# Patent

## Title
Tape measure

## Abstract

A tape measure includes a housing assembly having a first side wall, a second side wall, and a peripheral wall extending from the first side wall to the second side wall. The housing assembly defines a cavity, and the peripheral wall defines a bottom surface and a tape port. A measuring tape is rotatably supported by the housing. At least a portion of the measuring tape forms a spool disposed within the cavity. The measuring tape extends and retracts from the cavity through the tape port. A hook member is fixedly coupled to an end portion of the measuring tape. A first lamp is coupled to the housing assembly and is oriented to illuminate a portion of the measuring tape.

## Background
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/588,459, filed Jan. 19, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.


BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to measurement devices, and in particular, the invention relates to a tape measure.
Tape measures are used for a variety of measuring tasks, and in various environments. In order to take accurate measurements, a user must compare the item being measured to indicia printed onto the tape. The indicia may be difficult to read where there is little ambient light.
SUMMARY
In one embodiment, the invention provides a tape measure. The tape measure includes a housing assembly having a first side wall, a second side wall, and a peripheral wall extending from the first side wall to the second side wall. The housing assembly defines a cavity, and the peripheral wall defines a bottom surface and a tape port. A measuring tape is rotatably supported by the housing. At least a portion of the measuring tape forms a spool disposed within the cavity. The measuring tape extends and retracts from the cavity through the tape port. A hook member is fixedly coupled to an end portion of the measuring tape. A first lamp is coupled to the housing assembly and is oriented to illuminate a portion of the measuring tape.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a tape measure. The tape measure includes a housing assembly having a first side wall, a second side wall, and a peripheral wall extending from the first side wall to the second side wall. The housing assembly defines a cavity, and the peripheral wall defines a bottom surface and a tape port. A measuring tape is rotatably supported by the housing. At least a portion of the measuring tape forms a spool disposed within the cavity. The measuring tape extends and retracts from the cavity through the tape port. A hook member is fixedly coupled to an end portion of the measuring tape, and a battery compartment is defined within the housing assembly for receiving a battery. A light system is coupled to the housing assembly. The light system includes a first lamp, a second lamp, and a third lamp partially disposed within the housing assembly. The first lamp is oriented to illuminate a first portion of the measuring tape. The second lamp and the third lamp are each oriented to illuminate a second portion of the measuring tape.
In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a tape measure. The tape measure includes a housing assembly including a first side wall, a second side wall, and a peripheral wall extending from the first side wall to the second side wall. The housing assembly defines a cavity, and the peripheral wall defines a bottom surface and a tape port. A measuring tape having a fluorescent surface coating is rotatably supported by the housing. At least a portion of the measuring tape forms a spool disposed within the cavity. The measuring tape extends and retracts from the cavity through the tape port. A hook member is fixedly coupled to an end portion of the measuring tape, and a battery compartment is defined within the housing assembly for receiving a battery. A light system is coupled to the housing assembly and includes at least one ultra-violet lamp for illuminating a portion of the measuring tape.
Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tape measure according to one construction of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, along section line 2-2, of the tape measure shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the tape measure shown in FIG. 1.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Before any constructions of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other constructions and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a length measurement device, more specifically, a tape measure 10. The tape measure 10 includes a coilable measuring tape 14 and a housing assembly 18.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, a variable-length extended segment 22 of the measuring tape 14 is retractable and extendable from the housing assembly 18. A hook member 26 is fixedly coupled to an end portion 30 of the measuring tape 14. A top surface 34 of the tape 14 includes indicia 38 for taking measurements. In some embodiments, the indicia 38 may be defined in a fluorescent coating applied to the top surface 34, or a fluorescent coating or layer may be applied over the indicia 38.
