Measuring tape are flexible tool used when measuring length. At its basic form, it is a flexible ruler made up of a materials like rubber, cloth, fiberglass or plastic. In most cases, the tape is marked in inches and centimeters.

When would you need this tool
This tool is needed by professional and even around the house.

Feature on a Typical Tape

In this post, I will be using an HSMT08825 Tape from INGCO, it is an 8 meters by 25 millimeters steel tape that is retractable with an auto-lock function.
The basic parts of a tape and their functions are aligned below.

( a ) Handling strap
This cable allows you to hold the tape by letting it hung around your wrist.

( b ) Index release button
This button can be pressed using the index finger to disengage the auto-lock system and get the tape back inside the housing.

( c ) Hook
The tape hook is located at the tip of the tape. It prevents the tape from disappearing completely into the case when it recoils and comes in handy when taking measurements of hard surfaces like a tables allowing you to hook and pull. The hook is often loose and has a hloe so it can grip onto screws.

( d ) Blade/Tape
The tape's blade is the most important part of this tool. In this case, it is a metallic ribbon that is 8m long and 25mm wide, scaled primarily in inches and centimeters. It has indications to also help you measure in mm, feet's and in meters. The blades curve nature allows you to extend the tape's blade to great lengths without it buckling.

( e ) Thumb release button
The 8 meters INGCO tape has this button you press with your thumb to disengage the auto-lock function allowing the tape to retract into the housing.

( f ) Belt clip
The belt clip is a feture that simply allows the measuring tape to get hooked onto your belt. With the belt clip, the tape can comfortably follow you around without keeping your hands busy.

( g ) Case or housing
The tape's blade is housed inside the case. Some tape cases are made of plastic, metal or other robust materials. A good case often determines how durable the tape will be. The INGCO case is made of robust plastic aligned with rubber to absorb shock in case it drops.

Auto-lock Working Principle

Unlike most retractable tapes, the 8 Meters HSMT08825 Tape from INGCO, has an auto-lock sytem that holds lock the tepe once pulled out. This removes the need for a thumb lock button. The available buttons on this tape are used to initiate the recoil of the tepe.

Inside the tape housing, we have a rim where the tape wraps around it's outer circumference and a sprig around the inner circumference of the same rim.

When pulled out, the tape unwinds and this action winds and loads the circular springs in the inner circumference. The loaded spring at this point tries to loose the energy and get back to rest but that is when the auto-lock system steps in and holders the tepe in place. The tape will only get pulled in when the auto lock system is disengaged by pressing either the thumb release or index release button.

The auto-lock system is made up of a lever and a spring that presses one end of the lever to the blade. When the release button are pressed, it puts pressure on the other end of the lever which compresses the spring allowing the two to be pulled in.

( 1 ) Thumb release button
The thumb release button on theINGCO tape pushes the liver off the blade allowing the coiled spring to pull it in.

( 2 ) Auto-lock lever and spring
The auto-lock liver has its locking end pressed against the blade by a spring. The locking end of this lever is coated with a special rubber to create a better gripping.

( 3 ) other end of lockin lever
When this end of the lever is pressed down, the locking end gets released.

( 4 ) Rim's Pivot
This is the pivot around which the teps rim rotates. It also holds one end of the recoil spring.

( 5 ) Thumb release button
When pressed, it pushes on one side of the locking lever to deactivate the auto-lock system.

( 6 ) The inner circumference
This is where the recoil spring is coiled.

( 7 ) The outer circumference
This is where the tepe gets coiled when it retracts.

A Few Tips

• Avoid overstressing any point on the blade.
• Avoid letting sand or water into the unit.
• Try not to pull out the blade to it's very end.
• avoid dropping the tape to the ground.
• store the device with the tape safely inside the housing.

Media Credit

Photographer	@manuelhooks
Capture Decice	Nokia C30
Cropping	remove bg
Editing	PhotoStudio

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