Tape rule with resilient lock
First Claim
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.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A retractable rule assembly, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A blade locking structure for a rule assembly, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A retractable rule assembly, comprising:
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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, wherein the resilient structure comprises a resilient outer material and a receiving region behind the resilient outer material, the resilient outer material being deformable into the receiving region. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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Specification