Tape measure with finger grip and finger guard guide

Abstract

A tape measure including a casing defining an enclosure with a front wall having a blade aperture adjacent a bottom wall. A rule blade is normally retractably stored in a coiled condition within the enclosure having an inner end thereof secured within the enclosure and an outer end protruding through the blade apreture. Graduated indicia markings are positioned along the length of the rule blade functioning as a measuring scale. A lock and automatic rewind switch are carried on the front wall keeping a portion of the rule blade in an extended locked until the switch is manually operated retracting the rule blade into the enclosure. An end hook is attached to the outer end of the rule blade and is adapted to be normally laid over an edge of a flat item to be measured. A device is positioned on the end hook for stabilizing a marking/cutting tool allowing the marking/cutting tool to be grasped for making a mark, score/cut line across the flat item. A device Is positioned on the casing for protecting an index finger of a person holding onto the casing being moved along an edge of the flat item when the marking/cutting tool is making the mark, score/cut line across the flat item. The stabilizing device includes a slightly concave tab member fabricated out of a substantially strong, durable and flexible material and a device for connecting the tab member to the end hook.

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims: 
     
       1. A tape measure comprising: a) a casing having two side walls, a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall and a front wall defining an enclosure, said front wall having a blade aperture adjacent said bottom wall;   b) a rule blade normally retractably stored in a coiled condition within said enclosure of said casing, with an inner end of said rule blade secured within said enclosure, while an outer end of said rule blade protrudes through said blade apreture;   c) graduated indicia markings along the length of said rule blade, so as to function as a measuring scale;   d) a lock and automatic rewind switch carried on said front wall of said casing to keep a portion of said rule blade in an extended locked position through said blade aperture in said casing, until said switch is manually operated to retract said rule blade back into said enclosure of said casing;   e) an end hook attached to said outer end of said rule blade, whereby said end hook is adapted to be normally laid over an edge of a flat item to be measured;   f) means on said end hook, for stabilizing a marking/cutting tool, so that the marking/cutting tool can be grasped by fingers of a first hand of a person to make a mark, score/cut line across the flat item; and   g) means on said casing for protecting an index finger of a second hand of the person holding onto said casing being moved along an edge of the flat item when the marking/cutting tool is making the mark, score/cut line across the flat item, wherein said stabilizing means includes a tab member being slightly concave and fabricated out of a substantially strong, durable and flexible material; and means for connecting said tab member to said end hook.   
     
     
       2. A tape measure as recited in claim 1, wherein said rule blade is elongated, slightly concave and fabricated out of a substantially strong, durable and flexible material. 
     
     
       3. A tape measure as recited in claim 2, wherein said connecting means is a hinge between said end hook and said tab member, so that said tab member can fold down onto said rule blade when not being used and said tab member can fold up into a vertical position when being used. 
     
     
       4. A tape measure as recited in claim 3, further including graduated indicia markings along the length of said tab member to function as a measuring scale, so that when said tab member folds down onto said rule blade said graduated indicia markings on said tab member will match up with said graduated indicia markings on said rule blade. 
     
     
       5. A tape measure as recited in claim 4, wherein said protecting means includes: a) a finger guard guide; and   b) means for attaching in a pivotable manner said finger guard guide to said side walls, at a juncture of said front wall with said bottom wall of said casing.   
     
     
       6. A tape measure as recited in claim 5, wherein said finger guard guide is a plate being slightly wider than said casing and having curved side portions that extend back along said side walls of said casing, so as to produce a smooth gliding motion when being moved along the edge of the flat item, while keeping the index finger of the second hand away from the edge of the flat item. 
     
     
       7. A tape measure as recited in claim 6, wherein said finger guard guide is fabricated out of a substantially strong, durable and stiff material. 
     
     
       8. A tape measure as recited in claim 7, wherein said attaching means includes: a) a pair of rotatable members, each said rotatable member being integral with and extending up from one said curved side portion of said plate; and   b) a pair of studs, each said stud extending through one said rotatable member and into one said side wall of said casing, so that said finger guard guide can fold up against said bottom wall of said casing when not being used and said finger guard guide can fold down into a vertical position when being used.   
     
