US3712561A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tape reel hold down mechanism
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1971-03-16
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Granted: 1973-01-23
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Expires: 1991-03-16
Abstract
Abstract A tape reel hold down mechanism for properly seating and firmly clamping a tape reel to a turntable substantially comprises a base rigidly attached to the turntable, an actuating knob rotatable relative to the base and including a plurality of crank pins, a plurality of links each having one end responsive to the circular motion of an associated crank pin for seating the tape reel on the turntable with their other end and a plurality of clamping means each responsive to the motion of a lost motion slot on an associated link for applying an outward radial clamping force to the inner diameter of the tape reel. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the clamping means includes a thin rubber pad and a preloaded compression spring assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 J Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:48
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/60; G11B15/66; G11B15/662
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
401 words
In combination with a turntable having an axis of rotation, a device for seating and then cLamping a reel having an inner diameter to said turntable comprising: a base rigidly attached to said turntable, said base being adapted to receive the inner diameter of said reel and including an axial stop and a plurality of radially directed guide surfaces, actuating means rotatable relative to said axis and including a plurality of crank pins, said crank pins being parallel to said axis and uniformly distributed along the circumference of a circle having its center coincident with said axis, a plurality of links each including a lost motion slot directed along the length thereof, said links being located and constrained to move along a plane which is perpendicular to said axis, the first end of each link being pivotally attached to an associated crank pin, and the first end of each slot being nearer said associated crank pin, and a plurality of clamping means each radially guided by said guide surfaces and interacting with the lost motion slot of an associated link, rotation of said actuating means in a first direction causing the first end of each link to respond to the circular motion of its associated crank pin and causing the lost motion slot of said link to interact with its associated clamping means whereby said link rotates about said associated crank pin in the opposite direction, the second end of said link protruding beyond the outer periphery of said base for seating said reel on said axial stop and said associated clamping means responding to the motion of the first slot end on said link for applying an outward radial clamping force to the inner diameter of said reel, and rotation of said actuating means in said opposite direction causing the first end of said link to respond to the circular motion of said associated crank pin and causing the lost motion slot of said link to interact with said associated clamping means whereby said link rotates in said first direction about said associated crank pin, the second end of said link moving inwardly relative to the outer periphery of said base for releasing said reel from said axial stop and said associated clamping means responding to the motion of the other slot end on said link for removing said outward radial clamping force from the inner diameter of said reel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
401 words
In combination with a turntable having an axis of rotation, a device for seating and then cLamping a reel having an inner diameter to said turntable comprising: a base rigidly attached to said turntable, said base being adapted to receive the inner diameter of said reel and including an axial stop and a plurality of radially directed guide surfaces, actuating means rotatable relative to said axis and including a plurality of crank pins, said crank pins being parallel to said axis and uniformly distributed along the circumference of a circle having its center coincident with said axis, a plurality of links each including a lost motion slot directed along the length thereof, said links being located and constrained to move along a plane which is perpendicular to said axis, the first end of each link being pivotally attached to an associated crank pin, and the first end of each slot being nearer said associated crank pin, and a plurality of clamping means each radially guided by said guide surfaces and interacting with the lost motion slot of an associated link, rotation of said actuating means in a first direction causing the first end of each link to respond to the circular motion of its associated crank pin and causing the lost motion slot of said link to interact with its associated clamping means whereby said link rotates about said associated crank pin in the opposite direction, the second end of said link protruding beyond the outer periphery of said base for seating said reel on said axial stop and said associated clamping means responding to the motion of the first slot end on said link for applying an outward radial clamping force to the inner diameter of said reel, and rotation of said actuating means in said opposite direction causing the first end of said link to respond to the circular motion of said associated crank pin and causing the lost motion slot of said link to interact with said associated clamping means whereby said link rotates in said first direction about said associated crank pin, the second end of said link moving inwardly relative to the outer periphery of said base for releasing said reel from said axial stop and said associated clamping means responding to the motion of the other slot end on said link for removing said outward radial clamping force from the inner diameter of said reel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1 further comprising a spring plate located between said actuating means and said base for applying an axially directed force to said links.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said axial stop is an annular shoulder area located along the outer periphery of said base.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said actuating means further comprises a plurality of equally spaced circumferentially directed slots for constraining the motion of said actuating means within fixed limits.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
111 words
The device of claim 1 wherein each of said clamping means further comprises: a hollow plunger, a plunger pin fixed relative to said plunger, a hollow clamping block including a longitudinally directed guide slot, a plunger stop pin fixed relative to said block, a spring, said plunger being slidably fitted within said block, said spring being compressed between said plunger and said block, said plunger stop pin trapping said plunger against the compressive force of said spring, and the motion of said plunger pin being constrained along said longitudinal guide slot when said plunger moves relative to said block, and a frictional pad attached to said block for clamping said reel.
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) | 1976-01-23 | 1976-07-24 | 1977-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-23 | 1980-07-24 | 1981-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-23 | 1984-07-24 | 1985-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |