US3773272A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tape-cartridge assembly
Assignee: SIMPAC INTERN Inc
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Filing: 1971-06-25
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Granted: 1973-11-20
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Expires: 1991-06-25
Abstract
Abstract The disclosed magnetic tape cartridge adapted for use with a playback unit incorporates automatically releasable holders to restrain the tape roll, reel and loop against inadvertent displacement when not in use. Additional improvements include substantial reduction in number of parts, the provision of a single-part reel, integral tape pressure pads, a single-part tape cannister, provision for slide-snap-lock assembly, warpage control, and special end grips and a dust cover.
Inventors
- 👤 R Wallace
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 11:21
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H20/00; B65H20/26; G; G11; G11B; G11B23/00; G11B23/02; G11B23/04; G11B23/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
346 words
In a magnetic tape cartridge assembly having a case with end zones for exposing tape to contact with a playback unit tape drive rotor and transducer head, a tape reel mounted to rotate within the case, an endless tape carried in the case and including a roll mounted on the reel to rotate therewith, the tape having a loop, and guides to guide the tApe to travel past said zones, the improvement comprising a. the case including and being defined by molded plastic receptacle and cover elements which are longitudinally elongated, and b. means for releasably attaching the receptacle and cover elements together, said means including a deflectable catch carried by one of the cover and receptacle elements and a shoulder carried by the other of the elements for snap locking engagement with the catch, said catch and shoulder located between said reel and one of said end zones, and c. said cover and receptacle elements having multiple tongue and groove interconnections for distributing interconnection loading, said tongues and grooves projecting directionally generally longitudinally and parallel to the plane of said cover and receptacle elements to guide relative longitudinal slide assembly of said elements following their interengagement in order to bring said shoulder and catch into snap locking engagement, said tongue and groove interconnections having means for providing full interfit only after completion of said relative longitudinal slide assembly of said elements and the connections then retaining the elements against pull apart separation in any direction, generally normal to the case, d. holder means to restrain at least one of the reel, tape roll and tape loop against travel in the case, and e. actuator structure responsive to operative insertion of the assembly to a playback unit to displace and thereby release the holder means from so retraining said one of the reel, tape roll and the loop, said actuator structure including a pressure pad locally exposed at the case periphery, the case proximate to the pad being recessed to receive a playback unit roller that is spring urged toward and into engagement with the pad.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
346 words
In a magnetic tape cartridge assembly having a case with end zones for exposing tape to contact with a playback unit tape drive rotor and transducer head, a tape reel mounted to rotate within the case, an endless tape carried in the case and including a roll mounted on the reel to rotate therewith, the tape having a loop, and guides to guide the tApe to travel past said zones, the improvement comprising a. the case including and being defined by molded plastic receptacle and cover elements which are longitudinally elongated, and b. means for releasably attaching the receptacle and cover elements together, said means including a deflectable catch carried by one of the cover and receptacle elements and a shoulder carried by the other of the elements for snap locking engagement with the catch, said catch and shoulder located between said reel and one of said end zones, and c. said cover and receptacle elements having multiple tongue and groove interconnections for distributing interconnection loading, said tongues and grooves projecting directionally generally longitudinally and parallel to the plane of said cover and receptacle elements to guide relative longitudinal slide assembly of said elements following their interengagement in order to bring said shoulder and catch into snap locking engagement, said tongue and groove interconnections having means for providing full interfit only after completion of said relative longitudinal slide assembly of said elements and the connections then retaining the elements against pull apart separation in any direction, generally normal to the case, d. holder means to restrain at least one of the reel, tape roll and tape loop against travel in the case, and e. actuator structure responsive to operative insertion of the assembly to a playback unit to displace and thereby release the holder means from so retraining said one of the reel, tape roll and the loop, said actuator structure including a pressure pad locally exposed at the case periphery, the case proximate to the pad being recessed to receive a playback unit roller that is spring urged toward and into engagement with the pad.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
223 words
In a magnetic tape cartridge assembly having a case with end zones for exposing tape to contact with a playback unit tape drive wheel and transducer head and a side wall having a recess adapted to receive a playback unit roller, a tape reel mounted to rotate within the case, and an endless tape carried in the case and including a roll mounted on the reel to rotate therewith, the tape having loop, and guides including a pinch wheel to guide tape loop to travel past said zones, the tape loop having a return portion extending from said pinch wheel to the periphery of the tape roll, the improvement comprising a. holder means releasably restraining at least one of the reel, tape roll and the tape loop against travel in the case, and b. actuator structure including a pad locally exposed to said recess radially outwardly of the reel for inward deflection in response to operative connection of the assembly to a playback unit to displace and thereby release said holder means from so restraining said at least one of said reel, tape roll and the tape, allowing endless travel of the tape as effected by said drive wheel, said tape return portion extending intermediate said pad and the tape roll, said pad also located closer to said reel than to said roller.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
223 words
In a magnetic tape cartridge assembly having a case with end zones for exposing tape to contact with a playback unit tape drive wheel and transducer head and a side wall having a recess adapted to receive a playback unit roller, a tape reel mounted to rotate within the case, and an endless tape carried in the case and including a roll mounted on the reel to rotate therewith, the tape having loop, and guides including a pinch wheel to guide tape loop to travel past said zones, the tape loop having a return portion extending from said pinch wheel to the periphery of the tape roll, the improvement comprising a. holder means releasably restraining at least one of the reel, tape roll and the tape loop against travel in the case, and b. actuator structure including a pad locally exposed to said recess radially outwardly of the reel for inward deflection in response to operative connection of the assembly to a playback unit to displace and thereby release said holder means from so restraining said at least one of said reel, tape roll and the tape, allowing endless travel of the tape as effected by said drive wheel, said tape return portion extending intermediate said pad and the tape roll, said pad also located closer to said reel than to said roller.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
213 words
In a magnetic tape cartridge assembly having a case with end zones for exposing tape to contact with a playback unit tape drive wheel and transducer head and a side wall having a recessed wall portion adapted to receive a playback unit roller, a tape reel mounted to rotate within the case, and an endless tape carried in the case and including a roll mounted on the reel to rotate therewith, the tape having a loop, and guides to guide tape loop to travel past said zones, the improvement comprising a. holders releasably restraining the reel against rotation and the tape against travel in the case, and b. actuator structure including a pad locally exposed proximate to said recessed side wall portion of the case radially outwardly of the reel for inward deflection in response to operative connection of the assembly to a playback unit to displace and thereby release said holders from so restraining the reel and the tape, allowing endless travel of the tape as effected by said drive wheel, said holders including a first holder arm gripping the reel, a second holder arm gripping the tape roll, said arms connected with the actuator structure to be deflectable in response to displacement of said actuator structure in a holder releasing direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
213 words
In a magnetic tape cartridge assembly having a case with end zones for exposing tape to contact with a playback unit tape drive wheel and transducer head and a side wall having a recessed wall portion adapted to receive a playback unit roller, a tape reel mounted to rotate within the case, and an endless tape carried in the case and including a roll mounted on the reel to rotate therewith, the tape having a loop, and guides to guide tape loop to travel past said zones, the improvement comprising a. holders releasably restraining the reel against rotation and the tape against travel in the case, and b. actuator structure including a pad locally exposed proximate to said recessed side wall portion of the case radially outwardly of the reel for inward deflection in response to operative connection of the assembly to a playback unit to displace and thereby release said holders from so restraining the reel and the tape, allowing endless travel of the tape as effected by said drive wheel, said holders including a first holder arm gripping the reel, a second holder arm gripping the tape roll, said arms connected with the actuator structure to be deflectable in response to displacement of said actuator structure in a holder releasing direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The assembly of claim 3, wherein said holders include a third holder carried by the actuator structure to grip and release the tape loop.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The assembly of claim 3 including means adjustably interconnecting the first and second holder arms, and at least one of said arms being engageable by said actuator structure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
95 words
The assembly of claim 1 including a tape cannister having a plate located in said case to retain the tape roll on the reel at the underside of the plate, the cannister plate having a through opening proximate the inner boundary of said roll to pass tape feeding off the roll at said inner boundary, the plate having grooving inclined toward said inner boundary proximate said opening to guide tape outward travel onto the upper surface of the plate, and the plate having fencing to guide tape loop travel laterally across the cannister upper surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
274 words
In a magnetic tape cartridge assembly having a case with end zones for exposing tape to contact with a playback unit tape drive rotor and transducer head, a tape reel having a central bearing mounted to rotate on a post within the case with a tape roll thereon and a hub radially outward of said bearing, and guides to guide the tape to travel past said zones, the improvement comprising a cannister having a plate located in said case to retain the tape roll on the reel at the underside of the plate, the case including and being defined by molded plastic receptacle and cover elements, said cannister and case having thereon interfitting shoulders at the periphery of the cannister to restrain the cannister against rotation with the reel, the cannister radially having annular shoulder structure interfitting reel annular shoulder structure in radially outwardly spaced relation from the reel hub, that are relatively rotatable to accommodate removable mounting of the cannister to extend over the reel, said shoulder structures defined by a boss projecting upwardly away from a reel flange and by a cannister annular portion annularly recessed toward and to receive a portion of said boss, the cannister plate defining a central through opening radially inward of said annular portion, and finger grip means carried by the reel to be centrally and accessibly exposed through the opening in the cannister top for use in accurately positioning the reel and mounted cannister in the case with the cannister top spaced a predetermined distance above the reel flange which is greater than the tape width, and means to attach together the receptacle and cover elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
274 words
In a magnetic tape cartridge assembly having a case with end zones for exposing tape to contact with a playback unit tape drive rotor and transducer head, a tape reel having a central bearing mounted to rotate on a post within the case with a tape roll thereon and a hub radially outward of said bearing, and guides to guide the tape to travel past said zones, the improvement comprising a cannister having a plate located in said case to retain the tape roll on the reel at the underside of the plate, the case including and being defined by molded plastic receptacle and cover elements, said cannister and case having thereon interfitting shoulders at the periphery of the cannister to restrain the cannister against rotation with the reel, the cannister radially having annular shoulder structure interfitting reel annular shoulder structure in radially outwardly spaced relation from the reel hub, that are relatively rotatable to accommodate removable mounting of the cannister to extend over the reel, said shoulder structures defined by a boss projecting upwardly away from a reel flange and by a cannister annular portion annularly recessed toward and to receive a portion of said boss, the cannister plate defining a central through opening radially inward of said annular portion, and finger grip means carried by the reel to be centrally and accessibly exposed through the opening in the cannister top for use in accurately positioning the reel and mounted cannister in the case with the cannister top spaced a predetermined distance above the reel flange which is greater than the tape width, and means to attach together the receptacle and cover elements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The assembly of claim 7, in which one of said guides is located proximate a corner of said case but enclosed therein, said guide being integral with the case and having ribs defining touch points for tape engagement, the cannister having fencing to guide tape travel toward said ribs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
70 words
The assembly of claim 7, in which said reel comprises a one-piece plastic molding and includes said hub and said flange of larger diameter than the hub, the hub being frusto-conical to taper toward the plane of the flange and having at least three peripheral seam grooves at circularly spaced locations to be spanned by the tape, the flange having ribbing to support the tape roll at one side thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The assembly of claim 9, in which said hub is slotted to initially receive and retain a tape tab during winding of tape on the reel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The assembly of claim 1 in which the case side is recessed to receive a playback unit roller that is spring urged toward the recess, the case periphery adjacent the recess being outwardly protuberant in the path of said roller travel toward the recess.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The assembly of claim 1, in which said other elemEnt defines a small through opening to receive a tool for deflecting the catch to release said shoulder.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The assembly of claim 1, in which the case is generally flat and rectangular, said interconnections located proximate corners of said case and at the elongated periphery thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
55 words
The assembly of claim 2, including a deflectable catch carried by one of the cover and receptacle elements and a shoulder carried by the other of the elements for snap locking engagement with the catch, said other element defining a small through opening to receive a tool for deflecting the catch to release said shoulder.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The assembly of claim 1, in which the case is generally flat and rectangular, the case defining outwardly opening corner recesses at one end thereof for finger gripping.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The assembly of claim 7 including at least one plastic pressure arm integral with said receptacle and projecting for engagement with the tape at one of said end zones.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The assembly of claim 1 including molded plastic pressure pad means integral with the case and located to resiliently bias the tape proximate one of the case end zones.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
157 words
In a magnetic tape cartridge assembly having a case with end zones for exposing tape to contact with a playback unit tape drive rotor and transducer head, a tape reel mounted to rotate axially within the case and guides to guide the tape to travel past said zones, the improvement comprising: a. the case including and being defined by molded plastic receptacle and cover elements, said elements having multiple tongue and groove interconnections for distributing interconnection loading, said tongues and grooves projecting generally parallel to the plane of said elements to guide assembly of said elements following their interengagement, and b. means for releasably attaching together the assembled elements, said means including registrable tubular bosses on the elements proximate the axis of said reel, and a part shiftable axially within said bosses and into and out of internal bridging relation thereiwth, said part comprising a pin having a push fit with the bores defined by the bosses.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
157 words
In a magnetic tape cartridge assembly having a case with end zones for exposing tape to contact with a playback unit tape drive rotor and transducer head, a tape reel mounted to rotate axially within the case and guides to guide the tape to travel past said zones, the improvement comprising: a. the case including and being defined by molded plastic receptacle and cover elements, said elements having multiple tongue and groove interconnections for distributing interconnection loading, said tongues and grooves projecting generally parallel to the plane of said elements to guide assembly of said elements following their interengagement, and b. means for releasably attaching together the assembled elements, said means including registrable tubular bosses on the elements proximate the axis of said reel, and a part shiftable axially within said bosses and into and out of internal bridging relation thereiwth, said part comprising a pin having a push fit with the bores defined by the bosses.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
The improvement of claim 18 wherein the receptacle and cover elements define openings in alignment with said pin but smaller than said bores to receive a pin for shifting the tool into and out of said bridging relation.
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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 |