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US 5,913,586 AGranted
Tape measure
OwnerForrest A. Marshallinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tape measure is provided in which orientation of the primary indicia are varied to allow reading of measurements from either side. A centering strip is provided which gives fractional values corresponding to the primary indicia, thus allowing easy calculation of certain fractions of a given measurement. Other visual aids for improving ease of use are provided, such as stud centering marks, distinct colors and variations in numeral and hatch mark sizing.
Claims14
A tape measure comprising:
- a) a first indicator strip bearing a first plurality of evenly spaced indicia in a first pattern in which adjacent indicia of the first pluraltiy of indicia are oriented differently;
- b) a second indicator strip bearing a second plurality of evenly spaced indicia in a second pattern in which adjacent indicia of the second plurality of indicia are oriented differently and the second pattern complements the first pattern;
- and
- c) a third indicator strip bearing a third plurality of evenly spaced indicia in which the third plurality of indicia have a quantitative value defining a fractional value of the first and second plurality of indicia.
1 more element
A carpenter's tape measure comprising:
- a) a long, thin flexible strip having a top surface, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge;
- b) a first set of indicia printed on the top surface adjacent to the first lateral edge, each indicium of the first set being evenly spaced from adjacent indicia of the first set and printed upside-down with respect to adjacent indicia of the first set, in which every other indicium of the first set is of a different size with respect to adjacent indicia of the first set;
- c) a second set of indicia printed on the top surface adjacent to the second lateral edge, each indicium of the second set being evenly spaced from adjacent indicia of the second set and printed upside-down with respect to adjacent indicia of the second set, in which every other indicium of the second set is of a different size with respect to adjacent indicia of the second set;
- d) in which the first set of indicia is printed so as to correspond to the second set of indicia;
- e) in which the orientation all of the indicia is indicated by a symbol printed adjacent to each indicium;
- f) a third set of indicia printed on the top surface between the first and second sets of indicia in which the third set of indicia have a quantitative value defining a fractional value of the first and second sets of indicia;
- and
- g) a plurality of stud centering brackets printed adjacent to each edge of the strip at predetermined intervals corresponding to the numeric values of the first and second sets of indicia.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.