Abstract: A coilable rule having a replacement cartridge comprising a hub, a spool for winding the tape and a keeper for maintaining the cartridge in factory adjusted position until it is field-installed in the tape casing is disclosed. The spool has a single side flange journaled on a hollow hub which is non-rotatably mounted within the casing with the hub providing a second side flange to define an annular spring chamber with the hub flange spaced from the spool by an annular clearance to prevent frictional contact and provide a unit bearing construction for the spool so that the spool is self-aligning. The keeper is snap-fitted into one of a plurality of non-circular openings in the hub flange and a central post passing through the hollow hub fixes the distance between the sidewalls of the casing to provide an axial clearance with the hub to accommodate the axial movement thereof.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a brake member for a tape measure in which the brake member is symmetrical so that in assembly either end can be placed in contact with the tape measure. There is also provided two detents for the brake member to hold it in either its braking or non-braking position.