Abstract:
A linear measuring device includes a tape housing and a semi-flexible measuring tape housed within the tape housing in a generally spiral configuration with an outer end extendable through a tape outlet opening. An extendable generally flat rear tail is movably mounted on the tape housing generally opposite the tape outlet opening and a generally flat forward tongue is mounted on and extends forwards from the outer end of the measuring tape. Finally, two sets of measurements are displayed on the measuring tape, the outer measurement set displaying the total extended distance of the measuring tape from the outer end to the tape outlet opening and the inner measurement set displaying the total distance from the outer end of the rear tail to the outer end of the forward tongue such that outer and inner measurements are simultaneously displayed on the measuring tape.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION 
   This application claims priority to the filing date of related provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/492,623 filed Aug. 5, 2003. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Technical Field 
   The present invention relates to tape measure devices and, more particularly, to a dual option tape measure which includes a body in which a flexible metal or plastic measuring tape is wound, a forward tongue section connected to, extending forwardly from and pivotably mounted on the outer end of the measuring tape, a rear tail section mounted on the rear of the tape measure body which is movable between extended and retracted positions, and two distinct sets of measurement numbers printed on the flexible measuring tape for instantly providing internal or external measurements, depending on the measurement reading desired. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   In the construction industry, there are numerous situations where internal measurements of openings, spaces, and objects must be made, and these measurements must be accurate to ensure that the proper fitting of materials is permitted. For example, the replacement window industry involves the replacement of older, energy-inefficient windows with new, energy-efficient windows. In order to properly seat the replacement window within the window opening in the wall, extremely accurate measurements must be made, with the average tolerance being less than one quarter of one inch. If the measurement being made is off by even a little, the window which is manufactured to fit the window opening will not fit correctly and the replacement window must then be scrapped or discarded. The difficulty in measuring the window opening lies in the recesses which must be measured and the internal dimensions which must be determined in order to ensure a proper fit for the replacement window. Presently available measuring tapes do not provide accurate and easy-to-use measurements of the internal dimensions of the window opening. 
   Furthermore, even those devices found in the prior art which intend to solve this problem, such as Mosman, U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,684, do not fully address the issue as the resulting measurements must be added together, introducing additional potential sources of error. There is therefore a need for an easy-to-use measuring device which will permit external and internal measurements with a high degree of accuracy. 
   Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved dual option tape measure. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved dual option tape measure which may be quickly and easily used to measure both internal and external measurements of objects and openings. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved dual option tape measure which includes a movably mounted rear tail and a forward tongue mounted on the end of the measuring tape for measuring internal dimensions. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved dual option tape measure which includes two separate and distinct sets of measurements displayed on the measuring tape, the outer measurement set displaying the total extended distance of the measuring tape from the outer end to the tape outlet opening and the inner measurement set displaying the total distance from the outer end of the rear tail to the outer end of the forward tongue such that outer and inner measurements are simultaneously displayed on the measuring tape. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved dual option tape measure which will generally eliminate the need for two separate measuring devices to be used for inner and outer measurements. 
   Finally, an object of the present invention is to provide a dual option tape measure which is relatively simple and inexpensive to construct and is safe, efficient and durable in use. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a linear measuring device including a tape housing having an outer surface, a tape outlet opening and inner volume and a generally semi-flexible measuring tape housed within the tape housing in a generally spiral configuration with an outer end extendable through the tape outlet opening. An extendable generally flat planar rear tail having an outer end and an inner end is movably mounted on the tape housing generally opposite the tape outlet opening, the rear tail operative to project outwards from the tape housing and a generally flat planar forward tongue is mounted on and extends forwards from the outer end of the measuring tape. Finally, at least two sets of measurements are displayed on the measuring tape, an outer measurement of the two sets of measurements displaying the total extended distance of the measuring tape from the outer end of the measuring tape to the tape outlet opening and an inner measurement of the two sets of measurements displaying the total distance between the outer end of the rear tail and the outer end of the forward tongue such that outer and inner measurements are simultaneously displayed on the measuring tape. 
   It is thus seen that the present invention provides a substantial improvement over those inventions found in the prior art. For example, the design of the present invention permits the user to quickly and easily measure both external measurements and internal measurements and merely read the corresponding distance directly off of the measuring tape, without having to add separate measurements together. Furthermore, as the present invention is relatively simple in design and manufacture, the cost for each unit is kept relatively low which will enable the use of the present invention by many different types of users. Finally, because the present invention can be used for both internal and external measurements of objects and openings, the usefulness of the invention over those devices found in the prior art is far superior. The present invention thus provides a substantial improvement over those devices found in the prior art. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the dual option tape measure of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the present invention measuring an internal measurement; 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the present invention measuring an external measurement; 
       FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  are, respectively, side elevational and perspective views of the dual option tape measure of the present invention showing the alternative embodiment with the fold-down measuring tail section; 
       FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  are, respectively, side elevational and perspective views of the dual option tape measure of the present invention showing the alternative embodiment with the retractable measuring tail section; and 
       FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  are, respectively, perspective and side elevational views of the dual option tape measure of the present invention showing the alternative embodiment with the hingedly mounted forward tongue section. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The dual option tape measure  10  of the present invention is shown best in  FIGS. 1-4   b  as including a rigid plastic or metal body  12  which encloses a generally flexible metal or plastic measuring tape  14 . The body  12 , measuring tape  14 , lock mechanism  16 , and other elements which enable the extension and retraction of measuring tape  14  from body  12  generally function in the same manner as those measuring tapes found in the prior art and therefore further discussion of the specific details of the operation of the extension, retraction, and locking elements of the measuring tape  14  of the dual option tape measure  10  of the present invention will not be undertaken at this time. Furthermore, it should be noted that numerous variations in the operating mechanisms for measuring tape devices are known in the prior art and are incorporated herein and made a part of this disclosure. 
   The key inventive features of the present invention are described as follows and are shown best in  FIGS. 1-5   b . Mounted on the rear of body  12  is measuring tail section  20  which, in the preferred embodiment, would have a length of approximately one to three inches, a width approximately equal to the width of measuring tape  14 , and would be mounted to the rear of body  12  via a hinge mechanism  22  or the like. In the preferred embodiment, the hinge mechanism  22  would further include a pivot stop  24  which prevents the measuring tail section  20  from being pivoted beyond a position generally parallel with the extended section of measuring tape  14 , as shown best in FIG.  2 . Of course, it should be noted that, although the measuring tail section  20  of the present invention is described as being connected via a hinge mechanism  22  or the like, the measuring tail section  20  may be mounted on the body  12  in many other ways so long as the measuring tail section  20  may be moved from a retracted position which is unobtrusive and does not interfere with operation of the dual option tape measure  10  to the extended position shown best in  FIG. 2  where the measuring tail section  20  extends perpendicularly outwards from body  12 . For example, the measuring tail section  20  may be slidably mounted within the body  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , such that the measuring tail section  20  may be moved from a recessed position within the body  12  to the extended position extending generally perpendicularly from the body  12 . Of course, various other types of mounting arrangements may be used with the measuring tail section  20  of the present invention so long as the intended functionality is neither degraded nor destroyed. 
   In the preferred embodiment, measuring tail section  20  would include tail section measurement markings  26  and furthermore, the measuring tail section  20  would be constructed as a generally flat, rigid plate of metal or plastic having a relatively narrow thickness of approximately {fraction (1/32)}nd to ⅛th of an inch. This narrow thickness permits the measuring tail section  20  to extend into recesses and cavities to permit measurement of the depth of the recess or cavity which is read via the tail measurement markings  26  and furthermore permits use of the measuring tail section  20  in cooperation with the measuring tape  14  as will be described later in this disclosure. 
   Mounted on the forward end of measuring tape  14  is a measuring tongue section  30  which is preferably constructed of materials similar to that used in construction of measuring tail section  20  and would have a length of approximately one to two inches and a width approximately equal to the width of measuring tape  14 . Measuring tongue section  30  would further include tongue measurement markings  32  which display the distance from the forward end of measuring tongue section  30  extending rearwards towards the body  12  of dual option tape measure  10 , as shown best in FIG.  3 . Mounted on and extending downwards from the connection of measuring tongue section  30  to measuring tape  14  is a measuring tape hook  40  which depends downwards from measuring tape  14  at the forward end thereof and serves the dual purpose of permitting the end of the measuring tape  14  to be hooked onto an object for measurement thereof and also prevents the measuring tape  14  from retracting into the body  12  of dual option tape measure  10  beyond a certain designated point. In fact, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the measuring tape hook  40  will butt up against the lower wall of body  12  at a point rearwards of the forward section of body  12  in order to permit the measuring tongue section  30  to be recessed within and protected by the body  12 , as shown best in FIG.  1 . 
   Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b , the measuring tongue section  30  is connected to the forward end of the measuring tape  14  by a hinged connection  34 , as shown best in  FIG. 3 , which permits the measuring tongue section  30  to be folded upwards against the body  12  when the measuring tongue section  30  is not being used. Also, the measuring tongue section  30  can be rotated completely around to contact the top of the measuring tape  14  thus removing the measuring tongue section  30  from interference with use of the measuring tape  14  itself. This variation of the connection of the measuring tongue section  30  to the measuring tape  14  also eliminates the need for the lower wall of body  12  to be modified to accommodate the retraction of the measuring tape hook  40  rearwards of the forward edge of body  12  to protect the measuring tongue section  30 , as the measuring tongue section  30  may simply be pivoted 180° to rest against the measuring tape  14 , then retracted within the body  12  as shown in  FIG. 6   b  to prevent the measuring tongue section  30  from being damaged. Of course, other connections of the measuring tongue section  30  to the forward end of the measuring tape  14  are possible, and variations on the connection should be understood to be a part of this invention. 
   As was stated previously, the vast majority of measuring tapes  14  include only a single series of numbers which provide the distance from the forward end of measuring tape  14  rearwards to the location being measured. While this measurement display is acceptable for external measurements, i.e. those in which the forward end of the measuring tape  14 , specifically measuring tape hook  40 , is clipped onto an object and the width, height, or length of the object is then measured by the length of the measuring tape  14  such as is shown in  FIG. 3 , it is clear that internal measurements must be either estimated or the measuring tape  14  must be folded into the desired location, thus potentially damaging the measuring tape  14  and reducing the usable lifespan of the measuring device. The present invention solves the problem of internal measurements by providing the measuring tail section  20  and measuring tongue section  30  which may be extended into the internal measurement area to be measured and then, perhaps most importantly, providing the independent internal measurement side of the measuring tape  14  for reading the total internal measurement, as shown best in FIG.  2 . To elaborate, printed on measuring tape  14  are two sets of measurements, the external measurement side  44  and the internal measurement side  46 . External measurement side  44  includes a series of measurement numbers generally familiar to users of measuring tape devices which measure the distance from the measuring tape hook  40  rearwards towards the body  12  of the tape measure device. The internal measurement side  46 , however, provides a measurement reading which incorporates the length of measuring tongue section  30 , plus the length of measuring tail section  20 , and also includes the length of body  12 , and, as all of the numbers are added together and printed as the internal measurement side  46  figures, the measurement reading shown on internal measurement side  46  provides a simple, quick, and effective measurement of the internal dimensions of the recess, object, or area being measured. Prior art devices universally require the user of the device to add the various elements (body of the tape measure and tongue and/or tail sections) together and then add the distance that the measuring tape  14  is extended to determine the internal measurement. Given the difficulty of adding fractional distances and the speed with which many measurements must be made, this requirement is asking quite a bit of the user of those prior art devices. The dual option tape measure  10  of the present invention eliminates the need for those calculations to be made by providing a simple, quick, and effective internal measurement reading taken directly from the internal measurement side  46  of measuring tape  14 . 
   It is to be understood that numerous additions, modifications, and substitutions may be made to the dual option tape measure  10  of the present invention which fall within the intended broad scope of the above description. For example, the size, shape, and construction materials used in connection with the dual option tape measure  10  may be modified or changed so long as the intended functionality is neither degraded nor destroyed. Also, the specific lengths of the measuring tongue section  30  and measuring tail section  20  may be modified or changed depending on the intended use of the dual option tape measure  10  of the present invention, as well as the connection of the measuring tongue section  30  and measuring tail section  20  to the measuring tape  14  and body  12 , any of which are made a part of this disclosure. Finally, the size and shape of the measuring tongue section  30  and measuring tail section  20  may be modified or changed depending upon the desired uses of the present invention, and likewise the external measurement side  44  and internal measurement side  46  would include appropriate measurement markings dependent on the overall dimensions of the measuring tail section  20 , measuring tongue section  30  and body  12 . 
   There has therefore been shown and described a dual option tape measure  10  which accomplishes at least all of its intended objectives.