Patent US5230159A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5230159A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Tape rule calculator
Assignee: Sonin Inc
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Filing: 1992-08-11
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Granted: 1993-07-27
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Expires: 2012-08-11
Abstract
Abstract A calculator is adapted to be releasably attached to a conventional tape rule. A calculator case is attached to the rule with a flat rubber band that sits in a recessed channel in the case and passes around the tape rule. Alternatively the case may be attached to the tape rule with the screw that usually attaches a belt clip to the rule. The calculator is snapped into a protective pocket in the case. The calculator may be oriented face down so that the back of the calculator protects the keypad and display, or face up to expose the keys and display for use. The calculator may also be oriented in either of two positions differing by 180 degrees about an axis perpendicular to the case. Or the calculator may be removed from the case for independent use. Using the tape rule/calculator combination, a user may measure a distance and enter it into the calculator without releasing the tape rule.
Inventors
- 👤 William S. Lipsey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:01
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B3/00; G01B3/10; G01B3/1084; G06; G06F; G06F15/00; G06F15/02; G06F15/0208; G01B3/1094
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A tape rule/calculator system comprising: a tape rule having a tape rule housing; a calculator having a calculator housing that is separate and distinct from said tape rule housing; and attaching means for attaching said calculator housing to said tape rule housing while permitting said calculator housing to be readily removed from said tape rule housing and be reattached in any one of a plurality of possible orientations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
A tape rule/calculator system comprising: a tape rule having a tape rule housing; a calculator having a calculator housing that is separate and distinct from said tape rule housing; and attaching means for attaching said calculator housing to said tape rule housing while permitting said calculator housing to be readily removed from said tape rule housing and be reattached in any one of a plurality of possible orientations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein said attaching means comprises: a calculator case; calculator attaching means for attaching said calculator housing to said calculator case; and case attaching means for attaching said case to said tape rule housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system as in claim 2 wherein said calculator attaching means comprises snap tabs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as in claim 2 wherein said case attaching means comprises a resilient band.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as in claim 4 wherein said case includes a case base member for contacting said tape rule housing, and said base member has a recessed channel for receiving said resilient band.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as in claim 4 wherein said resilient band includes a cut out portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system as in claim 4 wherein said resilient band is made of EPDM.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as in claim 2 wherein said calculator attaching means comprises means for attaching said calculator to said case in any one of a plurality of possible orientations.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
77 words
A system as in claim 8 wherein said calculator includes a display any keyboard attached to one side of said calculator housing, and said calculator attaching means comprises means for attaching said calculator to said tape rule housing either with said display and keyboard toward said tape rule housing so that said display and keyboard are protected or with said display and keyboard away from said tape rule housing thereby exposing said display and keyboard for use.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as in claim 2 wherein said case attaching means comprises means for attaching said case to said tape rule in any one of a plurality of possible orientations.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as in claim 10 wherein: said tape rule housing has at least two sides; and said case attaching means comprises means for attaching said case aligned along any one of a plurality of said sides.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
66 words
A tape rule/calculator system comprising: a tape rule having a tape rule housing; a calculator having a calculator housing that is separate and distinct from said tape rule housing; a calculator case; calculator attaching means for attaching said calculator housing to said calculator case; and case attaching means for attaching said case to said tape rule housing in any one of a plurality of possible orientations.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
66 words
A tape rule/calculator system comprising: a tape rule having a tape rule housing; a calculator having a calculator housing that is separate and distinct from said tape rule housing; a calculator case; calculator attaching means for attaching said calculator housing to said calculator case; and case attaching means for attaching said case to said tape rule housing in any one of a plurality of possible orientations.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
62 words
A tape rule/calculator system as in claim 12 wherein said tape rule housing has a threaded bore, said case includes a case base member for contacting said tape rule housing, said base member having an opening therein, and said case attaching means comprises a screw passing through said base member opening and screwing into said threaded bore in said tape rule housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as in claim 12 wherein said case attaching means comprises means for releasably attaching said case to said tape rule housing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
66 words
A tape rule/calculator system comprising: a tape rule having a tape rule housing; a calculator having a calculator housing that is separate and distinct from said tape rule housing; a calculator case; calculator attaching means for attaching said calculator housing to said calculator case in any one of a plurality of possible orientations; and case attaching means for attaching said case to said tape rule housing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
66 words
A tape rule/calculator system comprising: a tape rule having a tape rule housing; a calculator having a calculator housing that is separate and distinct from said tape rule housing; a calculator case; calculator attaching means for attaching said calculator housing to said calculator case in any one of a plurality of possible orientations; and case attaching means for attaching said case to said tape rule housing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as in claim 15 wherein said calculator attaching means comprises means for releasably attaching said calculator to said case.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
63 words
A tape rule/calculator system comprising: a tape rule having a tape rule housing; a calculator having a calculator housing; and attaching means for attaching said calculator housing to said tape rule housing and wherein: said tape rule housing has at least two sides; and said attaching means comprises means for attaching said calculator aligned along any one of a plurality of said sides.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
63 words
A tape rule/calculator system comprising: a tape rule having a tape rule housing; a calculator having a calculator housing; and attaching means for attaching said calculator housing to said tape rule housing and wherein: said tape rule housing has at least two sides; and said attaching means comprises means for attaching said calculator aligned along any one of a plurality of said sides.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
54 words
A tape rule/calculator system comprising: a tape rule having a tape rule housing; a calculator having a calculator housing that is separate and distinct from said tape rule housing; and snap tab attaching means for releasably attaching said calculator housing to said tape rule housing in any one of a plurality of possible orientations.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
54 words
A tape rule/calculator system comprising: a tape rule having a tape rule housing; a calculator having a calculator housing that is separate and distinct from said tape rule housing; and snap tab attaching means for releasably attaching said calculator housing to said tape rule housing in any one of a plurality of possible orientations.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-07-26 | 1997-01-25 | 1997-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-26 | 2001-01-25 | 2001-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-26 | 2005-01-25 | 2005-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |