Improvements in Measuring Tape Cases.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Feb., 1889
Specification Accepted, 11th May. 1889
Improvements in Measuring Tape Cases.
We, JAMES BEDINGTON and THOMAS BEDINGTON both of the firm of James
Bedington & Son of 10 Russell Street St. Marys, Measuring tape manufacturers and
JOHN SMALLWOOD of 62 Weaman Street Manufacturer all of Birmingham in the County
of Warwick, do hereby declare the nature of our said invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
Our invention has for its object improvements in measuring tape cases by which we
are enabled to produce such cases far more compact and also more staple that is to say
the faces or sides of tape cases have been liable to crush inwards upon the edges of the
tape, which our invention provents.
In order that our invention may be clearly understood and more easily carried into
practice we have appended hereunto a double sized sheet of drawings upon which we
have illustrated two examples thereof but we do not tie ourselves to the exact shape of the
various parts of the details as they may be varied without departing from the essence
of the invention.
Figure 1 is a view of the handle side of one of our new tape cases with the handle
collapsed and the tape mounted in the case.
Figure 2 is a cross section through Figure 1 but with the tape itself first removed
from the case so as to avoid any complication in the appearance of the section upon
the drawings.
Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 4 but with the handle * extended so as to be
ready for use.
Figure 4 is a part section, and part elevation of the case as seen at Figure 3 but
with the tape removed for the sake of clearness.
Figure 5 is a cross section through the tube E and looking towards the back B¹.
Figure 6 is an elevation of a tape similar to Figure 2 with the handle collapsed but
with the details constructed in a different manner.
Figure 7 is a cross section of Figure 5 with the tape removed.
Figure 8 is a similar view to Figure 6 and of the same case but with the handle S
opened out and ready for use.
Figure 9 is a cross section of Figure 8 but with the tape removed.
It will be noticed from the drawings that I have shewn the tape case illustrated by
the first 5 figures thereon in two parts as is now generally the mode of manufacture
viz. the upper side of the casing A and the lower side A'. At the centre of each side

page_text: I place a metal mount, B being for the top B¹ for the bottom. Each mount has a
projection for going through the casing for the double purpose of connecting the
mount to the casing and for forming a recess for the tube E to work in. The
projection is b³ upon B and 62 upon B¹. The upper mount B has a hole 67 in it
through which the handle slides into the tube E. It will be noticed that the ends of E
fall into the recesses formed in the inner par of each mount B and B¹ and practically
becomes a column or distance piece to prevent the sides A or A¹ from collapsing
inwards so that they may be made quite flat or even or even hollow, and of thinner
material whether leather or otherwise without fear. This tube or case E may be
square in cross section as shewn by Figure 5 or hexagon, octagon, round or other
section so long as there is room for the block K with its handle K¹ to slide therein.
It will be seen at Figure 2 that the block K is at the bottom of the tube, and the
knob practically level with the top, as indeed it may be made quite lével by
deepening the recess, but what is shewn illustrates the principle. When lifted out for
use as at Figures 3 & 4 the handle k turns at k² and the knob at k³ so as to form a
crank for use by the hand. It will be seen that the handle cannot come entirely out
because of the flange 64 which prevents it. In this case the tape may be run out while
the handle is in the tube.
In regard to the modification shewn by Figures 6 to 9, the tape cannot be run out
while the handle is closed up as seen at Figures 6 and 7 as the construction is
different, the handle S hinging over outside the casing and the knob S¹ entering the
ferruled hole W. which of course prevents the handle from moving while it is closed
up into the hole and, for some purposes this would be considered an advantage. In
this modification the pillar or drum R whether solid or hollow, round as shewn, or
square or other shape in cross section is made so that the ends and ² are supported
against the internal flanges nt and n' of the mounts N and N¹ so that the casings M
and M are supported against the tendency to be pressed inwards when the tape is
held in the hand. The bottom mount N¹ in this case may be rivetted over at n² to
hold the bottom casing M¹ and the top mount may be screwed into a ferrule T as
per n³ in order that it may be removed so that the drum R can be lifted out without
separating the two parts M & M of the casing. The same arrangement may of course
be carried out in regard to the Figures 1 to 5 if thought desirable. The bandle is
made to hinge and fold over on the joint being attached to the projecting part * of
2013
the drum R so that the knob turns completely out of the way. I may however use
the supporting drum R as shewn with a handle attached to without being hinged
which would equally support the sides.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
First. The improvements in measuring tape cases consisting of a hollow column E
mounted between the mounts B & B to support the sides with the jointed collapsing
handle made to slide therein substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth and
shewn upon the drawings.
.
Second. The improvements in measuring tape cases of the drum R working between
the mount N and N¹ so as to support the sides with a projecting part to which the
handle S is attached whether it hinges or not substantially as and for the purpose
herein set forth & shewn upon the drawings.
Dated this 27th day of February 1889.
GEORGE BARKER,
77, Colmore Row, Birmingham,
Agent for Applicant.
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