Measuring tape with lock button guard assembly

Abstract

A measuring tape device may include a housing having an aperture, a reel assembly defining an axis, a blade having a first end configured to extend from the housing through the aperture and a second end configured to be wound on the reel assembly, a locking assembly to alternately allow and prevent winding of the blade onto the reel assembly, and a guard assembly that may include a first guard member and a second guard member that may extend on opposing lateral sides of the locking assembly to protect the locking assembly from impact. The first and second guard members may each include one or more anchor slots and the housing may include one or more anchor members. The first and second guard members may be operably coupled to the housing via the one or more anchor members extending through the one or more anchor slots.

Description

[0001] MEASURING TAPE WITH LOCK BUTTON GUARD ASSEMBLY

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] Example embodiments generally relate to measuring tape devices, and particularly relate to a measuring tape that has a lock button guard assembly.

[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 an 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 relatively short measuring tapes (e.g., 12 ft or 25 ft), selfretracting mechanisms are very common. For very long measuring tapes (e.g., larger than 100 ft), a manual retracting mechanism is typically employed.

[0006] The reel assembly can often also be locked at a given location so that, for example, the measuring tape can be locked with a given amount of the metallic tape ribbon extending out of the housing of the measuring tape. The locking mechanisms that support this functionality are typically embodied as a sliding lock button that is disposed on a top and / or front portion of the measuring tape housing. The lock button therefore tends to extend outwardly, to at least some degree, from the housing. This extension may leave the lock button vulnerable to damage if the measuring tape is dropped or otherwise encounters impact. To address this potential vulnerability, some measuring tapes have provided the lock button to have a very low profile. However, such a low profile design negatively impacts the ergonomics of the lock button and the user has reduced mechanical advantage during button actuation. Thus, having a measuring tape device with a more robust protective system for the lock button, can be very attractive to consumers. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES

[0007] Some example embodiments may enable the provision of a measuring tape that has a guard around the lock button. The lock button can therefore be provided to give optimal ergonomics and mechanical advantage to the operator without sacrificing vulnerability to impact damage.

[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 defining an axis, a blade having a first end configured to extend from the housing through the aperture and a second end configured to be wound on the reel assembly, a locking assembly configured to alternately allow and prevent winding of the blade onto the reel assembly based on a position of the locking assembly, and a guard assembly that may include a first guard member and a second guard member that may extend on opposing lateral sides of the locking assembly to protect the locking assembly from impact. The locking assembly may include a lock button that may slide within a lock button track. The first and second guard members may each include one or more anchor slots and the housing may include one or more anchor members. The first and second guard members may be operably coupled to the housing via the one or more anchor members extending through the one or more anchor slots.

[0009] In another example embodiment, a guard assembly for protecting a locking assembly that may include a lock button that slides within a lock button track configured to lock an extended blade of a measuring tape device may be provided. The guard assembly may include a first guard member extending along a first lateral side of the lock button track, and a second guard member extending along a second lateral side of the lock button track, where the second side is opposite the first side. The first and second guard members may each include one or more anchor slots, and a housing of the measuring tape device may include one or more anchor members. The first and second guard members may be operably coupled to the housing via the one or more anchor members of the housing extending through the one or more anchor slots of the first and second guard members.

[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; FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the measuring tape device in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a close up perspective view of the guard assembly on the measuring tape device in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a close up exploded view of the guard assembly on the measuring tape device in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a close up perspective view of one side of the guard assembly on the measuring tape device in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the lock button and guard members removed from the housing of the measuring tape device in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of the measuring tape device housing in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates a cross section view of the measuring tape device of FIG. 7 taken along line A-A’ in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates a cross section view of the measuring tape device of FIG. 7 taken along line B-B’ in accordance with an example embodiment; and

[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates a close up perspective section view of the guard assembly on the measuring tape device in accordance with an example embodiment.

[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] 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.

[0023] As indicated above, some example embodiments may relate to the provision of a measuring tape device that may have an improved protection system for the lock button. This may be accomplished by providing a guard member structure to protect the opposing lateral sides of the lock button. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a measuring tape device, and FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of such device, in accordance with an example embodiment.

[0024] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a measuring tape device 100 of an example embodiment may include a housing 110 inside which a reel assembly 120 and a self-retraction assembly 130 may be provided. 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.

[0025] The blade 140 may have an end hook 170 disposed at one end thereof, and may be affixed to the reel assembly 120 at the other 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.

[0026] 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 motion of the reel assembly 120 may otherwise be inhibited to prevent the selfretraction 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 selfretraction assembly 130 may cause the reel assembly 120 to wind the blade 140 back onto the reel assembly 120.

[0027] As mentioned above, for a typical measuring tape, when the blade 140 is paid out through the aperture 150, the blade 140 may extend relatively straight out the aperture 150 (although some sagging or droop may be noticed due to the weight of the blade 140 when longer lengths are extended). 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. When the blade 140 has been extended to allow the end hook 170 to engage the anchor point, or when the operator manually places the end hook 170 at the anchor point, the blade 140 can be extended to perform any intended measurements so long as the end hook 170 remains fixed at the anchor point.

[0028] For a typical, flat piece of media that is being measured, the blade 140 (which generally has a shallow U-shaped cross section) lays across the media and the end hook 170 engages the anchor point such that the media and the anchor point are both below the blade 140 (or at least on the same side of the blade 140). However, it is possible that measurements may be desirable in other orientations for the blade 140 and the end hook 170. In either case, particularly for repeated measurements of similar lengths, the locking assembly 160 may be used to retain a fixed amount of the blade 140 being extended (and locked) out of the aperture 150. In some cases, the locking assembly 160 may be slid, toggled or otherwise moved between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, a force (e.g., a pinch force) is exerted on the blade 140 or on a portion of the reel assembly 120 or self-retraction assembly 130 to prevent the self-retraction assembly 130 from drawing the blade 140 back onto the reel assembly 120 in an automatic fashion. In the unlocked position, the self-retraction assembly 130 is generally not inhibited from retracting the blade 140 onto the reel assembly 120 responsive to some amount of the blade 140 being withdrawn through the aperture 150 and not being held in such position.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a guard assembly 180 may be defined substantially around at least the lateral edges of the locking assembly 160. However, in some cases, the guard assembly 180 may be defined around all edges of the locking assembly 160, as will be discussed in greater detail below. The guard assembly 180 may be configured to extend away from the housing 110 (relative to an axis of the drum of the reel assembly 120) by a distance greater than a majority (and perhaps all) of the locking assembly 160. As such, the guard assembly 180 can shield the locking assembly 160 to either prevent or at least mitigate impact on the locking assembly 160 (e.g., due to dropping the measuring tape device 100).

[0030] The specific structures used to embody both the locking assembly 160 and the guard assembly 180 may vary in different example embodiments. FIG. 3 illustrates a close up perspective view of the guard assembly 180, FIG. 4 illustrates a close up exploded view of the guard assembly 180, and FIG. 5 illustrates a close up perspective view of one side of the guard assembly 180. FIG. 6 illustrates an isolated perspective view of a lock button and first and second guard members, FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of the housing 110 of the measuring tape device 100 in accordance with an example embodiment, FIG. 8 illustrates a cross section view of the measuring tape device 100 of FIG. 7 taken along line A- A’ in accordance with an example embodiment, FIG. 9 illustrates a cross section view of the measuring tape device 100 of FIG. 7 taken along line B-B’ in accordance with an example embodiment and FIG. 10 illustrates a close up perspective section view of the guard assembly 180 on the measuring tape device 100 in accordance with an example embodiment.

[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 3-10, the locking assembly 160 may include a lock button 200 and a lock button track 210. The lock button track 210 may be formed of plastic, metal or other rigid materials to define a track within which the lock button 200 is slidable to shift between the locked position and the unlocked position. In an example embodiment, the lock button 200 may be slid within the lock button track 210 in the direction of arrow 215 to move to the locked position, and may be slid in the opposite direction to that shown by arrow 215 to transition to the unlocked position. It should be appreciated that, in some cases, the locking assembly 160 may be embodied as a toggle switch that toggles forward and rearward instead of sliding. In either case, the lock button track 210 may be a physical structure that supplies support to the lock button 200 to enable the lock button 200 to move as needed to facilitate transitioning between the locked and unlocked positions. In some cases, the lock button track 210 may be molded or otherwise formed as a separate component that interfaces with the housing 110. In such cases, either or both of the housing 110 and the lock button track 210 may be formed as two half-shells that are joined together. Moreover, in some embodiments, the lock button track 210 and the housing 110 may interface with each other in such a way that the clamping together of the two half-shells of the housing 110 also holds the lock button track 210 in its corresponding position within the measuring tape device 100. In some cases, even though the lock button track 210 may be a separately molded component, the lock button track 210 may effectively be or form a portion of the housing 110 when operably coupled therewith.

[0032] The lock button 200 may have a width that is sized to enable the lock button 200 to slide (or toggle) within the lock button track 210. Meanwhile, the length of the lock button 200 may be small enough to allow the lock button 200 to have sufficient range of motion within the lock button track 210 to cause a transition between the locked position and the unlocked position. The structures and interfaces that actually implement locking and unlocking are outside the scope of the present disclosure.

[0033] As shown primarily in FIG. 8, the housing 110 may have an arcuate portion that defines a constant radius from an axis 218 of the reel assembly 120. The arcuate portion of the housing 110 may extend substantially over an entirety of the top of the measuring tape device 100, and also over a majority of the front and back of the measuring tape device 100. Lateral sides of the housing 110 may extend from the arcuate portion to the bottom portion of the housing 110 to define the enclosure formed by the housing 110. Meanwhile, the lock button track 210 may also define an arcuate portion that extends over a portion of the front of the measuring tape device 100. The arcuate portion of the lock button track 210 may have a slightly larger radius than the radius of the arcuate portion of the housing 110. The lock button 200 may have a base portion that is also arcuate in shape and that rides in the lock button track 210, and may have a protruding portion that extends away from the base portion and the axis 218 by a distance that is larger than both the radius of the arcuate portion of the housing 110 and the radius of the arcuate portion of the lock button track 210.

[0034] The guard assembly 180 may be defined by a first guard member 220 and a second guard member 222 which may each be disposed to extend along lateral edges of the lock button track 210. The first and second guard members (220, 222) may extend in an arcuate shape that may correspond to the shape of the arcuate edge or the lock button track 210. In some cases, the first and second guard members (220, 222) may each extend substantially parallel to the direction indicated by arrow 215. In an example embodiment, the housing 110 may also include a first locking channel 230 and a second locking channel 232, via which the first and second guard members (220, 222) may operably couple to the housing 110. In other words, the first and second locking channels (230, 232) may be configured to receive the first and second guard members (220, 222) therein when the measuring tape device 100 is fully assembled. As seen in FIG. 3, in some cases, the first locking channel 230 may be disposed at an opposite side of the locking button track 210 from the second locking channel 232. Furthermore, in an example embodiment, first and second ends of the guard assembly 180 may be disposed proximate to respective top and bottom portions of the locking assembly 160.

[0035] Of note, the first and second guard members (220, 222) are merely one example structure for guard members that may form the guard assembly 180, and other structures are also possible. Additionally, similar structures could also be employed, but using other materials. For example, in some cases, resin or other rigid materials could be used to form structures having the same (or similar) shape to those disclosed above for the first and second guard members (220, 222). The guard members could, when formed from resin, be overmolded to other portions of the housing 110 to provide the same type of protection described above, except using a plastic or resin material instead of a metallic assembly of guard members.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the first and second guard members (220, 222) may be disposed a distance from the axis 218 that is larger than the both the radius of the arcuate portion of the housing 110 and about equal to the radius of the arcuate portion of the lock button track 210. However, in some cases, the protruding portion of the lock button 200 may extend beyond the first and second guard members (220, 222). Thus, any impact (e.g., due to falling, etc.) on the protruding portion of the lock button 200 may be mitigated or completely blocked by the first and second guard members (220, 222) (depending on the angle of the impact relative to the lock button 200).

[0037] As seen in FIGS. 4-6 and 8, the first and second guard members (220, 222) may include one or more anchor slots 240 and the housing 110 may include one or more anchor members 250. In this regard, the anchor slots 240 may be portions of the first and second guard members (220, 222) that have been cut away or bored out of the first and second guard members (220, 222). On the other hand, the anchor members 250 may be disposed within the first and second locking channels (230, 232), and may include portions of the housing 110 that may have been formed to extend substantially perpendicularly across a width of the first and second locking channels (230, 232). Therefore, the first and second guard members (220, 222) may be operably coupled to the housing 110 via the one or more anchor members 250 of the housing 110 extending through respective ones of the one or more anchor slots 240 of the first and second guard members (220, 222). For example, the anchor members 250 may resemble rungs of a ladder, and in this analogy, the lateral sides of first and second locking channels (230, 232) themselves may be the upright / longitudinal portions of the ladder. Accordingly, the one or more anchor members 250 may be disposed within the first and second locking channels (230, 232), extending between parallel sides of the first and second locking channels (230, 232) to retain the first and second guard members (220, 222) in continuous contact with the first and second locking channels (230, 232), respectively.

[0038] To do so, the one or more anchor slots 240 may be distributed along the first and second guard members (220, 222) at positions that may align with respective ones of the one or more anchor members 250 along the first and second locking channels (230, 232). During a manufacturing process of the measuring tape device 100, the guard assembly 180, or in other words the first and second guard members (220, 222), may be insert molded within the housing. In this regard, the first and second guard members (220, 222) may be pre-placed within the mold at their desired positions. Then, the material that forms the housing 110 may be inserted into the mold and fill in all around the first and second guard members (220, 222). This is how the anchor members 250 may be operably coupled to the anchor slots 240: the anchor members 250 may be formed after the anchor slots 240 and may fill in the void of each of the anchor slots 240 during the manufacturing process. Thus, the first and second locking channels (230, 232) may be formed by filling in material around the first and second guard members (220, 222) as well. In some cases, the mold may form the first and second locking channels (230, 232) to a first depth (DI) that may be equal to about 75% of a second depth (D2) which may correspond to the first and second guard members (220, 222). This may be seen best in FIG. 10, where the first and second guard members (220, 222) may be shown to extend out of the first and second locking channels (230, 232), respectively, so that a portion of each of the first and second guard members (220, 222) is exposed outside of the first and second locking channels (230, 232) and another portion of each of the first and second guard members (220, 222) is covered by the first and second locking channels (230, 232). This may improve the operable coupling of the first and second guard members (220, 222) to the housing 110 along the full length of the first and second guard members (220, 222) to provide improved protection performance and durability of the guard assembly 180 over time and over a wider variety of drop conditions and angles.

[0039] In an example embodiment, a first total (i.e. cumulative) volume of the one or more anchor members 250 that may extend through the anchor slots 240 of each of the first and second guard members (220, 222) may be between about 7% and about 16% of a second volume of each of the first and second guard members (220, 222). For instance, in an example embodiment, the first and second guard members (220, 222) may each have a total volume of about 755 mm3, and there may be a cumulative volume of about 59.5 mm3with all of the anchor members 250 combined, extending through each of the first and second 59 5 guard members (220, 222). * 100 = 7.88%. This ratio may be important when considering the performance and durability of the guard assembly 180 when the measuring tape device 100 may be dropped. It may be important to balance the volume of the anchor members 250 with the volume of the first and second guard members (220, 222) to provide sufficient protection from the first and second guard members (220, 222) while also providing sufficient anchor member 250 volume to retain the first and second guard members (220, 222) within the first and second locking channels (230, 232) over time and many potential impacts.

[0040] On a similar note, between about 70% and about 76% by volume of the first and second guard members (220, 222) are covered by the first and second locking channels (230, 232), respectively. For instance, from the example embodiment above, the first and second guard members (220, 222) may each have a total volume of about 755 mm3. In such cases, the volume of the portion of the first and second guard members (220, 222) that may be covered by the first and second locking channels (230, 232), respectively, may be about 570 mm3— * 100 = 75.50%. Thus, 185 mm3, or — * 100 = 24.50%, of the first and second guard members (220, 222) may be uncovered or exposed outside of the first and second locking channels (230, 232). This ratio may also be important when considering the performance and durability of the guard assembly 180 in protecting the lock button 200. It may be important to balance the volume of the first and second guard members (220, 222) that is covered vs uncovered by the first and second locking channels (230, 232) in order to provide sufficient support for the first and second guard members (220, 222) in their respective locking channels (230, 232) while also providing a large enough buffer around the locking button 200 to protect the locking button 200 over time and many potential impacts.

[0041] In an example embodiment, the first and second guard members (220, 222) may have a total volume of 995 mm3, 266 mm3of exposed volume, 729 mm3of covered volume and 122 mm3of cumulative anchor member 250 volume extending through the anchor slots 240. In this example, the volume of the one or more anchor members 250 that may extend through the anchor slots 240 of each of the first and second guard members (220, 222) may be about 12.26% of a second volume of each of the first and second guard members (220, 222). Additionally, the volume of the portion of the first and second guard members (220, 222) that may be covered by the first and second locking channels (230, 232), respectively, may be about 73.27%.

[0042] In some other cases, the first and second guard members (220, 222) may have a total volume of 775 mm3, 225 mm3of exposed volume, 550 mm3of covered volume and 121 mm3of cumulative anchor member 250 volume extending through the anchor slots 240. In this example, the volume of the one or more anchor members 250 that may extend through the anchor slots 240 of each of the first and second guard members (220, 222) may be about 15.61% of a second volume of each of the first and second guard members (220, 222). Additionally, the volume of the portion of the first and second guard members (220, 222) that may be covered by the first and second locking channels (230, 232), respectively, may be about 70.97%.

[0043] Referring again to FIG. 8, the one or more anchor slots 240 may include at least three total anchor slots 240 which may be disposed along an arcuate path 260. In some cases, the arcuate path 260 may be defined by a first radius (Rl) extending away from the axis 218. Additionally, each of the at least three total anchor slots 240 may be disposed the first radius (Rl) away from the axis 218, along the arcuate path 260. The arcuate path 260 may extend along a centerline of the first and second guard members (220, 222). In this regard, the radius of curvature of the arcuate path 260 may be the same radius of curvature as the first and second guard members (220, 222). Additionally, each of the at least three total anchor slots 240 may be disposed at a middle of the second depth (D2) of the first and second guard members (220, 222). In some cases, consecutive ones of the at least three total anchor slots 240 may be equidistantly spaced apart from each other along the arcuate path 260. This may also improve the operable coupling of the first and second guard members (220, 222) to the housing 110 along the full length of the first and second guard members (220, 222) to provide improved protection performance and durability of the guard assembly 180 over time and over a wider variety of drop conditions and angles. In an example embodiment, a majority of the one or more anchor slots 240, and corresponding ones of the one or more anchor members 250, may be substantially rounded rectangular shaped in cross section. In such cases, at least one of the one or more anchor slots 240, and at least a corresponding one of the one or more anchor members 250, may be substantially pentagonally shaped in cross section. These shapes may be strong and more resistant to fracturing due to having relatively few stress concentration points, as well as being simple to manufacture via a molding process.

[0044] Accordingly, as can be appreciated from the examples above, the guard assembly 180 may be constructed to define continuous contact with the measuring tape device 100 (at either or both of the housing 110 and the lock button track 210) along the full length of the guard assembly 180. Such a design may provide good impact durability, but may leave a small portion of the lock button 200 exposed due to extending beyond the radius of the arc defined by the first and second guard members (220, 222) of the guard assembly 180. As such, an alternative design that leaves an intentional gap between at least part of the first and second guard members (220, 222) and the measuring tape device 100 (at either or both of the housing 110 and the lock button track 210) may be provided to ensure that the lock button 200 does not extend away from the housing 110 by a distance greater than the radius of the arc defined by the first and second guard members (220, 222). This alternative design may provide a different (and perhaps preferable to some) aesthetic appeal, and may also provide weight optimization. In any case, example embodiments may reduce susceptibility of the lock button 200 to sustaining impact damage due to the protection offered by the guard assembly 180. As such, a more prominent lock button 200 can be employed to provide improved ergonomics and mechanical advantage for operators, without sacrificing durability.

[0045] 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 defining an axis, a blade having a first end configured to extend from the housing through the aperture and a second end configured to be wound on the reel assembly, a locking assembly configured to alternately allow and prevent winding of the blade onto the reel assembly based on a position of the locking assembly, and a guard assembly that may include a first guard member and a second guard member that may extend on opposing lateral sides of the locking assembly to protect the locking assembly from impact. The locking assembly may include a lock button that may slide within a lock button track. The first and second guard members may each include one or more anchor slots and the housing may include one or more anchor members. The first and second guard members may be operably coupled to the housing via the one or more anchor members extending through the one or more anchor slots.

[0046] In some embodiments, the features of the device 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, the housing may include first and second locking channels that may extend substantially parallel to the lock button track. In an example embodiment, the first locking channel may be disposed at an opposite side of the locking button track from the second locking channel. In some cases, the one or more anchor members may be disposed within the first and second locking channels to retain the first and second guard members in continuous contact with the first and second locking channels, respectively. In an example embodiment, the one or more anchor slots may be distributed along the first and second guard members at positions that align with respective ones of the one or more anchor members along the first and second locking channels. In some cases, a first total volume of the one or more anchor members that extend through each of the first and second guard members may be between about 7% and about 16% of a second volume of each of the first and second guard members. In an example embodiment, the first and second locking channels may each have a first depth about equal to 75% of a second depth of the first and second guard members. In some cases, between about 70% and about 76% by volume of the first and second guard members may be covered by the first and second locking channels, respectively. In an example embodiment, first and second ends of the guard assembly may be disposed proximate to respective top and bottom portions of the locking assembly. In some cases, the guard assembly may be disposed along at least two sides of the locking assembly. In an example embodiment, the guard assembly may be insert molded with a portion of the housing. In some cases, the one or more anchor slots may include at least three total anchor slots disposed along an arcuate path. In an example embodiment, each of the at least three total anchor slots may be disposed a radius away from the axis. In some cases, consecutive ones of the at least three total anchor slots may be equidistantly spaced apart from each other along the arcuate path. In an example embodiment, a majority of the one or more anchor slots, and corresponding ones of the one or more anchor members, may be substantially rounded rectangular shaped in cross section. In some cases, at least one of the one or more anchor slots, and at least a corresponding one of the one or more anchor members, may be substantially pentagonally shaped in cross section.

[0047] In another example embodiment, a guard assembly for protecting a locking assembly that may include a lock button that slides within a lock button track configured to lock an extended blade of a measuring tape device may be provided. The guard assembly may include a first guard member extending along a first lateral side of the lock button track, and a second guard member extending along a second lateral side of the lock button track, where the second side is opposite the first side. The first and second guard members may each include one or more anchor slots, and a housing of the measuring tape device may include one or more anchor members. The first and second guard members may be operably coupled to the housing via the one or more anchor members of the housing extending through the one or more anchor slots of the first and second guard members.

[0048] 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

WHAT IS CLAIMED:

1. A measuring tape device comprising: a housing having an aperture; a reel assembly defining an axis; a blade having a first end configured to extend from the housing through the aperture and a second end configured to be wound on the reel assembly; a locking assembly configured to alternately allow and prevent winding of the blade onto the reel assembly based on a position of the locking assembly, the locking assembly comprising a lock button that slides within a lock button track; and a guard assembly comprising a first guard member and a second guard member, the first and second guard members extending on opposing lateral sides of the lock button track to protect the locking assembly from impact, wherein the first and second guard members each comprise one or more anchor slots and the housing comprises one or more anchor members, and wherein the first and second guard members are operably coupled to the housing via the one or more anchor members of the housing extending through the one or more anchor slots of the first and second guard members.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises first and second locking channels extending substantially parallel to the lock button track, and wherein the first locking channel is disposed at an opposite side of the locking button track from the second locking channel.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the one or more anchor members are disposed within the first and second locking channels to retain the first and second guard members in continuous contact with the first and second locking channels, respectively.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the one or more anchor slots are distributed along the first and second guard members at positions that align with respective ones of the one or more anchor members along the first and second locking channels.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein a first total volume of the one or more anchor members that extend through each of the first and second guard members is between about 7% and about 16% of a second volume of each of the first and second guard members.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein the first and second locking channels each have a first depth about equal to 75% of a second depth of the first and second guard members.

7. The device of claim 2, wherein between about 70% and about 76% by volume of the first and second guard members are covered by the first and second locking channels, respectively.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein first and second ends of the guard assembly are disposed proximate to respective top and bottom portions of the locking assembly.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the guard assembly is disposed along at least two sides of the locking assembly.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the guard assembly is insert molded with a portion of the housing.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more anchor slots comprises at least three total anchor slots disposed along an arcuate path, and wherein each of the at least three total anchor slots are disposed a radius away from the axis.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein consecutive ones of the at least three total anchor slots are equidistantly spaced apart from each other along the arcuate path.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein a majority of the one or more anchor slots, and corresponding ones of the one or more anchor members, are substantially rounded rectangular shaped in cross section, and wherein at least one of the one or more anchor slots, and at least a corresponding one of the one or more anchor members, is substantially pentagonally shaped in cross section.

14. A guard assembly for protecting a locking assembly comprising a lock button that slides within a lock button track configured to lock an extended blade of a measuring tape device, the guard assembly comprising: a first guard member extending along a first lateral side of the lock button track; and a second guard member extending along a second lateral side of the lock button track, the second side being opposite the first side, wherein the first and second guard members each comprise one or more anchor slots and a housing of the measuring tape device comprises one or more anchor members, and wherein the first and second guard members are operably coupled to the housing via the one or more anchor members of the housing extending through the one or more anchor slots of the first and second guard members.

15. The guard assembly of claim 14, wherein the housing comprises first and second locking channels extending substantially parallel to the lock button track, and wherein the first locking channel is disposed at an opposite side of the locking button track from the second locking channel.

16. The guard assembly of claim 15, wherein the one or more anchor members are disposed within the first and second locking channels to retain the first and second guard members in continuous contact with the first and second locking channels, respectively.

17. The guard assembly of claim 16, wherein the one or more anchor slots are distributed along the first and second guard members at positions that align with respective ones of the one or more anchor members along the first and second locking channels.

18. The guard assembly of claim 17, wherein a first total volume of the one or more anchor members that extend through each of the first and second guard members is between about 7% and about 16% of a second volume of each of the first and second guard members.

19. The guard assembly of claim 15, wherein the first and second locking channels each have a first depth about equal to 75% of a second depth of the first and second guard members.

20. The guard assembly of claim 15, wherein between about 70% and about 76% by volume of the first and second guard members are covered by the first and second locking channels, respectively.

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