Patent Publication Number: US-7896157-B1

Title: Tool layout caddy

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is necessary to establish accurate layout lines on the ground surfaces of construction sites to ensure that excavations, buildings, and other structures are properly located on real property. This is routinely accomplished by the use of a chalk line extending from a chalk line receptacle. Each end of the commonly used chalk line is normally held by a worker. The line is then snapped to mark the layout line on the ground&#39;s surface. The fact that layout operations usually require two workers represents an inefficient use of manpower time in that more than two individuals must always be available for the work. This is also economically wasteful, as the employer is paying for the time of two workers, in a situation where resources would be saved if only one was required to do the job. 
     Layout operations are also susceptible to inefficiency when necessary tools are not at the layout site, are misplaced, or are otherwise not readily available. A handy, easily portable caddy capable of holding a variety of necessary layout tools, as well as the chalk line itself, would be of great benefit to the layout field worker. Such a device is not currently available. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is thus the object of the present invention to provide a tool layout caddy which overcomes the limitations and disadvantages of similar layout type devices. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a tool layout caddy which is easily portable and capable of storing a variety of necessary tools for layout operations. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a tool layout caddy which is a self-contained device, having the versatility to store necessary layout tools as well as to house a chalk line and chalk line mechanisms to carry out efficient layout operations. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a tool layout caddy which is relatively lightweight for portability, yet substantial and heavy enough to provide a stable base to maintain one end of a chalk line in fixed position while the other end of the line is extended to the desired location. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a tool layout caddy, which comprises a chalk reservoir through which the caddy&#39;s chalk line is constantly resupplied. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a tool layout caddy whose chalk line, at all times, is readily accessible for ease of use. 
     These and other objectives are accomplished by the present invention, a tool layout caddy having an upstanding vertical post with a handle at one end and a base member at the other end. A receptacle for the placement and storage of tools, chalk, and other necessary items for the layout operation is secured to the vertical post. A sheath member is provided for the placement and storage of a measuring square. The base member of the caddy houses the chalk line, a chalk line reservoir for replenishing the chalk line, and a chalk line retracting mechanism. A stop marker ensures that the end section of the chalk line always remains external to the base member and, during use, a hook at the end of the chalk line may be secured to the receptacle for ease of access during layout operations. 
     The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention, itself, however, both as to its design, construction and use, together with additional features and advantages thereof, are best understood upon review of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the tool caddy of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the internal space of the base member of the tool caddy of the present invention, showing the components within that internal space. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Tool caddy  1  of the present invention comprises vertical post  2  connected at its bottom end to base member  4  and at its upper end to handle  6 . Post  2  runs through storage receptacle  8 , which is secured to the post between its bottom and upper ends. 
     Receptacle  8  is configured as a curvilinear shaped container with bottom floor  10 , side walls  11 , and open top  12 . Items such as small tools and equipment can be placed on floor  10  within receptacle  8 . Small, open cylindrical containers  14  and  16  extend down from floor  10  of receptacle  8  and are configured to hold and store bottle type enclosures  15  and  17  containing various items, ranging from chalk powder to water. Sheath member  18  extends between floor  10  of receptacle  8  and base member  4 , and is provided to allow storage of measuring square  20 . 
     Base member  4  comprises an enclosured housing having internal space  22 . Located within space  22  is stored chalk line  24  and chalk line retracting and stop retention mechanism  26 . It is contemplated that line retracting mechanism  26  can be a device well known to allow line retraction, stop line retention, and line return—such as is commonly used in tape measurers or like devices. The herein invention should not be considered restricted by the type of line retracting mechanism employed within base member  4 . 
     Also within space  22  of base member  4  is chalk reservoir  28  which serves as a chalk storage container. Reservoir  28  is filled with chalk  29  through port  30  located through the top surface of base member  4 . 
     Chalk line  24  runs through channel  31 , extending from line retracting mechanism  26 , through chalk reservoir  28 , to opening  32  located at the end of base member  4 . Stop ball-type marker  34  is permanently attached adjacent to end section  36  of chalk line  24 . End section  36  of chalk line  24  extends through stop marker  34 , which is sized to be larger than opening  32  in order to, at all times, maintain the end section outside base member  4 . Hook  38  or equivalent attachment device is secured to the bitter end of end section  36 . 
     In use, tool caddy  1  is lifted by its handle  6  and positioned at the appropriate location in the field for chalk line layout. By pulling stop marker  34 , chalk line  24  is unwound from line retracting mechanism  26 . As stop marker  34  is pulled, chalk line  24  travels channel  31 , through chalk reservoir  28 , accumulating chalk  29 , and is ultimately withdrawn from base member  4 . Chalk line  24  is then stretched out to its required length and snapped to mark layout lines. During this operation, if chalk line  24  is not immediately being used, it can be temporarily secured to the edge of storage receptacle  8 , via hook  38 . This provides the user with easy access to the chalk line when it is needed again; and obviates the problem of the chalk line fully retreating into base member  4  and the user having to bend over and again withdrawing it from the base member. Attaching chalk line  24  to receptacle  8  guarantees the user quick and convenient accessibility to the chalk line at all times. 
     Of course tool caddy provides further assistance to the user in that receptacle  8  is configured to hold necessary tools, water, and refreshments and provides for the ready availability of measuring square  20  stored within sheath member  18 . 
     When layout operations are completed, stop marker  34  is simply given a slight tug. This will cause chalk line  24  to be pulled into base member  4  by and rewound onto retracting mechanism  26 . Stop marker  34  prevents chalk line from being totally withdrawn into base member  4 . Stop marker  34 , also remaining outside base member  4 , can be used to pull chalk line  24  out of the base member when needed again. 
     While not to be considered so restricted, it is contemplated that tool caddy  1  will be approximately 36 inches in height, 14 inches in length, and 14 inches in width, with a polystyrene handle  6 , plastic storage receptacle  8 , plastic containers  14  and  16 , plastic sheath member  18 , aluminum alloy tubing for vertical post  2 , and aluminum alloy for base member  4 . It is anticipated that tool caddy  1 , with tools positioned therein, will weight approximately ten pounds. 
     It is significant that the overall weight of tool caddy  1 , especially with tools and the measuring square, is sufficient such that once placed in position, the caddy will remain stationary, even when chalk line  24  is being pulled from then and let go into base member  4 . Thus there is no need for an extra worker to hold one end of chalk line  24  during construction layout operations. 
     Certain novel features and components of this invention are disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the exact form and details as disclosed, since it is apparent that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.