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 rule assembly includes a housing, a reel rotatably mounted in the housing, and an elongated blade having an end hook member on a free end thereof. The elongated blade is arranged to be wound on the reel and to be extendable through an opening in the housing. The end hook member is formed of sheet metal to include a mounting portion and a hook portion bent at a generally right angle from an end of the mounting portion. The end hook member includes a pair of generally upwardly extending side edges, a generally laterally extending lower edge, and recessed edge portions disposed at corner portions at which the upwardly extending side edges and the laterally extending lower edge intersect.

Abstract: A rule assembly includes a housing, a reel rotatably mounted in the housing, and an elongated blade having an end hook member on a free end thereof. The end hook member includes a mounting portion having a length dimension and a top surface area and a hook portion having a width dimension and a front surface area, where a ratio of the width dimension of the hook portion to the length dimension of the mounting portion is greater than or equal to 1, a ratio of the front surface area of the hook portion to the top surface area of the mounting portion is greater than or equal to 1.1, and at least two-thirds of the mass of the hook portion lies outside a center section that includes one third of the hook portion's width.

Abstract: A rule assembly includes a housing, a reel rotatably mounted in the housing, and an elongated blade having an end hook member on a free end thereof. The end hook member includes a mounting portion having a length dimension and a top surface area and a hook portion having a width dimension and a front surface area, where a ratio of the width dimension of the hook portion to the length dimension of the mounting portion is greater than or equal to 1, a ratio of the front surface area of the hook portion to the top surface area of the mounting portion is greater than or equal to 1.1, and at least two-thirds of the mass of the hook portion lies outside a center section that includes one third of the hook portion's width.

Abstract: A rule assembly includes a housing, a reel rotatably mounted in the housing, and an elongated blade having an end hook member on a free end thereof. The elongated blade is arranged to be wound on the reel and to be extendable through an opening in the housing. The end hook member is formed of sheet metal to include a mounting portion and a hook portion bent at a generally right angle from an end of the mounting portion. The end hook member includes a pair of generally upwardly extending side edges, a generally laterally extending lower edge, and recessed edge portions disposed at corner portions at which the upwardly extending side edges and the laterally extending lower edge intersect.

Abstract: A stapler capable of dispensing staples therefrom and comprising a head and a handle. The head comprises a staple dispenser configured to dispense a staple from the stapler when a compressive force is applied to the staple dispenser, and a blade carriage that carries a blade and is configured such that the blade is extendable from the head of the stapler and is retractable into the head of the stapler. The handle is attached to the head, and permits the stapler to be swung like a hammer to drive staples dispensed from the staple dispenser.