# US 8,739,426 B1 · Measuring device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,739,426 B1 - Document ID: US8739426B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 13/323,036 - Filed: 2011-12-12 - Granted: 2014-06-03 - Earliest claimed: 2010-12-29 - Applicants: Jeffory D. Freed; Herbert O. Dixon, Jr.; Burton D. Johnson; Jonathan F. Freed - Inventors: Jeffory D. Freed; Herbert O. Dixon, Jr.; Burton D. Johnson; Jonathan F. Freed - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8739426B1 ## CPC - G01B 3/10: Measuring tapes - G01B 3/1007: Means for locking - G01B 3/1069: Electronic or mechanical display arrangements - G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS ## Abstract A measuring device for providing a portable and easy-to-use electronic measuring device. The measuring device generally includes a housing which includes a locking member, a reel member, a sensing assembly and control unit. A length of string is wound around the reel member, which is secured within the housing in a manner which allows the string to be retracted around the reel member absent outside force. As the string is dispensed through a string opening on the housing, a sensor wheel having a plurality of counting indicia will be rotated underneath one or more sensing members, which act to calculate the distance of string which has been dispensed. This data is communicated to a control unit, which causes the relevant information to be shown on a display on the housing. The locking member may be utilized to stop the string from being dispensed after the requisite length has been dispensed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A measuring device, comprising: a housing; a string opening positioned on said housing; a reel member rotatably positioned within said housing, wherein a length of string is wound around said reel member and wherein a first end of said string is fixedly secured to said reel member, wherein a second end of said string extends through said string opening; a sensor wheel rotatably positioned within said housing, wherein said length of string extends partially around said sensor wheel; a plurality of counting indicia positioned on said sensor wheel; at least one sensing member positioned above said sensor wheel for sensing the number of said counting indicia which have passed thereunder; a control unit, wherein said control unit is adapted to receive said number of said counting indicia from said at least one sensing member and calculate a length of dispensed string; memory connected to said control unit; a display connected to and positioned within said housing and connected to said control unit; a power source positioned within said housing and electrically connected to said control unit, said memory and said display so as to power said control unit, said memory and said display; wherein when string is dispensed, the length dispensed string is displayed on said display; wherein when string is dispensed, the length of dispensed string is stored in said memory for future retrieval and use; at least one input mechanism connected to said housing and said control unit; wherein said input mechanism selectively resets a counter of said control unit to calculate a length of dispensed string, and selectively activates and deactivates a counter of said control unit to calculate a length of dispensed string. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The measuring device of claim 1, wherein said housing is comprised of a first member and a second member, wherein said first member is removably secured to said second member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The measuring device of claim 1, wherein said string includes a string stopper positioned at said second end. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The measuring device of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensing member is comprised of a first sensing member for counting said counting indicia and a second sensing member for determining a rotational direction of said sensor wheel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The measuring device of claim 1, further comprising a bracket positioned within said housing, wherein said at least one sensing member is secured to said bracket. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The measuring device of claim 1, further comprising an input mechanism positioned on said housing for activating and deactivating the device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The measuring device of claim 1, wherein said reel member includes an axle. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The measuring device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of counting indicia is comprised of slits formed on an outer radial edge of said sensor wheel. ### Claim 9 A measuring device, comprising: a housing, wherein said housing includes a string opening; a reel member rotatably positioned within said housing; a sensor wheel rotatably positioned within said housing; a string, wherein a first end of said string is fixedly secured to said reel member, wherein said string extends around said sensor wheel and wherein a second end of said string extends out of said string opening; a plurality of counting indicia positioned on said sensor wheel; a first sensing member positioned above said sensor wheel for sensing the number of said counting indicia which have passed thereunder; a second sensing member positioned above said sensor wheel for sensing the direction of rotation of said sensor wheel; a control unit, wherein said control unit is adapted to receive said number of said counting indicia from said first sensing member and calculate a length of dispensed string; memory connected to said control unit; a display connected to and positioned within said housing and connected to said control unit; a power source positioned within said housing and electrically connected to said control unit, said memory and said display so as to power said control unit, said memory and said display; wherein when string is dispensed, the length of dispensed string is displayed on said display; wherein when string is dispensed, the length of dispensed string is stored in said memory for future retrieval and use; at least one input mechanism connected to said housing and said control unit; wherein said input mechanism selectively resets a counter of said control unit to calculate a length of dispensed string, and selectively activates and deactivates a counter of said control unit to calculate a length of dispensed string. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The measuring device of claim 9, wherein said housing is comprised of a first member and a second member, wherein said first member is removably secured to said second member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The measuring device of claim 9, wherein said string includes a string stopper positioned at said second end. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The measuring device of claim 9, further comprising a first bracket positioned within said housing, wherein said first sensing member is secured to said first bracket. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The measuring device of claim 12, further comprising a second bracket positioned within said housing, wherein said second sensing member is secured to said second bracket. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The measuring device of claim 9, further comprising an input mechanism positioned on said housing for activating and deactivating the device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The measuring device of claim 9, wherein said power source is comprised of at least one battery. ### Claim 16 A measuring device, comprising: a housing, wherein said housing includes a string opening, wherein said housing is comprised of a first member and a second member, wherein said first member is removably secured to said second member; an input mechanism positioned on said housing; a reel member rotatably positioned within said housing; a sensor wheel rotatably positioned within said housing; a string, wherein a first end of said string is fixedly secured to said reel member, wherein said string extends around said sensor wheel and wherein a second end of said string extends out of said string opening, wherein said string includes a string stopper positioned at said second end; a plurality of counting indicia positioned on said sensor wheel; a first sensing member positioned above said sensor wheel for sensing the number of said counting indicia which have passed thereunder a second sensing member positioned above said sensor wheel for sensing the direction of rotation of said sensor wheel; a control unit, wherein said control unit is adapted to receive said number of said counting indicia from said first sensing member and calculate a length of dispensed string; a power source positioned within said housing; memory connected to said control unit; a display connected to and positioned within said housing and connected to said control unit; a power source positioned within said housing and electrically connected to said control unit, said memory and said display so as to power said control unit, said memory and said display; wherein when string is dispensed, the length of dispensed string is displayed on said display; wherein when string is dispensed, the length of dispensed string is stored in said memory for future retrieval and use; at least one input mechanism connected to said housing and said control unit; wherein said input mechanism selectively resets a counter of said control unit to calculate a length of dispensed string, selectively activates and deactivates a counter of said control unit to calculate a length of dispensed string.