JPH11194002A - Tape measure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tape measure that can be reliably supported and can be safely and easily braked even on measurement operation where each function is used differently in addition to measurement by using a single function. SOLUTION: A braking part 21 is provided at a case front wall 13 of a tape measure 1, a first brake shoe 22 of a braking device where a tape 7 is at rest only in operation is connected to the braking part 21, and a second brake shoe 23 of the braking device for maintaining the tape 7 at a stopped state is connected to the lower edge part of the braking control part 21, thus applying a desired braking by the push-in operation of an upper part 21a of the braking part 21 and a traveling operation in the direction of all exits/ entrances 6 of the braking control part 21, reliably supporting the tape measure even in measurement using each function differently, and at the same time performing braking safely and easily.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape measure provided with biasing means for winding a tape therein, and more particularly to a tape measure having a mechanism for selecting different types of braking for the tape.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a tape measure provided with a biasing means such as a coil spring for biasing a tape in a winding direction includes:
Many tapes are provided with a braking device for stopping the tape at an arbitrary withdrawal position against the urging force of the urging means. Among them, there is a braking device (a braking device having a lock mechanism) that holds the drawn tape stopped at an arbitrary position by operating a button or lever of the braking operation unit, and a tape only when operated. There is a braking device for stopping (a braking device having an automatic return mechanism). In addition, there is a type equipped with the above-described two types of braking devices, and the operator uses the braking device properly according to the use situation.

[0003] A tape measure provided with two types of braking devices has the braking device and its braking operation unit installed at different locations. As one of them, a braking device in which a tape pulled out until the lock is released is stopped and held at an arbitrary position is often provided with a braking operation portion on a front wall of a case, which is a portion that can be operated safely and reliably. . Another braking device, a braking device that can stop a tape pulled out only when the braking operation unit is operated, is often provided with the braking operation unit on the case side surface or the case bottom surface.

When the tape is temporarily stopped by operating a braking operation unit provided on the side surface or the bottom surface of the case, a tape measure provided with a braking operation unit on the side surface of the case is particularly suitable for a tape measure of an operator. This requires two forces, a force for supporting the main body and a pressing force of the braking operation unit for stopping the pulled-out tape, so that a considerable force is placed on the operator's hand. That is, the tape measure had to be supported as if picked with a finger.

[0005] For this reason, the supporting state of the tape measure at the time of measurement is unstable, and there is a risk that the tape measure may be frequently changed, the tape measure may be dropped, or the tape may be injured by a suddenly drawn tape. In addition, the tape measure with the braking operation part on the bottom of the case does not have the problem of the tape measure with the braking operation part on the side of the case, but the pulled out tape is pulled in several centimeters or tens of centimeters at a time. During the measurement work performed while adjusting, there is a disadvantage that it is difficult to adjust the pressing force of the finger for braking adjustment.

When the tape is temporarily stopped by operating the braking operation unit provided on the side surface or the bottom surface of the case, and the tape is stopped at that position while maintaining the state. The other hand must be used to operate the braking operation part on the front wall of the case, so the operability is extremely poor, and the holding state of the tape measure is also unstable. There was a risk of injury due to accidental or suddenly retracted tape.

[0007]

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has a tape measure provided with both a braking device for holding a pulled-out tape at an arbitrary position while being stopped and a braking device for stopping the tape only during operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a tape measure that can securely support the tape measure in each of the braking operations, and can make the operation safe and easy.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The gist of the present invention is that a rotating drum for winding a tape around the case is rotatably supported in a case, and biasing means for biasing the tape on the rotating drum in a winding direction. In the tape measure having the inside, a brake operation portion which can be pushed into the case and can move up and down is provided on the front wall of the case, and the first brake shoe which comes into contact with the rotary drum by pushing the brake operation portion And a second brake shoe that comes into contact with the tape behind the entrance and exit of the tape by lowering the braking operation unit, and is connected to the braking operation unit.

The tape measure will be described in more detail. This tape measure supports a rotary drum for winding a tape around the inside of a case, and has a biasing means for biasing the tape in the winding direction inside the rotary drum. A coil spring that urges the tape in the winding direction as an urging means has an inner end wound around a shaft provided in the case, and an outer end of the coil spring is connected to the tape. The energy is accumulated in the coil spring by pulling out the tape.

The tape measure case front wall constructed as described above is provided with a brake operating portion of a braking device capable of decelerating or stopping the tape and further holding the tape stopped. By appropriately operating the braking operation section, braking is performed. The first brake shoe, which is connected to the brake operating unit, contacts the rotating drum to brake the tape, and the second brake shoe, also connected to the brake operating unit, lowers the tape behind the tape entrance in the case. To stop by contacting the tape.

The case front wall refers to a wall located between the tape entrance and exit and the highest part (apex) of the case, and it is desirable to provide a braking operation part of the braking device at a suitable position in this part. . Then, the braking operation part is formed of a suitable material (resin / metal material or the like), and the first brake shoe connected to the braking operation part is separated from the rotating drum by a desired distance by an elastic plate, a spring, the braking operation part itself, or the like. It is good to open and support elastically. Further, the second brake shoe may maintain the distance from the tape or the stopped state by appropriately using the conventional technique.

