EP0249314A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cassette auto-changers
Assignee: Sony Corp
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Filing: 1987-04-14
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2007-04-14
Abstract
Abstract A cassette auto-changer for automatically loading and transferring cassettes (C) for use with at least one reproducing unit (1) which is arranged between two housing blocks (3,4) adjacent to the reproducing unit (1), in which the housing blocks (3,4) each hold a plurality of cassettes (C). A cassette transferring device (6) has inlets facing the two cassette housing blocks (3,4) for transferring the cassettes (C) back and forth between the blocks (3,4), as well as to the reproducing unit (1). The cassette transferring device (6) has at least one cassette receiving portion (6A, 6B) formed therein with two inlets and includes transport means (10A, 10B, 20A, 20B) capable of carrying in and carrying out a cassette (C) from both of the cassette receiving portions (6A, 6B) in either direction, and includes a cassette push-out element (30A, 30B, 40A, 408) used to push out a cassette (C) housed in each of the receiving portions (6A, 6B) in either the forward or the rear facing directions relative to the two cassette housing blocks (3, 4). A bar-code detector (80) is provided on a movable mounting (83) for scanning an identification code on a cassette (C) and is also movable to either inlet entrance of the cassette receiving portions (6A, 68) to accommodate cassettes (C) entering from either side.
Inventors
- 👤 Takashi C/O Patents Division Ohtsuka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:19
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/675; G11B15/68; G11B15/682; G11B15/6835
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
Apparatus for automatically supplying and selectively reproducing a cassette (C), the apparatus comprising: a plurality of reproducing and/or recording units (1); first and second housing blocks (3, 4) each of which includes a plurality of cassette bins for storing cassettes (C); and a cassette transporting device (6) movable between said first and second housing (3, 4) blocks for transporting said cassettes (C) between said cassette bins of said first and second housing blocks (3, 4) and between said cassette bins and said reproducing and/or recording units (1); characterized in that said cassette transporting device (6) comprises: at least one cassette receiving portion (6A, 6B) having two inlets provided at opposing sides thereof, said opposing sides facing said first and second cassette housing blocks (3, 4): means (10A, 10B, 20A, 20B) for carrying a cassette (C) into and out of said cassette receiving portion (6A, 6B) througn said inlets; and means (30A, 30B, 40A, 40B) for pushing out a cassette (C) housed in said cassette receiving portion (6A, 6B) through said inlets after the cassette (C) has been carried from said cassette receiving portion (6A, 6B) towards said inlets by said means (10A, 10B, 20A, 20B) for carrying a cassette (C).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
Apparatus for automatically supplying and selectively reproducing a cassette (C), the apparatus comprising: a plurality of reproducing and/or recording units (1); first and second housing blocks (3, 4) each of which includes a plurality of cassette bins for storing cassettes (C); and a cassette transporting device (6) movable between said first and second housing (3, 4) blocks for transporting said cassettes (C) between said cassette bins of said first and second housing blocks (3, 4) and between said cassette bins and said reproducing and/or recording units (1); characterized in that said cassette transporting device (6) comprises: at least one cassette receiving portion (6A, 6B) having two inlets provided at opposing sides thereof, said opposing sides facing said first and second cassette housing blocks (3, 4): means (10A, 10B, 20A, 20B) for carrying a cassette (C) into and out of said cassette receiving portion (6A, 6B) througn said inlets; and means (30A, 30B, 40A, 40B) for pushing out a cassette (C) housed in said cassette receiving portion (6A, 6B) through said inlets after the cassette (C) has been carried from said cassette receiving portion (6A, 6B) towards said inlets by said means (10A, 10B, 20A, 20B) for carrying a cassette (C).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means (10A, 10B, 20A, 20B) for carrying a cassette (C) includes drive belt means (10A, 10B, 2 0 A, 20 B ) for linearly moving said cassette (C) between said inlets and being arranged to contact a flat surface of said cassette (C).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising presser elements (50) arranged in juxtaposition to said drive belt means (10A, 10B, 20A, 20B) for contacting an opposite flat surface of said cassette (C) and for resiliently pressing against said opposite flat surface of said cassette (C), whereby said cassette (C) is maintained in contact with said drive belt means (10A, 10B, 20A, 20B).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said presser elements (50) include elongate arms (52, 55) having roller elements (51) at the ends of said arms (52, 55) and further include spring elements (57, 58) for biasing said arms (52, 55) into contact with said opposite flat surface of said cassette (C).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means (30A, 30B, 40A, 40B) for pushing out a cassette (C) includes pivotally arranged push-out arms (30A, 30B, 40A, 40B) for contacting a rear surface of said cassette (C) relative to said inlet, and means (31) for providing a driving force to said push-out arms (30A, 30B, 40A, 40B), whereby the driving force is transferred to said cassette (C).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said means (30A, 30B, 40A, 40B) for pushing out a cassette (C) further comprises sensor elements (17A, 17B, 18A, 18B) for sensing a front and rear edge of said cassette (C) relative to said inlet as it is received in and pushed out of said inlets.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a kick element (70A, 70B) arranged adjacent to said inlet and pivotally mounted to be driven outwardly, thereby releasing a cassette (C) from a said cassette bin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
169 words
Apparatus for automatically supplying and selectively reproducing a cassette (C), the apparatus comprising: a plurality of reproducing and/or recording units (1): a cassette housing block (3, 4) having a plurality of cassette bins for storing said cassettes (C); and a cassette transporting device (6) for transporting said cassette between said cassette (C) bins in said housing block (3, 4) and between said cassette bins and said reproducing and/or recording units (I), each of said cassettes (C) being provided with an identification marking; characterized in that said cassette transporting device (6) comprises: a cassette receiving portion (6A, 6Bl having two inlets; means (10A, lOB, 20A, 20B) for carrying a cassette (C) into and out of said cassette receiving portion (6A, 6B) through said inlets; detector means (80) for detecting said identification marking of a cassette (C) in said cassette receiving portion (6A, 6B); and means (83) for moving said detector means (80) along a direction of carrying said cassette (C) into and out of said cassette receiving portion (6A, 6B).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
169 words
Apparatus for automatically supplying and selectively reproducing a cassette (C), the apparatus comprising: a plurality of reproducing and/or recording units (1): a cassette housing block (3, 4) having a plurality of cassette bins for storing said cassettes (C); and a cassette transporting device (6) for transporting said cassette between said cassette (C) bins in said housing block (3, 4) and between said cassette bins and said reproducing and/or recording units (I), each of said cassettes (C) being provided with an identification marking; characterized in that said cassette transporting device (6) comprises: a cassette receiving portion (6A, 6Bl having two inlets; means (10A, lOB, 20A, 20B) for carrying a cassette (C) into and out of said cassette receiving portion (6A, 6B) through said inlets; detector means (80) for detecting said identification marking of a cassette (C) in said cassette receiving portion (6A, 6B); and means (83) for moving said detector means (80) along a direction of carrying said cassette (C) into and out of said cassette receiving portion (6A, 6B).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said identification marking comprises a bar code.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said means (83) for moving said detector means (80) includes means (83, 84) for scanning said bar code by said detector means (80), whereby redetecting the identification marking of said cassette (C).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said means (83) for moving said detector means (80) includes means (83) for moving said detector means (80) to be located adjacent to either inlet of said cassette receiving portion (6A, 6B).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said means (83) for moving said detector means (80) comprises a belt (83) arranged between first and second pulleys (81, 82), at least one of said pulleys (81, 82) being driven.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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