Patent ID: 6836975

Claim:
A braking structure for a tape measure comprising: a) a housing having: i) a left housing piece having a first semi-arc opening and a first tape rule exit; and ii) a right housing piece connected to the left housing piece and having a second semi-arc opening and a second tape rule exit, the first and the second semi-arc half openings form a semi-arc opening when the left and right housing pieces are connected, the first and the second tape rule exit form a tape rule exit when the left and right housing pieces are connected; b) a tape rule having a first end connected between the first and second housing pieces and a second end movably extending through the tape rule exit; c) a braking mechanism slidably located in the housing and having: i) a stem having an upper flange and a lower flange; ii) a pressing seat connected to the housing and having a through hole, the stem inserted through the through hole; iii) a spring located between the lower flange and the pressing seat; and iv) a braking plate pivotally connected at a first end to the left and right housing pieces and engaging a top of the tape rule with a second end thereof; and d) a control button slidably located in the semi-arc opening and engaging the upper flange of the stem.