under the name of Cavalier® Protect-All™. 
     FIG. 3  illustrates another process by which an improved powdered material may be treated. Here, a container  30  is depicted as having a cap  32 , which has been removed to expose the powdered material  34  contained therein. Another container  50  is depicted as having a nozzle  52 , which directs water resistant material  54  (preferably Cavalier® Protect-All™) in a predetermined direction as it is expelled or propelled from the container  50 . As shown, the water resistant material  54  is added to the container  30  by directing the water resistant material onto the powdered material. Preferably, enough water resistant material is applied to the powdered material so that the surface is effectively coated. Then, the cap  32  is replaced, and the container is agitated. Then, the cap  32  is removed and the steps of spraying, capping, and agitating are repeated until substantially all of the powdered material  34  has been treated. 
   As will be understood, the effective amount of water resistant material added to a container of powdered material will depend upon the size of the container. However, with an 8 (eight) ounce container of powdered material, it has been determined that an effective amount of water resistant material is in the range of about 0.5 to 4.0 ounces, and preferably in the range of about 1.0 to 3.0 ounces. It will also be understood that the aforementioned effective amount may differ between powdered materials manufactured by different companies, which may produce their powdered materials according to their own formulae, and manufacturing standards. Note that effective amounts may also be influenced by environmental conditions. 
     FIG. 4  illustrates a process by which an improved snap line is treated. Here, a container  40  is depicted as having its cap  42  removed to expose water resistant material  44  contained therein. A line  20  is then added to the container  40  so that it may be sufficiently coated. After the line  20  has been sufficiently coated, it is removed and allowed to air dry, or dried by applying gentle heat. Alternatively, water resistant material may be applied to a line  20  by spraying the water resistant material directly onto the line (similar to the method of application as taught in  FIG. 3 ). 
     FIG. 5  illustrates a preferred method by which an improved powdered material may be treated. For this, a separate container may be provided, although it is preferred to use the container in which the powdered material was originally packaged. Then, the water resistant material is added to the container. As mentioned above, for an 8-ounce container, an effective amount of water resistant material is in the range of about 0.5 to 4.0 ounces, and preferably in the range of about 1.0 to 3.0 ounces. Then, the powdered material and the water resistant material are mixed. This can be achieved in numerous ways, such as, for example, by stirring, agitating, or by capping the container and vigorously shaking the container. Then, the mixture is dried. This step, too, can be achieved in numerous ways. For instance, the mixture could be allowed to air dry, or it could be gently heated. Finally, the mixture is combined with a snap line by adding it to a snap line apparatus. 
   It will be appreciated that the improved powdered material may be produced in a third container, if desired. In this variation, the water resistant material may be added first and then the powdered material may be added. 
     FIG. 6  illustrates a preferred method by which an improved snap line may be treated. For this, a separate container may be provided, although it is preferred to use the container in which the water resistant material was originally packaged. Then, the line is added to the container so that it is effectively coated. Then, the line is withdrawn from the container and dried. This can be achieved in a number of ways. For example, by air-drying, by forced air-drying, or by gently heating. Finally, the improved line installed into a snap line apparatus, where it may be combined with the improved powdered material. 
   It will be appreciated that the improved snap line may also be treated in a third container, if desired. In this variation, the untreated line may be added first and then the water resistant material may be added. 
   While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations, and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is envisioned that the water repellency could be provided by polytetrafluoroethylene. Changes may be made in details, particularly in matters of shape, size, material, and arrangement of parts without exceeding the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is as defined in the language of the appended claims.