US3592476A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Indicator and shutoff for cartridge-type tape recorders
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-02-03
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Granted: 1971-07-13
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Expires: 1990-02-03
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for indicating the track being traversed by a magnetic record or playback head of a conventional endless loop cartridgetype tape recorder machine, and for shutting off the recorder machine when the tracks available for recording are exhausted or the cartridge-type recorder has completed its automatic head switching cycle to return the conventional endless cartridge continuous loop to its relative beginning or end, depending on its mode of operation, i.e., record or playback.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald K Macdonald
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:59
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/02; G11B15/05; G11B15/06; G11B15/10; G11B27/00; G11B27/10; G11B27/34; G11B5/00; G11B5/48; G11B5/54; G11B5/55
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
315 words
In a cartridge-type magnetic recorder-player machine adapted for recording and reproducing sound on endless tape having multiple tracks of the type having physical distinctions at the end of each track, comprising a first and second source of electrical power, an electric motor for operating the machine, a magnetic head, solenoid means for positioning said head from track to track, and detection means responsive to said physical distinctions of said tape to connect and disconnect said solenoid means to said first power source; the improvement comprising: a. a stepper switch having a plurality of successive latched contact positions, said stepper switch being connected tO said solenoid means such that said stepper switch moves to its next successive contact position each time said solenoid means is connected to said first power source by said detection means and remains at said latched position whenever said solenoid is deenergized by said detection means, b. a plurality of successively arranged head-position indicating means, each indicating means being electrically connected to one of said stepper switch contact positions, said stepper switch successively activating a succeeding indicating means each time said solenoid means is connected to said first power source by said detection means to thereby indicate each position of said magnetic head, said indicating means remaining activated until said solenoid means is again connected to said first power source, and c. a relay connected to one contact position of said stepper switch and having a latched closed position in which said machine is connected to said second power source and a latched open position in which said machine is disconnected from said second power source, said relay being movable from its latched closed position to its latched open position upon said stepper switch reaching said one of its plurality of positions and said relay remaining in its latched closed position when said stepper switch is in any other of its positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
315 words
In a cartridge-type magnetic recorder-player machine adapted for recording and reproducing sound on endless tape having multiple tracks of the type having physical distinctions at the end of each track, comprising a first and second source of electrical power, an electric motor for operating the machine, a magnetic head, solenoid means for positioning said head from track to track, and detection means responsive to said physical distinctions of said tape to connect and disconnect said solenoid means to said first power source; the improvement comprising: a. a stepper switch having a plurality of successive latched contact positions, said stepper switch being connected tO said solenoid means such that said stepper switch moves to its next successive contact position each time said solenoid means is connected to said first power source by said detection means and remains at said latched position whenever said solenoid is deenergized by said detection means, b. a plurality of successively arranged head-position indicating means, each indicating means being electrically connected to one of said stepper switch contact positions, said stepper switch successively activating a succeeding indicating means each time said solenoid means is connected to said first power source by said detection means to thereby indicate each position of said magnetic head, said indicating means remaining activated until said solenoid means is again connected to said first power source, and c. a relay connected to one contact position of said stepper switch and having a latched closed position in which said machine is connected to said second power source and a latched open position in which said machine is disconnected from said second power source, said relay being movable from its latched closed position to its latched open position upon said stepper switch reaching said one of its plurality of positions and said relay remaining in its latched closed position when said stepper switch is in any other of its positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A cartridge-type magnetic tape machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said head position indicating means comprises a series of lamps, one for each position of the head.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A cartridge-type magnetic tape machine as defined in claim 1 further comprising an override switch connected in the circuit to said relay to deactivate said relay and to connect said machine to said second power source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A cartridge-type magnetic tape machine as defined in claim 1 further comprising a reset switch to selectively connect said second power source to said machine when said relay is in said open position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A cartridge-type magnetic tape machine as defined in claim 3 further comprising a reset switch to selectively connect said second power source to said machine when said relay is in said open position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A cartridge-type magnetic tape machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said solenoid means comprises a single solenoid for positioning said head and for controlling said stepper switch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A cartridge-type magnetic tape machine as defined in claim 1 further comprising a reset switch for selectively connecting said second power source to said relay to effect closing of said relay.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A cartridge-type magnetic tape machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said relay is moved from its latched closed position to its latched open position after said stepper switch has deactivated one of said other head-position indicating means and before it has activated said one position indicating means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
81 words
A cartridge-type magnetic tape machine as defined in claim 8 further comprising an unlatched contact on said stepper switch between said one contact position of said stepper switch and the contact position preceding said one position, said relay being connected to said unlatched contact such that said relay is movable from its latched closed position to its latched open position as said stepper switch is moved from said preceding contact position to said one position and said unlatched contact is engaged.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A cartridge-type magnetic tape machine as defined in claim 1 further comprising a manual head position switch for bypassing said detection means and connecting said solenoid means to said first power source.
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) | 1974-07-12 | 1975-01-11 | 1975-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-12 | 1979-01-11 | 1979-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-12 | 1983-01-11 | 1983-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |