US3773271A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-rewinding machine control tape cassette
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-03-08
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Granted: 1973-11-20
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Expires: 1991-03-08
Abstract
Abstract A machine tool tape control includes an endless tape coil rotatably contained in a cassette casing which is mounted directly below the tape-reading head of the machine in an upwardly and outwardly inclined position such that an external loop of the tape leaves the inside of the coil, emerges through a medial slot in the rear side of the casing, and extends directly upwardly to the reading head and thence downwardly and back into the casing through an end opening therein, from which it extends tangently to the periphery of the roll and is wound externally thereon.
Inventors
- 👤 W Brannan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:30
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K13/00; G06K13/18; G06K13/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
391 words
For use in conjunction with a tape-controlled machine including a built-in reading head having rotatable drive means for drawing the tape thereover, a cassette for holding and feeding an annular coil of endless tape to said head and for receiving and rewinding such tape as it is returned from said head in response to drive imparted to the tape by said drive means, said cassette comprising: a casing having opposed front and back walls to embrace the flat sides of said coil so as to confine it for rotation in a fixed plane, said front wall having a tape-exit opening; means in said casing bearing on said coil to constrain it for rotation in the fixed plane; means for detachably mounting said casing on said machine in a position wherein said front wall is contiguous to said reading head, said fixed plane is tilted so as to intersect the plane of travel of said tape to and from said head and to subtend an acute dihedral angle with said plane of travel, and said opening is pierced by the path of travel of said tape from the cassette to said head; said cassette being operatively associated with said reading head upon attachment of said mounting means to said machine and separable from said head and drive means upon detachment from the machine; a guide in said casing, extending through the central opening of said coil at an angle to the coil axis such that a stretch of the tape may leave the interior of the coil, passing around said guide, and may then exit through said coil opening and through said exit opening at an acute angle to the plane of said front wall in the area thereof nearest to said head; said guide being in the form of an idler roller disposed adjacent one side of said central opening; and a cone roller disposed with its rotational axis in a common plane with that of said idler roller, said cone roller being interposed between said idler roller and the internal circumference of said coil and with its opposite sides in close parallel association with said idler roller and said internal circumference respectively, such that the tape will pass between and be confined closely by said idler roller and said cone roller as it leaves the internal circumference of the coil.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
391 words
For use in conjunction with a tape-controlled machine including a built-in reading head having rotatable drive means for drawing the tape thereover, a cassette for holding and feeding an annular coil of endless tape to said head and for receiving and rewinding such tape as it is returned from said head in response to drive imparted to the tape by said drive means, said cassette comprising: a casing having opposed front and back walls to embrace the flat sides of said coil so as to confine it for rotation in a fixed plane, said front wall having a tape-exit opening; means in said casing bearing on said coil to constrain it for rotation in the fixed plane; means for detachably mounting said casing on said machine in a position wherein said front wall is contiguous to said reading head, said fixed plane is tilted so as to intersect the plane of travel of said tape to and from said head and to subtend an acute dihedral angle with said plane of travel, and said opening is pierced by the path of travel of said tape from the cassette to said head; said cassette being operatively associated with said reading head upon attachment of said mounting means to said machine and separable from said head and drive means upon detachment from the machine; a guide in said casing, extending through the central opening of said coil at an angle to the coil axis such that a stretch of the tape may leave the interior of the coil, passing around said guide, and may then exit through said coil opening and through said exit opening at an acute angle to the plane of said front wall in the area thereof nearest to said head; said guide being in the form of an idler roller disposed adjacent one side of said central opening; and a cone roller disposed with its rotational axis in a common plane with that of said idler roller, said cone roller being interposed between said idler roller and the internal circumference of said coil and with its opposite sides in close parallel association with said idler roller and said internal circumference respectively, such that the tape will pass between and be confined closely by said idler roller and said cone roller as it leaves the internal circumference of the coil.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
A cassette as defined in claim 1, in combination with said coil and said reading head and drive means: said casing projecting downwardly and underneath said reading head; said guide comprising a roller disposed adjacent the bottom of the internal circumference of said coil and said stretch of tape extending upwardly in a straight line from said guide roller directly to said head.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said reading head is one of two vertically spaced members between which said tape travels, said tape looping over the lower of said two members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
A cassette as defined in claim 1 wherein said bearing means consists of a plurality of rollers carried by said casing in a circumferential array such as to determine said fixed axis of rotation, said rollers being disposed within said coil for rolling contact with its internal circumference.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A cassette as defined in claim 4, wherein said guide is an idler roller disposed between two of said bearing rollers and adjacent to a side of the internal circumference of the coil.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A cassette as defined in claim 1, wherein said cone roller has a taper corresponding to the angle subtended between the internal surface of said coil and an opposed side of said idler roller.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A Cassette as defined in claim 4, said circumferential array of rollers having respective stub shafts anchored to said front wall and being rotatable on their respective shafts, said front wall being removably attached to said casing.
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) | 1976-11-19 | 1977-05-21 | 1977-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-19 | 1981-05-21 | 1981-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-19 | 1985-05-21 | 1985-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |