Pledgedpatriot Report post Posted January 3, 2019 Hey everyone! Hope the new year is starting out right! I'm trying to build a tape measure hanger/holder for my belt. I cannot for the life of me find the metal clip/hanger for the tape. I have an example here, the metal piece. Anyone know where I can get them? Thanks in advance!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mattsbagger Report post Posted January 5, 2019 Buy a cheap one and remove the rivets and use on yours. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hildebrand Report post Posted January 5, 2019 Thats the best bet, I made a speed square, tape measure, pencil holster for a friend and I couldn't find the clip so I bought a cheap one and cut the rivets. Todd Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VYO Report post Posted January 5, 2019 I found a lot of holsters with that hardware but couldn't find where to buy the hardware. I just use a rectangle of leather on the back of the holster for the belt to fit through. Not what you asked for but an idea if you don't want to buy a cheap holster for the hardware. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ScoobyNewbie Report post Posted January 6, 2019 Have you tried some of the Asian online sites? They often have really cool stuff. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fredk Report post Posted January 6, 2019 Are these the same as what you are looking for? https://www.holstersmith.com/vcom/mountings-belt-loops-canted-c-547_632.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LatigoAmigo Report post Posted January 6, 2019 Looks like this tape holder is "patent pending," which means that the metal hardware part of the tape holder may not be available on the open market. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bikermutt07 Report post Posted January 6, 2019 @fredk those look similar to the same thing, but, they are offset by 19mm or 3/4". Usually the tape measure clips are only offset by 4mm or an 1/8". This would probably cause the tape to really stand off the hip. I have been searching for these items as well off and on for awhile. I am betting that a piece of kydex could be used in place of the steel. I haven't ever worked with kydex but I imagine it would be a strong enough option. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pledgedpatriot Report post Posted January 7, 2019 Thanks for the replies! As @bikermutt07 said the belt clips stand off to far and are to thick. Thanks tho, on the note of buying a cheap one, I hate to spend the 6-8 bucks for a .30 cent piece. I'm going to have a local fab shop make them. Working on a metal stamp/punch. I'll let yall know when I get them built! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joshhartung Report post Posted January 7, 2020 Hey I know this is an old thread but I make a tape measure holder called the TapeMaster. I had the same problem finding those tape clips so I ended up designing a special one and having it made out of stainless steel. I'm going to post them soon on my site for sale for the DIY crowd but I'd be willing to send you a couple. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paloma Report post Posted January 8, 2020 On 1/3/2019 at 5:36 PM, Pledgedpatriot said: Hey everyone! Hope the new year is starting out right! I'm trying to build a tape measure hanger/holder for my belt. I cannot for the life of me find the metal clip/hanger for the tape. I have an example here, the metal piece. Anyone know where I can get them? Thanks in advance!!! it's nothing to make it with a piece of good leather and 2 rivets....and some thread. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Double Daddy Report post Posted January 8, 2020 A+ Products lists them in their online pdf catalog (product #4082 on page 30, top left, about 3/4 of the way down): http://www.aplusproducts.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/APlusCatalog.pdf Elsewhere it says that other products can be ordered in various finishes...not sure if that applies to this item...but maybe??? I have never ordered from this company so I don't know the "particulars"...simply took the time to do a quick search & post here as courtesy...the rest is up to you if you decide to pursue it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joshhartung Report post Posted January 11, 2020 Cool link to that catalog, Double Daddy! I'm gonna check those guys out. I've posted the tape holder clip here if any one is interested. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aaronthearcher Report post Posted January 18, 2020 On 1/6/2020 at 8:09 PM, joshhartung said: Hey I know this is an old thread but I make a tape measure holder called the TapeMaster. I had the same problem finding those tape clips so I ended up designing a special one and having it made out of stainless steel. I'm going to post them soon on my site for sale for the DIY crowd but I'd be willing to send you a couple. Oh man, thanks for posting this just found this thread and ordered 2, these things are impossible to find. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joshhartung Report post Posted January 19, 2020 Haha, hi Aaron. Just saw your order come through. I'll get the tape measure holders right out... would love to know what you make with them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisash Report post Posted January 19, 2020 Presume you are aware that the other is or was patent pending, so likely to take action against you for a copy of their design, now you have advertised it to the world Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joshhartung Report post Posted January 20, 2020 (edited) 15 hours ago, chrisash said: Presume you are aware that the other is or was patent pending, so likely to take action against you for a copy of their design, now you have advertised it to the world Hi chrisash, good catch! I have several patents and have had substantial training in patent work in my time as an engineer. I think I'm in the clear on this one. Besides the fact that these type of tape measure clips have been around for well more than 20 years (any patent expires after 20 years and the invention becomes part of the public domain), it would be difficult to argue that this type of thing is not "obvious" or any person "skilled in the art" would not have come up with it. But if he DID have a good patent on a tape measure clip I sure hope he would go after Occidental before my tiny side business Also to be clear, my designs are 100% original. Certainly I like to understand where other designs have been disliked by users - I read a lot of online comments as part of my design process - but I don't release a product until I'm satisfied that it's better than anything else out there. So I'm happy to fill just a tiny gap in the leatherworker hardware supplies market for now, at my own risk! Edited January 20, 2020 by joshhartung Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Double Daddy Report post Posted January 20, 2020 Please see this link: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20110139837 It appears that the "Patent Pending" stamp on the Pocket Hitch is for the overall design itself (i.e. wrapped internal spring similar to a holster clip), not the metal clip holder hardware itself that resides on the front above the lettering. I'm with Josh on this one...such hardware, whether identical or of similar use or construction (see my previous link above), has been in the marketplace for decades. Shall all other makers go full-stop in the production of their goods because Pocket-Hitch stamped "Patent Pending on their product? Last I checked, none of the other manufacturers/brands on the shelves in the tool stores I visit have received the message. As for me, I now have several sources for such hardware in the future should I need/want to make such a product. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frodo Report post Posted January 20, 2020 Pledgedpatriot Go to a sheetmetal shop and tell them you want a strip of 16 gauge sheet metal1'' wide by 48'' long then bend the sheet metal in to the shape you want. I would use my file as a mold. drill holes, cut off the strip, round edges Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frodo Report post Posted January 20, 2020 On 1/19/2020 at 7:57 AM, chrisash said: Presume you are aware that the other is or was patent pending, so likely to take action against you for a copy of their design, now you have advertised it to the world if he drills a different size hole then he is not violating the patent. or changes the shape of the rounded corners patents do not mean a thing Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joshhartung Report post Posted January 22, 2020 @Double Daddy great find on that patent. I was looking in utility patents and didn't find anything. Design patents are actually pretty good protection against folks that would copy the style pretty much exactly, so copycats. Otherwise they're not worth much. On the upside they aren't expensive and they apparently captivate audiences of obscure craft forums... so cheap marketing! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
