Geometrical instruments – Distance measuring – By flexible tape
Patent
1994-03-17
1995-07-11
Wirthlin, Alvin
Geometrical instruments
Distance measuring
By flexible tape
33768, 7163, G01B 310
Patent
active
054309522
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to tape measure and accessory combinations.
Retractable spring-loaded tape measures coiled in a housing from which they can be drawn by pulley on an exposed end tab, and retracted by spring tension on release are well known. Some form of locking device is usually provided to enable the tape to be kept extended during measuring operations.
Such basic tape measures are well known, although there may be variations in the design of the housing, and the details of the retraction and locking systems used.
It is useful to have a number of other facilities available for use alongside the tape measure, without having to search for further items of equipment.
G B 2229533 discloses a tape measure and flashlight combination, FIG. 5 wherein a flashlight is directed to illuminate part of the tape measure when extended.
An object of the invention is to provide a tape measure and accessory combination which combines further accessories with or in the tape measure housing, to extend the versatility and usefulness of the combination.
According to the invention, a tape measure and accessory combination is provided, comprising a retractable tape measure, contained when retracted in a housing, and capable of extension from the housing, and characterised by the provision of at least a fixed or retractable blade, mounted adjacent the tape and positioned to use the tape as a straight edge for cutting or scoring.
The tape measure and accessory combinations may in addition include any one or more of the following features: writing instrument, e.g. a pencil which can be inserted into a bore in the housing of the combination; boss concentrically mounted within an arcuate scale which is graduated in arcuate measure; illuminate the scale of the tape when extended, so that the tape can be read in conditions of darkness or poor light. of the tape measure housing, suitable for providing a pivot axis, and a pencil holder provided in the tape, preferably near the outer end thereof, so that the required radius can be measured using the tape, and a pencil mounted in the holder, and the assembly rotated about the spike to define a given arc.
Preferably the invention provides a single tool to replace four separate tools, i.e. a straight edge tape measure, pencil and trimming knife.
In a preferred embodiment, the flashlight is mounted adjacent, and directed generally parallel to the tape and cutting blade, so that it shows along the cutting line, instead of illuminating a small portion of the tape from a close, elevated position, as in the specification G B 2229533 mentioned above.
Embodiments of tape measure and accessory combinations according to the invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of tape measure and accessory combination according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 from the side opposite that of FIG. 1;
FIG. 2a is an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 showing its internal layout;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention, incorporating a plurality of accessories as an example of the range thereof envisaged by the invention; and
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 from the side opposite that of FIG. 4
Referring first to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a tape measure and accessory combination according to the invention comprises a housing 10, enclosing a tape spool 11, with associated rewind spring, and a lead end 12 extending to a slot 13 in an end face of the housing where it is prevented from full retraction by a tab 14 which is too wide to enter slot 13.
A retractable blade 15 is mounted alongside the slot 13, and positioned so that the cutting edge of blade 15 is adjacent the edge of the tape 11, when extended, so that the tape edge can be used as a straight edge in cutting or scoring. Additionally, a flashlight is constituted by a lamp bulb 16 which is moun
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S. Betts & Sons Limited
Wirthlin Alvin
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