Abstract:
A tape measure includes a novel mounting clip assembly having a distinct lever arm coupled to a base plate for movement about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position. The lever arm has a first spring-receiving bay on a side generally facing the base plate and disposed rearward of the pivot axis. The base plate has a first fastener-receiving hole therein forward of the pivot axis, a second spring-receiving bay on a side generally facing the lever arm. A spring biases the lever arm to assume the closed position and extends from the first bay to the second bay. A centerline of a mounting hole in the base plate extends through a second hole in the lever arm when the lever arm is in the closed position. A top of a securing fastener is accessible via the second hole. Also, methods of assembly are described.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention is directed generally to tape measures, and more particularly to a means, such as a mounting clip for supporting the tape measure from a structure.  
         [0002]     Modern tape measures (or “tape rules”) typically include a coiled tape that is spring-biased towards a retracted position. A housing generally surrounds and protects the tape and a retraction spring and includes an opening through which a distal end of the tape extends. During use, the distal end of the tape is pulled away from the housing; when released, the spring pulls the tape back into the housing so that the tape returns to the retracted position.  
         [0003]     Typically, such tape measures include some form of mounting clip (e.g., a belt clip) for attaching the tape measure to a belt, the top of a thin wall, or the like. Typically, such belt clips take the form of a single piece of spring-like material formed into a modified “R” shape. Examples of such structures are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,527,334. These conventional belt clips are attached to the tape measure&#39;s housing by a screw, although other means are known in the art. While such belt clips are convenient from a manufacturing perspective, they are not ideal for all circumstances. For example, it is sometimes cumbersome to “open” such clips without sliding the relevant surface to be mounted to into the clip. That is, the operations of opening and clipping are essentially collapsed into a single step. While convenient for some situations, users sometimes desire to open the clip before sliding the relevant supporting material into the clip, and then close the clip after the supporting material is in place. As such, there remains a need for alternative mounting clips designs.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a power-return tape measure comprising: a main case housing a retractable tape measure blade; a mounting clip assembly attached to the main case via a fastener; the mounting clip assembly comprising: a base plate; a distinct lever arm coupled to the base plate for pivoting movement about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position; the lever arm having a proximal actuation end rearward of the pivot axis and a distal engagement end forward of the pivot axis; the distal end disposed closer to the base plate in the closed position than in the open position; the lever arm having a first spring-receiving bay on a side generally facing the base plate and disposed rearward of the pivot axis; the base plate having a first fastener-receiving hole therein forward of the pivot axis, a second spring-receiving bay on a side generally facing the lever arm and disposed between the first hole and the pivot axis; a spring biasing the lever arm to assume the closed position, the spring extending from the first bay to the second bay; the lever arm having a second hole disposed between the pivot axis and the distal end, forward of the pivot axis and forward of the spring; wherein a centerline of the first hole extends through the second hole when the lever arm is in the closed position; wherein the fastener extends through the first hole; and wherein a top of the fastener is accessible via the second hole.  
         [0005]     The base plate may further comprise a pair of spaced flanges, and the tape measure may further comprise a pin extending between the flanges and engaging the lever arm, the pin generally lying along the pivot axis. The spring may comprise a leaf spring, such as one with two bends having respective centers of curvature disposed on opposite sides of the spring. The spring may be disposed so as to pass between the pivot axis and the base plate, without wrapping around the pivot axis. The spring advantageously has a first end disposed in the first bay and a second end disposed in the second bay.  
         [0006]     In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of assembling a tape measure comprising: providing a main case having retractable tape measure blade operatively coupled thereto; coupling a distinct lever arm to a base plate for pivoting movement of the lever arm relative to the base plate about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position; the lever arm having a proximal actuation end rearward of the pivot axis and a distal gripping end forward of the pivot axis; the distal end disposed closer to the base plate in the closed position than in the open position; the lever arm having a first spring-receiving bay on a side generally facing the base plate and disposed rearward of the pivot axis; the base plate having a first fastener-receiving hole therein forward of the pivot axis, a second spring-receiving bay on a side generally facing the lever arm and disposed between the first hole and the pivot axis; the coupling comprising disposing a first end of a spring in the first bay and a second end of the spring in the second bay and thereafter securing the lever arm to the base plate; wherein the lever arm has a second hole disposed between the pivot axis and the distal end, forward of the pivot axis and forward of the spring; and wherein the securing the lever arm to the base plate comprises securing the lever arm to the base plate so that a centerline of the first hole extends through the second hole when the lever arm is in the closed position; biasing, by the spring, the lever arm to assume the closed position; and fastening the base plate to the tape measure housing with a fastener extending through the first hole. The fastening the base plate to the tape measure housing may comprise inserting a tool through the second hole to engage the fastener. The coupling may comprise connecting a pivot pin to the base plate and engaging the pivot pin with the lever arm. The disposing a first end of a spring in the first bay and a second end of the spring in the second bay may comprise disposing the spring relative to the pivot axis so that the spring passes between the pivot axis and the base plate.  
         [0007]     In another embodiment, the present invention provides a tape measure comprising: a main case housing a retractable tape measure blade; a clip means attached to the main case for supporting the main case from a suitable external support, the clip means moveable about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position; the clip means comprising first and second spring-receiving bays disposed on opposite sides of the pivot axis and moveable relative to each other; the clip means comprising a leaf spring entirely disposed closer to the main case than the pivot axis and having ends disposed in the first and second spring-receiving bays; the spring, in the closed position, comprising two bends having respective centers of curvature disposed on opposite sides of the spring; the spring biasing the clip means toward the closed position. The tape measure may further comprise a fastener securing the clip means to the main case. The clip means may further comprise a pin generally lying along the pivot axis. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a side view of one tape measure embodiment constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a mounting clip assembly in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a base plate suitable for the present invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a lever arm suitable for the present invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  shows a cross-section view of the mounting clip assembly of  FIG. 2  in the closed position.  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  shows a cross-section view of the mounting clip assembly of  FIG. 2  in the open position.  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  shows a more detailed view of a portion of the mounting clip assembly of  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]     In one illustrative embodiment, the present invention provides a tape measure having a novel mounting clip assembly for supporting the tape measure from a suitable support, such as from a work belt.  
         [0016]     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a tape measure, generally designated  10 , is shown constructed according to the present invention. The tape measure  10  includes a housing  12  with an associated retractable measuring tape or blade  14 . The distal end of the tape  14  may advantageously include an end hook  16  to prevent it from being retracted into the housing  12 . A tape-biasing device, such as a retraction spring (not shown), is operatively connected to the tape  14  to bias the tape  14  towards a retracted position. A locking mechanism, including a toggle  17  or similar actuator, is provided to aid in controlling the movement of the tape  14  into and out of the housing  12 . The housing  12  may be thought of as having sidewalls S and an intervening peripheral wall P, and may be constructed of housing halves secured together, such as by screws  18 . An optional grip element  19  may be attached to the housing  12  to increase grip or comfort. A mounting clip assembly  20 , sometimes referred to as a belt clip assembly, is attached to a sidewall S of the housing  12 , as discussed further below. Of course, the tape measures  10  of the present invention may also include other features, such as shock-absorbing bumpers, specially coated blades, reinforcing hooks, various locking mechanisms, and like, all of which are known in the art. As the general design and operation of power-return tape measures are well known in the art, additional detailed discussion is omitted herein for brevity. However, additional discussion may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,527,334; 4,976,048; and 6,349,482, which are incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0017]     The novel mounting clip assembly  20  includes a base plate  30 , a lever arm  60 , a spring  90 , and, in some embodiments, a pivot pin  50 . The base plate  30  has a bottom  32 , a top  34 , a rear or proximal portion  36 , a front or distal portion  38 , a mounting hole  42 , a spring bay  40 , and a pair of flanges  46 . The bottom  32  is intended to abut against the housing  12  and therefore is advantageously relatively flat. The bottom  32  may include means, such as a small undercut area  33  in the proximal portion  36 , to aid in aligning the base plate  30  relative to the housing  12 . The top  34  is advantageously relatively flat with a small recessed area  37  disposed between the flanges  46 . Adjacent the recessed area  37  is rearwardly opening spring bay  40 . Spring bay  40  has an entrance that is advantageously circumferentially surrounded by the material of base plate  30 , although the provision for an upper boundary is believed most relevant. Spring bay  40  may be fully enclosed except for the insertion opening to the recessed area  37 , but this is not required. Indeed, the base plate  30  of  FIG. 3  shows a spring bay  40  that is partially open toward the bottom  32 . Spring bay  40  is intended to accept one end  98  of spring  90 , as discussed further below. Mounting hole  42  is disposed in distal portion  38 , forward of spring bay  40 . Mounting hole  42  extends through base plate  30 , and may be counter-sunk if desired. Flanges  46  project upward and include appropriate holes  48  for accepting pivot pin  50 .  
         [0018]     The lever arm  60  is an elongate body having a top  62 , a bottom  64 , a proximal actuation end portion  66 , a distal engaging portion  68 , a spring bay  70 , and, in some embodiments, a pivot pin passage  80 . When viewed from above, the lever arm  60  may have an overall T-shape, although this is not required. The top  62  of lever arm  60  may be generally flat, although there may be a hump  84  overlying the pivot pin passage  80  and texturing (e.g., ribs) in the area  72  pressed by the user to open the mounting clip assembly  20 . It may be advantageous for the actuation portion  66  to be angled downward slightly with respect to the gripping end  68 , such as by approximately 6°, so as to consume less space. The lower side  64  of the lever arm  60  includes the spring bay  70  in the actuation portion  66  and optionally one or more teeth or prongs  69  on the gripping end  68 . The forwardly opening spring bay  70  of lever arm  60  is advantageously essentially an inverted mirror-image of rearwardly opening spring bay  40  of base plate  30 . The pivot pin passage  80  extends across the lever arm  60  and is sized to accept the pivot pin  50 . The lever arm  60  is coupled to the base plate  30  for pivoting movement about the pivot axis  82 , which is advantageously defined by the pivot pin  50 . A through hole  74  is disposed along lever arm  60  between pivot axis  82  and the tip of the distal engaging portion  68 . As discussed below, through-hole  74  is advantageously generally aligned with the mounting hole  42  of the base plate  30 .  
         [0019]     The pivot pin  50  couples lever arm  60  to base plate  30 . The pivot pin  50  may take the form of a simple cylindrical rod, or a suitable roll pin, or the like. The pivot pin  50  extends from one flange  46  to the other, through the pivot pin passage  80 , and supports the lever arm  60  for pivoting motion about pivot axis  82 .  
         [0020]     The spring  90  biases the lever arm  60  to the closed position. Spring  90  may take the form of a thin leaf-type spring, advantageously with two bends  92 ,  94 . The two bends  92 ,  94  are advantageously disposed generally in the middle of the spring  90 , and have centers of curvature  92   a,    94   a  disposed on opposing sides of the spring  90  so as to cause the spring  90  to curve in opposite directions. Thus, spring  90  has a somewhat flattened “S” or “Z” shape in side profile. The distal end  98  of spring  90  is disposed in spring bay  40  of base plate  30 , and the proximal end  96  of spring  90  is disposed in spring bay  70  of lever arm  60 . It should be noted that, in extending between the spring bays  40 ,  70 , the spring  90  passes between the pivot axis  82  and the base plate  30 . Indeed, the spring  90  advantageously lies entirely below a theoretical horizontal plane (not shown) containing the pivot axis  86 , so that the entirety of spring  90  is located at a vertical level closer to the bottom  32  of base plate  30  than pivot axis  82 .  
         [0021]     The mounting clip assembly  20  may be assembled separately and then joined to the tape measure housing  12 . The mounting clip assembly  20  may be constructed by inserting the distal end  98  of spring  90  into spring bay  40  on the top  34  of base plate  30 . The proximal end  96  of spring  90  is inserted into spring bay  70  on the bottom  64  of lever arm  60 . The lever arm  60  is then positioned so that passage  80  is aligned with the holes  48  in flanges  46 , and pivot pin  50  is then inserted through holes  48  and passage  80  to pivotally couple lever arm  60  to base plate  30 . Spring  90  is thus captured between the two spring bays  40 ,  70 , below pivot axis  82 . In order to supply some amount of tolerance, it may be advantageous for spring bays  40 ,  70  to be sized slightly longer front-to-back than otherwise required to house the ends  98 ,  96  of spring  90 , so as to allow for slack space during assembly and/or operation. Spring  90  acts to push upward against proximal end  66  of lever arm  60 , which urges distal end  68  of lever arm  60  down to the closed position.  
         [0022]     The mounting clip assembly  20  may then be mated to a tape measure housing  12  by inserting a fastener  100  in mounting hole  42 . The fastener  100  may be tightened by a suitable tool  110  (e.g., screwdriver) that extends through hole  74  in lever arm  60  to engage the top  102  of fastener  100 . Accordingly, the centerline  44  of mounting hole  42  advantageously passes through hole  74  in lever arm  60  so that the top  102  of fastener  100  may be easily accessed from above. When tightened, fastener  100  holds the base plate  30 , and thus the mounting clip assembly  20 , against the sidewall S of tape measure housing  12 . The fastener  100  may serve only to mate mounting clip assembly  20  to housing  12 , or may serve other functions such as also securing an internal post (not shown) to the housing  12  (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,718,649, which is incorporated herein by reference).  
         [0023]     In use, the user presses against area  72  of proximal portion  66  of lever arm  60  to overcome the bias of spring  90  and move distal portion  68  of lever arm  60  from the closed position ( FIG. 5 ) to the open position ( FIG. 6 ). The relevant support material (e.g., a work belt, etc.) is inserted in-between the distal portion  68  of the lever arm  60  and the base plate  30  and/or the housing  12 . When the user releases the pressure against the lever arm  60 , spring  90  urges distal portion  68  of lever arm  60  against the support material, thereby gripping the support material.  
         [0024]     For materials, the base plate  30  and the lever arm  60  may be made from a durable material such as a hardened plastic (e.g., ABS, polycarbonate, or the like), while the spring  90  and pivot pin  50  are advantageously metallic.  
         [0025]     The discussion above has assumed that a pivot pin  50  is used to couple the lever arm  60  to the base plate  30 . However, such is not required in all embodiments. For example, the pivot pin  50  may be replaced by short male pegs and corresponding female recesses on lever arm  60  and base plate  30 . The male pegs may be on the flanges  46  of base plate  30  or on the sides of lever arm  60 , as is desired. For such an arrangement, the lever arm  60  may be snap-fitted to the base plate  30  during assembly. However, a full length pivot pin  50  is believed to be more robust.  
         [0026]     The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.