The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 10, 1995
Filed:
Sep. 16, 1993
Rudolf Wingert, West Milford, NJ (US);
Arrow Fastener Co., Inc., Saddle Brook, NJ (US);
Abstract
A retractable tape measure is disclosed which includes a housing having an opening formed therein, a coiled tape rule within the housing and a free end extending through the opening. A coiled spring is provided to retract the tape rule into the casing and a lock assembly is provided to selectively lock the tape rule in an extended position and release it for retraction into the casing. The lock assembly includes an actuator member that is pivotally mounted on the casing for pivotable movement between a locking and an unlocking position and a tape locking blade having one end positioned to engage the tape and an other end defining a bearing surface, the tape locking blade being mounted in the casing for movement between locking and unlocking positions. A connecting link is provided which has one end located in bearing engagement with the bearing surface of the locking blade and an opposed end pivotally connected to the actuator member in a predetermined position to provide an over-the-center action to lock the blade in the locking position. The locking blade includes integrally formed spring arms engaged with the casing for applying a biasing force to the locking blade to urge the locking blade against the locking action of the actuator member and thereby move the locking blade to the unlocked position when the actuator member is moved to its unlocked position.