US3770282A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cassette changer
Assignee: Thomas International Corp
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Filing: 1971-08-31
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Granted: 1973-11-06
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Expires: 1991-08-31
Abstract
Abstract A cassette changer for successively playing a plurality of tape cassettes and playing the tape in each cassette in two directions and having an improved power drive and cycling mechanism for causing index of cassettes and operation of the tape playing elements including a cycle mechanism brought into drive engagement with a continuously rotating drive element for cycling an actuating element movable between two limit positions which reverses the drive connections for the tape in a cassette and which in every other cycle of operation operates a main slide for causing an index operation for bringing a successive tape cassette into playing position.
Inventors
- 👤 A Ryan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 01:59
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/675; G11B15/68; G11B15/6885
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
264 words
In a cassette changer for successively playing a plurality of tape cassettes including, a frame, a continuously rotating drive mechanism mount on the frame for driving a pair of tape drive capstans and a pair of coacting pressure rollers alternately urged toward one of said capstans for driving the tape in a cassette in either forward or reverse direction, operating means operatively connected to both of said pressure rollers and movable between two positions wherein in each position one pressure roller engages a tape against the associated capstan and the other pressure roller is inoperative, an actuating lever pivoted on the frame and movable between two positions and operatively connected to said operating means, said actuating lever having a pair of abutment surfaces, a rotatable member rotatably mounted on the frame and having an actuator positioned to engage said abutment surfaces successively upon rotation of the rotatable member through one revolution, and means for operating said rotatable member through successive one-half revolution cycles by power from said continuously rotating drive mechanism including a cycle lever pivoted on the frame, a power take-off drive train for said rotatable member including a power take-off wheel rotatably mounted on said cycle lever and movable toward and away from said continuously rotating drive mechanism, a solenoid connected to said cycle lever for advancing the cycle lever to engage the power take-off wheel with the continuously rotating drive mechanism, spring means opposing said solenoid, and cam means on said rotatable member for holding the cycle lever in said advanced position until the rotatable member completes a one-half revolution cycle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
264 words
In a cassette changer for successively playing a plurality of tape cassettes including, a frame, a continuously rotating drive mechanism mount on the frame for driving a pair of tape drive capstans and a pair of coacting pressure rollers alternately urged toward one of said capstans for driving the tape in a cassette in either forward or reverse direction, operating means operatively connected to both of said pressure rollers and movable between two positions wherein in each position one pressure roller engages a tape against the associated capstan and the other pressure roller is inoperative, an actuating lever pivoted on the frame and movable between two positions and operatively connected to said operating means, said actuating lever having a pair of abutment surfaces, a rotatable member rotatably mounted on the frame and having an actuator positioned to engage said abutment surfaces successively upon rotation of the rotatable member through one revolution, and means for operating said rotatable member through successive one-half revolution cycles by power from said continuously rotating drive mechanism including a cycle lever pivoted on the frame, a power take-off drive train for said rotatable member including a power take-off wheel rotatably mounted on said cycle lever and movable toward and away from said continuously rotating drive mechanism, a solenoid connected to said cycle lever for advancing the cycle lever to engage the power take-off wheel with the continuously rotating drive mechanism, spring means opposing said solenoid, and cam means on said rotatable member for holding the cycle lever in said advanced position until the rotatable member completes a one-half revolution cycle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A cassette changer as defined in claim 1 including a main slide operable in a cassette change cycle, a main slide actuator on said rotatable member overlying said main slide and movable into engagement with the main slide in every other one-half revolution cycle of the rotatable member.
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) | 1976-11-05 | 1977-05-07 | 1977-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-05 | 1981-05-07 | 1981-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-05 | 1985-05-07 | 1985-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |