Tape measure attachment apparatus

An attachment apparatus is provided for a measuring tape having upwardly curving side edges, a downwardly, substantially perpendicular tab at a leading end, and a scale along the length between the side edges. The apparatus includes an end fitting piece and a medial fitting piece. The end fitting piece has a leg and a seat. The leg extends from the piece to provide a measuring edge. The seat is configured to secure with the tab at the leading end of the tape. The medial fitting piece has a leg and a seat. The leg extends from the piece to provide a measuring edge. The seat is configured to mount onto the tape for slidable movement relative to the end fitting leg to define a distance between the measuring edges readable from the scale on the tape.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention pertains to tape measures and rules. More particularly, the present invention relates to attachment accessories for spring tape measures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Flexible steel tape measures, or spring tape measures, are widely available in varying lengths. One form is provided by a power tape measure having a housing with a slot, a reel, a retraction spring configured to wind the reel, and a tape stored on the reel as a convolute coil. Skilled trades workers and homeowners frequently use such tape measures alike in order to measure distances. However, it is often difficult to accurately determine distance between two objects using an extended tape from a spring tape measure. By itself, an extended tape has a downturned end tab that is supported on the tape to make both inside and outside surface measurements. A scale extends down a concave surface of the extended tape, along which a user visually identifies a location corresponding with the scale in order to determine a measurement between the surface measurement and the location.

In one exemplary use, the tab is seated over a tabletop edge and the tape is extended to overlay an opposite edge of the table, while a user visually notes a scale reading on the tape coincident with the opposite edge of the table. However, it can prove to be difficult to take an accurate measurement for many situations. For example, a contractor faced with measuring inside window dimensions on a row of elevated windows, such as when sizing the windows for blinds, faces difficulty because it will be necessary to climb up a ladder while extending out a tape and visually ascertaining a reading on the tape scale. It can be challenging for a user to visually identify scale markings relative to a location being measured, especially when they are on a ladder. By the time the user has descended the ladder, the scale location can be lost or the reading forgotten. Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved apparatus for clearly demarcating distances that correlate with a scale on a spring tape measure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An attachment apparatus for a tape measure is provided for removable attachment to commercially available spring tape measures having a plurality of unique standard widths. In one case, the attachment apparatus accommodates two unique tape widths. However, additional tape widths can be accommodated by providing a unique seat on the apparatus for receiving each uniquely sized tape.

According to one aspect, an attachment apparatus is provided for a measuring tape having upwardly curving side edges, a downwardly, substantially perpendicular tab at a leading end, and a scale along the length between the side edges. The apparatus includes an end fitting piece and a medial fitting piece. The end fitting piece has a leg and a seat. The leg extends from the piece to provide a measuring edge. The seat is configured to secure with the tab at the leading end of the tape. The medial fitting piece has a leg and a seat. The leg extends from the piece to provide a measuring edge. The seat is configured to mount onto the tape for slidable movement relative to the end fitting leg to define a distance between the measuring edges readable from the scale on the tape. According to another aspect, a measuring apparatus is provided for attachment to a measuring tape having upwardly curving side edges, a leading end, and a scale along a length between the side edges that is concave. The apparatus includes a slide member having a lateral projection and a seat. The projection includes a measuring edge. The seat includes a pair of guide surfaces configured in opposition and spaced apart to receive the tape in an interference fit. The tape is received for urgable and slidable movement along the tape to define/capture a distance on the scale between the measuring edge and the leading end of the tape.

According to yet another aspect, a measuring tape attachment apparatus is provided for a spring tape measure. The measuring tape apparatus includes a stationary end piece and a movable middle piece. The stationary end piece has an arm projecting from the piece and a seat. The arm extends from the piece to provide a measuring edge. The seat is configured to secure onto an end tab of a spring tape measure. The movable middle piece has an arm, a seat, and a reading scale edge. The arm extends from the piece to provide a measuring edge. The seat is configured to mount onto the tape for slidable movement relative to the end piece to ascertain a distance between the measuring edges readable from the reading scale edge on the tape.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An attachment apparatus, or system10is provided for removable attachment to a tape12of a spring tape measure68(seeFIGS. 12 and 13), such as a power return tape measure, as shown inFIG. 1. Apparatus10includes a terminal member, or end piece16and a slide member, or middle piece18that each fasten and release from a tape, or tape blade12of a tape measure (not shown). End piece16and middle piece18each provide a fitting piece that can be mated and demated with a tape on a spring tape measure having one of two unique widths. Optionally, pieces16and18can be configured to mate and demate with a single width of tape, or with three or more widths of tape. End piece16fastens onto a distal end of tape12by securing on to a downturned tab14on a distal end of tape12. Middle piece18fastens onto a medial segment of tape12where it is retained for slidable repositioning along tape12.

According to one construction, middle piece18has a pair of sliding seats, or tape guide surfaces46and48that each receives a tape12of a corresponding unique width in a slight interference fit by slightly bowing tape12to a greater extend than is present when tape12is extended in a straight position. A user then urges middle piece18to a location where a measurement is to occur, with the slightly deformed tape12holding position of middle piece18on tape12. Finger pressure from a user will overcome the grip of middle piece18on tape12, thereby enabling sliding, or repositioning of middle piece18along tape12. Middle piece18can be used alone or in combination with end piece16on a tape12to measure distances.

Also according to one construction, end piece16has a pair of stationary seats, or tape retention surfaces42and44that each receives a tape12of a corresponding unique width. An interference fit is provided by seats42and44relative to a respective tape (such as tape12) that is received in the seat. According to one construction, end piece16has an interference fit with tape12that is greater than the interference fit between middle piece18and tape12. This increased interference fit is provided in order to fix end piece16relative to an end of tape12and to eliminate any motion of tab14relative to tape12. According to one technique, tab14is extended out from tape12when mating end piece16with tape12. Optionally, seats42and44can have a width that merely receives a tape without allowing a loose fit. End piece16also has a u-shaped slot24that extends about a peninsula25, and is configured to further prevent end piece16from sliding on tape12.

As shown inFIG. 1, apparatus10can be used to measure both inside and outside dimensions using respective inside legs, or arms26and34and outside legs, or arms28and36on pieces16and18, respectively. A measuring edge27,35and29,37is provided by a vertical surface on each leg26,34and28,36of pieces16and18, respectively. Middle piece18is slid along tape12until the respective pair of measuring edges27,29and35,37on pieces16and18conform to a distance being measured. Measuring edges27and35are used to measure inside dimensions, whereas measuring edges29and37are used to measure outside dimensions, as explained below in greater detail with reference toFIGS. 12 and 13.

Pairs of relief channels50,51(seeFIG. 11) and 52,53are provided along seats42,44and46,48of pieces16and18to facilitate elastic deformation when mounting a tape12onto end piece16and middle piece18. Provision of apertures38and40in pieces16and18, respectively, further facilitates such elastic deformation, or flexing, when loading a tape into a respective seat. According to one construction, pieces16and18are constructed from a plastic, such as DELRIN® or NYLON®, and relief channels50-53facilitate a modest amount of flex in order to further facilitate loading of a tape12into a respective seat42,44and46,48of pieces16and18, respectively. Optionally, pieces16and18can be constructed from any of a number of rigid or elastic materials, such as metals, composites, or other suitable structural materials. Further optionally, each can be constructed from multiple pieces that join together. However, for the case of a rigid material it will be more difficult to load and unload pieces16and18from a tape12.

As shown inFIG. 1, middle piece18includes a measuring finger, or leg30extending within aperture40. A transverse side of leg30that is perpendicular to a central axis of tape12forms a reading scale edge32. Leg30has a curved, or convex underside surface33that is provided in proximity with a scale20on a concave top surface of tape12, as shown inFIG. 2. Surface33conforms substantially with a tape12that is mated with middle piece18. In this manner, reading scale edge32extends in close proximity with scale20, enabling more accurate reading of individual demarcations on scale20by a user, while reducing any parallax.

As shown inFIG. 2, middle piece18is mounted onto tape12for taking measurements relative to tab14. By placing tab14against an inside surface of an object, middle piece18can be slid until measuring surface35engages with an opposed inside surface. Distance is then measured by reading the position of reading scale edge32relative to scale20. Likewise, tab14can be engaged with an outside surface and middle piece18can be slid along tape12until measuring surface37engages with an opposed outer surface. Additionally, wings15and17of tab14can be used to mark inside and outside measurements relative to the corresponding measuring surfaces35and37of middle piece18. Optionally, end piece16can be loaded onto tape12and tab14, as shown inFIG. 1, in order to measure distances.

FIG. 3illustrates end piece16mounted onto tape12and tab14. More particularly, tape is received into tape guide44with an interference fit. For the case of a narrower tape, the tape would be received into narrower tape guide42in a similar interference fit. In addition, wings15and17are inserted into a u-shaped slot24in end piece16to prevent end piece16from sliding along tape12. Slot24envelopes a central bridge25of end piece16. End piece16is received such that measuring edges27and29correspond with a “zero” reading on scale20of tape12. Aperture38and relief channels50and51(seeFIG. 11) facilitate flexing of end piece16to help load tape12into seat44(or optionally, seat42). During loading, tape12is also flexed, or deformed to facilitate loading into seat44. Accordingly, an interference fit is generated that holds end piece16rigidly onto tape12.

As shown inFIG. 2, tab14is formed from a piece of steel that is bent at a right angle. A plurality of rivets21-23mount tab14onto an end of tape12via three corresponding slightly elongated holes (not shown), as shown in FIGS.2and14-15. Each hole is elongated a distance equal to the thickness of the downwardly bent end of tab14. In this way, tab14slides fore and aft a distance equal to the thickness of the tab relative to tape12. Accordingly, when an end of tab14is pushed against an inside surface, tab14slides a distance equal to a thickness of tab14. When tab14is placed on an outside surface, or edge, the tape is pulled, which causes tab14to move, or slide outward a same distance as the thickness of tab14, thereby accommodating the thickness of tab14when taking inside and outside measurements relative to scale20on tape12.

FIGS. 4-7illustrate in greater detail one construction for middle piece18. More particularly, provision of tape guides, or seats46and48are seen in end-view inFIG. 4. Seat46is sized to snuggly receive in a sliding, interference fit a tape measure having a nominal 1.00″ width (when uncurled, or flattened out). Seat48is sized to snuggly receive in a sliding, interference fit a tape measure having a nominal width of 1.25″ width (when uncurled, or flattened out). It is understood that provision can be made to add another width, or to provide different unique widths my merely sizing seats with corresponding widths. Furthermore, it is understood that the degree of interference fit, as discussed below in greater detail with reference toFIG. 18can be varied, depending on the stiffness of a steel tape measure being used with the middle piece18. It is desired to eliminate any looseness or play between middle piece18and a tape in order to facilitate reading of a tape scale without risk of inadvertent movement between piece18and a tape after positioning of piece18to mark a distance along a tape. Optionally, a conforming, snug, or zero-tolerance fit can be provided between middle piece18and tape12, and a relatively high coefficient of friction surface interface can be provided on seat46and46, such as a textured or rubberized surface finish.

FIGS.4and6-7show a curved underside33of leg30that substantially complements a concave surface of a tape that is mated with one of seats46and48. Provision of curved, or arcuate underside33, as shown inFIG. 3, reduces parallax when sighting reading scale edge32(seeFIG. 5) to read a scale on a tape (not shown). As shown inFIG. 5, measuring edges35and37are aligned with reading scale edge32on a line that is perpendicular to a central axis of a tape measure mounted onto piece18. Rectangular aperture40, provided within a generally rectangular body of piece18, enables viewing of reading scale edge32along with a tape provided there under (not shown).

FIGS. 4,6and7illustrate relief channels52and53provided on opposite sides of aperture40. Channels52and53cooperate to impart a limited amount of flexibility to piece18sufficient to enable loading of a tape into seat46or48. It is understood that a steel tape is also flexed during assembly with piece18, as described below in greater detail with reference toFIG. 18.

As shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, seat46comprises a pair of opposed v-shaped grooves, or arcuate channels60and62. Likewise seat48comprises a pair of opposed v-shaped grooves, or arcuate channels60and64. Furthermore, lateral projections, or legs35and36each comprise compound wedges that form a sharp measuring edge35and37, respectively, as shown inFIGS. 5-7.

FIGS. 8-11illustrate in greater detail one construction for end piece16. More particularly, provision of tape guides, or seats42and44are seen in end-view inFIG. 8. Seat42is sized to snuggly receive in an interference fit a tape measure having a nominal 1.00″ width. Seat44is sized to snuggly receive in an interference fit a tape measure having a nominal width of 1.25″ width. It is understood that provision can be made to add another width, or to provide different unique widths my merely sizing seats with corresponding widths. Furthermore, it is understood that the degree of interference fit, as discussed below in greater detail with reference toFIG. 18, can be varied, depending on the stiffness of a steel tape measure being used with the end piece16. It is desired to eliminate any looseness or play between end piece16and a tape in order to facilitate reading of a tape scale without risk of inadvertent movement between piece16and a tape end portion when marking a distance along a tape.

As shown in FIGS.8and10-11, relief channels50and51are provided on opposite sides of aperture38. Channels50and51cooperate to impart a limited amount of flexibility to piece16sufficient to enable loading of a tape into seat42or44. It is understood that a steel tape is also flexed during assembly with piece16. Aperture38, as shown inFIGS. 9-11, further facilitates flexing of piece16when loading a tape onto piece16.

As shown inFIGS. 10-11, seat42comprises a pair of opposed v-shaped grooves, or arcuate channels54and56. Likewise seat44comprises a pair of opposed v-shaped grooves, or arcuate channels54and58. Furthermore, lateral projections, or legs26and28each comprise compound wedges that form a sharp measuring edge27and29, respectively, as shown inFIGS. 9-11.

FIG. 12illustrates a spring tape measure68using attachment apparatus10ofFIG. 1being used to measure an outside diameter of a cylindrical pipe72. During use, a user typically grasps onto a housing70of measure68while tape12is extended from housing70. Such a tape12is generally self-supporting when extended, and is typically made from steel, such as steel or stainless steel. End piece16is hooked onto an outer surface of pipe72with measuring surface29on leg28, while tape12is tensioned. Middle piece18is then slid, or urged until measuring surface37of leg36contacts an opposite surface of pipe72corresponding with an outer diameter of pipe72. A user then visually identifies a reading on scale20of tape12using reading scale edge32on leg30.

FIG. 13illustrates spring tape measure68using attachment apparatus ofFIGS. 1 and 12being used to measure an inside diameter of cylindrical pipe72. End piece16is engaged with an inner surface of pipe72with measuring surface27on leg26and held in contact to engage the inner surface. Middle piece18is then slid, or urged until measuring surface35of leg34contacts an opposite inner surface of pipe72corresponding with an inner diameter of a surface within pipe72. A user then visually identifies a reading on scale20of tape12using reading scale edge32on leg30.

FIG. 14illustrates a terminal end portion of tape12with a first configuration for tab14having a pair of wings15and17. InFIG. 2, tab14is shown mated with end piece16.

FIG. 15illustrates a terminal end portion of tape112with an alternative configuration for tab114. This alternative construction for tab112does not have any wings, but can still be mated with end piece16(ofFIG. 3).

FIG. 16depicts middle piece18in vertical sectional view as taken inFIG. 5. A relatively narrow 1.00″ width metal tape112is shown received onto middle piece18. In contrast,FIG. 17depicts middle piece18in vertical sectional view as taken inFIG. 5. A relatively wider 1.25″ width metal tape12is shown received onto middle piece18.

FIG. 18illustrates width of a tape12prior to being mated with middle piece18, as well as after being mated with middle piece18. Tape12has a width, in a natural unrolled condition, of W1. Tape12has a width, when mated in an interference fit with piece18, of W2. W1is greater than W2, according to one construction. Hence, an interference fit helps piece18maintain a desired position along a tape to stabilize piece18while reading the scale, thereby minimizing any movement during reading that might cause a measurement error.

FIG. 19shows middle piece18of apparatus10in enlarged breakaway, perspective view with two sizes of tape12and112being received alternately in seats48and46, respectively. Seat46is provided by channels60and62, whereas seat48is provided by channels60and64. A substantially conforming curvature of curved underside33places reading scale edge32in close proximity with a received tape12or112so as to reduce any parallax when reading a corresponding scale on the respective tape12or112.

FIG. 20illustrates an alternative construction for an apparatus of the present invention comprising a middle piece118having a main body119and a bottom cover121. Bottom cover121secures to body119in snap-fit relation with a pair of overlapping edge connections123and125. A generally rectangular inner surface provides a seat148that engages with and deforms tape12from a natural, extended shape. Tape12has an undeformed horizontal dimension, W3, and a deformed, or interference fit dimension, W4. W3is greater than W4. Furthermore, tape12has an undeformed vertical dimension, H3, and a deformed, or interference fit dimension, H4. H3is greater than H4. Hence, tape12is deformed by constraining an unrolled shape of tape12in two dimensions using middle piece18.