US3746180A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for facilitating the storage of magnetic tape casse tttes
Assignee: Fellowes Inc
•
Filing: 1971-06-03
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Granted: 1973-07-17
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Expires: 1991-06-03
Abstract
Abstract A device for facilitating the storage of magnetic tape cassettes comprises an elongate plastic rail of generally U-shaped crosssectional configuration. The panels of each rail grip the sides of the cassette and portions of each rail extend beyond the ends of the cassette to permit the cassette to be suspended by the rail in a card index box or the like. The rail is provided with suitable releasable latch means to permit releasable latching of the rail to the cassette. In one embodiment, the end portions of each rail are provided with incisions to facilitate suspension of the rail on a wire frame.
Inventors
- 👤 F Spiroch
- 👤 K Schmuck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:32
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B23/00; G11B23/02; G11B23/023; G03; G03B; G03B21/00; G03B21/14; G03B21/32; G03B21/321; G03B21/323
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
251 words
A device facilitating the storage of a magnetic tape cassette comprising in combination a rail and tape cassette, the cassette having an upper open long edge through which access to the tape is obtained and having raised surfaces on the sides of the cassette adjacent the open long edge, the raised surfaces having lower edges and also having end edges spaced from the ends of the cassette and facing obliquely downwardly at obtuse angles with the lower edges, the rail composed of a plastics material and being of substantially U-shaped cross section receiving and confining the open long edge of the cassette and releasably and resiliently gripping the sides of the cassette, the rail extending beyond both ends of the cassette and having a top base panel overlying and closing the open long edge of the cassette to protect the tape from dust, debris and damage, the U-shaped rail also having resiliently flexible, but stiff depending side panels spaced from each other confronting and lying along the raised surfaces of the cassette, the side panels having longitudinally extending and inwardly turned flanges spaced well below said base panel underlying and engaging the lower edges of the raised surfaces thereby supporting the cassette, and the side panels having bottom edges adjacent both ends of the rail spaced below the base panel and above the flanges, the side panels and bottom edges extending endwise beyond the cassette to confine the cassette and facilitate suspension of the device and cassette from said bottom edges.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
251 words
A device facilitating the storage of a magnetic tape cassette comprising in combination a rail and tape cassette, the cassette having an upper open long edge through which access to the tape is obtained and having raised surfaces on the sides of the cassette adjacent the open long edge, the raised surfaces having lower edges and also having end edges spaced from the ends of the cassette and facing obliquely downwardly at obtuse angles with the lower edges, the rail composed of a plastics material and being of substantially U-shaped cross section receiving and confining the open long edge of the cassette and releasably and resiliently gripping the sides of the cassette, the rail extending beyond both ends of the cassette and having a top base panel overlying and closing the open long edge of the cassette to protect the tape from dust, debris and damage, the U-shaped rail also having resiliently flexible, but stiff depending side panels spaced from each other confronting and lying along the raised surfaces of the cassette, the side panels having longitudinally extending and inwardly turned flanges spaced well below said base panel underlying and engaging the lower edges of the raised surfaces thereby supporting the cassette, and the side panels having bottom edges adjacent both ends of the rail spaced below the base panel and above the flanges, the side panels and bottom edges extending endwise beyond the cassette to confine the cassette and facilitate suspension of the device and cassette from said bottom edges.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
A device according to claim 1, in which the rail is provided with latching means for engagement with the cassette, said latching means including a nib in one of the side panels and projecting inwardly of the rail from said panel and toward the opposite side panel, said nib being spaced upwardly from the flange to confront and engage an obliquely downwardly facing end edge of the raised surface on the cassette and thereby restrict endwise movement of the cassette and rail relative to each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 1, in which the rail is formed with grooves for the accommodation of a transparent cover strip for the top outer surface of the rail.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device according to claim 1, in which the end portions of the rail are formed with notches in said bottom edges of the side panels to facilitate suspension of the rail on a wire frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device according to claim 4, in which the form of the notches and the wire frame are such as to permit the storage of the cassette in an inclined or a vertical position.
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) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |