Geometrical instruments – Distance measuring – By flexible tape
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-18
2001-04-10
Bennett, G. Bradley (Department: 2859)
Geometrical instruments
Distance measuring
By flexible tape
C033S768000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06212788
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tape measure system with primary and secondary locking assemblies and more particularly pertains to facilitating the convenient and accurate use of a tape measure system when measuring, particularly heights.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of tape measures of known designs and configurations is known in the prior art. More specifically, tape measures of known designs and configurations heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of facilitating the convenient and accurate measuring of objects through known methods and apparatuses are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,785 to Benarroch discloses a locking and measure device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,606,803 to O'Sullivan discloses a tape measure and fixture. Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,007 to Harris discloses a tool guiding tape measure.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a tape measure system with primary and secondary locking assemblies that allows facilitating the convenient and accurate use of a tape measure system when measuring, particularly heights.
In this respect, the tape measure system with primary and secondary locking assemblies according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of facilitating the convenient and accurate use of a tape measure system when measuring, particularly heights.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved tape measure system with primary and secondary locking assemblies which can be used for facilitating the convenient and accurate use of a tape measure system when measuring, particularly heights. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of tape measures of known designs and configurations now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved tape measure system with primary and secondary locking assemblies. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved tape measure system with primary and secondary locking assemblies and method which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a plurality of components. Such components in their broadest context include a housing, a length of flexible, essentially inextensible tape, and a locking assembly. Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective. First provided is a housing. The housing has a planar front first face and a planar rear second face essentially parallel with respect to each other. A peripheral wall is located therebetween. The peripheral wall has at least one linear extent. A slot is provided at an end thereof. A length of flexible, essentially inextensible tape is adapted to be rolled up in a spool-like configuration within the housing. The tape has a central axis of rotation extending perpendicularly through central extents of the front and rear faces. The tape also has an interior end located adjacent to the center of the spool. A free exterior end extends through the slot to exterior of the housing. A generally rigid L-shaped stopper is provided and functions to preclude the exterior end of the tape from entering the housing through the slot. The stopper is adapted to be grasped by a user for withdrawing an extent of tape from the housing for inserting the length of the tape into the housing. The tape is formed of a flexible material with an arcuate cross-sectional configuration of a width of between about ½ inches and 1½ inches, preferably about 1 inch. These sizes are illustrative only and a great latitude in the size could be utilized as long as the function is continued. The preferred material for the tape in conventional tape measures is metal, but other materials could be readily utilized as is appropriate. The radius of curvature of the tape is between about ¼ inch and 1 inch, preferably about ⅝ inch. A primary locking assembly includes interior components adapted to contact and restrain motion of the tape when contacted thereagainst. An exterior component external to the housing under the control of an operator functions to move the interior component into contact with the tape for locking material. The exterior component also functions to move the interior component out of contact with the tape to allow the withdrawal and insertion of tape with respect to the housing. A secondary locking assembly includes a fixed component operatively coupled with respect to the linear extent of the housing. The fixed component has a length of between about 1 inch and 4 inches, preferably about 3 inches. The fixed component has a width of between about ½ inch and 1½ inches, preferably about 1 inch. The radius of curvature of the fixed component is essentially equal to that of the tape. A movable friction component is provided and is positionable in operative proximity to the fixed component. The friction component is movable between an operative and storage position adjacent to the primary component and an inoperative position located remote from the primary component. The secondary locking component has a length and a width and an interior radius of curvature essentially equal to the primary fixed component. The side of the friction component remote from the radius of curvature is flat and essentially parallel with the linear extent of the housing. The secondary locking assembly also has a shiftable U-shaped connecting member with generally parallel resilient legs. The legs have exterior ends coupled to the edges of the movable component for guiding the motion thereof in a linear path toward and away from the fixed component. The connecting member has interior ends slidabley received in dove-tail slots formed in the housing along the first and second faces thereof perpendicular to the linear extent. An elongated projection is adapted to be received in an elongated recess to hold the movable component. In this manner the tape is held in a fixed position adjacent to the housing. In a second position, the movable component is remote from the housing to allow the insertion and movement of tape therebetween. In this manner a length of tape is withdrawn from the housing and bent thereover at essentially 180 degrees on the side of the housing adjacent to the secondary locking assembly and positioned between the components of the secondary locking assembly, an operator may conveniently hold the housing and tape in a fixed position for accurately determining measurements, including, in particular, heights. A belt clip is coupled to the first face. A rectangular cutout is formed in the leg adjacent to the clip.
In an alternate embodiment, the locking assembly has a shiftable L-shaped connecting member. An exterior end is coupled to an edge of the movable component for guiding the motion thereof in a linear path toward and away from the fixed component. The connecting member has interior ends slidabley received in a dove-tail slot formed in the housing along the rear face thereof perpendicular to the linear extent. An elongated projection is adapted to be received in an elongated recess to hold the tape in a fixed position adjacent to the housing. A second position remote from the housing allows the insertion of tape past a lateral opening therebetween. In this manner when a length of tape
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