Measuring tape with improved roll-over prevention

Abstract

A measuring assembly for a tape measure device can include a tape body, an end hook, and an anti-roll attachment. The tape body can include a first end configured to extend from an aperture in a housing of the tape measure device and a second end configured to be wound on a reel assembly. The end hook can be disposed at the first end of the tape body to engage an object to be measured and can extend substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the tape body to extend away from an underside of the tape body. The anti-roll attachment can be disposed proximate the end hook at the first end of the tape body such that a center of gravity of the anti-roll attachment is spaced apart from the underside of the tape body. A combined weight of the end hook and the anti-roll attachment can be in a range between about 10 grams and about 55 grams.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Exemplary embodiments relate generally to tape measure devices, and more particularly to tape measures having a tape body designed to reduce the incidence of roll-back in response to the tape body being extended. BACKGROUND

[0002] Tape measures have been around for a long time and are a common measuring tool used in many situations to obtain linear measurements. Tape measures can come in many forms and can be made of cloth, fiberglass, metal, plastic, etc. The material used is often dictated by the specific measuring application. For example, tailors and clothing makers often use flexible tape measures that can be easily manipulated between two hands to measure the distance between the two hands. However, for construction or woodworking applications, it is preferred to use a stiff and often metallic tape measure to allow the tape measure to extend between a first location where one end of the tape measure is anchored and a user's location where the tape measure is unwound from a reel assembly. The reel assembly can have a manual retraction mechanism or a self-retraction mechanism, often depending on the length of the tape measure. For tape measures in the range of about 12 feet to 50 feet in length, self-retraction mechanisms and the use of a metallic tape band as the tape measure (or tape body) are very common.

[0003] For nearly a century, metallic tape bands having a curvature (or cupping) and a relatively rigid structure have been preferred for use in automatic retraction tape measures. The metallic tape band tends to have enough flexibility to allow the metallic tape band to wrap around a spring-loaded reel assembly, but has enough rigidity to have a relatively long standout. The cupping of the metallic tape band further enhances the standout without negatively impacting the ability of the metallic tape band to wrap around the reel assembly. By employing an end hook at one end of the tape measure, a user can utilize the standout to unwind the tape measure toward an anchor point on a medium to be measured and then take the measurement without having to physically move to the anchor point to secure the end hook and move away to take the measurement. Given the time and effort that can be saved by this measurement approach, the standout characteristic of automatic retraction tape measures is a very common feature to utilize. In fact, it is so common that users are often seen making multiple attempts to utilize the standout and grab the distal end of the medium being measured with the end hook rather than simply moving to the distal end of the medium to manually secure the end hook to the distal end. When the standout is poor and the user has to use multiple attempts, or fails and has to resort to moving to the distal end to secure the end hook, time is consumed and frustration can result, and the user can seek a tape measure with better standout characteristics.

[0004] Invariably, each tape measure will have a certain length that effectively defines a maximum reach that can be achieved before the tape measure bends and substantially collapses. Once this collapse occurs, the tape measure can no longer reliably extend to an anchor point. However, the collapse that occurs at the maximum reach is not the only type of tape bending or collapse that can occur with a metal tape measure. In this regard, another type of collapse that can occur is referred to as roll-over. Roll-over occurs when the blade rotates about the longitudinal axis of the blade. Rotation of the blade about the longitudinal axis can be desirable when measuring a vertical surface (e.g., a wall, a door, a window, etc.).

[0005] For maximum reach, the apex of the convex side of the cupped shape points straight to the ground as the blade extends. When the blade is rotated about the longitudinal axis and extended, even a typical blade designed for long reach tends to collapse at about three or four feet of extension when the angle of rotation approaches 90 degrees. At the same time, some blades can have reach characteristics that enable extension of greater than 10 feet or 12 feet. Accordingly, it can be desirable to improve the roll-over prevention characteristics to reduce the gap between the maximum reach and the length at which roll-over occurs. SUMMARY

[0006] Some example embodiments can enable providing a tape measure having improved roll-over prevention characteristics.

[0007] In example embodiments, a tape measure device can be provided. The tape measure device can include a housing having an aperture, a reel assembly enclosed within the housing and configured to alternately allow a blade to be drawn out of the aperture from the reel assembly or to be received into the aperture onto the reel assembly, the blade having a first end configured to extend from the housing through the aperture and a second end configured to be wound onto the reel assembly, an end hook disposed at the first end of the blade to engage an object to be measured, and a roll-over prevention accessory disposed proximate the end hook at the first end of the blade such that a center of gravity of the roll-over prevention accessory is spaced apart from an underside of the blade. The end hook can extend substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the blade to extend away from the underside of the blade. The combined weight of the end hook and the roll-over prevention accessory can be in a range between about 10 grams and about 55 grams.

[0008] In another example embodiment, a measuring assembly for a tape measure device can be provided. The assembly can include a tape body, an end hook, and an anti-roll attachment. The tape body can include a first end configured to extend from an aperture in a housing of the tape measure device and a second end configured to be wound on a tape reel assembly. The end hook can be disposed at the first end of the tape body to engage an object to be measured and can extend substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the tape body to extend away from an underside of the tape body. The anti-roll attachment can be disposed proximate the end hook at the first end of the tape body such that a center of gravity of the anti-roll attachment is spaced apart from the underside of the tape body. A combined weight of the end hook and the anti-roll attachment can be in a range between about 10 grams and about 55 grams.

[0009] In another example embodiment, a measuring assembly for a tape measure device can be provided. The assembly can include a tape body and an end hook. The tape body can include a first end configured to extend from an aperture in a housing of the tape measure device and a second end configured to be wound on a tape reel assembly. The end hook can be disposed at the first end of the tape body to engage an object to be measured and can extend substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the tape body to extend away from an underside of the tape body. A portion of the end hook is disposed at the first end of the tape body such that a center of gravity of the portion of the end hook is spaced apart from the underside of the tape body, the portion having a weight greater than about 15 grams. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] Having generally described some example embodiments, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0011] Figure 1 A perspective view of a tape measure device according to an example embodiment is shown;

[0012] Figure 2 A block diagram of a tape measure device according to an example embodiment is shown;

[0013] Figure 3A A front view of an end hook in a normal orientation according to an example embodiment is shown;

[0014] Figure 3B An end hook rotated about ninety degrees about a longitudinal axis of a tape body according to an example embodiment is shown;

[0015] Figure 4A A perspective view of a tape body and an end hook of an example embodiment prior to attachment of an anti-roll attachment is shown;

[0016] Figure 4B A perspective view of a tape body and an end hook of Figure 4A according to an example embodiment with a removable instance of an anti-roll attachment applied to the end hook is shown;

[0017] Figure 4C A perspective view of a tape body and an end hook ofFigure 4A A three-dimensional view of the scale body and end hook, in which a permanently fixed anti-roll-over accessory is applied to the end hook;

[0018] Figure 5A A perspective view of the scale body and end hooks before the anti-roll-over attachment is shown in another exemplary embodiment;

[0019] Figure 5B An exemplary embodiment is shown. Figure 5A A three-dimensional view of the ruler body and end hooks, in which a removable example of the anti-roll-up accessory is applied to the ruler body;

[0020] Figure 5C An exemplary embodiment is shown. Figure 5A A three-dimensional view of the ruler body and end hooks, in which a permanently fixed anti-roll-over accessory is applied to the ruler body;

[0021] Figure 6A A perspective view is shown of a recess and receiving space formed in the housing of the measuring tape device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0022] Figure 6B An insertion according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. Figure 6A Anti-roll-over attachments in the recesses;

[0023] Figure 7 A perspective view of an anti-roll-over accessory having a channel formed therein, according to an exemplary embodiment, is shown;

[0024] Figure 8 A table showing the measurement parameters of multiple sample rulers used to prevent rollover at three-foot and four-foot positions is provided; and

[0025] Figure 9 It shows that for Figure 8 A table showing the ratio of the weight of the end hook to the weight of the body at three feet and four feet for the sample ruler. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Some exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate some, but not all, exemplary embodiments. In fact, the examples described and depicted herein should not be construed as limiting the scope, applicability, or construction of this disclosure. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided to enable this disclosure to meet applicable legal requirements. The same reference numerals throughout denote the same elements. Furthermore, as used herein, the term “or” should be interpreted as a logical operator that results in a true value whenever one or more of its operands are true. As used herein, an operable connection should be understood to refer to a direct or indirect connection, in either case, that enables functional interconnection of components operably connected to each other.

[0027] As noted above, some example embodiments can involve providing a tape measure device that can have an improved tape body design to resist roll-back. This can be accomplished by providing an anti-roll-back attachment at the distal end and bottom side of the tape body (e.g., proximate to the end hook). Figure 1 A perspective view of a tape measure device is shown, Figure 2 A block diagram of the device according to example embodiments is shown, as is FIG. 3 (by Figure 3A and 3B A front view of a tape body of a tape measure device is shown.

[0028] Referring now to Figure 1 -3, a tape measure device 100 of example embodiments can include a housing 110, which for simplicity of manufacture can include a first half housing 112 and a second half housing 114. The first half housing 112 and the second half housing 114 can house therein a reel assembly 120 and a self-retracting assembly 130. A tape body 140 (or tape) portion of the device 100 can be wound on the reel assembly 120. The tape body 140 can be paid out through an aperture 150 formed in the housing 110. A locking assembly 160 can be provided to lock the reel assembly 120, thereby preventing the self-retracting assembly 130 from retracting the tape body 140 when the locking assembly 160 is engaged.

[0029] The tape body 140 has an end hook 170 disposed at one end thereof and is secured to the reel assembly 120 at the other end of the tape body 140. The end hook 170 can be (temporarily) secured to an anchor point on a medium to be measured. Once the end hook 170 is secured to the anchor point, the tape body 140 can be paid out from the aperture 150 and unwound from the reel assembly 120. When a desired length of the tape body 140 has been paid out, the user can make any necessary markings, readings, etc. associated with measurement scale markings that can be printed on the tape body 140. The measurement scale markings typically measure length from the end hook 170 in one or more units, with the divisions and refinements of these units being clearly marked on the tape body 140.

[0030] By securing the end hook 170 to the anchor point, the self-retracting assembly 130 (which can be spring-loaded in some cases) can be prevented from retracting the paid-out portion of the tape body 140 into the housing 110 (via the aperture 150). Similarly, when the locking assembly 160 is engaged, a force (e.g., a clamping force) can be exerted on the tape body 140 to prevent retraction or movement of the reel assembly 120, which otherwise can prevent the self-retracting assembly 130 from retracting the paid-out portion of the tape body 140. However, when the end hook 170 is unanchored and the locking assembly 160 is unengaged, the self-retracting assembly 130 can cause the reel assembly 120 to wind the tape body 140 back onto the reel assembly 120.

[0031] As described above, for a typical measuring tape, when the tape body 140 is extended through the hole 150, the tape body 140 will extend relatively straight out of the hole 150 (although some sagging or looseness may be noticeable due to the weight of the tape body 140). The tape body 140 can extend in a guided manner toward the intended target anchor point, while the tape body 140 continues to have sufficient stiffness to extend. The tape body 140 will continue to extend and extend until the weight of the tape body 140 extending through the hole 150 is sufficient to cause the tape body 140 to collapse and bend, thereby losing its stiffness and preventing any further guided extension. The loss of sufficient stiffness that causes the tape body 140 to collapse and bend at its maximum extension typically occurs at a portion of what may be called the “critical region” of the tape body 140, as it can occur at slightly different points (but generally within the same region) in different extension operations and different individual measuring tapes.

[0032] The elongation capability of ruler 140 can be increased by modifying certain characteristics of ruler 140. For example, it is well known that when ruler 140 is extended to its maximum elongation to improve its elongation, the cupping of ruler 140 causes the curvature to have a apex that typically faces the ground. This is Figure 3A The orientation shown is shown. However, the scale body 140 is not always released in this orientation. Instead, in some cases, measurements of vertical surfaces or structures may require the scale body 140 to be released from the housing 110 in an angled orientation (e.g., rotated up to 90 degrees about the longitudinal axis of the scale body 140, and typically greater than 60 degrees). Figure 3B The diagram shows the scale body 140 and end hook 170 rotated 90 degrees, such that the apex of the convex side of the cupped scale body is now rotated 90 degrees and positioned to the observer's right. For a typical scale body constructed with improved extension, a phenomenon known as rollover collapse or bending (which is similar to the collapse or bending that occurs at maximum extension of scale body 140) can occur in the corresponding critical region of rollover. The critical region of rollover for many cupped scale bodies tends to occur between three and four feet of extension from the shell 110.

[0033] However, by changing the weight balance near the end hook 170 of the blade 140, the critical region of roll-over can be extended. In this regard, by adding an anti-roll-over attachment 200 to the underside of the blade 140 (i.e., for a cupped blade, the side of the blade on which the apex of the convex side of the cup is formed), the critical region of roll-over can be extended by greater than 20%, and in some cases, greater than 50%. For example, a blade 140 having a critical region of roll-over at about 3 feet can have a critical region of roll-over that extends to greater than 5 feet (and an increase of over 50%). The anti-roll-over attachment 200 can take a variety of forms, and can be a permanent feature or a removable feature. Further, the anti-roll-over attachment 200 can also be placed on the end hook 170 itself, or on the underside of the blade 140 (i.e., near the apex of the convex side).

[0034] The anti-roll-over attachment 200 can be a weighted attachment configured to add weight to the underside of the blade 140 at the distal end of the blade 140 and increase stability that improves the roll-over resistance of the blade 140. The amount and location of the weight used for the anti-roll-over attachment 200 can affect the overhang (e.g., by decreasing the overhang due to the added weight at the distal end of the blade 140) and the roll-over resistance (e.g., by increasing the roll-over resistance due to the added weight at the distal end and underside of the blade 140). For a nominal blade 140 having a cup width of about one inch (and thus a flat width of about 1.2 inches) and a cup height of between about 0.28 inches to about 0.4 inches, weights in the range of between about 15 g to about 50 g have proven to provide a good balance between increased roll-over resistance and overhang impact at about 5 g at the end hook 170. Thus, the total weight at or near the distal end of the blade 140 (i.e., on the underside thereof) can be between about 20 g and about 55 g to achieve optimal improvement.

[0035] Thus, one option for implementing a permanent or fixed form of the roll-over prevention accessory 200 can simply be to add weight to the end hook 170 to have the end hook 170 (including the extension portion 202) have a total weight of between about 10 g and about 55 g, so long as the extension portion 202 is entirely on the underside of the blade 140, or the extension portion 202 is at least partially on the underside of the blade 140 to implement a total of between about 10 g and 55 g on the underside of the distal end of the blade 140. Of course, this can be accomplished by simply using more, heavier, and / or thicker material for the end hook 170 and / or the extension portion 202. Thus, the end hook 170 and / or the extension portion 202 can be made larger, thicker, and / or heavier to achieve the desired weight. However, since the extension portion 202 generally extends on the top surface (i.e., the concave portion of the cupped blade), and since the back surface (i.e., the surface facing the blade 140) of the end hook 170 engages the medium to be measured, simply oversizing these components can be inconvenient or undesirable. As such, the roll-over prevention accessory 200 can be added as a separate component. However, if a single unitary and heavier end hook is preferred, the portion of the end hook 170 disposed at the first end of the blade 140 can have a weight greater than about 15 grams, such that the center of gravity of this portion of the end hook 170 is spaced apart from the underside of the blade 140.

[0036] The end hook 170 is typically operatively coupled to the blade 140 via one or more fasteners that extend through the distal end of the blade 140 and the extension portion 202 of the end hook 170, the end hook 170 is typically made of a metallic material, such as a sheet of steel or other metal that is cut and / or shaped to have the desired form. The extension portion 202 is typically part of the same unitary piece of metal as the end hook 170, but is bent at a 90 degree angle relative to the end hook 170. The extension portion 202 extends inwardly along the blade 140 from its distal end, and is typically disposed on the top side of the vertex of the blade 140. Thus, one option for providing the roll-over prevention accessory 200 can be to manufacture a separate component that can be added to the end hook 170 and / or the blade 140 (e.g., proximate the extension portion 202) in a permanent (fixed) or removable manner.

[0037] Assuming that the end hook 170, the blade 140, and the extension portion 202 can be made of a metallic material (e.g., steel) that has good magnetic properties, one option for operatively coupling the roll-over prevention accessory 200 to the distal end of the blade 140 in a removable manner can be to form the roll-over prevention accessory 200 as a magnet, or to include one or more magnets in the roll-over prevention accessory 200. The one or more magnets of the roll-over prevention accessory 200 can thus allow the roll-over prevention accessory 200 to be attached to either (or in some cases both) the underside of the blade 140 (proximate the end hook 170) or the front face of the end hook 170 (i.e., the face facing away from the blade 140).

[0038] As an alternative, the roll-off prevention accessory 200 can be secured to the underside of the blade 140 or the front of the end hook 170 in a permanent, fixed, or non-removable configuration. In these examples, one or more fasteners can be used to secure the roll-off prevention accessory 200 to the blade 140 or the end hook 170.

[0039] Figure 4A A perspective view of the distal end of the blade 140 is shown without the roll-off prevention accessory 200. Figure 4B The same perspective view of the blade 140 is shown, but with the roll-off prevention accessory 200 implemented as a magnet attached to the front 210 of the end hook 170. Thus, Figure 4B The roll-off prevention accessory 200 is removable. Typically, if roll-off protection is not desired or needed (or to maximize the amount of extension), the roll-off prevention accessory 200 can be removed. But if roll-off protection is needed, the user can place the roll-off prevention accessory 200 on the end hook 170 in a manner as shown. Figure 4B The weight of the roll-off prevention accessory 200 placed on the underside of the blade 140 (albeit on the front of the end hook 170) provides a force that counteracts the roll-off tendency and increases the amount of the blade 140 that can be extended from the housing 110 when the blade 140 is rotated up to 90 degrees about its longitudinal axis. As noted above, the enhancement provided can be achieved with as little as the addition of 10 g. However, with the addition of at least 20 g of weight, the improvement can be as high as 50%.

[0040] As an alternative to temporarily applying the roll-off prevention accessory 200 to the end hook 170, one or more fasteners 220 can be used to permanently secure the roll-off prevention accessory 200 to the end hook 170 as Figure 4C shown. In this Figure 4C example, the fasteners 220 can pass through the roll-off prevention accessory 200 and through the end hook 170. As yet another alternative, the fasteners 220 can be replaced by (or embodied as) snap fittings that can releasably engage openings formed in the end hook 170 to provide another means by which the releasable form of the roll-off prevention accessory 200 is embodied.

[0041] As noted above, instead of applying the roll-off prevention accessory 200 to the end hook 170 (and particularly the front 210 of the end hook 170), the roll-off prevention accessory 200 can be attached to the underside of the blade 140 (e.g., at the apex of the convex side of the blade 140 for a cupped blade). Figure 5A A perspective view of the underside of the blade 140 is shown prior to the application of the roll-off prevention accessory 200 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 5B The same view of the blade 140 is shown, but with the roll-off prevention accessory 200 applied thereto in a removable manner. Figure 5C A permanent attachment of the roll-off prevention accessory 200 toFigure 5A anti-roll attachment 200 of the blade 140.

[0042] Referring to Figure 5B , the metallic properties of the blade 140 and the extension portion 202 can allow the anti-roll attachment 200 to be applied to the underside of the blade 140, extending proximate and distal to the rear face 212 of the end hook 170 (i.e., the face opposite the front face 210 and facing the blade 140) including or implemented as a magnet. Thus, Figure 5B Examples of the anti-roll attachment 200 also show options for operatively coupling the anti-roll attachment 200 to the distal end of the blade 140 in a removable manner. As an alternative to a removable connection, Figure 5C The fastener 220 shown in the anti-roll attachment 200 can be passed through the anti-roll attachment 200 and the blade 140 to connect the anti-roll attachment 200 to the distal end of the blade 140.

[0043] The shape and size of the anti-roll attachment 200 can vary when the weight of the anti-roll attachment 200 is within the ranges described above (e.g., the total weight is between 20 g and 55 g). However, by providing the anti-roll attachment 200 as a rectangular shaped component, a more versatile utility can be achieved. For example, by having the anti-roll attachment 200 take a rectangular form, the length and / or width of the anti-roll attachment 200 can be maintained within a range of about 80% to about 100% of the width of the blade 140 and / or the end hook 170. This can ensure that when the anti-roll attachment 200 is disposed on the underside of the blade 140 or the front face 210 of the end hook 170, the edges of the anti-roll attachment 200 will not spill over the sides of the blade 140 or the end hook 170 to facilitate grasping other materials or components (which in some cases can separate the anti-roll attachment 200 from the blade 140 or the end hook 170). The rectangular shape can also facilitate easy storage of the anti-roll attachment 200 when it is removable.

[0044] In this regard, for example, Figure 6A a perspective view of the housing 110 of the tape measure device 100 is shown modified to include a containment space 300 formed by a recess 310 that can be disposed on a portion of the housing 110. The anti-roll attachment 200 can be slid into the containment space 300 and retained therein by a magnet (e.g., if the anti-roll attachment 200 is magnetic) or a friction fitting located in the recess 310 to engage the anti-roll attachment 200 and retain it therein. If magnetic, the anti-roll attachment 200 can also simply be retained at another portion of the housing 110 (i.e., a metallic portion) without the need to form a recess 310 on the housing 110.

[0045] The above examples assume that the anti-roll attachment 200 is formed as a solid. The solid can be a monolithic material (magnetic or non-magnetic in nature) or can include individual magnets embedded therein. Such a structure can be relatively easy to form and place on the end hook 170 or the blade 140 in the manner described above and can have a center of gravity that is approximately at the center of the anti-roll attachment 200. By placing the fixed center of gravity of the anti-roll attachment 200 on the underside of the blade 140, such a simple structure can also provide the above-described anti-roll benefits. However, more complex structures with a variable center of gravity can also be employed.

[0046] Figure 7 One example is shown in which the anti-roll attachment 200 has an internal channel 230 formed therein. The internal channel 230 can be a hollow portion within the anti-roll attachment 200 and the internal channel 230 can thus be filled with a material that shifts as the anti-roll attachment 200 is rotated. For example, if the internal channel 230 is formed as a cylinder, a block of metal or a liquid metal therein can be free to move from one end of the cylinder to the other as the anti-roll attachment 200 is rotated to change its orientation. Such a construction can still allow the anti-roll attachment 200 to be placed simply and easily on the blade 140 or the end hook 170, but can move the center of gravity of the anti-roll attachment 200 lower (e.g., toward 90 degrees as shown in the middle) after rotation. Figure 3B In some cases, the lower center of gravity can even further improve stability.

[0047] Figure 8A table of measurement parameters for a plurality of sample tapes is shown for preventing roll-over at three feet and four feet. In this regard, five different sample tapes (i.e., Tape 1, Tape 2, Tape 3, Tape 4, and Tape 5) were tested. The thickness of each tape body was measured in mm (column 400), and the tape body width (i.e., flat width) and the tape body opening width (i.e., curved width) were measured in columns 410 and 420, respectively. The ratio of the tape body width to the tape body opening width was then calculated for each sample tape and is shown in column 430. Column 440 shows the weight of the end hook (in grams) for each sample tape. Column 450 shows the total weight of the tape body (excluding the end hook) at three feet for each respective sample tape, and column 460 shows the total weight of the respective tape body at four feet. Column 470 shows the amount of weight added to the end hook to avoid roll-over for each sample tape at the feet of extension or reach. Thus, it can be appreciated that Tape #2, which has the heaviest end hook to date, does not roll over (rotate about the longitudinal axis of the tape body to about 90 degrees) at three feet of extension. Column 480 shows the weight added to the end hook to avoid roll-over at four feet of extension. Thus, even Tape #2 rolls over at four feet of extension. Column 490 shows the total weight of the end hook and the added weight to avoid roll-over at three feet, and column 495 shows the total weight of the end hook and the added weight to avoid roll-over at four feet of extension. In all cases, adding weight to the end hook improves the amount of extension that can be achieved before roll-over.

[0048] Figure 9 A table of the ratio of the end hook weight to the tape body weight at three feet and four feet is shown for the sample tape of Figure 8 In this regard, column 500 shows the ratio of the end hook weight to the tape body weight at three feet of extension (i.e., without any added weight) for each sample tape. Meanwhile, column 510 shows the ratio of the end hook to the tape body weight at three feet of extension for each sample tape with the minimum weight added to avoid roll-over. Column 520 shows the percentage increase from column 500 to column 510. From the data shown in columns 500 to 520, it can be appreciated that a ratio of the end hook weight to the tape body weight of greater than 40% appears to avoid roll-over at three feet of extension. Tape #2 meets this ratio of the designed ratio due to its heavy end hook, and thus can avoid roll-over at three feet of extension. Additionally, since Tape #1 is the thinnest and lightest tape body, Tape #1 requires a higher ratio of the end hook weight to the tape body weight to avoid roll-over.

[0049] Column 530 shows the ratio of the end hook to the tape body weight for each sample tape at four feet of extension (i.e., without any added weight). Meanwhile, column 540 shows the ratio of the end hook to the tape body weight for each sample tape at four feet of extension with the minimum weight added to avoid roll over. Column 550 shows the percentage increase from column 530 to column 540. From the data shown in columns 530-550, it can be understood that each sample tape needed to increase by at least 10% to avoid roll over at four feet. Thus, Figure 8 and 9 The data in Tables 1-3 clearly show that better roll over performance can be obtained by increasing the weight of the end hook. Furthermore, while the tape body weight, thickness, and end hook weight all play a role in determining roll over performance, it can be expected that adding weight to the end hook in the amounts or ranges described herein will significantly improve roll over resistance. For all of the tapes tested, the improvement in performance extended roll over beyond four feet of extension.

