True zero tape hook

An end assembly for a tape rule employs a "true zero" hook, which has a hinge portion that is offset from its body portion by a distance equal to the thickness of the material from which the hook is fabricated. The hinge and body portions have outside and inside planar surfaces, respectively, that are perpendicular to one another and are equidistant from the axis of pivoting of the hinge portion about the ring by which it is attached to the tape rule. This permits the device to be utilized for the measurement of outside and inside dimensions, with the hook in its open or closed position, respectively.