US3577641A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combination tape measure and compass
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-09-03
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Granted: 1971-05-04
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Expires: 1989-09-03
Abstract
Abstract A coiled measuring tape is mounted within a case having an inner recess. A releasable locking clamp is located within the case recess for selectively fixing the tape relative to the case. It is operated by an external movable member that extends within the case for manually locking the tape and simultaneously causing a compass point fixed to it to protrude beyond the case. By use of the compass point, a circle can be scribed at the outer end of the tape. When released, the device permits the tape to be used for measuring purposes in the normal fashion.
Inventors
- 👤 Leedice Solomon Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 19:40
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B3/00; G01B3/10; G01B3/1084; G01B3/1092; G01B3/1005; G01B3/1007; G01B2003/1015; G01B3/1041; G01B3/1046; G01B3/1048; G01B3/1089
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
In combination with a measuring apparatus of the type comprising: a case having a pair of spaced panels spanned by sidewalls which together define an interior recess; a graduated measuring tape coiled about a transverse axis and located within the case recess; said case having a transverse slot formed through said sidewalls through which said tape is moved longitudinally in or out of said case; the improvement comprising: locking means movably mounted to said case and extending within said case recess for selective engagement of said tape inwardly of said housing slot; said locking means including a manually movable element having at least a portion thereof projecting outward of said case and movable between a locking position to secure said tape in an extended condition and a released position to enable said tape to recoil into said case; and a compass point fixed to said manually movable element so as to be projected outward of the case in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the tape outward of said case when said movable element is in its locking position and so as to be recessed within the outer boundaries of the case when said movable element is in its released position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
In combination with a measuring apparatus of the type comprising: a case having a pair of spaced panels spanned by sidewalls which together define an interior recess; a graduated measuring tape coiled about a transverse axis and located within the case recess; said case having a transverse slot formed through said sidewalls through which said tape is moved longitudinally in or out of said case; the improvement comprising: locking means movably mounted to said case and extending within said case recess for selective engagement of said tape inwardly of said housing slot; said locking means including a manually movable element having at least a portion thereof projecting outward of said case and movable between a locking position to secure said tape in an extended condition and a released position to enable said tape to recoil into said case; and a compass point fixed to said manually movable element so as to be projected outward of the case in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the tape outward of said case when said movable element is in its locking position and so as to be recessed within the outer boundaries of the case when said movable element is in its released position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus as set out in claim 1 wherein said locking means further comprises: a pair opposed members mounted to said case within the interior recess thereof respectively adjacent to opposite surfaces of said tape for clamping relative movement so as to selectively fix the tape relative to said case; said manually movable element being operatively connected to said members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
95 words
The apparatus as set out in claim 1 wherein said locking means further comprises: a pair of opposed members mounted to said case within the interior recess thereof respectively adjacent to opposite surfaces of said tape for clamping relative movement so as to selectively fix the tape relative to said case; one of said members being fixed to said case and the remaining member being movably mounted for limited movement toward or away from said one member to thereby clamp or release the tape; said manually movable element being operatively connected to said remaining member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
98 words
The apparatus as set out in claim 1 wherein said locking means further comprises: a pair of opposed members mounted to said case within the interior recess thereof respectively adjacent to opposite surfaces of said tape for clamping relative to said case; one of said members being fixed to said case and the remaining member being movably mounted for limited movement toward or away from said one member to thereby clamp or release the tape; and spring-biasing means operatively connected between said remaining member and said case for normally urging said remaining member apart from said one member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
186 words
The apparatus as set out in claim 1 wherein said locking means further comprises: a pair of opposed members mounted to said case within the interior recess thereof respectively adjacent to opposite surfaces of said tape for clamping relative movement so as to selectively fix the tape relative to said case: one of said members being fixed to said case and the remaining member being movably mounted for limited movement toward or away from said one member to thereby clamp or release the tape; and spring-biasing means operatively connected between said remaining member and said case for normally urging said remaining member apart from said one member; said manually movable element being in the form of a rigid slide movably mounted within the recess of said case along one of the sidewalls thereof, one end of said slide being projected outwardly of said case as a manually engageable operating button and the opposite end of said slide having said compass point fixed thereto; said slide being operatively connected to said remainIng member so as to selectively operate said remaining member in opposition to said spring-biasing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus as set out in claim 5 further comprising: movable means mounted to said casing within the recess thereof for selectively holding said remaining member in clamping condition; and independently operated means projecting through the case and selectively engageable with said last-named movable means for manual release of said remaining member to release said tape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
180 words
The apparatus as set out in claim 1 wherein said locking means further comprises: a pair of opposed members mounted to said case within the interior recess thereof respectively adjacent to opposite surfaces of said tape for clamping relative movement so as to selectively fix the tape relative to said case; one of said members being fixed to said case and the remaining member being movably mounted for limited movement toward or away from said one member to thereby clamp or release the tape; and spring-biasing means operatively connected between said remaining member and said case for normally urging said remaining member apart from said one member; said manually movable element being in the form of a lever pivotally mounted to the exterior of said case about an axis parallel to the central axis of the coiled tape; said lever having a cam surface to one side of its axis engageable with said remaining member through an opening in the case in communication with the recess so as to selectively operate said remaining member in opposition to said spring-biasing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as set out in claim 7 wherein said compass point is fixed to said lever and projects to one side of its axis in a direction opposite to said cam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
162 words
A measuring instrument comprising: a case having a transverse slot formed therethrough; a graduated measuring tape spirally wound within a recess within the case with the outer end of said tape movably received through said slot; a wound spring connected between said case and said tape for automatically rewinding said tape; a locking member movably mounted on said case and operatively connected to said tape at a location within said case, said member being movable between a first position wherein the tape is movable relative to the case and a second position wherein the tape is fixed relative to the case; and a compass point fixed to said locking member, said compass point being located on said locking member so as to be inwardly clear of the outer boundaries of the case when said member is in its first position and so as to be projected outward beyond the outer boundaries of the case when said member is in its second position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
162 words
A measuring instrument comprising: a case having a transverse slot formed therethrough; a graduated measuring tape spirally wound within a recess within the case with the outer end of said tape movably received through said slot; a wound spring connected between said case and said tape for automatically rewinding said tape; a locking member movably mounted on said case and operatively connected to said tape at a location within said case, said member being movable between a first position wherein the tape is movable relative to the case and a second position wherein the tape is fixed relative to the case; and a compass point fixed to said locking member, said compass point being located on said locking member so as to be inwardly clear of the outer boundaries of the case when said member is in its first position and so as to be projected outward beyond the outer boundaries of the case when said member is in its second position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-03 | 1974-11-02 | 1975-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-03 | 1978-11-02 | 1979-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-03 | 1982-11-02 | 1983-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |