Combined measuring tape and compass

Claim 1

A device which can be used as a measuring tape and as a compass, said device comprising: a hollow housing generally rectangular in shape having a vertical front surface with a lower opening therein and a horizontal bottom surface with a front opening, the lower and front openings joining each other, said housing having an inner partition which extends vertically upward from the bottom surface and horizontally inward from the front surface to divide the interior of the housing into a small first compartment formed between these surfaces and the partition and a large second compartment in the remainder of the housing, the partition having an opening in the upwardly extending portion; a tape spool with two ends, the spool being rotatably secured in the second compartment; a measuring tape attached to the tape spool and rolled up around the spool, the tape having a front end having a hole, which front end extends through the partition opening; windup means urging the spool to assume a position at which the tape is rolled up around the spool, while permitting the tape to be rolled off the spool against the pressure of the windup means; a movable brake shoe located parallel to one of the ends of the spool and manually movable towards and away from it; a brake lining located between the spool and the shoe so as to be pressed between the shoe and spool when the shoe is moved towards the spool and not to be so pressed when the shoe is moved away from the spool, whereby movement of the spool is prevented when the shoe is moved towards the spool and permitted otherwise; a holder for detachably receiving a chalk and the like, said holder being secured to the front end of the tape and extending at right angles to the major surfaces of the tape whereby a chalk disposed in the holder has a tip extending downwardly through the hole, said holder fitting into the first compartment when said tape is wound on said spool to its fullest extent; and a pointed member secured to said bottom surface of the housing remote from the front opening and pointing vertically downwardly.

Claim 2

A device which can be used as a measuring tape and as a compass, said device comprising: a hollow housing generally rectangular in shape having a vertical front surface with a lower opening therein and a horizontal bottom surface with a front opening, the lower and front openings joining each other, said housing having an inner partition which extends vertically upward from the bottom surface and horizontally inward from the front surface to divide the interior of the housing into a small first compartment formed between these surfaces and the partition and a large second compartment in the remainder of the housing, the partition having an opening in the upwardly extending portion; a tape spool with two ends, the spool being rotatably secured in the second compartment; a measuring tape attached to the tape spool and rolled up around the spool, the tape having a front end having a hole, which front end extends through the partition opening; windup means urging the spool to assume a position at which the tape is rolled up around the spool, while permitting the tape to be rolled off the spool against the pressure of the windup means; a movable brake shoe located parallel to one of the ends of the spool and manually movable towards and away from it; a brake lining located between the spool and the shoe so as to be pressed between the shoe and spool when the shoe is moved towards the spool and not to be so pressed when the shoe is moved away from the spool, whereby movement of the spool is prevented when the shoe is moved towards the spool and permitted otherwise; a holder for detachably receiving a chalk and the like, said holder being secured to the front end of the tape and extending at right angles to the major surfaces of the tape whereby a chalk disposed in the holder has a tip extending downwardly through the hole, said holder fitting into the first compartment when said tape is wound on said spool to its fullest extent; and a pointed member secured to said bottom surface of the housing remote from the front opening and pointing vertically downwardly.