Abstract:
An integrated marker and tape measure ( 20 ) which include a flexible tape and recoil assembly ( 24 ) and a marking mechanism ( 40 ). A desired tape dimension is aligned with a fixed indicator on the housing and a mark is made at the indicator on a surface being measured. The tool makes a linear mark by means of a simple button press which slidably moves the marking mechanism ( 40 ) across the surface. There is also included the option to have a braking mechanism, a locking mechanism, a level ( 120 ), a lens ( 118 ), a light ( 112 ), a marking template ( 122 ), and a means to add and subtract these optional features. The marking mechanism ( 40 ) can be exchanged with other marking mechanisms utilizing a variety of marking media.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to measuring devices, specifically an integrated marker and tape measure consisting of: a housing, a flexible tape with measuring increments, a coiling mechanism for the flexible tape, an extensible marking element for placing a mark on the surface being measured, and indicia located on the housing for indicating mark placement. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Tape measures are generally used to either measure dimensions of an existing object or as an aid for marking at a specific distance from a reference point. While tape measures are adequate for measuring, it is more difficult for a user to mark a dimension accurately when using a separate marking instrument. 
     There is a variety of prior art which integrates a marking instrument or mechanism into a tape measure. The inventions tend to be more difficult to use as the marking method is not easy to use nor intuitive. When using a desirable erasable marking material like graphite, the prior art often requires the user to move the housing of the tape measure in order to make a mark. This movement can be difficult to perform accurately. Many systems modify the tape measure such that it is difficult to place in a pocket or employ in traditional measuring operations which diminishes its functionality as a tape measure. 
     A variety of inscriptive devices have been disclosed which combine a marker and tape measure. Agostinacci (U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,941; issued Oct. 30, 1990) discloses a double pronged marking system which uses an actuator member to deploy a mark on both sides of the tape. Several disadvantages of Agostinacci include placement of the actuator member in a position difficult for a user to operate during a variety of measuring and marking tasks, and a braking mechanism, which is not optimally functional. In addition, the invention makes two marks on the surface, which may not always be ideal for home applications. Pentecost (U.S. Pat. No. 4,630,376; issued Dec. 23, 1986) discloses an inscriptive device which is attached to the exterior of an existing tape measure. The device tends to be difficult to align with a desired measurement and difficult to operate in an ergonomically efficient manner. Ruffer (U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,939; issued Oct. 6, 1998) discloses a totally enclosed marking attachment for any tape measure which is engaged by lifting a finger pull and releasing to cause a striker to make an ink mark on the surface. The means of actuation, pulling up and releasing, may be difficult to perform in a variety of hand positions which is necessary for the operation of a tape measure; and the marking action is difficult to use with graphite. 
     Potter et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,152; issued Nov. 3, 1998) discloses an integrated system for measuring and marking on a surface by means of moving the housing towards the surface to mark a given point but again is difficult to use with an erasable marking material. Doak et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,760,648; issued Aug. 2, 1988) discloses a marking device that attaches to an existing tape measure and has a marking member which projects downward to contact the surface adjacent to a prescribed indicator. The marking device protrudes from the side of the housing and can interfere with location of the device in a storage pocket or may mar surfaces it comes in contact with. Taylor (U.S. Pat. No. 4,015,337; issued Apr. 5, 1977) discloses a combined tape measure and marking device that includes a tape measure assembly and a spring loaded arm which marks the surface pivotally on one side of the device. The invention also combines a mechanism such that when the mark is made, the tape is retracted into the housing automatically. 
     A variety of disclosures have been made regarding the inscription of a line perpendicular to the edge of a surface. Hastings et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,810) discloses a combination tape measure and straight edge apparatus, Clifton (U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,599; issued Aug. 4, 1998) discloses a layout and guide tool for marking a work surface, and Skinner (U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,662) discloses a tape measure assembly with a ridge that is disposed along an edge of its housing and is generally perpendicular to the housing&#39;s spooling axis. While all are capable of making a mark which is generally perpendicular to an edge, none integrate the feature into the housing itself, thus saving added complexity and additional manufactured part cost. Hammerstrom (U.S. Pat. No. 4,296,554; issued Oct. 27, 1981) discloses a belt clip which allows the insertion of a pencil for creating a visual mark on the surface. This requires the user to move the body of the tape measure to create a mark, an action which requires particular dexterity. Yamamoto (U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,589; issued Sep. 24, 1985) requires a mark to be made by means of rotating the case towards the extended tape, aligning the marker with the desired measurement, and scribing a mark. This also requires a particular dexterity to make an accurate mark. Carlson (U.S. Pat. No. 4,667,412; issued May 26, 1987) places a marking substance directly below an easy to read indicator yet requires frequent refills to maintain accuracy and a sideways motion to create a mark. Samson (U.S. Pat. No. 4,729,171; issued Mar. 8, 1988) incorporates an actuating element that allows for marking at both ends of the tape measure and this requires a side motion to use graphite lead to make a mark. Legare (U.S. Pat. No. 4,914,830; issued Apr. 10, 1990) discloses a tape measuring device with an integrated holder for a marking instrument like a pencil or pen. While the system is effective for making arcs, it is difficult to use for the marking of a simple linear dimension. Kuze et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,944; issued Oct. 30, 1990) is a measuring rule whose case allows for the marking of lines perpendicular and at an angle to an edge but does not allow for the marking without a secondary instrument. McKnight (U.S. Pat. No. 4,580,347; issued Apr. 8, 1986) discloses a tape measure with a number of features including an integrated light for viewing the tape. 
     The inventors believe the known prior art taken alone or in combination neither anticipate nor render obvious the present invention. These citations do not constitute an admission that such disclosures are relevant or material to the present claims. Rather, these citations relate only to the general field of the disclosure and are cited as constituting the closest art of which the inventor is aware. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, several advantages of the present invention are: 
     (a) the ability to mark on a surface at a given distance from a reference point by pressing a button; 
     (b) the flexibility to use a variety of marking media including stamped ink, ball point pen, and graphite; 
     (c) the ability to use a marking media which requires friction with a writing surface to make a mark; 
     (d) the ability to create a mark in the shape of a line; 
     (e) a system which applies progressive braking to the tape assembly as a mark is being made; 
     (f) a system whereby the marking assembly is modular and can be changed depending on user preference and the material being marked; 
     (g) a system that can use a standard mechanical lead mechanism which has benefits of reliability and standardization of refills; 
     (h) a direct line of sight from above or from the side to align the mark and tape indicia with greater accuracy; 
     (i) a system which includes a modular door element which can be modified for additional features including a level, a light, a lens with a crosshair, and a magnifying lens; 
     (j) an attachment that acts as a square for drawing perpendicular and angled lines to an edge and other template dimensions; 
     (k) the ability to draw radii and parallel lines without a separate marking device; 
     (l) the ability to see tape indicia on either side of the door indicia, thus making it easier to accurately align a desired dimension (as opposed to aligning a dimension with the edge of a housing where the tape emerges); 
     (m) a footprint which is significantly similar to an existing tape measure in both size and durability. 
     These and other advantages are provided by the present invention, which in preferred embodiments relates to an integrated marker and tape measure which allows for measurement to a certain distance from a reference point and application of a mark at said distance. 
     Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the integrated marker and tape measure from the left side. 
     FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the integrated marker and tape measure from the right side. 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of the integrated marker and tape measure. 
     FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the marking assembly. 
     FIG. 5-A is a side and top view of the marking assembly at rest. 
     FIG. 5-B is a side and top view of the marking assembly when the button has been depressed such that the marking device is in contact with the surface to be marked. 
     FIG. 5-C is a side and top view of the marking assembly once the marking device has made a mark on the surface. 
     FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the integrated marker and tape measure with a light integrated into the door. 
     FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the integrated marker and tape measure with a lens integrated into the door. 
     FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the integrated marker and tape measure with a level integrated into the door. 
     FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the integrated marker and tape measure with an accessory template. 
     FIGS. 10-A and  10 -B are perspective views of a marking assembly according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the marking assembly shown in FIGS. 10-A and  10 -B. 
     FIGS. 12-A and  12 -B are perspective views of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10-A through  11  mounted within the tape measure and marking device according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Integrated Tape Measure and Marking Assembly—FIGS. 1 to  4   
     A typical embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG.  4 . An integrated marker and tape measure  20  is shown to include a left housing  30 , a right housing  32 , a tape reel assembly  24 , a door  34 , a marking assembly  22 , a locking assembly  26 , and a belt clip  36 , all held together with one or more screws  54  or other suitable assembly method. Left housing  30  and right housing  32  enclose the tape reel assembly  24 , a button  44 , and a button spring  46  when assembled. 
     Referring to FIG. 3, tape reel assembly  24  is commercially available. A tape  78  is resiliently coiled on a tape reel  82  within a left housing  30  and a right housing  32 . The tape is biased to retract around the tape reel when assembled. The tape includes multiple tape indicia  80  for measuring linear distances and a tape tab  84  is attached to the leading end of the tape to be used in positioning the leading end of the tape to the reference point, line, or plane from which a distance will be measured. The tape reel assembly is placed on a tape reel axle  72 . 
     The button  44  is placed within a button seat  56  and held at a bias away from the button seat my means of a button spring  46 . The button protrudes through a button hole  70  and is prevented from passing completely through by means of the button construction which is locally larger at its base than the button hole. 
     When connected, left housing  30  and right housing  32  create a cavity into which door  34  can be inserted and secured in place. An assembly of a yoke  42  and a marking mechanism  40  can be captured between right housing  32  and door  34  when secured in the cavity. Door  34  incorporates a door recess  74  and a pair of door indicia  76  at the bottom of said recess. The left housing and the right housing each have a mark indicator  100  which, when fully assembled with the door, are co-linear with both door indicia  76  and the center longitudinal axis of marking device  58 , and parallel with tape indicia  80 . A marking slot  68  is also in direct alignment with the door indicia, mark indicator, and the longitudinal axis of the marking device, which passes through said marking slot to mark a surface. 
     In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, marking assembly  22  consists of a yoke  42 , a marking mechanism  40 , button  44 , and button spring  46 . Yoke  42  consists of multiple angled slots  62 , a ramp  64 , a yoke hole  108 , and a yoke spring  106 . Marking mechanism  40  consists of a marking device  58  and multiple axles  60 . The preferred embodiment illustrates marking device  58  which is a mechanical pencil mechanism of well-known construction. The mechanical pencil has a graphite advance button  94  and a means for inserting said graphite into the device. Marking device  58  can be any material commonly used for making a mark on a surface including for example a writing instrument or a sharp object capable of scoring a surface. Marking mechanism  40  is assembled with yoke  42  such that axles  60  align with and are inserted into slots  62  and the axles are free to slide along the length of the slots. By sliding the axles within the slots, the marking mechanism moves both vertically and horizontally relative to the yoke. A yoke spring  106  can be integrated into the yoke and bears against a side of the marking mechanism such that the marking mechanism is positively biased towards the open longitudinal portion of the yoke. While the preferred embodiment illustrates an integrated yoke spring  106 , this feature can be a separate part, for example a leaf spring or coil spring. The yoke further incorporates a ramp  64  which is angled. 
     In a preferred embodiment, button  44  incorporates a button shaft  66  which is of such a cross section to prevent rotation along the main axis and a button pin  104  which protrudes perpendicularly to the main axis of the button. Spring  46  is provided such that, when the button, spring, left housing, and right housing are assembled, the button protrudes through a button hole  70  and is biased away from the left housing. 
     In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the graphite advance  94  protrudes from the yoke through a yoke hole  108 . When marking assembly  22  is captured within the assembled marking tape measure, button pin  104  aligns within ramp  64 . The diameter of the button pin is generally round and sized smaller than the width of ramp  64  such that it can move freely along the length of the ramp. When depressed, the button and the button pin move in a generally linear path (i.e., along the main axis of the button). When the button pin moves in a linear path along the length of the ramp, the button pin bears against the lower wall of the ramp to move the yoke generally downward along its vertical axis. The yoke does not move in any substantial horizontal motion as it is constrained from such movement by its placement between the door and the right housing. As the button moves along the course of its stroke, the button exerts friction onto tape reel  82  such that progressive braking is achieved. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, graphite advance  94  also protrudes from the right housing  32  through housing hole  96 , which is sized to accommodate the vertical linear motion of the marking mechanism. The graphite advance extends beyond the surface of the right housing such that the stroke of the graphite advance can be swept. 
     A locking assembly  26  well-known in the art is incorporated to lock a tape  78  at any position of extension from the marking tape measure. A lock button  52  travels in a lock slot  88  when activated by the user. 
     Description—Alternative Embodiments—FIGS. 6 to  9   
     There are a variety of alternative embodiments for the integrated marker and tape measure. Door  34  can be modified to incorporate different features without making modifications to the left housing or right housing. Referring to FIG. 6, the door can integrate a light  112  and a power source (not shown) into the upper or lower part of door recess  74 . The light, which shines on tape  78 , can be activated in a variety of methods including an on-off switch (not illustrated), a pressure switch (not illustrated) which turns on as the marking button is depressed slightly and off when released, or a combination of the two via a user selected mode switch  116 . The light can be a light emitting diode, a halogen bulb, or another standard lighting method well-known in the art. 
     Another modification to the door is shown in FIG. 7 where a lens  118  has been added to door recess  74 . The lens may include a cross hair line which can be aligned with tape indicia  80  in order to provide more accurate readings. The lens may also include a magnifying lens such that the tape indicia appear larger to the user and easier to read. The lens may be a separate part attached to the door or integrated into the door itself. 
     Yet another modification to door  34  is shown in FIG.  8  and illustrates the incorporation of a level  120  into the top surface. Alternatively, the level can be integrated into the main housing consisting of left housing  30  and right housing  32 . 
     FIG. 9 shows a template  122  which can be used as an optional accessory attached to the marking tape measure to create additional functionality. The template can be attached to the marking tape measure and be used in conjunction with the marking feature. The template may include a square edge for scribing a perpendicular line to an edge, angled indicia from an origin for scribing angled lines relative to an edge, perforations to mark frequently used dimensions in construction or scribe parallel lines to an edge, or arced slots for scribing arcs. 
     The preferred embodiment of the left housing, the right housing, the yoke, the button, and the door may be, but are not limited to, injection molded plastic materials with characteristics which allow for operation in conjunction with the invention and metal materials. Plastic materials may include ABS and ABS and polycarbonate blends. The preferred embodiments for assembling the present invention include screws and ultrasonic welding for joining the left housing and the right housing. The marking device could be a pre-inked marking stamp, a sharp point which would scribe the surface, graphite, a ball point pen, a felt tip pen, or another material which causes a mark to be made when it comes in contact with the surface being measured and marked. 
     Operation—Marking Mechanism—FIGS. 1,  2 ,  4 ,  5 A,  5 B,  5 C 
     The operation of the integrated marker and tape measure according to the present is as follows. A user extends tape  78  from the enclosure comprised of the left housing, the right housing, and the door. The user places a tape tab  84  over an edge or against a surface or otherwise aligned with a point from which they wish to measure and mark a relative distance. While one hand is used to steady the tape, the other hand manipulates the housing along a surface until door indicia  76  are aligned accurately with tape indicia  80  corresponding to said desired dimension. Depending on preference and measurement orientation of said surface being measured and marked, the user can sight said indicia alignment from above or from the front of door recess  74 . Upon satisfactory alignment at the desired dimension, the user depresses button  44  which causes sequentially a braking motion to tape reel assembly  24  and a resulting mark is made on said surface. Upon removal of the marking tape measure, the user can see said mark placed on said surface in direct alignment with the door indicia. 
     Depression of button  44  causes a mark to be made on a surface  45  by graphite  110  as follows. Referring to FIG. 5A, upon the initial depression of button  44  into the right housing  32 , button pin  104  engages against the lower edge of angled ramp  64 . As the yoke is horizontally constrained but vertically unconstrained, such engagement of the pin  104  against angled ramp  64  as the button  66  is depressed causes the yolk to move vertically downward within the device  20  toward the surface. The button pin  104  is prevented from rotation by the square button shaft  66  traveling within correspondingly shaped square button seat  56 , or by other means commonly known in the art. 
     The yoke spring  106  and angled slots  62  together act on the marking mechanism  40  to bias the mechanism  40  to its most rearward position (i.e. away from hole  108  in FIG. 4) and its lowermost position within the yoke  42 . In particular, the spring  106  exerts a force on the side of the mechanism  40  to bias the mechanism  40  rearward. The axles  60  exert this rearward force on the upper edges of angled slots  62 , which in turn translate a portion of this force downward. Thus, prior to the marking mechanism touching the surface  45 , the marking mechanism  40  is biased into a stationary position in the yoke  42  and moves with yoke  42  as the yoke moves downward. 
     Once the graphite  110  contacts the surface  45  as shown in FIG. 5B, relative movement between the yoke and the marking mechanism occurs because the marking mechanism is prevented from moving downward further by the surface, but the yoke continues to move downward upon continued depression of button  44 . As the yoke moves downward with respect to the marking mechanism, the upper edges of angled slots  62  force the marking mechanism to move horizontally relative to the yoke, leaving a mark  47  on the surface  45  as it moves horizontally. It is significant that mark  47  is made while the integrated marker and tape measure  20  according to the present invention remains stationary on the surface  45 . 
     The graphite  110  of marking mechanism  40  is pressed down on surface  45  while making mark  47  as a result of the yoke spring  106  and angled slots  62 . As noted above, the yoke spring exerts a lateral force on the marking mechanism, a component of which is translated into a downward vertical force by the upper edges of the slots  62 . The force of the graphite  110  against the surface  45 , as well as the force required on button  44  to create mark  47 , can be varied by varying the spring constant of the yoke spring and/or by varying the angle of slots  62 . When the button  44  is fully depressed and mark  47  is fully formed, a detent  92  placed on the ramp can provide positive feedback to the user that the mark has been made. 
     When a force is no longer applied, a button spring  46  returns the button to its positive rest position against the right housing. As the button pin returns its path along the ramp, the yoke is moved upwards vertically until it returns to the rest position at the top of its travel. As the graphite no longer has a downward vertical force applied, the marking mechanism is returned via the yoke spring to its positive bias away from the central wall of the yoke. Thus, at the end of the return stroke of the button, all components are returned to their state of rest as shown in FIG.  5 A. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that other finger-actuated mechanisms may be substituted for button  44  in alternative embodiments, such as for example a small lever. As used herein, “finger” may also include the thumb. 
     The left housing may incorporate a depression  90  used to help the user align and direct the pushing of the button. As an alternative embodiment, another positively sprung button is placed a the location of the depression to help secure the housing when a mark is made. 
     In the preferred embodiment, a graphite advance  94  is used to extend the graphite from marking mechanism  40  in discrete increments as needed by the user. This action is carried out generally when the marking assembly is in the rest position. 
     Operation—Inside Dimension—FIG. 2 
     In order to take an inside dimension between two vertical objects, for example two walls, a user places tape tab  84  against one surface and a rear wall  126  on the other surface and the tape indicia lined up with the door indicia are read. The dimension between the surfaces is arrived at by adding to said dimension an inside dimension indicator  102  clearly marked on the side of the housing. The user is instructed about this feature as the inside dimension indicator is an increment between mark indicator  100  and rear wall  126 . 
     Operation—Changing Marking Mechanisms—FIG. 3 
     As previously indicated, the assembly of marking mechanism  40  and yoke  42  is secured in place between door  34  and right housing  32 . Said assembly can be removed for refilling or changed to another more suitable marking media. Said assembly is accessed by removing the door and taking out the yoke and the marking device. To replace the assembly, it is aligned in the right housing and the door is secured in place. An alternative embodiment would connect the yoke and marking mechanism to the door such that it would be removed when the door is removed. 
     Operation—Light—FIG. 6 
     In an alternative embodiment, a light  112  is operated such that when button  44  is depressed slightly, contact is made between the light and power source (not shown). The light remains on while the button is depressed. Alternatively, the light is activated by means of a simple on-off switch or a mode switch  116  which would switch between the states of on, off, and activation only when the button is depressed. The power source and light is serviced or replaced by removing the door. 
     Operation—Lens—FIG. 7 
     Another alternative embodiment combines a transparent lens  118  combined with door  34 . The lens is placed within door recess  74  in a plane substantially parallel to the tape, such that the user can sight through the lens to tape indicia  80  below. The lens may incorporate a graphic element to help define alignment between a desired measurement and the centerline of the marking mechanism. The graphic element can be one or more lines of various widths and lengths. Alternatively, the lens may incorporate a magnifying lens used to enlarge the tape indicia for easier reading. The lens can be stationary relative to the housing, or could be adjustable for focusing purposes. 
     Operation—Level—FIG. 8 
     In another variant, a level  120  integrated into the door is in a parallel plane to the bottom surface formed by the left housing and right housing. To perform a leveling operation, the tape is at least partially pulled out of said housing and said bottom surface is placed on the surface to be leveled. The user reads the level as is well-known in the art. Alternatively, the level is incorporated into any surface of the marking tape measure. 
     Operation—Template, Parallel Lines, and Arcs—FIG. 9 
     A template  122  is another alternative embodiment which may be attached as an accessory to the marking tape measure. The template is used in association with a mark made on a surface. The template enables a user to scribe a line which is: square to the edge of a surface in alignment with said mark, angled to a surface in alignment with said mark, an arc of various diameters, parallel to an edge of a surface, and various other manipulations generally carried out with thin walled templates. The template can also be integrated into either the left housing or the right housing or both. In addition, a pivot  124  can be used as a pivot point to scribe an arc. The user locks the tape at the corresponding diameter from the pivot, secures the pivot with a nail or other suitable point, depresses the button such that the marking device deploys, and scribes an arc. Similarly, a parallel line from an edge can be scribed by moving tape tab  84  along an edge while keeping the tape perpendicular and while holding down the button. 
     Alternative Tape Measure and Marking Assembly—FIGS. 10A to  12 B 
     Up to this point, the invention has been described as including a marking assembly  22  which moves a marking end  110  across a surface to mark the surface with a line. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 10A-12B, instead of translating downward into contact with the surface  45  and then translating along the surface, the marking assembly  22  may instead translate downward into contact with the surface, and then rotate concentrically along the axis of rotation. Rotation of the end  110  in contact with the surface  45  according to this embodiment causes the mark to be made on the surface. In this embodiment, marking assembly  22  includes an plunger  141  including an upper portion  140  having a substantially rounded top and a substantially square or rectangular cross-section below the rounded top. Plunger  141  further includes a lower portion  142  attached to the upper portion  140 , which portion  142  includes a pin  144  along its length. The marking assembly according to this embodiment further includes a yoke  146  having a central opening which fits around lower portion  142  so that pin  144  rides within a slot  147  formed diagonally and partially around circumference of yoke  146 . Graphite  110 , or another marking element, is in turn mounted to a bottom portion of the yoke  146 . 
     A spring  148  is also provided around lower portion  142  of plunger  141 , which spring has an upper end abutting against upper portion  140  and a lower end abutting against an upper lip of yoke  146  (spring  148  is omitted from FIG. 10A for clarity). Spring  148  biases the yoke  146  downward with respect to plunger  141  so that, when the end  10  is not in contact with a surface  45  to be marked, the pin  144  resides in an uppermost portion of slot  170 . 
     Button  44  in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10A-12B includes an upper flat  44   a,  a sloped surface  44   b,  and a lower flat  44   c.  Prior to button  44  being depressed to actuate the plunger  141 , the rounded top of upper portion  140  lies in contact with upper flat  44   a.  When button  44  is pushed inward into the right housing as described above, sloped surface  44   b  engages the rounded top and forces the plunger  141  downward. The upper portion  140  of plunger  141  rides within a restraining device (not shown) having a shape corresponding to upper portion  140  to thereby prevent rotation of the plunger  141  as it moves downward. 
     Biased by spring  148 , the yoke  146  remains stationary with respect to plunger  141  until the end  110  comes in contact with surface  45  as shown in FIG.  12 B. With the yoke  146  now prevented from translating further, and the plunger  141  continuing to move downward as it rides along sloped surface  44   b,  relative motion between the yoke and plunger occurs, and pin  144  rides downward in slot  147 . As pin  144  is prevented from rotating, this downward motion of pin  144  in slot  147  causes yoke  146  to rotate, and in turn the end  110  to rotate in contact with surface  45 . This rotation of end  110  against surface  45  leaves a desired mark on surface  45 . 
     This embodiment further includes a spring  150  (omitted from FIG. 10A for clarity) having a top end abutting against the upper lip of yoke  146  and a bottom end against stop  152 . Stop  152  includes a central opening through which yoke  146  translates. Spring  150  biases the yoke  146  and plunger  141  (via spring  148 ) upward. Thus, when button  44  is released, the yoke  146  and plunger  141  move upward as button  44  returns to its unbiased position. 
     Accordingly, the reader will see that the integrated marker and tape measure of the invention can be used to easily make a mark on a surface from a pre-designated point or edge to a desired dimension. The means for actuation of the marking mechanism are placed in an ergonomically desirable location suitable for both right and left handed users. The direction of actuation, normal to the sidewall of the housing, provides for a more accurate result as the body of the invention does not move as the button is being depressed. Similarly, integration of a braking mechanism with the actuation of the marking assembly provides for a more accurate mark as the spool cannot move as the mark is being produced. 
     The marking mechanism can mechanically make a line on a surface with a movement independent of the housing. In other words, the user need not move the housing to create a mark on a surface; the line is created from mechanical means when an actuator is depressed by the user. In addition, there are a variety of ways to sight and align the tape indicia with the indicia showing the location of the mark. The ability both to look down onto the indicia from the top and to see tape indicia on both sides of the door indicia provide a more controllable method for the user. 
     The present invention can make a mark with a variety of marking media and can be changed easily from one to another. These can include stamped ink, ball point pen, and standard graphite, some of which require movement and friction to create a visible mark. The motion of the marking mechanism also makes it possible to create a line of varying length. In addition, there exists the ability to swap in different marking media for different applications. 
     With a housing including the left and right housing described above, the door can be modified to alter the functionality of a particular product. While in the preferred embodiment the door acts as an alignment device, it can be modified to incorporate a light, a level, a magnifying lens, or a sight with a crosshair, among other things. The door could be constructed of a clear molded material and glow to more easily see the tape indicia. The door and the placement of the door indicia also make it easier for a user to sight a desired dimension as there has been provided space between the inner wall of the door recess and the door indicia. This space makes it easier to target a dimension accurately as opposed to reading the dimension as it aligns with the opening as the tape departs the housing. The space also makes it easier to take an interior dimension as the tape indicia are easier to read when fully exposed. 
     The marking tape measure can extend its functionality by the addition of accessories like the template which allows the user to perform common measuring tasks like scribing perpendicular lines, angled lines, arcs, and commonly used distances. The invention can also be anchored to the pivot and an arc scribed using the marking mechanism. Similarly, a parallel line can be scribed by moving the tape perpendicular along an edge with the marking mechanism deployed. 
     Those of skill in the art will further appreciate that in a further embodiment of the present invention (not shown), yoke  146  and pin  144  maybe omitted, and the marking end  110  may be affixed directly to lower portion  142  of the plunger so that upon depression of button  44 , there is no rotation, but a mark is made solely as a result of contact between marking end  110  and the surface  45 . 
     Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, the housing can have other shapes, the button can be an integrated part, the marking mechanism can be a sharp object or other suitable marking device, the indication of mark placement could be digitally controlled, the materials for manufacture may be different, etc. 
     While certain exemplary embodiments have been described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and are not restrictive to the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.