Tape measure

A tape measure having a housing that encloses a coiled tape rule retractably mounted therein. The housing is constructed with an outer coating of a generally soft, resilient, pliant material that extends over a substantial portion of the housing. The tape measure further provides a locking button that is slidably attached to the housing and is adapted to selectively prevent the tape rule from moving with respect to the opening in the housing. The locking button generally includes a central portion that is located adjacent to the peripheral wall and at least one side portion located adjacent to a side wall of the housing. The locking button further includes an outer surface with an outer coating thereon of a relatively soft, skid-resistant material. The tape measure further provides a tape clip attached to a terminal end of the tape rule that includes a friction member made of a generally soft, non-skid material attached to a clip portion of the tape clip. The friction member is advantageously mounted to the clip portion by molding the friction member within a pair of apertures through the clip portion.

What is claimed is:

1. A tape measure comprising:

a housing further comprising two side walls and a peripheral wall connecting said side walls, said peripheral wall having an opening, and said housing having a pliant coating on an outer surface thereof;

a coiled extendable tape rule retractably mounted within said housing and extending through said opening; and

a locking button slidably attached to said housing, said locking button being adapted to selectively prevent said tape rule from moving with respect to said opening in said housing, said locking button including a central portion adjacent to said peripheral wall of said housing and at least one side portion being substantially coplanar with a portion of one of said side walls of said housing.

2. The tape measure according to claim 1, wherein said pliant coating is made of an elastomeric material.

3. The tape measure according to claim 1, wherein said pliant coating is made of a rubber material.

4. The tape measure according to claim 1, wherein said pliant coating has a hardness grade in a range between about 45 to about 80 Shore A.

5. The tape measure according to claim 4, wherein said pliant coating has a hardness grade of about 70 Shore A.

6. The tape measure according to claim 1, wherein said pliant coating covers substantially all of said outer surface of said housing.

7. The tape measure according to claim 1, wherein said housing has a convex side surface.

8. The tape measure according to claim 1, wherein said locking button is coated with an elastomeric material.

9. The tape measure according to claim 1, wherein said locking button is coated with a rubber material.

10. The tape measure according to claim 1, wherein said tape rule has a tape clip attached to a terminal end thereof, said tape clip having a clip portion extending downwardly from said tape rule, said clip portion having an aperture with a friction member affixed therein, said friction member having a contact portion on a first side of said clip portion.

11. The tape measure according to claim 10, wherein said friction member is made of an elastomeric material.

12. The tape measure according to claim 10, wherein said friction member is made of an rubber material.

13. The tape measure according to claim 10, wherein said friction member comprises a first portion that extends through said aperture, said contact portion being connected to said first portion, said contact portion having a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of said aperture, and a wide portion connected to said first portion and positioned on a second side of said clip portion, said wide portion having a cross-sectional area greater than a cross-sectional area of said aperture.

14. A tape measure comprising:

a housing having two side walls and a peripheral wall connecting said side walls, said housing having an opening on said peripheral wall;

a coiled extendable tape rule retractably mounted within said housing and extending through said opening; and

a locking button slidably attached to said housing, said locking button having a pliant coating on an outer surface thereof, said locking button being adapted to selectively prevent said tape rule from moving with respect to said opening in said housing, said locking button including a central portion located adjacent to said peripheral wall of said housing and at least one side portion being substantially coplanar with a portion of one of said side walls of said housing.

15. The tape measure according to claim 14, wherein said locking button includes a second side portion being substantially coplanar with a portion of another of said side walls of said housing.

16. The tape measure according to claim 14, wherein said pliant coating is an elastomeric material.

17. The tape measure according to claim 14, wherein said pliant coating is a rubber material.

18. A tape measure comprising:

a housing having an opening; and

a coiled extendable tape rule retractably mounted within said housing and extending through said opening, said tape rule having a tape clip attached to a terminal end thereof, said tape clip having a clip portion extending downwardly from said tape rule, said clip portion having an aperture with a friction member affixed therein, said friction member having a contact portion on a first side of said clip portion.

19. The tape measure according to claim 18, wherein said friction member is made of an elastomeric material.

20. The tape measure according to claim 18, wherein said friction member is made of an rubber material.

21. The tape measure according to claim 18, wherein said friction member comprises a first portion that extends through said aperture, said contact portion being connected to said first portion, said contact portion having a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of said aperture, and a wide portion connected to said first portion and positioned on a second side of said clip portion, said wide portion having a cross-sectional area greater than a cross-sectional area of said aperture.