Kyoto Measuring Instruments Corp.

Tsutomu Usami

Shuzo Hioki

A tape measure providing with an end hook fastened to a free end of a measuring tape with four rivets through two holes aligned on a longitudinal axis thereof and two holes disposed one on each side of an axial line segment between the shank portion and the catch portion. This fastening system provides toughness and long operation life of the measuring tape. The shank portion has an arcuated shape substantially similar to that of the measuring tape and can cover a substantially whole top surface of the tape end, providing the sufficient protection of the end of the measuring tape against a large shock force produced when the tape is recoiled.

Tape measure

A winding device for winding measuring tape, which allows a user to fix the top end of a measuring tape drawn by a desired length from a housing without applying a load to the tape and to easily release the tape from the fixed condition. A winding reel comprises a winding reel body including a winding spring for winding a measuring tape and a winding reel cover. The housing is composed of an upper half and a lower half and accommodates therein the winding reel. A recess formed in the reel has an opening in an inner ring of a bearing fitted in a winding reel cover. A recess formed in the housing has an opening in an outer surface of a supporting shaft. When the winding reel slowly rotates in a rewinding direction, a roller prevents the winding reel from rotating by being disposed astride the winding reel-side recess and a winding reel locking portion which is an open end of the winding reel-side recess in a direction of drawing-out of the measuring tape.

Winding device for measuring tape

The present invention is directed to provide a tape measure which is capable of applying a frictional braking force to a winding reel by using a simple mechanism that may produce a larger friction force acting on the reel when winding a measuring strip downward into the housing. A housing accommodates a winding reel having a bearing rotatably supported by a supporting shaft. The winding reel contains a driving spring. The supporting shaft has a sectional form represented by a combination of two arcs, one of which has a large radius and the other has a small radius. In case of drawing a substantially horizontal measuring strip into the housing with the bearing being supported by large diameter portion of the supporting shaft, the winding reel whose bearing is loosely fitted on the supporting shaft may dance in the housing at an increased speed of its rotation and, at the same time, may contact at its projecting circumferences and side surfaces with the inside wall of the housing. The rotation speed of the winding reel can be reduced by the friction. In case of drawing the measuring strip into the housing placed with its port upward, the winding reel is supported at its bearing by the small diameter portion of the supporting shaft (1a) and rotates, keeping contact of its projecting circumference with the guide portion of the housing, being subjected to a large friction force.

Growing community of inventors

Kyoto, Japan

Tsutomu Usami