Tape measure utilizing mechanical decoupling of power tape extension feature for tape retraction
US7475842B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 4, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jan 13, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 26, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01B2003/1028
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A power operated tape measure enables extension of a tape via a drive mechanism, as well as retraction of the tape through a mechanical decoupling within the drive mechanism. The tape measure has a housing within which is positioned a spring-biased tape assembly, the drive mechanism and a clutch. The spring-biased tape assembly includes an annular reel onto which is wound a tape having indicia for taking length measurements. The drive mechanism includes a driving gear and a driven gear, and is adapted to engage with a bottom surface of the tape to extend the tape out of the housing. The clutch is adapted to displace the driven gear out of engagement with the driving gear and thereby decouple the driving and braking force provided by the drive mechanism from acting upon the bottom surface of the tape to permit the spring-biasing of the tape assembly to retract the tape into the housing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.