US Only. In both cases it was after they had been dropped. Another thing to look for is the design of the tang the metal hook at the end of the tape. The PowerLock digital talking tape measure system a fairly typical warranty. It was a very fun day! A combination measuring tape and audio recorder comprising: a housing for a measuring tape; an elongated extendable and retractable measuring tape positioned in said housing; a microcircuit for recording audio messages of dimensions observed on said tape, said microcircuit including provision for storage of information digital talking tape measure system positioned in a removable housing detachable from said tape; control means for controlling said recording means to record, play back and erase messages thereon, said controls being positioned at one side of said housing accessible to the user; and a movable sliding cover protecting said controls when said cover is in a closed position.

Search Expert Search Quick Search. Tape measure with audio recorder. United States Patent A combination measuring instrument such as an elongated and retractable tape measuring device is associated with an audio recording apparatus which enables a user to record measurements observed on the tape measure device simultaneously with the act of performing the measurement and which permits the subsequent playback of the recorded information for use in a later discrete step of manufacturing or utilizing the recorded information.

The recording device may be positioned in or on the housing of the measuring device so that the user may conveniently record the observed measurement orally for later reuse. Malone, Robert D. Seattle, WA. Click for automatic bibliography generation. Download PDF What is claimed: 1. A combination measuring tape and audio recorder comprising: a housing for a measuring tape; an elongated extendable and retractable measuring tape positioned in said housing; a microcircuit for recording audio messages of dimensions observed on said tape, said microcircuit positioned in a removable housing detachable from said tape; and control means for controlling said recording means to record, play back and erase messages thereon, said controls being positioned at one side of said housing accessible to the user.

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said removable housing is attached to said tape housing with hook and loop fasteners. A combination measuring tape and audio recorder comprising: a housing for a measuring tape; an elongated extendable and retractable measuring tape positioned in said housing; a microcircuit for recording audio messages of dimensions observed on said tape; and control means for controlling said recording means to record, play back and erase messages thereon, said controls being positioned at one side of said housing accessible to the user, said controls protected by a moveable sliding cover.

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said movable cover is urged into the close position by a spring. A combination measuring tape and audio recorder comprising: a housing for a measuring tape; an elongated extendable and retractable measuring tape positioned in said housing; a microcircuit for recording audio messages of dimensions observed on said tape, said microcircuit including provision for storage of information and positioned in a removable housing detachable from said tape; control means for controlling said recording means to record, play back and erase messages thereon, said controls being positioned at one side of said housing accessible to the user; and a movable sliding cover protecting said controls when said cover is in a closed position.

The PowerLock has a blade stand-out of 7 feet, 10 inches, which is on the upper side of the limit indicated by Clement and DeBoer. The locking lever is strong and easy to use, with a nice texture that prevents the thumb from slipping.

You can easily lock the blade with one hand. The belt hook is a standard but functional design. It has a nice spring to it and the flare at the end makes it easy to blindly hook on a back pocket. I can hold the [PowerLock] in my hand, pay out tape, and bend the tape—say for measuring across a floor or from floor to ceiling—in a fluid motion without having to readjust the tape in my hand.

The people we asked to handle the tapes had similar experiences. The solid feel of the tool and the smooth locking lever were also noted as high points.

A really nice additional feature of the PowerLock is that the tape case is marked for inside measurements. On the underside of the case, right where the tang sits, the PowerLock has a slightly loose piece of black plastic. This acts as a shock absorber when the tang comes slamming back into the case.

A few of the other tools had something similar with varying degrees of success. The Johnson JobSite, Johnson Big J, and Keson tapes also had bumpers, but when they were pressed, they actually forced open the seam along the underside of the case.

Better versions were found on the Starrett and Tajimas, but those tapes had other issues covered below. The Komelon, Lufkin, and Snap-on extend their ample rubber over-mold up to the nose of the tool so that it directly acts as a bumper. This last point he makes is worth emphasizing. DeBoer also picks up on the cost analysis in the PTR piece. The PowerLock has a fairly typical warranty. We need to note that Stanley sells another version of this tape measure that they refer to as the PowerLock with Blade Armor.

