阅读说明：本技术 收回弹簧邻近于卷尺卷轴的卷尺测量件 (Tape measure with retraction spring adjacent to tape reel ) 是由 乔纳森·F·维塔斯 于 2019-07-23 设计创作，主要内容包括：示出了一种诸如卷尺测量件等工具,该工具包括基于弹簧的收回系统。该收回系统包括螺旋弹簧,该螺旋弹簧位于卷尺卷轴的外部并且邻近于该卷尺卷轴,卷尺片卷绕在该卷尺卷轴上。这种布置使得壳体高度减小,这提高了抓握和操作该卷尺测量件的能力。(A tool, such as a tape measure, is shown that includes a spring-based retraction system. The retraction system includes a coil spring located externally of and adjacent to the tape measure spool on which the tape blade is wound. This arrangement allows the housing height to be reduced which improves the ability to grip and manipulate the tape measure.)

1. A tape measure comprising:

a housing;

a shaft having a longitudinal axis, the shaft mounted within the housing;

a tape measure spool rotatably mounted within the housing about the axis, wherein the tape measure spool defines a radially outwardly facing surface;

an elongate tape blade wound on the radially outwardly facing surface of the tape spool; and

a coil spring located within the housing, wherein the coil spring stores energy when the elongate tape blade is unwound from the tape reel to extend out of the housing, wherein the coil spring releases energy to drive the elongate tape blade to be rewound onto the tape reel, and wherein no spring is positioned in a radial direction between the tape blade and the longitudinal axis.

2. The tape measure of claim 1 wherein no spring is positioned between the tape spool and the longitudinal axis in the radial direction.

3. The tape measure of claim 1 wherein the coil spring is a first coil spring and the tape measure comprises a second coil spring located within the housing, and wherein the first coil spring and the second coil spring are located on opposite sides of the tape spool along the longitudinal axis.

4. The tape measure of claim 1 wherein the coil spring and the tape spool rotate about the longitudinal axis, and wherein the shaft rotates relative to the housing.

5. The tape measure of claim 1 wherein the tape reel comprises: a central barrel defining the radially outward surface around which the tape blade is wound; a sidewall extending radially outwardly from the central cartridge; and a spring wall extending outwardly from the side wall about the longitudinal axis, and wherein an outer end of the coil spring is coupled to the spring wall.

6. The tape measure of claim 1 further comprising a gear train coupled between the shaft and the tape spool, wherein each revolution of the tape spool causes less than one revolution of the shaft during extension of the elongate tape blade from the housing.

7. The tape measure of claim 6 wherein the gear train comprises a plurality of planet gears and a central sun gear and the gear ratio is greater than 1.5.

8. A tape measure comprising:

a housing;

a shaft having a longitudinal axis, the shaft mounted within the housing;

a tape measure spool rotatably mounted within the housing about the axis, the tape measure spool defining a radially outwardly facing surface;

an elongate tape blade wound on the radially outwardly facing surface of the tape spool; and

a coil spring located within the housing, wherein the coil spring stores energy as the elongate tape blade is unwound from the tape reel to extend out of the housing, wherein the coil spring releases energy to drive the elongate tape blade to be rewound onto the tape reel, and wherein an outer diameter of the spring positioned within the housing is no less than a diameter of a radially outwardly facing surface of the tape reel.

9. The tape measure of claim 8 wherein the coil spring is a first coil spring and the tape measure comprises a second coil spring located within the housing, and wherein the first coil spring and the second coil spring are located on opposite sides of the tape spool along the longitudinal axis.

10. The tape measure of claim 8 wherein the tape reel comprises: a central barrel defining the radially outwardly facing surface around which the tape blade is wound; a sidewall extending radially outwardly from the central cartridge; and a spring wall extending outwardly from the side wall about the longitudinal axis, and wherein an outer end of the coil spring is coupled to the spring wall.

11. The tape measure of claim 8 further comprising a gear train coupled between the shaft and the tape spool, wherein the gear train comprises a plurality of planet gears and a central sun gear.

12. The tape measure of claim 11 wherein the gear train provides a transmission ratio during extension of the elongate tape blade from the housing such that the ratio of tape reel revolutions to shaft revolutions is between 2.5 and 4.5.

13. A tape measure comprising:

a housing;

a shaft having a longitudinal axis, the shaft mounted within the housing;

a tape measure spool rotatably mounted within the housing about the axis, the tape measure spool defining a radially outwardly facing surface and an inwardly facing surface;

an elongate tape blade wound on an outwardly facing surface of the tape measure spool; and

a coil spring located within the housing, wherein the coil spring stores energy as the elongate tape blade is unwound from the tape reel to extend out of the housing, wherein the coil spring releases energy to drive the elongate tape blade to be rewound onto the tape reel, and wherein the diameter of the shaft is at least one third of the diameter of the inwardly facing surface of the tape reel.

14. The tape measure of claim 13 wherein the shaft comprises a cylindrical outer surface extending along a majority of the length of the shaft, and wherein the diameter of the shaft is the diameter of the cylindrical outer surface.

15. The tape measure of claim 14 wherein the shaft rotates relative to the housing, the tape measure further comprising a gear train coupled between the shaft and the tape spool.

16. The tape measure of claim 16 wherein the gear train comprises a plurality of planet gears and a central sun gear.

17. The tape measure of claim 16 wherein the gear train provides a transmission ratio during extension of the elongate tape blade from the housing such that the ratio of tape reel revolutions to shaft revolutions is between 2.5 and 4.5.

18. The tape measure of claim 18 wherein the transmission ratio is between 3 and 4.

19. The tape measure of claim 13 wherein the coil spring is a first coil spring and the tape measure comprises a second coil spring located within the housing, and wherein the first coil spring and the second coil spring are located on opposite sides of the tape spool along the longitudinal axis.

20. The tape measure of claim 18 wherein no spring is between the shaft and the tape blade in the radial direction.

Background

The present invention relates generally to the field of tools. The present invention relates particularly to tape measure measuring elements, measuring tapes, retractable rulers and the like which include a spring-based retraction system located outside and/or adjacent to the tape measure spool.

Tape measures are measuring tools used in a variety of measuring applications, including in the building and construction industries. Some tape measures include a graduated, marked blade that is wound on a spool, and also include a retraction system for automatically retracting the blade onto the spool. In some typical tape measure designs, the retraction system is driven by a coiled or helical spring that is tensioned as the tape is extended, storing energy, and releasing the energy to rotate the spool, thereby reeling the blade back onto the spool. In a typical tape measure design, the coil spring is located within the tape spool.

Disclosure of Invention

One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a tape measure having a housing, a shaft, a tape spool, an elongated tape blade, and a coil spring. The shaft is mounted within the housing and has a longitudinal axis. The tape measure spool is rotatably mounted in the housing about an axis and defines a radially outwardly facing surface. The elongate tape blade is wound on the radially outwardly facing surface of the tape spool. The coil spring is located within the housing and no spring is positioned in a radial direction between the tape blade and the longitudinal axis. The coil spring stores energy as the elongate tape blade unwinds from the tape spool to extend out of the housing, and the coil spring releases energy to drive the elongate tape blade to rewind onto the tape spool.

In one embodiment, a tape measure includes a housing, a shaft, a tape spool, an elongated tape blade, and a coil spring. The shaft is mounted within the housing and defines a longitudinal axis. The tape measure spool is rotatably mounted in the housing about an axis and defines a radially outwardly facing surface. The elongate tape blade is wound on the radially outwardly facing surface of the tape spool. The coil spring is located within the housing and the outer diameter of the spring located within the housing is no less than the diameter of the radially outwardly facing surface of the tape reel.

In one embodiment, a tape measure includes a housing, a shaft, a tape spool, an elongated tape blade, and a coil spring. The shaft is mounted within the housing and defines a longitudinal axis. The tape measure spool is rotatably mounted within the housing about an axis and defines a radially outwardly facing surface and an inwardly facing surface. The elongate tape blade is wound on the radially outwardly facing surface of the tape spool. The coil spring is located within the housing and the diameter of the shaft is at least one third of the diameter of the inwardly facing surface of the tape reel.

One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a tape measure having a spring-based retraction system that includes a spool, a coil spring, and a shaft. The spool and the coil spring are rotatably coupled around a shaft. The reel includes a radially outwardly facing surface on which the tape blade is wound. The coil spring is positioned within the housing adjacent to the reel and/or adjacent to the tape blade such that the coil spring is not wrapped in a radial direction by the radially outwardly facing surface of the reel or the tape blade. In various embodiments, the outer diameter of the coil spring is greater than the outer diameter of the radially outwardly facing surface. In some embodiments, the width of the coil spring is less than the width of the tape blade.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in the written description and claims hereof, as well as the appended drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations of various embodiments.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tape measure according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a housing for a tape measure measuring member having a retraction spring located outside of a tape reel according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a tape measuring element including a retraction spring located outside of a tape spool according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, in cross-section, of a tape measuring element including a retraction spring located outside of a tape spool according to another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a tape measuring element including a retraction spring located outside of a tape spool according to another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the tape measure of FIG. 5 with a portion of the housing removed to show the retraction spring, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a first perspective view of a gear train of a retraction system of the tape measure of FIG. 5, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a second perspective view of a gear train of a retraction system of the tape measure of FIG. 5, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a tape measuring element including a retraction spring located outside of a tape spool according to an exemplary embodiment.

Detailed Description

Referring generally to the drawings, there are shown a number of different embodiments of tape measure measuring elements. The various embodiments of tape measure members discussed herein include innovative retraction systems designed to provide a compact and/or easily held housing while providing long tape lengths within such housings having relatively small or easily held dimensions.

As will be generally understood, in certain tape measure designs, a spring (typically a coil spring) stores energy during extension of the blade and applies a force/torque to the reel during retraction of the blade, thereby causing the blade to wind up on the reel. In typical tape measure designs, the spring is located in the central cavity of the tape spool, and in such tape measure designs, increasing the spring energy to provide retraction of a longer, wider and/or thicker measuring tape blade typically requires the use of a larger coil spring. In designs where the retraction spring is located within the tape reel, increasing the size of the spring generally requires increasing the height dimension of the tape measure housing to accommodate the increase in size of the spring. However, the applicant has determined that increasing the height of the tape measure housing results in a housing shape that may be difficult to grip by a user.

Accordingly, as discussed herein, the applicant has developed a number of different innovative tape measure blade retraction systems in which the retraction spring is located outside and alongside the tape reel. In this arrangement, the height dimension of the tape measure housing can be reduced because the spring need not fit within the tape measure spool, which in turn allows the diameter of the tape measure spool surface around which the tape blade is wound to be reduced to a small size based on the minimum roll diameter of the tape blade. Further, in the arrangements discussed herein, the retraction spring is located adjacent to the tape measure spool such that the retraction spring and the tape measure spool share a common central axis of rotation. In contrast to tape measure designs that include an off-axis, outer (relative to the tape reel) retraction spring, the retraction system discussed herein does not require the relatively complex or potentially inefficient gearing mechanisms typically required in off-axis spring arrangements.

Additionally, in various embodiments, the tape measure retraction systems discussed herein may utilize a gear train coupled to the spring, tape measure spool, and housing in a manner that allows further optimization of the tape measure size and/or control of the tape measure retraction. In some such embodiments, the spring and tape measure spool are both coupled to a rotating spindle or shaft. In some such embodiments, the gear train is a reduction gear train that converts each revolution of the tape measure spool to less than one revolution of the shaft, and thus to a smaller number of spring windings per revolution of the tape measure spool. In an alternative embodiment, no gear train is used. Further, in some embodiments, the tape measure comprises a first spring located outside of the tape reel and a second spring located inside of the tape reel as discussed herein.

Referring to fig. 1-3, a length measuring device, tape measure, measuring tape, retractable rule, or the like, such as tape measure 10, is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. In general, the tape measure device 10 includes a housing 12 having a first portion 14 and a second portion 16. The tape measuring element 10 includes a measuring blade 18 and, in the retracted position shown in figures 1 to 3, the measuring blade 18 is wound or coiled around a tape reel 20. In general, the tape blade 18 is an elongated strip of material that includes a plurality of graduated measurement indicia, and in a particular embodiment, the tape blade 18 is an elongated strip of metallic material (e.g., steel material) that is coupled at its outermost end to the hook assembly 22. The tape blade 18 may include a plurality of different coatings (e.g., polymer coating layers) to help protect the tape blade 18 and/or the graduated markings of the blade from wear, damage, and the like.

Figure 2 shows a detailed perspective view of the tape measure housing 12. In general, based on the many different spring-based retraction systems discussed herein, which provide a tape measure housing of relatively low height (for a given tape blade length) and relatively large width, applicants believe that this allows for improved handling/gripping of the tape measure 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 12 has a maximum outer height dimension H1, which is the dimension of the housing that is generally perpendicular to the blade during extension of the tape measure, and a maximum outer width dimension W1, which is the dimension parallel to the width of the blade 18.

In various embodiments, H1 is greater than W1. In various embodiments, H1 is between 60mm and 120mm, and W1 is between 40mm and 70 mm. In a particular embodiment, the tape blade length is between 35ft and 45ft, H1 is between 75mm and 100mm, and W1 is between 54mm and 60 mm. In a particular embodiment, the tape blade length is between 20ft and 30ft, H1 is between 60mm and 85mm, and W1 is between 52mm and 58 mm. In various embodiments, the ratio of H1/W1 is relatively low (for a given tape length) compared to a typical tape measure in which the retraction spring is located within the tape spool. In various embodiments, H1/W1 is less than 2, more specifically between 1.7 and 1.1.

Referring to FIG. 1, a tape lock 30 is provided to selectively engage the tape blade 18, which serves to hold the tape blade 18 and spool 20 in place so that the extended section of the tape blade 18 is maintained at a desired length. A slot 32 is defined along a forward portion of the housing 12. The slot 32 provides an opening in the tape measure housing 12 that allows the tape lock 30 to extend into the housing 12 and engage the tape 18 or the spool 20 within the housing 12. In addition, the slot 32 provides a length sufficient to allow the tape lock 30 to move between the locked and unlocked positions relative to the housing 12. Below the slot 32, an opening, such as a tape mouth 34, is provided in the tape measure housing 12. In one embodiment, the tape mouth 34 has an arcuate shape corresponding to the arcuate cross-sectional profile of the tape blade 18. The tape mouth 34 allows the tape blade 18 to be extended out of the housing 12 during tape extension and retracted into the housing during tape retraction.

Referring to fig. 3, the tape reel 20 is rotatably mounted within the housing 12 and positioned about an axis 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the shaft 24 is rotatably mounted within the housing 12 such that the shaft 24 is permitted to rotate relative to the housing 12 during extension or retraction of the tape measure. However, in other embodiments, the shaft 24 may be fixed relative to the housing.

As shown in fig. 3, the tape measure element 10 includes a retraction system 40 comprising a spring, shown as coil spring 26. In general, the coil spring 26 is coupled to the tape spool 20 in a manner such that the coil spring 26 is coiled or wound to store energy during extension of the tape 18 from the housing 12 and unwound during retraction of the tape 18 (e.g., subsequent release or unlocking of the tape 18), releasing the energy, driving the rewinding of the tape 18 onto the tape spool 20. Specifically, when the tape blade 18 is unlocked or released, the spring 26 expands, driving the tape reel 20 to wind the tape blade 18 and draw the tape blade 18 back into the housing 12.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inextensible portion of the tape 18 is wound onto a radially outwardly facing surface 38 of the spool 20, which is surrounded by the housing 12. The spool 20 is rotatably disposed about an axis 28 of the tape measure 10 defined by the shaft 24, and a spring 26 is coupled to the spool 20 and configured to drive the spool 20 about the axis of rotation 28, which in turn provides powered retraction of the tape blade 18.

Generally and in contrast to typical tape measure designs, the spring 26 is located adjacent to and outside the portion of the spool 20 that supports the coiled portion of the tape blade 18. In this arrangement, the spring 26 is also located outside and adjacent to the coiled portion of the tape blade 18. Thus, in this arrangement, no portion of the tape blade 18 or surface 38 surrounds the spring 26 in the radial direction. In other words, no portion of the tape blade 18 or surface 38 is positioned between the spring 26 and the housing 12 in a radial direction relative to the shaft 24.

As can be seen in fig. 3, this arrangement allows the diameter of the reel 20 (shown as OD1) measured at the radially outward facing surface 38 to be much smaller than a design in which the retraction spring is located in the surface 38 or coiled portion of the tape blade 18, since the spring 26 need not fit within the surface 38 or coiled portion of the tape blade 18. Further, in such an embodiment, the spring 26 has a maximum outer diameter (shown as OD 2). In various embodiments, OD2 is greater than OD1, specifically greater than twice OD 1. Further, in various embodiments, the width of the spring 26 is less than the width of the tape blade 18, specifically less than half the width of the tape blade 18, more specifically less than one-third the width of the tape blade 18.

Further, as can be seen in FIG. 3, the spring 26 and the tape blade 18 share a common axis of rotation 28 defined by the shaft 24. Thus, the spring 26 is positioned adjacent to and spaced from the tape blade 18 along the axis 28 within the housing 12. This arrangement allows the spring 26 to be coupled to the tape spool 20 via a single common rotational axis 24 without the need for complex gearing mechanisms used in some tape measures with external off-axis retraction springs, as compared to some tape measure designs where the spring is located outside the tape spool.

In the particular arrangement of FIG. 3, the spool 20 includes a central barrel 50, a side wall 52, and a spring spool shown as spring wall 54. The central barrel 50 is a hollow cylindrical structure that defines the radially outwardly facing surface 38 around which the tape blade 18 is wound. Sidewall 52 is a flange structure that extends radially outwardly from central cartridge 50. Spring wall 54 is a wall (e.g., a cylindrical wall) that extends outwardly from sidewall 52, perpendicular to the sidewall, and about axis 28. Generally, the central cartridge 50, side walls 52, and spring walls 54 are formed of a rigid structure that rotate together within the housing 12.

A radially outer end of spring 26 is coupled to spring wall 54 and a radially inner end of spring 26 is coupled to shaft 24. The rigid construction of the reel 20 couples the spring 26 with the tape blade 18 such that extension of the tape blade 18 causes winding of the spring 26 and unwinding of the spring 26 drives the reel 20 to rotate and retract the tape blade 18.

In the particular embodiment shown in fig. 3, the shaft 24 is rotatably coupled to the housing 12, and the retraction system 40 includes a gear train 42. In general, a gear train 42 is coupled between the shaft 24 and the tape measure spool 20, allowing the number of rotations of the shaft 24 in response to each revolution of the spool 20 to be selected based on the gear ratio of the gear train 42 being designed. This in turn allows control of the number of rotations experienced by the spring 26 in response to each rotation of the spool 20, which allows control of the torque curve and retraction characteristics of the spring 26.

As shown in fig. 3, the gear train 42 includes a plurality of planet gears 56 located between the tape measure spool 20 and the housing post 58. As will be appreciated, in this arrangement, the ring gear 60 is formed along a portion of the inner diameter of the tape reel 20 and the sun gear 62 is formed along the outer diameter of the housing post 58.

It should be understood that in other embodiments, retraction system 40 need not include gear train 42. In some such embodiments, shaft 24 may be coupled directly to spool 20, and the inner end of spring 26 may be coupled to an inner spring spool coupled to shaft 24 via a gear arrangement.

Further, although FIG. 3 shows a single spring 26 to the left of the spool 20, in other embodiments, the tape measuring element 10 may comprise two springs 26, one on each side of the spool 20 along the axis 28. In some dual spring embodiments, the two springs 26 may act in series with each other, and in another embodiment, the two springs 26 may act in parallel with each other.

As will be appreciated, some epicyclic gear arrangement is used in which the input of the gear train is coupled to the spool 20, the output is coupled to the shaft 24, and the spring 26 is coupled between the spool 20 and the shaft 24, the spring 26 being wound in the same direction as the rotation of the spool 20 during tape extension, and in other embodiments the spring 26 is wound in the opposite direction to the rotation of the spool 20 during tape extension.

Referring to fig. 4, there is shown and described another embodiment of a tape measuring element 10 comprising a coil spring based retraction system, such as retraction system 100. Generally, retrieval system 100 is substantially identical to retrieval system 40 discussed above, except for the differences discussed herein. Similar to the retraction system 40, the retraction system 100 is configured to translate rotational movement of the tape spool 20 (e.g. during tape extension) into winding of the spring 26, and upon release of the tape blade 18, expansion of the spring 26 drives rewinding of the tape blade 18 onto the tape spool 20.

As shown in fig. 4, the retraction system 100 includes a spring spool shown as a cylindrical wall 102. The cylindrical wall 102 is rigidly coupled to the housing 12, and in a particular embodiment, the cylindrical wall 102 is formed from a single piece of unitary material with a portion of the housing 12. The radially outer end of spring 26 is coupled to cylindrical wall 102, and the radially inner end of spring 26 is coupled to shaft 24. In this embodiment, the shaft 24 is rotatably coupled to the housing 12, and the fixed connection between the spring 26 and the wall 102 allows the spring 26 to wind around the shaft 24 during tape extension.

Further, in the embodiment shown in fig. 4, retraction system 100 includes a gear train 104. In this arrangement, a ring gear wall, shown as cylindrical wall 106, is rigidly coupled to housing 12, and in a particular embodiment, cylindrical wall 106 is formed from a single piece of unitary material with a portion of housing 12. Ring gear 108 is coupled to cylindrical wall 106. A sun gear 110 is coupled to the tape reel 20. One or more planet gears 112 are coupled to the shaft 24.

Similar to gear train 42, gear train 104 is coupled between shaft 24 and tape measure spool 20, allowing the number of rotations of shaft 24 generated in response to each revolution of spool 20 to be selected based on the gear ratio of gear train 104. This in turn allows control of the number of rotations experienced by the spring 26 in response to each rotation of the spool 20, thereby allowing control of the torque profile and retraction characteristics of the spring 26.

Referring to fig. 5 to 8, there is shown and described another embodiment of a tape measuring element 10 comprising a coil spring based retraction system, such as retraction system 120. Generally, retrieval system 120 is substantially identical to retrieval systems 40 and 100 discussed above, except for the differences discussed herein. Similar to the retraction system 40, the retraction system 120 is configured to translate rotational movement of the tape spool 20 (e.g. during tape extension) into winding of the spring 26, and upon release of the tape blade 18, expansion of the spring 26 drives rewinding of the tape blade 18 onto the tape spool.

The retraction system 120 includes a spring spool, shown as a cylindrical wall 102, and a spring spindle or spring shaft 122. A radially outer end of spring 26 is coupled to cylindrical wall 102 and a radially inner end of spring 26 is coupled to spring shaft 122.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 5-8, the retraction system 120 includes a gear train 124. In this arrangement, a connecting structure, shown as a disk 126, is rigidly coupled to the housing 12. In various embodiments, the disk 126 is a separate component from the housing 12 that is rigidly coupled to the housing 12, while in other embodiments, the disk 126 is integrally formed with the housing 12.

Ring gear 128 is coupled to disc 126. A sun gear 130 is coupled to the tape reel 20. One or more planet gears 112 are coupled to the shaft 24. The carrier 132 is coupled to the spring shaft 122. The carrier 132 includes one or more columns 134 that support one or more planet gears 136 located between the sun gear 130 and the ring gear 128. It should be understood that while fig. 5-8 illustrate a single planet gear 136, in some embodiments, each column of the carrier 132 supports the planet gear 136.

Similar to gear train 42, gear train 124 is coupled between spring shaft 122 and tape reel 20, allowing the number of rotations of spring shaft 122 generated in response to each revolution of reel 20 to be selected based on the gear ratio of gear train 124. This in turn allows control of the number of rotations experienced by the spring 26 in response to each rotation of the spool 20, thereby allowing control of the torque profile and retraction characteristics of the spring 26.

In a number of different embodiments, the gear trains discussed herein may provide various gear ratios to provide a desired level of winding of the spring 26 in response to each revolution of the spool 20. In various embodiments, gear trains 42, 104, and/or 124 provide a gear ratio between 1.5 and 6.5, specifically between 2.5 and 4.5, more specifically between 3 and 4. In particular embodiments, gear trains 42, 104, and/or 124 have a gear ratio of 3.1, 3.4, or 3.75.

In the various embodiments discussed herein, the spring 26 is formed from SK4 steel having a thickness of 0.38mm and a width of 10 mm. In various embodiments, the spring 26 has an effective length of 38-40mm and a coil diameter of 35-40 mm.

In various embodiments, the components of retraction system 120 may be coupled or connected in a variety of different arrangements. In one embodiment, the shaft 24, the frame 132, and the spring shaft 122 are rigidly coupled together such that all three components rotate together within the tape measure housing. In one such embodiment, the shaft 24, the carrier 132, and the spring shaft 122 are formed from a single piece of unitary material. In another embodiment, shaft 24 is rotatably coupled relative to the housing and relative to frame 132 and spring shaft 122. In another embodiment, shaft 24 is rigidly fixed to housing and carrier 132, and shaft 122 rotates about shaft 24.

In a number of different embodiments, the tape measuring element 10 may comprise a tape blade 18 having a number of different maximum extension lengths. In certain embodiments, the tape blade 18 has a maximum extension of less than 50 feet or more specifically less than 40 feet. In various embodiments, the length of the tape blade 18 is between 15ft and 40ft, and in particular embodiments the length of the tape blade 18 is 35ft, 30ft, 25ft, or 16 ft.

In various embodiments, gear train 42, 104, or 124 may be any of a variety of epicyclic gear train designs. In a particular embodiment, the gear train 42, 104, or 124 is any of the gear arrangements shown and described in ANSI/AGMA 6123-B06. In other embodiments, the gear train 42, 104 or 124 includes two or more epicyclic gear arrangements connected in series with one another, with the input of the first epicyclic gear arrangement being coupled to the spool 20, the output of the first epicyclic gear arrangement being coupled to the input of the second gear arrangement, and the output of the second epicyclic gear arrangement being coupled to the shaft 24. This pattern may be repeated for a gear train 42, 104 or 124 comprising 3, 4, 5, etc. epicyclic gear trains in series. In other embodiments, the gear train 42, 104, or 124 is a gear arrangement not depicted in ANSI/AGMA 6123-B06.

Examples of the invention

Table 1 below shows details of a number of different tape measure measurement piece designs according to a number of different specific designs according to the exemplary embodiments discussed herein.

TABLE 1

Referring to fig. 9, there is shown and described another embodiment of a tape measuring element 11 comprising a coil spring based retraction system, such as retraction system 140. Generally, retrieval system 140 is substantially identical to retrieval systems 40, 100, and 120 discussed above, except for the differences discussed herein. The retraction system 140 includes first and second springs 142, 144 disposed on opposite sides of the tape spool 20 along the longitudinal axis 28. Similar to the retraction systems 40, 100, and 120, the retraction system 140 is configured to translate rotational movement of the tape spool 20 (e.g., during tape extension) into winding of the springs 142 and 144, and upon release of the tape blade 18, expansion of the springs 142 and 144 drives rewinding of the tape blade 18 onto the tape spool 20.

Further, in the embodiment shown in fig. 9, the retraction system 140 includes a gear train 148. The gear train 148 includes a plurality of planet gears 152 located between the tape measure spool 20 and a sun gear 156. A sun or sun gear 156 is coupled to the tape reel 20 and a planet gear 154 is coupled to the shaft 146.

Similar to gear trains 42, 104 and 124, a gear train 148 is coupled between the shaft 146 and the tape measure spool 20, allowing the number of rotations of the shaft 146 generated in response to each revolution of the spool 20 to be selected based on the gear ratio of the gear train 148. This in turn allows control of the number of rotations experienced by the springs 142 and 144 in response to each rotation of the spool 20, thereby allowing control of the torque profile and retraction characteristics of the springs 142 and 144.

The shaft 146 includes a component, shown as a cylinder 150, that extends along a majority (e.g., at least 50%) of the length of the shaft 146 along the longitudinal axis 28. In various embodiments, the shaft 146 includes an annular wall defining a cylindrical surface having an at least partially hollow interior. Cylinder 150 defines a diameter OD 3. The outwardly facing surface 38 of tape spool 20 defines a diameter OD1 and the inwardly facing surface 36 of tape spool 20 defines a diameter OD 4.

In various embodiments, there is no spring radially between the tape blade 18 and the shaft 24, and more generally, between the tape reel 20 and the longitudinal axis 28. Thus, the ratio of the diameter OD1 of the outwardly facing surface 38 to the diameter OD3 of the shafts 24, 122 and/or 146 may be smaller than in other tape measuring elements where the coil spring is positioned radially between the tape reel and the shaft. In one embodiment, diameter OD3 of cylinder 150 is at least one-quarter of diameter OD1 of outward facing surface 38, more specifically diameter OD3 of cylinder 150 is at least one-third of diameter OD1 of outward facing surface 38, more specifically diameter OD3 of cylinder 150 is at least 35% of diameter OD1 of outward facing surface 38, and more specifically diameter OD3 of cylinder 150 is at least 40% of diameter OD1 of outward facing surface 38.

In various embodiments, the ratio of the diameter OD4 of the inwardly facing surface 36 to the diameter OD3 of the shafts 24, 122 and/or 146 may be smaller than in other tape measuring elements where the coil spring is positioned radially between the tape spool and the shaft. In one embodiment, diameter OD3 of cylinder 150 is at least one-quarter of diameter OD4 of inward facing surface 36, more specifically diameter OD3 of cylinder 150 is at least one-third of diameter OD4 of inward facing surface 36, more specifically diameter OD3 of cylinder 150 is at least 35% of diameter OD4 of inward facing surface 36, and more specifically diameter OD3 of cylinder 150 is at least 40% of diameter OD4 of inward facing surface 36.

In various embodiments, the outer diameter of the spring positioned within the housing 12 is no less than the radially outwardly facing surface 38 of the tape reel 20.

It is understood that the drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments in detail, and that the application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. It is also to be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only. The construction and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments shown are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited herein. Some elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logical algorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present inventions.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended that any particular order be inferred. In addition, as used herein, the article "a" is intended to include one or more elements or components, and is not intended to be construed as meaning only one. As used herein, "rigidly coupled" means that two components are coupled in such a way that when acted upon by a force, the components move together in a fixed positional relationship.

Various embodiments of the invention are directed to any combination of features and any such combination of features may be claimed in this or a future application. Any of the features, elements or components of any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be used alone or in combination with any of the features, elements or components of any of the other embodiments discussed above.