Patent landscapes › Office, school & tools
Is a tape measure patented?
Short answer: specific designs of a tape measure have been patented many times, but "a tape measure" as a general idea is not what is protected. What matters is the exact combination of features in your version.
What our index shows
- 629 US and WO patent publications since 2000 have a title matching “tape measure” or a close variant (our index of 9.7 million patent families; one publication per family).
- Among the 502 best keyword matches we examined, 141 were published in 2020 or later, and the earliest was published in 2000.
- Most frequent assignees in those matches: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORP (24), APEX BRANDS INC (21), KOMELON CORP (16), IRWIN IND TOOL CO (15).
- Most common patent classes (CPC subclasses): G01B (480), B25H (18), A45F (15), B43L (11).
Counts come from keyword matching on titles and abstracts, so they are indicative, not a legal count. Some matches are different products that share a word.
14 real patent publications related to a tape measure
- Tape measure with pop out blade presentation US-12704366-B2 2026 · STANLEY BLACK & DECKER INC
A retractable rule assembly comprises a housing, a reel, an elongated blade, a hook, a coil spring, and a blade advancer. The reel is rotatably mounted in the housing. The elongated blade is wound on the reel and is constructed an…
View on Google Patents - Tape measure with flexure for lock linkage US-2026049804-A1 2026 · REEKON TOOLS INC
A tape measure device comprising a housing at includes a reel that support a tape measure, a linkage travel pathway, and an external locking mechanism configured to be engaged by a user to lock the tape measure at some extended po…
View on Google Patents - Tape Measure Housing with Extended Mouth and Finger Brake Opening US-2025224220-A1 2025 · STANLEY BLACK & DECKER INC
A tape measure includes a housing comprising first and second housing portions together defining a mouth, and separated by a seam; and a spool configured to be secured between the first and second housing portions, the spool conta…
View on Google Patents - Tape measure for preventing hand cuts by tape blade WO-2025237262-A1 2025 · HANGZHOU LEGGY HORSE TECH CO LTD
The present invention belongs to the field of measuring tools. Disclosed is a tape measure for preventing hand cuts by a tape blade. The tape measure comprises a housing (1), a reel (2), a tape blade (3), a hook assembly (4), an e…
View on Google Patents - Tape measure with replaceable blade cartridge US-2025354791-A1 2025 · STANLEY BLACK & DECKER INC
A retractable rule assembly includes a housing, a coil spring assembly, and a replaceable blade cartridge. The coil spring assembly includes a first coupler. The replaceable blade cartridge is configured to be selectively mounted …
View on Google Patents - Razor blade tape measure multi-tool US-8590170-B2 2013 · WAGNER PETER PAUL GEORGE
A multi-tool assembly with retractable tape measure, with pivotably mounted, straight edge blade arm, fully sheathed razor blade knife, carpenter's square, protractor and a set of 3 screwdrivers integrated into the housing ass…
View on Google Patents - Tape measure with automatic blade extension mechanism US-7178257-B2 2007 · KOMELON CORP
A tape measure includes an automatic blade extension mechanism. The tape measure allows a user to draw and lock a blade using only one hand, when measuring a dimension of an object, thus allowing the other hand to be freely used i…
View on Google Patents - Ratchet lock for automatic tape measure US-2007186433-A1 2007 · CAMPBELL DAVID C
An automatic tape measure having a tape retraction prevention device to prevent unintended retraction of the tape into a housing caused by increasing the strength of a return spring. A tape assembly is received in the housing and …
View on Google Patents - Tape measure housing with grip element US-2005028397-A1 2005
A tape measure housing, and a tape measure incorporating the housing, includes a main case and an elastomeric grip element mated to the main case. The main case has first and second sidewalls and a peripheral wall extending betwee…
View on Google Patents - Tape locking device for tape measure US-6595451-B1 2003 · KOMELON CORP
Disclosed herein is a tape locking device for tape measures. The tape locking device comprises a locking lever hinged to an upper portion of the wall of the housing in such a way to be rotated frontward and rearward around a hinge…
View on Google Patents - Three position locking mechanism for a tape measure US-6349482-B1 2002 · COOPER BRANDS INC
A retractable tape measure having a flexible tape biased in a coiled position, and a housing sized to contain the flexible tape. The housing includes an opening through which a first end of the flexible tape extends, and a slot fo…
View on Google Patents - Reinforced blade end for a retractable tape measure US-2002129509-A1 2002 · STARRETT L S CO
The present invention provides a retractable measuring tape having a blade with increased strength at the outer end of the blade. The measuring tape includes a housing for holding a retractable blade and a aperture through which t…
View on Google Patents - Twist lock mechanism for a tape measure US-6308432-B1 2001 · COOPER BRANDS INC
A locking mechanism for controlling the retraction and extraction of a tape or other like device. The mechanism includes a housing having a tape opening and a locking mechanism opening. A tape blade extends through the housing tap…
View on Google Patents - Tape measure system with primary and secondary locking assemblies US-6212788-B1 2001
A tape measure system with primary and secondary locking assemblies. A housing has a first face and a second face with a peripheral wall therebetween. A slot is provided in at least one linear extent on the peripheral wall. A leng…
View on Google Patents
What this means for your idea
Because patents cover specific combinations of features, the useful question is not “has a tape measure been patented?” but “has my combination of features been described before?” Tools and office products differ in grips, adjustment mechanisms, and how blades or bits are held and changed.
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Guides that help with this
First-look landscape. Not exhaustive. Not legal advice. This page lists keyword-matched publications from a limited database; it does not say whether any product is or isn't covered by a patent, whether a patent is still in force, or whether your idea is patentable. Consult a registered patent attorney or agent.