A tool such as a tape measure, including a lighting system is shown. The lighting system includes a light source configured to direct light forward and strong enough to act as a flashlight. The tape measure further includes a housing designed to be compact and rugged enough to protect the internal components related to the lighting system from coming loose or suffering damage due to an impact or vibrations.

A tape measure includes a housing comprising first and second housing portions together defining a mouth, and separated by a seam; and a spool configured to be secured between the first and second housing portions, the spool containing a tape blade wound thereon and partially extending therefrom through the mouth, the tape blade terminating in a hook portion. The seam is formed both above the mouth and at a side of the mouth, such that a structure of the first housing portion extends at least substantially an entire width of the mouth, under the tape blade. The tape blade is biased to retract into the housing and wind around the spool, such that in a fully retracted position the hook portion abuts the structure of the first housing portion. In an extended position the tape blade is unwound from the spool such that the hook extends away from the mouth.

A tool such as a tape measure, including a lighting system is shown. The lighting system includes a light source configured to direct light forward and strong enough to act as a flashlight. The tape measure further includes a housing designed to be compact and rugged enough to protect the internal components related to the lighting system from coming loose or suffering damage due to an impact or vibrations.

A tape measure includes a housing with first and second housing portions; a reel configured to be secured between the first and second housing portions, the reel containing a tape blade wound thereon and partially extending therefrom terminating in a hook portion; and an integral component coupled to the first and second housing portions, including an aperture defining a finger brake, the finger brake exposing the tape blade for engagement by a user. The tape blade is biased to retract into the housing, winding around the reel, such that in a fully retracted position the hook portion abuts the portion of the mouth of the tape measure. In an extended position the tape blade is unwound from the reel such that the hook extends away from the integral component. An integral component including an aperture defining a tape measure mouth and a light emitter receiving slot is also disclosed.

A tape measure includes a housing with first and second housing portions; a reel configured to be secured between the first and second housing portions, the reel containing a tape blade wound thereon and partially extending therefrom terminating in a hook portion; and an integral component coupled to the first and second housing portions, including an aperture defining a finger brake, the finger brake exposing the tape blade for engagement by a user. The tape blade is biased to retract into the housing, winding around the reel, such that in a fully retracted position the hook portion abuts the portion of the mouth of the tape measure. In an extended position the tape blade is unwound from the reel such that the hook extends away from the integral component. An integral component including an aperture defining a tape measure mouth and a light emitter receiving slot is also disclosed.

A layout measuring device for railings or similar constructions that include upright or vertically parallel rail members such as balusters, pickets and spindles. The device includes a ruler including a plurality of spacing guides having a placement marker with a length that approximates a lateral length, perpendicular to the height, of one of the rail members so that the latter can be consistently and rapidly positioned along the railing construction to be created. The layout measuring device includes an arm adapted for equalizing a length between a first one of the rail members and a first post and a last one of the rail members and a second post. An upper surface of the ruler has a layout for positioning rail members along a surface parallel to a ground surface, and a lower surface of the ruler has a layout suitable for positioning rail members along an angled surface.

A tape measure device comprising a housing at includes a reel that support a tape measure, a linkage travel pathway, and an external locking mechanism configured to be engaged by a user to lock the tape measure at some extended position. According to this disclosure, a lock linkage flexure that transmits translational force but without requiring a straight line path to do so is supporting in the linkage travel pathway. In one embodiment, the flexure is implemented as a metal linkage that is constrained in the curved travel pathway and maintains a low profile as it is actuated by the lock action (whether in an auto-lock configuration or fixed lock format). The metal linkage travels through the define pathway to guide and direct the motion.

A measuring tape that has a housing, a reel rotatably mounted inside the housing, and a blade configured to the drawn out through an entrance of the housing includes: an indirect brake configured to lock the reel indirectly through the blade wound around the reel; a direct brake configured to lock the reel directly by pressing against the reel; and a release button exposed outside the housing, wherein locking of the indirect brake and the direct brake with respect to the reel can be simultaneously released by the release button.