Tape measure with protective buffer

Abstract

A tape measure including an elongated tape bar is shown. The tape includes a protective bumper extending below the tape opening. The shape of the buffer is determined to allow the tape hook to pivot during a drop or impact to reduce the impact force experienced by the tape hook.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of an invention patent application with an application date of June 2, 2020, application number 202080037854.0 (international application number PCT / US2020 / 035707), and invention name “Tape measure with protective buffer”.

[0002] Cross-references to related patent applications

[0003] This application claims the benefit of and priority to 62 / 856,483, filed June 3, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0004] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of tape measures. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a tape measure having a protective bumper located below an opening in the tape.

[0005] A tape measure is a measuring tool used in a variety of measuring applications, including use in the building and construction industries. Some tape measures include a graduated, marked tape wound on a reel, and a retraction system for retracting the tape back onto the reel. In some tape measure designs, the retraction system is driven by a coil spring or helical spring that is tensioned to store energy when the tape is extended, and releases the energy to rotate the reel to wind the tape back onto the reel. Summary of the invention

[0006] One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a tape measure having a buffer coupled to a housing. The buffer defines a shoulder and a recessed portion. The shoulder extends outwardly further away from the front of the tape measure than the recessed portion. The tape measure includes an elongated strip extending through an opening in the housing. A hook assembly is coupled to an end of the strip. The hook assembly includes an upper hook extending above the strip and a lower hook extending below the strip. In a specific embodiment, the upper strip includes a pair of wings extending above the strip and away from the main axis of the elongated strip.

[0007] The upper hook extends above the tape measure strip, thereby defining an upper hook height, and the recessed portion defines a recessed width as a vertical distance measured between the front face of the tape measure housing and the inner surface of the tape measure hook. In one embodiment, the ratio of the upper hook height to the recessed width is between 4:1 and 8:1. More specifically, the ratio is between 4.5:1 and 7:1, even more specifically, the ratio is between 5:1 and 6:1, and even more specifically, the ratio of the upper tape measure strip height to the recessed width is 5.5:1.

[0008] In one embodiment, the hook comprises a protrusion and a recessed portion, the protrusion and the recessed portion together defining an inner surface. The protrusion extends closer to the tape measure housing than the recessed portion.

[0009] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a tape measure, which includes a housing including a tape measure opening and a buffer extending below the tape measure opening. The buffer includes a recessed surface at least partially located above the tape measure opening and a shoulder portion having an outer surface. The recessed surface is set back from the outer surface of the shoulder portion, thereby defining a gap distance. The tape measure includes a reel rotatably mounted in the housing and an elongated strip wound around the reel. The elongated strip has an inner end coupled to the reel and an outer end extending out of the tape measure opening. The tape measure includes a hook assembly coupled to the outer end of the elongated strip. The tape measure includes a retraction system coupled to the reel, which drives the elongated strip to be rewound on the reel.

[0010] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a tape measure, which includes a housing, a tape measure opening defined in the housing, and a buffer connected to the housing. The buffer includes a recessed surface at least partially located above the tape measure opening, and a collision corner located below the tape measure opening. The collision corner is located in front of the recessed surface, thereby defining a gap distance measured between the collision corner and the recessed surface in a horizontal direction. The tape measure includes a reel rotatably mounted in the housing and an elongated strip wound around the reel. The elongated strip has an inner end coupled to the reel and an outer end extending out of the tape measure opening. The tape measure includes a hook assembly coupled to the outer end of the elongated strip and a retraction system coupled to the reel. The retraction system drives the elongated strip to be rewound onto the reel.

[0011] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a tape measure, which includes a housing, a tape measure opening defined in the housing, and a collision protection corner extending below the tape measure opening. The tape measure includes a reel rotatably mounted in the housing and an elongated strip wound around the reel. The elongated strip has an inner end coupled to the reel and an outer end extending out of the tape measure opening. The tape measure includes a hook assembly coupled to the outer end of the elongated strip. The hook assembly includes an upper hook extending above the elongated strip and a lower hook extending below the elongated strip. The rear surface of the upper hook is set back from the rear surface of the lower hook, thereby defining a hook recess distance. The tape measure includes a retraction system coupled to the reel, which drives the elongated strip to be rewound on the reel.

[0012] Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the following detailed description and will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or in part by practicing the embodiments as described in the written description and claims thereof and in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary.

[0013] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation of the various embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 is a left side perspective view of a tape measure according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 According to an exemplary embodiment Figure 1 A left perspective view of a tape measure with a portion of the tape measure housing removed.

[0016] Figure 3 is a side view of a tape measure bumper according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0017] Figure 4 is a diagram showing during contact with a surface according to an exemplary embodiment Figure 3 Detailed side view of the tape measure bumper.

[0018] Figure 5 According to an exemplary embodiment Figure 3 Detailed side view of the tape measure bumper.

[0019] Figure 6 is a diagram showing during contact with a surface according to an exemplary embodiment Figure 3 A detailed side view of the tape measure bumper showing the functionality of the bumper geometry compared to a more rounded bumper geometry.

[0020] Figure 7 According to an exemplary embodiment Figure 3 Schematic diagram of a tape measure bumper showing the relative sizes of the tape measure hook and the bumper.

[0021] Figure 8 According to an exemplary embodiment Figure 3 Detailed front view of the tape measure bumper.

[0022] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a tape measure bumper according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0023] Fig.10 According to an exemplary embodiment Fig. 9 Front view of the tape measure buffer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Referring generally to the accompanying drawings, a number of different embodiments of tape measures are shown. Various embodiments of tape measures discussed herein include novel bumper designs that protect the tape and hook assembly. In various tape measures, the hook extends below the housing, allowing the user to place the tape measure against a work object, engage the hook with an edge of the work object, and move the housing away from the hook to extend the tape measure from the housing and the like.

[0025] However, applicants have determined that the overhang of the hook (i.e., the portion of the tape measure hook that extends below the lowest point of the housing or bumper) exposes the hook and the blade to possible damage. For example, when the tape measure is impacted (e.g., after being dropped), the hook and the blade may receive at least a portion of the impact force when the lower portion of the hook first impacts the ground. Such force may be transmitted to the rivet (or other coupling structure) that couples the hook to the blade and to the blade itself.

[0026] Accordingly, in various designs discussed herein, Applicants have developed a tape measure, tape measure housing, and / or bumper design that limits the tape measure and hook exposure to such forces. In various embodiments discussed herein, the tape measure housing includes a bumper having a shoulder that helps reposition the tape measure and hook during a collision in a manner that the impact forces are absorbed by the housing rather than by the hook or blade. Typically, the tape measure housing includes a bumper that is sized and shaped relative to the tape measure hook and / or tape measure opening to allow the tape measure hook to move upward and pivot in a manner that reduces the impact forces to which the tape measure hook and / or blade are subjected during a collision.

[0027] As will be explained in detail below, in various embodiments, a shoulder of the bumper is coupled to the housing, and the tape passes through an opening at least partially located in the shoulder. At the moment of impact when the bottom surface of the tape measure hook comes into contact with the impact surface, the hook slides upward away from the ground until the bottom (lowest edge or surface) of the hook is flush inwardly relative to the bottom of the bumper, thereby allowing the bumper to contact the ground and absorb the impact of the fall. In addition, the bumpers described herein reduce the forces applied to the hook by providing a recess that allows the hook to move or pivot inwardly during impact on the ground, thereby further eliminating the forces experienced by the hook during impact.

[0028] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , shows a tool, such as a tape measure 10, according to an exemplary embodiment. The tape measure 10 includes an elongated blade (shown as a coilable blade 14) and a housing 18. Generally, the blade 14 is an elongated strip of material including a plurality of graduated measurement markings, and in a particular embodiment, the blade 14 is an elongated strip of metal material (e.g., steel material) including an outermost end coupled to a hook assembly (shown as hook assembly 26). The blade 14 may include a plurality of coatings (e.g., polymer coatings) to help protect the blade 14 and / or the graduated markings of the blade from wear, damage, etc.

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown, the variable length extension section 22 of the ruler 14 can be retracted and extended from the housing 18. The hook assembly 26 is fixedly coupled to the outer end portion 30 of the ruler 14. In various embodiments, the maximum length that the ruler 18 can be extended from the housing is between 10 feet and 50 feet.

[0030] like Figure 2 As shown, the unextended portion of the tape 14 is wound onto a reel 34, which is surrounded by the housing 18. The reel 34 is rotatably disposed about an axis 38 of the tape measure 10, and a retraction mechanism 42 is coupled to the reel 34 and configured to drive the reel 34 about the axis of rotation 38, which in turn provides powered retraction of the tape 14. The retraction mechanism 42 may include one or more elongated coil springs that provide retraction energy to the retraction mechanism 42. In other embodiments, the retraction mechanism 42 includes other mechanisms such as one or more electric motors. A lock 46 is provided to selectively engage the tape 14, the lock being used to limit the retraction mechanism 42 so that the extended section 22 of the tape 14 is maintained at a desired length.

[0031] refer to Figure 1 The housing 18 includes a first side wall 50, a second side wall 54, and a peripheral wall 58 connecting the first side wall 50 and the second side wall 54. Figure 2 As shown, the first side wall 50, the second side wall 54 and the peripheral wall 58 define an interior cavity 62 in which the spool 34 and the retraction mechanism 42 are received. Figure 1 , the first side wall 50 and the second side wall 54 have a generally circular profile 66. In other embodiments, the side walls may be rectangular, polygonal, or any other desired shape. The various portions of the housing 18 may be co-molded or separately formed from a resilient material such as natural or synthetic rubber. In the illustrated construction, the housing 18 is formed with a housing edge bumper 70, and a foot 74 extending from a lower portion 78 of the peripheral wall 58.

[0032] A slot 82 is defined along a forward portion 86 of the peripheral wall 58. The slot 82 provides an opening in the tape measure housing that allows the scale lock 46 to extend into the housing 18. In addition, the length of the slot 82 is sufficient to enable the scale lock 46 to move relative to the housing 18 between a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0033] Below the slot 82, a blade opening in the housing, shown as a blade opening 90, is provided in the peripheral wall 58. The blade opening 90 has an arcuate shape 94 corresponding to the arcuate cross-sectional profile of the blade 14. The blade opening 90 allows the blade 14 to be retracted into and extended from the internal cavity 62 defined in the housing 18.

[0034] refer to Figures 3 to 8 , showing details of a novel tape measure bumper design that may be used with a tape measure such as the tape measure 10 discussed above. Thus, in this tape measure design, the tape measure 10 includes a bumper positioned at the right front corner (at Figure 1 and Figure 2 The novel buffer design is generally in the housing area surrounding the tape measure opening 114. It should be understood that Figure 1 and Figure 2The various components of the tape measure 10 are described in detail, and Figures 3 to 8 Details of a bumper design that may be used with the tape measure 10 are shown.

[0035] refer to Figures 3 to 5 , the tape measure 10 includes a housing 18 and a buffer (shown as buffer 120) coupled to the housing 18. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As described above, the tape measure 10 includes a tape measure reel rotatably coupled to the housing 18 , an elongated ruler wound on the tape measure reel, and a coil spring coupled to the tape measure reel. One end of the ruler is coupled to the tape measure reel, and the other end is coupled to the hook 130 .

[0036] Typically, the bumper 120 is a portion of the tape measure housing that is located at a lower corner of the tape measure housing 18 adjacent to the tape measure opening 114. Figure 3 As shown, bumper 120 includes shoulder 122, recess 124, and impact protection corner (shown as corner 154). At least a portion of housing 18 defining recess 124 also defines opening 114 through which the tape extends. Generally, shoulder 122 is the portion of tape measure housing 18 that defines the frontmost and lowermost portion of tape measure housing 18, and a front surface of shoulder 122 defines a plane 128 (shown as a plane 128). Figure 4 1). The recess 124 is defined by a portion of the tape measure housing 18 that is set back from the front surface of the shoulder 122 and is above both the tape measure opening 114 and the shoulder 122. As will be discussed in more detail below, the recess 124 provides a gap or space to allow the tape measure hook 130 to move during a collision (rather than a rigid surface, as would be the case in a tape measure housing with a flat front surface), which in turn limits the collision forces applied to the tape measure hook 130 during a collision with a surface (such as the ground).

[0037] The hook 130 includes an upper hook 132 extending above the ruler 14 and a lower hook 134 extending below the ruler 14. A lower surface 146 of the lower hook 134 and an upper surface 148 of the upper hook 132 each face away from each other. For example, when the user holds the tape measure 10, the lower surface 146 of the lower hook 134 extends beyond the lower surface 150 and the corner 154 of the bumper 120 by a distance 144. In various embodiments, the distance 144 is at least 3 mm to 4 mm, and more specifically, the distance 144 is 3 mm to 4 mm.

[0038] Figure 4 The function of the bumper 120 during a collision with an impact surface 151 (such as the ground) is shown. Figure 4 As shown, at the moment of collision between the tape measure 10 and the impact surface 151, the hook 130 and the ruler 14 move upward relative to the tape measure housing 18. Figure 4As shown, the hook 130 moves upward until the corner 154 of the bumper 120 contacts the impact surface 151. As the hook 130 slides upward, the hook 130 passes through the plane 128 defined by the front of the shoulder 122 toward the front of the housing 18 (e.g., at Figure 4 By allowing more of the impact to be absorbed by the bumper 120 before the hook 130 encounters a portion of the tape measure housing 18, the forces experienced by the hook 130 and the blade 14 during the impact are reduced, which the applicant believes will reduce the likelihood of damage to the hook or blade.

[0039] like Figure 4 As shown, this rotation of the hook 130 also causes the upper portion 132 of the hook 130 to move inwardly toward the recess 124, thereby creating an angle 156 between the inner surface 138 of the lower hook 134 and the outer surface or hook interface surface 158 of the shoulder 122. In various embodiments, the angle 156 is at least 0.5 degrees, specifically between 0.5 degrees and 20 degrees, and more specifically between 2 degrees and 10 degrees. Compared to a tape measure housing without the recess 124, the buffer design discussed herein allows the hook 130 to pivot a considerable distance represented by the angle 156 before contacting the portion of the tape measure housing above the tape measure opening 114.

[0040] like Figure 5 As shown, the recess 124 defines a gap distance. The gap distance 126 of the recess 124 is the distance that the outer surface 153 is set back from the frontmost surface (e.g., surface 158) of the bumper 120. In one embodiment, the gap distance 126 can be defined as the horizontal setback distance between the surface 153 and the frontmost surface at the collision corner 154. Therefore, the gap distance 126 of the recess 124 defines the distance that the upper hook 132 rotates before engaging with the outer surface 153 of the tape measure housing 18 defining the recess 124.

[0041] Reference Figure 5 To further increase the distance that the upper hook 132 is allowed to move or rotate before encountering a portion of the tape measure housing 18, the hook 130 is shaped to effectively increase the distance between the innermost surface 141 and the outer surface 153 of the upper hook 132. Thus, this shape defines a recess 140 along the inner surface of the upper hook 132, which defines a hook recess distance 142, which is an orthogonal distance measured between the inner surface 138 of the lower hook 134 and the surface 141 of the upper hook 132. The gap distance 126 and the recess distance 142 combine to provide a larger open space between the surface 141 and the surface 153, which in turn provides a larger rotation range that allows the upper hook 132 to rotate toward the bumper 120 before the upper hook 132 engages the recess 124 and / or the housing 18. In a specific embodiment, the gap distance 126 is 0.2 mm to 5 mm and specifically 0.5 mm to 4.2 mm.

[0042] refer to Figure 6 to Figure 7 , showing additional details of the interaction of the bumper 120 with the tape measure hook 130 during a collision. Compared to typical tape measure housing designs, the impact protection corner 154 is shaped to have a sharper point (e.g., a smaller radius) than typical tape measure housing corners, which improves collision performance. In various embodiments, the radius of curvature of the corner 154 is between 0 mm and 2.5 mm, and specifically from 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm.

[0043] Typically, during a collision, corner 154 engages impact surface 151 after hook 130 has moved vertically away from the impact surface. In contrast, a bumper with a larger radius (e.g., more rounded) corner and / or a larger concave bumper (as shown by line 152) would require hook 130 to move farther vertically before the more rounded corner engages the impact surface. Thus, in such a design, the tape opening would need to be larger in the vertical direction to provide for the increased vertical movement of the tape measure, or the collision would be absorbed by the tape measure hook before the bumper corner engages the impact surface. Figure 7 This difference is schematically shown in .

[0044] However, applicants have determined that simply increasing the height of the tape measure opening to accommodate the large amount of vertical tape measure movement during a crash can create other unsatisfactory tape measure performance issues. For example, applicants have found that if the tape measure opening is too large in the vertical direction, the tape measure extension distance is reduced and the degree of tape measure swing during retraction is increased. Therefore, in the present design, applicants have determined that the size and shape of the bumper 120 combined with the vertical size of the tape measure opening provides a tape measure that has the drop performance provided by the bumper 120 and the extension and swing performance provided at least in part by the relatively small vertical height of the tape measure opening.

[0045] refer to Figure 8 , the upper hook 132 extends a distance 136 above the ruler 14. As defined herein, the distance 136 is measured from the top of the ruler 14 to the top (e.g., the uppermost surface) of the wing of the upper hook 132. Figure 4 It can be seen that the greater the distance 136 , the greater the gap distance 126 (of the bumper 120 ) and / or the recess distance 142 (of the hook 130 ) required to accommodate rotation of the tape measure hook 130 before the upper hook 132 engages the surface 153 defining the recess 124 .

[0046] Applicants believe that another factor related to the interaction of the hook 130 and the tape measure housing 18 during a collision is the height 116 of the opening 114. As the tape measure opening height 116 increases, the distance that the upper hook 132 moves upward also increases. Therefore, by using the tape measure bumper design discussed herein, the opening height 116 can be relatively small while still providing tape measure hook and blade protection because the additional blade movement during a collision is provided by rotating into the recess 124, rather than relying solely on upward movement.

[0047] In various embodiments, applicants have determined that the ratio of the upper scale bar height 136 and the gap distance 126 is related to the crash performance discussed herein. In one embodiment, the ratio of the upper scale bar height to the gap distance is greater than 3:1. In a specific embodiment, the ratio of the upper scale bar height to the gap distance is between 4:1 and 8:1. More specifically, the ratio is between 4.5:1 and 7:1, even more specifically, the ratio is between 5:1 and 6:1, and even more specifically, the ratio of the upper scale bar height to the gap distance is 5.5:1.

[0048] In another embodiment, applicants have determined that the ratio of the upper scale bar height 136 to the total gap distance (e.g., gap distance 126 plus distance 142) is related to the crash performance discussed herein. In one embodiment, the ratio of the upper scale bar height to the total gap distance is greater than 3:1. In a specific embodiment, the ratio of the upper scale bar height to the total gap distance is between 4:1 and 8:1. More specifically, the ratio is between 4.5:1 and 7:1, even more specifically, the ratio is between 5:1 and 6:1, and even more specifically, the ratio of the upper scale bar height to the total gap distance is 5.5:1.

[0049] In one embodiment, the opening 114 is completely defined by the shoulder 122. In an alternative embodiment, the opening 114 is defined in part by the bumper 120 and in part by the housing 18, and the housing 18 at least partially defines the recess 124 into which the hook 130 rotates.

[0050] In one embodiment, the housing 18 and the bumper 120 are separate components that are coupled together. In another embodiment, the housing 18 and the bumper 120 are molded as a single component. In various embodiments, the bumper 120 is formed of a polymer material and may be formed of a shock absorbing polymer material.

[0051] Reference Fig. 9 and Fig.10, a tape measure bumper 170 is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. The tape measure bumper 170 is substantially the same as the bumper 120 discussed above, and the tape measure bumper 170 can be used with the tape measure 10, the blade 14, and the tape measure hook 130 discussed herein. Generally, the tape measure bumper 170 includes a front face 172, a left side wall 174, a right side wall 176, and a tape measure opening 178 defined in the front face 172. The left side wall 174 and the right side wall 176 each include a front surface 180 and 182, which define the frontmost surface of the bumper 170.

[0052] The bumper 170 includes a central region 184 that is recessed relative to the surfaces 180 and 182 and surrounds the tape measure opening 178. Specifically, the central region 184 includes a first upper recessed region 186 and a second upper recessed region 188. The upper recessed regions 186 and 188 are located above the left and right sides of the tape measure opening 178. Generally, the recessed regions 186 and 188 are shaped to receive the upper hook portion 132 of the tape measure hook 130 and provide additional space to receive and protect the tape measure hook 130 during a fall, as discussed above.

[0053] Specifically, Fig. 9 As best shown, the recessed areas 186 and 188 are angled rearwardly relative to and away from the tape measure opening 178. In this arrangement, the lower portion of each recessed area 186 and 188 adjacent the tape measure opening 178 is the forward-most portion of each recessed portion 186 and 188. The recessed portions 186 and 188 extend rearwardly in a direction toward the rear of the tape measure housing and away from the opening 178. This angled shape provides additional space for the upper hook portion 132 to pivot rearwardly during a drop or other impact.

[0054] To further facilitate receipt of the upper portion 132 of the tape measure hook 130, each recess 186 and 188 is defined between an outer sidewall 190 and an inner sidewall 192. Generally, the width dimension between the sidewalls 190 and 192 is sized to closely receive the upper hook portion 132 so that lateral movement of the tape measure hook is limited by contact between the sidewalls 190 and 192 during a drop or other impact.

[0055] Similarly, to further provide a close fit with the upper portion 132 of the tape measure hook 130, the side walls 190 and 192 are positioned relative to each other to provide a shape similar to the shape of the upper portion 132. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the side wall 190 is angled laterally inward toward the center plane 194 of the tape measure 10. The side wall 192 is angled laterally outward toward the center plane 194 of the tape measure 10.

[0056] The bumper 170 also includes a lower outer sidewall 196. The lower outer sidewall 196 is connected to the outer sidewall 190 and extends downwardly toward a lower edge 198 of the bumper 170. This arrangement defines a lower recessed portion 200 located below the tape measure opening 178 and laterally defined by the lower outer sidewall 196.

[0057] The lower recessed portion 200 is recessed relative to the surfaces 180 and 182 and is generally shaped to snugly receive the lower portion 134 of the tape measure hook 130. Similar to the arrangement of the recesses 186 and 188, the snug-fitting shape of the lower recessed portion 200 limits lateral movement of the tape measure hook 130 during a drop or collision, further protecting the tape measure hook 130. As shown, the side wall 196 is angled inwardly toward the plane 194 in a direction toward the lower edge 198. In this arrangement, the width of the lower end of the recessed portion 200 is less than the width of the upper end of the recessed portion 200.

[0058] It should be understood that the drawings show exemplary embodiments in detail, and it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methods set forth in the specification or shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the terminology is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting.

[0059] In view of this description, other modifications and alternative embodiments of multiple different aspects of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, this description is interpreted as being illustrative only. The construction and arrangement shown in multiple different exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments are described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (for example, changing the size, dimensions, structure, shape and proportion of multiple different elements, the value of parameters, installation arrangement, use of materials, color, orientation, etc.) without substantially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Some elements shown as integrally formed may be composed of multiple parts or elements, the position of the elements may be reversed or otherwise changed, and the nature or quantity or position of discrete elements may be changed or changed. According to alternative embodiments, the order or sequence of any process, logic algorithm or method steps may be changed or reordered. Without departing from the scope of the present invention, other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of multiple different exemplary embodiments.

[0060] Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is not intended in any way that any method set forth herein be interpreted as requiring that its steps be performed in a specified order. Accordingly, in the absence of an actual enumeration of the order in which the steps of a method claim should be followed or in the absence of a specific statement in the claim or specification that the steps should be limited to a particular order, it is by no means intended that any particular order can be inferred. In addition, the article "a" as used herein is intended to include one or more parts or elements and is not intended to be interpreted as only one. As used herein, "rigidly coupled" refers to coupling two parts in such a way that when subjected to force, the parts move together in a fixed positional relationship.

[0061] A number of different embodiments of the present invention are directed to any combination of any features, and any such combination of features may be claimed in this or a future application. Any feature, element, or component of any exemplary embodiment discussed above may be used alone or in combination with any feature, element, or component of any other embodiment discussed above.

Claims

1. A tape measure, comprising: case; a tape measure opening at least partially defined by the housing; as well as a bumper abutting an outer surface of the housing and extending below the tape measure opening, the bumper comprising: a concave surface located at least partially above the tape measure opening; a shoulder portion, the shoulder having an outer surface; wherein said concave surface is set back from said outer surface of said shoulder portion so as to define a gap distance; wherein the bumper comprises a polymer material such that the polymer material defines both the concave surface and the outer surface of the shoulder portion; a reel rotatably mounted in the housing; an elongated ruler strip wound around the reel, the elongated ruler strip having an inner end coupled to the reel and an outer end extending out of the tape measure opening; a hook assembly coupled to the outer end of the elongated ruler; and a retraction system coupled to the reel, wherein the retraction system drives the elongated ruler to be rewound onto the reel; Wherein, the gap distance is between 0.2 mm and 5 mm.

2. The tape measure according to claim 1, wherein: The polymer material is a single continuous polymer material that defines both the concave surface and the outer surface of the shoulder portion.

3. The tape measure according to claim 1, wherein: The hook assembly includes a lower hook extending below the elongated bar and an upper hook extending above the elongated bar.

4. The tape measure according to claim 3, wherein: A lowermost surface of the lower hook extends below a lowermost surface of the shoulder portion to define an overhang distance, wherein the overhang distance is at least 3 mm.

5. The tape measure according to claim 3, wherein: The upper hook defines a height extending above the elongated ruler, wherein a ratio of the height of the upper hook to the gap distance is greater than 3:

1.

6. The tape measure of claim 3, the upper hook being recessed relative to the lower hook to define a hook recess, wherein: The hook recess defines a hook recess that is smaller than the gap distance.

7. The tape measure according to claim 1, wherein: The shoulder portion defines an anti-impact corner having a radius of curvature between 0 mm and 2.5 mm.

8. The tape measure according to claim 1, wherein: The bumper is coupled to the outer surface of the housing.

9. The tape measure according to claim 1, wherein: The retraction system includes a coiled spring.

10. A tape measure, comprising: case; a tape measure opening defined in the housing; A buffer is coupled to the housing, the buffer comprising: a concave surface located at least partially above the tape measure opening, the concave surface defining a recess at least partially defined by the housing; a collision corner, the collision corner being located below the tape measure opening; wherein the collision corner is located in front of the concave surface, thereby defining a gap distance measured between the collision corner and the concave surface in a horizontal direction; wherein the bumper comprises a polymer material such that the polymer material defines both an outer surface of the impact corner and the concave surface; a reel rotatably mounted in the housing; an elongated ruler strip wound around the reel, the elongated ruler strip having an inner end coupled to the reel and an outer end extending out of the tape measure opening; a hook assembly coupled to the outer end of the elongated ruler; and a retraction system coupled to the reel, wherein the retraction system drives the elongated ruler to be rewound onto the reel; Wherein, the hook assembly comprises a lower hook extending below the elongated ruler and an upper hook extending above the elongated ruler; wherein the lowermost surface of the lower hook extends below the collision corner to define an overhang distance; Wherein, the overhang distance is at least 3 mm.

11. The tape measure according to claim 10, wherein: The gap distance is between 0.5 mm and 4.2 mm.

12. The tape measure according to claim 10, wherein: The polymer material is a single continuous polymer material that defines both the concave surface and the outer surface of the impingement corner.

13. The tape measure according to claim 10, wherein: The upper hook defines a height extending above the elongated ruler, wherein a ratio of the height of the upper hook to the gap distance is greater than 3:

1.

14. The tape measure according to claim 10, wherein: The radius of curvature of the collision corner is between 0.1 mm and 2.0 mm.

15. A tape measure, comprising: case; a tape measure opening defined in the housing; a reel rotatably mounted in the housing; an elongated ruler strip wound around the reel, the elongated ruler strip having an inner end coupled to the reel and an outer end extending out of the tape measure opening; A hook assembly coupled to the outer end of the elongated ruler, the hook assembly comprising: an upper hook extending above the elongated ruler; and a lower hook extending below the elongated ruler; wherein the rear surface of the upper hook is set back from the rear surface of the lower hook, thereby defining a hook recess distance; and a retraction system coupled to the reel, wherein the retraction system drives the elongated ruler to be rewound onto the reel; wherein the housing further comprises a collision protection corner extending below the tape measure opening and a concave surface at least partially located above the tape measure opening, wherein the gap distance is measured in a horizontal direction between the collision protection corner and the concave surface; Wherein, the curvature radius of the collision protection corner is between 0.1 mm and 2.0 mm.

16. The tape measure of claim 15, wherein: The gap distance is greater than the hook recess distance.

17. The tape measure of claim 15, wherein: The upper hook defines a hook height, wherein a ratio of the hook height to a sum of the hook recess distance and the gap distance is greater than 3:1.

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