Hinged tape measure
US8191278B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 27, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jun 5, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 1, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01B3/1056
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A combination of a retractable tape measure assembly with folding front section (s) includes a housing assembly and a reel rotatably mounted in the housing assembly. An elongated blade formed of a ribbon of metal having one end connected to the reel is constructed and arranged with respect to the housing assembly to extend from a position tangential to the reel outwardly through a spaced opening in the housing assembly. A coil spring formed of a ribbon of metal and pivoting front section (s) made of same metal has a construction and arrangement between the housing assembly and the reel and at the pivot points to rotate the reel in the housing assembly smoothly in a direction to wind up the elongated blade when extending outwardly of the housing assembly opening in a normal concavo-convex cross-section configuration onto the reel. A blade holding assembly is constructed and arranged to be manually actuated to hold the blade in any position of extension. The blade with, thickness, height of concavo-convex curvature sufficient to enable the blade to stand out. The pivot points of these sections comprises a holding system to lock a desired angle between sections with addition of a wedg…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.