Reinforced tear resistant measuring tape blade

Abstract

A blade for a measuring tape device may include a first end at which an end hook may be operably coupled, a second end configured to be operably coupled to a reel assembly of the measuring tape device, a central portion that may extend between the first end and second end, a first reinforcement member that may be disposed at a first edge of the central portion and may extend between the first end and second end, and a second reinforcement member that may be disposed at a second edge of the central portion and may extend between the first end and second end. The first and second reinforcement members may not overlap with the central portion.

Description

[0001] REINFORCED TEAR RESISTANT MEASURING TAPE BLADE

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] Example embodiments generally relate to measuring tape devices, and particularly relate to a measuring tape that has a reinforced blade designed to resist tearing at the edges.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Measuring tapes have been around for a very long time, and are common measuring tools used in numerous contexts to obtain linear measurements. Measuring tapes can come in many forms and may be made of cloth, fiber glass, metal, plastic, or the like. The materials used are often dictated by the specific measuring application. For example, tailors and dressmakers typically use a flexible tape that can be easily manipulated between two hands to measure a distance therebetween. However, for construction or carpentry applications, a stiff and often metallic tape is preferred to allow the measuring tape to be extended between a first location at which one end of the tape is anchored, and the location of the user at whose location the measuring tape is paid out from a reel assembly. The reel assembly may have a manual retracting mechanism or a self-retracting mechanism, typically depending upon the length of the measuring tape. For measuring tapes having length in a range of about 12 ft to 50 ft, selfretracting mechanisms and using metallic tape ribbons for the tape (or blade) are very common.

[0006] For nearly a century, metallic tape ribbons with a curved (or cupped) and relatively stiff construction have been preferred for use in self-retracting measuring tapes. The metallic tape ribbon tends to be flexible enough to permit the metallic tape ribbon to be wound onto a spring loaded reel assembly, but stiff enough to have a relatively long standout. The cupping of the metallic tape ribbon further enhances the standout without negatively impacting the ability of the metallic tape ribbon to be wound onto the reel assembly. Invariably, each measuring tape will have a certain length that effectively defines the maximum standout that can be achieved before the tape bends and basically collapses. The measuring tape can no longer be extended reliably toward the anchor point once this collapse occurs. However, the collapse that occurs at maximum standout is not the only type of tape bending or collapse that can occur with metallic tape ribbons. In this regard, another collapse phenomena that can occur is called rollover. Rollover occurs when the blade is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the blade. The rotation of the blade about the longitudinal axis may be desirable when measuring vertical surfaces (e.g., walls, doors, windows, etc.). Over time through the life cycle of the measuring tape, the blade will inevitably bend numerous times. Repeated bending of the blade, whether due to rollover or any other instance of bending, may cause stress concentrations to build up at the edges of the blade, and the blade can become more susceptible to tearing at these stress concentrations. Thus, it may be desirable to reinforce the edges of the blade to make the blade more resistant to tearing and increase the usable life span of the measuring tape.

[0007] BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES

[0008] In an example embodiment, a measuring tape device may be provided. The measuring tape device may include a housing having an aperture, a reel assembly enclosed within the housing, and a blade having a first end configured to extend from the housing through the aperture, a second end configured to be wound on the reel assembly and a central portion of material extending between the first end and the second end. The blade may further include a first reinforcement member that may be disposed at a first edge of the central portion and may extend between the first end and the second end, and a second reinforcement member that may be disposed at a second edge of the central portion and may extend between the first end and second end. The first and second reinforcement members may not overlap with the central portion.

[0009] In another example embodiment, a blade for a measuring tape device may therefore be provided. The blade may include a first end at which an end hook may be operably coupled, a second end configured to be operably coupled to a reel assembly of the measuring tape device, a central portion that may extend between the first end and second end, a first reinforcement member that may be disposed at a first edge of the central portion and may extend between the first end and second end, and a second reinforcement member that may be disposed at a second edge of the central portion and may extend between the first end and second end. The first and second reinforcement members may not overlap with the central portion.

[0010] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0011] Having thus described some example embodiments in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a measuring tape device in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the measuring tape device in accordance with an example embodiment; FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the blade of the measuring tape device according to an example embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the blade of the measuring tape device according to an example embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a close up top view of the blade of the measuring tape device taken from Box 5 in FIG. 4 according to an example embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross section view of the blade of the measuring tape in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates a cross section view of the blade of the measuring tape in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates a cross section view of the blade of the measuring tape in accordance with an example embodiment; and

[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the blade of the measuring tape device according to an example embodiment.

[0020] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Some example embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all example embodiments are shown. Indeed, the examples described and pictured herein should not be construed as being limiting as to the scope, applicability or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Furthermore, as used herein, the term “or” is to be interpreted as a logical operator that results in true whenever one or more of its operands are true. As used herein, operable coupling should be understood to relate to direct or indirect connection that, in either case, enables functional interconnection of components that are operably coupled to each other.

[0022] As indicated above, some example embodiments may relate to the provision of a measuring tape device that may have an improved blade design for resistance to tearing. This may be accomplished by providing reinforcement members at edges of the blade, over all or a limited length of the blade. The reinforcement members may be made from a more ductile material than a central portion of the blade to which they may be operably coupled, and thus, the reinforcement members may be more resistant to cracking and tearing. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a measuring tape device, FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of such device, in accordance with an example embodiment. FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the blade of the measuring tape device according to an example embodiment. FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the blade of the measuring tape device according to an example embodiment. FIG. 5 illustrates a close up top view of the blade of the measuring tape device from FIG. 4 according to an example embodiment. FIG. 6 illustrates a cross section view of the blade of the measuring tape in accordance with an example embodiment. FIG. 7 illustrates a cross section view of the blade of the measuring tape in accordance with an example embodiment. FIG. 8 illustrates a cross section view of the blade of the measuring tape in accordance with an example embodiment. FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the blade of the measuring tape device according to an example embodiment.

[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a measuring tape device 100 of an example embodiment may include a housing 110 that, to simplify manufacture, may include a first case half 112 and a second case half 114. The first and second case halves 112 and 114 may house a reel assembly 120 and a self-retraction assembly 130 therein. A blade 140 (or tape) portion of the device 100 may be wound onto the reel assembly 120. The blade 140 may be paid out through an aperture 150 formed in the housing 110. A locking assembly 160 may be provided to enable the reel assembly 120 to be locked to prevent the self-retraction assembly 130 from retracting the blade 140 when the locking assembly 160 is engaged.

[0024] The blade 140 may have an end hook 170 disposed at a first end thereof, and may be affixed to the reel assembly 120 at a second end of the blade 140. The end hook 170 may be affixed (temporarily) to an anchor point on a medium that is to be measured. Once the end hook 170 is affixed to the anchor point, the blade 140 may be paid out of the aperture 150 and unwound from the reel assembly 120. When a desired length of the blade 140 has been paid out, the user can make any necessary markings, readings, etc., associated with measuring scale markings that may be printed on the blade 140. The measuring scale markings generally measure length from the end hook 170 in one or more units, with divisions and subdivisions of such units clearly marked on the blade 140.

[0025] By fixing the end hook 170 to the anchor point, the self-retraction assembly 130 (which may be spring loaded in some cases) may be prevented from retracting the paid out portions of the blade 140 into the housing 110 (via the aperture 150). Similarly, when the locking assembly 160 is engaged, a force (e.g., a pinching force) may be placed on the blade 140 to prevent retraction, or in other words, motion of the reel assembly 120 may otherwise be inhibited to prevent the self-retraction assembly 130 from retracting the paid out portions of the blade 140. However, when the end hook 170 is not anchored and the locking assembly 160 is not engaged, the self-retraction assembly 130 may cause the reel assembly 120 to wind the blade 140 back onto the reel assembly 120.

[0026] As mentioned above, the blade 140 may be curved or cupped to improve the standout of the blade 140 compared to a planar blade 140. For a typical measuring tape, when the blade 140 is paid out through the aperture 150, the blade 140 will extend relatively straight out the aperture 150 (although some sagging or droop may be noticed due to the weight of the blade 140). The blade 140 can be extended in a guided fashion toward an intended target anchor point while the blade 140 continues to have sufficient rigidity to standout. The blade 140 will continue to extend and standout until the weight of the blade 140 extended past the aperture 150 is sufficient to cause the blade 140 to collapse and bend, thereby losing its rigidity and preventing any further guided extension. In addition to bending, the blade 140 may also experience rollover. Rollover may occur when the blade 140 is rotated about the longitudinal axis 145 of the blade 140. In this regard, rollover may occur when the measuring tape device 100 may be used to measure something that is disposed at an angle to the ground (e.g. a measurement made on a vertically disposed wall). Both rollover and bending of the blade 140 may contribute to the accumulation of stress concentrations at edges of the blade 140 over time through repeated occurrences of rollover and bending. Rollover and bending can occur in various situations, including but not limited to during retraction of the blade 140, while using the measuring tape device 100 to measure a vertical object, while using the measuring tape device 100 overhead, etc. As the measuring tape device 100 continues to get used over time, the stress concentrations of the blade 140 may be locations where the blade 140 may be likely to tear. Once the blade 140 tears or cracks or rips, the cracks may propagate throughout the blade 140, and may, in some cases, render the measuring tape device 100 unusable. Thus, as discussed below in relation to FIGS. 3-8, the blade 140 of some embodiments may be provided with reinforcement members at edges of the blade 140 having a higher ductility than the material of the central portion 180 thereby reducing the likelihood of the blade 140 tearing at the lateral edges, and improving the durability of the blade 140 overall.

[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 3-8, FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the blade of the measuring tape device according to an example embodiment. In some cases, the blade 140 may include a central portion 180 which may extend between the first end and the second end of the blade 140. The central portion 180 may be made from a first metallic material (e.g. spring steel), and may be cupped or curved as mentioned above to improve the standout of the blade 140. The central portion 180 may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis 145 of the blade 140 from the first end to the second end. In some cases, the end hook 170 may be operably coupled to the blade 140 via fasteners disposed at the central portion 180. The blade 140 may also include a first reinforcement member 190 that may be disposed at a first edge 182 of the central portion 180, and a second reinforcement member 200 disposed at a second edge 184 of the central portion 180. In this regard, the first edge 182 and the second edge 184 of the central portion 180 may be lateral edges. In addition to the first and second edges (182, 184) the central portion 180 may also include edges disposed at the first and second ends of the blade 140, as well as top and bottom edges disposed at a top face and a bottom face of the blade 140 extending perpendicularly between the first and second edges (182, 184).

[0028] Each of the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis 145 and between the first end and second end of the blade 140. In this regard, the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) may have a same overall length from the first end to the second end as the blade 140. This may be depicted in FIGS. 4 and 8, where the arcuate break in the blade 140 is intended to show an unspecified amount of length of the blade 140 that has been removed to show the first and second ends of the blade 140 conveniently. However, in some example embodiments, it may be possible that the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) may only be disposed at select portions along the length of the blade 140 where the blade 140 may perhaps be more susceptible to tearing. In any case, the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) may be disposed at, and operably coupled to, the first and second edges (182, 184) of the central portion 180, respectively. Together, the central portion 180, the first reinforcement member 190 and the second reinforcement member 200 may make up the blade 140.

[0029] In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3-8, the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) may not overlap with the central portion 180 at all. In other words, no portion of the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) may extend over or through the central portion 180 towards the longitudinal axis 145. In this regard, the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) may be operably coupled side-by-side with the central portion 180 at the first and second edges (182, 184), respectively. Thus, the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) may not be a coating or any additional material applied to the exterior of the blade 140 to reduce the likelihood of the blade 140 tearing at an edge thereof. Instead, in an example embodiment, the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) may be made separately from the central portion 180, and operably coupled to the central portion 180 in order to reduce the buildup of the stress concentrations and reduce the likelihood of a tear forming in the blade 140. In this regard, the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) may be made from a second metallic material that may be different from the first metallic material used to make the central portion 180. As such, the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) may be operably coupled to the central portion 180 prior to the application of any exterior coating to the blade 140 (e.g. polymer, paint, etc.) so that a user of the measuring tape device 100 may not visually perceive the addition of the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) to the central portion 180 of the blade 140.

[0030] In an example embodiment, the second metallic material of the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) may be more ductile than the first metallic material of the central portion 180. In this regard, the central portion 180 may provide the overall structure of the blade 140, whereas the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) prevent the formation of tears and cracks in the blade 140. Accordingly, the central portion 180 may need to be more rigid to provide the standout that makes the measuring tape device 100 so useful in the first place. However, the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) may need to be malleable or able to be deformed, and not rigid and brittle, in order to not tear or crack or rip responsive to the blade 140 bending or rolling over repeatedly over its entire lifespan. Thus, the second metallic material in the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200), or in other words the more ductile material, may slow the buildup of stress concentrations at the first and second edges (182, 184) of the central portion 180 by being malleable enough to absorb stress forces without breaking and keep them away from the central portion 180 accordingly. In some cases, the first and second metallic materials may simply be different alloys of the same type of metal. In this regard, various alloys of a base metal material (e.g. steel) may be created which may include a variety of other elements to alter the material properties of the base metal material. For example, a ductile steel alloy may be used as the second metallic material for the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200), and it may be created using the addition of certain known quantities of known elements to achieve the desired material properties. Thus, in some cases the first and second metallic materials of the central portion 180 and the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200), respectively, may be related in that they may both be alloys of a same metal base material. In other cases, the second metallic material may be an entirely different metallic material from the first metallic material, in which case they may not be related. In any case, the second metallic material may be a more ductile metallic material than the first metallic material so that it can better withstand repeated bending without fracturing as easily. FIG. 5 depicts a close up view of the blade 140 shown in FIG. 4 taken from Box 5. The view in FIG. 5 focuses on the operable coupling of the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) to the central portion 180 along the first edge 182 and the second edge 184, respectively. In some cases, the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) may be operably coupled to the first and second edges (182, 184) of the central portion 180, respectively, via a seam weld 185. The seam weld 185 may be disposed between the first reinforcement member 190 and the central portion 180 as well as between the second reinforcement member 200 and the central portion 180. In some cases, the seam weld 185 may not add any thickness (t) to the blade 140. In other words, the seam weld 150 may be provided only between the reinforcement members (190, 200) and the central portion 180, and may not extend beyond the top and bottom edges of the blade 140. In this regard, the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) may be metallically operably coupled to the central portion 180 and the blade 140 may therefore move and bend as a single member. In an example embodiment, such as the one shown in FIG. 6, the blade 140 may have a uniform thickness (t) across an entire width (w) of the blade 140. In other words, the thickness of the blade 140 across all of the first reinforcement member 190, the central portion 180, and the second reinforcement member 200, may be the same. This may ensure that the blade 140 is evenly wound and unwound on the reel assembly 120 and may prevent the blade 140 from having any imbalances during use.

[0031] In an example embodiment, the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200), in addition to comprising a different material from the central portion 180, may also be treated with a specific treatment process or processes that may alter the material properties of the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) to make them more ductile. The type of treatment process or processes used on the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) may vary, but some examples may include, but not be limited to flame treatment and annealing. In some other cases, the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) may not be made from a different material from the central portion 180 at all. Instead, the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) may simply be regions of the central portion 180, and thus the first metallic material, that may be treated with a specific treatment process or processes that may alter the material properties of the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) to make them more ductile than the central portion 180, as mentioned above.

[0032] In some cases, the blade 140 may be laser heat treated. In this regard, the boundary between the treated and untreated portions of the blade 140 may be distinct and well defined. In other words, on the inside (i.e. proximate to the longitudinal axis 145 of the blade 140) of the boundary between the treated and untreated portions, the material may be hard, whereas on the outside (i.e. at the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200)) of the boundary between the treated and untreated portions, the material may be more ductile with a stark transition between the two. This particular hardness transition may be depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8, as described below. However, in some other cases, the blade 140 may be induction heat treated. In this regard, the boundary between the treated and untreated portions of the blade 140 may be gradual and less well defined. In other words, on the inside (i.e. proximate to the longitudinal axis 145 of the blade 140) of the boundary between the treated and untreated portions, the material may be hard, but the transition to the more ductile material on the outside (i.e. at the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200)) of the boundary between the treated and untreated portions, may be gradual and there may be a hardness gradient between the two. This gradient is illustrated in FIG. 6, which shows a cross section view of an example blade 140 having a harder material in the central portion 180 and a more ductile material in the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200). The gradient in hardness may be illustrated by the gradient of the lighter gray color to the darker gray color shown in FIG. 6.

[0033] Regardless of whether or not the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) comprise a different, and thus more ductile, material from the central portion 180, or if the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) are simply regions of the central portion 180 that have been treated differently to make them more ductile than the rest of the central portion 180, the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) may have a lower hardness value according to the Rockwell hardness scale C, the particular Rockwell scale used for steel, cast irons, and other similar materials. For example, the central portion 180 may have a hardness value in a range of about 45-55 HRC whereas the hardness value of the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) may be in a range of about 30-40 HRC. These respective ranges of hardness values may provide the blade 140 with the proper balance between being hard enough to maintain the structure of the blade 140 when appropriate, but also ductile enough to resist fractures and cracks at the first and second edges (182, 184) accordingly.

[0034] The entire width of the blade 140 may be made up of the combined total of the widths of the first reinforcement member 190, the central portion 180, and the second reinforcement member 200, while accounting for some curvature due to the concavity of the blade 140. In some cases, the central portion 180 may occupy approximately 50-70% of the width of the entire blade 140. In this regard, the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) may each occupy approximately 15-25% of the width of the entire blade 140. In some other cases, the central portion 180 may occupy 80% or more of the total width of the blade 140 and each of the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) may occupy 10% or less of the total width of the blade 140. In any case, the central portion may occupy greater than or equal to 50% of the total width of the blade 140 to have enough of the first metallic material to maintain the overall structure of the blade 140. The first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) may merely be disposed at the first and second edges (182, 184) of the central portion 180 to improve the resistance of the blade 140 to tearing or fracturing at the very edge of the first and second edges (182, 184) of the central portion 180.

[0035] FIGS. 7 and 8 depict cross section views of the blade 140 according to different example embodiments. In FIG. 7, and as discussed above, the blade 140 may have a U- shaped cross section including the first reinforcement member 190, the central portion 180, and the second reinforcement member 200. In FIG. 8, the blade 140 may have a rounded M- shaped cross section including the first reinforcement member 190, the central portion 180, and the second reinforcement member 200. In this regard, the details about the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) discussed above may still apply to the blade 140 of FIGS. 7 and 8. The U-shaped concavity depicted in FIG. 7 may improve the standout of the blade 140 but in some cases may make it more difficult for the user of the measuring tape device 100 to make markings on the object being measured due to the blade 140 curling up, away from the object. Thus, the M shape concavity depicted in FIG. 8 may solve this issue since the outermost edges of the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) may curl back down towards the object being measured. Additionally, the M shaped concavity may provide more resistance against rollover, which may therefore also improve the durability of the blade 140. In either case, the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) may be operably coupled to the central portion 180 at the first and second edges (182, 184) thereof without overlapping with the central portion 180 at all. In other words, no material from the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) may extend over, under, or through the central portion 180 towards the longitudinal axis 145 of the blade 140. Instead, the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) may be restricted to being disposed outside the central portion 180 and operably coupled to the first and second edges (182, 184) accordingly. It should be noted that the hardness transitions (i.e. the distinct transition or the gradual transition from FIG. 6) mentioned above can be applied to either of the U-shaped cross section or the M-shaped cross section. In other words, the cross section shape of the blade 140 may not limit the type of treatment, if any, that is applied to the blade 140.

[0036] FIG. 9 depicts a top view of an example embodiment of the blade 140 having a third reinforcement member 210 disposed down a middle of the central portion 180 along the longitudinal axis 145 of the blade 140. In this regard, the central portion 180 may include the third reinforcement member 210 which add more support for the blade 140 and increase the standout of the blade 140 even further. The third reinforcement member 210 may thus be made from a third metallic material that may be stiffer and stronger than the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200), and the central portion 180 in some cases. Similar to the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200), the third reinforcement member 210 may be operably coupled to the central portion 180 without overlapping the central portion 180 at all. In this regard, the third reinforcement member 210 may be seam welded to the central portion 180 on either edge of the third reinforcement member 210. In some cases, the blade 140 having the first, second and third reinforcement members (190, 200, 210) may still have a uniform thickness (t) over the entire width (w) of the blade 140. In this regard, none of the first, second and third reinforcement members (190, 200, 210) may add any thickness to the blade 140. Embodiments of the blade 140 having the third reinforcement member 210 may also have the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200) as well, but the presence of the third reinforcement member 210 should not be taken to impact the presence of the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200). In such cases, the total width of the blade 140 may be the combination of the widths of the first and second reinforcement members (190, 200), the central portion 180, and the third reinforcement member 210. In some other cases, the third reinforcement member 210 may simply be a region of the central portion 180 treated with a specific treatment process or processes to behave more rigidly and improve its strength.

[0037] In an example embodiment, a blade for a measuring tape device may therefore be provided. The blade may include a first end at which an end hook may be operably coupled, a second end configured to be operably coupled to a reel assembly of the measuring tape device, a central portion that may extend between the first end and second end, a first reinforcement member that may be disposed at a first edge of the central portion and may extend between the first end and second end, and a second reinforcement member that may be disposed at a second edge of the central portion and may extend between the first end and second end. The first and second reinforcement members may not overlap with the central portion. In some embodiments, the features of the blade described above may be augmented or modified, or additional features may be added. These augmentations, modifications and additions may be optional and may be provided in any combination. Thus, although some example modifications, augmentations and additions are listed below, it should be appreciated that any of the modifications, augmentations and additions could be implemented individually or in combination with one or more, or even all of the other modifications, augmentations and additions that are listed. As such, for example, in some cases, the first and second reinforcement members may be operably coupled side-by-side with the central portion at the first and second edges, respectively. In an example embodiment, the central portion may include a first metallic material. In some cases, the first and second reinforcement members may include a second metallic material differing from the first metallic material. In an example embodiment, the second metallic material may be more ductile than the first metallic material. In some cases, the first and second reinforcement members may be seam welded to the first and second edges of the central portion, respectively. In an example embodiment, the central portion may include a metallic material. In some cases, the first reinforcement member and the second reinforcement member may be regions of the central portion that have been treated to increase the ductility of the metallic material. In an example embodiment, the central portion may not be treated. In some cases, the blade may have a uniform thickness across all of the first reinforcement member, the central portion, and the second reinforcement member. In an example embodiment, the blade may have a U-shaped cross section including the first reinforcement member, the central portion, and the second reinforcement member. In some cases, the central portion may occupy approximately 50-70% of a width of the entire blade. In an example embodiment, the first and second reinforcement members may each occupy approximately 15-25% of the width of the entire blade. In some cases, the blade may have an M-shaped cross section including the first reinforcement member, the central portion, and the second reinforcement member. In an example embodiment, the central portion may include a third reinforcement member extending from the first end to the second end and disposed along a longitudinal axis of the blade.

[0038] Some example embodiments may provide for a measuring tape device. The measuring tape device may include a housing having an aperture, a reel assembly enclosed within the housing, and a blade having a first end configured to extend from the housing through the aperture, a second end configured to be wound on the reel assembly and a central portion of material extending between the first end and the second end. The blade may further include a first reinforcement member that may be disposed at a first edge of the central portion and may extend between the first end and the second end, and a second reinforcement member that may be disposed at a second edge of the central portion and may extend between the first end and second end. The first and second reinforcement members may not overlap with the central portion.

[0039] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and / or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and / or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. In cases where advantages, benefits or solutions to problems are described herein, it should be appreciated that such advantages, benefits and / or solutions may be applicable to some example embodiments, but not necessarily all example embodiments. Thus, any advantages, benefits or solutions described herein should not be thought of as being critical, required or essential to all embodiments or to that which is claimed herein. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

THAT WHICH IS CLAIMED:

1. A blade for a measuring tape device, the blade comprising: a first end at which an end hook is operably coupled; a second end configured to be operably coupled to a reel assembly of the measuring tape device; a central portion extending between the first end and second end; a first reinforcement member disposed at a first edge of the central portion and extending between the first end and second end; and a second reinforcement member disposed at a second edge of the central portion and extending between the first end and second end, wherein the first and second reinforcement members do not overlap with the central portion.

2. The blade of claim 1, wherein the first and second reinforcement members are operably coupled side-by-side with the central portion at the first and second edges, respectively.

3. The blade of claim 2, wherein the central portion comprises a first metallic material, and wherein the first and second reinforcement members comprise a second metallic material differing from the first metallic material.

4. The blade of claim 3, wherein the second metallic material is more ductile than the first metallic material.

5. The blade of claim 2, wherein the first and second reinforcement members are seam welded to the first and second edges of the central portion, respectively.

6. The blade of claim 1, wherein the central portion comprises a metallic material, wherein the first reinforcement member and the second reinforcement member are regions of the central portion that have been treated to increase a ductility of the metallic material, andwherein the central portion is not treated.

7. The blade of claim 1, wherein the blade has a uniform thickness across all of the first reinforcement member, the central portion, and the second reinforcement member.

8. The blade of claim 1, wherein the blade has a U-shaped cross section including the first reinforcement member, the central portion, and the second reinforcement member.

9. The blade of claim 1, wherein the central portion occupies approximately 50- 70% of a width of the entire blade.

10. The blade of claim 9, wherein the first and second reinforcement members each occupy approximately 15-25% of the width of the entire blade.

11. The blade of claim 1, wherein the blade has an M-shaped cross section including the first reinforcement member, the central portion, and the second reinforcement member.

12. The blade of claim 1, wherein the central portion comprises a third reinforcement member extending from the first end to the second end and disposed along a longitudinal axis of the blade.

13. A measuring tape device comprising: a housing having an aperture; a reel assembly enclosed within the housing; and a blade comprising a first end configured to extend from the housing through the aperture, a second end configured to be wound on the reel assembly, and a central portion of material extending between the first end and second end, wherein the blade further comprises: a first reinforcement member disposed at a first edge of the central portion and extending between the first end and second end; and a second reinforcement member disposed at a second edge of the central portion and extending between the first end and second end, andwherein the first and second reinforcement members do not overlap with the central portion.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the first and second reinforcement members are operably coupled side-by-side with the central portion at the first and second edges, respectively.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the central portion comprises a first metallic material, and wherein the first and second reinforcement members comprise a second metallic material differing from the first metallic material.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the second metallic material is more ductile than the first metallic material.

17. The device of claim 13, wherein the first and second reinforcement members are seam welded to the first and second edges of the central portion, respectively.

18. The device of claim 13, wherein the blade has a uniform thickness across all of the first reinforcement member, the central portion, and the second reinforcement member.

19. The device of claim 13, wherein the central portion occupies approximately 50-70% of a width of the entire blade.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the first and second reinforcement members each occupy approximately 15-25% of the width of the entire blade.

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