Tape rule with resilient lock

• US 20080086904A1
• Filed: 10/16/2006
• Published: 04/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stanley Works Limited (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Stanley Works Limited (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Murray, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,398,604 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 33/767
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 2003/1015 engaging the tape in a direction transversal to the tape itself
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 3/1005 Means for controlling winding or unwinding of tapes
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 3/1041 characterised by casings

Abstract

One aspect of an invention disclosed herein relates to improved durability of the thumb engaging portion of a tape rule locking assembly. In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a retractable rule assembly comprising a housing assembly; a reel rotatably mounted in the housing assembly; and an elongated blade formed of a ribbon of metal being wound on the reel. The elongated blade has measuring indicia formed on a concave side thereof; and a coil spring formed of a ribbon of metal is constructed to rotate the reel in the housing assembly in a direction to wind up the elongated blade. A blade holding assembly for holding the blade in a position of extension outwardly of said housing, said blade holding assembly comprising a resilient thumb engaging portion and a receiving region behind the thumb engaging portion to enable the thumb engaging portion to deform into the receiving region to absorb impact.

Claims

1. A retractable rule assembly, comprising:

a housing assembly;

a reel rotatably mounted in said housing assembly;

an elongated blade formed of a ribbon of metal being wound on the reel, said elongated blade having measuring indicia formed on a concave side thereof;

a coil spring formed of a ribbon of metal constructed to rotate said reel in said housing assembly in a direction to wind up the elongated blade; and

a blade holding assembly for holding the blade in a position of extension outwardly of said housing, said blade holding assembly comprising a resilient thumb engaging portion and a receiving region behind the thumb engaging portion to enable the thumb engaging portion to deform into the receiving region to absorb impact.

2. A retractable rule assembly according to claim 1, wherein the resilient thumb engaging portion comprises an elastomeric material, and the receiving region comprises a void.

3. A retractable rule assembly according to claim 2, wherein the blade holding assembly further comprises a body portion comprising a plastic material, the body portion being joined to the thumb engaging portion.

4. A retractable rule assembly according to claim 3, wherein the body portion comprises an arcuate portion terminating in a free end for engaging the blade.

5. A retractable rule assembly according to claim 4, wherein the body portion further comprises an outwardly extending portion and a mounting portion, the thumb engaging portion being mounted on the mounting portion.

6. A retractable rule assembly according to claim 1, wherein the resilient thumb engaging portion is fastened to the blade holding assembly by a chemical or adhesive bond.

7. A retractable rule assembly according to claim 1, wherein the resilient thumb engaging portion comprises an elastomeric material, and the receiving region comprises a material of a lower durometer than a durometer of the thumb engaging portion.

8. A retractable rule assembly according to claim 1, wherein the resilient thumb engaging portion is fastened to the blade holding assembly by a mechanical bond.

29. A retractable rule assembly according to claim 1, wherein the thumb engaging portion deforms a distance that is greater than 50% of the cross-sectional thickness thereof, wherein the thickness is measured at a region of maximum cross-sectional thickness at a region of the thumb engaging portion that deforms towards the receiving region.

9. A blade locking structure for a rule assembly, comprising:

a generally arcuate body portion comprising a plastic material; and

a thumb engaging portion joined with said body portion, said thumb engaging portion comprising an elastomeric material, and a receiving region behind the thumb engaging portion to enable the thumb engaging portion to deform into the receiving region to absorb impact upon the thumb engaging region.

10. A blade locking structure according to claim 9, wherein the receiving region is between the thumb engaging portion and the plastic material.

11. A blade locking structure according to claim 10, wherein the receiving region is entirely within the elastomeric material of the thumb engaging portion.

12. A blade locking structure according to claim 10, wherein the receiving region is in direct communication with the plastic material.

13. A blade locking structure according to claim 9, wherein the receiving region is a void.

14. A blade locking structure according to claim 9, wherein the receiving region comprises a plurality of voids.

15. A blade locking structure according to claim 13, wherein the void is a thru void.

16. A blade locking structure according to claim 9, wherein an exterior surface portion of the thumb engaging portion is perforated.

17. A blade locking structure according to claim 9, wherein an exterior surface portion of the thumb engaging portion has recessed grooves.

18. A blade locking structure according to claim 9, wherein an exterior surface portion of the thumb engaging portion has a plurality of protrusions.

19. A blade locking structure according to claim 9, wherein an exterior surface portion of the thumb engaging portion has a combination of protruding and recessed grooves.

20. A blade locking structure according to claim 9, wherein the thumb engaging portion has a non-constant cross-sectional thickness.

21. A blade locking structure according to claim 10, wherein the receiving region is filled with a lower durometer material in comparison with a durometer of the thumb engaging portion.

22. A blade locking structure according to claim 10, wherein a material forming the receiving region is of a different color than that of the thumb engaging portion.

23. A blade locking structure according to claim 10, wherein the receiving region comprises a cellular structure.

24. A blade locking structure according to claim 23, wherein the cellular structure is comprised of a different material than that of the thumb engaging portion.

31. A blade locking structure according to claim 9, wherein the thumb engaging portion deforms a distance that is greater than 50% of the cross-sectional thickness thereof, wherein the thickness is measured at a region of maximum cross-sectional thickness at a region of the thumb engaging portion that deforms towards the receiving region.

25. A retractable rule assembly, comprising:

a housing assembly;

a reel rotatably mounted in said housing assembly;

an elongated blade formed of metal being wound on the reel, said elongated blade having measuring indicia formed on a concave side thereof;

a coil spring formed of metal constructed to rotate said reel in said housing assembly in a direction to wind up the elongated blade; and

a blade holding assembly for holding the blade in a position of extension outwardly of said housing, said blade holding assembly comprising a thumb engaging portion and a blade engaging portion, said blade engaging portion comprising a resilient structure at a free end thereof for engaging the blade.

26. A retractable rule assembly according to claim 25, wherein the resilient member comprises a resilient outer material and a receiving region behind the resilient outer material, the resilient outer material being deformable into the receiving region.

27. A retractable rule assembly according to claim 25, wherein the receiving region comprises a void.

28. A retractable rule assembly according to claim 25, wherein the receiving region comprises a material of a lower durometer than the resilient outer material.

30. A retractable rule assembly according to claim 25, wherein the thumb engaging portion deforms a distance that is greater than 50% of the cross-sectional thickness thereof, wherein the thickness is measured at a region of maximum cross-sectional thickness at a region of the thumb engaging portion that deforms towards the receiving region.