Tape cartridge playback mechanism

Claim 2

A tape transport apparatus for magnetic tape cartridges in which the tape is exposed through apertures in opposed principal walls for cooperation with a sound head, tape drive capstan and pressure roller, mounted in said apparatus; said transport apparatus including opposed guides for slidingly receiving a cartridge inserted inwardly edgewise and guiding it substantially in its own plane to a first position wherein the exposed tape is approximately opposite the location of said sound head, tape drive capstan and pressure roller; said apparatus including a member for initially moving said cartridge transversely toward a second position, responsive to further incremental movement of the cartridge inwardly of said apparatus, in which saiD sound head and tape drive capstan penetrate one wall of said cartridge into operative contact with said tape, said pressure roller being carried by said member through an aperture in the opposite principal wall to press said tape against said tape drive capstan.

Claim 3

Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said apparatus is adapted to slidingly receive said cartridge to said first position generally without resistance during its movement thereto.

Claim 4

Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein resilient means supplementally urge and complete the movement of said cartridge toward and thereafter retain said cartridge in said second position responsive to initial transverse cartridge movement caused by said member.

Claim 5

Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said resilient means are adapted to supplementally urge said cartridge toward said second position after initial transverse cartridge movement caused by said member, said resilient means being adapted to oppose said incremental inward cartridge movement until said member initiates said transverse cartridge movement.

Claim 6

Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said resilient means comprises at least one wire spring extending transversely across the inward end of said cartridge when said cartridge is in said first position, said wire spring having an upwardly directed apex contacting the inward end of said cartridge when said cartridge is in said first position and an inwardly angled portion adapted to engage and urge a corner of said cartridge defined by the inward end and one of said principal walls responsive to said initial transverse cartridge movement toward said second position, said inwardly angled portion being effective to apply a component of force upon said corner of said cartridge in the transverse direction toward said second position and in a direction opposing inward movement of said cartridge.

Claim 7

Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including an apparatus drive motor, said member adapted to initially move said cartridge transversely toward said second position also acts in the course of its movement to actuate a switch operably connecting said drive motor, so that said apparatus begins to drive said tape substantially when said cartridge reaches said second position.

Claim 8

Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a pivotable element positioned below said cartridge when said cartridge is in said first position and a biasing means normally urging said member toward said cartridge in the direction of said transverse movement toward said second position, said pivotable element being adapted to hold said member from moving toward said cartridge and thereafter release said member to initially move said cartridge toward said second position responsive to said further incremental movement of said cartridge inwardly of said apparatus.

Claim 9

Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said member biasing means normally urging said member toward said second position is effective, when said member is released, to maintain said pressure roller against said tape and tape drive capstan after said member initially moves said cartridge toward said second position, said member being out of contact with said cartridge after said cartridge has reached said second position.

Claim 10

Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said pivotable element is spring biased to oppose said further inward incremental movement of said cartridge and to oppose releasing said member for moving toward said cartridge.

Claim 11

Apparatus as defined in claim 9 including a transversely slidable element positioned adjacent the inward end portion of said cartridge and operably connected to said member, said slidable element being adapted to contact said cartridge and move said cartridge from said second to said first position when said member is retracted away from said cartridge.

Claim 12

Apparatus as defined in claim 10 including a manually operable rejecting means operably connected to said member, whereby, responsive to movement of said rejecting means, saiD member is retracted away from said cartridge, said retraction of said member moving said sliding element to transversely move said cartridge from said second to said first position, and permitting said cartridge to be easily removed from said apparatus, said retraction of said member being effective to enable said pivotable element to return to its biased upward position adapted to hold said member from moving toward said cartridge.

Claim 13

Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said rejecting means comprises a sliding mechanism having an upper exposed portion adapted to be manually depressed, said sliding mechanism having an inclined slot engaging said member, such that depressing said slide mechanism retracts said member away from said cartridge.

Claim 14

Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said cartridge has a recess located at end side thereof adapted to cooperate with said opposed guides, said guides limiting said transverse movement toward said second position until said cartridge is incrementally moved inwardly after having reached said first position.

Claim 15

Apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said cooperating guides and recesses prevent outward movement of said cartridge when in said second position, said resilient means urging said cartridge in the transverse direction toward said second position and outwardly to maintain contact between said guides and recesses to maintain a firm, motion free fit when said cartridge is in said second position.

Claim 16

Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said sound head has tape guides associated therewith for guiding the exposed tape relative to the sound head.

Claim 17

A tape transport apparatus for magnetic tape cartridges in which the tape is exposed through apertures in opposed principal walls for cooperation with a sound head and tape drive capstan, each of which is at a fixed location in said apparatus, and a pressure roller; said transport apparatus including opposed guides for slidingly receiving a cartridge inserted inwardly therein substantially in its own plane to a first position wherein the exposed tape is approximately opposite the location of said sound head and tape drive capstan; said apparatus further including independent means for initially starting and completing transverse movement of said cartridge to a second position wherein said sound head and tape drive capstan penetrate one principal wall of said cassette into operative contact with said tape, one of said independent means including a member supporting said pressure roller for penetrating an aperture in the opposite principal wall to press said tape against said tape drive capstan when said cartridge is in said second position, said means for completing said transverse movement of said cartridge also being effective to hold said cartridge in said second position.

Claim 18

A tape transport apparatus for magnetic tape cartridges in which the tape is exposed through apertures in opposed principal walls for cooperation with a sound head and tape drive capstan, each of which is at a fixed location in said apparatus, and a pressure roller; said transport apparatus including opposed guides for slidingly receiving a cartridge inserted inwardly therein substantially in its own plane to a first position wherein the exposed tape is approximately opposite the location of said sound head and tape drive capstan; said apparatus further including independent means for initially starting and completing transverse movement of said cartridge to a second position wherein said sound head and tape drive capstan penetrate one principal wall of said cassette into operative contact with said tape, one of said independent means including a member supporting said pressure roller for penetrating an aperture in the opposite principal wall to press said tape against said tape drive capstan when said cartridge is in said second position, said means for completing said transverse movement of said cartridge also being effective to hold said cartridge in said second position.

Claim 19

A tape transport apparatus for magnetic tape cartridges in which the tape is exposed through apertures in opposed principal walls for cooperation with a sound head and tape drive capstan, each of which is at a fixed location in said apparatus, and a movably mounted pressure roller; said apparatus including opposed guides for slidingly receiving a cartridge inserted inwardly therein substantially in its own plane to a first position wherein the exposed tape is approximately opposite the location of said sound head and tape drive capstan; said apparatus including a normally cocked, pivotable member which is released responsive to further incremental inward movement of said cartridge, and initially moves said cartridge transversely toward a second position wherein said sound head and tape drive capstan penetrate apertures in one principal wall of said cassette, said pressure roller being carried by said member through an aperture in the opposite principal wall to press said tape against said tape drive capstan; said apparatus further including resilient means for completing said transverse movement of said cartridge and for holding said cartridge in said Second position.

Claim 20

A tape transport apparatus for magnetic tape cartridges in which the tape is exposed through apertures in opposed principal walls for cooperation with a sound head and tape drive capstan, each of which is at a fixed location in said apparatus, and a movably mounted pressure roller; said apparatus including opposed guides for slidingly receiving a cartridge inserted inwardly therein substantially in its own plane to a first position wherein the exposed tape is approximately opposite the location of said sound head and tape drive capstan; said apparatus including a normally cocked, pivotable member which is released responsive to further incremental inward movement of said cartridge, and initially moves said cartridge transversely toward a second position wherein said sound head and tape drive capstan penetrate apertures in one principal wall of said cassette, said pressure roller being carried by said member through an aperture in the opposite principal wall to press said tape against said tape drive capstan; said apparatus further including resilient means for completing said transverse movement of said cartridge and for holding said cartridge in said Second position.