Tape measures

Claim 1

A tape measure comprising a housing, a flexible tape normally coiled within the housing, a passage defined by the housing structure and having first and second opposing interior walls between which the tape is progressively withdrawable from the housing, a guide path defined within the housing structure and opening at an inner end through the first wall into the passage, a brake member located for movement longitudinally of the guide path between a ''''brake-on'''' position at which an end portion of the member protrudes into the passage to clamp a portion of the tape against the second wall and a ''''brake-off'''' position at which the tape is unclamped, an operating element located for movement longitudinally of the guide path and having a portion presented at the housing exterior, a catch member located in the guide path between the operating element and the brake member so as to transmit the longitudinal movement of the former to the latter, a catch formation at one side of the guide path determining a holding position at which the catch member abuts and retains the brake member in the ''''brake-on'''' position, and means imparting displacement of the catch member laterally of the guide path during longitudinal movement caused by actuation of the operating element for the purpose of urging the brake member towards the ''''brake-on'''' position, said lateral movement serving alternately to engage and disengage the catch member from the catch formation by alternate displacement of said member in opposite lateral directions during successive longitudinal movements of the operating member in the same direction.