     
       9. A tape measure as recited in claim 1, wherein said connecting means is a hinge between said end hook and said tab member, so that said tab member can fold down onto said rule blade when not being used and said tab member can fold up into a vertical position when being used. 
     
     
       10. A tape measure as recited in claim 9, further including graduated indicia markings along the length of said tab member to function as a measuring scale, so that when said tab member folds down onto said rule blade said graduated indicia markings on said tab member will match up with said graduated indicia markings on said rule blade. 
     
     
       11. A tape measure as recited in claim 1, wherein said protecting means includes: a) a finger guard guide; and   b) means for attaching in a pivotable manner said finger guard guide to said side walls, at a juncture of said front wall with said bottom wall of said casing.   
     
     
       12. A tape measure as recited in claim 11, wherein said finger guard guide is a plate being slightly wider than said casing and having two curved side portions that extend back along said side walls of said casing, so as to produce a smooth gliding motion when being moved along the edge of the flat item, while keeping the index finger of the second hand away from the edge of the flat item. 
     
     
       13. A tape measure as recited in claim 1, wherein said finger guard guide is fabricated out of a substantially strong, durable and stiff material. 
     
     
       14. A tape measure as recited in claim 11, wherein said attaching means includes: a) a pair of rotatable members, each said rotatable member being integral with and extending up from one said curved side portion of said plate; and   b) a pair of studs, each said stud extending through one said rotatable member and into one said side wall of said casing, so that said finger guard guide can fold up against said bottom wall of said casing when not being used and said finger guard guide can fold down into a vertical position when being used. .Iadd.   
     
     
       15.  A tape measure comprising: a) a casing having two side walls, a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall and a front wall defining an enclosure, said front wall having a blade aperture adjacent said bottom wall;   b) a rule blade normally retractably stored in a coiled condition within said enclosure of said casing, with an inner end of said rule blade secured within said enclosure, while an outer end of said rule blade protrudes through said blade aperture;   c) graduated indicia markings along the length of said rule blade, so as to function as a measuring scale;   d) a lock and automatic rewind switch carried on said front wall of said casing to keep a portion of said rule blade in an extended locked position through said blade aperture in said casing until said switch is manually operated to retract said rule blade back into said enclosure of said casing; and   e) adjustable means on said casino pivoted adjacent the front wall of said casing and adapted to be flipped between a first position wherein said means lies parallel and immediately adjacent to and with an inner surface against said bottom wall of said casing such that said casino can lay flat upon a flat object being measured, and a second position wherein said means lies perpendicular to said bottom wall of said casing such that said means can be placed with an outer surface flat against an edge of a flat object being measured, said means being adapted to slide laterally alongside said edge..Iaddend..Iadd.   
     
     
       16.  A tape measure as defined in claim 15, wherein said adjustable means includes a) a finger guard guide; and   b) means for attaching said finger guard guide in a pivotable manner to said side walls, at the juncture of said front wall with said bottom wall of said casing..Iaddend..Iadd.17. A tape measure as defined in claim 16, wherein said finger guard guide is a plate which is slightly wider than said casing and has two curved side portions that extend back along said side walls of said casing, so as to allow a smooth gliding motion when moved along an edge of a flat item, while protecting fingers of a user of said tape measure from direct contact with the edge of the flat item..Iaddend..Iadd.18. A tape measure as defined in claim 17, wherein said finger guard guide is fabricated out of a substantially strong,   
     
     
        durable and stiff material..Iaddend..Iadd.19.  A tape measure as defined in claim 18, wherein said attaching means includes: a) a pair of rotatable members, each said rotatable member being integral with and extending up from one said curved side portion of said plate; and   b) a pair of studs, each said stud extending through one said rotatable member and into one said side wall of said casing, so that said finger guard guide can fold up into said first position against said bottom wall of said casing when not being used and said finger guard guide can fold down into said second, vertical position when being used..Iaddend..Iadd.20. A tape measure as defined in claim 19, wherein said rule blade is elongated and slightly concave, and is fabricated out of a substantially strong, durable and flexible material..Iaddend..Iadd.21. A tape measure as defined in claim 20, further comprising an end hook attached to said outer end of said rule blade, whereby said end hook is adapted to be normally laid over an edge of a flat item to be measured..Iaddend..Iadd.22. A tape measure as defined in claim 21, further comprising means on said end hook for stabilizing a tool, so that the tool can be used against the flat   
     
     
        item..Iaddend..Iadd.     A tape measure as defined in claim 22, wherein said stabilizing means includes: a) a tab member, and   b) means for connecting said tab member to said end hook..Iaddend..Iadd.24. A tape measure as defined in claim 23, wherein said tab member is slightly concave and fabricated out of a substantially strong, durable and flexible material..Iaddend..Iadd.25. A tape measure as defined in claim 24, wherein said connecting means is a hinge between said end hook and said tab member, so that said tab member can fold down onto said rule blade when not being used and said tab member can fold up into a vertical position when being used..Iaddend..Iadd.26. A tape measure as defined in claim 25, further including graduated indicia markings along the length of said tab member to function as a measuring scale, so that when said tab member folds down onto said rule blade said graduated indicia marking on said tab member will match up with said graduated indicia markings on said rule   
     
     
        blade..Iaddend..Iadd.27.  A tape measure comprising: a) a casing having two side walls, a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall and a front wall defining an enclosure, said front wall having a blade aperture adjacent said bottom wall;   b) a rule blade normally retractably stored in a coiled condition within said enclosure of said casing, with an inner end of said rule blade secured within said enclosure, while an outer end of said rule blade protrudes through said blade aperture;   c) graduated indicia markings along the length of said rule blade, so as to function as a measuring scale;   d) a lock and automatic rewind switch carried on said front wall of said casing to keep a portion of said rule blade in an extended locked position through said blade aperture in said casing, until said switch is manually operated to retract said rule blade back into said enclosure of said casing;   e) an end hook attached to said outer end of said rule blade, whereby said end hook is adapted to be normally laid over an edge of a flat item to be measured; and   f) means adjustably mounted on said end hook for stabilizing a tool, so   
     
     
        that the tool can be used against the flat item..Iaddend..Iadd.28.  A tape measure as defined in claim 27, wherein said stabilizing means includes: a) a tab member; and   b) means for connecting said tab member to said end hook..Iaddend..Iadd.29. A tape measure as defined in claim 28, wherein said tab member is slightly concave and fabricated out of a substantially strong, durable and flexible material..Iaddend..Iadd.30. A tape measure as defined in claim 29, wherein said connecting means is a hinge between said end hook and said tab member, so that said tab member can fold down onto said rule blade when not being used and said tab member can fold up into a vertical position when being used..Iaddend..Iadd.31. A tape measure as defined in claim 30, further including graduated indicia markings along the length of said tab member to function as a measuring scale, so that when said tab member folds down onto said rule blade said graduated indicia marking on said tab member will match up with said graduated indicia markings on said rule   
     
     
        blade..Iaddend..Iadd.32.  A tape measure as defined in claim 30, further comprising adjustable means on said casing adapted to be flipped between a first position wherein said means lies parallel and immediately adjacent to said bottom wall of said casing such that said casing can lay flat upon a flat object being measured, and a second position wherein said means lies perpendicular to said bottom wall of said casing such that said means can be placed flat against an edge of a flat object being measured, said means being adapted to slide laterally alongside said edge..Iaddend..Iadd.33. A tape measure as defined in claim 32, wherein said adjustable means includes a) a finger guard guide; and   b) means for attaching said finger guard guide in a pivotable manner to said side walls, at the juncture of said front wall with said bottom wall of said casing..Iaddend..Iadd.34. A tape measure as defined in claim 33, wherein said finger guard guide is a plate which is slightly wider than said casing and has two curved side portions that extend back along said side walls of said casing, so as to allow a smooth gliding motion when moved along an edge of a flat item, while protecting fingers of a user of said tape measure from direct contact with the edge of the flat   
     
     
        item..Iaddend..Iadd.35.  A tape measure as defined in claim 34, wherein said finger guard guide is fabricated out of a substantially strong, durable and stiff material..Iaddend..Iadd.36. A tape measure as defined in claim 35, wherein said attaching means includes: a) a pair of rotatable members, each said rotatable member being integral with and extending up from one said curved side portion of said plate; and   b) a pair of studs, each said stud extending through one said rotatable member and into one said side wall of said casing, so that said finger guard guide can fold up into said first position against said bottom wall of said casing when not being used and said finger guard guide can fold down into said second, vertical position when being used..Iaddend..Iadd.37. A tape measure as defined in claim 36, wherein said rule blade is elongated and slightly concave, and is fabricated out of a substantially strong, durable and flexible   
     
