Abstract:
A measuring tape system for determining the girth or length of an object, the measuring tape system including a flexible tape containing specific measuring indicia. One end of the flexible tape is secured to and wound about a drum rotatably mounted within a housing. The drum is spring biased such that it will allow the associated tape to be paid out against the bias of the spring and upon the appropriate command is retrieved and rewound on the drum. The flexible tape is pulled from the housing through an appropriate opening in the wall of the housing and the free end of the tape is selectively placed in a receiver formed in the housing.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/296,271, filed Jun. 6, 2001. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a measuring tape system, and more particularly to a measuring tape system for determining the girth or length of an object. The system includes a flexible tape containing specific measuring indicia wherein one end of the flexible tape is secured to and wound about a drum rotatably mounted within a housing and the free end of the tape is releasably placed in a receiver formed in the housing. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     Various systems have been designed for measuring the girth or circumference of objects. Such a prior art system is illustrated and described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,129,582. The apparatus disclosed utilizes a spring biased tape forming a loop. The end of the tape opposite that which is attached to a rotatably mounted drum is permanently attached to the housing. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,262,664 discloses a tape having a U-shaped member secured at one end thereof. The U-shaped member slidingly receives the tape therein to permit measurement of a circumference of an object. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,785 shows a locking device having measurement indicia on an extendable length of material to be used as a measuring device. The extendable length of material includes a rigid T-shaped terminal end. 
     It would be desirable to produce a measuring tape system for measuring the girth or length of an object which is easily wrapped around the object, cinches to a precise measurement of the girth, and is easy to use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Consistent and consonant with the present invention, a measuring tape system for measuring the girth or length of an object which is easily wrapped around the object, cinches to a precise measurement of the girth, and is easy to use has surprisingly been discovered. 
     The measuring tape system for measuring the circumference or girth of an object comprises: a housing having a hollow main body portion and a handle portion, the hollow main body portion having a tape outlet opening and a spaced apart cavity; a spring biased drum rotatably mounted within the housing; a flexible tape with measuring indicia disposed on at least one side thereof, the tape having a first end attached to the drum and a second end extending through the tape outlet opening of the main body portion of the housing; an end piece mounted on the second end of the tape which is adapted to be selectively received by and retained within the cavity formed in the main body portion of the housing, the end piece having a configuration distinct from the configuration of the tape outlet opening of the housing thereby militating against the end piece from entering the housing; and means for selectively unlocking and locking the drum to allow the tape to be coiled and uncoiled respectively whereby the coiling of the tape will cause the tape to tightly surround the object. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above, as well as other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be understood from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the invention showing the measuring tape in an extended position out of the housing and with a portion of the housing cutaway to show an interior tape drum; 
     FIG. 2 is a right hand end view of the device illustrated in FIG. 1 with the flexible tape being coiled completely within the associated housing; 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of the invention showing the measuring tape in an extended position out of the housing and with a portion of the housing cutaway to show an interior tape drum; and 
     FIG. 4 is a right hand end view of the device illustrated in FIG. 3 with the flexible tape being coiled completely within the associated housing. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, and particularly FIG. 1, there is shown generally at  10  a measuring tape system incorporating the features of the invention. The measuring tape system  10  provides a means for measuring the circumference or girth and length of an object such as a package, for example. The measuring tape system  10  includes a housing  12 , having a hollow main body portion  14  and an associated handle portion  16 . In the embodiment shown, the handle portion  16  is shown as having a smooth and rounded outer surface. It is understood that other handle configurations could be used such as one having a grip portion formed to fit a hand of a user with individual finger depressions, for example. The housing  12  includes a generally flat planar bottom surface  18  and a generally flat planar top surface  20 , as illustrated in FIG.  2 . 
     A spring biased measuring tape rotary storage drum or spool  22  is disposed within the hollow interior of the hollow main body portion  14 . A wound spring, for example, is typically used to bias the drum  22 , but it is understood that other spring types could be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The spring biased drum  22  can be any conventionally available drum such as that commercially available from Giantdragon, for example. The drum  22  is rotatably mounted within the housing  12 . A retractor button  24  is disposed within an aperture  26  formed in the top surface  20  of the housing  12  and is operative to effectively retract a ratchet (not shown but well known in the art) associated with the drum  22  as will be explained in greater detail hereinafter. It is understood that other retractor mechanisms could be used such as a finger trigger, for example, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
     One end of a flexible tape  28  with measuring indicia  30  imprinted thereon is attached to the drum  22 . The measuring indicia  30  can be printed on both sides of the tape  28 . At least one side of the tape  28  has indicia which includes the length of an end wall  32  of the hollow main body portion  14 . The second side of the tape  28  may include indicia  30  which begins at zero to be used for length measurements. In the embodiment shown, secondary indicia  34  is included on the tape  28 . The tape  28  is wound or coiled about an outer circumference of the drum  22 . 
     The free end of the tape  28  is caused to pass through a tape outlet  36  formed in a sidewall  38  of the housing  12 . The free end of the tape  28  is provided with an end piece  40  in the form of a cylindrical peg which functions to prohibit the free end of the tape  28  from traveling through the outlet  36 , and also is selectively receivable with a cylindrical cavity  42  formed in the housing  12  in spaced relation from the outlet  36 . The cylindrical cavity  42  is provided with a slot  44  which receives the tape  28  adjacent the end piece  40 . 
     A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Referring now to FIG. 3, a measuring tape system  100 ′ is shown which includes a housing  12 ′, having a hollow main body portion  14 ′ and an associated handle portion  16 ′. In the embodiment shown, the handle portion  16 ′ is shown as having a smooth and rounded outer surface. It is understood that other handle configurations could be used such as one having a grip portion formed to fit a hand of a user with individual finger depressions, for example. The housing  12 ′ includes a generally flat planar bottom surface  18 ′ and a generally flat planar top surface  20 ′, as illustrated in FIG.  4 . 
     A spring biased measuring tape rotary storage drum or spool  22 ′ is disposed within the hollow interior of the hollow main body portion  14 ′. A wound spring, for example, is typically used to bias the drum  22 ′, but it is understood that other spring types could be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The spring biased drum  22 ′ can be any conventionally available drum such as that commercially available from Giantdragon, for example. The drum  22 ′ is rotatably mounted within the housing  12 ′. A retractor button  24 ′ is disposed within an aperture  26 ′ formed in the top surface  20 ′ of the housing  12 ′ and is operative to effectively retract a ratchet (not shown but well know in the art) associated with the drum  22 ′ as will be explained in greater detail hereinafter. It is understood that other retractor mechanisms could be used such as a finger trigger, for example, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
     One end of a flexible tape  28 ′ with measuring indicia  30 ′ imprinted thereon is attached to the drum  22 ′. The measuring indicia  30 ′ can be printed on both sides of the tape  28 ′. At least one side of the tape  28 ′ has indicia which includes the length of an end wall  32 ′ of the hollow main body portion  14 ′. The second side of the tape  28 ′ may include indicia  30 ′ which begins at zero to be used for length measurements. In the embodiment shown, secondary indicia  34 ′ is included on the tape  28 ′. The tape  28 ′ is wound or coiled about an outer circumference of the drum  22 ′. 
     The free end of the tape  28 ′ is caused to pass through a tape outlet  361  formed in a side wall  38 ′ of the housing  12 ′. The free end of the tape  28 ′ is provided with an end latch  60 ′. The end latch  60 ′ prohibits the free end of the tape  28 ′ from traveling through the outlet  36 ′. The end latch  60 ′ comprises a main body  62 ′ and an end tab  64 ′ which is connected to the main body  62 ′ by a hinge  66 ′. A plurality of projections  68 ′ are formed on one side of the end tab  64 ′ The end tab  64 ′ of the end latch  60 ′ is adapted to be received in a slot  70 ′ formed in the end wall  32 ′. A depression  72 ′ formed in the housing  12 ′ receives the main body  62 ′ to maintain a generally planar surface on the end wall  32 ′ A protuberance  74 ′ receives the end latch  60 ′ to store the end latch  60 ′ when not in use. 
     The operation of embodiments of the invention will now be described. A common use for the invention illustrated in the drawings is to measure the girth of a package to determine mailing or handling costs. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, when it is desired to measure the girth of a package, the tape  28  is pulled out from the housing  12  in sufficient length to wrap around the girth of the package. The girth is typically defined as twice the width plus twice the breadth of the package. The length of the package is typically defined as the longest dimensional side of the package. 
     After the tape  28  is wrapped around the girth of the package being measured, the end piece  40  is inserted into the cylindrical cavity  42 . At this stage of the measuring operation, it is important that the tape  28  does not become twisted. 
     In order to assure an accurate measurement, the retract button  24  is depressed inwardly of the housing  12  to release the ratchet which permits the drum  22  to rotate in a direction to retract the tape  28  and causes the tape  28  to tighten around the associated package. At this stage the end wall  32  of the housing  12  must be resting against the surface of the package being measured to ensure an accurate measurement. In the embodiment shown, the measuring tape system  10  is ideally used with a package having at least one flat surface, against which the end wall  32  is caused to rest. It is understood that a differently shaped end wall  32  could be used such as arcuate, for example, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
     Typically the girth measurement indicia appears on the face of the tape  28  at the outlet  36  where the tape  28  emerges from the housing  12 . The position is then marked by holding the tape  28  between the thumb and forefinger of the operator. The holding of the tape  28  in this manner permits an additional length of tape  28  to be pulled out of the housing  12  to measure the length of the package. During the latter step, the end piece  40  is allowed to remain in the cylindrical cavity  42 . 
     The total or sum of the two measurements (girth and length) is used to indicate the appropriate package classification which is categorized by use of the secondary indicia  34  on the face of the tape  28 . Depending upon the particular size and the categorization of a package by a particular shipper, the designation of category may be Standard, Additional Handling, OS 1  (oversized class  1 ), OS 2  (oversized class  2 ), or Maximum, for example, and shipping or handling costs may be determined 
     The other face of the tape  28  may contain a scale for linear measurements with the idicia starting at zero. 
     In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, when it is desired to measure the girth of a package, end latch  60 ′ is removed from the protuberance  74 ′ the end tab  64 ′ is rotated 90 degrees to cause the end latch  60 ′ to form an L-shape, and the tape  28 ′ is pulled out from the housing  12 ′ in sufficient length to wrap around the girth of the package. The girth is typically defined as twice the width plus twice the breadth of the package. The length of the package is typically defined as the longest dimensional side of the package. 
     After the tape  28 ′ is wrapped around the girth of the package being measured, the end tab  64 ′ of the end latch  60 ′ is inserted into the slot  70 ′ until the main body  62 ′ is received in the depression  72 ′. At this stage of the measuring operation, it is important that the tape  28 ′ does not become twisted. 
     In order to assure an accurate measurement, the retract button  24 ′ is depressed inwardly of the housing  12 ′ to release the ratchet which permits the drum  22 ′ to rotate in a direction to retract the tape  28 ′ and causes the tape  28 ′ to tighten around the associated package. At this stage the end wall  32 ′ of the housing  12 ′ must be resting against the surface of the package being measured to ensure an accurate measurement. In the embodiment shown, the measuring tape system  100 ′ is ideally used with a package having at least one flat surface, against which the end wall  32 ′ is caused to rest. It is understood that a differently shaped end wall  32 ′ could be used such as arcuate, for example, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
     Typically the girth measurement indicia appears on the face of the tape  28 ′ at the outlet  36 ′ where the tape  28 ′ emerges from the housing  12 ′. The position is then marked by holding the tape  28 ′ between the thumb and forefinger of the operator. The holding of the tape  28 ′ in this manner permits an additional length of tape  28 ′ to be pulled out of the housing  12 ′ to measure the length of the package. During the latter step, the end latch  60 ′ is allowed to remain in the slot  70 ′. 
     The total or sum of the two measurements (girth and length) is used to indicate the appropriate package classification which is categorized by use of the secondary indicia  34 ′ on the face of the tape  28 ′. Depending upon the particular size and the categorization of a package by a particular shipper, the designation of category may be Standard, Additional Handling, OS 1  (oversized class  1 ), OS 2  (oversized class  2 ), or Maximum, for example, and shipping or handling costs may be determined. 
     The other face of the tape  28 ′ may contain a scale for linear measurements with the idicia starting at zero. In the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4, long linear measurements can be obtained by one person without the assistance of another person. The end latch  60 ′ is placed over the corner of the package and the projections  68 ′ militate against the end latch  60 ′ slipping off of the package. The user then reads the length measurement from the tape  28 ′. When not in use, the end tab  64 ′ is rotated 90 degrees to be essentially adjacent and flush with the main body  62 ′ and the end latch  60 ′ is engaged with the protuberance  74 ′. 
     It will be understood that other indicia could be substituted for the indicia noted above without departing from the overall inventive concept. 
     From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions. For example, a belt clip could be added for temporary storage of the measuring tape system when the user is attending to other tasks.