Abstract:
The present application relates generally to tape measures and more specifically is directed to an improved tape measure that defines one or more apertures for allowing a user to precisely mark a measured item.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/807,890, filed Jul. 20, 2006, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present application relates generally to tape measures and more specifically is directed to an improved tape measure that defines one or more apertures for allowing a user to precisely mark a measured item. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0003]    Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
           [0004]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a tape measure structured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a top view of a tape measure structured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0006]      FIG. 3A  is a top view of a measuring tape portion of a tape measure structured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3B  is a top view of a measuring tape portion of a tape measure structured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0008]      FIG. 3C  is a top view of a measuring tape portion of a tape measure structured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  depicts a tape measure  10  having a measuring tape portion  20  structured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The depicted measuring tape portion  20  defines a plurality of first apertures  25  and second apertures  26  that are sized to receive a user&#39;s pen, pencil, or other marking implement. In this way a user is better able to precisely mark a measured item (not shown). 
         [0011]      FIG. 2  depicts a tape measure  110  having a measuring tape portion  120  structured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The depicted measuring tape portion  120  defines a plurality of first apertures  125  and second apertures  126  that are sized to receive a user&#39;s pen, pencil, or other marking implement. In one embodiment, the second apertures  126  may be defined at one inch intervals along the length of the measuring tape portion  120  and the first apertures  125  may be defined between adjacent second apertures  126  as shown. In this way a user is better able to precisely mark a measured item (not shown). 
         [0012]      FIG. 3A  depicts a measuring tape portion  220  of a tape measure structured in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The depicted measuring tape portion  220  defines a plurality of apertures  225  that are sized to receive a user&#39;s pen, pencil, or other marking implement. In one embodiment, the apertures  225  may be defined at an angle θ and sized to extend across one inch intervals as shown. In other embodiments, the plurality of apertures  225  may overlap one another such that a user may place a mark within at least one of the apertures  225  over the full length of the measuring tape portion  220  as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. The specific angle θ at which the apertures  225  are defined in  FIG. 3A  is provided for illustration purposes only. A variety of additional angles θ may be used without deviating from the inventive concepts herein described. 
         [0013]      FIG. 3B  depicts a measuring tape portion  320  of a tape measure structured in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The depicted measuring tape portion  320  defines an aperture  325  that is sized to receive a user&#39;s pen, pencil, or other marking implement. In one embodiment, the aperture  325  may be centrally located and sized to extend across the significant portion of the length of the measuring tape portion  320  as shown. In other embodiments, the aperture  325  need not be centrally located on the measuring tape portion  320  and instead may be offset toward either the top or bottom of the measuring tape portion  320  as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0014]      FIG. 3C  depicts a measuring tape portion  420  of a tape measure structured in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The depicted measuring tape portion  420  defines a plurality of first apertures  425  and second apertures  426  that are sized to receive a user&#39;s pen, pencil, or other marking implement. In one embodiment, the first apertures  425  may be defined at an angle α and sized to extend across one inch intervals as shown. The second apertures  426  may be centrally located at one inch intervals to allow for central marking at such common measurement locations. In other embodiments, the plurality of first apertures  425  may not overlap one another and, thus, the second apertures  426  may be needed to allow a user to place a mark within at least one of the first or second apertures  425 ,  426  along the full length of the measuring tape portion  420 . The specific angle α at which the first apertures  425  are defined in  FIG. 3C  is provided for illustration purposes only. A variety of additional angles α may be used without deviating from the inventive concepts herein described. 
         [0015]    Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.