Tape measure with interchangeable end fittings

[0001] The present invention relates to a tape measure that utilizes a flexible tape blade that is deployable and retractable relative to an associated housing for taking distance measurements.

[0002] Modern tape measures may be generally divided into two classes—power return tape measures and manually wound tape measures. Tape measures of the former class typically include a metallic tape blade of not more than forty feet in length and a spring-based mechanism that acts to retract the tape blade into the tape measure housing unless a tape lock is engaged. In contrast, tape measures of the latter class typically use flexible fabric, fiberglass, and/or plastic tapes of fifty feet or more in length and do not include a powered return mechanism. Instead, the manually wound tape measures rely on some form of manually operated crank mechanism to rewind the tape into the tape measure housing. These manually wound tape measures are typically used for measuring relatively long distances, such as complete foundation walls, vehicle accident scenes, property lines, etc.

[0003] When measuring with a tape measure of either type, the leading end portion of the tape is typically temporarily secured to a relevant point (e.g., the edge of a board, the corner of a building, or a survey stake) and the user deploys the tape by moving the housing away from that point to “pull” the tape from the housing. Typically, the tape measure is provided with a single type of hooking end fitting, such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,698,679. Such an arrangement may be suitable when the measuring tape is going to be used for only one type of measurement situation. However, different measurement situations may present different tape holding problems. For example, there may not be a suitable edge for hooking onto, or the like. As such, the single permanent hook arrangement of the prior art has not proven completely satisfactory for all situations.

[0004] Thus, there remains a need for alternative designs of tape measures, advantageously ones that allow the tape leading end to be temporarily secured to a wide variety of features.

[0005] In one illustrative embodiment, a tape measure comprises a housing; a measuring tape deployable with respect to the housing between a fully retracted position and a deployed position; the tape having an anchored end and a free end; a first coupling portion secured to the tape free end; a plurality of measuring end fittings, each of the end fittings comprising a second coupling portion; the first and second coupling portions interockingly engageable to selectively couple the corresponding end fitting to the tape free end; wherein the first and second coupling portions are interlockingly engageable, and advantageously also disengageable, when the measuring tape free end is in the fully retracted position. The housing may comprise a recess, with the first coupling portion disposed at least partially in the recess when the measuring tape free end is in the fully retracted position. Also, the housing may comprise one or more storage compartments for storing the end fittings. Advantageously, each of the end fittings have a measuring abutment surface disposed aligned with a zero point of the tape's measuring scale when the corresponding end fitting is coupled to the measuring tape.

[0006] In another embodiment, a tape measure comprises a housing; a measuring tape having an anchored end and a free end, the free end deployable and retractable with respect to the housing; a first portion of a releasable buckle connection mounted to the tape free end; a plurality of measuring end fittings, each of the end fittings comprising a second portion of the releasable buckle connection; the first and second portions of the releasable buckle connection engageable to selectively couple the corresponding end fitting to the tape free end. The releasable buckle connection may comprise a side-release buckle connection, advantageously one where the relevant portions engage with an interference fit.

[0007] In another embodiment, a tape measure comprises a housing; a measuring tape having an anchored end and a free end, the free end deployable with respect to the housing; a first coupling portion secured to the tape free end and defining a longitudinal axis; a plurality of measuring end fittings, each of the end fittings comprising a second coupling portion; the first and second coupling portions interockingly engageable to selectively couple the corresponding end fitting to the tape free end; wherein the second coupling portion comprises at least a pair of clamping surfaces longitudinally spaced from one another for clamping a portion of the first coupling portion therebetween; the pair of clamping surfaces formed on a common integral body. The second coupling portion may comprise a deflectable prong that defines one of the pair of clamping surfaces.

[0008] In another embodiment, a tape measure comprises a housing; a measuring tape supported by the housing and having an anchored end and a free end, the free end deployable with respect to the housing; a first coupling portion secured to the tape free end; a plurality of measuring end fittings, each of the end fittings comprising a second coupling portion; the first and second coupling portions engageable to selectively couple the corresponding end fitting to the tape free end; each of the end fittings selectively moveable between a storage position contacting the housing and disengaged from the first coupling portion and a use position engaged with the first coupling portion. The housing advantageously comprises a storage compartment sized to accommodate the plurality of end fittings; the end fittings disposed in the compartment when in the storage position.

[0009] In another embodiment, a tape measure comprises a housing; a measuring tape supported by the housing and having an anchored end and a free end, the free end deployable and retractable with respect to the housing; the measuring tape having a measuring scale visible thereon; a tape coupler mounted, advantageously permanently, to the tape free end and defining a longitudinal axis; a plurality of measuring end fittings adapted to be selectively coupled to the tape coupler, one in place of another; each of the end fittings having a measuring abutment surface disposed generally normal to the longitudinal axis and aligned with a zero point of the measuring scale when the corresponding end fitting is coupled to the measuring tape. The plurality of end fittings may comprise at least three end fittings, each differently configured than the others.

[0010] Other aspects of various embodiments of the inventive apparatus and related methods are also disclosed in the following description. The various aspects may be used alone or in any combination, as is desired.

[0030] The present invention relates generally to a tape measure that is able to employ a plurality of interchangeable end fittings for temporarily securing the end of the tape to a measurement point. The tape measure may be a power return tape measure or a manually wound tape measure, and the relevant tape blade may be self-supporting with significant standout, or may be non-self-supporting. However, for simplicity, a manually wound tape measure utilizing a non-self-supporting tape blade will be used below as a non-limiting illustrative example in order to provide an understanding of one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a manually wound tape measure, generally designated 10, is shown constructed according to the present invention. The tape measure 10 includes a housing 12, a tape 80, a tape coupler 90, and a plurality of end fittings 110, 210, 310. The housing 12 includes a frame or shell 14, a tape reel 70, and a crank assembly. The frame 14 forms the main body of the housing 12, and is typically formed by shell halves 14a,14bthat are held together by screws 15, snap-fits, or the like. The frame 14 includes a central area 16, side arms 18, a handle 20, and a lower arm 30. The side arms 18 extend laterally outward from the central area 16, and may advantageously include suitable cushions 19 on their farthest extent. The handle 20 is disposed above the central area 16 and provides a convenient means to hold the tape measure 10. The lower arm 30 extends downward from the central area 16 and provides a means for controlling the routing of the tape 80 when being deployed or retracted.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 2, the tape reel 70 is rotatably supported by shell 14 for rotation about rotational axis 71, which advantageously lies along the vertical midline of housing 12. The reel 70 typically takes the form of a simple frame structure with a circular peripheral wall. The tape reel 70 may include suitable features (not shown) for anchoring the trailing end 86 of tape 80, as is known in the art. The tape reel 70 may be of any suitable diameter, and it may be advantageous to use a larger diameter reel 70 for shorter length tapes 80, so as to both increase take-up effectiveness and provide a fuller appearance for greater customer acceptance.

[0033] Referring again to FIG. 1, the crank assembly 76 may take any form known in the art, but typically extends through the appropriate shell half 14a or 14b and connects to reel 70 so as to control the rotation thereof. The crank mechanism 76 may include a crank and various gears (not shown) for causing the tape reel 70 to rotate when the crank is turned. The crank mechanism 76 may, if desired, take the form of the greater than 1:1 ratio gear mechanism described in either U.S. Pat. No. 6,464,160 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,625, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. Of course, other greater than 1:1 ratio gear mechanisms may be used, such as ones with three planetary gears, etc. It should be noted that the particular details of crank mechanism 76 employed are not important to understanding the present invention.

[0034] The tape 80 may take any suitable form known in the art, but advantageously takes the form of a fiberglass reinforced polyvinylchloride tape of approximately ¾ inch width and fifty or one hundred foot length. Referring to FIGS. 3-4, the tape 80 includes at least one length measuring scale 82 visible thereon, and optionally more than one. This scale 82 may be associated with the tape 80 by printing, embossing, engraving, or any other method known in the art. The measuring scale 82 has a point where the scale reaches a value of zero, known in the art as the zero point 84. This zero point 84 is advantageously not located on the tape 80 itself, but instead is located a short distance forward of the leading edge of tape 80. See FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the tape 80 is generally wound on the tape reel 70 in the form of a convolute coil 72 of multiple layers 73. One end of the tape, the anchor end 86, is anchored to the tape reel 70 in any suitable conventional fashion. The opposing end of the tape, the free end 88, is routed out of housing lower arm 30. The tape coupler 90, discussed below, is attached to the tape free end 88, typically via a loop formed in the end of tape 80. This loop may be reinforced by a suitable flexible reinforcing strip 89, which may advantageously be made from an approximately 1/64 inch thick flexible vinyl material, with or without external ribbing.

[0035] As pointed out above, the tape measure 10 includes a plurality of end fittings 110, 210, 310 that are distinct from housing 12. Each of these end fittings 110, 210, 310 is designed to be releasably coupled to the tape 80 so that the user may select the appropriate end fitting 110, 210, 310 for a particular job, and configure the tape measure 10 accordingly. Thus, instead of having only a single permanently attached end fitting (e.g., a single permanently attached end hook), the tape measure 10 has a plurality of interchangeable end fittings 110, 210, 310 that may be joined to the tape 80, one in place of another. In order to facilitate this, an interlocking male-female buckle connection 78 is provided. Examples of interlocking male-female buckle connections, in general, can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,222,279; 5,131,122; 4,949,436; and 4,639,982, which are each incorporated herein by reference. In particular, a tape coupler 90 is secured to tape free end 88, and each of the end fittings 110, 210, 310 includes a complementary coupling structure 79. Advantageously, the coupling structures 79 are substantially identical across the various end fittings 110, 210, 310. The tape coupler 90 and the coupling structure 79 releasably interlock to secure the selected end fitting 110, 210, 310 to tape 80. This releasable engagement may be somewhat similar to the releasable interlocking engagement of a so-called side-release buckle, but advantageously with an interference fit between the clamping/clamped surfaces of the connection 78. As can be appreciated, one end fitting 110, 210, 310 may be attached to the tape coupler 90 at a time.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 5-13, the tape coupler 90 includes a distal portion 92, a proximal portion 98, and an intermediate portion 104 that are advantageously integrally formed. The distal portion 92 includes a opening 94 that faces away from tape 80, and a bearing surface 96 disposed in spaced relation to opening 94. Opening 94 leads to chamber 108 that extends through distal portion 92 and into intermediate portion 104. Proximal portion 98 includes two rearwardly extending arms 100 and a cross-member 102 that extends between the arms 100. This cross-member 102 is spaced from intermediate portion 104, so that a gap is formed therebetween, through which tape 80 may be routed to attach coupler 90 to tape 80. Intermediate portion 104 includes two lateral openings 106 that open into chamber 108, and that are partially defined by the respective bearing surfaces 96. The tape 80 may be looped around cross-member 102 and then secured to itself so as to permanently attach the tape coupler 90 to tape free end 88.

[0037] One embodiment of an end fitting is shown in FIGS. 5-7, and generally indicated at 110. End fitting 110 includes a proximal portion 114 and a distal portion 120 disposed along an end fitting axis 112. The proximal portion 114 includes a pair of rearwardly extending prongs 116 that bracket a rearwardly extending central post 119. The prongs 116 include a barb 117 on their end, with a clamping surface 118 defined thereon. The central post 119 aids in inserting the proximal portion 114 of end fitting 110 into opening 98, and may take any appropriate form known in the side-release buckle art. The distal portion 120 of end fitting 110 includes a frame 122 that extends forward from proximal portion 114. A hole 126 extends through frame 122 and has a geometry that includes a larger diameter section 127 and a smaller diameter section 128 disposed forwardly therefrom. The forwardmost portion of hole 126 defines an abutment surface 130 that is disposed generally normal to axis 112. A portion of frame 122 defines a rearwardly facing clamping surface 124 that is disposed in spaced relation to the clamping surfaces 118 of barbs 117. When end fitting 110 is lockingly engaged with coupler 90, clamping surface 118 abuts against bearing surface 96 of tape coupler 90, and clamping surface 124 abuts against the front face of coupler 90. In this fashion, coupler distal portion 92 is captured between clamping surfaces 118,124 in order to lockingly hold end fitting 110 together with tape coupler 90. Further, in embodiments employing an interference fit between the relevant portions, the end fitting 110 may advantageously be held firmly to coupler 90, without any significant “wiggle”.

[0038] The end fitting 110 may be used with a spike 400 to measure a distance. The spike 400 may take a variety of forms, but advantageously includes a shank 402 and a head 405. The shank 402 may be generally cylindrical and terminate at a pointed tip 404. The head 405 includes two spaced apart annular flanges 408 of larger diameter than shank 402, and may optionally include a laterally extending hole 409 therethrough for a pull strap or the like. The annular flanges 408 are sized smaller than the larger diameter portion 127 of hole 126 in end fitting 110. The spike 400 may be made from a suitable metallic material, such as aluminum. The spike 400 is intended to be driven into the ground, so as to provide one anchoring location for taking a measurement. The head 405 of spike 400 is inserted partially through hole 126 in end fitting 110 so that frame 122 is disposed between annular flanges 408. Tension is then applied to tape 80 in order to pull end fitting 110 so that end fitting 110 moves backward relative to spike 400 thereby moving spike 400 into the smaller diameter section 128 of hole 126 and against abutment surface 130. The annular flanges 408 then act to help keep end fitting 110 engaged on spike 400 while the tape 80 is further deployed from housing 12 in order to take the desired measurement. It should be noted however that end fitting 110 does not require spike 400 in order to function. Indeed, the end fitting 110 may be used with a simple nail or other appropriate anchoring means, as is desired. However, use of the spike 400 is believed advantageous.

[0039] Another embodiment of an end fitting is shown in FIGS. 8-10, and generally indicated at 210. End fitting 210 is similar to end fitting 110 in many respects, and similar reference numbers are therefore used for similar features, but incremented by one hundred. Thus, as can be seen, end fitting 210 includes a proximal portion 214 and a distal portion 220 disposed along an axis 212. The proximal portion 214 is similarly configured to proximal portion 114, and includes prongs 216 with barbs 217 having clamping surfaces 218 defined thereon, and a post 219, which function as described above with reference to end fitting 110. Unlike unitary distal portion 120 of end fitting 110, distal portion 220 of end fitting 210 includes a frame 240 and a hook portion 250 pivotally mounted to the frame 240. The frame 240 may be substantially block-like, with recessed upper and lower surfaces if desired. The rear portion of frame 240 defines clamping surface 224, while the forward portion of frame 240 includes a laterally running pivot passage (not shown) that extends along pivot axis 242. The hook portion 250 includes a generally planar hook plate 252, optionally with a nail slot defined therein. A top flange 258 and respective side flanges 256 extend from the edges of hook plate 252 generally normal thereto. The side flanges 256 may include a plurality of teeth 257 that together form the abutment surface 230. A pair of mounting legs 254 join hook portion 250 to frame 240. A rivet or other suitable means may be used to pivotally connect hook portion 250 to frame 240, with the rivet extending through the pivot passage and suitable holes in mounting legs 254, and then deformed as appropriate. The hook portion 250 is moveable between a storage position where the hook plate 252 is disposed generally parallel to axis 212 (FIG. 10), and a measuring position where the abutment surface 230 is disposed normal to axis 212 (FIG. 9). This type end fitting 210 may be hooked on a suitable surface, such as an edge of a board, to help releasably anchor the tape free end 88 for measurement purposes. Further, the forward face of the frame 240 is advantageously positioned to be, with hook portion in the storage position (FIG. 10), on the same plane as abutment surface 230 with the hook portion in the measurement position (FIG. 9). With this arrangement, end fitting 210 may be used to take an “inside” measurement by abutting the forward face of frame 240, with hook portion in the storage position, against the relevant measurement surface.

[0040] Another embodiment of an end fitting is shown in FIGS. 11-13, and generally indicated at 310. End fitting 310 is similar to end fitting 110 in some respects, and similar reference numbers are therefore used for similar features, but incremented by two hundred. Thus, end fitting 310 includes a proximal portion 314 and a distal portion 320 disposed along an axis 312. The proximal portion 314 is similarly configured to proximal portion 114, and includes prongs 316 with barbs 317 having clamping surfaces 318 defined thereon, and a post 319, which function as described above with reference to end fitting 110. Unlike the unitary distal portion 120 of end fitting 110, distal portion 320 of end fitting 310 includes a frame 360 and a hook portion 370 pivotally mounted to the frame 360. As with end fitting 210, a riveted or other suitable arrangement may be used to provide the desired pivoting connection between frame 360 and hook portion 370. The frame 360 may be similar to frame 240 of end fitting 210, but is advantageously shorter. The rear portion of frame 360 defines a clamping surface 324, while the forward portion of frame 360 includes a laterally running pivot passage (not shown) that extends along pivot axis 366. The hook portion 370 includes a rigid wire piece that appears generally U-shaped in front view and L-shaped in side view. The wire piece includes a shorter proximal leg 372, a longer distal leg 390, and a bend therebetween 392. The proximal leg 372 may include a flattened area 374 having a hole 376 therein, with the hole aligned 376 with transverse pivot axis 366. The proximal leg 372 advantageously extends beyond pivot axis 366 to form an extension section 388. The distal leg 390 may be covered in a suitable “grippy” material, such as a vinyl coating. The inside face of the distal leg 390 defines abutment surface 330. The hook portion 370 is moveable between a storage position where the distal leg 390 is disposed at a relatively small angle relative to axis 312 (FIG. 13), and a measuring position where abutment surface 330 is disposed normal to the axis 312 (FIG. 12). Advantageously, extension section 388 of hook portion 370 abuts against a stop boss 362 on frame 360 to positively stop the rotation of hook portion 370 at the appropriate location corresponding to the measuring position, while proximal leg 372 abuts against stop boss 362 to positively stop the rotation of hook portion 370 at the appropriate location corresponding to the storage position.

[0041] While three illustrative end fitting embodiments 110, 210, 310 have been discussed, the end fittings may have other configurations, as is desired. Further, the tape measure 10 does not require three end fittings 110, 210, 310 in all embodiments. For example, some embodiments of the tape measure 10 may have two end fittings, or four or more end fittings. Further, the tape measure 10, in some embodiments, may have multiple iterations of the same end fitting configuration.

[0042] As noted above, each of the end fittings 110, 210, 310 includes an abutment surface 130, 230, 330 and a clamping surface 124, 224, 324 on the respective frames 122, 240, 360. Advantageously, the longitudinal distance X (along the respective end fitting axis 112, 212, 312) between the respective pairs of clamping surface 124, 224, 324 and abutment surface 130, 230, 330 is constant across the various end fittings 110, 210, 310. For embodiments where abutment surface 224, 324 is formed by a pivoting body, the distance X is measured with the body disposed in the measuring position, i.e., with the abutment surface 224, 324 disposed normal to the corresponding axis 212, 312 (see FIG. 9, FIG. 12). Thus, the relevant abutment surface 130, 230, 330 is disposed a known consistent distance from tape free end 88, and thus at a known point relative to measuring scale 82, regardless of which end fitting 110, 210, 310 is attached to tape coupler 90. Advantageously, the spacing is such that the abutment surface 130, 203, 330 is disposed at the zero point 84 of scale 82.

[0043] While not required in all embodiments, it should be noted that the interlocking male-female buckle connection 78 is advantageously inline with the tape blade 80. More particularly, when the interlocking male-female buckle connection 78 is made, and normal measuring tension (e.g., 4.5 pounds-force) is applied to tape blade 80, then the tape coupler 90 and the proximal portion 114, 214, or 314 of the corresponding connected end fitting 110, 210, or 310 advantageously lie along the plane of the tape blade 80.

[0044] While not required in all embodiments, the use of the interlocking male-female buckle connection 78 beneficially allows the end fittings 110, 210, 310 to be easily coupled to the tape coupler 90. Indeed, the end fittings 110, 210, 310 advantageously may be joined to the tape coupler 90 when the tape 80 is in its fully retracted state (FIG. 2), and advantageously with only one hand. In addition, in some embodiments, an attached end fitting 110, 210, 310 may be disengaged from the tape coupler 90, and therefore decoupled from the tape 80, when the tape 80 is in its fully retracted state, again advantageously with only one hand.

[0045] While the interlocking male-female buckle connection 78 described above is of the side-release buckle type, this is not required by all embodiments. For example, the interlocking male-female buckle connection 78 may instead be of a center/top-release type, such as similar to the one described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,436.

[0046] The housing 12 may advantageously include a storage compartment 22 for storing one or more, and advantageously all, of the end fittings 110, 210, 310 while not in use. The storage compartment 22 may be located as desired. For example, the storage compartment 22 may be disposed in handle 20, as shown in FIG. 2. A cover 26 may be pivotally attached to handle 20, and be moveable to open or close storage compartment 22. A latch 28 may be disposed proximate the opposing end of cover 26, with the latch 28 being moveable to engage cover 26 to holding cover closed or to allow cover 26 to be opened. The latch 28 may take any suitable form, and may be biased if desired, or simply held in place by sliding friction. If, as in some embodiments, the handle 20 is overmolded with an elastomer, the cover 26 may advantageously be similarly overmolded and/or colored. The storage compartment 22 may advantageously include various zones 24 therewithin that are appropriately tailored to receive corresponding end fittings 110, 210, 310, and to advantageously hold them to prevent undesirable rattling during transport. Advantageously, end fittings that include relatively moveable parts (e.g., end fitting 210, 310) are stored in a compact configuration.

[0047] While the housing 12 may include a single common internal storage compartment 22 that is able to store all the end fittings 110, 210, 310 simultaneously, this is not required in all embodiments. In some embodiments, the housing includes multiple storage compartments (not shown), such as one for each end fitting 110, 210, 310, which may be internal or external (i.e., always open to the outside).

[0048] Further, in some embodiments, the tape measure 10 may include a spike 400 as generally described above. For such embodiments, it may be advantageous for the housing 12 to include suitable means for storing spike 400 in a secure fashion. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the housing 12 may include a covered recess 62 for receiving spike point 404, with suitable supports 64 disposed in spaced relation, and an integral gripping clip structure 66 for releaseably grasping spike 400. Advantageously, the spike head 405, when stored, is proximate where cover 26 pivots, so as to avoid awkwardness when opening and closing storage compartment 22.

[0049] The lower arm of housing 12 may include a statically oriented mouth through with the tape is deployed/retracted, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,698,679, which is incorporated herein by reference. However, some embodiments of the tape measure 10 may advantageously include a moveable mouthpiece body. For example, the housing 12 may include a rotating body 40 that is rotatably mounted to lower arm 30 and defines the external mouth (or tape exit port) 52 through which tape 80 is deployed/retracted from/into housing body 12. Referring to FIGS. 15-16, the rotating body 40 includes a peripheral wall 48, an exit channel 50, tape exit port 52, and rear opening 54. The peripheral wall 48 is advantageously curved with a center of curvature coinciding with the rotational axis 41 of rotating body 40. This rotational axis 41 is advantageously disposed along the midline of housing body 12. The peripheral wall does not extend 360° around rotating body 40, but instead stops short thereof to help form rear opening 54. In addition, peripheral wall 48 includes a recess that forms exit channel 50. The peripheral wall 48 may include suitable external surface texturing as is desired. The exit channel 50 extends along a channel axis 51, and is bounded on its upstream end by exit port 52 and open on its downstream end. As used herein, “upstream” means the direction of tape movement during retraction of the tape 80 and “downstream” means the direction of tape movement during deployment of the tape 80. The front and back sides of channel 50 may advantageously be open, but this is not required in all embodiments. The exit channel 50 is advantageously sized to at least accept a substantial portion of tape coupler 90 therein, with exit port 52 providing a constriction smaller than coupler 90 so as to prevent over-retraction of tape 80. See FIG. 17.

[0050] The rotating body 40 may be formed of a base 42a and a complementary top 42b that are joined to form the generally cylindrical rotating body 40. The base 42a may include a baseplate 44a, a pair of upwardly extending posts 46a, and a peripheral wall portion 48a, with the latter two extending upward generally normal to baseplate 44a. The top 42b is advantageously substantially identical to base 42a, but oriented in an inverted fashion. Thus, top 42b includes a baseplate 44b, posts 46b, and peripheral wall portion 48b. The base 44a and top 44b may be secured together by screws 49; but any other form of securing, such as snap-fitting and the like, may be used.

[0051] As indicated above, rotating body 40 is mounted to be rotatable with respect to frame 14 about rotation axis 41. See FIGS. 17-19. In order to facilitate the desired rotation of rotating body 40, lower arm 30 of each shell half 14a, 14b advantageously includes a pair of arcuate open-ended slots 34 and a pair of closed arcuate slots 32. The open-ended slots 34 are sized and configured to accept corresponding portions of rotating body peripheral wall 48, and closed slots 32 are sized and configured to receive rotating body posts 46a,46b. Further, as with peripheral wall 48, the slots 32,34 are advantageously curved with a center of curvature at axis 41. The slots 32,34 have lengths appropriate to allow the desired amount of rotation of the rotating body 40 relative to frame 14. Advantageously, the slots 32,34 are configured so that peripheral wall 48 abuts the end of a slot 34 and the posts 46a,46b abut the end of slots 32 at the maximum rotational positions of rotating body 40. Advantageously, the rotating body 40 is able to rotate at least 20°, and advantageously about 35°-40°. In addition, housing 12 may advantageously include arcuate ribs 36 with terminal guide bosses 37 spaced from one another to form passage 38 therebetween. It is intended that tape 80 will be routed from the convolute coil 72 formed on reel 70, through passage 38, and out through exit port 52, see FIG. 17. The guide bosses 37 may be advantageously positioned such that the tape 80 just engages a respective guide boss 37 when fully retracted (FIG. 18) and when fully paid-out (FIG. 19).

[0052] As can be appreciated, the size of coil 72 changes as more or less tape 80 is deployed. For example, when the tape 80 is fully retracted, the coil 72 may be said to be in a first configuration of N layers 73 (FIG. 18). As the tape 80 is paid-out, the number of layers 73 decreases, and the coil may be said to be in a second configuration with <N layers 73 (FIG. 19 or other less paid-out configurations). Thus, the size of coil 72 shrinks as the coil 72 changes from the first configuration to the second configuration. Due to the ability of body 40 to rotate, exit channel 50 is able to change its angular orientation such that, despite this change in coil size, channel axis 51 remains tangent to coil 72. Thus, channel axis 51 is oriented tangent to coil 72 for both configurations. However, as can be seen by comparing FIG. 19 to FIG. 18, channel axis 51 is oriented farther from reel axis 71 for the first coil configuration than the second coil configuration. As such, the relative angle Θ between channel axis 51 and a theoretical line 74 between the reel rotational axis 71 and rotating body axis 41 changes during deployment and retraction of tape 80. This change in relative angle is achieved by allowing rotating body 40 to rotate. This action allows the tape 80 to be wound into, and paid-out from, convolute coil 72 on reel 70 with a minimum of induced stress.

[0053] In addition, the inclusion of the rotating body 40 may help prevent undesirable whipping of the tape 80 during retraction. The rotation of rotating body 40 allows the mouth 52 to be positioned at different angular orientations, thereby allowing the housing 12 to dynamically adapt to differing intake angles of the tape 80. This action is believed to reduce the potential for the tape 80 to whip back and forth during retraction, which should help reduce potentially damaging stresses on the tape 80.

[0054] The present invention may be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the scope and essential characteristics of the invention. Further, the various aspects of the disclosed device and method may be used alone or in any combination, as is desired. The disclosed embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.