Abstract: A power recoilable rule includes an elongated housing with a longitudinal dimension which is greater than its height dimension and having a width dimension which is lesser than the height dimension to enable comfortable gripping of the housing by the hand of a user. Mounted in the chamber at its forward end is a blade reel and at its rearward end is a spring motor with a casing and a spring coiled about its hub. Both hubs are mounted on the housing for rotation about transverse parallel axes. Gears on the hubs of the blade reel and spring motor are drivingly engaged with a drive transfer gear and the gear ratio of the blade reel gear to the drive motor gear is at least 2:1. The housing is desirably configured with a reduced height at its rearward end to facilitate gripping.

Abstract: A housing of a coiled tape measuring rule has a bottom wall in which is formed an aperture for the discharge of dirt and other contamination from the enclosure defined therewithin. The aperture has an enlarged inner end to provide an entrance portion for promoting the exit of particulate matter from the housing, while the relatively small outer end inhibits the passage of dirt in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A top reading rule has a coilable blade with measuring indicia on both surfaces thereof. On its surface visible through the top reading window, the measuring indicia are offset from the outer end thereof and includes a longitudinally extending central band of a color distinct from the background and directional pointers spaced along the length of the band of a color distinct from that of the band. The pointers indicate the direction of increasing numbers so that a user may readily determine the length represented by graduations intermediate the numbers.

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: A power returnable coilable rule has elongated locking means extending from a lock button on the exterior of the casing to below the blade passage with an aperture thereon adjacent the blade passage and through which the blade extends. A lock element on the lower end of the locking means cooperates with an anvil to press the blade thereagainst and clamp the blade firmly therebetween. Biasing means biases the locking means into the blade locking position, and the lock button is depressible to release the blade during finger pressure and both depressible and movable into a position in which the locking means is releasably engaged to permit free movement.