Patent US3706423A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3706423A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Automatic loading and unloading tape transport apparatus utilizing a captive leader
Assignee: Bell and Howell Co
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Filing: 1971-01-04
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Granted: 1972-12-19
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Expires: 1991-01-04
Abstract
Abstract Captive leader web loading and unloading apparatus for automatically capturing the free end of a take-up leader extending along the web transport path, at the conclusion of the supply web rewind operation. A capture device automatically decouples a supply leader from the captive leader without requiring the application of auxiliary motions to the supply reel after rewind. The device includes a bistable mechanism having a first stable configuration for cooperating with the take-up leader such that the take-up leader is captured along the web transport path, and a second stable configuration for releasing the take-up leader when coupled to the supply leader. The bistable mechanism is actuated to assume its first stable configuration, by the take-up leader during decoupling from the supply leader. After automatic coupling of the take-up leader and the supply leader, the take-up leader actuates the bistable mechanism to assume its second stable configuration.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph J Neff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:36
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/60; G11B15/66; G11B15/67; G03; G03B; G03B21/00; G03B21/14; G03B21/32; G03B21/43; G11B15/18; G11B15/26; G11B15/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
In web transport apparatus including supply means provideable with a wound supply web, web take-up means and a web transport path extending between the supply means and the take-up means, the combination comprising: a take-up leader having an end secured to the take-up means and a free end, said take-up leader threaded along the web transport path excepting a portion of said take-up leader including said free end; first coupleable means provided by said take-up leader; second coupleable means provided by the supply web for cooperating with said first coupleable means to effect a couplement between the supply web and said take-up leader; actuable means for causing cooperation between said first and second coupleable means to effect said couplement; decoupling means for automatically decoupling the supply web from said take-up leader when the transported supply web is substantially rewound; bistable means having a first stable configuration cooperating with said take-up leader such that said take-up leader is threadedly retained along the web transport path, and alternately a second stable configuration for releasing said take-up leader; first actuating means provided by said take-up leader for actuating said bistable means during decoupling to assume said first stable configuration; and second actuating means provided by said take-up leader for actuating said bistable means during coupling to assume said second stable configuration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
In web transport apparatus including supply means provideable with a wound supply web, web take-up means and a web transport path extending between the supply means and the take-up means, the combination comprising: a take-up leader having an end secured to the take-up means and a free end, said take-up leader threaded along the web transport path excepting a portion of said take-up leader including said free end; first coupleable means provided by said take-up leader; second coupleable means provided by the supply web for cooperating with said first coupleable means to effect a couplement between the supply web and said take-up leader; actuable means for causing cooperation between said first and second coupleable means to effect said couplement; decoupling means for automatically decoupling the supply web from said take-up leader when the transported supply web is substantially rewound; bistable means having a first stable configuration cooperating with said take-up leader such that said take-up leader is threadedly retained along the web transport path, and alternately a second stable configuration for releasing said take-up leader; first actuating means provided by said take-up leader for actuating said bistable means during decoupling to assume said first stable configuration; and second actuating means provided by said take-up leader for actuating said bistable means during coupling to assume said second stable configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination according to claim 1, further including retaining means provided by said take-up leader for cooperating with said bistable means when in said first stable configuration such that said take-up leader is retained by said bistable means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination according to claim 2, wherein said retaining means is included by said second actuating means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination according to claim 2, wherein said second actuating means and said retaining means comprise an aperture in said take-up leader.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination according to claim 1, wherein said decoupling means includes stationary stripper means positioned out of the web path, for interferring with said couplement and for guiding said take-up leader free end out of the tape path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination according to claim 5, wherein said first actuating means comprises said free end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
128 words
In web transport apparatus including supply means provideable with a wound supply web, web take-up means and a web transport path extending between the supply means and the take-up means, the combination comprising: a supply leader secured to the supply web, and having a free end; a take-up leader secured to the take-up means, for extending along the web transport path, and having an end portion including a free end removed from the web path; first coupleable means provided by said supply leader and second coupleable means provided by said take-up leader, for effectIng a couplement therebetween; and stationary means positioned out of the web path, for separating said couplement when said couplement approaches said stationary means while the wound supply web is rotated in a winding direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
128 words
In web transport apparatus including supply means provideable with a wound supply web, web take-up means and a web transport path extending between the supply means and the take-up means, the combination comprising: a supply leader secured to the supply web, and having a free end; a take-up leader secured to the take-up means, for extending along the web transport path, and having an end portion including a free end removed from the web path; first coupleable means provided by said supply leader and second coupleable means provided by said take-up leader, for effectIng a couplement therebetween; and stationary means positioned out of the web path, for separating said couplement when said couplement approaches said stationary means while the wound supply web is rotated in a winding direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
151 words
In magnetic tape apparatus including supply means provideable with wound magnetic tape, tape take-up means, magnetic transducer means and tape transport means for transporting the tape along a tape transport path such that the tape is in magnetic contact with the transducer means, the combination comprising: a relatively stiff supply leader secured to the tape and having a free end; a relatively stiff take-up leader secured to the take-up means, for being threaded along the tape transport path and having an end portion including a free end; first coupleable means provided by said supply leader and second coupleable means provided by said take-up leader, for effecting a couplement therebetween; and stationary means removed from the tape transport path and positioned for interferring with said couplement to decouple said first and second coupleable means when said couplement approaches said stationary means while said supply leader is transported in a tape winding direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
151 words
In magnetic tape apparatus including supply means provideable with wound magnetic tape, tape take-up means, magnetic transducer means and tape transport means for transporting the tape along a tape transport path such that the tape is in magnetic contact with the transducer means, the combination comprising: a relatively stiff supply leader secured to the tape and having a free end; a relatively stiff take-up leader secured to the take-up means, for being threaded along the tape transport path and having an end portion including a free end; first coupleable means provided by said supply leader and second coupleable means provided by said take-up leader, for effecting a couplement therebetween; and stationary means removed from the tape transport path and positioned for interferring with said couplement to decouple said first and second coupleable means when said couplement approaches said stationary means while said supply leader is transported in a tape winding direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination according to claim 8, wherein said first coupleable means includes a tab means and said second coupleable means includes an eye means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination according to claim 8, wherein said first coupleable means includes a button-shaped tab at the free end of said supply leader and said second coupleable means includes a keyhole-shaped aperture near the free end of said take-up leader.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination according to claim 8, wherein said stationary means includes means for guiding the free end of said take-up leader out of the tape transport path.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
66 words
The combination according to claim 8, further including bistable means actuable from a second stable configuration to a first stable configuration by said take-up leader free end when guided out of the tape transport path, and retaining means provided by said take-up leader end portion for cooperating with said bistable means when in said first configuration, for retaining said take-up leader along the tape transport path.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
57 words
The combination according to claim 12, further including actuable means for causing cooperation between said first and second coupleable means to effect said couplement, and wherein said retaining means provided by said take-up leader end portion cooperates with said bistable means after said couplement is effected for actuating said bistable means to assume said second stable configuration.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
144 words
The combination according to claim 13, wherein said actuable means includes finger means having a normal position out of the tape path and an actuated position for biasing said take-up leader end portion in the vicinity of said first coupleable means against the wound tape; drive means for rotating the wound tape in a tape winding direction; finger control means for actuating said finger means from its normal position to its actuated position, and alternately from its actuated position to its normal position when said bistable means is actuated to assume said second stable configuration; and drive control means for causing said drive means to rotate the wound tape in a tape winding direction when said finger means is in said actuated position, and alternately for controlling said drive means to become inoperable when said finger means is actuated to assume said normal position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3257515A
Cited
US3136464A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-12-19 | 1976-06-19 | 1976-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-19 | 1980-06-19 | 1980-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-19 | 1984-06-19 | 1984-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |