Patent Grant
12044526
The present invention relates generally to the field of tools. The present invention relates specifically to a tape measure, measuring tape, retractable rule, etc., that includes a tape measure blade with a reinforcing layer on the tape blade.
Tape measures are measurement tools used for a variety of measurement applications, including in the building and construction trades. Some tape measures include a graduated, marked blade wound on a reel and also include a retraction system for automatically retracting the blade onto the reel. In some such tape measure designs, the retraction system is driven by a coil or spiral spring that is tensioned, storing energy as the tape is extended, and that releases energy to spin the reel, winding the blade back onto the reel such that automatic or non-manual tape retraction is provided. In some other tape measure designs, retraction of the tape is controlled via a manual crank, and such tape measure blades tend to have a long length.
This application relates to various tape measure embodiments discussed herein.
In one embodiment, a tape measure is provided. The tape measure includes a housing, a reel rotatably mounted within the housing and an elongate blade wound around the reel. The elongate blade includes an elongate metal core having an upper surface, a lower surface and a first thickness, T1, measured between the upper surface and the lower surface, and the upper surface includes a concave curved section and the lower surface includes a convex curved section. The elongate blade includes an upper reinforcement layer coupled to and covering at least a portion of the upper surface of the elongate metal core, and the upper reinforcement layer includes a second thickness, T2, and an upper surface defining the uppermost surface of the elongate blade. The elongate blade includes a lower reinforcement layer coupled to and covering at least a portion of the lower surface of the elongate metal core, and the lower reinforcement layer has a third thickness, T3, and a lower surface defining the lowermost surface of the elongate blade. The elongate blade includes an ink layer located between the upper surface of the elongate metal core and the upper reinforcement layer forming a series of measurement markings. The thicknesses are such that T2+T3≥T1, and he elongate blade has a pinch load threshold of greater than 30 lbs. The tape measure includes a retraction mechanism coupled to the reel and configured to driving rewinding of the elongate blade on to the reel. The tape measure includes a hook assembly coupled to an outer end of the elongate blade.
In another embodiment, a tape measure is provided. A tape measure including a housing, a reel rotatably mounted within the housing and an elongate blade wound around the reel. The elongate blade includes an elongate metal core having an upper surface, a lower surface and a metal thickness measured between the upper surface and the lower surface. The elongate blade includes polymer reinforcement layer coupled to a surface of the elongate metal and extending contiguously lengthwise for at least 6 ft. along a length of the elongate metal core, and the polymer reinforcement layer has a polymer reinforcement layer thickness. The elongate blade includes an ink layer located between the elongate metal core and the polymer reinforcement layer, and the ink layer forms a series of measurement markings. The elongate blade has a pinch load threshold of greater than 30 lbs. The tape measure includes a retraction mechanism coupled to the reel and configured to driving rewinding of the elongate blade on to the reel, and a hook assembly coupled to an outer end of the elongate blade.
In another embodiment, a tape measure is provided. The tape measure includes a housing, a reel rotatably mounted within the housing and an elongate blade wound around the reel. The elongate blade includes an elongate metal core having an upper surface, a lower surface and a metal thickness measured between the upper surface and the lower surface. The elongate blade includes a polymer reinforcement layer at least partially surrounding the elongate metal core when viewed in cross-section and extending contiguously lengthwise for at least 6 ft. along a length of the elongate metal core, and the polymer reinforcement layer has a polymer reinforcement layer thickness. The elongate blade includes an ink layer located between the elongate metal core and the polymer reinforcement layer, and the ink layer forms a series of measurement markings. The polymer reinforcement layer thickness is greater than the metal thickness. The tape measure including a retraction mechanism coupled to the reel and configured to driving rewinding of the elongate blade on to the reel and a hook assembly coupled to an outer end of the elongate blade.
Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and, in part, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in the written description and claims hereof, as well as the appended drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary.
The accompanying drawings are included to provide further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments.
Referring generally to
In particular, Applicant has found that by forming a tape blade where the total thickness of the polymer reinforcement layer material (e.g., the combined thickness of both the upper and lower layers of polymer reinforcement layer material) is greater than the thickness of the inner metal layer provides a tape blade particularly resistant to breakage (e.g., as tested utilizing a pinch test described below). Without being bound by a particular theory, in at least some embodiments, Applicant hypothesizes that the thick reinforcement layer discussed herein limits the radius of curvature that the metal material of the tape blade is exposed to when crimped/bent and thereby reduces the risk that metal material will crack. In this state, Applicant's theorize that the pinch force required to crack the tape is the force required to compress the polymer reinforcement layer such that the bend radius of the steel inner layer decreases to the point at which cracks develop. Further, in at least some embodiments, Applicant hypothesizes that the thick reinforcement layer discussed herein acts to hold the metal material together in the event of small crack formation, which limits crack propagation and tape blade breakage.
In general, Applicant understands that the art has typically viewed increasing the size of the tape measure housing as undesirable due to the difficulty gripping, holding, transporting, etc., a large sized tape measure. For at least this reason, Applicant understands that the art has typically not seen increasing tape blade reinforcement layer thickness as a viable means for strengthening the tape blade due to the increased size of such blades when wound onto a reel within a tape measure housing. Accordingly, at least in some embodiments, the reinforced tape blade discussed herein is used in conjunction with one or more other components designed to reduce the size of other internal components located within the tape measure housing, which in turn allows more of the space within the tape measure housing to be occupied by the thickly coated, reinforced tape measure blade for a given outer housing size dimension.
In specific embodiments, the tape measure may include two or more small diameter coil springs (e.g., power springs) as part of the tape blade retraction system, which in turn allows the size of the outer diameter of the housing to be reduced, as compared to a similar tape measure using one large coil spring for retraction. Similarly, in specific embodiments, the tape measure may include a reduction gear train that allows for a smaller diameter, more energy dense spring as compared to a similar tape measure using a coil spring with no gear train for retraction.
In further specific embodiments, the tape blade has a length suitable for retraction via a spring based retraction system. In specific embodiments, the length of the tape blade is less than 50 feet or more, specifically less than 40 feet. In specific embodiments, the length of the tape blade is 35 ft., 30 ft., 25 ft., or 16 ft. In further specific embodiments, the tape blade has a curved cross-sectional shape. In such embodiments, the tape blade that has a shape in which the upper surface is a concave curved surface and the lower surface of the blade is a convex curved surface. In further specific embodiments, the tape blade is structured to have a relatively significant stand-out length (i.e., the length of tape blade that can extend from the housing while supporting itself without buckling), and in some such embodiments, the tape stand out is at least 1 foot, at least 3 feet, at least 6 feet, less than 10 feet, etc. Applicant believes these structures differentiate the tape measure of the present disclosure from very long (e.g., 100 ft. or more) crank-retracted tape measures.
Referring to
As shown in
As shown in
In specific embodiments, retraction mechanism 42 is configured to provide for a relatively small housing size, despite the increased blade thickness. In one embodiment, retraction mechanism 42 includes two or more spiral springs (e.g., power springs) which will deliver a desired level of torque while decreasing the outer diameter of the space occupied by the springs (at least as compared to the outer diameter of a single spiral spring that delivers the same level of torque). In other embodiments, retraction mechanism 42 includes a reduction gear train located between the tape reel and spring such that each rotation of the tape reel results in less than one rotation of the spring. This arrangement allows for a smaller diameter, more energy dense spring as compared to a similar tape measure using a coil spring with no gear train for retraction.
By utilizing one or more size reduction mechanisms, e.g., gearing, multiple springs, etc., a thicker tape blade may be used without the size of the housing growing for the same length of tape. In some embodiments, a coil spring having a width wider than the width of tape blade 14 may be used, which allows for a lower diameter/height spring to be used. In some such embodiments, the coil spring has a width between 110% and 150% of the width tape blade 14, specifically, the coil spring has a width between 120% and 135% of the width tape blade 14, and more specifically, the coil spring has a width of approximately 130% of the width tape blade 14. In this way, the spring may be of a smaller height, allowing reduction of the height of the housing relative to smaller-width, but larger diameter spring, which may allow for a smaller height housing with a thicker tape.
Referring to
A slot 82 is defined along a forward portion 86 of peripheral wall 58. Slot 82 provides an opening in the tape measure housing which allows tape lock 46 to extend into housing 18. In addition, slot 82 provides a length sufficient to allow tape lock 46 to be moved relative to housing 18 between locked and unlocked positions.
Below the slot 82, a tape port 90 is provided in peripheral wall 58. Tape port 90 has an arcuate shape 94, corresponding to an arcuate cross-sectional profile of tape blade 14. The tape port 90 allows for the retraction and extension of tape blade 14 to and from the internal cavity 62 defined within housing 18.
As shown in
Referring to
In various embodiments, tape blade 14 includes at least one reinforcing layer coupled to at least one of the upper surface and/or lower surface of inner metal layer 110. In the specific embodiment shown in
As shown, layer 112 has an upper surface 116 that defines the uppermost surface of tape blade 14, and layer 114 has a lower surface 118 that defines the lowermost surface of tape blade 14. Ink layers 119 may be located between layers 112 and/or 114 forming measurement markings or indicia (see
In various embodiments, layers 112 and/or 114 are formed from an extruded polymer material and specifically an extruded nylon material. In such embodiments, the polymer for layers 112 and/or 114 are extruded in liquid form onto inner metal core 110, and cured or otherwise solidified to form layers 112 and/or 114.
In other embodiments, layers 112 and/or 114 are formed from a sheet of film material adhered to inner metal core 110. In various embodiments, layers 112 and/or 114 are formed from a sheet of polymer material that is bonded to the surfaces of inner metal core 110 using an adhesive material. In various embodiments, the sheet of polymer material is formed from a thermoplastic material, such as PET, and the adhesive may be an acrylic adhesive or a polyester thermoset adhesive.
In specific embodiments, layers 112 and/or 114 are formed from sheet of Mylar A material from DuPont and the adhesive is a polyester thermoset available from Bostik, Inc., and prototypes 4 and 5 shown in Table 1 (below) utilize such materials for layers 112 and/or 114. In addition to the pinch testing, Applicant has found that these materials result in layers 112 and 114 with high bonding such that these layers tear before delaminating.
In other specific embodiments, layers 112 and/or 114 are formed from 8412 Tape, which is a PET film with acrylic adhesive, available from The 3M Company, and prototypes 6 and 7 shown in Table 1 utilize these materials for layers 112 and/or 114. It should be understood that while
As shown in
As shown in
In specific embodiments, T2+T3 is between 0.2 mm and 0.4 mm. In a specific embodiment, T2+T3 is between 0.2 mm and 0.25 mm, and more specifically is between 0.21 mm and 0.23 mm. In one embodiment, T2 is substantially equal to T3 (e.g., is within 5% of T3). In another embodiment, T2 is greater than T3 (e.g., is more than 5% greater than T3). In another embodiment, T3 is greater than T2 (e.g., is more than 5% greater than T2).
In other embodiments, the reinforcement layer thickness can be expressed as the ratio of total tape blade thickness (T1+T2+T3) to the thickness of inner metal core 110 (T1). In various embodiments. (T1+T2+T3)/T1 is greater than or equal to 2, and specifically greater than or equal to 2.5. In more specific embodiments, (T1+T2+T3)/T1 is between 2.5 and 4, and more specifically between 2.5 and 3.5.
In one embodiment, the total tape blade thickness (inclusive of all of the reinforcement layers and the core layer, i.e., T1+T2+T3) is between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm. In a specific embodiment, T1+T2+T3 is between 0.3 mm and 0.35 mm, and specifically is 0.33 mm (e.g., 0.33 mm plus or minus 5%). As shown in Table 1 below, prototype 1 has a total thickness of 0.33 mm and a pinch load threshold of greater than 30 lbs. In particular embodiments, Applicant believes that this design represents a particularly advantageous balance between strength enhancing tape blade thickness without unduly increasing tape housing size or manufacturing costs.
In one embodiment, one or more reinforcing layers, such as layers 112 and 114, are applied over the entire length of inner layer 110.
In one embodiment, one or more reinforcing layers, such as layers 112 and 114, are applied over at least 6 feet of the length of inner layer 110, specifically over at least 8 feet of the length of inner layer 110, and more specifically over at least 10 feet of the length of inner layer 110. In specific embodiments, these lengths are contiguous lengths of the material forming layers 112 and 114. Such designs may provide increased tear resistance in areas of the tape blade 14 prone to increased wear, while maintaining compactness of the tape relative to a tape blade that has the coating over the entire length. In one embodiment, layers 112 and 114 begin at the end of the tape blade 14 proximate the hook. In another embodiment, the reinforcement layer starts at a location of the blade spaced apart from the end proximate hook assembly 26.
In some embodiments, layers 112 and/or 114 do not have uniform thicknesses along the width and/or length of tape blade 14. In some such embodiments, layers 112 and/or 114 may be applied in a pattern (e.g., a honeycomb pattern, a checkered pattern, etc.) where there are portions of thicker and thinner coating distribution across both the length and width of the tape blade 14. In such embodiments, T2 and T3 shown in
One or more reinforcing layers, such as layers 112 and 114, may be applied as a laminate, nylon extrusion, film attached with adhesive, power/spray on coating. In one embodiment, the reinforcement layer(s) are configured such that even if the steel core were to fracture, the reinforcement layer is configured to contain the steel core and to maintain the integrity of the blade (e.g., the reinforcement layer will tend not to tear).
As will be discussed in more detail below, layers 112 and 114 are designed to provide high levels of pinch test performance, represented by a pinch load threshold (which is the pinch test force required to break a given tape blade) and a pinch height at break. In various embodiments, tape blade 14 has a pinch load threshold greater than or equal to 30 lbs., and specifically a pinch load threshold greater than 30 lbs. and less than 50 lbs. In a specific embodiment, the pinch load threshold is greater than 30 lbs. and less than 35 lbs. In various embodiments, tape blade 14 has a pinch height at break of less than 1.5 mm.
Testing data for a number of tape measure blades designs having different total thicknesses, reinforcement layer thicknesses and reinforcement layer types are shown in Table 1, below. As shown in Table 1, the prototype designs are specific exemplary embodiments of innovative tape blades with reinforcing layers designed as discussed herein. The other data sets show testing of current commercially available tape measures. As can be seen, the various prototype designs perform significantly better during pinch test than the prior art designs, while having higher overall tape thickness (resulting from thicker reinforcing layers) but lower steel thicknesses. From this testing Applicant has concluded that significantly better pinch test performance can be achieved via increases in reinforcing layer thickness while decreasing steel thickness. In addition, Applicant has determined that designing a tape blade in which the pinch load threshold is greater than 30 lbs., and specifically between 30 lbs. and 50 lbs. provides a desirable balance between high enough pinch test performance while maintaining a satisfactorily low overall tape blade thickness.
Referring to
To set up the pinch test, test fixture 404 is positioned so that the u-bend in tape blade 14 is located near the vertical central axis 412 of mandrel 402, as shown in
During pinch testing, the machine running mandrel 402 advances mandrel 402 at a rate of 1 inch per minute, and is set to stop if the load exceeds 150 lbs. Tape blade 14 is returned to its position below mandrel 402 as shown in
It should be understood that the figures illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, and it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for description purposes only and should not be regarded as limiting.
Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in the various exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Some elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logical algorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is in no way intended that any particular order be inferred. In addition, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more component or element, and is not intended to be construed as meaning only one. As used herein, “rigidly coupled” refers to two components being coupled in a manner such that the components move together in a fixed positional relationship when acted upon by a force.
Various embodiments of the invention relate to any combination of any of the features, and any such combination of features may be claimed in this or future applications. Any of the features, elements or components of any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be utilized alone or in combination with any of the features, elements or components of any of the other embodiments discussed above.
The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/500,229, filed Oct. 13, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/360,894, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,199,390, filed Mar. 21, 2019, which is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/US2019/021012, filed on Mar. 6, 2019, which claims the benefit of and priority to 62/639,743, filed on Mar. 7, 2018, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17500229 | Oct 2021 | US |
| Child | 18301031 | US | |
| Parent | 16360894 | Mar 2019 | US |
| Child | 17500229 | US | |
| Parent | PCT/US2019/021012 | Mar 2019 | WO |
| Child | 16360894 | US |
