Tape measure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10024643-B2
Application number	US-201615236611-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 15, 2016
Priority date	Jul 29, 2011
Publication date	Jul 17, 2018
Grant date	Jul 17, 2018

Abstract

A tape measure including a housing arranged to enclose an internal cavity, where the housing defines a front wall. A port is formed in the housing and spaced a non-zero distance from the front wall. A measuring tape is at least partially disposed within the internal cavity of the housing and extends through the port. The measuring tape is rotatably coupled to the housing. A finger guard assembly is positioned adjacent the front wall, such that the finger guard assembly cooperates with the port to define a space therebetween. The measuring tape passes through the space outside of the housing to facilitate the control of the retraction and extension of the measuring tape through contact within the space.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A tape measure comprising:
a housing assembly including a first side wall, a second side wall and a peripheral wall connecting the first side wall and the second side wall, the housing assembly defining an internal cavity;
a port disposed within the peripheral wall of the housing assembly;
a spool disposed within the internal cavity of the housing assembly, the spool defining an axis of rotation;
a measuring tape at least partially disposed within the internal cavity of the housing assembly and extending through the port, the measuring tape rotatably coupled to the spool;
a hook member fixed to an end portion of the measuring tape, the measuring tape movable between a retracted position in which the hook member is positioned proximate the port and an extended position in which the hook member is positioned away from the port;
a retraction mechanism coupled to the spool, the retraction mechanism configured to bias the measuring tape towards the retracted position; and
a finger guard assembly including a guard member and a guard support, the guard support coupled to the housing assembly and supporting the guard member, the guard member positioned between the port and the hook member.

2. The tape measure of claim 1 , wherein the hook member contacts the guard member when the measuring tape is in the retracted position.

3. The tape measure of claim 1 , wherein the guard member is positioned at a distance from the port such that a space is formed between the port and the guard member.

4. The tape measure of claim 3 , wherein the measuring tape extends through the guard member.

5. The tape measure of claim 3 , wherein the measuring tape is outside of the internal cavity when extending through the space formed between the port and the guard member.

6. The tape measure of claim 1 , wherein the guard member has a U-shape defined by a first leg, a second leg, and a connecting leg extending between the first leg and the second leg.

7. The tape measure of claim 6 , wherein the first leg and the second leg each include a mounting extension and a mounting boss.

8. The tape measure of claim 7 , wherein the guard support is molded over the mounting extensions.

9. The tape measure of claim 7 , wherein the guard support includes two recesses for receiving the mounting bosses of the first leg and the second leg.

10. The tape measure of claim 1 , wherein the housing assembly defines a front surface and a bottom portion, and wherein the tape port is formed in the bottom portion and is spaced apart from the front surface.

11. The tape measure of claim 10 , wherein the finger guard assembly includes a portion that is substantially flush with the front face.

12. The tape measure of claim 1 , wherein the retraction mechanism includes a spring.

13. The tape measure of claim 1 , further including a tape lock configured to selectively engage the measuring tape such that the measuring tape remains in the extended position.

14. The tape measure of claim 1 , wherein the guard member is formed of a substantially rigid material.

15. The tape measure of claim 14 , wherein the guard member is coated with a resilient material.

16. The tape measure of claim 1 , wherein the guard member is formed of a resilient polymer.

17. The tape measure of claim 1 , further including a support leg extending from a lower portion of the peripheral wall.

18. The tape measure of claim 17 , wherein a lower surface of the guard member is substantially aligned with the support leg to support the tape measure on a surface to be measured.

19. A tape measure comprising:
a housing arranged to enclose an internal cavity, the housing defining a front wall;
a port formed in the housing and spaced a non-zero distance from the front wall;
a measuring tape at least partially disposed within the internal cavity of the housing and extending through the port, the measuring tape rotatably coupled to the housing; and
a finger guard assembly positioned adjacent the front wall, the finger guard assembly cooperating with the port to define a space therebetween, the measuring tape passing through the space outside of the housing to facilitate the control of the retraction and extension of the measuring tape through contact within the space.

20. The tape measure of claim 19 , further comprising a hook member disposed on a free end of the measuring tape, the hook member engaging the finger guard assembly to prevent retraction of the hook member into the space.

Assignees

• Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp

Inventors

• Steele Michael S
• Hyma Steven W
• Burch Wade F
• Li Cheng Zhang
• Fischer Scott R
• Khangar Abhijeet A

Classifications

• G01B3/1041 Primary

  characterised by casings · CPC title

• G01B3/1056

  Tape end arrangements, e.g. end-hooks · CPC title

• G01B3/102

  Means for damping · CPC title

• G01B3/1084

  Tapes combined with arrangements for functions other than measuring lengths · CPC title

• G01B3/1005 Primary

  Means for controlling winding or unwinding of tapes · CPC title