IP Library Granted Patent US 11,440,343
Granted Patent B2
US 11,440,343 · App. 17/618,943 · Granted Sep 13, 2022

Chalk box with chalk reel spool groove

Inventors: Jonathan Siebert Beckwith (Raleigh, NC); Cecil Wilson (Sanford, NC)
Assignee: APEX BRANDS, INC.
B44D3/38
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,440,343
App. No.
17/618,943
Granted
Sep 13, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A spool for a chalk box may include a core member extending substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the spool, a first sidewall disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the spool at a first end of the core member, and a second sidewall disposed in a plane substantially parallel to the first sidewall at a second end of the core member. The string may be configured to be retained on the spool by being wound onto the core member. The first sidewall may include a first anchorage orifice and a second anchorage orifice spaced apart from each other and each passing through the first sidewall from an inside surface of the first sidewall to an outside surface of the first sidewall. A spool groove may be formed on the outside surface of the first sidewall extending from the first anchorage orifice to the second anchorage orifice.

Claims (33)

1. A spool for a chalk box, the spool comprising:

a core member extending substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the spool;

a first sidewall disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the spool at a first end of the core member; and

a second sidewall disposed in a plane substantially parallel to the first sidewall at a second end of the core member,

wherein string is configured to be retained on the spool by being wound onto the core member,

wherein the first sidewall includes a first anchorage orifice and a second anchorage orifice spaced apart from each other and each passing through the first sidewall from an inside surface of the first sidewall to an outside surface of the first sidewall, and

wherein a spool groove is formed on the outside surface of the first sidewall extending from the first anchorage orifice to the second anchorage orifice.

2. The spool of claim 1 , wherein a depth of the spool groove is equal to or greater than a string width of the string.

3. The spool of claim 1 , wherein a depth of the spool groove is less than a string width of the string.

4. The spool of claim 1 , wherein the first and second anchorage orifices are disposed proximate to the core member, equidistant from the axis of rotation of the spool.

5. The spool of claim 4 , wherein the spool groove extends to define a chord between the first and second anchorage orifices, and

wherein respective ends of the chord each define equal radial distances from the axis of rotation of the spool to a center of a respective one of the first and second anchorage orifices.

6. The spool of claim 1 , wherein the spool groove is formed in the first sidewall during molding of the spool.

7. A chalk box comprising:

a housing having an aperture;

a reel assembly enclosed within the housing;

a string having a first end operably coupled to an end hook and configured to extend from the housing through the aperture and having a second end configured to be wound on the reel assembly; and

a chalk reservoir in which the string is retained or through which the string passes prior to extending out of the aperture,

wherein the reel assembly comprises a spool comprising:

a core member extending substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the spool;

a first sidewall disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the spool at a first end of the core member; and

a second sidewall disposed in a plane substantially parallel to the first sidewall at a second end of the core member,

wherein string is configured to be retained on the spool by being wound onto the core member,

wherein the first sidewall includes a first anchorage orifice and a second anchorage orifice spaced apart from each other and each passing through the first sidewall from an inside surface of the first sidewall to an outside surface of the first sidewall, and

wherein a spool groove is formed on the outside surface of the first sidewall extending from the first anchorage orifice to the second anchorage orifice.

8. The chalk box of claim 7 , wherein a depth of the spool groove is equal to or greater than a string width of the string.

9. The chalk box of claim 7 , wherein a depth of the spool groove is less than a string width of the string.

10. The chalk box of claim 9 , wherein the first sidewall faces an inside portion of the housing and is separated therefrom by a clearance distance, and

wherein the clearance distance is greater than or equal to the string width minus the depth of the spool groove.

11. The chalk box of claim 7 , wherein the first and second anchorage orifices are disposed proximate to the core member, equidistant from the axis of rotation of the spool.

12. The chalk box of claim 11 , wherein the spool groove extends to define a chord between the first and second anchorage orifices, and

wherein respective ends of the chord each define equal radial distances from the axis of rotation of the spool to a center of a respective one of the first and second anchorage orifices.

13. The chalk box of claim 7 , wherein the spool groove is formed in the first sidewall during molding of the spool.

Assignments (6)
NEW SUPER PRIORITY GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT Recorded Oct 28, 2025
From: APEX BRANDS, INC.
To: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 073377/0567 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENT NOS. 7444851 AND 11203070 WHICH WERE INCORRECTLY INCLUDED AND SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE RECORD PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 67310 FRAME 54. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SUPER PRIORITY GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Oct 10, 2025
From: APEX BRANDS, INC.; APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 073078/0477 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE APPLICATION NO. 16/672703 PAT NO. 11191173 WHICH WAS INCORRECTLY INCLUDED AND SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE RECORDS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 67310 FRAME 54. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SUPER PRIORITY GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Aug 22, 2024
From: APEX BRANDS, INC.; APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 068791/0141 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE APPLICATION NO. 16/672703 PAT. NO. 11191173 WAS INCORRCTLY INCLUDED AND SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE RECORDS. PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 66631 FRAME: 791. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SUPER PRIORITY GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT. Recorded Jun 25, 2024
From: APEX BRANDS, INC.
To: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC
Reel/Frame 067884/0469 →
SUPER PRIORITY GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded May 3, 2024
From: APEX BRANDS, INC.; APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 067310/0054 →
SUPER PRIORITY GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT Recorded Feb 20, 2024
From: APEX BRANDS, INC.
To: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC
Reel/Frame 066631/0791 →