Patent US4478349A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3744733A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power tape units and locking and releasing device therefor
Assignee: WATERBURY LOCK AND SPECIALTY Co
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Filing: 1971-02-19
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Granted: 1973-07-10
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Expires: 1991-02-19
Abstract
Abstract A unitary plastic piece performing as a biasing spring, lock and finger-controllable button is installed in a conventional power tape case and maintains the powered measuring tape locked in any extended or non-extended position. The measuring tape is released by pushing the incorporated button to compress the biasing spring portion and release the brake.
Inventors
- 👤 R Bennett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 19:54
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B3/00; G01B3/10; G01B3/1005; G01B3/1007; G01B2003/1015; G01B2003/1033; G01B2003/1038
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
A tape measuring device comprising: A. a housing; B. a flexible, coilable measuring tape rule disposed within said housing for uncoiling withdrawal therefrom and recoiling retraction therein through a portal zone; C. automatic take-up means connected with said measuring tape rule to produce recoiling retraction thereof; and D. a tape locking and releasing device comprising a. a substantially flat disc shaped portion, b. a releasable locking surface portion extending substantially perpendicularly to said disc portion and acting directly on one face portion of the measuring tape rule at an acute angle to said face portion as it is traveling through said portal zone during its withdrawal from the housing, wedging the measuring tape against a portion of the housing, c. said disc portion being arcuately slotted to form an integral spring portion resiliently biasing the locking surface portion into contact with the measuring tape rule, and d. a finger operable button portion extending substantially perpendicularly to said disc portion and positioned for manually counter-acting the resilient biasing force produced by said spring portion disengaging said locking surface whereby the measuring tape is automatically locked in an extended position and freely recoiled into the housing by manual counteraction of the lock biasing force.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
A tape measuring device comprising: A. a housing; B. a flexible, coilable measuring tape rule disposed within said housing for uncoiling withdrawal therefrom and recoiling retraction therein through a portal zone; C. automatic take-up means connected with said measuring tape rule to produce recoiling retraction thereof; and D. a tape locking and releasing device comprising a. a substantially flat disc shaped portion, b. a releasable locking surface portion extending substantially perpendicularly to said disc portion and acting directly on one face portion of the measuring tape rule at an acute angle to said face portion as it is traveling through said portal zone during its withdrawal from the housing, wedging the measuring tape against a portion of the housing, c. said disc portion being arcuately slotted to form an integral spring portion resiliently biasing the locking surface portion into contact with the measuring tape rule, and d. a finger operable button portion extending substantially perpendicularly to said disc portion and positioned for manually counter-acting the resilient biasing force produced by said spring portion disengaging said locking surface whereby the measuring tape is automatically locked in an extended position and freely recoiled into the housing by manual counteraction of the lock biasing force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A tape measuring device as defined in claim 1, wherein said biasing spring portion maintains said locking surface portion in intimate frictional contact with the measuring tape in its normal position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A tape measuring device as defined in claim 1, wherein said finger operable button requires a releasing force to counteract said biasing spring force and remove said locking surface portion from intimate contact with the measuring tape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A tape measuring device as defined in claim 1, wherein said biasing spring portion comprises a finger-like portion of said locking and releasing device formed by cutting an arcuate slot in a unitary piece of resilient material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tape measuring device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a positioning tab to aid in maintaining said locking and releasing device in the desired position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
164 words
A measuring tape unit comprising: A. a surrounding case having a front and rear section; B. rotating drums positioned within said case; C. a measuring tape rule and automatic take-up assembly positioned between said drums within said case; and D. a power tape locking and releasing device positioned within said case and comprising: a. a substantially flat disc shaped portion, b. an axial bearing portion formed in said disc portion, substantially concentric with the axis of said rotating drums, c. a tape-engaging portion extending substantially perpendicularly to said disc portion, d. a button portion extending substantially perpendicularly to said disc portion and attached to said tape-engaging portion and adapted to rotate said tape-engaging portion about said bearing portion when said button is pushed, and e. a spring portion formed from said disc portion by arcuately slotting said disc portion and adapted to bias said button portion and said tape-engaging portion such that said tape-engaging portion will be in locking contact with the measuring tape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
164 words
A measuring tape unit comprising: A. a surrounding case having a front and rear section; B. rotating drums positioned within said case; C. a measuring tape rule and automatic take-up assembly positioned between said drums within said case; and D. a power tape locking and releasing device positioned within said case and comprising: a. a substantially flat disc shaped portion, b. an axial bearing portion formed in said disc portion, substantially concentric with the axis of said rotating drums, c. a tape-engaging portion extending substantially perpendicularly to said disc portion, d. a button portion extending substantially perpendicularly to said disc portion and attached to said tape-engaging portion and adapted to rotate said tape-engaging portion about said bearing portion when said button is pushed, and e. a spring portion formed from said disc portion by arcuately slotting said disc portion and adapted to bias said button portion and said tape-engaging portion such that said tape-engaging portion will be in locking contact with the measuring tape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
A measuring tape unit as defined in claim 6, wherein said locking and releasing device substantially comprises a flat disc comprising an arcuate slot forming said spring portion, a hole forming said axial bearing portion, and an upstanding portion, a section of which forms said tape-engaging portion and another section of which forms said button portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A measuring tape unit as defined in claim 7, wherein one of said case sections comprises positioning pins for contacting the surface of said flat disc of said locking and releasing device for maintaining said device in the desired plane.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-09 | 1977-01-08 | 1977-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-09 | 1981-01-08 | 1981-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-09 | 1985-01-08 | 1985-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |