Multi-use tape measure
OwnerMatthew Hewettinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The multi-use tape measure comprises a semi-rigid tape measure, a flexible tape measure, a marking implement, a pencil holder, a first and second bubble level, a writing surface, and a magnetic mount in a single a case. The semi-rigid tape measure and the flexible tape measure may be deployed from within the case to make distance measurements and may then retracted back into the case. The marking implement may be tethered to prevent loss and may be used to mark a measured distance and then stored within a cavity of the case. The pencil holder may be deployed to guide the pencil in making an accurate measurement mark and may then be stored within the case. The first and second bubble levels may be used to verify level and plumb. The writing surface may record measurements. The magnetic mount may hold the case in place.
Claims16
A multi-use tape measure comprising:
- a case, a semi-rigid tape measure, a flexible tape measure, a marking implement, a pencil holder, a first bubble level, a second bubble level, a writing surface, and a magnetic mount;
- wherein the multi-use tape measure is a measuring tool that is adapted to provide multiple elements useful by a craftsman;
- wherein the multiple elements measure straight-distance lengths, measure curved lengths, detect that surfaces are level or plumb, provide a place to record measurements, mark materials, and hold the multi-use tape measure in place;
- wherein the semi-rigid tape measure is a ribbon of a semi-rigid material that is marked with first measurement indicia;
- wherein the first measurement indicia comprises numbers, letters, lines, symbols, variations in coloring, or a combination thereof that appear on the semi-rigid tape measure;
- wherein the first measurement indicia indicate one or more distances from a first hooked tab end of the semi-rigid tape measure to the points on the semi-rigid tape measure where the first measurement indicia appear;
- wherein the first measurement indicia is in metric units, English units, or a combination thereof;
- wherein the first measurement indicia comprises truss markings, stud markings, and/or other application specific markings;
- wherein the semi-rigid tape measure is coiled within a first spring-loaded retraction mechanism inside of the case with one end of the semi-rigid tape measure coupled to the first spring-loaded retraction mechanism inside of the case and the other end of the semi-rigid tape measure coupled to the first hooked tab outside of the case;
- wherein the semi-rigid tape measure is extended for use by manually pulling on a first hooked tab to withdraw the semi-rigid tape measure from within the case;
- wherein the first hooked tab is a tab bent into a right-angle;
- wherein the first hooked tab is attached to an edge of an object being measured, thus securing one end of the semi-rigid tape measure, while the case is moved away from the corner to withdraw the semi-rigid tape measure;
- wherein the first hooked tab prevents the first spring-loaded retraction mechanism from pulling the semi-rigid tape measure entirely into the case;
- wherein the first hooked tab comprises a first slotted aperture that allows the first hooked tab to be coupled to the head of a nail as an anchor point for a measurement;
- wherein the flexible tape measure is coiled within a second spring-loaded retraction mechanism inside of the case with one end of the flexible tape measure coupled to the second spring-loaded retraction mechanism inside of the case and the other end of the flexible tape measure coupled to the second hooked tab outside of the case;
- wherein the flexible tape measure is extended for use by manually pulling on the second hooked tab to withdraw the flexible tape measure from within the case;
- wherein the second hooked tab is a tab bent into a right-angle;
- wherein the second hooked tab is attached to an edge of an object being measured, thus securing one end of the flexible tape measure, while the case is moved away from the corner to withdraw the flexible tape measure;
- wherein the second hooked tab prevents the second spring-loaded retraction mechanism from pulling the flexible tape measure entirely into the case;
- wherein the second hooked tab comprises a second slotted aperture that allows the second hooked tab to be coupled to the head of a nail as an anchor point for a measurement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.