JP2000298002A - Tape measure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tape measure which can prevent a control button from being broken when the measure is dropped down. SOLUTION: A tape measure having halved housing cases 1 and 2 is provided with a control button 6 for operating a stopping mechanism that fixes and holds the measuring tape of the measure when the tape is pulled out. The housing cases 1 and 2 are covered with a grip cover 3 having protective walls 3c which protect the side faces of the button 6 and are integrally formed with the cover 3, and, when the cover 3 is attached to the cases 1 and 2, the button 6 can be protected from external impacts. Therefore, even when the tape measure is dropped down carelessly, the breakage of the button 6 can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a self-winding tape measure in which a measuring tape can be wound into a case body by a winding spring.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, length and distance have been measured using a measuring tape formed of a steel plate, woven fabric, plastic material, or the like. The measuring tape is usually wound up in a manually or automatically wound storage case. The measuring tape used for automatic winding has a gutter-like cross-sectional shape, and tends to become linear when pulled out of the storage case.

[0003] Many self-winding tape measures have a stopper mechanism for releasably holding a measuring tape at an arbitrary position. These stopper mechanisms are
Operation buttons such as a slide button and a stopper button are provided on the outside of the storage case for storing the measurement tape, and by operating the operation buttons, the stopper shoe presses the front side of the measurement tape and contacts the bottom wall of the storage case. Generally, the measurement tape is fixedly held at the pulled-out position by being sandwiched between the tape and the friction between the measurement tape and the bottom wall of the storage case or the friction between the measurement tape and the stopper shoe.

A hook member is attached to the tip of the measuring tape. Since the hook member secures a reference position for length measurement, if it is bent or damaged, there is also a problem that the function as a tape measure is lost.

[0005] The operation buttons as described above protrude from the storage case of the tape measure. In addition, when the hook member is at the storage position of the measurement tape, that is, when the hook member is at the measurement tape pull-out opening, the tip of the hook member usually protrudes from the storage case. As a material for the storage case, ABS resin is generally used.
A storage case made of resin, including a storage case using a BS resin, is slippery when held in a hand. For this purpose, a tape measure with a grip cover is also used to make the surface of the resin case uneven to prevent slippage. Nevertheless, the tape measure may be accidentally dropped. When you drop the tape measure,
There is a problem that the operation buttons and hook members provided to protrude from the storage case are damaged.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and is intended for use when a tape measure is dropped.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a tape measure that can prevent the operation button and the hook member from being damaged.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a measuring tape to which a hook member is attached, a winding drum having a winding spring for winding the measuring tape, are drawn out. A stop mechanism for fixedly holding the measurement tape, a storage case for storing these, and a tape measure having a grip cover attached so as to surround the storage case. An operation button is mounted, a measurement tape outlet is formed, and a protective wall covering a side of the operation button is integrally formed on the grip cover. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the tape measure according to the first aspect, the grip cover covers a side of the hook member when the hook member is in the measurement tape outlet. The wall is integrally formed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the tape measure according to the first or second aspect, the grip cover is provided with an opening through which the storage case is inserted from a side of a peripheral wall portion of the grip cover. Is characterized in that a step portion on which the grip cover is seated is formed, and the height of the step portion is substantially equal to the thickness at the opening of the grip cover.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the tape measure according to any one of the first to third aspects, at least one convex portion is integrally formed on an outer surface of the storage case. The grip cover is provided with a hole at a position where the hole is fitted with the convex portion.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a measuring tape to which a hook member is attached, a winding drum having a winding spring for winding the measuring tape, and fixedly holding the drawn-out measuring tape. In the tape measure having a stop mechanism and a storage case for storing these, an operation button for operating the stop mechanism is attached to the storage case, and a measurement tape pull-out port is formed, and the A protection wall for covering the side of the operation button is formed integrally.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a measuring tape to which a hook member is attached, a winding drum having a winding spring for winding the measuring tape, and holding the extracted measuring tape fixedly. In the tape measure having a stop mechanism and a storage case for storing these, an operation button for operating the stop mechanism is attached to the storage case, and a measurement tape pull-out port is formed, and the When the hook member is located at the measurement tape pull-out opening, a protective wall covering a side of the hook member is formed integrally.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a measuring tape to which a hook member is attached, a winding drum having a winding spring for winding the measuring tape, and fixedly holding the drawn-out measuring tape. In the tape measure having a stop mechanism and a storage case for storing these, an operation button for operating the stop mechanism is attached to the storage case, and a measurement tape pull-out port is formed, and the A protection wall that covers the side of the operation button, and a protection wall that covers the side of the hook member when the hook member is at the measurement tape pull-out opening are integrally formed. Things.

[0014]

1 to 4 are views for explaining a first embodiment of a tape measure according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a structural view in a state where a grip cover is removed from a storage case. FIG. 2 is a structural view of FIG. 1 as viewed from the upside down side, and FIG. 3 is an assembled view in a state where the grip cover is assembled to the storage case. In the figure, A is the peripheral wall, B and C
Is a side wall portion, D is a peripheral wall cover portion, E and F are side wall cover portions,
1 and 2 are storage cases, 1a and 2a are convex, 1b and 2b are concave, 1c and 2c are convex, 3 is a grip cover, 3a is an opening, 3b is a hole, 3c is a protective wall, and 4 is a measuring tape. ,
Reference numeral 4a denotes a hook member, 5 denotes a measurement tape pull-out port, and 6 denotes an operation button.

The storage case is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin material so as to be divided into two on the left and right sides of the storage case 1 and the storage case 2, and the two are combined to form the storage cases 1 and 2. In the combined state, the storage cases 1 and
Reference numeral 2 basically has a peripheral wall portion A covering the outer periphery of the peripheral surface of the measuring tape wound on the winding drum, and side wall portions B and C covering the sides of the winding drum. Therefore, the storage cases 1 and 2 are formed by the peripheral wall portion A and the side wall portions B and C.
Of the outer wall portion. The material of the storage cases 1 and 2 is not limited to a synthetic resin, but may be a suitable material such as a metal material, for example, a material formed by an aluminum alloy, a material formed by pressing a thin metal plate such as stainless steel, or the like. Can be configured.

Similarly, the grip cover 3 basically has a peripheral wall cover portion D and side wall cover portions E and F. When the grip cover 3 is attached to the storage cases 1 and 2, the peripheral wall cover portion D The peripheral wall portion A covers the side wall portions B and C, and the side wall cover portions E and F cover the side wall portions B and C.

An opening 3a is formed in the grip cover 3 by removing a part of the peripheral wall cover D. By the opening 3a, the storage cases 1 and 2 can be separated from the peripheral wall A thereof.
It can be attached by inserting from the side. In this embodiment, an opening 3 a is formed so that the grip cover 3 is attached from the side of the measuring tape draw-out opening 5 of the storage cases 1 and 2. The material of the grip cover 3 is a soft synthetic resin or an elastomer material such as natural rubber or synthetic rubber.

The opening 3a of the grip cover 3 is formed at a position retreated from the entire surface of the side walls B and C of the storage cases 1 and 2, and the opening of the storage case 1 corresponding to the position of the retreated opening 3a. Convex surfaces 1a and 2a are formed integrally with the storage cases 1 and 2 on the outer wall. In this embodiment, the convex surfaces 1a and 2a are formed from a part of the side wall parts B and C to a part of the peripheral wall part A. Therefore, the rough portions other than the convex surfaces 1a and 2a are concave surfaces 1b and 2b, and the concave surfaces 1b and 2b also
It is formed over a part of the peripheral wall portion A. In this way, a step is formed by the convex surfaces 1a, 2a and the concave surfaces 1b, 2b. That is, the shape of the opening 3a of the grip cover 3 matches the shape of the boundary between the steps of the storage cases 1 and 2. The grip cover 3 has a concave surface 1b of the step portion,
It is attached so as to be seated on the 2b side. When the grip cover 3 is seated on the stepped portion, the grip cover 3 is hardly turned up in the opening 3a, and the sense of unity of the grip cover 3 with respect to the storage cases 1 and 2 can be increased. The height of the stepped portion may be thicker or thinner than the thickness of the grip cover 3 in the opening 3a. However, it is easy to adjust the height to the measurer's hand, and the gripping feeling can be improved. .

At least one projection 1c, 2c is formed integrally with the storage cases 1, 2 on a part of the outer wall of the storage cases 1, 2. In this embodiment, the protrusions 1c,
Although 2c is formed in the shape of a rib, it need not necessarily be formed in the shape of a rib. An appropriate cross-sectional shape such as a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or a polygonal shape may be used. Further, in this embodiment, the projections 1c and 2c are moved from the peripheral wall A to the side walls B and C.
, But may be formed only on the peripheral wall portion A or may be formed only on the side wall portions B and C.

The grip cover 3 has storage cases 1 and 2
A hole 3b is formed at a position corresponding to the convex portions 1c and 2c of the hole. The shape of the hole 3b is preferably made to match the shape of the protrusions 1c, 2c. When the grip cover 3 is assembled to the storage cases 1, 2, the protrusions 1c, By fitting the holes 2c and the holes 3b of the grip cover 3, the grip cover 3 can be made harder to come off than the storage cases 1 and 2 without requiring fixing elements such as screws. The projections 1c and 2c and the hole 3b
Can be provided so that the boundary portion between the gripper and the gripper is caught on the operator's hand.

The relationship between the heights of the projections 1c and 2c and the thickness of the grip cover 3 in the hole 3b may be large. When the heights of the protrusions 1c and 2c are smaller than the thickness of the hole 3b of the grip cover 3, the hole 3b may not be formed as a through hole, but may be formed in a concave shape. Further, the height of the protrusions 1c and 2c may be substantially equal to the thickness of the grip cover 3 in the hole 3b. In this case, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, the tops of the protrusions 1c and 2c may be rounded, and the periphery of the hole 3b may be rounded to form a dent at the boundary between the two. The effect of anti-slip can be increased.

A protective wall 3c is formed integrally with the grip cover 3. The protection wall 3c is formed laterally so as to sandwich the operation button 6 with an interval over the moving range of the operation button 6, and the height thereof is
Or higher than the operation button 6. If the tape measure is dropped during operation or while the user has the tape, the protection wall 3c can prevent the operation button 6 from hitting the falling surface even if a part of the operation button 6 hits the floor or the like downward. 6 can be prevented from being damaged. The operation button can be moved from the rest position to the lock position and can lock the fixed holding of the measuring tape, and the operation button can be temporarily fixed and returned to the rest position by releasing the finger even if operated. There is. In any case, if it is sufficient to protect the operation buttons only at the rest position, the protection wall 3c does not need to be provided over the movement range of the operation buttons 6, and the protection wall 3c can be protected at the rest position. May be provided.

In this embodiment, when the side of the measuring tape pull-out port 5 of the storage cases 1 and 2 is called the front side, an opening 3a is formed on the rear side of the grip cover 3 so that the grip cover 3 is attached from the front side. Are formed. However, the grip cover of the present invention is not limited to the one that is attached from the front side, and may be configured to be attached to the storage case from the lower side using a grip cover having an opening formed on the upper side. Alternatively, a grip cover having an opening formed on the lower surface side may be used to attach to the storage case from the upper surface side.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are views for explaining a tape measure according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a structural view showing a state where a grip cover is removed from a storage case.
FIG. 4 is an assembly view in a state where the grip cover is mounted on the storage case. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIGS. 3d is a protective wall.

In this embodiment, in addition to the protective wall 3c described in the first embodiment, a protective wall 3d is formed by extending the front lower part of the grip cover 3. As can be seen from a comparison between FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, the protective wall 3d has a hook member 4a.
It is for protecting. When the measuring tape 4 is completely wound and stored in the storage cases 1 and 2, the hook member 4a is located at the tape pull-out opening 5 (FIG. 5). By providing the protection wall 3d, the side of the hook member 4a is covered, and the hook member 4a can be protected against dropping or the like.

In the first and second embodiments, the grip cover 3 is provided with the convex surfaces 1a, 2a and the concave surface 1a.
Although the concave portions 1b and 2b of the step portions b and 2b are seated on the concave surfaces 1b and 2b, even if the step portions are not formed in the storage cases 1 and 2,
Since the grip cover 3 can be attached, the step is not always required. Also, the convex portion 1
The c and 2c and the hole 3b do not have to be provided by making the shape of the grip cover 3 hard to come off.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views for explaining a tape measure according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view and FIG.
FIG. 8A is a side view in a state where one storage case is removed, and FIG.
8B is a side view, and FIG. 8C is a front view. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1d and 2d are protective walls.

In this embodiment, the protective walls 1d and 2d are provided in the storage cases 1 and 2 by integral molding. As an example of the material of the storage cases 1 and 2, the above-described ABS is used.
The protection walls 1d and 2d are provided for the same purpose as the protection wall 3c described in the first embodiment, and protect the operation buttons 6. Protective wall 1d, 2
d is formed laterally so as to sandwich the operation button 6 at intervals over the movement range of the operation button 6, and its height is substantially the same as the height of the operation button 6, Higher. As described in the first embodiment, the range in which the protection walls 1d and 2d are formed does not need to be provided over the movement range of the operation button 6, and may be provided in a range where the operation button 6 in the rest position can be protected. .

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a tape measure according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a perspective view and FIG.
0 (A) is a side view with one storage case removed, FIG. 10 (B) is a side view, and FIG. 10 (C) is a front view. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 to 3, 7, and 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. 1e and 2e are protective walls.

In this embodiment, in addition to the protective walls 1d and 2d in the third embodiment, protective walls 1e and 2e are formed integrally with the storage cases 1 and 2. Protective wall 1
e and 2e are provided for the same purpose as the protective wall 3d in the second embodiment, and include a hook member 4a.
When the hook member 3
It is provided so as to cover the side of a.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are views for explaining a fifth embodiment of the tape measure of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view,
FIG. 12A is a side view with one storage case removed, FIG. 12B is a side view, and FIG. 12C is a front view. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 to 3, 3, 9, and 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

In this embodiment, the protection walls 1d, 2d in the fourth embodiment are not provided, but the protection walls 1e, 2e are provided.
Are integrally formed with the storage cases 1 and 2. The protective walls 1e and 2e are the same as those described in the fourth embodiment, and are provided so as to cover the side of the hook member 3a when the hook member 4a is positioned at the tape outlet 5. I have.

In the above description, the storage case is
Although a two-part structure has been described, the present invention
The present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a storage case having an appropriate structure. The material of the storage case is not limited to the synthetic resin, but may be configured using a metal plate or the like.

[0034]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the operation button and the hook member can be protected from the impact and the breakage thereof can be prevented. In particular, claims 1 to
According to the invention described in 4, since the protective wall can be attached by attaching the grip cover,
The operation button and the hook member can be protected without changing a conventional tape measure that does not consider the protective wall. Further, according to the invention as set forth in claims 5 to 7, since the protective wall is formed integrally with the storage case, the operation button and the hook member can be protected without the need for man-hours such as mounting the protective wall. There is an effect that a tape measure that can be obtained is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a tape measure according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a state where a grip cover is removed from a storage case.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram viewed from a side where the top and bottom of FIG. 1 are inverted;

FIG. 3 is an assembly view in a state where a grip cover for assembling the tape measure according to the first embodiment of the present invention is attached to a storage case;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a convex portion and a concave portion.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram illustrating a tape measure according to a second embodiment of the present invention in a state where a grip cover is removed from a storage case;

FIG. 6 is an assembly view in a state where a grip cover for assembling a tape measure according to a second embodiment of the present invention is assembled to a storage case.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a tape measure according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

8 (A) is a side view of the tape measure of FIG. 7 with one storage case removed, FIG. 8 (B) is a side view, and FIG. 8 (C).
Is a front view.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a tape measure according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

10 (A) is a side view of the tape measure of FIG. 9 with one storage case removed, FIG. 10 (B) is a side view, FIG.
0 (C) is a front view.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a tape measure according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

12 (A) is a side view of the tape measure of FIG. 11 with one storage case removed, FIG. 12 (B) is a side view, and FIG. 12 (C) is a front view.

[Explanation of symbols]

A: peripheral wall portion, B, C: side wall portion, D: peripheral wall cover portion, E,
F: side wall cover part, 1, 2, ... storage case, 1a, 2a ...
Convex surface, 1b, 2b ... concave surface, 1c, 2c ... convex portion, 1d, 2
d: protective wall, 1e, 2e: protective wall, 3: grip cover, 3a: opening, 3b: hole, 3c: protective wall, 3d ...
Protective wall, 4 ... measurement tape, 4a ... hook member, 5 ... measurement tape pull-out port, 6 ... operation button.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A measuring tape to which a hook member is attached, a winding drum having a winding spring for winding the measuring tape, a stop mechanism for fixing and holding the pulled out measuring tape, and In a tape measure having a storage case to be stored and a grip cover attached so as to surround the storage case, the storage case is provided with an operation button for operating the stop mechanism, and a measuring tape pull-out port. Wherein a protective wall for covering a side of the operation button is formed integrally with the grip cover. 2. The grip cover according to claim 1, wherein a protective wall for covering a side of the hook member when the hook member is located at the measuring tape outlet is integrally formed with the grip cover. 2. The tape measure according to 1. 3. The grip cover is provided with an opening through which the storage case is inserted from the peripheral wall side, the storage case is formed with a step portion on which the grip cover is seated, and The tape measure according to claim 1, wherein a height of the step of the step portion is substantially equal to a thickness at an opening of the grip cover. 4. The storage case, wherein at least one projection is integrally formed on an outer surface of the storage case, and a hole is provided on the grip cover at a position where the projection is fitted to the projection. Any one of claims 1 to 3
The tape measure according to the item. 5. A measuring tape to which a hook member is attached, a winding drum having a winding spring for winding the measuring tape, a stop mechanism for fixing and holding the pulled out measuring tape, and In a tape measure having a storage case for storing, an operation button for operating the stop mechanism is attached to the storage case, and a measurement tape pull-out port is formed, and
A tape measure, wherein a protective wall covering a side of the operation button is formed integrally. 6. A measuring tape to which a hook member is attached, a winding drum having a winding spring for winding the measuring tape, a stop mechanism for fixing and holding the pulled out measuring tape, and In a tape measure having a storage case for storing, an operation button for operating the stop mechanism is attached to the storage case, and a measurement tape pull-out port is formed, and
A tape measure, wherein a protective wall for covering a side of the hook member when the hook member is at the measurement tape outlet is integrally formed. 7. A measuring tape to which a hook member is attached, a winding drum having a winding spring for winding the measuring tape, a stop mechanism for fixing and holding the pulled-out measuring tape, and In a tape measure having a storage case for storing, an operation button for operating the stop mechanism is attached to the storage case, and a measurement tape pull-out port is formed, and
A protection wall that covers the side of the operation button, and a protection wall that covers the side of the hook member when the hook member is at the measurement tape outlet is integrally formed. Tape measure.