Abstract:
A tape measure employs a generally rounded housing which receives a retractable measuring tape that is coilable within the housing and biased towards the fully coiled position. An actuator button is depressable to fix the measuring tape at a selected extended position. A clip assembly is removably attachable to the tape measure for facilitating mounting the tape measure to a belt. The end of the tape measure includes a stop member that may be configured as a hook portion defining a nail catch. The hook portion also has a rubber overmold to prevent slippage.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This application relates generally to general purpose tape measures. More particularly, this application relates to tape measures wherein the flexible measuring tape may be automatically retracted into a housing. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    Briefly stated, a tape measure in a preferred form comprises a generally contoured rounded housing for an automatically retractable coiled measuring tape and a removably attachable clip assembly. 
         [0003]    The removable clip assembly is preferably an integral one piece member having a polycarbonate or plastic composition which is flexible and easily mountable to the housing and dismountable from the housing. The clip assembly comprises a central disc-like base which integrally mounts a clip which is adapted to attach to a belt, pocket or similar apparel. 
         [0004]    A pair of resilient retention arms extend in generally opposite directions from the base. The retention arms have inner surfaces which generally conform to surface portions of the rounded housing. The retention arms preferably have an arcuate form which, upon mounting of the clip assembly, engage opposed side portions of the housing. A hook-like support arm engages the underside of the housing. The three arms are angularly disposed around the base in a generally “T” shaped configuration. The end portions of at least two of the arms have a bifurcated form to facilitate mounting and dismounting of the housing from the clip assembly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a tape measure; 
           [0006]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of a tape measure including a variation of the foot portion; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is an interior view, portions removed, of the tape measusre  FIG. 1A , illustrating the locking mechanism thereof; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of an embodiment of a hook portion end of the tape measure of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a perspective bottom view of a portion of the tape measure of  FIG. 3  and further incorporating an embodiment of a removable clip assembly (only partially illustrated); 
           [0010]      FIG. 5A  is a side view of the clip component of the removable clip assembly of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5B  is an opposite side view of the clip component of  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5C  is an end perspective view of the clip component of  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the tape measure of  FIG. 1  including the removable clip assembly of FIGS.  4  and  5 A-C; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the tape measure and clip assembly of  FIG. 6  further illustrating the removable clip assembly; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8A  is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of a clip attachment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8B  is an opposite rear perspective view of the clip attachment of  FIG. 8A ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8C  is an end view of the clip attachment of  FIG. 8A ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9A  is a perspective side view of the tape measure of  FIG. 1  and including a variation of the clip attachment of  FIGS. 8A-8C ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9B  is a perspective view of the opposite side of the tape measure and clip attachment of  FIG. 9A ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9C  is another perspective view of the tape measure and clip attachment of  FIG. 9B ; and 
           [0021]      FIGS. 10A-10D  are a series of side perspective views, partially in diagram form, of the tape measure and clip attachment of  FIGS. 9A-9C  that illustrate the steps involved in removing the clip attachment from the tape measure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    With reference to the drawings wherein like numerals represent like parts through the several figures, a tape measure is generally designated by the numeral  10 . The tape measure includes a contoured, sculptured rounded housing  20  of generally disc-like form. 
         [0023]    As seen in  FIGS. 1 through 4 , the housing includes two transversely spaced feet  22 . Each foot has a generally bulbous sculpted form with a substantially flat bottom surface  23  which allows the tape measure to sit on edge in a substantially upright position as illustrated in the drawings. In another embodiment, a rib  25  ( FIG. 1B ) may be added to the bottom surface of the feet to increase the stability of the tape measure when sitting on edge. 
         [0024]    The housing  2 D may be constructed from a hard plastic material or moulded from a polymeric material. In addition, the exterior surface of the housing may be formed from a resilient polymer, such as an elastomer, synthetic rubber and natural. rubber which provides a soft feel when touched. 
         [0025]    A measuring tape  50 , partially illustrated in  FIG. 2 , is automatically coilable in the interior of the housing under a spring action in a generally conventional fashion. The housing includes a lower slot  24  through which the tape extends. The tape typically includes a stop  52  at its terminus which defines the reference point and engages the housing to prevent the tape from fully retracting into the housing. In one embodiment, the stop  52  takes the form of an inverted L-shaped hook. The surface  54  of the hook is covered with a rubberized spray paint. The surface covering functions to provide a substantially non-slip engagement against the reference edge of the material (such as metal, wood, etc.) to be measured. 
         [0026]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the tape measure  10  incorporates a gear linked locking mechanism designated generally by the numeral  120 . When not in use, the measuring tape  50  is coiled about a spring-loaded central spool  110  which maintains the measuring tape in a fully coiled configuration. When the tape measure is in use, the locking mechanism  120  keeps the measuring tape  50  in a desired extended position via a gear-linked system that operates under a spring bias. 
         [0027]    The locking mechanism  120  includes levers  140 ,  142  and  144  and an actuator button  150  which is depressible from exteriorly of the housing. Lever  140  is pivotal about pin  141  and includes teeth  143  which mesh with corresponding teeth of lever arm  142 . Lever arm  142  is pivotal about pin  146  and includes teeth  148  which mesh with teeth  152  of lever arm  144  which is pivotal about pin  154 . A spring biases lever  142  to rotate counterclockwise (as viewed in  FIG. 2 ) which via the mesh against gear arm  160  engages the top of the tape to reversibly fix its position. 
         [0028]    Upon depressing the actuator button  150 , the lever arm  140  is cammed to rotate counterclockwise which in turn upwardly. pivots the gear arm  160  causing the tape to retract and recoil into the housing. In one preferred embodiment, the gear arm  160  has a distal rubber overmold portion  161  that facilitates the engagement of the gear against the tape. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment where the stop  52  is configured as a metal hook which is magnetized. In addition, the metal hook includes an arcuate cutout  170  which allows for the hook to be engaged by a nail, screw or similar appendage. The hook also preferably includes a transverse slot  172 . It is also preferred that surface  54  of the hook is covered with a rubberized paint. This will prevent the hook from slipping when it engages the end or reference edge of the material to be measured, such as wood, metal, etc. In another preferred embodiment, only the underside surface  51  of the hook is covered with rubberized paint. 
         [0030]    With reference to  FIGS. 4 through 10 , the tape measure may also be affixed with a removable clip assembly to facilitate clipping the tape measure to the belt or other apparel portion of the user. The present application discloses several embodiments of a removable clip assembly as described below. 
         [0031]    With reference to  FIGS. 4-7 , in a first embodiment of the removable clip assembly  200 , one side of the tape measure includes an aluminum cover sheet  201  which is mounted to the central portion of the housing. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the aluminum cover sheet includes two arcuate openings  202  and  204  which extend approximately the arcuate length of 45° and include an enlarged portions  206 ,  208  at opposite portions thereof. From the enlarged portions, the arcuate openings extend into narrowed portions  207 ,  209 . The configuration of the two arcuate openings provides the means for the removable engagement of the clip  210 , illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-5C ,  6  and  7 . 
         [0032]    The clip  210  may be formed from polycarbon or other durable materials and, as shown in  FIG. 5A , will preferably include a base  212  and a resilient clip portion  214 . The clip portion has a first end secured to the base and projecting downwardly therefrom. The unsecured second end  215  of the clip portion may be rounded or contoured to facilitate engagement against the belt or other material. The clip  210  is secured to the tape measure via two integral snaps  218  located on the backside  216  of the base ( FIG. 5B ). The snaps are configured to be inserted into the arcuate openings  202 ,  204  by engaging the enlarged portions  206 ,  208  (as seen in  FIG. 4 ). Turning the clip portion  450  in a clockwise direction will cause the snaps to slideably engage the narrowed portions of the openings and be securely, yet reversibly, locked in place. 
         [0033]    Other embodiments of a clip assembly are illustrated in  FIGS. 8A-8C  and  9 A- 9 C. These embodiments are one piece modules comprised of a flexible and durable molded plastic material that partially encloses a portion of the housing. As shown in  FIGS. 8A-8C , the clip assembly  300  is comprised of three substantially arcuate retention arms extending from a generally circular base portion  312  in a generally “T” shaped configuration. In the generally “T” shaped configuration, two of the arcuate arms  302 ,  304  are substantially laterally aligned, and the third arcuate arm  306  is disposed equidistantly from each of the two laterally aligned arms. The alignment of the substantially arcuate arms is such that, together, the arms function as hook-like claws to securely and removably enclose the tape measure against the inside surface  316  of the base portion. The generally circular base portion further outwardly mounts an integral resilient clip member  310  that is similar to the clip  210  shown in  FIG. 5A . 
         [0034]      FIGS. 9A-9C  illustrate a variation of the clip assembly  300  of  FIGS. 8A-8C . According to this embodiment, the clip assembly  400  is a molded one pieces plastic module. The clip assembly  400  has flexible retention components which more closely conform to the contours of the housing  20  upon attachment. At least some of the clip assembly components preferably include cut-out portions. As illustrated in  FIG. 9C , the clip member  410  includes a narrow cut-out portion  409  along a portion of its length. The arcuate support arm  406  also includes a cut-out portion  405 . 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , arcuate retention arms  402 ,  404  also include substantially wedge shaped cut-out portions  401 ,  403  which bifurcate the end portions of the arms. The inner gripping surfaces of the arms  402 ,  404  define complex arcuate/rounded contoured retaining grips. The upper edges  412 ,  414  of the arms form a quasi-elliptical shape around an upper portion of the housing  20 , as best illustrated in  FIG. 9B . The cut-out portions reduce the weight of the clip assembly  400  and also provide areas of increased flexibility that function as pivoting points to efficiently facilitate the process of inserting and/or releasing the tape measure into and/or from the clip assembly  400  as shown in  FIGS. 10A-10D . 
         [0036]    With reference to  FIGS. 10A-10D , the clip assembly  400  is especially adapted for efficient dismounting from the attached tape measure. With reference to the sequence from  FIGS. 10A-10D , the housing is withdrawn from the clip assembly in the direction of the  10 A arrow. The two retention arms  402 ,  404  will then swing out due to the flexibility of the bifurcated end portions in the direction of the  FIG. 10B  arrows. The lower portion of the tape measure will then clear the support arm as it is withdrawn in the arrow direction of  FIG. 10C , and the clip assembly may be easily disengaged entirely from the tape measure housing in the direction of the  FIG. 10D  arrow. The clip assembly  400  may be relatively easily reattached to the tape measure by reversing the steps of  FIGS. 10A-10D . 
         [0037]    Exemplary embodiments illustrating a tape measure with a gear-linked locking mechanism and a clip assembly are described for purposes of explanation and are not intended as limitations of the invention therein. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.