# US 8,464,436 B2 · Tape measure with utensil holder and tape brake

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- Number: US 8,464,436 B2
- Document ID: US8464436B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/969,216
- Filed: 2010-12-15
- Published: 2011-06-16
- Granted: 2013-06-18
- Earliest claimed: 2009-12-15
- Applicants: Braden Smith
- Inventors: Braden Smith
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8464436B2

## CPC

- G01B 3/1084: Tapes combined with arrangements for functions other than measuring lengths
- G01B 3/1005: Means for controlling winding or unwinding of tapes
- G01B 3/1007: Means for locking
- G01B 3/1094: for recording information or for performing calculations
- G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS

## Abstract

A tape measure with a utensil holding device for holding a variety of elongated utensils for cutting, scoring, marking and scribing incorporating a quick release clamping cam and a threaded adjustment means with a substantially forceful tape brake utilizing a lever and cams to securely lock the tape at a specified measurement. The utensil holding device and tape brake are so configured as to be assembled with the parts on either side of the tape measure to accommodate individual preferences; the utensil being available on one side of the tape or the other; the tape brake lever on either side of the tape measure housing.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A tape measure having an extendable recoiling graduated flexible tape, a housing substantially surrounding said tape when recoiled, an opening in said housing through which the tape is extended, a brake to hold the tape at a specified length when extended, and integrated into said housing a utensil holding device comprising:
(a) a utensil positioning means in said housing for positioning a variety of shaped utensils such that the working ends of the utensils may affect various materials at said specified length;
(b) a utensil clamping device for securing utensils in said utensil positioning means;
(c) a hinged cam incorporated into said utensil clamping device providing force when said hinged cam is rotated in a first direction, securing the utensil in said utensil positioning means, and releasing force when the cam is rotated in the opposite direction from said first direction.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The article in claim 1 further including a removable attachment to the housing which incorporates said utensil positioning means and said utensil clamping device.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The article in claim 2 wherein said removable attachment may be affixed to the housing in a secondary position.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The article in claim 1 wherein said utensil positioning means is a concave groove.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The article in claim 1 further including a pivoting ridged jaw to transfer force from the hinged cam to the utensil.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The article in claim 1 further including an adjustment means incorporated in said utensil clamping device.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The article in claim 6 wherein said adjustment means is a threaded thumb screw.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The article in claim 7 further including an opening in the hinged cam through which said threaded thumb screw may be manipulated by the user.