Patent ID: 8464436

Claim:
A tape measure having an extendable recoiling graduated flexible tape, a housing substantially surrounding said tape when recoiled, an opening in said housing through which the tape is extended, a brake to hold the tape at a specified length when extended, and integrated into said housing a utensil holding device comprising: (a) a utensil positioning means in said housing for positioning a variety of shaped utensils such that the working ends of the utensils may affect various materials at said specified length; (b) a utensil clamping device for securing utensils in said utensil positioning means; (c) a hinged cam incorporated into said utensil clamping device providing force when said hinged cam is rotated in a first direction, securing the utensil in said utensil positioning means, and releasing force when the cam is rotated in the opposite direction from said first direction.