Abstract: An improved retractable tape measure has, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the features of a standard measure, including a housing with front and rear sides, a boundary edge and a tape opening, a retractable measuring tape positioned within this housing, with the tape having a free end that extends through the housing's opening, plus the improvements yielded by: (a) configuring the housing sides to be tear-drop shaped with a tip end, and (b) locating the tape opening in a portion of the boundary edge proximate the tape's tip end.

Abstract: An improved retractable tape measure has, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a housing having a front and a top portion, an opening located in the front portion ad proximate the top portion, a retractable measuring tape with top and bottom surfaces, edges that turn upward so as to stiffen the tape from being bent downward by the force of gravity, a free end that extends through the opening, an end stop that is mounted on the tape's free end, top measurement indicia that are inscribed on the top surface of the measuring tape, and bottom measurement indicia on the bottom surface of the measuring tape, wherein the location of the housing opening is such that the housing can be held in close proximity to an overhead surface without having to bend the tape to move the housing away from the overhead surface.

Abstract: An improved retractable tape measure has, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the features of a standard measure, including a housing with front and rear sides, a boundary edge and a tape opening, a retractable measuring tape positioned within this housing, with the tape having a free end that extends through the housing's opening, plus the improvements yielded by: (a) configuring the housing sides to be tear-drop shaped with a tip end, and (b) locating the tape opening in a portion of the boundary edge proximate the tape's tip end.

Abstract: A tool for inserting screwed, anchoring devices, with the tool being capable of being operated manually or automatically, comprises an elongated handle, a shaft that extends between the ends of said handle with a tip end that extends from the front end of the handle and a distal end that lies in the rear end of the handle. The rear end of the shaft has a well that extends along the centerline of the shaft, with the well being configured to receive a standard drill bit of the type that fits within the chuck of a power drill. The depth and wall thickness of the well are such that the well allows a drill bit to enter the well to a depth so that there is ample surface area of the well interior wall in contact with the drill bit to absorb the torque applied to the tool by the power drill.

Abstract: An improved tool comprising a carpenter's combined level and square includes: (a) a first elongated, straight section having distal and proximate ends and a centerline therebetween, with the proximate end having a flat surface whose upper part forms a 45 degree angle with the section's centerline, (b) a first leveling bubble fixed in this first section, (c) a second elongated, straight section having distal and proximate ends and a centerline therebetween, with the proximate end having a flat surface whose upper part forms a 135 degree angle with the section's centerline, and with the second section proximate end being proximate the first section proximate end, (d) a second leveling bubble fixed in this second section, (e) a coupling means having a bottom portion that is connected to the first section proximate end and a top portion that is connected to the second section proximate end and a connecting rod that is configured so as to connect these portions and allow them to independently rotate

Abstract: An improved tool comprising a carpenter's combined level and square includes: (a) a first elongated, straight section having distal and proximate ends and a centerline therebetween, with the proximate end having a flat surface whose upper part forms a 45 degree angle with the section's centerline, (b) a first leveling bubble fixed in this first section, (c) a second elongated, straight section having distal and proximate ends and a centerline therebetween, with the proximate end having a flat surface whose upper part forms a 135 degree angle with the section's centerline, and with the second section proximate end being proximate the first section proximate end, (d) a second leveling bubble fixed in this second section, (e) a coupling means having a bottom portion that is connected to the first section proximate end and a top portion that is connected to the second section proximate end and a connecting rod that is configured so as to connect these portions and allow them to independently rotate about the rod,

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved retractable tape measure of the type including a housing (12) having an opening (14), a retractable measuring tape (16) with top (18) and bottom (20) surfaces, edges (22, 24) that turn upward so as to stiffen the tape (16) from being bent downward by the force of gravity, a free end (26) that extends through the opening (14), an end stop (28) that is mounted on the tape's free end (26), and top measurement indicia (30) that are inscribed on the top surface (18) of the measuring tape (16).

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved retractable tape measure of the type including a housing (12) having an opening (14), a retractable measuring tape (16) with top (18) and bottom (20) surfaces, edges (22, 24) that turn upward so as to stiffen the tape (16) from being bent downward by the force of gravity, a free end (26)that extends through the opening (14), an end stop (28) that is mounted on the tape's free end (26), and top measurement indicia (30) that are inscribed on the top surface (18) of the measuring tape (16).

Abstract: An improved retractable tape measure has, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a housing having a front and a top portion, an opening located in the front portion ad proximate the top portion, a retractable measuring tape with top and bottom surfaces, edges that turn upward so as to stiffen the tape from being bent downward by the force of gravity, a free end that extends through the opening, an end stop that is mounted on the tape's free end, top measurement indicia that are inscribed on the top surface of the measuring tape, and bottom measurement indicia on the bottom surface of the measuring tape, wherein the location of the housing opening is such that the housing can be held in close proximity to an overhead surface without having to bend the tape to move the housing away from the overhead surface

Abstract: The present invention discloses improved smoke detector devices. In a preferred embodiment, the invention takes the form of an improved smoke detector of the type having a ceiling-mounted, main housing with an electrical circuit that includes an alarm device and a smoke sensing means that activates the alarm device when smoke is present in the vicinity of the sensing means. Wherein the improvement comprises a remote housing that is remotely disposed from the main housing, with the remote housing having affixed thereto a remote electrical circuit comprising a means for receiving an electrical connection from the main electrical circuit, a means for testing the operating condition of the main electrical circuit, a means for shutting off the alarm device, and a remote battery coupling means that allows a battery for powering the detector to be located in the remote housing.