Multi-tape measuring tool
View Patent ↗A multi-tape measuring tool has a recoil-type tape measure and a removable ruler-type measure stored in a single housing. Conventionally, a user, such as an architect or an engineer, would have to carry one retractable tape measure along with a separate smaller ruler-like measuring tool, the smaller tool being useful, for example, in more confined spaces. The measuring tool of the presenting invention provides both a retractable tape measure and a separate ruler-like measuring tool stored in a single, easily carried unit.
1. A tape measure comprising:
a tape measure housing;
a first tape having a first measurement scale thereupon;
a second tape having a second measurement scale thereupon;
said first tape being stored within a cavity in said tape measure housing and being extendable from said cavity; and
said second tape being internally stored in a guide within said tape measure housing and being removable therefrom.
2. The tape measure of claim 1 , wherein said second, removable tape is fully removable from said tape measure housing.
3. The tape measure of claim 2 , further comprising a tape lock lever for locking said first tape into a desired extended position, thereby preventing said resilient force from bringing said first tape back into said storage position.
4. The tape measure of claim 1 , wherein said second tape is marked with at least one engineering or architectural dimensional scale.
5. The tape measure of claim 1 , further comprising a clip, said clip having an elastic member extending along a side of said tape measure housing for securing said tape measure housing to a surface.
6. The tape measure according to claim 1 , wherein said first measurement scale is the same as said second measurement scale.
7. The tape measure according to claim 1 , wherein said first measurement scale differs from said second measurement scale.
8. The tape measure according to claim 7 , wherein at least one of said first measurement scale and said second measurement scale comprises at least one engineering or architectural scale.
9. The tape measure of claim 1 , wherein said second tape is formed of a bendable material so that it can be received and stored within a non-linear tape guide within said tape measure housing.
10. A tape measure comprising:
a first tape having a first measurement scale thereupon;
a second tape having a second measurement scale thereupon;
said first tape being stored in a cavity in said tape measure and being extendable from said cavity;
said second tape being stored in a guide within said tape measure and being removable therefrom;
a shock absorber assembly having a first opening where said first tape exits said tape measure and a second opening where said second tape exits said tape measure;
at least one locking protrusion in said shock absorber assembly;
at least one indentation on an end member of said second tape; and
said at least one locking protrusion mating a securing said at least one indentation when said second tape is in a storage position in said guide in said tape measure, thereby preventing accidental removal of said second tape.
11. The tape measure of claim 10 , further comprising a tape lock lever for locking said first tape into a desired extended position, thereby preventing said resilient force from bringing said first tape back into said storage position.
12. The tape measure of claim 10 , further comprising a protractor mounted on a side of said tape measure, said protractor having angles inscribed therein, said angles being relative to a bottom surface of said tape measure when said protractor is in a storage position.
13. The tape measure of claim 10 , further comprising a clip, said clip having an elastic member extending along a side of said tape measure for securing said tape measure to a supporting object.
14. The tape measure according to claim 10 , wherein said first measurement scale is the same as said second measurement scale.
15. The tape measure according to claim 10 , wherein said first measurement scale differs from said second measurement scale.
16. The tape measure according to claim 15 , wherein at least one of said first measurement scale and said second measurement scale has at least one engineering scale.
17. A dual tape measuring tool comprising:
a first tape having a first measurement scale thereupon;
a second tape having a second measurement scale thereupon;
said first tape being stored in a cavity in said measuring tool and being removable therefrom;
said guide being located along at least a partial circumference of said cavity;
a tape retracting means for providing a resilient force on said first tape to bring said first tape back into a storage position when extended from said cavity;
a tape lock lever for locking said first tape into a desired extended position, thereby preventing said resilient force from bringing said first tape back into said storage position;
a shock absorber assembly having a first opening where said first tape exits said measuring tool and a second opening where said second tape exits said measuring tool;
at least one locking protrusion in said shock absorber assembly;
at least one indentation on an end member of said second tape;
said at least one locking protrusion mating and securing said at least one indentation when said second tape is in a storage position in said guide in said measuring tool, thereby preventing accidental removal of said second tape; and
a clip having an elastic member extending along a side of said measuring tool for securing said measuring tool to a surface.
18. The dual tape measuring tool according to claim 17 , wherein at least one of said first measurement scale and said second measurement scale includes at least one engineering scale.
19. A tape measure comprising:
a first tape having a first measurement scale thereupon;
a second tape having a second measurement scale thereupon;
said first tape being stored in a cavity in said tape measure and being extendable from said cavity;
said second tape being stored in a guide within said tape measure and being removable therefrom; and
further comprising a protractor movably mounted within a space or compartment on a side of said tape measure housing, said protractor bearing angle markers inscribed thereon, said angle markers being relative to a bottom surface of said tape measure when said protractor is in a storage position.
20. A tape measure comprising:
a first tape having a first measurement scale thereupon;
a second tape having a second measurement scale thereupon;
said first tape being stored in a cavity in said tape measure and being extendable from said cavity;
said second tape being stored in a guide within said tape measure and being removable therefrom;
a shock absorber assembly being located where said first tape and said second tape exit said tape measure;
at least one locking protrusion in said shock absorber assembly;
at least one indentation on an end member of said second tape; and
said at least one locking protrusion mating with an interference fit and securing said at least one indentation when said second tape is in a storage position in said guide in said tape measure, thereby preventing accidental removal of said second tape.