Cooper Brands, Inc.

John B Moody

Edgar Thomas Gilliam

A locking mechanism for controlling the retraction and extraction of a tape or other like device. The mechanism includes a housing having a tape opening and a locking mechanism opening. A tape blade extends through the housing tape opening and has a distal end and a proximal end. The tape blade is selectively positionable between a retracted position wherein the distal end is positioned against the housing and an extended position in which the distal end is positioned distant from the housing. A tape biasing device is operatively connected to the tape blade proximal end for urging the tape blade towards the retracted position. A locking mechanism is rotatably mounted within the housing about a plane substantially orthogonal to the tape blade. The locking mechanism has an actuator extending through the locking mechanism openings and a head. The locking mechanism is selectively rotatable between a disengaged orientation in which the head is positioned away from the tape blade, and an engaged orientation in which the head contacts the tape blade.

Growing community of inventors

Raleigh, NC, United States of America

John B Moody