Geometrical instruments – Distance measuring – By flexible tape
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-01
2001-04-10
Bennett, G. Bradley (Department: 2859)
Geometrical instruments
Distance measuring
By flexible tape
C033S770000, C033S668000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06212787
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to measuring devices, more particularly, to a tape measure having a guide at the end of the tape and/or pencil sharpening devices incorporated into the housing of the tape measure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional retractable tape measures, commonly used in the carpentry and construction industries as well as for general home repairs, include a tape with measurement markings and a housing for storing the tape. The far end of the tape is attached to retraction mechanism inside the housing, whereby the tape can be automatically retracted inside the housing for storage. Typically, such tape measures include a locking mechanism so the tape can be locked at various extended positions when in use. Also, conventional tape measures often include an attachment at the free end of the tape, including a downwardly depending tab that can be engaged with the edge of a work surface.
Sometimes it is desired to scribe or scroll a line, i.e., draw a line parallel to an edge of a workpiece such as wood, sheet rock or wallboard. This has involved several steps, such as measuring and making a number of spaced apart reference marks on the workpiece, then drawing a line along the reference marks by separate placement of a straight edge or laying and snapping of a chalk line. Alternately, one may align the housing of the tape measure with an edge of a workpiece with one hand, and hold a pencil or marker at the free end of the tape with the other hand, and then move the two ends of the tape to scroll a parallel line. However, it is difficult to hold the pencil or marker firmly in position at the end of the tape with conventional tape measures.
Additionally, many conventional tape measures are constructed such that the attachment at the free end of the tape including the downwardly depending tab partially obscures measurement markings at the end of the tape. Thus, for precise, smaller measurements (for example, measurements less than ½-inch), one cannot reliably use the end of the tape. Rather, one must either use a separate measuring instrument, such as a marked straight edge, or a different section of the measurement tape.
Finally, at a work site, it may become necessary to sharpen a pencil or other sharpenable marking instrument. This becomes awkward if one must interrupt the work to locate a sharpener. This becomes especially awkward if a sharpener sized to fit the marking instrument is not available.
This invention seeks to solve the aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to an embodiment of this invention, a guide is provided for engaging a free end of a measurement tape and seating a marking instrument thereto. The guide comprises: a downwardly depending flange extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tape, the flange adapted for alignment with the end of the tape; and a recess in the depending flange and an upstanding seating flange for seating the marking instrument in a perpendicular orientation with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tape such that the center line of the marking instrument is substantially aligned with the end of the tape.
The recess and the seating flange are selected to dispose a center line of a marking instrument coextensive with the end of the tape. Preferably, the seating flange includes an elongated channel having a curved surface generally corresponding to the curvature of the recess
According to various preferred embodiments, the guide comprises an attachment member for attachment to a surface of the tape at the end thereof, the depending flange extending downwardly and substantially perpendicular to an edge of the attachment member, the seating flange extending upward from the edge of the attachment member, and the recess formed in the edge of the longitudinal member.
According to another embodiment of the invention tape measure comprises: a housing; a tape with measurement markings thereon retractable to and from the housing; at least one pencil sharpener in the housing, the housing including a recess for accessing the pencil sharpener with a marking instrument; and a guide on a free end of the tape, wherein the guide includes a depending retaining tab, an upstanding seating flange and a recess, the seating flange and the recess selected to dispose a center line of a marking instrument coextensive with the end of the tape. The recess of the guide, the elongated channel of the seating flange, and the sharpener recess in the housing may all be sized to receive a marking instrument of a predetermined size.
According to another embodiment, a tape measure comprises: a tape with measurement markings on an upper surface thereof; and an attachment including a first surface abutting the upper surface of the tape at the end of the tape. a second surface opposed to the first surface, and a depending flange extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tape at the end of the tape, wherein the second surface includes measurement markings. According to various preferred embodiments, the measurement markings on the second surface of the attachment are aligned with the measurement markings on the tape upper surface, and the attachment is a guide of this invention.
This invention also provides a tape measure comprising a housing, a tape with measurement markings thereon retractable to and from the housing via a port in the housing, and first and second pencil sharpeners, each pencil sharpener having a recess in the housing sized to receive a marking instrument, wherein the recess of the first pencil sharpener has a larger diameter than a recess of the second pencil sharpener.
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Bennett G. Bradley
Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
Salai Esq. Stephen B.
Shaw Esq. Brian B.
Verbilsky G.
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