Geometrical instruments – Distance measuring – By flexible tape
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-19
2001-05-29
Fulton, Christopher W. (Department: 2859)
Geometrical instruments
Distance measuring
By flexible tape
C033S758000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237243
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Scope of Invention
This invention relates generally to tape measuring devices, and more particularly to such a tape measure device carrying a different set of graduations and measurement units on the normally unused convex side of the elongated metal tape of such devices.
2. Prior Art
Tape measures of the type sometimes referred to as “yo-yos” which include an elongated metallic tape stored in coiled form within a housing of the tape measure are well known. The tape is formed typically of thin spring steel having a uniform arcuate cross section wherein the measurement graduations are typically imprinted into the concave side thereof. The scales imprinted on this concave side are usually in fractions of an inch when U.S. measurement scales are used and in millimeter and centimeters when a metric scale is used. However, in many instances of more specialized use, it is desirable to have either an engineering scale of linear measurement in other units than those described above or to have an architectural scale having units which are proportional to larger linear units of feet, yards, meters, etc.
Hubbard, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,9807,348 discloses a navigational tape measure-type apparatus which includes scales graduated for measuring nautical miles, statute miles and kilometers on one side of the flat tape strip for use with a conventional aeronautical chart such as a WAC chart while the other scale for use with, for example, a second different and distinct aeronautical chart or map having a different scale such as a sectional chart. However, in Hubbard, the scales and graduations fully extend on both sides of substantially the entire length of the flat tape strip.
A continuous tape measure invented by Schlitt is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,215 teaching a tape measure which also includes a measuring scale on both sides of the metal tape. However, with this tape measure, the upper or concave surface of the tape is scaled from zero to a number equal to the actual length of the tape while the convex underside of the tape is scaled from the length of the tape to a measurement equal to twice the actual length of the tape. This arrangement allows the measurement of distances equal to twice the length of the tape. Again, however, the measurement scales on the convex side of the tape are generally coextensive with the entire length of the tape. This invention suffers from an additional defect of such tapes having an arcuately-shaped cross sectioned tape formed of thin, highly flexible steel wherein the convex surface of the tape typically becomes abraded and worn away as the tape is continually extended and retracted during use.
Design patent 342,210 invented by Grossman teaches a unique design for a tape of a tape measure wherein the typical spacing between wall studs and the exact foot marks are highlighted for easy viewability. A method of making a two-sided fiberglass tape measure with two differently colored nylon resin coatings for both sides of a fiberglass tape is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,539.
The present invention discloses an improved tape measure and an adhesive strip or applique attachable to a tape of a tape measure in the form of an adhesive strip bearing architectural or engineering scales, or both, which are different from those of a conventional tape measure and which are attachable in one embodiment onto an existing tape measure. The scales applied to the convex side of an otherwise conventional tape measure are foreshortened in length and are substantially shorter than the full length of the tape and further are extremely abrasive resistant so as to resist the abrading effect which the convex side of the tape undergoes during repeated extension and retraction of the tape during use.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to an improved tape measure and an adhesive strip for a tape measure, the improved tape measure comprising a tape having a concave side and a convex side and a case for housing the tape in a coiled retracted configuration within the case. The tape has one end secured within the case, the other free end being extendible from the case to a substantially full length of the tape. The concave side includes graduations of a first linear scale extending along substantially the full length of the tape, the first linear scale being in metric or U.S. units of linear measure. The convex side has graduations of a second linear scale extending along only a relatively short portion of a length of the tape starting from in close proximity to the free end, the second linear scale being different and distinct from the first linear scale and calibrated for a different and distinct use such as an architectural scale or an engineering scale which are different from those of the first linear scale. Preferably, the second linear scale is formed of a separate thin two-layer adhesive strip as a very thin laminate having a vinyl-type opaque layer onto one side of which the second linear scale is printed and having an adhesive on another side thereof which is attached or attachable to the convex side of the tape. The laminate also preferably includes a transparent abrasion-resistant protective layer attached against and substantially covering the second linear scale of the opaque layer. Alternately, the second linear scale may be formed of a single opaque vinyl adhesive layer adhesively attached or attachable to the convex side of the tape.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved tape measure having a shortened adhesive strip or laminate attached or attachable to the convex surface of the tape and extending only over a short portion thereof starting in proximity to the free end of the tape.
It is another object of this invention to provide an additional set of scales onto a short portion of the unused convex surface of a tape of a tape measure which are distinct and different and distinct from those which are imprinted onto the concave surface of the tape and which are intended to serve a different purpose or use.
It is still another object of this invention to provide an adhesive strip or applique which is adhesively attachable onto a short portion of the convex surface of a tape of a conventional tape measure which, at the users selection, contains one or more linear scales which are calibrated differently and distinctly from those found on the concave side of the conventional tape measure.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improved tape measure and an adhesive strip or laminate attachable to the tape of a conventional tape measure which provides one or more different and distinct linear or non-linear scales onto a short distal portion of the tape and which is highly abrasive resistant to scratching, deformation and UV rays as the tape is extended and retracted from the housing of the tape measure during normal use.
It is yet a further object to provide the above invention and improvement which is also very thin and abrasive resistant to the extent of not effecting the normal smooth operation of the extension and retraction of the tape from the case of the tape measure during normal use.
In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 342210 (1993-12-01), Grossman
patent: 709665 (1902-09-01), Cort
patent: 1754903 (1930-04-01), Nearing
patent: 4811489 (1989-03-01), Walker
patent: 4907348 (1990-03-01), Hubbard, Jr.
patent: 4930227 (1990-06-01), Ketchpel
patent: 5012590 (1991-05-01), Wagner et al.
patent: 5062215 (1991-11-01), Schlitt
patent: 5697166 (1997-12-01), Hommel
patent: 5884408 (1999-03-01), Simmons
patent: 5895539 (1999-04-01), Hsu
Fulton Christopher W.
Prescott Charles J.
LandOfFree
Tape measure does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Tape measure, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Tape measure will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2550146