Patent US3732977A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3732977A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for the storage, selection and locating in a reading position of informations recorded on micro-cards
Assignee: NOUVEILES TECH RADIOELECTRIQUE
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Filing: 1971-07-27
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Granted: 1973-05-15
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Expires: 1991-07-27
Abstract
Abstract In a device for the storage, selection and locating in a reading position of recorded information on micro-cards it is known to reduce the format of the cards by photographic means. It is also known to mount the standard card on a rigid frame or bar to permit the selective calling up and automatic positioning of the cards in reading means. In the present invention the device comprises cassettes in each of which are stacked micro-cards, each card being provided at one of their edges with coding perforations in the form of open slots or holes forming as many combinations as there are cards in the cassette, the cassette having a row of holes opposite the holes and slots in the microcards for the passage of retaining means permitting the locking of the pile of micro-cards and the selective unlocking of each one of them by disengagement of the retaining means passing through the holes of the corresponding card. The cassettes are conveniently constituted by flat rectangular boxes open at a narrow side and having an opposite elongated opening for the introduction of compressed air to expel the selected card from the cassette opening.
Inventors
- 👤 J Deprez
- 👤 De Montrichard C Munier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 02:48
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K17/00; G06K21/00; G06K21/002; G06K21/005; G06K21/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
289 words
A device for handling a set of micro-cards each having information recorded thereon and each having coding perforations along at least one of its edges, said device comprising: a cassette dimensioned to receive and store in a stacked condition said set of micro-cards and having therein means defining holes aligned with said coding perforations when said micro-cards are stacked within said cassEtte; a rectangular compartment having a front side, rear side, and two opposed sides and dimensioned to receive therein said cassette and having means in one of said two opposed sides defining an opening through which said cassette may be introduced during use of the device; an air nozzle disposed at said rear side of said rectangular compartment and oPening therein for introducing compressed air into said rectangular compartment, said air nozzle comprising a pair of parallel plates positioned close together to define an air passage therebetween and inclined at a slight angle relative to the planes in which said micro-cards lie when in a stacked condition; a cassette support mounted for vertical movement within said rectangular compartment and having a boxlike configuration which is open at the front, rear and one side whereby said cassette may be introduced through the open side and supported by said cassette support; retaining means coacting with the coding perforations for releasably locking said micro-cards within said cassette and operative to selectively unlock said micro-cards so that theY may be removed from said cassette; and means for imparting reciprocating vertical movement to said cassette support to effect corresponding movement of said cassette and micro-cards past said air nozzle; whereby compressed air delivered from said air nozzle effects removal of the unlocked micro-card from said cassette during vertical movement of said cassette support.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
289 words
A device for handling a set of micro-cards each having information recorded thereon and each having coding perforations along at least one of its edges, said device comprising: a cassette dimensioned to receive and store in a stacked condition said set of micro-cards and having therein means defining holes aligned with said coding perforations when said micro-cards are stacked within said cassEtte; a rectangular compartment having a front side, rear side, and two opposed sides and dimensioned to receive therein said cassette and having means in one of said two opposed sides defining an opening through which said cassette may be introduced during use of the device; an air nozzle disposed at said rear side of said rectangular compartment and oPening therein for introducing compressed air into said rectangular compartment, said air nozzle comprising a pair of parallel plates positioned close together to define an air passage therebetween and inclined at a slight angle relative to the planes in which said micro-cards lie when in a stacked condition; a cassette support mounted for vertical movement within said rectangular compartment and having a boxlike configuration which is open at the front, rear and one side whereby said cassette may be introduced through the open side and supported by said cassette support; retaining means coacting with the coding perforations for releasably locking said micro-cards within said cassette and operative to selectively unlock said micro-cards so that theY may be removed from said cassette; and means for imparting reciprocating vertical movement to said cassette support to effect corresponding movement of said cassette and micro-cards past said air nozzle; whereby compressed air delivered from said air nozzle effects removal of the unlocked micro-card from said cassette during vertical movement of said cassette support.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
122 words
A device according to claim 1; in which said cassette comprises a flat rectangular box open at a narrow side and carrying on one face, close to the edge opposite to the open narrow side, a series of holes intended for the passage of said retaining means, while on a lateral narrow side, in the vicinity of the open side, there is formed a window, a movable blocking member movable to one position wherein same urges against the front edge of the micro-cards to keep them in said cassette and movable to another position wherein same is released from the micro-cards during the placing of said cassette into said rectangular compartment, and means normally biasing said blocking member into said one position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to claim 1; in which said cassette support includes therein means defining holes corresponding to those in said cassette and serving for the guidance of said retaining means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
A device according to claim 1; wherein said means for imparting the reciprocating vertical movement to said cassette support comprises a motor, and a set of cams driven by said motor through a cycle corresponding to one ascent and one descent of said cassette support so that said cassette is in a low position during the return of the micro-card which thus arrives onto the top of the pile of micro-cards contained in said cassette.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
100 words
A device according to claim 1; including a reading compartment for receiving therein a micro-card and having two opposite transparent windows through which the information recorded on said micro-card may be viewed; a passageway communicating said reading compartment with said rectangular compartment and wherein said front face of said rectangular compartment is open so that compressed air delivers from said air nozzle may effect movement of an unlocked micro-card from said cassette through said passageway into said reading compartment; and another air nozzle for delivering compressed air into said reading compartment to effect return of said micro-card into said cassette.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device according to claim 5; including means for releasably positioning a micro-card by suction in said reading compartment and for effecting its release so that same may be returned into said cassette.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
A device according to claim 1; wherein said retaining means comprises a block mounted on said rectangular compartment and containing therein a number of small pneumatic piston and cylInder assemblies corresponding to the coding perforations along each micro-card, each piston having a rod extendablE through one of said card perforations and being held in an upward rest position disengaged from said cassette by restoring springs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device according to claim 7; further comprising means actuated by said cassette when same is introduced into said cassette support for controlling the supply of compressed air into the piston and cylinder assemblies so as to lock the micro-cards by lowering the pistons and their rods.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device according to claim 7; including mini-valves for controlling the supply of compressed air to the pneumatic piston and cylinder assemblies, and mini-switches operated by push buttons for controlling the actuation of said mini-valves.
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) | 1976-05-14 | 1976-11-13 | 1977-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-14 | 1980-11-13 | 1981-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-14 | 1984-11-13 | 1985-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |