Electronic sound effects apparatus with tape cartridge and resiliently mounted switching plate

Claim 1

Electronic sound effects, or talking clock, apparatus comprising, in combination, a cartridge-type tape-player including a loudspeaker; and, a tape cartridge operably disposed in said player, said cartridge having time announcements sequentially pre-recorded on the tape at timed periodic intervals and having a narrow slot extending lengthwise of and in the tape at the end of each announcement portion of the tape, said cartridge having a compartment containing a layer of resilient material forming a cushion for the tape at the pick-up end of the cartridge and having an electrically conductive metal plate disposed between the tape and said cushion and extending beyond at least one edge of said tape, said tape-player having a power input circuit for connection to a power source of constant frequency alternating current, and having timer means keyed to said frequency, for starting and stopping said player, said timer means comprising a stop sensing switch responsive to displacement of said tape through said cartridge, for causing said power input circuit to open at the completion of each of said announcements, said stop sensing switch comprising an electrically conductive metal brush forming a first terminal and mounted to said tapeplayer, for wiping engagement with the face of said tape in transport over said metal plate, and a second electrically conductive terminal mounted to said tape-player so as to intersect the plane of said tape and yieldingly engage the extending portion of said metal plate clear of the edge of said tape, whereby as said tape is transported over said metal plate, said brush terminal will penetrate each of said slots in turn and contact said metal plate thereby to complete the circuit with said second terminal.