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.

Various aspects of tape measures with one or more of a sensor, a motor, and a clutch, are shown. The sensors described herein detect, through various mechanisms, the position of the retraction system of a tape measure. The measurements by the sensors may be used to control a motor to adjust an amount of tension in the spiral spring of a tape measure. In various embodiments a motor interacts with the retraction system of the tape measure via a clutch, which moderates an amount of force that the motor can communicate to the retraction system.

A tape measure including an elongate tape blade is shown. The tape measure includes a relatively short protective polymer film coupled to an end of the tape blade adjacent to the hook end of the tape blade.

A tool, such as a tape measure, including a spring-based retraction system is shown. The tape measure includes a fluid-based retraction speed controller. The speed controller may be formed from a rotor/stator arrangement. The rotor is coupled to the reel and the stator is coupled to the housing opposing the rotor. The rotor converts some rotational energy from tape reel into movement of a fluid (e.g., movement of air, movement of oil, etc. through friction) which acts to slow or limit the retraction/rotational speed of the reel as the retraction spring expands driving the reel during tape blade retraction.

A deployable stabilizer cooperates with a tape of a tape measure to stabilize the tape measure with the tape extended therefrom to facilitate hands free stability of the tape measure. The stabilizer may be pivotally coupled with a body of the tape measure to facilitate pivoting between a deployed and a stowed position. The stabilizer may comprise an extendable member that is guided by channels defined by tape measure body. Locations or orientations of pivot holes or channel guides may result in contact of the bottom of the tape in an extended position with a top of the stabilizer in a deployed position to facilitate stability of the tape measure body.

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.

A measuring tape device may include a housing having an aperture, a reel assembly enclosed within the housing, and 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. The reel assembly may be configured to alternately allow the blade to be withdrawn from the reel assembly through the aperture or received in the aperture onto the reel assembly via operation of a spring. The spring is anchored to a post disposed within the housing at a first end of the spring and operably coupled to the blade at a second end of the spring. The post includes a slot dividing the post into a first post portion and a second post portion. Each of the first and second post portions may have rounded edges at portions thereof that define lateral boundaries of the slot.

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 tape measure, including a tape measure blade having a cross-sectional profile to increase standout is provided. The profile has a curved shape that increases standout. The tape blade may have a flat width greater than or equal to 29 mm and less than 32 mm.