Tape measure apparatus with a rotating and sliding catch

A method of measuring a distance from an object to a second point comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a tape measure apparatus including:
• i) a casing having an enclosure, the enclosure having a blade aperture;
• ii) a rule blade having inner and outer end portions and being stored in a coiled condition within the enclosure of the casing, the inner end of the rule blade secured to the enclosure, the outer end of the rule blade protruding through the blade aperture when extended during use, and when extended during use the rule blade having a longitudinal axis;
• iii) graduated indicia markings along the length of said rule blade, functioning as a measuring scale;
• and
• iv) a catch operatively connected to the outer end of the rule blade, the catch being slidable relative to the outer end of the rule blade in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rule blade;
• b) placing the catch in contact with the object;
• c) while the rule blade is extended a predefined distance and the catch is in contact with the object, using movement of the rule blade along with the contact of the catch with the object to cause the catch to slide relative to the rule blade in the plane which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;
• and
• d) reading the graduated indicia markings to measure the distance between the object and the second point.