Measuring instrument for compressible objects

An instrument for measuring the girth of compressible articles under uniform tension, said instrument comprising:

• a flexible tape for extension about an article and having graduations along its length;
• a substantially planar tension reading member comprising a first and second section, said first section secured with said flexible tape;
• a flexible bendable hinge portion interconnecting said first and second sections and permitting relative movement of said first and second sections substantially within the plane of the tension reading member by bending of the material of such hinge portion;
• said first and second sections defining therebetween an opening through which said flexible tape can be extended, the tension of the flexible tape being determinable by observing the relative positions of said first and second sections with said tape and second portion drawn away from each other.

An instrument for measuring the girth of compressible articles under uniform tension, said instrument comprising:

• a flexible tape for extension about an article and having graduations along its length;
• a one-piece tension reading member comprising a first and second section, said first section being fixedly secured with said flexible tape;
• a flexible hinge portion between said first and second sections and permitting relative movement therebetween in proportion to the amount of tension applied in a direction tending to separate said sections;
• a substantially U-shaped cutout in said second section and opening towards said first section;
• an arm on said first section and extensible within said cutout;
• said second section having spaced diverging edges defining an expanded portion which can be conveniently grasped and by which said second section can be manipulated to tension the tape about an article to be measured, the applied tension being determinable from the position of said arm within the cutout.