CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.

62/827,493 filed on April 1, 2019.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to hand tools, and more particularly to hand tools such as tape measures, where it may be desirable to secure such tools to a curved surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] While aspects of the disclosed invention may be applicable to a variety of tools, in some embodiments, including those illustrated, the tool may be a tape measure. Tape measures conventionally include a retractable tape having measuring indicia thereon that is spring biased into a housing, so that the tape is selectively extendable from an opening at the front of the housing. A front of the tape commonly includes a hook that provides a surface to engage and fix the end of the tape against a point to be measured from, so the measurement can be made from the hook to a position on the tape indicated by the measuring indicia. The housing often has a lock mechanism that allows the tape to be locked into a certain position relative to the housing (e.g., locked into an extended position, preventing the spring bias from retracting the tape into the housing). The housing conventionally defines a generally horizontal plane so that the tape measure can stand upright (e.g., on a floor surface) without twisting the tape, and may have a reference vertical surface at a rear of the housing, opposite the front of the housing from where the tape extends, with an identified measurement between the front and rear of the housing, so that a defined measurement between the front of the tape blade and the rear of the housing can be identified.

[0004] Among other things, the present application relates to various

improvements to the housings of tape measures and other hand tools, providing mechanisms to facilitate securing such tools to a curved surface, such as a pipe, for example.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] According to an embodiment, a measuring tool includes a housing, a blade retractable into the housing having measuring indicia thereon, and a first foot and a second foot protruding from a surface of the housing, the first foot and second foot extending, in opposite directions away from an axis that is adjacent to the surface of the housing, to a plane defined by extremities of the first foot and second foot, forming a groove. The first foot and second foot are configured to support the housing on a generally flat surface at the plane defined by the extremities of the first foot and the second foot. The first foot and second foot are configured to support the housing on a generally curved surface at points of contact on each of the first foot and second foot, the points of contact being positioned between the axis and the plane inside the groove.

[0006] According to another embodiment, a tool housing adapter includes a housing engageable member configured to removably engage from a housing of a tool, and a first foot and a second foot protruding from a surface of the housing engageable member, the first foot and second foot extending, in opposite directions away from an axis that is adjacent to the surface of the housing engageable member, to a plane defined by extremities of the first foot and second foot, forming a groove. The first foot and second foot are configured to support the housing engageable member on a generally flat surface at the plane defined by the extremities of the first foot and the second foot. The first foot and second foot are also configured to support the housing engageable member on a generally curved surface at points of contact on each of the first foot and second foot, the points of contact being positioned between the axis and the plane inside the groove.

[0007] According to another embodiment, a tool includes a housing and a first foot and a second foot protruding from a surface of the housing, the first foot and second foot extending in opposite directions away from an axis adjacent to the surface of the housing to a plane defined by extremities of the first foot and the second. A holding feature on the first foot is configured to selectively engage a surface on which the tool is placed. One or more of the holding feature as coupled to the first foot and the first foot as coupled to the housing are coupled via a hinge or flexible member, such that an angle formed between the holding feature of the first foot and the second foot will adjust based on a shape of the surface on which the tool is placed.

[0008] According to another embodiment, a measuring tool includes a housing, a blade having measuring indicia thereon, the blade having a hook extending forward and downward from the housing, a spring within the housing, the spring being configured to retract the blade into housing under a spring force, and a magnetic holding feature on the housing, the magnetic holding feature extending downward from the housing so as to releasably bond the housing to a metal surface on which the measuring tool is placed. A holding force of the magnetic holding feature exceeds the spring force, such that relative movement between the housing and the metal surface is prevented when the blade and the hook are held fixed in an extended position.

[0009] These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. In one embodiment of the invention, the structural components illustrated herein are drawn to scale. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In addition, it should be appreciated that structural features shown or described in any one embodiment herein can be used in other embodiments as well. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] Features of housings in accordance with one or more embodiments are shown in the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like elements. The drawings form part of this original disclosure in which:

[0011] FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a conventional self-retracting tape measure;

[0012] FIG. IB illustrates a blade of the self-retracting tape measure of FIG. 1A in a partially extended position;

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an improved tape measure housing;

[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the improved tape measure housing of

FIG. 2;

[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of the improved tape measure housing of

FIG. 2;

[0016] FIG. 5 Illustrates a perspective view of a housing adapter configured to engage a conventional tape measure such as that of FIGS. 1A-B;

[0017] FIG. 6A illustrates an exploded view of another tape measure housing of the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 6B illustrates a perspective view of the tape measure housing of FIG.

6A;

[0019] FIG. 6C illustrates a front view of the tape measure housing of FIG. 6A;

[0020] FIG. 6D illustrates a section view of the tape measure housing of FIG. 6A, taken across holding feature and plug thereof; [0021] FIG. 7 A illustrates an exploded view of another tape measure housing of the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 7B illustrates a perspective view of the tape measure housing of FIG.

7A;

[0023] FIG. 7C illustrates a front view of the tape measure housing of FIG. 7A;

[0024] FIG. 7D illustrates a section view of the tape measure housing of FIG. 7A, taken across a shaped holding feature thereof;

[0025] FIG. 8A illustrates an exploded view of another tape measure housing of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 8B illustrates a perspective view of the tape measure housing of FIG.

8A;

[0027] FIG. 8C illustrates a front view of the tape measure housing of FIG. 8A;

[0028] FIG. 8D illustrates a section view of the tape measure housing of FIG. 8A, taken across a movable holding feature thereof, with the holding feature protruding from the housing; and

[0029] FIG. 8E illustrates a section view of the tape measure housing of FIG. 8A, taken across the movable holding feature thereof, with the holding feature retracted into the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0030] Tape measures typically have retractable blades, usually formed of metal, and have measurement indicia thereon. FIGS. 1A-B illustrate a self-retracting tape measure 10. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1A (perspective view) the tape measure 10 includes an elongated tape measure blade 12 which is wound on a reel that is rotatably mounted in a housing 20. The blade 12 is extendable through an opening 22 in housing 20. Blade 12 has a proximal end that remains within the housing 20, and a distal end 21 that has a hook 34 coupled thereto. Tape measure 10 also includes a spring within housing 20 configured to rotate the reel in housing 20 in a direction to wind up blade 12.

[0031] In some embodiments a lock 18 may be provided in the tape measure 10 and may be configured to be actuated to hold blade 12 in any position of outward extension (e.g., moving the hook 34 away from housing 20, such as is shown in FIG. IB). In an embodiment the lock 18 may comprise a slide lock such as that illustrated, while in other embodiments spring biased locking mechanisms or other such mechanisms may be utilized.

[0032] In some embodiments, blade 12 may comprise a ribbon of metal (e.g., steel) and one or more surfaces of blade 12 may include measurement indicia thereon. The measurement indicia may include measuring lines, digits, and/or other indicia for measuring lengths and/or distances, in one or more scales. In some embodiments the blade 12 may be associated with a digital encoder configured to provide a digital determination of the amount of extension of the hook 34 relative to a portion of the housing 20.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1A, hook 34 is coupled to end 21 of blade 12 with a mounting portion 150 of the hook 34 engaging a first (e.g., concave or upper) side 17 of end 21 of blade 12. In some embodiments, mounting portion 150 is provided with holes 166. One or more fasteners, such as rivets 169, may extend through holes 166 to mount hook 34 to blade 12. In some embodiments, hook 34 and/or mounting portion 150 may be similar to and/or the same as a hook and/or mounting portion described in US Patent No. 8,584,373, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0034] FIG. IB illustrates blade 12 in a partially extended position, so that hook

34 extends forward from the housing 20. Blade 12 is generally movable between a fully retracted position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1A) and a fully extended position (not shown). As blade 12 is unwound from the reel, the spring is wound more tightly around the reel spindle. This winding of the spring around the spindle stores energy in the spring to provide spring powered rewinding of blade 12 around the reel when the extended blade 12 is released (either by hand, or when a lock such as lock 18 is disengaged. As may also be appreciated from the side view of FIG. IB, the blade 12 may generally have a curved shape when not flattened inside the housing when the blade 12 is retracted, and as such, when the tape measure 10 is viewed from a side when the blade 12 is extended, a second (e.g., convex or lower) side 91 of the tape blade 12 may be seen, obscuring the mounting portion 150 of the hook 34 and the top of the rivets 169.

[0035] As discussed herein, an aspect of the present disclosure includes mechanisms to facilitate securing tools such as tape measures to a curved surface, such as a pipe, for example. As such, FIG. 2 Illustrates a bottom perspective view of an improved tape measure housing 200. As shown, a bottom surface 210 of the housing 200 includes protruding therefrom feet 230, including specifically one or more first feet

230a and one or more second feet 230b. While in some embodiments the housing 200 may include a unitary first foot 230a and a unitary second foot 230b, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 200 includes a first foot 230a and a second foot 230b associated with a first (e.g., front) end of the housing 200, and a first foot 230 a and a second foot 230b associated with a second (e.g., rear) end of the housing 200, so that the feet 230 define a plane when the housing 200 is placed on a planar (e.g., horizontal) surface without falling over.

[0036] It may be appreciated that the first feet 230a and the second feet 230b may be angled or curved relative to each other so as facilitate approximating the shape of a curved surface, such as a pipe, conduit, cable, or wire. In an embodiment, the feet 230 may be formed of a generally resilient or flexible material, which may allow the feet 230 to deflect relative to each other, depending on the radius of curvature of the surface on which the housing 200 is to be placed. For example, in some embodiments an outermost surface (e.g., outermost surface 240, including surfaces 240a on first feet 230a and surfaces 240b on second feet 230b) may be relatively flexible materials or my otherwise be hinged (e.g. by metal, plastic, or rubberized material/ a living hinge) adjacent to where the first feet 230a are close to the second feet 230b, so that the first feet 230a and the second feet 230b may angle towards each other or away from each other to approximate a curve of the substrate on which the housing 200 is placed.

[0037] As shown, each of the feet 230 may include mounts 250, discussed in greater detail below. More specifically, the first feet 230a may include mounts 250a, while the second feet 230b may include mounts 250b. In various embodiments, the mounts 250 may comprise surfaces, recesses, or apertures shaped or otherwise configured to receive holding features 260 that facilitate holding the housing 200 to a curved surface. In the illustrated embodiment, where the mounts 250 comprise recesses formed in the feet 230, the holding features 260 are received in the mounts. In other embodiments the holding features 260 may be secured onto the mounts 250 (including but not limited to being secured through adhesive, mechanical fasteners, or being co molded, overmolded, or otherwise integrally formed therewith).

[0038] It may be appreciated that the holding features 260 may include holding features 260a mounted to the first feet 230a, and holding features 260b mounted to the second feet 230b. Additionally, it may be appreciated while in some embodiments the holding features 260 may be held at a fixed angle relative to each other (e.g., at an angle formed between holding features 260a and holding features 260b), in other

embodiments the holding features 260 may variable angle towards each other or away from each other (e.g., into a flat bottom surface) depending on the surface shape on which the housing 200 is placed. For example, such angling may be based on the angling of the feet 230 through the variable angling of the outermost surfaces 240.

[0039] It may be appreciated that the holding features 260 may vary across embodiments. For example, in an embodiment the holding features 260 may comprise magnets. Accordingly, it may be appreciated that where the surface on which the housing 200 is to be placed is made of metal, the holding features 260a and 260b may contact the surface in at least two locations, holding the housing 200 to the surface through magnetic attraction. In other embodiments, the holding features 260 may comprise other features, such as an elastomer (e.g., a porous elastomer), and as such may frictionally grip the surface, compressing and then releasing at points of contact to engage and grip onto the surface. Similarly, in an embodiment the holding features 260 may comprise one or more suction cups which when compressed may hold onto the surface via variable air pressure inside versus outside the suction cup. It may be appreciated that other holding features 260 may be utilized across various

embodiments. It may be appreciated that in various embodiments a holding force of the holding feature 260 when applied to the surface may be sufficiently strong so as to prevent the housing 200 from rotating relative to and/or detaching from the surface. In tape measure embodiments, the holding force may be greater than a retraction force of the tape measure (e.g., the force generated through the spring within the housing), and in an embodiment the holding force may be sufficiently great that the tape measure may remain in place when the blade is hooked onto a surface. In an embodiment, the holding force may be greater than a weight of tool having the housing 200, such that the tool may be held inverted on the surface. In some embodiments, the holding force from the holding feature 260 may be such that a full length of the tape blade 12 may be extended and held fixed at or near the hook 34 without the housing 200 from being pulled towards the hook 34.

[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of the housing 200 as positioned on a curved surface S, such as a pipe. As shown, the feet 230 are angled relative to each other so that bottom surfaces of the feet 230 (e.g., the holding features 260 when such features are flush to or protrude from the mounts 250) extend from a common axis A (extending into and out of the view of Figure 3 at the point indicated, and seen more clearly in the side view of FIG. 4. As shown, the foot 230a has a bottom surface extending along a plane 270a, while the foot 230b has a bottom surface extending along a plane 270b. It may be appreciated that with the planes 270 intersecting at the axis A, the planes may form an angle Q therebetween underneath the housing 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle Q is obtuse, and more specifically in the illustrated embodiment, the angle Q is approximately 156 degrees, but in other embodiments may be acute, right, or obtuse, and as such the angle Q may range between approximately 5-175 degrees. In some embodiments, a width of the housing 200 may determine a maximum opening between opposing sides of bottom surfaces of the feet 230 (e.g., with the axis A centered therebetween). In various embodiments, such an opening may be

approximately 0.5-2 inches in length, and in an embodiment may be approximately 1 inch in length. It may be appreciated that with a sufficiently great opening in length, the angle Q formed between the planes 270 underneath the housing 200 may be any appropriate angle sufficient to form a groove in the bottom of the housing 200. In various embodiments, for example, the angle Q may be approximately one of 10 degrees, 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 135 degrees, or 175 degrees.

[0041] It may be appreciated that in some embodiments the angle Q may vary depending on flexibility or hingedness of the feet 230 about the axis A. It may therefore be appreciated that the angling of the feet 230 may allow the holding features 260 to contact the surface S in at least two points (e.g., the holding feature 260a contacting the surface S at a first point thereon, and the holding feature 260b contacting the surface S at a second point thereon. It may be appreciated that in some embodiments, direct contact between the surface S and the holding feature 260 might not be necessary, such as where the holding features 260 are magnets, and the surface S is metal, such that the holding features 260 are close to the surface S at least at two points to permit magnetic attraction therebetween to provide a holding force. In other embodiments, the holding feature may be associated with one of the feet 230 (e.g., foot 230a), where the other foot 230 (e.g., foot 230b) passively engages with the surface S so that together the shape permits engagement of the housing 200 to the surface S, and allows the housing 200 to be held to the surface S by way of one or more holding features 260.

[0042] While the illustrated embodiment shows a single pair of planes 270 intersecting at the axis A, it may be appreciated that in other embodiments additional planes may extend from further axes parallel to the axis A, such that the bottom surface of the feet 230 have additional facets. It may be appreciated that each facet may have its own mounts 250 and holding features 260, so that the feet 230 hold the surface S at additional points of contact or proximity. Furthermore, it may be appreciated that tin some embodiments the feet 230 may be generally curved or approximate a curved surface, which may be understood as sufficiently greatly multifaceted to approximate such shape.

[0043] The side view of the housing 200 in Figure 4 as resting on the curved surface S shows how the surface S may be received within the groove formed between the feet 230 defined by the angle Q. As further shown, the bottom extremities of the feet 230 would envelop the curved surface S received therein, so that from a side view, the proximal feet 230 would be positioned in front of the surface S. It may be appreciated, as also shown in Figure 4, that extremities of the outermost surfaces 240

(i.e., surfaces 240a in the side view illustrated, and symmetrically for surfaces 240b obscured in the view) extend below or otherwise away from the housing to a plane B. As noted above, depending on the hingedness or flexibility of the feet 230, it may be appreciated that the plane B may selectively move closer to the axis A in some embodiments. Regardless, it may be appreciated that when the housing 200 is placed on a generally flat surface, the feet 230 may be supported on the feet 230, with the plane B resting on the flat at the plane B.

[0044] While the illustrated embodiment of the feet 230 are shown at the bottom of the housing 200, it may be appreciated that in some embodiments the feet 230 may be formed on a side or other surface of the housing 230, which may be useful in those embodiments, including embodiments where the tool is something other than a tape measure (e.g., a level).

[0045] It may be appreciated that in some embodiments, the feet 230 may be implemented on adapters which may adapt conventional tools such as the tape measure 10, so as to permit the tape measure 10 to be supported on surfaces such the curved surface S. As shown in the perspective view of Figure 5, for example, a housing adapter 300 may include the feet 230, including any of the features described above across varying embodiments, mounted to a housing engageable member 310. It may be appreciated that the housing engageable member 310 may comprise a rubberized or otherwise stretchable external body that may be stretched over the conventional tool, so as to secure the feet 230 onto the tool. In some embodiments, the housing engageable member BIO may comprise a harder or relatively rigid exoskeleton, frame, clamshell, or similar body which may open and close to surround the conventional tool. In various embodiments, such opening and closing may be via fasteners, snap fits, hinges, or other appropriate mechanisms to allow the housing engageable member 310 to open, allow the conventional tool to be placed within, and then closed around the conventional tool.

[0046] As shown in the illustrated embodiment, in some embodiments, the housing engageable member 310 may include openings therein that permit access to or view of various features of the conventional tool. For example, the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5 shows an opening 320 that may be sized, shaped, or otherwise configured to permit one or more of the hook 34 and blade 12 of the tape measure 10 to extend therethrough, or may otherwise permit access to the opening 22. Similarly, the housing engageable member 310 may include an opening 330 to allow access to the lock 18 and permit the lock 18 to be actuated (e.g., where the lock 18 comprises a slidelock, the opening 330 may be large enough to permit the lock 18 to be slid downward toward the blade 12 to lock the blade 12 in an extended position. One or more openings 340 in the side of the housing engageable member 310 may permit protrusion therethrough of a belt clip, ergonomic housing features, or other side mounted attachments of the tape measure 10, or may simply allow visibility of branding on the tape measure 10.

[0047] In some embodiments, the housing engageable member 310 or other portions of the housing adapter 300 may include future useful features for the conventional tool mounted thereon. For example, in the illustrated embodiment in Figure 5, the housing engageable member BIO includes a lanyard aperture 350 which may facilitate tethering or otherwise securing the housing adapter 300 (and the conventional tool held within the housing engageable member 310) where such a feature might not be implemented on the conventional tool.

[0048] Figures 6A-6D illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a housing of the present disclosure. Specifically, tape measure housing 400, shown in exploded view in FIG. 6A, in bottom perspective view in FIG. 6B, and front view in FIG. 6C, includes a first housing portion 400a and a second housing portion 400b, which when assembled into the housing 400 form a bottom surface 400c that includes foot 230a and foot 230b which may be similar to those embodiments described above. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, in some embodiments the housing portions 400a and 400b may include integrally formed feet 230 (e.g. feet 230a and 230b), which may include recesses 410 therein that are exposed to a seam 420 that is formed between housing portion 400a and housing portion 400b. It may be appreciated that the holding feature 260 (e.g., magnets, in some embodiments) may be received in the recess 410, which may otherwise be formed similar to embodiments of the mounts 250 described elsewhere herein. While only a single holding feature 260 is depicted in the

embodiment of Figures 6A-6D so as to better show structural features of the illustrated embodiment of the recesses 410, it may be appreciated that a holding feature may be received in each recess 410, as described with reference to the various embodiments herein. As further shown, in some embodiments one or more plug members 430 may be received in the recess 410, which may enclose the opening of the recess 410 to the seam 420. In some embodiments, such as that illustrated, the plug member 430 may span from the housing portion 400a to the housing portion 400b, crossing the seam 430 to serve as a common plug 430 for a pair of feet 230. An embodiment of the positioning of the plug member 430 relative to the holding member 260 is illustrated in a cross- sectional view taken thereat (into the view of Figure 6C) which is depicted in Figure 6D.

[0049] Figures 7A-7D illustrate still another exemplary embodiment of a housing of the present disclosure. Specifically, tape measure housing 500, shown in exploded view in FIG. 7A, in bottom perspective view in FIG. 7B, and front view in FIG. 7C, includes a first housing portion 500a and a second housing portion 500b, which when assembled into the housing 500 form a bottom surface 500c that includes foot 230a and foot 230b which may be similar to those embodiments described above. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, in some embodiments the housing portions 500a and 500b may include integrally formed feet 230 (e.g., feet 230a and 230b), which may include recesses 510 therein that are exposed to a seam 520 that is formed between housing portion 500a and housing portion 500b. It may be appreciated that the holding feature 260 (e.g., magnets, in some embodiments) may be received in the recess 510, which may otherwise be formed similar to embodiments of the mounts 250 described elsewhere herein. While only a single holding feature 260 is depicted in the

embodiment of Figures 7A-7D so as to better show structural features of the illustrated embodiment of the recesses 510, it may be appreciated that a holding feature may be received in each recess 510, as described with reference to the various embodiments herein. As further shown, in some embodiments a shaped holding feature 260 may be configured to extend between the recesses 510 on each of the housing portions 500a and 500b, and as such, may define a groove similar to those described with reference to the other embodiments herein. As such, it may be appreciated that each foot 230 may include a shared component shaped with a region associated with foot 230a as well as a region associated with foot 230b. An embodiment of the common holding member 260 is illustrated in a cross-sectional view taken thereat (into the view of Figure 7C) which is depicted in Figure 7D.

[0050] Figures 8A-8E illustrate a further exemplary embodiment of a housing of the present disclosure. Specifically, tape measure housing 600, shown in exploded view in FIG. 8A, in bottom perspective view in FIG. 8B, and front view in FIG. 8C, includes a first housing portion 600a and a second housing portion 600b, which when assembled into the housing 600 form a bottom surface 600c that includes foot 230a and foot 230b which may be similar to those embodiments described above. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, in some embodiments the housing portions 600a and 600b may include integrally formed feet 230 (e.g., feet 230a and 230b), which may include recesses 610 therein that are shaped to receive a mount 250 such as that illustrated, which itself may receive a holding feature 260 (e.g., magnets, in some embodiments). It may be appreciated that the mount 250 may include features similar to embodiments of the mounts 250 described elsewhere herein. While only a single mount 250 and holding feature 260 is depicted in the embodiment of Figures 8A-8E so as to better show structural features of the illustrated embodiment of the recesses 610, it may be appreciated that a mount 250 and/or holding feature 260 may be received in each recess 610, as described with reference to the various embodiments herein. As further shown, the mount 250 (which may be integral to a shaped holding feature 260) may be configured to pivot into and out of the recesses 610, and as such, may form a variably defined groove similar to those described with reference to the other embodiments herein. As shown in the cross-sectional views of Figures 8D and 8E (taken thereat into the view of Figure 8C), a protrusion 630 on the mount 250 may define a maximum amount of pivoting for the mount 250 relative to the bottom surface 600c, and may be generally horizontal in some embodiments. Similarly, a pivot region 640 of the mount 250 may facilitate rotational or pivoting movement of the mount 250 relative to the bottom surface 600c, and may be formed as a hinge or as a curved bearing surface. As shown in Figure 8E, where the mount 250 is pivoted into the bottom surface 600c, in an embodiment a contact portion 650 of the mount 250, or of the holding feature 260, may contact a region of the housing to define a maximal retraction of the mount 250 into the housing 600 by abutting the surface when a gap behind the mount 250 and/or holding feature 260 in the recess 610 is eliminated. As noted in other embodiments above, in some embodiments of the housing 600, the mount 250 may be spring biased (e.g. with a compression spring or a torsion spring) into a protruding configuration, such as that shown in Figures 8B-8D, and as such might not form a groove (or may interrupt a groove formed at the bottom 600c of the housing 600) unless pressed into by a surface such as a pipe which may interact with the holding features 260. [0051] While the embodiments illustrated herein are applicable to spring retractable short tape measures, in some embodiments the faceted or curved housing surface or the housing adapter having such a surface may be implemented with other types of tools, including but not limited to levels, lasers, and squares. For example, it may be appreciated that in some embodiments any form of tool (e.g., a hand tool, power tool, tool accessory, or housing adapters for such products) may have a housing (e.g., integral or as part of an adapter) and include first foot and a second foot protruding from a surface thereof. Such feet may be as described in the various embodiments above. For example, in some embodiments extend in opposite directions away from an axis that is adjacent to the surface of the housing, to a plane defined by extremities of the first foot and second foot, forming a groove. The first foot and second foot may be configured to support the housing on a generally flat surface at the plane defined by the extremities of the first foot and the second foot, and may support the housing on a generally curved surface at points of contact on each of the first foot and second foot, the points of contact being positioned between the axis and the plane inside the groove. As noted above with reference to the illustrated tape measure embodiment, the holding feature is coupled via a hinge or flexible membrane such that upon application of the tool to a surface, the holding feature will conform or adjust the angle between the first foot and the second foot to increase the bond of the holding feature to the surface. As an example, where the surface is generally flat, the angle between the first foot and the second foot may adjust to approximately 180 degrees, while where the surface is generally curved or irregular, the feet may move relative to one another to form a smaller angle that engages the generally curved or irregular surface through multiple points of contact. It may be appreciated that the tool or tool accessory having the movable holding feature may otherwise be as described above in various embodiments, and for example may comprise a magnet, friction grip, or suction based engagement feature.

[0052] Another aspect of the present disclosure concerns the holding force of the holding features as engaging a surface. It may be appreciated that a tape measure embodiment having a blade such as the blade 12 that is retractable into a housing via a spring force may have a holding feature such as the holding feature 260 on the housing underneath and behind the hook so that the housing may be held to a surface from which a measurement is to be taken. It may be appreciated that the housing and/or the associated holding feature may have any appropriate geometry, including flat, grooved, otherwise, but in such embodiments, the holding feature is configured to have sufficient holding force so as to prevent retraction of the blade under the spring force when the blade is extended and held fixed, such as via the hook 34 holding onto a surface distal from the housing. In some embodiments, the holding force from the holding feature may be such that a full length of the tape blade 12 may be extended and held fixed at or near the hook 34 without the housing being pulled towards the hook 34. As an example, where the holding feature comprises a magnet, it may be appreciated that the magnetic force, in conjunction with a friction force and any other appropriate resistive force (collectively the holding force) may be sufficiently strong to resist the retractive force of the spring when the hook 34 is fixed. In an embodiment, the holding force may be at least 1.01X the retractive force of the spring. In an embodiment, the holding force may be at least 1.01X a force of gravity applied to the tape, such that the tape may be held inverted on an engaged surface. It may be appreciated that in various embodiments the holding feature may be configured so that the holding force may be sized to account for one or more of a variety of features of the surface (e.g. for a magnetic holding feature intended to engage a steel pipe, the holding feature may be configured to account for the thickness of the steel of the pipe, anticipated angle differences between the magnet and the surface of the pipe, radius of the pipe, multipole vs single pole magnets on one or more of the feet, intended vibration, cleanliness of the pipe surface, or so on).

[0053] It may further be appreciated that the components described herein may be of different constructions or configurations, including but not limited to one or more being comprised of different material choices. For example, the components described herein may each be constructed from a variety of materials, including but not limited to one or more plastics, metals, rubbers, elastomers, or any other appropriate material choice. For example, in an embodiment one or more of the components may be formed of aluminum (e.g., machined aluminum), iron (e.g., steel), or any other appropriate material. In some embodiments, the material choices may differ from component to component.

[0054] Although aspects of the invention have been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.