US785052A - Measuring-tape holder. - Google Patents

Description

YPATENTED MAR. 14, 1905.

w. J. SEEP. v MEASURING TAPE HOLDER.

APPLIUATIOK FILED SEPT. 23, 1904.

a o t u w am l atented March 14, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM J. SEEP, OF ALBANY, INDIANA.

MEASURING-TAPE HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 785,052, dated March 14, 1905.

Application filed September 23, 1904. Serial No. 225,668.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. SEEP, of Albany, in the county of Delaware and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Measuring-Tape Holders; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to holders for measuringline-tapes, such as are used in measuring up oil-wells; and its objects are to provide actuating means-Which may be readily applied to tape-holders now in use, to remove the strain ofthe main gear-Wheel'from the shaft of the holder, and to so construct and arrange the parts as to secure rapidity in the winding of the tape.

The invention will be hereinafter fully set forth, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view with the holder in place. Fig. 2 is a view in perspective with the holder removed. Fig. 3 is an elevation, partly in section, with parts broken away. Fig. A is a sectional detail view.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates an approximately U-shaped frame, the bottom member of which may be secured to a board or any suitable support. In one of the end uprights is ahorizontally-disposed adjustable screw 2, having a pointed end for engaging the rounded recess in a bushing 3, set in one end of the tape-holding drum 1. To the other end of this drum is secured a plate 5, having a square opening 6 in axial line with the recess in bushing 3. This opening is designed toaccommodate the squared end of a shaft 7 having its bearing in the other end upright of frame 1. In addition to the bearing afforded by this end upright, the shaft 7 fits in a stationary sleeve 8, projecting laterally from such upright coincident with the opening formed in the latter. Fast upon shaft 7 is a small gear-pinion 9, which meshes with the large gear-Wheel 10, fast on an upper shaft 12, mounted in the upper extension of the which is internally toothed to mesh with pinion 13. This gear-wheel is preferably closed on its outer side by disk 15, and to this disk is secured an operating-handle 16, such handle having a socketed end fitting the squared portion of the hub 17. Wheel 14. has its bearing on sleeve 8, and thus While it is concentric with the drum-engaging shaft its weight is entirely removed therefrom, and at the same time its bearing forms an additional support for the drum-shaft. I

As is well known in the measuring up of oil-wells measuring-tapes of several hundred feet in length are employed. It is essential to the expedition of the work that the tape be capable of being quickly wound upon its holder after the measurements taken. The weight and bulk of the tape are such that ordinarily considerable strain is exerted upon the means employed for revolving the drum. Now by means of my invention not only is a multiplegear secured for effecting the quick winding of the tape, (the ratio between gearwheel 14 and gear-pinion 13 beingpreferably about 28 to 1,) but in the operation of winding the strain of the main gear-wheel is removed from the drum-shaft and all danger of deflection on the part of the latter is obviated by the extended bearing provided therefor. Furthermore, any form of drum now in use for the winding of measuring-tapes may be readily equipped with my improvement by simply securing to one end of the drum a socketed bushing to receive the squared end of the drum-engaging shaft. The drum may be readily removed or inserted by the adjustment of the holding-screw 2, which is held as against accidental turning by a binding-nut 18.

The advantages of my invention are apparent to those skilled in the art. It has been found in actual practice to be of the greatest assistance in the measuring up of oil-wells, enabling the work to be readily prosecuted, since the tape may be as quickly wound as unwound and all without throwing any undue strain upon the drum or actuating mechanism.

I claim as my invention 1. A measuring-tape holder comprising a drum, an operating-shaft therefor, a stationary bearing for the latter, a bearing concentric with the last-mentioned bearing, and through which the said shaft is extended, a gear-pinion on ,said shaft, a second shaft having a gearwheel on one end and a pinion on theother, the former meshing with the pinion of the operating-shaft, and a main gear-wheel mounted on the second-mentioned bearing and in mesh with the pinion of said second shaft.

2. A measuring-tape holder comprising a drum, an operating-shaft therefor, a stationary bearing for the latter, a fixed sleeve extended outwardly from said bearing and in which said shaft fits, a gear-pinion on said shaft, a second shaft having a gear-wheel on one end and a pinion on the other, the former meshing with the pinion of the drum-shaft, and a main gear-wheel mounted on said sleeve and in mesh with the pinion of said second shaft.

3. The combination with the frame'having opposite bearings, of the end shafts supported by said bearings, a drum, said shafts detachably engaging said drum at its opposite ends, a gear-pinion on one of said shafts, a main gear-wheel having the same axis as said latter end shaft, but supported independently thereof, a 'second shaft carrying at one end a pinion with which said gear-wheel meshes, and at the other end a gear-wheel which meshes with the gear-pinion of the said end shaft.

4. The combination with the frame having opposite bearings, of the end shafts supported by said bearings, one shaft being longitudinally adjustable, the other shaft having a squared end and a pinion, a drum having a socket in one end to receive the squared end of said end shaft, a main operating gear-wheel mounted concentrically with but independently of said end shafts, a second shaft carrying at one end a gear-pinion meshing with said gear-wheel, and at the other end a gearwheel meshing with said pinion of the end shaft, and an operating-handle secured to said main gear-Wheel.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM J. SEEP.

Witnesses:

OREN FRANK, THOMAS J. DEEMER.

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