Patent ID: 6598310
Filing Date: 2003-07-29
Classification: G01B

Abstract:
A retractable tape measure comprising:a housing having a tape opening, a top portion and a front portion, said tape opening located in said front portion, wherein said tape opening having a continuous boundary edge in which every portion of said boundary edge lying in close proximity to said front portion, said top portion including a portion for contacting a surge on an object to be measured, a retractable measuring tape positioned within said housing and having a top and a bottom surface, edges that turn upward in a direction toward said housing portion for contacting the surface of the object to be measured and turn upward along substantially an entire length of said extended tape when in use so as to stiffen said tape from being bent downward, and a free end extending through said opening, an end stop mounted on said free end, top measurement indicia inscribed on the top surface of said measuring tape, bottom measurement indicia inscribed on the bottom surface of said measuring tape, wherein said tape opening is in close proximity to said top portion so that when said tape measure is being used to measure against an overhead surface, with said edges being in close proximity to said overhead surface, the portion of said tape extending through said opening which is in close proximity to said housing is positionable in close proximity to said overhead surface without having to bend said tape to move said housing away from said overhead surface.