111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US007159331B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Critelli et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,159,331 B2
`Jan.9,2007
`
`(54) TAPE MEASURE WITH EXTENDED
`STANDOUT
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: James M. Critelli, Fuquay-Varina, NC
`(US); William C. Blackman, Raleigh,
`NC (US); Edgar T. Gilliam,
`Franklinton, NC (US); Darin H.
`Duhporne, Houston, TX (US); John R.
`Owen, Cary, NC (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Cooper Brands, Inc., Houston, TX
`(US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 111013,858
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Dec. 16, 2004
`
`10/1982 Tomuro
`4,352,244 A
`10/1983 Rutty
`4,411,072 A
`2/1984 Rutty
`4,429,462 A
`7/1985 Jones
`4,527,334 A
`12/1990 Blackman
`4,976,048 A
`4/1991 Knapp
`5,010,657 A
`5,063,686 A * 1111991 Peloquin ...................... 33/757
`5,659,970 A
`8/1997 Reedy
`5,879,243 A * 3/1999 Hackman .................... 473/342
`6,243,964 B1
`6/2001 Murray
`6,249,986 B1
`6/2001 Murray
`6,282,808 B1
`9/2001 Murray
`6,324,769 B1
`12/2001 Murray
`6,349,482 B1
`212002 Gilliam
`6,367,161 B1
`4/2002 Murray
`6,449,866 B1
`9/2002 Murray
`
`(Continued)
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2005/0138829 Al
`
`Jun. 30, 2005
`
`Primary Examiner-Yaritza Guadalupe-McCall
`Assistant Examiner-Amy R. Cohen
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Coats & Bennett, P.L.L.C.
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/533,093, filed on Dec.
`30, 2003.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`GOJB 3102
`(2006.01)
`GOJB 3110
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................ 33/755; 33/757; 33/770;
`33/771
`(58) Field of Classification Search .................. 33/755,
`33/757, 758, 759, 770, 771
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`8/1936 Farrand
`2,050,941 A
`2,319,724 A * 5/1943 Dinhofer ..................... 33/757
`2,994,958 A * 8/1961 Beeber ........................ 33/771
`3,630,104 A
`12/1971 Milner
`
`A tape measure comprises a main case having first and
`second sidewalls and a peripheral wall extending between
`the sidewalls; a flexible tape blade selectively deployable
`from the case; the tape blade having a generally curved
`cross-sectional profile when deployed from the main case
`and having a generally flat profile when retracted into the
`main case; a hook attached to a first end of the tape blade so
`as to be movable a distance along a longitudinal axis of the
`tape blade; the hook having a first section disposed generally
`parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second section con(cid:173)
`nected thereto and disposed generally normal to the longi(cid:173)
`tudinal axis, the hook having a weight factor of not more
`than about 0.60. The tape blade may advantageously be not
`more than about 1.10 inch in width and have a standout of
`at least 91h feet.
`
`18 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`10
`
`"'\
`
`. I
`
`r;s
`~5
`
`44
`
`L
`
`s2
`
`I.
`--~-?~ \
`
`40
`
`46
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1016-001
`
`

`

`US 7,159,331 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6,473,986 B1 *
`1112002 Sun ... ... ... ... .. ... ... ... ... .. . 33/7 57
`6,499,226 B1
`12/2002 Reda
`6,536,308 B1 *
`3/2003 Thorne et a!.
`6,643,947 B1
`11/2003 Murray
`6,678,967 B1 *
`112004 Jueneman ... .. ... ... ... ... .. . 33/7 58
`6,718,649 B1
`4/2004 Critelli
`6,804,899 B1 * 10/2004 Murray ........................ 33/755
`
`.. ... ... ... ... ... 81/20
`
`6,892,468
`6,907,676
`6,959,500
`2002/0129509
`2003/0172539
`2003/0233762
`
`B1*
`B1*
`B1*
`A1 *
`A1 *
`A1
`
`5/2005 Murray ........................ 33/761
`6/2005 Liao ............................ 33/757
`1112005 Liao ............................ 33/757
`9/2002 Evans, III .................... 33/757
`9/2003 Lee ............................. 33/757
`12/2003 Blackman
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1016-002
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.9,2007
`
`Sheet 1 of 7
`
`US 7,159,331 B2
`
`10 \
`
`20
`
`28
`
`~ 38
`
`32
`
`FIG. 1
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1016-003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.9,2007
`
`Sheet 2 of 7
`
`US 7,159,331 B2
`
`36
`
`20
`
`~
`
`16
`
`30a
`
`FIG. 2
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1016-004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.9,2007
`
`Sheet 3 of 7
`
`US 7,159,331 B2
`
`74
`
`70
`
`~
`
`FIG. 3
`
`76
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1016-005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.9,2007
`
`Sheet 4 of 7
`
`US 7,159,331 B2
`
`@
`
`[]
`
`co
`LO
`
`0
`N
`
`....J
`
`N
`LO
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1016-006
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.9,2007
`
`Sheet 5 of 7
`
`US 7,159,331 B2
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1016-007
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.9,2007
`
`Sheet 6 of 7
`
`US 7,159,331 B2
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1016-008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.9,2007
`
`Sheet 7 of 7
`
`US 7,159,331 B2
`
`94
`
`90 ;
`
`94
`
`92
`
`FIG. 6
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1016-009
`
`

`

`US 7,159,331 B2
`
`1
`TAPE MEASURE WITH EXTENDED
`STANDOUT
`
`This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
`Application No. 60/533,093, filed 30 Dec. 2003.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is directed generally to tape mea(cid:173)
`sures, and more particularly to power return tape measures.
`Modem tape measures (or "tape rules") typically include
`a coiled tape that is spring-biased towards a retracted
`position. A housing generally surrounds and protects the
`tape and a retraction spring and includes an opening through
`which a distal end of the tape extends. Typically, the tape
`measure housing consists of two housing halves that are
`joined together by one or more screws. In addition, one of
`the housing halves typically includes an inwardly pointing
`integral post that provides an anchoring point for one end of
`the retraction spring. During assembly, the reel is placed
`over the post with the retraction spring engaged by the post,
`and the other housing half is then joined to the first housing
`half with blade winding reel captured therebetween. During
`use, the distal end of the tape blade is pulled away from the
`housing; when released, the spring pulls the tape blade back
`into the housing so that the tape returns to the retracted
`position. The retracted tape blade is typically wound on the
`reel that is in turn rotatably supported by the housing.
`One aspect of tape measures that is considered by con(cid:173)
`sumers is "blade standout," which is the distance that the 30
`measuring blade may be extended out from the housing
`before it buckles (folds over). The general perception in the
`marketplace is that longer standout is more desirable, as it
`allows for the tape blade to span longer distances, such as
`between rafters of a house under construction.
`While a number of approaches have been taken to
`increase standout, none have proven entirely satisfactory. As
`such, there remains a need for improved tape measure
`designs, particularly those that provide a greater standout
`than standard designs.
`
`2
`deployed from the main case; and the assembly may further
`comprise a reinforcement attached to the blade in the
`expected buckling region, the distal end portion and the
`inner end portion being free of the reinforcement, with the
`expected buckling region including a location where the
`blade would normally buckle in a standout test absent the
`reinforcement.
`In another embodiment, the present invention provides a
`tape measure comprising: a main case having first and
`10 second sidewalls and a peripheral wall extending between
`the sidewalls; a flexible tape blade selectively deployable
`from the case; the tape blade having a generally curved
`cross-sectional profile when deployed from the main case
`and having a generally flat profile when retracted into the
`15 main case; the blade comprising a distal end portion, an
`inner end portion, and an expected buckling region therebe(cid:173)
`tween; the distal end portion being deployed before the
`expected buckling region and the inner end portion when the
`blade is deployed from the case; a hook attached to the distal
`20 end portion of the tape blade so as to be movable a distance
`along a longitudinal axis of the tape blade; the hook com(cid:173)
`prising a first section disposed generally parallel to the
`longitudinal axis and a second section connected thereto and
`disposed generally normal to the longitudinal axis; a rein-
`25 forcement distinct from but attached to the blade in the
`expected buckling region, the distal end portion and the
`inner end portion being free of the reinforcement; the
`expected buckling region including a location where the
`blade would normally buckle in a standout test absent the
`reinforcement. The reinforcement may comprise a metallic
`plate. The reinforcement may comprise a longitudinally
`disposed fiber reinforcement, advantageously with the fiber
`reinforcement comprising a material selected from the group
`consisting of carbon and aramid. The reinforcement may
`35 advantageously be attached to the blade in the expected
`buckling region by adhesive and/or the reinforcement may
`be attached to the blade on an upper side thereof. The
`expected buckling region may be located between about
`nine and ten-and-one-halffeet from the hook. The hook may
`40 advantageously have a weight factor not more than about
`0.60.
`In another embodiment, the present invention provides a
`tape measure comprising: a main case having first and
`second sidewalls and a peripheral wall extending between
`45 the sidewalls; a flexible tape blade selectively deployable
`from the case; the tape blade having a generally curved
`cross-sectional profile when deployed from the main case
`and having a generally flat profile when retracted into the
`main case; the blade comprising a longitudinal axis, a distal
`50 end portion, an inner end portion, and an expected buckling
`region therebetween; the distal end portion being deployed
`before the expected buckling region and the inner end
`portion when the blade is deployed from the case; a hook
`attached to the distal end portion of the tape blade so as to
`55 be movable a distance along a longitudinal axis of the tape
`blade; the hook comprising a first section disposed generally
`parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second section con(cid:173)
`nected thereto and disposed generally normal to the longi(cid:173)
`tudinal axis; the blade having a substantially uniform cross-
`60 sectional thickness in the inner end portion and the distal end
`portion; the blade having a non-uniform cross-sectional
`thickness in the expected buckling region, with a greater
`thickness present away from the longitudinal axis of the
`blade than proximate the longitudinal axis; the expected
`65 buckling region including a location where the blade would
`normally buckle in a standout test if the blade had the
`uniform cross-sectional thickness throughout. The expected
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is directed to a tape measure. In one
`embodiment, a tape measure is provided comprising a main
`case having first and second sidewalls and a peripheral wall
`extending between the sidewalls; a flexible tape blade selec(cid:173)
`tively deployable from the case; the tape blade having a
`generally curved cross-sectional profile when deployed from
`the main case and having a generally flat profile when
`retracted into the main case; a hook attached to a first end of
`the tape blade so as to be movable a distance along a
`longitudinal axis of the tape blade; the hook having a first
`section disposed generally parallel to the longitudinal axis
`and a second section connected thereto and disposed gen(cid:173)
`erally normal to the longitudinal axis, the hook having a
`weight factor of not more than about 0.60. The hook may
`comprise titanium, such as consisting essentially of titanium.
`Alternatively, the hook may comprise aluminum. The tape
`blade may advantageously be not more than about 1.10 inch
`in width and have a standout of at least 91h feet, such as a
`standout of between 91h feet and about 101h feet. The blade
`may advantageously be subject to a retraction bias. The
`blade may comprise a distal end portion, an inner end
`portion, and an expected buckling region therebetween; the
`distal end portion being deployed before the expected buck(cid:173)
`ling region and the inner end portion when the blade is
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1016-010
`
`

`

`US 7,159,331 B2
`
`3
`buckling region may advantageously be located between
`about eight and about ten-and-one-half feet from the hook.
`The hook may advantageously have a weight factor not
`more than about 0.60.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`4
`understanding the present invention. More information on
`possible external configurations of the housing 20 may be
`found in U.S. patent application Publication 2003/0233762,
`which is incorporated herein by reference. Attention is also
`5 directed to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,527,334; 4,976,048; and 6,349,
`482; and 6,718,649; which are all incorporated herein by
`reference, for further discussion of the general design and
`FIG. 1 is a side view of one tape measure embodiment
`operation of power return tape measures 10.
`constructed in accordance with the present invention.
`The tape blade 40 is designed to be selectively deployable
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a tape
`10 from the housing 20, and locked against the retraction force
`measure housing in accordance with the present invention
`by locking means 16. The tape blade 40 is typically made
`with some elements removed for clarity (e.g., screws, clip,
`from steel and assumes a generally curved cross-sectional
`etc.).
`profile when deployed from the housing 20 and a generally
`FIG. 3 is a cross-section of one embodiment of an end
`flat cross-sectional profile when retracted into the housing
`hook according to the present invention along the longitu- 15 20. The blade typically has printing or other length indicia
`dina! axis of the blade.
`on an upper side 42, but is typically blank on a lower side
`FIG. 4 is side view of a the tape measure of FIG. 1 with
`44. The tape blade 40 is also typically coated with a
`the blade extended.
`protective coating, such as that described in U.S. patent
`FIGS. SA-F show cross-sectional views of various
`application Ser. No. 10/268,432, entitled "Coated Tape Mea-
`embodiments of the tape blade suitable for use in the present 20
`sure Blade," which is incorporated herein by reference. The
`invention.
`tape blade 40 may be thought of as having a distal end
`FIG. 6 shows a blade standout test fixture.
`portion 52, an expected buckling region 54, and an inner end
`portion 56 disposed along a longitudinal axis 46. When the
`blade 40 is deployed from the housing 20, the distal end
`25 portion 52 (with the hook 70 attached thereto) is deployed
`first, followed by the expected buckling region 54, and then
`the inner end portion 56. The blade 40 typically has a
`uniform cross-sectional thickness T u in at least the distal end
`portion 52 and the inner end portion 56, possibly throughout,
`30 but may have a non-uniform cross-sectional thickness in the
`expected buckling region 54. The expected buckling region
`54 includes a location B that corresponds to the expected
`buckling point when the blade is subjected to a standout test,
`based on an assumption that the blade has a uniform
`35 cross-sectional thickness throughout. The location of point
`B may be derived theoretically or empirically. This expected
`buckling point B is spaced from the distal tip of the blade 40
`by a distance L which is advantageously between eight and
`ten-and-one-half feet.
`The tape blade 40 may have a uniform thickness T w both
`in cross-section and along its entire length, and a uniform
`material composition across its cross-section. See FIG. SA.
`Alternatively, the tape blade 40 may have a thickness that
`varies across its cross-section (at least in the expected
`45 buckling region) and/or along its length and/or a varying
`material composition. For example, the thickness of the tape
`blade 40 may be thinner in the distal end portion of the blade
`52, with a greater but uniform thickness TR in the longitu(cid:173)
`dinal region where buckling is expected to occur. In other
`50 embodiments, the blade 40 may have integral longitudinal
`stiffening means 60 distributed across its cross-section. For
`example, the widthwise outer portions of the blade's cross(cid:173)
`section may have a thickness ofT R' which is larger than the
`thickness T u of middle portion of the blade's lateral cross-
`55 section (see FIG. SB). Alternatively, the widthwise outer
`portions of the blade's cross-section may have built-in
`longitudinal reinforcing members 60, such as longitudinally
`oriented carbon or aramid fibers 64or the like (see FIG. SC).
`Further still, the longitudinal reinforcing members 60 may
`60 take the form of carbon or aramid fiber mesh material
`embedded in the main material of the blade. It should be
`noted that the variations in the blade geometry and compo(cid:173)
`sition discussed above are intended to increase the buckling
`resistance of the blade so as to increase the blade's standout.
`65 Such reinforcement means should be present in at least the
`expected buckling region 54 of the blade 40, but may
`optionally extend from the expected buckling region 54
`
`As illustrated in FIG. 1, a tape measure, generally desig(cid:173)
`nated 10, is shown constructed according to the present
`invention. The tape measure 10 includes a coilable measur(cid:173)
`ing tape blade 40 and an associated housing 20. An end hook
`70 is attached to the distal end of the tape 40. A tape-biasing
`device, such as a retraction spring (not shown), is opera(cid:173)
`tively connected to the tape 40 to bias it towards a retracted
`orientation. A locking mechanism, including a toggle 16 or
`similar actuator is provided to aid in controlling the move(cid:173)
`ment of the tape 40 into and out of the housing 20. One or
`both sides of the housing 20 may include a clip 18, as
`desired.
`The housing 20 typically includes a main case or shell 30
`and a grip element 36 mounted on the shell30. The housing 40
`20 preferably has a generally squarish shape, with a rounded
`upper-rear corner and may have a slightly projecting nose, as
`shown in FIGS. 1-2. The housing 20 includes an opposing
`pair of sidewalls 32 and an interconnecting peripheral wall
`34 that help define an internal chamber that houses the coiled
`portion of the tape 40, a suitable tape-biasing device, and
`portions of the locking mechanism. As shown in the Figures,
`the peripheral wall 34, and thus the shell 30, may be thought
`of as having a top 22, a bottom 24, a front 26, and a rear 28.
`The housing 20 includes an opening 27 typically located
`near its lower front corner that connects to the internal
`chamber. The distal end of the tape 40 extends through this
`opening 27. The housing 20 is preferably sized to fit within
`a user's hand, and also conveniently stored on a work belt
`or in a toolbox.
`As shown in FIG. 2, the shell30 may be constructed from
`two portions, a right-hand portion 30a and a left-hand
`portion 30b, joined together by suitable screws 38, as is
`known in the art. The external configurations of both the
`shell portions 30a, 30b and the grip element portions 36 may
`advantageously be symmetrical if desired, but this is not
`required. Indeed, the two portions 30a, 30b may have
`different internal and external configurations, depending on
`the internal workings of the tape measure 10, as is known in
`the art. However, as the present invention primarily relates
`to the tape blade 40 and the hook 70, the details of the
`external configuration of the shell 30 are not important to
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1016-011
`
`

`

`US 7,159,331 B2
`
`5
`through the inner end portion 56 of the blade 40 (e.g., where
`the blade connects to the retraction spring). In still other
`embodiments, the blade 40 is provided with a thicker coating
`in the expected buckling region 54, and/or is provided with
`an reinforcing plate 62 attached to the blade 40 (e.g., riveted,
`bonded, or otherwise adhered) in the expected buckling
`region 54 (see FIG. 5D). While-the reinforcing plate 62 is
`shown proximate upper side 42 in FIG. 5D, the reinforcing
`plate may alternatively be proximate the lower side 44, or
`there may be a reinforcing plate 62 on each side 42,44 of the
`blade 40 if desired.
`The end hook 70 is attached to the distal end portion 52
`of the blade 40. The end hook 70 typically serves the dual
`function of providing a means to hook or attach the tape
`blade 40 to a distant point and also preventing the blade 40
`from being over-retracted into the housing. The hook
`70includes a first section 72 that is disposed generally
`parallel to the longitudinal axis 46 of the blade 40 and a
`second section 76 that is disposed generally perpendicular to
`the longitudinal axis 46 of the blade 40, with a suitable bend
`78 therebetween. In the field, the first section 72 is some(cid:173)
`times referred to as the hook tongue, while the second
`section 76 is sometimes referred to as hook tip. The hook
`first section 72 may advantageously have a curved shape that
`corresponds to the concave curve of the blade's cross(cid:173)
`section when deployed. The first section 72 may also advan(cid:173)
`tageously include one or more (e.g., four) holes 74 employed
`to attach the hook 70 to the upper side 42 of blade 40 via
`suitable attachment means such as rivets or the like. These
`holes 74 may have a slightly larger size than the correspond(cid:173)
`ing attachment means so as to allow the hook 70 to move
`relative to the blade 40 by an amount X that is advanta(cid:173)
`geously the thickness of the hook second section 76 so as to
`allow for inside or outside measurements. Further, the holes
`7 4 may be positioned to allow for proper retraction stop load
`distribution, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,659,970, which is incorpo(cid:173)
`rated herein by reference. The second section 76 of the hook
`may include a suitable center hole (not shown), typically an
`oval shaped hole, for accepting the exposed head of a nail to
`allow the tape measure 10 to be rotated about the nail.
`Further, the second section 76 may, if desired, include one
`or more magnets (not shown) to allow the hook 70 to be
`magnetically attached to a surface or measurement point.
`In the prior art, hooks for tape measures have been made
`from steel due to the required strength and durability. For
`example, high quality tape measures are required to have
`hooks that can withstand repeated retractions of the blade,
`such as ~2,000 retractions. While low carbon steel (i.e.,
`type 1050) is suitable for such an application, steel is a
`relatively heavy material. The inventors of the present
`invention have discovered that the additional weight of steel
`end hooks at the end of the tape blade negatively impacts the
`standout of the blade 40. In particular, it has been discovered
`that the standout can be increased if the weight of the hook
`70 is reduced. However, simply making the hook 70 dimen- 55
`sionally smaller negatively affects the strength, durability,
`and utility of the hook 70, particularly after repeated retrac(cid:173)
`tions of the blade 40. As such, preferred embodiments of the
`present invention utilize a hook 70 having a weight factor of
`not more than about 0.60, where the term "weight factor," as 60
`used herein, means the weight ratio of the hook 70 versus a
`dimensionally identical steel hook. For example, some
`embodiments of the present invention with approximately
`one inch wide blades 40 have a hook 70 that is made from
`titanium or a titanium alloy in order to maintain the required 65
`durability, with the titanium hook 70 having a weight of 2.27
`grams-force versus a dimensionally identical steel hook with
`
`6
`a weight of 4.08 grams-force, for a resulting weight factor of
`0.556. Thus, the weight of the hook 70 at the end of the blade
`40 is cut almost in half, while maintaining the desired
`dimensions and durability. Examples of alternative materials
`for the hook 70 include aluminum and aluminum alloys,
`whether stamped or cast.
