Roll-over resistant measuring tape
A blade for a measuring tape device may include a first end at which an end hook is configurable, a second end configured to be operably coupled to a reel assembly, a first portion of a metallic strip of material extending between the first end and a transition region, and a second portion of the metallic strip of material extending between the transition region and the second end. A width of the metallic strip of material in the first portion may be less than a width of the metallic strip of material in the second portion.
1 . A blade for a measuring tape device, the blade comprising:
a first end at which an end hook is configurable;
a second end configured to be operably coupled to a reel assembly;
a first portion of a metallic strip of material extending between the first end and a transition region; and
a second portion of the metallic strip of material extending between the transition region and the second end,
wherein a width of the metallic strip of material in the first portion is less than a width of the metallic strip of material in the second portion, and
wherein about 10% to about 33% of the width of the metallic strip of material in the second portion is removed from each lateral side of the metallic strip of material in the first portion.
2 . The blade of claim 1 , wherein the width of the metallic strip of material in the first portion is about 30% to about 80% of the width of the metallic strip of material in the second portion.
3 . The blade of claim 1 , wherein a first film layer having a constant width is disposed over each of the first portion and the second portion.
4 . The blade of claim 3 , wherein the constant width of the first film layer is substantially equal to the width of the metallic strip of material in the second portion.
5 . The blade of claim 4 , wherein measurement markings are disposed at the metallic strip of material in each of the first and second portions.
6 . The blade of claim 4 , wherein measurement markings are disposed on the first film layer in each of the first and second portions.
7 . The blade of claim 4 , wherein measurement markings are printed on a printing medium disposed between the first film layer and a second film layer in the first portion, and disposed between the first film layer and a lateral edge of the metallic strip of material in the second portion.
8 . The blade of claim 4 , wherein a cupping profile of the metallic strip of material is substantially equal in the first and second portions.
9 . The blade of claim 4 , wherein the metallic strip of material is cupped to form a concave shape in each of the first and second portions, and
wherein concavity is greater in the first portion than the second portion.
10 . The blade of claim 4 , wherein the metallic strip of material is cupped to form a concave shape in each of the first and second portions, and
wherein concavity is greater in the second portion than the first portion.
11 . The blade of claim 4 , wherein the metallic strip of material is cupped to form a concave shape in each of the first and second portions, and
wherein a thickness of the metallic strip of material is greater in the first portion than the second portion.
12 . The blade of claim 4 , wherein the metallic strip of material is cupped to form a concave shape in each of the first and second portions, and
wherein a thickness of the metallic strip of material is greater in the second portion than the first portion.
13 . The blade of claim 1 , wherein a lateral side of the metallic strip of material is removed in the first portion via die cutting.
14 . The blade of claim 1 , wherein a lateral side of the metallic strip of material is removed in the first portion via cutting by rollers.
15 . The blade of claim 1 , wherein a distance from the first end to the transition region is less than about 48 inches.
16 . A measuring tape device comprising:
a housing having an aperture;
a reel assembly enclosed within the housing;
a blade formed from a metallic strip of material 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; and
an end hook disposed at the first end of the blade to engage an object for measurement,
wherein a first portion of the metallic strip of material extends between the first end and a transition region, and a second portion of the metallic strip of material extends between the transition region and the second end,
wherein a width of the metallic strip of material in the first portion is less than a width of the metallic strip of material in the second portion, and
wherein about 10% to about 33% of the width of the metallic strip of material in the second portion is removed from each lateral side of the metallic strip of material in the first portion.
17 . The measuring tape device of claim 16 , wherein the width of the metallic strip of material in the first portion is about 30% to about 80% of the width of the metallic strip of material in the second portion.
18 . The measuring tape device of claim 16 , wherein a first film layer having a constant width substantially equal to the width of the metallic strip of material in the second portion is disposed over each of the first portion and the second portion.
19 . The measuring tape device of claim 18 , wherein measurement markings are disposed:
at the metallic strip of material in each of the first and second portions;
on the first film layer in each of the first and second portions; or
on a printing medium disposed between the first film layer and a second film layer in the first portion, and disposed between the first film layer and a lateral edge of the metallic strip of material in the second portion.
20 . A method of producing a blade for a tape measuring device, the method comprising:
cutting by rollers or die cutting a lateral side of a metallic strip of material, for removal, to define a first portion having a first width and a second portion having a second width, which is less than the first width;
applying a first layer of polymeric film to each of the first and second portions, the first layer of polymeric film having a width substantially equal to the second width; and
providing measurement markings on the blade,
wherein providing the measurement markings comprises a selected one of:
printing the measurement markings on lateral edges of the metallic strip of material in each of the first and second portions;
printing the measurement markings on the first film layer in each of the first and second portions; and
printing the measurement markings on a printing medium disposed between the first film layer and a second film layer in the first portion, and disposed between the first film layer and a lateral edge of the metallic strip of material in the second portion.