Abstract: According to an embodiment, a toolbox includes a housing, one or more drawers received in the housing, and a handle extending from the housing. The handle comprises a pair of spaced grasping surfaces connected by a central grasping surface, the spaced grasping surface and the central grasping surface each spaced from the housing. According to another embodiment, a toolbox includes a housing and one or more drawers slidably received in the housing. The one or more drawers each comprise an integral latch, and the housing comprises an integral latch receptacle. Closing the drawer of the toolbox with a first amount of force does not engage the integral latch with the latch receptacle, while closing the drawer of the toolbox with a second amount of force automatically engages the integral latch with the latch receptacle, securing the one or more drawers within the housing.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a toolbox includes a housing, one or more drawers received in the housing, and a handle extending from the housing. The handle comprises a pair of spaced grasping surfaces connected by a central grasping surface, the spaced grasping surface and the central grasping surface each spaced from the housing. According to another embodiment, a toolbox includes a housing and one or more drawers slidably received in the housing. The one or more drawers each comprise an integral latch, and the housing comprises an integral latch receptacle. Closing the drawer of the toolbox with a first amount of force does not engage the integral latch with the latch receptacle, while closing the drawer of the toolbox with a second amount of force automatically engages the integral latch with the latch receptacle, securing the one or more drawers within the housing.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a retractable tape rule assembly locking system. The system comprises an elongated tape rule blade, a reel, a biasing spring, a stop assembly, a stop surface, a stop assembly locking device, a housing assembly, and/or other components. The stop assembly is configured to selectively engage the elongated tape rule blade to maintain the elongated tape rule blade in the extended position. The stop assembly is configured to be moveable between a default position and an open position by a user. While in the default position, the stop assembly engages the elongated tape rule blade to prevent retraction of the elongated tape rule blade. The stop surface is associated with the reel and configured to engage the stop assembly to prevent rotation of the reel to retract the elongated tape rule blade.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rule assembly having a housing, a reel rotatably mounted in the housing, an elongated blade wound on the reel and extendable through an opening in the housing, and a permanent end hook member attached to the elongated blade with a first hook portion. The rule assembly further has another or second end hook member that is removably attachable to the elongated blade with a second hook portion. Each of the permanent end hook member and second end hook member are capable of limited movement relative to the blade between an extended position and a retracted position. The second hook portion can extend in a direction opposite to that of the first hook portion. A forward surface of the second hook portion can be aligned with a forward surface of the first hook portion to form a larger surface area for engagement with a workpiece.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a retractable tape rule assembly locking system. The system comprises an elongated tape rule blade, a reel, a biasing spring, a stop assembly, a stop surface, a stop assembly locking device, a housing assembly, and/or other components. The stop assembly is configured to selectively engage the elongated tape rule blade to maintain the elongated tape rule blade in the extended position. The stop assembly is configured to be moveable between a default position and an open position by a user. While in the default position, the stop assembly engages the elongated tape rule blade to prevent retraction of the elongated tape rule blade. The stop surface is associated with the reel and configured to engage the stop assembly to prevent rotation of the reel to retract the elongated tape rule blade.

Abstract: A tape rule includes a housing comprising a first material, a reel rotatable within the housing, an axle extending within the housing about which the reel is mounted, a measuring tape wound on the reel, and a reinforcement region comprising a portion of the housing. The reinforcement region is formed from a second material having a higher impact resistance material than the first material of the housing. The second material is disposed at least at a position at which the axle joins the housing.

Abstract: A measuring tape rule device includes a tape rule housing, the housing having a connection portion. The device also includes an axle within the housing, the axle configured to rotate about an axis of rotation. The device also includes a reel within the housing, the reel configured to rotate about the axis of rotation and the axle. The device additionally includes an elongated tape having gradations thereon and wound on the reel. The device further includes a first spring coupled between the axle and the connection portion of the housing, and a second spring coupled between the axle and the reel. Rotation of the reel relative to the housing in a direction tending to tension the second spring transmits rotational movement to the axle through the tensioning of the second spring. Such rotational movement of the axle is applied to the first spring to tension the first spring.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rule assembly having a housing, a reel rotatably mounted in the housing, an elongated blade wound on the reel and extendable through an opening in the housing, and a permanent end hook member attached to the elongated blade with a first hook portion. The rule assembly further has another or second end hook member that is removably attachable to the elongated blade with a second hook portion. Each of the permanent end hook member and second end hook member are capable of limited movement relative to the blade between an extended position and a retracted position. The second hook portion can extend in a direction opposite to that of the first hook portion. A forward surface of the second hook portion can be aligned with a forward surface of the first hook portion to form a larger surface area for engagement with a workpiece.

Abstract: A tape rule assembly includes a housing; a reel rotatably mounted in the housing; an elongated blade wound on the reel and extendable through an opening in the housing, the blade having a distal end; a hook connected to the blade at the distal end; and a coil spring within the housing and configured to rotate the reel in the housing in a direction to wind up the blade. The elongated blade has a coating provided on at least one side thereof. The coating has a first thickness at a first portion proximate the distal end, a second thickness at a second portion of the blade that is rearward to the first portion and a third thickness at a third portion of the blade that is rearward of the second portion. The second thickness is less than the first thickness and the third thickness is less than the second thickness.

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.

Abstract: A tape rule assembly includes a housing; a reel rotatably mounted in the housing; an elongated blade wound on the reel and extendable through an opening in the housing, the blade having a distal end; a hook connected to the blade at the distal end; and a coil spring within the housing and configured to rotate the reel in the housing in a direction to wind up the blade. The elongated blade has a coating provided on at least one side thereof. The coating has a first thickness at a first portion proximate the distal end, a second thickness at a second portion of the blade that is rearward to the first portion and a third thickness at a third portion of the blade that is rearward of the second portion. The second thickness is less than the first thickness and the third thickness is less than the second thickness.

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.

Abstract: A tape rule includes a housing comprising a first material, a reel rotatable within the housing, an axle extending within the housing about which the reel is mounted, a measuring tape wound on the reel, and a reinforcement region comprising a portion of the housing. The reinforcement region is formed from a second material having a higher impact resistance material than the first material of the housing. The second material is disposed at least at a position at which the axle joins the housing.

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.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a mount includes dispensing a predetermined amount of molten thermoplastic adhesive on a release liner, attaching a tab to the adhesive while the adhesive is at a temperature above its softening point, and cooling the adhesive to a temperature below its softening point.

Abstract: A tape rule package includes a tape rule, a mount structure, and a surveillance tag. The tape rule includes a housing and a belt clip. The mount structure includes a securement portion constructed and arranged to be secured to the belt clip. The surveillance tag is carried by the mount structure.

Abstract: A device includes a housing, a vial carried by the housing, a light source carried by the housing, and a base movably connected to the housing. The base and the housing have cooperating structures so as to allow movement of the housing and the base relative to each other along an arc. The base is mountable on a reference surface, and the light source is arranged to form a line of light on the reference surface.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a mount includes dispensing a predetermined amount of molten thermoplastic adhesive on a release liner, attaching a tab to the adhesive while the adhesive is at a temperature above its softening point, and cooling the adhesive to a temperature below its softening point.

Abstract: A device includes a housing, a vial carried by the housing, a light source carried by the housing, and a base movably connected to the housing. The base and the housing have cooperating structures so as to allow movement of the housing and the base relative to each other along an arc. The base is mountable on a reference surface, and the light source is arranged to form a line of light on the reference surface.