Abstract:
A precision measurement and cutting tool for cutting a material, the precision measurement and cutting tool comprising: a measurement tape, a housing for containing a measurement tape having an opening for the measurement tape on a first side, and a first cartridge mounted at an end of the measurement tape and containing a retractable first cutting blade. In another embodiment, a precision measurement and cutting tool for cutting a material, the precision measurement and cutting tool comprising: a measurement tape having a top side and a bottom side and measuring indicia on the top side, a housing for containing a measurement tape having a first side opposite a second side and a top side opposite a bottom side and having an opening for the measurement tape on a first side that is opposite a second side, a first cartridge mounted at an end of the measurement tape and containing a retractable first cutting blade and including a bias member for biasing the cartridge to a position wherein the first cutting blade is covered and retracted, an engagement portion on the first cartridge mechanically coupled to the retractable first cutting blade such that moving the engagement portion moves the retractable cutting blade to one of a retracted and an un-retracted position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Tape measure tools with cutting capabilities can be used to crop or cut a variety of materials, including both synthetic and organic building materials, according to precise specifications. Often, in such cutting tools, there is a compromise between precision of the cut and safety and ease of use of the device. The device of the present invention can incorporate multiple functionalities for cutting drywall or various other building materials. Multiple interacting blades and safety mechanisms, along with measuring components, allow the device to cut building materials or other materials precisely, quickly and efficiently. 
         [0002]    There is a need for a device that allows workers to measure and cut building materials simultaneously and with a single tool. For example, measuring and cutting a piece of drywall would be much more efficient and precise if the worker can avoid using separate measuring, marking and cutting tools in the process. Switching between such tools may introduce measurement, marking or cutting errors that can waste time and resources. In order to overcome these and other problems, it would be more efficient for the worker to have an single tool that accomplishes all of these functions at substantially the same time. 
         [0003]    A cutting wheel attached to the end of a measuring tape is known. However, the cutting wheel is not itself sliceable or moveable in order to facilitate ease of use. Other tape measures are known with a handle for cutting straight lines, but fail to disclose a cutting wheel or retractable cartridge. Still other prior art discloses a knife blade extending from the end of the tape from a sleeve with a fastener, or a pivoting nail attached to the tape and a cutting blade to the tape measure housing. Yet, both of these disclosures fail to claim or teach the use of a slideable/movable cartridge at the end of the tape of a tape measure for cutting or marking a surface. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    An object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a precision measurement and cutting system for cutting a material. 
         [0005]    Another object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a precision measurement and cutting system for cutting a material that also has enhances safety features. 
         [0006]    Yet another object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a precision measurement and cutting system for cutting a material that has two sets of retractable blades. 
         [0007]    Additional features and advantages of embodiments of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of embodiments of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the embodiments of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. 
         [0008]    To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of embodiments of the invention, as embodied and broadly described, the precision measurement and cutting system for cutting a material includes: a precision measurement and cutting tool for cutting a material, the precision measurement and cutting tool comprising: a measurement tape, a housing for containing a measurement tape having an opening for the measurement tape on a first side, and a first cartridge mounted at an end of the measurement tape and containing a retractable first cutting blade. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, the precision measurement and cutting system for cutting a material includes: a precision measurement and cutting tool for cutting a material, the precision measurement and cutting tool comprising: a measurement tape having a top side and a bottom side and measuring indicia on the top side, a housing for containing a measurement tape having a first side opposite a second side and a top side opposite a bottom side and having an opening for the measurement tape on a first side that is opposite a second side, a first cartridge mounted at an end of the measurement tape and containing a retractable first cutting blade and including a bias member for biasing the cartridge to a position wherein the first cutting blade is covered and retracted, an engagement portion on the first cartridge mechanically coupled to the retractable first cutting blade such that moving the engagement portion moves the retractable cutting blade to one of a retracted and an un-retracted position. 
         [0010]    In yet another aspect, the precision measurement and cutting system for cutting a material includes: a precision measurement and cutting tool for cutting a material, the precision measurement and cutting tool comprising: a measurement tape having a top side and a bottom side and measuring indicia on the top side, a tape hook at a first end of the measuring tape, a housing for containing a measurement tape having a first side opposite a second side and a top side opposite a bottom side and having an opening for the second end of the measurement tape on a first side that is opposite a second side, a first cartridge mounted at an end of the measurement tape and containing a retractable first cutting blade and including a bias member for biasing the cartridge to a position wherein the first cutting blade is covered and retracted, the first cartridge comprising a bracket, an engagement portion on the first cartridge mechanically coupled to the retractable first cutting blade such that moving the engagement portion moves the retractable cutting blade to one of a retracted and an un-retracted position. 
         [0011]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of embodiments of the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of embodiments of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1   a  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention with the tape and the outer blade cartridge extended from the housing; 
           [0014]      FIG. 1   b  is another perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1   a  with the tape and the outer blade cartridge in contact with the housing; 
           [0015]      FIG. 1   c  is a rear perspective view of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  showing a storage compartment for blades; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2   a  is a full side view of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1   a - 1   c  with the tape and the outer blade cartridge extended from the housing; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2   b  is a full side view of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1   a - 1   c  with the tape and the outer blade cartridge in contact with the housing; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2   c  is a partially exploded perspective view of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1   a - 1   c  and  2   a - 2   b;    
           [0019]      FIG. 3   a  is a partially exploded perspective view of the outer blade cartridge provided at an end of a tape of a tool of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3   b  is a close-up view of the cutter button and blade of  FIG. 3   a  in retracted mode; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3   c  is a close-up view of the cutter button and blade of  FIG. 3   a  in extended mode; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4   a  is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention including a pivoting pin located on the back of the housing; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4   b  is a plan view of the tool of  FIG. 4   a  illustrating the circular cutting path of the cutting blade relative to the pivot pin; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5   a  is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention including a secondary cutting blade located in the back of the housing; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5   b  is a partial side view of the tool of  FIG. 5   a , oriented so that the secondary cutting blade may be used to mark or cut a surface; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention, including a laser tip attached to a modified bracket; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7   a  is a side view of a bracket having a pivotable cover and cutting blade; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7   b  is a perspective view of another bracket of having a pivotable cover and cutting blade; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8   a  is a perspective view of another retractable cartridge in a retracted position; 
           [0030]      FIG. 8   b  is an end view of the retractable cartridge of  FIG. 8   a  in an un-retracted position; 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a pivotable and retractable cartridge; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  is a perspective, partially exploded view of one embodiment of the tool of the present invention depicting a guide blade holder assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0033]    Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the embodiments of the invention, the computer assisted process for providing liquidity to an enterprise by utilizing intellectual property assets, without departing from the spirit or scope of the embodiments of the invention. Thus, it is intended that embodiments of the invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements. 
         [0034]    As disclosed herein, it should be understood that the term “cutting blade” should be read to incorporate a variety of shaped blades, including but not limited to disk shaped blades, polygonal or trapezoidal shaped blades, and any other shaped blade. It should also be noted, that although the “cartridges” as defined and referenced in this specification are illustrated in connection with cutting blades, in at least one embodiment of the present invention, the cartridges could contain a variety of useful implements apart from blades such as, but not limited to pins, lasers, markers, and other tools associated with the art of tape measures and measuring. 
         [0035]      FIG. 1   a  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention with the tape and the outer blade cartridge extended from the housing. Referring to  FIG. 1   a , in one embodiment, the tool  100  comprises a housing  200 . The tool  100  may comprise a tape measure or other measuring tool known in the art which utilize a housing with a tape with measurement indicia stored inside the housing. Although  FIG. 1   a  shows the housing  200  to have a cylindrical shape, the housing  200  may have one of a number of shapes including square, oval and spherical. The housing  200  can be composed of one or a combination of a number of materials including metal, plastic and wood. Extending from the housing  200  and tethered (not shown) inside the housing  200  is the tape  300 . The tape  300  is composed of metalized plastic. Alternatively, the tape  300  can be composed of one of or a combination of a number of materials including metal, plastic and rubber. The tape may have a shape with a cross section composed of arcs, as shown in  FIG. 1   a , or it can have one of a number of other shapes including those having a semi-circular cross-section, flat rectangular shaped cross section, a D-shaped cross section and an L-shaped cross-section. The tape  300  has measuring indicia (not shown) on at least one side of the tape. The tape  300  can have measuring indicia (not shown) indicative of length, level or other measurement. 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 1   a , an outer blade cartridge  65  is attached at the tape  300  end distal from the housing  200 . The outer blade cartridge  65  may also include a tape hook (not shown). The outer blade cartridge  65  contains an outer cutting blade  500  ( FIGS. 1   a ) which can be used to cut various surfaces. As shown in  FIG. 1   a , the outer blade cartridge  65  has a guard  65   a  that shields the user from contact with the blade. Alternatively, the outer blade cartridge  65  can have no such guard  65   a . As shown in FIG.  1   a , the housing  200  has a finger guard  201  that prevents the users fingers from contacting the tape  300  when it is retracted into the housing  200 . The finger guard  201  also allows the user to lock the tape  300  in place when the user presses on the finger guard  201  in the direction of the tape  300 . Pressing on the finger guard  201  in the direction of the tape  300  causes the finger guard  201  to pinch the tape  300  and hold it in position. The front face  201   a  of the finger guard  201  acts as the guide and the datum surface for measuring and cutting operations. This function will be further detailed in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0037]    The finger guard  201  can be tab shaped, as shown in  FIG. 1   a , or it may have one of a number of other shapes including rectangular, disk shaped or D-shaped. As also shown in  FIG. 1   a , the housing  200  has a tape release button  203 . In  FIG. 1   a  the release button  203  is shown in the released position. In this position, the tape  300  and the outer blade cartridge  65  can be extended from the housing  200  as desired. Placing the release button  203  in the locked position by moving it downward in direction L, as shown in  FIG. 2   a , locks the tape  300  and the outer blade cartridge  65  cartridge into place and prevents relative movement of the tape  300  and the outer blade cartridge  65  from the housing  200 . The release button  203  can be a slide button, as shown in  FIG. 1   a , or it can be one of a number of other types of buttons including a click button, a latch or a lever. 
         [0038]      FIG. 1   b  is another perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1   a  with the tape and the outer blade cartridge  65  in contact with the housing. As shown in  FIG. 1   b , outer blade cartridge  65  can simply touch the housing  200 . Alternatively, there can be a depression or a mating portion (not shown) of the housing  200  for receiving the outer blade cartridge  65 . The depression or a mating portion (not shown) of the housing  200  can be such that the outer blade cartridge  65  fits entirely inside it or the depression or a mating portion (not shown) of the housing  200  can be such that the outer blade cartridge  65  fits partially inside it. 
         [0039]      FIG. 1   c  is a rear perspective view of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  showing a storage compartment for blades. Typically the storage compartment  205  contains replacement blades  500   a  for the outer cutting blade  500  (not shown in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   c ), as shown in  FIG. 1   c . Alternatively, the storage compartment  205  can contain other replacement blades such as blades mounted to the housing  200 . The storage compartment  205  can be mounted on the back  200   b  of the housing  200 , as shown in  FIG. 1   c , or it can be mounted on another part of the housing. 
         [0040]      FIG. 2   a  is a full side view of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1   a - 1   c  with the tape and the outer blade cartridge extended from the housing and  FIG. 2   b  is a full side view of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1   a - 1   c  with the tape and the outer blade cartridge in contact with the housing. As is shown in  FIG. 2   a  and  FIG. 2   b , the outer blade cartridge  65  and tape  300  can be pushed toward the housing  200  so that it is in contact with the housing, as shown in  FIG. 1   b , or the outer blade cartridge  65  can be extended from the housing  200 , as shown in  FIG. 1   a . This movement is possible as long as the release button  203  is in the released position ( FIG. 1   a ). 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIG. 2   a , the front face  201   a  of the finger guard  201  touches the material  101  being cut, thus acting as the guide and the datum surface for measuring and cutting operations. On an embodiment (not shown) without the finger guard  201 , the front face of the housing,  208  ( FIG. 2   a ) would act as the guide and the datum. 
         [0042]    When the outer blade cartridge  65  is in contact with the housing  200  as shown in  FIG. 2   b , the tape  300  is fully wound and stored entirely within the housing  200 . This is the storage mode of the tool  100 . When the tool is to be used for cutting a surface, the outer blade cartridge  65  is extended from the housing as shown in  FIG. 2   a . The tool  100  is then placed on the surface of a material (not shown) such that the guide/datum surface (i.e., the front face  201   a  of the finger guard or the front surface  208  of the housing  200 ) touches the edge  101   a  of the material being cut and the bottom  65   c  of the outer blade cartridge  5  touches the surface of the material  101 . In this manner the tool  100  can be used to cut drywall, plywood, plastic sheeting, metal sheeting, wood, plaster or plastic. Then, the tape  300  is extended to the desired length of the cut according to the measuring indicia (not shown) and locked into place by moving the release button  203  to the locked position by moving it in the direction L ( FIG. 1   a ). The tape  300  can also be locked into position by pinching the finger guard  201 . Subsequently, the outer cutting blade  500  (not shown) is engaged and the material (not shown) is cut. The process of blade engagement will be discussed in the context of  FIG. 3 . 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIGS. 2   b , the finger guard  201  slides into the housing  200  when the outer blade cartridge  65  is in contact with the housing  200 . Alternatively, the finger guard  201  can remain outside of the housing  200  when the outer blade cartridge  65  is in contact with the housing  200 . Alternatively, a release (not shown) can allow the finger guard  201  to be removed entirely from the tool  100  and stored separately. 
         [0044]    As also shown in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , the housing has a back cutter assembly  250  that contains a back cutter blade  251 . The back cutter assembly  250  contains a finger grip  250   a  that has an interior contact (not shown) with the back cutter blade  251 . Typically, the user contacts the finger grip  250   a  using one finger, pushes the finger grip in the direction D 1  ( FIG. 2   a ) in order to expose part of the back cutter blade  251 , as shown in  FIG. 2   b . The back cutter blade  251  can then be used to cut the surface of a material (not shown). Typically, the back cutter blade  251  is trapezoidally shaped. However, the back cutter blade  251  can have one of a number of other shapes including a rounded shape, a rectangular shape or a triangular shape. The back cutter assembly  250  also contains a back cutter cover  252 , as shown in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b . The back cutter cover  252  can have a slit (not shown) for allowing the back cutter blade  251  to be exposed. Alternatively, the back cutter cover can have no openings in which case the user must remove the back cutter cover  252  from the back cutter assembly  250  in order to expose the back cutter blade  251 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 2   c  is a partially exploded perspective view of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1   a - 1   c  and  2   a - 2   b . As shown in  FIG. 2   c , the replacement blades  500   a  for the outer cutting blade  500  are slid directly into the storage compartment  205 . The storage compartment  205  is then slid onto the back  200   b  of the housing  200  where it is fixed by a fastener or snap (not shown). The finger guard  201  slides directly onto the tape  300  and the outer blade cartridge  65  slides directly onto the finger guard  201 . As shown in  FIG. 2   c , the back cutter assembly  250  has two halves,  250   b  and  250   c , that clasp the back cutter blade  251  in order to form the unit shown in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b . The assembled back cutter assembly  250  is then mounted on the housing  200  by placing it into the groove  200   c  on the housing  200  and applying a fastener or snap (not shown) or captured in position by the back cutter cover  252 . The back cutter cover  252  is then placed on the back cutter assembly  250  in order to shield the blade from contact with the user or other surfaces. 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 2   c , it is advantageous that the back cutter blade  251  has a corner angle, A, of approximately 45°. The corner angle A is preferably between 30° and 90°. A back cutter blade  251  with a corner angle A between 30° and 90° avoids the buildup of backing paper when the back cutter blade  251  is used to cut drywall or other surfaces backed by paper or similar laminar materials. 
         [0047]      FIG. 3   a  is a partially exploded perspective view of the outer blade cartridge provided at an end of a tape of a tool of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . As shown in  FIG. 3   a , the outer cutting blade  500  has a rounded shape. Alternatively, outer cutting blade  500  can have any number of other shapes including a trapezoid, rectangle, C-shape or triangle. The outer cutting blade  500  is mounted to the center cutter housing  65   c  and the button-side cutter housing  65   d  the of the outer blade cartridge  65  using the blade bearing  67 , as shown in  FIG. 3   a , and the guard  65   a  is mounted to the center cutter housing  65   c . A spring  66  is fixed to the cutter button  65   b  at the spring mounting point  65 e and the cutter button  65   b  is fixed to the button-side cutter housing  65   d . The outer cutting blade  500 , the center cutter housing  65   c , the button-side cutter housing  65   d  and the guard  65   a  are mounted to the bracket  70  that has a tape hook  70   a  and to the tape  300  to create the assembly shown in  FIG. 3   b.    
         [0048]      FIG. 3   b  is a close-up view of the cutter button and blade of  FIG. 3   a  in retracted mode and  FIG. 3   c  is a close-up view of the cutter button and blade of  FIG. 3   a  in extended mode. Depressing the cutter button  65   b  engages the outer cutting blade  500  via the blade bearing  67 . Moving the cutter button  65   b  from the retracted mode shown in  FIG. 3   b  in the direction D 2  ( FIG. 3   b ), extends the outer cutting blade  500  as shown in  FIG. 3   c . Depressing the cutter button  65   b  is accomplished typically by the user pressing on it with a single finger. Extending the outer cutting blade  500 , as shown in  FIG. 3   c , engages the outer cutting blade  500  to the material (not shown) to be cut. 
         [0049]    The spring  66  provides a restoring force to the cutter button  65   b  and the outer cutting blade  500  that acts to restore the outer cutting blade  500  to the retracted mode shown in  FIG. 3   b . In other words, the spring  66  acts to slide the outer cutting blade  500  upward with respect to outer blade cartridge  65  when the user releases pressure on the cutter button  65   b , thus, preventing unwanted exposure of the outer cutting blade  500  for safety purposes. Alternatively, a lock mechanism (not shown) can be provided to counteract the spring  66  so that the outer cutting blade  500  remains in the extended mode shown in  FIG. 3   c  after the user depresses the cutter button  65   b  a first time from the retracted mode shown in  FIG. 3   b . If the user depresses the cutter button  65   b  a second time, the cutter button  65   b  will move upward causing the outer cutting blade  500  to retract as in  FIG. 3   b . In one embodiment of the present invention, the outer blade cartridge  65  could be replaced on cutter button  65   b  with a pin, laser, marking implement, or other useful tool. 
         [0050]      FIG. 4   a  is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention including a pivoting pin located on the back of the housing. The tool  600  of  FIG. 4   a  has a pivot pin mechanism  700  on the back  200   b  of the housing  200  has attached on to the end distal from the tape  300  contains a spring loaded pivot pin  701  that moves in the vertical direction D 3 . The spring (not shown) is in the interior of the casing  700   a  of the pivot pin mechanism  700 . The spring (not shown) provides a restoring force to the pivot pin  701  in order to fix it in a pre-determined position (not shown). Alternatively, the pivot pin mechanism  700  can lack a spring and instead be comprised of a solid pivot pin, a geared pivot pin, or other pivot pin. The pivot pin  701  engages the surface of the material (not shown) to be cut or cropped by the tool  600  allowing for the housing  200  to rotate substantially about pivot pin  701  as shown in  FIG. 4   b.    
         [0051]      FIG. 4   b  is a plan view of the tool  600  of  FIG. 4   a  illustrating the circular cutting path C 1  of the cutting blade relative to the pivot pin. As the housing  200  rotates a full three hundred sixty degrees about the pivot pin  701 , the outer cutting blade  500  cuts a substantially circular pattern along the circular cutting path C 1  in the material below the outer cutting blade  500 . Rotating the housing  200  less than three hundred sixty degrees about the pivot point  701  causes the outer cutting blade  500  to cut an arc along circular cutting path C 1  that is less than a full circle. Both the tape  300  and the outer cutting blade  500  rotate relative to the pivot pin  701 . In another embodiment of the present invention (not shown), the outer cutting blade  500  is replaced with a marking device (not shown) which allows the tool to be rotated about the pivot point  701  to draw arcs or circles on a surface. 
         [0052]      FIG. 5   a  is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention including a secondary cutting blade located in the back of the housing. The tool  800  of  FIG. 5   a  has a slightly modified housing  900  over the tool  100  of  FIG. 1   a  in that the housing  900  accommodates a secondary cutting blade  1000 . The secondary cutting blade  1000  is in communication with a retractable cover  1000   a , as shown in  FIG. 5   a . The retractable cover  1000   a  can be retracted (not shown) so as to expose the secondary cutting blade  1000  and allow cutting of the surface of a material (not shown) with the secondary cutting blade  1000 . The retractable cover  1000   a  can also be extended, as shown in  FIG. 5   a , so as to shield the secondary cutting blade  1000  to both protect the user from the secondary cutting blade  1000  and to protect the secondary cutting blade  1000  from inadvertent damage. The retractable cover  1000   a  can rotate about a central axis pin  1000   b , as shown in  FIG. 5   a , in communication with the housing  900 . The secondary cutting blade  1000  can also pivot about a pivot point exterior to the housing (not shown) or slide to a retracted position (not shown). As shown in  FIG. 5   a , the secondary cutting blade  1000  has a substantially circular shape. Alternatively, the secondary cutting blade  1000  can be trapezoidal, rectangularly shaped or have one of a number of other shapes. 
         [0053]      FIG. 5   b  is a partial side view of the tool  800  of  FIG. 5   a , oriented so that the secondary cutting blade  1000  may be used to mark or cut a surface  101 . The tool  800  is held such that the secondary cutting blade I  000  is engaged and cuts the surface  101 . As shown in  FIG. 5   b , the cutting direction D 4  can be a straight line. Alternatively, cuts of any shape or design may be made with the tool  800 . As shown in  FIG. 5   b , the tool  800  is held so the secondary cutting blade  1000  faces away from the user&#39;s wrist  1200 . Alternatively, the tool  800  can be held in one of a number of positions, including a position (not shown) in which the secondary cutting blade  1000  is closer to the user&#39;s wrist  1200  for cutting and removing paper backing from drywall after the gypsum has been cut by the outer cutting blade  500  ( FIG. 5   a ). 
         [0054]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention, including a laser tip attached to a modified bracket. The tool  1300  of  FIG. 6  has a laser tip  1310  that is mounted onto a modified bracket  1350  for assisting in alignment of the tool  1300 . This improves the accuracy of the measurements made by the tool  1300 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the laser tip  1310  includes a housing  1310   a  that can act as a hook for fastening the tape  300  to an object to be measured (not shown). The laser tip  1310  can simultaneously generate one or a plurality of reference laser beams  51 ,  52 , or  53 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , that provide substantially parallel or perpendicular references or references at varying angles for alignment of the tape  300  during a measurement. Although  FIG. 6  shows three different reference laser beams  51 ,  52 , and  53 , additional combinations and/or laser beams can be incorporated into the laser tip  1310 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 7   a  is a side view of a bracket having a pivotable cover and cutting blade. As shown in  FIG. 7   a , the pivotable covered bracket  1400  has a pivotable cover  1410  is attached to a hinge  1420  that is mounted perpendicular to the longitudinal axis T of tape  300  to allow the pivotable cover  1410  to rotate in the direction D 5 , thereby exposing the outer cutting blade  500  for use.  FIG. 7   a  shows that the outer cutting blade  500  is disk shaped. Alternatively, the outer cutting blade  500  can have one of a number of other shapes including trapezoidal and rectangular. The shape of pivotable cover  1410  is such that it completely overlaps the outer cutting blade  500 . As seen in  FIG. 7   a , the shape of the pivotable cover  1410  is rectangular. Alternatively, the pivotable cover  1410  can have one of a number of other shapes including disk shape, trapezoidal shape or a D-shape. As shown in  FIG. 7   a , the pivotable cover  1410  can have a ridge  1410   a  that fits snugly over the outer cutting blade  500  in order to protect the user and to protect the outer cutting blade  500  from damage. The ridge  1401  a of the pivotable cover  1410  can completely cover the edge  500   a  of the outer cutting blade  500 , or it can partially cover the edge  500   a  of the outer cutting blade  500  as shown in  FIG. 7   a.    
         [0056]      FIG. 7   b  is a perspective view of another bracket having a pivotable cover and cutting blade. As illustrated, the side hinge pivotable covered bracket  1500  has a side hinge pivotable cover  1510  attached to a side hinge  1520 . As shown in  FIG. 7   b , the side hinge  1520  is mounted parallel to the longitudinal axis T of tape  300  to allow the side hinge pivotable cover l  150  to rotate in the direction D 6 , thereby exposing the outer cutting blade  500  for use.  FIG. 7   b  shows that the outer cutting blade  500  is disk shaped. Alternatively, the outer cutting blade  500  can have one of a number of other shapes including trapezoidal and rectangular. The shape of the side hinge pivotable cover  1510  is such that it completely overlaps the outer cutting blade  500 . As seen in  FIG. 7   b , the shape of the side hinge pivotable cover  1510  is rectangular. Alternatively, the side hinge pivotable cover  1510  can have one of a number of other shapes including disk shape, trapezoidal shape or a D-shape. The side hinge pivotable cover  1510  can have a ridge (not shown) that fits snugly over the outer cutting blade  500  in order to protect the user and to protect the outer cutting blade  500  from damage. The ridge (not shown) of the side hinge pivotable cover  1510  can completely cover the edge  500   a  of the outer cutting blade  500 , or it can partially cover the edge  500   a  of the outer cutting blade  500 . 
         [0057]    The side hinge pivotable cover  1510  is attached to the side hinge  1520  in such a manner as to allow the side hinge pivotable cover  1510  to rotate up to three hundred sixty degrees about circular path D 6  relative to the side hinge  1520  and parallel to the edge  500   a  of the outer cutting blade  500 . Motion of the side hinge pivotable cover  1510  along the circular path D 6  alternatively exposes or covers the outer cutting blade  500 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 8   a  is a perspective view of another retractable cartridge in a retracted position. As shown in  FIG. 8   a , the retractable cartridge assembly  1600  fits directly onto the modified bracket  1610  with a tape hook  1610   a . The tape hook  1610   a  also acts as a cover portion for covering the outer cutting blade  500  when the retractable cartridge assembly  1600  is not engaged. The modified bracket  1610  with a tape hook  1610   a  includes eyelets  1610   b  and  1610   c , as shown in  FIG. 8   a , spaced substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the edges  300   a  and  300   b  of the tape  300 . Spaced between the two eyelets  1610   b  and  1610   c , and releasably mounted with both the eyelets  1610   b  and  1610   c  and the retractable cartridge  1650 , is a spring  1660 . The spring  1660  is metal. Alternatively, the spring  1660  is composed of one of or combinations of a number of materials including metals, elastomers, plastics and rubbers. The spring  1660  and eyelets  1610   b  and  1610   c  are constructed so that the slidable cartridge  1650  can move in the direction D 7  and in the perpendicular direction D 8 , as shown in  FIG. 8   a . Alternatively, the spring  1660  and eyelets  1610   b  and  1610   c  can be constructed so that the slidable cartridge  1650  moves in other directions. As shown in  FIG. 8   a , the slidable cartridge  1650  is mounted substantially perpendicular to edges  300   a  and  300   b  of the tape  300 . The spring  1660 , biases the retractable cartridge  1650  in to the retracted position shown in  FIG. 8   a . In the retracted position of  FIG. 8   a , the outer cutting blade  500  is not exposed to prevent inadvertent contact with the user or other surfaces. 
         [0059]      FIG. 8   b  is an end view of the retractable cartridge of  FIG. 8   a  in an un-retracted position. To expose the outer cutting blade  500  and move the retractable cartridge  1650 , the user pushes the top engagement portion  1670  in the direction towards the spring  1660  causing the spring  1660  to expand as shown in  FIG. 8   b . In the un-retracted position shown in  FIG. 8   b , retractable cartridge  1650  is moved so as to expose the outer cutting blade  500  below the cover portion  1610   a  to allow the cutting and scoring of a surface. In one embodiment of the present invention, depressing the top engagement portion  1670  once from the retracted position of  FIG. 8   a  locks the spring  1660  in position of  FIG. 8   b  in which the outer cutting blade  500  is exposed. To retract the retractable cartridge  1650  and disengage cutting blade  500 , the user depresses the top engagement portion  1670  a second time, releasing the spring  1660  and disengaging the outer cutting blade  500  to return to the position of  FIG. 8   a . Alternatively, there can be no locking mechanism so that the user must continuously depress the top engagement portion  1670  and hold the spring to the position shown in  FIG. 8   b  in order to keep the outer cutting blade  500  engaged the surface  101  to be cut or scored 
         [0060]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a pivotable and retractable cartridge. The modified bracket/tape hook  1710  in this embodiment to includes a body  1711  having a tape base  171  la with bridge arms  1711   b  extending from the tape base  1711   a . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the bridge arms  1711   b  can be as wide as the retractable cartridge  1750 . Alternatively, the bridge arms  1711   b  can be wider or more narrow than the retractable cartridge  400 . The tape base  1711   a  is can be mounted to the tape  300  directly, as shown in  FIG. 9 , so as to add structural support for the bridge arms  1711   b  and pivotable retractable cartridge  1750 . 
         [0061]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , the bridge arms  1711   b  are connected to the pivotable retractable cartridge  1750  via hinge pins  1770 . The pivotable retractable cartridge  1750  is attached to the bridge arms  1711   b  by the hinge pins  1770  so as to allow the pivotable retractable cartridge  1750  to rotate in the direction D 9 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . When the outer cutting blade  500  is engaged for cutting or scoring a surface (not shown), the pivotable retractable cartridge  1750  is rotated such that pivotable retractable cartridge  1750  is substantially perpendicular to the bridge arms  1711   b . When the outer cutting blade  500  is not in use, the pivotable retractable cartridge  1750  is rotated along direction D 9  so that the pivotable retractable cartridge  1750  is flush with the bridge arms  1711   b  and the blade is unexposed. When not in use, the outer cutting blade  500  can be retracted into the pivotable retractable cartridge  1750  via a spring (not shown). 
         [0062]      FIG. 10  is a perspective, partially exploded view of one embodiment of the tool of the present invention depicting a guide blade holder assembly. As shown in  FIG. 10 , an alternative embodiment of a tape hook  1800  includes a blade assembly  1850  with a guide blade holder  1851  that has side extensions  1851   a , and a trapezoidal shaped cutting blade  505  that is mounted guide blade holder  1851 . The guide blade holder  1851  can then be lowered into the tape hook  1800  whereby the side extensions  1851   a  releasably mate with the eyelets  1810   a  and  1810   b  holding the guide blade holder  1851  in the tape hook  1800 . It should be noted that the trapezoidal shaped cutting blade  505  is preferably, but not necessarily held onto the guide blade holder  1851  by a guide blade peg  506  so that the exposed cutting edge  505   a  of the trapezoidal cutting blade  505  can be increased or decreased as desired by the user. As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , eyelets  1810   a  and  1810   b  only allow for vertical movement of the guide blade holder  1851 , although as illustrated in previous embodiments ( FIG. 8   a ) there are alternate embodiments of the present invention which allow for both vertical and horizontal movement of a retractable cartridge. 
         [0063]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the precision measurement and cutting system for cutting a material of embodiments of the invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that embodiments of the invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.