Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
Hybrid spring and electric motor tape rule

Abstract:

A tape rule having a housing, a hub, a reel, a tape, a spring, and a motor. The hub and reel are rotatably mounted within the housing. The tape is wound around the reel. The spring is wound around the hub and is attached to at least one of the reel and the tape. The motor is disposed adjacent to the hub and is configured, when activated, to rotate the hub to adjust an amount by which the spring is wound around the hub.