Protective Tape Measure Retention Device and Method of Manufacture

A hand tool retention system for protecting a textile substrate from damage during tool carry, comprising:

• a pocket-insertable retention device formed as a unitary body from a single piece of rigid non-magnetic material, the body defining:
• a teardrop-shaped proximal bend forming an interior nesting cavity;
• a graduated spacing between opposing parallel aspects of the body, the spacing decreasing from approximately 0.5 inches at the proximal bend to approximately 0.125 inches at a crimped distal region, the graduated spacing creating a wedge engagement with the textile substrate;
• and
• a retention bar positioned within the interior nesting cavity and configured to engage a clip of a tape measure;
• wherein, when the distal region is inserted into a pocket of a garment and a tape measure clip is engaged with the retention bar, the body spaces the tape measure clip from the textile substrate to prevent direct contact therebetween.

A method of manufacturing a unitary tool retention device, comprising:

• depositing successive layers of metal powder;
• selectively fusing the metal powder layers using a directed energy source to form a unitary body comprising a first aspect and a second aspect in substantially parallel configuration, a teardrop-shaped bend connecting the first and second aspects at a proximal end, a retention bar integrally formed within an interior nesting cavity defined by the teardrop-shaped bend, and a graduated spacing between the first and second aspects that decreases from the teardrop-shaped bend toward a distal end;
• and
• performing post-processing comprising stress relief heat treatment and surface finishing to round all edges and corners of the body;
• wherein the retention bar is metallurgically continuous with the body without a weld joint.

A method of manufacturing a protective tool retention device, comprising:

• forming a single piece of rigid plate material into a clip shape having first and second substantially parallel aspects connected by a teardrop-shaped bend at a proximal end;
• creating a graduated spacing between the first and second aspects that decreases from the teardrop-shaped bend toward a distal end;
• forming a crimped portion at the distal end where the first and second aspects are brought into closest proximity;
• attaching a retention bar to an inner surface of the first aspect within an interior cavity defined by the teardrop-shaped bend;
• and
• rounding all edges and corners of the device to prevent snagging.