Pre recorded magnetic tape editing device

Claim 2

Apparatus for use in splicing the lead end of a supply of magnetic tape on a supply reel to the free end of a leader tape on a takeup reel which is adapted to be rotated to draw the tape from said supply reel after the splice is made, said apparatus comprising, an enclosed buffer chamber having an open end positioned adjacent the path of travel of tape drawn from said supply reel, a splicing surface, having a plurality of apertures therein, positioned in the path of travel of said tape between said buffer chamber anD said takeup reel, a source of vacuum operably connected to said buffer chamber and means for selectively connecting said source of vacuum to said apertures in the splicing surface whereby the portion of the tape passing over said splicing surface, upon actuation of said means, is held immobile against said surface and excess tape between said supply reel and said splicing surface is drawn into said buffer chamber through said open end under the influence of said vacuum source.

Claim 3

Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said splicing surface has a first groove therein extending substantially parallel to the path of travel of said tape and being substantially equal in width to said tape, said tape passing through said groove along its path of travel, and said apertures being formed in the base of said groove.

Claim 4

Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said splicing surface has a second groove therein extending generally perpendicularly to said path of travel and being adapted to receive a knife edge for cutting tape held on the splicing surface by said vacuum source.

Claim 5

Apparatus as defined in claim 3 including means for continuously connecting said vacuum source to said buffer chamber and wherein said tape is under sufficient tension during operation of said takeup reel to pass across the open end in said buffer chamber and resist being drawn under the influence of said vacuum source during operation of said takeup reel.

Claim 6

Apparatus as defined in Claim 4 wherein said means includes a magnetic pickup head adapted to pickup a prerecorded tone signal on said tape.

Claim 7

Apparatus for use in splicing the lead end of a predetermined length of tape, as defined by prerecorded tone signals on a supply of tape on a supply reel, to the free end of a leader tape on a takeup reel in a cassette positioned on the apparatus and engaged with a driven shaft adapted to rotate the takeup reel and wind tape thereon from the supply reel, said apparatus comprising an enclosed buffer chamber having an open end positioned adjacent the path of travel of tape drawn from said supply reel, a splicing block positioned in the path of travel of said tape between said buffer chamber and said cassette and having a groove therein extending substantially parallel to the path of travel of said tape, said splicing block having a plurality of holes formed therein on the lower surface of said groove and said tape passing through said groove adjacent said holes, along its path of travel towards said cassette takeup reel, a source of vacuum operably connected to said buffer chamber and means, including a magnetic pickup head, for selectively connecting said source of vacuum to said holes in the base of said groove in response to said prerecorded tone signals on said tape, whereby the portion of the tape passing through said groove, upon receipt of a tone signal by said magnetic head, is held immobile against the base of said groove and excess tape discharged from said supply reel as it is stopped, between said supply reel and said splicing block, is drawn into said buffer chamber through said open end under the influence of said source of vacuum.

Claim 8

Apparatus for use in splicing the lead end of a predetermined length of tape, as defined by prerecorded tone signals on a supply of tape on a supply reel, to the free end of a leader tape on a takeup reel in a cassette positioned on the apparatus and engaged with a driven shaft adapted to rotate the takeup reel and wind tape thereon from the supply reel, said apparatus comprising an enclosed buffer chamber having an open end positioned adjacent the path of travel of tape drawn from said supply reel, a splicing block positioned in the path of travel of said tape between said buffer chamber and said cassette and having a groove therein extending substantially parallel to the path of travel of said tape, said splicing block having a plurality of holes formed therein on the lower surface of said groove and said tape passing through said groove adjacent said holes, along its path of travel towards said cassette takeup reel, a source of vacuum operably connected to said buffer chamber and means, including a magnetic pickup head, for selectively connecting said source of vacuum to said holes in the base of said groove in response to said prerecorded tone signals on said tape, whereby the portion of the tape passing through said groove, upon receipt of a tone signal by said magnetic head, is held immobile against the base of said groove and excess tape discharged from said supply reel as it is stopped, between said supply reel and said splicing block, is drawn into said buffer chamber through said open end under the influence of said source of vacuum.

Claim 9

Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said cassette has a second reel therein and a leader tape secured to said second reel and said apparatus includes a cassette receptacle adapted to receive said cassette with said takeup reel engaged with said driven shaft, said receptacle having an aperture therein adjacent one side of the cassette through which the free end of the leader tape on said second reel is positioned to hold said leader out of the path of travel of said tape.

Claim 10

Apparatus as defined in claim 7 including means for continuously connecting said vacuum source to said buffer chamber and wherein said tape is under sufficient tension during operation of the takeup reel to pass across the open end in said buffer chamber and resist being drawn therein under the influence of said vacuum source during operation of said takeup reel.

Claim 11

ApParatus as defined in claim 7 including a pair of roller guides positioned adjacent the open end of said buffer chamber to guide said tape under tension past the open end of said buffer chamber during operation of said takeup reel.

Claim 12

Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said splicing surface has a second groove therein extending generally perpendicularly to said path of travel and being adapted to receive a knife edge for cutting tape held on the splicing surface by said vacuum source.