CA2629677A1 - Tape measure device & method of manufacturing - Google Patents
Tape measure device & method of manufacturing Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2629677A1 CA2629677A1 CA002629677A CA2629677A CA2629677A1 CA 2629677 A1 CA2629677 A1 CA 2629677A1 CA 002629677 A CA002629677 A CA 002629677A CA 2629677 A CA2629677 A CA 2629677A CA 2629677 A1 CA2629677 A1 CA 2629677A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- blade
- metallic material
- measuring device
- strip
- extended
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims description 10
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 claims description 48
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 16
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chromium Chemical compound [Cr] VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000000137 annealing Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052804 chromium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000011651 chromium Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- VMWYVTOHEQQZHQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N methylidynenickel Chemical compound [Ni]#[C] VMWYVTOHEQQZHQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000012858 resilient material Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 3
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nickel Chemical compound [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000010348 incorporation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052759 nickel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
- G01B3/00—Measuring instruments characterised by the use of mechanical techniques
- G01B3/10—Measuring tapes
- G01B3/1003—Measuring tapes characterised by structure or material; characterised by layout or indicia
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
- G01B3/00—Measuring instruments characterised by the use of mechanical techniques
- G01B3/10—Measuring tapes
- G01B2003/1058—Manufacturing or assembling methods
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Bending Of Plates, Rods, And Pipes (AREA)
Abstract
A tape measure device has an elongated blade (20) with a central concave-convex segment (40) with at least one planar segment (42, 44) adjoining edgewise the central concave-convex segment to form a junction that extends substantially along the entire length of the elongated blade. During formation of the blade the junction is annealed to avoid formation of a flaw or incipient fracture along the junction.
Description
1 TAPE MEASURE DEVICE & METHOD OF MANUFACTURING
2
3 INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
4 The inventor incorporates herein by reference any and all U. S.
6 patents, U. S. patent applications, and other documents cited or 7 referred to in this application.
11 The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "including,"
12 and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and 13 be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these 14 words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.
16 "Rectangular shape" includes square shape.
A tape measure is a device used to measure such things as length 21 and distance. A tape measure typically comprises an elongated blade 22 that is wound about a reel and stored within a housing. A user employs 23 the tape measure by unwinding the elongated blade, extending the 24 blade through an opening in the housing. The elongated blade has rule markings to measure length and distance.
26 Examples of tape measures are disclosed in U. S. Patent Nos.
27 6,324,769; 6,367,161; and 6,662,463. As disclosed in these patents, it 28 is desirable that an extended portion of the elongated blade be as 29 linear as possible. For example, the extended blade portion may have a 1 standout arcuate length of at least ten feet with a horizontal linear 2 length greater than ninety-seven percent of the standout arcuate 3 length. As this extended portion increases in length, its tendency to 4 bend downward also increases due to the increase in the weight of the extended portion. This bending tendency is obviated at least to some 6 degree by controlling the dimensions of the blade and the materials 7 used in its construction. Additionally, the blade's cross-sectional shape 8 is configured to resist bending. For example, the blade's cross-sectional 9 shape may include a concave-convex central section adjoining one or more planar segments. Although this cross-sectional shape resists 11 bending, it presents a problem; namely, along any junction line where 12 a planar segment merges with the concave-convex central section, a 13 flaw or incipient fracture is created using conventional stamping 14 techniques in manufacturing the elongated blade.
18 This invention has one or more features as discussed 19 subsequently herein. After reading the following section entitled "DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THIS INVENTION,"
21 one will understand how the features of this invention provide its 22 benefits. The benefits of this invention include, but are not limited to, 23 providing a tape measure blade having a cross-sectional configuration 24 that resists bending but avoids during manufacture the formation of flaws or incipient fractures.
26 Without limiting the scope of this invention as expressed by the 27 claims that follow, some, but not necessarily all, of its features are:
28 One, the tape measure device of this invention includes an 29 elongated blade that, when in an extended position, has a 1 predetermined cross-sectional curvature formed by a concave-convex 2 segment and at least one planar segment adjoining edgewise the 3 concave-convex segment. At the adjoining edges of these segments a 4 junction is formed that extends substantially along the entire length of the elongated blade. This junction is annealed during formation of the 6 blade to avoid creating a flaw or incipient fracture along the junction.
7 Two, annealing may comprise passing a substantially flat strip of 8 metallic material lengthwise through a slit opening in a die and heating 9 the strip. The flat strip of metallic material is heated to a temperature substantially above ambient temperature but below the melting point 11 of the metallic material. The die or the material may be heated, or 12 both may be heated, or the flat strip of metallic material may be heated 13 prior to passing it through the slit opening. The metallic material may 14 be selected from the group consisting of chromium, nickel, carbon, and iron. A strip made from these materials is flexible and resilient 16 material. In the case of steel strip material, the strip passes through 17 the die at a rate from about 100 to about 200 linear feet per minute 18 and is heated to a temperature from about 500 to about 700 degrees 19 Fahrenheit.
Three, the slit opening has a configuration substantially 21 conforming to the predetermined cross-sectional curvature of the 22 blade. In one embodiment, the predetermined cross-sectional 23 curvature of the extended blade portion has predetermined dimensions 24 and the slit opening has dimensions that are slightly less than the predetermined dimensions of the cross-sectional curvature of the 26 extended blade portion. Upon passing such a smaller dimensioned 27 metallic strip through the slit in the die, the ductile metallic material is 28 worked, i. e., stretched.
1 Four, the flat strip of metallic material may have a minimum of 2 thickness of at least about Q.0030 inch, for example from about 0.0045 3 to about 0.0060 inch, and a width from about 0.500 to about 1.625 4 inches. In one embodiment, the predetermined cross-sectional curvature comprises a central concave-convex segment straddled by a 6 pair of planar segments. The central concave-convex segment may 7 have a radius of curvature from about 0.5 to about 1.0 inch, and the 8 planar segments each may have a width from about 0.25 to about 0.75 9 inch. The planar segments may be substantially equal in width.
These features are not listed in any rank order nor is this list 11 intended to be exhaustive.
One embodiment of this invention, illustrating all its features, will 16 now be discussed in detail. This embodiment depicts the novel and 17 non-obvious tape measure device of this invention as shown in the 18 accompanying drawing, which is for illustrative purposes only. This 19 drawing includes the following Figures (Figs.), with like numerals indicating like parts:
22 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the tape measure device according 23 to one embodiment of this invention.
24 Fig. 2 is a side view of the tape measure device shown in Fig. 1 with portions broken away and the blade completely retracted.
26 Fig. 2A is a side view similar to that of Fig. 2 with portions broken 27 away and the blade partially unwound and a portion thereof in an 28 extended position.
29 Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the elongated blade taken along 1 line 3-3 in Fig. 2A.
2 Fig. 3A is a partial, cross-sectional view of the elongated blade 3 taken along line 3A-3A in Fig. 3.
4 Fig. 3B is a partial, cross-sectional view of the elongated blade taken along line 3B-3B in Fig. 3.
6 Fig. 3C is a plan view taken along line 3C-3C in Fig. 3.
7 Fig. 3D is a plan view taken along line 3D-3D in Fig. 3.
8 Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a flat strip of metal passing 9 through a die to form the blade according to this invention.
Fig. 5 is a plan view of the blade illustrating the ruled markings 11 on the surface of the blade used in the tape measure device shown in 12 Fig. 1.
16 As shown in Figs. 1 through 3, the tape measure device 10 of the 17 present invention includes an elongated blade 20 heat-treated and 18 worked in accordance with this invention. This blade 20 is stored in a 19 wound-up condition in a blade holding assembly 14 mounted to a housing 12. As shown in Fig. 5, the elongated blade 20 has on at least 21 one surface graduated markings 50, for example ruled lines denoting 22 inches and fractions thereof, located on a top side 20d, thus allowing a 23 user to measure length or distance. Ruled lines denoting metric lengths 24 or distance may also be used. The housing 12 is a box-like structure having a substantially rectangular shape when view from the side as 26 shown in Fig. 2. Within the housing 12 is an internal chamber 12c that 27 receives a reel 18, a component of the blade holding assembly 14. The 28 blade 20 has an internal end 20c connected to the reel 18 and a free 29 end 20b extending outwardly through an opening 12a in the housing
6 patents, U. S. patent applications, and other documents cited or 7 referred to in this application.
11 The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "including,"
12 and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and 13 be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these 14 words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.
16 "Rectangular shape" includes square shape.
A tape measure is a device used to measure such things as length 21 and distance. A tape measure typically comprises an elongated blade 22 that is wound about a reel and stored within a housing. A user employs 23 the tape measure by unwinding the elongated blade, extending the 24 blade through an opening in the housing. The elongated blade has rule markings to measure length and distance.
26 Examples of tape measures are disclosed in U. S. Patent Nos.
27 6,324,769; 6,367,161; and 6,662,463. As disclosed in these patents, it 28 is desirable that an extended portion of the elongated blade be as 29 linear as possible. For example, the extended blade portion may have a 1 standout arcuate length of at least ten feet with a horizontal linear 2 length greater than ninety-seven percent of the standout arcuate 3 length. As this extended portion increases in length, its tendency to 4 bend downward also increases due to the increase in the weight of the extended portion. This bending tendency is obviated at least to some 6 degree by controlling the dimensions of the blade and the materials 7 used in its construction. Additionally, the blade's cross-sectional shape 8 is configured to resist bending. For example, the blade's cross-sectional 9 shape may include a concave-convex central section adjoining one or more planar segments. Although this cross-sectional shape resists 11 bending, it presents a problem; namely, along any junction line where 12 a planar segment merges with the concave-convex central section, a 13 flaw or incipient fracture is created using conventional stamping 14 techniques in manufacturing the elongated blade.
18 This invention has one or more features as discussed 19 subsequently herein. After reading the following section entitled "DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THIS INVENTION,"
21 one will understand how the features of this invention provide its 22 benefits. The benefits of this invention include, but are not limited to, 23 providing a tape measure blade having a cross-sectional configuration 24 that resists bending but avoids during manufacture the formation of flaws or incipient fractures.
26 Without limiting the scope of this invention as expressed by the 27 claims that follow, some, but not necessarily all, of its features are:
28 One, the tape measure device of this invention includes an 29 elongated blade that, when in an extended position, has a 1 predetermined cross-sectional curvature formed by a concave-convex 2 segment and at least one planar segment adjoining edgewise the 3 concave-convex segment. At the adjoining edges of these segments a 4 junction is formed that extends substantially along the entire length of the elongated blade. This junction is annealed during formation of the 6 blade to avoid creating a flaw or incipient fracture along the junction.
7 Two, annealing may comprise passing a substantially flat strip of 8 metallic material lengthwise through a slit opening in a die and heating 9 the strip. The flat strip of metallic material is heated to a temperature substantially above ambient temperature but below the melting point 11 of the metallic material. The die or the material may be heated, or 12 both may be heated, or the flat strip of metallic material may be heated 13 prior to passing it through the slit opening. The metallic material may 14 be selected from the group consisting of chromium, nickel, carbon, and iron. A strip made from these materials is flexible and resilient 16 material. In the case of steel strip material, the strip passes through 17 the die at a rate from about 100 to about 200 linear feet per minute 18 and is heated to a temperature from about 500 to about 700 degrees 19 Fahrenheit.
Three, the slit opening has a configuration substantially 21 conforming to the predetermined cross-sectional curvature of the 22 blade. In one embodiment, the predetermined cross-sectional 23 curvature of the extended blade portion has predetermined dimensions 24 and the slit opening has dimensions that are slightly less than the predetermined dimensions of the cross-sectional curvature of the 26 extended blade portion. Upon passing such a smaller dimensioned 27 metallic strip through the slit in the die, the ductile metallic material is 28 worked, i. e., stretched.
1 Four, the flat strip of metallic material may have a minimum of 2 thickness of at least about Q.0030 inch, for example from about 0.0045 3 to about 0.0060 inch, and a width from about 0.500 to about 1.625 4 inches. In one embodiment, the predetermined cross-sectional curvature comprises a central concave-convex segment straddled by a 6 pair of planar segments. The central concave-convex segment may 7 have a radius of curvature from about 0.5 to about 1.0 inch, and the 8 planar segments each may have a width from about 0.25 to about 0.75 9 inch. The planar segments may be substantially equal in width.
These features are not listed in any rank order nor is this list 11 intended to be exhaustive.
One embodiment of this invention, illustrating all its features, will 16 now be discussed in detail. This embodiment depicts the novel and 17 non-obvious tape measure device of this invention as shown in the 18 accompanying drawing, which is for illustrative purposes only. This 19 drawing includes the following Figures (Figs.), with like numerals indicating like parts:
22 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the tape measure device according 23 to one embodiment of this invention.
24 Fig. 2 is a side view of the tape measure device shown in Fig. 1 with portions broken away and the blade completely retracted.
26 Fig. 2A is a side view similar to that of Fig. 2 with portions broken 27 away and the blade partially unwound and a portion thereof in an 28 extended position.
29 Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the elongated blade taken along 1 line 3-3 in Fig. 2A.
2 Fig. 3A is a partial, cross-sectional view of the elongated blade 3 taken along line 3A-3A in Fig. 3.
4 Fig. 3B is a partial, cross-sectional view of the elongated blade taken along line 3B-3B in Fig. 3.
6 Fig. 3C is a plan view taken along line 3C-3C in Fig. 3.
7 Fig. 3D is a plan view taken along line 3D-3D in Fig. 3.
8 Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a flat strip of metal passing 9 through a die to form the blade according to this invention.
Fig. 5 is a plan view of the blade illustrating the ruled markings 11 on the surface of the blade used in the tape measure device shown in 12 Fig. 1.
16 As shown in Figs. 1 through 3, the tape measure device 10 of the 17 present invention includes an elongated blade 20 heat-treated and 18 worked in accordance with this invention. This blade 20 is stored in a 19 wound-up condition in a blade holding assembly 14 mounted to a housing 12. As shown in Fig. 5, the elongated blade 20 has on at least 21 one surface graduated markings 50, for example ruled lines denoting 22 inches and fractions thereof, located on a top side 20d, thus allowing a 23 user to measure length or distance. Ruled lines denoting metric lengths 24 or distance may also be used. The housing 12 is a box-like structure having a substantially rectangular shape when view from the side as 26 shown in Fig. 2. Within the housing 12 is an internal chamber 12c that 27 receives a reel 18, a component of the blade holding assembly 14. The 28 blade 20 has an internal end 20c connected to the reel 18 and a free 29 end 20b extending outwardly through an opening 12a in the housing
5 1 12.
2 As shown in Fig. 2A, the blade holding assembly 14 is of 3 conventional design, being manually actuated to hold a selected 4 portion 60 (Fig. 2A) of the blade 20 in an extended position and manually actuated to release the extended blade 20, rewinding the
2 As shown in Fig. 2A, the blade holding assembly 14 is of 3 conventional design, being manually actuated to hold a selected 4 portion 60 (Fig. 2A) of the blade 20 in an extended position and manually actuated to release the extended blade 20, rewinding the
6 blade portion 60 about the reel 18. The blade 20 is unwound manually
7 to extend outwardly from the opening 12a in the housing 12 any
8 selected portion 60 of the blade 20 as determined by the user. The
9 blade holding assembly 14 includes the reel 18 about which the blade 20 is normally completely wound about as shown in Fig. 2 and a button 11 14a on the exterior of the housing 12 for operating a brake 12b located 12 within the housing 12. In one position of the button 14a as shown in 13 Fig. 2, the brake 12b is disengaged. In another position shown in Fig.
14 2A, the brake 12b is engaged to hold the selected extended portion 60 in place. The blade 20 may be withdrawn from the housing 12 when 16 the brake 12b is engaged, so the blade is held in any desired extended 17 position. Release of the brake 12b initiates the rewinding of the 18 extended blade portion 60.
19 The reel 18 is mounted within the internal chamber 12c for rotation. It includes a cylinder 18c, a coil spring 18a operatively 21 disposed within the cylinder 18c, and a central shaft 18b connected to 22 the housing 12 bout which the reel rotates. The coil spring 18a has one 23 end 18d attached to the central rod 18b and its other end 18e attached 24 to the cylinder 18c. The coiled spring 18a is tightened as the blade 20 is manually pulled from the housing 12 so that it may rewind the 26 extended portion 60 of the blade 20 onto the reel 18 upon 27 manipulation of the button 14a to release the brake 12b. The blade 20 28 is attached at its one end 20c to the cylinder 18c. As the blade 20 is 29 pulled from the housing 12, it extends tangentially to the cylinder 18c.
1 The brake 12b is located within the housing 12 and with the 2 button 14a in the position shown in Fig. 2A, the brake is engaged to 3 push against a wound-up portion 20a of the elongated blade 20 to 4 inhibit the reel 18 from rotating but not so strong as to prevent a user from further unwinding the blade from the reel 18. As the blade 20 is 6 extended, the brake 12b as shown in Fig. 2A continuously presses 7 against the wound-up portion 20a, holding the blade in any desired 8 extended position (Fig. 2A) until the user pushes the button 14a, 9 sliding the button upward as viewed in Fig. 2A along the exterior of the housing 12, moving the button to its disengaged position shown in Fig.
11 2. Pushing the button 14a upward, lifts the brake 12b from the wound-12 up portion 20a. Due to the action of the spring 18a, the reel rotates 13 counter-clockwise as viewed in Fig. 2A, rewinding the blade 20 around 14 the reel 18 to flatten the blade as it is wound about the reel. The blade holding assembly 14 thus enables the user to control the operation of 16 the reel 18 so the blade remains in the selected extended position until 17 the button 14a is actuated.
18 The extended portion 60 of the blade 20 has a curved cross-19 section as shown in Fig. 3. The blade 20 is substantially flat when wound about the reel 18 and its topside 20d faces the reel and its 21 bottom side 20e faces away from the reel. The blade 20 in the wound-22 up and flattened condition may have a width of at least about 1 inch, 23 for example from about 1.600 to about 1.625 inches. The blade's 24 thickness t may be about 0.0045 inches, for example from about 0.0030 to about 0.0060 inches. The extended portion 60 of the blade 26 20 has a cross-sectional curvature C that is substantially uniform along 27 the entire length 1 of the extended portion 60. This cross-sectional 28 curvature C comprises an arcuate, concave-convex central section 40 29 and a pair of lateral, substantially flat planar end segments 42, 44 that 1 straddle the concave-convex central section. The adjoining edges of 2 the planar end segments 42, 44 and central section 40 merge at the 3 junction line J1 and J2 extending along the length of the blade 20. The 4 arcuate, concave-convex central section 40 may have a radius of curvature rl from about 0.5 inch to about 1.0 inch, a height h2 from 6 about 0.100 inch to about 0.250 inch, a width wi from about 0.600 7 inch to about 0.925 inch, and spans an angle al from about 71.0 8 degrees to about 105.0 degrees. The extended, elongated blade 60 has 9 a blade height hl from about 0.125 inch to about 0.500 inch, and a width w2 from about 0.925 inch to about 1.25 inch. Each of the planar 11 end segments 42, 44 has a width w3 and w4i respectively, that are 12 equal, for example from about 0.250 inch to about 0.750 inch.
13 The extended portion 60 of the elongated blade 20 may have a 14 standout arcuate length of at least ten feet with a horizontal linear length greater than ninety-seven percent of the standout arcuate 16 length. When wound-up around the reel 18, the blade 20 is flattened.
17 Upon moving from the selected extended position (Fig. 2A) to the 18 wound-up position (Fig. 2), the lateral planar segment 42 moves in a 19 counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3, and the lateral planar segment 44 moves in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3.
21 In accordance with one feature of this invention, an annealing 22 process is employed to form the blade 20. Referring to Fig. 4, the 23 elongated blade 20 is formed from a flat strip of metallic material 30 24 that is heat-treated and worked according to this invention. The flat strip metallic material 30 may be selected from the group consisting of 26 chromium, nickel carbon, and iron. The flat strip of metallic material 27 30 is heated and passed through a die 36 with a slit 34 having a shape 28 and dimensions that are substantially identical to those of the cross-29 sectional curvature C of the blade 20. Specifically, the slit 34 has a 1 concave-convex pattern 70 straddled by a pair of lateral planar end 2 segments 72, 74 to produce a curved metal strip 32. The temperature 3 is sufficient to heat the flat strip of metallic material 30 above ambient 4 temperature but below its melting point, for example, a steel strip is heated to a temperature from about 500 to about 700 degrees 6 Fahrenheit. The die may also be heated. Such a flat strip of the steel 7 material 30 may pass through the slit 34 in the die 36 at a rate from 8 about 100 to about 200 linear feet per minute. The slit 34 may have 9 dimensions that are slightly less that the cross-sectional dimensions of the cross-sectional curvature C of the blade 20 to work the strip of 11 metallic material 30, pulling the ductile metallic material slightly as it 12 passing through the slit 34. The curved steel strip 32 as it emerges 13 from the die 36 is cooled to ambient temperature to complete the 14 annealing process.
18 The above presents a description of the best mode contemplated 19 of carrying out the present invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as 21 to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and 22 use this invention. This invention is, however, susceptible to 23 modifications and alternate constructions from that discussed above 24 which are fully equivalent. Consequently, it is not the intention to limit this invention to the particular embodiment disclosed. On the 26 contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications and alternate 27 constructions coming within the spirit and scope of the invention as 28 generally expressed by the following claims, which particularly point 29 out and distinctly claim the subject matter of the invention:
14 2A, the brake 12b is engaged to hold the selected extended portion 60 in place. The blade 20 may be withdrawn from the housing 12 when 16 the brake 12b is engaged, so the blade is held in any desired extended 17 position. Release of the brake 12b initiates the rewinding of the 18 extended blade portion 60.
19 The reel 18 is mounted within the internal chamber 12c for rotation. It includes a cylinder 18c, a coil spring 18a operatively 21 disposed within the cylinder 18c, and a central shaft 18b connected to 22 the housing 12 bout which the reel rotates. The coil spring 18a has one 23 end 18d attached to the central rod 18b and its other end 18e attached 24 to the cylinder 18c. The coiled spring 18a is tightened as the blade 20 is manually pulled from the housing 12 so that it may rewind the 26 extended portion 60 of the blade 20 onto the reel 18 upon 27 manipulation of the button 14a to release the brake 12b. The blade 20 28 is attached at its one end 20c to the cylinder 18c. As the blade 20 is 29 pulled from the housing 12, it extends tangentially to the cylinder 18c.
1 The brake 12b is located within the housing 12 and with the 2 button 14a in the position shown in Fig. 2A, the brake is engaged to 3 push against a wound-up portion 20a of the elongated blade 20 to 4 inhibit the reel 18 from rotating but not so strong as to prevent a user from further unwinding the blade from the reel 18. As the blade 20 is 6 extended, the brake 12b as shown in Fig. 2A continuously presses 7 against the wound-up portion 20a, holding the blade in any desired 8 extended position (Fig. 2A) until the user pushes the button 14a, 9 sliding the button upward as viewed in Fig. 2A along the exterior of the housing 12, moving the button to its disengaged position shown in Fig.
11 2. Pushing the button 14a upward, lifts the brake 12b from the wound-12 up portion 20a. Due to the action of the spring 18a, the reel rotates 13 counter-clockwise as viewed in Fig. 2A, rewinding the blade 20 around 14 the reel 18 to flatten the blade as it is wound about the reel. The blade holding assembly 14 thus enables the user to control the operation of 16 the reel 18 so the blade remains in the selected extended position until 17 the button 14a is actuated.
18 The extended portion 60 of the blade 20 has a curved cross-19 section as shown in Fig. 3. The blade 20 is substantially flat when wound about the reel 18 and its topside 20d faces the reel and its 21 bottom side 20e faces away from the reel. The blade 20 in the wound-22 up and flattened condition may have a width of at least about 1 inch, 23 for example from about 1.600 to about 1.625 inches. The blade's 24 thickness t may be about 0.0045 inches, for example from about 0.0030 to about 0.0060 inches. The extended portion 60 of the blade 26 20 has a cross-sectional curvature C that is substantially uniform along 27 the entire length 1 of the extended portion 60. This cross-sectional 28 curvature C comprises an arcuate, concave-convex central section 40 29 and a pair of lateral, substantially flat planar end segments 42, 44 that 1 straddle the concave-convex central section. The adjoining edges of 2 the planar end segments 42, 44 and central section 40 merge at the 3 junction line J1 and J2 extending along the length of the blade 20. The 4 arcuate, concave-convex central section 40 may have a radius of curvature rl from about 0.5 inch to about 1.0 inch, a height h2 from 6 about 0.100 inch to about 0.250 inch, a width wi from about 0.600 7 inch to about 0.925 inch, and spans an angle al from about 71.0 8 degrees to about 105.0 degrees. The extended, elongated blade 60 has 9 a blade height hl from about 0.125 inch to about 0.500 inch, and a width w2 from about 0.925 inch to about 1.25 inch. Each of the planar 11 end segments 42, 44 has a width w3 and w4i respectively, that are 12 equal, for example from about 0.250 inch to about 0.750 inch.
13 The extended portion 60 of the elongated blade 20 may have a 14 standout arcuate length of at least ten feet with a horizontal linear length greater than ninety-seven percent of the standout arcuate 16 length. When wound-up around the reel 18, the blade 20 is flattened.
17 Upon moving from the selected extended position (Fig. 2A) to the 18 wound-up position (Fig. 2), the lateral planar segment 42 moves in a 19 counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3, and the lateral planar segment 44 moves in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3.
21 In accordance with one feature of this invention, an annealing 22 process is employed to form the blade 20. Referring to Fig. 4, the 23 elongated blade 20 is formed from a flat strip of metallic material 30 24 that is heat-treated and worked according to this invention. The flat strip metallic material 30 may be selected from the group consisting of 26 chromium, nickel carbon, and iron. The flat strip of metallic material 27 30 is heated and passed through a die 36 with a slit 34 having a shape 28 and dimensions that are substantially identical to those of the cross-29 sectional curvature C of the blade 20. Specifically, the slit 34 has a 1 concave-convex pattern 70 straddled by a pair of lateral planar end 2 segments 72, 74 to produce a curved metal strip 32. The temperature 3 is sufficient to heat the flat strip of metallic material 30 above ambient 4 temperature but below its melting point, for example, a steel strip is heated to a temperature from about 500 to about 700 degrees 6 Fahrenheit. The die may also be heated. Such a flat strip of the steel 7 material 30 may pass through the slit 34 in the die 36 at a rate from 8 about 100 to about 200 linear feet per minute. The slit 34 may have 9 dimensions that are slightly less that the cross-sectional dimensions of the cross-sectional curvature C of the blade 20 to work the strip of 11 metallic material 30, pulling the ductile metallic material slightly as it 12 passing through the slit 34. The curved steel strip 32 as it emerges 13 from the die 36 is cooled to ambient temperature to complete the 14 annealing process.
18 The above presents a description of the best mode contemplated 19 of carrying out the present invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as 21 to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and 22 use this invention. This invention is, however, susceptible to 23 modifications and alternate constructions from that discussed above 24 which are fully equivalent. Consequently, it is not the intention to limit this invention to the particular embodiment disclosed. On the 26 contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications and alternate 27 constructions coming within the spirit and scope of the invention as 28 generally expressed by the following claims, which particularly point 29 out and distinctly claim the subject matter of the invention:
Claims (38)
1. A tape measuring device including a housing in which a ruled blade is stored in a substantially wound up, substantially flatten condition and mounted to enable the blade to be unwound to extend a portion of the blade through an opening in the housing, upon being unwound, said extended blade portion having a predetermined cross-sectional curvature comprising a central concave-convex segment with planar segments straddling the central concave-convex segment and being integral therewith, said predetermined cross-sectional curvature being uniform along the entire selected length of the extended blade portion, said blade being made from a flat strip of metallic material having a thickness from 0.0030 to 0.0060 inch and a width of at least 1 inch, said flat strip of metallic material being shaped by heating and passing said strip lengthwise through a slit opening in a die, said slit opening having a configuration substantially conforming to said predetermined cross-sectional curvature.
2. The measuring device of Claim 1 where the die is simultaneously heated as the flat strip of metallic material passes through the slit opening.
3. The measuring device of Claim 1 where the flat strip of metallic material is heated prior to passing said strip through the slit opening.
4. The measuring device of Claim 1 where the flat strip of metallic material is heated at a temperature substantially above ambient temperature but below melting point of the metallic material.
5. The measuring device of Claim 1 where the predetermined cross-sectional curvature of the extended blade portion has predetermined dimensions and the slit opening has dimensions of that are slightly less than said predetermined dimensions of the cross-sectional curvature of the extended blade portion.
6. The measuring device of Claim 1 where the strip of metallic material is steel and the die is heated to a temperature from 500 to 700 degrees Fahrenheit.
7. The measuring device of Claim 6 where the strip of metallic material passes through the die at a rate from 100 to 200 linear feet per minute.
8. The measuring device of Claim 1 where the metallic material is selected from the group comprising chromium, nickel carbon, and iron.
9. The measuring device of Claim 1 including a blade holder having a reel member about which the blade is wound, said blade holder being manually actuated to hold the extended blade portion in an extended position and manually actuated to release the blade, rewinding the extended portion about the reel member.
10. The measuring device of Claim 1 where the blade is made from an elongated strip of flexible, resilient material having said predetermined cross-sectional curvature, said blade flexing and flattening as the blade is wound about the reel member and un-flexes as the blade is extended.
11. The measuring device of Claim 1 where the flatten width of the blade is at least 1 inch, the radius of curvature of the central concave-convex segment is from 0.5 inch to about 1.0 inch, and the planar segments each have a width from 0.250 to 0.750 inch.
12. The measuring device of Claim 11 where the planar segments are substantially equal in width.
13. The measuring device of Claim 1 where the blade has a standout arcuate length measured along the blade of at least 10 feet with a horizontal linear length greater than 97 percent of the standout arcuate length.
14. A measuring device including a housing storing a ruled blade, said blade having a predetermined length and predetermined cross-sectional curvature that is substantially uniform along substantially the entire length of the blade when the blade is in an unwound condition, said predetermined cross-sectional curvature including a concave-convex segment and at least one planar segment integral therewith along a junction where the segments merge, said blade while in said housing being in a substantially wound up, substantially flatten condition and mounted to enable the blade to be unwound to extend a portion of the blade through an opening in the housing, said portion of the blade that is unwound flexing into said predetermined cross-sectional configuration, and a blade holder that holds the extended blade portion in an extended position and, upon manual actuation, releases its hold and rewinds the extended portion, said blade being made from a flat strip of metallic material shaped by heating and passing said strip lengthwise through a slit opening in a die, said slit opening having a configuration substantially conforming to said predetermined cross-sectional curvature.
15. The measuring device of Claim 14 where the die is simultaneously heated as the flat strip of metallic material passes through the slit opening.
16. The measuring device of Claim 14 where the flat strip of metallic material is heated prior to passing said strip through the slit opening.
17. The measuring device of Claim 14 where the flat strip of metallic material is heated at a temperature substantially above ambient temperature but below melting point of the metallic material.
18. The measuring device of Claim 14 where the predetermined cross-sectional curvature of the extended blade portion has predetermined dimensions and the slit opening has dimensions that are slightly less than said predetermined dimensions of the cross-sectional curvature of the extended blade portion.
19. The measuring device of Claim 14 where the strip of metallic material is steel and the die is heated to a temperature from 500 to 700 degrees Fahrenheit.
20. The measuring device of Claim 19 where the strip of metallic material passes through the die at a rate from 100 to 200 linear feet per minute.
21. The measuring device of Claim 14 where the flatten width of the blade is at least 1 inch, the radius of curvature of the central concave-convex segment is from 0.5 to 1.0 inch, and the planar segment has a width from 0.250 to 0.750 inch.
22. A tape measure device including an elongated, annealed steel blade having when in a extended position a predetermined cross-sectional curvature formed by a concave-convex segment and at least one planar segment adjoining edgewise the concave-convex segment to form a junction that extends substantially along the entire length of the elongated blade, said junction being essentially free of any flaw or incipient fracture along the junction
23. The tape measure device of Claim 22 where the blade is manufacture from a substantially flat strip of metallic material that is annealed by heating and passing said flat strip of metallic material lengthwise through a slit opening in a die, said slit opening having a configuration substantially conforming to said predetermined cross-sectional curvature of the blade, said flat strip of metallic material being heated to a temperature substantially above ambient temperature but below melting point of the metallic material.
