A tool, such as a tape measure, including a spring-based retraction system is shown. The spring-based retraction system is driven by a spiral spring, that has a variable preformed stress profile along the length of the spring.

A tape rule comprises a blade, a reel, a spring, a lock, and a housing. The blade comprises a substrate and a coating. The coating is configured to provide color, environmental protection, and/or abrasion resistance. In some embodiments, (1) the coating is formed from non-polymer materials; (2) the blade comprises reinforcements metallurgically bonded to the blade at or near a free end; (3) measurement indicia comprise laser marked portions of the substrate that create color contrasts with other portions of the substrate; (4) the measurement indicia comprise portions of the substrate visible through gaps in the coating; (5) the measurement indicia comprise voids in the substrate filled with a coating material having a contrasting color; and/or (6) the substrate has a surface texture configured to change an appearance of the coating relative to an appearance of the coating on an as-rolled surface finish of the metal substrate.

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.

Disclosed is a measuring tape which comprises a housing, a reel received in the housing, and a blade wound on an outer surface of the reel and withdrawn or restored from an entrance of the housing, the measuring tape comprising: a finger recess formed through a bottom surface of the housing to expose a bottom surface of the blade; and a brake including a slide button exposed to the upper portion of the entrance, a brake plate slidely moving inside the housing depending on the movement of the slide button, and a brake port formed at an end of the brake plate to selectively press the upper surface of the blade, wherein the brake pork is positioned on the upper portion of the finger recess in a released state, and presses the upper surface of the blade by moving to the rear side of the finger recess in a locked state.

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.

Disclosed is a measuring tape which comprises a housing, a reel received in the housing, and a blade wound on an outer surface of the reel and withdrawn or restored from an entrance of the housing, the measuring tape comprising: a finger recess formed through a bottom surface of the housing to expose a bottom surface of the blade; and a brake including a slide button exposed to the upper portion of the entrance, a brake plate slidely moving inside the housing depending on the movement of the slide button, and a brake port formed at an end of the brake plate to selectively press the upper surface of the blade, wherein the brake pork is positioned on the upper portion of the finger recess in a released state, and presses the upper surface of the blade by moving to the rear side of the finger recess in a locked state.

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, 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.

A tool, such as a tape measure, including a spring-based retraction system is shown. The spring-based retraction system is driven by a spiral spring, that has a variable preformed stress profile along the length of the spring.

A tool, such as a tape measure, including a spring-based retraction system is shown. The spring-based retraction system is driven by a spiral spring, that has a variable preformed stress profile along the length of the spring.