EP0110586A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cartridge latching mechanism
Assignee: Nortel Networks Ltd
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Filing: 1983-11-04
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-11-04
Abstract
Abstract © A relatively simple latching mechanism for a tape cartridge is disclosed. In one embodiment of the present invention, each latching mechanism (of which there are two in the preferred embodiment) comprises but two separate components. Each latching mechanism comprises one camming member and one buckling column spring. The spring bias the camming members in a first position such that a portion of the camming member protrudes into the path the cartridge will travel as it is inserted into the tape machine. When the cartridge is inserted, the leading edge of the cartridge engages that portion of the camming member. The camming member is pivoted and moves to a second position; the camming member comes to rest in its second position, in engagement with the notch provided as a standard feature on the bottom edge of the cartridge. Removal of the cartridge is accomplished by manually pulling the cartridge out of the tape machine.
Inventors
- 👤 Dewey Mckinley Sims, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:24
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/675; G11B15/6751
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A latching mechanism (15) for latching a cartridge (16) into a holder, said mechanism characterized by: a camming member (23) situated so as to be able to engage a notch (176) in said cartridge (16); said camming member having a first surface (21) contacted by the forward edge (18) of the cartridge both during the insertion of said cartridge and during the discharge of said cartridge, and a second surface (22) for engaging said notch (176) in said cartridge so as to urge said cartridge into said holder, thereby providing the latching function; said camming member being pivoted about a pivot point (26) and having a first stable position (Figure 1 or 6) and a second stable position (Figure 2 or 5); a buckling column spring (29) having one end secured to a lever arm (27) protruding from said camming member and having its other end fixed such that said spring biases said camming member to its first stable position when there is no cartridge in said holder and biases said camming member to its second stable position when a cartridge is properly positioned in said holder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
A latching mechanism (15) for latching a cartridge (16) into a holder, said mechanism characterized by: a camming member (23) situated so as to be able to engage a notch (176) in said cartridge (16); said camming member having a first surface (21) contacted by the forward edge (18) of the cartridge both during the insertion of said cartridge and during the discharge of said cartridge, and a second surface (22) for engaging said notch (176) in said cartridge so as to urge said cartridge into said holder, thereby providing the latching function; said camming member being pivoted about a pivot point (26) and having a first stable position (Figure 1 or 6) and a second stable position (Figure 2 or 5); a buckling column spring (29) having one end secured to a lever arm (27) protruding from said camming member and having its other end fixed such that said spring biases said camming member to its first stable position when there is no cartridge in said holder and biases said camming member to its second stable position when a cartridge is properly positioned in said holder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The latching mechanism of claim 1 further including a release mechanism (40).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The latching mechanism of claim 2 wherein said release mechanism (40) is characterized by a pivoted member (47) which selectively contacts said lever arm (27) of said camming member (23) so as to force said camming member from said second stable position to said first stable position.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
202 words
A device (15) for latching a tape cartridge into a holder, said device characterized by: two camming members (23), each spaced apart so as to be able to engage notches (17a, 17b) in opposite sides of said cartridge; each said camming member having a first surface (21) contacted by the forward edge (18) of the cartridge both during the insertion of said cartridge and during the discharge of said cartridge, and a second surface (22) for engaging a notch (17a or 17b) in said cartridge so as to urge said cartridge into said holder, thereby providing the latching function; each said camming member being pivoted about a respective pivot point (26) and having a first stable position (Figure 1 or 6) and a second stable position (Figure 2 or 5); a buckling column spring (29) for each said camming member, said spring having one end secured to a lever arm (27) protruding from said camming member and having its other end fixed such that said spring biases said camming member to its first stable position when there is no cartridge in said holder and biases said camming member to its second stable position when a cartridge is properly positioned in said holder.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
202 words
A device (15) for latching a tape cartridge into a holder, said device characterized by: two camming members (23), each spaced apart so as to be able to engage notches (17a, 17b) in opposite sides of said cartridge; each said camming member having a first surface (21) contacted by the forward edge (18) of the cartridge both during the insertion of said cartridge and during the discharge of said cartridge, and a second surface (22) for engaging a notch (17a or 17b) in said cartridge so as to urge said cartridge into said holder, thereby providing the latching function; each said camming member being pivoted about a respective pivot point (26) and having a first stable position (Figure 1 or 6) and a second stable position (Figure 2 or 5); a buckling column spring (29) for each said camming member, said spring having one end secured to a lever arm (27) protruding from said camming member and having its other end fixed such that said spring biases said camming member to its first stable position when there is no cartridge in said holder and biases said camming member to its second stable position when a cartridge is properly positioned in said holder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 4 further including a release mechanism (40) for unlatching said camming members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said release mechanism is characterized by a pivoted member (46, 47) which selectively contacts both lever arms of said two camming members so as to force said camming members from said second stable position to said first stable position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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