Chalking Line Retainer

This invention relates to a device for applying a chalk line to a surface during construction or carpentry work.

This invention relates to a chalking string holding or retaining device for striking a chalk line on a working surface. The device can be mounted and used by a single operator without assistance.

The retaining device can be mounted on a straight edge of a working surface or with equal facility it can be mounted on a corner of the working surface on which the mark is to be applied.

The retaining device has a V-shaped bracket or brace member which provides rigidity to the device and protection against bending when the attached string is pulled taut during use.

The retaining device is provided with multiple surfaces or edges for fixing the device in a single position during use. These features and advantages of the device will become apparent from the following description of the device which refers to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an isometric top view of a chalking string retainer of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric bottom view of the retainer;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the retainer;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the retainer;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the retainer;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through the section 6--6 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 shows the retainer in place both at the corner and at the side of a surface to be marked.

FIG. 1 shows a retainer or anchor having a top plate 10 having a front end 12 shaped in the form of a V to conform with the shape of V-shaped bracket 14 which depends from plate 10 at end 12. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, bracket 14 comprises apex 16 and a pair of legs 18 and 20 terminating with toes 22 and 24, respectively. Legs 18 and 20 can be of equal length. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, legs 18 and 20 form an enclosed angle and extend longitudinally adjacent a surface of plate 10. The interior surface of leg 18 is serrated as indicated at 18A and the interior surface of leg 20 is serrated as indicated at 20A. In addition, the surface of the toe 22 is serrated as indicated at 22A and the surface of toe 24 is serrated as indicated at 24A. These features are also shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6.

FIG. 7 shows the retainer of the invention in two different mountings on board 26 having a surface 27 to be marked with chalk. Board 26 can be plyboard, plasterboard, or other material such as sheet metal, concrete, glass or any board or other material on which it is desired to apply a straight chalk line by snapping a string. FIG. 7 shows that V-shaped bracket 14 has the versatility to serve as either a corner anchor or a side anchor. When the angle formed by legs 18 and 20 is substantially 90 degrees, bracket 14 is suited to serve as a corner anchor, as shown at 28, with the interior surfaces of legs 18 and 20 abutting different sides of board 26. When legs 18 and 20 are of equal length, the retainer is also suited to serve as a side anchor as shown at 30, with the toes 22 and 24 abutting the same side of board 26. In this case the angle formed by the V can be less than 90 degrees. Serrated surfaces 18A and 20A function as friction enhancing surfaces when the retainer is used as a corner anchor while serrated edges or toes 22A and 24A serve as friction enhancing surfaces when the retainer is used as an anchor at a straight edge.

The retainer is provided with three holes, including a hole 32 in the vicinity of or on apex 16 of V bracket 14, an intermediate hole 34 on an imaginary line 38 connecting the toes of the V bracket, as shown in FIGS. 1, and hole 36, which is remote from apex hole 32. The centers of holes 32, 34 and 36 are aligned with each other, with the alignment being on the bisect of the angle formed by the V. Hole 34 can be used as a sight to position the retainer on a mark on the edge of surface 27 when the retainer is used in the position 30. Holes 32 and 36 are used for threading chalked pulley string 40 through the retainer. One end of string 40 is passed through apex hole 32 and knotted on the outside of hole 32 with knot 42, as shown in FIG. 7. The unknotted end of string 40 passes underneath hole 34 and plate 10 and then upwardly through hole 36, where it is available for pulling the direction shown by arrows 44 and 46.

Pulling of string 40 in the directions shown by the arrows in FIG. 7 urges the retainer against board 26, allowing string 40 to become taut without any person holding the retainer. Then one person positioned remotely from the retainer can snap string 40 to impart a straight chalk line on surface 27.

The device can be made of a ferrous metal but a non-ferrous material, such as brass, is preferred to avoid rusting. Plastic can also be used.