US3582082A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tape cartridge automatic exchange device
Assignee: Sony Group Corp
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Filing: 1968-01-22
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Granted: 1971-06-01
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Expires: 1988-01-22
Abstract
Abstract A tape cartridge automatic exchange device for automatically supplying a number of magnetic tape cartridges stacked in a magazine to a predetermined playing or recording position one after another for playing or recording, in such a manner that the lowermost tape cartridge is placed in said playing or recording position, removed from said position upon completion of the playing or recording and then the next tape cartridge is placed in said position.
Inventors
- 👤 Isamu Takagi
- 👤 Atushi Shino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:29
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/675; G11B15/68; G11B15/6885
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
342 words
An automatic tape cartridge changer in a tape recorder comprising a first horizontal support means defining a first opening for passing a cartridge therethrough; an open-ended magazine, for receiving a stack of cartridges, mounted above said first opening; a first movable shutter normally closing said opening mounted on said support means for releasably supporting said cartridge stack; a second horizontal support means defining a second opening for passing a cartridge therethrough mounted below and spaced from said first support means a distance greater than the thickness of a cartridge; a second movable shutter mounted on said second support means for normally closing said second opening; a cartridge retainer movably supported between said first and second support means; a cartridge stack support movably mounted above said fist support means for selective engagement with said cartridge stack; coupling means linking said cartridge retainer and said cartridge stack support for synchronous movement thereof; an electrically actuated drive means for reciprocally moving said coupling means, said cartridge retainer being moved from a cartridge-receiving position below said first opening to a record-replay position laterally offset from said receiving position, then to a cartridge disposal position above said second opening and then to the mentioned position, said cartridge stack support being moved into engagement with said stack for supporting all but the lowermost cartridge above said first shutter when said cartridge retainer is moved into said cartrIdge-receiving position; means linked with said coupling means for synchronous operation with said cartridge retainer opening said first and second shutters when said cartridge retainer is moved to said receiving and disposal positions, respectively, said cartridge retainer receiving the lowermost cartridge of said stack when said first shutter is opened, said cartridge retainer releasing said cartridge through said second opening when said second shutter is opened; means for sensing the end of play of a tape cartridge at said record-replay position to activate said driving means for moving a cartridge disposed in said cartridge retainer to said disposal position, then to said cartridge-receiving position, and then back to the record replay position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
342 words
An automatic tape cartridge changer in a tape recorder comprising a first horizontal support means defining a first opening for passing a cartridge therethrough; an open-ended magazine, for receiving a stack of cartridges, mounted above said first opening; a first movable shutter normally closing said opening mounted on said support means for releasably supporting said cartridge stack; a second horizontal support means defining a second opening for passing a cartridge therethrough mounted below and spaced from said first support means a distance greater than the thickness of a cartridge; a second movable shutter mounted on said second support means for normally closing said second opening; a cartridge retainer movably supported between said first and second support means; a cartridge stack support movably mounted above said fist support means for selective engagement with said cartridge stack; coupling means linking said cartridge retainer and said cartridge stack support for synchronous movement thereof; an electrically actuated drive means for reciprocally moving said coupling means, said cartridge retainer being moved from a cartridge-receiving position below said first opening to a record-replay position laterally offset from said receiving position, then to a cartridge disposal position above said second opening and then to the mentioned position, said cartridge stack support being moved into engagement with said stack for supporting all but the lowermost cartridge above said first shutter when said cartridge retainer is moved into said cartrIdge-receiving position; means linked with said coupling means for synchronous operation with said cartridge retainer opening said first and second shutters when said cartridge retainer is moved to said receiving and disposal positions, respectively, said cartridge retainer receiving the lowermost cartridge of said stack when said first shutter is opened, said cartridge retainer releasing said cartridge through said second opening when said second shutter is opened; means for sensing the end of play of a tape cartridge at said record-replay position to activate said driving means for moving a cartridge disposed in said cartridge retainer to said disposal position, then to said cartridge-receiving position, and then back to the record replay position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
138 words
An automatic tape cartridge changer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said coupling means is a slide plate and said driving means includes an electric motor, a control circuit therefore, a first switch for turning off or on the motor current which is arranged to be turned off by an actuator attached to said slide plate when said cartridge retainer is at said record-replay position, second switch for changing the motor connection so as to reverse the direction of rotation of said motor, means linked with slide plate for actuating said switch when said cartridge retainer comes to said record-replay position, a third switch of normally open type connected in parallel with said first switch and means for temporarily closing said third switch in response to said signal indicating the end of the playing of a tape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
98 words
An automatic tape cartridge changer as set forth in claim 2, wherein said first movable shutter comprises a pair of rotatable arms each of which is normally urged to the closed position by a spring and said opening means therefore is a hook member pivotally attached to a rocking member which is attached on the underside of said slide plate, and said second movable shutter comprises another pair of rotatable arms each of which is normally urged to the closed position by a spring and said opening means therefor is a boss extending downwardly from said slide plate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-31 | 1974-11-30 | 1975-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-31 | 1978-11-30 | 1979-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-31 | 1982-11-30 | 1983-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |