Automatic tape-threading system and apparatus

Claim 2

Tape threading apparatus comprising: a carriage having means for gripping a free end of tape on a supply reel, track means comprising an endless belt extending at least from the vicinity of a tape supply reel to the vicinity of a tape takeup reel along a normal path of tape traverse between said reels, drive means moving said carriage by said track means about guide means between said reels, means controllably pivoting at least a portion of said carriage radially of said reels for engaging and releasing tape at said reels, and means on said takeup reel gripping the tape end and withdrawing same from said carriage gripping means for attaching the tape end to said takeup reel.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 further defined by said carriage iNcluding a pivotally mounted arm controllably movable radially of said reels with said arm having at least one vacuum-opening adjacent the outer end thereof adapted to engage tape wound about said supply reel and to thus grip the tape and move the free end thereof from the supply reel, and sensing means disposed at the end of said arm for sensing the passage of the free end of the tape thereover and producing a signal to retain such free end at said arm for movement from said supply reel.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 further defined by said takeup reel having vacuum openings through the hub thereof for gripping the end of tape placed thereon by said carriage arm and wrapping the tape about the reel.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 2 further defined by limit switches disposed adjacent said track in position for actuation by said carriage to stop track movement in positions to pivot said carriage arm radially of said reels.

Claim 6

Tape-threading means for a tape recorder and reproducer having a supply reel position, a takeup reel position, a tape path between said reel positions and means for rotating reels located at said positions, comprising: a tape transport carriage having at least one vacuum opening therein for suction gripping of a free tape end at a supply reel, drive means physically moving said carriage from said supply reel position to said takeup reel position along said tape path and moving said carriage radially of tape reels at said positions, and gripping means including the hub of a takeup reel for gripping a tape end delivered thereto by said carriage and withdrawing such end from said carriage to complete tape threading.

Claim 7

Tape-threading means for a tape recorder and reproducer having a supply reel position, a takeup reel position, a tape path between said reel positions and means for rotating reels located at said positions, comprising: a tape transport carriage having at least one vacuum opening therein for suction gripping of a free tape end at a supply reel, drive means physically moving said carriage from said supply reel position to said takeup reel position along said tape path and moving said carriage radially of tape reels at said positions, and gripping means including the hub of a takeup reel for gripping a tape end delivered thereto by said carriage and withdrawing such end from said carriage to complete tape threading.

Claim 8

Tape threading means as set forth in claim 5 further defined by said tape transport carriage comprising at least one flexible belt extending about guide means, and means pivoting portions of said belt radially of said reels.

Claim 9

Tape-threading means as set forth in claim 5 further defined by said takeup reel having no more than one flange extending from a hub thereof, and said tape transport carriage including an endless belt extending about guide means directing tape gripping means of the carriage against the hub of said takeup reel.

Claim 10

A tape threading system for a tape recorder/reproducer that is adapted to mount a tape supply reel and a tape takeup reel and to rotate same for passing a tape along a predetermined path between said tape reels comprising: a carriage having a vacuum connection and at least one suction opening therein for gripping a free end of tape on a supply reel, track means extending between locations of said supply reel and takeup reel, means controllably moving said carriage between said reel locations, said carriage including controllable pivot means for moving the suction opening radially of said reels, and vacuum gripping means including openings in said takeup reel for gripping a tape end positioned thereat by said carriage and securing the tape end to the takeup reel.

Claim 11

A tape threading system for a tape recorder/reproducer that is adapted to mount a tape supply reel and a tape takeup reel and to rotate same for passing a tape along a predetermined path between said tape reels comprising: a carriage having a vacuum connection and at least one suction opening therein for gripping a free end of tape on a supply reel, track means extending between locations of said supply reel and takeup reel, means controllably moving said carriage between said reel locations, said carriage including controllable pivot means for moving the suction opening radially of said reels, and vacuum gripping means including openings in said takeup reel for gripping a tape end positioned thereat by said carriage and securing the tape end to the takeup reel.

Claim 12

Automatic threading apparatus for a tape transport device comprising: a carriage movable between locations of a tape supply reel and a tape takeup reel in the transport device, gripping means on said carriage movable into engagement with tape wound about said supply reel, means rotating said supply reel in a direction to wind tape thereon during an initial stage of threading whereby a free end of tape wound on said supply reel passes said gripping means, sensing means on said carriage producing a signal upon passage of a free tape end thereover before tape end passage over said gripping means for reversing direction of supply reel rotation, and means engaging a free tape end at said tape takeup reel as delivered by said carriage.

Claim 13

Automatic threading apparatus for a tape transport device comprising: a carriage movable between locations of a tape supply reel and a tape takeup reel in the transport device, gripping means on said carriage movable into engagement with tape wound about said supply reel, means rotating said supply reel in a direction to wind tape thereon during an initial stage of threading whereby a free end of tape wound on said supply reel passes said gripping means, sensing means on said carriage producing a signal upon passage of a free tape end thereover before tape end passage over said gripping means for reversing direction of supply reel rotation, and means engaging a free tape end at said tape takeup reel as delivered by said carriage.

Claim 14

In vacuum-threading apparatus for a tape recorder/reproducer having supply and takeup reels and vacuum means movable into engagement with a roll of tape wound upon the supply reel, the improvement comprising: Means controllably rotating said supply reel in a rewind direction whereby the free end of tape thereon moves toward the vacuum means engaging the tape roll periphery, sensing means engaging said tape roll periphery ahead of said vacuum means as the supply reel rotates in the rewind direction and producing a signal-reversing direction of supply reel rotation before the free tape end passes the vacuum means and moving the vacuum means away from the reel with the free tape end gripped thereby.

Claim 15

In vacuum-threading apparatus for a tape recorder/reproducer having supply and takeup reels and vacuum means movable into engagement with a roll of tape wound upon the supply reel, the improvement comprising: Means controllably rotating said supply reel in a rewind direction whereby the free end of tape thereon moves toward the vacuum means engaging the tape roll periphery, sensing means engaging said tape roll periphery ahead of said vacuum means as the supply reel rotates in the rewind direction and producing a signal-reversing direction of supply reel rotation before the free tape end passes the vacuum means and moving the vacuum means away from the reel with the free tape end gripped thereby.

Claim 16

A tape-threading system for tape transport means having a tape supply means and a tape takeup means with a tape path of any configuration therebetween comprising carriage means including a plurality of vacuum-gripping means movable into engagement with tape at said supply means for gripping a free tape end thereat, drive means moving said carriage means between said supply means and said takeup means for drawing tape along said tape path therebetween, said vacuum gripping means being separately movable and disposed in proximity with each other to transfer said tape end therebetween in movement between said supply reel means and said takeup reel means and tape-receiving means at said takeup reel means accepting said tape end delivered thereto by said carriage means.

Claim 17

A tape-threading system for tape transport means having a tape supply means and a tape takeup means with a tape path of any configuration therebetween comprising carriage means including a plurality of vacuum-gripping means movable into engagement with tape at said supply means for gripping a free tape end thereat, drive means moving said carriage means between said supply means and said takeup means for drawing tape along said tape path therebetween, said vacuum gripping means being separately movable and disposed in proximity with each other to transfer said tape end therebetween in movement between said supply reel means and said takeup reel means and tape-receiving means at said takeup reel means accepting said tape end delivered thereto by said carriage means.

Claim 18

The system of claim 11 further defined by said supply reel means including a rotary mounted hub about which tape is wound, said carriage means including sensing means adjacent vacuum gripping means movable into engagement with the periphery of tape wound on said hub, and means rotating said supply reel in a rewind direction until said sensing means sensing the free tape end thereon and then rotating said supply reel in an unwind direction whereby said tape end is located and removed from said supply reel.