Patent ID: 7600327

Claim:
A dual-mode rewindable tape measure apparatus having manual and power tool assisted rewinding modes of operation, comprising: a tape measure housing; a spool rotatably supported by said housing about an axis; an elongated tape measure blade attached to said spool and wound thereabout; a rewind handle connected to said spool in a manner such that rotation of said rewind handle causes rotation of said spool about said axis and rewinding of said blade onto said spool in a manual mode of operation; and a drive fitting attached to said rewind handle in a manner such that rotation of a power tool driver engaged with said drive fitting causes rotation of said drive fitting and the attached rewind handle and spool to rewind said blade onto said spool in a power tool assisted mode of operation, wherein said rewind handle comprises a foldable handle that in an unfolded, open position allows said rewind handle to be rotated to rewind said tape measure blade by said manual mode of operation, and that in a folded, closed position, allows said power tool driver to engage said drive fitting attached to an outside of said folded rewind handle to rewind said tape measure blade by said power assisted mode of operation while said handle is folded.