End of tape sensing apparatus

Claim 2

In a recording and/or reproducing machine having means for transporting a web between two spindles, the improvement which comprises: a first member rotatable in response to movement of a web between the spindles; a second member spaced from said first member and continuously rotatable; movable means engageable to be driven by said first member and said second member to maintain it in a first position and to be driven to a second position by said second member when the angular velocity of said first member falls below a predetermined level; means responsive to movement of said movable means from said first position to said second position to deactivate the web transporting means; and whereby when a web is moved between the spindles by the transporting means said first and second members are rotated and said movable means remains in said first position and when the web movement slows so that the angular velocity of said first member falls below said predetermined level, said second member drives said movable means to said second position and the web transporting means is deactivated.

Claim 3

The machine of claim 1 wherein said movable means is frictionally driven by said first member and adapted to be positively driven by said second member to maintain it in said first position when the web is moved between the spindles by said transporting means.

Claim 4

The machine of claim 1 wherein said first and second members are generally cylindrical in shape, supported with parallel body axes and rotatable about their body axes in the same circular direction when the web is moved.

Claim 5

In a recording and/or reproducing machine having a supply spindle, a driven takeup spindle and means for transporting a web between the spindles, the improvement which comprises: a first roller rotatable about its axis in response to movement of a web between said spindles; a second roller spaced from said first roller with its axis parallel to the axis of said first roller rotatable about its axis in the same circular direction as said first roller is rotatable in response to web movement at a generally constant peripheral velocity less than the peripheral velocity of said first roller when a web is moved between the spindles by the transporting means; a sensing roller having a diameter greater than said spacing between said first and second rollers supported for rotation about its axis with its axis parallel to said first and second roller axes and its periphery normally in contact with the peripheries of said first and second rollers and supported for movement between said first and second rollers; means for increasing said spacing between said first and second rollers to permit said sensing roller to move between them upon exertion of a force between their axes; means for deactivating the web transporting means upon movement of said sensing roller between said first and second rollers; and whereby when a web is moved by the web transporting means the peripheral velocity of said first roller is greater than that of said second roller and said sensing roller is prevented from moving between them and when the web stops the first roller discontinues its rotation and said sensing roller, driven by said second roller, rolls along the periphery of said first roller exerting a force between the axes of said first and second rollers to increase said spacing between them and to deactivate the means for transporting the web.

Claim 6

In a recording and/or reproducing machine having a supply spindle, a driven takeup spindle and means for transporting a web between the spindles, the improvement which comprises: a first roller rotatable about its axis in response to movement of a web between said spindles; a second roller spaced from said first roller with its axis parallel to the axis of said first roller rotatable about its axis in the same circular direction as said first roller is rotatable in response to web movement at a generally constant peripheral velocity less than the peripheral velocity of said first roller when a web is moved between the spindles by the transporting means; a sensing roller having a diameter greater than said spacing between said first and second rollers supported for rotation about its axis with its axis parallel to said first and second roller axes and its periphery normally in contact with the peripheries of said first and second rollers and supported for movement between said first and second rollers; means for increasing said spacing between said first and second rollers to permit said sensing roller to move between them upon exertion of a force between their axes; means for deactivating the web transporting means upon movement of said sensing roller between said first and second rollers; and whereby when a web is moved by the web transporting means the peripheral velocity of said first roller is greater than that of said second roller and said sensing roller is prevented from moving between them and when the web stops the first roller discontinues its rotation and said sensing roller, driven by said second roller, rolls along the periphery of said first roller exerting a force between the axes of said first and second rollers to increase said spacing between them and to deactivate the means for transporting the web.

Claim 7

The machine of claim 4 wherein said first roller is rotated in response to winding of a web on the takeup spindle.

Claim 8

The machine of claim 4 wherein said sensing roller is supported on an arm that is mounted for rotation about said second roller axis and including means for maintaining continuous peripheral contact between said sensing roller and said second roller.

Claim 9

In a recording and/or reproducing machine having a supply spindle, a driven takeup spindle and means for transporting between the spindles a web having one end securely linked to the supply spindle, the improvement which comprises: a first roller rotatable about its axis in response to winding of a web on the takeup spindle; a second roller spaced from said first roller with its axis parallel to the axis of said first roller rotatable about its axis in the same circular direction as said first roller is rotatable in response to web movement at a generally constant peripheral velocity less than the peripheral velocity of said first roller when a web is moved between the spindles by the transporting means; a sensing roller having a diameter greater than said spaciNg between said first and second rollers supported for rotation about its axis with its axis parallel to said first and second roller axes and its periphery normally in contact with the peripheries of said first and second rollers and supported for movement between said first and second rollers; means for increasing said spacing between said first and second rollers to permit said sensing roller to move between them upon exertion of a force between their axes; means for deactivating the web transporting means upon movement of said sensing roller between said first and second rollers; and whereby a web is transported from the supply spindle to the takeup spindle by the transporting means until the end of the web securely linked to the supply spindle prevents further winding of the web on the takeup spindle at which time said first roller discontinues its rotation and said sensing roller, driven by said second roller, rolls along the periphery of said first roller exerting a force between the axes of said first and second rollers to increase said spacing between them and to deactivate the means for transporting the web.

Claim 10

In a recording and/or reproducing machine having a supply spindle, a driven takeup spindle and means for transporting between the spindles a web having one end securely linked to the supply spindle, the improvement which comprises: a first roller rotatable about its axis in response to winding of a web on the takeup spindle; a second roller spaced from said first roller with its axis parallel to the axis of said first roller rotatable about its axis in the same circular direction as said first roller is rotatable in response to web movement at a generally constant peripheral velocity less than the peripheral velocity of said first roller when a web is moved between the spindles by the transporting means; a sensing roller having a diameter greater than said spaciNg between said first and second rollers supported for rotation about its axis with its axis parallel to said first and second roller axes and its periphery normally in contact with the peripheries of said first and second rollers and supported for movement between said first and second rollers; means for increasing said spacing between said first and second rollers to permit said sensing roller to move between them upon exertion of a force between their axes; means for deactivating the web transporting means upon movement of said sensing roller between said first and second rollers; and whereby a web is transported from the supply spindle to the takeup spindle by the transporting means until the end of the web securely linked to the supply spindle prevents further winding of the web on the takeup spindle at which time said first roller discontinues its rotation and said sensing roller, driven by said second roller, rolls along the periphery of said first roller exerting a force between the axes of said first and second rollers to increase said spacing between them and to deactivate the means for transporting the web.

Claim 11

The machine of claim 7 wherein said sensing roller is adapted to be frictionally driven by said first roller and positively driven by said second roller to maintain its normal peripheral contact with said first roller and said second roller.

Claim 12

The machine of claim 8 wherein said sensing roller is supported on an arm that is mounted for rotation about said second roller axis.

Claim 13

The machine of claim 9 wherein said means for deactivating the web transporting means includes a sensing lever engageable and movable by said sensing roller when said sensing roller moves between said first roller and said second roller.