Marked Fish Tape for Precise Conduit Run Measurement

Solution Overview

Problem

Electricians face challenges in determining the exact length of wire needed for conduit runs, leading to waste and inefficiency, as existing fish tapes lack imprinted measurements and are not suitable for measuring through long, angled conduit runs.

Innovation Solution

A fish tape measurement device with unit mark measurements along its length, featuring a spoolable wire with markings that allow electricians to determine the exact length of wire required, reducing waste and improving efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a measuring tape is used to measure conduit runs, then measurement precision is improved, but the measuring tape cannot be forced through long runs of conduit with multiple angled turns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement function is segmented from the traditional measuring tape and integrated into the fish tape itself. The fish tape is divided into measurement segments with imprinted markings at regular intervals, allowing it to serve both as a conduit penetration tool and a measurement tool simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the measurement function with the fish tape by imprinting measurement markings directly on the fish tape body. This combination allows the single tool to perform both conduit penetration and measurement functions, eliminating the need for separate measuring tapes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If traditional fish tape without measurements is used, then ease of operation is improved, but wire length determination requires additional time and labor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidloss of time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the measurement function with the fish tape by imprinting measurement markings directly on the fish tape body. This combination allows the single tool to perform both conduit penetration and measurement functions, eliminating the need for separate measuring tapes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fish tape provides self-service measurement functionality through imprinted markings that allow electricians to determine wire length requirements directly during the conduit penetration process, without needing to retrieve separate measuring tools or perform additional measurement steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If traditional fish tape without measurements is used, then device complexity is reduced, but wire waste increases due to inability to make precise measurements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidwire waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the measurement function with the fish tape by imprinting measurement markings directly on the fish tape body. This combination allows the single tool to perform both conduit penetration and measurement functions, eliminating the need for separate measuring tapes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the need for separate mechanical measuring tapes with imprinted measurement markings on the fish tape itself. This substitution integrates the measurement capability into the existing fish tape structure without adding complex mechanical measurement components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250052555A1Fish Tape Measurement Device

Publication Date: 2025.02.13 KONG BUNTHY

AI summary

A fish tape measurement device is disclosed. The fish tape measurement device comprises a body component that encases a spool of wire. The wire on the spool is a narrow, flat wire which comprises a plurality of measuring units marked throughout. The wire on the spool can wind in and out from approximately 100 to 200 feet. Thus, the markings will provide electricians with an exact length measurement in order to prevent cable and wire waste when working on a jobsite.