US5711085A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Writing instrument holding clip for retractable tape
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1996-05-21
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Granted: 1998-01-27
•
Expires: 2016-05-21
Abstract
Abstract A clip for a retractable tape measure which is structured to seatably receive a writing instrument so that the writing instrument is always present to mark the spot whenever a measurement is made, and further so that the writing instrument is located relative to the case so that accurate arcs can be drawn with respect to a nail head centerpoint. The clip includes a clip body composed of a base member for being connected to the case of a retractable tape measure, a spring member integrally connected with the base member for resiliently yielding when an article is slipped between the base and spring members. The clip further includes a writing instrument holder adjacent with the base member for removably receiving a writing instrument. The preferred clip is constructed of stainless steel sheet stock, preferably a spring type stainless steel material, wherein the clip body and the writing instrument holder are integrally formed in a single piece. A point protector for received writing instruments may be optionally included.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas F. Adams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:05
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25H; B25H7/00; B25H7/04; B43; B43K; B43K23/00; B43K23/001; B43L; B43L9/00; B43L9/02; B43L9/04; B43L9/045; G; G01; G01B; G01B3/00; G01B3/10; G01B3/1084; G01B3/1041; G01B3/1046; G01B3/1048; G01B3/1089
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A clip for releasably clipping one article to another article, comprising: a clip body comprising: a base member for being attached to an article; and a spring member integrally connected with said base member, wherein said spring member is resiliently biased toward said base member; wherein said base member and said spring member collectively form said clip body; and writing instrument holder means for holding a writing instrument in a removably fixed location with respect to said clip body; wherein said spring member has a bend formed in said clip body whereat said spring member is connected with said base member at said bend; further wherein said writing instrument holder means comprises: said spring member having a slot formed therein at said bend; and a medial aperture formed in said spring member, said slot interconnecting with said medial aperture; wherein a writing instrument is removably held by said writing instrument holder means by the writing instrument being received in said slot and said medial aperture and biasably squeezed between said spring and base members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
A clip for releasably clipping one article to another article, comprising: a clip body comprising: a base member for being attached to an article; and a spring member integrally connected with said base member, wherein said spring member is resiliently biased toward said base member; wherein said base member and said spring member collectively form said clip body; and writing instrument holder means for holding a writing instrument in a removably fixed location with respect to said clip body; wherein said spring member has a bend formed in said clip body whereat said spring member is connected with said base member at said bend; further wherein said writing instrument holder means comprises: said spring member having a slot formed therein at said bend; and a medial aperture formed in said spring member, said slot interconnecting with said medial aperture; wherein a writing instrument is removably held by said writing instrument holder means by the writing instrument being received in said slot and said medial aperture and biasably squeezed between said spring and base members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The clip of claim 1, wherein said writing instrument holder means is integrally connected with said clip body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The clip of claim 2, wherein said spring member has a shallow bend formed therein adjacent said medial aperture, said shallow bend being located in line with said slot and said medial aperture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
141 words
A clip for releasably clipping one article to another article, comprising: a clip body comprising: a base member for being attached to an article; and a spring member integrally connected with said base member, wherein said spring member is resiliently biased toward said base member; wherein said base member and said spring member collectively form said clip body; and writing instrument holder means for holding a writing instrument in a removably fixed location with respect to said clip body; wherein said spring member has a bend formed in said clip body whereat said spring member is connected with said base member at said bend; further wherein said writing instrument holder means comprises at least one arcuate finger disposed adjacent said bend of said spring member so as to thereby cooperate with said bend to collectively provide said writing instrument holder means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
141 words
A clip for releasably clipping one article to another article, comprising: a clip body comprising: a base member for being attached to an article; and a spring member integrally connected with said base member, wherein said spring member is resiliently biased toward said base member; wherein said base member and said spring member collectively form said clip body; and writing instrument holder means for holding a writing instrument in a removably fixed location with respect to said clip body; wherein said spring member has a bend formed in said clip body whereat said spring member is connected with said base member at said bend; further wherein said writing instrument holder means comprises at least one arcuate finger disposed adjacent said bend of said spring member so as to thereby cooperate with said bend to collectively provide said writing instrument holder means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The clip of claim 4, wherein said bend has a first end and an opposite second end; further comprising a bevel located at each of said first and second ends of said bend.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The clip of claim 5, wherein said bend has a groove formed therein facing said at least one arcuate finger.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The clip of claim 6, wherein said bend is formed of an inboard portion of said clip body; and wherein said at least one arcuate finger comprises two arcuate fingers formed in an outboard portion of said clip body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The clip of claim 5, wherein said at least one arcuate finger is integrally connected with said spring member and arcingly bent toward said base member, wherein said at least one arcuate finger and said bend of said spring member collectively provide a receptacle for receiving a writing instrument.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The clip of claim 8, further comprising point protector means connected with said at least one arcuate finger for protectively receiving a point of a writing instrument received in said receptacle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The clip of claim 6, wherein said at least one arcuate finger is integrally connected with said base member and arcingly bent toward said spring member, wherein said at least one arcuate finger and said bend of said spring member collectively provide a receptacle for receiving a writing instrument.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The clip of claim 10, further comprising point protector means connected with said at least one arcuate finger for protectively receiving a point of a writing instrument received in said receptacle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
80 words
The clip of claim 4, wherein said writing instrument holder means further comprises: a second instrument holder comprising: said spring member having a slot formed therein at said bend; and a medial aperture formed in said spring member, said slot interconnecting with said medial aperture; wherein a writing instrument is removably held by said first writing instrument holder by the writing instrument being received in said slot and said medial aperture and biasably squeezed between said spring and base members.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
180 words
A retractable tape measure and clip therefor for releasably clipping one article to another article, comprising: a retractable tape measure comprising: a case having a rear side; and blade means retractably disposed with respect to said case; and a clip body comprising: a base member attached to said rear side; and a spring member integrally connected with said base member, wherein said spring member is resiliently biased toward said base member; wherein said base member and said spring member collectively form said clip body; and writing instrument holder means for holding a writing instrument in a removably fixed location with respect to said case; wherein said writing instrument holder means is integrally connected with said clip body; wherein said rear side of said case is provided with a recess for seatably receiving said base member, said recess being bidirectional comprising a first portion having a first orientation and a second portion having a second orientation perpendicular to said first orientation so that said base member is selectively orientable with respect to said case in either of two mutually perpendicular orientations.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
180 words
A retractable tape measure and clip therefor for releasably clipping one article to another article, comprising: a retractable tape measure comprising: a case having a rear side; and blade means retractably disposed with respect to said case; and a clip body comprising: a base member attached to said rear side; and a spring member integrally connected with said base member, wherein said spring member is resiliently biased toward said base member; wherein said base member and said spring member collectively form said clip body; and writing instrument holder means for holding a writing instrument in a removably fixed location with respect to said case; wherein said writing instrument holder means is integrally connected with said clip body; wherein said rear side of said case is provided with a recess for seatably receiving said base member, said recess being bidirectional comprising a first portion having a first orientation and a second portion having a second orientation perpendicular to said first orientation so that said base member is selectively orientable with respect to said case in either of two mutually perpendicular orientations.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
The retractable tape measure and clip therefor of claim 13, wherein said spring member has a bend formed therein whereat said spring member is connected with said base member; further wherein said writing instrument holder means comprises at least one arcuate finger disposed adjacent said bend of said spring member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The retractable tape measure and clip of claim 14, wherein said bend has a groove formed therein facing said at least one arcuate finger.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
The retractable tape measure and clip of claim 14, further comprising point protector means connected with said at least one arcuate finger for protectively receiving a point of a writing instrument received in said at least one arcuate finger.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The retractable tape measure and clip of claim 14, wherein said bend has a first end and an opposite second end; further comprising a bevel located at each of said first and second ends of said bend.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
98 words
The retractable tape measure and clip of claim 13, wherein said spring member has a bend formed therein whereat said spring member is connected with said base member; further wherein said writing instrument holder means comprises: said spring member having a slot formed therein at said bend; and a medial aperture formed in said spring member, said slot interconnecting with said medial aperture; wherein a writing instrument is removably held by said writing instrument holder means by the writing instrument being received in said slot and said medial aperture and biasably squeezed between said spring and base members.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
The retractable tape measure and clip of claim 18, wherein said spring member has a shallow bend formed therein adjacent said medial aperture, said shallow bend being located in line with said slot and said medial aperture.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
148 words
A writing instrument holder and clip for being connected to an article, comprising: a clip having a clip body comprising a base member and a spring member; said spring member being integrally connected with the base member at a bend formed in said clip body; fastener means for fastening the clip to an article; and a writing instrument holder comprising: a base having fastening means for interfacing said base with said fastener means; and at least one arcuate finger disposed at one end of said base; wherein when said base is fastened to an article via said fastening means, said base is located between the article and said base member of said clip and said at least one arcuate finger is located adjacent said bend of said spring member of said clip so as to thereby cooperate with said bend to collectively provide said writing instrument holder means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
148 words
A writing instrument holder and clip for being connected to an article, comprising: a clip having a clip body comprising a base member and a spring member; said spring member being integrally connected with the base member at a bend formed in said clip body; fastener means for fastening the clip to an article; and a writing instrument holder comprising: a base having fastening means for interfacing said base with said fastener means; and at least one arcuate finger disposed at one end of said base; wherein when said base is fastened to an article via said fastening means, said base is located between the article and said base member of said clip and said at least one arcuate finger is located adjacent said bend of said spring member of said clip so as to thereby cooperate with said bend to collectively provide said writing instrument holder means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
The clip of claim 20, further comprising point protector means connected with said at least one arcuate finger for protectively receiving a point of a writing instrument received in said at least one arcuate finger.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The clip of claim 20, wherein said at least one arcuate finger and said bend of said spring member collectively provide a receptacle for receiving a writing instrument.
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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) | 2001-01-26 | 2001-07-28 | 2002-01-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-01-26 | 2005-07-28 | 2006-01-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-01-26 | 2009-07-28 | 2010-01-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |