Tape measure mounting clip
First Claim
1. A power-return tape measure, comprising:
- a main case housing a retractable tape measure blade;
a mounting clip assembly attached to said main case via a fastener;
said mounting clip assembly comprising;
a base plate;
a distinct lever arm coupled to said base plate for pivoting movement about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position;
said lever arm having a proximal actuation end rearward of said pivot axis and a distal engagement end forward of said pivot axis;
said distal end disposed closer to said base plate in said closed position than in said open position;
said lever arm having a first spring-receiving bay on a side generally facing said base plate and disposed rearward of said pivot axis;
said base plate having a first fastener-receiving hole therein forward of said pivot axis, a second spring-receiving bay on a side generally facing said lever arm and disposed between said first hole and said pivot axis;
a spring biasing said lever arm to assume said closed position, said spring extending from said first bay to said second bay;
said lever arm having a second hole disposed between said pivot axis and said distal end, forward of said pivot axis and forward of said spring;
wherein a centerline of said first hole extends through said second hole when said lever arm is in said closed position;
wherein said fastener extends through said first hole; and
wherein a top of said fastener is accessible via said second hole.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tape measure includes a novel mounting clip assembly having a distinct lever arm coupled to a base plate for movement about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position. The lever arm has a first spring-receiving bay on a side generally facing the base plate and disposed rearward of the pivot axis. The base plate has a first fastener-receiving hole therein forward of the pivot axis, a second spring-receiving bay on a side generally facing the lever arm. A spring biases the lever arm to assume the closed position and extends from the first bay to the second bay. A centerline of a mounting hole in the base plate extends through a second hole in the lever arm when the lever arm is in the closed position. A top of a securing fastener is accessible via the second hole. Also, methods of assembly are described.
57 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A power-return tape measure, comprising:
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a main case housing a retractable tape measure blade; a mounting clip assembly attached to said main case via a fastener;
said mounting clip assembly comprising;a base plate; a distinct lever arm coupled to said base plate for pivoting movement about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position;
said lever arm having a proximal actuation end rearward of said pivot axis and a distal engagement end forward of said pivot axis;
said distal end disposed closer to said base plate in said closed position than in said open position;said lever arm having a first spring-receiving bay on a side generally facing said base plate and disposed rearward of said pivot axis; said base plate having a first fastener-receiving hole therein forward of said pivot axis, a second spring-receiving bay on a side generally facing said lever arm and disposed between said first hole and said pivot axis; a spring biasing said lever arm to assume said closed position, said spring extending from said first bay to said second bay; said lever arm having a second hole disposed between said pivot axis and said distal end, forward of said pivot axis and forward of said spring; wherein a centerline of said first hole extends through said second hole when said lever arm is in said closed position; wherein said fastener extends through said first hole; and
wherein a top of said fastener is accessible via said second hole. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of assembling a tape measure comprising:
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providing a main case having retractable tape measure blade operatively coupled thereto; coupling a distinct lever arm to a base plate for pivoting movement of said lever arm relative to said base plate about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position;
said lever arm having a proximal actuation end rearward of said pivot axis and a distal gripping end forward of said pivot axis;
said distal end disposed closer to said base plate in said closed position than in said open position;said lever arm having a first spring-receiving bay on a side generally facing said base plate and disposed rearward of said pivot axis; said base plate having a first fastener-receiving hole therein forward of said pivot axis, a second spring-receiving bay on a side generally facing said lever arm and disposed between said first hole and said pivot axis; said coupling comprising disposing a first end of a spring in said first bay and a second end of said spring in said second bay and thereafter securing said lever arm to said base plate; wherein said lever arm has a second hole disposed between said pivot axis and said distal end, forward of said pivot axis and forward of said spring; and
wherein said securing said lever arm to said base plate comprises securing said lever arm to said base plate so that a centerline of said first hole extends through said second hole when said lever arm is in said closed position;biasing, by said spring, said lever arm to assume said closed position; and fastening said base plate to said tape measure housing with a fastener extending through said first hole. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A tape measure, comprising:
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a main case housing a retractable tape measure blade; a clip means attached to said main case for supporting said main case from a suitable external support, said clip means moveable about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position; said clip means comprising first and second spring-receiving bays disposed on opposite sides of said pivot axis and moveable relative to each other; said clip means comprising a leaf spring entirely disposed closer to said main case than said pivot axis and having ends disposed in said first and second spring-receiving bays;
said spring, in said closed position, comprising two bends having respective centers of curvature disposed on opposite sides of said spring;
said spring biasing said clip means toward said closed position. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification