Material dispensing apparatus with line level

ABSTRACT

A material dispensing apparatus with line level for conveniently storing and providing access to a line level within a material dispenser. The material dispensing apparatus with line level includes a shoulder having a receiver cavity, a first catch member and a second catch member attached to the shoulder within the receiver cavity, and a line level having a first nub and a second nub at opposing ends thereof. The nubs are catchably received within the catch members when the line level is positioned within the receiver cavity. An alternative embodiment utilizes the hooks of the line level to engage members extending inwardly from the receiver cavity.

INFORMATION

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A. Overview of Main Embodiment

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 8 illustrate a material dispensing apparatus with line level , which comprises a shoulder (or ) having a receiver cavity , a first catch member and a second catch member attached to the shoulder (or ) within the receiver cavity , and a line level having a first nub and a second nub at opposing ends thereof. The nubs , are catchably received within the catch members , when the line level is positioned within the receiver cavity .

B. Line Level

As shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings, the line level is basically comprised of a housing structure containing a liquid level indicator within, a first hook attached to a first end of the housing structure and a second hook attached to the opposing end of the housing structure.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,659,967 to Dufour and U.S. Pat. No. 4,068,386 to Streeter illustrate line levels suitable for usage with the present invention and are hereby incorporated by reference for the purpose of disclosing the structure and functionality of the line level . The line level may have various other structures and sizes which are well known in the art of line levels .

The opposing ends of the line level preferably have a first nub and a second nub as shown in FIGS. 4through of the drawings. The first nub and the second nub are catchably received by the catch members , as best shown in FIGS. 4and of the drawings. The first nub and the second nub preferably have a horizontally aligned straight structure as best shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings.

Various other structures and shapes may be utilized to construct the first nub and the second nub . For example, an indention or opening into each of the opposing ends may serve a similar function as the nubs , for catchably receiving the catch members.

C. Material Dispenser

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the material dispenser for dispensing the construction line is preferably comprised of a handle structure attached to a frame. The frame is preferably comprised of a second shoulder , a shank extending from the second shoulder , and a first shoulder attached to the distal end of the shank .

The frame may be comprised of various other structures not illustrated in the drawings capable of receiving a spool and/or elongate material. The first shoulder preferably includes a first body and a first handle rotatably attached to the first body . The second shoulder preferably includes a second body connected to the shank .

A spool of elongate material is attached about the shank in a rotatable or non-rotatable manner. The handle structure is preferably a rotatable structure to allow for the dispensing of the elongate material from the spool in an easy manner, however the handle structure may be non-rotatably attached to the shank .

The first shoulder and the second shoulder are preferably comprised of a structure broader than the shank for retaining the spool in the desired location. The spool preferably contains an elongate material such as but not limited to construction line, string, cable and the like. It can be appreciated that various other types of structures may be utilized that do not utilize a spool for retaining and dispensing the elongate material.

Examples of elongate material dispensers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,739 to Black et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,635 to Black et al. which are hereby incorporated by reference for the purpose of disclosing the overall structure and functionality of the material dispenser. It can be appreciated that the material dispenser may be comprised of a various other structures not illustrated within the drawings, the '739 patent and the '635 patent. The present invention is suitable for usage with various other configurations and embodiments not illustrated within the drawings.

D. Receiver Structure

A receiver cavity or similar receiving structure is positioned within either the first shoulder or the second shoulder . FIGS. 1 through 3 of the drawings illustrate the receiver cavity positioned within the second shoulder only for illustration purposes and should not limit the invention.

The receiver cavity has a size sufficient for receiving the entire length of the line level as best illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings. Within the receiver cavity a first catch member and a second catch member extend upwardly from the body ( or ) of the shoulder ( or ). The catch members , each have a hooked end structure for catchably engaging and retaining the nubs , as shown in FIGS. 4through of the drawings.

The catch members , may have various other structures capable of selectively catching the nubs , of the line level . Alternatively, the receiver cavity may frictionally receive the line level without the usage of the catch members , .

E. Alternative Embodiment

In a second embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings, the second body within the second shoulder has an open structure with a first member and a second member extending inwardly from opposing sides of the second body .

The first member and the second member catchably receive the hooks , respectively in a manner substantially traverse to the shank as best illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings. To remove the line level from the second shoulder , the user simply rotates the line level from within the second shoulder and then removes the line level as shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings. It can be appreciated that the alternative embodiment may also be applied within the first shoulder similar to the second shoulder .

F. Operation of Main Embodiment

When the user desires usage of the line level , the user simply grasps or pries the line level from the receiver cavity as shown in FIG. 5of the drawings. The user may lift one end or both ends of the line level wherein the applied force allows the nubs , to be disengaged from the catch members , as best shown in FIG. 5of the drawings. Once the line level is freed from the receiver cavity , the user is then able to utilize the line level as desired.

When finished utilizing the line level , the user then inserts the line level back into the receiver cavity as shown in FIGS. 4and of the drawings. The user may insert one of the distal ends of the line level first or both ends simultaneously. The nubs , of the line level force the resilient catch members , outwardly until the nubs , are fully received within the catch members , . The user is then able to utilize the material dispenser as desired without interference from the line level .

As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalent structural variations and relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded upper perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a magnified upper perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 4is a cross sectional view of the line level above the receiver cavity of the shoulder.

FIG. 4is a cross sectional view of the line level partially within the receiver cavity of the shoulder.

FIG. 4is a cross sectional view of the line level fully secured within the receiver cavity of the shoulder.

FIG. 5is a magnified cross sectional view of the line level secured within the receiver cavity of the shoulder.

FIG. 5is a magnified cross sectional view of the line level partially removed from within the receiver cavity of the shoulder.

FIG. 5is a magnified cross sectional view of the line level removed from within the receiver cavity of the shoulder.

FIG. 6 is an upper perspective view of the line level.

FIG. 7 is an upper perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention with the line level in the second shoulder structure.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along line — of FIG. 7 illustrating the line level being rotated then removed from the second shoulder structure of the fourth embodiment.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

I hereby claim benefit under Title 35, United States Code, Section 120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/100,305 filed March 15, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,581,295. This application is a continuation-in-part of the Ser. No. 10/100,305 application. The Ser No. 10/100,305 application is currently pending. The Ser. No. 10/100,305 application is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

CLAIMS

1. A material dispensing apparatus for dispensing for dispensing and storing elongate material and for storing a line level, comprising: a frame having a shoulder and a shank extending from said shoulder substantially transversely, wherein said shank is capable of receiving a spool of elongated material; and a receiver cavity within said shoulder for catchably receiving said line level; wherein said receiver cavity includes a plurality of catch members for catchably retaining said line level within said receiver cavity; wherein said catch members each have a hooked structure; wherein said catch members are positioned to engage the opposing distal ends of said line level; wherein said line includes a first nub and second nub with opposing ends thereof that are catchably received by said catch member; wherein said nubs are comprised of a transversely straight structure with respect to said line level.

2. The material dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said receiver cavity frictionally receives said line level.

3. The material dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said catch members are comprised of a resilient structure.

4. A material dispensing apparatus for dispensing and storing elongate material and for storing a line level having a first hook and a second hook, comprising: a frame having a shoulder; a receiver opening within said shoulder for receiving said line level; and a first member and a second member extending inwardly from said shoulder into said receiver opening for catchably receiving said first hook and said second hook respectively.

5. The material dispensing apparatus of claim 4, wherein said first member and said second member are each comprised of a shaft structure.

6. The material dispensing apparatus of claim 5, wherein said first member and said second member have a common longitudinal axis.

7. The material dispensing apparatus of claim 4, wherein said first member and said second member have a common longitudinal axis.

8. The material dispensing apparatus of claim 4, wherein said first member and said second member are parallel to one another.

9. A material dispensing apparatus for dispensing and storing elongate material and for storing a line level having a first hook and a second hook, comprising: a frame having a shoulder; a receiver opening within said shoulder for receiving said line level; and a first member and a second member extending inwardly from said shoulder into said receiver opening for catchably receiving said first hook and said second hook respectively; wherein said first member and said second member are each comprised of a shaft structure having a common longitudinal axis.

COPYRIGHT

User acknowledges that Fairview Research and its third party providers retain all right, title and interest in and to this xml under applicable copyright laws. User acquires no ownership rights to this xml including but not limited to its format. User hereby accepts the terms and conditions of the License Agreement.