Illuminated tape measure
OwnerPaul Hoopengarnerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An illuminated tape measure comprises a housing with an illuminable tape positioned in the housing. The illuminable tape is marked with a plurality of regularly spaced markings that form a linear measuring scale so the tape may be used as a measuring tape. The illuminable tape is made of an electroluminescent material operable to emit light when electrical power is provided to the material. A power source and an inverter are positioned in the housing for supplying power to the illuminable tape. The housing includes at least one wall having a transparent portion. Light from the illuminable tape may pass out of the housing through the transparent portion. In one embodiment, a mirror is provided in the housing for focusing the light within the housing into a light beam.
Claims20
A tape measure comprising:
- a housing including a plurality of walls, at least one of the plurality of walls comprised of a transparent material, the housing including at least one aperture;
- an illuminable tape positioned within the housing and including a first side with a linear measuring scale of regularly spaced markings, the illuminable tape further including a first end positioned within the housing and a second end;
- wherein the illuminable tape is operable to pass through the at least one aperture such that the second end of the illuminable tape extends from the housing and a substantial portion of the illuminable tape is outside of the housing;
- and wherein the illuminable tape is further operable to be retracted back through the at least one aperture such that a substantial portion of the illuminable tape is enclosed within the housing and;
- a switch, wherein the switch is operable in an on mode to allow electrical power to pass to the illuminable tape, and the switch is operable in an off mode to prevent electrical power from passing to the illuminable tape, and wherein the switch is placed in the on mode upon detection of movement of the tape relative to the housing.
A tape measure comprising:
- a housing including a transparent wall portion;
- an illuminable tape positioned within the housing, the illuminable tape including a first side with a linear measuring scale of regularly spaced markings;
- and
- a mirror positioned within the housing, the mirror arranged to reflect light from the illuminable tape and through the transparent wall portion, wherein the transparent wall portion is arranged to allow light from the illuminable tape to pass through the housing.
A tape measure comprising:
- a housing including a plurality of walls, at least one of the plurality of walls comprised of a transparent material, the housing including at least one aperture;
- a spool mounted in the housing, the spool including at least one guide wall and a reflective surface;
- and
- an illuminable tape positioned within the housing on the spool, the illuminable tape including a first side with a linear measuring scale of regularly spaced markings, the illuminable tape further including a first end positioned within the housing and a second end;
- wherein the illuminable tape is operable to pass through the at least one aperture such that the second end of the illuminable tape extends from the housing and a substantial portion of the illuminable tape is outside of the housing;
- and wherein the illuminable tape is further operable to be retracted back through the at least one aperture such that a substantial portion of the illuminable tape is enclosed within the housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.