Patent ID: 7640677

Claim:
A tape measure comprising: a housing containing a measuring tape that can be rolled up inside the housing or drawn out of the housing, a drum mounted rotatably in the housing from which the tape extends, a handle element for rotating the drum, the handle element passing, at least at a portion thereof, through a first, substantially planar outer lateral surface of the housing and extending from, or incorporating, a support, the handle element being disposed displaceably along a drum axis inside the housing, the handle element and support being movable between a first position in which the handle element is flush with the first outer lateral surface or recessed within the first outer lateral surface, and a second position in which the handle element projects beyond the first outer lateral surface, at least in part, in order to engage the handle element, wherein the handle element comprises a cup-shaped base section which forms the support, the base section having a floor wall that is aligned parallel or substantially parallel to the first external lateral surface, and a first hollow cylinder section that extends from the floor wall within the housing, the cylinder section forming the drum at least in some sections, a holder element extends from the floor wall, and a lug extends from the floor wall toward the second lateral wall, the lug being constructed and arranged such that a force can be exerted on the lug via an aperture running in the second lateral wall in order to axially displace the base section.