GB2359366A

GB2359366A - Tape measure with pencil retaining channel

Info

Publication number: GB2359366A
Application number: GB0003552A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Philip Waller
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-02-16
Filing date: 2000-02-16
Publication date: 2001-08-22
Also published as: GB0003552D0

Abstract

A tape measure 1 comprises a channel 2 with a pencil 3 held in place. The channel 2 can be formed as part of the tape measure casing exterior 5 and is therefore preferably but not essentially all one piece, as one side of the tape measure 1. Alternatively, the channel 2 could be clipped, screwed or riveted to the casing exterior 5. The channel 2 is cylindrical with a longitudinal opening (11, Fig.1a) at the side which extends along the length of the channel 2, and is sufficient for a pencil 3, pen or other marking implement to be pressed in place by hand. The pencil lead 4 projects to the side of the tape 12 at the point where the tape reads zero mm when the tape is completely retracted.

Description

1 2359366 Pencil Retaining Channel As Part Of The Exterior Casing Of A

Tape Measure For Marking Measurements And Drawing Ares And Circles.

The present invention relates to a channel as part of a tape measure casing, and is capable of retaining preferably a pencil, pen or other marking implement. (From now on in this document, pencil, pen or other marking implement, shall be referred to as 'pencil').

It is intended for this channel to be preferably attached to or formed, as part of the tape measure exterior casing during manufacture.

Tape measures are used by many, including various professions, craftsmen and the building trades in industry. The user, of said tape measure, requiring to mark off a measurement on an item or transfer a measurement from one item or location to another, shall require a pencil.

The channel retains the pencil in an exact position, saving the user from relinquishing hold on the tape measure or reaching elsewhere for a pencil. The channel also allows the tape measure to be employed in ways that would not normally be possible. For example, marking a straight line on an item at a set measurement parallel to the item's outer edge (as shown in figure 4), or for drawing arcs or circles (as shown in figure 5).

According to the present invention, there is a channel comprising preferably a cylindrical channel which has a longitudinal opening on one side (as shown in figure la), sufficient to allow a pencil to be pressed in and retained in place. The channel grips the pencil, retaining it in place on one side of the tape measure casing exterior, allowing the pencil lead to project to a pre-designed point at which the tape measure reads zero millimetres when in a retracted position, but would indicate alternative graduations as the tape measure is extended. For example, if the tape measure were to be extended to 100 millimetres, the pencil lead point would indicate the 100 millimetres graduation mark on the measure's tape. This would allow the marking off or radius of an arc or circle to be drawn at any given measurement, up to the tape's full length capacity, on an item at any desired measurement or distance along the tape's length- 2 The channel to be made preferably although not exclusively of a plastic or metal, or any other suitable material, and should be sprung so that it is capable of receiving and retaining the pencil, enabling removal, replacement, and adjustment as necessary, to suit the user.

The invention can be put into practice in various ways and shall now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a side view of a tape measure, and a channel retaining a pencil.

Figure I a shows a side view of a tape measure with a channel (with the pencil removed for clarity).

Figure 2 is a front view in direction 10 of the tape measure of figure 1 and shows the direction in which a pencil is pressed in place.

Figure 2a shows a plan view of figure 2.

Figure 3 shows a front view of a tape measure with a channel retaining a Pencil.

Figure 3a shows a plan view of figure 3.

Figure 4 is an isometric view of a tape measure and a channel with a pencil, and shows how the invention can be used to draw a straight line on an item.

Figure 5 is an isometric view of a tape measure and a channel with a pencil, and shows how the invention can be used to draw an arc or circle on an item.

Referring to figures 1 to 3a, a tape measure 1 comprises a channel 2 with a pencil 3 held in place. The channel 2 can be formed as part of the tape measure casing exterior 5 and is therefore preferably but not essentially all one piece, as one side of the tape measure 1. Alternatively, the channel 2 could be clipped, screwed or riveted to the casing exterior 5. The channel 2 is cylindrical with a longitudinal opening 11 at the side which extends along the length of the channel 2, and is sufficient for a pencil to be pressed in place by hand. The edges 3 6 and 7 of the channel 2 are sprung. This serves to ease the entry of a pencil 3 into the channel 2, and also to retain the pencil 3 in the channel 2.

The channel 2 is positioned so that when the pencil 3 is in place, the pencil lead 4 projects to the side of the tape 12 at the point where the measurement reads zero millimetres when the tape 12 is completely retracted inside the tape measure 1.

When the tape 12 is extended and the tape lock 8 is operated so as to stop the tape 12 retracting, the pencil 3 shall be in the correct position for marking off the exact measurement on an item 13 at that point on the tape 12.

Referring to figure 4, as one example only of how the invention can be used to mark a straight line 14 along an item 13. This example shows that the tape lock 8 is operated so as to stop the tape 12 from retracting into the tape measure 1. The tape end 9 lips over the edge of an item 13. When the user slides the tape measure 1 along the length of the item 13, the tape end 9 guides the tape measure 1, and maintains the tape 12 at the desired measurement. A straight line 14 is then marked onto the item 13.

Referring to figure 5, showing by way of one example of how the invention can be used to draw an arc or circle 15 on an item 13. This example shows that the tape lock 8 is operated so as to stop the tape 12 from retracting into the tape measure 1, and therefore maintaining the correct measurement. The tape end 9 is held or pinned 16 so as to allow it to rotate on its axis. The tape measure 1 is then moved in either a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. The are and circle 15 can be increased or decreased in size by releasing the tape lock 8, adjusting the length of the tape 12 to the desired length, and then by re-applying the tape lock 8, the tape measure 1 is ready for use at the new setting.

4

Claims

A channel as part of a tape measure exterior casing desi-ned to receive and 1 hold a pencil, pen or other marking implement so that straight lines, arcs or circles can be drawn or transferred onto other items.
2. A channel as part of a tape measure exterior casing as claimed in claim 1 wherein a pencil, pen or other marking implement is held in a predesigned position so that the pencil lead or other marker tip projects to the point of zero millimetres when the tape measure is in a retracted position.
3. A channel as part of a tape measure exterior casing as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2, wherein the pencil lead or other marker tip can also project for use at any point along the tape measure's full-length capacity as specified by the use of the tape measure's locking device.
4. A channel as part of a tape measure exterior casing as claimed in any preceding claim wherein varying positions along the tape measure's length can be set by using the tape measure's lock which enables a straight line to be drawn parallel to the edge of an item while the tape measure is guided perpendicularly to the item's edge.
A channel as part of a tape measure exterior casing as claimed in all previous claims wherein arcs or circles of varying sizes are drawn, up to the tape measure's full-length capacity.
6. A channel as part of a tape measure exterior casing as claimed in any preceding claim which is made from plastics, metal or from a combination of these or any other suitable material.