tape measure
| Dictionary: tape measure |
n.
A tape of cloth, paper, or steel marked off in a linear scale, as of inches or centimeters, for taking measurements. Also called tapeline.
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| WordNet: tape measure |
Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.
The noun has one meaning:
Meaning #1:
measuring instrument consisting of a narrow strip (cloth or metal) marked in inches or centimeters and used for measuring lengths
Synonyms: tape, tapeline
| Wikipedia: Tape measure |
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A tape measure or measuring tape is a flexible form of ruler. It consists of a ribbon of cloth, plastic, fiber glass, or metal strip with linear-measurement markings. It is a common measuring tool. Its flexibility allows for a measure of great length to be easily carried in pocket or toolkit and permits one to measure around curves or corners. Today it is ubiquitous, even appearing in miniature form as a keychain fob, or novelty item. Surveyors use tape measures in lengths of over 100 m (300+ ft).
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Uses
Tape measures that were intended for use in tailoring or dressmaking were made from flexible cloth or plastic. Today, measuring tapes made for sewing are made of fiberglass, which does not tear or stretch as easily[1]. Measuring tapes designed for carpentry or construction often use a stiff, curved metallic ribbon that can remain stiff and straight when extended, but retracts into a coil for convenient storage. This type of tape measure will have a floating tang on the end to aid measuring. The tang will float a distance equal to its thickness, to provide both inside and outside measurements that are accurate. A tape measure of 25 or even 100 feet can wind into a relatively small container. The self-marking tape measure allows the user an accurate one hand measure and mark without an outside devise.
Design
The design on which most modern spring tape measures are built was patented by a New Haven, Connecticut resident called Alvin J. Fellows on 14 July 1868. According to the text of his patent, Fellows' tape measure was an improvement on other versions previously designed.[2]
The spring tape measure has existed since Fellows' patent in 1868, but did not come into wide usage until the early 1940s, when it slowly began to supplant a common folding wooden design of carpenter's ruler.
United States
Justus Roe & Sons began manufacturing steel tape measures in 1865. Located in Patchogue, Long Island, New York. His original concept was to place metal studs along lengths of wire. Justus Roe made the longest tape measure in 1956 and was presented to baseball hero Mickey Mantle. It was 600 feet long. Some tapes sold in the United States have additional marks in the shape of small black diamonds, which appear every 19.2 inches (490 mm). These are known as 'black truss' markings, and are used to mark out equal truss lengths for roofing materials (five trusses per standard 8 feet (2.4 m) length of building material).
Many tapes also have special markings every 16 inches, which is the standard interval for studs in housing. The self-marking tape measure created by Robert Cole was developed in June 2003.
References
Readers Digest, The Complete Guide to Sewing Readers Digest Association,1995 ISBN0-88850-247-8 New version of tape measure appears June 10, 2003 patent #6,574,881 B2. The "Trade Marker" tape measure has a marking device insuring accurate measurement when depressed.
External links
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 | Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| WordNet. WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Tape measure". Read more |
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