`The tape measure 10 of the present invention has, due to
`its construction, improved standout. One approach to mea(cid:173)
`suring standout is to extend the blade 40 from the housing
`10 20 until the blade 40 collapses under its own weight (com(cid:173)
`monly referred to in the art as "buckling" or "breaking
`over"). The use of a standard fixture allows for comparison
`between different tape measure configurations. An example
`of one fixture 90 that may be used is shown in FIG. 6. The
`15 fixture 90 includes a support pylon 92 of height four inches
`with a 1h inch radiused upper edge. The support pylon 92
`may include two roll pins 94 (e.g., lfs inch roll pins) or other
`means to prevent sideways slippage of the blade 40. A
`horizontal pin 96 of one inch diameter is placed six inches
`20 back from the center of the pylon 92 so as to leave a 7h2 of
`an inch gap between the horizontal pin 96 and a floor flange
`98. The tape measure 10 is placed behind the horizontal pin
`96, and the blade 40 is routed over the support pylon 92. The
`blade 40 is slowly extended until breakover occurs. The
`25 distance from the centerline of the support pylon 92 to hook
`70 (more precisely, the distal face of the second section 76),
`with the hook 70 present, is the amount of standout. In most
`embodiments, the tape measure 10 according to the present
`invention has a standout of at least 91f2 feet with an approxi-
`30 mately one inch wide blade 40.
`Tests were run to show that the use of a hook 70 with a
`weight factor of 0.60 or less resulted in improved standout.
`Two types of existing products with steel end hooks were
`measured using a version of the test procedure outlined
`35 above. In the test, the rivets holding the steel end hook 70 to
`the tape blade 40 were removed to release the steel hook.
`The steel hook and the rivets were then attached to the end
`of the blade 40 using clear plastic tape, and the standout was
`measured three times for each sample in this configuration-
`40 using the fixture 90 described above. The steel hook was
`removed, and a titanium hook 70 of the same form factor
`was then attached to the end of the same blade 40 (along
`with the rivets) using the clear plastic tape. The standout was
`then measured three times for each sample using the fixture
`45 90 described above. The weight of the steel hook was 0.0084
`pounds, and the weight of the titanium hook 70 was 0.0046
`pounds. Thus, the test compared the standout results using
`hooks of different weight factors, with all other variables
`being equal. The results are presented in the following Table
`50 1.
`
`TABLE 1
`
`Standout Results (inches)
`
`Lufkin ® PS3425 Ta12e
`
`Lufkin® 2125 Ta12e
`
`Steel
`
`Sample
`
`Steel Hook Titanium Hook Sample Hook Titanium Hook
`
`!A
`lB
`lC
`2A
`2B
`2C
`3A
`3B
`
`82.0
`81.5
`81.5
`76.0
`76.0
`76.0
`75.5
`75.0
`
`84.0
`84.0
`84.5
`82.0
`82.0
`82.0
`80.5
`81.0
`
`6A
`6B
`6C
`7A
`7B
`7C
`SA
`8B
`
`82.5
`82.0
`82.5
`85.0
`84.5
`87.0
`85.0
`85.0
`
`87.5
`86.5
`87.0
`87.5
`87.5
`87.0
`85.0
`87.0
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1016-012
`
`

`

`US 7,159,331 B2
`
`7
`
`TABLE !-continued
`
`Standout Results (inches)
`
`Lufkin ® PS3425 Tape
`
`Lufkin® 2125 Tape
`
`Steel
`
`Sample
`
`Steel Hook Titanium Hook Sample Hook Titanium Hook
`
`3C
`4A
`4B
`4C
`SA
`5B
`5C
`Average
`
`75.5
`82.0
`82.0
`82.0
`83.0
`82.0
`83.0
`79.5
`
`81.0
`83.5
`85.0
`83.0
`84.0
`85.0
`85.0
`83.1
`
`8C
`9A
`9B
`9C
`lOA
`lOB
`lOC
`Average
`
`85.0
`84.5
`84.5
`84.5
`82.5
`82.5
`82.5
`83.8
`
`86.5
`87.0
`86.0
`86.5
`85.5
`87.0
`87.0
`86.7
`
`10
`
`15
`
`These test results show that use of the hook with a weight
`factor of less than 0.60 results in an increased standout. For
`the Lufkin® 2125 tape blade, the standout increase was 20
`approximately 3.6 inches on average. For the Lufkin®
`PS3425 tape blade, the standout increase was approximately
`2.9 inches on average.
`Another series of tests were run using a Max Steel® tape
`measure, available from The Stanley Works of New Britain, 25
`Conn. This tape measure used a blade with a width of one
`inch and an available measurement length of twenty-five
`feet. The tests were similar in procedure to those given
`above, with the weight of the steel hook was 0.0086 pounds,
`and the weight of the titanium hook 70 was 0.0051 pounds. 30
`Thus, the test compared the standout results using hooks of
`different weight factors, with all other variables being equal.
`The results are presented in the Table 2.
`
`8
`departing from the essential characteristics of the invention.
`The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in
`all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes
`coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the
`appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A tape measure, comprising:
`a main case having first and second sidewalls and a
`peripheral wall extending between said sidewalls;
`a flexible tape blade selectively deployable from said
`case; said tape blade having a generally curved cross(cid:173)
`sectional profile when deployed from said main case
`and having a generally flat profile when retracted into
`said main case; said blade comprising a longitudinal
`axis, a distal end portion, an inner end portion, and an
`expected buckling region therebetween; said distal end
`portion being deployed before said expected buckling
`region and said inner end portion when said blade is
`deployed from said case;
`a hook attached to said distal end portion of said tape
`blade so as to be movable a distance along a longitu(cid:173)
`dinal axis of said tape blade; said hook comprising a
`first section disposed generally parallel to said longi(cid:173)
`tudinal axis and a second section connected thereto and
`disposed generally normal to said longitudinal axis;
`said blade having a substantially uniform cross-sectional
`thickness in said inner end portion and said distal end
`portion;
`said blade having a non-uniform cross-sectional thickness
`in said expected buckling region, with a greater thick(cid:173)
`ness present away from said longitudinal axis of said
`blade than proximate said longitudinal axis;
`said expected buckling region including a location where
`said blade would normally buckle in a standout test if
`said blade had said uniform cross-sectional thickness
`throughout.
`2. The tape measure of claim 1 wherein said expected
`buckling region is located between about eight and about
`ten-and-one-half feet from said hook.
`3. The tape measure of claim 1 wherein said hook has a
`weight factor not more than about 0.60.
`4. The tape measure of claim 1 wherein said hook consists
`essentially of titanium.
`45 no;~;~ \~a: ~~~~~r~ -~~ ci:~: i~ :~~~~i~:~i~at:~e s~~~~~~~
`of at least 91h feet.
`6. The tape measure of claim 5 wherein said tape blade
`has a standout of between 91h feet and about 101h feet.
`7. The tape measure of claim 1:
`wherein said blade is subject to a retraction bias;
`wherein said hook comprises titanium;
`wherein said tape blade is not more than about 1.10 inch
`in width and has a standout of at least 91h feet.
`8. The tape measure of claim 1:
`further comprising a reinforcement attached to said blade
`in said expected buckling region, said distal end portion
`and said inner end portion being free of said reinforce(cid:173)
`ment.
`9. The tape measure of claim 8 wherein said tape blade is
`not more than about 1.1 0 inch in width and has a standout
`of at least 91h feet.
`10. The tape measure of claim 8 wherein said reinforce(cid:173)
`ment comprises a metallic plate.
`11. The tape measure of claim 8 wherein said reinforce(cid:173)
`ment comprises a longitudinally disposed fiber reinforce(cid:173)
`ment.
`
`35
`
`40
`
`TABLE 2
`
`Standout Results (inches)
`
`Max Steel ® Tape
`
`Sample
`
`!A
`lB
`lC
`2A
`2B
`2C
`Average
`
`Steel Hook
`
`90.0
`90.5
`90.5
`99.0
`99.0
`99.0
`94.7
`
`Titaniwn
`Hook
`
`102.0
`104.0
`104.5
`103.0
`103.0
`104.0
`103.4
`
`These test results show that use of the hook with a weight so
`factor of less than 0.60 results in an increased standout. For
`the Max Steel® tape blade, the standout increase was
`approximately 8.7 inches on average.
`While the test results given above have standout lengths
`less than 91h feet, one of ordinary skill in the art should be 55
`able to adjust the thickness of the blade, the profile of the
`blade, and/or other properties to increase the standout to the
`desired length. Attention is directed to U.S. Pat. No. 6,324,
`769, which is incorporated herein by reference, for addi-
`tional information on this subject.