[0001] The invention relates to tape measures and associated methods of measuring. More particularly, the invention relates to tape measures providing a transparent end-section of tape and associated methods of measuring using the transparent end-section.

[0002] A tape measure has become a staple in every tool chest, being used on a regular basis by various trades within the construction industry, such as carpenters, electricians, plumbers, sheet metal workers, and glazers, as well as building inspectors during their quality assurance verifications. A tape measure is frequently used, for example, in conjunction with a laser device, such as, for example, a laser level or laser plumb-line, to plumb various items, including, for example, doors, windows, piping, ceilings and other like framing work during the construction process. As required by established building codes, such plumbing (i.e., the use of a plumb to test depth or show a vertical alignment) is generally performed 3 to 6 inches from the ground level.

[0003] Ground level anchoring (i.e., ground-to-ceiling anchoring), for example, is generally bound by such building codes, thereby requiring 3 to 6 inch off-set marks during the plumbing process. To anchor and plumb a door frame, for example, a carpenter may first anchor a bottom track (i.e., a steel track for insertion of a wood stud) to the ground. Using a tape measure, the carpenter may then mark a short off-set distance from the track (e.g., whatever distance is specified by the applicable building code). To establish a corresponding (i.e., vertically aligned) mark on the ceiling, the carpenter may place a laser device, such as a laser self-level box on the ground-level mark and shine the laser upward. The carpenter may then anchor a top track to the ceiling at the corresponding ceiling-level mark.

[0004] For ease of use, mobility, and durability of a measuring tape, conventional tape measures consist of a flexible, opaque, metal tape with a linear measuring scale of regularly spaced markings printed on one side of the tape, and a housing that holds the coiled tape when it is not in use. When used in conjunction with a laser device to plumb (e.g., to plumb a door frame), however, an opaque tape will generally obstruct the laser's line, thereby requiring a user to flip the tape over in order to accurately read the distance measurement corresponding to the laser's line. To increase the accuracy and efficiency of this plumb measurement it may, therefore, be advantageous to provide a tape measure that does not obstruct a laser line, thereby allowing a user to accurately read a distance measurement without flipping the tape over, it may, therefore, be advantageous to provide a tape measure that is both easy to use and durable, while also allowing a laser line to shine through an end portion thereof. [0005] The invention may solve one or more of the above-mentioned problems and/or may demonstrate one or more of the above-mentioned desirable features. Other features and/or advantages may become apparent from the description that follows.

[0006] In accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the invention, a tape measure may comprise a housing defining an interior and a tape outlet opening; and a flexible tape having measuring indicia displayed thereon, wherein the flexible tape is movable between a retracted position in which the tape is substantially disposed within the interior and an extended position in which at least a portion of the tape extends linearly outside the housing through the tape outlet opening, wherein the flexible tape includes an inner end portion secured within the interior and a distal end portion, and wherein the distal end portion includes a transparent section.

[0007] In accordance with various additional exemplary embodiments of the invention, a tape measure may comprise a housing defining an interior and a tape outlet opening; and a flexible tape having measuring indicia displayed thereon, wherein the flexible tape includes an inner end portion disposed and secured within the interior and a distal end portion extendable linearly outside the housing through the tape outlet opening, wherein the distal end portion includes a transparent section, and wherein the transparent section includes less than or equal to about the first eight inches of the distal end portion. [0008] In accordance with various further exemplary embodiments of the invention, a method of measuring may comprise moving a flexible tape having measuring indicia displayed thereon between a retracted position in which the tape is substantially disposed within an interior of a housing to an extended position in which at least a portion of the tape extends linearly outside the housing via a tape outlet opening, the flexible tape including an inner end portion secured within the interior and a distal end portion; and reading a measurement from the flexible tape, wherein the measurement corresponds with a line shining through a transparent section of the distal end portion.

[0009] Additional objects and advantages will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages may be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

[0010] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] The invention can be understood from the following detailed description either alone or together with the accompanying drawings. The drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain various principles and operation.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of a tape measure in accordance with the invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 is an elevational view of an end-section of another

embodiment of a tape measure in accordance with the invention;

[0014] FIG. 3 is an elevational view of an end-section of yet another embodiment of a tape measure in accordance with the invention; and

[0015] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the tape measure of FIG. 1 being used in conjunction with a laser device in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention.

