Abstract: A tape rule of the type including a hollow housing having a slot formed through one peripheral edge portion of the housing and including a coiled flexible measuring tape within the housing having one end thereof projectable and retractable through the slot is provided and a generally L-shaped anchor member including a pair of generally right-angularly disposed arms is also provided. The arms of the L-shaped anchor member are rigidly interconnected at adjacent ends and structure is provided for pivotally attaching the terminal end of the free end of the tape to the anchor member for oscillation of the latter relative to the terminal end about an axis disposed transverse to the free end of the tape and generally mutually perpendicular to the arms of the anchor member.