TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to measuring tapes, and more particularly to measuring tapes having adhesive surfaces.

BACKGROUND ART

1. Prior Art Adhesive Measuring Tapes

The broad concept of placing measuring demarcations upon an adhesive measuring tape is well known. These adhesive measuring tapes have typically been used to position structures, particularly in the building trades. These tapes have one adhesive surface, and another surface imprinted wich measuring indicia. The limitations with these tapes are numerous.

First, having measuring indicia printed on one surface and an adhesive on the other surface, it is not possible to attach these measuring tapes to the back surface of a transparent object such that the measuring indicia can then be viewed through this transparent object from the opposite side. A measuring tape having this ability would be very useful in various design/layout applications, as it could be placed below a glass or

plastic layout panel, and easily read from above. This would enable a user to place fabric on the panel, make measurements and cut the fabric, without the measuring tape itself cluttering up the cutting worksurface. Another application of such a tape would be in positioning the tape on one side of a transparent glass container or clear plastic tube and reading the fluid level in this container or tube by looking through the container across the meniscus of the fluid. A variation of this application would be in affixing the tape to an outer side of a clear plastic bag enabling the easy measurement of solids or liquids stored therein, simply by viewing through the transparent bag, across the top level of the solid or liquid and across to the measuring tape affixed on the opposite outer side of the plastic bag.

Secondly, another limitation of having adhesives on one surface of the tape and measuring indicia on the other surface is that it is not possible to directly read the measuring indicia from the adhesive surface of the tape which had been affixed to an object as the measuring tape is slowly peeled or pulled away from this object or surface. A measuring tape having this ability would be very useful in measuring distances and positions on flat surfaces. An example of this would be in positioning pictures hung on a wall. By viewing the adhesive side of the tape as it is peeled from the wall, the tape could be removed as positions are easily noted or marked on the wall. This method of pulling back the tape from a wall would enable the user to see more accurately the measuring indicia, rather than instead trying to view measuring indicia on the other surface of the tape, which is now folded back upon itself during its removal.

Thirdly, having measuring indicia printed only along the longitudinal sides of the tape, and not laterally across

its surface, it is not possible to measure in two perpendicular directions simultaneously using one strip of tape. This type of measuring application is very useful, for example, when objects to be measured are placed on top of the strip of measuring tape, or when such a tape is applied on the underside of a transparent panel, and objects to be measured are placed on top of this panel. This advantage of simultaneously measuring in two directions increases as the width of the tape increases.

Fourthly, it is also not possible to overlap one tape strip onto another tape strip while easily ensuring that these two (or more) strips are parallel. Measuring tapes having this property could be quickly overlaid one on top of the other simply by placing the first strip onto an object or surface, and then by aligning subsequent strips by placing one of their edges so as to align with the lateral markings printed across the surface of the bottom strip.

Fifthly, in most cases, it is impossible to accurately fold these measuring tapes about a longitudinal line which is parallel to the edge of the tape, thus enabling the positioning of the tape to make measurements along two intersecting surfaces when folded into a corner between them. Even in the one prior art instance where a longitudinal line has been printed on the surface of the tape, (discussed herein below), this printed line was centrally located. It is the absence of any other of these lateral width indicia markings on these tapes which has prevented the user from being able to easily fold the tape about a selected one of a plurality of longitudinal lines paiallel to the edge of the tape.

Consequently, the need exists for a flexible measuring tape able to overcome the five limitations listed above

which can not presently be performed by existing measuring tapes which have measuring indicia printed upon one surface and adhesive upon the other surface. As a first example, a double-surfaced adhesive tape, having measuring indicia printed upon both its top and bottom surfaces, and with the measuring indicia having printed dimensions both along the longitudinal length of the tape and also across the lateral width of the tape would be able to overcome these five limitations. A second example of a measuring tape structure enabled to overcome these five limitations would be seen in a measuring tape having measuring indicia printed only upon one surface, with these measuring indicia having printed dimensions both along the longitudinal length of the tape and also across the lateral width of the tape and having the same marked surface having a transparent adhesive covering. A third example of a measuring tape structure overcoming these five limitations could be provided by a tape having measuring indicia with printed dimensions both along the longitudinal length of the tape and also across the lateral width of the tape, wherein the tape is sufficiently transparent to enable a user to view said series of measuring indicia through said tape body from a side opposite to the side upon which said indicia are printed.

A measuring tape having the structure of any of these three examples can easily be used to accomplish the measuring methods of reading measuring indicia applied to the underside of the transparent medium, reading measuring indicia directly from the adhesive surface of the tape as this surface is peeled away from an object or surface, parallel overlapping of strips of the tape, and folding the tape about any of a plurality of lines extending longitudinally along the tape.

U.S. Patent No. 2,187,087 to Leary discloses a flexible tape being a rolled adhesive measuring tape with measuring demarcations printed upon its top surface and an adhesive surface found on its bottom surface. This tape is dispensed from a roll and is particularly marked for use in the construction of buildings, specifically to indicate or guide the placing of principal component parts of a complete frame structure, such as studding, beams and openings for doors and windows. After this tape is laid out, it can be used to guide the placement of these structures and is then intended to be retained in the structure when completed. This tape can also be used for spacing railroad ties. Unfortunately, this tape does not have indicia printed on both surfaces, nor does it have adhesives on both surfaces, as found in the first example of a tape which would overcome the five above- discussed limitations of existing measuring tapes, nor does it have the structure of the second or third examples of desirable measuring tapes presented above.

U.S. Patent No. 2,507,684 to Smith discloses a measuring tape or strip for beverage bottles which is placed on the outside of the bottle to visually show the quantity of beverage which has been removed and the quantity which still remains. This measuring tape is demarcated in terms of standardized drink sizes. This tape is not adapted for any other measuring applications.

U.S. Patent No. 2,742,705 to Galardi discloses a vernier location tape which is used to measure the amount of movement between two relatively movable surfaces, members or parts from a zero or reference point location between these two relatively movable surfaces, members or parts. This tape provides a side-by-side scale with vernier sections joined together separately along a separation or severance line extending therebetween lengthwise along the tape. Accordingly, one-half of the tape is placed

on the first moving surface and the other half is placed on the second moving surface. The bottom surface of the entire tape is coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive. The vernier and scale sections of this tape are individual strips which are initially held together in an edge-to-edge relationship by means of a cover strip which is adhesively removably bonded to the respective sections holding them in their proper place in relation to each other. The Galardi tape is not adapted for any other measuring applications.

U.S. Patent No. 2,514,455 to Putnam discloses a navigation map gauge consisting of a demarcated measuring tape which is adapted to be attached in position on a navigation map. The increments printed on the tape directly indicate the distances on the map. This tape is designed to be easily removable when a new navigational course is set . This tape is also designed to be used in connection with a pilotage watch which comprises a scale graduated in distances, with a spacing of the graduations, together with a hand movable over the scale that indicates the distance traversed from the point of departure at a particular time. This map gauge is not adapted for any other measuring applications.

U.S. Patent No. 3,621,579 to Dubitsky discloses a tape with indicia transfer having a transfer medium disposed between the instrument and the surface to be marked so that upon application of pressure to the instrument, the transfer medium with the indicia is deposited on the surface to be marked. Unfortunately, this tape does not have indicia printed on both surfaces, nor does it have adhesives on both surfaces, as found in the first example of a tape which would overcome the five above-discussed limitations of existing measuring tapes, nor does it have the structure of the second or third examples of desirable measuring tapes presented above.

U.S. Patent No. 4,149,320 to Troyer, et al . discloses a building construction measuring tape comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive tape which has a numerical scale and a plurality of spaced series of coded indicia printed thereon for use as templates to position particular structural members. The Troyer measuring tape represents an improvement over the Leary device as the Troyer tape has a reduced tendency to stretch and the Leary device required additional measuring templates having a numerical scale displayed thereon to be used in conjunction with the displayed pattern of positioning a frame member on the tape. The Troyer tape, does not, however, have indicia printed on both surfaces, nor does it have adhesives on both surfaces, as found in the first example of a tape which would overcome the five above- discussed limitations of existing measuring tapes, nor does it have the structure of the second or third examples of desirable measuring tapes presented above.

U.S. Patent No. 4,351,113 to Eggertsen, et al . discloses a pressure sensitive adhesively-backed disposable measuring tape and method of its manufacture. This tape is markable by either pencils, pens or felt and nylon-tip marking pens. The measurements are printed on the tape as the tape is unrolled and passed between a printing drum and reaction drum. The printed tape is then slit with knives and wound up on multiple rolls having the desired width of the tape. Unfortunately, this tape does not have indicia printed on both surfaces, nor does it have adhesives on both surfaces, as found in the first example of a tape which would overcome the five above- discussed limitations of existing measuring tapes, nor does it have the structure of the second or third examples of desirable measuring tapes presented above.

U.S. Patent No. 4,367,590 to Winter, et al . discloses a calibrated tape capable of being separated into halves

along a central portion. Both halves of the tape have identical indicia printed thereon representing units of distance. The tape is adapted to be secured to a pair of adjacent plates. When the plates are separated from one another, the tape breaks into halves which each remain on the respective plates to form guides for locating the position at which the ends of wall studs are to be attached to the plates. Unfortunately, this tape does not have indicia printed on both surfaces, nor does it have adhesives on both surfaces, as found in the first example of a tape which would overcome the five above-discussed limitations of existing measuring tapes, nor does it have the structure of the second or third examples of desirable measuring tapes presented above.

U.S. Patent No. 4 , 708, 755 to Lambelet discloses a method of facilitating the covering of large surfaces using strips of adhesive measuring tape which are positioned thereon along orthogonally intersecting lines which divide the area into zones whose dimensions can be accurately read thereon. Unfortunately, this tape does not have indicia printed on both surfaces, nor does it have adhesives on both surfaces, as found in the first example of a tape which would overcome the five above- discussed limitations of existing measuring tapes, nor does it have the structure of the second or third examples of desirable measuring tapes presented above.

Accordingly, as none of these above prior art measuring tapes have measuring indicia printed upon both sides, nor do they have adhesives on both surfaces, nor do they meet the criteria of the second and third examples above, they can not be used for the measuring methods of reading demarcations through a transparent medium when applied to a bottom or back surface of the medium, nor can they be used for directly reading demarcations on the adhesive surface of the tape as this surface is peeled away from

an object or other surface. As none of these existing tapes have measuring indicia printed laterally across the width of the tape, they cannot be used for the measuring methods of easy parallel overlapping of strips of the tape, and of folding the tape about any of a plurality of lines extending longitudinally along the tape.

2. Objects of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an adhesive measuring tape which permits reading of the measuring indica through transparent objects, and through the tape itself, and as the tape is being removed from a surface .

It is an object of the present invention to provide an adhesive measuring tape which is sufficiently transparent to enable a user to view a series of measuring indicia imprinted thereon, through the tape body from a side opposite that upon which the indicia are printed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an adhesive measuring tape which can be used to measure both along its length and across its width directions.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adhesive measuring tape which can easily be folded about a printed or easily measured-out line running longitudinally along the length of the tape and parallel to the edge of the tape.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adhesive measuring tape, such that strips of said measuring tape can be applied by a user one on top of another with various easily measurable degrees of

overlap in a side-by-side relationship such that said strips run exactly parallel to one another.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adhesive measuring tape, which when divided into strips by a user, can be easily positioned with a second strip of said tape at a right angle to a first strip of said tape.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adhesive tape, which can be easily applied to a flat surface in a grid-like pattern, with said strips being easily and quickly positioned at right angles to one another.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adhesive measuring tape such that as said tape is peeled or pulled away from a surface or object, it is possible for a user to directly read the measuring indicia from the adhesive surface of the tape that had been applied directly to the object.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adhesive measuring tape which will not shift in position when fastened to various objects, but is easily removable, such that it will cause no damage when removed from an object to which it had been attached.

It is a further object that this adhesive measuring tape has surfaces which can be written upon by pen, marker, pencil and art media such as paint, charcoal, chalk and the like.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a measuring method of attaching a measuring tape to the back surface of a transparent material and reading said

indicia through said transparent material, and optionally through said measuring tape body itself.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a measuring method for easily folding a measuring tape about any of a plurality of lines extending longitudinally along the tape, said line being parallel to the edge of the tape, and thereafter making measurements on two intersecting planar surfaces with said measuring tape.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a color coded measuring tape having a repeating sequence of colors appearing at set increments along the tape so as to enable a user to quickly and easily measure along the tape without relying on reading all the actual measuring increments printed on the surface of the tape.

Additional objects and features of the present invention will become apparent and are described in detail in the Best Mode of Carrying Out the Invention and accompanying drawings.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, a flexible measuring tape is disclosed which comprises an elongated tape body having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface and the bottom surface each having a series of measuring indicia printed along a length dimension of the tape body, and one of the top surface and the bottom surface being coated with a transparent layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive. Optionally, both the top surface and the bottom surface of the measuring tape can be coated with a transparent layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive. In addition, at least one of the top surface and the bottom surface can include a series of measuring

indicia printed across a width dimension of said tape body.

In another aspect, a flexible measuring tape is disclosed which includes an elongated tape body having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface having a series of measuring indicia printed along a length dimension of the tape body, and the top surface being coated with a transparent layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive.

Additionally, a flexible measuring tape is provided having an elongated tape body having a top surface and a bottom surface, at least one of the top surface and the bottom surface having a series of measuring indicia printed thereon, and the tape body being sufficiently transparent to enable a user to view the series of measuring indicia through the tape body from a side opposite to the side upon which said indicia are printed.

In still another aspect of the present invention, methods are provided for measuring objects through a measuring tape and of placing separate strips of a measuring tape in parallel overlapping orientation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of measuring tape made in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of measuring tape made in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation cross-sectional view of the measuring tape of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the measuring tape of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the measuring tape of the present invention as applied to the back of a transparent surface.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the measuring tape of the present invention being peeled away from a flat surface.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of one strip of measuring tape being overlaid parallel to another strip of measuring tape.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the measuring tape folded into a corner, with a fold running along a longitudinal line which is parallel to the side of the tape.

FIG. 9A and 9B show alternate examples of the printed surfaces of the measuring tape .

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The broad concept of placing measuring indicia upon an adhesive measuring tape is well known. These adhesive measuring tapes all have measuring indicia on one surface and adhesives on the other surface and been used to position structures using a variety of methods. Unfortunately, a large variety of measuring operations can not be accomplished solely with a measuring tape having measuring indicia on one side and a layer of pressure sensitive adhesives on the other side.

As is best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a double sided measuring tape 10 having identical indicia printed upon its top surface 12 and its bottom surface 14 is provided.

Tape 10 is typically dispensed from a roll (not shown) . In this embodiment at least one of top surface 12 and bottom surface 14 are coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive, but preferably both surfaces 12 and 14 are coated with pressure sensitive adhesive layers 13 and 15 and a release layer 17 can be provided to enable rolling of the adhesive tape into a roll.

Tape 10 can also be coated with a water resistant coating on the side not coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive such that if the tape is made of paper instead of plastic, the tape will be waterproofed such that it can be used outdoors or in other high moisture applications such that it will not be destroyed by rain or other moisture.

As can be seen, tape 10 is demarcated with two sets of measuring indicia. Longitudinally running indicia 20 are printed along the length of the tape, at its edge. Laterally running indicia 30 are printed across the width of the tape, and at end 32.

One aspect of the present invention is that the measuring tape is sufficiently transparent such that measuring indicia printed on an opposite side can be seen therethrough. This is best illustrated in FIG. 4 where the measuring indicia printed on bottom side 14 are clearly visible when viewed through top surface 12. (Measuring indicia on top side 12 have been omitted for clarity of illustration.)

In the example shown in FIG.s 1 and 2, both the longitudinal indicia 20 and the lateral indicia 30 are set out in repeating five centimeter increments. The pattern of measurements show in FIG.s 1 and 2 is meant to be illustrative and not limiting. A desirable property of such indicia is that they should be repeating

on the tape. The reason for this repetition is that as sections of the tape are applied to objects and surfaces, these sections will be removed from a roll of tape and eventually disposed of, even if reused several times. It is also frequently very desirable to use several sections of this measuring tape simultaneously. Accordingly, it is particularly important that the demarcations printed upon the tape are repeating such that lengths can easily be calculated starting from any point on the tape, always with a low number at the available end of the tape.

It is to be understood that additional fine increments of measure between these one centimeter increments shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 could also be printed upon the top and bottom surfaces of the tape. For example, it is to be understood that ten 1/10 centimeter increments could also be printed between each of the shown one centimeter increments. FIGS. 9A and 9B show more examples of the possible appearance of printed surfaces 12 and 14 of the measuring tape.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide coloring to the tape such that repeating increments are color coded. Specifically, a repeating sequence of color indica appearing at repeating increments along the tape has many advantages. For example, as shown in tape 10 of FIG. 1, a first centimeter could be colored by red indicia 21, followed by a second centimeter marking colored blue at 23, followed by a third centimeter marking colored green at 25, etc. This pattern could be set to repeat in one foot increments such that after a user has laid out the measuring tape upon a surface, measurements could be made very quickly by a user measuring feet simply by counting the number of red (or blue, or green, etc.) markings between two points without having to rely on reading each one of the markings on

the tape. This type of repeating color coding, applied to one or both surfaces of an opaque tape, or to the body of a transparent tape has the added advantage of appealing to children and could be used in teaching them colors when measuring.

It is to be understood that these color-coded demarcations can be specialized or adapted to meet the specific needs of specific users such as seamstresses, artists, draftpersons and other specialized users, all keeping within the scope of the present invention.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, tape 10, having top surface 12 coated with pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 13 and having longitudinal measuring indicia 20 and lateral measuring indicia 30 imprinted thereon, can be attached to the bottom side 42 of a transparent block 40 such that measuring indicia 20 and 30 are clearly visible when looking down from top side 44 of transparent block 40. This arrangement would enable a user to use the transparent block as a working and measuring surface such that the measuring tape does not clutter the work surface of the block. As the width of tape 10 is increased in larger and wider designs, this tape becomes more useful to simultaneously measure both longitudinally and laterally. It is to be understood that this advantage increases as the width of the tape increases. It is to be understood that the width of the tape used in the present invention could be considerably larger than that of contemporary measuring tapes, and is not limited by the sizes shown as illustrated in the accompanying FIGURES.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that measuring indicia 20 and 30 could additionally or alternatively be imprinted on bottom surface 14 and would be visible through the transparent block 40 and through the body

of tape 10 itself in the embodiment of the tape as shown in FIG. 4 wherein the tape itself is sufficiently transparent to permit viewing therethrough.

As can best be seen in FIG. 6, tape 10 is being pulled from surface 50. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, since both top surface 12 and bottom surface 14 have identical sets of repeating measuring indicia printed thereon, and in the embodiment of FIG. 3 where surface 12 has both measuring indicia and an adhesive surface, as tape 10 is peeled off surface 50 by being pulled in the direction shown by arrow 55, it is possible to easily read the measuring indicia directly at removal fold 54, by viewing the measurement indicia on top surface 12 at this fold 54, as the tape will display exactly the same measurement as the measurement indicia printed on bottom surface 14 at fold 54. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, in which the tape is transparent, the indicia printed on surface 14 would still easily be viewable through surface 12 at fold 54. This enables more accurate measurements of positions on surface 50 to be made as the tape is being removed. This advantage is especially useful when positioning pictures hung on a wall, as it avoids the user having to view measuring indicia on surface 12 as this surface is folded back upon itself.

As is best seen in FIG. 7, two tapes 10a and 10b are easily being placed in an overlapping and parallel relationship to one another on surface 50. Tape 10a has been first applied to surface 50. Tape 10b is applied on top of tape 10a at a location such that tapes 10a and 10b are parallel. This parallel effect is easily achieved as tape 10a and 10b both have lateral width measuring indicia 30 printed thereon. In the illustration shown, for example, by aligning edge 11 of tape 10b with the 3 centimeter lateral demarcations on

tape 10a, tape 10b is laid parallel to tape 10a. Of course, tape 10b could have been aligned so that its edge 11 lines up with any other lateral demarcation indicia on tape 10a.

This embodiment of the present invention is particularly useful in a variety of applications. First, it extends the width of the measuring surface such that it is wider than either strip alone. Accordingly, it is possible to measure the width of objects wider than either tape 10a or 10b alone, while simultaneously measuring the length of these objects. Another advantage of this easy parallel offset overlap of tape 10a and 10b is in wall or other surface painting where it is desired to paint parallel stripes. As tapes 10a and 10b can be overlaid at any particular desired width, parallel lines can be easily drawn on the wall or surface by simply tracing the side edges 19a of tape 10a and 19b of tape 10b upon surface 50. Alternatively, tapes 10a and 10b could be overlaid upon surface 50 and painted over such that, when removed, an unpainted stripe remains on surface 50 bounded by parallel lines co-incident with edges 19a and 19b. Adjusting the degree of overlap between tape 10a and 10b is simply done by placing edge 11 of tape 10b at the desired width demarcation on the lateral measuring indicia on tape 10a.

As is best seen in FIG. 8, tape 10 can easily be folded into a corner between two walls 62 and 64 on an object 60. Having a printed scale of lateral width measuring indicia 30, fold line 13 on tape 10 can easily be arranged to pass along a uniform lateral position which runs parallel to the edges of tape 10, by placing fold 13 to pass through the identical measured points along width indicia 30. In the example shown, fold 13 has been measured to pass along the 2 1/2 centimeter demarcation on indicia 30. However, fold 13 could instead of been

located to pass along any other width indicia point of tape 10, thus having a greater portion adhered to either wall 62 or 64 as desired. Fold line 13 could, for example, be positioned to be off-center such that it passed through the 1 centimeter lateral demarcation. Having fold line 13 off-center would permit a proportionally larger width of tape 10 to be on either wall 62 or 64 as desired. This arrangement of tape 10 folded along fold line 13 between walls 62 and 64 is particularly useful when simultaneously measuring both walls.

Another important feature of the various embodiments of the present invention is the ability to write directly upon any surface of the tape to which adhesives are not applied. This feature is useful as a way of the user making and recording further various measurements, such as fluid levels in test tubes or locations where pictures are to be hung upon walls. In the embodiment where this tape is transparent, these user-defined markings would be easily viewable from the opposite side of the tape. In this way a user could, for instance, make demarcations of fluid levels on the outside of a clear container and view these demarcations through both sides of the container and through the measuring tape itself thus allowing the user to view across the meniscus of a fluid stored in the clear container.

It is understood that these user-defined demarcations may be made on any part of the surface area of the tape where adhesives are not present. Consequently, this may entail marking directly over the measuring indicia or alternatively upon a section of the tape where the measuring indicia are not marked, such as a longitudinally extending writing strip 70, shown in FIG. 9A.

As is shown by example in FIG. 9B, an alternate measuring indicia scheme can easily be used and various longitudinal lines 80 and lateral lines 82 can be printed on either or both of surfaces 12 and 14. These lines 80 and 82 can then be used to align edges of other strips of the measuring tape thus easily positioning these strips of measuring tapes parallel or perpendicular to one another.

Having set forth the preferred apparatus of the present method, the preferred associated methods of measuring may now be set forth.

First, as is best shown in FIG. 5, the method of measuring through a transparent object 40 comprising the steps of (a) affixing an adhesive measuring tape 10 having measuring indicia and an adhesive layer 13 applied upon a top surface 12 under surface 42 of object 40, and (b) while tape 10 is affixed to surface 42, viewing the indicia on side 12 through transparent object 40 from surface 44.

Second, the method of measuring an object, as is also best shown in FIG. 5, using an adhesive measuring tape comprising the steps of (a) affixing an adhesive layer 13 of an adhesive measuring tape 10 having a transparent body and an adhesive layer 13 applied upon a top surface 12 under surface 42 of object 40, and having measuring indicia printed upon bottom surface 14, and (b) while adhesive layer 13 of tape 10 is affixed to the object, viewing the printed measuring indica through object 40 and through both the transparent body of tape 10 so as to measure the object.

Thirdly, as is best shown viewing FIG. 3 in conjunction with FIG. 6, the method of measuring an object 50 by affixing an adhesive measuring tape having an adhesive

layer 15 and measuring indicia on surface 14 of the object to be measured, (b) peeling the measuring tape from the surface of the object and (c) measuring the surface of the object by reading said indicia on surface 14 as adhesive layer 15 is peeled from surface 50.

Fourthly, as best seen viewing FIG. 3 in conjunction with FIG. 7, the method of measuring an object 50 by affixing an adhesive surface 15 of a first strip 10a of adhesive measuring tape 10 having aligned lateral width indica 30 along its longitudinal length and affixing an adhesive surface 15 of a second strip 10b of measuring tape 10 on top of strip 10a by aligning a longitudinal edge 11 of strip 10b with the aligned lateral width indicia 30 of tape 10a.

Fifthly, as best seen viewing FIG. 8, the method of measuring an object having intersecting surfaces 62 and 64 by folding tape 10 about width measuring indicia 30 printed on tape 10, and affixing the folded adhesive measuring tape 10 to an object 60 having two surfaces 62 and 64 intersecting with a fold line 13 formed at indicia 30 being positioned at the intersection of surfaces 62 and 64.