GB2272290A - Attachment for a tape measure - Google Patents

Abstract

An attachment (1) for fitting to a tape measure comprises means including a recess (4) and ribs (18) for releasably fixing the attachment (1) to the tape of a tape measure and a hook (12) for suspending the attachment (1). The suspension hook may be used to suspend the attachment and tape measure from a suitable point, for example, a movable runner eyelet on a curtain track. The user then has two free hands and is not required to hold the end of the tape measure in position on the curtain track. The attachment comprises a one piece moulding, hinged (2) between two halves (50, 51). The attachment may include two hooks. A catch (9) locks the attachment in a closed position about the tape. <IMAGE>

Description

ATTACHMENT FOR A TAPE MEASURE The present invention relates to an attachment for fitting to a tape measure.

Tape measures of the type having a housing, from which a coiled tape measure can be withdrawn by pulling the end hook of the tape measure, are frequently use to measure "drops", i.e. the vertical height of an object which may be suspended. As an example, curtain fitters have to measure the drop of a curtain, i.e. the length of the curtain.

More particularly, a curtain fitter must measure the distance from the suspension point of the curtain hook, which is often from the lowest point of an eyelet on a runner which can move along the curtain track. This is difficult to carry out in practice, especially with long curtain drops, as the curtain fitter has to hold the end hook of the tape against the runner eyelet whilst pulling out the tape with the other hand and observing the extended length of the tape. Alternatively, two people are required, one to hold the end hook against the eyelet on the curtain track and the other to pull out the tape to the desired length and read off the length measured. This is difficult and time-consuming.

According to the present invention, there is provided an attachment for fitting to a tape measure, the attachment comprising means for releasably fixing the attachment to the tape of a tape measure and a hook for suspending the attachment.

The attachment can be fixed to a tape measure and the suspension hook used to suspend the attachment and tape measure from a suitable point (for example, a movable runner eyelet on a curtain track). As the end hook of the tape measure is now fixed relative to the runner eyelet, the user has two free hands and is not required to hold the end hook of the tape measure in position and, accordingly, can pull out the tape measure to the desired length, which can easily be read off the tape scale.

The fixing means may comprise a slot for receiving the hook end part of a tape measure. Alternatively, the fixing means may comprise a lug having a generally T-shape crosssection over which the double hooks of a bifurcated end hook of a tape measure may be passed. Each of these examples provides a very simple means for fixing the attachment to a tape measure. Preferably, the suspension point of the suspension hook is at the same height at which the zero point of a tape measure lies when the attachment is fixed to a tape measure. This ensures that the attachment is self-zeroing in use.

The fixing means may alternatively or additionally comprise a clamp for clamping the attachment to the tape of a tape measure.

Four examples of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a first example of an attachment in the form of a one-piece moulding in its fully open position; Fig. 2 is a view from one end corresponding to Figure 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the end of a tape measure having a bifurcated end hook; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the attachment of Figure 1 fixed to a tape measure; Fig. 5 is a side view corresponding to Figure 4; Fig. 6 is plan view of a second example of an attachment; Fig. 7 is an end view corresponding to Figure 6; Fig. 8 is an end view of an adapted end hook of a tape measure; Fig. 9 is a plan view corresponding to Figure 8; Fig. 10 is a side view corresponding to Figures 8 and 9; Fig. 11 is a plan view of a third example of an attachment;; Fig. 12 is an end view corresponding to Figure 11; Fig. 13 is a plan view of a fourth example of an attachment in the form of a one-piece moulding in its fully open position; Fig. 14 is a view from one end corresponding to Figure 13; and, Fig. 15 is a plan view of the attachment of Figure 13 fixed to a tape measure.

An attachment 1 for fixing to a tape measure is made of polypropylene and is in the form of a one piece moulding which has a central line of reduced thickness to form a hinge 2 about which the two halves 50,51 of the attachment 1 can be folded. Each half 50,51 of the attachment 1 is generally square.

The first half 50 of the attachment 1 has a stepped recess 3 which has an arcuate cross-sectional shape as shown particularly clearly in Figure 2. The deeper, narrower part 4 of the recess 3 is sized to receive the tape of a standard 16mm tape measure (shown in dot and dashed lines). The shallower, wider part 5 of the recess 3 is sized to receive the tape of a standard 19mm tape measure (shown in dashed lines). The first half 50 of the attachment 1 has a lug 6 which extends from one end of the first half in a direction parallel to the length of the recess 3 and is positioned centrally of the recess 3. The lug 6 has a generally T-shape cross-section.

The second half 51 of the attachment 1 has a recess 7 provided on the edge 8 parallel to and remote from the hinge 2 for receiving a catch 9 on the opposite edge 10 of the first half 50, by means of which the attachment 1 can be locked together in its closed position.

The second half 51 of the attachment 1 also has two suspension hooks 11, 12. The first hook 11 is provided on the outer face 13 of the second half and runs down the attachment 1 parallel to the recess 3. The first hook 11 is positioned so that it lies centrally of the recess 3 when the attachment 1 is closed. The second hook 12 is provided on the edge 8 of the second half opposite the hinge 2 and also runs down parallel to the recess 3. The suspension points 14, 15 of the first and second hooks 11, 12 respectively each lie on a line 16 extending from the edge 17 of the first half on which the lug 6 is provided.

The second half 51 of the attachment 1 has a pair of ribs 18 which run parallel to and are received by the recess 3 when the attachment 1 is closed.

Figure 3 shows a bifurcated hook end 20 of a tape 21 of a tape measure as shown in our WO 90/04501. The bifurcated end hook 20 has a pair of generally parallel double hooks 22, 23 between which is a recess 24.

The attachment 1 is fixed to a tape measure simply by laying the tape 21 in the recess 3 (actually in the narrower recess 4 or wider recess 5 according to the tape width) with the double hooks 22, 23 of the end hook 20 being placed over the lug 6 with the stem of the T-shape lug 6 being received in-the recess 24 in the end hook 20.

The second half 51 of the attachment 1 is folded over about the hinge 2 and the first and second halves 50,51 are clipped together using the latch 9 and recess 7. The attachment 1 can then be suspended from, for example, a runner eyelet on a curtain track by passing either of the suspension hooks 11, 12 through the eyelet, which one of the two suspension hooks 11, 12 used being decided according to convenience.

When the runner eyelet is passed fully up to the suspension point 14, 15 of the hook 11, 12, the tape can be released so that it hangs from the eyelet. It should be noted here that most tape measures have a sliding end hook 20, which is used to compensate for the thickness of the end hook for measuring "inside" lengths (for example, inside a box where the end hook is abutted against an internal face) and "outside" measurements (where the end hook is fitted over an edge of an object to measured and the tape pulled out). When the tape and attachment 1 are suspended from an eyelet, the end hook 20 is pulled out relatively to the tape 21 because the tape 21 can move in the attachment 1.Accordingly, as the inner faces of the double hook 22, 23 abut the edge 17 of the first half 50 adjacent the lug 6, and the suspension points 14, 16 of the suspension hooks 11, 12 are on the same line 16 as the edge 17, the attachment 1 is self zeroing in that the distance shown on the scale of the tape 21 represents the distance to the suspension point 14, 15 and thus an accurate measurement can be taken.

It is clear that once the attachment 1 is suspended from an eyelet of a curtain track, a curtain fitter has two free hands and can pull out the tape to the desired length.

After having locked the tape using the lock conventionally provided in the tape casing, the curtain fitter can stand back to view the distance measured. Also, once a desired length of the curtain drop has been measured on one point on the track, the fitter can very easily move the measuring tape, attachment and runner along to different points on the curtain track using the attachment 1 to ensure that the track is parallel to the ground.

In the second example in Figure 6, the same reference numerals are used to designate those parts which correspond to those shown in the first example. In this example, which is suitable for receiving tapes having end hooks which are conventionally shaped without the double hook end shown in Figure 3, no lug 6 is provided. In contrast, in this example, the tape is clamped between the first and second halves 50,51 of the attachment 1 so that the attachment 1 is unable to slide on the tape as is the case in the first example.

In this example, the second half 51 has two pairs of opposed longitudinal shoulders 30, 31. The separation between the respective pairs of shoulders 30, 31 is such that the standard tape measure width (16mm shown in dot and dashed lines and 19mm shown in dash lines) can be snugly received between the respective shoulders 30, 31 with the bow of the tape being directed out of the second half 51 as shown in Figure 7. As the attachment 1 is closed by folding about the hinge 2, the tape is clamped in the attachment 1 by being squeezed between the two halves 50,51 and its edges pressed outwards into the respective shoulders 30, 31. By use of this system, the attachment 1 can be fixed to any point on the tape of a tape measure as it does not rely on using the tape end hook for fixing the attachment 1 to the tape.

Once fixed to the tape, the attachment 1 of the second example can be suspended using the hooks 11; 12 as described above with reference to the first example, although the fitter must take care to ensure that the measurement taken is appropriately zeroed.

As the second example shown in Figure 6 and 7 does not require a specially adapted double end hook 20 as shown in Figure 3, there is scope for varying the shape of the end hook. In particular, it may be desirable to use an end hook 35 as shown in Figures 8 to 10. In this example, the end hook 35 has a conventional blade 36 (without any recess corresponding to recess 24 in Figure 3). However, this example has a pair of tongues 37 formed in extension of the blade 36 of the end hook and which project initially upwards from the blade 36. Each tongue 37 is then bent through an angle of 900 to form a pair of hooks which run parallel to the length of the tape (not shown) to which the end hook 35 is fixed. These hooked tongues 37 can be used to replace, for example, the suspension hook 11 shown in Figures 6 and 7.

A third example of an attachment 1 is shown in Figures 11 and 12 which is suitable for use with tapes having a conventional end hook. Parts which correspond to those shown in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5 are designated with the same reference numerals. In this example, the attachment 1 has a recess 3 which is subdivided into relatively narrow and relatively wide recesses 4, 5 and the second half has ribs 18 to locate the tape in the attachment 1 as in the first example as described above. A latch 9 is provided on the first half 50 and is received in a recess 7 on the second half to lock the two halves of the attachment 1 together.

Suspension hooks 11, 12 are provided on the outer face 13 and edge 8 opposite the hinge 2 as in the first example.

The third example differs primarily in that, instead of the lug 6, there is provided a slot 40 on the first half 1 for receiving the end hook of a tape measure. The slot 40 is formed in a rib 41 which projects from the upper edge 17 of the first half of the attachment 1. In the example shown, the rib 41 is broken at its centre, but it could alternatively be continuous.

The attachment 1 is fixed to a tape simply by passing the end hook of the tape through the slot 40 and closing the second half 51 over the first half 50 and locking the attachment 1 together using the latch 9 and recess 7. The suspension points 14, 15 of the suspension hooks 11, 12 again lie on a line 16 extending from the upper edge 17 of the first half. As the tape can move in the attachment 1 this example also self-zeros when it is suspended by means of the hooks 11, 12.

A fourth example of an attachment 1 is shown in Figures 13, 14 and 15 and is suitable for use with tape measures having a bifurcated hook end 20 as shown in our WO 90/04501 and in Figure 3 above. The fourth example is very similar to the example shown in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5, except that it has only one suspension hook 12 which is integrally moulded on the edge 8 of the second half 51 opposite the hinge 2. In other respects, the construction and use of this example is identical to the example shown in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5.

Claims (10)

1. An attachment for fitting to a tape measure, the attachment comprising means for releasably fixing the attachment to the tape of a tape measure and a hook for suspending the attachment.

2. An attachment according to claim 1, wherein the fixing means comprises a lug having a generally T-shape crosssection over which the double hooks of a bifurcated end hook of a tape measure may be passed.

3. An attachment according to claim 1, wherein the fixing means comprises a slot for receiving the hook end part of a tape measure.

4. An attachment according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the suspension point of the suspension hook is at the same height at which the zero point of a tape measure lies when the attachment is fixed to a tape measure

5. An attachment according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fixing means comprises a clamp for clamping the attachment to the tape of a tape measure.

6. An attachment according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the attachment is formed of two halves which are joined by a hinge.

7. An attachment according to claim 6, wherein a catch is provided on one of the halves for engagement with a recess on the other half to lock the two halves together when bent around the hinge.

8. An attachment according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the attachment has two hooks for suspending the attachment, one hook being on a side edge and one hook being on a face of the attachment.

9. In combination, a tape measure having a hook end which is bifurcated to form a pair of hook portions and an attachment according to clai 2 or any claim when dependent thereon.

10. An attachment for fitting to a tape measure, substantially as described with reference to any of Figures 1 to 5, Figures 6 to 10, Figures 11 and 12, or Figures 13 to 15, of the accompanying drawings.