Description of Exemplary Embodiments

[0018] In the construction industry, tape measures are repeatedly used in conjunction with laser devices to measure off and plumb various items including, for example, doors, windows, walls, piping and ceilings. As required by established building codes, such plumbing is generally performed 3 to 6 inches from the ground level. To increase the efficiency of these frequent

measurements and thereby the efficiency of a construction project in general, the invention contemplates tape measures which combine the usability, mobility and durability of a conventional housed tape measure with the functionality of a transparent measuring tape to allow a laser line to effectively shine through the tape during the plumbing process.

[0017] The invention, therefore, provides tape measures comprising a tape with a transparent end section, which includes, for example, less than or equal to about the first 8 inches of the tape. Many measurements are made between 3 to 6 inches, and using a transparent end section of 8 inches provides additional room for extended measurements, if necessary. Additionally, if other common measurements are to be made at different points along the tape measure, those portions of the tape measure may also be made using a transparent section(s). For example, if a laser line is used to align the face of vertical studs forming a hallway, a transparent section may be made on the tape measure from fourteen to eighteen inches. In this fashion, the transparent section of the tape measure can be used to measure sixteen inch offsets for the vertical studs. Of course other transparent sections may also be configured in a similar manner and different measuring tapes may be provided in accordance with the invention. Framing tape measures can be made with transparent sections at one set of measurements, and plumbing tape measures can be made with transparent sections at other sets of measurements, for example.

[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a tape measure in accordance with the invention. A tape measure 100 has a housing 101 and a flexible tape 104 having measuring indicia 105 displayed thereon. The housing 101 defines an interior 102 and a tape outlet opening 103. The flexible tape 104 includes an inner end portion (not shown) secured within the interior 102 and a distal end portion 106. The flexible tape 104 is movable between a retracted position in which the flexible tape 104 is substantially disposed within the interior 102 of the housing 101 , and, as depicted in FIG. 1 , an extended position in which at least a portion 155 of the tape 104 extends linearly outside the housing 101 through the tape outlet opening 103. A locking mechanism 108 is configured to lock the flexible tape 104 in the extended position and release the flexible tape 104 into the retracted position.

[0019] The housing 101 may be formed from various materials, including, for example, metal and/or plastic. Those of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the type of material can be chosen based on cost, durability, and other such factors. Those of ordinary skill in the art would further understand that the housing 101 may comprise various shapes, sizes and/or features without departing from the scope of the invention. Various embodiments of the invention contemplate, for example, that the housing 101 may also include a clip and/or fastener (e.g., to allow a user to attach the tape measure to a belt and/or to an article of clothing).

[0020] The flexible tape 104 may be formed from various materials, including, for example, metal, plastic and/or any combination thereof. Those of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the type of material, or combination of materials, can be chosen based on cost, durability, efficiency, flexibility, transparency, and other such factors. Those of ordinary skill in the art would further understand that the flexible tape 104 may comprise various lengths, widths and/or features without departing from the scope of the invention. Various embodiments of the invention contemplate, for example, that the flexible tape 104 is about 25 feet long. Of course, other lengths are also contemplated, such as 10 feet, 12 feet, 16 feet, 30 feet, 100 feet and the like. Various embodiments of the invention additionally contemplate that the flexible tape 104 is about 1 inch wide, while other embodiments of the invention include a flexible tape 104 that is about 1 .5 inches wide. Of course, other widths are also contemplated, such as one-half inch, two inches, and the like. While various further embodiments of the invention contemplate that the flexible tape 104 may also include a hook portion 109 secured to the distal end portion 106.

[0021] The measuring indicia 105 may include regularly spaced markings associated with at least one unit of measurement, longitudinally printed on at least one side of the flexible tape 104. In various exemplary embodiments, the regularly spaced markings may include increasing numbers 112, which indicate, for example, feet, inches, and/or centimeters, the numbers 112 originating at the distal end portion 106 of the flexible tape 104. Although the tape measure 100 is depicted with increasing numbers 112 indicating inch measurements, those of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the measuring indicia 105 and the numbers 112 can represent various additional units of measurement.

[0022] As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the distal end portion 108 of the flexible tape 104 includes a transparent end section 107. Although the tape measure 100 is depicted with a transparent end section 107, which includes the first eight inches of the distal end portion 106, those of ordinary skill in the art would understand that for plumb measurements, which are generally performed 3 to 8 inches from the ground level, the transparent end section 107 may include less than or equal to about the first eight inches of the distal end portion 106, or range from about the first 2 inches to about the first 7 inches of the distal end portion 106.

