An apparatus for measuring a dimension of a freight item. The apparatus includes an elongate gauge member having a sequence of machine-readable codes visible along its length. Each of the machine-readable codes represents a length value corresponding to a position along the gauge member. The apparatus also includes a marker device, movable along the gauge member, for designating a selected position. The marker device includes a machine-readable reference symbol on an external surface thereof, with the reference symbol being located on the marker device such that in use the reference symbol on the marker device and a subset of the machine-readable codes on the gauge member are simultaneously visible. In a preferred embodiment the elongate gauge member includes a coilable tape and the marker device includes a housing within which the coilable tape is enclosed. A system including the measuring apparatus together with a mobile computing device is also disclosed.

A tape measure including a reinforced or coated tape measure blade is provided. The reinforcement layer is thicker than the metal inner layer of the tape blade. The reinforcement layer provides a reinforced tape blade such that the elongate tape blade may have a pinch load threshold of greater than 30 lbs. and/or a pinch height at break of less than 1.5 mm.

A tape measure including a reinforced or coated tape measure blade is provided. The reinforcement layer is thicker than the metal inner layer of the tape blade. The reinforcement layer provides a reinforced tape blade such that the elongate tape blade may have a pinch load threshold of greater than 30 lbs. and/or a pinch height at break of less than 1.5 mm.

A tool, such as a tape measure, including a spring-based retraction system is shown. Various spring-based retraction system embodiments are configured to decrease the size occupied by the spring within the tape measure housing, which consequently reduces tape measure housing size providing a more compact tape measure. Various spring-based retraction system embodiments are configured to control retraction of the tape measure in a manner that reduces whip or otherwise controls tape blade retraction. Some retraction system embodiments utilize a reduction gear train, and others utilize a compression spring and a transmission system that converts rotational movement of the tape reel to axial movement, which compresses the spring.

A tool, such as a tape measure, including a spring-based retraction system is shown. Various spring-based retraction system embodiments are configured to decrease the size occupied by the spring within the tape measure housing, which consequently reduces tape measure housing size providing a more compact tape measure. Various spring-based retraction system embodiments are configured to control retraction of the tape measure in a manner that reduces whip or otherwise controls tape blade retraction. Some retraction system embodiments utilize a reduction gear train, and others utilize a compression spring and a transmission system that converts rotational movement of the tape reel to axial movement, which compresses the spring.

A tape measure comprises a housing containing a tape, spring, reel, and hub, with first seal(s) to seal between the reel cartridge and the hub and/or to seal between the reel and the housing and/or a part fixed to the housing. An outermost coil of the spring may extend out of an opening in the reel and be attached to an innermost coil of the tape, and a second seal may be provided on the reel, to seal between the spring and the reel where the spring extends from the reel. Alternatively, the spring may be contained within the reel, and an outermost coil of the spring may be attached to an interior of the reel. An exterior of the reel may include an attachment portion to which an innermost coil of the tape is attached. The housing may be openable to enable contaminants to be removed from the housing.

A tape measure comprises a housing containing a tape, spring, reel, and hub, with first seal(s) to seal between the reel cartridge and the hub and/or to seal between the reel and the housing and/or a part fixed to the housing. An outermost coil of the spring may extend out of an opening in the reel and be attached to an innermost coil of the tape, and a second seal may be provided on the reel, to seal between the spring and the reel where the spring extends from the reel. Alternatively, the spring may be contained within the reel, and an outermost coil of the spring may be attached to an interior of the reel. An exterior of the reel may include an attachment portion to which an innermost coil of the tape is attached. The housing may be openable to enable contaminants to be removed from the housing.

Apparatuses, systems and methods associated with a metrology system for high-speed, non-contact coordinate measurements of parts are disclosed herein. In embodiments, the metrology system includes a metrology bridge to be coupled to a measurement assembly. The measurement assembly may include a stage moveable across multiple independent axes. The bridge may include a housing, mounting members coupled to the housing, and a plurality of sensors mounted within the housing. The mounting members may rotatably couple the housing to the measurement assembly. Further, sensor elements of the plurality of sensor devices may be aligned along a length of the housing and may be directed out of the housing.

Apparatuses, systems and methods associated with a metrology system for high-speed, non-contact coordinate measurements of parts are disclosed herein. In embodiments, the metrology system includes a metrology bridge to be coupled to a measurement assembly. The measurement assembly may include a stage moveable across multiple independent axes. The bridge may include a housing, mounting members coupled to the housing, and a plurality of sensors mounted within the housing. The mounting members may rotatably couple the housing to the measurement assembly. Further, sensor elements of the plurality of sensor devices may be aligned along a length of the housing and may be directed out of the housing.

A tape measure having a light emitting device includes a housing, a reel received in the housing, and a blade wound on the reel to be extended or retracted through an inlet of the housing, and further includes a first case, a second case coupled with the first case to form the housing, a light emitting portion positioned in front of the center of the reel around the inlet of the housing, and a light emitting circuit portion positioned in the rear side of the center of the reel by facing the light emitting portion, wherein the light emitting circuit portion includes a circuit board disposed on a rear lower side of the housing, and the first case and the second case provide circuit receiving spaces for receiving the circuit board, respectively.