24. The measuring device of Claim 23 where the predetermined cross-sectional curvature of the extended blade portion has predetermined dimensions and the slit opening has dimensions that are slightly less than said predetermined dimensions of the cross-sectional curvature of the extended blade portion.
25. The measuring device of Claim 24 where the strip of metallic material is steel and the strip of metallic material passes through the die at a rate from 100 to 200 linear feet per minute.
26. In manufacturing a tape measuring device wherein a blade is stored in a substantially wound up, substantially flatten condition and mounted to enable the blade to be unwound to extend a portion of the blade through an opening in the housing, and upon being unwound, said extended blade portion having a predetermined cross-sectional curvature comprising a central concave-convex segment with planar segments straddling the central concave-convex segment and being integral therewith, said predetermined cross-sectional curvature being uniform along the entire selected length of the extended blade portion, an improved manufacturing method comprising (a) providing a flat strip of metallic material having a thickness from 0.0030 to 0.0060 inch and a width of at least 1 inch, (b) forming said flat strip of metallic material into said blade having said predetermined cross-sectional curvature by heating and passing said strip lengthwise through a slit opening in a die, said slit opening having a configuration substantially conforming to said predetermined cross-sectional curvature.
27. The method of Claim 26 where the die is simultaneously heated as the flat strip of metallic material passes through the slit opening.
28. The method of Claim 26 where the flat strip of metallic material is heated prior to passing said strip through the slit opening.
29. The method of Claim 26 where the flat strip of metallic material is heated at a temperature substantially above ambient temperature but below melting point of the metallic material.
30. The method of Claim 26 where the predetermined cross-sectional curvature of the extended blade portion has predetermined dimensions and the slit opening has dimensions of that are slightly less than said predetermined dimensions of the cross-sectional curvature of the extended blade portion.
31. The method of Claim 26 where the strip of metallic material is steel and the die is heated to a temperature from 500 to 700 degrees Fahrenheit.
32. The method of Claim 31 where the strip of metallic material passes through the die at a rate from 100 to 200 linear feet per minute.
33. The method of Claim 32 where the metallic material is selected from the group comprising chromium, nickel carbon, and iron.
34. The method of Claim 26 where the flatten width of the blade is at least 1 inch, the radius of curvature of the central concave-convex segment is from 0.5 inch to about 1.0 inch, and the planar segments each have a width from 0.250 to 0.750 inch.
35. The method of Claim 26 where the planar segments are substantially equal in width.
36. The method of Claim 26 where the blade has a standout arcuate length measured along the blade of at least 10 feet with a horizontal linear length greater than 97 percent of the standout arcuate length.
37. A method of manufacturing a tape measure device wherein an elongated blade having when in a extended position a predetermined cross-sectional curvature formed by a concave-convex segment and at least one planar segment adjoining edgewise the concave-convex segment to form a junction that extends substantially along the entire length of the elongated blade, the method comprising annealing said junction during manufacture of the blade to avoid formation of a flaw or incipient fracture along the junction.
38. The method of Claim 37 where the blade is manufacture from a substantially flat strip of metallic material that is annealed by heating and passing said flat strip of metallic material lengthwise through a slit opening in a die, said slit opening having a configuration substantially conforming to said predetermined cross-sectional curvature of the blade, said flat strip of metallic material being heated to a temperature substantially above ambient temperature but below melting point of the metallic material.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2005/036346 WO2007044004A1 (en) | 2005-10-11 | 2005-10-11 | Tape measure device & method of manufacturing |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2629677A1 true CA2629677A1 (en) | 2007-04-19 |
Family
ID=37943105
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002629677A Abandoned CA2629677A1 (en) | 2005-10-11 | 2005-10-11 | Tape measure device & method of manufacturing |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2629677A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2007044004A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN111133271B (en) * | 2017-09-26 | 2021-01-29 | 艾沛克斯品牌公司 | Tape measure with increased cupping |
| CN114623741B (en) * | 2017-09-26 | 2024-01-05 | 艾沛克斯品牌公司 | Tape measure with improved extension |
| CN113188396B (en) * | 2021-05-07 | 2022-11-18 | 宁波巨丰工具实业有限公司 | Production process of steel tape and steel tape |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS55122827A (en) * | 1979-03-14 | 1980-09-20 | Daido Steel Co Ltd | Stainless steel strip and manufacture thereof |
| US6662463B2 (en) * | 2002-03-15 | 2003-12-16 | Shih-Lin Lee | Tape rule with a tape of enhanced stiffness |
-
2005
- 2005-10-11 CA CA002629677A patent/CA2629677A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2005-10-11 WO PCT/US2005/036346 patent/WO2007044004A1/en active Application Filing
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2007044004A1 (en) | 2007-04-19 |
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