A tool, such as a tape measure, including a spring-based retraction system is shown. The spring-based retraction system includes at least two springs that drive a tape spool during tape retraction. The springs are indirectly coupled to each other via a single center post, in one embodiment, two center posts on a single spool, in another embodiment, or two center posts that are on different spools, in another embodiment.

A drive assembly for a tool with a rotatable crank and a reel may include a carrier operably coupled to the reel, a stress relief plate interposed between the carrier and the crank and configured to operably couple the carrier to the crank, and mating surfaces disposed on the carrier, the stress relief plate, and the crank in a stacked arrangement to distribute stresses and increase maximum torque capacity of the drive assembly.

A drive assembly for a tool with a rotatable crank and a reel may include a carrier operably coupled to the reel, a stress relief plate interposed between the carrier and the crank and configured to operably couple the carrier to the crank, and mating surfaces disposed on the carrier, the stress relief plate, and the crank in a stacked arrangement to distribute stresses and increase maximum torque capacity of the drive assembly.

A measuring tape device may include a housing having an aperture, a reel assembly defining an axis, a blade having a first end configured to extend from the housing through the aperture and a second end configured to be wound on the reel assembly, a locking assembly configured to alternately allow and prevent winding of the blade onto the reel assembly based on a position of the locking assembly, and a guard assembly comprising guard members extending on opposing lateral sides of the locking assembly to protect the locking assembly from impact.

A measuring instrument that reads a measure including a plurality of reading patterns arranged in a length direction of the measure, each reading pattern including a plurality of patterns arranged in a width direction of the measure, includes: a flattening member that increases a flatness of the measure; and a first reader that optically reads the plurality of patterns arranged in the width direction included in a single reading pattern from the measure in a state where the flatness is increased by the flattening member.

A tool, such as a tape measure, including a retraction system is shown. The tape measure includes a magnetic retraction speed controller. The magnetic retraction speed controller includes a magnet that induces an eddy current in a conductive component of the tool and slows a retraction speed.

A device is disclosed including a compact tape measure housing enclosing a tape spool with a multi-segment spring-loaded tape retention mechanism having a tape spool, a primary rewind spring, a secondary rewind spring coupled together via a rotating spring coupling. In various embodiments, the primary and the secondary springs may be placed side-by-side making the two springs and the overall tape measure device smaller in diameter. The primary and the secondary rewind springs are coupled to the tape spool and the housing via an axle pin. The diameter of the tape measure housing may be reduced if two or more rewind springs are used instead of a single one. The primary and the secondary rewind springs operate in series. On pulling the measuring tape, the primary spring is compressed, causing the secondary rewind spring to compress. On release of the tape, the springs operate in reverse, retracting the tape.

A device is disclosed including a compact tape measure housing enclosing a tape spool with a multi-segment spring-loaded tape retention mechanism having a tape spool, a primary rewind spring, a secondary rewind spring coupled together via a rotating spring coupling. In various embodiments, the primary and the secondary springs may be placed side-by-side making the two springs and the overall tape measure device smaller in diameter. The primary and the secondary rewind springs are coupled to the tape spool and the housing via an axle pin. The diameter of the tape measure housing may be reduced if two or more rewind springs are used instead of a single one. The primary and the secondary rewind springs operate in series. On pulling the measuring tape, the primary spring is compressed, causing the secondary rewind spring to compress. On release of the tape, the springs operate in reverse, retracting the tape.

A draw wire sensor which measures distance. The draw wire sensor comprising: a reel, shaft or axle; a wire wound up on the reel, shaft or axle; and a rotational sensor coupled to the reel, shaft or axle. A rotation angle of the sensor is transformed into an electrical signal and the rotational sensor utilizes the tunnel magnetoresistance effect.

Provided is a compact-sized tape measure including a housing, a reel rotatably mounted in the housing, and a blade wound on an outer surface of the reel and drawn out through an inlet of the housing, in which the reel includes a spring providing a force for winding the blade and a bobbin providing an inner space receiving the spring and an outer space for winding and storing the blade, and a width of a spring receiving space capable of receiving the spring in the inner space is larger than a width of a blade receiving space capable of receiving the blade in the outer space.