US3812588A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tape measuring unit and locking and releasing device therefor
Assignee: WATERBURY LOCK AND SPECIALTY Co
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Filing: 1973-04-05
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Granted: 1974-05-28
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Expires: 1993-04-05
Abstract
Abstract A two-piece locking and releasing device incorporating a pivotable wedge for direct and positive tape locking and a finger-operable cam member cooperating with the wedge member, for use in tape measuring units having automatic take-up means, provides an inexpensive, positive extended tape lock acting directly on the extended tape itself. This two-piece locking and releasing device provides the desired positive tape lock in any tape extended position.
Inventors
- 👤 R Bennett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:49
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B3/00; G01B3/10; G01B3/1005; G01B3/1007; G01B2003/1015; G01B2003/1033; G01B2003/1038
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
A tape measuring unit 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 springless tape locking and releasing device comprising: a. a wedge member 1. freely pivotable about a pivot axis, 2. disposed between a cam member defined below and the portion of said measuring tape rule between the coiled portion thereof and said portal zone, 3. incorporating a tape-locking surface, and 4. a camming and locking surface; and b. a finger operable cam member, slidably engaged with said housing, incorporating a wedge-locking surface adapted for releasable frictional locking engagement with the camming and locking surface of said wedge member; movement of said cam member causes slidable engagement between the wedge-locking surface of said cam member and the camming and locking surface of said wedge member, causing said wedge member to pivot about its pivot xis until said tape-locking surface firmly frictionally engages said measuring tape rule, locking said measuring tape rule between said tape-locking surface of said wedge member and an inner surface of said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
A tape measuring unit 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 springless tape locking and releasing device comprising: a. a wedge member 1. freely pivotable about a pivot axis, 2. disposed between a cam member defined below and the portion of said measuring tape rule between the coiled portion thereof and said portal zone, 3. incorporating a tape-locking surface, and 4. a camming and locking surface; and b. a finger operable cam member, slidably engaged with said housing, incorporating a wedge-locking surface adapted for releasable frictional locking engagement with the camming and locking surface of said wedge member; movement of said cam member causes slidable engagement between the wedge-locking surface of said cam member and the camming and locking surface of said wedge member, causing said wedge member to pivot about its pivot xis until said tape-locking surface firmly frictionally engages said measuring tape rule, locking said measuring tape rule between said tape-locking surface of said wedge member and an inner surface of said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
disposed between a cam member defined below and the portion of said measuring tape rule between the coiled portion thereof and said portal zone,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
disposed between a cam member defined below and the portion of said measuring tape rule between the coiled portion thereof and said portal zone,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
a threaded portion coaxially aligned with the open distal end of said axially slotted portion and adapted for cooperation with screw means for closing said distal end and holding the other of said housing portions thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
a threaded portion coaxially aligned with the open distal end of said axially slotted portion and adapted for cooperation with screw means for closing said distal end and holding the other of said housing portions thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The tape measuring unit defined in claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a groove for controlling the slidable movement of said cam member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The tape measuring unit defined in claim 1, wherein said cam member comprises a curved portion and a finger operable button portion perpendicularly extending from said curved portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
5 words
incorporating a tape-locking surface, and
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
5 words
incorporating a tape-locking surface, and
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
104 words
a camming and locking surface; and b. a finger operable cam member, slidably engaged with said housing, incorporating a wedge-locking surface adapted for releasable frictional locking engagement with the camming and locking surface of said wedge member; movement of said cam member causes slidable engagement between the wedge-locking surface of said cam member and the camming and locking surface of said wedge member, causing said wedge member to pivot about its pivot xis until said tape-locking surface firmly frictionally engages said measuring tape rule, locking said measuring tape rule between said tape-locking surface of said wedge member and an inner surface of said housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
104 words
a camming and locking surface; and b. a finger operable cam member, slidably engaged with said housing, incorporating a wedge-locking surface adapted for releasable frictional locking engagement with the camming and locking surface of said wedge member; movement of said cam member causes slidable engagement between the wedge-locking surface of said cam member and the camming and locking surface of said wedge member, causing said wedge member to pivot about its pivot xis until said tape-locking surface firmly frictionally engages said measuring tape rule, locking said measuring tape rule between said tape-locking surface of said wedge member and an inner surface of said housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The tape measuring unit defined in claim 3, wherein said housing comprises a curved groove for controlling the slidable movement of said cam member and having an axis substantially coinciding with the axis of said coilable measuring tape rule.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The tape measuring unit defined in claim 4, wherein one of said housing portions comprises a boss member perpendicularly disposed from one surface thereof and adapted to peripherally surround said post member when said two housing portions are cooperatingly joined.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
55 words
The tape measuring unit defined in claim 1, wherein said housing is further defined as incorporating: a. two cooperating housing portions, b. a post forming a surrounding housing for said measuring tape unit, extending substantially perpendicularly froM one inner surface of one of said housing portions and substantially centrally located on said surface and comprising
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) | 1977-05-27 | 1977-11-26 | 1978-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-27 | 1981-11-26 | 1982-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-27 | 1985-11-26 | 1986-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |