Abstract: A holder is provided for suspending a measuring rule or similar object, to which is attached a spring clip having an inwardly declined deflectable tongue portion thereon. The holder is of relatively flat configuration and is adapted to be inserted over or upon the belt of the user. It may be of generally U-shaped configuration, with an outer leg having a laterally extending slot configured to receive the tongue portion of the spring clip and defining a relatively narrow lower edge element about which the rule can swing freely, so as to minimize any tendency for inadvertent disassembly. Alternatively, the holder may be of generally rectangular, plate-like form and with edge slots through which the belt is inserted, while still retaining the lower edge feature described. The construction of the holder facilitates one-handed attachment and removal of the rule, without diminishing the security of interengagement afforded.

Abstract: A top reading power return rule has a shock-absorbing rib adjacent the spool, to prevent kinking upon retraction of the blade. The rib is positioned so as to be normally out of contact with the blade, but to intercept the blade when engagement of the hook member upon the casing causes it to abruptly stop and snap inwardly. The rib functions by decreasing the deflection of the taut blade about the small roller closest to the spool; excessive deflection is also avoided by providing a contact surface portion on the rib that is of relatively large area.

Abstract: A power returnable coilable rule employs a casing which has on the inside surface of one of its end walls a non-circular recess, and a reel which has on its adjacent end wall a recess of similar configuration. Slidably seated in the central passage through the reel is a hub with a barrel portion extending into the passage of the reel and a flange at one end having a cross section dimensioned and configured cooperatively to seat snugly in either of the recesses. In assembling the prewound reel in the casing, the flange is initially seated in the recess of the reel to prevent relative rotation therebetween and thereafter the hub is shifted axially to seat the flange in the recess of the casing so as to permit the reel to rotate thereabout.

Abstract: An end assembly for a tape rule employs a "true zero" hook, which has a hinge portion that is offset from its body portion by a distance equal to the thickness of the material from which the hook is fabricated. The hinge and body portions have outside and inside planar surfaces, respectively, that are perpendicular to one another and are equidistant from the axis of pivoting of the hinge portion about the ring by which it is attached to the tape rule. This permits the device to be utilized for the measurement of outside and inside dimensions, with the hook in its open or closed position, respectively.

Abstract: A power returnable coilable rule employs a cartridge having a hub rotatably seated and trapped in apertures in the end walls of the spool. The hub has a multiplicity of tabs at each of its ends which interlock with bosses on the inside surfaces of the outer casing end walls so as to prevent relative rotation thereof. The power spring is attached at its inner end to the hub and at its outer end to the inner end of the coiled measuring blade. Prior to assembly in the rule casing, a retainer clip secures the blade and spring in predetermined condition on the spool. This clip has an arm overlying a spool end wall with means adjacent its inner end interengaged with the tabs of the hub, and a flange at its outer end which depends along the outer coil of the blade and interengages with the tape hook so that the opposing forces on its ends produced by the coiled spring maintain the retainer clip in assembly.

Abstract: A coilable measuring blade for coilable rules has a concavo-convex cross section which has an intermediate portion with a smaller arc and greater height extending through and beyond the normal standout length to provide greater standout length. The blade may also have an outer terminal portion of greater height to require its deflection as it enters the rule casing and thereby provide reduction of the speed with which the blade is being retracted into the casing.

Abstract: A coilable measuring blade for coilable rules has a concavo-convex cross section which has a first portion wherein the length of the arc gradually decreases and the height of the cross section gradually increases to provide greater standout length. The inner or second portion of the blade also has a concavo-convex cross section with a relatively large radius and relatively shallow height. The blade may also have an outer terminal portion of greater height to require its deflection as it enters the rule casing and thereby provide reduction of the speed with which the blade is being retracted into the casing.

Abstract: A coilable rule is provided with a combination blade lock and shock absorber mechanism to lock its measuring blade in an extended position and absorb the shock of impact upon retraction of the blade. A lever is attached to the rule housing by a slidable pivot connection which allows the lever to be manually pivoted into and out of engagement with the measuring blade and also permits longitudinal movement of the lever relative to the housing. The lever is normally biased against the measuring blade by a bias spring to lock the blade in any extended position. When the blade is released and retracted under the action of its recoil spring, a blade pull-out hook contacts and moves the lever longitudinally against the bias spring to slide the lever relative to the housing and absorb the shock of impact.