US3656703A — Information-processing appliance for use with a s…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 288 words

An information-processing appliance for use with a striplike information carrier wound on a reel which is contained in a cartridge of either of first and second types, each of said cartridges having locating and fixing surfaces specific to the type of cartridge, said reel in the cartridges of said first type having a flange, said reel in the cartridges of said second type having a central bore, said cartridges of said second type having a wall formed with an aperture aligned with said bore, said information carrier on said reel having a leading end, said appliance comprising first locating and fixing means engageable with said locating and fixing surfaces of any cartridge of said first type so as to hold said cartridge of said first type in an operative position on said appliance, second locating and fixing means engageable with said locating and fixing surfaces of any cartridge of said second type so as to hold said cartridge of said second type in an operative position on said appliance, threading means operable to mechanically move said leading end of said information carrier from said reel in a cartridge of either of said first and second types when said cartridge is held in said operative position, first reel-driving means adapted to cooperate with said flange and operable to drive said reel in a cartridge of said first type when said cartridge is in said operative position, and second reel-driving means comprising a mandrel adapted to extend through said aperture into engagement with said bore of a reel of a cartridge of said second type when said cartridge is in said operative position, said second reel-driving means being operable to drive said reel in said cartridge of said second type.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 288 words

An information-processing appliance for use with a striplike information carrier wound on a reel which is contained in a cartridge of either of first and second types, each of said cartridges having locating and fixing surfaces specific to the type of cartridge, said reel in the cartridges of said first type having a flange, said reel in the cartridges of said second type having a central bore, said cartridges of said second type having a wall formed with an aperture aligned with said bore, said information carrier on said reel having a leading end, said appliance comprising first locating and fixing means engageable with said locating and fixing surfaces of any cartridge of said first type so as to hold said cartridge of said first type in an operative position on said appliance, second locating and fixing means engageable with said locating and fixing surfaces of any cartridge of said second type so as to hold said cartridge of said second type in an operative position on said appliance, threading means operable to mechanically move said leading end of said information carrier from said reel in a cartridge of either of said first and second types when said cartridge is held in said operative position, first reel-driving means adapted to cooperate with said flange and operable to drive said reel in a cartridge of said first type when said cartridge is in said operative position, and second reel-driving means comprising a mandrel adapted to extend through said aperture into engagement with said bore of a reel of a cartridge of said second type when said cartridge is in said operative position, said second reel-driving means being operable to drive said reel in said cartridge of said second type.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 18 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 1, which comprises means for recording information on said information carrier.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 19 words

A appliance as set forth in claim 1, which comprises means for reproducing information recorded on said information carrier.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 17 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 1, which is a motion picture projector for substandard film.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 59 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 1, which comprises transducing means for processing information, and guide means for guiding said information carrier along a predetermined path to said transducing means, said threading means being operable to move said leading end of said information carrier from cartridges of either of said first and second types to said guide means.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 178 words

An information-processing appliance for use with a striplike information carrier wound on a reel which is contained in a cartridge of either of first and second types, each of said cartridges having locating and fixing surfaces specific to the type of cartridge, said reel in the cartridges of said first type having a flange, which appliance comprises a base structure including main drive means, an attachment detachably mounted on said base structure and comprising locating and fixing means adapted to cooperate with said locating and fixing surfaces of any cartridge of said first type to hold said cartridge of said first type in an operative position on said appliance, threading means operable to mechanically move said leading end of said information carrier on said reel in a cartridge of said first type when said cartridge is in said operative position, and reel-driving means operatively connected to said main drive means and adapted to cooperate with said flange and operable to drive said reel in a cartridge of said first type when said cartridge is in said operative position.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 178 words

An information-processing appliance for use with a striplike information carrier wound on a reel which is contained in a cartridge of either of first and second types, each of said cartridges having locating and fixing surfaces specific to the type of cartridge, said reel in the cartridges of said first type having a flange, which appliance comprises a base structure including main drive means, an attachment detachably mounted on said base structure and comprising locating and fixing means adapted to cooperate with said locating and fixing surfaces of any cartridge of said first type to hold said cartridge of said first type in an operative position on said appliance, threading means operable to mechanically move said leading end of said information carrier on said reel in a cartridge of said first type when said cartridge is in said operative position, and reel-driving means operatively connected to said main drive means and adapted to cooperate with said flange and operable to drive said reel in a cartridge of said first type when said cartridge is in said operative position.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 19 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 6, which comprises quick-acting means connecting said attachment to said base structure.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 46 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 6, in which said base comprises a base housing, said attachment comprises an attachment housing, and connecting means are provided which protrude from at least one of said base and attachment housings and connect said attachment to said base.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 27 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 8, in which said base housing comprises a box and said attachment housing comprises a cover interfitted with said box.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 57 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 9, in which said main drive means comprise a part protruding from a part of said base housing, said reel-driving means comprise a part protruding from a part of said attachment housing, and said box and cover protrude over said protruding parts of said main drive means and reel-driving means.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 74 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 8, in which said base housing is provided with a base housing aperture, said attachment housing is provided with an attachment housing aperture aligned with said base housing aperture, each of said base and attachment housing apertures is provided with coupling guide means, and said connecting means comprise a coupling, which connects said main drive means to said reel-driving means and is guided by coupling guide means.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 15 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 8, in which said connecting means are self-centering.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 21 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 6, which comprises means for centering said base and attachment relative to each other.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 16 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 6, in which said attachment comprises said reel-driving means.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 229 words

An information-processing appliance for use with a striplike information carrier wound on a reel which is contained in a cartridge of either of first and second types, each of said cartridges having locating and fixing surfaces specific to the type of cartridge, said reel in the cartridges of said second type having a central bore, said cartridges of said second type having a wall formed with an aperture aligned with said bore, said information carrier on said reel having a leading end, which appliance comprises a base structure including a main drive means, an attachment detachably mounted on said base structure and comprising locating and fixing means adapted to cooperate with said locating and fixing surfaces of any cartridge of said second type to hold said cartridge of said second type in an operative position on said appliance, threading means operable to mechanically move said leading end of said information carrier on said reel in a cartridge of said second type when said cartridge is in said operative position, and reel-driving means operatively connected to said main drive means and comprising a spindle adapted to extend through said aperture into engagement with said bore of a reel of a cartridge of said second type when said cartridge is in said operative position, said second reel-driving means being operable to drive said reel in said cartridge of said second type.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 229 words

An information-processing appliance for use with a striplike information carrier wound on a reel which is contained in a cartridge of either of first and second types, each of said cartridges having locating and fixing surfaces specific to the type of cartridge, said reel in the cartridges of said second type having a central bore, said cartridges of said second type having a wall formed with an aperture aligned with said bore, said information carrier on said reel having a leading end, which appliance comprises a base structure including a main drive means, an attachment detachably mounted on said base structure and comprising locating and fixing means adapted to cooperate with said locating and fixing surfaces of any cartridge of said second type to hold said cartridge of said second type in an operative position on said appliance, threading means operable to mechanically move said leading end of said information carrier on said reel in a cartridge of said second type when said cartridge is in said operative position, and reel-driving means operatively connected to said main drive means and comprising a spindle adapted to extend through said aperture into engagement with said bore of a reel of a cartridge of said second type when said cartridge is in said operative position, said second reel-driving means being operable to drive said reel in said cartridge of said second type.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 20 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 15, which comprises quick-acting connecting means connecting said attachment to said base structure.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 46 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 15, in which said base comprises a base housing, said attachment comprises an attachment housing, and connecting means are provided which protrude from at least one of said base and attachment housings and connect said attachment to said base.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 27 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 17, in which said base housing cOmprises a box and said attachment housing comprises a cover interfitted with said box.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 57 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 18, in which said main drive means comprise a part protruding from a part of said base housing, said reel-driving means comprise a part protruding from a part of said attachment housing, and said box and cover protrude over said protruding parts of said main drive means and reel-driving means.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 75 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 17, in which said base housing is provided with a base housing aperture, said attachment housing is provided with an attachment housing aperture aligned with said base housing aperture, each of said base and attachment housing apertures is provided with coupling guide means, and said connecting means comprise a coupling, which connects said main drive means to said reel-driving means and is guided by said coupling guide means.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 15 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 17, in which said connecting means are self-centering.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 21 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 15, which comprises means for centering said base and attachment relative to each other.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 16 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 15, in which said attachment comprises said reel-driving means.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 57 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 1, in which said first and second locating and fixing means are disposed substantially in one and the same area and each of said first and second reel-driving means are adapted to be selectively disabled for the use of the appliance with cartridges of said second and first types, respectively.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 71 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 24, for use with cartridges of said first and second types, the cartridges of each of said types including cartridges having different capacities, in which appliance said first and second fixing and locating means are arranged so that the centers of said reels of cartridges of different capacities of each of said first and second types lie substantially on one and the same line.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 27 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 24, which comprises sensing means for detecting the type of a cartridge held in said operative position on the appliance.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 88 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 26, for use with cartridges having an exit opening for said information carrier, in which appliance said threading means are mounted on a slidable carriage and means are provided which in response to the detection of a cartridge type by said sensing means move said carriage to such a position that the threading device will be directed to the exit opening of a cartridge of either of said first and second types when said cartridge is held in said operative position.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 17 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 26, in which said said sensing means comprise said mandrel.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 91 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 24, which comprises a lever carrying said threading means, a shifting member carrying a pivot on which said lever is pivoted, said fixing and locating means being adapted to hold a cartridge of either of said first and second types in said operative position so that said reel is centered on an axis which is parallel to the axis of said pivot, said shifting member being movable between first and second positions, which are respectively optimized for cartridges of said first and second types.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 108 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 29, in which said lever means comprise pivotally connected first and second arms, said first arm carries said threading device, said arms carry first stop means limiting the relative pivotal movement of said first and second arms, spring means are connected to said first arm and tend to move said first arm to an inoperative position, shifting means are connected to said first arm and operable to move said first arm against the action of said spring means, and stationary second stop means are provided which are engageable by said second arm in response to an operation of said shIfting means.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 27 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 30, which comprises stop control means for moving said second stop means out of the path of said second arm.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 19 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 31, in which said stop control means comprise a cartridge selector switch.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 72 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 32, in which said threading means comprises a threading drive including an idler wheel, said shifting means comprise a shifting lever and a frictional clutch which bears on said shifting lever and is arranged to impart a pivotal movement to said lever so as to move said first arm against the force of said spring means in response to an operation of said idler wheel.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 19 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 33, in which said shifting lever is coaxial with said idler wheel.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 17 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 33, which comprises disengageable means for driving said idler wheel.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 36 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 35, which comprises a pawl tending to lock said disengageable means in an engaged position and means for rendering said pawl inoperative in a predetermined condition of said appliance.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 37 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 36, which comprises sensing means engageable by said information carrier and arranged to render said pawl inoperative in response to the engagement of said sensing means with said information carrier.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 101 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 37, which comprises a take-up reel for said information carrier, said take-up reel having a hub, a guiding arm which is movable between an inoperative position and an operative position and in the latter position is adapted to guide said leading end of said information carrier to said hub and to move to said inoperative position in response to tension imparted to said information carrier as the latter is wound up on said take-up reel, said guiding arm being arranged to render said pawl inoperative when said guiding arm is in said inoperative position.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 97 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 24, which comprises a lever carrying said threading means, first and second pivots, said lever being adapted to be pivoted on each of said first and second pivots, said fixing and locating means being adapted to hold a cartridge of either of said first and second types in said operative position so that said reel is centered on an axis which is parallel to the axes of said first and second pivots, and selecting means are provided for selectively pivoting said lever on either of said first and second pivots.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 18 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 39, in which said selecting means comprise a cartridge selector switch.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 28 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 39, which comprises shifting means for shifting said lever and a pawl for locking said shifting means in an operative position.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 37 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 41, which comprises sensing means engageable by said information carrier and arranged to render said pawl inoperative in response to the engagement of said sensing means with said information carrier.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 97 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 42, which comprises a take-up reel for said information carrier, said take-up reel having a hub, a guiding arm which is movable between an inoperative position and in the latter position is adapted to guide said leading end of said information carrier to said hub and to move to said inoperative position in response to tension imparted to said information carrier as the latter is wound up on said take-up reel, said guiding arm being arranged to render said pawl inoperative when said guiding arm is in said inoperative position.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 31 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 39, in which said selector means comprise sensing means for detecting the type of the cartridge held in said operative position on the appliance.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 30 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 24, in which each of said first and second reel-driving means are movable between an inoperativE position and at least one operative position.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 84 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 45, in which said first reel-driving means comprise a friction wheel which is engageable with said flange in said operative position and the axis of said friction wheel has the same orientation in said operative and inoperative positions of said first reel-driving means, and said mandrel is adapted to engage said bore in said operative position and the axis of said mandrel has the same orientation in said operative and inoperative positions of said second reel-driving means.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 54 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 46, which comprises means for moving said friction wheel to an inoperative position in response to a movement of said mandrel to its operative position and for moving said friction wheel to its operative position in response to a movement of said mandrel to said inoperative position.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 28 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 45, in which said mandrel is retractable from said operative position out of said bore and aperture to said inoperative position.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 20 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 48, which comprises a spring which urges said spindle to said operative position.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 29 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 48, which comprises means for de-energizing said second reel-driving means in response to the movement of said mandrel to said inoperative position.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 66 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 24, in which said appliance is arranged to have cartridges of said first type applied thereto in a first direction and to have cartridges of said second type applied thereto in a second direction, which differs from said first direction, and said first locating and fixing means are rigid in said first direction and movable in said second direction.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 23 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 51, which comprises spring means urging said first fixing and locating means to an operative position.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 37 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 51, in which said fixing and locating means are pivotally mounted, and said first fixing and locating means are pivoted on an axis which is normal to said second direction.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 43 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 1, in which said fixing and locating means are mounted on a carriage which is movable along a predetermined path and said first and second reel-driving means are disposed adjacent to and spaced along said path.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 91 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 54, which comprises sensing means for detecting the type of the cartridge mounted on said cartridge and for locking said cartridge in position adjacent to said first reel-driving means when the fixing and locating surfaces of a cartridge of said first type are engaged with said first fixing and locating means and for locking said carriage adjacent to said second reel-driving means when said fixing and locating surfaces of a cartridge of said second type are engaged with said second fixing and locating means.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 34 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 54, in which said carriage is movable to an inoperative position in which it is adapted to have a cartridge applied to said fixing and locating means.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 113 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 54, which comprises means for initiating the operation of said first reel-driving means in response to a movement of said carriage whereby a cartridge of said first type having its fixing and locating surfaces engaged with said first fixing and locating means is moved to an operative position adjacent to said first reel-driving means and means for initiating the operation of said second reel-driving means in response to a movement of said carriage whereby a cartridge of said second type having its fixing and locating surfaces engaged with said second fixing and locating means is moved to an operative position adjacent to said second reel-driving means.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 131 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 54, for use with cartridges having exit openings, in which appliance said first fixing and locating means are disposed on said carriage in a first area, said second fixing and locating means are disposed on said carriage in a second area, which is spaced from said first area, said threading means comprise a threading device which is adapted to cooperate with cartridges of said first and second types, and said carriage is movable to a first position in which said exit opening of a cartridge of said first type held in said operative position faces said threading device, and to a second position in which said exit opening of a cartridge of said second type held in said operative position faces said threading device.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 62 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 58, which comprises sensing means for detecting the presence of a cartridge in one of said areas and for moving said carriage to said first position in response to the detection of a cartridge in said first area and to said second position in response to the detection of a cartridge in said second area.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 52 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 1, in which said first fixing and locating means and said first reel-driving means are disposed in a first area and said second fixing and locating means and said second reel-driving means are disposed in a second area, which is spaced from said first area.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 69 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 60, for use with cartridges having narrow end faces, in which appliance said first and second areas are disposed one behind the other and each of said fixing and locating means are adapted to hold the respective cartridge in said operative position in one of said areas so that an end face of said cartridge faces toward the other of said areas.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 66 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 60, for use with cartridges having broadsides, in which appliance said first and second areas are disposed one beside the other and each of said fixing and locating means are adapted to hold the respective cartridge in said operative position in one of said areas so that a broadside of said cartridge faces toward the other of said areas.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 39 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 62, in which said threading means comprise a threading device which is adapted to cooperate with cartridges of said first and second types and selectively movable to said first and second areas.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 23 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 63, which comprises cam means for guiding said threading device to said first and second areas.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 17 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 64, in which said cam means comprise cam slot means.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 96 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 65, in which said cam slot means comprise a common cam slot portion, a first cam slot portion leading from said common cam slot portion to said first area, a second cam slot portion leading from said cam slot portion to said second area, said common, first and second cam slot portions defining a junction, and in which a movable deflector is mounted adjacent to said junction and adapted to guide said threading device selectively from said common cam slot portion to said first and second cam slot portions.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 44 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 64, which comprises sensing means for detecting the presence of a cartridge in one of said areas and for operating said cam means to guide said threading device to the area in which said cartridge is held.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 121 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 63, for use with cartridges having exit openings, in which appliance said first fixing and locating means are adapted to hold a cartridge of said first type in an operative position so that said cartridge extends along a first predetermined plane to said exit opening, said second fixing and locating means are adapted to hold a cartridge of said second type in an operative position so that said cartridge extends along a second predetermined plane to said exit opening, said first and second predetermined planes converge towards said exit openings, and said threading device is pivotally movable between first and second positions, in which it is aligned with said first and second planes, respectively.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 37 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 68, in which said first and second planes intersect and said threading device is movable to an inoperative position, in which it is disposed at the intersection of said planes.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 50 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 63, which comprises means tending to move said threading device to a position adjacent to one of said first and second areas and program-controlled means for moving said threading device to a position adjacent to the other of said first and second areas.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 64 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 70, which comprises sensing means for detecting a cartridge held in an operative position in said other area, said program-controlled means being arranged to move said threading device to a position adjacent to said other area in response to the detection by said sensing means of a cartridge held in an operative position in said other area.

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 33 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 58, in which said threading means comprise a first threading device associated with said first area and a second threading device associated with said second area.

Claim 76

Dependent Claim 57 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 72, in which said first and second threading means are coaxial and common actuating means are provided, which are operable to move one of said first and second threading means into a cartridge of said first or second type, respectively, which is held in said operative position on said appliance.

Claim 77

Dependent Claim 24 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 58, which comprises first and second mode control switches associated with said first and second areas, respectively.

Claim 78

Dependent Claim 68 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 74, in which said mode control switches are normally disabled and which comprises sensing means for detecting a cartridge held in an operative position in said first and second areas and for enabling one of said mode control switches in response to the detection of a cartridge held in an operative position in the area associated with said mode control switch.

Claim 79

Dependent Claim 79 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 74, in which one of said mode control switches is normally enabled and the other of said mode control switches is normally disabled, and sensing means are provided to detect a cartridge held in an operative position in the area associated with said normally disabled mode control switch and arranged to disable said normally enabled mode control switch and to enable said normally disabled mode control switch in response to such detection.

Claim 80

Dependent Claim 21 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 58, which comprises a mode control switch associated with said first and second areas.

Claim 81

Dependent Claim 53 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 77, in which said mode control switch is selectively movable to a first set of positions associated with said first area and to a second set of positions associated with said second area and said first and second sets of positions are disposed on opposite sides.

Claim 82

Dependent Claim 24 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 77, in which said mode control switch comprises an actuating member which is rotatable and axially movable.

Claim 83

Dependent Claim 86 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 77, in which said mode control switch is movable to a first set of positions associated with said first area and a second set of positions associated with said second area and sensing means are provided to detect a cartridge held in an operative position in one of said first and second areas and to block a movement of said mode control switch to positions other than those associated with an area in which a cartridge is thus detected.

Claim 84

Dependent Claim 114 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 58, which comprises a base structure comprising a main drive means, a detachable carrier carrying said first and second fixing and locating means and said first and second reel-driving means, a first coupling adapted to connect said main drive means to said first reel-driving means, and A second coupling, which is different from said first coupling and adapted to connect said main drive means to said second reel-driving means, each of said first and second coupling comprising a first element which is comprised in said base structure and a second element which is carried by said carrier and engageable with said first element of the same coupling.

Claim 85

Dependent Claim 56 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 1, in which said threading means are movable into a cartridge held in said operative position and to define gaps with a cartridge into which they have thus been moved, and guiding means for the information carrier are provided, which are adapted at least partly to close said gaps.

Claim 86

Dependent Claim 34 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 82, in which said guiding means are hinged to said threading means and spring means are provided which urge said guiding means away from said threading means.

Claim 87

Dependent Claim 35 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 83, in which said threading means comprise reel-contacting means adapted to contact said information carrier on said reel and said guiding means are hinged to said reel-contacting means.

Claim 88

Dependent Claim 88 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 83, for use with cartridges having a wall defining an exit opening, in which appliance said threading means comprise a friction drive for engaging said information carrier on said reel and a stripper for stripping said leading end from said reel, said stripper having a free end portion adapted to engage said information carrier on said reel, said guiding means comprise an element which is hinged to said free end portion and said spring means urge said element against said wall.

Claim 89

Dependent Claim 43 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 1, which comprises a cartridge selector switch movable between a first position, in which said switch disables said one of said reel-driving means, and s second position, in which said switch enables said one reel-driving means.

Claim 90

Dependent Claim 112 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 86, in which said first reel-driving means comprise a friction wheel, which is movable between an inoperative position, in which it is disengaged from said flange of a cartridge of said first type held in said operative position, and an operative position, in which it is engaged with said flange and operable to drive said reel, and locking means are provided, which are adapted to lock said friction wheel in said inoperative position when said cartridge selector switch is in said first position and to release said friction wheel for movement to said operative position when said cartridge selector switch is in said second position.

Claim 91

Dependent Claim 168 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 87, in which said friction wheel is mounted on a support member operable to move said friction wheel between said inoperative and operative positions, said support member is biased by spring means urging said friction wheel to said operative position, a mode control switch is provided, which is movable to a plurality of positions and by a movement to at least one of said positions is adapted to operate said support member against the action of said spring means to move said friction wheel to its inoperative position, said cartridge selector switch comprises a lever, which is connected to said support member, and cam means which cooperate with said lever and permit of a movement of said lever and said support member when said cartridge selector switch is in one of its first and second positions and which hold said lever and support member in position when said cartridge selector switch is in the other of its first and second positions.

Claim 92

Dependent Claim 190 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 86, which comprises a first carrier carrying said first fixing and locating means and movable between an inoperative position, and an operative position, in which a cartridge of said first type having fixing and locating surfaces engaged with said first fixing and locating means is in an operative position, a second carrier carRying said second fixing and locating means and movable between an inoperative position and an operative position, in which a cartridge of said second type having fixing and locating surfaces engaged with said second fixing and locating means is in an operative position, and means operatively connecting said cartridge selector switch to said first and second carriers and arranged to move said first carrier to said operative position and said second carrier to said inoperative position in response to a movement of said cartridge selector switch to one of its first and second positions, and to move said first carrier to said inoperative position and said second carrier to said operative position in response to a movement of said cartridge selector switch to the other of its first and second positions.

Claim 93

Dependent Claim 83 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 1, which comprises a main drive means, a first carrier carrying said first fixing and locating means and said first reel-driving means, a second carrier carrying said second fixing and locating means and said second reel-driving means, a first coupling adapted to connect said main drive means to said first reel-driving means, and a second coupling, which is different from said first coupling and adapted to connect said main drive means to said second reel-driving means.

Claim 94

Dependent Claim 65 words

An appliance as set forth in claim 90, which comprises sensing means for detecting a cartridge of either of said first and second types held in said operative position and for engaging said first coupling in response to a detection of a cartridge of said first type and for engaging said second coupling in response to a detection of a cartridge of said second type.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1975-04-18	1975-10-18	1976-04-18	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1979-04-18	1979-10-18	1980-04-18	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1983-04-18	1983-10-18	1984-04-18	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Information-processing appliance for use with a striplike information carrier contained in a cartridge

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