Measuring device with marking holder and sharpener

[0001] The invention is directed to a marking device, and more particularly a marking device with a marking holder and sharpener.

[0002] Marking devices are well known in the art. One example is known as a “tape measure”. Tape measures typically include a flexible tape resiliently coiled within a housing. The tape is normally printed with incremental measuring marks for measuring distances. In use, the flexible tape is uncoiled and extended from the housing and placed on a surface to be measured. Distances can then be marked with a separate marking tool, such as a pencil, directly onto the surface measured.

[0003] Numerous marking devices incorporate marking tools inside and outside the housing. A problem with these devices is that it is difficult to sharpen the marking tool in order to make a clean and accurate mark. In some devices the measuring device must be disassembled and the marking tool replaced. As a result a need exists in the art for a measuring device that addresses these problems.

[0004] An objective of the present invention is to provide a measuring device that is more convenient to use.

[0005] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a measuring device that will hold and sharpen a marking tool.

[0006] These and other objectives will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the following written description.

[0007] A measuring device having a flexible tape resiliently coiled within a housing. Mounted to the housing is a retaining block. The block has a groove for frictionally receiving a marking tool. Also, connected to the block is a sharpening device.

[0010] Referring to the Figures, a measuring device 10, has a flexible tape 12 resiliently coiled within a housing 14. The marking device 10 shown in the Figures is a conventional tape measure and is shown as an example only. The invention may be incorporated into any measuring device without departing from the scope or the spirit of the invention.

[0011] Mounted to the housing 14 is a retaining block 16. The retaining block 16 is of any shape and size and is mounted to the housing 14 in any conventional manner such as with an adhesive, screws, weld mount, or the like. Alternatively, the retaining block 16 is integrally molded as part of the housing 14.

[0012] The retaining block 16 has a retaining groove 18 disposed therein. In one embodiment, the groove is open and has a rigid surface 20 that is sized to receive and frictionally retain a marking tool 22 such as a pencil. Alternatively, the groove is enclosed with open ends and is sized to receive and retain the marking tool 22 when it is slid in one end. The block 16 and groove 18 are positioned such that a marking tip of the marking tool 22 is adjacent the tape 12 to mark the measured surface without removing the marking tool 22 from the groove 18.

[0013] Mounted to the retaining block 16 is a sharpening device 24 such as a pencil sharpener. The sharpening device 24 is mounted to the retaining block in any conventional manner such as by adhesive, screws, a weld mount, or the like. Alternatively, the sharpening device 24 is disposed within the retaining block 16 either received within a slot or integrally molded as part of the retaining block 16.

[0014] In use, the tape 12 of the measuring device 10 is extended and laid on a surface to be measured. To mark the surface, the marking tool 22 is removed from the retaining groove 18 and the surface is manually marked. Alternatively, the marking tool 22 is positioned within groove 18 such that the tip of the marking tool 22 is adjacent the tape 12 and a mark is made on the measured surface without removing the marking tool 22 from the groove 18. As the marking tool 22 becomes dull it is removed from groove 18 and inserted within the sharpening device 24 and sharpened. Once sharpened, the marking tool 22 is returned to the retaining groove 18 until needed to mark.

[0015] Thus, a measuring device has been described that, at the very least, meets all the stated objectives.