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US 2005/0028397 A1Published application
Tape measure housing with grip element
OwnerWilliam Blackman, James Critelliinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tape measure housing, and a tape measure incorporating the housing, includes a main case and an elastomeric grip element mated to the main case. The main case has first and second sidewalls and a peripheral wall extending between the sidewalls which help jointly define an internal chamber therewithin for housing the coilable tape blade. An elastomeric grip element having a perimeter edge is disposed over at least a portion of the top portion, at least a portion of the rear end portion of the case, and at least a portion of the first and second sidewalls. The outer surface of the first and second sidewalls is external recess-free proximate the perimeter edge of the grip element.
Claims12
A tape measure housing, comprising:
- a main case having first and second sidewalls and a peripheral wall extending between said sidewalls, said peripheral wall having a bottom portion, an top portion, a front end portion, and a rear end portion, said sidewalls and said peripheral wall providing an internal chamber therewithin, said peripheral wall having an opening communicating with said chamber for passage of a tape blade therethrough disposed proximate a junction between said front end portion and said bottom portion;
- said sidewalls having respective central portions disposed at a center of the respective sidewall;
- an elastomeric grip element having a perimeter edge, said grip element disposed over at least some of said top portion and at least some of said rear end portion of said case, said grip element further extending a limited distance across both said sidewalls to cover a perimeter section thereof and leave both said central portions uncovered by said grip element;
- wherein said sidewalls and said perimeter wall of said main case are provided by a pair of mating housing elements;
- wherein said grip element comprises a pair of distinct but cooperating sections comolded to the respective housing elements of said main case;
- wherein said case is external recess-free proximate said perimeter edge.
3 more elements
A tape measure housing, comprising:
- a main case having first and second sidewalls and a peripheral wall extending between said sidewalls, said peripheral wall having a bottom portion, an top portion, a front end portion, and a rear end portion, said sidewalls and said peripheral wall providing an internal chamber therewithin, said peripheral wall having an opening communicating with said chamber for passage of a tape blade therethrough disposed proximate a junction between said front end portion and said bottom portion;
- said sidewalls having respective central portions disposed at a center of the respective sidewall;
- an elastomeric grip element having a perimeter edge, said grip element disposed over at least some of said top portion and at least some of said rear end portion of said case, said grip element further covering at least a portion of said sidewalls to cover a perimeter section thereof and leave both said central portions uncovered;
- wherein said sidewalls and said perimeter wall of said main case are provided by a pair of mating housing elements;
- wherein said grip element comprises a pair of distinct but cooperating sections comolded to the respective housing elements of said main case;
- and
- wherein said perimeter edge is disposed external to any recess on said sidewalls.
4 more elements
A tape measure housing, comprising:
- a main case having first and second sidewalls and a peripheral wall extending between said sidewalls, said peripheral wall having a bottom portion, an top portion, a front end portion, and a rear end portion, said sidewalls and said peripheral wall providing an internal chamber therewithin, said peripheral wall having an opening communicating with said chamber for passage of a tape blade therethrough disposed proximate a junction between said front end portion and said bottom portion;
- said sidewalls having respective central portions disposed at a center of the respective sidewall;
- an elastomeric grip element having a perimeter edge, said grip element disposed over at least some of said top portion and at least some of said rear end portion of said case, said grip element further covering at least a portion of said sidewalls to cover a perimeter section thereof and leave both said central portions uncovered;
- wherein said case has a smooth outer contour in the portion thereof covered by said grip element;
- and
- wherein said perimeter edge of said elastomeric grip element lies outside an external footprint of said first and second sidewalls.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.