Two-way tape guide assembly

Abstract

A guide assembly for a tape measure device may include an inner guide portion facing a reel assembly of the tape measure device and an outer guide portion facing away from the reel assembly. The guide assembly may be arranged so that the tape measure can be released from a hole of the tape measure device in two lateral directions relative to the hole.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tape measure device or a powder hopper, and in particular to a tape measure device or a powder hopper with an improved guide assembly for an outlet. Background Art

[0002] Long tape measuring devices typically have a considerable length (e.g., greater than 25 or 50 feet) such that a spring-based or other automatic retraction assembly is either impractical or undesirable. As a result, these devices typically have a flexible and flat tape measure (e.g., made of fiberglass or other material) that is wound onto a reel or reel assembly. An end hook is attached to the distal end of the tape measure and can be pulled to remove the tape measure from the reel assembly to place the end hook at a first point away from a second point, with the remainder of the tool remaining in the vicinity of the second point. Alternatively, the end hook can be attached to the first point and the remainder of the tool can be moved to the second point while the tape measure is removed from the reel assembly. In either case, the end hook holds the tape measure at the first point, and the user can measure along a line between the first and second points using markings provided on the tape measure. After the measurement is completed, the user typically operates a rotatable handle that is operably coupled to the reel assembly to retract the tape measure onto the reel or drum of the reel assembly.

[0003] The operation of a powder hopper is similar in that the line is extended and retracted onto a reel assembly. However, a powder hopper typically uses a line rather than a measuring tape, and the line is exposed to the powder in a refillable reservoir. The powder can then be applied by flicking or pulling the line, but can also be released in other ways, held at an anchor point, wound in, and held on a reel assembly similar to that described above.

[0004] The above method and the tools suitable for carrying out the method are very old. However, equally old is the fact that the conventional design of the tools provides a housing arranged so that the outlet through which the tape or line leaves the housing is directed to one side. In practice, this means that the tape or line only extends in one direction relative to the housing. Therefore, if the tape or line extends in another direction, or if slack occurs in the tape or line during rewinding, the tape or line may become twisted on the reel assembly or in the outlet and may get stuck or otherwise operate in a less than optimal manner. Summary of the invention

[0005] Some exemplary embodiments may make it possible to provide a measuring device with an improved design, which enables the flexible measuring medium to be extended and retracted without being twisted. Thus, the above-mentioned disadvantages may be overcome.

[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, a tape measure device is provided. The tape measure device may include a housing having an aperture, a reel assembly disposed in the housing, a tape measure having a first end operably coupled to the reel assembly and a second end disposed to extend from the housing through the aperture, a retraction assembly disposed to engage with the reel assembly so that the tape measure can be wound onto the reel assembly after extending from the housing, and a guide assembly disposed to define the aperture. The guide assembly may include an inner guide portion facing the reel assembly and an outer guide portion facing away from the reel assembly. The guide assembly may also be disposed so that the tape measure encounters a guide assembly tangential to each of the inner guide portion and the outer guide portion.

[0007] In another exemplary embodiment, a tape measure device may be provided. The tape measure device may include a housing having an aperture, a reel assembly disposed in the housing, a tape measure having a first end operably coupled to the reel assembly and a second end disposed to extend from the housing through the aperture, a retraction assembly disposed to engage with the reel assembly so that the tape measure can be wound onto the reel assembly after extending from the housing, and a guide assembly disposed to define the aperture. The guide assembly may include an inner guide portion facing the reel assembly and an outer guide portion facing away from the reel assembly. The guide assembly may also be configured to allow the tape measure to be released from the aperture in two lateral directions.

[0008] In another exemplary embodiment, a guide assembly for a tape measure device is provided. The guide assembly may include an inner guide portion facing a reel assembly of the tape measure device and an outer guide portion facing away from the reel assembly. The guide assembly may be configured to allow the tape measure to be released from a hole of the tape measure device in two lateral directions relative to the hole. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Having generally described some exemplary embodiments, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in which:

[0010] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a measuring device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0011] Figure 2 shows a front view of a measuring device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0012] Figure 3 shows a rear view of a measuring device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0013] Figure 4A shows a perspective view of the bottom side of a measuring device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0014] Figure 4B shows a closer view of an exit area of ​​a measurement device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0015] Figure 5A shows an inner portion of a first half shell according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0016] Figure 5B shows a perspective view of a portion of a guide assembly defined by a first half-shell according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0017] Fig. 6A shows an inner portion of a second half shell according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0018] Figure 6B shows a perspective view of a portion of a guide assembly defined by a second half-shell according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0019] Fig. 7A is a perspective view of a tape measure wrapped around a spool of a spool assembly and extending halfway through a guide assembly according to an exemplary embodiment; and

[0020] Figure 7B According to an exemplary embodiment, Fig. 7A A closer view of the boot assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Some exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some but not all exemplary embodiments are shown. In fact, the examples described and depicted herein should not be construed as limiting the scope, applicability or construction of the present disclosure. On the contrary, these exemplary embodiments are provided to enable the present disclosure to meet applicable legal requirements. The same reference numerals always represent the same elements. In addition, as used herein, the term "or" should be interpreted as a logical operator that is true whenever one or more of its operands are true. As used herein, an operably connected should be understood to involve a direct or indirect connection, which, in either case, enables the functional interconnection of components that are operably connected to each other.

[0022] As described above, some exemplary embodiments may be directed to providing a measuring device (e.g., a powder hopper or long tape measuring device) that may have an improved design for an aperture (i.e., an outlet (or inlet) through which a flexible measuring medium extends or retracts). This may also and advantageously be accomplished using a design that may be injection molded to simplify the design and reduce the costs associated therewith. Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a measuring device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment, and Figure 2 and Figure 3 A front view and a rear view of the measuring device 100 are shown respectively. Figure 4A shows a perspective view of the bottom side of the measuring device 100, Figure 4B The focus is on the exit area of ​​the measuring device 100 .

[0023] Reference now Figures 1 to 4B , the measuring device 100 of the exemplary embodiment may include a housing 110, which includes a first half shell 112 and a second half shell 114. The first half shell 112 and the second half shell 114 may house a reel assembly 120 and a retraction assembly 130 therein. A flexible measuring medium (e.g., a tape measure 140) may be wound around the reel assembly 120, and may be retracted and retracted from the reel assembly 120 in a replaceable manner. Retraction onto the reel assembly 120 may be achieved by the retraction assembly 130, which may include a crank 132 and a foldable knob 134. The foldable knob 134 folds to nest within a portion of the crank 132 proximate to the first half shell 112, and unfolds to enable a user to rotate the crank 132 around the axis of the reel assembly 120. When the knob 134 unfolds and rotates, the reel assembly 120 may be configured to rotate once for each rotation of the crank 132, or multiple times (depending on the configuration of the retraction assembly 130). In this regard, in some cases, the retraction assembly 130 may include a hub that is operably coupled to the crank 132 and that rotates and is operably coupled to a gear assembly that may provide multiple rotations of the reel or spool of the reel assembly 120 for each corresponding rotation of the knob 134 and the crank 132.

[0024] The tape measure 140 can be paid out through a hole 150 formed in a portion of the housing 110. The hole 150 can be formed to be slightly larger than the length and width of the tape measure 140. Therefore, the tape measure 140 can be retained on the reel assembly 120 before passing through the hole 150. The tape measure 140 can also include an end hook 170 provided at one end of the tape measure 140, and the tape measure 140 is attached to the reel assembly 120 at the other end of the tape measure 140. The end hook 170 can be (temporarily) fixed to an anchor point on the medium or surface to be marked. Once the end hook 170 is fixed to the anchor point, the tape measure 140 can be paid out from the hole 150 and released from the reel assembly 120. When the desired length of the tape measure 140 has been paid out, the user can make any necessary measurements by using the tape measure 140 as described above. The end hook 170 can then be released from the anchor point, and the crank 132 and knob 134 can be used to operate the retraction assembly 130 to wind the tape measure 140 back onto the spool assembly 120 by pulling the tape measure 140 back into the housing 110 through the hole 150. The measuring device 100 can also include a handle 190 that can be operably coupled to the housing 110 or can be integrally formed as part of the first and second half shells 112, 114.

[0025] The tape measure 140 is flat and non-metallic (e.g., fiberglass tape or cloth), and is an example of a flexible measuring medium that can be used with the exemplary embodiment. In addition, the tape measure 140 can be associated with the case where the measuring device 100 is implemented as a long measuring tape device (e.g., having a tape measure 140 greater than 25 feet). However, the exemplary embodiment can also be applied to the case where the measuring device 100 is a powder hopper. In this case, the flexible measuring medium can be referred to as a string or cord, and the string can be exposed to the powder box 160 ( Figure 1 150 is shown in dashed lines to illustrate its alternative and / or optional properties). If adopted, the hole 150 can be formed to be slightly larger than the diameter of the wire and can further accommodate or retain a filter or wiping member, such as a piece of felt or other material to prevent excessive leakage of powder from the powder box 160, which is exposed to the wire when the wire is located inside the housing 110. And the hole 150 also removes excess powder from the wire when the wire is withdrawn from the housing 110. The felt can be held in place by retaining the wire or other structure. Therefore, the wire can pass through or remain in the powder box 160 before passing through the hole 150. In an exemplary embodiment, the powder box 160 may include a plug 162, which can be obtained and removed from the outside of the housing 110 to enable the powder box 160 to be refilled. The plug 162 of this example is located at the bottom of the housing 110, but other locations of the plug 162 are also possible.

[0026] Although the measuring device 100 may be a powder hopper or a measuring tape device, the subsequent figures will be described with reference to an example where the measuring device is a long measuring tape device (e.g., a tape 140 having a length greater than 25 feet), and thus, in the subsequent discussion, the flexible measuring medium will be exemplified by the tape 140. Regardless of whether the flexible measuring medium is a line or the tape 140, the hole 150 may be provided at the guide assembly 180 of the exemplary embodiment. The guide assembly 180 may be provided to prevent excessive twisting or tangling of the tape 140 during winding back onto the reel assembly 120. In addition, the guide assembly 180 may be further provided to allow for facilitating extension or retraction of the tape 140 in multiple orientations by providing a symmetrically curved support surface, as described in more detail below.

[0027] As described above, the knob 134 can be rotated between a closed position and an open position. When in the open position, an operator or user can apply pressure to the knob 134 to rotate the crank 132, thereby operating the reel assembly 120 to wind the tape measure 140 onto the reel 122 (see FIG. Fig. 7A). Pulling the tape measure 140 into the reel assembly 120 (and onto the reel 122) necessarily pulls the tape measure 140 inwardly through the guide assembly 180. In addition, unwinding the tape measure 140 from the reel 122 for measurement also necessarily pulls the tape measure 140 outwardly through the guide assembly 180. Therefore, it can be understood that the guide assembly 180 should effectively guide the tape measure 140 for extension and retraction of the tape measure 140.

[0028] At the same time, it should also be understood that the end hook 170 is generally oriented in one direction (i.e., extending downwardly and vertically relative to the top surface of the tape measure 140). Therefore, for many conventional designs, the outlet (e.g., the hole 150 of the measuring device 100) may also be configured only for the tape measure 140 to extend from the housing 110 in only one direction. However, right-handed and left-handed operators may have different natural inclinations when rotating the knob 134 and the crank 132, i.e., which hand holds the measuring device 100. If the extension of the tape measure 140 is configured for only one direction, some users may turn the measuring device 100 to the "wrong" direction relative to the outlet configuration, which may effectively wind up the tape measure 140 when retracting. As described above, this may cause the tape measure 140 to become tangled in the outlet. Therefore, in addition to facilitating effective guidance of the tape measure 140 through extension and retraction, the hole 150 should also prevent tangling of the tape measure 140 during retraction, and in doing so, allow the operator to select retraction in any orientation.

[0029] To facilitate this, the guide assembly 180 is configured to include an inner guide portion 200 and an outer guide portion 210. Figure 4A and 4B Only the outer guide portion 210 is visible, but in Figure 5A , 5B , 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B, both the inner guide portion 200 and the outer guide portion 210 are visible. In this regard, Figure 5A and 6A An interior view of each of the first shell half 112 and the second shell half 114 is shown separately. Figure 5B and 6B A perspective view of a portion of a guide assembly 180 defined by each of the first and second shell halves 112 , 114 , respectively, is shown. Fig. 7A is a perspective view of the tape measure 140 wound around the spool 122 of the spool assembly 120 and extending halfway through the guide assembly 180 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 7B According to an exemplary embodiment, Fig. 7A A closer view of the guide assembly 180.

[0030] Now mainly see Figures 4A-7BAs can be appreciated, the inner guide portion 200 and the outer guide portion 210 are formed by mating surfaces defined in the first and second half shells 112, 114, respectively. The inner guide portion 200 is defined by respective portions of the first and second half shells 112, 114 that form the first and second inner bearing surfaces 230, 232. The outer guide portion 210 is defined by respective portions of the first and second half shells 112, 114 that form the first and second outer bearing surfaces 240, 242. The inner guide portion 200 and the outer guide portion 210 may extend toward each other and meet near the aperture 150. Thus, for example, the first and second inner bearing surfaces 230, 232 may have a point closest to each other at the aperture 150. Similarly, the first and second outer bearing surfaces 240, 242 may have a point closest to each other at the aperture 150.

[0031] A plane 250 (see Figure 7B ) may pass equidistantly between each of the first inner support surface 230 and the second inner support surface 232. The plane 250 that bisects the hole 150 may also pass equidistantly between each of the first outer support surface 240 and the second outer support surface 242. Thus, the first inner support surface 230 and the second inner support surface 232 may be mirror images of each other about the plane 250 that bisects the hole 150, and the first support surface 240 and the second outer support surface 242 may also be mirror images of each other about the plane that bisects the hole 150. At the same time, the plane 252 in which the hole 150 lies (which is also a plane perpendicular to the plane 250 that bisects the hole 150) separates the first inner support surface 230 from the first outer support surface 240, and separates the second inner support surface 232 from the second outer support surface 242.

[0032] All the bearing surfaces (i.e., the first inner bearing surface 230, the second inner bearing surface 232, the first bearing surface 240, and the second outer bearing surface 242) extend away from the plane in which the hole 150 is located with an increasing inclination as the distance from the hole 150 increases. As a result, the inner guide portion 200 and the outer guide portion 210 may also be defined by curved surfaces that extend away from the hole 150 in both inward and outward directions, and the inner guide portion 200 and the outer guide portion 210 are mirror images of each other on opposite sides of the hole 150. Therefore, the inner guide portion 200 may face the reel 122 and the outer guide portion 210 may face away from the reel 122, but the inclined surfaces provided on their respective bearing surfaces may be continuously formed to guide the tape measure 140 in either direction along the first outer bearing surface 240 and the second outer bearing surface 242 after the tape measure 140 leaves the hole 150.

[0033] like Figure 4A , 4B, 7A and 7B, the tape measure 140, after exiting the hole 150, can extend against the second outer support surface 242 to extend to the right side of the viewer. However, the tape measure 140 can also extend over the entire angular range until it extends against the first outer support surface 240. For any angle within the entire angular range between the first support surface 240 and the second outer support surface 242, the tape measure 140 will leave the first outer support surface 240 or the second outer support surface 242 tangentially from the corresponding one of the first outer support surface 240 or the second outer support surface 242.

[0034] Meanwhile, according to an exemplary embodiment, the structure of the reel assembly 120 can be such that the angle range of the tape measure 140 encountering the first inner support surface 230 can be more limited. In this regard, the angle range is Figure 7B and the angle ranges from a first angle (θ1) when the spool 122 is full due to the minimum tape measure 140 extending from the hole 150 (which is Figure 7B 150) to a second angle (θ2) when the spool 122 is empty due to the full tape measure 140 extending from the hole 150. Even for this range of angles (i.e., between θ1 and θ2, which can be measured relative to the plane 250 that bisects the hole 150), the tape measure 140 enters the guide assembly 180 tangentially to the first inner support surface 230. The tape measure 140 may not encounter the second inner support surface 232 (except to form a degree of slack in the tape measure 140 inside the housing 110). Therefore, the tape measure 140 may always enter the guide assembly 180 tangentially to the first inner support surface 230, and may exit the guide assembly 180 tangentially to one of the first outer support surface 240 or the second outer support surface 242.

[0035] Thus, the structure of the inner and outer guide portions 200, 210 is arranged to minimize the likelihood of any entanglement of the tape measure 140 in the aperture 150, while also facilitating extension of the tape measure in either lateral direction after exiting the aperture 150. In this regard, the structure of the inner and outer guide portions 200, 210 effectively forms the aperture 150 in a manner that leaves little room for undesired movement (and thus entanglement) of the tape measure 140 in the aperture 150. Figure 4B As best shown in FIG. 1 , the size and shape of the hole 150 can be determined such that the longitudinal length (A l ) is only slightly larger than the width of the tape measure 140. In this regard, for example, the length (A) of the hole 150 l ) may be less than 1.5 times the width of the tape measure 140. At the same time, the width (A) of the hole 150 w ) may also be only slightly larger than the thickness of the tape measure 140. For example, the width (A) of the hole 150 w ) may be less than 3 times the thickness of the measuring tape 140.

[0036] As can be understood from the above description, the operator can use the tape measure 140 in any orientation, and also retract the tape measure 140 in any orientation, without the tape measure 140 being rolled up and constrained in the hole 150. In some cases, the first half shell 112, the second half shell 114, and especially the first half shell 112 and the second half shell 114 related to the guide assembly 180 can be made by injection molding. This enables low cost and improved manufacturability.

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, a guide assembly for a tape measure device (or the tape measure device itself) may be provided. The tape measure device may include a housing having an aperture, a reel assembly disposed in the housing, a tape measure having a first end operably coupled to the reel assembly and a second end disposed to extend from the housing through the aperture, a retraction assembly disposed to engage with the reel assembly so that the tape measure can be wound onto the reel assembly after extending from the housing, and a guide assembly disposed to define the aperture. The guide assembly may include an inner guide portion facing the reel assembly and an outer guide portion facing away from the reel assembly. The guide assembly may also be disposed so that the tape measure encounters a guide assembly tangential to each of the inner guide portion and the outer guide portion. Alternatively or additionally, the guide assembly may be disposed so that the tape measure can be released from the orifice in two lateral directions.

[0038] In some embodiments, the features of the above-described devices may be increased or modified, or additional features may be added. These increases, modifications, and additions may be optional and may be provided in any combination. Therefore, although some exemplary modifications, additions, and additions are listed below, it should be understood that any of the modifications, additions, and additions may be implemented alone or in combination with one or more or even all of the other modifications, additions, and additions listed. Thus, for example, the guide assembly may be configured to prevent or prevent the tape measure from getting tangled in the hole. To achieve this, for example, the length of the hole may be less than 1.5 times the width of the tape measure, and the width of the hole may be less than 3 times the thickness of the tape measure. In an exemplary embodiment, the hole may be located in a first plane, and a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane may bisect the hole. The inner guide portion and the outer guide portion may be substantially mirror images of each other with respect to the first plane. In some cases, the inner guide portion may include a first inner support surface and a second inner support surface, and the outer guide portion includes a first outer support surface and a second outer support surface. The first inner support surface and the second inner support surface may be mirror images of each other with respect to the second plane, and the first outer support surface and the second outer support surface may also be mirror images of each other with respect to the second plane. In an exemplary embodiment, the first outer support surface and the second outer support surface may extend away from the hole at an increasing slope as the distance from the hole increases. Additionally or alternatively, the first inner support surface and the second inner support surface may extend away from the hole at an increasing slope as the distance from the hole increases. In an exemplary embodiment, the tape measure may encounter an inner guide portion tangent to the first inner support surface over a range of angles from a full spool to an empty spool state, and the tape measure may encounter an outer guide portion tangent to the first outer support surface or the second outer support surface and all angles therebetween.

[0039] Benefiting from the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings, a person skilled in the art of the invention will think of many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. In addition, although the foregoing description and the associated drawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be understood that different combinations of elements and / or functions can be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, combinations of elements and / or functions different from those explicitly described above are also expected to be set forth in some of the appended claims. Where solutions to advantages, benefits, or problems are described herein, it should be understood that these advantages, benefits, and / or solutions may be applicable to some exemplary embodiments, but not necessarily to all exemplary embodiments. Therefore, any advantages, benefits, or solutions described herein should not be considered to be critical, necessary, or essential to all embodiments or the embodiments claimed herein. Although specific terms are used herein, they are used only in a general and descriptive sense, not for the purpose of limitation.

Claims

1. A tape measuring device, comprising: a housing having a hole, the housing comprising a first half shell and a second half shell; a reel assembly disposed in the housing; a tape measure having a first end operably coupled to the spool assembly and a second end disposed to extend from the housing through the aperture; a retraction assembly configured to engage the spool assembly such that the tape measure is wound onto the spool assembly after extending from the housing; as well as a guide assembly for defining the hole, wherein the guide assembly comprises an inner guide portion facing the reel assembly and an outer guide portion facing away from the reel assembly, and wherein the guide assembly is arranged so that the tape measure encounters the guide assembly, the tape measure is tangent to each of the inner guide portion and the outer guide portion, and wherein the inner guide portion is defined by respective portions of the first and second half shells forming first and second inner supporting surfaces, and the outer guide portion is defined by respective portions of the first and second half shells forming first and second outer supporting surfaces.

2. The tape measuring device according to claim 1, wherein: The guide assembly is configured to inhibit or prevent tangling of the measuring tape within the aperture.

3. The tape measuring device according to claim 1, wherein: The length of the hole is less than 1.5 times the width of the measuring tape, and the width of the hole is less than 3 times the thickness of the measuring tape.

4. The tape measuring device according to claim 1, wherein: The guide assembly is arranged to allow the tape measure to be paid out from the aperture in two lateral directions.

5. The tape measuring device according to claim 1, wherein: The hole lies in a first plane, and a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane bisects the hole, Therein, the inner guide portion and the outer guide portion are substantially mirror images of each other about the first plane.

6. The tape measuring device according to claim 5, wherein: The first inner bearing surface and the second inner bearing surface are mirror images of each other about the second plane, and Wherein, the first outer support surface and the second outer support surface are mirror images of each other about the second plane.

7. The tape measuring device according to claim 6, wherein: The first and second outer bearing surfaces extend away from the bore at a slope that increases with increasing distance from the bore.

8. The tape measuring device according to claim 7, wherein: The first and second inner bearing surfaces extend away from the bore at a slope that increases with increasing distance from the bore.

9. The tape measuring device according to claim 6, wherein: The tape measure encounters the inner guide portion tangential to the first inner support surface over a range of angles from a full spool condition to an empty spool condition.

10. The tape measuring device according to claim 9, wherein: The tape measure encounters the outer guide portion, the tape measure is tangent to the first outer support surface or the second outer support surface, and the tape measure encounters all angles between the first outer support surface and the second outer support surface.

11. A tape measuring device, comprising: a housing having a hole, the housing comprising a first half shell and a second half shell; a reel assembly disposed in the housing; a tape measure having a first end operably coupled to the spool assembly and a second end disposed to extend from the housing through the aperture; a retraction assembly configured to engage the spool assembly to enable the tape measure to be wound onto the spool assembly after extending from the housing; as well as a guide assembly for defining the hole, wherein the guide assembly comprises an inner guide portion facing the reel assembly and an outer guide portion facing away from the reel assembly, and wherein the guide assembly is configured to allow the tape measure to be released from the hole in two lateral directions, and wherein the inner guide portion is defined by respective portions of the first and second half shells forming a first inner supporting surface and a second inner supporting surface, and wherein the outer guide portion is defined by respective portions of the first and second half shells forming a first outer supporting surface and a second outer supporting surface.

12. The tape measuring device according to claim 11, wherein: The hole lies in a first plane, and a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane bisects the hole, Therein, the inner guide portion and the outer guide portion are substantially mirror images of each other about the first plane.

13. The tape measuring device according to claim 12, wherein: The first inner bearing surface and the second inner bearing surface are mirror images of each other about the second plane, and Wherein, the first outer support surface and the second outer support surface are mirror images of each other about the second plane.

14. The tape measuring device according to claim 13, wherein: The first and second outer bearing surfaces extend away from the aperture at a slope that increases with increasing distance from the aperture, and wherein the first inner support surface and the second inner support surface extend away from the hole at a slope that increases with increasing distance from the hole.

15. The tape measuring device according to claim 14, wherein: The tape measure encounters the outer guide portion, the tape measure is tangent to the first outer support surface or the second outer support surface, and the tape measure encounters all angles between the first outer support surface and the second outer support surface.

16. A guide assembly for a tape measure device, the guide assembly comprising: an inner guide portion, the inner guide portion facing the reel assembly of the tape measuring device, and an outer guide portion, the outer guide portion facing away from the reel assembly, wherein the guide assembly is configured to allow the tape measure to be released from the hole of the tape measure measuring device in two lateral directions relative to the hole, and wherein the housing of the tape measure measuring device comprises a first half shell and a second half shell, wherein the inner guide portion is defined by respective portions of the first half shell and the second half shell that form first inner supporting surfaces and second inner supporting surfaces, and wherein the outer guide portion is defined by respective portions of the first half shell and the second half shell that form first outer supporting surfaces and second outer supporting surfaces.

17. The guide assembly according to claim 16, wherein: The hole lies in a first plane, and a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane bisects the hole, Therein, the inner guide portion and the outer guide portion are substantially mirror images of each other about the first plane.

18. The guide assembly according to claim 17, wherein: The first inner bearing surface and the second inner bearing surface are mirror images of each other about the second plane, and Wherein, the first outer support surface and the second outer support surface are mirror images of each other about the second plane.

19. The guide assembly according to claim 18, wherein: The first and second outer bearing surfaces extend away from the aperture at a slope that increases with increasing distance from the aperture, and wherein the first inner support surface and the second inner support surface extend away from the hole at a slope that increases with increasing distance from the hole.

20. The guide assembly of claim 19, wherein: within an angular range from a full spool state to an empty spool state, the tape measure encounters the inner guide portion, the tape measure is tangent to the first inner support surface, and wherein the measuring tape encounters the outer guide portion tangent to the first outer supporting surface or the second outer supporting surface, and wherein the measuring tape encounters all angles between the first outer supporting surface and the second outer supporting surface.

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