Abstract:
The Linear Marking Apparatus that which includes an embedded marking substance (chalk) reel during use, allowing a single worker to effectively snap a marking line over the work surface. In various embodiments, the Linear Marking Apparatus the tool can also be utilized as a measuring device, a straight edge, or a level. Potential uses of the Linear Marking Apparatus include marking lines on walls, ground, vehicles, concrete, roofing, floors, window, boats, furnishings, ceilings.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of tools, and more specifically to a multifunctional tool which allows a single worker to snap a single marking line over the work surface. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0002]      FIG. 1   a  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a Linear Marking Apparatus. 
           [0003]      FIG. 1   b  illustrates an alternate embodiment of a Linear Marking Apparatus. 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a tension adjustment control for a Linear Marking Apparatus. 
           [0005]      FIG. 3   a  illustrates an extendable embodiment of a Linear Marking Apparatus. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3   b  illustrates an exemplary extendable embodiment of a Linear Marking Apparatus. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3   c  illustrates an alternate embodiment of an extendable Linear Marking Apparatus. 
       
    
    
     GLOSSARY  
       [0008]    As used herein, the term “linear marking apparatus” means an apparatus which functions as a chalk line and may also function as a measuring device, a straight edge, and a level. 
         [0009]    As used herein, the term “marking tool” means a tool which has the functionality to allow a user to mark straight line using chalk, dye, ink or any other marking substance known in the art. 
         [0010]    As used herein, the term “internally mounted component” means within a housing. 
         [0011]    As used herein, the term “externally mounted component” means not within a housing. 
         [0012]    As used herein, the term “pulley component” means any structural component which guides and/or supports a line. A pulley component may be threaded, contoured, contain grooves and/or apertures, or may integrally constructed with a housing such that a housing operates as a pulley component. 
         [0013]    As used herein, the term “spool component” means any rotational or pivotal component around which a line is wound. A spool component may be threaded, contoured, contain grooves and/or apertures. 
         [0014]    A “tension adjustment control” is any component which increases or decreases the tension of a line by manipulating a pulley component. A tension adjustment control may include but is not limited to a taut gear component, a pivotal lever mounted between two pulleys, a set screw, a rotational component, a spool, another pivotal component, rotational component, a lever, a bolt, spring component or assembly and/or other securing component for a line or any other component known in the art which may be adapted to adjust the tension of line. 
         [0015]    As used herein, a “line” is any string, string-like, wire or strand type structure. 
       BACKGROUND  
       [0016]    A chalk line is a marking tool for marking long, straight lines on relatively flat surfaces, much farther than is practical by hand or with a straightedge. It is an important tool in carpentry, painting, construction, surveying trades and in other mechanical arts which require a straight line as a reference point. 
         [0017]    A chalk line draws straight lines by the action of a taut string. Specifically, the string (previously impregnated or coated with a loose dye such as chalk) is laid across the surface to be marked and pulled tight. The string is then manually pulled or “snapped” to cause the string to strike the surface, leaving a straight line. 
         [0018]    A level-tool is another tool known in the art and often used by artisans and trades people (sometimes in conjunction with chalk lines) to determine whether a surface is flat or level before a line is snapped on the surface. A level includes tubular receptacles positioned within a frame and partially filled with fluid so that movement of an air space within the tubes which signals whether a surface is level. A level tool may have two or more tubular receptacles placed in different positions so that the air space within the tubes determines whether with vertical, horizontal and angular surfaces are level. 
         [0019]    Extendable tools are also known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,435,908 issued to Semler, discloses a typical level device. Semier &#39;908 teaches a leveling apparatus that is stored in compact form and can be extended up to three times its length. 
         [0020]    A limitation known in the art with traditional chalk lines is the need for two people to carry out the task of snapping a line. Often two workers are not available or on site to operate a device used for snapping a line. 
         [0021]    It is an objective of the invention to obviate the need for two persons to operate a chalk line and provide a practical solution for situations where only one user is present to carry out the task of creating a line marking (e.g., chalk line). 
         [0022]    It is a further objective of the present invention to create multi-functional marking tool which affords the functionality of numerous marking devices and levels. 
         [0023]    It is also an objective of the present invention to create a device which allows users to more easily mark vertical lines (e.g. without having one person secure a line from a ladder or platform.) 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]    The present invention is a specially designed, Linear Marking Apparatus that which includes an embedded marking substance (chalk) reel during use, allowing one worker to effectively use this marking tool and snap a marking line over the work surface. In various embodiments, the Linear Marking Apparatus can be utilized as a measuring device, a straight edge, or a level. Potential uses of the Linear Marking Apparatus include marking lines on walls, ground, vehicles, concrete, roofing, floors, window, boats, furnishings and ceilings. 
         [0025]    The Linear Marking Apparatus disclosed herein which includes a reservoir containing a marking material and the reservoir is secured to at least one surface of a housing. The Linear Marking Apparatus further includes at least two pulley components positioned at opposite ends of the housing and a line adapted to receive marking material (e.g. chalk). The line is secured at opposite ends to pulley components. Further embodiments may include a spool component, a battery operated spool component, a tension control component, a gripping component, one or more level bubbles, and/or a straight edge. 
         [0026]    Other embodiments may be extendable. For example, housing components may move slidably within each other, or over a track component. The apparatus may be extended to a length of two to twenty feet (for example a length of eight to ten feet). 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION  
       [0027]    For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the present invention, references are made in the text to exemplary embodiments of a Linear Marking Apparatus, only some of which are described herein. It should be understood that no limitations on the scope of the invention are intended by describing these exemplary embodiments. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that alternate but functionally equivalent Linear Marking Apparatus may be used. The inclusion of additional elements may be deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. Specific elements disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to employ the present invention. 
         [0028]    It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, instead emphasis has been placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In addition, in the embodiments depicted herein, like reference numerals in the various drawings refer to identical or near identical structural elements. 
         [0029]    Moreover, the-terms “substantially or approximately” as used herein may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. For example, a Linear Marking Apparatus may include more or fewer functional elements, may include more or fewer level components or spools or may include components which are placed in locations on a Linear Marking Apparatus which are different than the exemplary embodiments shown. 
         [0030]      FIG. 1   a  illustrates a sectional view of an exemplary, non-extendable embodiment of Linear Marking Apparatus  100 , which includes a housing  10 , which in the embodiment shown is comprised of a square tubular body  10 . In the embodiment shown housing  10  is aluminum, but in other embodiments housing  10  may be made of wood, plastic, or other metals, and may be machined, molded, stamped or extruded. In the embodiment shown is a singularly constructed component, but in other embodiments housing  10  may be constructed from multiple components. 
         [0031]    In the embodiment shown, housing  10  includes at least one internal channel  18  which may be hollow or partially hollow or contain apertures or recesses for depositing one or more marking material reservoir  30 . In the embodiment shown marking material reservoir  30  includes powdered chalk by may contain any other marking substance known in the art. 
         [0032]    In other embodiments housing  10  may be a solid or flat mounting component to which all other components are externally mounted, and may omit channel  18 . 
         [0033]    Also shown in  FIG. 1   a  is spool component  35 . In various embodiments, more of fewer spool components may be utilized, and spool components may be of different shapes and configurations, or internally or externally mounted. In the embodiment shown, spool component  35  further includes pivotal handle  37  which allows the user to rotate spool component  35  (but in other embodiments may include functional equivalents such as a knob, lever, protuberance or other structures.) 
         [0034]    The exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1   a  further includes at two internally mounted pulley components  66   a,    66   b,  and two externally mounted pulley components  66   a  and  66   b.  Other embodiments may include more or fewer or differently proportioned or configured pulley components. Additionally, pulley on a Linear Marking Apparatus  100  may be of varying sizes and shapes, and may be asymmetrically or symmetrically mounted. 
         [0035]      FIG. 1   a  further illustrates line  85 , which is a string or string-like component made of any material adapted to hold chalk or marking material, and which can be made taut and/or rigid to create an accurate line. 
         [0036]    The embodiment shown in  FIG. 1   a  also includes reservoir  56  to add chalk. Reservoir  55  to store marking material (e.g., chalk powder) may be an aperture or receptacle internally or externally mounted. Reservoir  55  may be refillable or disposable. In the embodiment shown, reservoir  55  surrounds spool  35  so that line  85  travels through reservoir  55  and is coated with a marking material. 
         [0037]    In various embodiments, Linear Marking Apparatus  100  may include a tension adjustment control to pull line  85  taut (see  FIG. 2 ). In various embodiments, a tension adjustment control may include but is not limited to a taut gear component, a pivotal lever mounted between two pulleys, a set screw, a rotational component, a spool, another pivotal component, rotational component, a lever, a bolt, spring component or assembly, and or securing component for a line or any other component known in the art which may be adapted to adjust the tension of line  85 . 
         [0038]    Various embodiments of Linear Marking Apparatus  100  may include variations of pulley components  66   a,    66   b,    66   c,    66   d  and spool component  35  may be constructed from plastic, metal, wood, rubber or metal. In various embodiments, pulley components  66   a,    66   b,    66   c,  and  66   d  may include grooves or apertures, line track guides or contours. 
         [0039]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1   a,  housing  10  includes two level bubbles  70 ,  72 , and  74 , but other embodiments may include a single level bubble or three or more level bubbles. 
         [0040]    Embodiments of Linear Marking Apparatus  100  may vary in size and dimension. For example, housing  10  may vary in thickness or may be flat as necessary to accommodate insertion or mounting of internal and/or external components as described herein. 
         [0041]    Housing  10  may include markings to allow a user to measure distance or dimensions. 
         [0042]    In still other embodiments, housing  10  may include optional features such as a gripping aperture  81  or a handle or strap which facilitates grasping. 
         [0043]    Further embodiments of Linear Marking Apparatus  100  may include lighting, internal guides or specially constructed casings or flaps to protect a chalk line (e.g. from rain, moisture, dust and debris). 
         [0044]      FIG. 1   b  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of Linear Marking Apparatus  100  utilizes two pulley components  66   a  and  66   b  which are larger than those shown in  FIG. 1   a.  The embodiment shown in  FIG. 1   b  does not include a spool because line  85  forms a continuous loop which travels through marking material reservoir  55  when line  85  is mechanically or manually rotated. 
         [0045]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of tension adjustment control  150 . In the embodiment shown, tension adjustment control  150  includes bolt  44 , to which pulley is  68  (not shown) is mounted. When bolt  44  is rotated or pivoted, more or less tension is applied to line  85 . In the embodiment shown, bolt  44  is secured by nuts  47   a  and  47   b.  In other embodiments, tension adjustment control  150 , may be any component which increases or decreases the tension of line  85  by manipulating a pulley component. A tension adjustment control may include but is not limited to a taut gear component, a pivotal lever mounted between two pulleys, a set screw, a rotational component, a spool, another pivotal component, rotational component, a lever, a bolt, spring component or assembly and/or other securing component for a line or any other component known in the art which may be adapted to adjust the tension of line. 
         [0046]      FIG. 3   a  illustrates a sectional view of an extendable embodiment of Linear Marking Apparatus line  200  in the closed position. 
         [0047]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3   a  Linear Marking Apparatus line  200  which is extendable from a range of two (2) to twenty (20) feet. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , Linear Marking Apparatus  200  extends approximately six (6) feet in the closed position to approximately ten (10) feet when in the fully extended position. 
         [0048]      FIG. 3   b  illustrates sectional view of an exemplary extendable embodiment of Linear Marking Apparatus line  200 . 
         [0049]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  housing  10  is constructed in two housing parts  12 ,  14  which are telescoping. In the embodiment shown, inner housing part  12  moves slidably within outer housing part  14 . Inner housing part  12  in contoured slidably within outer housing part  14 . In various embodiments, housing  10 . May be constructed of more or fewer components and of any dimension which may functionally operate as a housing for a Linear Marking Apparatus. 
         [0050]      FIG. 3   c  illustrates an extendable embodiment of Linear Marking Apparatus  200  which includes an internal track component  92 , and which allows housing parts  12  and  14  to slide over the track.