Coilable rule casing

In a measuring device having a coilable measuring tape and a coil spring to retract the tape, a casing comprising:

• first and second molded plastic inserts each having a side wall provided with an inwardly extending peripheral flange and adapted to fit together to provide a hollow chamber for receiving the measuring tape and coil spring, said first plastic insert including a central opening formed in its side wall;
• a thin outer metal case shaped to conform to the exterior configuration of said side walls and flanges of said plastic inserts and adapted to receive said plastic inserts in a close fitting relationship, said metal case including a hole on one side thereof in alignment with said opening in said first plastic insert;
• an integral, center post formed on said second plastic insert and extending across the hollow chamber with a free end received in said central opening in said first plastic insert for supporting the measuring tape and coil spring, said post having an axial bore at its free end;
• and
• a screw threadably received in said axial bore in said post and provided with an enlarged headed end for engaging said metal case adjacent to said hole therein to hold said metal case and said plastic inserts together.

In a measuring device having a coilable measuring tape and a coil spring to retract the tape, a casing comprising:

• first and second molded plastic inserts each having a side wall provided with an inwardly extending peripheral flange and adapted to fit together to provide a hollow chamber for receiving the measuring tape and coil spring, said first plastic insert including a central opening formed in its side wall;
• a thin outer metal case comprising a pair of case members shaped to conform to the exterior configuration of said side walls and flanges of said plastic inserts and adapted respectively to receive said plastic inserts in a close fitting nesting relationship, said metal case including a hole on one side thereof in alignment with said opening in said first plastic insert;
• a center post extending across the hollow chamber with a free end in alignment with said central opening in said first plastic insert for supporting the measuring tape and coil spring, said post being secured to said second plastic insert and one of said outer case members;
• and
• fastening means securing said first plastic insert and the other of said outer case members to the free end of said post to hold said metal case and said plastic inserts together.