A tape measuring device comprising a mount which is integrally formed with or attached to a housing. A specially designed stop plate is disposed on the mount. The stop plate provides a means whereby the indicia located on a tape blade of the tape measuring device may be easily located and read. The stop plate further provides a means for the precise taking and replication of a measurement. The tape measuring device further comprises a marker plate. The marker plate comprises a scribe which can mark an object to be measured. The marker plate is pivotally attached to the mount to allow for the retraction of the scribe when the marker plate is not in use, and for expansion of the scribe when the marker plate is in use.

The present invention is a tape measure end piece attachment. The tape measure end-piece attachment is made from one piece of material, wherein the components are all continuously connected. The tape measure end piece attachment has a rounded bottom, a straight tongue with a connecting section, and a large hook. The straight tongues connecting section allows the tape measure end piece attachment to be connected to a tape measure end hook that has two raised rivets for attachments. The rounded bottom of the tape measure end piece attachment allows the end piece and the tape measure blade to travel across rough and or uneven surfaces.

The large hook of the tape measure end piece can hook onto objects to achieve a measurement at a distance or be pushed up against an object to obtain a measurement. The tape measure end piece has very limited movement once secured to a tape measure hook with raised rivets but moves back and forth the thickness of the large hook as to obtain an accurate measurement whether hooking on to an object or being pushed up against an object for a measurement.

A tool, such as a tape measure, including a spring-based retraction system is shown. The retraction system utilizes an epicyclic gear train coupled between the tape blade winding reel and a rotating arbor or axle within the tape measure. A spiral spring has an outer end coupled to the reel and an inner end coupled to the axle. The gear train may be a reduction gear train such that the axle rotates slower than the reel. By coupling the spiral spring between the gear train input and gear train output, high energy density springs may be used, which may allow for decrease in housing size, increase in tape length or thickness for a given housing size, and/or advantageous retraction speed control.

A tool, such as a tape measure, including a spring-based retraction system is shown. The retraction system utilizes an epicyclic gear train coupled between the tape blade winding reel and a rotating arbor or axle within the tape measure. A spiral spring has an outer end coupled to the reel and an inner end coupled to the axle. The gear train may be a reduction gear train such that the axle rotates slower than the reel. By coupling the spiral spring between the gear train input and gear train output, high energy density springs may be used, which may allow for decrease in housing size, increase in tape length or thickness for a given housing size, and/or advantageous retraction speed control.

The present invention provides a measuring tape having one or more guiding elements, provides the ability for quick and easy cutting and/or scribing of lines on drywall and other materials. A guiding element comprising a rigid attachment having an elongated aperture is provided that can receive a writing utensil tip or cutting blade. In addition, the main body of the tape measure may contain a second guiding element that can be placed against the outer edge of whichever construction material is being marked or cut, thereby providing an appropriate surface to facilitate the travel of the tape measure body along the edge of the material. This guide also acts as protection of the fingers/hand that holds the main body of the tape measure during travel.

The present invention provides a measuring tape having one or more guiding elements, provides the ability for quick and easy cutting and/or scribing of lines on drywall and other materials. A guiding element comprising a rigid attachment having an elongated aperture is provided that can receive a writing utensil tip or cutting blade. In addition, the main body of the tape measure may contain a second guiding element that can be placed against the outer edge of whichever construction material is being marked or cut, thereby providing an appropriate surface to facilitate the travel of the tape measure body along the edge of the material. This guide also acts as protection of the fingers/hand that holds the main body of the tape measure during travel.

A tape measure extension apparatus is provided. The apparatus effectively extends the length of a tape measure's hook for attaching to items with corner radii greater than about 0.5 inches. The apparatus includes an attachment portion including a slot adapted to receive and secure the distal end of the tape measure's blade and its corresponding hook. An extension arm extends generally perpendicularly away from the attachment portion thereby replacing the hook of the tape measure. The distal end of the extension arm is coupled to a torque redirection mechanism that minimizes kinking of the tape measure's blade when in use.

A tape measure extension apparatus is provided. The apparatus effectively extends the length of a tape measure's hook for attaching to items with corner radii greater than about 0.5 inches. The apparatus includes an attachment portion including a slot adapted to receive and secure the distal end of the tape measure's blade and its corresponding hook. An extension arm extends generally perpendicularly away from the attachment portion thereby replacing the hook of the tape measure. The distal end of the extension arm is coupled to a torque redirection mechanism that minimizes kinking of the tape measure's blade when in use.

A tape measure including a reinforced or coated tape measure blade is provided. The coating is thicker than the metal inner layer of the tape blade. The coating provides a reinforced tape blade such that elongate tape blade may have a pinch load threshold of greater than 50 lbs. and/or a pinch height at break of less than 1.5 mm. A hook assembly may also provide for reduced stress at the end of the tape blade.

A tape measure including a reinforced or coated tape measure blade is provided. The coating is thicker than the metal inner layer of the tape blade. The coating provides a reinforced tape blade such that elongate tape blade may have a pinch load threshold of greater than 50 lbs. and/or a pinch height at break of less than 1.5 mm. A hook assembly may also provide for reduced stress at the end of the tape blade.