Abstract:
Provided is a weighted anchor for a tape measure. The device includes a tubular housing with a defined interior volume for holding one or more magnetic weights therein. The weights are positioned around an elevator bolt disposed within the interior volume, then secured within the interior volume via a washer and a bolt. In this way, the weights are arranged in a stacked orientation. The housing can be secured to an end of a standard tape measure, thereby weighing down the same. In this way, the present invention can prevent the tape measure from swinging or otherwise oscillating when measuring long distances.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/003,782 filed on May 28, 2014. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an attachment for tape measures. More specifically, the present invention pertains to an improved weighted anchor for tape measures. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a housing with one or more magnetic weights enclosed therein. The magnetic weights are removable, so that the present invention is readily adjustable in weight. 
     A tape measure is a common measuring tool comprising a flexible ruler. Its design allows for a measure of great length to be easily carried in pocket or toolbox and permits individuals to measure around curves and corners. Due to its flexible nature, however, tape measures can be frustrating to use when measuring long distances. Particularly, a tape measure can swing or bend when the free end of the tape measure is not probably anchored. Other factors, such as wind, can cause the end of the tape measure to not stay in place. 
     When the tape measure is not properly anchored, it can result in inaccurate measurements, which can be problematic. This can be especially true for construction work or building projects. Accordingly, many individuals receive assistance from others to hold the free end in place when measuring long distances. It can be impracticable and inconvenient to seek assistance from others, however, as many individuals work independently. Accordingly, a device that allows individuals to temporarily anchor an end of a tape measure when measuring long distances is desired. 
     The present invention provides a tape measure anchor that can be removably attached to various types of tape measures. The present invention comprises a tubular housing for holding one or more weights therein. The housing is elongated in shape so that the weights are preferably arranged in a stacked orientation in the interior volume of the housing. The weights are held in place via an elevator bolt that extends vertically from the lower end of the housing. Preferably, the elevator bolt extends beyond the upper end of the housing. The upper end of the housing is open to provide access to the interior volume of the housing. The upper end comprises a cover removably attached thereto. The cover is secured via a nut, which is screwed onto the elevator bolt. 
     The primary advantage of the present invention is not only that it is adapted for use with a number of different tape measures, but more specifically the weights, which are composed of a magnetic material. In this way, the weights are magnetically coupled to each other and to the elevator bolt. This prevents the weights from shifting or moving extensively during use, providing additional stability to the end of the tape measure. 
     Description of the Prior Art 
     Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to attachments for tape measures. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. Some of these devices disclose a holder that attaches to an end of a tape measure for stabilizing the tape measure when measuring an area on the floor. Other devices disclose an adhesive pad that attaches to an end of a tape measure for making measurements. These devices, however, do not disclose a weight anchor for a tape measure comprising a body in which one or more magnetic weights can be positioned, such that the weight of the anchor is adjustable. The foregoing is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art. 
     Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 6,295,739 to Kraft discloses a measuring tape holding device that comprises a rectangular holder body having a slot thereon. The slot is adapted to receive a tape end tab. Thereafter, the holder body and the tape end tab can be nailed to a surface such as the floor so that the holder body and the tape end tab are fixed in place. In contrast, the present invention comprises a tape measure anchor that can be removably attached to a tape end tab. The tape measure anchor adds weight to the tape measure so as to prevent it from moving easily. The present invention, however, does not fix the tape end tab to the floor. 
     Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,358 to LeBon discloses an anchor for measuring tape, comprising a circular base having a protruding housing mounted thereon. The housing includes channel that spans opposing edges thereof. The channel is adapted to receive a tape measure pull tab therein. The base can be secured to a surface via adhesives. Accordingly, LeBon does not disclose an anchor having removable weights therein. The present invention discloses a housing having a plurality of removable weights therein. In this way, the user can adjust the amount of weight to attach to the end of a tape measure. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,839,981 to Rafter and U.S. Pat. No. 7,240,439 to Critelli et al. disclose supplemental pull tabs for tape measures. These devices generally comprise a first section that is substantially perpendicular to a second section, so as to form a general L-shape when viewed from the side. The first and second sections comprise an indentation for receiving a tape end tab therein. Alternatively, fasteners such as screws can be used to attach the device to the tape end tab. The supplemental pull tabs can be used to provide additional means to engage a work piece at an end thereof. The foregoing devices, however, do not disclose a weight or an anchor for tape measures. 
     Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,406,838 to Miller discloses a magnetic anchor that can be removably attached to fluid level measuring devices. The device comprises a cylindrical weight having a vertical member extending from a top portion thereof. The vertical member is slideably attached to a U-shaped member that is configured to engage a fluid level measuring device. Miller, however, does not include a housing for securing weights therein. 
     The devices disclosed in the prior art have several known drawbacks. These devices do not disclose an anchor that may be readily adjusted in weight so that it is adaptable for various uses. The present invention overcomes these limitations by disclosing an anchor having a hollow, tubular housing. The interior of the housing is configured to removably receive a plurality of weights therein, preferably in a stacked orientation. Additionally, the housing can be mounted to an end of a tape measure at a tape end tab. In this way, the present invention can be used with a number of different tape measures. 
     It is therefore submitted that the present invention is substantially divergent in design elements from the prior art, and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to tape measure anchors. In this regard, the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of attachments for tape measures now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new and improved tape measure anchor wherein the same can be utilized for maintaining an end of a tape measure in place and preventing the tape measure from swinging or otherwise moving out of place. 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a new and improved tape measure anchor that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved tape measure anchor that may be readily adjusted in weight. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved tape measure anchor that may be removably attached to any of various types and styles of tape measures. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved tape measure anchor that is compact in size so as to prevent interfering with the usage of a tape measure on which it is installed. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved tape measure anchor wherein the device may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability. 
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein the numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the present invention as installed on a tape measure. 
         FIG. 2  shows a disassembled view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a transparent view of the present invention as installed on a tape measure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     References are made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the tape measure anchor. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used to maintain an end of a tape measure in place and prevent the tape measure from swinging. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of the present invention as installed on a tape measure  23 . The tape measure anchor  21  of the present invention comprises a substantially tubular housing  22  having an open upper end  28  and a closed lower end  29 . The housing  22  comprises a defined interior volume for storing one or more weights therein. The lower end  29  comprises an elevator bolt  32  that extends vertically upward therefrom and towards the upper end  28 , wherein the elevator bolt  32  is disposed within the interior volume of the housing  22 . Additionally, the elevator bolt  32  is centrally located within the interior volume of the housing  22 . 
     The upper end  28  of the housing  22  comprises a lid  30  removably attached thereto. The lid  30  comprises a centrally located aperture thereon, so as to receive the elevator bolt  32  therethrough. In this way, the elevator bolt  32  extends beyond the upper end  28  of the housing  22 . The lid  30  is secured to the upper end  28  of the housing via a nut  31  that can be screwed onto the elevator bolt  32 . Accordingly, the elevator bolt  32  comprises threaded elements over the length thereof. 
     The housing  22  can be secured to a tape end tab  25  of the tape measure  23 . The tape end tab  25  is disposed at a free end  24  of the tape measure  23 . The tape end tab  25  includes a first section  26  that is substantially perpendicular to a second section  27 . The lower end  29  of the housing  22  is removably attached to the second section  27  of the tape end tab  25 . In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the second section  27  of the tape end tab  25  comprises an aperture through which the elevator bolt  32  can be inserted in order to secure the housing  22  to the tape end tab  25 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a disassembled view of an embodiment of the present invention. Without limitation, the tubular housing  22  may comprise a circular cross section, an oval cross section, or a semi-circular cross section, or the like so that the housing can rest flush against the surface of the tape measure, which generally comprises printed units of measurement on a concave side thereof. The elevator bolt  32  is inserted through the aperture disposed on the lower end  29  of the housing  22  so that the head  39  of the elevator bolt  32  is at the lower end  29  of the housing  22  and the distal end  38  of the elevator bolt  32  is at the upper end  28  of the housing  22 . Preferably, the aperture is centrally located on the lower end  29 . When the housing  22  is removably attached to a tape end tab  25 , the elevator bolt  32  may be inserted through the tape end tab  25  and then through the lower end  29  of the housing  22 . 
     The bolt  32  extends through the interior volume  34  of the housing  22  and extends beyond the upper end  28  of the housing  22 . One or more magnetic weights  37  can be inserted through the open upper end  28  of the housing  22 . Each of the weights  37  comprises a tubular shape. The weights  37  are shaped similarly to the housing  22  so that they can fit snugly within the interior volume of the housing  22 . The weights  37  comprise an aperture  36  that extend from an upper surface to a lower surface thereof. The aperture  36  is dimensioned so that the distal end  38  of the elevator bolt  32  can be threaded therethrough when the weights  37  are inserted from the open upper end  28  of the housing  22 . The elevator bolt  32  prevents the weights  37  from shifting or moving extensively during use by maintaining the weights  37  in a stacked orientation within the interior volume  34  of the housing. Furthermore, weights  37  are magnetic so that the weights  37  are magnetically coupled to each other and to the bolt  32 . The weights  37  may be entirely composed of a magnetic material and preferably ferromagnetic material, or comprise a magnetic shell with a dense core. 
     The upper end  28  of the housing  22  comprises a cover  30  removably attached thereto. The cover  30  comprises a shape that is substantially similar to the cross section of the housing  22 . The cover  30  comprises an aperture  33  centrally located thereon, so as the distal end  38  of the elevator bolt  32  can be threaded therethrough. The cover  30  is adapted to rest flush against the upper end  28  of the housing  22  so as to block access to the interior volume  34  thereof. Thereafter, a fastener such as a nut  31  can be screwed onto the elevator bolt  32  to secure the cover  30  in place. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a transparent view of the present invention as installed on a tape measure. Preferably, the tape measure anchor  21  is installed so that the housing  22  rests flush against the concave side of the tape measure  23 . The housing  22  is configured to store a plurality of magnetic weights  37  therein. The weights  37  are disposed around the elevator bolt  32  in a stacked orientation. It is contemplated that the upper portion and the lower portion of the weights  37  comprise opposite poles. In this way, the upper surface of one weight  37  can be adjacent to the lower surface of another weight  37 . 
     Each of the weights  37  are substantially equal in dimension and weight. The user can add as many weights  37  as necessary or as desired for use. Generally, the user may add more weights  37  when measuring longer distances, and remove weights  37  when measuring shorter distances. By adding weight to the free end of the tape measure, the present invention prevents the tape measure from drifting due to wind. This is particularly useful when the user is measuring long distances by himself or herself, and needs to temporarily secure the end of the tape measure in place. 
     It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above descriptions then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specifications are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.