A tool, such as a tape measure, including a spring-based retraction system is shown. The retraction system utilizes an epicyclic gear train coupled between the tape blade winding reel and a rotating arbor or axle within the tape measure. A spiral spring has an outer end coupled to the reel and an inner end coupled to the axle. The gear train may be a reduction gear train such that the axle rotates slower than the reel. By coupling the spiral spring between the gear train input and gear train output, high energy density springs may be used, which may allow for decrease in housing size, increase in tape length or thickness for a given housing size, and/or advantageous retraction speed control.

A tool, such as a tape measure, including a spring-based retraction system is shown. The retraction system utilizes an epicyclic gear train coupled between the tape blade winding reel and a rotating arbor or axle within the tape measure. A spiral spring has an outer end coupled to the reel and an inner end coupled to the axle. The gear train may be a reduction gear train such that the axle rotates slower than the reel. By coupling the spiral spring between the gear train input and gear train output, high energy density springs may be used, which may allow for decrease in housing size, increase in tape length or thickness for a given housing size, and/or advantageous retraction speed control.

According to an embodiment, a tape measure comprises an accessory removably coupleable to either side of the housing. According to another embodiment, a tape measure comprises an accessory removably coupleable to the housing via a locking mechanism that holds the accessory at a plurality of desired orientations. According to another embodiment, a tape measure comprises a slide lock, where movement of the slide lock from a locked position into an unlocked position requires depression of the actuator towards the interior of the housing. According to another embodiment, a motor assembly for a tape measure comprises a backer plate, a motor body, and a spring, where a bond is applied therebetween. According to another embodiment, a motor assembly for a tape measure comprises a motor body and a spring, where one of a metallurgical bond or an adhesive is applied between the motor body and the spring.

According to an embodiment, a tape measure comprises an accessory removably coupleable to either side of the housing. According to another embodiment, a tape measure comprises an accessory removably coupleable to the housing via a locking mechanism that holds the accessory at a plurality of desired orientations. According to another embodiment, a tape measure comprises a slide lock, where movement of the slide lock from a locked position into an unlocked position requires depression of the actuator towards the interior of the housing. According to another embodiment, a motor assembly for a tape measure comprises a backer plate, a motor body, and a spring, where a bond is applied therebetween. According to another embodiment, a motor assembly for a tape measure comprises a motor body and a spring, where one of a metallurgical bond or an adhesive is applied between the motor body and the spring.

A ratio tape measure has a case, a reeling unit, a ratio wheel unit, a decurling wheel, and a tape measure unit. The case has a reeling shaft, a ratio shaft, and a decurling shaft. The ratio wheel unit has a first perimeter wheel mounted around the ratio shaft and a second perimeter wheel mounted around the ratio shaft. The decurling wheel is rotatably mounted around the decurling shaft. The tape measure unit is wound around the reeling unit and the ratio wheel unit and has a first tape and a second tape. When the first perimeter wheel and the second perimeter wheel rotate, the first tape and the second tape can be pulled out at a fixed ratio, and a user can measure two lengths at one time.

A combination tape measure and marker is provided. The combination tape measure and marker includes a measuring tape housing having a lateral portion, a lower portion, and a front portion. A track is connected to the lateral portion of the measuring tape housing. An arm is slidably disposed within the track. A tension member having an arcuate shape can slide the arm towards the lower portion when depressed. A cartridge is integrally attached to the front portion of the measuring tape housing. The arm extends through the cartridge. A marker is removably secured within the cartridge and is operationally attached to the arm. A spring is housed in the cartridge and provides a retracted and extended position for the marker. The marker is movably separately and independently from the measuring tape housing by selectively depressing the arm.

A measurement device includes first and second measurement indicia. First indicia (e.g., on the tape) may include numerals regularly spaced to mark inches or other units of length (e.g., 1, 2, 3, etc,). Also included are second indicia, that are non-numeric (e.g., letters, such as A, B, C, etc.) where the second indicia are regularly spaced to mark fractions of inches or other units of length indicated by the first indicia. The second indicia are positioned between adjacent first indicia. For example, the letters (A, B, C, etc.) may he spaced every sixteenth or other fraction of an inch between the “1” and “2” (adjacent first indicia). Where sixteenths are used, the letters A-O are equally spaced, between the adjacent first indicia (e.g., between the “1”P′ and the “2”). The A-O may repeat between each integral number—between “1” and “2”, between “2” and “3” and so forth.

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 digital measuring tape includes a shell body, a tape, and a tape spool. A coiling shaft is provided inside the shell body. The tape spool is installed on the coiling shaft for rotating with respect to the coiling shaft. The tape is coiled around the tape spool, and a front end of the tape is provided with a hook. The digital measuring tape further includes a grid dial, a grid detector, a circuit board, and a display screen. The grid dial is fixed on the tape spool for rotating. A circumferential edge of the grid dial is provided with a plurality of grids. Rotation of the grid dial and the grids enables the grid detector to produce a detecting signal of rotation of the grid dial. With the detecting signal, a length of the pulled tape is calculated through the circuit board, and displayed on the display screen.