Marking Device Holder for Tape Measure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tape measures are inefficient for creating consistent series of marks, especially with odd fractional measurements, and lack a practical means to transfer measurements accurately, leading to human error and time consumption in tasks like marking studs or shingles, and drawing arcs and circles.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, inexpensive marking device holder that can be attached to a tape measure or lath, featuring a body with cavities to securely hold a marking device and accommodate tape or lath, allowing for easy marking of lengths, arcs, and circles without the need for complex mechanisms or moving parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional tape measure is used for creating a series of marks, then the marking task can be completed, but it is time consuming and prone to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the tape measure with a marking device holder that can securely hold a pencil or marker. This integration allows the user to mark measurements directly while the tape is extended, eliminating the need to separately locate and mark each measurement point, thereby increasing productivity while maintaining accuracy through the secure holding mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The marking device is pre-positioned in the holder at a specific location on the tape measure. This preliminary positioning allows the user to extend the tape to the desired measurement and immediately mark it without needing to separately position the marking tool, reducing time consumption and minimizing opportunities for human error.
2Ease of operation
If the tape brake is used to maintain tape length for parallel marking, then marking can be performed, but the utensil may slip out of position or the tape brake may slip
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the marking device with the tape measure structure itself through the holder assembly. This integration provides a more stable and reliable marking system compared to using a separate utensil held against the tape brake, as the marking device is structurally supported by the holder rather than relying solely on the tape brake's friction hold.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a marking device holder with integral mounting and moving parts is used, then marking functionality is added, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the marking device holder as a separate, removable component that can be attached to or removed from the tape measure. This modular approach allows the tape measure to gain marking functionality when needed while maintaining its simplicity when the holder is removed, avoiding permanent complexity in the basic tape measure design.
Solution Approach 2:
The marking device holder is designed as a simple, inexpensive accessory that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. This approach prioritizes functional versatility over permanent, complex integration, allowing users to add marking capability affordably without investing in a complex integrated system.
Data Source
AI summary
A marking device holder for use with a tape measure has a body with a curved cavity defined in it for receiving and holding the tape of the tape measure and a second cavity for receiving and holding a marking device generally orthogonal to the tape. The marking device holder can be placed on the tape at any desired location to enable the marking device to mark a work piece adjacent to the tape. The marking devise holder may be provided with a rectangular cavity for receiving a lath in order to make repetitive measurements of the same length.