A combination tape measure and marker is provided. The combination tape measure and marker includes a measuring tape housing having a lateral portion, a lower portion, and a front portion. A track is connected to the lateral portion of the measuring tape housing. An arm is slidably disposed within the track. A tension member having an arcuate shape can slide the arm towards the lower portion when depressed. A cartridge is integrally attached to the front portion of the measuring tape housing. The arm extends through the cartridge. A marker is removably secured within the cartridge and is operationally attached to the arm. A spring is housed in the cartridge and provides a retracted and extended position for the marker. The marker is movably separately and independently from the measuring tape housing by selectively depressing the arm.

A device that includes or is attachable to a tape measure, that allows a user to take a measurement using the tape measure without requiring reference to measurement indicia. Such a device may include a base member, a housing on the base member including a slot for slidably receiving a tape of the tape measure when inserted through the slot of the housing during use, an elastomeric gripping layer positioned in the housing, positioned to contact a side of the tape when the tape is locked in a given position (e.g., given extension) during use, a movable pressure locking wedge positioned within the housing so that the tape is pinched between the wedge and another surface (the gripping layer is involved in such pinching), and a handle operable to move the wedge which allows selective locking of the tape between the wedge and other surface upon actuation of the handle.

A measurement device includes first and second measurement indicia. First indicia (e.g., on the tape) may include numerals regularly spaced to mark inches or other units of length (e.g., 1, 2, 3, etc,). Also included are second indicia, that are non-numeric (e.g., letters, such as A, B, C, etc.) where the second indicia are regularly spaced to mark fractions of inches or other units of length indicated by the first indicia. The second indicia are positioned between adjacent first indicia. For example, the letters (A, B, C, etc.) may he spaced every sixteenth or other fraction of an inch between the “1” and “2” (adjacent first indicia). Where sixteenths are used, the letters A-O are equally spaced, between the adjacent first indicia (e.g., between the “1”P′ and the “2”). The A-O may repeat between each integral number—between “1” and “2”, between “2” and “3” and so forth.

A marking device for attaching to a tape measure includes an attachment assembly for movably attaching the marking device to a tape measure and a guide housing movably engageable with the attachment assembly. The guide housing receives a marking member and a marking fluid storage member and directs movement of the marking member from a first position contacting the marking fluid storage member to a second position contacting an object to be marked. A compartment receives the guide housing, which directs movement of the marking member from the second position to the first position. At least one aperture enables contact of the marking member with an object to be marked. An energy storage member moves the guide housing and marking member from the first position to the second position. The guide housing may include a gear mechanism that moves the marking member from the first position to the second position.

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 device and attachment for measuring and cutting drywall that includes a tape measure with an anchoring member disposed at the rear end of the housing and having a rear surface defining a rear aperture and a rear plane thereon and an upper surface opposing the rear surface of the anchoring member, with an anchor placement member coupled to the anchoring member, having a distal end, and operably configured to have an anchoring position with the distal end displaced a length outwardly away from the rear surface of the anchoring member, and being operably configured to have a first position along an anchoring member translation path with the rear plane non-co-planar with the bottom plane and a second position along the anchoring member translation path with the rear plane co-planar with the bottom plane.

A tape measure device and attachment for measuring and cutting drywall that includes a tape measure with an anchoring member disposed at the rear end of the housing and having a rear surface defining a rear aperture and a rear plane thereon and an upper surface opposing the rear surface of the anchoring member, with an anchor placement member coupled to the anchoring member, having a distal end, and operably configured to have an anchoring position with the distal end displaced a length outwardly away from the rear surface of the anchoring member, and being operably configured to have a first position along an anchoring member translation path with the rear plane non-co-planar with the bottom plane and a second position along the anchoring member translation path with the rear plane co-planar with the bottom plane.

A marking device holder for use with a tape measure has a body with a curved cavity defined in it for receiving and holding the tape of the tape measure and a second cavity for receiving and holding a marking device generally orthogonal to the tape. The marking device holder can be placed on the tape at any desired location to enable the marking device to mark a work piece adjacent to the tape. The marking devise holder may be provided with a rectangular cavity for receiving a lath in order to make repetitive measurements of the same length.

A marking device holder for use with a tape measure has a body with a curved cavity defined in it for receiving and holding the tape of the tape measure and a second cavity for receiving and holding a marking device generally orthogonal to the tape. The marking device holder can be placed on the tape at any desired location to enable the marking device to mark a work piece adjacent to the tape. The marking devise holder may be provided with a rectangular cavity for receiving a lath in order to make repetitive measurements of the same length.