[0050] In an example embodiment, a tape measure device can be provided. The tape measure device can include a housing having an aperture, a reel assembly enclosed within the housing and configured to alternately allow a tape body to be drawn out of the aperture from the reel assembly or received into the aperture onto the reel assembly, the tape body having a first end configured to extend from the housing through the aperture and a second end configured to be wound onto the reel assembly, an end hook disposed at the first end of the tape body to engage an object to be measured, and an anti-roll over attachment disposed proximate the end hook at the first end of the tape body such that a center of gravity of the anti-roll over attachment is spaced apart from an underside of the tape body. The end hook can extend substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the tape body to extend away from the underside of the tape body. The anti-roll over attachment can have a combined weight in a range of about 10 grams and about 55 grams.

[0051] In some embodiments, features of the above-described devices can be added or modified, or additional features can be added. These additions, modifications, and additions can be optional, and can be provided in any combination. Thus, although some example modifications, additions, and additions are listed below, it should be understood that any of the modifications, additions, and additions can be implemented alone, or in combination with one or more or even all of the other modifications, additions, and additions listed. Thus, for example, in some cases the anti-roll attachment can have a weight of between about 15 grams and about 50 grams. In example embodiments, the anti-roll attachment can be removable from the end hook. In some cases, the anti-roll attachment can include a magnetic material configured to enable the magnetic material to adhere the anti-roll attachment to a front face of the end hook. In one example embodiment, the anti-roll attachment can be permanently affixed to the front face of the end hook. In some cases, the anti-roll attachment can be operably coupled to an underside of the blade, proximate a rear face of the end hook. In example embodiments, the anti-roll attachment can be removable from the underside of the blade. In some cases, the anti-roll attachment can include a magnetic material configured to enable the magnetic material to adhere the anti-roll attachment to a front face of the end hook. In example embodiments, the anti-roll attachment can be permanently affixed to the underside of the blade. In some cases, the housing can include a recess forming a receiving space, the anti-roll attachment can be removable, and when the anti-roll attachment is removed from the first end of the blade, the anti-roll attachment can be configured to be inserted into the receiving space to be retained by the pocket. In example embodiments, the anti-roll attachment can include an internal channel filled with a material that shifts when the anti-roll attachment is rotated about a longitudinal centerline of the blade.

[0052] Many modifications and other embodiments of the applications set forth herein will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading of the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the application is not to be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed herein as many modifications are possible and equivalents will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that the application is not limited to the exact construction described above. Only a few embodiments and examples of this application are given as illustrative examples, but many modifications, adaptations and variations will be possible while the application is given in the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to those skilled in the relevant art, it will be apparent that various examples of elements and / or functions elucidated in this disclosure and / or accompanying drawings can be provided in alternative examples with different combinations of elements and / or functions. In this regard, for example, combinations of elements and / or functions in examples, other than those explicitly described above, are also contemplated as can be set forth in some of the appended claims. Where advantages, benefits or solutions to problems have been described above, it should be appreciated that such advantages, benefits and / or solutions can be applicable to some examples, but not necessarily all examples. As such, any advantages, benefits and / or solutions described herein should not be treated as being critical, required, or essential to all examples or embodiments of the application, unless explicitly stated as such. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. A tape measure device comprising: a housing having an aperture; a reel assembly enclosed within the housing, the reel assembly configured to alternately allow the tape blade to be drawn out of the reel assembly through the aperture or to allow the tape blade to be received in the aperture onto the reel assembly; a tape blade, the tape blade having: a first end configured to extend from the housing through the aperture; and a second end configured to be wound onto the reel assembly; an end hook disposed at the first end of the tape blade to engage an object to be measured, the end hook extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the tape blade to extend away from an underside of the tape blade; and an anti-roll accessory disposed proximate the end hook at the first end of the tape blade such that a center of gravity of the anti-roll accessory is spaced apart from the underside of the tape blade, wherein a combined weight of the end hook and the anti-roll accessory is in a range between 20 grams and 55 grams, the anti-roll accessory has a weight between 15 grams and 50 grams, and wherein the weight of the anti-roll accessory provides a force that counteracts a roll tendency and thus increases an amount of the tape blade that extends out of the housing when the tape blade is rotated 90 degrees about its longitudinal axis and thereby expands a critical region of roll. The anti-roll accessory is operably coupled to a front face of the end hook. The anti-roll accessory is removable from the end hook.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The anti-roll accessory includes a magnetic material configured such that the magnetic material adheres the anti-roll accessory to the front face of the end hook.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein, The anti-roll accessory is permanently secured to the front face of the end hook.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein, The anti-roll accessory is operably coupled to the underside of the tape blade proximate a rear face of the end hook.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein, The anti-roll accessory is removable from the underside of the tape blade.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The anti-roll accessory includes a magnetic material configured such that the magnetic material adheres the anti-roll accessory to the underside of the tape blade.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein, The anti-roll accessory is permanently secured to the underside of the tape blade.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein, The housing includes a recess forming a receiving space, 9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein, wherein the anti-roll accessory is removable, and 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, wherein when the anti-roll accessory is removed from the first end of the tape blade, the anti-roll accessory is configured to be inserted into the receiving space to be retained by the recess. The combined weight of the end hook and the anti-roll accessory is greater than 31% of a ratio of tape blade extension at 4 feet.