We tested this model out too, and even though it sounds like it would be the superior tape, it pales in comparison to its more stable sibling. This is a nice touch, but we also found that it had one of the weaker blade locks of any tape we looked at. The tape started recoiling with even the slightest movement.

While we liked the added blade durability, the loosey-goosey blade lock was too frustrating. Last, with its long plus-year history, the PowerLock is also something of an icon. For all of this goodness, the PowerLock still has a couple slight flaws. First, the belt hook is a simple metal clip. This is a standard design on tape measures, and when clipped and unclipped repeatedly on a pocket, it starts to fray the fabric.

However, this is only a concern if the tape is being used on a very regular basis. As stated earlier, the PowerLock has been around for over 50 years and the one thing that has changed over time is the case.

Somewhere along the way, most likely for cost reasons, Stanley stopped making them out of metal and started making them out of plastic.

In our research, we found that many longtime users of the PowerLock wistfully long for the days of the metal case. The fact is that plastic cases are simply the norm these days, and they offer enough durability to get the job done.

Of the tapes we tested, only the Johnson Big J had a significant amount of metal in the case and at no point did we get the sense of any significant added durability. If you want a tape measure with a proven track record of durability, one that can withstand a true jobsite beatdown, we recommend the Stanley FatMax. Over the years it has replaced the PowerLock as the standard on jobsites.

We actually heard it laughing at us. The FatMax has a top-hooking tang. While this was a feature that took many other tapes out of consideration, the tang on the FatMax is designed differently. On the sides at the top of the tang are two slight horns that stick up above the concave side of the tape.

These can be used to hook something from underneath. The trade-off for all of this goodness is weight and bulk. The chubby case is nearly two inches wide and it fills up any hand that is holding it. For this guide, we only looked at tapes with traditional locking buttons. Some companies make tape measures with auto-locking features that automatically hold the tape in place once it is extended.

A button, located where the normal toggle would be, retracts the tape. It makes sense to just learn that little trick and then have the full range of tape motion if you need it. If you need a longer tape measure, depending on your needs, it may be worth investing in a foot tape measure like this Komelon. These are not spring-loaded auto-retracting tapes like their smaller cousins.

Rather, they work on a spool system like a fishing rod. Any time you consistently need long measurements, one of these can save you a tremendous amount of time. Another category of measuring tools is the laser distance measurers. These tools, some as small as a pack of cards, shoot a laser point and give the distance on a little screen. There are very basic models similar to the now-discontinued Bosch DLRK that can do distance and calculate area and volume, but others, like the Stanley TLM , can even figure out a distance through triangulation.

If it can read the distance between you and the house and you and the second-story window for example , it can tell you how high the window is off the ground. But as cool as they sound, they can only measure areas that have a positive edge like a room. The Milwaukee 25 ft. It was a very fun day! Tactile braille rulers are frequently used to measure items in the classroom, including items on adapted worksheets. Braille rulers are available from numerous vendors, including through quota at APH and even at Walmart!

For larger measurements, tactile braille steel tape measures are available. These tools are particularly handy for daily living skills and hobbies. There are several types of braille proctractors available.

In the video below, Susan Osterhaus, math consultant for the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired's Outreach program, discusses protractors in her introductory video. Have you ever needed to measure something but did not have a tape measure with you? No worries, there is an app for that! While current measuring apps are designed to be used for real-world needs, students can also use these apps for classroom activities.

This app is available for both iPhones and iPads. As always, concepts - such as measuring - should be initially taught with hands-on manipulatives and standard braille tools.

Using a measuring app can be fun and is certainly a useful, real-world measuring tool. Move to Measure - Flying Ruler is a tape measure, ruler, protractor and goniometer measures angles app. This app works differently than most other measuring apps as the program works using the inertial navigation system INS.

The INS determines the position of the device with the help of the accelerometer and the gyroscope. Note: the app will beep after each position is accepted. Once the app is calibrating go back to the Home screen.

Select that button for the three options:. The typical measuring option is to measure the surface in a line using the body of your device. With this option, simply place the left edge of your phone on the left edge of what you want to measure. With VoiceOver running, double tap the Start button. You will hear a tone and the word, "Start" and then "Go".

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