[0023] In various exemplary embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the transparent end section 107 may include a see-through flexible tape portion. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, a flexible tape 204 has measuring indicia 205 displayed thereon. The measuring indicia 205 may include regularly spaced markings associated with at least one unit of measurement, longitudinally printed on at least one side of the flexible tape 204. A distal end portion 206 of the flexible tape 204 includes a transparent end section 207. The transparent end section 207 includes a see-through flexible tape portion 213 that is attached to a flexible tape portion 214 via rivets 210. Alternatively, to attach tape portions 213 and 214, a glue may be applied to overlapping portions of the see-through flexible tape portion 213 and the flexible tape portion 214. Those of ordinary skill in the art would further understand that the see-through flexible tape portion 213 and the flexible tape portion 214 may be joined using various methods, including, but not limited to, gluing, molding, bonding and/or fusing, without departing from the scope of the invention. [0024] The see-through flexible tape portion 213 may be formed from various materials, including, for example, plastic, polystyrene, acrylics, polycarbonate, and the like. Those of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the type of material can be chosen based on cost, durability, flexibility, transparency (e.g., the material's ability to allow a laser line to pass

unobstructed), and other such factors. Various exemplary embodiments contemplate, for example, that the see-through flexible tape portion 213 may be formed from a thick, transparent plastic. The flexible tape portion 214 may be formed from various materials, including, for example, plastic, polystyrene, acrylics, polycarbonate, metals such as aluminum, and other flexible materials. As above, those of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the type of material can be chosen based on cost, durability, flexibility, and other such factors.

[0025] In various additional exemplary embodiments of the invention, the transparent end section 107 may include a see-through window in the flexible tape 104. As shown in F!G. 3, for example, a flexible tape 304 has measuring indicia 305 displayed thereon. The measuring indicia 305 may include regularly spaced markings associated with at least one unit of measurement, longitudinally printed on at least one side of the flexible tape 304. A distal end portion 308 of the flexible tape 304 includes a transparent end section 307. The transparent end section 307 includes a see-through window 313 in the flexible tape 304. [0026] The see-through window 313 may be formed from various materials, including, for example, plastic, polystyrene, acrylics, polycarbonate, and the like. The see-through window 313 may provide the benefits of transparency outlined above while providing additional rigidity to facilitate extension and retraction of the flexible tape. As above, those of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the type of material can be chosen based on cost, durability, flexibility, transparency (e.g., the material's ability to allow a laser line to pass

unobstructed), and other such factors. Those of ordinary skill in the art would further understand that the transparent end section 307 may be joined to the flexible tape 304 using various methods, including, but not limited to, gluing, molding, bonding and/or fusing, without departing from the scope of the invention. In various embodiments, for example, a glue may be applied to bond overlapping portions of the transparent end section 307 and the flexible tape 304.

[0027] To better accommodate the see-through window 313, in various embodiments of the invention, the flexible tape 304 may comprise a wider tape with a width of greater than one inch, such as one-and-one-quarter inches, one- and-one-half inches, and the like.

[0028] In accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the invention, as discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 4, to measure and plumb an item in compliance with established building codes, a user (e.g., a carpenter) may use a tape measure, such as, for example, the tape measure 100 of FIG. 1 in

conjunction with a laser device, such as, for example, a laser level box 110. In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, for example, a user may move the flexible tape 104 having measuring indicia 105 displayed thereon between a retracted position in which the tape 104 is substantially disposed within the interior 102 of the housing 101 to an extended position, as illustrated in FIG. 4, in which at least a portion 155 of the tape 104 extends outside the housing 101 via the tape outlet opening 103. As shown in FIG. 4, the user may then read a measurement 115 from the flexible tape 104, wherein the measurement 115 corresponds with a laser-line 111 shining through the transparent section 107 of the distal end portion 106 of the flexible tape 104. Since plumb measurements are generally performed 3 to 6 inches from the ground level, in various embodiments, for example, reading the measurement 115 from the flexible tape 104 may comprise reading a measurement 115 less than or equal to about six inches from an end of the distal end portion 108.

[0029] Although various exemplary embodiments of the invention refer to plumb measurements or "plumbing," the invention encompasses a wide range of measurements useful in various applications as would be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0030] It should be understood that while the invention has been described in detail with respect to various exemplary embodiments thereof, it should not be considered limited to such, as numerous modifications are possible without departing from the broad scope of the appended claims.