Horizontal-reel tape measure
AssigneeSears Brands, L.L.C.
InventorsBrian Todd Reese, Cody Lyle Mayer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various embodiments of tape measures having a horizontally mounted reel are described. Some tape measures include a plurality of guide members that twist and guide a measuring tape blade as the measuring tape blade is uncoiled from the reel and extended through a slot in the tape measure casing. In some embodiment, the plurality of members include a bottom guide member between the reel and a bottom wall of the casing, a side guide member between the reel and a side wall of casing, and a variable-diameter guide member between the bottom roller and the side roller. In some embodiment, the variable-diameter roller is formed from the reel and a coiled portion the measuring tape blade.
Claims20
A tape measure, comprising:
- a casing having a slot through a front wall of the casing;
- a reel rotatably mounted in the casing such that the reel has an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to a bottom wall of the casing;
- a measuring tape blade comprising:
- a first portion coiled around the reel such that an upper face of the measuring tape blade faces the axis of rotation for the reel;
- and
- a second portion that extends from the reel and through the slot such that the upper face of the measuring tape blade associated with the slot is directed upwardly and opposite an outer surface of the bottom wall;
- and
- a plurality of guide members configured to guide and twist the measuring tape blade as the measuring tape blade travels between the reel and the slot, wherein:
- the plurality of guide members comprises a bottom roller positioned between the reel and the bottom wall of the casing;
- and
- the bottom roller comprises a groove configured to receive an edge of the measuring tape blade.
A tape measure, comprising:
- a casing having a slot through a front wall of the casing;
- a reel rotatably mounted in the casing such that the reel has an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to a bottom wall of the casing;
- a measuring tape blade comprising:
- a first portion coiled around the reel such that an upper face of the measuring tape blade faces the axis of rotation for the reel;
- and
- a second portion that extends from the reel and through the slot such that the upper face of the measuring tape blade associated with the slot is directed upwardly and opposite an outer surface of the bottom wall;
- and
- a plurality of guide members configured to guide and twist the measuring tape blade as the measuring tape blade travels between the reel and the slot, wherein:
- the plurality of guide members comprises a bottom roller positioned between the reel and the bottom wall of the casing;
- and
- the bottom roller has an axis of rotation that is parallel to the axis of rotation of the reel.
A tape measure, comprising:
- a casing having a slot through a front wall of the casing;
- a reel rotatably mounted in the casing such that the reel has an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to a bottom wall of the casing;
- a measuring tape blade comprising:
- a first portion coiled around the reel such that an upper face of the measuring tape blade faces the axis of rotation for the reel;
- and
- a second portion that extends from the reel and through the slot such that the upper face of the measuring tape blade associated with the slot is directed upwardly and opposite an outer surface of the bottom wall;
- and
- a plurality of guide members configured to guide and twist the measuring tape blade as the measuring tape blade travels between the reel and the slot, wherein:
- the plurality of guide members comprises a bottom roller positioned between the reel and the bottom wall of the casing;
- the side roller has an axis of rotation that extends from the side wall of the casing toward the reel;
- and
- the side roller comprises a groove configured to receive an edge of the measuring tape blade.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.