Improvements in Chalk-line Reels or Holders.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Oct., 1893-Accepted, 16th Dec., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Chalk-line Reels or Holders.
1, JAMES PORTEOUS, of 58 Preston Street, Glasgow, Engineer do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This invention relates to improvements in chalk-line reels or holders especially
applicable for use by mechanics, carpenters, boiler makers and others connected
with the iron and wood trades. According to this invention I provide a case or
box, preferably circular in shape, and fitted with a removable cover. Inside the
said case is fixed an axis upon which is mounted a spring roller or drum upon which
is fixed and coiled the "chalk-line." The end of the said line is passed through a
hole in the side of the case and connected to a ring to enable the line to be drawn
out of the case by hand. The line as it is pulled out of the case passes through a
chamber formed therein and filled with chalk or whiting thus causing the line to be
covered with the said chalk or whiting as it passes through the said chamber.
When the chalk line is released it is brought back within the case by means of
the spring roller and coiled thereon into its normal position.
And in order more clearly to understand my said invention and the manner of
carrying it into practical use effect I will describe the same with reference to the
accompanying sheet of drawings in which Figure 1 is a central vertical section
through the case, Figure 2 a cross section on the line of Figure 1 and
Figure 3 an outside view of my improved device.
a, represents the case or box and a a movable cover to the same, b is a short
axis or spindle fixed to the case and c is the spring roller or drum mounted
thereon, is a coiled spring fixed to the axis and the drum for winding up the
line e when the latter is released, f is a chamber formed in the case a for containing
the chalk or whiting g and is a hole formed in the side of the case for the
passage of the line e therethrough, e' is a ring attached to the end of the line for
the purpose of pulling the latter out of the case and preventing its end being
drawn into the said case when wound up. When fresh chalk or whiting is required
to be placed in the chamber f it is siniply necessary to remove the cover a' which
can be readily placed in position again.
For the purpose of marking a line on any metal or other surface the operator
catches hold of the ring e¹ and pulls out the line e to the required extent, he then
marks the line in the usual manner after which he releases the ring e' whereupon
the spring d causes the drum c to revolve and wind up the line thereon into its
normal position within the case as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.
Figure 4 is a section of a portion of the case and Figure 5 a cross section of a
modification in which the chalk chamber f is formed outside the said case a.
This chamber is fitted with a screwed cap f' acting as a guide to the line e and
by means of which the said chamber may be filled with the chalk or whiting g.
The side a of the case a is hinged at a in the same manner as a watch case for
the purpose of examining the interior of the said case and for fixing therein or
removing therefrom the spring drum c.
My improved device may be constructed of metal or other suitable material and
may be of any convenient size but preferably so as to be held within the waistcoat
alent

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In chalk-line reels or holders the combination of the case a, cover a¹, spindle b,
drum c, coiled spring d, line e, ring e¹, and chalk container f substantially as
described and shown in the drawings.
2. The modification as shown in and described with reference to Figures 4 and 5
of the drawings.
3. The improved chalk-line reel or holder substantially as described and for the
purpose set forth.
Dated this Ninth day of October 1893.
HUGHES & YOUNG,
12, Basinghall Street, London, Agents.