Abstract A tape rule of the type including a hollow housing having a slot formed through one peripheral edge portion of the housing and including a coiled flexible measuring tape within the housing having one end thereof projectable and retractable through the slot is provided and a generally L-shaped anchor member including a pair of generally right-angularly disposed arms is also provided. The arms of the L-shaped anchor member are rigidly interconnected at adjacent ends and structure is provided for pivotally attaching the terminal end of the free end of the tape to the anchor member for oscillation of the latter relative to the terminal end about an axis disposed transverse to the free end of the tape and generally mutually perpendicular to the arms of the anchor member. The free end of one of the arms of the anchor member includes an angularly directed terminal end projecting into the included angle formed by the arms and the free end of the right-angularly disposed terminal end is toothed for gripping one side of a structure having an adjacent side along which the free end portion of the tape extends. In this manner the free end of the tape may be hooked about the corner of a structure in order to measure an adjacent side of the structure. Further, by having the L-shaped anchor member pivotally attached to the free terminal end of the tape for oscillation relative thereto the L-shaped anchor member may be positioned so as to embrace those peripheral side portions of the housing of the tape rule on either side of the slot formed in the housing through which the measuring tape is extendable and protractible. By this manner of storing the L-shaped anchor member when the associated measuring tape is not in use compact storage of the combination consisting of the tape rule and the L-shaped anchor member is assured.
In combination with a conventional tape rule of the type including a generally circular housing having a slot formed through one peripheral edge portion and a coiled flexible measuring tape within said housing provided with one free end portion protractible and retractable through said slot, a generally rectangular ring-type terminal end member pivotally mounted on said free end of said tape, and a right angularly extending apertured flange supported from and projecting outwardly of one side of the outer end of said end member; a rigid generally L-shaped anchor member including a pair of generally right-angularly disposed arms rigidly interconnected at adjacent ends, and means removably clampingly attaching said terminal end member to the inner side of one of said adjacent ends and said flange to the inner side of the other of said adjacent ends with said terminal end and flange generally paralleling the corresponding adjacent ends of said arms, said terminal end member being pivotally attached to the free end of the tape for oscillation relative thereto about an axis generally paralleling one side of said end member and extending transversely of said tape, the free end portion of one of said arms including an angularly directed terminal end projecting into the included angle formed by said arms, at least the inner side of the free end portion of the other of said arms including a resilient bumper portion, the length of said arms of said anchor member being such to enable the latter, when said tape is substantially fully retracted within said housing, to be positioned against said housing embracing approximately one-quarter of the external periphery thereof and with the juncture between said arms spaced outwardly of said slot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
282 words
In combination with a conventional tape rule of the type including a generally circular housing having a slot formed through one peripheral edge portion and a coiled flexible measuring tape within said housing provided with one free end portion protractible and retractable through said slot, a generally rectangular ring-type terminal end member pivotally mounted on said free end of said tape, and a right angularly extending apertured flange supported from and projecting outwardly of one side of the outer end of said end member; a rigid generally L-shaped anchor member including a pair of generally right-angularly disposed arms rigidly interconnected at adjacent ends, and means removably clampingly attaching said terminal end member to the inner side of one of said adjacent ends and said flange to the inner side of the other of said adjacent ends with said terminal end and flange generally paralleling the corresponding adjacent ends of said arms, said terminal end member being pivotally attached to the free end of the tape for oscillation relative thereto about an axis generally paralleling one side of said end member and extending transversely of said tape, the free end portion of one of said arms including an angularly directed terminal end projecting into the included angle formed by said arms, at least the inner side of the free end portion of the other of said arms including a resilient bumper portion, the length of said arms of said anchor member being such to enable the latter, when said tape is substantially fully retracted within said housing, to be positioned against said housing embracing approximately one-quarter of the external periphery thereof and with the juncture between said arms spaced outwardly of said slot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said resilient bumper portion comprises a resilient band transversely encircling the free end portion of said other of said arms.