Self-retracting tape rule

A method of forming a self-retracting tape rule, the method comprising:

• providing a substrate for an elongated tape rule blade;
• forming measurement indicia on the substrate of the elongated tape rule blade such that the elongated tape rule blade is configured for measurement, wherein the measurement indicia comprise portions of the substrate with local nanostructured changes relative to other portions of the substrate, wherein the local nanostructured changes are configured to trap or absorb light to create color contrasts with the other portions of the substrate, and wherein the local nanostructured changes comprise an annealed metallic structure or an oxidized metallic structure;
• coupling a reel to the elongated tape rule blade, the reel configured to retract the elongated tape rule blade from an extended position to a wound position;
• coupling a spring to the reel, the spring configured to apply a rotational bias to the reel that rotates the reel to retract the elongated tape rule blade into the wound position;
• and
• assembling the elongated tape rule blade, the reel, and the spring in a housing.

A method of forming a self-retracting tape rule, the method comprising:

• providing a substrate for an elongated tape rule blade;
• forming measurement indicia on the substrate of the elongated tape rule blade such that the elongated tape rule blade is configured for measurement, wherein the measurement indicia are formed on the substrate by impinging the substrate with pulsed radiation having an ultraviolet, visible, or infrared wavelength, a pulse width of less than 20 picoseconds, a power of less than 100 Watts, and a repetition rate up to 100 gigahertz;
• coupling a reel to the elongated tape rule blade, the reel configured to retract the elongated tape rule blade from an extended position to a wound position;
• coupling a spring to the reel, the spring configured to apply a rotational bias to the reel that rotates the reel to retract the elongated tape rule blade into the wound position;
• and
• assembling the elongated tape rule blade, the reel, and the spring in a housing.

A self-retracting tape rule, the tape rule comprising:

• an elongated tape rule blade configured for measurement, the elongated tape rule blade having measurement indicia thereon, the elongated tape rule blade comprising a substrate, wherein portions of the substrate comprise local nanostructured changes relative to other portions of the substrate, wherein the local nanostructured changes comprise an annealed metallic structure or an oxidized metallic structure;
• a reel configured to retract the elongated tape rule blade from an extended position to a wound position;
• a spring configured to apply a rotational bias to the reel that rotates the reel to retract the elongated tape rule blade into the wound position;
• a lock configured to selectively engage the elongated tape rule blade to maintain the elongated tape rule blade in the extended position;
• and
• a housing configured to house the elongate tape rule blade, the reel, the spring, and the lock.