Tape measure having a laser transmission window
OwnerMathew Patrick Luckinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tape measure to be reeled on a spool rotatably mounted within a housing defining an opening for paying out and for retrieval by rotation of the spool within in the housing. The tape measure includes a tape having a first end and a second end. The first end connected to the spool and the second end movable through the opening between a retracted position and an extended position. The tape includes a steel blade with length markings on the obverse. The blade extends along its length from the first end to the second end having a window. The window includes a pane of polymer. The polymer includes pigments to selectively transmit laser emitted from a laser level. The pane in held within the window in a manner allowing the reel to pay out and retract the blade in use.
Claims17
A tape measure to be reeled on a spool rotatably mounted within a housing defining an opening for paying out and for retrieval by rotation of the spool within in the housing, the tape measure comprising:
- a tape including a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the spool and the second end movable through the opening between a retracted position and an extended position, the tape comprising:
- a steel blade with length markings on the obverse, the blade extending along its length from the first end to the second end and defining a window therein, the window being defined to extend parallel to the length;
- and
- a pane of polymer, the polymer including pigments to selectively transmit laser emitted from a laser level, the pane being held within the window in a manner allowing the reel to pay out and retract the blade in use.
A method for measuring an offset between an architectural feature, the method comprising:
- providing a tape including a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the spool and the second end movable through the opening between a retracted position and an extended position, the tape comprising:
- a steel blade with length markings on the obverse, the blade extending along its length from the first end to the second end and defining a window therein, the window being defined to extend parallel to the length;
- and
- a pane of polymer, the polymer including pigments to selectively transmit laser emitted from a laser level, the pane being held within the window in a manner allowing the reel to pay out and retract the blade in use;
- placing a laser level relative to the architectural feature, the laser lever emitting a true vertical laser beam;
- placing the tape such that the true vertical laser beam such that its first end abuts the architectural feature at a first measurement point and the laser beam intersects the tape at the pane of polymer to produce an illuminated laser spot therein;
- and
- reading a first length marking proximate to the laser spot.
A tape for use in a tape measure, the blade to be reeled on a spool rotatably mounted within a housing defining an opening for paying out and for retrieval by rotation of the spool within in the housing, the tape comprising:
- a steel blade including a first end and a second end, the first end configured for connection to the spool and the second end movable through the opening between a retracted position and an extended position, with length markings on the obverse, the blade extending along its length from the first end to the second end and defining a window therein, the window being defined to extend parallel to the length;
- and
- a pane of polymer, the polymer including pigments to selectively transmit laser emitted from a laser level, the pane being held within the window in a manner allowing the reel to pay out and retract the blade in use.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.