HK1061064A - Magnetic tip for tape measure and method of use - Google Patents

Description

Magnetic end of tape measure and method of use

Technical Field

The present invention relates to measuring devices, and in particular to such devices having an actuating mechanism for attachment to an object being measured. The present invention claims priority to a provisional patent application entitled magnetic tip for a tape measure and method of use, filed 11/10 1999, application number 60/164475, and a patent application entitled magnetic tip for a tape measure and method of use, filed 4/3/2000, serial No. 09/541,491.

Background

Measuring devices have been used for a long time. Some of the measuring devices in use today are tape measures and rulers. When people measure a long distance (more than 12 inches), they will typically use a tape measure.

Typical tape measures range from a few feet to over a hundred feet. Tape measures typically include an end, or end hook, at one end of the tape. The end hook is placed on one end of a plate, tube, or other object being measured. The tip hook is typically 1/2 inches to 3/4 inches long.

The person measuring the object places the end hook at one end of the object. Then he pulls the tape measure to the opposite end of the object. The end hook of the tape measure will disengage from the first end of the object. The user replaces the end hook at one end of the object and pulls the tape measure again. This is repeated a number of times until the exact dimensions of the object are obtained. In addition, the user may use a second individual, each grasping one end of the tape measure. There is a need for an improved end hook for securing the tape end to an object being measured.

Often, people fall over objects when they are performing home renovations, garage activities, building objects such as buildings, or other similar activities. Some objects that may fall are screws, nails, bolt washers, or other objects. Often these objects fall behind places that are difficult for people to reach, such as behind large objects or into small openings. Retrieving these objects often requires climbing down a ladder to pick them up and returning them to the ladder for work. There is a need for a versatile device carried by construction workers that can more easily retrieve dropped objects.

Several inventions have been devised with magnetic connections. However, each of these inventions has structural deficiencies that do not meet federal and industry standards for tape measure devices. For example, many of the prior art devices have the magnets substantially exposed. It is known that magnets are fragile and easily broken when dropped. The federal standard 4.4.3.2 test requires a drop test whereby the tape measure is dropped ten times from a height of five feet onto a flat steel plate to strike the steel plate edgewise. The tape measure is then inspected to determine if permanent deformation has occurred that would affect the tape measure. This drop breaks and damages the exposed magnet of the prior invention.

Other standards require the tape measure to be accurate to 1/32 inches. The thickness of the prior art magnets makes the tape measure less accurate. Federal standards require that a tape measure be extendable for 36 inches without the tip being supported, but industry standards require that a tape measure be extendable for more than seven feet. At the same time, the tape cannot bend when extended under either standard. The size and weight of previous magnets has made it a common practice to bend tape measures. Similar tests are required for japanese standards that are followed by american products in an ever-increasing global market structure. The above criteria generally relate to type V, a and B. Similar federal, trade and japanese tests are used for other types and categories of tape measures. The prior art fails to meet nor provide the ability to meet various types and classes of criteria.

There is a need for a tape measure having a magnetic tip sized and configured to pass drop tests, horizontal extension tests, and other federal, trade and japanese performance standards.

Summary of The Invention

The present invention allows a user to measure a metal object by placing the magnetic mechanism on the tape measure end hook at one end of the object at a time. The magnetic mechanism is releasably attached to the metal object to secure it at one end of the object. The user then pulls on the tape measure and obtains the exact dimensions of the object.

The invention also allows a user to easily pick up objects that are difficult to reach, falling in very small crevices, behind large objects, etc. One simply places the tape end hook over the aperture where the object is to be picked up. The magnetic mechanism will releasably connect to the falling object. The user then retracts the tape measure and removes the fallen object from the magnetic mechanism.

The present invention has a unique structure, and the magnet is embedded in the end of the measuring tape. The high field strength magnets can be made small and inserted into the openings formed in the end pieces. These can be held in place and the flattening and friction forces (which may, but need not, use adhesive, plating, coating, and/or welding if desired) applied to the tip clamp the magnet therein and make the magnet generally coplanar with the tape tip. The magnets covered by the tips and the small size enable the tape measure to pass drop tests, horizontal extension tests, and the coplanar nature enables the tape measure to maintain accuracy.

According to the invention, a measuring device comprises a measuring means with an end hook and a magnetic means which is removably or permanently connected to the end hook.

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 is a top view of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a top perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of one embodiment of a type I tape measure of the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a type I tape measure of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of one embodiment of a V-shaped tape measure of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a V-shaped tape measure of the present invention.

Detailed Description

As shown in fig. 1 to 3, the apparatus 10 of the present invention includes a measuring mechanism 12 for measuring an object and a magnetic attraction mechanism 14 for releasable attachment to the object. These mechanisms 12 and 14 are described more fully below.

The measuring mechanism 12 may be a typical tape measure or other suitable measuring tool. The measuring mechanism 12 may have various lengths, widths, and shapes. The length is long enough to be able to measure objects of various sizes. Measurement mechanism 12 may include indicia using metric, imperial, or other suitable metrology systems. The length may range from less than six inches to more than several hundred feet. A preferred length range is about three feet to fifty feet. The width ranges from one quarter inch to greater than two inches. A preferred width ranges from about one-half inch to one inch. The measuring means 12 may have various shapes. The preferred shape is rectangular, having a first end 16 and a second end 18, a right side 20 and a left side 22.

The measuring mechanism 12 may be made of any suitable material. The material needs to avoid degradation so that the measurement mechanism 12 does not damage or crack during use. Weight is not very important, although the measuring mechanism 12 preferably has a weight that is portable and maintained at federal, trade and japanese standards. The measuring mechanism 12 may be made of wood, hard plastic, steel, stainless steel, nylon, aluminum, or other suitable material.

The measuring mechanism 12 may include a tape end hook 24. The tape end hook 24 may be a standard tape end hook used in typical tape measure devices. The tape end hook 24 can have various shapes. The preferred shape is approximately rectangular. The tape end hook 24 may have a connecting end 26 and a hook end 28. The connection end 26 and the hook end 28 may be separated by a bend 34 in the tape measure end hook 24.

The length, width, and material of the tape end hook 24 may vary. The length of the tape end hook 24 can range from less than one inch to more than three feet. The preferred length is about one and three-quarters inches. The width of the tape end hook 24 may be approximately equal to the width of the measuring mechanism 12 or the width of the tape end hook 24 may be greater than or less than the width of the measuring mechanism 12. Preferably, the tape measure end hook 24 has a width slightly less than the width of the measuring mechanism 12. The tape end hook 24 may be made of hard plastic, steel, stainless steel, nylon, aluminum, or other suitable material.

The connection end 26 of the tape end hook 24 may be attached adjacent the first end 16 of the measuring mechanism 12. The first end 16 of the measuring mechanism 12 may be disposed adjacent the bend 34 of the tape end hook 24. The connection tip 26 may be attached adjacent to the first tip 16 using any suitable attachment mechanism, such as a nail or other suitable attachment mechanism.

The tape end hook 24 may be permanently attached to the first end 16 or the tape end hook 24 may be removably attached to the first end 16. The tape tip hook 24 may be removably attached using at least one snap, a hook and loop mechanism, a button and button hole, or other removable attachment mechanism. The tape tip hook 24 may be permanently attached to the first tip 16 using a permanent pin, rivet, permanent glue, or other permanent attachment mechanism.

The magnetic attraction 14 may include at least one magnet 30. Preferably, the magnetic attraction 14 includes at least two magnets 30. The magnet material may be any known material that provides magnetic attraction including neodymium-iron-boron, samarium-cobalt, alnico, sintered oxide magnets, or any other magnetic material. The magnetic force can range from very small, e.g., 2,200 gauss, to very strong, e.g., 20,000 gauss. The preferred magnet is 11,400 to 13,550 gauss neodymium-iron-boron, most preferably 13,550. The magnet 30 is preferably attached to or in magnetic communication with the hook end 28 of the tape measure end hook 24. The magnet 30 may be attached using any suitable attachment mechanism.

The preferred embodiment has an opening formed in the hook end 28 that is sized to receive a magnet. The thickness of the magnet 30 is approximately equal to the thickness of the tape end hook 24 and has the same dimensions as the opening. The magnets 30 are placed in the holes and then pressed to frictionally engage them and embed them in the tape measure end hook 24. Embedding the magnets 30 within the openings provides sufficient structural integrity to withstand external forces in a standard drop test. Welding, glue, plating (which may be magnetic plating), coating or other securing methods or devices may be used, but have been found to be unnecessary. The magnet 30 should be generally coplanar with the plane of the tape measure end hook 24 so as to maintain the accuracy of the tape measure. The magnet 30 may vary in size, but preferably has a diameter between 1/8 inches and 1/2 inches, and the thickness of the tape end hook 24 is of sufficiently light weight that the present invention 10 passes the horizontal extension test.

The present invention 10 can be easily used. The hooked end 28 is placed adjacent to any metal object that requires measurement, such as a metal bracket. The magnet 30 is attracted to the metal object, thus securing the hook end 28 in place. The measurement can then be completed.

The present invention 10 may also be used to reach and remove very small nuts, screws, or other metal objects that are not available to people. This can be achieved by using the measuring means 12 to place the hook end 28 with the magnet 30 in a small place where the metal object is received. The magnet 30 will attract the metal object. The hook end 28 is then lifted out of the way by the measuring means 12.

In another embodiment, the hook end 28 may include a magnet 30 embedded in a frame 36 connected to the hook end by a hinge 38. FIG. 4 shows a type I, class A or B tape measure, including hinged hook ends 28 together having 50 ', 100 ', 200 ' or other lengths. A tab 40 may be attached to the hinge 42 of the hook end 28 and the hinge 38 of the frame 36. The tab 40 makes the magnet 30 thicker, but still remains thin enough to allow the tape measure to pass the application accuracy test of the tape measure. Figure 5 shows a V-shaped tape measure having a fixed angle hook end 28. The hinge 38 may be connected directly to the hook end 28 and the frame 36. The magnet 30 is preferably embedded within the frame 36. In this embodiment, the frame 36 and magnet 30 may be folded over or down for the hook end 28.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (19)

1. A measurement device, comprising:

a measuring tool having an end hook; and

a magnetic tool embedded in the end hook.

2. A measuring device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the measuring means is a tape measure and the magnetic means is at least one magnet.

3. A measuring device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tape measure is between three feet and one hundred feet in length.

4. A measuring device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the magnetic means comprise a plurality of magnets.

5. The measurement device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic tool has a remanence of 13,550B1 gauss.

6. A measurement device, comprising:

a measuring device having an end hook, a hook on the end hook; and

means for selectively attaching the end hook during operation, the selective attachment means being generally coplanar with the end hook.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the selective attachment device comprises a magnet.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the selective attachment means comprises a plurality of magnets.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the magnet has a remanence of 13,550B1 gauss.

10. The device of claim 6, wherein the means for selectively attaching is permanently attached to the hook.

11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the selective coupling device is selectively coupled to the tube.

12. The device of claim 6, wherein the means for selectively connecting is selectively connected to the metal stent.

13. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the selective attachment means is selectively attachable to the iron beam.

14. A method of measurement, comprising:

frictionally fitting an optional attachment device into the tape measure end hook;

selectively attaching an end hook of the tape measure to an object;

stretching the tape to a desired point; and

the tape measure measurements are read.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of selectively attaching includes the step of magnetically attaching the tape tip to an object.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the object is a metal object.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of attaching a magnet in an end of the tape measure.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of attaching a plurality of magnets in one end of the tape measure.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the magnet has a remanence of 13,550B1 gauss.