Referring to FIG. 2, the remainder of the measuring tape 14 forms a spool 42 disposed within the housing assembly 18. A retraction mechanism 46 is coupled to the spool 42 to provide for powered retraction of the measuring tape 14. The retraction mechanism 46 may include an elongated coiled spring for motive force. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a tape lock 50 is provided to selectively engage at least one of the spool 42 and the refraction mechanism 46, such that the extended segment 22 of the measuring tape 14 remains at a desired length.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the housing assembly 18 includes a first side wall 54, a second side wall 58, and a peripheral wall 62 connecting the first side wall 54 and the second side wall 58. Referring to FIG. 1, each of the first side wall 54 and the second side wall 58 has a substantially circular profile. In other embodiments, the side walls 54 and 58 may be rectangular or another polygonal shape. Portions of the housing assembly 18 may be co-molded or separately formed of a resilient material, such as a natural or synthetic rubber, forming housing bumpers. Referring to FIG. 2, the housing assembly defines an internal cavity 66 in which the spool 42 and retraction mechanism 46 are rotatable about an axis.
Referring to FIG. 1, a slot 70 is defined along a forward portion 74 of the peripheral wall 62. The slot 70 is provided to allow for sliding movement of the tape lock 50 relative to housing assembly 18. Below the slot 70, a tape port 76 is provided in the peripheral wall 62. The tape port 76 allows for the retraction and extension of the measuring tape 14 to and from the internal cavity 66.
Referring to FIG. 3, the peripheral wall 62 further defines a bottom surface 78. The bottom surface 78 is substantially planar, thereby allowing the tape measure 10 to rest in an upright position upon the bottom surface 78 (FIG. 1).
Referring to FIG. 1, between the tape port 76 and the slot 70, a light system 82 is coupled to the housing assembly 18. In the illustrated construction, the light system 82 includes three lamps: a center lamp 86, a first outboard lamp 90, and a second outboard lamp 94. The lamps 86, 90, and 94 in the illustrated construction include ultra-violet light emitting diodes (UV LEDs). In other constructions, other types of lamps may be used, including incandescent types, and fewer or more lamps may be used. The lamps 86, 90, and 94 are aligned along a common axis 102 and are partially exposed from the housing assembly 18.
Each of the three lamps 86, 90, and 94 is oriented to direct a beam upon the extended segment 22 of the measuring tape 14. The center lamp 86 directs a center beam 98 upon a point 104 approximately two inches from the housing assembly 18 and is oriented to illuminate a first portion 106 of the measuring tape. The first outboard lamp 90 and the second outboard lamp 94 direct a first outboard beam 108 and a second outboard 112 beam upon a point 116 approximately four inches from the housing assembly 18. The first outboard lamp 90 and the second outboard lamp 94 are oriented to illuminate a second portion 110 of the measuring tape. All three beams 98, 108, and 112 intersect the extended segment 22 along a center axis 120 of the extended segment 22. Where the measuring tape 14 includes a fluorescent coating, UV light from the UV LEDs of the lamps 86, 90, and 94 causes the measuring tape 14 to glow, allowing for easier viewing of the indicia. In other constructions, the lamps 86, 90, and 94 may be oriented in other directions or upon other points.
Referring to FIG. 2, the lamps 86, 90, 94 are powered by a battery 124 disposed within a battery compartment 128 defined by the housing assembly 18. The battery 124 may be, for example, an A23-type 12 volt battery. Referring to FIG. 3, the battery compartment 128 is enclosed by a detachable battery cover 132 that is coupled to the bottom surface 78 of the housing assembly. The battery cover 132 may include a seal member in order to provide a degree of weather-resistance to the battery compartment 128.
Adjacent the battery cover 132, a light switch 136 is coupled to the bottom surface 78 of the housing assembly 18. The light switch 136 is positioned to allow a user to engage the light switch 136 while holding the tape measure 10 in a position of use, such as when taking measurements. The light switch 136 may act as a simple ON/OFF switch between the battery 124 and the light system 82, where all of the lamps 86, 90, and 94 are either simultaneously ON or simultaneously OFF. The light switch 136 may additionally be actuated by extension and retraction of the measuring tape 14 from the housing assembly 18. For example, extension of the measuring tape 14 from the housing assembly 18 may cause the light system 82 to turn ON, while refraction of the measuring tape from the housing assembly may cause the light system 82 to turn off. In other constructions, the light switch 136 may be a user input for a controller that allows for various combinations of the lamps to be illuminated in one or more modes, such as continuous and flashing.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a guard member 140 is coupled to the housing assembly 18 adjacent the tape port 76. As shown in FIG. 2, the guard member 140 is U-shaped and is configured to engage the hook member 26 when the measuring tape 14 is fully retracted.
The guard member 140 shields a user's fingers from being struck by the hook member 26 when the measuring tape 14 is rapidly retracted into the internal cavity 66. The guard member 140 also shields the housing assembly 18 from being struck by the hook member 26.
Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a tape measure. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

## Claims

1. A tape measure comprising:
a housing assembly including a first side wall, a second side wall, and a peripheral wall extending from the first side wall to the second side wall, the housing assembly defining a cavity, and the peripheral wall defining a bottom surface and a tape port;
a measuring tape, wherein at least a portion of the measuring tape forms a spool disposed within the cavity and rotatably supported by the housing, the measuring tape extending and retracting from the cavity through the tape port;
a hook member fixedly coupled to an end portion of the measuring tape; and
a first lamp coupled to the housing assembly and oriented to illuminate a portion of the measuring tape, wherein a light switch is coupled to the housing assembly, the light switch configured to selectively actuate the lamp between an ON condition and an OFF condition, and wherein the light switch is actuated by extension and retraction of the measuring tape from the housing assembly.

2. The tape measure of claim 1, wherein the housing assembly further defines a battery compartment for receiving a battery.

3. The tape measure of claim 1, wherein the first lamp directs a first beam to a point approximately two inches from the housing assembly.

4. The tape measure of claim 1, further comprising a second lamp coupled to the housing.

5. The tape measure of claim 4, wherein the first lamp directs a first beam to a first point, and the second lamp directs a second beam to a second point separate from the first point.

6. The tape measure of claim 5, wherein the first point is approximately two inches from the housing assembly, and the second point is approximately 4 inches from the housing assembly.

7. The tape measure of claim 5, wherein the first beam and the second beam intersect an extended segment of the measuring tape along a center axis.

8. The tape measure of claim 1, wherein the first lamp includes an ultra-violet light emitting diode.

9. The tape measure of claim 1, wherein the measuring tape includes a fluorescent coating.

10. A tape measure comprising:
a housing assembly including a first side wall, a second side wall, and a peripheral wall extending from the first side wall to the second side wall, the housing assembly defining a cavity, and the peripheral wall defining a bottom surface and a tape port;
a measuring tape, wherein at least a portion of the measuring tape forms a spool disposed within the cavity and rotatably supported by the housing, the measuring tape extending and retracting from the cavity through the tape port;
a hook member fixedly coupled to an end portion of the measuring tape;
a battery compartment defined within the housing assembly for receiving a battery; and
a light system coupled to the housing assembly, wherein the light system includes a first lamp, a second lamp, and a third lamp partially disposed within the housing assembly, the first lamp oriented to illuminate a first portion of the measuring tape, and the second lamp and the third lamp oriented to illuminate a second portion of the measuring tape, wherein the first lamp directs a first beam, the second lamp directs a second beam, and the third lamp directs a third beam, the first beam, the second beam, and the third beam intersecting a center axis of an extended segment of the measuring tape.

11. The tape measure of claim 10, wherein a light switch is coupled to the housing assembly, the light switch configured to selectively operate the light system between an ON condition and an OFF condition.

12. The tape measure of claim 10, wherein the first lamp, the second lamp, and the third lamp are disposed along a lamp axis.

13. The tape measure of claim 10, wherein the first lamp, the second lamp, and the third lamp each include ultra-violet light emitting diodes.

14. The tape measure of claim 10, wherein the measuring tape includes a fluorescent coating.

15. A tape measure comprising:
a housing assembly including a first side wall, a second side wall, and a peripheral wall extending from the first side wall to the second side wall, the housing assembly defining a cavity, and the peripheral wall defining a bottom surface and a tape port;
a measuring tape, wherein at least a portion of the measuring tape forms a spool disposed within the cavity and rotatably supported by the housing, the measuring tape extending and retracting from the cavity through the tape port;
a hook member fixedly coupled to an end portion of the measuring tape;
a battery compartment defined within the housing assembly for receiving a battery; and
a light system coupled to the housing assembly, wherein the light system includes a first lamp, a second lamp, and a third lamp partially disposed within the housing assembly, the first lamp oriented to illuminate a first portion of the measuring tape, and the second lamp and the third lamp oriented to illuminate a second portion of the measuring tape wherein the first lamp directs a first beam to a point approximately two inches from the housing assembly, and wherein the second lamp directs a second beam and the third lamp directs a third beam, the second beam and the third beam directed to a point approximately four inches from the housing assembly.