Abstract:
A combined stud finder and tape measure device includes a housing having any traditional stud finder circuitry integrally disposed therein along with a tape measure having a tape strip wound on a spindle. The tape measure is oriented so that the width of the tape strip lies parallel to the surface being scanned for studs or other obstacles. This orientation accommodates a wide viewing angle of the scale markings on the tape strip, making it easier to use the stud finder and the tape measure at the same time. Additionally, the tape measure can be re-oriented over at least 180 degrees so that the tape strip can be directed to either side of or from the bottom of the combined stud finder and tape measure device. Detents may be located at, for example, 90 degree intervals to provide a manner of locking the tape measure at predetermined angles with respect to the housing.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
   This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/590,064 filed Jul. 21, 2004. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   This disclosure relates to construction tools and more particularly to a combined stud finder and tape measure device. 
   BACKGROUND 
   As is known, stud finders are used to locate a stud or other obstacle behind drywall or other surface finish that prevents visual determination of the location of the obstacle. The stud finder is often used to locate a hidden stud for the purpose of using the stud as a support or mounting point for various objects, for example, pictures, shelves, hanging plants, bicycle holders, etc. 
   Once a stud is found, a builder, homeowner or handyman may often need to locate a point of interest a certain distance from the stud. For example, the point of interest may be another stud or a point located a certain distance from the stud, such as a picture location or a height from a floor, a ceiling, etc. This locating action can often involve marking the wall with the stud location, putting the stud finder down and then using a tape measure to locate the point of interest. Unfortunately, this process involves numerous steps, is time consuming, and is prone to inaccuracy. 
   Stud finders having built-in tape measures are known. However, one such combined device limits the routing of the tape strip of the tape measure to one direction, that is, in line with the length of the stud finder, which is not useful in many applications. Additionally, the combined device orients the tape strip perpendicular to the wall or the surface being scanned, so that the scale markings on the tape strip can only be read from one side of the stud finder, which makes the tape measure hard to use. Similarly, a combination stud finder and tape measure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,489 includes a fixed-orientation tape measure mounted perpendicularly to the stud finder. 
   SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
   An enhanced combined stud finder and tape measure device enables use of the tape measure in many situations in which the above-described devices are not useful. The combined stud finder and tape measure device includes a housing having a tape measure mounted therein so that the tape strip of the tape measure is disposed parallel to the surface being scanned and so that the scale markings on the tape strip are visible from virtually any angle. Further, the tape measure is rotatably mounted in the housing so that the tape measure can be rotated, thus enabling the tape strip to be routed to either side of or below the stud finder. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of a combined stud finder and tape measure device showing a tape measure at a first position. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the combined stud finder and tape measure device of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a back view of the combined stud finder and tape measure device of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of the combined stud finder and tape measure device of  FIG. 1  showing the tape measure at a second position. 
       FIG. 5  is an exemplary method of making the enhanced stud finder of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 6  is an exemplary method of using the enhanced stud finder of  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   A combined stud finder and tape measure device includes a stud locating apparatus for detecting studs or other obstacles and a rotatably mounted tape measure. The stud locating apparatus operates by detecting density or capacitance changes or changes in a magnetic field caused by a stud or metallic objects, such as conduit, wires, screws and nails embedded in a stud, etc. The locating apparatus typically may be used for finding studs or other obstacles behind finishing materials, for example, drywall, plaster, paneling, or siding. Such finishing materials can be found in most common residential, commercial and industrial construction. Typically, studs used to support these finishing materials are made of wood, but can be of other material such as steel. Of course, many finishing materials, particularly drywall, are finished to a smooth, flat surface making it nearly impossible in finished construction to locate the studs visually or manually. Because finishing materials rarely have the mechanical strength to support items such as pictures or shelves, it is important to know the location of studs when mounting such items to a wall so that fasteners can be attached directly to the studs, thereby providing increased mechanical support for the mounted item. The stud finder apparatus is useful for the purpose of finding studs and other obstacles. 
   As discussed above, locating a stud or other structure behind a surface may only be a first step in a project. Once found, the stud may become a measuring point for additional operations. The tape measure of the combined stud finder and tape measure device is useful for this purpose. For example, a handyman may need to measure a height above the floor or a distance from a ceiling when mounting a picture or shelves. In another example, a contractor may need the distance from the stud to a corner or other section of a wall for determining a length of a shelving section, or may need to locate a spot between studs or to locate the position of other studs by first finding a given stud and then measuring a distance from that stud. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , an enhanced stud finder  100  includes a housing  102  with a stud locating apparatus  104  and a tape measure  106  incorporated therein. During operation, the stud locating apparatus  104  is used to find a stud or other obstacle and the tape measure  106  can then be used to measure a distance from the housing  102  to a point of interest, as discussed above. 
   The housing  102  may be manufactured from any of a number of materials according to weight and durability requirements. For example, the housing  102  can be made of a high impact plastic, a formed powdered metal, or stainless steel. The housing  102  may be contoured, as is illustrated in, for example,  FIG. 1 , for easy handling and may include an attachment point  110  for hanging the enhanced stud finder  100 . The attachment point  110 , of use when, for example, a stud has been located and further steps such as measurements are to take place, may be located on a central axis  112  through the center of gravity of the enhanced stud finder  100 . Because of this location of the attachment point  110 , the enhanced stud finder  100  will tend to hang vertically when suspended from the attachment point  110 . To help enhance measurement accuracy, a level  114 , for example, a bubble vial, can be integrated into the housing  102 . This feature may help ensure that measurements made with the tape measure  106  are made true with respect to vertical. 
   The stud locating apparatus  104  may include any typical or known stud finding circuitry (not depicted) disposed therein. In particular, the stud finding circuitry may be any of several known in the art, such as the circuitry disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,099,118. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the stud locating apparatus  104  may have one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs)  108  (two are shown in  FIG. 1 ) for indicating the presence of a stud, an edge of a stud, or other obstacle. The stud locating apparatus  104  is typically effective in both upright and inverted positions, allowing the tape measure  106  to be extended up toward a ceiling or down to a floor when in use. The stud locating apparatus  104  is typically located in the housing to direct a stud finding signal through the back face  118 , so that in use, the enhanced stud finder  100  is most effective when the back face  118  is held flush to a surface to be scanned (not depicted). 
   The tape measure  106 , which may be constructed similarly to commonly found tape measures, includes a tape strip  116  having a measurement scale  122  thereon with the tape strip  116  wound around a spindle  120 . As is common among tape measures, the spindle  120  may be attached to a wind-up retractor spring (not depicted) for rewinding the tape strip  116  on the spindle  120  when the tape measure  106  is not in use. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a back face  118  of the enhanced stud finder  100  defines a plane. As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the tape strip  116 , when extended from the housing,  102  lies substantially in or substantially parallel to this plane. That is, the tape measure  106  is mounted in the housing  102  so that the tape strip  116 , when extended, may lie substantially flat against the wall or other surface being scanned. In order to accomplish this orientation, the spindle  120  of the tape measure  106  is disposed parallel to the plane defined by the back face  118 , which, in operation, is placed against a surface to be scanned. As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4 , the flat orientation of the tape strip  116  allows a user to easily read the measurement scale  122  of the tape strip  116  from a wide viewing angle. 
   The tape measure  106  is preferably rotatably mounted within the housing  102  so that the tape strip  116  can be rotated to a number of different positions with respect to the housing  102 . The tape measure  106  may be attached to the housing  102  using a collar and ring, a pin and center hole, or any other mounting technique known in the art for rotatable attachment. This rotatable attachment allows the tape strip  116  to be directed over a range of angles. For example, using a clock analogy with respect to  FIG. 1 , the tape measure  106  may be rotated to allow the tape strip  116  to be extended over a range from about 2 o&#39;clock to about 10 o&#39;clock with respect to the housing  102 . Of course, other ranges can be used instead. Detents (not depicted) can be used to precisely locate the tape strip  116  at some predetermined angles. Using the example above, detents could be used to locate the tape strip  116  at separate points or stations, for example, 3 o&#39;clock, 6 o&#39;clock, and 9 o&#39;clock. Stated differently, detents may be used to indicate rotation of the tape measure  106  at, for example, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 270 degrees with respect to the central axis  112  of the housing. As is known in the art, detents typically involve a first surface with at least one bump or ball thereon under a load moving across a second surface with a hole or depression disposed therein. When the bump and depression align, the loading force causes a tangible mechanical feedback to align the rotating element, in this case the tape measure  106 , at a known, predetermined location. Grip points  124  aid in rotating the tape measure  106  between positions.  FIG. 1  shows the tape measure  106  rotated so that the tape strip  116  (shown partially extended) is at the 6 o&#39;clock position with respect to the housing  102 .  FIG. 4  shows the tape measure  106  rotated so that the tape strip is at the 9 o&#39;clock position with respect to the housing  102 . 
   As best shown in  FIG. 1 , an automatic tape lock  126  engages the tape strip  116  to keep it extended until released. This action can be implemented by allowing a spring-loaded stop (not depicted) to be disposed against the tape strip  116  to block the tape strip  116  against an inside surface of the housing  102 . In one embodiment of the enhanced stud finder  100 , the automatic tape lock  126  is designed to allow withdrawing of the tape strip  116  from the tape measure  106 , but exerts enough pressure on the tape strip  116  to limit undesired motion of the tape strip  116 . The tape strip  116  can be released by depressing the automatic tape lock  126 , which releases the pressure applied to the tape strip  116  by the stop. The automatic tape lock  126 , which may be implemented using any other desired technique, simplifies use of the enhanced stud finder  100  when one hand is holding the enhanced stud finder  100  and the other hand is used to extend the tape strip  116  to make a measurement. 
     FIG. 5  shows a flow chart of a method of manufacturing an enhanced stud finder  100 . At a step  202 , a housing  102  may be provided, the housing  102  including a back face  118  that is substantially flat and defines a plane. The housing  102  may be an elongated shape that is generally symmetric around a central axis  112 . The housing  102  may further include a mounting hole along the central axis  112  to allow hanging the enhanced stud finder  100  both for storage and when in use. 
   A stud locating apparatus  104  may be disposed in the housing  102  at a step  204 , as discussed above, in such a manner so that a measurement signal from the stud locating device is directed through the back face  118 . At a step  206 , a tape measure  106  may be assembled so that the tape strip  116  is wrapped around the spindle  120  with the measurement scale  122  facing the spindle  120 . At a step  208 , the tape measure  106  is then coupled to the housing  102  so that the tape measure  106  may be rotated through at least 180° and is mounted so that the spindle  120  is parallel to the back face  118  and so that the tape strip  116 , when extended, is parallel to the plane defined by the back face  118 . 
     FIG. 6  shows is a flow chart of an exemplary method of using the enhanced stud finder  100 . An enhanced stud finder  100  may be obtained or provided at step  302  and placed at step  304  against a surface to be scanned for a subsurface object (not depicted) such as a stud. The enhanced stud finder  100  may be moved across the surface at step  306  until the subsurface object is located. One or more light emitting diodes  108  and/or an audible signal may indicate the presence of the subsurface object. At a step  308 , the tape measure  106  may be rotated to a desired direction, for example, to the six o&#39;clock position. The enhanced stud finder may be oriented using a level  114  at a step  310 , in this example, aligned in a vertical orientation to help ensure a more accurate measurement of distance above a floor. The tape strip  116  may be extended to a desired measurement or position at a step  312 . Continuing at a step  314 , the tape strip  116  may be locked at the desired measurement using a tape lock  126  to facilitate marking the surface or taking additional measurements. 
   This disclosure is intended to explain how to fashion and use various embodiments in accordance with the invention rather than to limit the true, intended, and fair scope and spirit thereof. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings.