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US 11,713,955 B2Granted
Tape measure with magnetic 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 retraction system is shown. The tape measure includes a magnetic retraction speed controller. The magnetic retraction speed controller includes a magnet that induces an eddy current in a conductive component of the tool and slows a retraction speed.
Claims21
A tape measure comprising:
- a housing;
- a tape reel rotatably mounted within the housing;
- a tape blade wound around the tape reel and extendible from the housing;
- a retraction mechanism configured to drive rotation of the tape reel to provide retraction of the tape blade;
- and
- a retraction speed control system comprising:
- a conductive element located within the housing;
- a first magnet located within the housing;
- and
- a second magnet located within the housing;
- wherein an angular spacing between the first magnet and the second magnet measured relative to a rotational axis of the tape reel is between 5 degrees and 60 degrees;
- wherein rotation of the tape reel generates relative movement between the conductive element and the first and second magnets and induces current within the conductive element.
9 more elements
A tape measure comprising:
- a housing;
- a tape reel rotatably mounted within the housing;
- a tape blade wound around the tape reel and extendible from the housing;
- a retraction mechanism configured to drive rotation of the tape reel to provide retraction of the tape blade;
- and
- a retraction speed control system comprising:
- a conductive element located within the housing;
- a magnet located within the housing;
- and
- a gap located between an outer surface of the conductive element and an opposing face of the magnet, the gap defining a clearance distance measured between the outer surface of the conductive element and the opposing face of the magnet in a direction of an axis of rotation of the tape reel;
- wherein rotation of the tape reel generates relative movement between the conductive element and the magnet and induces eddy currents within the conductive element.
8 more elements
A tape measure comprising:
- a housing;
- a reel rotatably mounted within the housing;
- a tape blade wound around the reel and extendible from the housing;
- a retraction mechanism configured to drive rotation of the reel to provide retraction of the tape blade;
- and
- a retraction speed control system configured to provide braking to the reel during retraction wherein an amount of braking force is proportional to a rotational speed of the reel.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.