12. A measuring assembly for a tape measure device, the assembly comprising:

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, a tape blade having: a first end configured to extend from an aperture in a housing of the tape measure device; and a second end configured to be wound onto a reel assembly; an end hook disposed at the first end of the tape blade to engage an object to be measured, the end hook extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the tape blade to extend away from an underside of the tape blade; and an anti-roll accessory disposed proximate the end hook at the first end of the tape blade such that a center of gravity of the anti-roll accessory is spaced apart from the underside of the tape blade, wherein a combined weight of the end hook and the anti-roll accessory is in a range between 20 grams and 55 grams, the anti-roll accessory has a weight between 15 grams and 50 grams, and wherein the weight of the anti-roll accessory provides a force that counteracts a roll tendency and thus increases an amount of the tape blade that extends out of the housing when the tape blade is rotated 90 degrees about its longitudinal axis and thereby expands a critical region of roll. ​ ​ an anti-roll attachment disposed proximate the end hook at the first end of the blade such that a center of gravity of the anti-roll attachment is spaced apart from the underside of the blade, wherein a combined weight of the end hook and the anti-roll attachment is in a range between 20 grams and 55 grams, the anti-roll attachment has a weight between 15 grams and 50 grams, and wherein the weight of the anti-roll attachment provides a force that counteracts a roll tendency and thus increases an amount of the blade that extends from the housing when the blade is rotated up to 90 degrees about its longitudinal axis and thereby expands a critical region of roll.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein, The anti-roll attachment is operatively coupled to a front face of the end hook.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein, The anti-roll attachment includes a magnetic material configured such that the magnetic material removably adheres the anti-roll attachment to the front face of the end hook.

15. The assembly of claim 13, wherein, The anti-roll attachment is permanently affixed to the front face of the end hook.

16. The assembly of claim 12, wherein, The anti-roll attachment is operatively coupled to the underside of the blade proximate a rear face of the end hook.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein, The anti-roll attachment is removable from the underside of the blade.

18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein, The anti-roll attachment includes a magnetic material configured such that the magnetic material can adhere the anti-roll attachment to the underside of the blade.

19. The assembly of claim 16, wherein, The anti-roll attachment is permanently affixed to the underside of the blade.

20. A measuring assembly for a tape measure device, the assembly comprising: a blade having: a first end configured to extend from an aperture in a housing of the tape measure device; and a second end configured to be wound on a reel assembly; and an end hook disposed at the first end of the blade to engage an object to be measured, the end hook extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the blade to extend away from an underside of the blade, wherein a portion of the end hook is disposed at the first end of the blade such that a center of gravity of the portion of the end hook is spaced apart from the underside of the blade, the portion having a weight between 15 grams and 50 grams, and wherein the weight of the portion of the end hook provides a force that counteracts a roll tendency and thus increases an amount of the blade that extends from the housing when the blade is rotated up to 90 degrees about its longitudinal axis and thereby expands a critical region of roll.

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