Tape measure with fluid-based retraction speed controller
AssigneeMilwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
InventorScott Earl McKinster
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tool, such as a tape measure, including a spring-based retraction system is shown. The tape measure includes a fluid-based retraction speed controller. The speed controller may be formed from a rotor/stator arrangement. The rotor is coupled to the reel and the stator is coupled to the housing opposing the rotor. The rotor converts some rotational energy from tape reel into movement of a fluid (e.g., movement of air, movement of oil, etc. through friction) which acts to slow or limit the retraction/rotational speed of the reel as the retraction spring expands driving the reel during tape blade retraction.
Claims22
A tape measure comprising:
- a housing comprising:
- a first housing piece;
- a second housing piece coupled to the first housing piece, the second housing piece including an outer surface having a concave shape;
- a tape reel rotatably mounted within the first housing piece defining an axis of rotation, the tape reel comprising a radially outward facing surface;
- an elongate tape blade coiled around the tape reel;
- a retraction system, the retraction system comprising:
- a spring coupled to the tape reel, wherein the elongate tape blade is uncoiled from the tape reel to extend from the housing;
- and
- a speed control device comprising:
- a rotor, the rotor coupled to the tape reel such that the rotor spins along with the tape reel during retraction of the elongate tape blade;
- and
- a stator, the stator located within the outer surface of the second housing piece opposing the rotor.
A tape measure comprising:
- a housing;
- a tape reel rotatably mounted within the housing defining an axis of rotation;
- an elongate tape blade coiled around the tape reel;
- a spring-based retraction system comprising a spring coupled to the tape reel, wherein, when the elongate tape blade is uncoiled from the tape reel to extend from the housing, the spring stores energy, and the spring releases energy driving recoiling of the elongate tape blade on to the tape reel;
- and
- a speed control device directly coupled to an outer surface of the tape reel, wherein the speed control device converts rotational energy of the tape reel to movement of a fluid within the housing.
A tape measure comprising:
- a housing;
- a tape reel rotatably mounted within the housing defining an axis of rotation;
- an elongate tape blade coiled around the tape reel;
- a retraction system coupled to the tape reel, wherein, when the elongate tape blade is unwound from the tape reel to extend from the housing, the retraction system stores energy, and the retraction system releases energy driving rewinding of the elongate tape blade on to the tape reel;
- and
- a speed control device comprising:
- a rotor rigidly coupled to the tape reel such that the rotor spins along with the tape reel during retraction of the elongate tape blade;
- and
- a stator non-rotationally fixed within the housing facing the rotor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.