Patent US3690679A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3690679A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Repeat means for a cassette changer
Assignee: Ampex Corp
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Filing: 1969-11-10
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Granted: 1972-09-12
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Expires: 1989-11-10
Abstract
Abstract A repeat playback capability is provided for cassette changers having a magazine for storing a series of cassettes therein. Preferably, a manually operable selector is provided to disable a feed mechanism for the magazine so that the magazine remains stationary and the same cassette is recycled for playing until the repeat selector is returned to a non-repeat position.
Inventors
- 👤 Glenn E Sterly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:49
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/675; G11B15/68; G11B15/6805; G11B15/6815
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
424 words
In a cassette changer for cassettes having a tape wound on and extending between tape reels, a magazine having a series of compartments for holding cassettes in storage positions, said magazine being slidable along a straight line path to bring each compartment to a transfer station at which a cassette is transferred from its compartment to an operative position for playback or recording onto the cassette tape, cyclically operable means operable through a plurality of consecutive cycles to position each of a plurality of cassettes in said operative position and including a shiftable chassis having spindles for simultaneously penetrating the tape reels during transfer of the cassette from a storage position to said operative position, a transducer head, a slidable carrier for said transducer head slidable from a position in which said transducer head is spaced from the tape to an operative position to engage the tape, forward feed means for feeding the tape in a cassette forwardly for a playback or recording operation, reverse feed means for feeding the tape in a cassette in a reverse direction for a playback or recording operation, said shiftable chassis being movable away from said cassette to simultaneously retract both of said spindles, said cyclically operable means being operable to return the cassette to its compartment in said magazine, means including a rack and pinion for sliding said magazine upon return of a cassette to its compartment to shift the next succeeding compartment into said transfer station until the last of said compartments is aligned at said transfer station, means including a pawl movable when in an operative position to turn said pinion, and selectively operable means including a manually turnable selector and a linkage means extending from said selector to said pawl to shift said pawl to an inoperative position and to disable said pinion from turning and from shifting said magazine to bring the next compartment and the cassette therein into the transfer station, the compartment of the previously played cassette being retained at said transfer station to receive the same cassette and for its return therefrom by said cyclically Operable means for a repeat of the tape therein with the next operation of said cyclically operable means, said linkage means including a link and a lever, said selector being positionable in each of several positions in which operations other than the repeat playing operation may be instituted, said selector having a lost motion connection with said linkage means so that said pawl is disabled only when said selector is positioned for a repeat operation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
424 words
In a cassette changer for cassettes having a tape wound on and extending between tape reels, a magazine having a series of compartments for holding cassettes in storage positions, said magazine being slidable along a straight line path to bring each compartment to a transfer station at which a cassette is transferred from its compartment to an operative position for playback or recording onto the cassette tape, cyclically operable means operable through a plurality of consecutive cycles to position each of a plurality of cassettes in said operative position and including a shiftable chassis having spindles for simultaneously penetrating the tape reels during transfer of the cassette from a storage position to said operative position, a transducer head, a slidable carrier for said transducer head slidable from a position in which said transducer head is spaced from the tape to an operative position to engage the tape, forward feed means for feeding the tape in a cassette forwardly for a playback or recording operation, reverse feed means for feeding the tape in a cassette in a reverse direction for a playback or recording operation, said shiftable chassis being movable away from said cassette to simultaneously retract both of said spindles, said cyclically operable means being operable to return the cassette to its compartment in said magazine, means including a rack and pinion for sliding said magazine upon return of a cassette to its compartment to shift the next succeeding compartment into said transfer station until the last of said compartments is aligned at said transfer station, means including a pawl movable when in an operative position to turn said pinion, and selectively operable means including a manually turnable selector and a linkage means extending from said selector to said pawl to shift said pawl to an inoperative position and to disable said pinion from turning and from shifting said magazine to bring the next compartment and the cassette therein into the transfer station, the compartment of the previously played cassette being retained at said transfer station to receive the same cassette and for its return therefrom by said cyclically Operable means for a repeat of the tape therein with the next operation of said cyclically operable means, said linkage means including a link and a lever, said selector being positionable in each of several positions in which operations other than the repeat playing operation may be instituted, said selector having a lost motion connection with said linkage means so that said pawl is disabled only when said selector is positioned for a repeat operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
384 words
In a cassette changer for cassettes having a tape wound on and extending between tape reels, a magazine having a series of compartments for holding cassettes in storage positions, said magazine being slidable along a straight line path to bring each compartment to a transfer station at which a cassette is transferred from its compartment to an operative position for playback or recording onto the cassette tape, cyclically operable means operable through a plurality of consecutive cycles to position each of a plurality of cassettes in said operative position and including a shiftable chassis having spindles for simultaneously penetrating the tape reels during transfer of the cassette from a storage position to said operative position, said shiftable chassis being movable away from said cassette to simultaneously retract both of said spindles, said cyclically operable means being operable to return the cassette to its compartment in said magazine, means including a rack and pinion for sliding said magazine upon return of a cassette to its compartment to shift the next succeeding compartment into said transfer station until the last of said compartments is aligned at said transfer station, means including a pawl movable when in an operative position to turn said pinion, and selectively operable means to shift said pawl to an inoperative position and to disable said pinion from turning and from shifting said magazine to bring the next compartment and the cassette therein into the transfer station, the compartment of the previously played cassette being retained at said transfer station to receive the same cassette and for its return therefrom by said cyclically operable means for a repeat playing of the tape therein with the next operation of said cyclically operable means, said selectively operable means comprising a manually operable selector on said changer movable to and from a repeat operation position, a first link actuatable by said selector when moved to said repeat operation position, a bellcrank means connected to and operable by said first link, a second link connected to and actuated by said bellcrank means, said second link being connected to said pawl to shift said pawl to its inoperative position with operation of said manual selector, and spring means biasing said links and said bellcrank means to return with return of said manual selector from its repeat operation position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
384 words
In a cassette changer for cassettes having a tape wound on and extending between tape reels, a magazine having a series of compartments for holding cassettes in storage positions, said magazine being slidable along a straight line path to bring each compartment to a transfer station at which a cassette is transferred from its compartment to an operative position for playback or recording onto the cassette tape, cyclically operable means operable through a plurality of consecutive cycles to position each of a plurality of cassettes in said operative position and including a shiftable chassis having spindles for simultaneously penetrating the tape reels during transfer of the cassette from a storage position to said operative position, said shiftable chassis being movable away from said cassette to simultaneously retract both of said spindles, said cyclically operable means being operable to return the cassette to its compartment in said magazine, means including a rack and pinion for sliding said magazine upon return of a cassette to its compartment to shift the next succeeding compartment into said transfer station until the last of said compartments is aligned at said transfer station, means including a pawl movable when in an operative position to turn said pinion, and selectively operable means to shift said pawl to an inoperative position and to disable said pinion from turning and from shifting said magazine to bring the next compartment and the cassette therein into the transfer station, the compartment of the previously played cassette being retained at said transfer station to receive the same cassette and for its return therefrom by said cyclically operable means for a repeat playing of the tape therein with the next operation of said cyclically operable means, said selectively operable means comprising a manually operable selector on said changer movable to and from a repeat operation position, a first link actuatable by said selector when moved to said repeat operation position, a bellcrank means connected to and operable by said first link, a second link connected to and actuated by said bellcrank means, said second link being connected to said pawl to shift said pawl to its inoperative position with operation of said manual selector, and spring means biasing said links and said bellcrank means to return with return of said manual selector from its repeat operation position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-12 | 1976-03-13 | 1976-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-12 | 1980-03-13 | 1980-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-12 | 1984-03-13 | 1984-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |