Squaring tape apparatus and kits

Squaring tape apparatus and kits for converting a conventional measuring tape into a squaring tape apparatus are described herein. The squaring tape apparatus and kits described herein provide a measuring tape that is capable of accurately measuring diagonal distances across a window or door frame from inside corner to inside corner.

SUMMARY

Squaring tape apparatus and kits for converting a conventional measuring tape into a squaring tape apparatus are described herein.

In one or more embodiments, the squaring tape apparatus and kits described herein provide a device that is capable of accurately measuring diagonal distances across a window or door frame opening from inside corner to inside corner.

In one or more embodiments, the squaring tape apparatus described herein may be dedicated specifically for use in squaring window or door frames by measuring diagonal distances between inside corners of the frame openings. In one or more embodiments, the kits described herein may be used to convert a conventional tape measure into a squaring tape apparatus as described herein for use in squaring window or door frames.

In a first aspect, one or more embodiments of a squaring tape apparatus as described herein may include: a housing comprising a base that comprises a first end and a second end, a front wall extending upward from the first end of the base, a rear wall extending upward from the second end of the base, and two sidewalls extending between the front wall and the rear wall, the two sidewalls extending upward from the base; a tape coiled within the housing, the tape comprising a distal end that exits the housing through a tape opening located at a junction between the front wall and the base, wherein the tape is configured to be pulled out of the housing through the tape opening, and wherein the tape is configured to retract back into the housing in the absence of forces acting to pull the tape out of the housing, and wherein the tape defines a measuring axis extending through the distal end and along a length of the tape when the tape is extended outward from the tape opening, and further wherein the tape comprises opposing edges extending along the measuring axis, the opposing edges defining a width measured transverse to the measuring axis; a first corner positioning fixture at the distal end of the tape, wherein the first corner positioning fixture is configured to rotate about a first axis relative to the tape, wherein the first axis is transverse to the measuring axis and transverse to the width of the tape, and wherein the first corner positioning fixture comprises a left contact surface located on a left side of the measuring axis and a right contact surface located on a right side of the measuring axis, wherein the left and right contact surfaces are defined by a first angle that is bisected by the measuring axis when the vertex of the first angle is located on the measuring axis, and wherein the left contact surface contacts a first framing member and the right contact surface contacts a second framing member when the tape is extended from the housing such that the first corner positioning fixture is inserted into a first framing corner defined by the first and second framing members.

In one or more embodiments of the first aspect of the squaring tape apparatus described herein, the first angle is within a range of 80 to 100 degrees.

In one or more embodiments of the first aspect of the squaring tape apparatus described herein, the first angle is a right angle.

In one or more embodiments of the first aspect of the squaring tape apparatus described herein, the first corner positioning fixture is configured to rotate 360 degrees about the first axis.

In one or more embodiments of the first aspect of the squaring tape apparatus described herein, the first corner positioning fixture is configured to rotate less than 360 degrees about the first axis.

In one or more embodiments of the first aspect of the squaring tape apparatus described herein, the apparatus comprises a second corner positioning fixture attached to the second end of the base, wherein the second corner positioning fixture is configured to rotate about a second axis, wherein the second axis is transverse to the measuring axis and aligned with the first axis, and wherein the second corner positioning fixture comprises a left contact surface located on a left side of the measuring axis and a right contact surface located on a right side of the measuring axis, wherein the left and right contact surfaces are defined by a second angle that is bisected by the measuring axis when the vertex of the second angle is located on the measuring axis, and wherein the left contact surface contacts a third framing member and the right contact surface contacts a fourth framing member when the second corner positioning fixture is inserted into a second framing corner defined by the third and fourth framing members, wherein the second framing corner is located diagonally opposite from the first framing corner; wherein the squaring tape apparatus is configured to measure a distance between the first and second framing corners.

In one or more embodiments of the first aspect of the squaring tape apparatus described herein that include a second corner positioning fixture, the second angle is within a range of 80 to 100 degrees.

In one or more embodiments of the first aspect of the squaring tape apparatus described herein that include a second corner positioning fixture, the second angle is a right angle.

In one or more embodiments of the first aspect of the squaring tape apparatus described herein that include a second corner positioning fixture, the second corner positioning fixture is configured to rotate 360 degrees about the second axis.

In one or more embodiments of the first aspect of the squaring tape apparatus described herein that include a second corner positioning fixture, the second corner positioning fixture is configured to rotate less than 360 degrees about the second axis.

In one or more embodiments of the first aspect of the squaring tape apparatus described herein, a projection of the first corner positioning fixture onto a plane parallel with the width of the tape is in the form of a square with chamfered corners, wherein the left and right contact surfaces of the first corner positioning fixture form adjacent sides of the square.

In one or more embodiments of the first aspect of the squaring tape apparatus described herein that include a second corner positioning fixture, a projection of the second corner positioning fixture onto a plane parallel with the width of the tape is in the form of a second square with chamfered corners, wherein the left and right contact surfaces of the second corner positioning fixture form adjacent sides of the second square.

In one or more embodiments of the first aspect of the squaring tape apparatus described herein, the first corner positioning fixture is configured to rotate 100 degrees or less about the first axis, and wherein a projection of the first corner positioning fixture onto a plane parallel with the width of the tape is in the form of a triangle with a chamfered corner distal from the housing, and further wherein the chamfered corner moves between right and left sides of the measuring axis as the first corner positioning block rotates about the first axis.

In one or more embodiments of the first aspect of the squaring tape apparatus described herein that include a second corner positioning fixture, the second corner positioning fixture is configured to rotate less than 360 degrees about the second axis, and wherein a projection of the second corner positioning fixture onto a plane parallel with the width of the tape is in the form of a triangle with a chamfered corner distal from the housing, and further wherein the chamfered corner moves between right and left sides of the measuring axis as the second corner positioning block rotates about the second axis.

In one or more embodiments of the first aspect of the squaring tape apparatus described herein that include a second corner positioning fixture, a distance between the first end of the base and the second axis is greater than a distance between the first end and the second end of the base.

In one or more embodiments of the first aspect of the squaring tape apparatus described herein that include a second corner positioning fixture, the apparatus comprises a third corner positioning fixture attached to the housing such that the second corner positioning fixture is located between the third corner positioning fixture and the housing along the measuring axis, wherein the third corner positioning fixture comprises a left contact surface located on a left side of the measuring axis and a right contact surface located on a right side of the measuring axis, wherein the left and right contact surfaces are defined by an angle that is bisected by the measuring axis when the vertex of the angle is located on the measuring axis, and wherein the left contact surface contacts the third framing member and the right contact surface contacts the fourth framing member when the third corner positioning fixture is inserted into the second framing corner.

In one or more embodiments of the first aspect of the squaring tape apparatus described herein, the tape comprises visible measurement indicia on a surface thereof that is configured to indicate a distance between the first axis and the second axis along the measuring axis.

In a second aspect, one or more embodiments of a squaring tape apparatus as described herein may include: a housing comprising a base that comprises a first end and a second end, a front wall extending upward from the first end of the base, a rear wall extending upward from the second end of the base, and two sidewalls extending between the front wall and the rear wall, the two sidewalls extending upward from the base; a tape coiled within the housing, the tape comprising a distal end that exits the housing through a tape opening located at a junction between the front wall and the base, wherein the tape is configured to be pulled out of the housing through the tape opening, and wherein the tape is configured to retract back into the housing in the absence of forces acting to pull the tape out of the housing, and wherein the tape defines a measuring axis extending through the distal end and along a length of the tape when the tape is extended outward from the tape opening, and further wherein the tape comprises opposing edges extending along the measuring axis, the opposing edges defining a width measured transverse to the measuring axis; and a first corner positioning fixture at the distal end of the tape, wherein the first corner positioning fixture comprises a left circular arcuate surface located on a left side of the measuring axis and a right circular arcuate surface located on a right side of the measuring axis, wherein the left and right circular arcuate surfaces are defined by a first circle having a first center on the measuring axis proximal from the distal end of the tape, wherein the left circular arcuate surface contacts a first framing member and the right circular arcuate surface contacts a second framing member when the tape is extended from the housing such that the first corner positioning fixture is inserted into a first framing corner defined by the first and second framing members, wherein the circle is located in a plane defined by the measuring axis and the opposing edges of the tape when extended out of the housing.

In one or more embodiments of the second aspect of the squaring tape apparatus described herein, the left circular arcuate surface comprises a first endpoint defined by a first angle bisected by the measuring axis and having a first vertex on the measuring axis, wherein the first angle is 60° or more.

In one or more embodiments of the second aspect of the squaring tape apparatus described herein, the right circular arcuate surface comprises a first endpoint defined by the first angle.

In one or more embodiments of the second aspect of the squaring tape apparatus described herein, the left circular arcuate surface comprises a second endpoint defined by a second angle bisected by the measuring axis and having a second vertex on the measuring axis, wherein the second angle is less than 180°. In one or more embodiments, the right circular arcuate surface comprises a second endpoint defined by the second angle.

In one or more embodiments of the second aspect of the squaring tape apparatus described herein, the apparatus comprises a second corner positioning fixture attached to the second end of the base of the housing, wherein the second corner positioning fixture comprises a left circular arcuate surface located on a left side of the measuring axis and a right circular arcuate surface located on a right side of the measuring axis, wherein the left and right circular arcuate surfaces are defined by a second circle having a second center on the measuring axis proximal from the distal end of the tape, wherein the left circular arcuate surface contacts a third framing member and the right circular arcuate surface contacts a fourth framing member when the second corner positioning fixture is inserted into a second framing corner defined by the third and fourth framing members, wherein the second framing corner is located diagonally opposite from the first framing corner, and wherein the circle is located in a plane defined by the measuring axis and the opposing edges of the tape when the tape is extended out of the housing; and wherein the squaring tape apparatus is configured to measure a distance between the first and second framing corners.

In one or more embodiments of the second aspect of the squaring tape apparatus described herein, the first corner positioning fixture is in the form of a generally circular disc.

In one or more embodiments of the second aspect of the squaring tape apparatus described herein, the apparatus comprises a second corner positioning fixture attached to the second end of the base of the housing, wherein the second corner positioning fixture comprises a left circular arcuate surface located on a left side of the measuring axis and a right circular arcuate surface located on a right side of the measuring axis, wherein the left and right circular arcuate surfaces are defined by a second circle having a second center on the measuring axis proximal from the distal end of the tape, wherein the left circular arcuate surface contacts a third framing member and the right circular arcuate surface contacts a fourth framing member when the second corner positioning fixture is inserted into a second framing corner defined by the third and fourth framing members, wherein the second framing corner is located diagonally opposite from the first framing corner, and wherein the circle is located in a plane defined by the measuring axis and the opposing edges of the tape when the tape is extended out of the housing; and wherein the squaring tape apparatus is configured to measure a distance between the first and second framing corners.

In one or more embodiments of the second aspect of the squaring tape apparatus including a second corner positioning fixture as described herein, a distance between the first end of the base and the second center of the second corner positioning fixture is greater than a distance between the first end and the second end of the base.

In one or more embodiments of the second aspect of the squaring tape apparatus including a second corner positioning fixture as described herein, the second corner positioning fixture is in the form of a generally circular disc.

In one or more embodiments of the second aspect of the squaring tape apparatus including a second corner positioning fixture as described herein, the apparatus comprises a third corner positioning fixture attached to the housing such that the second corner positioning fixture is located between the third corner positioning fixture and the housing along the measuring axis, wherein the third corner positioning fixture comprises a left circular arcuate surface located on a left side of the measuring axis and a right circular arcuate surface located on a right side of the measuring axis, wherein the left and right circular arcuate surfaces are defined by a third circle having a third center on the measuring axis, wherein the left circular arcuate surface contacts the third framing member and the right circular arcuate surface contacts the fourth framing member when the third corner positioning fixture is inserted into the second framing corner.

In one or more embodiments of the second aspect of the squaring tape apparatus including a second corner positioning fixture as described herein, the tape comprises visible indicia configured to indicate a distance between the first axis and the second axis along the measuring axis.

In a third aspect, one or more embodiments of a kit configured to convert a measuring tape to a squaring tape apparatus as described herein may include: a first corner positioning fixture apparatus configured to attach to a distal end of measuring tape contained within a housing, wherein first corner positioning fixture apparatus comprises a first corner positioning fixture as described herein; and a second corner positioning fixture apparatus configured to attach to the housing containing the measuring tape, wherein the second corner positioning fixture apparatus positions a second corner positioning fixture as described herein; wherein the measuring tape, first corner positioning fixture apparatus attached to the measuring tape and second corner positioning fixture apparatus attached to the housing are configured to measure a distance between the first and second framing corners.

In one or more embodiments of the kits described herein, the second corner positioning fixture apparatus is adhesively attached to the housing.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a” or “the” component may include one or more of the components and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Further, the term “and/or” means one or all of the listed elements or a combination of any two or more of the listed elements.

It is noted that the term “comprises” and variations thereof do not have a limiting meaning where these terms appear in the accompanying description. Moreover, “a,” “an,” “the,” “at least one,” and “one or more” are used interchangeably herein.

The above summary is not intended to describe each embodiment or every implementation of the squaring tape apparatus and kits described herein. Rather, a more complete understanding of the invention will become apparent and appreciated by reference to the following Description of Illustrative Embodiments and claims in view of the accompanying figures of the drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

One illustrative embodiment of a squaring tape apparatus10as described herein is depicted inFIGS. 1 and 2. The apparatus10includes a housing20having a base22that extends from a first end21to a second end23. The housing20further includes a front wall24extending upward from the first end21of the base22. A rear wall26extends upward from the second end23of the base22. Two sidewalls28extend between the front wall24to the rear wall26of the housing20, with the two sidewalls28extending upward from the base22of the housing20.

A tape30is coiled within the housing20as in conventional tape measures. In particular, the tape30is typically wound on a reel that is rotatably supported in the housing20. The tape30may be constructed of steel, plastic, fiberglass or another relatively flexible material that can be wound on the reel. The tape30may, in one or more embodiments, include measurement indicia36thereon such that, when unwound and extended from the housing20, the tape30can be used to measure linear distances. The tape30may be rewound into the housing manually using a crank or automatically using, e.g., a spring.

The tape30has a distal end32that extends away from the housing20through a tape opening34located at or near a junction between the front wall24and the base22of the housing20. The tape30is configured to be pulled out of the housing20through the tape opening34(as in conventional tape measures) such that indicia36on the tape30can be used to measure linear distances. Also as in conventional tape measures, the tape30is, in one or more embodiments, configured to retract back into the housing20in the absence of forces acting to pull the tape30out of the housing20. The tape30defines a measuring axis31when the tape30is extended outward from the tape opening34in the housing20. In one or more embodiments, the measuring axis31extends from the distal end32of the tape30through the first end21and the second end23of the base22of the housing20(or along a line near to the first and second ends of the housing20).

In the illustrative embodiment of squaring tape apparatus10depicted inFIGS. 1 and 2, a first corner positioning fixture40is attached to the distal end32of the tape30. The first corner positioning fixture40is configured to rotate about a first axis41relative to the tape30. The first axis41is transverse to the measuring axis31as seen in, e.g.,FIG. 1. Although described as being transverse, the first axis41may or may not be perfectly perpendicular to the measuring axis31. The first axis41is also transverse to a width of the tape30, where the width of the tape30is transverse to the measuring axis31and where the width of the tape30is measured between opposing edges of the tape30that extend along the measuring axis31, see, e.g.,FIG. 2. Again, although described as being transverse, the first axis41may or may not be perfectly perpendicular to the width of the tape30.

In one or more embodiments, the first corner positioning fixture40includes a left contact surface43located on a left side of the measuring axis31and a right contact surface43located on a right side of the measuring axis31when the tape30is used to measure a diagonal distance across a window or door frame. As seen in, e.g.,FIG. 2A, the left contact surface43contacts framing member12and the right contact surface43contacts framing member14when the tape30is extended from the housing such that the first corner positioning fixture40is inserted into a first framing corner defined by the framing members12and14.

In one or more embodiments, the first corner positioning fixture40includes at least one corner42located between adjacent contact surfaces43that is configured to be inserted into a first framing corner formed by a first pair of framing members forming a right angle. Rotation of the first corner positioning fixture40about the first axis41is prevented when the first corner positioning fixture40is inserted into the first framing corner.

Although described as having at least one corner42, one or more embodiments of the first corner positioning fixture40that may be used in squaring tape apparatus10may be in the form of a square having four corners with all four corners being equidistant from the first axis41. In one or more embodiments, the shape of the first corner positioning fixture40may be described as a projection of the first corner positioning fixture40onto a plane parallel with the width of the tape30, in which case the first corner positioning fixture projection onto that plane would be in the form of a square.

In one or more embodiments, the squaring tape apparatus10depicted inFIGS. 1 and 2includes a second corner positioning fixture50attached to the second end23of the base22of the housing20. The second corner positioning fixture50is configured to rotate about a second axis51, where the second axis51is transverse to the measuring axis31. Although described as being transverse, the second axis51may or may not be perfectly perpendicular to the measuring axis31. The second axis51may be aligned with the first axis41which, in one or more embodiments, may mean that the second axis51is essentially parallel to the first axis41. That alignment may, however, not necessarily be perfectly parallel.

In one or more embodiments, the second corner positioning fixture50includes a left contact surface53located on a left side of the measuring axis31and a right contact surface53located on a right side of the measuring axis31when the tape30is used to measure a diagonal distance across a window or door frame. In one or more embodiments, the left contact surface53contacts a framing member on the left side of the measuring axis31and the right contact surface53contacts a framing member on the right side of the measuring axis31when the second corner positioning fixture50is inserted into a second framing corner that is located diagonally from the first framing corner in a window or door frame. In one or more embodiments, the second corner positioning fixture50includes at least one corner52located between adjacent contact surfaces53that is configured to be inserted into a second framing corner formed by a second pair of framing members forming a right angle. Rotation of the second corner positioning fixture50about the first axis51is prevented when the second corner positioning fixture50is inserted into the second framing corner.

Although described as having at least one corner52, one or more embodiments of the second corner positioning fixture50that may be used in squaring tape apparatus10may be in the form of a square having four corners with all four corners being equidistant from the second axis51. In one or more embodiments, the shape of the second corner positioning fixture50may be described as a projection of the second corner positioning fixture50onto a plane parallel with the width of the tape30, in which case the second corner positioning fixture projection onto that plane would be in the form of a square.

With the first corner positioning fixture40and the second corner positioning fixture50located at opposite ends of the measuring axis31, the squaring tape apparatus10depicted inFIGS. 1 and 2can be used to measure diagonal distances across a window or door frame opening from inside corner to inside corner. With measurements taken across both diagonals in a rectangular frame opening, the user may determine whether the opening is or is not square before fully securing the window or door within the frame opening.

In one or more embodiments, the first corner positioning fixture40and/or the second corner positioning fixture50may be configured to rotate 360 degrees about their respective axes41and51. In one or more alternative embodiments, the first corner positioning fixture40and/or the second corner positioning fixture50may be configured to rotate less than 360 degrees about their respective axes41and51.

In one or more embodiments, the second corner positioning fixture50may be spaced apart from the rear wall26of the housing20of the squaring tape apparatus10to facilitate use of the squaring tape apparatus10in the measuring of diagonal frame opening distances. In one or more embodiments, the distance between the first end21of the base22and the second axis51is greater than a sum of the length of the base22(i.e., the distance from the first end21to the second end23of the base22) and the distance between the second axis51and the corner52of the second corner positioning fixture50. In such an arrangement, the housing20of the squaring tape apparatus10may be located further away from the framing corner in which the second corner positioning fixture50is located. As a result, use of the squaring tape apparatus10may be facilitated because the housing20may be easier to manipulate.

In one or more embodiments of the squaring tape apparatus described herein, the indicia36on the tape30may be configured to indicate the distance between the first axis41and the second axis51along the measuring axis31. In one or more alternative embodiments, the indicia36on the tape30may be configured to indicate a distance along the measuring axis31between the corner42of the first corner positioning fixture40and the corner52of the second corner positioning fixture50when the first corner positioning fixture40is located in a first framing corner and the second corner positioning fixture50is located in a second framing corner diagonally from the first framing corner.

One alternative illustrative embodiment of a squaring tape apparatus that may be provided in accordance with the principles described herein is depicted inFIGS. 3 and 4. The squaring tape apparatus110is constructed similarly to the squaring tape apparatus10described above in connection withFIGS. 1 and 2. In particular, the squaring tape apparatus110includes a housing120containing a tape130coiled therein with the tape130extending outward from the housing120(which includes front wall124).

The squaring tape apparatus110also includes a first corner positioning fixture140attached to the tape130, with the first corner positioning fixture140rotating about a first axis141.

The housing120of the squaring tape apparatus110includes a base122having a first end121and a second end123. An arm156is attached to the second end123of the base122of the housing120, with the arm156rotating about an axis154such that the arm can be located in a stored position in which the arm156is located against the rear wall126of the housing120as seen inFIG. 3.

The arm156can, however, be rotated downward to a position in which the arm156is aligned with the base122along a measuring axis131as depicted inFIG. 4. Rotating the arm156downward to this position, locates the second corner positioning fixture150along the measuring axis131. As described above in connection with squaring tape apparatus10, the second corner positioning fixture150is also configured to rotate about a second axis151.

The illustrative embodiment of squaring tape apparatus110is a variation in which the second corner positioning fixture150can be stored when the squaring tape apparatus110is not in use.

Although, in one or more embodiments, the squaring tape apparatus described herein may be dedicated for use in measuring diagonal distances across a frame opening, the principles of the invention as described herein may also be employed using a conventional tape measure modified by a kit that is configured to convert a conventional tape to a squaring tape apparatus as described herein. One illustrative embodiment of such a kit is depicted and will be described in connection withFIGS. 5 to 8. Such kits may typically be provided in a package that includes the components required to convert a conventional tape measure to a squaring tape apparatus as described herein.

In one or more embodiments, the kit may include a first corner positioning fixture apparatus260configured to attach to a distal end of measuring tape contained within a housing. The first corner positioning fixture apparatus260includes a first corner positioning fixture240configured to rotate about a first axis241relative to the measuring tape on which the first corner positioning fixture apparatus260is located. The first axis241is transverse to a measuring axis231defined along a length of the measuring tape on which the first corner positioning fixture apparatus260is located. The first axis241is also transverse to a width of the measuring tape on which the first corner positioning fixture apparatus260is located (where the width of the measuring tape is transverse to the measuring axis231). The first corner positioning fixture240includes a corner242that can be used as described herein in connection with the first corner positioning fixtures in the dedicated squaring tape apparatus.

The first corner positioning fixture apparatus260includes a slot264including extensions265that are configured to receive a conventional measuring tape in a manner that retains the first corner positioning fixture apparatus260attached to the distal end of such a measuring tape. These features can be seen in, e.g., the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 6, which is a cross-section of the first corner positioning fixture apparatus260taken along line6-6inFIG. 5. In such an embodiment, the first corner positioning fixture apparatus260may be retained on the measuring tape by friction or other forces. In one or more alternative embodiments, however, the first corner positioning fixture apparatus260may be retained on a measuring tape through the use of any suitable technique, e.g., mechanical fasteners, adhesives, clamps, etc. In one or more alternative embodiments, the hook on the end of a conventional measuring tape may be used to secure the first corner positioning fixture apparatus on the measuring tape.

In one or more embodiments of a kit configured to convert a conventional tape measure to a squaring tape apparatus as described herein, the kit may further include a second corner positioning fixture apparatus270configured to attach to the housing220of a conventional tape measure. The second corner positioning fixture apparatus270may, in one or more embodiments, position a second corner positioning fixture250along the measuring axis231defined by that conventional tape measure, such that a base of the housing220of the conventional tape measure is located between the second corner positioning fixture250and the first corner positioning fixture (attached to the distal end of the measuring tape of the tape measure using, e.g., a first corner positioning fixture apparatus as described herein).

The second corner positioning fixture apparatus270may, in one or more embodiments, include a slot272configured to receive the housing220of the conventional tape measure. In the depicted embodiment, the slot272includes two sidewalls274and a rear wall276. In one or more embodiments, the conventional tape measure housing220may be retained in the slot272by friction. In one or more alternative embodiments, however, the conventional tape measure housing220may be retained in the slot272by one or more of the following techniques, e.g., mechanical fasteners, adhesives, clamps, etc.

Furthermore, in one or more alternative embodiments of the kits described herein, a second corner positioning fixture apparatus may or may not include a slot configured to receive the housing220of a conventional tape measure. For example, the base of the slot272may be adhesively or otherwise attached rectally to the base of the tape measure housing220in the absence of any walls forming a slot to receive the housing220.

The second corner positioning fixture250of the second corner positioning fixture apparatus270is configured to rotate about a second axis251in much the same manner as described in connection with the second corner positioning fixtures in the dedicated squaring tape apparatus described herein. In particular, the second axis251is transverse to the measuring axis231and, in one or more embodiments, aligned with the first axis241about which the first corner positioning fixture240rotates when attached to the distal end of the measuring tape.

When both the first corner positioning fixture apparatus260and the second corner positioning fixture apparatus270are attached to a conventional tape measure, the first corner positioning fixture240and the second corner positioning fixture250can be used to measure distances between diagonal framing corners in a frame opening as discussed herein.

The corner positioning fixtures that may be used in connection with the squaring tape apparatus and kits described herein may take a variety of different forms. Some illustrative examples of corner positioning fixtures having different shapes are depicted in connection withFIGS. 9-14and will be described herein. These illustrative examples are not, however, exhaustive, and other shapes may be used for corner positioning fixtures in the squaring tape apparatus and kits described herein.

Referring toFIG. 9, one illustrative embodiment of a corner positioning fixture340is depicted which is in the form of a square having four contact surfaces343. The corner positioning fixture340is attached to the squaring tape apparatus in a manner that allows the corner positioning fixture340to rotate about axis341as described herein in connection with other illustrative embodiments of corner positioning fixtures. In many respects, the corner positioning fixture340is similar to the corner positioning fixtures40and50depicted and described in connection with squaring tape apparatus10inFIGS. 1-2A.

One difference, however, between corner positioning fixture340and, for example, corner positioning fixture40, is that corner positioning fixture340includes chamfered corners344between adjacent pairs of contact surfaces343that make up the corner positioning fixture340.

Another feature that is depicted in connection with the illustrative embodiment of corner positioning fixture340inFIG. 9is the angle a that defines the contact surfaces343located on the left and right sides of measuring axis331when the vertex a′ of angle a is located on the measuring axis331. Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, angle a is bisected by the measuring axis331when the vertex a′ of the angle a is located on the measuring axis331.

Another illustrative embodiment of a corner positioning fixture440is depicted inFIGS. 10-12. In particular, the illustrative embodiment of corner positioning fixture440is largely in the shape of a triangle (as opposed to a square shaped corner positioning fixture such as that depicted in connection with, e.g.,FIGS. 1, 2, and 9). The corner positioning fixture440includes left and right contact surfaces443and a backside446. The left and right side contact surfaces443may, in one or more embodiments, not meet each other along one vertex of the triangle but may, rather, be separated by a chamfered corner444similar to that depicted in connection with the corner positioning fixture340ofFIG. 9.

In one or more embodiments, the left and right contact surfaces443may be arranged relative to each other such that the left and right contact surfaces443are defined by an angle of 80° or more. In one or more embodiments, the left and right contact surfaces443may be arranged relative to each other such that the left and right contact surfaces443are defined by an angle of 100° or less. In one or more embodiments, the left and right contact surfaces443may be arranged relative to each other such that the left and right contact surfaces443are defined by an angle of 90° (in which case the shape of the corner positioning fixture may be generally described as a right triangle—in which the corner forming the right angle has been chamfered, and in which the backside446forms the hypotenuse of the right triangle).

Although, in one or more embodiments, the corner positioning fixtures used in the tape apparatus and kits described herein may rotate 360° about their respective axes, the corner positioning fixture440depicted inFIGS. 10-12may have a more limited rotation about its axis441. In part, the more limited rotation of corner positioning fixture440may be required by its shape to provide repeatable measuring of diagonal frame distances, particularly when the left and right contact surfaces443are arranged relative to each other such that they form an angle between 80° to 100°, similar to the angles seen in, e.g., the square corner positioning fixtures described herein and where the angles between the left and right contact surfaces443and the backside446are outside of the range of 80° to 100°.

The corner positioning fixture440is depicted inFIG. 10in an orientation with respect to measuring axis431in which an angle formed by the left and right contact surfaces443would be bisected by the measuring axis431when the vertex of that angle was located on the measuring axis431. Clockwise rotation of the corner positioning fixture440about its axis441is depicted inFIG. 11, with the corner positioning fixture440rotated to the right by angle b. Counterclockwise rotation of the corner positioning fixture440about its axis441is depicted inFIG. 12, with the corner positioning fixture440rotated to the left by angle b.

In one or more embodiments, the rotation of corner positioning fixture440about axis441may be limited such that the corner positioning fixture440rotates less than 360° about axis441(where the sum of both angles b defines the amount of rotation allowed for the corner positioning fixture440). Although the corner positioning fixture440may rotate by an equal amount clockwise and counterclockwise as depicted in connection with the illustrative embodiment of corner positioning fixture440, equal rotation in both directions is not required. In one or more embodiments (such as, e.g., the embodiment depicted inFIGS. 10-12), the corner positioning fixtures (such as, e.g., corner positioning fixture440) described herein may rotate about their respective axes over a range of, e.g., 120° or less, 90° or less, or 60° or less. In one or more embodiments, the corner positioning fixtures described herein may, however, rotate by at least some amount about their respective axes at least, e.g., 10° or more, 20° or more, or 40° or more.

Another illustrative embodiment of a corner positioning fixture540is depicted inFIG. 13. The corner positioning fixture540is in the form of an octagon that rotates about an axis541. In one or more embodiments in which the octagonal form of the corner positioning fixture540is in the form of a regular octagon, the corner positioning fixture540may include contact surfaces543aand543bthat are separated from each other around the perimeter of the octagon by an intervening contact surface543c. In embodiments in which the octagon is a regular octagon, contact surfaces543aand543bwould form a right angle, i.e., are oriented orthogonal to each other.

Still another variation in the shape of a corner positioning fixture used in the squaring tape apparatus and kits described herein is depicted in connection with the illustrative embodiment ofFIGS. 14 and 15. In particular, the corner positioning fixture640at the end of tape630has, in one or more embodiments, a generally rounded shape and may be provided in the form of, e.g., a generally circular disk, a spherical ball, semicircular disk, semi-spherical ball, etc. regardless of the particular form of the corner positioning fixture, when viewed in a plane aligned with the width of the tape to which the corner positioning fixture is attached, the corner positioning fixture will define arcuate surfaces described herein.

In one or more embodiments in which the corner positioning fixture640at the end of a tape630has a generally rounded or circular disk-like shape, the corner positioning fixture640may not need to rotate relative to any axis in order to position the corner positioning fixture640in a framing corner in a manner that allows for accurate inside corner measurements of diagonal distances across a window or door frame opening.

The generally rounded shape of the corner positioning fixtures640at the end of tape630may or may not be in the form of a semi-circle, but may, in one or more embodiments, include both left and right circular arcuate surfaces as described herein. In particular, the corner positioning fixture640may include a left circular arcuate surface680located on the left side of the measuring axis631and a right circular arcuate surface690located on the right side of the measuring axis631.

The left circular arcuate surface680would contact a framing member on the left side of the measuring axis631, while the right circular arcuate surface690would contact a framing member on the right side of the measuring axis631when the corner positioning fixture640is inserted into a framing corner defined by the framing members located on the left and right sides of the measuring axis631. The left and right circular arcuate surfaces680and690may be arcuate portions of a circle having its center located on the measuring axis631, with the circle being located in a plane defined by the measuring axis631and the width of the tape630when extended out of the housing of a squaring tape apparatus as described herein.

In one or more embodiments, the left circular arcuate surface680may have endpoints that are defined by a pair of angles, where the pair of angles each have a vertex that lies on the measuring axis631of the tape630past the distal end of the tape630. As depicted inFIG. 15, a right angle c having a vertex c′ intersects the perimeter of the corner positioning fixture640at points681and691. This angle represents a framing corner that includes framing members oriented perpendicular to each other.

However, the squaring tape apparatus described herein is used in situations in which the framing corner does not form a right angle. For example in some instances the angle formed by the framing members may be less than 90°. As a result, the corner positioning fixtures640will, in one or more embodiments, include left and right circular arcuate surfaces that are capable of positioning the corner positioning fixture properly in such a framing corner. Angle d as depicted inFIG. 15is less than 90°, has a vertex d′ located on the measuring axis631, and is bisected by the measuring axis631. As a result, angle d contacts the left and right circular arcuate surfaces680and690at points682and692on the perimeter of the corner positioning fixture640. Points682and692are located further away from the measuring axis631than points681and691at which a right angle would contact the left and right circular arcuate surfaces680and690. Furthermore, points682and692are also located further away from the distal end of the corner positioning fixture640, i.e., the location at which the measuring axis631intersects the corner positioning fixture640.

While angle d represents a situation in which the framing members meet at an angle less than 90°, angle e having a vertex e′ and being bisected by the measuring axis631represents a situation in which the framing members meet at an angle that is greater than 90°. As a result, angle e contacts the left and right circular arcuate surfaces680and690at locations closer to the distal end of the corner positioning fixture640, i.e., the location at which the measuring axis631intersects the corner positioning fixture640. In particular, the left and right circular arcuate surfaces are contacted at points683and693along the perimeter of the corner positioning fixture640.

In one or more embodiments of the corner positioning fixtures described herein, the left circular arcuate surface680may be defined by endpoints682and683, while the right circular arcuate surface690may be defined by endpoints692and693. Those endpoints may, in one or more embodiments, be defined by angles having their vertices on the measuring axis and which are also bisected by the measuring axis. In one or more embodiments, angle d defining the endpoints of the left and right circular arcuate surfaces that are further from the distal end of the corner positioning fixture640and the measuring axis631may be 60° or more, 70° or more, or 80° or more. In one or more embodiments, angle e defining the endpoints of the left and right circular arcuate surfaces that are closer to the distal end of the corner positioning fixture640and the measuring axis631may be less than 180°, 160° or less, 140° or less, or 120° or less.

It should be noted that the shape of the perimeter of the corner positioning fixture640between points683and693may, in one or more embodiments, be unimportant. For example, in one or more embodiments the perimeter of the corner positioning fixture640may be flat between endpoints683and693. Further, in one or more embodiments, the perimeter of the corner positioning fixture640between endpoints683and693may not extend past a perimeter that would be defined by a circle on which both the left and right circular arcuate surfaces680and690lie.

Another illustrative embodiment of a squaring tape apparatus710as described herein is depicted inFIGS. 16-18. The apparatus710includes a housing720with a tape730coiled within the housing720as described herein in connection with other illustrative embodiments.

In the illustrative embodiment of squaring tape apparatus710depicted inFIGS. 16 and 17, a first corner positioning fixture740is attached to the distal end732of the tape730. The first corner positioning fixture740is, in the illustrative embodiment depicted inFIGS. 16 and 17, in the form of a generally circular disc that provides left and right circular arcuate surfaces on each side of the measuring axis731as described herein in connection with, e.g., the illustrative embodiment of a corner positioning fixture depicted and described in connection withFIGS. 14 and 15.

The illustrative embodiment of squaring tape apparatus710also includes a second corner positioning fixture750that is attached to the housing720by an armed754in a manner similar to that discussed in connection with other illustrative embodiments described herein. The second corner positioning fixture750is also in the form of a generally circular disk that also provides left and right circular arcuate surfaces on each side of the measuring axis731as described herein in connection with, e.g., the illustrative embodiment of a corner positioning fixture depicted and described in connection withFIGS. 14 and 15.

Both the first corner positioning fixture740and the second corner positioning fixture750have, when in the form of circular discs, have a center through which axes741and751extend. When in use, the axes741and751can be used to determine a distance (D1) between, for example, diagonally opposed corners in a frame opening.

An additional optional feature depicted in connection with the squaring tape apparatus710is an extension arm755that can be used to provide a third corner positioning fixture756that is located farther away from the housing720and the second corner positioning fixture750. This arrangement may be useful, in some instances, where, for example, the squaring tape apparatus710is being used to determine a diagonal measurement where it may be more convenient to locate the housing720farther away from one of the diagonally opposing corners. For example, if the squaring tape apparatus710were being used to measure a diagonal distance within a door opening, use of the extension arm755may allow user to more easily determine the diagonal measurement without requiring the user to, for example, kneel down to read the measurement.

Like the first corner positioning fixture740and the second corner positioning fixture750, the third corner positioning fixture756may also be in the form of a generally circular disk having a center through which an axis757extends. In one or more embodiments in which an extension arm755is used, the difference in the distance between the axes741and751(D1) and the distance between the axes741and757(D2) may be known. For example, the extension arm755may provide a fixed distance (e.g., 6 inches, 12 inches, 18 inches, etc.) between the axis751and axis757that can be added to any distance measured using the squaring tape apparatus710.

Although the illustrative embodiment depicted inFIGS. 16-17includes an extension arm755attached to an existing extension arm754which is, in turn, attached to the housing720of the squaring tape apparatus710, in one or more alternative embodiments, the extension arm754may simply be removed from the housing720and replaced by the longer extension arm755which may then be directly attached to the housing720. As a result, for purposes of the present invention, the second corner positioning fixture may simply be the corner positioning fixture are located furthest from the housing of a squaring tape apparatus described herein on the opposite side of the first corner positioning fixture.

The extension arm755may be attached to the existing squaring tape apparatus710by any suitable technique or combination of techniques, e.g., adhesives, mechanical fasteners, clamps, etc. In the depicted embodiment the extension arm755may include features that are complementary to features found in the arm754such that a slot and key arrangement may be provided as seen in, e.g., the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 18. In such an arrangement, frictional forces as well as a mechanically interlocking connection are used to retain the extension arm755in a selected position relative to the housing720of the squaring tape apparatus710. As discussed herein, however, many different techniques could be used to attach an extension arm such as extension arm755to a squaring tape apparatus710.

In one or more embodiments, the squaring tape apparatus as described herein may include an optical measuring system which, in the depicted embodiment of squaring tape apparatus710, may take the form of a laser rangefinder790having a lens791directed at a target792located at or near the distal end732of the tape730. In use, the laser rangefinder790can be used to detect a distance between the target792and the lens791. In one or more embodiments, the laser rangefinder790may be operably coupled to a display793that is configured to provide an indication of distance between the laser rangefinder790and target792. In one or more alternative embodiments, the laser rangefinder790may be configured to provide a distance using display793that is indicative of a distance between target792(which, in the depicted embodiment, is located on axis741) and the corner positioning apparatus located along a measuring axis731on the opposite side of the housing720. For example, in one or more embodiments, the laser rangefinder790may provide a distance D1or D2.

Another optional feature that may be provided in connection with one or more embodiments of the squaring tape apparatus described herein is depicted in connection with the illustrative embodiment of squaring tape apparatus710and is in the form of a level indicator780that may be located on a side of the housing720. In embodiments in which the side of the housing720on which the level indicator780is located is aligned with measuring axis731, the level indicator780can be used to determine when the measuring axis731is in a horizontal position so that the width of openings can be measured using the squaring tape apparatus described herein.

As described above in connection withFIGS. 5-8, the principles of the invention as described herein may also be employed using a conventional tape measure modified by a kit that is configured to convert the conventional tape measure to a squaring tape apparatus as described herein. Another illustrative embodiment of such a kit is depicted and will be described in connection withFIGS. 19 to 20. Such kits may typically be provided in a package that includes the components required to convert a conventional tape measure to a squaring tape apparatus as described herein.

In one or more embodiments, the kit depicted inFIGS. 19-20may include a first corner positioning fixture apparatus860configured to attach to a distal end of measuring tape830contained within the housing820. The first corner positioning fixture apparatus860includes a first corner positioning fixture840which, in the depicted embodiment, is in the form of a generally circular disk similar to the corner positioning fixtures described above in connection withFIGS. 14-18. The first corner positioning fixture840has a center through which first axis841extends. The first axis841is transverse to a measuring axis831defined along a length of the measuring tape on which the first corner positioning fixture apparatus860is located. The first axis841is also transverse to a width of the measuring tape on which the first corner positioning fixture apparatus860is located (where the width of the measuring tape is transverse to the measuring axis831).

The first corner positioning fixture apparatus860includes a slot862that is configured to receive the conventional measuring tape830in a manner that retains the first corner positioning fixture apparatus860attached to the distal end of the measuring tape830. In particular, the measuring tape830terminates at its distal end832in a hook839similar to conventional tape measures. In the depicted embodiment, the measuring tape830is doubled back on itself within the slot862formed in the first corner positioning fixture apparatus860. When the first corner positioning apparatus860is no longer needed, the measuring tape830can be moved from the slot862and used in a conventional manner.

It should be understood that the first corner positioning fixture apparatus860, although depicted as abutting the housing820, can be moved along the measuring axis831away from the housing820when the squaring tape apparatus810is being used, i.e., the first corner positioning fixture apparatus860is not connected to the housing820, but is rather connected to the measuring tape830.

In one or more embodiments of a kit configured to convert a conventional tape measure to a squaring tape apparatus as described herein, the kit may further include a second corner positioning fixture apparatus870configured to attach to the housing820of a conventional tape measure. The second corner positioning fixture apparatus870may, in one or more embodiments, position a second corner positioning fixture850along the measuring axis831defined by that conventional tape measure as it is extended away from the housing820, such that a base of the housing820of the conventional tape measure is located between the second corner positioning fixture850and the first corner positioning fixture (attached to the distal end of the measuring tape of the tape measure using, e.g., a first corner positioning fixture apparatus as described herein).

The second corner positioning fixture apparatus870may take a variety of forms, some of which are described above in connection withFIGS. 5-8. In the depicted embodiment, the second corner positioning fixture apparatus870includes an arm854attached to the housing820by any suitable technique or combination of techniques.

When both the first corner positioning fixture apparatus860and the second corner positioning fixture apparatus870are attached to the housing820of a conventional tape measure, the first corner positioning fixture840and the second corner positioning fixture850can be used to measure distances between diagonal framing corners in a frame opening as discussed herein (such as, e.g., distance D3between axes841and851inFIG. 19).

Another optional feature that may be included in one or more embodiments of the squaring tape apparatus described herein is a measurement guide that may allow for more accurate measurement using the squaring tape apparatus described herein. One illustrative embodiment of such a measurement guide is depicted in connection withFIGS. 21 and 22. The squaring tape apparatus910depicted inFIG. 21has a base922and a front wall924, with the measuring tape930extending out of a tape opening934formed in the front wall924. The measurement guide990is, in the depicted embodiment, located above the measuring tape930includes a bottom edge994closest to the top surface of the measuring tape930. The measurement guide may, in one or more embodiments, be attached to the front wall924of the squaring tape apparatus910using fasteners992or any other suitable attachment technique and/or mechanism.

Because the bottom edge994of the measurement guide990is closer to the top surface of the measuring tape930than the bottom edge935of the tape opening934, a user may be able to more accurately determine a measurement using the squaring tape apparatus910because the bottom edge994of the measurement guide990is located closer to the measurement indicia936on the measuring tape930. Other measurement guides may, of course, be substituted for the depicted illustrative embodiment. For example, in one or more embodiments, an arm may be fixed or otherwise attached to the housing so that it may be located closer to the top surface of the measuring tape when needed and such an arm may be moved into place or moved out of place as desired by a user.

The complete disclosure of any patents, patent documents, and publications identified herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each were individually incorporated. To the extent there is a conflict or discrepancy between this document and the disclosure in any such incorporated document, this document will control.

Illustrative embodiments of the squaring tape apparatus and kits, as well as related methods, are discussed and reference has been made to possible variations. These and other variations and modifications in the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, and it should be understood that this invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth herein. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the claims provided below and equivalents thereof. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the claims provided below and equivalents thereof. It should also be understood that this invention also may be suitably practiced in the absence of any element not specifically disclosed as necessary herein.