111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US 20150247716Al
`
`(19) United States
`c12) Patent Application Publication
`Craig et al.
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2015/0247716 A1
`Sep. 3, 2015
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) TAPE MEASURE
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(71) Applicant: Irwin Industrial Tool Company,
`Huntersville, NC (US)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors: William Craig, Indian Trail, NC (US);
`Matthew Justin Paquette, Charlotte,
`NC (US); David P. Engvall, Stanley, NC
`(US); Douglas Johnson, Belmont, NC
`(US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 14/630,881
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Feb.25,2015
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/946,223, filed on Feb.
`28,2014.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G01B 3110
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ............ G01B 311005 (2013.01); G01B 311041
`(2013.01); G01B 311056 (2013.01); GOJB
`2003/1007 (2013.01)
`
`(2006.01)
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A tape measure has a housing and a blade retractably mounted
`in the housing such that an end of the blade may be extended
`from the housing. The blade may have a profile with a sinu(cid:173)
`soidal shape. A reinforcement member may be attached to the
`blade over a length of the blade. The sinusoidal shape or the
`reinforcement member extends from the end of the blade for
`a predetermined distance. The sinusoidal shape or the rein(cid:173)
`forcement member may be provided from a point along the
`blade spaced from the end of the blade and a second point
`along the length of the blade.
`
`~-
`
`1
`
`-
`
`~o
`
`-
`
`/
`
`' -
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1009-001
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 3, 2015 Sheet 1 of 15
`
`US 2015/0247716 A1
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1009-002
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 3, 2015 Sheet 2 of 15
`
`US 2015/0247716 A1
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1009-003
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 3, 2015 Sheet 3 of 15
`
`US 2015/0247716 A1
`
`~-
`
`1
`
`-
`
`/ ' - - - - - -___ _ J ' - . -
`
`F/6.3
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1009-004
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 3, 2015 Sheet 4 of 15
`
`US 2015/0247716 A1
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1009-005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 3, 2015 Sheet 5 of 15
`
`US 2015/0247716 A1
`
`FIG.5
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1009-006
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 3, 2015 Sheet 6 of 15
`
`US 2015/0247716 A1
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1009-007
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 3, 2015 Sheet 7 of 15
`
`US 2015/0247716 A1
`
`FIG.l
`
`FIG. 8
`
`23
`
`23
`
`23 FIG. 9
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1009-008
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 3, 2015 Sheet 8 of 15
`
`US 2015/0247716 A1
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1009-009
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 3, 2015 Sheet 9 of 15
`
`US 2015/0247716 A1
`
`FIG. 12
`
`FIG. 13
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1009-010
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 3, 2015 Sheet 10 of 15
`
`US 2015/0247716 A1
`
`J
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1009-011
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 3, 2015 Sheet 11 of 15
`
`US 2015/0247716 A1
`
`FIG.15
`
`22
`
`2e
`
`D
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1009-012
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 3, 2015 Sheet 12 of 15
`
`US 2015/0247716 A1
`
`FIG.ll
`
`FIG. 18
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1009-013
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 3, 2015 Sheet 13 of 15
`
`US 2015/0247716 A1
`
`20
`
`2
`
`FIG. 19
`
`~~~~~=~~\)j-~==r=====j~
`
`2
`_L
`[52a
`
`\2,
`
`FIG.20
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1009-014
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 3, 2015 Sheet 14 of 15
`
`US 2015/0247716 A1
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1009-015
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 3, 2015 Sheet 15 of 15
`
`US 2015/0247716 A1
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1009-016
`
`

`

`US 2015/0247716 AI
`
`Sep.3,2015
`
`TAPE MEASURE
`
`[0001] This application claims benefit of priority under 35
`U.S.C. §119(e) to the filing date ofU.S. Provisional Applica(cid:173)
`tion No. 61/946,223, as filed on Feb. 28, 2014, which is
`incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0002] A typical tape measure comprises a housing for
`receiving a tape or blade that may be supported in the housing
`on a rotating reel. A spring may be located in the housing 1 for
`automatically rewinding the tape or blade back into the hous(cid:173)
`ing on the reel. The spring is arranged to store energy as the
`tape or blade is unwound from the housing and to use the
`stored energy to rewind the tape or blade onto the reel if no
`opposing forces are acting on the tape. The tape or blade may
`include a steel blade, a plastic or fiberglass ribbon or other
`relatively flexible material that can be wound on the reel and
`includes measurement indicia formed thereon as is known.
`An end hook may be formed at the distal end of the tape or
`blade to facilitate the temporary attachment of the tape or
`blade measure to an object during use and to prevent the tape
`from being completely rewound within the housing. A lock(cid:173)
`ing mechanism may be provided that comprises a finger
`actuator button located on the housing that, when actuated,
`moves a lock mechanism from an unlocked position to a
`locked position where the lock mechanism is forced into
`engagement with tape or blade. The engagement of lock
`mechanism with tape or blade resists the return force of the
`return spring to lock the tape or blade in a desired extended
`position.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0003]
`In some embodiments, tape measure comprises a
`housing and a blade retractably mounted in the housing such
`that an end of the blade may be extended from the housing.
`The blade has a profile with a wave shape.
`[0004] The wave shape may comprise a peak located adja(cid:173)
`cent each of a longitudinal edge of the blade and a trough
`located between the peaks. The peaks may be formed slightly
`toward a centerline of the blade from the longitudinal edges
`such that the blade dips toward a trough from the peaks to the
`longitudinal edges. The trough may be located midway
`between the two peaks. The profile may be a smooth sinusoi(cid:173)
`dal curve where the blade transitions smoothly from the peaks
`to the trough. The blade may have a width of approximately
`one inch. The profile of the blade may have an area in the
`range of approximately 0.006-0.007 in2
`. The thickness of the
`blade may be approximately 0.005-0.006 inches. The overall
`height of the blade between the peaks and the trough may be
`in the range of approximately 0.2 to 0.3 inches. The transition
`between the peaks and the trough may be a neutral horizontal
`axis of the blade and may be positioned a distance approxi(cid:173)
`mately 0.103-0.143 inches from a top of the peaks. The sec(cid:173)
`ond moment of the area may be in the range of approximately
`0.0000407 to 0.00006 in4
`. The neutral axis may be approxi(cid:173)
`mately 40-50% of the height from a top of the peaks. The
`wave profile may extend from the end of the blade for a length
`equal to or greater than a desired standout of the blade. The
`wave profile may extend from the end of the blade for at least
`12 feet. The wave profile may be provided from a point along
`the blade spaced from the end of the blade and a second point
`along the length of the blade.
`
`[0005]
`In some embodiments, a tape measure comprises a
`housing and a blade retractably mounted in the housing such
`that an end of the blade may be extended from the housing. A
`sleeve is mounted over the blade to reinforce the blade.
`[0006] The sleeve may be made of a transparent material.
`The sleeve may be made of nylon.
`[0007]
`In some embodiments, a tape measure comprises a
`housing and a blade retractably mounted in the housing such
`that an end of the blade may be extended from the housing. A
`reinforcement member is attached to the blade over a length
`of the blade.
`[0008] The reinforcement member may extend from the
`end of the blade for a length equal to or greater than a desired
`standout of the blade. The reinforcement member may extend
`from the end of the blade for at least 12 feet. The reinforce(cid:173)
`ment member may be provided from a point along the blade
`spaced from the end of the blade and a second point along the
`length of the blade. The blade may have a profile and the
`reinforcement member may have a complimentary profile
`over at least a portion of a width of the blade. A dimension of
`the reinforcement member may vary over the length of the
`blade. The reinforcement member may be attached to the
`blade using a plastic sleeve. The reinforcement member may
`be attached to the blade using a nylon sleeve. The reinforce(cid:173)
`ment member may abut against a surface of the blade along
`the entire length and width of the reinforcement member.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment ofthe
`tape measure of the invention.
`[0010] FIG. 2 is a top view of the tape measure of FIG. 1.
`[0011] FIG. 3 is a front view of the tape measure of FIG. 1.
`[0012] FIG. 4 is an end view showing the profile of the
`blade used in the tape measure of FIG. 1.
`[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a section of the blade
`of FIG. 4.
`[0014] FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the tape
`measure of FIG. 1.
`[0015] FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are end views showing alternate
`profiles of the blade.
`[0016] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternate embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the tape measure of FIG. 1.
`[0017] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another alternate
`embodiment of the tape measure of FIG. 1.
`[0018] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternate embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the tape measure of the invention.
`[0019] FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of the tape
`measure of FIG. 12.
`[0020] FIG.14 is a side view of the tape measure ofFIG.12.
`[0021] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an alternate embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the tape measure of the invention.
`[0022] FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view of the tape
`measure of FIG. 15.
`[0023] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an alternate embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the tape measure of FIG. 15.
`[0024] FIG. 18 is a bottom perspective view of an alternate
`embodiment of the tape measure of the invention.
`[0025] FIG. 19 is a bottom perspective view of an alternate
`embodiment of the tape measure of the invention.
`[0026] FIG. 20 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of
`the tape measure of the invention.
`[0027] FIG. 21 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of
`the tape measure of the invention.
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1009-017
`
`

`

`US 2015/0247716 AI
`
`Sep.3,2015
`
`2
`
`[0028] FIG. 22 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of
`the tape measure of the invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0029] Embodiments of the present invention now will be
`described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accom(cid:173)
`panying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are
`shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many
`different forms and should not be construed as limited to the
`embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are
`provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and com(cid:173)
`plete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those
`skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements through(cid:173)
`out.
`It will be understood that, although the terms first,
`[0030]
`second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements,
`these elements should not be limited by these terms. These
`terms are only used to distinguish one element from another.
`For example, a first element could be termed a second ele(cid:173)
`ment, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first
`element, without departing from the scope of the present
`invention. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and
`all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
`[0031] Relative terms such as "below" or "above" or
`"upper" or "lower" or "horizontal" or "vertical" or "top" or
`"bottom" may be used herein to describe a relationship of one
`element, component or region to another element, component
`or region as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that
`these terms are intended to encompass different orientations
`of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the
`figures.
`[0032] Referring to the Figures, one embodiment of a tape
`measure comprises a housing 1. The housing 1 defines an
`interior space for receiving the tape or blade 2 that may be
`supported in the interior space on a rotating reel or spool. An
`opening 8 is formed in the front of housing 1 that receives the
`tape or blade 2 and allows the tape or blade to pass into and out
`of the housing 1. A spring may be located in the housing 1 for
`automatically rewinding the tape or blade 2 back into the
`housing 1 on the reel. The spring is arranged to store energy
`as the tape or blade 2 is manually unwound from the housing
`and to use the stored energy to rewind the tape or blade 2 on
`the reel if no opposing forces are acting on the tape or blade 2.
`While one embodiment of a take-up mechanism has been
`described it will be appreciated that numerous changes may
`be made in the construction of the tape measure. For example,
`in some embodiments the tape or blade 2 may be extended
`and/ or retracted using a battery operated motor rather than the
`take-up spring. In other embodiments the tape or blade may
`be retracted and extended manually. Other variations in the
`details of the tape take-up mechanism are also possible. A
`locking mechanism may also supported on housing 1 and
`includes a finger actuator button 10 located in an opening 12
`in the housing 1. When the actuator button 10 is depressed, a
`lock mechanism 14 is moved from an unlocked position to a
`locked position where the lock mechanism 14 is forced into
`engagement with blade 2. The engagement of lock mecha(cid:173)
`nism 14 with blade 2 resists the return force of the return
`spring to lock the blade 2 in a desired extended position. One
`suitable mechanism for extending and retracting the tape or
`blade is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,377,050 issued on May
`27, 2008 to Shute eta!. and assigned to Irwin Industrial Tool
`Company which is incorporated by reference herein in its
`entirety.
`
`[0033] Tape or blade 2 may include a steel blade, a com(cid:173)
`posite blade, a plastic or fiberglass ribbon or other relatively
`flexible material that can be wound on the reel. The tape or
`blade will be referred hereinafter as a "blade". In one pre(cid:173)
`ferred embodiment the blade is made of steel or other similar
`material that has some structural rigidity such that the blade,
`when extended from the housing, does not collapse. The
`distance the blade can extend from the housing without col(cid:173)
`lapsing is referred to as "standout." Blade 2 includes mea(cid:173)
`surement indicia 3 formed thereon as is known. In some
`embodiments the measurement indicia 3 may be formed on
`the top surface 2a and/or the bottom surface 2b of the tape.
`The measurement indicia 3 may comprise English units, met(cid:173)
`ric units, a combination of different units or other units. Blade
`2 may include an end hook 4 at the distal end thereof to
`facilitate the temporary attachment of the tape measure to an
`object during use of the tape measure and to prevent the blade
`2 from being completely rewound within the housing 1.
`[0034] Referring to FIG.1 in one embodiment the blade 2 is
`formed to have a standout and may have a greater than 12 foot
`standout and in one embodiment may have up to a 16 foot
`standout. A long standout is desirable because it allows the
`user to extend the blade 2 greater distances to reach remote
`objects. In one embodiment the standout is provided by form(cid:173)
`ing the blade 2 to have a complex curve shaped profile or
`cross-section. In cross-section the blade 2 may have a profile,
`for at least the distance of the desired standout, where por(cid:173)
`tions of the blade across the width of the blade extend at a
`plurality of angles to provide rigidity to the blade.
`[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1-7, in one embodiment the pro(cid:173)
`file or cross-section of the blade 2 has a complex curve or
`wave profile. The wave profile may be similar to a sine wave
`shape or sinusoidal shape where the profile includes one or
`more peaks and one or more troughs across the width of the
`blade. The wave profile may be a smooth curve having
`rounded transitions or it may be an angular shape having
`angled transitions. Blade profiles having smooth curves with
`rounded transitions, straight segments connected at corners
`and combinations of smooth curves and straight segments are
`referred to herein as wave profiles and complex curve pro(cid:173)
`files. In one embodiment of the blade 2, the blade 2 has a peak
`7located adjacent each of the longitudinal edges 2c and 2d of
`the blade and a trough 9 located midway between the two
`peaks 7. It is to be understood that the blade 2 may be turned
`upside down relative to the housing 1 such that the peaks 7
`may be considered troughs and the trough 9 may be consid(cid:173)
`ered a peak. Moreover, in use the tape measure may be used
`in any orientation. The blade 2 is described as having a wave
`or sinusoidal profile; however, the blade 2 does not necessar(cid:173)
`ily conform exactly to the shape of a mathematical sine wave.
`The blade is formed with two peaks 7 one peak being located
`adjacent each of the longitudinal edges 2c, 2d of the blade 2.
`The peaks 7 are formed slightly toward the centerline of the
`blade 2 from the edges 2c, 2d such that the blade begins to dip
`toward a trough from the peaks 7 to the edges 2c, 2d of the
`blade 2. A trough 9 is located between the two peaks and is
`positioned generally at the longitudinal center line of the
`blade 2. The profile of the blade 2 is a smooth curve such that
`the blade transitions smoothly from the convex curves that
`form the peaks 7 to the concave curve that forms the trough 9.
`In one embodiment the blade has a width W of approximately
`1 inch although the width of the blade may be different for
`different size tape measures. The width of the one inch blade
`may vary slightly from 1 inch due to manufacturing toler-
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1009-018
`
`

`

`US 2015/0247716 AI
`
`Sep.3,2015
`
`3
`
`ances and the like. For a nominal 1 inch width blade the flat
`width of the blade may be approximately 1.23 inches. For a
`nominal! inch blade, the profile or cross-section of the blade
`may have an area of approximately 0.00615-0.00671 in2 or in
`the range of approximately 0.006-0.007 in2
`. For a one inch
`blade the thickness T of the blade may be approximately
`0.005-0.006 inches. For a one inch blade the overall height H
`between the peaks 7 of the blade and the trough9 of the blade
`may be approximately 0.22-0.237 inches or in the range of
`approximately 0.2 to 0.3 inches. The radius of the peaks 7 R1,
`R2 is approximately 0.331 in. and the radius of the trough R3
`is approximately 0.337-0.385 in. The linear length L of the
`trough 9 is approximately 0.5-0.6 in. The transition between
`the convex curves that form peaks and the concave curve that
`forms the trough is the neutral horizontal axis of the blade NH
`and is positioned a distance d approximately 0.103-0.143
`inches from the top of the peaks 7 and a distanceD approxi(cid:173)
`mately 0.111-0.134 inches from the bottom peaks. NH rep(cid:173)
`resents the neutral axis line through the centroid for bending
`in the standout "droop" direction (about the horizontal axis).
`The neutral axis is the line where the compressive stress in the
`bottom of the section (below the NH-Axis) transitions to
`tension stress in the top of the section (above the NH-Axis)
`when the section is being stressed in bending down, such as
`when drooping under its own weight. For material with the
`same modulus of elasticity in compression and tension the
`neutral axis NH is at the centroid and has zero stress due to
`pure bending. The centroid is the balance point of the section.
`Ixx is the Second Moment of the Area (also known as the
`Moment oflnertia) about the NH-Axis. This property of the
`cross-section area is directly related to the stiffness of the
`section in bending about the -XX-Axis. The Ixx for the dis(cid:173)
`closed blade is approximately 0.000042 in4 or in the range of
`approximately 0.0000407 and 0.0000538 in4 or in the range
`of approximately 0.0000407 to 0.00006 in4
`.
`[0036]
`In some embodiments the width W may be approxi(cid:173)
`mately 3 to 5.5 times the height. Moreover the neutral axis NH
`may be approximately 40-50% of the height from the top of
`the peaks 7. While a blade profile having two peaks 7 and one
`trough 9 is described it will be appreciated that the pattern
`may be repeated such that more than the illustrated peaks and
`troughs are provided. Moreover, the blade may not be sym(cid:173)
`metrical about axis A-A.
`[0037]
`In other embodiments the blade 2 may be provided
`with other wave profiles such as the profile shown in FIG. 7
`which is similar to the profile ofFIG. 4 except that rather than
`smooth curves, the blade profile is formed of straight seg(cid:173)
`ments 15 connected at corners 17. FIG. 8 shows a blade
`having straight segments 15 connected at corners 17 and
`formed in a W-shaped profile. FIG. 9 shows a blade having a
`wave profile that is formed as a rippled or serrated profile
`where a plurality of ridges 23 are formed over the width of the
`blade.
`[0038] The complex curved wave profile extends over at
`least a determined length of the blade. In one embodiment the
`complex curve may extend for the entire length of the blade.
`In one embodiment the complex curved profile extends from
`the end 2e of the blade for a length equal to or greater than the
`desired standout of the blade as shown in FIG. 10. For
`example, if a blade with a 16 foot standout is desired the
`complex curved profile may extend from the exposed end 2e
`of the blade to a point P that is a distance of at least 16 feet. For
`example, for a 16 foot standout the end of curved profile point
`P may be 17 feet from the end 2e of blade 2. From point P to
`
`the opposite end of the blade (attached to the reel inside of
`housing 1) the blade 2 may be provided with a simple profile
`shape such as flat, a convex curve or concave curve.
`[0039]
`In some embodiments it is not necessary to extend
`the wave profile from the end 2e of the blade 2. For example,
`the blade 2 without any additional reinforcement may have a
`certain natural standout due to the rigidity of the material
`and/or the simple curved shape of the blade, e.g. a simple
`concave curve profile; however, the natural standout may be
`less than the desired standout. Referring to FIG. 11, the com(cid:173)
`plex curved wave profile described herein may be provided
`from a point C on the blade 2 near where the natural standout
`of the blade ends and the desired standout. For example,
`assuming a blade has a natural standout of 8 feet due to the
`rigidity of the material and the simple concave curve 19 but
`the desired standout is 12 feet, the complex curved profile
`may extend from point C that is approximately 8 feet or less
`from the end 2e of the blade, e.g. 7 feet, to a point P at or
`beyond the desired standout of 12 feet, e.g. 13 feet. From
`point P to the opposite end of the blade, the blade 2 may be
`provided with a simple profile shape such as flat, a convex
`curve or concave curve. In this manner the complex curved
`wave profile may only be used in the area of the blade where
`the blade is likely to collapse and where collapse of the blade
`is not desired.
`[0040] Because the blade 2 is made of a relatively resilient
`material, when the blade is retracted and wound on the reel in
`housing 1 the blade will flex into a relatively flat shape such
`that the blade can wind on itself in a relatively small diameter
`spool.
`[0041]
`Improved standout may also be provided using a
`sleeve 20 over the blade 2 where the sleeve 20 extends the
`desired standout length from the end of the tape as shown in
`FIGS. 12 through 14. In FIG. 12 the sleeve 20 is shown
`extending beyond the end of the blade 2 to illustrate the
`relationship between the sleeve 20 and the blade 2. In an
`actual tape measure the sleeve 20 is coextensive with the
`blade 2 over the entire length of the sleeve and for at least a
`determined length of the blade. In one embodiment the sleeve
`extends from the end of the blade 2e to a point P that is a
`distance from the end of the blade equal to or greater than the
`desired standout of the blade. For example, if a blade with a 12
`foot standout is desired the sleeve may extend from the
`exposed end 2e of the blade a distance of at least 12 feet. For
`example for a 12 foot standout the sleeve may extend for 13
`feet. In some embodiments it is not necessary to extend the
`sleeve from the end 2e of the blade. For example, the blade 2
`without any additional reinforcement may have a certain
`natural standout due to the rigidity of the material and/or the
`shape of the blade; however, the standout may be less than
`desired. The sleeve may be provided from a point D on the
`blade near where the natural standout of the blade ends and
`the desired standout at point Pas shown in FIG. 13. In this
`manner the length of reinforcement sleeve used is reduced
`thereby reducing the overall weight and size of the tape mea(cid:173)
`sure. The sleeve 20 may be transparent and may comprise a
`relatively thick layer of nylon or other suitable material that
`allows the indicia printed on the blade 2 to be visible through
`the sleeve 20. In some embodiments an opaque sleeve may be
`used and the indicia may be printed on the sleeve. Where the
`sleeve includes the indicia, the indicia on the sleeve must be
`aligned with and form part of the scale with the indicia on the
`blade. The sleeve 20 may completely surround the blade 2 and
`may have a thickness that provides the necessary rigidity to
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1009-019
`
`

`

`US 2015/0247716 AI
`
`Sep.3,2015
`
`4
`
`achieve the desired standout. While the sleeve 20 may be used
`with a blade 2 having the complex curve wave profile shapes
`described herein the sleeve 20 may be used separately from
`the shapes described herein such that a blade using the sleeve
`20 may have a simple convex or concave shape or other
`shapes.
`[0042] Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, in some embodiments
`a reinforcement member may be attached to the blade 2 where
`the reinforcement member 22 may comprise a member made
`of the same or similar material to that of the blade 2. For
`example, the reinforcement member 22 may be made of steel
`such as the steel that forms the blade 2. While in some
`embodiments the material of the blade 2 and the reinforce(cid:173)
`ment member 22 may be the same the materials may be
`different. For example, the blade 2 may be made of steel and
`the reinforcement member 22 may be made of a composite
`material. Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the reinforcement
`member 22 may be applied to the bottom face 2b of the blade
`2 and may have the same profile shape as the profile shape of
`the blade 2. For example the blade 2 may have the shape
`described with reference to FIGS. 1-10 and the reinforcement
`member 22 may have a complimentary shape. Because the
`reinforcement member 22 is applied to the bottom face 2b of
`the blade 2 the dimensions of the reinforcement member 22
`may be determined such that the top face of the reinforcement
`member 22 abuts the bottom face 2b of the blade 2 over the
`length and width of the reinforcement member 22. While the
`reinforcement member 22 may be used with a blade 2 having
`the profile shapes described herein the reinforcement member
`22 may be used separately from the shapes described herein
`such that a blade using the reinforcement member 22 may
`have a simple convex or concave shape or other shapes.
`Where the blade has a simple curved profile the reinforcement
`member 22 will have a similar complimentary simple curved
`profile. The reinforcement member 22 may also be applied to
`the top face 2a of the blade 2 as shown in FIG. 17. In other
`embodiments the reinforcement member 22 may be formed
`as a sleeve where the blade 2 fits inside of the sleeve such that
`the sleeve covers all sides of the blade 2.
`[0043] Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, in some embodiments
`the reinforcement member may not have the same shape as
`the blade. For example, as shown in FIG. 19 the reinforce(cid:173)
`ment member 32 may have a complementary shape over a
`portion of the width of the blade 2 but the reinforcement
`member 32 may not extend for the full width of the blade 2. In
`FIG. 19 the reinforcement member is secured to the bottom
`face 2b ofblade 2 but in other embodiments the reinforcement
`member may be secured to the top face 2a ofblade 2. In other
`embodiments the reinforcement member 42 may have a shape
`that is not necessarily complimentary to the shape of the blade
`2 where, for example, the reinforcement member 42 may be
`formed as a thin flat strip, rod, tube or the like that extends
`alongthelengthofthe blade2 as showninFIG.18. InFIG.18
`the reinforcement member 42 is secured to the bottom face 2b
`of blade 2 but in other embodiments the reinforcement mem(cid:173)
`ber 42 may be secured to the top face 2a of blade 2. In the
`embodiments ofFIGS. 18 and 19 the reinforcement members
`32, 42 may extend from the end 2e of the blade 2 to a point P
`or the reinforcement members may extend from a point D
`spaced from the end of the blade 2 to point P as previously
`described.
`[0044] The reinforcement members 22, 32 and 42 may have
`the same thickness as the blade, a thinner thickness or a
`greater thickness depending upon the amount of reinforce-
`
`ment required. Moreover a dimension of the reinforcement
`member such as the thickness and/or width of the reinforce(cid:173)
`ment member may vary over the length of the blade. For
`example, as shown in FIG. 20 the reinforcement member 52
`may have a thinnest thickness at the end 52 a closer to the end
`2e of the blade 2 and the thickness of the reinforcement
`member may increase over the length of the reinforcement
`member 52 to the opposite end 52b to increase the amount of
`reinforcement provided as the standout length increases. The
`width of the reinforcement member may also increase over
`the length of the blade in addition to or in place of increasing
`the thickness. Other arrangements may be provided for
`increasing the resistance to bending of the reinforcement
`member over the length of the reinforcement member from
`the free end of the blade. A reinforcement member having an
`increasing thickness or width may be used with any of the
`embodiments described herein.
`[0045] The reinforcement members as described herein
`may be attached to the blade using any suitable mechanism.
`In one embodiment the reinforcement member may be
`attached to the blade using a sleeve 20 such as the nylon sleeve
`described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 where the sleeve
`20 is applied over the blade 2 and the reinforcement member
`22, 32, 42, 52 as shown for example in FIG. 19. In other
`embodiments, the reinforcement member may be attached to
`the blade 2 using adhesive, welding, mechanical attachments
`or the like. The reinforcement member may be attached to the
`blade using a combination of mechanisms and devices. In
`some embodiments the attachment mechanism preferably
`holds the surface of the reinforcement member against the
`surface of the blade along the length and width of the rein(cid:173)
`forcement member.
`[0046] Because the reinforcement member is not necessar(cid:173)
`ily made of a transparent material, the reinforcement member
`may be attached to the blade before the indicia 3 is printed on
`the blade 2. In this manner the indicia 3 may be printed over
`the reinforcement member and the blade in a single operation.
`[0047] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a shock-absorbing
`sleeve 110 may be provided over a plastic casing 112 to form
`housing 1. Sleeve 110 may be made of aluminum or other
`rigid reinforcing material that protects the housing 1 which
`may be made of, for example, plastic.
`[0048] Still referring to FIG. 1 the housing 1 may be pro(cid:173)
`vided with an easily erasable writing surface 50 that allows
`the user to temporarily store information such as measure(cid:173)
`ments. The writing surface 50 may be permanently fixed to
`the housing 1. In some embodiments the surface 50 may
`comprise a transitory touch sensitive pad such as a gel pad,
`magnetic board, aluminum powder board or the like. In other
`embodiments the writing surface may comprise a surface
`such as a white board, slate, or the like. In a preferred embodi(cid:1