Hook for a measuring tape

A hook end for attachment to the free end of a graduated measuring tape, especially adapted to replace a broken free end.

This invention is in the field of geometrical instruments; specifically, 
measuring tapes for determining distance, and more specifically, a hook 
end for such tapes. 
Semi-flexible measuring tapes, which can be reeled into a small case for 
storage, or extended to a desirable length for making measurements, are 
well known and widely used by handymen and especially by workers in the 
building trades. The measuring tape usually has a hook at its free end, 
the end which first emerges from the case when the tape is extended. 
Graduations of distance inscribed on the top of the tape record the 
distance longitudinally along the tape from the free end. The tape may be 
curved laterally, either arched or dished, for stiffness. The hook permits 
the free end of the tape to be temporarily attached to a projection or 
edge on the object being measured, while the tape is unreeled to the point 
whose distance from the free end is desired. 
The hook can take several forms, such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 
2,574,272; 3,131,480; 3,362,075; and 3,611,576, for example. The hook 
generally is connected to the tape by means of rivets, or other fastening 
means which puncture the tape. The measuring tape is usually designed for 
determining both internal and external distances, For this capability, the 
hook is not firmly connected, but is adapted to slide back and forth 
longitudinally in relation to the tape. 
The measuring tape is typically made from a metal which is relatively 
brittle. The punctures in the tape for connecting the hook, and the 
periodic twisting, flexing, and wrenching of the metal as the hook slides 
back and forth, and is engaged and then disengaged seriously weaken the 
metal. As a result, the measuring tape is often rendered useless when the 
hook end breaks off, usually taking part of the tape with it. 
Although hooks for measuring tapes have been the subject of previous 
invention as disclosed above, the hooks of the prior art are not adapted 
to replace the part of the tape so broken from a measuring tape, but are 
fabricated for use in combination with an unbroken tape. None of the prior 
art hooks carries graduations of distance to replace those on the missing 
tape, for example. Therefore, prior to this invention, the owner of a 
hooked measuring tape unfortunate enough to break off the hook has had to 
replace the entire tape, at considerable expense. 
Thus, it is one object of this invention to provide a hook end for 
attachment to the free end of a measuring tape, especially a broken tape. 
It is another object of this invention to provide a measuring tape having 
a novel hook end. In attaining these objectives, this invention provides a 
hook end for a graduated measuring tape having a free end which comprises 
(1) a hook having a projecting portion with parallel inner and outer faces 
and a base portion substantially perpendicular to the projecting portion; 
(2) a measuring plate having a top, a bottom, and parallel leading and 
trailing edges, the top of said measuring plate carrying graduations of 
the distance along its length from the leading edge to the trailing edge, 
the base portion of said hook slidably connected to said measuring plate, 
with the projecting portion depending beneath the bottom, for longitudinal 
movement relative to said measuring plate between a retracted position 
wherein the outer face of the projecting portion is aligned with the 
leading edge, and an extended position wherein the inner face of the 
projecting portion is aligned with the leading edge; (3) together with 
means for attaching said measuring plate to the free end of a graduated 
measuring tape with the graduations on the top of said measuring plate 
overlapping and coinciding with the corresponding graduations on said 
measuring tape. 
Various advantages and novel features which characterize this invention are 
particularly pointed out in the appended claims. However, for a better 
understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objectives to be 
attained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings, which 
illustrate a preferred embodiment containing optional features, and to the 
following description.

Referring first to FIG. 6, the hook end of this invention comprises hook 
10, which connects to measuring plate 20, together with means, of which 
retainer plate 30 may be a part, to attach said measuring plate to free 
end 40 of a measuring tape. 
Hook 10 has projecting portion 11 with inner face 12 and outer face 13, the 
two faces being substantially parallel. Base portion 14 of hook 10 is 
substantially perpendicular to the projecting portion and advantageously 
includes at least one elongated slot 15, which may be utilized as 
described below in slidably connecting hook 10 to measuring plate 20. When 
the hook end is attached to the free end of a measuring tape, the hook 
will generally be in the extended position shown in FIG. 5 when an 
external distance is sought, and inner face 12 will contact the object 
being measured; the hook will generally be retracted as shown in FIG. 1 
when an internal distance is sought, and outer face 13 will contact the 
object. 
Hook 10 may be slidably connected to measuring plate 20 in several ways for 
longitudinal movement perpendicular to leading edge 24 of the measuring 
plate, but base portion 14 will generally be connected at bottom 26 of the 
measuring plate, with projecting portion 11 depending beneath bottom 26, 
as shown in Figures. It is preferred to employ at least one penetrating 
fastener passing through measuring plate 20 and base portion 14. For 
purposes herein, penetrating fasteners are those which attach one object 
to another by either passing through or penetrating both objects; such 
fasteners include, for example, bolts with associated nuts, rivets, 
screws, including self-tapping screws, pins, and nails, all having shanks 
of given diameters. Two such fasteners, such as rivets 16, provide good 
connection of base portion 14 to measuring plate 20, and rivets, bolts, or 
a combination thereof are especially effective. Connection of base portion 
14 at top 21 of the measuring plate is also possible, but less desirable 
in that graduations of distance 22, which appear on top 21, should be 
visible and unobstructed. 
However it is connected to measuring plate 20, hook 10 is connected for 
longitudinal movement perpendicular to leading edge 24 as described above. 
When a penetrating fastener of given shank diameter is employed, base 
portion 14 advantageously has a corresponding slot 15 to pass the 
penetrating fastener, the slot being longer in the longitudinal direction 
of the measuring plate than the shank diameter by the distance between 
inner face 12 and outer face 13 of projecting portion 11, thus providing 
for the longitudinal movement. 
When the hook end of this invention is adapted for attachment to the free 
end of a measuring tape by passing free end 40 beneath base portion 14, it 
is desirable to minimize interference by the tape with free movement of 
the hook. If the measuring tape is curved laterally and will otherwise 
interfere with free movement of the hook, it is desirable that base 
portion 14 be curved laterally to conform thereto. Alternately or in 
addition, when base portion 14 is connected at bottom 26 of the measuring 
plate, recessed step 28 is conveniently provided in bottom 26 to receive 
base portion 14. 
The hook end of this invention carries means to attach measuring plate 20 
to the free end of a measuring tape, the attachment being made so that 
graduations of distance 41 on the graduated side of the measuring tape and 
graduations of distance 22 on the top of the measuring plate overlap, 
coincide, and are in alignment, e.g., at the "1 inch" graduation, at 
trailing edge 25 of the measuring plate. To effect this, the length of the 
measuring plate, the distance between leading edge 24 and trailing edge 
25, preferably corresponds to a major graduation, such as one inch, but 
neither the length nor the width of the measuring plate are critical. 
Provision of graduations of distance 22 and for alignment at trailing edge 
25 allows the hook end of this invention to readily replace the broken 
free end of a measuring tape. 
A number of means are available for so attaching measuring plate 20 to free 
end 40. Various adhesives, e.g., epoxy resins, can be used, and various 
fasteners, e.g., penetrating fasteners, as defined above, clips, clamps, 
etc. can be employed. When base portion 14 is connected at bottom 26 of 
the measuring plate, it is convenient and preferred to also attach a tape 
free end with the graduated side of the measuring tape contacting bottom 
26. A preferred attachment means in that case is to provide a second 
penetrating fastener, e.g., a bolt, rivet, or, preferably, a self-tapping 
screw 23 to pass through both the measuring plate and a measuring tape, 
e.g., by providing free end 40 with hole 42. It is also preferred that 
bottom 26 be curved laterally if the measuring tape to be attached is so 
curved, so as to conform thereto. 
To impart further strength and integrity when base portion 14 is connected 
at bottom 26, and means are provided to attach a measuring tape at bottom 
26, it is desirable to also provide a retainer plate having an upper 
surface to contact the side of an attached measuring tape opposite the 
graduated side, a leading edge, a trailing edge, and secured by at least 
one of the penetrating fasteners; e.g., by passing self tapping screw 23 
through a hole 33 provided in the retainer plate. The retainer plate 
covers the exposed underside of hook base portion 14, the underside of a 
tape free end, or both. Although separate retainer plates can be provided, 
it is preferred that retainer plate 30 be employed, which extends under 
both base portion 14 and a tape free end 40, leading edge 35 of the 
retainer plate being aligned with inner face 12 of projecting portion 11 
with hook 10 in the retracted position. Preferably, trailing edge 36 of 
the retainer plate is also aligned with trailing edge 25 of the measuring 
plate. It is also preferred that the retainer plate, e.g., upper surface 
31, be curved laterally, if the measuring tape is curved, so as to conform 
thereto. It is also desirable to provide routed recession 32 in upper 
surface 31 to clear the end of any penetrating fastener 16. 
In addition, it is advantageous to provide the measuring plate with a 
longitudinal rabbet for engagement with a complementary longitudinal 
rabbet in the retainer plate. For example, bottom 26 can be channeled with 
longitudinal tongues 27, which mate with complementary longitudinal 
grooves 34 in retainer plate 30. 
To minimize the possibility that the hook free end will catch on an object 
to be measured at a point other than hook projecting portion 11, it is 
desirable to provide bevel 29 on trailing edge 25 of the measuring plate 
and on trailing edge 36 of the retainer plate, the trailing edges being in 
alignment along the bevel. 
A number of materials can be employed for the hook end of this invention, 
the choice of material being dictated by the strength and servicability 
desired and the ease of fabrication. Hook 10 can be made of metal and 
measuring plate 20 and retainer plate 30 of wood, metal, or plastic, for 
example. 
The hook end of this invention adds a certain amount of bulk to the free 
end of a measuring tape. Whereas it is desirable to minimize the bulk by 
an appropriate choice of dimensions and materials, the hook end provided 
herein prevents the free end of a measuring tape from reeling completely 
into a carrying case, thereby providing a convenient finger grip when 
extending the tape to make a measurement, as well as affording a 
convenient ruler for measuring short distances. 
It will be apparent that a number of modifications and variations in the 
details of this invention can be made, while remaining within the scope of 
the following claims.