Back to results
US 11,231,261 B2Granted
Tape measure with multiple spring retraction
AssigneeMilwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
InventorsAbhijeet A. Khangar, Jonathan F. Vitas, Collin J. Nelson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tool, such as a tape measure, including a spring-based retraction system is shown. The spring-based retraction system includes at least two springs that drive a tape spool during tape retraction. The springs are indirectly coupled to each other via a single center post, in one embodiment, two center posts on a single spool, in another embodiment, or two center posts that are on different spools, in another embodiment.
Claims21
A tape measure comprising:
- a housing;
- an axle having a longitudinal axis that is rotatably mounted within the housing;
- a tape reel rotatably mounted within the housing around the axle, the tape reel comprising a radially inward-facing surface defining first and second spring enclosures, and a radially outward-facing surface, the tape reel further comprising first and second bearing surfaces that axially support the tape reel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the axle, the first and second bearing surfaces interfacing against the axle;
- an elongate tape blade wound around the radially outward-facing surface of the tape reel, an internal end of the tape blade is radially further from the axle than the inward-facing surface defining the first spring enclosure;
- a hook assembly coupled to an outer end of the elongate tape blade;
- a first spiral spring located within the first spring enclosure, the first spiral spring coupled between the cylindrical wall of the housing and the axle such that when the elongate tape blade is unwound from the tape reel to extend from the housing the first spiral spring stores energy, and the first spiral spring releasing energy drives rewinding of the elongate tape blade on to the tape reel;
- and
- a second spiral spring located within the second spring enclosure, the second spiral spring coupled between the tape reel and the axle such that when the elongate tape blade is unwound from the tape reel to extend from the housing the second spiral spring stores energy, and the second spiral spring releasing energy drives rewinding of the elongate tape blade on to the tape reel;
- and
- wherein, during extension and rewinding of the elongate tape blade, both the axle and tape reel rotate within the housing.
7 more elements
A tape measure comprising:
- a housing comprising a cylindrical internal wall extending inwardly from an exterior wall of the housing, the cylindrical internal wall defining a first spring enclosure;
- an axle rotatably mounted within the housing;
- a tape reel rotatably mounted within the housing around the axle, the tape reel comprising a radially inward-facing surface defining an interior reel cavity and a radially outward-facing surface;
- an elongate tape blade wound around the radially outward-facing surface of the tape reel;
- a hook assembly coupled to an outer end of the elongate tape blade;
- a first spiral spring located within the first spring enclosure defined by the cylindrical internal wall, the first spiral spring coupled between the cylindrical wall and the axle such that when the elongate tape blade is unwound from the tape reel to extend from the housing the first spiral spring stores energy, and the first spiral spring releasing energy drives rewinding of the elongate tape blade on to the tape reel;
- and
- a second spiral spring located within the interior reel cavity and surrounded by the radially inward-facing surface of the tape reel, the second spiral spring coupled between the tape reel and the axle such that when the elongate tape blade is unwound from the tape reel to extend from the housing the second spiral spring stores energy, and the second spiral spring releasing energy drives rewinding of the elongate tape blade on to the tape reel;
- and
- wherein, during extension and rewinding of the elongate tape blade, both the axle and tape reel rotate within the housing.
7 more elements
A tape measure comprising:
- a housing comprising a cylindrical internal protrusion defining a first spring enclosure;
- a first axle;
- a second axle fixedly coupled to the housing;
- a tape reel rotatably mounted within the housing around the first and second axles, the tape reel fixedly coupled to the first axle and comprising a radially outward-facing surface;
- an elongate tape blade wound around the radially outward-facing surface of the tape reel;
- a hook assembly coupled to an outer end of the elongate tape blade;
- a spring spool disposed within tape reel, the spring spool comprising first and second spring compartments;
- a first spiral spring located within the first spring compartment, the first spiral spring coupled between the first axle and the tape reel such that when the elongate tape blade is unwound from the tape reel to extend from the housing the first spiral spring stores energy, and the first spiral spring releasing energy drives rewinding of the elongate tape blade on to the tape reel;
- and
- a second spiral spring located within the second spring compartment, the second spiral spring coupled between the tape reel and the second axle such that when the elongate tape blade is unwound from the tape reel to extend from the housing the second spiral spring stores energy, and the second spiral spring releasing energy drives rewinding of the elongate tape blade on to the tape reel;
- and
- wherein, during extension and rewinding of the elongate tape blade, the tape reel, spring spool and first axle rotate within the housing, and
- an internal end of the tape blade is radially further from the axle than an outer end of the first spiral spring.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.