111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US 20130067759Al
`
`(19) United States
`c12) Patent Application Publication
`Murray et al.
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2013/0067759 A1
`Mar. 21, 2013
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) TAPE RULE BLADE WITH VARIABLE
`THICKNESS COATING
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`USPC ............................................................ 33/761
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: John C. Murray, Canton, CT (US);
`John Delneo, Middletown, CT (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: STANLEY BLACK & DECKER,
`INC., New Britain, CT (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/238,792
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Sep.21,2011
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`GOJB 3110
`
`(2006.01)
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A tape rule assembly includes a housing; a reel rotatably
`mounted in the housing; an elongated blade wound on the reel
`and extendable through an opening in the housing, the blade
`having a distal end; a hook connected to the blade at the distal
`end; and a coil spring within the housing and configured to
`rotate the reel in the housing in a direction to wind up the
`blade. The elongated blade has a coating provided on at least
`one side thereof. The coating has a first thickness at a first
`portion proximate the distal end, a second thickness at a
`second portion of the blade that is rearward to the first portion
`and a third thickness at a third portion of the blade that is
`rearward of the second portion. The second thickness is less
`than the first thickness and the third thickness is less than the
`second thickness.
`
`12
`
`10 \
`
`44
`
`~68
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1015-001
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Mar. 21, 2013 Sheet 1 of 11
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`US 2013/0067759 A1
`
`12
`
`10
`
`\
`
`44
`
`®r-68
`
`FIG. l
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1015-002
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Mar. 21, 2013 Sheet 2 of 11
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`US 2013/0067759 Al
`
`10~
`
`48
`40
`
`22
`
`34
`
`___j
`4,5
`
`FIG. 2
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1015-003
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Mar. 21, 2013 Sheet 3 of 11
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`US 2013/0067759 Al
`
`12
`
`10
`
`\
`
`40
`
`34
`
`6~
`
`107
`
`FIG. 3
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1015-004
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Mar. 21, 2013 Sheet 4 of 11
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`US 2013/0067759 Al
`
`10
`I
`
`15
`
`37
`
`97
`
`FIG. 4
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1015-005
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`Patent Application Publication Mar. 21, 2013 Sheet 5 of 11
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`US 2013/0067759 Al
`
`52
`
`82
`
`10
`
`}
`
`107
`
`38
`
`FIG. 5
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1015-006
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`Patent Application Publication Mar. 21, 2013 Sheet 6 of 11
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`US 2013/0067759 Al
`
`FIG. 6
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1015-007
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Mar. 21, 2013 Sheet 7 of 11
`
`US 2013/0067759 Al
`
`34
`
`34
`
`252
`
`17
`
`17
`
`91
`FIG. 7A
`
`91
`FIG. 7B
`
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`Patent Application Publication Mar. 21, 2013 Sheet 8 of 11
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`US 2013/0067759 Al
`
`34
`
`34
`
`FIG. 8
`
`17 254
`
`17
`
`17
`
`FIG. 9
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1015-009
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`Patent Application Publication Mar. 21, 2013 Sheet 9 of 11
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`US 2013/0067759 Al
`
`280
`
`282
`
`284
`
`17
`
`91
`FIG. 10
`
`FIG. ll
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1015-010
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`Patent Application Publication Mar. 21, 2013 Sheet 10 of 11
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`US 2013/0067759 A1
`
`16
`
`17
`
`252
`
`.
`
`250
`
`293lf:P7?1tt1z'z'fP:fn~~;zt;zb:z1z~r295
`
`280
`
`17
`
`284
`91
`FIG. llA
`
`254
`
`282
`
`256" 250 FIG. 12
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1015-011
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`Patent Application Publication Mar. 21, 2013 Sheet 11 of 11
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`US 2013/0067759 Al
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`50
`
`42
`
`FIG. 13
`
`284
`FIG. 14
`
`282
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1015-012
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`

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`US 2013/0067759 AI
`
`Mar. 21, 2013
`
`TAPE RULE BLADE WITH VARIABLE
`THICKNESS COATING
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Field
`
`[0001] The present disclosure relates to tape rule assem(cid:173)
`blies.
`[0002] A typical tape rule assembly includes an elongated
`thin metal rule blade or measuring tape that is mounted on a
`reel rotatably disposed within a housing. The rule blade is
`wound on a reel in the housing by an internal coil spring. To
`measure a work-piece or distance, a length of the rule blade is
`pulled out of the housing to span the work -piece or distance to
`be measured so that gradation lines and/or numbers printed
`on the blade can be read. To measure a distance between two
`objects or surfaces, a blade hook at the free end of the blade
`may be temporarily secured or placed against an object or
`surface.
`[0003] The present disclosure provides several improve(cid:173)
`ments over the prior art.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`[0004] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a tape
`rule assembly that includes a housing, a reel rotatably
`mounted in the housing, an elongated blade wound on the reel
`and extendable through an opening in the housing, the blade
`having a distal end, a hook connected to the blade at the distal
`end, and a coil spring within the housing and configured to
`rotate the reel in the housing in a direction to wind up the
`blade. The elongated blade has a coating provided on at least
`one side thereof. The coating has a first thickness at a first
`portion proximate the distal end, a second thickness at a
`second portion of the blade that is rearward to the first portion
`and a third thickness at a third portion of the blade that is
`rearward of the second portion. The second thickness is less
`than the first thickness and the third thickness is less than the
`second thickness.
`[0005] These and other aspects of the present disclosure, as
`well as the methods of operation and functions of the related
`elements of structure and the combination of parts and econo(cid:173)
`mies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon con(cid:173)
`sideration of the following description and the appended
`claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of
`which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference
`numerals designate corresponding parts in the various fig(cid:173)
`ures. In one embodiment, the structural components illus(cid:173)
`trated can be considered are drawn to scale. It is to be
`expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the
`purpose of illustration and description only and are not
`intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
`It shall also be appreciated that the features of one embodi(cid:173)
`ment disclosed herein can be used in other embodiments
`disclosed herein. As used in the specification and in the
`claims, the singular form of "a", "an", and "the" include
`plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0006] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a tape rule
`assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present
`disclosure;
`
`[0007] FIG. 2 shows a front of elevational view of the rule
`assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present
`invention;
`[0008] FIG. 3 shows a side of elevational view of the rule
`assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present
`invention;
`[0009] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the tape rule
`assembly taken through the line 4-4 in FIG. 2 showing a blade
`thereof in a fully retracted configuration in accordance with
`an embodiment of the present invention;
`[0010] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 except showing the
`blade in a fully extended configuration in accordance with an
`embodiment of the present invention;
`[0011] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken through the
`line 6-6 in FIG. 3;
`[0012] FIG. 7A shows a cross-section of configuration of
`the blade with coating on concave side thereof, wherein the
`coating is made thinner in a continuous manner such that it
`reduces in thickness as it extends away from distal end of the
`blade in accordance with an embodiment of the present dis(cid:173)
`closure;
`[0013] FIG. 7B shows a cross-section of configuration of
`the blade with coating on the concave side thereof, wherein
`the coating is made thinner in a step-wise manner in accor(cid:173)
`dance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
`[0014] FIG. 8 shows a cross-section of configuration of the
`blade with coating on the concave side thereof, wherein first
`and third thicknesses of the coating are substantially uniform,
`while second thickness of the coating is substantially variable
`(tapered) in accordance with an embodiment of the present
`disclosure;
`[0015] FIG. 9 shows a cross-section of configuration of the
`blade with coating on both concave side and convex side
`thereof, wherein the coating on the concave side is made
`thinner in a step-wise manner, while the coating on the convex
`side is made thinner in a continuous manner in accordance
`with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
`[0016] FIG. 10 shows a transverse cross-sectional view
`taken through a portion of the extended blade, wherein the
`coating at transverse edge sections of the blade is thicker than
`at a central section of the blade in accordance with an embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the present disclosure;
`[0017] FIG. 11 shows a transverse cross-sectional view
`taken through a portion of the blade, when the blade is in a
`flattened configuration, with the coating thereon in accor(cid:173)
`dance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
`[0018] FIG. 11A shows a transverse cross-sectional view
`taken through a portion of the blade, wherein the coating
`extends from the concave side to side edges and then onto the
`convex side in accordance with an embodiment of the present
`disclosure;
`[0019] FIG. 12 shows another cross-section of configura(cid:173)
`tion of the blade with coating on both concave side and
`convex side thereof, wherein the coating includes a plurality
`of sub-layers in accordance with an embodiment of the
`present disclosure;
`[0020] FIG. 13 shows a cross-section view of a fragment of
`the tape rule assembly taken through the line 13-13 ofFIG. 4;
`and
`[0021] FIG. 14 shows another transverse cross-sectional
`view taken through a portion of the extended blade, wherein
`the coating covers only a portion of the width of the blade in
`accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1015-013
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`

`

`US 2013/0067759 AI
`
`Mar. 21, 2013
`
`2
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0022] FIGS. 1-7B and 13 show a tape rule assembly 10 in
`accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
`The tape rule assembly 10 includes a housing 12, a reel14
`rotatably mounted in the housing 12, an elongated blade 16
`wound on the reel14 and extendable through an opening 22 in
`the housing 12, the blade 16 having a distal end 20, a hook 34
`connected to the blade 16 at the distal end20, and a coil spring
`32 within the housing 12 and configured to rotate the reel14
`in the housing 12 in a direction to wind up the blade 16. The
`elongated blade 16 has a coating 250 provided on at least one
`side 252 or 254 thereof. The coating 250 has a first thickness
`T 1 at a first portion 256 proximate the distal end 20, a second
`thickness T 2 at a second portion 258 of the blade 16 that is
`rearward to the first portion 256, and a third thickness T 3 at a
`third portion 260 of the blade 16 that is rearward of the second
`portion 258. The second thickness T2 is less than the first
`thickness T 1 and the third thickness T 3 is less than the second
`thickness T 2 . In addition, the coating 250 may optionally have
`even thinner portions (thinner than T 3 ) at regions of the blade
`16 that are further away from the distal end20 of the blade 16.
`In addition, in other embodiments, rather than the coating
`thickness being reduced in a step-wise manner, the coating
`250 may be made thinner in a continuous manner, such that it
`reduces in thickness as it extends away from the distal end 20.
`See,for example, the embodiment ofFIG. 7 A. In one embodi(cid:173)
`ment, the continuous reduction in thickness exists for sub(cid:173)
`stantially full length of the blade 16. In another embodiment,
`the continuous reduction in thickness, or the step-wise reduc(cid:173)
`tion in thickness, exists for only a portion of the blade 16.
`In terms of the continuously reducing thickness
`[0023]
`coating will still have a first thickness T 1 at the first portion
`256 of the blade 16 proximate the distal end 20, a second
`thickness T 2 that is rearward of the first portion 256 (and
`thinner than the first portion 256), and a third thickness T 3 at
`the third portion 260 of the blade 16 that is rearward of the
`second portion 258 (and thinner than the second portion 258).
`In one non-limiting embodiment, the first, second and third
`portions 256, 258, and 260 of the blade 16 at which coating
`thickness measurements are taken can be anywhere along the
`length of the blade 16. In another embodiment, the continu(cid:173)
`ously reducing thickness exists only on portions of the blade
`16. For example, in one embodiment, the diminishing coating
`thickness exists for less than one-half the blade length.
`[0024]
`In one embodiment, the housing 12 is constructed to
`easily and comfortably fit in a hand of the user and houses the
`measuring tape or blade 16, a retraction or return spring 32 (as
`shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6) and other cooperating compo(cid:173)
`nents. The details of the internal structure of the housing 12
`and the measuring tape or blade 16 mounted therein are
`shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6.
`
`In one embodiment, the housing 12 is constructed
`[0025]
`of, for example, a molded plastic material. In various embodi(cid:173)
`ments, the housing 12, for example, may be of the type
`described in commonly assigned U.S. Patent Application Ser.
`No. 61/475,121, which is hereby incorporated by reference in
`its entirety.
`
`[0026] As shown in FIG. 6, the housing 12 includes a pair of
`cooperating housing members 40, 42. Each housing member
`40, 42 includes an end wall44, 46, respectively, and a periph(cid:173)
`eral wall 48, 50, respectively, extending from a periphery of
`the end walls and terminating in a free edge 52, 54, respec-
`
`tively. The pair of cooperating housing members 40, 42 are
`joined to one another in cooperating relation to define the
`housing 12.
`[0027] When the housing members 40, 42 are fixed
`together in the assembled rule assembly 10, the free edges 52,
`54 are interengaged as shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIGS. 4
`and 5, a plurality of axially extending fasteners 58 extend
`through one of the housing members 42 and threadedly
`engage the other housing member 40 at spaced positions in
`the respective end walls 44, 46 adjacent the peripheral walls
`48, 50.
`[0028] A clip 77 may be secured to one side of the housing
`12 by fasteners or bolts 68. The clip 77 can be used to attach
`the rule assembly 10 to the belt of a user, or other attachment
`point. In one embodiment, the belt clip 77 is made from, for
`example, a metal material.
`[0029] As can be appreciated from FIGS. 4 and 5, the reel
`14 is rotatable in the housing 12 and the measuring tape 16 is
`wound on the reel14. The reel14 is mounted in the housing
`12 by the axle or reel spindle 15.
`[0030]
`In one embodiment, the reel 14 is provided with a
`slot or an opening 26 in a central cylindrical wall portion 28
`thereof. One end 18 of the blade 16 terminates in a hook-like
`structure 30 that engages a first longitudinal end 35 of the
`return spring 32 to connect the end 18 of the blade 16 to the
`return spring 32 (FIGS. 4 and 5).
`[0031] The reel14 includes two reel members 78, 80 (FIG.
`6) that provide circular side walls and cylindrical wall portion
`or hub 28 about which the blade or measuring tape 16 is
`wound.
`In one embodiment, each reel member 78, 80
`[0032]
`includes an outwardly extending cylindrical wall portion 88,
`90, respectively, formed at least near a position at which the
`reel spindle or axle 15 joins the housing 12. In one embodi(cid:173)
`ment, an annular edge portion 84 on the wall portion 82 is
`received within an annular groove 86 formed within the reel
`member 80 to help hold the reel14 together, although other
`areas and types of connections are contemplated.
`[0033] The axle or reel spindle 15 extends within the hous(cid:173)
`ing 12. The reel 14 is rotatably mounted on the axle or reel
`spindle 15. The axially extending spindle 15 is fixed at a
`central portion of the housing 12. In one embodiment, the
`fixed spindle 15 has a noncircular interengaging recess-pro(cid:173)
`jection connection (shown in FIG. 6 and described below) at
`each end thereof generally with a central interior region 62,
`64, respectively, of the end walls 44, 46 of the housing 12.
`Each end of the fixed spindle 15 is interiorly threaded to
`threadedly receive the bolts 68 therein. The bolts 68 extend
`through central holes 70, 72 formed in the respective adjacent
`end walls 44, 46 of the housing 12 and threadedly engage
`internal threading 73 in each end of the spindle 15. Each bolt
`68 extends through a recess-projection connection 75, when
`each bolt 68 is disposed in a respective central hole 70, 72 and
`threaded interior 73.
`[0034] The construction of the recess-projection connec(cid:173)
`tions 75 between the ends of the spindle 15 and the walls 44,
`46 is shown in cross-section in FIG. 6. Each recess-projection
`connection 75 is identical. In one embodiment, projections 74
`having exterior noncircular cross-sections are integrally
`formed on the walls 44, 46 and are received within recesses 7 6
`having complementary non-circular interior cross-sections
`formed on each end of the spindle 15. The non circular interior
`and exterior cross-sections cooperate to prevent rotation of
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1015-014
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`US 2013/0067759 AI
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`Mar. 21, 2013
`
`3
`
`the spindle 15 with respect to the housing 12 when the ends of
`the spindle 15 are mounted on the projections 74 in the
`assembled rule assembly 10.
`In the embodiment ofFIG. 6, each end of the spindle
`[0035]
`15 extends through a hole 79 of circular cross-section formed
`in opposite sides of the reel14. The portions of the spindle 15
`that extend through the holes 79 in the reel14 have cylindrical
`outer surfaces. A flange 81 on the spindle 15 engages an
`annular groove 83 in the reel 14 surrounding the hole or
`opening 79 to guide the rotation of the reel on the spindle.
`Thus, the reel14 is rotatably mounted on the spindle 15 for
`bi-directional rotational movement of the reel14. As shown in
`FIGS. 4 and 6, the spindle 15 is internally slotted to receive
`the one longitudinal end 37 of the spring 32 to thereby secure
`the one end 37 of the spring 32 to the spindle 15.
`[0036] The retraction spring 32 is constructed and arranged
`between the housing 12 and the reel14 to rotate the reel14
`with respect to the housing 12 in a direction to wind the
`elongated blade 16 about the reel14 into the housing 12. The
`retraction spring 32 is generally enclosed within the central
`wall portion 28 of the reel 14 (FIGS. 4, 5 and 6). The first
`longitudinal end 35 of the retraction spring 32 extends
`through the opening 26 and engages the first longitudinal end
`18 of the blade 16, and the second longitudinal end 37 of the
`retraction spring 32 hookingly engages within a slot 39
`formed in the spindle 15 to fix the end 37 of the spring 32. In
`one embodiment, the spring 32 is a thin, flat ribbon of metal
`(e.g., the metal being steel).
`[0037]
`In one embodiment, the blade 16 is formed of a
`ribbon of metal (e.g., the metal being steel), and the top
`concave surface of the blade is printed with measuring lines
`and digits (not shown) for measuring lengths and distances.
`The blade 16 is wonnd on the reel14 and the distal end of the
`blade 16 is arranged to extend outwardly through the opening
`22 provided in the housing 12 (as shown, for example, in FIG.
`1).
`[0038] The blade or measuring tape 16 is generally mov(cid:173)
`able between a fully retracted position and a fully extended
`position. The fully retracted position of the blade 16 is shown
`in FIG. 4 and the fully extended position of the blade is shown
`(in fragmentary view) in FIG. 5. It can be appreciated from a
`comparison of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 that as the blade is unwound
`from the reel14, the spring 32 is wonnd more tightly around
`the rigidly fixed axle or reel spindle 15. This winding of the
`spring around the spindle stores energy in the spring to pro(cid:173)
`vide spring powered rewinding of the blade 16 around the reel
`14 when the extended blade is released.
`[0039] The blade 16 is constructed of a ribbon of sheet
`metal 91 that is shaped during the manufacturing to have a
`normal or memory configuration that has a generally arcuate
`or concavo-convex transverse cross-section. In one embodi(cid:173)
`ment, the thickness of the elongated blade 16 may be within
`the range of 0.0045 to 0.0063 inches. The blade 16 also
`comprises a paint layer 17 provided on the metal base mate(cid:173)
`rial91, and the coating 250 as will be described later. When a
`portion of the blade 16 is wonnd about the reel14, the wound
`portion has a flat transverse cross-section and the wound
`layers of the coiled blade provide the wonnd blade with an
`abutting volute coil configuration. In other words, when the
`blade 16 is wonnd around the reel 14, it has the flat cross(cid:173)
`section and when the blade 16 is withdrawn from the housing
`12 to measure an object, it returns to the concavo-convex
`cross-section. Thus, the spring 32 is constructed and arranged
`between the housing 12 (or the spindle 15) and the reel14 to
`
`rotate the reel14 about the axle or reel spindle 15 in a direc(cid:173)
`tion to wind up the elongated blade 16 when extending out(cid:173)
`wardly of the housing opening 22 in a normal concavo-con(cid:173)
`vex cross-sectional configuration onto the reel 14 in an
`abutting volute coil formation in a flattened cross-sectional
`configuration.
`[0040]
`In various embodiments, the blade 16 can be of the
`type described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,324,
`7 69, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
`In another embodiment, the blade may not include a concavo(cid:173)
`convex cross-section but may include any other cross-sec(cid:173)
`tional configurations.
`[0041] The free end of the blade 16 is frequently handled by
`the user and this handling can over time cause the numbering
`and markings provided by the paint layer 17 on the concave
`side 252 of the blade 16 to wear off or become difficult to read.
`When applied to the concave side 252 of the blade, the coating
`250 of the present disclosure prevents this because it covers
`the paint layer 17 of the blade 16 and thereby protects the
`same.
`[0042] The housing 12 includes a fitment 118 (FIG. 13)
`which forms a part of the housing opening 22 adjacent the
`convex side 254 of the blade 16. The fitment 118 is an essen(cid:173)
`tially U -shaped structure having a transversely extending
`cross member 115 and two upstanding arms 117 extending
`upwardly from opposite sides of the cross member 115. The
`cross member 115 defines the lower edge of the housing
`opening 22; a bottom surface 170 of the cross member 115 is
`flush with the adjacent surface portion 107 of the bottom wall
`109 so that a bottom surface portion of the fitment 118 forms
`part of the bottom surface of the housing 12 adjacent the
`opening 22. The fitment 118 may be an integral molded
`plastic structure. The fitment 118 is held within appropriately
`sized opposing recesses 121,123 (FIG. 13) formed in the
`respective housing members 40, 42 and which recesses are
`disposed on opposite sides of the opening 22 when the hous(cid:173)
`ing members 40, 42 are secured together. The cross member
`115 of the fitment 118 has a plurality of tangentially extend(cid:173)
`ing, transversely spaced elongated ridges 120 which define
`surfaces 125 along the bottom of the opening 22 for engaging
`and supporting the convex side 254 of the blade 16 extending
`tangentially from the reel14 of the housing assembly opening
`22. Thus, the ridges 120 slidably engage the convex side 254
`of the blade 16 and provide a low friction engagement
`between the housing 12 and blade 16.
`[0043] The elongated blade 16 has the end hook member 34
`(FIGS. 1 and 4) on the free end 20 thereof. The elongated
`blade 16 is arranged to be wound on the reel 14 and to be
`extendable through the opening 22 in the housing 12. As
`shown in FIGS. 1-3, the end hook member 34 is mounted on
`the free end 20 of the blade 16 with the mounting portion 150
`thereof secured in engagement with a concave (upper) side of
`the free end 20 of the blade 16 and in overlying relation
`thereto. The mounting portion 150 is provided with large
`holes 167 and a plurality of rivets 169 extend through the
`holes 167 to mount the end hook member 34 to the blade 16.
`In one embodiment, the blade hook, for example, may be of
`the type disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/898,
`275 or 12/898,352, hereby incorporated by reference in their
`entirety.
`In one embodiment, a holding assembly 124 is con(cid:173)
`[0044]
`structed and arranged to be manually actuated to hold the
`blade or measuring tape 16 in any position of extension out(cid:173)
`wardly of the housing opening 22 and to release the blade 16
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1015-015
`
`

`

`US 2013/0067759 AI
`
`Mar. 21, 2013
`
`4
`
`from any position in which it is held. The structure and opera(cid:173)
`tion of the holding assembly 124 is best appreciated from a
`comparison of FIGS. 4 and 5. The holding assembly 124
`includes a holding member 126 mounted on the housing 12
`for movement in opposite directions between a normally
`inoperative position (FIG. 4) and a holding position (FIG. 5).
`In one embodiment, the holding assembly 124 can be of the
`type, for example, described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat.
`No. 6,324,769, which is hereby incorporated by reference in
`its entirety.
`[0045] FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B show cross-section configu(cid:173)
`rations of the blade 16 with the coating 250 on the concave
`side 252 thereof. In FIG. 7 A, the coating 250 is made thinner
`in a continuous manner such that it reduces in thickness as it
`extends away from distal end of the blade, while the coating
`250 in FIG. 7B is made thinner in a step-wise manner.
`[0046] The blade 16 has a layer of paint on both sides 252
`and 254 thereof, with the paint on the concave side 252 of the
`blade 16 providing measuring indicia. In one embodiment,
`the paint layer 17 on each side 252 or 254 of the blade 16
`preferably has a thickness of about 0.0006 inches-0.0014
`inches. In one embodiment, a water-based paint or a solvent(cid:173)
`based paint may be used. In some embodiments, a wear
`resistant paint or ink may be used to provide the measuring
`indicia.
`In one embodiment, in order to reduce wear and/or
`[0047]
`prevent corrosion and rust, the paint layer 17 on both sides
`252 and 254 of the blade 16 is coated with the protective
`coating 250. That is, the protective coating 250 is provided on
`the paint layer 17 of the blade 16.
`[0048] The coating 250 encapsulates the measuring indicia
`provided by the paint layer 17. That is, in one embodiment,
`the measuring indicia are painted on the blade 16, and the
`painted indicia is encapsulated between the metal blade mate(cid:173)
`rial 91 and the coating 250. In one embodiment, the coating
`250 may provide a wear-resistant layer that reduces or inhib(cid:173)
`its wear of the measuring indicia on the blade 16. It also may
`provide a sealing function to inhibit rust formation on the
`blade 16.
`[0049]
`In one embodiment, the protective coating 250 is
`self-adhering. In another embodiment, an acrylic adhesive
`may be used to adhere the coating 250 to the blade 16 (i.e.,
`over the paint layer 17). In yet another embodiment, heated or
`ultra-violet (U.V) processes may be used to adhere the coat(cid:173)
`ing 250 to the blade 16 (i.e., over the paint layer 17).
`[0050]
`In one embodiment, the coating 250 is made from a
`non-metallic material. In another embodiment, any appropri(cid:173)
`ate flexible or semi-flexible material may be used for the
`coating 250, including Mylar®, Polyester, Nylon®, Lacquer
`or Acrylic. In some embodiments, an appropriate thermoset,
`rubber, thermoplastic, thermoplastic elastomer, polyamide,
`polyvinyl, silicone, polyimide, polyethylene, fluoropolymer,
`polycarbonate or polyethylene terephthalate may be also
`used, for example.
`[0051] The coating 250 has a first thickness T 1 at a first
`portion 256 proximate the distal end 20, a second thickness T 2
`at a second portion 258 of the blade 16 that is rearward to the
`first portion 256, and a third thickness T 3 at a third portion 260
`of the blade 16 that is rearward of the second portion 258.
`[0052]
`In the illustrated embodiment, shown in FIGS. 7-9,
`the coating 250 may include three portions 256, 258 and 260
`having thicknesses T 1 , T 2 and T 3 , respectively. However, the
`number of variable thickness portions that are located along
`the length of the blade 16 can vary significantly in number.
`
`For example, in other embodiments, the coating 250 may
`include two variable thickness portions or four (or more)
`variable thickness portions. In one embodiment, the first por(cid:173)
`tion 256, the second portion 258, and the third portion 260 are
`adjacent each other to provide a coating that is continuous in
`length.
`In one embodiment, the second thickness T 2 is less
`[0053]
`than the first thickness T 1 and the third thickness T 3 is less
`than the second thickness T 2 and the first thickness T 1 . The
`coating 250 is thicker at the distal blade end 20 of the blade 16
`and has reduced thickness away from the distal blade end 20
`of the blade 16. In an embodiment where a continuous
`decreasing thickness is provided, the largest thickness may be
`greater than 0.003 inches, and the smallest thickness bay be
`less than 0.0005 inches. In one embodiment, the thickness
`range may be between 0.005 and 0.0003 inches.
`In one embodiment, the first thickness T 1 is gener(cid:173)
`[0054]
`ally between about 0.005 inches and about 0.002 inches, the
`second thickness T 2 is generally between about 0.002 inches
`and about 0.0005 inches, and the third thickness T3 is gener(cid:173)
`ally between about 0.0005 inches and about 0.0003 inches.
`[0055]
`In one embodiment, the length of the first portion
`256 is L 1 , the length of the second portion 258 is L2 and the
`length of the third portion 260 is L3 . In one embodiment, the
`lengths Lu L2 , L3 of the first, second and third portions 256,
`258 and 260 are substantially the same. In another embodi(cid:173)
`ment, the lengths L1 , L2 , L3 of the first, second and third
`portions 256, 258 and 260 are different from each other.
`[0056]
`In one embodiment, the first thickness coating is
`placed over several leading inches of the free end 20 of the
`blade 16, including the portion of the blade 16 on which the
`hook member 34 is disposed so that the first thickness coating
`goes nnder the hook member 34 all the way to the free end 20
`of the blade 16. In one embodiment, the length L1 of the first
`thickness coating may range generally between approxi(cid:173)
`mately 2 inches to approximately 18 inches.
`[0057]
`In one embodiment, the coating 250 covers substan(cid:173)
`tially an entire length L of the blade 16. In such an embodi(cid:173)
`ment, the sum of the lengths of the first, second and third
`portions 256, 258 and 260 is equal to the entire length L of the
`blade 16. That is, L 1 +L2 +L3 =L.
`[0058]
`In another embodiment, the coating 250 extends
`along a portion of the entire length L of the blade 16. In such
`an embodiment, the sum of the lengths of the first, second and
`third portions 256, 258 and 260 is less than the entire length L
`of the blade 16. That is, L 1 +L2 +L3<L. For example, the coat(cid:173)
`ing 250 may extend about one-half, about two-thirds, about
`three-fourths, or any other portion of the entire length L of the
`blade 16. A range ofbetween about 25% to about 100% of the
`entire length L of the blade 16 may provide an increase in the
`blade life (durability) while maintaining ergonomically com(cid:173)
`pact grippable outer housing.
`In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7B, the first
`[0059]
`thickness T 1 is substantially uniform along the length L 1 of
`the first portion 256, the second thickness T 2 is substantially
`uniform along the length L2 of the second portion 258, and the
`third thickness T 3 is substantially uniform along the L3 of the
`third portion 260. In such an embodiment, as shown in FIG.
`7B, the coating 250 has a stepped cross-sectional configura(cid:173)
`tion.
`In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7A, the
`[0060]
`first thickness T 1 is substantially variable along the along the
`length L 1 of the first portion 256, the second thickness T 2 is
`substantially variable along the length L2 of the second por-
`
`APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC - EX. 1015-016