<p>A quick search for "tape measure spring" resulted in a list of various products, but also included the term "recoil spring." Changing the search term to "recoil spring" really threw a wrench in the works, however, as some of the returns presented items related to gun-type weapons.</p>

<p>More appropriate to the question is that recoil spring also appears when dealing with pull-start engine mechanisms. As with a tape measure, extending the spring loaded portion (starter rope, tape measure, etc.) causes the recoil spring to tighten up, providing the retraction force in the expected and desired manner.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-11-21T01:14:04.223Z
It seems that the actual name is “recoil spring” but search results aren’t precise. But then I searched “rewind spring” and it seems to return only those types but still calls them recoil.
TimK
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-08-22T14:52:55.230Z
@Timinycricket - Actually it is called is a **flat spring**
rebusB
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-08-23T01:50:39.853Z
@rebusB you are correct! Where were you a year ago? Lol.
TimK
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-11-21T00:52:51.990Z
2018-11-21T00:52:51.990Z
fred_dot_u
<p>What is the name of the type of spring used for trinkets that are retractable? Like a measuring tape or those key rings that will retract.</p>

<terminology>
Name for a retractable spring
TimK
# Name for a retractable spring

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-11-20)

What is the name of the type of spring used for trinkets that are retractable? Like a measuring tape or those key rings that will retract.

**Tags:** terminology


---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-11-21. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

A quick search for "tape measure spring" resulted in a list of various products, but also included the term "recoil spring." Changing the search term to "recoil spring" really threw a wrench in the works, however, as some of the returns presented items related to gun-type weapons.

More appropriate to the question is that recoil spring also appears when dealing with pull-start engine mechanisms. As with a tape measure, extending the spring loaded portion (starter rope, tape measure, etc.) causes the recoil spring to tighten up, providing the retraction force in the expected and desired manner.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: It seems that the actual name is “recoil spring” but search results aren’t precise. But then I searched “rewind spring” and it seems to return only those types but still calls them recoil.  
> **username_2**: @Timinycricket - Actually it is called is a **flat spring**  
> **username_0**: @username_2 you are correct! Where were you a year ago? Lol.  

---

