Universal tape measure

• US 5,735,052 A
• Filed: 10/23/1996
• Issued: 04/07/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hsiao-Chung Lin
• Original Assignee: Hsiao-Chung Lin
• Inventors: Lin, Hsiao-Chung
• Primary Examiner(s): Will, Thomas B.
• Application Number:
  US08/731,991
• Time in Patent Office: 531 Days
• Field of Search: 33/759, 33/760, 33/761, 33/768, 33/769, 33/770, 33/668, 33/27.03
• US Class Current: 33/27.03
• CPC Class Codes: B43L 9/045 Tape compasses
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 2003/1064 Windows, e.g. lenses, glasses or cross-hairs
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 3/1003 characterised by structure or material; characterised by layout or indicia
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 3/1046 Details of external structure thereof, e.g. shapes for ensuring firmer hold
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 3/1084 Tapes combined with arrangements for functions other than measuring lengths
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 3/1089 for marking, drawing or cutting
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 3/1092 for performing length measurements and at least one other measurement of a different nature, e.g. bubble-type level

Abstract

A universal tape measure including a housing formed with a downward extending opening on a lateral side. A lower end of the opening is disposed with a pen tip opening. An inner wall of the opening is disposed with intersecting cross lines which outward extend to mark a right angle cutout. The tape measure is marked with scales such as metric system scale, British Imperial scale and/or other scales. The tape measure is further formed with a circle center hole. The universal tape measure has the functions of drafting a circle, measuring whether an article is vertical and measuring the horizontal distance between two points on different levels.

Claims

1. A universal tape measure comprising a housing having two parallel symmetrical side wails and a rear end, and a tape marked with a linear scale and having a circle center hole, the rear end having a downward extending opening adapted to hold a writing instrument for drafting a circle together with the circle center hole of the tape, the downward extending opening including an upper cylindrical hole with a truncated hollow cone arranged with a base of the truncated hollow cone abutting a lower end of the cylindrical hole, the rear end further including two flat walls extending a length of the rear end and intersecting the downward extending opening, the two flat walls forming a right angle cutout by having upper edges that form a right angle when viewed along an axis of the cylindrical hole, and a portion of the housing surrounding the truncated hollow cone of the downward extending opening having cross lines in alignment with the upper edges of the two flat walls.

2. A universal tape measure as claimed in claim 1, wherein a level bubble is disposed beside the cylindrical hole.

3. A universal tape measure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cross lines have a dented pattern.

4. A universal tape measure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cross lines have a projecting pattern.