US3816925A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tape measures
Assignee: Rabone Chesterman Ltd
•
Filing: 1973-03-26
•
Granted: 1974-06-18
•
Expires: 1993-03-26
Abstract
Abstract Spring loaded coiled steel or like flexible measuring tape is provided with a pushbutton braking device which includes an elongate brake member movable along one wall of the tape housing to bear on the tape so as to retain it in an extended condition, and an actuating member incorporating a pushbutton slideable along the upper wall of the housing and linked to the brake member by interengaging peg and slot or like camming formations for positive movement of the brake member in a rectilinear path. The device has few moving parts and is simple to assemble and operate. The housing and both said members may be formed from plastics materials.
Inventors
- 👤 B Hogan
- 👤 C Twamley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 09:11
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B3/00; G01B3/10; G01B3/1005; G01B3/1007; G01B2003/1015; G01B2003/1033; G01B2003/1038
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A tape measure comprising; a housing; a flexible measuring tape coiled within the housing about a lateral axis for progressive extension or retraction through aperture means defining a mouth of the housing; a brake member movable within the housing in a first rectilinear path between a ''''brake-on'''' position at which it bears on a part of the tape at said mouth to resist longitudinal movement thereof, and a ''''brake-off'''' position at which the tape is free for said movement; an actuating member movable within the housing in a second rectilinear path at an angle to the first path, the directions of displacement of said actuating member in said second path being normal to the direction of said lateral axis; and interengaging motion transmitting formations on said members whereby rectilinear movement of said actuating member is positively transmitted to the brake member for movement of the latter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A tape measure comprising; a housing; a flexible measuring tape coiled within the housing about a lateral axis for progressive extension or retraction through aperture means defining a mouth of the housing; a brake member movable within the housing in a first rectilinear path between a ''''brake-on'''' position at which it bears on a part of the tape at said mouth to resist longitudinal movement thereof, and a ''''brake-off'''' position at which the tape is free for said movement; an actuating member movable within the housing in a second rectilinear path at an angle to the first path, the directions of displacement of said actuating member in said second path being normal to the direction of said lateral axis; and interengaging motion transmitting formations on said members whereby rectilinear movement of said actuating member is positively transmitted to the brake member for movement of the latter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A tape measure according to claim 1 characterised in that said interengaging motion transmitting formations comprise a slot defined in a portion of one of the members extending at an angle to its path of movement; and a peg carried by the other member and engaged in the slot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
A tape meAsure according to claim 1 characterised in that the path of movement of the brake member lies along a first planar side wall of the housing which wall extends from a lower corner of the housing defining the mouth, and the path of movement of the actuating member lies along a second planar side wall of the housing normal to the first wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A tape measure according to claim 3 characterised in that said path of movement of the brake member is substantially normal to the path of the tape through the mouth.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A tape measure according to claim 3 characterised in that the actuating member includes a pushbutton on the upper side of the housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A tape measure according to claim 5 characterised in that said pushbutton includes a flexible formation for resilient engagement with part of the housing to retain the actuating member at the ''''brake-on'''' or ''''brake-off'''' positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A tape measure defined in claim 1, wherein said members are slidably mounted on intersecting housing walls and have adjacent ends within the housing provided with said motion transmitting formations.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB499819A
Cited
US2132202A
Cited
US2536766A
Cited
DE859955C
Cited
FR1305855A
Cited
US3435529A
Cited
US3577641A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-17 | 1977-12-17 | 1978-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-17 | 1981-12-17 | 1982-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-17 | 1985-12-17 | 1986-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |