Tape measure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10859362-B2
Application number	US-202016904190-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 17, 2020
Priority date	Apr 2, 2015
Publication date	Dec 8, 2020
Grant date	Dec 8, 2020

Abstract

A tape measure includes a spool, a housing defining an opening, where the spool is rotatably coupled to the housing, and a blade including a first end and a second end, where the first end is connected to the spool and the second end is movable through the opening between a retracted position and an extended position. The manually retractable tape measure further includes a cleaning assembly positioned within the housing adjacent the opening such that the cleaning assembly is in contact with the blade to push away debris from the blade as the blade moves between the retracted position and the extended position.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A tape measure comprising:
a housing defining an interior and an opening,
a spool supported in the interior of the housing and rotatably coupled to the housing;
a blade including a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the spool and the second end movable through the opening between a retracted position and an extended position as the spool rotates; and
a blade wiper supported by the housing, the blade wiper comprising a tape contacting end in contact with a surface of the blade to push away debris from the blade as the blade moves between the extended position and the retracted position; and
an attachment portion coupled to the blade wiper and coupled to the housing such that the blade wiper is supported within the housing in a position relative to the blade such that the tape contacting end of the blade wiper is located between the opening and the spool along a path of blade movement between the retracted and extended positions;
wherein the attachment portion has a width that is greater than a width of the tape contacting end of the blade wiper.

2. The tape measure of claim 1 , wherein the attachment portion is received within an opening defined along an inner surface of the housing to couple the blade wiper to the housing.

3. The tape measure of claim 1 , wherein the blade wiper further comprises a plate member coupled to the attachment portion, and an outer end of the plate member defines the tape contacting end of the blade wiper.

4. The tape measure of claim 3 , wherein the plate member is integral with the attachment portion.

5. The tape measure of claim 4 , wherein the plate member is positioned at an acute angle relative to the surface of the blade.

6. The tape measure of claim 5 , wherein the acute angle is between 10 degrees and 60 degrees.

7. The tape measure of claim 6 , wherein the tape contacting end of the blade wiper includes an angled surface that is arranged to be substantially parallel to the surface of the blade as the blade moves between the retracted position and the extended position.

8. The tape measure of claim 1 , further comprising:
a gear assembly coupled to the spool and the housing such that the spool is rotatable with respect to the housing; and
a crank-arm coupled to the gear assembly, wherein rotation of the crank-arm causes the spool to rotate.

9. The tape measure of claim 8 , wherein the gear assembly defines a gear ratio of at least 3 to 1.

10. The tape measure of claim 8 , wherein the blade has a length that is at least 100 feet.

11. The tape measure of claim 1 , further comprising a handle defining a top of the housing.

12. The tape measure of claim 11 , wherein the housing comprises a concave front surface located above the opening.

13. A tape measure comprising:
a housing defining an interior and an opening,
a spool supported in the interior of the housing and rotatably coupled to the housing;
a blade including a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the spool and the second end movable through the opening between a retracted position and an extended position as the spool rotates;
a blade wiper comprising a tape contacting end in contact with a surface of the blade to push away debris from the blade as the blade moves between the retracted position and the extended position; and
a blade wiper casing, wherein the blade wiper is partially received within the blade wiper casing, wherein the blade wiper casing is coupled to the housing such that the blade wiper is supported within the housing.

14. The tape measure of claim 13 , wherein the blade wiper casing is coupled to an inner surface of the housing in a position relative to the blade such that the tape contacting end is located between the opening and the spool along a path of blade movement between the retracted and extended positions.

15. The tape measure of claim 13 , wherein the blade wiper is positioned at an acute angle relative to the surface of the blade.

16. The tape measure of claim 13 , wherein the blade wiper extends through the opening of the housing.

17. The tape measure of claim 13 , wherein the blade wiper comprises at least one of a plate member or bristles.

18. The tape measure of claim 17 , further comprising:
a gear assembly coupled to the spool and the housing such that the spool is rotatable with respect to the housing; and
a crank-arm coupled to the gear assembly, wherein rotation of the crank-arm causes the spool to rotate.

19. The tape measure of claim 18 , wherein the blade has a length that is at least 100 feet.

20. The tape measure of claim 19 , wherein the gear assembly defines a gear ratio of at least 3 to 1.

Assignees

• Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp

Inventors

• Hoppe Christopher S
• Hyma Steven W

Classifications

• G01B2003/1053

  Tape exit slots, e.g. shape or exit direction · CPC title

• G01B3/1041 Primary

  characterised by casings · CPC title

• G01B3/1043

  Details of internal structure thereof, e.g. means for coupling separately moulded casing halves · CPC title

• G01B2003/1025

  operated manually, e.g. crank-handles · CPC title

• G01B3/1005 Primary

  Means for controlling winding or unwinding of tapes · CPC title