US3774309A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steel measuring tape holder
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-06-19
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Granted: 1973-11-27
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Expires: 1992-06-19
Abstract
Abstract A steel measuring tape holder for a self-winding coiled steel tape of conventional design wherein the holder is of simple design readily fabricated of plastic but capable of being made of other materials and adapted to contain the coiled steel tape and permit ready uncoiling of the tape in the withdrawal thereof out of the holder for measuring while guiding the tape for extension in a straight line through a guide opening contoured in conformity with a curved face of the tape on one side and having a complemental guide member at the opposite side of the tape to initiate the straight line withdrawal of the tape from the holder and having a projecting guide lip which limits retraction of the tape and enables easy grasp of the tape for withdrawal from the holder.
Inventors
- 👤 N Leopoldi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 02:56
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B3/00; G01B3/10; G01B3/1071; G01B2003/1076; G01B3/1003; G01B3/1004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
A holder for a steel measuring tape of arcuate cross section and self-coiling to assume a normally coiled relationship, said holder having a pair of spaced side walls, a rear wall connecting said side walls at the rear end of said side walls, said rear wall being of less than full height of the side walls, the rear, front and top areas of said holder being generally open between said side walls substantially to expose a coiled steel tape mounted in the holder, a bottom guideway in the holder disposed between said side walls and extending to an exit opening for the steel tape adjacent the forward end of said side walls, said coiled steel tape being contained between said spaced side walls and having a portion entered through said guideway and passing through said exit opening, a bottom wall connecting said side walls extending forwardly from said rear wall and terminating in an edge defining one side of an opening to said guideway, and a bottom guide wall connecting said side walls and defining one wall surface of said guideway, said bottom guide wall at its rear edge defining the other side of said opening to said guideway and at its forward edge defining one sidE of said exit opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
211 words
A holder for a steel measuring tape of arcuate cross section and self-coiling to assume a normally coiled relationship, said holder having a pair of spaced side walls, a rear wall connecting said side walls at the rear end of said side walls, said rear wall being of less than full height of the side walls, the rear, front and top areas of said holder being generally open between said side walls substantially to expose a coiled steel tape mounted in the holder, a bottom guideway in the holder disposed between said side walls and extending to an exit opening for the steel tape adjacent the forward end of said side walls, said coiled steel tape being contained between said spaced side walls and having a portion entered through said guideway and passing through said exit opening, a bottom wall connecting said side walls extending forwardly from said rear wall and terminating in an edge defining one side of an opening to said guideway, and a bottom guide wall connecting said side walls and defining one wall surface of said guideway, said bottom guide wall at its rear edge defining the other side of said opening to said guideway and at its forward edge defining one sidE of said exit opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A holder for a steel measuring tape as set forth in claim 1 wherein a portion of said bottom guide wall adjacent to said exit opening is of curved cross section conforming to a convex surface of said steel tape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A holder for a steel measuring tape as set forth in claim 1 wherein a horizontal bottom wall connecting said side walls is disposed below said bottom guide wall in spaced relation thereto and defines the other side of said exit opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
A holder for a steel measuring tape as set forth in claim 2 wherein a horizontal bottom wall connecting said side walls is disposed below said bottom guide wall in spaced relation thereto and defines the other side of said exit opening, and means on said horizontal bottom wall extending upwardly into the concavity at the underside of the arcuate section steel tape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
A holder for a steel measuring tape as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means on said horizontal bottom wall extends from the front edge of the horizontal bottom wall to adjacent the rear edge thereof and is tapered downwardly as it approaches said rear edge to facilitate entry of an end portion of the steel measuring tape into said exit opening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A holder for a steel measuring tape as set forth in claim 3 wherein said horizontal bottom wall projects beyond the forward edge of said side walls and provides a supporting lip outwardly of said exit opening for an end portion of said steel tape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
A holder for a steel measuring tape as set forth in claim 6 wherein an upstanding rigidifying rib is disposed on said supporting lip and horizontal bottom wall and extends continuously from the front edge of the supporting lip to the rear edge of the horizontal bottom wall, said upstanding rib tapering downwardly adjacent said rear edge of the horizontal bottom wall.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A holder for a steel measuring tape as set forth in claim 1 wherein an inwardly projecting guide bracket is provided on each said side wall extending under and guiding said steel tape toward said exit opening.
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) | 1976-11-26 | 1977-05-28 | 1977-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-26 | 1981-05-28 | 1981-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-26 | 1985-05-28 | 1985-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |