Measuring tape rule device
First Claim
1. A measuring tape rule device comprising:
- a tape rule housing, the housing having a connection portion;
an axle within the housing, the axle configured to rotate about an axis of rotation;
a reel within the housing, the reel configured to rotate about the axis of rotation and the axle;
an elongated tape having gradations thereon and wound on the reel;
a first spring coupled between the axle and the connection portion of the housing; and
a second spring coupled between the axle and the reel;
wherein rotation of the reel relative to the housing in a direction tending to tension the second spring transmits rotational movement to the axle through the tensioning of the second spring, and wherein such rotational movement of the axle is applied to the first spring to tension the first spring.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A measuring tape rule device includes a tape rule housing, the housing having a connection portion. The device also includes an axle within the housing, the axle configured to rotate about an axis of rotation. The device also includes a reel within the housing, the reel configured to rotate about the axis of rotation and the axle. The device additionally includes an elongated tape having gradations thereon and wound on the reel. The device further includes a first spring coupled between the axle and the connection portion of the housing, and a second spring coupled between the axle and the reel. Rotation of the reel relative to the housing in a direction tending to tension the second spring transmits rotational movement to the axle through the tensioning of the second spring. Such rotational movement of the axle is applied to the first spring to tension the first spring.
37 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A measuring tape rule device comprising:
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a tape rule housing, the housing having a connection portion; an axle within the housing, the axle configured to rotate about an axis of rotation; a reel within the housing, the reel configured to rotate about the axis of rotation and the axle; an elongated tape having gradations thereon and wound on the reel; a first spring coupled between the axle and the connection portion of the housing; and a second spring coupled between the axle and the reel; wherein rotation of the reel relative to the housing in a direction tending to tension the second spring transmits rotational movement to the axle through the tensioning of the second spring, and wherein such rotational movement of the axle is applied to the first spring to tension the first spring. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A measuring tape rule device comprising:
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a housing having an opening, the housing comprising a connection portion therein; an axle within the housing, the axle being rotationally supported in the housing and configured to rotate about an axis of rotation; a reel within the housing, the reel configured to rotate about the axis of rotation and the axle; an elongated tape, the tape having measuring gradations thereon, the tape being wound on the reel and being extendable through the opening in the housing; a first elongated spiral spring, the first elongated spiral spring having a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion of the first elongated spiral spring is connected with the connection portion of the housing, and the second end portion of the first elongated spiral spring is connected with the axle; a second elongated spiral spring, the second elongated spiral spring having a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion of the second elongated spiral spring is connected with the reel and the second end portion of the second elongated spiral spring is connected with the axle; wherein extension of the elongated tape through the opening in the housing rotates the reel in a first direction, wherein rotation of the reel in the first direction increases tension on the second elongated spiral spring, wherein increasing tension on the second elongated spiral spring imparts rotational movement of the axle in a first rotational direction, wherein rotational movement of the axle in the first rotational direction imparts increased tension on the first elongated spiral spring; and wherein tension in the first elongated spiral spring and the second elongated spiral spring biases the reel in a second rotational direction that retracts the tape into the housing and winds the tape onto the reel. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification