JP2007033407A - Tape measure - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a novel tape measure provided with a lock device that can stably and automatically lock a fed measuring tape with a simple structure and can be smoothly unlocked.
A tape measure 1 includes a lock device 7 including a lock release operation button 9 integrally connected to a lock lever 8. The lock lever 8 is wound on a measuring tape feeding portion 2b of a main body case 2. An elastic member 11 supported so as to be swingable around a support shaft 11 parallel to the shaft 10 and interposed between the lock lever 8 and the main body case 2 is always urged in the winding direction of the measuring tape 3 and measured. When the tape 3 is fed out, the measuring tape 3 is slidably brought into contact with the distal end working portion 8a of the lock lever 8, and the feeding is allowed. When the feeding output is not applied after the measuring tape 3 is fed, the lock lever 8 swings in the winding direction by the urging force of the elastic member 11 so that the measuring tape 3 is moved to the distal end working portion 8a of the lock lever 8 and the main body case 2. The inner wall portion 2c is locked and locked.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a tape measure provided with a lock device capable of storing a measuring tape in a main body case so that the measuring tape can be wound or fed and locking the measuring tape in a feeding position.

  Conventionally, a tape measure that has been used to wind up and store a long measuring tape made of steel plate, woven fabric, plastic material, etc. in the main body case and to feed it to the desired length from its feed opening when in use is used in industries such as construction sites. Widely used in fields and general households. In addition to the manual winding method, many automatic winding methods using the return force of the spring spring are employed for the winding. Further, as the measuring tape made of a steel plate, a measuring tape that is curved in the width direction (convex) and that can be kept linear by its shape memory property when being fed is adopted. When using the automatic winding type tape measure as described above, the measuring tape is fed out to a desired length against the return force (winding mounting force) of the mainspring. At this time, since the winding attachment force is always applied to the measurement tape, the measurement tape is automatically wound up when it is released after being taken out. Therefore, in this type of automatic winding type tape measure, some locking means is attached to keep the measuring tape locked at a desired feeding position.

Conventionally, as the lock means, a mechanism has been employed in which the operation button is slid and the measurement tape is restrained and locked by a lock member interlocked with the operation button. However, in the case of such a mechanism, since it is necessary to lock the operation button after feeding out the measuring tape, it cannot be denied that there is a sense of complexity in operation. In view of this, a mechanism has been developed and put into practical use in which a measuring tape is automatically locked just by being unwound and released, and is automatically wound when the unlocking operation button is operated. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a tape measure provided with such a locking device.
International Publication No. 03/064964 Pamphlet

  In the lock device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a cylinder is slidably connected to a swing end of a lock lever supported so as to be swingable back and forth by a hinge pin. A wedge-shaped stopper is fixed to the tip of the coil, and a coil spring is elastically mounted between the stopper and the lock lever. The stopper is always urged by the coil spring so as to come into contact with the linear portion of the measuring tape positioned at the feeding portion and the winding outermost peripheral portion of the measuring tape wound around the winding bobbin. When the measurement tape is fed out, the measurement tape comes into sliding contact with the surface of the stopper, and the feeding is allowed. Then, when the measuring tape is released at a desired feeding position, the measuring tape tends to be rewound by the winding attachment force, but the wedge-shaped stopper is separated from the linear portion of the measuring tape by the biasing force of the coil spring. The measurement tape is displaced so as to bite into a substantially triangular portion formed by the outermost periphery of the winding, and the measuring tape is restrained by its wedge action, and its unwinding is prevented (locked). This unlocking is performed by pressing the anti-swing end side of the lock lever and using the reaction to loosen the stopper into the substantially triangular portion.

  The stopper bites into the substantially triangular portion because the coil spring biasing force synergizes with the winding attachment biasing force acting on the linear portion and the winding outermost periphery of the measuring tape. Maintenance is done. However, since the biting force is strong, even if the unlocking operation as described above is performed, the biting of the stopper into the substantially triangular portion may not be smoothly reduced. In addition, the outermost circumference of the winding of the measuring tape changes in diameter depending on the feeding length of the measuring tape, and the shape of the substantially triangular portion also changes. It is expected that the lock state changes depending on the feeding length. Further, since it is necessary to prepare and assemble a plurality of parts such as a lock lever, a cylinder, a coil spring, and a stopper, the number of parts is increased, which is expected to cause high costs.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a novel tape measure provided with a lock device that can stably and automatically lock the fed measuring tape with a simple configuration and can also be smoothly unlocked. The purpose is to do.

  The tape measure according to the invention of claim 1 includes a main body case, a measuring tape housed in the main body case so as to be wound and fed around a winding shaft, and a biasing means for winding and biasing the measuring tape. A tape measure provided with a lock device that locks and holds the measuring tape fed out against the biasing force of the biasing means at the feed position, and the lock device is integrally connected to the lock lever. The lock lever is supported at the measuring tape feeding portion of the main body case so as to be swingable around a support shaft parallel to the take-up shaft, and between the lock lever and the main body case. The measuring tape is always urged in the winding direction of the measuring tape by an elastic member interposed between them, and when the measuring tape is fed, the measuring tape is slidably contacted with the tip acting portion of the lock lever, and the feeding is allowed. When the output is no longer applied, the lock lever is swung in the winding direction by the urging force of the elastic member, and the measuring tape is brought into close contact with the tip acting portion of the lock lever and the inner wall portion of the main body case. It is characterized by being locked.

  According to the present invention, as in the invention of claim 2, the lock release operation button is operated to press the lock lever to swing the lock lever in the measuring tape feeding direction, thereby releasing the lock. Thus, the measuring tape can be automatically wound by the winding mounting force. According to a third aspect of the present invention, it is desirable that the distal end working portion of the lock lever has a shape curved in the feeding direction of the measuring tape. Further, as in the invention of claim 4, an elastic friction member can be attached to the tip acting portion of the lock lever. As this elastic friction member, rubber, sponge, felt or the like is employed. In addition, as in the invention of claim 5, it is also possible to form a concave groove along the longitudinal direction of the measuring tape in the central portion in the lower surface width direction of the tip acting portion of the lock lever.

  In the tape measure according to the first aspect of the present invention, the lock device is integrally connected to the lock lever supported on the main body case so as to be swingable around a support shaft parallel to the winding shaft of the measuring tape. In addition, since it has a lock release operation button, the structure is simple with a small number of parts, and there is no fear of increasing the product cost. In addition, when the measuring tape is fed out, the measuring tape is allowed to slide in contact with the tip acting portion of the lock lever and the feeding is allowed, and when the feeding output is not added after feeding out the measuring tape, the lock lever is moved by the biasing force of the elastic member. Since the measuring tape is rocked in the winding direction, it is automatically locked without requiring a troublesome operation of the operation button for locking. In addition, since the measuring tape is locked by being fitted between the distal end working portion of the lock lever and the inner wall portion of the main body case, the linear portion of the measuring tape and the outermost winding circumference as in the conventional example. There is no possibility that the stopper will bite into the substantially triangular part with the part, and the lock will not be released smoothly, and the lock state may change due to the diameter change of the winding outermost part of the measuring tape. Absent.

  Further, if the unlocking operation button is configured as in the invention of claim 2, the measuring tape can be easily unlocked only by pressing the unlocking operation button. Furthermore, if the shape of the tip acting portion of the lock lever is curved in the feeding direction of the measuring tape as in the third aspect of the invention, the resistance at the time of feeding the measuring tape is alleviated and the feeding is made smooth. Furthermore, as in the invention of claim 4, if an elastic friction member is attached to the tip acting portion of the lock lever, the lock lever can be swung during the feeding of the measuring tape, and the feeding can be smoothly performed. In addition, the impact on the measuring tape at the time of locking can be alleviated to suppress the occurrence of scratches on the scale surface.

  Further, as in the invention of claim 5, if a concave groove along the longitudinal direction of the measuring tape is formed on the lower surface of the tip acting portion of the lock lever, the tip acting portion of the lock lever and the measuring tape A space is formed between them. In particular, when the tape is curved in the width direction as in the convex tape, foreign matter tends to accumulate in the concave portion at the center, but if a space is formed in this way, foreign matter will be collected when the measuring tape is pulled back. It does not bite into the tightening portion, and therefore the scale surface is not damaged by foreign matter.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway plan view showing an example of the tape measure of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a similar view showing a measurement tape being fed out of the tape measure, and FIG. 3 is a similar view showing a state where the measurement tape is locked at the same feed position. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the principle of locking, FIG. 5 is a similar view showing the state of the unlocking operation, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line XX in FIG.

  A tape measure 1 shown in FIG. 1 is capable of winding and feeding a long measuring tape 3 with a scale around a take-up shaft 4 in a split main body case 2 formed of a hard synthetic resin or the like. It is stored. Reference numeral 20 denotes a screw hole for fastening and integrating the split main body case 2 with each other. The measuring tape 3 is composed of a convex tape made of a steel plate curved in the width direction, and a spring spring (winding attachment biasing means) 5 having a base end fixed to the winding shaft 4 is connected to the base side thereof (FIG. 1). However, the connecting portion between the measuring tape 3 and the spring 5 is omitted.) Normally, the measuring tape 3 is elastically wound around the winding shaft 4 and is wound around the winding drum 6. Reference numeral 6a denotes a take-up reel that holds the take-up drum 6 and winds up the mainspring 5 and the measuring tape 3 in an orderly manner. The measuring tape 3 can maintain a straight line shape when it is fed due to the shape memory characteristic of the convex tape to the curved shape, as is conventionally known. Further, a long tape made of a woven fabric other than a convex tape, a plastic material, or the like can also be used.

  A hook member 3a that also serves as a measurement reference metal fitting is attached to the tip of the measuring tape 3. When the measuring tape 3 is stored in the main body case 2, the hook member 3a is exposed and locked to the feeding port 2a. When the measuring tape 3 is fed out from the payout opening 2a, the measuring tape 3 is pulled out against the urging elasticity of the spring spring 5, but if it is released as it is, it will be rewound by this urging elasticity. In this tape measure, a lock device 7 for assembling the measuring tape 3 at a desired feeding position is assembled. The lock device 7 includes a lock lever 8 and a lock release operation button 9 integrally connected to the lock lever 8, and is formed of an integrally molded body of hard synthetic resin. The lock lever 8 is swingably supported around a support shaft 10 parallel to the take-up shaft 4 and is interposed between the lock lever 8 and the main body case 2 at the measuring tape feeding portion 2 b of the main body case 2. The mounted plate spring (elastic member) 11 is constantly urged in the winding direction of the measuring tape 3. The unlocking operation button 9 is exposed to the outside of the main body case 2 and can be pressed by a finger.

  The tip action portion 8a of the lock lever 8 is curved in a convex shape in the feeding direction of the measuring tape 3, and an elastic friction member 8b made of rubber or the like is attached to the surface of the tip action portion 8a. ing. In FIG. 1, the tip hook member 3 a of the measuring tape 3 is locked to the feeding port 2 a, and the lock lever 8 is urged to rotate clockwise about the support shaft 10 by the urging elasticity of the leaf spring 11. The tip action part 8a is in the state of being elastically contacted with the surface of the linear part 3b of the measuring tape 3 as an elastic friction member 8b. A concave portion 2 c is formed in the inner wall portion of the main body case 2 corresponding to the portion where the elastic friction member 8 b elastically contacts the surface of the linear portion 3 b of the measuring tape 3.

  FIG. 2 shows a state in which the measuring tape 3 is fed out of the tape measure 1 having the above-described configuration. When the measuring tape 3 is pulled out in the direction indicated by the white arrow in the figure, the elasticity attached to the tip action portion 8a of the lock lever 8 is shown. Due to the sliding frictional action between the friction member 8 b and the surface of the measuring tape 3, the lock lever 8 is displaced from the two-dot chain line position to the solid line position against the elastic force of the leaf spring 11, and the rocking between the two positions is not possible. The sliding movement of the measuring tape 3 is allowed while repeating the movement. At this time, since the tip action portion 8a of the lock lever 8 is curved in a convex shape in the feeding direction of the measuring tape 3 as described above, the sliding contact resistance during the feeding is relaxed, and the measuring tape is reduced. Is smoothly delivered.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 3, when the feeding of the measuring tape 3 is stopped and the measuring tape 3 is released, the fed measuring tape 3 is rewound onto the winding drum 6 by the winding attachment force of the mainspring spring 5. And Thus, the lock lever 8 is oscillated and biased clockwise around the support shaft 10 by the restoring elasticity of the leaf spring 11, and the tip action portion 8a of the measuring tape 3 is moved through the elastic friction member 8b. Elastic contact with the surface. Accordingly, the measuring tape 3 is fastened between the distal end working portion 8a of the lock lever 8 and the inner wall portion of the main body case 2, that is, the concave portion 2c, and is locked and held at this position without being rewound.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the shortest distance D between the shaft center 10a of the support shaft 10 and the straight portion 3b of the measuring tape 3 in the feeding portion 2b is the distance between the shaft center 10a and the longest tip of the lock lever 8 (elastic friction). Since the length is less than the length L between the protruding portion of the member 8b), the above-described tightening is ensured. In addition, since the inner wall portion of the main body case 2 corresponding to the tightening portion is the recess 2c, the tip action portion 8a of the lock lever 8 acts as an anchor so as to dent the measurement tape 3, and this is applied to the measurement tape. The unwinding force of 3 is added, the restraining effect is effectively expressed, and more reliable engagement is achieved. Further, since this tightening is performed between the distal end working portion 8a of the lock lever 8 and the inner wall portion of the main body case 2, that is, the concave portion 2c, the influence of the feeding length of the measuring tape 3 as in the above-described conventional example. It will be in a stable tie-up state without receiving.

  To release the locked state, as shown in FIG. 5, the unlocking operation button 9 is pressed with the finger F in the direction indicated by the solid line arrow, and the lock lever 8 is moved at two points against the elasticity of the leaf spring 11. Swing from the chain line position to the solid line position. As a result, the tip acting portion 8a of the lock lever 8 is separated from the linear portion 3b of the measuring tape 3 and the restraining force is not applied. Then, it is rewound onto the winding drum 6. Since the lock release is merely performed by swinging the lock lever 8 in the direction of releasing the tightness, the lock release is surely performed not against the strong biting force as in the conventional example. Then, when the pressing operation of the unlocking operation button 9 by the finger F is stopped during the rewinding, the locking device 7 is locked again, and the feeding lock of the desired length of the measuring tape 3 can be maintained easily and accurately. Made.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a desirable shape of the distal end working portion 8a of the lock lever 8. A concave groove 8c along the longitudinal direction of the measuring tape is formed at the center of the lower end width direction of the distal end working portion 8a. ing. Elastic members 8b, 8b, such as rubber, are attached to both sides of the concave groove 8c. When the measuring tape 3 is fastened, the elastic members 8b, 8b on both sides elastically contact the measuring tape 3, and the concave portion in the center. A space is formed in the groove 8c. Therefore, even when the measuring tape 3 is a convex tape as shown in the figure, and the foreign matter d is easily accumulated in the central portion, the foreign matter d is not present at the elastic contact portion, and the foreign matter when the measuring tape 3 is pulled back. Generation | occurrence | production of the damage | wound of the scale surface by biting of d ... is suppressed.

  In the above embodiment, the lock lever 8 is urged clockwise around the support shaft 10, that is, in the winding direction of the measuring tape 3, instead of the leaf spring 11 for oscillating and urging the lock lever 8. Needless to say, other elastic members such as a compression coil spring can be adopted. Of course, the shape of the lock device 7 and the outer shape of the tape measure 1 are not limited to those shown in the drawings, and the main body case 2 and the lock device 7 are also limited to an integrally molded body of hard synthetic resin. is not.

It is a partial notch cross-sectional top view which shows an example of the tape measure of this invention. It is the same figure which shows the supply state of the measuring tape in the tape measure. It is the same figure which shows the state which locked the measuring tape in the same feeding position. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the principle of a lock | rock. It is the same figure which shows the state of the lock release operation | movement. It is the XX line expanded sectional view in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tape measure 2 Main body case 2b Measuring tape delivery | feed part 2c Recessed part (inner wall part of main body case)
3 Measuring tape 4 Winding shaft 5 Spring spring (winding mounting force means)
7 Locking device 8 Lock lever 8a Tip action portion 8b Elastic friction member 8c Concave groove 9 Lock release operation button 10 Support shaft 11 Leaf spring (elastic member)

Claims (5)

A main body case, a measuring tape housed in the main body case so as to be wound and unwound around the take-up shaft, a biasing means for winding and biasing the measuring tape, and a biasing force of the biasing means A measuring tape provided with a locking device that locks and holds the measuring tape fed out in the feeding position,
The lock device includes a lock lever and an unlocking operation button integrally connected to the lock lever, and the lock lever is arranged around a support shaft parallel to the take-up shaft in the measurement tape feeding portion of the main body case. Is urged in the winding direction of the measuring tape at all times by an elastic member supported between the lock lever and the main body case. When the measuring tape is fed and allowed to be fed and no feeding force is applied after feeding the measuring tape, the lock lever swings in the winding direction due to the biasing force of the elastic member, and the measuring tape is moved to the tip of the locking lever. A tape measure characterized by being locked between an action portion and an inner wall portion of a main body case. The tape measure of claim 1,
The unlocking operation button is to release the lock by swinging the lock lever in the measuring tape feeding direction by the pressing operation, and the measuring tape is automatically released by the winding mounting force by the unlocking. A tape measure characterized by being wound around. In the tape measure according to claim 1 or 2,
The tape measure characterized in that the tip action portion of the lock lever is curved in the feeding direction of the measuring tape. In the tape measure in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
A tape measure characterized in that an elastic friction member is attached to the tip action portion of the lock lever. In the tape measure in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4,
A tape measure characterized in that a concave groove along the longitudinal direction of the measuring tape is formed at a central portion in the lower surface width direction of the tip acting portion of the lock lever.

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