US3617066A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic apparatus for selectively playing a plurality of tape cassettes
Assignee: Wurlitzer Co
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Filing: 1969-01-30
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Granted: 1971-11-02
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Expires: 1989-01-30
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for playing tape recordings on a small reel-to-reel cartridges of the type commonly known as cassettes. A rotary magazine turnable about a vertical axis is provided, and the cassettes are held by holders on this magazine with their planes disposed radially of the magazine and their longer dimensions disposed vertically. The magazine is turned to bring a selected cassette to a tape-playing station, and the cassette and its holder are tipped substantially 90* out from storage position, extending radially out from the magazine. Either of two duplicate playing mechanisms then is shifted generally normal to the faces of the cassette into driving and playing engagement with the cassette, whereby to play either of the two bands of information recorded on the tape.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilhelm P Foelkel
- 👤 Georg F Seidel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:51
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/675; G11B15/68; G11B15/6845; G11B15/685; G11B15/686
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
Apparatus for the playing of tapes in substantially flat containers each comprising a two-reel cassette with a tape travelling from one reel to the other and back and having at least two tracks thereon respectively playable in opposite directions of travel, said apparatus comprising a magazine rotatable about an axis thereof, means for supporting a plurality of such cassettes on said magazine respectively substantially radially of said axis, a playing station adjacent said magazine, means for rotating said magazine about said axis to bring a selected cassette into position adjacent said playing station, means for moving said selected cassette from its supported position on said magazine to playing position at said playing station, a pair of similar opposed tape-playing mechanisms at said playing station, each having a tape-driving means for respectively driving the tape in relatively opposite directions and each further having a playback head cooperable with a respective track on said tape, and means for relatively shifting one or the other of said tape-playing mechanisms toward the selected cassette to play a selected band on the tape therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
Apparatus for the playing of tapes in substantially flat containers each comprising a two-reel cassette with a tape travelling from one reel to the other and back and having at least two tracks thereon respectively playable in opposite directions of travel, said apparatus comprising a magazine rotatable about an axis thereof, means for supporting a plurality of such cassettes on said magazine respectively substantially radially of said axis, a playing station adjacent said magazine, means for rotating said magazine about said axis to bring a selected cassette into position adjacent said playing station, means for moving said selected cassette from its supported position on said magazine to playing position at said playing station, a pair of similar opposed tape-playing mechanisms at said playing station, each having a tape-driving means for respectively driving the tape in relatively opposite directions and each further having a playback head cooperable with a respective track on said tape, and means for relatively shifting one or the other of said tape-playing mechanisms toward the selected cassette to play a selected band on the tape therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for relatively moving one or the other of said playing mechanisms toward the selected cassette comprises means pivotally mounting said playing mechanisms for pivotal movement toward and away from a selected cartridge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the playing station is disposed radially outwardly of the supported position of the cassettes on the magazine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the means for supporting the cassettes comprises means for respectively tilting the cassettes from supported position to playing position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said playing station is disposed radially outwardly of the supported position of said cassettes on said magazine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein each tape cassette comprises a takeup reel and a supply reel, the takeup reel being driven, a magnet rotatably driven by said supply reel whenever said supply reel rotates, switch means the state of which is reversed periodically by rotation of said magnet, and circuit means energized through said switch means and effective to terminate a playing operation when said supply spool stops turning.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1108935A
Cited
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Cited
US3008012A
Cited
US3041925A
Cited
US3408139A
Cited
US3484055A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-01 | 1975-05-03 | 1975-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-01 | 1979-05-03 | 1979-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-01 | 1983-05-03 | 1983-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |