US3758121A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tape cartridge ejector system for cassette tape player
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
•
Filing: 1971-08-05
•
Granted: 1973-09-11
•
Expires: 1991-08-05
Abstract
Abstract A tape cartridge ejector system for a cassette type tape player is equipped with means to automatically eject the cassette cartridge from the player upon de-energization of a low power solenoid. The de-energization of the solenoid can take place by any means as through the ignition switch, on-off switch, ejection switch, or power failure. The ejector apparatus utilizes stored mechanical energy from one or more springs and therefore even operates upon complete power failure to cause the cassette cartridge to be ejected automatically from the tape player.
Inventors
- 👤 R Walsh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 03:21
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/675; G11B15/67544; G11B15/67555; G11B15/67557
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
310 words
In a cartridge tape player including a housing having a cartridge receiving portion into which a cartridge is readily inserted to an intermediate position and manually operable actuation means movable from a first to a second position for moving the cartridge from said intermediate position to a playback and record position, the improvement therein comprising, an automatic cartridge eject mechanism including in combination, a first pivotal lever means secured to said housing and having a portion thereof engageable with said actuation means for setting said first pivotal lever means to an eject-ready position when said actuation means is operated to move the cartridge from the intermediate position to a playback and record position, a first spring connected to said first pivotal lever means for storing mechanical energy when the cartridge is moved from the intermediate position to the playback and record position, a solenoid having an armature and a holding coil, said armature being mounted for movement toward and away from said holding coil, said holding coil arranged to receive energizing power to maintain said first pivotal lever means in said eject-ready position in response to the movement of said armature toward said holding coil, mechanical latch means mounted for pivotal movement on said player and being mechanically coupled to said armature and positioned for engagement with said pivotal lever means upon moving the latter to said eject-ready position to retain said pivotal lever means in said position while said cartridge is in said playback and record position, and means for de-energization of said holding coil to release said armature for movement away from said holding coil, said latch means in response thereto releasing said first pivotal lever means from said eject-ready position to then operate said actuation means from said second to said first position for moving the cartridge from the playback and record position to the intermediate position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
310 words
In a cartridge tape player including a housing having a cartridge receiving portion into which a cartridge is readily inserted to an intermediate position and manually operable actuation means movable from a first to a second position for moving the cartridge from said intermediate position to a playback and record position, the improvement therein comprising, an automatic cartridge eject mechanism including in combination, a first pivotal lever means secured to said housing and having a portion thereof engageable with said actuation means for setting said first pivotal lever means to an eject-ready position when said actuation means is operated to move the cartridge from the intermediate position to a playback and record position, a first spring connected to said first pivotal lever means for storing mechanical energy when the cartridge is moved from the intermediate position to the playback and record position, a solenoid having an armature and a holding coil, said armature being mounted for movement toward and away from said holding coil, said holding coil arranged to receive energizing power to maintain said first pivotal lever means in said eject-ready position in response to the movement of said armature toward said holding coil, mechanical latch means mounted for pivotal movement on said player and being mechanically coupled to said armature and positioned for engagement with said pivotal lever means upon moving the latter to said eject-ready position to retain said pivotal lever means in said position while said cartridge is in said playback and record position, and means for de-energization of said holding coil to release said armature for movement away from said holding coil, said latch means in response thereto releasing said first pivotal lever means from said eject-ready position to then operate said actuation means from said second to said first position for moving the cartridge from the playback and record position to the intermediate position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
A cartridge tape player as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mechanical latch means includes pawl member which is pivotally secured to said housing to be in one Position for holding said first pivotal lever means in said eject-ready position, and bias spring means connected between said armature and said housing to release said pawl member to another position upon de-energization of said holding coil to cause movement of the cartridge from the playback and record position to the intermediate position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
A cartridge tape player as claimed in claim 2 wherein said mechanical latch means further includes a tab member formed on said first pivotal lever means and extending toward said pawl member to engage the same when said actuatiom means is manually operated to thereby shift the position of the armature of said solenoid into close proximity with said holding coil, which, when energized, will continue to hold said armature and pawl member in said one position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
196 words
A cartridge tape player as claimed in claim 1 further including cartridge eject means for moving said cartridge out of said cartridge receiving portion of said housing, said eject means being engageable with said cartridge upon insertion thereof into said cartridge receiving portion and operable from an eject to an eject-ready condition in accordance therewith, wherein said automatic eject mechanism further includes a second pivotal lever means secured to said housing and having a portion thereof selectively engageable with said actuation means for setting said second pivotal lever means to an eject-ready position for engagement with said cartridge eject means, a second spring connected to said second pivotal lever means for storing mechanical energy when the cartridge is moved from the intermediate position to the playback and record position, and means for securing said second pivotal lever means in said eject-ready position, said securing means being coupled to said actuation means and released thereby upon de-energization of said holding coil to permit said second pivotal lever means to be returned by said second spring to move said cartridge eject means from said eject-ready to the eject condition for driving said cartridge from said cartridge receiving portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
A cartridge tape player as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first pivotal lever means, said first spring, and said solenoid are mounted on an adapter unit to be retro-fitted to a tape player having said manually operable actuation means to convert it to automatic ejection of the cartridge whenever power is removed from the tape player.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3669455A
Cited
US3604862A
Cited
US3669456A
Cited
US3599985A
Cited
US3638953A
Cited
US3603743A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-10 | 1977-03-12 | 1977-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-10 | 1981-03-12 | 1981-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-10 | 1985-03-12 | 1985-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |