Abstract: A tape measure having a winding drum or reel rotatably mounted on a support structure, and a measuring tape attached to the drum so as to be coilable thereon. The support structure comprises a handle that extends radially beyond an upper half of the coiled tape and a bottom edge portion that extends radially beyond a lower half of the coiled tape, the bottom edge portion comprising a hand grip.

Abstract: A tape measure having a support structure and an elongate spike mountable on the support structure. The elongate spike is moveable relative to the support structure for mounting in any selected one of two or more positions relative to the support structure. The two positions can include a position can include a position for use and a storage position.

Abstract: The invention provides a tape measure housing having resilient material located at its outersurface. The resilient material defines one or more gas-filled cavities, each of which is located on a line tangential to an outer wall of the housing between the outer wall of the housing and an outer wall of the resilient material. This provides improved shock protection.

Abstract: A tape measure having a support structure and an elongate spike mountable on the support structure. The elongate spike is moveable relative to the support structure for mounting in any selected one of two or more positions relative to the support structure. The two positions can include a position can include a position for use and a storage position.

Abstract: A measuring tape having a concave blade marked with a measuring scale on the concave surface, and an end hook having a hooking portion, wherein the end hook has a portion which partially covers and is attached to the convex side of the blade and is slidable between limit points with respect to the blade.

Abstract: A tape measure having a case, in which is a spooled concave measuring blade, the blade being extendable from the case via an opening, the tape measure having a spring which acts to urge the blade back into its spooled configuration, and an end piece at the free end of the measuring blade, wherein the tape measure further comprises at least one aperture in the casing to allow direct access to the spooled blade.

Abstract: A tape measure having a winding drum or reel rotatably mounted on a support structure, and a measuring tape attached to the drum so as to be coilable thereon. The support structure comprises a handle that extends radially beyond an upper half of the coiled tape and a bottom edge portion that extends radially beyond a lower half of the coiled tape, the bottom edge portion comprising a hand grip.

Abstract: A measuring tape end piece (10) is disclosed having a support portion (28) and a grip portion (32). The grip portion is moulded onto the support portion. The support portion provides a keying interface on which the support portion is moulded. The keying interface includes at least one concave formation such as a hole or channel to allow the grip portion to be firmly secured to the support portion.

Abstract: A measuring tape having a concave blade marked with a measuring scale on the concave surface, and an end hook having a hooking portion, wherein the end hook has a portion which partially covers and is attached to the convex side of the blade and is slidable between limit points with respect to the blade.

Abstract: A tape measure is disclosed which has a spooled measuring blade mounted via a rotatable connection within a casing (100). The tape measure has impact-protection components. These components may be resilient means (46, 60, 62, 82, 108) arranged between the spooled blade and the case, such as at the rotatable connection. Further impact-protection components are resilient pads (112, 114) which are molded into impact-vulnerable locations on the outer surface of the case.

Abstract: A suspension-type packaging arrangement for a product includes an upper engagement section having an opening to receive a hook or the like, a lower product support section, and an intermediate display section located between the upper engagement section and the lower product support section. The product is secured to the product support section, and is exposed to allow the user to handle the product so as to evaluate and test the product prior to purchase. The upper engagement section and the lower product support section are configured so that the center of gravity of the product is generally in line with the location at which the hook engages the upper engagement section, so that the packaging arrangement and the product hang in a generally vertical orientation for display. The intermediate display section is defined by an outwardly facing wall, and may be configured to releasably secure a display card containing product information that is visible to the potential purchaser.

Abstract: A tape measure is disclosed which has a spooled measuring blade mounted via a rotatable connection within a casing. The blade is extended from the case via an opening for use. The blade can be braked with respect to the opening by operation of braking means. The braking means are operable via a switch which has a length greater than the radius of the fully spooled blade. The switch is located and sized so that the brake can be engaged or disengaged by a user's hand without changing grip. The brake is a cam brake rotatably connected to the switch via a push-pull member.

Abstract: A tape measure is disclosed which has a spooled measuring blade mounted via a rotatable connection within a casing. The blade is extended from the case via an opening for use. The blade can be braked with respect to the opening by operation of braking means. The braking means are operable via a switch which has a length greater than the radius of the fully spooled blade. The switch is located and sized so that the brake can be engaged or disengaged by a user's hand without changing grip. The brake is a cam brake rotatably connected to the switch via a push-pull member.