Cooper Industries, Inc.

Cooper Brands, Inc.

Edgar Thomas Gilliam

William C Blackman

James M Critelli

Michael Joseph Bobay

John R Owen

Darin Henderson Duphorne

Darin H Duhporne

John Bradley Moody

John B Moody

William H Silvester

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 connected thereto and disposed generally normal to the longitudinal axis, the hook comprising titanium and 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 9&#xbd; feet.

Tape measure with extended standout

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 connected thereto and disposed generally normal to the longitudinal 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 9&#xbd; feet.

A folding rule includes a plurality of segments having length indicating indicia thereon, including a plurality of intermediate segments having a length to thickness ratio in the range of 40:1 to 60:1; the segments pivotally connected together and pivotally moveable between a collapsed configuration wherein the segments are stacked and an extended configuration wherein the segments are linearly aligned along a measurement axis, wherein at least one intermediate segment rotates by approximately 180&#xb0; with respect to an adjacent intermediate segment to move between the collapsed configuration and the extended configuration; the segments formed of a generally homogenous electrically non-conductive mixture of wood and plastic. The intermediate segments may be substantially identical except for the length indicating indicia thereon, and at least the intermediate segments may be hydrophobic and be formed of a generally homogenous mixture of wood and ABS plastic. A method of forming such folding rules is also disclosed.

Folding rule

A power-return tape measure uses a retainer to help keep a retraction spring in the proper position. The tape measure may have a reel with an interior central cavity with a post extending therethrough. A spring is wound substantially within the central cavity and mounted to the post so as to provide a retraction bias. A cap is secured to the reel so as to substantially enclose the reel's central cavity and the spring. The retainer is disposed between the spring and the cap. The cap has a first hole of a first size and the retainer has a second hole of a second, smaller, size. The post extends through the second hole with a sliding fit and through the first hole in spaced relation to the cap. The post and the retainer substantially close off the first hole. A main case substantially encloses the reel.

Retainer for power-return tape measure spring

A retractable tape measure having a flexible tape biased in a coiled position, and a housing sized to contain the flexible tape. The housing includes an opening through which a first end of the flexible tape extends, and a slot for positioning a locking mechanism. A tape biasing member operatively connects to the flexible tape to bias it in a retracted position. The locking mechanism controls the extension and retraction of the flexible tape from the housing. The mechanism includes a locking lever having a grip arm extending through the slot and a lock arm for contacting the flexible tape. A pin extends through the locking lever making the locking lever pivotable between an open position in which the flexible tape can move freely through the opening, a maintain position in which the flexible tape only exits freely through the opening, and a locked position to prevent the tape from moving relative to the opening. A lock biasing member biases the locking lever towards the locked position.

Three position locking mechanism for a tape measure

A locking mechanism for controlling the retraction and extraction of a tape or other like device. The mechanism includes a housing having a tape opening and a locking mechanism opening. A tape blade extends through the housing tape opening and has a distal end and a proximal end. The tape blade is selectively positionable between a retracted position wherein the distal end is positioned against the housing and an extended position in which the distal end is positioned distant from the housing. A tape biasing device is operatively connected to the tape blade proximal end for urging the tape blade towards the retracted position. A locking mechanism is rotatably mounted within the housing about a plane substantially orthogonal to the tape blade. The locking mechanism has an actuator extending through the locking mechanism openings and a head. The locking mechanism is selectively rotatable between a disengaged orientation in which the head is positioned away from the tape blade, and an engaged orientation in which the head contacts the tape blade.

Twist lock mechanism for a tape measure

A template system for rafters for roof construction includes a plurality of individual templates, each dedicated to a single roof pitch. Each template is formed from a plastic material to have a base and a flange attached to the base by a living hinge formed in the plastic material. The flange allows convenience in positioning the template on a rafter stock in a position best suited to the user's own position. The edges of the template are oriented relative to the hinge to provide marking guides for various cuts for common, valley, hip, and jack rafters.

Rafter template

Tape measure blade

A slide lock for a power return measuring tape includes an elongated lock member slidably mounted in a casing. The lock member has a resilient locking tongue and follower pins extending laterally from lock member. The follower pins engage guide in the casing, which includes a guiding surface formed by a ridge in each side wall to engage the pins, the guiding surface defining a descending path to guide the tongue from a position above a measuring tape in the housing to a position in contact with the measuring tape. A lock surface is formed at a lower end of the guiding surface with a protrusion at a junction between the guiding surface and the lock surface. Movement of the pins over the protrusion to the lock surface forces the tongue in contact with the measuring blade and causes the tongue to bend to apply a clamping force to the measuring blade. The movement of the pins over the protrusion produces a snap action of the lock member, which provides a tactile and auditory indication that the lock member is in the locked position.

Retractable tape measure with sliding lock

Tape measure housing

A one-piece compound lock for a power return measuring tape includes an elongated lock member slidably mounted in a casing that engages both the tape blade and the tape drum to resist unwanted movement of the blade. The lock member has a resilient locking tongue and is slidably engaged in grooves in the casing to guide movement of the tongue between an unlocked and a locked position. Drum locking tabs extend laterally from lock member. In the locked position, the locking tongue applies locking pressure to the tape blade and the drum locking tabs engage the tape drum to resist rotation.

One piece compound lock for tape measure

A hooking device for a tape measure includes a ring member pivotally attached to a hook member. The hook member includes a planar surface which is perpendicular to the ring member in an extended position. Extending from the planar surface of the hook member are two supporting side surfaces which enhance the rigidity of the hook member to prevent bending. The hook member can also include a plurality of pointed barbs and a contacting surface which prevent slippage of the hooking device during use.

Growing community of inventors

Franklinton, NC, United States of America

Edgar Thomas Gilliam