The brake operating part is constituted by a single part, so that the first brake shoe comes into contact with the rotating drum when a part thereof, in particular, the upper part is pushed into the case, It is preferable that the second brake shoe comes into contact with the tape when all of them are moved in the tape entrance / exit direction. Alternatively, the braking operation part is composed of a plurality of parts, so that the first brake shoe comes into contact with the rotating drum when the member above the member is pushed inward of the case, and the lower member (tape The second brake shoe may come into contact with the tape when the doorway is moved in the tape entrance / exit direction.

Each of the brake mechanisms having the first and second brake shoes is not particularly limited in its structure and function, but preferably, the tape is stopped only when one of the brake mechanisms is operated. (A self-return mechanism), and a mechanism (a lock mechanism) that maintains the tape in a stopped state. Desirably, the braking mechanism having the first brake shoe is a braking mechanism that can stop the tape only during operation, and the braking mechanism having the second brake shoe is held in a stopped state with the tape stopped. It is preferable to use a braking mechanism for maintaining the vehicle.

The portion of the rotary drum with which the brake shoe comes into contact is not particularly limited, but is desirably in contact with the periphery of the disk. The peripheral edge of the disk does not mean only the edge of the disk, but also includes a portion close to the edge from the inner peripheral surface to the outer peripheral surface of the disk. Further, the brake shoe may be brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface or the outer peripheral surface of the disk of the rotating drum by using a suitable mechanism. The inner peripheral surface of the disk refers to the surface of the rotary drum on the side of the winding drum of the tape. It is desirable that the brake shoes be brought into contact with the disks on both sides of the rotating drum.

The shape and material of the brake shoes are not particularly limited as long as the braking performance is not impaired. When the brake shoe is brought into contact with the disk peripheral edge of the rotating drum, a groove that is slightly wider than the disk width is provided on the contact surface of the brake shoe so that the groove comes into contact with the disk peripheral edge, thereby improving the contact stability of the brake shoe. It may be. The connection method between the brake shoe and the braking operation unit is not particularly limited, and may be connected by a suitable method. Further, the first and second brake shoes and the brake operating portion may be formed as an integral part.

[0016]

With the tape measure of the present invention having the above-described structure, when the tape is to be temporarily stopped or the pull-in speed is to be reduced, the upper part of the braking operation portion provided on the front wall of the case is moved inside the case. Push toward. As a result, the first brake shoe connected to the braking operation unit is pressed against the peripheral edge of the disk of the rotary drum for winding the tape, and the tape is braked. When it is desired to maintain the tape in a stopped state, the entire brake operation unit provided on the front wall of the case is moved in the direction of the tape entrance. As a result, the second brake shoe connected to the braking operation unit comes into contact with the tape to apply braking to the tape, and keeps the tape stopped at that position.

The tape can be pulled out or pulled in by returning the brake operating portion to its original position (unlocking). When performing these operations, the hands and fingers supporting the tape measure should support the bottom of the case with fingers other than the thumb, support the top of the case with the base of the thumb and the palm near the base, and apply the braking operation with the thumb. Department is operated appropriately. Thereby, the supporting force of the tape measure can be sufficiently obtained, and the braking operation can be accurately performed.

[0018]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a tape measure according to the present invention with a half case removed, and FIG.
Is a tape measure according to the present invention, 2 is a braking device, which is provided with a braking operation unit 21, a first brake shoe 22, and a second brake shoe 23, and the braking operation unit 21 is
The tape 7 is supported by the half case 12 (not shown) so that the tape 7 can move in the direction of the entrance 6. Reference numeral 3 denotes a rotary drum for winding the tape 7, which is supported by a shaft 16 provided on the inner wall 15 of the half case 11 and the half case 12 (not shown). Reference numeral 31 denotes a disk peripheral edge, and when the upper portion 21a of the braking operation portion 21 is pushed in during braking,
The first brake shoe 22 contacts.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a coil spring for urging the tape 7 in the winding direction. Reference numeral 6 denotes an entrance through which the tape 7 enters and exits.
Is a locking piece of the tape 7. Reference numeral 17 denotes a braking projection for maintaining the tape 7 in a stopped state together with the second brake shoe 23 during braking. FIG. 2 is a front view of the tape measure according to the present invention, in which a braking operation unit 21 of the braking device 2 having a function of stopping the tape 7 only during operation and a function of maintaining the tape 7 in a stopped state is provided. Since it is provided on the case front wall 13 of the tape measure 1, when the tape 7 is to be temporarily stopped or when the pull-in speed is to be reduced, the upper part 21a of the braking operation unit 21 provided on the case front wall 13 must be moved. Push into the case.

As a result, the upper portion 21 of the braking operation portion 21
The first brake shoe 22 connected to a is pressed by the disk peripheral edge 31 of the rotary drum 3 for winding the tape 7 to apply a brake to the tape 7. (See FIG. 1) When the tape 7 is to be maintained in a stopped state, the entire brake operation unit 21 provided on the front wall 13 of the case is moved in the direction of the entrance 6 of the tape 7. Thereby, the second brake shoe 23 connected to the braking operation unit 21
However, the tape 7 comes into contact with the tape 7 and the tape 7 is braked, and the tape 7 is kept stopped at that position. (See Fig. 1)

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state in which a half case of a tape measure according to another embodiment is removed, and a braking operation portion 21 of the braking device 2 includes a plurality of members, an upper portion 21a and a lower portion 21b. It consists of. The upper portion 21 a connected to the first brake shoe 22 is provided with an elastic plate 4 to open the half case 11 and the opening 1 of the half case 12 (not shown).
4 is supported by the rebound. In addition, the lower portion 21b connected to the second brake shoe 23 is supported by the half case 11 and the half case 12 (not shown) so as to be able to advance and retreat in the direction of the entrance 6 of the tape 7.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the tape measure of FIG. 3, in which the braking operation part 21 includes a plurality of members, an upper part 21a and a lower part 21b.
When you want to temporarily stop the tape 7 or reduce the pull-in speed,
The upper part 21a of the braking operation part 21 provided on the case front wall 13 is pushed inward of the case. As a result, the first brake shoe 22 connected to the upper portion 21a of the braking operation unit 21 is pressed against the disk peripheral edge 31 of the rotating drum 3 for winding the tape 7, and the tape 7 is braked. (See FIG. 3) When the tape 7 is desired to be maintained in a stopped state, the lower portion 21b of the braking operation unit 21 provided on the case front wall 13 is moved in the direction of the entrance 6 of the tape 7. As a result, the second brake shoe 23 connected to the lower portion 21b of the braking operation portion 21 comes into contact with the tape 7 to apply braking to the tape 7, and keeps the tape 7 stopped at that position. (See Fig. 3)

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view showing one structure of an upper portion of the braking operation section. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an upper portion of a braking operation portion having another structure. The upper portion 21a is provided in the openings 14 of the half case 11 and the half case 12 with a stopper 25 so as not to fall off. Upper part 2
The lower end of 1a is in contact with the first brake shoe 24 molded integrally with the case member, and the first brake shoe 24 is bent toward the disk inner surface 32 of the rotating drum 3 by pushing the upper portion 21a inward of the case. At the same time, the inner surface 32 of the disk is pressed and the tape 7 is braked.

[0024]

As described above, in the tape measure of the present invention, the braking operation portions of the braking device having different functions are assembled on the front wall of the case of the tape measure as described above, and the operator selects the braking appropriate for the situation and usually performs the operation. The braking operation can be performed while holding the case. It is the same without changing the position of the hand holding the tape measure, such as when you want to temporarily stop the tape, when you want to reduce the pulling speed and adjust the drawing length, or when you want to keep the tape pulled out. It can be operated in the state, and the tape measure can be reliably supported. Further, since the braking operation unit of each braking device is shared by one braking operation unit, it is advantageous in terms of reduction in the number of parts and manufacturing cost.
Then, the tape braking operation can be performed safely and easily, and the tape braking control can be accurately performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a state where a half case of a tape measure according to the present invention is removed.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a tape measure according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a state where a half case of a tape measure of another embodiment is removed.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the tape measure of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing one structure of an upper portion of the braking operation unit.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an upper portion of a brake operation unit having another structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

1-tape measure, 11-half case, 12-half case,
13-case front wall, 14-opening, 15-inner wall, 16-
Shaft, 17-braking projection, 18-protrusion, 2-braking device, 21
-Brake operation part, 21a-upper part, 21b-lower part, 22
-1st brake shoe, 23-2nd brake shoe, 2
4-first brake shoe, 25-retaining, 3-rotating drum, 31-disk periphery, 32-disk inner surface, 4-
Elastic plate, 5-coil spring, 6-door, 7-tape, 7
1- locking piece

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A tape measure in which a rotating drum for winding a tape around the shaft is supported in a case, and a biasing means for biasing the tape in the winding direction is provided inside the case. A first brake shoe which can be pushed inward and which can be moved up and down, and which comes into contact with the rotating drum by pushing the braking operation part; and a tape entrance and exit by lowering the braking operation part A second brake shoe, which comes into contact with the tape behind the tape, is connected to the brake operating part. 2. An upper portion of the brake operating portion is pushed inwardly of the case, so that the first brake shoe comes into contact with the rotating drum, and a lower portion of the brake operating portion is moved in a tape entry / exit direction below the brake operating portion. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the movement causes the second brake shoe to contact the tape.
Tape measure 3. The braking operation section is composed of a plurality of members, of which the upper member is pushed inward of the case,
2. The tape measure according to claim 1, wherein the first brake shoe contacts the rotary drum, and the second brake shoe contacts the tape by moving the lower member toward the tape entrance. 4. A tape is stopped only when one of two brake shoes connected to the braking operation section is operated,
2. The tape measure according to claim 1, wherein the other side holds the tape in a stopped state. 5. The tape measure according to claim 4, wherein the tape is stopped only when the first brake shoe is operated, and the tape is kept stopped in the second brake shoe.