US3701495A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Expandable cassette
Assignee: BELL & HOWELL COMPANY A CORP OF DELAWARE
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Filing: 1970-08-10
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Granted: 1972-10-31
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Expires: 1990-08-10
Abstract
Abstract A microfilm cassette having two film cartridges connected by a spacer unit which permits the cartridges to be placed adjacent to one another for compact storage and separated to a variety of distances for viewing the microfilm. At least one edge of each cartridge contains a keyway in which a leg of the spacer unit slides relative to the cartridge to provide easy adjustment to the distance desired between the cartridges.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert G Holliday
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:35
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B21/00; G03B21/10; G03B21/11; G03B21/111; G03B21/113
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
32 words
The cassette in claim 1 wherein the connecting means is slidably connected to one cartridge so that the connecting means and the one cartridge are able to move relative to one another.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
An expandable cassette for feedably housing strip material comprising: a. A first cartridge having means to feedably contain strip material and a keyway along at least one edge thereof; b. a second cartridge adjacent the first cartridge having means to feedably contain strip material and a keyway along at least one edge thereof; and c. connecting means operably engaged in the keyway of each cartridge to enable the cartridges to move relative to one another, said means comprising a spacer unit having a leg at each end, each leg slidably engaged with a keyway in said cartridge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The cassette in claim 3 wherein the keyway of each cartridge has a stop at each end thereof adapted to limit the travel of the legs of the spacer unit along the edges of the cartridges whereby the legs cannot be inadvertently removed from the keyways.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
86 words
The cassette in claim 4 wherein the legs of the spacer unit are of predetermined width and thickness and the keyway in the cartridge comprises a bottom surface parallel to the cartridge edge and two lips separated at a gap from each other and parallel to and separated at a gap from the bottom surface, the gap between the lips and bottom surface being greater than the thickness of the legs and the gap between the two lips being less than the width of the legs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The cassette in claim 5 wherein the keyway has at least one cartridge has an opening in its lips at one end thereof, the opening being larger than the width of the legs of the spacer unit, whereby the spacer unit can be removed from and reinserted in the cartridge keyway by manual manipulation thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The cassette in claim 3 wherein the spacer unit is a rigid bar having ends which are used as legs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The cassette in claim 3 wherein the spacer unit is flexible.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The cassette in claim 3 wherein the spacer unit is stretchable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
The cassette in claim 3 wherein the connecting means is a partial cylinder having a portion of its wall removed forming two edges separated by a gap, each edge having a leg facing away from the gap, the cylinder being prestressed so that the legs are normally maintained apart a distance greater than the width of the keyway.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
The cassette in claim 3 wherein the connecting means comprises a scissors-type clip including two arms operably fastened together by a pivot device, each arm having a leg extending outwardly of the pivot device, and means to normally maintain the legs apart a distance greater than the width of the keyway.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cassette in claim 1 further including means to bias the cartridges towards each other whereby the cassette normally assumes its most compact position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
96 words
A cartridge adapted to form a cassette for strip material when used in tandem in combination with a spacer unit comprising: a. a reel to support strip material in a coil; b. a housing adapted to rotatably support the reel therein having two edges, each of said edges having a keyway therein, either of said keyways being adapted to slidably engage the spacer unit; c. an opening in the housing adapted to enable strip material to be fed through the housing whereby an expandable cassette is formed by slidably engaging the spacer unit with two cartridges.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The cartridge in claim 13 wherein said keyways intersect to form a corner and the opening in the housing is located in that portion of the housing opposite the corner.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-31 | 1976-05-01 | 1976-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-31 | 1980-05-01 | 1980-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-31 | 1984-05-01 | 1984-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |