JP2003083702A - Method of manufacturing measuring tape - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of manufacturing a measuring tape in which the shock resistance of a case can be enhanced and which can be assembled without using a screw. SOLUTION: The measuring tape 1 is constituted of a cylindrical case 2 in which an opening 21 and an opening 22 are formed at both ends, a tape unit 3 on which a tape 34 is wound in the circumference and in which a rotating drum 33 with an internally mounted coil spring 36 used to wind and urge the tape 34 is shaft-supported by a shaft 32 and a cover 4 which can be locked and bonded to the tape unit 3. The tape unit 3 is inserted from the opening 21 in the case 2, the cover 4 is inserted from the opening 22 in the case 1, the cover 4 and the tape unit 3 are locked and bonded to each other in a prescribed part, and they are simultaneously integrated with the case 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an automatic winding tape measure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an automatic winding type tape measure for automatically winding a tape is a rotary drum having a coil spring for winding the tape around a winding drum and urging the tape. And a case that houses the rotating drum. In addition, the case is divided into the left and right from the center, and the left and right half cases are formed by resin integral molding, and the rotary drum is fixed to the shaft erected in one half case, and the case tape is used. The locking piece provided at the tip of the tape is taken out from the entrance / exit, the other half case is fitted to the one half case, and the left and right half cases are fixed by screws for assembling.

As described above, the screws for fixing the left and right half cases are indispensable for assembling the tape measure, but the fixing portion by this screw is limited in handleability and structure of the tape measure. To the front and / or the rear of the tape measure and the central portion of the tape measure. Therefore, the impact resistance of the tape measure may be greatly affected depending on the tightened state of the screw. Specifically, the action of the impact force when the tape measure is dropped increases due to the strength of the screw tightening force and the imbalance of the screw tightening force, and the joints of the left and right half cases that surround the case In particular, the upper part of the case may be displaced, and the displacement may damage the case.

[0004]

[Purpose] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and can improve the impact resistance of a case.
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a tape measure that can be assembled without using screws.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The gist of the present invention is that a coil spring for winding a tape around the tape and energizing the tape is wound in a case having openings at least in two directions. A tape unit that pivotally supports the rotating drum is inserted through one opening, and a cover that can be attached to the tape unit is inserted through the other opening, so that the cover and the tape unit are located at predetermined portions. A method of manufacturing a tape measure is characterized in that the tape measure is assembled by being attached together and at the same time being integrated with the case.

The method of manufacturing a tape measure according to the present invention will be described in detail. The case is a case for accommodating a tape unit described later and a part or all of a cover described later. The case is preferably formed by forming a metal material such as aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, etc. by providing openings in at least two sides by a method such as bending, pressing, die casting or extrusion.
That is, a so-called tubular shape having openings at both ends in the opposite direction of the case, or a so-called U-shape having openings at both ends in the opposite direction of the case and at the other end. Is the shape of. Of course, the material is not limited to the above-mentioned metal material, and other suitable metal material or suitable resin material such as vinyl chloride or polycarbonate may be used.

In the case of two sides, the opening may be provided at any place as long as the tape unit and the cover can be engaged with the case when the tape unit and the cover are inserted into the case. Or the upper and lower ends. Further, if the relationship between the case and the tape unit and the cover as described above can be established, the opening may be provided at the right and left ends of the case. In the case of three sides, the tape unit and the cover or covers may be engaged with the case and the tape unit and the covers may be engaged with each other. The lower end, or the upper and lower and front or rear ends are good.

[0008] In the concretely shown portion, the front of the case is the direction of the portion where the tape inlet / outlet is provided, and the upper part is the portion in the ceiling direction which is provided continuously to the front portion. The rear means the rear part of the tape measure which is a part facing the front part which is continuously provided in the upper part, and the lower part is the upper part which is continuously provided in the rear part. It is the bottom of the tape measure, which is the part to do.

The shape of the case is not limited to a circular shape, a quadrangular shape, a polygonal shape, a combination thereof, or a cubic shape or a substantially spherical shape in a side view. It may be formed into a desired shape as appropriate in consideration of the characteristics and design. The opening provided in the case only needs to allow the tape unit and the cover to be inserted or engaged, and may be an opening having an entire surface or an appropriate protrusion from the peripheral edge of the opening in the direction of closing the opening. The size and shape of the opening,
It does not have to be the same, but may have a desired size or shape.

The tape unit is a unit in which the mechanical parts for measurement are integrated, and contains a rotary drum for housing a coil spring for winding the tape therein and winding the tape around the winding drum, and this rotary drum. It is composed of a shaft for supporting and a fastening portion for fastening to the cover. The tape unit is preferably made of a suitable resin material such as vinyl chloride or polycarbonate that can be formed smoothly, at least in the portion facing the opening of the case. Of course, it is not limited to the above resin materials. Further, the tape unit may be formed by using an appropriate metal material.

It is preferable that the shaft of the tape unit and the peripheral portion including the engaging portion to be engaged with the cover are integrally formed of a resin material or a metal material. Further, the structure or shape of the engaging portion to be engaged with the cover is not particularly limited as long as it can be engaged. The engaging means, which is a separate member, may be attached to form the engaging portion. In the case where the tape unit has openings on two sides, the tape unit is inserted from one opening of the case,
It is attached to a cover inserted through the other opening of the case. Also, in the case where the openings are provided on three sides, the case is engaged with one opening of the case or with the two openings (engage one tape unit in the two openings). Is engaged with the cover or covers engaged in the other opening of the. The other opening of the case is another opening or openings. Then, the tape is housed in the case in a state where it can be pulled out to the outside.

Therefore, when the case, the tape unit, and the cover are assembled and integrated to complete the tape measure, the direction of pulling out the tape is not particularly limited, and the tape is almost perpendicular to the opening of the case where the tape unit is inserted. The tape unit may be pulled out in the direction of, or may be pulled out in a direction substantially parallel to the opening, and the tape unit may be configured by appropriately considering these.

The cover is a decorative member having an engaging portion for engaging with the tape unit, and by engaging with the tape unit, the case, the tape unit and the cover are integrated to complete a tape measure. The cover is
The whole or at least the portion facing the opening of the case is preferably made of a suitable resin material such as vinyl chloride or polycarbonate that allows smooth formation. Of course, it is not limited to the above resin materials. Also, the cover may be formed using a suitable metal material.

It is preferable that the peripheral portion of the cover, including the engaging portion that engages with the tape unit, is integrally formed of a resin material or a metal material. The structure, shape, and the like of the engaging portion that engages with the tape unit are not particularly limited as long as they can be engaged. The engaging means, which is a separate member, may be attached to form the engaging portion. In the case where the cover has openings on two sides, the cover is inserted from one opening of the case, and is attached to the tape unit inserted from the other opening of the case. Further, in a case in which openings are provided on three sides, one or more covers are engaged with one or two openings of the case, and are attached to the tape unit engaged with the other opening of the case. . That is, one cover may be engaged with each of the two openings, or one cover may be engaged with the two openings. The other opening of the case is another opening or openings. The engagement holds the case between the tape unit and the cover.

The above-mentioned predetermined portions of the tape unit and the cover are engaged with each other, which means that the predetermined portions of the tape unit and the cover are attached and fixed by some engagement inside or outside the case. is there. Specifically, the claws formed on the cover may be fitted into the claw receiving portions formed on the tape unit so that the tape unit and the cover can be fixed. Of course, the reverse is also possible. Further, the tape unit and the cover may be not only fixed but also removable. The fact that the above-mentioned tape unit and cover are integrated with the above-mentioned case includes fitting and pinching. In particular, in the case of pinching, they are inserted from the respective openings of the case or engaged with the respective openings of the case. The case is located in a state of being sandwiched between the tape unit and the cover or in a state close thereto by the engagement of the formed tape unit and the cover.

In the above state, the case may be fixedly sandwiched between the tape unit and the cover, or may be sandwiched with some play, but in this state, It contains two states. Then, in order to clamp the case, the tape unit and the cover must be able to engage with the case. The engagement means that the tape unit or the cover inserted from the predetermined opening of the case or the tape unit or the cover engaged with the predetermined opening of the case has a predetermined part with some relation with the case. It is to contact with.

For example, a predetermined part of the tape unit or the cover is brought into contact with or fitted to the case itself, which is a projection or a protrusion or a recess provided on the inner wall of the case. Depending on the engaging portion, the tape unit or the cover is located in each opening, or a part thereof is exposed to the outside. The peripheral edge portion of the opening is desirable as a specific engaging portion of the case with the tape unit or the cover.

The opening may be closed by a tape unit and a cover. Alternatively, only the desired opening may be closed. Further, a wall may be formed at an appropriate place of the tape unit and the cover so that the tape unit and the cover serve as a lid for the opening of the case. Alternatively, only the desired opening may be used.

A brake mechanism for stopping the tape at an arbitrary position may be provided on the tape unit or the cover depending on the direction of the opening provided in the case. In that case, it is preferable that the brake operating means such as the operating lever or the operating button of the brake mechanism is provided so as to be operable from the outside so as to project from the case, and the shape and installation site of the operating means are not particularly limited and are preferable. It may be provided on the part.
Of course, it may be provided at a suitable portion of the case, and specifically, it may be provided on the side, front, top, or bottom depending on the shape of the case.

The braking mechanism and the braking operation form are not particularly limited as long as the pulled-out tape can be stopped. In particular,
Only when the pulled-out tape is stopped without a stop operation, the brake can be released by operating the brake operating means such as the operation lever or the operation button, or when the brake operating means is operated. The tape can be stopped. In the latter case, the stop lock may be performed so that the tape can be stopped even when the finger is released from the brake operating means. Furthermore, depending on the direction of the opening provided in the case, a strap used when carrying the tape measure may be attached to an appropriate portion of the tape unit or the cover. Of course, it may be attached to an appropriate portion of the case.

[0021]

As described above, according to the method of manufacturing a tape measure of the present invention, the case, the shaft and the engaging portion which are integrally formed in a tubular shape having openings on two sides or a U shape having openings on three sides. And a peripheral portion thereof are formed by integral molding, and a tape unit that rotatably supports a rotary drum that winds the tape around the shaft and has a coil spring for urging and winding the tape, a fastening portion and its periphery. The tape measure is completed by simply engaging the part with the cover formed by integral molding. That is, by assembling the case, the tape unit, and the cover, they can be integrated to assemble the tape measure.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A method of manufacturing a tape measure according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a process diagram showing an assembling process of each part of a tape measure according to the present invention, and FIG. This is a step of inserting the tape unit 3 into the opening 21.
FIG. 2B shows a step of inserting the cover 4 into the opening 22 of the case 2. Reference numeral 2 is a cylindrical case having openings at front and rear ends, and has an opening 21 on one side and an opening 22 on the other side. Further, numeral 23 is a screw through hole through which a fixing screw 5 for auxiliary fixing the case 2 and the shaft 32 of the tape unit 3 is inserted.

Reference numeral 3 is a tape unit, 31 is an engaging recess for engaging with an engaging claw 41 of the cover 4, and 32 is a rotary drum 33.
Is a shaft that supports. A tape 34 is provided with a locking piece at its tip, and the tape 34 is wound around a winding drum around the rotary drum 33 and is urged in a winding direction by a coil spring 36 provided in the rotary drum 33. . Reference numeral 37 denotes a ridge, which serves as a guide when the tape unit 3 is inserted into the case 2, and the height of the ridge 37 can be selected to prevent the tape from falling off and improve the strength. Reference numeral 38 is a tape entrance / exit for the tape 34.

Reference numeral 4 is a cover, 41 is an engaging claw that engages with the engaging recess 31 of the tape unit 3, and 42 is a ridge that serves as a guide when the cover 4 is inserted into the case 2 and also the ridge. By selecting the height of 42, it is possible to prevent falling and improve strength. 7 is a strap used when carrying the tape measure 1.

FIG. 2 is a partially transparent side view of the tape measure assembled with the respective assemblies. The tape unit 3 is inserted through the opening 21 of the case 2, the cover 4 is inserted through the opening 22 of the case 2, and the tape unit is inserted. The tape measure 1 is completed by engaging the engagement recesses 31 of 3 and the engagement tabs 41 of the cover 4. Reference numeral 5 is a fixing screw that is screwed into a female screw (not shown) screwed on the shaft 32 of the tape unit 3 to auxiliaryly fix the case 2 and the tape unit 3.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the tape measure, and this figure shows a tape unit 3 provided with a brake mechanism (not shown) for stopping the tape 34, and 6 is a brake operation thereof. Brake lever for. Figure 4
It is a rear view of a tape measure. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the case,
FIG. 3A is a front perspective view of the case, and the tape unit 3 is inserted through the opening 21. FIG. 6B is a rear perspective view of the case, and the cover 4 is inserted through the opening 22.

FIG. 6 is a process diagram showing an assembling process of another form of the tape measure according to the present invention. FIG. 6 (a) is a case 2a.
Is a step of inserting the tape unit 3a into the opening 21 of FIG. FIG. 7B shows a step of inserting the cover 4a into the opening 22 of the case 2a. The case 2a of the tape measure 1a in this figure is
It has a cylindrical shape with openings at the upper and lower ends.
Reference numeral 2a is a cylindrical case having an opening 21 on one side and an opening 22 on the other side. Reference numeral 23 is a screw through hole through which a fixing screw 5 for auxiliary fixing the case 2a and the shaft 32 of the tape unit 3a is inserted.

3a is a tape unit, 31 is a cover 4
An engaging recess engaging with the engaging claw 41 of a and a shaft 32 for supporting the rotating drum 33. A tape 34 is provided with a locking piece at its tip, and the tape 34 is wound around a winding drum around the rotary drum 33 and is urged in a winding direction by a coil spring 36 provided in the rotary drum 33. . 37 is a ridge,
The tape unit 3a serves as a guide when the tape unit 3a is inserted into the case 2a, and the height of the protrusion 37 is selected to prevent the tape unit 3a from falling off and improve the strength. Reference numeral 38 is a tape entrance / exit for the tape 34. 7 is a strap used when carrying the tape measure 1a.

Reference numeral 4a is a cover, and 41 is a tape unit 3.
The engaging claws and 42 engaging with the engaging recess 31 of a are protrusions, which serve as guides when the cover 4a is inserted into the case 2a.
Further, by selecting the height of the ridge 42, it is possible to prevent falling and improve strength.

FIG. 7 is a partially transparent side view of a tape measure in which each assembly of the tape measure of FIG. 6 is assembled. The tape unit 3a is inserted through the opening 21 of the case 2a, and the cover 4a is inserted through the opening 22 of the case 2a. And tape unit 3
The tape measure 1a is completed by engaging the engagement recess 31 of a and the engagement claw 41 of the cover 4a. Reference numeral 5 denotes a fixing screw that is screwed with a female screw (not shown) screwed on the shaft 32 of the tape unit 3a to auxiliaryly fix the case 2a and the tape unit 3a.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the case of FIG.
FIG. 3A is a bottom perspective view of the case, and the tape unit 3 a is inserted through the opening 21. FIG. 6B is a top perspective view of the case, and the cover 4 a is inserted through the opening 22.

FIG. 9 is a process diagram showing an assembling process of another form of the tape measure according to the present invention, and FIG. 9 (a) is a process of inserting the tape unit 3b into the opening 21 of the case 2b. (B) In the figure, the opening 4 of the case 2b is covered with the cover 4b
Is a step of inserting. Case 2b of tape measure 1b in this figure
Is U-shaped with openings at the front, rear, and upper ends. Reference numeral 2b is a U-shaped case having openings at front, rear, and upper ends, and has an opening 21 at the front, an opening 22 at the rear, and an opening 24 at the top. Reference numeral 23 is a screw through hole through which a fixing screw 5 for auxiliary fixing between the case 2b and the shaft 32 of the tape unit 3b is inserted.

3b is a tape unit, 31 is a cover 4
Reference numeral 32 denotes an engaging recess that engages with the engaging claw 41 of b, and 32 denotes a shaft that supports the rotating drum 33. A tape 34 is provided with a locking piece at its tip, and the tape 34 is wound around a winding drum around the rotary drum 33 and is urged in a winding direction by a coil spring 36 provided in the rotary drum 33. . 37 is a ridge,
The tape unit 3b serves as a guide when the tape unit 3b is inserted into the case 2b, and the height of the protrusion 37 can be selected to prevent the tape unit 3b from falling off and improve the strength. Reference numeral 38 is a tape entrance / exit for the tape 34.

4b is a cover, 41 is a tape unit 3
The engaging claws and 42 engaging with the engaging recess 31 of b are protrusions, which serve as guides when the cover 4b is inserted into the case 2b.
Further, by selecting the height of the ridge 42, it is possible to prevent falling and improve strength. A strap 7 is used when carrying the tape measure 1b. Although not shown in this figure, the protrusions 37 / of the tape unit 3b and the cover 4b
By forming a groove having a predetermined depth in the root portion of 42 and fitting a part or all of the peripheral edge of the opening 21/22/24 of the case 2b into the groove, the tape unit 3b and the cover 4 are formed.
It becomes difficult for b to come off from the case 2b.

FIG. 10 is a partially transparent side view of a tape measure in which the respective assemblies of the tape measure of FIG. 9 are assembled. The tape unit 3b is inserted through the openings 21 and 24 of the case 2b and the opening of the case 2b. The tape 4b is completed by inserting the cover 4b from 22 and a part of the opening 24 and engaging the engaging recess 31 of the tape unit 3b and the engaging claw 41 of the cover 4b. Reference numeral 5 denotes a fixing screw that is screwed with a female screw (not shown) screwed on the shaft 32 of the tape unit 3b to auxiliaryly fix the case 2b and the tape unit 3b.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the case of FIG.
FIG. 7A is a front perspective view of the case, and the tape unit 3b is inserted from a part of the openings 21 and 24.
FIG. 6B is a rear perspective view of the case, and the cover 4b is inserted from a part of the openings 22 and 24.

[0037]

The tape measure of the present invention has the structure and manufacturing method described above, and each assembly is assembled like a puzzle and is attached to the tape measure to complete the tape measure. In other words, unlike the conventional method of fixing the left and right half cases with screws for final assembly, this tape measure completes the tape measure by assembling each assembly without using any screws for assembly. Can be made. Therefore, the quality when the tape measure is completed can be made constant and extremely high. Because the assembly is molded from the mold. Further, anyone can assemble the tape measure easily and quickly, and the manufacturing efficiency can be improved.

The tape measure case does not have long joints that circulate the case. Therefore, even if a shock is applied to the case due to a drop or the like, the case does not shift as in the conventional case, and the shift causes the case to move. It will not be damaged. Further, since the case portion, which is the main body of the tape measure case, can be easily formed of a metal material, therefore, the impact resistance is improved to an extremely high level. Even when the main body of the case is made of a metal material as described above, since the shape is a simple shape such as a tubular shape or a U-shape, a die or the like can be manufactured at low cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a process diagram showing a process of assembling a tape measure according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially transparent side view of a tape measure in which each assembly is assembled.

[Figure 3] Front view of the tape measure

[Figure 4] Rear view of the tape measure

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a case

FIG. 6 is a process drawing showing an assembling process of another form of the tape measure according to the present invention.

7 is a partially transparent side view of a tape measure in which each assembly of the tape measure of FIG. 6 is assembled.

8 is a perspective view of the case of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a process drawing showing an assembling process of another form of the tape measure according to the present invention.

10 is a partially transparent side view of a tape measure in which each assembly of the tape measure of FIG. 9 is assembled.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the case of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1-tape measure, 1a-tape measure, 1b-tape measure, 2-case, 2a
-Case, 2b-case, 21-opening, 22-opening, 2
3-screw through hole, 24-opening, 3-tape unit, 3a
-Tape unit, 3b-tape unit, 31-engagement recess, 32-shaft, 33-rotating drum, 34-tape, 35
-Locking piece, 36-Coil spring, 37-Projection, 38-Tape entrance / exit, 4-Cover, 4a-Cover, 4b-Cover,
41-engagement claw, 42-protrusion, 5-fixing screw, 6-brake lever, 6a-brake button, 7-strap

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. Case with openings on at least two sides
Winding the tape around and energizing the tape
A coil drum that supports a rotating drum that has a coil spring
Insert the tape unit through one opening, and
Insert the cover that can be attached to the knit through the other opening
The cover and the tape unit with respect to each other.
It is fastened together at the same time, and at the same time, these and the case are integrated
Manufacture of a tape measure characterized by being assembled by
Method 2. The method for manufacturing a tape measure according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the case is formed at front and rear ends of the case. 3. The method for manufacturing a tape measure according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the case is formed at upper and lower ends of the case. 4. The method for manufacturing a tape measure according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the case is formed at the front, rear and upper or lower ends of the case. 5. The method for manufacturing a tape measure according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the case is formed at an upper end, a lower end, a front end or a rear end of the case. 6. The tape unit and the cover are
The lid of the opening of the case is formed.
Method for manufacturing tape measure 7. The method for manufacturing a tape measure according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the case is closed by the tape unit and the cover. 8. The method of manufacturing a tape measure according to claim 1, wherein an engaging portion of the tape unit with the case is part or all of a peripheral edge of an opening of the case. 9. An engagement portion of the cover with the case,
2. The method for manufacturing a tape measure according to claim 1, wherein a part or all of the peripheral edge of the opening of the case is formed.