A tape measure includes a case with an opening, a core inside the case, a spring extending around and imparting a radially inward force to most of a circumference of the core, and a graduated free metal tape with an arcuate cross-section that is wound around the core between the core and spring. The
A tape measure includes a case with an opening, a core inside the case, a spring extending around and imparting a radially inward force to most of a circumference of the core, and a graduated free metal tape with an arcuate cross-section that is wound around the core between the core and spring. The free metal tape is not connected to the case and core and its entire length is passable through the opening. The spring urges the tape flat against the core. The tape may be graduated on both sides. The case may include rollers that roll on an external periphery of the tape wound around the core and that are urged radially inward by the spring, and plural slots in which respective axes of the rollers are displaced in response to a change of diameter of the external periphery of the tape wound around the core.
대표청구항▼
I claim: 1. A tape measure, comprising: a case; a resiliently deformable coiled tape inside said case that is free of connections to said case; a flexible tension device that is attached to said case and that extends around and imparts a radially inward force to a majority of a radially external pe
I claim: 1. A tape measure, comprising: a case; a resiliently deformable coiled tape inside said case that is free of connections to said case; a flexible tension device that is attached to said case and that extends around and imparts a radially inward force to a majority of a radially external periphery of said coiled tape; plural spaced apart first rollers that roll on the external periphery of said coiled tape and that are urged radially inward by said flexible tension device; and plural slots inside said case and in which respective axes of said first rollers are displaced in response to a change in diameter of the external periphery of said coiled tape. 2. The tape measure of claim 1, further comprising a low friction strip between said flexible tension device and the external periphery of said coiled tape. 3. The tape measure of claim 1, wherein each of said first rollers comprises a first part with a groove that receives said flexible tension device and a second part that rides on the external periphery of said coiled tape. 4. The tape measure of claim 1, wherein said case has an opening through which an end of said coiled tape emerges, and further comprising a second roller that is fixed in position inside said case near said opening. 5. The tape measure of claim 4, further comprising a third roller that is fixed in position inside said case nearer to said opening than said second roller. 6. The tape measure of claim 1, wherein said flexible tension device comprises a spring that extends around and imparts the radially inward force to at least two-thirds of the external periphery of said coiled tape. 7. The tape measure of claim 6, wherein said spring extends around and imparts the radially inward force to at least three-quarters of the external periphery of said coiled tape. 8. The tape measure of claim 1, wherein said flexible tension device comprises an elastic non-metallic material. 9. The tape measure of claim 1, wherein said coiled tape is a graduated metal ribbon with an arcuate cross section. 10. The tape measure of claim 1, wherein said coiled tape is graduated on two opposite surfaces. 11. The tape measure of claim 1, wherein a radially interior distal part of said coiled tape has a lower amount of tape material per unit length than a remaining part of said coiled tape. 12. The tape measure of claim 11, wherein the radially interior distal part of said coiled tape is V-shaped. 13. The tape measure of claim 11, wherein the radially interior distal part of said coiled tape is thinner than a remaining part of said coiled tape. 14. A tape measure, comprising: a case; a resiliently deformable coiled tape inside said case that is free of connections to said case; a flexible tension device that is attached to said case and that extends around and imparts a radially inward force to a majority of a radially external periphery of said coiled tape; and a rotatable handle on an exterior of said case, a rotatable hub inside said case that is rotated by said handle and around which said coiled tape is coiled, and a latching device attached to said hub, wherein said latching device engages said coiled tape to cause said coiled tape to wind around said hub when said handle is rotated. 15. The tape measure of claim 14, wherein said coiled tape is graduated on two opposite surfaces. 16. A tape measure, comprising: a case having an opening; a core inside said case; a spring extending around and imparting a radially inward force to at least two-thirds of a circumference of said core; a graduated metal tape having an arcuate cross-section and being wound around said core between said core and said spring, said metal tape having a first end directly adjacent to said core and a second end exposed at said opening, said spring urging said metal tape against the circumference of said core, said metal tape being free of connections to said case and having an entire length that passes through said opening; plural spaced apart first rollers that roll on an external periphery of said tape wound around said core and that are urged radially inward by said spring; plural slots inside said case and in which respective axes of said first rollers are displaced in response to a change of diameter of the external periphery of said metal tape wound around said core; and a second roller that is fixed in position inside said case near said opening. 17. The tape measure of claim 16, wherein said metal tape is graduated on two opposite surfaces. 18. A tape measure, comprising: a case; a resiliently deformable coiled tape inside said case that is free of connections to said case; a flexible tension device that is attached to said case and that extends around and imparts a radially inward force to a majority of a radially external periphery of said coiled tape; and plural spaced apart rollers between said coiled tape and said flexible tension device and that are urged radially inward by said flexible tension device, said plural spaced apart rollers being free of attachment to said flexible tension device and rolling on the external periphery of said coiled tape. 19. The tape measure of claim 18, further comprising means for supporting and positioning said rollers. 20. The tape measure of claim 19, wherein said means comprises a flexible strip. 21. The tape measure of claim 18, wherein said coiled tape is graduated on two opposite surfaces.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (14)
Christie William C. (Tallmadge OH), Automated tire measurement techniques.
Bickford Dudley V. (Chester CT) Cofek Henry R. (Groton MA) Robinson Hugh (Wenham MA) Wilder Bruce A. (Clinton CT), Coilable tape rule with improved connection between spring and blade.
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