Kds Corporation

Kos, Inc.

Tsutomu Usami

Katsuyuki Kondo

Tape measure

A tape measure ( ) includes a take-up drum ( ) around whose circumference a measuring tape ( ) is wound, and a take-up spring ( ) for supplying impetus to cause the take-up drum ( ) to rotate in the direction of retracting the measuring tape ( ). The measure further includes an operation member ( ) installed on the case ( ) for moving the take-up drum ( ) in the radial direction of supporting shafts ( ) disposed inside the case. The measure still further includes braking members ( ) disposed on the inside walls of the case ( ) to apply braking force to the rotation of the take-up drum ( ) by the contact between the take-up drum and the braking members when the take-up drum ( ) is moved by the operation member ( ).

Tape measure with braking system and movable drum

A tape measure is described that is easy to handle, and capable of applying a brake on a winding drum and locking a measurement tape in an unwound condition by manipulation of a single flexible operating member ( ) having a knob ( ) thereon. A lock element ( ) is provided on a forward portion of the operating member ( ) and a brake element ( ) is provided on a rear portion thereof. In a normal condition, the measurement tape ( ) is freely unwindable, and after the tape pulled out, it is rewound by a spring (not shown). When the knob ( ) is in a rearward circumferential position, and the knob ( ) is pressed in during rewinding, the operating member ( ) is deflected to cause the brake element ( ) to contact an edge of the winding drum ( ), thereby retarding the rewinding of the tape ( ). If the knob ( ) is moved to a forward position while the tape is in an extended position, then the operating member ( ) is deflected to cause the lock element ( ) to force the tape ( ) against a receiving section ( ) so that the tape ( ) is locked in the extended position.

A tape measure ( ) is inserted in a concavity ( ) in a transparent member ( )(A). A cardboard base ( ) is inserted so that the belt clip ( ) is led from a cardboard base hole ( ) out to the back side of the cardboard base ( )(B). Next, while inserting the belt clip into the insertion hole of the belt clip engagement member ( ), in the vicinity of the tip portion whereof a belt clip insertion hole ( ) has been provided, the belt clip engagement member ( ) is pushed in between the cardboard base ( ) and the belt clip ( ). The latching piece ( ) advances while pushing the belt clip ( ) up, and, when the latching piece ( ) mates in a hole ( ) in the belt clip, the belt clip which has been pushed up returns to its original state by elastic force, whereupon the belt clip engagement member is attached in the prescribed position (D). By the belt clip engagement member being engaged in the belt clip, the tape measure cannot be removed from the cardboard base.

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Moriyama, Japan

Tsutomu Usami