US3661396A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Directional control switch means for a cassette changer
Assignee: Ampex Corp
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Filing: 1969-11-10
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Granted: 1972-05-09
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Expires: 1989-11-10
Abstract
Abstract A cassette changer, which is shiftable between a pause mode and an operational mode, is provided with directional control switch means which remain in given positions during shifting to a pause mode to assure that the same direction of tape drive is resumed upon termination of the pause mode. Preferably, the directional control switches are interconnected by a mechanical means in the form of a rocker arm which extends between the switches to shift and to assure that the switches are mutually exclusively operated to opposite positions.
Inventors
- 👤 Glenn E Sterly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:00
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/675; G11B15/68; G11B15/6805; G11B15/6815
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
303 words
In an apparatus for playing or recording on each of a series of tape cassettes having a pair of reels therein between which the tape is wound and unwound, the combination comprising a magazine for storing a series of cassettes and for positioning each of the cassettes at a transfer station for movement to an operating station, a sound transducer head, carrier means for carrying said transducer head between an operative position in which said transducer head is in operative relationship with said tape and a pause position in which said transducer head is spaced from operative relationship with said tape, a forward capstan for driving engagement with said tape, a forward tape feed member carried by said carrier means and selectively movable between an operative tape feeding position for engagement with said tape to force the tape against said forward capstan and an inoperative non-tape feeding position spaced form said tape, a reverse capstan for driving engagement with the tape, a reverse tape feed member carried by said carrier means and selectively movable between an operative tape feeding position for eNgagement with said tape to force the tape against said reverse capstan and an inoperative non-feeding position spaced from said tape, means for shifting one of said tape feed members to an operative position and the other to an inoperative position, first switch means operable by said forward tape feeding member to remain in its tape feeding position when said carrier means is in its operative or pause positions, second switch means operable by said reverse tape feeding member to remain in its tape feeding position when said carrier means is in the pause or operative positions, and means extending between said first and second switch means and operable to assure that said first and second switch means are in opposite positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
303 words
In an apparatus for playing or recording on each of a series of tape cassettes having a pair of reels therein between which the tape is wound and unwound, the combination comprising a magazine for storing a series of cassettes and for positioning each of the cassettes at a transfer station for movement to an operating station, a sound transducer head, carrier means for carrying said transducer head between an operative position in which said transducer head is in operative relationship with said tape and a pause position in which said transducer head is spaced from operative relationship with said tape, a forward capstan for driving engagement with said tape, a forward tape feed member carried by said carrier means and selectively movable between an operative tape feeding position for engagement with said tape to force the tape against said forward capstan and an inoperative non-tape feeding position spaced form said tape, a reverse capstan for driving engagement with the tape, a reverse tape feed member carried by said carrier means and selectively movable between an operative tape feeding position for eNgagement with said tape to force the tape against said reverse capstan and an inoperative non-feeding position spaced from said tape, means for shifting one of said tape feed members to an operative position and the other to an inoperative position, first switch means operable by said forward tape feeding member to remain in its tape feeding position when said carrier means is in its operative or pause positions, second switch means operable by said reverse tape feeding member to remain in its tape feeding position when said carrier means is in the pause or operative positions, and means extending between said first and second switch means and operable to assure that said first and second switch means are in opposite positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which said last-mentioned means includes a rocker arm pivotally mounted on said carrier means for shifting therewith and for interaction with each of said first and second switch means while said carrier means is in said pause and operative positions thereby assuring said first and second switch means are in opposite positions relative to each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 in which said first and second switch means each have a slider movable in a first direction by its associated feed member and movable in the opposite direction by said rocker arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 3 in which pivotally mounted brackets support each of said tape feed members for swinging between said operative and inoperative positions and in which said brackets engage one end of an associated slider to move the same in said first direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including forward and reverse feed signal indicators operable by said first and second switch means, respectively, to indicate the direction of tape feed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
296 words
In an apparatus for playing or recording on each of a series of tape cassettes having a pair of reels therein between which the tape is wound and unwound, the combination comprising a magazine for storing a series of cassettes and for positioning each of the cassettes at a transfer station for movement to an operating station, a carrier shiftable between an operative and a pause position, a forward tape feeding means including a capstan and also including a pinch roller mounted on said carrier for feeding said tape forwardly and movable between a tape feeding position with said capstan and a non-tape feeding position spaced from said capstan, a sound transducer head mounted on said carrier for shifting therewith, a reverse feeding means including a capstan and also including a pinch roller mounted on said carrier for feeding said tape in the reverse direction and movable between a tape feeding position with its associated capstan and a non-tape feeding position spaced from its associated capstan, means for shifting one of said pinch rollers into the tape feeding position and shifting the other pinch roller into the non-tape feeding position, forward switch means including a slider shiftable by movement of said forward pinch roller from a tape feeding to a non-tape feeding position, reverse switch means including a slider shiftable by movement of said reverse pinch roller from a tape feeding to a non-tape feeding position, and rocker means pivotally mounted on said carrier and extending into engagement with each of said sliders and pivotable by the slider being shifted to said non-tape feeding position to force the other slider to the tape feeding position and thereby maintain said switch means in mutually exclusive positions when said carrier is in said operative or said pause position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
296 words
In an apparatus for playing or recording on each of a series of tape cassettes having a pair of reels therein between which the tape is wound and unwound, the combination comprising a magazine for storing a series of cassettes and for positioning each of the cassettes at a transfer station for movement to an operating station, a carrier shiftable between an operative and a pause position, a forward tape feeding means including a capstan and also including a pinch roller mounted on said carrier for feeding said tape forwardly and movable between a tape feeding position with said capstan and a non-tape feeding position spaced from said capstan, a sound transducer head mounted on said carrier for shifting therewith, a reverse feeding means including a capstan and also including a pinch roller mounted on said carrier for feeding said tape in the reverse direction and movable between a tape feeding position with its associated capstan and a non-tape feeding position spaced from its associated capstan, means for shifting one of said pinch rollers into the tape feeding position and shifting the other pinch roller into the non-tape feeding position, forward switch means including a slider shiftable by movement of said forward pinch roller from a tape feeding to a non-tape feeding position, reverse switch means including a slider shiftable by movement of said reverse pinch roller from a tape feeding to a non-tape feeding position, and rocker means pivotally mounted on said carrier and extending into engagement with each of said sliders and pivotable by the slider being shifted to said non-tape feeding position to force the other slider to the tape feeding position and thereby maintain said switch means in mutually exclusive positions when said carrier is in said operative or said pause position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 6 including forward and reverse feed signal indicators operable by said forward and reverse switch means to indicate the direction the tape is feeding when said carrier is in the operative position and the direction the tape will feed when said carrier is shifted from said pause position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-09 | 1975-11-08 | 1976-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-09 | 1979-11-08 | 1980-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-09 | 1983-11-08 | 1984-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |