| US Patent: 92,573 
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| Improvement in tape-measures | 
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| Patentee: |  |
 | Lewis P. Bradley (exact or similar names) - New Haven, CT |  
 
 
 
 
 
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| Patent Dates: |  
| Granted: | Jul. 13, 1869 |  
 
| Reissue Information: |  | Reissued as RE4,419 (Jun. 13, 1871) |  USPTO (New site tip)
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                        Jeff Joslin
 1891 catalog of measuring tapes by G. M. Eddy & Co.
 
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| Description: |  | The innovation is a spring return that is activated by a central button. "The invention consists in the arrangement of a central knob or button in one side of the case, to which is fixed, upon the inside of the case, a bar, so that by pressing the knob inward, the bar is raised from a notch or notches on the spring-cylinder, to permit the action of the spring, and so that when the pressure is removed from the knob, the bar will fall into a notch, or catch on the cylinder, and prevent the reaction of the spring."Examples are reported, including a six-foot tape with nickel-plated case, a six-foot tape with brass case, and another with a "plastic" case bearing the dates of this patent and the reissue.An 1891 catalog from John H. Graham & Co. shows measuring tapes from George M. Eddy & Co. (see link). One of the illustrated tapes clearly shows this patent date on its case. |  |