Including Attachment Patents (Class 33/768)
  • Patent number: 11193747
    Abstract: A tape measure extension apparatus is provided. The apparatus effectively extends the length of a tape measure's hook for attaching to items with corner radii greater than about 0.5 inches. The apparatus includes an attachment portion including a slot adapted to receive and secure the distal end of the tape measure's blade and its corresponding hook. An extension arm extends generally perpendicularly away from the attachment portion thereby replacing the hook of the tape measure. The distal end of the extension arm is coupled to a torque redirection mechanism that minimizes kinking of the tape measure's blade when in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Inventor: Andre V. Gomez
  • Patent number: 11143494
    Abstract: The present invention provides a distance measuring device, comprising a casing, a third housing, a tapeline structure and a laser ranging device, in which the casing is comprised of a first housing and a second housing; the third housing is arranged between the first housing and the second housing, and rounding together with the second housing to form a tapeline cavity; the tapeline structure is arranged inside the tapeline cavity; and the laser ranging device is arranged between the first housing and the third housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignees: HANGZHOU GREAT STAR INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD., HANGZHOU GREAT STAR TOOLS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yueming Li
  • Patent number: 10859362
    Abstract: A tape measure includes a spool, a housing defining an opening, where the spool is rotatably coupled to the housing, and a blade including a first end and a second end, where the first end is connected to the spool and the second end is movable through the opening between a retracted position and an extended position. The manually retractable tape measure further includes a cleaning assembly positioned within the housing adjacent the opening such that the cleaning assembly is in contact with the blade to push away debris from the blade as the blade moves between the retracted position and the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher S. Hoppe, Steven W. Hyma
  • Patent number: 10054415
    Abstract: A tape measure including a housing defining an interior and an exterior, where the housing has an opening. A spool is rotatable within the interior of the housing. A tape is at least partially coiled around the spool and extends through the opening of the housing. The tape is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. A biasing member is disposed within the interior of the housing, and the biasing member biases the tape towards the retracted position. The tape measure further includes a bumper disposed at least partially within the housing and having a channel that receives the tape such that the tape extends through the channel. The bumper is movable relative to the housing and is configured to move in response to movement of the tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Jacob Feuerstein, Roger D. Neitzell, Abhijeet A. Khangar
  • Patent number: 9903696
    Abstract: A device that includes or is attachable to a tape measure, that allows a user to take a measurement using the tape measure without requiring reference to measurement indicia. Such a device may include a base member, a housing on the base member including a slot for slidably receiving a tape of the tape measure when inserted through the slot of the housing during use, an elastomeric gripping layer positioned in the housing, positioned to contact a side of the tape when the tape is locked in a given position (e.g., given extension) during use, a movable pressure locking wedge positioned within the housing so that the tape is pinched between the wedge and another surface (the gripping layer is involved in such pinching), and a handle operable to move the wedge which allows selective locking of the tape between the wedge and other surface upon actuation of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: MJ Stewart Investments, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Stewart, Wayne A. Provost
  • Patent number: 9658058
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for measuring height of one or more objects/users. Once the height measuring device is calibrated, a retracting foot platform is positioned atop a user/object and its distance is captured, stored and calculated by a distance sensor to determine the resulting heights of the objects/users. The distance sensors may come in the form of a linear encoder or a rotary encoder. The height measurements may be displayed on a screen, including the screen display of the height measuring device itself, or other devices such as a tablet, smartphone or scale. The height data from each user/object may be compared to one another. The height measuring device also includes a predictive algorithm that determines the future height of one or more users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventor: Mark Conrad Jones
  • Patent number: 9441932
    Abstract: A tape measure is described that has a finger recess in a housing, with at least a portion of the underside of a tape blade exposed in the finger recess. Pressing a finger against the underside of the tape allows the user to create a drag brake that acts against the retraction spring to slow and/or stop the retraction of the tape blade. The lateral edges of the tape blade, for that portion of the tape blade disposed in the finger recess, are protected by the housing. This arrangement results in a compact yet versatile and safe overall tape measure with good tactile feedback during finger-braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: APEX BRANDS, INC.
    Inventors: Tobias McKay Bridges, Jonathan S. Beckwith
  • Patent number: 8966778
    Abstract: A removable reusable attachment tool having at least one magnetic component; an adhesive coating at least one surface of said at least one magnetic component, and a reusable writing component having a first surface securely affixed to said at least one surface of said at least one magnetic component by using said adhesive coating and a writing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventor: Richard Rubin
  • Publication number: 20140352165
    Abstract: A tape measure includes a housing arranged to substantially enclose an internal cavity, the housing defining a tape port, and a tape positioned partially within the housing, the tape including an end portion that extends through the tape port and out of the housing. A hook is coupled to the end portion and a finger guard assembly is coupled to the housing and spaced apart from the tape port. The end portion extends through an aperture in the finger guard assembly and is movable between a retracted position in which the hook abuts the finger guard assembly and an extended position in which the hook is spaced apart from the finger guard assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Michael S. Steele, Steven W. Hyma, Wade F. Burch, Cheng Zhang Li, Scott R. Fischer, Abhijeet A. Khangar
  • Patent number: 8819954
    Abstract: A tape measure assembly is provided for selectively positioning a marker or a knife adjacent to an end of a tape measure. The assembly includes a tape measure having a housing. A tape is coupled to and positioned in the housing. The tape has a free end extendable from the housing. A tang is coupled to the free end of the tape. An attachment member is selectively couplable to the tang. A tool aperture extends through the attachment member. A tool, either a knife or a writing device, has a first end insertable through the tool aperture. A locking device is coupled to the attachment member and engages the tool when the first end is inserted through the tool aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: Tomas Fernandez
  • Patent number: 8806770
    Abstract: A tape measure includes a housing assembly defining a cavity and a tape port from which to extend and retract a measuring tape. The measuring tape forms a spool rotatably coupled about an axis. A hook member is fixedly coupled to an end portion of the measuring tape. A U-shaped guard member extends from the housing assembly adjacent the tape port. The guard member is configured to engage the hook member when the measuring tape is retracted into the housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Steele, Steven W. Hyma, Wade F. Burch, Cheng Zhang Li, Scott R. Fischer, Abhijeet A. Khangar
  • Patent number: 8776389
    Abstract: A tape-measure device having elements for measuring and/or marking/cutting an object, includes a tape, a shell (3) with a reel, an opening (5) enabling the tape (2) to pass through the shell wall, an end piece (6) attached to the distal end of the tape, a stop button (7) for the reel for blocking the tape or for enabling the rolling/unrolling of the tape. The elements include a guide shoulder (8) formed on the shell, a guide opening (9) at the end piece for the removable insertion of the end of a marking/cutting tool, and a sliding surface (60) for the end piece for translatably engaging the surface of the object to mark/cut the object using one of the surfaces thereof when the guide shoulder is simultaneously slid along an edge of the object and the end piece of the tape against the surface of the object to be marked/cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Frédéric Richard
  • Publication number: 20140165414
    Abstract: A tape measure tape hook with a grip that allows extending the tape without engaging the tape hook directly. The grip may be positioned to extend beyond the tape hook in one position, and retracted by rotating, sliding, or bending such that it may be positioned behind the tape hook in a second position, so as to avoid interfering with measuring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventor: Braden L. Smith
  • Patent number: 8707575
    Abstract: A magnetic end hook for a tape measuring device is provided, the end hook comprising vertical and horizontal elements, the horizontal element of the end hook is generally perpendicular to the vertical element of the end hook, the vertical element comprising a cavity designed for receiving a magnet; and at least one magnet situated within said cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: IBT Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Dan DeLaRosa, Glenn Robinson
  • Publication number: 20140007443
    Abstract: A device for measuring the length of a fish that includes fastener and a measuring tape, the fastener including a distal end and a proximal end, opposite to the distal end, and that is attached to a proximal end of the fish, the measuring tape being coupled to the fastener and having a proximal end, a distal end, and a length separating the proximal and distal ends, with the distal end of the measuring tape being located at least at a distal end of the fish to expose a fish length, the measuring tape also having distance indicators along the measuring tape length and extends downward and away from the distal end of the fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: Darrell Patrick Orman
  • Patent number: 8601710
