US3756609A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for automatically operating a selected one of a plurality of tape cassettes
Assignee: Olympus Corp
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Filing: 1970-09-24
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Granted: 1973-09-04
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Expires: 1990-09-24
Abstract
Abstract An automatic cassette tape player for playing a selected one of a plurality of tapes. In one embodiment, the cassettes are arranged in an ordered matrix-like array on a table. The record/playback head and tape advancing mechanism are positioned over the cassette which it is desired to play, and the cassette urged into engagement with the head. After the tape has been played, the cassette is disengaged and the head moved over the next cassette and the process repeated. In another embodiment, the cassettes are mounted onto a plurality of endless belts which are intermittently advanced to select a particular row of cassettes. Then, the playback head is caused to travel until it is positioned over a particular endless belt and then urged into engagement with the thus uniquely determined cassette.
Inventors
- 👤 M Sato
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:36
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/675; G11B15/68
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
Apparatus for automatically operating a selected one of a plurality of tape cassettes arranged in an ordered array which comprises: a. a cassette-receiving table, said array including a plurality of cassettes positioned on said table; b. tape operating means including a playback/record head and a tape advancing mechanism for advancing the tape in said selected cassette past said playback/record head; c. moving means for moving said operating means relative to said array and for thereby positioning said operating means proximate said selected cassette; d. urging means for urging the positioned operating means and said selected cassette toward one another to engage said selected cassette with said operating means, whereby said tape may be played, the urging means being reversible to withdraw said selected cassette out of engagement with said operating means when said cassette has been played, said urging means including a cassette lifting mechanism positioned beneath each cassette on said table for lifting said cassette upwardly of said table toward said operating means and including means for lowering said cassette out of engagement with said operating means and back down onto said table in response to an end of play signal generated in said cassette.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
Apparatus for automatically operating a selected one of a plurality of tape cassettes arranged in an ordered array which comprises: a. a cassette-receiving table, said array including a plurality of cassettes positioned on said table; b. tape operating means including a playback/record head and a tape advancing mechanism for advancing the tape in said selected cassette past said playback/record head; c. moving means for moving said operating means relative to said array and for thereby positioning said operating means proximate said selected cassette; d. urging means for urging the positioned operating means and said selected cassette toward one another to engage said selected cassette with said operating means, whereby said tape may be played, the urging means being reversible to withdraw said selected cassette out of engagement with said operating means when said cassette has been played, said urging means including a cassette lifting mechanism positioned beneath each cassette on said table for lifting said cassette upwardly of said table toward said operating means and including means for lowering said cassette out of engagement with said operating means and back down onto said table in response to an end of play signal generated in said cassette.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said cassettes are positioned on said table in mutually orthogonal rows, and said moving means include means for moving said operating means along axes parallel to said mutually orthogonal rows and columns.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising tape re-winding means, selectively connectable to each cassette in said array, for re-winding the tape in said selected one of the plurality of cassettes, after the cassette has been played and returned to its original position on the table.
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) | 1976-09-03 | 1977-03-05 | 1977-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-03 | 1981-03-05 | 1981-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-03 | 1985-03-05 | 1985-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |