Patent US2699143A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3766327A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tape cassette holding and positioning unit
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-09-23
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Granted: 1973-10-16
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Expires: 1991-09-23
Abstract
Abstract A tape cassette unit includes a frame and a housing movably mounted on the frame for holding the cassette. The housing is movable between an open or loading position for receiving the cassette and a closed or operating position for enabling recording on and reading from the cassette tape. A recording head is rigidly mounted in the housing so as to engage the cassette tape when the cassette is inserted in the housing. The tape unit also includes a switch for automatically initiating operation of the unit when the housing with the cassette properly positioned therein, is moved into operating position.
Inventors
- 👤 R Johnson
- 👤 J Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 17:59
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/02; G11B15/16; G11B15/675; G11B15/67581; G11B15/67584
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
284 words
A tape unit for use with a rectangular tape cassette comprising a frame, a holding means movably mounted on said frame for receiving and holding the cassette, said holding means being movable between a loading position for enabling the loading of the cassette therein and an operating position for enabling recording on and reading from the cassette tape, a recording head mounted on said holding means for engagement with the tape transported adjacent to the bottom edge of the cassette, when the cassette is placed in said holding mean, a first switch means mounted on said frame responsive to engagement with a cassette placed in said holding means when said holding means is in said operating position for assuming an actuated state, and responsive to disengagement with the cassette when said holding means is not in said operating position for assuming an unactuated state, and a second switch means mounted on said frame to pivot from a first position when the holding means is in said loading position to a second position in response to the holding means being moved to said operating position, said second switch means including a compressible nipple which when fully extended, assumes an actuated state and, when compressed, aSsumes an unactuated state, said nipple being positioned to fully extend into a file protection slot of a cassette properly placed in said holding means when the slot tab is removed from the cassette and said second switch means is in said second position and to compress upon engagement with a slot tab of a cassette placed in said holding means when the slot tab remains in the file protection slot and said second switch means is in said second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
284 words
A tape unit for use with a rectangular tape cassette comprising a frame, a holding means movably mounted on said frame for receiving and holding the cassette, said holding means being movable between a loading position for enabling the loading of the cassette therein and an operating position for enabling recording on and reading from the cassette tape, a recording head mounted on said holding means for engagement with the tape transported adjacent to the bottom edge of the cassette, when the cassette is placed in said holding mean, a first switch means mounted on said frame responsive to engagement with a cassette placed in said holding means when said holding means is in said operating position for assuming an actuated state, and responsive to disengagement with the cassette when said holding means is not in said operating position for assuming an unactuated state, and a second switch means mounted on said frame to pivot from a first position when the holding means is in said loading position to a second position in response to the holding means being moved to said operating position, said second switch means including a compressible nipple which when fully extended, assumes an actuated state and, when compressed, aSsumes an unactuated state, said nipple being positioned to fully extend into a file protection slot of a cassette properly placed in said holding means when the slot tab is removed from the cassette and said second switch means is in said second position and to compress upon engagement with a slot tab of a cassette placed in said holding means when the slot tab remains in the file protection slot and said second switch means is in said second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
254 words
A tape unit for use with a rectangular tape cassette comprising: a frame, a pair of spindles mounted in said frame, a holding means movably mounted on said frame for receiving and holding the cassette, said holding means being movable between a loading position for enabling the loading of the cassette therein and an operating position for enabling recording on and reading from the cassette tape, the axial bores of the cassette loaded in the holding means receiving said spindles as the holding means is moved to the operating position, said holding means including two side members movably mounted to said frame each of said side members including therein a longitudinal groove whose inner surface substantially conforms in dimension and shape to the outer surface of a cassette side edge and which is positioned parallel to and facing the corresponding groove in the other side member, said grooves being in spaced relationship so as to enable sliding each cassette side edge longitudinally into a respective groove, a plate affixed to and interconnecting said side members, and means mounted on said interconnecting plate for engaging the cassette wall nearest the frame when the cassette is inserted in said groove to thereby urge the opposite cassette wall in a direction away from said frame and into engagement with the side walls of said grooves, and a recording head mounted on said holding means for engagement with the tape transported adjacent to the bottom edge of the cassette when the cassette is placed in said holding means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
254 words
A tape unit for use with a rectangular tape cassette comprising: a frame, a pair of spindles mounted in said frame, a holding means movably mounted on said frame for receiving and holding the cassette, said holding means being movable between a loading position for enabling the loading of the cassette therein and an operating position for enabling recording on and reading from the cassette tape, the axial bores of the cassette loaded in the holding means receiving said spindles as the holding means is moved to the operating position, said holding means including two side members movably mounted to said frame each of said side members including therein a longitudinal groove whose inner surface substantially conforms in dimension and shape to the outer surface of a cassette side edge and which is positioned parallel to and facing the corresponding groove in the other side member, said grooves being in spaced relationship so as to enable sliding each cassette side edge longitudinally into a respective groove, a plate affixed to and interconnecting said side members, and means mounted on said interconnecting plate for engaging the cassette wall nearest the frame when the cassette is inserted in said groove to thereby urge the opposite cassette wall in a direction away from said frame and into engagement with the side walls of said grooves, and a recording head mounted on said holding means for engagement with the tape transported adjacent to the bottom edge of the cassette when the cassette is placed in said holding means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
A unit as in claim 2 wherein each of said side members further includes support means located at one end of the groove of the side member and which defines, in conjunction with the support means of the other side member, a plane for supporting and positioning the lower edge of the cassette when the cassette is inserted in said grooves.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
A unit as in claim 3 further including means mounted on said frame for engaging the cassette top edge when the cassette is inserted in said holding means and when said holding means is in said operating position to thereby urge the cassette bottom edge into engagement with said support means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A unit as in claim 3 wherein each of said side members further includes means located in the groove of the side member for engagement with a cassette side edge for lateral positioning of the cassette.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A unit as in claim 5 wherein at least one of said lateral positioning means includes a leaf spring one surface of which engages and positions a cassette side edge.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-15 | 1977-04-16 | 1977-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-15 | 1981-04-16 | 1981-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-15 | 1985-04-16 | 1985-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |