Patent US3686767A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3686767A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tape measure and rule
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-05-12
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Granted: 1972-08-29
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Expires: 1990-05-12
Abstract
Abstract A tape measure having a reel and an outer casing. The outer casing is generally elliptically shaped and is adapted to be held in the hand with the tape extending tangentially from the reel through a generally elongated slot in a sector of its elliptical peripheral wall portion intermediate the minor and major axes of the casing. This construction permits the tape to be withdrawn from the casing along a line which extends substantially parallel to the major axes of the casing without bending of the tape.
Inventors
- 👤 Werner Duda
- 👤 Robert Carter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:34
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B3/00; G01B3/10; G01B3/1041; G01B3/1005; G01B3/1043; G01B3/1046; G01B2003/1023; G01B2003/1025; G01B2003/1053
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
248 words
A tape measuring device adapted to retain and dispense a flexible tape rule, comprising a casing having a generally elliptically shaped base and a peripheral wall extending perpendicularly to said base member defining a cylindrical cavity having an open top; said peripheral wall being curved along its entire length to conform with the peripheral curvature of said elliptical base and having a free edge spaced upwardly from said base, said base having a stub shaft extending into said cavity at the intersection of the base''s major and minor axes; a tape rule retaining drum rotatably mounted on said stub shaft and including a first side member having a central aperture for receiving said stub shaft and being surrounded by a hollow hub, and a second side member having a flange overlying a portion of the free edge of said peripheral wall and a hub nested in said hollow hub; a flexible tape rule secured at one end to said hollow hub and being wound thereon; an elliptically shaped peripheral bezel rim mounted on said free edge of said peripheral wall and having an interior groove receiving said flange to retain said drum within said cavity and facilitate rotation thereof, and said peripheral wall having a slot in a sector thereof, intermediate its minor and major axes, and said tape having a free end extending through said slot whereby the tape is wound and unwound through said slot and extends substantially parallel to the major axis of the casing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
248 words
A tape measuring device adapted to retain and dispense a flexible tape rule, comprising a casing having a generally elliptically shaped base and a peripheral wall extending perpendicularly to said base member defining a cylindrical cavity having an open top; said peripheral wall being curved along its entire length to conform with the peripheral curvature of said elliptical base and having a free edge spaced upwardly from said base, said base having a stub shaft extending into said cavity at the intersection of the base''s major and minor axes; a tape rule retaining drum rotatably mounted on said stub shaft and including a first side member having a central aperture for receiving said stub shaft and being surrounded by a hollow hub, and a second side member having a flange overlying a portion of the free edge of said peripheral wall and a hub nested in said hollow hub; a flexible tape rule secured at one end to said hollow hub and being wound thereon; an elliptically shaped peripheral bezel rim mounted on said free edge of said peripheral wall and having an interior groove receiving said flange to retain said drum within said cavity and facilitate rotation thereof, and said peripheral wall having a slot in a sector thereof, intermediate its minor and major axes, and said tape having a free end extending through said slot whereby the tape is wound and unwound through said slot and extends substantially parallel to the major axis of the casing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said slot is formed in said wall between a rounded edge portion formed in said wall intermediate said minor and major axes and a beveled edge portion formed in said wall proximate said minor axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The Device as defined in claim 2 including anchor means pivotally mounted on said rule''s free end, said peripheral wall including means for retaining said anchor in substantially fixed relation to said wall when said tape is in its fully wound position on said reel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
92 words
The tape measure device as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for retaining said anchor comprises a peripherally extending depressed section in said wall having one end proximate said major axis and an opposed end contiguous to a portion of said depressed section, said one end defining a notch portion in said peripheral wall adapted to receive and retain one end of said anchor means whereby when said tape is in its fully wound position on said reel, said anchor means is retained in substantially contiguous relation with said depressed section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
122 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said peripheral wall is formed by a pair of wall sectors having a cross-sectional area which decreases from said major axis to said minor axis whereby said central cavity is defined as a generally circular receptacle for said reel. 6. A device as defined in claim 5 including anchor means pivotally mounted on said rule''s free end and said one sector of said wall includes a peripherally extending undercut section substantially larger than and contiguous with said slot and having a notched edge portion adapted to receive one end of said anchor whereby when said tape rule is in its fully wound position on said reel said anchor means is retained in said section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as defined in claim 1 including a handle member swivelably mounted on said reel adjacent said flange whereby said reel may be rotated to dispense and retract said tape rule.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device as defined in claim 7 including means for holding said handle in a position perpendicular to said reel to facilitate rotation thereof and for holding said handle in a folded position against said reel when not in use.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as defined in claim 8 wherein said reel includes a depressed area in which said handle is mounted and which is adapted to receive said handle in said folded position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said casing, drum and rim members are formed of plastic.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-29 | 1976-02-28 | 1976-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-29 | 1980-02-28 | 1980-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-29 | 1984-02-28 | 1984-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |