1. A power-return tape measure, comprising:
a main case housing a retractable tape measure blade;
a mounting clip assembly attached to said main case via a fastener; said mounting clip assembly comprising:
a base plate;
a distinct lever arm coupled to said base plate for pivoting movement about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position; said lever arm having a proximal actuation end rearward of said pivot axis and a distal engagement end forward of said pivot axis; said distal end disposed closer to said base plate in said closed position than in said open position;
said lever arm having a first spring-receiving bay on a side generally facing said base plate and disposed rearward of said pivot axis;
said base plate having a first fastener-receiving hole therein forward of said pivot axis, a second spring-receiving bay on a side generally facing said lever arm and disposed between said first hole and said pivot axis;
a spring biasing said lever arm to assume said closed position, said spring extending from said first bay to said second bay;
said lever arm having a second hole disposed between said pivot axis and said distal end, forward of said pivot axis and forward of said spring;
wherein a centerline of said first hole extends through said second hole when said lever arm is in said closed position;
wherein said fastener extends through said first hole; and wherein a top of said fastener is accessible via said second hole.
2. The tape measure of claim 1 wherein said base plate further comprises a pair of spaced flanges, and further comprising a pin extending between said flanges and engaging said lever arm, said pin generally lying along said pivot axis.
3. The tape measure of claim 1 wherein said spring, in said closed position, comprises two bends having respective centers of curvature disposed on opposite sides of said spring.
4. The tape measure of claim 1 wherein said spring passes between said pivot axis and said base plate.
5. The tape measure of claim 1 wherein said spring is a leaf spring.
6. The tape measure of claim 1 wherein said spring has a first end disposed in said first bay and a second end disposed in said second bay.
7. The tape measure of claim 1:
wherein said base plate further comprises a pair of spaced flanges, and further comprising a pin extending between said flanges and engaging said lever arm, said pin generally lying along said pivot axis;
wherein said spring, in said closed position, comprises two bends having respective centers of curvature disposed on opposite sides of said spring;
wherein said spring passes between said pivot axis and said base plate;
wherein said spring is a leaf spring having a first end disposed in said first bay and a second end disposed in said second bay.
8. A method of assembling a tape measure comprising:
providing a main case having retractable tape measure blade operatively coupled thereto;
coupling a distinct lever arm to a base plate for pivoting movement of said lever arm relative to said base plate about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position; said lever arm having a proximal actuation end rearward of said pivot axis and a distal gripping end forward of said pivot axis; said distal end disposed closer to said base plate in said closed position than in said open position;
said lever arm having a first spring-receiving bay on a side generally facing said base plate and disposed rearward of said pivot axis;
said base plate having a first fastener-receiving hole therein forward of said pivot axis, a second spring-receiving bay on a side generally facing said lever arm and disposed between said first hole and said pivot axis;
said coupling comprising disposing a first end of a spring in said first bay and a second end of said spring in said second bay and thereafter securing said lever arm to said base plate;
wherein said lever arm has a second hole disposed between said pivot axis and said distal end, forward of said pivot axis and forward of said spring; and wherein said securing said lever arm to said base plate comprises securing said lever arm to said base plate so that a centerline of said first hole extends through said second hole when said lever arm is in said closed position;
biasing, by said spring, said lever arm to assume said closed position; and
fastening said base plate to said tape measure housing with a fastener extending through said first hole.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein said fastening said base plate to said tape measure housing comprises inserting a tool through said second hole to engage said fastener.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein said coupling further comprises connecting a pivot pin to said base plate and engaging said pivot pin with said lever arm.
11. The method of claim 8 wherein said disposing a first end of a spring in said first bay and a second end of said spring in said second bay comprises disposing said spring relative to said pivot axis so that said spring passes between said pivot axis and said base plate.
12. The method of claim 8:
wherein said coupling further comprises connecting a pivot pin to said base plate and engaging said pivot pin with said lever arm; and
wherein said disposing a first end of a spring in said first bay and a second end of said spring in said second bay comprises disposing said spring relative to said pivot axis so that said spring passes between said pivot axis and said base plate.
13. A tape measure, comprising:
a main case housing a retractable tape measure blade;
a clip means attached to said main case for supporting said main case from a suitable external support, said clip means moveable about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position;
said clip means comprising first and second spring-receiving bays disposed on opposite sides of said pivot axis and moveable relative to each other;
said clip means comprising a leaf spring entirely disposed closer to said main case than said pivot axis and having ends disposed in said first and second spring-receiving bays; said spring, in said closed position, comprising two bends having respective centers of curvature disposed on opposite sides of said spring; said spring biasing said clip means toward said closed position.
14. The tape measure of claim 13 further comprising a fastener securing said clip means to said main case.
15. The tape measure of claim 14 wherein said clip means further comprises a pin generally lying along said pivot axis.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A system comprising a plurality of thrust rods oriented to extend beyond a surface of a road or track way adapted to receive vehicular traffic thereon; each thrust rod reciprocating in the presence of vehicular traffic and spring biased to return to an original, unstressed position; each reciprocation of an associated thrust rod pulses a fluid contained within an associated first hydraulic cylinder, in response to movement of a first piston associated with the thrust rod; each fluid pulse communicates through a single fluidic line to a first surface of a second piston, associated with second cylinder arrangement, such that the first surface of the second piston has a smaller cross section than that of the first piston; wherein the second piston is spring biased to return to an original, unstressed position simultaneously with the thrust rod and has a remote surface, remote form the single fluidic line which causes fluid to be pumped from a reservoir, through a fluid conduit past a turbine and generator arrangement; and wherein fluid from the turbine flows to the reservoir.
2. The system of claim 1 in which each first cylinder arrangement includes a T-shape coupling with an integrally formed check ball; and wherein the actuator thrust rods are in a matrix array.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote surface interacts with a thrust pawl ratchet with retractable teeth which fold back during the return of the second piston to the original position, the thrust pawl ratchet drives a ratchet wheel connected to an off-centered barrel pump with oscillatory blades, wherein the barrel pump pumps fluid past a backflow valve to the fluid conduit.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein a manifold, extending transverse to an axis of symmetry of the cylinder, has first and second ends provided with appropriate ball check valves with biasing springs so that unidirectional flow of the fluid will occur from the reservoir through the fluid conduit.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein fluid from the turbine flows to the reservoir by a flywheelspillway, with track wheels supporting the flywheelspillway.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the flywheelspillway includes vanes.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of thrust rods, first cylinders, second cylinder arrangements and a part of the reservoir are formed as modules.