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 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.

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.

Various aspects of tape measures with one or more of a sensor, a motor, and a clutch, are shown. The sensors described herein detect, through various mechanisms, the position of the retraction system of a tape measure. The measurements by the sensors may be used to control a motor to adjust an amount of tension in the spiral spring of a tape measure. In various embodiments a motor interacts with the retraction system of the tape measure via a clutch, which moderates an amount of force that the motor can communicate to the retraction system.

A tape measure comprises a housing containing a tape, spring, reel, and hub, with first seal(s) to seal between the reel cartridge and the hub and/or to seal between the reel and the housing and/or a part fixed to the housing. An outermost coil of the spring may extend out of an opening in the reel and be attached to an innermost coil of the tape, and a second seal may be provided on the reel, to seal between the spring and the reel where the spring extends from the reel. Alternatively, the spring may be contained within the reel, and an outermost coil of the spring may be attached to an interior of the reel. An exterior of the reel may include an attachment portion to which an innermost coil of the tape is attached. The housing may be openable to enable contaminants to be removed from the housing.

A tool for identifying a correct belt for a system of pulleys from a plurality of prefabricated belts having different lengths is disclosed. The tool may include a belt track attached to a first end portion of a measurement belt. The measurement belt may be wrapped around the system of pulleys. An opposed second end portion of the measurement belt may be disposed adjacent to the belt track which may include a reference indicator. The reference indicator will be aligned to one of a plurality of measurement markings on the second end portion which indicates the correct belt to order from among the plurality of prefabricated belts.

An improved tape measure apparatus which includes a catch that is both slidable and rotatable relative to the rule blade in a plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rule blade when the rule blade is extended from the tape casing. In one embodiment the catch can both rotate and slide relative to the rule blade when frictional forces exceed a predefined minimum or are within a predefined range.

A device for taking a measurement of a dimension of a part of the body of a patient, includes: an electronic tape measure having a portable housing, a winder accommodated in the housing, a tape which is partially wound on the winder and of which a portion, called the “unwound portion”, extends outside the housing, and a measuring module for a measurement, relative to the unwound portion; a consistency control module for checking the consistency of the measurement by at least one consistency rule and at least one context datum; and an alert module for delivering an alert if an inconsistency is detected by the consistency control module.

A measurement device for measuring the circumference of a human head. The measurement device includes a generally circumferential body that fits around a human head. The generally circumferential body has a receiver segment with an elongated geometry. The receiver segment includes an adjustment end receiver. The receiver segment is flexible. The generally circumferential body also has an adjustment segment with a measurement end. The adjustment segment measurement end has a diameter that is narrower than the receiver segment adjustment end receiver diameter. The adjustment segment has a measurement indicator that extends from the measurement end. The adjustment segment is flexible. The adjustment segment measurement end is adjustably inserted into the receiver segment sliding end receiver. The visual measurement indicator is operable with respect to the receiver segment adjustment end receiver.

The present invention relates measuring tapes and methods for making thereof. In particular, the measuring tape of the present invention contains a wipe mechanism for cleaning the tape as it retracts into its housing. The wipe mechanism contains a top wipe and a bottom wipe for removing debris from the top and bottom surfaces of the tape, respectively, when it is retracted after use.