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US5699623A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Tape measure

Assignee: JOHNNEY ENTERPRISES CO Ltd
•
Filing: 1996-11-21
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Granted: 1997-12-23
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Expires: 2016-11-21
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Abstract

Abstract An improvement for the structure of end hook for the tape measure consists of a U-shaped flexible elongated metal folder and a conventional end hook. The U-shaped flexible elongated metal folder, having a slim parallel gap which is slightly greater than the thickness of the metallic tape, sandwiches the tape therebetween at the outer end of the tape below the end hook. At the outer edge of the tape, there is a rectangular notch, whose depth is equal to or a little greater than the thickness of the end hook. The flexible elongated metal folder is longer than the end hook, with the closed end thereof engaging the said rectangular notch, so that there is an extended portion stretching beyond the inner end of the end hook. The conventional end hook is mounted on the said metal folder and the tape, overlapping with the metal folder and the tape, then all these three elements are riveted together. The extended portion of the metal floder without overlapping with the end hook is riveted with the tape only. The reeinforcement with the additional U-shaped flexible elongated metal folder improves the structure of conventional end hook in enhancing considerably the strength to withstand the stress of impact, forfending the usual disadvantage of fracture or rupture of the tape and rivet failure.

Inventors

  • 👤 Rule Lee

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 18:37
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B3/00; G01B3/10; G01B3/1056

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 119 words
An improvement for tape measure comprising: a metallic tape having a rectangular notch formed at the outer edge; a U-shaped flexible elongated metal folder for sandwiching the outer end of the metallic tape therebetween with the closed end thereof engaging with the notch and the open end stretching along the longitudinal axis of the tape; and an end hook disposed above the flexible elongated metal folder with an overlapping portion; wherein the metallic tape, the flexible elongated metal folder and the end hook are riveted together; the flexible elongated metal folder is longer than the end hook, with its extended portion without overlapping with the end hook, wherein the flexible elongated metal folder and the tape are riveted together.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 119 words
An improvement for tape measure comprising: a metallic tape having a rectangular notch formed at the outer edge; a U-shaped flexible elongated metal folder for sandwiching the outer end of the metallic tape therebetween with the closed end thereof engaging with the notch and the open end stretching along the longitudinal axis of the tape; and an end hook disposed above the flexible elongated metal folder with an overlapping portion; wherein the metallic tape, the flexible elongated metal folder and the end hook are riveted together; the flexible elongated metal folder is longer than the end hook, with its extended portion without overlapping with the end hook, wherein the flexible elongated metal folder and the tape are riveted together.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 32 words
An improvement for tape measure of claim 1, wherein the overlapping portion of the end hook, the flexible elongated metal folder and the tape is riveted together by at least one rivet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 32 words
An improvement for tape measure of claim 1, wherein the flexible elongated metal folder and the metallic tape without the end hook overlapping thereof is riveted together by at least one rivet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 45 words
An improvement for tape measure of claim 1 , wherein the end hook is float-movable along the longitudinal axis of the tape within the maximum amount of movement equal to the thickness of the end hook, so that both interior and exterior measurements are acurate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 44 words
An improvement for tape measure of claim 2, wherein the end hook is float-movable along the longitudinal axis of the tape within the maximum amount of movement equal to the thickness of the end hook, so that both interior and exterior measurements are acurate.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

GB402200A Cited
US3131480A Cited
FR1366948A Cited
US4300289A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2000-12-22 2001-06-23 2001-12-23 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2004-12-22 2005-06-23 2005-12-23 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2008-12-22 2009-06-23 2009-12-23 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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