US 11656067

Summary of US Patent 11656067

Title: Tape measure with tape blade profile increasing tape standout

Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp

Inventors: Jonathan F. Vitas, Abhijeet A. Khangar

Filing Date: 2021-05-24

Issue Date: 2023-05-23

Abstract: A tape measure is provided with a tape blade featuring a cross-sectional profile designed to enhance its standout distance. This profile has a curved shape that specifically increases standout. The tape blade can have a flat width greater than or equal to 29 mm and less than 32 mm.

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Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

This patent focuses on tape measures with specially designed tape blades that achieve an improved "standout" distance – the length a tape can extend unsupported before buckling. The claims detail specific geometric ratios and dimensions of the tape blade's cross-sectional curve and its overall width, in conjunction with a retraction system.

• Independent Claim 1: This claim describes a tape measure with a housing, a retractable blade, and a retraction system. The blade has a metal core with upper and lower polymer coatings. Key features include a curved profile where the upper surface is concave and the lower is convex. Specifically, the metal core's flat width is less than 32 mm. The ratio of the blade's curved width to its flat width is less than 0.74, and the ratio of its curved height to its flat width is greater than 0.29. Critically, this design achieves a standout distance from the housing greater than 150 inches.

• Independent Claim 7: Similar to Claim 1, this claim also describes a tape measure with a housing, a retractable blade (metal core with polymer coatings), and a retraction system. The blade has a curved profile. However, this claim specifies a larger metal core flat width, specifically 32 mm or greater. For this wider blade, the ratio of curved width to flat width is less than 0.70, and the ratio of curved height to flat width is greater than 0.31. This configuration also achieves a standout distance from the housing greater than 150 inches.

• Independent Claim 13: This claim describes a tape measure with a housing, a retractable blade having curved upper (concave) and lower (convex) surfaces, and a retraction system. The key here is that the blade has a flat width of 30 mm or less, and its curved width is less than its flat width. This specific design results in a standout distance from the housing of at least 132 inches.

• Independent Claim 16: This claim outlines a tape measure with a housing, a retractable blade with curved upper (concave) and lower (convex) surfaces, and a retraction system. This blade has a flat width that is greater than or equal to 29 mm and less than 32 mm. Its curved width is less than its flat width, and it provides a standout distance from the housing of at least 156 inches.

• Independent Claim 19: This claim describes a tape measure with a housing, a retractable blade with curved upper (concave) and lower (convex) surfaces, and a retraction system. This blade has a flat width greater than 32 mm. Its curved width is less than its flat width, and it achieves a standout distance from the housing of at least 168 inches.

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Litigation Notes:

According to the provided patent information, US11656067B2 is currently active and is involved in litigation:

• A PTAB case, IPR2026-00233, has been filed and is pending.
• A US case has been filed in the Illinois Northern District Court (case 1:25-cv-04689).
• The first worldwide family litigation has also been filed.