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US 2022/0090901 A1Published application
Tape Measure with Retraction Spring Adjacent to Tape Reel
AssigneeMilwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
InventorJohnathan F. Vitas
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 retraction system includes a spiral spring that is located outside of and adjacent to a tape reel about which a tape blade is wound. This arrangement provides for a decreased housing height which improves the ability to grip and handle the tape measure.
Claims20
A tape measure comprising:
- a housing;
- an axle having a longitudinal axis, the axle is mounted within the housing;
- a tape reel rotatably mounted within the housing around the axle, wherein the tape reel defines a radially outward-facing surface that defines a first diameter;
- an elongate tape blade wound around the radially outward-facing surface of the tape reel;
- and
- a spiral spring located within the housing, wherein when the elongate tape blade is unwound from the tape reel to extend from the housing the spiral spring stores energy, wherein the spiral spring releasing energy drives rewinding of the elongate tape blade on to the tape reel, and the spiral spring defines a maximum spring outer diameter that is more than two times the first diameter.
3 more elements
A tape measure comprising:
- a housing;
- an axle having a longitudinal axis, the axle is rotatably mounted within the housing;
- a planetary gear coupled to the axle;
- a tape reel rotatably mounted within the housing, the tape reel defining a radially outward-facing surface;
- a sun gear coupled to the tape reel, the planetary gear engaging with and rotating around the sun gear;
- an elongate tape blade wound around the radially outward-facing surface of the tape reel;
- and
- a spiral spring located within the housing, wherein when the elongate tape blade is unwound from the tape reel to extend from the housing the spiral spring stores energy, wherein the spiral spring releasing energy drives rewinding of the elongate tape blade on to the tape reel, and wherein no spring is located within the tape reel between the tape blade and the longitudinal axis in the radial direction.
5 more elements
A tape measure comprising:
- a housing;
- an axle having a longitudinal axis, the axle is rotatably mounted within the housing;
- a planetary gear coupled to the axle;
- a tape reel rotatably mounted within the housing, the tape reel defining a radially outward-facing surface;
- a sun gear coupled to the tape reel;
- an elongate tape blade wound around the radially outward-facing surface of the tape reel;
- a spiral spring located within the housing, wherein when the elongate tape blade is unwound from the tape reel to extend from the housing the spiral spring stores energy, wherein the spiral spring releasing energy drives rewinding of the elongate tape blade on to the tape reel, and wherein no tape blade is located between the spiral spring and the housing in the radial direction relative to the axle;
- a disc rigidly coupled to the housing between the spiral spring and the tape reel;
- and
- a ring gear coupled to the disc, the planetary gear between the ring gear and the sun gear.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.