IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,260,899
Granted Patent B2
US 7,260,899 · App. 11/274,650 · Granted Aug 28, 2007

Tape measure having a handle and a removable chalk line marker and method therefor

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,260,899
App. No.
11/274,650
Granted
Aug 28, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A construction tool has a tape measure. A handle is coupled to the tape measure. The handle allows a user of any size or shape hand to comfortably and easily use the tape measure.

Claims (55)

1. A construction tool comprising:

a handle having a channeling on a horizontal surface of the handle; and

a tape measure, wherein the tape measure comprises:

a housing having a cavity formed in a central area thereof, the handle integral to the housing and extending out from the housing;

a spool assembly positioned in the cavity and rotatably coupled to the housing;

a measuring tape wound around the spool assembly;

a locking mechanism for locking and releasing the measuring tape, wherein the locking mechanism comprises:

a circular plate positioned in the cavity and rotatably coupled to the housing; and

an arm member coupled to the circular plate and extending in a downward direction, rotation of the circular plate moving the arm member downward and against the measuring tape;

a locking switch slidably engaged in the channel of the handle and coupled to the circular plate for operating the locking mechanism; and

a cover.

2. A construction tool in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a lighting circuit for reading markings on the tape measure.

3. A construction tool in accordance with claim 2 wherein the lighting circuit comprises:

a lighting element coupled to the tape measure;

a button integral to the handle for activating and deactivating the lighting element; and

a power supply coupled to the button and the lighting element.

4. A construction tool in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a chalk line marking device removably coupled to the tape measure.

5. A construction tool in accordance with claim 4 wherein the chalk line marking device comprises:

a chalk line housing having a cavity formed in a central area thereof;

a chalk line spool assembly positioned in the cavity and rotatably coupled to the chalk line housing;

a chalk line wound around the chalk line spool assembly; and

a chalk line handle rotatably coupled to the housing and the chalk line spool assembly.

6. A construction tool in accordance with claim 4 wherein the chalk line marking device further comprises an opening formed on a top surface of the chalk line housing, the opening allowing chalk power to be placed in the housing.

7. A construction tool in accordance with claim 4 wherein the chalk line marking device further comprises a cover coupled to the chalk line housing.

8. A construction tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein the handle has a plurality of ridges.

9. A construction tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein the handle has a grip cover coupled to the handle.

10. A construction tool in accordance with claim 9 wherein the grip cover coupled to the handle has a plurality of ridges.

11. A construction tool comprising:

a handle having a channel;

a tape measure, wherein the tape measure comprises:

a housing having a cavity formed in a central area thereof, the handle integral to the housing and extending out from the handle;

a spool assembly positioned in the cavity and rotatably coupled to the housing;

a measuring tape wound around the spool assembly;

a locking mechanism for locking and releasing the measuring tape, wherein the locking mechanism comprises:

a circular plate positioned in the cavity and rotatably coupled to the housing; and

an arm member coupled to the circular plate and extending in a downward direction, rotation of the circular plate moving the arm member downward and against the measuring tape;

a locking switch slidably engaged in the channel of the handle for operating the locking mechanism; and

a cover

a chalk line marking device removably coupled to the tape measure device; and

a lighting circuit coupled to the tape measure device and the handle for reading markings on the tape measure device.

12. A construction tool in accordance with claim 11 wherein the lighting circuit comprises:

a lighting element coupled to the tape measure device;

a button coupled to the handle for activating and deactivating the lighting element; and

a power supply housed in the handle and coupled to the button and the lighting element.

13. A construction tool in accordance with claim 11 wherein the chalk line marking device comprises:

a chalk line housing having a cavity formed in a central area thereof;

a chalk line spool assembly positioned in the cavity of the chalk line housing and rotatably coupled to the chalk line housing;

a chalk line wound around the chalk line spool assembly; a chalk line handle rotatably coupled to the housing and the chalk line spool assembly; and

a chalk line housing cover coupled to the chalk line housing.

14. A construction tool in accordance with claim 13 wherein the chalk line marking device further comprises an opening formed on a top surface of the chalk line housing, the opening allowing chalk power to be placed in the housing.

15. A construction tool comprising:

a handle having a channeling; and

a tape measure device, the handle integral to the tape measure device and extending out from the tape measure device;

a locking mechanism housed in the tape measure device and including a circular plate rotatably coupled to said tape measure device for locking and releasing a measuring tape in the tape measure device; and

a locking switch slidably engaged in the channel of the handle and coupled to said circular plate for operating the locking mechanism.

Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20070107248A1 · May 17, 2007