US3593946A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tape recording and/or replay machine and cassette and cartridge for use therewith
Assignee: TAPE SYSTEMS Ltd
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Filing: 1969-07-09
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Granted: 1971-07-20
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Expires: 1989-07-09
Abstract
Abstract A tape recording and/or replay machine having a slot into which a cassette or cartridge can be inserted. The cassette has two spools, flanges of which project through opposite sidewalls of the cassette whereas the cartridge has a single spool a flange of which projects through a sidewall of the cartridge. Both the cassette and the cartridge have a tape guidance system including a spring pinch wheel. The machine has a motor driven capstan, a continuously driven first drive wheel which engages the projecting flange of one spool when a cassette is inserted into the slot and the projecting flange of the spool when a cartridge is inserted into the slot. A second drive wheel of the machine engages the projecting flange of the other spool when the cassette is inserted into the slot. For rewind the first drive wheel is moved out of engagement with the flange it normally engages and the second drive wheel is coupled to the motor and drives the tape in the reverse direction.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter R D Shardlow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:16
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/18; G11B15/1883; G11B15/1891
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
279 words
A tape recording and/or replay machine comprising a slot into which it is intended that there shall be inserted a cassette comprising a tape, two rotatable spools between which the tape extends and which are located side-by-side, a pinch wheel and a container in which the spools and the pinch wheel are mounted, flanges of the two spools projecting through opposite sidewalls of the container or a cartridge comprising an endless tape, a pinch wheel, a rotatable spool, guide means for guiding the tape in a path which extends from the inner end of a stack of tape on the spool, past the pinch wheel to the outer end of the stack, and a container in which the spool, the pinch wheel and the guide means are disposed and through one sidewall of which one flange of the spool projects, the machine including a replay head connected to a loudspeaker, a motor, a capstan coupled to the motor, a first drive wheel urged into engagement with the projecting flange of one spool when a cassette is inserted into the slot and into engagement with the projecting flange of the spool when a cartridge is inserted into the slot, a transmission interconnecting the first drive wheel and the motor, and a second drive wheel which is urged into engagement with the projecting flange of the other spool when a cassette is inserted into the slot, and means for coupling the second drive wheel to the motor and for moving the first drive wheel out of engagement with the said flange of one spool, the first and second drive wheels serving to cause the tape to be driven in opposite directions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
279 words
A tape recording and/or replay machine comprising a slot into which it is intended that there shall be inserted a cassette comprising a tape, two rotatable spools between which the tape extends and which are located side-by-side, a pinch wheel and a container in which the spools and the pinch wheel are mounted, flanges of the two spools projecting through opposite sidewalls of the container or a cartridge comprising an endless tape, a pinch wheel, a rotatable spool, guide means for guiding the tape in a path which extends from the inner end of a stack of tape on the spool, past the pinch wheel to the outer end of the stack, and a container in which the spool, the pinch wheel and the guide means are disposed and through one sidewall of which one flange of the spool projects, the machine including a replay head connected to a loudspeaker, a motor, a capstan coupled to the motor, a first drive wheel urged into engagement with the projecting flange of one spool when a cassette is inserted into the slot and into engagement with the projecting flange of the spool when a cartridge is inserted into the slot, a transmission interconnecting the first drive wheel and the motor, and a second drive wheel which is urged into engagement with the projecting flange of the other spool when a cassette is inserted into the slot, and means for coupling the second drive wheel to the motor and for moving the first drive wheel out of engagement with the said flange of one spool, the first and second drive wheels serving to cause the tape to be driven in opposite directions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A tape recording and/or replay machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second drive wheel is mounted so that it can move into and out of the path of the cassette or cartridge when it is inserted into the slot and is spring urged into the said path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A tape recording and/or replay machine as claimed in claim 1 whErein the said means include a flywheel coupled to the motor, a rotatable member, a belt transmission which couples the rotatable member to the drive wheel and operating means for bringing the rotatable member into and out of engagement with the flywheel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A tape recording and/or replay machine as claimed in claim 3 wherein the first drive wheel is mounted so that it can move into and out of the path of the cassette or cartridge when it is inserted into the slot and is spring urged into the said path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
A tape recording and/or replay machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein the operating means comprise a manually operable control member, there being provided a cam connected to the manually operable control member, and a cam follower connected to the first drive wheel, the arrangement being that upon operation of the manually operable control member, in addition to the rotatable member being brought into engagement with the flywheel, the cam follower moves the first drive wheel out of the said path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tape recording and/or replay machine as claimed in claim 5 which includes a spring which urges the manually operable control member to a nonoperative datum position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
109 words
A tape recording and/or replay machine as claimed in claim 5 which comprises a manually operable reject member which is connected to the cam, an actuating member carried by the cam, and a second cam follower which is connected to the second drive wheel, the arrangement being that upon operation of the manual operable reject member, the cam is moved through a distance than that when the manually operable control member is operated, the actuating member engages a cassette or cartridge in the slot and moves it in the direction of the mouth of the slot, and the cam followers move the drive wheels out of the said path.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
66 words
A tape recording and/or replay machine as claimed in claim 7 which comprises guide means for guiding the path of the cam when either of the manually operable members is operated, the path of the cam being such that the second cam follower is not moved during the part of the path through which the cam is moved when the manually operable control member is operated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A tape recording and/or replay machine as claimed in claim 8 wherein the guide means comprise a pin and a curved slot in the cam through which the pin passes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
A tape recording and/or replay machine as claimed in claim 1 and intended to be used with a cassette or cartridge formed with grooves, and which comprises rollers spring urged into the path of a cassette or cartridge inserted into the slot, the rollers being arranged to engage the said grooves upon the insertion of a cassette or cartridge into the slot.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
A tape recording and/or replay machine as claimed in claim 10 which comprises a stop member which limits the movement of a cassette or cartridge inserted into the slot, the stop member being so located that, when a cassette or cartridge is released when in contact with the stop member, the rollers engage the grooves and locate the cassette or cartridge.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
A tape recording and/or replay machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein the axis of rotation of the capstan is fixed, the tape replay machine being intended to be used with a cassette or cartridge which has a pinch roller so mounted as to permit movement.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
62 words
A tape recording and/or replay machine as claimed in claim 1 and intended for use with a cassette or cartridge having a tape brake which has a projecting brake operating member, and which comprises a fixed member which is engaged by the brake operating member to release the brake when the cassette or cartridge is inserted into the slot in the machine.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
61 words
A cassette for use with a tape recording and/or replay machine as claimed in claim 1, which comprises a tape, two rotatable spools between which the tape extends and which are located side-by-side, a pinch wheel and a container in which the spools and the pinch wheel are mounted, flanges of the two spools projecting through opposite sidewalLs of the container.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A cassette as claimed in claim 14 wherein the pinch wheel is spring mounted.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
69 words
A cassette as claimed in claim 14 which comprises a brake arranged to prevent rotation of the spools, the brake having at least one operating member which is intended to engage a fixed member of the tape recording and/or replay machine when the cassette is inserted into the tape recording and/or replay machine, engagement of the brake operating member with the fixed member causing the brake to be released.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
73 words
A cassette as claimed in claim 16 wherein the brake is a band brake having an end which projects from the end of the cassette intended to be inserted first into the slot in the tape recording and/or replay machine, the cassette being intended to be utilized with a tape recording and/or replay machine which has a fixed member, which is intended to be engaged by the projecting end of the band brake.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
89 words
A cartridge for use with a tape recording and/or replay machine as claimed in claim 1, which comprises an endless tape, a pinch wheel, a rotatable spool, guide means for guiding the tape in a path which extends from the inner end of a stack of tape on the spool, past the pinch wheel to the outer end of the stack, and a container in which the spool, the pinch wheel and the guide means are disposed and through one sidewall of which one flange of the spool projects.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
78 words
A cartridge as claimed in claim 18 which comprises a brake arranged to prevent rotation of the spools, a brake arranged to prevent rotation of the spools, the brake having at least one operating member which is intended to engage a fixed member of the tape recording and/or replay machine when the cartridge is inserted into the tape recording and/or replay machine, engagement of the brake operating member with the fixed member causing the brake to be released.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
73 words
A cartridge as claimed in claim 19, wherein the brake is a band brake having an end which projects from the end of the cartridge intended to be inserted first into the slot in the tape recording and/or replay machine, the cartridge being intended to be utilized with a tape recording and/or replay machine which has a fixed member, which is intended to be engaged by the projecting end of the band brake.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3252668A
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US3291409A
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US3520495A
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US3497157A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-19 | 1975-01-18 | 1975-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-19 | 1979-01-18 | 1979-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-19 | 1983-01-18 | 1983-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |