Patent Application
20070214674
Carpenters, roof and siding installation tradesmen and others frequently need something on which they can enter notes such as measurements, angles, etc., and often do not carry note pads or the like. Most of us have seen small scraps of wood used for this purpose. On the other hand, the tradesmen referred to are almost never without their tape measures. It is therefor the general object of the present invention to provide an improved tape measure with note taking capability.
In fulfillment of the aforementioned general object and in accordance with the present invention, a tape measure is provided with the conventional elongated thin flat measuring tape which is coiled upon itself and which has indicia there along for measuring when in an extended attitude. A conventional housing for the tape has relatively narrow top and bottom and opposing end walls and relatively broad opposing side walls, one of the end walls having an opening through which the tape can be extended and withdrawn. At least one of the side walls has an exposed writing surface of a material adapted to receive and retain indicia from a conventional writing instrument which can be readily viewed with the human eye and readily erased.
Preferably, an auxiliary member is provided in association with one of said side walls and carries at least one additional indicia receptive writing surface. Further, the auxiliary member is preferably swingably attached to said one side wall and has a spring-biased hinge urging the member towards its closed position adjacent the side wall. Other means of mounting the member such as a sliding arrangement are also contemplated.
Still further, one of the housing walls preferably carries an arcuate series of angular indicia in the nature of a protractor. As shown, the arcuate series of angular indicia is located on an end wall of the housing immediately adjacent the hinged end of the auxiliary member so that one edge portion of the member forms a continuation of selected angular indicia of the series of indicia. The angle of the auxiliary member relative to its adjacent wall is thus readily determined.
Optionally, a small pointer element is provided on the auxiliary member adjacent and in alignment with said one edge of the member and extends toward said series of angular indicia to facilitate determination of the angular relationship of the member and the adjacent wall.
Finally, the indicia receptive material may vary widely in composition but is preferably of a thermoplastic or metallic composition.
Referring initially to
A release button 28 on the top wall is also conventional and allows a spring return mechanism (not shown) to rewind the tape measure to the position shown in
Reverting now to
An important aspect of the invention resides in the provision of an auxiliary member 32 preferably swingably attached to one side wall of the housing, the side wall 24 in
Preferably, a spring-biased hinge device 34 is mounted at the bottom of the wall 24 and maintains 32 in its closed position as shown in
As illustrated in
Optionally, a small pointer element 40 can be provided on the auxiliary member 32 in alignment with its edge 38 and extending toward the series of angular indicia to facilitate determination of the angular relationship of the member and adjacent wall.
As will be apparent from the foregoing, an improved tape measure has been provided wherein ample space for note-taking is available to the tradesman onsite and wherein the determination of angular relationships is greatly facilitated, angularly related elements being aligned respectively with the side wall 24 and the auxiliary member 32. The tape measure is of simple and yet highly efficient construction and may be expected to offer a high degree of durability and long life.