     
        material..Iaddend..Iadd.     A tape measure comprising: a) a casing having a bottom wall and a front wall connected at a first end to said bottom wall, said front wall having an aperture extending therethrough and positioned adjacent said connection to said bottom wall;   b) a rule blade retractably stored within said casing, said rule blade including: i) a first end extending through said aperture; and   ii) graduated indicia markings along a length thereof;     c) an end hook connected to and extending perpendicularly from said first end of said rule blade for releasably engaging an edge of an object to be measured; and   d) means for stabilizing a marking/cutting tool pivotally connected to said end hook, wherein said stabilizing means is movable between a first position extending perpendicular to said end hook and along said rule blade and a second position extending parallel to said end hook on an opposing side of said rule blade, said stabilizing means being receivable   
     
     
        within said casing when in said first position..Iaddend..Iadd.39.  The tape measure as claimed in claim 38, further comprising means pivotally connected to said housing adjacent said connection between said front wall and said bottom wall for protecting an index finger of a user's hand when said tape measure is moved along an edge of an object..Iaddend..Iadd.40. The tape measure as claimed in claim 39, wherein said protecting means is movable between a first position extending parallel to and mating with said bottom wall and a second position extending below said aperture and perpendicular to said bottom wall..Iaddend..Iadd.41. The tape measure as claimed in claim 38, wherein said stabilizing means includes a slightly concave tab member..Iaddend..Iadd.42. The tape measure as claimed in claim 41, wherein said tab member is fabricated out of a substantially strong, durable and flexible material..Iaddend..Iadd.43. The tape measure as claimed in claim 38, further comprising a lock and automatic rewind switch positioned on said front wall of said casing for locking said rule blade in position at least partially extending through said 
     
     
        aperture..Iaddend..Iadd.44.  The tape measure as claimed in claim 41, wherein said tab member includes indicia printed thereon so as to align with said indicia on said rule blade when said stabilizing means is in said first position..Iaddend..Iadd.45. The tape measure as claimed in claim 38, further comprising a hinge for pivotally connecting said 
     
     
        stabilizing means to said end hook..Iaddend..Iadd.46.  A tape measure comprising: a) a casing having a bottom wall and a front wall connected at a first end to said bottom wall, said front wall having an aperture extending therethrough adjacent said connection to said bottom wall;   b) a rule blade retractably stored within said casing, said rule blade including: i) a first end extending through said aperture; and   ii) graduated indicia markings along a length of said rule blade; and     c) means pivotally connected to said bottom wall for protecting an index finger of a user's hand when said tape measure is moved along an edge of an object, said protecting means being movable between a first position extending parallel to and having an inner surface mating with said bottom wall and a second position extending below said aperture and perpendicular to said bottom wall and having an outer surface to engage said edge of the   
     
     
        object..Iaddend..Iadd.47.  The tape measure as claimed in claim 46, further comprising a) an end hook connected to and extending perpendicularly from said first end of said rule blade for releasably engaging an edge of an object to be measured; and   b) means for stabilizing a marking/cutting tool pivotally connected to said first end of said rule blade, wherein said stabilizing means is movable between a first position extending along said rule blade and receivable within said casing and a second position extending perpendicular to said end hook..Iaddend..Iadd.48. The tape measure as claimed in claim 47, wherein said stabilizing means includes a slightly concave tab   
     
     
        member..Iaddend..Iadd.49.  The tape measure as claimed in claim 48, wherein said tab member is fabricated out of a substantially strong, durable and flexible material..Iaddend..Iadd.50. The tape measure as claimed in claim 46, further comprising a lock and automatic rewind switch positioned on said front wall of said casing for locking said rule blade in position at least partially extending through said aperture..Iaddend..Iadd.51. The tape measure as claimed in claim 47, further comprising a hinge for pivotally connecting said stabilizing means to said end hook..Iaddend.