    Abstract: A measuring tape device has a hook piece consisting of a hook plate and a pulling plate to be connected into a L-shaped structure; the edges of the hook plate are formed with an U-shaped extruded holder for holding an anti-slip piece, said pulling plate has a hollow area, a magnetic base to be screwed onto the tape is put on said pulling plate with a convex bottom portion held by said hollow area and then the magnetic base is attached to the upper surface of said pulling plate, such that said pulling plate can be moved forward and backward along the bottom surface portions surround said convex portion of said magnetic base. Besides, there is a box formed on said magnetic base for safely holding a magnetic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Index Measuring Tape Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jason Huang
  • Patent number: 8590170
    Abstract: A multi-tool assembly with retractable tape measure, with pivotably mounted, straight edge blade arm, fully sheathed razor blade knife, carpenter's square, protractor and a set of 3 screwdrivers integrated into the housing assembly. The straight edge blade arm and integral razor blade knife, protractor and carpenters square, are fully imbedded into the tape measure housing assembly. The straight edge arm can be manually opened or spring powered to open automatically when a release button is activated, allowing the straight edge blade arm to snap open and lock in place like a switchblade. The set of screwdrivers permanently mounted on the back of the housing assembly are held in the open and closed positions by means of friction and/or a clip mechanism between the screwdriver bit and the housing assembly. The blade arm and screwdrivers pivot open individually, allowing each tool to protrude, and be used independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventor: Peter Paul George Wagner
  • Patent number: 8528222
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rule assembly having a housing, a reel rotatably mounted in the housing, an elongated blade arranged to be wound on the reel and to be extendable through an opening in the housing, and an end hook member having a mounting portion attached to the elongated blade and a hook portion. The end hook member is capable of limited movement relative to the blade between an extended position and a retracted position. The rule assembly has a magnet assembly removably attachable to the elongated blade. The magnet assembly has a mounting portion and a magnet. The mounting portion is configured to removably fix the magnet assembly relative to the blade such that a forward surface of the magnet is removably fixed at a position that is aligned with or approximately aligned with a forward surface of the hook portion with the end hook member in its retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Murray, John Delneo, Albert Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20130185949
    Abstract: A tape measure includes a housing assembly having a first side wall, a second side wall, and a peripheral wall extending from the first side wall to the second side wall. The housing assembly defines a cavity, and the peripheral wall defines a bottom surface and a tape port. A measuring tape is rotatably supported by the housing. At least a portion of the measuring tape forms a spool disposed within the cavity. The measuring tape extends and retracts from the cavity through the tape port. A hook member is fixedly coupled to an end portion of the measuring tape. A first lamp is coupled to the housing assembly and is oriented to illuminate a portion of the measuring tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8464436
    Abstract: A tape measure with a utensil holding device for holding a variety of elongated utensils for cutting, scoring, marking and scribing incorporating a quick release clamping cam and a threaded adjustment means with a substantially forceful tape brake utilizing a lever and cams to securely lock the tape at a specified measurement. The utensil holding device and tape brake are so configured as to be assembled with the parts on either side of the tape measure to accommodate individual preferences; the utensil being available on one side of the tape or the other; the tape brake lever on either side of the tape measure housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Braden Smith
  • Patent number: 8381411
    Abstract: A tape measuring device with magnetic end hook is provided, the tape measuring device comprises: a housing; an extendable and retractable tape blade having opposing ends, one end of the tape blade is attached to and situated within said housing; an end hook having opposing front and rear portions, the second end of the tape blade is attached to the end hook, the rear portion of the end hook is generally perpendicular to the front portion of the end hook, the front portion of the end hook has a frontal surface and at least one cavity, and the cavity forms a protrusion on a rear surface of the front portion of the end hook, and the front portion of the end hook comprises at least two opposing side arms, the side arms are offset so that the side arms are generally parallel to the protrusion on the rear surface of the front portion of the end hook to thereby allow for accurate measurements; and at least one magnet glued within the cavity of the end hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: IBT Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Dan DeLaRosa, Glenn Robinson
  • Patent number: 8375595
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rule assembly having a housing, a reel rotatably mounted in the housing, an elongated blade arranged to be wound on the reel and to be extendable through an opening in the housing, and an end hook member having a mounting portion attached to the elongated blade and a hook portion. The end hook member is capable of limited movement relative to the blade between an extended position and a retracted position. The rule assembly has a magnet assembly removably attachable to the elongated blade. The magnet assembly has a mounting portion and a magnet. The mounting portion is configured to removably fix the magnet assembly relative to the blade such that a forward surface of the magnet is removably fixed at a position that is aligned with or approximately aligned with a forward surface of the hook portion with the end hook member in its retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Murray, John Delneo, Albert Sanchez
  • Patent number: 8196308
    Abstract: A marking apparatus for a measuring tape unit, the marking apparatus includes at least one marking member configured for marking a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Inventor: Louis Baldi, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8191278
    Abstract: A combination of a retractable tape measure assembly with folding front section (s) includes a housing assembly and a reel rotatably mounted in the housing assembly. An elongated blade formed of a ribbon of metal having one end connected to the reel is constructed and arranged with respect to the housing assembly to extend from a position tangential to the reel outwardly through a spaced opening in the housing assembly. A coil spring formed of a ribbon of metal and pivoting front section (s) made of same metal has a construction and arrangement between the housing assembly and the reel and at the pivot points to rotate the reel in the housing assembly smoothly in a direction to wind up the elongated blade when extending outwardly of the housing assembly opening in a normal concavo-convex cross-section configuration onto the reel. A blade holding assembly is constructed and arranged to be manually actuated to hold the blade in any position of extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventors: Frank Scott Sander, Jr., Daniel Scott Hagan
  • Patent number: 8191277
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a measuring tool having a substantially puck-shaped body having a top surface and a bottom surface. The tool also includes an elongated slot formed in the top surface and a fastener adjacent the bottom surface. The elongated slot is adapted to receive a portion of a tape measure. The fastener is operable to secure the measuring tool to the underlying work piece. Optionally, the fastener is a magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Auburn University
    Inventors: Robert S. Donovan, Tsailu Liu, Paul W. Holley, James S. Williams
  • Patent number: 8141266
    Abstract: A length measurement device comprises a first connector, a measurement wire, and a second connector. The second connector comprises a substrate and a fixer pivotally connected to the substrate. The measurement wire is an electrical wire with a scale. One end of the measurement wire is connected to the first connector, and another end is movably connected to the substrate of the second connector and the fixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zheng-Heng Sun
  • Patent number: 8127461
    Abstract: A measuring and marking device used as an attachment to, or as an integral part of, a standard tape measure. The device comprises a specially configured stop member, indicator member, and scribe member, which operate together to provide for a precise take, read, transfer, recordation, and replication of a measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: Oded Peri
  • Patent number: 8020312
    Abstract: A universal tape and drywall scoring apparatus for use with a tape measure that includes a tape measure encasement for encasing a portion of the tape measure housing, a clip assembly connected to the distal end of the measuring tape, the clip assembly comprising a hollow housing having a top wall provided with a slot and a pair of spaced apart side walls each having a cavity formed therein, and a cutting assembly connected to the clip assembly, the cutting assembly comprising a scoring blade receivable within the slot in the top wall of the hollow housing of the clip assembly and a pair of spaced apart connector clips having end portions receivable the cavities formed in the side walls of the clip assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventor: Brad McGahan
  • Publication number: 20110203127
    Abstract: A metal clip molded into or used in conjunction with a standard recoil tape measure. The purpose of the clip is to hold a standard carpenters pencil which has six sides. This clip has a solid back which attaches to a standard recoil tape measure. The front of the clip has two finger like tabs which grip the pencil and may be adjusted with an individuals fingers to accommodate the different thicknesses of a carpenters pencil and to allow for easy removal of the pencil from the clip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Lance David Mayfield
  • Publication number: 20100299948
    Abstract: A tape measure is provided capable of controlling the retracting movement and speed of a tape with a friction force. The tape measure includes a case, a reel, a spiral spring, a tape, a pivot member, a friction member and a resilient member. The reel is rotatably retained within the case. The spiral spring resiliently urges the reel to rotate in a rewinding direction. The pivot member is pivotally mounted within the case. The friction member is operably coupled to the pivot member and makes contact with the tape wound on the outer circumference of the reel, thereby applying a friction force to the tape. The resilient member resiliently biases the pivot member to rotate in such a direction as to bring the friction member into contact with the tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: INVENCO INC.
    Inventor: Kyoung-Soo Choi
  • Patent number: 7730632
    Abstract: A combination tape measure and hammer includes a tape measure having an extendible tape for measuring distances, and a hammer attached to the tape measure. The tape measure includes a housing with an outer surface and the hammer conforms to the outer surface of the housing. The outer surface of the housing is curved and an underside of the hammer is curved for conforming to the curved outer surface of the housing. The hammer includes a head and a claw extending rearwardly from the head. The outer surface of the housing has a depression formed therein that is aligned with the claw. The claw is a forked claw including a first tine and a second tine spaced from the first tine. The depression formed in the outer surface of the housing is aligned with the first and second tines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Anthony B. Caldi
  • Patent number: 7676948
    Abstract: The disclosure depicts a children's tape dispenser and method that incorporates it into practice. The apparatus has a housing in the form of a toy, and has a tape coil positioned within the housing. Tape having a gentle and nonpermanent adhesive is dispensed underneath the apparatus as it is moved across a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Inventor: Tammie Miles
  • Patent number: 7627958
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Fisco Tools Limited
    Inventors: Hauke Philip Derek Tallon, Barry Howard Lee
  • Patent number: 7500322
    Abstract: A measuring device having a flexible tape resiliently coiled within a housing. Mounted to the housing is a retaining block. The block has a groove for frictionally receiving a marking tool. Also, connected to the block is a sharpening device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Inventor: Kent L. Brown
  • Patent number: 7475492
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement of tape rule, in particular to end portion of the measuring tape which includes measuring tape connecting portion and hook hanging portion, both parts are made in same material as whole body. The surface of measuring tape connecting portion is formed with rivets. The hook hanging portion of measuring tape has at least 1 mm thickness, its surface contains holes with enough depth to enclose a magnetic object, the magnet's thickness does not exceed the depth of the holes; the surface of hook hanging portion is wrapped with a holding element covering its front surface, rear surface, and the magnetic object enclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Index Measuring Tape Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jason Huang
  • Patent number: 7406778
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Fisco Tools Limited
    Inventors: Barry Howard Lee, John Richard Fisher
  • Patent number: 7370433
    Abstract: A device for recording audio data including a housing and means positioned on the housing for recording audible data, means for repositioning to a prerecorded audio message. The device further includes means positioned on the housing for playing back the recorded audible. The device is connected to a measurement apparatus via a connecting means. A user is able to record, rewind and playback the audio data while operating the measurement apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Inventor: Albert Caraway
  • Patent number: 7353619
    Abstract: This invention is directed to an automatic tape measure having a housing, a tape assembly, and a light assembly. The tape assembly is supported in the housing and contains a reel having a tape adapted to extend and retract from the front wall of the housing. The light assembly is received in the housing and contains a power source, a light source, a switch, and a lens. The lens is coupled with an opening in the front wall of the housing and is adapted to move between a first position where the light source passes through the lens and a second position where the light source projects downwardly onto the extended tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Louis August Gibbons, David C. Campbell
  • Patent number: 7299565
    Abstract: A tape measure includes a housing, a rule blade coilable within the housing, and an edge guide coupled to the housing. The edge guide may be oriented in either a first position, in which the edge guide contacts the edge of a work surface, or a second position, in which the edge guide does not contact the edge of the work surface. The edge guide may be permanently or releasably connected to the housing. The tape measure may further include a laser assembly that generates a laser line intersecting the rule blade and the work surface and a calibration mechanism to adjust the alignment of the laser line. In use, the edge guide may orient the tape measure on the work surface such that the laser line is generally perpendicular to the work surface edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Black & Decker
    Inventors: James D. Marshall, Oleksiy P. Sergyeyenko, Colin M. Dyke, Michael A. Milligan
  • Patent number: 7269913
    Abstract: The present invention is a universal tape measure jacket with dual retractable marking means capabilities. The universal tape jacket with dual marking means when retrofit over conventional tape measures creates an affordable measure and marking system. The tape locking means on most conventional tape measures could also be modified to be able to link with either/or of the retractable marking means on the universal tape jacket; thus, the user has the option to lock the tape coil into a fixed position and then manually engage one or both of the dual markers independent of the tapes locking means or when linked with one or more of the retractable markers, make them work in conjunction with the tape measures locking means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventor: Michael Holevas
  • Patent number: 7266905
    Abstract: A structure of head for the measuring tapes includes a moving part pivoted on a tape hook of the tape head, such that the moving part can overturn upwards and downwards on the tape hook and has the front portion thereof pivoting a wheel, wherein the wheel contacts with the object to measure or other contact areas as the tape is to be output and the output of the tape is facilitated through the rotation of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Inventor: Shih-Lin Lee
  • Patent number: 7263785
    Abstract: Provided is a caliper extender, which fits over a tape measure blade, enabling accurate measurements to be taken of an inside dimension. Extender slides along blade and is positioned against one wall of the inside dimension. Blade is then repositioned flat against extender and a measurement reading is taken. A pointer may also be incorporated into extender to indicate a tape marking corresponding to an accurate measurement. In the alternative, a caliper extender is incorporated into a tape measure such that extender can be disengaged from a casing of tape measure, slid along a blade and a measurement reading taken through a window in a channel through which blade is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Daniel B. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7228644
    Abstract: A carpenter square and tape measure combination assembly includes a tape measure. The tape measure includes a housing having a lower wall, an upper wall and a perimeter wall. A square assembly includes a top wall and a bottom wall attached together in a spaced configuration with respect to each other. A panel is positioned between the top and bottom walls. A rod extends through the panel and into the top and bottom walls so that the panel may be pivoted with respect to the top and bottom walls. The panel is positionable in a stored position extending from the rod to the side wall or in an extended position extending outwardly from between the top and bottom walls. A pressure sensitive adhesive is positioned on the square assembly. The adhesive secures the square assembly to the lower wall of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Inventors: Terry R. Hellem, Robert J. Hollman
  • Patent number: 7174655
    Abstract: This invention is directed to an automatic tape measure having a housing, a tape assembly, and a light assembly. The tape assembly is supported in the housing and contains a reel having a tape adapted to extend and retract from the front wall of the housing. The light assembly is received in the housing and contains a power source, a light source, a switch, and a lens. The lens is coupled with an opening in the front wall of the housing and is adapted to move between a first position where the light source passes through the lens and a second position where the light source projects downwardly onto the extended tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Louis August Gibbons, David C. Campbell
  • Patent number: 7086174
    Abstract: A tape measure that incorporates a marking device for allowing an individual to measure and mark a wide variety of materials in a more efficient and economical manner, and for measuring and marking the beginning point of reference and the measured position point simultaneously. The tape measure has a housing, a coiled measuring tape, a tape tip, and a marker having a marking wheel mounted on an axle. The marking wheel having a belt configured for transferring a powdered marking substance, such as chalk, to the surface to be measured and marked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Company
    Inventor: Dane Scarborough
  • Patent number: 7076885
    Abstract: A tool and tool holder with a permanent magnet mounted upon one and a magnetically permeable keeper on the other are provided with respective camming surfaces which are cooperatively engaged when the tool is rotated, breaking the magnetic attraction between opposing surfaces of the magnet and keeper to facilitate removal of the tool from the holder. A cup-like receptacle is mounted upon a body portion of the tool, disclosed in each of two embodiments as a flexible, metal measuring tape contained within a hollow housing, and one of the magnet and keeper is disposed within this receptacle. The camming surface on the tool comprises convex protrusions within the receptacle in a first embodiment, and protrusions extending outwardly from the periphery of the receptacle in a second embodiment. A recess is formed in a surface of the holder to receive the receptacle on the tool when the latter is releasably mounted upon the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Inventor: Stephen B. Potter
  • Patent number: 7055261
    Abstract: A ruler specifically designed to measure locations in three dimensions. The device contains a flat base upon which the device rotates and pivots along a horizontal plane. The measuring tape also can be projected out of its holder at a range of angles in a third dimension. The device includes a marking means at the end of the tape, an arced tape cross-section for lengthy extensions and a level comprised of a water bubble in a box at a top portion of the housing of the device in the rear. The tape has a movable second center upon which the device can pivot so the marker at the end of the tape can mark arcs. The housing has a series of sections denoting amounts of rotational degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Inventor: Daehwi Nam
  • Patent number: 7040035
    Abstract: A marking tape measure having a marking applicator, which is selectively engageable, adjacent this applicator being a wheel or other directional guide for guiding the applicator generally perpendicular to the direction the tape measure's tape blade extends from the tape measure's case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventor: Dane Scarborough
  • Patent number: 7024791
    Abstract: A tape measure includes a housing, a rule blade coilable within the housing, and a light plane generator disposed on the housing. The light plane generator may include a laser source for emitting a laser beam and a line lens in the path of the laser beam for converting the laser beam into a laser plane. Preferably, the laser plane intersects both the rule blade and a workpiece. The light plane generator may be pivoted about a horizontal axis and/or a vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Marshall, Oleksiy P. Sergyeyenko, Colin M. Dyke, Corey MacTavish
  • Patent number: 6996915
    Abstract: An improved tape measure apparatus which can be used as a marking gauge and/or compass comprising a tape measure, an insert comprising a base, a guide attached to the base and generally parallel to graduated indicia markings of the rule blade when extended from the tape measure whereby the graduated markings of the tape measure's rule blade may be read. An alternative embodiment includes an insert enabling standard tape measures to be used as marking gauges and/or compasses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Paul Ricalde