Interlocking mechanism for holding a tape cartridge in inserted position

Claim 2

An interlock mechanism for maintaining a tape cartridge within a tape player recess receiving the same, said interlock mechanism comprising: a rotary plate pivotably supported by said player and biased into noninterlock position, means carried by said rotary plate and movable therewith for interlocking said cartridge by contact therewith, means carried by said plate for contact with said cartridge for causing said plate to rotate toward interlock position, an electromagnet acting on said plate after movement of said plate into interlock position to hold said rotary plate in said interlock position and against said bias, said rotary plate including an armature portion movable toward said electromagnet during insertion of said cartridge to maintain said rotary plate in interlock position upon energization of the same, a microswitch positioned in the path of movement of said rotary plate and adapted to close when said armature moves into proximity to said electromagnet, a source of electrical current and means series connecting said microswitch, said source of current and said electromagnet.

Claim 3

The interlock mechanism as claimEd in claim 1 further including a normally closed switch series connected with said microswitch in said electrical circuit for releasing said cartridge upon opening of the same.

Claim 4

The interlock mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cartridge includes a V-shaped recess within the side thereof, said rotary plate includes means for supporting a pressure roller thereon for movement within said V-shaped recess.

Claim 5

The interlock mechanism as claimed in claim 3 wherein said means for supporting said pressure roller on said rotary plate comprises an upstanding plate portion at right angles to the plane of said rotary plate proper, a stick extending away from said cartridge on one side of said plate, an L-shaped support plate carrying said pressure roller and a compression spring fixed at one end to said plate and to said right-angle stick at the other end with said stick passing through a coaxial opening within said L-shaped support to provide a floating support therefor.

Claim 6

An interlock mechanism for maintaining a tape cartridge within a tape player, said tape cartridge including a tape, a V-shaped recess within the side of said cartridge and a pinch roller for feeding said tape, said interlock mechanism comprising: a rotary plate including an armature portion and a mechanical force applying portion adapted to be in contact with the front face of said tape cartridge, said rotary plate being pivotably supported within said player and biased into noninterlock position by a spring, means supporting a pressure roller on said rotary plate resiliently carried by said rotary plate, an electromagnet acting on said armature portion after movement into interlock position to hold said rotary plate in interlock position, a normally open switch for sensing cartridge play position within said tape player, a normally closed switch series connected with said normally open switch for releasing said cartridge upon opening of the same, a source of electrical current, said normally open switch, said normally closed switch and said electromagnet being series connected; whereby, upon closing of said normally open switch, said electromagnet attracts said armature portion of said rotary plate and said pressing roller is inserted within said V-shaped recess to hold said cartridge in play position and, upon opening of said normally closed switch, said force applying portion of said rotary plate pushes said cartridge out of said tape player under the tension of said spring.

Claim 7

An interlock mechanism for maintaining a tape cartridge within a tape player, said tape cartridge including a tape, a V-shaped recess within the side of said cartridge and a pinch roller for feeding said tape, said interlock mechanism comprising: a rotary plate including an armature portion and a mechanical force applying portion adapted to be in contact with the front face of said tape cartridge, said rotary plate being pivotably supported within said player and biased into noninterlock position by a spring, means supporting a pressure roller on said rotary plate resiliently carried by said rotary plate, an electromagnet acting on said armature portion after movement into interlock position to hold said rotary plate in interlock position, a normally open switch for sensing cartridge play position within said tape player, a normally closed switch series connected with said normally open switch for releasing said cartridge upon opening of the same, a source of electrical current, said normally open switch, said normally closed switch and said electromagnet being series connected; whereby, upon closing of said normally open switch, said electromagnet attracts said armature portion of said rotary plate and said pressing roller is inserted within said V-shaped recess to hold said cartridge in play position and, upon opening of said normally closed switch, said force applying portion of said rotary plate pushes said cartridge out of said tape player under the tension of said spring.

Claim 8

The interlock mechanism as claimed in claim 5, wherein said normally open switch is positioned in the path of said rotary plate and is adapted to close when said armature portion of said rotary plate moves into proximity to said electromagnet and said supporting means comprises a plate portion extending at right angles to the plane of said rotary plate proper, a stick extending away from said cartridge on one side of said plate, an L-shaped support plate carrying said pressure roller and a compression spring fixed at one end to said plate and at the other end to said right-angle stick with said stick passing through a coaxial opening within said L-shaped support to provide a floating support for the same.