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`US 20070079520Al
`
`(19) United States
`c12) Patent Application Publication
`Levine et al.
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2007/0079520 Al
`Apr. 12, 2007
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) TAPE MEASURE AND METHOD OF
`MANUFACTURE
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Steven R. Levine, Mooresville, NC
`(US); James Alan Weir, Cornelius, NC
`(US); Hamilton Sean Micheal
`Whitney, Troutman, NC (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`MOORE & VAN ALLEN PLLC
`P.O. BOX 13706
`Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`111163,199
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Oct. 10, 2005
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`GOJB 3110
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................................................ 33/770
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A tape measure blade having improved wear characteristics,
`a tape measure utilizing such a blade, and a method of
`manufacturing such a blade are provided. A clear film made
`of polyester, nylon or other flexible, strong and relatively
`thin material is provided with the measurement indicia,
`markings or other material printed on one side thereof. The
`film is attached to the blade with the printed side contacting
`and secured to the blade such that the side of the film without
`printing is the side of the film exposed to the environment.
`Because the film is transparent the printed indicia are visible
`through the film.
`
`2
`
`30
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1012-001
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 12, 2007 Sheet 1 of 5
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`US 2007/0079520 A1
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`2
`
`FIG. J
`
`30
`
`FIG.2
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1012-002
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 12, 2007 Sheet 2 of 5
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`US 2007/0079520 Al
`
`11
`
`20
`
`FIG. 3
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1012-003
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 12, 2007 Sheet 3 of 5
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`US 2007/0079520 Al
`
`30a
`
`30
`
`14
`
`14
`
`34
`
`38b
`
`44
`
`FIG.4
`
`FIG.5
`
`FIG. 6
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1012-004
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 12, 2007 Sheet 4 of 5
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`US 2007/0079520 Al
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`58
`
`FIG.l
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`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1012-005
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 12, 2007 Sheet 5 of 5
`
`US 2007/0079520 Al
`
`PROVIDE
`BlADE STOCK
`
`~~
`
`PROVIDE FILM
`STOCK
`
`'~
`PRINT ON
`INNER SURFACE
`OF FILM
`
`~,.
`
`APPLY
`ADHESIVE TO
`FILM
`, ...
`
`8 01
`
`80 2
`
`80
`3
`
`80
`4
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`5
`
`SECURE INNER _)
`
`FIG. 8
`
`SURFACE TO
`BLADE
`
`~~
`
`DRY
`ADHESIVE
`
`806
`__/
`
`,~
`
`807
`PROCESS __)
`ASSEMBLED
`BlADE
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1012-006
`
`

`

`US 2007/0079520 AI
`
`Apr. 12, 2007
`
`TAPE MEASURE AND METHOD OF
`MANUFACTURE
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0001] This invention relates generally to tape measures
`and, more particularly, to a tape measure blade having an
`improved construction and a method for manufacturing the
`tape measure blade.
`
`[0002] Tape measures typically consist of a flexible tape or
`blade that is wound on a reel within a housing. The blade is
`stored in the housing in a wound state and it is unwound and
`extended from the housing to measure linear distances. The
`blade can be rewound back into the housing either manually,
`such as by rotating an external crank, or automatically, such
`as by use of an internal spring. One typical blade consists of
`a thin steel strip having measurement indicia printed on a
`surface thereof such that when the blade is extended from
`the housing a user can measure linear distances by reading
`the indicia.
`
`[0003] A problem with known blade designs is that over
`time the printed material wears off of the blade from use. As
`will be understood tape measures are subjected to relatively
`harsh conditions where they are used outdoors in all types of
`weather and under abrasive conditions on construction sites
`and the like. Moreover, the design of tape measures adds to
`the wear on the printed material. The repetitive winding and
`unwinding of the blade causes the printed material on the
`blade to contact and wear against any surface it contacts.
`Also, as the blade is retracted it has a tendency to "whip" as
`the blade enters the housing. This is especially true with
`automatic tape measures where the spring force applied to
`the blade causes the blade to accelerate as it retracts into the
`housing. The whipping of the tape measure blade against the
`housing further increases the wear of the printed material.
`
`[0004] As the printed material wears off the blade, reading
`the indicia may become difficult or impossible leading to
`inaccuracies in measurement and unacceptable performance
`of the tape measure. Because the printed material may wear
`away before the other structural elements of the tape mea(cid:173)
`sure fail, the wear can be a source of frustration for the end
`user and may present an inaccurate indication of the overall
`quality of the tape measure.
`
`[0005] Thus, an improved tape measure having a blade
`with improved wear characteristics and a method for manu(cid:173)
`facturing such a blade is desired.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`[0006] The invention comprises a tape measure blade
`having improved wear characteristics, a tape measure uti(cid:173)
`lizing such a blade, an a method of manufacturing such a
`blade. The blade of the invention includes a thin blade that
`is flexible enough to be wound on a reel in a tape measure
`housing. The blade may be formed as is known in the art to
`have a transverse cross-sectional shape that increases the
`rigidity of the blade and allows it to extend unsupported
`from the housing. A clear film made of polyester, nylon or
`other flexible, strong and relatively thin material is provided
`with the measurement indicia printed on one side thereof.
`The film is attached to the blade with the printed side
`contacting and secured to the blade such that the side of the
`film without printing is the side of the film exposed to the
`
`environment. Because the printed material is on the inner
`surface of the film, the printing is not in contact with the
`external environment and will not be worn away during
`normal use. Because the film is transparent the printed
`material is visible through the film.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tape measure of
`the invention with the housing opened.
`
`[0008] FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the tape
`measure of the invention.
`
`[0009] FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the tape
`measure of the invention showing the internal structure
`thereof.
`
`[0010] FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of
`an embodiment of the tape measure blade of the invention.
`
`[0011] FIG. 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of
`another embodiment of the tape measure blade of the
`invention.
`
`[0012] FIG. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view of
`yet another embodiment of the tape measure blade of the
`invention.
`
`[0013] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the manu(cid:173)
`facturing process of the tape measure blade of the invention.
`
`[0014] FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a method of manu(cid:173)
`facturing the tape measure blade of the invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, one embodiment of
`the tape measure of the invention is shown including a
`housing 2. The housing 2 may include a first housing portion
`4 secured to a second substantially identical housing portion
`by a fasteners 8 such as screws or rivets to define an interior
`space 18. Opening 16 is formed in a wall of housing 2 to
`allow access between interior space 18 and the outside of
`housing 2. Encased within housing 2 is a hub assembly 10
`having a hub 12 that is free to rotate within housing 2 about
`axle 20. The tape measure blade 14 is wound on hub 12 such
`that as hub 12 is rotated in a first direction about axle 20,
`blade 14 can be unwound and extended from housing 2
`through opening 16. Reversing rotation of hub 12 rewinds
`the blade 14 on hub 12 to retract the blade back into the
`housing 2.
`
`[0016]
`It will be appreciated that unwinding and extending
`blade 14 is typically done manually while the rewinding of
`the blade back into the housing is typically done automati(cid:173)
`cally. To automatically rewind the blade, hub assembly 10
`includes a spring 11 connected to hub 12 such that extension
`of the blade 14 deforms the spring to store energy therein
`whereby when the blade is released the spring releases the
`stored energy to rotate the hub 12 and rewind the blade. It
`is also known to provide tape measures in which the blade
`can be extended automatically using a motor and/or the
`blade can be retracted manually using an external crank.
`
`[0017] To counter the rewind force of the spring and
`maintain the blade in the extended position a brake 22 is
`provided. Brake 22 may consist of a sliding member 24 that
`moves between a first position in which it contacts the blade
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1012-007
`
`

`

`US 2007/0079520 AI
`
`Apr. 12, 2007
`
`2
`
`14 to trap the blade between member 24 and housing 2 to
`maintain the blade in an extended position and a second
`position where the member 24 does not contact the blade 14
`such that the blade can be freely extended or retracted.
`[0018] Blade 14 has one end connected to hub 12 and an
`opposite end extending from housing 2 and connected to an
`end hook 26 via fasteners 28 such as rivets. End hook 26 is
`used to prevent retraction of the blade 14 completely into the
`housing 2 and to temporarily secure the blade to a surface
`during use of the tape measure.
`[0019] Referring to FIG. 4, the blade 14 of the invention
`includes of a thin strip of steel or other material that is
`flexible enough to be wound on hub 12 yet strong enough to
`maintain an effective standout when extended from housing
`2. "Standout" is the distance that the blade can extend
`unsupported from the housing before buckling. To increase
`blade standout it is known to design blades that have, in the
`extended position, a curved or other involute transverse
`profile. The specific material and physical design of the
`blade can vary from that shown and described herein to meet
`different blade performance criteria. The strip of steel is
`formed slightly longer than the desired working length of the
`tape measure to account for the length of material that is
`attached to the hub 12 and remains in the housing even when
`the blade is in its fully extended position.
`
`[0020] A film 30 is applied to the upper surface 14a of
`blade 14. The film 30 is a thin length of transparent, durable
`and flexible material such as polyester, polyethylene, poly(cid:173)
`urethane, polypropylene, nylon or the like having a thick(cid:173)
`ness of 0.001 to 0.015 inches. Measurement indicia, other
`markings and/or other printed material 32 are printed on the
`inner surface 30a of film 30. The "inner surface" as used
`herein refers to the surface of the film that contacts and is
`attached to the blade after the blade is assembled. The "outer
`surface" refers to the surface 30b of the film 30 that is
`exposed to the environment in the assembled blade. The
`measurement indicia may consist oflinear units in the metric
`or English systems or both. The other markings or printed
`material may consist of branding information, application
`specific information such as sixteen inch "on center" stud
`markings or the like.
`[0021] The film 30 is attached to the blade 14 by an
`adhesive such that the film is permanently and securely
`attached to the blade. The film is permanently affixed to said
`blade such that in normal operation of the blade, the film
`remains secured to the blade. An adhesive such as silicone
`or acrylic may be used. In one embodiment the film 30
`extends over the entire upper surface 14a of the blade 14 for
`the entire length and width thereof.
`[0022] Because the printed material 32 is on the inner
`surface 30a of the film 30, the unprinted outer surface 30b
`of the film is exposed such that the thickness of the film
`protects the printed material 32. In this manner the printing
`will not degrade or wear from the extension and retraction
`or use of the blade. Because the film 30 is transparent the
`printed material 32 is clearly visible to the end user through
`the film. The printed material 32 is printed on the inner
`surface of the film in reverse such that the printed material
`will be in the proper orientation for reading by the end user
`when viewed through outer surface 30b.
`[0023] An alternate embodiment of the invention is shown
`in FIG. 5 and comprises a blade 14, as previously described
`
`with respect to FIG. 4 above, having a film 34 with its inner
`surface 34a secured to the bottom surface 14b of blade 14.
`Film 34 contains markings, indicia or other printed material
`36 on its inner surface 34a as previously described. The film
`34 is applied to the bottom surface 14b of blade 14 by
`adhesive and can be used where it is desired to have
`markings visible on the bottom side of blade 14. Film 30
`may be applied to the top surface of the blade and film 34
`may be applied to the bottom surface of the same blade so
`that markings are visible when viewing both the top and
`bottom of the blade.
`
`[0024] While a separate first film 30 and second film 34
`may be used, a single film 38 having both top markings 40
`and bottom markings 42 may be used as shown in FIG. 6.
`Film 38 has a top portion 38a that extends over and is
`attached to upper surface 14a and a bottom portion 38b that
`extends over and is attached to bottom surface 14b where
`film 38 is wrapped around one edge of the blade at fold line
`44.
`
`[0025] One method of manufacturing the blade of the
`invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.
`A supply of blade stock 50 is provided, shown as a wound
`coil 52 (block 801). The blade stock 50 has been formed to
`have the extended profile described with respect to FIG. 4
`and may be treated to increase strength, painted and other(cid:173)
`wise processed to create the final blade configuration. A
`supply of film stock 54 is also provided, shown as a wound
`coil 56 (block 802). The blade stock 50 and film stock 54 are
`pulled through opposed feed rollers 58 that apply pressure to
`force film stock 54 into contact with blade stock 50. A printer
`60 such as a laser jet printer prints the indicia, markings
`and/or other material on the inner surface of the film stock
`54 as it moves past the printer (block 803). An adhesive
`applicator 62 applies adhesive 64 to the inner surface of the
`film (block 804). Alternatively, the adhesive may be applied
`to the blade. As the film stock 54 and blade stock 50 are
`passed between rollers 58 the inner surface of the film stock
`is pressed against the blade stock and the film stock is
`secured to the blade stock by the adhesive 64 (block 805).
`A drying chamber 66 may be used to dry the adhesive to
`create the final blade (block 806). The blade stock with the
`film stock secured thereto is wonnd onto another coil 58
`where it can be cut to the desired length and further
`processed to create the assembled tape measure (block 807).
`
`[0026] Another alternative to the method of manufacture,
`is to print the indicia and markings in a separate process such
`that coil 56 has wound thereon preprinted film stock. It is
`also contemplated that film pretreated with adhesive may be
`used. If such film is used it would typically be wound on coil
`56 with a backing material placed over the adhesive to
`prevent the layers of film from sticking to one another. The
`backing material is removed from the film before the film
`enters the printer. In this embodiment the separate adhesive
`application step may be omitted. It is further contemplated
`that if film is to be applied to both sides of the blade, the film
`may be applied to both sides of the blade in a single process
`or the process may be repeated for each side of the blade.
`
`[0027] Specific embodiments of an invention are disclosed
`herein. One of ordinary skill in the computing and financial
`arts will quickly recognize that the invention has other
`applications in other environments. Many embodiments are
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1012-008
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`

`

`US 2007/0079520 AI
`
`Apr. 12, 2007
`
`3
`
`possible. The following claims are in no way intended to
`limit the scope of the invention to the specific embodiments
`described above.
`
`1. A blade for a tape measure comprising:
`
`a blade made of steel and having a first surface;
`
`a transparent film secured to said first surface, wherein
`said film is secured to said first surface by adhesive; and
`
`markings on said film and visible through said film.
`2. (canceled)
`3. The blade of claim 1 wherein said markings are printed
`on said film.
`4. The blade of claim 1 wherein said markings are length
`indicia.
`5. (canceled)
`6. The blade of claim 1 wherein said film has an inner
`surface and an outer surface said inner surface being secured
`to said first surface and said markings being made on said
`inner surface.
`7. The blade of claim 1 wherein said film extends over
`substantially the entire first surface.
`8. The blade of claim 4 wherein the markings are English
`units.
`9. The blade of claim 4 wherein the markings are metric
`units.
`10. The blade of claim 1 wherein the film is permanently
`secured to said blade.
`11. A tape measure comprising:
`
`a housing for retaining a blade;
`
`a blade made of steel and having a first surface;
`
`a transparent film secured to said first surface, wherein
`said film is secured to said first surface by adhesive; and
`
`markings on said film and visible through said film.
`12. The tape measure of claim 11 wherein the blade can
`be extended from and retracted into the housing.
`13. The tape measure of claim 11 wherein a spring retracts
`the blade into the housing.
`14. The tape measure of claim 11 wherein the blade
`supports an end hook at one end thereof.
`
`15. A method of making a blade for a tape measure
`comprising:
`
`providing a blade having a first surface;
`
`securing a transparent film to said first surface using
`adhesive wherein said film has a second surface and an
`edge along said first and second surfaces, and said step
`of securing a transparent film includes applying said
`film to the first surface and the second surface and
`wrapping said film around said edge; and
`
`providing markings on said film, said markings being
`visible through said film.
`16. The method of claim 15 further printing said markings
`on said film.
`17. (canceled)
`18. The method of claim 15 wherein said film has an inner
`surface and an outer surface, securing said inner surface to
`said first surface and providing said markings on said inner
`surface.
`19. The method of claim 15 extending said film over
`substantially the entire first surface and second surface.
`20. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of securing
`includes applying adhesive to said film to permanently
`secure the film to the blade.
`21. The method of claim 15 wherein said markings
`include measurement indicia.
`22. A tape measure comprising:
`
`a housing for retaining a blade;
`
`a blade having a first surface, a second surface and an
`edge extending along said first surface and said second
`surface;
`
`a transparent film secured to said blade, said transparent
`film having a top portion that extends over and is
`attached to the first surface and a bottom portion that
`extends over and is attached to the second surface
`where said film is wrapped around said edge of the
`blade; and
`
`markings on said film and visible through said film.
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1012-009
`
`